GB2129692A

GB2129692A - A golf swing practice device

Info

Publication number: GB2129692A
Application number: GB08329580A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Harrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-10
Filing date: 1983-11-04
Publication date: 1984-05-23
Also published as: AU2092283A; JPS59118177A; GB8329580D0

Abstract

The device 3 comprises a mounting portion 5 and a restraining element 7 which extends from the mounting portion. The mounting portion 5 is securable to the upper portion of the body of the golfer via straps 19 passing through slots 15, 17. In use the restraining element (7) constrains the power arm of the golfer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A golf swing practice device The present invention relates to a golf swing practice device.

The correct positioning ofthe elbow of the "power arm" with respectto the body of a golfer during a golf swing is an important aspect of the golf swing. The term "power arm" as used herein meansthe arm which generates club head speed. In particular the power arm is the right arm of a golfer playing with right handed clubs and the left arm ofthe golfer playing with left handed clubs.

It is generally accepted that some movement ofthe elbow of the power arm away from the side of the body towards the top of the back swing is desirable fromthe point of view of widening the arc and consequently increasing the power of the golf swing.

It is clear that if the elbow moves too far away from the body, to the point where the forearm becomes horizontal to the ground, the result is both a loss of power and control. If this occursthe golfer is said to have a "flying elbow".

It is also generally accepted that the elbow ofthe power arm, during the down swing, should be brought against the side of the body by the time the golfclub is brought into contact with the golf ball. This is the initial position ofthe elbow at the commencement of the back swing and return to this position ensures correct contact of the golf club with the golf ball.

Another important aspect of the golf swing is that the back swing should not go beyond a pointwhere the golf club is horizontal to the ground. If the back swing is extended beyond this point, the result generally is a loss of club head speed and there is a tendencyforthefaceofthegolfclubto become misaligned at the point of contact of the golfclubwith the golf ball.

An objectofthe present invention isto provide a golf swing practice device which can be used buy a golferto develop a golf swing having the advantageous characteristics described above.

According to the present invention there is provided a golfswing practice device comprising a mounting portion and a restraining element extending from the mounting portion, the mounting portion being securable to the upper portion ofthe body of the golfer so thatthe restraining element constrains the power arm of the golferto a path of movement during the golf swing which allows limited movement ofthe elbow of the power arm away from the body at the top ofthe backswing, restrains over swinging ofthe golf club at the top of the backswing, and constrains the elbow of the power arm during the down swing to move to a position against the body ofthe golfer at the point of contact ofthe golfclubwith the golf ball.

In one preferred form ofthe present invention, the mounting portion is contoured for close fitting against the upper portion of the body ofthe golfer, and the restraining element extends outwardly and forwardly from one end of the mounting portion, the restraining element and the mounting portion defining a corridor for receiving a section ofthe upper arm of the golfer during the golf swing. It is preferred that the restraining element comprises a stop portion which extends generally laterally from the body ofthe golferwhen the golf swing practice device is secured to the golfer, and a guide arm portion which extends from the stop portion generallytransverse to the body of the golfer when the golf swing practice device is secured to the golfer.The guide arm portion in this position is spaced from the body and together with the mounting portion defines the corridor. Preferably the guide arm portion is shaped to correspond to the contour of the body. It is also preferred thatthe mounting portion be provided with spaced apertures for receiving mounting straps to securethe golf swing practice device to the golfer.

Further detailed description ofthe present invention is now provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment ofthe golf swing practice device formed in accordance with the present invention, FIGURES 2 and3 arefrontand side views respec tivelyofa golfer during different stages of a golf swing, the golfer having the practice device shown in Figure 1 secured to the upper portion of his body, and FIGURES 4to 6 show a similar device to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 except that this device is adapted for use with a single strap only.

With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 4, the golf swing practice device 3 comprises a mounting portion 5 and a restraining element 7.

The mounting portion is contoured for snug location against the upper portion of the body ofthe golfer, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. The mounting portion 5 includes spaced slots 15 and 17 which are adapted to receive mounting straps for securing the golf swing practice device 3 to the body ofthe golfer.

In the embodiment shown in Figures to3two mounting straps are provided one passing around the golfer's chest and the other over the shoulder. In this particulararrangementslot 15 is horizontallydisposed and slot 17 inclined. Inthe embodiment of Figures 4to 6 only one strap is used this strap extending around the user's trunk. In this particular embodiment both slots are disposed vertically.

The mounting straporstraps maytake any suitable form and in the arrangement is elastic material with fastening means such as a pair of metal loops for tightening the strap in position.

The restraining element7 extendsfrom one end of the mounting portion 5 and comprises a curved portion 11 which essentially defines a stop portion, and a guide arm 13.

In Figures 2 and 5the golfer is shown in a conventional stance atthe commencement of the back swing.

In Figures 3 and 6 the golfer is shown in a conventional position at the top of the back swing. The golf swing practice device 3 is positioned on the body ofthe golfer as shown in Figures 2 and 3 by straps 19 and in figures 5 and 6 by single strap 20. The power arm i.e. the right arm, is movable in the corridor defined between the guide arm 13 and the mounting portion 5.It can be appreciated that during the initial stages ofthe backswing the guide arm 13 prevents the elbow of the right arm from moving away from the body. Atthetop ofthe backswing, the curved portion 11 inhibits over swinging ofthe golf club and, as can best be seen in Figures 3 and 6, allows some vertical movement ofthe elbow away from the body. In addition, during the downswing the guide arm constrains the right arm to move to a position in which the right elbow is againstthe body ofthe golfer atthe point of contact of the golf club with the golf ball. As a result of this the shoulders are correctly positioned on the backswing. That is when the right elbow contacts the stop portion the shoulders are turned to adaptthe correct position.

Modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereofwhich includes every novel feature and combination of novel features described herein.

Claims

1. A golf swing practice device comprising a mounting portion and a restraining element extending from the mounting portion, the mounting portion being securabletothe upper portion ofthe body of the golfer so that the restraining element constrains the power arm ofthe golferto a path of movement during the golf swing which allows limited movement of the elbowofthepowerarm away from the body at the top of the back swing, restrains over swinging of the golf club atthetop ofthe backswing, and constrains the elbow ofthe power arm during the downswing to move to a position againstthe body of the golfer at the point of contact of the golf club with the golf ball.

2. A golf swing practice device according to claim 1 wherein the mounting portion is contoured for close fitting against the upper portion of the body of the golfer, and the restraining element extends outwardly and forwardly from one end ofthe mounting portion, the restraining element and the mounting portion defining a corridor for receiving a section ofthe upper arm of the golfer during the golf swing.

3. A golf swing practice device according to claim 2whereinthe restraining elementcomprisesastop portion which extends generally laterally from the body ofthe golfer when the golf swing practice device is secured to the golfer, and a guide arm portion which extends from the stop portion generallytransverse to the bodyofthe golferwhen the golf swing practice device is secured to the golfer, the guide arm portion in this position being spaced from the golfer's body and together with the mounting portion definesthe corridor.

4. A golf swing practice device accordingto claim 3wherein the guide arm portion is shaped to correspond to the contour of the body.

5. A golf swing practice device according to claim 4wherein the mounting portion includes spaced aperturestherein for receiving one or more mounting straps to secure the golf swing practice device to the golfer.

6. A golf swing practice substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. Any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, hereinbefore described, irrespective ofwhetherthe present claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same or a different invention from that of, the preceding claims.