Golf overswing alerting mechanism and golf club with overswing alerting mechanism

Abstract

A golf overswing alerting mechanism is provided which produces a visual and / or audible indicator for the purpose of alerting a golfer to an improper swinging movement of a golf club. The overswing alerting mechanism is housed entirely within the hollow opening of the golf club shaft or is accommodated in a housing that is detachably affixed to the golf club. In a preferred configuration, the alerting mechanism includes a sound generation assembly for generating an audible sound upon occurrence of the overswing condition; an energy generation member to provide electrical energy to the sound generation assembly, and a circuit closing member or accelerometer(s) detecting the occurrence of an overswing condition. The preferred mechanism further includes an LCD readout provided in the grip butt of the golf club grip which indicates to the golfer the speed of the golf club shaft.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 133,236, filed Aug. 13, 1998.[0002] The present invention relates to the field of aids for assisting a golfer in obtaining a proper swinging movement of a golf club, and more particularly, relates to an overswinging alerting mechanism for a golf club or golf club practice aid which generates a visual and / or audible indicator for the purpose of alerting the golfer to an improper swinging movement of the golf club.[0003] In the past, various devices have been employed to indicate an improper swinging movement of a golf club so that hopefully a golfer can perfect his swing. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,549,350 to Deike issued Aug. 11, 1925, a whistle is either secured within a recess of the golf club head (see FIG. 4 of Deike) or extended from the top of the golf club head (see FIG. 5 of Deike). This whistle produces the loudest sound at the point of greatest speed of the golf club,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an overswing alerting mechanism which is not purely dependent upon the speed at which the golf ball is struck by the golf club.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an overswing alerting mechanism for a golf club which is reliable in producing an audible sound upon the occurrence of an overswing condition regardless of the presence or absence of background noise.

[0018] Through use of the present invention a golfer's swing speed can be assessed and a correct swing speed for the golfer can be determined. By swinging at the determined speed the golfer is more likely properly execute the swing, returning the club face to the ball square on the downswing and avoiding poor shots (e.g. "slices", "hooks", "worm burners" and "pop ups").

Problems solved by technology

However, Ragan concedes that this golf club swing trainer will only provide a sound output that may be adequate in some instances, particularly when the golf club is swung in the absence of excessive background noise.

However, in view of the speed of swing of the golf club, such attachments have been found to fly off the golf club.

It is believed that each of the golf club practice devices mentioned above does not comply with at least one of the USGA's rules relating to improper equipment.

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