System and method for golf swing training

Abstract

A system and method for golf training is provided. The system includes a standing platform, golf tee and hitting surfaces, target boards and impact blocks, targets, and point lasers. The method teaches the player that 1) due to the forearm-shaft angle, the golf club must be swung on the proper arm plane with the proper wrist release which establishes the golf club shaft plane; 2) swinging the golf club on the arm plane with the proper wrist release will not result in the golf striking the ground, rather it will impact the ball.

Description

[0001] Title: System and Method for Golf Swing Training

[0002] Related Applications:

[0003] The present invention is a non-provisional of, and claims priority to, US Prov. Pat. App. Ser. Nos.: 63 / 521,373 filed on June 16, 2023 (3DGO.P-004-PV); and 63 / 624,864 filed on January 25, 2024 (3DGO.P-004-PV2), both of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0004] Background of the Invention:

[0005] Estimates are that more than 60 million people worldwide play golf and the total golf related market is estimated to approach $30 Billion annually. Each year, better clubs, better balls, and the latest and greatest swing tip hit the market. Yet still, the golf swing is confounding for the majority of golfers, including very athletic individuals who have been successful world-class athletes in other sports. Clearly, either golfers are not athletic enough to hit the golfball consistently well, or they lack sufficient understanding of the golf swing.

[0006] Golfers (or players as referred to herein) as humans perform tasks more difficult than the golf swing each and every day, therefore golfers should be more than athletic enough to hit a golfball well. Looking at the average golfer on any given course on any given day, it is clear they have little understanding of the golf swing. Hence, golfers don’t lack the athletic ability to play consistently good golf, they lack the understanding of the golf club and golf swing.

[0007] Humans are wonderfully hand-eye coordinated. Unfortunately, this coordination combined with the split-second nature of the golf swing becomes a curse for the average golfer. The attraction of the golfer’s eyes and hands to the golfball prevents the golfer from understanding the golf swing. The golfer perceives the golf swing incorrectly. Prior art does not address the golfer’s perception, rather focuses on teaching an aspect of the golf swing regardless of whether the golfer understands its context. These “swing tips” inevitably fail because “you can’t change a golf swing without changing the golfer’s perception, however change their perception and you change their swing.” The present invention assists the golfer with understanding the counterintuitive, correct swing motions of the hands, wrists, and arms to overcome the propensity to swing the hands and arms towards the golfball.

[0008] Summary of the Invention:

[0009] The present invention relates generally to a golf training device. More particularly the present invention relates to golf training aids and methods for golf training and identification of the golf swing planes and allows a user to understand the proper swing planes of the golf swing.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system for golf training. The system includes an adjustable elevation stance platform for the golfer to stand on, an adjustable elevation target board, hitting surface and impact blocks with an adjustable location target for the golfer to swing at, a tee for the golfball to set on, one or more point lasers attached to various parts of the golfer, a multiple-club-head golf club, a multiple-shaft golf club, and / or a articulable / malleable shaft golf club. The platform, target board, hitting surface, impact blocks, target, tee, multiple-club-head golf club, multiple-shaft golf club, and articulable / malleable shaft golf club are objects of separate independent embodiments of the present invention and are configured to allow adjustment in the plurality of golfer physiological characteristics, golf club shaft lengths, and lie angles.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for golf training. The method includes the steps of: (A) providing any system for golf training herein described; (B) adjusting target locations on the target board, hitting surface, and impact blocks to accommodate the golfer’s physiological features and the chosen golf club characteristics including shaft length and lie angle; (C) adjusting the target board, hitting surface and impact block elevation to eliminate the perceived interference of the ground with the proper arm plane swing, and allowing the golfer to practice swinging the arms towards the target point; (D) attaching point lasers to the golfer and the golf club, along with targets for the individual lasers on the platform, hitting surface, impact blocks and target board, to demonstrate the proper arm plane and wrist release motions; and (E) configuring a multiple-club-head golf club to allow the golfer to practice swinging the club on the arm plane regardless of golf club shaft length or golfball proximity to the golfer, (F) configuring a multiple-shaft golf club to allow the golfer to practice swinging the club on the arm plane regardless of golf club shaft shape or golfball proximity to the golfer, (G) configuring an articulable / malleable shaft golf club to allow the golfer to practice swinging the club on the arm plane regardless of golf club shaft shape or golfball proximity to the golfer.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a golf swing arm plane training system comprising an elevated standing platform for a player to stand on, an arm plane target, and an elevated hitting target. The elevated standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane. The arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane. The elevated hitting target is disposed in a third horizontal plane. The arm plane target is disposed laterally between the elevated hitting target and the elevated standing platform. The second horizontal plane is disposed above or below the first horizontal plane.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a golf club having a grip, a shaft having an optional adjustable length, and multiple club heads disposed along the length of the shaft.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a further golf swing arm plane training system including: a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft (optionally wherein the length of the shaft is adjustable), and multiple club heads disposed along the length of the shaft; and a standing platform for a player to stand on, an arm plane target, and at least two elevated hitting targets. The standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane. The arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane. The at least two elevated hitting targets are disposed in a third and a fourth horizontal planes respectively. The arm plane target is disposed laterally between the elevated hitting targets and the standing platform. The second horizontal plane is disposed above or below the first horizontal plane.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method of training proper arm plane in a golf swing. The method includes the steps of providing the system and / or golf clubs as described in any embodiment herein described and instructing a player on how to use the system. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft, and a club head, wherein the grip is disposed at a first end of the shaft and the club head is disposed at a second end of the shaft opposite the first end of the shaft, and wherein the shaft is reversibly configurable between a bent fixed configuration and a straight fixed configuration.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a golf swing arm plane training system including: a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft, and a club head, wherein the grip is disposed at a first end of the shaft and the club head is disposed at a second end of the shaft opposite the first end of the shaft, and wherein the shaft is reversibly configurable between a bent fixed configuration and a straight fixed configuration; a standing platform for a player to stand on; an arm plane target; and a hitting target. The standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane. The arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane. The hitting target is disposed in the first horizontal plane. The preferred but optional variations of this embodiment: the shaft is formed from a malleable material which allows reversible configuration into each of the two fixed configurations; the shaft comprises a plurality of rigid shaft portions and a plurality of fixing means for fixing each of the plurality of rigid shaft portions with respect to each other, to configure the shaft into each of the two fixed configurations; and / or the fixing means are bolts and wingnuts.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method of training proper arm plane in a golf swing comprising the steps of: (A) providing the systems and / or golf club of any embodiment herein described; (B) reversibly configuring the shaft of the golf club into the bent fixed configuration and adjusting hitting target to the same position as the arm plane target; (C) allowing the golfer to practice swinging the arms towards the arm plane target point and the club head to the hitting target, which is the same as the arm plane target; (D) reversibly configuring the shaft of the golf club into the straight fixed configuration and adjusting the hitting target away from the standing platform and away from the arm plane target; and (E) allowing the golfer to practice swing the arms toward the arm plane target point and the club head to the hitting target as configured in step (D).

[0018] Brief Description of the Drawings: FIG. 1 is a view of a golfer addressing the golfball.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a view of a golfer at the top of the backswing.

[0020] FIG. 3(A) is a rear view of a golfer at the “delivery position” on the downswing.

[0021] FIG. 3(B) is a front view of a golfer at the “delivery position” on the downswing.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a view of a golfer’s right hand holding the golf club.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a view of the angles formed between a golfers arm, hand, and golf club shaft.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a view of a golfer looking at the golfball at address.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a view of a golfer swinging their hands and arms towards the golfball.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a view of the golfer’s “right triangle.”

[0027] FIG. 9 is a view of a golfer swinging the arms on the arm plane and releasing the wrists into the arm plane to allow the golf club head to move down and outwards to contact the ball.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a front view of a golfer at the “delivery position” during the downswing.

[0029] FIG. 11(A) is a view of the present invention with the golfer at address.

[0030] FIG. 11(B) is a front view of the present invention with the golfer at the top of their backswing.

[0031] FIG. 11(C) is a view of the present invention with the golfer at address.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a view of the present invention with a golfer at the top of the backswing with the target arm plane swing point.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a view of the present invention with a golfer at the “delivery position” on the downswing.

[0034] FIG. 14(A) is a view of an embodiment of the present invention with a golfer at the “delivery position” showing the “magically appearing shaft plane.”

[0035] FIG. 14(B) is a view of an embodiment of the present invention with a golfer at the “delivery position” showing the impact blocks with arm and club head targets.

[0036] FIG. 15 is an embodiment of the present invention with variable elevation target board.

[0037] FIG. 16 is an embodiment of the present invention showing a golf glove with a laser mounted on the back of the hand and pointing in the direction that the fingers point when straightened.

[0038] FIG. 17 is an embodiment of the present invention showing the “hand point” illuminated by the golf glove point laser at the golfer’s address of the golfball.

[0039] FIG. 18 is an embodiment of the present invention using point lasers to show the separate arm and shaft planes.

[0040] Fig. 19(A) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-club-head golf club. FIG. 19(B) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club configured with one club head.

[0041] FIG. 19(C) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club configured with two club heads.

[0042] FIG. 19(D) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club configured with three club heads.

[0043] FIG. 19(E) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club configured with four club heads.

[0044] FIG. 19(F) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club configured with five club heads.

[0045] FIG. 19(G) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club in use with the platform, target board, target, and tee as a system and method.

[0046] FIG. 19(H) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club in use with the platform, target board, target, and tee as a system and method.

[0047] FIG. 19(1) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club in use with the platform, target board, target, and tee as a system and method.

[0048] FIG. 19(J) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-head-golf club in use with the platform, target board, target, and tee as a system and method.

[0049] FIG. 19(K) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the multiple-club-head golf club configured in positions 1 and 5.

[0050] FIG. 20(A) is an embodiment of the present invention showing the golf club shaft orientations that would exist for various forearm-shaft angles.

[0051] FIG. 20(B) is an embodiment of the present invention showing a variable shaft shape golf club.

[0052] FIG. 20(C) is an embodiment of the present invention showing an articulable / malleable shaft golf club.

[0053] FIG. 20(D) is an embodiment of the present invention showing a multiple shaft golf club.

[0054] FIG. 20(E) is an embodiment of the present invention showing that by swinging on the arm plane and using a particular shape shaft golf club, the golfer could hit any point in space around them. FIG. 20(F) is an embodiment of the present invention showing a golf swing arm plane training system comprising an articulable shaft golf club and an arm plane target. Detailed Description of the Invention:

[0055] The present invention solves the “non-intuitive” problems with the golf swing not addressed in the prior art and relates generally to a golf training device. More particularly the present invention relates to golf training aids and methods for identification of the golf swing planes and allows a golfer (herein described for a ’right-handed’ player) to understand the proper swing planes of the golf swing.

[0056] The Intuitive But Incorrect Golf Swing

[0057] As shown in Fig. 1, in an embodiment, the golfer 100 addresses the golfball 124 by standing with their feet 105 on the ground 125 a comfortable distance from the golfball 124, and holding a golf club 120 with the golfers hands (or wrists, used interchangeably herein) 103 and fingers 104, and placing the golf club head 123 behind the golfball 124. The hands 104 hang off the golfer’s arms 102 which are nearly vertical at address. The golfer 100 sees the golf ball 124, ground 125, and numerous angles on the golf club 123 including loft, lie, and topline. Intuitively, the golfer 100 envisions hitting the golfball 124 by taking a back swing and then a down swing to hit the ball 124. The player sees the ball 124 as the target to be hit with the golf club head 123.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 6, the golfer 600 addresses the golfball 624 by standing on the ground 625 and sees the golf ball with the golfer’s 600 eyes 601, and is drawn towards the golfball 624 by the direct line of sight 631 from the golfer’s eyes 601 and the golf ball 624. The golfer 600 intuitively focuses on the golfball 624 with the mind and hands 603 in an attempt to hit the golf ball 624 with the golf club head 623. The net result is that the hands 603 pull the golfer’s shoulder 606 towards the golf ball 624 which results in the hands 603 and arm 606 traveling outward towards the golfball 624 on vectors 632 for the hands and 633 for the shoulder.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 2, in an embodiment, the golfer 200 doesn’t realize that due to their intuitive attraction to the golfball and their perception to swing at it, they are already set-up for failure and the golfer 200 swings the golf club 220 up and back behind the golfer 200 to the “top of the back swing” position where the golfer’s left arm 202 hands 203 and fingers 204 hold the golf club 220 in a position approximately parallel to the ground 225, upon which the golfer’s feet 205 remain firmly affixed, while the golfer looks at the golfball 224. The back swing to the “top of the swing” takes a golfer on average, Vi of a second to complete.

[0060] This “position at the top” is the instantaneous moment before the player begins the down swing, which will take all of % second for the player to swing down and impact the golfball with the club head.

[0061] Most golfers are athletic enough to make a good backswing and build up potential energy in the human body and golf club. However, the down swing is not intuitive for several reasons: 1) humans are hand-eye coordinated. Much of what we do each and every day involves touching something that we see with our hands. The golfer intuitively swings the hands at the golfball on the down swing; 2) the golfball rests on the ground. Hitting the ground with the golf club is embarrassing and can hurt. The player intuitively swings the golf club to hit the ball but avoid the ground; 3) the downswing occurs in 14 second and is a reflex rather than thought process. The proper down swing actually feels as though the club is being swung into the ground, something the golfer is not subconsciously likely to do. Unless the golfer has been educated on why the feel of swinging into the ground is correct, they are virtually certain not to do such.

[0062] On the down swing the significant majority of golfers swing the hands at the ball which results in the player’s body supporting this effort by leveraging other body parts including the arms, shoulders, torso, and lower body moving to support the hands intended direction. This results in the infamous “over-the-top” move in which the hands and right shoulder move outward towards the ball to a position that the player can never recover from. This is the single most prevalent fault mechanism in golfers golf swings. It is often referred to as being off plane.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 7, a significant misnomer in golf instruction is the term swing plane. The singular concept of this term is especially problematic as it propagates the golfer’s 700 vision of swinging the golf club 720 at the golfball 724 with one or more of their body parts such as the hands 703 and arms 702 along a singular plane 731 towards the golfball 724 that rests on the ground 725. In reality, during the proper golf swing, not one muscle, limb, or cell of the human body should swing at the golf ball. Given this discrepancy, it is clear that the industry needs a better explanation of the swing plane, along with training aids designed for the golfer’s perception.

[0064] Ultimately, when addressing the golfball, golfers are presented with numerous optical illusions including the golf club shape, the ground, and the golfball. When combined with the nearly instantaneous timing of the golf swing and golfer’s human hand-eye coordination reflexes, the golfer is mesmerized into swinging the hands, arms, and shoulders away from the ground, and at the golfball. Absent a strong mental understanding of the golf swing, or a physical guide for the proper motions, the golfer overlooks the non-intuitive proper motions of the golf swing, and swings at the ball.

[0065] The Non-intuitive But Correct Golf Swing

[0066] Absent the knowledge of the proper swing, or a mechanical device to guide the player’s body and golf club on the down swing, most amateurs will never make a consistently good swing. In fact, even if they had a mechanical guide, without understanding the golf swing, the player would not be able to replicate the proper swing without the guide.

[0067] Understanding the swing however, can lead to consistently good, reproduceable golf swings. However, to date there is no holy grail of golf swing instruction manuals. The opportunity to produce such still exists. The present invention solves this problem.

[0068] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3(A), as the golfer 200 swings the golf club 320 properly on the down swing, the player’s 300 body positions and golf club 320 pass through the “delivery position” where the golf club is parallel to the ground 325. This “delivery position” is not intuitive to the player 300. In the “delivery position” the player’s 300 arm 302 is nearly vertical. That position does not place the hands 303 between the player’s 300 vision or shoulders and the golfball 324. In other words, the player 300 is not swinging the hands 303 at the golfball 324.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 3(B), in an embodiment, an alternate front view of the “delivery position” is shown where the golfer 300 swings the golf club 322 to a position roughly parallel to the ground 325 upon which the golfer’s feet 305 are affixed, with the golfer’s left arm 302 straight and approaching a vertical position. This snapshot in time exemplifies another one of the non- intuitive issues with the golf swing. It appears that the shaft length of the golf club 322 is greater than the distance from the player’s hands to the ground. Swinging into the ground is not logical. But that is exactly what is needed.

[0070] At address of the golfball by the golfer 100 as shown in Fig. 1, the golf ball 124 does not lie in the same plane as a plane that runs through the arms 102. The arms 102 hang down nearly vertical and do not point at the golf ball. The golf club shaft runs from the hands to the ball 124 and is not parallel to the arms 102. These are important points but not obvious to the golfer at address.

[0071] Elementally, the two most fundamental elements of the proper golf swing are: (A) putting the golf club on the proper plane; and (B) squaring the golf club head into the proper plane. Putting the golf club “on-plane” is a popular term, although few people understand the true aspects of swing planes. Stating that the golf club must be swung “on plane” is misleading at best as it implies that there is only one plane in the golf swing. This misconception is responsible for a tremendous amount of frustration among golfers worldwide.

[0072] The golf club is put on the proper plane by 1) swinging the arms on the proper arm plane and then 2) using the proper wrist action to square the hands into the arm plane, which in-tum squares the golf club face into the golfball. The secondary move of squaring the hands establishes another plane that is arguably the most important plane in golf; the plane that the shaft of the golf club rides on during part of the golf swing - the shaft plane. After all, the shaft is attached to the club head which strikes the golfball, which is the ultimate objective of the golf swing.

[0073] To fully understand the establishment of the shaft plane during the golf swing, it is imperative to understand how the player holds a golf club, and how the correct wrist action occurs during the golf swing. Due to the rotational aspects of the golfer’s forearms during the proper wrist action of the golf swing, the shaft plane is its own distinct plane at times, and at other times is indistinguishable from the arm plane. Few golfers understand these relationships and that furthers the misunderstanding of golf swing planes.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 4, in an embodiment, the golfer’s right hand 403 grips a golf club grip 421 that sits on a shaft 422 with the hand 403 and fingers 404, while the hand 403 hangs off the forearm 402.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 5, in an embodiment, the angle 581 formed between the golfer’s forearm 502 and an extension line 583 of the golfer’s fingers 504 is approximately 40-degrees. The angle 591 between the golfer’s hand 503 with extension line 583 of fingers 504 and the golf club shaft 522 and an extension line 572 thereof is approximately 65-degrees resulting in the complimentary angle 593 of 125-degrees. The resultant angle 594 between the golfer’s forearm 502 extension line 590 and the golf club shaft 522 and extension line thereof 572 is approximately 25-degrees.

[0076] At address, the golf club shaft plane is distinct from the arm plane. Upon “setting” or “cocking” of the wrists, when the radius and ulna bones in the forearm roll over each other, the wrists are rotated in a pronation / supination aspect, rather than simple flexion / extension; the latter working well when each wrist is by itself, but pair the wrists together as when holding a golf club, and pronation / supination provides significantly more movement. This pronation / supination is the mechanism for the concomitant nature of the shaft plane, and transforms the shaft plane into the arm plane. Upon “release” of the “setting” or “cocking” of the wrists on the downswing, the shaft plane is launched back out of the arm plane on its journey to impact with the golfball.

[0077] The golfer’s hands are not a zero angle extension of the forearms, rather they hang at an angle of approximately 40-degrees posteriorly to the forearms when the upper arms are hanging naturally off the shoulders in a standing position. Additionally, the golf club is not a zero angle extension of the hands, rather the average hand-shaft angle has been found to be 65 ± 7-degrees when humans hold something.1Hence, the forearm-shaft angle is also not zero angle, and because of the wrist-forearm angle and the hand-shaft angle, the golf club shaft to forearm angle is approximately 25-degrees upwards from the position of the golfer’s arms at address.

[0078] 1Young, et al. Ergonomics 2013:56(4):682-91 The correct movements of the golfer’s body during the golf swing must leverage natural movements including pronation / supination of the wrists and the forearm-shaft angle, otherwise the golfer will have little chance of athleticism. Hence, the arms must swing on a plane that accommodates pronation / supination and the forearm-shaft angle, preparing for their materialization. The proper arm plane contains the shaft plane until the “delivery position” (the point on the downswing at which the shaft of the golf club is roughly parallel to the ground and the wrists remain cocked at the instantaneous moment before release) when the wrists release (reversing the pronation / supination) to give birth to the shaft plane which then projects the golf club head downward and outward to impact the golfball at the forearm-shaft angle of approximately 25-degrees. At impact with the golfball, the radius and ulna of the forearms have returned to their address orientation, and the golf club shaft is close to the same position it was in at address.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 8, in an embodiment, the golfer’s 800 “right triangle” is shown by the 90- degree angle formed between vertical vector 846 and the ground 825. Angle 891 which equals the lie angle of any particular golf club, and for this purpose is the average lie angle of 60- degrees. Its complimentary angle is made up of the sum of angle 896 (which is the angle between the golfer’ s natural arm hang 844 and vertical vector 846) and angle 894 which is the golfer’s forearm-shaft angle of 25-degrees. Angle 896 is therefore 5-degrees meaning that the arms hang slightly towards horizontal from vertical at 5-degrees. The golfer’s arms must return to this 5- degree plane on the downswing for the 25-degree forearm-shaft angle to work in favor of the player. The golf club shaft 845 runs from the hands to the golfball 824 and is the hypotenuse of the right triangle.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 9, in an embodiment, the golfer 900 must counter-intuitively swing the arm 902 on the arm plane 947 (or adjacent / opposite side of right triangle) at an angle of 5-degrees off of vertical so that when the wrists 903 release, the golf club head 923 travels out on the hypotenuse 948 of the golfer’ s right triangle towards the golf ball 924, affirming the golfer’ s forearm-shaft angle 994 of 25-degrees. The golfer is unable to look directly down 951 while also looking at the golfball 924 and must rely on feel for this motion. The release of the wrists to establish the shaft plane creates complex geometry of the golf club head as it rides the shaft plane from the “delivery position” to impact with the golf ball. The face of the golf club head is facing upwards (relative to the arm plane; forward ~5-degrees up from vertical relative to the golfer at address) when the shaft is in the arm plane (or in the rough direction of the player’s right palm) and then is facing left at impact with the golfball. This 90- degree rotation as the wrist’s release during delivery of the golf club head to the ball is challenging for the player’s brain to understand. Combine the 90-degree golf club head face direction with the player’s forearm-shaft angle of 25-degrees and swinging the golf club on the arm plane is certainly not obvious to the player.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 9, swinging the golf club 923 down on the approximately 5-degree arm plane is counter-intuitively problematic because an additional issue arises.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 10, in an embodiment, the golfer 1000 swings the golf club 1022 on the proper arm plane to the “delivery position” and is faced with an optical illusion road block to completing the swing properly. The distance 1027 from the golfer’s 1000 hands 1003 to the ground 1025 is less than the length of the golf club shaft 1026. The perception of the golfer 1000 is that if the golf club 1022 is swung on the 5-degree arm plane, the longer length of the golf club shaft 1022 will not fit in the space below, between the golfer’s 1000 hands 1003 and the ground 1025, and will strike the ground.

[0083] What the golfer does not realize is that the forearm-shaft angle of 25-degrees corrects for this and upon pronation / supination of the wrists during release, the golf club shaft is moved not only down, but more importantly, outward towards the golfball (on the hypotenuse of the golfer’s right triangle) such that the golf club head cannot physically reach the ground. However, this is not perceived by the golfer and the result is for the golfer to swing towards the ball to avoid the collision of the golf club head with the ground.

[0084] The non-intuitive nature of the golf swing results from the above described motions in which not one single part of the golfer’s body should be swinging at the golfball; rather the body is working collectively to deliver the hands to the proper place in place for the wrists to release and establish the shaft plane, which diverges from the arm plane and goes a separate way; all at the same time that purposedly swinging the golf club into the ground on a steep arm plane feels nothing short of ludicrous to the golfer.

[0085] Objects of the Invention:

[0086] The object of the present invention is to teach the golfer the proper golf swing through a device that allows the golfer to swing their hands and arms at one target in one plane, while unwittingly and indirectly delivering the golf club head to the golf ball which resides in a distinctly different plane; while not being impeded by the counter-intuitive nature of swinging the golf club into the ground.

[0087] In accordance with the description of the invention as herein provided it is understood that present invention provides for various embodiments which may be employed individually or in any combination thereof. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment,” “another embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, property, and / or characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that embodiments and / or the described element(s) may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0088] The present invention describes a novel apparatus that prevents the most common error in the golf swing; swinging the hands out towards the golfball, which leads other parts of the golfer’s body to attempt to support this motion and also travel outwards towards the golfball. This error mode is referred to as “over the top” and is ubiquitous in the world of amateur golf.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 3(A), in an embodiment, the golfer 300 swings the golf club 320 to a position known as the “delivery position” where the golf club 320 held by the golfer’s hands 303 and fingers 304 is again roughly parallel with the ground 325, and the players left arm 302 is nearly vertical, while the golfer’s feet are affixed to the ground 324, while the player looks at the golf ball 324. The present invention assists the golfer 300 with swinging the arms 302 to this nearly vertical position.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 11(A), in an embodiment, the present invention is configured to provide a platform 1160 with standing surface 1161 for the player 1100 to address the golfball 1124 on a tee 1165 which elevates the golfball 1124 to normal tee height relative to the standing surface 1161. The golfer 1100 allows their arms 1102 to hang naturally as at address with the hands 1103 holding the golf club 1122 with the golf club head 1123 behind the golfball 1124. The golfer 1100 positions their feet 1105 near the edge of the platform 1160, on the standing surface 1161 of the platform 1160 where they can see both the target 1164 and the tee 1123. Between the standing surface 1161 and the tee 1165 is a lower-elevation area with target board 1163 that has adjustable location target 1164 affixed to a position that represents an extension of the arm plane 1147. The level below standing surface 1161 that the target 1164 is located is equal to the shaft length of the golf club 1122 measured from the grip end of the golf club 1122 when held by the golfer’s hands 1103 at address.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 11(B), in an embodiment, the present invention is shown in front view where the player 1100 standing on surface 1161 of the platform 1160 can, on a direct point of fixation line 1147, see the golfball 1124 on tee 1165, while through peripheral vision can also see target 1164 on target board 1163.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 11(C), in an embodiment, the present invention is shown with a an adjustable slot 1166 on target board 1163 for the target 1164 to slide within. The target 1164 may be affixed to the target board 1163 with a magnet, tape, Velcro, pegs and pegboard holes 1179, tab and slot, or any other manner in which the target 1164 is attached to and moveable on the target board 1163 in a plurality of positions to accommodate golf clubs of varying lie angle and shaft length. A clear or solid, or synthetic grass covered removable intermediate board 1178 can be positioned flush with the player’s 1100 standing platform 1160 surface 1161 and a platform 1168 with a surface 1169 for the golfball 1124 to rest on. The player 1100 can practice with no intermediate board, a clear intermediate board 1178 or a solid grass covered intermediate board 1178 in progressive fashion to learn to swing the arms at the target 1164 on target board 1163 whether or not they can actually see the target 1164 or know that it is below the solid intermediate board 1178.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 12, in an embodiment, the player 1200 stands on surface 1261 of platform 1260 and swings the golf club 1220 to the top of the backswing position where they can see the golf ball 1224 on tee 1265 with point fixation vision while also seeing the target 1264 on target board 1263 through peripheral vision. The player practices swinging the arms 1202 down towards target 1264 on vector 1247 rather than out towards the ball 1224 on vector 1249.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 13, in an embodiment, the present invention is configured to allow the player 1300 at “delivery position” to practice swinging golf club 1322 on the proper arm plane towards target 1364 on target board 1363 without being mentally impeded by the distance straight down to ground level 1358, or distance 1327 from the shaft 1322 to the ground level 1361, being less than the length of the shaft 1322, prohibiting arc 1357 from fitting within the space. The player sees 1359 the lower elevation of the target board 1363 and the golfer’s brain is able to reconcile that there is enough distance 1328 from the parallel shaft 1322 to the lower elevation level of the target 1364 to swing the club on arc 1358. As the player swings golf club 1322 on the arm 1302 plane towards target 1364, proper wrist release moves the club head 1323 out towards the golf ball 1324 and the lowest elevation reached by the club head 1323 is level with standing surface 1361 of platform 1360.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 14(A), in an embodiment, the present invention is configured to allow the player 1400 to stand on surface 1461 of platform 1460 and swing the arms 1402 and hands 1407 towards target 1464 on target board 1463 while watching the golf club head 1423 move downwards and outwards golfball 1424 while the arms continue to swing on the arm plane 1447 as if the player 1400 were going to impact target 1464 with the golf club head 1423, while the golf club shaft diverges onto the shaft plane 1445 from delivery position to post-release, where it returns home to again reside in the arm plane 1447. The player learns that swinging towards the ground is not the same as hitting the ground. As shown in Fig. 14(B), in an embodiment, the present invention is configured to allow the player 1400 to stand on surface 1461 of platform 1460 and swing the arms 1402 and hands 1407 on arm plane 1447 towards a target 1464 on a foam impact block 1466 without ground encumbrance, and release the golf club head 1423 into the shaft plane 1445 where it travels towards an additional target 1468 located on foam impact block 1469. The player learns that swinging the arms 1402 on the arm plane 1447 does not result in an impact of the golf club head 1423 with target 1464 on foam impact block 1466, but rather results in an impact with target 1468 on foam impact block 1469. The player learns to feel the proper arm plane 1447 that drives the release that establishes the proper shaft plane 1445 and is able to feel the impact of golf club head 1423 with target 1468 on foam impact block 1469 and the complete reduction in propensity to swing the right shoulder 1406 outwards. The player learns that the arm plane 1447 and the release into the plane is happening underneath them on a direction other than at the golfball, while the club head 1424 still smashes the target 1468 on foam impact block 1469. The player also learns that by changing the perception of where the target 1464 is (at the extension of the arm plane 1447) vs. target 1468 (at where the golfball would be), the player 1400 now experiences a complete shift in their body’s reflexes to create leverage downwards vs. outwards, resulting in a complete change in swing plane, all without swing tips or swing thoughts. The player learns that by changing their perception, they change their swing.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 15, in an embodiment, the present invention utilizes a lower elevation horizontally configured target board 1563 with adjustable location target 1564. The player 1500 stands with their feet 1505 on surface 1561 of platform 1560 and addresses golfball 1524 on tee 1565. The player’s arms 1502, hands 1503, and golf club shaft 1522 hang as natural at address. The player is able to lower or raise target board 1563 to suit their perception of when there is enough room for the golf club shaft 1522 to be swung on the arm plane at target 1564, without golf club head 1523 striking target board 1563.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 16, in an embodiment, a golf club glove 1608 is configured with a point laser 1699 pointing in the direction of fingers 1604 when extended. The point laser 1699 identifies the point 1664 where the hand is pointing. As shown in Fig. 17, in an embodiment, the player 1700 stands on surface 1761 of the platform 1760 and addresses golf ball 1724 on tee 1765. The player 1700 takes the natural address position and allows the arms 1702, hands 1703, and golf club shaft 1722 to be positioned normally. The target board 1763 and target 1764 are positioned to the player’s 1700 nuance. The player notes where the golf glove point laser 1799 is pointing 1798 and positions additional target 1797 at this spot. The player practices swinging the golf club on the proper arm plane such that when returning the arms, hands, wrists, and golf club to the impact position, the golf glove point laser is again pointing 1798 at target 1797.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 18, in an embodiment, the golf glove point laser is used in conjunction with a point laser affixed to the golf club shaft. As the player 1800 swings on the arm plane 1802 to the “delivery position” and releases the wrists 1803, the golf glove laser 1885 illuminates a line 1887 that runs underneath and inside the player’s 1800 chin, points back underneath the player, then moves back outward to continue on to the left; while the point laser 1886 affixed to the golf club illuminates a line 1888 that diverges out forward in a semi-circle towards and through the golf ball 1824 before returning back to a straight line left of the player 1800; demonstrating the two distinct and different planes of the arms and golf club shaft during the golf swing. The player 1800 is taught to swing the arms and hands on a different plane and to a different point in space than golfball 1824.

[0099] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19(A) a multiple-club-head golf club is configured with a grip 1921, a shaft 1922, and multiple club heads 1923 attached to the shaft between the grip and the end of the golf club that rests on the ground 1925 at address. In some embodiments the multiple-club-head golf club is configured with a telescopic shaft, and in some embodiments the multiple-club-head golf club has removable club heads 1923 and shaft extension pieces such that the golf club can be configured with any number of club heads 1923 attached along the shaft.

[0100] The club heads 1923 may clip in, screw in, glue in, snap in, or are otherwise attached to the shaft in a secure but removable manner.

[0101] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19(B), the multiple-club-head golf club head is configured with one club head 1923 located immediately below the golf club grip. A golfball 1924 is placed on an adjustable length tee 1965 at the height where the multiple-club-head golf club 1923 hangs naturally from the golfer 1900 and a target 1964 is placed on the ground 1925, or platform 1925, or target board 1925. In this configuration, the golfer 1900 can see the golfball 1924 readily near the line of the golfer’s eyes 1901 and the target 1964. The golfer practices swinging the arms 1902 on plane 1947 at the target 1964 on the ground or target board 1925 which is quite natural as the golfer is looking at the target 1964 with the multiple-club-head golf club head and the golf ball 1924 in the foreground and nearly directly aligned with the target. The golfer practices the feel of swinging the arms 1902 at the golfball 1924 which is virtually the same as swinging the arms 1902 at the target 1964.

[0102] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 19(B), the golfer learns the feel of swinging the golf club with their arms as if their hands were hitting the golfball.

[0103] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19(C), a second club head is added to the multiple-club-head golf club at a distance below the first club head. A second tee and golfball is added and positioned in a manner that the golfball is in front of the second club head 1923 on a tee 1965. The golfer practices seeing both the golfball 1924 and the target 1964 on the ground 1925 with peripheral eyes 1901, and swinging the arms 1902 on plane 1947 as they did with just one club head 1923 attached to the multiple-club-head golf club - at the target 1964 on the ground or target board 1925. The player 1900 practices the feel that the same swing positions both club heads at their corresponding golfballs 1924 at the impact position. The player practices the feel of a small disparity in distance between the arm 1902 plane and the frontal position of a golfball. The player learns that the arm plane is the same although the effective shaft length of the golf club has changed.

[0104] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 19(C), the golfer learns the feel of swinging the golf club with their arms as if their hands were hitting the golfball, even though the golfball is some distance in front of and below the hands. The golfer learns that by swinging at, and hitting the golfball closest to their hands, they also hit the golfball further away; meaning that they swing at the first ball to hit the second. In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 (D), a third club head is added to the multiple-club-head golf club at a distance below the second club head. A third tee and golfball 1924 is added and positioned in a manner that the golfball 1924 is in front of the third club head 1923 on a tee 1965. The golfer 1900 practices swinging the arms 1902 on plane 1947 as they did with just one club head 1923 attached to the multiple-club-head golf club - at the target 1964 on the ground or target board 1925. The golfer 1900 practices the feel that the same swing positions all the club heads at their corresponding golfballs at the impact position. The player practices the feel of a moderate peripheral eyesight 1901 disparity in distance between the arm 1902 plane and the frontal position of a golf ball. The player learns that the arm plane is the same although the effective shaft length of the golf club has changed.

[0105] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 19(D), the golfer learns the feel of swinging the golf club with their arms as if their hands were hitting the golfball, even though the golfball is a further distance in front of and below the hands. The golfer learns that by swinging at, and hitting the golfball closest to their hands, they also hit the golf balls further away; meaning that they swing at the first ball to hit the third.

[0106] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19(E), a fourth club head is added to the multiple-club-head golf club at a distance below the third club head. A fourth tee and golfball 1924 is added and positioned in a manner that the golfball is in front of the fourth club head 1923 on a tee 1965. The golfer 1900 practices swinging the arms 1902 on plane 1947 in the exact same manner as they did with just one club head 1923 attached to the multiple-club-head golf club - at the target 1964 on the ground or target board 1925. The golfer 1900 practices the feel that the same swing positions all club heads at their corresponding golf balls at the impact position. The player practices the feel of a significant peripheral eyesight 1901 disparity in distance between the arm 1902 plane and the frontal position of a golfball. The player learns that the arm plane is the same although the effective shaft length of the golf club has changed.

[0107] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 19(E), the golfer learns the feel of swinging the golf club with their arms as if their hands were hitting the golfball, even though the golfball is a yet further distance in front of and below the hands. The golfer learns that by swinging at, and hitting the golfball closest to their hands, they also hit the golf balls further away; meaning that they swing at the first ball to hit the fourth.

[0108] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19(F), a fifth club head is added to the multiple-club-head golf club at a distance below the fourth club head. A fifth tee 1965 and golf ball 1924 is added and positioned in a manner that the golfball is in front of the fifth club head 1923. The golfer practices swinging the arms 1902 on plane 1947 as they did with just one club head 1923 attached to the multiple-club-head golf club - at the target 1964 on the ground or target board 1925. The player practices the feel that the same swing positions all club heads at their corresponding golfballs at the impact position. The player practices the feel of a significant eyesight disparity 1901 in distance between the arm 1902 plane and the frontal position of a golf ball. The player learns that the arm plane is the same although the effective shaft length of the golf club has changed.

[0109] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 19(F), the golfer learns the feel of swinging the golf club with their arms as if their hands were hitting the golfball, even though the golfball is even further distance in front of and below the hands. The golfer learns that the arm plane is 1) dictated by the arm plane angle at address (which will change only + / - 7-degrees with lie angle of the golf club), and not the golfball location; and 2) golf club shaft length adapts the arm plane to the location of the ball so the player’s focus should be on the arm plane regardless of golfball location. The golfer learns that by swinging at, and hitting the golfball closest to their hands, they also hit the golfballs further away; meaning that they swing at the first ball to hit the fifth.

[0110] In an embodiment as shown in Fig 19(G), the multiple-club-head golf club is configured in any number of club heads 1923 and used as a system with the platform 1960, target board 1963 with target 1964, tee 1965, and golfball 1924. The golfer 1900 stands with their feet 1905 the standing surface 1961 of platform 1960 configured at the desired height 1968, and elevates target board 1963 to the preferred height 1969 with the desired target 1964 location. The golfer configures the multiple-club-head golf club shaft 1922 with the matching number of club heads 1923 such that the golf club is flush with the target board. The golfer swings their arms 1902 and hands 1903 along arm plane 1947 at target 1964. In the embodiment shown in Fig 19(G), the golfer practices hitting golfballs with the preconfigured, preferred length golf club and the corresponding elevation target board and learns to swing their arms and hands towards the same location-locked target for any elevation and club head configuration. The golfer learns that although the golf club shaft length has increased, and while the distance the golf club head and golf ball has also increased, the target point for the arms to swing at has not changed.

[0111] In embodiment shown in Fig. 19(H), the golfer 1900 configures the target board 1963 elevation higher than initial level 1965 to correspond the multiple-club-head golf club 1922 configured with one club head 1923 immediately below the grip and hands 1903. The golfer 1900 stands with their feet 1905 on surface 1961 of the platform 1960 adjusted to elevation 1968 and can practice purposedly swinging their arms 1902 at the golfball 1924 located virtually on top of target 1964. The golfer learns that the arms swing on plane 1947 at the golf ball 1924 in this location as this positions the hands in the correct position for the wrist release and 25-degree forearm-shaft angle to establish the shaft plane (which is essentially zero length in this configuration) in the correct plane and squares the club head 1923 into the golf ball 1924. The golfer 1900 further learns that swinging the arms 1902 nearly vertical and approximately a 5- degree angle up from vertical, is intuitive in this configuration and is the correct arm plane 1947 and will result in flush contact with the golfball.

[0112] In embodiment shown in Fig. 19(1), the golfer 1900 configures the target board 1963 elevation to an intermediate level 1965 to correspond to the multiple-club-head golf club 1922 configured with three club heads 1923 below the grip and hands 1903. The golfer 1900 stands with their feet 1905 on surface 1961 of the platform 1960 adjusted to elevation 1968 and can practice purposedly swinging their arms 1902 at the golfball 1924 located virtually on top of target 1964. The golfer learns that the arms swing on plane 1947 in exactly the same manner as when only one club head was used, and still positions the hands in the correct position for the wrist release and 25-degree forearm-shaft angle to establish the shaft plane (which now has moderately longer length in this configuration) in the correct plane and squares the club head 1923 into the golfball 1924. The golfer 1900 further learns that swinging the arms 1902 nearly vertical and approximately a 5-degree angle up from vertical, is still intuitive in this configuration because of the club head located at the players hands 1903, and is the correct arm plane 1947 and will result in flush contact with the golfball.

[0113] In embodiment shown in Fig. 19(J), the golfer 1900 configures the target board 1963 elevation to a lower level 1965 to correspond to the multiple-club-head golf club 1922 configured with five club heads 1923 below the grip and hands 1903. The golfer 1900 stands with their feet 1905 on surface 1961 of the platform 1960 adjusted to elevation 1968 and can practice purposedly swinging their arms 1902 at the golfball 1924 located virtually on top of target 1964. The golfer learns that the arms swing on plane 1947 in exactly the same manner as when only one club head was used, and still positions the hands in the correct position for the wrist release and 25-degree forearm-shaft angle to establish the shaft plane (which now has significantly longer length in this configuration) in the correct plane and squares the club head 1923 into the golfball 1924. The golfer 1900 further learns that swinging the arms 1902 nearly vertical and approximately a 5- degree angle up from vertical, is still intuitive in this configuration because of the club head located at the players hands 1903, and is the correct arm plane 1947 and will result in flush contact with the golf ball.

[0114] In embodiment shown in Fig. 19(K), the golfer 1900 configures the multiple-club-head golf club 1922 with two club heads 1923, one immediately below the grip and hands, and one at traditional golfball position ground 1925 level. The golfer 1900 places a golfball 1924 on an extended tee 1965 in front of the golf club head 1923 located close to their hands, and an additional golfball on the ground in front of the lower golf club head. The golfer places a target 1964 on the ground 1925 at an extension of the arm plane 1947. The golfer 1900 readily sees with their eyes 1901 the ball near their hands, and can practice purposedly swinging their arms 1902 at the golfball 1924 located virtually at their hands at address. The golfer leams that the arms 1902 swing on plane 1947 intuitively due to the golfball 1924 located virtually where the hands were at address, and when the golfer swings the arms 1902 on plane 1947 the wrist release and forearmshaft angle drive the lower golf club head towards the golfball out in front of the player on the ground. The golfer 1900 further leams that swinging the arms 1902 nearly vertical and approximately a 5-degree angle up from vertical is intuitive in this configuration because of the club head located at the players hands 1903, and is the correct arm plane 1947 and will result in flush contact with both golfballs. The golfer 1900 learns that the correct arm plane 1947 delivers the golf club head 1923 to a golfball located anywhere along the golf club shaft at address, and there is no need to swing the arms 1902 towards any ball other than the one located virtually at their hands.

[0115] In embodiment shown in Fig. 19(K), the golfer learns that the arms swing to support the hands and what the hands do with the grip of the golf club, the golf club head does the same thing to the golf ball, regardless of how long the golf club shaft is and how far out in front of, and down below the golfer’s hands the golfball is. The golfer learns that, for all practical purposes, the impact point of the golf swing is at the hands and not at the golfball.

[0116] In embodiment shown in Fig. 19(K) the golfer learns that their perception of the golf swing was incorrect in that they should not be swinging any part of their body towards the golfball. Conversely, when the golfer’s perception is positively altered such that they should be swinging the arms at the target located nearly vertical below the arms, and virtually at their hands, the body is not inclined to swing any body parts at the golf ball. The golfer’s proper wrist action and 25-degree forearm-shaft angle convert the golfer’s vertical arm plane swing to the golfball. The golfer learns that they cannot change their swing without changing their perception, and when they change their perception, they change their swing.

[0117] As described earlier and shown in Fig. 5, the 25-degree forearm-shaft angle 594 is the physiological basis behind why the golfer should never swing at the golf ball. As shown earlier in Fig. 1, the traditional golf club shaft 120 is a straight line. As shown in Fig. 14(A), the 25- degree forearm-shaft angle diverges the golf club head 1423 from the arm plane 1447 out towards the golfball 1424 during the release of the wrists 1407. Because of the 25-degree forearm-shaft angle, the golfer 1400 must swing the arms 1402 and wrists 1407 to a different target 1464 than where the ball 1424 resides. As shown if Figure 10 earlier, the golfer 1000 feels that the golf club shaft length 1026 will hit the ground 1025 if the golfer 1000 swings correctly down towards the ground 1025 rather than incorrectly out towards the golfball. As shown in Figure 14(A) earlier, the golfer 1400 can use a novel device described earlier to get the feel of swinging the arms 1407 and wrists 1423 down into and below ground level 1461 to a target 1464 below ground level 1461 without the fear of striking ground level 1461. However, because of the 25-degree forearm-shaft angle, the golfer 1400 may still experience the inhibition of ground level 1461 when swinging a traditional golf club on the golf course or practice range. Physiologically, the golfer is unable to alter the 25-degree forearm-shaft angle.

[0118] Were the forearm-shaft angle to differ from 25-degrees, it would change the location of the golf ball relative to the golfer, and the golfer would naturally position the golfball at a different position at set-up. In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20(A), the golfer 2000 traditionally address the golfball by positioning the golf club 2022 out in front of them and with the 25- degree forearm-shaft angle, the golf club head 2023 is positioned at the intersection 2062 of the 25-degree forearm-shaft angle line 2022 and the ground 2025 (e g. also known in this embodiment as hitting target 2062). If the forearm-shaft angle were negative 25-degrees, the shaft line 2028 of the golf club would intersect the ground 2025 at a point 2068 much closer to the golfer’s 2000 feet 2001. If the forearm-shaft angle were negative 50-degrees, the shaft line 2024 would intersect the ground 2025 even further back underneath the golfer at point 2064. If the forearm-shaft angle were 50-degrees the shaft line 2027 would intersect the ground 2025 at a point (not shown) very far out in front of the golfer 2000. If the golfer 2000 could vary the forearm-shaft angle, the golfer 2000 would naturally position the golf club head at the golfball at these intersection points. If the forearm-shaft angle were 0-degrees, the shaft line 2026 would intersect the ground 2025 at point 2066 (e.g. also known in this embodiment as arm plane target 2066), which is closer to the golfer’s feet 2001 than point 2062 (e.g. hitting target 2062) which represents the 25-degree forearm shaft angle. This point 2066 is an extension of the arm plane 2047 and is the point at which the golfer should swing their arms 2002 and wrists 2007 at regardless of golf ball position relative to the player (e.g. arm plane target 2066).

[0119] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20(B), a golf club with variable shaft shape 2037 which is configurable between a fixed bent position and a fixed straight position consists of shaft elements 2035, 2038, 2039 and hinge points 2040, 2041 is configured such that the center of the golf club head 2023 rests on the ground 2025 at the intersection 2066 of the arm plane 2047 and the ground 2025 (e.g arm plane target 2066 and now hitting target 2066). This effectively modifies the forearm-shaft angle from 25-degrees to 0-degrees and reduces the shaft length to allow the golfer to naturally swing the arms 2002 and wrists 2007 on the arm plane 2047 when hitting a golf ball, and not be distracted by the location of the golf ball relative to the player, or inhibited by the ground. The golfer 2000 is able to learn the arm plane 2047 swing feel and then apply the same exact arm plane 2047 swing feel when hitting a golfball with any traditional golf club where the golfball is located at a different location relative to the player 2000.

[0120] In the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20(B), shaft elements 2035, 2038, 2039 may be hinged, coupled, T, Y, W, ball-and-socket, or other articulable mechanism 2040, 2041 to configure from one to multiple shafts branching off shaft 2035 at any angle. Shaft elements 2035, 2038, 2039 may be telescopic to extend or shorten length. The lie angles intersecting shaft 2039 and club head 2023 may be variable through a hinge or other mechanism to allow for the sole of club head 2023 to rest flush with the surface of the ground 2025. Shaft elements 2035, 2038, 2039 are preferably coupled with locking means to lock elements in the appropriate angles with respect to one another such that the arm plane target and the hitting target are one in the same for a respect golfer using the club and / or system and / or methods herein described. Suitable locking means are not particularly limited herein and can include for example nuts and bolts (e.g. wingnuts), pin and fasteners, adhesives, and the like.

[0121] In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20(B), shaft 2037 may consist of multiple variable segments that allow for the non-linear (e.g. a fixed bent) arrangement of shaft 2037 to accommodate any position desired by the golfer 2000. Shaft elements 2035, 2038, 2039 may be made of steel, graphite, polymer, wood, or any other suitable material.

[0122] In an embodiment, shown in Figure 20(C), an articulable, malleable golf club shaft 2037 alters the straight line (fixed straight) shape of shaft 2035 which is held by the golfer’s 2000 hands 2007 at a 25-degree forearm-shaft angle, to orient the golf club head 2023 at the intersection 2066 of the arm plane 2047 and the ground 2025. Shaft 2038 may be any shape preferred by the golfer 2000 to place club head 2023 at the intersection 2066 of the arm plane 2047 and the ground 2025. The golfer 2000 naturally swings their arms 2002 on the arm plane 2047 to hit a golfball located at the club head 2023 which is also point 2066, an extension of the arm plane 2047. The golfer 2000 practices this feel as it is the proper golf swing when utilizing a traditional golf club with straight-line shaft for any golf ball located anywhere relative to the player.

[0123] Suitable examples of materials for malleable shafts are not limited herein but are contemplated to include polymeric materials and malleable metals.

[0124] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 20(D), a multiple joint connection 2036 on shaft 2035 allows the player 2000 to connect one or more shaft elements 2022, 2031, 2033, 2034 to shaft 2035 to position the golf club heads 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044 at any point on the ground correlating to their respective shaft’s 2022, 2031, 2033, 2034 angle of configuration. In a series of steps, the golfer may start with one shaft 2034 that positions the golf club head 2044 at the intersection 2066 of the arm plane 2047 and the ground 2025 (e.g. arm plane target 2044), and then change the shaft 2034 out for shaft 2031 and practice the same swing on the arm plane 2047 to now hit the golfball located at the intersection of club head 2067 and the ground 2025. The golfer may then change out shaft 2031 for shaft 2022 and practice the same swing on the arm plane 2047 to now hit the golfball (and hitting target) located at the intersection 2068 of club head 2042 and the ground 2025. At any time, the golfer 2000 may go back to shaft 2034 which places club head 2066 at the intersection of the arm plane 2047 and the ground 2025 to regain the feel of swinging on the arm plane 2047 at a ball which is located at an extension of the arm plane 2047 and the ground 2025, which will be instinctively known to a golfer. The golfer 2000 learns that the golf club is a tool which adapts their swing on the arm plane 2047 to the ball located at any point on the ground 2025 out in front of them.

[0125] In an embodiment, as shown if Figure 20(E), any number of telescopic shaft elements 2022 and / or articulable joints 2036 or malleable shaft sections 2034 may be oriented with shaft 2035 that is held in the golfer’s 2000 hands 2007 such that the forearm-shaft angle is 25-degrees ± 7- degrees, to orient the golf club head 2041, 2042 at any point in space relative to the golfer 2000. The golfer 2000 learns that the golf club is a tool that adapts the proper golf swing of the arms 2002 on the arm plane 2047 to the golfball which can be located at any point in three- dimensional space 2099 around the player. The golfer 2000 learns that the proper golf swing is on the arm plane 2047 regardless of golfball position.

[0126] Z1 In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 20(E), the golfer learns that the golf swing is always on the arm plane, no matter where in space around them the golfball might be located.

[0127] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 20(F), golf club 2037 is configured such that joint 2040 articulates shaft element 2038 back underneath shaft section 2035 to joint 2041 which is positioned on the arm plane 2047 extension, and connected to shaft 2045 which is connected to joint 2042 which is articulating and telescopic and extends shaft element 2044 downwards and within the arm plane 2047, connecting with joint 2043 which hinges club head 2023 such that the sole of club head 2023 is flush with the ground 2025 and the face of club head 2023 intersects the ground 2025 and the arm plane 2047 at point 2066, which is located in the arm plane 2047. The golfer 2000 learns to swing their arms 2002 and hands 2007 on the arm plane 2047 as though they are using this particular configuration with club head 2023 and golf ball located on the ground 2025 and in the arm plane 2047 at position 2066, for each and every golf swing with a traditional golf club traditionally addressed with the golfball out in front of them and not in the arm plane.

[0128] The embodiments shown in any of Figures 20(A) TO 20(F) illustrate a golf swing arm plane training system comprising an articulable shaft golf club described above, a standing platform for a player to stand on, an arm plane target, and a hitting target. The standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane. The arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane. The hitting target is disposed in the first horizontal plane. The second horizontal plane is the same as the first horizontal plane OR is disposed above or below the first horizontal plane. When the shaft of the golf club is present in the straight fixed configuration the arm plane target is disposed laterally between the hitting target and the standing platform. When the shaft of the golf club is present in the bent fixed configuration, the arm plane target is positioned at the same point as the hitting target.

[0129] A method of training proper arm plane in a golf swing is also provided when use the system for golf training and articulable shaft golf club as shown in any of Figures 20(A) to 20(F). In this embodiment a first step includes reversibly configuring the shaft of the golf club into the bent fixed configuration and adjusting hitting target to the same position as the arm plane target. In a second step the embodiment allows the golfer to practice swinging the arms towards the arm plane target point and the club head to the hitting target, which is the same as the arm plane target. In a further step the shaft of the golf club is reversibly configured into the straight fixed configuration and the hitting target is positioned away from the standing platform and away from the arm plane target. In another step the golfer is allowed to practice swinging the arms toward the arm plane target point and the club head to the repositioned hitting target.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A golf swing arm plane training system comprising an elevated standing platform for a player to stand on, an arm plane target, and an elevated hitting target, wherein: the elevated standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane, the arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane, the elevated hitting target is disposed in a third horizontal plane, the arm plane target is disposed laterally between the elevated hitting target and the elevated standing platform, and the second horizontal plane is disposed above or below the first horizontal plane.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and the third horizontal planes are the same plane.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft having a length, and multiple club heads disposed along the length of the shaft.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the length of the shaft is adjustable.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a base, wherein the standing platform, the arm plane target, and the elevated hitting target are connected to the base which is configured to allow horizontal movement of the arm plane target and the elevated hitting target within their respective horizontal plane and laterally from one another and the elevated standing platform.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the elevated standing platform and / or the elevated hitting target are adjustable to change the first and third horizontal planes with respect to one another and / or the second horizontal plane.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the elevated hitting target comprises a golf tee having an adjustable height.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the elevated hitting target comprises a flat surface aligned in the third horizontal plane.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the flat surface comprises artificial turf.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the third horizontal plane is disposed above the first horizontal plane.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft having a length, and multiple club heads disposed along the length of the shaft.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second horizontal plane is disposed above the first horizontal plane and below the third horizontal plane.

13. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising a golfball disposed on the hitting target.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a laser configured for attaching to the hand of a player to track hand position.

15. A golf club comprising a grip, a shaft, and multiple club heads disposed along the length of the shaft.

16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the length of the shaft is adjustable.

17. A golf swing arm plane training system comprising: a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft (optionally wherein the length of the shaft is adjustable), and multiple club heads disposed along the length of the shaft; and a standing platform for a player to stand on, an arm plane target, and at least two elevated hitting targets; wherein: the standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane, the arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane,the at least two elevated hitting targets are disposed in a third and a fourth horizontal planes respectively, the arm plane target is disposed laterally between the elevated hitting targets and the standing platform, and the second horizontal plane is disposed above or below the first horizontal plane.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first horizontal plane and the second horizontal plane are the same.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the second horizontal plane is disposed above the first horizontal plane, and optionally wherein the second horizontal plane is disposed below the third and fourth horizontal planes.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a base, wherein the standing platform, the arm plane target, and the at least two elevated hitting targets are connected to the base which is configured to allow horizontal movement of the arm plane target and the at least two elevated hitting targets within their respective horizontal plane and laterally from one another and the standing platform.

21. A method of training proper arm plane in a golf swing, comprising the steps of providing the system as described in claim 1 or claim 17 and instructing a player on how to use the system.

22. A method of training proper arm plane in a golf swing comprising any combination or all the steps of: (A) providing the system for golf training as described in any of the embodiments herein described; (B) adjusting target locations on the target board, hitting surface, and impact blocks to accommodate the golfer’s physiological features and the chosen golf club characteristics including shaft length and lie angle; (C) adjusting the target board, hitting surface and impact block elevation to eliminate the perceived interference of the ground with the proper arm plane swing, and allowing the golfer to practice swinging the arms towards the target point; (D) attaching point lasers to the golfer and the golf club, along with targets for the individuallasers on the platform, hitting surface, impact blocks and target board, to demonstrate the proper arm plane and wrist release motions; and (E) configuring a multi pie-club -head golf club to allow the golfer to practice swinging the club on the arm plane regardless of golf club shaft length or golfball proximity to the golfer.

23. A golf club comprising a grip, a shaft, and a club head, wherein the grip is disposed at a first end of the shaft and the club head is disposed at a second end of the shaft opposite the first end of the shaft, and wherein the shaft is reversibly configurable between a bent fixed configuration and a straight fixed configuration.

24. The golf club of claim 23, wherein the shaft is formed from a malleable material which allows reversible configuration into each of the two fixed configurations.

25. The golf club of claim 23, wherein the shaft comprises a plurality of rigid shaft portions and a plurality of fixing means for fixing each of the plurality of rigid shaft portions with respect to each other, to configure the shaft into each of the two fixed configurations.

26. The golf club of claim 25, wherein the fixing means are bolts and wingnuts.

27. A golf swing arm plane training system comprising: a golf club comprising a grip, a shaft, and a club head, wherein the grip is disposed at a first end of the shaft and the club head is disposed at a second end of the shaft opposite the first end of the shaft, and wherein the shaft is reversibly configurable between a bent fixed configuration and a straight fixed configuration; a standing platform for a player to stand on; an arm plane target; and a hitting target wherein: the standing platform is disposed in a first horizontal plane, the arm plane target is disposed in a second horizontal plane, and the hitting target is disposed in the first horizontal plane; and optionally wherein: the shaft is formed from a malleable material which allows reversible configuration into each of the two fixed configurations;the shaft comprises a plurality of rigid shaft portions and a plurality of fixing means for fixing each of the plurality of rigid shaft portions with respect to each other, to configure the shaft into each of the two fixed configurations; and the fixing means are bolts and wingnuts.

28. The golf swing arm plane training system of claim 27, wherein the second horizontal plane is the same as the first horizontal plane OR is disposed above or below the first horizontal plane.

29. The golf swing arm plane training system of claim 27, wherein the shaft of the golf club is present in the straight fixed configuration, and wherein the arm plane target is disposed laterally between the hitting target and the standing platform.

30. The golf swing arm plane training system of claim 27, wherein the shaft of the golf club is present in the bent fixed configuration, and wherein the arm plane target is positioned at the same point as the hitting target.

31. A method of training proper arm plane in a golf swing comprising the steps of: (A) providing the system for golf training as described in claim 27; (B) reversibly configuring the shaft of the golf club into the bent fixed configuration and adjusting hitting target to the same position as the arm plane target; (C) allowing the golfer to practice swinging the arms towards the arm plane target point and the club head to the hitting target, which is the same as the arm plane target; (D) reversibly configuring the shaft of the golf club into the straight fixed configuration and adjusting the hitting target away from the standing platform and away from the arm plane target; and (E) allowing the golfer to practice swing the arms toward the arm plane target point and the club head to the hitting target as configured in step (D).

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