Golfer's training device and method

Claim 2

A golf practice apparatus for practicing swings or for practicing putting on a practice surface, comprising: an elongate bar member having first and second ends and a length therebetween; and a pivot mount, pivotally attached to the elongate bar member adjacent the first end, for pivotally holding the first end a first distance above the practice surface; means for supporting the second end of the elongate bar member at a plurality of chosen distances above the practice surface, a first of the chosen distances being substantially equal to the first distance: said first distance and a first of the chosen distances being selected to cause a lower surface of the elongate bar member to make tactile contact with and exert a downward force upon an upper toe portion of a golfer's left and right shoes during proper backswing and downstroke portions of a practice swing: said downward force providing tactile information to the golfer that the backswing and downstroke were proper; the pivot member permitting the elongate bar member to pivot off the golfer's right shoe upon striking the ball, and during subsequent follow-through: a second of the chosen distances being greater than the first distance to maintain the elongate bar member a sufficient distance above the practice surface to permit a low putting stroke: the elongate bar member being maintained by the pivot mount and the means for supporting in alignment with a putting target, the elongate bar member providing thereby an alignment aid for proper putting practice.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot mount includes means for swiveling the elongate bar member about a vertical axis adjacent the first end.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate bar member includes calibration indicia.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, further including a base plate for mounting the pivot mount to the practice surface, the base plate defining a hole sized to accept a golf tee; the apparatus being mounted by driving a golf tee through the hole into the practice surface.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, further including a base plate and a C-shaped clamp, attached together, for clamping the pivot mount to an edge of a mat practice surface.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the elongate bar member is between about 25" (62.5 cm) and about 45" (114 cm).

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first chosen distance is about 2.5" (6.2 cm).

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second chosen distance is about 4.5" (11.4 cm).

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate bar member is plastic pipe.

Claim 11

A golf practice apparatus for practicing swings or for practicing putting on a practice surface, comprising: an elongate bar member having first and second ends and a length therebetween: a pivot mount, pivotally attached to the elongate bar member adjacent the first end, for pivotally holding the first and a first distance above the practice surface; and an end piece having a height, removably attached to the second end of the elongate bar member; the height of the end piece being substantially the same as the first distance when the apparatus is used for practicing swings, and the height and the end piece being about twice the first distance when the apparatus is used for practicing putting; the height of the end piece used for practicing swings being made approximately equal to the first distance, such that when practicing swings, the pivot mount and end piece maintain a lower surface of the elongate bar member in tactile contact with and exerting a downward force upon an upper toe portion of a golfer's left and right shoes during a proper backswing and proper downstroke; said downward force providing tactile information to the golfer that the backswing and downstroke were proper; the pivot member permitting the elongate bar member to pivot off the golfer's right shoe upon striking the ball, and during subsequent follow-through; the height of the end piece used for practicing putting being made somewhat greater than the first distance, such that when practicing putting, the pivot mount and end piece maintain the elongate bar member a sufficient distance above the practice surface to permit a low putting stroke; the elongate bar member being maintained by the pivot mount in alignment with a putting target, the elongate bar member providing thereby an alignment aid for proper putting practice.

Claim 12

A golf practice apparatus for practicing swings or for practicing putting on a practice surface, comprising: an elongate bar member having first and second ends and a length therebetween: a pivot mount, pivotally attached to the elongate bar member adjacent the first end, for pivotally holding the first and a first distance above the practice surface; and an end piece having a height, removably attached to the second end of the elongate bar member; the height of the end piece being substantially the same as the first distance when the apparatus is used for practicing swings, and the height and the end piece being about twice the first distance when the apparatus is used for practicing putting; the height of the end piece used for practicing swings being made approximately equal to the first distance, such that when practicing swings, the pivot mount and end piece maintain a lower surface of the elongate bar member in tactile contact with and exerting a downward force upon an upper toe portion of a golfer's left and right shoes during a proper backswing and proper downstroke; said downward force providing tactile information to the golfer that the backswing and downstroke were proper; the pivot member permitting the elongate bar member to pivot off the golfer's right shoe upon striking the ball, and during subsequent follow-through; the height of the end piece used for practicing putting being made somewhat greater than the first distance, such that when practicing putting, the pivot mount and end piece maintain the elongate bar member a sufficient distance above the practice surface to permit a low putting stroke; the elongate bar member being maintained by the pivot mount in alignment with a putting target, the elongate bar member providing thereby an alignment aid for proper putting practice.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the end piece used for practicing putting defines an inverted-U shape having said height, and a width through which the ball is putted.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said height of the inverted-U shaped end piece is about 4.5" (11.4 cm).

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the width of the inverted-U shaped end piece is about 4.5" (11.4 cm).

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pivot mount includes means for swiveling the elongate bar member about a vertical axis adjacent the first end of the elongate

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first distance is about 2.5" (6.2 cm).

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the length of the elongate bar member is between about 25" (62.5 cm) and about 45" (114 cm).

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongate bar member includes calibration indicia.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 10, further including a base plate for mounting the pivot mount to the practice surface, the base plate defining a hole sized to accept a the apparatus being mounted by driving a golf tee through the hole into the practice surface.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 10, further including a base plate and a C-shaped clamp, attached together, for clamping the pivot mount to an edge of a mat practice surface.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pivot mount includes means for swiveling the elongate bar member about a vertical axis adjacent the first end of the elongate bar member.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongate bar member and each end piece are plastic pipe.