 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Once a certain level of competency is attained, golf can be an extremely
relaxing and enjoyable sport. Unfortunately, it is necessary for the
beginner to learn numerous fundamentals before reaching any level of
consistency. One of the most important fundamentals is to learn a proper
weight shift. The proper weight shift involves transferring the weight
from both feet to the inside sole of the rear foot during the backswing so
that the inside sole of the rear foot can be used to push off, and
thereafter transferring the weight to the front foot during the power
swing to promote the transfer of weight to the outside of the front foot
and through the ball. During the backswing, transfer of weight to the
outside of the rear foot instead of the inside, or the failure to transfer
weight to the rear foot at all, will result in a poorly struck golf shot.
Unfortunately, this is just one of many aspects of the golf swing that a
new golfer must focus on. In fact, U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,562 discloses a
golf club with interchangeable reminder buttons which are securable to the
shaft of the golf club to remind the golfer of any one of a number of
fundamentals. Unfortunately, by overly focusing on one or more of these
fundamentals, the golfer tends to become tense, and may lose a sense of
natural rhythm necessary for the golf swing.
Accordingly, most instructional aids to insure a proper weight shift have
focused on physically restraining the golfer or altering the golfer's
stance. Since it is desired to keep the weight of the golfer on the inside
of the rear foot, numerous devices have been developed to transfer the
weight of the golfer onto that portion of the foot. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,145,055 to O'Brien discloses a golf training device simulating a
conventional golf ball with an opening which is removably attached to the
spike of a golf shoe to lift the outer edge of the foot, thereby
preventing significant weight from being transferred to the outer half of
the rear foot. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,682,425 and 5,212,894 to Paparo
disclose golf shoe insoles which raise the outer portion of the rear foot
so that the weight of the golfer will be forced onto the inside portion of
the rear foot during the weight transfer. Specifically, Paparo discloses a
resilient foam pad sized to cover the heel area of the shoe up to the
front of the arch and includes a wedge-shaped lateral cross-sectional area
with the thickest portion of the wedge formed along one lateral edge
tapering across the insole to the opposite lateral edge. In use, the
thicker, lateral edge is positioned toward the outside of the rear foot
away from the instep. The instep is conventionally defined as the middle
arched portion opening to the inside edge of the foot. Paparo teaches that
the purpose of the wedge is to provide tactile pressure sensation to the
golfer's rear foot that will consciously and subconsciously result in the
proper positioning of the rear foot during the golf swing.
Unfortunately, particularly while walking the golf course over a period of
miles, such adapters can be very uncomfortable. While Simmons teaches that
the resulting weight transfer is desirable in that it causes different
muscle groups to be exercised, it is unclear whether altering the natural
walking stride is desirable from a health standpoint. In addition, upon
removal of the adapters which physically reposition the foot, the golfer
must remember and implement the proper technique while observing the
normal flat foot stance. Unfortunately, the stances are quite different
and the techniques learned with the adapter in place may not be
effectively transferred, once the adaptor is removed.
Another issue is whether wearing an instructional device which physically
moves you into the proper stance is proper, regardless of whether it is
technically permitted under rules of the local golf association.
Accordingly, an improved instructional aid to assist golfers in promoting a
proper weight shift is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a
golf swing aid including a generally flat body and a first flange. The
body has a length roughly equal to a distance between a top rim
surrounding a main opening of a shoe and a portion of an instep of a foot
of a wearer within the shoe. The first flange extends generally
horizontally inward from the lower portion of the body to exert pressure
on the underside of the instep. It has been found that such pressure on
the sensitive underside of the instep is extremely helpful in providing a
constant reminder of the need to keep the weight of the golfer on the
inside of the foot during the transfer of weight onto the back foot. This
reminder is desirably reinforced by the pressure of the body of the aid on
the side of the foot. Advantageously, this reminder is provided without
the user needing to visualize a message and then cognitively interpreting
the meaning of the message, thereby distracting the golfer from other
aspects of the golf swing.
Whether the pressure acts to directly improve muscle memory or works
through the subconscious is not entirely understood. However, experience
has shown that the pressure on the instep conveys the desired message
without unduly focusing the golfer on this single aspect of the golf
swing. Because of the advantageous placement of the first flange under the
sensitive arch area, which results in a pleasurable tactical feel, the
golfer becomes conditioned over time and will more readily retain and
remember the learned techniques of proper weight shift. In this respect,
the golfer may retain a subconscious desire to press down on the golf
swing aid even after it has been removed.
It will be appreciated that putting a raised portion under the instep is in
direct contrast to the teachings of the prior art in which the outside
portion of the foot was raised thereby lowering the instep.
Advantageously, the first flange defines an upwardly oriented concave
surface found to be capable of exerting greater pressure on the instep
without causing discomfort. Desirably, the golf swing aid also includes a
second flange extending generally horizontally outward from the upper
portion of the body which provides a grip to enable the golfer to
precisely position the golf aid within the wearer's shoe during use. In
addition, this second flange restricts the aid from sliding along the foot
within the shoe, or slipping completely into the shoe while walking.
For beginners, it has been determined that it is better for the first
flange to press against the instep roughly beneath the ankle bone of the
wearer, where the instep is at its most sensitive. However, as the golfer
progresses, the golfer no longer needs such a strong reminder to transfer
the weight backwards, but wishes to fine tune the location of the front to
back position of the center of gravity. Accordingly, a golf swing aid for
more advanced players includes a first flange positioned slightly backward
from but proximate the ball of the foot of the wearer.
In another aspect of the invention is a method of aiding a golfer to
properly transfer weight to an inside portion of a rear foot during a golf
swing, including the steps of inserting the rear foot of a golfer into a
shoe, inserting a device having a generally flat body and a first flange
extending generally horizontally inward from a lower portion of the body
into the shoe such that the body extends generally vertically along the
vertical wall of the shoe and the first flange extends generally
horizontally above the insole of the shoe and bringing the device into
contact with the foot so that the device exerts pressure on the underside
of the instep of the foot as a reminder to transfer weight to the inside
portion of the rear foot. Advantageously, the method further comprises
gripping a second flange to position the device with respect to the rear
foot.
Another benefit provided by the present invention is that the golf swing
aid encourages a proper rotation of the hips relative to the ground. More
specifically, many golf professionals recommend the hips swivel no more
than 45.degree. to the rear during the backswing. By maintaining the body
weight on the inside of the rear foot, which the present golfing aid
promotes, the golfer finds swiveling farther than 45.degree. increasingly
difficult.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a golfer illustrating a correct weight shift of
a golfer during a backswing;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a golf instruction aid
positioned between a golfer's foot and shoe as seen along the line 2--2 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the golf instruction aid shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the golf instruction aid shown in FIG.
2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2 of the
golf instruction aid within the golfer's shoe;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a golf instruction
aid of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the golf instruction aid of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As described above, one of the most important fundamentals of a golf swing
is a proper weight shift. The ideal backswing and ensuing down, or power
swing involves pivoting the arms and twisting the hips slightly to the
rear. It is desirable that the golfer's weight shift primarily over the
golfer's rear leg.
FIG. 1 illustrates a golfer 20 in a correct position at the peak of the
backswing. The golfer stands facing the ball 22 with the front foot 24 and
rear foot 25 spread apart. The golfer's torso 26 is preferably shifted
slightly to the rear of a centerline between the front and rear feet 24,
25 (as indicated by the dashed line 36). The left arm 28a is brought
across the front of the golfer's body by virtue of the shoulders being
twisted about the spine so that the golf club 30 is held in the hands 34
above and slightly behind the golfer by the left arm and right arm 28b.
Although the rear foot 25 remains generally horizontal to the ground, the
weight of the golfer, by virtue of the twisting of the abdomen 26 and
raising of the arms 28a,b, is applied over the rear leg 38 to the inner
side of the rear foot 25. Thus, in the ensuing power swing, the golfer
efficiently transmits his or her weight forward onto the front foot 24 to
apply maximum power to the ball. Unfortunately, this technique is
difficult to master as golfer's tend to lean to the rear in the backswing.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a golf instructional aid 40 of the
present invention inserted between a golfer's foot 42 and shoe 44. In the
illustrated embodiment, the foot 42 and shoe 44 are on the right leg of
the golfer, although it will be understood that a mirror image golfing aid
40 can be utilized on the left foot of a left-handed golfer. The golfing
aid 40 is positioned within the shoe 44 and adjacent the instep, or the
inner side of the arched middle portion, of the foot 42.
Now with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a specific shape of the golf
instruction aid 40 illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown. The golfing aid
generally comprises a generally flat vertical body portion 46, a first
flange portion 48, and a second flange portion 50. The vertical body
portion 46 is bowed slightly away from the first flange 48 for comfort.
The body 46 extends generally from the distance between the rim 52 of the
shoe 44 and the insole 54 of the shoe. In this respect, the body portion
46 is oriented generally vertically adjacent the instep of the foot 42 and
within the shoe 44. The first flange 48 extends generally horizontally
underneath the foot 42 of the golfer between the arch 42a and insole 54,
while the second flange 50 projects above the shoe rim 52 and extends
generally horizontally outward from the foot 42.
The specific placement of the golf instruction aid 50 is intended to
provide a tactile reminder to the golfer to maintain his or her weight on
the instep of the rear foot during the backswing. In this respect, the
golfing aid 50 does not physically restrain the foot 42, but rather simply
applies a pressure to the side, instep and sole of the foot. The golfer is
thus constantly reminded to maintain his or her weight over the instep of
the foot, while not being constrained by any physical restriction, or
being distracted by a constant visual reminder. The pressure applied to
the inside of the foot at the sensitive arch area conditions the golfer to
observe the proper weight shift by generating pleasant sensations every
time the golfer applies weight to the instep of the rear foot during the
backswing.
From the front, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the body portion 46 is
constructed as a relatively thin strip which transitions inward to the
first flange 48 on a lower end and outward to the second flange 50 on an
upper end. The height of the body portion 46 is designed to extend
generally from the insole 54 of the shoe 44 upward to clear the rim 52.
The height of the body portion 46 is desirably approximately between 1.5
and 4 inches. The lower first flange 48 extends inward a sufficient
distance from the body 46 to contact the instep of the foot 42. Desirably,
the first flange 48 extends horizontally inward between 3/8 of an inch and
3 inches, and preferably between 3/8 of an inch and 2 inches. The second
flange 50 extends outward a sufficient distance so as to enable the golfer
to grip the flange and adjust the position of the golfing aid 40 within
the shoe 44, and also to help maintain the correct position of the aid 40
within the shoe 44, but not so far as to get caught on obstructions, such
as rocks or branches. In this regard, the second flange 50 preferably
extends outward approximately 1/16 of an inch to 3/4 of an inch.
With reference to both FIGS. 4 and 5, the first flange 48 is formed as a
generally elongated bowl-shaped member with curvatures in two axes.
Looking at the cross-section of FIG. 5, the first flange 48 forms a lower
concave surface 56, and an upper convex surface 58. Now, looking at the
side view of FIG. 4, the first flange 48 exhibits a curvature which
terminates in a front end 59 and a rear end 60. Both the front and rear
ends 59, 60 are lower than a central portion 61. The front lower end 59
and a rear lower end 60 are positioned to contact the insole 54 of the
shoe 44. Desirably, the first flange 48 has a height of at least
one-fourth of an inch to ensure that the flange provides adequate pressure
on the instep and flexes down when pressure is applied to the instep of
the foot. Also, the first flange 48 desirably has a horizontal length
between the front end 59 and rear end 60 of at least 21/2 inches and
preferably less than 5 inches.
The embodiments of the golf aid 40 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 is intended for
use by beginners. In this respect, the shape of the aid 40 is designed so
that the first flange 48 is vertically underneath at least a portion of
the second flange 50. In other words, the rear end 60 is positioned at or
behind a front upper corner 62 of the main body 46. This design positions
the first flange 48 generally centrally underneath the arch 42a of the
golfer's foot 42, preferably beneath the inner protrusion of the ankle
bone.
When the golfer applies weight from the foot 42 to the upper concave
surface 58 of the first flange 48, the first flange tends to flatten out
somewhat due to its resilient nature. At the same time, the first flange
48, being a spring-like member, exerts an upward pressure on the instep of
the foot 42. This allows the golfer to walk around the course comfortably
with full freedom of movement, without any physical restraint of the foot
42, while still realizing the benefits of the present golfing aid 40 when
performing a golf swing. The upward pressure also provides a conditioning
sensation to remind the golfer to observe the proper weight shift. This
conditioning is retained when the aid 40 is removed.
FIG. 4 illustrates the relative width of the body portion 46. Desirably,
the body portion 46 has a width of no more than two inches.
The present golfing aid is intended to apply pressure to a very sensitive
portion of the underside of the foot 42. In particular, a plurality of
nerve endings terminate in and around the arch 42a of the foot. In the
leg, the large sciatic nerve extends downward from the spine and branches
into the tibial nerve which extends downward into the heel of the foot.
The tibial nerve divides into a medial plantar and lateral plantar nerve
which extend forward through the foot. All three of the tibial, medial
plantar, and lateral plantar nerves exhibit cutaneous branch nerves which
terminate proximate the exterior of the sole of the foot. In general, the
tibial cutaneous nerves terminate under the heel of the foot, the medial
plantar cutaneous nerves terminate underneath the instep portion of the
front of the foot, and the lateral plantar cutaneous nerves terminate in
the out-step portion of the front of the foot. In the arch of the foot,
due to the relatively softer tissue, and thinner cutaneous layer, the
nerve endings are especially sensitive to tactile sensation. In addition,
both the medial plantar and tibial nerves pick up tactile sensations from
the area around the instep side of the arch of the foot. This results in a
particularly sensitive portion of the sole of the foot.
The present invention is intended to exploit the sensitive underside of the
arch of the foot. In particular, the first flange 48 is sized and
positioned to contact the arch of the foot. Furthermore, while this
contact provides a reminder to the golfer to maintain the proper weight
shift during a backswing, the arch of the foot is softer and "gives" more
than other portions of the foot, so that the presence of the first flange
48 is not a great hindrance to walking.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a golf instruction aid 70.
The golf instruction aid 70 comprises a main body portion 72, a lower
first flange 74, and an upper second flange 76. In a departure from the
first embodiment 40 shown in FIGS. 1-5, the main body portion 72 exhibits
a greater forward slant in a downward direction. In this respect, and as
best seen in FIG. 7, the first flange 74 is disposed forward from
underneath the second flange 76. The first flange 74 is shaped in a
similar manner to the first flange 48 of the first embodiment. Namely, the
first flange exhibits an upper convex surface 78 and a lower concave
surface 80. A first end 82 and a second end 84 contact the insole 54 of
the shoe 44.
Due to the greater slant of the main body portion 72, the first flange 76
is positioned proximate the ball of the golfer's foot 42, while still
remaining generally under the arch. This is advantageous for instructing
more advanced golfers in the proper weight shift during a backswing.
Specifically, while this area of the foot is not as sensitive as the area
of the instep below the inner protrusion of the ankle bone, more advanced
golfers do not need as strong a reminder to transfer their weight onto the
inside of the rear foot. On the other hand, ideally the weight should be
concentrated on the inside of the rear foot near the ball of the foot for
the best push-off and power swing. Thus, the first embodiment 40 of the
golfing aid is provided to teach less experienced golfers the proper
weight shift during a backswing, while the second embodiment 70 may be
utilized by more advanced golfers.
Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred
embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly,
the scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the claims that
follow.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
