Method and apparatus for practicing a golf swing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for practicing a golf stroke is disclosed. A light projecting apparatus is provided for placement on a shaft of a golf club. A beam of light from the apparatus is projected downwardly onto a surface below a club head of the golf club and is adapted to form a cross pattern of light on the surface. The cross pattern includes a first line of light substantially parallel to a bottom edge of a striking face of the club head and a second line of light extends through the striking face. The golfer may use the cross pattern of light to practice improving their putting or golf stroke technique. In another embodiment, the cross pattern of light may be modified into a line or dot of light.

1 . A method of practicing a golf stroke, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a light projecting apparatus on a shaft of a golf club;    projecting a beam of light from the apparatus onto a surface below a club head of the golf club to form a cross pattern of light on the surface, the cross pattern having a first line of light substantially parallel to a bottom edge of a striking face of the club head and a second line of light extending through the striking face; and    performing a swing with the golf club.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light projecting apparatus is a laser.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second line of light extends for a distance before the striking face, and for a distance through the striking face of the club head.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of detachably connecting the apparatus to the shaft of the golf club.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 removably inserting the apparatus into a grip on the shaft of the golf club.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 adjusting the apparatus on the shaft to align the first line in substantially parallel alignment to the striking face of the golf club.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a guide line along a surface adjacent to the golf stroke.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 aligning the golf club striking face with the desired golf stroke path using the cross pattern of light.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 modifying the beam of light to change the cross pattern into a line of light.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the line of light is parallel to the striking face.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the line of light passes through the striking face.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 modifying the beam of light to change the cross pattern into a dot of light.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the golf club is a putter.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the golf club is an iron.  
   
   
       15 . A method of practicing a putter stroke, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a putter having a head, a heel, a toe, a planar striking face, an offset hosel and a shaft;    providing a light source separate from the putter head;    directing light from the light source adjacent the putter head;    forming a cross pattern with the directed light, the cross pattern having a first line of light substantially parallel to a bottom edge of the striking face and a second line of light extending through the striking face; and    aligning a putting stroke path using the cross pattern of light.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing the light source within the shaft of the putter; and    directing light through the shaft of the putter and through an aperture provided in a base of the offset hosel, such that the light strikes a surface below the putter head, wherein the golfer may align and practice a putting stroke path using the cross pattern of light.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a lens on the base of the offset hosel substantially covering the aperture, the lens forming the light into a cross pattern.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 selecting a lens from a group of lenses comprising lenses that form at least the cross pattern, a line pattern and a dot pattern; and    removably connecting the selected lens to the base of the hosel substantially covering the aperture to form the desired light pattern.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light projecting apparatus is a laser.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second line of light extends for a distance before the striking face and for a distance through the striking face of the club head.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 adjusting the apparatus on the shaft to align the first line in substantially parallel alignment to the striking face of the golf club.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a guide line along a surface adjacent to the golf stroke.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 aligning the golf club striking face with the desired putting stroke path using the cross pattern of light.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 modifying the beam of light to change the cross pattern into a line of light.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the line of light is parallel to the striking face.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the line of light passes through the striking face.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 modifying the beam of light to change the cross pattern into a dot of light.