Golf training apparatus and method

Abstract

Disclosed in certain embodiments is a golf training aid comprising a spheroid segment comprising a dimpled outer circumferential surface, a first base surface, and a second base surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf training aid comprising a spheroid segment comprising a dimpled outer circumferential surface, a first base surface, and a second base surface. 
     
     
         2 . The golf training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the first base surface and the second base surface are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially equal in size. 
     
     
         3 . The golf training aid of  claim 2 , further comprising a first beveled edge connected to the first base surface and to the dimpled outer circumferential surface and a second beveled edge connected to the second base surface and to the dimpled outer circumferential surface. 
     
     
         4 . The golf training aid of  claim 3 , wherein the dimpled outer circumferential surface has a first color and the first and second beveled edges have a second color. 
     
     
         5 . The golf training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the dimpled outer circumferential surface has a circumference ranging from about 100 millimeters to 200 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The golf training aid of  claim 2 , wherein a perpendicular distance between the first base surface and the second base surface has a range of about 14 millimeters to 40 millimeters. 
     
     
         7 . The golf training aid of  claim 2 , wherein the first base surface and the second base surface each have a diameter that ranges from about 18 millimeters to 38 millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The golf training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the golf training aid has a weight that ranges from 5 grams to 100 grams. 
     
     
         9 . The golf training aid of  claim 1 , wherein the spheroid segment further comprises a material that is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic ionomer resin, balata rubber, solid rubber, hard plastic acrylic, surlyn, polybutadiene and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The golf training aid of  claim 1 , wherein each dimple on the dimpled outer circumferential surface has a diameter that ranges from about 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         11 . The golf training aid of  claim 1 , further comprising a weight. 
     
     
         12 . The golf training aid of  claim 11 , wherein the weight is spherically shaped and is positioned on an axis of rotation of the golf training aid. 
     
     
         13 . The golf training aid of  claim 11 , wherein the weight is cylindrically shaped and positioned between an axis of rotation of the golf training aid and the dimpled outer circumferential surface. 
     
     
         14 . The golf training aid of  claim 11 , wherein the weight is one of lead, steel, or tungsten. 
     
     
         15 . A method for training a golfer comprising:
 placing, on a putting surface, a golf training aid comprising a spheroid segment comprising an outer circumferential surface, a first base surface, and a second base surface; and   positioning the golf training aid such that a surface edge of the first base surface and a surface edge of the second base surface align in a direction of a target.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 striking the golf training aid with a golf club towards the target;   determining (i) an occurrence of an error when the golf training aid wobbles after being struck by the golf club; or (ii) determining no occurrence of an error when the golf training aid does not wobble after being struck by the golf club.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the golf training aid further comprising a first beveled edge connected to the first base surface and to the outer circumferential surface, and a second beveled edge connected to the second base surface and to the outer circumferential surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 positioning the golf training aid such that the first beveled edge is proximate to a golfer and the second beveled edge is distal from the golfer;   determining that the golfer (i) is positioned too far away from the golf training aid when the golfer can see the first beveled edge; (ii) determining that the golfer is positioned too close to the golf training aid when the golfer can see the second beveled edge; or (iii) determining that the golfer is properly positioned when the golfer can neither see the first beveled edge or the second beveled edge.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a perpendicular distance between the first base surface and the second base surface is greater than about 24 millimeters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a perpendicular distance between the first base surface and the second base surface is less than or equal to about 24 millimeters. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the outer circumferential surface has a first color and the first and second beveled edges have a second color. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein outer circumferential surface further comprises a plurality of dimples. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein each dimple has a diameter that ranges from about 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         24 . A method for manufacturing a golf training aid comprising:
 injecting a molding material into an injection mold having a cavity having a spheroid segment comprising a dimpled outer circumferential surface, a first base surface, and a second base surface.   
     
     
         25 . An injection mold comprising a cavity in the form of a spheroid segment comprising a dimpled outer circumferential surface, a first base surface, and a second base surface.