Anti-sway device

Abstract

The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for training a golfer to perform a golf swing without hip swaying and while maintaining a flexed back knee.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf swing training device comprising:
 a) a base configured for engaging a ground surface;   b) a vertical support affixed to the base in an upright position;   c) an arm configured to contact the calf musculature of a golfer at or below the midpoint between the golfer's foot and knee; and   d) a mechanism for rotatably connecting the vertical support to the arm and securing the arm in a rotated position relative to the vertical support.   
     
     
         2 . The golf swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be placed under and held in place by the foot of a golfer. 
     
     
         3 . The golf swing training device of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises:
 a) a first end region (“foot plate”) configured to be placed under and held in place by the foot of a golfer;   b) a second end region (“stabilizer”) opposite to the first end, configured for stabilizing the device in an upright position; and   c) a middle region (“vertical support connector”) between the first and second end regions to which the vertical support is attached.   
     
     
         4 . The golf swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support is a generally rectangular shaped plate having a front, a back that is substantially a mirror image of the front, a first vertical side oriented toward the foot plate, a second vertical side opposing and substantially parallel to the first vertical side and oriented toward the stabilizer, a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top and bottom sides are each independently shorter than either of the first and second vertical sides. 
     
     
         5 . The golf swing training device of  claim 4 , wherein the first vertical side has a concave curvature configured to accommodate the ankle of the golfer and the second vertical side has convex curvature corresponding to the concave curvature of the first vertical side. 
     
     
         6 . The golf swing training device of  claim 4 , wherein the bottom side of the vertical support is wider than the top side. 
     
     
         7 . The golf swing training device of  claim 4 , wherein the arm is a generally rectangular shaped plate having a front and a back that is substantially a mirror image of the front, a first vertical side oriented toward the foot plate, a second vertical side opposing and generally parallel to the first vertical side and oriented toward the stabilizer, a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top and bottom sides are each independently shorter than the first and second vertical sides. 
     
     
         8 . The golf swing training device of  claim 7 , wherein the top side is configured to contact the leg of the golfer and the bottom side is rotatably connected to the vertical support. 
     
     
         9 . The golf swing training device of  claim 8 , wherein the top side is has a convex curve shape. 
     
     
         10 . The golf swing training device of  claim 8 , further comprising a leg contact pad disposed on the top side. 
     
     
         11 . The golf swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm and vertical support are mated to fit together at specific increments of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The golf swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for rotatably connecting the vertical support to the arm comprises at least one gear, ratchet, hinge, slide, screw, bolt, pin or spring. 
     
     
         13 . The golf swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of rotation between the vertical support and the arm is between about 0 degrees and about 50 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The golf swing training device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of rotation between the vertical support and the arm is such that force placed upon the support arm when it contacts the calf musculature of a golfer is transferred to the vertical support of the device in a substantially downward direction and resistance to lateral motion is maximized. 
     
     
         15 . A system for restricting lateral motion and maintaining knee flexion of a golfer's leg during a golf stroke comprising two golf swing training devices according to  claim 1  and a connector, wherein the connector joins the two devices at right angles. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the connector is L-shaped and includes screw threads mated to threaded screw holes provided on each of the two golf swing training devices. 
     
     
         17 . A method for golf swing training comprising the steps of:
 a) placing a portion of base of the golf swing training device of  claim 1  under the foot of a golfer;   b) rotating the arm until it contacts the golfer's calf; and   c) directing the golfer to perform a swing with the device in place.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising securing the golf swing training device to the leg of the golfer thereby permitting the golfer to step with the golf swing training device attached to the leg. 
     
     
         19 . A method for golf swing training comprising the steps of:
 a) connecting the two golf swing training devices of the system of  claim 12  with the connector;   b) placing a portion of the base of each system under a foot of a golfer; and   c) directing the golfer to perform a swing with the system in place.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising securing the two golf swing training devices to the leg of the golfer thereby permitting the golfer to step with the two golf swing training devices attached to the leg.