Apparatus and method for golf training

Abstract

Golf training aids are provided that maintain the positions of a golfer's left and right forearms relative to a golf club throughout one or more portions of the backswing, one or more portions of the downswing, and one or more portions of the follow-through. The golf training aids can comprise a connector, a first arm, and a second arm, and the first and second arms can each have a plurality of bends. The golf training aids teach a golfer to swing with proper form throughout a full swing by guiding the positions of the golfer's left and right forearms relative to the golf club by maintaining contact with the forearms throughout at least a portion of the backswing, downswing, and follow-through.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf swing aid apparatus for use with a golf club to maintain positions of a left forearm and a right forearm of a golfer relative to the golf club throughout one or portions of a backswing, a downswing, and a follow-through, the golf club including at least a shaft and a grip, the apparatus comprising:
 a connector configured to attach to the shaft or the grip and having a first receiver and a second receiver;   a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first plurality of bends disposed therebetween, the proximal end being configured to couple to the first receiver;   a second arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second plurality of bends disposed therebetween, the proximal end being configured to couple to the second receiver;   a first contact member supported by the distal end of the first arm and configured to contact the left forearm; and   a second contact member supported by the distal end of the second arm and configured to contact the right forearm,   at least one of the first plurality of bends and the second plurality of bends including at least a first bend, a second bend, and a third bend, the second bend being disposed between the first bend and the third bend.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first location between the first bend and the second bend defines a first inflection point, and wherein a second location between the second bend and the third bend defines a second inflection point, a profile of the one of the first or second arms that includes the first bend, the second bend, and the third bend changing between a convex shape and a concave shape at each of the first and second inflection points. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein application of a compressive load between the distal end and the proximal end of at least one of the first arm and the second arm decreases a length between the proximal end and the distal end along an axis between. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein application of a compressive load between the distal end and the proximal end of at least one of the first arm and the second arm causes the at least one of the first arm and the second arm to compress similar to a spring. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm has an S-shape along its length. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm is longer relative to the second arm. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm has a length of 9.6 inches as measured along a straight line positioned between the center of the connector and the distal end of the first arm, and wherein the second arm has a length of 6.8 inches as measured along a straight line positioned between the center of the connector and the distal end of the second arm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact member is integrally formed with the first arm and the second contact member is integrally formed with the second arm. 
     
     
         9 . A golf swing aid apparatus for use with a golf club to maintain positions of a left forearm and a right forearm of a golfer relative to the golf club throughout one or more portions of a backswing, a downswing, and a follow-through, the golf club including at least a shaft and a grip, the apparatus comprising:
 a connector configured to attach to the shaft or the grip and having a first receiver and a second receiver;   a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first plurality of bends disposed therebetween, the proximal end being configured to couple to the first receiver;   a second arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second plurality of bends disposed therebetween, the proximal end being configured to couple to the second receiver;   a first contact member supported by the distal end of the first arm and configured to contact the left forearm; and   a second contact member supported by the distal end of the second arm and configured to contact the right forearm,   at least one of the first plurality of bends and the second plurality of bends together forming an S-shape.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein application of a compressive load between the distal end and the proximal end of at least one of the first arm and the second arm causes at least one of the first plurality of bends or one of the second plurality of bends to compress similar to a spring. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein an angle between the first and second arms is configured to be 43 degrees when the first and second arms are connected to the connector. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be assembled for at least one of a right-handed or a left-handed golfer. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first arm extends 4.0 to 6.0 inches in a first direction away from the connector and 7.2 to 9.2 inches in a second direction away from the connector, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the second arm extends 4.3 to 6.3 inches in a first direction away from the connector and 3.2 to 5.2 inches in a second direction away from the connector, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second arms each comprise at least three bends between the proximal and distal ends. 
     
     
         15 . A golf swing aid apparatus for use with a golf club to maintain positions of a left forearm and a right forearm of a golfer relative to the golf club throughout one or more portions of a backswing, a downswing, and a follow-through, the golf club including at least a shaft and a grip, the apparatus comprising:
 a connector configured to attach to the shaft or the grip and having a first receiver and a second receiver;   a first arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first plurality of bends disposed therebetween, the proximal end being configured to couple to the first receiver;   a second arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second plurality of bends disposed therebetween, the proximal end being configured to couple to the second receiver;   a first contact member supported by the distal end of the first arm and configured to contact the left forearm; and   a second contact member supported by the distal end of the second arm and configured to contact the right forearm,   at least one of the first plurality of bends and the second plurality of bends including a plurality of inflection points arranged along a length of the respective first or second arm so that a profile of the respective first or second arm changes between a convex shape and a concave shape at each of the plurality of inflection points.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first contact member is disposed at a first angle from the connector and the second contact member is disposed at a second angle from the connector, the second angle different from the first angle, the first angle comprising 45 to 70 degrees and the second angle comprising 25 to 50 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second contact members are configured to contact the first and second forearms throughout portions of a golf swing executed with proper form, the golf swing comprising a set-up stage, a backswing stage, a down swing stage, a contact stage, a follow-through stage, and the transitions between the stages, the first and second forearms configured to contact the first and second forearms at least during a portion of the backswing stage, the downswing stage, and the follow-through stage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second arms are integrally formed with the connector. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a ratio between a length of the first arm and a length of the second arm comprises 1.2 to 1.6. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first contact member is attached to the first arm at 80 to 100 degrees and the second contact member is attached to the second arm at 80 to 100 degrees.