Device for use in practicing the game of golf

Application filed August'29; 1923. Serial No. 660,041;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Craigie Gyle Borthwick, a subject-of tlie King, of Great Britain and Ireland; residing' at Kinneil Works, 6 -Corstorphine, Edinburgh,, county· of Midlothian, Scotland, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Device for Use in Practicing the Game of Golf, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention lias for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive device for use in practicing the game of golf, whereby if the head of the club; when “driving” or the like,, does , not swing, or pass, through 15 a predetermined: path, it contacts with one or more flexible and vibratory projections, positioned round said path, and so as to indicate to the player the error, or errors, in the swing of the club.

²⁰ In carrying out my invention according to one simple example, the device consists of a horizontal oblong frame provided with a mat of any soft or flexible material, and also a disc or half sphere, to represent a ball, ²³ with a flexible connection, so that when struck it will turn over into a recess formed for it, or a captive ball may be used. On each side of the frame brackets are arranged with inwardly projecting and adjustable ³⁰ parts, and also with downwardly projecting and adjustable parts, ancl one set of these parts may be arranged directly in advance of the position of the ball, and the other set some distance in the rear of the ball.

In order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred to in describing my invention.

ίο Figures 1, ancl 2, are respectively a plan, ancl a side elevation of the improved device, Figure 3, is an encl elevation. Figures 4, 5 and 6, are respectively a plan, side elevation ancl an encl elevation of the bracket or holder for supporting the horizontal and depending adjustable parts, drawn to a larger size. In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.

λο As shown in Figures 1, 2, ancl 3, of the drawings, the device consists of a horizontal oblong frame 1. provided with a mat 2, ancl also a flexible disc 3, to represent a ball, so that when struck it will turn over into a re55 cess 4, formed for it in the mat 2. Instead of the disc 3, a captive ball may be em ployed. The disc 3, has an· aperture 3“, (Figure s), formed in it, said aperture rep- , resenting, if an ordinary ball were used, the correct point· of contact with the club’ head. 60 On each side of the frame 1, two brackets 5. 6, and 7, 8_; are arranged; with, inwardly projecting, vibratory, and adjustable parts 9, 10, and 11,.12, and-also with’ downwardly projecting, vibratory and adjustable parts 05 13, and 14. One set of these’parts being positioned in advance of the position, of. the disc 3, and the other set some distance in rhe rear of saiddisc..

The distance between-the opposing' ends 70of the parts 9, and’ 11, is preferably greater than that between the parts 10 and 12, and the lower encl of the depending part 13, is higher than that of the depending part 14, so as to coincide with the curvature or arc 75 described by the head of the club. To avoid excessive swing of the parts 9, ancl 10, tapered blocks 9^a, ancl 10^a, are provided.

The arrow, in Figure 1, indicates the direction in which the club· head is traveling. ⁸⁰

A preferred form of bracket, or holder, is shown in Figures 4, 5, ancl 6, in which the inwardly projecting parts 11, ancl 12, are held in a clip lo, by a pinching screw 16, ancl the supporting arms 17, and 18, of the ⁸⁵depending parts .13, ancl 14, are respectively held in an aperature of an upwardly extending member 19, by a pinching screw 20.

It is to be understood that I do not confine myself to any particular number of oo these inwardly projecting parts, as the characteristic feature of my invention consists in so positioning them relative to the ball, or disc 3, that a more or less perfect swing is essential to avoid contacting with any one 05 or more of. the said projecting parts,—in other words, if a perfect swing is imparted to the club then the path of its head is unobstructed, on the other hand if the swing of the club is faulty, its head contacts with 100 one or more of the projecting parts, and the position of the latter, indicates the error, or errors, in the swing. For example, if the club head is too high it will contact with one or other, or both, of the depending members 105 13, and 14, whereas if the club head is too low it will contact with the mat 2, in advance of the ball, and if too much to either side of a line drawn through the centre of the disc 3, it will contact with one or more no of the cross members 9,10,11, and 12.

The device is used as follows:—The frame

Q 1,532,984 is placed on the floor, or ground, and the player takes up a position which in her, or his, opinion, will ensure a correct drive. The club is then swung in the usual manner, 5 and if after striking the ball, and the swing more or less completed, without contacting with any of the projecting parts, on the frame, then it is assumed that a correct . swing and drive has been macle. The pro10 jecting. parts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, are made adjustable, for example, to allow of a certain latitude, which can be gradually reduced as the player becomes more proficient.