[541 GOLF SWING STANCE STABLIZER Field Of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the game of golf and golf accessories more particularly, to an alignment device for setting a player's stance. This invention relates to golf training devices, and in particular discloses a device for stabilizing a golfer's feet and stance while the golfer practices the swing. This may be accomplished while hitting a golf ball or just swinging the golf club without the golf ball being present. This invention is particularly useful in assisting the golfer while practicing to improve their swing and ball flight. This invention also allows for the training of golfers to swing in the manner, which has long been recommended for producing the best results. The present invention assists golfers in properly positioning their feet and legs so as to achieve the appropriate recommended swing.

Description of the Prior ART There exist prior devices that consist of lines and markings on a mat to assist a golfer in placing his feet parallel to each other and perpendicular to the intended path of a golf ball.

Some such devices also have markings to assist in foot placement for achieving a fade or hook shot. The prior art does not disclose the arrangement of features of the present invention. In the game of golf, the player stance, i. e. the position of the player's feet with respect to the golf ball, is of the utmost importance in order to obtain a good golf shot. If the player's feet are improperly positioned when he or she addresses the ball a number of arrant shots such as, hooks, slices and others will frequently result. The proper stance for a player varies from one player and to the next. Furthermore, the proper stance also varies depending on the type of shot to be made. For example, a proper stance for a player using a driver will be different than the proper stance for an eight-iron shot even for the same player. Most players determine their proper golf stance for the different golf shots only through practice and experience. However, every experienced golfer adopts improper golf stances after periods of golf inactivity. When this occurs, it often takes the golfer several practice sessions before he or she regains their proper golf stances.

Background Of the Invention A successful game of golf unmistakably requires much practice and skill. Indeed, the sport demands accuracy in both the golfer's movements and stance on the golf course.

Broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a golf stance-stabilizing device having a positioning and alignment guidance strip and two foot gripping elements, means for locking and securing the feet. More specifically, the present invention is a golf stance-stabilizing device having each gripping device capable of being manually extended to a user-specified position and subsequently selectively locked or secured. In the description that follows the apparatus is described for right handed and left hand golfers.

Various features and advantages will appear from the description given herein. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that, a specific embodiment for employing the invention. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to use or make the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Thereafter, when the golfer wishes to set his stance, for example during a period of training, the golfer's feet are positioned in the gripping elements and the positioning and alignment guidance strip is adjusted to the desired distance. In doing so, the golfer's stance is set to the proper position for the golf shot.

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages, and meet the recognized need for such a device, by providing a golf stance stabilizing device wherein accurate alignment and guidance is provided for obtaining the proper stance position. The proper stance position, thus improves the golfer's swing.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is its quick, consistent and accurate utilization.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is its lockable guidance strips at desired extensions.

A feature and advantage of the invention is its ability to be employed by both amateur and expert golfers with ease.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is its portability.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be stored away with ease.

It is yet still another of this invention to provide a golf stance gauge, which can be used by left or right, handed golfers.

It is further object of this invention to provide a golf stance gauge, which can be used with a variety of different sizes and types of golf clubs.

It is another object of this invention to provide a golf stance gauge, which is safe to use and not interfere with the ball or club when the ball is being hit.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a golf stance gauge, which can be personally calibrated by the golfer.

It is still yet another object of this invention to provide a golf stance gauge, which is easy to assemble and use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for establishing the proper distance between the feet and the golf ball.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus including structure whereby proper distance between the left foot and the right foot may be maintained.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus that will be capable of facilitating proper toe and heel alignment.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus, which will be capable of facilitating proper swinging of the golfer without body sway.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus, which will be capable of facilitating use of the invention indoor or outdoor.

A final object of this invention is to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a golf swing practice aid in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art of teaching and playing the game of golf.

Summary of the Present Invention In a preferred embodiment, the device includes at least one a left foot gripping means and a right foot gripping means, and are engaged by an adjustable mechanism, for securing a golfer's feet parallel to each other in a given stance while the golfer practices a golf swing. There is also an anchoring mechanism used to keep the plant foot, which is the left foot for a right handed golfer and the right foot for a left handed golfer, stabilized during the golf swing. The anchor is designed for in door and out door use. The gripping means can be slid nearer or farther away from each other and locked in the selected position to provide a variety of widths of stance. The gripping means further comprising at least two opposing elastic straps to be attached to one another and adjustable to the size of the golfers shoe/foot. The straps may further comprise conventional attaching means such as mating Velcro, two-part, snap fit buttons, or other like means. The adjusting mechanism further comprises two opposing elastic straps to be attached to one another and adjustable to the golfer's width of stance. The anchoring mechanism further comprises an extended elastic strap off of the plant foot gripping means that may be attached to an indoor or outdoor surface. The device is thus useful as a training device in order to prevent the golfer from getting his feet in the wrong orientation to each other during the course of his swing. The device also enables the beginning golfer to start practicing the golf swing with the feet parallel but close together, and gradually work his or her way up to a wider stance.

The basic purpose of the invention is to provide a means of stabilizing the golfer's feet and legs while swinging the golf club. To that end, the invention provides: List Components A) A positioning and alignment device; used to adjust the width of the right and left foot gripping elements B) A left foot gripping element; used to secure the left foot to the positioning and alignment device C) A right foot gripping element ; used to secure the right foot to the positioning and alignment device D) An anchoring mechanism for the plant foot of the golf swing; used to attach the plant foot to the ground (in door or out door) A preferred arrangement for the gripping means is to have each of the elastic straps comprising adjustable complementary mechanically adhesive strips sewn to the adjusting mechanism in order to secure rapidly a variety of sizes of golfer's shoes.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a means of allowing the golfer to advance his practicing of his swing from a narrow stance to a wide stance. One of the most common errors of a beginning golfer is twisting his feet on the ground during the course of his swinging of a golf club. It is usually easier for a golfer to maintain throughout his swing the correct parallel orientation of his feet when they are close together. After the golfer has mastered this continuing orientation in a narrow stance with the aid the foot gripping means of the device of this invention, the golfer can readily progress to practicing the golf swing while keeping the feet parallel while in a wider stance. The wider stance is eventually desirable to provide a solid framework from which to swing the club and connect with great power to the ball.

The invention provides golfer stance width position range from a beginning golfer's narrow stance, to an advanced golfer's correct stance.

When the golfer's feet are secure, the legs will naturally tend to also remain in the correct position for the proper golf stance. By obtaining the proper stance, the golfer shifts emphasis to the shoulders and arms to achieve an error free golf swing. Practice with the present invention will assist the golfer in learning the correct position of his body, and in maintaining balance in this position, throughout the golf swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood by reading the DETAILED DESCRIPTION of the Preferred Embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf swing stance stabilizer prior to use on a golfers shoe/feet.

FIG. 2 is a 3 dimensional view of the golf swing stance stabilizer as placed on a golfers shoe/feet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2, simple terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention is not to be limited to the simple terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 the present invention in its preferred embodiment is a golf stance stabilizer 17.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stabilizer 17 includes a plant foot gripping element that is further comprised of elements 1-8, 16, 15, and 18. The stabilizer also comprises a second or non-plant foot gripping element. The non-plant foot gripping element is further comprised of elements 9-14.

The plant foot gripping element comprises anchor means 1,2, and 18 that are incorporated within the plant foot gripping means base strap 7. Anchor means 1 is an indoor anchor means that allows a golfer to attach the stabilizer to artificial grass or turf that is commonly used in the construction of an indoor golfing facility. The indoor anchor means may be Velcro or any other conventional means. For outdoor usage, the base strap 7 further comprises outdoor anchor means 2 and 18 that may be in the form of eyelets (holes). To further ensure or reinforce that the anchorage is proper the eyelet may be circumscribed with a metal. The eyelets allow for a golfer to insert golf tees through the eyelets and into the outdoor surface (driving range, practice green, golf course, or the like). The plant foot gripping element further comprises a first plant foot strap 3 and a second plant foot strap 5 each being attached to the plant foot base strap 7 by conventional stitching 16 and 15, respectively. The first plant foot strap 3 includes an attaching means 4 that is used to attach the first strap 3 to the second plant foot strap 5 by being securely engaged with the attaching means 6 of plant foot strap 5. The first and second plant foot straps 3,5 allow a golfer to secure his/her plant foot within the plant foot gripping element as seen in Figure 2.

The non-plant foot gripping element further comprises a first non-plant foot strap 10 attached to the non-plant foot base strap 13 by conventional stitching 14. The non- plant foot gripping element may also include a first and second strap attached to a base strap. However, as seen in the embodiment of Figure 1, the base strap 13 of the non-plant foot gripping element is also the equivalent of the second strap of the plant foot gripping element. The first non-plant foot strap 10 includes an attaching means 11 that is used to attach the first strap 10 to the non-plant foot base strap 13 by being securely engaged with the attaching means 12 of the non-plant foot base strap 13. The first non-plant foot strap 10 and base strap 13 allows a golfer to secure his/her non-plant foot within the non-plant foot gripping element as seen in Figure 2.

As seen the figures, the plant foot gripping element and the non-plant foot gripping element make up the entire stabilizing device when both components are attached to one another by mating attaching means 8 and 9, respectively. The attaching means 8 and 9 of the base straps 7 and 13 comprise the adjusting mechanism used to establish the desired width between the plant foot gripping element and the non-plant foot gripping element.

When in use, the stabilizer may be employed as illustrated in Figure 2. The golfer first selects the desired golf shot he wishes to execute. With the golf shot selected, the golfer places his plant foot in the unattached plant foot gripping means and secures his foot therein by attaching means 4 and 6 of straps 3 and 5, respectively. Next, the golfer places his non-plant foot in the unattached non-plant foot gripping means and secures his foot therein by attaching means 11 and 12 of straps 10 and 13, respectively. The golfer then determines the appropriate stance required or desired to complete the shot. In particular, the golfer selects the width between his plant foot and non-plant foot. As such the golfer secures the plant foot gripping means to the surface by using the appropriate indoor or outdoor anchor means. With the plant foot gripping means secured the golfer adjusts or ensures his non-plant foot is in the correct position and selected width and then attaches the two gripping element together by attaching means 8 and 9. The golfer may then execute the golf shot or practice swing with a stabilized stance.

The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. In order to use the golf stance device of the present invention, the golfer determines his or her proper stance for a particular golf shot in any conventional fashion, such as on a driving range or indoor facility.

Having described the invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. For example, for economic feasibility the straps herein are manufactured from a fabric ; however, the straps may be also manufactured from other materials such as plastics, polymers, or other synthetics.