Modular golf training aid and method

A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising:

• a. a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path and alignment;
• and
• b. a first elongated slot having a length (L) and first parallel edges defined in the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the leading edge for receiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor so that the ball may be propelled along the slot, the first parallel edges being spaced apart by a distance (D), the distance (D) being greater than the diameter of a generally circular planar section of the golf ball that lies in the plane of the upper smooth surface of the base, thereby creating a clearance between the ball and at least one edge of the first elongated slot, the edges of the first elongated slot being parallel to the imaginary intended target line extending from the leading edge;
• c. a second elongated slot extending from the trailing edge, the second elongated slot having a length (l) and second parallel edges defined in the reflecting base and extending rearwardly from the trailing edge for receiving a golf ball that initially rests on the ground or floor so that the ball may be propelled along the slot, the edges being spaced apart by a distance (d), the distance (d) being greater than the diameter of a generally circular planar section of the golf ball that lies in the plane of the upper smooth surface of the base, thereby creating a clearance between the ball and at least one edge of the second slot, the edges of the second slot being parallel to the imaginary intended target line extending from the trailing edge;
• d. a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line;
• e. a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head;
• f. a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror and the centerline of the base are co-planar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line;
• and
• g. a target putting mirror having a reflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface of the target mirror faces the target or hole and an image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player.

A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising:

• a. a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path and alignment;
• and
• b. a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line;
• c. a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head;
• d. a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror lies and the centerline of the base are co-planar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line;
• and
• e. a target putting mirror having a reflective surface that is positioned behind a target or hole in relation to the base so that the reflective surface of the target mirror faces the target or hole and an image including the ball and putter head is reflected back to the player.

A modular training aid for developing putting skills in the game of golf for use by a right or left handed player, the modular training aid comprising:

• a. a rigid planar reflecting base having a leading edge from which an imaginary intended target line extends, a trailing edge, a lower face that is supported on the ground or a floor and an upper smooth surface, the reflecting base being sized for convenient portability and reflecting an image primarily composed of putter head path and alignment;
• and
• b. a pair of lateral edges extending between the leading and trailing edges and a centerline extending there between orthogonally to the imaginary intended target line;
• c. a first alignment mirror positioned on the ground or floor, having a reference line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the reference line of the alignment mirror lies on an imaginary extension of the centerline of the base, the alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the upper torso with an image of the hands, extended arms, head and shoulders of the player, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line and the hands in relation to the putter head;
• and
• d. a second alignment mirror with an edge resting on the ground or floor having a reflecting surface that is inclined to the ground or floor and being provided with a datum line positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the base so that the datum line of the second alignment mirror and the centerline of the base are co-planar, the second alignment mirror reflecting in image to the player that includes the putter head and putter shaft, thereby permitting the player to check the alignment of them in relation to the imaginary target line.

A method for practicing putting, comprising the steps of:

• a. positioning a target mirror with a centerline behind a target or hole;
• b. place a golf ball on the ground or floor at a distance from the target or hole so that the ball is aligned with the centerline;
• c. placing a putter head behind the ball;
• d. looking at the target mirror while stroking the ball toward the target or hole.

A method for developing a consistent, repeatable golf swing, comprising the steps of:

• a. positioning a first alignment mirror having a pair of lateral edges so that the edges are located between a golf ball and an imaginary pedestal line between the feet of the golfer;
• b. placing the face of a golf club behind the golf ball;
• and
• c. inspecting in the mirror an alignment of the face of the golf club, the head, shoulders arms and hands of the golfer before making a swing.

A method for developing a consistent, repeatable golf swing, comprising steps of:

• a. positioning a reflecting base on the ground or floor;
• b. positioning a second alignment mirror adjacent to a lateral edge of the base mirror, the second alignment mirror being supported in an inclined position in relation to the ground or floor;
• c. placing a golf ball on the reflecting base mirror so that the ball is aligned with a centerline of the reflecting base mirror so that the ball rests upon the ground between the edges of a channel defined within the base mirror;
• and
• d. placing the face of a putter head behind the golf ball and inspecting in the mirrors an alignment of the face of the putter, the trajectory of the putter as it is taken away from the golf ball during a back swing, and the trajectory of the putter head after impact with the golf ball while observing the motion of the golf ball as it exits the channel.