This invention relates to a golf swing training aid.

According to the invention there is provided a golf swing training aid which includes:- backswing guide means for guiding a golf club along a desired arc and plane from address to the top of a golfer's backswing;

transition guide means for guiding the club through a transition from the top of the backswing to a starting position of the downswing, the transition guide means being configured to guide the club to a position inside or rearwards the position of the club at the top of the backswing;

downswing guide means for guiding the club from the start of the downswing to the address or impact position along a plane which lies inside or is flatter than that described by the backswing guide means;

follow-through guide means for guiding the club along a desired arc and plane during the follow-through; and

support means for supporting the above guide means clear of the ground.

l The training aid may include an arc guide means for guiding the golf club along an arc inside and rearwards that described by the backswing guide means. The arc guide means may be in the form of a deflector means which may be arranged to extend rearwards from an upper end region of the backswing guide means. The deflector means may be in the form of a generally arcuate plate.

The backswing guide means may be in the form of an elongate, generally arcuate backswing guide member which is configured to describe an arc to be followed by a golf club during the backswing.

The downswing guide means may be in the form of an elongate, generally arcuate downswing guide member which is configured to describe an arc to be followed by a golf club during the downswing. The downswing guide means may include an elongate, generally arcuate downswing guide rail which is spaced from and is configured to follow generally, the path described by the downswing member thereby to retain the club in a desired swing path zone. In particular, the guide rail is configured to extend from a upper end region of the backswing member to a region, typically near the end or bottom of the downswing member, wherein the downswing rail may be substantially parallel the downswing member thereby to define a generally tapering downswing path zone therebetween.

The transition guide means may be in the form of a generally L or elbow-shaped member which is arranged to extend inwards from an upper end region of the elongate downswing guide member of the downswing guide means to retain the club in a transition zone defined between the elbow, a upper end of the downswing guide means and an upper free end of the backswing guide means. The transition guide means may include a resistance means for providing resistance to the golf club towards the completion of the backswing.

The resistance means may be in the form of an elongate resistance member having a generally L-shaped free end which is configured and arranged to receive the club as it passes from the free end of the backswing guide means towards the elbow-shaped member, the elongate resistance member being biased towards the free end of the backswing guide means so as to impart resistance to the golf club as it proceeds towards the elbow- shaped member which marks the completion of the backswing. The resistance means may include a guide formation which may be configured to guide the L-shaped free end of the resistance member along a generally predetermined path from the free end of the backswing guide means towards the elbow-shaped member.

The resistance means may further include a gate member which may be shaped and/ or configured to allow the club to pass from the free end of the backswing guide means into the transition zone and to facilitate guidance of the club towards the downswing guide means. The gate member may be in the form of a extension member which may be arranged and configured to extend from the end of the backswing guide means.

The extension member may be spring biased in a direction to allow easy passage of the club past the free end of the backswing guide means and biased to deflect the club away from a return path towards the free end of the backswing guide means.

A golf swing training aid may include a first club head guide means which may be arranged in a region substantially midway and forward the backswing guide means so as to define an zone therebetween through which a club head can only pass during the backswing if the golfer has turned the clubhead clockwise a predetermined angle.

The follow-through guide means may be in the form of an elongate, generally arcuate follow-through guide member which is configured to describe an arc to be followed by a golf club during the follow-through. The follow-through guide means may include an elongate, generally arcuate follow-through guide rail which is spaced from and is configured to follow generally, the path described by the follow-through guide member thereby to retain the club in a desired follow-through swing path zone. In particular, the follow-through guide rail is configured to extend from the end of, typically being an extension thereof, the downswing guide rail. The follow- through rail may be substantially parallel the follow-through member.

The training aid may also include a club head guide means arranged on the follow-through guide means for encouraging the golfer to rotate or turn the club head anticlockwise during the follow-through to improve the release of the club head to promote a draw spin ball flight. More particularly, the club head guide means may be formed by an elongate member which generally describes an oblong zone which is dimensioned and configured to allow the club head and part of the club shaft to pass therethrough only when the club head is rotated a predeterminable degree. A club head guide means may be arranged at positions approximately midway along and towards an end region of the follow-through guide means. The ends of the elongate member may extend between and interconnect the follow-through guide member and rail. The elongate member may also serve as a means of maintaining the follow-through guide member and rail in the parallel spaced apart relationship relative to each other.

The support means may be in the form of a support member which includes a base and a plurality of posts which are configured to extend upwardly from and to interconnect the base and the various guide means described above. Post adjustment means may be provided to allow the lengths of the posts to be adjusted in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired. The posts may be of telescopic form to permit their lengths to be adjusted as desired.

The posts may include adjustable backswing, downswing and follow- though posts which are arranged and/or configured to interconnect the base and the backswing, downswing and follow-though guide means respectively and to allow the rake or angle of any one or more of the backswing, downswing and follow-though guide means relative to the ground to be varied in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired.

A height adjustment means may be provided to allow the height at the juncture between the downswing and follow-through guide means, and with it the downswing and follow-through guide means, relative to the base to be adjusted and/or varied in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired.

A pivot means may be provided to allow the downswing and follow- through guide means to be pivoted independently and relative each other so as to allow their respective rakes or angles relative to the ground to be varied in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired.

A retaining means may be provided on the posts to allow the arc and/or plane described by the said various guide means to be retained in position after they have been adjusted according to the anatomical characteristics and/or particular requirements of a golfer wanting to improve his golf swing.

A releasable connection means may be provided to allow the various parts and components thereof to be releasably connected thereby to facilitate storage, transport and or collapsing thereof.

The parts and components of the training aid may be formed from any suitable synthetic plastic and/ or metallic material and/ or any combination thereof.

A golf swing training aid in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a front view of a golf swing training aid in accordance with the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are opposing side views of the training aid shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a three dimensional view of a training aid shown in figure i ;

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged three dimensional views of parts of the training aid shown in Figure 4;

Figures 7 and 8 respectively are front and rear three dimensional views of a further embodiment of a golf swing training aid in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged three dimensional view of a part of the training aid shown in Figure 8.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, reference numeral 10 generally designates a first embodiment of a golf swing training aid in accordance with the invention.

The training aid 10 includes backswing guide means in the form of backswing guide member 12 for guiding a golfer's golf club 14 along a desired arc and plane from address to the top of a golfer's backswing, transition guide means in the form of a transition guide member 16 for guiding the club through a transition from the top of the backswing to a starting position of the downswing inside or rearwards the position of the club 14 at the top of the backswing, downswing guide means in the form of a downswing guide member 18 for guiding the club 14 from the transition to the address position along a plane which lies inside or is flatter than that described by the backswing guide member 12, follow-through guide means in the form of a follow-through guide member 20 for guiding the club 14 along a desired arc and plane during the follow-through, and support means in the form of a support member 22 for supporting the above guide members 12, 16, 18 and 20 clear of the ground.

The backswing guide member 12 is of elongate, generally arcuate form so as to describe a desired arc and plane be followed by the golf club 14 during the backswing.

The downswing guide member 18 is of elongate, generally arcuate form so as to describe an arc and plane to be followed by the golf club 14 during the downswing. The downswing guide means includes an elongate, generally arcuate downswing guide rail 24 which is spaced from and is configured to follow generally, the path described by the downswing member 18 thereby to retain the club 14 in a desired swing path zone. In particular, the guide rail 24 is configured to extend from a upper end region 26 of the backswing member 12 to a region near the end or bottom of the downswing member 18 wherein the downswing rail 24 is substantially parallel the downswing member 18 thereby to define a generally tapered downswing path zone 28 therebetween.

The transition guide member 16 is generally L-shaped member and which extends inwards from an upper end region 30 of the downswing guide member 18 and substantially parallel backswing guide member 12. More particularly, legs 16.1 and 16.2 of the transition guide member 16 are dimensioned so as to surround a zone around the end region 26 thereby to facilitate guidance of the club 14 as it passes the end region 26 into the downswing path zone 28 defined between the downswing member 18 and rail 24. The leg 16.2 further serves to discourage the club 14 from moving into a steeper plane which inevitably leads to a slicing or fading action.

An arc guide means in the form of an arcuate deflector plate 32 is arranged to extend rearwards from the end region 26 to ensure that the golf club 14 follows a swing path along an arc inside that described by the backswing guide member 12. Practically, the deflector plate 32 serves to encourage lateral rotation of the golfer's hips as he commences the downswing.

The follow-through guide member 20 is of elongate, generally arcuate form so as to describe an arc and plane to be followed by the golf club 14 during the follow-through. The follow-through guide means includes an elongate, generally arcuate follow-through guide rail 34 which is spaced from and is configured to follow generally, the path parallel to that described by the follow-through member 20 thereby to retain the club in a desired follow-through swing path zone. In particular, the follow-through guide rail 34 is an extension of the downswing guide rail 24.

Club head guide means in the form of generally oblong hoops 36 are arranged on the follow-through guide member 20 and rail 34 for encouraging the golfer to rotate or turn the club head 14.2 anticlockwise during the follow-through to improve the release of the club head 14.2 to promote a draw spin ball flight. More particularly, the hoops 36 are dimensioned and configured to allow the club head and part of the club shaft to pass therethrough only when the club head 14.2 is rotated to a predetermined degree. The hoops 36 are arranged at positions approximately midway along and towards an end region of the follow- through guide member 20 and rail 34. The ends of the hoops 36 are configured to extend between and interconnect the follow-through guide member 20 and rail 34. The hoops 34 also serve as a means of maintaining the follow-through guide member 20 and rail 34 in the parallel spaced apart relationship relative to each other.

The support member 22 includes a base 38 and a plurality of telescopic posts 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 which are configured to extend upwardly from and to interconnect the base 38 and the various guide members 12, 18,20 and rails 24, 34 described above. Although not shown, the downswing and follow-through members 18 and 20 are pivotally connected to a connector element at a free end of post 46 to permit pivotal adjustment of the arcs and/ or planes described thereby. The posts 40 to 48 are pivotally connected at their opposing ends to the base 38 and their associated guide members 12, 18 and 20 respectively. Conventional retaining means in the form of releasable locking members 50 are provided to allow the arcs and/ or planes described by the said various guide members 12, 16, 18 and 20 to be retained in position once the lengths and angles of the posts 40 to 48 have been adjusted according to the anatomical characteristics and/or particular requirements of a particular golfer. In operation, the various arcs and/or planes described by the members 12, 16, 18 and 20 of the training aid 10 are first adjusted according to a golfer's 51 swing requirements and/or anatomical characteristics. From an address position of the club 14 indicated by arrow 52, the golfer 51 commences the backswing by rotating the club 14 in the direction of arrow 54, a shaft 14.1 of the club 14 being maintained in sliding contact with the backswing guide member 12 all the way to the top of the backswing and which is indicated by arrow 56. Following completion of the backswing, the downswing commences in the direction of arrow 58 with the club 14 being guided into the entrance of the downswing path zone 28, the golfer 51 at this juncture having commenced the lateral rotation of his hips to allow the club head 14.2 to pass by the deflector plate 32 as the club 14 is guided though the downswing between the downswing member 18 and rail 24 towards the address or impact position 52. During the follow-through, the club 14 is guided between the follow-through member 20 and rail 34 towards the completion of the swing indicated by arrow 60. During the follow-through however, the golfer 51 is forced to rotate the club 14 to allow the club head 14.2 to pass through the hoops 36 which encourages the release of the club 14 and which in turn promotes a draw spin ball flight.

Reference is now made to Figures 7 to 9 wherein reference numeral 1 10 generally designates a second embodiment of a golf swing training aid in accordance with the invention.

The training aid 1 10 includes backswing guide means in the form of backswing guide member 1 12 for guiding a golfer's golf club (not shown) along a desired arc and plane from address of a golf ball 1 15 to the top of a golfer's backswing, transition guide means in the form of a transition guide member 1 16 for guiding the club through a transition from the top of the backswing to a starting position of the downswing inside or rearwards the position of the club (not shown) at the top of the backswing, downswing guide means in the form of a downswing guide member 1 18 for guiding the club (not shown) from the transition to the address position along a plane which lies inside or is flatter than that described by the backswing guide member 1 12, follow-through guide means in the form of a follow-through guide member 120 for guiding the club 14 along a desired arc and plane during the follow-through, and support means in the form of a support member 122 for supporting the above guide members 1 12, 1 16, 1 18 and 120 clear of the ground.

The backswing guide member 1 12 is of elongate, generally arcuate form so as to describe a desired arc and plane be followed by the golf club (not shown) during the backswing. The backswing guide member 1 12 extends from and is mounted on the downswing guide member 1 18.

The downswing guide member 1 18 is of elongate, generally arcuate form so as to describe an arc and plane to be followed by the golf club (not shown) during the downswing.

The transition guide member 1 16 includes a generally L- or elbow shaped member 1 17 which extends inwards from an upper end region 130 of the downswing guide member 1 18 and substantially parallel backswing guide member 1 12. The free end region or leg 1 17. 1 of member 1 17 is generally arcuate to allow advertising material, instructions and the like(not shown) to be arranged thereon. More particularly, legs 1 17.1 and 1 17.2 of the member 1 17 are dimensioned so as to define a transition zone at an end region 126 of the backswing member 1 12. The transition guide member

1 16 further includes a resistance means for providing resistance to the golf club towards the completion of the backswing. The resistance means is in the form of an elongate resistance member 170 having a generally L-shaped free end which is configured and arranged to receive the club as it passes from a free end of the backswing guide member 1 12 towards the elbow- shaped member 1 17. The elongate resistance member 170 is spring biased towards the free end 126 of the backswing guide member 1 12 so as to impart resistance to the golf club as it proceeds towards the elbow-shaped member

1 17 which marks the completion of the backswing. The resistance means also includes a guide formation 172 which is configured to guide a loop 174 at the end of the L-shaped free end of resistance member 170 along a generally predetermined path from the free end 126 of the backswing guide member 1 12 towards the elbow-shaped member 1 17.

The resistance means yet further includes a spring biased gate member 176 which is shaped and/ or configured to allow the club to pass from the free end 126 of the backswing guide member 1 12 into the transition zone and to facilitate guidance of the club towards the downswing guide member 1 18. The gate member 176 is the form of a extension member which is configured to be mounted on and extend from the end 126 of the backswing guide member 1 12. More particularly, the gate member 176 is spring biased in a direction to allow easy passage of the club past the free end 126 of the backswing guide member 1 12 and biased to deflect the club away from a return path towards the free end 126. A first club head guide means in the form of a guide plate 178 is arranged in a region substantially midway and forward the backswing guide member 1 12 so as to define an zone therebetween through which a club head may only pass during the backswing if the golfer has turned the clubhead clockwise a predetermined angle thereby to encourage hinging of the club during the backswing.

An arc guide means in the form of an arcuate deflector plate 132 is arranged to extend rearwards from the backswing guide member 1 12 to ensure that the golf club follows a swing path along an arc inside that described by the backswing guide member 1 12. Adjustment members 180 are provided to allow the curvature or arc of the plate 132 to be varied as desired. Practically, the deflector plate 132 serves to encourage lateral rotation of the golfer's hips as he commences the downswing and to inhibit "casting" of the club at the start of the downswing.

The follow-through guide member 120 is of elongate, generally arcuate form so as to describe an arc and plane to be followed by the golf club during the follow-through. The follow-through guide means includes an elongate, generally arcuate follow-through guide rail 134 which is spaced from and is configured to follow generally, the path parallel to that described by the follow-through member 120 thereby to retain the club in a desired follow-through swing path zone. Club head guide means in the form of generally oblong hoops 136 are arranged on the follow-through guide member 120 and rail 34 for encouraging the golfer to rotate or turn the club head anticlockwise during the follow-through to improve the release of the club head to promote a draw spin ball flight. More particularly, the hoops 136 are dimensioned and configured to allow the club head and part of the club shaft to pass therethrough only when the club head is rotated to a predetermined degree. The hoops 136 are arranged at positions approximately midway along and towards an end region of the follow-through guide member 120 and rail 134. The ends of the hoops 136 are configured to extend between and interconnect the follow-through guide member 120 and rail 134. The hoops 136 also serve as a means of maintaining the follow-through guide member 120 and rail 134 in the parallel spaced apart relationship relative to each other.

The support member 122 includes a generally rectangular base 138 and a plurality of posts 182, 184 and 186 which are configured to extend upwardly from and to interconnect the base 138 and the various swing guide members 1 12, 1 18 and 120 described above. Although not shown, post adjustment means are provided to allow the lengths of the posts to be adjusted as in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired. More particularly, the post adjustment means allow the rake or angle of any one or more of the backswing, downswing and follow-though guide members 1 12, 1 18 and 120 to be varied in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired. A height adjustment means in the form of height adjustment member 188 is provided to allow the height at the juncture between the downswing and follow-through guide members 1 18 and 120, and with it the downswing and follow-through guide members 1 18 and 120, relative to the base 138 to be adjusted and/or varied in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired. Moreover, the height adjustment member 1 88 is in the form of a clamp which has a lever 190 to allow the length of post 186 to be adjusted up or down as desired.

A pivot means (not shown) is provided to allow the downswing and follow-through guide members 1 18 and 120 to be pivoted independently and relative each other so as to allow their respective rakes or angles relative to the ground to be varied in accordance with a golfer's anatomical characteristics and/ or natural swing and/ or as desired.

Further, a retaining means (not shown) is provided on the posts 182 and 184 to allow the arc and/or plane described by the said various guide members 1 12, 1 18 and 120 to be retained in position after they have been adjusted according to the anatomical characteristics and/or particular requirements of a golfer wanting to improve his golf swing.

Releasable connection means (not shown) are provided to allow the various parts and components of the training aid 1 10 to be releasably connected thereby to facilitate storage, transport and or collapsing thereof. Astrotrurf mats 192 are mounted in the base 138 to allow the ball 1 15 to be placed thereon and on which the golfer may stand. Stays 194 are provided to promote or aid stabilization of the posts 182 and 186 and with it the guide members 1 12, 1 18 and 120. Wheels 196 and a handle 198 are provided on the base 138 to facilitate displacement of the training aid 1 10.

The applicant believes that a training aid 10 and 1 10 in accordance with the invention is advantageous in that it allows each of the planes and/or arcs of the backswing, downswing and follow-through to be adjusted according to the specific requirements and/or anatomical characteristics of a golfer. The applicant further believes that the training aid promotes rotation on the back swing, correct positioning during the transition, correct weight transfer in the down swing and dynamic balancing through the follow though.

It is to be appreciated that a training aid in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional details as hereinbefore described and which may be varied as desired.