This invention relates to a golf practice or training device and more particularly to a device to assist with improving a golfer's swing.

At present, a number of devices are available to improve a golfer's swing. Most of these devices are only suitable for use .outside and are not suitable for use within a confined space.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide an inexpensive means of improving a golfer's swing which enables a golfer to practice his or her swing within a confined area, for instance, within the golfer's living room or office.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a golf trainer including a shaft, a handle grip, a weight and a length of shock cord, the golf grip being fitted at one end of the shaft in which one end of the shock cord is fitted, the other end of the shaft having extending therefrom the free end of the shock cord to which the weight is attached so that when the shaft is swung in a golf swing the weight extends the shock cord.

The shock cord can extend through a flexible hose which extends into or onto the opposite end of the shaft. The shock cord can be made of natural or synthetic rubber. The shaft can engage with the hose by a friction fit or be pinched thereto. The end of the hose and the shock cord are fitted together in a known fashion such that they are securely fastened together.

Alternatively the shock cord can extend through a shaped insert fitted within a length of flexible hose or tube which extends onto the opposite end of the shaft, part of the shaped insert abutting or being inserted in the opposite end of the shaft to provide a smooth surface through which the shock cord extends.

The insert can be a plastics or metal insert in the shape of a nozzle the base of which has ribs on its outer surface to frictionally engage with the interior

of the flexible hose, the other end of the shaft contacts the inner end of the insert.

The shock cord can be a length of rubber cord or preferably a stretchable cord built with a plurality of rubber fibres encased in a fabric sleeve.

The weight can be a solid synthetic or natural rubber ball and it is envisaged that any alternative shape of weight may be used. The ball can have a recess forming a cavity in which is fitted an insert. Within the insert is fitted a tubular insert which can be held securely in place by a rivet or the like. The edge of the tubular insert forms an anchor for one end of the shock cord where it is inserted through a washer before a clip is fitted to the end of the shock cord.

The end of the recess in the weighted ball can have a cap inserted to finish the connection.

Alternatively said one end of the shock cord can be held in the tubular insert by forming a knot in the cord and placing on either side of the knot a washer, the washer at the free end of the cord being held in place against a pin positioned through the shock cord.

The other and top end of the shock cord is held in place by means of a washer on the cord against which a clip fitted to or near the end of the shock cord contacts impressions in the shaft which form a barrier or abutment on which the washer rests when inserted

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within the shaft to thereby prevent the shock cord from dislodging.

Alternatively the other end of the shock cord is held in place by forming a knot in the cord with washers on either side, the free end of the cord having a pin inserted therethrough against which one of the washers abuts. Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a section of an embodiment of the golf trainer device;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 in use;

Figure 3 is a side view of a replacement length of shock cord;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the replacement length of shock cord fitted, in accordance with a preferred aspect, to a shaft with a grip fitted in place;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the shaft shown in Figure 4 showing the attachment of a ball to the end of the shock cord; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the region indicated by arrow A in Figure 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 1 and 2 the golf trainer has a weighted ball 1 to which a shock cord 2 is fitted. The ball has a recess or hollow hole 3 forming a cavity in which is inserted a hollow plastics insert 4. The insert 4 has a tubular insert 5 therein which is held in place by a rivet 6. The insert 4 is a friction fit in the recess 3 and a shoulder 17 of the insert 4 fits in a rebate 18 near to one end of the recess 3.

The cord 2 has a washer 19 fitted thereon adjacent a clip 7 which is attached near to the end 20 of the shock cord. A button 8 can be attached to the end 20 of the shock cord. The end 21 of recess 3 in the ball is open. The shock cord 2 extends from one side of the ball through a rubber or plastics hose 10 which is fitted on or within a metal shaft 11. On the outside of the plastics hose 10 at the point 22 is attached a rubber collar 12 which acts as a cover and improves longevity of the hose. The shaft 11 is preferably stepped and is manufactured in generally the same manner as the shaft of a golf club and may be cut at one of the steps 13 to create a friction fit with the hose which has an internal diameter slightly less than the diameter of the shaft at 13. Over the shaft is fitted a golf grip 14.

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The shock cord 2 is attached to the shaft 11 at the top end 23 of the golf trainer by means of a clip 7 which is attached to or near to the end of the shock cord. Crimps in the shaft 11 form a barrier 15 to a washer 16 which is placed on the cord 2 before the clip 7 is fitted. The washer 16 whe placed within the shaft 11 rests on the inward compressions/ barriers and prevents the shock cord from being dislodged.

The weighted ball can be a natural or synthetic rubber or plastics ball. The trainer device when used in the same manner as a golfer would ordinarily use a golf club results in the ball causing the shock cord to extend. An illustration of the golf trainer in use with the shock cord extended is illustrated in figure 2. Trials have shown that use of the device gives a golfer more control of his/her swing. The life of the device is greatly enhanced if the shock cord is regularly lubricated with a rubber silicone spray or by using a dry lubrication stick.

In the second construction shown in Figures 3 to 6 similar parts of the golf trainer to those shown in Figures 1 and 2 are referenced by the same numerals. In this construction the golf trainer has a shaft 11 with a golf grip 14. The shaft 11 has fitted in the end 24 a shaped insert or nozzle 25. The insert 25 and the end 24 are inside a length of flexible hose 26. The insert 25 has a bore 27 which is smooth to minimise friction

between a length of shock cord 28 which extends through the bore 27. The insert can have a chromed surface and teeth on its periphery where it contacts the hose 26 to improve frictional contact between them.

The golf trainer has a ball 1 of similar construction to that shown in Figure 1 with a tubular insert 5. The edge of the insert forms a shoulder against which an end 29 of a length of shock cord 30 which is fitted in the manner described below.

Each end of the shock cord 30 has a knot formed therein. On either side of each knot 31 and 31 is positioned a washer 32, 33. In use the washers 33 are at the ends of the cord 30 and are locked in position by pins 34. The face 35 of the washers 32 abut respectively the insert 5 and in the shaft 11 crimped regions 15 formed in the surface of the shaft 11.

For maximum efficiency and durability the shock cord 30 should be regularly lubricated with a dry lube stick or with a rubber silicone spray. The cord should be stretched fully when lubricant is applied.

If a cord requires replacement through wear the plastic plugs 36 from the butt end of the shaft 11 and the end of the ball 1 are removed. The cord 30 is stretched slightly and cut. The cut ends of the cord are then removed. A new replacement cord 30 as shown in Figure 3 can then be inserted. The knots, washers, pins and ball are assembled in the same configuration as in

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the old cord. After a knot 31 has been fitted on the end as is shown in Figure 3. The cord 30 is fed through the shaft 11 from the grip end. The washer 32 stops in the shaft 11 where the shaft has been deformed. The shaft 11 is then placed in a vice 37 and the cord 30 extended fully and clamped by clamp 38 as is shown in Figure 5. The ball 1 is then slid over the cord and both washers 32, 33 are placed in position and the pin 34 inserted. The knot 31 is then tied between the washers 32, 33 and the knot 31 is slid into position against the pinned washer 33. The washer 33 is pressed hard up to the pin and the washer 32 hard up to the ball 1. The end 29 of the cord 30 is held and the clamp 38 released. This allows the cord 30 to slide into the ball 1 and shaft 11. The plugs 36 are then replaced in the grip and ball.

In an alternative construction not shown the end of the insert 25 is dimensioned to slidingly engage part way within the bore in the insert 5.

The device can be used indoors for practice without requiring the headroom normally required when swinging a golf club. It therefore offers advantages to golfers wishing to practice or test their swings.

After trials of the device a user will feel the beginnings of a better swing and by following the instructions important muscle memory will develop which is required for a good golf swing.

To accomplish the correct feeling of the device it should be swung so that the ball will start to extend from the end of the shaft at approximately 8 o'clock and further extend at 6 o'clock and carry on extending in a wide arc through the swing, before coming back into the end of the device, resulting in a high finish.

The device will develop a fluent swing. The four main swing faults that will show up if the device is not swung properly are: FAULT NO. 1

The ball wobbles around (jerky) at the top of backswing

The causes - too quick on the backswing; or lack of wrist break (lever) during the swing. CORRECTION

The backswing should have a smoother action and control is essential. This can be achieved by making sure the wrists continue to break until completion of the backswing. FAULT NO. 2

The ball hits the ground on downswing, which is a loss of power.

The causes - hitting from top; releasing too early; or slicing - topping. CORRECTION

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Hold the wrist break created on the backswing until the hands come back to the ideal lever position, which puts th shaft parallel to the ground and target line. In this position the ball is still attached and will only extend when the lever is released. FAULT NO. 3

The ball is still attached to the device through impact. The causes - lack of lever; lack of release; or push or block shot. CORRECTION

Once in the ideal lever position allow release to happen through the address position. Do not hold ideal lever position through impact. FAULT NO. 4

The ball touches the players back on follow through. The causes - keeping head down too long; lack of leg action on the follow through; or collapse of the arms at the finish of the swing. CORRECTION

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After impact let the head turn as the body rotates and allows the back leg to move in a way that the back knee finishes pointing at the target.

Thus by this invention there is provided a golf trainer which assists a golfer in perfecting his or her swing.

A particular example of the invention has been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.