In the area of golf training there are a number of aids designed to allow the golfer to analyse all aspects of his game. In particular, many of these deal with the correct alignment of either a golf club or a golfer's feet. Several of these aids can be used to correct the alignment of both the club and the feet.

In the prior art, there is, however, a lack of effective aids for the correction of the golfer's stance. In particular, there is a lack of aids for the alignment of the golfer's shoulders and the golfer's hands. There is also a lack of aids for positioning the hands relative to the body.

International Patent Publication Number WO 94/05379 teaches the use of a convex mirror to aid alignment of the golfer's stance. The golfer uses a series of lines and boxes on the mirror to correctly position his body.

However, this aid provides no assistance for the

positioning of the golfer's hands. This aid also suffers from being rather awkward to use due to its large size.

Yet further, the use of a convex mirror gives rise to image distortion and parallax errors.

All-inclusive aids, for example the use of video equipment, are either too expensive, too cumbersome or not practical for use when practising.

It is an object of this invention to provide a golf training device comprising apparatus to improve a golfer's stance.

A further object is to provide a golf training aid which is simple to use, easily portable and that may be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

According to the present invention there is provided a golf training aid comprising means for reflecting an image to a golfer adopting a stance for addressing a golf ball, wherein the image indicates the position/alignment of the golfer's shoulders.

Preferably, the training aid also reflects an image indicative of the position of the golfer's hands.

Preferably, the training aid also reflects an image indicative of the position of the golfer's knees/hips.

Preferably, the training aid also reflects an image indicative of the angle of the shaft of a club held by the golfer.

Preferably the aid comprises a first mirror adapted in use to reflect the image indicating the golfer's hands, shoulders and head to the golfer's view.

Preferably the aid comprises a second mirror adapted in use to reflect the image indicating the alignment of the golf club and the golfer's stance to the golfer's view.

The first and second mirror may be housed in or supported by one or more boards. Preferably a respective board is provided for each mirror. The boards may be made substantially of a rigid plastics material, wood or any other suitable material.

The boards may be completely separate from each other.

Alternatively, the boards may be linked via straps. The length of the straps may be adjustable such that the distance between the boards can be altered. Another alternative is that the boards may be hinged together, linked by hinged members or linked by telescopic or otherwise expandable members.

The aid may comprise means for adjusting the position and orientation of one or both of the mirrors to suit the particular height and stance of the golfer.

The mirrors or other reflecting means may be suitably provided with reference lines or markers with which the golfer can precisely align or asses his position.

Typically, the aid is easily portable and may be carried by the golfer. The aid may comprise a handle and preferably the handle is formed in the boards.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a golf training aid comprising a first reflecting means, a second reflecting means and a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure enables the first reflecting means to be positioned vertically below a golfer's hands when addressing a golf ball and the second reflecting means to be positioned in a line through the golfer's feet and the ball and on the opposite side of the ball to the golfer.

Preferably the first reflecting means lies in a horizontal plane, while the second reflecting means lies in a plane between the vertical and horizontal.

The reflecting means are typically flat or planar mirrors.

In order to provide a better understanding of the invention, embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:- Figure 1 illustrates a golf training aid in its position of operation; and Figure 2 illustrates the golf training aid illustrated in Figure 1 in its storage or carrying position; and Figure 3 illustrates the golf training aid in its storage position and fitted with shoulder straps; and

Figure 4 is an overhead view of an alternative embodiment of the golf training aid.

ReferrinS, firstly to Figure 1 a representation of the golf training aid in its position of operation is depicted at 1. The golf training aid 1 comprises a first board 2 and a second board 3 that fold out from each other.

The boards 2,3 are connected by two adjustable straps 4, one at either side of the boards. Each of the boards 2,3 has a handle 5 for carrying the golf training aid 1 when it is not in use.

Housed within the first board 2 is a first mirror 6 which is provided with reference indicia. In particular, the first mirror 6 bears a series of two parallel lines 7, although any number of lines may be provided.

Similarly, the second board 3 provides a supporting structure to a second mirror 8. The mirror 8 has a line 9 running down or axially through its centre. The board 3 is formed with an adjustable stand 10 attached such that the golf training aid 1 may be used with the mirror 8 at a number of elevations and orientations. The method of fixing the adjustable stand 10 may be, but is not limited to, VELCRO 11. In an alternative embodiment grooves or notches could be provided in the board 3 in which the stand 10 may locate.

Figure 2 shows the golf training aid 1 in the closed position. Figure 3 shows the golf training aid 1 in the closed position and fitted with shoulder straps 12 for carrying purposes. The shoulder straps 12 may be folded

or manipulated to be integral with the straps 4 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the golf training aid where the first board 2 is separate from the second board 3. Housed within board 2 is a mirror 6, which has reference indicia 7,16, and another mirror 13 which also has reference indicia 14. the small mirror 13 can be folded under the larger mirror 6 to allow the golfer's feet to be positioned closer together. In this embodiment, one board 2 can be folded up and placed in a pocket 15 within the other board 3 so that the golf training aid is compact and easy to carry.

The golf training aid 1 may be used in the following way.

The boards 2 and 3 are folded out and placed at a pre- determined distance apart by extending the straps 4. The elevation of the mirror 8 is then altered by adjusting the stand 10 such that the golfer will be able to see his hands gripping the club when in a normal golf stance.

The club can then be straightened with reference to the mirror 8 such that it is perpendicular to the ground.

The body and hands are properly aligned using the first mirror 6. The golfer's feet are placed at either side of the handle 5 on the first board 2. The hands are moved such that the shoulders and hands are in alignment between the two parallel lines 7. The shoulders can also be aligned such that the golfer is facing the desired direction.

In the alternative embodiment which is shown in Figure 4, the golf training aid may be used in the following way.

One board 2 is placed on the ground. The other board 3 is

formed into an inverted V shape and placed approximately 4ft in front of the first board 2. The angle of the board 3 can be adjusted depending on which aspect the user wishes to view.

The body and hands are properly aligned using the first mirror 6. The golfer's feet are placed at either side of the smaller mirror 13. The hands are moved such that the shoulders and hands are in alignment between the two parallel lines 7. Lateral head movement can be checked using vertical indicia 16 on the mirror 6. The horizontal line 14 on the mirror 13 can be used to align the golfer's knees/hips. The shoulders can also be aligned such that the golfer is facing the desired direction.

The advantages of this trainer include that it is lightweight, compact, readily transportable and therefore can be easily used anywhere. Moreover, a golf training aid in accordance with the invention herein may be used beneficially by amateurs, professionals and coaches alike.

Further modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.