Golf is a very popular sport which requires accurate alignment and correct stance when preparing to hit the ball. The nature of the golf stance, where the golfer is side on to the ball, creates an illusion that the ball will not go towards its intended target. Most golf instruction requires that two imaginary parallel lines are drawn, firstly a line between the ball position and target location and secondly, a line parallel to the first line which runs in line with the toes of the golfer. This"train track"theory ensures that the golfer will adopt the correct alignment for his feet when taking his stance. Because of the side on nature of the stance to the ball, most golfers do not realize that their feet are not parallel with the first imaginary line and, accordingly, the ball will not travel to the intended target. The optical illusion created by the side on stance makes it very difficult for a golfer to realize that the alignment problem exists.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf training aid to assist in the accurate alignment of a golfer's feet when adopting the golf stance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a golf training aid that is unobtrusive and easily fitted inside a trouser pocket.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a golf training aid that is cheap and quick to set up.

With these and other objects in view the present invention provides a golf training aid to assist in correct alignment of the feet in a golf stance, said golf training aid including a holder for retaining therein a length of flexible line or tape, a retaining means at the free end of said line or tape for association with a golf tee and a ground engagement means associated with said holder which, in use, anchors said holder in a predetermined position on the ground.

Preferably said line or tape is resiliently biased to retract said line or tape inside said holder when said golf tee is not engaged with the ground. In a preferred embodiment said ground engaging means is a spike that can be folded against said holder when not in use. In a practical embodiment said flexible line or tape is a measuring tape.

In particular the invention relates to a golf training aid to assist in correct alignment of the feet in a golf stance, said golf training aid including a holder for retaining therein a length of flexible line or tape, a retaining means at the free end of said line or tape for association with a golf tee and a ground engagement means associated with said holder which, in use, anchors said holder in a predetermined position on the ground, wherein said line or tape is resiliently biased to retract said line or tape inside said holder when said golf tee is not engaged with the ground.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a golf training aid made in accordance with the invention with the spike open; Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an underneath view of the golf training aid shown in Fig. 1 with the spike in the closed position; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing the reel and tape; and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the tee in place.

In the drawings there is shown a golf training aid 10 having an ovaloid hollow body 12 or other suitably shaped body for retaining therein a tape 14. The shape of body 12 is not critical but it should be of a size that is easily fitted into the hand and can readily fit into a trouser pocket. Tape 14 is wound onto a spool 16 and is resiliently biased to wind tape 14 onto spool 16 when not under tension. The

resilient bias can be achieved by a spring or any suitable means used in the tape measure art.

A blade or spike 18 is pivotally attached to body 12 by pivot pin 20 through bearing supports 21. Blade or spike 18 is designed to lie flat against body 12 when not in use to reduce the bulk of the golf training aid 10. A further variation is to leave a gap between the blade or spike 18 and body 12 to allow the golf training aid to be placed on a belt or attached to a golf bag. A recess could also be formed in body 12 to conform to the shape of the blade or spike 18, if desired. A bore 24 is shaped to retain a substantial section of the shaft 26 of a golf tee 28. This will prevent the tip of the golf tee 28 from irritating the golfer by digging into the golfer's leg when aid 10 is located in the golfer's pocket. The head 30 of the tee 28 will protrude from bore 24 for easy gripping by the golfer when required. Tee 28 can be fitted to tape 14 by any suitable retaining means 22 or be integrally formed therewith. Examples may include a sleeve 22 or other fitting that cooperates with tee 28. It is also preferred that the tape has measurement markings thereon for distance measuring.

In use, golf training aid 10 has shaft 26 of golf tee 28 located in bore 24 as shown in Fig. 1. Golf tee 28 is withdrawn from bore 24 and pushed into the desired position on the teeing ground. A sufficient length of tape 14 is pulled from the body 12. The body 12 is then sighted along the target line, the blade or spike 18 is flipped into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the blade or spike 18 is pushed into the ground. The tape 14 will form a line between the tee 28 and body 12 which is along the intended target line. The golfer can then take his stance with his toes forming a line parallel to the extended tape 14. The golfer's feet will be correctly aligned and he can swing confident in the knowledge that he is correctly aligned. If tee 28 is hit out of the ground, the tee 28 will automatically retract inside body 12 which is staked to the ground. The golf training aid 10 can then be picked up and put in the golfer's pocket ready for the next drive. If tee 28 remains in the ground, the tee 28 and body 12 can be extracted from the ground and tape 14 will recoil back inside the body 12. If tee 28 is broken, a replacement tee can be fitted to tape 14. The invention has the added advantage that lost tees should not occur as the tee is attached to tape 14 and should be readily visible. If

measurement markings are made on tape 14 the aid 10 can be used to measure hole to ball distances to settle disputes on the putting order.

The invention provides a simple yet effective means to ensure correct feet alignment for golfers. Although the invention cannot currently be used for match competition play it is nonetheless a very useful tool for golfers. The golf training aid can be made of any suitable material but plastics material is the most practical choice.

The invention will be understood to embrace many further modifications as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit of the invention, there having been set forth herein only the broad nature of the invention and a certain specific embodiment by way of example.