TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a golf training aid. In particular to a golf training aid for aiding visual awareness of movement of a golf club during a golf stroke.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different golf training aids are available to help a golfer improve their golfing technique. An example of a known golf training aid is the True Pendulum Motion (TPM) aid from IXIA Sports. The TPM aid comprises a bracket which is attached to the shaft of a golf putter, proximate the head of the putter, in use. Two vertical aluminium, telescopic rods extend from the bracket and are placed over the forearms and under the armpits of a user. The vertical rods restrict movement of the user’s arms relative to the putter, encouraging the user to utilise core rotation in swinging the putter. The TPM aid is an example of known golfing aids which are limited in their use, in that they only aid a golfer in a single aspect of their game, and they don’t allow for reconfiguration according to the requirements of a particular user.

A known device is shown in US 2003/0148814. This shows a club holder with plates or sleeves that support the back portions of arms of a golfer to support the golfer’s arm position during a full golf swing. The two sleeves are connected and act to connect the golfer’s arms during a full swing. Accordingly this device is cumbersome and requires additional components not typically carried by a golfer. Also the connected elements are rigidly connected to the club holder and are not removable.

A further known device is shown in GB 2458512. This document shows a pair of elongate members joined by a resilient hinge that rests behind a golf club shaft. Whilst allowing a user to lock their shoulders there is no visual feedback for aiming, and the device lacks versatility due to the need to use both sticks.

US 2012/0157219 describes an alternative approach that provides a visual aiming guide using foldable aiming rods - but this requires the use of a specialised device with rods that is a further device for the golfer to carry. Finally, US 69327413 describes a club holder with removable positioning members that are pivotally mounted. However these still require a semi-permanent mounting method and the pivoting arrangement does not provide stability during use. Furthermore, there are no alignment aids. Accordingly, known golf training aids provide for either stability assistance, through the use of vertical rods or the like, or instead use horizontal rods for aiding alignment. Furthermore, such aids typically comprise additional components beyond those already used by golfers and thus take up additional space making them less practical for use.

It is an aim of the present invention to at least ameliorate the above identified deficiencies in the prior art.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention provides a golf training aid for aiding visual awareness of movement of a golf club during a golf stroke. The golf training aid comprises an alignment stick holder and an attachment mechanism for attaching the alignment stick holder to the golf club, such as a putter, driver, iron or other club. The alignment stick holder is configured to receive at least one vertical alignment stick for stabilising the golf club relative to a user, and at least one horizontal alignment stick for aiding alignment of the golf club relative to the user.

The golf training aid of the above aspect of the invention has the advantage of facilitating the use of both at least one vertical alignment stick and at least one horizontal alignment stick. The golf training aid may be used with one or more vertical alignment sticks without any horizontal alignment stick, one or more horizontal alignment sticks without any vertical alignment stick, or with both one or more vertical alignment sticks and one or more horizontal alignment sticks at the same time. Such alignment sticks are often already used by golfers for aiding alignment to a target on a practice facility, albeit by placing them on the ground and aligning the golfer relative to them. The present invention therefore provides a versatile and adaptable golf training aid, which can utilise pre-existing alignment aids.

In use, a vertical alignment stick may be used to help a user keep their torso aligned with the shaft of a putter during a putting stroke by placing the vertical alignment stick over a forearm and under an armpit of the user. A horizontal alignment stick may be used to aim the direction of a user’s putting stroke. In another example, a horizontal alignment stick may provide a visual reference of the face angle of a golf club. This may allow a coach to easily reference the face angle of a player’s golf club, or help a player more easily reference the face angle of their golf club. This can help a player to improve their chipping and/or pitching technique by helping them to maintain a consistent club face angle throughout a stroke. The above aspect of the invention therefore provides a golf training aid that can help a user improve multiple aspects of their technique, including putting, chipping, and pitching techniques. This is advantageous over prior art training aids which typically only allow a user to improve a single aspect of a stroke. The alignment stick holder may be configured to receive a first vertical alignment stick and a second vertical alignment stick. In use, the first and second vertical alignment sticks may extend vertically upwards, i.e. away from the ground, when received by the alignment stick holder. The alignment stick holder may receive the first and second vertical alignment sticks for use in a similar manner to that of the TPM aid described above, optionally at the same time as using a horizontal alignment stick to assist with aim.

The golf training aid may be configured to receive an impact training stick. The impact training stick may extend perpendicularly to the horizontal alignment stick in use. The training aid may be used with both the horizontal alignment stick and the impact training stick, or with the impact training stick alone. In use, the impact training stick acts as an extension of the length of a golf club above the handle of the golf club. During a pitching shot, the impact training stick will contact the side of a user’s body if the user uses too much wrist rotation and/or insufficient upper body rotation on impact with a golf ball. The impact training stick therefore encourages a user to rotate their upper body ‘through the ball’ on impact with a golf ball. The impact training stick therefore provides a user with means to improve a further aspect of their technique, in addition to their putting, chipping, and pitching techniques as described above.

The attachment mechanism may be configured to receive the impact training stick. In use, the impact training stick may be positioned behind the shaft of a golf club to which the golf training aid is attached. The attachment mechanism may therefore advantageously provide two functions; to attach the training aid to a golf club in use, and to receive an impact training stick.

The alignment stick holder may comprise a first channel for receiving a first vertical alignment stick. The alignment stick holder may comprise a second channel for receiving a second vertical alignment stick. The alignment stick holder may comprise a first bore defining the first channel. The alignment stick holder may comprise a second bore defining the second channel. At least one of the first channel and the second channel may comprise a transverse diameter greater than a frontal diameter of the respective channel. At least one of the first channel and the second channel may comprise a transverse diameter greater than 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, or 10mm. At least one of the first channel and the second channel may comprise a frontal diameter greater than 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, or 10mm. At least one of the first channel and the second channel may comprise a frontal diameter of less than 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, or 10mm. The golf training aid may further comprise a first vertical alignment stick and a second vertical alignment stick. The first channel may be configured to receive the first vertical alignment stick and the second channel may be configured to receive the second vertical alignment stick. The first channel may comprise a transverse diameter greater than a diameter of the first vertical alignment stick. The first channel may comprise a frontal diameter substantially equal to or greater than a diameter of the first vertical alignment stick. The second channel may comprise a transverse diameter greater than a diameter of the first vertical alignment stick. The second channel may comprise a frontal diameter substantially equal to or greater than a diameter of the first vertical alignment stick.

A typical alignment stick may comprise a diameter of 7mm or 8mm. As described above, the first and second vertical alignment sticks may be placed over a user’s forearms and under the user’s armpits in use. Providing the first and/or second channels with a transverse diameter greater than a diameter of a typical alignment stick means that an alignment stick received within the respective channel can extend vertically at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the channel in a transverse direction, allowing the alignment stick to extend under a user’s armpit. The alignment stick will extend at an angle within the channel and rest on the rim of the channel. In addition, the angle of the alignment stick to the longitudinal axis of the channel can be adjusted, essentially by tilting the alignment stick within the respective channel, to accommodate users having different shoulder widths. It will be appreciated that the depth of the or each channel will be such that the channel receives a sufficient portion of the respective alignment stick to support the alignment stick in its vertical orientation in use.

By providing the first and/or second channels with a frontal diameter close to the diameter of a typical alignment stick, undesirable movement of the or each vertical alignment stick parallel to a frontal axis of the alignment stick holder, i.e. movement in a forward or backward direction, can be restricted. Alternatively, providing the first and/or second channels with a frontal diameter greater than the diameter of a typical alignment stick means that an alignment stick received within the respective channel can extend vertically at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the channel in a direction parallel to a frontal axis. In use, the alignment stick may extend towards the rear of the alignment stick holder. This may allow the alignment stick to extend over a user’s forearm before extending under the user’s armpit.

The longitudinal axis of the first channel and/or the second channel may extend at an angle to a vertical axis of the alignment stick holder in a transverse direction. This means that an alignment stick received within the respective channel will extend vertically at an angle in the transverse direction, allowing the alignment stick to extend under a user’s armpit. The longitudinal axis of the first channel and/or the second channel may extend at an angle to a vertical axis of the alignment stick holder in a direction parallel to a fontal axis. The longitudinal axis of the first channel and/or the second channel may extend towards the rear of the alignment stick holder. This means that an alignment stick received within the respective channel will extend towards the rear of the alignment stick holder in use, allowing the alignment stick to extend over a user’s forearm before extending under the user’s armpit.

The transverse and frontal diameter of the first and second channels, and/or the angle of the longitudinal axis of the first and second channels with respect to a vertical axis of the alignment stick holder, may be such that vertical alignment sticks received within the channels in use adopt a V-shape formation when viewed from the front of the alignment stick holder, with the alignment sticks extending at an angle towards the rear of the alignment stick holder. The V-shape formation of the alignments sticks accommodates users with varying shoulder widths, i.e. with varying horizontal distances between the users’ armpits. The alignment sticks being angled towards the rear of the alignment stick holder means that the alignment sticks will comfortably pass over a user’s forearms, which will typically be positioned in front of the user’s shoulders/armpits when preparing to swing a golf club, before passing underneath the user’s armpits. In addition, typical alignment sticks, or the alignment sticks of the golf training aid where present, may be suitably flexible to accommodate different users while being sufficiently rigid to provide the desired alignment effect.

The first and/or second channel may be tapered to accommodate alignment sticks having different diameters.

The alignment stick holder may comprise a plurality of retaining tabs for retaining a vertical alignment stick within the first channel. The alignment stick holder may comprise a plurality of retaining tabs for retaining a vertical alignment stick within the second channel. The alignment stick holder may comprise a first plurality of retaining tabs for retaining a vertical alignment stick having a first diameter within the first channel and a vertical alignment stick having the first diameter within the second channel. The alignment stick holder may comprise a second plurality of retaining tabs for retaining a vertical alignment stick having a second diameter within the first channel and a vertical alignment stick having the second diameter within the second channel. The first plurality of retaining tabs and the second plurality of retaining tabs may be arranged at different heights within the respective channels to accommodate the different alignment stick diameters.

The first and second pluralities of retaining tabs advantageously enable the training aid to be used with vertical alignment sticks of different diameters. For example, alignment sticks may typically be provided in two different sizes, one having a diameter of 7mm and the other having a diameter of 8mm. The first and second pluralities of retaining tabs may be configured to retain either a 7mm diameter vertical alignment stick or an 8mm diameter vertical alignment stick within the respective channel.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a clamp. The attachment mechanism may be for attaching the alignment stick holder to a shaft of a golf club. The clamp may be adjustable to accommodate golf clubs having different shaft diameters.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a strap and a hook. The strap may comprise one or more holes configured to receive the hook. The attachment mechanism may be for attaching the alignment stick holder to a shaft of a golf club. The strap may comprise a plurality of holes along a length of the strap each configured to receive the hook to accommodate golf clubs having different shaft diameters.

The strap may be releasably attachable to the alignment stick holder. The strap may comprise a T-shaped portion at an end of the strap. The alignment stick holder may comprise a slot configured to receive the T-shaped portion of the strap to attach the strap to the alignment stick holder. The strap being releasably attachable to the alignment stick holder means that the strap can be easily replaced, for example if the strap becomes damaged, and can be interchanged with one or more different sized straps if required. For example, different sized straps may be provided to accommodate different diameters of golf club in use.

The strap may comprise a resilient material. This may help to ensure a secure attachment between the alignment stick holder and a golf club in use.

The golf training aid may comprise a horizontal alignment stick. The horizontal alignment stick may comprise a circumferential groove. The circumferential groove may be arranged in the centre of the length of the horizontal alignment stick. The alignment stick holder may comprise a channel configured to receive the horizontal alignment stick. The alignment stick holder may comprise a projection configured to be received within the circumferential groove of the horizontal alignment stick to retain the horizontal alignment stick within the channel. This may help to prevent movement of the horizontal alignment stick when a golf club to which the alignment stick holder is attached in use is swung.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric front view of a golf training aid according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the golf training aid of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a schematic isometric side view of the golf training aid of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a schematic isometric rear view of a clamp body of an attachment mechanism of the golf training aid of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a schematic isometric view of a screw of the attachment mechanism of the golf training aid of Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid of Figure 1 with the screw and clamp body removed;

Figure 9 shows a schematic isometric front view of a golf training aid according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a schematic isometric underside view of the golf training aid of Figure 9; Figure 12 shows a schematic isometric side view of the golf training aid of Figure 9;

Figure 13 shows a schematic isometric view of a strap of an attachment mechanism of the golf training aid of Figure 9;

Figure 14 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid of Figure 9 with the strap removed;

Figures 15 and 16 show further schematic isometric views of an alignment stick holder of the golf training aid of either Figure 1 or Figure 9;

Figures 17 and 18 each show a schematic plan view of the alignment stick holder of the golf training aid of either Figure 1 or Figure 9;

Figure 19a shows a schematic plan view of a horizontal alignment stick of the golf training aid of either Figure 1 or Figure 9;

Figure 19b shows a schematic end view of the horizontal alignment stick of Figure 19a;

Figure 19c shows a schematic isometric view of the horizontal alignment stick of Figure 19a; Figure 20 shows a schematic underside view of the alignment stick holder of the golf training aid of either Figure 1 or Figure 9;

Figure 21 shows a schematic close-up view of a projection of the alignment stick holder of the golf training aid of either Figure 1 or Figure 9 received within a circumferential groove of the horizontal alignment stick of Figure 19a;

Figure 22 shows the golf training aid of either Figure 1 or Figure 9 in use;

Figures 23a shows a schematic front view of the golf training aid of Figure 1 in use;

Figure 23b shows schematic side view of the golf training aid of Figure 1 in use; and Figure 24 shows an alternative embodiment of the golf training aid of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric front view of a golf training aid 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid 100 of Figure 1. The golf training aid 100 comprises an alignment stick holder 1 and an attachment mechanism 2 for attaching the alignment stick holder to a golf club 10. The alignment stick holder 1 comprises a first bore 11 defining a first channel for receiving a first vertical alignment stick, and a second bore 12 defining a second channel for receiving a second vertical alignment stick. The alignment stick holder 1 is also configured to receive a horizontal alignment stick. In this embodiment, the golf training aid 100 comprises a horizontal alignment stick 3. In other embodiments, the golf training aid may not comprise a horizontal alignment stick.

Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the golf training aid 100 of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid 100 of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 shows a schematic isometric side view of the golf training aid 100 of Figures 1 and 2

In Figure 3, a transverse axis of the alignment stick holder 1 is labelled ‘t’ and a frontal axis of the alignment stick holder 1 is labelled ‘f\ A vertical axis of the alignment stick holder 1 extends perpendicularly to both the transverse axis and the frontal axis, i.e. out of the page as viewed in Figure 3. The diameter of each of the first and second bores 11, 12 in the transverse direction is greater than the diameter of the respective bore 11, 12 in the frontal direction. In use, this allows vertical alignment sticks retained within the first and second bores 11, 12 to be angled to the vertical axis, while undesirable movement of the vertical alignment sticks parallel to the frontal axis, i.e. forward and backward movement, is restricted.

The attachment mechanism 2 comprises a bracket 211, a screw 22, and a clamp body 23. The screw 22 comprises a head 222 and a threaded shaft (see Figure 7) extending from the head 222. The bracket 211 is mounted to the alignment stick holder 1 and comprises a threaded hole (see Figure 8) configured to receive the threaded shaft of the screw 22. The clamp body 23 comprises a bore (see Figure 6) for receiving the threaded shaft of the screw 22. When assembled, the threaded shaft of the screw 22 extends through the bore of the clamp body 23 and into the threaded hole of the bracket 211, such that rotation of the screw head 222 causes the clamp body 23 to move towards or away from the alignment stick holder 1.

The alignment stick holder 1 comprises a V-shaped groove 13 for receiving the shaft of a golf club 10. The clamp body 23 also comprises a V-shaped groove 232 for receiving the shaft of a golf club 10. The V-shaped grooves 13, 232 of the alignment stick holder 1 and clamp body 23 are aligned to receive the shaft of a golf club 10. In use, the shaft of a golf club 10 is placed between the V-shaped grooves 13, 232 and the screw head 222 is rotated to bring the clamp body 23 towards the alignment stick holder 1. The screw head 222 is then further rotated to securely clamp the shaft of the golf club 10 between the clamp body 23 and the alignment stick holder 1. The clamp body 23 and the alignment stick holder 1 may be formed from a relatively soft polymer so as to minimise damage to the shaft of a golf club in use. In some embodiment, one or both of the V-shaped grooves 13, 232 may be lined with a suitable material to improve grip on the shaft of a golf club.

In this embodiment, the golf training aid 100 is configured to receive an impact training stick. The attachment mechanism 2 comprises a collar 24, mounted to the rear of the clamp body 23, for receiving an impact training stick. The collar 24 comprises a longitudinal slit to allow the collar 24 to expand to retain an impact training stick by means of an interference fit. The internal surface of the collar 24 is lined with a resilient material to improve grip on an impact training stick in use. In other embodiments, the collar 24 may be arranged elsewhere, for example mounted to the rear of the alignment stick holder 1, or the golf training aid 100 may comprise alternative means for receiving an impact training stick.

Figure 6 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the clamp body 23 of the attachment mechanism 2 of Figures 1-4. The bore 231 of the clamp body 231 is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows a schematic isometric view of the screw of the attachment mechanism 2 of Figures 1-4. The threaded shaft 221 of the screw 22 is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid 100 of Figures 1-4 with the screw 22 and clamp body 23 removed. The threaded hole 221 of the bracket 21 is shown in Figure 8. The alignment stick holder 1 comprises a third channel 13 configured to receive the horizontal alignment stick 3. In embodiments not comprising the horizontal alignment stick 3, the third channel 13 may be provided for receiving any suitable horizontal alignment stick.

The alignment stick holder 1 comprises a first bracket 15 comprising a U-shaped opening 151, a second bracket 16 comprising a U-shaped opening 161, and a third bracket 171 comprising a U-shaped opening 171. Together the U-shaped openings 151, 161, 171 define the third channel 13. In other embodiments, the third channel may take a different form. For example, the third channel may be provided by a tubular element mounted to the body of the alignment stick holder 1, or by a bore provided in the body of the alignment stick holder 1.

Figure 9 shows a schematic isometric front view of a golf training aid 200 according to another embodiment of the invention. The golf training aid 200 of Figure 9 shares features in common with the golf training aid 100 of Figure 1 and like reference numerals are used to refer to like features. The golf training aid 200 of Figure 9 comprises an alternative attachment mechanism 4 in place of the attachment mechanism 2 of the golf training aid 100 of Figure 1. In other embodiments, the golf training aid may comprise both the attachment mechanism 2 of the golf training aid 100 of Figure 1 and the attachment mechanism 4 of the golf training aid 200 of Figure 9, or elements of both attachment mechanisms 2, 4.

Figure 10 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid 200 of Figure 9. Figure 11 shows a schematic isometric underside view of the golf training aid 200 of Figure 9. Figure 12 shows a schematic isometric side view of the golf training aid 200 of Figures 9-11.

The attachment mechanism 4 of the golf training aid 200 comprises a strap 41 and a hook 42. The strap 41 is formed from a suitable resilient material. The hook 42 forms part of the alignment stick holder 1. In other embodiments, the hook 42 may be formed as a separate part and suitably attached to the alignment stick holder 1. The strap 41 comprises a T-shaped portion 412 at one end and the alignment stick holder 1 comprises a slot 43 configured to receive the T-shaped portion 412 of the strap 41. The T-shaped portion 412 can be slid into the slot 43 to attach the strap 41 to the alignment stick holder 1. In other embodiments, alternative means may be provided to enable the strap 41 to be releasably attached to the alignment stick holder 1.

The strap 41 comprises a plurality of holes 411a-g along the length of the strap 41. Each of the holes 411a-g are configured to receive the hook 42. In this embodiment, the strap 41 comprises seven holes 411a-g; in other embodiments the strap may comprise any suitable number of one or more holes. In use, the shaft of a golf club is placed within the V-shaped groove 13 of the alignment stick holder 1. The strap 41 is then stretched over the shaft of the golf club before being hooked over the hook 42 via one of the holes 411a-g. This secures the alignment stick holder 1 to the golf club.

Figure 13 shows a schematic isometric view of the strap 41 of the golf training aid 200 of Figures 9-12.

Figure 14 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the golf training aid 200 of Figures 9-12 with the strap 41 removed.

Figures 15 and 16 show further schematic isometric views of the alignment stick holder 1 of the golf training aid 100, 200 of either of the above described embodiments. Figure 15 shows the horizontal alignment stick 3 received by the alignment stick holder 1 and Figure 16 shows the alignment stick holder 1 without the horizontal alignment stick. Figures 17 and 18 each show a schematic plan view of the alignment stick holder 1 of the golf training aid 100, 200 of either of the above described embodiments. As shown in Figure 17, the alignment stick holder 1 comprises a first plurality of retaining tabs 14a-h for retaining a vertical alignment stick having a diameter of 7mm in each of the first and second bores 11,

12. As shown in Figure 18, the alignment stick holder 1 comprises a second plurality of retaining tabs 15a-d for retaining a vertical alignment stick having a diameter of 8mm in each of the first and second bores 11, 12. The first plurality of retaining tabs 14a-h and the second plurality of retaining tabs 15a-d are arranged at different heights within the respective bores 11, 12 to accommodate the different alignment stick diameters. In other embodiments, the alignment stick holder 1 may comprise any suitable arrangement of retaining tabs for retaining any suitable diameter of vertical alignment stick in each of the first and second bores 11, 12. Figure 19a shows a schematic plan view of the horizontal alignment stick 3 of the golf training aid 100, 200 of either of the above described embodiments. Figure 19b shows a schematic end view of the horizontal alignment stick 3. Figure 19c shows a schematic isometric view of the horizontal alignment stick 3. As shown in Figures 19a and 19c, the horizontal alignment stick 3 comprises a circumferential groove 31 arranged in the centre of the horizontal alignment stick 3.

Figure 20 shows a schematic underside view of the alignment stick holder 1 of the golf training aid 100, 200 of either of the above described embodiments. The alignment stick holder 1 comprises a projection 17 configured to be received by the circumferential groove 31 of the horizontal alignment stick 3 to retain the horizontal alignment stick 3 within the third channel 13 (see Figure 8). Figure 21 shows a schematic close-up view of the projection 17 received within the circumferential groove 31.

The cross-section of the horizontal alignment stick 3 is shaped to provide a clearance between the horizontal alignment stick 3 and the projection 17 when the horizontal alignment stick 3 is in a first rotational position, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal alignment stick 3, within the third channel 13. This allows the horizontal alignment stick 3 to be slid along the third channel 13. When the projection 17 the circumferential groove 31 of the horizontal alignment stick 3 are aligned, the horizontal alignment stick 3 is rotated about its longitudinal axis to a second rotational position, in which the projection 17 is received within the groove 31

Figure 22 shows the golf training aid 100, 200 of either of the above described embodiments in use. The alignment stick holder 1 is attached to the shaft of a golf club 10, which in this example is a putter. First and second vertical alignment sticks 20, 30 are received within the bores of the alignment stick holder 1. The vertical alignment sticks 20, 30 adopt a V-shaped orientation when viewed from the front of the alignment stick holder 1. The vertical alignment sticks 20, 30 extend upwards from the alignment stick holder 1, in front of the user’s forearms, and under the user’s armpits. This encourages the user to utilise core rotation in their putting stroke as described above. The user uses the horizontal alignment stick 3 to aim the direction of their shot. In other uses, the golf training aid 100, 200 training aid may be used without one or more of the vertical alignment sticks 20, 30 or without the horizontal alignment stick 3.

Figures 23a and 23b show a schematic front view and schematic side view respectively of the golf training aid 100 of Figures 1-4 in use. The alignment stick holder 1 is attached to the shaft of a golf club 10. A first vertical alignment stick 20 is received within the first bore of the alignment stick holder 1 and a second vertical alignment stick 30 is received within the second bore of the alignment stick holder 1. An impact training stick 40 is received within the collar of the attachment mechanism (see Figures 3-6). In other uses, the golf training aid 100 training aid may be used without one or more of the vertical alignment sticks 20, 30, 40 or without the horizontal alignment stick 3.

Figure 24 shows an alternative embodiment of the golf training aid of Figure 1. The training aid 500 comprises many similar elements and it can be appreciated that the elements described in relation to the first embodiment may be employed in this embodiment, and visa versa. The training aid 500 has a horizontal alignment stick or aid 3. The stick 3 is received within channels or grooves 503 that run through the main section 501 of the aid. The stick may be retained by a force fit connection and/or secured using a securing means such as a pressed fit using a screw key or the like.

The aid 500 further comprises first and second bores 511, 512 for receiving vertical alignment sticks in a similar manner to that described above. A V-shaped groove 513 in the main section 501 is configured to retain the aid on a shaft of a golf club with corresponding shaped groove 532 on a clamp body 523. In this embodiment the clamp body is configured to receive an alignment stick via bore 524.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a versatile golf alignment aid able to receive one, two, three or four alignment sticks. This versatility, coupled with the ability to use alignment sticks that many golfers already own, make the alignment aid more portable than existing solutions. Furthermore, the ability to couple different number of sticks depending on the desired alignment and/or stability aid provides increased versatility. Sticks can be aligned vertically, horizontal and therebetween depending on the slot or bore used to retain the stick.