Abstract:
The disclosure sets forth an apparatus and method that is best used to train a player to swing a golf club. Specifically, the invention focuses upon how to train a golfer to assume a correct stance and posture from the point of addressing the ball through the swing and follow-through.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is an apparatus and method that is best used to train a player to swing a golf club, and specifically, how to train a golfer to assume a correct stance and posture from the point of addressing the ball through the swing and follow-through. 
   The Inventive Apparatus 
   The inventive apparatus forms a stool-like structure that has a lower portion having a ground engaging end. The apparatus also includes an upper portion coupled to the lower portion in such a way as to be selectively positionable to a preselected angle with respect to the lower portion. A cross member is coupled adjacent a top of the upper portion. 
   The lower portion will have a plurality of supports; each support is selectively positionable between a stowed position whereby the supports are generally parallel the lower portion, and an open position wherein the supports are generally orthogonal the lower portion; wherein, the player leans at least a portion of his weight against the cross member when swinging the golf club. In an optional embodiment, the apparatus will have a means for stopping the supports in the open position. 
   Optionally, the structure will have a collar positioned adjacent the ground engaging end of the lower portion. The collar is configured to slide along the lower portion, and each support is rotatably attached to it. In this embodiment, the apparatus will include a respective strut rotatably affixed to the lower portion at a first end, and rotatably attached to a respective support at a second end of the respective strut. Consequently, as the supports are moved from the open to the stowed position, the collar slides upwardly along the lower portion. 
   The cross member is preferably selectively positionable at a chosen angle with respect to the upper portion. Additionally, the upper portion is coupled to the lower portion by an upper eyelet on the lower portion formed to mate with a lower eyelet on the upper portion; wherein, the upper portion and lower portion are retained at the preselected angle by a bolt and nut that pass through the respective eyelets. 
   The Inventive Method 
   The invention is also a method of training a player to swing a golf club, and specifically, a method of training a golfer to assume the right stance and posture from the point of addressing the ball through the follow-through of the swing. 
   The inventive method includes the step of providing an apparatus having a lower portion with a ground engaging end, and an upper portion connected to the lower portion, and a cross member adjacent the top of the upper portion. A connector links the lower portion to the upper portion in such a manner as to enable selective positioning of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. 
   The inventive method also requires the apparatus to include a plurality of supports on the lower portion. Each of these supports is selectively positionable between a stowed position (the supports generally parallel the lower portion) and an open position (the supports generally orthogonal the lower portion). 
   The inventive method will also require the player to address a golf ball lying on the ground with the golf club in hand, and assume a stance for a golf swing. At least a portion of the ground-engaging end is inserted into the ground, and the cross member is positioned to engage a rear-facing portion of the player. Additionally, the inventive method will include the step of leaning at least a portion of the player&#39;s weight against the cross member, and executing a golf swing. From address to follow-through, the cross member should remain in contact with the player. 
   A preferred embodiment of the method requires the apparatus to have a means for stopping the supports in the open position. Optionally, the means for stopping the supports may include a collar positioned adjacent the ground engaging end of the lower portion, and configured to slide along the lower portion, with each support being rotatably attached to the collar. In this optional version of the method, the stopping means will have a plurality of struts, each respective strut rotatably affixed to the lower portion at a first end, and rotatably attached to a respective support at a second end of the respective strut. Consequently, as the supports are moved from the open to the stowed position, the collar slides upwardly along the lower portion. 
   Preferably, the method will also include the step of inserting at least a portion of the ground-engaging end into ground, and will also allow one to selectively position the upper portion at a chosen angle with respect to the lower portion. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the method will include the steps of providing eyelets on the upper and lower portions of the apparatus, positioning the upper portion at a chosen angle with respect to the lower portion, then tightening the connector to maintain the chosen angle. Moreover, the inventive method may also allow the cross member to be rotatably adjustable relative the upper portion such that the cross member is rotatably connectable to the upper portion. In this embodiment, the method will include the step of positioning the cross member at a preselected angle with respect to the upper portion, and, 
   maintaining—preferably by tightening a connector to restrict relative movement—the preselected angle. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective and exploded view showing the inventive apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
       FIGS. 2-4  are comparative perspective views isolating the lower portion of the inventive apparatus. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views showing the inventive method of teaching a golf swing. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is an exploded and perspective view detailing the inventive apparatus  10 , which comprises a lower portion  12 , an upper portion  14 , and a cross-member  24 . The lower portion  12  has a ground engaging end  16  with a supporting means  32  for holding the apparatus  10  in generally stable upright position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , an upper eyelet is at the top of the lower portion, and is formed to mate with a lower eyelet  20  formed at an end of the upper portion. In a preferred embodiment such as the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a connector (such as a knob  30  and nut  30 ′) pass through the eyelets  18 ,  20  to link the upper portion  14  to the lower portion  12 . The connector may comprise any known linking means that enables selective positioning of the upper portion  14  with respect to the lower portion  12 , and can hold and maintain the selected position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cross member  24  may have an ear-like eyelet  26  formed on its rear face; this eyelet  26  on the cross member  24  is formed to mate with an upper eyelet  22  formed on the upper portion  14  of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  will also include a connector (such as a knob  28  and a nut  28 ′) formed to pass through the eyelets to link the cross member  24  to the top portion  14 . Of course, the connector may comprise any known linking means that would enable selective positioning of the cross member  24  with respect to the upper portion  14 . 
   The ground engaging end  16  of the lower portion  12  bears a taper in order to facilitate the insertion of at least a portion of the ground engaging end into the ground. A stabilizing means  32  is positioned adjacent the ground-engaging end  16  of the lower portion. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view that isolates the lower portion and gives greater detail of the stabilizing means  32  that is adjacent the ground engaging end  16  of the lower portion  12 . The stabilizing means  32  includes a collar  38  configured to slide along the lower portion  12 . A plurality of supports  34  are rotatably coupled to the collar  38  so that the supports  34  form an angle Θ) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion  12 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the stabilizing means  32  includes a plurality of struts  36  attached to a lower collar  39  that is affixed to the lower portion  12  at a position adjacent the tapered ground-engaging end  16 . Each respective support  34  will have a respective strut  36  that is rotatably connected to the lower collar  39  at a first end, and rotatably connected to a respective support its second end of the strut  36 . Consequently, as the supports  34  are opened (i.e., angle Θ is increased), the upper collar  38  slides downwardly in the direction shown toward the lower collar  39 . 
     FIG. 3  shows an isolated and perspective view of the lower portion  12 , shown with the stabilizing means  32  in a stowed position whereby angle Θ) is minimized, and the supports  34  are nearly parallel the lower portion  12 . As the angle Θ is reduced (i.e., the supports  34  pushed inwardly in the direction shown), the supports  34  move the upper collar  38  upwardly along the lower portion  12 . The lower collar  39 , of course, remains anchored and affixed adjacent the tapered ground-engaging end  15  of the lower portion. 
     FIG. 4  shows an isolated and perspective view of the lower portion  12 , shown in this comparative view with the stabilizing means  32  in its fully-open position so that the angle Θ is maximized and nearly a right angle. As the supports  34  are opened (i.e., angle Θ is increased), the upper collar  38  slides downwardly along the lower portion  12 . When the angle Θ is maximized, the upper collar  38  abuts the lower collar  39  as shown, which gives a locking effect that prevents the supports  34  from opening any further so that the stabilizing means can provide support to the apparatus  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) when the tapered ground-engaging end  16  is inserted into the ground. 
     FIG. 5  shows a golfer  11  assuming a stance for a golf swing after addressing a golf ball positioned on the ground  40 . The golfer  11  first unfolds and opens the stabilizing means  32  (as shown in prior  FIGS. 2-4 ) then inserts the tapered ground-engaging end  16  (not shown in  FIG. 5  but viewable in  FIGS. 1-4 ) into the ground  40 . The golfer  11  then addresses the golf ball and assumes a stance such that at least a portion of the golfer&#39;s weight engages the cross member  24  of the apparatus. It is important to note that the golfer  11  should lean slightly—not heavily—against the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment of the method, the apparatus  10  is not intended to be used as a stool-like structure; rather, the preferred embodiment of the method requires the golfer  11  to ever-so-slightly engage the cross member  24 . While the placement and positioning of the cross member  24  may be adjusted, it is preferred that the cross member contact the golfer  11  at approximately the golfer&#39;s hamstrings or glutes. 
     FIG. 6  shows a perspective, side view of a golfer  11  swinging at a golf ball on the ground  40 . As shown, the stabilizing means  32  is opened so that it holds the lower portion  12  of the apparatus  10  in a generally vertical position when the tapered ground-engaging end  16  (not shown in  FIG. 6 , but viewable in  FIGS. 1-4 ) is inserted into the ground  40 . The upper portion  14  is linked to the lower portion  12  and held at a preselected angle by connectors (See  FIG. 1 ) that anchor and stabilize the two portions  12 ,  14 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cross-member of the apparatus  10  engages the golfer  11  at approximately the buttocks or hamstrings; the precise location of the contact is not critical, however, it is important to note that only a slight portion of the weight of the golfer  11  engages against the cross member  24 . In fact, it is preferred that the golfer  11  initiate and maintain on slight contact with the cross member  24  throughout the golf swing, from address to backswing, to the follow through. 
   Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.