Patent Publication Number: US-7708650-B2

Title: Golf swing training device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 10/549,060 which was filed Sep. 13, 2005 (and which is based on PCT Application PCT/AU2004/000304) the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application is also entitled to, and claims, convention priority from Australian patent application no. 2005211686 filed on Sep. 23, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to training devices and especially to a golf swing training device. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   A golfer may practice his golf swing for many hours by hitting large numbers of golf balls and judging the effect on the ball to assess the proficiency of the swing. This allows the golfer to practice important aspects of the game but does not really teach the development of a correct swing. It is often stated that the correct swing should include the golf club being swung in an arc which is substantially planar and that a very important aspect in ensuring a correct swing is to have a correct backswing. 
   A golfer may practice his or her golf swing under the guidance of an instructor or alternatively by following instructions given on practice videos or from books. The actions of a backswing include swinging a golf club in progression from the address position through the backswing and finally to the top of the swing whilst ensuring correct position of the shoulders, hands and club-head. A golfer may develop a poor backswing in some instances, particularly without the guidance of an instructor. This may lead to the golf-club being swung above or below the correct plane which may result in an incorrect forward stroke and follow-through which results in poor golf shots being played. 
   It would therefore be desirable if at least some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a training device which will allow a golfer to practice a correct backswing which will provide a correct “feel” enabling the golfer to improve his or her golf swing. It would also be desirable if at least some of the preferred embodiments of the invention provide a training device which is simple to use and may be used in the yard of a house or similar area. One purpose of the present application is to provide variations to and improvements upon the golf practice device of the present inventor&#39;s application WO2004/080546, the disclosure of which is imported herein by reference. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a golf swing training device comprising: 
   a first shoulder guide portion for guiding a first shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing; and 
   a second shoulder guide portion for guiding a second shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing. 
   Preferably, the first shoulder guide portion is adapted to guide the first shoulder so that the first shoulder moves substantially in a first plane during said part of the backswing. 
   Preferably, the second shoulder guide portion is adapted to guide the second shoulder so that the first shoulder moves substantially in a second plane during said part of the backswing. 
   Preferably, the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane. 
   Preferably, the second plane is offset from the first plane, in a direction perpendicular to the first and second planes, by a distance of between about 6 mm (¼ inch) and 100 mm (4 inches) 
   Preferably, the second plane is offset from the first plane, in a direction perpendicular to the first and second planes, by a distance of between 12 mm (½ inch) and 50 mm (2 inches). 
   Preferably, the second plane is offset from the first plane, in a direction perpendicular to the first and second planes, by a distance of between 20 mm (⅘ inch) and 25 mm (1 inch). 
   Preferably, there is provided means for adjusting the relative positions of the first and second shoulder guide portions in order to vary the relative positions and/or orientations of the first and second planes. 
   Preferably, the first shoulder guide portion is adapted to guide the first shoulder by providing a guide surface upon which the first shoulder can gently brush as a user performs a guided practice backswing. 
   Preferably, the guide surface of the first shoulder guide portion is generally planar. 
   Preferably, the second shoulder guide portion is adapted to guide the second shoulder by providing a guide surface upon which the second shoulder can gently brush as a user performs a guided practice backswing. 
   Preferably, the guide surface of the second shoulder guide portion is generally planar. 
   Preferably, the device comprises a curved club-head guiding portion for assisting a user to guide a golf club head through at least a portion of the backswing. 
   Preferably, the club head guiding portion is generally in the first plane. 
   Preferably, the club head guiding portion comprises a curved edge of a surface or panel. 
   Preferably, the curved club head guiding portion is retractable and/or detachable, for storage when not in use. 
   Preferably, the golf swing training device further comprises a support structure capable of supporting at least one of the first and second guide portions at a selectable angle of inclination. 
   Preferably, the support structure is capable of supporting both of the first and second guide portions at a selectable angle of inclination. 
   Preferably, the support structure comprises a platform upon which a person can stand when using the device. 
   Preferably, the support structure comprises a number of substantially rigid elements, pivotably connected together so that the support structure can be reconfigured between an extended working configuration and a compact storage configuration. 
   Preferably, the golf swing training device further comprises a stop member which prevents a user of the device from performing a golf swing, by substantially preventing passage of a golf club head into a follow through part of a golf swing. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of training a golfer to perform at least a substantial portion of a backswing, comprising: 
   providing a first shoulder guide portion for guiding a first shoulder of the golfer during at least a part of a practice backswing; 
   providing a second shoulder guide portion for guiding a second shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of training a golfer to perform at least a substantial portion of a backswing, comprising: 
   instructing the golfer to move one of the golfer&#39;s shoulders in a first plane during at least part of the backswing; 
   instructing the golfer to move the other of the golfer&#39;s shoulders in a second plane substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from the first plane, during said at least part of the backswing; 
   providing means to allow the golfer to determine when the instructions are successfully followed. 
   According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of training a golfer to perform at least a substantial portion of a backswing comprising the step of providing a golf swing training device in accordance with the first aspect. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation of one preferred embodiment of a golf swing training device erected ready for use; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the golf swing training device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a partial cross-sectional view on AA of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3   b  is a cross-sectional view on BB of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a schematic representation illustrating how the golf training device of  FIGS. 1 to 3  can be folded into a storage configuration; 
       FIG. 4   b  is a schematic side elevation of the golf training device of  FIGS. 1 to 3  folded into a compact storage configuration; 
       FIG. 5   a  is a schematic perspective illustration of an alternative embodiment of a golf training device; 
       FIG. 5   b  is a front elevation of the golf training device of  FIG. 5   a;    
       FIG. 5   c  is a partial cross-section on CC of  FIG. 5   b;    
       FIG. 6   a  is a schematic side elevation of a further alternative embodiment of a golf training device; and 
       FIG. 6   b  is a schematic front elevation of the golf training device of  FIG. 6   a.    
   

   PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a  and  3   b , an embodiment of a golf swing training device is indicated generally by the reference numeral  10  and is adapted to train a user  11  to use a correct backswing in a golf shot. 
   In this embodiment the device comprises four main panels, an upper inclined panel  3 , a lower inclined panel  4 , a first base panel  5  and a second base panel  6 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3   b , in use the upper inclined panel serves to provide guide portions for guiding the shoulders of a user  11  during a practice backswing. The lower inclined panel  4  serves to support the upper inclined panel  3  relative to the first and second base panels  5 , 6  and is connected to the upper inclined panel by one or more first hinges  35  and to the first base panel by one or more second hinges  45 . The first and second base panels  5 ,  6  serve to provide a sturdy base for the device. The first base panel is attached by the one or more second hinges  45  to the lower inclined panel at a front end of said first base panel  5  and is attached to the second base panel, by way of one or more third hinges  55  at a rear end of said first base panel  5 . The upper and lower inclined panels  3 , 4  are hinged together so that in use they are substantially coplanar. The degree of inclination of the upper and lower inclined panels  3 , 4  can be controlled by supporting the lower inclined panel relative to the first base panel, and in the illustrated embodiment this is provided for by provision of an inclined panel support arm  46  pivotally attached to the lower inclined panel which engages in a telescopic arrangement with a base panel support arm  56  which is pivotally attached to the first base panel  5 . The base panel support arm  56  is dimensioned so that part of the length thereof can fit within the inclined panel support arm  46 . A support arm lock  48  is provided so that relative movement of the inclined panel support arm  46  and base panel support arm  56  can be prevented once the desired angle of inclination of the upper and lower inclined panels  3 , 4  is achieved. 
   The upper inclined panel  3  comprises a first shoulder guide panel  31  which in use provides a first shoulder guide portion for guiding a first shoulder of a user. The upper inclined panel  3  further comprises a second shoulder guide panel  32  which is similar to the first shoulder guide panel  31  but which is spaced apart therefrom so that the user may stand with a first shoulder contacting the first shoulder guide panel and a second shoulder contacting the second shoulder guide panel with the head and neck of the user protruding through the accommodating space  39  provided between the first and second shoulder guide panels  31 , 32 . Each of the first and second shoulder guide panels comprises a generally rectangular frame (for example  38 ,  38   a  illustrated in relation to the first and second shoulder guide panels  31 ,  32 , respectively) upon which is mounted a suitably sized sheet  37 ,  37   a  of a thin sheet material. As illustrated best in  FIG. 3   a , the sheets  37 ,  37   a  are mounted on what is, in use, the underside of the upper inclined panel, and are used to contact, and act as guides for, the shoulders of a user. The sheets  37 ,  37   a  may be attached to the respective frames  38 ,  38   a  by any suitable means, examples of which are by use of an adhesive or by use of a suitable fastening means such as rivets. The frame  38  may be made of any suitably rigid material and in a prototype device square section aluminium tubing is used (although it is envisaged that a suitable plastics material might be more suitable for mass production). 
   The first and second shoulder guide panels  31 , 32  are mounted at their lower ends to a shoulder guide support strut  34 , which is substantially horizontal in use. This mounting provides a substantially rigid connection between each of the shoulder guide panels  31 , 32  and the shoulder guide support struts  34 . 
   An important feature of this embodiment is that the sheet  37  which serves in use to guide the first shoulder of a user is not coplanar with the sheet  37   a  of the second shoulder guide panel  32  which serves in use to guide the second shoulder of the user. This important feature will be discussed in detail in due course. 
   The lower inclined panel comprises a main support panel  40  which is generally rectangular in shape and which is relatively tall compared to its width. The lower end of the main support panel  40  is attached to the first base panel  5  via the one or more hinges  45 . The top end of the main support panel  40  is attached to a lower-panel  44  which is generally parallel to the shoulder guide support strut  34  and which is pivotally attached thereto by the one or more first hinges  35 . The main support panel  40  therefore serves to support the upper inclined panel  3  relative to the first base panel  5 . Although not strictly necessary to the shoulder guiding function of the golf swing training device  10 , the lower inclined panel further includes a first club head guide panel  42  which depends downwardly from the lower panel upper strut  44  and which is provided with a lower curved edge  42   a  which serves as a guide for a golf club head and which in use is vertically spaced apart from the first base panel  5  to allow passage of a golf club head therebetween as a backswing is practiced. The first club head guide panel  42  is generally coplanar with, but spaced apart from the main support panel  40 . 
   Depending downwardly, and inclined from, a central part of the lower panel upper strut  44  there is provided a lower central panel  41 , which extends between the first club head guide panel  42  and the main support panel  40  in order to provide a stiffening effect for the lower inclined panel  4 . The lower central panel  41  is shorter than the first club head guide panel  42  and the main support panel  40  so that between the lower parts of the first club head guide panel  42  and the main support panel  40  there is provided a club head space  49 . Attached to a lateral side of the first club head guide panel  42  which is further from the club head space  49  there is provided an optional second club head guide panel  43  which has a lower edge  43   a  which serves as a club head guide, and which is curved to effectively extend the club head guide provided by the edge  42   a , in use. The second club head guide panel  43  is attached to the first club head guide panel  42  by one or more fourth hinges  47 . It will be appreciated that the second club head guide panel may be considered a somewhat optional feature and in some embodiments this may be omitted or detachable from the first club head guide panel. The first and second base panels  5 , 6  are provided to form a base in the form of a shallow platform upon which a user may stand (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). This helps to provide stability for the swing training device. 
   In use, a user selects a club with which he wishes to practice a backswing and assumes a stance appropriate for addressing a golf ball (as if a golf ball were placed on, or a little above, the front and centre of the first base panel) using the selected club. The swing training device  10  is then adjusted so that the inclination of the upper and lower inclined panels  3 ,  4  is such that the user&#39;s shoulders gently contact the first and second shoulder guide panels  31 ,  32 , so that the club head is close to the bottom edge of the main support panel  40  and so that the user&#39;s hands are spaced apart from the upper and lower inclined panels  3 , 4 . The inventor has determined that at address, the shoulder corresponding to the “rearmost” hand of a golfer will be slightly lower than the shoulder corresponding to the foremost hand of the golfer. That is, a right-handed golfer whose left-hand side is pointed generally in the intended direction of play, will have his right shoulder slightly lower than his left shoulder. This occurs because the player&#39;s right hand will be further down the grip of the golf club than his left hand. The inventor has determined that not only is the rearmost shoulder slightly lower than the foremost shoulder when addressing the ball, but that for a normal golfer it aids development of an effective backswing to guide the motion of the shoulders in parallel slightly spaced apart planes, with each shoulder starting at the address position. (For a sample golfer it has been found that the planes should be displaced about 22 mm from each other, but this is likely to vary for different golfers with different stances and physiques.) Accordingly, the first shoulder guide panel  31 , which is adapted to contact the left shoulder of a user as illustrated, is in this embodiment provided in a slightly higher plane than the second shoulder guide panel which is adapted to contact the right shoulder of the user. Accordingly, the user should be able to assume a correct address position with both shoulders in light contact with the respective shoulder guide panels and with his head extending through the accommodating space  39 . When executing the correct backswing the shoulders of the user  11  remain in light contact with the respective shoulder guide panels  31 , 32 . Therefore, each shoulder is guided in a respective plane by the respective shoulder guide panel. Guiding the shoulders in this way has been found to be an effective training method for learning a correct backswing, which is of great assistance in developing a good golf swing. Furthermore, it has been found to be beneficial to the backswing if the club head moves, during at least part of the beginning of the backswing, in substantially the same plane as at least one of the shoulders. To assist a user in achieving this, the first, and optionally the second, club head guide panels provide one or more guide edges which the user can use as a visual reference to ensure that the club head is remaining substantially in the correct plane. (There is an apparent tendency among golfers to pull the club head away from the correct plane in a backwards direction, and providing a visual reference to the correct plane has been found to assist in overcoming that tendency, and therefore in improving the backswing.) In variations of this embodiment other members (including for example curved telescopic or otherwise retractable, or detachable members) could be used instead of, or in addition to, the club head guide panels in order to assist in guiding the club head. 
   It has been found that a typical user will initially attempt to execute the backswing incorrectly and that this will cause deviation from the light contact between each shoulder and the respective shoulder guide panel. This deviation may constitute drawing the shoulder away from the shoulder guide panel or pressing the shoulder more firmly into the shoulder guide panel. At first, a user typically finds it difficult to maintain consistent light contact of both shoulders with the respective shoulder guide panels but with practice this can be achieved consistently and at that stage a typical user will have greatly improved the form of his backswing. 
   It will be appreciated that as illustrated it is not considered essential to the function of this embodiment to provide locking mechanisms to secure each pair of mutually hinged panels in the folded or unfolded configuration (with the exception of the connection between the lower inclined panel  4  and the first base panel  5  which must be lockable to allow the angle of incline to be controlled). This is because the positioning of the hinges and abutment of the panels of each hinged pair can be arranged to allow the panels to be at stable equilibrium in the desired positions. However, for safety reasons it is preferred to provide a lock or catch (not shown) at least to secure the upper and lower inclined panels in their end-to-end coplanar configuration (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). Any suitable catch or releasable locking mechanism could be used (for example, an elongate locking member passing though aligned through-apertures in the shoulder guide support strut  34  and lower panel upper strut  44  could be used to prevent relative movement of the upper and lower inclined panels, and could be removed from the through apertures to allow relative movement). 
   Because the upper inclined panel  3 , lower inclined panel  4  first base panel  5  and second base panel  6  are connected to each other by the first, second and third sets of one or more hinges, despite the substantial size of the golf swing practice device  10  in use, it can be folded to a relatively compact size for storage and/or transportation. The folding of the device  10  can be understood by reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4   a , to fold the device from its erected configuration, first the upper inclined panel  3  is rotated substantially 180 degrees about the one or more first hinges  35  (indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 4   a ) so that it can rest upon the lower inclined panel  4  (after the release of any locking mechanism that would otherwise prevent this operation). Then the support arm lock  48  is released, and the angle of incline of the lower inclined panel  4  is released in order to separate the support arms  46 ,  56 . The lower inclined panel  4  is rotated about second hinge  45  and laid upon first base panel  5  (indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 4   a ). The second base panel  6  is then rotated substantially 180 degrees about the one or more third hinges  55  (indicated by arrow C in  FIG. 4   a ) so that it contacts the first base panel.  FIG. 4   b  shows the device schematically in its folded configuration. For clarity and simplicity the second club head guide panel  43  has not been mentioned in relation to the folding operation, but it will be appreciated that it could be detached, or folded on top of the first club head guide panel  42  prior to the described folding operations (and that, under the latter arrangement, the shape and dimensions of the upper inclined panel  3 , lower inclined panel  4 , and first hinge(s)  35  could be provided to allow stowage between the upper inclined panel  3  and lower inclined panel  4 ). 
   The various panels of the device  10 , as illustrated, include sheet parts formed from a thin sheet material. The parts formed of sheet material are preferably made from a somewhat a rigid material such as sheet plywood, Perspex, fibreglass or any other material which may be suitable. A transparent sheet material such as Perspex is preferred since in use the user&#39;s head will be generally above the device and the remainder of the user will be generally below the device, and use of a transparent material avoids the sheet material unduly obscuring the user&#39;s view of elements of his own stance. The sheet material performs a useful function in the first and second shoulder guide panels  31 ,  32  since it provides surfaces for contacting the top of the user&#39;s shoulders. In the panels of the lower inclined panel  4  the use of a sheet material is less important, and if desired the sheet material could be omitted. However some benefits of using sheet material, as illustrated, in the lower inclined panel  4  are that: first, they help to avoid inadvertent passage of objects, such as golf clubs and users limbs, through the panels, and this presents a safety benefit, and (2) printed matter may be provided on the sheet material, which may, for example, aid in use of the device, provide information to assist in improving the user&#39;s golf skills, or be in the nature of advertising or promotional material. 
   It should be appreciated that many variations of the above embodiment are possible. For example, the upper and lower inclined panels could each be formed of a single panel, rather than the various sub-panels described above. The upper inclined panel could be provided by a planar sheet of material, with an aperture or slot to accommodate the user&#39;s head, with a surface to guide one shoulder being a surface of the sheet, and a surface for guiding the other shoulder being provided by a different part of the device such as a spacer member attached to the underside of the sheet. In some variations, separate shoulder guide parts of the device may be provided such that their relative positions may be adjusted allowing, for example, the distance between parallel guide planes to be set differently for different users. For example, the two shoulder guide parts could be connected by a structure including bolts, and a selection of spacers or washers could be provided to allow adjustment of the relative positions. It should also be noted that some embodiments which allow first and second shoulders to be guided in first and second parallel spaced apart planes, may also beneficially provide the option of allowing the first and second shoulders to be guided in one single plane. This option may be useful for golfers who wish to practice unorthodox golf swings. 
   In an alternative embodiment, a golf practice device is based closely upon the golf practice device described as a preferred embodiment of application WO2004/080546, in that it is based on a substantially continuous sheet of material. As shown in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c , an embodiment of a golf practice device, generally designated  110 , comprises a sheet  112  of material which has a first straight edge  140  and an opposing arcuate edge  113 . The first straight edge  140  is connected at its first end  141  by a second straight edge  143  to a first end of the arcuate edge  113 . The first straight edge  140  is also connected at its second end  142  to a second end of the arcuate edge  113  by a foot  122 . In use, the sheet is inclined so that the respective first ends of the first straight edge  140  and arcuate edge  113  are higher than the respective second ends. The foot  122  is shorter in length than the length of the second straight edge  143 . The arcuate edge  113  is approximately a semicircular. 
   The device  110  also includes an aperture  115  in the sheet  112  through which the head  118  of the user  111  may pass. The aperture  115  is located in the sheet  112  towards the first end  141  of the first straight edge  140 , and proximate to the edge of the sheet  112  defined by the first straight edge  140 . The aperture  115  indicates the correct position for the user to stand relative to the device so that he or she may practice the correct backswing. A part  128  of the underside of the sheet  112  adjacent to, and on a first side of, the aperture  115  acts as a first shoulder guide, for guiding the leading shoulder of the user (which is, at address, higher than the following shoulder). Adjacent the aperture  115 , on a second side (opposite to the first side) thereof, there is provided a following-shoulder guide  129  which comprises a strip or block of material attached to the underside of the sheet  112  and providing a generally planar lower surface  124  in a plane parallel to, but spaced apart from, the plane of the underside of the sheet. In use the planar lower surface is for lightly contacting the top of the following shoulder of the user. Thus, although based upon a continuous, large, substantially planar sheet, this embodiment provides first and second shoulder guides in parallel but slightly spaced apart planes. 
     FIG. 5   b  in particular shows various support means for the device  110 . Attachment member  121 , for example in the form of a wire, cable or chord, connected to the device  110  at reinforced attachment points  127   a  and  127   b , is adapted to allow the device  110  to be hung to the side of a wall, clothesline, tree or similar support. At the other end of the device  110  is a foot  122  which is adapted to rest on the ground. The foot  122  may be secured to the ground by a number of anchor pegs (not shown) or similar such means. Likewise, the foot  122  may be secured by the addition of a suitable weight to prevent it from moving significantly. The device  110  is also provided with a spacing member  123  which acts to space apart the arcuate edge  113  from the ground. The spacing member  123  is attached to the upper surface of the sheet  112  via a first portion  126 . The first portion  126  extends away from the sheet  112 , approximately perpendicular to the sheet  112 . A generally L-shaped second portion  125  of the spacing member  123  is connected to the first portion  126 . In use, the second portion  125  passes over and is spaced apart from the arcuate edge  113  and rests upon, and may be secured to, the ground. The second portion may be secured to the ground using anchor pegs as described for the foot  122  above. The first portion  126  of the spacing member  123  is adapted to support the sheet  112  while enabling the spacing member  123  to maintain a clearance from the arcuate edge  113 . This enables the club-head to pass the spacing member  123  during the backswing. 
   The device  110  is set up for use by engaging the foot  122  and the support piece  123  with the ground and by coupling the attachment member  121  with the side of a wall, clothesline, tree or similar support. In use, the club (and thus the club-head), at the top of the backswing, pass under the attachment member  121 . With reference to the correct address of the individual user  111 , with the user&#39;s head  118  extending through the aperture  115 , the height at which the attachment member  121  is coupled to the support and/or the length of the attachment member  121  is adjusted so that the sheet  112  is angled correctly, that is, so that sheet  112  is substantially in the correct plane. That is, so that when the user stands at address, the part  128  of the underside of the sheet  112  lightly contacts the top of the user&#39;s leading shoulder (not shown), and the planar surface  124 , lightly contacts the top of the user&#39;s following shoulder, and so that an appropriate part of the arcuate edge  113  is at (or at least close to) the position of the head  114  of the club  117  at address. Whilst the process of setting the device to the appropriate angle might require assistance from another person, once the device  110  has been set-up, it can be left ready for use on a semi-permanent basis. 
   Once set up, the device  110  can be used in a similar manner to the device  10  described above. It will be appreciated that the embodiment  10  is currently considered preferable to the embodiment  110 , because it is relatively portable, can be folded for storage, is self-supporting without reliance on hanging from a fixed support, and is suitable for use indoors and/or on a hard flooring surface since it does not require pegging to the ground. 
   A further alternative embodiment may adopt a cantilevered support arrangement for supporting the shoulder guides. By way of example,  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show an embodiment of a golf swing training device  200  in which a large generally planar panel  212  provides a first shoulder guiding portion  231  and supports a second shoulder guiding portion  232  in the form of a spacer attached to the underside of the panel  212 . The panel  212  is supported above the ground by a support arm  240 , which is attached to a suitably heavy base  245  located a convenient distance in front of the panel  212 . The connection (not shown) between the support arm  240  and the panel  212  is of a type that allows the angle of inclination of the panel to be set as required. Many such means of connection are known per se, and are available as options to the skilled addressee. 
   The described preferred embodiments thus provide structurally simple, economically viable devices for helping a user correctly position his shoulders (and, especially where a club head guide is provided, to assist in positioning of the club head and hands) while executing a practice backswing. 
   Of course, many variations and alternative embodiments to those illustrated will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the shoulder guides can be provided by suitably inclined and positioned parts of many structures other than those illustrated, and could be supported by a stand positioned behind the user (in which case the connection between the stand and the shoulder guides would preferably be on the lead-hand side of the user to avoid interference with the backswing). 
   In particular, it will be appreciated that embodiments which are based on the golf swing training device  10  of  FIGS. 1 to 4   b  may include features, or variants of features, of the golf swing training device  200  of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b.    
   For example, in one alternative, the club head guide panel  43  of the golf swing training device  10  could be replaced by a larger panel which provides a much longer curved edge (than the edge  43   a ) and which therefore provides a club head guide guides the club head through a greater part of the backswing (than does the edge  43   a ). Some examples of this type of embodiment might be considered to have a club head guiding edge more closely related to the arcuate edge  113 , than to the panel edge  43   a . A panel (analogous to an enlarged version of panel  43 ) might be made from a plurality of panels foldable attached together, and might, for convenience in transportation, be detachable from the remainder of the golf swing training device. In a further alternative an embodiment similar to the golf swing training device  10  could be provided with a stabilising support, similar to the spacing member  123 , in order to provide additional stability for the rear foot side of the device. Such a stabilising support should be arranged so that it does not impede the club head during the practice backswing. It is therefore preferred that such a stabilising support have a first end portion attached to the upper surface of a panel, an intermediate portion that extends away from the panel and which passes above and is spaced apart from the panel edge, and a second end portion which contacts a supportive base, such as the ground or a device base (perhaps corresponding to the first base panel  5  of the golf swing training device  10 ). Such a stabilising support could attach to the device base by a pivotable connection, to facilitate the transition between storage and working configurations, could be adapted to disengage the base or could be configured in any other appropriate manner. 
   In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
   It is to be understood that, if any prior publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country. 
   Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention.