Golf training aid

Abstract

A golf-training aid includes a base, a central bearing attached to the base and configured to provide a rotational axis extending out from the base, a swivel joint connected to the central bearing and configured to provide a rotational axis that is angled off the central bearing's rotational axis, and a tether connecting a ball to the central bearing through the swivel joint. The central bearing and swivel joint provide two rotational degrees of freedom for the tethered ball. A third rotational degree of freedom may be provided by one or more of a series of connections between the ball and the central bearing including, e.g., a carabiner, quick link, or clevis.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf-swing aid comprising:
 (a) a base;   (b) a central bearing connected to the base;   (c) a ball;   (d) a swivel joint; and   (e) a tether connecting the ball to the central bearing through the swivel joint.   
     
     
         2 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  further comprising a loop connector connecting the swivel joint to the central bearing. 
     
     
         3 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 2  wherein the loop connector includes at least one of the group consisting of a carabiner, a snap hook, a quick link, and a clevis. 
     
     
         4 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the tether comprises a cord having a first end and a second end; wherein the ball has a hole; wherein the first end is positioned in the hole and connected to the ball with an adhesive; and wherein the second end is connected to the swivel joint. 
     
     
         5 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the tether comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         6 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the tether comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         7 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the central bearing provides a first axis of rotation; 
 (b) the swivel joint provides a second axis of rotation; and 
 (c) the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are not parallel. 
 
     
     
         8 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 7  further comprising a loop connector connecting the swivel joint to the central bearing; wherein the loop connector provides a third axis of rotation that is not parallel to either the first axis of rotation or the second axis of rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  further comprising a lodging means connecting the tether to the ball. 
     
     
         10 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 9  wherein the tether includes a cord and the lodging means includes at least one of the group consisting of a fold in the cord and a knot in the cord glued into a hole in the ball. 
     
     
         11 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 10  where the fold or knot is glued into a hole in the ball using a silicone-based glue. 
     
     
         12 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the tether is glued to the ball. 
     
     
         13 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a cavity within itself. 
     
     
         14 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 13  wherein the cavity is filled with sand. 
     
     
         15 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 13  wherein the base includes a fill port. 
     
     
         16 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the base includes an upper portion in the shape of a spherical dome or a torispherical dome and the central bearing is connected to the base at the apex of the dome. 
     
     
         17 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the based includes a through-hole and the central bearing is connected to the base with a bolt running through the bearing and through-hole and secured in place with a nut. 
     
     
         18 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the tether is connected to the ball through the swivel joint. 
     
     
         19 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the tether is connected to the central bearing through the swivel joint. 
     
     
         20 . The golf-swing aid of  claim 1  wherein the swivel joint is connected directly to the central bearing.