Golf swing training device

Claim 1

A golf swing training device comprising: comprising: an elongated shaft having a grip at a first end and a club head at an opposed, second end; a hinge mechanism interposed between said first and second ends, said hinge mechanism including a female member having a generally hollow, cylindrical portion at one end and axially extending first and second yoke portions at the other end defining a cavity therebetween, terminal ends of said first and second yoke portions having smooth arcuate surfaces to permit two-way movement of the hinge mechanism, an adjusting screw threadably received in said hollow portion for selective axial movement therein; a biasing means received in said hollow portion having one end operatively engaging said adjusting screw; a generally spherical member operatively engaging the other end of said biasing means, said spherical member being urged axially toward said cavity; a male member having a smooth arcuate surface received in said female member cavity to permit selective articulation of the hinge mechanism such that said second shaft end is displaceable out of line from said first shaft end both rearwardly and forwardly in either one of two opposing directions relative to the longitudinal axis passing through the elongated shaft, said male member arcuate surface including a generally spherical recess disposed in a central external surface portion thereof for receipt of said spherical member at an area opposite said biasing means; means for interconnecting said hinge mechanism to said elongated shaft; and, means for pivotally securing said male and female member of said hinge mechanism.