A generally rigid golf club suspension rod rotatably suspends a golf club head by a universal connector. Rotation of the rigid rod is transmitted through a knuckle to a circular gear mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The circular gear is supported on a carriage for movement longitudinally of a horizontally disposed housing and the circular gear is in mesh with a longitudinally extending fixed rack such that swinging of the golf club and rotation of the suspension rod drives the carriage to the left or right in the direction of the swing path of the golf club depending upon whether the player is in the back swing or the fore swing. The universal connector gives a normal feel to the player handling the golf club, and the longitudinal movement of the carriage provides realistic elliptical swing paths for the golf club head in the backward and forward swings of the golf club. The result is to permit a full shoulder turn allowing the club to attain a position parallel to the flight path at the conclusion of the back swing. The transition of the swing plane results in a proper "inside-out" down swing and follow through of the golf club. A tripod adjustably supports a vertical upright support tube which in turn supports a gear head assembly which includes the carriage, the circular gear and the knuckle.

Golf swing training apparatus includes a mounting bracket that holds a horizontal slide bar, mated to a swivel lateral traveler that attaches to one end of a coiled spring, and the other end to a flexible radius arm that is adjustable in length. The other end of the flexible arm is temporarily attached to the golf club during the practice session. Practice using the apparatus assists the golfer in developing a uniform swing plane, consistent clubhead control and conditioned muscle swing techniques that can improve his/her golf performance.

A sports trainer by which a user is positioned in front of a full length mirror which reflects the image of the user when performing certain sports activities combined with a television monitor and video cassette player which provides an observable illustration of the same sports activity in the form of a mirror image depicting an optimum of the sports activity involved thereby enabling the user to compare the reflected image in the mirror and the illustrated mirror image in the television monitor in order for the user to closely approach the optimum position and movement illustrated on the television monitor. The disclosure in this application relates to golf but the sports trainer can be used with various types of sports involving positions and movements of individuals and various equipment used in various sports.

A cylindrical canister is used within the bottom of a hockey goal post to retain the post in place against a keeper. A magnetic arrangement in the canister, possibly involving the post itself, draws the post downwardly against a keeper, and the keeper has a frusto-conical central portion which requires the post to ride up and over it in order to be dislodged by a lateral force.

A golf swing exercise apparatus includes an extensible band exhibiting force to extension. First and second attachment loops are formed at opposite ends of the band to mount the band at one end to a stationary support surface and to removably receive the shaft of a golf club at another end. Movement of the golf club under force extends the band to simulate a portion of a golf club swing. A bracket including a base and a perpendicular leg are removably mountable below the bottom edge of a support. A vertical post is mounted on the base for receiving the first end of the band to securely attach the first end of the band to the bracket.