US20140287847A1

US20140287847A1 - Golf training apparatuses and methods

Info

Publication number: US20140287847A1
Application number: US14/215,948
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeff Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-17
Publication date: 2014-09-25

Abstract

A golf swing training apparatus, method and kit for allowing users to practice their golf swing are disclosed. Embodiments of the golf swing trainer include a collapsible and lightweight golf swing trainer that may be displayed on retail store shelves and transported in typical passenger vehicles without requiring separate delivery using delivery vehicles. Alternate embodiments include multiple components, such as elongated frame members, netting, a golf ball lifter, a golf ball track and a platform that may be assembled and disassembled by hand. Still other embodiments include a trainer that returns the golf balls to the user quickly.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/792,817, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Golf great Tiger Woods attributes some of his success to the disciplined practice of hitting 1,000 golf balls a day from a practice tee. Unfortunately, most individuals who enjoy golf and would like to improve their skills do not have the time or money it would take to go daily to a driving range and do that. Without sufficient practice, the skills of the average golfer remain average, and those who wish to improve their game have little hope of seeing real improvement.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved golf swing trainer.
In accordance with one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a golf swing training device is provided. The golf swing training device including a platform with an aperture, a golf ball track connectable to the platform, a golf ball lifter connectable to the platform and adapted to position at least one golf ball from the golf ball track on a vertically movable golf tee and extend the golf ball through the aperture. The golf swing training device may also include a plurality of elongated frame members and netting connectable to the plurality of frame members, wherein the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball lifter, the plurality of elongated frame members, and the netting are connectable to one another to form a golf swing trainer. For at least some embodiments, the platform, golf ball track and golf ball lifter connect to one another to sequentially move one or more golf balls from the golf ball track to the vertically movable golf tee and sequentially move the one or more golf balls through the aperture in the platform, positioning each golf ball in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle to practice the user's golf stroke. The plurality of elongated frame members may connect to one another to form a frame and the fabric connect to the frame to form a fabric ball arrester and ball return, the ball arrester being configured and adapted to stop golf balls as the golf balls are sequentially hit from the golf tee and the fabric ball return being sloped to receive a ball from the arrester and return the ball to the ball track. Some embodiments include a rotating arm that moves the golf tee vertically. Still further embodiments include a platform segmented into sections that may be separate and/or collapsed to reduce the size of the platform.
In accordance with other aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure, the platform, golf ball track, golf ball lifter, plurality of elongated frame members, and netting may be disassembled to form a compact package facilitating display on retail store shelves and enabling purchasers to transport the golf swing trainer without the need for a separate delivery and/or delivery vehicle.
In accordance with further aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure, the golf swing trainer returns balls to the user quickly so that the user can keep swinging and need to bend over to pick up a ball.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of the concepts that are described in further detail in the detailed description and drawings contained herein. This summary is not intended to identify any primary or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Some or all of the described features may be present in the corresponding independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unless expressly recited in a particular claim. Each embodiment described herein is not necessarily intended to address every object described herein, and each embodiment does not necessarily include each feature described. Other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent to one of skill in the art from the detailed description and drawings contained herein. Moreover, the various apparatuses and methods described in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in this application, can be expressed as a large number of different combinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and inventive combinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, it being recognized that the explicit expression of each of these combinations is unnecessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the figures shown herein may include dimensions or may have been created from scaled drawings. However, such dimensions, or the relative scaling within a figure, are by way of example, and not to be construed as limiting.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf swing trainer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an alternate perspective view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an alternate perspective view of the golf swing trainer depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a golf training apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the golf training apparatus depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the golf training apparatus depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the teeing portion of the golf training apparatus depicted in FIG. 8 as viewed from below the golf training apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a partial front view of the golf training apparatus depicted in FIG. 8 depicting the teeing portion with the catch and return portion removed.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the portion of the golf training apparatus depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the teeing device, golf ball track, and ball collector depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the teeing device, ball track and ball collector depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the teeing device, ball track, and ball collector depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is the teeing device depicted in FIG. 16 taking along line 17-17.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the teeing device depicted in FIG. 17 with the golf tee extended upward.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the teeing device depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment of a golf trainer during startup.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of the operation of one embodiment of a golf trainer while a user practices the user's golf swing.

FIGS. 22-27 are partial side elevational views of the sequencing of golf balls onto the golf tee according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to one or more embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. At least one embodiment of the disclosure is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features or some combinations of features may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that are necessarily included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to “advantages” provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.
Specific quantities (spatial dimensions, temperatures, pressures, times, force, resistance, current, voltage, concentrations, wavelengths, frequencies, heat transfer coefficients, dimensionless parameters, etc.) may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, such specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Discussions pertaining to specific compositions of matter, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other compositions of matter, especially other compositions of matter with similar properties, unless otherwise indicated.
The systems described herein (and variations on them) can be fabricated, shipped, and sold at retail for a reasonable price. They are easily disassembled and transported and provide additional advantages to the golfer over hitting buckets of balls at a driving range.
One example embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings, and reference will be made to specific structures, materials, and design variations. Many variations will occur to those skilled in the art, and will achieve similar results based on the techniques we describe.
FIGS. 1 and 5-7 show perspective views of a golf swing trainer. When the trainer is in use, the user stands on the platform, and the system mechanically tees up a ball for the user to hit through a hole in the platform. A frame extends from the platform in the direction of the practice shot. The frame supports netting that catches the ball and returns it to a trough that feeds the automated teeing mechanism. The teeing mechanism includes a reciprocating tee cylinder that is driven by a motor as will be discussed further herein.
Turning to FIG. 1, system 100 includes platform 110, legs 120, gutter 130, and frame 140. Frame 140 supports netting (not shown) that catches balls hit from tee 150 and returns them to gutter 130 by force of gravity. Frame 140 comprises straight tubes and corner tubes configured to be fitted together for easy assembly by hand, and the net attaches with permanent or removable features along the edge of the net. Each of these attachments could use any of a wide variety of attachment mechanisms, as will occur to those skilled in the art.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of system 100. In this view, chute 160 can be seen connecting a hole at the bottom of gutter 130 to teeing cylinder 170. Balls that have been hit roll down the netting around frame 140 into gutter 130, down chute 160, and into teeing cylinder 170 as will be discussed further herein.
Motor 180 rests on shelf 182 and turns shaft 184, thereby turning member 186, moving connector 188 through a slot in reciprocating member 190 and thereby raising and lowering the end of member 190 that is hidden in FIG. 2. Point 192 of member 190 can be adjusted up or down, which has the opposite effect on the height of tee 150 at the top of its stroke. In alternative embodiments, the height of end 192 is controlled electronically by push-buttons in platform 110 configured to be actuated by the user by a toe or the end of a golf club. In other alternative embodiments, one or more other mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or other adjustment means may be used as will occur to those skilled in the art.
Additional detail describing the re-teeing mechanism will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-4. When a ball comes down chute 160 from gutter 130, the ball will typically come to rest at the edge of teeing cylinder 170. Member 202 moves up and down within cylinder 170, depending from end 194 of member 190. When member 190 is in position A, tee 150 extends up through platform 110 so that a ball can be hit. When it is, a micro switch in member 202 detects the mass of the ball having been removed and triggers reciprocation of end 194 by engaging motor 180. When member 190 is in position B, member 202 has ceased to block entry of balls returning through chute 160, and one of them falls onto tee 150. The motor continues to operate, and tee 150 moves back up to its upper position and stops. If no ball is detected, the motor continues to be activated, and tee 150 reciprocates again.
Various embodiments of this system provide advantages over existing systems. For example, some embodiments will relieve the golfer from having to leave his or her house to hit golf balls, such as to go to a driving range or golf course. Some embodiments allow the golfer to avoid the expense and wasted travel time relating to visiting a driving range. Other embodiments relieve the golfer from having to bend over to tee up each golf ball, allowing the golfer instead to keep his or her feet in position (making slight adjustments as desired) between shots.
Some embodiments are designed to be assembled for left- or right-handed golfers, and some embodiments are adaptable with a video camera mount for evaluating swing technique. Some embodiments include a “bulk feeding hopper” for use with driving ranges (typically without the frame and netting for capturing hit balls), while others can be used indoors, where space permits.
In still other embodiments, other types of objects for different sports are handled in this same way. In some of these embodiments, baseballs are tossed up through the platform for batting practice, then returned through one or more nets, gutters, and chutes. Other embodiments use hockey pucks for slap shot practice. Still other embodiments will assist athletes with practicing other sporting activities as will occur to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure.
Depicted in FIGS. 8-19 is a golf training apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Golf training apparatus 200 includes a catch and return portion 210 and a teeing portion 230. Catch and return portion 210 includes a ball arresting device 212 that stops a golf ball after being hit and delivers the golf ball to a ball return 214 that returns the golf balls toward teeing portion 230. A frame 216 provides support for ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 so that ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 can repeatedly catch and return golf balls to teeing portion 230.
To conserve weight, frame 216 may be made from hollow, tubular light weight material (e.g., aluminum) and ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 may be constructed from light weight netting and/or fabric.
Teeing portion 230 includes a platform 232, which is elevated above a support surface with supports 234 to provide sufficient clearance for teeing device 240. Supports 234 may include adjustable ends to provide secure placement and leveling of platform 232 above an uneven support surface. An aperture 236 in the upper surface of platform 232 provides a passage way through which teeing device 240 presents a golf ball to a user. Platform 232 may be constructed of two or more sections that allow platform 232 to be collapsed for easier transportation.
Platform 232 also includes an optional ball collector 238 that attaches to ball return 214 to funnel balls to ball track 242. A sequencer 244 is located along ball track 242 to sequence the golf balls to teeing device 240.
Teeing device 240 includes a golf tee 246 that moves vertically to move a golf ball positioned on the upper end of golf tee 246 through aperture 236 and present the golf ball to the user. The height at which golf tee 246 holds the golf ball above the upper surface of platform 232 may be adjustable by the user in some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the golf tee 246 is electrically actuated to raise a golf ball into striking position; however, alternate embodiments may use pneumatic, mechanical, and/or hydraulic actuation.
Golf training apparatus 200 is collapsible and sized to permit display and shelving in, e.g., a retail store so that a prospective purchaser can, at the point of making the decision whether to purchase the device, realize that the prospective purchaser can buy and transport the golf training apparatus in a typical passenger vehicle without the need for a separate delivery service.
Once transported to a location where the user intends to use the golf training apparatus, the user may assemble the golf training apparatus, such as by assembling frame 216, attaching ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 to frame 216, attaching catch and return portion 210 to platform 232, and connecting ball teeing device 240 and ball track 242 to platform 232. After use, a user may disassemble golf training apparatus 200 by, for example, detaching the catch and return portion 210 from platform 232, detaching ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 from frame 216 (which occupy little space once folded), disassembling frame 216 at joints 217 and collapsing frame 216 for easy transportation.
As depicted, platform 232 is sized to fit within the cargo carrying portion of passenger vehicles. However, in alternate embodiments, supports 234 may be easily removable by hand (such as with use of quick-release attachment fittings) to platform 232, and teeing device 240 may similarly be easily removed from platform 232 by hand for easy transportation. In some embodiments, the upper surface of platform 232 may be constructed of two or more sections (e.g., up to four sections) allowing disassembly and/or folding (such as by using hinges) of the sections to facilitate easier transportation, and being sufficiently small to fit into smaller trunks, such as those associated with many compact passenger vehicles.
In some embodiments, the upper surface of platform 232 upon which the user stands is approximately 4 ft.×5 ft.
In certain embodiments, golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fit within a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×2 ft. or smaller. In other embodiments, golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fit within a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×1 ft. or smaller. In further embodiments, golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fit within a container that is 4 ft.×5 ft.×1 ft. or smaller. In still further embodiments, golf training apparatus 200 collapses to fit within a container that is 3 ft.×4 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.
Once a user has moved golf training apparatus 200 to a desired location, the user may erect golf training apparatus 200 by reversing the steps used to disassemble golf training apparatus 200 described above.
Once assembled, a user can place one or more golf balls in ball track 242, such as by placing the golf balls onto ball return 214 and allowing them to automatically funnel to ball track 242. The user can then actuate teeing device 240 to extend golf tee 246 upward and present the golf ball to the user for hitting. In some embodiments, the precise height of the golf ball above the upper surface of platform 232 can be adjusted to give the user the appropriate tee height. Sequencer 244 prevents additional golf balls from moving into the track of golf tee 246, for example, by extending a golf ball stop (e.g., golf ball stop 244 a) nearest to golf tee 246.
Once the user strikes the golf ball removing it from the top of golf tee 246, the teeing device can automatically lower golf tee 246 and place the upper end of golf tee 246 in a position to receive the next golf ball from ball track 242. A weight, impact, optical, and/or acoustic sensor may be utilized to detect when the user has hit the golf ball off of tee 246, and some embodiments include a manual actuation that allows the user to override the ball strike detector and sequence the next golf ball into position.
Referring to FIGS. 22-27, an example of how at least one embodiment operates is depicted. When the teeing device 240 is turned on, golf tee 246 will be rotated to a golf ball loading orientation. The impact sensor will typically be off in this configuration and the motor can leave the golf tee 246 at the golf ball loading orientation until receiving a signal to raise the golf ball upward is received or until a set amount of time has transpired. To load a golf ball onto the top of golf tee 246, golf ball stop 244 a is retracted out of the ball pathway and ball track 242 and the ball nearest golf tee 246 is allowed to roll onto the upper end of golf tee 246. Golf ball stop 244 b will typically be extended into the pathway of ball track 242 to inhibit more than one ball progressing past golf ball stop 244 a. After the golf ball being loaded onto golf tee 246 has passed golf ball stop 244 a, golf ball stop 244 a will be extended into the pathway of ball track 242 and golf ball stop 244 b will be retracted out of the pathway of ball track 242 to allow the next golf ball in sequence to be positioned so that it may be loaded onto the top of golf tee 246 during the next loading cycle.
The golf tee 246 will then be raised by motor 248 and extended above the upper surface of platform 232. The impact sensor will be turned on to detect when the user has hit the golf ball. Once the user has hit the golf ball off of golf tee 246, ball arrester 212 and ball return 214 catch and return the golf ball to ball track 242, typically via ball collector 238.
If the user desires to change the height of the ball above the upper surface of platform 232, the impact sensor will typically be turned off. Actuation of the switch to change tee height and motor 248 will rotate arm 254 to arrive golf tee 246 to a new tee height. When the tee height adjustment is complete and the motion of the golf tee 246 has stopped, the impact sensor will typically be turned on.
In some embodiments, the golf tee height is adjusted by changing the rotation angle of motor 240 and adjusting the height of golf tee 246 in one millimeter increments.
Some embodiments include a switch 250 to signal to motor 248 that tee support 250 is in the fully lowered position.
In at least one embodiment, the golf swing trainer is capable of quickly returning golf balls to the user after the user hits the balls into the netting, allowing the user to constantly and consecutively swing at an unlimited number of golf balls. In some embodiments, the golf balls are returned quickly (in some embodiments being at most 15 seconds, while in other embodiments being at most 10 seconds, and in still further embodiments being at most 5 seconds) allowing the user to keep constantly swinging with a small number of golf balls. In some embodiments, the user can constantly swing as golf balls with as few as 5 golf balls, while in other embodiments the user can constantly swing as golf balls with as few as 3 golf balls.
A flow chart of the operation of one embodiment of golf trainer 200 during startup is depicted in FIG. 20.
A flow chart of the operation of one example embodiment of golf trainer 200 while a user practices the user's golf swing is depicted in FIG. 21.
Reference systems that may be used herein can refer generally to various directions (e.g., upper, lower, forward and rearward), which are merely offered to assist the reader in understanding the various embodiments of the disclosure and are not to be interpreted as limiting. Other reference systems may be used to describe various embodiments, such as referring to the direction of projectile movement as it exits the firearm as being up, down, rearward or any other direction.
Various aspects of different embodiments of the present disclosure are expressed in paragraphs X1, and X2, as follows:
X1. One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a golf swing training kit, comprising: a platform with an aperture; a golf ball track connectable to the platform; a golf ball lifter connectable to the platform and adapted to position at least one golf ball from the golf ball track on a vertically movable golf tee and extend the golf ball through the aperture; a plurality of elongated frame members; and netting connectable to the plurality of frame members; the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball lifter, the plurality of elongated frame members, and the netting being connectable to one another to form a golf swing trainer, wherein the platform, golf ball track and golf ball lifter connect to one another to sequentially move one or more golf balls from the golf ball track to the vertically movable golf tee and sequentially move the one or more golf balls through the aperture in the platform, positioning each golf ball in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle to practice the user's golf stroke; wherein the plurality of elongated frame members connect to one another to form a frame and the fabric connects to the frame to form a fabric ball arrester and a ball return, the fabric ball arrester being configured and adapted to stop golf balls as the golf balls are sequentially hit from the golf tee, the fabric ball return being sloped to receive a ball from the ball arrester and return the ball to the ball track.
X2. Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method, comprising: providing a portable golf swing trainer, including; a platform, a golf ball track connectable to the platform, a golf ball tee connectable to the platform and adapted to position at least one golf ball from the golf ball track above the platform for striking with a golf club, a plurality of elongated frame members, and netting connectable to the plurality of frame members; wherein the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball tee, the plurality of elongated frame members, and the netting are connectable to one another to form a golf swing trainer that sequentially positions golf balls in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle by stopping the golf ball, moving the golf ball to the golf ball track, and positioning the golf ball on the golf ball tee in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle; assembling the portable golf swing trainer; disassembling the portable golf swing trainer, loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.
Yet other embodiments include the features described in any of the previous statements X1 or X2, as combined with one or more of the following aspects:
Wherein the platform is configured and adapted to fold into two approximately equally sized portions.
Wherein the platform is configured and adapted to separate into two approximately equally sized portions.
A sequencer with two movable ball stops that selectively extend into and retract out of the golf ball track and sequences golf balls to the golf ball lifter.
Wherein the golf tee defines an axis, and the golf ball lifter lifts golf balls in a vertical direction parallel to the golf ball tee axis.
A golf gee height control that changes the vertical distance above the platform the ball tee holds the golf ball.
Wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golf ball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golf ball in at most 15 seconds.
Wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golf ball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golf ball in at most 10 seconds.
Wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golf ball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golf ball in at most 5 seconds.
Wherein the golf ball lifter includes a motor that rotates a lifter arm, and the lifter arm is connected to a tee support that moves along a linear and vertically oriented tee support track.
Wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.
Wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 4 ft.×5 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.
Wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 3 ft.×4 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.
Wherein the upper surface of the platform when the portable golf swing trainer is assembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.
While examples, one or more representative embodiments and specific forms of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive or limiting. The description of particular features in one embodiment does not imply that those particular features are necessarily limited to that one embodiment. Features of one embodiment may be used in combination with features of other embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, whether or not explicitly described as such. One or more exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A golf swing training kit, comprising:

a platform with an aperture;

a golf ball track connectable to the platform;

a golf ball lifter connectable to the platform and adapted to position at least one golf ball from the golf ball track on a vertically movable golf tee and extend the golf ball through the aperture;

a plurality of elongated frame members; and

netting connectable to the plurality of frame members;

the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball lifter, the plurality of elongated frame members, and the netting being connectable to one another to form a golf swing trainer,

wherein the platform, golf ball track and golf ball lifter connect to one another to sequentially move one or more golf balls from the golf ball track to the vertically movable golf tee and sequentially move the one or more golf balls through the aperture in the platform, positioning each golf ball in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle to practice the user's golf stroke;

wherein the plurality of elongated frame members connect to one another to form a frame and the fabric connects to the frame to form a fabric ball arrester and a ball return, the fabric ball arrester being configured and adapted to stop golf balls as the golf balls are sequentially hit from the golf tee, the fabric ball return being sloped to receive a ball from the ball arrester and return the ball to the ball track.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured and adapted to fold into two approximately equally sized portions.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured and adapted to separate into two approximately equally sized portions.

4. The kit of claim 1, comprising:

a sequencer with two movable ball stops that selectively extend into and retract out of the golf ball track and sequences golf balls to the golf ball lifter.

5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the golf tee defines an axis, and the golf ball lifter lifts golf balls in a vertical direction parallel to the golf ball tee axis.

6. The kit of claim 1, comprising:

a golf gee height control that changes the vertical distance above the platform the ball tee holds the golf ball.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein the netting, golf ball track, and golf ball lifter return a golf ball hit by a user to a position where the user can hit the same golf ball in at most 10 seconds.

8. The kit of claim 1, wherein the golf ball lifter includes a motor that rotates a lifter arm, and the lifter arm is connected to a tee support that moves along a linear and vertically oriented tee support track.

9. A method, comprising:

providing a portable golf swing trainer, including:

a platform;

a golf ball track connectable to the platform;

a golf ball tee connectable to the platform and adapted to position at least one golf ball from the golf ball track above the platform for striking with a golf club;

a plurality of elongated frame members; and

netting connectable to the plurality of frame members;

wherein the platform, the golf ball track, the golf ball tee, the plurality of elongated frame members, and the netting are connectable to one another to form a golf swing trainer that sequentially positions golf balls in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle by stopping the golf ball, moving the golf ball to the golf ball track, and positioning the golf ball on the golf ball tee in a location where a user standing on the platform can strike the golf ball with the head of a golf club while holding the golf club handle;

assembling the portable golf swing trainer;

disassembling the portable golf swing trainer,

loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 5 ft.×6 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the upper surface of the platform when the portable golf swing trainer is assembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 4 ft.×5 ft.×1 ft. or smaller.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the upper surface of the platform when the portable golf swing trainer is assembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said loading includes loading the disassembled portable golf swing trainer into a container that is 3 ft.×4 ft.×2 ft. or smaller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the upper surface of the platform when the portable golf swing trainer is assembled is approximately 4 ft. by 5 ft.