A golf club training apparatus for use in operable combination with a golf club includes an alignment device having a golf club head receiving structure formed of a base portion having a front edge, a rear edge, and first and second side edges, as well as a rear wall extending upwardly from the rear edge, first and second side walls extending upwardly from the first and second side edges, respectively, and front retaining tabs extending upwardly from the front edge of the base portion. The rear wall, the first and second side walls, the front retaining tabs, and the base portion, in combination, are sized and configured to operably receive and frictionally retain a head element of the golf club therebetween. The golf club head receiving structure is configured to solely operably maintain the golf club in an upright playing position when the alignment device is operably disposed on a substantially horizontal surface.