Golf Training Device

Abstract

A golf training device comprises an input portion ( 10 ) for inputting influence data comprising information that might affect how the user should address the ball, a calculation portion ( 13 ) for calculating address data, based on the input influence data, a playing surface ( 9 ). and an indication portion ( 14 ) for indicating address information from beneath the playing surface to the user, based on the calculated address data, relating to how the user should address the ball. In another aspect, a golf training device is provided for improving a user's bodyweight distribution during a golf stroke, comprising measurement means for providing a time series of bodyweight distribution measurements storage means for storing the time series of measurements and indication means for providing a comparison against a corresponding ideal.

1 . A golf training device for improving a user's address of a golf ball, comprising:
 input means for inputting influence data comprising information which might affect how the user should address the ball;   calculation means for calculating address data, based on the input influence data, specifying one or more aspects of an appropriate address for the user;   a playing surface on which at least the user is positioned at address; and   indication means for indicating address information to the user from beneath the playing surface based on the calculated address data, the information relating to how the user should address the ball, and the indication means being operable to indicate the address information to the user by illuminating a part or parts of the playing surface from below.   
   
   
       2 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the calculation means calculate the address data based on pre-collected influence data and associated address data for a reference golfer or golfers. 
   
   
       3 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the calculation means use an algorithm derived from the pre-collected data. 
   
   
       4 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the calculation means use a store of such pre-collected data, selecting the closest match from the store based on the input influence data and using the associated address data for the closest match. 
   
   
       5 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the user's stance at address. 
   
   
       6 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the placement of the user's feet in relation to each other and to the ball. 
   
   
       7 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to positions and angles of the user's feet. 
   
   
       8 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the position of the ball. 
   
   
       9 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the distance between the ball and the user's feet. 
   
   
       10 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the alignment of the user's stance. 
   
   
       11 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the ball position in the user's stance. 
   
   
       12 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the clubface placement in relation to the ball. 
   
   
       13 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to alignment of the clubface. 
   
   
       14 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the influence data comprise one or more of the following items of information: gender; age; date of birth; height; weight; build; race; neck size; shoulder width; waist size; chest size; shoe size; inside leg measurement; distance from tips of fingers to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; distance from wrist to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; right or left-handedness; club selection for the stroke to be played; length of club for the stroke to be played; lie of the club for the stroke to be played; strength of the stroke to be played; intended direction of the golf stroke to be played; intended golf ball flight of the stroke to be played; golfing experience; golfing handicap; and manufacturer and model of club for stroke to be played. 
   
   
       15 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the playing surface comprises an area on which the ball is positioned at address. 
   
   
       16 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the placement of the user's feet in relation to each other and to the ball, and wherein the indication means are operable to illuminate parts of the playing surface that specify the user's feet placement for the address. 
   
   
       17 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the address data comprise information relating to the placement of the user's feet in relation to each other and to the ball, and wherein the indication means are operable to illuminate a part of the playing surface that specifies the ball placement for address. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising means for detecting the position of the ball. 
   
   
       21 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising means for detecting the positions of the user's feet. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the indication means are operable to indicate the address information relating to a stroke after the user has completed that stroke. 
   
   
       24 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input means comprise a device for receiving an electronic data tag holding the influence data. 
   
   
       25 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input means comprise an interactive screen. 
   
   
       26 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising measurement means for providing a bodyweight distribution measurement. 
   
   
       27 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the indication means are operable to provide an automated instructional indication to the user from a separate display, involving a comparison of the bodyweight distribution measurement at address against a corresponding ideal bodyweight distribution. 
   
   
       28 . A golf training device for improving a user's weight distribution during a golf stroke, comprising:
 measurement means for providing a time series of bodyweight distribution measurements during a predetermined period of the stroke;   storage means for storing the time series of measurements;   indication means for providing an automated instructional indication to the user after completion of the stroke involving a comparison of at least part of the stored time series of measurements against a corresponding ideal bodyweight distribution.   
   
   
       29 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the predetermined period at least includes address of the ball. 
   
   
       30 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the predetermined period at least includes address of the ball and impact of the ball. 
   
   
       31 . A golf training device as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the predetermined period at least includes the follow-through. 
   
   
       32 .- 58 . (canceled)