Visual Golf Shot Alignment

Abstract

Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for setting up a golf shot. According to one embodiment, a visual-alignment tool is placed at an identified position that is along a line between (i) a first location corresponding to at least one of a position of a golf ball to be hit and a position from which a golfer is to hit the golf ball and (ii) a target location. The visual-alignment tool also is aligned with the line between the first location and the target location. After sighting with the visual-alignment tool from the position from which the golfer is to hit the golf ball, the golf ball is hit. According to this embodiment, the identified position of the visual-alignment tool is at least 4 feet from the first location.

1 . A method of setting up a golf shot, comprising:
 placing a visual-alignment tool at an identified position that is along a line between (i) a first location corresponding to at least one of a position of a golf ball to be hit and a position from which a golfer is to hit the golf ball and (ii) a target location;   aligning the visual-alignment tool with the line between the first location and the target location; and   sighting with the visual-alignment tool from the position from which the golfer is to hit the golf ball; and   hitting the golf ball after said sighting,   wherein the identified position is at least 4 feet from the first location.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target location corresponds to a position within a 4-foot radius of a target hole into which the golf ball is desired to be hit. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool is placed at the identified position at a height that is approximately the same level as the eyes of the golfer. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identified position is not more than 30 feet from the first location. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identified position is 10-15 feet from the first location. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first location corresponds to the position from which the golfer is to hit the golf ball and the target location corresponds to a position approximately 3 feet to the left of the target hole. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the placing and aligning steps are performed by using at least one of: (1) the visual-alignment tool; and (2) a separate pair of alignment markers. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool comprises a pair of alignment markers with which the golfer aligns during said sighting step. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool is attached to a stand with through the use of a position-adjustable arm. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the position-adjustable arm is plastically bendable along its entire length. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the position-adjustable arm is comprised of an elongated coiled element. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein in said placing step the visual-alignment tool is positioned at least 6 inches away from the stand. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the visual-alignment tool is part of an assembly that also includes an audio-emitting device. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the audio-emitting device also is positioned along the line between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the audio-emitting device is within 4 inches of the visual-alignment tool. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool comprises an opaque structure defining an elongated see-through passageway, through which the golfer looks in said sighting step. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the opaque body is configured as a hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool is attached to a height-adjustable stand. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of placing a second visual-alignment tool at a second identified position that is along a second line between (i) a second location corresponding to a position from which the golfer is to make practice swings and (ii) the target location, and wherein the second identified position is at least 4 feet from the second location. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the visual-alignment tool and the second visual-alignment tool are attached to a common stand. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool is attached to a stand and is rotatable relative to the stand in a plane that is parallel to the ground in normal use. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual-alignment tool is attached to a stand and is rotatable relative to the stand in a plane that is perpendicular to the ground in normal use.