Golf Training Apparatus

Abstract

Novel tools and techniques for teaching a player the proper alignment when addressing a golf ball. In one aspect, such tools and techniques provide an alignment aid that allows the player to visualize both the intended target line of the shot as well as the position of the ball relative to the player's stance, allowing the player to easily modify his stance to obtain the proper alignment.

1 . A golf training apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   one or more lasers disposed at least partially within the housing for emitting one or more beams of light within a visible spectrum;   a beam alignment device disposed within the housing, the beam alignment device being configured to direct a first beam of light along a target axis defining an intended target line of a golf ball struck by a user and to direct a second beam of light along an alignment axis corresponding to a stationary position of the golf ball relative to a stance of the user;   a control device to receive input from the user; and   a control circuit in electrical communication with at least the one or more lasers and the control device, the control circuit being configured to control operation of the one or more lasers based at least in part on input received by the control device.   
     
     
         2 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         3 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the input from the user comprises movement of the golf training apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more lasers comprises at least a first laser to generate the first beam and at least a second laser to generate the second beam. 
     
     
         5 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more lasers comprises a rotating laser to create the first beam and the second beam. 
     
     
         6 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the beam alignment device comprises a laser housing defining a first aperture to allow projection of the first beam and a second aperture to allow projection of the second beam. 
     
     
         7 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the beam alignment device comprises one or more prisms. 
     
     
         8 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the beam alignment device comprises one or more lenses. 
     
     
         9 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a remote control receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a Bluetooth receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the input from the user comprises control signals received from a wireless phone. 
     
     
         12 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base, having a surface configured to be placed on the ground, on which the housing is disposed.   
     
     
         13 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the base is configured to allow the housing to rotate relative to the ground. 
     
     
         14 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the base is configured to allow the housing to be disposed at a variable angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         15 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the housing is coupled with the base. 
     
     
         16 . A golf training method, comprising:
 aligning a golf training apparatus with respect to a target location, the golf training apparatus comprising:
 a housing; 
 one or more lasers disposed at least partially within the housing for emitting one or more beams of light within a visible spectrum; 
 a beam alignment device disposed within the housing, the beam alignment device being configured to direct a first beam of light along a target axis defining an intended target line of a golf ball struck by a user and to direct a second beam of light along an alignment axis corresponding to a stationary position of the golf ball relative to a stance of the user; 
 a control device to receive input from the user; and 
 a control circuit in electrical communication with at least the one or more lasers and the control device, the control circuit being configured to control operation of the one or more lasers based at least in part on input received by the control device; and 
   placing the golf ball on the alignment axis;   evaluating an alignment of the user addressing the golf ball, based at least in part on the position of the user relative to at least one of the beams of light.   
     
     
         17 . The golf training method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 modifying the alignment of the user, based at least in part on the position of the user relative to at least one of the beams of light.   
     
     
         18 . The golf training method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 controlling operation of the golf training apparatus using a software program on a wireless phone.   
     
     
         19 . The golf training method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 controlling operation of the golf training apparatus using a remote control device.   
     
     
         20 . A golf training system comprising:
 a golf training apparatus, comprising:
 a housing; 
 one or more lasers disposed at least partially within the housing for emitting one or more beams of light within a visible spectrum; 
 a beam alignment device disposed within the housing, the beam alignment device being configured to direct a first beam of light along a target axis defining an intended target line of a golf ball struck by a user and to direct a second beam of light along an alignment axis corresponding to a stationary position of the golf ball relative to a stance of the user; 
 a control device to receive input from the user; and 
 a control circuit in electrical communication with at least the one or more lasers and the control device, the control circuit being configured to control operation of the one or more lasers based at least in part on input received by the control device; and 
   a remote control facility in communication with the golf training apparatus to provide the user input to the control device.   
     
     
         21 . The golf training system of  claim 20 , wherein the remote control facility comprises:
 a software application comprising instructions executable by a computing device to control operation of the golf training apparatus.   
     
     
         22 . The golf training system of  claim 20 , wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a handheld computer, and a tablet computer. 
     
     
         23 . The golf training system of  claim 20 , wherein the remote control facility comprises:
 a remote control device separate from the golf training apparatus, the remote control device being configured to receive input from a user and to transmit signals to control operation of the golf training apparatus based a least in part on input from the user.   
     
     
         24 . A golf training apparatus configured to project one or more beams of visible light to assist in the alignment of a user relative to a target location and/or a ball position.