Method for analyzing golf swing performance relative to a target line

Abstract

An object of one or more embodiments of the method presented is to provide an analysis of swing features relative to a target line. To accomplish this, a golfer selects a target line, which is an imaginary line connecting the position of a strike object, such as a golf ball, with an intended target. The target line is stored on a mobile device. A sensing unit attached to a golf club captures orientation and acceleration data during a swing, which is analyzed relative to the intended target, against a baseline swing model. The method also provides feedback on golf club position when the golfer is addressing the ball, prior to the backswing. The golfer receives feedback on swing performance swing performance relative to the target line for each club and various swings types, such as chips or bunker shots.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for analyzing golf swing performance relative to a target line comprising:
 providing a mobile computing device containing a first microprocessor, computer memory, a mobile application, baseline data, a video camera, a display, a wireless receiver, and a magnetometer;   selecting a target line delineated by a strike object and an intended target;   storing a compass heading defined by said target line in said computer memory;   selecting a baseline model swing from a plurality of model swings stored in said mobile application;   executing a golf club swing with a golf club having a sensing unit attached thereto; wherein said sensing unit contains a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a second microprocessor, a memory buffer module and a wireless transmitter for collecting sensing unit data;   wirelessly transmitting said sensing unit data from said wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver;   transferring said sensing unit data from said wireless receiver to said mobile application on said mobile device;   comparing said sensing unit data to said baseline model swing, relative to said target line to generate a comparative analysis; and   displaying said comparative analysis in said mobile application on said mobile computing device.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  where Near Field Communications (NFC) is used to wirelessly transmit said sensing unit data to said wireless receiver. 
     
     
         3 . A method for analyzing golf swing performance relative to a target line comprising:
 providing a mobile computing device containing a first microprocessor, computer memory, a mobile application, baseline data, a video camera, a display, a wireless receiver, and a GPS;   selecting a target line delineated by a strike object and an intended target;   storing a bearing defined by said target line in said computer memory;   selecting a baseline model swing from a plurality of swings determined by a projected trajectory in said mobile application;   executing a golf club swing with a golf club having a sensing unit attached thereto; wherein said sensing unit contains a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a second microprocessor, a memory buffer module and a wireless transmitter for collecting sensing unit data;   wirelessly transmitting said sensing unit data from said wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver;   transferring said sensing unit data from said wireless receiver to said mobile application on said mobile device;   comparing said sensing unit data to said baseline model swing, relative to said target line to generate a comparative analysis; and   displaying said comparative analysis in said mobile application on said mobile computing device.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  where Near Field Communications (NFC) is used to wirelessly transmit said sensing unit data to said wireless receiver. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3  or  4  wherein selection of said target line occurs by selecting a strike object coordinate and selecting an intended target coordinate using a map displayed on a mobile device. 
     
     
         6 . A method for analyzing golf club position at an initial swing point comprising:
 providing a mobile computing device containing a first microprocessor, computer memory, a mobile application, baseline data, a video camera, a display, a wireless receiver, and a magnetometer;   selecting a target line delineated by a strike object and an intended target;   storing a compass heading defined by said target line in said computer memory;   selecting a baseline model swing from a plurality of swings determined by a projected trajectory in said mobile application;   positioning a golf club adjacent to a strike object, said golf club having a sensing unit attached thereto; wherein said sensing unit contains a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a second microprocessor, a memory buffer module and a wireless transmitter for collecting sensing unit data;   wirelessly transmitting said sensing unit data from said wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver;   transferring said sensing unit data from said wireless receiver to said mobile application on said mobile device;   comparing said sensing unit data to said baseline model swing, relative to said target line to generate a comparative analysis; and   displaying said comparative analysis in said mobile application on said mobile computing device.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein generating a comparative analysis is displayed visually on said mobile device, continuously, in real time. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said comparative analysis uses a three-dimensional representation of said golf club. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said comparative analysis uses tactile feedback. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said comparative analysis uses audible feedback. 
     
     
         11 . A method for analyzing golf club position and swing features comprising:
 providing a mobile computing device containing a first microprocessor, computer memory, a mobile application, baseline data, a video camera, a display, a wireless receiver, and a magnetometer;   selecting a baseline model swing from a plurality of swings determined by a projected trajectory in said mobile application;   positioning a golf club adjacent to a strike object, said golf club having a sensing unit attached thereto; wherein said sensing unit contains a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a second microprocessor, a memory buffer module and a wireless transmitter for collecting sensing unit data;   wirelessly transmitting said sensing unit data from said wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver;   transferring said sensing unit data from said wireless receiver to said mobile application on said mobile device;   comparing said sensing unit data to said baseline model swing, to generate a comparative analysis; and   displaying said comparative analysis in said mobile application on said mobile computing device.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  where Near Field Communications (NFC) is used to wirelessly transmit said sensing unit data to said wireless receiver.