Golf training apparatus and/or method of use thereof

Abstract

Golf training apparatus is provided including sensing means provided on, associated with and/or locatable on or with a golf club in use. At least one target means is provided that is detectable by the sensing means in use. The at least one target means is a target different to a golf ball that the golf club is to hit in use and is locatable separate to and remote from the sensing means and/or golf club in use. The golf training apparatus is arranged to detect the at least one target means and, once detected, use the detected position of the at least one target means to calibrate the sensing means, the apparatus and/or calibrate data being generated by the sensing means and/or apparatus in use.

1 . Golf training apparatus, said golf training apparatus including a golf club including a shaft portion and a head portion located at an end of said shaft portion, sensing means provided on, integral with, associated with and/or locatable on or with the head portion of the golf club; and at least one target means for providing a target that is detectable by the sensing means in use, the at least one target means being a target different to a golf ball that the golf club is to hit in use and being locatable separate to and remote from the sensing means and/or golf club in use; characterised in that the sensing means is arranged to detect the position of the at least one target means and, once detected, use the detected position of the at least one target means as an absolute physical reference point or as zero to which one or more parameters subsequently measured by the sensing means one or more further sensing means, one or more associated inertial measurement units (IMUs) and/or data generated by the same are calibrated or re-calibrated relative to in use. 
     
     
         2 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the absolute physical reference point or zero that any or all other calibrations are referenced against can be changed and/or adjusted in use. 
     
     
         3 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means is also arranged to sense one or more parameters other than the at least one target means in use. 
     
     
         4 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein detection of the at least one target means by the sensing means allows a distance of the sensing means and/or a golf ball from the at least one target means to be measured or calculated and/or calibration of the sensing means includes measuring or calculating the distance of the sensing means and/or a golf ball from the at least one target means. 
     
     
         5 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means are arranged to continuously or substantially continuously search for and/or detect the at least one target means in use and/or the calibration and/or re-calibration of the apparatus, the sensing means and/or one or more other sensing means, takes place live and/or in real time. 
     
     
         6 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the calibration and/or re-calibration of the apparatus, the sensing means and/or one or more other sensing means, takes place a pre-determined time after the at least one target means has been detected and/or after one or more parameters have been detected by the sensing means. 
     
     
         7 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means, one or more other sensing means and/or the apparatus include timing means and, once the at least one target means has been detected by the sensing means, the timing means is arranged to provide one or more time based markers or time based event markers. 
     
     
         8 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means includes first sensing means and at least second sensing means, and wherein the first sensing means is located or locatable on the head portion of the golf club and the at least second sensing means is located or locatable in a different position to the first sensing means on or in the apparatus, the golf club, the golf ball on or with a user of the application; is located a spaced distance apart and/or remote to the first sensing means; is arranged to sense one or more different parameters to the first sensing means; and/or relate to different golf training systems. 
     
     
         9 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means, the first sensing means and/or the at least second sensing means is any sensing means that allows sensing of its position relative to the at least one target means in use; is optical sensing means, ultrasonic sensing means, magnetic sensing means, radio wave sensing means, laser sensing means, one or more optical sensor arrays; one or more linear optical sensor arrays; one or more image capturing devices, one or more cameras, one or more video cameras; and/or one or more image streaming devices. 
     
     
         10 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the first sensing means is used for detecting the target and the at least second sensing means is in the form of or includes one or more inertia measuring units (IMUs), global positioning systems, optical sensing means, environmental, multi-dimensional performance space, geographical terrains, adaptive terrain platform systems, accelerometers and/or golf training systems. 
     
     
         11 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters being sensed by the sensing means, the one or more other sensing means or apparatus and/or the data being generated by the sensing means, the one or more other sensing means or apparatus includes any or any combination of: distance the sensing means and/or a golf ball is from the at least one target means; time to golf ball impact, time of golf ball flight, rolling resistance, one or more surface artifacts, topography, movement of the golf club; direction of movement of the golf club; direction of movement of a head portion of the golf club; direction of movement of the sensing means is pointing in relative to the at least one target means; speed of movement of the golf club and/or golf club head portion; and position of the golf club and/or golf club head portion relative to the at least one target means; one or more of six degrees of freedom of movement of the user, the golf club or any accessories worn by the user. 
     
     
         12 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means or the first sensing means is aligned or substantially aligned, physically, mechanically and/or visually, with a golf ball impact surface of the head portion of the golf club. 
     
     
         13 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein if alignment between the sensing means, a head portion of the golf club and/or the at least one target means is not possible, a mathematical formula is used to estimate the alignment, at least until alignment becomes possible. 
     
     
         14 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein once an estimate of alignment has been calculated, this estimated alignment calculation can be used to calibrate or re-calibrate the sensing means. 
     
     
         15 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means is arranged to sense when a golf ball has been impacted via a golf ball impact surface of the golf club in use. 
     
     
         16 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one target means is one or more optical targets, ultrasonic targets, magnetic targets, laser targets and/or radio frequency targets. 
     
     
         17 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one target means is portable or substantially portable, movable and/or substantially movable in use. 
     
     
         18 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one target means includes one or more fiducial markers that can be placed in the field of detection of the sensing means for sensing by the sensing means in use. 
     
     
         19 . Golf training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes any or any combination of user actuation means; micro-processing means; data storage means; electrical power supply means; communication means; user feedback means; audio, visual and/or kinaesthetic feedback means and/or can be used in conjunction with other golf training aids, inertia measurement units, golf systems, or adaptive terrain platform systems. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using golf training apparatus, said golf training apparatus including a golf club including a shaft portion and a head portion located or locatable at an end of said shaft portion, sensing means provided on, integral with, associated with and/or locatable on or with the head portion of the golf club, and at least one target means, the at least one target means being a target different to a golf ball that the golf club is to hit in use and being locatable separate to and remote from the sensing means and/or golf club in use, said method including the steps of detecting the position of at least one target means by the sensing means; and, once detected, the sensing means using the detected position of the at least one target means as an absolute physical reference point or as zero to which one or more parameters subsequently measured by the sensing means, one or more further sensing means, one or more associated inertial measurement units (IMUs) and/or data generated by the same are calibrated or re-calibrated relative to in use.