Abstract: A golf practice apparatus wherein a pair of light-receiving sensors are aligned laterally of the club head path and are positioned for respectively developing signals proportional to the portions thereof which are overshadowed by a swinging golf club head at a given sensing time which is also triggered by the golf club head overshadowing a third trigger sensor. The two aligned sensors are light-receiving windows and the amount of light received from each of these windows is received by respective light sensors. The light from these sensor windows is preferably focused to respective light-diffusing surfaces from which respective light sensors read the amount of light received. The signals from these respective sensors are compared to thereby produce a resultant signal representative of the face angle of the club head which may be indicated on a meter.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus for indication of the face angle of the impact face on the head of a golf club at the time of ball impact when making a practice swing. The golf club is provided with a light-reflective surface, preferably the ball impact face itself, and a concentrated beam of light coming from a source spaced from the point of ball impact is positioned to direct the beam of light in a path adjacent the point of ball impact for reflection off of the reflective surface on the club head, as it is approaching the point of impact.

Abstract: The time and position of a golf club head are sensed photoelectrically at selected stations along a practice swing, and corresponding characteristics of the swing and the resulting ball flight are computed electronically and displayed to the player. The lateral club position is sensed accurately by continuous strip sensors at spaced stations near the ball for computation of the swing direction. All light received by the strip sensors is respectively focused to light diffusing surfaces from which sensors read the amount of light focused thereon. The club head attitude at impact is determined by three triangularly spaced sensors spaced along the club face. The club head height at impact is determined by two directional-sensitive sensors spaced longitudinally with the club head path and having their paths of directional sensitivity crossing in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of these height detectors are also utilized to determine whether the club head is descending or rising at the time of impact.