Apparatus and method for analyzing golf swing

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing a golf swing. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf swing analyzer comprising two or more lights on an extension that is attached to a connector. In turn, the connector is capable of being attached to a golf club shaft or hosel, without being attached to the head of the club.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/171,266 filed Dec. 16, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a golf swing analyzer that is easy to attach and detach from a golf club, and provides data during a golf swing which allows golfers to adjust the direction and club face angle of the golf club.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Golf is a popular sport played by participants that demonstrate a wide range of abilities. One fundamental skill that separates accomplished golfers from hacks involves the ability to properly swing a golf club to strike a golf ball solidly towards a target. In general, even if poor golfers manage to cause the club to contact the ball, they will not hit the ball properly. Poor golfers will generally cause the ball trajectory to deviate from the desired target by a severe curve to the left (hook) or, more commonly, a severe curve to the right (slice) (unless otherwise specified, this discussion focuses on right-handed equipment and golfers with the confidence that the ordinary artisan would understand how to apply the discussion herein to left-handed equipment and golfers).

[0004] By comparison, good golfers will hit the golf ball substantially straight at a target, accounting for any natural draws (a gentle hook) or fades (a gentle slice). However, most golfers cannot regularly control their natural draw or fade. Depending on the appropriate situation, the accomplished golfer can generally hit the ball substantially straight, with a draw, a fade, a slice or a hook at will. However, even accomplished golfers struggle to maintain control over their swing.

[0005] Under the “practice makes perfect” mantra, many golfers practice by swatting the club at real or imagined targets, hoping to stumble upon, and imprint into their muscle memory, a serviceable swing. Reality requires perfect practice to make perfect, and golfers need to determine whether a swing has been correctly executed before attempting to imprint that swing into their muscle memory. To assist in the process of determining and imprinting a proper swing, many golfers turn to golf instructors for help. Alas, instructors are expensive, and not generally available at convenient times or locations. Moreover, once the lesson is over, many golfers resort to bad habits.

[0006] Therefore, it is not surprising that numerous devices that purport to improve a golfer's golf swing have been devised. Many of these devices are expensive, too complex and/or require a lot of room or equipment in order to diagnose and/or correct the golfer's swing. Many devices are limited in the particular component of the golfer's swing that they can correct.

[0007] For example, a number of patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,442 to Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,939 to Hooper and U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,470 to Barrus et al., disclose persistence of vision-based golf swing analyzers that are mounted in or on the golf club head. Unfortunately, analyzers that are mounted on the club head are not readily adjusted to practice alternative swings. Further, analyzers that are mounted on the club head also are not easily detached and re-mounted on the other clubs in the golfers bag. Analyzers that are integrated into the golf club cannot be used in conjunction with the other clubs at all.

[0008] Other patents such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,373 to Mathews et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,795 to Taylor and U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,933 to Tredway disclose devices that are attached to the shaft or hosel of a golf club. However, these devices indicate the path of the swing, not the angle of the club face. It is apparent that these predecessor devices do not provide an inexpensive, simple way of helping golfers adjust multiple components of their swing for each club in their bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for analyzing a golf swing. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf swing analyzer comprising two or more lights on an extension that is attached to a connector. In turn, the connector is capable of being attached to a golf club shaft or hosel, without being attached to the head of the club.

[0010] When attached to a golf club that is swung by a golfer, the analyzer provides trails of lights that indicate the swing path of the club and the angle of the club face at the point in which the golfer wishes to strike a ball. Accordingly, golfers can determine whether they accomplished a desired swing, and make the necessary adjustments to achieve the desired swing. Moreover, the golfer can use the analyzer with each club in their golf bag.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a golf swing analyzer comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs) affixed on a printed circuit board that is attached to a connector. The connector is capable of being attached to the hosel of a standard golf club, such as an iron or a driver. In the absence of a hosel, the connector can be attached to the shaft of the golf club. However, unlike prior art that address the club face angle, the present analyzer need not be attached to the club head. In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises a housing to contain a battery and is configured mechanically and electrically such that when a battery is inserted into the compartment, and the club is swung, the battery is electrically coupled to the LEDs and the LEDs are turned on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an angled prospective view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to a seven-iron golf club.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top prospective view of an embodiment of the present invention attached to a seven-iron golf club.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an outline view of the printed circuit board of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top outline view of the analyzer of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top, outline view of the connector of the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 6a-c illustrate club face angles at the point of impact, and how the analyzer diagnoses the club face angle.

[0018] FIGS. 7a-c illustrate club head directions at the point of impact, and how the analyzer diagnoses the club head direction.

[0019] FIGS. 8a-c illustrate club alignments at the point of impact, and how the analyzer diagnoses the club head alignment.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side cut-out view of the analyzer, showing the battery housing.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a side top view of the analyzer, showing an alternative extension for providing a virtual display.

[0022] FIG. 11 shows a virtual display provided by the analyzer of FIG. 10.

[0023] FIGS. 12a-b illustrate prospective views of alternative structures used to connect the cap and the body of the connector.

[0024] FIG. 13 shows prospective view of a target line with a target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Swing Defects and Method of Correcting Them

[0026] Problems that occur during a golf swing include the club head swing plane not being parallel or on-line with the intended target line (compare FIGS. 7a-c), improper club face angle (compare FIGS. 6a-c), and improper alignment of the clubface at the point of impact (compare FIGS. 8a-c). The analyzer according to the present invention addresses each of these problems by providing visual data for golfers to analyze the critical parts of their swing while practicing.

[0027] In attempting to properly hit a golf ball with a golf club, a golfer will line up the golf club, and in particular, the face of the golf club, with the golf ball to be hit. The golfer places the face of the golf club in the desired position in relation to the golf ball with the hope that, during the actual swing of the golf club, the face of the golf club will return to the desired position as the face makes contact with the ball. FIGS. 6a-c illustrate the club head 44 of an iron approaching an impact point 18 with respect to the target line 16 at three club face angles, square, closed and open, respectively. In each figure, solid line 20 and broken line 22 illustrates the perceived position of the light trails of an analyzer (not shown) as the club face nears impact point 18.

[0028] In addition, in trying to properly hit the golf ball, the golfer will try to swing the golf club in a desired path, such that the plane formed by the path of the club shaft directs the clubface to contact the ball at the desired spot. If this is accomplished, the ball will initially travel in the desired direction. This second component of a proper swing is the club head direction through the impact zone. FIGS. 7a-c illustrate the light trails 20 and 22 of an analyzer (not shown) as a club head (not shown) passes through impact point 18 relative to a target line 16 when the club head direction is outside-in, inside-out and on-line, respectively.

[0029] Yet another component of a successful swing is the position of the club head with respect to the golf ball at the point of impact. A club face (see 46 in FIG. 2) has a sweet spot 48 where contact with a golf ball produces the best results. Sweet spot 48 is generally located in the middle of golf club face 46. Accordingly, the golfer does not want to hit a golf ball near the toe 50 (distal end from golfer) of the club head or near the hosel 14 of the club head (the shaft 34 of the club for clubs that do not have a hosel). This third component of a successful swing is the club head alignment at the point of impact.

[0030] FIGS. 8a-c illustrate the club head 44 of an iron approaching an impact point 18 with respect to the target line 16 at three club head alignments. FIG. 8a shows club head 44 approaching impact point 18 near the toe 50 of the club head. FIG. 8b shows club head 44 approaching impact point 18 at or near the sweet spot 48 of the club head. FIG. 8c shows club head 44 approaching impact point 18 near hosel 14 of the club head. In each figure, line 20 and line 22 illustrate the perceived position of the light trails of the analyzer (not shown) as the club face nears impact point 18. Note that in FIGS. 6a, 7c and 8a-c, for the sake of clarity, lines 20 and 22 are shown as closely separated. Ideally, the lines should be merged at the point of impact.

[0031] The present invention takes advantage of a phenomenon known as persistence of vision. As the golf swing is executed, the lights on the analyzer are on, and the head of the golf club, along with the analyzer, travels a path through the golfer's field of vision. Within the golfer's field of vision at his or her feet, which is spread out according to the breadth of the golfer's peripheral vision, the golfer detects the lights of the analyzer. In the golfer's mind, as the lights pass by, the trails of light will be remembered. The trails of light, created by the golfer's persistence of vision when the golf club is swung, will indicate whether the swing was proper or not. Preferably, by using different colored lights for the lights or by providing other forms of displays, the vision will register where the club head was aligned at the point of impact, the direction or path of the club head, and the angle of the clubface at impact. In the context of this invention, lights encompass all sources of light, including LEDs, light bulbs, optic fibers and such.

[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a golf swing analyzer 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment attached to a golf club 12. The analyzer is assembled such that it can be attached to the hosel 14 of a standard golf club iron or driver. In the alternative, when a club does not have a hosel, or the hosel is too thick to engage the analyzer, the analyzer is attached to the shaft 34 of the golf club.

[0033] The preferred unit is self-contained and requires no other attachments, although a separate pack can be attached to the shaft for batteries or other diagnostic components (microprocessors, accelerometers, etc). In addition, the analyzer can also be utilized with a target line. A target line would be placed on the ground near or underneath where the golf swing takes place. The target line provides a linear frame of reference for the golfer when the device is used.

[0034] FIGS. 6a-c, 7a-c and 8a-c show a target line as line 16 with an “X” 18 as the impact point. Darker line 20 indicates the front light trail of this embodiment, while broken line 22 indicates the back light trail. By observing the light trails a golfer can adjust the swing to manipulate the lights so that a desired swing is accomplished. For example, the desired swing generally requires a square face (FIG. 6a), an on-line direction (FIG. 7c) and aligning the ball on the sweet spot of the club face (FIG. 8b). If the light trails for a swing do not indicate the desired swing, the golfer can adjust the each component of the swing until the desired light trail configuration is observed, and the desired swing is accomplished.

[0035] Power Source

[0036] Numerous methods are available for providing the energy that powers the analyzer, particularly the lights. It is conceivable for the analyzer to be connected to an outlet or to a battery back that is attached to the club. In addition, numerous switches are available to provide a way to turn the lights on and off. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,470 for one example. However, in a preferred embodiment, the analyzer connector 30, see FIG. 9, includes a housing 62 that houses a battery 24 that is suspended between a top spring 26 that is conductively connected to at least one top contact 28 and at least one bottom spring 32.

[0037] In this preferred embodiment, battery 24 is substantially parallel to the club shaft 34 within connector 30 and suspended away from adjustable lower contact 36 by bottom spring 32. However, the battery can be placed in a number of locations with the same result, including in a pack separately attached to the shaft of the golf club. When the club is swung, centrifugal force presses battery 24 into lower contact 36, thereby completing a circuit that provides power to the analyzer. In this manner, it is possible to provide power to the analyzer only when the golf club is swung. Of course, a different weight can be utilized instead of a battery, such that the weight would complete the connection between the battery and the LEDs.

[0038] Lower contact 36 incorporates a setscrew design that can be adjusted to create different sensitivities of contact with the battery. For instance, when a golfer swings a driver, the device may need to be less sensitive because the driver may be travelling faster than when the device is attached to an iron. Further, when the device is attached to a three iron, the club head speed may be faster than when a nine iron is used. Moreover, lower contact 36 can be adjusted so that the circuit is always complete or is complete when gravity pulls down on battery 24.

[0039] This configuration provides a more practical and useful design. First, since it is only on when being swung, the unit uses less power and therefor can utilize a smaller and lighter battery. Also, prior to the swing of the club, the LEDs are off and do not disrupt the golfer's vision. Finally, the analyzer is always ready to be used; there is no need for an on/off switch, and thus no need for the device to be turned on or off. This simplifies the design and decreases the manufacturing costs and increases the reliability of the device.

[0040] Diagnostic Lights

[0041] At least two light sources must be used in order to allow for diagnosis of all of the above-referenced components of the golf swing. However, aside from that limitation, a variety of light configurations can produce the diagnostic effect according to the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a front LED 38 and a back LED 40 which are positioned between about 0.5 inch to about 2.5 inches apart on an extension 42 above club head 44 (see FIGS. 1 & 2). The LEDs are positioned so that, when the extension is positioned above the club face for an on-line, square contact, a line drawn through the LEDs would be about 90° or perpendicular relative to the surface of the clubface 46.

[0042] Preferably, the two LEDs provide two different colors of light (for example, red in front and green in back), so that the golfer's persistence of vision creates two visible, different-colored lines that appear when the golf club is swung. This effectively creates a momentary picture in the golfer's “mind's eye” of club path, club head alignment and club head squareness at the point-of-impact (the most critical parts of a swing). Now one can analyze each swing and make precise, specific adjustments to the next swing if necessary. Further, a video camera can be utilized to memorialize the path that the LEDs follow.

[0043] Unlike the prior art discussed above, the present analyzer is not limited to practicing on-line, square contact swings. The golfer can also practice draws, fades, slices and hooks by simply rotating the analyzer about the longitudinal axis of the golf shaft to an appropriate angle relative to the club face.

[0044] Versatile Extension

[0045] While the extension can be made from a number of materials from plastics to ceramics, a printed circuit board is a preferred material of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of an extension 42 for a right-handed golfer. Two bores 52 allow extension 42 to be attached to the connector 30 by bolts 54 (see also FIGS. 1-2 & 4) that are threaded into socket 80 in the connector. The tightening of the bolts can also secure the upper contact of a circuit which runs between the battery, the contacts, and along the circuit board, for activating the LEDs. Although shown as secured by two extension bolts, the extension can be secured by one extension bolt so that the extension can rotate about the bolt to adjust the angle of the extension relative to the connector and/or the shaft. Further, a ratcheting means can be disposed between the extension and the connector to provide a method of rotating the extension at discreet angles. Incidentally, FIG. 3 can also represent the bottom view of extension 42 for a left-handed golfer.

[0046] This circuit board design provides an easy way to exchange or replace the extension. One simply unbolts the extension and then bolts another extension on the connector. One reason to replace the extension is the potential wear and tear of the circuit board and the LEDs. Another reason to replace the extension is to utilize alternative extensions.

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates the top view of a an alternative analyzer 10′ having on extension 42′, an LED array 56, a mode selector 58, a club selector 60, a Y-accelerometer (not shown), a X-accelerometer (not shown) and a microprocessor (not shown). When a club with this analyzer is swung, the accelerometers provide relative speed data to the microprocessor, which converts the data into electrical signals to the appropriate LEDs in the LED array.

[0048] The array produces a virtual display of text, numbers and symbols such as the one shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the display provides a box and X representation of the club head and club face position. The display also indicates the speed of the club and the calculated distance that a ball would travel if the swing was used to strike a ball. However, other virtual displays are within the skill of the ordinary artisan (e.g., displaying the forgoing information individually or in different combinations).

[0049] The mode selector allows the golfer to determine the information to be displayed by the virtual display. The club selector allows the golfer to select how the microprocessor should account for the club used when converting the data from the accelerometers into the information to be displayed. In a preferred embodiment, the accelerometers and the microprocessor are attached to the bottom of the extension.

[0050] Unique Connector Capable of One-Hand Attachment

[0051] The presently preferred embodiment utilizes a cap and body connector as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5. Connector 30 comprises a body 64 that can be fastened to a cap 66. In a preferred embodiment, four connecting bolts 68 are inserted through four transverse cap holes 70 in cap 66. The cap holes have a cap notch 72 at the top that locks the top of the connecting bolts. The bolts can be threaded into corresponding bolt sockets 74 in body 64 so that body 64 engages cap 66 to form a clamp that can be attached to the hosel or shaft of a golf club. The clamp is tightened when connecting bolts 68 are threaded more deeply into bolt sockets 74. Preferably, body indent 76 and cap indent 78 provide a cavity to house the hosel of shaft of the golf club. The cavity also provides additional surface area for securing the analyzer against the surface of the hosel or shaft. As shown in FIG. 5, body 64 also has extension sockets 80 to receive the extension bolts 54 when extension 42 is attached, and housing 62 to receive battery 24.

[0052] Alternative means to attach connector body 64 to the hosel or shaft of the golf club are shown in the prior art. A band clam is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,470. An engaging clamp is shown is U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,939. U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,373 illustrates a spring clip type clamp. U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,795 demonstrates a snap fitting attachment. Finally U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,933 shows a cuff-type attachment.

[0053] A particularly preferred embodiment of an analyzer 10′ is shown in FIG. 12a, where body 64 further comprises a longitudinal pin cavity 82 along one of the sides that engages cap 66 and receives connecting bolts 68. In place of the above-referenced bolt sockets 74, hinge slots 86 are formed in communication with pin cavity 82 to receive connecting bolts 68. A hinge pin 88 having hinge sockets 90 is inserted into pin cavity 82 so that hinge sockets 90 are exposed in hinge slots 86. In FIG. 12a, hinge pin 88 is inserted in pin cavity 82 with connecting bolts 68 already inserted through cap holes 70 in cap 66 and threaded in hinge sockets 90. In this manner, one side of body 64 forms a hinge with one side of cap 66, and can open and close, simply by rotating the cap about the hinge pin.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 12a, bolt sockets 74 are formed in body 64 across indent 76 and opposing the hinge to receive at least one additional connecting bolt 68′ (two shown) to engage body 64 with cap 66. Accordingly, analyzer 10′ is attached to a golf club by placing the shaft or hosel in body indent 76 and rotating cap 66 about pin 88 until the opposing bolt 68′, already inserted in cap 66, is threaded into bolt sockets 74.

[0055] In a even more preferred embodiment of analyzer 10″, bolt 68′ is pre-threaded in socket 74 in body 64. In place of the cap holes 70, cap 66 has cap slot 92, as shown in FIG. 12b, that is capable of receiving bolt 68′ in a transverse manner. Similar to cap holes 70, cap slot 92 is topped by cap notches 72′, capable of locking the tops of bolts 68′. In this embodiment, cap 66 is hinged to body 64 by pin 88 and connecting bolts 68. Bolts 68′ are pre-threaded in socket 74 opposing the hinge. When body 64 and cap 66 are located next to each other along the length of bolts 68, cap 66 is capable of being rotated so that bolt 68′ is transversely received in cap slot 92. Body 64 and cap 66 are then separated along the length of the bolts such that notches 72′ lock the top of bolt 68′, thus preventing bolt 68′ from disengaging from cap slot 92.

[0056] Analyzer 10″ is capable of being attached and detached from different clubs with one hand. First, the analyzer must be pre-adjusted to the golf club. To do so, a golfer engages the analyzer with the thicker portion of the hosel or shaft of a club (most clubs have a tapered hosel or shaft), and adjusts the connecting bolts so that sufficient friction is available between the connector and that portion of the club to keep the analyzer from freely rotating about the shaft. Using extension 42 as a lever, the golfer can then apply sufficient force to twist the analyzer and move it to a thinner portion of the hosel or shaft, so that sufficient length is available in bolts 68 and 68′ to unhinge body 64 from cap 66 by simply rotating cap 66 about the hinge formed by pin 88.

[0057] Once pre-adjusted, one can engage the body of the connector at a thin portion of the shaft or hosel of other golf clubs having similar hosels or shafts, then rotate the cap about the hinge so that bolt 68′ which is pre-treaded in body 64 is transversely received in cap slot 92. The analyzer is then slid along the shaft or hosel to a thicker portion of the club. As the analyzer is slid along the shaft, the cap slides away from the body along the length of the bolts until the top of the bolts are engaged in the notches in the cap (72 and 72′), and friction secures the cap, the golf club and the body together.

[0058] As described above, to disengage the analyzer, one twists the analyzer by using the extension as a lever, then slide analyzer along the shaft or hosel to a thinner portion of the golf club until a sufficient gap is formed for the cap and body to slide along the length of the bolts, and unhinge from each other. The analyzer is ready to be placed on another golf club. The one hand method may not work on clubs having hosels or shafts that are too thin or too thick. For such clubs, the analyzer can still be attached by removing the bolts, placing the golf shaft or hosel on either the cap or the body, then engaging and securing the remaining parts of the connector.

[0059] Unique Target Line

[0060] While the analyzer is designed primarily for swinging in the air, it is possible to swing a club with an analyzer at a golf ball, or a surrogate thereof. FIG. 13 shows a target line 16′ that is especially useful when used with the analyzer of the present invention. Target line 16′ comprises a back strip 100 comprising a first ground attaching means 102 at first end 104, and a first Velcro portion 106 fixed at second back strip end 108. A target 110 is located adjacent to the Velcro portion 106, but closer to the middle of back strip 100.

[0061] A front strip 112 comprising a first front strip end 114 and a second front strip end 116 forms the remainder of the target line 16′. Front strip 112 is releasably attached to back strip 100 when a second Velcro portion 118 (fixed to first front strip end 114) is engaged with first Velcro portion 106. A flexible ground attaching means 120 at second front strip end 116 provides a means to attach front strip 112 to the ground. The flexible ground attaching means 120 is used to provide sufficient tension so that when front strip 112 is attached to back strip 100, and both strips are attached to the ground, target line 16′ provides a substantially straight line.

[0062] In the context of this invention, ground attaching means 102 can include a variety of structures, including pins and stakes. FIG. 13 shows a hole at end 104 in which a golf tee can be pressed into the ground. Further, FIG. 13 shows flexible ground attaching means, as a rubber shock absorber at end 116 that is secured to the ground by another golf tee. Springs would also work in this context.

[0063] With or without a swing analyzer, a golfer can address and swing at target 110 while using target line 16′ to line up the swing. When engaged, Velcro portions 106 and 108 form a safty release, so that if the golfer strikes the target line, preferably at target 110, strips 100 and 112 disengage from each other so that the golfer is not injured by catching the golf club on the target line, and the target line is not damaged by contact with the golf club.

[0064] While the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it is apparent that one skilled in the art can adopt other forms without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the literal and equivalent scope of the claims that follow. In addition, any art cited herein is incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A golf swing analyzer comprising a printed circuit board that bears at least two LEDs and a circuit capable of connecting the LEDs to a battery;

the printed circuit board is attached to a connector that comprises a body and a cap, wherein the cap and body are capable of being connected by at least two connecting bolts to form a clamp that, without being attached to the head of a golf club, is capable of engaging the hosel of the golf club with sufficient friction to prevent free rotation of the analyzer about the hosel of the golf club; and

the body comprises a housing capable of containing the battery such that when the battery is placed inside the housing, and the golf club is swung, the battery is capable of being electrically coupled to the at least two LEDs, thereby providing light trails that allow an observer to visualize multiple components of the swing.

2. A golf swing analyzer comprising:

an extension that bears at least two lights and a circuit capable of connecting the lights to a power source;

the extension is attached to a connector that comprises a body and a cap, wherein the body and the cap form a hinge when,

a pin is inserted into a pin cavity in the body in a manner that allows the pin to rotate along its longitudinal axis, the pin having at least one pin socket capable of receiving a first connecting bolt, and the first connecting bolt is inserted through a cap hole in the cap, then through a hinge slot in communication with the pin cavity in the body, and then threaded into the pin socket;

wherein, at a portion of the body substantially opposing the pin cavity, the body has at least one bolt socket capable of receiving a second connecting bolt that, when received in the bolt socket, is capable of transversely engaging a cap slot at a portion of the cap substantially opposing the cap hole when the cap is hinged to the body and is rotated about the pin to engage the second connecting bolt; and

when hinged, the cap and the body are capable of opening to receive a hosel or a shaft of a golf club, then closing to form a clamp capable of being tightened to attach the analyzer to the golf club.

3. A golf swing analyzer comprising:

an extension that bears at least two lights and a circuit capable of connecting the lights to a power source;

the extension is attached to a connector comprising a body having a body indent and a cap having a cap indent, wherein the body and the cap are capable of engaging each other to form a clamp in which the body indent and the cap indent form a cavity capable of receiving a shaft or a hosel of a golf club;

wherein, when engaged around the shaft or hosel of the golf club, the connector is capable of clamping on to the hosel or the shaft of the golf club without being attached to the head of the golf club, so that the analyzer cannot freely rotate, but is capable of being rotated, about the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the golf club.

4. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 3 wherein the at least two lights are two LEDs of different colors arranged on the extension so that, when the analyzer is attached to a golf club such that the extension is extended over a face of the golf club, and a golfer looks down on the club face, the LEDs is capable of forming a straight line that is perpendicular to the face of the golf club.

5. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the body further comprises a housing capable of containing a battery;

the housing including a top spring conductively connected to a top contact, a bottom spring and a bottom set-screw contact;

wherein when the housing contains a battery, and the analyzer is attached to a golf club swung by a golfer, the circuit is complete, and power is directed to the lights.

6. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 3 wherein the extension is a printed circuit board that is releasably fastened to the body by at an extension bolt.

7. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 6 wherein the printed circuit board bears a Y-accelerometer, a X-accelerometer, a microprocessor and an LED array capable of producing a virtual display of text, numbers and symbols.

8. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 7 further comprising a mode selector and a club selector.

9. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 3 wherein the body and the cap form a clamp when at least two connecting bolts are inserted through corresponding cap holes in the cap and the at least two connecting bolts are threaded into corresponding bolt sockets in the body.

10. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 3 wherein the body further comprises a longitudinal pin cavity along a first side of the body that engage the cap, a hinge slot in communication with the pin cavity so that when a pin having a hinge socket is inserted into the pin cavity, the hinge socket is exposed by the hinge slot;

the cap further comprises a transverse cap hole in a first side of the cap that engages the first side of the body; and

wherein the body and the cap form a hinged clamp when a connecting bolt is inserted through the cap hole and threaded into the hinge slot exposed hinge socket of the pin that has been inserted into the pin cavity.

11. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 10 wherein the a second hinge slot is in communication with the pin cavity so that when the pin further comprising a second hinge sockets is inserted into the pin cavity, each hinge socket is exposed by a corresponding hinge slot;

the cap further comprises a second transverse cap hole in the first side of the cap that engages the first side of the body; and

wherein the body and the cap form a hinged clamp when two connecting bolts are inserted through the cap holes in the cap and threaded into the hinge slot exposed hinge sockets in the pin that has been inserted into the pin cavity.

12. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 4 wherein the body further comprises a longitudinal pin cavity along a first side of the body that engage the cap, at least two hinge slots in communication with the pin cavity so that when a pin having at least two hinge sockets is inserted into the pin cavity, the hinge sockets are exposed by the hinge slots;

the cap further comprises at least two transverse cap holes in a first side of the cap that engages the first side of the body; and

wherein the body and the cap form a hinged clamp when two connecting bolts are inserted through the cap holes and threaded into the hinge slot exposed hinge sockets of the pin that has been inserted into the pin cavity.

13. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 5 wherein the body further comprises a longitudinal pin cavity along a first side of the body that engage the cap, at least two hinge slots in communication with the pin cavity so that when a pin having at least two hinge socket is inserted into the pin cavity, the hinge sockets are exposed by the hinge slots;

the cap further comprises at least two transverse cap holes in a first side of the cap that engages the first side of the body; and

wherein the body and the cap form a hinged clamp when two connecting bolts are inserted through the cap holes and threaded into the hinge slot exposed hinge sockets of the pin that has been inserted into the pin cavity.

14. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 6 wherein the body further comprises a longitudinal pin cavity along a first side of the body that engage the cap, at least two hinge slots in communication with the pin cavity so that when a pin having at least two hinge socket is inserted into the pin cavity, the hinge sockets are exposed by the hinge slots;

the cap further comprises at least two transverse cap holes in a first side of the cap that engages the first side of the body; and

wherein the body and the cap form a hinged clamp when two connecting bolts are inserted through the cap holes and threaded into the hinge slot exposed hinge sockets of the pin that has been inserted into the pin cavity.

15. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 2 wherein the at least two lights are two LEDs of different colors arranged on the extension so that, when the analyzer is attached to a golf club such that the extension is extended over a face of the golf club, and a golfer looks down on the club face, the LEDs is capable of forming a straight line that is perpendicular to the face of the golf club.

16. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the body further comprises a housing capable of containing a battery;

the housing including a top spring conductively connected to a top contact, a bottom spring and a bottom set-screw contact such that, when the analyzer is attached to a golf club swung by a golfer, and the housing contains a battery, the circuit is complete, and power is directed to the lights.

17. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 2 wherein the extension is a printed circuit board that is releasably fastened to the body by an extension bolt.

18. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 17 wherein the printed circuit board bears a Y-accelerometer, a X-accelerometer, a microprocessor and an LED array capable of producing a virtual display of text, numbers and symbols.

19. The golf swing analyzer according to claim 2 wherein the at least two lights are two LEDs of different colors arranged on the extension so that, when the analyzer is attached to the golf club such that the extension is extended over a face of a golf club, and a golfer looks down on the club face, the LEDs is capable of forming a straight line that is perpendicular to the surface of the face of the golf club;

wherein the extension is made from a printed circuit board that is releasably fastened to the body by at least two extension bolts;

the body further comprises a housing capable of containing a battery, the housing including a top spring conductively connected to a top contact, a bottom spring and a bottom set-screw contact such that, when the analyzer is attached to a golf club swung by a golfer, and the housing contains a battery, the circuit is complete, and power is directed to the lights.

20. A golf swing analyzer kit comprising the golf swing analyzer according to claim 3 and a target line comprising a front strip connected to a back strip by a first Velcro portion on the front strip and a second Velcro portion on the back strip, wherein the front strip further comprises a flexible ground attaching means, and the back strip is folded into a target pocket adjacent to second Velcro portion and further comprises a ground attaching means.