Tour tempo player

Abstract

A device (20) and method for training a golfer's swing by synchronizing the movements of their club (40) to prompts produced by a microprocessor (48) that has been scientifically programmed with the tempo of the Tour Pros. Once it has been determined what the optimum tempo for that particular golfer is, then fitting the golfer to a shaft (36) that has the proper matrix development to complement the optimum flexing and straightening of the shaft to the golfer's tempo. The device (20) is also programmed for use with putting and short game tempos, which are different than those used for full shots.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

We claim the benefit of Provisional Application 60/725,710 filed Oct. 12, 2005 by the present inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to Golf Training Devices, specifically to those that teach the correct tempo of the golf swing.

2. Background of Prior Art

Many have recognized the need for a rhythmical training system for golf. The word that has been used for it is tempo. As far back as 1974, U.S. Pat. No. 3,808,707 to Fink (1974) and others, since then, U.S. patent to Bendo U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,807 (1998) have designed tools to be used for this type of golf swing training.

Unfortunately, most have relied on systems based on metronomes and/or basing their tempo counts on the individual golfer himself. They have also been hampered by the golf's conventional teaching that everyone has their own specific tempo and that you should not copy that of another golfer. And all have left out one of the most important aspects of tempo training—human reaction time. Scientific studies have determined that human beings take one fifth of a second to respond to a stimulus.

Unfortunately, until the publication of my book, Tour Tempo, by Doubleday in 2004, no one knew exactly how to define what tempo in the golf swing was. No one knew exactly how to quantify tempo, nor how to effectively teach it, Tour Tempo, for the first time in the six hundred year history of golf, quantitatively defines exactly what tempo in the golf swing is and how to acquire it.

Also, no one has constructed golf shafts that facilitate the tempo of one's golf swing, based upon the universal ratios revealed in Tour Tempo.

3. Background of the Invention—Objects and Advantages

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for training the movements of the body to the correct tempo of the Tour Pros and to properly execute any and all golf swings in the correct swing tempo. Additionally, the apparatus enables the golfer to learn the correct timing of the flexing and straightening of the clubshaft as it relates to the tempo of the golf swing.

The golf swing is a most complicated movement that is best accomplished by the interaction of the alternating contraction and relaxation of opposing muscle groups. Because this movement occurs in less than two seconds and must be coordinated to the millisecond, it cannot be controlled by conscious thought It must be trained through the subconscious mind. Thus while in training, it is desirable that the golfer have continuous information and feedback as to the tempo that he is using to flex and straighten the shaft of the club as it is swung in a golfing stroke.

This information is conveyed to the golfer by sounding audible tones and visually by flashes of light These alerts could also be conveyed to the golfer by a vibrational apparatus on the unit, similar to those used in today's cellphones. These tones alert the golfer to the exact times that they should start the only two important motions that are involved in the golf swing, the takeaway and the return of the clubhead to the ball. The first is the amount of time it takes the golfer to go from the taking away of the club from the ball, to get to the top of the backswing and the second part is the return from the top of backswing to impact. It is the relationship of these two times that determines if the golfer exhibits the same tempo as the Tour Pros. There are four distinct timing sets that the Tour Pros exhibit. They vary in overall time, but are the same in the ratio between the takeaway to the top of backswing and from the top of backswing to impact.

The start of the swing is defined as the first frame where there is a discernible movement of the clubhead away from the ball. The top of the backswing is defined as the point in the swing where the clubhead appears motionless, neither continuing away from the ball nor starting back down towards the ball. The start of the downswing is defined as the first frame where the clubhead starts moving back towards the ball from the top.

We have found that the most common tempo fault exhibited by recreational golfers is that they don't swing the club away from the ball and that they do it too slowly. One of the reasons for this is that the prevailing instruction has preached ‘low and slow’ to them. Professional golfers, however, swing the club backwards and upwards and do it rather quickly, and therefore, consistently obtain more accuracy, consistency, and distance in their golf shots. Furthermore, we have found that professional golfers conform to a strict standard of time management in their swings. My book, Tour Tempo, published by Doubleday, 4-27-04 describes this in detail.

The Tour pros conform to four strict standards when playing their best. The time frames involved are:

• • 1. 0.60 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to top of backswing. Then 0.20 of a second from top of backswing to impact. The tempo exhibited by such players as Ed Furgol, the 1954 US Open champion.
  • 2. 0.70 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to top of backswing. Then approximately 0.233 of a second from top of backswing to impact. The tempo exhibited by such players as Gary Player, Nick Price and Ben Hogan.
  • 3. 0.80 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to top of backswing. Then approximately 0.266 of a second from top of backswing to impact The tempo exhibited by such players as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Greg Norman.
  • 4. 0.90 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to top of backswing. Then 0.30 of a second from top of backswing to impact. The tempo exhibited by such players as Al Geiberger and David Toms. All of these players exhibit a three to one ratio.

So that the user can react correctly to the tones, we have advanced the first and second tones in the sequences by one fifth of a second. One fifth of a second is the commonly recognized reaction time of a human being.

Another object of the invention is to teach the golfer the correct tempo for use with all their short game and putting strokes, which are different that those used with full shots. There are also four different time frames that the Tour Pros use for these; all using a two to one ratio. From takeaway to top of swing is represented by two units of time, then from the top of swing to impact is one unit of time. The time frames involved for all short game shots, including those out of a sand trap, chipping and putting are:

• • 1. 0.466 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to the top of the backswing. Then 0.233 of a second from top of backswing to impact.
  • 2. 0.53 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to the top of the backswing. Then 0.265 of a second from top of backswing to impact.
  • 3. 0.60 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to the top of the backswing. Then 0.30 of a second from top of backswing to impact.
  • 4. 0.666 of a second elapsed time from takeaway to the top of the backswing. Then 0.333 of a second from top of backswing to impact.

So that the user can react to the putting and short game tones, we have also advanced the first and second tones by 0.20 of a second. One fifth of a second is the commonly recognized reaction time of a human being.

Another of the objects of the invention is to teach the golfer in a positive manner to learn the correct time frames involved in the golf swing by a series of prompts that are timed to the Tour Tempo Tones. These signals conform to the swings of the pros and have human reaction time built into them.

The Tour Tempo Player consists of a body which houses the electronic board that is responsible for creating and emitting the sounds to an external earpiece or speaker unit through an audio jack. The housing also contains the batteries that power the unit. Current wireless technology could enable the apparatus to be fitted with a wireless transmitter connected to the audio jack that would convey the sounds to the user thru the use of headphones or outside speakers.

Once the golfer has determined which of the ratios provide for the best shots, he then can be fitted with shafts and clubs that have been maximized to complement the flexing and straightening of the club as it goes thru the swing in the correct time ratio. When this is accomplished, their ball contact is more consistent with every stroke taken. It also teaches chipping and pitching, flop shots, sand traps and putting.

Many devices have been invented to alert the golfer thru metronome based signals to provide guidance as to how they should swing the golf club. However, the Tour Tempo Player is the only one that adds the correct tempo of the tour pros with human reaction time built in. This cannot be accomplished with a metronome type device. We have advanced the first and second tones by 0.20 of a second, so that the user can react to the tones. One fifth of a second is the commonly recognized reaction time of a human being.

It should be apparent that instead of providing a player that is preferably a separate unit that mounts on a golfer's collar or belt, it may be desirable to mount the player on a golf club, or alternatively to produce a training club with the player integrated into it. It should also be apparent that a ground unit that could produce the tones could be used to emit the tones. It should also be apparent that this could help any game where a participant is involved with an implement used to strike a ball or make a swing, such as tennis, baseball or hockey. The Tour Tempo Player could be constructed of any material that would be light weight, and strong enough to withstand the impact of being dropped; preferably such injection molded plastics such as ABS plastics or cycolac or the like, would work.

SUMMARY

The object of this invention is to enable a golfer to analyze their swing so as to find out their Tempo during a golfing stroke, and then to teach them the correct tempo of the golf swing, and then to optimize that tempo and make it easier to achieve it by fitting them with a shaft that flexes and straightens in correlation with that designated tempo. Another object of this invention is to provide them with a device that would help them incorporate the Tempo of the Tour Pros into their swings by using the prompts that follow the tempo tones described in my book, Tour Tempo. The golfer would follow the prompts delivered by the earphone unit or outside speaker. While the golfer was following these prompts, he would also be able to check every swing to see how closely he came to achieving the tempo of the tour pros.

Obviously, alternatively the golfer could have an optional output for a set of external speakers if the golfer did not wish to put on earphones to perform the swing, or a speaker on the unit itself.

Another variation of the device would be capable of transmitting a wireless signal to a unit, such as a fm receiver or Bluetooth receiver. The receiver could be lightweight and able to be fastened to the back of the golfer's collar or a wireless earphone. Another variation would include a vibrational apparatus to convey the time frames to the golfer.

Yet another variation of the device would be various combinations of computers, personal digital assistants, memory cards, cell phones and the like. They could be used to produce the signals and use various means to transmit them to the golfer.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of this invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the front of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the back of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view taken from in front of a golfer when he hears the first tone that alerts him to start the club back.

FIG. 4 is a view taken from in front of a golfer as he hears the second tone and would cue him to start his downswing.

FIG. 5 is a view taken from in front of a golfer at the top of his backswing.

FIG. 6 is a view taken from in front of a golfer at impact, whose club position would line up with the third tone.

FIG. 7 is a view taken from in front of a golfer showing the headphones attached and the Tour Tempo Player attached to his belt

FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view showing the player's microprocessor board.

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of the top of the invention showing the LED.

REFERENCED NUMERALS IN DRAWING

• 20 Tour Tempo Player golf swing training device
• 22 Button to change swing tempo
• 24 Button to increase volume
• 26 Button to change putting and short game tempo
• 28 On/Off Switch
• 30 Button to decrease volume
• 32 Batteries
• 34 Golf club grip
• 36 Golf club shaft
• 38 Golf clubhead
• 40 Golf club
• 42 Takeaway bowing of shaft
• 44 Top of backswing bowing of shaft
• 46 Impact bowing of shaft
• 48 Microprocessor
• 50 Earphones
• 52 Clip
• 54 LED

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements.

With reference to FIG. 1, the Tour Tempo Player 20 apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus can be used with any golf club 40 and can be attached to the golfer by means of the clip 52.

Practice with the Tour Tempo Player 20 of the present invention is illustrated by the sequence of views of FIGS. 3-6. To get to the top of the backswing in FIG. 5, normally the golfer would have to think about keeping his left arm straight and pronated, the right arm supinated and in flexion, with both wrists in radial flexion, the left wrist in palmar extension and the right wrist in extension. In order to arrive at the finish illustrated in FIG. 6, the golfer would have to think about supinating the left arm and pronating the right arm so that they would arrive with the left arm in flexion and the right arm relatively straight, with both wrists in radial flexion, the left wrist in palmar extension and the right wrist in extension. Instead of thinking about all of that, all the golfer has to do is keep the club 40 moving in synchronization to the tones emitted by the Tour Tempo Player 20.

All the golfer has to do to practice perfect tempo is to turn on the Tour Tempo Player 20 by pressing the on/off switch 28, put on the earphones 50, then address the ball and start the club 40 back once he hears the first tone (FIG. 3). Since human reaction time has been built into the timing sequence, the user will attain the correct timing by just reacting to the first two tones. Once the golfer has started swinging backwards and upwards, he continues the backswing until he hears a second tone (FIG. 4), the return to impact tone (FIG. 4), the wrists cock (FIG. 5) and he returns the club to impact (FIG. 6). The Player will then emit a third tone that should line up exactly with the sound and feel of impact (FIG. 6). The golfer would try to time his impact to coincide exactly with that third tone. If the tone sounds before impact, then his downswing would be too slow and if the tone sounds after impact, then the downswing would have been too fast. The golfer would preset his tempo to either of the four swing tempos or the four short game tempos by pressing either the swing tempo button or the short game tempo button.

The function of all of the buttons are momentary. Each tempo will be identified with the number of beeps for that tempo number and repeat continuously until stopped by the user. For example:

• Swing Tempo 1—“beep”, start tempo
• Swing Tempo 2—“beep, beep”, start tempo
• Swing Tempo 3—“beep, beep, beep”, start tempo
• Swing Tempo 4—“beep, beep, beep, beep”, start tempo
  The same is true for the four Putt tempos.

The LED 54 will be synchronized with the tempo, so that when each beat sounds, it will light and also indicates whether the Tour Tempo Player 20 is on or off. While the Tour Tempo Player 20 is OFF, it will remember which Swing and Putt tempos that were previously being used and when switching between Swing and Putt tempos, the unit will remember which tempo was previously being used.

Another advantage of the invention is that it has a LED 54 stationed on the top of the device, and it will light up as the various tones are sounded, so that when viewing videotape of the swing, the golfer can tell how close he was to reacting to the tones. This will be very helpful to the golfer and his teacher in determining which part of the swing to work on.

The way that a shaft 36 bends is shown in exaggeration in FIGS. 3-6. As the golfer takes the club 40 back, the mass of the clubhead 38 causes a bowing action 42 between the force at the grip 34 and the resistance of the clubhead 38. Once the golfer is at the top of backswing FIG. 4. and starts back to the ball, there is a reverse bowing of the shaft 44, again reacting to the forces applied the the grip 34 and the resistance to moving in the opposite direction of the clubhead 38. Approaching impact causes the shaft of a skilled player to actually bow in the reverse 46 of the takeaway bowing 42. We have met with and talked at length with the engineers at Aldila, one of the largest and best graphite shaft manufacturers in the world. They can produce a shaft that will flex 44 in the correct manner that corresponds with the timing of the Tour Tempo Tones, in all four of the different times that are used by the Tour Pros. They will do this by putting the correct layers of graphite in the correct place on the mandrel to optimize the flexing of the shaft according to the Tour Tempo timing. Once the golfer has ascertained the correct tempo for his swing by using the Tour Tempo Player, he can then be fitted exactly to the correct shaft that will maximize his Tempo.

The Tour Tempo Player 20 can also be used for all short game shots utilized in the game of golf. There is a difference in the tempo for the short game, it is a two to one ratio instead of the three to one tempo ratio for full shots.

The golfer reacts in the same way to the short game and putting tones as in the full swing, that is, the start, the end of the backswing and at impact. And, of course, the human reaction time of one fifth of a second is built into the first two tones.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments can be made of this invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A method for training a golfer in how to execute a golf swing with a golf club, said method comprising:

a step for selecting a long game tempo or a short game tempo;

a step for producing a first signal that cues the golfer to react by starting a backswing;

a step for producing a second signal that cues the golfer to react by starting a downswing; and

a step for producing a third signal that cues the golfer to impact a golf ball with the golf club;

wherein, if a long game tempo is selected, a first ratio between a first long game time period between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said first signal and about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and a second long game time period between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and the production of said third signal is about three to one and wherein said long game tempo is selected from the group consisting of:

a first long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is 0.60 seconds and said second long game time period is 0.20 seconds,

a second long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is 0.70 seconds and said second long game time period is 0.23 seconds,

a third long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is 0.80 seconds and said second long game time period is 0.266 seconds, and

a fourth long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is 0.90 seconds and said second long game time period is 0.30 seconds; and

wherein, if a short game tempo is selected, a second ratio between a first short game time period between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said first signal and about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and a second short game time period between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and the production of said third signal is about two to one and wherein said short game tempo is selected from the group consisting of:

a first short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is 0.466 seconds and said second short game time period is 0.233 seconds,

a second short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is 0.53 seconds and said second short game time period is 0.265 seconds,

a third short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is 0.60 seconds and said second short game time period is 0.30 seconds, and

a fourth short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is 0.666 seconds and said second short game time period is 0.333 seconds.

2. A method for training a golfer in how to execute a golf swing with a golf club, said method comprising:

selecting a long game tempo or a short game tempo;

producing a first signal that cues the golfer to react by starting a backswing;

producing a second signal that cues the golfer to react by starting a downswing; and

producing a third signal that cues the golfer to impact a golf ball with the golf club;

wherein, if a long game tempo is selected, a first ratio between a first long game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of said first signal and 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and a second long game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and the production of said third signal is about three to one; and

wherein, if a short game tempo is selected, a second ratio between a first short game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of said first signal and 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and a second short game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and the production of said third signal is about two to one.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said first long game time period and said second long game time period are selected from the group consisting of:

said first long game time period is about 0.60 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.20 seconds,

said first long game time period is about 0.70 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.23 seconds,

said first long game time period is about 0.80 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.266 seconds, and

said first long game time period is about 0.90 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.30 seconds.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said long game tempo is selected from the group consisting of:

a first long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.60 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.20 seconds,

a second long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.70 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.23 seconds,

a third long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.80 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.266 seconds, and

a fourth long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.90 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.30 seconds.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said first short game time period and said second short game time period are selected from the group consisting of:

said first short game time period is about 0.466 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.233 seconds,

said first short game time period is about 0.53 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.265 seconds,

said first short game time period is about 0.60 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.30 seconds, and

said first short game time period is about 0.666 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.333 seconds.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said short game tempo is selected from the group consisting of:

a first short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.466 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.233 seconds,

a second short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.53 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.265 seconds,

a third short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.60 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.30 seconds, and

a fourth short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.666 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.333 seconds.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein each signal is selected from the group consisting of:

a sound signal,

a light signal, and

a vibration signal.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein each signal is a wireless signal that is transmitted to a receiver that is capable of communicating a cue to the golfer.

9. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

sounding a single beep if the golfer selects said first long game tempo;

sounding two beeps if the golfer selects said second long game tempo;

sounding three beeps if the golfer selects said third long game tempo; and

sounding four beeps if the golfer selects said fourth long game tempo.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

sounding a single beep if the golfer selects said first short game tempo;

sounding two beeps if the golfer selects said second short game tempo;

sounding three beeps if the golfer selects said third short game tempo; and

sounding four beeps if the golfer selects said fourth short game tempo.

11. An apparatus for training a golfer in how to swing a golf club, said apparatus comprising:

means for inputting a selection a long game tempo or a short game tempo;

means for producing a first signal that cues the golfer to react by starting a backswing;

means for producing a second signal that cues the golfer to react by starting a downswing;

means for producing a third signal that cues the golfer to impact a golf ball with the golf club;

means for controlling the timing of said signals that is operative to produce a first long game time period that extends between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said first signal and about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal that is about three times longer than a second long game time period that extends between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and the production of said third signal, and a first short game time period that extends between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said first signal and about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and a second short game time period that extends between about 0.2 seconds after the production of said second signal and the production of said third signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 11

wherein a first total elapsed time of said first long game time period and said second long game time period is selected from the group consisting of: a 0.80 second time period, a 0.93 second time period. a 1.066 second time period, and a 1.20 second time period; and

wherein a second total elapsed time of said first short game time period and said second short game time period is selected from the group consisting of: a 0.699 second time period, a 0.795 second time period. a 0.90 second time period, and a 0.999 second time period.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said long game tempo is selected from the group consisting of:

a first long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.60 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.20 seconds,

a second long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.70 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.23 seconds,

a third long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is about 0.80 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.266 seconds, and

a fourth long game tempo wherein said first long game time period is bout 0.90 seconds and said second long game time period is about 0.30 seconds.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said short game tempo is selected from the group consisting of:

a first short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.466 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.233 seconds,

a second short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.53 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.265 seconds,

a third short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.60 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.30 seconds, and

a fourth short game tempo wherein said first short game time period is about 0.666 seconds and said second short game time period is about 0.333 seconds.

15. A training device for a golfer, said device comprising:

a memory device;

a processor;

a sound generating device; and

a first sequence of instructions encoded in said memory device that when processed by said processor causes said sound generating device to produce, in a sequence, a first long game audible signal, a second long game audible signal separated in time from said first long game audible signal by a first long game time interval and a third long game audible signal separated in time from a point in time about 0.2 seconds after said second long game audible signal by a second long game time interval, said first long game time interval being about three times longer than said second long game time interval; and

a second sequence of instructions encoded in said memory device that when processed by said processor causes said sound generating device to produce, in a sequence, a first short game audible signal, a second short game audible signal separated in time from said first short game audible signal by a first short game time interval and a third short game audible signal separated in time from a point in time about 0.2 seconds after said second short game audible signal by a second short game time interval, and said first short time interval being about two times longer than said second short game time interval;

wherein each first audible signal serves as a cue for the golfer to start a backswing, each second audible signal serves as a cue for the golfer to start a downswing, each third audible signal serves as a cue for the golfer to hit a golf ball.

16. A training device for a golfer, said device comprising:

a processor;

a signal production unit;

a first storage medium containing a first item of functional descriptive material that when processed by said processor causes said signal production unit to produce a first long game signal that is perceptible by said golfer, a second long game signal that is perceptible by said golfer that is separated in time from said first long game signal by a first long game time interval and a third long game signal that is perceptible by said golfer that is separated in time from a first point in time about 0.2 seconds after said second long game signal by a second long game time interval, said first time long game interval being about three times longer than said second long game time interval, and a second item of functional descriptive material that when processed by said processor causes said signal production unit to produce a first short game signal that is perceptible by said golfer, a second short game signal that is perceptible by said golfer that is separated in time from said first short game signal by a first short game time interval and a third short game signal that is perceptible by said golfer that is separated in time from a second point in time about 0.2 seconds after said second short game signal by a second short game time interval, said first time short game interval being about two times longer than said second short game time interval;

wherein said first long game signal and said first short game signal serve as cues for the golfer to start a backswing, said second long game signal and said second short game signal serve as cues for the golfer to start a downswing, said third long game signal and said third'short game signal serve as cues for the golfer to hit a golf ball.

17. The training device of claim 16 wherein said signals are audible signals.

18. The training device of claim 16 wherein said first signal sounds different from said second signal and said third signal.

19. A computer-implemented method for training a golfer, said method comprising:

selecting a long game tempo or a short game tempo;

producing a first signal that is perceptible by said golfer;

producing a second signal that is perceptible by said golfer that is separated in time from said first signal by a first time interval; and

producing a third signal that is perceptible by said golfer that is separated in time from said second signal by a second time interval;

wherein said first signal serves as a cue for the golfer to start a backswing, said second signal serves as a cue for the golfer to start a downswing, said third signal serves as a cue for the golfer to hit a golf ball; and

wherein, if a long game tempo is selected, a first ratio between a first long game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of the first signal and 0.2 seconds after the production of the second signal and a second long game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of the second signal and the production of the third signal is about three to one; and

wherein, if a short game tempo is selected, a second ratio between a first short game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of the first signal and 0.2 seconds after the production of the second signal and a second short game time period between 0.2 seconds after the production of the second signal and the production of the third signal is about two to one.

20. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps recited in claim 19.