Machine and Method for Comprehensive GolfTrainingand Instruction

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine and method used to capture, analyze, score, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers: 1) during practice/lessons; or 2) for every shot on every hole of an entire recreational golf round; and 3) acts as the “glue” to tie together the various critical skills a golfer learns from the numerous machines and processes independently available to the golfer similar to the way the better golf schools or training academy's provide comprehensive across the board golf instruction.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/949,765, filed Dec. 3, 2007, and incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a machine and method used to capture, analyze, score (i.e. using USGA rules), save, archive, track and communicate (e.g. verbal, visual, sound, tactile) real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers: 1) during practice/training sessions; or 2) for every shot on every hole of an entire recreational golf round; and archive all such practice/training sessions or rounds during which the invention is in use. Additionally it could be used to support a foursome or an entire tournament for those participants using the invention. The class-subclass of the aforementioned parent application is 700-091000 and the present application would likely have the same or similar classification. The 700 class is defined as “data processing” while the subclass 091 is defined as “contest or contestant analysis, management, or monitoring”. Essentially the present invention is a golf data processing machine and method used to automate providing real-time relevant golf information to golfers and other interested parties during practice, training, recreational or tournament play to increase enjoyment of the sport and to assist the golfer in enhancing their skill

2. Description of Related Art

The present invention was born out of the applicant's frustration with learning to play golf. In particular the complete lack of readily available reliable information on how to: a) given one's skills and imperfections, “make the best shot possible, with good results” for every shot during a golf round with the goal of improving one's golf scores over time; b) “train and practice” as well as track one's improvement, without a massive amount of time, expense or manual effort. Being an engineer, the applicant imagine “what if during a golf round or during golf instruction and practice” one could automate the entire process of gathering, processing and communicating the applicable golfing information and support via a Virtual Caddy (Trainer) to the recreational golfer in the same way a PGA Tour Golfer communicates with and is supported by his Caddy and Trainer; using a plurality of components that work together as a system through built-in distributed computing technology integrated into each component. The components of the system comprising: 1) an apparatus including an enhanced computing device (which may be wearable or portable), an enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) and a plurality of “computing enabled” enhanced golfing components (both traditional such as clubs, balls, gloves, shoes and non-traditional such as body sensors, smart glasses, smart lenses and smart golf clothing including hats, undergarments, pants, shirts, accessories, and so on); all enhanced components containing: 1) intra-computing capability and inter-communications capability with each other, including GPS positioning communications capability; and 2) a common architecture that facilitates all enhanced components to work cooperatively under a comprehensive process for the average golfer to use the above described apparatus to practice, train and/or play the best rounds of golf possible given his (or her) ordinary natural talent, skills and imperfections.

One skilled in the art of playing golf whether self-taught or from taking golf lessons would recognize key milestones of the learning process such as: golf grip, setting up, full swing (including backswing, down swing through ball impact and follow through), putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play, shot control, course management, scoring, USGA rules of play and so on. The present invention enhances the Golfer's ability to play each critical milestone of the game of golf better. The techniques of using the present invention while practicing the full swing will be discussed in detail but the techniques are equally applicable to all the critical milestones outlined above.

The prior art contains numerous examples of literature, machines and processes whose objectives (with varying degrees of success) are to assist golfers to master each narrowly defined milestone described above during the process of learning and developing the necessary golf skills; and as such may be prior art that provides literature, machines and processes and relevant developments in some of the same technological areas as those necessary to fully implement the present invention. The applicant will list a number of these literature, machines and patents in a separate disclosure.

It should be noted that the selective use of such literature, machines and processes by the average golfer to improve his game could be highly effective especially when used by an accomplished golfer or for the average golfer when done under the supervision of a professional golf school or at least a certified golf instructor over an extended period of time. The right professional instruction acts as the “glue” to tie the disparate literature, machines and processes together to ensure that the golfer learns how each narrowly defined skill fits together with and is affected by the rest of what he is learning. However such instruction is very expensive as well as time consuming and therefore frequently out of reach of the average golfer.

In general said literature, machines and processes described in the patents and patent applications as well as numerous publications is not as effective at improving the golfer's game as it could be because the training or learning of the various skills outlined above (on his own) are not seamlessly integrated together; thus the new golfer or one attempting to improve their golf game cannot easily tie all of the literature, machines or processes together to provide lasting improvement of their game.

In light of the resource requirements, complexity of the game of golf, the level of difficulty learning all the critical skills required, and the deficiencies of the use of disparate literature, machines and processes, that is available to the average golfer to improve his golf game, there is a need for an integrated, fully automated more cost effective machine and method that ties all of the disparate literature, machines and processes together. The present invention can fill this void by providing real-time relevant golf data capture, scoring and shot analysis while it also saves, archives, tracks and communicates golf data specific to the golfer regarding their progress towards improving any particularly segment of their game as well as tying it all together to monitor the impact if any on other segments of their game. This is important to the average golfer when practicing or taking lessons to become a better golfer or to increase the enjoyment of playing a recreational round of golf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus or machine as previously described, comprising components which collectively work together to capture, analyze, score, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers during training and practice. It could also be used as the “glue” to tie together the various critical skills a golfer learns from the numerous machines and processes independently available to the golfer similar to the way the better golf schools or training academy's provide comprehensive across the board golf instruction.

The invention comprises an apparatus or machine with a plurality of components and includes the use of an enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) and enhanced computing device (e.g. PDA, smartphone, smart glasses, smart lenses, PC, IPAD; said components can be referred to interchangeably with regard to their computing capability) for communicating with the plurality of components and a plurality of “computing enabled” enhanced golfing components (both traditional such as a full set of enhanced golf clubs and associated golf balls, golf shoes and golf gloves and non-traditional such as body sensors, smart glasses and smart clothing including hats, pants, shirts, undergarments, accessories and so on). All such components may have at least one microchip, impact sensor, motion sensor, accelerometer, unique identifiers and/or pressure sensor integrated into each one; or their equivalent capability in newer technology such as nanotechnology integrated into reengineered versions of these components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of some key components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a golfer starting to initiate a shot by “Setting-up at Address” using the present invention to assist in: a) identifying a target and in so doing setting the target line; b) aiming the club face so that it is perpendicular to the target line; during a training session, practice round or tournament.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a golfer about to initiate the Backswing: Setup at Address position.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a golfer at Start of “Backswing” phase which is the next strategic position where the hands go straight back until the golf club shaft is horizontal to the ground.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a golfer continuing the Backswing phase showing slight break in wrists, left arm is parallel to ground and club is perpendicular to the left arm.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a golfer approaching the “Top of Backswing” by completing the turn and allowing the golfer's back to face the target and then the club will be aimed at the target.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a golfer executing each of the critical positions or phases from “Downswing to Ball Impact”; i.e. 1^st 4 images.

FIG. 7 fifth image shows the “Follow-through to Up on the Right Toe or Ball of Right Foot” position.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of the smart glasses. The “Follow-through to Up on the Right Toe or Ball of Right Foot” positions

FIG. 9 is a drawing of the enhanced golf shoes with the rotatable cleat attached to the ball of the right shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawing figure (FIG. 1) listed above, the first embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus or machine comprising components which collectively work together to capture, analyze, score, save, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers for every shot on every hole of an entire recreational golf round. The first embodiment of the apparatus or machine of the present invention will be described initially and then the method of using the apparatus will be described.

The golfer 10 is assumed to be using the apparatus or machine of the present invention with a plurality of components (including enhanced golfing equipment such as a set of Golf Clubs 50, at least one golf ball 60, golf glove 70 and golfing shoes 80) shown in the perspective illustration of FIG. 1 and is comprised of the use of:

• • PDA inter-component communications means to include enhanced golfing equipment (with integrated sensors and computing capability), an enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) 20, and a handheld computing device (PDA) 40 for communicating between the PDA 40 and GPS 20 as well as between PDA 40 and the enhanced golfing equipment;
  • PDA mapped golf course access means to include handheld PDA 40, operating system and software for accessing, selecting and downloading chosen mapped golf course(s) 30 from a wide listing of mapped golf courses 30, as well as uploading maps of new golf courses;
  • PDA data processing means to include handheld PDA 40, operating system and software to capture, analyze, score, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers.

The full set of enhanced Golf Clubs 50 (USGA rules containing 14 golf clubs) and associated golf balls 60, golf shoes 80 and golf gloves 70 may have at least one microchip, impact sensor, unique identifiers and/or pressure sensor integrated into each one; or their equivalent capability in newer technology such as nanotechnology integrated into reengineered versions of these products. These enhanced golf balls 60, clubs 50, shoes 80 and gloves 70 would work passively in concert with the GPS system 20 and PDA 40 to 1) accurately sense when the golf club 50 is picked up; 2) capture the pattern of how the golf club 50 is being gripped in comparison to one of the acceptable grip standards such as the Verdon Overlap grip, the interlocking grip, the Ten Finger grip or a golfer's 10 own predefined grip; 3) capture the golfer's 10 setup/swing such as body alignment, foot position, ball position, balance and posture; 4) sense when a shot/swing is taken; and 5) capture, analyze, score, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data as a caddy would, to the golfer 10. The enhanced golf balls 60, clubs 50, shoes 80 and gloves 70 will be designed to meet or exceed all performance criteria established by the USGA (at least for recreational play and/or as a training aid).

The enhancements to the golf ball 60 will be made deep in its core and will be miniaturized (or use nanotechnology, for example using nanochips which could store trillions of bits of information in a very small area) so as not to affect the dynamics of the golf ball 60. The enhancements will be designed to withstand the forces exerted on them during normal play of golf rounds and would be expected to last as long as a typical recreational golf ball 60. One of the purposes of the enhanced golf ball 60 will be to work in concert with the PDA 40 and GPS 20 to capture and record real-time golf ball 60 information when struck; including but not limited to 1) golf ball 60 dynamics such as spin; 2) starting and ending location, 3) distance and direction traveled; 4) distance to the pin; and 5) distance to mapped hazards.

The enhancements to the Golf Shoes 80 will allow the system to capture (among other things) the direction and amount of weight shift of the golfer 10 from one foot to the other throughout the golf swing. The Golf Shoes may also have a pivotal cleat (see FIG. 9) at the ball or toe of the right shoe (for right handed golfers) to assist in improving the aggressive body turn on the spine axis (particularly for Follow-Through at the end of the swing).

Body sensors (not shown) could also be integrated into the apparatus for use during practice and training sessions.

The specially designed and programmed wearable PDA 40 (Wearable Computing which may be smart glasses or smart garments) will make use of existing operating systems and software (where available and with applicable modifications) to capture, analyze, score, save, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers 10. The PDA 40 will also make use of existing GPS 20 mapped golf courses 30 and mapped golf ranges (not shown). With appropriate membership, the golfer 10 can choose from thousands of available Golf Courses 30 and Golf ranges on the internet to download chosen courses/ranges to their wearable PDA 40. Similar to the ShotLink TM system described in the parent patent, each downloaded course/range is mapped. Using GPS 20 devices, different layers and elevations were recorded to denote the greens (front, center and back), fairways, bunkers, water, rough, trees and other course elements. If one wishes to play non-mapped courses/ranges the golfer 10 can record similar information on such courses into their wearable PDA 40.

The Invention will further comprise the ability to link to a PC or other computer equipment for uploading and downloading information for analysis, review and study.

That completes the description of the major components of the first embodiment of the invention. The method of using the first embodiment of the present invention is fully described (with a couple of exceptions which are described in the body of this application) in the referenced parent patent now pending (i.e. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/949,765, filed Dec. 3, 2007, and incorporated by reference herein) and therefore will not be repeated here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As has already been discussed in the first paragraph the use of the present invention can be divided into two distinct modes of operation: 1) during training/practice sessions as for example during a training clinic with a professional trainer on a specific segment of a golfer's game and/or during a golfer's practice session at a range; or 2) during play as in a recreational golf round or a tournament. It could also be used as the “glue” to tie together the various critical skills a golfer learns from the numerous machines and processes independently available to the golfer similar to the way the better golf schools or training academy's provide comprehensive across the board golf instruction.

The invention comprises an apparatus or machine with a plurality of components and includes the use of an enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) and enhanced computing device (e.g. PDA, smartphone, smart glasses, smart lenses, PC, IPAD; said components can be referred to interchangeably with regard to their computing capability) for communicating with the plurality of components and a plurality of “computing enabled” enhanced golfing components (both traditional such as a full set of enhanced golf clubs and associated golf balls, golf shoes and golf gloves and non-traditional such as body sensors, smart glasses and smart clothing including hats, pants, shirts, undergarments, accessories and so on). All such components may have at least one microchip, impact sensor, motion sensor, accelerometer, unique identifiers and/or pressure sensor integrated into each one; or their equivalent capability in newer technology such as nanotechnology integrated into reengineered versions of these components.

The enhanced golf clubs, balls, shoes, gloves, smart glasses and smart garments would work in concert with the GPS system and PDA to first suggest a target for the shot or have the golfer select an alternative one, then: 1) accurately sense when the golf club is picked up; 2) capture the pattern of how the golf club is being gripped in comparison to one of the acceptable grip standards; 3) capture the golfer's setup routine including balance and whether the club head face is perpendicular to the target line at address and returns to that position just prior to the impact on the ball to ensure a good outcome of the shot; and if at any point prior to ball strike, there is something amiss, so inform the Golfer for corrective action; 4) sense when a shot/swing is taken; 5) capture, analyze, score, save, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data, advice and counsel as a caddy would, to the golfer.

In additional, the golf shoes may have a rotatable cleat (see FIG. 9) permanently attached or removeably attached (e.g. by screwing into one of the standard cleat positions) at the ball or toe of the right or left golf shoe (correspondingly for a right handed or left handed golfer), to facilitate training the golfer how to turn on their spine axis and follow-through on their golf swing; essentially this “pivoting” cleat will allow the new golfer to more easily turn towards the target at they unwind the upper body and shift weight from the back foot to the forward foot (the one closest to the target); eventually facing the target and winding up either on the toe or the ball of the right foot (for right handed golfers).

The enhanced golf clubs, balls, shoes and gloves will be designed to meet or exceed all performance criteria established by the USGA (at least for recreational play and/or as a training aid).

The smart glasses (FIG. 8) is a computing system worn as glasses which work in concert with the GPS system in addition to or as the PDA and allows the golfer to “see” the golf course through the eyes of the virtual caddy. Essentially the smart glasses allows golf data and information, computer generated graphics (such as mapped golf courses or “the greens” around a specific hole on a golf course) and the real world to be seamlessly overlaid. One example of its use may be after some topographical analysis of the slope and slope direction of the area on the green around and between a golfer's ball and the hole (see more detail in a subsequent paragraph below, on how the enhanced golf shoes may help enable this feature), the virtual caddy may offer a suggested putt line by superimposing the putt line onto a close-up of that area of the green, the entire scene can be seen through the smart glasses; thus assisting the golfer in reading the greens just as a real caddy assists his professional caddy. Of course the golfer still has to: 1) make the decision as to whether he agrees with the virtual caddy's suggested putt line or not; and 2) physically use his skill as a golfer to “make the putt”. This feature could be used as a “teaching” aid or used during a round of recreational golf.

The enhanced golf shoes (FIG. 9) also contain a feature which assists a golfer to improve his ability to aggressively turn towards the target (particularly during the follow-through phase) when he is extending his arms and club towards the target will pivoting on the ball of his right foot (for right handed Golfers) then ending up on the toe of his right golf shoe. It is a rotatable cleat (see FIG. 9) attached permanently by rivets, screws, or equivalent means or removeably attached by means of the standard cleat “screw in” systems. The rotating action is made possible by what is essentially a very small “lazy Susan” with a standard cleat screw on one side and a cleat on the other. The cleat itself can be made of the same material as a standard cleat (similar size or perhaps slightly larger. If the cleat is attached to a plate with a slot that allow lateral and/or longitudinal movement of the base of the rotatable cleat, then the cleat can also be adjusted to the desired section of the foot depending on the preference of the Golfer. In the case of an adjustable position pivot cleat the base plate would likely use two or perhaps three normal cleat female screw receptacles for attachment to the golf shoe rather than the single receptacle needed for a stationary pivot cleat.

The smart glasses (FIG. 8), as the “eyes of the caddy” could also be used in conjunction with the enhanced golf shoes, to zoom-in and visually examine the topography of the greens, the direction and cut of the grass, the type of grass, the presence or absence of water in the vicinity as well as other visual parameters that could provide insight (over and above what was learned from the topography analysis of the golf shoes) about the path the putt will take to the hole, to “teach” the golfer how to “read the greens”.

The “smart clothing” (not shown) is a wearable computing system, which work in concert with the GPS system in addition to or as the PDA and allows the golfer to “feel” each golf move through the electronic sensors and associated computing circuits and software of the virtual caddy.

The smart clothing (not shown) will be designed to ensure that they breath, are comfortable, and that they do not hinder movement of the golfer in anyway; therefore said garments will not adversely affect the performance of the golfer during training or tournament play. Undergarments and accessories like socks, hats, wrist bands, head bands, ankle bands and so on will be designed to fit snugly so that any integrated sensors and computing circuits could be reliably located in designated strategic locations.

One way to categorize d smart clothing (not shown) is to divide said garments into two distinct areas as follows; 1) integrate the computing system capability into the very fabric of the garments (e.g. using nanotechnology); or 2) place sensors and computing circuitry in strategic locations through-out the garment. For the 1^st situation, wearable computing capability is anywhere you need it on the golfer because it is integrated through-out the garments worn; while in the 2^nd situation, wearable computing capability would logically be placed in garments at various joints that can move independently such as foot, ankle, knee, pelvis, hips, waist, elbow, wrist, head and so on during the golf swing. The strategically placed computing system capability can assist in determining what is happening with the feet, legs, spine angle, arms, hands, head, and so on during the golf swing; i.e. such as back swing, down swing, through ball impact and follow-through.

The following paragraphs outline the Method for using the present invention during golf training and practice.

One skilled in the art of playing golf, in particular golf instructors and those professionals running golf teaching facilities would generally agree that there are 5 to 8 key positions that a club passes through during a typical golfer's swing; where particular positions mentioned would depend on where the instructor wished to place the emphasis. The present invention could be designed with all of these critical positions, only a few or even more position, including continuous monitoring of the entire backswing, downswing and follow-through; but for simplicity the following 8 key positions are listed and discussed below for a straight shot as follows:

• • 1. Setup at address where a target is either selected by the Golfer or a recommendation from the Virtual Caddy is accepted; thus establishing a target line (utilizing the features of the present invention); then the golf cub face is set up to be perpendicular to the target line; the golfer's balance is established; and the swing plane is established.
  • 2. Start of backswing, begin the take-away where the hands go straight back until the golf club shaft is horizontal to ground and the nose of the club faces straight up;
  • 3. Continue backswing, slight break in wrists, left arm is parallel to ground and club is perpendicular to the left arm; line through club shaft intersects ball and perpendicular to target line or is just above it;
  • 4. Top of Backswing by completing the turn and allowing your back to face the target and the club will be aimed at the target signaling a smooth transition to the downswing;
  • 5. The Downswing begins with the unwinding of the hips, followed by the waist, shoulders, arms, hands and club; this unwinding of the upper body's torque is what generates tremendous club head speed and corresponding distance if the club is returned square to the ball and target line and the body is in balance; the downswing is also characterized by the transfer of weight from the back foot to the front foot; during this transfer of weight the arms are pulled downward;
  • 6. Ball Impact occurs as the arms and club moves forward (as if passing through the ball) towards the target and away from the golfer; this all occurs as the body continues to unwind (turn on the axis of the spine;
  • 7. Follow-through after ball impact; the golfer continues his wide swing with unwinding of hips and the body, the club face continues towards the target fueled by the weight transfer and the unwinding of the body like the release of a coiled spring;
  • 8. Up on the Right toe or Ball of Right Foot with the club wrapped around the left shoulder (for a full swing); the rotation and the weight has been completed.

In general, most (those skilled in the art of playing golf) will agree that “Setup at Address” and “Backswing” play a major role in setting the stage and building up the body energy which is later unleashed in the downswing to achieve the desired outcome—resulting in a good shot, so it is only fitting that one “examine and mark” these positions during the Backswing and “monitor” them though-out the Downswing through the Ball Impact and Follow-through. The present invention does a complete job of examining, marking and monitoring the entire process and is the “glue” that brings the entire process together so that the golfer gains the necessary insight into his golf swing. This allows the golfer to automatically compare each subsequent swing to any of his previous swings as well as compare his swing (or any position making up his swing) to other swings including swings of professional golfers caught on video or captured by other means. This swing information is stored, archived and analyzed in real-time; and becomes part of the historical reservoir from which the Virtual Caddy draws to advise and counsel the golfer regarding play; e.g. suggested club to use for a specific shot to reach a given target just as a real caddy would do for his golfer.

At strategic positions during the Backswing discussed above the system can monitor the progress of the swing by checking certain common characteristics to see if the golfer is properly executing the required skills and movements during the backswing; e.g. there is general agreement among those skilled in the art of playing golf, that most golfers enhance their chances of making a good shot if (assuming a right handed golfer):

• • 1. “At Address” (FIG. 3) the line through the center of the spinal column intersects the line through the center of the golf shaft at about 45 degrees; i.e. the golfer rotates around the spinal column during the backswing and that spinal column angle is maintained throughout the entire backswing; this can be monitored by the present invention because the sensors and computing circuitry in the smart garments and enhanced golf clubs can check those lines and applicable angles; Note that the spine angle is not exact but varies slightly from golfer to golfer
  • 2. “At Address” (FIG. 3) the golfer is properly balanced on the balls of the feet (meaning not so much weight on the heels which causes an imbalance condition during the swing) and the weight is distributed approximately evenly or for example 60/40 between the front and back foot respectively; then shifts the weight for example to 40/60 between the front and the back foot during the Backswing; the enhanced golf shoes with the balance, level sensors and computing circuits will monitor this; note that the weight distribution is not exact but varies from golfer to golfer;
  • 3. “At Address” (FIG. 3) the walls of the rectangle formed around the contour of the golfer's pants (i.e. smart garment) remains somewhat constant; i.e. movement of the golfer leaning forward (towards the ball) or backward (away from the ball) during the backswing should be kept to a minimum;
  • 4. “At Address” (FIG. 3) the golfer using the “single plane method” (which most who are skilled in the art of playing golf agree is simpler) the plane of the shoulders and the plane of the golf club shaft should be the same; and remain that way during the backswing; while for the golfer using the “two plane method” they start out with the same single plane but the take-away is usually steeper; and the golfer must re-rout the downswing to the lower flatter pane by ball impact.

What is important regarding these numbers is that each golfer must determine what gives him the best balance and the best chance of returning the club head perpendicular to the target line at ball impact so that he drives the ball the distance required to reach the target; the present invention will allow him to easily determine that by correlating the spine-angle, weight distribution and all other parameters monitored during the swing with all shots by which were good and which were not; the Virtual Caddy will then inform the golfer what the appropriate parameters are; and in training mode suggest that the golfer for example should shift more weight or should bend more at the hips during address and maintain it.

Start of “Backswing” (FIG. 4) phase is the next strategic position where the hands go straight back until the golf club shaft is horizontal to the ground and the nose of the club faces straight up; as in the earlier situation, the present invention will determine if and when the golfer properly executes this position because the sensors and computing circuits in the club will detect it; and if he misses it, by how much; as already mentioned the golfer must continue to turn on the same spine-angle and store energy to be released later (during the down swing) in the turning of the hips, torso and shoulders away from the target while shifting the golfer's weight to the back foot;

“Continue Backswing” phase (FIG. 5), slight break in wrists, left arm is parallel to ground and club is perpendicular to the left arm; line through club shaft intersects ball and perpendicular to target line or is just above it; and as before the system has already established the target line, so it knows where it is and it can establish the line down the center of the golf club shaft so it can detect if and when the golfer properly executes this position; and if not how much did he miss it by;

“Top of Backswing” (FIG. 6), by completing the turn and allowing the golfer's back to face the target and the club will be aimed at the target signaling a smooth transition to the downswing; again the present system will monitor the success or failure of the golfer to achieve this position;

“Downswing to Ball Impact” critical position or phase (FIG. 7) allows the stored energy from the Backswing (i.e. takeaway) to be expressed and transferred through the club and to the ball; strength, more so than flexibility, is most important in this phase; the motion should be fluid, and generally should be in the opposite order of the take away phase; the hips should begin to turn, followed by the pelvis, trunk, shoulders, arms and finally the club; the abdominal muscles allow for extra power to be generated by twisting the trunk as weight shifts back to center; this phase ends as soon as the clubface strikes either the ball or the ground;

The “Follow-through” to “Up on the Right Toe or Ball of Right Foot” positions (FIG. 7) or phase is characterized by control; the power and speed generated in the previous two phases must be controlled; the muscles of the body act to counter these forces; the follow-through should be a fluid motion, resulting in the arms and club elevated to the right with the shoulders and head facing toward the direction of the shot; in this position, the weight is shifted to the left leg, and increased stress is placed on the inside part of the left knee; the swing ends with the golfer “Up on the Right Toe or Ball of Right Foot” facing the target; and similar to the previous positions discussed, the present application will monitor, save and analyze and archive the position information and make it available to the Virtual Caddy for discussion with the Golfer.

During each of the above critical positions or phases the present invention will access through its sensors, computing circuits, and data analysis whether the critical position or phase was properly executed and if so that will be communicated by the Virtual Caddy to the Golfer by one of several methods; of which by way of example the use of the smart glasses will be discussed below.

If the “Setup at Address” position is correctly executed by the golfer, then the present invention would turn on a green indicator for the 1^st of 8 indicators which can be seen in a small section of the smart glasses (FIG. 8) worn by the Golfer; if said position was just slightly off which would likely result in a less than perfect shot; but one that could be recovered from (based on historical information with this Golfer) then the 1^st position indicator would show yellow; however if said position was improperly executed and would likely result in a disaster for the Golfer (based on historical information with this Golfer) then the 1^st indicator would show red; with a recommendation to step out of the setup and start again.

At the start of the Backswing through the Top of the Backswing the same process would apply with the following combinations of indicator of the golfer's real-time performance:

• • 1. the possibility of 3 additional green indicators turned on by the Virtual Caddy if all 3 critical positions in this phase are executed properly; everything is a “GO”; or . . .
  • 2. from 1 to 3 yellow lights could be triggered; which as discussed above indicates that one or more of the critical positions was slightly off which would likely result in a less than perfect shot; but one that could be recovered from (based on historical information with this Golfer); perhaps because one or more of the positions compensated for an error in the others; a frequent occurrence with some golfers.
  • 3. At least one red light out of 3 in this phase indicating that the corresponding critical position or phase was improperly executed and would likely result in a disaster for the Golfer (based on historical information with this Golfer); thus the recommendation would be to abort to abort the swing (if possible) and start the “Setup at Address” again.

Of course there are many combinations of green, yellow and red indicators that could occur during the backswing and the present invention will track them all and during a recreational round or tournament the Virtual Caddy will give recommendations to the golfer as to how to proceed based on historical information that has been captured, saved, analyzed and achieved; such advice will only get better as the apparatus is used; also during training or practice, more comprehensive explanations would be imparted by the Virtual Caddy as well as suggestions on drills and other procedures to try.

For the “Downswing” to “Ball Impact” a similar approach would be taken; however the further the golfer is into the downswing the less likely the golfer will be able to abort the swing; so the likely recourse is collect the data, record and analyze for use during the next swing.

Similarly for the “Follow-Through” to “Up on the Right toe or Ball of Right Foot” phases.

This procedure could be used for every shot during a training session or a recreational round of golf or even in a tournament (if permitted).

Note the box the golfer is standing in (called the Golfer's Tolerance Box) during the Down swing FIGS. 3-6. The box represent a unique feature of the present invention to capture swing data, save, analyze and monitor how well the golfer executes each of the critical positions the Golfer has chosen to track. This information can be mapped and statistical analysis can be done on it to show the amount of movement during each critical position that a Golfer can tolerate before adversely affecting the outcome for that distance with a particular club. This is done by correlating the results of each shot with the individual execution of each phase through gathering input of motion, balance, weight distribution, body rotation and so on from the enhanced golf components including smart garments (containing sensor and computing circuits). It is generally recognized and agreed by golf professionals that Golfers who keep the lower part of the body in the box with a) little or no lateral movement but shifts weight as they turn on their spinal axis; b) little or no forward movement (meaning towards the ball) or backwards movement during the swing; result in better scores and overall greater enjoyment of the game. Of course how much movement can be tolerated varies from golfer to golfer. That is why the present invention tracts the movement and correlates it to the outcome of each shot. So that over time the Golfer's Tolerance Box can be measured to anticipate the impact of various movements on his scores for each of the Golfer's clubs.

Claims

1. A method for caddying and training golfers, the method comprising:

a. providing an apparatus for caddying and training golfers comprising a plurality of enhanced components that work in concert as an automated system, the apparatus further comprising: i. a Global Positioning System (GPS); ii. a plurality of GPS mapped golf courses and mapped golf ranges; iii. a plurality of enhanced golfing equipment including a golf club(s), a pair of golf shoes, a golf glove, a glove ball(s); the enhanced golfing equipment further comprising a plurality of computing circuits, a plurality of sensors; iv. a wearable computing device (PDA) further comprising a plurality of golf data, a plurality of application software including a virtual caddy, a component ID application;

b. initializing the virtual caddy at least once; whereby indicating that this is a training session, comprising: i. downloading the GPS mapped golf range from the internet; and ii. identifying the golfer information to the component ID application and in turn the virtual caddy by tying each uniquely identified piece of the enhanced golfing equipment to its golfer owner;

c. interacting with the virtual caddy during the golf training session, comprising: i. adjusting the virtual caddy to reflect actual conditions of the training facility; ii. consulting the virtual caddy for the characteristics of the golf range including hazards, distances to “mark” greens and other strategic points on the range; iii. consulting the virtual caddy for suggestions for a plan(s) of approach for practicing, given the historical information of recent rounds and tournaments; iv. deciding on the plan of approach for a plurality of shot(s) with selected clubs, based on the historical information reviewed with the Virtual Caddy; v. deciding on a shot;

d. taking the shot;

e. assessing the results of the shot with the virtual caddy; whereby focusing on any shots that had yellow or red light shots that had to be aborted;

f. repeating the steps above for the club until the satisfied with results;

g. repeating the steps above for each club until the training session is completed.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, for training golfers wherein for a non-putting shot(s), the taking the shot step further comprises:

a. selecting the golf club for the shot; wherein triggering collection of the golf data;

b. gripping the golf club; wherein triggering the sensors in the enhanced golf equipment relative to the virtual caddy's grip standards;

c. capturing a pre-shot setup routine wherein triggering the sensors and intra-component computing circuits in the enhanced golf equipment; and

d. capturing the golf shot and the golf data wherein triggering the sensors and intra-club computing circuits in the enhanced golf club and golf ball.