Abstract: A method of analyzing the swing of a sport implement and player over time in three dimensional space involving implanting implement sensors at numerous locations in the implement adapted for measurement of linear motion on three axes and angular motion on said three axes, such as: linear motion inertial sensors; angular motion sensors; axial strain gauges; flexural strain gauges; and torsional strain gauges. Player sensors are set at a number of locations on the player's body, also adapted for measurement of linear motion on three axes and angular motion on said three axes. Data from the sensor suites are communicated via a wireless communications device to a processing unit by: infrared; radio frequency; or the Bluetooth system. Data is processed from the sensor units to derive an output communicated to the player via an interface such as: visual graphics display; text display; sound interface; tactile device; and vibratory device.

Abstract: A game providing method dispenses a golf ball that has an ID number recorded. A plurality of players hits the golf ball in turn from respective bays toward a fixed target position. A number of the golf balls hit from each of the bays is counted by counting means until an ID number recognizing device disposed at the target position recognizes a golf ball having an ID number corresponding to each of the bays. The number of the golf balls counted in each of the bays is displayed by display means.

Abstract: A method of measuring rotational motion of a golf ball. A hit golf ball is photographed by use of two cameras disposed along the traveling direction of the golf ball with a predetermined distance therebetween, and rotational motion of the golf ball is measured based on the photographed images of the golf ball. There is used a golf ball that has a no-depression polygonal mark in black or a dark color close to black printed on the surface of the golf ball. The hit golf ball is photographed by use of two cameras, and the position of an angular point of the no-depression polygonal mark is detected from photographed images, by means of image processing. The rotational motion of the hit golf ball is calculated based on change in position of the angular point in images photographed by the two cameras.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for analyzing a golfer's individual swing attributes and determining, based on that analysis, a suitable golf club configuration for that golfer. The swing analysis apparatus include video cameras for obtaining video images of a golfer swinging a golf club, such as a putter, at a golf ball. Images obtained from the video cameras may then be analyzed to determine what golf club dimensions will provide improved results in combination with the golfer's individual swing characteristics. The apparatus may additionally include a golf club having predetermined dimensions. When such a golf club is included, images from the video cameras may be analyzed to determine how the golf club of known dimensions must be adjusted to provide the golfer with desirable swing results. The apparatus may also include a method for confirming the dimensions that it is believed will provide a golfer with improve swing results.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that can determine the speed of an object and report that speed in a format suitable for use on a television broadcast, a radio broadcast, the Internet or another medium. One example of a suitable use for the present invention includes determining the speed that a baseball player swings a bat. Another use of the present invention is to measure the speed of a moving ball. In one embodiment, the system includes a set of radars positioned behind and pointed toward the batter. Data from all of the radars is collected and sent to a computer which can determine the start of a pitch, when a ball was hit, the speed of the ball and the speed of the bat.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring a golf swing, human movement in other sports, and other activities involving human movement and for teaching and reinforcing desired human movement. A golf swing is monitored for a golfer swinging a golf club through a tee area while standing on a platform housing a tee manipulation mechanism. Six or more infrared (IR) transmitters transmit respective IR beams along predetermined lines in close proximity to the tee area. Each predetermined line defines a portion of three-dimensional space critical to the optimization of the golf swing. Respective IR sensors receive the respective IR beams. Each pair of IR sensors provides a respective output signal indicative of improper club shaft or body positioning. This device is designed to monitor club shaft and body position and alert the golfer to undesirable positioning via audible buzzer, signal lights, and a golf ball removal system.

Abstract: A sports training system for monitoring and comparing a golfer's swing to a desired norm or standard at the point of impact of a golf ball, so as to thereby detect deviation (e.g., hook or slice) from such desired norm or standard. The system of this invention is capable of permitting the golfer to refine his swing by display of the relative position of the club face and ball at point of impact, club angle at impact and the club speed at impact. Thus, the golfer is able to adjust one or more of these variables at a time and detennine the likely result or effect upon the other(s).

Abstract: An instrumented golf club system having an instrumented golf club, an interface means and a computing means is disclosed herein. The instrumented golf club includes a plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, an angular rate sensor and an internal ring buffer memory for capturing data relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of transferring data from the instrumented golf club to the computing means for processing the data and presenting the data in a useful and informative format. The data may be used to assist a golfer's swing, or to design an appropriate golf club for a specific type of golfer.

Abstract: An instrumented sports apparatus includes a closely spaced array of discrete sensor elements coupled to a contact surface thereof for converting a contact force between the contact surface and an object into a plurality of discrete output signals. The signals are processed and information based thereon generated, which is representative of one or more parameters of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, as instrumented golf club displays information such as club head speed, club head angle, and club head elevation upon impact with a golf ball, permitting the golfer to adjust his swing on the next stroke. Since the instrumentation and display are entirely self-contained in the club, a golfer is not constrained in the use of the club and may enjoy the benefits thereof during play on a golf course.

Abstract: A golf training device is provided to assist a golfer in practicing their respective putting stroke by accurately indicating the distance a practice putt would have traveled upon a simulated green having a selected stimp value. The golf training device includes a putting target, a sensor for measuring the putting force applied to the putting target, a variable stimp selector enabling the golfer to select a specific stimp value representative of a putting green having the correlating stimp value, a microprocessor which calculates an respective putting distance based on the putting force and selected stimp value; and a display for displaying the respective putting distance to the golfer.

Abstract: Golf training apparatus adapted for use with a golf ball and a putter or chipping club having a club head defining a club width includes a U-shaped base having a pair of parallel, substantially rigid side members with a region therebetween which is devoid of base material. A light source, preferably a self-contained, battery operated laser, is mounted with respect to the proximal end portion, preferably at a central location so as to output a light beam proximally to distally along a line substantially parallel to the rigid side members. A momentary contact switch is preferably used to activate the light source. Using such a configuration, the base may be placed on a playing surface and the switch momentarily depressed to illuminate a target with the light beam. By virtue of the open swing region, a ball may then be placed directly on the playing surface before striking in the direction of the target.

Abstract: Sensors capable of sensing the proximity of a golf club head and of generating a sensor signal in response thereto are provided. The sensors include control sensors used to communicate user commands and club-head data sensors used to analyze a golf club swing. A computer program is provided to direct a computer to analyze signals generated by the control sensors to interpret commands from a training system user. The computer also analyzes signals generated by club-head data sensors to determine the path, height, impact speed, and face impact angle of the golf club head as a function of the user commands. Analyzed club-head data sensor signals are used to calculate and graphically represent the resulting flight path of the struck golf ball with respect to a graphically simulated fairway and green presented on a video display unit. The simulated fairway and green are defined by data stored within the data storage device.

Abstract: A golf exercise stand has a main body, two lateral plates, a sensing device, and a flagpole. The main body has a recess hole, a display screen, a groove, two lateral notches, and a rift. The flagpole has a tube inserted in the recess hole, a joint having an L-shaped block and a shaft supporting the L-shaped block, a post receiving an upper portion of the shaft, and the tube having a center hole receiving a lower portion of the shaft. A U-shaped clamp device is disposed on the L-shaped block. The U-shaped clamp device has an inner periphery groove receiving a light-emitting device and a through hole receiving a bolt. A switch is disposed on the light-emitting device. A nut engages with the bolt. Each lateral plate has a clip end engaging with the respective lateral notch, and a positioning device disposed on the lateral plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a golf ball test hitter used for testing the performance of a golf club after manufacture of the club, which comprises a first arm corresponding a man's arm, a second arm corresponding to a wrist, being supported at a free end of the first arm, clamping means provided in the second arm for clamping a golf club, first swivel means for swiveling and manipulating the first arm, second swivel means for swiveling and manipulating the second arm, changeover means for stopping power swivel of the second arm by the second swivel means at an arbitrary position, and changing over the second arm from power swivel to inertial swivel, and brake means for braking the second arm changed over to inertial swivel, whereby arbitrary and varied motions ranging from beginners to professional players can be obtained, and hence varied test results corresponding to various patterns (club swivel trajectories including the motion of the wrist) can be obtained.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a ball is a flat pad or a frame defining an opening with one or more magnetic field inducing elements mounted thereon. One or more sensor elements are mounted in the flat pad or the frame, and connected to instrumentation so as to record induced, time-varying current signals from disturbances in a magnetic field by the ball penetrating the field. The device may also be arranged so as to measure the spin characteristics and other vectors of a conductive, charged and/or magnetized golf ball penetrating field. Or, the device may be arranged so as to have no magnetic field inducing elements, whereby the magnetic field of a modified, magnetized golf ball, when passing through an opening, or over a flat pad, induces time varying current signals in at least one sensor element, which can be processed to predict the complete ball flight parameters, i.e., velocity, trajectory and spin.

Abstract: A playground golf course with an artificial turf, the greens of which are formed by disposing a thin resilient urethane foam layer below the artificial turf so as to reduce golf ball bounce and hence roll on the artificial turf. Greens are formed by disposing a polyethylene buffer below the thin layer and disposing a green boundary edge member composed of an artificial turf belt member around the artificial turf. Greens are also formed by tensioning predetermined portions in the vicinity of the periphery of the artificial turf with springs. The playground golf course is formed by disposing a plurality of greens formed in such a manner in an existing athletic facility. The playground golf course is composed of the greens, a golf club with two club heads formed at both ends of a shaft, a golf ball with reduced flight characteristics, and a golf tee that allows players to easily hit golf balls.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for practicing golf involve the use of a projected laser light beam that acts as a fixed guide to the hole or target.

Abstract: The golf game system of the present invention includes a pair of magnetic induction coil sensors to simulate the speed and, optionally, the direction of a golf swing by a golfer. The magnetic sensing system interfaces with standard software packages for a personal computer to allow a user to swing a real golf club and have the results entered and displayed by the software package. The golf game system of the present invention is useful for its recreational and entertainment value, permitting the user to practice his golf swing, and possibly for golf training and teaching applications. A magnetic strip adhesively attached to the end of the golf club locates the position of the golf club with respect to the sensors, without the need for optical sensing. An electronic circuitry panel translates the information provided by the magnetic induction coil sensors into information that is acceptable to the customized software package.

Abstract: A video golf swing sensing system responsive to a user swinging a golf club provides inputs to a video golf game operating on a personal computer having a monitor, a microprocessor, and a serial port. The sensing system is mounted on a pad and includes linear arrays of photodetectors and LED for detecting a club head parameter by sensing light reflected off the club head. A microcontroller processes the parameter data into a form required by the personal computer. An input cable coupled between an output of the microcontroller and the serial port transmits the information to the personal computer to provide the golf game information to determine a corresponding ball path in the video game. The arrays are recessed beneath a shield to facilitate reflection of light from the sources to the detectors within openings in the shield while excluding external light.