Abstract:
There is provided an improved putting training apparatus and method wherein a golfer may observe, analyze, and record their putting swing. A putter supports two detachable, vertically aligned lasers, each adapted to selectively cast a beam towards a target disposed substantially perpendicular to the face of the putter. A first laser is momentarily illuminated when the putter head address the golf ball. The second laser is illuminated continuously both during the preparation for and during the putt. The second laser records on the target a complete transition of the club head during the time it is illuminated. A camera connected to a computer records the first and second laser traces on the target and provides feedback to the golfer regarding his putting swing. Putter head velocity is thereby easily determined. The lowest point in the arc may be readily compared to the actual point of impact with the ball.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/367,013, filed Mar. 3, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,291. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to golf equipment and, more particularly, to a putting device and system for observing, analyzing, and recording a golfer&#39;s swing when putting a golf ball. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many consider a good, squarely-aligned, repetitive putting stroke to be one of the most difficult strokes for a golfer to master and one that is equally difficult to teach. Recreational golfers may lose valuable stroke that would otherwise significantly improve their scores, by taking three and four putts per green. Even professional players are greatly affected by their ability (or inability) to putt. Good or even proficient putting may make the difference between a professional attaining or retaining his or her tour privileges, making or missing a cut in a tournament, or even winning or losing a tournament. 
   One way in which golfers can improve their putting stroke is to use an alignment system. One such alignment is the subject of one of the inventors&#39; previously-filed patent application Ser. No. 10/367,013. The claimed subject matter of patent application Ser. No. 10/367,013 is, however, directed at aligning the face of a putter with a golf ball (i.e., aiming the putter). While aiming, of course, is critical to good putting, the putting swing is equally critical. 
   The present invention provides a method for developing a consistent, appropriate golf swing. 
   A portion of a commercially available Greenpeed Chart, ©2004 by Robert W. McCarthy and reproduced by permission, is provided as Table 1 hereinbelow. It will be recognized than an obvious question is: how does a golfer train him or herself to strike the ball at 6.36 ft/sec? The apparatus and method of the instant invention provide an answer to this question. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               STIMPMETER READING 12 
               NEGATIVE ACCELERATION 2.56 
             
           
        
         
             
               FEET 
               V 2   
               ½V 
               PUTTER V 
               HT. (IN) 
               WORK 2   
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               2 
               10 
               1.6 
               2.01 
               3 
               16 
             
             
               3 
               15 
               2.0 
               2.46 
               6 
               32 
             
             
               4 
               20 
               2.3 
               2.84 
               9 
               48 
             
             
               5 
               26 
               2.5 
               3.18  
               12 
               64 
             
             
               6 
               31 
               2.8 
               3.48 
               15 
               80 
             
             
               7 
               36 
               3.0 
               3.76 
               18 
               97 
             
             
               8 
               41 
               3.2 
               4.02 
               21 
               113 
             
             
               9 
               46 
               3.4 
               4.27 
               24 
               129 
             
             
               10 
               51 
               3.6 
               4.50 
               27 
               145 
             
             
               11 
               56 
               3.8 
               4.72 
               30 
               161 
             
             
               12 
               61 
               3.9 
               4.93 
               33 
               177 
             
             
               13 
               67 
               4.1 
               5.13 
               36 
               193 
             
             
               14 
               72 
               4.2 
               5.32 
               39 
               209 
             
             
               15 
               77 
               4.4 
               5.51 
               42 
               225 
             
             
               16 
               82 
               4.5 
               5.69 
               45 
               241 
             
             
               17 
               87 
               4.7 
               5.86 
               48 
               257 
             
             
               18 
               92 
               4.8 
               6.03 
               51 
               274 
             
             
               19 
               97 
               4.9 
               6.20 
               54 
               290 
             
             
               20 
               102 
               5.1 
               6.36 
               57 
               306 
             
             
               21 
               108 
               5.2 
               6.52 
               60 
               322 
             
             
               22 
               113 
               5.3 
               6.67 
               63 
               338 
             
             
               23 
               118 
               5.4 
               6.82 
               66 
               354 
             
             
               24 
               123 
               5.5 
               6.97 
               69 
               370 
             
             
               26 
               133 
               5.8 
               7.25 
               72 
               386 
             
             
               28 
               143 
               6.0 
               7.53 
               75 
               402 
             
             
               30 
               154 
               6.2 
               7.79 
               78 
               41 
             
             
               32 
               164 
               6.4 
               8.05 
               81 
               434 
             
             
               34 
               174 
               6.6 
               8.29 
               84 
               450 
             
             
               36 
               184 
               6.8 
               8.53 
               87 
               467 
             
             
               38 
               195 
               7.0 
               8.77 
               90 
               483 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The information contained in Table 1 may be used as illustrated in the following example. It is known that if the distance from the ball to the cup, the speed of the green (i.e., Stimpmeter reading), and the elevational difference between the ball and the cup are known, then the velocity with which the putter must hit the ball may readily be calculated or easily read from an appropriate chart. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that the ball lies 10 feet from the cup, the ball lies 6 inches below the cup (i.e., there is a 6 inch difference in elevation between the ball and the cup), and that the Stimpmeter reading for the green is 12. By consulting Table 1, it may readily be seen that for a distance in feet of 10 (Column 1), a corresponding V 2  (i.e., square of the velocity) of 51 may be from Column 2 of Table 1. This is the square of the velocity with which the putting hear  102  must strike the ball  140  to sink a 10 foot put on a level green Stimping at 12. However, in the example chosen for purposes of illustration, the ball lies 6 inches below the cup. Again consulting Table 1, this time locating 6 inches in the height (i.e., HT. column 5), it may be seen that a work value of 32 may be read. To properly use Table 1, the V 2  value of 51 previously read from Table 1 must be added to the work value of 32 just obtained giving a sum of 83. Returning to the V 2  column (Column 2), the value 83 is located. If 83 falls between two values in Column 2, arithmetical interpolation may be performed to arrive at a more precise answer. However, in the case of the illustrative example, a value 82 is found in Column 2. The V 2  value of 82 (i.e., roughly 83) corresponds to a 16 foot putt on a level green. In other words, the golfer must treat a 10 foot putt from 6 inches below the cup like a 16 foot putt on a level green (at least with respect to the force delivered by the putting face  104  to the ball  140 ). But in actuality, how “hard” must the golfer hit ball  140  on a green Stimping  12  to sink  1  16 foot putt? The apparatus and method of the present invention enable a golfer to answer that question and to practice putting strokes to determine the feel of club force necessary to reliably putt a golf ball. 
   The inventors are unaware of any other devices, systems, or methods which accomplish the intended purpose of his invention. Consequently, there remains a need for a putter and a swing training and development method that, when coupled with a suitable alignment system, provide a golfer with a removable (as per United States Golf Association rules and regulations), yet substantially error-free way of monitoring and improving his putting swing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved putting training apparatus and method wherein a golfer may observe, analyze, and record the putting swing. 
   The current invention features a putter adapted to support two readily attachable and detachable lasers, each laser adapted to selectively cast a beam substantially parallel to the putter face (i.e., the putter surface which normally addresses and strikes the golf ball during putting), the beam being directed towards a target having a face disposed substantially perpendicular to the front face of the putter. In other words, the target is placed and aligned such that a laser projected substantially parallel to the face of the putter strikes the face of the target. The two lasers are disposed one above the other, typically in vertical alignment. A first, upper laser is illuminated momentarily when the putter head addresses the golf ball prior to the putting stroke so as to identify upon the target the position of the putter head when actually striking the ball. The second, lower laser is illuminated substantially continuously both during the preparation for the putt (e.g., while addressing the ball) and during the putt (i.e., as the golfer&#39;s swing proceeds from a preparatory position, striking the ball), and follow-through swing. The second laser, therefore, records on the target a complete transition of the club head during the time the second laser is illuminated. A camera, for example a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS device) connected to a computer records the traces of both the first and second laser on the target and provides feedback to the golfer regarding his or her putting swing. Putter head velocity is easily measured from the trace of the second laser on the target. The frame rate of the camera is fixed. Because the positions of the laser dots are also known, these positions may be converted into velocity. Of particular interest to the golfer is, of course, the velocity of the putter head at the lowest point on the arc made by the putter head. It is ideally at this lowest point of the arc that the ball is struck and it is the instant velocity at that point which is of primary interest. 
   It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved golf putting analysis and recording device and system for analyzing the correctness and accuracy of the putting golf swing. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a golf putting analysis system that uses lasers to analyze and improve the golf putting swing of a golfer. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide a golf putting analysis system wherein two lasers are disposed to project laser beams substantially parallel to the face of the putter. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a golf putting analysis system wherein two lasers are disposed one above the other. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to provide a golf putting analysis system wherein one laser is illuminated momentarily and a second laser is illuminated substantially continuously. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a golf putting analysis system wherein the speed of a putting swing at the point where the putter strikes the ball may be measured and reported. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings when considered in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description in which: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a rear, elevational, schematic view of a putter equipped to practice the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of a putter head of the putter of  FIG. 1   a  and showing a removable laser attachment block partially inserted therein; 
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are top plan and rear elevational views, respectively, of the putter head of  FIG. 1   b;    
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are perspective views of a fixed portion and an openable portion of the laser support of  FIG. 1   b;    
       FIG. 4  is a perspective, schematic view of a target/camera assembly of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a top, plan, schematic view of the putter and a target/camera assembly in its intended operating environment; 
       FIG. 6  is a view of a laser beam trace on the screen of the target/camera assembly of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified parallel time line showing the interactive relationship of the golfer, the camera, and the processor in practicing the method of the invention. 
   

   For purposes of brevity and clarity, like components and elements of the apparatus of this invention will bear the same designations or numbering throughout the figures. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Generally speaking, the invention features a putt analysis and recording device and system for analyzing how a golfer addresses and strikes a golf ball during putting. The putting device comprises two lasers that are removably attached to the putter head. The lasers each project a beam of light parallel to the putter face at a target disposed perpendicular thereto to allow a golfer to measure, record, and analyze his or her putting swing. It is desirable that the lasers be attachable to a golfer&#39;s regular putter so that all training is done with the putter used when actually playing golf. The United States Association (USGA), as well as other authorities, generally prohibits the use of clubs having any attachments such as the lasers and actuating switch of the present invention in tournaments. While practice is possible with a putter other than a golfer&#39;s regular putter, the use of the regular putter is highly desirable. Nonetheless, the invention is not considered limited to a removable configuration. 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , there are shown rear elevational view of a putter and a detailed, perspective view of a putter head, respectively. A putter  100  has a head  102  having a face  104  adapted for addressing and striking a golf ball  140 . A shaft  106  projects from a top surface  108  of putter head  102 , only a portion of shaft  106  being shown in  FIG. 1   b . A cable  116  is routed from a laser support block  128  to a momentary switch  120  disposed on shaft  106  proximate a grip  132  disposed at a distal end of shaft  106 . Cable  116  is removably and temporarily secured to shaft  106  by cable attachment means  118 , typically a hook-and-loop material such as Velcro®. It will recognized that many options are available for removably and temporarily securing cable  116  to shaft  106  and the invention is not considered limited to the hook-and-loop material chosen for purposes of disclosure. 
   Referring now also to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , there are shown top plan and rear elevational views, respectively, of putter head  102 . Putter head  102  is formed in a U-shaped configuration as may readily be seen in  FIG. 2   a . A pair of legs  126  surrounds an empty region  122 . The inner surfaces  124  of legs  126  are curved, forming retention grooves adapted to slidably retain openable portion  112  of the laser support as described in detail hereinbelow. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , there are shown perspective views of the fixed and openable portions  114  and  112 , respectively, of the laser support block  128  ( FIG. 1   b ). Openable portion  112  of laser support  128 , shown in an open configuration in  FIG. 3   b , has rounded edges  130  that, when in a closed configuration, not shown, are sized and configured to slide into grooved edges  124  of putter head  102 . Openable portion  112  has a pin  132  adapted to mate with an orifice  134   a  or  134   b  depending upon the orientation of fixed portion  114  of laser support block  128 . A protrusion  144  on fixed portion  114  of laser support block  128  is substantially symmetrical so that fixed portion  114  of laser support block  128  may be mounted in at least two orientations: laser facing to the side (i.e., in a direction parallel to face  104  of putter  102 ) as is applicable to practicing the method of the present invention; and laser facing forward. It will be recognized that protrusion  144  could easily be configured to align the two lasers  134 ,  136  in orientations other than the two orientations chosen for purposes of disclosure. It will also be recognized that other methods may be used to removably secure two lasers to the head  102  of putter  100  and the invention is not considered limited to the mounting system chosen for purposes of disclosure but is intended to encompass any suitable method for removably attaching a pair of lasers to a putter head. Last, while two lasers  134 ,  136  have been chosen for purposes of disclosure, additional lasers could also be mounted on laser support block  128 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of a target/camera assembly, generally at reference number  400 . A translucent screen  402  is disposed at a first end of a case  404 . Screen  402  is provided with an aiming spot  406  disposed proximate the center thereof. A handle  408  may be provided to facilitate carrying target/camera assembly  400 . A camera  410  is disposed inside case  404 , typically at an opposite end away from translucent screen  402 . Camera  410  is typically a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS camera and is typically focused on the rear side of translucent screen  402 . Camera  410  provides an output signal via a cable  412  which is coupled to a computer  414 . A typical connection is via a universal serial buss (USB) connection but any other suitable connection between camera  410  and computer  414  may be utilized. Computer  414  is used to execute a computer program, not shown, providing both storage and analysis of the golfer&#39;s putting swing. The operation of the computer program is described in detail hereinbelow. It will be recognized that any camera capable of capturing images at the required frame rate may be used and the invention is not considered limited to the CCD or CMOS cameras used for purposes of disclosure. 
   In operation, target/camera assembly  400  is placed on a line extending parallel to the face  104  of putter head  102  at a suitable distance therefrom, as shown in  FIG. 5 . A golf ball  140  is suitably located on a putting green, not specifically identified, at a given distance from a cup  420  into which a golfer is putting. The face  104  of putting head  102  is aligned with cup  420  along a line 418, typically substantially normal to face  104 . 
   When ball  140  is properly addressed, momentary switch  120  ( FIG. 1   a ) is momentarily actuated by the golfer, thereby actuating second laser  136  which projects a beam of light  422  towards translucent screen  402  of target/camera assembly  400 . It is assumed that target/camera assembly  400  is properly positioned relative to the golf ball  140  and cup  420 . It is also assumed that putting head  102  is positioned accurately enough so that a beam of light from second laser  136  falls on translucent screen  402  forming a reference spot  406  thereupon. The position of reference spot  406  is recorded by computer  414 . The location of reference spot  406  indicates the exact position where face  104  of putter head  102  will be when the golf ball  140  is struck by the golfer during his or her actual putting stroke. The position of reference spot  406  is recorded by the computer, not shown. 
   First laser  136 , disposed beneath second laser  138 , is adapted for continuous operation, being turned on by any suitable method. A switch, not shown, could be mounted on or near laser support  128 . In alternate embodiments, a jumper within plug  142  used to attach cable  116  to second laser  138  may be used to actuate first laser  136 . It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that numerous alternated ways are available for actuating first laser  136  and the invention is not considered limited to any specific actuating mechanism. 
   As a golfer moves his or her club relative to ball  140 , the path of putter head  102  is traced on translucent screen  402  by first laser  136 . 
   Spot  424  shows the actual position of putter head  102  when the ball  140  is addressed (i.e., the position of the beam  422  from second laser  138  when the club addresses the ball). The exact location of spot  424  may be recorded by computer  414 . 
   Trace  424  shows the path of putter head  102  as the golfer actually putts ball  140  toward cup  420 . Trace  424  is a line drawn through a series of dots  426  displayed on the computer screen, each dot  426  representing the position of the laser at a particular camera  410  sample time. The camera  410  data recorded by computer  414  (i.e. trace  424 ) readily shows exactly where in the swing the golfer actually contacted ball  140 . The velocity of putter head  102  is also readily be determined by knowing the sample rate of camera  410 . A sampling rate of 30 frames/second has been found satisfactory for practicing the method of the present invention. A 30 frame/second frame rate is well within the capability of a color CCD camera. A monochrome CCD camera may typically used frame rates in the range of approximately 250–500 frames/second. CMOS cameras potentially provide even faster frame rates because they directly record images digitally thus avoiding the analog-to-digital conversion generally required when using CCD cameras. While 30 frames/second has been used for purposes of disclosure, other frame rates may also be used. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to any particular frame rate. 
   Camera  410  is disposed a known distance from screen  406  which has a known height and width. Consequently, the field of view of camera  410  is also known. The pixel resolution of camera  410  is also known. Consequently, the number of pixels in both the vertical and horizontal direction of screen  406  is also known. Because these parameters are all known absolute distances moved by putter head  102  as well as the velocity with which the putter head  102  has moved may easily be determined by simple calculations. 
   The overall operation of the apparatus and method of the invention may be understood by referring now to  FIG. 7  where there is shown a parallel time line which serves as a flow chart of one embodiment of the inventive system useful for recording data from camera  410  ( FIG. 4 ), generally at reference number  700 . 
   The process is started, block  702 , when a golfer, not shown, depresses the momentary switch  120  ( FIG. 1   a ) to illuminate laser  134  establishing a reference spot  406  on the face  402  of target  400  ( FIG. 4 ). It is assumed, of course, the putter  100  and target  400  are well enough aligned that when laser  134  is illuminated, that its beam will fall on face  402  of target  400 . Camera  410  ( FIG. 4 ) records the presence of reference spot  406  and starts a timer, block  704 . Subsequently camera  410  and the monitoring computer program, not separately shown, running on computer  414  ( FIG. 4 ) connected thereto, continues to seek images. The reference spot  406  is displayed on computer  414  or another suitable display, block  706 . The events of blocks  702 ,  704 , and  706  take place in an initial time period T 0 . It will be noted that myriad different ways exist to embody (i.e., “code”) a computer program to perform the functions outlined herein. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to a particular algorithm or programming language but is seen to encompass any program other means for performing the disclosed data processing and/or computational functions. 
   The next time period T 1  begins when the golfer starts a back swing, block  708 . The camera  410  continues to record images at the predetermined frame rate, block  710 , at least until laser  134  is outside the field of view of camera  410 . Computer  414  displays an arc associated with the path of laser  134  during the golfer&#39;s back swing, block  712 . It will be recognized that the display associated with computer  410  may display various traces or arcs in different colors, or by using differing geometric shapes to represent data points associated with different traces or arc, or by using different line geometries (e.g., patterns of long and short dashes, etc.). Consequently, a viewer of the display may readily differentiate one trace from another. 
   The next time period T 2  begins when the golfer starts moving the putter forward, block  714 . Again, camera  410  continues to record images at the predetermined frame rate and at some point in the swing, laser  134  will again come onto the target  400 , block  716 . The first image captured as the laser is again in within the field of view of camera  410 , is treated as the first data point in the forward swing, block  716 . As discussed hereinabove, the forward swing may be recorded on the display of computer  414 , block  718  in a unique manner. 
   The next time period T 3  begins when the face of putter head  102  comes in contact with the ball  140  ( FIG. 1   a ), block  720 . Camera  410  is still recording images at the predetermined frame rate and is displaying the forward swing, block  722 . The software determines the lowest point in the forward arc. In addition, the two pixels preceding the reference point  406  are identified and the distance between them measured. From this information, the putter  100  velocity is obtained. 
   As the golfer continues his or her follow through, block  726 , time period T 4  is begun. Camera  410  continues to record images, block  728 , until laser  134  is out of its field of view. The software running on computer  414  continues to process images, block  730 , from camera  410  until either the timer set in block  702  expires or until the laser  134  is outside the field of view of camera  410 . 
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.