Golf swing practice system

A golf swing practice apparatus including a golf ball simulation target and anchor for securing the target to a support surface. The anchor may be a ground stake when the surface is the ground and, alternatively, a mat anchor when the surface is a golf training mat. A connector arm horizontally offsets the anchor out of the way from the target, and can be adjustably positioned relative to the target to raise or lower the position of the target above the support surface as desired. A marker is supported by the target for leaving a mark on the golf club head during a practice swing. The location of the mark relative to the “sweet spot” on the golf club head can be used to adjust the golf swing. The mark can be two marks whose relative sizes indicate whether the target was hit with an open or close face impact.

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments of the invention pertain to golf swing practice/training devices and, in particular, to a device providing a realistic practice target that, when struck, provides an indication of the position, direction, orientation, and/or strength of the golf swing.

When playing golf, it is important to swing the golf club to provide maximum control over the direction and distance that the impacted golf ball travels. A need exists for golf practice apparatuses which provide useful, quick and accurate information to the golfer as to the quality and characteristics of a practice swing. These apparatuses should be designed and constructed to not only be sturdy to survive numerous impacts of the golf club head, but also to be easy to use.

Some prior art golf swing practice devices fail to provide a realistic swing target and/or accurate feedback of direction, orientation, and/or strength of the golf swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,363,446, by E. J. Vogel, describes a device including a substitute golf ball coupled to a mat by a substantially vertical tongue that flexes when the substitute golf ball is struck by a golf club. This device fails to provide feedback to a player about the direction, orientation, and/or strength of the golf swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,733,767, by L. E. Yaggi, describes a golf swing practice device including a supporting stake and a golf ball target coupled to the supporting stake by a ball-and-socket mechanism. When struck by a golf club, the golf ball target bends at the ball-and-socket point to indicate the direction of swing. The player must determine the rotation of the bent practice golf ball to ascertain whether the practice golf ball was struck straight or at an angle. This device fails to ascertain whether the target golf ball was struck high or low, the relative strength of the swing, and whether the practice golf ball was struck by the sweet spot of the golf club. Additionally, another disadvantage of this device is that the player must manually reset the practice golf ball every time.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,409, by P. H. Brown, merely describes a target golf ball that can be secured to a practice surface and flexes when struck by golf club. This target golf ball is not a realistic golf ball target and fails to provide any indication of the position, direction, orientation, and/or strength of the golf swing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,059, by Weis, discloses a golf ball practice target having a substantially vertical support that, when struck, causes the golf ball practice target to return to its rest position. A hole at the center of the golf ball practice target is used to provide an audible indicator of a proper swing. However, as with other prior art, this golf ball practice target fails to provide any indication of the position, direction, orientation, and/or strength of the golf swing or whether the golf club struck the golf ball practice target on the club head's sweet spot.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,026, by Weis, discloses a golf swing practice apparatus having a golf ball target mounted on a vertical support that flexes when the golf ball target is struck by a golf club. The golf ball target includes a pointer that aligns itself with the direction of the golf club swing, thereby providing an indication of the swing. However, this device is inaccurate and fails to provide any indication of the position and/or strength of the golf swing or whether the golf club struck the golf ball practice target on the club head's sweet spot.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,775, by Moy, discloses a golf swing practice apparatus having a ball support having marking tabs along the upper edge of the support. In theory, when a golf ball mounted on the ball support is struck by a golf club, the marking tabs leave a mark on the golf club face. However, this device does not work unless the ball support is struck and, because the markers are offset from the golf ball surface, also fails to provide an accurate indication of how the ball is struck.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a golf swing practice apparatus including a golf ball simulation target coupled to an anchor for anchoring the target to a support surface. This flexible target may include a round golf ball simulation target unit with a connector arm. The end of the arm opposite to the target unit is secured to the anchor such that the center of the target unit is offset, out of the way of the anchor, a horizontal distance.

One example of the invention provides a golf swing practice system with visual indications of a realistic golf club swinging direction (e.g., straight, slicing, hooking, undercutting, topping, etc.). The golf swing practice system is a compact apparatus that can be deployed indoors and/or outdoors and provides a user the sensation of striking a golf ball with a club. Upon striking a simulated golf ball target, the golf club face is marked with one or more indicators of the position of the golf club face relative to the golf simulated ball target. These one or more indicators can then be used to determine the golf club swinging characteristics, including quality, speed, geometric, and/or direction.

Another aspect of the invention provides different ways of marking a golf club face to convey the type of contact between a golf ball and a golf club face.

Another feature of the invention provides various types of cartridges that can be used to deposit markings on a golf club face as indicators of the quality and characteristics of a golf practice swing.

Yet another feature of the invention provides a reading card that can be used to read or understand the markings on a golf club face. Such reading card may indicate whether the golf club hit the ball straight, sliced, hooked, the relative force or speed of the golf club, etc.

Also provided is a computer program and/or online system that instruct users how to read the marking on the golf club and how to correct his/her swing based on these markings.

A golf swing practice apparatus is provided including (a) a golf ball simulation target, (b) a supporting member for supporting the target, the support member adapted to anchor the target, the target being movable relative to the supporting member between a normal configuration and an impacted configuration when impacted by a golf club head during a golf practice swing, (c) a connector arm connecting the target to the supporting member, and (d) a marker supported by the target and adapted to mark the face of the golf club head when the face impacts the target during the golf practice swing and with the target in the anchored position. The connector arm may be offset a central line of the target a horizontal distance from a central axis of the support member. The arm may be configured to be raised or lowered relative to the supporting member to adjust the height of the target relative to a support surface.

The supporting member may include a stake adapted to allow a user to manually push the stake into the ground and pull the stake out of the ground.

The target includes a round member whose outer diameter is approximately the same as the diameter of a golf ball simulated by the target. The target may have a spherical shape approximately the size of a golf ball or a semi-spherical shape approximately the size of half a golf ball. The marker may be a print marker that includes a body containing marking liquid or marking gel. The marker may also include a plurality of print strips that, when the target is impacted by a golf club head, makes one or more marks on the golf club head. The one or more marks indicate the orientation of the golf club head relative to the target and/or the relative force with which the target is struck. The one or more marks may indicate the relative force with which the target is struck. The target is adapted to resiliently spring back after it is impacted by a golf club during the practice swing.

Another embodiment provides, a golf swing practice apparatus, comprising: (a) a golf ball simulation target attachable in a golf swing practice position to a support member, (b) a first marker connected to the target to mark a golf club head with a first mark during a golf practice swing on the target, and (c) a second marker connected to the target to mark the golf club head with a second mark during the golf practice swing.

The first and second marks may be substantially parallel to one another. The first and second marks can be used to determine whether the golf practice swing was a square, open, or close faced swing at impact of the golf ball simulation target to the golf club head. The first and second marks may also indicate the proximate position where the golf club head would have contacted a real golf ball. When the first mark is longer than the second mark, a close face impact of the golf club head is indicated, and when the first mark is shorter than the second mark, an open face impact of the golf club head is indicated. Different lengths of the first and second marks indicate an open or close face impact by the golf club head and equal lengths of the marks indicate a square hit by the golf club head. The average lengths of the first and second marks indicate the relative speed of the golf club head at impact with the golf ball simulation target. The first and second markers may be print strips formed as part of a replaceable cartridge.

Yet another feature provides a golf practice swing marker, comprising: (a) a body of elastic material, and (b) a marking fluid held in the body by wicking or capillary action and adapted to mark a face of a golf club head when the body comes in contact with the golf club head during a golf practice swing. The marking fluid is a marking ink or dye whose mark on the golf club head face is adapted to be wiped off of the golf club head face by a wiping action of a user. The body comprises wicking material, retriculated foam, capillary foam, sponge or retriculated felt. The body is adapted to be coupled to a golf swing practice apparatus.

A golf swing practice reader apparatus is also provided comprising: (a) a reading card, (b) a distance and angle indicator, (c) a pin coupled the distance and angle indicator and the reading card, the distance and angle indicator and reader card including markings for reading the amount of hook or slice impact by a golf club from marks on the club head face when the distance and angle indicator is in position relative to the club head face. The distance and angle indicator is in a first position relative to the face when the reading card is reading the amount of hook impact and in a different second position when the reading card is reading the amount of slice impact. The pin may rotate and slide relative to the reading card. The distance and angle indicator may be a windmill indicator. The reading card includes first and second windows and the distance and angle indicator is pivotable and slidable relative to the windows during a reading process.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits may not be shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. The term “target” (e.g., golf ball simulation target) refers, but is not limited, to any object or shape intended to be struck by a golf club or serve as an aim for a golf club swing. The terms “print media” and “marker” (e.g., marking cartridge, etc.) refer to anything that holds or includes a marking fluid, gel, or substance and can transfer a mark onto a golf club head. The term “print strip” is one type of print media which has an elongated shape.

One example of the invention provides a golf swing practice system with visual indications of a realistic golf club practice swing quality (e.g., straight, slicing, hooking, undercutting, topping, etc.). The golf swing practice system is a compact apparatus that can be deployed indoors and/or outdoors and provides a user the sensation, sound and/or feel, of striking a real golf ball with a club. Upon striking a golf ball simulation target, the golf club face is marked with one or more indicators of the position of the golf club face relative to golf ball simulation target. These one or more indicators can then be used to determine the golf club swing characteristics.

Another aspect of the invention provides different ways of marking a golf club face to convey the type of contact between a golf ball simulation target and a golf club face. Such markings made on the golf club face may serve to diagnose various characteristics of the golf swing.

Another feature of the invention provides various types of markers that can be used to deposit markings on a golf club face as indicators of a golf swing.

Yet another feature of the invention provides a reading card that can be used to read or understand the markings on a golf club face. Such reading card may indicate whether the golf club hit the ball or golf ball simulation target square (straight), open (sliced), and/or closed (hooked) at impact.

Also provided is a computer program and/or online system that instruct users how to read the marking on the golf club and how to correct his/her swing based on these markings.

FIG. 1illustrates an exploded view of a golf swing practice apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The golf swing practice apparatus includes an extension arm102coupled to a supporting member104. The extension arm102includes a target base108at one end and a mounting coupler112at the opposite end of the extension arm102. A practice target114couples to the target base108using fasteners116, interlocking tabs, and/or other securing mechanisms. The mounting coupler112may define an opening118that receives the supporting member104.

The supporting member104includes a shaft or post120coupled to a base122. When assembled, the post or shaft120slides through the opening118in the mounting coupler112to support the arm102. In one embodiment, the shaft120may include a plurality of holes124which receive a pin126to adjust the height at which the practice target114is mounted relative to a mounting surface. For example, when inserted into one of the plurality of holes124, the pin126may support the mounting coupler112at a fixed height relative to the support surface. For instance, the bottom edge of the target114may be positioned on or adjacent to the practice or support surface to simulate a fairway shot. Alternatively, the bottom edge of target114may be spaced a distance, such as one inch, above the support surface to simulate a “teed-up driving” shot. It can also be positioned in between, such as for a “par three” or near support surface shot. The pin126may be coupled to the supporting member104by a tether128so that it is not lost or misplaced when removed from the shaft holes124.

In some implementations, the mounting coupler112may also include an opening through which the pin126can pass to reach holes124on the shaft or post120. In some embodiments, the pin126passing through both the mounting coupler112and the shaft120prevents the mounting coupler112from rotating when the practice target114is struck. In other implementations, the shaft120may have a non-circular cross-section or includes a keyed cross-section that corresponds to the internal contour of the opening118thereby preventing the mounting coupler112from rotating while adjusting the height of102or when the practice target114is struck.

The base122may include an attaching/detaching mechanism that permits the golf swing practice apparatus to be mounted on different supporting surfaces. For example, a golf practice mat130may serve as the supporting surface for the golf swing practice apparatus. A mounting base106positioned on one side of the mat130is coupled to a backing plate132on the opposite side of the mat130by a fastener134and retaining nut136. Other mounting or retaining mechanisms may also be employed without departing from the invention. The base122can then be coupled to the mounting base106. This mechanism permits setting the practice target114at the surface of the practice mat130or below or above the top of the practice grass138.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the golf swing practice apparatus ofFIG. 1, with the assembled extension arm102and supporting member104, separated from the mounting base106on a practice mat202. Since the various parts of the golf swing practice apparatus, including the target114, base108, arm102, coupler112, shaft/post120, pin126, base122, and/or backing plate132, may be intentionally or accidentally struck by a golf club (e.g., when a golfer misses the target and hits a different part of the golf swing practice apparatus), these parts may be constructed from sufficiently strong and/or flexible materials capable of withstanding such forces. For instance, the shaft120may be made from an elastic material that allows the shaft120to flex if struck directly by a golf practice swing. This increases the durability and/or life of the golf swing practice apparatus.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of another version of the invention having a ground stake mounting mechanism. The arm102and supporting member104for the golf swing practice apparatus ofFIG. 1are illustrated in an assembled state. However, in this illustration a ground stake302is used as the mounting mechanism. That is, the base122couples to a mounting base304of the ground stake302to provide support to the golf swing practice apparatus. The ground stake302may include one or more fins306extending from a center pin308. A player can simply press the ground stake302into the ground and then couple the base122to the mounting base304. The base122may include guides that couple, snap, and/or slide into matching rails on the mounting base304to secure the supporting member to the ground stake302. So that the golf swing practice apparatus may withstand the significant forces of a practice golf swing when any part of the apparatus is struck, one embodiment provides for the base122to be detachable from the mounting base if sufficient force is applied (e.g., a golf practice swing accidentally strikes the shaft120directly). This prevents the ground stake302and/or other parts of the golf swing practice apparatus from breaking under the significant forces generated by a golf practice swing.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate the right-handed and left-handed mounting positions of a golf ball simulation target114, respectively. That is,FIG. 4illustrates how the practice target114is positioned on a first face of the target base108for right-handed golf club swinging. The practice target114maybe detached from the first face of the target base108and coupled to the opposite face of the target base108to accommodate a left-handed golf swing.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate how different types of golf clubs may be used with the golf swing practice apparatus.FIG. 6illustrates how a four iron golf club may be used to practice on the golf swing practice apparatus. Similarly,FIG. 7illustrates the use of a driver golf club to practice on the golf swing practice apparatus. It should be noted that the arm102may be lowered or raised relative to the playing mat202or supporting surface according to the desired practice height of the target114. For instance,FIG. 6illustrates how the target114is placed at the level of the simulated playing turf604for practicing with the four iron golf club602. In another example,FIG. 7illustrates how the arm102is raised to place the target114at a height similar to a tee for practicing with the driver golf club702.

FIG. 8illustrates an alternative golf ball simulated target802coupled to an extension arm804having a single marking or printing strip806. Such single marking strip806maybe used to ascertain the relative force with which a golf club strikes the practice target804as well as the position at which the golf club head contacts the practice target804. In other embodiments, rather than using one or more vertical marking strips, the marking strips may have a horizontal or diagonal, or a combination of horizontal, diagonal, and/or vertical marking strips. Additionally, rather than using strip shapes, the marking element(s) may have other shapes, including one or more dots, squares, triangles, circles, etc.

FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate how the height of a target can be adjusted (e.g., raised or lowered) as desired. That is,FIG. 9illustrates how the practice target802may be placed at a first height (e.g., to simulate a golf ball placed on a tee).FIG. 10illustrates how the practice target802may be lowered to the level of the grass808on practice mat810(e.g., to simulate hitting the golf ball on the playing surface or fairway). This height adjustment may be performed by sliding the extension arm804up or down on the supporting post912and securing it at the desired height.

FIGS. 11 and 12illustrate the operation of a golf swing practice apparatus.FIG. 11illustrates a golf swing practice apparatus1102prior to the practice target1104being struck by the face of a golf club1106.FIG. 12illustrates the golf swing practice apparatus1102after the practice target1104has been struck by the face of a golf club1106. The arm1108flexes backwards when struck and the print strips1212on the practice target1004leave print marks1210on the face of the golf club1106. The arm1108may flex back into its original position after the golf club1106passes. In other implementations, the arm1108may rotate completely or partially about its supporting post instead of or in addition to flexing.

In yet other embodiments, a different supporting mechanism may be employed. For example, the practice target may be tethered or supported by a vertical arm, rather than the horizontal extension arm1108illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12. When struck by a golf club, the target travels in a vertical trajectory instead of a horizontal trajectory.

FIG. 13illustrates an alternative golf ball simulated target having a single marking or printing strip after it is struck by a golf club. The single marking strip1302makes a mark1304at the point at which it contacts the golf club head1306, thereby simulating where the golf club would contact a real ball. The length and/or width of the mark1304may be indicative of the force with which the target1308is struck. Additionally, this mark provides an indication of where the target1308was struck relative to a sweet spot of the golf club head.

FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate a square face (straight) impact of the golf ball simulated target1402by the golf club head1404. In a square face impact, the angle A between the golf club head and the arm or tangent line at the point of impact is zero. As noted inFIG. 15, two marks1506are made by the marking strips1408near the center of the sweet spot1510for the golf club head1404. Because these marks1506are approximately the same size, this indicates a substantially straight or square impact and translates to a straight direction for the trajectory of a real golf ball.

FIGS. 16 and 17illustrate a closed face (hooked) impact of the golf ball simulated target1602by a golf club head1604. In a close face impact, the angle B between the golf club head and the arm or tangent line at the point of impact is greater than zero. As noted inFIG. 17, two marks1706and1712are made by the marking strips1608offset from the sweet spot1710of the golf club head1604. Because these marks1706and1712are different sizes and the outer mark1706is longer than the inner mark1712, this indicates a close club face (hooked) swing at an offset impact point.

FIGS. 18 and 19illustrate an open club face (sliced) impact of a golf ball simulated target1802by the golf club head1804. In an open face impact, the angle C between the golf club head and the arm or tangent line at the point of impact is greater than zero. As noted inFIG. 19, two marks1906and1912are made by the marking strips1808offset from the sweet spot1910of the golf club head1804. Because these marks1906and1912are different sizes and the inner mark1912is longer than the outer mark1906, this indicates an open club face (sliced) swing at an offset impact point.

FIGS. 20-27illustrate various combinations of markings made using dual print strips of the present invention and their significance is in terms of swing orientation and force.FIGS. 20 and 21illustrate marks on the face of a golf club indicating a light and heavy straight and square impact, respectively, positioned relative to a sweet spot2004. That is, the shorter marks2002onFIG. 20indicated a lighter impact than the longer marks2102onFIG. 21.FIGS. 22 and 23illustrate marks on the face of a golf club indicating a hard hook with a light and heavy impact, respectively. That is, inFIG. 22the longer mark2202toward the outer edge of the golf club head relative to the shorter mark2204toward the inner edge of the golf club head indicates a hard hook with a light impact in the center of the sweet spot2206of the golf club head. InFIG. 23, the longer mark2302toward the outer edge of the golf club head relative to the shorter mark2304toward the inner edge of the golf club head indicates a hard hook with a heavy impact on the edge of the sweet spot2306of the golf club head. In contrast,FIGS. 24 and 25illustrate marks on the face of a golf club indicating, respectively, an open face (sliced) shot positioned offset from sweet spot2406and an open faced (sliced) shot within sweet spot2506. That is, inFIG. 24the longer mark2404, toward the inner edge of the golf club head, relative to the shorter mark2402, toward the outer edge of the golf club head, indicates a hard slice with heavy impact near the inner edge of the sweet spot2406. InFIG. 25the longer inner mark2504and shorter outer mark2502indicate a hard slice at the center of the sweet spot2506. That is, the difference between the lengths of the two marks can be used to determine whether a swing is a hard or light close face (hook) or open face (slice) swing. Meanwhile, the average length of the two marks can be used to determine the relative club head speed during a close face (hook) or open face (slice) swing.FIG. 26illustrates two partial marks2602near the bottom edge of the golf club head which is indicative of a golf ball being topped (i.e., golf club head contacted the golf ball or target too high). InFIG. 27, the angled marks2702may indicate that the player is standing too far from the ball or that the golf club is too long. That is, a lie angle D formed between the longitudinal axis of the marks2702and vertical alignment lines2704(e.g., ball grip grooves) on the face of the golf club head can be used to diagnose various conditions. For instance, if the angle D is approximately ninety degrees, this indicates a proper golf club length and swing stance distance. On the other hand, if the angle D is less than ninety degrees, this indicates that the golf club is too long or that the player is standing too far from the ball/target. According to one feature of the invention, one or more of the printing strips may have different color ink and/or shapes so that the markings on a golf club face can be easily distinguished by their different colors. In one implementation, the ink may be selected so that it evaporates after an amount of time after the swing (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.) thereby avoiding the need to swipe the surface clean prior to taking another swing.

Since the practice target114(FIG. 1) is tethered, a golfer can get real-life practice swings and feedback information on the swing without the necessity of using a real golf ball that must take flight to show the effects of a swing. Even a real golf ball will not indicate the quality of the swing to the degree of the present invention since golf balls do not print a mark on the club face that provide information about a swing. The footprint of a mark indicates the quality of the swing thereby providing realism without large space requirements.

FIG. 28illustrates an exploded view of a practice target or cartridge assembly2800according to one implementation. The cartridge assembly2800may have a spherical or semispherical shape to resemble the size, look and feel of a real golf ball. In this embodiment, two print strips2802are securely held in place within a cartridge assembly2800formed by a cover2804and a rear plate2806. The print strips2802may be straight but bend or adapt to a curved form when inserted in the cartridge assembly2800. The print strips2802are located on or near the surface of the practice target2800through openings2808in the cover2804. The rear plate2806may be shaped to press substantially evenly on the print strips2802. The cartridge assembly2800is formed by the rear plate2806and cover2804coupled together with the print strips2802securely housed therein. The cover2804may be made of a sufficiently tough and/or resilient material to withstand being struck by a golf club.

FIGS. 29,30, and31illustrate a back view, a side view and a frontal view, respectively, of the cartridge assembly2800according to one implementation.FIG. 29illustrates a back view of the cartridge assembly having symmetric openings2902and2904through which fastening screws2810can pass to secure the rear plate2806to print strips2802and the cover2804together.FIG. 30illustrates how the print strips2802extend vertically over a significant portion3004of the face of the cover2804. By extending over such vertical arcuate length3004, the print strips2802are able to make contact with different types of golf clubs that may strike the practice target or cartridge assembly2800at different points or angles. The length3004of the print strips2802, extending from near the bottom point of the target2800to above the mid-point of the target2800, insures that impact marks made on the golf club head represent a substantially realistic region at which the golf club head would have impacted a real golf ball. In reality, a golf club head would impact a real golf ball in between these two marks. The practice target or cartridge assembly2800is similar in shape, hardness, and mass of a real golf ball to provide a realistic sensation (e.g., impact, feel, and/or sound) during a practice swing. In alternative implementations, one or more print strips may be positioned horizontally, vertically, diagonally or a combination thereof. Additionally, instead of strips, the marking element may have different shapes, such as round, square, triangular, etc., and/or different lengths or sizes.

The print strips2802, holding the printing or marking fluid, are resilient and thus are affected by the acceleration during impact. To prevent the print strips2802from popping out when the practice target or cartridge assembly is struck by a golf club, various securing mechanisms may be employed. For example,FIG. 32illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled practice target2800according to one implementation. The rear plate2806tightly presses the print strips2802against the inner surface of the cover2804, with the tips of the print strips2802positioned within openings2808in the cover2804. To secure the print strips2802within the practice target2800, the print strips2802include grooved winged edges3202that interlock with corresponding retaining grooves3204on the inner surface of the cover2804, adjacent the interior longitudinal edges of the openings2808.

Because the target or cartridge assembly2800will be exposed to significant forces when struck by a practice golf swing, it is designed to absorb and withstand these forces while safeguarding the print strips2802and providing the feel or sensation of a real golf ball when struck by a practice golf swing. For this purpose, one embodiment of the rear plate2806and cover2804are configured to absorb the impact of a practice golf swing. In particular, the cover2804includes a primary impact region2818between the openings2808. The interior of the impact region2818is in direct contact with an impact absorption region2816in the rear plate2806so that the force of a practice golf swing is transferred to the rear plate2806. The interior rear plate2806is curved to provide curvature to the print strips2802. The interior of the rear plate2806may also include recessed zones or grooves2812to receive the print strips2802. A plurality of support posts2814creates a space between the recessed zones2812and print strips2802. This space allows the print strips2802to move into the recessed grooves2812when the target2800is struck with sufficient force to cause the cover retaining grooves3204to press on the grooved winged edges3202. Allowing the print strips2802to move into the recessed grooves2812prevents them from being cut or damaged by the cover retaining grooves3204when the target2800is struck by a golf club. When the target2800is struck, the retaining grooves3204press on the winged edges3202causing them to bend into the recessed grooves2812.

One problem that may be encountered when the target2800is struck with exceptional force by a golf club is that the impact region2818and/or impact absorption region2816may compress sufficiently that the golf club head also contacts the outer edges of the cover openings for the print strips. If this occurs, the sides of these openings would squeeze and/or deform the print strips2802. To avoid this problem, one embodiment of the invention provides openings2808having rounded outer edges3102. By rounding the outer edges3102as shown, the golf club head is less likely to come into contact with these outer edges3102, thereby avoiding damage, squeezing, and/or deformation to the print strips2802.

FIG. 33illustrates yet another embodiment of a practice target3302which has a spherical shape to more closely resemble a real golf ball. This spherical target3302may be created, for example by adding a semi-spherical rear cover3304to the semi-spherical target114illustrated inFIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment, the target3302may be a free-flying golf ball having printing markers3306that operate to mark the golf club face as previously described.

FIGS. 34,35, and36illustrate various exemplary states of the print strips in a one embodiment of a practice target.FIG. 34illustrates how the print strips3402are submerged below the outer surface (e.g., 0.024 inches) of the practice target3404before impact. That is, the print strips3402are positioned near the surface of the practice target3404. The amount by which the print strips3402are submerged depends on various factors including the shape of the practice target, the compression of the practice target, flexing of the print strips3402, among other design factors.

FIGS. 35 and 36illustrate how the inertia of the print strips3402allows them to pop out or extend beyond the spherical surface of the practice target3404when the practice target3404is struck by a golf club. Because the print strips3402extend out more or less depending on the force with which the practice target3404is struck, the marks made on the golf club head provide an indication the relative speed of the club head during impact. That is, a different mark footprint (width and/or length) is made by the print strips3402on the golf club head depending on the speed and angle of the golf club face. For example, when a golf club face is angled in a close face (hook) or open face (slice) orientation relative to the practice target3402during impact, the separation of the print strips3402assures that the lengths of the print marks will be different because one print strip or the other will be closer to the direct tangent point of impact on the golf club face. When the club face impacts the practice target3404with a square hit, both print marks made by print strips3402will be approximately of equal length. The present invention has been described above as including a marker which prints or otherwise deposits a small nonpermanent mark on the face of the golf club corresponding to the impact location of a golf ball simulated by the target during the practice swing. An alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of depositing a mark on the face, deposits an impact mark either on an impact sticker on the face of the golf club head or on a spray coating on the face. The stickers are known in the art as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,309 (Lee) and by many commercially available “impact marking decals,” such as the CADDYPATCH Suede Leather Ball Impact Marker and the LONGSHOT Impact Labels; and the spray can be the On-Mark Impact spray “Game Improvement in a Can.”

In yet another implementation, instead of the marker depositing a print spot on the face of the golf club head, a further embodiment of the invention makes a scuff mark. To make the scuff mark, the marker would not include marking fluid. Rather, the marker would be formed of a material such as hard rubber which leaves a scuff mark when it impacts a golf club head face.

FIGS. 37 and 38illustrate a reader card that may be used in conjunction with the golf swing practice apparatus to determine what a mark indicates. For example, the amount of the hooking or slicing action can be measured with this novel tool.FIG. 37illustrates a front view of this reader card3700whileFIG. 38illustrates a back view. A “windmill-shaped member”3710is pivotally coupled at its center location by a pin or rivet3712to the card3700of the device and the pin or rivet can slide in the slot3714in the reader card3700for adjustment and reading purposes. The card3700has two windows3702and3704.

The reader card3700is oriented and positioned for either hook or slice conditions. The windmill3710is slid via its pin or rivet3712in the slot3714and rotated to align it. The card is then read, by noting which of the bands—the first3716(which indicates a light hit—a tap), the second3718(which indicates a medium hit) and the third3720(which indicates a hard hit). The bands3716,3718, and3720can be differently colored, and more than three bands can be provided or even just two. The position of the windmill3710also indicates the amount of hook or slice. For example, the location of the slice arrow3722relative to bands3726,3728, and3730indicate the amount of slice. Similarly, the location of hook arrow3724relative to bands3732,3734, and3736indicates the amount of hook.

FIGS. 39,40, and41illustrate how two marks may be read using the reader card3700. To determine whether a particular set of marks indicate a square (straight), open face (hook), or close face (slice) impact, the marks are aligned against a first edge of the reader cared opening3702or3704while the opposite ends of the marks are aligned against an edge of the windmill3710. At this moment, the arrows3722and3724would indicate the distance and amount of hook or slice.

FIG. 39illustrates two equal-length marks3902and3904on the face of a golf club head3906. In this example, arrow3722indicates that the two marks3902and3904are straight (i.e., a square impact, no slice or hook) by pointing to the no slice (square) band3730. Meanwhile, arrow3724indicates that this was a relatively long distance3736.FIG. 40illustrates an exterior long mark4002and an interior short mark4004, indicating a hook where the distance is indicated by arrow3722pointing to distance3718and the amount of hook is indicated by arrow3724pointing to band3734.FIG. 41illustrates an exterior short mark4102and an interior long mark4104, indicating a slice where the distance is indicated by arrow3724pointing to distance3718and the amount of slice is indicated by arrow3722pointing to band3728.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a software application or website that a user can access to learn more about his/her swing based on the markings on the golf club face. The software application or website may provide animated instruction on how to correct different swing problems based on the markings on the club face.

Another aspect of the invention may provide additional features built into the golf swing practice system. Various sensors may be mounted on the target or the apparatus that measure velocity, force, and/or acceleration. For instance, a force sensor on the target may indicate the force with which the target is struck and display it on a display screen on the apparatus. Additionally, the measured force may be converted to an equivalent distance that a golf ball would have traveled. This equivalent distance may be provided to the golfer via said display. Alternatively, velocity or acceleration sensors may be mounted at or near the apparatus that indicates the velocity and/or acceleration of the golf club head before it strikes the target or the velocity and/or acceleration of the target after being struck by the golf club head. Such velocity and/or acceleration information may then be converted into an equivalent distance that a golf ball would have traveled and is provided to the golfer. Such sensors may be controlled by a small processor coupled to the apparatus. Additionally, a communication port may be provided as part of the apparatus that permits coupling the apparatus to a computer to record or download information from the apparatus and/or its sensors.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention includes any combination of the elements from the different species or embodiments disclosed herein, as well as subassemblies, assemblies, and methods thereof. As examples only, the various target and ground or mat anchors can be interchanged as can the print, scuff or impact arrangements, as well as the materials and dimensions. All such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention are considered as within the scope thereof.

It should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The description of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims.