Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards a golf shot set up and aiming aid. The aid comprises a direction sensing means ( 104 ) and at least one illumination means ( 106 ), whereby the illumination means is capable of projecting a set-up line ( 200, 202 ) and aiming line ( 230, 204 ) on a playing surface for the user, and, the illumination means is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis ( 110 ) in response to feedback from the direction sensing means. In this manner, after acquisition of an intended target by the user along an imaginary target line, the direction sensing means can be used to detect if the aid is moved or rotated in such a manner as to no longer face towards the intended target. If so, the illumination device which is rotatable will be turned to account for any rotation imparted to the aid. Therefore, once the target has been acquired, the user can place the aid onto the ground without worrying about rotating the aid inadvertently as the aid is placed on the ground. Once on the ground, the illumination device can project the set-up line and the aiming line onto the playing surface for the user. With the aid of the present invention, the user is able to establish the aiming line towards the intended target and subsequently place the aid on the ground so that they can retrieve the correct club and approach and address the golf ball in their own time.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to a golf aid, and in particular to a golf shot set-up and aiming aid for use by golfers on golf courses, practice ranges and the like. 
         [0002]    Golf is a widely popular game played throughout the World. A game of golf is won by completing all of the holes on the course in the fewest number of golf shots. Thus, it is imperative that a golfer sets up their golf shot correctly so that they accurately aim their next golf shot towards an intended target. 
         [0003]    In addressing a golf ball, to strike the golf ball towards the intended target, the golfer should maintain a stance with their feet approximately shoulder width apart and longitudinal axes of their feet aligned substantially orthogonally to an imaginary aiming line which is directed from the golf ball towards the intended target. In this manner, a normal golf swing should result in the face of the golf club striking the ball at the correct angle so as to send the golf ball towards the intended target substantially along the imaginary aiming line. 
         [0004]    However, in addressing the golf ball to take their golf shot it is very common, and particularly so for amateur golfers with higher handicaps, to misalign their feet so that their stance is not set up correctly relative to the imaginary aiming line which is directed towards the intended target. This causes the golf shot to be aimed inaccurately at the intended target due to the fundamentally erroneous set-up by the golfer. Even a perfect golf swing cannot correct this fundamental error in the golf shot set-up and it is thus very important that a correct golf shot set-up and golf shot aiming alignment be established from the outset. 
         [0005]    A golfer can check their stance to see if it set up correctly by drawing an imaginary foot alignment line from the foremost part of one foot to the foremost part of the other foot. This imaginary foot alignment line should run in parallel with the imaginary aiming line towards the intended target. 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Publication Number US2008/0032809 (KOREJWA) is the closest known prior art and discloses a golf stance laser alignment device. The golf stance laser alignment device comprises a periscope sighting lens attached to a telescope, whereby the periscope sighting lens is at a right angle to the telescope so that the user may adopt a sideward stance to an intended target which is located through the telescope. The golf stance laser alignment device comprises a laser generated light line projected on the ground to indicate the accurate foot alignment to the intended target. It is understood that a user would have to use the golf stance laser alignment device to align their feet, and then subsequently store the golf stance laser alignment device, retrieve their golf club and play their golf stroke without moving their feet. This is due to the fact that the laser generated light line projected on the ground will only indicate the correct alignment when the intended target is being viewed through the telescope. Once a user moves the golf stance laser alignment device such that the telescope is no longer pointing in the direction of the intended target, the laser generated light line projected on the ground will correspondingly move and thus no longer indicate the correct foot alignment. It is for this reason that the user must store the golf stance laser alignment device, retrieve their golf club and play their golf stroke without moving their feet, once they have correctly aligned their feet. 
         [0007]    There is clearly a disadvantage to this known prior art device which requires the user to continually hold the golf stance laser alignment device pointing in the direction of the intended target in order to have the accurate foot alignment indicated by the laser generated light line projected on the ground. Whilst continually holding the golf stance laser alignment device pointing in the direction of the intended target, the user will be able to set up the correct stance, but thereafter will have to store away the golf stance laser alignment device in order to play the golf stroke. Thus, the user cannot move their feet once they have set up the correct stance. 
         [0008]    Being forced to keep their feet in place whilst storing the golf stance laser alignment device and retrieving the club is cumbersome and may also be unsettling for the user. 
         [0009]    If the user moves their feet inadvertently, the entire process must be repeated by locating the intended target in the telescope, projecting the correct foot alignment lines on the golf course, and setting up their feet alignment accurately. This can lead to a frustrating experience for the user and indeed any playing partners in the user&#39;s round of golf. 
         [0010]    It is a goal of the present invention to provide an apparatus that overcomes at least one of the above mentioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is directed towards a golf shot set-up and aiming aid for a user, the aid comprising a direction sensing means and at least one illumination means; the illumination means being capable of projecting a set-up line and aiming line on a playing surface for the user; and, the illumination means being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis in response to feedback from the direction sensing means. 
         [0012]    The advantage of using a direction sensing means and an illumination device which is rotatable is that after acquisition of a target along an imaginary target line, the direction sensing means can be used to detect if the aid is moved in such a way as to turn or rotate the aid to no longer face towards the intended target, and the illumination device which is rotatable may be turned to account for any rotation imparted to the aid. Therefore, once the target has been acquired, the user can place the aid onto the ground without worrying about rotating the aid inadvertently as the illumination device which is rotatable will be rotated to account for this. Once on the ground, the illumination device can project the set-up line and the aiming line onto the playing surface for the user. With the aid of the present invention, the user is able to establish the aiming line towards the intended target and subsequently place the aid on the ground so that they can retrieve the correct club and approach and address the golf ball in their own time. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment, the aid comprises a motor which is connected to the illumination means and is capable of rotating the illumination means about the substantially vertical axis. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment, the aid comprises a processor and the direction sensing means comprises a Micro Electro-Mechanical (MEM) gyroscope, such that the processor receives feedback from the Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope regarding any rotation of the aid, and, the processor controls the motor to rotate the illumination means so as to account for the rotation of the aid. 
         [0015]    The advantage of using a Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope is that the aid is relatively robust. This is important as the aid will be kept in a golf bag which will be subject to varying weather conditions and undulating terrain. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment, the aid comprises a battery, and, upon the user activating the aid, an electrical voltage is established across the Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope using the battery in order to allow the Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope to detect any rotation of the aid, and, the battery powers the illumination means to project the set-up line and the aiming line on the playing surface for the user. 
         [0017]    In a further embodiment, the aid comprises a timer and, upon the user activating the aid, the Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope and the illumination means are both activated for a preset period of time. 
         [0018]    In a further embodiment, the direction sensing means comprises a gyroscope. 
         [0019]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means is rotatable about the substantially vertical axis in response to a biasing force provided by the gyroscope. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment, the direction sensing means is a compass. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment, upon a user-specified direction being chosen, the illumination means may be rotated so as to remain substantially facing in a direction, defined relative to the user-specified direction, through rotation about the substantially vertical axis and in response to feedback from the direction sensing means. 
         [0022]    The advantage of causing the illumination means to be rotated so as to remain substantially facing in a direction, defined relative to the user-specified direction, is that the user, having acquired the target, does not need to carefully handle the aid so as to keep it facing in the correct direction, the user can place the aid onto the paying surface without any care given to whether the aid is being rotated as, through rotation about the substantially vertical axis, the illumination means will be rotated in response to feedback from the direction sensing means so as to keep the illumination means facing in the direction which will cause the set-up line and the aiming line to be project correctly for the intended target which has been acquired by the user. 
         [0023]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means projects the set-up line for a user to correctly align their feet, and, the aiming line for the user to correct align a golf club. 
         [0024]    In a further embodiment, the aiming line comprises a pair of substantially orthogonally arranged lines which project a cross on the playing surface where a golf ball to be played should be located. 
         [0025]    In a further embodiment, the aid may comprise means for altering a distance between the set-up line and the aiming line, when the set-up line and the aiming line are projected onto the playing surface. 
         [0026]    In a further embodiment, the gyroscope comprises spinning a gyroscopic wheel rotatable about a gyroscopic axis. 
         [0027]    In a further embodiment, the aid further comprises an activation means which causes the gyroscope to be initially reset to a default position and thereafter activate, and, subsequently causes a user-specified direction to be acquired after activation of the gyroscope. 
         [0028]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged to display the set-up line for the user&#39;s stance and the aiming line. 
         [0029]    In a further embodiment, the aid comprises an adjustable projection timer which may be adjusted to alter the length of time which the illumination means projects the set-up line and/or the aiming line on the playing surface for the user. 
         [0030]    The advantage of altering the length of time which the illumination means projects the set-up line and/or the aiming line on the playing surface is that the aiming line and/or the set-up line can be switched off if the user feels that they are distracting during the user playing their golf stroke. Furthermore, different golfers have different set up times and golfers can adjust the length of time to suit their game. This will allow golfers with a relatively short set up time to shorten the length of time, and thus increase the battery life of the aid. 
         [0031]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means comprises a plurality of lasers to project the set-up line and the aiming line on the playing surface for the user. 
         [0032]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means comprises a single laser and the aid further comprises a reflector, whereby the reflector reflects light from the single laser to project the set-up line and the aiming line on the playing surface for the user. 
         [0033]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means is arranged to project the set-up line and the aiming line on the playing surface when the aid is resting on the playing surface. 
         [0034]    In a further embodiment, the aid comprises a casing having a substantially planar base face, and the illumination means is arranged to project the set-up line and the aiming line on the playing surface when the substantially planar base face of the aid is in abutment with the playing surface. 
         [0035]    The present invention is directed to a golf shot set-up and aiming aid comprising a viewfinder, a gyroscope, and, at least one illumination means; the illumination means displaying a set-up position and aiming direction for a user, and, being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis; whereby, a user-selected direction may be chosen using the viewfinder; and, the illumination means may be locked to face in a direction, defined relative to the user-selected direction, through rotation about the substantially vertical axis in response to a biasing force provided by the gyroscope. 
         [0036]    The advantage of providing such a golf shot set-up and aiming aid is that the gyroscope will correct for any changes to the orientation of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid as the user transitions the golf shot set-up and aiming aid from a position adjacent their eye line to chose the user-selected direction using the viewfinder, to a position on the golf playing surface in order to allow the illumination means to display the set-up position and/or aiming direction for the user. 
         [0037]    In a further embodiment, the set-up and aiming aid further comprises an activation means which causes the gyroscope to be initially reset to a default position and thereafter activated, and, subsequently causes the user-selected direction to be acquired after activation of the gyroscope. 
         [0038]    In a further embodiment, the set-up and aiming aid comprises a target acquisition indicator to inform the user when the user-selected direction has been acquired. 
         [0039]    In a further embodiment, the target acquisition indicator is switched on after a preset period of time, from the activation of the gyroscope, has elapsed. 
         [0040]    In a further embodiment, the activation of the gyroscope comprises spinning a gyroscopic wheel about a gyroscopic axis. 
         [0041]    In a further embodiment, the gyroscope comprises a gyroscopic wheel which rotates about a gyroscopic axis, and, the set-up and aiming aid further comprises an activation means which causes the user-selected direction to be acquired by obtaining the angular displacement of the gyroscopic axis relative to a default, known position. 
         [0042]    In a further embodiment, the gyroscope is an electronic gyroscope. 
         [0043]    In a further embodiment, the set-up and aiming aid further comprises an activation means which causes the user-selected direction to be acquired by obtaining readings from the electronic gyroscope regarding the displacement of the electronic gyroscope from a default, known position. 
         [0044]    In a further embodiment, the electronic gyroscope is a Micro Electro-Mechanical (MEM) gyroscope. 
         [0045]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means comprises a laser to display a golf shot stance set-up for the user and/or a golf shot aiming line for the user. 
         [0046]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged to display a golf shot stance set-up for the user and/or a golf shot aiming line for the user. 
         [0047]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means projects a golf shot stance set-up and a golf shot aiming line onto a golf playing surface in front of the user. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf aid in accordance with the present invention; 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the golf aid of  FIG. 2  showing direction-indicating aiming lines; 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a golf aid in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the golf aid of  FIG. 3 ; 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the portion of the golf aid shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a lower portion of a golf aid in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0055]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the lower portion of a golf aid of  FIG. 6 ; 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a golf aid in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  is a further perspective view of the golf aid of  FIG. 8 ; 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  is a detail view of a viewfinder of the golf aid of  FIG. 8 ; 
         [0059]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the golf aid of  FIG. 8  shown adjacent a golf ball; 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic front view of the golf aid of  FIG. 8  showing some inner component parts of the golf aid; and, 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the golf aid of  FIG. 8  showing the set-up line and aiming line as would be projected by the golf aid of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
       [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a golf shot set-up and aiming aid indicated generally by reference numeral  100 . The golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  comprises a viewfinder  102 , a gyroscope indicated generally by reference numeral  104 , and a pair of illumination means  106 A,  106 B. 
         [0063]    The gyroscope  104  comprises a gyroscopic wheel  103  which is free to rotate about a gyroscopic axis  105 , which in turn is mounted in a pair of gimbals  107 . The gyroscopic wheel  103  is driven by a motive means  109 . The gyroscope  104  is activated by an activation means (not shown). As is readily understood by any skilled practitioner, whilst in operation, the gyroscope will maintain its orientation in space due to the conservation of angular momentum. 
         [0064]    The gyroscope  104 , viewfinder  102  and illumination means  106 A,  106 B are rotatably mounted on a base  108  so that the gyroscope  104 , viewfinder  102  and illumination means  106 A,  106 B may rotate about a substantially vertical axis  110  through substantially 360°. 
         [0065]    In use, and referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  is operated by a user, who is likely to be a golfer or a caddy, by firstly orientating the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  towards an intended target by using the viewfinder  102  to locate the intended target and direct the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  towards the intended target. Once the intended target has been accurately located by the user using the viewfinder  102 , the user will activate the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  by engaging an activation means (not shown) on the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100 . For example, this could entail depressing an activation button (not shown) on the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100 . Once the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  has been activated, this will activate the gyroscope  104  by causing the motive means  109  to spin the gyroscopic wheel  103 . After a preset period of time has elapsed, for example one second, an indicator (not shown) is illuminated to inform the user that the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  has acquired the intended target. This is to allow sufficient time for the gyroscope  104  to become activated and establish a holding orientation. 
         [0066]    At this point, the user may place the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  on a playing surface. The illumination means  106 A,  106 B which are preferably lasers, but may also be alternatively made up of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other such illumination means, are illuminated when the activation means is engaged. The illumination means  106 A,  106 B project a golf shot stance set-up line for the user comprising a foot alignment line  200  and a proximal centre line  202 ; and, an aiming line for the user comprising an imaginary target line  203  and a distal centre line  204 . The imaginary target line  203  and the distal centre line  204  intersect at a golf ball positioning spot  206 . 
         [0067]    The gyroscope  104  holds the orientation set by the user, which is directed towards intended target, even if the user rotates the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  as they move the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  from adjacent their eye line to placing the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100  on the playing surface. The user will overlap the ball positioning spot  206  with their golf ball and the proximal centre line  202  and the foot alignment line  200  will direct the golfer to adopt the correct set-up stance in addressing the golf ball which is to be struck towards the intended target. In this manner, the illumination means  106 A,  106 B is locked to face in a direction, defined relative to the user-selected direction, through rotation about the substantially vertical axis  110  in response to a feedback, in the form of a biasing force provided by the gyroscope  104  to rotate the illumination means  106 A,  106 B. The illumination means  106 A,  106 B are locked to face in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the user-selected direction towards the intended target, which is to say that the proximal centre line  202  and the distal centre line  204  are directed substantially orthogonally to the imaginary aiming line (not shown) directed at the intended target (not shown), and, the foot alignment line  200  is arranged to be substantially in parallel with the imaginary aiming line (not shown) directed at the intended target (not shown). 
         [0068]    It will be understood that the foot alignment line  200  may be adjustable relative to the ball positioning spot  206  to accommodate golfers of different heights. A relatively tall golfer would require the foot alignment line  200  to be set at a distance further away from the ball positioning spot  206  than a relatively short golfer. 
         [0069]    Moreover, the proximal centre line  202  is used by the golfer to establish the correct position of their stance relative to the golf ball. For example, when using a driver, a right-handed golfer will normally stand with the golf ball just inside their front foot, which will be their left foot. This is to say that the proximal centre line  202  should be just inside their stance beside the inner side of their left foot. As the golfer uses clubs with shorter shafts, their position relative to the golf ball will change. For example, the proximal centre line  202  will be approximately in the middle of their stance for a five iron ( 5 I) or six iron ( 6 I) golf club, and, for a pitching wedge (PW) the golfer&#39;s position relative to the golf ball will be such that the proximal centre line  202  will be just inside their back foot, which will be their right foot. This is to say that the proximal centre line  202  should be just inside their stance beside the inner side of their right foot when using the pitching wedge. 
         [0070]    Furthermore, the distal centre line  204  can be used to ensure correct and straight alignment of the face of the golf club by aligning the foremost bottom edge of the golf club face to be substantially in parallel with the distal centre line  204 . 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5  inclusive, there is provided a golf shot set-up and aiming aid in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The golf shot set-up and aiming aid is indicated generally by reference numeral  300 , and like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals. 
         [0072]    The golf shot set-up and aiming aid  300  comprises an upper casing  302  and a lower casing  304 . The upper casing  302  houses a viewfinder  102  and an activation means  306 . The lower casing  304  is transparent and comprises a pair of illumination means  106 A,  106 B. The illumination from the illumination means  106 A,  106 B will pass through the transparent lower casing  304  to project the proximal centre line  202  and the distal centre line  204 . The lower casing  304  further comprises an electronic gyroscope  400 , which may preferably be a Micro Electro-Mechanical (MEM) gyroscope, which controls a servo motor  402  to rotate the illumination means  106 A,  106 B. The illumination means  106 A,  106 B are mounted at the free ends of a controllable, rotatable cross member  404  in a diametrically opposed arrangement. The servo motor  402  causes the illumination means  106 A,  106 B to be rotated based on a controlling input from the electronic gyroscope  400 . 
         [0073]    In use, the user (not shown) will locate an intended target (not shown) through the viewfinder  102  of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  300 . Upon engaging the activation means  306 , the orientation of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  300  is captured by the electronic gyroscope  400  and the illumination means  106 A,  106 B are illuminated. As the user places the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  300  on the golf playing surface, the orientation towards the intended target is maintained as the illumination means  106 A,  106 B will be rotated by the servo motor  402  to project the proximal centre line  202  and the distal centre line  204  substantially orthogonally to the imaginary aiming line (not shown) directed at the intended target, and, to project the foot alignment line  200  substantially in parallel with the imaginary aiming line directed at the intended target. 
         [0074]    It will be readily understood that the proximal centre line  202  and the distal centre line  204  may be not be projected. Only the foot alignment line  200  would be projected as this would be sufficient to ensure that the correct set-up stance is adopted by the golfer in order to direct their golf shot towards the intended target. The proximal centre line  202  and the distal centre line  204  are used to ensure that the golfer sets up at a correct distance from the golf ball. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a lower portion of a golf shot set-up and aiming aid in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The lower portion of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid is indicated generally by reference numeral  600 , and like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals. The lower portion of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  600  comprises four line lasers  602 A,  602 B,  602 C,  602 D. The line lasers  602 A,  602 B,  602 C,  602 D project the foot alignment line  200 , the proximal centre line  202  and the distal centre line  204  as hereinbefore described. The four line lasers  602 A,  602 B,  602 C,  602 D are mounted on a rig  604  which is rotatably mounted on a base  606 . The rig  604  is rotatable using a small PCB motor  608 . The PCB motor  608  may be controlled by an electronic gyroscope (not shown) or a gyroscope (not shown). 
         [0076]    With reference to  FIGS. 8 to 10  inclusive, wherein like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals, there is provided a golf shot set-up and aiming aid indicated generally by reference numeral  800 . The golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  comprises an upper casing  802 , an intermediate casing band  812  and a lower casing  803 . A deployable viewfinder  102  comprising a pair of cross hair mounted at opposing ends of a moveable bracket  804  form part of an upper face of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800 . A viewfinder deployment button  806  and an aid activation button  808  are presented on the upper face of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800 . A substantially planar base face  810  is arranged on an underside of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  to allow the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  to be rested on a playing surface (not shown). 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  is shown adjacent a golf ball  1102  on a playing surface  1100 . 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  comprises a illumination device  1200  in the form of a single laser. The illumination device  1200  is mounted to project a plurality of cross-hair patterns upwardly toward a reflector plate  1202 . The reflector plate  1202  reflects the laser light out through the intermediate casing band  812  which is preferably transparent so as to allow the laser light to pass through. The illumination means  1200  is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and may be controllable rotated by a motor  1204 . A printed circuit board  1206 , comprising inter alia a processor (not shown) is provided within the casing  802 ,  803 ,  812  of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800 . The processor operates the motor  1204  in response to feedback from a direction sensing means (not shown), which may be preferably a Micro Electro-Mechanical (MEM) gyroscope. A battery  1208  is provided to power the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800 . 
         [0079]    In use, a user deploys the viewfinder  102  by depressing the viewfinder deployment button  806 . In one embodiment, this may wake the processor and other component parts from a power saving mode. The user then uses the viewfinder  102  to direct the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  towards an intended target. The user depresses the aid activation button  808  and this causes a voltage from the battery to be established across the Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope. This initial position is then established as the user-specified direction. The processor then receives feedback signals from the Micro Electro-Mechanical gyroscope, or other such digital direction sensing means, and the processor correspondingly operates the motor  1204  to rotate the illumination means  1200  and the reflector plate  1202 . In this way the illumination means  1200  and the reflector plate  1202  are rotated so as to remain substantially facing in a direction, defined relative to the user-specified direction, through rotation about the substantially vertical axis and in response to feedback from the direction sensing means. The direction in which the illumination means  1200  and the reflector plate  1202  are rotated so as to remain substantially facing in, is a direction, relative to the user-specified direction, in which the set-up line and aiming line which are projected onto a playing surface by the illumination means  1200  and the reflector plate  1202  are directed so that the user will adopt a correct foot alignment stance and aim toward the imaginary target, user-specified direction. 
         [0080]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  is shown in an activated state, whereby the set-up line  1204 ,  1206  and aiming line  1200 ,  1202  are shown. In this embodiment, the set-up line and the aiming line are configured as a left-side set-up line  1204 , a right-side set-up line, an upper aiming line  1200  and a lower aiming line  1202 . It will be appreciated that a number of line configurations may be used to project one or more line which are substantially orthogonal to one another so that the user may correctly align their feet and set up their golf stroke and also aim the club head and their golf shot correctly towards their intended target. In the present embodiment, the left-side set-up line  1204  and the right-side set-up line may be used by the golfer to correctly align their feet by placing the foremost point of their feet at each line respectively so that the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  is between their feet as they are playing their golf stroke. The upper aiming line  1200  may be used for correctly setting up their club head so that it is substantially orthogonal to the imaginary target direction line. The lower aiming line  1202  can be also used for correctly positioning their feet. For a right-handed golfer, the inside of their left foot should be relatively close to the lower aiming line  1202  when they are using a driver ( 1 W,  3 W) and the inside of their right foot should be relatively close to the lower aiming line  1202  when they are using a low iron or wedge ( 9 I, PW, LW). For a mid iron ( 5 I,  6 I), the lower aiming line  1202  should be approximately equidistant from the inside of both of their feet. 
         [0081]    In a further embodiment, the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  may comprise a timer (not shown) so that the direction sensing means and the illumination means  1200  are both activated for a preset period of time. This is advantageous as it allows for a power efficient unit to be devised. The preset period of time, for which the direction sensing means and the illumination means  1200  are both activated, may be varied by the user to accommodate different speeds of play which suit different users. The timer may also be used as an adjustable projection timer which may be adjusted by the user so as to alter the length of time which the illumination means  1200  projects the set-up line and the aiming line on the playing surface for the user. It will be understood that any one or more of the lines projected by the illumination means  1200  may be switched off or dimmed independently of one another so that a user can configure the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  to their preference. 
         [0082]    The golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  may also comprise means for altering a distance between the set-up line and the aiming line, when the set-up line and the aiming line are projected onto the playing surface so that golfers of different height, who require different distances between the golf ball and their feet, can refine the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  800  to their individual preference. 
         [0083]    In a further embodiment, the illumination means  106 A,  106 B may also display an aiming line for the golf shot which passes through the ball positioning spot  206 . 
         [0084]    In another embodiment, it is envisaged that only the aiming line for the golf shot which passes through the ball positioning spot  206  would be projected for putts. 
         [0085]    In a further embodiment, the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100 ,  300 ,  800  comprises a motion detection unit (not shown). The motion detection unit allows the golfer to lock onto the intended target in the normal manner and only activate the illumination means  106 A,  106 B thereafter at their convenience. The golfer will place the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100 ,  300 ,  800  on the golf playing surface and once in place the golfer will then make their stance and then tap the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100 ,  300 ,  800  with their golf club to activate the illumination means  106 A,  106 B. The golfer can thusly attempt to align themselves to the golf shot correctly and subsequently check to see if they are aligned and positioned correctly. This option may be switched on or switched off using an operation mode switch (not shown) on the golf shot set-up and aiming aid  100 ,  300 ,  800 . 
         [0086]    It will be readily understood that the references herein before to the Micro Electro-Mechanical (MEM) gyroscope will be interpreted as encompassing any type of electronic direction sensing device which is comprised of substantially solid-state materials and is essentially digital in nature. 
         [0087]    It will be readily understood that other means of projecting and showing the set-up line and the aiming line for the user may be alternatively used. For example, retractable arms may be deployed to indicate the direction of the set-up line and aiming line. Alternatively direction lines may be shown on the upper casing of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid and a motor may be used to swivel the upper casing so that the direction lines point in the appropriate directions. 
         [0088]    In a preferred embodiment, a proximity sensor adjacent a base of the golf shot set-up and aiming aid is used to detect when the golf shot set-up and aiming aid has been placed resting on the playing surface. The illumination means will only project the set-up and aiming lines when the golf shot set-up and aiming aid is resting on the surface. In this manner, laser light will be prohibited from projecting from the golf shot set-up and aiming aid whilst the golf shot set-up and aiming aid is in a user&#39;s hand for example. 
         [0089]    In a further embodiment, the golf shot set-up and aiming aid may further comprise a range finder to allow a golfer to determine a distance to a pin or their intended target. The range finder may preferably be of a standard laser range finder design; and more preferably the same laser used to project the set-up line and aiming line may be used to determine the distance to a pin or intended target point. 
         [0090]    The terms “comprise” and “include”, and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation. 
         [0091]    The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.