Abstract:
An improved static alignment and an improved dynamic alignment are combined in a laser beam method and system that provides instantaneous and continuous information feedback to a golfer to allow the real time correction of defects arising from a golfer&#39;s stance, head movement, body movement, golf club alignment, and golf club swing.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a method and system for guiding a golfer in achieving proper body alignment for efficient pitching, chipping, and putting strokes, and specifically to a laser beam device that provides instantaneous feedback that may quickly be deciphered to correct any deviation from both an optimum stance at the initial set up before a golf club swing, and optimum head and body movement during the golf club swing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The fundamentals of golf that are generally taught include a correct grip of a golf club, proper alignment of the body, and the ability to keep one&#39;s head steady during a golf club swing or putting stroke. The ability to consistently achieve these fundamentals will assist a golfer of any age and experience to improve his overall score. 
         [0003]    Proper alignment of the head, body and golf club before a golf club swing is executed (static alignment), and thereafter during the execution of the golf club swing (dynamic alignment), help in maintaining the necessary consistency. What has been missing is a teaching aid that provides sufficient, continuous, and instantaneous feedback to a golfer during both static alignment and dynamic alignment to allow immediate corrections to stance, head movement, body movement, and golf club swing to achieve improvements while engaged in a practice session or golf game. 
         [0004]    Numerous methods and devices are known that attempt to assist a golfer in improving the golfer&#39;s alignment either at the golf tee or during a golf club swing. Such devices include masking devices to limit the golfer&#39;s view, laser line projecting devices to illuminate a desired golf ball path, pendulum-like devices fixed to a golfer&#39;s hat to indicate head movement, audible alarm devices fixed to a golfer&#39;s cap or eye glass frame to detect head movement, and light emitting diode devices for detecting head or body movement during a golf swing. 
         [0005]    Each of the known methods and devices are limited to sensing and providing feedback on a single alignment characteristic (e.g. audible alarm or pendulum device indicating the occurrence of head movement, illumination by laser of desired golf ball path, laser beam projection for alignment of feet prior to static alignment), or two alignment characteristics (e.g. projection of light spot on ball to indicate head or body movement). None sense and provide to the golfer continuous and immediate feedback on four essential alignment characteristics (target direction alignment, club face alignment, body alignment, and swing axis alignment), as does the present invention, so that the golfer may instantaneously incorporate real time alignment corrections during both static alignment and dynamic alignment to achieve accurate and consistent performance. 
         [0006]    Further, the known prior art addresses only one of pre-static alignment, static alignment, and dynamic alignment, but none fully addresses either the improved static alignment of the present invention at the time the golf ball is first addressed or the improved dynamic alignment of the present invention during the execution of the golf club swing, and none address both static alignment and dynamic alignment as does the present invention. A successful launching of a golf ball by a golfer requires both static and dynamic alignment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A light weight, laser beam projecting device is disclosed that is easily fitted to the bill or visor of a cap, or to a shaft of a golf putter, without blocking a golfer&#39;s vision, and that projects two laser beams onto the hitting surface on the ground where the golf ball is located. One beam provides a straight line projection that is aligned with the desired travel path of the golf ball. The second laser beam provides a straight line projection that is parallel to the club face of the golf club or putter, and that perpendicularly intersects the straight line projection of the first laser beam. 
         [0008]    More particularly, a laser light source is connected to an optical lens assembly comprised of two sets of concave lenses that are placed side by side, with the face of each set of lenses being perpendicular to the laser beam produced by the light source. The optical lens assembly refracts the laser beam into two laser beam lines, one perpendicular to the other to form a laser T projection on the ground. The laser T projection in turn may be rotated into any orientation. By so orientating the laser T projection, one of the laser beam lines may be aligned with a desired golf ball travel direction. The projection of the laser T upon the ground in front of the golfer provides a visual aid to align the club or putter strike face perpendicular to the desired golf ball travel direction, and parallel to the second laser beam line that points to the golfer. The golfer&#39;s body also may be aligned with respect to the golf ball travel direction and the second laser beam line. Upon completing the above alignments, a static alignment is said to have occurred with the golfer&#39;s feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and head becoming aligned to improve a golfer&#39;s ability to properly strike a golf ball. 
         [0009]    After static alignment, the success of a golfer in having his golf club strike a golf ball, and launch the ball toward the desired target position, largely depends upon the golfer&#39;s ability to keep his head still while focusing his eyes upon the golf ball, and to keep his body aligned and rotated within a desired swing axis during the golf club swing. By such alignment, referred to as a dynamic alignment, a steady swing axis is created with the golfer&#39;s head positioned at the origin of the axis, and the golf club swing occurring along a desired plane of the swing axis. The steadiness of the swing axis in turn allows the golfer&#39;s body to turn in the direction of the desired golf ball travel line to generate the power needed to hit the ball onto the desired target position. 
         [0010]    More particularly, an optimum golf club swing occurs when the swing axis remains still, while the golf club is rotating with the golfer&#39;s arm and body along a plane of the swing axis that allows the golfer to execute his back swing and down swing within the plane. As before stated, the golfer&#39;s head is the hub of the swing axis. Any movement of the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, or head will directly translate into movement of the swing axis That is, the swing axis may move away from its original position during both the back swing and the down swing, as well as the follow through swing of the golf club. Through use of the method and system disclosed and claimed herein, however, a laser T projection is produced to provide the golfer a continuous visual ground projection that may be readily deciphered to correct in real time any undesired head or body movement. The swing axis thereby may be stabilized so that the golf club, and the arms and the body of the golfer, can rotate along a desired plane of the swing axis. 
         [0011]    The invention is directed to a laser beam projection system for indicating errors in both static and dynamic alignment of a golfer&#39;s head, body, and golf club, that comprises a power source, a pair of conducting lines, a laser light source connected by way of said pair of conducting lines to said power source for receiving an electrical current to generate a laser beam, and an optical lens system mechanically connected to said laser light source for refracting said laser beam to produce a laser T projection. The above system is used in accordance with a method of statically aligning a golfer&#39;s head, body, and golf club, that comprises the steps of energizing the laser beam projection system to produce a laser T projection that is superimposed on a golf ball mounted on a golf tee, centering a cross-point of the laser T projection on said golf ball, orienting the laser T projection to align a first arm of the laser T projection to point to the golfer, and to align a second arm of the laser T projection parallel to a desired travel path of said golf ball, and perpendicular to the first arm, observing rectilinear and rotational movement of the laser T projection to correct deficiencies in static alignment during a golfer&#39;s stance in addressing the golf ball before a golf club swing occurs, and performing a dynamic alignment by observing rectilinear and rotational movement of the laser T projection during a golf club swing and correcting that movement of the golfer&#39;s head, body, and golf club that prevent the golf club swing from occurring along a desired plane of a swing axis having the golfer&#39;s head at its origin. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present invention may be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an electro-mechanical schematic of the laser beam projection system in accordance with the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the effect of a concave lens on a laser beam; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the effect of a cluster of side-by-side concave lenses on a laser beam; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view looking down on side-by-side clusters of concave lenses, with one cluster being oriented perpendicular to the other; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  illustrates the effect of the two clusters of side-by-side concave lenses of  FIG. 2C  on a laser beam. A laser T projection is formed when a laser beam passes through the two clusters of concave lenses; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention including a housing that may be attached to the bill of a cap or the handle of a golf club; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the housing  300  of  FIG. 3  attached by pressure clip  302  to a billed cap; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the housing  300  of  FIG. 3  attached by snap-on clip  301  to the handle  402  of a golf club; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a static alignment of a golfer on the putting green with the housing  300  of the invention being attached to a golfer&#39;s hat by means of the pressure clip  302  of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a static alignment of a golfer on the putting green with the housing  300  of the invention being attached to the handle  402  of a golf club; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a dynamic alignment of a golfer with the housing  300  of the invention being attached to a golfer&#39;s hat during the execution of a golf club swing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a golfer&#39;s foot alignment relative to laser T projection  22 , and a position of the laser T projection  22  relative to small ellipse  600  and larger ellipse  601 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a motion graph that shows possible positions and rectilinear movements of the laser T projection  22  on the hitting surface during a golf club swing; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8C  is a motion graph that illustrates the use of “d”, “α” and “γ” parameters in defining both rectilinear and rotational movements of the laser T projection  22  during a golf club swing. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the drawings to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. In the description, same components of the preferred embodiments are referred to by same reference numbers. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the positive terminal of a power source  10  is shown to be connected by way of a conducting line  11  to one terminal of a time control switch  12 . The other terminal of the time control switch  12  is connected by way of a conducting line  13  to the positive terminal of a laser light source  20  by way of a flexible and twistable conduit  19  that may be repeatedly bent in shape. The time control switch  12  is operated by depressing a push button  303 . Each time the push button  303  is depressed, the time control switch  12  connects conducting line  11  to the laser light source  20 , thereby allowing the power source  10  to energize laser light source  20  for 10 to 15 seconds. The golfer thereby has an opportunity to recover from a stressful condition before again depressing push button  303 , and resuming his/her alignment and golf club swing. The negative terminal of power source  10  is connected by way of conducting line  16  through the flexible conduit  19  to a negative terminal of the laser light source  20 . One end of the flexible conduit  19  is mechanically attached to the outer surface of the laser light source  20 , and the other end is mechanically attached to a housing (not shown) that protects the conducting lines  13  and  16  from damage when the flexible conduit  19  is re-shaped. 
         [0029]    A cylindrical optical lens system  21  is attached mechanically to the laser light source  20  in the path of the laser beam. The optical lens system  21  is comprised of two side-by-side clusters of concave lenses, with each cluster including at least three side-by-side concave lenses. When one cluster of lenses is oriented orthogonal to the other, the laser beam produced by the laser light source  20  is refracted by the lens system  21  to create a T-shaped beam that is projected to the ground as laser T projection  22 . The projection is visible to the naked eye even in daylight. 
         [0030]    Continuing with the description of  FIG. 1 , one terminal of a power indicator  23  is connected by way of a conducting line  17  to conducting line  11  and the positive terminal of power source  10 , and the other terminal of the power indicator  23  is connected by way of a conducting line  18  to conducting line  16  and the negative terminal of power source  10 . The power indicator  23  provides a visible indication of the power level of the power source  10 . That is, the power indicator  23  emits a visible light so long as the power source  10  is operating at a voltage level that will energize the laser source  20 . 
         [0031]    The positive terminal of power source  10  also is connected by way of a conducting line  14  to one port of a USB charging port  25 , and the negative terminal of power source  10  also is connected by way of a conducting line  15  to the other terminal of the USB charging port  25 . 
         [0032]    When the USB charging port  25  is plugged into a power source (not shown), and the output voltage of the power source  10  is low, the power source  10  is charged to the voltage level required to energize the laser light source  20 . 
         [0033]    The USB charging port  25  includes a charging light indicator  24  that is connected to the USB charging port  25  by way of conducting lines  26  and  27 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , when a laser light beam  100  is directed through a concave lens  101 , the individual rays of the light beam are refracted as shown by ray pattern  102 . In  FIG. 2B , a dot laser beam  200  is directed through a cluster of side-by-side concave lenses  201 . As a result, the individual light rays of the laser beam are refracted as shown by the ray pattern  202  to produce a straight line beam projection  203 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 2C , two concave lens clusters  204  and  205  are placed side by side and oriented perpendicular to each other within a cylindrical case  206 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2D , dot laser beam  200  is directed through clusters  204  and  205  to be refracted into a ray pattern  207  that produces laser T projection  22  on the ground. 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the following Table I specifically identifies components comprising the invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Component 
                 Ref. 
                 Manufacturing 
                 Product 
                 Further Specifications 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Number 
                 Source Location 
                 Name/Model No. 
                 As Required 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Power 
                 10 
                 (1) Power Tech 
                 (1) Rechargeable 
                 Watts: &lt;5 mw 
               
               
                 Source 
                   
                 International, 
                 Lithium Battery 
                 Volts: 3 to 4 V 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Co. LTD. 
                 (Model No. 043046) 
                 Amps: 20 to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Commercially 
                   
                 80 mAh. Any 
               
               
                   
                   
                 available 
                   
                 low voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 through 
                   
                 DC battery, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sinolink, LLC 
                   
                 such as 1.5 V 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in the US at P.O. 
                   
                 batteries used 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Box 42350, 
                   
                 for flash 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Houston, Texas 
                   
                 lights, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 77242. 
                   
                 rechargeable 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tel.: 
                   
                 batteries 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1-281-772-8395. 
                   
                 (3.7 v) used 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (2) Lenmar 
                 (2) Lenmar 
                 for cellular 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Enterprises, Inc.; 
                 Lithium Ion Cell 
                 phones. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4035Via Pescador; 
                 Phone Battery (Part 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Camarillo, CA 
                 # CLN338) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 93012 US 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tel.(805)-384-9600 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Fax: (805)384-9693 
               
               
                 Flexible 
                 19 
                 (1) Yuyao Xin Cai 
                 (1) Flexible Conduit 
               
               
                 Conduit 
                   
                 Electri-Mechanical 
                 part no. FC8-100. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Co. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Commercially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 available through 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sinolink, LLC in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the US at P.O. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Box 42350, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Houston, Texas 
               
               
                   
                   
                 77242. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tel.: 1-281- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 772-8395 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (2) Allied Tube &amp; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conduit at 16100 
               
               
                   
                   
                 South Lathrop 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Avenue, Harvey, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Illinois 60426 
               
               
                 Laser Light 
                 20, 21 
                 (1) Sean &amp; Michael 
                 (1) Laser diode part # 
                 For indoor or 
               
               
                 Source &amp; 
                   
                 Corporation. 
                 GLD4LT070415. 
                 dim light 
               
               
                 Optical 
                   
                 Commercially 
                   
                 conditions use 
               
               
                 Lens 
                   
                 available through 
                   
                 red light laser 
               
               
                 System 
                   
                 Sinolink, LLC in 
                   
                 source, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the US, at P.O. Box 
                   
                 for bnght day 
               
               
                   
                   
                 42350, 
                   
                 light 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Houston, Texas 
                   
                 conditions use 
               
               
                   
                   
                 77242. Tel: (281) 
                   
                 green light 
               
               
                   
                   
                 772-8395 
                   
                 laser source. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (2) Coherent Inc. 
                 (2) Crosshair 635 nm 
               
               
                   
                   
                 At 5100 Patrick 
                 1.7 mW laser 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Henry Drive, 
                 component part # 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Santa Clara, 
                 FVLM2. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 California 95054. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (3) Shangrao 
                 (3) Optical lens part 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Chaori 
                 nos. P-35, P-58, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Optical Mould 
                 P-88. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Factory 
               
               
                   
                   
                 commercially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 available through 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sinolink, LLC in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The US, at P.O. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Box 42350, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Houston, Texas 
               
               
                   
                   
                 77242. 
               
               
                 Time 
                 12, 303 
                 (1) Amperite 
                 (1) On-Delay Timer 
               
               
                 Control 
                   
                 Co., 4201 
                 part nos. 12dc.1-60c, 
               
               
                 Switch 
                   
                 Tonnelle 
                 and 
               
               
                 With Push 
                   
                 Avenue, Suite 6, 
                 12D1-100-SS-T2. 
               
               
                 Button 
                   
                 North Bergen, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 New Jersey 
               
               
                   
                   
                 07047. 
               
               
                 USB Port 
                 25 
                 Cable 
                 USB Cable part # 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Wholesale.com, 
                 10U2-02106BK 
               
               
                   
                   
                 208 Lindbergh 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ave., Livermore, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 California 94551. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a cylindrical housing  300  (housing  300  could be rectangular or of a different shape) is shown with a snap-on clip  301  for attaching the housing to a golf club handle, and a pressure clip  302  such as used with fountain pens and mechanical pencils. The clips are affixed to the housing by any conventional means including the use of adhesives or mechanical attachments, and are placed about the outer lateral surface of the housing  300  so as not to interfere with the operation of the push button  303  or ready use of either clip. Each of the clips is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing  300  so that when clip  302  is used, the flexible conduit  19  and the laser light source  20  extend out over the bill of a golfer&#39;s cap, and when the clip  301  is used the flexible conduit  19  and laser light source  20  point downward toward the golf club head. 
         [0039]    The housing  300  has enclosed therein the power source  10 ; conducting lines  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  26 , and  27 ; all but the push button  303  of the time control switch  12 ; all but the plug-in face of the USB charging port  25 ; the charge light indicator  24 ; and the power indicator  23 . A mechanical lock  304  attaches one end of the flexible conduit  19  to the housing  300 . The flexible conduit  19  extends from mechanical lock  304  to the laser light source  20 , which is mechanically connected to the optical lens system  21  as before stated in connection with the description of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , a cap  400  with bill  401  is shown with cylindrical housing  300  attached to the bill  401  by pressure clip  302 . In this position, the push button  303  and the clip  301  point upward away from the bill  401 , and the flexible conduit  19  is bent over the outer rim of the bill as desired by the golfer to place the laser T projection  22  of  FIG. 3  on the hitting surface of the ground. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 4B , the housing  300  is connected by way of the snap-on clip  301  to a golf club handle  402 . With this embodiment, the golfer may depress the push button  303  to energize the laser light source  20 , rotate the housing  300  about the handle  402 , and bend the flexible conduit  19  so as to position the laser light source  20  and optical lens system  21 . The laser T projection  22  thereby may be superimposed on a golf ball on the ground. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a golfer  500  is shown in a position on the putting green where the toe sections of his golf shoes touch a body alignment line  501  that is parallel to a desired travel path  502  of a golf ball  503  leading to a hole  504 . In this embodiment, the golfer  500  is shown wearing cap  400  with the housing  300  being attached to the bill  401  as before described. The flexible conduit  19  is bent over the rim of the bill  401  to allow the laser light source  20  with optical lens system  21  to superimpose laser T projection  22  on the golf ball  503 . The optical lens system  21  and the laser light source  20  may be rotated by twisting the flexible conduit  19  to position a first arm  505  of the laser T projection  22  to point to the golfer  500 . A second arm  506  of the laser T projection  22  is aligned with the desired travel path  502  of the golf ball  503 , and is perpendicular to the first arm  505 . With the golfer&#39;s feet positioned on either side of first arm  505  and aligned as described above relative to the line  501 , the golfer  500  will grip his golf club handle  402 , adjust his shoulder, hips, and legs to place the strike face of the golf club head  507  perpendicular to the second arm  506  and in alignment with the first arm  505 . The golfer  500  thereafter will fix his line of sight  508  on the golf ball  503 . Having completed the above positioning and orientation instructions, the golfer  500  will have achieved static alignment with optimum positioning of the feet, width of stance, body alignment, and the golf club position and orientation. 
         [0043]    The static alignment of a golfer&#39;s stance when the housing  300  is attached to the golf club handle  402  is shown in  FIG. 6 , where the flexible conduit  19 , laser light source  20 , and optical lens system  21  are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the golf club handle  402 . As before, the flexible conduit  19  is bent to allow the laser light source  20  with optical lens system  21  to superimpose the laser T projection  22  on the golf ball  503  as it sits on a golf tee or putting green. Further, the flexible conduit  19  may be twisted to rotate the optical lens system  21  and the laser light source  20  to position the first arm  505  of the laser T projection  22  to point to the golfer  500 . The second arm  506  of the laser T projection  22  thereupon is aligned with the desired travel path  502  of the golf ball  503 , and is perpendicular to the first arm  505 . With the golfer&#39;s feet placed as described above relative to the line  501 , the golfer  500  will grip his golf club handle  402 , fix his line of sight  508  on the golf ball  503 , adjust his shoulders, hips, and legs to hold laser T projection  22  in superposition over the golf ball  503 , and place the striking face of the golf club head  507  in alignment with the first arm  505  and perpendicular to the second arm  506 . Having completed the above positioning and orientation instructions, the golfer  500  will have achieved static alignment with optimum positioning of the feet, width of stance, body alignment, and golf club position and orientation. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows a golfer  500  in a position at the tee to perform a static alignment where the golfer&#39;s feet are aligned perpendicular to line  501  that is parallel to the pre-selected travel path  502  of golf ball  503 . In this embodiment, the golfer  500  is shown wearing a cap with the housing  300  being attached to the bill  401  as before described. The flexible conduit  19  is bent over the rim of the bill  401  to allow the laser light source  20  with the optical lens system  21  to superimpose a laser T projection  22  on the golf ball  503  as it sits on a golf tee. The optical lens system  21  and the laser light source  20  may be rotated by twisting the flexible conduit  19  to position the first arm  505  of the laser T projection  22  to point to the golfer  500 , and align the second arm  506  with a pre-selected travel path  502  of the golf ball  503 . 
         [0045]    With the golfer&#39;s feet placed on either side of the first arm  505  and aligned as before described relative to the body alignment line  501 , the golfer will grip his golf club handle  402 , adjust his shoulder, hips, and legs to hold the laser T projection  22  in superposition over golf ball  503 , and place the strike face of the golf club head  507  in alignment with the first arm  505  and perpendicular to the second arm  506 . He then will fix his line of sight  508  on the golf ball  503 . The golfer  500  upon completing the static alignment described above is ready to perform a dynamic alignment that will assist the golfer in executing a golf swing and propelling the golf ball  503  along a desired travel path  502  toward a desired target. 
         [0046]    The head or body movement of the golfer  500  during a golf club swing will directly translate into movement of the laser T projection  22  on the ground. The movement of the laser T projection  22  reflects the status of the dynamic alignment, i.e., the status of body and arm rotation along the desired plane of the swing axis. In order to achieve a dynamic alignment, the golfer  500  will have to decipher the visual information feedback of the laser T projection  22  as it moves along the ground. The laser T projection  22  acts like a video camera allowing the golfer  500  to watch himself during the swing. If the golfer  500  is able to hold his/her head still to keep the swing axis steady, the laser T projection  22  will stay as it was before the swing, and the likelihood that the golf ball  503  upon being struck by the golf club head  507  will travel along the desired travel path  502  is high. By monitoring and analyzing the path of movement of the laser T projection  22  in real time, golfer  500  can identify his swing faults and make corrections to overcome such faults. The golfer  500  thereby is aided in improving his golfing skills. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8A  shows the following alignment elements: golfer&#39;s width of stance  605  as measured between the inside heel perimeters of a golfer, a distance  606  between second arm  506  of the laser T projection  22  and the body alignment line  501 , a distance  607  between first arm  505  and the inside heel perimeter of the left foot for a right handed golfer (or between first arm  505  and the inside heel perimeter of the right foot for a left-handed golfer), body alignment line  501 , desired travel path  502 , golf ball  503 , laser T projection  22 , a small ellipse  600 , and a larger ellipse  601 . Each time a golfer addresses the golf ball  503  at static alignment, the golf ball  503  is placed on the crossing point of the first arm  505  and the second arm  506  of the laser T projection  22 . 
         [0048]    For each type of golf club, the golf ball position on the ground is important in achieving a static alignment and a dynamic alignment. In aid of a static alignment, recommended distances for width of stance  605 , distance  606 , and distance  607  for a plurality of golf clubs is provided in Table II below for a golfer having a height of 5′7″. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Width Of 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Stance 605 
                 Distance 606 
                 Distance 607 
               
               
                   
                 Club 
                 (+/− one inch) 
                 (+/− one inch) 
                 (+/− one inch) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Wedge 
                 10 
                 15 
                 4.35 
               
               
                   
                 9 Iron 
                 10.75 
                 16.5 
                 3.75 
               
               
                   
                 8 Iron 
                 11.5 
                 18 
                 3.3 
               
               
                   
                 7 Iron 
                 12.25 
                 19.5 
                 2.9 
               
               
                   
                 6 Iron 
                 13 
                 21 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                 5 Iron 
                 13.75 
                 22.5 
                 2.1 
               
               
                   
                 4 Iron 
                 14.5 
                 24 
                 1.65 
               
               
                   
                 3 Iron 
                 15.25 
                 25.5 
                 1.25 
               
               
                   
                 5 Wood 
                 16 
                 28 
                 0.8 
               
               
                   
                 3 Wood 
                 16.75 
                 30 
                 0.4 
               
               
                   
                 Driver 
                 17.5 
                 33 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0049]      FIG. 8B  is a motion graph that shows possible travel directions of the laser T projection  22  that may occur when errors are introduced during the execution of the golf club swing. The golfer can identify his golf club swing faults by observing the change of the position and orientation of the laser T projection  22 . For example, if the laser T projection  22  is initially centered on the golf ball  503 , minor movement of the head or body during an otherwise proper execution of a shoulder turning and a weight transfer may cause the laser T projection  22  to move within the small ellipse  600  that is centered at the golf ball  503 . Excessive head or body movement, however, may cause the laser T projection  22  to move outside of the larger ellipse  601  that is centered at the golf ball  503 . The small ellipse  600  has a minor axis diameter of approximately 3 to 5 inches, and a major axis diameter of approximately 5 to 7 inches. The larger ellipse  601  has a minor axis diameter of approximately 6 to 8 inches, and a major axis diameter of approximately 9 to 12 inches. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 8B  and Tables III and IV below, the movement of the laser T projection  22  is represented by “U” for up or northern movement, “D” for down or southern movement, “L” for left or western movement, “R” for right or eastern movement, “UL” for up-left or northwest movement, “UR” for up-right or northeast movement, “DL” for down-left or southwest movement, and “DR” for down-right or southeast movement. 
         [0051]    Table III and Table IV are fault tables that provide further guidance for correcting errors in a golfer&#39;s dynamic alignment, as determined from observance of the rectilinear movement of the laser T projection  22 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE III 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Laser “T” Moving Path And Potential Swing Faults For Right-Handed 
               
               
                 Swing 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Laser T 
                   
               
               
                 Moves to 
                 Possible Swing Fault 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 U 
                 Lifting up head with eye away from ball. 
               
               
                 D 
                 Lifting shoulders or bowing head. 
               
               
                 R 
                 Shifting body too much to the right leg, e.g. excessive weight 
               
               
                   
                 transfer to golfer&#39;s right leg. 
               
               
                 L 
                 Weight transfer to left leg. 
               
               
                 UR 
                 Lifting head and shifting body to right leg. 
               
               
                 DL 
                 Lifting shoulders and transferring weight to left leg. 
               
               
                 UL 
                 Lifting head and transferring weight to left leg. 
               
               
                 DR 
                 Lifting shoulders and shifting the upper body to the right, with 
               
               
                   
                 excessive weight transfer to golfer&#39;s right leg. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE IV 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Laser “T” Moving Path And Potential Swing Faults For Left-Handed 
               
               
                 Swing 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Laser T 
                   
               
               
                 Moves to 
                 Possible Swing Fault 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 U 
                 Lifting up head with eye away from ball. 
               
               
                 D 
                 Lifting shoulders or bowing head. 
               
               
                 R 
                 Weight transfer to right leg. 
               
               
                 L 
                 Shifting body too much to the right leg, e.g. excessive weight 
               
               
                   
                 transfer to golfer&#39;s right leg. 
               
               
                 UR 
                 Lifting head and transferring weight to right leg. 
               
               
                 DL 
                 Lifting shoulders and shifting the upper body to the right, 
               
               
                   
                 excessive weight transfer to golfer&#39;s right leg. 
               
               
                 UL 
                 Lifting head and Shifting body to left leg. 
               
               
                 DR 
                 Lifting shoulders and transferring weight to right leg. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0052]    The object of the golfer&#39;s corrections to his dynamic alignment is to keep the laser T projection  22  aligned as described above with the body alignment line  501  and desired travel path  502 , and with the cross-point of the laser T projection  22  centered on the golf ball  503  as mounted on a golf tee or located on a putting green. 
         [0053]    The laser T projection  22  may move through several positions during the execution of a golf club swing, and such movement may indicate that the golfer has a combination of swing faults as listed in Table III or Table IV. A golfer can identify his faults during a golf club swing by repeatedly practicing with the invention, and correcting his faults as they are identified. 
         [0054]      FIG. 8C  is a motion graph that illustrates three parameters that may be used to measure the laser T projection  22  rectilinear and rotational positions at a point in time as it moves in response to a golfer&#39;s head, body and golf club movements. The distance “d” is the distance  602  from the golf ball  503  to the cross-point of first arm  505  and second arm  506  of the laser T projection  22 , and is proportional to a rectilinear deviation of the laser T projection  22  from its original position over the golf ball  503 . The angle “α” of  FIG. 8C  is the counter-clockwise angle of rotation  603  of the laser T projection  22  measured from a vertical line  608  that passes through the cross-point of the laser T projection  22 . The angle “γ” is the counter-clockwise angle of rotation  604  of the distance “d” measured from the zero degree or desired travel path  502 . 
         [0055]    The desired travel path  502 , and a vertical line  609  that is perpendicular to the desired travel path  502  and that passes through the golf ball  503  position, divides the hitting surface on the ground into four quadrants, referred to in counter-clockwise order by the Roman numerals I, II, III, and IV. 
         [0056]    Table V below illustrates some possible swing axis faults that provide further guidance for correcting errors in a golfer&#39;s dynamic alignment, as determined from observance of the parameters “d”, “γ”, and “α” in quadrants I, II, III, and IV of  FIG. 8C . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE V 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Relationship Between Laser T Parameters And Potential Swing Faults 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Values Of Laser T Projection 
                   
               
               
                 22 Parameters 
                 Possible Swing Fault 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 “α” &gt; 10 degrees 
                 Improper tilt of the head during a golf club 
               
               
                   
                 swing for both right and left handed 
               
               
                   
                 golfers. 
               
               
                 “γ” &gt; 45 degrees in quadrants 
                 Lifting up head with eye away from ball 
               
               
                 I and II, and d &gt; 13 inches. 
                 for both right and left handed golfers. 
               
               
                 “γ” &gt; 45 degrees in quadrants 
                 Lifting shoulders or bowing head for both 
               
               
                 III and II, and 
                 right and left handed golfers. 
               
               
                 “d” &gt; 13 inches. 
               
               
                 “γ” &lt; 45 degrees in quadrants 
                 Shifting body too much to the right leg, 
               
               
                 I and IV, and 
                 e.g. excessive weight transfer to golfer&#39;s 
               
               
                 “d” &gt; 13 inches 
                 right leg for both right and left-handed 
               
               
                   
                 golfer. 
               
               
                 “γ” &gt; 45 degrees in quadrants 
                 Shifting body too much to the left leg, e.g. 
               
               
                 II and III, and 
                 excessive weight transfer to golfer&#39;s left 
               
               
                 “d” &gt; 13 inches 
                 leg for both right and left handed golfer. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0057]    By way of example with reference to Table V, if the angle of rotation “a” is greater than 10 degrees, the golfer is tilting his head in other than a straight down direction. Generally, the angle of rotation “α” ranges between 0 and 60 degrees. Further, if “d” is greater than 13 inches and “γ” is greater than 15 degrees in quadrant I, it is known that the golfer is lifting his head up and shifting his eyes away from the golf ball. A golfer may draw the ellipse  600  and the ellipse  601  on the ground, and use the invention to practice at a driving range or indoors to reduce the distance “d” to be within the ellipse  600 , and minimize the angles of rotation “γ” and “α”. 
         [0058]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications, variations, and equivalents may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the Claims be interpreted to cover such modifications, variations, and equivalents.