Abstract:
A golf swing analysis kit including a first member that rests on the floor; a second member that is secured to a wall or otherwise securably hung or placed; a third member that can both rest on the first member or removably connect to the front side of the second member; a fourth member that projects the third member from a stationary position resting atop the first member to removably attach to the second member, and a method of analyzing consistency of the projected third member location and correlation to improve a golf swing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of golf and more particularly to a golf swing analysis kit using statistical analysis to analyze a golf swing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the game of golf, it is desirable to practice but impractical to travel to a golf course every day. Practicing at home is desirable but also impractical since a golf ball can travel 300 yards. Further, the game of golf requires proficiency with a number of clubs, each capable of causing a golf ball to travel a predicable distance along a predictable trajectory. While there are numerous devices on the market to assist in practicing, what is lacking in the art is a golf swing analysis kit that provides a statistical analysis by use of portable kit that the average consumer can afford. The kit providing the consumer with a device that allows for the striking of golf balls within a closed space to develop a repeatable swing and develop consistent club head speed and flight trajectory. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,881, issued to Lemelson et al., discloses a hooking material to retain a missile against a target. In one form, the missile is in the shape of a lightweight hollow ball, the outer surface of which is substantially entirely covered with a hook or broken loop filamentary material. In another form, the missile is formed of a molding having filamentary hook and loop like formations integrally molded as part of the missile base. In yet another form, the missile is formed of a lightweight plastic and hook-like formations of filamentary material are propelled against an adhesive coating the missile or a molten portion of the surface stratum thereof and are embedded therein across substantially the entire surface of the missile. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,078 B2, issued to Swanson, discloses a leather pitching target that visibly forms an indentation where the ball strikes the target. The target utilizes an air-filled layer of padding which may be sandwiched between a leather target sheet and a durable backing material. That system does not keep track of a series of indentations because each time the ball hits the target, pressure from the impact levels out the previous impression and creates a new one where the new pitch hit the target. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,802, issued to of Strom, discloses a golf training device and method with two opposite and parallel walls between which the golfer stands with his club and a light-weight training ball. The wall has a grid on the side facing the other wall. The golfer strikes the ball with a golf club and observes the spot, either visually or electronically, where the ball makes contact and ricochet off the walls. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,302, issued to Lapsker et al., discloses a device for allowing an athlete to practice various methods of propelling a projectile in a controlled and accurate manner by allowing him/her to place the projectile on a specific location on a target. This device uses hook and loop fastening material on the projectile and the target to allow the golfer to know where the projectile strikes the target and allow him/her to practice various ways of getting the projectile onto the target. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a golf swing analysis system in the form of a artificial surface pad, a hook and loop target board and with corresponding golf balls which enables a plurality of balls to removably engage to the target board using a digital camera and a software based program to statistically identify the trajectory and direction of the golf balls that engage the target board. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is a golf swing kit that promotes an improved golf swing through statistical analysis of flight trajectory and ball direction. The flight trajectory and ball direction are calculated based upon the location where the golf ball is initially placed and where the golf ball impacts a target providing an affordable, verifiably accurate system to statistically compute and identify swing consistency and shot trends over a number of golf swings. 
         [0009]    For instance, when a golfer drives a golf ball the golfer is unable to calculate accurately the consistency or shot trend where the ball comes to rest. More specifically, it is impractical for the golfer to measure the distance between a series of balls resting on the driving range surface because of the distances involved. Further, should any attempt be made to take measurements at a driving range when other golfers are practicing, such an attempt places the golfer in danger of being hit from errant golf balls. 
         [0010]    Ideally the golfer would like to measure the distance between golf balls when the balls are stopped and suspended a short distance in front of the hitting area, as opposed to balls scattered over a driving range as the distance between golf balls tend to spread during a series of hits as the distance from the golf balls point of club contact increases. In a preferred embodiment, a swing analysis is provided by incorporating a camera in conjunction with a computer. 
         [0011]    The present invention includes at least four members, a first member that rests on the floor; a second member that is secured to a wall or otherwise securably hung or placed; a third member that can both rest on the first member or removably connect to the front side of the second member; a fourth member that projects the third member from a stationary position resting atop the first member to removably attach to the second member. Further, the present invention includes a method of analyzing the projected third member. 
         [0012]    It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a soft flexible target panel or other impact receiving device which will catch the calibrated golf ball. In one preferred embodiment, the target shall measure roughly thirty-six (36) inches high by thirty-six (36) inches wide, the target may be rolled similar to a carpet to provide convenient storage and transportation. 
         [0013]    It is an objective of the instant invention to provide a golf swing practice target kit that will enable a person to practice golf inside a home, using a window as a backdrop. 
         [0014]    It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a golf swing practice target kit that will enable a person to practice golf inside a home, using a wall as a backdrop. 
         [0015]    It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a golf swing practice target kit that will enable a person to practice golf inside a home, using a TV as a backdrop. 
         [0016]    It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a golf swing practice target kit that will allow an individual to compete in a golf game inside a building. 
         [0017]    It is another objective of the instant invention to provide an artificial surface pad having a realistic hitting surface including a combination of sand, turf, fairway or other hitting surface to replicate the surface found on a golf course. 
         [0018]    It is a still further objective of the instant invention to provide a calibrated ball constructed out of EVA Rubber with an outer surface substantially covered in loop fastening material, the calibrated ball is of a mass insufficient to cause damage when struck. 
         [0019]    It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a non-conventional golf club assembly made substantially of plastic that is calibrated with the golf ball. The golf club is made of a club head assembly which consists of a club head cover and a club head body with hollow cavity with iron weights secured therein. The club head cover has having at least one shaft extending from the club head cover with at least one weight securable to said club head assembly. In one embodiment, the shaft is made from plastic, nylon or other material. In another embodiment, the shaft is made from steel or graphite or any future material that is approved by the United States Golf Association. 
         [0020]    A further aspect of the invention is the use of a target that includes a distinctive center with a five (5) inch diameter center circle assembly. 
         [0021]    The target is placed a short distance in front of the artificial surface pad assembly, in a position substantially perpendicular to the artificial surface pad. 
         [0022]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0023]    These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the target panel, ball, golf club, artificial surface pad and device comprising of a processor, memory, camera and microphone; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the target panel; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the target panel showing the hook and look fastening material; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a view of the substantially spherical ball member with a hook and look fastening material; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  is a view of the spherical ball member; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the spherical ball member to further illustrate the ball covered by hook and loop fastening material; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of the golf kit confined within a house; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a frontal view of the target panel showing a grid and an ornamental design; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a frontal view of the frame transposed on the target panel; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a view of the target panel having been rolled up; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a view of the air-bed assembly; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a view of the golf club assembly; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the golf tee; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the golf tee; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a screen shot of the Application Interface New Practice Session; 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a screen shot of the Application Interface Statistics and Probabilities; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a screen shot of the Application Interface graphical analysis; 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a screen shot of the Application Interface Camera Initialization; 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a software application top level where the golfer is prompted to make selections; 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a software application of a device determined input module where the software performs an analysis operation of image frames and sound stream; 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a software application manual input module where a golfer manually inputs panel coordinates into a device; 
           [0045]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a management module where calculations are performed and output to a display device; 
           [0046]      FIG. 22  is a side view of the lucid target panel secured to a TV. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    The present invention relates to a practice aid kit and system for assisting persons to analyze their golf swing. While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0048]    The apparatus consists of a target board, special golf balls, an artificial surface pad and application software. A golfer can hit special golf balls from the artificial surface pad. The balls will strike the target board. By reading the position values of the balls from the target board, the golfer can have a statistical idea on his/her swing. The golfer can quickly identify the systematic error and in-consistency in his/her swing. 
         [0049]    And since the special ball is very light, the golfer can completely pay attention to his/her swing movements without worrying about the swing power. Further, since the special ball is very light, the golfer can practice a lot more times in a given time period than he/she could do on a driving range. This exercise can be done in-door or out-door and it&#39;s very convenient. The special golf ball may be made of a hollow plastic ball, similar to a table-tennis ball, wrapped around with a layer of Velcro loop side, or similar fiber materials. The special golf ball can be made of thick cotton, EVA rubber, or other similar fiber materials. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a target panel  10  shall be used to removably secure one or more calibrated balls  28 . The target panel  10  is mountable to a member  30 , which may include a TV, a window, a wall, a projection screen or a frame member. The target panel  10  may include a horizontal cross-hair  16  and a vertical cross hair  14  which intersect substantially in the center of the target. The target panel  10  may include an center point  12  used for aiming which is substantially center on the target panel  10  and located substantially at the intersection of the horizontal cross-hair  16  and the vertical cross-hair  14 . The target panel  10  may include a plurality of horizontal lines  20  and vertical lines  18  that foam the basis of a grid. The target panel  10  may include a center disc, first square, second square, third square and fourth square, all being brownish-red. 
         [0051]    A fastening material  18  may substantially cover the target panel  10  forming the front side of the target panel  10 . In one embodiment, the fastening material may be made of either hook or loop material. The hook and loop fastening material  18  is able to removably capture a ball  28  that comes into contact with the material. In another embodiment, the fastening material may comprise a magnetic fastening system, such as the magnetic fabric produced by SCOTCH brand magnetic tape. Other embodiments have been contemplated that will further capture a projected ball against the vertically orientated target panel, thereby overcoming the forces of gravity, such as a target panel with a sticky surface capable of holding the ball in place. 
         [0052]    In yet a further embodiment, the camera may capture an image of the ball as the ball hits the target panel. In this way, the ball would not be required to secure to the target panel. The target panel  10  may exist being substantially lucid in form. In this way, a device  50  may be placed at any point surrounding the target panel  10  including a distance in front of the target panel  10  or a distance behind the target panel  50 . The device  50  being located at any point surrounding the lucid target panel  10  being able to capture the location of the hook and loop ball removably attached thereto to the target panel  10 . Moreover, the device  50  may capture a balls moving average and power level threshold. In another preferred embodiment, the device  50  is a smart phone device such as an Apple iPhone or a Google Android Phone. Additionally, the device  50  could exist as an Apple iPad, Apple iPod or simply a computer. 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, the target panel  10  being lucid having a hook  23 , the hook secures the target panel  10  to the TV  27 . The target panel  10  is secured to a transparent plastic plate  25  of various sizes large enough to cover a TV screen. Four supports  15 ,  17 ,  19 , and  21  are secured to the transparent plastic plate. The Four supports abut the TV  27  leaving a small gap of approximately 1 cm between the transparent plastic plate  25  and the TV  27 . 
         [0054]    The target panel  10  may exist being substantially opaque in form. The target panel  10  may include a design which has utility and is ornamental in nature. The utility may include the fact that the design may serve as a visual aid to the golfer in aiming that golfer&#39;s swing. Additionally, a game may be played where the ball will score different point values depending on the location the ball contacts the target panel  10 . When the target panel  10  is opaque in form, a device  50  may be placed at any point in view of the front side of the target panel  10 . The back side of the hook and loop material panel  22  may secure to the front side of strong paper panel  24 . Furthermore, the back side of the strong paper panel  24  may secure to a layer of leather  26 . 
         [0055]    The upper end of the target panel  10  may be securably connected to an elongated upper bar  56 . The lower end of the target panel  10  may also be securably connected to an elongated lower bar  54 . In both cases, the bar shall preferably be constructed from ABS plastics. 
         [0056]    In order to more easily carry and transport the target panel  10 , the target panel  10  may be rolled-up  66 . A projected ball  28  may entirely miss the target panel  10 . As a result, a net member  84  may be secured to both the ball  28  and a string. As an example, the string could be fishing line. The string would then secure to the artificial surface pad  34  to capture errant balls when the ball fully elongates the string. 
         [0057]    The target panel  10  is substantially perpendicular to an artificial surface pad  34 . The artificial surface pad  34  will rest on a floor  260  at a distance extending away from the target panel  10 . The golfer may determine the distance between the target panel  10  and the artificial surface pad  34 . The Vertical cross-hair  14  may align with the target line  40  located on the artificial surface pad  34 . A line  38  exists that is substantially perpendicular to the target line  40 . The target line  40  and the line  38  are substantially parallel to the bottom surface for which the artificial surface pad  34  rests, when the artificial surface pad sits flat and without undulation. The realistic hitting surface  36  of the artificial surface pad  34  shall be capable of supporting a ball  28  before, during and after a golf swing. During the golf swing, a golf club  44  shall engage a ball  28  projecting it towards the target panel  10 . Advantageously, a realistic hitting surface  36  may include any combination of sand, turf, fairway, other hitting surface typically found on a golf course, sponge like material or another realistic synthetic. The golfer may stand on the artificial surface pad  34 . 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, the shaft of the golf club  44  is made from plastic, nylon or other material. In another embodiment, the shaft of the golf club  44  is made from steel or graphite or any future material that is approved by the United States Golf Association. 
         [0059]    The artificial surface pad  34  may simulate undulation and slope found on the golf course. The artificial surface pad  34  may include legs  42 . The legs  42  may be adjustable vertically to enhance the undulation of the realistic hitting surface  36 . Further, the artificial surface pad  34  may include air-beds, as seen in  FIG. 10 , to enhance the undulation of the realistic hitting surface  36 . The portion of the artificial surface pad contacting the floor  260  may include silicone to increase friction against the floor  260 . In one embodiment, the artificial surface pad is large enough such that both the golfer and the ball may be on top of the artificial surface pad while performing a golf swing. In another embodiment, the pad is not large enough such that both the golfer and the golf ball to be on top of the artificial surface pad. 
         [0060]    In one embodiment, the ball may sit upon a golf tee, as seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The golf tee  169  may be made from paper or another light material, such as plastic, which is non-impact. The tee having a first end  152  and a second end  154  measuring the length of 160 mm, the width of 20 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. The golf tee being rectangular may have triangular cutouts  172  and  174  at both ends  152  and  154 . Centered is a circle with a multitude of pie  156  cuts across the diameter of the circle. The pie  156  cuts may be folded leaving a circular hole in the center of the golf tee. The pie  156  slices will accept a golf ball to sit thereon. The tee may sit substantially on top of the artificial surface pad holding a ball in place. The lightweight tee shall serve the same function of a standard golf tee in the art. 
         [0061]    A device  50  is located at a distance extending away from the target  10 . The device  50  shall include a processor, memory, camera and microphone. The device  50  may perform an edge detection to find the target panel effective area. The effective area may be determined utilizing a frame  24 , as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 17 . Additionally, as seen in  FIG. 8 , the edge detection may utilize a distinct shape  80  to locate the target panel effective area. The target  10  is substantially covered in hook and loop material  58  and the ball  28  has a reciprocal surface also substantially covered in hook and loop material. The ball  28  may have a hollow core which includes holes in the shell. 
         [0062]    As seen in  FIG. 11 , a golf club assembly  44  may be constructed out of plastic through a Nylon injection. The golf club assembly may have both a golf head cover  74  and a golf head body  78 . The golf head cover  74 , may have at least one pole  72  which is received into a corresponding receiving hole  70  of the golf head body  78 . One or more weights  76  may be secured to the golf head assembly  44 . 
         [0063]    Now referring to  FIGS. 14-21 , a golfer may use application software to analyze a golf swing. The software may instruct a device to display a prompt  92 . A golfer may selective choose to start a new practice session using camera input  180  or manual input  182 . In addition, a golfer may choose to show past practice results  184  or a statistical analysis of past practice results  186 . In automatic camera input  180  mode, the application software instructs the device to start image streaming  106 . In addition, the application software may instruct the device to start sound streaming through a microphone  106 . The application will analyze image frames until the application detects a proper orientation between the camera of the device and the target panel  108 . The application may be downloaded from the Apples iTunes store. 
         [0064]    In another embodiment, the application will continuously analyze a newly captured image frame to directly detect calibrated sized balls  28  on the target panel  10 . In another embodiment, the newly captured image frame will be analyzed against a previous image frame  114  to detect calibrated sized balls. 
         [0065]    The application will continuously listen to the sound captures by the device and analyze both the moving average  114  and the power level threshold  118 , of the detected sound amplitude. Blob detection will be performed to detect the difference of the image frames resulting from the ball being introduced to or taken away from the image frame  116 . The application shall analyze the blob detection and assign coordinate values to the determined location of the ball and will then record the location values for use in later analysis, such as determining the probability to hit a specific target location in the future  122 . 
         [0066]    When the application is instructed by the golfer to enter manual input mode, the application will wait until a golfer enters a value for the X axis and Y axis. The golfer will then selectively enter an X value  130  and a Y value  132 . The application will continue to accept coordinate values until the golfer continue to selectively choose to end manual input mode  136 . 
         [0067]    As an example, a golfer may manually track their progress by using the grid and calculating the statistics when a golfer has hit ‘N’ balls and therefore have ‘N’ number of horizontal values ‘x’ and vertical values ‘y’. Furthermore, the application software can automatically determine the x and y coordinates. Therefore, either a golfer can manually perform the following calculations or the application software may automatically perform the following calculations: 
         [0000]      x i , i=1, 2, . . . N 
         [0000]      y i , i=1, . . . N 
         [0000]    The mean values, μ x , μ y , which represent systematic errors in horizontal and vertical directions respectively, can be calculated as follows: 
         [0000]      μ x =( x   1   +x   2   + . . . +x   N )/( N− 1);
 
         [0000]      μ y =( y   1   +y   2   + . . . +y   N )/( N− 1);
 
         [0000]    The standard deviations, σ x , σ y    
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
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         [0068]    Once in management module mode  142 , the application will determine whether a recent session was recorded  144 . A recent recorded session may cause the application to calculate the mean values and standard deviations of X values and Y values  146 . Further, a device display may show a two-dimensional error bar graph from the statistics of previous golf sessions  150 , as seen in  FIG. 16 . Additional statistical measurement metrics may be calculated and displayed, such as skew and kurtosis. 
         [0069]    The target shall have a grid on the front side surface where the target may be substantially lucid or substantially opaque. In another embodiment of the lucid target, the grid system shall be displayed on a TV or other display device. When the grid is displayed on the TV, the target panel shall be placed in front of the TV. The grid will then be visible through the lucid target panel. The grid enables a statistical analysis of the distance away from center, after a given number of golf hits. In one preferred embodiment, an X and Y coordinate system is utilized, where X and Y are (0,0) respectively at the center point of the target panel. In addition, the edges of the target panel may extend from −18 to 18 for both X and Y. 
         [0070]    The target may have ornamental designs thereon such as a hole, green, fairway, bunker, lake and woods. When the target panel measures 1296 square inches, the preferred embodiment of the hole measures substantially 28.26 square inches; a green measures 125.80 square inches; a fairway measures 743.30 square inches; a bunker measures 40.00 square inches; a lake measures 80.00 square inches; woods measures 278.64 square inches. In other preferred embodiment, the ornamental design is displayed on a TV or other display. Advantageously, the ornamental design may include different shapes and forms when displayed digitally. 
         [0071]    It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide visible statistical feedback of a plurality of balls&#39; flight trajectory and direction, where the balls have been engaged by the engaging face of a golf club. 
         [0072]    The system is capable of manual input  102  into an application of the ball positions relative to their grid position on the non-rigid target panel. The system may include a device with a combination of a processor, memory, camera and microphone. The system is capable of automated detection of the effective area of the front side of target assembly through software package. A mapping system with an adjustable transformation depending on the relative location of the camera device in relation to the target assembly. The device is capable of performing blob detection between two or more image frames. The device is capable of performing sound burst detection using the moving average and a power level threshold. The device is capable of analyzing a transformation of the blob, where the values are recordable and capable of display on an LCD screen or other viewing apparatus. 
         [0073]    The inside of the ball can be filled with polyester fiber (or other types of fiber) without using the hollow plastic ball. Additionally, the ball  28  may be a solid or hollow  62  EVA Rubber material. The ball assembly may weigh approximately 4 grams when the solid EVA rubber material is covered in loop material. Separately, the EVA rubber ball weighs approximately 2 grams and the loop material covering the ball weighs approximately 2 grams. 
         [0074]    In one embodiment of the instant invention, the golf hole  89 , green  107 , fair way  105 , sand bunker  101  and woods  103  are drawn on the target board  10 . 
         [0075]    In another embodiment of the instant invention, includes a method of playing a game in conjunction with the system provided, the rules for playing the game including:
       1. Players start at a fixed distance away from the target board  40 , which is hanged on a wall or other supports.   2. Based on the distance, the players then define number of strikes necessary to hit the Hole for an average player. This defines the par number of strikes to hit the Hole.   3. Then the player can play either 9 holes or 18 holes. When a player hits Hole, his/her play for a hole is finished. His/her total number of strikes used is his/her score for that hole.   4. If the player hit Green or Fair way, add 1 to the players number of strikes.   5. If the player hit the Lake  42 , then add 2 to the player&#39;s number of strikes. The extra 1 strike cannot be deducted later.   6. If the player hit the Bunker  45 , then add 2 to the player&#39;s number of strikes. The extra 1 strike might be deducted later.   7. In a current strike, if the player hit the Bunker  45  in his/her last striker, and if the player hit Green or the Hole. Then 1 strike is first deducted from the player&#39;s total number of strikes. Then 1 strike is added to the player&#39;s total number of strikes.   8. If the player hit the woods, then add 2 to the player&#39;s number of strikes. The extra 1 strike might be deducted later.   9. In a current strike, if the player hit the woods in his/her previous strike, and if the player hit Green or the Hole; then 1 strike is first deducted from the player&#39;s total number of strikes. Then 1 strike is added to the player&#39;s total number of strikes.   10. When all the players finish the 9 or 18 holes, the best player is the player who has least total number of strikes for all the 9 or 18 holes.       
 
         [0086]    For the drawings on the target board, the shape of the Green and the shape of the Fair way do not have to be circular and their areas may be increased or decreased. Moreover, the Hole does not have to be in the center. 
         [0087]    The target board is made of wood, cloth or similar materials with a layer of Velcro hook side on its surface. 
         [0088]    A grid of horizontal measure and vertical measure is drawn on the surface with different colors. Vertical center line can be used to align with the artificial surface pad. The target board center is the target position for the golfer to aim at. The target board center has reading value zero for both the vertical and horizontal measures. The right edge of the target board has maximum positive horizontal readings. The left edge has minimum negative horizontal readings. The top edge has maximum positive vertical readings. The bottom edge has minimum negative vertical readings. 
         [0089]    In one example, the golfer may put the special golf ball at artificial surface pad center. To use the device, the golfer first hangs the target board on a wall at a height that fits him/her. Then the golfer places the artificial surface pad away from the target board at a distance that he/she feels comfortable. The golfer then aligns the target board vertical center line with the artificial surface pad center line, viewing from the front of the target board. Then the golfer places a special golf ball at the artificial surface pad center. Then he/she aims at the target board center and subsequently swings a club to hit the special golf ball  16 . The special golf ball with stick on the target board because of the Velcro. After hitting a certain number of special golf balls, the golfer can read the horizontal measure values and vertical measure values for each of the special golf ball  16 . The he/she could find the mean and standard deviation of the horizontal measure values and those of the vertical measure values. Large means imply systematic error in the swing of the golfer and a large stand deviation implies in-consistency in the swing. Further, the actual values and signs of the means indicate slice or fade, etc, in the swing. The values and signs of the means and the standard deviation thus help pinpoint the errors in the golfer&#39;s swing. The golfer can then adjust his/her swing to reduce the absolute the values of the means and the standard deviations by practicing with the apparatus. In fact, he/she could quickly see if his/her adjustment has resulted in better swings. The golf game target board may include: Woods; Lake; Fair Way; Green; Sand Bunker; Hole; Vertical measure lines; Horizontal measure lines; Vertical measure center line; Target board center; Special golf ball; Artificial surface pad; Artificial surface pad center line; Special golf ball&#39;s hollow plastic ball; Special golf ball&#39;s outer surface with Velcro loop side; Artificial surface pad center. 
         [0090]    A table can be provided for Distance Height Ratio=Pad Center distance/Target panel center height wherein a formula is Distance Height Ratio=K/tan(α), where K is an experimental constant and α is the loft angle of a golf club. Many factors will change K, for example, the swing power, the surface condition of the artificial surface pad. K=1.60 is an estimate, the following table is calculated for a given set of loft angles: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Pitching 
                 Sand 
                   
               
               
                   
                 5 Iron 
                 6 Iron 
                 7 Iron 
                 8 Iron 
                 9 Iron 
                 Wedge 
                 Wedge 
                 Lob Wedge 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Loft 
                 25° 
                 30° 
                 35° 
                 40° 
                 45° 
                 48° 
                 56° 
                 60° 
               
               
                 Ratio 
                 3.43 
                 2.77 
                 2.28 
                 1.91 
                 1.60 
                 1.44 
                 1.08 
                 0.92 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       EXAMPLE 
       [0091]    Ratios for different areas of the target panel (total area is 36*36=1296 incĥ2): 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Hole 
                 Green 
                 Fairway 
                 bunker 
                 Lake 
                 woods 
                 Total 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 28.26 
                 125.80 
                 743.30 
                 40.00 
                 80.00 
                 278.64 
                 1296 
               
               
                 0.022 
                 0.097 
                 0.574 
                 0.031 
                 0.062 
                 0.215 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0092]    The ratios are chosen so as to roughly make sure that the game would not be too hard/too easy to play for the players. 
         [0093]    One variation of the target panel is to use a transparent flat panel (with the transparent hook side) which can be supported on a TV screen with a small distance between the TV screen and the hook panel. Thus the course (now could be as many as possible) and the measure grid can be shown on the TV. Then a player can hit the balls toward the TV screen. 
         [0094]    For the iPhone apps, there are 3 levels of complexity:
       a. a simple scorer: the application can accept manual inputs of x and y co-ordinates or it can figure out the coordinates by using the camera as well.   b. score analysis: the application can analyze the scores, through mean and standard deviation of x and y, and thus it can tell the player what might be wrong with his/her swings.   c. Coaching: the application can further take the video of the player&#39;s swings, in addition to the pictures of target panel. In this case, the iPhone needs to be put at a correct position relative to those of the player and the target panel. The application can pinpoint the problems of the player and can coach the player swing by swing.       
 
         [0098]    In one embodiment, the picture is printed on a strong paper, and then the back of paper is glued to a layer of man-made leather. Then a layer of transparent Nylon Velcro hook is glued to the picture side of the paper. 
         [0099]    A mold is used to make an EVA rubber ball. 
         [0100]    In another example, a game may be played based on the location of the balls on the panel. The game rules are as follows:
       Hole→0 points   Lake→4 points   Bunker→3 points   Woods→3 points   Green→1 point   Fairway→2 points
 
Multiple individuals could play 3, 4 or 5 strikes; the scores are summed and the lowest score wins the game.
       
 
         [0107]    In one embodiment, the golf club assembly  44  is provided. In yet another embodiment, the golf club is not provided. In either case, a golfer may use a traditional golf club to strike the ball. 
         [0108]    A table, booklet or other informational packet is included that instructs a person to place the artificial surface pad at different distances. For example, different distances may simulate different types of irons, such as a nine iron with a high loft high launch trajectory or a three iron with a low loft low launch trajectory. 
         [0109]    In one example, a smart phone application will provide two hit probabilities to the users after each of his/her practice session. One is his/her estimated probability of hitting a perfect ball  202  and the other one is the estimated probability of hitting a stray ball. Hitting a perfect ball  202  is defined as hitting a ball with its center inside the brownish-red center disc on target board. Hitting a stray ball  204  is defined as hitting a ball that misses the whole target board. The detected positions from the camera input algorithm will be changed to the co-ordinate system where the center of the target board is the origin, as shown in the following  FIG. 1 . The manual input function asks a user to input numbers in between [−18, 18] where the user read from a coordinate. 
         [0110]    A bivariate Gaussian distribution may be used to calculate the probabilities. After a user finishes a practice session, the application will be able to get mean and standard deviation  206  for the horizontal direction (X)  208  and the vertical direction (Y)  210  for the hits in the practice session. The Statistical analysis and the standard deviation  206  may selectively be shown to be represented by the polar coordinates  212 . Additionally, the application may show the horizontal systematic error  214 , vertical systematic error  216 , horizontal inconsistency  218 , and the vertical inconsistency error  220 . 
         [0111]    Letting them be μ x , σ x  and ν y , σ y  respectively. Let ρ be the correlation coefficient between x values and y values of the hits of the practice session. 
         [0112]    Thus the PDF (Probability Density Function) of the associated bivariate Gaussian distribution can be written as the following: f(x, y)=exp{−(1/(2(1−ρ 2 ))[(x−μ x ) 2 /σ x   2 +(x−μ y ) 2 /σ y   2 −2ρ(x−μ x ) (x−μ y )/(σ x σ y )]}/(2π σ x σ y (1−ρ) 1/2 ) 
         [0113]    The probability for hitting a perfect ball  202  can be obtained by finding the following integral: Prob=∫∫ C  f(x, y)dxdy where C is the area of the circle of the 5 inch diameter in the center. 
         [0114]    The probability for hitting a stray ball  204  can be obtained by finding the following integral: Prob=1−∫∫ S  f(x, y)dxdy where S is the area of the effective area of the target board, that is, −18≦x≦18, −18≦y≦18. 
         [0115]    There are many different ways to calculate the integrals or to approximate the integrals. Bivariate Students&#39; t distribution can be used to calculate the probabilities as well. 
         [0116]    In one example, the instant invention teaches the target board and ball searching algorithm: The algorithm uses features printed on the target board to find the perspective transformation matrix to map a ball&#39;s position on the image plane to a correct position on the world plane. First, the target board, which is 36 inch by 36 inch has a brownish-red center  89  with a diameter of 5 inches. It also has a square of exact the same brownish-red color, size of 2 inch by 2 inch on each of the 4 corners  91 ,  93 ,  95 , and  97 . The exact same color implies that their RGB values are exactly the same. 
         [0117]    As seen in  FIG. 17 , the device must initialize the camera in relation to the target panel in order to map a ball&#39;s position. The display device shall display images underlaid an alignment  FIG. 80 , the alignment  FIG. 80  as seen in  FIG. 8 . The alignment figure may have a center circle  99  and four boxes  81 ,  83 ,  85  and  87 . Proper alignment requires the camera must be pointed substantially at the target panel  10 , where the target panel has a brownish-red center  89  and four brownish-red square corners  91 ,  93 ,  95 , and  97 . The device&#39;s camera shall be positioned such that the brownish-red center circle  12  is underlaid in relation to the alignment figure center circle  99  as displayed on the display device. An algorithm may capture the RGB color underlaid within the circle  99 . 
         [0118]    Subsequently, the device will search for a similar RGB color underlaid within a first  81 , second  83 , third  85  and fourth square  87 . A properly aligned camera shall capture a square with an RGB color similar to the RGB color found underlaid in the circle  99  within each square  81 ,  83 ,  85  and  87 . 
         [0119]    More specifically, the application may perform correlations using the RGB of center brownish red color. Then the program will use a template of a disc to perform 2-dimension filtering in the center area to identify the accurate position of the center in the image plane. The position of the smallest value of the filtered results is that of the brownish-red center. A template of a square plate is used to identify the exact positions of the four corners in the image plane. The exact positions of the center and the 4 corners are used to establish the transformation from the image plane the world plane, which will allow real-time detection of ball positions on the target panel. 
         [0120]    Assuming the lower left corner is corner one  97 , and the other corners are corner two  91 , three  93 , and four  95  clockwise assuming their co-ordinates in the image plane are (C1, D1), (C2, D2), (C3, D3), and (C4, D4), respectively. Let the coordinates of the center be (C5, D5). 
         [0121]    Now we use the lower left corner as the origin, then the co-ordinates of the 4 corners are (x1,y1), (x2,y2), (x3,y3), (x4,y4), and: 
         [0000]      x1=0;y1=0; 
         [0000]      x2=C2−C1;y2=D2−D1;
 
         [0000]      x3=C3−C1;y3=D3−D1;
 
         [0000]      x4=C4−C1;y4=D4−D1;
 
         [0000]    We know that these correspond to (0, 0, (0, 36), (36, 36, (36, 0) in the world plane ∘ Let these four coordinates be: (Xo1,Yo1), (Xo2,Yo2), (Xo3,Yo3), (Xo4,Yo4).
 
We now use the above information to find the perspective transformation matrix T.
 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             T 
             = 
             
               [ 
               
                 
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       11 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       12 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       12 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       21 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       22 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       23 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       31 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       T 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       32 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                 
               
               ] 
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Construct the following matrix: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             A 
             = 
             
               [ 
               
                 
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         1 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         1 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         2 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         2 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         3 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         3 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         4 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Xo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         4 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         1 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         1 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       1 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         2 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         2 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         3 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         3 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       3 
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     0 
                   
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                   
                     1 
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         4 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       x 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         - 
                         Yo 
                       
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       
                         4 
                         * 
                       
                        
                       y 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       4 
                     
                   
                 
               
               ] 
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Note that this is an 8×8 matrix
 
Construct the following vector:
 
         [0000]      B=[Xo1 Xo2 Xo3 Xo4 Yo1 Yo2 Yo3 Yo4 ]′
 
         [0000]    Note this is an 8×1 vector. Perform the following matrix operation. 
         [0000]        V= ( A   T   A ) −1   A   T   B    
         [0000]    Where A T  is the transpose of A and (A T A) −1  is the inverse of (A T A).
 
V is a vector with 8 elements. Thus T is defined as the following:
 
         [0000]        T 11= V  (1);  T 12= V  (2);  T 13= V  (3) 
         [0000]        T 21= V  (4);  T 22= V  (5);  T 23− V  (6)
 
         [0000]        T 31= V  (7);  T 32= V  (8);  T 33=1; 
         [0000]    Apply the perspective transformation operation on the co-ordinates of the center as the following: 
         [0000]        x 5= C 5 −C 1; y 5= D 5 −D 1; 
         [0000]        Xo 5 e= ( T 11* x 5+ T 12* y 5+ T 13*1)/( T 31* x 5+ T 32* y 5+1*1) 
         [0000]        Yo 5 e= ( T 21* x 5+ T 22* y 5+ T 23*1)/( T 31* x 5+ T 32* y 5+1*1) 
         [0000]    If (Xo5e, Yo5e) is very close to (18,18), the program will claim success in identifying the transformation matrix. 
         [0122]    The camera need not be directly in front of the target panel. Instead, this perspective transformation allows the device to adjust based on the current camera capture angle and distance in relation to the target panel. Thereafter, balls hit against the target panel will be calculated in the actual position against the target panel, as opposed the place shown on the image. 
         [0123]    After the perspective transformation matrix is successfully identified, the smart phone will notify the user that a practice session could start. There are many possible ways to find a new ball on the target board. One is listed here: First find the difference matrices between a current frame image&#39;s Red, Green and Blue matrices and those of a previous frame. Then we find the Euclidian distances for each pixel from the difference matrices. The coordinates of weight center of the matrix of the Euclidian distance is the coordinate of a ball, if the weight is bigger than a certain threshold. 
         [0124]    Apply the perspective transformation operation on the ball&#39;s image plane coordinates gives the correct ball position in the world plane. The program will save the positions to the practice session list. 
         [0125]    The above algorithm is designed due to the fact that the processing power of the current smart phone is not enough. In this case, some color features needs to be designed on the target board to facilitate the searching process. And we need to ask the users to properly position the smart phone. Currently, the initialization search takes about 30 seconds and the dynamic search takes about 1 second on 640×480 images on a 600 MHz iPhone. When the processing power of smart phones improve, algorithms that directly search for lines and circles can be used to find the corners, center and balls. 
         [0126]    In one example, a fixed distance game is played where players take turns playing 4 strokes at every hole. Every stroke is scored, and the total score of the four strokes gives the score for the given hole. The game is scored based on the total scores for all the holes. The following table is used to determine players&#39; score: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 AREA ON TARGET 
                 SCORE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 HOLE 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 GREEN 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 FAIRWAY 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 WOODS 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 BUNKER 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 LAKE OR RIVER 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 OFF-TARGET 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0127]    While detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0128]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.