Patent ID: 6923729

Claim:
A golf training club for use by a golfer, comprising: a shaft having a grip end and a tip distal from the grip end; a club head affixed to the shaft proximate the tip of the shaft and having a face plate for striking a golf ball, wherein the face plate defines a plurality of holes extending therethrough, and wherein each hole is adapted to allow ambient light to enter from outside the club head and to pass into the hole; a plurality of optical sensors for detecting contact between the face plate and the golf ball, wherein each optical sensor is positioned within the club head absent contact with the face plate and extends at least partially into a uniquely associated hole of the plurality of holes, wherein each optical sensor is operable to detect the substantial absence of ambient light passing into the hole uniquely associated therewith that may occur when the golf ball and face plate are in contact during a hit of the golf ball with the club head, and wherein each optical sensor is adapted to produce an electrical signal in response to detecting a substantial absence of ambient light; electronics mounted within the shaft for receiving at least one electrical signal from the optical sensors during a hit of the golf ball and for processing the at least one received electrical signal to determine the location of contact between the face plate and the golf ball; and a display for displaying at least the location of contact between the face plate and the golf ball.