This invention relates generally to training devices, and more particularly, to systems and methods for golf putting training.
Golf is a recreational sport that is very popular throughout the world. The game of golf challenges a golfer with their skills in controlling the direction and distance the ball is hit. Golfers spend large amounts of money on new clubs, balls, and training aids in an attempt to improve their games. There are dozens of nuances in a golfers swing that control the golfer's success. It has, therefore, been the case that there are dozens of devices which have been developed to aid the golfer in perfecting the swing of the golf club.
Many available training aids are very complicated and require golfers to change or manipulate their natural swings. Some training aids are impractical because they are too large and cumbersome to be taken to golf courses and practice facilities. Some devices have been used to help predict trajectory or detect a two-dimensional element of the swing. Many of these training aids are expensive and do not work. Some devices attach to the golfer or the club. While they may be of some value, the golfer becomes accustomed to the device's presence and weight and frequently cannot perform without the presence of the device.
Putting and short game comprises the majority of the shots taken during an average round of golf. Putting requires an unobstructed, smooth path for a golf ball to roll towards a target. Many training devices fail to consider this and, therefore, do not permit a practicing golfer to obtain a true representation of a putting stroke. One of the most important concepts in putting is maintaining consistency throughout the entire putting stroke in order to move the putter and hands down the target line. Many golfers have a tendency to pick their heads up too soon or immediately after a putting stroke. They are anxious to see if the ball is on the correct path towards the hole immediately after the ball leaves the putter face. Inconsistency may be the largest problem among golfers' putting games and can result in drastically higher scores. If the golfer is distracted, for example, by thoughts of where the ball is going, focus is taken off the task of keeping the putter and hands moving directly down the target line.
An inexpensive and effective putting training aid would be invaluable to improving a golfer's score. However, there are no such devices available which can be used both at home and on the golf course. Accordingly, there is a need of developing products that aid golfers in practicing putting.
The present invention comprises systems and methods for golf putting training. In various embodiments, the system and method may assist a golfer in practicing putting strokes by providing a new golf putting trainer mobile application in communication with one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors may be coupled to a mat assembly including an elongate mat having a top surface. One or more of the sensors may be disposed, for example, in the bottom of a hole to provide an indication when a putt goes in the hole and/or under a surface of the mat to provide an indication when a ball rolls over the sensor. In some embodiments, the system may also include other sensors, for example, a light beam emitter and receiver disposed along the top surface of the putting mat to provide an indication when a ball rolls between the emitter and receiver. In some embodiments, the assembly may include a display and/or speaker to provide visible and/or audible indications of makes, misses, overall score and/or other information. In some embodiments, the assembly may be connectible via wired and/or wireless connections to other devices, such as a computer, cellphone, or other device. In some embodiments, a mobile app is provided that can receive signals from the assembly to track a user's training activities. In some embodiments, the assembly may be coupled to a power cord or may be battery powered and capable of being used with a plurality of training mats and/or on a putting green. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors may be wireless sensors and housed in protective housings capable of being oriented to track a golfer's made and missed putts, such as, for example, being placed in a hole, placed on the ground near a hole, and/or stuck into the ground of a putting green.
The above summary of the invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. Particular embodiments may include one, some, or none of the listed advantages.
A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for golf putting trainers for practicing one's putting stroke. In various embodiments, a new golf putting trainer device is provided that provides the user a way to monitor and track putting practice strokes resulting in muscle memorization and putting the golf ball straight and true. Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new golf putting trainer device that is easy and convenient to set up and use.
Referring now to
In various embodiments, the putting mat may include a base station disposed under a raised portion of the mat with sensors placed in the hole of the putting mat and at a front edge of the raised portion. In some embodiments, the base station may include a power cord capable of being plugged in to a power source or may be battery powered. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors may be wired or wirelessly coupled to the base station. In operation, a first pressure sensor may be configured to register when a golf ball passes over as an indication that a putt has been attempted and a second pressure sensor may be configured to register when a golf ball enters the hole as an indication that a putt was made. In some embodiments, a light emitter is disposed on one side of the mat and a light detector is disposed on the other side of the mat to register when a golf ball passes by. In various embodiments, additional and/or alternative sensors may be incorporated. In some embodiments, the sensors may be built into the mat or may be independent from the mat. For example, the light sensors may be placed on the floor next to the mat or on the surface of the mat or mounted to opposite sides of the mat. In some embodiments, the hole sensor may be a disc or similarly shaped device capable of being placed in a hole at, for example, a golf course and the laser emitter/receiver may be placed on a green proximate to the hole. In some embodiments, the emitter/receiver may include a stake or other protrusion to facilitate being inserted into the grass on the green. In some embodiments, the circuitry and other components of the base station may be included in a standalone unit, may be incorporated into the hole sensor and/or may be incorporated into one or more of the laser emitter and/or receiver.
Referring now to
The system may further include optical sensors including an emitter spaced in an opposed relationship to a receiver along a putting lane. The emitter is adapted to direct a beam of light across the passageway of the putting lane to its associated receiver. Consequently, when an object (a golf ball) passes between the sensors, the light beams are interrupted, generating a signal indicating the object has passed by. The type of emitter and receiver is not limited. By way of example, the emitter may comprise a red light emitting diode (LED) and the receiver may comprise photoconductive cells. The system may further include one or more sensor elements operable to detect the presence of a golf ball in proximity to the hole. By way of example, a sensor may be positioned within the hole to detect the presence of a golf ball within the cup. The type of sensor is not limited, and includes optical, magnetic, electric, and mechanical sensors. By way of example, one or more pressure sensors may be positioned in a bottom of the cup. For cups having a flagpole, the one or more pressure sensors may be configured to be placed around the flagpole. Both the emitter-receiver pair and the pressure sensor may be operably connected to a control unit and configured to send a signal to the control unit when the light beam produced by the emitter is interrupted and when the pressure sensor is activated. The control unit, in turn, may generate appropriate output (e.g., increase of attempt count or increase of made putt count).
Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/183,885 filed May 4, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220355176 A1 | Nov 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63183885 | May 2021 | US |