GB2435838A

GB2435838A - Golf training device

Info

Publication number: GB2435838A
Application number: GB0604579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm George Taylor
Original assignee: Taylor Innovation Ltd
Current assignee: Taylor Innovation Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-08
Filing date: 2006-03-08
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Also published as: GB0604579D0

Abstract

A golf training device is provided for improving a user's grip, address position and swing. The device comprises an input portion on console (1) for inputting influence data comprising information, including golf handedness, which might affect how the user should grip the club, address the ball and swing the club. The device also comprises a calculation portion (5) for calculating grip, address position and swing data, based on the input influence data, specifying one or more aspects of an appropriate grip, address and swing for the user. The device also comprises an indication means (3) for indicating information to the user, as well as ball striking area (2) and a mirror (4) for use by the user for comparing the reflection of his or her own golf positions with those indicated by the device, for use by the user in attempting to mimic the instruction provided, for improving his or her golf.

Description

Golf Training Device The present invention relates to a golf training

device for improving one or more aspects of a golfer's grip, address and swing.

A wide variety of teaching and training aids have been designed to aid individuals in developing golf swings of improved power, accuracy and consistency. These devices have a diverse range of purposes, including improving posture, swing plane, hand andlor head position and the like. The golfer's grip, address position body positions and angles and swing are described in Ben Hogan's book "Five Lessons; The Modern Fundamentals of Golf', "The Encyclopedia of Golf Techniques" by Chris Meadows with Allen F. Richardson, "Ultimate Golf Techniques" by Malcolm Campbell and "Swing Like a Pro" by Dr. Ralph Mann and Fred Griffin.

Moreover, several devices have been proposed which are directed at improving a golfer's grip. For a golfer to have a consistent, effective golf swing for striking the golf ball accurately to the target, a correct grip is fundamentally important.

On careful observation, there exists a consistency amongst the vast majority of high performance golfers of the assembly of the hands on the golf club handle to form the grip.

The two main grips used by such golfers are the overlapping (or Vardon') grip in which the small finger of the lowermost hand sits in the cleft between the middle and index fingers of the uppermost hand, and the interlocking grip, in which the small finger of the lowermost hand interlocks with the index finger of the uppermost hand. Common to both types of grip are the positioning of the club handle in the hands, i.e. the uppermost hand grips the club handle in the region of the roots of the fingers at the base of the palm, with the thumb resting approximately 3/l6ths of an inch from the centre of the handle, to the side further from the target, with a V forming between the thumb and index finger pointing to the golfer's ear furthermost from the target. The lowermost hand grips the club predominantly in the fingers, with the V formed between the thumb and index finger pointing midway between the golfer's chin and the shoulder furthermost from the target.

By contrast, many amateur golfers routinely have some or all of the assembly of the hands to form the grip incorrect. Amateur golfers of this type, if they aim to improve their golf game, should aim to adopt the correct grip. Moreover, repeated enforcement and training of these and other correct fundamentals at address will aid significantly the improvement of the golf game of the golfer, especially a young or inexperienced one. Additionally, enforcement and training of these fundamentals in a high-level golfer will aid in maintaining his or her game in a consistently good state.

Furthermore, several devices have been proposed which are directed at improving a golfer's address position or set-up. For a golfer to have a consistent, effective golf swing for striking the golf ball accurately to the target, a correct set-up is fundamentally important.

On careful observation, there exists a consistency amongst the vast majority of high performance golfers of positions and angles of the golf club and the various anatomical parts of the body in the set-up relative to the position of the golf ball and target. From a face-on view, depending on the golf club being used, the high performance golfer will typically hold the club at an angle such that the sole lies flush to the ground. Thus the least lofted club, the driver, will form an angle in which the club shaft is vertical, and a more lofted club such as a pitching wedge forms an angle in which the handle is a few inches ahead of the club head relative to the target. Furthermore, the golfer will have his or her leg nearer the target in a relatively straight line, angled slightly towards the target from hip to foot, and the leg further from the target in an inwardly kinked formation, such that the upper part of the leg will be angled away from the target from hip to knee, and the lower part of the leg angled further from the target from knee to foot. As a result of the kinked nature of the golfer's leg further from the target, the hips will be angled slightly, pointing upwards in the direction towards the target. This angling of the hips causes the golfer's torso to be angled away from the target from the hips upwards, and the shoulders to also be angled, pointing upwards in the direction towards the target. This angling of the shoulders causes the golfer's head to also be angled slightly, pointing away from the target from the chin to the top of the head. The golfer's arm nearer the target will be straight, and the hand attached to this arm will grip the club uppermost on the handle. This arm and the club will appear to form a straight line, or a line very close to being straight. In common with the legs, the arm further from the target will be kinked. The hand attached to this arm will grip the club lowermost on the handle. Thus, overall the golfer's body at address of the golf ball will resemble the letter K. For the least lofted clubs, such as the driver, the stance will be at its widest, about 2 inches wider than the shoulders, the golf ball will be positioned opposite the inside edge of the heel of the foot nearer the target and the golfer's bodyweight will be distributed approximately 52% on the foot further from the target and 48% on the foot nearer the target. The foot nearer the target will be splayed by approximately 20 , and the foot further from the target will be almost straight, very slightly splayed. For the most lofted clubs, such as the sand wedge, the stance will be at its narrowest, about 1 inch narrower than the shoulders, the golf ball will be positioned opposite the centre of the stance and the golfer's bodyweight will be distributed approximately 45% on the foot further from the target and 55% on the foot nearer the target. The stance, ball position and bodyweight distribution for all clubs between these will be on a gradation, the only exception being the foot angles, which will remain constant.

Furthermore, several devices have been proposed which are directed at improving a golfer's swing. For a golfer to strike the ball with accuracy and consistency, an athletic and coordinated swing motion is fundamentally important.

On careful observation, there exists a consistency amongst the vast majority of high performance golfers of positions and angles of the golf club and the respective anatomical parts of the body during the swing motion of the golf club relative to the position of the golf ball and target. From a face-on view, the high performance golfer's backswing will typically consist of a motion in which the arms and shoulders behave as a unit, with the triangle formed between the shoulders and the arms remaining intact during the start of the backswing until the club is taken approximately 3 feet away from the ball -the so-called "one-piece take away".

The arms and shoulders will keep moving and turning and the club will carry on in a swinging motion; during the first third of the backswing the golfer's body centre and head will shift laterally away from the target in a pronounced but small movement by approximately 2 inches. The shoulders will go on to turn fully during the backswing by approximately 90 and the hips by approximately 45 0 The arm nearer the target will remain substantially straight, the arm further from the target will become increasingly bent as the club travels further, the cocking of the wrists becomes greater and the bodyweight is gradually transferred towards the foot further from the target. When the golfer reaches the top of his or her backswing, the wrists will be fully cocked and the bodyweight will be approximately 75% on the foot further from the target and 25% on the foot nearer the target. The leg further from the target will be braced, and the knee of the leg nearer the target will be angled inwards.

The high performance golfer's downswing will commence with a concomitant turning of the hips back towards the target, a small lateral movement of the hips, and body centre towards the target, large bodyweight shift towards the foot nearer the target and movement of the knee of the leg nearer the target diagonally away from the golf ball towards the hip nearer the target. This coordinated move will trigger a turning motion of the shoulders back towards the target, a dropping of the arms, and an acceleration of the hands and club towards the golf ball. The head and neck will remain braced during these movements, promoting a balanced, coordinated motion.

At the moment of impact of the golfer's club with the ball, the arm nearer the target and club will form a straight line, the shoulder nearer the target will be higher than the other shoulder, the elbow of the arm further from the target will be near the hip furthermost from the target, the leg nearer the target will be substantially straight, the leg further from the target will be kinked inwards and the heel of the foot further from the target will be raised from the ground slightly in a rolling motion of this foot, in a direction towards the target.

The golfer's bodyweight will be approximately 75% on the foot nearer the target and 25% on the foot further from the target.

During the golfer's swing post-impact, the arms will travel towards the target and the arm further from the target at impact will straighten, the arm nearer the target at impact will fold, such that the arms will form a rolling motion. This will take place at the same time as further turning of the head, shoulders, torso and hips towards facing the target, and a raising of the heel of the foot further from the target. This will continue on to a follow through position in which the head and hips are facing the target, the arms are swung fully round past the head, only the toes of the foot further from the target are in contact with the ground and this foot is perpendicular to the ground and the bodyweight is transferred approximately 75-95% onto the foot nearer the target.

If a golfer aims to improve the quality and consistency of their swing and ball striking, they should aim to adopt a grip, address position and swing of a high performance golfer.

Moreover, the golfer should aim to adopt a grip, address position and swing of a high performance golfer using the same club. Moreover, the golfer should aim to adopt a grip, address position and swing of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height and build to their self using the same club. Many instructional computer software packages are known in which the golfer is able to view footage of their address position and swing and compare these with high performance golfers and/or high performance golfers of similar gender, height and build to their self. Instructional lines, circles and curves may be drawn over the image, and footage can be played back frame by frame. This type of instruction serves as a highly beneficial tool for improving the golfer's game. However, one drawback of such instructional tools is that viewing and analysis typically takes place post-shot and is very difficult to do in real time.

One aim of the present invention is to provide a viewing and analysis instructional device which may be used by a golfer during their training session in real time, i.e. during the grip-making, address position and swing processes. This real-time instruction aims to provide direct feedback, so as to benefit the golfer even more than simply canying out viewing and analysis post-shot.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf training device for improving one or more aspects of a user's golf grip, address and swing, comprising: means for specifying influence data comprising at least the user's golf handedness; means for displaying instructional information to the user; a mirror in which the user is able to view his or her reflection; means for selecting, in dependence upon on the influence data, appropriate instructional information relating to the one or more aspects for presentation using the display means, the presented instructional information comprising at least one view of a golfer of at least apparent opposite golf handedness to that of the user, thereby enabling the user to mimic the presented instructional information by comparing his or her reflection with the presented instructional information.

The selection means may be arranged to select appropriate instructional information based on a comparison between the specified influence data and pre-collected influence data for a reference golfer or golfers.

The selection means may have access to a store of such pre-collected influence data, being arranged to select the closest match from the store based on the specified influence data and to use instructional information associated with the closest match.

The selection means may be operable to select a match for a golfer of opposite golf handedness of the user.

The selection means may be operable to select a match for a golfer of the same golf handedness of the user, and the display means are operable to reverse the view before display to appear of opposite handedness to the user.

It is therefore immaterial whether the golfer displayed for instructional purposes is of actual opposite golf handedness to the user, or merely of apparent opposite golf handedness due to a flipping of image data before display.

The display means may comprise a screen.

The instructional information may comprise graphical information.

The instructional information may comprise text information.

The mirror may be located near, and facing generally in the same direction as, the screen.

A surface of the mirror may be convex.

The instructional information may comprise information instructing the user to mimic the data displayed on the display means using the mirror as visual guidance.

The instructional information may comprise still image graphical instruction.

The instructional information may comprise movie graphical instruction.

The display means may be operable to display the movie graphical instruction in slow motion.

The display means may be operable to display the movie graphical instruction frame-by-frame, whether automatically or under manual control.

The instructional information may comprise information relating to the user's grip.

The instructional information may comprise information relating to the user's address.

The instructional information may comprise information relating to the user's swing.

The influence data may comprise one or more of the following items of information: golf handedness; club selection; gender; age; height; weight; build; race; waist size; chest size; inside leg measurement; distance from tips of fingers to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; distance from wrist to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; right or left-handedness; club selection for the stroke to be played; strength of the stroke to be played; intended direction of the golf stroke to be played; intended golf ball flight of the stroke to be played.

The device may be operable in a practice swing mode in which no ball is used during the grip making, address andlor the stroke.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating program which, when loaded into a device or system, causes the device or system to become one according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The operating program may be carried on a carrier medium. The carrier medium may be a transmission medium. The carrier medium may be a storage medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing golf training, comprising directing a person to use a device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a golf training aid embodying the present invention; Figure 2a relates to Example I shown below, showing a still of a movie of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct grip and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b shows a still of a movie, later than that shown in Figure 2a, of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct grip and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2c shows a still of a movie, later than that shown in Figure 2b, of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct grip and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2d shows a still of a movie, later than that shown in Figure 2c, of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct grip and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2e shows a still of a movie, later than that shown in Figure 2d, of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct grip and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3a relates to Example 2 shown below, showing a still of a movie of a right handed high performance golfer making a correct grip and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a left handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3b shows a still of a movie of a right handed high performance golfer making a correct address position and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a left handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4a relates to Example 3 shown below, showing a still of a movie later than the grip movie shown in Figures 2a-2d of a lefthanded high performance golfer making a correct address position and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4b shows a still of a movie later than that shown in Figure 4a of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct swing and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4c shows a still of a movie later than that shown in Figure 4b of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct swing and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4d shows a still of a movie later than that shown in Figure 4c of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct swing and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4e shows a still of a movie later than that shown in Figure 4d of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct swing and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4f shows a still of a movie later than that shown in Figure 4e of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct swing and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4g shows a still of a movie later than that shown in Figure 4f of a left handed high performance golfer making a correct swing and text instruction displayed on the screen, along with a right handed user's reflection in the mirror, in an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a device comprises a console 1 adjacent to a golf ball striking area 2, and on this console is located a computer screen 3 facing the ball striking area which may provide graphical instruction for the golfer. Also on the console, facing the ball striking area, is located a mirror 4 near the screen, in which the golfer using the device may view their own reflection. The screen may display a menu for use by the golfer in entering data which may influence how they should address the golf ball and/or swing the golf club. The device may comprise an algorithm programmed into computer 5 for selecting from a pre-selected store of data appropriate instruction for displaying to the golfer via the screen. The golfer's input influence data may be used by this algorithm to display instructional data tailored to the user's specific golf stroke to be played. The instructional data displayed by the screen may comprise graphical instruction featuring an image or images of a high performance golfer or golfers. The graphical instruction on the screen may relate to one or more aspects of playing a golf stroke. The graphical instruction on the screen may relate to the grip, address position and/or swing. The user may be instructed to compare this graphical instruction with their own reflection in the mirror, and aim to mimic the instructional data displayed on the screen. The mirror may be used by the golfer to compare their own grip, address position body and club positions and angles andlor golf swing body and club positions and angles with the graphical instruction shown on the screen, in order that the golfer, by mimicking the actions of the high performance golfer, is better able to train the correct actions and thus improve the quality of their grip, address position, swing and ball striking. It will be appreciated that use of such a device will be most beneficial when used to improve the golfer's grip and address position, since the golfer will not necessarily have to simultaneously concentrate on the ball. It will be appreciated that use of such a device during a golf swing will be most beneficial for the golfer when he or she is making a practice swing, i.e. a swing with no ball present, such that the golfer does not have to simultaneously concentrate on the ball. It will be appreciated that such a device may also prove useful when used in conjunction with the golf training device described in Patent Application Number PCT/GB2005/050 143.

Particularly useful for the golfer for combining with the present invention may be a matrix bed of lights beneath a transparent mat, as described in Patent Application Number PCT/GB2005/050 143, for providing address position instruction from beneath the playing surface to the golfer. Thus, using the instruction from the matrix bed of lights the user may be able to take his or her stance in a position conveniently facing and adjacent to the mirror and screen, and address the ball using the correct stance and ball position, and thus use of the instruction provided by the device embodying the present invention will be facilitated for improvement of their grip, address position, golf swing and ball striking. Further uses of the device embodying the present invention include, but are not limited to, use with the known explanar golf training aid (www.cxplanar.com) in which a golfer trains their swing by rolling a simulated club along a large ring whereupon no ball is struck, as well as use with golf simulators. Of course use of the device embodying the present invention during an actual golf stroke may also prove beneficial to the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may relate to a high performance golfer or golfers.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise an image or images of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height, build and opposite handedness to those data entered by the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise an image or images of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height, build and opposite handedness using the same club of opposite handedness to those data entered by the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise an image or images of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height, build and opposite handedness using the same club of opposite handedness to those data entered by the user, from a face-on perspective.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a flipped image or images of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height, build and the same handedness to those data entered by the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a flipped image or images of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height, build and the same handedness using the same club of the same handedness to those data entered by the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a flipped image or images of a high performance golfer of similar gender, height, build and the same handedness using the same club of the same handedness to those data entered by the user, from a face-on perspective.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a movie or movies of a high performance golfer from a face-on perspective of similar gender, height, build and opposite handedness using the same club of opposite handedness to those data entered by the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a flipped movie or movies of a high performance golfer from a face-on perspective of similar gender, height, build and the same handedness using the same club of the same handedness to those data entered by the user.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise lines, circles and/or curves superimposed over an image or movie of a high performance golfer's grip, address position and/or swing to highlight positions and/or angles of anatomical body parts, the golf ball and/or the club.

Text displayed on the screen may direct the user to compare the graphical instruction images and/or movies with their own reflection in the mirror, and attempt to mimic the data displayed on the screen for improvement of their grip, address position and/or golf swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a fixed image or images relating to a high performance golfer's grip.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a movie or movies relating to a high performance golfer's grip.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a fixed image or images relating to a high performance golfer's address position.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a movie or movies relating to a high performance golfer's address position.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a fixed image or images relating to a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a movie or movies relating to a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a slow motion movie or movies relating to a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a movie or movies played automatically frame-by-frame relating to a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise a movie or movies played manually frame-by-frame relating to a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise textrelating to a high performance golfer's grip.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to a high performance golfer's address position.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to bodyweight distribution during a high performance golfer's address position.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to bodyweight distribution during a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to positions of anatomical body parts during a high performance golfer's address position.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to motion of anatomical body parts during a high performance golfer's swing.

Graphical instruction displayed on the screen may comprise text relating to motion of the club during a high performance golfer's swing.

The mirror may be located directly below the screen on the console.

The mirror may be convex, so that the user may view all of his or her own body and swing.

The mirror andlor screen may each have a durable transparent protective coating to minimise breakage from possible impact with golf balls or clubs.

The standing and ball striking area may comprise a mat and tee.

The ball striking and standing area may comprise some or all aspects of the inventions described in Patent Application Number PCT/GB2005/050 143. Particularly useful for the golfer for combining with the present invention may be a matrix bed of lights beneath a transparent mat, as described in Patent Application Number PCT1GB20051050143, for providing address position instruction from beneath the playing surface to the golfer.

When using the device, the golfer may enter data via the menu on the screen which may influence how they may address the ball and swing the club. Such influence data may comprise one or more of the following items of information: gender; age; date of birth; height; weight; build; race; neck size; shoulder width; waist size; chest size; inside leg measurement; distance from tips of fingers to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; distance from wrist to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; right or left-handedness; club selection for the stroke to be played; length of club for the stroke to be played; lie of the club for the stroke to be played; strength of the stroke to be played; intended direction of the golf stroke to be played; intended golf ball flight of the stroke to be played; golfing experience; golfing handicap; and manufacturer and model of club for stroke to be played.

If the device is used for golfers to hit balls from a confined space such as, for instance, a driving range or indoors into a net, the device may be configured one way or the other such that it may be used by only one of left-or right-handed golfers at any given time. In such an instance, if the configuration of the device is set by the golf facility operator, the golfer need not necessarily enter their handedness via the menu, since due to the configuration of the device in such a confined space, it will be appreciated the functionality of the device will only be fully useful for golfers of one handedness. Thus, the golf handedness to be used on the device, as dictated by the set configuration, may be selected by, for instance, the golf facility operator, via a superuser menu. Golfers of opposite handedness would use a separate unit configured the opposite way. It will be intuitive to the golfer which particular device they should use at any given time due to their golf handedness. It is also possible that the device will automatically detect the handedness of the golfer by some means. Once the golfer enters their data, these data may be saved on a data tag or similar data holding device such that they need not be entered upon each use. The user may update data at a later juncture and overwrite the new data over the previous data. Once the user indicates by way of the on-screen menu that they are ready to make a grip, address position and golf swing, instructional data may be displayed on the screen. Accompanying such instruction will be displayed an instruction for the user to compare data displayed on the screen with their own reflection in the mirror, and attempt to mimic the data displayed on the screen for improvement of their grip, address position andlor golf swing.

The user is able to select their intended direction of golf shot from the menu on the screen, and also whether they intend to play a golf stroke of regular straight ball trajectory, straight high ball trajectory, straight low ball trajectory, right-to-left ball trajectory, high right-to- left ball trajectory, low right-to-left ball trajectory, left-to-right ball trajectory, high left-to-right ball trajectory or low left-to-right ball trajectory. Also using the menu on the screen, the user is able to select what, if any, instruction is displayed, from a list containing, but not limited to, "Grip instruction", "Grip and address position instruction", "Address position instruction" and" Grip, address position and swing instruction". This menu option is given early in the set of options, following the user's gender and handedness, such that the user, if they choose "Grip instruction" does not necessarily have to enter all other parameters, since these will not greatly affect the grip.

Example uses of the device embodying the present invention are shown below.

Example 1

25. User = male * Handedness = right handed Instruction chosen = "Grip instruction" Once the user has indicated, via the menu, that he is ready to play a golf stroke, the graphical instruction displayed on the screen will comprise a movie of a male left handed high performance golfer, directly facing the user making his grip. This grip will be made by the high performance golfer placing his right hand on the club handle first, then his left hand, accompanied by text commentary, with the movie finishing with a still of the completed grip from a face-on perspective with accompanying text.

Example 2

User= male Handedness = left handed * Instruction chosen = "Grip and address position instruction" Height=5 ft9in Build = medium Club selection = 3-wood Chosen target direction = in line with the mean Once the user has indicated, via the menu, that he is ready to play a golf stroke, the graphical instruction displayed on the screen will relate to a movie of a male right handed high performance golfer of height 5 ft 9 in and of medium build, directly facing the user using a right handed 3-wood making his grip and address position. The grip and address position will be made by the high performance golfer stepping to a position adjacent to the golf ball and at the same time as taking his stance, placing his left hand on the club handle first, then his right hand, accompanied by text commentary. The movie will zoom in to give a brief still of the grip from a face-on perspective with accompanying text, then zoom back out to show the full address position, with accompanying text and superimposed lines drawn over the golfer to highlight the angles of the shoulders, hips, arms and legs. The centre of the golf ball will be aligned at a position approximately 12% back from the inside edge of the high performance golfer's left heel, relative to the inside of the right heel. The bodyweight at address will be distributed 52% to the right foot and 48% to the left foot.

Example 3

* User=male * Handedness = right handed Instruction chosen = "Grip, address position and swing instruction" Height=5 ft II in Build = medium Club selection = 6-iron * Chosen target direction = 20o right of the mean Once the user has indicated, via the menu, that he is ready to play a golf stroke, the graphical instruction displayed on the screen will relate to a movie of a male left handed high performance golfer of height 5 ft 11 in and of medium build, directly facing the user using a left handed 6-iron making his grip, address position and swing. The grip and address position will be made by the high performance golfer stepping to a position adjacent to the golf ball and at the same time as taking his stance, placing his left hand on the club handle first, then his right hand, accompanied by text commentary. The movie will display the full address position, with accompanying text, and once complete will display superimposed lines drawn over the golfer to highlight the angles of the shoulders, hips, arms and legs. The centre of the golf ball will be aligned at a position opposite to approximately 31% back from the inside edge of the left foot, relative to the inside of the right foot. The bodyweight at address will be distributed 50% to the left foot and 50% to the right foot. It will be appreciated that, due to the use of a convex mirror, there is no need for the graphical instruction on the screen to be angled other than face-on, since the reflection of the golfer in the mirror will be substantially face-on. The movie will then proceed to show the high performance golfer's swing with accompanying text and superimposed lines to emphasise particular body and club positions and angles.

It will be appreciated that such as device may prove convenient to the user if used in conjunction with a known automated golf ball tee- up device, such that when the golf ball is dispensed on the tee, the location of this dispensing point can be directly opposite the mirror at an appropriate distance from the mirror and screen. It will be appreciated, of course, that such an automated ball dispenser or tee-up device is not necessary, and a normal fixed teeing position or marked position or area on a mat from which the user may play the ball or practice his or her swing will suffice. Examples of such devices, which deliver the golf ball on an ascending height-adjustable tee from a hole in the mat, are the Pareto Auto Tee (www.seoulnassau.co.uk), Golf Tech Ltd. Power Tee (www.powertee.co.uk), Computee by Sunaga Kaihatsu (www9.ocn.ne.jp/skg-kalProducts/golf/results 1.htm), Golf Tee-Up Systems International (www.golfteeupsysterns.com), Ikemoto Shatai Kogyo Co. Ltd. Auto Setter (www.ikenioto shatai.co.iD) and the X-golf system (www.x-golf.net).

An embodiment of the present invention provides a device that expresses simply and clearly in real time to the golfer the desired grip, address position and swing he or she should aim to adopt.

Such a training aid system can serve the purpose of improving the grip, address position body positions and angles, club positioning, swing plane, swing path, ball striking quality, power and consistency of golf strokes of the golfer. With repeated training use of the device by the golfer, the correct grip, address position and golf swing should come more instinctively and comfortably to the golfer whilst he or she is playing on the golf course, practice range, driving range or similar with no instructional or training aid.

A device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be operable in a practice swing mode in which no physical ball is used during the address andlor the stroke.

In such a mode, the user of the device could take his or her address position and swing in relation to an imaginary ball position but no actual ball.

It will be appreciated that operation of one or more of the above-described components can be controlled by a program operating on the device or apparatus. Such an operating program can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or could, for example, be embodied in a signal such as a downloadable data signal provided from an Internet website. The appended claims are to be interpreted as covering an operating program by itself, or as a record on a carrier, or as a signal, or in any other form.

Claims

Claims: I. A golf training device for improving one or more aspects of

a user's golf grip, address and swing, comprising: means for specifying influence data comprising at least the user's golf handedness; means for displaying instructional information to the user; a mirror in which the user is able to view his or her reflection; means for selecting, in dependence upon on the influence data, appropriate instructional information relating to the one or more aspects for presentation using the display means, the presented instructional information comprising at least one view of a golfer of at least apparent opposite golf handedness to that of the user, thereby enabling the user to mimic the presented instructional information by comparing his or her reflection with the presented instructional information.

2. A golf training device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection means are arranged to select appropriate instructional information based on a comparison between the specified influence data and pre-collected influence data for a reference golfer or golfers.

3. A golf training device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the selection means have access to a store of such pre-collected influence data, being arranged to select the closest match from the store based on the specified influence data and to use instructional information associated with the closest match.

4. A golf training device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the selection means are operable to select a match for a golfer of opposite golf handedness of the user.

5. A golf training device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the selection means are operable to select a match for a golfer of the same golf handedness of the user, and the display means are operable to reverse the view before display to appear of opposite handedness to the user.

6. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display means comprise a screen.

7. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises graphical information.

8. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises text information.

9. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mirror is located near, and facing generally in the same direction as, the screen.

10. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the minor is convex.

11. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises information instructing the user to mimic the data displayed on the display means using the mirror as visual guidance.

12. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises still image graphical instruction.

13. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises movie graphical instruction.

14. A golf training device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display means are operable to display the movie graphical instruction in slow motion.

15. A golf training device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the display means are operable to display the movie graphical instruction frame-by-frame, whether automatically or under manual control.

16. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises information relating to the user's grip.

17. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises information relating to the user's address.

18. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instructional information comprises information relating to the user's swing.

19. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the influence data comprise one or more of the following items of information: golf handedness; club selection; gender; age; height; weight; build; race; waist size; chest size; inside leg measurement; distance from tips of fingers to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; distance from wrist to floor when standing fully erect with arms hanging by the side; right or left-handedness; club selection for the stroke to be played; strength of the stroke to be played; intended direction of the golf stroke to be played; intended golf ball flight of the stroke to be played.

20. A golf training device as claimed in any preceding claim, operable in a practice swing mode in which no ball is used during the grip making, address andlor the stroke.

21. A golf training device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. An operating program which, when loaded into a device, causes the device to become one as claimed in any preceding claim.

23. An operating program as claimed in claim 22, carried on a carrier medium.

24. An operating program as claimed in claim 23, wherein the carrier medium is a transmission medium.

25. An operating program as claimed in claim 23, wherein the carrier medium is a storage medium.

26. A method of providing golf training, comprising directing a person to use a device or system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21.