WO1989005677A2

WO1989005677A2 - Arrangement for practising golf swings

Info

Publication number: WO1989005677A2
Application number: PCT/GB1988/001144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Leah
Original assignee: Timothy Leah
Priority date: 1987-12-22
Filing date: 1988-12-22
Publication date: 1989-06-29
Also published as: WO1989005677A3; GB8815571D0; JPH04506755A; AU3032389A; EP0394345A1

Abstract

Arrangement for practising golf swings and thus the accuracy of aim when a golf ball is struck, wherein clubs occurring within the game of golf such as irons, woods and so-called hollow irons are used for striking a ball, comprises an extended, substantially horizontal belt (24), a target area (14) substantially perpendicular thereto arranged on one of its opposite short sides, at least one striking area (1), screening elements (20, 22) which surround at least the belt and means (34) for indicating contact with the target by a struck golf ball.

Description

Title: Arrangement for practising Golf Swings

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an arrangement for striking a ball from a striking area towards a target area, and more particularly for target shooting with a golf ball by means of conventional golf clubs from at least one striking area towards a target area, at which a hit is signalled.

The number of golfers has increased steadily in the majority of countries in recent years. This has given rise to a multiplicity of problems, only a small number of which will be referred to here. The game of golf is played over large areas of ground, and the cost of investment are generally high. The number of newly laid out golf courses is thus limited, which means that existing golf clubs are obliged to cope with a larger number of golfers. In the majority of cases this leads to problems of space and wear and tear on the golf courses. All active golfers, from beginners to scratch players, have to practice striking the ball, the so-called swing, to a greater or lesser degree, in the first place to achieve accuracy of aim and in the second place to achieve consistency in striking. More experienced players practice striking to a lesser degree on a practice field, a so-called driving range, which most golf courses have, whilst beginners and less active players spend large amounts of time at the course on the driving range alone. Because of the limited space taken up by the- driving range and the growing number of beginners, all those concerned have problems in practising their swings.

A further problem in this connection is that the game of golf requires large areas of ground, which makes it necessary to locate the golf courses in green belts outside cities and communities. In most cases it is therefore time-consuming to travel to and from the course.

Yet another problem in this connection is that the game of golf is played out of doors, and that the player can therefore be exposed to varying types of poor weather. A successful golfer often finds it easier to accept poor weather conditions such as rain and wind than a beginner, who does not enjoy standing out in the rain on the driving range and hitting golf balls, without really knowing whether the trajectory, height and striking length of a ball are the outcome of a poor shot or of gusts of wind. In countries for instance in Northern Europe and North America, groundsmen and golf club secretaries are often compelled to close down their facilities during the six winter months as the courses are unplayable. Long periods of rain can also lead to closing of a course, because spiked shoes are used for golfing, and the wheels of golf trolleys can cause serious damage to the soft grassy areas, especially in the immediate vicinity of the hole, the so-called green. At that time of year therefore many golfers look southwards for continued practice of the game and the accuracy of aim on striking. However, such persons are in the minority, compared with the total number of persons who play the game.

It has been found that suspending playing or practising during the six winter months considerably worsens the accuracy of aim on striking when the season starts again in the spring. Even if this worsening is highly individual, those players who have been able to practise their striking during the six winter months have an advantage which, for many players who have been unable to practice striking during the six winter months can be difficult to catch up on in the course of the season. It has also been found that even a successful golfer should practice his golf swing for 5 to 25 minutes daily if he wishes to retain the important motor response required for striking, and continuity in the accuracy of aim. In many instances for example a beginner will probably find a long car journey solely for this purpose laborious, and not worth undertaking.

On the basis of the problems set out above and the requirements of players at varying levels of competence, a number of societies, associations and individuals active within the game of golf have discussed prerequisites and possibilities for practising at least certain aspects of the game of golf indoors. A number of arrangements are thus known, for example the Swedish Patent 151 183, for practising the so-called putting indoors, i.e. using a club provided for this purpose to cause a ball to roll towards and into a hole. However, this only trains the accuracy of aim when rolling a golf ball along the ground surface with a single club, i.e. a movement completely different from the motor response of striking.

To practice striking, and thus the motor response of striking, it is known to set up large nets outdoors and also indoors, as for instance in a gymnasium. A player can hit the ball from an appropriate point towards the net, using at least some standard clubs, most frequently short irons. The main disadvantage of this arrangement however is that, apart from the fact that access is extremely limited, which restricts the number of participants, the player obtains no more than a vague idea of the trajectory and height of the ball.

Sophisticated golf simulators are also known, which can operate with slide and/or video technology and which project on a screen a fictitious landscape with a hole to be played. The player, who can use some of his own clubs only in exceptional cases, strikes a contact resembling a ball, connected to a computer. Using data on the club used, the computer calculates the travel, height and aim of the fictitious ball. The computer generates a picture of a ball as an outgoing signal and projects this picture in the slide and/or video film displayed, after which the player can deduce the accuracy of strike from the position of the fictitious ball on the screen. The disadvantage of this technique is that the slide and/or video film displayed is reproduced in two dimensions only, which has a negative effect on the player's conception of such things as the distance to the hole, even if the distance to the hole is known, and other things. A further disadvantage of this technique is that a sophisticated and thus expensive installation is required for this, which means that the costs of utilisation are high. As a consequence of these high costs, many experienced players and the majority of beginners regard it as uneconomical to use an installation of this kind, and at the same time 'ball sense' is lost.

An object of the present invention is thus to provide an arrangement for practising the golf swing and thus the accuracy of striking, wherein clubs such as irons, woods and so-called hollow irons (with the exception of special clubs such as putters and sand wedges) occurring in the game of golf are used for striking a ball.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement with an indication element which signals a hit with a ball either visually and/or audibly. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which is easy to install and dismantle, and which therefore can be moved if necessary.

In addition the object of the present invention is to provide a practice arrangement which is accessible from the economical .point of view to all categories of player, such as veterans, senior and junior players and beginners.

According to this- invention there is provided an arrangement for practising golf swings and thus the accuracy of aim in striking a golf ball, wherein clubs such as irons, woods and so-called hollow irons (apart from special clubs such as putters and sand wedges) occurring in the game of golf are used for striking a ball, which arrangement is characterised by an extended, substantially horizontal belt, a target area substantially perpendicular thereto, arranged on one of its opposite short sides, at least one striking area and screening elements which surround at least one striking area and screening elements which surround at least the belt. The arrange.aent is further characterised by an arrangement arranged in the target area for signalling a hit with a ball, which arrangement is characterised by a substantially vertical target plate with a centre and sub-sections preferably of the same shape distributed around this centre, arranged so that, under the influence of a hit with a ball, the target plate causes an indication part, preferably arranged around the target plate, to signal the hit with a ball. Preferably the screening elements are suspended in a frame construction and screen the arrangement along the long sides of the belt and the short side thereof adjacent to the target area, and form a roof-like screening upwards.

For some embodiments of the invention a frame will have a net draped thereover but particularly for a non-permanent arrangement it may be more convenient to have the net suspended inside the frame with horizontal members thereof removable to permit folding up of the frame and net by pushing hoop-like frame parts together.

The target area preferably has a low part shaped so that the ball hit against the target area rolls down this part towards the current striking area. A groove may be arranged between the target area and the striking area, which groove is substantially parallel to the target area and extends between the long sides of the belt, and which groove is arranged so as to catch balls rolling from the lower part towards the current striking place. Preferably the side edge of the groove facing away from the target area is shaped so as to ensure that balls rolling from the lower part towards the current striking place find their way into the groove for receiving balls. Preferably, also the groove drops from one long side of the arrangement towards the other long side of the arrangement.

Additionally, a second groove may be provided which extends along one long side of the arrangement between at least the first groove for receiving the balls and at least one striking area, and to which the groove for receiving the balls is connected. Preferably the second groove drops from the short side of the arrangement located in the target area towards the other short side of the arrangement.

The arrangement of the invention may have a multiplicity of striking areas along the belt, which are located at a distance from one another between the first groove and the short side of the belt facing away from the target area. The belt at least within the striking area may be covered by an abrasion layer.

A target plate is preferably arranged in the target area at right angles to the belt for detecting the ball strike. The target plate may have a centre and sub-sections, preferably of the same shape, distributed around this centre so that the target plate under the influence of a hit causes an indication part possibly arranged around the target plate to signal the hit by a ball. The indication part may be protected by a transparent protective sheet arranged in front thereof .

In one preferred embodiment indication of a hit may be by means of a multiplicity of contact elements arranged behind the target plate which can be influenced by the target plate when a ball hits, and which signal the hit via at least one indication element.

The target plate may be made of a flexible, electrically conductive material which constitutes a first contact area, which target plate, via a second- contact area arranged behind the target plate and via at least one indication element, signals the hit.

A control module receives and processes a multiplicity of incoming signals and which, in response thereto, generates outgoing signals which can be shown by means of further indication elements. A movable command part may be provided for manually influencing one or a multiplicity of the functions of the control module. In another preferred embodiment there is provided one or more transducers, preferably, sound detecting means, such as microphones, behind the target plate to detect contact, such as by noise, of a golf ball hitting the target plate. The target plate is preferably made of a substantially rigid but durable material, such as of polypropylene. Different transducers, preferably sound detecting means, may be provided for different areas of the target plate to give a more accurate assessment of accuracy of a golf shot. A preferred target comprises a smaller first target plate having a first transducer associated therewith in front of a larger surrounding plate having a second transducer associated therewith. The two plates are preferably spaced apart with cushioning interposed, such as foam or sponge.

The sound detecting means is preferably linked electronically to a score indicating means, such as a digital score display, so that each time the target plate is hit, a score is indicated on the score display.

The preferred arrangement of the invention is to be used with golf balls of a lighter construction than conventional golf balls, for example of plastics material, so that the length of shot is reduced and hence the length of the belt can be reduced. The position of striking area markings will preferably be calculated on the basis of such substitute golf balls.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one arrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of an arrangement according to the present invention, wherein a roof-like screen has been omitted for the sake of clarity;

Figure 3 is a front view of a target area and an arrangement for signalling a hit with a ball in an arrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the target area and the arrangement for signalling a hit with a ball in an arrangement according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a exemplifying perspective view which shows a multiplicity of arrangements according to the present invention, grouped alongside one another in a ball;

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows electronic circuitry for the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a yet further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 9 is a side view of a target for the embodiment of Figure 8.

Figures 1 and 2 show a frame construction 10. This frame construction is constituted by vertical posts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, whereof the posts 12a, 12b at the target area 14 are preferably longer than posts 12c, 12d on the side of the arrangement facing away from the target area 14. The vertical posts 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are connected at their top ends by means of assembly elements 16 with elements 18 connecting the ends of the posts (see Figure 2). Vertical screening elements 20 and a screening element 22 like a roof are attached in the frame construction. The short posts 12c, 12d are high enough to ensure that the movement of a golf club during swings is not hindered by the roof-like screening element 22. The vertical screening elements 20 screen the long side of the arrangement and at least one of the short sides of the arrangement. The screening elements 20, 22 are preferably constituted by a net construction.

This frame-net construction surrounds an extended, substantially horizontal belt 24 with the substantially vertical target area 14. The belt 24 has at least one striking area. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there are four striking areas designated 1-4 in Figure 2. The four striking areas 1-4 are arranged at a distance from one another on the belt 24 and at a distance from the target area 14, whereby the striking area 1 is at a smaller distance from the target area 14 than the remaining striking areas. Between the target area 14 and the first striking area 1 a groove 26 is arranged. This is substantially parallel with the target area 14 and extends between the long sides of the belt 24. The side edge 28 of the groove 26 facing away from the target area 14 is shaped like an extended elevation or limiting wall. This can in a more simple embodiment of the present invention be sufficient for providing the function intended. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the groove 26 drops from one long side of the arrangement to the other long side of the arrangement, along which a second groove 30 extends to which the groove 26 connects. The second groove 30 drops from the short side of the arrangement located right alongside the target area 14 to the side of the arrangement opposite this. An abrasion layer 32 covers at least the striking areas 1-4 of the belt 24, but preferably covers the whole belt 24. Reference will now be made to Figure 3, which shows the vertical target area 14. Figure 3 shows the vertical posts 12a, 12b, connecting element 16 and the element 18 connecting the ends of the posts. The remainder of the frame-net construction is omitted for the sake of clarity. Somewhat above the centre of the target area 14 there is arranged a target plate 34, circular in this embodiment, which however has any appearance whatever. This target plate 34 can be regarded as being divided up into a centre V, circular in this instance, with sub-sections I-IV, preferably of the same shape, distributed around the centre. The target plate 34 is arranged at right angles to the belt 24. An indication part 36 is arranged around the target plate. Behind the target plate 34 there is a multiplicity of contact elements (not shown), arranged so as to be controllable by the target plate 34 when a ball hits. The contact elements are connected via cabling 38 (see Figure 4), for example concealed in the frame construction, connected to a control member 40 which, depending on where the ball hits the target plate 34, receives and processes a multiplicity of incoming in signals and in response thereto generates outgoing signals to set in operation visual and/or audible indication elements 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 44. The control member 40 also controls other visual and/or audible indication elements 46, for instance for showing times, points etc. The indication part 36 is protected by an appropriate, transparent material 47, such as transparent acrylic plastic, against damage from a ball missing the target area 34. As shown clearly in Figure 4 the transparent material 47 is substantially on a level with the front of the target plate 34, and this becomes a bottom part 48, resembling a ramp and not necessarily transparent, which slopes from the target area to the striking place and which extends between the long sides of the arrangement.

Figure 5 shows a possible development of a larger installation for practising golf swings and thus the accuracy of aim when striking a golf ball, where a multiplicity of arrangements according to the present invention are arranged parallel to one another. Figure 5 depicts in diagram a number of persons occupied in an individual practice round or a practice round Ln progress. The practice round in a team is applied suitably to a large number of applications for practice on the course. The appropriate number of players in one team in respect of waiting times and degree of use is four players. A team captain is chosen within the team, who appropriately commences by setting at zero various groups of figures on the indication element 46, using a movable control part 50 (see Figure 2). This setting at zero can also be effected by other means. The team captain commences the practice round in the striking area 2, which in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is located about 15 metres from the target area 14. In the striking area 2 only the irons 15, 16 or 17 may be used.for striking. The golfer has five mintues to strike as many balls as possible towards the target plate 34, and may alternate between the three permitted clubs during these five minutes. The balls which are to be struck are appropriately located in a basket and may simply be taken out one by one by hand. The ball is struck towards the target plate 34. A hit on the sub-sections I-IV of the target plate 34 results partly in a number of points shown on the indication element 46, and partly in setting in operation of indication elements corresponding to respective sub-sections. For example if sub-section 1 of the target plate 34 is hit, the top indication element 42a on the left of the target plate 34 lights up. Correspondingly if sub-section II o^~ the target plate 34 is hit, the top indication element 42b to the right on the target plate 34 lights up. If there is a hit on the inside, in this case a circular centre V, all visual and/or audible indication elements 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 44 for example are set in operation, to indicate that a rare situation equivalent to a hole-in-one has occurred. After hitting the target plate 34 the ball drops down onto the ramp-like construction 48 and rolls towards and is received by the groove 26. The back of the transparent material can also be connected to the contact element to register points when the target plate 34 is missed. After five minutes the team captain gives way to the next player, who has one minute to select a club and position the first ball. The practice round continues until the four players in the team have each practised for five minutes in the striking area 2. After this they move back to the striking area 4 which, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is located at a distance of about 25 metres from the target plate 34. In the striking area 4 only woods l and W3 may be used to strike the ball and if necessary a rubber tee (not shown) may be used when the ball is struck. In this striking area also each of the four players has five minutes to strike as many balls as possible towards the target plate 34, and the players also have one minute hand-over time each. The practice round for a team of four players will thus be completed after 47 minutes.

The individual practice round requires complete concentration and for the players to be in condition and competent. During the individual practice round all four striking areas 1-4 are used. The player starts in the striking area 1, which in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is located at a distance of about 10 metres from the target plate 34. In this target striking area 1 only the short irons 18, 19 and pitching wedge PW may be used. The player practices striking for five minutes, and each hit is registered, in the same way as previously, with a certain number of points and is shown on the indication element 46. After five minutes the player has one minute to prepare for striking in the striking area 2, which in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is located at a distance of about 15 metres from the target plate 34. In this striking area 2 only the irons 15, 16 and 17 may be used for striking the ball. After five minutes in this striking area, the player has one minute to prepare for striking in the striking area 3 which in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is located at a distance of about 20 metres from the target plate 34. In this striking area 3, only irons 12, 13 and 14 are used for striking the ball. Here also, as previously, point numbers for hits are totalled and shown on the indication elements 46. After five minutes in the third striking area, the player has one minute to prepare for striking for five minutes from the final striking area 4, which in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is located at a distance of about 25 metres from the target plate 34. In this striking area 4 only woods, or in the present case hollow irons Wl and W3, may be used for striking the ball. If necessary a rubber tee may be used. The individual practice round should thus be completed after 23 minutes.

Turning to Figures 6 and 7, a golf practice arrangement comprises a mat 100 of a synthetic grass material, such as astro turf. The mat has transverse line marking 102 at distances of 10 m, 15 m and 20 m from a generally perpendicular target area 101 at one end of the mat. When using substitute plastic golf balls the 10 m line and thereabouts is for short irons, such as 7, 8 and 9, the 15 m line and thereabouts is for medium irons, such as 4, 5 and 6 and the 20 m line and thereabouts is for long irons and woods, such as 1, 2 and 3 irons and woods. The target area and mat are enclosed in a net

104 supported over arch frames 106 except for that end of the mat opposite the target area, which is open.

The target area 101 has a backdrop 108 that has a picture of a typical golf hole thereon. In front of the backdrop is a polypropylene target disc 110. Between the backdrop and the disc 110 is a microphone 112 (Figure 7) for detecting the noise of a golf ball hitting the target plate.

The circuitry illustrated in Figure 7 is designed to convert the noise detected into a digital signal that is shown on a digital display 114, such as of the liquid crystal type, positioned at the open end of the arrangement. Hitting the target plate with a golf ball, therefore, produces a score which may be summed in order to give a total score from a series of shots at the target, possibly as a percentage figure.

Finally in Figures 8 and 9 a golf game 200 comprises a tubular metal frame 202 having vertical posts 204 on each side of a belt 206,. the vertical posts being connected in pairs by transverse members 20S and along the belt sides by horizontal members 210. A net 212 is draped over the frame, although it may be. suspended from and inside the frame.

The belt is marked with a striking area 214 at one end 9.0 metres from a target area 216 at the other end. The target area has a back cloth 218 depicting a golf hole and a specific target 220 which if hit by a struck golf ball indicates an accurate shot.

The target 220 comprises a large circular target plate 222 of polypropylene behind which is a sound transducer 224 (Figure 9) and a smaller circular polypropylene plate 226 centrally of the larger plate 222 and cushioned therefrom by cushioning pieces 228. Behind the smaller plate 226 is a sound transducer 230. The two transducers 224 and 230 are provided to detect contact of either target plate by a golf ball and transmit a signal to a score-board 232, the score being indicative of which target plate was hit e.g. 10 points for the larger target plate and 30 for the smaller. Electronic circuitry of the type shown in Figure 7 will be used for the above purpose.

The advantages of the present invention may be summarised in the following points.

1. The arrangement, preferably installed indoors, according to the present invention, allows the practice of golf swings and thus of the accuraej. of aim on striking a golf ball all the year round, and particularly during the six winter months, when practice out of doors is to a large extent impossible, since courses are closed on account of inclement weather conditions.

2. When practising golf swings and thus the accuracy of aim on striking the golf ball, the player can use his usual clubs. 3. Thanks to the indication part, the player has a good idea of which moments in the training he/she should concentrate on.

4. . The arrangement according to the present invention imitates the outdoor conditions to a considerable extent, as a result of which practice of golf swings and thus of the accuracy of aim on striking the golf ball during the six winter months helps the golfer to retain and also allows him to develop his skills before the start of the outdoor season. 5. The simple construction with the present invention permits a relatively low price of utilisation, so that beginners and families should be able to make use of the arrangement according to the present invention at reasonable cost. 6. The simple construction also allows a simple and rapid assembly/dismantling, and can thus easily, for example temporarily, be assembled in a gymnasium. 7. The dimensions of the arrangement can easily be adjusted to differing local pre-requisites for the location of the arrangement, for example a cellar in for instance a hotel, a garage or a garden.

Claims

1. Arrangement for practising golf swings and thus the accuracy of aim when a golf ball is struck, wherein clubs occuring within the game of golf such as irons woods and so-called hollow irons are used for striking a ball, comprising an extended, substantially horizontal belt, a target area substantially perpendicular thereto arranged on one of its opposite short sides, at least one striking area, screening elements which surround at least the belt and means for indicating contact with the target by a struck golf ball.

2. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screening elements are suspended in or over a frame construction and screen the arrangement along the long sides of the belt and the short side thereof adjacent to the target area and form a roof-like screening upwards.

3. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the target area has a lower part shaped so that a ball hit against the target rolls down said part towards the striking area.

4. Arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein a groove is provided between the targe area and the striking area, the groove being substantially parallel to the target area and extending between the long sides of the belt, the groove being arranged to catch balls rolling from the lower part towards the striking area.

5. Arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the side edge of the groove facing away from the largest area is shaped so as to ensure that balls rolling from the lower part towards the current striking area find their way into said groove.

6. Arrangement as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the groove drops from one long side of the arrangement towards the other long side of the arrangement.

7. Arrangement as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 further comprising a second groove extending along one side of the arrangement between at least the first groove and at least one striking area.

8. Arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second groove drops from the short side of the arrangement of the target area towards the other short side of the arrangement.

9. Arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 having a plurality of striking areas along the belt, which are spaced from one another between the first groove and the opposite short side of the arrangement away from the target area.

10. Arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

9, wherein the belt at least within the striking area or area is covered by an abrasion layer.

11. Arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

10, wherein the target area includes a target plate substantially perpendicular to the belt for detecting a ball strike.

12. Arrangement as claimed in claim 11, comprising a first target plate surrounded by a layer single or segmented target plate.

13. Arrangement as claimed in claim 11 or 12, including one or more transducers for detecting contact of a ball with a target plate and commenting said detection into a signal which activates a contact display.

14. .Arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein said display is a score-board.

15. Arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the transducers are microphones situated behind said target plate or plates.

16. Arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the target plate or plates is or are of substantially rigid plastics material.

17. Arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.