U.S. patent application number 10/013828 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-12 for golfer's practice aid.
This patent application is currently assigned to RANGECARD LLC. Invention is credited to Costantini, Robert, Dineen, William.
Application Number | 20030109335 10/013828 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21761965 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030109335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dineen, William ; et
al. |
June 12, 2003 |
Golfer's practice aid
Abstract
A golfer's aid comprising a markable substrate having a
graphical representation of at least one golf shot hit with a
particular golf club that enables the user to record direction and
distance of the golf shot as perceived by the user. The graphical
representation includes a plurality of discrete domains that
represent a plurality of direction and distance classifications of
the golf shot. In the preferred embodiment, the direction
classifications include at least the following classifications: i)
the direction of the golf shot is substantially straight; ii) the
direction of the golf shot is substantially left; and iii) the
direction of the golf shot is substantially right. In addition, the
direction classifications may include a plurality of
classifications of varying degree of offset from straight. In
addition, the distance classifications preferably include the
following classifications: i) the distance of the golf shot is
substantially longer than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club; ii) the distance of the golf shot is
substantially shorter than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club; and iii) the distance of the golf shot
substantially corresponds to user's expected distance for the
particular golf club. The markable substrate may comprise a paper
card wherein the graphical representation is printed on the paper
card. Alternatively, the markable substrate may comprise an
electronic device wherein the graphical representation is displayed
on a display screen. In another aspect of the present invention, a
database system is provided for storing golfer's practice data
comprising a data entry screen that displays a plurality of data
entry fields that represent a plurality of direction and distance
classifications of at least one golf shot that enables the user to
record direction and distance of the golf shot as perceived by the
user.
Inventors: |
Dineen, William; (Fairfield,
CT) ; Costantini, Robert; (Westport, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas J. Perkowski, Esq., PC
Soundview Plaza
1266 East Main Street
Stamford
CT
06902
US
|
Assignee: |
RANGECARD LLC
|
Family ID: |
21761965 |
Appl. No.: |
10/013828 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/3605 20200801;
A63B 71/06 20130101; A63B 69/3691 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101;
A63B 71/0672 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/407 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A golfer's aid comprising: a markable substrate having a
graphical representation of at least one golf shot hit with a
particular golf club that enables the user to record direction and
distance of the golf shot as perceived by the user, the graphical
representation comprising a plurality of discrete domains that
represent a plurality of direction and distance classifications of
the golf shot.
2. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein each domain is a spatial
region of the substrate that is bounded by visible edges.
3. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said direction
classifications comprise at least the following classifications: i)
the direction of the golf shot is substantially straight; ii) the
direction of the golf shot is substantially left; and iii) the
direction of the golf shot is substantially right.
4. The golfer's aid of claim 3, wherein said direction
classifications comprise a plurality of classifications of varying
degree of offset from straight.
5. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said distance
classifications comprise at least the following classifications: i)
the distance of the golf shot is substantially longer than user's
expected distance for the particular golf club; ii) the distance of
the golf shot is substantially shorter than user's expected
distance for the particular golf club; and iii) the distance of the
golf shot substantially corresponds to user's expected distance for
the particular golf club.
6. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said plurality of discrete
domains represent a plurality of direction and distance
classifications of a single golf shot.
7. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said plurality of discrete
domains including a plurality of sub-domains that represent a
plurality of direction and distance classifications of multiple
golf shots.
8. The golfer's aid of claim 7, wherein each sub-domain is a
spatial region of the substrate within corresponding domain that is
bounded by visible edges.
9. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said markable substrate
comprises a paper card, and said graphical representation is
printed on said paper card.
10. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said markable substrate
comprises display screen and said graphical representation is
displayed on said display screen.
11. The golfer's aid of claim 10, which is embodied as an
application program that is executed on a personal digital
assistance device.
12. The golfer's aid of claim 11, wherein said personal digital
assistance includes a touch screen for user input, and wherein the
user marks a given domain by touching the touch screen.
13. The golfer's aid of claim 11, wherein said application program
provides statistical reporting that displays statistical reports on
the display screen of the personal digital assistant to thereby
enable a user to analyze practice data stored in memory.
14. The golfer's aid of claim 1, wherein said plurality of discrete
domains represent at least the following classifications of the
golf shot: i) the distance of the single golf shot is substantially
longer than user's expected distance for the particular golf club
and the direction of the golf shot is far left; ii) the distance of
the single golf shot is substantially longer than user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is left; iii) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially longer than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is
substantially straight; iv) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially longer than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is right;
v) the distance of the single golf shot is substantially longer
than user's expected distance for the particular golf club and the
direction of the golf shot is far right; vi) the distance of the
single golf shot substantially corresponds to the users expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is far left; vii) the distance of the single golf shot
substantially corresponds to the user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is left;
viii) the distance of the single golf shot substantially
corresponds to the user's expected distance for the particular golf
club and the direction of the golf shot is substantially straight;
ix) the distance of the single golf shot substantially corresponds
to the user's expected distance for the particular golf club and
the direction of the golf shot is right; x) the distance of the
single golf shot substantially corresponds to the user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is far right; xi) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially shorter than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is far
left; xii) the distance of the single golf shot is substantially
shorter than user's expected distance for the particular golf club
and the direction of the golf shot is left; xiii) the distance of
the single golf shot is substantially shorter than user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is substantially straight; xiv) the distance of the single
golf shot is substantially shorter than user's expected distance
for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is
right; and xv) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially shorter than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is far
right.
15. A database system for storing golfer's practice data comprising
a data entry screen that displays a plurality of data entry fields
that represent a plurality of direction and distance
classifications of at least one golf shot that enables the user to
record direction and distance of the golf shot as perceived by the
user.
16. The database system of claim 15, wherein said direction
classifications comprise at least the following classifications: i)
the direction of the golf shot is substantially straight; ii) the
direction of the golf shot is substantially left; and iii) the
direction of the golf shot is substantially right.
17. The database system of claim 16, wherein said direction
classifications comprise a plurality of classifications of varying
degree of offset from straight.
18. The database system of claim 15, wherein said distance
classifications comprise at least the following classifications: i)
the distance of the golf shot is substantially longer than user's
expected distance for the particular golf club; ii) the distance of
the golf shot is substantially shorter than user's expected
distance for the particular golf club; and iii) the distance of the
golf shot substantially corresponds to user's expected distance for
the particular golf club.
19. The database system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of data
entry fields represent a plurality of direction and distance
classifications of a single golf shot.
20. The database system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of data
entry fields represent at least the following classifications of
the golf shot: i) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially longer than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is far
left; ii) the distance of the single golf shot is substantially
longer than user's expected distance for the particular golf club
and the direction of the golf shot is left; iii) the distance of
the single golf shot is substantially longer than user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is substantially straight; iv) the distance of the single golf
shot is substantially longer than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is right;
v) the distance of the single golf shot is substantially longer
than user's expected distance for the particular golf club and the
direction of the golf shot is far right; vi) the distance of the
single golf shot substantially corresponds to the user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is far left; vii) the distance of the single golf shot
substantially corresponds to the user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is left;
viii) the distance of the single golf shot substantially
corresponds to the user's expected distance for the particular golf
club and the direction of the golf shot is substantially straight;
ix) the distance of the single golf shot substantially corresponds
to the user's expected distance for the particular golf club and
the direction of the golf shot is right; x) the distance of the
single golf shot substantially corresponds to the user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is far right; xi) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially shorter than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is far
left; xii) the distance of the single golf shot is substantially
shorter than user's expected distance for the particular golf club
and the direction of the golf shot is left; xiii) the distance of
the single golf shot is substantially shorter than user's expected
distance for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf
shot is substantially straight; xiv) the distance of the single
golf shot is substantially shorter than user's expected distance
for the particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is
right; and xv) the distance of the single golf shot is
substantially shorter than user's expected distance for the
particular golf club and the direction of the golf shot is far
right.
21. The database system of claim 15, wherein said data entry screen
is provided via user interaction with a web browsing application
operably coupled to a web server over the Internet.
22. The database system of claim 15, further comprising a
statistical reporting screen that displays statistical reports to
thereby enable a user to analyze practice data stored in the
database system.
23. The database system of claim 12, wherein said statistical
reporting screen is provided via user interaction with a web
browsing application operably coupled to a web server over the
Internet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the sport of golf, and in
particular to a golf practicing aid, and its method of use, which
enables a golfer to record and manage (for subsequent use and
analysis) the accuracy and distance of practice shots hit with
different golf clubs.
[0002] The present invention further relates to automated
statistical analysis of the accuracy and distance of practice golf
shots, which enables the golf to view a summary of the golfer's
shot pattern in such a manner as to allow the golfer (or an
instructor) to identify and correct errors in the golfer's game
(swing, grip, etc.) as well as identify improvement or decline in
performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0003] The game of golf is a very difficult sport--to score well
requires a consistent swing (over the range of golf clubs from
driver to putter) that is effective in striking the ball to invoke
accurate (in direction and distance) shots. Golfers learn and
accomplish such a consistent swing through practice. The legendary
golfer Ben Hogan once said that "Every day you miss playing or
practicing is one day longer it takes to be good."
[0004] Golfers typically practice on a practice range where the
golfer hits a large number of golf balls with one or more golf
clubs. Hitting balls on the practice range enables the golfer to
work through problems in the goiter's swing, including:
[0005] grip (i.e., position of hands and fingers on the golf
club);
[0006] foot placement (with relation to the golf ball) at
set-up;
[0007] position of body (head, hands, arms, hips, legs, feet)
during take-back;
[0008] position of body (head, hands, arms, hips, legs, feet)
during shoulder turn;
[0009] position of body (head, hands, arms, hips, legs, feet)
during down-swing through impact;
[0010] position of body (head, hands, arms, hips, legs, feet)
during follow-through.
[0011] A typical practice range session involves striking 25 to 100
golf balls into a field, using various golf clubs. The usual
objective of a practice range session is to hit as many practice
shots as possible that are accurate (in direction and distance),
which is measured by divergence (in direction and distance) of the
actual shot from a selected target that represents the golfer
intended (or average) shot for the particular golf club.
[0012] Another objective is to improve one's accuracy from one
driving range session to another. Improving one's accuracy on the
practice range should lead to improved accuracy and lower scores
when playing actual rounds of golf, which typically comprise
playing 18 different golf holes.
[0013] While golfers practice many hours on the practice range
hitting large numbers of golf balls to improve accuracy and
performance, no device or system presently exists that effectively
assists the golfer (or an instructor) to record, manage and/or
understand the results of such practice sessions.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,269 to Lewis describes a PDA-based
software application that displays a reproduction of a fairway or
green forming part of a golf course. A target zone for a practice
shot (which can be a circle which represents a green or a rectangle
which represents a fairway portion) is also displayed as shown in
FIG. 5. The user inputs the approximate location in X,Y coordinates
of a struck ball via touch input. The approximate location in X,Y
coordinates of the plurality of struck balls is stored in memory.
As described, the unit could be programmed to analyze some or all
of the inputted locations statistically to discern patterns
relating to ball flight analysis and tabulate and display the
user's shot pattern as shown in FIG. 6. Although such a system
enables the user to record specific shot location data and shot
patterns derived therefrom, the data entry process is cumbersome
and time-consuming--the user is required to estimate the X,Y
coordinates of the landing location of the each shot and enter the
estimated landing location into the device via touch input. Such
tasks are likely to distract and defocus the user from the main
objective of the practice session--hitting a large number of
accurate practice golf shots, thus hindering improvement in the
user's golf game instead of aiding improvement in the user's golf
game.
[0015] Thus, there remains a need in the art for a device or system
that effectively assists a golfer (or an instructor) to record,
manage and/or understand the results of such practice sessions,
while minimizing the time and complexity of data entry during such
practice sessions.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention
to provide an improved device and/or system that effectively
assists a golfer (or an instructor) to record, manage and/or
understand the results of practice sessions, while minimizing the
time and complexity of data entry during such practice sessions and
avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art devices and
techniques.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
golfer's aid including a markable substrate having a graphical
representation of at least one golf shot hit with a particular golf
club that enables the user to record direction and distance of the
golf shot as perceived by the user.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
golfer's aid wherein the graphical representation includes a
plurality of discrete domains that represent a plurality of
direction and distance classifications of the golf shot.
[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide such
a golfer's aid wherein the direction classifications include at
least the following classifications:
[0020] i) the direction of the golf shot is substantially
straight;
[0021] ii) the direction of the golf shot is substantially left;
and
[0022] iii) the direction of the golf shot is substantially
right.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
golfer's aid wherein the direction classifications include a
plurality of classifications of varying degree of offset from
straight.
[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide such
a golfer's aid wherein the distance classifications include at
least the following classifications:
[0025] i) the distance of the golf shot is substantially longer
than user's expected distance for the particular golf club;
[0026] ii) the distance of the golf shot is substantially shorter
than user's expected distance for the particular golf club; and
[0027] iii) the distance of the golf shot substantially corresponds
to user's expected distance for the particular golf club.
[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
golfer's aid wherein the plurality of discrete domains represent a
plurality of direction and distance classifications of a single
golf shot.
[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
golfer's aid wherein the plurality of discrete domains include a
plurality of sub-domains that represent a plurality of direction
and distance classifications of multiple golf shots.
[0030] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a golfer's aid wherein the markable substrate comprises a
paper card, and the graphical representation is printed on the
paper card.
[0031] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a golfer's aid wherein the markable substrate comprises a
display screen and the graphical representation is displayed on the
display screen.
[0032] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
golfer's aid embodied as an application program that is executed on
a personal digital assistance device.
[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
golfer's aid wherein the user marks a given domain by touching the
touch screen of a personal digital assistance device.
[0034] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide
a database system for storing golfer's practice data comprising a
data entry screen that displays a plurality of data entry fields
that represent a plurality of direction and distance
classifications of at least one golf shot that enables the user to
record direction and distance of the golf shot as perceived by the
user.
[0035] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a database system, wherein the data entry screen is provided
via user interaction with a web browsing application operably
coupled to a web server over the Internet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] For a fuller understanding of the Objects of the Present
Invention, the Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments
of the Present Invention should be read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1A illustrates the essential elements of the golfer's
practice aid of the present invention including a markable
substrate 10 (such as paper card or electronic tablet) that has a
graphical representation of a single golf shot hit with a
particular golf club that enables the user to record the direction
and distance of the single golf shot as perceived by the user. The
graphical representation pertaining to a given shot includes a
plurality of discrete domains (e.g., discrete spatial regions of
the substrate) that represent different classifications of
direction and distance for the given shot. After hitting the given
shot, the user determines the appropriate classification of
direction and distance for the given shot as perceived by the user,
and manually marks the domain corresponding to such direction and
distance classifications, thereby recording the direction and
distance of the single golf shot.
[0038] FIG. 1B illustrates an alternate configuration of the
golfer's practice aid of the present invention, which utilizes a
different direction classification scheme for the domains formed on
the substrate 10.
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the golfer's practice
aid of the present invention, including a markable paper substrate
10' which is foldable about a central axis (which is preferably
marked by a visible line 11). The paper substrate 10' includes 48
graphical representations printed thereon, each corresponding to a
single golf shot hit with a particular golf club (e.g.,
Ball_1/Driver, Ball_2/Driver, Ball_3/Driver, Ball_4/Driver . . .
Ball_45/Lob_Wedge (LW), Ball_46/LW, Ball_47/LW, Ball_48/LW) that
enables the user to record the direction and distance of the single
golf shot as perceived by the user. As shown, the graphical
representation pertaining to a given shot includes a plurality of
discrete domains that represent different classifications of
direction and distance as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A
and 1B. After hitting the given shot, the user determines the
appropriate classification of direction and distance for the given
shot as perceived by the user, and manually marks (with a pencil or
pen) the domain corresponding to such direction and distance
classifications, thereby recording the direction and distance of
the single golf shot.
[0040] FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate configuration of the
golfer's practice aid of the present invention including a markable
substrate 10 (such as paper card or electronic tablet) that has a
graphical representation for multiple golf shots hit with a
particular golf club that enables the user to record the direction
and distance of the multiple golf shots as perceived by the user.
As shown, the graphical representation includes a plurality of
discrete domains (outlined with dark wide lines) that represent
different classifications of direction and distance. Each domain
includes a plurality of discrete sub-domains (marked by thin lines)
each corresponding to a different golf shot hit with the particular
club. After hitting a shot with the particular club, the user
determines the appropriate classification of direction and distance
for the given shot as perceived by the user, and manually marks a
sub-domain in the domain corresponding to such direction and
distance classifications, thereby recording the direction and
distance of the single golf shot. The user repeats these steps for
each golf shot hit with the particular club, thereby marking
multiple sub-domains on the substrate 10 and recording the
direction and distance of multiple golf shots hit with the
particular club.
[0041] FIG. 3B illustrates an alternative graphical representation
of domains that represent different classifications of direction
and distance for one or more golf shots.
[0042] FIG. 4A illustrates the system architecture of a web-based
database storage system that can be used to enter and store
practice data in electronic form.
[0043] FIG. 4B illustrates a data entry screen provided by the
database storage system of FIG. 4A that enables a user (via
interaction with the web browsing application executing on the
client machine) to enter the direction and distance of practice
golf shots recorded on the substrate in the practice setting for
storage in an electronic database.
[0044] FIG. 4C illustrates a single data entry grid of the data
entry screen of FIG. 4B. The data entry grid corresponds to a
single golf shot. It includes a pull down menu that enables the
user (via user interaction with a pointing device) to select a
particular golf club that hit the golf shot corresponding to the
data entry grid. In addition, the data entry grid includes a
plurality of buttons (only one of which can be selected via a user
clicking on such button with a pointing device). The button layout
mirrors the structure of the domains (e.g., graphical indicia) of
the markable substrate 10. The user selects a particular club (via
user interaction with the pull down menu) and selects a button
corresponding to the domain marked on the substrate.
[0045] FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary statistics reporting screen
provided by the database storage system of FIG. 4A that enable a
user to view statistical reports on the direction and distance of a
plurality of practice shots (as represented by practice data stored
in the database).
[0046] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate an alternate embodiment
of the present invention wherein the golfer's practice aid is
embodied within a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other mobile
computing device (such as a notebook or sub-notebook computer).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0047] Referring to the figures in the accompanying drawings, the
various illustrative embodiments of the golfer's practice aid of
the present invention will be described in great detail, wherein
like elements will be indicated using like reference numerals.
[0048] FIG. 1A illustrates the essential elements of the golfer's
practice aid of the present invention including a markable
substrate 10 (such as paper card or electronic tablet) that has a
graphical representation of a single golf shot hit with a
particular golf club that enables the user to record the direction
and distance of the single golf shot as perceived by the user. As
shown, the graphical representation pertaining to a given shot
includes a plurality of discrete domains (which are discrete
spatial regions of the markable substrate) that represent different
classifications of direction and distance for the given shot.
Preferably, each domain is represented by a discrete spatial region
of the substrate that is bounded by visible edges as shown. After
hitting the given shot, the user determines the appropriate
classification of direction and distance for the given shot as
perceived by the user, and manually marks the domain corresponding
to such direction and distance classifications, thereby recording
the direction and distance of the single golf shot.
[0049] In this exemplary embodiment, after hitting the given golf
shot, the user determines the appropriate distance classification
of the shot as follows:
[0050] i) if the distance of the given golf shot is substantially
longer than user's target distance (which is typically the user's
average distance for the particular club), the distance
classification is AVERAGE;
[0051] ii) if the distance of the given golf shot is substantially
shorter than user's target distance, the distance classification is
SHORT; or
[0052] iii) if the distance of the given golf shot is substantially
longer than user's target distance, the distance classification is
LONG.
[0053] Similarly, the user determines the direction classification
of the shot as follows:
[0054] i) if the direction of the given golf shot is substantially
straight, the direction classification is CENTER;
[0055] ii) if the direction of the given golf shot is substantially
left, the direction classification is LEFT; or
[0056] iii) if the direction of the given golf shot is
substantially right, the direction classification is RIGHT.
[0057] The user then manually marks the domain corresponding to
such direction and distance classifications, thereby recording the
direction and distance of the golf shot.
[0058] For example, if the user determines that the distance and
direction classifications of the golf shot are AVERAGE and LEFT,
respectively, the user would mark the grid cell in the leftmost
column and middle row. Yet, if the user determines that the
distance and direction classifications of the golf shot are LONG
and RIGHT, respectively, the user would mark the grid cell in the
rightmost column and top row. Yet, if the user determines that the
distance and direction classifications of the golf shot are SHORT
and CENTER, respectively, the user would mark the grid cell in the
middle column and bottom row.
[0059] Such tasks enable the user to quickly and efficiently record
the direction and distance of a single practice golf shot, which
minimizes any user distraction related thereto, and thus aids in
the improvement in the user's golf game.
[0060] FIG. 1B illustrates an alternate configuration of the
golfer's practice aid of the present invention, which utilizes a
different direction classification scheme for the domains formed on
the substrate 10. More specifically, the distance classification
scheme includes direction classifications with varying degrees of
left (for example, LEFT and FAR LEFT as shown) and direction
classifications with varying degrees of right (for example, RIGHT
and FAR RIGHT as shown). Similar variations can be made with
respect to the distance classification scheme for the domains
formed on the substrate 10. Moreover, alternate classification
schemes for direction and distance can be used to suit any
particular need for precise classification of the accuracy of a
given golf practice shot.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the golfer's practice
aid of the present invention, including a markable paper substrate
10' which is foldable about a central axis (which is preferably
marked by a visible line 11 as shown). The paper substrate 10'
includes 48 graphical representations printed thereon, each
corresponding to a single golf shot hit with a particular golf club
(e.g., Ball_1/Driver, Ball_2/Driver, Ball_3/Driver, Ball_4/Driver .
. . Ball_45/Lob_Wedge (LW), Ball_46/LW, Ball_47/LW, Ball_48/LW)
that enables the user to record the direction and distance of the
single golf shot as perceived by the user. As shown, the graphical
representation pertaining to a given shot includes a plurality of
discrete domains that represent different classifications of
direction and distance as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A
and 1B. After hitting the given shot, the user determines the
appropriate classification of direction and distance for the given
shot as perceived by the user, and manually marks (with a pencil or
pen) the domain corresponding to such direction and distance
classifications, thereby recording the direction and distance of
the single golf shot. Such tasks enable the user to quickly and
efficiently record the direction and distance of a single practice
golf shot, which minimizes any user distraction related thereto,
and thus aids in the improvement in the user's golf game.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, the area of the paper substrate 10'
adjacent to the graphical representation pertaining to a given shot
can be preprinted with the name (or identifier, such as PW for
Pitching Wedge, or LW for Lob Wedge) of the golf club to which it
corresponds as shown in FIG. 2.
[0063] FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate configuration of the
golfer's practice aid of the present invention including a markable
substrate 10 (such as paper card or electronic tablet) that has a
graphical representation for multiple golf shots hit with a
particular golf club that enables the user to record the direction
and distance of the multiple golf shots as perceived by the user.
As shown, the graphical representation includes a plurality of
discrete domains (outlined with dark wide lines) that represent
different classifications of direction (e.g., FAR LEFT, LEFT,
CENTER, RIGHT and FAR RIGHT) and distance (e.g., SHORT, AVERAGE and
LONG). Each domain includes a plurality of discrete sub-domains
marked by thin lines (for example 4 sub-domains as shown) each
corresponding to a different golf shot hit with the particular
club. Preferably, each domain is represented by a discrete spatial
region of the substrate that is bounded by visible edges (dark wide
lines), and each subdomain is represented by a discrete spatial
region (within the corresponding domain) that is bounded by visible
edges (dark wide lines and thin lines) as shown. After hitting a
shot with the particular club, the user determines the appropriate
classification of direction and distance for the given shot as
perceived by the user, and manually marks a sub-domain in the
domain corresponding to such direction and distance
classifications, thereby recording the direction and distance of
the single golf shot. The user repeats these steps for each golf
shot hit with the particular club, thereby marking multiple
sub-domains on the substrate 10 and recording the direction and
distance of multiple golf shots hit with the particular club. Such
tasks enable the user to quickly and efficiently record the
direction and distance of such multiple golf shots, which minimizes
any user distraction related thereto, and thus aids in the
improvement in the user's golf game.
[0064] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2,
and 3A, the discrete domains that represent different
classifications of direction and distance for one or more golf
shots are formed by a rectangular array of grid cells, wherein the
columns of the grid cell array represent different classifications
of direction (for example, FAR LEFT, LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT and FAR
RIGHT), and the rows of the grid cell array represent different
classifications of distance (for example, SHORT, AVERAGE and LONG).
However, the present invention is not limited in this respect and
it is understood that alternate graphical indicia can be used to
represent such domains as shown in FIG. 3B.
[0065] In another aspect of the present invention, the markable
substrate (which may be a paper article of manufacture or device as
described above) that enables a user to efficiently record the
direction and distance of the practice golf shots in the practice
setting (for example, on the practice range) is used in conjunction
with a database system, which accumulates the results marked on
each substrate for the purpose of organizing numerous golf shots to
provide the user with statistical feedback on direction and
distance of each golf club, and conversely the required club for a
particular distance or direction of shot required. The database
system can be electronic or manual. Electronic databases can be PC
based or Web based database storage systems and software. An
example of such a web-based database storage system is illustrated
in FIGS. 4A-4D.
[0066] FIG. 4A illustrates the system architecture of this system
including a web server 401 that serves up web pages (which may
include html formatted content, XML formatted content as well as
application logic) to client machines (one shown as 403) that
execute a web browsing application operably coupled to the web
server 401 over the world wide web 405. As is well known in the
art, such web pages provide registration services (which enable the
user to register with services provided by the web server 401,
i.e., obtain a User_ID and password) and login services (which
enable the user to gain access to the services provided by the web
server 401). In addition, such web pages provide at least one data
entry screen that enables a user (via interaction with the web
browsing application executing on the client machine 403) to enter
the direction and distance of practice golf shots recorded on the
substrate in the practice setting for storage in an electronic
database 407. Preferably, the electronic database 407 is operably
coupled to the web server 401 and stores practice shot data for
multiple users as shown. Such a database system enables the user to
record and electronically store a large amount of data pertaining
to practice shots hit over multiple practice sessions (that can
span weeks, months and years). This stored practice data provides a
complete pattern of the user's practice shots, which can
subsequently be evaluated and analyzed at a later time, or can be
discussed with others (e.g., an instructor who could provide
feedback to the user).
[0067] An example of such a data entry screen 409 is illustrated in
FIG. 4B including 24 data entry grids 410 each corresponding to a
different golf shot (Ball_1 to Ball_24). FIG. 4C illustrates a
single data entry grid corresponding to a single golf shot. Each
data entry grid includes a pull down menu 411 that enables the user
(via user interaction with a pointing device) to select a
particular golf club that hit the golf shot corresponding to the
data entry grid. Preferably, the default selection of golf clubs in
the pull down menus of the data entry screen can be entered and
stored as preference data associated with the user's account. In
addition, each data entry grid includes a plurality of buttons
(only one of which can be selected via a user clicking on such
button with a pointing device). The button layout mirrors the
structure of the domains (e.g., graphical indicia) of the markable
substrate 10. The user works through each data entry grid 410,
selecting a particular club (via user interaction with the pull
down menu 411) and selecting a button corresponding to the domain
marked on the substrate. After entering the data for the 24 shots
and entering the date in field 415, the user saves the data by
hitting the save button 413. The save function causes the entered
data to be stored in the electronic database 407 and linked to the
particular user. It is contemplated that the user will work through
another data entry screen to enter the data pertaining to 48 golf
shots, which mirrors the number of shots recorded on the markable
substrate as shown in FIG. 2.
[0068] In addition, the web pages served by the web server 401
preferably provide at least one statistics reporting screen that
enables a user (via interaction with the web browsing application
executing on the client machine 403) to view statistical reports on
the direction and distance of each golf club based upon data stored
in the electronic database 407, and conversely the required club
for a particular distance or direction of shot required. Such
statistical reporting enables the user to analyze the stored
practice data to find patterns and weaknesses in the user's game
(e.g., that the user hits a large percentage of shots left, with
the high irons--6 iron through LW--mainly contributing to this
problem).
[0069] FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary statistics reporting screen
421 that enable a user to view statistical reports on the direction
and distance of 48 practice shots (as represented by practice data
stored in the electronic database 407). The statistics reporting
screen 421 includes 3 parts: part 423, part 425, and part 427. Part
423 includes a plurality of display boxes that correspond to
different classifications of direction (e.g., FAR LEFT, LEFT,
CENTER, RIGHT and FAR RIGHT) and distance (e.g., SHORT, AVERAGE and
LONG). Note that display box layout mirrors the structure of the
domains (e.g., graphical indicia) of the markable substrate 10 of
FIG. 3. Each display box displays the number of golf shots (of the
48 total golf shots) that belong to the corresponding direction and
distance classification of the display box. For example, part 423
of the statistics reporting screen 421 includes display boxes that
indicate the following:
[0070] i) 0 shots flout of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT and distance classification LONG;
[0071] ii) 0 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT and distance classification LONG;
[0072] iii) 0 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification CENTER and distance classification LONG;
[0073] iv) 0 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT and distance classification LONG;
[0074] v) 0 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT and distance classification LONG;
[0075] vi) 6 shots, (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0076] vii) 6 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0077] viii) 12 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the
direction classification CENTER and distance classification
AVERAGE;
[0078] ix) 3 shots, (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0079] x) 1 shot (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0080] xi) 6 shots, (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT and distance classification SHORT;
[0081] xii) 4 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT and distance classification SHORT;
[0082] xiii) 3 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the
direction classification CENTER and distance classification
SHORT;
[0083] xiv) 0 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT and distance classification SHORT; and
[0084] xv) 7 shots, (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT and distance classification SHORT.
[0085] In addition, part 423 of the statistics reporting screen 421
includes the number of golf shots (of the 48 total shots) that
belong to each direction classification and each distance
classification. For example, part 423 of the statistics reporting
screen 421 indicates the following:
[0086] i) 12 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT;
[0087] ii) 10 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT;
[0088] iii) 15 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the
direction classification CENTER;
[0089] iv) 3 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT;
[0090] v) 8 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT;
[0091] vi) 0 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the distance
classification LONG;
[0092] vii) 28 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the distance
classification AVERAGE; and
[0093] viii) 20 shots (out of the 48 shots) belonged to the
distance classification SHORT.
[0094] Part 425 also include a plurality of display boxes that
correspond to different classifications of direction (e.g., FAR
LEFT, LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT and FAR RIGHT) and distance (e.g., SHORT,
AVERAGE and LONG). Each display box displays the percentage of golf
shots (of the 48 total golf shots) that belong to the corresponding
direction and distance classification of the display box. For
example, part 425 of the statistics reporting screen 421 includes
display boxes that indicate the following:
[0095] i) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT and distance classification LONG;
[0096] ii) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT and distance classification LONG;
[0097] iii) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification CENTER and distance classification LONG;
[0098] iv) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT and distance classification LONG;
[0099] v) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT and distance classification LONG;
[0100] vi) 13% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0101] vii) 13% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0102] viii) 25% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification CENTER and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0103] ix) 6% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0104] x) 2% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT and distance classification AVERAGE;
[0105] xi) 13% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT and distance classification SHORT;
[0106] xii) 8% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT and distance classification SHORT;
[0107] xiii) 6% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification CENTER and distance classification SHORT;
[0108] xiv) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT and distance classification SHORT; and
[0109] xv) 15% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT and distance classification SHORT.
[0110] In addition, part 425 of the statistics reporting screen 421
includes the percentage of golf shots (of the 48 total shots) that
belong to each direction classification and each distance
classification. For example, part 425 of the statistics reporting
screen 421 indicates the following:
[0111] i) 25% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR LEFT;
[0112] ii) 21% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification LEFT;
[0113] iii) 31% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification CENTER;
[0114] iv) 6% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification RIGHT;
[0115] v) 17% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the direction
classification FAR RIGHT;
[0116] vi) 0% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the distance
classification LONG;
[0117] vii) 58% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the distance
classification AVERAGE; and
[0118] viii) 42% (of the 48 shots) belonged to the distance
classification SHORT.
[0119] Part 427 of the statistics reporting screen 421 provides
statistical reports on the direction of the 48 practice shots (as
represented by practice data stored in the electronic database 407)
for each club (Driver through Lob Wedge). The display is organized
in an array of columns and rows. The first column lists the 12
clubs--driver (e.g., 1W) through Lob-Wedge. The second column lists
the percentage of the shots hit with a given club, which is
identified in the first column, that were hit left (marked as
either FAR LEFT or LEFT). The third column lists the percentage of
the shots hit with a given club, which is identified in the first
column, that were hit straight (marked as CENTER). The fourth
column lists the percentage of the shots hit with a given club,
which is identified in the first column, that were hit right
(marked as either RIGHT or FAR RIGHT).
[0120] It should be evident to those skilled in the programming art
that a PC-based database system may include a similar data entry
screen and/or statistics reporting screen as described above.
[0121] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D wherein the golfer's
practice aid as described above is embodied within a personal
digital assistant (PDA) or other mobile computing device (such as a
notebook or sub-notebook computer). An example of a
commercially-available PDAs that can be used to embody the present
invention are those manufactured by PALM, Inc. of Santa Clara,
Calif. or any Windows-CE based PDA. As shown in FIG. 5C, such a
device 500 includes a CPU 501, non-volatile data storage 503 (such
as EE-PROM or a micro disk drive), memory (RAM) 505, a display
screen 507, a keypad 509 and other user-input device (such as a
stylus 515 for touch input on a touch screen 511 that overlays the
display screen, or a pointing device), and a communication port 513
that provides data communication (for example, over a wired serial
link, an infra-red link, or a wireless link) to a host computer
system. The non-volatile data storage 503 and memory 505 store an
operating system and application software for execution by the CPU
501. The application software cooperates with the operating system
to display the graphical representation of one or more golf shots
hit with a particular golf club that enables the user to record the
direction and distance of the golf shot(s) as perceived by the
user. As shown above, the graphical representation pertaining to a
given shot includes a plurality of discrete domains that represent
different classifications of direction and distance for the given
shot. An example of the graphical representation displayed on the
display screen 507 is shown in FIG. 5B. Note that the display of
FIG. 5B mirrors the paper substrate form of the present invention
as described above with respect to FIG. 2. After hitting a given
shot, the user determines the appropriate classification of
direction and distance for the given shot as perceived by the user,
and manually selects (for example, by touching the stylus 515 to
the domain) the domain corresponding to such direction and distance
classifications, thereby recording the direction and distance of
the given golf shot. When manually selecting a domain via touch
input, the application software and operating system, in
cooperation with the touch screen 511, sense the selected domain
and store the selected domain in memory 505, thereby recording the
direction and distance of the given golf shot.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 5A, the application software of the present
invention preferable includes a menu that provides the user with
access to three different software functions: Function.sub.--1,
Function.sub.--2, and Function.sub.--3. Function.sub.--1, labeled
"practice golf" enables the user to enter (record) the direction
and distance of the practice golf shots as described above.
Function.sub.--2, labeled "Analysis" displays statistical reports
on the display screen 507 that enables the user to analyze the
practice data (stored in memory 505) to find patterns and
weaknesses in the user's game shots. An example of such a
statistical report is the statistics reporting screen 421 described
above with FIG. 4D. Finally, Function.sub.--3 provides for data
synchronization between the device 500 and the host computing
system that transfers the practice data stored locally in the
memory 505 of device 500 to the host computing system.
[0123] Additional functionality of the PDA device 500 and the host
computing system is outlined in FIG. 5D. Note that the PDA is used
primarily for portable data entry on the practice range, and local
storage of practice data.
[0124] As described above, the golfer's practice aid of the present
invention enables a user to quickly and efficiently record the
direction and distance of a single practice golf shot, which
minimizes any user distraction related thereto. In addition, the
aid can be used in conjunction with an electronic database that
enables the user to record and electronically store a large amount
of data pertaining to practice shots hit over multiple practice
sessions (that can span weeks, months and years). This stored
practice data provides a complete pattern of the user's practice
shots, which can subsequently be evaluated and analyzed at a later
time, or can be discussed with others (e.g., an instructor who
could provide feedback to the user). Moreover, the aid can be used
in conjunction with a statistics reporting mechanism that enables
the user to analyze the stored practice data to find patterns and
weaknesses in the user's game shots. All of these features aid in
the improvement of the user's golf game.
[0125] It is understood that the golfer's aid and system of the
illustrative embodiments described hereinabove may be modified in a
variety of ways which will become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art of having the benefit of the novel teachings disclosed
herein. All such modifications and variations of the illustrative
embodiments thereof shall be deemed to be within the scope and
spirit of the present invention as defined by the Claims to
Invention appended hereto.
* * * * *