TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a displacement monitoring system for golf swing training. In particular, this invention relates to a displacement monitoring system for monitoring motion of a part of a golfer's body during a golf swing.

BACKGROUND

During testing and design of golf clubs, a robotic mechanism is typically used to mimic a golf swing to hit golf balls. More specifically, the robotic mechanism is configured to make optimal use of the scientific properties of a golf club when hitting golf balls. The robotic mechanism is usually designed to rotate the club about a single axis when performing a swing. However, when a human swings a golf club, the body and club rotate about several different axes at different stages during the swing. This significantly increases the complexity of the golf swing which adds to the difficulty in developing a consistent swing, the main requirement for improving performance.

It follows that since golf clubs are designed with a consistent swing in mind, in order for a human to achieve a more consistent swing to improve their performance, the swing should be performed as closely as possible to the robotic swing, which rotates about a single axis, maintains a constant height above the ball and maintains a constant grip force throughout the swing.

In order to develop a golf swing which resembles a single axis robotic swing as closely as possible, the inventor has devised a comprehensive training regime which focuses on attempting to identify and remove or at least reduce the effects of the myriad of variables present in a conventional golf swing. i The crux of the regime is to develop a golf swing in which the predominant pivotal axis, and power generation is defined by body parts, typically the position and movement thereof, on the leading side of the body, that is - the side of the body nearest to a target - namely, the shoulder, arm, torso, hip, leg and foot. More specifically, in defining the above pivotal axis, the leading shoulder region is used as the fulcrum point for the golf club while the leading foot serves as the main support point which is to remain stationary. Using the above, a key feature of this swing regime is that the leading shoulder is to maintain its height relative to the ground while ensuring that the leading foot remains firmly on the ground and that the hip's translational or swaying displacement is limited as far as possible throughout the golf swing, preferably limiting the hip's displacement to pivotal displacement alone. More specifically, the aim is to keep the leading shoulder from dipping below its initial position at the start of the swing as well as creating the required speed and torque from the body parts on the leading side of the body.

The inventor of the present invention thus believes that monitoring the motion and position of the body parts on the leading side of the body will provide valuable insights on development of the golf swing and presents the following invention to accompany the above training regime. Further, the inventor believes that the system and training regime provides valuable data for custom club fitting purposes in order to facilitate identification of the golf clubs having properties optimal for a specific golfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a displacement monitoring system for golf swing training including: - a displacement sensor capable of producing motion related data; and a mounting arrangement for mounting the displacement sensor on a body part of a user on a side nearest to a target for allowing the motion of the part of the user's body to be monitored during a golf swing.

The body part may be in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, forearm, upper arm, elbow, wrist, hand, side, hip, thigh, knee, calve, ankle, and foot. Preferably, the body part may be in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.

A sensor housing may be provided for housing the displacement sensor therein.

An energising means may be provided for energising the displacement sensor so as to be capable of operating. The energising means may be in the form of any suitable conventional battery. The energising means may be mounted within the sensor housing.

The displacement sensor may be in the form of a linear displacement sensor for sensing linear displacement ofthe body part. The displacement sensor may be in the form of an angular displacement sensor for sensing angular displacement of the body part. Preferably, the displacement sensor includes both a linear displacement sensor and an angular displacement sensor so as to be capable of sensing both linear and angular displacement of the body part during the golf swing. The linear displacement sensor may be in the form of an accelerometer. The angular displacement sensor may be in the form of a gyroscopic sensor. It is to be appreciated that the precise methods for calculating various motion vectors such as acceleration, velocity, displacement, angular acceleration, angular velocity, and angular displacement are dependent on the type of sensor utilised as well as the specifics of its operation. A plurality of displacement sensors may be provided for sensing displacement of any body part of the user during the golf swing. A control unit may be arranged in electrical communication with the displacement sensor for allowing control of electrical signals produced by the sensor. Control of the electrical signals may include processing thereof, which processing may include amplification of the signals and/or conversion of the signals into data capable of being more easily utilised. The control unit may be configured to perform the necessary calculations using the electrical signals in order to obtain data relating to various motion vectors, such as acceleration, velocity, displacement, angular acceleration, angular velocity, and angular displacement. The control unit may be mounted within the sensor housing.

A communication arrangement may be arranged in electrical communication with the control unit and/or displacement sensor for permitting communication with a remote processing unit. The communication arrangement may include a transmitter for transmitting data from the displacement sensor to the remote processing unit. The communication arrangement may be configured to utilised any electromagnetic frequency range to transmit the data to the remote processing unit. Preferably, the communication arrangement may be configured to operate via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. The communication arrangement may be mounted within the sensor housing.

The remote processing unit may form part of any suitable computing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, smart watch or any other smart device having the necessary computing and communication capability. The remote processing unit may have access to operational instructions relating to the tasks to be performed in relation to data received from the displacement sensor. The operational instructions may form part of downloadable software and may be accessible via a storage device of the computing device. The operational instructions may include recording and storing of the data, which may be raw or processed, received from the displacement sensor. It is to be appreciated that recording of the data permits the creation of a historical database containing motion data of the user while utilising the monitoring system. The operational instructions may include processing of the data in order to obtain data capable of being easily interpreted by the user or a training coach of the user. The operational instructions may include displaying the data via a display connected to the computing device. Displaying of the data may be performed in real-time. It is to be appreciated that the displaying of data in real-time allows the user to make immediate adjustments to the user's golf swing. The operational instructions may include isolating of specific motion data at specific stages of the golf swing and displaying thereof. Isolating of the specific motion data at a specific stage of a golf swing and/or displaying thereof may be controllable by the user via a control interface of the computing device. The operational instructions may include alerting the user and/or the training coach when the user is performing a movement which falls outside parameters which may be predetermined by a specific training regime being employed. More specifically, the operational instructions may include alerting the user or the training coach when the leading shoulder moves away from a reference point, wherein the reference point may be the initial position, preferably the horizontal position, of the shoulder at the beginning of the swing.

The operational instructions may include receiving ball motion data from a ball and/or club head tracking system, such as a FlightScope™ or Trackman™ system. The operational instructions may include combining ball and/or club head motion data with the data from the displacement sensors. The operational instructions may include displaying corresponding ball motion data and data from the displacement sensors. It is be appreciated that this feature serves to provide visual feedback, typically of the motion of the body during the golf swing together with ball and/or club head motion data - which assists a user or training coach to make correlations between certain movements of the golfer during the golf swing and the resulting ball and/or club head motion data.

The mounting arrangement may be in the form of a hook and loop fastening arrangement for allowing the sensor housing, and with it, the displacement sensor to be mounted on a garment worn by the user. Alternatively, the mounting arrangement may be in the form of a harness which may include pockets located so as to correspond with a position of the body part. A height monitoring visual aid may be provided for allowing a user to monitor a height of a body part on the leading side of the body during a golf swing. The height monitoring visual aid may be in the form of an elongate member which may extend between and interconnect the body part and a ground surface during a connected condition. The elongate member may have a length which allows a degree of tautness thereof during the connected condition and when the user in an address position, typically at the start of the golf swing. It is to be appreciated that should the user cause the body part to move closer to the ground surface during the swing, the elongate member will slack, thereby immediately indicating displacement of the body part closer to the ground, which is typically unwanted. The elongate member may be manufactured from any suitable material. Preferably, the elongate member may be manufactured from a resiliently deformable material.

A fastening arrangement may be provided for fastening the elongate member to the body part and to the ground surface. The fastening arrangement may be configured to fail once the user has made contact with the golf ball during a swing or during a follow-through stage of the golf swing, typically in use during practice. The fastening arrangement may include a hook and loop fastener for fastening one end region thereof to a garment placed over the body part. The hook and loop fastener may be in the form of a Velcro strip. Alternatively, the garment may include a hook or loop for engaging with a hook extending from or loop defined in the elongate member. A plurality of fastening arrangements may be provided for allowing the elongate member to be fastened to the body part at different positions, thereby allowing the elongate member to be fastened to any part of the body. The fastening arrangement may include a ground securing arrangement for securing an opposite end thereof to the ground surface. The ground securing arrangement may be in the form of a hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, the ground securing arrangement may include an aperture defined in the opposite end region of the elongate member and a ground piercing member sized to be received within the aperture and pierce the ground. An upper portion of the ground piercing member may have a size larger than the aperture so as to inhibit disengagement between the elongate member and the ground piercing member. The ground piercing member may be in the form of a peg or the like. Alternatively, the ground securing arrangement may be in the form of a heavy weight.

The body part may be in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, wrist, hand, side, hip, thigh, knee, calve, ankle, and foot. Preferably, the body part may be in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. Further preferably, the body part may be in the form of the shoulder nearest to the target.

A displacement indicator may be provided for indicating swaying displacement of the user's body, preferably the lower body, further preferably the hip region, during the golf swing. The displacement indicator may include a base and an indicating formation extending, preferably substantially vertically, from one edge region of the base. The base may be of generally planar form for allowing a user to anchor the base underfoot, preferably beneath the user's feet, preferably beneath one foot, further preferably being a foot nearest to the target. The indicating formation may extend from the base on the edge region nearest to the target, from the ground substantially vertically so as to aid the user in visualising a plane adjacent to the user and facing the target, the plane preferably being generally parallel and spaced apart from the user's calve and outer knee region. The indicating formation may have a generally planar form. The indicating formation may include markers mounted thereon, the markers preferably having an eye-catching appearance to facilitate visualisation of the plane. It is to be appreciated further that the displacement indicator will indicate to the user that swaying displacement of the body, typically as a result of undesirable pivotal and/or translational displacement of the hips, has occurred when the user's body, typically the outer region of the knee or calve, moves beyond or comes into contact with the plane represented by the indicating formation.

A pivotal guide apparatus may be provided for visually indicating relative pivotal displacement of various body parts of the user during the golf swing. The pivotal guide apparatus may include an elongate body which may be attachable to a grip region of the golf club, preferably a part of the grip free from contact with the golfer's hand. A first part of the elongate body may extend generally upward in a spaced apart and substantially parallel manner relative to the user's arm nearest to the target. The first part may include a first flattened portion arranged at an angle relative to the elongate member for indicating an angular position of a part of the shoulder. A second part of the elongate body may extend in a spaced apart manner from and along a hand of the user. The second part may include a second flattened portion arranged at an angle relative to the elongate member for indicating an angular position of a part of the hand. A third part of the elongate member may extend generally downward towards a club head of a golf club being held by the user. The third part may include a flattened portion arranged at an angle relative to the elongate member for indicating an angular position of a part of the club head. It is to be appreciated that during the golf swing, the pivotal guide apparatus, and with it, the flattened portions, will displace in a pivotal fashion together with and relative to the user's body, preferably the parts of the body on the leading side, and the golf club, preferably the leading edge of the club head. The flattened portions allow immediate visual awareness of changes in angular position of the flattened portions with reference to the parts they relate to, i.e., the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, hand, or club head. Further parts of the elongate member, typically having further flattened portions, may extend along any other body part for allowing immediate visual feedback of the relative pivotal displacement of the body part during the golf swing.

A first teaching aid may be provided for aiding a golfer to visualise various circular paths. The first teaching aid includes a plurality of rings fastened together at an attachment point, wherein a first ring is orientated substantially parallel with the ground, a second ring is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees from the first ring and a third ring arranged at an angle of about 90 degrees from the first ring. The first ring may be configured to depict a path of a club head being swung by a robotic mechanism. The second ring may be configured to depict the swing path of a club being swung by a golfer, the swing path typically depicting the path, angle and line formed by the golfer's arm and shaft of the golf club being swung during a golf swing. The third ring may be configured to depict the typical mental image utilised by an inconsistent golfer to visualise the swing path of the golf club, which is typically inconsistent with the above-mentioned training regime.

A second teaching aid may be provided for aiding a golfer to visualise the paths of the club head during a swing using various pivotal axes. In particular, the second teaching aid may be in the form of a pictorial representation which may be placed in front of a golfer at an address position. The pictorial representation may include a first arc depicting a path of a club head if the front shoulder is used as the predominant pivotal axis, a second arc depicting a path of a club head if the middle of the body or spine is used as the predominant pivotal axis and a third arc depicting a path of a club head if the rear shoulder is used as the predominant pivotal axis.

A camera arrangement may be provided for capturing video footage of a user swinging a golf club and a processing unit arranged in communication with the camera arrangement for processing images of the video footage and extracting motion related data of body parts on a side of the user closest to the target. The camera arrangement may include a plurality of cameras positioned around the user. The processing unit may be configured to carry out pixel related calculations in order to calculate the variables of the motion related data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A displacement monitoring system for golf swing training in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: -

Figure 1 is a schematic showing a human figure in an address position relative to a golf ball, the figure having a height monitoring visual aid attached between a leading shoulder and the ground, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic showing a human figure in a takeaway position relative to a golf ball, the figure having a height monitoring visual aid attached between a leading shoulder and the ground which has slacked due to a drop of the leading shoulder during takeaway;

Figure 3 is a is a schematic showing a human figure in an address position relative to a golf ball, the figure standing on a height monitoring visual aid in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional schematic of the height monitoring visual aid shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic showing a human figure in an address position relative to a golf ball, the figure having a pivotal guide apparatus attached to a grip portion of a golf club;

Figure 6 is a side view of the pivotal guide apparatus as shown in Figure 5;

Figures 7a to 7b are various views of a teaching aid in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic showing various positions of a golf club being displaced about a single pivot point of a typical golf club testing mechanism, and three possible clubhead paths followed by a clubhead when swung by a human about a leading shoulder, middle of the body, and trailing shoulder respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The displacement monitoring system includes a displacement sensor (not shown) capable of producing motion related data, and a mounting arrangement (not shown) for mounting the displacement sensor (not shown) on a body part of a user 12 on a side 14 nearest to a target (not shown), typically a leading side, for allowing the motion of the part of the user's body to be monitored during a golf swing.

The body part is in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, forearm, upper arm, elbow, wrist, hand, side, hip, thigh, knee, calve, ankle, and foot. Typically, the body part is in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.

A sensor housing (not shown) is provided for housing the displacement sensor (not shown) therein.

An energising means (not shown) is mounted within the sensor housing (not shown) for energising the displacement sensor (not shown) so as to be capable of operating. The energising means (not shown) is in the form of any suitable conventional battery (not shown).

The displacement sensor (not shown) is in the form of a linear displacement sensor (not shown) for sensing linear displacement of the body part. The displacement sensor (not shown) is in the form of an angular displacement sensor (not shown) for sensing angular displacement of the body part. Typically, the displacement sensor (not shown) includes both a linear displacement sensor and an angular displacement sensor so as to be capable of sensing both linear and angular displacement of the body part during the golf swing. The linear displacement sensor is in the form of an accelerometer. The angular displacement sensor is in the form of a gyroscopic sensor. It is to be appreciated that the precise methods for calculating various motion vectors such as acceleration, velocity, displacement, angular acceleration, angular velocity, and angular displacement are dependent on the type of sensor utilised as well as the specifics of its operation. A plurality of displacement sensors (not shown) are provided for sensing displacement of any body part of the user during the golf swing.

A control unit (not shown) is arranged in electrical communication with the displacement sensor (not shown) for allowing control of electrical signals produced by the sensor. Control of the electrical signals includes processing thereof, which processing includes amplification of the signals and/or conversion of the signals into data capable of being more easily utilised. The control unit (not shown) is configured to perform the necessary calculations using the electrical signals in order to obtain data relating to various motion vectors, such as acceleration, velocity, displacement, angular acceleration, angular velocity, and angular displacement. The control unit (not shown) is mounted within the sensor housing (not shown).

A communication arrangement (not shown) is arranged in electrical communication with the control unit (not shown) or displacement sensor (not shown) for permitting communication with a remote processing unit (not shown). The communication arrangement (not shown) includes a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting data from the displacement sensor (not shown) to the remote processing unit (not shown). The communication arrangement (not shown) is configured to utilised any electromagnetic frequency range to transmit the data to the remote processing unit (not shown). Typically, the communication arrangement (not shown) is configured to operate via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. The communication arrangement (not shown) is mounted within the sensor housing (not shown).

The remote processing unit (not shown) forms part of any suitable computing device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, smart watch or any other smart device having the necessary computing and communication capability. The remote processing unit (not shown) has access to operational instructions relating to the tasks to be performed in relation to data received from the displacement sensor. The operational instructions form part of downloadable software and is accessible via a storage device (not shown) of the computing device (not shown). The operational instructions include recording and storing of the data, which is raw or processed, received from the displacement sensor (not shown). It is to be appreciated that recording of the data permits the creation of a historical database (not shown) containing motion data of the user while utilising the monitoring system. It is to be appreciated further that recording of the data permits the creation of a reference database (not shown) containing exemplary golf swing motion data for reference purposes during coaching.

The operational instructions include processing of the data in order to obtain data capable of being easily interpreted by the user 12 or a training coach (not shown) of the user 12. The operational instructions include displaying the data via a display (not shown) connected to the computing device (not shown). Displaying of the data is performed in real-time. It is to be appreciated that the displaying of data in real-time allows the user to make immediate adjustments to the user's golf swing. The operational instructions include isolating of specific motion data at specific stages of the golf swing and displaying thereof. Isolating of the specific motion data at a specific stage of a golf swing or displaying thereof is controllable by the user 12 via a control interface (not shown) of the computing device. The operational instructions include alerting the user 12 or the training coach when the user 12 is performing a movement which falls outside parameters which is predetermined by a specific training regime being employed. More specifically, the operational instructions include alerting the user 12 or the training coach when the leading shoulder 16 moves away from a reference point, wherein the reference point is the initial position, typically the horizontal position, of the shoulder 16 at the beginning of the swing, typically when the user addresses the ball.

The operational instructions include receiving ball motion data from a ball and/or club head tracking system (not shown), such as a FlightScope™ or Trackman™ system. The operational instructions include combining ball and/or club head motion data with the data from the displacement sensors (not shown). The operational instructions include displaying corresponding ball and/or club head motion data and data from the displacement sensors (not shown). It is be appreciated that this feature serves to provide visual feedback of the motion of the body during the golf swing together with ball and/or club head motion data - which assists a user 12 or training coach to make correlations between certain movements of the golfer during the golf swing and the resulting ball and/or club head motion data.

The mounting arrangement (not shown) is in the form of a hook and loop fastening arrangement (not shown) for allowing the sensor housing (not shown), and with it, the displacement sensor (not shown) to be mounted on a garment worn by the user. Alternatively, the mounting arrangement (not shown) is in the form of a harness which includes pockets (not shown) located so as to correspond with a position of the body part. A height monitoring visual aid 18 is provided for allowing the user 12 to monitor a height of a body part, the shoulder 16 as shown in the Figures, on the leading side 14 of the body during a golf swing. The height monitoring visual aid 18 is in the form of an elongate member 20 which extends between and interconnects the shoulder 16 and a ground surface 22 during a connected condition. The elongate member 20 has a length which allows a degree of tautness thereof during the connected condition and when the user 12 is in an address position, typically at the start of the golf swing. It is to be appreciated that should the user 12 cause the shoulder 16 to move closer to the ground surface 22 during the swing, the elongate member 20 will slack as most clearly shown in Figure 2, thereby immediately indicating displacement of the shoulder 16 closer to the ground, which is typically unwanted. The elongate member 20 is manufactured from a resiliently deformable material.

A fastening arrangement (not shown) is provided for fastening the elongate member 20 to the shoulder 16 and to the ground surface 22. The fastening arrangement (not shown) is configured to fail, and detach from the shoulder 16, once the user 12 has made contact with the golf ball 26 during a swing or during a follow-through stage of the golf swing, typically in use during practice. The fastening arrangement (not shown) includes a hook and loop fastener (not shown) for fastening one end region 28 thereof to a garment (not shown) placed over the shoulder 16. The hook and loop fastener (not shown) is in the form of a Velcro strip (not shown). Alternatively, the garment (not shown) includes a hook or loop (not shown) for engaging with a hook (not shown) extending from or loop (not shown) defined in the elongate member 20. A plurality of fastening arrangements (not shown) is provided for allowing the elongate member 20 to be fastened to the body part at different positions, thereby allowing the elongate member 20 to be fastened to any part of the body. The fastening arrangement (not shown) includes a ground securing arrangement (not shown) for securing an opposite end region 34 thereof to the ground surface 22. The ground securing arrangement (not shown) is in the form of a hook and loop fastener (not shown). Alternatively, the ground securing arrangement (not shown) includes an aperture (not shown) defined in the opposite end region 34 of the elongate member 20 and a ground piercing member (not shown) sized to be received within the aperture (not shown) and pierce the ground. An upper portion (not shown) of the ground piercing member (not shown) has a size larger than the aperture (not shown) so as to inhibit disengagement between the elongate member 20 and the ground piercing member (not shown). The ground piercing member (not shown) is in the form of a peg (not shown) or the like. Alternatively, the ground securing arrangement 32 is in the form of a heavy weight.

Although shown in the Figures as the shoulder 16, the body part can be in the form of any one or more of the group including the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, wrist, hand, side, hip, thigh, knee, calve, ankle, and foot.

A displacement indicator 36 is provided for indicating swaying displacement of the user's body, typically the lower body, further typically the hip region 37, during the golf swing. The displacement indicator 36 includes a base 38 and an indicating formation 40 extending substantially vertically from one edge region 42 of the base 38. The base 38 is of generally planar form for allowing the user 12 to anchor the base 38 underfoot, typically beneath the user's feet. The indicating formation 40 extends from the base 38 on the edge region 42 nearest to the target, from the ground substantially vertically so as to aid the user 12 in visualising a plane 32 adjacent to the user 12 and facing the target (not shown), the plane 32 typically being generally parallel and spaced apart from the user's calve and outer knee region 39. The indicating formation 40 has a generally planar form. The indicating formation includes markers 41 mounted thereon, the markers preferably having an eye-catching appearance to facilitate visualisation of the plane 32. It is to be appreciated further that the displacement indicator 36 will indicate to the user 12 that swaying displacement of the body, typically as a result of undesirable pivotal or translational displacement of the hips, has occurred when the user's body, typically the outer region of the knee or calve (not shown), moves beyond or comes into contact with the plane 32 represented by the indicating formation 40.

A pivotal guide apparatus 44 is provided for visually indicating relative pivotal displacement of various body parts of the user 12 during the golf swing. The pivotal guide apparatus 44 includes an elongate body 46 which is attachable to a grip region 48 of the golf club 66, preferably a part of the grip free from contact with the golfer's hand. A first part 50 of the elongate body 46 extends generally upward in a spaced apart and substantially parallel manner relative to the user's arm 52 nearest to the target. The first part 50 includes a first flattened portion 54 arranged at an angle relative to the elongate body 46 for indicating an angular position of a part of the shoulder. A second part (not shown) of the elongate body 46 includes a second flattened portion 60 arranged at an angle relative to the elongate body 46 for indicating an angular position of a part of the hand 58. A third part 62 of the elongate body 46 extends generally downward towards a club head 64 of a golf club 66 being held by the user 12. The third part 62 includes a third flattened portion 68 arranged at an angle relative to the elongate body 46 for indicating an angular position of a part of the club head 64. It is to be appreciated that during the golf swing, the pivotal guide apparatus, and with it, the flattened portions 54, 60 and 68, will displace in a pivotal fashion together with and relative to the user's body, preferably the parts of the body on the leading side, and the golf club 66, preferably the leading edge of the club head 64. The flattened portions 54, 60 and 68 allow immediate visual awareness of changes in angular position of the flattened portions 54, 60 and 68 with reference to the parts they relate to, i.e., the shoulder 16, arm 52, hand 58, or club head 64.

A first teaching aid 70 is provided for aiding a golfer to visualise various circular paths. The first teaching aid 70 includes a plurality of rings 72, 74 and 76 fastened together at an attachment point 78, wherein a first ring 72 is orientated substantially parallel with the ground, a second ring 74 is arranged at an angle of about 45 degrees from the first ring 72 and a third ring 76 arranged at an angle of about 90 degrees from the first ring 72. The first ring 72 is configured to depict a path of a club head being swung by a robotic mechanism. The second ring 74 is configured to depict the swing path of a club being swung by a golfer, the swing path typically depicting the path, angle and line formed by the golfer's arm and shaft of the golf club 66 being swung during a golf swing. The third ring 76 is configured to depict the typical mental image utilised by an inconsistent golfer to visualise the swing path of the golf club 66, which is typically inconsistent with the above-mentioned training regime.

A second teaching aid 79 is provided for aiding a golfer to visualise the paths of the club head during a swing using various pivotal axes as opposed to a single pivotal axis of a robotic swinging mechanism. In particular, the second teaching aid 79 is in the form of a pictorial representation which is placed in front of a golfer at an address position. The pictorial representation includes a first arc 82 depicting a path of a club head if the front shoulder is used as the predominant pivotal axis, a second arc 84 depicting a path of a club head if the middle of the body or spine is used as the predominant pivotal axis and a third arc 86 depicting a path of a club head if the rear shoulder is used as the predominant pivotal axis.

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the displacement monitoring system for golf swing training in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which is varied as desired.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The inventor believes that the displacement monitoring system for golf swing training in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that it aids in training a user to perform a consistent golf swing. More specifically, because the displacement monitoring system in accordance with the present invention monitors parts of the user's body on the side nearest to the target, it is capable of being used in accordance with the inventor's specific training regime as briefly explained in the background.