Pivoting Golf Alignment Strip for Divot Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face difficulties in analyzing divots and maintaining proper alignment with the target, body, and feet for various golf shots due to the transient nature of divots and the complexity of reproducing consistent ball and foot positions, especially when practicing at a range.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, durable, elongate substrate strip with numbered and colored circles is used to provide a reference for ball and foot positioning, allowing for analysis of divots and alignment with the target, body, and feet, and can be configured in different forms for various golf shots, including irons and putters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If golfers practice at a range using the recommended linear divot pattern, then turf impact is minimized and recovery is quicker, but it becomes difficult to analyze divots and determine ball placement
Solution Approach 1:
The reference device is divided into two segments that can pivot relative to each other, allowing the device to be configured in different patterns (linear, L-shaped, V-shaped) to create segmented reference markers that make divot analysis easier while maintaining the recommended linear divot pattern for turf recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a physical reference device with numbered circles as an intermediary between the golfer and the divot analysis process. This reference device provides visible markers that serve as intermediaries to determine ball placement and analyze divot patterns without requiring the golfer to remember or reconstruct the original ball position
2Manufacturing precision
If golfers attempt to reproduce proper ball position and foot spacing for each type of club, then shot accuracy improves, but the complexity and difficulty of consistent reproduction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference device serves multiple functions: it provides ball position references, foot spacing references, alignment references, and divot analysis references all in a single device. The numbered circles can serve as different reference points depending on the club being used, making the system universal for all types of golf shots and clubs without requiring multiple different devices or complex adjustment mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If the reference device is made lightweight and portable for easy transport to the range, then ease of operation improves, but the device may lack durability for repeated use on rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The reference device utilizes a flexible strip material that is thin and lightweight for easy portability, yet durable enough to withstand repeated use on golf ranges. The flexible nature allows the device to be bent, folded, and manipulated without breaking, while the material properties ensure it maintains its structural integrity during use on rough terrain and can be easily stored in a golf bag
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate substrate strip of durable material with a top side having a linear arrangement of equally spaced circles each representing a regulation size golf ball; the circles being numbered consecutively for use as a reference to indicate ball position and/or foot position. The linear strip may be formed in two segments that are pivotally attached to one another to allow for pivotal swinging movement of one segment relative to the other so that the segments can be extended to a straight linear configuration, a right angle (90 degree) configuration and to a collapsed low profile configuration. The device provides an aid for proper target alignment, body and feet alignment and ball alignment when practicing various golf shots with all types of clubs including woods, short/mid/long irons, wedges and putter. The device also serves as a reference for analyzing divots (i.e., fat, thin, pull, hook) after each practice golf shot.