Smartphone App for Golf Head Stability via Sound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face challenges in maintaining a still head during the golf swing, leading to inconsistent club-to-ball contact and unwanted hook/slice shots, as existing devices are either costly or ineffective in addressing this issue.
Innovation Solution
A customizable 'eyes on golf' app for smartphones that detects the audible impact of the club with a sound sensor, providing a visual signal through customizable symbols or colors after a preselected delay to help the golfer maintain a quiet head position, allowing for customization of sensitivity and visibility duration to overcome background noise and ensure accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If existing head movement indicator devices are used to help golfers maintain a still head during the swing, then head stability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a smartphone application that creates a visual copy or representation of the correct head position through a displayed image or video of a golfer's head. Instead of complex physical sensors, the system captures or uses a pre-recorded visual model that the golfer attempts to match, simplifying the device while maintaining effectiveness in promoting head stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical head movement detection devices with a visual feedback system using a smartphone screen. The mechanical complexity of sensors and actuators is substituted by displaying visual information that guides the golfer's head position, reducing device complexity while achieving the same stabilizing effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing head movement indicator devices are used to improve club-to-ball contact consistency, then contact consistency is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the smartphone, a commonly owned device, as the training aid platform. Instead of requiring purchase of expensive specialized equipment, the system uses an application on an existing smartphone, making the solution cost-effective and accessible while maintaining precision in guiding club-to-ball contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone application serves multiple functions: it provides visual guidance for head position, offers feedback on club-to-ball contact quality, and can be customized for different skill levels. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate expensive devices into a single affordable application.
3Stability of the object's composition
If visual feedback is provided immediately after impact to guide head position, then head stability training is improved, but timing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays a pre-programmed sequence of visual frames that correspond to the expected head position at different points in the swing. Rather than requiring real-time analysis and immediate feedback, the golfer views a pre-prepared visual guide that shows the correct head position timing, reducing the timing precision demands on the feedback system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The app enhances golfers' ability to maintain a consistent, quiet head position during the swing, improving club-to-ball contact consistency and reducing unwanted shots by providing a clear, customizable visual cue for when to look up after impact, thus increasing distance and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a sound detector/sensor detects the audible impact of the swinging club impacting the golf ball
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for aiding an improvement of a golfer's swing with the goal of teaching the golfer to keep the golfer's head down until a fraction of a second after making contact with the golf ball. The golfer loads a customizable app into a smartphone placed on the ground a short distance from the golf ball which app flashes a symbol or color on the touch screen of the smartphone a preset time after detecting the sound of the club impacting the ball. The eyes of the golfer are trained on the smartphone forcing the head to remain looking down until observing the flashing symbol or color upon which the head is then turned upward to observe the path of the struck golf ball.