Golf Swing Training Surface With Transient Phosphorescent Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf training systems lack a simple, reusable, and effective method to provide instant visual feedback on swing path and contact point between a golf club and ball, especially under ambient lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A golf training system utilizing a light source attached to a golf club and a phosphorescent substrate that emits a transient phosphorescent signal when excited by the light source, allowing for immediate visual feedback on swing path and contact point, which decays quickly to be reusable for subsequent strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a phosphorescent substrate is used to provide visual feedback on swing path, then the duration of visual feedback is extended, but the signal persists too long and interferes with subsequent training strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by selecting a phosphorescent material with a specific decay time constant (τ) that causes the signal to decay to 1/e of its initial value within 1-30 seconds. This periodic decay allows the substrate to be reused for multiple training strokes while maintaining clear visual feedback for each stroke, resolving the contradiction between extended duration and signal clarity.
2Illumination intensity
If additional components are added to enhance visibility of the phosphorescent signal, then the visual feedback becomes more apparent, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the club's existing light source to excite the phosphorescent substrate, which then autonomously emits visible light through phosphorescence without requiring additional excitation devices, cameras, or electronic components. This resolves the contradiction by achieving enhanced visibility through the material's inherent photoluminescent properties rather than adding complexity.
3Loss of information
If a light source is attached to the golf club to excite the phosphorescent substrate, then the swing path can be recorded, but the added weight affects the club balance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by attaching a small light source to the club that emits light to excite the phosphorescent substrate, creating a visual copy or record of the swing path through the persistent phosphorescent signal. This allows swing path recording with minimal added weight, as the actual recording is done optically rather than through mechanical or electronic sensors that would be heavier.
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
Provides precise, transient visual feedback on swing path and contact point without requiring additional components, enabling multiple training strokes with clear, discernible records under ambient lighting.
Implementation Method 1
The phosphorescent substrate (20) is selected to produce a phosphorescent signal (22) when exposed to light from the light source (14) so that the phosphorescent signal has a duration of from one second to 30 seconds
Implementation Method 2
the light source (14) emits light having a wavelength of from 200 nm to 410 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A golf training system generally includes a photoluminescent light-reactive surface and a light source that is placed on a golf club. During a training stroke performed over the photoluminescent surface, the light source excites phosphors in the light-reactive surface during a stroke and in doing so creates a transient visible “record” of the precise track the club head makes during the stroke. In some embodiments, the system can include a training ball having a phosphorescent material affixed to or integrated into the surface of the ball so that a light source placed on the golf club excites the phosphorescent material and indicates the point of contact between the golf club and the training ball.