Thoracic Laser Trainer for Putting Stroke Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face difficulties in achieving the correct putting stroke due to misalignment of the upper spine and putter shaft, leading to mechanical flaws and unreliable strokes, as existing training aids do not account for the anatomical characteristics and mechanical issues involved in the putting motion.
Innovation Solution
A coaching apparatus with a light source secured about the player's thorax, providing a visual indication of the rotation of the thorax around the axis of the thoracic spine during a golf stroke, allowing for alignment and movement correction by illuminating a surface adjacent to the club head and offering adjustable laser lines to guide the golfer on optimal spine rotation and putter face alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a golfer attempts to maintain the putter face directed towards the target throughout the stroke, then the putter face remains aligned to the target, but the stroke feels unnatural and requires manipulation of the putter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual feedback through laser projection to guide the golfer's thoracic rotation. The laser line projected on the ground provides real-time feedback on whether the thorax is rotating correctly around the spinal axis, allowing the golfer to naturally achieve proper putter face alignment without manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual manipulation of the putter with a biomechanical system based on thoracic rotation around the spinal axis. By substituting hand-based adjustments with spine-based rotation, the system achieves natural stroke motion while maintaining putter face alignment.
2Reliability
If a golfer rotates the upper body around the axis of the upper thoracic spine to produce the ideal arc-based putting motion, then the putter moves on an arc with the face remaining perpendicular to the path, but many players find this technique difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual guide (laser projection) between the golfer and the desired motion pattern. The laser line serves as a mediator that translates the abstract concept of thoracic rotation into a concrete visual target, making the technique easier to apply while maintaining its biomechanical benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary alignment of the thorax relative to the spinal axis before the putting stroke begins. By pre-positioning the laser projection to indicate the correct rotation path, the golfer can start the stroke with proper biomechanical alignment already established, improving consistency while reducing execution difficulty.
3Measurement precision
If the angle of the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane is not matched to the angle of the putter shaft, then the hands will not move on the plane of the putter shaft, but achieving correct alignment is surprisingly difficult even when close to the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides visual feedback through laser projection that directly indicates whether the thoracic spine angle matches the putter shaft angle. The laser line projected on the ground shows the golfer in real-time whether their thorax is correctly aligned, making precision alignment achievable without difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows preliminary adjustment of thoracic spine angle before addressing the ball. By projecting the laser line in advance to show the correct alignment position, the golfer can pre-align their posture and spine angle to match the putter shaft, ensuring accurate alignment from the start of the stroke.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing training aids are used to help golfers achieve correct putting motion, then some guidance is provided, but they do not account for the anatomical characteristics and mechanical issues involved in the putting motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifically targeting the thoracic spine region with the laser projection, rather than providing general guidance. The training aid is localized to the anatomical area (upper thorax) that controls putting motion, providing accurate correction for the specific biomechanical issue while maintaining adaptability to different golfers.
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
Enhances the accuracy and consistency of the putting stroke by providing real-time feedback on spine rotation and alignment, helping golfers develop a natural, arc-based putting motion with the putter face remaining square to the target line, reducing unwanted rotational forces and improving control over the putter head.
Implementation Method 1
a light source adapted to be secured about the player's thorax, the light source being configured to provide a visual indication of the rotation of the player's thorax
Data Source
AI summary
A golf stroke training apparatus is disclosed, comprising a light source attached to the chest of the golfer. Light shines towards a visible surface whereby observation of the light provides information about the movement of the chest. It can be deduced how the golfer generates movement of the club, with respect to elements such as rotation around the spine or movement at other joints, such as shoulders or hands. The apparatus can be particularly useful for putting but can also guide thoracic movement in other golf strokes. Optionally, a second device having a light source can be secured in relation to the pelvis of the golfer, for use separately or in concert with the chest mounted device.