Golf club laser system and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a laser system for use in combination with a golf club. This laser system enables first and second beams of light to be projected therefrom to assist a golfer in setting up for a golf shot, aiming a golf shot, diagnosing one or more frailties in the golfer's swing, and/or increasing a level of consistency of the golfer's swing from one swing to the next. Indeed, these first and second light beams from the laser system may be utilized to provide information to enable one to discern if the golfer's swing deviates from an initial shaft plane of the golf club.

1 . A laser system for use in combination with a golf club, comprising: 
 a light source;    a beam splitter for splitting a light beam from the light source into first and second light beams, wherein the beam splitter is designed so that at least one of the first and second light beams traverses both an xz-plane and a yz-plane of a Cartesian coordinate system, wherein an xy-plane of the Cartesian coordinate system is substantially parallel with a face of the golf club.    
   
   
       2 . A laser system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the laser system is disposed within a shaft of the golf club.    
   
   
       3 . A laser system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the laser system is releasably interconnectable with the golf club.    
   
   
       4 . A laser system, as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 means to adjust an orientation of at least a portion of the beam splitter relative to the light source.    
   
   
       5 . A golf club assembly, comprising: 
 a shaft having a hosel end and an opposing handle end;    a handle interconnected with the shaft toward the handle end of the shaft;    a head assembly including a hosel that is interconnected with the shaft toward the hosel end of the shaft; and    a laser system comprising: 
 a light source disposed within the shaft, wherein the light source is separated from the hosel end of the shaft by a first distance, wherein the light source is separated from the handle end of the shaft by a second distance, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.  
   
   
   
       6 . A golf club assembly, as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the laser system comprises a battery unit disposed within the shaft.    
   
   
       7 . A golf club assembly, as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the battery unit is disposed toward the handle end of the shaft.    
   
   
       8 . A golf club assembly, as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the laser system comprises a beam splitter.    
   
   
       9 . A golf club assembly, as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the beam splitter is attached to at least one of the hosel of the head assembly and the shaft.    
   
   
       10 . A golf system, comprising: 
 a first golf club having a laser system disposed with a shaft of the first golf club; and    a second golf club devoid of a laser system, wherein the second golf club has a substantially identical loft and weight as the first golf club.    
   
   
       11 . A golf system, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the second golf club has a substantially identical weight ratio as the first golf club.    
   
   
       12 . A golf system, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the second golf club has a substantially identical shaft length as the first golf club.    
   
   
       13 . A golf system, as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the second golf club has a substantially identical handle as the first golf club.    
   
   
       14 . A golf system, as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the second golf club has a substantially identical club face as the first golf club.    
   
   
       15 . A golf system, as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the first and second golf clubs are both putters.    
   
   
       16 . A golf system, as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the first and second golf clubs are both or both woods.    
   
   
       17 . A method of executing a golf swing, the method comprising the steps of: 
 displaying first and second visible spots on at least one surface by projecting corresponding first and second light beams from a laser system associated with a golf club; and    swinging the golf club during the displaying step, wherein the first and second visible spots travel in a direction substantially parallel to a shaft plane of the golf club during the swinging step.    
   
   
       18 . A method, as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the displaying step comprises displaying at least one of the first and second spots on at least one surface at at least one predetermined distance from the golf club.    
   
   
       19 . A method, as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the displaying step comprises displaying both of the first and second spots on at least one surface at corresponding first and second predetermined distances from the golf club.    
   
   
       20 . A method, as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the at least one surface comprises at least one of a floor and a ground plane.    
   
   
       21 . A method, as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the swinging step comprises displaying an orientation of at least a portion of the shaft plane of the golf club.    
   
   
       22 . A method of using a laser assembly in combination with a golf club, the method comprising the steps of: 
 projecting a first light beam in a first direction substantially parallel with a shaft plane of the golf club;    projecting a second light beam in a second direction having an downward component, wherein the second light beam intersects an end point of a target line that is remote from a head of the golf club, wherein the target line is located within a substantially vertically oriented plane that extends through a central portion of the head of the golf club.    
   
   
       23 . A method, as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the first and second light beams are projected from a common light source.    
   
   
       24 . A method, as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 providing a common light beam; and    splitting the common light beam to provide the first and second light beams.    
   
   
       25 . A method, as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the first and second light beams comprise corresponding first and second intensities, wherein the second intensity is greater than the first intensity.    
   
   
       26 . A method, as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 traversing the target line with the first and second light beams.    
   
   
       27 . A method, as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the target line is substantially parallel with the shaft plane of the golf club.