Alignment device for golfers

Abstract

A golf alignment device includes an emitter assembly having an emitter portion for emitting radiant energy and at least one lens portion for projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern includes an illuminated golf ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot alignment mark and an illuminated second foot alignment mark for indicating placement of the golfer's feet with respect to the golf ball. A fourth alignment mark intersects the golf ball and is in alignment with a distant target. Different lens portions may be provided with different projection patterns for use with different golf clubs and/or golfer's of different heights.

1 . A golf alignment device comprising:
 an emitter assembly having an emitter portion for emitting radiant energy and at least one lens portion for projecting the radiant energy onto a surface with a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern including an illuminated golf ball alignment mark, an illuminated first foot alignment mark and an illuminated second foot alignment mark for indicating placement of a golfer's feet with respect to the golf ball.   
   
   
       2 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern further comprises a target alignment mark that intersects the golf ball alignment mark for aligning the golf ball with a distant target. 
   
   
       3 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 2 , wherein the target alignment mark comprises a straight line. 
   
   
       4 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second foot alignment marks are spaced first and second predetermined distances, respectively, from the target alignment mark. 
   
   
       5 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second distances are substantially equal. 
   
   
       6 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second distances are different. 
   
   
       7 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second foot alignment marks are spaced third and fourth predetermined distances, respectively, from an imaginary centerline that intersects the golf ball alignment mark and is perpendicular to the target alignment mark. 
   
   
       8 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 7 , wherein the third and fourth predetermined distances are substantially equal. 
   
   
       9 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 7 , wherein the third and fourth predetermined distances are different. 
   
   
       10 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one lens portion comprises a plurality of lens portions, each lens portion having a pattern with at least one of the first, second, third and fourth distances being different from at least one of the corresponding distances of the other lens portions. 
   
   
       11 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lens portion comprises a plurality of lens portions, each lens portion having a different distance between the first and second foot alignment marks. 
   
   
       12 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a mounting base connected to the emitter assembly for attaching the alignment device to the golfer. 
   
   
       13 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 12 , and further comprising a swivel connector located between the mounting base and the emitter assembly for adjusting a position of the emitter assembly with respect to the mounting base. 
   
   
       14 . A golf alignment device according to  claim 13 , wherein the mounting base comprises at least one resilient clip for attaching the alignment device to a cap of a golfer. 
   
   
       15 . A method of aligning a golfer with a golf ball, the method comprising:
 projecting a first illuminated alignment mark toward a first position representative of a golf ball location;   projecting second and third illuminated alignment marks at second and third positions, respectively; and   aligning the golfer's feet with the second and third illuminated alignment marks.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , and further comprising projecting a fourth illuminated alignment mark between the first position and a distant target. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein a distance between the second and third positions is dependent on a particular golf club to be used. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein distances between the first, second and third positions are dependent on a particular golf club to be used.