An apparatus for assisting a player playing golf

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for assisting a player playing golf is disclosed. The apparatus includes a club connector ( 14 ) for connecting part of the apparatus to a golf club. This part includes an accelerometer ( 22 ) and a processor ( 24 ) for processing the signals from the accelerometer. There is also a body connector ( 46 ) for connecting a second part ( 42 ) of the apparatus to the body of the golfer. This second part also includes an accelerometer. The two accelerometers are used to determine the angle the club to the horizontal, the rotational angle of the head of the club, the angle of the player's spine to the horizontal and the club to spine angle. These angles are output to a display ( 32 ) on the part of the apparatus attached to the club.

1 . An apparatus for assisting a player playing golf, the apparatus comprising:
 a first connector for connecting a first portion of the apparatus to a golf club;   at least one first inclinometer;   at least one first processor for receiving and processing signals from said first inclinometer;   at least one output device for outputting an output signal from said first processor providing an indication of at least one static attitude of the club.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second connector for connecting a second portion of the apparatus adjacent the spine of a player;   at least one second inclinometer;   at least one data connector for sending data relating to measurements taken by said second inclinometer to said first processor, wherein said output signal from said first processor includes a static attitude of the player's spine.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said output device comprises at least one display device for displaying a visual representation of said static attitude. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said static attitude of the club includes at least one of the angle of the club shaft to the horizontal, the rotation of the club shaft, the angle of the club shaft to the vertical and the angle of the club shaft to a predetermined standard. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said static attitude of the player's spine includes at least one of an angle of the player's spine to the club, the angle of the player's spine to the horizontal, the angle of the player's spine to the vertical and the angle of the player's spine to a predetermined standard. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said display device displays said angle as a number. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one second processor for receiving and processing signals from said second inclinometer wherein said data connector comprises a wireless data transfer device for transferring data from said second processor to said first processor. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one inclinometer comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one first connector comprises an elongate member adapted to be inserted into an aperture in the end of a golf club. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one second connector comprises at least one belt. 
     
     
         11 . A method of assisting a player playing golf, comprising the steps:
 connecting an apparatus to a golf club, the apparatus including a first connector for connecting a first portion of the apparatus to said golf club, also including at least one first inclinometer, further including at least one first processor for receiving and processing signals from said first inclinometer and including at least one output device for outputting an output signal from said first processor providing an indication of at least one static attitude of said club;   holding said golf club and adopting a stance;   viewing a display device displaying a representation of at least one said static attitude of said club.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  further comprising adjusting said stance and viewing said representation of said static attitude. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled)