A golf instruction method, apparatus and analytics platform for determining the state of a putted golf ball relative to a target using information about the golf ball and external variables and remotely displaying the same, comprising a base unit, a mobile device or terminal, and an associated computer program including an analytics engine for analyzing a user's performance. The computer program determines whether and how a putted golf ball has missed said target and then stores, aggregates and displays that information for a user. The analytics engine is operable to aggregate data, analyze data and then correlate a user's actual skill proficiency to ball performance.

A putting training aid that includes an elongated body, a first tee recess and a second tee recess. The elongated body has an upper surface, a first end and a second end. The first end is opposite the second end. The elongated body has a width that is less than a diameter of a golf ball that is used in conjunction with the putting training aid. The first tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body between the first end and the second end thereof. The first tee recess is adapted to receive a first portion of the golf ball. The second tee recess is formed in the upper surface of the elongated body. The second tee recess is closer to the second end of the elongated body than the first tee recess. The second tee recess is adapted to receive a second portion of the golf ball.

The invention relates to a golf training device comprising an annular support with a hole for a golf ball is formed. The support being provided with a plurality of members angularly distributed with each member having an external ramp and an internal ramp. The ramps are arranged to have a stable state with the external ramp arranged in a plane of access to the hole. The internal ramp is arranged protruding around the hole, and a state constrained by the passage of the ball on the member wherein the internal ramp is lowered inside of the hole. The annular support has a plurality of feet which are angularly distributed between the members, each one of the feet having a lower ground support wall and an upper wall forming an access ramp to the hole.

A putting training device adapted for insertion into a golf hole. The putting target may include a base comprising a circular lip comprising (i) an outer edge and an inner edge, wherein the inner edge defines a circular aperture, and (ii) a sidewall extending downward from the inner edge. The training device may also comprise a synthetic-turf component fixed to a top surface of the circular lip. The outer edge of the circular lip may be approximately 4.25 inches in diameter such that it may fit securely inside a standard golf hole. The inner edge of the circular lip is smaller in diameter than the diameter of a standard golf hole, thereby presenting a more difficult target for the user for training purposes. In one aspect, the diameter of the inner edge may be approximately one and a half times the diameter of a standard golf ball.

Players of tournament games require a network for them to play with one another remotely. But, in order for play to occur simultaneously, players must be informed that a game is ongoing or underway. Similarly, if one player wishes another player to join, the one player must invite the other, by in part, informing the other player of the time and location of play as well as information specific to the game the one player is participating in or forming. Accordingly, a communication means is required to bring players together. A communication means for remote players does not exist for players of real-world games where players use physical instruments where game data is based at least in part on sensor-acquired data.

A golf training system and methods that analyzes user specified inputs comprising: (1) distance of the golf ball from the hole (STEPS); (2) an estimate of how much the terrain between the ball and the hole will cause the ball to diverge from a straight line of travel from its location on the golf surface to the hole (BREAK); and (3) an estimate of terrain rise or fall between the golf ball and the hole (HILL). The analysis includes an equation that calculates a FORCE value and an AIM value that is converted to a unit of measure and provided as an output that a golfer may apply during play using one or more calibration guide apparatuses, thereby training a user to improve stroke accuracy and precision.

A golf putter head that can improve the golfer's ability by providing function features that create a consistent setup of putter head position in relation to the golf ball and golfer position in relation to the putter. Once the setup is consistent, further increase in the consistency of the golfer's stroke can be attained through building muscle memory. From the putter stroke, the hitting face can impart an accurate forward motion to the golf ball upon being stricken by the putter head. The putter can provide tactile feedback to the golfer during the golf swing while imparting a forward roll to the golf ball upon striking and can simplify the visual alignment of the putter head to the golf ball.

A multifunctional self-contained system that wirelessly integrates actual sports equipment with a computer providing critical feedback to improve all aspects of a player's game, and also allows players to play an actual competitive real or visually simulated game or sports with one or more players. Therefore, an individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing skills and techniques. The system includes sport implements that include, but are not limited to, smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing device, all containing circuits with contact sensors and or motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game status and performance parameters to a remote receiver and computer. The computer then optionally displays important parameters such as proximity of a sports implement contact face to an object, the impact of a sports implement with a sports equipment item, wherein the contact force, contact time, impact location, face angle, spatial orientation of a sports implement in motion, and the subsequent energy, velocity, and trajectory of game projectile such as a golf ball. The sports implements can be further equipped with motion sensing devices, and its motion and swing trajectory is visually simulated on the computer display. Standard sport implements which include, but are not limited to, golf clubs may be retrofitted with the device sensors and associated electronic circuitry to convert such clubs into smart clubs for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information to players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information.

A multifunctional self-contained system that wirelessly integrates actual sports equipment with a computer providing critical feedback to improve all aspects of a player's game, and also allows players to play an actual competitive real and or visually simulated game or sports with one or more players. Therefore, an individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing skills and techniques. The system employs specially developed sports computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information and status to players, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information for standalone and multiplayer game play both on and off the Internet. The system includes sport implements that include, but are not limited to, smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing device, among other sports implements, all containing circuits with contact sensors and or motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter and or receiver circuitry to wirelessly communicate game status and performance parameters to a remote receiver and computer. The computer then optionally displays important parameters such as proximity of a sports implement contact face to an object, the impact of a sports equipment item with a sports implement, wherein the contact force, contact time, impact location, face angle, the spatial orientation of a sports implement in motion, and the subsequent energy, velocity, and trajectory of a game projectile such as a golf ball. The sports implements can be further equipped with motion sensing devices, and its motion and or swing trajectory is visually simulated on the computer display. Standard sport implements which include, but are not limited to, golf clubs may be retrofitted with the device sensors and associated electronic circuitry to convert such clubs into smart clubs for use with the system.

A stroke counting putter assembly for tracking a number of strokes taken by a putter in a round of golf includes a putter that has a handle and a striking head for striking a golf ball. An impact sensor is coupled to the striking head to strike the golf ball when the striking head strikes the golf ball. A control circuit is coupled to the putter and the control circuit is electrically coupled to the impact sensor. The control circuit counts the number of times the impact sensor strikes the golf ball. A display is coupled to the handle and the display is electrically coupled to the control circuit. The display displays indicia comprising numbers communicating the number of times the impact sensor strikes the golf ball to communicate the number of strikes to a user.