A golf training device and more particularly to a training device for improving ones skills in putting a golf ball including a reel assembly having one or more reel members each having a plurality of axially spaced, annular disc-like elements which provide a line-contact for maximizing the tracking action of the putter head during the putting stroke.

The time and position of a golf club head are sensed photoelectrically at selected stations along a practice swing, and corresponding characteristics of the swing and the resulting ball flight are computed electronically and displayed to the player. The lateral club position is sensed accurately by continuous strip sensors at spaced stations near the ball for computation of the swing direction. All light received by the strip sensors is respectively focused to light diffusing surfaces from which sensors read the amount of light focused thereon. The club head attitude at impact is determined by three triangularly spaced sensors spaced along the club face. The club head height at impact is determined by two directional-sensitive sensors spaced longitudinally with the club head path and having their paths of directional sensitivity crossing in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of these height detectors are also utilized to determine whether the club head is descending or rising at the time of impact. Club head velocity is also detected and all of these club head characteristics of swing are computed electronically into ball flight characteristics which are displayed. The electronic computing circuitry is not activated until a predetermined club head velocity is detected thereby eliminating erroneous readings of preliminary club head swings when addressing the ball.

The blade heads of golf club irons are provided with protuberances or knobs on the bottom sole faces thereof to minimize "fat" shots, reduce the size of divots, and to accommodate tilting of the club head on the turf laterally and in front to rear directions without spoiling the shot. The protuberance or knob on the sole is positioned rearwardly from the striking face of the head, extends lengthwise about 1/3 the length of the sole and merges upwardly to the rear face of the head. The front face of the knob is curved or arcuate in a top to bottom plane and also in a longitudinal plane. The rear face of the knob is curved upwardly to smoothly merge into and mate with the rear face of the head. The maximum depth of the knob is on the axis of the center of balance or "sweet spot" of the head. While the longitudinal length of the knob remains substantially the same for all irons, the fore-to-aft width and the depth of the knob will increase with the increase in the loft or angular inclination of the striking face of the head and the fore-to-aft width of the sole. Since the knob accommodates lateral tilting of the club head, a single standard shaft inclination and length will accommodate golfers of all heights.

A self contained gold training device designed to be integral with, or attached to and detached from the head of any golf club, gives a golfer an exact indication of the point of impact of the face of a golf club with a golf ball. The training device includes a housing which supports one or more impact sensitive transducers which generates an electric signal upon impact, an electronic circuit for determining if a transducer has received an impact, a display system responsive to the electronic circuit for signaling if a transducer has received an impact, a source of electrical power; and, in detachable systems, means for connecting and disconnecting the device to a golf club head. When attached to the head of a club, with the array of transducers on the face of the club, and swung into contact with a golf ball, the transducers generate a plurality of electrical signals which are transmitted to the electronic processor, and then to the display system which indicates the point of contact of the club face with the ball. In preferred embodiments there is an array of transducers, which, when they strike a golf ball, each generates a voltage which is proportional to the force exerted on that transducer by its impact with the ball. These voltages are in turn analyzed by an electronic circuit which then causes the display system to indicate the point of impact.

A golf swing apparatus and method for improving a golfer's backstroke and powerstroke includes a mat on which a practice ball is mounted, a target located on one side of the golf ball location and a second target located on the opposite side of the golf ball location, the two targets and the golf ball location being aligned with a desired club powerswing motion. The club handle has a laser light which when the club is raised on the backswing, focus is on the first target, when the club is raised on completion of the powerstroke, the laser light focuses on the second target.