WO2025099035A1

WO2025099035A1 - System for learning and training golfing activity

Info

Publication number: WO2025099035A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/081285
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro SPONCHIONI
Original assignee: GArA Srl
Current assignee: GArA Srl
Priority date: 2023-11-07
Filing date: 2024-11-06
Publication date: 2025-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-07

Abstract

A system (1) for learning and training golfing activity, which comprises a supporting base (2) which defines at least one receptacle zone (2a) for a golf ball (3), the supporting base (2) having, at least at the receptacle zone (2a), a first surface appearance, and the golf ball (3) having, on its outer surface (3a), a second surface appearance, and further comprising camouflaging means (10) configured to make, to the user, the second surface appearance of the outer surface (3a) of the golf ball (3) substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone (2a).

Description

SYSTEM FOR LEARNING AND TRAINING GOLFING ACTIVITY

The present invention relates to a system for learning and training golfing activity.

One of the most important strokes in golf is the swing, which can be executed in various ways: a swing from the tee box, known as a "drive", to hit the ball along the fairway a long way from the green, swings with medium-distance irons, etc.

The swing comprises several partial movements:

- rotation of the trunk, starting from the shoulders;

- rotation of the flanks, after hitting the ball;

- shifting of the weight, during the execution.

In many cases, for a beginner it is extremely complex to execute a good swing, precisely because of the complexity of the necessary movements.

To help students internalize the movement, instructors advise executing the swing without the ball, so that the movement is extremely fluid.

It has been observed however that, although in many cases a good movement can be taught without the ball, when the ball is then placed in order to verify that the movement has been internalized, a stiffening is observed during the execution, which is probably due to the psychological effect of the presence of the ball.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a system for learning and training golfing activity that is capable of improving the prior art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make available a system for learning and training golfing activity that makes it possible to internalize the correct movement of the swing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system for learning and training golfing activity that is highly reliable, easy to implement, and at low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system for learning and training golfing activity according to claim 1 , optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the system for learning and training golfing activity according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a system according to the invention in the deactivated condition;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the system of figure 1, in the activated condition;

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 2, of a sequence of use during the step of execution of the swing.

With reference to the figures, the system a learning and training golfing activity according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a supporting base, 2 which defines at least one receptacle zone 2a for a golf ball 3.

The supporting base 2 is provided, at least at the receptacle zone 2a, with a first surface appearance; the golf ball 3 is provided, on its outer surface 3a, with a second surface appearance.

According to the present invention, the system 1 comprises camouflaging means 10, which are configured to make, to the user, the second surface appearance of the outer surface 3 a of the golf ball 3 substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

In this manner, the user, although directing their gaze toward the receptacle zone 2a, is not able to discern the presence of the ball 3. Advantageously, the system 1 comprises indicator means 20, which are adapted to indicate to the user the resting point of the golf ball 3 on the receptacle zone 2a.

Conveniently, the indicator means 20 comprise, for example, a plurality of centering lines 21 which are associated with the supporting base 2 and define a reticle, the center of which is located at the resting point of the golf ball 3 on the receptacle zone 2a.

Advantageously the camouflaging means 10 comprise emitter means 11 adapted to make the outer surface 3a of the golf ball 3 substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

According to a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the camouflaging means 10 comprise emitter means 11 of light rays I la which strike the outer surface 3 a of the golf ball 3 and are adapted to make the outer surface 3a of the golf ball 3 substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

Alternatively, the emitter means can comprise heating means which are adapted to vary, for example by heating, the outer surface 3a of the golf ball 3.

In this case, the outer surface 3a is covered by a heat-sensitive paint, which is adapted, when heated or cooled, to make the outer surface 3a of the golf ball 3 substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

In this regard, it is possible for the supporting base 2 to comprise a flat structure, for example a plate-like structure, such as a mat.

The emitter means 11 are also adapted to emit light rays I la which at least partially strike the receptacle zone 2a in order to eliminate any shadows cast by the golf ball 3 on the receptacle zone 2a.

It is also possible for the emitter means 11 to be configured to emit different types of light rays in order to optimize the similarity between the first surface appearance and the second surface appearance. As an alternative or in addition to what is described above, the camouflaging means 10 comprise screening means, designed to be interposed between the eyes of the user and the receptacle zone 2a and adapted to make the second surface appearance of the outer surface 3 a of the golf ball 3 substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

The screening means comprise, for example, eyeglasses that can be worn by the user and which comprise filters adapted to make the second surface appearance of the outer surface 3a of the golf ball 3 substantially visually identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

According to another embodiment, it is possible for the first surface appearance to be substantially visually identical to the second surface appearance.

The use of the system 1 for learning and training golfing activity, according to the invention, is the following.

The user, after training to execute strokes “on empty”, i.e. without the presence of the golf ball, positions the golf ball 3 on the receptacle zone 2a and, if necessary, activates the camouflaging means 10.

If such camouflaging means 10 are for example constituted by the emitter means 11, then such emitter means 11 are activated (as shown in Figure 2) so that the second surface appearance of the outer surface 3a of the golf ball 3 appears, visually, substantially identical to the first surface appearance of the receptacle zone 2a.

In this manner the user will execute the stroke (as shown in Figure 3) without visually perceiving the ball 3, but becomes aware of its presence only at the moment of impact with the ball.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a system 1 that is capable of facilitating the learning and training of golfing activity.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000023349 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A system (1) for learning and training golfing activity, which comprises a supporting base (2) which defines at least one receptacle zone (2a) for a golf ball (3), said supporting base (2) having, at least at said receptacle zone (2a), a first surface appearance, and said golf ball (3) having, on its outer surface (3a), a second surface appearance, characterized in that it comprises camouflaging means (10) configured to make, to the user, said second surface appearance of said outer surface (3a) of said golf ball (3) substantially visually identical to said first surface appearance of said receptacle zone (2a).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises indicator means (20) adapted to indicate to the user the resting point of said golf ball (3) on said receptacle zone (2a).

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said camouflaging means (10) comprise emitter means (11) of light rays (I la) which strike said outer surface (3a) and are adapted to make said outer surface (3a) of said golf ball (3) substantially visually identical to said first surface appearance of said receptacle zone (2a).

4. The system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said emitter means (11) are adapted to emit light rays (I la) which at least partially strike said receptacle zone (2a) in order to eliminate any shadows cast by said golf ball (3) on said receptacle zone (2a).

5. The system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said camouflaging means (10) comprise screening means, designed to be interposed between the eyes of the user and said receptacle zone and adapted to make said second surface appearance of said outer surface (3a) of said golf ball (3) substantially visually identical to said first surface appearance of said receptacle zone (2a).

6. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first surface appearance is substantially visually identical to said second surface appearance.

7. The system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said screening means comprise eyeglasses that can be worn by the user and which comprise filters that are adapted to make said second surface appearance of said outer surface (3a) of said golf ball (3) substantially visually identical to said first surface appearance of said receptacle zone (2a).

8. The system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said indicator means (20) comprise a plurality of centering lines (21) which are associated with said supporting base (2) and define a reticle, the center of which is located at a resting point of said golf ball (3) on said receptacle zone (2a).