Gold practice apparatus

摘要

A golf practice apparatus provides recording and instant playback of video images of a golfer's swing. A plurality of color video cameras are preferably employed to obtain video images of a swing from different angles. A video processing and storage unit digitally stores the images in memory for instant replay. Image processing and recording is automatically initiated when a golf ball is placed on a designated hitting area through the use of an infrared camera and image processing software that detects a golf ball in the IR camera's image. The IR camera is also used in conjunction with an IR flash unit to obtain snapshot images of a club head and ball just before and just after the golf club hits the ball. An optical sensor array is positioned adjacent the hitting area to detect the passage of a golf club toward the ball. The signals generated by the optical sensor array are employed by the image processing and storage unit to both calculate the club speed and control triggering of the flash unit. A touch screen input and display monitor unit are positioned adjacent the hitting area for both the entry of commands and the display of the obtained images. Various display modes can be selected and the images obtained by all of the cameras can be displayed simultaneously if desired along with calculated statistical data on club speed, ball speed and ball angle. A video tape recorder can also be provided to record the images both as they are obtained by the cameras, and as they are played back by the video processing and storage unit.