Measurement and analysis of foot related forces during a golf swing

• US 7,946,928 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2005
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Francis Mooney
• Original Assignee: Brian Francis Mooney
• Inventors: Mooney, Brian Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGESSE, NINI F
• Application Number:
  US11/913,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20080318703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,207 Days
• Field of Search: 473/269, 473/270, 473/278, 473/409, 473/266, 434/247, 434/248, 434/249, 434/269
• US Class Current: 473/269
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/367 Detection of balance between both feet, i.e. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3667 Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet

Abstract

Apparatus (1) comprises a standing surface (2) for the player; a communication means (27); and a plurality of sensors (11) which are operable to measure force. The standing surface (2) comprises two separate foot platforms (3, 4) for the player'"'"'s feet. Each foot platform (3, 4) comprises a supporting structure or supporting members where vertical forces are distributed to a plurality of discrete positions (5). The sensors (11) are located at the discrete positions (5) to which the vertical forces are distributed. The sensors (11) are operable to measure vertical forces. The apparatus also comprises a computing means (26) which is operable to analyze the swing, and includes means to receive and separately process signals from individual or groups of sensors (11); means to determine the relative magnitudes and positions of resultant forces by balance-resolution of forces, including individual forces, measured by the sensors (11) in relation to the discrete positions of the sensors (11); and means to analyze and evaluate numerical data related to the measured positions and magnitudes of the forces.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring and analyzing a player'"'"'s foot related forces during a golf swing or a sports swing similar to a golf swing, comprising a standing surface for the player;

a communication means;

a plurality of sensor means which are operable to measure force;

the standing surface comprising two separate foot platforms for the player'"'"'s feet, each foot platform comprising a supporting structure including a surface with a plurality of discrete positions to which vertical forces on the supporting structure are distributed;

the communication means for communicating to the player with information related to a performance of the player, thereby allowing the player to understand the performance without assistance from a skilled third party;

the sensor means, located at the discrete positions, for measuring vertical forces;

a computing means for analyzing the swing, including;

means for receiving and separately processing signals from the sensor means;

means for determining the relative magnitudes and positions of resultant forces by balance-resolution of forces, including individual forces measured by the sensor means in relation to the discrete positions;

means for analyzing and evaluating numerical data related to the measured positions and magnitudes of the forces; and

the computing means for analyzing the swing based on an evaluation of forces from the sensor means against a framework of feature events, determined positions of the feet, and a body of information available to the computing means comprising available reference data;

wherein;

the evaluation related to the framework of feature events is based on a mapping of the times of various detectable principal events which are common to all normal swings;

the evaluation related to the determined positions of the feet is based on a statistical analysis of a batch of resultant forces measured by the sensor means where the player shifts weight with the foot in that position; and

the available reference data include at least one piece of;

information related to known swing performance, including criteria which allow different aspects of the performance to be judged against a predetermined performance when the available reference data is prepared;

information accessible by the computing means from a logging means for logging information concerning previous swings made by the player, and the player'"'"'s previous performance;

and

information accessible by the computing means from a co-operating means for co-operating with other apparatus, the co-operating means is for receiving further information on the swing from the other apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is operable to communicate with the player and the apparatus is operable to be used by the player without assistance from a skilled third party.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computing means comprises software with training elements;

the communicating means is for communicating with a player; and

the computing means and communication means are for being used with interactive training processes where the results of the analysis are used to prompt a training element within the computing means software.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for analyzing the swing is based on an evaluation of forces received from the sensor means is against a framework of feature events.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means to analyze the swing by evaluating forces from the sensor means is against a framework of determined positions of the feet.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the available reference data include information related to known swing performance, including criteria which allow different aspects of the performance to be judged against a predetermined performance when the available reference data is prepared.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a logging means and available reference data include information which is accessible by the computing means from logging means operable to log information concerning previous swings made by the player and information on the player'"'"'s previous performance.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a co-operating means which is operable to receive further information on the swing from other apparatus or systems, and available reference data include information which is accessible by the computing means from the co-operating means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises one of the following strain gauge sensors;

each strain gauge sensor comprises two strain gauge elements and a strain member having one surface region which stretches and another surface region which compresses when the sensor is subjected to load with one of the strain gauge elements being connected to each of these regions, so that one stretches and increases in resistance and the other compresses and decreases in resistance, as load is applied to the sensor;

the strain member comprises a beam which is connected at one end to a support member which is cantilevered above the position of the strain gauge elements and is connected at the other end to a support member which is cantilevered below the position of the strain gauge elements, whereby load is applied to the sensor through the support members;

each strain gauge sensor comprises a flexible member whereby load is applied to one of the support members through the flexible member; and

the strain gauge elements are electrically connected in a bridge configuration, such as a balanced Wheatstone bridge configuration.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foot platforms are one of a rectangular shape and a square shape and are disposed laterally adjacent each other;

the sensor means are disposed underneath the foot platforms with one sensor means adjacent each corner region of each foot platform; and

optionally, the sensor means are horizontally symmetrically arranged, with the centers of all sensor means to the front of the platforms being disposed laterally co-linearly, the centers of all sensor means to the rear of the platforms being disposed laterally co-linearly, and the centre of each sensor means to the front disposed longitudinally co-linearly with the centre of one corresponding sensor means to the rear.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each foot platform comprises two sets of connected rigid elements which support the surface of the foot platform and are substantially disposed in a horizontal plane;

the first set of connected rigid elements comprises two parallel rigid elements, and the second set comprises a plurality of mutually parallel rigid elements which are disposed at an angle, to the first set, the rigid elements of the second set span, and are supported by, the rigid elements of the first set, which are supported by the sensor means, such that a vertical force applied to the elements of the second set, is transferred to the elements of the first set and then to the sensor means; and

the two sets of rigid elements cooperate so that the foot platform is relatively rigid in directions parallel to the rigid elements and relatively flexible in other directions;

the foot platform comprises a polymer molding and the rigid elements comprise integral ribs in the molding; and

the foot platform is supported on a base which has less flexibility than the foot platform in directions where the foot platform is relatively more flexible.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computing means is for determining the position of the combined resultant force from the player'"'"'s feet based on balance-resolution of forces and characteristics of forces determined for the feet in relation to the discrete set positions of the sensor means.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the foot platforms are sufficiently larger than an anticipated length of the player'"'"'s foot to allow a choice of foot positions;

and

the length and width of each foot platform are each between 1.5 and 2.5 times of length and width of the anticipated length of the player'"'"'s foot.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the computing means is for determining a foot position or characteristics of a foot position based on statistical analysis of a batch of resultant forces measured by the sensor means when the player shifts weight within the foot position.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the computing means is for instructing the player to shift weight sufficiently to provide a batch of resultant forces with predefined front-to-back and side-to-side diversity.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the predefined front-to-back predefined diversity is between 0.45 and 0.55 times of one of the length of the foot and the anticipated length of the foot;

and

the predefined side-to-side required diversity is between 0.10 and 0.18 times of the length of the player'"'"'s foot, or the anticipated length of the player'"'"'s foot.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the length of the foot is estimated with reference to a static weight of the player and of the club determined by the sensor means.

18. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the foot position is represented by a best-fit line, statistically derived from the batch of resultant forces, and approximately corresponding to a central long axis of the foot;

and

the statistical derivation of the best-fit line is based on a best-fit line relative to the boundary of the batch of resultant forces.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the foot position is represented by a statistical centre, statistically derived from the batch of resultant forces, and approximately corresponding to the position of the resultant force on the foot when the resultant force is centrally balanced on the foot;

and

the statistical centre is determined as a point lying on the best-fit line, positioned midway between the most forward and most rearward values of the batch of resultant forces.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the computing means is for evaluating the position of the resultant foot force relative to two orthogonal axes including a line corresponding to a long central axis of the foot and a line orthogonal to the long central axis passing through a point which corresponds to a centrally balanced position of the foot;

and

the line and point are a best-fit line and a statistical centre determined from a sample batch of resultant foot forces.

21. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the computing means is for determining components of the resultant foot force by balance-resolution of the resultant foot force in relation to one of the determined foot position and characteristics of the foot position.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the computing means is for determining components of the resultant foot force, for a given foot position, into component forces resolved as co-linear forces with the resultant foot force, and with a common focus position to the rear of the foot;

the computing means is for determining components as toe and heel components, with their positions co-linear with the resultant force and with a focus point to an rear of the best-fit line, the position of the toe component lying on a toe line, which is a notional and simplified locus of the most forward positions of the resultant fore; and

the position of the heel component lying on a heel line, which is a notional and simplified locus of the most rearward positions of the resultant force; and

the heel line is a straight line, orthogonal to the best-fit line, positioned to the rear of the statistical centre between 0.30 and 0.40 times of the anticipated length of the player'"'"'s foot, the toe line is a straight line, at an angle between 45° and

75°

to the best-fit line, positioned forward of the statistical centre between 0.30 and 0.40 times of the anticipated length of the player'"'"'s foot and the focus point lies on the best-fit line, at a distance to the rear of the statistical centre, between 0.65 and 1.00 times of the anticipated length of the player'"'"'s foot.

23. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the batch of resultant forces is provided at the waggle and address preceding the swing.

24. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the foot position is represented by at most two entities.

25. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the computing means is for evaluating the resultant foot force based on a comparison of one of the longitudinal and lateral positions, with the determined characteristics of the foot position.

26. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is for measuring and analyzing foot related forces during a golf swing.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the computing means is for determining times of occurrence of feature events in a golf swing and is for using the times of occurrence in the analysis of the golf swing.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the one of the player'"'"'s foot-aligned-longitudinal and longitudinal, balance throughout the swing, across each foot and across the combination of feet, by checking toe and heel forces on each foot, and the relative relationship between them, against relevant criteria across each stage of the swing, and for comparing the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of ratios of toes/heel force values for individual feet and for the combination of both feet, at the address, at the beginning and end of the backswing and the beginning and end of the downswing judged in relation to graded achievement and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

29. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining lateral balance across the combination of both feet, by checking the lateral position of the combined resultant force relative to the positions of the feet, across each stage of the swing, and comparing the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of ratios of lateral left and right force values for the left and right feet, at the address, at several points through the backswing and downswing, including the beginnings and ends judged in relation to graded achievement and whereby the computing means is for matching player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

30. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is operable to for determine determining and evaluating foot-aligned-lateral for and lateral rolling of the player'"'"'s feet, by checking foot-aligned-lateral and lateral positions of the resultant forces on each foot relative to the foot, across each stage of the swing, and comparing the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of ratios of foot-aligned-lateral or lateral force values for the left and right feet, at the address, at several points through the backswing and downswing, including the beginnings and ends, foot-aligned-lateral or lateral left and right force values for individual left and right feet, at the address, at the beginning and end of the backswing and the beginning and end of the downswing, judged in relation to graded achievement and in which the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

31. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining or estimating the duration between the end of pelvis related backswing and the end of club backswing, and relative delays at the changeover from backswing to downswing by based on a statistical analysis of the duration and magnitude of least change across a selected range of variables which are known to typically reduce their rate of change at the time of changeover, including foot, toes and heel force positions and magnitudes on both feet, and comparing the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of absolute values and ratio values, appropriate to circumstances, judged in relation to graded achievement and wherein the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

32. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining if the player lifts a foot off the standing surface, based on a checking of whether the magnitude of the resultant force reduces to zero value or close to a zero value, and a comparing of the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes varying fault grading for the occurrence in the period prior to backswing, the period of backswing and downswing, and the period of follow-through and wherein the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

33. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining if the player slides or rotates a foot to a different position on the standing surface, based on a checking of whether the position of the resultant force moves outside the resultant boundary limits established for the foot position, and a comparing of the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes varying fault grading for the occurrence in the period prior to backswing, the period of backswing and downswing, and the period of follow-through, the boundary limits are calculated in a predefined relationship to characteristics defining the position of the foot and wherein the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

34. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining if the player rotates a foot on the standing surface, based on a checking of whether the magnitude of the heel component force or the toes component force reduces to zero value or close to a zero value, and based on a comparing of the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes varying fault grading for the occurrence in the period prior to backswing, the period of backswing and downswing, and the period of follow-through and wherein the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

35. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for selectively assigning a lower importance, in accordance with available reference data available to the computing means, to force measurements from a very lightly loaded foot than to those from a relatively heavily loaded foot, when determining or estimating likely times of feature events or player performance based on changes, on individual feet, of toes, heel or resultant forces;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and indicate an assignment of lower importance on a very lightly loaded foot where unusual toes, heel or resultant forces are detected.

36. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for receiving and processing signals from sensors which measure horizontal forces on the foot platforms.

37. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for evaluating foot positions by comparing detected particular characteristics of foot positions, to available reference data available to the computing means, the particular characteristics including distance between foot positions, alignment of the combined lateral axis of the feet with the target direction;

alignment angles of individual feet and longitudinal and lateral distance of the feet from the ball position; and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of values of particular characteristics judged in relation to graded achievement and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the computing means is for determining and evaluating the relative consistency of different swings based on a determination of differences in relevant characteristics between different swings and comparing the values of these differences to available reference data available to the computing means, the relevant characteristics comprising any measured or determined characteristics which are relevant to required measures of consistency and include any value or characteristic which is compared to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

differences in relevant characteristics are expressed as dimensionless entities, such as ratios, and the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes varying grading for consistency, appropriate to circumstances and wherein the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

39. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition changeover from backswing to downswing, the computer means is for determining the time of simultaneous maximum relative difference between toe and heel, or front and back, forces on one of the feet;

and

the computing means is for calculating the difference when the variables are simultaneously sampled at regular time intervals.

40. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the computing means is for determining the relative components of the transition from the results of the various indicators;

and

the determination is aided by available reference data.

41. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition from backswing to downswing, and for assessing or averaging the results of at least one of the available indicators of the transition;

and

the computing means is for assigning a weighting to the results of each indicator and taking a weighted average of the results, the weighting is partly dependent on a pre-assessment of the relative importance of the indicators and is partly dependent on an assessment of the strength of the result from each indicator.

42. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for identifying particular periods of the golf swing which are analyzed, and is for analyzing the particular period in finer time detail.

43. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means has information of typical and probable sequences and times of occurrence of feature events in golf swings, appropriate to varying circumstances, and is for determining the times of occurrence of feature events in the golf swing by association of the feature events with the sample information;

and

the computing means is for restricting the search for a feature event within time limits within the swing, relative to other feature events, or assigning probabilities to finding feature events at different time periods of the swing.

44. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means has record information of details of occurrence of feature events in golf swings previously taken by the player, and is for determining the times of occurrence of feature events in the golf swing by association of the feature events with the record information;

and

the computing means is for restricting the search for a feature event of the swing, relative to other feature events, and for assigning probabilities to feature events at different time periods of the swing.

45. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the commencement of club backswing based on a communication with an apparatus configured to determine a time when the club head leaves the address region;

the computing means is for detecting a reinstatement of an electromagnetic beam which is disrupted when the club head is in the address region; and

the computer means is for associating the time of commencement of club backswing with a time shortly preceding the reinstatement of the beam.

46. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the commencement of backswing, and for seeking, within a short period following the end of one of the waggle and address periods, a fluctuation from a period of least change to a period of sustained change across a selected range of variables, including foot, toe and heel force positions and magnitudes on both feet;

and

detection of change includes the comparison of successive values of the variable when the variable is sampled at regular time intervals.

47. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition changeover from backswing to downswing, by determining the time of reversal of one of the longitudinal, lateral movement, foot-aligned longitudinal, or foot-aligned lateral movement of the forces on one of the feet, wherein determination of the reversal includes the detection of a polarity change in successive values of the longitudinal, lateral, foot-aligned longitudinal, or and foot-aligned lateral variables when the variables are sampled at regular time intervals;

and

the determination of the reversal includes the detection of a polarity change in successive values of the longitudinal and lateral variables when the variables are sampled at regular time intervals.

48. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition from backswing to downswing, and for determining a reversal of movement of the positions of one of the lateral component of combined force on both feet, and a change of direction of movement of one of the lateral and longitudinal components of combined force on both feet;

the determination of the reversal includes the detection of a polarity change in successive values of the lateral variables when the variables are sampled at regular time intervals; and

the determination of the change in direction includes the detection of an inflective change in the differences between successive values of the longitudinal or lateral variables when the variables are sampled at regular time intervals.

49. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition changeover from backswing to downswing, and for detecting a fluctuation from a period of sustained change, to a relatively short period of least change and back to a period of sustained change, across a selected range of variables, including foot, toe and heel force positions and magnitudes on both feet;

and

the detection of change includes the comparison of successive values of the variable when the variable is sampled at regular time intervals.

50. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition from backswing to downswing, and for determining one of the time of minimum value of force on the front foot, and the beginning of a period of minimum force on the front foot;

and

the determination of the minimum value includes the detection of lowest value when the variable is sampled at regular time intervals.

51. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of transition from backswing to downswing, and for determining the time of a significant change in the rate of change of differences in the magnitudes of the force between the left foot and the right foot;

and

the determination of the significant change includes the detection of an inflective change in the rate of change of differences between successive values of the force between the left foot and the right foot when the variables are sampled at regular time intervals.

52. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of the transition from backswing to downswing, and for determining the time where recorded cumulative vertical momentum attains zero value;

and

the computing means is for detecting a zero value in recorded cumulative overall force, relative to the static weight of the player and club at address, at short regular time intervals from the commencement of the swing.

53. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the times of pre-surge force points in the downswing, and for detecting changes in the magnitudes of forces on one of the combination of both feet, the left foot, and the right foot, which change from one of a minimum value and a period of relatively constant value from the commencement of the downswing;

and

the computing means is for detecting when the minimum value of the magnitude of force occurs by comparison of successive values when it is sampled at regular time intervals.

54. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of peak force points in the downswing, and for detecting the time when the magnitudes of forces on one of the combination of both feet, the left foot, and the right foot peak to a maximum value;

and

the computing means is for detecting when the maximum value of the magnitude of force occurs by comparison of successive values when sampled at regular time intervals.

55. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the time of impact of the club and ball, based on a communication with an apparatus which is configured to determine when the club head returns to the address region, and for detecting the disruption of an electromagnetic beam by the club head in the address region, and based on a communication with a microphone which is configured to detect the sound of impact;

and

the computing means is for associating the time of impact with a time very shortly following disruption of the beam.

56. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining characteristics comprising durations between feature events in the swing, and relative relationships of durations between feature events in the swing, based on a comparison of these characteristics with available reference data available to the computing means, the characteristics including absolute values of durations of backswing, downswing, total swing, portion of downswing from start to pre-surge point, portion of downswing from pre-surge point to peak point, portion of downswing from peak point to impact, and the ratio of these absolute values to each other;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of absolute values and ratio values judged in relation to graded achievement and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

57. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means for determining one of the smoothness and regularity of changes in the position of specified forces over specified periods of the swing, including:

Left foot, and right foot, toe and heel forces during the backswing;

Left foot, and right foot, toe and heel forces during the downswing;

Left foot, and right foot, lateral foot forces during the backswing;

Left foot, and right foot, lateral foot forces during the downswing;

Left foot and right foot forces during the backswing;

Left foot and right foot forces during the downswing;

Combined left and right foot force during the backswing;

Combined left and right foot forces during the downswing; and

the detection of change includes the comparison of successive values of the position when the position is sampled at regular time intervals and smoothness or regularity is determined by the relative maximum magnitude of the differences in changes, and the frequency of occurrence of such changes, compared to available reference data available to the computing means, including pre-programmed available reference data and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to available reference data and for associating a corresponding graded achievement.

58. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the player'"'"'s pelvis related movement and for determining the degree of transfer of force from the heel to the toes on the left foot and from the toes to the heel on the right foot, in the backswing, and the degree of transfer of force from the toes to the heel on the left foot and from the heel to the toes on the right foot, in the downswing, and for comparing the values to available reference data available to the computing means;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of ratios of toes/heel force values at the beginning and end of the backswing and the beginning and end of the downswing judged in relation to graded achievement and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

59. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the timing, direction and magnitude of overall weight transfer towards the target or intended direction, for checking the direction and magnitude of the combined force on both feet at relevant instances during the swing, and for comparing the values to available reference data available to the computing means, the relevant instances including the point in time close to the end of the backswing, the point in time associated with transition between the backswing and the downswing, and points in times at intervals through the downswing;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes, for the relevant instances, ranges of directions and magnitudes judged in relation to graded achievement and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.

60. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the computing means is for determining the magnitudes and timing of the pre-surge force points and peak force points, relative to each other and to the determined magnitudes and timing of corresponding forces at the beginning and end of the downswing, and for comparing the magnitudes and timings to available reference data;

and

the available reference data is pre-programmed and includes ranges of ratios of force magnitude and position values for individual feet and for the combination of both feet, judged in relation to graded achievement and the computing means is for matching the player'"'"'s performance to the available reference data and for associating the corresponding graded achievement.