Instructional ball hitting device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to an instructional golf device which is designed to actively train the golfer to properly execute critical portions of his swing.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device is in the form of a mat comprising a ball support, generally in the form of a golf tee, arranged in electrical communication with an indicator, e.
g.
a light, and a timer.
When the golfer strikes the ball support with his clubhead a signal is transmitted from the ball support to the indicator to turn on the light.
According to this embodiment the timer extinguishes the light after a predetermined time period, for example, one second.
The light in this embodiment is specifically designed to train the golfer to keep his head down and eyes focused on or near the ball support until the light has been extinguished.
If the golfer maintains eye contact with the illuminated indicator until it is extinguished, he is assured that he has kept his head down for a sufficient period of time.
As described in further detail below, various types of signals may be provided to the golfer.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ball support is positioned forwardly of two clubhead detectors.
One detector is placed relatively close to the ball support leaving only slightly more room than is necessary for a clubhead to be comfortably positioned between the ball support and first detector.
This first detector is coupled to an electrical circuit whereby a signal is generated when the golfer commences his backswing.
The second detector is positioned some distance back from the first detector and is also designed to generate a signal in response to contact from the clubhead.
By measuring the time period between contact of the clubhead and each of the two detectors, the speed of the golfer's backswing may be measured.
Various indicators are useful to indicate to the golfer whether his backswing is being executed at a proper speed or at the golfer's desired speed