Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING GOLF CONTENT, SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
GOLF CONTENT USING SAME, APPARATUS FOR VIRTUAL SIMULATION,
METHOD FOR PROVIDING GOLF CONTENT, AND METHOD FOR
VIRTUAL GOLF SIMULATION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf content provision apparatus and a
golf content provision system using the same, a virtual golf simulation
apparatus, a
golf content provision method, and a virtual golf simulation method and, more
particularly, to a golf lesson apparatus and system which provide content
regarding
golf lessons, a virtual golf simulation apparatus which enables a user to play
a
round of golf on a virtual golf course in the same manner as on an actual golf
course, a golf content provision method through the golf lesson apparatus and
system, and a virtual golf simulation method through virtual golf simulation
apparatus.
Background
With the recent upsurge in the golfing population, an apparatus for
providing various kinds of golf content, using which a user may take golf
lessons
from a pro golfer through a screen, has been developed.
In particular, a so-called screen golf system, which enables a golfer to
practice golf and to enjoy a virtual golf game using a virtual golf simulation
apparatus, has gained popularity. The screen golf system senses the velocity
and
direction of a golf ball that a golfer hits onto a screen installed indoors to
display a
virtual golf range and displays the progress of the golf ball on the screen.
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A golf content provision apparatus, such as such a golf lesson apparatus or
such a virtual golf simulation apparatus, is realized through various kinds of
advanced equipment and systems. As a result, it is possible to provide various
kinds of content which cannot be provided by a real golf course or golf range.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide various functions which cannot be
provided by such a real golf course or golf range to a golfer through a golf
content
provision apparatus, such as a golf lesson apparatus or a virtual golf
simulation
apparatus, such that the golfer can more effectively improve his/her golf
skill.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf content provision
apparatus and a golf content provision system using the same, a virtual golf
simulation apparatus, a golf content provision method, and a virtual golf
simulation method that enable a user to directly select a lesson pro suited to
the
user or to have a lesson pro suited to the user be recommended and thus
receive
proper golf content based on the recommendation, when the user takes golf
lessons
through a golf lesson apparatus or plays a round of virtual golf on a virtual
golf
course through a virtual golf simulation apparatus, i.e. enable the user to
receive
customized golf content or golf content desired by the user, thereby more
effectively improving golf skill of the user and stimulating the user's
interest during
golf lessons, golf practice, or a round of virtual golf.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a golf content provision
apparatus including a database to store data regarding plural lesson pros, a
lesson
group setting means to set a lesson group including at least one lesson pro
selected
from among the plural lesson pros stored in the database by a user, and a
content
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provision means to extract golf content regarding a predetermined lesson pro
in the
lesson group set for the user from the database and to provide the extracted
golf
content.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a golf content provision apparatus including a database to store data
regarding plural lesson pros, a lesson pro recommendation means to provide an
interface for the user to input a specific condition necessary to select a
lesson pro
and to recommend a lesson pro corresponding to the condition input by the user
from among the plural lesson pros stored in the database, and a content
provision
means to extract golf content regarding the lesson pro recommended by the
lesson
pro recommendation means from the database and to provide the extracted golf
content.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a golf content provision system including a plurality of golf content
provision apparatuses and a server connected to the golf content provision
apparatuses via a network, wherein the server includes a database to store
data
regarding plural lesson pros and a lesson group setting means to set a lesson
group
including at least one lesson pro selected from among the plural lesson pros
stored in
the database by a user and each of the golf content provision apparatuses is
configured to provide golf content regarding a predetermined lesson pro from
data
regarding the lesson group set for the user received from the server.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a golf content provision method including being logged in by a user,
displaying information regarding plural lesson pros stored in a database,
setting a
lesson group including at least one lesson pro selected from among the plural
lesson
pros by the user, and providing golf content regarding a predetermined lesson
pro in
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the lesson group set for the user.
In a golf content provision apparatus and a golf content provision system
using the same, a virtual golf simulation apparatus, a golf content provision
method, and a virtual golf simulation method according to the present
invention, it
is possible for a user to directly select a lesson pro suited to the user or
to have a
lesson pro suited to the user be recommended and thus receive proper golf
content
based on the recommendation, when the user takes golf lessons through a golf
lesson apparatus or plays a round of virtual golf on a virtual golf course
through a
virtual golf simulation apparatus. That is, it is possible for the user to
receive
customized golf content or golf content desired by the user. Consequently, the
present invention has the effect of more effectively improving golf skill of
the user
and stimulating the user's interest during golf lessons, golf practice, or a
round of
virtual golf.
=
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a golf content
provision apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of a golf content
provision system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a screen for a user to set a lesson
group through a lesson group setting means according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a screen to recommend a lesson
pro through a lesson pro recommendation means according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are views showing examples of screens to display swing
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motions through a virtual golf simulation apparatus according to an embodiment
of
the present invention; and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a golf content provision method
according to an embodiment of the present invention and a virtual golf
simulation
method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a golf content provision apparatus
and a golf content provision system using the same, a virtual golf simulation
apparatus, a golf content provision method, and a virtual golf simulation
method
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A golf content provision apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention may include all apparatuses that provide predetermined
content
regarding golf, such as a golf lesson apparatus that stores golf lesson
content from
golf lesson pros and provides the stored golf lesson content to a user upon
the user
requesting the golf lesson content, an apparatus for providing content
regarding
golf mastering guidance on a specific golf course, and a virtual golf
simulation
apparatus that provides golf content regarding a round of virtual golf
performed on
a virtual golf course, for example so-called screen golf.
First, a golf content provision apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of a
golf content provision apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the golf content provision
apparatus
according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a database to
store
predetermined data necessary to provide golf content, an interface 20 for a
user to
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input set information, a photographing device 30 to photograph a swing motion
of
a user, a video/audio processing unit 40 to process video/audio for golf
content, an
video/audio output unit 50 to output information processed by the video/audio
processing unit 40, and a controller M to control the above devices and means.
Preferably, the database 10 is provided to store data regarding system
information of the golf content provision apparatus, data regarding user
information, data regarding a plurality of lesson pros, and data regarding
golf
content information to be provided. The above-mentioned data may be stored in
one database. Alternatively, the above-mentioned data may be individually
stored in a plurality of storage parts such that the data constitute one
database.
The system information is various kinds of information to drive the golf
content provision apparatus. The user information is information regarding a
user
registered as a user who uses the golf content provision apparatus. The lesson
pro information may include specification information regarding sex, height,
weight, play style, and career of each golf pro or specification information
regarding a character realized as a virtual lesson pro. The golf content
information is information regarding all golf content provided through the
golf
content provision apparatus. The golf content information includes information
regarding golf content per lesson pro to be provided by each lesson pro.
Meanwhile, the interface 20 is provided as a means for a user to select a
lesson pro suited to the user or to input predetermined conditions necessary
for a
lesson pro to be recommended to the user. A concrete example of the interface
will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, the photographing device 30 is provided to photograph a golf
swing performed by the user and to generate golf swing video data based on the
=
photographed golf swing. In the golf content provision apparatus according to
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the embodiment of the present invention or a virtual golf simulation apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention, the photographing device
is
configured to photograph swing motion of the user and to generate and output
video data regarding the swing motion of the user. A concrete example of the
photographing device will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.
Meanwhile, the video/audio processing unit 40 is provided to process
video information and audio information regarding the golf content provided as
described above. The processed video information and audio information are
provided to the user through the video/audio output unit 50. The video/audio
output unit 50 may be realized in the form of a display device or a beam
projector.
The golf content provision apparatus according to the embodiment of the
present invention basically includes the database, a lesson group setting
means,
and a content provision means. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the controller
M
and the interface 20 function as a lesson group setting means for a user to
set a
lesson group including at least one lesson pro selected from among plural
lesson
pros stored in the database.
In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the video/audio processing
unit 40 and the video/audio output unit 50 function as a content provision
means to
process and output video and audio information of golf content regarding a
lesson
pro belonging to the lesson group set by the user.
The user selects a lesson pro such that golf content provided by the
selected lesson pro can be provided to the user. The golf content may include
golf lesson content, such as video/audio explaining how to grip a golf club,
video/audio explaining common sense in golf, and video regarding a typical
swing
motion of a lesson pro. In addition, the golf content may further include
content
regarding a golf course mastering method, such as how to perform a bunker shot
or
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how to perform an iron shot on a slope. The golf content may include various
other kinds of content related to golf.
The user may settle an account to receive golf content provided by the
selected lesson pro. Such settlement may be made using points, mileage, or
reserves which the user possesses in the system. Alternatively, the user may
directly settle an account to purchase golf content provided by the
corresponding
lesson pro.
In another example, the user may restrictively set a private lesson group
for the user only in a case in which the user acquires a predetermined golf
rank
according to golf ranks decided based on how many times the user uses the golf
content provision apparatus in the system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of a
golf content provision system according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of golf content provision
apparatuses
C is connected to a server S via a network, such as the Internet, to
constitute a golf
content provision system.
Various user terminals may be connected to the network. Consequently,
users may access the server S through the respective user terminals to receive
predetermined information. In particular, the users may access the server S
through the respective user terminals to select lesson pros desired by the
users, to
set lesson groups, and to store the set lesson groups or to have lesson pros
recommended to the users, to set lesson groups, and to store the set lesson
groups.
When the golf content provision apparatus is used afterward, therefore, it is
possible to use information regarding the predetermined and stored lesson
groups.
As shown in FIG. 2, the server S may include a central processing unit
100, a database 200, a lesson group setting means 300, and a lesson pro
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recommendation means 400.
The database 200 stores data related to various kinds of information
provided through access of the respective user terminals and data related to
various
kinds of information provided through access of the respective golf content
provision apparatuses C. Specifically, the database stores data regarding
system
information, user information, lesson pro information, golf content
information,
and other information necessary to operate the server.
Meanwhile, the central processing unit 100, the lesson group setting
means 300, and the lesson pro recommendation means 400 may be integrated into
one control module or device. Alternatively, the central processing unit, the
lesson group setting means, and the lesson pro recommendation means may be
configured as individual control modules or devices.
The lesson group setting means 300 is a means for a user to access the
server S through a corresponding one of the user terminals or the golf content
provision apparatuses C, to select at least one lesson pro desired by the user
from
among a plurality of lesson pros stored in the database 200, and to set a
lesson
group constituted by the selected lesson pro.
In a case in which a user accesses the server S through a corresponding
one of the user terminals or the golf content provision apparatuses C to input
specific conditions necessary to select a lesson pro, for example, to input
user
specifications, such as height, weight, and play style of the user or to input
specification of a lesson pro desired by the user through the interface, the
lesson
pro recommendation means 400 searches lesson pros corresponding to the
conditions input by the user from among the lesson pros stored in the database
and
displays the searched results to recommend the lesson pros.
The user may select one or more lesson pros recommended through the
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lesson pro recommendation means 400 to set a lesson group.
More concrete examples of selection or recommendation of lesson pros
will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the server S of the golf
content provision system according to the embodiment of the present invention
may include a settlement means. In this case, a user may access the server S
through a corresponding one of the user terminals or the golf content
provision
apparatuses C to settle an account in connection with setting of a lesson
group
private for the user through the lesson group setting means or the lesson pro
recommendation means 400.
Hereinafter, examples of interface screens provided through the golf
content provision apparatus or the golf content provision system according to
the
embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference
to
FIGS. 3 to 6.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of an interface screen to display items
regarding lesson pros such that a user may select a lesson pro desired by the
user to
set a lesson group.
As shown in FIG. 3, the interface screen 70 may include a lesson pro
display part 71 to display information regarding a plurality of lesson pros
stored in
the database, a classification basis display part 72 to display a
classification basis of
the lesson group, and a lesson group display part 73 to display a lesson pro
selected
by the user or golf content of a lesson pro.
The lesson pro display part 71 displays specifications of all or some of the
lesson pros stored in the database in detail. More specifically, the lesson
pro
display part may display items regarding name, sex, height, weight, career,
and play
style of a lesson pro together with an image of the lesson pro.
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In addition, the lesson pro display part may display kind of golf content
provided by each lesson pro (Although not shown in FIG. 3, a "details" button
may
be pushed to switch to a screen displaying kind of golf content provided by a
corresponding lesson pro.) and may also display settlement information
necessary to
purchase golf content provided by the corresponding lesson pro.
The classification basis display part 72 displays a classification basis
necessary to select a lesson pro. That is, a lesson pro may be selected
according to
various kinds of classification. For example, a lesson pro may be selected
according to various kinds of classification, such as classification by golf
content to
be provided, classification by kind of golf swing, classification by golf club
of a
user, classification by flight distance, and classification by golf course.
In a case in which a user selects a lesson pro according to classification by
kind of golf swing as shown in FIG. 3, the golf swing may be classified into a
driver
shot, an iron shot, an approach shot, and a putting and at least one lesson
pro may be
selected per classification.
For example, `YIANG Yong-un pro' may be included in a driver shot item
and 'CHIN Zee-ae pro' may be included in an iron shot item to set a lesson
group.
In a case in which a user practices a driver shot or takes a lesson on the
driver shot
through the golf content provision apparatus, therefore, golf content
regarding
`YIANG Yong-un pro' is provided. In a case in which the user practices an iron
shot or takes a lesson on the iron shot through the golf content provision
apparatus,
on the other hand, golf content regarding 'CHIN Zee-ae pro' is provided.
In a case in which a user receives golf content through a virtual golf
simulation apparatus using the lesson group set as described above, swing
motion
video regarding `YIANG Yong-un pro' or other lesson content may be provided
from the lesson group when the user performs a driver shot during virtual golf
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simulation.
Classification basis of the lesson group may not be restricted to the golf
swing classification basis but may be more variously selected. For example, in
a
case of classification by golf content, golf club grip content, half swing
content, full
swing content, and mastering content per golf course may be classified to set
a
lesson group. In a case of classification by golf club of a user, a driver, a
wood, a
long iron, a short iron, and a putter may be classified to set a lesson group.
In a
case of classification by golf course, a fairway, a light rough, a heavy
rough, a
fairway bunker, a green bunker, and a green may be classified to set a lesson
group.
Meanwhile, the lesson group display part 73 may be configured to display a
lesson pro selected by a user from among the lesson pros displayed on the
lesson pro
display part 71 or golf content of the selected lesson pro.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of an interface screen to recommend a
lesson pro suited to specifications input by a user.
As shown in FIG. 4, the interface screen 70 may include a lesson pro
display part 71 to display information regarding a plurality of lesson pros
stored in
the database, an input item display part 74 to display input items necessary
to
recommend a lesson pro, and a recommended pro display part 75 to recommend and
display lesson pros searched according to items input by a user.
That is, when a user inputs sex, height, weight, and play style of the user or
a lesson pro desired by the user through the input item display part 74 and
clicks a
lesson pro recommendation button, lesson pros corresponding to the input items
are
searched in the database and are displayed on the recommended pro display part
75.
The user may select a lesson pro desired by the user from among the
recommend lesson pros to set a lesson group.
On the other hand, the content provision means of the golf content
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provision apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may
include a swing motion display means to display video regarding swing motion
of a
user and video regarding swing motion of a predetermined lesson pro in a
lesson
group corresponding to the swing motion of the user or a sequence display
means to
display a swing motion sequence of a user, which extracts still images of
important
actions from the video regarding swing motion of the user and sequentially
displays
the extracted still images, and a swing motion sequence of a lesson pro, which
arranges and displays still images of the lesson pro corresponding to the
swing
motion sequence of the user in time series. An example of content provided by
the
swing motion display means is shown in FIG. 5 and an example of content
provided
by the sequence display means is shown in FIG. 6.
First, an example of content provided by the swing motion display means
will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
When a user performs a golf swing during simulation through a virtual golf
simulation apparatus as the golf content provision apparatus as shown in FIG.
1 or 2,
the photographing device photographs the swing motion of the user, generates
swing
motion video data, and displays swing motion video 81 of the user on a
simulation
screen 80.
At this time, swing motion video 82 of a predetermined lesson pro in a
lesson group set for the user may also be displayed such that the user can
self-
diagnose problems in the golf swing of the user.
In a case in which only one lesson pro is included in the lesson group set
for the corresponding user, swing motion video of the lesson pro may be
displayed.
On the other hand, in a case in which plural lesson pros are included in the
lesson
group and a user performs a driver shot, swing motion video of a lesson pro
included
in driver shot classification may be displayed. In this case, if plural lesson
pros are
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included in the driver shot classification, it is also possible to display
swing motion
video of a specific lesson pro according to items preset by the user.
Hereinafter, an example of content provided by the sequence display means
will be described with reference to FIG. 6.
In a case in which a user performs a golf swing during simulation, the
photographing device photographs swing motion of the user to generate swing
motion video data. A swing motion sequence 83 of the user, which extracts
still
images of important actions from the swing motion of the user and sequentially
displays the extracted still images, may be displayed on the screen 80.
At this time, a swing motion sequence 84 of a lesson pro, which
sequentially displays still images regarding swing motion of a predetermined
lesson
pro in the lesson group set for the corresponding user, corresponding to the
still
images regarding the important actions constituting the swing motion sequence
83
of the user, may also be displayed together with the swing motion sequence 83
of
the user such that the user can self-diagnose problems in the golf swing of
the user.
The swing motion sequence 83 of the user may be displayed by extracting
still images based on predetermined actions from swing motion video acquired
from
predetermined important actions of the swing motion.
For example, address, back swing, top swing, down swing, impact, follow
through, and finish may be preset as important actions of the swing motion,
and
acquired swing motion video of the user may be analyzed to extract still
images
corresponding to the important actions and to display the extract still images
as
shown in FIG. 6. At this time, still images regarding predetermined important
actions and a swing motion sequence thereof may be prestored such that the
swing
motion sequence 84 of the lesson pro can be displayed when necessary.
Hereinafter, a golf content provision method according to an embodiment
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of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
First, a user performs login through a golf content provision apparatus or a
user terminal (S10).
After login, the user may perform plural operations. For example, the
user may execute a lesson group setting means (S20) or another operation
(S22).
When the user executes the lesson group setting means, an interface to set
a lesson group is executed and information regarding lesson pros stored in a
database is extracted and displayed through the interface (S21).
At this time, when the user wishes to have a lesson pro suited to the user
be recommended from among plural lesson pros displayed through the interface,
a
lesson pro recommendation means may be executed (S30). Alternatively, the
user may directly select a lesson pro desired by the user from among plural
lesson
pros displayed through the interface (S31).
In a case in which the user executes the lesson pro recommendation
means, an interface to recommend a lesson pro is executed (S32) and the user
inputs specific conditions, such as specifications of the user or
specifications of a
lesson pro desired by the user, through the interface to recommend the lesson
pro
(S33).
When user input is completed, the lesson pro recommendation means
searches lesson pros corresponding to the conditions input by the user from a
database (S34). Information regarding the lesson pros according to the
searched
result is displayed (S35). The user may select a lesson pro suited to the user
based on the searched result (S36).
When selection of the lesson pro is completed as described above, a
lesson group constituted by the selected lesson pro is set and stored (S40).
At this
time, in a case in which the user settles an account based on settlement
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preset for the lesson pro selected by the user although not shown in the
flowchart,
it may be possible to set a lesson group.
The user may use the lesson group set as described above, for example,
through a golf lesson apparatus. Alternatively, the user may use the lesson
group
set as described above, for example, through a virtual golf simulation
apparatus.
In a case in which the user requests specific golf content to be provided
through the golf content provision apparatus (S50) (the user may directly
request
golf content to be provided or golf content may be automatically provided
according to predetermined circumstances), golf content of the lesson pro
corresponding to the request of the user from among the lesson pros belonging
to
the lesson group set for the user is extracted from the database (S51) and
video/audio regarding the extracted golf content is output to provide the
requested
golf content (S52).
Hereinafter, a virtual golf simulation method according to an embodiment
of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
First, a user performs login through a virtual golf simulation apparatus
(S100).
A controller of the virtual golf simulation apparatus receives information
of the logged-in user and lesson group information set for the user from a
server.
If no predetermined lesson group exists, the user may execute a lesson group
setting means to select a desired lesson pro or to have a lesson pro be
recommended in order to set a lesson group (S200).
The user performs virtual golf simulation (S300). That is, video of a
virtual golf course is displayed and, when the user hits a golf ball, the golf
ball hit
by the user is sensed by a sensing means and golf simulation is performed
based
on the sensed result.
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When the user performs a golf swing for golf simulation (S400), a
photographing means photographs the golf swing of the user (S500) to generate
swing motion video data of the user.
Subsequently, swing motion video data of a lesson pro in the lesson group
set for the user is extracted from a database (S600). In a case in which
plural
lesson pros are included in the lesson group, swing motion video data of a
lesson
pro according to items preset by the user are extracted. For example, in a
case in
which the user classifies lesson pros on a per golf swing basis and golf swing
of
the user is a driver shot, swing motion video data of a lesson pro classified
as the
driver shot are extracted.
The photographed swing motion video of the user and the swing motion
video of the corresponding lesson pro may be output simultaneously or at
predetermined time intervals (S700).
Data regarding the swing motion of the user and data regarding the swing
motion of the corresponding lesson pro are transmitted to the server and
stored
therein (S800). Afterward,
the user may access the server through a
corresponding user terminal to confirm the stored data. Various
embodiments
for carrying out the invention have been described in the Detailed Description
of the
Invention.
In a golf content provision apparatus and a golf content provision system
using the same, a virtual golf simulation apparatus, a golf content provision
method, and a virtual golf simulation method according to the present
invention,
golf simulation based on virtual reality is performed. Consequently, the
present
invention can be used in industries related to golf games or so-called screen
golf, in
which a user may enjoy a round of virtual golf.
17
