Method and system for selecting a golf club

• US 20040043839A1
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Katayama, Shu, Inoue, Taku, Kuromi, Mitsuhiro, Inagaki, Minoru, Teraoka, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,273,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/407
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• 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 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

A method for selecting a golf club suitable for a golfer includes the steps of (a) obtaining at least one of head speed and hit-ball data (initial velocity, launch angle, backspin, side spin, and travel distance) when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club; (b) obtaining ideal hit-ball data of the golfer on the basis of the at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (a); and (c) selecting a golf club suitable for the golfer on the basis of the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b).

Claims

1. A method for selecting a golf club suitable for a golfer, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining at least one of head speed and hit-ball data when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club;

(b) obtaining ideal hit-ball data of the golfer on the basis of the at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (a); and

(c) selecting a golf club suitable for the golfer on the basis of the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b).

2. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 1, further comprising (d) obtaining head speed and hit-ball data when the golfer hits a golf ball with the golf club selected in step (c).

3. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 1, wherein in step (a), the golfer hits a golf ball by use of a golf club which the golfer has used up to now.

8. A method or system for selecting a golf club according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the hit-ball data include at least one selected from initial velocity, launch angle, backspin, side spin, and travel distance of a hit ball.

4. A system for selecting a golf club suitable for a golfer, comprising:

actual hit data obtainment means for obtaining at least one of head speed and hit-ball data when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club; and

ideal data obtainment means for obtaining ideal hit-ball data of the golfer on the basis of the at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained by the actual hit data obtainment means, wherein

a golf club suitable for the golfer is selected on the basis of the ideal hit-ball data obtained by the ideal data obtainment means.

5. A system for selecting a golf club according to claim 4, wherein head speed and hit-ball data at the time when the golfer hits a golf ball with the selected golf club are obtained by the actual hit data obtainment means.

6. A system for selecting a golf club according to claim 4, further comprising comment producing means for producing a comment for the golfer on the basis of the at least one of the head speed and hit-ball data obtained by the actual hit data obtainment means.

7. A system for selecting a golf club according to claim 6, further comprising printing means for printing at least one selected from the head speed and hit-ball data obtained by the actual hit data obtainment means, ideal hit-ball data obtained by the ideal data obtainment means, and the comment produced by the comment producing means.