Systems and methods for fitting golf equipment

• US 20050085311A1
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Inventors: Voges, Mitchell Clark, Hollister, Daniel Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,166,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills

Abstract

A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer'"'"'s swing and determining if the golfer'"'"'s swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer'"'"'s swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer'"'"'s swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer'"'"'s swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.

Claims

1. A method for fitting golf equipment, comprising:

receiving swing data over a wireless communication link; and

using the received swing data to derive swing parameters for use in fitting a golfer with golf equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving a load time for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving a load pattern for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving ramp potential for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving a load time, a load pattern, and a ramp potential based on the received swing data and deriving a shaft flex based on the derived load time, load pattern, and ramp potential.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying information related to the received swing data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information is displayed in a graphical format.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising deriving a park deflection associated with the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

9. A golf equipment fitting system, comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive swing data; and

a shaft module configured to derive swing parameters for use in fitting a golfer with golf equipment using the received swing data.

10. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 9, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load time for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

11. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 9, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load pattern for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

12. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 9, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a ramp potential for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

13. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 9, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load time, a load pattern, and a ramp potential based on the received swing data and to derive shaft flex based on the derived load time, load pattern, and ramp potential.

14. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 9, further comprising a display, and wherein the shaft module is configured to display information related to the received swing data on the display.

15. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 14, wherein the shaft module is configured to display the information in a graphical format.

16. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 9, wherein the shaft module is configured to derive a peek deflection associated with the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

17. A swing data collection system, comprising:

a strain gauge configured to sense shaft deflection; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the strain gauge, the wireless transmitter configured to receive data from the strain gauge and to transmit the receive data to a golf equipment fitting system.

18. The swing data collection system of claim 17, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense the lead or lag deflection of the shaft.

19. The swing data collection system of claim 17, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense the tow up or toe down deflection of the shaft.

20. The swing data collection systems of claim 17, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sensor a peak deflection of the shaft.

21. The swing data collection system of claim 17, further comprising a strap configured to secure the wireless transmitter.

22. The swing data collection system of claim 17, wherein the strain gauge and wireless transmitter comprises a single device.

23. The swing data collection system of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of strain gauges each of the plurality of strain gauges configured to sense shaft deflection.

24. The swing data collection system of claim 23, wherein the wireless transmitter is coupled to each of the plurality of strain gauges, and wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to receive data from each of the plurality of strain gauges and to transmit the received data to the golf equipment fitting system.

25. The swing data collection system of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of wireless transmitters, each of the plurality of wireless transmitters coupled to one of the plurality of strain gauges, and wherein each of the plurality of wireless transmitters is configured to receive data from the associated strain gauge and transmit it to the golf equipment fitting system.

26. A golf equipment fitting system, comprising:

a swing data collection system, comprising;

a strain gauge configured to sense shaft deflection, and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the strain gauge, the wireless transmitter configured to receive data from the strain gauge and to transmit the receive data;

a shaft fitting system, comprising;

a wireless receiver configured to receive the data transmitted by the wireless transmitter, and

a swing module configured to derive swing parameters for use in fitting a golfer with golf equipment using the data received from the wireless transmitter.

27. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load time for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

28. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load pattern for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

29. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive ramp potential for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

30. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load time, a load pattern, and a ramp potential based on the received swing data and to derive a shaft flex based on the derived load time, load pattern, and shaft potential.

31. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the shaft fitting system further comprises a display, and wherein the shaft module is configured to display information related to the received data on the display.

32. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 31, wherein the shaft module is configured to display the information in a graphical format.

33. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense the lead or lag deflection of the shaft.

34. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense the tow up or toe down deflection of the shaft.

35. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense a peak deflection of the shaft.

36. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the swing data collection system further comprises a strap configured to secure the wireless transmitter.

37. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the strain gauge and wireless transmitter comprises a single device.

38. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 26, wherein the swing data collection system further comprises a plurality of strain gauges each of the plurality of strain gauges configured to sense shaft deflection.

39. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 36, wherein the wireless transmitter is coupled to each of the plurality of strain gauges, and wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to receive data from each of the plurality of strain gauges and to transmit the received data to the shaft fitting system.

40. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 39, wherein the swing data collection system further comprising a plurality of wireless transmitters, each of the plurality of wireless transmitters coupled to one of the plurality of strain gauges, and wherein each of the plurality of wireless transmitters is configured to receive data from the associated strain gauge and transmit it to the shaft fitting system.