Golf club information system and methods

• US 20050181884A1
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Beach, Todd P., Wright, Ian, Vincent, Benoit, Olsavsky, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,628,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/131
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

One embodiment of a golf club information system for representing a plurality of golf club head configurations includes a first member having thereon a graphic depicting a golf club head with openings and a second member movably coupled to the first member having marks thereon corresponding to a golf club head configuration associated with a predicted golf ball flight path. The first and second members are movable relative to each other to display some of the marks on the second member within the openings in the first member. The displayed marks convey golf club head configuration information.

Claims

1. An information system for representing a plurality of golf club head configurations, comprising:

a first member having thereon a graphic depicting a golf club head, the first member forming at least one opening positioned in or adjacent to the graphic; and

a second member having a plurality of marks thereon corresponding to at least one golf club head configuration associated with a predicted golf ball flight path, the second member being movably coupled to the first member;

wherein the first and second members are movable relative to each other to display at least one of the marks on the second member within the at least one opening in the first member, the displayed marks providing golf club head configuration information.

2. The information system of claim 1, wherein the second member is rotatably coupled to the first member, and the first and second members are rotatable relative to each other.

3. The information system of claim 1, wherein the openings in the first member are first openings, the information system further comprising a third member having at least one second opening corresponding to the predicted golf ball flight path;

the third member being positioned between the first member and the second member, wherein at least one of the marks is displayed when the first and second openings are rotated into mutual alignment.

4. The information system of claim 2, wherein the third member includes swingweight indicia thereon corresponding to the at least one golf club head configuration, the swingweight indicia being displayable through the second member.

5. A system for achieving a desired golf ball motion path, comprising:

a golf club having at least one movable weight capable of arrangement in a plurality of weight configurations; and

a device having a visual representation thereon of multiple predicted golf ball motion paths correlated to at least some of the plurality of weight configurations for the golf club;

wherein the device includes weight configuration instructions for configuring the golf club according to a selected one of the predicted golf ball motion paths best approximating the desired golf ball motion path.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the visual representation comprises a first visual representation and a second visual representation, the first visual representation comprising a graph of multiple predicted golf ball motion path points and the second visual representation comprising a graphic depicting a golf club head showing specifications for the removable weights.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the graphic comprises at least one opening, wherein the instructions for configuring the golf club are displayed through the at least one opening.

8. An information system providing information for selecting a golf club configuration to achieve a desired golf ball motion path for a golf ball struck by the golf club, comprising:

a first set of indicia on a first surface representing a plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths; and

an associated second set of indicia on a second surface providing instructions to configure the golf club configuration according to a selected one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths as indicated by the first set of indicia.

9. The information system of claim 8, wherein the first set of indicia representing the predicted golf ball motion paths are presented in a graphical format illustrating the flight characteristics of the predicted golf ball motion paths relative to each other.

10. The information system of claim 8, wherein the second set of indicia includes instructions for redistributing a mass of a golf club head.

11. The information system of claim 10, wherein the instructions include specification of at least one of a plurality of movable weights.

12. The information system of claim 10, wherein the instructions include specification of a location for at least one of a plurality of movable weights.

13. The information system of claim 8, wherein the second set of indicia includes instructions for increasing or decreasing a mass of a golf club head.

14. The information system of claim 13, wherein the instructions include specification of at least one movable weight and at least one movable weight location.

15. The information system of claim 8, wherein the predicted golf ball motion path approximates the desired golf ball motion path.

16. The information system of claim 8, further comprising a selector operably associated with the first and second surfaces, the selector providing a visual guide to the user in selecting desired information from at least one of the first set of indicia and the second set of indicia.

17. The information system of claim 8, wherein the first set of indicia includes a plurality of golf club swingweights.

18. The information system of claim 17, wherein the second set of indicia includes instructions to configure the golf club configuration according to a selected one of the plurality of golf club swingweights indicated by the first set of indicia.

19. The information system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths includes a trajectory component and a shot shape component.

20. The information system of claim 19, wherein the shot shape component includes a neutral shot shape motion path.

21. The information system of claim 20, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, a medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

22. The information system of claim 19, wherein the shot shape component includes a draw shot shape motion path.

23. The information system of claim 22, wherein the draw shot shape motion path includes a strong draw shot shape motion path.

24. The information system of claim 23, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

25. The information system of claim 22, wherein the draw shot shape motion path includes a medium draw shot shape motion path.

26. The information system of claim 25, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, a medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

27. The information system of claim 22, wherein the draw shot shape motion path includes a weak draw shot shape motion path.

28. The information system of claim 27, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, a medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

29. The information system of claim 8, wherein the shot shape component includes a fade shot shape motion path.

30. The information system of claim 29, wherein the fade shot shape motion path includes a strong fade shot shape motion path.

31. The information system of claim 30, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, a medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

32. The information system of claim 29, wherein the fade shot shape motion path includes a medium fade shot shape motion path.

33. The information system of claim 32, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, a medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

34. The information system of claim 29, wherein the fade shot shape motion path includes a weak fade shot shape motion path.

35. The information system of claim 34, wherein the trajectory component includes a high trajectory motion path, a medium trajectory motion path, or a low trajectory motion path.

36. The information system of claim 8, wherein the desired golf ball motion path comprises a draw shot shape.

37. The information system of claim 36, wherein the draw shot shape comprises a weak draw shot shape, a strong draw shot shape or a medium draw shot shape.

38. The information system of claim 8, wherein the desired golf ball motion path comprises a neutral shot shape.

39. The information system of claim 8, wherein the desired golf ball motion path comprises a fade shot shape.

40. The information system of claim 39, wherein the fade shot shape comprises a weak fade shot shape, a strong fade shot shape or a medium fade shot shape

41. The information system of claim 8, wherein the desired golf ball motion path comprises a high trajectory.

42. The information system of claim 41, wherein the desired golf ball motion path further comprises a draw shot shape, a fade shot shape or a neutral shot shape.

43. The information system of claim 8, wherein the desired golf ball motion path comprises a medium trajectory.

44. The information system of claim 43, wherein the desired golf ball motion path further comprises a draw shot shape, a fade shot shape or a neutral shot shape.

45. The information system of claim 8, wherein the desired golf ball motion path comprises a low trajectory.

46. The information system of claim 45, wherein the desired golf ball motion path further comprises a draw shot shape, a fade shot shape or a neutral shot shape.

47. The information system of claim 8, wherein the predicted golf ball motion path includes a swingweight component.

48. The information system of claim 8, wherein the second surface is the same as the first surface.

49. The information system of claim 8, wherein the first surface is a surface of a first member and the second surface is a surface of a second member distinct from the first member.

50. The information system of claim 49, wherein the first member comprises a graphic depicting a golf club head and includes openings located at predetermined positions, and wherein the second set of indicia comprises multiple groupings of marks, wherein each grouping of marks corresponds to instructions to configure the golf club head according to a selected one of the predicted golf ball motion paths, and wherein one of the multiple groupings of marks is viewable through the openings upon proper rotational alignment of the first and second members.

51. The information system of claim 50, wherein proper rotational alignment is achieved by rotating the first member relative to the second member until the first openings are aligned with one of the multiple groupings of marks corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths indicating the desired golf ball motion path.

52. The information system of claim 49, wherein the first and second members comprise circular members rotatable around a common axis.

53. The information system of claim 50, further comprising a third member positioned between the first and second members and rotatably coupled to the first and second members.

54. The information system of claim 53, wherein the openings in the first member are first openings, and wherein the third member comprises multiple groupings of second openings corresponding to respective predicted golf ball motion paths associated with one of a plurality of swingweights, wherein one of the multiple groupings of marks is viewable through one of the multiple groupings of second openings and the first openings upon proper rotational alignment of the first, second and third members.

55. The information system of claim 54, wherein each of the multiple groupings of second openings corresponds with a different one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths.

56. The information system of claim 55, wherein the plurality of swingweights comprises a light swingweight, a standard swingweight or a heavy swingweight.

57. The information system of claim 56, wherein proper rotational alignment is achieved by rotating the first member relative to the third member until the first openings are aligned with one of the multiple groupings of second openings corresponding to one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths, and rotating the second element relative to the first and third elements until a desired swingweight is reached.

58. The information system of claim 8, wherein the system includes an electronic device having a display, and wherein the display is the first surface and the second surface on which the first indicia and the second indicia appear.

59. The information system of claim 58, wherein the first set of indicia and the second set of indicia are viewable on the display in a side-by-side relation.

60. The information system of claim 59, wherein the display comprises a first screen for inputting a desired golf ball motion path.

61. The information system of claim 60, wherein the device comprises a processor programmed to calculate the selected one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths, wherein the selected one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths approximates the desired golf ball motion path.

62. The information system of claim 61, wherein the display comprises a second screen for displaying the second set of indicia.

63. The information system of claim 58, wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone, or a combination thereof.

64. A golf accessory for determining proper golf club head configurations for a given golf club to achieve a desired golf ball motion path, the accessory comprising:

a visual representation of multiple predicted golf ball motion paths correlated to respective golf club head configurations of the golf club; and

instructions associated with the visual representation for configuring the golf club according to a selected one of the multiple predicted golf ball motion paths best approximating the desired golf ball motion path.

65. The information system of claim 64, wherein the accessory comprises an instruction wheel having at least first and second members that are relatively rotatable to select one of the predicted golf ball motion paths and the associated instructions.

66. The information system of claim 64, wherein the accessory comprises an electronic device capable of displaying at least the instructions.

67. The information system of claim 66, wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone, or a combination thereof.

68. A method of adapting a golf club to achieve a desired motion path for a golf ball struck by the golf club, the method comprising:

providing an information system including a plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths, wherein each of the predicted golf ball motion paths has a corresponding golf club head configuration;

determining a desired golf ball motion path;

selecting a golf club head configuration from the information system corresponding to a predicted golf ball motion path that encourages the desired golf ball motion path; and

altering the golf club head to achieve the selected golf club head configuration by rearranging movable weights.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein altering the golf club head to achieve the selected club head configuration comprises changing a total mass of the golf club head.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein changing a total mass of the golf club head comprises reducing the total mass of the golf club head.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein changing a total mass of the golf club head comprises increasing the total mass of the golf club head.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein altering the golf club head to achieve the selected mass configuration comprises redistributing a portion of a total mass of the golf club head.

73. The method of claim 68, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises:

striking a golf ball with the golf club, thereby resulting in the struck golf ball traveling along an actual golf ball motion path;

observing the actual golf ball motion path; and

comparing the actual golf ball motion path to the desired golf ball motion path.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising choosing a golf club head configuration to compensate for deviation between the actual golf ball motion path and the desired golf ball motion path.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein observing the actual golf ball motion path comprises observing a shot shape of the struck golf ball.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises selecting a golf club head configuration with a predicted golf ball motion path comprising a shot shape motion path including more draw if the actual golf ball motion path is a fade shot shape motion path including more fade than the desired golf ball motion path.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises selecting a golf club head configuration with a predicted golf ball motion path comprising a shot shape motion path including more fade if the actual golf ball motion path is a draw shot shape motion path including more draw than the desired golf ball motion path.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein observing the actual golf ball motion path comprises observing a trajectory of the struck golf ball.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises selecting a golf club head configuration with a predicted golf ball motion path comprising a higher trajectory motion path if the actual golf ball motion path has a lower trajectory motion path than the desired golf ball motion path.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises selecting a golf club head configuration with a predicted golf ball motion path comprising a lower trajectory motion path if the actual golf ball motion path has a higher trajectory motion path than the desired golf ball motion path.

81. The method of claim 68, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises selecting a golf club head configuration corresponding to a predicted golf ball motion path that approximates the desired golf ball motion path.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein determining the desired golf ball motion path comprises determining a desired golf ball motion path based on a golf course hole layout, weather conditions, lie conditions or a combination thereof.

83. The method of claim 68, wherein the database comprises an instruction wheel having at least first and second members, the members being rotatably coupled.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the instruction wheel displays the golf club head configuration corresponding to a predicted golf ball motion path upon a proper rotational alignment of the at least first and second members.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the predicted golf ball motion path includes a trajectory component and a shot shape component.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises rotating the second member relative to the first member until a desired golf club head configuration is displayed.

87. The method of claim 83, wherein the instruction wheel further comprises a third member positioned between the at least first and second members, the third member being rotatably coupled to the first and second members.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the instruction wheel displays the golf club head configuration corresponding to a predicted golf ball motion path upon a proper rotational alignment of the at least first, second and third members.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the predicted golf ball motion path includes a trajectory component, a shot shape component and a swingweight component.

90. The method of claim 68, wherein the information system comprises an electronic device.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the electronic device comprises a graphical user interface, and wherein selecting a golf club head configuration comprises inputting a desired golf ball motion path and displaying a corresponding golf club head configuration via the graphical user interface.

92. The method of claim 90, wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone, or a combination thereof.

93. A method of calculating a predetermined golf ball motion path for a configurable golf club capable of having multiple golf club configurations, the method comprising:

providing the configurable golf club with a selected one of the multiple golf club configurations; and

determining the predicted golf ball motion path that corresponds with the selected golf club configuration by using a golf information system.

94. A method of configuring a golf club head having at least one movable weight, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising information related to a plurality of golf club head mass configurations corresponding to desired golf ball motion paths;

selecting a golf club head mass configuration; and

altering the mass distribution of the golf club head having at least one movable weight to achieve the selected golf club head mass configuration.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the device comprises an instruction wheel having at least two rotatably coupled members.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein selecting a golf club head mass configuration comprises rotating one of the at least two rotatably coupled members until a golf club head mass configuration corresponding to a desired golf ball flight path is displayed.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the device comprises an electronic device having a graphical user interface.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein selecting a golf club head mass configuration comprises inputting a desired golf ball motion path into the device through use of the graphical user interface.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein selecting a golf club head mass configuration comprises displaying the head mass configuration corresponding to the desired golf ball flight path on the user interface.

100. The method of claim 94, wherein altering the mass distribution of the golf club head comprises removing at least a first movable weight having a first mass and replacing it with at least a second movable weight having a second mass.

101. The method of claim 94, further comprising selecting a second golf club head mass configuration and altering the mass distribution of the golf club head to achieve the selected second golf club head mass configuration.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein altering the mass distribution of the golf club head to achieve the selected second golf club head mass configuration comprises removing at least the second movable weight having a second mass and replacing it with at least a third movable weight having a third mass.

103. A method of adapting a golf club to achieve a desired golf ball motion path, the method comprising:

providing a table comprising a plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths, wherein each of the predicted golf ball motion paths has a corresponding golf club head mass configuration;

determining a desired golf ball motion path;

selecting a first golf club head mass configuration from the table corresponding to a predicted golf ball motion path that approximates the desired golf ball motion path;

altering the golf club to achieve the selected first golf club head mass configuration;

striking a golf ball with the golf club, thereby resulting in the struck golf ball traveling along a first actual golf ball motion path;

observing the first actual golf ball motion path;

comparing the first actual golf ball motion path to the desired golf ball motion path;

referencing the table to determine a second mass configuration, wherein the second mass configuration is adapted to provide the desired golf ball motion path;

altering the golf club to achieve the selected second golf club head mass configuration; and

striking a golf ball with the golf club, thereby resulting in the struck golf ball traveling along a second actual golf ball motion path;

comparing the second actual golf ball motion path to the desired golf ball motion path.

104. An information system for determining proper golf club head configurations for achieving desired golf ball motion paths, comprising:

storage means for storing a plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths and a plurality of golf club head configurations corresponding to a golf club head having at least one movable weight

selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of golf club head configurations corresponding to one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths; and

display means for displaying the corresponding golf club head configuration.

105. The information system of claim 104, wherein the storage means comprises multiple predicted golf ball motion paths having draw shot shapes, neutral shot shapes and fade shot shapes.

106. The information system of claim 104, wherein the storage means comprises multiple predicted golf ball motion paths having low trajectories, medium trajectories and high trajectories.

107. The information system of claim 104, wherein the display means comprises an information wheel comprising top and bottom members, the members being rotatably coupled.

108. An information device for determining a golf club head movable weight configuration to achieve a desired golf ball motion path for a golf ball struck by a golf club having movable weights, comprising:

a memory storing a plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths and golf club head movable weight configurations;

a processor coupled to the the memory, the processor calculating a first predicted golf ball motion path from the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths, the first predicted golf ball motion path approximating the desired golf ball motion path;

a display coupled to the processor, the display being capable of displaying a golf club head movable weight configuration correlated to the predicted golf ball motion path; and

an input device for receiving user inputs, the input device being coupled to the processor.

109. An information device for calculating proper golf club head movable weight configurations, comprising:

inputting means for inputting golf ball motion paths;

comparing means for comparing inputted golf ball motion paths with predicted golf ball motion paths; and

displaying means for displaying golf club head movable weight configurations corresponding to respective predicted golf ball motion paths that approximate the inputted golf ball motion paths.

110. The information device of claim 109, wherein the inputted golf ball motion paths comprise a desired golf ball motion path.

111. The information device of claim 109, wherein the inputted golf ball motion paths comprise an average of at least two actual golf ball motion paths.

112. An instruction wheel for calculating a proper golf club head configuration to achieve a desired motion path for a golf ball struck by the golf club, comprising:

a first member having a graphic of a golf club head, including first openings positioned at locations on the golf club head, the first member further comprising a lookup table representing a plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths including draw, fade and neutral type shot shapes and low, mid and high type trajectories; and

a second member having multiple groupings of marks, wherein each grouping of marks corresponds to a golf club head configuration correlated to one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths, the second member being rotatably coupled to the first member;

wherein a grouping of marks corresponding to a golf club head configuration correlated to one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths approximating the desired motion path is viewable through the first openings upon a proper rotational alignment of the first and second members.

113. The instruction wheel of claim 112, further comprising a third member having multiple sets of second openings, each set corresponding to one of the plurality of predicted golf ball flight paths, the third member being positioned between the first member and the second member, and wherein each grouping of marks is further correlated to a light swingweight, standard swingweight or heavy swingweight, the a grouping of marks corresponding to a golf club head configuration correlated to one of the plurality of predicted golf ball motion paths and a desired swingweight being viewable through a set of second openings and the first openings upon a proper rotational alignment of the first, second and third members.