Systems and methods for evaluating putter performance

• US 20060189414A1
• Filed: 01/23/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Max Out Golf Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Max Out Golf Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Voges, Mitchell C., Voges, Christian M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,828 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 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/002 Resonance frequency related characteristics
• 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 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3688 Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

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 a golfer with a putter, comprising:

uniformly testing a plurality of putters to determine how well each of the plurality of putters rolls a golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the center of each of the plurality of putters;

uniformly testing a plurality of putters to determine how well each of the plurality of putters rolls a golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the heel of each of the plurality of putters;

uniformly testing a plurality of putters to determine how well each of the plurality of putters rolls a golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the toe of each of the plurality of putters;

determining whether the golfer strikes putts with the hell, center, or toe of the putter; and

selecting a putter that best suites the golfer based on the uniform testing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein uniformly testing the plurality of putters comprises using a swing mechanism to produce uniform, repeatable results.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein uniformly testing the plurality of putters comprises striking the same number of putts, from the same distance.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising uniformly testing each of the plurality putters for left-to-right, right-to-left, and straight putts.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein how well each of the plurality of putters rolls the ball is determined at least in part on how many putts are made for each of the plurality of putters under various repeated conditions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein how well each of the plurality of putters rolls the golf ball is determined at least in part using lines drawn on the golf ball.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein how well each of the plurality of putters rolls the golf ball is determined at least in part on the distance control exhibit for each of the plurality of putters.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the selected putter improves the golfer'"'"'s putting.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein uniform, repeatable results are further achieved by using an artificial green under controlled conditions.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the stripes on the golf ball are used to determine side spin imparted to the golf ball.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the stripes on the golf ball are used to determine the degree of wobble produced by each of the plurality of putters.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the stripes on the golf ball are used to determine the degree of pure end-over-end roll produced by each of the plurality of putters.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating data based on the uniform testing and using the data to rate each of the plurality of putters.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of putters is selected based on the ratings.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the center of the putter.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the heel of the putter.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the toe of the putter.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the center of the putter for a straight putt.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the heel of the putter for a straight putt.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the toe of the putter for a straight putt.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the center of the putter for a right-to-left putt.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the heel of the putter for a right-to-left putt.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the toe of the putter for a right-to-left putt.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the center of the putter for a left-to-right putt.

25. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the heel of the putter for a left-to-right putt.

26. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of putters are rated for how well they roll the golf ball when the golf ball is struck with the toe of the putter for a left-to-right putt.