Systems and Methods for Fitting Golf Equipment

• US 20070167249A1
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Inventors: Voges, Mitchell, Hollister, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• 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 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 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:

determining swing information related to a golfer'"'"'s current swing using a golf club comprising a shaft and a club head, and using a golf ball;

receiving swing data over a wireless communication link;

combining the determined swing information with the swing data received over the wireless communication link; and

using the received swing data and the determined swing information to derive swing parameters for use in replacing one of the shaft and the club head, while fitting the golfer with golf equipment, in order to optimize a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the derived swing parameters, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball.

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 peak deflection associated with the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a maximum ceiling height for golf ball trajectory, and wherein matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate comprises matching velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate determined based at least in part on the maximum ceiling height.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a maximum ceiling height for golf ball trajectory, and wherein matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate comprises matching velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate determined based at least in part on the maximum ceiling height.

10. A method for fitting golf equipment, comprising:

receiving swing data obtained when a golfer swings a first shaft and club head combination;

optimizing a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the swing data, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball; and

replacing one of the shaft and the club head to achieve the optimized launch angle, velocity and spin rate thereby forming a second shaft and club head combination.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the swing data includes shaft flex information obtained from a strain gauge coupled with the shaft.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the strain gauge is a wireless strain gauge and the swing data is received wirelessly.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the swing data includes launch monitor data obtained from a launch monitor.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving swing data obtained when a golfer swings the second shaft and club head combination;

optimizing a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the swing data, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball; and

replacing one of the shaft and the club head to achieve the optimized launch angle, velocity and spin rate thereby forming a third club head and shaft combination.