Method of matching golfer with golf ball, golf club, or style of play

• US 4,063,259 A
• Filed: 10/29/1975
• Issued: 12/13/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Reid, Walter L. Jr., Jepson, John W., Lynch, Francis deSales
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Russell E.
• Application Number:
  US05/626,712
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 354/34, 354/75, 354/76, 354/110, 354/120, 354/126, 354/127, 354/129, 354/131, 354/132, 354/137, 354/60, 354/354, 352/38, 352/39, 352/40, 352/44, 352/84, 273/32, 273/183 R, 273/184, 73/397, 283/1 R, 283/1 A, 35/29 A
• US Class Current: 396/335
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• 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 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/008 Devices for measuring or verifying ball characteristics
• 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 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

A method of matching a golfer with golf balls with varying aerodynamic properties is disclosed. The "launch conditions" with which the golfer "launches" a golf ball are measured to determine the golf ball dimple pattern most suitable for a particular golfer or to determine modifications which should be made in his style of play or club design.

Claims

1. An aid for golfers for use in matching a golfer to a golf ball, golf club or style of play which comprises:

a. a series of charts which compare initial velocity, initial spin velocity, launch angle and golf ball carry at a plurality of points for an at least one golf ball;

b. apparatus for measuring a golfer'"'"'s launch conditions including initial velocity, initial spin velocity and launch angle when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club comprising;

i. recording means for recording the lineal position and the rotational position of the golf ball at a plurality of time intervals;

ii. first communicating means for communicating to the recording means the lineal position and the rotational position of the golf ball at a first point in time; and

iii. second communicating means for communicating to the recording means, the lineal position and the rotational position of the golf ball at a second point in time subsequent to the said first point in time.

c. said launch condition measured by said apparatus for measuring being relatable to said series of charts.

2. An aid for golfers for use in matching a golfer to a golf ball, golf club or style of play which comprises:

a. a series of charts which compare initial velocity, initial spin velocity, launch angle and golf ball carry at a plurality of points for an at least one golf ball;

b. apparatus for measuring a golfer'"'"'s launch conditions including initial velocity, initial spin velocity and launch angle when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club comprising;

i. a camera with an electronically operated shutter;

ii. means for generating an electrical signal to open the camera shutter when the golf club reaches a preselected position;

iii. means for generating a first flash of light after the golf club comes in contact with the ball;

iv. means for generating a second flash of light after the first flash of light;

v. means for controlling the interval between the first and second flashes of light; and

vi. means for generating a signal to close the camera shutter;

c. said launch condition measured by said apparatus for measuring being relatable to said series of charts.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for generating a flash of light is a xenon lamp.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the xenon lamp has an intensity of at least 10 million lux at 1 meter.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the xenon lamp has an intensity of at least 100 million lux at 1 meter.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the duration of the flash is no more than one ten-thousandth of a second.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the duration of the flash is no more than one millionth of a second.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for generating an electrical signal to open the camera shutter comprises a light source and a photodetector.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a signal is generated from the photodetector to a time delay which generates the signal to close the camera shutter after a predetermined interval of time.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the preselected interval is from about one-sixtieth to about one-two hundredth of a second.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 further including means for activating the first flash of light.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for activating the first flash of light comprises a microphone and an amplifier circuit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a signal from the amplifier circuit activates a time delay which in turn activates the second flash of light after a predetermined interval.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the predetermined interval is from about 0.0005 to about 0.005 seconds.

15. The apparatus of claim 2 further including means for generating a third flash of light before the first flash of light and at the moment just before the golf club comes in contact with the ball.

16. An apparatus for measuring a golfer'"'"'s launch conditions when the golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club including:

i. initial velocity;

ii. initial spin velocity; and

iii. launch angle;

said apparatus comprising;

a. a camera with an electronically operated shutter;

b. means for generating an electrical signal to open the camera shutter when the golf club reaches a preselected position;

c. a xenon lamp having an intensity of at least 10 million lux at 1 meter for generating a first flash of light for a period of time no greater than about one ten-thousandth of a second after the golf club comes in contact with the ball;

d. a xenon lamp having an intensity of at least 10 million lux at 1 meter for generating a second flash of light for a period of time no greater than about one ten-thousandth of a second after the first flash of light;

e. a timer for controlling the interval between the first and second flashes of light between about one-sixtieth and about one two-hundredth of a second; and

f. means for generating a signal to close the camera shutter at a preselected time after said second flash of light.