Method for fitting golf clubs for golfers

• US 6,083,123 A
• Filed: 02/11/1997
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Golfsmith Licensing LLC
• Original Assignee: Zevo Golf Co., Inc. (Dick's Sporting Goods Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wood, Donald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/799,072
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 473/407, 473/409, 473/289, 473/219-223, 473/131, 473/266, 463/1, 434/252, 364/410.1, 706/45
• US Class Current: 473/409
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club

Abstract

A computer implemented method for fitting golf clubs for golfers to accommodate the swing behavior of an individual'"'"'s golf swing using combinatorial logic at both the global and local levels. Specifications for a full set of golf clubs are derived from the intersection of two models labeled FITMODEL and SPECPRO. Input data is first gathered (204) and normalized (206) based upon chosen parameters. The chosen parameter relationships are analyzed (208) by FITMODEL, which in turn prescribes specifications (214) for a single reference golf club, preferably a mid-set club such as the 6-iron. SPECPRO uses the chosen parameters to analyze and generate inference (210) expressed as gradient functions--the incremental differences between each club. The gradients are used to specify (222) a full set of clubs.

Claims

1. A method for fitting golf clubs implemented by operating a computer to perform steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom; and

prescribing a golf club chemistry based upon said inferences.

2. The method of fitting golf clubs recited in claim 1, the normalizing step comprising:

selecting input data corresponding to each chosen parameter;

determining a mean value for said selected input data;

determining a standard deviation for said selected input data;

comparing said selected input data to said mean value for said selected input data; and

eliminating any selected input data that is not within said standard deviation of said mean value determined for said selected input data.

3. A method for fitting golf clubs implemented by operating a computer to perform steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom;

prescribing a golf club chemistry based upon said inferences;

wherein said chosen parameters comprise;

a SPEED parameter represented by a SPEED data block, wherein said SPEED data block contains measurements of the golf club head speed at the point of impact with a golf ball;

a TEMPO parameter represented by a TEMPO data block, wherein said TEMPO data block contains measurements of the time required for the club head to travel from the address position to its impact point with the golf ball;

a FACE ANGLE parameter represented by a FACE ANGLE data block, wherein said FACE ANGLE data block contains measurements of the club head face relative to the head'"'"'s swing path at the point of impact with the golf ball;

a DYNAMIC LOFT parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LOFT data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LOFT data block contains measurements of the actual loft imparted on a golf ball by the club head face at the point of impact with the golf ball, wherein said measurement is taken relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a TRAJECTORY parameter represented by a TRAJECTORY data block, wherein said TRAJECTORY data block contains measurements reflecting the club head'"'"'s vector relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a DYNAMIC LIE parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LIE data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LIE data block contains measurements reflecting the test club'"'"'s indigenous lie angle and the test club'"'"'s dynamic lie angle at the point of impact;

a ROTATION parameter represented by a ROTATION data block, wherein said ROTATION data block contains measurements reflecting the delta from the test club head'"'"'s static position and the test club head'"'"'s dynamic position measured as a rotation of the club head about said club shaft'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

a HEIGHT parameter represented by a HEIGHT data block, wherein said HEIGHT data block contains a measurement of the test golfer'"'"'s physical height.

4. The method for fitting golf clubs recited in claim 3, wherein said chosen parameters further comprise:

a SHOT CHOICE parameter represented by a SHOT CHOICE data block, wherein said SHOT CHOICE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to whether he desires a set that will enhance shot distance or accuracy; and

a SHAFT TYPE parameter represented by a SHAFT TYPE data block, wherein said SHAFT TYPE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to desired shafting material.

5. The method for fitting golf clubs recited in claim 3, wherein said inferences comprise:

a shaft flex inference, wherein said shaft flex inference comprises the union of a first shaft frequency and a second shaft frequency, wherein said first shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter;

a club head loft inference, wherein said club head loft inference comprises the union of a first loft parameter and a second loft parameter, wherein said first loft parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a lie angle inference, wherein said lie angle inference comprises the union of a club shaft length parameter and an effective lie angle parameter, said club shaft length parameter comprising the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said HEIGHT parameter plus the intersection of said SHOT CHOICE parameter and said SHAFT TYPE parameter, and wherein said effective lie angle comprises said DYNAMIC LIE parameter plus an effective lie angle parameter for a club used to gather said input data;

an offset inference, wherein said offset inference comprises the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter, and wherein said NET ROTATION parameter comprises the union of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a bounce angle inference, wherein said bounce angle inference comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a swing weight inference, wherein said swing weight inference comprises the union of a first swing weight parameter and a second swing weight parameter, wherein said first swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter;

a shaft weight inference, wherein said shaft weight inference comprises W'"'"', wherein W'"'"'=(((wt_x ×

W1)+(wt_y ×

W2)+(wt_z W3))÷

100), and wherein W1 comprises the intersection of said of said LENGTH parameter and said swing weight inference, and wherein W2 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein W3 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a bend point inference, wherein said bend point inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a shaft torque inference, wherein said shaft torque inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED date block with the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter; and

a grip size inference, wherein said grip size inference comprises the union of a first grip size parameter and a second grip size parameter, wherein said first grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter, and wherein said second grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said FACE ANGLE parameter and said ROTATION parameter.

6. An article of manufacture having machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for fitting a golf club, the method steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source wherein said input data includes measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determined inferences therefrom; and

prescribing a golf club chemistry based upon said inferences.

7. The article of manufacture recited in claim 6, the normalizing step comprising:

selecting input data corresponding to each chosen parameter;

determining a mean value for said selected input data;

determining a standard deviation for said selected input data;

comparing said selected input data to said mean value for said selected input data; and

eliminating any selected input data that is not within said standard deviation of said mean value determined for said selected input data.

8. An article of manufacture having machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for fitting a golf club, the method steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source wherein said input data includes measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determined inferences therefrom;

prescribing a golf club chemistry based upon said inferences;

said chosen parameters comprising;

a SPEED parameter represented by a SPEED data block, wherein said SPEED data block contains measurements of the golf club head speed at the point of impact with a golf ball;

a TEMPO parameter represented by a TEMPO data block, wherein said TEMPO data block contains measurements of the time required for the club head to travel from the address position to its impact point with the golf ball;

a FACE ANGLE parameter represented by a FACE SINGLE data block, wherein said FACE ANGLE data block contains measurements of the club head face relative to the club head'"'"'s swing path at the point of impact with the golf ball;

a DYNAMIC LOFT parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LOFT data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LOFT data block contains measurements of the actual loft imparted on a golf ball by the club head face at the point of impact with the golf ball, wherein said measurement is taken relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a TRAJECTORY parameter represented by a TRAJECTORY data block, wherein said TRAJECTORY data block contains measurements reflecting the club head'"'"'s vector relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a DYNAMIC LIE parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LIE data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LIE data block contains measurements reflecting the test club'"'"'s indigenous lie angle and the test club'"'"'s dynamic lie angle at the point of impact;

a ROTATION parameter represented by a ROTATION data block, wherein said ROTATION data block contains measurements reflecting the delta from the test club head'"'"'s static position and the test club head'"'"'s dynamic position measured as a rotation of the club head about said club shaft'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

a HEIGHT parameter represented by a HEIGHT data block, wherein said HEIGHT data block contains a measurement of the test golfer'"'"'s physical height.

9. The article of manufacture recited in claim 8, said chosen parameters further comprising:

a SHOT CHOICE parameter represented by a SHORT CHOICE data block, wherein said SHOT CHOICE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to whether he desires a set that will enhance shot distance or accuracy; and

a SHAFT TYPE parameter represented by a SHAFT TYPE data block, wherein said SHAFT TYPE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to desired shafting material.

10. The article of manufacture recited in claim 8, said inferences comprising:

a shaft flex inference, where in said shaft flex inference comprises the union of a first shaft frequency and a second shaft frequency, wherein said first shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second shaft frequency comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter;

a club head loft inference, wherein said club head loft inference comprises the union of a first loft parameter and a second loft parameter, wherein said first loft parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a lie angle inference, wherein said lie angle inference comprises the union of a club shaft length parameter and an effective lie angle parameter, said club shaft length parameter comprising the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said HEIGHT parameter plus the intersection of said SHOT CHOICE parameter and said SHAFT TYPE parameter, and wherein said effective lie angle comprises said DYNAMIC LIE parameter plus an effective lie angle parameter for a club used to gather said input data;

an offset inference, wherein said offset inference comprises the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter, and wherein aid NET ROTATION parameter comprises the union of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a bounce angle inference, wherein said bounce angle inference comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a swing weight inference, wherein said swing weight inference comprises the union of a first swing weight parameter and a second swing weight parameter, wherein said first swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second swing weight parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter;

a shaft weight inference, wherein said shaft weight inference comprises W'"'"', wherein W'"'"'=(((wt_x ×

W1)+(wt_y ×

W2)+(wt_z ×

W3))÷

100), and wherein W1 comprises the intersection of said of said LENGTH parameter and said swing weight inference, and wherein W2 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein W3 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a bend point inference, wherein said bend point inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a shaft torque inference, wherein said shaft torque inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED date block with the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter; and

a grip size inference, wherein said grip size inference comprises the union of a first grip size parameter and a second grip size parameter, wherein said first grips size parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter, and wherein said second grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said FACE ANGLE parameter and said ROTATION parameter.

11. A golf club fitting apparatus, comprising:

a data input interface means for receiving input data;

a memory to store program instructions;

an output display; and

a processor coupled to said data input interface, said memory, and said output display, said processor being programmed to perform method steps comprising;

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom; and

prescribing golf club chemistry based upon said inferences.

12. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 11,

the normalizing of each of said input data blocks to eliminate aberrant data step comprising:

selecting input data corresponding to each chosen parameter;

determining a mean value for said selected input data;

determining a standard deviation of said selected input data;

comparing said selected input data to said mean value for said selected input data; and

eliminating any selected input data that is not within said standard deviation of said mean value determined for said selected input data.

13. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 11, the apparatus further comprising:

a display driver coupled to said processor; and

a visual display coupled to said display driver.

14. A golf club fitting apparatus, comprising:

a data input interface means for receiving input data;

a memory to store program instructions;

an output display; and

a processor coupled to said data input interface, said memory, and said output display, said processor being programmed to perform method steps comprising;

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom;

prescribing golf club chemistry based upon said inferences;

said chosen parameters comprising;

a SPEED parameter represented by a SPEED data block, wherein said SPEED data block contains measurements of the golf club head speed at the point of impact with a golf ball;

a TEMPO parameter represented by a TEMPO data block, wherein said TEMPO data block contains measurements of the time required for the club head to travel from the address position to its impact point with the golf ball;

a FACE ANGLE parameter represented by a FACE ANGLE data block, wherein said FACE ANGLE data block contains measurements of the club head face relative to the club head'"'"'s swing path at the point of impact with the golf ball;

a DYNAMIC LOFT parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LOFT data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LOFT data block contains measurements of the actual loft imparted on a golf ball by the club head face at the point of impact with the golf ball, wherein said measurement is taken relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a TRAJECTORY parameter represented by a TRAJECTORY data block, wherein said TRAJECTORY data block contains measurements reflecting the club head'"'"'s vector relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a DYNAMIC LIE parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LIE data block, wherein said DYNAMIC data block contains measurements reflecting the test club'"'"'s indigenous lie angle and the test club'"'"'s dynamic lie angle at the point of impact;

a ROTATION parameter represented by a ROTATION data block, wherein said ROTATION data block contains measurements reflecting the delta from the test club head'"'"'s static position and the test club head'"'"'s dynamic position measured as a rotation of the club head about said club shaft'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

a HEIGHT parameter represented by a HEIGHT data block, wherein said HEIGHT data block contains measurements of the test golfer'"'"'s physical height.

15. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 14, said chosen parameters further comprising:

a SHOT CHOICE parameter represented by a SHOT CHOICE data block, wherein said SHOT CHOICE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to whether he desires a set that will enhance shot distance or accuracy; and

a SHAFT TYPE parameter represented by a SHAFT TYPE data block, wherein said SHAFT TYPE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to desired shafting material.

16. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 14, said inferences comprising:

a shaft flex inference, wherein said shaft flex inference comprises the union of a first shaft frequency and a second shaft frequency, wherein said first shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter;

a club head loft inference, wherein said club head loft inference comprises the union of a first loft parameter and a second loft parameter, wherein said first loft parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a lie angle inference, wherein said lie angle inference comprises the union of a club shaft length parameter and an effective lie angle parameter, said club shaft length parameter comprising the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said HEIGHT parameter plus the intersection of said SHOT CHOICE parameter and said SHAFT TYPE parameter, and wherein said effective lie angle comprises said DYNAMIC LIE parameter plus an effective lie angle parameter for a club used together said input data;

an offset inference, wherein said offset inference comprises the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter, and wherein said NET ROTATION parameter comprises the union of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a bounce angle inference, wherein said bounce angle inference comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a swing weight inference, wherein said swing weight inference comprises the union of a first swing weight parameter and a second swing weight parameter, wherein said first swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter;

a shaft weight inference, wherein said shaft weight inference comprises W'"'"', wherein W'"'"'=(((wt_x ×

W1)+(wt_y W2)+(wt_z ×

W3))÷

100), and wherein W1 comprises the intersection of said of said LENGTH parameter and said swing weight inference, and wherein W2 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein W3 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a bend point inference, wherein said bend point inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a shaft torque inference, wherein said shaft torque inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED date block with the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter; and

a grip size inference, wherein said grip size inference comprises the union of a first grip size parameter and a second grip size parameter, wherein said first grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter, and wherein said second grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said FACE ANGLE parameter and said ROTATION parameter.

17. A method for fitting golf clubs implemented by operating a computer to perform steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom; and

prescribing golf club chemistries based upon said inferences.

18. The method for fitting golf clubs recited in claim 17, the normalizing step comprising:

selecting input data corresponding to each chosen parameter;

determining a mean value for said selected input data;

determining a standard deviation for said selected input data;

comparing said selected input data to said mean value for said selected input data; and

eliminating any selected input data that is not within said standard deviation of said mean value determined for said selected input data.

19. A method for fitting golf clubs implemented by operating a computer to perform steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom;

prescribing golf club chemistries based upon said inferences;

said chosen parameters comprising;

a SPEED parameter represented by a SPEED data block, wherein said SPEED data block contains measurements of the golf club head speed at the point of impact with a golf ball;

a TEMPO parameter represented by a TEMPO data block, wherein said TEMPO data block contains measurements of the time required for the club head to travel from the address position to its impact point with the golf ball;

a FACE ANGLE parameter represented by a FACE ANGLE data block, wherein said FACE ANGLE data block contains measurements of the club head face relative to the club head'"'"'s swing path at the point of impact with the golf ball;

a DYNAMIC LOFT parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LOFT data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LOFT data block contains measurements of the actual loft imparted on a golf ball by the club head face at the point of impact with the golf ball, wherein said measurement is taken relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a TRAJECTORY parameter represented by a TRAJECTORY data block, wherein said TRAJECTORY data block contains measurements reflecting the club head'"'"'s vector relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a DYNAMIC LIE parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LIE data block, wherein said DYNAMIC data block contains measurements reflecting the test club'"'"'s indigenous lie angle and the test club'"'"'s dynamic lie angle at the point of impact;

a ROTATION parameter represented by a ROTATION data block, wherein said ROTATION data block contains measurements reflecting the delta from the test club head'"'"'s static position and the test club head'"'"'s dynamic position measured as a rotation of the club head about said club shaft'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

a HEIGHT parameter represented by a HEIGHT data block, wherein said HEIGHT data block contains measurements of the test golfer'"'"'s physical height.

20. The method for fitting golf clubs recited in claim 19, said chosen parameters further comprising:

a SHOT CHOICE parameter represented by a SHOT CHOICE data block, wherein said SHOT CHOICE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to whether he desires a set that will enhance shot distance or accuracy; and

a SHAFT TYPE parameter represented by a SHAFT TYPE data block, wherein said SHAFT TYPE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to desired shafting material.

21. The method for fitting golf clubs recited in claim 19, said inferences comprising:

a frequency gradient inference, wherein said frequency gradient inference comprises the union of a first frequency gradient parameter and a second frequency gradient parameter, wherein said first frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a loft gradient inference, wherein said loft gradient inference comprises the union of a first loft gradient parameter and a second loft gradient parameter, wherein said first loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of a parameter comprising a union of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter; and

a lie gradient inference, wherein said lie gradient inference comprises the union of a first lie gradient parameter and a second lie gradient parameter, wherein said first lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter, said NET ROTATION parameters comprising an intersection of said HEIGHT and said ROTATION parameters, and wherein said second lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter.

33. The method for fitting a golf club recited in claim 19, said inferences comprising:

a shaft flex inference, where in said shaft flex inference comprises the union of a first shaft frequency and a second shaft frequency, wherein said first shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second shaft frequency comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter;

a club head loft inference, wherein said club head loft inference comprises the union of a first loft parameter and a second loft parameter, wherein said first loft parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a lie angle inference, wherein said lie angle inference comprises the union of a club shaft length parameter and an effective lie angle parameter, said club shaft length parameter comprising the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said HEIGHT parameter plus the intersection of said SHOT CHOICE parameter and said SHAFT TYPE parameter, and wherein said effective lie angle comprises said DYNAMIC LIE parameter plus an effective lie angle parameter for a club used to gather said input data;

an offset inference, wherein said offset inference comprises the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter, and wherein aid NET ROTATION parameter comprises the union of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a bounce angle inference, wherein said bounce angle inference comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a swing weight inference, wherein said swing weight inference comprises the union of a first swing weight parameter and a second swing weight parameter, wherein said first swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second swing weight parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter;

a shaft weight inference, wherein said shaft weight inference comprises W'"'"', wherein W'"'"'=(((wt_x ×

W1)+(wt_y ×

W2)+(wt_z ×

W3))÷

100), and wherein W1 comprises the intersection of said of said LENGTH parameter and said swing weight inference, and wherein W2 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein W3 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a bend point inference, wherein said bend point inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a shaft torque inference, wherein said shaft torque inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED date block with the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter; and

a grip size inference, wherein said grip size inference comprises the union of a first grip size parameter and a second grip size parameter, wherein said first grips size parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter, and wherein said second grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said FACE ANGLE parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a frequency gradient inference, wherein said frequency gradient inference comprise the union of a first frequency gradient parameter and a second frequency gradient parameter, wherein said first frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LIFT parameter, and wherein said second frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a loft gradient inference, wherein said loft gradient inference comprises the union of a first loft gradient parameter and a second loft gradient parameter, wherein said first loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of a parameter comprising a union of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter; and

a lie gradient inference, wherein said lie gradient inference comprises the union of a first lie gradient parameter and a second lie gradient parameter, wherein said first lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter, said NET ROTATION parameter comprising an intersection of said HEIGHT and said ROTATION parameters, and wherein said second lie gradient parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter.

22. An article of manufacture having machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for fitting golf clubs, said method steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom; and

prescribing golf club chemistries based upon said inferences.

23. The article of manufacture recited in claim 22, the normalizing step comprising:

selecting input data corresponding to each chosen parameter;

determining a mean value for said selected input data;

determining a standard deviation for said selected input data;

comparing said selected input data to said mean value for said selected input data; and

eliminating any s elected input data that is not within said standard deviation of said mean value determined for said selected input data.

24. An article of manufacture having machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for fitting golf clubs, said method steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom;

prescribing golf club chemistries based upon said inferences;

said chosen parameters comprising;

a SPEED parameter represented by a SPEED data block, wherein said SPEED data block contains measurements of the golf club head speed at the point of impact with a golf ball;

a TEMPO parameter represented by a TEMPO data block, wherein said TEMPO data block contains measurements of the time required for the club head to travel from the address position to its impact point with the golf ball;

a FACE ANGLE parameter represented by a FACE ANGLE data block, wherein said FACE ANGLE data block contains measurements of the club head face relative to the club head'"'"'s swing path at the point of impact with the golf ball;

a DYNAMIC LOFT parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LOFT data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LOFT data block contains measurements of the actual loft imparted on a golf ball by the club head face at the point of impact with the golf ball, wherein said measurement is taken relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a TRAJECTORY parameter represented by a TRAJECTORY data block, wherein said TRAJECTORY data block contains measurements reflecting the club head'"'"'s vector relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a DYNAMIC LIE parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LIE data block, wherein said DYNAMIC data block contains measurements reflecting the test club'"'"'s indigenous lie angle and the test club'"'"'s dynamic lie angle at the point of impact;

a ROTATION parameter represented by a ROTATION data block, wherein said ROTATION data block contains measurements reflecting the delta from the test club head'"'"'s static position and the test club head'"'"'s dynamic position measured as a rotation of the club head about said club shaft'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

a HEIGHT parameter represented by a HEIGHT data block, wherein said HEIGHT data block contains measurements of the test golfer'"'"'s physical height.

26. The article of manufacture recited in claim 24, said inferences comprising:

a frequency gradient inference, wherein said frequency gradient inference comprise the union of a first frequency gradient parameter and a second frequency gradient parameter, wherein said first frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LIFT parameter, and wherein said second frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a loft gradient inference, wherein said loft gradient inference comprises the union of a first loft gradient parameter and a second loft gradient parameter, wherein said first loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of a parameter comprising a union of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter; and

a lie gradient inference, wherein said lie gradient inference comprises the union of a first lie gradient parameter and a second lie gradient parameter, wherein said first lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter, said NET ROTATION parameter comprising an intersection of said HEIGHT and said ROTATION parameters, and wherein said second lie gradient parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter.

34. The article of manufacture recited in claim 24, said inferences comprising:

a shaft flex inference, where in said shaft flex inference comprises the union of a first shaft frequency and a second shaft frequency, wherein said first shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second shaft frequency comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter;

a club head loft inference, wherein said club head loft inference comprises the union of a first loft parameter and a second loft parameter, wherein said first loft parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a lie angle inference, wherein said lie angle inference comprises the union of a club shaft length parameter and an effective lie angle parameter, said club shaft length parameter comprising the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said HEIGHT parameter plus the intersection of said SHOT CHOICE parameter and said SHAFT TYPE parameter, and wherein said effective lie angle comprises said DYNAMIC LIE parameter plus an effective lie angle parameter for a club used to gather said input data;

an offset inference, wherein said offset inference comprises the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter, and wherein aid NET ROTATION parameter comprises the union of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a bounce angle inference, wherein said bounce angle inference comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a swing weight inference, wherein said swing weight inference comprises the union of a first swing weight parameter and a second swing weight parameter, wherein said first swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second swing weight parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter;

a shaft weight inference, wherein said shaft weight inference comprises W'"'"', wherein W'"'"'=(((wt_x ×

W1)+(wt_y ×

W2)+(wt_z ×

W3))÷

100), and wherein W1 comprises the intersection of said of said LENGTH parameter and said swing weight inference, and wherein W2 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein W3 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a bend point inference, wherein said bend point inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a shaft torque inference, wherein said shaft torque inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED date block with the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter; and

a grip size inference, wherein said grip size inference comprises the union of a first grip size parameter and a second grip size parameter, wherein said first grips size parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter, and wherein said second grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said FACE ANGLE parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a frequency gradient inference, wherein said frequency gradient inference comprise the union of a first frequency gradient parameter and a second frequency gradient parameter, wherein said first frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LIFT parameter, and wherein said second frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a loft gradient inference, wherein said loft gradient inference comprises the union of a first loft gradient parameter and a second loft gradient parameter, wherein said first loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of a parameter comprising a union of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter; and

a lie gradient inference, wherein said lie gradient inference comprises the union of a first lie gradient parameter and a second lie gradient parameter, wherein said first lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter, said NET ROTATION parameter comprising an intersection of said HEIGHT and said ROTATION parameters, and wherein said second lie gradient parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter.

25. An article of manufacture having machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for fitting golf clubs, said method steps comprising:

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom;

prescribing golf club chemistries based upon said inferences;

the input data blocks further comprising;

a SHOT CHOICE parameter represented by a SHOT CHOICE data block, wherein said SHOT CHOICE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to whether he desires a set that will enhance shot distance or accuracy; and

a SHAFT TYPE parameter represented by a SHAFT TYPE data block, wherein said SHAFT TYPE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to desired shafting material.

27. A golf club fitting apparatus, comprising:

a data input interface means for receiving input data;

a memory to perform program instructions;

an output display; and

a processor coupled to said data input interface, said memory, and said output display, said processor being programmed to perform method steps comprising;

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom; and

prescribing, golf club chemistries based upon said inferences.

28. The method for fitting golf clubs recited in claim 27, the normalizing step comprising:

selecting input data corresponding to each chosen parameter;

determining a mean value for said selected input data;

determining a standard deviation for said selected input data;

comparing said selected input data to said mean value for said selected input data; and

eliminating any selected input data that is not within said standard deviation of said mean value determined for said selected input data.

29. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 27, the apparatus further comprising:

a display driver coupled to said processor; and

a visual display coupled to said display driver.

30. A golf club fitting apparatus, comprising:

a data input interface means for receiving input data;

a memory to perform program instructions;

an output display; and

a processor coupled to said data input interface, said memory, and said output display, said processor being programmed to perform method steps comprising;

receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements of parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

choosing parameters;

analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom;

prescribing golf club chemistries based upon said inferences;

said chosen parameters comprising;

a SPEED parameter represented by a SPEED data block, wherein said SPEED data block contains measurements of the golf club head speed at the point of impact with a golf ball;

a TEMPO parameter represented by a TEMPO data block, wherein said TEMPO data block contains measurements of the time required for the club head to travel from the address position to its impact point with the golf ball;

a FACE ANGLE parameter represented by a FACE ANGLE data block, wherein said FACE ANGLE data block contains measurements of the club head face relative to the club head'"'"'s swing path at the point of impact with the golf ball;

a DYNAMIC LOFT parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LOFT data block, wherein said DYNAMIC LOFT data block contains measurements of the actual loft imparted on a golf ball by the club head face at the point of impact with the golf ball, wherein said measurement is taken relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a TRAJECTORY parameter represented by a TRAJECTORY data block, wherein said TRAJECTORY data block contains measurements reflecting the club head'"'"'s vector relative to the ground plane upon which the golfer is standing;

a DYNAMIC LIE parameter represented by a DYNAMIC LIE data block, wherein said DYNAMIC data block contains measurements reflecting the test club'"'"'s indigenous lie angle and the test club'"'"'s dynamic lie angle at the point of impact;

a ROTATION parameter represented by a ROTATION data block, wherein said ROTATION data block contains measurements reflecting the delta from the test club head'"'"'s static position and the test club head'"'"'s dynamic position measured as a rotation of the club head about said club shaft'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

a HEIGHT parameter represented by a HEIGHT data block, wherein said HEIGHT data block contains measurements of the test golfer'"'"'s physical height.

31. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 30, said chosen parameters further comprising:

a SHOT CHOICE parameter represented by a SHOT CHOICE data block, wherein said SHOT CHOICE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to whether he desires a set that will enhance shot distance or accuracy; and

a SHAFT TYPE parameter represented by a SHAFT TYPE data block, wherein said SHAFT TYPE data block contains a subjective choice made by the test golfer as to desired shafting material.

32. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 30, said inferences comprising:

a frequency gradient inference, wherein said frequency gradient inference comprises the union of a first frequency gradient parameter and a second frequency gradient parameter, wherein said first frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a loft gradient inference, wherein said loft gradient inference comprises the union of a first loft gradient parameter and a second loft gradient parameter, wherein said first loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and wherein said second loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of a parameter comprising a union of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter; and

a lie gradient inference, wherein said lie gradient inference comprises the union of a first lie gradient parameter and a second lie gradient parameter, wherein said first lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter, said NET ROTATION parameter comprising an intersection of said HEIGHT and said ROTATION parameters, and wherein said second lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter.

35. The golf club fitting apparatus recited in claim 30, the prescription parameters comprising:

a shaft flex inference, where in said shaft flex inference comprises the union of a first shaft frequency and a second shaft frequency, wherein said first shaft frequency comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second shaft frequency comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter;

a club head loft inference, wherein said club head loft inference comprises the union of a first loft parameter and a second loft parameter, wherein said first loft parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a lie angle inference, wherein said lie angle inference comprises the union of a club shaft length parameter and an effective lie angle parameter, said club shaft length parameter comprising the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said HEIGHT parameter plus the intersection of said SHOT CHOICE parameter and said SHAFT TYPE parameter, and wherein said effective lie angle comprises said DYNAMIC LIE parameter plus an effective lie angle parameter for a club used to gather said input data;

an offset inference, wherein said offset inference comprises the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter, and wherein aid NET ROTATION parameter comprises the union of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a bounce angle inference, wherein said bounce angle inference comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a swing weight inference, wherein said swing weight inference comprises the union of a first swing weight parameter and a second swing weight parameter, wherein said first swing weight parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein said second swing weight parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter;

a shaft weight inference, wherein said shaft weight inference comprises W'"'"', wherein W'"'"'=(((wt_x ×

W1)+(wt_y ×

W2)+(wt_z ×

W3))÷

100), and wherein W1 comprises the intersection of said of said LENGTH parameter and said swing weight inference, and wherein W2 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said TEMPO parameter, and wherein W3 comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a bend point inference, wherein said bend point inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter;

a shaft torque inference, wherein said shaft torque inference comprises the intersection of said SPEED date block with the union of said NET ROTATION parameter and said FACE ANGLE parameter; and

a grip size inference, wherein said grip size inference comprises the union of a first grip size parameter and a second grip size parameter, wherein said first grips size parameter comprises the intersection of said HEIGHT parameter and said ROTATION parameter, and wherein said second grip size parameter comprises the intersection of said FACE ANGLE parameter and said ROTATION parameter;

a frequency gradient inference, wherein said frequency gradient inference comprise the union of a first frequency gradient parameter and a second frequency gradient parameter, wherein said first frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LIFT parameter, and wherein said second frequency gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter;

a loft gradient inference, wherein said loft gradient inference comprises the union of a first loft gradient parameter and a second loft gradient parameter, wherein said first loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter, and wherein said second loft gradient parameter comprises the intersection of a parameter comprising a union of said DYNAMIC LOFT parameter and said TRAJECTORY parameter; and

a lie gradient inference, wherein said lie gradient inference comprises the union of a first lie gradient parameter and a second lie gradient parameter, wherein said first lie gradient parameter comprises the intersection of said DYNAMIC LIE parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter, said NET ROTATION parameter comprising an intersection of said HEIGHT and said ROTATION parameters, and wherein said second lie gradient parameter comprise the intersection of said SPEED parameter and said NET ROTATION parameter.

36. An apparatus for fitting golf clubs to a golfer, comprising:

means for receiving machine readable input data from an input data source, wherein said input data comprises measurements or parameters for a plurality of swings of a single golf club;

means for normalizing said input data to eliminate aberrant input data;

means for choosing parameters;

means for analyzing the interrelationship of at least two of said chosen parameters to determine inferences therefrom; and

means for prescribing a golf club chemistry based upon said inferences.

37. A method for prescribing a set of golf clubs for a golfer, the method comprising:

using parameters indicative of the golfer'"'"'s golf club swing;

characterizing a primal swing for the golfer responsive to the parameters;

determining a range of club characteristics for a reference club responsive to the determined characteristics, the reference club being one club in the set of clubs; and

prescribing additional clubs for the golf club set by defining incremental parameter differences from the reference club.