Method for matching golfer with a ball

• US 6,086,487 A
• Filed: 04/02/1999
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Morgan, William E., Bohn, Mary Lou
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, PAUL D
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, PAUL D
• Application Number:
  US09/283,967
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 473/351, 473/131, 473/407, 473/409, 473/289, 473/278, 473/292, 473/385
• US Class Current: 473/407
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

A method for selecting a golf ball whose performance characteristics match a golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics for the purpose of reducing the golfer'"'"'s score. The method comprises the steps of determining a golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics, prioritizing ball performance characteristics, and selecting a golf ball from a predetermined set of golf balls which best matches the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics to ball performance characteristics.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a golf ball from a predetermined set of golf balls comprising the steps of:

a) determining a golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics through an interactive process;

b) prioritizing ball performance characteristics through a second interactive process taking into account the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics; and

c) selecting a golf ball from the set of golf balls which best matches the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics for the purpose of reducing the golfer'"'"'s score.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics comprises using an algorithm having a plurality of interactive questions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics are determined from a plurality of playing characteristics including one or more of the following:

shot distance for a predetermined club, shot shape, shot accuracy, shot consistency, aid short game ability.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of prioritizing the ball performance characteristics comprises an interactive process, taking into account tile golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics, of evaluating the opposing ball characteristics.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the opposing ball performance characteristics comprise one or more of the following:

distance, spin, durability, and feel.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of evaluating the opposing ball performance characteristics includes comparing at least one of a first group of characteristics comprising spin and feel versus at least one of a second group of characteristics comprising durability and distance to determine the ball performance characteristics.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the golfer is identified as having a typical shot shape selected from the following:

a) golfers who work the ball;

b) golfers with a consistent shot shape;

c) golfers with an uncertain shot shape; and

d) players having difficulty keeping the ball in play due to an uncertain shot shape.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein a ball performance characteristic is selected by the golfer expressing a preference of golf ball spin versus golf ball durability.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein a golf ball performance characteristic is selected by the golfer expressing a preference of golf ball spin versus golf ball distance.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein a ball performance characteristic is selected by the golfer expressing a preference of golf ball feel versus golf ball distance.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristic of shot accuracy is evaluated by considering one or more of a drive or an approach shot.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristic of shot accuracy is evaluated by considering whether a successful approach shot consists of one or more of hitting close to the pin or hitting the green.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristic of shot accuracy is evaluated by considering whether a typical drive consists of one or more of hitting the fairway or is out of play.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of determining the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristic and prioritizing ball performance characteristics is performed by a CD-ROM programmed to present a golfer with a series of questions about their golf game that aids in identifying said golfer'"'"'s style of play and golf ball performance needs.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of determining the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristic and prioritizing ball performance characteristics is performed by a world wide web site programmed to present a golfer with a series of questions about their golf game that aids in identifying said golfer'"'"'s style of play and golf ball performance needs.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of determining the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristic and prioritizing ball performance characteristics is performed by using a computer program stored on one or more of a plurality of data storage devices.

17. A golf ball fitting system for matching a golfer to a particular golf ball selected from a predetermined set of golf balls comprising:

a) a computing device;

b) an input device associated with the computing device for receiving input from a golfer and transmitting it to said computing device;

c) a computer program associated with said computing device and said input device comprising at least a first set of predetermined interactive questions for determining the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics;

d) a second set of predetermined interactive questions taking into account the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics for determining and prioritizing ball performance characteristics; and

e) wherein said computer program selects a preferred ball from the set of balls to best match the golfer'"'"'s critical playing characteristics and ball performance characteristics.

18. The golf ball fitting system of claim 17, wherein the first set of predetermined interactive questions for detaining the critical playing characteristics include one or more of the following playing characteristics:

shot distance for a predetermined club, shot shape, shot accuracy, shot consistency, and short game ability.

19. The golf ball fitting system of claim 17, wherein the opposing ball performance characteristics comprise one or more of the following:

distance, spin, durability, and feel.

20. The golf ball fitting system of claim 19, wherein the ball performance characteristics comprises:

a) golf ball spin versus golf ball durability;

b) golf ball spin versus golf ball distance;

or

c) golf ball feel versus golf ball distance.