Golf club selection calculator and method

• US 6,569,040 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alden S. Bradstock
• Original Assignee: Alden S. Bradstock
• Inventors: Bradstock, Alden S.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US09/882,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20020038515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 473/407, 434/252, 235/88.G, 235/78.G, 235/88.R, 235/78.R
• US Class Current: 473/407
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club

Abstract

A method of calculating golf club selection, and a calculator for implementing the method. The method involves making an initial club selection based on distance to the target, and then offsetting the initial club selection in accordance with each one of a group of factors including wind direction/speed, slope at the ball, slope at the target, target elevation, and firmness of the ground at the target. The calculator wheel for implementing the method has three overlying disks pivotally attached at the centers for calculating proper club selection based on a variety of club selection factors. The lower disk bears a plurality of radial legends each representing a club selection factor (such as wind direction/speed, slope (lie) at the ball, slope at the target, target elevation, and firmness of the ground at the target), and another legend representing available club options. The central disk has a transparent section with radial indicia for showing through the club selection factor legends on the lower disk, and a window for showing through the available club options. The central disk also has a radial legend representing distance to the target. The upper disk has a first transparent section for showing through the distance to the target legend on the central disk, thereby allowing selection of distance to target. The upper disk also has a second transparent section for showing through the available club options on the lower disk to allow proper club selection. The three disks can be relatively positioned to consistently calculate proper club selection based on all of the necessary club selection factors, thereby giving the golfer confidence in club selection and fostering confidence in shot making.

Claims

1. A golf accessory for calculating proper club selections, comprising three overlying disks pivotally centrally and rotatably attached and including:

a lower disk bearing a radial legend representing at least one club selection factor selected from a group consisting of wind direction/speed, slope (lie) at the ball, slope at the target, and firmness of the ground at the target;

a central disk having a window for displaying a portion of the legend on said lower disk, said central disk also having a radial legend representing distances to the target;

an upper disk having a second window for displaying a portion of the legend on said central disk.

2. The golf accessory for calculating proper club selections according to claim 1, wherein said lower disk bears a second radial legend representing available club options.

3. The golf accessory for calculating proper club selections according to claim 1, wherein said at least one club selection factor on said lower disk is wind direction/speed.

4. The golf accessory for calculating proper club selections according to claim 1, wherein said at least one club selection factor on said lower disk is slope at the ball.

5. The golf accessory for calculating proper club selections according to claim 1, wherein said at least one club selection factor on said lower disk is slope at the target.

6. The golf accessory for calculating proper club selections according to claim 1, wherein said at least one club selection factor on said lower disk is firmness of the ground at the target.

7. The golf accessory for calculating proper club selections according to claim 2, wherein said central disk window shows through the available club options.

8. A golf accessory for calculating proper club selections, comprising three overlying disks pivotally attached at the centers and including:

a lower disk bearing a plurality of radial legends each representing a club selection factor selected from a group consisting of wind direction/speed, slope (lie) at the ball, slope at the target, and firmness of the ground at the target, and a legend representing available club options;

a central disk having a transparent section with indicia for showing through the plurality of radial legends a club selection factor on the lower disk as well as the available club options, and for allowing rotatable adjustment of the lower disk relative to the central disk, said central disk also having a radial legend representing distance to the target;

an upper disk having a first transparent section for showing through the distance to the target legend on the central disk, thereby allowing rotatable adjustment of the upper disk relative to the central disks to select distance to target, and further having a second transparent section for showing through the available club options on the lower disk to allow proper club selection.

9. A method for selecting a golf club for a particular shot, comprising the steps of:

calculating a club selection offset in accordance with each one of a group of factors consisting of wind direction/speed, slope (lie) at the ball, slope at the target, target elevation, and firmness of the ground at the target;

calculating a club selection based on distance to the target and relative to said club selection offset; and

indicating said club selection.

10. The method for selecting a golf club for a particular shot according to claim 9, wherein said steps of calculating a club selection offset and calculating a club selection are both accomplished by dialing overlying disks of a calculator wheel.

11. The method for selecting a golf club for a particular shot according to claim 9, wherein said step of calculating a club selection offset further comprises calculating a number of upward or downward club adjustments based on said factors, and said step of indicating a corrected club selection further comprises displaying said club adjustment to the golfer.