Precise fit golf club fitting system and golf shaft selection methods and apparatus

• US 6,719,648 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1997
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Earl F. Smith
• Original Assignee: Earl F. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Earl F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blau, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US08/863,893
• Time in Patent Office: 2,512 Days
• Field of Search: 473/409, 473/289, 473/223, 744/91
• US Class Current: 473/409
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/10 Non-metallic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/12 Metallic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing

Abstract

The invention related to methods and a system fro precisely fitting a golfer to a selected stiffness of golf shaft and to a selected flex choice of golf shaft. Heretofore and presently, a long felt need exists for methods and means to precisely fitting a golfer to a particular golf shaft whose values of stiffness and flex choice are applicable to a player of a specific skill level in the game of golf. Present day club fitting systems and methods are very expensive, complex and do not provide methods and means for precisely fitting a golfer to the most important part of a golf club, the golf shaft and its stiffness and flex point or kick point values, to allow a player to possess accuracy and consistency in his or her golf swing/shot performance. The present inventive methods and the system invention disclosed herein satisfy this long felt need and provide accurate selection of a golf shaft for a player by providing the particular methods and analysis set forth hereinafter.

Claims

1. A method of precisely fitting a golfer to a selected stiffness of a golf shaft and to a selected flex choice of a golf shaft comprising the steps of:

a) electronically testing and recording a golfers club head swing speeds a plurality of times;

b) electronically determining, recording and storing for analysis a predetermined plurality of reliable club head swing speeds;

c) electronically providing a plurality of predetermined club head swing speeds ranges, one for each shaft stiffness value;

d) electronically selecting said stiffness of a golf shaft to fit said golfer by comparing said tested and recorded plurality of reliable swing speeds to said plurality of predetermined club head swing speeds ranges, and making the electronic selection based upon a comparative speed range for said shaft stiffness value; and

further including the steps of electronically selecting a preferred flex choice for said selected shaft stiffened by;

e) electronically testing a plurality of golf shafts of the same selected stiffness value and having different flex choices;

f) electronically recording and storing a plurality of angle/degrees values and respective club head swing speeds for each of said plurality of golf shafts as they are tested;

g) electronically determining by predetermined analysis which set of recorded angle/degrees values for each shaft tested is closest to zero degrees; and

h) electronically selecting the golf shaft flex choice for said golfer based upon the flex of the set for which the recorded angle/degrees values is closer to zero.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 further including the step of electronically selecting the golf shaft flex choice based upon the set of said angle/degrees values wherein the average value is closest to zero degrees.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of electronically selecting the golf shaft flex choice based upon the set for which the said recorded angle/degrees values is closest to zero for a selected and tested shaft stiffness value, is made within an angle/degrees range of 0 to 15 degrees.

4. A method as defined in claims 1 or 2, including:

a) electronically providing a specific plurality of angle/degrees ranges of;

0 to 8 degrees, 0 to 11 degrees, 0 to 15 degrees and greater than 15 degrees, each open or closed at impact; and

utilizing these said ranges for the electronic programmed selection of a proper flex choice for the golfer being tested.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein for said angle/degrees ranges of 0 to 8 degrees, 0 to 11 degrees, and 0 to 15 degrees, the priority electronic selection is based on angle/degrees values closest to zero degrees, higher reliable club head swings speeds being secondary to this said priority.

6. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein for the angle/degrees range of greater than 15 degrees, the priority electronic selection is based on swing path, with a first choice of “

straight”

, a second choice of “

inside-out”

, and a third choice of “

outside-in”

, the recorded angle/degrees values and club head swing speeds being secondary to said choices.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 further including the step of testing shaft flex choices of low, mid, mid-high, and high.

8. A computer software controlled system for precisely fitting a golfer to a selected stiffness of a golf shaft and to a selected flex choice of a golf shaft comprising:

a) first electronic means for testing, recording and storing a golfer'"'"'s club head swing speeds a plurality of times;

b) second electronic means for determining, recording and storing for analysis a predetermined plurality of reliable club head swing speeds;

c) third electronic means for providing a plurality of predetermined club head swing speeds ranges, one for each shaft stiffness value;

d) fourth electronic means for selecting said stiffness of a golf shaft to fit said golfer by comparing the tested and recorded plurality of reliable swing speeds to said plurality of predetermined club head swing speeds ranges and selecting a shaft stiffness based upon a comparative speed range for said shaft stiffness value;

e) fifth electronic means for selecting a preferred flex choice for said selected shaft stiffness by providing means for testing a plurality of golf shafts of the same selected stiffness value and having different flex choices, and by providing means for recording and storing a plurality of open or closed at impact angle/degrees values for each of said plurality of golf shafts as they are tested;

f) sixth electronic means for determining by predetermined analysis which set of said recorded angle/degrees values for each shaft tested is closest to zero degrees, and for determining which set of said values wherein the average value is closest to zero degrees; and

g) seventh electronic means for selecting the golf shaft flex choice for said golfer based upon that set forth in step f) above.

9. The system as defined in claim 8 further including display means for visually displaying said system operations controlled by software and for displaying to the tested golfer or a system operator data identifying the golf shaft stiffness and flex choice selection made by the said system.

10. The system as defined in claim 8 further including printer means for printing documentation of a golfer'"'"'s physical measurements and special needs, grip size diameter, proper lie, shaft length, and shaft cutting instructions, for building the golf equipment for the tested golfer.

11. The system as defined in claim 8, wherein said system is operational on a fully-automated basis and also on a semi-automated basis which includes operator intervention and system control.

12. The system as defined in claim 8 including means for transmitting from one site location, said electronically recorded and stored data of reliable club head swings speeds values and respective angle/degrees values, to receiving means located at another site location at or near a manufacturing site so that the data can be analyzed and processed and golf clubs built in accordance with the electronic selections made, and shipped to the golfer/player customer and the like.