Systems and methods for fitting golf equipment

• US 7,166,035 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Inventors: Voges, Mitchell Clark, Hollister, Daniel Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US10/722,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 473221-223, 473/289, 473/409, 73/13.7, 73/17.9, 73/18.1, 737/60, 737/63, 737/67, 737/73, 737/81, 737/91
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills

Abstract

A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer'"'"'s swing and determining if the golfer'"'"'s swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer'"'"'s swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer'"'"'s swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer'"'"'s swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.

Claims

1. A golf equipment fitting system, comprising:

a launch data collection system, comprising a high speed color camera system configured to obtain information related to the launch of a golf ball based on color markings on the golf ball, the color markings comprising at least two different colors;

a swing data collection system, comprising;

a strain gauge configured to sense shaft deflection;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the strain gauge, the wireless transmitter configured to receive data from the strain gauge and to transmit the receive data; and

a processor system configured to optimize the launch angle, spin rate, and velocity of a golf ball for a particular golfer based on the received launch information and strain gauge data, wherein the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate are optimized so as to allow the golfer to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball.

2. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the swing data collection system is further configured to derive a load time for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

3. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the swing data collection system is further configured to derive a load pattern for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

4. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the swing data collection system is further configured to derive ramp potential for the golfer'"'"'s swing based on the received swing data.

5. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the swing data collection system is further configured to derive a load time, a load pattern, and a ramp potential based on the received swing data and to derive a shaft flex based on the derived load time, load pattern, and shaft potential.

6. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the golf fitting system further comprises a display, and wherein the swing data collection system is configured to display information related to the received data on the display.

7. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 6, wherein the swing data collection system is configured to display the information in a graphical format.

8. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense the lead or lag deflection of the shaft.

9. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense the toe up or toe down deflection of the shaft.

10. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge is configured to sense a peak deflection of the shaft.

11. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the swing data collection system farther comprises a strap configured to secure the wireless transmitter.

12. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 11, wherein the wireless transmitter is coupled to each of the plurality of strain gauges, and wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to receive data from each of the plurality of strain gauges and to transmit the received data to the shaft fitting system.

13. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the strain gauge and wireless transmitter comprises a single device.

14. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the swing data collection system further comprises a plurality of strain gauges each of the plurality of strain gauges configured to sense shaft deflection.

15. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 14, wherein the swing data collection system further comprises a plurality of wireless transmitters, each of the plurality of wireless transmitters coupled to one of the plurality of strain gauges, and wherein each of the plurality of wireless transmitters is configured to receive data from the associated strain gauge and transmit it to the shaft fitting system.

16. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the information obtained by the launch data collection system includes information related to the initial velocity of a golf ball as it is launched.

17. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the information obtained by the launch data collection system includes information related to the spin rate of a golf ball as it is launched.

18. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 17, wherein the spin rate information obtained by the launch data collection system includes information related to the backspin of the golf ball.

19. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 17, wherein the spin rate information obtained by the launch data collection system includes information related to the sidespin of the golf ball.

20. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 17, wherein the spin rate information obtained by the launch data collection system includes information related to the rifle spin of the golf ball.

21. The golf equipment fitting system of claim 1, wherein the information obtained by the launch data collection system includes information related to the launch angle of a golf ball as it is launched.