Method and apparatus for determining golf ball performance versus golf club configuration in accordance with a golfer's individual swing characteristics
First Claim
1. A golf analysis system for analyzing a golfer'"'"'s swing, comprising:
- a striking location to accommodate a golf ball to be struck with a golf club, the golf club including a grip portion and a head;
a first camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture side view images of the ball;
a second camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture side view images of the grip portion and the golfer'"'"'s wrists;
a third camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture front view images of the ball before and after being struck by the club;
a force plate positioned under said striking location such that the golfer will stand atop the force plate when addressing the golf ball;
a computer operatively coupled to said first, second, and third cameras and said force plate, said computer including;
memory for storing data received from said first, second, and third cameras and said force plate; and
analyzing software for analyzing data supplied to said computer; and
a rail positioned on said striking location so as to be intermediate the golfer'"'"'s feet and the golf ball;
wherein said rail comprises measurement indica thereon; and
a first display operatively coupled to said computer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided for analyzing a golfer'"'"'s individual swing attributes and determining, based on that analysis, a suitable golf club configuration for that golfer. The swing analysis apparatus include video cameras for obtaining video images of a golfer swinging a golf club, such as a putter, at a golf ball. Images obtained from the video cameras may then be analyzed to determine what golf club dimensions will provide improved results in combination with the golfer'"'"'s individual swing characteristics. The apparatus may additionally include a golf club having predetermined dimensions. When such a golf club is included, images from the video cameras may be analyzed to determine how the golf club of known dimensions must be adjusted to provide the golfer with desirable swing results. The apparatus may also include a method for confirming the dimensions that it is believed will provide a golfer with improve swing results.
66 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A golf analysis system for analyzing a golfer'"'"'s swing, comprising:
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a striking location to accommodate a golf ball to be struck with a golf club, the golf club including a grip portion and a head; a first camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture side view images of the ball; a second camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture side view images of the grip portion and the golfer'"'"'s wrists; a third camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture front view images of the ball before and after being struck by the club; a force plate positioned under said striking location such that the golfer will stand atop the force plate when addressing the golf ball; a computer operatively coupled to said first, second, and third cameras and said force plate, said computer including; memory for storing data received from said first, second, and third cameras and said force plate; and analyzing software for analyzing data supplied to said computer; and a rail positioned on said striking location so as to be intermediate the golfer'"'"'s feet and the golf ball; wherein said rail comprises measurement indica thereon; and a first display operatively coupled to said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A golf analysis system for analyzing a golfer'"'"'s swing, comprising:
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a striking location to accommodate the golfer, a golf club, and a golf ball to be struck with the golf club, the golf club including a grip portion and a head, wherein a rail is positioned on the striking location so as to be intermediate the golfer'"'"'s feet and the golf ball; wherein the rail comprises measurement indicia; and a first camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture side view images of the club head; a second camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture side view images of the grip portion and the golfer'"'"'s wrists; a third camera directed at said striking location and positioned to capture front view images of the club head; a computer operatively coupled to said first, second, and third cameras, said computer including; memory for storing data received from said first, second, and third cameras; and analyzing software for analyzing data supplied to said computer; a first display operatively coupled to said computer; and a laser device positioned in front of the golfer and oriented to project a laser beam at the club head such that said laser beam will be reflected onto a predetermined location when the golf club is properly positioned at address. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification