Systems and methods for fitting golf equipment

• US 7,967,695 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Max Out Golf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Max Out Golf Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Voges, Mitchell Clark, Hollister, Daniel Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US11/620,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 473151-152, 473155-156, 473221-223, 473/409, 737/67, 737/73, 734/88, 734/91, 734/92, 737/81, 737/91
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• 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 method for fitting a golfer with golf equipment, comprising:

in a launch module, receiving launch data from a launch monitor related to how a golfer strikes a golf ball using a golf club;

in the launch module, using the received launch data to optimize a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball, and transforming the data for display on a display; and

selecting a maximum ceiling height for golf ball trajectory that is not based on how the specific golfer hits the golf ball, and wherein matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate comprises matching velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate determined based at least in part on the maximum ceiling height, wherein said optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate and said matching velocity and a combination of launch angle and spin rate determined based at least in part on the maximum ceiling height are performed in computer having a processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying information related to the received launch data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the information is displayed in a graphical format.

4. A method for fitting a golfer with golf equipment, comprising:

in a launch module, receiving launch data obtained when a golfer swings a first shaft and club head combination;

in the launch module, optimizing a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the launch data, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball;

iteratively changing a combination of characteristics of at least one of the shaft and the club head until the optimized launch angle, velocity and spin rate are achieved; and

selecting a maximum ceiling height for golf ball trajectory that is not based on how the specific golfer hits the golf ball, and wherein matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate comprises matching velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate determined based at least in part on the maximum ceiling height, wherein said optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate and said matching velocity and a combination of launch angle and spin rate determined based at least in part on the maximum ceiling height are performed in computer having a processor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the launch data includes launch monitor data obtained from a launch monitor.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving launch data obtained when a golfer swings a second shaft and club head combination formed after changing a combination of characteristics of at least one of the shaft and the club head;

optimizing a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the launch data, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball; and

further changing a combination of characteristics of at least one of the shaft and the club head to achieve the optimized launch angle, velocity and spin rate thereby forming a third club head and shaft combination.