Method for matching a golfer with a particular golf club style

• US 20030040380A1
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Wright, Ian C., Anderson, David, Roberts, Peter J., Vincent, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 7,041,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/409
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/002 Resonance frequency related characteristics
• 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
• 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 69/3632 Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00

Abstract

A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.

Claims

1. A method for determining the preferred mechanical properties of a golf club for a golfer being fitted based upon a swing type determined for the golfer, the method comprising:

measuring a set of performance parameters while the golfer being fitted makes a plurality of golf swings with a golf club;

comparing the set of performance parameters with a set of values for a plurality of predetermined swing types, each of which is associated with one golf club from a plurality of golf clubs, each having a unique combination of mechanical properties;

selecting a swing type from the plurality of predetermined swing types by substantially matching the measured set of performance parameters with the set of values for the plurality of predetermined swing types; and

selecting a golf club from the plurality of golf clubs, the selected golf club corresponding to the selected swing type for the golfer being fitted.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring the motion of a body part of the golfer being fitted.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring the motion of the hands of the golfer being fitted.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters includes measuring the minimum speed of the golfer'"'"'s hands during the golf swing.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring at least one phase of the golfer'"'"'s golf swing, including a first phase, which includes a top portion of the golf swing, a second phase, which includes a portion of the golf swing during which a golfer'"'"'s wrists are uncocking, and a third phase, which includes a portion of the golf swing wherein the golf club contacts a golf ball.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring the position of the golfer'"'"'s hands relative to the golf club during at least one phase of the swing.

7. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring the velocity of the golfer'"'"'s hands during at least one phase of the swing.

8. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring the rotation velocity of the golfer'"'"'s hands during at least one phase of the swing.

9. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises measuring the acceleration of the golfer'"'"'s hands during at least one phase of the swing.

10. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein measuring a set of performance parameters comprises:

measuring at least one of (i) the velocity of the golf club head, and (ii) deflection of the golf club shaft, during at least one phase of the golfer'"'"'s golf swing; and

measuring at least one of (i) the position of the golfer'"'"'s hands relative to the golf ball, (ii) the velocity of the golfer'"'"'s hands, (iii) the rotation velocity of the golfer'"'"'s hands, and (iv) the acceleration of the golfer'"'"'s hands, during at least one phase of the golfer'"'"'s golf swing.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein selecting between a plurality of styles of golf clubs includes selecting between styles of golf clubs having distinct shaft weighting configurations.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein selecting between a plurality of styles of golf clubs includes selecting between styles of golf clubs having distinct shaft flexibilities.

13. A method for matching a golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles, comprising:

measuring a set of performance parameters from the golf swings of a group of previously fitted golfers;

recording a club style preference for each golfer in the group of previously fitted golfers; and

classifying the group of previously fitted golfers into subgroups using at least some of the performance parameters, wherein golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, and further comprising:

having a golfer being fitted take a golf swing with a golf club;

measuring performance parameters of the golf swing of the golfer being fitted;

classifying the golf swing of the golfer being fitted into a swing type based upon at least some of the measured performance parameters; and

selecting between the plurality of styles of golf clubs based upon the swing type of the golf swing of the golfer being fitted.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein measuring the set of performance parameters comprises using a three-dimensional analysis system.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein using the three-dimensional analysis system comprises using at least one camera.

17. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein using the three-dimensional analysis system comprises using a micro-electro-mechanical system having at least one accelerometer and one rate gyro.

18. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein measuring performance parameters comprises sampling at a rate of at least about 120 samples per second, such that the accuracy in measuring (i) the position of a body part of the golfer being fitted along three axes is determined within about 5 millimeters, (ii) the angle of a body part of the golfer being fitted is determined within about 2 degrees, (iii) the velocity of a body part of the golfer being fitted is determined within about 0.5 meters per second, and (iv) the rotational velocity of a body part of the golfer being fitted is determined within about 10 degrees per second.

19. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein measuring performance parameters includes measuring a minimum hand speed during the golf swing.

20. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein measuring performance parameters includes measuring the time delay from the time of the start of the test golfer'"'"'s downswing to the time of peak hand speed.

21. A method for fitting a golfer with a particular golf club selected from a predetermined set of golf clubs having different physical characteristics, the method comprising:

(a) generating a data set indicative of a relationship between certain swing parameters and golf club preferences for a plurality of previously fitted golfers, wherein the step of generating includes

(1) determining which golf club from the predetermined set of golf clubs is preferred, as providing the best performance for each of the plurality of previously fitted golfers,

(2) determining a plurality of swing parameters for each of the plurality of previously fitted golfers, including having each such golfer swing a golf club while monitoring certain characteristics of such swing, and

(3) correlating the swing parameters determined for each of the plurality of previously fitted golfers with physical characteristics of the particular golf club from the predetermined set of golf clubs preferred for such pre-test golfer, to generate a data set indicative of relationships therebetween;

(b) having the golfer being fitted swing a golf club, while monitoring certain characteristics of such swing, to determine a plurality of swing parameters for such golfer; and

(c) selecting a golf club from the predetermined set of golf clubs for optimal use by the golfer being fitted based on the data set and the plurality of swing parameters determined for such golfer.

22. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein:

the method further comprises recording prescribed non-swing-related parameters for the golfer being fitted; and

the step of selecting is further based on the non-swing-related parameters recorded for the golfer being fitted.

23. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein selecting comprises weighting the swing parameters according to their importance.

24. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein selecting further comprises:

summing together values determined for each golf club of the predetermined set of golf clubs, for all of the swing parameters; and

selecting the particular golf club having the largest sum of values as the optimal golf club for the golfer being fitted.

25. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein the plurality of swing parameters include peak hand-speed during the downswing.