Method of selecting a golf club

• US 20040127303A1
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Teraoka, Hiroshi
• Application Number:
  US10/331,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20040127303A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/196
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

A method for selecting a golf club suitable for a golfer includes step (a) of obtaining at least one of head speed and hit-ball data (initial velocity, launch angle, backspin, side spin, and travel distance) when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club; step (b) of obtaining ideal hit-ball data of the golfer on the basis of the head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (a); step (c) of providing a guideline for showing a way of modifying the golf club used in step (a) in order to obtain hit-ball data close to the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b); and step (d) of obtaining head speed and hit-ball data when the golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club for trial hit which matches, to the extent possible, the guideline provided in step (c).

Claims

1. A method for selecting a golf club suitable for a golfer, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining at least one of head speed and hit-ball data when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club;

(b) obtaining ideal hit-ball data of the golfer on the basis of said at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (a);

(c) providing a guideline for showing a way of modifying the golf club used in step (a) in order to obtain hit-ball data close to the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b), the guideline being provided on the basis of said at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (a) and the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b);

(d) obtaining at least one of head speed and hit-ball data when the golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club for trial hit which matches, to the extent possible, the guideline provided in step (c); and

(e) displaying one or more items selected from said at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (a), the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b), the guideline provided in step (c), and said at least one of head speed and hit-ball data obtained in step (d).

2. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing specifications of an ideal golf club which enables obtainment of hit-ball data close to the ideal hit-ball data obtained in step (b), the specifications being provided on the basis of specifications of the golf club used in step (a) and the guideline provided in step (c).

3. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 2, further comprising the step of printing out the specifications of the ideal golf club on a sheet of paper that is to become a post card.

4. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 2, further comprising the step of outputting the specifications of the ideal golf club to a floppy disk.

5. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 1, wherein in step (a), the golfer hits a golf ball by use of a golf club which the golfer has used up to now.

6. A method for selecting a golf club according to claim 1, wherein the hit-ball data include at least one selected from initial velocity, launch angle, backspin, side spin, and travel distance of a hit ball.