Methods, Apparatus, and Systems to Custom Fit Golf Clubs

• US 20090088275A1
• Filed: 03/19/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Wood, Paul D., Swartz, Gregory J., Solheim, John K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,371,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/409
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• 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 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 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

Embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems to custom fit golf clubs are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving physical characteristic information, performance characteristic information, and shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

generating a plurality of displays based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs, the plurality of displays comprising at least one of a three-dimensional trajectory display, a two-dimensional trajectory display, or a shot dispersion display.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, and shot characteristic information associated with the individual comprises receiving information associated with at least one of gender, age, dominant hand, hand dimension, height, or wrist-to-floor distance of the individual.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, and shot characteristic information associated with the individual comprises receiving information associated with at least one of an average carry distance of one or more golf clubs, a golf handicap, or a golf preference associated with distance, direction, trajectory, or shot pattern of the individual.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, and shot characteristic information associated with the individual comprises receiving information associated with at least one of speed of a golf club during a shot, speed of a golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, launch angle of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, back spin of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, side spin of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, smash factor of the golf ball, total distance of the shot, bend of the shot, or off-center distance of the shot by the individual.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating the plurality of displays based on environment characteristic information.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display, a three-dimensional display, or a shot dispersion display based on at least one of a golf ball condition, a weather condition, or a golf course condition.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display with one or more trajectories, each of the one or more trajectories being indicative of at least one of a shot with a golf club or an average of a number of shots with the golf club.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display including a first trajectory displayed in at least one of a first color or a first shading pattern, and a second trajectory displayed in at least one of a second color or a second shading pattern.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display including a first trajectory indicative of a first shot with a golf club and the second trajectory indicative of a second shot with the golf club.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display including a first trajectory displayed a first color and a second trajectory displayed in a second color, the first trajectory being indicative of and the second trajectory indicative of an average of a number of shots associated with a second golf club.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating a two-dimensional display including an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

12. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising comparing one or more trajectories of a two-dimensional display with an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of displays comprises generating a shot dispersion display including one or more perimeters, each of the one or more perimeters being indicative of two or more shots taken with a golf club.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating a plurality of displays comprises generating a component option display having one or more options associated with a plurality of components of a golf club, the plurality of components comprises at least one of model, loft, lie, shaft, length, grip, bounce, or weight.

15. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising identifying an option for each of a plurality of components of a golf club based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information.

16. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising identifying a first optimal option associated with a first component of a plurality of components of a golf club and identifying a second optimal option associated with a second component of the plurality of components based on the first optimal option associated with the first component.

17. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising identifying a first optimal option associated with a first component of a plurality of components of a golf club and identifying a second optimal option associated with a second component of the plurality of components independent of the first optimal option of the first component.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a trajectory analyzer to generate at least one of a two-dimensional trajectory display or a three-dimensional trajectory display based on at least one of physical characteristic information, performance characteristic information, or shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

a shot dispersion analyzer to generate a shot dispersion display based on at least one of the at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the trajectory analyzer is configured to generate at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display with one or more trajectories, each of the one or more trajectories being indicative of at least one of a shot with a golf club or an average of a number of shots with the golf club.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the trajectory analyzer is configured to generate at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display including a first trajectory displayed in at least one of a first color or a first shading pattern, and a second trajectory displayed in at least one of a second color or a second shading pattern.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the trajectory analyzer is configured to generate a two-dimensional display including an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the trajectory analyzer is configured to compare one or more trajectories of a two-dimensional display with an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the trajectory analyzer is configured to at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display based on environment characteristic information, the environment characteristic information comprises at least one of a golf ball condition, a weather condition, or a golf course condition.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the shot dispersion analyzer is configured to generate a shot dispersion display including one or more perimeters, each of the one or more perimeters being indicative of two or more shots taken with a golf club.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the shot dispersion analyzer is configured to generate a shot dispersion display based on environment characteristic information, the environment characteristic information comprises at least one of a golf ball condition, a weather condition, or a golf course condition.

26. An apparatus as defined in claim 18 further comprising a component option analyzer to identify an optimal option associated with one or more components of a golf club based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the component option analyzer is configured to generate a component option display having one or more options associated with a plurality of components of a golf club, the plurality of components comprises at least one of model, loft, lie, shaft, length, grip, bounce, or weight.

28. An article of manufacture including content, which when accessed, causes a machine to:

receive physical characteristic information, performance characteristic information, and shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

generate a plurality of displays based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs, the plurality of displays comprising at least one of a three-dimensional trajectory display, a two-dimensional trajectory display, or a shot dispersion display.

29. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to receive information associated with at least one of gender, age, dominant hand, hand dimension, height, or wrist-to-floor distance of the individual.

30. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to receive information associated with at least one of an average carry distance of one or more golf clubs, a golf handicap, or a golf preference associated with distance, direction, trajectory, or shot pattern of the individual.

31. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to receive information associated with at least one of speed of a golf club during a shot, speed of a golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, launch angle of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, back spin of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, side spin of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, smash factor of the golf ball, total distance of the shot, bend of the shot, or off-center distance of the shot by the individual.

32. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate the plurality of displays comprises generating the plurality of displays based on environment characteristic information.

33. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display, a three-dimensional display, or a shot dispersion display based on at least one of a golf ball condition, a weather condition, or a golf course condition.

34. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display with one or more trajectories, each of the one or more trajectories being indicative of at least one of a shot with a golf club or an average of a number of shots with the golf club.

35. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display including a first trajectory displayed in at least one of a first color or a first shading pattern, and a second trajectory displayed in at least one of a second color or a second shading pattern.

36. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate a two-dimensional display including an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

37. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to compare one or more trajectories of a two-dimensional display with an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

38. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate a shot dispersion display including one or more perimeters, each of the one or more perimeters being indicative of two or more shots taken with a golf club.

39. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to identify an option for each of a plurality of components of a golf club based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information.

40. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 28, wherein the content, when accessed, causes the machine to generate a component option display having one or more options associated with a plurality of components of a golf club, the plurality of components comprises at least one of model, loft, lie, shaft, length, grip, bounce, or weight.

41. A system comprising:

a tracking device to measure one or more characteristics associated with a shot of a golf ball with a particular golf club; and

a processing device operatively coupled to the tracking device to receive physical characteristic information, performance characteristic information, and shot characteristic information associated with an individual and to generate a plurality of displays based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information to custom fit the individual with one or more golf clubs,

wherein the plurality of displays comprising at least one of three-dimensional trajectory display, a two-dimensional trajectory display, or a shot dispersion display.

42. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to receive information associated with at least one of gender, age, dominant hand, hand dimension, height, or wrist-to-floor distance of the individual.

43. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to receive information associated with at least one of an average carry distance of one or more golf clubs, a golf handicap, or a golf preference associated with distance, direction, trajectory, or shot pattern of the individual.

44. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to receive information associated with at least one of speed of a golf club during a shot, speed of a golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, launch angle of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, back spin of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, side spin of the golf ball in response to impact with the golf club, smash factor of the golf ball, total distance of the shot, bend of the shot, or off-center distance of the shot by the individual.

45. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate the plurality of displays comprises generating the plurality of displays based on environment characteristic information.

46. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate the plurality of displays comprises generating at least one of a two-dimensional display, a three-dimensional display, or a shot dispersion display based on at least one of a golf ball condition, a weather condition, or a golf course condition.

47. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display with one or more trajectories, each of the one or more trajectories being indicative of at least one of a shot with a golf club or an average of a number of shots with the golf club.

48. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate at least one of a two-dimensional display or a three-dimensional display including a first trajectory displayed in at least one of a first color or a first shading pattern, and a second trajectory displayed in at least one of a second color or a second shading pattern.

49. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate a two-dimensional display including an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

50. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to compare one or more trajectories of a two-dimensional display with an optimal trajectory range indicative of a target range associated with one or more swing parameters.

51. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate a shot dispersion display including one or more perimeters, each of the one or more perimeters being indicative of two or more shots taken with a golf club.

52. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to identify an option for each of a plurality of components of a golf club based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information.

53. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein the processing device is configured to generate a component option display having one or more options associated with a plurality of components of a golf club, the plurality of components comprises at least one of model, loft, lie, shaft, length, grip, bounce, or weight.

54. A method comprising:

identifying a first optimal option associated with a first component of a plurality of components of a golf club based on based on at least one of physical characteristic information, performance characteristic information, or shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

identifying a second optimal option associated with a second component of the plurality of components based on the first optimal option associated with the first component.

55. A method as defined in claim 54 further comprising selecting an option for each of the plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components comprises at least one of model, loft, lie, shaft, length, grip, bounce, or weight.

56. A method as defined in claim 54 further comprising monitoring one or more shots based on a selected option of one or more components of the plurality of components.

57. A method comprising:

identifying a first optimal option associated with a first component of a plurality of components of a golf club based on at least one of physical characteristic information, performance characteristic information, or shot characteristic information associated with an individual; and

identifying a second optimal option associated with a second component of the plurality of components based on at least one of the physical characteristic information, the performance characteristic information, or the shot characteristic information.

58. A method as defined in claim 57 further comprising selecting an option for each of the plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components comprises at least one of model, loft, lie, shaft, length, grip, bounce, or weight.

59. A method as defined in claim 57 further comprising monitoring one or more shots based on a selected option of one or more components of the plurality of components.