Methods for analyzing and providing feedback for improved power generation in a golf swing

• US 8,696,450 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Rose, Jessica, Meister, David W., Ladd, Amy L., Steele, Katherine M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US13/559,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20130029791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/30, 463/43, 341/20, 473/209, 473/409
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

This invention relates to methods for optimizing a golf swing by measuring and providing feedback on a combination of various key parameters of a subject'"'"'s movement to both generate more power and reduce injury.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing a golf swing, comprising:

measuring movement of a subject performing a golf swing using sensor elements;

communicating the movement measurements to a computer-based analysis system; and

using the computer-based analysis system to calculate values for at least four of the following parameters;

peak X-factor, X-factor at impact, peak S-factor, S-factor at impact, peak O-factor and O-factor at impact, wherein X-factor is the relative difference between the rotation of the hips and the shoulders.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein values are calculated for at least one of the following additional parameters:

clubhead speed at impact, clubhead height, upper torso rotation at impact, upper torso rotational velocity at impact, pelvic rotation at impact, pelvic rotational velocity at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity, peak pelvic rotation, and peak pelvic rotational velocity.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein values are calculated for at least three of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein values are calculated for at least five of the parameters.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein values are calculated for at least one of the following additional parameters:

clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein values are calculated for at least three of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein values are calculated for at least six of the parameters.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein values are calculated for at least one of the following additional parameters:

clubhead speed at impact, clubhead height, upper torso rotation at impact, upper torso rotational velocity at impact, pelvic rotation at impact, pelvic rotational velocity at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity, peak pelvic rotation, and peak pelvic rotational velocity.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein values are calculated for at least three of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

10. A method for analyzing and improving a subject'"'"'s golf swing comprising:

measuring movement of a subject performing a golf swing using sensor elements;

communicating the movement measurements to a computer-based analysis system;

using the computer-based analysis system to calculate values for at least four of the following parameters;

peak X-factor, X-factor at impact, peak S-factor, S-factor at impact, peak O-factor and O-factor at impact, wherein X-factor is the relative difference between the rotation of the hips and the shoulders and

using the computer-based analysis system to compare the values of the measured parameters to target values for the parameters.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for at least one of the following additional parameters:

clubhead speed at impact, clubhead height, upper torso rotation at impact, upper torso rotational velocity at impact, pelvic rotation at impact, pelvic rotational velocity at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity, peak pelvic rotation, and peak pelvic rotational velocity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for at least three of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for all of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for at least five of the parameters.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for at least one of the following additional parameters:

clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein values are calculated for at least six of the parameters.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for at least one of the following additional parameters:

clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for at least three of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein values are calculated and compared to target values for all of clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation.

20. A method for analyzing and improving a subject'"'"'s golf swing comprising:

measuring movement of a subject performing a golf swing using sensor elements;

using the computer-based analysis system to calculate values for the following parameters;

peak X-factor, X-factor at impact, peak S-factor, S-factor at impact, peak O-factor and O-factor at impact, clubhead speed at impact, peak free moment/mass, peak upper torso rotation, peak upper torso rotational velocity and peak pelvic rotation, wherein X-factor is the relative difference between the rotation of the hips and the shoulders; and

using the computer-based analysis system to compare the values of the measured parameters to target values for the parameters.