Patent Application
20090326688
This invention relates generally to computer-aided systems and methods for fitting golfers with golf clubs better suited to their swings and games. Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-generated displays and graphical user interfaces that receive input from and/or generate output received by the club fitter and/or the golfer being fit.
Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players—players of different genders and dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diverse collections of players can play together in golf events, even in direct competition with one another (e.g., using handicapped scoring, different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing or competition. These factors, together with the increased availability of golf programming on television (e.g. golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recent years, both in the United States and across the world.
Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lower their golf scores, and reach that next performance “level.” Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range of different golf ball models now are available, with balls designed to complement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics or preferences, e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide more spin, control, and/or feel (particularly around the greens); some designed for faster or slower swing speeds; etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the market that promise to help lower one's golf scores.
Being the sole instruments that set a golf ball in motion during play, golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match the various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics of a golf ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g., club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, ball fitting technology, etc.).
Given the recent advances, there is a vast array of golf club component parts available to the golfer. For example, club heads are produced by a wide variety of manufacturers in a variety of different models. Moreover, the individual club head models may include multiple variations, such as variations in the loft angle, lie angle, offset features, weighting characteristics (e.g. draw biased club heads, fade biased club heads, neutrally weighted club heads, etc.), and the like. Additionally, the club heads may be combined with a variety of different shafts, e.g. from different manufacturers; having different stiffnesses, flex points, kick points, or other flexion characteristics, etc.; made from different materials; etc. A variety of grip sizes, materials, constructions, and brands also are available. Between the available variations in shafts, club heads, and grips, there are literally hundreds of different club head/shaft/grip combinations available to the golfer.
Club fitters and golf professionals can assist in helping golfers sift through this staggering array of component combinations and in fitting golfers with golf clubs that suit their swing characteristics and needs. Currently, proper club fitting is largely a trial and error procedure, which can be quite time-consuming, and the fitting procedure is largely dependent upon the skill of the professional making the fitting. Advances in club fitting technology that allow the club fitter to easily and more accurately make measurements and properly fit an individual to a club and/or a set of clubs would be welcome in the art.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and various features of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it simply provides a general overview of the invention and context for the more detailed description that follows.
Aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for fitting a golfer with a fitted set of golf clubs (e.g., a set of two or more clubs, and in some instances a complete or substantially complete set of clubs). One such method for fitting a golfer with plural golf clubs includes: (a) fitting a golfer with a driver based, at least in part, on launch monitor data, wherein the driver to which the golfer is fitted includes a first loft angle and a first shaft flexibility characteristic; (b) selecting plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs based, at least in part, on the first loft angle and the first shaft flexibility characteristic; (c) hitting golf balls using the plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs and collecting launch monitor data relating to the hits correlated to the initial fairway wood club used for the hit; (d) optionally, selecting one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs based, at least in part, on the launch monitor data collected when the initial fairway wood clubs were hit, and hitting golf balls using the one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs; and (e) providing a recommendation for a final first fairway wood club based on the launch monitor data.
Computer-implemented systems and methods in accordance with examples of this invention may include: (a) receiving input data (e.g., via any desired computer input hardware) indicating a golfer's driver loft angle and at least one driver shaft flexibility characteristic; (b) determining plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs based, at least in part, on the driver loft angle and the driver shaft flexibility characteristic (e.g., utilizing a computer processing system); and (c) outputting data identifying the selected plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs (e.g., via any desired computer operated output hardware). Such systems and methods further may include one or more of the following steps: (d) receiving launch monitor data generated when the golfer hits golf balls using the plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs; (e) determining one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs for testing based on the launch monitor data received based on the initial candidate fairway wood clubs hits; (f) outputting data identifying the additional candidate fairway wood clubs; (g) receiving launch monitor data generated when the golfer hits golf balls using the one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs; (h) determining a recommendation for a final first fairway wood club based on the launch monitor data; and (i) outputting data identifying the recommendation for the final first fairway wood club.
Aspects of this invention further may include fitting steps to fit additional clubs, such as irons, hybrids, or additional fairway woods. Accordingly, at least some example systems and methods according to this invention may include: (a) receiving launch monitor data relating to golf ball hits using one or more irons; (b) receiving launch monitor data relating to golf ball hits using a one or more hybrid or fairway wood clubs; (c) determining a desired carry distance or a desired carry distance range for clubs in a fitted set based, at least in part, on an average ball carry distance for at least one of the driver or a first fairway wood club (e.g., optionally, the previously fit clubs described above); (d) determining whether an average ball carry distance of one or more of the irons or the hybrid clubs better matches the desired carry distance or the desired carry distance range for the fitted set; (e) determining a recommendation for inclusion of one or more irons, hybrid clubs, or fairway woods in the fitted set; and (f) outputting data indicating the recommendations. In this manner, the fitter can attempt to fit the golfer with clubs having a regular, stepped carry distance as the golfer uses different clubs in his or her bag.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing the various methods and/or operating the various systems described above (and those described in more detail below). Still additional aspects of this invention relate to the computer-generated displays and/or graphical user interfaces used to present information to and/or receive input data from the club fitter, the golfer, or other user in the operation of the various systems and in the performance of the various methods described above.
A more complete understanding of aspects of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example golf club fitting systems and methods in accordance with the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of components and/or steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A. General Description of Background Information Relating to this Invention
Properly fitting a golfer with clubs suited to his or her swing can help the golfer make better and more consistent contact with the ball during a round of golf and help the golfer reduce his or her score. As described above, aspects of this invention relate to computer-implementable systems and methods for fitting a golfer with one or more golf clubs.
Systems and methods in accordance with examples of this invention may receive data, input, and/or other information in other ways as well. For example, as noted above, an input/output system 112 may be provided for receiving data, input, and/or other information from remote or other external sources 122, such as the launch monitor 102, the internet, an external computer-readable memory element, etc. The input/output system 112 may be any desired type of input/output interface device for receiving data, such as a disk drive (e.g., read/write systems for floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, etc.); a USB port; an Ethernet, telephone, or other wired connection port or system; etc. Similarly, the external source 122 may be a disk, flash drive, memory stick, or other computer-readable medium for storing and transmitting data; an internet or other remotely located network or data source; etc. As another option or alternative, external source 122 may be connected to the computing system 106 via a wireless connection (represented at reference number 124), which may be operatively coupled to an appropriate wireless transmission/reception interface 110 provided with or operatively coupled to the system 106. The various components of the overall system illustrated in
Various more specific examples of use of and information input to and/or output from the system 100 and its various component parts will be described in more detail below.
In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for fitting a golfer with a fitted set of golf clubs (e.g., a set of two or more clubs). One such method for fitting a golfer with plural golf clubs includes: (a) fitting a golfer with a driver based, at least in part, on launch monitor data generated during one or more golf club hitting sessions in which the golfer hits drivers having different combinations of loft angle and/or shaft flexibility characteristics, wherein the driver to which the golfer is fitted includes a first loft angle and a first shaft flexibility characteristic; (b) selecting plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs based, at least in part, on the first loft angle and the first shaft flexibility characteristic; (c) hitting golf balls using the plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs and collecting launch monitor data relating to the hits correlated to the initial fairway wood club used for the hit; (d) optionally, selecting one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs based, at least in part, on the launch monitor data collected when the initial fairway wood clubs were hit, and hitting golf balls using the one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs; and (e) providing a recommendation for a final first fairway wood club based, at least in part, on the launch monitor data collected when one or more of the initial or additional candidate fairway wood clubs were hit. The selection and recommendation steps may be performed, in whole or in part, using a computer system.
Computer-implemented systems and methods in accordance with examples of this invention may include: (a) receiving input data (e.g., via any desired computer input hardware) indicating a golfer's driver loft angle and at least one driver shaft flexibility characteristic; (b) determining plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs based, at least in part, on the driver loft angle and the driver shaft flexibility characteristic (e.g., utilizing a computer processing system); and (c) outputting data identifying the selected plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs (e.g., via any desired computer operated output hardware). Such systems and methods further may include one or more of the following steps: (d) receiving launch monitor data generated when the golfer hits golf balls using the plural initial candidate fairway wood clubs, wherein the launch monitor data is correlated to the initial candidate fairway wood club used for the hit; (e) determining one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs for testing based, at least in part, on the launch monitor data received based on the initial candidate fairway wood clubs hits; (f) outputting data identifying the additional candidate fairway wood clubs; (g) receiving launch monitor data generated when the golfer hits golf balls using the one or more additional candidate fairway wood clubs, wherein the launch monitor data is correlated to the additional candidate fairway wood club used for the hit; (h) determining a recommendation for a final first fairway wood club based, at least in part, on the launch monitor data received based on one or more of the initial or additional candidate fairway wood clubs hits; and (i) outputting data identifying the recommendation for the final first fairway wood club.
The recommendation for the final first fairway wood club to be included in the fitted club set may be based on any desired information. In accordance with at least some examples of this invention, this recommendation will be based, at least in part, on an average ball carry distance included in the launch monitor data received after one or more of the initial or additional candidate fairway wood clubs were hit, such as the initial or additional candidate fairway wood club that generated a highest average ball carry distance and/or highest average total distance during launch monitor testing.
Aspects of this invention may include fitting steps to fit additional clubs, such as irons, hybrids, and/or additional fairway woods. Accordingly, at least some example systems and methods according to this invention may include: (a) receiving launch monitor data relating to golf ball hits using one or more irons; (b) receiving launch monitor data relating to golf ball hits using a one or more hybrid clubs and/or fairway woods; (c) determining a desired carry distance or a desired carry distance range for clubs in a fitted set based, at least in part, on an average ball carry distance and/or average total distance for at least one of the driver or a first fairway wood club (e.g., optionally, the previously fit clubs described above); (d) determining whether an average ball carry distance of one or more of the irons or the hybrid clubs better matches the desired carry distance or the desired carry distance range for the fitted set; (e) determining a recommendation for inclusion of one or more irons or hybrid clubs in the fitted set; and (f) outputting data indicating the recommendations. In this manner, the fitter can attempt to fit the golfer with clubs having a regular, stepped carry distance as the golfer uses different clubs in his or her bag. Part of the iron, hybrid, and/or fairway wood fitting systems and methods may include determination and customization of proper shaft length and/or lie angles (and/or other features) for the clubs in the fitted set.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing the various methods and/or operating the various systems described above (and those described in more detail below). Such computer-readable media may include, but are not necessarily limited to: computer-readable memories, both internal to a computer (e.g., hard drives) or separable from the computer (such as disks, solid state or flash memory devices, etc.).
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to the computer-generated displays and/or graphical user interfaces used to present information to and/or receive input data from the club fitter, the golfer, or other user. As one more specific example, video displays or graphical user interfaces (and computer-readable media for generating such displays or interfaces) in accordance with some examples of this invention may include: (a) a two-dimensional graphic representation having golf ball launch angle information provided on a first coordinate axis and golf ball spin rate information provided on a second coordinate axis; (b) an indication on the two-dimensional graphic representation of a target zone of combined launch angles and spin rates for a predetermined ball launch speed and/or club head speed parameter; and (c) one or more indicators identifying a ball launch angle and a ball spin rate on the two-dimensional graphic representation for one or more golf ball hits, wherein one indicator is provided for each respective golf ball hit shown on the graphic representation. If desired, the one or more indicators further may identify a golf club used in the golf ball hit represented by the respective indicators or the video display may otherwise identify a golf club used in making one or more of the golf ball hits indicated on the video display. Also, if desired, the graphical user interface may allow a user to indicate one (or more) of the golf ball hits for which an indicator is provided and for which more data is desired. This input may result in the display of additional data relating to the golf shot on the video display, such as ball speed data, club head speed data, launch angle data, total ball spin data, ball side spin data, ball side spin direction data, ball carry distance data, and/or total ball flight distance data. Such video displays or interfaces may help illustrate to the user how a golfer's individual shots measure up with respect to a target (e.g., optimum) launch angle and/or spin rate for a given ball or club head speed (or for a given club).
As another example, video displays and/or user interfaces in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may assist a user in identifying the proper progression of clubs in a golfer's bag (e.g., so that each club's average carry or total travel distance will change in a relatively regular or constant manner as the golfer uses different clubs in his or her bag). In other words, a golfer may wish to have his five iron travel, on average, 10 yards further than the six iron, and the six iron, travel (on average) 10 yards farther than the seven iron, etc. In this manner, the golfer will not have any significant distance gaps in his or her bag. Such video displays or user interfaces may include: (a) a two-dimensional graphic representation having golf ball carry distance information or golf ball total travel distance information provided on a first coordinate axis and golf club identifier information provided on a second coordinate axis; (b) an indicator on the two-dimensional graphic representation of a golf ball carry distance or golf ball total travel distance for at least one of a driver or a first fairway wood golf club; (c) a first sloped line indicating a first change in carry distance or total travel distance yardage, wherein the first sloped line originates from the indicator for the driver or the first fairway wood golf club; and (d) one or more point indicators representing a golf ball carry distance or golf ball total travel distance for at least one additional fairway wood, hybrid club, or iron club. If desired, the video display may include two or more sloped lines, e.g., each line indicating a different constant change in carry distance or total travel distance yardage. Additionally, or alternatively, the video display further may include one or more lines indicating golf ball carry distances or golf ball total travel distances for one or more additional club (such as hybrid clubs or fairway woods). These lines allow the user to easily see where, if anywhere, these one or more additional clubs would best fit in the golfer's bag (e.g., whether a certain hybrid club or fairway wood would better replace a three iron or a four iron, etc., so as to avoid a significant distance gap between clubs in the bag).
Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-generated displays and/or graphical user interfaces used to present information to and/or receive input data from the club fitter, the golfer, or other users in the operation of the various systems and in the performance of the various methods described above. Examples of such displays and user interfaces will be described in more detail below.
Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention.
As described above,
Of course, many variations in the system and method described in conjunction with
Based on the initially obtained profile or other information, systems and methods according to examples of this invention may select an initial driver group for further testing (S306). While this initial driver group may include any desired number of clubs, in this illustrated example, two different clubs will be selected for initial testing in Driver Group I. As a more specific example, based on the profile information collected at S304, systems and methods according to examples of this invention may select two initial driver clubs for testing that have various suggested characteristics and combination of characteristics, such as shaft material, shaft flex, and/or shaft kick point location (e.g., extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior, ladies, etc., based on club head speed, etc.); club loft angle (e.g., 6.5° to 16°, based on ball launch angle, club head speed, etc.); club head weighting (e.g. heel concentrated weighting, toe concentrated weighting, neutral weighting etc., based on typical ball flight or swing characteristics, etc.); shaft length (e.g., based on player height, set-up, swing type, etc.); grip diameter, grip material, or the like (e.g., based on user hand size, swing type, personal preferences, etc.), etc.
Once the initial driver group for testing is ascertained, the user will then hit balls with the suggested clubs from this grouping (S308). While any number of hits may be made with each club, in systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the user may hit 2-3 shots with each suggested club included in the initial driver group. These shots will be monitored by a launch monitor, e.g., of the type illustrated in
As a result of the data collected from the shots made using the first driver grouping, if desired, a second driver grouping may be selected (e.g. including one or more additional clubs) for additional testing (S310). For example, given the general club head speed or ball launch velocity speed for a given user as measured using the first driver grouping, systems and methods according to examples of this invention may suggest additional club constructions or component parts for further testing, in an effort to optimize the ball launch angle and/or ball spin conditions for the user's swing. For example, the launch monitor data from testing the initial driver group may indicate that a different club head loft angle might be useful to produce a more optimum initial ball flight launch angle, so the systems and methods according to the invention may suggest club heads having different loft angles in an effort to optimize this variable. As another example, the launch monitor data from testing the initial driver group may indicate that a different shaft stiffness or kickpoint location may be useful to optimize club head speed and/or to alter the spin rate of the ball's initial launch. In this example, systems and methods according to the invention may suggest different shafts having different characteristics in an effort to optimize this variable. Suggestions for clubs and/or club components having other features and combinations of features (such as weight distribution, etc.) further may be provided in an effort to optimize any desired parameter, such as initial ball velocity, launch angle, spin speed, spin direction, carry, total distance, etc.
Once the second driver group is selected, the user may hit balls with the drivers from this grouping (S312), optionally hitting each club 2-3 times. Given the resultant data, the club fitter may consider adding another club for testing, e.g., using “fuzzy logic” (S314) such as the fitter's review of the data, the fitter's personal observations of the golfer and/or his/her swing, the fitter's intuition as to how a change in a club head characteristic (such as loft angle, shaft flex, kick point, weight distribution, etc.) may affect the measured ball flight characteristics (such as launch angle, spin rate, spin direction, etc.); etc. Optionally (or additionally), the user or fitter may elect to have the user make some swings (e.g. 2-3 swings) using the user's present driver (S316), and launch monitor data from these swings may be collected.
A final third set of clubs then may be selected for testing (S318). In some examples of this invention, this third set of clubs may include one or more of the following: (a) the club combination from the initial driver grouping (Hitting Sequence 1) that produced the best results, (b) the club combination from the second driver grouping (Hitting Sequence 2) that produced the best results, (c) the “fuzzy logic” based selection from S314 (after Hitting Sequence 2), and/or (d) the user's personal club. One or more of these clubs are then hit by the user in Hitting Sequence 3 (e.g., 2-3 hits per club, S320), and a fitting session report is generated S322 (examples of which will be discussed in more detail below). The fitting session report may include a recommendation for a final club construction (e.g., club head loft, shaft material, shaft stiffness, shaft kick-point, club head weight distribution, grip size, etc.), based on those tested, e.g. the club construction from Hitting Sequence 3 (or one of the other Hitting Sequences) that produced the most favorable or consistent results (e.g., the straightest ball flight, the longest ball carry, the longest total distance, the most consistent results, etc.). The entire driver fitting session may contain a relatively small number of golf shots, such as approximately 20.
Advantageously, systems and methods in accordance with this invention may be practiced using clubs having a releasable club head/shaft connection (e.g., clubs constructed with removable shaft/head connections so that different heads can be quickly secured to a given shaft and/or so that different shafts can be quickly secured to a given head construction). Examples of such releasable club head/shaft connections are known in the art through various golf manufacturers, such as NIKE Golf, Callaway Golf, and/or Taylor Made Golf Additional examples of such systems are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,269 to Burrows; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/612,072 to Burrows; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/774,513 to Thomas, et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/774,519 to Thomas, et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/774,522 to Stites, et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/846,370 to Stites, et al. These documents are entirely incorporated herein by reference. If desired, grip elements may be releasably connected to shafts in the same or similar manner as the releasable head/shaft connections described above.
Additional information may be provided in the display 400 without departing from this invention. For example, for a given club head speed and/or initial ball velocity, there are generally more desirable launch angle and spin rate characteristics or ranges that will provide an improved ball flight (e.g., longer carry, longer overall travel distance, etc.), and even zones of launch angle and spin rate characteristics or ranges that will provide optimum results. These desirable ranges and/or optimum zones may be provided or shown on the display 400, if desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. These features are illustrated in the example display 400 of
Systems and methods in accordance with examples of this invention may provide and/or display additional information, if desired.
Systems and methods in accordance with examples of this invention can provide information in other forms and formats without departing from the invention. For example,
As noted above, systems and methods according to at least some examples of this invention may be used to fit users with additional clubs, if desired. For example, after the driver fitting session has completed, systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may lead users and club fitters down a path that will begin fitting for the next desired club in the set.
Once the user's driver characteristics are determined (e.g., imported from the driver fitting session, from the user's existing driver, from the fitter's or system's determination after monitoring the user hitting the driver, etc.), two candidate first fairway wood clubs are selected for initial testing (S908). Any desired manner of selecting two candidate first fairway wood clubs based on the driver data may be used without departing from this invention. In systems and methods in accordance with some examples of this invention, the first candidate fairway wood clubs may be selected based on “look-up tables” provided and programmed in to the system. For example, two tables may be provided, one for each of the two candidate first fairway wood clubs to be initially selected. Based on the fitted or other driver data, these two look-up tables provide the two initial recommendations as to specific first fairway wood club characteristics. One recommendation tends to accent or be more directed to the priority that the user will use this first fairway wood off the tee for tee shots. The other recommendation tends to accent or be more directed to the priority that the user will use this first fairway wood in the fairway or rough, trying to maximize fairway carry. Examples of these initial first fairway wood “recommendation look-up tables” are provided below:
Accordingly, using these tables, a user fitted for a 10.5 degree driver having a regular (“R”) shaft flex would be provided two recommendations for the first fairway wood club in S908, namely, a 15 degree first fairway wood having the same shaft flex as the driver (from Table 1A) and a 17 degree first fairway wood having the same shaft flex as the driver (from Table 1B). Once selected, each candidate first fairway wood club is hit (S910), optionally using the launch monitor to determine various characteristics of the ball strike, such as launch angle, spin rate, launch ball speed, club head speed, projected ball carry distance, projected total carry distance, etc. While any number of hits is possible, in some examples of this invention, about three hits with each club will typically be adequate.
If desired, at S912, the system, fitter, or user may select a third (or more) first fairway wood clubs to hit (e.g., clubs of a different brand or manufacturer, clubs having different lofts, clubs with different shaft characteristics, clubs with different weight distributions, etc.). Once the user or fitter has hit all of the desired clubs, a final first fairway wood club may be recommended based on the hitting results (S914). While any desired data may control or be used in making the recommendation, if desired, the recommendation may be based on the club construction that provided the longest average carry, the longest average total distance, the minimal left/right dispersion, the optimum spin rates, etc. In some examples of this invention, this recommendation may be made solely or predominantly based on the hit club that provided the highest average ball carry distance (e.g., as projected from the launch monitor data).
As a next (or another) step in the overall fitting process, club length and/or lie fitting steps may be performed.
Using the determined starting point for the shaft length, the user selects a 6-iron club (S1002) having the determined shaft length from the Table above and having the same flex characteristics as the previously determined driver for the golfer (e.g., regular, stiff, ladies, senior, extra-stiff, etc.). Using impact tape on the face of the golf club (or other impact location point determining means, including an electronic club head having an impact location point determining system incorporated therein), the user then hits some shots with the club head (S1004). For each shot, the fitter notes the impact location (S1006). For example, as illustrated in
Once the face impact location for one or more shots is determined, a determination is made (by the fitter, by the system based on the input data, etc.) as to whether the impact is at the face center (S1008). If no, a new shaft length may be recommended (S1010), and this process can return to S1004, where balls are again hit and the impact location is determined.
Although any adjustment in the shaft length at S1010 based on the face impact location may be provided without departing from this invention, the following table or information may be used as a basis for determining the new shaft length recommendation at S1010:
Optionally, additional length may be added to or eliminated from the new recommended shaft length (e.g., ±¾ inches), if desired, for extreme toe or heel hits. Additionally or alternatively, less length may be added to or eliminated from the new recommended shaft length (e.g. ±¼ inches), if desired, for heel and/or toe hits that are relatively close to the central zone.
The process S1004-S1010 may be repeated, as necessary, until consistent central impact locations are observed or measured (answer “yes” at S1008). Then, this shaft length (or adjustment from a standard shaft length) may be provided as a shaft length recommendation at S1012 (e.g., for the irons, the recommendation may indicate that each shaft should be increased or decreased a fixed amount from a standard shaft length for that iron). If desired, a report may be generated (S1014) (e.g., as a printed copy, a computer display, etc.) indicating the recommended shaft length or shaft length adjustment from standard.
If desired, the fitter may simply take notice of the various impact locations at S1202. Alternatively, if desired, systems and methods according to the invention may provide a user interface that allows the user or the fitter to enter data into the system indicating the various impact locations (e.g., by providing a computer-generated user interface that allows the user or the fitter to “click on” a representation of club head face at the location of the impact). As yet another example, if an electronic club is used having an impact location determining means, the impact location may be automatically transferred to systems and methods in accordance with this invention.
Once the sole impact location for one or more shots is determined, a determination is made (by the fitter, by the system based on the input data, etc.) as to whether the impact is at the center of the sole (S1204). If no, a new lie angle may be recommended (S1206), and the user can hit additional shots using this new lie angle (S1208). This process then can return to S1202, where the sole impact location is determined for these additional hits, and the process may be repeated as often as necessary.
Although any adjustment in the lie angle at S1206 may be provided without departing from this invention, the following table or information may be used as a basis for determining the new lie angle recommendation at S1206:
The process S1202-S1208 may be repeated, as necessary, until consistent central sole impact locations are observed or measured (answer “yes” at S1204). Then, this lie angle (or adjustment from a standard lie angle) may be provided as a lie angle recommendation at S1210 (e.g., for the irons or other clubs, the recommendation may indicate that each lie angle should be increased or decreased (more upright or flatter) a fixed amount from a standard lie angle for that iron or club). If desired, a report may be generated (S1212) (e.g., as a printed copy, a computer display, etc.) indicating the recommended lie angle or lie angle adjustment from standard.
As a next or another example step in this process, as illustrated in
Once this baseline driver and/or first fairway wood data has been collected by one of the options described above, the process continues. The user then selects an iron model for his/her set (S1408), e.g., from a specific brand, from a specific manufacturer, based on one or more hits, etc. From the selected iron model, the user then hits the 6-iron a few times at S1410 (e.g., 3 times) and the 3-iron a few times at S1412 (e.g., 3 times). As shown at Step S1414 in
Because the 3-iron's average carry distance in this example left a large distance gap between clubs in the user's bag, a user might wish to consider switching out the 3-iron for a different club, such as a hybrid club or another fairway wood. The display 1500 provides information that would assist a user or club fitter in determining where such a switch may be desirable. Notably, in this instance, the display 1500 includes plots indicating the average carry distance of the various hybrid clubs, as measured during the hitting sessions described above. Looking at the average carry distance of the three tested hybrid clubs, one can see that the carry distance covered by the 23° hybrid best matches the locations on lines L2 and/or L3 within the 3-iron slot. In other words, the carry distance covered by the 23° hybrid best matches what the carry distance of the 3-iron should be, if the 3-iron were hit a sufficient distance to maintain the constant 10-15 yard distance gap between clubs in the set. Looking at this data, a club fitter may recommend replacing the 3-iron in this user's bag with the 23° hybrid. Additionally, because the carry distance covered by the 26° hybrid best matches what the carry distance of the user's 4-iron should be in order to maintain the consistent distance gap between clubs, the fitter may recommend replacing the 4-iron in the user's bag with the 26° hybrid (particularly because hybrid clubs tend to be somewhat easier to hit as compared to long irons, particularly for amateur or higher handicapped players).
Many variations in the display screen 1500 (or other output) for evaluating launch monitor data for fitting irons, hybrids, and/or fairway woods are possible without departing from this invention. For example, rather than using the fitted driver as a base starting point, systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may use the first fairway wood (or another club) as the base starting point (e.g., the first fairway wood fitted to the user, as described above) for the iron, fairway wood, and/or hybrid fitting. Using the first fairway wood as the starting point can be more accurate, as often there is a larger distance gap between the driver and the first fairway wood as compared to the average distance gap between other consecutive clubs in the set.
Wedge fitting is another procedure that may be included in systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of this invention.
If desired, the fitter may simply take notice of the various impact locations at S1702. Alternatively, if desired, systems and methods according to the invention may provide a user interface that allows the user or the fitter to enter data into the system indicating the various impact locations (e.g., by providing a computer-generated user interface that will allow the user or the fitter to “click on” a representation of club head face at the location of the impact). As yet another example, if an electronic club is used having an impact location determining means, the impact location may be automatically transferred to systems and methods in accordance with this invention.
Given the impact locations, a determination may be made as to whether the user tends to hit down on the ball with his/her wedges and/or whether he/she tends to try to “scoop” at the ball and help it in to the air. Given this impact information, an initial set of wedge characteristics may be recommended as a starting point (S1704). These wedge characteristics may include, for example, loft angle, bounce angle, camber, sole width, wedge brand and/or model, etc. For example, the recommended wedge set may include wedges with a constant loft angle gap (e.g., 50°, 54°, 58°, etc.). Once a wedge set recommendation is made, the user may hit each recommended wedge (S1706). During these hits, a launch monitor may collect launch data relating to these hits, and this launch monitor data may be plotted (S1708), for example, as follows: ball speed v. loft; back spin v. loft; launch angle v. loft; etc. This plotted data may be output to the user, e.g., on a computer display, as a print out, etc.
Given the launch monitor data, the club fitter may recommend a wedge set (S1710), including 2 or more wedges of varying loft, bounce angle, sole width, etc., such as a sand wedge (typically having a relatively high bounce angle), a pitching wedge (with perhaps a somewhat lower bounce angle), a gap wedge, and a lob wedge. Additionally, if desired, systems and methods according to the invention may generate a report (S1712) including the wedge recommendations and/or the launch monitor data associated with this fitting procedure.
Systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of this invention further may include a putter fitting procedure. Any desired putter fitting procedures may be used without departing from this invention, such as fittings or procedures for adjusting the putter shaft length, putter lie angle, putter loft angle, grip size and/or shape, putter head weight, putter head weight distribution, and the like. Data from the procedures described above, such as the shaft length adjustment data, lie angle adjustment data, distance between the fingertips and the ground, etc., may be used, at least in part, as a starting point for the putter fitting, e.g. to make initial recommendations for the initial putter characteristics during the fitting procedure.
Many variations in fitting systems and methods may be provided without departing from this invention, and/or many features may be added to the systems and methods, the various features may be changed in order, and the like, without departing from this invention. As a more specific example, if desired, the golf club and/or the various component parts may be equipped with features that allow the fitter to easily track and enter information regarding the construction of the club being hit by the user. For example, if desired, each club could be equipped with an RFID chip, bar code, or other data carrying and/or transmission devices, and the launch monitor or other portion of the fitting equipment may be equipped with an RFID activator, a bar code reader, and/or data receiving and/or activating devices so that fitter can easily enter data into the system regarding the club head being used (e.g., the RFID chip or bar code on the club may transmit a club identifier that enables determination of the club's characteristics, such as loft angle, shaft flex, lie characteristics, etc.).
Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the various components of the club (e.g., head, shaft, grip, etc.) may have separate RFID chips, bar codes, or other data carrying and/or transmission devices, so that data relating to each individual part of the club can be entered into and/or tracked by the system. Such separately labeled club components may be particularly useful for fitting sessions that utilize releasable connections between a club head and a shaft and/or a shaft and a grip, e.g., as described above.
While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
This application claims priority benefits based on U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 61/025,605 filed Feb. 1, 2008. This earlier provisional patent application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61025605 | Feb 2008 | US |
