Systems and methods for fitting golf equipment

Abstract

A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer's swing and determining if the golfer's swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer's swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.

1 . A method for fitting a golfer with golf equipment using a launch monitor and an optimization engine running on a processor, the method comprising:
 in the launch monitor, receiving launch data related to how the golfer launches a golf ball using a golf club, the golf club comprising a grip, shaft, and a club head, the club head comprising a loft, center of gravity, an orientation, and a weight distribution;   determining velocity information, spin information, and launch angle information imparted to the golf ball based on the launch data;   extrapolating a distance and flight path based on the velocity, spin, and launch angle information;   in the optimization engine, determining optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information to achieve a combination of maximum distance and maximum accuracy, based on the determined velocity, spin, and launch angle information and the extrapolated distance and flight path and not based on linear relationships; and   correlating the optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information with changes in at least one of the golf ball, grip, shaft, and club head required to achieve the optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 changing at least one of the golf ball and golf club based on the correlated changes;   in the launch monitor, receiving launch data related to how the golfer launches the golf ball using the golf club, the golf club comprising a grip, shaft, and a club head, the club head comprising a loft, center of gravity, an orientation, and a weight distribution;   determining velocity information, spin information, and launch angle information imparted to the golf ball based on the launch data;   extrapolating a distance and flight path based on the velocity, spin, and launch angle information;   in the optimization engine, determining optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information to achieve a combination of maximum distance and maximum accuracy, based on the determined velocity, spin, and launch angle information and the extrapolated distance and flight path and not based on linear relationships; and   correlating the optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information with further changes in at least one of the golf ball, grip, shaft, and club head required to achieve the optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information, unless the correlation and optimization steps indicate that no further changes are necessary.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the loft. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the center of gravity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the weight distribution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying information related to the extrapolated distance and flight path as well as the launch data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the information related to the launch data is displayed in a graphical format. 
     
     
         9 . A method for fitting a golfer with golf equipment, comprising:
 in a launch module, receiving launch data obtained when a golfer swings a first shaft and club head combination;   in the launch module, optimizing a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the launch data, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball; and   iteratively changing a combination of characteristics of at least one of the shaft and the club head until the optimized launch angle, velocity and spin rate are achieved; wherein said optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate is performed in computer having a processor.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the launch data includes launch monitor data obtained from a launch monitor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving launch data obtained when a golfer swings a second shaft and club head combination formed after changing a combination of characteristics of at least one of the shaft and the club head;   optimizing a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other based on the launch data, wherein optimizing the launch angle, velocity, and spin rate comprises matching the velocity with a combination of launch angle and spin rate to achieve maximum distance and control when hitting a golf ball; and   further changing a combination of characteristics of at least one of the shaft and the club head to achieve the optimized launch angle, velocity and spin rate thereby forming a third club head and shaft combination.   
     
     
         12 . A system for fitting a golfer with golf equipment comprising:
 a launch monitor;   a launch module running on a processor, the launch module configured to
 receive launch data from the launch monitor related to how the golfer launches a golf ball using a golf club, the golf club comprising a grip, shaft, and a club head, the club head comprising a loft, center of gravity, an orientation, and a weight distribution; 
 determine velocity information, spin information, and launch angle information imparted to the golf ball based on the launch data; 
 extrapolate a distance and flight path based on the velocity, spin, and launch angle information; and 
   an optimization engine running on the processor, the optimization engine configured to determine optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information to achieve a combination of maximum distance and maximum accuracy, based on the determined velocity, spin, and launch angle information and the extrapolated distance and flight path and not based on linear relationships.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the optimization engine is further configured to correlate the optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information with changes in at least one of the golf ball, grip, shaft, and club head required to achieve the optimized velocity, spin, and launch angle information. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a display, the display configured to display information related to the extrapolated distance and flight path as well as the launch data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the information related to the launch data is displayed in a graphical format. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the loft. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the center of gravity. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the change in the club head is related to the weight distribution.