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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for fitting golf equipment, comprising:
 collecting data related to the golfer's swing;   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; and   when it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should riot be modified, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball; and   specifying golf equipment based on the collected swing data and launch data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, when it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified:
 providing swing instruction to the golfer to improve the golfer's swing;   collecting data related to the golfer's improved swing;   collecting data related to how the golfer's improved swing launches a golf ball; and   specifying golf equipment based on the collected swing data and launch data for the golfer's improved swing.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a load time for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a load pattern for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a load time and a load pattern for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data and deriving a ramp potential for the golfer's swing from the determined load time and load pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising deriving a shaft flex based on the determined load time, the determined load patterns, and the derived ramp potential. 
     
     
         8 . A method of fitting golf equipment, comprising:
 collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball;   configuring a golf club on the fly based at least in part on the collected launch data;   collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball with the configured golf club; and   specifying golf equipment based on the collected launch data for the configured golf club.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a shaft with a new shaft length. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a shaft with a new shaft weight. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a shaft with a new shaft material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a shaft with a new shaft tip size. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a shaft with a new shaft torque. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a new grip. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a grip with a new grip weight. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring a golf club on the fly comprises selecting a club head with a new club head center of gravity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising selecting a ball with a new ball spin characteristic based on the collected launch data. 
     
     
         19 . A golf equipment fitting system, comprising:
 a launch module configured to collect launch data related to how a golfer's swing launches a golf ball and to derive launch parameters for the golfer's swing based on the collected launch data;   a shaft module configured to collect swing data related to the golfer's swing and to derive swing parameters for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data; and   a swing module configured to capture images of the golfer's swing in order to aid in analysis of the golfer's swing.   
     
     
         20 . The golf equipment fitting; system of  claim 19 , further comprising a color camera coupled with the launch module, wherein the launch module is configured to collect launch data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball marked with color markings using the color camera. 
     
     
         21 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 20 , wherein the launch module is configured to convert images of the color markings on the golf ball captured by the color camera into spin, speed, and launch angle data. 
     
     
         22 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the collected launch data comprises data related to the spin of a golf ball hit by the golfer. 
     
     
         23 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the collected launch data comprises data related to the speed of a golf ball hit by the golfer as the golf ball leaves the face of a club swung by the golfer. 
     
     
         24 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the collected launch data comprises data related to the launch angle of a golf ball hit by the golfer as the golf ball leaves the face of the club swung by the golfer. 
     
     
         25 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the launch module is further configured to derive ball flight characteristics based on the collected launch data. 
     
     
         26 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 25 , further comprising a display, and wherein the launch module is further configured to display information related to the derived ball flight characteristics. 
     
     
         27 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 26 , wherein the derived ball flight characteristics comprise carry distance, total distance, and height characteristics. 
     
     
         28 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the launch module is further configured to average collected data for a plurality of swings. 
     
     
         29 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , further comprising a wireless receiver coupled with the shaft module, the wireless receiver configured to receive the swing data. 
     
     
         30 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load time for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data. 
     
     
         31 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load pattern for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data. 
     
     
         32 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 29 , wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a ramp potential for the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data. 
     
     
         33 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 29 , wherein the shaft module is further configured to derive a load time, a load pattern, and a ramp potential based on the collected swing data and to derive shaft flex based on the derived load time, load pattern, and ramp potential. 
     
     
         34 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , further comprising a display, wherein the shaft module is configured to display information related to the collected swing data on the display. 
     
     
         35 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 34 , wherein the shaft module is configured to display the information in a graphical format. 
     
     
         36 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 29 , wherein the shaft module is configured to derive a peek deflection associated with the golfer's swing based on the collected swing data. 
     
     
         37 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 29 , further comprising a video system coupled with the swing module, the video system configured to capture the images of the golfer's swing and provide them to the swing module. 
     
     
         38 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 37 , further r comprising memory coupled with the swing module, the memory configured to store the captured images. 
     
     
         39 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 38 , further comprising a display, wherein the swing module is configured to display the captured images on the display. 
     
     
         40 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 38 , wherein the swing module is further configured to freeze the display of the images, fast forward the display of the images, or rewind the display of the images. 
     
     
         41 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 19 , further comprising an operating system configured to allow a user to access the launch module, shaft module, and swing module as required to achieve an optimum fitting. 
     
     
         42 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 41 , further comprising a display, and wherein the launch module is configured to display launch information on the display, the shaft module is configured to display swing information on the display, and the swing module is configured to display images of the golfer's swing on the display. 
     
     
         43 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 42 , wherein the operating system is further configured to allow a user to switch between information displayed by the launch module, shaft module, and swing module, as required in order to achieve an optimum fitting. 
     
     
         44 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 41 , wherein the operating system is configured to allow a user to input information related to the equipment presently being used by the golfer as part of the fitting process. 
     
     
         45 . The golf equipment fitting system of  claim 41 , wherein the operating system is configured to allow a user to generate a report that includes information related to recommended equipment parameters for the golfer as determined by the launch module and shaft module. 
     
     
         46 . A method for fitting a golfer with a golf club, comprising:
 providing a plurality of golf club heads, each of the plurality of golf club heads comprising a portion of a quick disconnect system;   providing a plurality of golf club shafts, each of the plurality of golf club shafts comprising a mating portion of the quick disconnect system;   determining a baseline configuration for a golf club for use by the golfer, the baseline configuration comprising golf club head parameters and golf club shaft parameters;   selecting a golf club head from the plurality of golf club heads based on the golf club head parameters;   selecting a golf club shaft form the plurality of golf club shafts based on the golf club shaft parameters;   forming a golf club from the selected golf club head and the selected golf club shaft using the quick disconnect system;   monitoring how the golfer launches a golf ball with the golf club; and   selecting at least one of a new golf club head from the plurality of golf club heads and a new golf club shaft from the plurality of golf club shafts based on how the golfer launches the golf ball;   forming a new golf club from the newly selected golf club head and newly selected golf club shaft using the quick disconnect system; and   monitoring how the golfer launches a golf ball using the new golf club, wherein monitoring how the golf club launches a golf ball comprises monitoring the spin, velocity, and launch angle imparted to the golf ball by the golfer using the golf club, the new golf club head or golf club shaft being selected based on the monitoring in order to optimize a launch angle, velocity and spin rate relative to each other by determining an appropriate velocity based on the launch angle or spin rate.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein a launch monitor is used to monitor how the golfer launches the golf ball. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the steps are repeated until an optimal launch of the golf ball is achieved. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein optimal launch is achieved when the golf club formed using the quick disconnect system produces a combination of spin, velocity, and launch angle that produces the longest and most accurate golf ball flight. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the spin, velocity, and launch angle are monitored using a launch monitor. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein each of the plurality of golf club heads comprise configurable weights configured to change the center of gravity of the golf club head, and wherein forming a new golf club comprises configuring the golf club head configurable weights. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the golf club head parameters include at least one of loft, center of gravity, and size. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the golf club shaft parameters include stiffness, length, torque, and weight. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the portion of the quick disconnect system included in each of the plurality of golf club shafts comprises a hosel attached to one end of the golf club shaft, and wherein the portion of the quick disconnect system included in each of the plurality of golf club heads comprises a bore in the golf club head comprises a bore in the golf club head configured to receive a hosel attached to one of the plurality of golf club shafts, and wherein forming a new golf club comprises inserting the hosel of a golf club shaft into the bore of a golf club head. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the hosel further comprises threads configured to mate with a screw, and wherein the bore further comprises an access for a screw to mate with a hosel when the hosel is inserted in the bore, and wherein forming a new golf club comprises affixing the golf club shaft to the golf club head by screwing a screw into the hosel threads when the golf club shaft is inserted into the golf club head. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising displaying information related to data produced by the launch monitor.