Devices and methods for analyzing golf swings

Abstract

A device for analyzing golf swings includes a sensor operable for sensing at least one swing characteristic of a golfer as the golfer takes a golf swing; memory for storing swing data representative of the swing characteristic sensed by the sensor; a location determining component for determining a current location of the golfer and for identifying a target location; a computing device coupled with the memory and the location determining component and operable for generating a swing recommendation based at least partially on the stored swing data, the current location of the golfer, and the target location.

1 . A wearable device for analyzing golf swings, the device comprising:
 a sensor configured to sense at least one swing characteristic of a golfer as the golfer takes a golf swing;   memory configured to store swing data representative of the swing characteristic sensed by the sensor;   a location determining component configured to determine a current location of the golfer and to identify a target location; and   a computing device coupled with the memory and the location determining component, the computing device configured to generate a swing recommendation based at least partially on the stored swing data, the current location of the golfer, and the target location.   
     
     
         2 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the swing characteristic is a characteristic selected from the group consisting of a swing speed, a swing tempo, a swing strength, and a swing path. 
     
     
         3 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the swing recommendation is a recommendation selected from the group consisting of a size of a golf club, a type of a golf club, a recommended swing speed, a recommended swing tempo, and a recommended swing strength. 
     
     
         4 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer. 
     
     
         5 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface coupled with the computing device, the user interface configured to provide an indication of the swing characteristic, the current location of the golfer, the target location, and the swing recommendation. 
     
     
         6 . The device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the user interface includes a graphical display. 
     
     
         7 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the target location is a location selected from the group consisting of a location of a green, a location of a pin on the green, a location of a fairway, and a location of a user-identified area on a golf course. 
     
     
         8 . The device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the location determining component determines the target location by accessing location data for the target stored in the memory. 
     
     
         9 . The device as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising a portable housing for housing the sensor, the memory, the location determining component, the computing device, and the user interface and a strap for strapping the housing to the golfer. 
     
     
         10 . A wearable device for analyzing golf swings, the device comprising:
 a sensor configured to:
 sense at least one swing characteristic of a golfer as the golfer takes a first golf swing; 
 generate first swing data representative of the swing characteristic of the first golf swing; 
 sense the swing characteristic again as the golfer takes a second golf swing; and 
 generate second swing data representative of the swing characteristic of the second golf swing; 
   memory coupled with the sensor and configured to store at least some of the first and second swing data;   a computing device coupled with the memory and configured to compare the first and second swing data so as to compare the first and second golf swings;   a user interface coupled with the computing device and configured to provide an indication of the comparison of the first and second golf swings; and   a portable housing configured to house the sensor, the memory, the computing device, and the user interface and a strap for strapping the housing to the golfer.   
     
     
         11 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a location determining component configured to determine a current location of the golfer and for identifying a target location. 
     
     
         12 . The device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is also coupled with the location determining component and is operable for providing the golfer a swing recommendation based at least partially on the first swing data, the current location of the golfer, and the target location. 
     
     
         13 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the swing characteristic is a characteristic selected from the group consisting of a swing speed, a swing tempo, a swing strength, and a swing path. 
     
     
         14 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the swing recommendation is a recommendation selected from the group consisting of a size of a golf club, a type of a golf club, a recommended swing speed, a recommended swing tempo, and a recommended swing strength. 
     
     
         15 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer. 
     
     
         16 . The device as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a user interface coupled with the computing device for providing an indication of the swing characteristic, the current location of the golfer, the target location, and the swing recommendation. 
     
     
         17 . A wearable device for analyzing golf swings, the device comprising:
 a sensor operable for sensing at least one swing characteristic of a golfer as the golfer takes a golf swing;   memory configured to store swing data representative of the swing characteristic sensed by the sensor;   a location determining component configured to determine a current location of the golfer and for identifying a target location;   a computing device coupled with the memory and the location determining component and operable for generating a swing recommendation based at least partially on the stored swing data, the current location of the golfer, and the target location;   a graphical display coupled with the computing device configured to provide a visual indication of the swing characteristic, the current location of the golfer, the target location, and the swing recommendation;   a portable housing for housing the sensor, the memory, the location determining component, the computing device, and the graphical display; and   a strap configured to strap the housing to the golfer's wrist or arm.   
     
     
         18 . The wearable device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the swing characteristic is a characteristic selected from the group consisting of a swing speed, a swing tempo, a swing strength, and a swing path and wherein the swing recommendation is a recommendation selected from the group consisting of a size of a golf club, a type of a golf club, a recommended swing speed, a recommended swing tempo, and a recommended swing strength. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the target location is a location selected from the group consisting of a location of a green, a location of a pin on the green, a location of a fairway, and a location of a user-identified area on a golf course and wherein the location determining component determines the target location by accessing location data for the target stored in the memory.