Golfer classification method, golfer classification system and golf club selection method

Abstract

A golfer classification method in which, in order to classify a golfer based on his/her swing behavior, a first head speed HS 1 of a short iron when the golfer hits a golf ball with the short iron is measured; a second head speed HS 2 and a blow angle of a long iron when the golfer hits a golf ball with the long iron are measured; the head speed ratio HS 2/ HS 1 is calculated; by comparing the blow angle with a first threshold, the golfer is classified into a down blow group or a non down blow group; and by comparing the head speed ratio HS 2/ HS 1 with a second threshold, the golfer classified into the down blow group is further classified into a first down blow group or a second down blow group. A golf club selection method in which, for the golfer classified by the golfer classification method, a suitable golf club is selected.

1 . A golfer classification method for classifying a golfer based on his/her swing behavior, comprising:
 a first measuring step of measuring a first head speed HS 1  of a short iron when the golfer hits a golf ball with the short iron, by the use of a measuring means,   a second measuring step of measuring a second head speed HS 2  and a blow angle θ of a long iron when the golfer hits a golf ball with the long iron. by the use of the measuring means,   a calculating step of calculating a head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  which is the ratio of the second head speed HS 2  to the first head speed HS 1  by the use of a calculating means,   a first classifying step of classifying the golfer into a down blow group or a non down blow group, by a determining means, based on the blow angle θ of the long iron and a predetermined first threshold value therefor, and   a second classifying step in which, based on the head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  and a predetermined second threshold value therefor, the golfer classified into the down blow group is further classified, by the determining means, into a first down blow group where the head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  is more than the second threshold value, or a second down blow group where the head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  is not more than the second threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first threshold value is −0.5 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a step of determining the second threshold value based on a club length ratio L 2 /L 1  which is the ratio of the club length L 2  of the long iron to the club length L 1  of the short iron. 
     
     
         4 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 2 , which further comprises a step of determining the second threshold value based on a club length ratio L 2 /L 1  which is the ratio of the club length L 2  of the long iron to the club length L 1  of the short iron. 
     
     
         5 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a step of determining the second threshold value within a range of from 97% to 103% of a club length ratio L 2 /L 1  which is the ratio of the club length L 2  of the long iron to the club length L 1  of the short iron. 
     
     
         6 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 2 , which further comprises a step of determining the second threshold value within a range of from 97% to 103% of a club length ratio L 2 /L 1  which is the ratio of the club length L 2  of the long iron to the club length L 1  of the short iron. 
     
     
         7 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a third measuring step of measuring, by the use of the measuring means, a third head speed HS 3  of a non-iron-type club when the golfer hits a golf ball with the non-iron-type club. 
     
     
         8 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 2 , which further comprises a third measuring step of measuring, by the use of the measuring means, a third head speed HS 3  of a non-iron-type club when the golfer hits a golf ball with the non-iron-type club. 
     
     
         9 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 3 , which further comprises a third measuring step of measuring, by the use of the measuring means, a third head speed HS 3  of a non-iron-type club when the golfer hits a golf ball with the non-iron-type club. 
     
     
         10 . The golfer classification method according to  claim 4 , which further comprises a third measuring step of measuring, by the use of the measuring means, a third head speed HS 3  of a non-iron-type club when the golfer hits a golf ball with the non-iron-type club. 
     
     
         11 . A golf club selection method for selecting a type of golf club for the golfer classified by the golfer classification method according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a step of selecting, for the golfer classified into the non down blow group, a non-iron-type club as a golf club corresponding to a low number golf club of an iron set, by a selecting means, and   a step of selecting, for the golfer classified into the first down blow group, a long iron as a golf club Corresponding to a low number golf club of the iron set, by the selecting means.   
     
     
         12 . A golf club selection method for selecting a type of golf club for the golfer classified by the golfer classification method according to  claim 7 , comprising steps implemented by a selecting means which are:
 a step of selecting, for the golfer classified into the non down blow group, a non-iron-type club as a golf club corresponding to a low number golf club of an iron set;   a step of selecting, for the golfer classified into the first down blow group, the long iron as a golf club corresponding to a low number golf club of an iron set;   a step of selecting, for the golfer classified into the second down blow group, as a golf club Corresponding to a low number golf club of an iron set, the long iron if the head speed HS 3  is not more than a predetermined third threshold value, or a non-iron-type club if the head speed HS 3  is more than the third threshold value.   
     
     
         13 . A golfer classification system for classifying a golfer based on his/her swing behavior, comprising:
 a measuring means for measuring a behavior of a golf club head,   a calculating means for calculating measured data obtained by the measuring means,   a determining means for classifying the golfer based on calculated results obtained by the calculating means and the measured data, wherein   the measuring means measures a first head speed HS 1  of a short iron when the golfer hits a golf ball with the short iron, and a second head speed HS 2  and a blow angle θ of a long iron when the golfer hit a golf ball with the long iron,   the calculating means calculates a head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  which is the ratio of the second head speed HS 2  to the first head speed HS 1 ,   the determining means classifies the golfer into a down blow groups or non-down blow group based on the measured blow angle θ of the long iron and a predetermined first threshold value therefor, and   the determining means further classifies the golfer belonging to the down blow group into a first-down blow group where the head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  is more than a predetermined second threshold value, or a second down blow group where the head speed ratio HS 2 /HS 1  is not more than the second threshold value.