Method of matching golfer with golf ball, golf club, or style of play
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsFrancis deSales Lynch, Walter L. Reid, Jr., John W. Jepson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of matching a golfer with golf balls with varying aerodynamic properties is disclosed. The "launch conditions" with which the golfer "launches" a golf ball are measured to determine the golf ball dimple pattern most suitable for a particular golfer or to determine modifications which should be made in his style of play or club design.
Claims16
An aid for golfers for use in matching a golfer to a golf ball, golf club or style of play which comprises:
- a. a series of charts which compare initial velocity, initial spin velocity, launch angle and golf ball carry at a plurality of points for an at least one golf ball;
- b. apparatus for measuring a golfer's launch conditions including initial velocity, initial spin velocity and launch angle when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club comprising;
- i. recording means for recording the lineal position and the rotational position of the golf ball at a plurality of time intervals;
- ii. first communicating means for communicating to the recording means the lineal position and the rotational position of the golf ball at a first point in time;
- and
- iii. second communicating means for communicating to the recording means, the lineal position and the rotational position of the golf ball at a second point in time subsequent to the said first point in time.
- c. said launch condition measured by said apparatus for measuring being relatable to said series of charts.
An aid for golfers for use in matching a golfer to a golf ball, golf club or style of play which comprises:
- a. a series of charts which compare initial velocity, initial spin velocity, launch angle and golf ball carry at a plurality of points for an at least one golf ball;
- b. apparatus for measuring a golfer's launch conditions including initial velocity, initial spin velocity and launch angle when a golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club comprising;
- i. a camera with an electronically operated shutter;
- ii. means for generating an electrical signal to open the camera shutter when the golf club reaches a preselected position;
- iii. means for generating a first flash of light after the golf club comes in contact with the ball;
- iv. means for generating a second flash of light after the first flash of light;
- v. means for controlling the interval between the first and second flashes of light;
- and
- vi. means for generating a signal to close the camera shutter;
- c. said launch condition measured by said apparatus for measuring being relatable to said series of charts.
An apparatus for measuring a golfer's launch conditions when the golfer hits a golf ball with a golf club including:
- i. initial velocity;
- ii. initial spin velocity;
- and
- iii. launch angle;
- said apparatus comprising:
- a. a camera with an electronically operated shutter;
- b. means for generating an electrical signal to open the camera shutter when the golf club reaches a preselected position;
- c. a xenon lamp having an intensity of at least 10 million lux at 1 meter for generating a first flash of light for a period of time no greater than about one ten-thousandth of a second after the golf club comes in contact with the ball;
- d. a xenon lamp having an intensity of at least 10 million lux at 1 meter for generating a second flash of light for a period of time no greater than about one ten-thousandth of a second after the first flash of light;
- e. a timer for controlling the interval between the first and second flashes of light between about one-sixtieth and about one two-hundredth of a second;
- and
- f. means for generating a signal to close the camera shutter at a preselected time after said second flash of light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.