Golf club fitting system and method

Abstract

To provide a system for generating fitting recommendation.SOLUTION: A system comprises: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include: receiving ball flight data for each of a plurality of golf shots taken with a first golf club; plotting, for each of the plurality of golf shots, the ball flight data onto each of at least one virtual golf hole, respectively corresponding to at least one real golf hole, to generate at least one hole position data respectively on the at least one virtual golf holes for the golf shot; and generating, based on the plurality of hole position data on each of the at least one virtual golf holes, a first golf club recommendation.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 17 / 566,553, filed Dec. 30, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 18 / 147,425, filed Dec. 28, 2022, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. To the extent appropriate, this application claims priority to the above applications. [Background technology]

[0002] A golf club includes a shaft and a golf club head at the end of the shaft. Metalwood golf club shafts and golf club heads can have a variety of features, such as shaft weight, shaft length, golf club head model, and loft, that, if properly fitted, may improve or enhance a golfer's game. However, the average golfer needs assistance making this selection, and the current fitting process for metalwoods is generally in an outdoor setting, with no good practice for conducting metalwood fittings in an indoor setting, such as a golf store.

[0003] It is with respect to these and other general considerations that the embodiments disclosed herein have been made, and although relatively specific problems may be described, it should be understood that the examples should not be limited to solving specific problems identified in the background or elsewhere in this disclosure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,758,449 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs.

[0006] According to one aspect, the present technology relates to a system for generating fitting recommendations for at least one golf club, the system including a launch monitor including one or more sensors configured to capture ball flight data; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the launch monitor, the computing device including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform operations, the operations including: for each golf club of two or more golf clubs, measuring with the launch monitor ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with the golf club; plotting, by the at least one processor, the ball flight data on a virtual golf hole corresponding to a first real golf hole to generate hole location data on the virtual golf hole for the golf shot; and calculating, by the at least one processor, a strokes-gained value for the golf club based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot; and generating a golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value for each of the two or more golf clubs.

[0007] In some examples, the system further includes a display, and the operations further include displaying on the display the virtual golf hole and hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with each of the two or more golf clubs. In some examples, the operations further include receiving, by the at least one processor, a selection of the virtual golf hole from among a plurality of possible virtual golf holes, each corresponding to a plurality of real golf holes. In some examples, the two or more golf clubs are all driver type golf clubs, all metal wood type golf clubs, all iron type golf clubs, or all wedge type golf clubs. In some examples, the operations further include simulating, by the at least one processor, for each golf club of the two or more golf clubs and based on at least one of the ball flight data or the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the golf club, at least one simulated hole location data for the virtual golf hole, and calculating a strokes gained value for each of the two or more golf clubs is further based on the at least one simulated hole location data for the golf club. In some examples, simulating at least one simulated hole location data for each of the two or more golf clubs includes using a Monte Carlo simulation to generate a plurality of simulated hole location data at the virtual golf hole. In some examples, for each golf club of the two or more golf clubs, a strokes gained value is calculated for each of at least one golf shot taken with the golf club based on an estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from a location on the virtual golf hole corresponding to the hole location data respectively. In some examples, each of the estimated number of golf shots is based on a distance from the corresponding location on the virtual golf hole to a green location and a terrain type of the virtual golf hole at the corresponding location on the virtual golf hole.In some examples, the golf club recommendation is further based on ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with each of the two or more golf clubs.

[0008] According to one aspect, the present technology relates to a system for generating a fitting recommendation, the system including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations including receiving ball flight data for each of a plurality of golf shots taken with a first golf club, plotting the ball flight data on each of at least one virtual golf hole, each corresponding to the at least one real golf hole, to generate, for each of the plurality of golf shots, at least one hole location data, each at the at least one virtual golf hole, for the golf shot, and generating a first golf club recommendation based on the plurality of hole location data, each at the at least one virtual golf hole.

[0009] In some examples, the system further includes a display, and the operations further include causing the display to display each of the at least one virtual golf hole and corresponding hole position data for each of the plurality of golf shots at each of the at least one virtual golf hole. In some examples, the operations further include simulating at least one simulated hole position data at the virtual golf hole based on at least one of the ball flight data or hole position data of the virtual golf hole for each of the plurality of golf shots, for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, and calculating a strokes gained value for the virtual golf hole for each of the at least one virtual golf hole further based on the at least one simulated hole position data of the virtual golf hole. In some examples, for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, a strokes gained value is calculated based on an estimated number of shots to complete the virtual golf hole from a position on the virtual golf hole corresponding to the hole position data at the virtual golf hole for each of the plurality of golf shots, respectively. In some examples, the operations further include receiving ball flight data for each of a plurality of golf shots taken with the second golf club, plotting the ball flight data over each of the at least one virtual golf hole to generate, for each of the plurality of golf shots taken with the second golf club, at least one hole location data, at the at least one virtual golf hole, for the golf shot, respectively, and calculating, for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, a strokes gained value for the second golf club based on the hole location data at the virtual golf hole for each of the plurality of golf shots taken with the second golf club. In some examples, the first and second golf clubs are of the same type, and generating the first golf club recommendation is further based on a strokes gained value of the second golf club for each of the at least one virtual golf hole.In some examples, for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, the ball flight data for the first golf club is plotted on the virtual golf hole from a first location and the ball flight data for the second golf club is plotted on the virtual golf hole from a second location based on the hole location data of the first golf club at the virtual golf hole, and the operations further include generating a second golf club recommendation based on a strokes gained value of the second golf club for each of the at least one virtual golf hole.

[0010] According to one aspect, the present technology relates to a system for generating a fitting recommendation, the system including at least one processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations, the operations including receiving ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with a first golf club; plotting the ball flight data from a first position on the virtual golf hole onto a virtual golf hole corresponding to the real golf hole to generate hole location data on the virtual golf hole for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club; calculating a strokes gained value for the first golf club based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club; generating a first golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value; receiving ball flight data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club; plotting the ball flight data on a virtual golf hole from a second location on the virtual golf hole to generate hole location data on the virtual golf hole for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club, the second location being based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club; calculating a strokes gained value for the second golf club based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club; and generating the second golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value for the second golf club.

[0011] In some examples, the second golf club is a different type of golf club than the first golf club. In some examples, the first golf club recommendation is for a same type of golf club as the first golf club, the first golf club being a driver type golf club or a metal wood type golf club, and the second golf club recommendation is for a same type of golf club as the second golf club, the second golf club being an iron type golf club or a wedge type golf club. In some examples, the system further includes a display, and the operations further include causing the display to display the virtual golf hole, the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club, and the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club.

[0012] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a gap wedge golf club head. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a sand wedge golf club head. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a sand wedge golf club head. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a lob wedge golf club head. [Diagram 5] 1 is a view of an iron-type golf club head 1 in a toe-to-heel direction, with the golf club head 1 in a standard address position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the golf club head 1 of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a front view of the golf club head 1 of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of a system for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs, according to an example. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 illustrates a first user interface, according to an example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a second user interface, according to an example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a golf shot prompt of the second user interface of FIG. [Figure 13A] 12A-12C illustrate the golf shot analysis segment of the second user interface of FIG. 11 at various stages of hitting a golf shot. [Figure 13B] 12A-12C illustrate the golf shot analysis segment of the second user interface of FIG. 11 at various stages of hitting a golf shot. [Figure 13C] 12A-12C illustrate the golf shot analysis segment of the second user interface of FIG. 11 at various stages of hitting a golf shot. [Figure 13D] 12A-12C illustrate the golf shot analysis segment of the second user interface of FIG. 11 at various stages of hitting a golf shot. [Figure 13E] 12A-12C illustrate the golf shot analysis segment of the second user interface of FIG. 11 at various stages of hitting a golf shot. [Figure 14] FIG. 16 illustrates an upper portion of the golf shot analysis segment of FIGS. 13A-13E when multiple options are displayed. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 illustrates a third user interface, according to an example. [Figure 16A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs. [Figure 16B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a simulated view of an image captured by a launch monitor showing the impact of a golf swing. [Figure 18] 1 is a close-up of an image captured by a launch monitor showing a golf club prior to impact with a golf ball. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a close-up of an image captured by a launch monitor showing a golf club just as it impacts a golf ball. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a close-up of an image captured by a launch monitor showing a golf club immediately after impacting a golf ball. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 illustrates a first user interface, according to an example. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 illustrates some input fields of the first user interface of FIG. 22, according to an example. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 illustrates several other input fields of the first user interface of FIG. 22, according to an example. [Diagram 25] FIG. 23 illustrates several other input fields of the first user interface of FIG. 22, according to an example. [Figure 26] FIG. 23 illustrates several other input fields of the first user interface of FIG. 22, according to an example. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 illustrates a second user interface during the shaft fitting recommendation stage and according to an example. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface of FIG. 27 during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. [Figure 29] FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface of FIG. 27 during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. [Diagram 30]FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface of FIG. 27 during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. [Diagram 31] FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface of FIG. 27 during the head fitting recommendation stage and according to an example. [Diagram 32] FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface of FIG. 27 during a fine-tuning stage and according to an example. [Diagram 33] FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface of FIG. 27 during the fine tuning stage. [Diagram 34] FIG. 28 shows the upper portion of the second user interface of FIG. 27 when multiple options are displayed. [Diagram 35] FIG. 1 illustrates multiple virtual golf holes on a real golf course. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 illustrates a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) of the plurality of virtual golf holes of FIG. 35. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 illustrates a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) with a plurality of ball flight data plotted on the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1). [Figure 38] FIG. 2 illustrates a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) with both a plurality of ball flight data and a plurality of simulated ball flight data plotted on the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1). [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 38. [Diagram 40] FIG. 36 illustrates a second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) of the plurality of virtual golf holes of FIG. 35. [Diagram 41] FIG. 2 illustrates a second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) with both a plurality of ball flight data and a plurality of simulated ball flight data plotted on the second virtual golf hole (Hole 2). [Diagram 42] FIG. 36 illustrates a third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) of the plurality of virtual golf holes of FIG. 35. [Diagram 43]FIG. 13 illustrates a third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) with a plurality of ball flight data plotted on the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3). [Diagram 44] FIG. 13 illustrates a third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) with both a plurality of ball flight data and a plurality of simulated ball flight data plotted on the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3). [Diagram 45] 5 illustrates operation of a method for generating fitting recommendations according to some examples. [Figure 46A] 5 illustrates operation of a method for generating fitting recommendations according to some examples. [Figure 46B] 5 illustrates operation of a method for generating fitting recommendations according to some examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for fitting golf clubs. In some examples, the systems and methods herein are for fitting wedge-type iron golf clubs having lofts in the range of 46°-64°, examples of which are shown in Figures 1-4 and described with reference to Table 1 below.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a gap wedge golf club head 1 with a 50 degree loft and a sole 13 with 8 degree bounce and an F grind. Figure 2 shows a sand wedge golf club head 1 with a 54 degree loft and a sole 13 with 8 degree bounce and an M grind. Figure 3 shows a sand wedge golf club head 1 with a 56 degree loft and a sole 13 with 10 degree bounce and an S grind. Figure 4 shows a lob wedge golf club head 1 with a 58 degree loft and a sole 13 with 12 degree bounce and a D grind.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a view of an iron-type golf club head 1 in a toe-to-heel direction with the golf club head 1 in a standard address position. FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the golf club head 1 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows a front view of the golf club head 1 of FIG. 5. With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the golf club head 1 includes a body having a striking face 11 on a forward portion of the body, a back face 18 opposite the striking face 11, a heel side 15, and a toe side 16 opposite the heel side 15. Each of the striking face 11 and the back face 18 is at least partially connected between the heel side 15 and the toe side 16. A hosel 17 is disposed at the heel end 15 of the body and is configured to connect a golf club shaft (not shown).

[0017] The striking face 11 of the golf club head 1 is configured to strike a golf ball. Grooves are machined into the striking face 11 and extend along a toe-to-heel direction. The grooves may be rounded on the toe side of the groove and on the heel side of the groove. A round cutter or saw cutter may be used to form the grooves such that the toe and heel sides of the groove are rounded about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the groove. Rounding the groove sides facilitates the removal of dirt, grass, sand, and other materials that typically become embedded in the grooves of a golf club during normal use by eliminating corners that may trap these materials. Details regarding grooves and groove fabrication may be found in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 7,758,449 to Gilbert et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Any definition, term, or characterization of this disclosure used herein shall take precedence over any conflicting information provided in any material incorporated by reference.

[0018] The striking face 11 has an upper topline edge 11A and a lower leading edge 11B opposite the upper topline edge 11A. The upper topline edge 11A and the lower leading edge 11B are each connected between a heel side 15 and a toe side 16. The body includes an upper portion 14 connected between the upper topline edge 11A and a back face 18 of the striking face 11. The body further includes a sole 13 extending from the lower leading edge 11B of the striking face 11 to the back face 18. The upper portion 14 and the sole 13 are each connected between a heel side 15 and a toe side 16 of the body. The sole 13 may have one of a number of combinations of bounce angle and grind type. The bounce angle may be between about -5 degrees and about 20 degrees. Examples of some available combinations for wedge-type golf club heads are listed in Table 1.

[0019] [Table 1]

[0020] The loft α of the wedge generally determines the launch angle of the golf ball when hit with the wedge, and therefore at least partially determines the distance the golf ball travels after being hit, as shown in Figure 5. For example, a wedge with a 46 degree loft will hit the golf ball with a smaller launch angle than a wedge with a 60 degree loft. A full shot with a 46 degree loft wedge will also typically travel farther than with a wedge with a 60 degree loft.

[0021] Golfers may use multiple wedges for their golf game. Pitching and gap wedges are often used for full shots into the green and more bump-and-run type pitch shots around the green. Sand wedges are usually more versatile and are used to hit the ball outside of sand traps and for larger lofted shots around the green. Lob wedges are generally used for shorter shots where the player needs a shot with very little run after the ball lands on the green.

[0022] Because wedges generally have multiple purposes and players use them differently, there are many options for wedges, including sole configurations (i.e., grind types). For example, the F-grind sole configuration is a relatively flat sole with a small camber radius from front to back and heel to toe, as shown in FIG. 1. The F-grind sole is an all-purpose grind that is particularly well suited for full shots and shots hit with a square face. The F-grind is generally preferred by players who desire a traditional wedge sole.

[0023] The M Grind sole configuration has a relatively planar front surface that is shaped like a crescent with large relief surfaces across the back, heel and toe portions of the sole, as shown in Figure 2. The M Grind is generally better for players who use a shallower, more sweeping swing that plays shots from a variety of club face positions.

[0024] The S-Grind sole configuration has a small camber radius from front to back and heel to toe with several relief surfaces across the rear portion of the sole, as shown in Figure 3. The S-Grind sole is generally best for square-face type shots like the F-Grind, but has more versatility than the F-Grind.

[0025] The D-grind sole configuration has a large bounce angle with a relatively planar front portion surface that is crescent shaped, and large relief surfaces across the back, heel, and toe portions of the sole, as shown in Figure 4. The D-grind is generally preferred by players who have a sharper delivery to the ball due to the greater bounce of the wedge. The D-grind is similar to the M-grind in that it has a crescent shaped front portion of the sole, but the D-grind provides more bounce in the forward portion.

[0026] The K-Grind sole configuration is a high-bounce wedge sole with a large camber radius from front to back and heel to toe. The sole configuration is especially useful for bunker shots. The K-Grind is a wide, full-sole wedge with extended camber to make it forgiving in a variety of sand and turf conditions.

[0027] The L-Grind sole configuration features a narrow crescent-shaped front section with steep relief surfaces along the back and at the heel and toe, allowing for maximum greenside versatility. The sole configuration is ideal for firm conditions and is designed for skilled players who frequently open and close the club face to produce different types of shots around the green.

[0028] Bounce angle β is the angle that the sole makes with the plane ground when the hosel is in a vertical plane, i.e., in a standard address position, as shown in FIG. 5. Bounce angle β can also be measured by measuring the angle μ from the face to the sole with the wedge in a standard address position and subtracting the angle Ω from the face to the ground (which is equal to 90°-α). Some wedges have soles that are defined by a cambered surface from front to back. With these soles, bounce angle β can be determined from the tangent to the curved surface midway between the leading and trailing edges.

[0029] 8 illustrates a block diagram illustrating components (e.g., hardware and software) of a system used to generate fitting recommendations for golf clubs, according to one example. The system includes a computing device 800 communicatively coupled to a launch monitor 840. The launch monitor 840 may be communicatively coupled to the computing device 800 via a network 830, a wired connection, or a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection. In some embodiments, the launch monitor 840 and the computing device 800 may be integrated as a single device. The launch monitor 840 and / or the computing device 800 may be communicatively coupled to a server 820, for example, via the network 830.

[0030] The launch monitor 840 may be used to measure swing analysis and / or ball flight characteristics of a golf club shot and communicate the measurements to the computing device 800. The launch monitor 840 includes at least one sensor 846 configured to measure swing analysis and / or ball flight characteristics. For example, the sensor 846 may include an optical sensor that optically tracks the golf club as it is being swung by the golfer. A radar component may also be utilized as the sensor 846 to track at least one of the golf club during the swing or the golf ball flight after being hit by the golf club. The swing analysis for the golf club may include at least the attack angle and / or shaft lean. The ball flight characteristics may include at least the total golf ball distance (e.g., the longitudinal distance of the golf ball along the length of the fairway), the carry distance, the lateral distance of the golf ball (e.g., the distance of the golf ball from the centerline along the width of the fairway), the golf ball velocity (e.g., the velocity of the golf ball after impact with a golf club), the golf ball launch angle, the golf ball smash factor, and / or the spin of the golf ball.

[0031] The launch monitor 840 also includes a memory 842, a processor 844, and a communication connection 848. The processor 844 is configured to control the operation of the launch monitor 840. The memory 842 is configured to store, for example, measurements taken by the at least one sensor 846, and software used by the processor 844 to control the operation of the launch monitor 840. For example, the memory 842 may store operations that, when executed by the processor 844, cause the launch monitor 840 to perform operations described herein. The communication connection 848 is configured to communicate with the network 830 and / or the computing device 800 in any manner described herein. Accordingly, the launch monitor 840 is configured to measure swing analysis and / or ball flight characteristics of golf club shots using the at least one sensor 846, store the measurements in the memory 842, and communicate the measurements to the computing device 800 via the communication connection 848.

[0032] Computing device 800 may be any computing device suitable for use in a system for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs as described herein. In some examples, computing device 800 is a desktop computer, a portable computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.

[0033] In a basic configuration, the computing device 800 may include at least one processing unit 802 (e.g., processor) and a system memory 804. Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, the system memory 804 may include, but is not limited to, volatile storage (e.g., random access memory), non-volatile storage (e.g., read-only memory), flash memory, or any combination of such memory. The system memory 804 may include an operating system 805 and one or more program modules 806 suitable for operating a software application 850, such as a fitting recommendation application 851. The fitting recommendation application 851 may include instructions that, when executed by the processing unit 802, cause the system to perform the operations described herein for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs. The operating system 805 may be suitable, for example, for controlling the operation of the computing device 800. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with graphics libraries, other operating systems, or any other application programs, and are not limited to any particular application or system. This basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 8 by those components within dashed line 808. Computing device 800 may have additional features or functionality. For example, computing device 800 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and / or non-removable), such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 8 by removable storage device 809 and non-removable storage device 810.

[0034] As mentioned above, a number of program modules and data files may be stored in the system memory 804. While executing on the processing unit 802, the program modules 806 may perform processes including, but not limited to, one or more of the stages or acts of the methods described herein. Other program modules that may be used in accordance with examples of the present invention may include applications such as email and contact applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, slide presentation applications, drawing or computer-aided application programs, and the like.

[0035] Furthermore, examples of the present invention may be practiced in electrical circuits with discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips including logic gates, circuits utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip including electronic elements or a microprocessor. For example, examples of the present invention may be practiced via a system-on-chip (SOC) in which each or many of the components shown in FIG. 8 may be integrated onto a single integrated circuit. Such an SOC device may include one or more processing units, graphics units, communication units, system virtualization units, and various application functionalities, all of which are integrated (or "burned") onto the chip substrate as a single integrated circuit. Examples of the present disclosure may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations, such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including, but not limited to, mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. Additionally, aspects of the present invention may be practiced within a computer or any other circuit or system.

[0036] The computing device 800 may also have one or more input devices 812, such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, sound input device, touch input device, etc. The computing device 800 includes a display 820 and may also include other output devices 814, such as speakers, printers, etc. The above-mentioned devices are examples and others may be used. The computing device 800 may include one or more communication connections 816 that enable communication with other computing devices 818 and / or a launch monitor 840. For example, the computing device 800 and the launch monitor 840 may communicate with each other via the computing device 800's communication connection 816 and the launch monitor's communication connection 848. Examples of suitable communication connections 816 and 848 include, but are not limited to, RF transmitter, RF receiver, and / or RF transceiver circuitry, a universal serial bus (USB), a parallel port, and / or a serial port.

[0037] The term computer readable medium as used herein may include computer storage media. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any manner or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, or program modules. System memory 804, removable storage device 809, and non-removable storage device 810 are all examples of computer storage media (i.e., memory storage). Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Flash memory, or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other article of manufacture that may be used to store information and that may be accessed by computing device 800. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device 800. Computer storage media does not include carrier waves or other data signals that are propagated.

[0038] Communication media may be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" may refer to a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media, such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media.

[0039] A method for generating fitting recommendations will now be described with reference to Figures 8-16B. The method may be implemented or performed by the system illustrated and described with reference to Figure 8. The systems and methods described herein for generating fitting recommendations may be used indoors or outdoors.

[0040] 9 illustrates operation of a computer-implemented method 900 for generating fitting recommendations for a golf club, according to one example. The fitting recommendations may include bounce and / or grind for the golf club and may be generated by the computing device 800 based on a combination of player input data and swing analysis of one or more golf club shots measured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800.

[0041] In operation 901, player input data is received. For example, the player input data may be received by the computing device 800. The player input data may include information such as the loft of the player's pitching wedge, what is the maximum loft the player wants to play, what is the player's handicap, what is the player's confidence in hitting outside of the bunker, what are the golf course conditions (e.g., softness or firmness, grass type, etc., at the golf course the player intends to play), and / or what are the bunker conditions (e.g., sand softness or firmness, sand type, etc., at the bunkers at the golf course the player intends to play). The player input data is not limited to combinations of the above-listed items of information, and other items of information may be included in the player input data, with or without the above-described items of information. The swing analysis may include at least attack angle and / or shaft lean (eg, attack angle only, shaft lean only, or attack angle and shaft lean), although the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0042] In operation 902, at least one golf shot is hit and a swing analysis for each of the at least one golf shot is measured by the launch monitor 840. The golf shots may be hit by a player and may be hit with multiple different golf clubs having the same or different lofts. The golf shots may be of the same or different shot types, such as full swing shots, pitches, partial swing shots (e.g., shots between a full swing shot and a pitch), chips, greenside shots (e.g., about a 20 yard pitch shot), bunker shots, and / or open face shots.

[0043] A measured swing analysis is received at operation 903. For example, the measured swing analysis may be received by the computing device 800 from the launch monitor 840.

[0044] At least one fitting recommendation is generated based on the received swing analysis and / or player input data at operation 904. The fitting recommendations may be generated by the computing device 800. Each fitting recommendation may include a bounce and / or grind for a golf club having a particular loft. For example, the computing device 800 may generate a first fitting recommendation with a 10 degree bounce and an S grind sole, a second fitting recommendation with an 8 degree bounce and an M grind sole, and a third fitting recommendation with a 12 degree bounce and a D grind sole for a golf club having a 56 degree loft.

[0045] At operation 905, the computing device 800 ranks the fitting recommendations generated at operation 904 from most recommended to least recommended based on the player input data and / or swing analysis. For example, of the first through third fitting recommendations for a 56 degree loft described above, the computing device 800 may rank the first recommendation as most recommended, the third recommendation as least recommended, and the second recommendation between the first and third fitting recommendations.

[0046] At operation 906, fitting recommendations are presented. For example, the computing device 800 may present the fitting recommendations on the display 820. The presented fitting recommendations may be based on the ranking performed at operation 905. For example, of the first to third fitting recommendations for a 56 degree loft described above, the computing device 800 may provide the first fitting recommendation that it has ranked as the most recommended as its final fitting recommendation. In other examples, more than one fitting recommendation may be presented, and the fitting recommendations may be presented in their ranked order.

[0047] The method 900 described with reference to FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, while operation 901 is described as occurring before operation 902, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in some examples the temporal order of these operations may be reversed. That is, at least one golf shot may be hit and the launch monitor 840 may measure a swing analysis of the at least one golf shot before receiving the player input data. Also, while operations 904 and 905 are described as separate operations in the example of FIG. 9, these operations may be performed in parallel or simultaneously, e.g., as a single operation.

[0048] Additional details regarding fitting recommendations according to examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the first, second, and third user interfaces illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 10-15. FIG. 10 illustrates a first user interface according to an example. FIG. 11 illustrates a second user interface according to an example. FIG. 12 illustrates golf shot prompts of the second user interface of FIG. 11. FIGS. 13A-13E illustrate the golf shot analysis segment of the second user interface of FIG. 11 at different stages of hitting a golf shot. FIG. 14 illustrates an upper portion of the golf shot analysis segment of FIGS. 13A-13E when multiple options are displayed. FIG. 15 illustrates the third user interface according to an example. As described herein, the controllable features of the first, second, and third user interfaces 100, 200, and 300 may be controlled by any suitable means, such as input devices including a keyboard, mouse, pen, sound input device, and / or touch input device (e.g., touch screen), and the like. The controllable features of the first, second and third user interfaces 100, 200 and 300 may be controlled, for example, by a golfer or a professional fitter using the system to obtain fitting recommendations for a golfer.

[0049] 10, the first user interface 100 may be used to receive player input data by a computing device 800. The first user interface 100 may include one or more input fields, and the computing device 800 is configured to receive the player input data as input into the one or more input fields of the first user interface 100. The input fields include a first input field 101 for receiving information about the player's pitching wedge loft, a second input field 102 for receiving information about the maximum loft the player wants to play, a third input field 103 for receiving the player's handicap, a fourth input field 104 for receiving information about the player's confidence in hitting outside of the bunker, a fifth input field 105 for receiving information about bunker conditions (e.g., typical bunker conditions) at one or more courses the player intends to play, and a sixth input field 106 for receiving information about conditions (e.g., typical course conditions) for one or more courses or fairways the player intends to play.

[0050] Each of the input fields 101-106 may include various selectable values ​​for a user to provide player input data, as shown in the exemplary first user interface 100 of Figure 10. For example, for the first input field 101, selection of any of the 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, or "unknown" selectable options will result in the corresponding player input data being received and stored by the system. In other examples, the input fields 101-106 may include input boxes that can receive free-form text or numbers for providing player input data.

[0051] In some examples, the first user interface 100 is configured such that the input fields of the first user interface 100 are all displayed simultaneously on the display 820. In other examples, the first user interface 100 is configured such that the input fields of the first user interface 100 are displayed sequentially. For example, the first user interface 100 may be configured such that the first input field 101 is displayed, input is received into the first input field 101, then the second input field 102 is displayed, input is received into the second input field 102, then the third input field 103 is displayed, etc.

[0052] In some examples, the first user interface 100 is configured to allow selection of one or more of the input fields to be displayed on the display 820. For example, the first user interface 100 may display a number of selectable tabs corresponding to the input fields of the first user interface 100, and the first user interface 100 may be configured to display the input fields corresponding to the selected tab upon the computing device 800 receiving a selection of one of the selectable tabs. Thus, a person entering player input data may select and enter inputs into the input fields of the first user interface 100 in any desired order, and the person may be able to return to an input field that previously received an input and enter new information into that input field.

[0053] 11 , the second user interface 200 includes a golf shot prompt 220 and a golf shot analysis segment 260. The second user interface 200 may be displayed while at least one golf shot is hit and its swing analysis is measured by the launch monitor 840.

[0054] 12, a golf shot prompt 220 allows a golf shot to be hit to be defined. The golf shot prompt 220 includes one or more lofts 222 for different golf clubs to be hit and a corresponding shot type control menu 224 for each of the lofts 222. The lofts 222 may define which loft will be used when hitting the golf shot. Each of the shot type control menus 224 includes one or more shot types 226 and a list of selectable bunker play options 228.

[0055] The shot types 226 included within each of the shot type control menus 224 may identify what type of golf shot may be used when hitting a golf shot with the corresponding loft 222. In some examples, the shot type control menus 224 are configured to be controlled to add or remove shot types 226 or to reorder the priority of the shot types 226. The shot types 226 may be prioritized, for example, according to a player's most preferred to least preferred type of shot to be used with the corresponding loft 222. The bunker play option 228 is selectable to indicate that the corresponding loft may be used or is intended to be used for a bunker shot. Upon receiving a selection of the bunker play option 228 by the computing device 800, the bunker play option 228 may display a checked box. Upon receiving a deselection of the bunker play option 228 by the computing device 800, the bunker play option 228 may display an unchecked box.

[0056] A corresponding loft control 230 is included in the golf shot prompt 220 for each of the lofts 222 and is configured to be controllable or modifiable to adjust the value of the corresponding loft 222. For example, the loft control 230 may include two selectable elements, an element labeled with a "+" symbol and configured to increase the displayed loft 222 when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the + element, and another element labeled with a "-" symbol and configured to decrease the displayed loft 222 when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the - element.

[0057] The golf shot prompt 220 is configured to be controllable or adjustable to remove or add lofts 222. For example, the golf shot prompt 220 includes a selectable remove button 232 for each of the displayed lofts 222 configured to remove the corresponding loft 222 when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the remove button 232. The golf shot prompt 220 also includes a selectable add button 234 configured to add a golf club having a new loft 222 when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the add button 234.

[0058] Thus, the golf shot prompt 220 may be configured such that the number of lofts 222, the value of each of the lofts 222, and the corresponding shot types 226 are controllable or adjustable. However, the golf shot prompt 220 may also be configured to provide an initial recommendation of the lofts 222 and corresponding shot types 226. In some examples, the golf shot prompt 220 may provide a standard or default recommendation of the lofts 222 and corresponding shot types 226 based on, for example, hierarchical data stored in the computing device 800 or retrieved from the server 820. In some other examples, the golf shot prompt 220 may provide a recommendation of the lofts 222 and corresponding shot types 226 based on player-input data. For example, the recommendation may be based on data entered into the first input field 101 (i.e., the loft of the player's pitching wedge) and the second input field 102 (i.e., the maximum loft with which the player wants to play). As a non-limiting example, if the data entered into the first input field 101 is a pitching wedge loft of 48, and the data entered into the second input field 102 is a maximum loft of 60, the golf shot prompt 220 may provide initial gapping recommendations for lofts 222 of 48, 52, 56, and 60. In some examples, the golf shot prompt 220 is not configured to provide initial recommendations, but rather does not initially provide lofts 222 and allows for the addition of lofts through user interaction with the golf shot prompt 220.

[0059] The golf shot prompt 220 includes a selectable end button 236, which is labeled "END WITH SHOT TYPE PRIORITY" in the example shown in Figure 12. The end button 236 is configured to cause the golf shot analysis segment 260 to be displayed when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the end button 236. The golf shot prompt 220 may then either cease being displayed or continue to be displayed.

[0060] FIG. 13A illustrates the golf shot analysis segment 260 before any golf shot has been hit, and FIGS. 13B-13E illustrate the golf shot analysis segment 260 after one or more golf shots have been hit. With reference to FIGS. 13A-13E, the golf shot analysis segment 260 includes a current golf shot loft indicator 262, a current shot type indicator 264, a graphical performance representation 270, and a fitting recommendation representation 280. The current golf shot loft indicator 262 represents the loft of the next golf club that will be used to hit the current golf shot. The current shot type indicator 264 represents the shot type that the current golf shot will be hit by the golfer. Thus, the golfer can see which club the golfer should have hit and the type of golf shot the golfer should have hit. The graphical performance representation 270 represents a swing analysis of the golf shot received by the computing device 800. The fitting recommendation representation represents a fitting recommendation for one or more golf clubs generated by the computing device 800.

[0061] The current golf shot loft indicator 262 may have a selectable pull-down bar 262M configured to cause a loft selection menu to be displayed when the computing device receives a selection of the pull-down bar 262M. The loft selection menu may display one or more selectable lofts that define the value of the current golf shot loft indicator 262 as the selected loft when the computing device 800 receives a selection of one of the lofts. However, examples of the disclosure are not limited thereto and the current golf shot loft indicator 262 may be controllable in other manners to allow the value of the current golf shot loft indicator 262 to be defined. Similarly, the current shot type indicator 264 may have a selectable pull-down bar 264M configured to cause a shot type selection menu to be displayed, such as a drop-down menu below the current shot type indicator 264, when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the pull-down bar 264M. The shot type selection menu may display one or more selectable shot types that, when the computing device 800 receives a selection of one of the shot types, define the current shot type indicator 264 as the selected shot type. However, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the current shot type indicator 264 may be controllable in other manners to allow a value of the current shot type indicator 264 to be defined. Because the launch monitor 840 may not be configured to determine what loft and shot type the golf shot being measured has, it may be important for the computing device 800 to correctly identify what loft and shot type is currently being used. For example, the computing device 800 may base its fitting recommendation not only on a swing analysis of the golf shot, but also on the loft and shot type of the golf shot.Thus, the computing device 800 may generate inaccurate fitting recommendations when the loft and / or shot type of a golf shot is not correctly identified.

[0062] The golf shot analysis segment 260 includes a golf shot selection menu 266 that includes one or more combinations of lofts and corresponding shot types. In FIGS. 13A-13E, the golf shot selection menu 266 includes six lofts, namely, 48, 52, 54, 56, 56, and 60 degrees from top to bottom, and six corresponding shot types, namely, full shot, full shot, full shot, greenside, open face, and greenside from top to bottom. Each combination of lofts and shot types in the golf shot selection menu 266 is selectable such that, upon the computing device 800 receiving a selection of the combination, the current golf shot loft indicator 262 and the current shot type indicator 264 are defined to be the loft and shot type of the selected combination, respectively. Thus, the golf shot selection menu 266 may provide a convenient way for a user of the computing device 800 to define the current golf shot loft indicator 262 and the current shot type indicator 264. Thus, when swing analysis and / or ball flight data is received for a particular swing, the computing device 800 will note which golf club was used and a swing type was created, which provides a correlation of the swing analysis and / or ball flight data with the appropriate golf club and swing type.

[0063] In some examples, the combinations displayed in the golf shot selection menu 266 may correspond to the loft 222 and corresponding shot type 226 of the golf shot prompt 220. In some other examples, the golf shot selection menu 266 may provide standard or default recommendations of loft and corresponding shot type combinations based on hierarchical data stored in the computing device 800, for example. In some examples, the golf shot selection UI element or menu 266 is configured to be adjustable to add combinations, remove combinations, and / or adjust the loft and / or shot type of a combination. For example, the second user interface 200 may include a selectable golf shot prompt element configured to display the golf shot prompt 220 to enable the golf shot prompt 220 to be updated upon the computing device 800 receiving their selection, thereby also enabling the golf shot selection menu 266 to be updated.

[0064] In some examples, the swing analysis of the golf shot measured by the launch monitor 840 includes at least (1) attack angle and (2) shaft lean, and the graphical performance representation 270 is a graph with a first axis representing the attack angle and a second axis representing the shaft lean. However, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the swing analysis of the golf shot measured by the launch monitor 840 may include only the attack angle or only the shaft lean, and the graphical performance representation 270 may graphically represent only the attack angle or only the shaft lean, respectively, in any suitable manner (e.g., numerically, via a bar diagram, via a one-dimensional graph, etc.). The attack angle is the vertical direction of the geometric center movement of the club head at the maximum compression of the golf ball. The attack angle is measured relative to the horizon. The shaft lean is a measure of how far forward (i.e., toward the target) or backward the shaft of the golf club is tilted at the maximum compression of the golf ball. Shaft lean is measured from the perpendicular and may be measured as the angle between the shaft and the apex angle. Forward shaft lean has a positive angle value and rearward shaft lean has a negative angle value. Additional or alternative types of swing analysis may also be used with the present technology, such as dynamic loft or other types of measurements of the golf club as it is being swung. Dynamic loft is the amount of loft on the club face at impact, measured relative to the horizon at maximum compression of the golf ball. Additional description of example swing analyses is provided below with reference to FIGS. 17-20.

[0065] As shown in the example of FIG. 13A, in the graph of the graphical performance representation 270, a first axis representing the attack angle is a vertical axis and a second axis representing the shaft lean is a horizontal axis. The graphical performance representation 270 may be illustrated as being divided into sections or bands that characterize the swing analysis of the golf shot. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the graphical performance representation 270 is divided into an upper region that characterizes the swing analysis that falls within this region as "shallow", a middle region that characterizes the swing analysis that falls within this region as "intermediate", and a lower region that characterizes the swing analysis that falls within this region as "abrupt". In some examples, the computing device 800 may generate its fitting recommendation based in part on the characterization of the swing analysis. Although the graphical performance representation 270 is illustrated as a graph in this example, other visual representations for representing two or more swing analyses may be used.

[0066] Once the swing analysis for one or more golf shots is measured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800, one or more shot indicators 274 are displayed on the graphical performance representation 270 to represent the swing analysis of the corresponding group of shots, as shown in FIGS. 13B-13E. For example, each of the shot indicators 274 may represent the performance of golf shots of the same shot type. In some examples, each of the shot indicators 274 may represent the performance of golf shots of the same loft. In some other examples, each of the shot indicators 274 represents the performance of both golf shots of the same shot type and the same loft. In some examples, a single shot indicator 274 may be used to represent the swing analysis of all golf shots.

[0067] The shot indicator 274 may include any suitable graphics, images, symbols, etc. For example, the shot indicator 274 may include a geometric shape, such as a circle, a square, etc. In some examples, the shot indicator 274 may include text to indicate, for example, what group of golf shots the shot indicator 274 corresponds to, how many golf shots are in the corresponding group of golf shots, etc. The size of the shot indicator 274 may represent how many golf shots are in the corresponding group of golf shots. For example, as more golf shots of the corresponding group are hit, the size of the shot indicator 274 may decrease, and thus the size (e.g., smallness) of the shot indicator 274 may correspond to how many golf shots of the corresponding group have been hit.

[0068] The location of each of the shot indicators 274 in the graphical performance representation 270 (e.g., the location of the center of the shot indicator 274) may represent a statistical value of a swing analysis of the golf shots of the corresponding group of golf shots, such as an average or median value. After the swing analysis of each golf shot of the corresponding group of golf shots is received by the computing device 800, each of the shot indicators 274 may be updated.

[0069] 13B illustrates the golf shot analysis segment 260 after a full swing type first golf shot is hit. Once the full swing type first golf shot is hit, a first shot indicator 274A corresponding to the full swing shot type is displayed in the graphical skill representation 270. In the illustrated example, the first shot indicator 274A includes a circle with the word "full" in the center to indicate that the shot type is a "full" shot type. The location of the first shot indicator 274A (e.g., the center of the circle) corresponds to the attack angle and shaft lean of the full swing type first golf shot.

[0070] 13C shows the golf shot analysis segment 260 after a second golf shot of full swing type is hit. When a second golf shot of full swing type using the same golf club is hit, the size and position of the first shot indicator 274A are updated. For example, the diameter of the circle included in the first shot indicator 274A is reduced, the text inside the circle included in the first shot indicator 274A is changed to "F" (short for "full"), and the position of the center of the circle is shifted to a point on the graphical performance representation 270 corresponding to the average attack angle of the first and second golf shots of full swing type and the average shaft lean of the first and second golf shots of full swing type.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 13C, the graphical performance representation 270 may include a current shot indicator 276 that indicates a swing analysis of a most recent golf shot received by the computing device 800. Thus, in FIG. 13C, the current shot indicator 276 is positioned at the attack angle and shaft lean of a full swing type second golf shot. The current shot indicator 276 may include any suitable graphics, images, symbols, and the like. In FIG. 13C, the current shot indicator 276 is illustrated as a dot or a black circle. The current shot indicator 276 helps a user of the computing device 800 determine whether their most recent golf shot is, for example, an outlier that deviates significantly from earlier golf shots and therefore should be removed to avoid unduly affecting the graphical performance representation 270 and fitting recommendations.

[0072] In some examples, the golf shot analysis segment 260 includes a delete shot button 272 configured to, upon receipt of a selection thereof, cause the computing device 800 to update the graphical skill representation (including the shot indicator 274) without consideration of the swing analysis of the most recent shot and / or update the fitting recommendation without consideration of the swing analysis of the most recent shot. This may be accomplished by the computing device 800 deleting information stored within the computing device 800 that relates to the swing analysis of the most recent shot. For example, as shown in FIG. 13C, if the delete shot button 272 is selected after a second golf shot of a full swing type is hit, the graphical skill representation 270 may be updated based only on the swing analysis of the first golf shot of a full swing type as shown in FIG. 13B.

[0073] 13D illustrates the golf shot analysis segment 260 after several full swing type golf shots have been hit and after a first golf shot of a greenside type has been hit as the most recent golf shot having a swing analysis received by the computing device 800. After the first golf shot of the greenside type has been hit, a second shot indicator 274B is shown in the graphical performance representation 270. The second shot indicator 274B includes a circle and text, i.e., "Greenside" in the center of the circle. The location of the center of the circle of the second shot indicator 274B corresponds to the attack angle and shaft lean of the first golf shot of the greenside type.

[0074] 13E illustrates the golf shot analysis segment 260 after a greenside type second golf shot is hit. Once the greenside type second golf shot is hit, the second shot indicator 274B is updated such that the diameter of the circle decreases, the text inside the circle changes to "G" (short for "greenside"), and the location of the center of the circle shifts to a point on the graphical performance representation 270 that corresponds to the average attack angle of the first and second greenside type golf shots and the average shaft lean of the first and second greenside type golf shots.

[0075] The graphical performance representation 270 is useful for players to understand their golf performance (e.g., swing analysis) when hitting golf shots for different types of shots, for different lofts, and / or for different types of shots of the same loft, among other reasons.

[0076] The fitting recommendation representation 280 includes one or more lofts 284, each of which includes a corresponding fitting recommendation including a recommended bounce 286 and / or grind 288 for the loft 284. The computing device 800 generates the one or more fitting recommendations for the corresponding lofts based at least in part on the player input data and / or swing analysis of one or more golf shots measured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800. In some examples, the computing device 800 may further generate the fitting recommendation based at least in part on the ball flight characteristics of the golf shot.

[0077] In some examples, the fitting recommendation corresponding to the loft is based at least in part on a swing analysis of all of the golf shots measured by the launch monitor 840. In other examples, the fitting recommendation corresponding to the loft is based at least in part on a swing analysis of a subset of all of the golf shots, for example, all golf shots hit with a golf club having a corresponding loft. The fitting recommendation corresponding to the loft may be based on all of the swing analysis of the one or more golf shots, such as both attack angle and shaft lean, or the fitting recommendation may be based on only some of the swing analysis of the one or more golf shots, such as only attack angle or only shaft lean.

[0078] In some examples, the lofts 284 included in the fitting recommendation notation 280 are the same as the lofts included in the golf shot selection menu 266 and / or the golf shot prompt 220. As shown in Figures 13A-13E, the lofts included in the fitting recommendation notation 280 include, from top to bottom, the following lofts: 48 degrees, 54 degrees, 60 degrees, 52 degrees, and 56 degrees.

[0079] In FIG. 13A, fitting recommendations including a 10 degree bounce and an F grind are provided for a 48 degree loft, even though no swing analysis has been received by the computing device 800 for any golf shots. This is because, in this example, the generation of the fitting recommendation for the 48 degree loft is not based on swing analysis. For example, the generation of the fitting recommendation for the 48 degree loft may be based solely on player input data, or only one possible fitting recommendation may be available for the 48 degree loft. In FIG. 13A, fitting recommendations for the remaining lofts of 54 degrees, 60 degrees, 52 degrees, and 56 degrees are not provided in this example because the generation of fitting recommendations corresponding to these lofts depends, at least in part, on swing analysis of one or more golf shots.

[0080] In Figure 13B, after a first golf shot of a full swing type is hit, recommendations are generated for each of the remaining lofts of 54 degrees, 60 degrees, 52 degrees, and 56 degrees in fitting recommendation notation 280. As shown in Figure 13B, the fitting recommendation for the 54 degree loft is 10 degree bounce and an S grind, the fitting recommendation for the 60 degree loft is 12 degree bounce and a D grind, the fitting recommendation for the 52 degree loft is 8 degree bounce and an F grind, and the fitting recommendation for the 56 degree loft is 10 degree bounce and an S grind.

[0081] In some examples, the computing device 800 generates a fitting recommendation after receiving multiple swing analyses of multiple golf shots, such as after receiving swing analyses for a threshold number of golf club shots, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG 14. In some examples, the computing device 800 receives swing analyses for multiple golf shots and updates the fitting recommendation after receiving the swing analysis for each of the multiple golf shots.

[0082] The golf shot analysis segment 260 may include one or more carry distance notations 292 representing the carry distance of a golf shot measured by the launch monitor 840. In some examples, a single carry distance notation 292 may be included, representing, for example, the carry distance of a most recent golf shot or the average carry distance of all golf shots, and the carry distance notation 292 may be updated each time the computing device 800 receives ball flight characteristics of a new golf shot. In some other examples, multiple carry distance notations 292 corresponding to each of the lofts 284 of the fitting recommendation notation 280 are included, representing, for example, the carry distance of a most recent golf shot hit with a golf club having the corresponding loft 284, or the average carry distance of golf shots hit with a golf club having the corresponding loft 284. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 13B-13E, the golf shot analysis segment 260 includes multiple carry distance notations 292 corresponding to the multiple lofts 284 of the fitting recommendation notation 280.

[0083] The golf shot analysis segment 260 may include one or more gapping quality notations 294 that indicate whether the gapping (e.g., the average carry distance difference between two or more golf clubs of different lofts) is good or poor. The gap quality notation 294 may include text, e.g., "good gap," to indicate that the gapping between two or more lofts is good, and may include text, e.g., "poor gap," to indicate that the gapping is poor. The "good gap" text may be used, for example, when the average carry distance difference between golf clubs of the two lofts is less than a threshold, and the "poor gap" text may be used, for example, when the average carry distance difference is greater than a threshold or outside a range threshold (e.g., the carry difference is too small or too large). For example, as shown in FIG. 13D and FIG. 13E, after golf shots are hit with golf clubs having a loft of 48 degrees and a loft of 54 degrees, a gap quality notation 294 including "good gap" text is provided. In some examples, a single gapping quality representation 294 may be provided, for example, based on the average carry distance corresponding to each of the lofts 284. In some other examples, a gapping quality representation 294 may be provided for every two adjacent ones of the lofts 284. The determination on gapping quality may also result in a different loft recommendation. For example, in the fitting recommendation representation 280, the set of recommended lofts may be updated. For example, if the gap between two lofts is too large, one or more of the lofts may be updated to have a smaller difference in loft values.

[0084] In some examples, the golf shot analysis segment 260 includes a selectable options element 240. In response to receiving a selection of the options element 240 by the computing device 800, one or more controllable options may be displayed within the golf shot analysis segment 260. Figures 13A-13E show the selectable options button 240 as provided in an upper portion of the golf shot analysis segment 260 before a selection thereof is received by the computing device 800.

[0085] 14 illustrates an upper portion of the golf shot analysis segment of FIGS. 13A-13E after a selection of options button 240 has been received by computing device 800. The options displayed include a selectable estimation option 241, a selectable shot type display option 242, a selectable shot table display option 243, a selectable minimize option 244, a controllable shot condition threshold option 245, a controllable shot threshold option 246, a selectable final shot option 247, a selectable save option 248, a selectable player input data option 249, a selectable carry / gapping option 250, and a controllable fitting type option 251.

[0086] Upon receiving a selection of the estimation option 241 by the computing device 800, if the launch monitor 840 is not able to measure all of the swing analysis for the golf shot, the computing device 800 may use an estimate of the missing swing analysis for the golf shot. The estimate may be based, for example, on the swing analysis measured for the golf shot and / or hierarchical data stored within the computing device 800.

[0087] For example, computing device 800 may use the attack angle and shaft lean to update graphical performance representation 270 and generate or update fitting recommendations. If launch monitor 840 measures one of the attack angle and shaft lean of a golf shot but is unable to measure the other of the attack angle and shaft lean of the golf shot (e.g., due to error or inability to measure), computing device 800 may use an estimate of the other of the attack angle and shaft lean.

[0088] If the computing device 800 does not receive a selection of the estimation option 241 or receives a deselection of the estimation option 241, when the computing device 800 receives an incomplete portion of the swing analysis for a golf shot from the launch monitor 840, the computing device 800 may either use the incomplete portion of the swing analysis or discard the incomplete portion of the swing analysis and indicate on the golf shot analysis segment 260 that no measurements were received.

[0089] Upon receiving a selection of the shot type display option 242 by the computing device 800, the golf shot control menu 224 (see FIG. 12 ) may be displayed within the golf shot analysis segment 260, such as within the fitting recommendation representation 280 of the golf shot analysis segment 260 next to a corresponding one of the lofts 284, to allow the golf shot control representation 224 to be updated as described above with reference to FIG 12. Upon receiving a deselection of the shot type display option 242 by the computing device 800, the display of the golf shot control representation 224 may cease.

[0090] Upon receiving a selection of the display shot table option 243 by the computing device 800, a shot type table may be displayed in the golf shot analysis segment 260 including information such as swing analysis and / or ball flight characteristics of each of the golf shots measured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800. The shot type table may be controllable or adjustable to allow the computing device 800 to receive instructions via the table, for example, to delete information related to the golf shots. Upon receiving a deselection of the display shot table option 243, the display of the shot type table may cease.

[0091] When selected, the selectable minimize option 244 causes at least a portion or all of the golf shot analysis segment 260 to be automatically minimized once a shot is hit. The controllable shot condition threshold option 245 allows several shots to be collected for several conditions, such as greenside conditions.

[0092] The shot number threshold option 246 is controllable to enable the computing device 800 to receive instructions via the shot number threshold option 246 as to the number of golf shots for which swing analysis is to be received by the computing device 800 before the computing device 800 generates an initial fitting recommendation. As shown in FIG. 14, the number of golf shots in the shot number threshold option 246 is set to 1, and as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the fitting recommendation representation 280 provides fitting recommendations for each of the lofts 284 after receiving a swing analysis for one golf shot (i.e., a first golf shot of a full swing type). If the number of golf shots in the shot number threshold option 246 were instead set to 3, the fitting recommendation representation 280 would not provide fitting recommendations for all of the lofts 284 until the computing device 800 had received swing analysis for at least three golf shots.

[0093] Upon receiving a selection of the final shot option 247 by the computing device 800, the graphical technique representation 270 includes a current shot indicator 276, and upon receiving a deselection of the final shot option 247, the graphical technique representation ceases to include the current shot indicator 276.

[0094] Upon receiving a selection of the save option 248 by the computing device 800, the option settings are saved.

[0095] Upon receiving a selection of player input data option 249 by computing device 800, at least one or more of the input fields of first user interface 100 may be displayed and controllably rendered as described above with reference to Figure 10. This allows a user of computing device 800 to update or enter player input data at any time, for example, before or after hitting one or more golf shots.

[0096] Upon receiving a selection of the carry / gapping option 250 by the computing device 800, the carry distance representation 292 and / or the gapping quality representation 294 may be displayed as described herein. Upon receiving a deselection of the carry / gapping option 250 by the computing device 800, the display of the carry distance representation 292 and / or the gapping quality representation 294 may cease.

[0097] The controllable fitting type options 251 allow for the selection of how many shots (e.g., all shots) will be collected or analyzed during the fitting process. In the illustrated example, 18 shots are selected. The controllable fitting type options 251 may provide for selecting more or fewer shots to be collected or analyzed to complete a fitting session.

[0098] In some examples, the golf shot analysis segment 260 includes a selectable user interface element 290. Upon receiving a selection of the user interface element 290 by the computing device 800, a third user interface 300 is displayed, as shown in FIG.

[0099] 15 , the computing device 800 may generate one or more fitting recommendations, each including a bounce angle and a grind, for each of the lofts 284. The computing device 800 may rank the one or more fitting recommendations in order from most recommended to least recommended and display the most recommended fitting recommendation for each of the lofts 284 in the fitting recommendation representation 280. The third user interface 300 provides additional details about the one or more fitting recommendations for each of the lofts 284.

[0100] The third user interface 300 includes a first column 310, a second column 320, a third column 330, and a fourth column 340. The first column 310 includes each of the lofts 284 of the fitting recommendation representation 280, and may also include a top recommended fitting recommendation for each of the lofts 284. The second column 320 includes an explanation as to why a particular fitting recommendation of the one or more fitting recommendations for the corresponding loft was selected as the top recommended fitting recommendation.

[0101] The third column 330 may include all of the fitting recommendations generated for each of the lofts 284, which may be separated into groups of fitting recommendations corresponding to the same loft 284. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the third column 330 includes a number of groups 332, with each group 332 including one or more fitting recommendations generated for the same loft 284. One of the groups 332, corresponding to a 48 degree loft, includes a first fitting recommendation including a 10 degree bounce and an F grind. Another of the groups 332, corresponding to a 54 degree bounce, includes two fitting recommendations, a first fitting recommendation including a 10 degree bounce and an S grind, and a second fitting recommendation including a 12 degree bounce and a D grind. Another one of the groups 332 corresponding to a 60 degree loft includes three fitting recommendations, a first fitting recommendation including 12 degrees of bounce and a D grind, a second fitting recommendation including 8 degrees of bounce and an M grind, and a third fitting recommendation including 10 degrees of bounce and an S grind. Another one of the groups 332 corresponding to a 52 degree loft includes a first fitting recommendation including 8 degrees of bounce and an F grind. Another one of the groups 332 corresponding to a 56 degree loft includes three fitting recommendations, a first fitting recommendation including 10 degrees of bounce and an S grind, a second fitting recommendation including 8 degrees of bounce and an M grind, and a third fitting recommendation including 12 degrees of bounce and a D grind. Each of the groups 332 may be separated from an adjacent group 332 by one or more lines (e.g., blank lines).

[0102] A fourth row 340 includes a corresponding rank indicator, such as a percent match 342 (defined as a percentage value out of 100%) for each fitting recommendation in each group 332 to indicate how strongly each fitting recommendation in the corresponding group 332 is recommended. For example, within the group 332 corresponding to a 60 degree loft, the first fitting recommendation (i.e., 12 degree bounce and D grind), the second fitting recommendation (i.e., 8 degree bounce and M grind), and the third fitting recommendation (i.e., 10 degree bounce and S grind) have a percent match 342 of 70%, 24%, and 6%, respectively.

[0103] Although the information included in the third user interface 300 described above in accordance with one example of the present disclosure is illustrated and described as being organized into columns, rows, groups, etc., this is provided as a non-limiting example and the information included in the third user interface 300 may be organized in any suitable manner.

[0104] 16A and 16B illustrate a method 1600 of generating a fitting recommendation, according to an example. During operation 1601, a first user interface 100 including input fields (e.g., first through sixth input fields 101-106) is displayed on a display 820 of a computing device 800. During operation 1602, the computing device 800 receives player input data as input to the input fields of the first user interface. During operation 1603, the computing device 800 receives a first swing analysis for a first golf shot from a launch monitor 840. For example, the computing device 800 may receive at least an attack angle and / or a shaft lean for the first golf shot. During operation 1604, the computing device 800 displays a second user interface 200 including a graphical skill representation 270 having a shot indicator 274 representing the first swing analysis on the display 820. During operation 1605, the computing device 800 receives a second swing analysis for the second golf shot from the launch monitor 840. For example, the computing device 800 may receive at least an attack angle and / or a shaft lean for the second golf shot. In some examples, the first and second golf shots are of the same type, and in other examples, the first and second golf shots are of a first shot type and a second shot type that is different from the first shot type, respectively.

[0105] During operation 1606, the computing device 800 updates the shot indicator 274 based on the second swing analysis. During operation 1607, the computing device 800 generates at least one fitting recommendation based on the player input data and / or one or more of the first and second swing analyses. The fitting recommendation may include a corresponding bounce and / or grind for a golf club having a loft. For example, the computing device 800 may generate three combinations of bounce and grind for a golf club having a 60 degree loft. During operation 1608, the computing device 800 ranks the at least one fitting recommendation based on the player input data and / or one or both of the first and second swing analyses. During operation 1609, the computing device 800 displays a most recommended fitting recommendation of the at least one fitting recommendation for the golf club in the second user interface 200. For example, the computing device 800 may display in the fitting recommendation representation 280 a fitting recommendation including a recommended bounce 286 and a recommended grind 288 for a golf club having a loft of 60 degrees.

[0106] Some additional explanations of example swing analyses such as attack angle and shaft lean are provided below with reference to Figures 17-20. Figure 17 shows a simulated view of an image captured by a launch monitor showing the impact of a golf swing. Figure 18 shows a close-up of an image captured by a launch monitor showing the golf club prior to impact with a golf ball. Figure 19 shows a close-up of an image captured by a launch monitor showing the golf club just as it impacts the golf ball. Figure 20 shows a close-up of an image captured by a launch monitor showing the golf club just after impacting the golf ball.

[0107] FIG. 17 shows a schematic overview of the various conditions that a golf club head 1720 undergoes during a golf swing. While launch monitors usually focus on individual frames, this overview shown in FIG. 17 provides some initial context for what an iron-type golf club head 1720 looks like when interacting with the ground in an actual golf shot. On the left side of FIG. 17, it can be seen that the golf club head 1720 is approaching the golf ball 1722 from a steep angle with a significant amount of shaft lean. During impact, shown by the diagram in the center of the page, the golf club head 1720 may get stuck in the ground 1726 by hitting down against the golf ball 1722 and going under the ground 1726. This type of ball hitting motion may generally leave a divot 1732 in the ground. When fittings are performed indoors, artificial turf may be used and no permanent divots may be left in the artificial turf. Instead, the artificial turf may be pressed or compressed in time upon impact by the golf club head 1720. Finally, on the right side of Fig. 17, the golf club head 1720 has completed a golf swing and the golf ball 1722 has left the striking face portion of the golf club head 1720. It is at this point that the shaft 1724 may generally be substantially vertical. Figs. 18, 19, and 20 are now provided along with close-up views of the golf club head 1720 to provide better illustrations of each scenario.

[0108] FIG. 18 shows a close-up view of a golf club head 1820 just prior to impacting a golf ball. FIG. 18 shows the angle of attack ψ and the shaft lean angle φ. In this close-up view of the golf club head 1820, before the golf club head 1820 contacts the golf ball, the golf club head 1820 comes in at an angle of attack ψ that follows the swing path 1830 of the golf club head 1820 and stands above the ground surface 1826. The angle of attack ψ of each individual golfer may differ from one another depending on their particular golf swing, but generally may be between about 0 degrees and about -15 degrees, but may also be any other number depending on the golfer's golf swing. It is instructive to note here that the angle ψ is negative here indicating a downward angle of motion relative to the horizontal ground surface.

[0109] In addition to the angle of attack, Figure 18 also illustrates the shaft lean angle φ as the amount of forward shaft lean that a golfer demonstrates prior to contacting the golf ball. Most golfers who are hitting the golf ball downward will have a shaft lean angle φ between about 0 degrees and about 20 degrees, although that number can vary depending on the swing of a particular golfer and may even be a negative number.

[0110] Figure 18 of the accompanying drawings also illustrates another possible swing analysis called face angle relative to the target line, or simply known by some in the industry as face angle. Face angle refers to the angle of the golf club head 1820 as it relates to the target line, which is pointed to the right in this view of Figure 18. Although not specifically identified by any Greek symbol, a launch monitor can capture this by focusing on the angle of the scoreline relative to either the ground or the shaft axis 1825.

[0111] FIG. 19 shows a close-up view of the golf club head 1920 (e.g., at the point of maximum compression) as it impacts the golf ball 1922. In this close-up view of the golf club head 1920, it can be seen that as the golf club head 1920 contacts the golf ball 1922, it travels down the ground surface 1926 creating a divot 1932 in the ground. In some instances, the divot 1932 may occur shortly before impact with the golf ball 1922. Due to the interaction with the ground surface 1926, the launch monitor may be able to adjust its location and shift the focus of the launch monitor to an alternative location that does not include the divot 1932. As explained above, in indoor fittings where artificial turf is used, the divot 1932 may not be present or may be temporary as the artificial turf compresses upon impact with the golf club head 1920. 19, it can be seen that the angle of attack ψ may still be in a downward motion following the swing path 1930. This angle of attack ψ may generally be between about 0 degrees and about -15 degrees depending on the golfer's swing. The shaft lean angle φ may also vary depending on the golfer, but may generally be between about 0 degrees and 20 degrees.

[0112] In addition to the above, FIG. 19 also illustrates another possible swing analysis called dynamic loft ρ. Dynamic loft ρ generally relates to the loft of the golf club head 1920 relative to the vertical plane. This dynamic loft ρ that occurs during a golf swing will generally differ from the actual static loft of the golf club head 1920 because the dynamic loft ρ includes other variables such as shaft lean angle φ, swing path 1930, among many others. In this image captured in FIG. 19, the static loft of the golf club head 1920 may be about 60 degrees, but the dynamic loft ρ may be less due to the forward shaft lean angle φ, causing a dynamic loft ρ of about 45 degrees.

[0113] FIG. 20 shows a close-up view of the golf club head 2020 after impacting the golf ball 2022. In this close-up view of the golf club head 2020, after impact with the golf ball 2022, the golf club head 2020 may leave a divot 2032 on the ground and may begin to travel in an upward direction. In this frame of the golf swing captured in FIG. 20, the angle of attack Θ is positive to represent the golf club head heading on an uphill path, more specifically, between about 10 and 20 degrees. A positive path generally means that the golf club head is traveling along a swing path 2030 that is currently in an upward motion. Finally, the shaft lean angle in this embodiment is generally 0 degrees at some point during the moment after impact.

[0114] The launch monitor may also be able to capture golf ball 2022 characteristics such as golf ball 2022 launch angle and golf ball 2022 spin.

[0115] Systems and methods for generating fitting recommendations for golf clubs will now be described with reference to Figures 8 and 21-34. In some examples, the fitting recommendations may be for a metal wood golf club (e.g., a driver type golf club, a fairway wood type golf club, or a hybrid type golf club). The system for generating fitting recommendations may include, for example, the system illustrated and described with reference to Figure 8, and the method for generating fitting recommendations may be performed using, for example, the system illustrated and described with reference to Figure 8. The systems and methods described herein for generating fitting recommendations may be used indoors or outdoors.

[0116] FIG. 21 illustrates the operation of a computer-implemented fitting method 3500 for generating a fitting recommendation for a golf club, according to one example. The fitting method 3500 may be performed using the system illustrated and described with reference to FIG. 8. The fitting recommendation generated during the fitting method 3500 may include a shaft fitting recommendation and / or a golf club head fitting recommendation. In some examples, the fitting recommendation may be provided as a single recommendation including both a shaft fitting recommendation and a head fitting recommendation. In some other examples, the shaft fitting recommendation and the head fitting recommendation may be generated and provided separately. In some other examples, only a shaft fitting recommendation or a head fitting recommendation is generated and provided.

[0117] The shaft fitting recommendation may include one or more shaft-related characteristics, such as shaft weight, shaft length, shaft flex, shaft kick point, and / or shaft torque. For example, the shaft fitting recommendation may include shaft weight and shaft length. The shaft weight and length may each affect the feel of a player's golf swing, the flight characteristics of a struck golf ball, and the player's overall performance. For example, a longer shaft length may increase the total golf ball distance but may make the player less accurate, and a larger shaft weight may decrease the total golf ball distance but may make the player more accurate.

[0118] Shaft flex may refer to the amount that a shaft bends during a golf swing, which may affect the total golf ball distance, the direction of the golf ball being hit, the golf ball trajectory, and / or the carry distance. A more flexible shaft may result in better performance for slower swinging players, while a stiffer shaft may result in better performance for faster swinging players. As one scale of differentiation, shaft flex may be categorized into the following five types, generally ordered according to increasing stiffness: ladies, senior, regular, stiff, and extra stiff.

[0119] A shaft kick point may refer to the area along the shaft that bends the most during a golf swing. A shaft with a medium kick point has an area closer to the center of the shaft's length, a shaft with a low kick point has an area closer to the golf club head (e.g., between the center of the shaft's length and the golf club head), and a shaft with a high kick point has an area closer to the grip of the golf club (e.g., between the center of the shaft's length and the end of the shaft distal to the golf club head). The kick point of a shaft may affect the feel of a player's golf swing and the trajectory of the golf ball being hit.

[0120] Shaft torque may refer to the resistance of a shaft to twisting during a golf swing. A shaft with low torque may resist twisting more than a shaft with high torque. For example, a shaft with low torque may twist 3 degrees or less along its longitudinal axis during a golf shot, while a shaft with high torque may twist 5 degrees or more along its longitudinal axis during a golf shot. Shaft torque may affect a player's performance. Low torque generally results in better performance for players with fast golf swings, while high torque shafts generally result in better performance for players with slower golf swings.

[0121] The golf club head fitting recommendation may include a golf club head model, a loft, a hosel setting, and / or one or more adjustable weight options compatible with the head model. The golf club head model may be selected from one or more models from each of one or more manufacturers. For example, the golf club head model may be selected from a group of golf club head models of the same club type (e.g., drivers of different models). The club head models may be from the same manufacturer or from different manufacturers. As an example, for drivers, the various club head models may include the TSi1 head model, the TSR2 head model, the TSR3 head model, and the TSR4 head model available from TITLEIST. However, the disclosure is not so limited, and the group of golf club head models may include head models from additional or alternative manufacturers besides TITLEIST. The golf club head model may affect the performance of a player in view of the player's skill level. For example, some golf club head models (e.g., the TSR4 model) are better suited for highly skilled or professional players who have a low handicap and who consistently hit the golf ball near the sweet spot or sweet area on the striking face of the golf club head with little variability. Such club head models may be referred to as low-forgiveness models. Other golf club head models (e.g., the TSi1 golf club head model) are better suited for less skilled or novice players who have a high handicap and who hit the golf ball with a high variability across the striking face of the golf club head. Such club head models may be referred to as high-forgiveness models.

[0122] The loft of the striking face of the golf club head can affect various ball flight characteristics, including, for example, launch angle and golf ball trajectory, which can ultimately affect the total golf ball distance, golf ball carry distance, and golf ball direction. Some club head models also include adjustable settings, such as an adjustable hosel setting and / or an adjustable weight setting. The hosel setting may include settings for selectively controlling the loft of the golf club head and / or for selectively controlling the lie of the golf club head. For example, the hosel setting may include settings available from TITLEIST's SUREFIT hosel (SUREFIT - a registered trademark of Acushnet Company). The selected hosel setting can affect various ball flight characteristics and the overall performance of the player by affecting the loft and lie of the golf club head.

[0123] The one or more adjustable weight options may depend on which golf club head model is selected in the head fitting recommendation and may include one or more adjustable weight options for controlling the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head along a toe-to-heel direction, one or more adjustable weight options for controlling the CG of the golf club head along a depth direction perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to the striking face of the golf club head, and / or one or more adjustable weight options for controlling the CG of the golf club head along a height direction perpendicular to both the toe-to-heel direction and the depth direction. In some examples, the one or more adjustable weight options include various weights configured to interchangeably engage the golf club head and selectively control the total weight of the golf club head. The one or more adjustable weight options may affect various ball flight characteristics, such as, for example, golf ball total distance, golf ball direction, golf ball trajectory, and golf ball spin.

[0124] At operation 3501 of method 3500, player input data may be received, for example, by computing device 800. The player input data may include, for example, whether the player is right or left handed, whether the player has his or her current driver, the manufacturer of the player's golf club (e.g., the player's driver), the player's shaft length of the player's golf club, the player's shaft weight, the player's shaft flex, the player's golf club head loft of the player's golf club, the player's handicap, the player's trajectory when hitting the golf ball with his or her golf club (e.g., low trajectory, medium trajectory, or high trajectory), his or her golf club head weight, the player's ... The player input data may include information about the player's tempo when hitting the golf ball with the golf club (e.g., whether the player's tempo is smooth, average, or quick), the player's average golf ball total distance when hitting with his or her own golf club, the player's accuracy when hitting off the tee with his or her own golf club, the player's preferred golf club head model and / or shape, the player's preference as to whether to maximize golf ball carry distance or total golf ball distance, the player's preference as to the importance of accuracy, and / or the player's preference as to the importance of distance. In some examples, the player input data may include information about the player's fairway conditions (e.g., the average fairway conditions encountered by the player, or the fairway conditions of a particular course), and / or the player's rough conditions (e.g., the average rough conditions encountered by the player, or the rough conditions of a particular course). The player input data is not limited to combinations of the above-listed items of information, and additional or alternative information may be included in the player input data.

[0125] At operation 3502, one or more recommended golf clubs may be generated, for example, by computing device 800. Operation 3502 may occur after operation 3501, and generating the one or more recommended golf clubs may be based on player input data. For example, a first golf club including a golf club head and a shaft may be recommended at operation 3502. In some examples where the player has his or her current golf club, the initial recommendation or first golf club recommendation may be the player's current golf club.

[0126] Throughout the execution of the method 3500, at least some or all of the one or more recommended golf clubs may have different shafts but the same golf club head. To generate a shaft fitting recommendation, a golf club head of a tested golf club may be held constant while a variety of different shafts may be tested among the one or more recommended golf clubs. In some other examples, at least some or all of the one or more recommended golf clubs may have different golf club heads but the same shaft. For example, to generate a head fitting recommendation, a variety of different heads may be tested among the one or more recommended golf clubs while a shaft of a test golf club is held constant.

[0127] At operation 3503, one or more golf shots may be taken with each of the one or more recommended golf clubs, and ball flight characteristics for each of the one or more golf shots may be measured, for example, by launch monitor 840. For example, a golf shot may be taken with a first golf club recommendation, and ball flight characteristics for the golf shot taken with the first golf club recommendation are measured by launch monitor 840. The ball flight characteristics may then be received by computing device 800 (e.g., from launch monitor 840).

[0128] A different golf club (e.g., a golf club having a different shaft or golf club head) may be recommended initially based on player input data and / or continuously based on player input data and ball flight characteristics. For example, one or more golf shots may be hit with a first recommended golf club including a first shaft and a first head, and ball flight characteristics may be measured. The ball flight characteristics may include, for example, golf ball total distance, golf ball carry distance, golf ball lateral distance, golf ball speed, golf ball launch angle, golf ball spin, and / or golf ball smash factor. Based on the ball flight characteristics of the golf shots with the first golf club and / or the player input data, a second golf club having a second shaft (different from the first shaft) and / or a second head (different from the first head) may be recommended.

[0129] One or more golf shots may be hit with the second recommended golf club and ball flight characteristics may be recorded. Based on the ball flight characteristics of the golf shots with the second golf club and / or player input data, a third golf club having a third shaft (different from the first and / or second shaft) and / or a third head (different from the first and / or second head) may be recommended. Golf shots may then be hit with the third recommended golf club head and ball flight characteristics may be recorded. This process may continue until there is little difference in ball flight characteristics between successive recommended golf clubs, there is a decrease in the quality of ball flight characteristics between the current recommended golf club and the previous recommended golf club, and / or a maximum shot count is reached. Additional details and examples of recommending golf clubs through a fitting process are further described below with reference to various exemplary user interfaces that may be used by the present technology.

[0130] At operation 3504, a fitting recommendation is generated (e.g., by the computing device 800) based on the player input data and / or ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots for each of the one or more recommended golf clubs. In some examples, generating the fitting recommendation may include defining one or more possible fitting recommendations, each corresponding to one or more recommended golf clubs for which golf shots have been taken and ball flight characteristics have been measured, and ranking the one or more possible fitting recommendations based on the player input data and / or the ball flight characteristics. Each possible fitting recommendation may include at least some characteristics of the corresponding golf club (e.g., at least some shaft-related characteristics of a shaft of the corresponding golf club and / or at least some head-related characteristics of a head of the corresponding golf club). Generating the fitting recommendation may include defining the fitting recommendation to be the highest ranked possible fitting recommendation, or defining the fitting recommendation to include at least some of the multiple possible fitting recommendations according to the ranking. As described further below, the ranking of the recommended golf clubs may be based on distance and accuracy of ball flight characteristics, each of which may be further modified, or may be based on player input data.

[0131] At operation 3505, for example, a fitting recommendation may be presented (e.g., displayed on the display 820) by the computing device 800. For example, the highest ranked possible fitting recommendation may be displayed on the display 820 as the fitting recommendation, or at least some of the multiple possible fitting recommendations may be displayed (e.g., listed according to their rank) on the display 820 according to their rank.

[0132] The method 3500 described with reference to FIG. 21 is a non-limiting example, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, while operation 3501 is shown as occurring before operations 3502 and 3503, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the temporal order of these operations may be changed in some examples. For example, in some examples, one or more recommended golf clubs may be generated, one or more golf shots with each of the one or more recommended golf clubs may be played, and ball flight characteristics may be measured before player input data is received. Also, while operations 3504 and 3505 are shown as separate operations, these operations may be performed in parallel or simultaneously, e.g., as a single operation.

[0133] Additional details about the system and method (e.g., method of using the system) for generating fitting recommendations will be described with reference to first and second user interfaces illustrated and described with reference to Figures 22-34.

[0134] FIG. 22 illustrates a first user interface 3100, according to an example. FIG. 23 illustrates some input fields of the first user interface 3100 of FIG. 22, according to an example. FIG. 24 illustrates some other input fields of the first user interface 3100 of FIG. 22, according to an example. FIG. 25 illustrates some other input fields of the first user interface 3100 of FIG. 22, according to an example. FIG. 26 illustrates some other input fields of the first user interface 3100 of FIG. 22, according to an example. FIG. 27 illustrates a second user interface 3200 during a shaft fitting recommendation stage and according to an example. FIG. 28 illustrates the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 during a shaft fitting recommendation stage. FIG. 29 illustrates the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 during a shaft fitting recommendation stage. FIG. 30 illustrates the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 during a shaft fitting recommendation stage. FIG. 31 illustrates the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 during a head fitting recommendation stage and according to an example. FIG. 32 illustrates the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 during a fine-tuning stage and according to an example. FIG. 33 illustrates the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 during a fine-tuning stage. FIG. 34 illustrates an upper portion of the second user interface 3200 of FIG. 27 when multiple options are displayed. As described herein, the controllable features of the first and second user interfaces 3100 and 3200 may be controlled by any suitable means, such as an input device including a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound input device, and / or a touch input device (e.g., a touch screen), and the like. The controllable features of the first and second user interfaces 3100 and 3200 may be controlled, for example, by a player (e.g., a golfer) or a professional fitter using a system for obtaining a fitting recommendation for a player.

[0135] 22-26, a first user interface 3100 may be used to receive player input data by the computing device 800. The first user interface 3100 may include one or more input fields, and the computing device 800 may be configured to receive the player input data as input into the one or more input fields of the first user interface 3100. The input fields include a first input field 3101 for receiving information about whether the player is right-handed or left-handed, a second input field 3102 for receiving information about whether the player has his or her own golf club (e.g., his or her own driver golf club), a third input field 3103 for receiving information about the manufacturer of the player's golf club, a fourth input field 3104 for receiving information about the length of the player's golf club shaft of the player's golf club, a fifth input field 3105 for receiving information about the weight of the player's golf club shaft, a sixth input field 3106 for receiving information about the flex of the player's golf club shaft, and a sixth input field 3108 for receiving information about the weight of the player's golf club shaft. 6, a seventh input field 3107 for receiving information about the loft of the player's own golf club head of the player's own golf club, an eighth input field 3108 for receiving information about the player's handicap, a ninth input field 3109 for receiving information about the player's trajectory when hitting a golf ball with his or her own golf club (e.g., a low trajectory, a medium trajectory, or a high trajectory of a golf ball hit with the player's own driver), a tenth input field 3110 for receiving information about what the player's golf swing tempo is when hitting a golf ball with his or her own golf club (e.g., whether the player's tempo is smooth, average, or quick),The input field 3112 may include an eleventh input field 3111 for receiving information about what the player's average golf ball distance is when hitting a golf ball with his or her own golf club, a twelfth input field 3112 for receiving information about the player's accuracy (e.g., the player's perception, or his or her own characterization of accuracy) when hitting a golf ball off a tee with his or her own golf club, a thirteenth input field 3113 for receiving information about the player's preferred golf club head model, a fourteenth input field 3114 for receiving information about the player's preference as to whether to maximize golf ball carry distance or maximize golf ball distance, a fifteenth input field 3115 for receiving information about the player's preference as to how important accuracy is to the player, and / or a sixteenth input field 3116 for receiving information about the player's preference as to how important distance is to the player. In some examples, the first user interface 3100 may include an input field for receiving information about the player's fairway conditions (e.g., the average fairway conditions encountered by the player, or the fairway conditions of a particular course) and / or an input field for receiving information about the player's rough conditions (e.g., the average rough conditions encountered by the player, or the rough conditions of a particular course).

[0136] One or more of the input fields 3101-3116 may include various selectable values ​​for a player or fitter to provide player input data, as shown in the exemplary first user interface 3100. For example, for the first input field 3101, selection of either RH (for if the player is right-handed) or LH (for if the player is left-handed) will result in the corresponding player input data being received and stored by the system. In some examples, one or more of the input fields 3101-3116 may include an input box that can receive free-form text or numbers to provide player input data.

[0137] In some examples, the computing device 800 is configured to cause all of the input fields 3101-3116 of the first user interface 3100 to be displayed in parallel. In some other examples, the computing device 800 is configured to cause the input fields 3101-3116 of the first user interface 3100 to be displayed sequentially in any order. For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to display the first input field 3101, display the second input field 3102 in response to receiving information via the first input field 3101, display the third input field 3103 in response to receiving information via the second input field 3102, etc. In some other examples, the computing device 800 is configured to cause a group of input fields from the input fields 3101-3116 to be displayed sequentially on the display 820, and when a group of input fields is displayed, all of the input fields of the group are displayed in parallel. For example, with reference to FIGS. 23-26 , a first user interface 3100 may be configured to display a first group of input fields 3130, e.g., including first and second input fields 3101 and 3102, for asking an initial question, a second group of input fields 3140, e.g., including third through seventh input fields 3103-3107, for receiving information about the player's current golf club, a third group of input fields 3150, e.g., including eighth through twelfth input fields 3108-3112, for receiving information about the player's performance, and a fourth group of input fields 3160, e.g., including thirteenth through sixteenth input fields 3113-3116, for receiving information about the player's preferences (e.g., preferences for golf clubs and / or aspects of performance to be improved).

[0138] In some examples, the first user interface 3100 is configured to allow selection of one or more of the input fields 3101-3116 to be displayed on the display 820. For example, the first user interface 3100 may display a number of selectable tabs corresponding to the input fields 3101-3116 of the first user interface 3100, and the first user interface 3100 may be configured to display the input field corresponding to the selected tab upon the computing device 800 receiving a selection of one of the selectable tabs. Thus, a person entering player input data (e.g., a player or fitter) may select and enter inputs into the input fields of the first user interface 3100 in any desired order, and the person may be able to return to an input field that previously received an input and enter new information into that input field.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 27 , a second user interface 3200 may include a golf club selection menu 3210, a shot or pitch count representation 3220, a golf shot graphical representation 3230, a distance accuracy representation 3250, a fitting recommendation representation 3260, a selected golf club representation 3270, a fitting stage representation 3280, and a selectable option element 3290.

[0140] The fitting stage representation 3280 may represent one or more stages of a fitting method, and the second user interface 3200 may change as the fitting method progresses through the stages. For example, the fitting method may include an interview stage (represented in the fitting stage representation 3280 by the word "interview", hereinafter the "interview" stage), a shaft fitting recommendation stage (represented in the fitting stage representation 3280 by the word "shaft trial", hereinafter the "shaft fitting recommendation" stage), a head fitting recommendation stage (represented in the fitting stage representation 3280 by the word "head optimization", hereinafter the "head fitting recommendation" stage), and a fine-tuning head recommendation stage (represented in the fitting stage representation 3280 by the word "fine tuning", hereinafter the "fine tuning" stage). The shaft fitting recommendation stage may be a stage for generating a shaft fitting recommendation that includes one or more shaft-related features (e.g., shaft weight, shaft length, shaft flex, shaft kick point, and / or shaft torque). Each of the head fitting recommendation stage and the fine-tuning stage may be for generating a head fitting recommendation including one or more head-related features (e.g., a head model, a loft, a hosel setting, and / or one or more adjustable weight options compatible with the head model). The head fitting recommendation stage may be for generating a first head fitting recommendation including at least one head-related feature, and the fine-tuning stage may be for generating a second head fitting recommendation including at least the head-related features of the first head fitting recommendation and one or more additional head-related features. For example, the first head fitting recommendation may include a head model and a loft, and the second head fitting recommendation may include a head model, a loft, and one or both of a hosel setting and one or more adjustable weight options.

[0141] In some examples, the current stage of the fitting method may be indicated by a corresponding word in the fitting stage notation 3280 being depicted in an emphasized manner (such as a bold font), and words corresponding to other stages are depicted in the fitting stage notation 3280 without such emphasis (e.g., without using a bold font). For example, FIGS. 27-30 show the second user interface 3200 during the shaft fitting recommendation stage, FIG. 31 shows the second user interface 3200 during the head fitting recommendation stage, and FIGS. 32-33 show the second user interface 3200 during the fine tuning stage. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The stages of the fitting method may be represented through other manners, such as by other words, letters, numbers, symbols, etc., and the fitting stage notation 3280 may indicate the current stage through other manners. For example, the fitting stage notation 3280 may indicate the current stage by showing a word related to the current stage and not showing a word related to the other stages. In some examples, the fitting stage representation 3280 may include selectable tabs respectively associated with stages of the fitting method, and the second user interface 3200 may be configured to present the second user interface 3200 according to the stage of the selected tab upon the computing device 800 receiving a selection of one of the selectable tabs respectively associated with stages of the fitting method. Thus, in some examples, a person may control the order of the stages of the fitting method.

[0142] The first user interface 3100 may be displayed during the interview stage. In some other examples, the first user interface 3100 is integral with the second user interface 3200 and is illustrated as part of the second user interface 3200 during the interview stage.

[0143] In some examples, a golf club selection menu 3210, a shot or pitch count notation 3220, a golf shot graphical notation 3230, a distance accuracy notation 3250, and a fitting recommendation notation 3260 are displayed within each of a shaft fitting recommendation stage, a head fitting recommendation stage, and a fine-tuning recommendation stage.

[0144] During each of the shaft fitting recommendation stage, the head fitting recommendation stage, and the fine-tuning recommendation stage, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended golf clubs to potentially improve the player's performance and display the one or more recommended golf clubs in the golf club selection menu 3210. In some examples, the computing device 800 is configured to display only some features of the one or more recommended golf clubs in the golf club selection menu 3210. For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to display only shaft-related features of the one or more recommended golf clubs in the golf club selection menu 3210 during the shaft fitting recommendation stage, and the computing device 800 may be configured to display only head-related features of the one or more recommended golf clubs during each of the head fitting recommendation stage and the fine-tuning stage. The computing device 800 may be configured to rank the one or more recommended golf clubs based on how much they are expected to improve the player's performance and display the one or more recommended golf clubs in the golf club selection menu 3210 according to their ranking. For example, during the shaft fitting recommendation stage, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended shafts corresponding respectively to the one or more recommended golf clubs, rank the one or more recommended shafts, and display the one or more recommended shafts in accordance with their rankings in the golf club selection menu 3210. During each of the head fitting recommendation stage and the fine-tuning recommendation stage, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended heads corresponding respectively to the one or more recommended heads, rank the one or more recommended heads, and display the one or more recommended heads on the golf club selection menu 3210 in accordance with their rankings.

[0145] The computing device 800 may be configured to receive a selection of a golf club from among the one or more recommended golf clubs and display information about the selected golf club on the selected golf club representation 3270. For example, the selected golf club representation 3270 may include both shaft-related and head-related characteristics of the selected golf club. The player may then play one or more golf shots with the selected golf club, and the launch monitor 840 may be configured to measure or capture ball flight characteristics of the one or more golf shots. The launch monitor 840 may be configured to transmit information about the ball flight characteristics to the computing device 800. The computing device 800 may be configured to associate the ball flight characteristics measured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800 with the selected golf club. The player or fitter may select one, some, or all of the one or more recommended golf clubs and may play one or more golf shots with each selected golf club, and the computing device 800 may be configured to receive ball flight characteristics for the golf shots with each of the selected golf clubs.

[0146] The computing device 800 may be configured to, in response to receiving the ball flight characteristics (e.g., from the launch monitor 840), represent (or be capable of representing) at least some of the captured ball flight characteristics on the golf shot graphical representation 3230. In response to receiving the ball flight characteristics for a set number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) golf shots from a golf club selected from among the one or more recommended golf clubs, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a calculated distance associated with the selected golf club, display the calculated distance on the distance accuracy representation 3250 (e.g., on the calculated distance representation 3258 of the distance accuracy representation 3250), generate a calculated accuracy associated with the selected golf club, and display the calculated accuracy on the distance accuracy representation 3250 (e.g., on the calculated accuracy representation 3259 of the distance accuracy representation 3250). A calculated distance associated with the golf club may be generated based on at least some of the ball flight characteristics for one or more golf shots taken with the golf club, and in some examples also based on player input data. A calculated accuracy associated with the golf club may be generated based on at least some of the ball flight characteristics for one or more golf shots taken with the golf club, and in some examples also based on player input data.

[0147] The computing device 800 may be configured to generate fitting recommendations and represent the fitting recommendations on the fitting recommendation representation 3260. The fitting recommendations may be generated based on ball flight characteristics received by the computing device 800 and player input data also received by the computing device 800. For example, the fitting recommendations may be generated by generating a plurality of possible fitting recommendations each corresponding to at least some (e.g., all) golf clubs for which ball flight characteristics for one or more golf shots have been received by the computing device 800 (e.g., ball flight characteristics for at least a set number of golf shots have been received by the computing device 800), ranking the plurality of possible fitting recommendations, and setting the fitting recommendation to be the highest ranked possible fitting recommendation or at least some of the plurality of possible fitting recommendations according to the rankings. Each of the plurality of possible fitting recommendations may include at least some characteristics of the corresponding golf club. For example, during the shaft fitting recommendation stage, each possible fitting recommendation may include one or more shaft-related features of the corresponding golf club. During each of the head fitting recommendation stage and the fine-tuning stage, each of the multiple possible fitting recommendations may include one or more head-related features.

[0148] Additional details of the shaft fitting recommendation stage are provided with reference to FIGS.

[0149] During the shaft fitting recommendation stage, one or more recommended shafts each included in one or more recommended golf clubs may be generated and displayed on the golf club selection menu 3210, which may be selectable. In response to receiving a selection of one or more recommended shafts, the computing device 800 may be configured to display at least some information (e.g., one or more shaft-related features and one or more head-related features) about the selected golf club including the selected shaft on the selected golf club representation 3270 and associate ball flight characteristics captured (e.g., captured later) by the launch monitor 840 with the selected golf club. For example, in FIGS. 27-30, the selected golf club representation 3270 may display the shaft weight, shaft length, shaft flex, head model, and head loft of the selected golf club during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. The information displayed in the selected golf club representation 3270 may provide a player with confirmation as to which golf club he or she should be performing the golf shot with. The player may then take one or more golf shots with the selected golf club, and ball flight characteristics of the one or more golf shots may be captured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800 (e.g., from the launch monitor 840).

[0150] The computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended shafts based on the player input data and / or ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots taken during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. The computing device 800 may be configured to update (e.g., regenerate) the one or more recommended golf clubs in response to receiving ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots (e.g., a set number of golf shots, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 golf shots) taken with a shaft selected from among the one or more recommended shafts.

[0151] In some examples, the computing device 800 may, for example, receive information regarding whether the player has his or her own driver (e.g., information received via the second input field 3102), the manufacturer of the player's golf club (e.g., information received via the third input field 3103), the length of the player's golf club shaft (e.g., information received via the fourth input field 3104), the weight of the player's golf club shaft (e.g., information received via the fifth input field 3105), the flex of the player's golf club shaft (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3106), the player's driving style (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3107), the weight of the player's golf club shaft (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3108), the flex of the player's golf club shaft (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3109), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3110), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3111), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the sixth input field 3112), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 3113), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 3114), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 3115), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 3116), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 3117), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 3118), the number of drives the player has (e.g., information received via the seventh input field 31 One or more recommended shafts may be generated based on player input data including what the player's handicap is (e.g., information received via the eighth input field 3108), what the player's golf swing tempo is when hitting the golf ball with his or her own golf club (e.g., information received via the tenth input field 3110), the player's preferences as to how important accuracy is (e.g., information received via the fifteenth input field 3115), and / or the player's preferences as to how important distance is (e.g., information received via the sixteenth input field 3116).

[0152] If the player has his or her own golf club, the computing device 800 may be configured to include the player's own shaft (e.g., the player's own golf club) in the one or more recommended shafts. If the player does not have his or her own golf club, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a recommended shaft based on (e.g., similar to or the same as) the player's own shaft. Information about the manufacturer of the player's current golf club may affect whether the computing device 800 is configured to include the player's own shaft in the one or more recommended shafts. For example, if the player's current golf club head is from a manufacturer that is not compatible with the available shafts (e.g., according to an inventory database), the one or more recommended shafts may not include the player's own shaft even though the player has his or her current golf club. However, if the player's current golf club head is from a manufacturer that can be used with the available shafts, the one or more recommended shafts may be generated to include the player's own shaft. The length of the player's own shaft may cause the length of the one or more recommended shafts to be closer to the length of the player's shaft. The weight of the player's own shaft may cause the weight of the one or more recommended shafts to be closer to the weight of the player's shaft. The flex of the player's own shaft may cause the flex of the one or more recommended shafts to be closer to the flex of the player's own shaft. The player's golf swing tempo may affect the flex of the one or more recommended shafts. For example, a stiffer shaft may be better suited to a player with a faster tempo, and a softer shaft may be better suited to a player with a slower tempo. How important distance and accuracy are to the player may also affect the length and weight of the one or more recommended shafts.For example, a longer length and less weight may result in greater distance and less accuracy, and a shorter length and more weight may result in less distance and more accuracy. However, these are merely examples of what types of player input data the computing device 800 may be configured to base its generation of one or more recommended shafts on, and how the computing device 800 may use these types of player input data to generate one or more recommended shafts. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and other examples are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0153] In some examples, the computing device 800 generates one or more recommended initial shafts based on the player input data (e.g., not based on ball flight characteristics). The computing device 800 may then, in response to receiving ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots taken with the selected shaft (e.g., with a selected golf club including the selected shaft) from the one or more recommended initial shafts, update the one or more recommended shafts based on both the player input data and the ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots taken with the selected shaft. In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend the player's own golf club (e.g., the player's own driver or other metal wood) or a golf club including a shaft of the player's own golf club in response to receiving player input data about whether the player has his or her driver (e.g., data received via the second input field 3102) and player input data about the player's driver (e.g., data received via at least some of the third through seventh input fields 3103-3107). Ball flight characteristics from golf shots taken with a player's own golf club (or a golf club including the shaft of the player's own driver) may provide a good starting point from which to recommend other shafts. If the player input data received by computing device 800 indicates that the player does not have his or her own driver, or if the player input data received by computing device 800 indicates that the player's own driver is from a manufacturer whose head is incompatible with the shafts available for the player to test (e.g., shafts indicated in an inventory database of shafts available for the player to use), then computing device 800 may generate one or more recommended initial shafts that do not include the shaft of the player's own golf club.However, the one or more recommended initial shafts may be based on player input data about the player's own golf club (e.g., player input data received from the third through seventh input fields 3103-3107), such that, for example, the one or more recommended initial shafts have one or more shaft characteristics similar to the corresponding one or more shaft characteristics of the player's own golf club (e.g., similar shaft weight, similar shaft length, similar shaft flex, similar shaft kick point, and / or similar shaft torque).

[0154] FIG. 27 illustrates the second user interface 3200 before any golf shots are played during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. In FIG. 27, the computing device 800 has generated one recommended golf club, the player's own golf club, identified in the golf club selection menu 3210 as "1.Gamer 60 @ 45.5" and represented with additional details on the selected golf club representation 3270. In the selected golf club representation 3270, the shaft weight is 60 grams and represented by "60", the shaft length is 45.5 inches and represented by "45.5", the shaft flex is stiff and represented below the word "flex" by the letter "S", the model of the golf club head is represented by the word "Gamer Titleist", and the loft is 9-9.5 degrees and identified by the text "9-9.5°". Similar features of other selected golf club heads may be shown in the selected golf club representation 3270 in a similar or the same manner as they are shown in FIG. 27. The computing device 800, in response to receiving the ball flight characteristics of the three golf shots taken with the player's own golf club, generates two additional recommended shafts as shown in the golf club selection menu 3210 in FIGS. 29-30 based on the player input data and the ball flight characteristics of the three golf shots taken with the player's own golf club. These two additional shafts are identified in the golf club selection menu 3210 as "2. Mitsubishi Tensei AV Xlink Blue 55 @ 45.5" (shown on the selected golf club representation 3270 in FIG. 29) and "3. Project X HZRDUS CB 50 @ 45.5" (shown on the selected golf club representation 3270 in FIG. 30). The former has a shaft weight of 55 grams and a shaft length of 45.5 inches, and the latter has a shaft weight of 50 grams and a shaft length of 45.5 inches.

[0155] In some examples, in response to receiving by the computing device 800 ball flight characteristics for a set number of golf shots (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 golf shots) with a selected shaft, the computing device 800 may display one or more feedback input fields on the display 820 configured to receive feedback information about the selected shaft, e.g., feedback information about how the selected shaft felt to a player while making the set number of golf shots with the selected golf club (e.g., with a selected golf club that includes the selected shaft). With reference to FIG. 28, the computing device 800 may be configured to display on the display 820 a first feedback input field 3295 for receiving information about how the selected shaft felt overall, a second feedback input field 3296 for receiving information about how the length of the selected shaft felt, and / or a third feedback input field 3297 for receiving information about how the weight of the selected shaft felt. The feedback input field may be configured to receive information, e.g., by receiving a selection from among a plurality of selectable elements each associated with different information about the selected shaft, by receiving information entered into the field (e.g., free-form text), etc. In some examples, the computing device 800 is configured to update the recommended shaft or shafts based on the information received via the feedback input field (e.g., in combination with player input data received by the computing device during the interview stage and / or ball flight characteristics of a set number of golf shots taken with the selected shaft).

[0156] In some examples, the computing device 800 may generate the one or more recommended shafts based on an inventory database (e.g., a shaft inventory database). The inventory database may include, for example, information related to which shafts are available for use by a player during a fitting method (e.g., available at the location where the fitting method is being offered), and the computing device 800 may generate the one or more recommended shafts based on the constraint that the one or more recommended shafts must be shafts included in the inventory database. In some other examples, the computing device 800 generates the one or more recommended shafts without based on a shaft inventory database.

[0157] The computing device 800 may be configured to rank the one or more recommended shafts based on the player input data, ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots taken during the shaft fitting recommendation stage with the selected golf club, and / or feedback information received by the computing device 800 after a set number of golf shots have been taken with each selected golf club. The computing device 800 may be configured to rank the one or more shafts displayed on the golf club selection menu 3210 according to (e.g., based on calculations therefor) how well they are predicted to improve the player's performance (e.g., how well they are expected to improve one or more ball flight characteristics such as total distance and / or accuracy).

[0158] The golf club selection menu 3210 may include a selection description element 3218. Upon receiving a selection of the selection description element 3218, the computing device 800 may be configured to display additional details about the one or more recommended shafts on the display 820. For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to display an explanation user interface that includes additional details about the one or more recommended shafts, such as an explanation as to why the one or more recommended shafts were recommended and information related to a ranking of the one or more shafts.

[0159] In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended golf clubs during a shaft fitting recommendation stage such that the one or more recommended golf clubs all have the same golf club head, but different shafts. This may enable the operation of different shafts being analyzed (e.g., by the computing device 800) without being affected by changes in the golf club head. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the computing device 800 may generate one or more recommended shafts during a shaft fitting recommendation stage such that the one or more recommended shafts have a variety of golf club heads.

[0160] The computing device 800 may be configured, in response to receiving the ball flight characteristics for the golf shot (e.g., from the launch monitor 840), to represent at least some of the ball flight characteristics on the golf shot graphical representation 3230. For example, the golf shot graphical representation may include a golf ball velocity representation 3231 to represent (e.g., via a numerical representation or otherwise) the velocity of a golf ball hit during a golf shot after impact, a golf ball launch angle representation 3232 to represent (e.g., via a numerical representation or otherwise) the launch angle of a golf ball hit during a golf shot, a golf ball spin representation 3233 to represent (e.g., via a numerical representation or otherwise) the spin of a golf ball hit during a golf shot, a smash factor representation 3234 to represent (e.g., via a numerical representation or otherwise) the smash factor of the golf shot (e.g., the amount of energy transferred to a golf ball during a golf shot, calculated as the ratio of golf ball velocity to club head speed), and / or a golf ball position representation 3235. The golf ball position notation 3235 may include a fairway chart having a first axis corresponding to the distance of the golf ball (e.g., longitudinal distance) along a first direction, which may be a carry distance or a total distance depending on the setting, and a second axis corresponding to the lateral distance of the golf ball (e.g., distance away from the centerline along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction). In the illustrated example, the golf ball position notation 3235 includes a fairway chart having a first axis along a vertical (i.e., top to bottom) direction and a second axis along a horizontal (i.e., left to right) direction. Thus, the first axis may represent how far the golf ball goes down the fairway after a golf shot, and the second axis may represent how far the golf ball goes left or right off the tee.

[0161] The computing device 800 may be configured to display indicators (e.g., symbols, dots, circles, squares, etc.) on the fairway chart at positions along a first axis corresponding to the distance of the golf ball and at positions along a second axis corresponding to the lateral distance of the golf ball. Thus, the indicators may visually indicate the positions along the fairway where the golf ball landed after a golf shot. In some examples, such as in the illustrated example, the fairway chart may include one or more lines (e.g., two lines) generally extending along a first direction parallel to the first axis (e.g., two straight lines extending parallel along the first direction) to indicate the boundary between the fairway and the rough. The fairway may be a virtual fairway that does not directly correspond to a physical environment in which the golf ball is being hit, such as an indoor environment in which the golf ball is being hit into a net or screen.

[0162] The computing device 800 may be configured to display golf shots taken with the same golf club with the same or similar indicators and to display limit lines around (e.g., surrounding) golf shots taken with the same golf club. For example, in FIG. 28, three golf shots taken with a first golf club 3261 are represented by three first golf shot indicators 3241 circumscribed by a first golf shot limit line 3241C. In FIG. 29, three golf shots taken with a second golf club 3262 are represented by three second golf shot indicators 3242 circumscribed by a second golf shot limit line 3242C. In FIG. 30, three golf shots taken with a third golf club 3263 are represented by three third golf shot indicators 3243 circumscribed by a third golf shot limit line 3243C.

[0163] The computing device 800 may be configured to selectively represent golf shots (e.g., selectively display golf shot indicators) on the fairway chart. For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to selectively display groups of golf shots each corresponding to a golf club used to perform the group of golf shots. By displaying some of the golf shots while hiding others, the fairway chart may be easier to read compared to when all of the golf shots are displayed. In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to display on the fairway chart golf shots made with a golf club having the highest ranking in the fitting recommendation representations 3260 and one other group of golf shots made with one other golf club. The other group of golf shots may be (e.g., by default) a group of golf shots associated with the golf club currently being used to hit the golf shot. However, the second user interface 3200 may be controllable (e.g., by selecting one of the shafts in the fitting recommendation representation 3260) to enable switching the other group of golf shots from the group of golf shots associated with the golf club currently (or most recently) used to hit the golf shot to another group of golf shots associated with another golf club. For example, in each of Figures 29 and 30, a total of nine golf shots have been taken (three with a first golf club 3261, three with a second golf club 3262, and three with a third golf club 3263) as shown by the pitch count representation 3220.While the three golf shots made with the third golf club 3263 may have been hit last of the nine golf shots and are displayed in the fairway chart in FIG. 30, FIG. 29 shows the fairway chart after the nine shots have been made and in response to the second user interface 3200 being controlled to show the golf shots made with the second golf club 3262 (e.g., by selection of the second golf club 3262 in the fitting recommendation notation 3260).

[0164] In some examples, the second user interface 3200 includes a selectable last shot deletion element 3235, and the computing device 800 is configured to delete the most recently received ball flight characteristics in response to receiving a selection of the last shot deletion element 3235. This may enable a player or fitter to delete a golf shot that is anomalous, inaccurate, or not representative of the player's ability, such that it would be desirable to delete the ball flight characteristics for that golf shot and replay the deleted golf shot.

[0165] For each golf club against which a golf shot has been taken and corresponding ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device 800, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a calculated distance and a calculated accuracy. The computing device 800 may be configured to display the calculated distance and the calculated accuracy on a distance accuracy notation 3250. For example, the distance accuracy notation 3250 may include a calculated distance notation 3258 and a calculated accuracy notation 3259, and the computing device 800 may be configured to display the calculated distance on the calculated distance notation 3258 (e.g., via a numerical value such as a distance value in yards or via another manner) and the calculated accuracy on the calculated accuracy notation 3259 (e.g., via a numerical value such as a percentage value or via another manner). In the illustrated example, as shown in Figures 29 to 30, a first calculated distance 3251D and a first calculation accuracy 3251A corresponding to a first golf club 3261 are displayed in the distance accuracy notation 3250, a second calculated distance 3252D and a second calculation accuracy 3252A corresponding to a second golf club 3262 are displayed in the distance accuracy notation 3250, and a third calculated distance 3253D and a third calculation accuracy 3253A corresponding to a third golf club 3263 are displayed in the distance accuracy notation 3250.

[0166] In some examples, the golf clubs depicted in the fitting recommendation notation 3260, the calculated distance values ​​associated with the golf clubs, and the calculated accuracy values ​​associated with the golf clubs may all be represented in a manner to indicate that the calculated distances and calculated accuracy are associated with the golf clubs. For example, in the illustrated example, the first golf club 3261, the first calculated distance 3251D, and the first calculated accuracy 3251A are each represented in the fitting recommendation notation 3260 with the letter (A) to indicate that the first calculated distance 3251D and the first calculated accuracy 3251A are associated with the first golf club 3261. Similarly, the second golf club 3262, the second calculated distance 3252D, and the second calculated accuracy 3252A are each represented with the letter (B), and the third golf club 3263, the third calculated distance 3253D, and the third calculated accuracy 3253A are each represented with the letter (C). However, this is by way of example only and other ways of showing the association between the golf club, the calculated distance, and the calculated accuracy are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0167] In some examples, one or both of the calculated distance and calculated accuracy associated with a golf club may be generated based on both ball flight characteristics of a golf shot performed with the golf club and player input data. In some other examples, one or both of the calculated distance and calculated accuracy may be generated based on ball flight characteristics of a golf shot performed with the golf club (e.g., total golf ball distance and / or lateral golf ball distance) (e.g., not based on player input data).

[0168] One or both of the calculated distance and the calculated accuracy may be based on player input data, including, for example, the player's handicap. The player's handicap may affect, for example, the algorithm used to generate the calculated distance and / or the algorithm used to generate the calculated accuracy. For example, in response to a larger player's handicap, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate the calculated distance for the golf club using a first distance algorithm that gives more weight to the ball flight characteristics (e.g., golf ball total distance) of a golf shot that has the longest golf ball distance among the golf shots made with the golf club than other golf shots made with the golf club, and / or to generate the calculated accuracy for the golf club using a first accuracy algorithm that gives more weight to the ball flight characteristics (e.g., golf ball lateral distance) of a golf shot that lands closest to the center of the fairway on a fairway chart among the golf shots made with the golf club. The computing device 800 may be configured to generate a calculated distance for the golf club using a second distance algorithm that weights ball flight characteristics of golf shots made with the golf club more equally than does the first distance algorithm, and / or to generate a calculated accuracy for the golf club using a second accuracy algorithm that weights ball flight characteristics of golf shots made with the golf club more equally than does the first accuracy algorithm, in response to the player having a lower handicap.

[0169] The calculated distance and / or calculated accuracy may be influenced by other player input data, such as, for example, the player's average golf ball distance when hitting with his or her own golf club (e.g., golf ball total distance and / or golf ball carry distance), the player's accuracy when hitting off the tee with his or her own golf club, the player's preference as to whether to maximize golf ball carry distance or total golf ball distance, the player's preference as to how important accuracy is, and / or the player's preference as to how important distance is (e.g., how important distance is to the player compared to how important accuracy is to the player). The calculated distance and / or calculated accuracy may be influenced by various other ball flight characteristics of golf shots taken during the fitting method (e.g., during the current stage of the fitting method) other than golf ball distance and golf ball lateral distance, such as ball speed, launch angle, ball spin, and smash factor. In some examples, the calculated distance and / or the calculated accuracy may be based on feedback information during the shaft fitting recommendation stage about the shaft of the golf club used to perform the golf shot during the shaft fitting recommendation stage.

[0170] The computing device 800 may be configured to rank shafts with which golf shots have been made and corresponding ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device 800. For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a plurality of possible shaft fitting recommendations, each corresponding to a shaft with which golf shots have been made and corresponding ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device, and to rank the plurality of possible shaft fitting recommendations. Each possible shaft fitting recommendation may include one or more shaft-related characteristics (e.g., shaft weight, shaft length, shaft flex, shaft kick point, and / or shaft torque) of the corresponding shaft. The computing device 800 may be configured to define the shaft fitting recommendation as the highest ranked shaft (or the highest ranked shaft fitting recommendation) or as multiple shafts (or multiple shaft fitting recommendations) that together match their ranking.

[0171] In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to rank shafts (or possible shaft fitting recommendations) based on ball flight characteristics of golf shots taken with the shafts and / or player input data on which the computing device 800 may base its ranking of shafts may include, for example, the player's handicap, the player's average golf ball total distance when hitting with his or her own golf club, the player's accuracy when hitting off the tee with his or her own golf club, the player's preference as to whether to maximize golf ball carry distance or total golf ball distance, the player's preference as to how important accuracy is, and / or the player's preference as to how important distance is.

[0172] For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to rank the shafts based at least in part on the calculated distance and calculated accuracy of the shafts, which may be based on the player's handicap as described herein. In some examples, the computing device 800 generates a baseline golf ball total distance based on information about the player's average golf ball total distance when hitting with his or her own golf club and / or the player's handicap, and the computing device 800 ranks the shafts based on how the calculated distance of each of the shafts differs from the baseline golf ball total distance. The computing device 800 may generate a baseline accuracy based on the player's accuracy when hitting off the tee with his or her own golf club and / or the player's handicap, and the computing device 800 may rank the shafts based on how the calculated accuracy of each of the shafts differs from the baseline accuracy. The computing device 800 may give more weight to the calculated distance than the calculated accuracy, or vice versa, when ranking the shafts, based on how important it is for the player that the player is demonstrating accuracy and distance. For example, if a player indicates that distance is more important than accuracy, the computing device 800 may give more weight to calculated distance than calculated accuracy when ranking shafts.

[0173] The computing device 800 may be configured to display a ranking characterization for each shaft displayed in the fitting recommendation representation 3260. For example, the fitting recommendation representation 3260 may include a golf club column 3268 for displaying the golf clubs (or shafts or heads) and a ranking characterization column 3269 for displaying a ranking characterization for each of the golf clubs displayed in the golf club column 3268. The ranking characterization may include information indicative of one or more aspects of how comparable the golf clubs in the golf club column 3268 are. In the illustrated example, the ranking characterization includes information about how the calculated distance and calculated accuracy of the corresponding golf club ranks against the calculated distance and calculated accuracy, respectively, of other golf clubs displayed in the golf club column 3268. For example, in the illustrated example shown in FIG. 30, a first ranking characterization 3261DA is associated with a first golf club 3261 and indicates that a first calculated distance 3251D ranks second and that a first calculated accuracy 3251A ranks second, a second ranking characterization 3262DA is associated with a second golf club 3262 and indicates that a second calculated distance 3252A ranks third and that a second calculated distance 3252A ranks first, and a third ranking characterization 3263DA is associated with a third golf club 3263 and indicates that a third calculated distance 3253D ranks first and that a third calculated accuracy 3253A ranks third.

[0174] The second user interface 3200 may include a selectable shaft fitting recommendation completion element 3299. The computing device 800 may be configured to terminate the shaft fitting recommendation stage upon receiving a selection of the shaft fitting recommendation completion element 3299. In some examples, the computing device 800 may initiate a head fitting recommendation stage in response to receiving a selection of the shaft fitting recommendation completion element 3299. As described above, the shafts displayed in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 may be selectable, and the computing device 800 may initiate the head fitting recommendation stage with any of the shafts selected from the fitting recommendation representation 3260 when the computing device 800 receives a selection of the shaft fitting recommendation completion element 3299. In some other examples, the computing device 800 may display an input field on the display 820 for receiving a selection of one of the shafts displayed in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 in response to receiving a selection of the shaft fitting recommendation completion element 3299.

[0175] During the head fitting recommendation stage, a head fitting recommendation may be generated. The computing device 800 and the second user interface 3200 may function in at least some aspects in a manner similar or the same as the way the computing device and the second user interface 3200 may function during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. In some examples, the computing device 800 is configured to execute the head fitting recommendation stage after the shaft fitting recommendation stage. In some other examples, the computing device 800 is configured to execute the head fitting recommendation stage (e.g., both the head fitting recommendation stage and the fine-tuning stage) before the shaft fitting recommendation stage.

[0176] During the head fitting recommendation stage, the computing device 800 may generate one or more recommended golf clubs, each including one or more recommended heads, and may display the one or more recommended heads in the golf club selection menu 3210. In some examples, such as the illustrated example shown in FIG. 31, the computing device 800 may display the initial golf club in the selected golf club representation 3270 and may prompt the player (e.g., display instructions therefor) to hit one or more golf shots with the initial golf club before generating one or more additional recommended heads and displaying them in the golf club selection menu 3210. The computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more additional recommended heads upon receiving ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots made with the initial recommended head. In the illustrated example, the initial golf club is a fourth golf club 3264 having a second shaft of the second golf club 3262 selected during the shaft fitting recommendation stage and a head having a TSR2 model, a 9-degree loft, and an A1 hosel setting.

[0177] Each of the one or more recommended heads may include one or more head-related features (e.g., a head model, a loft, a hosel setting, and / or one or more adjustable weight options compatible with the head model). For example, each of the one or more recommended heads may include a head model and a head loft. The computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended heads based on the player input data and / or ball flight characteristics for golf shots made during the fitting method (e.g., during the head fitting recommendation stage and / or the shaft fitting recommendation stage). For example, ball flight characteristics made using a golf club having a shaft finally selected at the end of the shaft fitting recommendation stage may be used during the head fitting recommendation stage. Such ball characteristics may provide a useful starting point for comparison while the player tests a new golf club having a different head during the head fitting recommendation stage. For example, in the illustrated example, a second shaft for the second golf club 3262 was ultimately selected during the shaft fitting recommendation stage, but the ball flight characteristics of golf shots taken with the second golf club 3262 are shown in FIG. 31 as being included during the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0178] In some other examples, ball flight characteristics captured during the shaft fitting recommendation stage are not used during the head fitting recommendation stage, and the computing device 800 may be configured to generate the initial recommended head (or one or more initial recommended heads) based on player input data (e.g., not based on any ball flight characteristics measured during the shaft fitting recommendation stage). The computing device 800 may be configured to update the one or more recommended heads displayed in the golf club selection menu 3210 in response to receiving ball flight characteristics of one or more golf shots (e.g., a set number of golf shots, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 golf shots) using the initial recommended head (or using a head from the one or more initial recommended heads).

[0179] The computing device 800 may be configured to generate one or more recommended heads based on player input data, including, for example, information about whether the player is right-handed or left-handed, whether the player has his or her own driver, the manufacturer of the player's own golf club (e.g., the player's own driver or other metal wood), the loft of the player's own golf club head, what the player's handicap is, what the player's trajectory is when hitting a golf ball with his or her own golf club, the player's preferred golf club head model, the player's preference as to whether to maximize golf ball carry distance or to maximize total golf ball distance, the player's preference as to how important accuracy is, and / or the player's preference as to how important distance is. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the generation of the one or more recommended heads may be based on other player input data.

[0180] Whether a player is right-handed or left-handed may, for example, affect which heads are available in an inventory database (e.g., a head inventory database that contains information about which heads are available to the player for use during the fitting method), and computing device 800 may be configured to generate only recommended heads that are indicated in the inventory database as being available.

[0181] If the player has his or her own golf club, the computing device 800 may include the player's own head in one or more recommended heads (e.g., the prompted initial head or one or more initial recommended heads). If the player does not have his or her own golf club, the computing device 800 may generate a recommended head similar to the player's own golf club head (e.g., of a similar loft and / or of a similar head model).

[0182] During the head fitting recommendation stage, if the shaft of the player's own golf club is from a manufacturer that is not compatible with the heads available for use by the player (e.g., as indicated by an inventory database), the computing device 800 may be configured to omit the player's own golf club head even if the player has his or her own golf club with them.

[0183] The computing device 800 may be configured to base the loft of one or more recommended heads on the loft of the player's own golf club and the player's trajectory. For example, if the player's own golf club head has a small loft and the player's trajectory is low, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a head having a loft greater than the player's own golf club head. However, if the player's own golf club head has a small loft and the player's trajectory is medium or high, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a head having a loft similar to the loft of the player's own golf club head.

[0184] The computing device 800 may be configured to recommend heads that are similar or the same as the player's preferred golf club head model. For example, if the player indicates that they prefer a TSR3 model golf club head, the computing device 800 may be likely to recommend the TSR3 model among its one or more recommended heads.

[0185] If a player prefers to maximize carry distance over total distance, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a club head that produces a larger loft and / or a higher spin rate. However, if a player prefers to maximize total distance over carry distance, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a club head that produces a lower loft and / or a lower spin rate. The importance of distance to a player may affect the loft recommended by the computing device 800. For example, if distance is of greater importance to a player, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a lower loft.

[0186] The importance of accuracy may affect the head model recommended by the computing device 800. For example, if the importance of accuracy is high for the player, the computing device may be configured to recommend a model with a more forgiving hitting face (e.g., TSR2). The player's handicap may also affect the recommended model. For example, if the player has a high handicap, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a model designed for beginner and novice players (e.g., high-forgiveness club head), such as the TSR2 model or the TSi1 model. However, if the player has a low handicap, the computing device 800 may be configured to recommend a model designed for advanced or professional players (e.g., low-forgiveness club head), such as the TSR4 model. These are merely examples of how player input data may affect how the computing device 800 generates one or more recommended models, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0187] In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate recommended golf clubs with different heads but all having the same shaft, e.g., the shaft that was ultimately selected during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. This may allow for the effect that different head-related features are analyzed (e.g., by the computing device 800) without distortion from the different shafts. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate recommended golf clubs with different heads and different shafts during the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0188] One or more recommended heads in the golf club selection menu 3210 may be selectable, and the computing device 800 may be configured to indicate the selected head from among the one or more recommended heads in the selected golf club representation 3270. The computing device 800 may be configured to associate the ball flight characteristics captured by and received from the launch monitor 840 with the selected head (e.g., with the selected golf club that includes the selected head) and represent at least some of the ball flight characteristics on the golf shot graphical representation 3230 during the head fitting recommendation stage in a similar or same manner as described herein with respect to the shaft fitting recommendation stage.

[0189] For each golf club head with which golf shots have been taken and ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device 800, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a calculated distance and a calculated accuracy during the head fitting recommendation stage and display them on the distance accuracy notation 3250 in a similar or same manner as the computing device 800 is configured to generate a calculated distance and a calculated accuracy, respectively, during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. The computing device 800 may be configured to generate and display the calculated distance and calculated accuracy for the golf club after a set number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) of golf shots have been taken with the golf club and ball flight characteristics for the golf shots have been received by the computing device 800. For example, in the illustrated example, the set number of shots is 3. 31, two golf shots have been taken with the fourth golf club 3264, represented by the two fourth golf club shot indicators 3244 surrounded by the fourth golf club shot limit line 3244C, but no calculated distance and calculated accuracy have been generated or displayed in the distance accuracy representation 3250 for the fourth golf club 3264. In the illustrated example, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a calculated distance and calculated accuracy for the fourth golf club 3264 in response to receiving ball flight characteristics for a third golf shot with the fourth golf club (see, e.g., FIG. 32).

[0190] The computing device 800 may be configured to rank the golf club heads with which golf shots have been made and ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device 800. For example, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a plurality of possible head fitting recommendations, each corresponding to a golf club with which golf shots have been made and ball flight characteristics have been received, and to rank the plurality of possible head fitting recommendations. Each of the plurality of possible head fitting recommendations may include one or more head-related characteristics (e.g., head model, loft, hosel setting, and / or one or more adjustable options) of the corresponding golf club. The computing device 800 may be configured to display the heads (or the possible head fitting recommendations) on the fitting recommendation representation 3260 according to their rank. The computing device 800 may be configured to rank the golf club heads (or the possible head fitting recommendations) based on player input data and / or ball flight characteristics received by the computing device 800 and used during the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0191] The computing device 800 may base its ranking of the golf club heads during the head fitting recommendation stage on the player's handicap, the player's average golf ball distance when hitting with his or her own golf club, the player's accuracy when hitting off the tee with his or her own golf club, the player's preference as to whether to maximize golf ball carry distance or golf ball distance, the player's preference as to how important accuracy is, and / or the player's preference as to how important distance is, in any manner in which the computing device 800 may base its ranking of the shafts using these player input data during the shaft fitting recommendation stage. In some examples, the player input data on which the computing device 800 may base its ranking of the golf club heads may include the player's preferred club head shape or model. For example, computing device 800 may be more likely to rank golf club heads that have a player's preferred club head model or have a similar shape or model to the player's preferred club head model higher than other golf club heads.

[0192] In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to terminate the head fitting recommendation stage in response to a determination by the computing device 800 that the change in the player's performance (e.g., the change in the player's calculated distance and / or the change in the player's calculated accuracy) between the two tested golf clubs is less than a threshold value. In some examples, the computing device 800 is configured to terminate the head fitting recommendation stage in response to a determination by the computing device 800 that the player's performance using one of the test golf clubs is within a threshold value or within a threshold range based on (e.g., relative to) a theoretical best performance (e.g., performance using a theoretically best performing head model and loft), e.g., based on a scale of 0% to 100% for all inventories in the inventory database (e.g., all inventories in the field), e.g., in response to a determination by the computing device 800 that the player's performance using one of the test golf clubs is greater than 95% optimized (e.g., within 5% of the theoretical best performance). In some other examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to terminate the head fitting recommendation stage in response to receipt by the computing device 800 of a selection of a selectable head fitting recommendation completion element in a similar or same manner that the computing device 800 may terminate the shaft fitting recommendation stage in response to receiving a selection of the shaft fitting recommendation completion element 3299.

[0193] In some examples, the computing device 800 may terminate the fitting method in response to completion of the head fitting recommendation stage, and the player may select a golf club head from among the golf club heads displayed in the fitting recommendation representation 3260. In some other examples, the computing device 800 may proceed to a fine-tuning stage in response to completion of the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0194] The computing device 800 and the second user interface 3200 may be configured, at least in some aspects, to function during the fine-tuning stage in a similar or the same manner as they are configured to do so during the head fitting recommendation stage. The computing device 800 may be configured to provide another head fitting recommendation (e.g., a second head fitting recommendation) to potentially improve one or more aspects of the player's performance compared to the head fitting recommendation (e.g., a first head fitting recommendation) generated during the head fitting recommendation stage. For example, in response to the end of the head fitting recommendation stage, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a fine-tuning focus input field 3298 for receiving information about which one or more aspects of the player's performance should be attempted to improve during the fine-tuning stage. For example, the one or more aspects of performance may be selected from reducing or eliminating left misses, reducing or eliminating right misses, improving golf ball speed or total golf ball distance, and testing additional combinations of head models and lofts not tested during the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0195] During the fine-tuning stage, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate and display one or more recommended fine-tuned heads or recommended configurable head settings (e.g., adjustable hosel settings, adjustable weight options, etc.) based on the player input data and / or ball flight characteristics in any manner (e.g., similar or the same manner) as the computing device 800 may be configured to do during the head fitting recommendation stage in the golf club selection menu 3210. The computing device 800 may also be configured to generate one or more recommended fine-tuned heads or recommended configurable head settings based on one or more selected aspects of the player performance. The recommended fine-tuned heads or recommended configurable head settings may include head-related features (e.g., head model, head loft, hosel setting, and / or one or more adjustable weight options compatible with the head model). In some examples, the recommended fine-tuned heads may include head features that were not included in the recommended heads during the head fitting recommendation stage. For example, the recommended head during the head fitting recommendation stage may include a head model and / or loft, and the recommended tuned head or recommended configurable head setting may include a head model, a loft, a hosel setting, and one or more adjustable weight options. In some other examples, the recommended tuned head or recommended configurable head setting may include the same head features that were included in the recommended head during the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0196] In some examples, recommended configurable head settings may be provided during the fine-tuning stage. For example, one or more recommended fine-tuned heads, each having the same head model and / or the same head loft, but differing in at least one configurable head setting (e.g., differing in at least one of the adjustable hosel setting or adjustable weight option), may be generated during the fine-tuning stage and displayed in the golf club selection menu 3210. The head model and / or head loft, which may be the same across the one or more recommended fine-tuned heads generated during the fine-tuning stage, may be the same head model and / or head loft, respectively, of the head or head fitting recommendation selected at the end of the head fitting recommendation stage (e.g., selected from among the multiple ranked heads or ranked head fitting recommendations displayed in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 during the head fitting recommendation stage).

[0197] One or more recommended tuned heads or recommended configurable head settings displayed in the golf club selection menu may be selectable. The computing device 800 may be configured to display a selected tuned head or selected configurable head setting from among the one or more recommended tuned heads or recommended configurable head settings in the selected golf club representation 3270, associate ball flight characteristics captured by the launch monitor 840 and received by the computing device 800 with the selected tuned head or selected configurable head setting, and represent at least some of the ball flight characteristics of a golf shot made with the selected tuned head or selected configurable head setting in the golf shot graphical representation 3230. In some examples, at least some (e.g., all) of the ball flight characteristics from the head fitting recommendation stage are also used (e.g., carried over) during the fine-tuning stage.

[0198] For each tuned head or configurable head setting for which one or more golf shots (e.g., a set number of golf shots, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 golf shots) have been taken and ball flight characteristics have been received by computing device 800, computing device 800 may be configured to generate calculated distances and calculated accuracy in any manner such that computing device 800 may be configured to generate calculated distances and calculated accuracy during the head fitting recommendation stage.

[0199] The computing device 800 may be configured to rank at least some of the heads (e.g., tweaked heads or configurable head settings with or without heads from the head fitting recommendation stage) with which golf shots have been made and ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device 800 during the fine-tuning stage in any manner in which the computing device 800 may be configured to rank the heads during the head fitting recommendation stage. In some examples, the computing device 800 may be configured to generate a plurality of possible fine-tuned head fitting recommendations or possible configurable head setting recommendations corresponding respectively to the fine-tuned heads or configurable head settings with which golf shots have been made and ball flight characteristics have been received by the computing device 800, and to rank the plurality of fine-tuned head fitting recommendations or configurable head setting recommendations. Each of the fine-tuned head fitting recommendations or configurable head setting recommendations may include one or more head-related features possessed by the corresponding golf club (e.g., a golf club including the corresponding fine-tuned head or configurable head setting). The computing device 800 may be configured to define the fine-tuned head fitting recommendation or configurable head setting recommendation to be the highest ranked possible fine-tuned head fitting recommendation or configurable head setting recommendation, or to use those rankings together to form multiple fine-tuned head fitting recommendations or configurable head setting recommendations.

[0200] In the illustrated example shown in Fig. 33, at least three golf shots have been played for each of the second golf club 3262, the fourth golf club 3264, the fifth golf club 3265 (including the shaft of the second golf club 3262 and the head having a TSR2 model, a 9 degree loft, and a B2 hosel setting based on Titleist's Surefit hosel), and the sixth golf club 3266 (including the shaft of the second golf club 3262 and the head having a TSR4 model, a 9 degree loft, and a B2 hosel setting based on Titleist's Surefit hosel). In Fig. 33, three sixth golf club shot indicators 3246 representing three golf shots played with the sixth golf club 3266 are shown in the fairway chart, and the three sixth golf club shot indicators 3246 are surrounded by a sixth golf club shot limit line 3246C. Distance accuracy representation 3250 is shown in FIG. 33 to include a second calculated distance 3252D and a second calculated accuracy 3252A associated with a second golf club 3262, a fourth calculated distance 3254D and a fourth calculated accuracy 3254A associated with a fourth golf club 3264, a fifth calculated distance 3255D and a fifth calculated accuracy 3255A associated with a fifth golf club 3265, and a sixth calculated distance 3256D and a sixth calculated accuracy 3256A associated with a sixth golf club 3266. The fitting recommendation representation 3260 in FIG. 33 is shown to display a second golf club head 3262 and its corresponding second ranking characterization 3262DA, a fourth golf club head 3264 and its corresponding fourth ranking characterization 3264DA, a fifth golf club head 3265 and its corresponding fifth ranking characterization 3265DA, and a sixth golf club head 3266 and its corresponding sixth ranking characterization 3266DA based on their ranking (with higher ranked golf clubs being shown higher on the fitting recommendation representation 3260 and lower ranked golf clubs being shown lower on the fitting recommendation representation 3260).

[0201] 34, the second user interface 3200 may be configured to display (e.g., during each of the shaft fitting recommendation stage, the head fitting recommendation, and the fine tuning stage) a plurality of options (e.g., at the top of the second user interface 3200 or in a separate user interface) in response to receiving a selection of a selectable options element 3290. The plurality of options may include a selectable unavailable options hide element 3290NA, a ranking characterization element 3290R, a baseline distance element 3290D, a baseline accuracy element 3290A, an interview question element 3290Q, and a save element 3290S.

[0202] The computing device 800 may be configured to hide unavailable golf clubs in response to selection of the unavailable option hide element 3290NA (e.g., hide shafts not included in the inventory database in the golf club selection menu 3210 during the stage fitting recommendation stage and hide heads not included in the inventory database in the golf club selection menu 3210 during each of the head fitting recommendation stage and the fine-tuning stage). The computing device 800 may be configured to display unavailable golf clubs in response to deselection of the unavailable option hide element 3290NA.

[0203] The computing device 800 may be configured to selectively change a ranking characterization associated with the golf club in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 via the ranking characterization element 3290R. For example, the ranking characterization element 3290R may provide a drop-down menu of multiple possible characterizations to select from in response to a selection. The computing device 800 may be configured to change the ranking characterization in response to receiving a selection of one of the multiple possible characterizations to select from. In the illustrated example, the characterization of the golf club in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 is shown as a distance accuracy representation indicating how the calculated distance of the golf club ranks in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 among the calculated distances of all golf clubs and how the calculated accuracy of the golf club ranks in the fitting recommendation representation 3260 among the calculated accuracy of all golf clubs. 33, the second ranking characterization 3262DA of the second golf club head 3262 indicates that the second calculated accuracy 3252A is ranked first (i.e., highest) among the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth calculated accuracy 3252A, 3254A, 3255A, and 3256A, and that the second calculated distance 3252D is ranked fourth (i.e., lowest) among the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth calculated distances 3252D, 3254D, 3255D, and 3256D. In some examples, the multiple possible characterizations that may be selected may include a distance accuracy characterization, strokes gained per round (e.g., an estimated change in strokes per round when using a golf club), strokes gained per drive (e.g., an estimated change in strokes per drive when using a golf club), a scoring index, etc.

[0204] The baseline distance element 3290D may represent a baseline distance to which the computing device 800 is configured to compare the calculated distance when ranking golf clubs in the fitting recommendation representation 3260, and the baseline accuracy element 3290A may represent a baseline accuracy to which the computing device 800 is configured to compare the calculated accuracy when ranking golf clubs in the fitting recommendation representation 3260. The computing device 800 may be configured to allow the baseline distance and baseline accuracy to be manually changed via the baseline distance element 3290D and the baseline accuracy element 3290A, respectively. For example, the baseline distance element 3290D and / or the baseline accuracy element 3290A may provide an editable field configured to receive free-form text in the input field, and the computing device 800 may be configured to update the baseline distance and baseline accuracy in response to receiving the free-form text in the input field. In some other examples, the baseline distance element 3290D and / or the baseline accuracy element 3290A may be configured to provide a drop-down menu when selected, which may display a plurality of selectable values. The computing device 800 may be configured to update the baseline distance in response to receiving a selection of one of the selectable values ​​in the drop-down menu of the baseline distance element 3290D, and to update the baseline accuracy in response to receiving a selection of one of the selectable values ​​in the drop-down menu of the baseline accuracy element 3290A.

[0205] The computing device 800 may be configured to, in response to receiving a selection of the interview question element 3290Q, display one or more of the input fields for receiving player input data received during the interview stage (e.g., one or more of the first through sixteenth input fields 3101-3116) and receive new player input data therein. The computing device 800 may then update one or more of the recommended golf clubs, calculated distances and calculated accuracy rates, and / or rankings of the golf clubs in the golf club selection menu 3210 in response to the new player data input.

[0206] The computing device 800 may be configured to save changes made via a number of options in response to receiving a selection of the selectable save button 3290S.

[0207] A system and method for generating a golf club recommendation for one or more golf clubs will now be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 35-46B. Generally, a system for generating a fitting recommendation may be configured to plot measured ball flight data on one or more virtual golf holes, each corresponding to one or more real golf holes, to generate corresponding hole location data for the one or more virtual golf holes. The hole location data may then be used to generate a golf club recommendation for one or more golf clubs. In some examples, a system for generating a fitting recommendation may include some or all of the components of the system shown in FIG. 8, and a non-limiting and non-exhaustive example system for generating a fitting recommendation is described below with reference to FIG. 8. Thus, redundant descriptions of some of the components shown in FIG. 8 may not be repeated.

[0208] FIG. 35 illustrates a plurality of virtual golf holes of a real golf course in a virtual course layout 4000. FIG. 36 illustrates a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) of the plurality of virtual golf holes of FIG. 35 in a first hole layout 4100. FIG. 37 illustrates a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) with a plurality of ball flight data plotted on the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1). FIG. 38 illustrates a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) with both a plurality of ball flight data and a plurality of simulated ball flight data plotted on the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1). FIG. 39 illustrates an enlarged partial view of the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) of FIG. 38. FIG. 40 illustrates a second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) of the plurality of virtual golf holes of FIG. 35 in a second hole layout 4200. FIG 41 illustrates a second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) with both a plurality of ball flight data and a plurality of simulated ball flight data plotted on the second virtual golf hole (Hole 2). FIG 42 illustrates a third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) of the plurality of virtual golf holes of FIG 35 in a third hole layout 4300. FIG 43 illustrates a third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) with a plurality of ball flight data plotted on the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3). FIG 44 illustrates a third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) with both a plurality of ball flight data and a plurality of simulated ball flight data plotted on the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3).

[0209] The system may store or access (e.g., via a network connection) a database of virtual golf holes and / or course layouts, each corresponding to a plurality of real golf holes. The database may be stored in the system memory 804, in the removable storage 809, in the non-removable storage 810, and / or in the server 820. To illustrate, in one example, the stored virtual golf holes may include the virtual golf holes shown in FIG. 35. The real golf holes to which the stored virtual golf holes correspond may be from various locations and golf courses around the world. The stored virtual golf holes may be obtained from a mapping vendor, and may be obtained via camera drones, satellite imagery, or other mapping techniques. In some examples, a request may be made via an application programming interface (API) of the mapping vendor. The mapping vendor may then return the virtual golf holes and / or virtual course layouts.

[0210] Each virtual golf hole may include longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions for each of the rough, fairways, greens, and / or hazards (e.g., bunkers, water hazards, bushes, and / or trees) of the real golf hole to which the virtual golf hole corresponds. For example, a virtual golf hole may include a plurality of shapes that represent the rough, fairways, greens, and / or hazards of the real golf hole and have longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions, respectively, that correspond to each of these shapes. The longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions of the trees may roughly correspond to the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions of the tree canopy. In some examples, the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions of the tree trunks may also be included. In FIGS. 36-44, the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions may be represented by vertical and horizontal axes, which may be in yards, respectively.

[0211] In a first hole layout 4100 of a first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) shown in Figures 36-39, rough is represented by 4110, fairway is represented by 4120, green is represented by 4130, trees are represented by 4111, and bunkers (e.g., sand traps) are represented by 4112. The first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) also shows a pin location or cup 4131 on the green 4130, a first tee location 4101, a second tee location 4102, and a third tee location 4103. The first tee location 4101, the second tee location 4102, and the third tee location 4103 may represent locations from which to hit the first golf shot for the golf hole. In a second hole layout 4200 for a second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) shown in Figures 40 and 41, 4210 represents the rough, 4220 represents the fairway, 4230 represents the green, 4231 represents the pin position or cup, 4211 represents trees, 4212 represents a bunker, 4201 represents the first tee position, 4202 represents the second tee position, and 4203 represents the third tee position. In a third hole layout 4300 of a third virtual golf hole (hole 3) shown in Figures 42 to 44, 4310 represents the rough, 4320 represents the fairway, 4330 represents the green, 4331 represents the pin position or cup, 4311 represents trees, 4312 represents a bunker, 4313 represents a water hazard, 4301 represents the first tee position, 4302 represents the second tee position, and 4303 represents the third tee position.

[0212] The processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to prompt the selection of one or more of the stored virtual golf holes to be used in the fitting recommendation process. For example, the computing device 800 may display a prompt (e.g., instructions) on the display 820 to select or identify one or more of the stored virtual golf holes of the real golf course. The computing device 800 may receive the selection of one or more virtual golf holes via the input device 812, and the processing unit 802 may be configured to retrieve the selected one or more virtual golf holes from a database. By using virtual golf holes that represent real golf holes that the golfer being fitted normally plays and / or prefers for any other reason during the fitting process, the golf club recommendations may be specifically tailored to enhance the golfer's overall performance when playing these particular golf holes. Thus, the fitting process is not only specific to the golfer, but also to where the golfer plays golf.

[0213] The processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to capture (e.g., measure) ball flight data for each of one or more golf shots, plot the ball flight data for each golf shot onto each of one or more selected virtual golf holes, generate hole position data corresponding to each of the ball flight data at each of the one or more virtual golf holes via plotting the ball flight data, and generate fitting recommendations for one or more golf clubs based on the hole position data.

[0214] Launch monitor 840 may be used to capture ball flight data. For example, one or more sensors 846 (e.g., one or more cameras and / or one or more radars) of launch monitor 840 may be configured to capture ball flight data for a golf shot, and launch monitor 840 may be configured to transmit the captured ball flight data to processing unit 802, for example, via communication connection 848.

[0215] The ball flight data may include ball flight characteristics such as golf ball carry distance (e.g., the distance from the point where the golf shot is taken to where the golf ball is estimated to first land), golf ball launch angle, fade / slice or draw / hook, golf ball spin (e.g., the spin of the golf ball after impact with a golf club), golf ball velocity (e.g., the speed of the golf ball after impact with a golf club), and / or golf ball smash factor. In some examples, fade / slice or draw / hook may refer to the latitudinal distance (or the distance along a direction perpendicular to a line between the start point and the aim point) from an aim point to the point where the golf ball first lands. In some other examples, fade / slice or draw / hook may refer to the angle between a line on the ground extending between a start point (where the golf shot is assumed to be taken from a virtual golf hole) and the aim point and a line on the ground extending between the start point and the point where the golf ball first lands. The system may include targets (e.g., physical or virtual targets) against which the golfer should aim his or her golf shot to determine various ball flight data, such as fade / slice or draw / hook.

[0216] The processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to plot ball flight data for each of one or more golf shots made with each of one or more golf clubs on each of one or more selected virtual golf holes to generate corresponding hole location data for the golf shots. For example, first, second, and third virtual golf holes (Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3) may be selected, and the computing device 800 may receive first ball flight data for the first golf shot made with the first golf club, second ball flight data for the second golf shot made with the first golf club, and third ball flight data for the third golf shot made with the second golf club. In this example, the processing unit 802 may plot the first ball flight data over each of the first, second, and third virtual golf holes (hole 1, hole 2, and hole 3) to generate hole location data corresponding to the first ball flight data at each of the first, second, and third golf holes (hole 1, hole 2, and hole 3). The processing unit 802 may plot the second ball flight data over each of the first, second, and third virtual golf holes (hole 1, hole 2, and hole 3) to generate hole location data corresponding to the second ball flight data at each of the first, second, and third golf holes (hole 1, hole 2, and hole 3). The processing unit 802 may plot the third ball flight data over each of the first, second, and third virtual golf holes (Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3) to generate hole position data corresponding to the third ball flight data at each of the first, second, and third golf holes (Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3).

[0217] Plotting the ball flight data of the golf shot on the virtual golf hole may include setting an aim point direction, identifying an initial landing point where the golf ball first lands based on at least the aim point, the golf ball carry distance, and a fade / slice or draw / hook, and determining a golf ball stopping point where the golf ball ceases moving on the virtual golf hole based on at least the initial landing point, the golf ball speed, the golf ball launch angle, the golf ball spin, and a topography of the virtual golf hole through which the golf ball moves between the initial landing point and the stopping point. The hole location data of the golf shot on the virtual golf hole may include (e.g., may be) information about the stopping point of the golf ball from the golf shot.

[0218] Setting the aim point is based on the virtual golf hole on which the ball flight data is being plotted and, in some examples, the carry distance or total distance of all of the golf shots made with the same golf club. For example, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored on the system memory 804, may be configured to calculate an average or median carry distance (or average or median total distance) for one or more golf shots made with a particular golf club. The processing unit 802 may be configured to determine a point along a virtual aiming arc (e.g., aiming arcs 4150, 4250, and 4350 for the first, second, and third virtual golf holes (hole 1, hole 2, and hole 3), respectively) to be set as the aim point. The aiming arc may be at least a portion of a virtual circle centered on a starting point (e.g., a selected tee location) on the virtual golf hole from which one or more golf shots are expected to be made. For example, if a golfer is supposed to hit a first shot on a virtual golf hole, the starting point may be from one of the first to third tee positions, which may be selectable by the golfer and / or the fitter. In Figs. 36-44, the starting point is the first tee position (4101, 4201, and 4301 for the first, second, and third virtual golf holes (Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3), respectively). The virtual circles of the aiming arcs 4150, 4250, and 4350 may have a radius equal to the average carry distance or the median carry distance (or the average or median total distance). In some other examples, the aim point may be set for each golf shot, and the radius of the virtual circle may be equal to the carry distance or the total distance of the golf shot.

[0219] The aim point may represent a theoretical point on a virtual golf hole where a golfer will aim from a starting point during an actual golf shot. The direction from the starting point on the virtual golf hole to the aim point may correspond to the direction toward the target that the golfer will actually aim at during a golf swing. The aim point in the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) is labeled as 4155 in FIG. 36, the aim point on the second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) is labeled as 4255 in FIG. 40, and the aim point on the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) is labeled as 4355 in FIG. 42.

[0220] In some examples, the aimpoint may be determined to be a point along an aiming arc centered on the fairway (e.g., halfway between the left and right sides of the fairway). As shown in Figures 36 and 40, aimpoints 4155 and 4255 are determined in this manner for a first and second virtual golf hole (Hole 1 and Hole 2).

[0221] In some other examples, determining the point along the aiming arc to be set as the aim point may be based on the presence of a hazard (e.g., a bunker, a water hazard, a bush, and / or a tree) near the aiming arc, e.g., a hazard located along the aiming arc or having a minimum or longitudinal distance from the aiming arc within a set range (e.g., within 2, 5, 10, 20, or 50 yards). For example, the aim point may be determined to be a point on the side of the fairway and near the aiming arc, shifted from the center of the fairway along a direction away from one or more hazards. The shifted distance from the center of the fairway may be a set distance, such as 1, 3, 5, or 10 yards, or may be defined as a percentage of the fairway width (e.g., the average width of the fairway or the width of the fairway at the point along the aiming arc), such as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25% of the fairway width. The aim point 4355 is determined in this manner for the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3), which is shown in FIG. 42 as being shifted leftward from the center of the fairway 4320 so that the aim point 4355 is shifted away from the water hazard 4313 on the right side of the fairway 4320.

[0222] In some other examples, the aim point may be determined based on an algorithm, such as an algorithm that identifies the aim point to be the point along the aim arc associated with the greatest performance benefit achieved, such as the greatest strokes gained value (or the smallest strokes-remaining value), from among the points along the aim arc. For example, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to calculate strokes gained values ​​(or strokes remaining values) at various points along the aim arc for a golf club with which one or more golf shots will be made, determine which point along the aim arc has the greatest strokes gained value (or the smallest strokes remaining value), and set that point to be the aim point. Calculating strokes gained values ​​and strokes remaining values ​​is described in more detail below.

[0223] After determining the aim point, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to determine an initial landing point of the golf ball on the virtual golf hole. This determination may be based on the aim point, the starting point, and at least some ball flight characteristics of the golf shot, such as at least the carry distance and fade / slice or draw / hook. For example, when a golfer is completing a golf shot, the golfer is aiming at a particular target (e.g., the center of the net, a point on a driving range, a point on a virtual screen) that corresponds to the aim point on the virtual golf hole. The carry distance and / or total distance for the golf shot may then be calculated. The lateral distance the ball travels off-center from the target may also be calculated (e.g., the amount of fade / slice or draw / hook). The landing points for the golf shot may then be plotted on the respective virtual golf hole. For example, the target is translated or shifted to an aim point for the virtual golf hole, and the initial landing location where the ball lands for the golf shot (e.g., carry distance adjusted by lateral distance from a fade / draw) and the final position (or stopping point) of the ball for the golf shot (e.g., initial shot landing location plus roll) are plotted on each golf hole.

[0224] In Figures 37-39, 41, 43, and 44, the initial landing points are identified by the letter "x." Some of the initial landing points on (Hole 1) are represented by x4151, some of the initial landing points on (Hole 2) are represented by x4251, and some of the initial landing points on (Hole 3) are represented by x4351.

[0225] After determining the initial landing point of the golf ball and upon executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, the processing unit 802 may be configured to determine a stopping point of the golf ball. The stopping point may be based on the initial landing point and at least some of the ball flight characteristics of the golf ball, such as at least the golf ball speed, golf ball spin, fade / slice or draw / hook, and the topography of the virtual golf hole through which the golf ball travels between the initial landing point and the stopping point.

[0226] For example, based on the initial landing location and at least some of the measured ball flight characteristics, the processing unit 802 may be configured to determine a direction (e.g., bounce and / or roll) that the golf ball will travel from the initial landing location. The processing unit 802 may be configured to determine a terrain type through which the golf ball travels from the initial landing location based on the direction the golf ball travels from the initial landing location. The terrain type may refer to, for example, rough, fairway, green, or hazard (e.g., bunker or water hazard). Based on which type of terrain the golf ball is determined to travel through, the processing unit 802 may be configured to determine how far the golf ball travels from the initial landing location along the determined direction before coming to a stop at a stopping point. For example, the processing unit 802 may determine that if the golf ball travels through rough, the golf ball will lose speed (and therefore travel a shorter distance from the initial landing location) than if the golf ball travels through a fairway or green. In some examples, the processing unit may assume that the green provides the least frictional resistance to the movement of the golf ball, the fairway provides more frictional resistance than the green, the rough provides more frictional resistance than the fairway, the bunker provides more frictional resistance than the rough, and the golf ball comes to a quick stop when moving through a water hazard. In Figures 37-39, 41, 43, and 44, the stopping points of the golf ball are identified by circles. Some of the stopping points on the first virtual golf hole (Hole 1) are represented by circles 4152, some of the stopping points on the second virtual golf hole (Hole 2) are represented by circles 4252, and some of the stopping points on the third virtual golf hole (Hole 3) are represented by circles 4352.

[0227] The processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to generate a golf club recommendation based on hole location data for each of one or more golf shots taken with each of the one or more golf clubs and plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes. The one or more golf clubs may all be of the same type (e.g., driver, metal wood, iron, or wedge), and the golf club recommendation may include one or more recommended golf clubs of the same type of golf club. In some examples, the one or more recommended golf clubs may include all (or a subset) of the one or more golf clubs with which the golf shot was taken. In some examples, the golf club recommendation includes multiple golf clubs, and the processing unit 802 is configured to append a rank to each of the multiple golf clubs corresponding to how the golf club is recommended.

[0228] For each golf club for which ball flight data is received by computing device 800, processing unit 802 may be configured to calculate a strokes gained value or a strokes remaining value for the golf club based on the hole location data plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes for each of one or more golf shots made with the golf club. Processing unit 802 may be configured to generate a golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value of each of the one or more golf clubs with which one or more golf shots were made. For example, the golf club that results in the most strokes gained (largest strokes gained value) or the fewest strokes remaining (smallest strokes remaining value) may be recommended as the best golf club for the particular golfer to play the particular golf hole used in the analysis.

[0229] Calculating the achieved performance benefit, which may be quantified in some examples via a strokes gained value, of a particular golf shot on a virtual golf hole may include determining an estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from a starting point on the virtual golf hole and from a location on the virtual golf hole corresponding to the hole location data for the golf shot (e.g., a stopping point of the golf ball). Strokes gained value (SGV) may be defined as SGV=(X-1)-Y, where X is the estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from the starting point and Y is the estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from the stopping point of the golf ball. The estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from a particular point (e.g., from the starting point or stopping point) may be based on at least the distance from the particular point on the virtual golf hole to a green location (e.g., the perimeter of the green or the pin location or cup of the virtual golf hole) and the terrain type (e.g., rough, fairway, green, or hazard) of the virtual golf hole at the particular point.

[0230] Calculating the achieved performance benefit may in some examples be accomplished through the calculation of a stroke remaining value for a particular golf shot on a virtual hole, which may include determining an estimated number of golf shots to complete the hole from the stopping point of the golf ball. Stroke remaining value (SRV) may be defined as SRV=Y, where Y is the estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from the stopping point. However, it should be noted that other methods of capturing the achieved performance benefit other than industry standard strokes gained values ​​may be used without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

[0231] The processing unit 802 may be configured to generate golf club recommendations based on an achieved performance benefit, such as either a strokes gained value or a strokes remaining value.

[0232] The system may have a stroke remaining database (e.g., one or more tables) stored in the system memory 804, the removable storage 809, the non-removable storage 810, and / or the server 820. The stroke remaining database may include, for example, an average number of golf shots required or taken to complete a golf hole from various distances to the green and from various terrain types, and may be based on empirical data (e.g., data from the PGA Tour or from a shot tracking device or app). The processing unit 802 may determine an estimated number of golf shots to complete a virtual golf hole from a stopping point on the virtual golf hole (and, in some examples, from a starting point on the virtual golf hole) based on (e.g., by reference to) the stroke remaining database. The stroke remaining database may include specific data for a particular real hole being virtualized for the analysis described herein.

[0233] The processing unit 802 may be configured to calculate a strokes gained value (or stroke remaining value) for the golf club based on the strokes gained values ​​(or stroke remaining values) of one or more golf shots taken with the golf club and plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes. For example, the strokes gained value for the golf club may be calculated to be the average or median of the strokes gained values ​​of the one or more golf shots taken with the golf club and plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes. The strokes remaining value for the golf club may be calculated to be the average or median of the strokes gained values ​​of the one or more golf shots taken with the golf club and plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes.

[0234] The processing unit 802 may be configured to generate the golf club recommendation based on an achieved performance benefit, such as a strokes gained value (or strokes remaining value), of the one or more golf clubs with which the one or more golf shots were made. For example, if the one or more golf clubs include a first golf club and a second golf club, and the strokes gained value of the first golf club is greater than the strokes gained value of the second golf club, the processing unit 802 may determine that the first golf club is more highly recommended than the second golf club, and the processing unit 802 may generate the golf club recommendation to be the first golf club. In some other examples, the golf club recommendation may be a golf club that is different from any of the one or more golf clubs with which the one or more golf shots were made, such as a golf club that combines some of the best features of the tested golf clubs.

[0235] Using strokes gained values ​​(or strokes remaining values) for one or more golf clubs can be a useful way to compare how well one or more golf clubs fit a particular golfer by providing a relative standard (e.g., a strokes remaining database) against which all of the one or more golf clubs can be compared. In addition, strokes gained analysis can provide a direct correlation to improved scores for a golfer on the golfer's selected course.

[0236] In some examples, the processing unit 802 may be configured to simulate simulated ball flight data for each of one or more golf clubs with which one or more golf shots have been taken and plot the simulated ball flight data over each of one or more selected virtual golf holes to generate corresponding hole location data. The simulated ball flight data for the golf clubs may be based on measured ball flight data of one or more golf shots taken with the golf clubs. For example, the processing unit 802 may be configured to use a Monte Carlo simulation to generate the simulated ball flight data. In some other examples, the processing unit 802 may be configured to simulate one or more simulated hole location data for the golf clubs at the virtual golf holes for each of one or more golf clubs with which one or more golf shots have been taken and at each of one or more selected virtual golf holes. For example, the processing unit 802 may be configured to use a Monte Carlo simulation to generate simulated hole location data for each of one or more golf clubs at each of one or more selected virtual golf holes. Simulating hole location data for a golf club at a particular virtual golf hole may be based on hole location data at the virtual golf hole from one or more golf shots taken with the golf club.

[0237] The processing unit 802 may be configured to calculate an achieved performance benefit, such as a strokes gained value (or strokes remaining value), for each of the one or more golf clubs based on one or both of the hole location data associated with the actual shots hit with the golf clubs and / or the simulated hole location data associated with the golf clubs. Simulating additional hole location data (either directly or by simulating additional ball flight data) may be desirable or advantageous because it may increase the number of hole location data on which the golf club recommendations are based (e.g., on which the strokes gained value or strokes remaining value is based) without requiring the golfer to take additional golf shots. This may conserve the golfer's energy during the fitting process and allow him or her to take golf shots with more golf clubs before the golfer's performance begins to decline due to energy dissipation. For example, during the fitting process, the golfer may be required to hit multiple shots with each possible golf club with which the golfer may be fitted. This process may be arduous for the golfer, and later swings in the fitting session may be the golfer's best swings that are not accurate because the golfer is fatigued. Thus, even though a golfer may hit their best club later in the fitting process, the statistics for that club may appear poorer due to fatigued swings from the golfer. By expanding the amount of hole location data for analysis through the use of simulated golf shots (based on real golf shots) rather than actual additional golf shots from the golfer, the number of real swings the golfer must make in the fitting is reduced, leading to more accurate results across a set of golf clubs.The additional simulated hole location data can also improve the accuracy of the golf club recommendations (e.g., provide more tailored recommendations for a particular golfer) by increasing the number of data on which the golf club recommendations and / or strokes gained (or strokes remaining) are based. Figures 37 and 43 show the hole location data without the additional simulated hole location data, while Figures 38, 39, 41, and 44 show the hole location data with the additional simulated hole location data.

[0238] In some examples, strokes gained values ​​(or strokes remaining values) of golf shots plotted on a particular virtual golf hole may be adjusted to account for penalties and / or various circumstances that may occur while playing on a real golf hole corresponding to the virtual golf hole. For example, the processing unit 802 may be configured to add a set number of strokes (e.g., 2 strokes) to the stroke remaining values ​​of golf shots whose hole location data indicates that a tree trunk is located between the golf ball and the green (or pin location or cup) of the virtual golf hole. This adjustment may take into account a golfer needing to hit the golf ball around trees, which may generally increase the estimated number of shots required to complete the virtual golf course compared to if the trees were not present. In some examples, the processing unit 802 may be configured to add a set number of strokes (e.g., 1 stroke, 2 strokes, etc.) to the strokes remaining value when the hole location data for the golf shot indicates that the golf ball is out of bounds.

[0239] The processing unit 802 may be configured to generate the golf club recommendation without calculating a strokes gained value for the golf club. In some examples, the processing unit 802 is configured to generate the golf club recommendation based on a terrain type (e.g., green, fairway, rough, or hazard) to which hole location data for each of one or more golf shots taken with each of the one or more golf clubs is associated.

[0240] For example, the processing unit 802 may be configured to append a score (e.g., a numerical score) to each hole location data based at least on the terrain type. For example, the processing unit 802 may be configured to append the highest score (e.g., a point of 1) if the terrain type is green, the second highest score (e.g., a point of 0.5) if the terrain type is fairway, the third highest score (e.g., a point of 0.25) if the terrain type is rough, and the fourth highest score (e.g., a point of 0 if the terrain type is bunker, and one or more negative points if the terrain type is water hazard) if the terrain type is hazard. Similarly, the score may be adjusted based on the distance remaining to the pin or green (with a better score indicated for fewer yards to the pin). The processing unit 802 may be configured to determine, for each of the one or more golf clubs, an average score of all hole location data (with or without simulated hole location data) associated with the golf club, and generate a golf club recommendation based on the respective average score of the one or more golf clubs. For example, the processing unit 802 may generate the golf club recommendation to be the top scored golf clubs ranked according to their respective scores, or to include two or three of the top scored golf clubs in the golf club recommendation.

[0241] Generating golf club recommendations in a manner along these lines may be advantageous, for example, when the starting point on one or more selected virtual golf holes, respectively, is near the green and it is desirable to determine which golf club is more likely to hit the golf ball on the green (such as not in a bunker, rough, etc.) Generating golf club recommendations in a manner along these lines may be utilized, for example, when one or more golf clubs are wedge-type golf clubs or iron-type golf clubs.

[0242] In some examples, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to receive a first set of ball flight data including ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with each of one or more first golf clubs, plot the first set of ball flight data on one or more selected virtual golf holes to generate a corresponding first set of hole location data, and generate a first golf club recommendation based on the first set of hole location data. Plotting the first set of ball flight data to generate the first set of hole location data may be from tee markers on one or more selected virtual golf holes and may be performed in any manner disclosed herein. For example, this may simulate a tee shot (e.g., a first shot) on a golf hole. Generating the first golf club recommendation based on the first set of hole location data may be performed in any manner disclosed herein (e.g., via calculating a strokes gained value, etc.). In some examples, the one or more first golf clubs may all be of the same type of golf club (e.g., all drivers, metal woods, irons, or wedges), and the first golf club recommendations may include one or more first recommended golf clubs that are of this same type of golf club head.

[0243] The techniques disclosed herein may also continue the fitting process to fit a golfer to additional clubs in the golfer's bag beyond the clubs the golfer may use primarily for tee shots. Thus, the techniques disclosed herein may provide a whole bag fitting to the golfer. To do so, the fitting technique may leave a first set of shots (e.g., tee shots) from the golfer and base a second set of shots on them. For example, the golfer may start by testing a number of different drivers, and the golf shots may be analyzed based on the hole location data as described above. A second starting point may then be determined based on the distance remaining to the pin or green for the virtual golf hole. The golfer may then hit shots with various versions of the clubs that the golfer will use for that remaining distance. These approach shots are then plotted again on the virtual hole as hole location data. Strokes gained (or a similar analysis) may then be performed on the approach shot hole location data to determine which golf clubs should be recommended.

[0244] For example, processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in system memory 804, may be configured to receive a second set of ball flight data including ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot (e.g., approach shot) taken with each of one or more second golf clubs, plot the second set of ball flight data on one or more selected virtual golf holes to generate a corresponding second set of hole location data, and generate a second golf club recommendation based on the second set of hole location data. Plotting the second set of ball flight data to generate the second set of hole location data may be from a second set of starting points, each on one or more selected virtual golf holes, and may be performed in any manner disclosed herein.

[0245] For each virtual golf hole, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to determine a starting point for the virtual golf hole based on hole location data from the first set of hole location data plotted on the virtual golf hole. For example, the starting point may be determined to be a point on the virtual golf hole that corresponds to an average value of hole location data from the first set of hole location data plotted on the virtual golf hole. In some examples, the first golf club recommendation may be for a particular golf club of the one or more first golf clubs, and the starting point for the virtual golf hole may be determined to be a point on the virtual golf hole that corresponds to an average value of hole location data at the virtual golf hole corresponding to golf shots made with the particular golf club.

[0246] Generating the second golf club recommendation based on the second set of hole location data may be performed in any manner disclosed herein (e.g., via calculating strokes gained values, etc.). In some examples, the one or more second golf clubs may all be of the same type of golf club (e.g., all metal wood type golf clubs, all iron type golf clubs, or all wedge type golf clubs), and the second golf club recommendation may include one or more second recommended golf clubs that are of this same type of golf club head. The one or more second golf clubs may be of a different type than the one or more first golf clubs. For example, the one or more first golf clubs may be driver type golf clubs, and the one or more second golf clubs may be iron type golf clubs or wedge type golf clubs.

[0247] By utilizing the first and second sets of ball flight data as described herein, a player may be fitted for a number of golf clubs that, when used together by the player while playing through one or more real golf holes, each corresponding to one or more selected virtual golf holes, are collectively designed to improve the player's performance while playing through the one or more real golf holes.

[0248] Although several examples are described in which processing unit 802 receives first and second sets of ball flight data, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, processing unit 802 may further receive additional sets of ball flight data, such as third and fourth sets of ball flight data.

[0249] The processing unit 802 may be configured to plot the third set of ball flight data over the one or more selected virtual golf holes in any manner as disclosed herein to generate a third set of hole location data, and generate a third golf club recommendation based on the third set of hole location data in any manner as disclosed herein. The third set of starting points from which the third ball flight data is plotted may be determined based on the second set of hole location data similar to how the second set of starting points was determined based on the first hole location data.

[0250] The processing unit 802 may be configured to plot the fourth set of ball flight data over the one or more selected virtual golf holes in any manner as disclosed herein to generate a fourth set of hole location data, and to generate a fourth golf club recommendation based on the fourth set of hole location data in any manner as disclosed herein. The fourth set of starting points from which the fourth ball flight data is plotted may be determined based on the third set of hole location data similar to how the second set of starting points was determined based on the first hole location data.

[0251] By receiving and utilizing multiple sets of ball flight data to generate multiple golf club recommendations as described herein, a player may be fitted (e.g., a full bag fitting) with multiple golf clubs that are specifically selected to improve the player's performance (e.g., to reduce the player's average stroke count) while playing through one or more real golf holes, each of which corresponds to the one or more selected virtual golf holes. For example, a player may be fitted with at least one driver, at least one metal wood, at least one iron, and at least one wedge that, when used collectively while playing through one or more real golf holes, are specifically designed to improve the player's performance on the particular course from which the virtual golf holes were derived.

[0252] The processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to cause one or more selected virtual golf holes to be displayed on the display 820 and to display one or more golf shots taken with each of the one or more golf clubs plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes. For example, initial landing and / or stopping points of each of the one or more golf shots taken with each of the one or more golf clubs and plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes may be displayed. In some examples, simulated ball flight data plotted on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes or simulated hole position data at each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes may be displayed.

[0253] Displaying the one or more selected virtual golf holes and golf shots plotted on the one or more selected virtual golf holes can be beneficial to the fitter and / or player during the fitting process by allowing the fitter and player to visually understand how golf shots with each golf club will land on the one or more selected virtual golf holes. For example, a golf club recommendation may generate a ranked plurality of golf clubs, with one of the golf clubs ranked highest, however, the player may select a lower ranked golf club from among the ranked plurality of golf clubs because, for example, the player prefers how and where golf shots made with the lower ranked golf clubs are displayed grouped together on the one or more selected virtual golf holes.

[0254] The system for generating golf club recommendations described herein with reference to Figures 8 and 35-44 may combine other fitting techniques and algorithms described above, including the fitting techniques and algorithms described with reference to Figures 8-16B, and the fitting techniques and algorithms described with reference to Figures 8 and 17-34.

[0255] For example, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to receive player input data (e.g., data entered in response to the questions shown in FIG. 10), receive measured swing analysis (e.g., attack angle and / or shaft lean), receive ball flight data for one or more golf shots taken with each of one or more wedge-type golf clubs, and plot the ball flight data on one or more virtual golf holes to generate corresponding hole location data. The processing unit 802 may be configured to generate golf club recommendations (e.g., for one or more wedges, each including at least one of a bounce or a grind) based on the player input data, the swing analysis, and the hole location data. In some examples, the swing analysis may be displayed on the display 820 similar to the manner in which the swing analysis is displayed as described herein with reference to FIGS. 11-13E.

[0256] In some examples, the processing unit 802, when executing instructions stored in the system memory 804, may be configured to receive player input data (e.g., data received in response to the queries shown in FIGS. 22-26), receive measured ball flight data (e.g., ball flight characteristics) for one or more golf shots taken with each of one or more golf clubs (e.g., one or more drivers, metal woods, or hybrids), and plot the ball flight data on one or more virtual golf holes to generate corresponding hole location data. The processing unit 802 may be configured to generate golf club recommendations (e.g., one or more recommended shafts and / or one or more recommended golf club heads) based on the player input data, the ball flight data, and the hole location data. In some examples, the hole location data may be displayed on one or more virtual golf holes similar to the manner in which golf shot indicators may be displayed as described herein with reference to FIGS. 27-33.

[0257] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive example methods for generating fitting recommendations will now be described with reference to Figures 45 and 46A-B. Figures 45 and 46A-B illustrate operation of methods 5000 and 5100, respectively, for generating fitting recommendations. Methods 5000 and 5100 may be performed, for example, by using the system of Figure 8 as described with reference to Figures 35-44.

[0258] 45, a method 5000 for generating a fitting recommendation may include a first operation 5001 of measuring first ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with each of one or more first golf clubs. The first ball flight data may be measured, for example, using a launch monitor 840, and the first ball flight data may be transmitted to a processing unit 802 of the computing device 800. The method 5000 may include a second operation 5002 of plotting (e.g., by the processing unit 802) the first ball flight data over each of the one or more virtual golf holes to generate corresponding first hole location data. Plotting the first ball flight data over each of the one or more virtual golf holes may be from a first set of starting points, each on the one or more virtual golf holes, and may be performed in any manner described herein. In some examples, the second operation 5002 may include simulating additional first hole location data in any manner described herein, for example, via a Monte Carlo simulation. The method 5000 may include a third operation 5003 of generating (e.g., by the processing unit 802) a first golf club recommendation based on the first hole location data. For example, the third operation 5003 may include calculating strokes gained values, respectively, for the one or more first golf clubs based on the first hole location data in any manner described herein, and the first golf club recommendation may be based on the strokes gained values, respectively, for the one or more first golf clubs.

[0259] The method 5000 may include a fourth operation 5004 of measuring second ball flight data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with each of the one or more second golf clubs. The second ball flight data may be measured, for example, using a launch monitor 840, and the second ball flight data may be transmitted to a processing unit 802 of the computing device 800. The method 5000 may include a fifth operation 5005 of plotting (e.g., by the processing unit 802) the second ball flight data over each of the one or more virtual golf holes to generate corresponding second hole location data. Plotting the second ball flight data over each of the one or more virtual golf holes may be from a second set of starting points, respectively, on the one or more virtual golf holes, and may be performed in any manner described herein. The starting points from the second set of starting points over each of the one or more virtual golf holes may be determined based in part on the first hole location data associated with the virtual golf hole, for example, in any manner described herein. In some examples, the fifth operation 5005 may include simulating additional second hole location data in any manner described herein, for example, via a Monte Carlo simulation. The method 5000 may include a sixth operation 5006 of generating second golf club recommendations based on the second hole location data. For example, the sixth operation 5006 may include calculating strokes gained values, respectively, of one or more second golf clubs based on the second hole location data in any manner described herein, and the second golf club recommendations may be based on the strokes gained values, respectively, of the one or more second golf clubs.

[0260] 46A-B, the method 5100 may include a first operation 5101 of displaying an interface for virtual golf course selection. For example, a user interface may be displayed on a display that allows a fitter or golfer to explore and / or select real golf courses for which virtual course layouts are available. In operation 5102, a selection for one or more virtual golf courses is received via the interface. In operation 5103, one or more selected virtual golf holes are retrieved from the selected golf course. As described above, the virtual golf holes may be retrieved from a local or remote database. A subset of the holes of the golf course may be automatically selected (e.g., all par 4s and / or par 5s) and / or may be manually selected through a user interface. In operation 5104, a selection of tees to be played on each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes is received. For example, the fitter or golfer may select a front set, a middle set, or a back set of tees (or other tees as may be available for the particular golf course). For the virtual golf hole shown in Figures 36-44, for example, the back tee has been selected. The selected tee may serve as the starting point for the tee shots analyzed herein.

[0261] At operation 5105, tee shot ball flight data is received for each of one or more tee shots taken with each of one or more golf clubs of a first golf club type (e.g., driver golf clubs). For example, a golfer may hit multiple tee shots with different types of drivers. At operation 5106, an aim point is determined for each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes. As described above, the aim point may be based on the tee shot ball flight data, the tee selection, and the virtual golf hole itself (e.g., fairway location and hazard location). At operation 5107, the tee shot ball flight data is plotted on each of the selected virtual golf holes to generate corresponding tee shot hole location data. At operation 5108, simulated additional tee shot hole location data may be generated based on the tee shot ball flight data and / or the tee shot hole location data. For example, as described above, Monte Carlo simulation or other mathematical techniques may be applied to expand the amount of tee shot hole location data by simulating additional tee shot hole location data.

[0262] At operation 5109, a strokes gained (or strokes remaining) analysis is performed on the tee shot hole location data. In effect, the analysis is performed to determine which driver will perform best for the particular golfer on the particular golf hole selected. At operation 5110, a first golf club recommendation is generated based on the strokes gained (or strokes remaining) analysis on the tee shot hole location data. The first golf club recommendation may include one or more golf clubs of a first golf type. For example, the first golf club recommendation may be for one of the drivers used to generate the tee shot data.

[0263] Additional golf club recommendations may then be provided based on further data for approach shots on the virtual golf holes. For example, in operation 5111, an approach shot starting point based on tee shot hole location data may be determined for one or more of the virtual golf holes. For example, an average or median location of the tee shot hole location data may be used to determine a starting point for a subsequent approach shot. As an example, as shown in FIG. 41 for hole 2, the average location for the tee shot data is approximately 300 yards (from the back tee) and to the right of the fairway. In such an example, that location would be the starting location for the approach shot for hole 2. Thus, the yardage remaining to the pin is approximately 100 yards. As another example, as shown in FIG. 43 for hole 3, the average location of the tee shot hole location data is approximately 325 yards from the back tee. In such an example, that location would be the starting location for the approach shot for hole 3. Thus, the yardage remaining to the pin is approximately 175 yards.

[0264] In operation 5112, one or more remaining yardages from the approach shot starting point to the green may be displayed. For example, continuing with the above example, a remaining yardage of 100 yards for hole 2 may be displayed, and a remaining yardage of 175 yards for hole 3 may be displayed. A fitting session may then be applied for each of the different remaining yardages. For example, the golfer may use one club type for the remaining yardage of one hole and a different club type (e.g., a different iron) for the remaining yardage of another hole. The fitter or golfer may select how many different holes or yardages will be played for which shots. Operations 5113-5118, described below, may then be performed for each different type of golf club. For example, continuing with the above example, the golfer may hit a 58 degree wedge for the 100 yard shot and an 8 iron for the 175 yard shot. In one such example, operations 5113-5118 may be performed for multiple shots with a different 58 degree wedge and using hole 2 for shot gained analysis to recommend a particular 58 degree wedge to a golfer. Operations 5113-5118 may also be performed for multiple shots with a different 8 iron and using hole 3 for shot gained analysis to recommend a particular 8 iron to a golfer.

[0265] At operation 5113, approach shot ball flight data is received for each of one or more approach shots taken with each of one or more golf clubs of a second golf club type (e.g., metal wood, iron, or wedge). At operation 5114, an aim point is determined for each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes. In some examples, the aim point is set as the pin location, i.e., the center of the green. In other examples, the aim point may be based on the approach shot ball flight data, the approach shot starting point, and / or features of the virtual golf hole (e.g., hazards, green). At operation 5115, the approach shot ball flight data is plotted over each of the one or more selected virtual golf holes to generate corresponding approach shot hole location data. At operation 5116, simulated additional approach shot hole location data based on the approach shot ball flight data and / or the approach shot hole location data may be generated (e.g., using a Monte Carlo simulation). At operation 5117, a strokes gained (or strokes remaining) analysis is performed on the approach shot hole location data. A second golf club recommendation is generated based on the strokes gained analysis (or strokes remaining analysis) for the approach shot hole location data at operation 5118. The second golf club recommendation may include one or more golf clubs of a second golf club type (e.g., a particular wedge or iron).

[0266] Several methods for generating fitting recommendations are described with reference to Figures 45 and 46, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. Systems for generating fitting recommendations, and processes performed by such systems, are described herein with reference to Figures 8 and 35-44, and the disclosure includes all methods for generating fitting recommendations that include any combination of such processes in any suitable order.

[0267] Although specific devices and features are described throughout this disclosure as performing specific functions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these devices and features are provided for illustrative purposes and that other devices and features may be employed to perform the functionality disclosed herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure describes several embodiments of the technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show only some of the possible embodiments. However, other aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of possible embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0268] Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference to, for example, block diagrams and / or operational diagrams of methods, systems, and computer program products according to aspects of the present invention. Functions / acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially in parallel, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order depending on the functionality / acts involved. In some cases, some of the acts from the flowchart may be omitted. Furthermore, the phrase "at least one of element A, element B, or element C" used in this specification and claims is intended to convey any of element A, element B, element C, elements A and B, elements A and C, elements B and C, and elements A, B, and C. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand the extent to which terms such as "about" or "substantially" convey in light of the measurement techniques employed herein. Unless such terms can be clearly defined or understood by those skilled in the art, the term "about" shall mean plus or minus 10 percent.

[0269] Although specific embodiments are described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific embodiments. Moreover, although different examples and embodiments may be described separately, such embodiments and examples may be combined with each other in implementing the technology described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the technology. Thus, specific structures, acts, or mediums are disclosed only as exemplary embodiments. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0270] 1. Golf club head 11. Striking Face 11A Top Line Edge 11B Leading Edge 13 Sole 14 Upper part 15 Heel side, heel end 16 Toe side 17 Hosel 18 Back Face 100 First User Interface 101 First input field 102 Second input field 103 Third input field 104 Fourth input field 105 5th input field 106 6th input field 200 Second User Interface 220 Golf Shot Prompt 222 Loft 224 Shot Type Control Menu 226 Shot Type 228 Bunker Play Options 230 Loft Control 232 Remove button 234 Add button 236 Termination button 240 Option elements, option buttons 241 Estimation Options 242 Shot Type Display Option 243 Shot Table Display Options 244 Minimize Options 245 Condition Shot Threshold Options 246 Shot Threshold Option 247 Final Shot Options 248 Save Options 249 Player Input Data Options 250 Carry / Gapping Options 251 Fitting Type Options 260 Golf Shot Analysis Segments 262 Current Golf Shot Loft Indicator 262M Pulldown Bar 264 Current Shot Type Indicator 264M Pulldown Bar 266 Golf Shot Selection Menu 270 Graphical Skill Notation 272 Shot delete button 274 Shot Indicator 274A First Shot Indicator 274B Second Shot Indicator 276 Current Shot Indicator 280 Fitting recommendation notation 284 Loft 286 Bounce 288 Grind 290 User Interface Elements 292 Carry Distance Notation 294 Gapping quality notation, gap quality notation 300 Third User Interface 342 percent match 800 computing devices 802 Processing Unit 804 System Memory 805 Operating Systems 806 Program Module 809 Removable storage devices, removable storage 810 Non-removable storage devices, non-removable storage 812 Input Devices 814 Output Device 816 Communication Connections 818 Other Computing Devices 820 Server, Display 830 Network 840 Launch Monitor 842 Memory 844 processor 846 Sensors 848 Communication Connections 850 Software Applications 851 Fitting Recommended Applications 1720 Golf Club Head 1722 Golf ball 1724 Shaft 1726 Ground 1732 Divot 1820 Golf Club Head 1825 Shaft axis 1826 ground 1830 Swing Path 1920 Golf Club Head 1922 Golf Ball 1926 ground 1930 Swing Path 1932 Divot 2020 Golf Club Head 2022 Golf Balls 2030 Swing Path 2032 Divot 3100 First User Interface 3101 First input field 3102 Second input field 3103 Third input field 3104 Fourth input field 3105 Fifth input field 3106 6th input field 3107 Seventh input field 3108 8th input field 3109 9th input field 3110 10th input field 3111 11th input field 3112 12th input field 3113 13th input field 3114 14th input field 3115 15th input field 3116 16th input field 3130 First group of input fields 3140 Second group of input fields 3150 Third group of input fields 3160 Fourth group of input fields 3200 Secondary User Interface 3210 Golf Club Selection Menu 3218 Selection Description Element 3220 Shot or pitch count notation 3230 Golf Shot Graphical Representation 3231 Golf ball speed notation 3232 Golf ball launch angle notation 3233 Golf ball spin notation 3234 Smash Factor Notation 3235 Golf ball position notation, final shot deletion element 3241 First Golf Shot Indicator 3241C First Golf Shot Limit Line 3242 Second Golf Shot Indicator 3242C Second Golf Shot Limit Line 3243 3rd Golf Shot Indicator 3243C 3rd Golf Shot Limit Line 3244 4th Golf Club Shot Indicator 3244C 4th Golf Club Shot Limit Line 3246 6th Golf Club Shot Indicator 3246C 6th Golf Club Shot Limit Line 3250 Distance accuracy notation 3251A First Calculation Accuracy 3251D First calculated distance 3252A Second Calculation Accuracy 3252D Second calculated distance 3253A 3rd Calculation Accuracy 3253D 3rd calculated distance 3254A 4th calculation accuracy 3254D 4th calculated distance 3255A 5th calculation accuracy 3255D 5th Calculated Distance 3256A 6th calculation accuracy 3256D 6th Calculated Distance 3258 Calculated distance notation 3259 Calculation accuracy notation 3260 Fitting recommendation notation 3261 The first golf club 3261DA First Ranking Characterization 3262 Second Golf Club 3262DA Second Ranking Characterization 3263 The third golf club 3263DA Third Ranking Characterization 3264 4th golf club, 4th golf club head 3264DA 4th Ranking Characterization 3265 5th golf club, 5th golf club head 3265DA 5th Ranking Characterization 3266 6th Golf Club, 6th Golf Club Head 3266DA 6th Ranking Characterization 3268 Golf Club Row 3269 Ranking Characterization Column 3270 Selected Golf Club Notation 3280 Fitting Stage Notation 3290 Optional Elements 3290A Baseline Accuracy Factors 3290D Baseline Distance Element 3290NA Unavailable options Hidden elements 3290Q Interview Question Elements 3290R Ranking Characterization Factors 3290S save element 3295 First feedback input field 3296 Secondary feedback input field 3297 Third feedback input field 3298 Fine-tune focus input field 3299 Shaft fitting recommended completion elements 4000 Virtual Course Layouts 4100 First hole layout 4101 First Tee Location 4102 Second Tee Location 4103 3rd Tee Position 4110 Rough 4111 Trees 4112 Bunker 4120 Fairway 4130 Green 4131 Pin position, cup 4150 Aiming Arc 4151 Initial landing point 4152 Stop Point 4155 Aimpoint 4200 2nd Hole Layout 4201 1st Tee Location 4202 Second Tee Location 4203 3rd Tee Position 4210 Rough 4211 Trees 4212 Bunker 4220 Fairway 4230 Green 4231 Pin position, cup 4250 Aiming Arc 4251 Initial landing point 4252 Stop Point 4255 Aimpoint 4300 3rd hole layout 4301 1st Tee Location 4302 Second Tee Location 4303 3rd Tee Location 4310 Rough 4311 Trees 4312 Bunker 4313 Water Hazard 4320 Fairway 4330 Green 4331 Pin position, cup 4350 Aiming Arc 4351 Initial landing point 4352 Stop Point 4355 Aimpoint

Claims

1. 1. A system for generating fitting recommendations for at least one golf club, comprising: a launch monitor comprising one or more sensors configured to capture ball flight data; a computing device communicatively coupled to the launch monitor, the computing device comprising: At least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform operations, the operations comprising: For each golf club of two or more golf clubs, measuring ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with said golf club with said launch monitor; plotting, by the at least one processor, the ball flight data on the virtual golf hole corresponding to a first real golf hole for each of the at least one golf shot to generate hole location data on the virtual golf hole for the golf shot; and calculating, by the at least one processor, a performance benefit achievement value for the golf club based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot; generating golf club recommendations based on the performance benefit achievement values ​​for each of the two or more golf clubs. system.

2. Further equipped with a display, The operation, the virtual golf hole; and the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with each of the two or more golf clubs; further comprising displaying on the display. The system of claim 1.

3. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise receiving, by the at least one processor, a selection of the virtual golf hole from among a plurality of possible virtual golf holes, each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of real golf holes.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the two or more golf clubs are all driver-type golf clubs, all metal wood-type golf clubs, all iron-type golf clubs, or all wedge-type golf clubs.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the performance benefit achievement value is a strokes gained value.

6. the operations further comprising, for each golf club of the two or more golf clubs, simulating, by the at least one processor and based on at least one of the ball flight data or the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the golf club, at least one simulated hole location data at the virtual golf hole; calculating the strokes gained value for each of the two or more golf clubs is further based on the at least one simulated hole location data for the golf club. The system of claim 5.

7. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein simulating the at least one simulated hole location data for each of the two or more golf clubs comprises using a Monte Carlo simulation to generate a plurality of simulated hole location data for the virtual golf hole.

8. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein for each golf club of the two or more golf clubs, the strokes gained value is calculated for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the golf club based on an estimated number of golf shots to complete the virtual golf hole from locations on the virtual golf hole that respectively correspond to the hole location data.

9. Each of said estimated numbers of golf shots is the distance from the corresponding location on the virtual golf hole to a green location; and based on a terrain type of the virtual golf hole at the corresponding location on the virtual golf hole; The system of claim 8.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the golf club recommendation is further based on the ball flight data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with each of the two or more golf clubs.

11. 1. A system for generating fitting recommendations, comprising: At least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving ball flight data for each of a plurality of golf shots taken with a first golf club; plotting the ball flight data over each of the at least one virtual golf hole, each corresponding to at least one real golf hole, to generate, for each of the plurality of golf shots, at least one hole location data for the at least one virtual golf hole for the golf shot; generating a first golf club recommendation based on the plurality of hole location data for each of the at least one virtual golf hole. system.

12. Further equipped with a display, The operation, each of the at least one virtual golf hole; and the corresponding hole location data for each of the plurality of golf shots at each of the at least one virtual golf hole; and displaying the display on the display. The system of claim 11.

13. the operations further comprising, for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, simulating at least one simulated hole location data at the virtual golf hole based on at least one of the ball flight data or the hole location data for the virtual golf hole for each of the plurality of golf shots; said generating said first golf club recommendation is further based on said at least one simulated hole location data for each of said at least one virtual golf hole. The system of claim 11.

14. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, a strokes gained value is calculated based on an estimated number of shots to complete the virtual golf hole from a location on the virtual golf hole that corresponds to the hole location data for the virtual golf hole for each of the plurality of golf shots, respectively.

15. The operation, receiving ball flight data for each of a plurality of golf shots taken with a second golf club; plotting the ball flight data over each of the at least one virtual golf hole to generate, for each of the plurality of golf shots taken with the second golf club, at least one hole location data for the at least one virtual golf hole for the golf shot; and calculating, for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, a strokes gained value for the second golf club based on the hole location data at the virtual golf hole for each of the plurality of golf shots performed with the second golf club. The system of claim 11.

16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second golf clubs are of the same type, and wherein generating the first golf club recommendation is further based on the strokes gained value of the second golf club for each of the at least one virtual golf hole.

17. for each of the at least one virtual golf hole, the ball flight data for the first golf club is plotted on the virtual golf hole from a first location and the ball flight data for the second golf club is plotted on the virtual golf hole from a second location based on the hole location data of the first golf club at the virtual golf hole; the operations further comprise generating a second golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value of the second golf club for each of the at least one virtual golf hole.

16. The system of claim 15.

18. 1. A system for generating fitting recommendations, comprising: At least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with a first golf club; for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club, plotting the ball flight data from a first location on the virtual golf hole onto the virtual golf hole corresponding to a real golf hole to generate hole location data on the virtual golf hole for the golf shot; calculating a strokes gained value for the first golf club based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club; generating a first golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value for the first golf club; receiving ball flight data for each of at least one golf shot taken with a second golf club; plotting the ball flight data from a second location on the virtual golf hole to generate hole location data at the virtual golf hole for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club, the second location being based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club; calculating a strokes gained value for the second golf club based on the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club; generating a second golf club recommendation based on the strokes gained value for the second golf club. system.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second golf club is a different type of golf club than the first golf club.

20. the first golf club recommendation is for a golf club of the same type as the first golf club, the first golf club being a driver-type golf club or a metal wood-type golf club; the second golf club recommendation is for a golf club of the same type as the second golf club, and the second golf club is an iron-type golf club or a wedge-type golf club; 20. The system of claim 19.

21. Further equipped with a display, The operation, the virtual golf hole; the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the first golf club; and the hole location data for each of the at least one golf shot taken with the second golf club; and displaying the display on the display.

20. The system of claim 18.

Images