Golf Club Fitting via Virtual Hole Plotting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective methods for conducting metalwood golf club fittings in indoor settings, such as golf equipment stores, as current fitting processes typically require outdoor environments and do not provide adequate assistance for golfers to select appropriate shaft weight, length, and club head features for improved performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a launch monitor with sensors to capture ball flight data, coupled with a computing device that generates fitting recommendations by measuring and analyzing golf shots, plotting data onto virtual golf holes, and calculating strokes-gained values to recommend suitable golf clubs based on simulated performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor fitting processes are used for metalwood golf clubs, then accurate ball flight measurement can be achieved, but the fitting process cannot be conducted in indoor settings such as golf equipment stores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of a real golf hole environment through software simulation. The launch monitor captures actual ball flight data, and the system plots this data onto a virtual golf hole that replicates the characteristics of a real hole. This allows indoor fitting sessions to accurately simulate outdoor playing conditions, enabling golfers to test clubs indoors while receiving data equivalent to outdoor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computing device and launch monitor system as an intermediary between the golfer and the outdoor environment. This intermediary captures ball flight data indoors and processes it through software that simulates outdoor hole conditions, mediating the transition from indoor physical space to virtual outdoor playing conditions without requiring actual outdoor access.
2Measurement precision
If multiple golf clubs are tested to provide fitting recommendations, then selection accuracy improves, but the time required for the fitting process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary simulation of multiple golf holes for each club before the golfer completes all their shots. The system calculates projected strokes-gained values based on partial data and provides preliminary fitting recommendations during the fitting session itself, rather than waiting until all shots are complete. This allows golfers to receive guidance while still in the process of testing clubs, reducing overall fitting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback by calculating and displaying strokes-gained values for each club tested, comparing performance across multiple clubs in real-time. The system provides ongoing feedback during the fitting process rather than a single end-result, allowing golfers to see performance differences as clubs are tested and make informed decisions more quickly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient golf club fitting recommendations in indoor settings, allowing golfers to select optimal shaft and club head features for improved performance without the need for outdoor testing, enhancing the fitting process and golfer experience.
Implementation Method 1
a launch monitor including one or more sensors configured to capture ball flight data
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating a fitting recommendation includes: 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, 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.