Indoor Metalwood Fitting via Launch Monitor Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current golf club fitting processes, particularly for metalwoods, are inefficient as they typically require outdoor settings and lack effective methods for indoor fittings, making it difficult for golfers to find the optimal shaft weight, length, and club head model that suit their game.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a launch monitor with sensors to capture ball flight characteristics and a computing device that generates fitting recommendations based on player input data, including handicap, swing tempo, and preferred distances or accuracy, to recommend suitable golf club features such as shaft weight, length, and club head model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor fitting process is used, then traditional metalwood fitting can be performed, but it cannot be conducted in indoor settings such as golf equipment stores
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the outdoor fitting environment through software simulation. The launch monitor captures real ball flight data and the software replicates outdoor playing conditions visually and analytically, allowing indoor fittings to accurately mirror outdoor performance without requiring actual outdoor conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical outdoor environment requirements with an electronic measurement and software simulation system. The launch monitor uses sensors and computers to substitute for the natural outdoor setting, capturing and analyzing ball flight characteristics through electronic means rather than requiring physical outdoor presence.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive player input data and ball flight characteristics are collected, then accurate fitting recommendations can be generated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The launch monitor serves multiple functions: it captures ball flight characteristics, measures swing parameters, and provides visual feedback. The software system performs multiple tasks including data analysis, comparison against player preferences, and generation of fitting recommendations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices for each measurement task.
Solution Approach 2:
The software acts as an intermediary between the launch monitor hardware and the fitter/player. It processes raw data from sensors, applies algorithms to compare against player preferences and specifications, and presents simplified recommendations. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by automating the analysis process rather than requiring manual interpretation of multiple parameters.
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 indoor golf club fitting recommendations, improving golfer performance by optimizing club selection based on individual swing characteristics and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a launch monitor including one or more sensors configured to capture ball flight characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating a fitting recommendation for a golf club, the system including: a launch monitor including one or more sensors configured to capture ball flight characteristics; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the launch monitor, the computing device including: a processor, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform operations including: receiving, by the computing device, player input data; receiving, by the computing device from the launch monitor, first ball flight characteristics for a first golf shot; generating, based on both the player input data and the first ball flight characteristics, a first computed distance and a first computed accuracy; and generating, based on the first computed distance and the first computed accuracy, the fitting recommendation including at least one of a golf club head model, a loft, a shaft weight, or a shaft length.