Smartphone-Based Putter Fitting Apparatus for Lie and Loft Angle Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face difficulties in consistently hitting putts due to improper fitting and alignment of their putters, as the effective loft and lie angles can significantly affect the roll of the ball, making it challenging to achieve accurate distance and direction without specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A golf club fitting apparatus that includes angle indicators and a stroke-plane indicator to measure and adjust the effective lie and loft angles, ensuring proper alignment and fitting of the putter, allowing for precise adjustments to improve putting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a putter is used without specialized fitting equipment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of effective loft and lie angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fitting equipment with a smartphone-based system that uses the device's built-in sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) to measure putter alignment and angles. The smartphone's processing power and software algorithms substitute for traditional mechanical measurement devices, achieving high precision without adding physical complexity to the fitting setup
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the smartphone's existing sensors and processing capabilities to perform measurements that would traditionally require specialized equipment. The golfer's own mobile device serves the dual purpose of communication and precision measurement, eliminating the need for separate fitting equipment while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy
2Ease of operation
If the effective loft angle is not properly adjusted, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of putting performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the golfer about the effective loft and lie angles of the putter during the addressing phase. By measuring the actual angles and comparing them to optimal values, the system guides the golfer to make precise adjustments to putter orientation, ensuring reliable putting performance while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive visual or haptic feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements and provides alignment guidance before the golfer executes the putting stroke. By pre-adjusting the putter orientation based on measured angles and providing corrective feedback, the system ensures optimal setup conditions are established beforehand, leading to more reliable putting performance without complicating the actual stroke execution
3Ease of manufacture
If the effective lie angle deviates from optimal, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the productivity of putting efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures and optimizes the effective lie angle parameter dynamically during the fitting process. By using smartphone sensors to detect the actual lie angle and providing feedback for adjustment, the system enables precise parameter optimization that improves putting efficiency without requiring complex manufacturing processes or specialized equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club fitting apparatus and a grip for helping with golf club alignment are provided. The golf club fitting apparatus may be attached to a golf club and provide fitting information including effective lie angle and effective loft angle. An angle indicator is disposed at a predetermined angle relative to a shaft axis of the golf club so as to rest in a neutral position when the golf club is in a normal address position. A grip is provided that may be attached to a golf club shaft such that a butt end and/or distal end of the grip have a surface that helps with golf club alignment. A grip is provided with a front portion having edges that help with golf club alignment.