IP Library Granted Patent US 9,463,366
Granted Patent B2
US 9,463,366 · App. 14/515,109 · Granted Oct 11, 2016

Golf club set fitting device, fitting method, and computer-readable medium storing fitting program

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,463,366
App. No.
14/515,109
Granted
Oct 11, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device is provided with an obtaining unit, a specifying unit, and a determination unit. The obtaining unit obtains measurement data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of at least one number of a golf club for each type of golf club from among the multiple types of golf clubs. The specifying unit specifies a relationship of correspondence between a loft angle and a flight-distance for each type of golf club based on the measurement data. The determination unit determines, based on the relationship of correspondence, a type of golf club having a large flight-distance with respect to a loft angle as a best-match type, which is a type of golf club best matched to the golfer.

Claims (36)

1. A golf club set fitting device for assisting selection of a golf club set suited to a golfer from among different types of golf clubs, each type of golf club including at least one golf club identified by a number, the golf club set fitting device including a control unit and a storage unit storing a computer program that when executed by the control unit operates as:

an obtaining unit configured to obtain measurement data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of the at least one golf club identified by the number for each type of golf club from among the different types of golf clubs, wherein woods, utilities, and irons are included in the types of golf clubs,

a specifying unit configured to specify a relationship of correspondence between a loft angle and a flight-distance for each type of golf club based on the measurement data, and

a determination unit configured to determine, based on the relationship of correspondence, a type of golf club having a large flight-distance with respect to a loft angle as a best-match type, which is a type of golf club best matched to the golfer.

2. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 1 , further comprising the control unit when executing the computer program further operates as:

a decision unit configured to decide a golf club that is to be included in the golf club set by giving priority to the best-match type golf clubs from among the different types of golf clubs.

3. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 2 , wherein:

the specifying unit is configured to specify the relationship of correspondence for each type of golf club based on the measurement data by specifying the flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having different loft angles, and

the decision unit, based on the relationship of correspondence, in a case where multiple golf clubs are present that give flight of an equivalent flight-distance, is configured to decide a golf club that is to be included in the golf club set so that the best-match type golf club among the multiple golf clubs is given priority.

4. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 3 , wherein:

the measurement data includes data in which the golfer has performed test-hits of multiple numbers of golf clubs for a specific type of golf club, and

the specifying unit is configured to specify the relationship of correspondence by performing simulation of flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having various loft angles so that the loft angle and the flight-distance are proportional for the specific type of golf club based on the measurement data.

5. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 3 , wherein:

the obtaining unit, in addition to the measurement data, is configured to further obtain reference data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of a driver, and

the specifying unit is configured to specify a head speed of the driver based on the reference data, and specifies the relationship of correspondence by performing simulation of flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having various loft angles for a specific type of golf club based on the head speed in addition to the measurement data.

6. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 2 , wherein:

the measurement data includes data in which the golfer has performed test-hits of multiple numbers of golf clubs for a specific type of golf club, and

the specifying unit is configured to specify the relationship of correspondence by performing simulation of flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having various loft angles so that the loft angle and the flight-distance are proportional for the specific type of golf club based on the measurement data.

7. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 2 , wherein:

the obtaining unit, in addition to the measurement data, is configured to further obtain reference data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of a driver, and

the specifying unit is configured to specify a head speed of the driver based on the reference data, and specifies the relationship of correspondence by performing simulation of flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having various loft angles for a specific type of golf club based on the head speed in addition to the measurement data.

8. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the measurement data includes data in which the golfer has performed test-hits of multiple numbers of golf clubs for a specific type of golf club, and

the specifying unit is configured to specify the relationship of correspondence by performing simulation of flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having various loft angles so that the loft angle and the flight-distance are proportional for the specific type of golf club based on the measurement data.

9. The golf club set fitting device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the obtaining unit, in addition to the measurement data, is configured to further obtain reference data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of a driver, and

the specifying unit is configured to specify a head speed of the driver based on the reference data, and specifies the relationship of correspondence by performing simulation of flight-distances by various numbers of golf clubs having various loft angles for a specific type of golf club based on the head speed in addition to the measurement data.

10. A golf club set fitting method performed by a control unit executing a computer program for assisting selection of a golf club set suited to a golfer from among different types of golf clubs, each type of golf club including at least one golf club identified by a number, the method comprising:

obtaining measurement data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of the at least one golf club identified by the number for each type of golf club from among the different types of golf clubs wherein woods, utilities, and irons are included in the types of golf clubs,

specifying a relationship of correspondence between a loft angle and a flight-distance for each type of golf club based on the measurement data, and

determining, based on the relationship of correspondence, a type of golf club having a large flight-distance with respect to a loft angle as a best-match type, which is a type of golf club best matched to the golfer.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a fitting program for assisting selection of a golf club set suited to a golfer from among different types of golf clubs, each type of golf club including at least one golf club identified by a number,

wherein the program when executed causes a computer to:

obtain measurement data in which the golfer has performed a test-hit of the at least one golf club identified by the number for each type of golf club from among different types of golf clubs, wherein woods, utilities, and irons are included in the types of golf clubs,

specify a relationship of correspondence between a loft angle and a flight-distance for each type of golf club based on the measurement data, and

determine, based on the relationship of correspondence, a type of golf club having a large flight-distance with respect to a loft angle as a best-match type, which is a type of golf club best matched to the golfer.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Apr 17, 2018
From: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
To: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 045959/0204 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2014
From: KAMINO, KAZUYA
To: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 033966/0295 →