Golf swing analyzer and analysis methods

A golf club including a swing analyzer includes an accelerometer that measures acceleration in three directions, a magnetometer/gyroscope unit, a processor unit that converts the measured acceleration and golf club movement during a non-ball-striking or ball-striking swing into an estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by the golf club based on swing position and a type of the golf club, and a display that displays the estimated carrying distance as a function of swing position to the golfer. The accelerometer, magnetometer/gyroscope unit, and processor unit may be mounted in a handle at a grip end of the golf club. The estimated carrying distance calculation may be performed at a unit separate from the golf club and capable of performing this calculation for several golf clubs with which it communicates via cooperating communications unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that analyzes swings of a golf club by a golfer in order to provide the golfer with an estimate of a distance a golf ball will carry after being struck by that club with that type of swing. The present invention also relates to methods for analyzing a golfer's swings of their golf clubs in order to create a database containing information about estimated carrying distances of a golf ball when struck by each club with that type of swing. This database enables the golfer to improve the selection of one of their golf clubs to use when seeking to hit the golf ball a desired distance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most difficult decisions a golfer must make when playing golf is the selection of one of their golf clubs to use for each stroke during a golf game. This decision is repeatedly made for each stroke in view of the relatively large number of golf clubs that are used to play golf. The impact of each different golf club against the golf ball will result in a different carrying distance of the golf ball and therefore it is extremely important for a golfer to select the most suitable golf club to use for each shot.

Moreover, each golf club is often used in one of several possible clock or swing positions. The carrying distance of the golf ball when struck by the same golf club will vary as a function of the swing position. It is therefore important for the golfer to select not only the most suitable golf club to use for each shot, but also the swing position in which to use the selected golf club.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide an analyzer integrated into a golf club that analyzes golf swings of the golf club in order to provide the golfer with an estimate of the distance a golf ball will carry after being struck by the club with that type of swing.

Another object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide methods for analyzing golf swings by a golfer in order to create a database containing information about estimated carrying distances of a golf ball struck by each of the golfer's clubs with that type of swing, which database can enable the golfer to improve the selection of one of their golf clubs to use when seeking to hit the golf ball a desired distance.

Accordingly, a golf club including a swing analyzer in accordance with the invention includes an accelerometer that measures acceleration in three directions, a processor unit that converts the measured acceleration during a non-ball-striking or ball-striking swing into an estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by the golf club based on swing position and a type of the golf club, and a display that displays the estimated carrying distance as a function of swing position to the golfer. The accelerometer, processor unit and display may be mounted in a handle at a grip end of the golf club.

A related method for displaying estimated carrying distance of a golf ball as a function of swing position for a golf club includes, in a training stage, for each swing or clock position of the golf club for which estimated carrying distance of a golf ball is sought, measuring, using an accelerometer on the golf club, acceleration of the golf club during a non-ball-striking or ball-striking swing in three directions, and converting, using a processor unit on the golf club, the measured acceleration into an estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by the golf club based on the swing position and a type of the golf club. Once the training stage is complete, the method entails storing the estimated carrying distance for each swing position in a data storage unit on the golf club and displaying on a display visible from an exterior of the golf club, the estimated carrying distance as a function of swing position. In one embodiment, the acceleration measuring and converting steps are repeated for each swing position to obtain a plurality of estimated carrying distances for the same swing position; and the plurality of estimated carrying distances for each swing position are averaged. The average estimated carrying distance for each swing position is stored in the data storage unit, and then can be displayed as a function of swing position.

Another golf swing analysis arrangement that includes a part integrated into the golf club and a separate part includes, in each golf club, an accelerometer that measures acceleration in three directions and a first communications unit that transmits the measured acceleration. A handheld unit separate and apart from the golf clubs comprises a second communications unit arranged to communicate with the first communications unit and receive the measured acceleration, a processor unit that converts the received measured acceleration from each golf club into an estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by that golf club based on swing position and a type of that golf club, and a display that can display the estimated carrying distance as a function of swing position for all of the golf clubs from which acceleration measurements have been received.

A related method for enabling a golfer to obtain estimated carrying distance of a golf ball as a function of swing position for at least one golf club comprises, in a training stage, for each swing position: measuring, using an accelerometer on the golf club, acceleration of the golf club during a non-ball-striking or ball-striking swing in three directions; and transmitting, using a first communications unit on the golf club, the measured acceleration to a second communications unit on a handheld unit. The method also includes converting, using a processor unit at the handheld unit, the measured acceleration provided by the first communications unit of each golf club into an estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by that golf club based on the swing position and a type of that golf club. As such, the estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by each golf club is available as a function of swing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements,FIG. 1shows a golf club10including a swing analyzer tool14in accordance with the invention. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, a grip end12of a handle of the golf club10houses the swing analyzer tool14that includes an accelerometer16, a processor18coupled to the accelerometer16and a battery20electrically coupled to and that provides power to the accelerometer16and processor unit18. The swing analyzer tool14also includes a display22coupled to the processor unit18and powered by the battery20.

Swing analyzer tool14may be assembled as an integral unit and inserted into a hollow portion of the handle at the grip end12thereof, e.g., in the interior of a tubular portion of the handle. Ideally, the swing analyzer tool14should be designed and constructed to avoid significantly affecting the weight or swing dynamics of the golf club10.

The accelerometer16is preferably a three-axis accelerometer that measures acceleration of the golf club in three orthogonal directions. Acceleration measured by accelerometer16is used by the processor unit18to calculate motion of the grip end12of the golf club10and/or speed of the head of the golf club. An exemplifying, non-limiting accelerometer is one designated BMA220. Multiple accelerometers may be used.

As shown inFIG. 5A, the accelerometer may be a dual unit which includes an accelerometer and a magnetometer (or a gyroscope), which are commercially available, for example, from STMicroelectronics, Geneva, Switzerland, and sold by Digi-Key Corporation, Thief River Falls, Minn. USA. This allows measuring the angle of the golf club face at impact with the ball and allows determination of the swing plane of the golf club. At impact, the acceleration slows and at that point, the angle of the club face is determined in relation to the swing plane and stored.

Processor unit18may be an OTP chip set that includes hardware and software components capable of processing acceleration measured by the accelerometer(s)16and converting the measured acceleration into data about the motion of the grip end12of the golf club10during a swing and/or data about the club head speed during the swing. Processor unit18is also provided with information about the type of golf club10, e.g., from a database that is provided with this information, and calculates an estimated carrying distance for the golf ball. The carrying distance is dependent on both the actual swing, i.e., dependent on the accelerations measured by the accelerometer(s)16, and the type of golf club, e.g., a 3 iron, 5 iron, 7 iron, etc. This calculation may not be precise in view of, for example, atmospheric conditions that affect the flight of the golf ball such as wind, and thus the processor unit18provides a prediction or estimation of the carrying distance.

Instead of or in addition to the battery20, another power source may be provided. The order and position of the accelerometer16, processor unit18and battery20shown inFIG. 2is not limiting and these components may be arranged in a different order and/or relative positioning.

Display22has an exposed display surface that allows viewing of the contents thereof, e.g., by the golfer or his or her caddy. Display22is controlled by the processor unit18to display an estimate of the carrying distance of the golf ball as a function of the swing position. In one embodiment, the display22is controlled to show a 3 line by 3 character readout of various swing positions, e.g., 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 and full swing, that may be set during an earlier training stage, along with the estimated carrying distance of a golf ball for each swing position.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4, which in combination depict the manner in which the swing analyzer tool14can be trained to operatively display the estimated carrying distance of a golf ball as a function of the swing position for a golf club, in a training stage of the golf club10, the golfer swings the golf club10at a first one of a plurality of different swing positions, e.g., 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 or full swing, and the accelerometer16measures acceleration (Get Data24) during the swing. At this time, the golf club10is not striking a golf ball. The measured acceleration is stored in a temporary data storage unit in the processor unit18(Store Data in Temp Area26). Processor unit18calculates the speed of the head of the golf club10from the measured acceleration and the estimated carrying distance (Average Ball Flight Distance28). This information is associated with the type of golf club, which may be input into the processor unit18when the swing analyzer tool14is installed onto the golf club10, and stored in a swing position register in the processor unit18(Store into Swing Position Register30). The temporary storage area and swing position register may be part of the processor unit18(element32), or accessible by the processor unit18.

A computer program may be resident in the processor unit18and designed to interact with the accelerometer16, storage area and swing position register to perform the functions described above.

It is beneficial to require the golfer to swing the golf club a plurality of times at each swing position to account for variations in each swing. To this end, a counter is effected at34to determine whether the golfer has swung the golf club at each swing position a specific number of times, e.g., three times. If not, the data gathering steps are repeated to thereby provide multiple estimations of the carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by the specific golf club for that golfer. This repetition is desirable because it is difficult to repeat a swing from the same swing position with exactly the same force and so multiple estimations of the carrying distance are obtained and can be averaged. The swing position at which the golf club10is swung can be determined by analysis of the measured acceleration provided by the accelerometer16, e.g., the time at which the acceleration changes.

Another counter is effected at36when the golfer has swung the golf club at one swing position the specific number of times, e.g., three, to determine whether the golfer has finished swinging the golf club at all of the desired swing positions. If not, the golfer continues to swing the golf club at the different swing position until he or she has swung the golf club three times at each of the different swing positions. Once this occurs, the training stage is considered complete.

Data obtained during the training stage may be entered into a virtual table of swing positions and estimated carrying distances for a plurality of different swing positions and a plurality of different swings. A sample format for such a table is as follows, and includes the averaged carrying distance for each of four different swing positions.

TABLE 1EstimatedAveragedSwingcarrying distancecarrying distancepositionSwing(yards)(yards)7:30190912913929:0011351372137313910:30118318621863189Full1190193swing21933196
Such a table is created in the processor unit18for that golf club10in which the processor unit10is arranged. Thus, if every golf club10in a golfer's set has swing analyzer tool14, a separate table will be created in the processor unit18of each swing analyzer tool14. The table may be stored in a data storage unit that is part of or accessible to the processor unit18.

When the system includes a magnetometer/gyroscope as described above, additional data such as swing plane, club face angle (at impact and during the swing), acceleration and club height are obtained, which will alter distance calculations. For example, the loft of the club face in relation to swing plane affects distance calculations.

As shown inFIG. 4, the data from the table (Get Data38) is processed by the processor unit18to generate display command signals indicative of the carrying distance of a golf ball if the golf ball were to be struck by the golf club for the different swing positions (Generate Characters40). The processor unit18directs the commands for the display (Output to Display42) and the display22may appear as shown at44, i.e., the swing position of the swing followed on the same line by the averaged estimated carrying distance. Optionally, the type of club (5 iron) is included on the display.

With the foregoing training stage of the swing analyzer tool14, each golf club in the golfer's set will display the estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by that club from one or more different swing positions. If the golfer is looking to hit the ball a set distance, e.g., 137 yards, the golfer or his or her caddy would look at their golf clubs10, view the displays22on each and see which provides that carrying distance and from which swing position. For example, the golfer would select the 5 iron and swing from the 9:00 position if they seek to hit a golf ball approximately 137 yards.

The data being displayed may be the data calculated by the processor unit18in the most recent training stage and stored in the data storage unit. In a preferred embodiment, the training stage is conducted earlier in the same day that the golfer will be golfing. The training stage may be performed at a driving range or other place that the golfer warms up to prepare to play a round of golf.

A reset feature is provided in the swing analyzer tool14, e.g., a reset button46as shown inFIG. 2, to enable the golfer to reset the processor unit18to clear the data storage unit and initiate the training stage anew. If the golfer does not initiate the training stage prior to use, then the processor unit18will generate and direct display commands to the display22to display the data obtained from the most recent training stage and that has been stored in the data storage unit (in accordance with the steps depicted inFIG. 4). Thus, reset of the processor unit18is an optional, but preferred, feature.

Another embodiment of a golf swing analyzer in accordance with the invention removes the acceleration measurement processing function from each golf club and performs it at a common location thereby centralizing the calculation of the carrying distance for a plurality of golf clubs at a single location. The electronics package in each golf club may therefore be reduced in size and/or complexity in comparison to the electronics in the embodiment described above.

Specifically, with reference toFIG. 5, the golf swing analyzer in this embodiment of the invention includes a swing analyzer measurement portion54in the grip end52of the handle of a golf club50, and a remote or handheld unit56. The swing analyzer measurement portion54includes an accelerometer16of combination accelerometer and gyroscope or magnetometer unit (as described above), a processor unit58coupled to the accelerometer16, and a battery20(as described above) that is electrically coupled to and provides power to the accelerometer16and processor unit58. A communications unit60is also housed in the grip end52of the golf club50, receives power from the battery20, and is coupled to the processor unit58.

Swing analyzer measurement portion54, with or without the communications unit60, may be assembled as an integral unit and inserted into a hollow portion of the handle of the golf club50at the grip end52thereof. Ideally, the swing analyzer measurement portion54and communications unit60should be designed and constructed to avoid affecting the weight or swing dynamics of the golf club50.

Processor unit58may be an OTP chip set that includes hardware and software components capable of processing acceleration measured by the accelerometer(s)16(see Get Data from Accelerometer62inFIG. 6) and converting the measured acceleration into data about the force on the shaft and position of the face of the club at impact at a set distance (See Calculate Force on Shaft at Set Distance64inFIG. 6). If the measured force exceeds a threshold (e.g.,10as shown at66inFIG. 6), the measured force or a signal derived therefrom is transmitted via the communications unit60to the handheld unit56(see Transmit to Application68inFIG. 6). If not, acceleration and face position at impact of the golf club50is obtained again. The threshold is set so that only acceleration or force measurements arising from actual swings of the golf club50are transmitted to the handheld unit56.

A computer program may be resident in the processor unit58and designed to interact with the accelerometer16, communications unit60to perform the functions described above.

Handheld or remote unit56includes an application or computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that performs the golf ball carrying distance estimation or prediction steps, as well as manages the training stage described above. Importantly, the handheld unit56receives acceleration measurement data from the golf clubs equipped with a swing analyzer measurement portion54and the club face angle in relation to the swing plane, and manages the carrying distance estimation steps for all golf clubs equipped with the swing analyzer measurement portion54that are designed to communicate therewith.

Handheld or remote unit56may be a standalone unit for use only with the golf clubs equipped with the swing analyzer measurement portion54, and incorporating the application thereon, or may be a smartphone or similar device with the application embodied thereon or downloaded thereto and that can be used for other purposes.

Handheld or remote unit56includes a communications unit70that communicates with the communications unit60on each golf club50, i.e., with the communications units present on all of the golf clubs50equipped with swing analyzer measurement portions54and which have been designated to communicate therewith. Communications unit70may be an integral part of the handheld unit56as is the case when the handheld unit56is a smartphone.

Communications unit70may also communicate with another device such as a Smartphone, to perform more data manipulations relating to the golf swing and/or swing results to provide more information to the user. The data and the calculation/manipulation results can be stored in the Smartphone and displayed when desired. Currently usable Smartphones are Apple iOS iPhones and Android operating system phones. A usable application for these types of Smartphones is GOLFLOGIX™, by GolfLogix, Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz. USA, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Different communications protocols may be used by the communications units60,70, but a preferred communications protocol is Bluetooth.

Handheld or remote unit56also includes a processor unit72, a storage unit74and a display76. When the handheld unit56is a smartphone or similar device, all of the processor unit72, storage unit74and display76may be integral components thereof. Processor unit72performs functions similar to those performed by the processor unit18described above, e.g., calculates an estimated carrying distance for the golf ball based on the acceleration measured by the accelerometer(s)16and transmitted via the communications units60,70, and the type of club provided to the application or computer program in the processor unit72. Storage unit74receives and stores information about the carrying distance of each club as a function of clock or swing position, e.g., in the form of a virtual table associating the type of club, the swing or swing position and the estimated carrying distance. An example of such a virtual table is as follows:

FIG. 7is a flow chart showing one manner in which information from the processor unit58of each golf club50is processed by the processor unit72in the handheld unit56. The acceleration measured during each swing is measured by the accelerometer16and obtained by the processor unit72of the handheld unit56(Get Data via Blue Tooth78). From the data provided by each golf club50during each swing thereof, the processor unit72calculates the speed of the head of the golf club50from the measured acceleration and the estimated carrying distance from the calculated speed and type of club (Calculate Head Speed and Ball Flight Distance80). It would be possible to calculate the carrying distance directly from the measured acceleration and type of club.

Processor unit72then averages the calculated carrying distance for the same club swung at the same swing position (Average with Last Data for this Club and Swing position82). The averaged carrying distance is stored in a temporary data storage unit in or coupled to the processor unit72(Store to Temp Area84), which may be part of storage unit74. Handheld unit56then monitors for another transmission of measured acceleration, i.e., reception of measured acceleration signals from a communications unit60of a golf club50(Again,86). If one is received, it repeats steps78-84. If not, processor unit72stores the averaged carrying distance for the golf clubs50in the golfer's set in association with each club (arranged by type) and one or more swing positions thereof (Store by Club and Swing Position88).

During the training stage, the golfer can determine the number of swings of each golf club at each swing position and when satisfied with the number of swings, the golfer can indicate via a user interface of the handheld unit56that he or she is done with the golf club for that swing position. The handheld unit56will then save the data for that golf club for that swing position in a permanent data storage unit and then consider the last average to be the final estimated carrying distance for that golf club at that swing position.

Once the training stage is complete, the handheld unit56can be manipulated to display the estimated carrying distance of a golf ball when struck by all the clubs in the golfer's set from one or more different swing positions. If the golfer is looking to hit the ball a set distance, e.g., 137 yards, the golfer or his or her caddy would access the handheld unit56and view the display76and see which provides that distance and from which swing position. Alternatively, the handheld unit56may be programmed to receive an entry by the golfer or his or her caddy of the distance the golf ball is sought to be hit and be provided with a list of one or more types of golf clubs and swing positions in which those golf clubs can be swung to reach the desired distance.

The data being provided to the golfer may be the last data calculated by the processor unit72in the most recent training stage and stored in the storage unit74. In a preferred embodiment, the training stage is conducted earlier in the same day that the golfer will be golfing. The training stage may be performed at a driving range or other place that the golfer warms up to prepare to play a round of golf.

Additional functions may be included in the application or computer program in the handheld unit54. For example, the application or computer program may be designed to enable the golfer to keep score of their round of golf, i.e., enter the number of strokes of each hole in the round of golf, and also provide the type of golf club used for each stroke. This data can later be accessed by the golfer to see how they performed, e.g., enable a comparison of the estimated carrying distance to the actual carrying distance.

A reset feature is provided in the handheld unit56to enable the golfer to reset the processor unit72to clear the data in the storage unit74and initiate the training stage anew. If the golfer does not initiate the training stage prior to use, then the processor unit72will generate and direct display commands to the display76to display the data obtained from the most recent training stage and that has been stored in the storage unit74(in accordance with the steps depicted inFIG. 7). Thus, reset of the processor unit72is an optional, but preferred, feature.

The swing analyzer described above provides a golfer with an excellent estimation of the carrying distance of a golf ball for a golf club swing at a specific swing position because it has been trained on actual swings by the golfer of the same club and conversion of information about these swings into estimated carrying distances. The golfer can improve their golf game since they can better select a club to use to hit a golf club for different situations during a round of golf.

In the context of this specification, a computer-readable medium, or more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, could be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transmit a program for use by or in connection with the method, system, apparatus or device. The computer-readable medium can be, but is not limited to (not an exhaustive list), an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semi-conductor propagation medium. The medium can also be (not an exhaustive list) an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable, programmable, read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disk read-only memory (CDROM). The medium can also be paper or other suitable medium upon which a program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for example, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. Also, a computer program or data may be transferred to another computer-readable medium by any suitable process such as by scanning the computer-readable medium.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. While the invention has been described above with respect to specific apparatus and specific implementations, it should be clear that various modifications and alterations can be made, and various features of one embodiment can be included in other embodiments, within the scope of the present invention.