Patents Assigned to United States Golf Associates
  • Patent number: 6186002
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining at least one of the coefficient of lift and the coefficient of drag of a golf ball for a given range of velocities and a given range of spin rates from launch. A method is also described for simulating the flight of a golf ball in a computer. A ball is launched at a selected velocity, spin rate and launch angle. Calculations are made of the x and y coordinates of the ball during flight and the coefficients of lift and/or drag are calculated mathematically in dependence on the launch velocity, spin rate, angle and calculated x and y coordinates. Repeated launchings are made to obtain a plurality of mathematically calculated values of the coefficient(s). Thereafter, an aerodynamic model for the flight of the ball is mathematically determined in dependence upon the mathematically calculated values of at least one of the coefficients relative to the velocity and spin rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: United States Golf Associates
    Inventors: Burton B. Lieberman, Alexander J. Smits, Steven J. Quintavalla, Frank W. Thomas, Douglas Winfield