Abstract: Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.

Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.

Abstract: Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.

Abstract: A golf aid system for assisting a user with a golf shot on a golf course includes a user tracking system configured to determine the location of the user on the golf course, a portable electronic device with a display screen, and a processor. The processor, which is operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the portable electronic device, is configured to determine one or more target locations on the golf course, with each of the target locations representing a recommended target for a respective one of the golf clubs. The processor directs the portable electronic device to display an indicator of the respective golf club proximate the corresponding target location via the display screen, such that the user perceives at least a portion of the indicator to be coincident with the corresponding one of the target locations.

Abstract: A golf aid system for assisting a user with a golf shot on a golf course includes a user tracking system configured to determine the location of the user on the golf course, a portable electronic device with a display screen, and a processor. The processor, which is operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the portable electronic device, is configured to determine one or more target locations on the golf course, with each of the target locations representing a recommended target for a respective one of the golf clubs. The processor directs the portable electronic device to display an indicator of the respective golf club proximate the corresponding target location via the display screen, such that the user perceives at least a portion of the indicator to be coincident with the corresponding one of the target locations.

Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.

Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.

Abstract: A golf ball core for use in a multi-piece golf ball includes a solid sphere and between 100 and 300 spaced polygonal protrusions extending from the solid sphere in a radially outward direction. The sphere is substantially formed from an ionomeric material, and has a diameter (D) of between 24 mm and 32 mm. The polygonal protrusions extend from the sphere by a maximum distance of between 0.15 mm and 1.0 mm.

Abstract: A system, device, and methods include or utilize a microphone, a processor, and a user interface. The microphone senses sound and in response outputs a sound signal indicative of the sound. The processor is coupled to the microphone to receive the sound signal, configured to analyze the sound signal to identify in the sound signal an impact of a golf club with a golf ball during a swing of the golf club and determine a characteristic of the swing of the golf club based on a portion of the sound signal corresponding to sound sensed, at least in part, before the impact. The user interface is coupled to the processor and configured to display information related to the characteristic of the swing as determined by the processor.

Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.

Abstract: A golf aid for assisting a user in reading a green includes a user tracking system to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a heads up display, and a processor. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and maintains a representation of a topology for each of a plurality of golf greens, receives an indication of the location of the user from the user tracking system, identifies one of the plurality of golf greens that is the closest to the user, and displays a representation of the topology within the field of view of the user via the heads up display.

Abstract: A system, device, and methods include or utilize a microphone, a processor, and a user interface. The microphone senses sound and in response outputs a sound signal indicative of the sound. The processor is coupled to the microphone to receive the sound signal, configured to analyze the sound signal to identify in the sound signal an impact of a golf club with a golf ball during a swing of the golf club and determine a characteristic of the swing of the golf club based on a portion of the sound signal corresponding to sound sensed, at least in part, before the impact. The user interface is coupled to the processor and configured to display information related to the characteristic of the swing as determined by the processor.

Abstract: A golf aid for assisting a user in reading a green includes a user tracking system to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a heads up display, and a processor. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and maintains a representation of a topology for each of a plurality of golf greens, receives an indication of the location of the user from the user tracking system, identifies one of the plurality of golf greens that is the closest to the user, and displays a representation of the topology within the field of view of the user via the heads up display.

Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.

Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.

Abstract: A golf aid for assisting a user in reading a green includes a user tracking system to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a heads up display, and a processor. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and maintains a representation of a topology for each of a plurality of golf greens, receives an indication of the location of the user from the user tracking system, identifies one of the plurality of golf greens that is the closest to the user, and displays a representation of the topology within the field of view of the user via the heads up display.

Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.

Abstract: An electronic tracking system is disclosed for assisting a user in determining distances to objects in a sporting environment. The system includes a user tracking system for determining the location of a user, a heads up display for displaying information to the user, and a processor operable to communicate with the user tracking system and heads up display. The heads up display is designed to be worn by the user, and to display images within the user's field of view. The processor is programmed to determine a distance between the user's determined location and an object, such as a ball, located within the sporting environment. This information is displayed via the heads up display as a numeric representation of the determined distance. If tracking a ball, the heads up display may display an object indication, such as an enhanced image or a comet tail, superimposed over or adjacent the ball.

Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to particular recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.

Abstract: A golf aid for assisting a user in reading a green includes a user tracking system to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a heads up display, and a processor. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and maintains a representation of a topology for each of a plurality of golf greens, receives an indication of the location of the user from the user tracking system, identifies one of the plurality of golf greens that is the closest to the user, and displays a representation of the topology within the field of view of the user via the heads up display.