Method and apparatus for golf club fitting

Abstract

A golf club fitting mat, comprising a base element and a mark retaining layer removeably secured or mounted to a base element. The mark retaining layer may be a no carbon required paper, carbon paper, or wax containing surface, and has one or more simulated golf balls imprinted thereon. A mark is left on the mark retaining layer which instantly records the contact area of the golf club with the practice mat. A transferable marking compound on the top of the mark retaining layer transfers to the club head in the area of contact during the swing. A method for club fitting using a golf club fitting mat which records club contact to the mat, relative to a ball target, and transfers a mark to the club.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/371,874.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a method for the fitting of golf clubs, and more particularly to an apparatus and method utilizing mark transfer from a mat back to the club.

2. Description of Related Art

Heretofore a wide variety of golf and golf related practice devices have been proposed and developed for improving golf skills. Prior devices have attempted to provide such practice tools in variety of different manners. A significant limitation of all prior devices however, is that such devices are often cumbersome, expensive, unreliable, and not particularly convenient for improving golf skills. Prior art devices that recorded the contact area of the golf club to the golf ball do not give the same type of information about the swing as one can have with a record of the contact area of the golf club to the ground. A record of how club contacted the ground, represented as the path that the club made across the ground as it was in contact with it, gives the observer the distinct advantage of acquiring additional information with regard to the swing, as discussed below. By recording the contact area of the club on the ground (as represented by the practice mat) as the club is swung through, a “dynamic” record of the contact is made. As the club is moved through the swing, and across the ground (mat), the amount of the club bottom in contact with the ground may change. This temporal aspect of the record can be observed with the present invention. This record is akin to the divot that a golfer may leave on the grass surface of the golf course on which actual swings are taken. A record of how the ball contacted the club face represents a different type of information. In addition, devices that record the contact area of the golf ball to the golf club carry the distinct disadvantage of requiring modification to the golf club.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,530 to Butler discloses an invention to record the “toe up” or “toe down” attitude of a golf club as it is swung through past the ground. This device carries the limitation that the recording is done on the club, especially since it requires modification of the club to be swung. Also, only one swing can be made before a disruption to the practice round must be made to replace the device on the club. Also, although this device does give some information about the way in which the club and the ground have come into contact with each other, the information is limited in that no “dynamic” record is made of the club contact with the ground.

Devices which utilize tape on the club head to record the contact of the club head to the ground, or ground simulator, carry the distinct disadvantage or requiring that the tape be removed and replaced in order to have a new surface to mark for a new swing. This process is time consuming and, in the case of some modern shaped club heads, can be technically difficult.

What is called for is a device that allows for the recording of the club contact area on the club, as well as the dynamic recording of the contact area of the golf swing to the ground.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for custom fitting of golf clubs that is convenient to use, reliable, inexpensive to manufacture, and may be used either inside or outside. The method and apparatus of the present invention is easy to use, and provides instant and reliable feedback about the fit of a golf club to the user by leaving a mark on the club and around and near a simulated golf ball or other target imprinted on a paper or other impressionable surface on a mat. The visible mark on the club gives information about the nature of the fit of the golf club to the user. The visible mark on the mat gives immediate information to the user as to the quality and characteristic of the swing, and as to whether the swing was appropriate to use as a basis for club fitting. A swing not “on target” with the simulated ball (or ball target) will give misinformation with regard to the club fit.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a method for the fitting of golf clubs to a user. It is also an object of this invention to provide a divot or golf practice mat with an impressionable surface having one or more imprinted simulated golf balls or targets thereon. The impressionable surface is preferably composed of a no carbon required (NCR) type paper, but may alternatively be composed of or contain a wax, a carbon paper, thermal paper, or the like. The invention allows for the recording of the contact area between a golf club and the recording surface, which simulates the position of a golf ball on the ground. The invention also allows for the transfer of ink or other material to the club head to provide information regarding the fit of the club to the user. When the recording sheet has been used up, the recording sheet is easily removed and replaced. The sheet then becomes a permanent record of the contacts between the golf club and the apparatus. The mark transferred to the club may be easily removed in order to allow the mark from the subsequent swing to be clearly recorded.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a mark retaining means with a plurality of simulated golf balls imprinted thereon, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golf club fitting mat using adhesives to secure the mark retaining layer to the base element, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf club fitting mat using hook and loop fastening elements to secure the mark retaining layer to the base element, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a golf club fitting mat using adhesives to removeably attach the mark retaining layer to the base element.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the golf club fitting mat illustrating a simulation of a golf club swing as the golf club is contacting the mark retaining layer.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of the mark retaining layer after a use.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the golf club fitting mat illustrating a simulation of a golf club swing as the golf club is contacting the mark retaining layer.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the golf club fitting mat illustrating a simulation of a golf club swing as the golf club is contacting the mark retaining layer.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the golf club fitting mat illustrating a simulation of a golf club swing as the golf club is contacting the mark retaining layer.

FIG. 10 is a partial bottom perspective view of a golf club.

FIG. 11 is a partial bottom perspective view of a golf club.

FIG. 12 is a partial bottom perspective view of a golf club.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of swing mark and swing target on a golf club fitting mat.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of swing mark and swing target on a golf club fitting mat.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of swing mark and swing target on a golf club fitting mat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Two aspects of golf club fitting involve shaft length, the length of the golf club shaft, and lie angle, the angle formed by the sole of the club and the shaft. The shaft length is typically measured from the top of the club grip to the sole of the club head. The shaft length affects distance, accuracy, and the swing plane. The lie angle is the angle as measured between the sole of the club and the shaft axis. The lie angle affects the position of the club head at impact of the club with the ball. Proper lie angle will facilitate the center of the club head striking the ground during a swing of the club, as opposed to the heel or the toe of the club head striking the ground.

The adjustment of the shaft length and the lie angle are typical adjustments made during the fitting of golf clubs to a user. The shaft length defines the length of the swing arc. When a longer club is used, the golfer must stand further from the ball. When a shorter club is used, the golfer must stand closer to the ball. Changes to shaft length for a given user may change the lie of the club during the swing, and a change in the lie angle of the club may be needed for proper club fit. A club may be swung to determine how well the club fits the user and information may be gleaned when using the apparatus and method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

As a poor swing with regard to the ball (or target simulating a ball) may result in striking the heel or toe of the club, an improved club fit may be made if a target, used to simulate the position of a golf ball in actual play, is used while taking a practice swing. In addition, if a record of how closely the swing lined up to the ball target is made, one can better evaluate the information gathered during the swing. In addition to information about how closely one's swing came to the ball target, information about the how the club head struck the ground is also valuable. This information allows one to evaluate if the club is too upright or too flat for the user and club combination being evaluated for fit.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a golf club fitting mat, comprising a base element and a mark retaining surface removeably secured or mounted to the base element. In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer may be a no carbon required paper or a thermal paper. In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer may have one or more simulated golf balls imprinted thereon to be used a ball targets, and may be covered across its top surface with a transferable marking compound such as an ink. A mark is left on the mark retaining layer which instantly records the contact area of a golf swing, the position, and angle of contact with the simulated golf ball. The mark on the mark retaining layer allows the user and others to observe how well the swing lined up with the ball target during the swing. The transferable marking compound on the top of the mark retaining layer transfers to the club in the area of club contact with the golf club fitting mat, which provides information about the fit of the club to the user.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the golf club fitting mat 10 has a base element 12 and a mark retaining layer 20. The base element 12 has a rigid or semi-rigid base layer 18. This base layer 18 can be made of polycarbonate plastic. An example of an appropriate plastic is a 3/32 inch thick polycarbonate plastic manufactured by Sheffield Plastics, Inc., under the trade name Makrolon. Other similar and suitable materials may be used.

The base element 12 may also have a surface gripping layer 14 in some embodiments. For example, gripping layer 14 may be a rubber mat for preventing slipping or skidding of the mat 10 on a surface. In some embodiments the surface gripping layer 14 is composed of polyurethane rubber, but other durable resilient materials may also by used such as soft plastics, cloth, composites or the like. In some embodiments, surface gripping layer 14 is secured to base layer 18 by adhesive layer 16, which can be adhesives or adhesive tape or a combination of adhesives and other layers. In some embodiments fasteners such as rivets, screws, dowels, or the like are used.

A sheet of durable rigid material can be used for the base layer 18, such as polycarbonate plastic. Such a layer provides a firm support means. However, other durable, resilient yet rigid materials may also be used, such as composites, rubber, plastics, wood, metal, or the like. Preferably base layer 18 is of a substantially planar configuration, but may be otherwise. The base layer 18 is of sufficient rigidity to provide backing for pressure sensitive marking materials, such as NCR paper, to allow such materials to mark with the pressure of a golf club swing.

A mark retaining layer 20 is used for recording an impression resulting from contact with a golf club head. In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer 20 is an impression retaining paper such as no carbon required paper (NCR). An example of such a product is a self contained carbonless paper manufactured by Appleton Corp., of Appleton, Wis. The NCR paper typically contains a marking fluid in microencapsulated beads which burst under pressure, leaving a distinct mark in the area of such pressure. The pressure from the contact of the golf club head typically is of more than sufficient pressure to leave such a mark. The mark is typically quite visible on the top of the sheet, and also typically visible if the top of the sheet has been covered with ink or other compound. In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer is a sheet of thermal paper. A thermal paper, such as Appleton 800-3.4, will mark due to the heat from friction as the golf club passes over and is in contact with the paper. The mark retaining layer is adapted to create and retain clear marks when contacted by a golf club head during a swing of the golf club while using the golf club fitting mat.

In some embodiments the top surface 70 of mark retaining layer 20 is printed or otherwise impressed with images 22 of one or more golf balls or other target markers. The golf ball image or images provide a target for the user to line up the swing of the golf club. The area surrounding the golf ball image or images may be fully covered by a transeferable marking compound such as an ink. In some embodiments, the area between the ball target images may be covered in a green or other ink. The ball images 22 themselves may also be of a transferable marking compound. Thus, when a golf club is swung across and makes contact with the top surface 70 of the mark retaining layer 20, the contact area of the club to the golf club fitting mat is seen in the form of a mark or marks on the mark retaining layer 20, and the area of the golf club head which has contacted the mark retaining layer will have had the transferable marking compound transferred to it. This will allow the user to see the portion of the club head which has contacted the golf club fitting mat, as it will be marked with the transferable marking compound.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a mark retaining layer 20 is shown with a plurality of simulated golf ball images 22 printed thereon. In some embodiments, mark retaining layer 20 is a sheet of no carbon required paper. Alternatively, a carbon paper, thermal paper, or the like may be substituted for NCR paper. Also, if desired, the mark retaining surface may show only one golf ball, or more than one. A mark 35 is immediately made on mark retaining surface by contact with the head or other part of a golf club during a swing of the club, and provides immediate insight to the user as to the angle, quality, and characteristic of the swing of the golf club.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, mark retaining layer 20 is removeably fastened to base element 12 with an adhesive layer 28. The adhesive layer 28 secures the mark retaining layer 20 to base element 12 such that the horizontal force exerted onto the paper, which may tend to slide the paper along the top surface of base element 12, is resisted. Adhesive layer 28 is of a type that allows for easy removal and replacement of mark retaining layer 20 as needed. In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer 20 is adhered only along one end.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, hook and loop fastening elements 30 are used to secure the mark retaining layer 20 to base element 12.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the mark retaining layer 20 is removeably secured to base element 12 by adhesive layer 28. In some embodiments, adhesive layer 28 is made up of a first adhesive interlayer 51, a center layer 52, and a second adhesive interlayer 53. Adhesive layer 28 may be made from a paper with adhesive on it, such as Starliner Pressure Sensitive—white cut; manufactured by MacTac. In such an embodiment, this product would provide paper layer 52 and second adhesive interlayer 53. A second adhesive may then be applied on the top surface 54 of center layer 52 to create first adhesive interlayer 51 using methods known to those of skill in the art. An adhesive such as GelTac 101 Adhesive by Advanced Polymers Intl. may be used. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 28 will be of sufficient strength to prevent the slippage of mark retaining layer 20 relative to base element 12 when mark retaining layer 20 is struck by a golf club during a practice session using practice mat 10. Also, mark retaining layer 20 may be easily removed and replaced without the tearing or damaging of mark retaining layer 20. After quite a few mark retaining layer 20 replacements, adhesive layer 28 may need to be replaced. In some embodiments, the mark retaining layer may have an adhesive applied to it in advance of mounting to the base element in order to be removeably fastened to the base element.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the golf club fitting mat 10 is struck by a golf club 60 as it is swung through an arc 61. The golf club shaft 62 propels the golf club head 63 through the arc 61. The golf club head 63 is in contact with the top surface 64 of the mark retaining layer 20 at a point or an area 65. The base element is of sufficient hardness and rigidity as a backing plate that the impact of the club head 63 is able to produce a mark on the mark retaining surface 20. In some embodiments, the mark is produced by the heat of the friction of the club passing over and in contact with a thermal paper. In some embodiments, the mark is produced by the rupture of microencapsulated beads in an NCR paper. In some embodiments, other means of mark production are used.

FIG. 6 illustrates the temporal aspect of the mark that is retained on mark retaining layer 20. In some embodiments, golf ball image 22 is on mark retaining layer 20. The strike of a golf club has left mark 70 on mark retaining surface 20. Arrow 71 shows the direction of the club during the swing. Portion 70a of mark 70 was recorded earlier in time that portion 70b. Thus, the mark retaining layer has recorded not just the overall contact area of the club to the ground but recorded the contact area 70 in a time dependent fashion. The location of the mark 70 relative to the target golf ball image 22 provides the user useful information regarding the swing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a golf swing wherein the heel of the club is striking the ground. A golf club 111 has a shaft 101 and a head 102. The toe 103 of the golf club head 102 is the forward portion of the head 102. The heel 104 is the rearward portion of the head 102. The lie angle Ø 110 of the club is the angle as measured between the axis of the shaft 101 and the bottom of the head 102. As seen in FIG. 7, the heel 104 is striking the ground 100. When the golf club fitting mat according to some embodiments of the present invention is used with such a swing, the heel 104 of the club will have ink or another marking compound transferred to it during the swing. In such a case, the heel of the club head will be marked by the transferable compound from the top of the mark retaining layer. An example of the club marking in such a case is seen in FIG. 12. A club head 201 has a bottom 205. The toe of the club 202 is the portion of the bottom 205 away from the shaft 209. The heel of the club 203 is the portion of the bottom 205 near the shaft 209. A mark 208 has been transferred to the club head 201 near the heel 203 of the club when contact has been made as shown in FIG. 7.

A review of the club head after the swing will allow evaluation of the fit of the club. For example, the user in FIG. 7 may need to increase the lie angle of the club for proper fit. As the swing must also take into account the user's address of the ball, a swing not in line with the ball, as simulated by the target on the mark retaining layer, may give back an incorrect assessment of the lie angle of the club with regard to this user. Thus, the golf club fitting mat has a ball target, typically a printing of the ball, on the top surface of the mat. The mark retaining layer will retain a clear mark indicating the contact area of the club to the golf club fitting mat, which simulates the ground. Thus, a record is made of whether the swing being used to evaluate the lie of the club was in plane with the ball target utilized by the user.

FIG. 8 illustrates a swing wherein the toe of the club is striking the ground. The toe 103 of the head 102 is seen striking the ground in this example. In such a case, the toe of the club head will be marked by the transferable compound from the top of the mark retaining layer. An example of the club marking in such a case is seen in FIG. 10. A club head 201 has a bottom 205. The toe of the club 202 is the portion of the bottom 205 away from the shaft 209. The heel of the club 203 is the portion of the bottom 205 near the shaft 209. A mark 206 has been transferred to the club head 201 near the toe 203 of the club when contact has been made as shown in FIG. 8. The lie angle may need to be decreased for this user.

FIG. 9 illustrates a swing wherein the head 102 of the club is relatively flat during the swing and wherein the entire bottom of the head 102 strikes the ground. This is indicative of the proper lie angle for the club for this user. In such a case, most of the bottom of the club head will be marked by the transferable compound from the top of the mark retaining layer. An example of the club marking in such a case is seen in FIG. 11. A club head 201 has a bottom 205. The toe of the club 202 is the portion of the bottom 205 away from the shaft 209. The heel of the club 203 is the portion of the bottom 205 near the shaft 209. A mark 207 has been transferred to the club head 201 near the center 204 of the club when contact has been made as shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 illustrate marks made on the mark retaining layer in different swing scenarios. In FIG. 13, the mark 222 had been made generally in line with the ball target 220. The directional arrow 221 in this Figure points away from the swinger of the club. FIG. 14 illustrates a mark 224 that has been made between the user and the ball target 223. FIG. 15 illustrates a mark 226 that has been on the far side of target 225 from the user. Information regarding where the swing was made with regard to the target is valuable and may be used in conjunction with the transferred marks on the bottom of the club head to assess proper club fit.

A method for the fitting of golf clubs to a user is described. A user grips a golf club and addresses a ball target on the golf club fitting mat. A practice swing is made. The mark retaining layer is reviewed to determine if the swing was in line with the ball target. If the swing is not in line with the ball target, this swing may not provide accurate information for club fitting. If the swing was not in line, as demonstrated by a review of the mark area on the golf club fitting mat, the club head may be cleaned of the mark that was transferred to it during the swing. A scotch pad, towel, or other means may be used. If the swing is not in line with the target, as indicated by the retained mark on the mark retaining layer, the information gleaned from the mark transferred to the club head may give false indications about the fit of the club. For example, if the club were swung in a plane in front of the ball (closer to the user), the toe of the club may strike the ground. This may not have been the case had the user swung the club in the desired path across the ball target.

Another swing may then be taken utilizing another ball target on the top surface of the golf club fitting mat. If the swing was in line with the ball target to the satisfaction of the user, the club head may then be reviewed to determine the nature of the lie of the club during the contact portion of the swing. This may be done by observing the transferred compound on the bottom of the head of the golf club. Adjustments may be made to the club and the process may be repeated as necessary as part of a club fitting operation. Typically, many swings are made during the evaluation process. If the information recorded during these swings shows that the lie angle of the club is not correct, the club head may be bent to the proper lie angle. Alternatively, a different club may be tried with a different lie angle.

In operation and use the golf club fitting mat and method are easy to use, convenient, and very efficient for fitting a golf club. The golf club fitting mat may be used indoors or outdoors, and is very cost effective. To use the golf club fitting mat and method, the user simply places the mat on a suitable surface, such as a floor, a deck, a lawn, of the like, and commences fitting. The used sheets of NCR paper or other mark retaining surface may be kept as a record and compared with later sheets to note improvement.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of mats may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A golf club fitting apparatus, comprising:

a base element; a

a mark retaining layer overlaying said base element; and

a transferable marking layer residing on said mark retaining layer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base element comprises a rigid element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mark retaining layer is removeably attached to said base element.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base element further comprises a surface gripping layer attached to and underlying said rigid element

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer at least partially interlayed between said mark retaining layer and said base element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transferable marking layer comprises one or more images of golf balls

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said transferable marking layer covers substantially all of said mark retaining layer.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said transferable marking layer comprises ink.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mark retaining layer comprises a sheet of no carbon required paper.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mark retaining layer comprises a sheet of thermal paper.

11. A method for fitting a golf club, said method comprising the steps of:

lining up a golf club with a simulated golf ball target on a practice pad;

swinging the golf club; and

transferring a marking compound from said practice pad to the golf club during the swing contact.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of reviewing the transferred mark on the golf club.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of adjusting the golf club length based at least in part upon the review of the transferred mark.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of adjusting the golf club head lie angle based at least in part upon the review of the transferred mark.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of leaving a mark on the practice pad.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of reviewing the mark left on the practice pad.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of adjusting the golf club head lie angle based at least in part upon the review of the transferred mark.