GOLF GRIP HAND STRUCTURE EFFICIENCY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
A golf grip hand structure efficiency device and a method of using the device are disclosed. The device is used determine a value of a new parameter for a golfer called a golf grip hand structure efficiency value. A golfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is used to determine base gripping and swinging structures for the golfer within applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes or may be used in any other desired manner.
Athletically speaking, a golf swing in and of itself is not a complex activity to learn and master, despite a reputation to the contrary. In fact, it is relatively easy compared with many other common activities, both inside and outside the realm of sporting activities. Swinging at and hitting an object that just sits still in fact requires less physical strength to perform well, less hand-eye coordination, no reflexes, and so on. However, there are a few unique attributes to the game of golf that are not present in most other activities. And to those people having insufficient experience and/or knowledge, certain of these attributes can make it appear that a golf swing is harder than it really is. Prominently among these attributes is that a golf swing, in the normal course of playing the game, is performed while regularly switching between different individual golf clubs from one swing to the next (up to fourteen clubs are currently permitted under the rules).
And there is no such thing as a perfectly made and/or fit golf club, ever, so golfers need to constantly make adjustments to their swing(s). While such adjustments are frequently small, they are nevertheless commonly noticeable, and these inconsistencies that take place are regularly believed to be swing flaws regarding an activity that historically has been believed to be difficult. Compare this with most other activities, where even with a piece of equipment that is not perfectly made and/or fit, a performer will commonly be performing repeatedly with the very same piece of equipment. This allows the performer to become increasingly used to the specific piece of equipment and oftentimes results in the individual being able to perform quite proficiently with the equipment.
But the game of golf does not traditionally have this kind of luxury. Even if a set of golf clubs is fit theoretically perfectly to a golfer, yet due to manufacturing and construction tolerances that can still be detected by golfers, one swing might be made with a golf club that perhaps has a slightly different grip size than the last swing, the next swing might be made with a golf club that has a slightly different balance, and so on. Furthermore, very poor and incorrect clubfitting theories and practices in several areas, and which in certain ways have gotten worse in recent times, have commonly resulted in even more swinging inconsistencies for golfers within a so-called matched set of clubs than there used to be.
To further illustrate, if certain golf club specification values of a club are a decent fit for a golfer, he or she might be able to swing the club well all day long and it may be believed (by the golfer and/or swing instructor as applicable) that the golfer cannot really swing any better. And at some point, the golfer might switch to any given second golf club and find that he or she also swings that club very. But then, rather uniquely, the golfer might return to swinging the first club, the very same club that was swung well at what might have literally been one minute earlier, and all of a sudden the golfer does not and cannot swing the first club well anymore (while the second club continues to be swung well upon switching between the two). This is not an unusual happening at all and routinely occurs when one golf club fits a golfer's swing better another club in one or more ways.
So in hindsight, and even though the golfer was able to swing the first golf club quite well (for a while anyway under limited circumstances) because it was partly a good fit for the golfer's swing, the swings made with the first club were pretty obviously not the best that the golfer could make and the initial assessment about that was incorrect. And with one of the unique attributes of the game of golf being this routine changing between different individual clubs for successive swings, this kind of almost vicious circle of events just described can go on forever, leaving golfers, swing instructors, and/or clubfitters as examples with questions and confusion unless and until effective devices and/or methods are developed that can overcome such occurrences.
Fortunately, a solution(s) is now available. And the plain fact is that there is only one way to soundly put an end to that described above. This way is make certain that base golf swing specimens for golfers as starting points for far more successful swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes are always performed absent the influence of any golf clubs on the swings of golfers, golf clubs that fundamentally leave a golf swing in a state of perpetual adjustment and inconsistency. The traditionally applied manner of creating so-called base swings for golfers for the purpose of implementing golf swing instruction and/or clubfitting processes as examples by having golfers swing with at least one of their current clubs is a badly flawed foundational basis and very inappropriately termed in all such instances. And it has unfortunately contributed to the development of many misconceptions and faulty golf swing and clubfitting theories and practices that remain in existence today.
Unknowingly, the golf industry as a whole over time has in fact adopted certain elements that can be considered foundational predecessors to the present disclosure, this primarily being the traditional gripping structures taken by most golfers today of either overlapping or interlocking parts of their hands in the course of forming their golf grips on their golf clubs. But the reason(s) for the existence of this common element among golfers has never been properly understood throughout the golf industry. Consistent with earlier comments, the reason most commonly given when the subject comes up is that the element exists because a golf swing is so hard to learn and perform. But this makes no sense when evaluated in a logical manner.
Although not effectively utilized to this point, the true reason for the existence of this element is to be able to effectively perform a true base golf swing that is consistently unaffected by the eternal imperfections in the constructions and fittings of golf clubs for golfers. The present disclosure that includes a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and an accompanying method of use helps to soundly overcome these past insufficiencies and helps to create vast improvements in swing instruction and/or clubfitting techniques.
The following opening information defines, describes, and/or clarifies many (though not all) terms, expressions, and/or details as used throughout this specification, including the claims, unless the specific context indicates otherwise:
The term golf swing (or more simply swing) is not just limited to a full golf swing and applies to any part or parts of a swing. This can comprise but not be restricted to any part of a backswing, forward swing, follow-through, and/or any part(s) of a pre-swing period in preparation for a swing. From an analysis point of view, a swing may even comprise one or more still images and/or stoppages of movement throughout the course of a swing;
A golf club device may be defined as a completed golf club, or any part(s) of or substitute part(s) for a golf club intended to substitute for at least part of a golf club. The context of this disclosure unless otherwise expressed focuses primarily on one element of a golf club device that is assumed and expected to, when placed in or about the hands of a golfer, provide a substantially rigid object (or similar effect thereof) that is common to both hands and capable of helping or forcing the golfer's hands to stay in an alignment with each other and work together as a single unified unit throughout the course of a swing;
A golf club device within the context of the present disclosure is generally (though not always) considered to be a device to be avoided or eliminated as being a bad influence on an attempted performance of a foundational golf swing. Alternately, a golf grip substitute device, and while a particular form of a golf club device, is generally (though again not always based on its exact usage) considered to be a good and advantageous device when used properly. And it can be defined here as an object intended to be substantially rigid in nature (just as described directly above), but with a design feature(s) that aims to eliminate all undesirable effects that perpetually imperfectly made and/or fit golf clubs (or golf club parts) can have on a swing in an attempt to create a foundational swing;
The term structure(s) as applied, which can refer to gripping and/or swinging, is broadly defined as certain specified mechanical configurations regarding the way a golfer forms a gripping structure in order to perform a golf swing, where any difference in gripping structure will commonly (though not always) result in a difference(s) in swinging structure. Though not expressly limited to the following, the most common gripping structures referred to in the present disclosure are structures using only the hands with no added object(s) of any kind located within or about the hands (hands-only structure), using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device within or about the hands (with or without the addition of a golf club device), and using a golf grip substitute device. Again, each various gripping structure could in turn affect a subsequent swinging structure, with the focal point(s) being on the actual structures and with no regard to any (subsequent) performance factors associated with hitting a golf ball for instance;
When discussing trying to make a golfer's swing better and/or trying to fit golf clubs to a golfer better in any manner, terms including but not limited to advanced, applicable, or correct swing and/or clubfitting improvement, development, or instruction might or might not be combined with terms including but not limited to methods, processes, systems, or programs as examples and can be considered interchangeable and synonymous with each other. Applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting methods through which the most benefit can be gained from a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and a method of use for the device have previously been thoroughly disclosed;
A base golf swing or swing (specimen) is a swing principally created and performed for the purpose of further proceeding with applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes for a golfer. The swing is created using a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure by a golfer as determined with the aid of using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device. The term reference swing is also a base swing, but a swing that could be created by another golfer (or it could potentially be a swing that is computer generated for instance) and whose swing is selected and attempted to be emulated by the base swing of the golfer targeted for improvement (though this typically works differently for a clubfitting process);
Even if no applicable swing development and/or clubfitting processes will be further pursued, even if a determined goal is to more simply try to improve a golfer's gripping hand structure efficiency based on results from using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device (which will, if successful, ultimately improve the golfer's swinging structure although in a different manner), and even if there is no reference swing specimen chosen for the golfer to emulate, the golfer will still possess a base swinging structure whose gripping structure should be determined consistent with if a swing improvement and/or clubfitting program were to be further pursued. An analysis of a base swing performance by the golfer could still be very valuable toward determining any subsequent course of action for the golfer;
A primary solution provided (though not necessarily the only solution provided) by a golf grip hand structure efficiency device is a golf grip hand (gripping) structure efficiency value for a golfer. This value might alternately and synonymously be referred to as a reading, rating, or other comparable term. And while this disclosure regularly refers to the value in the form of a percentage, this is largely for explanatory purposes and this particular feature is not required. A golfer's gripping structure efficiency value may be developed and provided in any desired format(s) depending upon any number of factors like the type(s) of sensor(s) used, the type(s) of data measurable by the sensor(s), the configuration(s) of any related analysis software, and more;
There is little that can be done regarding potentially changing and properly interpreting the term golf grip or any expressions containing the term. The term can commonly refer to either a physical golf grip component that is part of a completed golf club and held onto by a golfer, or a manner in which a golfer forms his or her hand (structure) around a physical golf club and grip. The term must be evaluated within the context it is used in on any given occurrence. For instance, within the expression golf grip hand structure efficiency device, the term golf grip refers to the latter of the two descriptions above. But for the expression golf grip substitute device, while not intended to be part of a completed golf club, the term golf grip there refers to a discrete physical object that is more related to the former of the two descriptions above;
Steps provided in the specification, including the description and claims, are not required to be performed in the specific order presented. To cite just one example here, and while basically an optional procedure, the use of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device might be simultaneously combined with the use of a golf club device. Doing so might provide valuable supplemental baseline data information about a golfer that can be used toward determining a recommended gripping structure for the golfer's base swing performance, whereas without such information a developed, perhaps one-size-fits-all chart might be the only reference information available from which to make a decision. (The term reference chart could refer to paper, computer-provided information, or other possible manifestations). And if implemented, using such a combination of devices may be done either before or after using just a golf grip hand structure efficiency device on a golfer;
For simplicity, the sensor and measurement types described in this disclosure will basically be limited to a somewhat common sensor unit available today, that being an orientation-type sensor (preferably wireless) that, among various measurements such a sensor unit typically provides is an orientation reading of the device in three-dimensional space. This would be one very good protocol for a golf grip hand structure efficiency device. If, for instance, each hand of a golfer had such a sensor device strategically placed about it, then the orientations of each sensor (and resultantly each hand if testing is performed appropriately) can be independently measured throughout the course of a swing. Supplemental software might be developed and used to compare the orientation values of each sensor/hand both independently and relative to each other at one or more determined points of the swing and perhaps provide one or more calculated golf grip hand structure efficiency values for a golfer. Because computer- or software-generated vectors can generally be formed to extend through and beyond such sensor devices to produce axis lines that might be helpful for analysis and/or understanding purposes, terminology like the axes of, through, or about the hands or similar might at times be used in place of terminology like sensor and/or hand orientation(s);
However, keeping in mind the foundational recommendations of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, these being the ability of the hardware and/or software device to measure the movement(s) and/or position(s) of each hand independently throughout the course of a swing made by a golfer, and the ability to analyze and/or compare the data to aid in determining a golf grip hand (gripping) structure efficiency value for the golfer, there are various other sensor and/or measurement types that can also accomplish the device recommendations very effectively. A sampling of other possible (with some likely unknown) sensor types (any of which might be configured for just a two-dimensional analysis instead of three dimensions if appropriate), and which might be utilized alone or in combination with any number of other sensor types, might include but not be limited to accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, AC or other magnetic sensors, lasers, tilt sensors, ultrasonic technology, or optical sensors (including video cameras), with or without the use of tracking markers placed on the hands;
While more than one sensor of any given type may be needed in order to measure the movement(s) and/or position(s) of a golfer's hands independently throughout the course of a swing made by the golfer, a single sensor unit capable of simultaneously measuring the value a predetermined parameter in multiple determined locations (such as but not limited to a video camera where some type of computer vision program might be able to track the hands independently of each other) may of course be used if appropriate for the needed task(s). The sensor device(s) may be placed within the hands in a similar manner to the way a golf club/grip would be held on to, around the outsides of but still in contact with the hand(s), totally removed from any physical contact with the hand(s) (like with using a video camera at a distance), or a combination of any of the above. The expression about the hands may be used in the disclosure and broadly represents any of the above;
Aside from orientation parameter values as noted above, other potential measurement types (with some likely unknown) about the hands (individually and/or relative to each other), which might be utilized alone or in combination with any number of other measurement types, might include but not be limited to rotations of the hands, angles of the hands along a determined plane(s) in space, distances between determined points of each hand and/or between determined points of each hand and a determined reference point, or the raw or adjusted sensor data as measured by the sensor(s) such as sensor acceleration, which might be used in part to reconstruct and/or visually display the movement(s) and/or position(s) of a golfer's hands throughout the course of a swing by the golfer and which might enhance the accuracy and/or understanding of a desired analysis. Any sensor(s) and/or measurement type(s), alone or in combination with any other sensor(s) and/or measurement type(s), may be utilized as desired toward achieving the described requirement(s) of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device;
While it would seem the game of golf, primarily due to one of the game's unique attributes of regularly making successive swings with different individual pieces of equipment, would be among the biggest benefactors of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and its method of use, use of the device is certainly not limited to just the game of golf. There are uncounted other activities, both within and outside the realm of so-called sporting activities (perhaps a contractor working with a specialized tool as one example), where the device can be extremely beneficial toward analyzing and/or improving the activities and the participants in the activities (for which the name given to the device here might be altered some). This could include but not be expressly limited to improving the performance structures of participants in the activities as well as improving the fitting and/or making of any equipment related to the activities. The device and/or device use, essentially as disclosed herein but just adapted for use in an activity other than golf, is deemed covered by this disclosure.
Even upon a very brief visual analysis of
It is noted here that the gripping structure taken by the golfer in
These starting circumstances seem good toward a golfer being able to consistently perform an accurate base swing. And they are, at least until golf clubs are brought into the scenario. With the regular switching between individual clubs on successive swings being an integral part of the game, with no such thing as a perfectly made or fit golf club, and with even average players commonly being able to sense differences between clubs (even if unconsciously) and constantly making swing adjustments as a result, (even if unknowingly), the seemingly good starting point(s) described above takes a turn for the worse very quickly. As a matter of fact, these circumstances, being unsolved and uncorrected in the past, have over time helped to create a massive but unjustifiable reputation of a golf swing being far more difficult than it really is and a similar reputation that uncounted golfers have flaws in their golf swings when in fact they do not.
In order to correct these past errors and unwarranted reputations that have hurt the game over time, a critical process to develop is for golfers to be able to perform base golf swings absent the influences of any golf club devices, which might be a completed golf club or even part of a golf club that could negatively impact the swing performance of a golfer away from his or her truest and most consistent base swing performance. And yet in order to accomplish this, a stability of the hands as described regarding
In light of this,
A brief overall comparison between the gripping structures of
Prevailing beliefs in the game of golf still mostly surround the teaching(s) that traditionally accepted and specialized golf gripping structures like the overlapping grip, with another one being a similar interlocking gripping structure, should be learned on an actual golf club/grip first, with the reasoning remaining that a golf swing is so much harder to accomplish well than most other activities. And then, if ever performed, the gripping structure learned on the golf club/grip should be migrated with any needed adjustments over to a hands-only gripping structure. But this is the complete opposite of the truth and perhaps partly explains why the game of golf has previously been unable to learn these principles properly and maybe why the game has been becoming less popular in recent times. It is under a hands-only condition where gripping structures like the overlapping grip should first be effectively learned so that a golfer can learn how to efficiently and consistently perform his or her best swinging structure and truest base swing. Thereafter, it is the learned hands-only gripping structure that should be migrated with any needed adjustments over to a golf club device gripping structure. This is correct and there is nothing else that even comes close to making any logical sense.
In moving on to
Of prime importance, note that the axis line 38 through or orientation of the right hand 20 is visibly at a different angle than the axis line 40 through or orientation of the left hand 22. And the hand positioning displayed is before the golfer's swing has even begun. More often than not, such a discrepancy at the start will tend to get worse at one or more points of the swing than it was at the start. And this commonly leads to grip and swing structure attributes for the golfer that are discernibly different from what the golfer's truest and best base grip and swing structure could and should be. It is noted here that any changes in the movement(s) and/or position(s) of either of the hands anywhere in the course of a swing can in turn affect the movement(s) and/or position(s) of the entire body of a golfer from head to toe, commonly significantly so and easily noticeable.
Such changes can occur in uncounted varying manners and degrees and be very inconsistent in nature, thus greatly (and negatively) affecting golf swing efficiency and consistency. Such changes can include but not be limited to the extent or range of the backswing, the directions and amounts of movements of the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and the consequent filtering down of these changes to all other parts of the body as well, any of which can occur at any point(s) of a swing. The entire swing can become fundamentally totally different in nature compared with swing performance when the hands are consistently functioning more as a single unified unit together throughout the course of a swing. Under such circumstances, and regardless of whether golf swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes are involved, no two swings can be legitimately compared against each other when the hand gripping structure efficiency of one swing is so different from the hand gripping structure efficiency of the other swing at one or more common or comparable points of the swings. The gripping structures of both swings need to be (made) substantially comparable before any reasonable correlation(s) could occur. Based on this, the gripping structure of a golfer remains one of the most important elements (if not the most critically important element) toward efficient and consistent base swing performance.
Because the little finger 42 of the right hand 20 is visibly present in
But this is not always the case. Similarly, just because a golfer might implement an overlapping or interlocking hands-only gripping structure, this is no guarantee whatsoever that the golfer will achieve a consistent axis or orientation among the hands like that portrayed 36 in
One possible material that comes to mind for the center section 46 might be silicone or a similar type of rubbery material or composite. The material(s), which will fundamentally be placed where the two hands meet, needs to permit as much freedom of movement as possible for each hand independently. This includes but is not limited to any changes in the angles of the hands, rotational changes of twisting or torque between the hands, and/or any distance changes between determined points on each hand. And the material(s) chosen must be strong enough to withstand such forces to a determined amount without breaking. There are likely numerous different materials or compounds that could meet such recommendations, including but not at all limited to possibly a small diameter coiled spring made of metal if desired.
The outer sections 48 of the length of the device should be constructed of a more rigid material(s), largely due to a requirement of needing to place sensors on these sections just slightly outside the boundaries of the hands, and in a secure manner such that the sensors will ideally not move independently of the parts of the hands closest to the sensors, which would happen if the sensors were attached to more flexible sections that extended beyond the hands. Thus, parts of these sections 48 closer to the center section 46 will be firmly secured within the hands, while the outer parts of sections 48 will have sensors firmly secured to them. Sections 48 might be potentially constructed with numerous different materials or material compounds, adhering as best as possible to certain other recommendations noted above of being as small in diameter and as light in weight and mass as possible or practicable.
Possible materials might comprise but not be limited to a type of strong, rigid plastic, aluminum, or graphite or some other type of composite or compound material(s). While recommended features such as (though not limited to) keeping the device as small as possible in diameter overall (different sections of the device need not be the same diameter in design), and stating a very crude (but not bound by) range here of one-eighth to one-half of an inch in diameter, certain circumstances might warrant some deviation. As just one of many possible examples, if the sensor(s) component of the device is found to be larger and/or heavier than anticipated, then an overall increase in the diameter of the device (though as little as necessary) might be warranted in order to eliminate or reduce as much as possible any unwanted sensor movement that does not coincide or coordinate with actual hand movement throughout the course of a swing. Device sections may be made solid or hollow as another example of possible feature choices.
The joints 50 connecting sections 46 and 48 may be of varied construction as desired. The joints might be permanently formed with an appropriate adhesive suitable for all involved materials. Alternately, the joints might be designed for assembly and disassembly with changeable or replaceable sections, perhaps at least in part to be able to adjust the device to the hand and/or gripping structure sizes of individual golfers as well as possible, which may lead to better overall results when using the device.
One or more reference markers, such as a visible dot or some other physical feature at one or more locations along the length of the device may be provided in order to aid in placing a specific part of the device at a specific part of the hand structuring. One such location might commonly be at the centerline point 44 of the device, where such a point might be referenced and perhaps placed where it is determined that the two hands meet each other within a golfer's gripping structure.
The current design of certain features of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device have been dictated by and developed due to the fact that wireless sensors as a general whole still appear to be too large and/or heavy to be able to, as one desired possibility or preference, more simply embed them in determined strategic locations into a length of silicone rubber, a wrapped alternative, or a similar material(s) and/or construction(s) of the length and diameter needed in order to make the device function well. Similarly, such wireless sensors as a general whole still appear to be too large and/or heavy to be able to externally attach them to such a length of silicone rubber or similar material(s) in determined strategic locations (and where sensor placements could be varied to perhaps provide more device versatility) and have them contained within the hands when utilizing the device without the sensors interfering too much with the gripping and/or swinging structures of a golfer. But when such sensor technology improves sufficiently, such embodiments are desired, expected, and considered disclosed and covered by this specification.
And comparably, if a wired sensor(s) might not interfere with the gripping and/or swinging structures of golfers as much as currently thought (relative to an otherwise similar device configuration without any wire[s] present), then such a sensor type could certainly be utilized, it can be much smaller than its wireless counterpart, and an effective golf grip hand structure efficiency device design might turn out quite differently than the embodiments presented herein. Nevertheless, device embodiments using such a sensor type are considered disclosed and covered by this specification.
Wireless sensors as components of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device are represented by 52 of
The sensors 52 might be made for portable attachment to and removal from the outer sections 48 of the device based on some of the following reasoning, but this is not an absolute recommendation and the sensors may be permanently attached as desired. When considering the various sizes of hands that individuals have that play the game of golf, from juniors to full-grown adults, and also considering how potentially different the gripping structures of individuals can be even among those having comparable hand sizes, distances from one end of a hand gripping structure to the other, along an axis line comparable with that of when a golf club is held on to, can vary extensively among individuals that play golf, from roughly five inches and perhaps even less for smaller juniors, to ten inches and perhaps even more for adults having large hands.
With that noted, it can now be further noted that a length of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device that is too long or short for a golfer can cause problems and have potentially devastating consequences depending upon various details. Of these two, a device length that is too short is usually more serious in nature. If the device does not extend completely through the gripping structure of a golfer's hands (this will be further detailed below when describing a method of use for the device) such that both ends of the gripping structure are not able to secure and control the device at those points (not the only important but nevertheless very important points) throughout the course of a swing, then measurements provided by the device could potentially be very inaccurate regarding what the hands are actually doing. Thus, if a one-size-fits-all (lengthwise) version of the device were made and its length design determined to be eight inches, then there might be a notable number of golfers for which the device may not function acceptably on.
Alternately, and depending upon the finer details of various elements, a device length that is noticeably longer than needed for any given golfer might also potentially result in unreliable device measurements and/or inconvenience(s) in using the device. For instance, a junior having a gripping structure hand span of only six inches, if trying to use a one-size-fits-all version of the device made to a length of twelve inches as perhaps a somewhat exaggerated example, might struggle with a notable protrusion of the device extending from one or both sides of the hand structuring. A protrusion extending away from the left (top) hand 22 would generally be more concerning largely due to its closer proximity to the rest of a user's body and potential effects in that regard, but unneeded protrusions of the device beyond either end of a user's hand structuring can potentially affect a user's hand and/or swinging structures (sometimes considerably so) thus making measurements from the device, even if scientifically accurate, not very accurate from a perspective of what would like to be achieved using the device. And of course if there are any unmovable sensors about any protruding portions of the device (particularly if able to move around in a freer and less secured manner) and they cannot be operationally turned off under such circumstances, then scientific measurements will not represent actual hand movement(s) and/or position(s) due to that and be in error in that respect.
In light of these attributes, it might be contemplated to make a golf grip hand structure efficiency device adjustable in one or more ways, potentially considering various versions for personal and commercial use. For personal use, the device might as one example be initially made longer than necessary and, with appropriate instruction, be made shorter by cutting or other process as a one-time task by a user or other qualified entity to best fit the length of the device to the current hand structuring of the user. If done so, such an expected task might influence the material(s) used and/or certain other design features of the outer sections 48 of the device. Alternately, a commercial version of the device that might be expected to perform equally well on all types of different hand sizes and/or gripping structures might instead have portable sections 48 that are available in different lengths and that could be changed as needed to fit various golfers.
For these reasons, the ability to portably attach and remove sensors 52 from the outer sections 48 of the device is a feature that can be contemplated and implemented as desired. The outer sections 48 of the device do not necessarily need to be of the same lengths on both sides of the centerline axis 44 of the device. Due to the general nature of golf grip hand structuring and then further adding in some of the finer details, it might ultimately be found that the lengths needed for the outer sections 48 of the device are commonly somewhat different, relative to a determined center point of the device, for the left (top) 22 and right (bottom) 20 (for a right-handed golfer) hand areas of many golfers. Surface texture(s) and/or material(s) hardness might also be relevant features to consider for any given component(s) used in the making of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device. A one-size-fits-all design can still be considered and might still be very effective if any of the effects of the conditions presented above are found to be not as problematic as currently evaluated. An appropriate investigation might be performed regarding what single length might be best to accommodate all or the most possible golfers and provide the best overall results. And of course the device may still be produced in a selection of different distinct lengths (unchangeable by design).
In a case where a generalized off-the-shelf hardware sensor unit might already exist that could be adapted to work suitably for this embodiment, even if as a temporary measure, then it would be the software measuring, analysis, and/or solution component(s) of the overall device that would comprise the most novel element(s) of the device. In fact, given this particular embodiment, the software measuring, analysis, and/or solution programming and/or application (further described below) could solidly stand on its own merits as a patentable inventive method, and this specification takes the position that it does so successfully herein. But with that said, one or more elements of the device hardware and/or its usage are disclosed that comprise one or more unique features of its own anyway.
The placements of the orientation sensors 56 are located on the outsides of the hands, substantially opposite of where or in line with the centers of the palms on the insides of the corresponding hands. These are very good data collection points for the sensors 56 in helping to measure and analyze foundational orientations of each of the hands as a whole and yet independently of one another throughout the course of a swing, with such sensor units frequently being able to also provide supplemental information like movement(s) and/or position(s) data of each of the hands throughout the course of a swing. The locations of the centers of the palms of the hands and corresponding locations on the outsides of each of the hands are determined.
These locations might generally be easier to determine, and mark as desired, before the hand gripping structure is commenced. In most cases, visual inspections of the relevant areas of the hands and determinations of sensor locations may suffice. Sensors may be attached to the hands at the determined locations before or after the gripping structure is formed. For reference purposes, axis lines 58 for right hand 20 and 60 for left hand 22 are provided as indicators that sensors 56 placed on the outsides of the hands have been substantially aligned with the centers of the palms on the insides of the corresponding hands.
While very good sensor locations to obtain relevant data from, these suggested locations are not the only ones from which very good and relevant device data can be obtained. Other very good locations to obtain relevant data from could be as close as possible to where the hands at both ends of a golfer's gripping structure end (further described below and locations that the embodiment of
Securing sensors 56 to the backs of the hands might be effectively accomplished in any number of various manners. One possible consideration could be temporary adhesives or adhesive tapes, of which there are numerous different types available. Such a fastening system would, mentioning just a couple of aspects here, need to firmly secure the sensors to the backs of the hands while preventing any appreciable movement of the sensors throughout the course of swinging due to the natural stretching characteristic of skin on the hands (not to mention making sure the sensors do not come totally off in the course of swinging). Unwanted sensor movement in this regard could cause errors in measurements and subsequent analysis results. And yet, while the sensors themselves need to avoid any extraneous movement as much as possible that does not coincide with what the underlying hand is foundationally doing, the skin under and around the sensors must retain as much of its elasticity as possible or the gripping and/or swinging structures of a golfer could potentially be affected. The effects of these aspects are likely relatively small and not as severe as they sound when described, but they are nonetheless relevant considerations if choosing an adhesive-type fastening system.
Common sense dictates that the smaller and/or lighter the sensor units can be, the more effective any types of adhesive fastening systems might generally be and/or the more options there might be for effective types of adhesive fastening systems. So this element would seemingly be a constant goal for sensor design and construction for a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, not ruling out a wired sensor(s) for instance. Just a few potential kinds of adhesive systems might be a sensor casing that has an adhesive side to it appropriate for attachment to and removal from a hand. The adhesive side might be capable of reuse a certain number of times and/or there might be a replaceable adhesive component that could be attached to the sensor casing. Alternately, a Velcro-type system might be deemed better, where parts of the system might have to be attached to both a sensor and a hand prior to the sensor being affixed to the hand. Or perhaps more simply and with no adhesive component contained on the sensor itself, a sensor might be attached to a hand in various manners using a suitable adhesive tape over the surface of the sensor and hand. Or one or more Band-Aid-type fasteners might be used having no adhesive at its center where a sensor might be positioned under for example, so that the sensor (casing) itself does not have any adhesive transferred to it during use. Such a fastener or any part(s) of the fastener may even be custom made to the dimensions of the sensor utilized for more efficient use of the adhesive system and device overall.
Other fastening system types might be considered also. A known swing analysis application that uses a similar sensor hardware device attached in substantially the same location requires that a golfer's own golf glove be worn, with the sensor device being designed to firmly attach to the Velcro-type enclosure located about the back of the glove (and hand when the glove is put on), a common standard type of golf glove enclosure. Golf gloves are specialty gloves worn by many (though not all) golfers that might be helpful some toward playing the game. But such gloves are traditionally and typically worn only on the top gripping hand 22. Thus, for a golf grip hand structure efficiency device implementing such a fastening system, it would likely be an extremely awkward sensation for most golfers to wear such a glove on the bottom hand 20, with a substantial possibility of unwanted changes to gripping and/or swinging structures as a result. And even before any sensors might be affixed to such gloves, the potential already exists for unwanted changes to gripping and/or swinging structures just due to the fit of any such golf gloves themselves. But such a fastening system may be considered for either or both hands if desired, as the system otherwise appears to work satisfactorily at first glance.
Other sensor fastening systems can also be considered and utilized as desired. Yet another possibility might include but not be limited to an elastic band or comparable material that is temporarily or permanently secured to a sensor and can be placed around all or part of a hand in order to keep the sensor firmly in place at a determined location throughout the course of a swing. However, and for reasons stated directly below, any part(s) of a sensor fastening system that encroaches anywhere upon the inside part(s) of a hand may be undesirable in nature. Because the hands can move independently below the joints of the wrists, sensors should never be placed at or above joints of the wrists, as that defeats the purpose of the device and using the device as designed. However, adding one or more sensors above the joints of the wrists can be done to measure and/or analyze other important golfing parameters not further elaborated on here. Of course aspects not limited to the convenience of use for any user of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and/or any discomfort or other undesirable effects regarding items like adhesive use on the hands are always very important aspects to take into consideration.
One advantage of the embodiment of
Any measurement(s) taken and/or analyzed under the condition of simultaneously using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and a golf club device is considered to be baseline information and data regarding a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures. And the embodiment of
Nevertheless, even if obtained baseline information is not particularly accurate, and even though the use of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device by itself would still be required regardless of whether any baseline data is acquired at one or more points throughout the course of a golfer's swing, any baseline data acquired for the gripping and/or swinging structures of the golfer could still provide some very valuable reference information and data. Any such data could prove very useful toward analyzing every level of golfer having any golf grip hand structure efficiency value that is determined in the end, although it might be found that any such supplemental reference information is often used quite differently for different golfers.
Baseline information and data could for example potentially help reveal nuances or patterns in the gripping and/or swinging structures of individual golfers or even groups of golfers over time. The information might for instance help supplement any developed reference chart provided to help determine a golfer's gripping efficiency value, a chart that otherwise may have to be followed more blindly. Circumstances that are unique or extenuating in nature will always be encountered sometimes when testing. And under such circumstances, provided reference chart information, no matter how good it might otherwise be, could be very insufficient and/or inaccurate. Baseline information and data could be extremely valuable, and not just under circumstances that are extreme, unique, and/or extenuating. Baseline information and data can be acquired either before or after information and data acquired using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device alone.
In keeping with the goal(s) of the present disclosure, a predominant reason for acquiring optional baseline data is to help obtain solutions like a golf grip hand structure efficiency value for a golfer and if further done a determination of whether the golfer should create a base swing using a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure most accurately. However, due to the uniqueness of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, gathering and analyzing baseline information and data using various golf club devices might also be instrumental toward improving golf club devices (of which golf clubs, golf club components, and golf grip substitutes all fall under), testing devices including reference materials toward obtaining solutions, and more.
Briefly mentioning a couple other various types of hardware that could potentially be used toward making a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, there is a wireless sensor ring that can be worn on a finger of a hand and where the movement(s) of such a ring can be tracked. Using two such rings might work well, where in order for the rings to be the least intrusive on a hand gripping structure they might be placed on the index finger of the right hand (62 of
Attention is now turned to software features for the device to aid in obtaining the desired solution(s). As noted earlier, this disclosure will largely describe one particular measurement parameter for more simplicity in describing the device, that being a three-dimensional orientation value of an orientation-type sensor in space, and thus of the object the sensor is attached to, generally described as a vector line running through the sensor. Most such sensors have certain pre-installed and/or accompanying software features to perform such tasks and display such results.
However, any other predetermined parameter(s) may be measured and utilized instead of or in addition to the orientation values of the hands in order to acquire the desired data and arrive at the desired solution(s). And the data and solution(s) largely sought (simplifying here some also) from a golf grip hand structure efficiency device comprise, accurately and simultaneously measuring the movement(s) and position(s) of each hand of a golfer independently of each other throughout the course of a swing, sometimes under different specified conditions, displaying the measurements in some form as both independent hand measurements and comparative hand measurements (for certain device versions this particular information might not be made available), and calculating a solution(s) based on the data in the form of a golf grip hand structure efficiency value for the golfer, along with perhaps a further guideline for whether the golfer might best create base gripping and swinging structures using a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure for further use in applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes.
While the application may be attempted in essentially real time, it is not mandatory and hand movement(s) and/or position(s) data from a swing may be recorded, stored, and/or analyzed at a later time. A golf grip hand structure efficiency value is a newly developed parameter or specification previously not provided by any previous device. Additional software features might include additional inputted measurements not limited to where the locations of any or all sensors are along the length of the golf grip hand structure efficiency device, where the sensors are located in relation to the gripping structure, and the span of the gripping structure, starting before a swing is commenced and with the ability to measure any value changes for isolated individual parameters as well as relationships between various parameters throughout the course of a swing. For any golf club device(s) used, various parameter values of the device(s), as measurements individually or measurements relative to another parameter(s), might be very valuable to input and analyze for further help in arriving at a desired solution(s).
In addition to fundamental orientation values as described, which on a visual monitor might appear as just a simulated pair of hands basically remaining centered on the monitor but changing positions over the course of a swing (and this alone would be a wonderful implementation of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device), sensors used may also be capable of providing motion tracking and/or other very useful data such as sensor acceleration for instance. With the availability of certain parameters, a graphical representation might be formed that more closely and realistically reproduces the actual swing of a golfer from beginning through end (at least the movements and positions of the hands for our purposes) instead of having to observe the hands more simply moving around in substantially the center of the monitor. Being able to include such a feature might help the analysis and/or understanding of data measured by the device. Provided information might potentially be presented relative to or superimposed upon a displayed reference line segment or developed applicable graphic configured or calculated to move in accordance with that of a golf grip/club throughout the course of a performed swing.
A very rudimentary software application might compute just an average (or maximum) differential in measured orientations of the hands relative to each other at one or more determined points of a swing, with the hand orientations relative to each other before the swing begins being relevant (see further below). A more involved application, however, might have the capability of a more detailed analysis that would presumably lead to more accurate results and solutions. Such an analysis might include though not be limited to when and where any differentials in hand orientations occur throughout the course of a swing, how much any orientation differential is at any given point, in which direction(s) and/or directional plane(s) any differentials are taking place, how abruptly or subtly any differentials increase and/or decrease, how long any specific differentials last, and more. Video and/or other graphical representations of the data may be included as part of an analysis, where such visual aids might help in analyzing, explaining, and/or understanding what is taking place and perhaps why, which in turn might help determine the best solution(s) to proceed with.
An important and helpful feature for a golf grip hand structure efficiency device that might be implemented with hardware and/or software where possible would be a taring feature (a type of calibration or recalibration) that can provide a starting point of electronically aligning sensors in a determined manner even if they are not physically aligned as desired (due to error or just being unable to place the sensors on an object[s] such that they can be aligned as desired). To illustrate, by way of a taring feature, sensors 56 of
Variances in sensor placement(s) and/or alignment(s) are generally not to be considered deficiencies in the testing equipment, process, and/or golfers. They are instead natural occurrences, inconsistencies, and nuances where if they could be taken into account, any analysis could be potentially better and more efficient. A taring feature could help do this. As just a few of countless examples, even the embodiment of
Additionally, various shapes of various hands and resultant placement differences of sensors can change the starting positions of sensors relative to each other. Also, even for the same golfer, and even when his or her gripping structure remains fundamentally unchanged, the positions of sensors on the hands, even starting positions before the golfer even commences his or her swing, can indeed be quite different when only a golf grip hand structure efficiency device is used compared with when a golf club device is used. These are very naturally occurring adjustments and yet they can possibly cause delays, inaccuracies, confusion, and/or more throughout a testing process. Hand orientation differentials at one or more points of a swing might be measured as being inefficient and/or misaligned when they might not be at all because a measured hand orientation differential might have been significant right at address before the swing even began and was not properly taken into account.
A taring feature could potentially help a noticeable amount, where it might aid in better analyzing, explaining, and/or understanding what is taking place and perhaps why, which in turn might help determine the best solution(s) to proceed. Still, there might be legitimate instances where such a taring feature may not want to be enabled in order to analyze a specific element(s) that perhaps just cannot be effectively analyzed when such a feature is enacted. This might be more prevalent but not limited to wanting a more detailed and advanced analysis for deeper learning and/or research purposes in one or more areas, where such a feature might actually get in the way. A taring feature might be enabled and disabled in various manners, perhaps affected by a particular embodiment of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device.
Some preliminary research and testing might be done to develop at least one criterion to be integrated into the software component of the device. A selection of golfers might be thoroughly examined for any swing performance differences when alternating between using only a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and only a golf grip substitute device, with all other testing conditions kept the same as closely as possible. It might be found that differences in swing performance begin to be noticed among golfers whose measurements using the golf grip hand structure efficiency device show a differential in the orientations of the hands of about three degrees compared with swing performance when using the golf grip substitute device (which forces the hands to have consistent alignments relative to each other throughout). Reference axes 38 and 40 of
Differences in golfer swing performance when working to establish any such criterion might be gauged through any number of analysis means. This can include but is not at all restricted to video analysis (with or without any aiding computer software), various other sensor types, some of which might be unobtrusively placed directly on a golfer to measure and/or analyze swing performance (also commonly accompanied by aiding computer software), the direct visual observation of a qualified individual, and/or golfer swing feel, elements of which are detailed in previous documents. Expanding slightly here regarding sensor types, there are more and more virtual-reality-type sensors becoming available, with numerous such sensors commonly being simultaneously placed on various parts of a golfer's body, or even worn as a type of specialized body apparel. Such sensors or sensor systems might be wired or wireless in nature and may potentially be helpful toward determining how various hand orientation changes and relationships relate to other swing performance changes and how much. While possibly very valuable in this regard, it is difficult to say how much if at all such sensor configurations might negatively affect a golfer's swing that would otherwise be unaffected by such sensors.
In this example, it was judged that for golfers who exhibited hand orientation differentials of three degrees during one or more determined points of their swing when using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, compared with their baseline swing when using a golf grip substitute device, these golfers had at least one unacceptable change in their swing compared with golfers that had less than three degrees of hand orientation differential under otherwise like testing conditions.
It might be determined based on such testing that for golfers who exhibit three degrees or more of hand orientation differential at one or more determined points of their swings when using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, they cannot really have their swings befittingly compared against anyone (including their own swing when using a golf club device) having hand orientation differentials of less than three degrees unless and until certain protocols are followed. Stated somewhat more generally, swings where the hands move in directions not unified with each other and not operating together more as a single unified unit at as little as one point of the swing cannot be logically compared with swings where the hands are more unified in nature from the start of the swing to the end of the follow-through (by way of an effective hands-only gripping structure or the use of a golf club device). And one critical parameter and parameter value is how much differential movement there can be between the hands before any notable swing changes take place for a golfer (compared with the golfer's swing when the hands are forced to be structured to be more unified in nature).
Thus, a foundational criterion might be established, where hand orientation differentials of three degrees or more at one or more determined points of a golfer's swing, as measured with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, would generally indicate that the golfer should utilize a golf grip substitute device in the creation of his or her base gripping and swinging structures for further use in applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes. It might be determined that this would create the best, truest, and most consistent base gripping and swinging structures the golfer can perform. Alternately, hand orientation differentials of less than three degrees at one or more determined points of a golfer's swing, as measured with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, would generally indicate that the golfer should utilize a hands-only gripping structure in the creation of his or her base gripping and swinging structures for further use in applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes. It might be determined that this would create the best, truest, and most consistent base gripping and swinging structures the golfer can perform.
It is to be distinctly noted here that the degree figures presented are merely for illustrative purposes. Different golf swing improvement and/or clubfitting methods or systems may have certain priorities, goals, and/or developmental procedures that are quite different from one another, and any criterion established as a guideline for use with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device could, for many various reasons, be very different from one such method or system to the next. A criterion that might be more complex in nature for example, might consider hand orientation differentials to have varying degrees of importance at various points of a swing as part of its development.
Over the course of the same research and testing, it might be determined that a new, extremely critical golf swing parameter is to be developed, named a golf grip hand structure efficiency value of or for a golfer, and that its values will initially be tied to the hand orientation differential angle measurements of golfers throughout the course of their swings as described above. It might be determined to initially provide golf grip hand structure efficiency values in terms of percentages, and based on the above results of the research and testing done, it is determined that hand orientation differential measurements of zero degrees at any given point of a swing shall be assigned a hand structure efficiency value of 100%. And from there, for every one degree of hand orientation differential measured at any given point of a swing, the hand structure efficiency value shall be reduced by 10%.
Based on these criteria and in referencing the preliminary research and testing done above, the swings of golfers in general started to show signs of unacceptable or deteriorating swings at hand structure efficiency values of about 70%, and that this would be an initially recommended cutoff point, where the software component, in addition to calculating and providing a golf grip hand structure efficiency value as just described, might also be programmed to calculate and show a result of recommending the use of a golf grip substitute device (which would be expected to raise the golf grip hand structure efficiency value) in the creation of hand gripping and swinging structures for all golfers having hand structure efficiency values of 70% or less. Consistent with this, the software component would alternately recommend the use of hands-only gripping and swinging structures for all golfers having calculated hand structure efficiency values of higher than 70%.
These elements would be integral parts of a golf grip hand structure efficiency software application, designed for use with measurements obtained from a golf grip hand structure efficiency device. Such a software component might be integrated as part of a golf grip hand structure hardware/software device, and/or the software component might be made as a supplementary yet stand-alone component available separately from the hardware component. Various software embodiments are possible perhaps for use with various hardware embodiments, including but not at all limited to video analysis.
Based on these new disclosures, it might subsequently be desired as an extremely relevant and helpful further advancement to redefine or more narrowly define the terms base grip(ping) and/or base swing(ing) structures, for example amending the terms to only be qualified as such when the hand gripping structure efficiency value of a swing is at or above a certain percentage in addition to any other qualifying term requirements.
With that, a somewhat simple example of using the device is now presented. 66 of
The center section 46 of the golf grip hand structure efficiency device of
Still keeping the sensors aside, a device length extending substantially beyond either or both ends of the hands (I will use a preliminary figure here of up to two inches on both sides as being acceptable for this element toward not noticeably interfering with a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures, although undesired effects could potentially occur with less than that) might promote unwanted changes and/or inconsistencies in a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures, perhaps even unconscious alterations if the device is notably longer than it needs to be beyond either end of the gripping structure. Provided that essential functioning of the device is not unacceptably compromised (such as moving its flexible center section 46 so much that it is no longer placed substantially at the elemental pivot point about the hands), placing any unneeded length of the device so that it protrudes more out and away from the bottom of the gripping structure 72 may be better, as the top of the gripping structure 70 traditionally moves about much closer to the rest of a golfer's body, which can be interfered with more easily and with more unwanted effect(s) as a larger length of the device protrudes from the top end 70.
Placing the base of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device (the embodiment of
The amount and/or type of deformation along its length could vary considerably from golfer to golfer based on individual golfer nuances and of course the exact design of the device. Such deformation is actually considered a good feature that supports a goal of accomplishing minimal interference of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device on the gripping and swinging structures of golfers in order to help bring out the truest and most unaffected gripping and swinging structure performances of golfers. With its advantages noted earlier, a taring feature could electronically realign sensors of an initially deformed device to make the sensors appear aligned, and from that point vital measurements and analysis can still take place very soundly and as designed.
In referencing
With the basics of the device now covered, any final length adjustments and sensor attachment can be proceeded with. Depending on the size of sensors 56, enough device length must be provided beyond 70 and 72 to firmly attach the sensors to, as close as possible to 70 and 72, yet not binding so tight against the hands that the hands cannot move freely and even naturally expand some as the case might be. So perhaps a small gap might best be left between the hand structuring and sensors, but experience is really the best for deciding how much. The outer sections 48 of the device might be adjustable to be no more than needed to accommodate the sensors. Depending on the exact design of the device, outer sections 48 might be portably adjusted for each golfer with removable and replaceable components, trimmed on a one-time basis for a personal user, or adjusted in some other determined manner. Of course if the device comes in different lengths, then the best length might more simply just be chosen. And finally, the sensors are attached to the outer sections 48, just above 70 and just below 72 as viewed in
Next reference sequential
Next, temporarily visualize the elimination of both
Regardless of what form of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device might be implemented, and if available as a feature, one of the first things commonly done after the device is placed appropriately about a golfer might be to enact a taring feature. This would commonly apply any time the device is used. This would be done essentially just before the golfer commences a swing, which would be in
In returning to
The golf club device 74 is removed and the golfer proceeds to form his gripping structure using only the golf grip hand structure efficiency device (66 of
The scenario of golfer number two is somewhat different. Returning to
The golf club device 74 is removed and the golfer proceeds to form his gripping structure using only the golf grip hand structure efficiency device (66 of
Thus, the golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value is determined to be only 50%, and predetermined guidelines recommend that the golfer should utilize a golf grip substitute device (in order to help improve that value) in the creation of the golfer's base gripping and swinging structures for use in applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes. It is anticipated based on these test results that golfer number two will perform and create his best, truest, and most consistent base gripping and swinging structures when using a golf grip substitute device, while golfer number one will perform and create his best, truest, and most consistent base gripping and swinging structures when using a hands-only gripping structure. The individualized base gripping and swinging structures created by and for each of the golfers can be further utilized within applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes in order to help each golfer achieve the best results possible. Descriptions regarding golf grip substitute devices and applicable swing development and golf club fitting processes are thoroughly detailed in previous documents.
Generally speaking, the use of a golf grip substitute device can be acutely helpful and essentially mandatory for many golfers in order to be able to reasonably compare their swings to the swings of others (who by design would typically have higher golf grip hand structure efficiency values within applicable swing development and/or clubfitting processes). However, it can have drawbacks and be detrimental if used when a golf grip substitute device is not really warranted and the hands already function well together as a single unified unit throughout the course of a swing when using a hands-only gripping structure. This can be true even if, for instance, testing shows hand structure efficiency values of 100% for a golfer when testing with a hands-only gripping structure and a golf-grip-substitute-added gripping structure. Any effects would be largely dependent on the exact design of the particular golf grip substitute device utilized, of which there could be various designs. Thus, any number of device features could adversely affect a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures over what those structures would be if the golfer used a hands-only gripping structure.
For the very best results in any further swing improvement and/or clubfitting process, a golfer of any ability should always be tested (or retested as applicable) with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device before any such process begins, as any new or changed data or other information from any previous testing could potentially critically affect one or more steps in a subsequent process and greatly affect results. Such data or other information is not simply limited to whether a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure should be used (at the present time), but even a relatively small change in a golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value could for instance prompt important changes in one or more subsequent steps of an applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting process. Changes might occur very slowly over time or might occur very rapidly, and in either case they might not even be noticed or recognized. Just a few select examples of such commonly occurring changes are changes in the gripping and/or swinging structures of a golfer, modifications and/or improvements in the golf grip hand structure efficiency device hardware/software components, and changes in the guidelines for using the device and/or applying its results.
The newly introduced parameter of a golf grip hand structure efficiency value for a golfer in conjunction with the device, helps to accurately identify the true underlying gripping and swinging structures of a golfer under the most critical of circumstances in the game of golf, those being when no golf club device is present about the hands that artificially unifies the hands to work essentially as a single unit together throughout the course of a swing. The efficiency value of a golfer's gripping hand structure might very well be the most critical parameter toward how successful a golfer may be ultimately at developing an efficient and consistent golf swing as well as how successful he or she may be fitted for any golf clubs. Consistently knowing its value (and/or certain underlying parameter values such as hand orientation differential values) as provided by a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, can affect subsequent steps and be crucial toward most successfully implementing applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes. (Though not likely as successfully, using the device and the data and results it provides can still be useful and affect (improve) one or more steps of swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes of non-applicable types not described in previous documents).
Among other new features, a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and its use in the manner(s) described provide new scientific measurements and solutions regarding whether a golfer should utilize a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided hand gripping structure for further use in applicable swing development and/or clubfitting processes. In previous documents, a systematic way of achieving this toward creating base gripping and swinging structures for a golfer was totally and conspicuously missing. Decisions that were much more subjective and vague in nature in the past can now be made more scientifically, with measurements taken by the device, calculations made by its software component(s), and any resultant developed guidelines as examples being very powerful and accurate scientific tools.
Nevertheless, an entire book can likely be written containing uncounted examples of potential and legitimate exceptions where developed guidelines should probably not be strictly adhered to. Thus, one is not strictly bound by these scientific readings and/or any developed criteria in connection with the device and its use. One may use the data, analysis, and/or any developed guidelines in any manner desired. There will presumably be countless situations where guidelines indicate that a golfer should best use a hands-only gripping structure toward creating base gripping and swinging structures, yet a gripping structure that instead utilizes a golf grip substitute device will be chosen with very good reason. And the opposite can be reasonably expected as well. But this does not diminish in the least the importance and impact of the data and guidelines provided by a golf grip hand structure efficiency device, and how instrumental that data still is toward making a related decision.
In light of this, supplemental help may used in conjunction with the device as desired in order to help arrive at a best solution for any giver golfer. This might include but not be limited to any of the types of devices described earlier that might be used to develop any device criterion in the first place, and might be hardware and/or software based. Furthermore, with an anticipation of a notable number of exceptions to any developed guidelines, it might be helpful to make an effort to include features that can offer and enable closer and more detailed looks at various data in a manner where more manual inspection, analysis, and/or decision making could be accomplished if desired instead of just being provided with a final solution. This might be particularly expected of any versions of hardware and/or software components that might be considered higher end in nature if various versions may be available.
Other new types of hardware and/or software devices and/or methods might be developed in association with the use of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and that might be used as supplementary aids in conjunction with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device or as independent devices and/or methods. Very briefly describing two potentially new types of swing analysis devices/methods, the first surrounds the fact that many swing analysis devices that are sensor based use only one sensor unit and point of data measurement, attempting to reconstruct a swing from that data. But with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device using at least two independent data measurement points about the hands, such data might be used for and result in more accurately reconstructing swings than in the past. The second surrounds the fact that many swing analysis devices prominently focus on golf club movement(s) and/or position(s) for their analysis. So any swing analysis device and/or method associated with the use of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device would require some totally new and/or or different swing analysis and comparison features to function aptly that are quite different in nature from any previous swing analysis devices/methods and that might be more effective tools.
In the end, a golf grip hand structure efficiency device can be used extremely effectively just as a stand-alone hand gripping structure improvement tool, where no swing development and/or clubfitting processes really need to be subsequently implemented at all. (And even if unknowingly, specifically working on just improving a golfer's gripping hand structure efficiency may lead to golf swing improvement). The device can be utilized as a self-help tool or type of swing aid for a golfer, even though it is technically just a measuring tool and does not currently provide any recommendations regarding how to improve a golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value if measured or determined to be too inefficient. This implementation of the device, in and of itself, is an extremely valuable and powerful tool that can thus be considered a stand-alone swing improvement and/or clubfitting aid that can help guide a golfer toward better and more consistent swinging and/or clubfitting performance results, even if no swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes are otherwise subsequently pursued.
Attempting golf swing and/or clubfitting self-improvement (and/or any smaller elements that they might be broken down into) are very common and popular endeavors and can be very worthwhile and successful. This is partly because many commercial or retail swing improvement and/or clubfitting entities have unfortunately developed rather poor records of accomplishments and reputations over time (with good reason) and sent countless golfers away playing notably worse instead of better. This really starts at the very bottom, with the majority of those who teach the teachers so to speak regarding golf swing and/or clubfitting theories and practices being very unknowledgeable regarding the subjects themselves, and this consequently permeates through the entire industry. And when adding in golfers who are for example quite interested in the rather expensive game but also quite limited in what they can do due to financial considerations, there are a large number of golfers who prefer and/or are forced to not pursue any commercialized swing development and/or clubfitting processes and be basically self-taught individuals.
While certain details could be quite different, a golf grip hand structure efficiency device can for example be utilized and be extremely effective for analyzing the putting gripping structures and strokes of golfers as well, a very important part of the game to very many people. Adjustments can be made to that disclosed as desired in order to accomplish such a task, still easily being covered under the scope of this disclosure.
While computer implementation regarding any given hardware and/or software feature or component of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and a method of use for the device is not absolutely required in order to aptly achieve that disclosed and described herein, it is generally assumed that computer implementation might oftentimes result in the making and/or operating of the device in a more efficient manner(s) and thus should be taken advantage of where possible and practicable.
A golf grip hand structure efficiency device and/or a method of use for the device might utilize any of the embodiments, materials, components, constructions, software programming, and/or configurations as described, but are not by any means limited in scope to just that which has been specifically described.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
- simultaneously measuring values of a predetermined parameter independently about each hand at one or more points of a swing made by a performed, the swing performed without the use of any device that can aid in unifying the hands at any point of the swing;
- analyzing at least one point of the swing, comparing the measured values of the predetermined parameter about each hand of the performer; and
- calculating a value of a determined parameter that indicates an efficiency of the performer's grip hand structure.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameter is at least one of a three-dimensional orientation of a determined point about each hand, a two-dimensional angle along a determined plane about each hand, an amount of degrees of rotation of each hand from one determined point of the swing to another, and a distance between determined points about each hand.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein three-dimensional orientation values about each hand relative to each other at the at least one point of the swing analyzed are compared against reference three-dimensional orientation values about each hand relative to each other at a point just before or at the beginning of the swing or compared against another developed reference criterion.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the golf grip hand structure efficiency value of the golfer's golf grip hand structure is determined as a percentage that is reduced from one-hundred percent by ten percent for every one degree of difference in orientation of the hands relative to each other along a determined plane at the at least one point of the swing analyzed as compared against the reference criterion used or determined by comparing against another developed reference criterion for determining the golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a golf swing improvement or clubfitting process implemented for the golfer, with the golfer using a hands-only gripping structure when performing a base reference swing if the golfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is eighty percent or higher, and a golf grip substitute device about and to help unify the hands when performing a base reference swing if the golfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is less than eighty percent, or applying another developed criterion to determine whether the golfer should use a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameter is measured by at least one sensor, the at least one sensor configured to be disposed about the hands of the golfer while performing a golf swing, configured so that the hands can achieve movement independently of one another throughout the course of the swing, and configured to simultaneously measure values of the predetermined parameter independently about each hand throughout the course of the swing.
7. The method of claim 1, comprising further implementing a golf grip hand structure improvement, swing improvement, or clubfitting process or program wherein at least one output from the method is used to make at least one decision within at least one step of the process or program.
8. A process comprising:
- placing at least one sensor device about the hands of a performer, the at least one sensor device configured to simultaneously measure the values of a predetermined parameter independently about each hand at one or more points of a swing made by the performer;
- having the performer perform a swing without the use of any device that can aid in unifying the hands;
- analyzing at least one point of the swing, comparing the measured values of the predetermined parameter about each hand of the performer; and
- calculating a value of a determined parameter that indicates an efficiency of the performer's grip hand structure.
9. The process of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises a tube-like length of silicone-like flexible rubber, approximately one-eighth to one-half of an inch in diameter and of a length that extends entirely through but not substantially beyond the hands of the golfer along an axis comparable to that which a golf club would occupy, with two wireless three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units, substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughout the course of the swing, placed within or about the rubber at locations approximately where the centers of each hand of the golfer are or other determined locations when the device is placed within the hands.
10. The process of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises two discrete wireless, three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units, substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughout the course of the swing, of which each sensor unit enclosure is independently affixed to the back part of each hand of the golfer, approximately opposite to the center of the palm of each hand or other determined location about each hand.
11. The process of claim 8, wherein the predetermined parameter is at least one of a three-dimensional orientation of a determined point about each hand, a two-dimensional angle along a determined plane about each hand, an amount of degrees of rotation of each hand from one determined point of the swing to another, and a distance between determined points about each hand.
12. The process of claim 11, wherein the golf grip hand structure efficiency value of the golfer's golf grip hand structure is determined as a percentage that is reduced from one-hundred percent by ten percent for every one degree of difference in orientation of the hands relative to each other along a determined plane at the at least one point of the swing analyzed as compared against the reference criterion used or determined by comparing against another developed reference criterion for determining the golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.
13. The process of claim 12, further comprising a golf swing improvement or clubfitting method implemented for the golfer, with the golfer using a hands-only gripping structure when performing a base reference swing if the golfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is eighty percent or higher, and a golf grip substitute device about and to help unify the hands when performing a base reference swing if the golfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is less than eighty percent, or applying another developed criterion to determine whether the golfer should use a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure.
14. The process of claim 8, comprising further implementing a golf grip hand structure improvement, swing improvement, or clubfitting method or program wherein at least one output from the process is used to make at least one decision within at least one step of the method or program.
15. A device comprising:
- at least one sensor, the at least one sensor configured to be disposed about the hands of a performer while performing a swing, configured so that the hands can achieve movement independently of one another throughout the course of the swing, and configured to simultaneously measure values of a predetermined parameter independently about each hand at one or more points of the swing.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a tube-like length of silicone-like flexible rubber, approximately one-eighth to one-half of an inch in diameter and of a length that extends entirely through but not substantially beyond the hands of the golfer along an axis comparable to that which a golf club would occupy, with two wireless three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units, substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughout the course of the swing, placed within or about the rubber at locations approximately where the centers of each hand of the golfer are or other determined locations when the device is placed within the hands.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises two discrete wireless, three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units, substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughout the course of the swing, of which each sensor unit enclosure is independently affixed to the back part of each hand of the golfer, approximately opposite to the center of the palm of each hand or other determined location about each hand.
18. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one two-dimensional or three-dimensional video camera, placed at a distance away from the golfer so as to be able to comprehensively capture the hands of the golfer throughout the course of the swing, the at least one camera, in association with any needed software elements, configured to determine the golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.
19. The device of claim 15, comprising a golf grip hand structure or golf swing development or improvement process or program wherein at least one output from the device is used to make at least one decision within at least one step of the process or program.
20. The device of claim 15, comprising a golf club fitting process or program wherein at least one output from the device is used to make at least one decision within at least one step of the process or program.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 14, 2017
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2018
Inventor: William Alan Kostuj (Glendale Heights, IL)
Application Number: 15/784,128
