Method and system for shot tracking

Abstract

A method for determining an orientation of a putterhead of a putter during a putting stroke, wherein the method comprises determining that the golfer is addressing a golf ball to swing a putter, monitoring the putterhead orientation during the backswing, determining a transition time, monitoring the putterhead orientation during a downswing, determining an orientation of the putterhead at impact time, transmitting data for the orientation of the putterhead to a receiver for analysis.

1 . A method for determining an orientation of a putterhead of a putter during a putting stroke, the method comprising:
 determining that a golfer is addressing a golf ball to swing a putter, the putter comprising a device comprising a multi-axis accelerometer, a microprocessor and a radiofrequency transceiver;   monitoring an orientation of the putterhead during a backswing of the golfer;   determining a transition time from a backswing to a downswing of the golfer;   monitoring an orientation of the putterhead during a downswing of the golfer;   determining an orientation of the putterhead at impact of the putterhead with the golf ball; and   transmitting data for the orientation of the putterhead to a receiver for analysis.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein transmitting the data comprises transmitting data on the orientation of the putterhead in a single transmission. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein transmitting the data comprises transmitting data in a plurality of transmissions. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the monitoring of the orientation of the putterhead during the backswing and the monitoring of the orientation of the putterhead during the downswing occur at a rate of at least 1 kilo-Hertz. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the receiver is a GPS device, Smart Phone, PDA, or computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the data for the orientation of the putterhead is transmitted at a radiofrequency of 2.4 gigaHertz utilizing the radiofrequency transceiver of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a battery. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein determining an orientation of the putterhead at impact of the putterhead with the golf ball comprises determining an X-axis orientation and a Y-axis orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the monitoring of the orientation of the putterhead during the backswing and the monitoring of the orientation of the putterhead during the downswing occur at a rate of at least 5 kilo-Hertz. 
     
     
         10 . A system for determining an orientation of a putterhead of a putter during a putting stroke, the system comprising:
 a putter comprising a club head, a shaft, a grip and a device attached to the grip, the device comprising a microprocessor, a multiple-axis accelerometer and a radiofrequency transceiver, the microprocessor configured to determine that a golfer is addressing a golf ball to swing a putter, monitor an orientation of the putterhead during a backswing of the golfer, determine a transition time from a backswing to a downswing of the golfer, monitor an orientation of the putterhead during a downswing of the golfer, determine an orientation of the putterhead at impact of the putterhead with the golf ball, and transmit data for the orientation of the putterhead; and   a receiver comprising a microprocessor and a transceiver, the transceiver operating on the first communication protocol.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the data is transmitted in a single transmission. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the data is transmitted in a plurality of transmissions. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the orientation of the putterhead during the backswing and monitor the orientation of the putterhead during the downswing at a rate of at least 1 kilo-Hertz. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the receiver is a GPS device, Smart Phone, PDA, or computer. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the data for the orientation of the putterhead is transmitted at a radiofrequency of 2.4 gigaHertz utilizing the radiofrequency transceiver of the device. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the device further comprises a battery. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the orientation of the putterhead during the backswing and monitor the orientation of the putterhead during the downswing at a rate of at least 5 kilo-Hertz.