Method and system of subjective evaluation for golf ball fitting analysis

Abstract

A method and system of subjective evaluation of golf ball performance for golf ball fitting analysis to match a golf ball to a golfer's subjective preferences is described. A golfer subjectively evaluates the performance of one or more golf balls against different subjective criteria. Analysis of the subjective evaluation is used to determine a golf ball that maximizes or most closely conforms to the golfer's subjective preferences. A kit of parts is provided to allow a golfer to subjectively evaluate multiple golf balls to each other to determine a golfer's preference or to recommend another golf ball. The kit includes different types of golf balls and a fitting tool that is used by the golfer to evaluate his or her subjective preferences. The fitting tool can be calibrated to the specific subjective perceptions of a golfer. The fitting tool can also be customized to a specific course.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of subjective evaluation of golf ball performance for golf ball fitting analysis, the method comprising:
 selecting at least one golf ball having a first configuration;   hitting the selected at least one golf ball with a golf club;   evaluating one or more subjective criteria associated with the at least one golf ball when hit with the golf club using a fitting tool;   analyzing the evaluation of the subjective criteria associated with the at least one golf ball; and   recommending a preferred golf ball based on the analysis of subjective criteria evaluation associated with the at least one golf ball.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the preferred golf ball has a configuration that is different than the first configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more subjective criteria are selected from a group comprising: sound, feel, flight appearance, roll, and spin. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the selected at least one golf ball is a first golf ball having the first configuration, the method further comprising:
 selecting a second golf ball having a second configuration; and   wherein the step of evaluating the one or more subjective criteria includes selecting a subjective preference between the first golf ball having the first configuration and the second golf ball having the second configuration for each of the one or more subjective criteria.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the fitting tool includes an option to select a preference between the first golf ball and the second golf ball for each of the one or more subjective criteria. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the fitting tool includes an option to select a preference for the first golf ball, an option to select a preference for the second golf ball, or an option to select no preference between the first golf ball and the second golf ball for each of the one or more subjective criteria. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fitting tool is a scorecard. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the fitting tool is in an electronic format. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fitting tool is a program configured to be executed on a mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . A kit of parts for subjective evaluation of golf ball performance for golf ball fitting analysis, the kit comprising:
 a first set of golf balls of a first type having a first configuration;   a second set of golf balls of a second type having a second configuration, the second configuration being different than the first configuration;   a fitting tool, the fitting tool including one or more subjective criteria to be evaluated by a golfer for at least one golf ball of the first type and at least one golf ball of the second type; and   wherein the fitting tool includes a correlation guide, the correlation guide comprising a relationship between the one or more subjective criteria and a recommended golf ball having a preferred configuration.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the recommended golf ball includes at least one golf ball of the first type or the second type. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the recommended golf ball includes at least one golf ball of a third type having the preferred configuration, the third type being different than the first type and the second type. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the fitting tool includes an option to select a preference between the golf ball of the first type and the golf ball of the second type for each of the one or more subjective criteria. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the fitting tool includes an option to select a preference for the golf ball of the first type, an option to select a preference for the golf ball of the second type, or an option to select no preference between the golf ball of the first type or the second type for each of the one or more subjective criteria. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the fitting tool is a scorecard. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of parts according to  claim 15 , wherein the fitting tool is in an electronic format. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the fitting tool is a program configured to be executed on a mobile device. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of parts according to  claim 10 , wherein the fitting tool includes a calibration guide. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of parts according to  claim 18 , wherein the calibration guide is configured to evaluate subjective perceptions of a golfer to select an appropriate correlation guide from a plurality of correlation guides. 
     
     
         20 . A method of golf-course specific subjective evaluation of golf ball performance for golf ball fitting analysis, the method comprising:
 selecting at least one golf ball having a first configuration;   selecting a location;   selecting a golf course associated with the location;   hitting the selected at least one golf ball with a golf club at the selected golf course;   evaluating one or more subjective criteria associated with the at least one golf ball when hit with the golf club using a customized fitting tool, the customized fitting tool including at least one subjective criteria associated with the selected golf course;   analyzing the evaluation of the subjective criteria associated with the at least one golf ball; and   recommending a preferred golf ball based on the analysis of subjective criteria evaluation associated with the at least one golf ball.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the location includes at least one of a city, state, or zip code for identifying the location. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the golf course is selected from a plurality of golf courses associated with the identified location. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the customized fitting tool includes a plurality of subjective criteria associated with one or more holes on the golf course. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of subjective criteria are selected from a group comprising: sound, feel, flight appearance, roll, and spin. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the selected at least one golf ball is a first golf ball having the first configuration, the method further comprising:
 selecting a second golf ball having a second configuration; and   wherein the step of evaluating the one or more subjective criteria includes selecting a subjective preference between the first golf ball having the first configuration and the second golf ball having the second configuration for each of the one or more subjective criteria.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of evaluating the subjective criteria further comprises:
 evaluating a first subjective criteria for the first golf ball on a first hole of the golf course; and   evaluating a second subjective criteria for the second golf ball on a second hole of the golf course.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the first hole is different than the second hole. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the first subjective criteria is different than the second subjective criteria. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the first subjective criteria is the same as the second subjective criteria. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the customized fitting tool is received from a remote server.