United States Golf Association

Other

Matthew M Pringle

James Hubbell

John Spitzer

Ross T Galarneault

Stephen Robert Otto

The monitoring system employs a sensor to detect the replacement or removal and replacement of the flagstick in a golf hole liner. The sensor may be incorporated into the flagstick, the hole liner or any combination of the two. A central receiver remote from the sensors receives the two signals from respective sensor and has a timing device for recording the time of arrival of each signal from each sensor.

Pace of play monitoring system

The test procedure for measuring a geometric feature of a test specimen employs a replicating compound to obtain a casting with a negative image of the geometric feature followed by forming a protective covering over the casting from a replicating compound having a contrasting color. The casting and protective covering unit is cut to obtain a test piece and a flat bed scanner is used to scan the profile of the test piece and obtain an electronic two-dimensional image of the profile for analysis.

Test procedure for measuring the geometric features of a test specimen

The test procedure for determining groove conformance employs a replicating compound to obtain a self-supporting mass with a negative image of the grooves of a club face. A thin test specimen strip is sliced from the mass and then scanned to form an electronic trace of the profile of the ribs. A negative image of the profile of the ribs is then obtained as a replica of the profile of the grooves and the grooves measured to determine conformance to USGA Rules. A protective covering may be placed on the self-supporting mass to insure the integrity of the ribs during slicing.

Test procedure for measuring the geometric features of a golf club face

The tuft impact tester mounts a test probe in a suspended manner from a tripod arrangement via a gimbals mechanism so that the test probe is able to move along a vertical axis. The test probe is dropped from a predetermined height, the velocity of the test probe is measured prior to impact on a ground surface and the deceleration of the test probe caused by the ground surface is measured. The two values are used to determine the relative hardness of the ground surface.

Device and method for measuring the impact properties of a sport field surface

The apparatus employs a steel impact ball which is mounted in a pendulum manner to swing against the face of a golf club head. The golf club is secured at one end to a spacer block on the base of the apparatus and the head of the club is freely mounted in facing relation to the impact ball. The ball is pivoted from a fixed position to impact against the head of the golf club and an oscilloscope is used to record et acceleration and movement of the ball after impact of the ball on the club face and also calculates a velocity history of the face of the ball. The time at which the calculated velocity is at a maximum is determined. Several impacts may be made to obtain a number of calculated times and the relative flexibility of the golf dub head is estimated in accordance with the equation:A simpler procedure may also be employed using a single velocity (with one or more than one impact). In this instance, the relative flexibility of the golf dub head is estimate in accordance with the equation:B=t.

Growing community of inventors

Bordentown, NJ, United States of America

Matthew M Pringle