Golf distance tracking, club selection, and player performance

Abstract

A golf distance tracking, club selection, and player performance statistics device having a portable movement measurer, a microprocessor connected to the movement measurer, a memory connected to the microprocessor, and an input keypad and a display output also interconnected. A data base is provided on a nonportable computer system that contains reference coordinates for each hole on the golf course and every significant hazard. Further, the data base contains past performance player information for each member player. The individual player selects a portable distance tracking device and receives downloaded, updated, current topographical data from the base data base of the course he is to play, including his own personal past performance record. After initializing the portable distance tracking device at the number one tee, the movement measurer, accelerometers in particular, keep track of the player's position throughout the play of the ball. As a result, at every position on the golf course the player is provided with an ability to determine the exact distance from the ball to any identifiable hazard and/or the hole in question. As information is inputted to the portable device, a record of clubs used and distance obtained is generated so that proper club selection for the distance involved becomes a matter of mechanical recommendation of the device.