Abstract: A shot control hosel is disclosed for customizing golf clubs. The disclosed embodiments of the invention provide a set of hosels, each hosel having a conical body. The body has a central axis, a top portion and a bottom portion. A cylindrical opening extends from the top portion to the bottom portion and is adapted to accommodate a golf club shaft. A flange may be provided on the body and may be adapted to engage a notch within a bore of a golf club head. A resilient barb on the smaller of the top portion and the bottom portion is provided to secure the hosel within the bore.

Abstract: The hosel construction includes a plug member extending downwardly for engaging a club head having a club face. A neck member, extending angularly upwardly from the plug member, engages a shaft to complete a golf club. The neck member extends in a generally transverse dimension to determine a lie angle between the shaft and the club head. The neck member also extends in a generally longitudinal dimension to determine a longitudinal angle, such as a face angle for the club face.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for fitting golf clubs for golfers to accommodate the swing behavior of an individual's golf swing using combinatorial logic at both the global and local levels. Specifications for a full set of golf clubs are derived from the intersection of two models labeled FITMODEL and SPECPRO. Input data is first gathered (204) and normalized (206) based upon chosen parameters. The chosen parameter relationships are analyzed (208) by FITMODEL, which in turn prescribes specifications (214) for a single reference golf club, preferably a mid-set club such as the 6-iron. SPECPRO uses the chosen parameters to analyze and generate inference (210) expressed as gradient functions--the incremental differences between each club. The gradients are used to specify (222) a full set of clubs.

Abstract: An improved golf club head incorporating a lattice structure covered by a thin-walled body. The aerodynamically shaped golf club head has a lattice structure formed by an outer ring, curved longitudinal frame elements, and curved latitudinal frame elements. A generally flat shaped ball striking face is formed at one end of the lattice structure. The ball striking face is generally parallelogram shaped and results in a larger and more desirably oriented "sweet spot." The thin-walled body covering the lattice structure defines a cavity, and has a top, a bottom, a toe end, a heel end, and a tail end. The ball striking face extends between the top and the bottom of the thin-walled body at an angle with respect to the vertical. A hosel extends generally upwardly from the heel end of the thin-walled body. Alternative internal energy absorbing and distributing structures, in addition to the lattice structure, are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The golf club construction includes a club head, an interchangeable shaft, and a hosel having a hosel bore extending between an open distal end and a closed end, and an alignment arrangement including an element thereof disposed at the closed end. A sleeve secured on the shaft end forms another alignment arrangement element and is adapted to be received within the bore to engage the alignment element therein. A capture mechanism disposed on the shaft engages the hosel at about the open end portion to fix releaseably the shaft relative to the club head.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with apparatus for diagnosing the characteristics of a golf swing, of the type in which one or more magnets attached to the golf club create signals in pick-up loops located near the ball position, or analysis to provide a readout of swing characteristics such as dynamic loft, dynamic lie (rake), impact position at the club-face, speed, and club face angle. Such apparatus is now improved by causing at least one loop or loop combination to be formed to provide at least two generally identical loop portions located side-by-side across the ideal swing path A-B with their respective adjacent edges parallel and closely spaced for defining therebetween a notional center line across the said path as an accurate sensed position. This is more accurate than sensing a single loop edge, and more sensitive.

Abstract: A golf club fitting system and method relate to the use of a golf club having its head rockably mounted on a base to enable the user to position the head adjustably. A club head orientation sensing device determines the loft angle of the club face when disposed in the desired adjusted position. A microcomputer responds to the sensor indicating the measured loft angle and other parameters such as the right handed or left handed user information and the intended playing surface condition information. A device responds to the microcomputer to display the determined loft angle desired for the given user.

Abstract: The hosel construction includes a plug member extending downwardly for engaging a club head having a club face. A neck member, extending angularly upwardly from the plug member, engages a shaft to complete a golf club. The neck member extends in a generally transverse dimension to determine a lie angle between the shaft and the club head. The neck member also extends in a generally longitudinal dimension to determine a longitudinal angle, such as a face angle for the club face.