Abstract: A method (250) and apparatus (20) for measuring the face angle of a golf club (300), golf club head (302) or face component (304) of a golf club head is disclosed herein. The method (250) and apparatus (20) use a non-contact displacement measuring assembly (24) to determine the face angle. The method (250) and apparatus (20) is utilized with right-handed and left handed golf clubs (300), golf club heads (302) and face components (304). The apparatus (20) generally includes a base assembly (22), a non-contact displacement measuring assembly (24), a shaft center sensor assembly (26), a base plate assembly (28), a lie adjustment assembly (30) and a shaft support assembly (32).

Abstract: A method (250) and apparatus (20) for measuring the face angle of a golf club (300), golf club head (302) or face component (304) of a golf club head is disclosed herein. The method (250) and apparatus (20) use a non-contact displacement measuring assembly (24) to determine the face angle. The method (250) and apparatus (20) is utilized with right-handed and left handed golf clubs (300), golf club heads (302) and face components (304). The apparatus (20) generally includes a base assembly (22), a non-contact displacement measuring assembly (24), a shaft center sensor assembly (26), a base plate assembly (28), a lie adjustment assembly (30) and a shaft support assembly (32).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a preform component for a golf club head composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material is disclosed herein. The preform component is preferably a face component, a crown component or a sole component, composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material. The apparatus preferably has a plunger head attached to a pneumatic cylinder for compressing the plies of pre-preg sheets within a mold cavity configured to define a preform component.

Abstract: The golf club (20) of the present invention allows for the face angle of the golf club to be set after manufacturing of the golf club head (22). The golf club (20) of the present invention is able to accomplish this by providing a golf club head (22) with an internal hosel (38) (such as a GREAT BIG BERTHA® HAWK EYE® driver), a shaft (40) and an insert (51) that is disposed within the internal hosel (38). The insert (51) allows for the face angle of the golf club (20) to be oriented after manufacturing of the golf club head (22). The golf club (20) may also include a hosel liner (50) that is disposed within the insert (51).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a preform component for a golf club head composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material is disclosed herein. The preform component is preferably a face component, a crown component or a sole component, composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material. The apparatus preferably has a plunger head attached to a pneumatic cylinder for compressing the plies of pre-preg sheets within a mold cavity configured to define a preform component.

Abstract: A golf club fitting device (20) is disclosed herein. The fitting device (20) includes a club head (22) with an internal hosel (38) that has a bore (39) that extends from a crown opening (52) to a sole opening (62). A removable insert (51) is disposed within the internal hosel (38), and a shaft (40) is disposed within a chamber (77) of the removable insert (51). The removable insert (51) has an annular indentation (73) for engagement with a locking member (57), and a plurality of recesses (83) for engagement with a rotation detent (59). The chamber (77) is disposed at a predetermined angle within the removable insert (51) to define a face angle of the golf club fitting device (20). The removable insert (51) is capable of rotation within the bore (39) of the internal hosel (38) to adjust the face angle of the fitting device (20). Further, the removable insert (51) and shaft (40) are easily removed from the club head (22) and substituted therefor.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for measuring the loft angle and the lie angle of a golf club. The present invention allows for comparisons to known values, and removes operator bias from the measurements. The apparatus has an encoder assembly with a loft mechanism and a lie mechanism. The encoder assembly is capable of five axial movements. The apparatus has securing means for securing a golf club in an address position during measurement of the loft angle and the lie angle.

Abstract: A golf club (20) with an internal hosel (38), a shaft (40) and a hosel liner (50) is disclosed herein. The hosel liner (50) reduces axial stress on the shaft (40) during impact of the golf club (20) with a golf ball. The hosel liner (50) is preferably composed of a polycarbonate material that has a flexural modulus in the range of 300,000 pounds per square inch to 1,000,000 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the golf club head (22) has a large volume, greater than 300 cubic centimeters, and weighs less than 215 grams. Preferably, the shaft (40) is composed of graphite and weighs between 40 grams to 80 grams.