Abstract: A golf club including an elongated hollow club shaft connected at one end to a golf club head, and having a grip mounted at an opposite end thereof. The club shaft is vented to permit and facilitate transmission of shock energy generated upon normal striking impact with a golf ball from the golf club in the form of acoustic energy, while substantially reducing or eliminating transmission of the shock energy in the form of vibration to the golfer's hands. In a first embodiment, a plurality of vents are formed in the club shaft at a location near the grip. In a second embodiment, a plurality of vents are formed in a cap mounted onto the club shaft at the grip end thereof.

Abstract: A golf club display rack is provided for supporting and displaying golf clubs in a sales environment or the like. The display rack includes at least one platform mounted on a frame in spaced relation above a floor surface, wherein the platform has a plurality of upwardly open club ports formed therein. A support collar, which may include a security tag, is snugly mounted onto the elongated shaft of a golf club. This support collar has a size and shape for sliding seated reception into a selected club port to retain the golf club in a predetermined position, such as an inverted orientation with a head of the golf club spaced a selected distance above the platform. In the preferred form, the support collar includes a key for seating within a keyway lining the selected club port, to prevent relative rotation between the golf club and the platform.

Abstract: A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. The temporary connection includes an adapter insert for slide-fit reception into an adapter socket, wherein the adapter insert and socket include interengaging flat surfaces such as splines to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The adapter insert is mechanically seated and secured relative to the adapter socket at a pair of axially spaced locations, with a resilient compressible anchor member disposed at one of these securement points for substantially eliminating undesired intercomponent movement.

Abstract: A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. In a shaft-head connection, a metal adapter insert is mounted onto a lower end of the club shaft and includes one or more flat surfaces for reception into a matingly shaped socket in the hosel of a selected club head to prevent relative rotation between the club shaft and head. A compression nut carried on the shaft is threaded onto the hosel to axially engage and retain a thrust flange on the shaft or adapter or adapter insert, to prevent axial separation of the club head and shaft.

Abstract: A golf club head of the metal wood type is provided, wherein the club head includes a porous plate defining a portion of at least one wall thereof, such as a portion of the sole plate. Upon striking impact of the club head with a golf ball, the porous plate facilitates transmission of a significant portion of the resultant shock energy from the club head in the form of a distinctive audible output, with a corresponding reduction in transmission of vibrational energy through the associated club shaft to the golfer's hands.

Abstract: A golf club head of the metal wood type is provided, wherein the club head includes at least one and preferably multiple regions of reduced wall thickness. In a preferred form, the regions of reduced wall thickness are formed in the sole plate of the club head. These regions of reduced thickness resonate or vibrate upon club head impact with a golf ball to dissipate energy while also providing a distinctive audible output. As a result, transmission of vibrational energy from the club head to the associated club shaft is significantly reduced.