Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. One or more layers of a loaded film are used to define in part the overall weight, swing weight, and/or balance point of a golf club shaft, without significantly affecting the flexibility and/or torsional characteristics of the shaft. A set of plies of pre-preg composite fiber sheet and loaded film may be wrapped in a predetermined manner around a mandrel, placed in a mold, and heated for a predetermined period of time to form a shaft for a golf club.

Abstract: A composite shaft having an integral grip. The shaft comprises a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet molded into a tubular shaft body. The shaft body has a grip directly molded on one end which may include a grip geometry and/or an ornamental pattern. To manufacture the shaft, plies of pre-preg may be wrapped around a bladder-covered mandrel in a predetermined manner and placed in a mold. The mold defines a cavity including, if desired, a selected grip geometry and/or ornamental design. The bladder is inflated, forcing the plies of pre-preg against the wall of the mold, and the mold is heated for a selected time to cure the plies. The grip of the shaft may be covered with a light coating material, providing a rubber-like feel.

Abstract: Improved methods for manufacturing a shaft for a golf club, devices useful in such methods, and golf club shafts manufactured in accordance with such methods. A plug is detachably affixed to a distal end of a mandrel. A plurality of plies pre-preg composite sheet are wrapped around the mandrel and plug and, thereafter, heated causing the resin comprising the various plies to be cured. The mandrel is then removed from the formed shaft, leaving the plug as an integral part of the distal tip of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. One or more layers of a loaded film are used to define in part the overall weight, swing weight, and/or balance point of a golf club shaft, without significantly affecting the flexibility and/or torsional characteristics of the shaft. A set of plies of pre-preg composite fiber sheet and loaded film may be wrapped in a predetermined manner around a mandrel, placed in a mold, and heated for a predetermined period of time to form a shaft for a golf club.

Abstract: A composite shaft having an integral grip. The shaft comprises a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet molded into a tubular shaft body. The shaft body has a grip directly molded on one end which may include a grip geometry and/or an ornamental pattern. To manufacture the shaft, plies of pre-preg may be wrapped around a bladder-covered mandrel in a predetermined manner and placed in a mold. The mold defines a cavity including, if desired, a selected grip geometry and/or ornamental design. The bladder is inflated, forcing the plies of pre-preg against the wall of the mold, and the mold is heated for a selected time to cure the plies. The grip of the shaft may be covered with a light coating material, providing a rubber-like feel.

Abstract: Improved methods for manufacturing a shaft for a golf club, devices useful in such methods, and golf club shafts manufactured in accordance with such methods. A plug is detachably affixed to a distal end of a mandrel. A plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet are wrapped around the mandrel and plug and, thereafter, heated causing the resin comprising the various plies to be cured. The mandrel is then removed from the formed shaft, leaving the plug as an integral part of the distal tip of the shaft.