Golf club with decorative member

Abstract

The incorporation of animal tissue into a golf club in an aesthetically pleasing manner through the use of an improved decorating process to provide a golf club that has the benefits of modern golf technology and a pleasing, intriguing, and noteworthy aesthetic appearance. A decorative member is formed about and bonded to a golf club shaft that comprises a piece of hollow elongate animal tissue. The pliable nature of the animal tissue allows for various contours to be readily formed during manufacture. A strong bond forms between the animal tissue and the shaft so as to prevent any twisting of the decorative member about the shaft without the use of an adhesive. The animal tissue is stainable, can receive and retain varnish, and is easily mounted on a particular golf club shaft to provide the appearance of a traditional wooden golf club without sacrificing modern performance characteristics.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to golf clubs and accessories for decorating golf clubs.

[0003] 2. Background and Related Art

[0004] Golf is a sport that is widely enjoyed by a variety of different enthusiasts throughout the world. Golfers play for recreation, for spirited competition, and in some cases on a professional basis. Typical golfers have a variety of different clubs in their bag, including woods, irons and a putter. A skilled golfer selectively uses the available golf clubs to drive, chip or putt a ball from a particular location on the golf course toward and into a hole in the green. The golf clubs are manufactured to provide varying amounts of strength and/or finesse to the golfer's game.

[0005] Each club is strategically used for a specific purpose. “Woods” typically include large heads that are designed to hit a golf ball long distances. “Irons” are manufactured with heads having varying face angles, to alter the distance and height that a golf ball travels. For example, certain irons that have a head angle closer to zero degrees from vertical are designed to hit a golf ball nearly as far as a wood. Alternatively, irons with a more open face, including wedges, are designed to hit a golf ball a short distance in a high, arcing trajectory. Putters are designed to provide finesse in order to tap a golf ball into a hole once the ball is on the green.

[0006] A golf club generally includes a shaft having a grip and a head connected at opposing ends of the shaft. The golfer holds the grip while swinging the club, causing the head to strike a stationary golf ball. Typical golf clubs range in price from inexpensive discount sets for beginning or young golfers to very expensive, aggressively marketed sets of clubs manufactured by large companies with extensive research and development teams.

[0007] Golf clubs have been developed over many years to be comprised of a variety of selective materials to increase performance of the clubs. While a specific type of golf club that is considered as a “wood” once comprised a head made of actual wood, now the “woods” typically comprise titanium and/or other metallic materials to increase the distance of the impacted golf ball. The shafts commonly include various modern materials to decrease the overall weight of the club and to increase flexibility. The grip generally comprises rubber having an assortment of small holes, grooves or ridges to facilitate a golfer holding onto the club.

[0008] The original wooden golf club shafts have given way to the use of modern materials to satisfy the personal preference of individual golfers and in order to improve the performance of the golfer's golf game. Nevertheless, the aesthetic appearance of the once popular wooden golf clubs remains pleasing, partially in light of the nostalgic appearance of the original golf clubs.

[0009] While the performance of a golf club is paramount to the serious golfer, the decoration and marking of a particular club is also important to the golfer, the manufacturer, and the seller of the club. What is therefore needed is a method for conveniently decorating a golf club and golf clubs made according to the method.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved golf club.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a golf club that is decorated according to an improved decoration process.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a golf club having the benefits of modern golf technology and the aesthetic appearance of a golf club having a wooden shaft.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a golf club that is conveniently decorated.

[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide a golf club having a novel and unique shape and appearance.

[0015] It is another object of the invention to provide a golf club incorporating animal tissue into the golf club in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

[0016] The present invention relates to golf clubs and accessories for decorating golf clubs. More specifically, the present invention is directed to incorporating animal tissue into a golf club to provide a club that has a pleasing aesthetic appearance, such as the aesthetic appearance of a wooden shaft.

[0017] Implementation of the present invention includes conveniently decorating a golf club in an improved decorating process to provide a unique shape and appearance. A decorative member is formed about a golf club shaft that comprises a piece of hollow elongate animal tissue. The tissue is pliable in nature to allow for various contours to be readily formed during manufacture. Such pliable animal tissue is also stainable, can receive and retain varnish, is durable, and is easily mounted on a particular golf club shaft. The various contours that may be readily formed during manufacture include grooves, ridges, rounded portions and/or flattened portions to provide a unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance.

[0018] Optionally, the decorative member can be straight. In one embodiment, the decorative member has the appearance of a traditional wooden golf club.

[0019] The hollow elongate animal tissue that may be used for creating the decorative member of the golf club may include a variety of different animal tissues that can be harvested from various animals. The animal tissue that is particularly effective as a decorative member is pliable and is readily adhered to a golf club shaft. Such useful animal tissue may further include a central orifice extending through the tissue to allow for the insertion of the golf club shaft and to provide a strong bond between the animal tissue and the shaft so as to prevent any twisting of the decorative member about the shaft. The shaft may be made from a variety of materials including metallic materials, carbon fiber materials, graphite materials or a variety of other materials known to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

[0020] These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golfer holding a golf club of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the golf club of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view (taken along lines 3a-a of FIG. 2) of a handle, shaft, and decorative member of the golf club of FIGS. 1 and 2 coupled to a head of the golf club;

[0025] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view (taken along lines 3b-b of FIG. 2) of a shaft and decorative member of the golf club of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0026] FIG. 3C is another cross-sectional view (taken along lines 3c-c of FIG. 2) of the shaft and golf club of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with an axis line extending through the golf club;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a view of a right side of the decorative member of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines and with an axis line 34 shown extending through the golf club;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a view of the left side of the decorative member of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a view of the front of the decorative member of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a view of the back of the decorative member of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines;

[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates an upper view of the decorative member of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines; and

[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a lower view of the decorative member of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines.

[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the golf club illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handle and head of the golf club shown in phantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present invention relates to golf clubs and accessories for decorating golf clubs. More specifically, the present invention is directed to incorporating animal tissue into a golf club in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Embodiments of the present invention include a conveniently decorated golf club that has a unique shape, and golf clubs having the appearance of a traditional wooden shaft.

[0036] A golf club generally comprises three components, namely a grip, a shaft and a head, wherein the grip and head are coupled to opposing ends of the shaft. The golfer holds the grip and swings the club to thereby cause the head to strike a golf ball. The energy of a golfer's swing is transferred from the head to the ball, producing the ball's trajectory. Golfers generally have a variety of different golf clubs available, including woods, irons, and a putter, to selectively drive, chip or putt a ball toward and into a hole in the green. The golf clubs are manufactured to provide varying amounts of strength and/or finesse to the golfer's golf game.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective view is provided of a golfer 10 holding a golf club 12 of the present invention so as to strike a golf ball 20. Golf club 12 includes a grip 14, a shaft having a decorative member 16 thereon, and a head 18. Grip 14 is commonly made of rubber or leather with an assortment of small grooves, ridges and/or holes to provide a comfortable and effective grip for the golfer 10. The shaft covered by member 16 connects grip 14 to head 18.

[0038] Golf club heads that may be used in the present invention vary greatly to selectively provide power and/or finesse to the golfer's golf game. The three general categories of golf club heads are “wood” heads, “iron” heads and putter heads. Modern “wood’ heads commonly comprise a metal, such as steel, titanium, bronze, etc, although an actual wooden head may be employed. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the wood heads are typically bulbous to cause a golf ball to travel long distances upon impact and to glide over rather than dig into grass. “Iron” heads are designed for a variety of shots, are available in a variety of face angles, and may comprise a variety of different materials, such as metallic materials, for example.

[0039] Putter heads have a perpendicular face to tap a ball so as to roll on a green and fall into a hole. A putter is typically designed to transfer less energy to the ball than either woods or irons. While head 18 of golf club 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a putter head, embodiments of the present invention embrace the utilization of other golf club heads, including wood heads and iron heads, for example, which are coupled to a shaft having a decorative member as discussed herein.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 2, golf club 12 of FIG. 1 is shown in additional detail. Decorative member 16 is formed about a shaft and comprises a piece of hollow elongate animal tissue. The tissue is preferably pliable in nature to allow for various contours to be readily formed during manufacture. Such pliable animal tissue is also preferably stainable, can receive and retain varnish, is durable, and is easily mounted on a particular golf club shaft. The various contours that may be readily formed during manufacture include grooves, ridges, rounded portions and/or flattened portions to provide a pleasing, unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance. In one embodiment, the appearance is that of a traditional wooden golf club. In another embodiment, the appearance is that of a golf club made from a piece of hickory wood.

[0041] The hollow elongate animal tissue that is used for creating decorative member 20 of golf club 12 may be one or more of a variety of different animal tissues that can be harvested from various animals. The animal tissue that is particularly effective as a decorative member is pliable and is readily adhered to a golf club shaft. Such useful animal tissue may further include a central orifice extending through the tissue to allow for the insertion of the golf club shaft. The preferred animal tissue provides a strong bond between the animal tissue and the shaft so as to prevent any twisting of the decorative member about the shaft.

[0042] In one embodiment, the pliable animal tissue of decorative member 16 comprises a portion of the genital organs of a bull. In one embodiment, decorative member 16 comprises a portion of a bull penis or an entire bull penis. The adult bull penis is generally cylindrical in shape and is generally longer than the penis of other large domestic animals, such as the stallion. Typically, the walls of the cavernous spaces tend to be fibro-elastic, rather than muscular, and a portion of the body of the penis is somewhat flattened.

[0043] Once harvested, the bull penis is a very pliable tissue to facilitate the forming of various contours on a golf club shaft to provide a unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance of a wooden golf club. Furthermore, the presence of a urethral orifice that extends through the penis facilitates the insertion of the shaft and the adherence of the tissue to the shaft, as will be further explained below. While the decorative member of the illustrated embodiment comprises a portion of the genital organs of a bull, other tissue from a bull or another animal may be used, including a portion of the genital organs of another animal, intestinal tissues, muscle tissues, and a variety of different tissues.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 2, decorative member 16 has a unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance that features a series of ridges 22 and grooves 24 that are formed in the exterior surface of decorative member 16. Optionally, member 16 is straight. A flattened upper portion 26 tapers smoothly into a transition portion 30, which transitions smoothly into handle 14. Similarly, lower portion 28 transitions smoothly at a transition point 32 toward club head 18.

[0045] FIGS. 3A-3C and the corresponding disclosure below provide additional detail as to cross-sectional views of golf club 12, the orientations and directions of which are indicated in FIG. 2.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 3A, a longitudinal cross-section of golf club 12 is illustrated that includes a grip 14, a shaft 40 with a decorative member 16, and a club head 18. The shaft is illustrated in FIG. 3A as shaft 40 and extends through decorative member 16 and is coupled to head 18 and grip 14. In the illustrated embodiment, shaft 40 is coupled to head 18 at a socket portion 36 of head 18. In one embodiment, shaft 40 comprises a graphite or carbon fiber/resin composite to reduce the weight of the golf club 12 and to adjust the stiffness of the club. Alternatively, shaft 40 may comprise steel, aluminum, wood or another material useful as a golf club shaft, as known by one skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. The shaft may be hollow or solid throughout.

[0047] In FIG. 3A, an axis line 34 is illustrated that extends through golf club 12, along which handle 14, decorative member 16, shaft 40 and head 18 are aligned. Proper alignment of the golf club 12 facilitates the alignment of the club with a golf ball and also improves the performance of the golf club.

[0048] Decorative member 16 is conveniently mounted on shaft 40 between handle 14 and head 18 and remains thereon in a convenient and efficient manner. The use of decorative member 16 provides a unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance about a modernly designed shaft 40 that can be varied according to the desires of a particular user. In a preferred embodiment, the penis of a bull, or a portion thereof, is used for member 16 such that member 16 can adhere to shaft 40 without the use of an adhesive, along with a variety of different advantages. The mounting of decorative member 16 onto shaft 40 may be performed in a variety of different manners.

[0049] The following provides an exemplary method for manufacturing golf club 12 so as to include a decorative member 16. This example is provided by way of illustration only in light of the fact that a variety of different mounting methods may be employed according to the present invention.

[0050] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an elongate animal tissue is harvested from an animal and cleaned. In one embodiment, the harvested tissue is a penis of a bull, or a portion thereof. The organ can be cleaned by spraying a cleaning solution on the exterior and/or through the urethral orifice of the organ, for example. The cleaning removes blood and extraneous tissue from the organ.

[0051] In one embodiment, once initially cleaned, the elongate animal tissue is placed in warm or hot water (e.g., hot tap water) to increase the pliability of the animal tissue. In one embodiment, the water is hot enough to increase the pliability of the tissue and provide additional cleaning without damaging the tissue. Shaft 40, which may be either a hollow or solid member and may comprise materials typically used in modern golf club technology, is then inserted through a hollow portion of the elongate animal tissue, such as the urethral orifice of the organ shown. In one embodiment, the insertion of shaft 40 through the elongate animal tissue is performed such that the animal tissue covers the intermediate portion of shaft 40 with an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 44 of the shaft 40 being exposed for placement of the grip and head thereon, respectively, as shown.

[0052] Once the shaft 40 is inserted, decorative member 16 may be formed into a desirable shape about shaft 40 such as by twisting, bending, flattening or otherwise configuring the decorative member 16. The selective forming of the decorative member 16 creates various desired grooves, rounded portions and/or ridges that provide an intriguing, noteworthy, and pleasing aesthetic appearance to the decorative member 16.

[0053] After inserting shaft 40 and selectively forming decorative member 16, the assembly, comprising shaft 40 and decorative member 16, may be placed in cold water (e.g., cold tap water) to provide additional cleaning and rinsing. In one embodiment, the cold water has a temperature that provides further cleaning without substantially increasing the pliability of the formed decorative member 16. In one embodiment, the assembly is then placed in a dryer and heated with a dry heat from circulating air for an extended period of time, such as approximately two weeks. The drying causes decorative member 16 to shrink and contract, thereby allowing the decorative member 16 to form tightly onto shaft 40 such that member 16 cannot be twisted about shaft 40. As such, while an adhesive can be used to attach decorative member 16 to shaft 40, the present method for attaching the preferred animal tissue based decorative member 16 does not require an adhesive in order to maintain decorative member 16 on shaft 40 in a non-twistable manner.

[0054] Next, the upper transition portion 30 and lower transition portion 32 of golf club 12 may be formed. The smooth transitions may be formed by the utilization of a power tool, for example. Furthermore, decorative member 16 can be buffed, such as with a mechanical sander, to remove any rough and/or sharp edges. In one embodiment, a stain is also applied to decorative member 16 to provide a desired aesthetic appearance. For example, a cherry wood stain, brown stain, or another stain may be used to yield the aesthetic appearance of wood, such as hickory wood. Alternatively, another stain or coloring may be used to provide a different appearance desired by a user. Once the initial stain coat dries, a second coat of the same of a different stain may be applied if desired.

[0055] A varnish may then be applied for decorative and protective purposes to cover decorative member 16. One example of a varnish that can be employed comprises McCloskey Man O'War Gloss Spar Marine Varnish, available from McCloskey Varnish Co., 1101 S. 3rd St. Minneapolis, Minn. 55415, and/or Valspar Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn., & Wheeling, Ill. After a first protective coat of varnish is applied, decorative member 16 may be sanded and, if desired, a second protective coat of varnish may be applied to the decorative member 16 and allowed to dry.

[0056] In one embodiment, once the decorative member is mounted on the shaft, the grip and head are then mounted onto the shaft. In order to mount grip 14 onto upper portion 42 of the shaft 40, an adhesive may be used. In one embodiment, two-sided tape is placed onto upper end 42 of shaft 40 and a solvent is placed into the interior cavity of grip 14 and onto the two-sided tape. The solvent may comprise a variety of different solvents such as a chemical commonly used as lighter fluid. Grip 14 is then placed on upper portion 42 and allowed to harden thereon. The lower portion 44 of shaft 40 is inserted into head 16 at socket 36, which may be filled with an adhesive, such as an epoxy to ensure a proper bond. The epoxy is then allowed to dry.

[0057] Employing the hollow elongate animal tissue as a decorative member about shaft 40 provides golf club 12 with a pleasing, unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance that can be varied according to the desires of a particular user and that adhere to shaft 40 without the use of an adhesive. The hollow elongate animal tissue is durable, pliable and can be stained and/or varnished in a variety of different manners. One decorative member may have a unique shape, color size and/or configuration when compared to another decorative member. Furthermore, a decorative member, such as decorative member 16, may have a variety of different shapes, colors, sizes and/or configurations.

[0058] An example of the variety of different shapes and/or configurations of a decorative member is illustrated in relation to FIGS. 3B and 3C. In FIG. 3B, a cross-sectional view of golf club 12 at upper portion 26 is illustrated that includes shaft 40 and decorative member 16. As illustrated, shaft 40 is a hollow shaft and is surrounded by decorative member 16. At upper portion 26, the amount of decorative member 16 about shaft 40 is not radially equidistant to shaft 40. Furthermore, some outside edges of decorative member 16 at upper portion 26 as illustrated in FIG. 3B are curved while others are flattened.

[0059] In FIG. 3C, a cross-sectional view of golf club 12 at lower portion 28 is illustrated that includes shaft 40 and decorative member 16. While the amount of decorative member 16 about shaft 40 at the lower portion 28 is not radially equidistant to shaft 40, and while some of the outside edges of decorative member 16 at lower portion 28 are curved while others are flattened, the overall shape and configuration of decorative member 16 at lower portion 28 is different from the overall shape and configuration of decorative member 16 at upper portion 26.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 4, a top view of the decorative member of golf club 12 is illustrated along with an axis line 34 extending through the golf club. The decorative member provides a unique and noteworthy aesthetic appearance to golf club 12 without obstructing the view of the golf club head and thus the golf ball.

[0061] Reference is also made to FIGS. 5-11 where various views are provided of golf club 12. In FIG. 5, a view of one side of the decorative member of golf club 12 is illustrated, with the handle and head of golf club 12 shown in phantom lines. A view of an opposite side of the decorative member of golf club 12 is illustrated in FIG. 6 with the handle and head again shown in phantom lines. Similarly, a view of the front of the decorative member of golf club 12 is illustrated in FIG. 7, and a view of the back of the decorative member of golf club 12 is illustrated in FIG. 8 with the handle and head shown in phantom lines in both figures. An axis line, illustrated as axis line 34, is also illustrated in each of the FIGS. 5-8 to provide a vertical reference. Line 34 extends through golf club 12, along which the handle, shaft and head are aligned. As illustrated in the views of FIGS. 5-8, the overall shape and/or configuration of the decorative member of golf club 12 is not uniform. Furthermore, the distinctive shape and/or configuration of the decorative member together with proper coloring provide a pleasing resemblance of a hickory golf club shaft.

[0062] In FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, upper, lower, and perspective views of the decorative member of golf club 12 are respectively illustrated with the handle and head of golf club 12 shown in phantom lines.

[0063] Therefore, as provided above, the present invention relates to golf clubs and accessories for decorating golf clubs. More specifically, the present invention is directed to incorporating animal tissue into a golf club in an aesthetically pleasing manner to provide a club that has the benefits of modern golf technology and the aesthetic appearance of a wooden shaft.

[0064] As discussed, one method for manufacturing a golf club having an aesthetically pleasing appearance, comprises: (A) providing (i) a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion therebetween; (ii) a golf head; and (iii) a decorative member comprising animal tissue; (B) mounting the decorative member on the shaft; and (C) mounting the golf head on the lower portion of the shaft. The decorative member is preferably mounted on the intermediate portion of said shaft and a grip is preferably mounted on the upper portion of the shaft. Mounting the decorative member on the elongate shaft may comprise (i) inserting the elongate shaft through an orifice that extends down the animal tissue; and (ii) drying the animal tissue, thereby causing the animal tissue to form tightly about and self-adhere onto the intermediate portion of the elongate shaft.

[0065] The tissue may also be selectively formed. Selectively forming the decorative member may comprise the act of manipulating the animal tissue to comprise at least one groove and at least one ridge. The method of manufacture may further comprise selectively coloring and/or varnishing the decorative member. Selectively coloring the decorative member may comprise staining the decorative member, for example.

[0066] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

[0067] What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

Claims

1. A golf club having a decorative member configured to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the golf club, the golf club comprising:

a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion therebetween;

a golf head coupled to said lower portion of said shaft; and

a decorative member coupled to said shaft, wherein said decorative member comprises animal tissue.

2. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said animal tissue is a hollow elongate animal tissue.

3. A golf club as recited in claim 2, wherein said hollow elongate animal tissue comprises at least a portion of a genital organ of an animal.

4. A golf club as recited in claim 3, wherein said genital organ comprises at least a portion of a penis, and wherein a urethral orifice of said penis is disposed about the shaft of the golf club.

5. A golf club as recited in claim 4, wherein the genital organ comprises at least a portion of a penis of a bull.

6. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said golf head comprises a putter head.

7. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein the animal tissue is mounted on the intermediate portion of the shaft and further comprising a grip coupled to the upper portion of the shaft.

8. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative member is a pliable member.

9. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative member is a self-adhering member.

10. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative member is a stainable member.

11. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative member comprises at least one groove and at least one ridge.

12. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative member includes at least one flat side.

13. A golf club as recited in claim 1, wherein said decorative member has an appearance of hickory wood.

14. A golf club having performance features of modern golf club technology combined with an aesthetically pleasing appearance of a wooden shaft, the golf club comprising:

a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion therebetween;

a golf head coupled to said lower portion of said shaft;

a grip coupled to said upper portion of said shaft; and

a decorative member coupled to said intermediate portion of said shaft, said decorative member comprising a hollow elongate animal tissue having an orifice extending therethrough.

15. A golf club as recited in claim 14, wherein said head comprises one of a wood head and an iron head.

16. A golf club as recited in claim 14, wherein said decorative member is a self-adhering, pliable, stainable member.

17. A method for manufacturing a golf club having an aesthetically pleasing appearance, the method comprising:

providing (i) a shaft having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion therebetween; (ii) a golf head; and (iii) a decorative member comprising animal tissue;

mounting said decorative member on said shaft; and

mounting said golf head on said lower portion of said shaft.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the decorative member is mounted on the intermediate portion of the shaft and further comprising mounting a grip on said upper portion of said shaft.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein mounting said decorative member on said elongate shaft comprises:

inserting said elongate shaft through an orifice that extends down said animal tissue; and

drying said animal tissue, thereby causing said animal to form tightly about and self-adhere onto said intermediate portion of said elongate shaft.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising selectively forming said decorative member.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein selectively forming the decorative member comprises the act of manipulating said animal tissue to comprise at least one groove and at least one ridge.

22. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising selectively coloring said decorative member.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein selectively coloring said decorative member comprises staining said decorative member.

24. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising varnishing said decorative member.

25. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said hollow elongate animal tissue comprises at least a portion of a reproductive organ.