Golf glove

Abstract

A golf glove is provided and incorporates padding or the like to assist in proper gripping of a golf club shaft. At least one of the pads is operably attached to a palmar side of the glove below the little finger portion of the glove. This pad mimics the meaty portion or ball of the golfer's palm by virtue of its configuration and location. The glove also preferably has a plurality of finger pads disposed on the palmar side of the glove in positions which correspond to the areas between the selected finger joints of a user's hand inserted into the glove. These finger pads serve as a locating aid and also aid in retaining the golf club shaft in the proper gripped position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/313,143, filed Aug. 17, 2001 and U.S. patent application Serial No. 60/343,729, filed Oct. 29, 2001, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application generally relates to the field of gloves for use in sports and more specifically, relates to golf gloves used to assist a golfer in holding and manipulating a golf club.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A large number of sports participants use sports gloves or other protective hand covering. As technology advances, more and more gloves have been designed, manufactured and sold to sports participants either as performance enhancing aids or as protective aids. In general, sports gloves may be classified into one or more different categories. A first category includes gloves designed to provide protective padding to the palm and/or fingers of the sports participant. These type of gloves are used in the sports of weightlifting and bicycling to provide extra protection to the palm of the hand. A second category of sports gloves includes those gloves which are designed to assist the wearer in catching a ball or the like. For example, soccer goalies typically wear gloves that assist the goalie in catching and gripping the ball. A third category includes gloves designed to enhance the grip of the wearer on an object which is held within the user's hand. For example, baseball players often wear batting gloves, which are characterized as being fairly tight fitting and very flexible. These gloves are intended more to assist in the user in gripping the object as compared to providing protective padding.

[0004] The sport of golf is no exception as gloves are often worn by the participants. Over time, many types of gloves have been used in playing the game of golf; however, golf gloves typically fall within at least the third category mentioned above. In other words, golf gloves have traditionally been worn so as to enhance the grip of the golfer on the golf club held within the wearer's hands. As such, they are typically thin, tight fitting gloves made of supple leather. While, such gloves have been relatively successful in providing wearers with grip enhancing qualities, they generally do not aid the golfer in other aspects of the game.

[0005] A number of attempts have been made to better aid a person playing golf. For example, padding may be provided on the palmar side of the golf glove in an attempt to assist the golfer in properly gripping the golf club. Another aid which has been incorporated into a golf glove is an integral visual indicator which assists the golfer in establishing a proper grip of the golf club. While these aids have experienced some success, it is still needed in the art a golf glove which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides an effective yet easy method of properly gripping the golf club resulting in improved swing speed and control.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a golf glove that incorporates padding or the like to assist in proper gripping of a golf club shaft. At least one of the pads is operably attached to a palmar side of the glove below the little finger portion of the glove. This pad mimics the meaty portion or ball of the golfer's palm by virtue of its configuration and location. More specifically, the pad is configured to have a shape complementary to the golf club shaft so that the golf club shaft is received within and mates with the pad. In one embodiment, the pad is preferably a single pad having opposing raised side members with a recessed middle platform formed therebetween. In another embodiment, the pad has a ribbed configuration.

[0007] This pad facilitates consistent, correct golf club shaft placement as the grip end of the shaft is disposed between the side members of the pad. The raised side members serve to locate and hold the shaft in a desired gripping position. When the shaft is disposed between the side members of this pad, the shaft extends across the palm of the golfer and across the index finger. Accordingly, the pad enhances proper grip awareness and acts as an aid which helps the golfer to acquire a proper grip and thereby increase leverage in the swing arc, which provides greater club head speed as well as a more controlled club head path.

[0008] The glove also preferably has a plurality of finger pads disposed on the palmar side of the glove in positions which correspond to the areas between the first and second joints of a user's hand inserted into the glove. These finger pads serve as a locating aid and also aid in retaining the golf club shaft in the proper gripped position prior to and during the swing of the golfer.

[0009] The pads may have any number of shapes as illustrated herein so long as they serve to locate and retain the golf club shaft in the proper gripped position. In order to achieve the proper grip of the shaft, the golfer first places the shaft across the fingers, preferably between the first and second joints, such that the finger pads cradle the shaft. The finger pads thus partially act to hold and retain the shaft. The golfer then manipulates his or her hand so that the palm pad also seats against the shaft. Normally this results by bending the fingers (containing the finger pads) so that the shaft is securely gripped and then rolling the palm up and against the shaft so that the palm pad seats against a top portion of the shaft (with the finger pads seating against a lower portion of the shaft).

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the glove preferably has a plurality of finger pads disposed on the palmar side of the glove in positions which correspond to the areas between the second and third joints of a user's hand inserted into the glove. These finger pads serve as a locating aid and also aid in retaining the golf club shaft in the proper gripped position prior to and during the swing of the golfer.

[0011] Further aspects and features of the present embodiments can be appreciated from the appended Figures and accompanying written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and other features of the present embodiment will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a palmar side of a golf glove according to one embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a dorsal side of the golf glove of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a palm pad for locating and holding a portion of a golf club shaft taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a palmar side of a golf glove according to another embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a finger pad taken along the line 4A-4A of FIG. 4;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a palmar side of a golf glove according to yet another embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a finger pad taken along the line 5A-5A of FIG. 5;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a first gripping position as the golfer grips a golf club shaft with the golf glove of FIG. 4; and

[0021] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the golf glove of FIG. 6 illustrating the positioning of the golf club shaft within the palm pad during a gripping position;

[0022] FIG. 7 is perspective view showing a second gripping position following the first gripping position of FIG. 6 in which the golfer has rolled the fingers over the golf club shaft and seated the palm pad against the butt end of the golf club shaft;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a palmar side of a golf glove according to another embodiment; and

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a palmar side of a golf glove according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible golf glove 10 formed of a glove body 12 and a thumb portion 14 operably attached to the glove body 12. The glove 10 further includes four finger portions operably attached to the glove body 12. A first finger portion 16 is adapted to receive the index finger, a second finger portion 18 is adapted to receive the middle finger, a third finger portion 20 is adapted to receive a ring finger, and a fourth finger portion 22 is adapted to receive the little finger.

[0026] Glove 10 is offered in standard sizes and can be made out of any known material, such as leather or a synthetic material. For example, thin supple leathers are commonly used to manufacture golf gloves and more particularly, cabretta leather is a well known material for the manufacture of golf gloves.

[0027] The glove 10 has a palmar side 30 and an opposing dorsal side 32 (FIG. 2) with the palmar side 30 being the side which faces and grips a golf club shaft 100 (shown in FIG. 6). According to one embodiment, a number of contoured resilient pads are attached to the palmar side 30 of the glove 10. More specifically, the contoured resilient pads are attached to the palmar side 30 of fingers portions 18, 20, 22. First, second, third, and fourth contoured pads 40, 42, 44 are attached to the palmar side 30 of the finger portions 18, 20, 22, respectively. As will be described hereinafter, a contoured resilient pad is preferably not disposed on the index finger 16 because, as experienced golfers will know, the index finger 16 along with the thumb 14 do not actively engage and apply pressure to the shaft when the golfer is properly gripping the shaft. Finger portions 18, 20, 22 serve as the main pressure points, while the index finger 16 and thumb 14 only apply light pressure. Accordingly, locating and gripping pads are not needed on the index finger 16 and the thumb 14. Because glove 10 is intended to serve as an instructional aid, it may is desirable to not place locating and gripping pads on the index finger 16 and the thumb 14 as this may only confuse and mislead the beginning golfer into the mistaken belief that the index finger 16 and the thumb 14 are also main pressure points where the shaft is tightly gripped during a gripping action.

[0028] The contoured pads 40, 42, 44 may be attached to the palmar side 30 using any number of techniques, including sewing or use of an adhesive. Preferably, the pads 40, 42, 44 are sewn into the glove body 12 using stitches 50. It will be appreciated that the pads 40, 42, 44 may be sewn directly to the leather glove body 12 with no additional material covering the pads 40, 42, 44. Each of the pads 40, 42, 44 is defined by opposing raised side members 60 with a middle portion 62 formed therebetween and being recessed relative to the opposing side members 60. The raised side members 60 are generally parallel to one another. The raised side members 60 and the middle portion 62 preferably define a single integral pad which is easily and conveniently attached to the palmar side 30 by stitching the peripheral edge of the pad to the palmar side 30. Thus, a cross-sectional shape of each of the pads 40, 42, 44 is generally U-shaped in the illustrated embodiment. In one embodiment, each of the opposing side members 60 has the same dimensions; however, the dimensions of opposing side members 60 may be varied.

[0029] The pads 40, 42, 44 (which may be thought of as finger pads) are attached to base portions of the finger portions 18, 20, 22 such that an axis disposed through each of the middle portions 62 is generally perpendicular to the lateral edges 23 of the each of the finger portions 18, 20, 22. More specifically, the pads 40, 42, 44 are preferably disposed between the first and second joints of the respect finger, as measured from the palm upward. These areas between the first and second joints of the finger portions 18, 20, 22 are the areas which seat against the golf club shaft when the golfer properly grips the shaft. Thus when the glove 10 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the side members 60 are generally or closely axially aligned with each other. The pads 40, 42, 44 should have a sufficient thickness permitting the annular surface of the shaft to be cradled and located/retained within the respective pad, while also permitting the golfer to easily bend his/her fingers so that the grip can be completed.

[0030] The glove 10 also has a resilient palm pad 70 which is attached to both the palmar side 30 and the dorsal side 32 of the glove 10 in one embodiment. The palm pad 70 is similar to the other pads 40, 42, 44 in that it is formed of opposing side members 60 with the recessed middle portion 62 being formed therebetween. Unlike the other pads 40, 42, 44, the palm pad 70 extends from the palmar side 30 to the dorsal side 32 as illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The amount of the palm pad 70 that extends across onto the dorsal side 32 is variable. In other words, the palm pad 70 can be lengthened or shortened such that more or less of the palm pad 70 extends onto the dorsal side 32.

[0031] The palm pad 70 is preferably contoured to have a shape complementary to the shape of the golf club shaft 100 as with the finger pads 40, 42, 44. More specifically, the distance between the side members 60 (e.g., the width of the middle portion 62) should be approximately equal to the diameter of the shaft 100. Of course, the resilient nature of the side members 60 permits the diameter of the shaft 100 to be slightly greater than the width of the middle portion 62. In this instance, the seating of the shaft 100 between the side members 60 causes the side members 60 to slightly flex outward to accommodate the shaft 100 therebetween. If the diameter of the golf club shaft 100 is less than the width of the middle portion 62, then the shaft 100 will easily fit between the side members 60. Movement of the golfer's hand (e.g., bending of fingers) can cause the side members 60 to move toward one another, thereby causing the distance between the side members 60 to become less.

[0032] The side members 60 should also be raised a sufficient height relative to the rest of the surface of the palmar side 30 of the glove 10 so that the side members 60 serve to locate and aid in holding the shaft 100 in a proper gripped position during the swing of the golfer as will be described in greater detail. If the side members 60 do not have a sufficient height, there is a risk that the golf club shaft 100 may become dislodged or otherwise disorientated from the pads 40, 42, 44 and the palm pad 70. This would be counter productive as the finger pads 40, 42, 44 and the palm pad 70 are designed to properly locate and retain the golf club shaft 100 in a proper gripped position in the golfer's hand.

[0033] The palm pad 70 is preferably attached at least partially to the dorsal side 32. Because gloves are typically distributed in conventional sizes (small, medium, large, etc.), the glove 10 is designed to accommodate the various different hand constructions of wearers. For example, a golfer that has a well developed palm or a golfer that has a wide hand will cause the glove 10 to be stretched. Conversely, if a small hand is placed in the glove 10, there may be a slight bunching of material in the palm area of the glove 10 and therefore a small portion of the dorsal side 32 of the glove 10 may actually become rolled over and come into contact with the shaft 100. By extending the palm pad 70 onto at least a portion of the dorsal side 32, the glove 10 can accommodate all different types of hand constructions while still providing a palm pad 70 of suitable dimensions to seat against the shaft 100 during the gripping of the shaft 100.

[0034] It will be appreciated that while it is preferred that the palm pad 70 extends across onto the dorsal side 32, the glove 10 may be manufactured with the palm pad 70 being formed only on the palmar side 30 of the glove 10. Preferably, the palm pad 70 is attached to the palmar side 30 and the dorsal side 32 in an angled manner such that an axis extending through the middle portion 62 thereof extends toward the finger portions of the glove 10 and more particularly, extends generally toward a gap formed between the index finger portion 16 and the middle finger portion 18.

[0035] In one embodiment, the side members 60 of the palm pad 70 have different dimensions. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the side members 60 has a cross-sectional width less than a cross-sectional width of the opposing side member 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the side member 60 closer to the little finger 22 has dimensions which are less than the dimensions of the other side member 60.

[0036] The pads 40, 42, 44, and 70 can be formed from any number of elastomeric materials, including foamed plastics. For example, the pads 40, 42, 44, and 70 may be formed of silicone foam. In addition, other materials, such as neoprene, rubber, and other elastomers used in sports gloves, may be also be used in the manufacture of the glove 10.

[0037] FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate a glove 200 according to another embodiment which is similar to the previous embodiment. The main difference between glove 200 and glove 10 is the shape of the finger and palm pads. More specifically, glove 200 has first, second, and third finger pads 210, 220, 230 disposed on finger portions 18, 20, 22. A palm pad 240 is disposed on the palmar side 30 and dorsal side (not shown) in similar locations as in the first embodiment. As best shown in FIG. 4A, each of the pads 210, 220, 230, 240 has an upper surface 260 which has a concave shape in that it includes a recessed crescent shaped channel extending the width of the respective pad. The side edges 270 are higher than the center 272 thus providing the concave shape. The concave shape is designed to complement the annular shape of the shaft 100 so that the annular shaft 100 mates with and seats within the contoured upper surface 260.

[0038] Similar to the first embodiment, the crescent shaped channel should have a sufficient depth so that it provides locator and retention aides for the gripping of the shaft 100. The depth should be sufficient so that the pad cradles the shaft 100 and the shaft 100 does not roll out of the channel when the shaft 100 is disposed in the channel. The pad thickness and the selection of material to form the pad should be such that the golfer can easily bend his/her fingers, thereby causing movement and bending of the pads. While, the palm pad 240 has the same concave upper surface 260, it will be appreciated that the finger pads 210, 220, 230 of this second embodiment may be used with the palm pad 70 of the first embodiment.

[0039] The palm pad 240 (and palm pad 70) preferably has a larger width than the finger pads 210, 220, 230 because the palm pad 240 engages the shaft 100 after the shaft 100 is already seated within the finger pads 210, 220, 230 and during a rolling motion of the palm of the golfer's hand and therefore, it is desirable to have a larger area in which to seat the shaft 100 to complete the grip as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

[0040] FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate a third embodiment of a glove 300. Once again, the only difference between the glove 300 and the gloves of the other embodiments concerns the construction of the finger pads and the palm pad. The glove 300 has first, second, and third finger pads 310, 320, 330 formed on finger portions 18, 20, 22, respectively, and a palm pad 340.

[0041] Each of the pads 310, 320, 330, 340 preferably has a similar construction, which is generally shown in FIG. 5A. Each pad has an upper surface 350 which has a ribbed profile. The end ribbed portions 360 have a greater height than the inner ribbed portions 370, thereby forming a recessed channel 380 between the end ribbed portions 360. This recessed channel 380 defines the area which receives and cradles the shaft 100. By providing multiple ribs, a gripping surface is provided. As with the other embodiments, the depth of the recessed channel 380 should be such that the shaft 100 is cradled therein and does not freely roll out of the recessed channel 380, while the thickness of the pad is such that the golfer can bend his/her finger to complete the grip and swing the shaft 100.

[0042] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the method of properly gripping the golf club shaft 100 while wearing a glove of any of the embodiments shown herein. For purpose of illustration only, FIG. 6 shows the glove 200 of FIG. 4; however, it will be understood that any of the other gloves may be used. FIG. 6 is a first gripping position in which the shaft 100 is laid generally across the finger portions 16, 18, 20, 22. The pads 210, 220, 230 serve as locating aides for instructing the golfer on the correct gripping location of the shaft 100 relative to the hand of the golfer. In view of this, the pads 210, 220, 230 preferably have a color which is different than the color of the main glove 200. For example, the pads 210, 220, 230 may be brightly colored (e.g., yellow) so as to provide to the golfer a visual indicator of where the shaft 100 should be placed during a gripping action.

[0043] A butt end 102 of the shaft 100 extends slightly beyond the little finger 22. As previously indicated, the main pressure and gripping points constitute the areas between the first and second joints of the fingers 18, 20, 22. As golf instructors will teach beginners, the gripping of the shaft 100 should be carried out substantially using the strength of the fingers 18, 20, 22, while the index finger 16 and the thumb 14 are not actively involved in the gripping of the shaft 100. The pads 210, 220, 230 are therefore located in these main pressure and gripping areas of the golfer's hand.

[0044] As the shaft 100 is placed across the golfer's hand, the shaft 100 rests within the contoured upper surface 260 (FIG. 4) of each of the pads 210, 220, 230 resulting in the shaft 100 be securely cradled in the pads 210, 220, 230. The golfer then bends at least the fingers 18, 20, 22 backward toward the wrist. The shaft 100 remains seated against the contoured upper surface 260 of each of the pads 210, 220, 230. The palm pad 240 is then brought into contact with the shaft 100 so that the shaft 100 (near or at the butt end 102) seats within the contoured upper surface 260 (FIG. 4A) of the palm pad 240. This may require some further manipulation of the fingers and/or palm of the hand to accomplish this positioning, which is generally shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] As with the finger pads 210, 220, 230, the palm pad 240 is a gripping locator and retention aid and therefore, the palm pad 240 preferably has a color which is different from the color of the main glove 200. It will be appreciated that the finger pads 210, 220, 230 may have one color with the palm pad 240 having either the same or a different color. For example, the finger pads 210, 220, 230 may have a bright orange color, while the palm pad 240 has a bright yellow color. By differentiating the color of the finger pads 210, 220, 230 from the color of the palm pad 240, the golfer is visually reminded that each of these pads need to engage and seat against the shaft 100 for a proper grip to result. Furthermore, the indicators are visually different so that the golfer is reminded that pads all of one color (i.e., the finger pads 210, 220, 230) should be seated against the shaft 100 at the same time and then the pad of the other color (i.e., the palm pad 240) is then seated against the shaft 100.

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates the glove 200 in a second grip position, which constitutes the completed gripping position. In this view, the finger pads 210, 220, 230 are not visible; however, the palm pad 240 is partially visible.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, by providing the contoured pads 210, 220, 230, 240 consistent, correct shaft placement is easily and repeatedly achieved. As any experienced golfer understands proper grip is vital to an effective swing and striking of the ball. The palm pad 240 mimics the meaty portion of ball of the palm of the golfer by virtue of its design and therefore, the contoured features of the palm pad 240 serve to highlight and make the golfer aware of this portion of the golfer's hand. As a result, the glove 10 helps the golfer to acquire a proper grip and thereby increase leverage in the swing arc, which provides greater club head speed as well as a more controlled club head path.

[0048] The glove 10 preferably further includes an elastic member 110 operably attached to the glove body 12 near a wrist portion 120 of the glove body 12. For example, a band of shirred elastic 110 may be used and operates to constrict the glove body material to facilitate a snug and comfortable fit near the golfer's wrist. The shirred elastic 110 is operably attached to the glove body 12 by stitching, adhesive, or the like. The glove 10 also preferably includes a tightening/closing mechanism 130 which is used in conjunction with the shirred elastic 110 to help insure that the glove 10 remains firmly on the wearer's hand by constricting the glove body 12 near the wearer's wrist. Preferably, the tightening/closing mechanism 130 is formed of a hook and loop fastener material similar to that marketed under the brand name Velcro. Alternatively, the tightening/closing mechanism 130 may be formed of straps, snaps, and the like, or some combination of hook and loop fastener material, straps, snaps, and the like.

[0049] The glove 10 may also have a plurality of small holes (not shown) formed therein. More specifically, the small holes are formed in the palmar and dorsal sides of finger portions 16, 18, 20, 22. As with holes in conventional sports gloves, these holes are intended to provide a means for air to reach a wearer's skin, thereby facilitating the evaporation of perspiration or other moisture. The small holes may also be formed in selected locations of the glove body 12.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a golf glove according to another embodiment and generally indicated at 400. Once again, the only difference between the glove 400 and the gloves of the other embodiments concerns the construction of the finger pads and the palm pad. The glove 400 has first, second, and third finger pad members 410, 420, 430 formed on finger portions 18, 20, 22, and adjacent sections thereof, respectively, and a palm pad 440.

[0051] The first finger pad member 410 has a first section 412 and a second section 414 with the first section 412 being aligned with the finger portion 18 but formed on a palmar surface 411 slightly below the finger portion 18. In this embodiment, the first section 412 is formed of a plurality of spaced ribs 413, 415 that protrude above the palmar surface 411. The lengths of each of the ribs 413, 415 should be approximately equal to or slightly less than the width of the respective finger portion, in this case finger portion 18. The ribs 413, 415 are spaced slightly from one another so that a gap is formed therebetween.

[0052] The second section 414 also comprises a plurality of spaced ribs 416, 418, 419 that are disposed between the first and second joints of the finger portion 18. A gap is formed between adjacent ribs. Each of the ribs 416, 418, 419 has a length that is approximately equal to or preferably, slightly less than a width of the finger portion 18 between the first and second joints.

[0053] Similarly, the second finger pad member 420 has a first section 422 and a second section 424 with the first section 422 being aligned with the finger portion 20 but formed on a palmar surface 411 slightly below the finger portion 20. In this embodiment, the first section 422 is formed of a plurality of spaced ribs 423, 425 that protrude above the palmar surface 411. The lengths of each of the ribs 423, 425 should be approximately equal to or slightly less than the width of the respective finger portion, in this case finger portion 20. The ribs 423, 425 are spaced slightly from one another so that a gap is formed therebetween.

[0054] The second section 424 also comprises a plurality of spaced ribs 426, 428, 429 that are disposed between the first and second joints of the finger portion 20. A gap is formed between adjacent ribs. Each of the ribs 426, 428, 429 has a length that is approximately equal to or preferably, slightly less than a width of the finger portion 20 between the first and second joints.

[0055] The third finger pad member 430 has a first section 432 and a second section 434 with the first section 432 being aligned with the finger portion 22 but formed on a palmar surface 411 slightly below the finger portion 22. In this embodiment, the first section 432 is formed of a plurality of spaced ribs 433, 435 that protrude above the palmar surface 411. The lengths of each of the ribs 433, 435 should be approximately equal to or slightly less than the width of the respective finger portion, in this case finger portion 22. The ribs 433, 435 are spaced slightly from one another so that a gap is formed therebetween.

[0056] The second section 434 also comprises a plurality of spaced ribs 436, 438, 439 that are disposed between the first and second joints of the finger portion 22. A gap is formed between adjacent ribs. Each of the ribs 436, 438, 439 has a length that is approximately equal to or preferably, slightly less than a width of the finger portion 22 between the first and second joints.

[0057] The palm pad 440 comprises a resilient palm pad which is attached to the palmar surface 411 and can be also partially attached to the dorsal side 32 of the glove 400 in one embodiment. The palm pad 440 is similar to the other pads 410, 420, 430 in that it is intended to act as a locator and grip mechanism for properly holding a golf club.

[0058] In this embodiment, the palm pad 440 is formed of a plurality of spaced palm pads 442, 444, 446 with first ends of the pads generally facing toward the finger portion 16 and the space between the finger portion 16 and the finger portion 18. The palm pads 442, 444, 446 are in the form of raised resilient members that engage the shaft of the golf club when the shaft is gripped by the user. Between adjacent palm pads, a gap is formed.

[0059] It will be appreciated that the plurality of pads that form both the finger pad members and the palm pad, do not each have to have identical shapes and/or dimensions. For example, the center finger pad in each the finger pad members 410, 420, 430 can have a height less than the height of the two surrounding finger pads. This in effect creates a cradle-like shape so that the golf club shaft is aligned with the center finger pad and seats against the center pad with the two adjacent finger pads serving to locate the shaft relative to the pad and prevent the shaft from inadvertently becoming dislodged from the finger pad member. This can apply to both the first and second sections of the finger pad members. The same construction can be used with the palm pad 440 so as to securely locate and grip the shaft when the user properly grips the shaft as described and illustrated herein.

[0060] The first sections of the finger pad members 410, 420, 430 engage the shaft body when the user bends his/her finger portions 18, 20, 22 into the proper grip position disclosed herein. The butt end of the shaft then engages the palm pad 440 which provides an additional locating tool and retaining means for properly gripping the golf club shaft using the glove 400.

[0061] The finger pads described with reference to FIG. 8 are preferably formed of the same materials that can be used to form the finger pads of the previously-described embodiments.

[0062] In yet another embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9, a golf glove 500 is provided and is similar to the golf glove 400 of FIG. 4 and therefore like elements are numbered alike. In this embodiment, the second section 414 includes the plurality of spaced ribs 416, 418, 419; however, these ribs 416, 418, 419 are disposed between the second and third joints of the finger portion 18 with the space between the first and second joints being reserved for the golf club shaft. Similarly, the second section 424 includes the plurality of spaced ribs 426, 428, 429 that are disposed between the second and third joints of the finger portion 20. The second section 434 includes the plurality of spaced ribs 436, 438, 439 that are disposed between the second and third joints of the finger portion 22.

[0063] It will be understood that the ribs of the second sections 414, 424, 434 act as compressable members such that the ribs compress against the shaft when the user properly grips the shaft with his/her fingers. The ribs compress against the shaft to actively grip the shaft and further the compression of the ribs against the shaft prevents or substantially reduces the likelihood that the shaft rotates during a swinging action. These ribs disposed between the second and third joints thus serve as anti-rotation features due to the ribs compressing against the shaft when the user actively holds and grips the shaft. In this embodiment, the shaft lies between the first and second joints and when the user rolls his/her fingers the ribs engage the shaft; however, the ribs are free from position within the joints of the user's fingers.

[0064] In yet another embodiment, each of the second sections 414, 424, 434 is formed so that at least one rib thereof is disposed between the second and third joints, while another rib thereof is disposed on the other side (i.e., the distal side) of the third joint. In this embodiment, when the user rolls his/her fingers, the ribs engage the shaft and compress under the applied gripping force.

[0065] The foregoing written description is of a preferred embodiment and particular features of the present invention and is not restrictive of the many applications or the breadth of the present invention which is instead defined by the claims appended hereto and substantial equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A golf glove comprising:

a body having a palmar side and an opposing dorsal side; and

a resilient first pad attached to the palmar side of the body generally underneath a smallest finger of the glove body, the first pad having raised sides forming a recessed section therebetween for receiving a golf club shaft.

2. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the recessed section is open at its ends, with the first pad being angled toward an index finger of the glove body.

3. The golf glove of claim 1, further including:

a plurality of fingers pads disposed on each finger of the glove body except the index finger, each of the fingers pads being positioned between a first and second finger joint and each finger pad having raises sides forming a recessed section for receiving the golf club shaft.

4. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the first pad wraps around the glove body from the palmar side to the dorsal side.

5. A golf glove comprising:

a body having a palmar side and an opposing dorsal side;

a palm pad attached to a portion of the palmar side of the body underneath a small finger of the glove body in an area where a golf club shaft is grasped, and

a plurality of fingers pads disposed on each finger of the glove body except the index finger, the finger pads being disposed on each finger in positions that correspond to positions between second and third finger joints with an area between first and second finger joints being reserved for the golf club shaft, wherein each of the palm pad and the fingers pads is formed of a material that compresses under a force applied during gripping of the golf club shaft.

6. The golf glove of claim 5, wherein the palm pad comprises a plurality of adjacent ribs that extend from an outer edge of the glove body toward a thumb of the glove body.

7. The golf glove of claim 5, further including:

a plurality of second pads disposed underneath each finger of the glove body except the index finger such that the second pads lie below a point where each individual finger joins the palm.

8. The golf glove of claim 7, wherein a pair of second pads are disposed underneath each finger except the index finger.

9. The golf glove of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second pads has an oval shape.

10. The golf glove of claim 5, wherein there are three finger pads disposed on each finger except the index finger.

11. The golf glove of claim 5, wherein the fingers pads formed on one finger are closely spaced together so that they are in intimate contact.

12. A golf glove comprising:

a body having a palmar side and an opposing dorsal side;

a palm pad attached to a portion of the palmar side of the body underneath a small finger of the glove body in an area where a golf club shaft is grasped, and

a plurality of fingers pads disposed on each finger of the glove body except the index finger such that at least one finger pad on each finger is disposed in a position that corresponds to a, position between second and third finger joints with an area between first and second finger joints being reserved for the golf club shaft and wherein at least one finger pad on each finger is disposed on a distal side of the third joint, wherein each of the palm pad and the fingers pads is formed of a material that compresses under a force applied during gripping of the golf club shaft.