Golf club for helping a player to learn golf

Abstract

A golf club is disclosed for teaching a user thereof how to play the game of golf. The golf club includes a tubular shaft having a first and a second end. A club head cooperates with the first end of the shaft and a handle grip is secured to the second end of the shaft, the grip being fabricated from a soft lightweight material in order to avoid injury to the user and anyone in a vicinity of the user during use of the golf club. The shaft is manufactured from a lightweight material. A bar is disposed within a cavity defined by the first end of the shaft so that during use of the golf club, the golf club has the characteristics of a regular golf club

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf club for assisting a player to learn golf.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club that is relatively lightweight for assisting a player to learn golf.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

One of the main objectives of the present invention is to teach children, cadets, young adults and the like, the art of playing golf.

More specifically, the present invention:

1/ Avoids the problems associated with golf trainees hurting themselves or fellow participants or bystanders due to a misuse of a golf club particularly in view of the hardness and the weight of the golf club which is often fabricated from steel or graphite material. Golf clubs currently have a steel or graphite shaft and the head is of wood or metal together with metal weights located at the periphery thereof for striking the golf ball.
2/ The present invention also facilitates the practice of golf within a confined area.
3/ Additionally, the present invention enables a student to learn correct golf techniques due to the design of the golf club.

The present invention provides a golf club having technical and/or functional characteristics which are useful during formal development of the techniques involved in playing the game of golf. To this end, the materials used in the construction of the golf club are of low weight and low hardness, in order to prevent accidental striking and injury of the player, game participants and any accompanying persons and at the same time such golf club allows the user to develop the game of golf in conditions equivalent to that experienced by an adult player.

Currently almost all children's golf clubs are equivalent to or the same as regular golf clubs for adults but with smaller dimensions. Often, the shaft of the golf club is fabricated from tubular material and this is less dangerous than a solid steel shaft or a hard wooden shaft or graphite shaft. Similarly, the golf club head is of cast iron or forged steel, which makes the golf club a heavy instrument with the attendant problem that the young or inexperienced user of the golf club risks the danger of hitting himself or a bystander with such golf club.

There are other very light composition formulated from plastic materials so that golf clubs having a tubular plastic shaft and a club head without any counterweights generate relatively low momentum and little force during a golf drive. Other golf clubs have a head fabricated from foamed polyurethane disposed within a hardened shell and loaded with metallic counterweights that are injected or molded into the interior of the golf club head and are often produced without the necessary design features and technical configuration required in order to replicate the feel of a regular adult golf club.

Teaching and learning the art of golf using such previously know golf clubs causes the student to achieve highly inaccurate drives thus providing little guarantee of such student progressing to a next level of play leading towards the competent use of an adult golf club. Such prior art golf clubs while useful as children's play toys, rarely teach and guide the young user thereof towards the required golf driving techniques.

The prior art proposals include the following patents and published applications:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,914 to Clay Long entitled “Golf club head”;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,120 to Stan Ramirez entitled “Golf club head”;
U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,143 to Clayton Evans entitled “Golf club head with adjustable weighting, customizable face-angle and a variable bulge and roll face”;
US 2003/0176235 to Bruce D. Burrows for a “Slotted hose for golf club head”;
US 2008/0318707 to Jeffrey Mergy et al for a “Golf club head with foam core”;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,211 to Robert Lukasiewicz; for a “Golf club and method of manufacture”;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,104 to Shiotani, Tadahiko et al for a “Golf club head and process for its fabrication”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf club for teaching a user thereof how to play the game of golf. The golf club includes a tubular shaft having a first and a second end. A club head cooperates with the first end of the shaft and a handle grip is secured to the second end of the shaft, the grip being fabricated from a soft lightweight material in order to avoid injury to the user and anyone in a vicinity of the user during use of the golf club. The shaft is manufactured from a lightweight material. A bar is disposed within a cavity defined by the first end of the shaft so that during use of the golf club, the golf club has the characteristics of a regular golf club.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club that includes a rigid tubular shaft fabricated from a non malleable lightweight material such as fiberglass or plastic. A lower end of the shaft is connected to a golf club head by a neck or throat portion. Also, a solid heavy metallic bar is secured within the lower end of the tubular shaft. The heavy bar compensates for the light weight of the shaft and at the same time provides the required reinforcement in the location between the shaft and the golf head. In this manner, the resultant golf club provides the required feel and consistency to that of a regular full size golf club, especially when driving a golf ball. At the same time, such golf club has a shaft of tubular fiberglass or other light weight material in order to minimize damage or injury to the user and/or any bystanders.

The location of the solid of heavy metal bar is achieved by the use of a glue or heavy duty adhesive such as a methylcyanoacrylate or a similar adhesive substance that can be applied or spread on both the heavy metallic bar and on the inside of the shaft and only in the area of contact between these two components. The adhesive is applied prior to assembly in order to locate and secure the bar within the first end of the shaft so that the bar and shaft become an inseparable part of the resultant golf club.

The bar disposed at the lower end which is the first end of the tubular shaft, has an approximate length within a range of one quarter to one third of the total length of the tubular shaft. This solid heavy metal bar reaches, in one case, the lower end of the shaft and is disposed flush with the first end of the shaft. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bar extends beyond the first end of the shaft by a small distance. In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the tubular body of the shaft extends beyond the end of the bar thus leaving a small cavity between the end of the bar and the first end of the shaft. The small cavity does not require the use of any adhesive therein.

The tubular shaft is of a lightweight material such as fiberglass. The shaft in turn is coated or lined with a sheath of soft rubber or latex with the objective of making the shaft less likely to hurt the user or a bystander if accidentally hit with the golf club during use thereof.

Each golf head is mounted on a respective lower end or first end of the tubular shaft. The golf head is fabricated as follows:

1) The golf head is formed from a quantity of light material such as a plastic which is reinforced with an irregular oval shaped shell with longitudinal ribs in the striking area. An extension of the golf head extends from the back side and bottom edge or leading edge and extends slightly more tan ⅓ of the height of the golf head. The extension decreases along the length of the extension towards the lower edge.

The golf head has a heel end and a toe end and extends upwardly towards the tubular neck which accommodates the first end of the shaft. The inside of the neck has vertical ribs which cooperate with bayonet portions of the shaft so that when the bayonet portions of the shaft are inserted into the neck of the golf head, the shaft is secured to the head. Preferably, the golf head makes an angle of 46 degrees relative to the vertical axis and the neck has an angle of 63 degrees relative to the horizontal axis.

(2) The golf head includes a semi compact core of polyurethane coated with a shell of a compact uniform layer. The head is reinforced by a traditional upper or top edge of oval shape. The leading edge is arched inwardly with the base being thicker than the top edge and with the back side forming a concentric plane defined by an uneven flange profile. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head provides a lift angle of 46 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

The vertex of the heel is projected upwardly towards the neck and is of tubular configuration. The bar is disposed flush with the first end of the shaft. Also, if a portion of the shaft extends into the interior of the golf head, a layer of adhesive is introduced into the interior of the head prior to final attachment of the golf head in order to make the attachment of the golf head more secure.

3) A golf club head is formed from a semi rigid compact material such as a mass of polyurethane covered with a uniform layer and also reinforced by a special oblong design consisting of a heel and a toe and an upstanding eccentric neck having prismatic axial reinforcing ribs for the accommodation and pressure insertion therein of the bottom or first end of the tubular shaft together with the solid heavy metal bar inserted therein. The bar is disposed and located flush with the lower or first end of the shaft. Alternatively, a portion of the bar extends past the first end of the shaft. In both embodiments, the bar is embedded as far as the intersection with the body of the head thus making the body of the head capable of striking the ball more consistently.

The club head has a high lift angle which is disposed preferably at 0° relative to the vertical axis and a lie angle which is projected preferably at 71° relative to a horizontal axis. Also, the first end of the shaft is introduced into the interior of the head with a smear of adhesive to make the final setting of the head to the first end of the shaft more consistent.

4). A head is formed by a rigid blade of light material such as plastic reinforced by a specially designed oblong shaped hollow body. The hollow body is formed in such a way that the body is divided into two almost symmetrical parts. The two parts include a lid and a box with both parts joined together by means of self locking fasteners. Each self locking fastener includes a stud or pin and a cooperating socket. One of the studs of the box cooperates with a corresponding socket defined by the lid in the vicinity of the heel of the golf head. Another stud is disposed in the vicinity of the first end of the shaft and cooperates with a corresponding socket defined by the lid. Also one of the studs is disposed in the vicinity of the toe of the lid and cooperates with a corresponding socket defined by the lid. The arrangement is such that when the lid and the box are pressed towards each other, the respective studs and sockets cooperate with each other for fastening the lid to the box.

The club head includes a neck for the insertion therein of the first end of the shaft. The internal surface of the tubular neck includes two diametrically disposed ribs which cooperate with corresponding longitudinal slots defined by the first end of the shaft so that the shaft extends within the neck so that rotation of the shaft relative to the neck is prevented by the interaction of the ribs and the slots.

Moreover, the neck extends inside the box part for accommodating therein the first end of the shaft and the bar disposed therein.

The portion of the shaft that enters and is accommodated by the neck has diametrically opposed holes drilled therein for receiving a dowel pin. The dowel pin cooperates with a female portion defined by the lid for fastening the first end of the shaft to the lid. The dowel can be glued to the first end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the opposed holes are aligned with a hole drilled through the bar. In another embodiment, the bar does not extend within the tubular shaft as far as the dowel.

Optionally, the interior of the combined box and lid are filled with a polyurethane foam or other material to strengthen and to increase the weight of this combined box and lid type golf head.

The head has a high lift angle which preferably extends at 0° to the vertical axis and a lie angle preferably projected at 71° relative to the horizontal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first end of a shaft of a golf club according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in elevation of the shaft shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of slots defined by the first end of the shaft shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3.1 is a plan view of a socket of a golf head for the receipt therein of the first end of the shaft shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first end of a shaft shown in FIG. 1 and shows a pin for securing a bar within the first end of the shaft;

FIG. 4.1 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 4, but shows the bar extending to the first end of the shaft;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the first end of the shaft shown in FIG. 4.1 with the bar glued within the tubular shaft;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a club head fastened to the shaft shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the head shown in FIG. 6 but shows the bayonet portion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf head shown in FIG. 6 but viewed from an opposite direction;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the golf head shown in FIG. 6 showing the socket thereof;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a golf head according to the present invention in which the golf head includes a polyurethane interior;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the golf head shown in FIG. 10 showing the polyurethane interior thereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the golf head shown in FIG. 11 but viewed from a different angle;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the golf head includes a heel portion;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the golf head shown in FIG. 13 but viewed from a different angle;

FIG. 15 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 6 but showing the lower end of the shaft in section;

FIG. 16 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 15 but shows an alternative connection of the first end of the shaft to the golf head;

FIG. 17 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 15 but shows yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17.1 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 15 but shows a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a putter type club head for a golf club according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a view taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view taken on the line 20-20 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21.1 is a view of the putter head shown in FIG. 18 but showing the first end of the shaft in section;

FIG. 21.2 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 21.1 but shows an alternative connection between the first end of the shaft and the putter head;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a hollow type putter head;

FIG. 23 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 22 but viewed from an opposite direction;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the putter head shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view taken on the line 25-25 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the putter head shown in FIG. 22:

FIG. 27 is a perspective exploded view of the putter head shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a connection between a golf head and a first end of a shaft;

FIG. 29 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 28 but shows an alternative embodiment thereof; and

FIG. 30 is a similar view similar to that shown in FIG. 28 but shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In all the drawings showing various embodiments of the present invention, the golf club according to the present invention includes a shaft in which the lower first end of the shaft is connected to a golf head.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a golf club generally designated 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf club 1 includes a first end of a shaft 2. The first end 2 of the shaft is of hollow tubular construction and the first end 2 of the shaft receives therein a bar 3 for giving the first end 2 of the shaft 2 the required weight in order for the golf club to simulate the feel of a regular golf club.

More specifically, the entire shaft is fabricated from a light weight fiberglass material or the like so that during practice, an inexperienced user thereof is less likely to cause injury to himself or any fellow students or bystanders by misuse of the golf club.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shaft shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the first end 2 of the shaft defines a first slot 5 which assists connection of the second end 2 of the shaft to a golf head.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first end 2 of the shaft and shows the first slot 5 and a diametrically opposed slot 5¹ defined by the first end 2 of the shaft shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3.1 is a plan view of a socket of a golf head generally designated 12 for the receipt therein of the first end 2 of the shaft shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first end 2 of the shaft shown in FIG. 1 and shows a pin 7 for securing the bar 3 within the first end 2 of the shaft;

FIG. 4.1 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 4, but shows the bar 3 extending to the first end 2 of the shaft;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the first end 2 of the shaft shown in FIG. 4.1 with the bar 3 glued at 8 within the first end 2 tubular shaft;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf club head 9 fastened to the first end 2 of the shaft shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the golf head 9 includes a plurality of horizontal ribs 10 for striking a golf ball (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the golf head 9 head shown in FIG. 6 but viewed from a different angle. As shown in FIG. 7, the socket of the golf head has an outer surface 90 and a first rib portions 30.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf head 9 shown in FIG. 6 but viewed from a different direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the golf head 9 includes a lower edge 11.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the golf head 9 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 9, the socket includes diametrically opposed rib portions 30.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention in which the golf head has a polyurethane interior. As shown in FIG. 10, the golf head 12 includes an upper edge, horizontal ribs 10a and a socket 13.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the golf head 12 shown in FIG. 10 showing the polyurethane interior thereof. As shown in FIG. 11, the top edge 12a includes a front portion 14 and a cavity for the reception therein of polyurethane 14a. Additionally, the golf head 12 includes a lower edge 12b.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the golf head 12 shown in FIG. 11 but viewed from a different angle. As shown in FIG. 12, the lower edge 12b includes a lower portion 15

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the golf head 12 includes a heel portion.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the golf head 12 shown in FIG. 13 but viewed from a different angle.

FIG. 15 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 6 but shows the lower second end 2 of the shaft in section.

FIG. 16 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 15 but shows an alternative connection of the first end 2 of the shaft to the golf head. As shown in FIG. 16, an extension 31 of the bar 3 extends into the golf head 9.

FIG. 17 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 15 but shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17, the bar 3 terminates at the first end 2 of the shaft.

FIG. 17.1 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 15 but shows a further embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17.1, the bar 3 has an extension 31 which extends into and is embedded in the golf head 12.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a putter type club head for a golf club according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the putter head 16 includes a front end 16a of the socket 17. Also the putter head 16 includes a front edge 19a and a heel 19.

FIG. 19 is a view taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a view taken on the line 20-20 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21.1 is a view of the putter head shown in FIG. 18 but showing the first end 2 of the shaft in section. As shown in FIG. 21.1, the bar 3 includes an extension 32 which extends into and is embedded within the putter head 16.

FIG. 21.2 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 21.1 but shows an alternative connection between the first end 2 of the shaft and the putter head 16. As shown in FIG. 21.2 the bar 3 terminates at the first end 2 of the shaft.

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a hollow type putter head 20. As shown in FIG. 22, the putter head 20 includes a connector 23a and a neck 25 for connecting the putter head 20 to the first end 2 of the shaft.

FIG. 23 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 22 but viewed from an opposite direction.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the putter head 20 shown in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 24, the putter head 20 includes a base of the neck 25. The putter head 20 also includes a first half of a shell 21 and an opposite second half 22 of the shell of the putter head 20.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view taken on the line 25-25 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the putter head shown in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 26, the putter head 20 includes two tabs 23 for receipt within corresponding holes 24 of the second half 22 of the shell so that the two halves 21 and 22 can be secured to each other. Also portions 28 and 28a anchor the neck 25 within the shell.

FIG. 27 is a perspective exploded view of the putter head shown in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 26, the neck 25 includes an extension 26 which extends to the bottom of the shell of the putter head 20.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a further alternative connection between the golf head and a first end of a shaft. As shown in FIG. 28, the bar 3 extends into the golf head 20 and is anchored therein by a pin 7 extending through the bar 3 and anchored in a receiver 23a.

FIG. 29 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 28 but shows an alternative embodiment thereof. As shown in FIG. 29, the bar 3 extends past the first end 2 of the shaft and is fastened by a 7 extending through the bar 3 and anchored within a receiver 23a.

FIG. 30 is a similar view similar to that shown in FIG. 28 but shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 30, a pin 7 extends through the second end 2 of the shaft but does not extend through the bar 3. The fastener 7 is anchored to a receiver 23a

In the drawings, a golf club 1 has a grip 4, a shaft 2 and a golf head 12. As shown in FIG. 1, a tubular shaft 2 is of stiff, very malleable and lightweight material such as fiberglass or plastic material. The first end of the shaft 2 houses a solid bar 3 fabricated from a heavy metal that serves to provide the required weight of the golf club and provides reinforcement of the shaft 2 thus providing a more realistic feel to the golf club so that the golf club exhibits the characteristics of a regular sized golf club without the attendant dangers associated with the misuse thereof.

The mounting of the heavy metal solid bar 3 is ensured through the incorporation of a heavy duty adhesive substance 8 which is preferably a methylcyanoacrylate or similar adhesive which is applied or spread on both the solid metal heavy bar 3 and onto the interior of the tubular shaft 2 I in the area of contact of the bar and shaft and before lodging the solid bar 3 on the inside of the shaft 2 to make an inseparable unit of bar and shaft.

The bar 3 disposed at the lower end of the shaft 2 has an approximate length of a quarter or ⅓ of the total length of the shaft 2. This bar 3 reaches, in one case, the lower end of the shaft 2 as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the bar 3 extends beyond that end of the shaft 2 by a small portion as shown in FIG. 17.1. In yet another embodiment, the bar 3 does not reach the end of the shaft 2. as shown in FIG. 4 thus leaving a portion of the shaft 2 with a hollow portion at the first end thereof. The hollow inside portion 20a of the tip of the shaft 2 that extends past the solid bar 3, does not require any glue inside.

The shaft 2 of light material is coated or covered with a sheath 4 shown in FIG. 1. The sheath or grip 4 is of soft material such as rubber or latex and is wound onto the shaft 2 in order to make the shaft less dangerous to the player user or bystanders in the event that they are accidentally hit by the golf club during use.

1/ Each of the golf heads 12 are mounted on their respective lower ends of the shaft 2 shaft. As shown in FIGS. 6-9, a club head 9 is formed as a rigid blade of light material as shown in FIG. 6. The light material is of plastic, reinforced by a specially designed irregular shaped traditional oval configuration, with longitudinal ridges 10 in the striking area. As shown in FIG. 8 a thick reinforcement 11 is disposed at the back side bottom edge or leading edge and preferably extends slightly more than ⅓ of the height of the golf head and projects downward towards the lower edge.

The head 9 at its heel opposite the toe end extends upwardly towards the tubular neck 90 for reception therein and the setting therein of the lower end of shaft 2. The neck 90 has inwardly extending vertical ribs 30 which form a bayonet type connection with corresponding slots defined on the outside of the first end of the shaft.

The head 9 as a whole has a high lift angle and is preferably disposed at an angle of 46° about the vertical axis and the neck 90 has a lie angle which is preferably disposed at an angle of 63° relative to the horizontal axis.

2/ As shown in FIGS. 10-14, a club head) 12 is formed from a quantity of semi compact material such as polyurethane. The head 12 defines a typical oval shape with a straight top edge 12a and a leading edge 12b which is arched inwardly. A sole 15 is thicker than the top edge 12a and the back side 14 forms a flat concentric incoming surface 14a which is defined by an uneven peripheral flange which has presenting front side longitudinal grooves 10a in the the striking area and a high lift angle which is preferably up to 46° about the vertical axis.

The vertex of the heel which is opposite the toe extends upwards to form a neck 13 of tubular shape, with a lie angle extending preferably at 63° with respect to the horizontal axis. The neck 13 receives therein the first end of the shaft 2 and the bar 3 which is disposed flush with the lower end of the shaft 2 as shown in FIG. 17. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 17.1, the bar 3 extends past the first end of the shaft 2 as indicated at 31. The lower or first end of the shaft 2 penetrates into the neck as far as the intersection of the neck 13 with the body of the club head 12 thus making the club more consistent during a drive.

3/ FIGS. 18-21.2 show a golf head formed from a of polyurethane covered with and reinforced by a uniform layer to form an oblong configuration including a heal 19 and a toe 19a. A neck 16a is an eccentric of ascending prismatic form with axially extending reinforcement 17 for accommodating and the bottom of the shaft 2 together with its solid bar 3. As shown in FIG. 21.2, the bar 3 is set flush with the lower end of the shaft 2. As shown in FIG. 21.1, which shows an alternative embodiment, a portion 32 of the bar 3 extends past the first end of the shaft 2. In both of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 21.1 and 21.2, the shaft 2 and bar 3 are inserted as far as the intersection of the body of the golf head and the base of the neck 17 thus making striking of the golf ball more consistent.

The club head has a high lift angle which is preferably 0° relative to the vertical axis and a lie angle which is preferably disposed at 71° relative to the horizontal axis.

4/ As shown in FIGS. 22-30, a golf head 20 is formed from a quantity of plastic and includes a reinforcing layer of oblong shape. The layer is hollow and is divided into two almost symmetrical parts. The first part is a lid 22 and the other part is a box 21 as shown in FIG. 26. Both parts 21 and 22 are joined together by fasteners which include a female portion 23 and a male portion 24 extending from the box 21 and neck 25. The first end of the shaft 2 is secured to the box 21 by means of a pin 7. As shown in FIG. 28, the fastener means attaches the shaft 2 to the upstanding neck 25 at a lie angle which is preferably at 71° relative to the horizontal axis.

The neck 25 has internal ribs 30 which cooperate with the bayonet fitting of the shaft 2.

The first end of the shaft 2 is housed within the neck 25 and has two holes 6 for receiving the pin 7 which is received by the fastener 23a located in an extension 26 of the neck 25 in the box 21 or extension 26. The pin 7 and fastener 23a prevent removal of the shaft 2 from the head 21 and 22.

In joining the neck 25 with the box 21 and the extension 26 the box 21 has on its inner side a few reinforcements 28 and 28a at the same height with different lengths and at an angle relative to the neck. The box 21 has at least two female members 23 to secure the interlocking lid 22 which has two corresponding male members 24. A peripheral flange 29 has an internal socket and a a semicircular portion 29a to receive the neck 25.

The neck 25 extends into the box 21 and has an extension 26. The extension 26 has two walls disposed parallel parallel to each other with different heights and receives the shaft 2 and bar 3 which is located flush with the first end of the shaft 2. The bar 3 as shown in FIG. 28 extends to the first end of the shaft 2 with the pin 7 extending though both the shaft and the bar 3. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 29, the bar extends past the first end of the shaft 2 with the pin extending through both the shaft and bar 3. In a further alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 30, the bar 3 does not reach the first end of the shaft 2 so the pin 7 extends only through the shaft 2 and not the bar 3.

Optionally the interior of box 21 and lid 22 can be filled with a polyurethane foam or other material to strengthen the club head. The head 20 has a high lift angle and is disposed preferably at 0° relative to the vertical axis.

The present invention provides a unique golf club which exhibits the characteristics of an adult type golf club while inhibiting the potential damage caused by misuse of the golf club.

Claims

1. A golf club for teaching a user thereof how to play the game of golf, said golf club comprising:

a tubular shaft having a first and a second end;

a club head cooperates with said first end of said shaft;

a hand grip is secured to said second end of said shaft, said grip being fabricated from a soft lightweight material in order to avoid injury to the user and anyone in a vicinity of the user during use of the golf club;

said shaft being manufactured from a lightweight material; and

a bar disposed within a cavity defined by said first end of said shaft so that during use of the golf club, the golf club has the characteristics of a regular golf club

2. A golf club as set forth in claim 1 further including:

an adhesive for securing said bar within said cavity.

3. A golf club as set forth in claim 1 wherein

a hollow tubular portion such that part of said hollow tubular portion receives therein said bar;

said bar extends from said first end of said shaft a first distance which is within a range of one quarter to one third a second distance defined from said first end to said second end of said shaft.

4. A golf club as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said first end of said shaft includes:

a hollow tubular portion;

a part of said hollow tubular portion receiving therein said bar.

5. A golf club as set forth in claim 1 further including:

a sheath fabricated from soft material for covering said shaft.

6. A golf club as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said club head includes:

a hollow tubular neck for the receipt therein of said first end of said shaft.

7. A golf club as set forth in claim 6 wherein

said socket includes:

a first and second bayonet portion, said first bayonet portion being diametrically disposed relative to said second bayonet portion;

said first end of said shaft defining a first and a second slot, said first slot being disposed diametrically opposite to said second slot such that said first and second bayonet portions of said head cooperate with said first and a second slots of said shaft for securing said head to said first end of said shaft.

8. A golf club as set forth in claim 6 wherein

said golf head is of lightweight plastic material reinforced by a shell of oval configuration;

said golf head defining a heel which has an apex that projects upwardly towards said neck for the accommodation and setting of said first end of said shaft therein;

a plurality of ribs extending tangentially inwards of the first end of said shaft;

said neck having tangentially inwardly extending ribs which cooperate with said bayonet portion of said shaft which has lateral slots (5) that fit into these ribs (30), and the (club head) (9) has longitudinal ribs (10) and thick reinforcement (11) in the back side and on the leading edge, which occupies slightly more than ⅓ of its height and projects downward towards the lower edge;

said club head has a high lift angle which projects at 46° about the vertical axis:

said neck is disposed at an angle of 63° relative to the horizontal axis.

9. A golf club as set forth in claim 2 wherein

said club head is formed from a quantity of polyurethane covered with a uniform and compact layer;

said vertex of said heel and said vertex of said toe extend upwardly to said neck;

said club head defines a lie angle of 63° relative to the horizontal axis.

10. A golf club as set forth in claim 2 wherein

the club head is of plastic material of oblong configuration;

said club head being divided in two almost symmetrical parts CHARACTERIZED in that the club head includes a box and a lid joined together by fasteners.