Abstract: A replaceable hosel assembly for a golf club that enables a golfer to adjust an inclined angle of a putter shaft to a putter head, so as to satisfy a user's preference. A replaceable hosel assembly has an upper end adapted to fit the club shaft and the lower end fitted to the putter head. A plurality of removable hosel assemblies having pre-selected angles between the ends of the component, determines the golfer's preferred angle of inclination or lie angle.

Abstract: A golf club including a club head and an interchangeable shaft is disclosed herein. A sleeve is mounted in an internal hosel of the club head. The sleeve includes a top section, which has a plurality of fingers and slits. The sleeve further includes a rib that extends diametrically across the interior of the sleeve. The shaft is inserted in the sleeve, and a mechanical fastener, which is placed over a tip end of the shaft and coupled to the sleeve, constricts the fingers of the sleeve about the shaft to removably secure the shaft to the club head. The tip end of the shaft has a notch formed therein. The notch in the shaft engages the rib of the sleeve to prevent the shaft from rotating with respect to the sleeve.

Abstract: A golf club (20) having a club head (22) with an interchangeable shaft (40) is disclosed herein. The golf club (20) includes a tube (44, 144) mounted in the club head (22), and a sleeve (46, 146) mounted on a tip end (50) of the shaft (40). The tube (44, 144) includes a tapered portion (60, 160) and a rotation prevention portion (62, 162). The sleeve (46, 146) has a frustoconical portion (72, 172) and a keyed portion (74, 174) that are respectively received in the tapered portion (60, 160) and the rotation prevention portion (62, 162) of the tube (44, 144). The golf club (20) further includes a mechanical fastener (48, 148) for removably securing the shaft (40) to the club head (22).

Abstract: A golf club shaft tip diameter adjuster attached to a tip portion of a golf club shaft for adjusting a diameter of the shaft tip portion. The golf club shaft tip diameter adjuster is formed into a cylindrical tubular body out of fiber reinforced resin. A slit is defined to separate the tip diameter adjuster in the lengthwise direction thereof.

Abstract: A golf clubhead containing a main body and a face member, the main body including a main shell portion having a hollow and a tubular inner extension of a hosel protruding in the hollow, and at least a part of the tubular inner extension separating from the inner surface of the main shell portion. A method of making the golf clubhead, which includes making a first lost form corresponding to the main shell portion, making a second lost form corresponding to the tubular inner extension, fixing the second lost form to the first lost form to make a third lost form corresponding to the main body, making a casting mold using the third lost form, and casting a metallic material into the main body using the casting mold.

Abstract: A golf club is manufactured according to a method in which a radially compliant crush sleeve is interposed between the shaft tip and hosel of the club head. The crush sleeve is fabricated from a strip of metal formed into a substantially cylindrical metallic band with a plurality of radially-extending dimples or corrugations that grip the shaft. The crush sleeve is retained either in an undercut region in the hosel bore, on a mandrel extending from the hosel, or on a pilot shaft at the tip of the golf club shaft. After the interface between the shaft and hosel is coated with an adhesive, the shaft is assembled to the hosel with the crush sleeve squeezed in between. The crush sleeve secures the shaft to the club head with sufficient rigidity to allow the adhesive to set while maintaining the appropriate axial and rotational alignment.

Abstract: The golf club (20) of the present invention includes a shaft (22), a club head (24) and an attachment assembly (30), which allows for an essentially adhesive free connection between the shaft (22) and the club head (24). In one embodiment, the attachment assembly (30) includes a screw (34) and a shaft ring (32). The shaft ring (32) is welded to the interior wall (40) of the shaft (22) near the tip end (41). Another embodiment of the attachment assembly (30) includes a locking sleeve (50).

Abstract: The golf club (20) of the present invention includes a shaft (22), a club head (24) and an attachment assembly (30), which allows for an essentially adhesive free connection between the shaft (22) and the club head (24). In one embodiment, the attachment assembly (30) includes a screw (34) and a shaft ring (32). The shaft ring (32) is welded to the interior wall (40) of the shaft (22) near the tip end (41). Another embodiment of the attachment assembly (30) includes a locking sleeve (50).

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

Abstract: A shot control hosel is disclosed for customizing golf clubs. The disclosed embodiments of the invention provide a set of hosels, each hosel having a conical body. The body has a central axis, a top portion and a bottom portion. A cylindrical opening extends from the top portion to the bottom portion and is adapted to accommodate a golf club shaft. A flange may be provided on the body and may be adapted to engage a notch within a bore of a golf club head. A resilient barb on the smaller of the top portion and the bottom portion is provided to secure the hosel within the bore.

Abstract: A slotted hosel and related attachment system and method are provided for securely affixing a golf club head to the end of a golf club shaft. The hosel is formed to extend generally upwardly from a heel end of the club head and has a generally cylindrical shape defining an upwardly open hosel bore. At least one and preferably multiple laterally open slots are formed in the hosel to reduce the weight thereof. A relatively thin-walled liner sleeve is slide-fitted into the hosel bore and thereafter expanded to form dimples therein protruding outwardly into secure mechanical interlocking relation with the hosel. The end of the club shaft is thereafter slide-fitted into the liner sleeve and securely affixed therein by epoxy or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a shaft to a golf club head is disclosed. The club head is positioned in a club head alignment device of the apparatus, which further includes a holding device and a press device with a jaw mechanism. A ferrule and a sleeve are placed on the tip end of the shaft, and the butt end is inserted into the holding device. The tip end of the shaft and the sleeve are inserted into a tapered bore in the hosel of the club head. The jaw mechanism of the press device is then enclosed around the shaft, and the press device is operated to force the sleeve further into the tapered hosel bore. The club head and partially attached shaft are then removed from the apparatus, and the ferrule is secured to the hosel to completely attach the shaft.

Abstract: A dynamic balance mechanism includes an adjusting barrel adapted to be adjustably extending into the club head and having a portion of the shaft securely received inside the adjusting barrel. A rotation of the adjusting barrel adjusts the relative position between the club head and the shaft.

Abstract: A sole of a head is inclined upwardly toward a side of a hosel section. A proximal section of the hosel section, which is continuous to a top, is set to be low. Accordingly, the weight of the head on the side of the hosel section is reduced, while the weight is distributed to circumferential portions of the head. Thus, the moment of inertia is set to be increased, and the sweet area is substantially enlarged.

Abstract: A golf club includes a clubhead having a striking face, a threaded cylindrical chamber behind and generally parallel to the face, and a threaded cylindrical weight member in the chamber. A hosel is attached to the cylindrical weight member and has a shaft receiving socket with a non-circular portion and a threaded portion, the shaft having a hosel engaging end with a mating non-circular cross section and a ferrule having threads engagable with the threaded portion of the socket. A second embodiment includes a clubhead which is symmetrical so that the hosel may be attached at either end to make the club ambidextrous. Some different structures for attaching the hosel to the cylindrical weight member provide for variations in the loft of the club. Another embodiment includes an asymmetric movable weight member which engages the head within a cavity therein and is adjustable both longitudinally and by changing the location of its center of gravity.

Abstract: The golf club (20) of the present invention allows for the face angle of the golf club to be set after manufacturing of the golf club head (22). The golf club (20) of the present invention is able to accomplish this by providing a golf club head (22) with an internal hosel (38) (such as a GREAT BIG BERTHA® HAWK EYE® driver), a shaft (40) and an insert (51) that is disposed within the internal hosel (38). The insert (51) allows for the face angle of the golf club (20) to be oriented after manufacturing of the golf club head (22). The golf club (20) may also include a hosel liner (50) that is disposed within the insert (51).

Abstract: A device in the general size and shape of a golf tee, which contains sensing circuitry to detect the sound of the contact of the club head with the ball, or with the playing surface. This stimulus activates a timer, which in turn activates illumination device in the forth of a light pulse directed at the face of the golfer. By physical proximity to the target of the club head the golfer will perceive illumination of the device in his/her peripheral vision when the golfer has maintained eye contact with the target at the instant of contact.

Abstract: The golf club of the present invention is comprised of an elongated shaft and a club head, where the club head further includes a striking face, a front toe region, a rear heel region, and opposing top and bottom edges. The elongated shaft is coupled to a hosel. Between the hosel and face there is defined a juncture region. The club also includes a small cavity, filled with a non-metallic material, which is located in the juncture region. In addition to enlarging the sweet spot of the club, the filled cavity serves to dampen or eliminate vibrations that are established in the club body as the striking face contacts a ball during the course of a typical golf swing.

Abstract: A hosel interface device for interconnection of the golf club shaft and the golf clubhead, the device having a portion which is made intentionally bendable to provide any desired extent of variation in lie angle and face angle in virtually an infinite number of increments. The invention employs a bending region along a portion of an otherwise straight exterior hosel interface or coupling. The hosel interface is configured to be inserted into the typical hosel area location of a golf club head such as a wood or iron head. The hosel interface also provides an elongated receptacle for receiving the clubhead end of a shaft. The bending region is between the clubhead insertion region and the shaft receptacle region of the hosel interface.

Abstract: A golf club assembly includes a pivoting club head that facilitates the driving of a golf ball by virtue of pivoting motion and the effects of angular momentum. A hinge pivot assembly connects the club head with the hosel.

Abstract: The hosel construction includes a plug member extending downwardly for engaging a club head having a club face. A neck member, extending angularly upwardly from the plug member, engages a shaft to complete a golf club. The neck member extends in a generally transverse dimension to determine a lie angle between the shaft and the club head. The neck member also extends in a generally longitudinal dimension to determine a longitudinal angle, such as a face angle for the club face.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided in which the lie and/or loft angle thereof may be semi-permanently but reversibly adjusted by a golfer prior to playing, to suit the individual golfer's stance, swing dynamics, playing skill and/or condition of the greens on which the golfer intends to play. An adjustable lie/loft angle putter according to the present invention includes a hollow tubular shaft and a head coupled together by a reversibly bendable coupling element which preferably is fabricated from a relatively ductile metal such as stainless steel which is formed into an elongated, hollow tube which has a circular cross section. A first, upper longitudinal end of the coupling element is insertably received in the lower opening of a bore within the shaft, while the other end of the coupling element is attached directly to the putter head or to a hosel protruding from the head.

Abstract: A metal driver golf clubhead comprises a first member comprising the sole, toe, heel and rear of the clubhead; a second member comprising the face of the clubhead and joined to the first member along a generally vertically plane behind the face; and at least a pair of elongated grooves extending in the rear-to-front along the sole of the first member, terminating at the leading edge of the sole for reducing drag in the sole area. The runners which extend to the leading edge reduce the area which strikes the ground and allows the club to release from the initial dig into the turf. The hosel has an internal bore into which the golf club shaft is inserted and mounted, and a reverse tapered surface for securing the hosel and the club shaft in a mating bore in the clubhead. This increases the weight in the head, increases resistance to twist/torque, and imparts a more solid feel, including during the striking of a ball.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a tubular shaft attaching portion which is provided to a hosel portion so as to serve as a fixing portion that fixes a distal end portion of a shaft to the head. The tubular shaft attaching portion has an upper end which is located below a corresponding upper surface of a crown portion. In this head, the effective length of the shaft that can flex during a golf swing can be extended at the distal end portion, so that the head speed can be increased by sufficiently utilizing the flexure at the distal end portion of the shaft. Also, damage to the shaft can be prevented effectively.

Abstract: A big scale (500 cc) golf club head fabrication method includes the step of preparing molds for making a top cover panel, a bottom cover panel and a face panel, the step of preparing metal alloy plate materials and then cutting the metal alloy plate materials into the desired sizes and then using the molds thus obtained to forge the metal alloy plate materials into the desired top cover panel, bottom panel and face panel respectively, and the step of welding the obtained top cover panel, bottom panel and face panel in a vacuum tank to form a golf club head and then polishing the golf club head into a finished product.

Abstract: A golf driver head has a double-walled hosel contained wholly within the head. The hosel includes an inner tube into which a club shaft may be inserted, and an outer tube situated around the inner tube and having a clearance defining an annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube. An annular bridge extends across the annular space, interconnecting the inner tube and the outer tube, and the space between the inner and outer tubes is filled with an elastomeric damping material.

Abstract: A golf club head with a shortened hosel and extended ferrule including a hollow body having a ball striking wall, and a top wall extending rearwardly from the ball striking wall. The hosel extends downwardly from the top wall with a shaft receiving bore therein, and extends upwardly from the top surface of the club a much shorter distance than conventional with a flat top surface much larger than normal and an annular outer surface that flares sharply outwardly. The ferrule head has a larger than normal lower surface equal in size and shape to the hosel top surface with an outer surface that curves sharply outwardly and downwardly in lower portions thereof in a smooth transition into the hosel outer surface. The top of the hosel bore is chamfered, and the ferrule is epoxied not only to the inserted shaft but also to the enlarged hosel top surface to increase the hosel's ability to absorb side loading from the inserted shaft.

Abstract: A wood-type golf club having an enlarged club head in the range of 250 to 300 cm..sup.3 constructed of a material lighter than steel to maintain the total club head weight within normal limits including the weight of a novel power shaft according to the present invention. The club head, without the power shaft, is approximately 175 gms. and the power shaft weighs approximately 25 gms., so the total club head weight is approximately 200 gms. and within normal limits. The power shaft, integral with the rear of the ball striking face wall at its forward end and integral or cast into the rear of the club head at its rear end, while reinforcing the ball striking face wall, increases the resonant frequency of the face wall to synchronize face wall rebound to the player's swing speed. Face wall resonant frequency is varied by changing the size and weight of the power shaft.

Abstract: A golf club having a metal head provided with a hosel having an axial bore having a major diameter which includes a chamfered upper portion and a minor diameter which includes the remaining portion thereof. A shaft having an end diameter substantially conforming with the minor diameter, is located in the bore of the hosel. A ferrule made of a thermoplastic material having a modulus of elasticity of between 5-12 10.sup.2 MPa, is formed with an axial bore. A tapered sleeve extends from a lower portion of the ferrule. The ferrule is located in a press fit about the shaft end with the sleeve mattingly received within the major diameter of the hosel providing an extended cushion and reinforcement at the juncture between the shaft and the hosel.

Abstract: A golf club includes a male hosel which is inserted into the lower end of a shaft. A sleeve is positioned over the lower end of the shaft and over a radially enlarged portion of the hosel. The shaft abuts a first radially extending shoulder on the hosel, and the sleeve abuts a second radially extending shoulder on the hosel.

Abstract: A golf club head having a metallic and hollow head body, of which the volume is capable of being enlarged without decreasing the connection strength of a shaft. A hosel is formed thicker at its lower end than at its upper end, while a lower end of a shaft is provided evenly relative to a lower end of the hosel, or otherwise, protrudes slightly downward relative to the same. Thus, a length of the shaft can be saved without decreasing the connection strength of the same to the head body. In another embodiment of the invention, a collar is preformed at an intermediate portion of the hosel, thereby improving the connection strength of the hosel and shaft to the head body, and at the same time, metallic cladding will be unnecessary in manufacturing a golf club head, thereby improving its productivity.

Abstract: A golf club formed of a hollow golf shaft, a golf head having a through hole for receiving the hollow golf shaft, and an engaging member for securing the golf shaft in the golf head, and which is fixedly secured to an end surface of the golf shaft, and has a cross-sectional shape, which progressively changes from a non-circular to a circular, and a threaded hole formed at an end face remote from the golf shaft for receiving a bolt that fixes the engaging member with the golf shaft in the golf head.

Abstract: A golf club hosel comprising three segments is disclosed, the upper segment being circular in cross-section and adapted to receive a golf club shaft, a tapered middle segment having a circular cross-section diminishing in diameter from top to bottom, and an elliptical in cross-section lower segment adapted to join the hosel to the club head.

Abstract: A wood-type golf club having an enlarged club head in the range of 250 to 300 cm.3 constructed of a material lighter than steel to maintain the total club head weight within normal limits including the weight of novel power shaft according to the present invention. The club head, without the power shaft, is approximately 175 gms. and the power shaft weighs approximately 25 gms., so the total club head weight is approximately 200 gms. and within normal limits. The power shaft, integral with the rear of the ball striking face wall at its forward end and integral or cast into the rear of the club head at its rear end, while reinforcing the ball striking face wall, increases the resonant frequency of the face wall to synchronize face wall rebound to the player's swing speed. Face wall resonant frequency is varied by changing the size and weight of the power shaft.