Abstract: A golf club shaft used with putter type club heads for making a putting stroke on the green of a golf course is made from high-modulus fibers which results in an ultra-high stiffness putter shaft with high frequency, low tip deflection, and high torsional and bending rigidity. The ultra-high stiffness putter shaft prevents unwanted face twisting during the impact of a golf ball during a putting stroke, allowing for greater putt accuracy.

Abstract: A golf tracking system including a tag coupled to a golf club. The tag includes a plurality of sensors, each which output a signal based on a detected movement of the golf club, a microcontroller that compares each of the plurality of sensor outputs to stored reference sensor output values, and a transceiver that transmits data corresponding to the sensor outputs to a device remote from the tag based on the comparison performed by the microcontroller. The location-aware device then processes the information received from the tag to determine whether a shot should be registered.

Abstract: A golf club comprises a shaft, a golf club head fixed to one of ends of the shaft, and a grip attached to the other of the ends of the shaft and defining a grip end. The golf club head comprises a head main body and at least one weight. The head main body includes a plurality of ports for attaching the at least one weight. Each weight can be attached to and detached from each port so that the position of the center of gravity of the head can be changed by changing the position between the ports. The difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of linear distances from the grip end to the center of gravity of the weights when attached to the respective ports is not more than 20 mm.

Abstract: An article comprises a structure having an outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis. At least a portion of a cross section of the outer surface is convex. Fluid control channels extend along a channel longitudinal axis along at least a portion the convex surface. The channel longitudinal axis makes an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer surface. The fluid control channels are configured to allow capillary movement of liquid in the channels and across the convex surface.

Abstract: A golf club shaft system and golf club shaft possessing unique flexural and torsional rigidity profiles, while providing significant adjustability to fine tune the shaft to a particular golf swing.

Abstract: A hitting extension for a body-positioning trainer is disclosed. The hitting extension has an elongate, generally flat body with first and second ends spaced from one another. The second end terminates in a rounded distal edge. A first opening formed in the body proximate to the first end allows the hitting extension to be connected to the body-positioning trainer. The body-positioning trainer restricts the movement of the arms in order to allow the user to focus on torso movement, and the hitting extension allows the user to hit a ball, or another such projectile, using the trainer. Methods for training a user in torso movement using the hitting extension are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shaft for a putter includes decorative sheaths that may beautify the shaft while retaining lightweight stiffness and avoiding breaking the sheaths.

Abstract: An EI value at a point P16 separated by 16 inches from a tip end Tp is defined as E16, a shaft wall thickness at the point P16 is defined as T16, an EI value at a point P6 separated by 6 inches from the tip end Tp is defined as E6, and a shaft wall thickness at the point P6 is defined as T6. In a shaft 6, E16 is 2.4 (kgf·m2) or more, E6 is 2.7 (kgf·m2) or less, and E16/E6 is 0.95 or more but 1.50 or less, E6/T6 is 1.9 or less, and E16/T16 is 3.0 or more. A high-elasticity partial reinforcement layer including a fiber having a tensile elastic modulus of 30 (t/mm2) or more but 40 (t/mm2) or less is disposed in at least a part of a region falling within a range of ±4 inches from the point P16.

Abstract: A head 2 includes a face part 4. The face part 4 includes a plurality of constant thickness regions S1 and S2, and a plurality of thickness transition regions R1, R2 and R3. The constant thickness regions include a first constant region S1 and a second constant region S2 which is thinner than the first thickness region S1. The thickness transition regions R1, R2 and R3 which are adjacent to each other is disposed between the first constant region S1 and the second constant region S2. The thickness transition regions adjacent to each other have different thickness change rates from each other.

Abstract: A system and method for weighting a golf club. The system is configured to adjust the overall club weight and the weight balance of a golf club.

Abstract: A golf club with improved weighting characteristic is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention discloses to a golf club wherein the improved weighting distribution stems from an increase in the mass of the golf club at a specific distance away from the butt end or proximal end of the golf club head to help increase the feel and minimize the dispersion of the golf shot by minimizing the pull and or draw tendencies of a golf shot.

Abstract: A golf club 2 includes a shaft 6 having a weight of 50 g or less. The shaft 6 has a ratio of a center of gravity of 0.54 or greater. Respective EI values measured at intervals of 100 mm from a point 130 mm distant from a tip end Tp are defined as E1 to E10. A first region, a second region, and a third region are defined by boundaries at respective points having distances of 230 mm and 830 mm from the tip end Tp. In a graph on which the EI values are plotted, gradients of approximate straight lines in the first region, the second region, and the third region are defined as M1, M2, and M3, respectively. M1 to M3, E9/E6, and E10/E6 are fall within respective specified scopes. M3 is greater than M2.

Abstract: A golf club with improved weighting characteristic is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention discloses to a golf club wherein the improved weighting distribution stems from an increase in the mass of the golf club at a specific distance away from the butt end or proximal end of the golf club head to help increase the feel and minimize the dispersion of the golf shot by minimizing the pull and or draw tendencies of a golf shot.

Abstract: Articles containing fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers on at least part of their exposed surfaces are imprinted with surface structures to raise the contact angle for water in the imprinted areas at room temperature by equal to or greater than 10°, when compared to the flat and smooth metallic material surface of the same composition.

Abstract: Provided is a golf club having a head disposed at a front end of a shaft and a grip disposed at a back end of the shaft. A club weight is not larger than 290 g. A product of a ratio (head weight/club weight) of a head weight to the club weight, and a ratio (LG/LS) of a distance LG from the front end of the shaft to a center of gravity of the shaft to a full length LS of the shaft, is not smaller than 0.365.

Abstract: Enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, for example without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package in the mount, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and golf club shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.

Abstract: Disclosed a hybrid golf shaft in which one or more aramid fiber containing prepregs (H) are laminated in a length section of 5 cm or more of the whole length of the golf shaft, and three or more carbon fiber prepregs (C) are laminated in a length section of 50 cm or more of the whole length of the golf shaft. The golf shaft is configured in that aramid prepregs (H1) or hybrid prepregs (H2) with excellent impact absorbability are arranged in a length section of 5 to 50 cm from a thin end of the golf shaft or along the whole length (L) in an axial direction of the golf shaft, to thereby effectively reduce the number of vibrations in the golf shaft when the golf ball is hit.

Abstract: When a distance from a shaft front end to a shaft gravity center point is LG and a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54?LG/LS?0.65 is satisfied. A golf club shaft, wherein a shaft weight is 56 g or more, and a bending rigidity value EI at a point of 630 mm from the shaft front end to the shaft rear end side is 3.6 kgf·m2 or less.

Abstract: A golf club according to one or more aspects of the present invention may have a mass less than 300 g, a length greater than about 45 inches, a swing weight between D0 and D6, a head weighing less than about 200 g, a club-head volume of at least about 360 cm3, a grip weighing less than about 50 g, and a shaft having a tip end, a butt end, and a shaft balance point located no more than 24 inches from the butt end. The shaft may have a torsional displacement angle greater than about 5.5° and a mass less than about 50 g. A coordinate system having x-, y-, and z-axes may have its origin at the center of gravity of the club head. The golf club head may have a moment of inertia of at least about 4500 g·cm2 about the z-axis and a moment of inertia of at least about 3000 g·cm2 about the y-axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club in which a shaft arranged beneath a grip portion of the golf club is processed to be used as means for grip swing performed by rotating the golf grip locally between both hands of a golfer. The aim of the present invention is to enable forces of both hands and both arms of the golfer and the weight of the golf club to be dynamically balanced at one or more center of gravity portions (S) designed at a specific position on the shaft beneath the grip during a typical gripping and swinging action of the golfer, that is, said center of gravity portions (S) may serve as a hinge or weight of minimum swing performed between both hands of the golfer, thereby enabling fine swing control.

Abstract: A golf club swing training apparatus designed to help golfers learn to selectively control a golf ball trajectory shape so that the ball is made to “bend” from right to left, or left to right. The apparatus is configured as an otherwise conventional golf club such as a driver, but wherein the shaft is spliced at a location along its length between the butt end and the head end. After removing a short piece of shaft to retain the overall length of the club, a slide mechanism is inserted to mate with the shaft's upper and lower portions. The slide mechanism permits limited transverse movement of the lower portion that is connected to the golf club head relative to the upper portion that includes the butt end or grip of the club.

Abstract: A golf club shaft, wherein when a distance from a shaft front end to a shaft gravity center point is LG and full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54?LG/LS?0.65 is satisfied, a shaft weight is 55 g or less, and a bending rigidity value EI at a point of 630 mm from the shaft front end to the shaft rear end side is 2.3 kgf·m2 or less.

Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.

Abstract: A method of selecting a preferred golf shaft for a player who uses an existing golf shaft, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may comprise gathering a plurality of empirical data sets, each data set corresponding to an individual golf shaft selected from a plurality of golf shafts; providing a plurality of specification codes, each associated with an individual empirical data set of the plurality of empirical data sets; from the plurality of specification codes, identifying a first specification code associated with the existing golf shaft; gathering feedback associated with the existing golf shaft from the player; and using the feedback to select, from the plurality of specification codes, a second specification code corresponding to the preferred golf shaft.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head, the torque of the entire length of the shaft being in a range of 3 to 5°. From viewpoints of a torsional rigidity distribution of the shaft, an integrated value of the torsional rigidity on the grip end side of the shaft is 85% or less of the integrated value of the torsional rigidity of the entire length of the shaft. The head has a distance to the center of gravity of 40 to 48 mm and a gravity center angle of 22 to 30°.

Abstract: A method relating to an improved fitting system for a golf club shaft is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention utilizes specific data gathered from the golfer's golf swing itself to determine the best performing golf club shaft for this particular golf swing. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of infrared motion capturing cameras to record the location data of a golf club shaft throughout a swing. Based on the location data captured, one or more dynamic behavioral characteristics can be calculated to determine one or more preferred shaft characteristics. Using the preferred shaft characteristics, a shaft can be recommended for the golfer having this particular golf swing. The current inventive fitting methodology is preferred to the archaic fitting method of using data gathered from the result orientated ball flight data together with a tedious process of having to try numerous different shafts.

Abstract: A golf club comprises a club shaft and a golf club head attached to the tip end of the club shaft, wherein the length of the golf club is from 45 to 47 inches, the volume V of the golf club head is from 440 to 470 cu·cm, the moment of inertia M of the golf club head around the center line of the club shaft is 5500 to 6500 g sq·cm, and the ratio M/V of the moment of inertia M (g sq·cm) to the volume V (cu·cm) is from 11.0 to 13.5.

Abstract: A method of applying decorative layers to a steel golf club shaft is disclosed. The method may be performed on any type of steel shaft and comprises buffing the steel shaft, applying a primer or sealer coat, curing the sealer coat, buffing the sealer coat, applying a decal or decorative layer, applying clear coat over the shaft and decal, and curing the clear coat layer. Some embodiments comprise applying a layer of base coat color before applying a decal. Disclosed methods can, for example, improve adhesion between chrome-plated steel golf club shafts and paint, for golf club branding with increased resistance to wear.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for providing a golf club shaft that has coupling between one or more bending modes and one or more twisting modes of deformation. In a specific embodiment, bending the shaft along a central longitudinal axis of the shaft in a plane of bending results in twisting of the shaft about the same central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club according to one or more aspects of the present invention may have a mass less than 300 g, a length greater than about 45 inches, a swing weight between D0 and D6, a head weighing less than about 200 g, a club-head volume of at least about 360 cm3, a grip weighing less than about 50 g, and a shaft having a tip end, a butt end, and a shaft balance point located no more than 24 inches from the butt end. The shaft may have a torsional displacement angle greater than about 5.5° and a mass less than about 50 g. A coordinate system having x-, y-, and z-axes may have its origin at the center of gravity of the club head. The golf club head may have a moment of inertia of at least about 4500 g·cm2 about the z-axis and a moment of inertia of at least about 3000 g·cm2 about the y-axis.

Abstract: An improved golf club shaft comprised of a flexible insert device that adds additional flexibility to said club shaft and creates one or more pivot points along said shaft. The increased flexibility of the golf club shaft enables a golfer to impart greater force on a golf ball, and also dampens or reduces the amount of vibration and/or shock otherwise imparted to the golfer when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf club has a reverse flex of 110 to 160 mm. The face portion includes a central thick part, a toe-crown-side thin part on a crown-side and on a toe-side of the central thick part, and a heel-sole-side thin part on a sole-side and on a heel-side of the central thick part. In the front view of the head, a first straight line passing an area centroid of the toe-crown-side thin part and an area centroid of a back surface of the face portion has an angle ?A of 10 to 30 degrees, and a second straight line passing an area centroid of the heel-sole-side thin part and the area centroid of the back surface of the face portion has an angle ?B of 36 to 40 degrees, each with respect to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A golf club has a head including a base layer and a compounded transfer layer. The base layer has a coupling face. The compounded transfer layer is formed on the coupling face of the base layer. The compounded transfer layer has a dye layer and a protection layer. The dye layer is sandwiched between the base layer and the protection layer.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having a weight distribution such that the balance point percentage is less than or equal to 44.50%. The weight distribution of the shaft allows for an increase in length and/or club head weight of a golf club while having a reduced impact on the swing weight.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club is capable of hitting a higher ball and reducing a spin on the ball. The shaft has a distal part that is provided with a clubhead, a proximal part that is provided with a grip, an intermediate part arranged between the distal and proximal parts, and a thick part set to thicken a wall thickness of the intermediate part relative to the distal part, a reinforcing part set at the intermediate part, or a combination of the thick part and the reinforcing part. With this, the shaft improves a rigidity at the intermediate part so that a change in rigidity between the distal part and the intermediate part has an inflection point.

Abstract: An improved golf club shaft comprised of a flexible insert device that adds additional flexibility to said club shaft and creates one or more pivot points along said shaft. The increased flexibility of the golf club shaft enables a golfer to impart greater force on a golf ball, and also dampens or reduces the amount of vibration and/or shock otherwise imparted to the golfer when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.

Abstract: Handle integrated motion capture element mount that enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, for example without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package in the mount, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a handle without electronics for future upgrading. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and equipment.

Abstract: A method of selecting a preferred golf shaft for a player who uses an existing golf shaft, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may comprise gathering a plurality of empirical data sets, each data set corresponding to an individual golf shaft selected from a plurality of golf shafts; providing a plurality of specification codes, each associated with an individual empirical data set of the plurality of empirical data sets; from the plurality of specification codes, identifying a first specification code associated with the existing golf shaft; gathering feedback associated with the existing golf shaft from the player; and using the feedback to select, from the plurality of specification codes, a second specification code corresponding to the preferred golf shaft.

Abstract: A golf club steel shaft in which, when a distance from a front end of the shaft to a center of gravity point of the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, a center-of-gravity rate Y (%) obtained as LG/LS satisfies 51.0?Y?60.0, a shaft weight X (g) satisfies 80?X?140, and a full length of the shaft LS (inch) satisfies 30?LS?42.

Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions.

Abstract: A method of applying decorative layers to a steel golf club shaft is disclosed. The method may be performed on any type of steel shaft and comprises buffing the steel shaft, applying a primer or sealer coat, curing the sealer coat, buffing the sealer coat, applying a decal or decorative layer, applying clear coat over the shaft and decal, and curing the clear coat layer. Some embodiments comprise applying a layer of base coat color before applying a decal. Disclosed methods can, for example, improve adhesion between chrome-plated steel golf club shafts and paint, for golf club branding with increased resistance to wear.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head. The shaft has a torque of the entire length of the shaft of from 3 to 5°. In the torsional rigidity distribution of the shaft, an integrated value of the torsional rigidity on the grip end side of the shaft is at least 85% of the integrated value of the torsional rigidity of the entire length of the shaft. The head has a distance to the center of gravity of from 25 mm to 35 mm and has a gravity center angle of from 10° to 20°.

Abstract: A golf club having at least one directional based graphic on the golf club it disclosed. More specifically, the golf club in accordance with the present invention will have at least one directional based graphic that will only be visible when the golf club is oriented in a desirable direction while staying invisible in all other undesirable directions.

Abstract: A method of selecting a preferred golf shaft for a player who uses an existing golf shaft, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may comprise gathering a plurality of empirical data sets, each data set corresponding to an individual golf shaft selected from a plurality of golf shafts; providing a plurality of specification codes, each associated with an individual empirical data set of the plurality of empirical data sets; from the plurality of specification codes, identifying a first specification code associated with the existing golf shaft; gathering feedback associated with the existing golf shaft from the player; and using the feedback to select, from the plurality of specification codes, a second specification code corresponding to the preferred golf shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a golf club shaft. When a distance from a front end of the shaft to a center of gravity of the shaft is LG and when a full length of the shaft is LS, 0.54?LG/LS?0.65 is satisfied. A shaft weight is not larger than 55 g, and a torque value is not higher than 6.5.

Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.

Abstract: A section where the tip side partial bias layer exists in an axis direction of the shaft is defined as a section T; a section where the back end side partial bias layer exists in the axis direction of the shaft is defined as a section B; and a shaft section inserted into a hosel of a head in the axis direction of the shaft is defined as a section H. A part of the section T overlaps with the section H. An overlapping section TB in which the section T overlaps with the section B exists. The whole overlapping section TB is located on a back end Bt side of the shaft from the section H. A center position Px of the overlapping section TB is located on a tip side of the shaft from a center position Pc of the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft selection assist apparatus according to this invention includes a storage means for storing recommended shaft information indicating a correspondence between measurement parameters obtained upon a test strike with a golf club to which a predetermined reference shaft is attached, and recommended shafts among shafts of a plurality of types, an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement results of the measurement parameters associated with a test strike actually made by a user with the golf club, a selection means for selecting a recommended shaft by referring to the recommended shaft information based on the measurement results acquired by the acquisition means, and an output means for outputting information indicating the recommended shaft selected by the selection means. The recommended shaft information stored in the storage means is information which specifies recommended shafts based on the relationship between the shaft rigidity distribution and the measurement parameters.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has the bending rigidity distribution and the torsional rigidity distribution satisfying the following three relational formulas: 1) S2/S1?2.5, wherein an average inclination of the bending rigidity in an interval from 400 mm to 700 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as S1 and an average inclination of the bending rigidity in an interval from 800 mm to 950 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as S2; 2) 1.0<EI/GI(mid)<1.5, wherein an average of the ratio of the bending rigidity with respect to the torsional rigidity in an interval from 300 mm to 700 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as EI/GI(mid); and 3) EI/GI(900)?1.75, wherein the ratio of the bending rigidity with respect to the torsional rigidity at a position 900 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as EI/GI(900).

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head, the torque of the entire length of the shaft being in a range of 3 to 5°. From viewpoints of a torsional rigidity distribution of the shaft, an integrated value of the torsional rigidity on the grip end side of the shaft is 85% or less of the integrated value of the torsional rigidity of the entire length of the shaft. The head has a distance to the center of gravity of 40 to 48 mm and a gravity center angle of 22 to 30°.