Abstract: Embodiments of adjustable length golf clubs and methods of manufacturing adjustable length golf clubs are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

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 handle 14 with a changeable grip 12 for a shock imparting implement has a gripping sleeve 18 positioned on an end 24 of a handle 14 abutting a ledge 28 integrally formed in the handle 14. A threaded cap 20 compresses the gripping sleeve 18 against the ledge 28 to secure the grip 12 to the handle 14. Optional splines 40 on an outer surface of the handle 14 meshing with channels 42 in the gripping sleeve 18 function to prevent slippage or rotation during use.

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 golf club shaft that has a flexural rigidity distribution allows a user to easily adjust swing timing even when a golf club using the golf club shaft is long. The golf club shaft comprises a section, wherein the flexural rigidity EI of the shaft monotonically increases in the section from the point 500 mm to the point 800 mm, wherein ?1/?2 is at least about 1.5 where ?1 is the rate of change of the flexural rigidity EI of the shaft between points 500 mm and 600 mm from the tip end, and ?2 is the rate of change of the flexural rigidity EI between points 700 mm and 800 mm from the tip end, and wherein the flexural rigidity EI at a point 750 mm from the tip end is at least about 4.1×106 kgf*mm2.

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 measurement parameters include the vertical launch angle of a struck ball and the back spin amount on the struck ball.

Abstract: A method can include (i) identifying a reference shaft for an individual based on one or more characteristics of the individual; (ii) receiving shaft feedback information from the individual with respect to a performance of the reference shaft based on an assessment by the individual of one or more reference shaft characteristics of the reference shaft; (iii) executing a shaft comparison between shaft characteristic information of the reference shaft and shaft characteristic information of a plurality of available shafts based on the shaft feedback information of the individual, the shaft characteristic information of the reference shaft comprising information about the one or more reference shaft characteristics; and (iv) identifying one or more recommended shafts from the plurality of available shafts based on the shaft comparison to custom fit the individual. Other examples and related embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A golf club shaft includes a base made of a metal material, a nickel plated layer formed on the base, a chrome plated layer formed on the nickel layer, and a coating layer formed on the chrome plated layer. The chrome plated layer has a surface roughness Ra of 0.1 to 0.3 ?m and a thickness of 0.2 to 1 ?m.

Abstract: A golf club shaft assembly including a golf club shaft and a permanent shaft insert that is partially bonded, or is unbounded, to the golf club shaft.

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 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: In a shaft 6, a shaft full length is defined as Ls, and a distance between a tip end of the shaft and a center of gravity G of the shaft is defined as Lg. Lg/Ls is 0.52 or greater and 0.65 or less. A shaft weight is equal to or less than 52 g. Preferably, the shaft 6 has butt partial layers a5 and a6. When a point separated by 250 mm from a butt end Bt is defined as P2; a range from the point P2 to the butt end Bt is defined as a specific butt range; the total weight of the butt partial layers a5 and a6 existing in the specific butt range is Wa gram; and a weight of the shaft in the specific butt range is defined as Wb gram, Wa/Wb is preferably equal to or greater than 0.4.

Abstract: A customizable sports implement system includes a sports implement having an elongate primary shaft and an elongate grip shaft, and a customizing mechanism including length setting and weight components having a plurality of different assembly combinations, each of which may be installed within a cavity formed in one of the primary shaft and the grip shaft to set a playing length and playing weight of the sports implement. The sports implement system is adjustable among a plurality of different customized configurations by swapping different assembly combinations of the length setting and weight components into the cavity. A method of customizing a sports implement system includes adjusting the sports implement system among different customized configurations by swapping combinations of the length setting and weight components for one another within the cavity, and adjusting a length setting state of the length setting component.

Abstract: Fairway wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a club head with a volume of at least 300 cc; (b) a shaft member attached to the club head, wherein the golf club has a length between 37 and 43 inches; and (c) a grip or handle member attached to the shaft member. The club head may further include: (1) a ball striking face, wherein the ball striking face has a loft angle between 12 and 32 degrees; and (2) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, with a sole portion that includes a ground-engaging surface.

Abstract: A golf club with a rigid shaft band is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club with a rigid shaft band that is placed at a precise location on the shaft itself, utilizing a precise taper within the internal surface of the rigid shaft band to control the location. Even more specifically, the rigid shaft band may be placed at a distance that is greater than about 1 inch and less than about 3 inches away from the butt end of the golf club with a tapered internal surface of greater than about 0.573 degrees and less than about 1.146 degrees.

Abstract: Game apparatus, e.g., a game racquet or a golf club, with selectively variable and maintainable weight distribution, e.g. by moving material (e.g., liquid and/or solid weight members) within or on the apparatus and selectively positioning the weight(s) and maintaining weight position in or on the apparatus; in one aspect, the game apparatus having dual opposed channels for weight members; and in one aspect a set of a plurality of weight members for connection to a game apparatus.

Abstract: Sports training apparatuses, systems and methods for allowing a golf club user to estimate the trajectory and distance of a golf ball once it has been impacted with the golf club. One embodiment includes a golf club made up of a head, a ferrule, a shaft and a grip wherein one or more markings are positioned on said head, ferrule, shaft or grip or any combination of the head, ferrule, shaft and grip so the one or more markings may be used for monitoring and aiding in the improvement of the player's performance. The markings may be positioned at one or more locations about the external surface of one or more portions of the golf club including the head, the ferrule, the hosel, the shaft, and the grip. In other embodiments, additional markings may be used in conjunction with the first set of markings.

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: A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one upper shaft portion, a lower shaft portion and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two upper shaft portions having different lengths so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft by removing one upper shaft portion and replacing it with another upper shaft portion having a different length. Methods of adjusting the length of a golf club shaft without damaging any portion of the shaft and variable length shaft kits are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A variable length golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The variable length golf club shaft includes at least one upper shaft portion having a first diameter and a hollow lower shaft portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the lower shaft portion has at least one notch, and wherein the at least one upper shaft portion has at least one pin that fits within the at least one notch.

Abstract: A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one upper shaft portion, a lower shaft portion and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two upper shaft portions having different lengths so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft by removing one upper shaft portion and replacing it with another upper shaft portion having a different length. Methods of adjusting the length of a golf club shaft without damaging any portion of the shaft and variable length shaft kits are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Golf is a massive industry as well as sport globally with golfers investing in continuous evolutions and modifications to golf clubs with sensitivity to weight of a few grams, offset in angle of a degree, “feel” etc. Prior art designs focused to the golf club head, grip, and in a few instances the shaft. However, considerations of accurate alignment between the elements during initial assembly/replacement are not addressed. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a means of assembling a golf club shaft that provides for an accurate alignment between the multiple elements such that alignment between them is established, can be maintained with replacements, and also allows for meaningful adjustments in the grip and head to be achieved as multiple other factors do not confound the desired interpretation of the impact of an adjustment. Accordingly the invention provides for such alignment between multiple elements of a golf club.

Abstract: A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one upper shaft portion, a lower shaft portion and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two upper shaft portions having different lengths so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft by removing one upper shaft portion and replacing it with another upper shaft portion having a different length. Methods of adjusting the length of a golf club shaft without damaging any portion of the shaft and variable length shaft kits are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Fine-grained (average grain size 1 nm to 1,000 nm) metallic coatings optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein. The fine-grained metallic materials are significantly harder and stronger than conventional coatings of the same chemical composition due to Hall-Petch strengthening and have low linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The CTE of the fine-grained metallic coating is matched to the one of the substrate by adjusting the composition of the alloy and/or by varying the chemistry and volume fraction of particulates embedded in the coating. The fine-grained metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling. The low CTEs and the ability to match the CTEs of the fine-grained metallic coatings with the CTEs of the substrate minimize dimensional changes during thermal cycling and prevent premature failure.

Abstract: A device for changing the mass characteristics of a golf club may include a first movable mass. The device may also include a first movable mass guide configured to accommodate longitudinal travel of the first movable mass along the golf club shaft. The first movable mass guide may not extend beyond the distal end of the golf club shaft. The golf club head may include a second movable mass and a second movable mass guide that accommodates travel of the second movable mass.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club having a total length and a total weight. The shaft includes first and second tubular portions. The first and second tubular portions are formed of first and second materials, respectively. The second tubular portion has a proximal end and a tip end. The tip end has an outside diameter of less than 0.400 inches. The distal end of the first tubular portion is co-cured to the proximal end of the second tubular portion. The shaft has a resistance to twisting about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, when tested under a torsional stability test and measured at an approximate midpoint of the total length of the shaft, of less than 2.0 degrees in a torsional stability test. The shaft when measured from the tip end of the shaft in a balance point test device has a balance point of less than 46 percent.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has a length of a shaft of 1050 mm to 1170 mm and a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm from a front end of the shaft of A1, a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 400 mm, 450 mm and 500 mm from the front end of the shaft of A2 and a sum of flexural rigidities at positions 650 mm, 700 mm and 750 mm from the front end of the shaft of A3, distribution of flexural rigidities is 1.70?A3/A2 and 0.60?A1/A3.

Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.

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 golf club shaft is provided that has a grip end opposite a head end and defining a length of the shaft extending between those two ends. The shaft has a tubular cross-section over at least one portion of the shaft length which cross-section has a substantially circular outer periphery and a polygon inner periphery formed of a plurality of between 4 and 24 flats, and preferably formed of 8-16 flats. A mandrel having the shape of the inner periphery of the shaft is also provided, as is a method of forming the shaft that uses the mandrel and composite matrix materials.

Abstract: A golf club having a head is disclosed. The head comprises 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: Disclosed is a golf shaft comprising a plurality of sides imparting a desired flexibility and rigidity to a golf club, such that the golf club possesses desired flexibility and necessary rigidity to enable the club to carry through and provide optimal flight to a golf ball.

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: Articles for automotive, manufacturing and industrial applications including shafts or tubes used, for example, as golf club shafts, ski and hiking poles, fishing rods or bicycle frames, skate blades and snowboards are at least partially electroplated with fine-grained layers of selected metallic materials. Parts with complex geometry can be coated as well. Alternatively, articles such as conical or cylindrical golf club shafts, hiking pole shafts or fishing pole sections, plates or foils and the like can also be electroformed of fine-grained metallic materials on a suitable mandrel or temporary substrate to produce strong, ductile, lightweight components exhibiting a high coefficient of restitution and a high stiffness for use in numerous applications including sporting goods.

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: Variable property deposit, at least partially of fine-grained metallic material, optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, is disclosed. The electrodeposition conditions in a single plating cell are suitably adjusted to once or repeatedly vary at least one property in the deposit direction. In one embodiment denoted multidimension grading, property variation along the length and/or width of the deposit is also provided. Variable property metallic material deposits containing at least in part a fine-grained microstructure and variable property in the deposit direction and optionally multidimensionally, provide superior overall mechanical properties compared to monolithic fine-grained (average grain size: >20 micron) or entirely amorphous metallic material deposits.

Abstract: An improved golf club shaft and corresponding golf club is disclosed. More specifically, a golf club shaft that is capable of minimizing or eliminating swingweight variations within a golf club despite being cut down to various different lengths to accommodate the length and heads of a set of irons is disclosed. The shaft may have an internal wall profile of variable thickness to adjust for various weight and center of gravity variations of a golf club shaft as it is being cut down in length.

Abstract: Articles for automotive, manufacturing and industrial applications including shafts or tubes used, for example, as golf club shafts, ski and hiking poles, fishing rods or bicycle frames, skate blades and snowboards are at least partially electroplated with fine-grained layers of selected metallic materials. Parts with complex geometry can be coated as well. Alternatively, articles such as conical or cylindrical golf club shafts, hiking pole shafts or fishing pole sections, plates or foils and the like can also be electroformed of fine-grained metallic materials on a suitable mandrel or temporary substrate to produce strong, ductile, lightweight components exhibiting a high coefficient of restitution and a high stiffness for use in numerous applications including sporting goods.

Abstract: A sport set (10) and methods for golf club identification are provided. The sports set (10) includes a plurality of clubs (10 and 12) with each club (10 or 12) or subset of the plurality of clubs (10 or 12) provided with a distinguishing surface configuration on at least a portion of the exterior surface of head (18) to enable a golfer to visually distinguish between each club (10 or 12) or between subsets of clubs (10 or 12).

Abstract: A golf club having a shaft, a grip, and a head provides improved balance and feel. The shaft has a shaft distal end, a shaft axis defining a vertical plane, and a forward bend section proximate the shaft distal end. The head is secured to the shaft distal end and includes a striking face, a trailing edge, a club head center of gravity, a heel section having a heel section center of gravity, and a toe section having a toe section center of gravity. The heel section center of gravity is forward of the striking face and the club head center of gravity is further from the trailing edge than the striking face. The forward bend section of the shaft projects from the vertical plane at an attachment angle such that the shaft distal end is forward of the heel section center of gravity.

Abstract: A shaft for a golf club is comprised of upper, central and lower sections. Flex is isolated to the central section of the club by making the upper and lower sections relatively stiffer than the central section. Though more flexible, the central section resists twisting by fabricating the section using a higher percentage of diagonally oriented fibers laid in a crossing pattern. A thickened tip and larger diameter butt end enhance resistance to twisting of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft disposed in a hollow portion of the outer shaft. A void portion is formed between the outer shaft and the inner shaft. The golf club shaft has a double structure including the outer shaft and the inner shaft. This allows both of the shafts to integrally operate and also allows one of the shafts to primarily operate.

Abstract: A plurality of two or more golf club shafts designed to optimize the performance of a specific shaft with respect to a specific golf swing is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a plurality of two or more golf club shafts wherein a dramatic difference in torque can be achieved by two golf club shafts within the same weight classification regardless of the flex of the shaft. A plurality of golf club shafts in accordance with the present invention may generally a difference in weight-to-torque ratio of greater than about 1.5 and a difference in butt-frequency-to-torque ratio of greater than about 8.0 between any two golf club shafts within the plurality of golf club shafts.

Abstract: An improved golf club shaft and corresponding golf club is disclosed. More specifically, a golf club shaft that is capable of minimizing or eliminating swingweight variations within a golf club despite being cut down to various different lengths to accommodate the length and heads of a set of irons is disclosed. The shaft may have an internal wall profile of variable thickness to adjust for various weight and center of gravity variations of a golf club shaft as it is being cut down in length.

Abstract: A golf club shaft, includes a flexible, elongate, tapered, fiber-reinforced generally cylindrical body formed from a fiber/resin matrix having carbon fibers embedded therein, an interior coating layer applied substantially continuously over the surface of the cylindrical body along the length and circumference of the cylindrical body, a plurality of secondary coating layers formed over the interior coating layer including an exterior coating layer, each secondary coating layer having a different color and surrounding at least one etched area wherein one or more secondary coating layers has been removed to expose one or more coating layers between the exterior coating layer and the interior coating layer, each coating layer having a different color; and wherein the difference in the thickness of the secondary coatings in the etched area is discernable from the remainder of the surface of the cylindrical body via tactile sensation when the golf shaft is gripped by a user.

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 “THREE IN ONE—HBC(HAND, BELLY, CHEST) PUTTER” is comprised of three putters that can be assembled from the individual parts in the putter package. A combination putter can be used in any of the three forms, hand, belly or chest for the next round of practice or golf. After each round of golf the golfer may change the configuration to any of the other putter forms for the next round of practice or golf.

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. A stiffener insert is inserted into the shaft, such as in the reduced-EI portion, to add stiffness locally. 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. The stiffeners can be user-selectable, from a kit supplied with the club, for example.

Abstract: A dual grip putter has a pair of grip members rising from the upper end of the putter shaft, forming a Vee at an angle of about fifteen to eighteen degrees, with an open space between the two grip members. Upper ends of the grip members are spaced about 2½ inches apart. This arrangement positions the golfer's hands so that his or her forearms are aligned with the upper arms, with elbows generally straight, and so that the shoulders are both at an even height.

Abstract: A device for stiffening a golf club shaft which includes a strip of material configured to engage the exterior of the golf club shaft. The longitudinal axis of the strip may be configured to extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft when the strip engages the golf club shaft. The strip may be configured to increase the stiffness of a portion of the golf club shaft when the strip engages the portion of the golf club shaft. The strip may include longitudinal fibers configured to extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the golf club shaft when the strip is engaged to the exterior of the golf club shaft. An associated method for fitting a golf club with a shaft stiffening device is also described.