Abstract: A golf shaft is provided having a tip portion and a butt portion. The shaft includes a first torsionally resistant flag extending along the entire length of the shaft. The shaft also includes a second torsionally resistant flag which only extends over the tip portion of the shaft. In this way, the tip portion of the shaft includes two torsionally resistant flags for providing enhanced torsion resistance without negatively impacting the bending stiffness or weight of the overall shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid golf club shaft set is provided that includes at least two of the group including a composite shaft subset including shafts formed entirely of composite, a composite/metal shaft subset including shafts formed of composite/metal combination shafts, and a metal shaft subset including shafts formed entirely of metal.

Abstract: A golf club includes first and a second shaft members that are releasably connected by a connector that is preferably substantially hollow. The connector has a male connector that has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is threaded on an exterior surface. The first portion of the male connector is coupled to one of the connecting ends of the shaft members. The connector also has a substantially hollow female connector that is coupled to the other shaft member. The threads on the exterior of the male connector are releaseably mated with interior threads on the female connector to provide an assembled golf club that may be disassembled for travel, but has characteristics that do not substantially vary from a similar conventional club. The mass of one connector is concentrated on its periphery.

Abstract: A golf club shaft whose outer diameter is set to 9.5 to 12 mm in at least one portion of a range from a tip thereof to a position located at 25% of the distance from the tip to its butt. The minimum value of a flexural rigidity (EI) is set to 1.00 to 2.50 kg·m2. A reinforcing layer is formed in the region disposed from the tip to the position located at about 25% of the distance from the tip to the butt. The layer includes at least one straight layer whose reinforcing fiber has a tensile modulus of elasticity of 5 to 15 ton/mm2 and is parallel with an axis of the shaft and one angular layer whose reinforcing fiber has a tensile modulus of elasticity of 24 to 40 ton/mm2 and an orientation angle of ±20 to 65°.

Abstract: A hollow golf club shaft of circular cross-section comprises a tubular cover layer formed from an isotropic material and a tubular core layer formed from a non-isotropic material, wherein the cover layer and the core layer coextend substantially the entire length of the shaft.

Abstract: A sporting rod member which is strong against flexure, which is improved in tough and balance when it is flexed, and which can be made finer in thickness and lighter in weight. The sporting rod member uses a solid rod (8). The solid rod (8) is made up of a solid-state core member (10) and an outer layer (12) formed of fiber reinforced resin and disposed on the outside of the core member (10). In the solid rod (8), most of reinforcing fibers that are used in at least one of the solid-state core member and outer layer and that extend substantially in the axial direction thereof have a longitudinal elastic modulus of 40 ton/mm2 or higher.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having an optimal set of materials and sloped sections provides appropriately high rigidity, ease of use, and is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. A sloped section expands toward a grip end of the shaft. The sloped section has a slope gradient from 15/1000 to 35/1000 and a length from 200 to 350 mm. The outer diameter of the grip end is from 18 to 25 mm. On the side of the sloped section toward an end, there is formed a semi-sloped section with a slope gradient from 4/1000 to 13/1000. A kick point is formed at a position from 40% to 46% from the small-diameter end relative to the total shaft length. The number of required parts is small while production is simple. The shaft is light, has appropriate hardness, and high rigidity at the grip. Furthermore, the strength of the shaft is balanced and provides a good feel when hitting a ball. Production of the golf club shaft can be accomplished with standard materials such as fiber-reinforced resins.

Abstract: Construction and advantages of improved wavy composite structures made from wavy composite, unidirectional composites, and damping materials is revealed. By combining wavy composite laminae in various waveforms, offsets, angular orientations and material combinations, it is possible to provide axial, torsion, or shear properties equivalent to unidirectional materials but without the limitations related to fiber discontinuity, labor costs for fabrication, and weakness at seams where laminates overlap. By combining wavy composite layers with unidirectional crossplies, or by using woven mats with various fill fiber levels where the warp fibers are sinuously arranged, improved strength and damping is possible. Several examples of both wavy crossply laminates and unidirectional crossply laminates are analyzed and compared.

Abstract: A golf club shaft 1 has a prepreg (15) consisting of an intermediate-elasticity and high-strength carbon fiber reinforced resinous sheet having a tensile modulus of elasticity of 30 ton/mm2 to 33 ton/mm2 and a tensile strength of not less than 5000 MPa and a prepreg (16) consisting of a low-elasticity carbon fiber reinforced resinous sheet having a tensile modulus of elasticity of 5 ton/mm2 to 10 ton/mm2 and compressive breaking strain of not less than 2.0%. The prepregs (15) and the prepregs (16) are used to reinforce a tip side of the golf club shaft.

Abstract: It is a subject of the invention to show excellent decorative properties of golf shafts, to maintain the decorative properties for a long time, and to improve its usability. An upper ply being transparent or at least having translucency to the extent that the interior surface is visible and a lower ply having different surface configuration from the upper ply and the surface configuration of which can be seen through the upper ply provided underneath the upper ply are provided. The lower ply and the upper ply are formed of materials having different oscillation damping rate.

Abstract: In a golf club shaft composed of a laminate of prepregs obtained by impregnating reinforcing fibers with a resin, the weight (g) of the golf club shaft per unit length (mm) is less than 0.0385 g/mm. Prepregs each including a reinforcing fiber having a high tensile modulus of elasticity not less than 300 GPa and a high tensile strength not less than 5000 MPa are disposed as a part of a straight layer in which the reinforcing fibers are parallel with an axial direction of the golf club shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has a braid layer including first and second diagonal yarns. The diagonal yarns are positioned at the degrees of orientation (+&thgr;, −&thgr;) of +30° to +60° and −30° to −60° against the longitudinal axis 13 of the shaft, respectively. The braid layer has a portion that satisfies an inequality, n·{(t−&sgr;t)/cos &thgr;}≦&pgr;·D≦n·{(t+&sgr;t)/cos&thgr;}, wherein t is the average width of the diagonal yarns, &sgr;t is the standard deviation of the width of the diagonal yarns, D is the shaft diameter, and n is the number of diagonal yarns. The braid layer satisfying the inequality minimizes spaces S between the diagonal yarns.

Abstract: A tubular sport item includes a tubular reinforcement layer which includes fiber strips and a veneer lamination is wrapped around the reinforcement layer so that the billiard cue has the same feeling as the billiard cue made of wood.

Abstract: The golf club shaft comprises a reinforced tip portion from the tip end to the position 300 mm toward the grip end, gripping butt portion from the grip end to the position 100 mm toward the tip end, and an intermediate portion between the reinforced tip portion and the gripping butt portion. The shaft satisfies an equation EI=&agr;·X at its intermediate portion, where EI (Nm2) is the flexural rigidity, X (mm) is the distance from the tip end of the shaft, and &agr; is a given constant. The &agr; values of the shafts in accordance with the embodiments 1 through 3 are 0.12, 0.09, and 0.06, respectively. Thus, the present invention has an improved deflection during downswing and is liked by a majority of players.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has an angular layer composed of prepregs in which a reinforcing fiber inclines to the axis of the golf club shaft; a plurality of straight layers composed of prepregs in which the reinforcing fiber is disposed substantially parallel with the axis of the golf club shaft. The reinforcing fiber of the prepreg at an inner side of the straight layer has an intermediate elasticity and a high strength. The tensile break strain of the prepreg at an outer side of the straight-layer is set higher than that of the prepreg at the inner side of the straight layer.

Abstract: It is a subject of the invention to show excellent decorative properties of golf shafts, to maintain the decorative properties for a long time, and to improve its usability. An upper ply being transparent or at least having translucency to the extent that the interior surface is visible and a lower ply having different surface configuration from the upper ply and the surface configuration of which can be seen through the upper ply provided underneath the upper ply are provided. The lower ply and the upper ply are formed of materials having different oscillation damping rate.

Abstract: A golf club and a primarily non-metallic golf shaft that has an overall light weight are provided. The shaft has a weighting plug located to provide a swingweight similar to a typical steel shafted golf club. A method of making the golf club and golf shaft is simple and efficient, and centers the plug in the golf shaft. The method also provides the advantage of substantially infinitely variable plug density selection within a range of densities. A set of clubs thus made increases playability by providing a range of club weights in the set.

Abstract: In a golf club shaft hollow pipe-shaped and composed of a laminate of prepregs, a vibration absorption member (10) made of an elastic material whose tan&dgr; at 10° C. is not less than 0.7 is installed at least one portion inside the hollow pipe-shaped golf club shaft. The vibration absorption member (10) has a body having a hollow portion, a central part connected to the body through a plurality of connection parts and disposed inside the hollow portion, a plurality of projected parts formed on a peripheral surface of the body and contacting an inner peripheral surface of the pipe-shaped golf club shaft. It is preferable that the weight of the vibration absorption member (10) is not less than 1 g nor more than 10 g, that the number of the connection parts is not less than two nor more than 10, and that the weight of the central part is not less than 10 wt % nor more than 60 wt % of a whole weight of the vibration absorption member.

Abstract: A golf club shaft comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is made of a fiber tow of composite material and formed a tube by filament winding method. The second section is made of a fiber layer of composite material and formed a tube by sheet-rolling method. The first and the second segment overlapped and fixed together to form the golf club shaft.

Abstract: A tubular structural member that provides directional resistance. The tubular structural member has a flexural resistance that is greater in one direction than in another. The tubular structural member can be employed in variety of devices or structures so as to effect the overall stiffness of the device.

Abstract: In a putter shaft having a tip end and a butt end, a curvature of the putter shaft is represented by a curvature curve of the putter shaft which increases monotonously from the tip end to the butt end. The curvature curve is defined as a curve showing variation of the curvature in a longitudinal axis direction of the putter shaft in a state where a load acts on the tip end to deform the putter shaft with the putter shaft being fixed at the butt end.

Abstract: An improved golf club shaft is disclosed. The golf club shaft includes a shaft body made of a composite material, such as carbon/epoxy, and a metal foil wrapped in a spiral pattern around at least a portion of the shaft body. The metal foil increases the torsional stiffness of the shaft and improves its bending stiffness, thereby enabling the first and second frequencies of a golf club employing the shaft to remain in a desired range.

Abstract: A golf club has a shaft made of fiber reinforced plastics. The shaft has braided layers with substantially symmetrical diagonal yarns which are positioned at orientation angles +&thgr;, −&thgr; from more than 0° to +10° and from less than −0° to −10° respectively, and/or from 45° to less than +90° and from −45° to more than −90° respectively, against the longitudinal axis of the shaft at at least a portion along the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The Poisson's ratio &ngr; expressed by the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain is 0.5 or less at least at the portion when load is applied to the shaft. The portion with the Poisson's ratio of 0.5 or less is preferably on the grip side, thus facilitating a swing of the club.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having a fiber reinforced thermosetting resinous material (10) and a fiber reinforced thermoplastic resinous material (20), wherein the fiber reinforced thermoplastic resinous material (20) having a vibration-damping factor not less than 1.0 has a weight not less than 10% nor more than 60% of a weight of the golf club shaft. The fiber reinforced thermoplastic resinous material (20) is disposed on a part of a peripheral surface of the golf club shaft, on an inner peripheral surface thereof or between layers of the fiber reinforced thermosetting resinous material (10).

Abstract: A lightweight composite golf club shaft and method for its manufacture. The shaft preferably includes at least two biased plies extending approximately the length of the shaft and at least two longitudinal plies extending substantially less than the length of the shaft. The at least two biased plies contain fibers oriented at a substantial angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The at least two longitudinal plies contain fibers oriented approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. One of the at least two longitudinal plies aligns with the tip end of the shaft. One of the at least two longitudinal plies aligns with the butt end of the shaft. The at least two longitudinal plies at least partially overlap each other. The method for constructing such a shaft preferably includes rolling the plies onto a mandrel to form a rolled assembly where the plies are then fused together.

Abstract: A golf club shaft comprising a laminate of a plurality of fiber reinforced resinous layers formed of one pair of angle layers consisting of a first angle layer and a second angle layer or a plurality of pairs of angle layers consisting of the first and second angle layers such that a fiber of the first angle layer and that of the second angle layer incline in opposite directions at an angle 20°-35° with respect to an axis of the golf club shaft. The first angle layer and the second angle layer are wound by 1.5 turns in a cross-sectional face of the golf club shaft. A winding start point of the first and that of the second angle layers are dislocated at 180° in a circumferential direction of the golf club shaft. In a cross-sectional face of the golf club shaft, a part consisting of two first angle layers and one second angle layer layered one upon another and a part consisting of one first angle layer and two second angle layers layered one upon another are formed.

Abstract: A tubular body comprises: rolled layers of prepreg formed of reinforcing fibers impregnated with synthetic resin, wherein a ratio of impregnation of synthetic resin contained in a skew fiber body layer on which fibers are arranged in a skew direction and also a ratio of impregnation of synthetic resin contained in an axial fiber body layer on which fibers are arranged in an axial direction are in a range from a value approximately not lower than 10 wt % to a value lower than 25 wt %, and a thin layer, the ratio of impregnation of synthetic resin of which is high, is provided between the skew fiber body layer and the axial fiber body layer. The specific strength and specific rigidity of the tubular body are high, and the tubular body is less susceptible to separation and damage of the fibers and layers even if an impact force is given to it.

Abstract: The tube (6) comprises a wall which is composed of a plurality of layers (2; 3; 5; 4). Longitudinally extending wires (3) are provided in the wall. At least one layer (2, 4) which is wound over the circumference of the tube (6) is present inside and/or outside with respect to the longitudinally extending wires (3).

Abstract: In a golf club shaft, composed of a laminate of prepregs made of a fiber reinforced resin, the weight of a unit length of the golf club shaft in the axial direction thereof is set to not less than 0.25 g/cm nor more than 0.60 g/cm. Supposing that reinforcing fibers of the prepregs of a straight layer are parallel with the axial direction of the golf club shaft and that tensile moduli of elasticity of the reinforcing fibers are sequentially denoted by N1, N2, . . .

Abstract: A method of making a golf club shaft with a bent angular tip using a main shaft body mandrel and a secondary tip mandrel disposed at an angle therewith and a mandrel apparatus for the same.

Abstract: A golf club shaft includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer placed on the inner layer, and an outer layer placed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has inclined yarns, which are substantially symmetric and have predetermined orientation angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and longitudinal yarns, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The orientation angles of the inclined yarns vary along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft, a head attached to the tip end of the shaft, and a grip attached at the butt end of the shaft. The 14-inch balance is D0 or more. The club has initial velocity per equivalent pendulum length Vb/Lp that is larger than −3.57 Lc+64.58 when Lc represents the club length. The initial velocity Vb is defined as: Vb=1.8 Mh(56.22 Lc−35.16 Mc−39.77 Lp+31.61)/(Mh+0.0455) where Mh is the mass of the head (kg) and Mc is the total mass of the club.

Abstract: In order to provide a process for the production of structural elements absorbing energy with defined characteristics, these elements being produced as shaped members from a matrix material and a reinforcing material embedded therein, with which an energy absorption of defined characteristics may be realized in a simple manner it is suggested that in different areas of the shaped member layers of the reinforcing material be arranged so as to extend in relation thereto in a defined manner and be arranged with a number differing in a defined manner, and that the reinforcing material for the entire shaped member be wound in a single winding procedure to form the shaped member.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having a stiffness control section between the grip section and the main body section. The stiffness control section includes a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The circumference of the first tapered portion increases from the proximal end to the distal end thereof and the circumference of the second tapered portion decreases from the proximal end to the distal end thereof.

Abstract: A golf club comprises a shaft formed of a plurality of co-axially disposed tubes connected to one another at a stabilizing joint or joints. Shaft has an upper section forming a grip and a lower section connected to club head. Tubes are parallel-sided and of differing cross-sectional sizes. The lower section is constituted by the tube of smallest cross section. The relative diameters of the tubes are such that the upper end of a tube is receivable within the bore at the lower end of its neighbor. Preferably, the material from which tubes are formed is selected from: (a) a titanium alloy; (b) a combination of (i) an extruded polymeric matrix reinforced with continuous, straight, pre-stressed and tensioned carbon fibers, the fibers being aligned with the longitudinal axis of shaft, and (ii) continuous filament windings that are also pre-stressed, tensioned and unbroken, or (c) a combination of materials from categories (a) and (b).

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club shaft of sheet-wound construction that approximates the characteristics of a steel shaft. The golf club shaft is formed using metal-containing prepreg and non-metal fiber prepreg in order to provide a sheet-wound club having an elasticity index (EI) value of 3.0˜4.5 kgf·m2, a mass 80˜130 g, and a center of mass that is 45˜51% of the overall length of the shaft. The metal-containing prepreg is wrapped around a mandrel near the tip of the shaft in order to position the center of mass where desired. The non-metal fiber prepreg is wrapped around the mandrel to provide the desired EI value and overlal mass. Additional layers of metal-containing prepreg may be wrapped beyond the metal-containing prepreg wrapped near the tip in order to vary the characteristics of the golf club shaft. The golf club shaft is preferably formed on a mandrel that includes an annular recess at its tip in order to accommodate the metal-containing prepreg that is wrapped near the tip.

Abstract: A lightweight composite golf club shaft and method for its manufacture. The shaft preferably includes at least two biased plies extending approximately the length of the shaft and at least two longitudinal plies extending substantially less than the length of the shaft. The at least two biased plies contain fibers oriented at a substantial angle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The at least two longitudinal plies contain fibers oriented approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. One of the at least two longitudinal plies aligns with the tip end of the shaft. One of the at least two longitudinal plies aligns with the butt end of the shaft. The at least two longitudinal plies at least partially overlap each other. The method for constructing such a shaft preferably includes rolling the plies onto a mandrel to form a rolled assembly where the plies are then fused together.

Abstract: The golf club shaft comprises a reinforced tip portion from the tip end to the position 300 mm toward the grip end, gripping butt portion from the grip end to the position 100 mm toward the tip end, and an intermediate portion between the reinforced tip portion and the gripping butt portion. The shaft satisfies an equation EI=&agr;·X at its intermediate portion, where EI (Nm2) is the flexural rigidity, X (mm) is the distance from the tip end of the shaft, and &agr; is a given constant. The &agr; values of the shafts in accordance with the embodiments 1 through 3 are 0.12, 0.09, and 0.06, respectively. Thus, the present invention has an improved deflection during downswing and is liked by a majority of players.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club shaft of sheet-wound construction that approximates the characteristics of a steel shaft. The golf club shaft is formed using metal-containing prepreg and non-metal fiber prepreg in order to provide a sheet-wound club having an elasticity index (EI) value of 3.0˜4.5 kgf·m2, a mass 80˜130 g, and a center of mass that is 45˜51% of the overall length of the shaft. The metal-containing prepreg is wrapped around a mandrel near the tip of the shaft in order to position the center of mass where desired. The non-metal fiber prepreg is wrapped around the mandrel to provide the desired EI value and overlal mass. Additional layers of metal-containing prepreg may be wrapped beyond the metal-containing prepreg wrapped near the tip in order to vary the characteristics of the golf club shaft. The golf club shaft is preferably formed on a mandrel that includes an annular recess at its tip in order to accommodate the metal-containing prepreg that is wrapped near the tip.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has a braid layer including first and second diagonal yarns. The diagonal yarns are positioned at the degrees of orientation (+&thgr;, −&thgr;) of +30° to +60° and −30° to −60° against the longitudinal axis 13 of the shaft, respectively. The braid layer has a portion that satisfies an inequality, n·{ (t−&sgr;t)/cos&thgr;} ≦&pgr;·D≦n·{(t+&sgr;t)/cos&thgr;}, wherein t is the average width of the diagonal yarns, &sgr;t is the standard deviation of the width of the diagonal yarns, D is the shaft diameter, and n is the number of diagonal yarns. The braid layer satisfying the inequality minimizes spaces S between the diagonal yarns.

Abstract: A golf club has a shaft made of fiber reinforced plastics. The shaft has braided layers with substantially symmetrical diagonal yarns which are positioned at orientation angles +&thgr;, −&thgr; from more than 0° to +10° and from less than −0° to −10° respectively, and/or from 45° to less than +90° and from −45° to more than −90° respectively, against the longitudinal axis of the shaft at at least a portion along the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The Poisson's ratio &ngr; expressed by the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain is 0.5 or less at least at the portion when load is applied to the shaft. The portion with the Poisson's ratio of 0.5 or less is preferably on the grip side, thus facilitating a swing of the club.

Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. A plurality of layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoset resin are bonded to one or more layers of composite fiber bound within a thermoplastic resin using a high peet strength nylon epoxy adhesive. Preferably, the layer(s) of composite fiber bound within the thermoplastic resin comprise the outermost layer of a golf club shaft. In one preferred form, a plurality of plies of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoset resin are wrapped around a mandrel and pre-cured. Thereafter, a layer of adhesive is wrapped over the pre-cured plies, at least one ply of pre-preg composite sheet including a thermoplastic resin is wrapped over the adhesive, and a cellophane or polypropylene tape is wrapped over the outermost layer of pre-preg. Thereafter, the ply wrapped mandrel is placed in a mold and heated to a predetermined temperature for a time sufficient to allow curing of all of the plies comprising the golf club shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having a structure of a plurality of fiber reinforced prepregs layered one upon another. A grip-side reinforcing layer 6 (6A, 6B) and a head-side reinforcing layer 5 (5A, 5B, and 5C) are provided. In each of the grip-side reinforcing layer and the head-side reinforcing layer, a length of at least one of the prepregs is different from that of the other prepregs in an axial direction thereof, and the number of layers of the prepregs disposed at both ends of the golf club shaft is set larger than that of layers thereof disposed at a middle part of the golf club shaft.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed with an elongated body using a combination of fiber-reinforced plastics and metal-coated fibers to obtain the optimally characterized golf club for a particular player. In one embodiment, a sheet-rolled or filament wound core is covered by a filament wound outer layer having at least one ply including metal-coated fibers. The fibers can be metal-coated with metals such as: nickel, titanium, platinum, zinc, copper, brass, tungsten, cobalt, gold or silver. The use of metal-coated fibers allows the use of combinations of fiber reinforced plastic and metal-coated fibers in producing golf shafts with optimum performance properties. For example, the use of metal-coated fibers allows the addition of weight to the shaft without significantly influencing its longitudinal or torsional rigidity.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is characterized in that: tenacity can be exhibited by the golf club shaft; power can be accumulated in the process of swinging the golf club; it is easy for a golfer to hit a ball with the golf club; it is possible for the golfer to get distance when he hits a ball; the direction of a ball, which has been hit with the golf club, can be stabilized; the layer member is not detached from the golf club shaft; and damage of the layer member is prevented, so that the mechanical strength and durability of the golf club can be enhanced.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is formed with an elongated body using a combination of fiber-reinforced plastics and metal-coated fibers to obtain the optimally characterized golf club for a particular player. In one embodiment, a sheet-rolled or filament wound core is covered by a filament wound outer layer having at least one ply including metal-coated fibers. The fibers can be metal-coated with metals such as: nickel, titanium, platinum, zinc, copper, brass, tungsten, cobalt, gold or silver. The use of metal-coated fibers allows the use of combinations of fiber reinforced plastic and metal-coated fibers in producing golf shafts with optimum performance properties. For example, the use of metal-coated fibers allows the addition of weight to the shaft without significantly influencing its longitudinal or torsional rigidity.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is constructed by a pipe-shaped body in which a sheet of reinforced fiber prepreg impregnated with synthetic resin is rolled. The golf club shaft includes: a front end portion to which a club head is attached; and a grip portion arranged on the opposite side to the front end portion, wherein a portion, the flexural rigidity of which is the maximum, is arranged on the front end portion side of the grip portion of the pipe-shaped body. The golf club shaft has a characteristic by which user's requirement can be satisfied.

Abstract: A golf club, particularly adapted for use with an oversized iron-type head including an iron-type head and a shaft particularly adapted to overcome the droop effect and increase stability upon off-center impact. The iron-type head defines a sole portion, an impact face, a back portion and a hosel extension defining an opening. The shaft has a butt portion and a tip portion. The tip portion has a substantially straight profile and defines an outer diameter d greater than or equal to 0.38 inches and less than or equal to 0.40 inches (i.e., 0.38 inches≦d≦0.40 inches). The shaft has a weight W less than or equal to 85 grams (W≦85 grams). At least a part of the tip portion is positioned within the opening of the head. Desirably, the tip portion has a length of greater than or equal to 2 inches.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft having prepreg sheets wound thereon, each of the prepreg sheets being formed by orienting reinforcing fibers in one direction and then by impregnating the fibers with a synthetic resin. The shaft includes an oblique fiber layer formed by winding the prepreg sheets 7a and 7b, each having the reinforcing fibers oriented in a direction oblique relative to an axis of the shaft, in such a superposed manner that the directions of orientation of the reinforcing fibers of the prepreg sheets cross each other, and a thickness of each of the prepreg sheets 7a and 7b, constituting the oblique fiber layer, is not more than 0.06 mm.

Abstract: A club shaft for a golf club and method for making a club shaft for a golf club are provided herein. The club shaft includes a shaft butt section, a shaft tip section and a shaft intermediate section which connects the shaft butt section to the shaft tip section. The shaft intermediate section includes a shaft outer diameter which tapers from the shaft butt section to the shaft tip section. Uniquely, the amount of taper varies along the shaft intermediate section to avoid any abrupt transitions in the club shaft. The resulting club shaft has a continuous, smooth geometry, without stress concentration areas. This improves the strength, fatigue and fracture toughness of the club shaft. Further, the amount of taper can be specifically tailored to obtain a club shaft having the desired moment of inertia, resistance to torsion, mass distribution, flexure, frequency, strength, and stiffness properties.