U.S. patent application number 10/692517 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for golf club clubhead and golf club head component with markings determined in conjunction with the balance plane with, and without, parallax correction to be used for alignment and visual aid purposes, with tools, markings, methods for locating same together with methods of using same.
Invention is credited to Patsky, Bernard J..
Application Number | 20040092328 10/692517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300198 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040092328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patsky, Bernard J. |
May 13, 2004 |
Golf club clubhead and golf club head component with markings
determined in conjunction with the balance plane with, and without,
parallax correction to be used for alignment and visual aid
purposes, with tools, markings, methods for locating same together
with methods of using same
Abstract
Golf club head consisting of a balance plane, that subdivides
the head, that derives markings visible on the club head face,
containing multiple Sweet Spots indicating the ideal points of
contact with a golf ball regardless of whether the golf ball is
lying on the ground, on a golf tee or otherwise, together with
markings visible on club head face and or top indicating alignment
and methods of use, also used as a visual aid of club head and golf
ball to the target, with and without parallax correction, with
methods and tools for determining same, with related design
improvements and methods of use on golf club head components having
one Sweet Spot. The markings are determined by intersecting lines,
planes and axes. The markings may be determined for an existing
golf club or for a custom fitted golf club regardless of whether
the golf club has a flat or curved base. The location of the
markings may vary from golfer to golfer and from club to club
depending upon parameters, or the markings may be located so as to
be generic.
Inventors: |
Patsky, Bernard J.;
(Shrewsbury, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES F. BAIRD, ESQUIRE
33 East Main Street
P.O. Box 574
West Brookfield
MA
01585-0574
US
|
Family ID: |
46300198 |
Appl. No.: |
10/692517 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10692517 |
Oct 24, 2003 |
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09797357 |
Feb 28, 2001 |
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6659882 |
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09797357 |
Feb 28, 2001 |
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09225101 |
Jan 4, 1999 |
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6224494 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/292 ;
473/324; 473/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0441 20200801;
A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B 53/0466 20130101; A63B 53/0433 20200801;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/292 ;
473/349; 473/324 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04; A63B
053/00 |
Claims
I claim the following:
1. Method to locate Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line, on a
Club Head Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom
surface, top surface, face surface and hosel, but no grip or shaft
or other components, comprising the following steps: 1. first,
locate a level platform; 2. next locate conventional Club Head
Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot, said Sweet Spot having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head
Component by use of a balance support device, said balance support
device being from the group of devices that can be positioned to
have an upward extending surface with cross sectional area small
enough that it forms a point of balance, by the following steps;
a.. position the balance support device, on the level platform, in
order that the upward extending surface is aimed in a vertical
direction; b. next, place the Club Head Component on the balance
support device upward extending surface with the Club Head
Component face surface facing downward; c.. next, move the Club
Head Component around on the balance support device upward
extending surface until the Club Head Component is balanced; d.
next rotate the Club Head Component to confirm that the Club Head
Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot Axis; e. next, mark the
Club Head Component face surface at the point of contact with the
balance support device, when the Club Head Component is balanced,
being the conventional Club Head Component center of gravity,
normally referred to as the Sweet Spot; 3. next locate a shaft,
place the Club Head Component with bottom surface resting on the
Level Platform and insert said shaft into Club Head Component at
hosel, then using a Conventional instrument To Measure Angle Of
Slope Above The Horizontal, said Instrument being a standard off
the shelf item, adjust Club Head Component to have center line of
shaft, at angle of intended use, again using said Instrument place
said instrument against Club Head Component face surface at point
marked as Sweet Spot and mark the point that is vertically above
the Sweet Spot at intersection of Club Head Component face surface
and Club Head Component top surface, being Incorrect Target Line
Front Point; 4. next return the Club Head Component to balance
position with the Sweet Spot on balance support device upward
extending surface and using said Instrument, place said Instrument
at incorrect Target Line Front Point, as marked, and draw a line on
Club Head Component top surface, said line being the Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line; 5. next adjust Club Head Component to have
center line of shaft at angle of intended use, using said
instrument place said Instrument against Club Head Component face
surface at point marked as Sweet Spot, adjust the Instrument to be
at Correct Sight Line angle, said Correct Sight Line Angle being to
correct for Parallax and mark the point, that is diagonally above
the Sweet Spot at intersection of Club Head Component face surface
and Club Head Component top surface, being Target Line Front Point;
and 6. next, return the Club Head Component to balance position on
balance support device as located above and place said Instrument
at Target Line Front Point, as marked above, draw a line on Club
Head Component top surface, said line being Parallax Corrected
Sweet Spot Target Line.
2. Method to locate Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line, on a Club
Head Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom surface,
top surface, face surface and hosel, but no grip or shaft or other
components, comprising the following steps: 1. first, locate a
level platform; 2. next locate conventional Club Head Component
center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot, said
Sweet Spot having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head Component by
use of a balance support device, said balance support device being
from the group of devices that can be positioned to have an upward
extending surface with cross sectional area small enough that it
forms a point of balance, by the following steps; a.. position the
balance support device, on the level platform, in order that the
upward extending surface is aimed in a vertical direction; b. next,
place the Club Head Component on the balance support device upward
extending surface with the Club Head Component face surface facing
downward; c.. next, move the Club Head Component around on the
balance support device upward extending surface until the Club Head
Component is balanced; d. next rotate the Club Head Component to
confirm that the Club Head Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot
Axis; e. next, mark the Club Head Component face surface at the
point of contact with the balance support device, when the Club
Head Component is balanced, being the conventional Club Head
Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot; 3. next locate a shaft, place the Club Head Component with
bottom surface resting on the Level Platform and insert said shaft
into Club Head Component at hosel, then using a Conventional
Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal, said
Instrument being a standard off the shelf item, adjust Club Head
Component to have center line of shaft, at angle of intended use,
again using said Instrument place said Instrument against Club Head
Component face surface at point marked as Sweet Spot and mark the
point that is vertically above the Sweet Spot at intersection of
Club Head Component face surface and Club Head Component top
surface, being Incorrect Target Line Front Point; and 4. next
return the Club Head Component to balance position with the Sweet
Spot on balance support device upward extending surface and using
said Instrument, place said Instrument at Incorrect Target Line
Front Point, as marked, and draw a line on Club Head Component top
surface, said line being the Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line.
3. Golf Club with Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line
markings, for use with a Golf Ball, to cause the Golf Ball to
travel in the path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having
impact with the Golf Ball comprising: a. a Golf Club, said Golf
Club having a Club Head, a grip and shaft; b. said Club Head having
a bottom surface, top surface, face surface, Sweet Spot on the face
surface and a hosel; and c. said Club Head having a Line on the top
surface, said Line on the top surface extending from a point, at
the intersection of the face surface and the top surface, across
the top surface and ending at a point, at the intersection of the
top surface with the bottom surface, said point where the Line is
at the intersection of said face surface and top surface is aligned
with said Sweet Spot on the face surface when viewed by the user
with the Golf Club, grip and shaft in the position of intended use,
and further said Line is aligned with the path of intended
direction for the Golf Ball upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball, said Line being the Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot
Target Line.
4. Golf Club with Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line
markings, that may be seen as a visual aid as the Golf Club is used
during a swing, for use with a Golf Ball, to cause the Golf Ball to
travel in the path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having
impact with the Golf Ball comprising: a. a Golf Club, said Golf
Club having a Club Head, a grip and shaft; b. said Club Head having
a bottom surface, top surface, face surface, Sweet Spot on the face
surface and a hosel; and c. said Club Head having a Line on the top
surface, the location of said Line on the top surface being
determined as follows: i. first, locate a level platform; ii. next
remove the grip and shaft from hosel at Club Head Component and
locate center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot
said Sweet Spot having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head
Component by use of a balance support device, said balance support
device being from the group of devices that can be positioned to
have an upward extending surface with cross sectional area small
enough that it forms a point of balance, by the following steps;
iii.. position the balance support device, on the level platform,
in order that the upward extending surface is aimed in a vertical
direction; iv. next, place the Club Head Component on the balance
support device upward extending surface with the Club Head
Component face surface facing downward; v.. next, move the Club
Head Component around on the balance support device upward
extending surface until the Club Head Component is balanced; vi.
next rotate the Club Head Component to confirm that the Club Head
Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot Axis; vii. next, mark the
Club Head Component face surface at the point of contact with the
balance support device, when the Club Head Component is balanced,
being the conventional Club Head Component center of gravity,
normally referred to as the Sweet Spot; viii. next re-insert the
shaft with grip at hosel place the Club Head Component with Club
Head Component bottom surface resting on the Level Platform, then
using a Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The
Horizontal, said Instrument being a standard off the shelf item,
adjust Club Head Component to have center line of shaft, at angle
of intended use, again using said Instrument place said Instrument
against Club Head Component face surface at point marked as Sweet
Spot and mark the point that is vertically above the Sweet Spot at
intersection of Club Head Component face surface and Club Head
Component top surface, being Incorrect Target Line Front Point; ix.
next remove the shaft and grip from the hosel and return the Club
Head Component to balance position with the Sweet Spot on balance
support device upward extending surface and using said Instrument,
place said Instrument at Incorrect Target Line Front Point, as
marked, and draw a line on Club Head Component top surface, said
line being the Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line; x. next adjust
Club Head Component to have center line of shaft at angle of
intended use, using said Instrument place said Instrument against
Club Head Component face surface at point marked as Sweet Spot,
adjust the Instrument to be at Correct Sight Line angle, said
Correct Sight Line Angle being to correct for Parallax and mark the
point, that is diagonally above the Sweet Spot at intersection of
Club Head Component face surface and Club Head Component top
surface, being Target Line Front Point; and xi. next, return the
Club Head Component to balance position on balance support device
as located above and place said Instrument at Target Line Front
Point, as marked above, draw a line on Club Head Component top
surface, said line being Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target
Line.
5. Golf Club with Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line
markings, for use with a Golf Ball, to cause the Golf Ball to
travel in the path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having
impact with the Golf Ball as claimed in claim 4 and in addition
comprising the following: d. said Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot
Target Line having a length and a width, the width of said Parallax
Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line may be increased in either or both
directions.
6. Method to locate Face Line, on the top surface of a Club Head
Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom surface, top
surface, face surface, toe, heel and hosel, but no grip or shaft or
other components, comprising the following steps: 1. first, locate
a level platform; 2. next locate conventional Club Head Component
center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot, said
Sweet Spot having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head Component by
use of a balance support device, said balance support device being
from the group of devices that can be positioned to have an upward
extending surface with cross sectional area small enough that it
forms a point of balance, by the following steps; a.. position the
balance support device, on the level platform, in order that the
upward extending surface is aimed in a vertical direction; b. next,
place the Club Head Component on the balance support device upward
extending surface with the Club Head Component face surface facing
downward; c.. next, move the Club Head Component around on the
balance support device upward extending surface until the Club Head
Component is balanced; d. next rotate the Club Head Component to
confirm that the Club Head Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot
Axis; e. next, mark the Club Head Component face surface at the
point of contact with the balance support device, when the Club
Head Component is balanced, being the conventional Club Head
Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot; 3. next select a Vertical Support Means, said means being
from the group of supports that may be frictionally secured to said
level platform forming a vertical, perpendicular to said level
platform, said means further providing a plurality of attachment
points, and frictionally secure said means to said level platform;
and 4. next using a Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of
Slope Above The Horizontal, said Instrument being a standard off
the shelf item, said Instrument having a horizontal edge and a
vertical edge, frictionally attach said Instrument to said Vertical
Support Means at one of the attachment points, said Instrument
vertical edge being perpendicular to said level platform, adjust
said Instrument horizontal edge to be parallel to said level
platform and against the Club Head Component top surface a
predetermined distance from the intersection of the Club Head
Component top surface and the Club Head Component face surface, and
draw a line, on said Club Head Component top surface, that is
parallel to said level platform, said line being Face Line.
7. Method to locate Face Line, on the top surface of a Club Head
Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom surface, top
surface, face surface, toe, heel and hosel, but no grip or shaft or
other components, as claimed in claim 6 comprising the following
additional steps: 5. where the Conventional Instrument To Measure
Angle Of Slope vertical edge is not perpendicular to said level
platform, said horizontal edge has a first end and a second end,
said first end being at the intersection with said vertical edge
and said second end being furthest from said intersection; and 6.
adjust said Instrument horizontal edge to have said second end
closer to said level platform, at the Club Head Component heel,
than said first end is at the Club Head Component toe, further
position said horizontal edge second end against the Club Head
Component top surface at the heel a predetermined distance from the
intersection of the Club Head Component top surface and the Club
Head Component face surface, and draw a line that increases the
distance from the intersection of the Club Head Component top
surface and Club Head Component face surface as the line approaches
the toe, said line being Face Line Closed.
8. Method to locate Face Line, on the top surface of a Club Head
Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom surface, top
surface, face surface, toe, heel and hosel, but no grip or shaft or
other components, as claimed in claim 6 comprising the following
additional steps: 5. where the Conventional Instrument To Measure
Angle Of Slope vertical edge is not perpendicular to said level
platform, said horizontal edge has a first end and a second end,
said first end being at the intersection with said vertical edge
and said second end being furthest from said intersection; and 6.
adjust said Instrument horizontal edge to have said second end
further from said level platform, at the Club Head Component heel,
than said first end is at the Club Head Component toe, further
position said horizontal edge second end against the Club Head
Component top surface at the heel a predetermined distance from the
intersection of the Club Head Component top surface and the Club
Head Component face surface, and draw a line that decreases the
distance from the intersection of the Club Head Component top
surface and Club Head Component face surface as the line approaches
the toe, said line being Face Line Open.
9. Golf Club with Face Line on Golf Club Head top surface, for use
with a Golf Ball, said Face Line to act as a visual aid to assist
the Golfer in aligning the Golf Club Head to the Golf Ball at rest,
commonly known as the address position and being prior to the
Golfer's swing and also prior to impact with the Golf Ball, to
eliminate a hook or slice and cause the Golf Ball to travel in the
path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball comprising: a. a Golf Club, said Golf Club having a
Club Head, a grip and shaft; b. said Club Head having a bottom
surface, top surface, face surface, an intersection of said top
surface and said face surface, Sweet Spot on the face surface,
heel, toe and a hosel; and c. said Club Head having a Line on the
top surface, said Line on the top surface being a predetermined
distance from the intersection of the top surface and the face
surface, said Line being the Face Line.
10. Golf Club with Face Line on Golf Club Head top surface, for use
with a Golf Ball, said Face Line to act as a visual aid to assist
the Golfer in aligning the Golf Club Head to the Golf Ball at rest,
commonly known as the address position and being prior to the
Golfer's swing and also prior to impact with the Golf Ball, to
eliminate a hook or slice and cause the Golf Ball to travel in the
path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball, as claimed in claim 9 further comprising: d. said
Line on the top surface, forming an angle with the intersection of
the top surface and the face surface, said Line being the Face Line
Closed when the Line is closer to said intersection at the heel,
and further being Face Line Open when the Line is closer to said
intersection at the toe.
11. Golf Club with Face Line on Golf Club Head top surface, for use
with a Golf Ball, said Face Line to act as a visual aid to assist
the Golfer in aligning the Golf Club Head to the Golf Ball at rest,
commonly known as the address position and being prior to the
Golfer's swing and also prior to impact with the Golf Ball, to
eliminate a hook or slice and cause the Golf Ball to travel in the
path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball comprising: a. a Golf Club, said Golf Club having a
Club Head, a grip and shaft; b. said Club Head having a bottom
surface, top surface, face surface, an intersection of said top
surface and said face surface, Sweet Spot on the face surface, toe,
heel and a hosel; and c. said Club Head having a Line on the top
surface, said Line on the top surface being determined as follows:
1. first, locate a level platform; 2. next locate conventional Club
Head Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot, said Sweet Spot having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head
Component by use of a balance support device, said balance support
device being from the group of devices that can be positioned to
have an upward extending surface with cross sectional area small
enough that it forms a point of balance, by the following steps;
i.. position the balance support device, on the level platform, in
order that the upward extending surface is aimed in a vertical
direction; ii. next, place the Club Head Component on the balance
support device upward extending surface with the Club Head
Component face surface facing downward; iii.. next, move the Club
Head Component around on the balance support device upward
extending surface until the Club Head Component is balanced; iv.
next rotate the Club Head Component to confirm that the Club Head
Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot Axis; v. next, mark the
Club Head Component face surface at the point of contact with the
balance support device, when the Club Head Component is balanced,
being the conventional Club Head Component center of gravity,
normally referred to as the Sweet Spot; 3. next select a Vertical
Support Means, said means being from the group of supports that may
be frictionally secured to said level platform forming a vertical,
perpendicular to said level platform, said means further providing
a plurality of attachment points, and frictionally secure said
means to said level platform; 4. next using a Conventional
Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal, said
Instrument being a standard off the shelf item, said Instrument
having a horizontal edge and a vertical edge, frictionally attach
said Instrument to said Vertical Support Means at one of the
attachment points, said Instrument vertical edge being
perpendicular to said level platform, adjust said Instrument
horizontal edge to be against the Club Head Component top surface a
predetermined distance from the intersection of the Club Head
Component top surface and the Club Head Component face surface, and
draw a line that is parallel to said level platform, said line
being Face Line; and d. said Face Line having a length and a width,
the width of said Face Line may be increased in either or both
directions.
12. Golf Club with Face Line on Golf Club Head top surface, for use
with a Golf Ball, said Face Line to act as a visual aid to assist
the Golfer in aligning the Golf Club Head to the Golf Ball at rest,
commonly known as the address position and being prior to the
Golfer's swing and also prior to impact with the Golf Ball, to
eliminate a hook or slice and cause the Golf Ball to travel in the
path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: e. where
a clear material, having a top surface and a bottom surface, said
bottom surface being coated with a conventional adhesive material
that permits easy removal and re application, is placed on said
Club Head top surface prior to the line being drawn, causing said
line to be drawn on the top surface of said clear material; and f.
said clear material is removed from said Club Head top surface and
re applied to said Club Head top surface with said Line forming an
angle with the intersection of the top surface and the face
surface, said Line being the Face Line Closed when the Line is
closer to said intersection at the heel, and further being Face
Line Open when the Line is closer to said intersection at the
toe.
13. Golf Club with Face Line on Golf Club Head top surface, for use
with a Golf Ball, said Face Line to act as a visual aid to assist
the Golfer in aligning the Golf Club Head to the Golf Ball at rest,
commonly known as the address position and being prior to the
Golfer's swing and also prior to impact with the Golf Ball, to
eliminate a hook or slice and cause the Golf Ball to travel in the
path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: e. where
a colored material, being a color from the group that contrasts
with the color of the Club Head, having a top surface and a bottom
surface, said bottom surface being coated with a conventional
adhesive material that permits easy removal and re application,
further having a length and width said length and width being
predetermined, is placed on said Club Head top surface to form said
Line; and f. said colored material is removed from said Club Head
top surface and re applied to said Club Head top surface with said
Line forming an angle with the intersection of the top surface and
the face surface, said Line being the Face Line Closed when the
Line is closer to said intersection at the heel, and further being
Face Line Open when the Line is closer to said intersection at the
toe.
14. Golf Club with Face Line on Golf Club Head top surface, for use
with a Golf Ball, said Face Line to act as a visual aid to assist
the Golfer in aligning the Golf Club Head to the Golf Ball at rest,
commonly known as the address position and being prior to the
Golfer's swing and also prior to impact with the Golf Ball, to
eliminate a hook or slice and cause the Golf Ball to travel in the
path of intended direction upon the Golf Club having impact with
the Golf Ball, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: e. where
a colored material, being a color from the group that contrasts
with the color of the Club Head, having a top surface and a bottom
surface, said bottom surface being coated with a conventional
adhesive material that permits the material to be fixedly adhered
to a surface, further having a length and width said length and
width being predetermined, is placed on said Club Head top surface
to form said Line; and f. said colored material is applied to said
Club Head top surface with said Line forming an angle with the
intersection of the top surface and the face surface, said Line
being the Face Line Closed when the Line is closer to said
intersection at the heel, and further being Face Line Open when the
Line is closer to said intersection at the toe.
15. Method to locate Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line, on
a Club Head Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom
surface, top surface, face surface and hosel, but no grip or shaft
or other components, as claimed in claim 1, said method further
locating Face Line, on the top surface of said Club Head Component,
comprising the following additional steps: 1. first, locate a level
platform; 2. next locate conventional Club Head Component center of
gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot, said Sweet Spot
having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head Component by use of a
balance support device, said balance support device being from the
group of devices that can be positioned to have an upward extending
surface with cross sectional area small enough that it forms a
point of balance, by the following steps; a.. position the balance
support device, on the level platform, in order that the upward
extending surface is aimed in a vertical direction; b. next, place
the Club Head Component on the balance support device upward
extending surface with the Club Head Component face surface facing
downward; c.. next, move the Club Head Component around on the
balance support device upward extending surface until the Club Head
Component is balanced; d. next rotate the Club Head Component to
confirm that the Club Head Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot
Axis; e. next, mark the Club Head Component face surface at the
point of contact with the balance support device, when the Club
Head Component is balanced, being the conventional Club Head
Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot; 3. next select a Vertical Support Means, said means being
from the group of supports that may be frictionally secured to said
level platform forming a vertical, perpendicular to said level
platform, said means further providing a plurality of attachment
points, and frictionally secure said means to said level platform;
and 4. next using a Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of
Slope Above The Horizontal, said Instrument being a standard off
the shelf item, said Instrument having a horizontal edge and a
vertical edge, frictionally attach said Instrument to said Vertical
Support Means at one of the attachment points, said Instrument
vertical edge being perpendicular to said level platform, adjust
said Instrument horizontal edge to be parallel to said level
platform and against the Club Head Component top surface a
predetermined distance from the intersection of the Club Head
Component top surface and the Club Head Component face surface, and
draw a line, on said Club Head Component top surface, that is
parallel to said level platform, said line being Face Line.
16. Method to locate Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line, on a Club
Head Component, said Club Head Component having a bottom surface,
top surface, face surface and hosel, but no grip or shaft or other
components, as claimed in claim 2, said method further locating
Face Line, on the top surface of said Club Head Component,
comprising the following additional steps: 1. first, locate a level
platform; 2. next locate conventional Club Head Component center of
gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot, said Sweet Spot
having an axis of rotation, on a Club Head Component by use of a
balance support device, said balance support device being from the
group of devices that can be positioned to have an upward extending
surface with cross sectional area small enough that it forms a
point of balance, by the following steps; a.. position the balance
support device, on the level platform, in order that the upward
extending surface is aimed in a vertical direction; b. next, place
the Club Head Component on the balance support device upward
extending surface with the Club Head Component face surface facing
downward; c.. next, move the Club Head Component around on the
balance support device upward extending surface until the Club Head
Component is balanced; d. next rotate the Club Head Component to
confirm that the Club Head Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot
Axis; e. next, mark the Club Head Component face surface at the
point of contact with the balance support device, when the Club
Head Component is balanced, being the conventional Club Head
Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot; 3. next select a Vertical Support Means, said means being
from the group of supports that may be frictionally secured to said
level platform forming a vertical, perpendicular to said level
platform, said means further providing a plurality of attachment
points, and frictionally secure said means to said level platform;
and 4. next using a Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of
Slope Above The Horizontal, said Instrument being a standard off
the shelf item, said Instrument having a horizontal edge and a
vertical edge, frictionally attach said Instrument to said Vertical
Support Means at one of the attachment points, said Instrument
vertical edge being perpendicular to said level platform, adjust
said Instrument horizontal edge to be parallel to said level
platform and against the Club Head Component top surface a
predetermined distance from the intersection of the Club Head
Component top surface and the Club Head Component face surface, and
draw a line, on said Club Head Component top surface, that is
parallel to said level platform, said line being Face Line.
17. Golf Club with Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line and
Face Line markings, that may be seen as a visual aid as the Golf
Club is used during a swing, for use with a Golf Ball, to cause the
Golf Ball to travel in the path of intended direction upon the Golf
Club having impact with the Golf Ball comprising: 1. a Golf Club,
said Golf Club having a Club Head, a grip and shaft; 2. said Club
Head having a bottom surface, top surface, face surface, Sweet Spot
on the face surface and a hosel; and 3. said Club Head having Lines
on the top surface, the location of said Lines on the top surface
being determined as follows: A. first, locate a level platform; B.
next locate conventional Club Head Component center of gravity,
normally referred to as the Sweet Spot, said Sweet Spot having an
axis of rotation, on a Club Head Component by use of a balance
support device, said balance support device being from the group of
devices that can be positioned to have an upward extending surface
with cross sectional area small enough that it forms a point of
balance, by the following steps; a.. position the balance support
device, on the level platform, in order that the upward extending
surface is aimed in a vertical direction; b. next, place the Club
Head Component on the balance support device upward extending
surface with the Club Head Component face surface facing downward;
c.. next, move the Club Head Component around on the balance
support device upward extending surface until the Club Head
Component is balanced; d. next rotate the Club Head Component to
confirm that the Club Head Component is balanced at the Sweet Spot
Axis; e. next, mark the Club Head Component face surface at the
point of contact with the balance support device, when the Club
Head Component is balanced, being the conventional Club Head
Component center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet
Spot; C. next locate a shaft, place the Club Head Component with
bottom surface resting on the Level Platform and insert said shaft
into Club Head Component at hosel, then using a Conventional
Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal, said
Instrument being a standard off the shelf item, adjust Club Head
Component to have center line of shaft, at angle of intended use,
again using said Instrument place said Instrument against Club Head
Component face surface at point marked as Sweet Spot and mark the
point that is vertically above the Sweet Spot at intersection of
Club Head Component face surface and Club Head Component top
surface, being Incorrect Target Line Front Point; D. next return
the Club Head Component to balance position with the Sweet Spot on
balance support device upward extending surface and using said
Instrument, place said Instrument at Incorrect Target Line Front
Point, as marked, and draw a line on Club Head Component top
surface, said line being the Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line; E.
next adjust Club Head Component to have center line of shaft at
angle of intended use, using said Instrument place said Instrument
against Club Head Component face surface at point marked as Sweet
Spot, adjust the Instrument to be at Correct Sight Line angle, said
Correct Sight Line Angle being to correct for Parallax and mark the
point, that is diagonally above the Sweet Spot at intersection of
Club Head Component face surface and Club Head Component top
surface, being Target Line Front Point; F. next, return the Club
Head Component to balance position on balance support device as
located above and place said Instrument at Target Line Front Point,
as marked above, draw a line on Club Head Component top surface,
said line being Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line; G. next,
using the same level platform and having located conventional Club
Head Component center of gravity, using said point of balance
select a Vertical Support Means, said means being from the group of
supports that may be frictionally secured to said level platform
forming a vertical, perpendicular to said level platform, said
means further providing a plurality of attachment points, and
frictionally secure said means to said level platform; and H. next
using a Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The
Horizontal, said Instrument being a standard off the shelf item,
said Instrument having a horizontal edge and a vertical edge,
frictionally attach said Instrument to said Vertical Support Means
at one of the attachment points, said Instrument vertical edge
being perpendicular to said level platform, adjust said Instrument
horizontal edge to be parallel to said level platform and against
the Club Head Component top surface a predetermined distance from
the intersection of the Club Head Component top surface and the
Club Head Component face surface, and draw a line, on said Club
Head Component top surface, that is parallel to said level
platform, said line being Face Line.
18. The Correct Method to use Markings on face surface of Golf Club
Head, being the Sweet Line, Ground Sweet Spot or Tee Sweet Spot, to
align Golf Club Head to Golf Ball, at a predetermined lie angle and
swing plane, regardless of whether the golf ball is imbedded in the
ground, partially imbedded in the ground, resting on the ground,
resting on a tee, or any position within the range of being
imbedded in the ground to resting on a tee, comprising the
following steps: a. first locate a golf ball, a golf Tee and a Golf
Club said Golf Club having a shaft, a grip and a Golf Club Head,
said Head having a top surface, face surface, bottom surface, toe
and heal said golf club having a center of mass for the combined
shaft, grip and Head; said Golf Club Head having markings on the
face surface, and said golf club head face surface having markings
indicating ideal contact points for impact with the golf ball
regardless of whether the golf ball is imbedded in the ground,
partially imbedded in the ground, resting on the ground, resting on
a tee, or any position within the range of being imbedded in the
ground to resting on a tee; said Golf Club Head face surface
markings being determined as follows: i.) prepare a level working
surface being a level platform with a hole therein said level
platform being of sufficient size to accommodate a complete golf
club having a shaft, said shaft having a center line, grip and
head, said golf club grip having a top end, said golf club head
having a top surface, face surface, bottom surface, toe and heal;
ii.) obtain a sweet line locator, said sweet line locator having a
donut shaped stabilizer base member said stabilizer base member
having a flat bottom surface, a top surface, a continuous opening
of uniform diameter running from the flat bottom surface to the top
surface and with a frictional devise positioned at the top surface
at the continuous opening of uniform diameter, said sweet line
locator further having a rigid rod of sufficient diameter to engage
frictionally within the continuous opening of uniform diameter and
also being of sufficient length to extend both above and below the
stabilizer base member said rigid rod having an upward end and a
downward end; iii.) place the sweet line locator on the level
platform with the rigid rod extending both downward thru the hole
in the level platform and upward above the top surface of the
stabilizer base member; iv.) place golf club with grip top end on
level platform and golf club head face surface on upward end of the
rigid rod; v.) adjust the position of the rigid rod in order that
the golf club head face surface is parallel to the level platform;
vi.) adjust the point of contact of the golf club face surface and
rigid rod until the golf club balances and mark the balance point
of contact on the golf club face surface; vii.) repeat the previous
step at least one more time to obtain at least one more balance
point of contact; viii.) remove the golf club from the rigid rod,
connect the points to form a line or series of points extending
diagonally across the golf club face surface, said line or series
of points being the Sweet Line; ix.) position the golf club in the
position of intended use, said position of intended use being that
position when the shaft center line is at a predetermined angle
with the ground, and transpose the desired impact point golf ball
heights, said desired impact point golf ball heights including but
not limited to one for a ball resting on the ground and one for a
ball resting on a tee, onto the golf club face surface using lines
or series of points that are parallel to the desired ground
surface; x.) mark the intersections of the diagonal line or points
with the parallel lines or points, one being the Ground Sweet Spot
and one being the Tee Sweet Spot; b. next place the golf ball on
the ground, said golf ball having a desired impact point; c. next
grip the Golf Club by the grip and shaft and assume normal swing
stance; d. next address the Golf Club Head to the golf ball with
the Ground Sweet Spot on the Golf Club Head face surface aligned
to, but not, making contact with the golf ball at the golf ball
desired impact point; and e. next using a normal back swing, and
then forward swing of the Golf Club, have the Golf Club Head strike
the Golf Ball, with the Ground Sweet Spot, on the Golf Club Head
face surface, making contact with the Golf Ball at the desired
impact point, and continuing the forward swing with a normal follow
thru.
19. The Correct Method to use Markings on face surface of Golf Club
Head, being the Sweet Line, Ground Sweet Spot or Tee Sweet Spot, to
align Golf Club Head to Golf Ball, at a predetermined lie angle and
swing plane, regardless of whether the golf ball is imbedded in the
ground, partially imbedded in the ground, resting on the ground,
resting on a tee, or any position within the range of being
imbedded in the ground to resting on a tee, as claimed in claim 18
comprising the following additional steps: a. where the golf Tee is
positioned in the ground with the Golf Ball resting thereon, and b.
where the golfer moves with the Golf Club Head in the direction of
the toe a distance sufficient to align the Sweet Line with the Golf
Ball desired impact point, at the same time retaining the same lie
angle and swing plane.
20. Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance
Plane Locator Tool for locating the Sweet Spot on a Golf Club Head
component, Sweet Line on a Golf Club Head Face, also the True Sweet
Spot on the Sweet Line, Face Target Line and Top Target Line,
comprising as follows: a) a conventional golf ball, with an outer
surface, said conventional golf ball having a cavity therein, said
cavity entering from said outer surface and continuing to a pre
determined point therein, said cavity having a cross section from
the golf ball outer surface to said predetermined point; and b) a
rod with a first end and a second end, said rod having a
predetermined length and cross section, said cross section being
sized and shaped to permit the first end of the rod to be placed
securely within the cavity of said conventional golf ball, said
first end of the rigid rod further being sized and shaped to be
frictionally retained within said conventional golf ball
cavity.
21. Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance
Plane Locator Tool for locating the Sweet Spot on a Golf Club Head
component, Sweet Line on a Golf Club Head Face, the True Sweet Spot
on the Sweet Line, Face Target Line and Top Target Line, comprising
as follows: as claimed in claim 20 where the second end of said
uniform rigid rod is a flat surface.
22. Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance
Plane Locator Tool for locating the Sweet Spot on a Golf Club Head
component, Sweet Line on a Golf Club Head Face, the True Sweet Spot
on the Sweet Line, Face Target Line and Top Target Line, comprising
as follows: as claimed in claim 20 where the second end of said
uniform rigid rod is a cupped surface.
23. Method for locating the Sweet Line, being the leading Edge of
the Balance Plane, on a golf Club Head Face Surface, using Sweet
Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator
Tool for locating the Sweet Spot on a Golf Club Head component,
Sweet Line on a Golf Club Head Face, the True Sweet Spot on the
Sweet Line, Face Target Line and Top Target Line, comprising the
following steps: a) locate a golf club having club head, shaft and
grip, said club head having a surface, said club head face surface
having a lower face edge, an upper face edge, a toe edge and a heel
edge; b) locate Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and
Balance Plane Locator Tool being; i) a conventional golf ball, with
an outer surface and a center, said conventional golf ball having a
cavity therein, said cavity entering from said outer surface and
continuing to a point at said center, said cavity having a uniform
cross section from the golf ball outer surface to said center; and
ii) a uniform rod with a first end and a second end, said uniform
rod having a predetermined length and cross section, said cross
section being sized and shaped to permit the first end of the
uniform rod to be placed within the conventional golf ball cavity,
said first end of the uniform rigid rod further being sized and
shaped to be frictionally retained within said conventional golf
ball cavity; c) freely suspend the golf club from the grip allowing
the shaft to be in a nearly vertical position, with the grip at the
apex and the club head at the nadir; d) hold the Sweet Spot and
Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and balance Plane Locator Tool by
the second end of the rigid rod; e) tap the golf ball of the Sweet
Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and balance Plane Locator
Tool against the golf club face surface along the lower face edge,
finding a point where the golf club does not rotate after being
struck, mark the point of non rotation on said lower face edge; f)
tap the golf ball of the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face
Tapping and balance Plane Locator Tool against the golf club face
surface along the upper face edge, finding a point where the golf
club does not rotate after being struck, mark the point of non
rotation on said upper face edge; g) draw a line across the club
head face surface connecting the point of non rotation on the upper
face edge with the point of non rotation on the lower face edge,
the resulting line being the Sweet Line that is the leading edge of
the Balance Plane.
24. Method for locating the Sweet Line, being the leading Edge of
the Balance Plane, on a golf Club Head Face Surface, using Sweet
Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator
Tool for locating the Sweet Spot on a Golf Club Head component,
Sweet Line on a Golf Club Head Face, the True Sweet Spot on the
Sweet Line, Face Target Line and Top Target Line, comprising the
following steps: a) locate a golf club having club head, shaft and
grip, said club head having a face surface, said club head face
surface having a lower face edge, an upper face edge, a toe edge
and a heel edge; b) locate Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face
Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool being; i) a conventional
golf ball, with an outer surface and a center, said conventional
golf ball having a cavity therein, said cavity entering from said
outer surface and continuing to a point at said center, said cavity
having a uniform cross section from the golf ball outer surface to
said center; and ii) a uniform rod with a first end and a second
end, said uniform rod having a predetermined length and cross
section, said cross section being sized and shaped to permit the
first end of the uniform rod to be placed within the conventional
golf ball cavity, said first end of the uniform rigid rod further
being sized and shaped to be frictionally retained within said
conventional golf ball cavity; c) freely suspend the golf club from
the grip allowing the shaft to be in a nearly vertical position,
with the grip at the apex and the club head at the nadir; d) hold
the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and balance
Plane Locator Tool by the second end of the rigid rod; e) tap the
golf ball of the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and
balance Plane Locator Tool against the golf club face surface in
the area that is between the toe edge and the heal edge, finding at
least three points where the golf club does not rotate after being
struck, mark the points of non rotation on said face surface; f)
draw a series of lines across the club head face surface connecting
the points of non rotation on the face surface, the resulting lines
being the Sweet Line that is the leading edge of the Balance Plane.
Description
[0001] This Application is a Continuation in part of application
Ser. No. 09/797,357 which was a continuation in part of application
09/225,101, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,494.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Since the beginning of golf in the 1400's, Golf club
manufacturers say there is a Sweet Spot and Center Of Gravity on
clubheads that has been understood, assumed and accepted by all
golfers, but why haven't they told us golfers where that Sweet Spot
is designed for, to hit a ball off the Ground or perched on a Tee?
Wherein this disclosure unveils and tells golfers how this is to be
accomplished.
[0003] Golf club manufacturers and golfers have been trying, but
unable to solve golfs 600 year old riddle of hook and slice,
wherein they lay awake at night trying to figure out how to hit a
golf ball straight . . . until now.
[0004] A Golf Club, Golfclub, Club, or Clubhead, is considered
complete with all of its components, Grip, Shaft and Head. A Club
head is a component part of a Golfclub.
[0005] The past recorded knowledge and recognition of a clubhead
having a center of percussion, otherwise known as a Sweet Spot, and
a Center Of Gravity will be proven to be not applicable because it
does not take into consideration the shaft and the grip, which is
antiquated, and circumvented by this patent, which divulges the
existence of a Golf clubhead Sweet Line containing two main points
at which to strike a ball, or Two Sweet Spots, and its associated
derivatives, found by the use of a balance plane.
[0006] There are four basic categories to improve playing golf, the
golfer, their equipment, technique and prayer. Their search for the
correct equipment, or the ultimate golf club, is like looking for
the needle in the haystack, or that one Sweet Spot on a clubhead
with which to hit the ball. In the past, there has been no correct
method of finding, understanding or knowing how to use this Sweet
Spot on a golf club, until now.
[0007] The Golf club strikes a ball at a master reference point
called the Ball Impact Point, which can be a variable dependant
upon the club design or use, and in regards to basically two ball
height positions, being a ball on the ground and/or a ball on a
tee.
[0008] A golf clubhead is like a wrecking ball which has a cable or
chain that controls three basic parameters, speed, power and
direction, with the wrecking ball doing all of the work. A clubhead
does more, it controls loft, tilt, ball spin, direction, control,
etc.. The clubhead works in conjunction with the shaft whereas the
wrecking ball is independent of the cable or chain. A golf clubhead
is similar to an airplane. During landing the airplane wings must
always be parallel to the ground. Likewise a golf clubhead must be
in the specific design position.
[0009] A golf club is similar to a humans leg, the Grip vs. Thigh,
Shaft vs. Calf, and the Clubhead vs. Foot, whose clubhead
comparison consists of a Toe, Heel and Sole. If a foot is not soled
properly it will affect ones ability to walk, likewise if the
clubhead is not soled properly, a change will occur altering the
characteristics of the clubhead, as this disclosure will explain.
Likewise, a clubhead is also comparable to a barbell that has a
Sweet Spot and a Center Of Gravity, wherein if one end of the
barbell is lifted higher than the other end, the sweet spot and
center of gravity changes. Therefore, if the clubhead Toe or Heel
goes up, it alters the soling and moves that now questionable sweet
spot one way or the other, causing miss hits.
[0010] All golf clubs to date have round bases to accommodate the
majority of golfers lie angles.
[0011] Forward Press, or Positive Press, is the tilt of the shaft
positioning leaning towards the target or hole, normally from
center body, allowing the shaft to be more in line with the golfers
forward arm. Forward Press keeps the forward wrist straight which
can be adapted to specific golf clubs to create a Press Rhythm
resulting in similar setup and use that provides optimum power,
control and direction between all clubs. Reverse Press or Negative
Press is the movement or the tilt of the shaft away from the
target. Press Deviation is more detrimental to the golfer than Lie
Angle Deviation. Press is measured in inches, mm or degrees.
[0012] Hooding is the instability of the clubhead causing it to
wobble, flounder or flop over, resulting in the opening or closing
of the clubhead face, when it is not in its designated position or
limits that are designed basically for lie or press angles. Hooding
affects are related to the soling of that clubhead, which is more
prolifically felt when soled on a smooth flat surface, compared to
being on a rug or grass. All clubheads produced have curved or
arced bases with a soled radius, like a seesaw or rocking chair, to
generically fit every golfer, that gives the illusion of identical
soling, whereby changing the sweet spot location, without
necessarily Hooding. Hood design in clubheads will alert the golfer
that a parameter change exists, that will alter the ball striking
characteristics of the clubhead, so that he may make necessary
adjustments. This patent is also applicable to all clubhead bases
that are of such a curved nature or otherwise, that can incorporate
an Automatic Hood feature.
[0013] This inventor has established Three Triangles in golf, the
Stance Triangle, the Alignment Triangle, and the Club Triangle,
that can affect the Sweet Line and dependency upon the Ball Impact
Point.
[0014] These triangles are generally applicable in life and sports,
such as baseball, golf, bowling i.e..
[0015] The Stance Triangle requires the ball, golf club and player
be in a referenced and repeatable position. This triangle is
derived from three points, the Ball Impact Point, the positioning
of the grip top with the players hand or Press, and the distance
from the players forward foot tip to the imaginary ball traveling
line called the Foot distance. The perpendicular distance from the
tip of the forward foot to a projected clubhead face line is called
the Ball distance. Each individual club has its own characteristics
that the golfer must adapt in his Stance Triangle for that club,
requiring reproducibility each time that club is used, otherwise
the Sweet Line changes. This triangle will always remain the same
when the ball, and the golfers feet are on the same plane, but, If
they are on different planes, then the Stance Triangle must
change.
[0016] The Alignment Triangle requires the ball, golf club and
player in position. This triangle is derived from three points, the
Ball Impact Point, the Foot distance and the positioning of the
bridge of the golfers nose. This triangle is used to align the
clubhead and Ball Impact Point in relationship to the target.
[0017] The Club Triangle is derived by three dimensions, length and
two plumb bob measurements, when the clubhead is in its intended
position. The length of the club is normally measured along the
shaft centerline from the grip top to a point on the ground with
the golfclub in its' intented use position. The length of the club
should be measured from the top of the grip to the clubhead base,
vertically below the intended clubhead impact point, in
consideration to the correct golf club intended use. A plumb bob
hanging from grip, creates two distances, one from the imaginary
ball line, and the other from the club head face line. These
triangular methods are used in conjunction with the golfers Stance
Triangle, and applicable to the manufacture of custom clubs, club
duplication, and to verify club parameters if it is suspected of
being damaged, or otherwise. The clubhead soling is extremely
important and will be analyzed and discussed later.
[0018] Iron Head face heights vary, by peaking adjacent to the toe,
being angularly and diminishing in height, being flat or somewhat
curved, and terminating at the heel or shaft. Whereas Wood Head
tops are curved horizontally and peak near the toe or at the center
above the head Sweet Spot. Both will be shown to be substantially
improved.
[0019] Impact areas on Iron Head faces are flat, whereas Wood faces
incorporate a curved horizontal face bulge and vertical face roll,
having both identified with Sweet Spot markings. External to the
impact areas, Woods and Iron Heads sometimes have alignment
markings, referenced to the Head Center Of Percussion Sweet Spot or
Center Of Gravity, which have been designed without taking into
consideration the Grip and Shaft components, wherein, this patent
does take into consideration these components.
[0020] Golf club shaft mounting into the head heel has moved from
basically in line with the face, to ahead of the face towards the
hole called Offset, wherein presented is the movement back, called
Centerset, or having the shaft centerline referenced to the Two
Sweet Spots, or opposite the head center.
[0021] Presented are the four states that an object resides in,
Static State, Dynamic State, Dynamic Impact State and Dynamic
Impact Aftermath State.
[0022] In a Static State, any instrument, including a baseball bat,
golf club or Head component, having no motion, and not subjected to
external forces, are only affected by gravity. In this state, all
objects, Symmetrical and Nonsymmetrical have a Center of Gravity.
This patent is in agreement, that on all Heads, without their shaft
and components, and in their Static State, have a Center of Gravity
from where a Sweet Spot can be deduced and identified. That a Head,
Center Of Gravity and Sweet Spot is one thing, but components must
be added to the Head to make a golf club, resulting in the golf
clubs own Center of Gravity that is now in free space, caused by
related club planes, axes and weighting, that must be taken into
consideration to understand the design of the Two Sweet Spots, by
its derivation and derivatives.
[0023] A Dynamic State is created when that instrument is subjected
to external forces that causes it to move and defy gravity, as in
the case of a complete golf club with all of its components being
swung, that now takes into account Center Of Mass, Swing Plane and
centrifugal forces. Thus, the past terminology relating to center
of gravity will be replaced by Center Of Mass.
[0024] A Dynamic Impact State is created when that instrument or
golf club in the Dynamic state strikes or hits an object in a
Static or Dynamic State, such as a ball, that can be measured
during contact, or dwell time, on both the instrument and struck
object. When a Nonsymmetrical instrument, such as a golf club, is
used in a Dynamic Impact State, gravitational forces are overcome
and become virtually insignificant resulting in new phenomena and
terminology, as will be described and discussed in this
disclosure.
[0025] A Dynamic Impact Aftermath State occurs to both the
instrument and struck object after contact is completed.
[0026] The Clubhead Swing Plane has been extremely skewed on past
clubheads, that will be shown to have a prolific improvement.
[0027] A player swinging any instrument, whether a baseball bat or
golf club, creates an extension of the Swing Plane with his arms
and body, somewhat controlling any miss hits to an object by the
gripping power with his hands, but the instrument is still the
prime controlling factor in the Dynamic Impact State, with the
clubhead being paramount as the striking force.
[0028] Many years ago rifles had no gun sights for alignment
purposes, but today all rifles, pistols and derringers have two gun
sights that can also be adjusted to distance targets, so why not a
golf club having Target Lines for alignment, and Two Sweet Spots to
coincide to the two ball height distances, from the Ground or off a
Tee.
INVENTION OBJECTIVES
[0029] To introduce several novel features that is applicable to
all existing and future classifications of instruments, especially
golf clubs, that are intended to make contact with another object,
ball or otherwise.
[0030] To establish and promote correct golf club use, and testing,
through the understanding and knowledge of modern golf club design
technology using the Sweet Line principles derived from a balanced
plane within the clubhead.
[0031] To overcome the mandated Sweet Spot belief, known throughout
the centuries, wherein on clubheads there exists only one singular
sweet spot derived from a head center of gravity, and to unveil
this myth by conveying to golfers that what actually exists is a
clubhead balance plane having an angular Sweet Line with Two Sweet
Spots for hitting a ball on the ground and off a tee.
[0032] To pass on to my fellow golfers, my twenty five years of
frustration in golf before my father said "Your an Engineer . . .
FIX IT!".
[0033] The following portion of the background has been added to
the background submitted with application Ser. No. 09/797,357.
Additional Background
[0034] For clarification purposes a club head (two words) is a
component part used in the construction of a golf club, whereas
clubhead (one word) is a part of a golf club having all components,
including club head, shaft and grip, which will be referred to as
such throughout this document.
[0035] Yes it's true, all component club heads have a center of
gravity, or Sweet Spot, but what happens to this club head
component Sweet Spot when the shaft and grip components are
installed? This invention deals with the club head component and
also a golf club comprised of all components. This invention also
includes design improvements to the club head and golf club.
[0036] This inventor visited the United States Golf Association,
USGA, on two occasions during the processing of U.S. Pat. No.
6,224,494, primarily for presentation purposes of his Balance Plane
and Sweet Line design. This Balance Plane and Sweet Line design now
Conforms to USGA rules. A tour was made of the USGA facility and
the method of testing club head components called Coefficient of
Restitution, or C.O.R., was observed, that measures the rebound
ratio of a ball impacting a component club head center of gravity
or Sweet Spot. Based upon observations made by this inventor during
the visit I believe that the USGA never performed tests on an
assembled golf club clubhead Sweet Spot nor Sweet Line, but rather
on the club head component only. In the inventors eyes, true
testing of a clubhead can only be made on a golf club with all
components, and the designated Sweet Line. The inventor also
recommended to the USGA that loft guide lines be established,
wherein manufacturers have retained traditional golf club numbering
but have altered the loft dramatically, thereby affecting the
flight distance of a ball. This loft change falsely leads the
unknowing golfer to believe that he hit the ball further with a
golf club that has the same number as a traditional golf club. Loft
alteration has also shifted the range of degrees thereby creating a
multitude of newly identified golf clubs by the manufacturers. This
loft alteration and multitude of newly identified golf clubs is
confusing to golfers.
[0037] The tilt of the Club Head face measured from vertical is
called loft. It is difficult for a player to see the club head face
surface when the club head has a small amount of loft. For instance
the woods and irons with lower numbers have less loft than the
woods and irons with higher numbers. When using a wood or iron with
less loft the player has trouble seeing and aligning the club head
Sweet Spot on the club head face surface, that is at the desired
point for contact with a ball. Therefore for proper alignment it is
desirable to locate a reference point or line on the club head
face, top, or both surfaces that the player may easily see and use
for proper alignment.
[0038] Traditionally Low lofted golf clubs have three points of
alignment. The alignment of the golf club to a ball in a vertical
plane, includes: 1. the clubhead face Sweet Spot; 2. a top clubhead
marking vertically over the Sweet Spot (this marking is not used
for all clubheads) (this marking is most important on clubs with a
lower loft as the golfer can not see the clubhead face Sweet Spot
and must rely upon this top marking); and 3. the players eyes.
[0039] High lofted golf clubs have two points of alignment. The
alignment of the golf club to a ball includes: 1. The clubhead face
Sweet Spot; and 2. The players eyes (because the golfer can see the
clubhead face Sweet Spot or the spot that the player assumes is the
geometric center).
[0040] Putters are low lofted and have a top clubhead mark in a
vertical plane that is in coincidence with the face Sweet Spot. In
putting it is believed that the golfers eyes must be in said
vertical plane to correctly align their eyes to the putterhead top
marking. The result is that the golfer's eyes are vertically over
the face Sweet Spot, and therefore the golfer's eyes must be
aligned to the ball impact point, in the direction of intent.
Drivers also are low lofted and have top markings in said vertical
plane directly above the face Sweet Spot, identical to a putter.
But, when using a driver the golfers eyes are offset from this
vertical plane because the golf club shaft length forces the golfer
back away from said vertical plane, thereby creating parallax
between the face Sweet Spot and top marking. Some low lofted golf
clubs, including drivers, have no top markings leaving the golfer
to rely upon the face, face curvature or the crown of the head for
alignment purposes. One purpose of this invention is to provide
more accurate markings in order that the golfer may cause the point
of impact to be at the correct point with resulting maximum length
of flight of the ball resulting in less dispersion, with improved
ball Control, Accuracy and Precision (C.A.P.).
[0041] What clubhead feedback does a golfer obtain during a
practice swing over a blade of grass, or actual swing into a golf
ball, and how can it be improved? Clubhead feedback of past art
golf clubs has been limited to the golfer seeing the clubhead go
through as a blur or having the sole of the clubhead bounce off the
turf hence leaving a mark that indicates the position the clubhead
was in. This allows the golfer to prepare for his anticipated swing
into the ball by making the necessary adjustments. One purpose of
this invention is to improve Clubhead feedback.
[0042] The traditional past art regarding Club Head face Sweet Spot
is that the focal point in the design of the face curvature
comprised of both horizontal bulge and vertical roll. The Club Head
face, when viewed from any angle, resembles an egg shell surface.
Wherein, the traditional Sweet Spot is presumed to be the only
point with the correct Loft angle and position that is intended to
have the club head optimumly hit a ball resulting in the ball
traveling in the direction of intent with control, accuracy and
precision. Any other location on the club head face surface is at a
different loft and angular position that results in the deviation
of the path of travel of a ball being struck. This deviation can be
somewhat corrected by the golfer altering their position or the
club head position. This deviation can also be somewhat corrected
by altering the manufacture of the club head face to be angularly
closed or open.
[0043] Club heads, on Woods, are normally manufactured with a
square face that is intended to be perpendicular to the desired
path of flight of the golf ball when the club head makes contact
with the golf ball or during the dwell time that the ball is making
contact with the clubhead face.. It is also common for the
manufacturer to make the club head with a closed face, or open face
to accommodate the golfer for personal inconsistencies.
[0044] Due to the nearly egg shape of a traditional Golf Club Wood
head face surface it is very difficult for a golfer to determine
the exact point of contact that is desired. To locate that exact
point the golfer finds himself relying on memory and instinct. This
results in the golfer having the golf club head face surface make
contact with the golf ball at points that are random and often
incorrect, resulting in the balls performance being different than
desired.
[0045] Some golfers tend to adjust the golf club to overcome a
tendency that the golfer has to slice or hook. In a perfect world
the golf club face surface should be essentially perpendicular to
the path of flight that the gofer desires the golf ball to take,
upon impact. If the golfer finds that the golf ball is consistently
hooking or slicing, when a straight path of flight is desired, the
golfer will adjust the golf club to have the golf club face surface
at a slight angle off of the perpendicular to the desired golf ball
path of flight. The individual golfer will do the adjustment
depending on the correction desired. In some instances the golfer
is trying to overcome not only an improper angle of the golf Club
face surface in relation to the desired path of flight for the golf
ball, but also an improper point of impact on the golf club face
surface. In the foregoing situation the golfer should first confirm
that the point of impact is the desired point of impact.
[0046] To avoid this inaccuracy and inconsistency it is the purpose
of the present invention to provide the golfer with markings on the
club head face and top surfaces to act as visual aids to assist the
golfer.
[0047] Balls hit at any point on a clubhead face surface can be
plotted as a skewed bell curve.
[0048] Traditionally Golf Club components, such as the Club head,
Shaft and Grip, are individually designed and then assembled
together as a unit that results in a Golf Club. Several novel modes
and variations could be considered in the design of a Golf Club
that facilitates and incorporates all components including even the
Golfers body and the Golfers Swing Plane.
[0049] In past art the Maximum Club Head Face Height on any Golf
Club is found only between the club head Toe and the center of the
club head face Sweet Spot, commonly known as the center of gravity,
geometric center or otherwise, whereas novel art relocates the
Maximum Club Head Face Height at or from the club head center to
the heel.
[0050] During the past several hundred years Golfers have been
assuming that there was one and only one location on all Golf Club
Head face surfaces, referred to as the Center of Gravity and
commonly called the Sweet Spot. Even the inventor assumed that
there was only one point or Sweet Spot that would optimumly hit a
ball. The inventor always had trouble with drivers and relied upon
his three wood for improved accuracy and control of hitting a ball
from either the ground or tee. At one time the inventor noticed
that his three wood would hit a ball on the ground perfect every
time, but when the ball was hit off a tee he would slice sixty
percent of the time. His remedial action was to close the clubhead
face when the ball was on the tee, and he wondered why this was
happening and what he was doing wrong. The inventor now knows the
answer to this question and will enlighten his peer who reads and
understand this Patent. The assumption has been that the Sweet Spot
is the ideal point of contact for the Club Head with the Golf Ball.
One problem with the traditional Sweet Spot is that the location of
the traditional Sweet Spot is determined as to the Club Head
Component, only, without taking into account the shaft and grip
that will be added to the Club Head Component for actual use. This
assumption has been relied on by manufacturers and Golfers, without
taking into account a true understanding of the engineering
principals involved. The fact of the matter is that when the shaft
and grip are added to the Club Head Component the point of ideal
contact, or Sweet Spot, is relocated and in fact becomes a diagonal
line on the Golf Club Head face surface. This assumption has lead
Golfers to further assume that they would be compelled to raise the
Club Head, and its assumed Sweet Spot, vertically to make contact
with a Golf Ball, at the same point of impact, for a Golf Ball that
is on a Tee as opposed to being on the ground. The fallacy of this
assumption lies in the fact that what actually exists on all golf
clubs is a Balance Plane with a leading edge that forms a diagonal
line on the Golf Club Head face surface, the inventor calls the
Sweet Line, that contains multiple ideal points of contact with a
ball. Therefore the Golfer must move the Club Head forward, in the
toe direction, as the Golf Ball is raised from the ground by a Tee
or other means, to have the appropriate ideal point of contact on
the Golf Club Head face surface make proper contact with the Golf
Ball. The Sweet Line does contain one point, the inventor calls the
True Sweet Spot, that will optimumly hit a ball compared to any
other point on the Sweet Line. Alas, the True Sweet Spot is not a
constant but a variable that is primarily dependant upon club head
speed with related shaft deflection.
[0051] A golf club is comprised of three major components, the
grip, shaft and club head. It was assumed, up to the last decade,
that a golf club clubhead did all the work impacting a golf ball,
and that the shaft and grip had nothing to do with it. Several
years ago it was disclosed that if the seam of the shaft was
aligned in a particular orientation the ball would go further. This
Patent reveals that any individual golf club component being
designed, for example the club head component, is dependent upon
all associated components and in order that the ball may go further
and with less dispersion. In the design of a golf club component,
consideration of other prime factors such as length, size and
weight must be taken into account. When the golf club is assembled,
the traditional club head component face Sweet Spot transforms into
a line or Sweet Line on the face of the clubhead. This inventor
substantiated through static and dynamic robotic testing that a
ball hit on the Sweet Line would go further, and with less
dispersion, than a ball hit on the traditional Sweet Spot.
Conversely, present day manufacturers art dwells in locating the
traditional Sweet Spot and then designing the club head component.
The problem with this approach is that the shaft and grip must
still be added to complete the golf club. When the golf club is a
complete unit the location of the Sweet Spot is shifted and in fact
is a diagonal Sweet Line. Likewise, custom club fitters assemble
golf club components without the knowledge nor understanding of the
engineering principles involved that truly affects golf club
performance and use.
[0052] This invention reveals a novel tool that can be used to find
the optimum point(s) on a golf club clubhead face Sweet Line, or
golf club head component Sweet Spot, or on a golf club with a
traditionally designed head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0053] This patent does not take into consideration, nor is
necessarily concerned with, prior patents, nor any other
documentation, discussing, and interpreting a Sweet Spot as being
the point at which to hit a golf ball. The Sweet Spot has also been
interpreted as that One Singular Point, Center of Gravity, Center
Point, Geometric Center, Center of Compression, Point of
Compression, Center of Percussion, Impact Point, etc., which past
golf club design concepts and principles were based upon, that are
hereby repudiated, and justifiably so, by this disclosure.
[0054] This patent encompasses new engineering design principles in
golf clubs, their manufacture and fitting, applicable to alignment
markings and identification at any clubhead location, on or within
the clubhead, adjustable or fixed, within or external to the impact
area as defined by the USGA or other entities, visual or nonvisual,
color coded, blended or otherwise, singular or plurality, and in
any mannerism, allowing the golfer to automatically and exactly
align the clubhead to a ball at any height, but basically at two
heights, from the Ground or perched on a Tee, whereupon at ball
impact results in the transferral of optimum power, control and
direction of intent. In order to accomplish this, correct soling of
the clubhead base should be made but is not necessary.
[0055] This present invention applies to all Symmetrical and
Nonsymmetrical instruments that are used to hit an object. A
comparison will be made between two instruments, a Symmetrical
baseball bat and a Nonsymmetrical golf club, that are used to hit
an object baseball or golf ball, to simplify the understanding of
the mechanics and physics principles involved in their operation
and differences, wherein both have a Swing Plane and other
similarities.
[0056] A golf club has a Swing Plane, that projects through the
clubhead called the Clubhead Swing Plane and whose Perimeter Line
is called the Bernie Line. The Swing Plane also facilitates a Swing
Plane Arc, Swing Plane Radius, Swing Plane Radius Length, and
Center Of Mass Axis. The Bernie Line is the missing link in
clubhead design that opens a new door in golf, wherein evolves many
new reference derivations that will be identified and easily
understood through analogies in this disclosure. The Clubhead Swing
Plane can result in being much less skewed in this endeavor.
[0057] Each clubhead has its own individual Bernie Line that
consists of three major subdivision lines, Sweet Line, Target Line
and the Training Line.
[0058] The Sweet Line is located angularly on the clubhead face
that contains the Central Axis Of Power offering a number of
Infinite Sweet Spots that subdivides into Six Sweet Spots called
the Maximum Sweet Spot, Optimum Sweet Spot, True Sweet Spot or
Huzza Point, Ground Sweet Spot, and the Tee Sweet Spot. The Six
Sweet Spots can be interrelated. The Sweet Line and the Balance
Plane may not be symmetrical.
[0059] The True Sweet Spot is associated with clubheads designed to
hit a Ball Impact Point, primarily from one reference point, such
as the ground, that can be any combination of the Six Sweet Spots,
or of a general independent or reference nature. The True Sweet
Spot can be used to strike a ball at another height if the club lie
angle is altered. The True Sweet Spot is a variable.
[0060] The Sweet Line, and derivatives, can be installed on
clubhead faces incorporating bulge, roll, curved, flat, otherwise
or any combination thereof Examples, the Sweet Line can incorporate
bulge and roll, being called Sweet Line Angular or Diagonal Face
Bulge and Sweet Line Angular or Diagonal Face Roll, or having a
Flat Sweet Line with the remainder of the face incorporating bulge
and roll, or be flat faced, etc.
[0061] The angled Sweet Line is primarily referenced to two ball
height resting locations, that being on the Ground or perched on a
Tee, respectively called the Ground Sweet Spot and the Tee Sweet
Spot, resulting in the term Two Sweet Spots, that are laterally
apart necessitating a lateral movement of the clubhead alignment to
the ball, that is dependant upon clubhead soling.
[0062] The available length on the Sweet Line to efficiently hit a
ball at these two ball heights is measured from the Maximum Sweet
Spot to the Ground Sweet Spot, or the Tee Sweet Spot, being
respectively called the Ground Hit Line or the Tee Hit Line, that
is also respectively measured vertically from the ground and called
the Ground Sweet Spot Height and Tee Sweet Spot Height. The
nonavailable area to hit a ball on the Sweet Line is called the
Ground Dead Line or Tee Dead Line.
[0063] The Two Sweet Spots, Ground Sweet Spot and Tee Sweet Spot,
can then be translated into vertical lines, or otherwise, on or
external to the face impact area, being respectively called the
face Ground Vertical Line and Tee Vertical Line, that can have the
face grooves or markings referenced and designed accordingly.
[0064] From the Ground Vertical Line and Tee Vertical Line we can
then derive top clubhead markings respectively called the Ground
Target Line and Tee Target Line directions, that results in the
Automatic Alignment and aiming of the clubhead to the ball with the
direction of intent to the target, thus being referenced to the two
ball heights.
[0065] Color coding can then be adapted with the Ground Target Line
identified in green as the color of grass, and the Tee Target Line
identified in white as in the standard color of a tee, whereby both
visually indicates, and correlates to the golfer, instant and
complete Color Coded Target Alignment for ball height and
direction. These target direction lines can be referenced to the
Target Line but may, or may not be parallel nor in straight lines,
depending upon clubhead design and construction.
[0066] The Training Line, or associated lines, can be identified on
the nonvisual, bottom or backside portion of the clubhead, that
when inverted into the bag identifying that club as having the
Bernie Line concepts, and is also used in club design, swing
analyzing, training aid, etc..
[0067] The aforementioned information is applicable to all
clubheads, but, if the clubhead is not soled properly, a change in
the Sweet Line angulation, being either more vertical or horizontal
will affect all other associated parameters, and the use of the
club. To correct this situation, clubs may incorporate different
parameters such as lie, press, etc., that can be generically
produced within these confines by the manufacturers, or be fitted
exactly to the golfers individual Sweet Line derivatives. Once a
Sweet Line and its derivatives are fitted to a golfer, the odds are
against anyone else using that club. Unfortunately, all past clubs
have been difficult to exactly fit to a golfer because their sole
is cambered, arced, soled radius, etc., which may seem flat, but is
actually an illusion.
[0068] Each club can be optimized in use by having repeatable Flat
Base soling, along with other parameters, that establishes correct
face orientation and alignment of the club to the ball and target,
in reference to the golfers position. By having a Flat Base
clubhead, fitted to the golfers Stance Triangle with a constant
Sweet Line, results in optimum benefits to the golfer, but only if
that flat soling can be felt to change when not flat, that alerts
the golfer that the Sweet Line has changed.
[0069] Thus, a further improvement of the Flat Base is to connect a
Hood Point which is sharp, or curved at the toe or heel, that
becomes Automatically Hooded when used in a mannerism in which it
was not designed for. Hence, when another golfer tries to use that
club in their own Stance Triangle it becomes Automatically Hooded.
A Hood Limit prevents the clubhead from completely flopping
over.
[0070] Golf clubs that are design to hit a ball at one height
that's on the Ground coinciding with a True Sweet Spot, can
facilitate a Second Base to allow hitting a ball off a Tee with
Automatic Loft.
[0071] A Heel Base further allows the golfer to broaden the Two
Sweet Spot and the Lateral Displacement of the club, conversely a
Toe Base brings the Two Sweet Spots closer together reducing the
Lateral Displacement. Either bases can be used for an uphill or
downhill lie.
[0072] Moving the shaft position physically back in the clubhead,
away from the face, opposite the clubhead center or any proximity
thereof, is called Centerset, that can be used in clubhead weight
distribution balancing.
[0073] Golfer eyes position, in relationship to the ball or
clubhead, are normally found between vertical, and to an angular
displacement of approximately thirty degrees. Conventionally woods,
for example, have their crowned shaped head tops basically parallel
to the ground, wherein if the Ground Target Line and or Tee Target
Line are identified on these clubheads they will be distorted to
the golfers eyes due to parallax and depth perception. This can be
overcome with an EyeAligner that has the clubhead top, or an
alignment mechanism, that faces the golfers eyes squarely, enabling
him to automatically align to the ball.
[0074] The height of a clubhead face need not ever be higher than
the equator of the ball, taking into account the balls compression
and slip, loft, height, etc., unless the clubhead contacts the
ground first. The height, or valley, can be concentrated in any
mannerism to the Sweet Line, and called Sweet Spot Peak, that
locates the optimize height of the clubhead or face with which to
hit a ball.
[0075] Some clubs are intentionally used to make contact with the
ground after ball impact. If the clubhead makes contact with the
ground prior to the hit or during the dwell time, the clubhead will
contort and alter the Sweet Line characteristics. This can be
minimized by altering the face base of the clubhead to be sharp
allowing the clubhead to Plow or Plow Through the ground that will
offer minimum resistance, reduce clubhead bounce and other related
stresses. The Plow can be an integral part of the Flat Base and
extend into the Toe and Heel areas that will also contact the
ground.
[0076] Since a small percentage of ball hits occur on the intended
Two Sweet Spots or True Sweet Spot, clubhead design considerations
are dependant upon balance clubhead parameters that relies upon
influencing planes and axes within the clubhead to minimize
losses.
[0077] There are Two Club Planes in a golf club that intersect, the
Swing Plane and the Face Orientation Plane, not taking into account
Control Mass or Orbital Mass that subdivides in equal masses. The
Control Mass dominates from the Swing Plane to the heel, whereas
the Orbital Mass dominates from the Swing Plane to the toe. The
Control Mass, compared to its counterpart has less hitting area,
more bell shaped with narrower sigma limits.
[0078] There are up to Five Clubhead Planes, Clubhead Swing Plane,
Clubhead Face Orientation Plane, Clubhead Weight Distribution
Plane, Ground Sweet Spot Plane, and Tee Sweet Spot Plane.
[0079] There are up to Five Clubhead Axes, the Center Of Gravity
Axis, Clubhead Central Axis, True Sweet Spot Axis, Ground Sweet
Spot Axis, and Tee Sweet Spot Axis.
[0080] These planes and axes are interrelated and arced during ball
impact, wherein any three, or more, intersecting combinations
create a master reference called the Bernie Point.
[0081] There are two main Power Distribution Curves, the Sweet Line
Power Curve, and the Weight Distribution Face Line Power Curve that
can be statistically plotted, in conjunction with the weight
balancing of the Four Face Quadrants, called the upper, lower, toe
and heel quadrants, with the respective curves called, for example,
the Upper Toe Power Curve. The ideal resultant four quadrant bell
shaped curves will be similar, less skewed, flatter, and with wide
sigma levels with this patent.
[0082] The Clubhead Weight Distribution Plane has a Weight
Distribution Face Line that has an angular limit between below
horizontal and near vertical.
[0083] Clubhead weight distribution is of prime concern, for
example, the more Lower Toe Weighting, and Less Heel Weighting,
results in a more horizontal angle of the Sweet Line, that
separates the Ground Target Line from the Tee Target Lines allowing
more lateral movement of the clubhead between these lines, whereas,
Upper Toe Weighting results in a more vertical angle that can
result in the Weight Distribution Face Line being perpendicular to
the Sweet Line.
[0084] These clubhead planes and axes divide up into eight
quadrants that can form any angular relationship by weight
distribution. One position will be shown when all planes and axes
are at ninety degrees to each other, having better balancing
forces, all in relationship with the True Sweet Spot. Another
position will be shown when the Clubhead Weight Distribution Plane
is horizontal.
[0085] Clubhead stability is enhance by a Quadrant Weight
Distribution system that extends the weight not only to the sides,
but also from the face to the back of the clubhead, while reference
to base weighting, creating True Perimeter Weighting, otherwise
known as Balanced Weighting, Split Weighting, Barbell Weighting,
Seesaw Weighting, Elongated Toe Heel Weighting, or used up to an
Eight Quadrant Weight Zones. The clubhead weight distribution can
be at the extremities of the quadrants, away from, and balanced, in
reference to the Bernie Point, with the clubhead designed
accordingly.
[0086] When the Clubhead Face Orientation Plane is parallel to the
clubhead face results in Weight Balanced Striking Power.
[0087] When the Clubhead Weight Distribution Axis is parallel to
the clubhead face results in Balanced Weight Distribution.
[0088] Whereby, having the Clubhead Face Orientation Plane and the
Clubhead Weight Distribution Axis back away from the face, in
reference to the Swing Plane, and optimumly to the clubheads center
Bernie Point results in Push Angle Reduction, or P.A.R., and the
angular reduction of losses, with the ability of a clubhead miss
hitting a ball to be more forgiving.
[0089] The Bernie Point is a variable located on the Center Of Mass
Axis, and is used to determine any or all of the Six Sweet
Spots.
[0090] The Bernie Point establishes all of the transferral of
forces that are applied, in determining the resultant ball struck
parameters.
[0091] To summarize this disclosure, when the Swing Plane is
perpendicular to the Clubhead Face Orientation Plane, and
perpendicular to Clubhead Weight Distribution Plane, all being
perpendicular or parallel in relationship to the clubhead face,
results in optimization of the Bernie Point Push Angle Reduction,
and in relationship to the weight balancing of the Four Face
Quadrants, and the True Sweet Spot or Two Sweet Spots face
centering, whereby incorporating a Flat Base, when fitted to a
golfer in his Stance Triangle, hence aligning to a ball and a
target, produces the First Ultimate Golf Club design. The Second
Ultimate Golf Club design is produced when the Clubhead Weight
Distribution Plane is horizontal.
[0092] The Bernie Line and Bernie Point are the Deity in golf club
design technology.
[0093] The invention relies on the Law of Physics that all
Symmetrical and Nonsymmetrical instruments in their Dynamic Impact
State have from one to an infinite number of Swing Planes and
further that a symmetrical instrument Swing Plane has a Center Of
Mass and Center Of Mass Axis, all within that instrument and
further there is a perimeter line around each of these Swing
Planes. Further the forward object striking portion of this
perimeter impact line is called the Sweet Line that contains an
Infinite Number of Sweet Spots or impact points with varying power
levels.
[0094] A Nonsymmetrical instrument has a Swing Plane where the
Center Of Mass Axis and Center Of Mass are within or may be
external to that instruments mass, such as a golf club, which has a
Swing Plane, and other planes and axes. The Swing Plane is
subdivided and creates a perimeter line around the clubhead called
the Bernie Line that encompasses the clubhead. The Bernie Line is
subdivided into three major lines, Sweet Line, directional Target
Line, and Training Line. The Sweet Line is Angular, varies between
vertical and horizontal, and is the clubheads central striking
axis. The Sweet Line contains a number of Infinite Sweet Spots with
varying power levels, in which Six Sweet Spots are claimed, Ground
Sweet Spot, Tee Sweet Spot, Maximum Sweet Spot, Optimum Sweet Spot,
True Sweet Spot, and Minimum Sweet Spot. The Ground Sweet Spot and
the Tee Sweet Spot are called the Two Sweet Spots that are
referenced from the Maximum Sweet Spot to determine the lengths to
hit a ball, called the Ground Hit Line and the Tee Hit Line. Above
the Ground Sweet Spot and the Tee Sweet Spot we are unable to hit a
ball, these lines are called the Ground Dead Line and the Tee Dead
Line. These Two Sweet Spots can be identified to any number, but
primarily to two ball heights on conventional clubs, or referenced
to, and identified to any parameter change or changes. The Two
Sweet Spots, are referenced to the two ball heights are the basis
for determining the Ground Vertical Line and the Tee Vertical Line,
and can be translated onto the top of the clubhead, respectively
forming the Ground Target Line and Tee Target Line that are used to
align the clubhead to the ball in the intended direction, whereby
being in relationship to the Target Line and face contour.
[0095] The Ground Target Line and Tee Target Line connect to the
Ground Training Line and the Tee Training Line, in relationship to
the Training Line, that connects to the bottom of the Ground
Vertical Line and the Tee Vertical Line, forming the Clubhead
Ground Plane and Clubhead Tee Plane. As has been described the
Ground Vertical Line and Tee Vertical Line are vertically displaced
from each other requiring a later shift of the clubhead to coincide
with that balls impact point height. In order to insure that the
ball impact point height is constant when the ball is on a Tee a
tool may be used. The true Sweet Spot can be used to identify a
clubhead alignment to strike a ball at one specific height,
requiring no lateral shifting of the clubhead. The Optimum Sweet
Spot may or may not coincide with any of the Six Sweet Spots. The
True Sweet Spot is designed to hit a ball at one height, but can
facilitate a Second Base used to strike a ball at another height
and have Automatic Loft. The True Sweet Spot can also be used to
strike a ball at both heights, incorporating a clubhead having a
Heel Base or Toe Base. The Sweet Line is controlled by the Three
Triangles in golf, Stance Triangle, Club Triangle, and Alignment
Triangle. The Sweet Line and derivatives exists on all clubs, that
will change with parameter changes, but can be identified to each
club and golfer's parameters. the present invention determines the
location. The Sweet Line and derivatives will not change with a
clubhead having a Flat Base that is fitted to a golfer's
parameters, unless the clubhead is held incorrectly, or in another
plane that becomes Automatically Hooded. The Hooding can facilitate
a Hood Stop.
[0096] The Swing Plane has a Control Mass and an Orbital Mass. The
Center Of Mass Axis can be moved back away from the clubhead face
by shaft relocation called Centerset, or Optimum Centerset. If the
Sweet Line was vertical, no lateral shifting of the clubhead would
be required to strike a ball at any height. If the Sweet Line was
more horizontal, more lateral shifting of the clubhead would be
required to strike a ball at a different height. The Sweet Line can
incorporate Horizontal Sweet Line Bulge, Vertical Sweet Line Roll,
or Flat Sweet Line. The Sweet Line height can be referenced, to
establish the top height of a clubhead. The Sweet Line height can
be maximized on the clubhead called a Sweet Line Peak, or any
derivatives. The Sweet Line deviation is also controlled by
clubhead ground contact that is minimized by bottom face edge Plow.
The Ground Target Line and Tee Target Line parallax and depth
perception can be eliminated by incorporating an EyeAligner on the
clubhead or ball. The Ground Target Line and Tee Target Line on
conventional clubheads, can incorporate an Eyes Over The Ball
focusing Antiparallaxer to eliminate parallax and depth
perception.
[0097] The Swing Plane has several planes and axes that can be
related to it. The Swing Plane contains several planes including
Five Clubhead Planes, Clubhead Swing Plane, Clubhead Face
Orientation Plane, Clubhead Weight Distribution Plane, Ground Sweet
Spot Plane, and Tee Sweet Spot Plane. The Clubhead Weight
Distribution Plane is formulated by a Quadrant Weight Distribution
system, consisting of Eight Quadrant Weight Zones, with a Weight
Distribution Face Line. These aforementioned planes contain several
axes including Five Clubhead Axes, the Center Of Gravity Axis,
Clubhead Weight Distribution Axis, True Sweet Spot Axis, Ground
Sweet Spot Axis, and Tee Sweet Spot Axis. These planes and axes
establish the Bernie Point, that when moved back away from the
clubhead face results in Push Angle Reduction, otherwise known as
P.A.R. The Bernie Point and all related planes and axes, relate to
the Impact Swing Radius Arc and Impact Swing Radius Length. The
Weight Distribution Face Line has two main Power Distribution
Curves, the Sweet Line Power Curve, and the Weight Distribution
Face Line Power Curve, in conjunction with Four Face Quadrants. The
Sweet Line Angulation is primarily affected by Lower Toe Weighting,
Extended Upper Toe Weighting and the Clubhead Weight Distribution
Plane that when the Swing Plane Clubhead Face Orientation Plane and
Clubhead Weight Distribution Plane are at right angles to each
other, creates a Bernie Point. When the Swing Plane is
perpendicular to the clubhead face, the result is an optimization
of the Bernie Point and Push Angle Reduction. Henceforth
incorporating Centerset and in relationship to the Quadrant Weight
Distribution and the True Sweet Spot or Two Sweet Spots in
consideration to face centering, whereby incorporating a Flat Base
and fitting that golf club to a golfer in his Stance Triangle
whereby aligning the correct Ground Vertical Line or the Tee
Vertical Line in conjunction with a Target Line derivative to a
ball, produces the First Ultimate Golf Club design.
[0098] All of the relationships to Clubhead Weight Distribution
Plane when horizontal, results in the Second Ultimate Golf Club
design. The Sweet Spot and its related Center Of Gravity
terminology known throughout the centuries has been true but only
applicable to a golf club Head without its components, and must be
distinguished between New Technology, because it is not true and
not applicable in use to a complete golf club, with all of its
components, which requires New Termiinology such as True Sweet Spot
and Two Sweet Spots.
[0099] It is often asked what Sweet Spot means or refers to with
regard to a club head. FIG. 14, illustrates one method for locating
the conventional Sweet Spot 22 of a club head. The figure
illustrates a club head without a shaft or grip or other
components. The club head is shown with the club head face facing
downward and balanced on a Sweet Line Locator 77. The club head
will only balance at one point. In the present invention I have
gone beyond Sweet Spot to Sweet Line. My Sweet Line determines a
broad range of ideal locations on the clubhead for impact with a
golf ball to obtain maximum results and reduce adverse influences
on control, accuracy, precision and distance. By having the ball
struck at the correct impact point on the clubhead the ball will
travel along it's intended path with the least amount of
dispersion. The likelihood of the ball hooking or slicing is also
reduced to a minimum. In the event the player actually desires the
ball to hook or slice this may be accomplished by adjusting the
clubhead position for impact, experience and practice would
determine the exact adjustment to use.
[0100] The clubhead markings become a focused visual aid indicating
exact clubhead positioning, when the golf club is swung. Most
players take several preparatory swings prior to the swing that
strikes the ball. The focused visual aid may be used in the
preparatory swings using a blade of grass or other object in place
of the ball. The focused visual aid is the Target Line which is
also used as a training aid.
[0101] FIG. 15, illustrates a clubhead with Sweet Line 4 shown as a
diagonal line, the Sweet Line 4 is raised to indicate both Angular
Bulge 39' and Angular Roll 40'. Horizontal Bulge is the curvature
of the clubhead face surface extending from the Toe to the Heel.
Vertical Roll is the curvature of the clubhead face surface
extending from the top Crown of the clubhead to the bottom Sole of
the clubhead. Horizontal Bulge and Vertical Roll are typically
related to the club head Sweet Spot. Angular Bulge is a curved and
raised area on the golf clubhead face surface that follows the
Sweet Line at the Sweet Line's diagonal. Angular Roll is a curved
and raised area on the golf clubhead face surface that is
perpendicular to the Sweet Line. My invention has the Angular Bulge
and Angular Roll related to the Sweet Line. Angular Grooves 80 are
shown parallel to the Sweet Line 4 and therefore at a diagonal. As
an alternative the Angular Grooves could be perpendicular to the
Sweet Line 4. It is also possible to have the Angular Grooves form
a fan shaped design pointing upward with the fan shape center line
being the Sweet Line 4 or downward with the fan shape center line
being the Sweet Line 4 Also shown is Round Base 81. In addition
Sweet Line Peak 34, also known as Hump, is shown together with
Eyealigner 59, also known as Target Line.
[0102] FIG. 16, illustrates a conventional iron 67 shown in dotted
lines and an iron with a curved base 81. Shown on the iron with
curved base 81 is a Sweet Line Peak 34. Also shown is Sweet Line 4
as it would appear on both the conventional iron 67 and the iron
with curved base 81.
[0103] FIG. 17, illustrates an iron with the Center Grip Shaft 42
aligned to point of contact for a ball resting on the ground at
Ground Sweet Spot 10, which is the Sweet Line Centerset 48'. The
Sweet Line Centerset is having the shaft and grip center line align
with a specific point on the Sweet Line when the clubhead face
surface is viewed form the toe of the clubhead. In FIG. 17 the
specific point is the Ground Sweet Spot. The hosel can be
positioned in order that the alignment takes place for any spot on
the Sweet Line. The alignment forms a plane that includes the Shaft
Center Line, the point selected on the Sweet Line and the
horizontal line on the clubhead face surface that runs thru the
point selected on the Sweet Line. Forward Press is when the Shaft
Center Line is tilted off the vertical toward the intended
direction of travel of the ball.
[0104] The following portion of the summary has been added to the
summary submitted with application Ser. No. 09/797,357.
Additional Summary
[0105] This invention involves improvements to a club head
component and designing a golf club clubhead after the shaft and
grip are installed. The invention explains the existence and use of
several balance planes used to locate the ideal point or points of
contact on a golf clubhead. This invention further explains and
demonstrates conventional incorrect clubhead alignment and correct
clubhead alignment. The invention also demonstrates how the ideal
point or points of contact and alignment can be determined
incorporating parallax correction or elimination. The invention
includes tools, markings, methods of location and methods of use,
regarding the ideal point or points of contact.
[0106] When a shaft, grip and club head are mounted together, a
clubhead is created as opposed to a club head component. When the
components are combined the club head face Sweet Spot is no longer
the ideal point of contact. When the components are combined the
ideal point or points of contact form a diagonal line that this
inventor refers to as the clubhead face Sweet Line. As the loft
angle of the clubhead is decreased the diagonal line will approach
a vertical line (for example a putter). Conversely as the loft is
increased the diagonal line will come close to being a horizontal
line (for instance a sand wedge). As the loft changes the balance
plane changes. A golf club contains a balance plane that subdivides
the clubhead with an angular line across the face, the inventor
calls this line the Sweet Line. It has been substantiated by
several methods that the balance plane and Sweet Line exists on all
golf club clubheads. It is this inventor's contention that a ball
struck on the Sweet Line will travel further and with less
dispersion than a ball struck at the traditional Sweet Spot
designed club head component, as the traditional Sweet spot is
determined without the other components (shaft and grip) attached.
It would be possible to locate the Sweet Spot to coincide with the
Sweet Line at the geometric center of the clubhead face. This Sweet
Line contains an infinite number, or multiple Sweet Spots, of
which, the inventor calls two of the points, Two Sweet Spots. These
Two Sweet Spots can be identified to strike a ball being either on
the ground or tee. These Two Sweet Spots are called the Ground
Sweet Spot and the Tee Sweet spot. The Sweet Line also has a
variable True Sweet Spot that primarily changes with shaft
deflection during the swing. By varying the weight of the various
components, or length of the shaft, etc., the Sweet Line can be
designed to be at any location on the clubhead face. A balance
plane and its derivative Sweet Line exists on all golf clubs. The
existence of a balance plane and Sweet Line on all golf clubs
mandates the way all golf clubs should be designed and
manufactured, with related methodology of use.
[0107] Clubhead feedback of past art golf clubs has been limited to
the golfer seeing the clubhead go through as a blur and having the
sole of the clubhead bouncing off the turf hence leaving a mark
indicating the approximate position of the clubhead. Increasing the
clubhead feedback is possible by incorporating clubhead markings
that a player can see as a visual aid, at addresss and during the
swing to predict hook and slice and compensate for shaft
deflection, while also allowing the golfer to improve upon clubhead
position, open face, closed face, swing plane, back swing, attack
swing, impact dwell time, swing arcs and swing angles.
[0108] This invention includes identifying the Sweet Spot Target
Line on Club Head Component top and or face surfaces with and
without parallax correction. This invention also includes markings
on the top and or face surfaces that act as additional or separate
visual and or alignment aids. Also included are methods for
locating the markings and tools that may be used in the
process.
[0109] In order to provide the player with a easily found visual
reference on the club head top or face surface it is necessary to
first locate the club head component Sweet Spot. Next find the axis
of rotation and balance point on the club head face surface, called
the Center of Gravity or Sweet Spot. Then place the club head at
the angle of intended use. Next extending vertically from the Sweet
Spot locate a point at the intersection of the club head face
surface and club head top surface. This point, called the Incorrect
Target Line Front Point, would be the ideal visual reference point
for the player to determine the desired point of contact for the
club head face surface to make contact with the golf ball, provided
that the players eyes were positioned directly over the club
head.
[0110] Now, with the club head component balanced on the Sweet Spot
use a Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The
Horizontal and draw a line on the club head top surface from the
Incorrect Target Line Front Point. The resulting line would be the
Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line. This line would be the actual
visual reference point for the player to determine the desired
point of contact for the club head to make contact with the golf
ball, as adjusted for the angle of intended use. provided that the
players eyes were positioned directly over the club head and golf
ball.
[0111] It is the purpose of the present invention to provide the
golfer with markings on the club head face and/or top surfaces to
act as visual aids to assist the golfer.
[0112] Markings on the face surface assist the golfer in
determining the ideal point or points of contact with the golf ball
regardless of the position of the golf ball, on the ground, on a
tee or any other position. Markings on the top surface assist the
golfer in aligning the golf club head to insure that the face
surface is essentially perpendicular to the desired path of flight
for the golf ball. It is critical that the face surface be
essentially perpendicular to the desired path of flight for the
golf ball at impact or the golf ball may hook, slice or follow some
other undesired path.
[0113] As a further visual aid to the Golfer it is possible to
place markings on the top surface of the Golf Club Head that
provides the Golfer with a visual aid to align the club head face
surface with the golf ball at impact. Some golfers tend to adjust
the golf club to overcome a tendency that the golfer has to slice
or hook. In a perfect world the golf club face surface should be
essentially perpendicular to the path of flight that the gofer
desires the golf ball to take, upon impact. Although this does not
take into account the swing plane curvature, golf club head
position, shaft torque, golf ball torque, and other phenomenon that
occur during the golf ball dwell time. If the golfer finds that the
golf ball is consistently hooking or slicing, when a straight path
of flight is desired, the golfer will adjust the golf club to have
the golf club face surface at a slight angle off of the
perpendicular to the desired golf ball path of flight. The
individual golfer will do the adjustment depending on the
correction desired. In some instances the golfer is trying to
overcome not only an improper angle of the golf Club face surface
in relation to the desired path of flight for the golf ball, but
also an improper point of impact on the golf club face surface. In
the foregoing situation the golfer should first confirm that the
point of impact is the desired point of impact.
[0114] Traditionally Golf Club components, such as the Club head,
Shaft and Grip, are individual designed and then assembled together
that results in a Golf Club. The following novel modes will be
presented in the design of a Golf Club that facilitates all
components with predetermined factors, such as weight, size, length
etc., and then designing any or all components, that can be related
to the Golfers Body as an extension of the Golf Club, and/or the
Golfers Swing Plane.
[0115] Traditionally, the Maximum Club Head Face Height on any Golf
Club is found between the club head Toe and the center of the club
head face Sweet Spot. The Maximum Club Head Face Height offers an
optimum area in which to hit a golf ball, that can be related to a
point, vertical plane, line, angular line, bell curve or otherwise.
This patent will present a novel design that has the Maximum Club
Face Height located at the aforementioned club head face Sweet Spot
that can be referenced in a vertical plane. Also presented will be
a novel design that has the Maximum Club Face Height located
between the club head Heel and the center of the club head face
Sweet Spot.
[0116] Balls hit at any point, or series of points, on a clubhead
face surface can be plotted as a skewed bell curve.
[0117] Traditionally Golf Club components, such as the Club head,
Shaft and Grip, are individual designed and then assembled together
that results in a Golf Club. Several novel modes will be presented
in the design of a Golf Club that facilitates all components, that
can also be related to the Golfers Body and the Golfers Swing
Plane.
[0118] In past art the Maximum Club Head Face Height on any Golf
Club is found only between the club head Toe and the center of the
club head face Sweet Spot, commonly known as the center of gravity,
geometric center or otherwise. Novel art relocates the Maximum Club
Head Face Height to the club head center that can be relative to a
vertical plane. Novel art also relocates the Maximum Club Head Face
Height to the area between the club head Sweet Spot and the
Heel.
[0119] The markings, previously described and displayed separately
on the Golf Club Head top surface, being the Target Line (Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line and Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target
Line) with Sight Line (Incorrect Sight Line and Correct Sight Line)
and Face Line (square, open or closed position), may be combined to
be displayed together. This combined visual aid allows the player
to more clearly see how to best align the Golf Club Head for impact
with the Golf Ball, and also during the swing.
[0120] The present invention is intended to illustrate that there
are multiple ideal points of contact that form a diagonal line,
called the Sweet Line, on the Golf Club Head face surface. The
Sweet Line must essentially align to the golf ball impact point,
with the ball being in whatever location or position. A ball hit on
the Sweet Line will travel further and with less dispersion, than
hit at any other location on the club head face surface. It is
further the intent of the present invention to demonstrate that the
Golfer must move the Golf Club Head forward, in the direction of
the toe, of the Club Head Component, as the Golf Ball is raised
from the ground by a Tee or other means, to have the appropriate
ideal point of contact on the Golf Club Head face surface to make
proper contact with the Golf Ball, which repudiates the traditional
concept of a vertical clubhead movement to coincide with a vertical
ball movement.
[0121] A Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance
Plane Locator Tool for locating the Sweet Spot on a Golf Club Head
component, or Sweet Line on a Golf Club Head Face, or on a golf
club with a traditionally designed head. This tool can also be
incorporated in locating the True Sweet Spot on the Sweet Line,
face Target Line and top Target Line.
[0122] While the invention will be described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood that I do not intend to
limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, I intend
to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0123] FIG. 1 is a perspective and interior view of a golf club
wood, with a Shaft Grip Centerline 42, showing swing plane 1, club
head swing plane 29, center of mass axis 3,, and alignment lines
including: Bernie line 2; Sweet line 4, with 4* indicating the
length; Target line 5, with 5* indicating the length; Ground
Vertical line 12; Tee Vertical line 13; Ground Target line 14; Tee
Target line 15; Perimeter line 28; and Training line 31. Also shown
is Maximum Sweet Spot 16, Control Mass 20, Orbital Mass 21, Flat
base 23, Bernie Point 30, Flat face 50 and Center of Mass 66.
[0124] FIG. 2 is a perspective and interior view of a baseball bat
with a swing plane and compositions. Shown are Optimum Sweet Spot
17, Swing Plane Arc 27 and Swing Plane Radius 36.
[0125] FIG. 3 is a side view of an iron clubhead to a ball on the
ground, impact point relationship and Flat Base. Shown are Ground
6, Ball Ground Height 8, Ball Impact Point 9, Ground Sweet Spot 10,
10* being Ground Sweet Spot Height, Ball Diameter 37 and Ball Set
Point 38.
[0126] FIG. 4 is a side view of an iron clubhead to ball on a tee,
impact point relationship. Shown are Ball Tee height 7, and Tee
Sweet Spot 11, with 11 * showing Tee Sweet Spot Height.
[0127] FIG. 5 is a front view of an iron embodying the present
invention. Shown are 10** indicates Ground Hit Line, 10***
indicates Ground Dead Line, 11 ** indicates Tee Hit Line, 11***
indicates Tee Dead Line, Hood 24, Hood Stop 25, True Sweet Spot 26,
Hood Point 32, Sweet Line Height 33, Sweet Line Peak 34, Eyealigner
59, and Conventional Iron 67.
[0128] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional wood head.
Shown are Sweet Spot 22, Sweet Spot Alignment Spot 35, Horizontal
Face Bulge 64 and Face Bulge 65.
[0129] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a novel wood clubhead. Shown
are Lower Toe Weight 18, Upper Toe Weight 19, Sweet Line Horizontal
Face Bulge 39, Sweet Line Face Vertical Roll 40, Heel Base 47,
Centerset 48, Plow 49 and Toe Base 61.
[0130] FIG. 8 is a perspective and interior view of a partially
embodied wood clubhead with planes and axes correlation to a Weight
Distribution Face line parallel to a Flat Base. Shown are Second
Base 43, Face Orientation Plane 51, Clubhead Face Orientation Plane
52, Weight Distribution Plane 53, Weight Distribution Axis 54, True
Sweet Spot Axis 55, Ground Sweet Spot Axis 56, Tee Sweet Spot Axis
57 and Weight Distribution Face Line 58.
[0131] FIG. 9 is a perspective and interior view of a partially
embodied wood clubhead with an EyeAligner, perpendicular planes and
axes correlation. Shown is Maximum Ball Compression Area 60.
[0132] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the RighTee-HeighTee
tool 78, indicating Adjustable Tee Height 45, Hinged Foldup 46,
Ball Mark Repair Tool 62, Ball Marker 63, Groove Cleaner 69,
Clubhead Face Cleaning Pad 70 and Tee Head Retainer 90.
[0133] FIG. 11, illustrates the Dynamic Clubhead Impacting To The
Golf Ball Method. Shown are A Golf Club 71, Spherical Quadrant
Shifter 72 and a Club Torque Responder 73.
[0134] FIG. 12, illustrates the Static Clubhead Loft Angle Plumb
Bobbing Method. Shown is Plumb Bob 74.
[0135] FIG. 13, illustrates the Static Horizontal Clubhead Face
Balancing Method. Shown are the Club Grip End 75, a Level Platform
76, the Clubhead Face 79 and the Sweet Line Locator Tool 77. Also
shown are Donut Shaped Stabilizer Base Member 87 and Rigid Rod
88.
[0136] FIG. 14, illustrates one method for locating the
conventional Sweet Spot 22 of a club head. The figure illustrates a
club head without a shaft or grip or other components. The club
head is shown with the club head face facing downward and balanced
on a Sweet Line Locator 77. The club head will only balance at one
point.
[0137] FIG. 15, illustrates a clubhead with Sweet Line 4 shown as a
diagonal line, the Sweet Line 4 is raised to indicate both angular
bulge 39' and angular roll 40'. Angular Grooves 80 are shown
parallel to the Sweet Line 4 and therefore at a diagonal. Also
shown is Round Base 81. In addition Sweet Line Peak 34, also known
as Hump, is shown together with Eyealigner 59, also known as Target
Line.
[0138] FIG. 16, illustrates a conventional iron 67 shown in dotted
lines and an iron with a curved base 81. Shown on the iron with
curved base 81 is a Sweet Line Peak 34. Also shown is Sweet Line 4
as it would appear on both the conventional iron 67 and the iron
with curved base 81.
[0139] FIG. 17, illustrates an iron with the Center Grip Shaft 42
aligned to point of contact for a ball resting on the ground at
Ground Sweet Spot 10, which is the Sweet Line Centerset 48'. The
Sweet Line Centerset is having the shaft and grip center line align
with a specific point on the Sweet Line when the clubhead face
surface is viewed form the toe of the clubhead. In FIG. 17 the
specific point is the Ground Sweet Spot.
[0140] FIG. 18 shows the Lie Angle Paper 82, Lie Angle Base Corner
83, Level Platform 76 and Hole In Level Platform 84.
[0141] FIG. 19 shows Lie Angle Paper 82, a Golf Club 71, Level
Platform 76, Sweet Line Locator 77, Donut Shaped Stabilizer Base
Member 87 and Golf Club Top Surface 85. Also shown in dotted lines
is Shaft Grip Centerline 42. The Golf Club 71 is shown with the
Shaft Grip Centerline 42 at the angle of intended use.
[0142] FIG. 20 shows Lie Angle Paper 82, a Golf Club 71, Level
Platform 76, Sweet Line Locator 77, Donut Shaped Stabilizer Base
Member 87, Golf Club Top Surface 85, Ground Target Line 14 and
Level 86. Also shown in dotted lines is Shaft Grip Centerline 42.
The Golf Club 71 is shown with the Shaft Grip Centerline 42 at the
angle of intended use, as adjusted for parallax.
[0143] FIG. 21 shows Golf Club 71, Level Surface 76, Instrument
That Reads The Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89, Ground
Target Line 14 and Tee Target Line 15. Also shown in dotted lines
is Shaft Grip Centerline 42. The Golf Club is shown at the angle of
intended use.
[0144] FIG. 22 shows Golf Club 71, Level Surface 76, Instrument
That Reads The Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89, Level 86,
Ground Target Line 14 and Tee Target Line 15. Also shown in dotted
lines is Shaft Grip Centerline 42. The Golf Club is shown at the
angle of intended use as increased for parallax.
[0145] FIG. 23 shows the Instrument That Reads The Angle Of Slope
Above The Horizontal 89. As shown this is a standard instrument
readily available on the market. The instrument will read 90
degrees when the long shaft is vertical and 0 degrees when the long
shaft is horizontal.
[0146] The following portion of the Brief Description of the
Drawings has been added to the Brief Description of the Drawings
submitted with application Ser. No. 09/797,357.
[0147] FIG. 24 shows a side view of the Club Head Component 92,
Sweet Spot Axis 95 is shown in dotted lines, the Sweet Spot 22 is
shown on the Clubhead Face 79 which is downward facing, the Club
Head Component 92 is shown balanced on the Rigid Rod 88.
[0148] FIG. 25 shows a top view of the Club Head Component 92, from
FIG. 25, the Club Head Component 92 having been rotated about the
Sweet Spot Axis 95, also shown is Sweet Spot 22 still making
contact with the Rigid Rod 88.
[0149] FIG. 26 shows a front view of the Club Head Component 92,
also shown is Sweet Spot 22, Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope
Above the Horizontal 89, Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97,
Center Grip Shaft 42, Level Platform 76 and Shaft 93. The
Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope Above the Horizontal 89 is
shown with the long portion aligned parallel with the Center Grip
Shaft 42, the resulting angle will indicate the slope or angle of
intended use. The Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope Above the
Horizontal 89 is shown in a second position aligned with the long
portion in the vertical. The edge of the long portion is at the
Sweet Spot 22 resulting in the Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97
being located as shown.
[0150] FIG. 27 shows the Club Head Component 92, positioned as in
FIG. 26, balanced on the Rigid Rod 88 at the Sweet Spot 22. Also
shown is Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope Above the Horizontal
89 on Level Platform 76, aligned with the long portion in the
vertical. The edge of the long portion is positioned at Incorrect
Target Line Front Point 97, with the edge forming the Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line 96.
[0151] FIG. 28 shows a top view of the Club Head Component 92,
indicating how the Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 may be
expanded in either or both directions with a resulting Sweet Spot
Target Line Range 98. Also shown is Target Line Length 5*.
[0152] FIG. 29 shows a front view of the Club Head Component 92, as
set up at angle of intended use, also shown is Sweet Spot 22,
Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope Above the Horizontal 89,
Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97, Incorrect Sight Line 99,
Center Grip Shaft 42, Level Platform 76 and Shaft 93. The
Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope Above the Horizontal 89 is
aligned with the comer at the Sweet Spot 22 and the long portion at
the Correct Sight Line 100, as a result the Parallax corrected
Target Line Front Point 97* is located as shown. The Instrument to
Measure Angle of Slope Above the Horizontal 89 can be aligned any
where on the Sight Line 100 provided that the Sight Line 100 passes
thru Sweet Spot 22. The Parallax corrected Target Line Front Point
97* is also at an end of EyeAlinger 59 as shown in prior drawings
including FIGS. 5, 7 and 15.
[0153] FIG. 30 shows the Club Head Component 92, positioned as in
FIG. 28, balanced on the Rigid Rod 88 at the Sweet Spot 22. Also
shown is Instrument to Measure Angle of Slope Above the Horizontal
89 on Level Platform 76, aligned with the long portion in the
vertical. The edge of the long portion is positioned at Parallax
Corrected Target Line Front Point 97*, with the edge forming the
Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96*. The Parallax
Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96* may be expanded, as was
Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 in FIG. 29,in either direction
or both as indicated with the resulting Sweet Spot Target Line
Range 98. Both Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 and Parallax
Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96* are shown for comparison.
[0154] FIG. 31 shows the Golf Club Component 92 balanced on a
balance support device 88, with the balance support device 88
positioned on the level platform 76, all as previously described.
The sweet spot 22, on the club head face surface 79, has been
determined as described previously. A vertical support means 109 is
shown having a vertical support means pivot point 109* and a
vertical support means slot 109**. Also shown is a Conventional
Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89,
frictionally secured to the vertical support means 109. The
Instrument is positioned in order that the long edge is parallel to
the Level Platform 76. Draw a line on the Club Head Component 92
Top Surface 79** being the Face Line 101.
[0155] FIG. 32 illustrates Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle
Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89 being at an angle with the long
edge being closer to the Face Surface 79, at the hosel 79*. The
Face Line that is drawn is The Face Line Closed 101*.
[0156] FIG. 33 illustrates Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle
Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89 being at an angle with the long
edge being further from the Face Surface 79, at the hosel 79*. The
Face Line that is drawn is The Face Line Open 101**
[0157] FIG. 34 illustrates the Club Head Component 92 with a Shaft
93 inserted at the Hosel 79*. Also shown is a Golf Ball 37*, with
an arrow indicating the direction of intent. Also shown is the
desired point of anticipated contact, at address, being at the
Sweet Spot 22. Note that the Face Line 101, as marked in FIG. 31,
provides a visual aide indicating that the line and Club Head Face
Surface 79 are square to the direction of intent.
[0158] FIG. 35 illustrates the Club Head Component 92 with a Shaft
93 inserted at the Hosel 79*. Also shown is a Golf Ball 37*, with
an arrow indicating the direction of intent. Also shown is the
desired point of anticipated contact, at address, being at the
Sweet Spot Face Closed 22*. Note that the Face Line Closed 101*, as
marked in FIG. 32, provides a visual aide indicating that the line
is square to the direction of intent, with the Club Head Component
92 in the Face Closed position to the Golf Ball 37*.
[0159] FIG. 36 illustrates the Club Head Component 92 with a Shaft
93 inserted at the Hosel 79*. Also shown is a Golf Ball 37*, with
an arrow indicating the direction of intent. Also shown is the
desired point of anticipated contact, at address, being at the
Sweet Spot Face Open 22**. Note that the Face Line Open 10l**, as
marked in FIG. 33, provides a visual aide indicating that the line
is square to the direction of intent, with the Club Head Component
92 in the Face Open position to the Golf Ball 37*.
[0160] FIG. 37 is a plan view of the top surface of the Golf Club
Head Component 92 with Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 together
with Face Line 101. Also shown is Incorrect Target Line Front Point
97. Also shown are Sweet Spot 22, Rigid Rod 88, Level Platform 76
and Sweet Spot Target Line Range 98.
[0161] FIG. 38 is a plan view of the top surface of the Golf Club
Head Component 92 with Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96, with
Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96* together with Face
Line 101. Also shown is Parallax Corrected Target Line Front Point
97*. Also shown are Sweet Spot 22, Rigid Rod 88 and Level Platform
76.
[0162] FIG. 39 is a plan view of the top surface of the Golf Club
Head Component 92 with Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96, Target
Line Closed Face 96' for a Closed Face with Face Line Closed Face
101*. Also shown is incorrect Target Line Front Point 97 and Face
Line 101. Also shown are Sweet Spot 22, Rigid Rod 88 and Level
Platform 76.
[0163] FIG. 40 is a plan view of the top surface of the Golf Club
Head Component 92 with Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96,
Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line Closed Face 96*' for a
Closed Face with Face Line Closed Face 101*. Also shown is Parallax
Corrected Target Line Front Point 97* and Face Line 101. Also shown
are Sweet Spot 22, Rigid Rod 88 and Level Platform 76.
[0164] FIG. 41 is a plan view of the top surface of the Golf Club
Head Component 92 with Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line Open Face
96" for an Open Face with Face Line Open Face 101**. Also shown is
Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97 and Face Line 101. Also shown
are Sweet Spot 22, Rigid Rod 88 and Level Platform 76.
[0165] FIG. 42 is a plan view of the top surface of the Golf Club
Head Component 92 with Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96,
Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line Open Face 96*" for an
Open Face with Face Line Open Face 101**. Also shown is Parallax
Corrected Target Line Front Point 97* and Face Line 101. Also shown
are Sweet Spot 22, Rigid Rod 88 and Level Platform 76.
[0166] FIG. 43 is broken down into three drawings, namely 43A, 43B
and 43C.
[0167] FIG.43A is a side view that indicates the alignment of a
Club Head Component 92 to Golf Ball On The Ground 37*'. As shown
Sweet Spot 22 aligns to Ball Impact Point 9.
[0168] FIG. 43B is a side view that indicates, in dotted lines, the
alignment of a Club Head Component 92 to Golf Ball On A Tee 37*".
As shown Sweet Spot 22 aligns to Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is
Tee 38*.
[0169] FIG. 43C is a front view that indicates, in solid lines, the
alignment of a Club Head Component 92 to Golf Ball On The Ground
37*', and indicates, in dotted lines, the alignment of Club Head
Component 92 to Golf Ball On A Tee 37*". Also shown is Tee 38*. As
shown Sweet Spot 22 aligns to Ball Impact Point 9 for both the
solid lines and for the dotted lines.
[0170] FIG. 44 is broken down into three drawings, namely 44A, 44B
and 44C.
[0171] FIG. 44A is a side view of Golf Club 71 that indicates the
alignment of a Club Head Of Golf Club 92* to Golf Ball On The
Ground 37*'. As shown is Ground Sweet Spot 10 aligned to Ball
Impact Point 9. Also shown is Center Grip Shaft 42.
[0172] FIG. 44B is a side view, that shows in dotted lines, Golf
Club 71 that indicates the alignment of a Club Head Of Golf Club
92* to Golf Ball On Tee 37*". As shown is Tee Sweet Spot 11 aligned
to Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is Center Grip Shaft 42. Also
shown is Tee 38*.
[0173] FIG. 44C is a front view that indicates Golf Club 71 with
Center Grip Shaft 42., in solid lines, indicating the alignment of
a Club Head Of Golf Club 92* to Golf Ball On The Ground 37*'. Also
shown is Sweet Line 4, as shown Ground Sweet Spot 10, which is on
Sweet Line 4, aligns with Golf Ball On The Ground 37*' at Ball
Impact Point 9. As shown the Tee Sweet Spot 11' is not aligned to
Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is Golf Club 71 with Center Grip
Shaft 42., in dotted lines, indicating the alignment of Club Head
Of Golf Club 92* to Golf Ball On Tee 37*". Also shown is Sweet Line
4, as shown Tee Sweet Spot 11, which is on Sweet Line 4, aligns
with Golf Ball On Tee 37*" at Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is
Tee 38*. As shown the Tee Sweet Spot 10' is not aligned to Ball
Impact Point 9.
[0174] Note that the Club Head Of Golf Club 92* is moved forward,
in the Toe direction, as the Golf Ball is raised off the
Ground.
[0175] FIG. 45 shows the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face
Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105 in a vertical position,
comprised of Rigid Rod 88 and Golf Ball 37*, with Flat Edge Rigid
Rod Upward End 91* and Concaved Rigid Rod Upward End 91**.
[0176] FIG. 46 shows an iron Club Head Component 92, with a flat
Club Head Face 79 in the horizontal position, balancing at the
Sweet Spot 22, on the Flat Rigid Rod Upward End 91* of Sweet Spot
and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool
105, in coincidence with the Sweet Spot Axis 95.
[0177] FIG. 47 shows a wood Club Head Component 92, with a curved
Club Head Face 79 in the horizontal position, balancing at the
Sweet Spot 22, on the Concaved Rigid Rod Upward End 91** of Sweet
Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator
Tool 105, in coincidence with the Sweet Spot Axis 95.
[0178] FIG. 48 shows a Golf Club 71, with the Club Grip End 75
balancing on Rigid Rod 88, with flat Club Head Face 79 in the
horizontal position, balanced on the Sweet Line 4 of Club Head Face
79, on the Flat Edge Rigid Rod Upward End 91* of Sweet Spot and
Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool
105.
[0179] FIG. 49 shows a Golf Club 71, with the Club Grip End 75
balancing on Level Platform 76, with curved Club Head Face 79 in
the horizontal position, balancing on the Sweet Line 4, on the
Caved Rigid Rod Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and Sweet Line
Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105.
[0180] FIG. 50 shows a perspective view of Component Club Head 92,
with the Curved Rigid Rod Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and Sweet
Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105,
square against Club Head Face 79 at the Sweet Spot 22 being at the
correct designed loft and angle. Also shown is Curved Rigid Rod
Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping
and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105 square against Club Head Face 79
at several other locations.
[0181] FIG. 51 shows front view of Golf Club 71, being suspended
vertically from Suspension Point 108, in the center of Club Grip
End 75, with Golf Club Axis 95'. Also shown is Clubhead of Golf
Club 92*, Sweet Spot 22, Golf Club Head Upper Toe Edge Area 107*,
Golf Club Head Upper Heel Edge Area 107**, Golf Club Head Lower Toe
Edge Area 107***, and Golf Club Head Lower Heel Edge Area 107***.
Also shown is the Balance Plane 1* which has a leading edge or
frontal line on the club head face called the Sweet Line 4, with
the Sweet Line 4 having the limits of Maximum Sweet Spot 16 and
Minimum Sweet Spot 16*.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0182] First locate conventional club head component center of
gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot, said Sweet Spot
having an axis of rotation, on a club head component, said club
head having a bottom surface, top surface and face surface, but no
grip or shaft or other components, as follows:
[0183] Find a balance support device, said balance support device
being from the group of devices that can be positioned to have an
upward extending surface with cross sectional area small enough
that it forms a point of balance, the balance support upward
extending surface may form a point or have a curvature. The balance
support device could also be the sweet line locator described as
follows: said sweet line locator having a donut shaped stabilizer
base member said stabilizer base member having a flat bottom
surface, a top surface, a continuous opening of uniform diameter
running from the flat bottom surface to the top surface and with a
frictional devise positioned at the top surface at the continuous
opening of uniform diameter; and a rigid rod positioned within the
stabilizer base member continuous opening and being of sufficient
diameter to engage frictionally with the frictional device at the
stabilizer base member top surface, further said rigid rod being of
sufficient length to extend both above and below the stabilizer
base member said rigid rod having an upward end and a downward end
and a center line;
[0184] Next, hold the balance support device in order that the
upward extending surface is aimed in a vertical direction;
[0185] Next, place the club head on the balance support device
upward extending surface with the club head face surface facing
downward;
[0186] Next, move the club head around on the balance support
device upward extending surface until the club head is balanced;
and
[0187] FIGS. 24 thru 30 illustrate the steps for one method to
determine the location of markings on the top surface of the Golf
Club Head Component to provide the golfer with a visual aide for
aligning the golf club head with the golf ball at impact.
[0188] FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 show the club head face surface being
marked at the point of contact with the balance support device,
Rigid Rod 88, upward extending surface, when the Club Head
Component 92 is balanced being the conventional club head component
center of gravity, normally referred to as the Sweet Spot 22 on
Club Head Face 79. The Club Head Component 92 can freely rotate
around the Sweet spot Axis 95
[0189] FIG. 26 shows the Club Head Component 92, showing the club
head placed with bottom surface resting on a Level Platform 76 and
insert a Shaft 93, or other straight shaft like device into club
head at hosel, then using a Conventional Instrument To Measure
Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89, adjust club head to have
center line of shaft, Center Grip Shaft 42, at angle of intended
use. Using Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above
The Horizontal 89 place said Instrument against club head face
surface at point marked as Sweet Spot 22 and mark the point that is
vertically above the Sweet Spot 22, being Incorrect Target Line
Front Point 97, at intersection of club head face surface and club
head top surface;
[0190] In FIG. 27, shows the Club Head Component 92, showing the
club head being returned to balance position with the Sweet Spot 22
on balance support device Rigid Rod 88, on level platform 76, and
using Conventional instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The
Horizontal 89 place said Instrument at point 97, as marked, and
draw a line on club head top surface, said line being Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line 96.
[0191] FIG. 28 shows the Club Head Component 92, showing that the
Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 may be extended either toward
the toe or toward the heal, or equally in both directions to make
the line broader and more visually apparent. As broadened the
Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 now falls within Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line Range Limits 98. The resulting Target Line
length 5* is shown.
[0192] The Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 and Incorrect Sweet
Spot Target Line Range Limits 98 as located by the foregoing
process would result in the appropriate location for use as a
visual aid if the player were viewing the Club Head Component 92
from a position that is the upward vertex from the Club Head
Component 92. This is the fallacy of most conventional golf club
head designs. In reality the player will view the Club Head
Component 92 from a non vertical angle. This offset view causes a
parallax factor that optically moves the incorrect Sweet Spot
Target Line 96 and Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line Range Limits 98
to appear to be at a location that is different from the desired
location for alignment of the desired point of impact, being Sweet
Spot 22, on the Club Head Component 92, with a ball. Therefore to
allow the player to correctly align the desired point of impact, on
the Club Head Component 92, with the ball, it is necessary to
reposition the Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 and Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line Range Limits 98 on the Club Head Component
92 for parallax correction.
[0193] FIG. 29 shows the Club Head Component 92 showing the
incorrect eye alignment, indicating the Incorrect Parallax Sight
Line 99, as viewed at the Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97.
Also shown is the Correct Sight Line 100, as viewed at the Correct
Target Line Front Point 97*, using Parallax correction. Using a
Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The
Horizontal 89, adjust club head to have center line of shaft,
Center Grip Shaft 42, at angle of intended use, on Level Platform
76. Using Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above Horizontal 89
place the comer base of said instrument against club head face
surface at point marked as Sweet Spot 22, or at any point along the
Line Of Sight 100, then adjust the Instrument to be at Correct
Sight Line 100 angle to correct for the Parallax Angle and mark the
point, that is diagonally in line with the Sweet Spot 22, now being
the Parallax Corrected Target Line Front Point 97*, at intersection
of club head face surface and club head top surface;
[0194] In FIG. 30, shows the Club Head Component 92, showing the
club head being returned to balance position with the Sweet Spot
22, on balance support device Rigid Rod 88, as located above and
using Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The
Horizontal 89, on Level Platform 76, place said Instrument at point
97*, as marked, draw a line on club head top surface, said line
being Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96*. Or as an
alternate the Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 that begins at 97
can be repositioned to be Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line
96* and begin at 97*, Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96*
will appear to be parallel to Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96,
when viewed by the player. Once again the Parallax Corrected Sweet
Spot Target Line 96* may be enlarged in either or both directions
with a resulting Sweet Spot Target Line Range Limits 98.
[0195] The Sweet Spot Target Line, because it is a contrasting
color, provides a visual aid that the player sees as he swings the
golf club during his actual or practice swing. The Sweet Spot
Target Line is seen during the swings as a focused image in the
correct position for contact with the golf ball. This image will
provide a visual aid. Traditionally, during the practice swing the
player is being prepared for the actual swing. The player develops
a tempo and mode. Sometimes the club head bounces off the ground.
The player develops a feeling of positioning. With conventional
golf club head designs the player cannot predict whether he will
hook or slice the ball. With the Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot
Target Line the player sees a highly focused dot during their
swing. The player usually will perform some practice swings using a
blade of grass as the target (simulating a golf ball). If the
focused dot passes over the blade of grass the alignment should be
correct. In the event the focused dot appears to be further away
from the player than the blade of grass the swing would be
predicted to have resulted in a hook. In the event the focused dot
appears to be closer to the player than the blade of grass the
swing would be predicted to have resulted in a slice.
[0196] The club head face surface basically should be "square" to
the golf ball during the swing and at impact. In the event the club
head face surface is closed (angled toward the player) or open
(angled away from the player) the ball may either hook or slice.
The focused dot will appear as a blurred dot in the event the club
head face surface is either open or closed during the swing.
[0197] During the swing the shaft will deflect and twist resulting
in a change in club head face angle. The player may compensate for
the change in angle by observing, and improving upon the optimum
focusing of the dot during that specific swing.
[0198] In addition the player can observe the path of the swing
both ways, meaning that the player can see, with peripheral vision,
the focused dot during the back swing, the down swing, during
impact and after impact (follow thru). Therefore the player is able
to confirm that the swing is following a desired path, that the
club head is properly positioned for impact, at impact and
continues along the desired path during follow thru.
[0199] FIGS. 31 thru 33 illustrate a method to determine the
location of markings on the top surface of the Golf Club Component
to provide with a visual aide for aligning the squareness of the
golf club head to the golf ball at address, for the direction of
intent. The player may alter the squareness of the golf club head
to the golf ball, to overcome the individual's swing maladies for
the direction of intent, resulting in the face being open or closed
at impact to cause the golf ball to follow the intended path of
flight when the golf club head makes impact with the golf ball. As
shown in FIG. 31 Club Head Component 92 is balanced on a balanced
on a rigid rod 88. As shown in FIGS. 31 thru 33, the following
steps are followed to locate the markings. FIGS. 34 thru 36
illustrate the manner in which the markings would be used to alter
the squareness of the golf club head to the golf ball at address
and also at impact and further indicates the point of impact to
accomplish the intended path of flight for the golf ball.
[0200] FIG. 31 shows the Golf Club Component 92 balanced on a
balance support device 88, with the balance support device 88
positioned on the level platform 76, all as previously described.
The sweet spot 22, on the club head face surface 79, has been
determined as described previously. A vertical support means 109 is
shown having a vertical support means pivot point 109* and a
vertical support means slot 109**. Also shown is a Conventional
Instrument To Measure Angle Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89,
frictionally secured to the vertical support means 109. The
Instrument is positioned in order that the long edge is parallel to
the Level Platform 76. Draw a line on the Club Head Component 92
Top Surface 79** being the Face Line 101.
[0201] FIG. 32 illustrates Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle
Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89 being at an angle with the long
edge being closer to the Face Surface 79, at the hosel 79*. The
Face Line that is drawn is The Face Line Closed 101*.
[0202] FIG. 33 illustrates Conventional Instrument To Measure Angle
Of Slope Above The Horizontal 89 being at an angle with the long
edge being further from the Face Surface 79, at the hosel 79*. The
Face Line that is drawn is The Face Line Open 101**
[0203] FIG. 34 illustrates the Club Head Component 92 with a Shaft
93 inserted at the Hosel 79*. Also shown is a Golf Ball 37*, with
an arrow indicating the direction of intent. Also shown is the
desired point of anticipated contact, at address, being at the
Sweet Spot 22. Note that the Face Line 101, as marked in FIG. 31,
provides a visual aide indicating that the line and Club Head Face
Surface 79 are square to the direction of intent.
[0204] FIG. 35 illustrates the Club Head Component 92 with a Shaft
93 inserted at the Hosel 79*. Also shown is a Golf Ball 37*, with
an arrow indicating the direction of intent. Also shown is the
desired point of anticipated contact, at address, being at the
Sweet Spot Face Closed 22*. Note that the Face Line Closed 101*, as
marked in FIG. 32, provides a visual aide indicating that the line
is square to the direction of intent, with the Club Head Component
92 in the Face Closed position to the Golf Ball 37*.
[0205] FIG. 36 illustrates the Club Head Component 92 with a Shaft
93 inserted at the Hosel 79*. Also shown is a Golf Ball 37*, with
an arrow indicating the direction of intent. Also shown is the
desired point of anticipated contact, at address, being at the
Sweet Spot Face Open 22**. Note that the Face Line Open 101**, as
marked in FIG. 33, provides a visual aide indicating that the line
is square to the direction of intent, with the Club Head Component
92 in the Face Open position to the Golf Ball 37*.
[0206] FIG. 37 shows the Golf Club Head Component 92 with Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line 96 together with Face Line 101. The Face
Line 101 is located in accordance with the steps illustrated in
FIG. 31. Also shown is Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97. The
Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line 96 is located in accordance with
the steps illustrated in FIGS. 24 thru 28. FIG. 39 shows the
Incorrect Target Line Front Point 97 acts as a pivot point for the
Incorrect Sweet Spot Target Line Closed Face 96'. for a Closed Face
with Face Line Closed Face 101*. FIG. 41 shows the Incorrect Target
Line Front Point 97 that act a as a pivot point for the Incorrect
Sweet Spot Target Line Open Face 96" for an Open Face with Face
Line Open Face 101**.
[0207] FIG. 38 shows the Golf Club Head Component 92 with Parallax
Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96* together with Face Line 101.
The Face Line 101 is located in accordance with the steps
illustrated in FIG. 31. Also shown is Parallax Corrected Target
Line Front Point 97*. The Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line
96* is located in accordance with the steps illustrated in FIGS. 24
thru 27, 29 and 30. FIG, 40 shows the Parallax Corrected Target
Line Front Point 97* which acts as a pivot point for the Parallax
Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line 96*' for a closed face with Face
Line Closed Face 101*. FIG. 42 shows the Parallax Corrected Target
Line Front Point 97* on an open Face with Face Line Closed Face
101** and for the Parallax Corrected Sweet Spot Target Line Open
Face 96*" for an Open Face with Face Line Open Face 10l**.
[0208] The present invention is intended to illustrate that there
are multiple ideal points of contact that form a diagonal line on
the Golf Club Head face surface. It is further the intent of the
present invention to demonstrate that the Golfer must move the Golf
Club Head forward, in the direction of the toe, of the Club Head
Component, as the Golf Ball is raised from the ground by a Tee or
other means, to have the appropriate ideal point of contact on the
Golf Club Head face surface to make proper contact with the Golf
Ball. The Golfer must also move in the direction of the toe in
order to maintain the same lie angle and swing plane. The
antiquated practice that the Golfer should raise the Club Head
Component when the Golf Ball is raised from the ground by a Tee or
otherwise is illustrated by FIGS. 43A, B and C. It should be noted
that when the Golfer raises the Club Head Component there will be a
change in the lie angle and swing plane. My invention, that the
Club head Component should be moved forward, in the direction of
the toe, as the Golf Ball is raised from the ground by a Tee or
otherwise, in order for the appropriate point of contact on the
Club Head Component to make contact with desired point of contact
on the Golf Ball is illustrated by FIG.s 44A, B and C.
[0209] FIG. 43 is broken down into three drawings, namely 43A, 43B
and 43C.
[0210] FIG. 43A is a side view that indicates the alignment of a
Club Head Component 92 to Golf Ball On The Ground 37*'. As shown
Sweet Spot 22 aligns to Ball Impact Point 9.
[0211] FIG. 43B is a side view that indicates, in dotted lines, the
alignment of a Club Head Component 92 to Golf Ball On A Tee 37*".
As shown Sweet Spot 22 aligns to Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is
Tee 38*.
[0212] FIG. 43C is a front view that indicates, in solid lines, the
alignment of a Club Head Component 92 to Golf Ball On The Ground
37*', and indicates, in dotted lines, the alignment of Club Head
Component 92 to Golf Ball On A Tee 37*". Also shown is Tee 38*. As
shown Sweet Spot 22 aligns to Ball Impact Point 9 for both the
solid lines and for the dotted lines.
[0213] As can be seen the Club Head is adjusted vertically to
compensate for the Golf Ball being raised by the Tee. The present
Golfer's assumption is that the Sweet Spot remains at one and only
one location on the Golf Club Head face surface. This assumption is
false as is illustrated by FIGS. 44A, B and C.
[0214] FIG. 44 is broken down into three drawings, namely 44A, 44B
and 44C.
[0215] FIG.44A is a side view of Golf Club 71 that indicates the
alignment of a Club Head Of Golf Club 92* to Golf Ball On The
Ground 37*'. As shown is Ground Sweet Spot 10 aligned to Ball
Impact Point 9. Also shown is Center Grip Shaft 42.
[0216] FIG. 44B is a side view, that shows in dotted lines, Golf
Club 71 that indicates the alignment of a Club Head Of Golf Club
92* to Golf Ball On Tee 37*". As shown is Tee Sweet Spot 11 aligned
to Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is Center Grip Shaft 42. Also
shown is Tee 38*.
[0217] FIG. 44C is a front view that indicates Golf Club 71 with
Center Grip Shaft 42., in solid lines, indicating the alignment of
a Club Head Of Golf Club 92* to Golf Ball On The Ground 37*'. Also
shown is Sweet Line 4, as shown Ground Sweet Spot 10, which is on
Sweet Line 4, aligns with Golf Ball On The Ground 37*' at Ball
Impact Point 9. As shown the Tee Sweet Spot 11' is not aligned to
Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is Golf Club 71 with Center Grip
Shaft 42., in dotted lines, indicating the alignment of Club Head
Of Golf Club 92* to Golf Ball On Tee 37*". Also shown is Sweet Line
4, as shown Tee Sweet Spot 11, which is on Sweet Line 4, aligns
with Golf Ball On Tee 37*" at Ball Impact Point 9. Also shown is
Tee 38*. As shown the Tee Sweet Spot 10' is not aligned to Ball
Impact Point 9.
[0218] As can be seen the Club Head Of Golf Club 92* is moved
forward, in the Toe direction, as the Golf Ball is raised off the
Ground in order that the appropriate Sweet Spot on the Club Head
Component face surface makes contact with the Golf ball at the Ball
Impact Point 9.
[0219] FIG. 45A shows the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face
Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105 in a vertical position,
comprised of Rigid Rod 88 and Golf Ball 37*, with Flat Edge Rigid
Rod Upward End 91* and 45B shows the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line
Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105 in a
vertical position, comprised of Rigid Rod 88 and Golf Ball 37*,
with Concaved Rigid Rod Upward End 91**.
[0220] FIG. 46 shows an iron Club Head Component 92, with a Flat
Face 79' in the horizontal position, balancing at the Sweet Spot
22, on the Flat Rigid Rod Upward End 91* of Sweet Spot and Sweet
Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105, in
coincidence with the Sweet Spot Axis 95. The Club Head Component 92
can freely rotate on the Sweet Spot Axis 95 while being supported
by the Flat Rigid Rod Upward End 91*.
[0221] FIG. 47 shows a wood Club Head Component 92, with a Curved
Face 79" in the horizontal position, balancing at the Sweet Spot
22, on the Concaved Rigid Rod Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and
Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105,
in coincidence with the Sweet Spot Axis 95. The Club Head Component
92 can freely rotate on the Sweet Spot Axis 95 while being
supported by the Curved Rigid Rod 91**, that is part of the Sweet
Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator
Tool 105, at Sweet Spot 22.
[0222] FIG. 48 shows a Golf Club 71, with the Club Grip End 75
balancing on Rigid Rod 88, with Flat Face 79' in the horizontal
position, that can be balanced at any location on the Sweet Line 4,
while being supported by the Flat Edge Rigid Rod Upward End 91* of
Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane
Locator Tool 105. The Flat Face 79' will not properly balance on
the Flat Edge Rigid Rod Upward End 91*, at Sweet Spot 22 or any
other spot on the Flat Face 79',. except on the Sweet Line 4.
[0223] FIG. 49 shows a Golf Club 71, with the Club Grip End 75
balancing on Level Platform 76, with Curved Face 79" in the
horizontal position, that can be balanced at any location on the
Sweet Line 4, while being supported by the Concaved Edge Rigid Rod
Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping
and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105. The Curved Face 79" will not
properly balance on the Concaved Edge Rigid Rod Upward End 91** at
Sweet Spot 22 or any other spot on the Curved Face 79", except on
the Sweet Line 4.
[0224] FIG. 50 shows a perspective view of Component Club Head 92,
with the Curved Rigid Rod Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and Sweet
Line Locator Face Tapping and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105,
square against Curved Face 79" at the Sweet Spot 22 being at the
correct designed loft and angle. Also shown is Curved Rigid Rod
Upward End 91** of Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping
and Balance Plane Locator Tool 105 square against Club Head Face 79
at several other locations that results in varying loft and face
angles.
[0225] FIG. 51 shows front view of Golf Club 71, being suspended
vertically from Suspension Point 108, in the center of Club Grip
End 75, that creates an axis of rotation called Golf Club Axis 95'.
Also shown is Clubhead of Golf Club 92*, Sweet Line 4, Sweet Spot
22, Golf Club Head Upper Toe Edge Area 107*, Golf Club Head Upper
Heel Edge Area 107**, Golf Club Head Lower Toe Edge Area 107***,
and Golf Club Head Lower Heel Edge Area 107***. By facilitating the
use of the Sweet Spot and Sweet Line Locator Face Tapping and
Balance Plane Locator Tool, hold the Rigid Rod whereby using the
Golf Ball 37* to strike, or tap, the golf club head face or edge
areas. By tapping the Upper and Lower Toe Edge Areas will result in
the clockwise twisting of the Golf Club about Golf Club Axis 95'.
By tapping the Golf Club Head Upper and Lower Heel Edge Areas will
result in the counter clockwise twisting of Golf Club 71 about Golf
Club Axis 95. Whereas, tapping at the Minimum Sweet Spot 16*, and
the Maximum Sweet Spot point, being the limits of the Sweet Line 4,
or tapping anywhere along Sweet Line 4 will result in the Golf Club
71 going directly back in a Balance Plane 1*. The Balance Plane 1*
has a leading edge on the clubhead face called the Sweet Line
4.
* * * * *