U.S. patent application number 14/951326 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-17 for golf club shaft with high balance point and golf club including same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Acushnet Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Acushnet Company. Invention is credited to Dustin A. Barksdale, Donald S. Bone, Scott A. Rice.
Application Number | 20160074719 14/951326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41681653 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160074719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rice; Scott A. ; et
al. |
March 17, 2016 |
GOLF CLUB SHAFT WITH HIGH BALANCE POINT AND GOLF CLUB INCLUDING
SAME
Abstract
A golf club shaft having a weight distribution such that the
balance point percentage is less than or equal to 44.50%. The
weight distribution of the shaft allows for an increase in length
and/or club head weight of a golf club while having a reduced
impact on the swing weight.
Inventors: |
Rice; Scott A.; (San Diego,
CA) ; Bone; Donald S.; (Escondido, CA) ;
Barksdale; Dustin A.; (San Marcos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Acushnet Company |
Fairhaven |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Acushnet Company
Fairhaven
MA
|
Family ID: |
41681653 |
Appl. No.: |
14/951326 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14221130 |
Mar 20, 2014 |
9199136 |
|
|
14951326 |
|
|
|
|
13711060 |
Dec 11, 2012 |
8678945 |
|
|
14221130 |
|
|
|
|
13305057 |
Nov 28, 2011 |
8328656 |
|
|
13711060 |
|
|
|
|
12189825 |
Aug 12, 2008 |
8066583 |
|
|
13305057 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/00 20130101;
A63B 53/0408 20200801; A63B 60/06 20151001; A63B 53/0466 20130101;
A63B 60/08 20151001; A63B 60/42 20151001; A63B 60/10 20151001; A63B
53/10 20130101; A63B 60/24 20151001; A63B 2053/0491 20130101; A63B
53/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. A wood-type golf club, comprising: a club head having a weight
greater than about 193.0 grams; and a shaft comprising an elongate
body extending between a tip end and a butt end, wherein the club
head is coupled to the tip end of the shaft; and a grip coupled to
a butt end of the shaft, wherein the grip has a weight greater than
about 43 grams, wherein a center of gravity of the elongate body of
the shaft is located a distance from the butt end that is less than
or equal to 44.50% of the length of the elongate body, wherein the
tip end has a diameter that is between about 0.333 inch and about
0.337 inch and a tip frequency greater than about 678 cycles per
minute, and wherein the elongate body has a butt diameter greater
than about 0.612 inch and a butt frequency greater than about 232
cycles per minute.
2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the elongate body of the shaft
has a torque between about 7.75.degree. and about 8.25.degree..
3. The golf club of claim 2, wherein the elongate body has a mid
frequency between about 302 cycles per minute and about 316 cycles
per minute.
4. The golf club of claim 2, wherein the elongate body has a tip
frequency that is between about 678 cycles per minute and about 720
cycles per minute.
5. The golf club of claim 2, wherein the elongate body has a mid
frequency between about 320 cycles per minute and about 334 cycles
per minute.
6. The golf club of claim 2, wherein the elongate body has a tip
frequency that is between about 712 cycles per minute and about 758
cycles per minute.
7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the elongate body of the shaft
has a torque between about 5.35.degree. and about 5.85.degree..
8. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the elongate body of the shaft
has a torque between about 5.85.degree. and about 6.35.degree..
9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the elongate body has a mid
frequency between about 320 cycles per minute and about 334 cycles
per minute.
10. The golf club of claim 8, wherein the elongate body has a tip
frequency that is between about 721 cycles per minute and about 766
cycles per minute.
11. A wood-type golf club, comprising: a club head having a weight
between about 200 grams and about 208 grams; and a shaft comprising
an elongate body extending between a tip end and a butt end,
wherein the club head is coupled to the tip end of the shaft; and a
grip coupled to a butt end of the shaft, wherein the grip has a
weight greater than about 43 grams, wherein a center of gravity of
the elongate body of the shaft is located a distance from the butt
end that is less than or equal to 44.50% of the length of the
elongate body, wherein the tip end has a diameter that is between
about 0.333 inch and about 0.337 inch and a tip frequency greater
than about 680 cycles per minute, and wherein the elongate body has
a butt diameter greater than about 0.608 inch and a butt frequency
greater than about 240 cycles per minute.
13. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the elongate body has a mid
frequency between about 304 cycles per minute and about 318 cycles
per minute.
14. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the elongate body has a tip
frequency that is between about 680 cycles per minute and about 724
cycles per minute.
15. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the elongate body has a mid
frequency between about 317 cycles per minute and about 331 cycles
per minute.
16. The golf club of claim 12, wherein the elongate body has a tip
frequency that is between about 713 cycles per minute and about 759
cycles per minute.
17. The golf club of claim 11, wherein the elongate body of the
shaft has a torque between about 5.35.degree. and about
5.85.degree..
18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the elongate body has a mid
frequency between about 338 cycles per minute and about 352 cycles
per minute.
19. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the elongate body has a tip
frequency that is between about 774 cycles per minute and about 822
cycles per minute.
20. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the elongate body has a butt
diameter that is between about 0.614 inch and about 0.626 inch.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/221,130, filed Mar. 20, 2014, currently
pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/711,060, filed Dec. 11, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,678,945,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/305,057, filed Nov. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,656, which
is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/189,825,
filed Aug. 12, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,583, the disclosures
of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to golf club shafts, and
more specifically to golf club shafts having high balance
points.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Oftentimes, to improve the performance of golf clubs the
mass characteristics of a golf club head are altered to improve
forgiveness and/or the length of the club is altered to increase
head speed. However, the increased head weight and/or length in
combination with conventional golf club shafts and grips often
create an undesirable feel during a swing of the golf club.
[0004] Golf club manufacturers have created the swing weight
measurement to quantify the feel of rotating a golf club about a
pivot point that is produced during a swing. Each of the components
of a golf club has a mass and center of gravity location that is
specific to its design and construction. The mass and location of
the center of gravity of each component results in a net moment
that can be calculated for any location along the club.
Traditionally, swing weight has been quantified by determining the
net moment applied by the components on a reference point
designated at a location 14.0 inches from the butt end of the golf
club.
[0005] The lengths of golf clubs through a set generally increase
from the wedge-type clubs to wood-type clubs, which generally have
lengths of 34.0-48.0 inches. Because of the lengths of the
wood-type clubs and the location of the swing weight reference
point, small changes in the weight of a club head and the length of
the club have a dramatic impact on the swing weight of the
assembled golf club.
[0006] Some manufacturers have done nothing to counter the effect
of the increased length and/or heavier club heads and simply offer
golf clubs having greater swing weight. As a result, the user is
provided with a club that feels heavier through the swing, which is
undesired by many players.
[0007] Others have made attempts to reduce the swing weight by
adding weights at the grip end of the club and/or heavier grips to
counteract the increased moment created by longer clubs and/or
heavier club heads. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,407 to Reisner
describes a weighted golf grip that includes a weight element fixed
within the grip. The weighted grip is intended to weight the club
behind the hands of the user to provide better control and
tempo.
[0008] However, because the distance between the club head and the
reference point is significantly greater than the distance between
the reference point and the butt end of the golf club, any
additional mass added on the club head end of the golf club must be
counteracted by a much larger mass on the butt end of the golf
club. As a result, a significant amount of weight must be added as
a counterweight to balance even a small increase at the club head
end and those weights add a significant amount of weight to the
overall golf club weight. The increased overall weight also
increases the difficulty in swinging the golf club.
[0009] Little attention has been given to the distribution of the
existing weight in a golf club, especially the distribution of the
weight of the shaft, which may also be used to alter the swing
weight. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a golf club shaft
that has a weight distribution that counteracts an increase in the
swing weight of a golf club caused by an increase in length and/or
club head weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is directed to a golf club shaft having a high
balance point and a golf club incorporating the shaft. Several
embodiments of the present invention are described below.
[0011] In an embodiment, a wood-type golf club comprises a club
head, a shaft and a grip. The club head has a weight greater than
about 193.0 grams. The shaft comprises an elongate body extending
between a tip end and a butt end, and the club head is coupled to
the tip end of the shaft. The grip is coupled to a butt end of the
shaft, and the grip has a weight greater than about 43 grams. A
center of gravity of the elongate body of the shaft is located a
distance from the butt end that is less than or equal to 44.50% of
the length of the elongate body, the tip end has a diameter that is
between about 0.333 inch and about 0.337 inch and a tip frequency
greater than about 678 cycles per minute. The elongate body has a
butt diameter greater than about 0.612 inch and a butt frequency
greater than about 232 cycles per minute.
[0012] In another embodiment, a wood-type golf club comprises a
club head, a shaft and a grip. The club head having a weight
between about 200 grams and about 208 grams. The shaft comprises an
elongate body extending between a tip end and a butt end, and the
club head is coupled to the tip end of the shaft. The grip coupled
to a butt end of the shaft, and the grip has a weight greater than
about 43 grams. A center of gravity of the elongate body of the
shaft is located a distance from the butt end that is less than or
equal to 44.50% of the length of the elongate body, and the tip end
has a diameter that is between about 0.333 inch and about 0.337
inch and a tip frequency greater than about 680 cycles per minute.
The elongate body has a butt diameter greater than about 0.608 inch
and a butt frequency greater than about 240 cycles per minute.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the
specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in
which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in
the various views:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a golf club;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the relationship between
shaft balance point, club head weight and golf club length for a
first swing weight;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the relationship between
shaft balance point, club head weight and golf club length for a
second swing weight; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the relationship between
shaft balance point, club head weight and golf club length for a
third swing weight.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention is directed to a golf club shaft
having a high balance point and a golf club incorporating the
shaft. The high balance point of the shaft provides a golf club
that allows a swing weight to be maintained while increasing the
length of the club and/or the weight of the club head. As a result,
the feel during the swing of the club is maintained while the club
head speed is increased and/or the head mass properties are
tailored to provide desired forgiveness.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the major components of golf club 10
include a club head 12, a shaft 14 and a grip 16. Shaft 14 is a
generally elongate cylindrical member constructed from metal and/or
carbon fiber composite materials. Shaft 14 includes a butt 18 and a
tip 20. Head 12 includes a hosel 22 that receives and is attached
to a portion of tip 20 such as by an adhesive. Hosel 22 may have a
blind or through-bore construction. The length of shaft 14 is
selected based on the desired length of golf club 10 and the
configuration of hosel 22. For example, with a hosel having a blind
configuration, shaft 14 has a length that is less than the length
of the golf club by 1.0-2.0 inches, while a golf club having a
through-bore hosel will include a shaft that is approximately the
same as the overall club length.
[0020] Grip 16 is a generally tubular, cylindrical member that is
coupled to butt 18 of shaft 14 and provides a surface that is
easily gripped by a user so that the user is able to control the
movement of golf club 10 during a swing. Generally, grip 16 is
comprised of an elastic material and is attached to butt 18 using
an adhesive tape. The grip generally has a weight of 35.0-75.0
grams, a length of approximately 10.5 inches, and a center of
gravity located 2.0-8.5 inches from the butt end of grip 16.
[0021] As described above, one method of determining the swing
weight of golf club 10 is to determine the net moment created by
the components about reference point R that is located 14.0 inches
from butt 18 of golf club 10. For example, the weight of club head
12 (F.sub.H) is multiplied by the distance between the center of
gravity of club head 12 and reference point R (X.sub.H) to
determine the moment caused by club head 12 about reference point
R. Similarly, the weight of shaft 14 (F.sub.S) is multiplied by the
distance between the center of gravity of shaft 14 (also referred
to as the "balance point") and reference point R (X.sub.S) to
determine the moment caused by shaft 14 about reference point R.
Finally, the weight of grip 16 (F.sub.G) is multiplied by the
distance between the center of gravity of grip 16 and reference
point R (X.sub.G).
[0022] As depicted in FIG. 1 and in the present example, moments
that cause golf club 10 to rotate about reference point R in a
counterclockwise direction are given a positive value, while those
tending to rotate golf club 10 about reference point R in a
clockwise direction are given a negative value. Additionally and as
depicted, the moments created by club head 12 and shaft 14 have a
positive value and the moment created by grip 16 has a negative
value. It should be appreciated that for the purposes of this
discussion, the weight of any additional components, such as a
ferrule and tape under grip 16, is so small that it has negligible
effect on the swing weight of golf club 10.
[0023] As described above, the swing weight of golf club 10 is
affected by the weight of each component as well as the distance
between the center of gravity of the respective component and
reference point R. For example, keeping all other attributes
constant, as the length of golf club 10 is increased, distance
X.sub.H and X.sub.S increase, resulting in an increased swing
weight of golf club 10. Similarly, as the weight F.sub.H of club
head 12 is increased, the swing weight of golf club 10 is
increased. As a result, increasing the length of golf club 10 to
increase head speed and ball travel distance and/or increasing the
mass of club head 12 to provide more discretionary mass and more
forgiving mass properties both tend to increase the swing weight of
golf club 10.
[0024] Shaft 14 of the present invention provides a balance point
that is shifted toward butt 18 of golf club 10, as compared to
conventional shafts, to at least partially counter the effect of
increasing the length and/or head weight of golf club 10. In
particular, the shaft of the present invention has a length that is
greater than or equal to 42.0 inches, and more preferably 44.0
inches, and a balance point percentage (BP %) that is less than or
equal to 44.50% (i.e., the distance from the butt end of the shaft
to the balance point is less than or equal to 44.50% of the shaft
length L.sub.S), and more preferably 43.75%, and a shaft weight
less than 90.0 grams. As a result, the distance X.sub.S is reduced,
thereby reducing the moment applied to reference point R by shaft
14, as compared to a conventional shaft of the same weight.
[0025] The position of the balance point of shaft 14 allows more
discretion in the length of golf club 10 and weight of club head 12
by reducing the impact of shaft 14 on the swing weight of golf club
10. Referring to FIG. 2, the relationship between balance point
percentage and head weight is provided for golf clubs having
various lengths and a swing weight of 216.75 inoz, which
corresponds to a swing weight of approximately D2 on the Lorythmic
scale. The relationships shown in FIG. 2 are based on embodiments
of golf club 10 including shaft 14 with a weight of 57.0 grams,
grip 16 having a weight of 50.0 grams and a center of gravity
located approximately 4.2 inches from the butt end, and club head
12 including a blind bore configured so that the length of shaft 14
is less than the overall club length by approximately 1.25
inches.
[0026] Each of isobars A-F illustrates the relationship between
head weight and balance point percentage for golf club 10 having a
particular length and a swing weight of 216.75 in. oz. For example,
isobar A corresponds to golf club 10 having an overall length of
44.0 inches and illustrates that the swing weight is achieved with
a shaft having a balance point percentage greater than 43.75% (as
indicated by the dashed line) with a head weight less than
approximately 212.0 grams. Isobar B corresponds to golf club 10
having an overall length of 44.5 inches and illustrates that the
swing weight is achieved with a shaft balance point percentage
greater than 43.75% with a head weight less than approximately
208.0 grams, but keeping all else equal including a head weight
greater than 208.0 grams requires a shaft balance point percentage
less than or equal to 43.75%. Isobar C illustrates the relationship
for golf club 10 having an overall length of 45.0 inches and
illustrates that the swing weight is achieved keeping the weight of
the shaft and grip constant after increasing the weight of club
head 12 above approximately 204.5 grams by reducing the shaft
balance point percentage to less than or equal to 43.75%. Isobar D
illustrates that the swing weight is achieved in a golf club having
overall length of 45.5 inches and club head weight of approximately
201.0 grams with a shaft balance point percentage less than or
equal to 43.75%. Isobar E corresponds to golf club 10 having an
overall length of 46.0 inches and illustrates that the desired
swing weight may be achieved by constructing the shaft so that has
a balance point percentage less than or equal to 43.75% for club
head 12 having a weight greater than approximately 197.5 grams.
Isobar F illustrates the relationship for golf club 10 having an
overall length of 46.5 inches and illustrates that for a club head
having a weight greater than 195.0 grams the swing weight may be
achieved by constructing shaft 14 to have a balance point
percentage less than 43.75%.
[0027] Additionally, each of isobars A-F illustrates that reducing
the balance point percentage of the shaft allows the length of golf
club 10 to be increased for a club head having a constant weight.
For example, for a club head weight of 203.0 grams, a swing weight
of 216.75 inoz is achieved in a 45.0 inch golf club with a balance
point percentage of approximately 47.50%, but by reducing the
balance point percentage to approximately 41.00% the same swing
weight is achieved in a golf club having a length of 45.5
inches.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, the relationship between balance point
percentage and head weight is provided for golf clubs having
lengths between 44.0 inches and 46.5 inches and a swing weight of
218.50 inoz, which corresponds to a swing weight of approximately
D3 on the Lorythmic scale. The illustrated relationships are based
on golf clubs including shaft 14 with a weight of 57.0 grams, grip
16 having a weight of 50.0 grams and a center of gravity located
approximately 4.2 inches from the butt end, and club head 12 having
a blind bore configured so that the length of shaft 14 is less than
the overall club length by approximately 1.25 inches.
[0029] Isobar G of FIG. 3 corresponds to golf club 10 having an
overall length of 44.0 inches and illustrates that the desired
swing weight is achieved with a shaft having a balance point
percentage greater than 43.75% (as indicated by the dashed line)
for all the head weights shown. However, as shown by Isobar H,
which corresponds to golf club 10 having an overall length of 44.5
inches, a golf club of that length requires a shaft balance point
percentage less than or equal to 43.75% for head weights greater
than approximately 210.0 grams and keeping all else equal. Isobar I
illustrates the relationship for golf club 10 having an overall
length of 45.0 inches and illustrates that the swing weight is
achieved after increasing the weight of club head 12 above
approximately 206.0 grams by reducing the balance point percentage
to less than or equal to 43.75%. A club having a length of 45.5
inches and club head weight of approximately 202.5 grams will have
the desired swing weight with a shaft balance point percentage of
less than or equal to 43.75%, as shown by isobar J. Isobar K
corresponds to golf club 10 having an overall length of 46.0 inches
and illustrates that the desired swing weight is achieved by
constructing the shaft so that it has a balance point percentage
less than or equal to 43.75% for club head 12 having a weight
greater than approximately 199.0 grams. Isobar L illustrates the
relationship for golf club 10 having an overall length of 46.5
inches and illustrates that for a club head having a weight greater
than approximately 195.5 grams the swing weight is achieved by
constructing shaft 14 to have a balance point percentage less than
43.75%.
[0030] FIG. 3 also illustrates that reducing the balance point
percentage of the shaft allows the length of golf club 10 to be
increased for a club head having a constant weight. For example,
for a club head weight of 203.0 grams, a swing weight of 218.50
inoz is achieved in a 45.0 inch golf club with a shaft balance
point percentage of approximately 48.50%, but by reducing the shaft
balance point percentage to approximately 43.00% the same swing
weight is achieved in a golf club having a length of 45.5 inches
and keeping all else equal.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the relationship between balance point
percentage and head weight is provided for golf clubs having
lengths between 44.0 inches and 46.5 inches, as shown by isobars
M-R, and a swing weight of 220.25 inoz, which corresponds to a
swing weight of approximately D4 on the Lorythmic scale. The
illustrated relationships are based on golf clubs including shaft
14 with a weight of 57.0 grams, grip 16 having a weight of 50.0
grams and a center of gravity located approximately 4.2 inches from
the butt end, and club head 12 having a blind bore configured so
that the length of shaft 14 is less than the overall club length by
approximately 1.25 inches.
[0032] Isobar M of FIG. 4 corresponds to golf club 10 having an
overall length of 44.0 inches and illustrates that the desired
swing weight is achieved with a shaft having a balance point
percentage greater than 43.75% (as indicated by the dashed line)
for all the head weights shown. However, as shown by Isobar N,
which corresponds to golf club 10 having an overall length of 44.5
inches, a golf club of that length requires a shaft balance point
percentage less than or equal to 43.75% for head weights greater
than approximately 211.5 grams, keeping all else equal. Isobar O
illustrates the relationship for golf club 10 having an overall
length of 45.0 inches and illustrates that the swing weight is
achieved after increasing the weight of club head 12 above
approximately 208.0 grams by reducing the balance point percentage
to less than or equal to 43.75%. A club having a length of 45.5
inches and club head weight of approximately 204.0 grams will have
the desired swing weight with a shaft balance point percentage of
less than or equal to 43.75%, as shown by isobar P. Isobar Q
corresponds to golf club 10 having an overall length of 46.0 inches
and illustrates that the desired swing weight is achieved by
constructing the shaft so that it has a balance point percentage
less than or equal to 43.75% for club head 12 having a weight
greater than approximately 200.5 grams. Isobar R illustrates the
relationship for golf club 10 having an overall length of 46.5
inches and illustrates that for a club head having a weight greater
than approximately 197.0 grams the swing weight is achieved by
constructing shaft 14 to have a balance point percentage less than
43.75%.
[0033] FIG. 4 also illustrates that reducing the balance point
percentage of the shaft allows the length of golf club 10 to be
increased for a club head having a constant weight. For example,
for a club head weight of 203.0 grams, a swing weight of 220.25
inoz is achieved in a 45.5 inch golf club with a shaft balance
point percentage of approximately 44.50%, but by reducing the shaft
balance point percentage to approximately 41.00% the same swing
weight is achieved in a golf club having a length of 46.0 inches
and keeping all else equal.
[0034] Golf club manufacturers are generally supplied shafts having
raw shaft length that is greater than the length necessary for a
particular club, for example driver shafts are often provided
having lengths of 46.0 inches or greater. The club manufacturer
then removes material from the butt end of the raw shaft to reduce
the length of the shaft to the appropriate length for a desired
overall length of golf club 10. The weight of shaft 14 is
distributed through the shaft so that as material is removed from
the shaft the balance point percentage remains less than 43.75%
with the cut length of the shaft being greater than or equal to
44.0 inches.
[0035] It is also desirable to provide shaft 14 with additional
attributes to control the performance attributes of the shaft in
addition to providing a shaft balance point percentage of less than
43.75%. For example, the weight of shaft 14 is preferably less than
90.0 grams, more preferably 40.0-70.0 grams and even more
preferably 50.0-60.0 grams. The outer diameter of tip 20 of shaft
14 is preferably 0.250-0.500 inches, and more preferably
0.330-0.355 inches. The outer diameter of butt 18 of shaft 14 is
preferably 0.550-0.900 inches, and more preferably 0.560-0.700
inches. The butt frequency (i.e., frequency of vibration of shaft
14 clamped at butt 18 and tip end deflected) is preferably 200-400
cycles per minute (cpm), and more preferably 230-275 cpm. The tip
frequency (i.e., the frequency of vibration of shaft 14 clamped at
approximately 12.5 inches from tip 20 and the tip end deflected) is
preferably 400-1200 cpm, and more preferably 550-1000 cpm. The mid
frequency (i.e., the frequency of vibration of shaft 14 clamped at
approximately 27.5 inches from the tip and tip end deflected) is
preferably 150-450 cpm, and more preferably 250-375 cpm.
Additionally, shaft 14 preferably has a torque value
1.degree.-10.degree., and more preferably 2.degree.-9.degree. when
a 1.0 ftlb torque is applied at approximately 1.0 inch from tip 20
with butt 18 of shaft 14 clamped.
[0036] In one example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2 inches
and weight of 53.0-59.0 grams has a balance point of 19.15-19.85
inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the shaft has a
balance point percentage of 41.45%-43.34%. The shaft also includes
a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt outer diameter of
0.608-0.620 inch, a butt frequency of 240-246 cpm, a tip frequency
of 680-724 cpm, a mid frequency of 304-318 cpm, and a torque of
6.25.degree. -6.75.degree.. In one example, a 45.0 inch golf club
utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a balance point
percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being cut, includes a
club head having a weight of 200.0-208.0 grams and a grip having a
weight of 43.0-48.0 grams. The resulting club has a swing weight of
approximately 216.75-220.25 in. oz.
[0037] In another example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 57.0-63.0 grams has a balance point of
19.15-19.85 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 41.45%-43.34%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.614-0.626 inch, a butt frequency of 243-249
cpm, a tip frequency of 713-759 cpm, a mid frequency of 317-331
cpm, and a torque of 6.25.degree.-6.75.degree.. In one example, a
45.0 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 200.0-208.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 47.0-52.0 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 216.75-220.25 in. oz.
[0038] In a further example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 61.0-67.0 grams has a balance point of
19.35-20.05 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 41.88%-43.78%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.614-0.626 inch, a butt frequency of 258-264
cpm, a tip frequency of 774-822 cpm, a mid frequency of 338-352
cpm, and a torque of 5.35.degree.-5.85.degree.. In one example, a
45.0 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 200.0-208.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 50.0-55.0 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 216.75-220.25 in. oz.
[0039] In yet another example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 50.0-56.0 grams has a balance point of
19.55-20.18 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 42.32%-44.06%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.601-0.613 inch, a butt frequency of 240-246
cpm, a tip frequency of 711-755 cpm, a mid frequency of 314-328
cpm, and a torque of 6.75.degree.-7.25.degree.. In one example, a
45.5 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 194.0-203.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 47.5-52.5 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 215.00-220.25 in. oz.
[0040] In another example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 53.0-59.0 grams has a balance point of
19.55-20.18 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 42.32%-44.06%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.606-0.615 inch, a butt frequency of 244-250
cpm, a tip frequency of 721-766 cpm, a mid frequency of 320-334
cpm, and a torque of 5.85.degree.-6.35.degree.. In one example, a
45.5 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 194.0-203.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 47.5-52.5 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 215.00-220.25 in. oz.
[0041] In another example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 61.0-67.0 grams has a balance point of
19.35-20.05 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 41.88%-43.78%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.614-0.626 inch, a butt frequency of 258-264
cpm, a tip frequency of 774-822 cpm, a mid frequency of 338-352
cpm, and a torque of 5.35.degree.-5.85.degree.. In one example, a
45.5 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 194.0-203.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 47.5-52.5 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 215.00-220.25 in. oz.
[0042] In another example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 57.5-63.5 grams has a balance point of
19.45-20.15 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 42.10%-44.00%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.612-0.624 inch, a butt frequency of 232-238
cpm, a tip frequency of 678-720 cpm, a mid frequency of 302-316
cpm, and a torque of 7.75.degree.-8.25.degree.. In one example, a
45.0 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 193.0-204.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 43.0-47.5 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 215.00-218.50 in. oz.
[0043] In yet another example, a shaft having a length of 45.8-46.2
inches and weight of 58.0-64.0 grams has a balance point of
19.45-20.15 inches from the butt end of the shaft. As a result, the
shaft has a balance point percentage of 42.10%-44.00%. The shaft
also includes a tip outer diameter of 0.333-0.337 inch, a butt
outer diameter of 0.614-0.626 inch, a butt frequency of 246-252
cpm, a tip frequency of 712-758 cpm, a mid frequency of 320-334
cpm, and a torque of 7.75.degree.-8.25.degree.. In one example, a
45.0 inch golf club utilizing that shaft in a cut length, and a
balance point percentage less than or equal to 44.50% after being
cut, includes a club head having a weight of 194.0-205.0 grams and
a grip having a weight of 47.0-52.0 grams. The resulting club has a
swing weight of approximately 216.75-220.25 in. oz.
[0044] While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of
the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives stated above,
it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments
may be devised by those skilled in the art. Elements from one
embodiment can be incorporated into other embodiments. Therefore,
it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to
cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *