IE20160201A1

IE20160201A1 - A golf club

Info

Publication number: IE20160201A1
Application number: IE20160201A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Gammell Kevin
Original assignee: Gammell Kevin
Priority date: 2015-08-12
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB2541211B; IE86853B1; GB2541211A; GB201514223D0

Abstract

A golf club handle 1 having a top edge 13, a bottom edge 14 and a major axis 9 extending between the top edge 13 and the bottom edge 14, and a front face 11, a rear face 12 and a minor axis 10 perpendicular to the major axis 9 extending between the front face 11 and the rear face 12, the major axis 9 being significantly greater than the minor axis 10 to define a cross-sectional handle 1 shape giving an improved grip.<Figure 2>

Description

Introduction This invention relates to a golf club and more particularly to a golf club handle having an improved grip.

Background of the Invention The manner in which a golf club is gripped by a player is critical to the control and positioning of a clubface at impact. Moreover, it is recognised that correctly placing a golf club handle in the fingers results in improved feel and positioning of the clubface.

Typically, known golf clubs are provided with handles having a cross-section which is generally circular in shape with the diameter of the handle decreasing towards the club head. However, due to the circular shape, it can be difficult for players to comfortably, correctly and accurately position their fingers on the handle resulting in poor positioning of the clubface on impact which in turn results in reduced power and mis-direction of the golf ball.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a golf club handle comprising: a first end and a second end disposable towards a golf club head, and a cross-sectional shape having: a top edge, a bottom edge and a major axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a front face, a rear face and a minor axis perpendicular to the major 5 axis extending between the front face and the rear face wherein the major axis is significantly greater than the minor axis.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape comprises a marquise shape.

Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape comprises a thin rhomboid shape, a thin diamond shape or a lozenge shape.

Optionally, the cross-sectional shape comprises an ellipsoid shape.

Preferably, the major axis increases between the first end and the second end.

Optimally, the ratio of the length of the minor axis to the major axis of the handle ranges from about 1:1.76 to about 1:2.35.

Suitably, the handle comprises a bore between the first end and the second end for receiving a golf club shaft.

The invention also extends to a golf club comprising a golf club handle as hereinbefore defined.

The invention also encompasses a golf club comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end; a shaft extending from the handle at the second end, and a club head with a clubface for striking a ball wherein the handle is of a cross-sectional shape having: a top edge, a bottom edge and a major axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge; a front face, a rear face and a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis extending between the front face and the rear face, and the major axis is significantly greater than the minor axis and is parallel with the club face.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape comprises a marquise shape.

Optionally, the cross-sectional shape comprises an ellipsoid shape.

Preferably, the major axis increases between the first end and the second end.

Suitably, the handle comprises a bore between the first end and the second end for receiving the shaft.

The unique cross-sectional shape of the golf club handle together with the orientation of the golf club handle on a golf club results in optimal hand positioning, comfort and feel. Moreover, as the major axis of the golf club head is disposed parallel with the clubface, optimal awareness of clubface alignment during a golf swing and impact is achieved resulting in improved accuracy and control during play.

The marquise (which can also be called “lens”), thin rhomboid, thin diamond, lozenge and ellipsoid shapes enables a player to accurately and correctly position the V-shape defined by thumb and index finger on the top edge of the golf club handle while the front and rear faces of the handle allow the player to grip the handle with the fingers in a relatively open or straight orientation as compared with the circular handles of the prior art where the fingers are forced into a curved hold.

Accordingly, the distal, medical, thumb and proximal phalanges in the fingers enjoy a more comfortable and natural grip for better control, feel and clubface awareness.

Moreover, cross-sectional shape of the golf club handle allows a player to grip the handle along its edges at suitable comfort points on the hand which also facilitates optimal alignment, feel and control during play.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a golf club handle of the invention having a marquise-shape in cross-section with the internal shaft bore for receiving the golf club shaft indicated by broken lines and the orientation of the handle on the shaft, with the thicker end of the handle being disposed towards the club head, being indicated by the arrow; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the marquise-shaped handle of Figure 1 with the circular internal shaft bore indicated by a broken line; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the handle mounted on a golf club shaft at the internal bore; Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the golf club of Figure 3 with the major perpendicular axis and ridges of the marquise-shaped handle disposed parallel with the club face; Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the handle and golf club of Figure 4 with the internal bore for the shaft shown in broken lines; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a player’s hand indicating the comfort points of the hand; Figure 7 is a side perspective view of the handle and golf club of Figure 4 5 being gripped by a player, and Figure 8 is an end elevation of a second embodiment of the handle of the invention in which the handle is a thin rhombus or diamond shape in cross-section and the internal shaft bore for receiving the golf club shaft is indicated by broken io lines.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figures 1 to 5 and 7 show a first embodiment of a golf club handle 1 of the invention. 15 As shown in the drawings, the elongate golf club handle 1 is substantially marquiseshaped in cross-section and is made up of a first free end 2, a second club head end and an internal bore 4 between the free end 2 and the club head end 3 for receiving a golf club 5 at a golf club shaft 6 provided with a club head 7 having a club face 8 in conventional fashion for striking a ball. As shall be explained more fully below, the marquise-shaped handle 1 facilitates correct gripping of the golf club handle 1 by a player to optimally position the club face 8 upon impact with a ball.

The cross-sectional marquise-shape of the handle 1 is defined by a major axis 9 and a minor axis 10 perpendicular to the major axis 9 with the major axis 9 being significantly greater in length than the minor axis 10 to in turn define a convex handle front face 11, an oppositely disposed convex handle rear face 12 and an elongate angled or pointed handle top edge or ridge 13 and an oppositely disposed elongate angled or pointed handle bottom edge or ridge 14. The major axis 9 defines a vertical plane P.

As indicated by the reference numeral 15, the handle 1 is contoured or rounded at the club head end 3 while, in contradistinction with known golf club handles, the handle 1 increases in thickness from the free end 2 to the club head end 3 i.e. the major axis 9 increases in length towards the club head end 3. io The handle 1 is fitted to the golf club 5 so that the major axis 9, and more particularly the vertical plane P defined by the major axis 9, is disposed parallel with the club face 8. Accordingly, the front face 11 of the handle 1 faces in the same direction as the club face 8.

In use, the handle 1 is gripped in a player’s hands 16 (see in particular Figure 6). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a typical player’s hand 16 has a number of comfort points 17 disposed along and between the player’s fingers 18 while the player’s index finger 19 and thumb 20 also together define a V-shape, indicated by the reference numeral 21, used as a guide when positioning the handle 1 in the player’s hands 16.

More particularly, the handle 1 is gripped by a player so that the V-shape 21 between the index finger 19 and the thumb 20 of both hands 16 sits on the pointed top ridge 13 of the handle 1 whilst allowing the player’s palms 22 extra comfort and control in this position due to the front face 11 and rear face 12 of the handle 1. The marquise-shape of the handle 1 causes the player’s hands 16 to rest on the pointed top ridge 13 of the handle 1. Accordingly, as the handle 1 is fitted to the golf club 5 with the major axis 9 (and the plane P defined by the major axis 9) of the marquise5 shape disposed parallel with the golf club face 8, the player is made constantly aware of the orientation of the golf club face 8.

The marquise-shape of the handle 1 also results in reduced curvature of the player’s fingers 18 when gripping the handle 1 as compared with the handles of circular io cross-section of the prior art. In particular, when gripping the handle 1 as described above, the fingers 16 hold the handle 1 at the front face 11 and rear face 12 of the handle 1 (see Figure 7) with a relatively straight orientation when compared with the rounded grip required by prior art handles.

Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of the handle 1 is shaped to be co-operable with the players hands 16, and in particular the comfort points 17 so that when the handle 1 is gripped by a player, the player’s hands 16 and the handle 1 enjoy a coupling relationship to achieve optimal control, comfort, feel and awareness by the distal, medical, thumb and proximal phalanges of the fingers of the orientation of the club face 8.

The player’s hands 16 therefore enjoy better overall alignment, feel, control, comfort and better awareness of the orientation of the club face 8 at all times during a golf swing. The marquise-shaped handle 1 therefore compels the player to grip the handle 1 correctly for optimal impact with a golf ball.

The increasing thickness from the free end 2 to the club head end 3 further optimises control and accuracy as the increased thickness allows for better control when making short golf shots (sometimes referred to as “short game”) as a player’s hands 16 move towards the club head end 3 of the handle 1.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of a second embodiment of the handle 1 of the invention broadly similar to the handle 1 of Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 7 but in which the handle 1, whilst having a major axis 9 and perpendicular minor 10 axis as previously io described, is a thin rhombus shape in cross-section. The handle may also have a diamond shape in cross-section. Like numerals indicate like parts.

In the present embodiment, the major axis 9 is also significantly greater in length than the minor axis 10 to define the thin diamond shape. The front face 11 of the diamond shaped handle is made up of two sub-faces 11 a, 11 b which intersect at an elongate corner-like front ridge 23 on the front face 11. Similarly, the rear face 12 is made up of two sub-faces 12a,12b which intersect at an elongate corner-like rear ridge 24 on the rear face 12.

The handle 1 of Figure 8 is mounted on a golf club 5 as previously described with the top ridge 13 and bottom ridge 14 serving as guides for correctly positioning a player’s hands 16 on the handle to effect an optimal grip. The front ridge 23 on the front face 11 and the rear ridge 24 on the rear face 12 can also assist in effecting a tighter grip by the player if desired.

As described above, the handle 1 of the invention is dimensioned to have a major cross-sectional axis which is significantly greater than a perpendicular minor crosssectional axis resulting in a handle 1 having the marquise-shaped cross-section of the first embodiment and the thin rhombus or diamond shape of the second embodiment. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the handle 1 of the invention can have other cross-sectional shapes defined by a generally longer major axis and shorter perpendicular minor axis such as a lozenge shape which is a form of thin rhomboid/diamond shape or an ellipsoid shape. io The handle 1 of the invention can be formed from any suitable materials such as metals (e.g. lightweight stainless steel), alloys, plastics and rubber and can be secured to a golf club shaft 5 using suitable adhesives such as epoxy resins. The handle 1 can be retrofitted to existing golf clubs or can be fitted to golf clubs during manufacture. If desired, the handle 1 can be integrally formed with the golf club shaft 5.

The handle 1 can be dimensioned as required. For example, the handle 1 can have a length of from about 100mm to about 300mm, a thickness along the major axis 9 of from about 30mm to about 60mm, a width along the minor axis 10 of from about 15mm to about 30mm and a bore 4 diameter of from about 15mm to about 30mm. A typical handle 1 of the invention is therefore about 270mm in length, increasing from about 30mm to about 40mm thick along the major axis 9 towards the club head end 3, about 16mm to about 19mm wide along the minor axis 10 and with a bore diameter of about 17mm. In a particularly beneficial form of the invention, the ratio of the length of the minor axis 10 to the major axis 9 of the marquise shaped handle 1 ranges from about 1:1.76 to about 1:2.35 along its length from the free end 2 towards the club head end 3.

The handle 1 of the invention is suitable for use with any golf club type such as 5 putters, irons and wedges etc.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the scope of the invention

Claims

1. A golf club handle comprising: a first end and a second end disposable towards a golf club head, and 5 a cross-sectional shape having: a top edge, a bottom edge and a major axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a front face, a rear face and a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis extending between the front face and the rear face wherein the major axis is io significantly greater than the minor axis.

2. A golf club handle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a marquise shape. 15

3. A golf club handle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a thin rhomboid shape.

4. A golf club handle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a thin diamond shape.

5. A golf club handle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a lozenge shape.

6. A golf club handle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape 25 comprises an ellipsoid shape.

7. A golf club handle as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the major axis increases between the first end and the second end. 5

8. A golf club handle as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the ratio of the length of the minor axis to the major axis of the handle ranges from about 1:1.76 to about 1:2.35.

9. A golf club handle as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the handle io comprises a bore between the first end and the second end for receiving a golf club shaft.

10. A golf club comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end; 15 a shaft extending from the handle at the second end, and a club head with a clubface for striking a ball wherein the handle is of a cross-sectional shape having: a top edge, a bottom edge and a major axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge; 20 a front face, a rear face and a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis extending between the front face and the rear face, and the major axis is significantly greater than the minor axis and is parallel with the club face.

11. A golf club as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a marquise shape.

12. A golf club as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the cross-sectional shape 5 comprises a thin rhomboid shape.

13. A golf club as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a thin diamond shape. io

14. , A golf club as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises a lozenge shape.

15. A golf club as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the cross-sectional shape comprises an ellipsoid shape.

16. A golf club as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 15 wherein the major axis increases between the first end and the second end.

17. A golf club handle as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16 wherein the ratio of 20 the length of the minor axis to the major axis of the handle ranges from about 1:1.76 to about 1:2.35

18. A golf club as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 17 wherein the handle comprises a bore between the first end and the second end for receiving the shaft.

19. A golf club handle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. A golf club substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as 5 shown in the accompanying drawings.