JP2020075120A - Device for adjusting series of golf clubs and series of golf clubs thus adjusted - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for adjusting golf clubs with a constant moment of inertia and a constant swing weight in order to promote the regularity of a player and allow the player to have the same sensation regardless of the golf clubs used.SOLUTION: A adjusting method comprises the following steps: adjusting the mass of a head 3 and/or adjusting the mass of a shaft 2, to which the head 3 is attached, near a distal end of the shaft 2, such that the moment of inertia is substantially identical along an axis passing through a proximal end of the shaft 2; and adjusting the mass of a grip 4 and/or adjusting the mass of the shaft 2 near the proximal end of the shaft 2, such that a golf club 1 has a substantially identical swing weight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of golf. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of conditioning a series of golf clubs and a series of golf clubs prepared using this method.

  Golf requires the use of several golf clubs, also called clubs. Each club includes a shaft, a head at one end of the shaft for hitting a golf ball, and a grip at the other end of the shaft for a golf player to grip the club. Depending on the club head, there are three main types of golf clubs: wood, iron, and putter. Generally, each player has a plurality of irons and a plurality of woods and can fly a golf ball at various distances. Golf players typically have 6 to 11 irons and 2 to 5 woods.

  The operation performed to propel the ball in the golf club requires high accuracy for the player. In order for the player to be able to repeat this movement regardless of the club used, it is desirable to adjust the golf club so that the player finds the same sensation regardless of which club is used.

  To date, various methods have been used to adjust golf clubs. The most widely used method is to tune the player's golf club with constant swing weight. Swing weight is a well-known golf parameter that characterizes the static balance of a golf club. It is measured using a swing weight scale (such as the Professional Digital Swingweight Scale sold by AUDITOR at reference number 020711, or the Clubmarker Classic Swingweight Scale sold by AUDITOR at reference number 020320). It is also possible to perform the calculation using the formula described in detail in the following formula [Formula 1]. Some players may prefer to increase the weight of the head, or conversely, the weight of the grip. Swing weights characterize this static distribution of mass. By selecting a certain swing weight for each golf club, the player feels the same feeling at each club at the starting position when the club is raised before starting the swing. Tuning golf clubs with constant swing weights is preferred by manufacturers supplying clubs with different head weights and shaft lengths by default to obtain constant swing weights between different clubs.

  It is also possible to adjust the golf club with a constant moment of inertia. The moment of inertia of the golf club characterizes the resistance to rotation of the golf club along an axis that passes through the proximal end of the shaft (ie, the end of the grip side shaft). The moment of inertia is measured using a moment of inertia scale, such as the MOI Speed Match System sold by AUDITOR at reference number 070206. It is also possible to perform the calculation using the formula described in detail in the following formula [Formula 2]. By choosing a constant moment of inertia for each golf club, the player will experience a similar sensation at each club during the swing, especially during the transition and release between the backswing and downswing. For two golf clubs with the same swing weight and two different moments of inertia, the player feels the same sensation before swinging, but during exercise, especially during the transition between the end of the backswing and the start of the downswing, and You will feel a different sensation at the critical release moment before hitting the golf ball. On the contrary, in the case of two golf clubs having the same moment of inertia and two different swing weights, the player feels the same sensation during the exercise, but with the weight of the club at the starting position before the swing, the player feels different. You will feel it.

  The moment of inertia is adjusted by changing the mass of the golf club head. This change systematically causes a change in swing weight. At present, there is no known method that allows tuning a series of golf clubs with a constant moment of inertia and a constant swing. Such adjustments will provide the golf player with a uniform feel at each club, both in the starting position and in motion.

  Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to promote player regularity and to ensure that the player has the same feel regardless of the golf club used, with a constant moment of inertia and constant swing weight. Is to propose a method of adjusting a golf club.

  The inventor noted that a change in mass near the proximal end of the shaft causes a change in swing weight, but little or no change in moment of inertia. In fact, the moment of inertia characterizes the resistance to rotation of the golf club along an axis that passes through the proximal end of the shaft, and the addition or removal of mass on or near the axis of rotation does not affect the setting of rotation. .. The inventor can utilize this feature to adjust the swing weight of the golf club without changing the moment of inertia of the golf club.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of adjusting a series of golf clubs, each comprising a shaft, a head at the proximal end of the shaft, and a grip at the distal end of the shaft. This method includes the following steps:
Adjusting the mass of each golf club's head so that each golf club has substantially the same moment of inertia along an axis passing through the proximal end of the shaft, and / or the distance of each golf club's shaft. Adjusting the shaft mass near the end, and-adjusting the mass of the grip of each golf club so that each golf club has substantially the same swing weight, and / or near the shaft of each golf club. Step of adjusting the shaft mass near the end.

  As explained in detail above, adjustment of the shaft mass near the proximal end of the shaft and / or adjustment of the grip mass occurs without modifying the club moment of inertia. Therefore, adjusting the mass of the head of each golf club and / or adjusting the shaft mass near the distal end of the shaft of each golf club is done before adjusting the mass of the grip of each golf club and / or each golf club. This is done before adjusting the shaft mass near the proximal end of the club shaft. At the end of the adjustment method according to the present invention, a series of golf clubs is obtained in which each golf club has substantially the same moment of inertia and substantially the same swing weight. Of course, one of the golf clubs in the series is referenced and this golf club is not subject to adjustment. This is generally the golf club of choice for the player.

  The adjustment of the moment of inertia is done by adjusting the mass of the head and / or the shaft mass near the distal end of the shaft. In one embodiment, at least one tip weight is added to or removed from the head to adjust the mass of the head of each golf club. Some golf heads typically include a cavity into which one or more tip weights can be inserted or removed to allow the head mass to be adjusted. The mass of these tip weights is typically a few grams. According to one embodiment, the mass of the tip weight is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 g. In one embodiment, a powder, preferably a metal powder such as a tungsten powder, is added to or removed from the head, especially the cavity of the head, to more closely adjust the mass of the head of each golf club. In one embodiment, at least one tip weight is added to or removed from the shaft near the distal end of the shaft to adjust the shaft mass near the distal end of the shaft. The distal end of this shaft usually enters the interior of the head, allowing a connection between the shaft and the head. According to one embodiment, the mass of such a tip weight is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 g.

  Adjustment of the swing weight is done by adjusting the shaft mass near the proximal end of the shaft and / or by adjusting the grip mass. To change the swing weight without changing the previous moment of inertia adjustments, it is important to change the mass of the club only near the proximal end of the shaft. The closer the mass changes to this end, the less the moment of inertia changes. In one embodiment, to adjust the grip mass, the grip is replaced with a grip with a different mass. Preferably, the difference in mass is located near the proximal end of the grip, for example by using different materials. Alternatively, at least one tip weight is added to or removed from the grip, preferably near the proximal end of the grip. According to one embodiment, the mass of the tip weight is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 g. In one embodiment, at least one tip weight is added to or removed from the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft to adjust the mass of the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft. According to one embodiment, the mass of the tip weight is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 g. According to one embodiment, an intermediate sleeve is used to allow adding tip weight to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft. The intermediate sleeve is frictionally inserted into the proximal end of the shaft and includes one or more tip weights.

  Also, it may be advantageous for golfers to adjust their golf clubs so that each golf club has a fixed address location. Therefore, in one embodiment, the method according to the present invention also includes adjusting the address position of each golf club by changing the length and / or the lie angle of the shaft, whereby each golf club is substantially the same. In addition to having swing weights and moments of inertia, they have substantially the same address position. This step of adjusting the address position of each golf club is performed before adjusting the moment of inertia of each golf club. This step of adjusting the address position of each golf club can also be performed after adjusting the swing weight of each golf club. The equation [Equation 3] A = L × sin (Li) allows the address position of the golf club to be determined as a function of the lie angle and the length of the shaft. Here, A is an address position, L is a relative height with respect to the ground, and Li is a lie angle. These parameters are shown in FIG.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a series of golf clubs tuned using the method according to the invention. In one embodiment, the set of golf clubs is a set of irons. In one embodiment, the series of golf clubs is a series of woods.
Definition

  “Near the proximal end of the shaft” means a small distance from the proximal end of the shaft in relation to the length of the shaft (eg, a distance from the proximal end of the shaft is 20%, 10%, 5 %, Or preferably less than 1%), or at the proximal end of the shaft.

  “Near the distal end of the shaft” means a short distance from the distal end of the shaft in relation to the length of the shaft (eg, a distance from the distal end of the shaft is 20%, 10%, 5% of the total length of the shaft; %, Or preferably less than 1%), or at the distal end of the shaft.

  The “address position” refers to the height of the golf club when the head is in contact with the ground.

  "Distal" refers to the part farthest from the player's hand when the player is gripping the club.

  “Lie angle” refers to the angle formed by the shaft and the sole of the club head.

  "Proximal" refers to the portion of the player's hand that is closest to the hand when holding the club.

  A "set of golf clubs" within the meaning of the present invention refers to at least two golf clubs belonging to the same type. In other words, at least 2 irons or at least 2 woods, preferably at least 3 irons or at least 3 woods, more preferably at least 4 irons or at least 4 woods. According to one embodiment, the series of golf clubs comprises at least two woods and at least two irons, at least three irons and at least three woods, or at least four irons and at least four woods. Can be included.

  "Substantially the same" means within 1% of plus or minus, preferably within 0.1% of plus or minus.

  "Substantially the same moment of inertia" means the same moment of inertia within plus or minus 1%, preferably within plus or minus 0.5%, and more preferably within plus or minus 0.1%.

  "Substantially the same swing weight" means the same swing weight value within 1 point, preferably within 0.5 point, and more preferably within 0.1 point (see FIG. 1).

  "Substantially the same address position" means the same address position within plus or minus 3 mm, preferably within plus or minus 2 mm, and more preferably within plus or minus 1 mm.

  "Swing weight" refers to the static equilibrium of a golf club. This static equilibrium of a golf club can be measured, for example, by the Professional Digital Swingweight Scale sold by AUDITOR at reference numeral 020711, or by the Clubmarker Classic Swingweight Scale sold by AUDITOR at reference numeral 020320.

3 shows the swing weight scale as a function of swing weight value obtained using equation [Equation 1] or the swing weight scale. It is a schematic diagram of a golf club. It is a schematic diagram of a golf head provided with a tip weight. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the proximal end of the grip and the shaft with the tip weight inserted. The address position (A), length (L), and lie angle (Li) of the golf club are schematically shown.

  FIG. 2 shows a golf club (1) with a shaft (2) connecting a head (3) to a grip (4). Each golf club in the series of golf clubs comprises these three elements.

  As mentioned above, the mass is adjusted to adjust the series of golf clubs so that each golf club has substantially the same moment of inertia and substantially the same swing weight. Of course, one of the golf clubs is the standard. This club may not be adjusted or subject to adjustments desired by the user.

First of all, the mass of the head of each golf club and / or the shaft mass near the distal end of the shaft of each golf club is adjusted so that the moment of inertia of each golf club is substantially the same. As shown in FIG. 3, this adjustment can be performed by adding a tip weight (5) to the head (3) of the golf club. Preferably, as shown, this tip weight is introduced at the end of the orifice which serves to connect the shaft (2) and the head (3). According to one embodiment, the moment of inertia is typically between 1800 and 2800 kg. It is set within the range of the value of cm ² .

  Adjusting the moment of inertia adjusts the grip mass of each golf club and / or the shaft mass near the proximal end of the shaft of each golf club so that each golf club has substantially the same swing weight. Become. This adjustment can be performed by adding a second tip weight (6) to the shaft (2) at the proximal end of the shaft below the grip (4), as shown in FIG. This adjustment of the swing weight is done with a constant moment of inertia. According to one embodiment, swing weights are typically set within a swing weight value range of -10 to 8, i.e., within a swing weight scale of C0 to D8.

Thus, at the end of the adjusting method, a series of golf clubs are obtained, all having substantially the same moment of inertia and substantially the same swing weight.
Example

Swing weight calculation

As an example, the swing weight can be calculated as follows (Computing Heft, The Tuttleman site October 8, 2018, https://www.tutelman.com/golf/design/swingwt2.php):


[Formula 1]


Where: SW is the swing weight rounded to the nearest unit. Lc is the club length (inches). T is the club head weight (grams). S is the shaft weight ( G is the weight of the grip in grams.

Calculation of moment of inertia

As an example, the moment of inertia can be calculated as follows (Computing Heft, The Tuttleman site October 8, 2018, https://www.tutelman.com/golf/design/swingwt2.php):


[Formula 2]


Where: Lc is the club length (inches) T is the club head weight (grams) S is the shaft weight (grams) G is the grip weight (grams) is there.

Calculating the effect of grip weight changes on swing weights and moments of inertia

  Consider the example of a 5 iron with a length of 38 inches (Lc). The head weight (T) is 254 grams, the shaft weight (S) is 90 grams, and the grip weight (G) is 50 grams.

The swing value of this iron is 4, and the moment of inertia is 410,596 g. Inch ² . Therefore, according to the swing weight scale shown in FIG. 1, the swing weight of this iron is D4.

  Assuming that the grip is changed, the effect of using a 60 gram (or 10 gram more than previous grip) grip on the swing weight and moment of inertia of the iron can be calculated.

With a grip of 60 grams, swing weight 2 and moment of inertia 410,696 g. Inch ² is obtained. Therefore, the swing weight of this iron is D2 (see swing weight scale in FIG. 1), which represents a very fine variation for a knowledgeable golf player, but the moment of inertia remains substantially unchanged (10000). 2 fluctuations per).

  This shows that adding or removing weight at the top of the shaft, near the grip or on the grip is sufficient to adjust the swing weight to the desired value without changing the moment of inertia, which is Easily done by adding or removing tip plates on the top of the shaft or changing grips. This method results in a set of clubs that all have substantially the same swing weight and moment of inertia.

Address position adjustment

  Considering an example of a series of 9 irons, one of them (e.g., 6 iron or 7 iron) is used as the reference iron. Since the address position of the reference iron is known and the difference in length between successive irons of the series is known, in this example, 3/8 inch, the lie angle is adjusted by the calculation by the formula [Formula 3], It is possible to obtain a series of golf clubs having a constant address position, ie, substantially the same address position.

Claims (10)

A method of adjusting a series of golf clubs (1) each comprising a shaft (2), a head (3) at the proximal end of the shaft, and a grip (4) at the distal end of the shaft. ,
Adjusting the mass of the head of each golf club such that each golf club has substantially the same moment of inertia along an axis passing through the proximal end of the shaft, and / or Adjusting the shaft mass near the distal end of the shaft;
Adjusting the grip mass of each golf club and / or adjusting the shaft mass of each golf club near the proximal end of the shaft such that each golf club has substantially the same swing weight. And an adjusting method including steps.   Adjusting the length of the shaft (2) of each golf club (1) and / or adjusting the lie angle of each golf club (1) such that each golf club has substantially the same address position. The adjusting method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The mass adjustment of the head (3) of each golf club (1) is performed by adding or removing at least one tip weight (5) of the head (3). Adjustment method.   Adjusting the mass of the head (3) of each golf club (1) is done by adding or removing powder, preferably metal powder, in the head (3). Adjustment method described in section.   Adjusting the mass of each golf club (1) near the distal end of the shaft (2) is accomplished by adding or removing at least one tip weight to the shaft near the distal end of the shaft. The adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the mass of the grip (4) of each golf club (1) is performed by replacing the grip with a grip having a different mass.   7. The mass adjustment of the grip (4) of each golf club (1) is performed by adding or removing at least one tip weight in the grip. Adjustment method.   Adjusting the mass of each golf club (1) near the proximal end of the shaft (2) adds or removes at least tip weight (6) to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft (2). The adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is performed by the method.   A series of golf clubs adjusted using the method of any one of claims 1-8.   The series of golf clubs of claim 9, wherein the head of each golf club comprises an iron or wood.