Weighted grip

Abstract

The invention provides a golf club, a putter, wherein a shaft is fixed within a large diameter grip by means of inserts which are in the form of weighting elements. In one embodiment the weighting element is in the form of an end cap at the end of the grip thereby forming a balancing moment to counter the force acting at impact. In another embodiment weighting elements are provided at both ends of the grip to provide a “high-inertia” grip.

1 . A golf club comprising a head, a grip and a shaft connectng the head and the grip wherein the grip comprises an elongate, thin-walled, tubular, hollow grip member having a cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the shaft and providing a relatively hard outer gripping surface, first and second support members spacing the grip member from the shaft whereby a void is formed between the grip member and the shaft and wherein one of the support members forms a weighting element in the form of an end cap for the grip.  
     
     
         2 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein the other support member is made of light weight material.  
     
     
         3 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein the weighting element in the form of an end cap is curved to fit the hand of a user.  
     
     
         4 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein the weighting element in the form of an end cap protrudes outwardly of the grip member.  
     
     
         5 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein the support members form seals preventing the entry of dirt and moisture into the void.  
     
     
         6 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein the other support member is in the form of a weighting element.  
     
     
         7 . A golf club according to  claim 6  wherein the other support member in the form of a weighting element protrudes outwardly of the grip member.  
     
     
         8 . A golf club according to  claim 4  and  claim 7  wherein the support members are each positioned a maximised distance from the neutral gripping axis of the grip to form a high inertia grip.  
     
     
         9 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein the other support member is in the form of a tapered transition piece between the substantially large grip member and the shaft.  
     
     
         10 . A golf club according to  claim 1  wherein one of the support members can be retrofitted to an existing gilf club.  
     
     
         11 . A golf club according to  claim 10  wherein the support member is in the form of a split bush with means to tighten the bush around an existing shaft.  
     
     
         12 . A golf club according to  claim 11  wherein the bush is tapered to provide a transition piece between the substantially large grip member and the shaft.  
     
     
         13 . A golf club according to  claim 1  comprsing a putter.  
     
     
         14 . A golf club substantially as herein described with reference to any one of FIGS.  1  to  4  of the accompanying drawings.