Golf clubhead to shaft coupling system

Abstract

A golf clubhead to shaft coupling system which includes a flexure joint providing for relative movement between the golf clubhead and the shaft. The flexure joint may be machined into the hosel of the golf club, or may be in a separate coupling piece that couples the golf clubhead to the hosel. In one aspect of the invention, a helical coil is machined into the coupling to provide some relative movement between the clubhead and the shaft for increased golfer “feel” during the golf stroke.

I/We claim:  
     
         1 . A golf clubhead comprised of: 
 a clubface, a sole and a hosel;    wherein the hosel includes a first end attached to the clubhead and a second end configured for attachment to a golf club shaft, and the hosel further including a flexure portion between the first end and the second end, the flexure portion having a pre-determined lateral flexibility in response to forces imparted on the clubhead.    
     
     
         2 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the golf club is a putter.  
     
     
         3 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the golf club is an iron.  
     
     
         4 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the flexure portion of the hosel is defined by helical spring coils having a predetermined lateral flexure in response to lateral forces.  
     
     
         5 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the pre-determined lateral flexibility is responsive to forces imparted on the clubhead during the striking of a golf ball.  
     
     
         6 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the pre-determined lateral flexibility is responsive to forces imparted on the clubhead while in motion.  
     
     
         7 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the flexure portion of the hosel is defined by at least one slot imparted in a first side of the hosel, the at least one slot having a predetermined lateral flexure which flexes in response to lateral forces.  
     
     
         8 . A golf clubhead as recited in  claim 7 , and further wherein the flexure portion of the hosel is further defined by at least one slot imparted in a second side of the hosel, the at least one slot having a predetermined lateral flexure which flexes in response to lateral forces.  
     
     
         9 . A golf club comprised of: 
 a shaft with a first end and a second end, the first end having a grip thereon and the second end being attached to a golf clubhead;    the golf clubhead comprising: 
 a clubface, a sole and a hosel;  
 wherein the hosel includes a first end attached to the clubhead and a second end configured for attachment to a golf club shaft, and the hosel further including a flexure portion between the first end and the second end, the flexure portion having a pre-determined lateral flexibility in response to forces imparted on the clubhead.  
   
     
     
         10 . A golf club as recited in  claim 9 , and further wherein the pre-determined lateral flexibility is responsive to forces imparted on the clubhead while the golf club is being swung.  
     
     
         11 . A golf clubhead-to-shaft coupling comprising: 
 a first end configured for attachment to golf shaft;    a second end configured for attachment to a golf clubhead;    a flex portion between the first end and the second end, the flex portion including a pre-determined lateral flexibility related to forces imparted on the golf clubhead.    
     
     
         12 . A golf clubhead-to-shaft coupling as recited in  claim 11 , and further wherein the flexure portion is defined by helical spring coils having a predetermined lateral flexure in response to lateral forces.  
     
     
         13 . A golf clubhead-to-shaft coupling as recited in  claim 11 , and further wherein the flexure portion is defined by at least one slot imparted in a first side of the coupling, the at least one slot having a predetermined lateral flexure which flexes in response to lateral forces.  
     
     
         14 . A golf clubhead-to-shaft coupling as recited in  claim 13 , and further wherein the flexure portion is further defined by at least one slot imparted in a second side of the coupling, the at least one slot having a predetermined lateral flexure which flexes in response to lateral forces.  
     
     
         15 . A set of matched golf clubheads, comprising: 
 a first clubhead with a hosel which includes a flexure portion with a first magnitude of flexure;    a second clubhead with a hosel which includes a flexure portion with a second magnitude of flexure; and    a third clubhead with a hosel which includes a flexure portion with a third magnitude of flexure.    
     
     
         16 . A set of matched golf clubheads as recited in  claim 15 , and further wherein the first magnitude of flexure, the second magnitude of flexure and the third magnitude of flexure, are approximately equal.  
     
     
         17 . A set of matched golf clubheads as recited in  claim 15 , and further wherein the first magnitude of flexure, the second magnitude of flexure and the third magnitude of flexure progressively increase.  
     
     
         18 . A set of matched golf clubs, comprising: 
 a first club with a first clubhead to shaft coupler which includes a flexure portion with a first magnitude of flexure;    a second club with a second clubhead to shaft copuler which includes a flexure portion with a second magnitude of flexure; and    a third club with a third clubhead to shaft coupler which includes a flexure portion with a third magnitude of flexure.    
     
     
         19 . A set of matched golf clubs as recited in  claim 18 , and further wherein the first magnitude of flexure, the second magnitude of flexure and the third magnitude of flexure, are approximately equal.  
     
     
         20 . A set of matched golf clubheads as recited in  claim 18 , and further wherein the first magnitude of flexure, the second magnitude of flexure and the third magnitude of flexure progressively increase.