Method of applying a cover to a golf club shaft

Abstract

A method of applying a cover to a shaft of a golf club includes fitting the cover onto the golf club such that a shaft of the club passes through a sleeve of heat-shrinkable material adapted to fit around an exposed portion of the shaft, positioning the cover such that the sleeve is substantially in register with the exposed portion of the shaft, and applying heat to the sleeve to cause the sleeve to shrink onto the exposed portion of the shaft.

1 . A method of applying a cover to a shaft of a golf club, the golf club comprising a head provided at a first end of the shaft; and a grip provided at a second end of the shaft, an exposed portion of the shaft being defined between said head and said grip, said cover comprising a sleeve of heat-shrinkable material adapted to fit around said exposed portion of the shaft, the method comprising:
 fitting said cover onto said golf club such that said shaft passes through said sleeve;   positioning said cover such that said sleeve is substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft; and   applying heat to said sleeve to cause said sleeve to shrink onto said exposed portion of the shaft.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further including heating at least part of said exposed portion of the shaft prior to said step of applying heat to said sleeve. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a hosel is provided on the club head, the shaft being connected to the head at the hosel, and wherein the method includes positioning the cover so that it surrounds at least part of the hosel. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , further including first applying heat to said sleeve at the hosel, and subsequently applying heat to the remainder of the sleeve. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a ferrule is provided on an end of the exposed portion of the shaft adjacent the club head, and wherein the method includes positioning the cover so that it surrounds at least part of the ferrule. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  whereby including first applying heat to said sleeve at the ferrule and subsequently applying heat to the remainder of the sleeve. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , where the method includes applying, during heating of the sleeve, tension to the sleeve in a direction longitudinal of the sleeve. 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , the method including suspending, during heating of the sleeve, the club by the sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  including positioning the sleeve so that it surrounds an in use lower end of the grip. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to cover, when substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft, said exposed portion of the shaft and at least part of said hosel. 
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to cover, when substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft, said exposed portion of the shaft and at least part of said ferrule. 
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to cover, when substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft, an in use lower end of said grip. 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is formed from heat shrinkable plastics. 
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said sleeve is formed from polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       15 . A cover for a shaft of a golf club, the golf club comprising a head provided at a first end of the shaft; and a grip provided at a second end of the shaft, an exposed portion of the shaft being defined between said head and said grip, said cover comprising a sleeve of heat-shrinkable material adapted to fit around said exposed portion of the shaft. 
   
   
       16 . A cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to cover, when substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft, said exposed portion of the shaft and at least part of said hosel. 
   
   
       17 . A cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to cover, when substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft, at least part of said ferrule. 
   
   
       18 . A cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to cover, when substantially in register with said exposed portion of the shaft, an in use lower end of said grip. 
   
   
       19 . A cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is formed from heat shrinkable plastics. 
   
   
       20 . A cover as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said sleeve is formed from polyethylene terephthalate.