Golf club with flexible grip portion

Abstract

A golf club shaft wherein the flexibility of the club over a short segment at the butt or grip end is increased in a controlled manner. A flexible hollow shaft insert of approximately 6.5 to 10 inches in total length having an insert stub portion of approximately 1.5 to 3 inches in length is fitted within the shaft, and an extension member of approximately 5 to 7 inches in length extends from the insert stub portion, the outer diameter of the extension member being greater than the outer diameter of the insert stub member, such that a shoulder is defined at the juncture. The shoulder is abutted against the butt end of the golf shaft, thereby creating a flex point whereby the extension portion flexes in a hinge-like angular manner relative to the golf club shaft. The extension portion is constructed to be substantially stiff or rigid, such that it remains substantially linear when bent relative to the golf shaft.

1 . A golf club comprising:
 a club shaft having a shaft bore and a butt end;   a flexible hollow insert member mated with said club shaft, said insert member comprising an internal stub portion and an extension portion, the junction of said internal stub portion and said extension portion defining a shoulder, wherein said internal stub portion is inserted into said shaft bore such that said shoulder abuts said butt end and said extension portion extends coaxially from said butt end of said club shaft, and wherein the outer diameter of said extension portion is greater than the outer diameter of said internal stub portion, the outer diameter of said extension member adjacent said shoulder corresponding to the outer diameter of said butt end;   a grip member coaxially mounted onto said extension portion and a portion of said club shaft, said grip member being more flexible than said extension portion;   whereby said extension portion bends angularly relative to said club shaft and said internal stub portion, said extension portion remaining substantially linear during such bending.   
     
     
         2 . The club of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible tubular insert member is composed of a graphite composite material. 
     
     
         3 . The club of  claim 1 , wherein said insert member is approximately from 6.5 to 10 inches in length, and wherein said insert stub portion is approximately about 1.5 to 3 inches in length and said extension portion is approximately 5 to 7 inches in length. 
     
     
         4 . The club of  claim 1 , further comprising retention members disposed on said internal stub portion. 
     
     
         5 . The club of  claim 4 , wherein said retention members comprise annular ridges. 
     
     
         6 . The club of  claim 1 , wherein said internal stub portion and said extension portion are tapered. 
     
     
         7 . A golf club comprising:
 a club shaft having a shaft bore and a butt end;   a flexible hollow insert member mated with said club shaft, said insert member comprising an internal stub portion and an extension portion, the junction of said internal stub portion and said extension portion defining a shoulder, wherein said internal stub portion is inserted into said shaft bore such that said shoulder abuts said butt end and said extension portion extends coaxially from said butt end of said club shaft, and wherein the outer diameter of said extension portion is greater than the outer diameter of said internal stub portion, the outer diameter of said extension member adjacent said shoulder corresponding to the outer diameter of said butt end;   a grip member coaxially mounted onto said extension portion and a portion of said club shaft, said grip member being more flexible than said extension portion;   said golf club having a flex point at the junction of said internal stub portion and said extension portion, whereby said extension portion bends angularly at said flex point relative to said club shaft and said internal stub portion, said extension portion remaining substantially linear during such bending.   
     
     
         8 . The club of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible tubular insert member is composed of a graphite composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The club of  claim 7 , wherein said insert member is approximately from 6.5 to 10 inches in length, and wherein said insert stub portion is approximately about 1.5 to 3 inches in length and said extension portion is approximately 5 to 7 inches in length. 
     
     
         10 . The club of  claim 7 , further comprising retention members disposed on said internal stub portion. 
     
     
         11 . The club of  claim 10 , wherein said retention members comprise annular ridges. 
     
     
         12 . The club of  claim 7 , wherein said internal stub portion and said extension portion are tapered. 
     
     
         13 . A golf club comprising:
 a club shaft having a shaft bore and a butt end;   a flexible hollow insert member mated with said club shaft, said insert member comprising an internal stub portion and an extension portion, the junction of said internal stub portion and said extension portion defining a shoulder, wherein said internal stub portion is inserted into said shaft bore such that said shoulder abuts said butt end and said extension portion extends coaxially from said butt end of said club shaft, and wherein the outer diameter of said extension portion is greater than the outer diameter of said internal stub portion, the outer diameter of said extension member adjacent said shoulder corresponding to the outer diameter of said butt end;   a grip member coaxially mounted onto said extension portion and a portion of said club shaft, said grip member being more flexible than said extension portion;   said golf club having a flex point at the junction of said internal stub portion and said extension portion, whereby said flex point is positioned between the hands of a golfer when said golf club is in use;   whereby said extension portion bends angularly at said flex point relative to said club shaft and said internal stub portion, said extension portion remaining substantially linear during such bending.   
     
     
         14 . The club of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible tubular insert member is composed of a graphite composite material. 
     
     
         15 . The club of  claim 13 , wherein said insert member is approximately from 6.5 to 10 inches in length, and wherein said insert stub portion is approximately about 1.5 to 3 inches in length and said extension portion is approximately 5 to 7 inches in length. 
     
     
         16 . The club of  claim 13 , further comprising retention members disposed on said internal stub portion. 
     
     
         17 . The club of  claim 16 , wherein said retention members comprise annular ridges. 
     
     
         18 . The club of  claim 13 , wherein said internal stub portion and said extension portion are tapered.