Golf club with electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to golf clubs having an electronic device located away from a head of the club where it will not interfere with the mass distribution or aerodynamics of the club, and where it will not be subjected to the shocks that resonate through a club head during play. A club can include a shock absorber to protect operation of the device despite shocks that occur. In certain aspects, the invention provides a golf club for electronic game improvement having an electronic device mounted so that it is above a crown of the head when the club is at address.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for use in golf, the apparatus comprising:
 a golf club grip with a first end providing a shaft opening configured to receive a shaft of a golf club and an opposed butt-end; and   a device connected to the butt-end of the golf club grip, the device comprising a microchip and an antenna, the antenna comprising portions encircling an axis of the shaft opening.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the antenna encircles the axis within a plane perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the device comprises a post extending therefrom and wherein the post is inserted into the butt-end of the golf club grip. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the grip comprises a housing element that extends from the butt-end and encircles the device connected to the butt-end. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the grip comprising the housing element is formed of a pliable material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the pliable material is rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the housing element comprises a generally tubular wall defining a generally cylindrical recess. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein an internal radius of the cylindrical recess is between about 6 mm and about 26 mm and wherein a length of the recess is between about 2 mm and about 13 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the pliable material allows the housing element to be flexed to allow removal and insertion of the device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a shaft extending from the golf club grip and a golf club head attached to a distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the antenna is disposed in a circle coaxial with and around the axis 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the microchip and the antenna are provided by an RFID tag.