Patent Grant
9039542
The present invention relates to a wood-type golf club.
For golfers, flight distance of a ball is one of the important factors when selecting a golf club. Therefore, hitherto, in order to extend the flight distance of the ball, various improvements have been made with regard to shapes and materials of elements forming a golf club.
For example, when the weight of a head is large, kinetic energy provided to a ball when the ball is hit becomes large and the speed of the ball can be increased, and, as a result, a large flight distance can be obtained. Therefore, a technique for increasing a head weight by increasing the proportion of the head weight with respect to the total weight of a golf club has been proposed (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).
[PTL1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-201911
Although it is possible to increase kinetic energy of a head by increasing the weight of the head, when the head weight is simply increased, inertia moment at a grip end of a club becomes large. Therefore, a head speed decreases due to swinging becoming difficult, and thereby the kinetic energy of the head cannot be effectively increased even with the increase in the head weight. As a result, a large flight distance of a ball cannot be obtained.
The present invention is made in view of such a situation, and an objective of the present invention is to provide a wood-type golf club that is easy to swing and is capable of increasing head speed.
(1) A wood-type golf club of the present invention is a wood-type golf club having a head disposed at a front end of a shaft and a grip disposed at a back end of the shaft, wherein
a club weight is not larger than 340 g, and
a product of a ratio (head weight/club weight) of a head weight to the club weight, and a ratio (LG/LS) of a distance LG from the front end of the shaft to a center of gravity of the shaft to a full length LS of the shaft, is not smaller than 0.365.
In the wood-type golf club of the present invention, a product of the ratio (head weight/club weight) of the head weight to the club weight, and the ratio (LG/LS) of the distance LG from the front end of the shaft to the center of gravity of the shaft to the full length LS of the shaft, is set to be not smaller than 0.365. As a result, the center of gravity of the shaft can be brought close to the hand side while increasing the proportion of the head weight with respect to the club weight.
As done hitherto, when the head weight is merely increased to increase the proportion of the head weight with respect to the club weight, an inertia moment at the grip end of the club becomes large and swinging becomes difficult. As a result, a head speed cannot be increased, and it is not possible to effectively increase kinetic energy given to a ball when the ball is hit.
On the other hand, by setting the above described product to be not smaller than 0.365, the center of gravity of the shaft can be brought close to the hand side while increasing the proportion of the head weight with respect to the club weight. By bringing the center of gravity of the shaft close to the hand side, the inertia moment at the grip end of the club becomes small, and swinging becomes easy. With this, the head speed can be increased while having a large head weight, and the kinetic energy of the head can be effectively increased. As a result, a large flight distance of the ball can be obtained.
Furthermore, even when the proportion of the head weight with respect to the club weight is small, by setting up the above described range (0.365≦product), the center of gravity of the shaft can be brought largely close to the hand side, and the inertia moment at the grip end of the club can be further reduced. With this, the swinging becomes further easy, and the head speed can be further increased. Therefore, in this case, since the head speed can be largely increased instead of reducing the head weight, a large flight distance can be obtained overall.
(2) In the wood-type golf club of (1), the ratio (head weight/club weight) of the head weight to the club weight may be not lower than 0.6 but not higher than 0.77.
(3) In the wood-type golf club of (1) or (2), the ratio (LG/LS) of the distance LG from the front end of the shaft to the center of gravity of the shaft to the full length LS of the shaft may be not lower than 0.5 but not higher than 0.67.
(4) In the wood-type golf club of (1) or (2), the product may be not smaller than 0.365 but not larger than 0.4.
(5) In the wood-type golf club of (1) or (2), the club length may be not smaller than 39 inches but not larger than 46 inches.
According to the wood-type golf club of the present invention, swinging becomes easy and the head speed can be increased.
In the following, embodiments of the wood-type golf club (hereinafter, also referred simply as “golf club”) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the present specification, a “wood-type golf club” refers to clubs including drivers, fairway woods, and utility clubs, whose club weights are not larger than 340 g.
The present invention relates to a wood-type golf club including drivers, fairway woods, and utility clubs, whose club weights are not larger than 340 g; and, in particular, when the flight distance of a hit ball is considered, the present invention can be suitably applied to a wood-type golf club whose club weight is from 265 to 340 g.
Furthermore, although the length of the golf club 1 itself is not particularly limited in the present invention, ordinarily, the length is from 39 to 46 inches. It should be noted that, in the present specification, “club length” is a length measured based on the description in “Appendix II—Design of Clubs” “1. Clubs” “1c. Length” in the Rules of Golf determined by R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews).
[Head Configuration]
The head 2 in the present embodiment is a hollow head and has a large inertia moment. For a club having the head 2 with a large inertia moment, the head 2 is preferably hollow since the advantageous effect of improving flight distance can be stably obtained.
There is no particular limitation in the material of the head 2 in the present invention, and, for example, titanium, titanium alloys, CFRPs (carbon fiber reinforced plastics), stainless steel, maraging steel, soft iron, and the like can be used. Furthermore, instead of manufacturing the head 2 using a single material, the head 2 may be manufactured by combining multiple materials as appropriate. For example, a CFRP and a titanium alloy can be combined together. From a standpoint of lowering the center of gravity of the head 2, it is possible to employ a head in which at least a portion of a crown is made from a CFRP, and at least a portion of a sole is made from a titanium alloy. In addition, from a standpoint of strength, the entirety of a face is preferably made from a titanium alloy.
Furthermore, in the golf club 1 of the present invention, although there is no particular limitation in the ratio (head weight/club weight) itself of the head weight to the club weight, the ratio is preferably set to be not lower than 0.6 but not higher than 0.77. If this ratio is too low, the kinetic energy of the head 2 becomes small and obtaining a sufficient ball speed becomes difficult. Therefore, the ratio is further preferably not lower than 0.62, and particularly preferably not lower than 0.64. On the other hand, if the ratio is too high, weight that takes into consideration the strengths of the shaft and the grip cannot be ensured, and the strengths of the shaft and the grip may deteriorate. Therefore, the ratio is further preferably not higher than 0.74, and particularly preferably not higher than 0.73.
[Grip Configuration]
In the present invention, there is no particular limitation in the material and structure of the grip 4, and those commonly used can be adopted as appropriate. For example, there can be used one that is obtained by blending and kneading natural rubber, oil, carbon black, sulfur, and zinc oxide, and molding and vulcanizing the materials into a predetermined shape.
In the present invention, although the weight of the grip 4 itself is not particularly limited, it is preferably not smaller than 28 g but not larger than 50 g. If the weight of the grip 4 is too small, the strength of the grip 4 becomes low, and its durability may deteriorate. Therefore, the weight of the grip 4 is further preferably not smaller than 30 g, and particularly preferably not smaller than 32 g. On the other hand, if the weight of the grip 4 is too large, the golf club 1 becomes heavy and difficult to swing. Therefore, the weight of the grip 4 is further preferably not larger than 48 g, and particularly preferably not larger than 46 g.
[Shaft Configuration]
The shaft 3 in the present embodiment is a carbon shaft, and is manufactured through an ordinarily sheet winding process using a prepreg sheet as a material. In more detail, the shaft 3 is a tubular body formed from a laminated body of a fiber reinforced resin layer, and has a hollow structure. The full length of the shaft 3 is represented as LS, and the distance from the tip end (front end) 3a of the shaft 3 to the center of gravity G of the shaft 3 is represented as LG.
Although weight of the shaft 3 is not particularly limited in the present invention, it is ordinarily within a range from 35 to 70 g. If the weight of the shaft 3 is too small, the strength of the shaft 3 becomes low, and its durability may deteriorate. Therefore, the weight of the shaft 3 is preferably not smaller than 38 g, and further preferably not smaller than 40 g. On the other hand, if the weight of the shaft 3 is too large, the golf club 1 becomes heavy and difficult to swing. Therefore, the weight of the shaft 3 is preferably not larger than 65 g, and further preferably not larger than 62 g.
Further, although the length of the shaft 3 itself is not particularly limited in the present invention, it is ordinarily from 990 to 1200 mm.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the distance from the front end of the shaft 3 to the center of gravity G of the shaft is represented as LG and when the full length of the shaft 3 is represented as LS, although there is no particular limitation in the ratio (LG/LS) itself, the ratio preferably satisfies 0.5≦LG/LS≦0.67.
If LG/LS is lower than 0.5, since the center of gravity of the club becomes close to the head side, swinging becomes difficult and sufficient head speed may not be obtained. Therefore, LG/LS is preferably not lower than 0.52, and further preferably not lower than 0.53.
On the other hand, if LG/LS is higher than 0.67, the weight on the hand side of the shaft becomes large and the weight on the front end side of the shaft becomes small when the weight of the shaft is unchanged. As a result, the strength on the front end side of the shaft becomes weak, and its durability becomes deteriorated. Therefore, LG/LS is preferably not higher than 0.66, and further preferably not higher than 0.65.
In the present invention, the product of the ratio (head weight/club weight) of the head weight to the club weight and LG/LS is set in a predetermined range, more specifically, the product is set to be not smaller than 0.365. From a standpoint of increasing the head weight and the head speed and obtaining a large flight distance of a ball, the product is preferably not smaller than 0.368, and further preferably not smaller than 0.37. On the other hand, with regard to the upper limit of the product, the product is preferably not larger than 0.4. In this case, load on the shaft can be prevented from becoming excessively large, and durability of the shaft can be prevented from deteriorating. From this standpoint, the product is further preferably not larger than 0.398, and particularly preferably not larger than 0.395.
The shaft 3 can be manufactured by curing a prepreg sheet, and fibers in this prepreg sheet are orientated substantially in one direction. A prepreg whose fibers are orientated substantially in one direction is also referred to as a UD (Uni-Direction) prepreg. It should be noted that, in the present invention, prepregs other than a UD prepreg can also be used, and, for example, a prepreg sheet in which fibers included in the sheet are knitted can also be used.
The prepreg sheet includes a matrix resin formed from a thermosetting resin and the like, and a fiber such as a carbon fiber. As described above, although the shaft 3 can be manufactured through a sheet winding process, the matrix resin is in a semi-cured state in a prepreg form. The shaft 3 is obtained by winding and curing the prepreg. The curing of the prepreg is conducted by applying heat, and steps for manufacturing the shaft 3 include a heating step. The matrix resin in the prepreg sheet is cured in this heating step.
The matrix resin of the prepreg sheet is also not particularly limited in the present invention, and, for example, thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins can be used. From a standpoint of enhancing the strength of the shaft, an epoxy resin is preferably used.
As the prepreg, a commercially available product can be used as appropriate, and the following Table 1-1 and Table 1-2 show examples of prepregs that can be used as the shaft of the golf club of the present invention.
It should be noted that, in the present specification, a term “layer” and a term “sheet” are used. The “sheet” is a designation for those prior to being wound, and the “layer” is a designation for the sheets after being wound. The “layer” is formed by winding the “sheet.” Furthermore, in the present specification, the same reference character is used for a layer and a sheet. For example, a layer formed by winding the sheet a1 is described as a layer a1.
Furthermore, in the present specification, regarding the angle of a fiber with respect to the axial direction of the shaft, an angle Af and an absolute angle θa are used. The angle Af is an angle that is associated with a plus or a minus, and the absolute angle θa is an absolute value of the angle Af. The absolute angle θa is an absolute value of an angle between the axial direction of the shaft and a fiber direction. For example, “the absolute angle θa being equal to or smaller than 10°” means “the angle Af being not smaller than −10° but not larger than +10°”.
The expansion plan shown in
The shaft 3 includes straight layers, bias layers, and a hoop layer. The expansion plan shown in
The straight layer is a layer whose fiber orientation is substantially 0° with respect to a longitudinal direction of the shaft (axial direction of the shaft). However, there are cases where the direction of the fiber is not perfectly 0° with respect to the axial direction of the shaft, due to errors at the time of winding. Ordinarily, in the straight layer, the absolute angle θa is equal to or smaller than 10°.
In the embodiment shown in
The bias layer is a layer whose fiber orientation is slanted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The bias layer is highly correlated with twist rigidity and twist strength of the shaft. The bias layer is preferably formed from a pair of two sheets whose fiber orientations are slanted in directions opposite to each other. From a standpoint of twist rigidity, the absolute angle θa of the bias layer is preferably equal to or larger than 15°, more preferably equal to or larger than 25°, and further preferably equal to or larger than 40°. On the other hand, from the standpoint of twist rigidity and twist strength, the absolute angle θa of the bias layer is preferably equal to or smaller than 60°, and more preferably equal to or smaller than 50°.
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The hoop layer contributes to enhancing crush rigidity and crush strength of the shaft. The crush rigidity is rigidity against crushing force toward the inner side of the radial direction of the shaft. The crush strength is strength against crushing force toward the inner side of the radial direction of the shaft. The crush strength is also related to flexural strength. Furthermore, crush deformation may occur associated with flexural deformation. This association is particularly large for a thin lightweight shaft. By improving the crush strength, flexural strength can be improved.
Although not diagrammatically represented, the prepreg sheet before it is being used is sandwiched between cover sheets. Ordinarily, a cover sheet consists of a release paper and a resin film, and the release paper is pasted on one surface of the prepreg sheet, and the resin film is pasted on the other surface. In the following description, the surface on which the release paper is pasted is also referred to as “release paper side surface” and the surface on which the resin film is pasted is also referred to as “film side surface.”
The expansion plans in the present specification are diagrams in which the film side surface is on the front side. In other words, in the expansion plans in the present specification, the front side in the drawing is the film side surface, and the reverse side in the drawing is the release paper side surface. In the expansion plan shown in
In order to wind the above described prepreg sheet, firstly, the resin film is peeled. By peeling the resin film, the film side surface becomes exposed. This exposed surface has tackiness (adhesiveness) originating from the matrix resin. Since the matrix resin of the prepreg at the time of the winding is in a semi-cured state, the matrix resin expresses adhesiveness. Next, a margin part (wind-start margin part) on the exposed surface of the film side is attached to a to-be-wound object. Attaching to the wind-start margin part can be smoothly conducted due to the adhesiveness of the matrix resin. The to-be-wound object is a mandrel, or a wound object obtained by winding another prepreg sheet on a mandrel.
Next, the release paper of the prepreg sheet is peeled. Then, the to-be-wound object is rotated to wind the prepreg sheet on the to-be-wound object. In the manner described above, first, the resin film is peeled; next, the wind-start margin part is attached to the to-be-wound object, and then, the release paper is peeled. With such a procedure, occurrences of wrinkling of the prepreg sheet and inferior winding can be prevented. The release paper has high flexural rigidity when compared to the resin film, and a sheet having such release paper attached thereto is supported by the release paper and is unlikely to wrinkle.
In the embodiment shown in
The procedure for manufacturing the first merged sheet a23 will be described below. First, the bias sheet a3 is turned over, and the turned over bias sheet a3 is attached to the bias sheet a2. At that time, as shown in
As a result, the sheet a2 and the sheet a3 of the merged sheet a23 are misaligned from each other by about half a wind in the shaft after the winding.
As shown in
As described above, in the present specification, although the sheets and layers are classified by their fiber's orientation angle in the prepreg, the sheets and layers can be further classified by their length in the axial direction of the shaft.
In the present specification, a layer arranged over the whole axial direction of the shaft is referred to as a full length layer, and a sheet arranged over the whole axial direction of the shaft is referred to as a full length sheet. On the other hand, in the present specification, a layer partially arranged in the axial direction of the shaft is referred to as a partial layer, and a sheet partially arranged in the axial direction of the shaft is referred to as a partial sheet.
In the present specification, a straight layer that is a full length layer is referred to as a full length straight layer. In the embodiment shown in
In addition, in the present specification, a straight layer that is a partial layer is referred to as a partial straight layer. In the embodiment shown in
After the winding, the sheet a7, which is a sheet included in the partial layers, form a middle partial layer located in the middle of the whole axial direction of the shaft. Thus, a front end of the middle partial layer is separated from the tip end 3a, and a back end of the middle partial layer is separated from the butt end 3b. Preferably, the middle partial layer is arranged at a position including a center position Sc of the axial direction of the shaft. Furthermore, preferably, the middle partial layer is arranged at a position including a B point (a point located 525 mm away from the tip end) defined by a method for measuring three point flexural strength (a measuring method for SG-type three point flexural strength testing). The middle partial layer can selectively reinforce a portion that has large deformation, and can also contribute to weight reduction of the shaft.
In the present specification, a term “butt partial layer” is used. The butt partial layer is one mode of the partial layer, and is a partial layer that is located on the butt end 3b side. Shown in
In addition, in the present specification, a term “butt straight layer” is used. The butt straight layer is one mode of the partial straight layer, and is a partial straight layer located on the butt end 3b side. Preferably, the entirety of the butt straight layer is located closer to the butt side than the center position Sc of the axial direction of the shaft. The back end of the butt straight layer may or may not be located at the butt end 3b of the shaft. From a standpoint of bringing the position of the center of gravity of the club close to the butt end 3b, preferably, an arrangement range of the butt straight layer includes a position P1 that is separated from the butt end 3b of the shaft by 100 mm. From a standpoint of bringing the position of the center of gravity of the club close to the butt end 3b, more preferably, the back end of the butt straight layer is located at the butt end 3b of the shaft. In the embodiment shown in
The shaft 3 is manufactured through a sheet winding process using the prepreg sheet shown in
[General Outline of Shaft Manufacturing Steps]
(1) Cutting Step
In a cutting step, the prepreg sheet is cut into predetermined shapes, and each of the sheets shown in
(2) Attaching Step
In an attaching step, multiple sheets are attached together to manufacture the merged sheet a23 and the merged sheet a89 described above. For the attaching, applying of heat or pressing can be used; however, from a standpoint of reducing misalignments between sheets forming a merged sheet in a later described winding step and improving accuracy of the winding, the applying of heat and the pressing are preferably used in combination. Although heating temperature and pressing pressure can be selected as appropriate from a standpoint of enhancing the adhesive strength among the sheets, the heating temperature is ordinarily within a range from 30 to 60° C., and the pressing pressure is ordinarily within a range from 300 to 600 g/cm2. Similarly, although heating time and pressing time can also be selected as appropriate from a standpoint of enhancing the adhesive strength among the sheets, the heating time is ordinarily within a range from 20 to 300 seconds, and the pressing time is ordinarily within a range from 20 to 300 seconds.
(3) Winding Step
In the winding step, a mandrel is used. A representative mandrel is made from metal, and a mold releasing agent is applied on a circumferential surface of the mandrel. Additionally, a resin (tacking resin) having adhesiveness is applied over the mold releasing agent. The cut sheets are wound on the mandrel which has the resin applied thereon. As a result of the tacking resin, an end part of the sheet can be attached easily to the mandrel. A sheet obtained by attaching multiple sheets together is wound in a state of a merged sheet.
With this winding step, a wound body can be obtained. The wound body is obtained by winding a prepreg sheet on the outer side of the mandrel. The winding is conducted, for example, by rolling a to-be-wound object on a flat surface.
(4) Tape Wrapping Step
In a tape wrapping step, a tape referred to as a wrapping tape is wound on an outer circumferential surface of the wound body. The wrapping tape is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the wound body while being kept in tension. With the wrapping tape, pressure is applied to the wound body and void in the wound body is reduced.
(5) Curing Step
In a curing step, the wound body which has been wrapped with the tape is heated at a predetermined temperature. As a result of the heating, the matrix resin in the prepreg sheet is cured. In the curing process, the matrix resin temporarily fluidizes, and through this fluidization, air within or between the sheets is discharged. The discharging of air is enhanced by the pressure (fastening force) provided by the wrapping tape. With the curing step, a cured lamination body is obtained.
(6) Mandrel Draw-Out Step and Wrapping Tape Removal Step
After the curing step, a mandrel draw-out step and a wrapping tape removal step are conducted. Although there is no particular limitation in the sequence of the two steps in the present invention, from a standpoint of improving efficiency of the wrapping tape removal, the wrapping tape removal step is preferably conducted after the mandrel draw-out step.
(7) Both-Ends Cutting Step
In a both-ends cutting step, both ends of the cured lamination body obtained through each of the steps of (1) to (6) described above are cut. As a result of the cutting, the end surface of the tip end 3a and the end surface of the butt end 3b of the shaft become smooth.
(8) Polishing Step
In a polishing step, the surface of the cured lamination body whose both ends are cut is polished. Helical concavities and convexities remain on the surface of the cured lamination body as traces of the wrapping tape used in step (4) described above. As a result of the polishing, the helical concavities and convexities which are traces of the wrapping tape disappear, and the surface of the cured lamination body becomes smooth.
(9) Painting Step
A prescribed paint is applied on the cured lamination body after the polishing step.
With the above described steps, the shaft 3 can be manufactured. The golf club 1 can be obtained by fixing the tip end 3a of the manufactured shaft 3 in the shaft hole 5 of the hosel 6 of the golf club head 2, and fixing the butt end 3b of the shaft 3 in the grip hole 7 of the grip 4.
One feature of the present invention is that, in the golf club 1 described above, when the distance from the front end 3a of the shaft 3 to the center of gravity of the shaft is represented as LG and when the full length of the shaft is represented as LS, for example, 0.5≦LG/LS≦0.67 is satisfied and the center of gravity G of the shaft 3 is brought close to the hand side.
Reducing club weight is effective in making the club easy to swing. However, the weight of the head which is one element forming the club is a factor that influences an increase in ball speed. Therefore, in the present invention, an approach of increasing the ball speed without reducing the head weight is adopted. By placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, the inertia moment of the club is reduced to make the club easy to swing.
Means for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of the shaft 3 includes, for example, the following (A) to (H). In the present invention, it is possible to bring the position of the center of gravity of the shaft 3 close to the hand side by employing one or more of these means as appropriate.
<Weight Ratio of Butt Partial Layer>
From a standpoint of placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, the weight of the butt partial layer with respect to the shaft weight is preferably not smaller than 5 wt %, and more preferably not smaller than 10 wt %. On the other hand, from a standpoint of reducing a stiff feeling, the weight of the butt partial layer with respect to the shaft weight is preferably not larger than 50 wt %, and more preferably not larger than 45 wt %. In the embodiment shown in
<Weight Ratio of Butt Partial Layer in Specific Butt Range>
Indicated as “P2” in
<Fiber Elastic Modulus of Butt Partial Layer>
From a standpoint of ensuring strength of the butt partial layer, the fiber elastic modulus of the butt partial layer is preferably not lower than 5 t/mm2, and more preferably not lower than 7 t/mm2. When the center of gravity of the club is close to the butt end 3b, centrifugal force that acts upon the center of gravity of the club easily decreases. In other words, when the center-of-gravity position of the shaft is placed on the grip side, the centrifugal force that acts upon the center of gravity of the club easily decreases. In such a case, it becomes difficult to sense the bending of the shaft, and a stiff feeling is easily generated. From a standpoint of reducing a stiff feeling, the fiber elastic modulus of the butt partial layer is preferably not higher than 20 t/mm2, more preferably not higher than 15 t/mm2, and further preferably not higher than 10 t/mm2
<Resin Content of Butt Partial Layer>
From a standpoint of placing the center-of-gravity position of the shaft on the grip side and reducing a stiff feeling, the resin content of the butt partial layer is preferably not lower than 20 mass %, and more preferably not lower than 25 mass %. On the other hand, from a standpoint of ensuring strength of the butt partial layer, the resin content of the butt partial layer is preferably not higher than 50 mass %, and more preferably not higher than 45 mass %.
<Weight of Butt Straight Layer>
From a standpoint of placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, the weight of the butt straight layer is preferably not smaller than 2 g, and more preferably not smaller than 4 g. On the other hand, from a standpoint of reducing a stiff feeling, the weight of the butt straight layer is preferably not larger than 30 g, more preferably not larger than 20 g, and further preferably not larger than 10 g.
<Weight Ratio of Butt Straight Layer>
From a standpoint of placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, the weight of the butt straight layer with respect to the shaft weight Ws is preferably not smaller than 5 mass %, and more preferably not smaller than 10 mass %. On the other hand, from a standpoint of reducing a stiff feeling, the weight of the butt straight layer with respect to the shaft weight is preferably not larger than 50 mass %, and more preferably not larger than 45 mass %. In the embodiment shown in
<Fiber Elastic Modulus of Butt Straight Layer>
From a standpoint of ensuring strength of the butt part, the fiber elastic modulus of the butt straight layer is preferably not lower than 5 t/mm2, and more preferably not lower than 7 t/mm2. On the other hand, from a standpoint of reducing a stiff feeling, the fiber elastic modulus of the butt straight layer is preferably not higher than 20 t/mm2, more preferably not higher than 15 t/mm2, and further preferably not higher than 10 t/mm2.
<Resin Content of Butt Straight Layer>
From a standpoint of placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, and reducing a stiff feeling, the resin content of the butt straight layer is preferably not lower than 20 mass %, and more preferably not lower than 25 mass %. On the other hand, from a standpoint of ensuring strength of the butt part, the resin content of the butt straight layer is preferably not higher than 50 mass %, and more preferably not higher than 45 mass %.
<Maximum Shaft Direction Length L1 of Butt Partial Layer>
Shown as “L1” in
From a standpoint of ensuring weight of the butt partial layer, the length L1 is preferably not smaller than 100 mm, more preferably not smaller than 125 mm, and further preferably not smaller than 150 mm. On the other hand, from a standpoint of placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, the length L1 is preferably not larger than 700 mm, more preferably not larger than 650 mm, and further preferably not larger than 600 mm.
<Minimum Shaft Direction Length L2 of Butt Partial Layer>
Shown as “L2” in
From a standpoint of ensuring weight of the butt partial layer, the length L2 is preferably not smaller than 50 mm, more preferably not smaller than 75 mm, and further preferably not smaller than 100 mm. On the other hand, from a standpoint of placing the position of the center of gravity of the shaft on the grip side, the length L2 is preferably not larger than 650 mm, more preferably not larger than 600 mm, and further preferably not larger than 550 mm.
Next, the golf club of the present invention will be described based on Examples; however, the present invention is not limited only to those Examples.
Golf clubs according to Examples 1 to 21 and Comparative Examples 1 to 15 were manufactured in accordance with a hitherto known method, and their performances and characteristics were evaluated. A substantially identical shaped head was used for all the golf clubs, and the volume of the head was 460 cc, and the material of the head was a titanium alloy. Head weights, grip weights, shaft weights, shaft lengths etc., were adjusted so as to obtain desired specifications.
Shafts for the Examples and Comparative Examples were manufactured based on the expansion plan shown in
Specifications and evaluations of the golf clubs according to Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 (the club weights are set to 280 g) are shown in Table 3. In addition, specifications and evaluations of the golf clubs according to Examples 8 to 14 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 (the club weights are set to 306 g) are shown in Table 4. Further, specifications and evaluations of the golf clubs according to Examples 15 to 21 and Comparative Examples 5 and 6 (club weights are set to 338 g) are shown in Table 5. Further, specifications and evaluations of the golf clubs according to Comparative Examples 7 to 15 (the club weights are set to 350 g) are shown in Table 6.
[Evaluation Method]
<Head Speed (m/s)>
Five testers having handicaps of 10 to 20 were asked to each test-hit 10 balls, and an average value of the obtained 50 head speeds was used.
<Kinetic Energy (J)>
Kinetic energy was calculated using E=(mh×v2)/2. Here, mh is head weight and v is head speed.
<Ball Flight Distance (yards)>
Five testers having handicaps of 10 to 20 were asked to each test-hit 10 balls, and an average value (an average value of flight distances of 8×5=40 shots) of flight distances to drop points of balls for the best 8 shots excluding miss-shots was used.
<Shaft Durability>
The golf clubs were mounted on a swing robot manufactured by Miyamae K.K., and golf balls were repeatedly hit at a head speed of 52 m/s. As the golf ball, “DDH Tour Special” manufactured by SRI Sports Ltd., was used. Balls were hit at a position 20 mm away from a face center to a heel side, and a damage status of the shaft was examined every time 500 shots were hit. When there was no damage after 10000 shots, it was evaluated as “A”; and when there was damage before reaching 10000 shots, it was evaluated as “B.”
It can be understood from the results shown in Tables 3 to 6 that the golf clubs according to the Examples can extend flight distance of the ball by increasing head speed. In contrast, for example, when the club weight is large as in the case with Comparative Examples 7 to 15, flight distance cannot be extended.
[Other Modifications]
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative and not restrictive in all aspects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims rather than by the meaning described above, and is intended to include meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.
For example, in the above described embodiment, although a shaft having the expansion plan shown in
In a modification shown in
In the modification shown in
Also in the modification shown in
The procedure for manufacturing the first merged sheet b234 will be described below. A pre-merged sheet b34 is manufactured by attaching two sheets (bias sheet b3 and hoop sheet b4) together. When manufacturing the pre-merged sheet b34, the bias sheet b3 is turned over and attached to the hoop sheet b4. In the pre-merged sheet b34, the upper end of the sheet b4 matches the upper end of the sheet b3. Next, the pre-merged sheet b34 and the bias sheet b2 are attached together. The pre-merged sheet b34 and the bias sheet b2 are attached together in a state where they are misaligned from each other by half a wind.
In the merged sheet b234, the sheet b2 and the sheet b3 are misaligned from each other by half a wind. Thus, in the shaft after the winding, the circumferential direction position of the sheet b2 and the circumferential direction position of the sheet b3 are different. The angular difference here is preferably 180° (±15°).
As a result of using the merged sheet b234, the bias layer b2 and the bias layer b3 are misaligned from each other in the circumferential direction. With this misalignment, the positions of the ends of the bias layers are spread in the circumferential direction. As a result, it is possible to improve uniformity of the shaft in the circumferential direction. Further, in the merged sheet b234 in the present modification, the entirety of the hoop sheet b4 is sandwiched between the bias sheet b2 and the bias sheet b3. With this, it is possible to prevent inferior winding of the hoop sheet b4 in the winding step. By using the merged sheet b234, it is possible to improve accuracy of the winding. Here, inferior winding means disarray of fibers, generation of wrinkles, and deviation of fiber angle, etc.
Further, as shown in
Also in the present modification, it is possible to adjust and bring the position of the center of gravity of the shaft close to the hand side by employing one or more of the previously described means of (A) to (H).
1 wood-type golf club
2 head
3 shaft
3
a tip end
3
b butt end
4 grip
4
e grip end
5 shaft hole
6 hosel
7 grip hole
G center of gravity of shaft
LG distance from the tip end of the shaft to the center of gravity of the shaft
LS shaft full length
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-224700 | Oct 2011 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5686158 | Gibbon | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5879241 | Cook et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
| 6908399 | Henry | Jun 2005 | B1 |
| 6929562 | Kumamoto | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 7338386 | Nakajima | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7488261 | Cackett et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7500922 | Takeuchi | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 20070105640 | Ban et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20090069109 | Kumamoto | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20100041492 | Rice et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100144463 | Dawson et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100273567 | Brekke et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-201911 | Jul 2004 | JP |
| 2007-190107 | Aug 2007 | JP |
| 2009-254601 | Nov 2009 | JP |
| 2011-15830 | Jan 2011 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Chinese Office Action dated May 28, 2014 issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201210390884.7. |
| Office Action dated Apr. 14, 2015 issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-224700. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130095944 A1 | Apr 2013 | US |
