US20150182835A1 - Golf club for helping a player to learn golf - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf club is disclosed for teaching a user thereof how to play the game of golf. The golf club includes a tubular shaft having a first and a second end. A club head cooperates with the first end of the shaft and a handle grip is secured to the second end of the shaft, the grip being fabricated from a soft lightweight material in order to avoid injury to the user and anyone in a vicinity of the user during use of the golf club. The shaft is manufactured from a lightweight material. A bar is disposed within a cavity defined by the first end of the shaft so that during use of the golf club, the golf club has the characteristics of a regular golf club

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONBackground of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a golf club for assisting a player to learn golf.
• More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club that is relatively lightweight for assisting a player to learn golf.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
• One of the main objectives of the present invention is to teach children, cadets, young adults and the like, the art of playing golf.
• More specifically, the present invention:
• 1/ Avoids the problems associated with golf trainees hurting themselves or fellow participants or bystanders due to a misuse of a golf club particularly in view of the hardness and the weight of the golf club which is often fabricated from steel or graphite material. Golf clubs currently have a steel or graphite shaft and the head is of wood or metal together with metal weights located at the periphery thereof for striking the golf ball.
  2/ The present invention also facilitates the practice of golf within a confined area.
  3/ Additionally, the present invention enables a student to learn correct golf techniques due to the design of the golf club.
• The present invention provides a golf club having technical and/or functional characteristics which are useful during formal development of the techniques involved in playing the game of golf. To this end, the materials used in the construction of the golf club are of low weight and low hardness, in order to prevent accidental striking and injury of the player, game participants and any accompanying persons and at the same time such golf club allows the user to develop the game of golf in conditions equivalent to that experienced by an adult player.
• Currently almost all children's golf clubs are equivalent to or the same as regular golf clubs for adults but with smaller dimensions. Often, the shaft of the golf club is fabricated from tubular material and this is less dangerous than a solid steel shaft or a hard wooden shaft or graphite shaft. Similarly, the golf club head is of cast iron or forged steel, which makes the golf club a heavy instrument with the attendant problem that the young or inexperienced user of the golf club risks the danger of hitting himself or a bystander with such golf club.
• There are other very light composition formulated from plastic materials so that golf clubs having a tubular plastic shaft and a club head without any counterweights generate relatively low momentum and little force during a golf drive. Other golf clubs have a head fabricated from foamed polyurethane disposed within a hardened shell and loaded with metallic counterweights that are injected or molded into the interior of the golf club head and are often produced without the necessary design features and technical configuration required in order to replicate the feel of a regular adult golf club.
• Teaching and learning the art of golf using such previously know golf clubs causes the student to achieve highly inaccurate drives thus providing little guarantee of such student progressing to a next level of play leading towards the competent use of an adult golf club. Such prior art golf clubs while useful as children's play toys, rarely teach and guide the young user thereof towards the required golf driving techniques.
• The prior art proposals include the following patents and published applications:
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,914 to Clay Long entitled “Golf club head”;
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,120 to Stan Ramirez entitled “Golf club head”;
  U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,143 to Clayton Evans entitled “Golf club head with adjustable weighting, customizable face-angle and a variable bulge and roll face”;
  US 2003/0176235 to Bruce D. Burrows for a “Slotted hose for golf club head”;
  US 2008/0318707 to Jeffrey Mergy et al for a “Golf club head with foam core”;
  U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,211 to Robert Lukasiewicz; for a “Golf club and method of manufacture”;
  U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,104 to Shiotani, Tadahiko et al for a “Golf club head and process for its fabrication”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a golf club for teaching a user thereof how to play the game of golf. The golf club includes a tubular shaft having a first and a second end. A club head cooperates with the first end of the shaft and a handle grip is secured to the second end of the shaft, the grip being fabricated from a soft lightweight material in order to avoid injury to the user and anyone in a vicinity of the user during use of the golf club. The shaft is manufactured from a lightweight material. A bar is disposed within a cavity defined by the first end of the shaft so that during use of the golf club, the golf club has the characteristics of a regular golf club.
• More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club that includes a rigid tubular shaft fabricated from a non malleable lightweight material such as fiberglass or plastic. A lower end of the shaft is connected to a golf club head by a neck or throat portion. Also, a solid heavy metallic bar is secured within the lower end of the tubular shaft. The heavy bar compensates for the light weight of the shaft and at the same time provides the required reinforcement in the location between the shaft and the golf head. In this manner, the resultant golf club provides the required feel and consistency to that of a regular full size golf club, especially when driving a golf ball. At the same time, such golf club has a shaft of tubular fiberglass or other light weight material in order to minimize damage or injury to the user and/or any bystanders.
• The location of the solid of heavy metal bar is achieved by the use of a glue or heavy duty adhesive such as a methylcyanoacrylate or a similar adhesive substance that can be applied or spread on both the heavy metallic bar and on the inside of the shaft and only in the area of contact between these two components. The adhesive is applied prior to assembly in order to locate and secure the bar within the first end of the shaft so that the bar and shaft become an inseparable part of the resultant golf club.
• The bar disposed at the lower end which is the first end of the tubular shaft, has an approximate length within a range of one quarter to one third of the total length of the tubular shaft. This solid heavy metal bar reaches, in one case, the lower end of the shaft and is disposed flush with the first end of the shaft. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bar extends beyond the first end of the shaft by a small distance. In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the tubular body of the shaft extends beyond the end of the bar thus leaving a small cavity between the end of the bar and the first end of the shaft. The small cavity does not require the use of any adhesive therein.
• The tubular shaft is of a lightweight material such as fiberglass. The shaft in turn is coated or lined with a sheath of soft rubber or latex with the objective of making the shaft less likely to hurt the user or a bystander if accidentally hit with the golf club during use thereof.
• Each golf head is mounted on a respective lower end or first end of the tubular shaft. The golf head is fabricated as follows:
• 1) The golf head is formed from a quantity of light material such as a plastic which is reinforced with an irregular oval shaped shell with longitudinal ribs in the striking area. An extension of the golf head extends from the back side and bottom edge or leading edge and extends slightly more tan ⅓ of the height of the golf head. The extension decreases along the length of the extension towards the lower edge.
• The golf head has a heel end and a toe end and extends upwardly towards the tubular neck which accommodates the first end of the shaft. The inside of the neck has vertical ribs which cooperate with bayonet portions of the shaft so that when the bayonet portions of the shaft are inserted into the neck of the golf head, the shaft is secured to the head. Preferably, the golf head makes an angle of 46 degrees relative to the vertical axis and the neck has an angle of 63 degrees relative to the horizontal axis.
• (2) The golf head includes a semi compact core of polyurethane coated with a shell of a compact uniform layer. The head is reinforced by a traditional upper or top edge of oval shape. The leading edge is arched inwardly with the base being thicker than the top edge and with the back side forming a concentric plane defined by an uneven flange profile. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head provides a lift angle of 46 degrees relative to the vertical axis.
• The vertex of the heel is projected upwardly towards the neck and is of tubular configuration. The bar is disposed flush with the first end of the shaft. Also, if a portion of the shaft extends into the interior of the golf head, a layer of adhesive is introduced into the interior of the head prior to final attachment of the golf head in order to make the attachment of the golf head more secure.
• 3) A golf club head is formed from a semi rigid compact material such as a mass of polyurethane covered with a uniform layer and also reinforced by a special oblong design consisting of a heel and a toe and an upstanding eccentric neck having prismatic axial reinforcing ribs for the accommodation and pressure insertion therein of the bottom or first end of the tubular shaft together with the solid heavy metal bar inserted therein. The bar is disposed and located flush with the lower or first end of the shaft. Alternatively, a portion of the bar extends past the first end of the shaft. In both embodiments, the bar is embedded as far as the intersection with the body of the head thus making the body of the head capable of striking the ball more consistently.
• The club head has a high lift angle which is disposed preferably at 0° relative to the vertical axis and a lie angle which is projected preferably at 71° relative to a horizontal axis. Also, the first end of the shaft is introduced into the interior of the head with a smear of adhesive to make the final setting of the head to the first end of the shaft more consistent.
• 4). A head is formed by a rigid blade of light material such as plastic reinforced by a specially designed oblong shaped hollow body. The hollow body is formed in such a way that the body is divided into two almost symmetrical parts. The two parts include a lid and a box with both parts joined together by means of self locking fasteners. Each self locking fastener includes a stud or pin and a cooperating socket. One of the studs of the box cooperates with a corresponding socket defined by the lid in the vicinity of the heel of the golf head. Another stud is disposed in the vicinity of the first end of the shaft and cooperates with a corresponding socket defined by the lid. Also one of the studs is disposed in the vicinity of the toe of the lid and cooperates with a corresponding socket defined by the lid. The arrangement is such that when the lid and the box are pressed towards each other, the respective studs and sockets cooperate with each other for fastening the lid to the box.
• The club head includes a neck for the insertion therein of the first end of the shaft. The internal surface of the tubular neck includes two diametrically disposed ribs which cooperate with corresponding longitudinal slots defined by the first end of the shaft so that the shaft extends within the neck so that rotation of the shaft relative to the neck is prevented by the interaction of the ribs and the slots.
• Moreover, the neck extends inside the box part for accommodating therein the first end of the shaft and the bar disposed therein.
• The portion of the shaft that enters and is accommodated by the neck has diametrically opposed holes drilled therein for receiving a dowel pin. The dowel pin cooperates with a female portion defined by the lid for fastening the first end of the shaft to the lid. The dowel can be glued to the first end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the opposed holes are aligned with a hole drilled through the bar. In another embodiment, the bar does not extend within the tubular shaft as far as the dowel.
• Optionally, the interior of the combined box and lid are filled with a polyurethane foam or other material to strengthen and to increase the weight of this combined box and lid type golf head.
• The head has a high lift angle which preferably extends at 0° to the vertical axis and a lie angle preferably projected at 71° relative to the horizontal axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first end of a shaft of a golf club according to the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view in elevation of the shaft shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of slots defined by the first end of the shaft shown inFIG. 2;
• FIG. 3.1 is a plan view of a socket of a golf head for the receipt therein of the first end of the shaft shown inFIG. 3;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first end of a shaft shown inFIG. 1 and shows a pin for securing a bar within the first end of the shaft;
• FIG. 4.1 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 4, but shows the bar extending to the first end of the shaft;
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the first end of the shaft shown inFIG. 4.1 with the bar glued within the tubular shaft;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a club head fastened to the shaft shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the head shown inFIG. 6 but shows the bayonet portion;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf head shown inFIG. 6 but viewed from an opposite direction;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the golf head shown inFIG. 6 showing the socket thereof;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a golf head according to the present invention in which the golf head includes a polyurethane interior;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the golf head shown inFIG. 10 showing the polyurethane interior thereof;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the golf head shown inFIG. 11 but viewed from a different angle;
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the golf head includes a heel portion;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the golf head shown inFIG. 13 but viewed from a different angle;
• FIG. 15 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 6 but showing the lower end of the shaft in section;
• FIG. 16 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 15 but shows an alternative connection of the first end of the shaft to the golf head;
• FIG. 17 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 15 but shows yet another embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 17.1 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 15 but shows a further embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a putter type club head for a golf club according to the present invention;
• FIG. 19 is a view taken on the line19-19 ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 20 is a view taken on the line20-20 ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 21 is a view taken on the line21-21 ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 21.1 is a view of the putter head shown inFIG. 18 but showing the first end of the shaft in section;
• FIG. 21.2 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 21.1 but shows an alternative connection between the first end of the shaft and the putter head;
• FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a hollow type putter head;
• FIG. 23 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 22 but viewed from an opposite direction;
• FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the putter head shown inFIG. 22;
• FIG. 25 is an enlarged view taken on the line25-25 ofFIG. 22;
• FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the putter head shown inFIG. 22:
• FIG. 27 is a perspective exploded view of the putter head shown inFIG. 26;
• FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a connection between a golf head and a first end of a shaft;
• FIG. 29 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 28 but shows an alternative embodiment thereof; and
• FIG. 30 is a similar view similar to that shown inFIG. 28 but shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In all the drawings showing various embodiments of the present invention, the golf club according to the present invention includes a shaft in which the lower first end of the shaft is connected to a golf head.
• FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a golf club generally designated1 according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the golf club1 includes a first end of ashaft2. Thefirst end2 of the shaft is of hollow tubular construction and thefirst end2 of the shaft receives therein abar3 for giving thefirst end2 of theshaft2 the required weight in order for the golf club to simulate the feel of a regular golf club.
• More specifically, the entire shaft is fabricated from a light weight fiberglass material or the like so that during practice, an inexperienced user thereof is less likely to cause injury to himself or any fellow students or bystanders by misuse of the golf club.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shaft shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, thefirst end2 of the shaft defines afirst slot5 which assists connection of thesecond end2 of the shaft to a golf head.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of thefirst end2 of the shaft and shows thefirst slot5 and a diametricallyopposed slot5¹defined by thefirst end2 of the shaft shown inFIG. 2;
• FIG. 3.1 is a plan view of a socket of a golf head generally designated12 for the receipt therein of thefirst end2 of the shaft shown inFIG. 3;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of thefirst end2 of the shaft shown inFIG. 1 and shows apin7 for securing thebar3 within thefirst end2 of the shaft;
• FIG. 4.1 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 4, but shows thebar3 extending to thefirst end2 of the shaft;
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of thefirst end2 of the shaft shown inFIG. 4.1 with thebar3 glued at8 within thefirst end2 tubular shaft;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of agolf club head9 fastened to thefirst end2 of the shaft shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 6, thegolf head9 includes a plurality ofhorizontal ribs10 for striking a golf ball (not shown).
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of thegolf head9 head shown inFIG. 6 but viewed from a different angle. As shown inFIG. 7, the socket of the golf head has anouter surface90 and afirst rib portions30.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of thegolf head9 shown inFIG. 6 but viewed from a different direction. As shown inFIG. 8, thegolf head9 includes a lower edge11.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of thegolf head9 shown inFIG. 6. As shown inFIG. 9, the socket includes diametricallyopposed rib portions30.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention in which the golf head has a polyurethane interior. As shown inFIG. 10, thegolf head12 includes an upper edge,horizontal ribs10aand asocket13.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of thegolf head12 shown inFIG. 10 showing the polyurethane interior thereof. As shown inFIG. 11, the top edge12aincludes afront portion14 and a cavity for the reception therein of polyurethane14a. Additionally, thegolf head12 includes a lower edge12b.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of thegolf head12 shown inFIG. 11 but viewed from a different angle. As shown inFIG. 12, the lower edge12bincludes alower portion15
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which thegolf head12 includes a heel portion.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of thegolf head12 shown inFIG. 13 but viewed from a different angle.
• FIG. 15 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 6 but shows the lowersecond end2 of the shaft in section.
• FIG. 16 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 15 but shows an alternative connection of thefirst end2 of the shaft to the golf head. As shown inFIG. 16, anextension31 of thebar3 extends into thegolf head9.
• FIG. 17 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 15 but shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 17, thebar3 terminates at thefirst end2 of the shaft.
• FIG. 17.1 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 15 but shows a further embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 17.1, thebar3 has anextension31 which extends into and is embedded in thegolf head12.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a putter type club head for a golf club according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 18, theputter head16 includes afront end16aof thesocket17. Also theputter head16 includes a front edge19aand aheel19.
• FIG. 19 is a view taken on the line19-19 ofFIG. 18.
• FIG. 20 is a view taken on the line20-20 ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 21 is a view taken on the line21-21 ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 21.1 is a view of the putter head shown inFIG. 18 but showing thefirst end2 of the shaft in section. As shown inFIG. 21.1, thebar3 includes anextension32 which extends into and is embedded within theputter head16.
• FIG. 21.2 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 21.1 but shows an alternative connection between thefirst end2 of the shaft and theputter head16. As shown inFIG. 21.2 thebar3 terminates at thefirst end2 of the shaft.
• FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a hollowtype putter head20. As shown inFIG. 22, theputter head20 includes aconnector23aand aneck25 for connecting theputter head20 to thefirst end2 of the shaft.
• FIG. 23 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 22 but viewed from an opposite direction.
• FIG. 24 is a top plan view of theputter head20 shown inFIG. 22. As shown inFIG. 24, theputter head20 includes a base of theneck25. Theputter head20 also includes a first half of ashell21 and an oppositesecond half22 of the shell of theputter head20.
• FIG. 25 is an enlarged view taken on the line25-25 ofFIG. 22;
• FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the putter head shown inFIG. 22. As shown inFIG. 26, theputter head20 includes twotabs23 for receipt within correspondingholes24 of thesecond half22 of the shell so that the twohalves21 and22 can be secured to each other. Alsoportions28 and28aanchor theneck25 within the shell.
• FIG. 27 is a perspective exploded view of the putter head shown inFIG. 26. As shown inFIG. 26, theneck25 includes anextension26 which extends to the bottom of the shell of theputter head20.
• FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a further alternative connection between the golf head and a first end of a shaft. As shown inFIG. 28, thebar3 extends into thegolf head20 and is anchored therein by apin7 extending through thebar3 and anchored in areceiver23a.
• FIG. 29 is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 28 but shows an alternative embodiment thereof. As shown inFIG. 29, thebar3 extends past thefirst end2 of the shaft and is fastened by a7 extending through thebar3 and anchored within areceiver23a.
• FIG. 30 is a similar view similar to that shown inFIG. 28 but shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 30, apin7 extends through thesecond end2 of the shaft but does not extend through thebar3. Thefastener7 is anchored to areceiver23a
• In the drawings, a golf club1 has a grip4, ashaft2 and agolf head12. As shown inFIG. 1, atubular shaft2 is of stiff, very malleable and lightweight material such as fiberglass or plastic material. The first end of theshaft2 houses asolid bar3 fabricated from a heavy metal that serves to provide the required weight of the golf club and provides reinforcement of theshaft2 thus providing a more realistic feel to the golf club so that the golf club exhibits the characteristics of a regular sized golf club without the attendant dangers associated with the misuse thereof.
• The mounting of the heavy metalsolid bar3 is ensured through the incorporation of a heavy dutyadhesive substance8 which is preferably a methylcyanoacrylate or similar adhesive which is applied or spread on both the solid metalheavy bar3 and onto the interior of the tubular shaft2 I in the area of contact of the bar and shaft and before lodging thesolid bar3 on the inside of theshaft2 to make an inseparable unit of bar and shaft.
• Thebar3 disposed at the lower end of theshaft2 has an approximate length of a quarter or ⅓ of the total length of theshaft2. Thisbar3 reaches, in one case, the lower end of theshaft2 as shown inFIG. 2. In another embodiment, thebar3 extends beyond that end of theshaft2 by a small portion as shown inFIG. 17.1. In yet another embodiment, thebar3 does not reach the end of theshaft2. as shown inFIG. 4 thus leaving a portion of theshaft2 with a hollow portion at the first end thereof. The hollow insideportion20aof the tip of theshaft2 that extends past thesolid bar3, does not require any glue inside.
• Theshaft2 of light material is coated or covered with a sheath4 shown inFIG. 1. The sheath or grip4 is of soft material such as rubber or latex and is wound onto theshaft2 in order to make the shaft less dangerous to the player user or bystanders in the event that they are accidentally hit by the golf club during use.
• 1/ Each of the golf heads12 are mounted on their respective lower ends of theshaft2 shaft. As shown inFIGS. 6-9, aclub head9 is formed as a rigid blade of light material as shown inFIG. 6. The light material is of plastic, reinforced by a specially designed irregular shaped traditional oval configuration, withlongitudinal ridges10 in the striking area. As shown inFIG. 8 a thick reinforcement11 is disposed at the back side bottom edge or leading edge and preferably extends slightly more than ⅓ of the height of the golf head and projects downward towards the lower edge.
• Thehead9 at its heel opposite the toe end extends upwardly towards thetubular neck90 for reception therein and the setting therein of the lower end ofshaft2. Theneck90 has inwardly extendingvertical ribs30 which form a bayonet type connection with corresponding slots defined on the outside of the first end of the shaft.
• Thehead9 as a whole has a high lift angle and is preferably disposed at an angle of 46° about the vertical axis and theneck90 has a lie angle which is preferably disposed at an angle of 63° relative to the horizontal axis.
• 2/ As shown inFIGS. 10-14, a club head)12 is formed from a quantity of semi compact material such as polyurethane. Thehead12 defines a typical oval shape with a straight top edge12aand a leading edge12bwhich is arched inwardly. A sole15 is thicker than the top edge12aand theback side14 forms a flat concentric incoming surface14awhich is defined by an uneven peripheral flange which has presenting front sidelongitudinal grooves10ain the the striking area and a high lift angle which is preferably up to 46° about the vertical axis.
• The vertex of the heel which is opposite the toe extends upwards to form aneck13 of tubular shape, with a lie angle extending preferably at 63° with respect to the horizontal axis. Theneck13 receives therein the first end of theshaft2 and thebar3 which is disposed flush with the lower end of theshaft2 as shown inFIG. 17. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 17.1, thebar3 extends past the first end of theshaft2 as indicated at31. The lower or first end of theshaft2 penetrates into the neck as far as the intersection of theneck13 with the body of theclub head12 thus making the club more consistent during a drive.
• 3/ FIGS.18-21.2 show a golf head formed from a of polyurethane covered with and reinforced by a uniform layer to form an oblong configuration including a heal19 and a toe19a. Aneck16ais an eccentric of ascending prismatic form with axially extendingreinforcement17 for accommodating and the bottom of theshaft2 together with itssolid bar3. As shown inFIG. 21.2, thebar3 is set flush with the lower end of theshaft2. As shown inFIG. 21.1, which shows an alternative embodiment, aportion32 of thebar3 extends past the first end of theshaft2. In both of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 21.1 and21.2, theshaft2 andbar3 are inserted as far as the intersection of the body of the golf head and the base of theneck17 thus making striking of the golf ball more consistent.
• The club head has a high lift angle which is preferably 0° relative to the vertical axis and a lie angle which is preferably disposed at 71° relative to the horizontal axis.
• 4/ As shown inFIGS. 22-30, agolf head20 is formed from a quantity of plastic and includes a reinforcing layer of oblong shape. The layer is hollow and is divided into two almost symmetrical parts. The first part is alid22 and the other part is abox21 as shown inFIG. 26. Bothparts21 and22 are joined together by fasteners which include afemale portion23 and amale portion24 extending from thebox21 andneck25. The first end of theshaft2 is secured to thebox21 by means of apin7. As shown inFIG. 28, the fastener means attaches theshaft2 to theupstanding neck25 at a lie angle which is preferably at 71° relative to the horizontal axis.
• Theneck25 hasinternal ribs30 which cooperate with the bayonet fitting of theshaft2.
• The first end of theshaft2 is housed within theneck25 and has twoholes6 for receiving thepin7 which is received by thefastener23alocated in anextension26 of theneck25 in thebox21 orextension26. Thepin7 andfastener23aprevent removal of theshaft2 from thehead21 and22.
• In joining theneck25 with thebox21 and theextension26 thebox21 has on its inner side afew reinforcements28 and28aat the same height with different lengths and at an angle relative to the neck. Thebox21 has at least twofemale members23 to secure the interlockinglid22 which has two correspondingmale members24. Aperipheral flange29 has an internal socket and a asemicircular portion29ato receive theneck25.
• Theneck25 extends into thebox21 and has anextension26. Theextension26 has two walls disposed parallel parallel to each other with different heights and receives theshaft2 andbar3 which is located flush with the first end of theshaft2. Thebar3 as shown inFIG. 28 extends to the first end of theshaft2 with thepin7 extending though both the shaft and thebar3. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 29, the bar extends past the first end of theshaft2 with the pin extending through both the shaft andbar3. In a further alternative embodiment as shown inFIG. 30, thebar3 does not reach the first end of theshaft2 so thepin7 extends only through theshaft2 and not thebar3.
• Optionally the interior ofbox21 andlid22 can be filled with a polyurethane foam or other material to strengthen the club head. Thehead20 has a high lift angle and is disposed preferably at 0° relative to the vertical axis.
• The present invention provides a unique golf club which exhibits the characteristics of an adult type golf club while inhibiting the potential damage caused by misuse of the golf club.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1. A golf club for teaching a user thereof how to play the game of golf, said golf club comprising:

a tubular shaft having a first and a second end;

a club head cooperates with said first end of said shaft;

a hand grip is secured to said second end of said shaft, said grip being fabricated from a soft lightweight material in order to avoid injury to the user and anyone in a vicinity of the user during use of the golf club;

said shaft being manufactured from a lightweight material; and

a bar disposed within a cavity defined by said first end of said shaft so that during use of the golf club, the golf club has the characteristics of a regular golf club

2. A golf club as set forth inclaim 1 further including:

an adhesive for securing said bar within said cavity.

3. A golf club as set forth inclaim 1 wherein

a hollow tubular portion such that part of said hollow tubular portion receives therein said bar;

said bar extends from said first end of said shaft a first distance which is within a range of one quarter to one third a second distance defined from said first end to said second end of said shaft.

4. A golf club as set forth inclaim 1 wherein

said first end of said shaft includes:

a hollow tubular portion;

a part of said hollow tubular portion receiving therein said bar.

5. A golf club as set forth inclaim 1 further including:

a sheath fabricated from soft material for covering said shaft.

6. A golf club as set forth inclaim 1 wherein

said club head includes:

a hollow tubular neck for the receipt therein of said first end of said shaft.

7. A golf club as set forth inclaim 6 wherein

said socket includes:

a first and second bayonet portion, said first bayonet portion being diametrically disposed relative to said second bayonet portion;

said first end of said shaft defining a first and a second slot, said first slot being disposed diametrically opposite to said second slot such that said first and second bayonet portions of said head cooperate with said first and a second slots of said shaft for securing said head to said first end of said shaft.

8. A golf club as set forth inclaim 6 wherein

said golf head is of lightweight plastic material reinforced by a shell of oval configuration;

said golf head defining a heel which has an apex that projects upwardly towards said neck for the accommodation and setting of said first end of said shaft therein;

a plurality of ribs extending tangentially inwards of the first end of said shaft;

said neck having tangentially inwardly extending ribs which cooperate with said bayonet portion of said shaft which has lateral slots (5) that fit into these ribs (30), and the (club head) (9) has longitudinal ribs (10) and thick reinforcement (11) in the back side and on the leading edge, which occupies slightly more than ⅓ of its height and projects downward towards the lower edge;

said club head has a high lift angle which projects at 46° about the vertical axis:

said neck is disposed at an angle of 63° relative to the horizontal axis.

9. A golf club as set forth inclaim 2 wherein

said club head is formed from a quantity of polyurethane covered with a uniform and compact layer;

said vertex of said heel and said vertex of said toe extend upwardly to said neck;

said club head defines a lie angle of 63° relative to the horizontal axis.

10. A golf club as set forth inclaim 2 wherein

the club head is of plastic material of oblong configuration;

said club head being divided in two almost symmetrical parts CHARACTERIZED in that the club head includes a box and a lid joined together by fasteners.

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