Patent ID: 6027414
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A golf club having a grip and a head, the golf club comprising:a shaft connecting the grip of the golf club to the head of the golf club, the shaft having a longitudinal axis which extends from the grip of the golf club to the head of the golf club, at least a portion of the shaft having an aerodynamic cross-sectional shape defining an aerodynamic portion of the shaft, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft being oriented along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the aerodynamic portion of the shaft being oriented relative to the grip and the head such that, compared to a golf club shaft having a circular cross-sectional shape, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft is able to improve the stability of the shaft as the golf club is swung through the air in a particular manner with the head oriented to squarely strike a golf ball, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the aerodynamic portion of the shaft having at least one slot formed into either the leading edge or the trailing edge of the aerodynamic portion of the shaft in order to allow the shaft to more easily flex along the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the plane formed by the leading edge and the trailing edge of the aerodynamic portion of the shaft, the slot being formed into the one of the edges of the aerodynamic portion of the shaft in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by the leading edge and the trailing edge of the aerodynamic portion of the shaft.