Patent ID: 8491411
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A golf club, comprising: a shaft including a butt-end, a tip-end, a length extending from the butt-end to the tip-end, and an interface at a location along the length, the length including a major-length portion extending from the butt-end to the interface and a minor-length portion extending from the interface to the tip-end, the minor-length portion being shorter and having less stiffness than the major-length portion; and a clubhead mounted to the tip-end; wherein the butt-end includes a grip; the major-length portion exhibits a substantially uniform first rate of stiffness reduction with distance from the butt-end to the interface; the minor-length portion exhibits less stiffness than the major-length portion; the interface comprises a juncture of the major-length and minor-length portions and exhibits a rate of stiffness reduction that is greater than the first rate in a direction toward the tip-end; the lowest stiffness in the minor-length portion is 10 N·m wherein the major-length portion is made of a first material, the minor-length portion is made of a second material, and the interface comprises a junction between the first and second material; wherein one of the first and second materials is a metal and the other of the first and second materials is a composite material; and wherein the interface is formed as a gradual transition from the first material to the second material.