System for altering the coefficient of friction between a golf club face and a golf ball

A system for changing the trajectory of the golf ball when struck by the face of a golf club includes a coating of friction altering material applied to the club face. In one embodiment, the friction altering material includes a lubricant for reducing the side spin imparted to the ball struck by the club face thereby reducing the amount of hook or slice in the trajectory of the ball. In another embodiment a friction-increasing material such as an adhesive is used for increasing the amount of hook or slice.

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of 
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/032,200, filed Dec. 2, 1996 entitled 
METHOD OF CHANGING THE FRICTION OF THE FACE OF A GOLF CLUB. 
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
Not applicable. 
MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
Not applicable. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to the field of golf. In particular, the 
invention is concerned with a system for changing the trajectory of the 
golf ball when struck by the face of a golf club by applying a coating 
friction altering material to the club face. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
As golfers are well aware, an unwanted hook or slice when hitting the golf 
ball can be detrimental to the enjoyment of the game. A hook or slice is 
generally the result of side spin imparted to the ball during impact. This 
spin occurs when the club face is not perpendicular to the arc of the 
swing. The greater the deviation from perpendicular, the greater the 
resulting spin and resulting hook or slice. The prior art has addressed 
this problem by changing the surface characteristics of the golf ball. 
This technique has produced mixed results. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention solves the prior art problems discussed above and 
provides a distinct advance in the state of the art. In particular, the 
system hereof provides an efficient and economical way to alter the 
trajectory of a golf ball. 
In the preferred embodiment, the trajectory of a golf ball is changed by 
applying a friction altering substance to the club face prior to striking 
the ball. In one embodiment, a coating of friction reducing material such 
as a lubricant is applied to the club face. This reduces the coefficient 
of friction between the club face of the golf ball when struck thereby 
reducing the amount of side spin and the resultant hook or slice. In 
another embodiment, a friction increasing material is applied to the club 
face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 illustrates combination 10 in accordance with the present invention. 
In particular, combination 10 includes golf club 12 having shaft 14, club 
head 16 connected to one end of shaft 14, and club face 18, with coating 
20 of friction altering material applied to face 18. In preferred forms, 
the friction-altering material is in the form of a liquid so that is can 
be conveniently dispensed from an applicator such as applicator 22 
illustrated in FIG. 1, and so that the material, once applied, spreads to 
a generally uniform and even coating. 
In one embodiment, coating 20 is composed of a friction-reducing material, 
preferably silicone dioxide. It will also be appreciated that other 
friction-reducing materials can be used including silicone, silicates, 
PTFE, petroleum derivatives, waxes, plastics and water-based lubricants. 
Other lubricants can also be used. 
In another embodiment, the friction altering material is a 
friction-increasing material. Such materials can include adhesives such as 
pressure sensitive adhesives, low tack adhesive, temporary adhesives and 
temperature sensitive adhesives. 
Preferred applicator 22 includes tubular body 24 having one end thereof 
closed by end wall 26 and the other end terminating in applicator sponge 
28. In preferred forms, sponge 28 can be enclosed in a cap (not shown) 
configured for threadable coupling with body 24. The interior of body 24 
holds a supply of the preferred friction-altering material in liquid form. 
Applicator 22 also includes a conventional interior valve (not shown) with 
the valve stem thereof recessed slightly below the exposed surface of 
sponge 28. Pressure on sponge 28 also applies pressure to the valve stem 
thereby opening the valve and allowing the friction-altering material to 
flow into sponge 28. 
In use, the golfer first decides whether to use a friction-reducing or 
friction-increasing material as coating 20 on club face 18 for the 
impending golf shot. If the golfer has a tendency toward an unwanted slice 
or hook as illustrated by slice track 30 (FIG. 2) and hook track 32 (FIG. 
3), then the golfer would select the friction-reducing material. 
Using applicator 22 with friction-reducing material contained therein, the 
golfer removes the cap and applies sponge 28 to club face 18 with 
sufficient pressure to open the interior valve and release the liquid 
material into sponge 28. The golfer then rubs club face 18 with sponge 28 
until an even coating of material is applied thereto. 
With coating 20 in place on club face 18, the golfer then swings golf club 
12 at a golf ball presented on a support surface with the golf swing 
properly configured so that club face 18 strikes the ball. If no hook or 
slice is desired, the golfer attempts to control the swing so that club 
face 18 is perpendicular to the arc of the swing upon impact of the ball. 
Such an ideal is not always attained, resulting in a slice or hook as 
illustrated by tracks 30 and 32 in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
With friction-reducing coating 20, however, the coefficient of friction is 
reduced between club face 18 and the ball. As a result, less side spin in 
imparted to the ball due to any deviation from perpendicular. With less 
side spin, any resulting slice or hook is also reduced as illustrated by 
slice track 34 (FIG. 2) or hook track 36 (FIG. 3). Thus, the golfer is 
able to alter the trajectory of the ball by applying friction-altering 
coating 20 to club face 18 prior to striking the ball. 
In some circumstances, the golfer may desire to increase a slice or a hook. 
Such might be the case with a dog leg right or left. Accordingly, a 
friction-increasing material would be used as coating 20 on club face 18 
using the procedure discussed above.