Patent Publication Number: US-8523700-B2

Title: Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Non-Provisional Application, U.S. Ser. No. 12/509,231, filed Jul. 24, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads. More particularly, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs having releasable connections between the golf club head and the shaft and head/shaft position adjusting features to allow easy interchange of shafts and heads and to allow easy modification of the head/shaft positioning properties. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Golf clubs have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match the various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics of a golf ball to a particular user&#39;s swing features or characteristics (e.g., club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, etc.). 
     Given the recent advances in golf, there is a vast array of golf club component parts available to the golfer. For example, club heads are produced by a wide variety of manufacturers in a variety of different models. Moreover, the individual club head models may include multiple variations, such as variations in the loft angle, lie angle, offset features, weighting characteristics, etc. (e.g., draw biased club heads, fade biased club heads, neutrally weighted club heads, etc.). Additionally, the club heads may be combined with a variety of different shafts, e.g., from different manufacturers; having different stiffnesses, flex points, kick points, or other flexion characteristics, etc.; made from different materials; having different masses or dimensions; etc.). Between the available variations in shafts and club heads, there are literally hundreds of different club head/shaft combinations available to the golfer. 
     Club fitters and golf professionals can assist in fitting golfers with a golf club head/shaft combination that suit their swing characteristics and needs. Conventionally, however, golf club heads are permanently mounted to shafts using cements or adhesives. Therefore, to enable a golfer to test a variety of head/shaft combinations, the club fitter or professional must carry a wide selection of permanently mounted golf club head/shaft combinations (which takes up a considerable amount of storage space and inventory costs) or the club fitter or professional must build new clubs for the customer as the fitting process continues (which takes a substantial amount of time and inventory costs). The disadvantages associated with these conventional options serve to limit the choices available to the golfer during a fitting session and/or significantly increase the expense and length of a session. Moreover, a permanently bonded club head and shaft connection limits the golfer&#39;s options as play conditions change from round to round and/or as his/her swing changes over time. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and various features of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that follows. 
     Aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable manner so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the angle and/or position of the shaft with respect to the club head body (and its ball striking face) can be readily changed. Golf clubs in accordance with examples of this invention may include: (a) a shaft; (b) a shaft engaging member engaged with the shaft that includes a rotation-inhibiting structure with a circular cross section and a first set of circumferentially spaced teeth; (c) a club head engaging member releasably engaged with the shaft engaging member, wherein the club head engaging member includes a retaining structure with a circular opening and a second set of circumferentially spaced teeth that engages the first set of teeth on the rotation-inhibiting structure to prevent rotation of the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member; (d) a golf club head engaged with the club head engaging member; and (e) a securing system for releasably securing the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member. The first set of circumferentially spaced teeth may include a different number of teeth from the second set of circumferentially spaced teeth. The retaining structure may be configured to engage multiple different rotation inhibiting structures. In one example golf club in accordance with this invention, the retaining structure may be configured to engage both an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure and a 32-position rotation-inhibiting structure. In another example golf club in accordance with this invention, the retaining structure may be configured to engage both an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure and a 24-position rotation-inhibiting structure. In another example golf club in accordance with this invention, the retaining structure may be configured to engage both a 6-position rotation-inhibiting structure and a 24-position rotation-inhibiting structure. In another example golf club in accordance with this invention, the retaining structure may be configured to engage both a 5-position rotation-inhibiting structure and a 25-position rotation-inhibiting structure. 
     The club head and shaft may be interchanged with respect to one another by releasing the securing system and interchanging the originally present parts (e.g., shafts, club heads, etc.) with different parts having different characteristics. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may be angled and/or the chamber for receiving the shaft in the shaft engaging member may be angled with respect to the axial direction of the club head hosel or club head engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the angle or position of the shaft with respect to the club head (e.g., with respect to its ball striking face) by rotating the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  generally illustrates a front view of an example golf club according to this invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate sectional views of an example golf club head/shaft connection assembly in accordance with this invention in both assembled ( FIG. 2A ) and exploded ( FIG. 2B ) conditions; 
         FIGS. 3A through 3D  illustrate an example golf club head engaging member that may be used in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 4A through 4F  illustrate an example shaft engaging member that may be used in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIG. 4G  illustrates a close-up of an example shaft engaging member engaged with the club head engaging member in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate an example securing member that may be used in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 6A through 8D  illustrate example combinations of shaft engaging members and club head engaging members in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate example aspects of this invention relating to use of an angled shaft member in releasable golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate additional example aspects of this invention relating to use of an angled shaft member in releasable golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate example aspects of this invention relating to use of an off-axis or angled member for selectively positioning a free end of a shaft with respect to a golf club head face in releasable golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a sectional view of an example golf club head/shaft connection assembly in accordance with this invention; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a section view of an exploded view of the golf club head engaging member and shaft engaging member from  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIGS. 12C and 12D  illustrate an example golf club head engaging member that may be used in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; 
         FIGS. 12E through 12H  illustrate an example shaft engaging member that may be used in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of the example golf club head/shaft connection assembly from  FIG. 12A . 
     
    
    
     The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example connection assemblies, golf club heads, and golf club structures in accordance with the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “side,” “underside,” “overhead,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. 
     A. General Description of Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies and Golf Clubs Including Such Assemblies According to Examples of the Invention 
     In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable manner so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or repositioned with respect to one another. More detailed descriptions of aspects of this invention follow. 
     1. Example Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies and Golf Club Structures According to the Invention 
     One aspect of this invention relates to golf club head/shaft connection assemblies for securely but releasably connecting a golf club head and shaft. Such assemblies may include, for example: (a) a shaft engaging member including an opening providing access to a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft and a rotation-inhibiting structure that optionally extends in an axial direction away from the opening and away from the cylindrical interior chamber; (b) a club head engaging member including an opening providing access to an interior chamber for releasably receiving (and holding) at least a portion of the shaft engaging member, wherein the interior chamber of the club head engaging member includes a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft engaging member; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. While a variety of different securing structures and securing systems may be used without departing from this invention, in some example structures according to this invention, the securing system may include a securing member extending over an extending portion of the shaft engaging member and releasably engaging a securing structure of the club head engaging member, wherein the securing member, at least in part, releasably secures the shaft engaging member with the club head engaging member. Additionally, the securing system may include a threaded region defined on an exterior surface of the club head engaging member, and the securing system will further include a threaded bolt element that engages the threaded region. Additionally, the securing structure may include a bottom-up connection that includes a threaded hole defined in a second end of the shaft engaging member, and the securing system will include a threaded bolt element that engages the threaded hole. The interior chamber of the club head engaging member and the threaded region on its exterior surface may be coaxial or non-coaxial, and optionally, the interior chamber of the club head engaging member and the threaded region may be completely independent from one another. The assemblies further may include a retaining element engaged with at least one of the shaft engaging member and the club head engaging member. 
     The rotation-inhibiting structure(s) of the shaft engaging member may take on a wide variety of forms in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with examples of this invention. In some example structures, the rotation-inhibiting structure will have a generally circular cross section with a first set of circumferentially spaced teeth. The rotation-inhibiting structure will engage a retaining structure that is provided with a second set of circumferentially spaced teeth. The teeth from the rotation-inhibiting structure will engage with the teeth from the retaining structure to inhibit rotation of the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. In some more specific example structures according to the invention, the second set of teeth may have a skip tooth configuration. A single gap in the skip tooth configuration may be sized and arranged to contain two or more teeth from the first set of teeth on the rotation-inhibiting structure. Additionally, the retaining structure may be configured to engage multiple and different rotation-inhibiting structures which may allow one common retaining structure pattern to engage with multiple rotation-inhibiting structures (e.g., rotation-inhibiting structures having different numbers of teeth). 
     The feature of the skip tooth configuration may allow a single, common club head engaging member to be used with multiple configurations of shaft engaging members. For example, a first line of golf clubs may include a first shaft engaging member that is rotatable among 8 positions, while a second line of golf clubs may include a second shaft engaging member that is rotatable among 32 positions. The common club head engaging member allows the user to custom upgrade from the first line of golf clubs to a 32 position shaft engaging member without modification to the club head. Additionally, within a fitting cart, there may have been a need to have twice as many amount of shafts due to the 8 and 32 position shaft engaging member configurations. With the common club head engaging member, only one set of shafts may be required. 
     Additionally, The rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft engaging member also may take on a variety of different sizes and constructions without departing from this invention. In some example structures, the shaft engaging member will be generally cylindrical with an open circular cylindrical chamber for receiving a golf club shaft. The rotation-inhibiting structure may extend beyond this open chamber in the general axial direction of the overall shaft engaging member structure. In some examples, the rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft engaging member will extend less than 50% of an overall axial length of the shaft engaging member, and it may extend less than 35%, less than 25%, or even less than 15% of the overall axial length of the shaft engaging member. This feature can help keep the overall connection assembly relatively short, compact, and lightweight while also maintaining the proper strength of the connection between the shaft engaging member and the club head engaging member. 
     2. Example Methods of Assembling Golf Clubs Including Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies According to the Invention 
     Another aspect of this invention relates to methods of assembling golf clubs using club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with examples of this invention. Such methods may include: (a) engaging a shaft with a shaft engaging member, wherein the shaft engaging member includes an opening providing access to a cylindrical interior chamber and a rotation-inhibiting structure that optionally extends in an axial direction away from the opening and away from the cylindrical interior chamber, and wherein a first end of the shaft extends into the cylindrical interior chamber; (b) engaging a golf club head with a club head engaging member, wherein the club head engaging member includes an opening providing access to an interior chamber; (c) engaging the shaft engaging member with the club head engaging member by placing the shaft engaging member at least partially into the interior chamber of the club head engaging member and engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft engaging member with a retaining structure provided in the interior chamber of the club head engaging member (or other rotation-inhibiting structure); and (d) releasably securing the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member. The various parts of the connection assembly further may have one or more of the various properties and/or constructions described above. 
     In such structures, the shaft can be quickly and easily exchanged for a different shaft on the club head body (e.g., a shaft of different length, different flex characteristics, different material, different mass, etc.). Such additional club assembly steps may include: (a) releasing the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member; (b) engaging a second shaft with a second shaft engaging member, wherein the second shaft engaging member includes a second opening providing access to a second cylindrical interior chamber and a second rotation-inhibiting structure, optionally extending in an axial direction away from the second opening and away from the second cylindrical interior chamber, and wherein a first end of the second shaft extends into the second cylindrical interior chamber; (c) engaging the second shaft engaging member with the club head engaging member by placing the second shaft engaging member at least partially into the interior chamber of the club head engaging member and engaging the second rotation-inhibiting structure of the second shaft engaging member with the retaining structure provided in the interior chamber of the club head engaging member (or other rotation-inhibiting structure); and (d) releasably securing the club head engaging member with respect to the second shaft engaging member. 
     Additionally or alternatively, if desired, in such structures, the club head can be quickly and easily exchanged for a different one on the shaft (e.g., a club head of different loft, lie angle, size, brand, etc.). Such additional club assembly steps may include: (a) releasing the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member; (b) engaging a second golf club head with a second club head engaging member, wherein the second club head engaging member includes a second opening providing access to a second interior chamber; (c) engaging the shaft engaging member with the second club head engaging member by placing the shaft engaging member at least partially into the second interior chamber of the second club head engaging member and engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure of the shaft engaging member with a second retaining structure provided in the second interior chamber of the second club head engaging member (or other rotation-inhibiting structure); and (d) releasably securing the second club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member. 
     B. General Description of Position/Angle Adjustable Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies and/or Golf Clubs According to Examples of the Invention 
     Additional aspects of this invention relate to systems and methods for connecting golf club heads to shafts in a releasable manner so that the position and/or angle of the club head (e.g., the ball striking face) with respect to the shaft may be adjusted. More detailed descriptions of these aspects of this invention follow. 
     1. Example Position/Angle Adjustable Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies and/or Golf Club Structures According to the Invention 
     Example golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this example aspect of the invention may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including an exterior surface and an open first end that define an interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the exterior surface extends in a first axial direction and the interior chamber extends in a second axial direction that differs from the first axial direction; (b) a club head engaging member including an opening providing access to an interior chamber for releasably receiving at least a portion of the shaft engaging member; and (c) a system for preventing rotation of the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. With such assemblies, the shaft position and/or angle with respect to the club head (and its ball striking face) may be adjusted by rotating the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. 
     These club head/shaft connection assemblies may have any of the more detailed structures and/or features described above. Moreover, such assemblies may be included as part of golf club structures in the same manner described above. 
     As another example, golf club structures in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may include shafts having one or more bends or other axial direction changes in them. Such golf club structures may include: (a) a shaft including at least one shaft axial direction change region; (b) a shaft engaging member engaged with the shaft such that the shaft axial direction change region is located external to the shaft engaging member, wherein the shaft engaging member includes a rotation-inhibiting structure; (c) a club head engaging member releasably engaged with the shaft engaging member, wherein the club head engaging member includes a retaining structure engaged with the rotation-inhibiting structure to prevent rotation of the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member; (d) a golf club head engaged with the club head engaging member; and (e) a securing system for releasably securing the club head engaging member with respect to the shaft engaging member. The club head/shaft connection assemblies may have any of the more detailed structures and/or features described above. Moreover, such assemblies may be included as part of golf club structures, e.g., in the same manners described above. 
     2. Example Methods of Assembling Golf Clubs Including Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies According to this Aspect of the Invention 
     As noted above, golf club head/shaft connection assemblies according to these examples of the invention may be incorporated into an overall club head structure, for example, in the manners generally described above (e.g., engaging a shaft with the shaft engaging member, engaging a club head with the club head engaging member, releasably engaging the engaging members together, and releasably securing the structure together in a non-rotational manner). The position and/or angle of the shaft with respect to the club head (e.g., with respect to the ball striking face) also may be changed. Such methods may include: (a) releasing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member; (b) changing a position of the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member (e.g., by relative rotation) to thereby alter a position of a free end of the shaft with respect to a ball striking face of the club head; and (c) releasably re-securing the shaft engaging member with the club head engaging member to thereby releasably secure the shaft with the golf club head at the changed position. As noted above, the shaft may have one or more bends in it and/or the shaft engaging member may have a non-axial bore for receiving the shaft, to thereby allow for adjustment of the position and/or angle of the shaft with respect to the club head (e.g., its ball striking face). 
     Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention. 
     C. Specific Examples of the Invention 
       FIG. 1  generally illustrates an example golf club  100  in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. This club  100  includes a club head  102 , a releasable club head/shaft connection region  104  that connects the club head to a shaft  106  (which will be described in more detail below), and a grip member  108  engaged with the shaft  106 . While a driver/wood-type golf club head  102  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , aspects of this invention may be applied to any type of club head, including, for example: fairway wood club heads; iron type golf club heads (of any desired loft, e.g., from a 0-iron or 1-iron to a wedge); wood or iron type hybrid golf club heads; putter heads; and the like. The club heads may be made from conventional materials, in conventional constructions, in conventional manners, as are known and used in the art, optionally modified (if necessary, e.g., in size, shape, etc.) to accommodate the releasable club head/shaft connection parts. 
     Any desired materials also may be used for the shaft member  106 , including conventional materials that are known and used in the art, such as steel, graphite, polymers, composite materials, combinations of these materials, etc. Optionally, if necessary or desired, the shaft may be modified (e.g., in size, shape, etc.) to accommodate the releasable club head/shaft connection parts. The grip member  108  may be engaged with the shaft  106  in any desired manner, including conventional manners that are known and used in the art (e.g., via cements or adhesives, via mechanical connections, etc.). Any desired materials may be used for the grip member  108 , including conventional materials that are known and used in the art, such as rubber, polymeric materials, cork, rubber or polymeric materials with cord or other fabric elements embedded therein, cloth or fabric, tape, etc. Optionally, if desired, the grip member  108  (or an overall club head handle member assembly) may be releasably connected to the shaft  106  using a releasable connection like releasable connection  104  (examples of which will be described in more detail below). 
     1. Example Releasable and Interchangeable Connections for Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies According to the Invention 
     The releasable connection  104  between golf club heads and shafts in accordance with some examples of this invention now will be described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 5C .  FIG. 2A  provides a detailed sectional view of one example releasable connection  104  between a golf club head  102  and a shaft  106  in accordance with this invention, and  FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded view of the parts involved in this example connection  104 . As shown in these figures, this example connection  104  includes three main parts, namely: a club head engaging member  200 , a shaft engaging member  220 , and a securing member  240 . The club head engaging member  200  includes a cylindrical outer surface  202  that fits into the opening  102   a  of the club head  102 , e.g., at the club head  102 &#39;s hosel area, and the club head engaging member  200  may be permanently or releasably secured to the club head  102  in any desired manner, e.g., via cements or adhesives; via welding, brazing, soldering, or other fusing techniques; via mechanical connectors; via a friction fit; etc. 
     The shaft engaging member  220  of this example structure  104  includes a cylindrical interior chamber  222  that may be fit over the free end  106   a  of the shaft  106  and may be secured thereto in any desired manner, e.g., via cements or adhesives; via welding, brazing, soldering, or other fusing techniques; via mechanical connectors; via a friction fit; etc. The securing member  240  fits over the free end  106   a  of the shaft  106  and is located along the shaft  106  above the shaft engaging member  220 . The securing member  240  opening  242  is sized so as to be rotatable around the exterior of the shaft  106  for reasons to be described in more detail below. 
     Once the securing member  240  and the shaft engaging member  220  are engaged with the shaft  106  and the club head engaging member  200  (optionally including the retaining element  260 ) is engaged with the club head  102 , the overall connection  104  then may be assembled. This is accomplished in this example connection structure  104  by sliding the shaft engaging member  220  into the interior chamber of the club head engaging member  200 . As the shaft engaging member  220  slides through the club head engaging member  200 , the projection portion  224  of the shaft engaging member  220  will extend into the bottom interior chamber portion  204  of the club head engaging member  200 . At this configuration, the rotation-inhibiting structures  226  of the shaft engaging member  220  will engage corresponding retaining structure  206  of the club head engaging member  200  to thereby prevent the shaft  106  from rotating with respect to the club head  102 . The securing member  240  then slides down the shaft  106 , over the upper end of the shaft engaging member  220 , and threadingly engages threaded securing structures  208  provided on the club head engaging member  200 . Other releasable mechanical connection systems are possible without departing from this invention. Also, the various steps in this example assembly procedure may be changed, combined, changed in order, etc., without departing from this invention. 
     To release the connection  104 , the threaded (or other) securing member  240  is released from the club head engaging member  200 , which allows the shaft engaging member  220  to be slid out of the club head engaging member  200  (the shaft engaging member  220  and the securing member  240  remain on the shaft  106  and the club head engaging member  200  remains in the club head  102 ). In this manner, a different shaft can be quickly and easily engaged with the same club head  102  and/or a different club head can be quickly and easily engaged with the same shaft  106 . 
     The various individual parts of this example connection structure  104  now will be described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A through 5C .  FIGS. 3A through 3D  illustrate the club head engaging member  200  in a perspective view ( FIG. 3A ), a top view ( FIG. 3C ), a cross sectional view ( FIG. 3B , taken along lines  3 B- 3 B in  FIG. 3C ), and a close-up of the top view ( FIG. 3D ) of the retaining structure  206 . As illustrated, in this example connection structure  104 , the club head engaging member  200  is a cylindrical tube (round) structure with an open threaded end  208  and an opposite open end (adjacent interior chamber  204 ). The interior of the club head engaging member  200  includes a first tubular section  210  for receiving a portion of the shaft engaging member  220 , a circular shaped opening  212  providing the retaining structures  206  that engage the rotation-inhibiting structures  226  of the shaft engaging member  220 , and the bottom interior chamber  204  for receiving the projection  224  of the shaft engaging member  220 . Additionally, generally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , one of the club head engaging member  200  or the shaft engaging member  220  includes a plurality of gaps  209 ,  229  between adjacent teeth  207 ,  227  wherein the gaps  209 ,  229  are evenly dispersed around the circumference of the club head engaging member  200  or the shaft engaging member  220 . The gaps  209 ,  229  may be sized and arranged to contain multiple teeth  207 ,  227 . Additionally or alternatively, the gaps  209 ,  229  may be sized and arranged to engage exterior edges of two (or more) different teeth  207 ,  227 . Additionally, the gaps  209 ,  229  between adjacent teeth  207 ,  227  may be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the club head engaging member  200  or the shaft engaging member  220 . The teeth  207 ,  227  may be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the club head engaging member  200  or the shaft engaging member  220  and between adjacent gaps  209 ,  229 . Each pair of adjacent gaps  209 ,  229 , as one moves around the circumference of the club head engaging member  200  or the shaft engaging member  220 , N teeth  207 ,  227  are present, wherein N is a whole number of 1 or more. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the retaining structure  206  may include a plurality of teeth  207  and/or gaps  209  to mate and/or otherwise engage with the rotation-inhibiting structures  226  of the shaft engaging member  220 . The retaining structure  206  may be configured to engage multiple different rotation-inhibiting structures as will be explained in more detail below. If desired, the retaining structures  206  may be somewhat sloped (larger or wider toward tubular section  210  as compared to bottom interior chamber  204 ) to enable easier engagement/disengagement with the rotation-inhibiting structures  226  of the shaft engaging member  220 . The outer surface  202  of the club head engaging member  200  may be sized and shaped to fit within and closely engage an opening and/or hosel side walls provided in a golf club head for receiving a shaft (e.g., a hosel opening or other shaft receiving opening provided in a golf club head). The upper free end  214  of the club head engaging member  200  (adjacent the threads  208 ) is sized and shaped so as to engage a shoulder structure  228  on the shaft engaging member  220  and to help stably position the various parts of the connection structure  104  with respect to one another. 
       FIGS. 4A through 4F  provide more detailed views of various example shaft engaging members  220  of this example connection structure  104 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of two different example shaft engaging members  220 .  FIG. 4F  is a top view of the shaft engaging member  220  with  FIG. 4E  being a cross sectional view taken along line  4 E- 4 E in  FIG. 4F .  FIGS. 4C and 4D  are bottom views of the shaft engaging members  220  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 E, and  4 F the shaft engaging member  220  includes an interior chamber  230  for receiving the golf club shaft  106 . The rotation-inhibiting member  226  of this example structure  220  extends away from the chamber  230  in the longitudinal or axial direction of the shaft engaging member  220 , and the retaining projection  224  extends in the axial direction beyond the rotation-inhibiting member  226 . As described above, the rotation-inhibiting member  226  extends into the correspondingly shaped opening  212  provided in the club head engaging member  200  to thereby help prevent rotation of the shaft engaging member  220  with respect to the club head engaging member  200 . Like the retaining structure  206 , if desired, the rotation-inhibiting member  226  may have somewhat sloped side walls (larger or wider toward chamber  230  as compared to at the retaining projection  224 ) to enable easier engagement/disengagement with the retaining structures  206  of the club head engaging member  200 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a rotation position indicator  221  on the shaft engaging member  220  (e.g., on the shoulder  228 ). By noting the relative rotational positions of the shaft engaging member  220  with respect to the club head and/or the club head engaging member, a club fitter or other user can readily determine and know the position of the shaft  106  with respect to the club head body  102  and its ball striking face. If desired, the indicator  221  may be associated with and/or include specific quantitative information, such as a specifically identified loft angle, lie angle, inset distance, offset distance, etc. Additionally, the rotational position indicator  221  may be located on the on the club head  102 , the hosel  104 , or the club head engaging member  200 . 
     In the example shaft engaging member  220 A in  FIGS. 4A and 4C , the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A is an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A that includes a set of circumferentially spaced teeth  227  and a plurality of double-wide teeth  229 . The rotation inhibiting structure  226 A is configured to engage with the retaining structures  206  on the club head engaging member  200 , such that the teeth  227  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A engage with the teeth  207  from the retaining structure  206  and the double-wide teeth  229  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A engage with the gaps  209  in the retaining structure  206 . In the example shaft engaging member  220 B in  FIGS. 4B and 4D , the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B is a  32 -position rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B that includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth  227 . The rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B is configured to mate with the retaining structures  206  on the club head engaging member  200 , such that some of the teeth  227  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B engage with the teeth  207  from the retaining structure  206  and such that the gaps  209  in the retaining structure  206  can hold two teeth. Optionally, if desired, the gaps  209  can be sized, shaped, and arranged to hold more than two teeth (e.g., from 3-8 teeth). 
     An example club head/shaft securing member  240  in accordance with this invention is illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 5A through 5C  ( FIG. 5A  is a perspective view,  FIG. 5B  is a top view, and  FIG. 5C  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  5 C- 5 C in  FIG. 5B ). The securing member  240  includes an axial opening  242  sized and shaped so as to enable the securing member  240  to freely slide along the free end of the shaft  106 . The interior of the securing member  240  includes threads  244  (or other securing structures) for engaging the securing structures  208  provided on the club head engaging member  200 . Interior shoulder regions  246  (in this example structure  240  defined by indentations  248 ) provide structure to engage and hold down the top portion  228  of the shaft engaging member  220  when the securing member  240  engages the club head engaging member  200 . 
     The various parts of the club head/shaft connection system  104  may be made from any desired or suitable materials without departing from this invention. For example, one or more of the various parts  200 ,  220 , and/or  240  may be made from a metal material, including lightweight metals conventionally used in golf club head constructions, such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium, nickel, alloys containing one or more of these materials, steel, stainless steel, and the like, optionally anodized finished materials. Alternatively, if desired, one or more of the various parts  200 ,  220 , and/or  240  may be made from rigid polymeric materials, such as polymeric materials conventionally known and used in the golf club industry. The various parts  200 ,  220 , and  240  may be made from the same or different materials without departing from this invention. In one specific example, each of the various parts  200 ,  220 , and  240  will be made from a 7075 aluminum alloy material having a hard anodized finish. The parts may be made in conventional manners as are known and used in the metal working and/or polymer production arts. 
     Many variations in the connection system may be made from the specific structures described above without departing from this invention. For example, if desired, the securing member (e.g., like member  240 ) may be fit onto the club head structure  102  (e.g., around the hosel), and it may engage external threads (or other securing structures) provided on the shaft engaging member  220 . Releasable securing systems other than threaded engagements of a securing member  240  with the club head engaging member  200  and/or the shaft engaging member  220  are possible without departing from this invention. For example, the securing member  240  may include structures that extend into or otherwise engage the club head engaging member  200  and/or the shaft engaging member  220  to thereby hold these members in place with respect to one another. As another example, if desired, the securing member  240  may include slots, openings, or grooves that provide access to structures extending from the club head engaging member  200  and/or the shaft engaging member  220  to thereby hold these members in place with respect to one another. As yet another example, if desired, the separate securing member  240  may be omitted, e.g., if the club head engaging member  200  and/or the shaft engaging member  220  directly include adequate structures to hold themselves in place with respect to one another. The securing member  240  also may be integrally formed or connected with another part of the connection structure  104 , the club head  102 , and/or the shaft  106 . 
     In addition, if desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the hosel  104  of the club head  102  may be manufactured so as to include the necessary structures, such as the retaining structures  206  as shown by reference number  206 . In this configuration, there is no need to engage a separate club head engaging member  200  with the club head  102 , and therefore there may be no need for the club head engaging member  200 . Also, if desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the shaft engaging member  220  can be omitted if the free end of the shaft  106  is constructed with the rotation-inhibiting structures  226 A,  226 B as described below. 
     2. Additional Aspects of the Rotation-Inhibiting Structures and Retaining Structures for Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies According to the Invention 
     Additional aspects of this invention relate to the rotation-inhibiting structures  226  on the shaft engaging member  220  and the retaining structures  206  on the club head engaging member  200 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the rotation-inhibiting structures  226 A,  226 B on the shaft engaging member  220 A,  220 B may have a generally circular cross section with a first set of circumferentially spaced teeth  227  that extend radially from the shaft engaging member  220 A,  220 B. The teeth  227  may be rectangular or square shaped while extending from the shaft engaging member  220 A,  220 B (e.g., akin to gear teeth). In other example aspects of this invention, the teeth  227  may be other polygons or shapes, such as a trapezoid, triangle, hemispherical, etc. In the example as shown in  FIGS. 4C ,  4 D, and  4 G, the teeth  227  are in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, having sides that angle inward as the tooth  227  extends radially from the shaft engaging member  220 A,  220 B. Additionally, if desired, the corners of the polygons or shapes, e.g., the rectangles, trapezoids, or squares, may be rounded to better facilitate the engagement with the retaining structure  206 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the retaining structure  206  may have a circular opening  212  with a second set of circumferentially spaced teeth  207  extending radially from the opening  212 . The second set of teeth  207  on the retaining structure  206  are configured to engage with the first set of teeth  227  on the rotation-inhibiting structures  226 A and  226 B. In the retaining structure  206 , the teeth  207  may have a skip tooth configuration, wherein there may be a number of teeth  207  evenly spaced, with gaps  209  between some of those evenly spaced teeth  207 . Each of those gaps  209  may be sized to mate with two, three, or four teeth  227  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 . In an example club head in accordance with this invention, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the retaining structure  206  has two teeth  207  and a first gap  209 , two teeth  207 , and a second gap  209 , etc. On the retaining structure  206  from  FIG. 3D , there are a total of 16 teeth  207  and 8 gaps  209  with each of the gaps  209  being the size of two teeth  207 . Because of this skip tooth configuration with gaps  209 , the retaining structure  206  may be configured to engage multiple different rotation-inhibiting structures  226 . In other words, in order to maintain the adjustable flexibility of having multiple configurations while working with one club head  102 , the retaining structure  206  pattern may be compatible with multiple patterns of rotation-inhibiting structures  226  as will be explained further below. 
     In the example as shown in  FIG. 3D , the retaining structure  206  has a total of 8 gaps  209  and 16 teeth  207  as described above. This retaining structure in  FIG. 3D  may engage with either a rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4C  or a rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4D .  FIGS. 4A and 4C  illustrate an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A on a first shaft engaging member  220 A. The rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A from  FIGS. 4A and 4C  has 16 teeth  227  to mate with 16 teeth  207  from the retaining structure  206 , as well as 8 additional double-wide teeth  229  to mate with the 8 gaps  209  from the retaining structure  206 . To change the position of the shaft engaging member  220 A, the shaft engaging member  220 A may be removed from the club head engaging member  200 , rotated one gap  209  or double-wide tooth  229  (or more, if desired) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  200 . This shaft engaging member  220 A can be engaged with the club head engaging member  200  in a total of 8 different positions. 
       FIGS. 4B and 4D  illustrate a 32-position rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B on a second shaft engaging member  220 B. The rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B has 32 teeth  227  evenly spaced around the outside of the shaft engaging member  220 B. Of these 32 teeth  227 , 16 teeth  227  will engage with 16 teeth  207  from the retaining structure  206  and the other 16 teeth  227  will be located within the 8 gaps  209  on the retaining structure  206 .  FIG. 4G  illustrates how the remaining teeth  227  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B are contained within the gaps  209  on the retaining structure  206 . For this example combination, to change the position of the shaft engaging member  220 B, the shaft engaging member  220 B may be removed from the club head engaging member  200 , rotated one singular tooth  227  (or more, if desired) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  200 . This shaft engaging member  220 B can be engaged with the club head engaging member  200  in a total of 32 different positions. As can be seen by the combinations of the club head engaging member  200  from  FIGS. 3C and 3D  and the shaft engaging members  220 A,  220 B from  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the common retaining structure  206  from the club head engaging member  200  is configured to engage with an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure  226 A and a 32-position rotation-inhibiting structure  226 B from the shaft engaging members  220 A,  220 B. 
     Many other combinations of teeth, gaps, and double-wide teeth (or triple-wide, etc.) may be used in golf club head/shaft connection assemblies in accordance with this invention.  FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate an example combination according to this invention similar to that described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 5C  (the same or similar reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 6A-6C  as those used in  FIGS. 1 through 5C  to denote the same or similar parts). As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the common retaining structure  606  from the club head engaging member  600  is configured to engage with a 6-position rotation-inhibiting structure  626 A and a 24-position rotation-inhibiting structure  626 B from the shaft engaging members  620 A,  620 B. In this example, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the retaining structure  606  may have a total of 12 teeth  607  and 6 gaps  609  with each of the gaps  609  being the size of two teeth  607 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates a 6-position rotation-inhibiting structure  626 A on a first shaft engaging member  620 A. The rotation-inhibiting structure  626 A from  FIG. 6B  has 12 teeth  627  to engage with 12 teeth  607  from the retaining structure  606 , as well as 6 additional double-wide teeth  629  to engage with the 6 gaps  609  from the retaining structure  606 . The shaft engaging member  620 A may be inserted into the club head engaging member  600 . To change the position of the shaft engaging member  620 A, the shaft engaging member  620 A may be removed from the club head engaging member  600 , rotated one gap  609  or double-wide tooth  629  (or more) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  600 . This shaft engaging member  620 A can be engaged with the club head engaging member  600  in a total of 6 different positions.  FIG. 6C , on the other hand, illustrates a 24-position rotation-inhibiting structure  626 B on the shaft engaging member  620 B. The rotation-inhibiting structure  626 B from  FIG. 6C  has 24 teeth  627  evenly spaced around the outside of the shaft engaging member  620 B. Of these 24 teeth  627 , 12 teeth  627  will engage with the 12 teeth  607  from the retaining structure  606  and the other 12 teeth  627  are contained within the 6 gaps  609  on the retaining structure  606 .  FIG. 6D  illustrates how the remaining teeth  627  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  626 B are contained within the gaps  609  on the retaining structure  606 . For this example combination, to change the position of the shaft engaging member  620 B, the shaft engaging member  620 B may be removed from the club head engaging member  600 , rotated one singular tooth  627  (or more), and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  600 . This shaft engaging member  620 B can be engaged with the club head engaging member  600  in a total of 24 different positions. 
       FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate an example combination according to this invention similar to that described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 5C  (the same or similar reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 7A-7C  as those used in  FIGS. 1 through 5C  to denote the same or similar parts). As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , the common retaining structure  706  from the club head engaging member  700  is configured to engage with an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure  726 A and a 24-position rotation-inhibiting structure  726 B from the shaft engaging members  720 A,  720 B. In this example, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the retaining structure  706  may have a total of 8 teeth  707  and 8 gaps  709  with each of the gaps  709  being the size of two teeth  707 .  FIG. 7B  illustrates an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure  726 A on a first shaft engaging member  720 A. The rotation-inhibiting structure  726 A from  FIG. 7B  has 8 teeth  727  to engage with 8 teeth  707  from the retaining structure  706 , as well as 8 additional double-wide teeth  729  to engage with the 8 gaps  709  from the retaining structure  706 . The shaft engaging member  720 A may be inserted into the club head engaging member  700 . To change the position of the shaft engaging member  720 A, the shaft engaging member  720 A may be removed from the club head engaging member  700 , rotated one gap  709  or double-wide tooth  729  (or more) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  700 . This shaft engaging member  720 A can be engaged with the club head engaging member  700  in a total of 8 different positions.  FIG. 7C , on the other hand, illustrates a 24-position rotation-inhibiting structure  726 B on a second shaft engaging member  720 B. The rotation-inhibiting structure  726 B from  FIG. 7C  has 24 teeth  727  evenly spaced around the outside of the shaft engaging member  720 B. Of these 24 teeth  727 , 8 teeth  727  will engage with the 8 teeth  707  from the retaining structure  706  and the other 16 teeth  727  are contained within the 8 gaps  709  on the retaining structure  706 .  FIG. 7D  illustrates how the remaining teeth  727  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  726 B are contained within the gaps  709  on the retaining structure  706 . For this example combination, to change the position of the shaft engaging member  720 A, the shaft engaging member  720 A may be removed from the club head engaging member  700 , rotated one singular tooth  727  (or more) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  700 . This shaft engaging member  720 B can be engaged with the club head engaging member  700  in a total of 24 different positions. 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate an example combination according to this invention similar to that described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 5C  (the same or similar reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 8A-8C  as those used in  FIGS. 1 through 5C  to denote the same or similar parts). As shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C , the common retaining structure  806  from the club head engaging member  800  is configured to engage with a 5-position rotation-inhibiting structure  826 A and a 25-position rotation-inhibiting structure  826 B from the shaft engaging members  820 A,  820 B. In this example, as shown in  FIG. 8A , the retaining structure  806  may have a total of 10 teeth  807  and 5 gaps  809  with each of the gaps  809  being the size of three teeth  807 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates a 5-position rotation-inhibiting structure  826 A on a first shaft engaging member  820 A. The rotation-inhibiting structure  826 A from  FIG. 8B  has 10 teeth  827  to engage with 10 teeth  807  from the retaining structure  806 , as well as 5 additional triple-wide teeth  829  to engage with the 5 gaps  809  from the retaining structure  806 . The shaft engaging member  820 A may be inserted into the club head engaging member  800 . To change the position of the shaft engaging member  820 A, the shaft engaging member  820 A may be removed from the club head engaging member  800 , rotated one gap  809  or triple-wide tooth  829  (or more) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  800 . This shaft engaging member  820 A can be engaged with the club head engaging member  800  in a total of 5 different positions.  FIG. 8C , on the other hand, illustrates a 25-position rotation-inhibiting structure  826 B on a second shaft engaging member  820 B. The rotation-inhibiting structure  826 B from  FIG. 8C  has 25 teeth  827  evenly spaced around the outside of the shaft engaging member  820 B. Of these 25 teeth  827 , 10 teeth  827  will engage with 10 teeth  807  from the retaining structure  806  and the other 15 teeth  827  are contained within the 5 gaps  809  on the retaining structure  806 .  FIG. 8D  illustrates how the remaining teeth  827  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  826 B are contained within the gaps  809  on the retaining structure  820 B. For this example combination, to change the position of the shaft engaging member  820 B, the shaft engaging member  820 B may be removed from the club head engaging member  800 , rotated one singular tooth  827  (or more) and then reinserted into the club head engaging member  800 . This shaft engaging member  820 B can be engaged with the club head engaging member  800  in a total of 25 different positions. 
     A variety of different combinations of number of teeth, number of gaps, number of double/triple-wide teeth, and gap size (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 teeth wide) may be provided without departing from this invention. Additionally, the location of the gaps and double/triple-wide teeth may be reversed as described above without departing from this invention. For example, the gaps may be located on the shaft engaging member and the rotation inhibiting structures, while the double/triple-wide teeth may be located on the club head engaging member and retaining structures without departing from this invention. 
     In other example structures in accordance with this invention, the club head engaging member  200  may be integral to or otherwise permanently affixed to a club head  102 , such as being received within or integrally formed as part of hosel area  104 . In such structures, there may be no exterior surface of the club head engaging member  200  (although the hosel bore may extend in an “off-axis” manner from the hosel exterior surface, if an exterior hosel is present in the club head structure). 
     3. Additional Aspects for Position/Angle Adjustable Golf Club Head/Shaft Connection Assemblies and/or Golf Club Structures According to the Invention 
     Additional aspects of this invention relate to utilizing releasable golf club head/shaft connection assemblies to enable club fitters (or others) to adjust various positions and/or angles of the club head (and its ball striking face) with respect to the free (grip) end of the shaft (e.g., lie angle, loft angle, etc.).  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate one example golf club head/shaft connection system  900  in which these angles can be controlled and adjusted. More specifically,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a releasable golf club head/shaft connection assembly  104  similar to that described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 5C  (the same or similar reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  as those used in  FIGS. 1 through 5C  to denote the same or similar parts). The shaft  902 , however, in this example structure  900 , is bent so as to include a first axial direction  904  extending coaxial with the hosel element extending from the golf club head  102  and a second axial direction  906  extending along a major portion of the shaft  902 . The axial direction change region  908  (optionally an abrupt bend or a continuous and/or smooth change) transitions the shaft axial direction from the first direction  904  to the second direction  906 . 
     As evident from a comparison of  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the angle and/or position of the free end of the shaft  902  (at the location of the grip, remote from the connection assembly  104 ) may be altered with respect to the club head  102  (and with respect to the ball striking face) by rotating the shaft engaging member  220  with respect to the club head engaging member  200 . This feature, along with the releasable connection system  104 , allows club fitters (or others) to freely and easily adjust various angles and/or positions of the shaft  902  with respect to the club head  102  (e.g., variable lie, loft, and face angle combinations) while still using the same shaft  902  and head  102 , which can help users more easily determine the optimum club head/shaft combination and arrangement to suit their needs. 
     The axial direction change region  908  may be located at any desired position along the shaft  902  without departing from this invention. In at least some example structures  900  according to this invention, the axial direction change region  908  will be located in the lower half of the shaft  902  nearer to the club head  102  than to the grip end. In some more specific examples, the axial direction change region  908  will be located in the lower quarter of the shaft  902  nearest to the club head  102 , and even in the lower 10% or 5% of the shaft  902  nearest to the club head  102 . In some example structures  900  according to the invention, the bend or other axial direction change region  908  may be located as close to the securing member  240  or other portion of the connection assembly as possible while still leaving a sufficient distance from the end of the shaft  902  so as to allow free movement of the securing member  240  or other securing mechanism. Alternatively, if desired, the securing member  240  or other securing mechanism may be sized and arranged so as to slip over the axial direction change region  908 , and/or it may be releasable from, removable from, and/or attachable to the shaft  902  or other portion of the assembly  104  in another manner. 
     Also, any desired axial direction change θ (or bend) angle may be used without departing from this invention, e.g., at least 0.25 degrees, at least 0.5 degrees, at least 1 degree, at least 2 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees. In some example structures, this bend or other axial direction change will be between 0.25 and 25 degrees, between 0.5 and 15 degrees, between 1 and 10 degrees, or even between 1 and 5 degrees. 
     Aspects of this invention are not limited to golf club shafts having a single axial direction change region. Rather, as illustrated by the structure  1000  shown in  FIG. 10A , the shaft  1002  may have multiple axial direction change regions (e.g., regions  1004  and  1006  in  FIG. 10A  (in  FIG. 10A , the same or similar reference numbers are used as those used in  FIGS. 1 through 9B  to denote the same or similar parts)). This feature allows further fine tuning or control of the position and/or angle of the free end of the shaft  1002  (at the grip) with respect to the club head  102  and its ball striking face (e.g., to adjust positions to provide a range of inset, outset, onset, and offset positions and/or optionally to adjust lie, loft, and/or face angle features). 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates another example structure  1020  including a releasable golf club head/shaft connection assembly (e.g., like assembly  104 ) and a shaft  1022  having two (or more) axial direction change regions  1004  and  1006  like those illustrated in  FIG. 10A . In this example structure  1020 , however, the shaft  1022  has more abrupt direction changes as compared to the structure  1000  and shaft  1002  of  FIG. 10A . This shaft structure  1022  also allows control of the position and/or angle of the free end of the shaft  1022  (at the grip) with respect to the club head  102  and its ball striking face (e.g., to adjust positions to provide a range of inset, outset, onset, and offset positions and/or optionally to adjust lie, loft, and/or face angle features). 
     The axial direction change regions  1004  and  1006  in the various structures (e.g., structures  1000  and  1020 ) may be located at any desired positions along the shafts  1002  and/or  1022  and/or at any desired relative spacing with respect to one another without departing from this invention. In at least some example structures  1000  and/or  1020  according to this invention, at least one of the axial direction change regions  1004  and  1006  (and optionally both) will be located in the lower half of the shaft  1002  and/or  1022  nearer to the club head  102  than to the grip end. In some more specific examples, one or both of the axial direction change regions  1004  and  1006  will be located in the lower quarter of the shaft  1002  and/or  1022  nearest to the club head  102 , and even in the lower 10% or 5% of the shaft  1002  and/or  1022  nearest to the club head  102 . The axial direction change regions  1004  and  1006  may be separated from one another by at least ½ inch, at least 1 inch, at least 2 inches, or even at least 4 inches or more without departing from this invention. The bends or other axial direction change regions  1004  and  1006  may be located a sufficient distance from the end of the shaft  1002  and/or  1022  and/or from one another so as to allow free movement of the securing member  240  or other securing mechanism, if necessary. Alternatively, if desired, the securing member  240  or other securing mechanism may be sized and arranged so as to slip over one or both of the axial direction change regions  1004  and/or  1006 , and/or it may be releasable from, removable from, and/or attachable to the shaft  1002  and/or  1022  or other portion of the assembly  104  in another manner. 
     Also, any desired axial direction change (or bend) angles may be used for each of the two (or more) direction changes without departing from this invention, e.g., at least 0.25 degrees, at least 0.5 degrees, at least 1 degree, at least 2 degrees, at least 4 degrees, or even at least 8 degrees. In some example structures, like those shown in  FIG. 10A , these bends or other axial direction changes will be between 0.25 and 25 degrees, between 0.5 and 15 degrees, between 1 and 10 degrees, or even between 1 and 5 degrees. In other example structures, like those shown in  FIG. 10B , these bends or other axial direction changes will be between 25 and 145 degrees, between 30 and 120 degrees, between 45 and 100 degrees, or even between 60 and 90 degrees. If desired, one bend may be relatively slight (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 10A ) while another is more abrupt (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 10B ). The bends or axial direction changes  1002  and  1004  may be arranged so that the free ends of the shaft (and the shaft sections  1024  and  1026  including the free ends) lie on the same plane or on different planes. Also, if desired, more than two bends or axial direction change regions may be provided in a club head shaft structure without departing from this invention. 
     Utilizing a shaft including one or more axial direction change regions is not the only manner in which the position and/or angle of the free (grip) end of a shaft may be altered with respect to a golf club head and/or its ball striking face.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate another example arrangement. In this example arrangement, the shaft engaging member  1120  includes an “off-axis” or angled bore hole  1122  in which the shaft  106  is received. More specifically, in this illustrated example, the outer cylindrical surface  1124  of the shaft engaging member  1120  (which matches the direction of an interior chamber of a club head engaging member) extends in a first axial direction  1126 , and the interior cylindrical surface  1128  of the bore hole  1122  extends in a second axial direction  1130  that differs from the first axial direction  1126 . In this manner, while the shaft engaging member  1120  exterior maintains a constant axial direction corresponding to that of the interior of the club head engaging member (e.g., member  200 ), the shaft  106  extends away from the club head  102  at a different and adjustable angle with respect to the club head  102  and its ball striking face (the shaft position and/or angle may be adjusted, for example, by rotating the shaft engaging member  1120  with respect to the club head engaging member  200 ). This may be seen, for example, by a comparison of the angles of  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
     While any desired angle may be maintained between the first axial direction  1126  and the second axial direction  1130 , in accordance with some examples of this invention, this angle will be between 0.25 degrees and 10 degrees, and in some examples between 0.5 degrees and 8 degrees, between 0.75 degrees and 6 degrees, or even between 1 degree and 4 degrees. 
     If desired, the shaft engaging member  1120  described above may be used in connection with a shaft connection assembly similar to those described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-8D . The securing member  240  may have sufficient space or play (and/or the angle of the angled bore  1122  may be sufficiently small) so as to enable the securing member  240  to slide over the angle between the shaft  106  and the shaft engaging member  1120  exterior surface  1124 . Alternatively, different securing arrangements may be used to engage the shaft engaging member  1120  with the club head and/or the club head engaging member without departing from this invention, including, for example, any of the various securing arrangements and variations thereon described above. 
       FIGS. 12A-13  illustrate another example releasable connection system in accordance with some examples of this invention similar to that described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A through 5C  (the same or similar reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 12A-13  as those used in  FIGS. 1 through 5C  to denote the same or similar parts).  FIG. 12A  provides a detailed sectional view of another example releasable connection between a golf club head  102  and a shaft  106  in accordance with this invention, and  FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of the parts involved in this example connection. As described above for  FIGS. 2-5C , and shown in these figures, this example connection includes three main parts, namely: a club head engaging member  1200 , a shaft engaging member  1220 , and a securing member  1240 . The club head engaging member  1200  fits into an opening of the club head  102 , e.g., at the club head  102 &#39;s hosel area, and the club head engaging member  1200  may be permanently or releasably secured to the club head  102  in any desired manner, e.g., via cements or adhesives; via welding, brazing, soldering, or other fusing techniques; via mechanical connectors; via a friction fit; via a threaded or other releasable connector; etc. 
     The shaft engaging member  1220  of this example releasable connection may fit over the end of the shaft  106  and may be secured thereto in any desired manner, e.g., via cements or adhesives; via welding, brazing, soldering, or other fusing techniques; via mechanical connectors; via a friction fit; etc. The securing member  1240  fits over the end of the shaft  106  and is located along the shaft  106  above the shaft engaging member  1220 . 
     Once the securing member  1240  and the shaft engaging member  1220  are engaged with the shaft  106  and the club head engaging member  1200  (optionally including the retaining element  1260 ) is engaged with the club head  102 , the overall connection then may be assembled. This is accomplished in this example connection structure  104  by sliding the shaft engaging member  1220  into the interior chamber of the club head engaging member  1200 . As the shaft engaging member  1220  slides through the club head engaging member  1200 , the end of the shaft engaging member  1220  will extend into the bottom of the club head engaging member  1200 . At this configuration, the rotation-inhibiting structures  1226  of the shaft engaging member  1220  will engage corresponding retaining structure  1206  of the club head engaging member  1200  to thereby prevent the shaft  106  from rotating with respect to the club head  102 . The securing member  1240  then slides down the shaft  106 , over the upper end of the shaft engaging member  1220 , and threadingly engages the club head engaging member  1200 . Other releasable mechanical connection systems are possible without departing from this invention. Also, the various steps in this example assembly procedure may be changed, combined, changed in order, etc., without departing from this invention. 
     To release the connection, the threaded (or other) securing member  1240  is released from the club head engaging member  1200 , which allows the shaft engaging member  1220  to be slid out of the club head engaging member  1200  (the shaft engaging member  1220  and the securing member  1240  remain on the shaft  106  and the club head engaging member  1200  remains in the club head  102  in this example structure). In this manner, a different shaft can be quickly and easily engaged with the same club head  102  and/or a different club head can be quickly and easily engaged with the same shaft  106 . Optionally, without departing from the invention, a positioning ferrule and a retaining ring, as illustrated (and not numbered) in  FIG. 13 , may be included with this connection structure. 
     As was discussed above for  FIGS. 3A through 4G , and as is illustrated in  FIGS. 12C through 12H , the club head engaging member  1200  may include the retaining structures  1206  that engage the rotation-inhibiting structures  1226  of the shaft engaging member  1220 . Additionally, generally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12D , F, and H, the club head engaging member  1200  and the shaft engaging member  1220  may include a plurality of gaps  1209 ,  1229  between adjacent teeth  1207 ,  1227  wherein the gaps  1209 ,  1229  and teeth  1207 ,  1227  may be evenly dispersed around the circumference of the club head engaging member  1200  and the shaft engaging member  1220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12C and 12D , the retaining structure  1206  may include a plurality of teeth  1207  and/or gaps  1209  to mate and/or otherwise engage with the rotation-inhibiting structures  1226  of the shaft engaging member  220 . The retaining structure  1206  may be configured to engage multiple different rotation-inhibiting structures as will be explained in more detail below. 
       FIGS. 12E through 12H  provide more detailed views of various example shaft engaging members  1220  of this example connection system.  FIGS. 12E and 12G  are views of two different example shaft engaging members  1220 . As described above, the rotation-inhibiting member  1226  extends into the club head engaging member  1200  to thereby help prevent rotation of the shaft engaging member  1220  with respect to the club head engaging member  1200 . 
     In the example shaft engaging member  1220 A in  FIGS. 12E and 12F , the rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 A is an 8-position rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 A that includes a set of circumferentially spaced teeth  1227  and a plurality of double-wide teeth  1229 . The rotation inhibiting structure  1226 A is configured to engage with the retaining structures  1206  on the club head engaging member  1200 , such that the teeth  1227  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 A engage with the teeth  1207  from the retaining structure  1206  and the double-wide teeth  1229  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 A engage with the gaps  1209  in the retaining structure  1206 . In the example shaft engaging member  1220 B in  FIGS. 12G and 12H , the rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 B is a 32-position rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 B that includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth  1227 . The rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 B is configured to mate with the retaining structures  1206  on the club head engaging member  1200 , such that some of the teeth  1227  from the rotation-inhibiting structure  1226 B engage with the teeth  1207  from the retaining structure  1206  and such that the gaps  1209  in the retaining structure  1206  can hold two teeth. Optionally, if desired, the gaps  1209  can be sized, shaped, and arranged to hold more than two teeth (e.g., from 3-8 teeth). 
     This releasable connection system as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 12A through 13  may include any of the off-axis, axial direction change regions, or position/lie angle golf club/shaft connection systems as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-11B  without departing from the invention. This releasable connection system also may include any desired tooth and/or skip tooth patterns or arrangements, including any of the various patterns or arrangements described above. 
     Additionally, the releasable connection assemblies may be used in any desired manner without departing from the invention. The clubs with such connection assemblies may be designed for use by the golfer in play (and optionally, if desired, the golfer may freely change shafts, heads, and/or their positioning with respect to one another). As another example, if desired, clubs including releasable connections in accordance with the invention may be used as club fitting tools and when the desired combination of head, shaft, and positioning have been determined for a specific golfer, a club builder may use the determined information to then produce a final desired golf club product using conventional (and permanent) mounting techniques (e.g., cements or adhesives). Other variations in the club/shaft connection assembly parts and processes are possible without departing from this invention. 
     Club heads and releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts in accordance with at least some examples of this invention also may have some or all of the characteristics described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,269 dated May 10, 2005 in the name of Bruce D. Burrows, U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2009/0011848, filed on Jul. 6, 2007 in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2009/0011849, filed on Jul. 6, 2007 in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2009/0011850, filed on Jul. 6, 2007 in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., and U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2009/0062029, filed on Aug. 28, 2007 in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., which documents are entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     CONCLUSION 
     While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.