An Improvement in the Shafts of Golf Clubs.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in the Shafts of Golf Clubs.
I THOMAS WARD GODDARD of Nazing Vicarage Waltham Cross in the
County of Essex Clerk in Holy Orders do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
I plane off or otherwise flatten part of the ordinary circular upper or handle
part of a golf club shaft so as to form two sides opposite each other the depth
(i.e. through from one flattened side to the other) of the part left being about that
of an ordinary wooden lath and the width (i.e. across from one edge of cach
flattened side to such side's other edge) being the full natural width of a golf club
shaft along the diameter. When this is done the shaft so far as the lower or part
nearest the head is concerned will be as usual but where the upper or handle part
comes the shaft will somewhat resemble an ordinary lath. I then splice on to the
two flattened sides two pieces of cane so as to restore the handle to the size and
shape of an ordinary golf club handle.
Instead of planing off two sides opposite each other I may plane the circular
handle so as to form one side only or several sides or I may reduce the said upper
part all round before splicing. I may use other suitable splicing substances
besides cane.
I claim that my invention as described above will when used in a golf club
produce a club capable of driving a ball for a greater distance. than an ordinary
golf club which is similar in all respects except in not having the shaft made as
described herein.
Further my invention enables the flexibility or whip of each shaft to be adjusted
when it is being made.
Further my invention gives, with the increased power a strong and substantial
shaft in the upper portion.
Further my invention enables without a decrease of power thicker shafts as to
their lower portion (or part nearest the club head) to be used than can satisfactorily
be used in an ordinary golf club as aforesaid.
Dated this 24th December 1895.
THOMAS WARD GODDARI
RD.
An Improvement in the Shafts of Golf Clubs.
I THOMAS WARD GODDARD of Nazing Vicarage, Waltham Cross, in the
County of Essex, Clerk in Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this.
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
I plane off or otherwise flatten part of the ordinary circular upper or handle
part of a golf club shaft so as to form two sides opposite each other the depth
(i.e. through from one flattened side to the other of the part left) being about that
of an ordinary wooden lath and the width (i.e. across from one edge of each

page_text: flattened side to such side's other edge) being the full natural width of a golf club
shaft along the diameter.
When this is done the shaft so far as the lower or part nearest the head is
concerned will be as usual but where the upper or handle part comes the shaft will
somewhat resemble an ordinary lath I then splice on to the two flattened sides two
pieces of cane so as to restore the handle to the size and shape of an ordinary golf
club handle.
$
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. 1 shows a side view of part of the shaft of a golf club according to
one form of my present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a front view taken at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows a cross sectional view of handle.
Figs. 4 and 5 show, by side view and front view respectively, a golf club with its
handle part or shaft constructed according to this invention, the covering of the
handle being removed to show the cane splicing.
The shaft a of the golf club is reduced as at b. c, c, is the cane or other suitable
splicing material.
Instead of planing off two sides opposite each other
handle so as to form one side only or several sides or I may reduce the said upper
may plane the circular
part all round before splicing. I may use other suitable splicing substances
besides cane and may use more than two pieces of cane or other substance.
By the adoption of my invention as described above, a golf club can be produced
capable of driving" or propelling a ball with less effort than an ordinary golf
club of like description otherwise.
Further my invention enables the flexibility or whip of each shaft to be more
readily adjusted when it is being made.
Further my invention gives with the increased power a strong and substantial
shaft in the upper portion.
Further my invention enables thicker shafts (as to their lower portion or part
nearest the club head) to be used without decrease of power than can satisfactorily
be used in an ordinary golf club as aforesaid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
:-
1. In a golf club the splicing of the shaft at the handle as and for the purpose
herein before set forth.
2. The construction of golf clubs with the upper or handle part reduced to a
lath of the width of the club handle and splices of cane to bring the combined
parts up to the substance of handle desired, as set forth.
Dated the 18th day of August 1896.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.