US20080234063A1

US20080234063A1 - Method Of Reducing Golf Ball Spin

Info

Publication number: US20080234063A1
Application number: US11/688,419
Authority: US
Inventors: Brad Ahlquist
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-20
Filing date: 2007-03-20
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: MX2009009604A; EP2125122A1; WO2008113155A1; CN101636204A; CA2586294A1

Abstract

A method of applying a temporary lubricating material to the face of a golf club head to make the face “slippery” to reduce golf ball spin imparted into the ball from being struck by the golf club on a stroke-by-stroke basis. The method includes providing a geometrical body of a lubricating material having at least one application surface to apply a thin layer of the lubricating material on a surface; and (b) applying a thin layer of lubricating material to the striking surface of a golf club by contacting the striking surface with said at least one application surface of the geometrical body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to reducing the spin rate of a golf ball, and more particularly, relating to a method of reducing the spin rate of a golf ball struck by a golf club by applying a temporary, thin lubricant layer to the striking face of the golf club.
2. Description of the Related Art
The majority of golf balls are manufactured to have high spin rates since such spin rates are desirable for the skilled golfer. The spin rate of a golf ball is determined as the rate at which the ball spins about its axis, and a high spin rate indicates the golf ball spins rapidly about its axis. High spin rates are desirable by the skilled golfer because the better golfer is capable of controlling the spin direction of the golf ball so that the golf ball can be struck by a golf club to produce a backspin or reverse spin so that the ball stops very quickly when hit onto a green. Additionally, the skilled golfer can hit a golf ball to produce a spin that results in a controlled curved flight path of the golf ball, for example, to avoided an obstruction on the golf course.
While golf balls with high spin rates are desirable by the skilled golfer, most novice golfers are not capable of consistently hitting a golf ball in a manner to produce a controlled spin on the ball. Moreover, most novice golfers have an in-side-out or an outside-in swing that produces side spin on the ball. Side spin causes an in flight golf ball to deviate off the desired flight path, i.e., in either a hook or slice direction. For novice golfers, it is desirable to eliminate or at least minimize spin on the golf ball so that the golf ball travels essentially in a straight flight path.
Many attempts have been made to provide novice golfers with golf clubs that are specially manufactured to include striking surfaces comprised of low friction materials to reduce spin on a golf ball. Further, golf clubs have been provided with permanent low friction coatings applied to the striking surfaces. Additionally, some golf balls have been provided with either a permanent low friction coating or with an exterior casing comprised of low friction materials. Examples of such prior attempts are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,535 issued to Shaw; U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,812 issued to Card; U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,464 issued to Chang; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,392 issued to Chang, which the entire of each is incorporated herein by reference.
While the devices heretofore fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they each have drawbacks. One drawback is that a permanent low friction coating is applied to either a golf club or a golf ball using expensive and sophisticated methods, that are not available to the typical person, and which cannot be performed in a portable manner, i.e. at a golf course. Further, the permanent low friction coating results in an expensive product that is not within the average consumers reach and as the novice golfer improves his or her skill, the golf clubs or golf balls are discarded for more conventional clubs and balls. A second drawback is in the manufacture of the golf clubs or golf balls with low friction materials. These materials tend to be expensive and also provide a product that is discarded as the golfer's skills improve. As such, heretofore methods and devices are expensive to manufacture and therefore expensive to purchase, and limited in their use, resulting in the added requirement to purchase new equipment as ones golfing skill improves.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method in which a golfer may temporarily apply a thin coating of lubricant to the striking surface of a conventional golf club on a stroke-by-stroke basis to reduce ball spin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method in accordance with the present invention addresses the above stated disadvantages by providing a method for the temporary application of a thin layer of lubricant to a golf club to reducing spin imparted into a golf ball struck by a golf club on a stroke-by-stroke basis.
In general, in one aspect, a method of reducing rotational spin of a golf ball struck with a golf club to minimize the likelihood of an amateur golfer from slicing or hooking the golf ball by applying a temporary lubricant to the striking face of the golf club where the lubricant can be readily applied and easily removed by a golfer at a golf course is provided. The method includes providing a geometrical body of a lubricating material including at least one face suitable for wiping contact with a surface to apply a thin layer of the lubricating material to the surface, and applying a thin layer of the lubricating material to the striking face of a golf club, wherein the lubricating material can be readily removed from the striking face of the golf club.
In general, in another aspect, the geometrical body of the lubricating material is provided in stick form and further wherein only one end of the geometrical body is exposed and suitable for wiping contact.
In general, in another aspect, the lubricating material is either semi-solid lubricating material or a solid lubricating material.
In general, in yet another aspect, the geometrical body of the lubricating material is provided in stick form and further wherein only one end of the geometrical body is exposed and suitable for wiping contact.
In general, in yet a further aspect, a method of reducing rotational spin of a golf ball struck with a golf club to minimize the likelihood of an amateur golfer from slicing or hooking the golf ball by applying a temporary lubricant to the striking face of the golf club where the lubricant can be readily applied and easily removed by a golfer at a golf course is provided. The method includes providing a geometrical body of a lubricating material in generally a stick form having at least one face suitable for wiping contact with a surface to apply a thin layer of said lubricating material to the surface, the geometrical body of the lubricating material being provided in an open top dispenser capable of advancing the geometrical body through the open top to expose said at least one face, and applying a thin layer of the lubricating material to the striking face of a golf club.
In general, in another aspect, the method further includes either applying an additional amount of the semi-solid lubricating material to the striking face of the golf club to restore the thin layer after striking a golf ball by the striking face of the golf club or removing the thin layer of the semi-solid lubricating material from the striking face of the golf club after striking a golf ball by the striking face of the golf club.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a golf club illustrating the golf ball striking surface with a thin layer of lubricant applied in accordance with the method and principals of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary geometrical body of a lubricating material in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the a second exemplary geometrical body of lubricating material; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a geometrical body of lubricating material provided in a suitable dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1, illustrates a conventional golf club 10 having a head 12 connected to a shaft 14 in a manner known in the art. The head 12 has a ball contact surface or striking surface 16 for impact with a golf ball during play. In the prior art devices aimed to reduce ball spin, the contact surface 16 is coated with a permanent dry lubricant or is constructed from a self-lubricating composite, both of which are permanent solutions to reducing ball spin.
The methods in accordance with the present invention provide a golfer with the ability to apply and remove a layer of lubricating material to the striking surface of a conventional golf club on a stroke-by-stroke basis to selectively reduce spin imparted into a golf ball struck by the golf club. While it is against the rules of the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.) to apply a foreign material on the club face (striking surface), the methods provided here are intended to be used in non-sanctioned U.S.G.A. play or recreational play.
In a first aspect of the present invention there is a method of applying a removable layer of lubricating material to a golf ball striking surface of a golf club to eliminate or at least partially reduce spin imparted into a golf ball from being stuck by the golf club, which method includes (a) providing a geometrical body of a lubricating material having at least one application surface to apply a thin layer of the lubricating material on a surface; and (b) applying a thin layer of lubricating material to the striking surface of a golf club by contacting the striking surface with said at least one application surface of the geometrical body.
In a second aspect, the method further includes either applying an additional amount of lubricating material to the striking surface to restore the layer after striking a golf ball or removing the lubricating layer after striking a golf ball.
The lubricating material must be composition including single or multiple lubricants suitable for application to the striking face of a golf club and preferably is hydrophobic in nature to prevent corrosion of metal base golf club heads. The lubricating material must also be capable of being formed into a geometrical body that will not readily deform. In certain aspect, the composition of the lubricating material is petroleum based. In other aspects, the composition of the lubricating material is white petroleum based. In other aspects, the composition of the lubricating material may include wax, such as carnauba, paraffin, or white as a binding agent. In other aspects, the composition of the lubricating material may include Cetyl Alcohol. In other aspects, the composition of the lubricating material may include reinforcing material such as particles or fibers. In other aspects, the composition of the lubricating material may result in a solid geometrical body
The geometrical body of the lubricating material can be of any shape that permits the application of the lubricating material to the striking surface of a golf club. In one particular aspect, it is preferred the geometrical body of lubricating material to be in the stick form. It is found that the stick form provides an equal balance between portability and application of the lubricating material.
In FIG. 2 a representation of a stick form of the geometrical body of lubricating material 18 is shown. In this representation, the body 18 is completely exposed and does not include a covering, and any of the exposed surfaces can be used to apply a layer of lubricating material to the striking surface of a golf club. While this representation is possible, it is not greatly desired as it is likely the lubricating material will be transferred to a user's hand during application. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate more desirable configuration of the geometrical body of lubricating material 18. In FIG. 3, the body 18 is partially covered by a paper or the like wrapper 20 leaving an end 22 exposed for the application of the lubricating material forming the body 18 to the striking surface. As the lubricating material is used and the exposed end 22 is reduced, the wrapper 20 can be peeled back to further expose end 22. In FIG. 4, the body 18 is provided in an open top container 24 similar to which a lip balm or lip stick is provided in for dispensing and application. The container 24 may be provided with a cover (not shown) to cover end 22 during periods of non-use. The container 24 is capable of advancing the body 18 of the lubricating material out the open end to expose end 22 for application.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of reducing rotational spin of a golf ball struck with a golf club to minimize the likelihood of an amateur golfer from slicing or hooking the golf ball by applying a temporary lubricant to the striking face of the golf club where the lubricant can be readily applied and easily removed by a golfer at a golf course, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a geometrical body of a lubricating material including at least one application face suitable for wiping contact with a surface to apply a thin layer of said lubricating material to the surface; and

applying a thin layer of said lubricating material to the striking face of a golf club, wherein the lubricating material can be readily removed from the striking face of the golf club.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said lubricating material is comprised of a solid lubricating material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said lubricating material is comprised of a semi-solid lubricating material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said geometrical body of said lubricating material is provided in stick form and further wherein only one end of said geometrical body is exposed and suitable for wiping contact.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said lubricating material is petroleum based.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said lubricating material includes wax as a binding agent.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said wax is selected from the group consisting of carnauba wax, paraffin wax and white wax.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said lubricating material includes Cetyl Alcohol.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein petrolatum is at least 40% by weight of the semi-solid lubricating material.

10. A method of reducing rotational spin of a golf ball struck with a golf club to minimize the likelihood of an amateur golfer from slicing or hooking the golf ball by applying a temporary lubricant to the striking face of the golf club where the lubricant can be readily applied and easily removed by a golfer at a golf course, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a geometrical body of a lubricating material in generally a stick form having at least one face suitable for wiping contact with a surface to apply a thin layer of said lubricating material to the surface, said geometrical body of said lubricating material being provided in an open top dispenser capable of advancing said geometrical body through the open top to expose said at least one face; and

applying a thin layer of said lubricating material to the striking face of a golf club.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said lubricating material is of a semi-solid lubricating material.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said lubricating material is petrolatum based.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein petrolatum is at least 40% by weight of said lubricating material.

14. The method of 10, wherein said lubricating material is of a solid lubricating material.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

either applying an additional amount of said semi-solid lubricating material to the striking face of the golf club to restore said thin layer after striking a golf ball by the striking face of the golf club or removing said thin layer of said semi-solid lubricating material from the striking face of the golf club after striking a golf ball by the striking face of the golf club.