Interchangeable Club Head System

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2025/015607 filed Feb. 12, 2025, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/553,018, filed on Feb. 13, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The disclosure relates to golf clubs and more specifically, to golf clubs having an adapter to interchange club heads.

Golf clubs are custom constructed to fit to an individual or constructed according to a recipe in mass production to be usable by a broad market. Further, golf clubs are commonly constructed as a unitary body and not designed to adapt to a user. Children entering golf undergo rapid changes in experience levels and size and youth golf clubs can be expensive and quickly outgrown. These recurring costs can become a barrier for parents and children who wish to practice golf.

In general, an aspect disclosed herein is a golf shaft adapter including a neck having an inner surface defining a first cavity configured to receive a shaft, a receiving column having an outer surface configured to receive a weight and an inner surface defining a second cavity configured to receive a connector, and the neck and the receiving column being arranged at opposing ends and aligned along a central axis of the adapter.

Examples may include one or more of the following features. The adapter may include aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, tungsten, nickel, gold, silver, platinum, alloys thereof, plastic, or carbon fiber. The adapter can have a mass that is less than 30 grams. The adapter can have a tapered profile along a portion of an outer surface of the neck. The adapter can have a recess extending into the tapered profile which is configured to receive a notch from stem of a club head assembled to the adapter. The adapter can have a fin extending radially and parallel with the central axis along the neck. The fin can extend to a height that is less than a maximum diameter of the tapered profile. An outer diameter of the receiving column can be less than an outer diameter of the neck. The first cavity can be straight-sided. The second cavity can be threaded and the connector can be a threaded connector. The outer surface of the receiving column can have an outer diameter that can be less than the outer diameter of the neck.

In general, an aspect disclosed herein is an adapter system for exchanging club heads. The adapter system includes a neck having an inner surface defining a first cavity configured to receive a shaft, a receiving column having a second cavity configured to receive a connector, and the neck and the receiving column being at opposing ends and aligned along a central axis of the adapter; and a weight having a third cavity configured to be disposed around the receiving column of the adapter.

Examples may include one or more of the following features. The weight can have a mass that can be less than 20 grams. The weight can have an inner surface which defines the third cavity. The weight and the inner surface can be cylindrical.

In general, an aspect disclosed herein is an interchangeable club head. The interchangeable club head includes a stem having a cavity extending through the stem, the cavity having a flange defining and channel separating a first portion of the cavity from a second portion of the cavity, the first portion configured to receive an adapter and a weight, the second portion configured to receive a connector; and a body extending from the stem in a direction that is different than a central axis of the stem and having a face.

Examples may include one or more of the following features. The club head may include the connector having a head and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft configured to extend through the channel. The club head may include a gasket configured to be arranged in the first portion of the cavity and to support a shaft of the connector. A head of the connector can have a wider outer diameter than a diameter of the channel. The cavity can be aligned with a central axis of the stem. The stem includes a notch extending from the stem and configured to align and be inserted into a recess in an adapter. The club head provides a putter, a driver, a 1-iron, a 2-iron, a 3-iron, a 4-iron, a 5-iron, a 6-iron, a 7-iron, a 8-iron, a 9-iron, a pitching wedge, a gap/approach wedge, a sand wedge, a lob wedge, a 3-hybrid, a 4-hybrid, a 3-wood, a 5-wood, or a 7-wood.

In general, an aspect disclosed herein is an interchangeable golf club kit. The interchangeable golf club kit includes a set of shafts, each shaft having a grip and an end configured to be inserted into an adapter; a set of adapters, each adapter having an open end and a threaded end, the open end configured to receive the end of one shaft of the set of shafts; a set of weights, each weight configured to receive the threaded end of one adapter of the set of adapters; a set of club heads, each club head having a stem and a striking surface extending from the stem, each stem configured to be reversibly coupled to one adapter of the set of adapters, and each striking surface being different for each club head, where assembling one shaft, one adapter, one weight, and one club head provides a golf club.

Examples may include one or more of the following features. The golf club kit may include: a second set of shafts of equal lengths that can be different than the first set of shafts; a second set of adapters that are the same as the first set of adapters; a second set of weights having the same outer dimensions as the first set of weights and a different weight than the first set of weights; and a second set of club heads having the same stem as the first set of club heads and each club head of the second set of club heads having a striking surface that can be different than the striking surface than the first set of club heads. The set of shafts, the set of adapters, the set of club heads, and the set of weights can be configured to provide a swing weight within a desired range when assembled. The set of shafts can be of equal lengths. The set of shafts may include carbon fiber.

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following technical advantages.

The adaptable golf clubs described herein provide a cost affordable “a la carte” option for a set of clubs that grow with the golfer. The adaptable golf clubs interchange longer shafts as the user grows and increases in size thus necessitating only purchasing a part of a new golf club rather than a whole club.

The adaptable golf clubs described herein have shaft-specific weights coupled with shaft length to provide the user with a consistent performance for the duration of using the interchangeable golf clubs.

The adaptable golf clubs described herein beneficially increase performance consistency for a user by maintaining a consistent swing weight as the user grows. This increases the efficiency of training and ease of use for a young golfer.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

In the figures, like references indicate like elements.

Disclosed herein is a performance-specific adjustable golf club system for golfers. The golf clubs are adjustable by featuring an adaptor attached to a shaft to connect interchangeable club heads. The system allows club heads to remain consistent for a user while exchanging shafts to longer lengths as the user grows. The system is designed to maintain performance characteristics such as swing weight and weight distribution between shafts when exchanged.

An exploded view of a golf clubhaving an interchangeable club headis shown in. The golf clubincludes a gripattached to a shaftfor handling by a user. The shaftis affixed to an adapterwhich enables reversibly affixing a club headto the shaft. The golf clubincludes a weightwhich is affixed to the adapterwhich is specific to the length of the shaft. The golf clubusing the interchangeable components provide a consistent swing weight to a user when switching the shaftfor another having a different length.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, swing weight is a tactile sensation the user experiences when swinging the club, e.g., the dynamic feel of a golf club when swung. In general, four factors are considered when qualifying swing weight: weight of the club head, the grip, the shaft, and overall length of the golf club(e.g., the total length of the assembled grip, shaft, adapter, and club head). Examples of the golf clubprovide a swing weight from A0 to E0.

The golf clubprovides a user the ability to play golf based on their age, experience level, ability, or size. A user grasps the gripwhich is affixed to the shaftand swings the golf clubto strike a golf ball with the club head. The golf clubis assembled with a shaftthat is sufficiently long for their age and size such that the club headis at a proper distance to play golf. In one example, the shaftis long enough for the club headto touch the ground when the user assumes a golf stance.

The shaftis light weight, flexible, and has a length suited to the user. The flexibility and weight of the shaft are determined by the materials from which the shaftis constructed. Common examples of materials for the shaft are carbon fiber and aluminum though these are not limiting.

As the user grows and continues to play golf, their size, ability, and experience level changes. The golf clubis adaptable to their new size and experience level. The golf clubprovides the user with the ability to interchange the club headand shaft. A larger or more experienced user combines a longer shaft, while a smaller user combines a shorter shaft, with the club head.

The golf clubincludes a weightthat is specific to each shaft. The weightis designed to balance the length of the shaftto provide a consistent swing weight as the user interchanges the shaftwith the club head. A longer shaftis heavier than a short shaft of the same material and is therefore combined with a lighter weightto achieve the desired swing weight, and vice versa.

Exploded views of the club headand adapterare shown inand an assembled view is shown in. Referring to, the adapterprovides a means to reversibly couple the club headto the shaft. When the user desires to change the club head, the user disassembles the club headfrom the adapter. The user may then couple the club headto a different shaft, e.g., a longer or shorter shaft, or the adapterto a new club head.

A stemof the club headis placed over the neckof the adapterto install the club headto the adapter. The stemmay be termed a hosel. Seein which the tapered portionextends from the stem, but the neckis hidden within the stem. The receiving columnextends into the steminto a position to receive a connector.

The weightis arranged between the adapterand the club headwhen the club headis assembled to the adapter. This arrangement achieves the proper swing weight for the combination of the adapterand the club head. As longer shafts are combined with the club head, the associated weightis lighter to compensate for a longer, e.g., heavier, shaft. The length of the shaftis between 20 inches and 46 inches, and the adapterhas a mass that is less than 30 grams.

The club headis affixed to the adapterwith a connector. The connectoris inserted into the cavityand is received by the receiving column. In some examples, the user operates a tool to install the connectorto ensure proper stability of the connection. In one example, the user operates a torque wrench to tighten the connectorwithin the receiving columnto achieve a desired, or minimum, torque.

A gasketis arranged between the weightand the stem. When assembled, the connectorextends through the gasketwhen the club headis assembled to the adapter. The gasketgrips the connectorwithin the stemsuch that when the club headis disassembled from the adapter, the connectoris maintained within the cavity. The gasketserves to reduce instances in which the connectorexits the cavityduring disassembly and may become lost by the user.

In general, the adapterprovides the means to interchange the shaftand the club head. The adapteris affixed to the shaftsuch that the club headcan be installed or removed. The adapterbeing constructed of lightweight materials facilitates achieving a consistent swing weight between shaftand club headcombinations. The shaftand adapterare affixed using standard means, which can include the use of polymer welding, epoxy, or adhesive.

The adapterincludes a neckfor receiving the shaftand facilitate installing the stemonto the adapter. The adapter, weight, and club headare aligned along a central axissuch that when the club headis fit onto the neckof the adapter, the stemaligns with the shaftto provide the golf club.

The club headassembled onto the adapteris shown in. The club headincludes a facewhich provides a striking surface which contacts the golf ball when the golf clubis swung. The faceis angled with respect to the axisto achieve different loft angles. The club headshown is an iron, e.g., a 9-iron. This is exemplary and the club headmay assume the characteristics of other club heads used in golf (e.g., size, shape, weight, balance, lie angle, or loft angle).

Other examples of the club headprovide a putter, a driver, a wedge, a wood, or a hybrid. In some examples, the club headprovides a 1-iron, 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron, 8-iron, a pitching wedge, a gap/approach wedge, a sand wedge, a lob wedge, a 3-hybrid, a 4-hyrid, a 3-wood, a 5-wood, or a 7-wood.

A cross-sectional view of the disassembled club headand adapteraligned along the central axisis shown in. The adapteris a rigid body functional to withstand the forces generated during use and installation of the club head. The adapteris constructed from durable, lightweight materials such as metals, or polymers. Examples of the materials include aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, tungsten, nickel, gold, silver, platinum, alloys thereof, plastic, or carbon fiber.

The neckhas an inner surfacedefining a cavityinto which the shaftis received. The inner surfaceis shaped to receive the shaft, e.g., is straight-sided and has a cylindrical profile. In the example shown, the receiving columnincludes threads for receiving the threaded connector. Different examples of connectors and mating between the receiving columnand connectormay be used instead of threads.

The neckhas a tapered portion. In some embodiments, the tapered portionhas a tapered profile which gradually increases the diameter of the tapered portionfrom the shaftto the stemof the club head. In one example, the largest diameter of the tapered portionis the same diameter as the stem. A tapered profile of the tapered portionprovides clean visuals and an aerodynamic profile when the user swings the golf club. The tapered profile can be a linear profile, or curved, e.g., convex or concave.

The neckincludes a finon the outer surface of the neck. The finis on a portion of the neckbetween the receiving columnand the tapered portion. The finis configured to be received by a canal in the inner wall of the stemto provide rotational stability for the club headwhen assembled to the adapter.

The finis aligned, e.g., parallel with, the central axis. The finextends from the outer surface of the neckby a height that is less than the thickness of the stemand less than the maximal distance the tapered portionextends from the neck. One finis shown, though in some examples, the adapterincludes more than one finat different radial positions around the neck. A visual markeris shown on the tapered portionpositioned to align with the finalong the central axis. The visual markerprovides a visual alignment aid for the user when assembling the club headonto the adapter.

The adapterhas a receiving columnextending from the neck. The receiving columnis configured to receive a connector. When the connectoris coupled to the receiving column, the connectormaintains assembly between the club headand the adapter. The columnhas a narrower diameter than the neckand is configured to receive a weight, e.g., the receiving columnhas a shape that fits within the weight. For example, the weightsurrounds the receiving columnbetween the stemand the receiving columnwhen assembled.

The adapterand weightare rotationally symmetric such that the club headcan be assembled to the adapteralong a central axis. Assembling the adapterand club headalong the central axisserves to maintain the stemparallel with the shaft.

In the example of, the weightis configured to encircle the receiving columnwhen assembled, e.g., the weighthas a central voidshaped to encircle the receiving column, e.g., the receiving columnand voidare cylindrical. The outer dimensions of the weightare consistent for any material of which the weightis constructed. To achieve different masses, the inner dimensions of the weightcan be modified along with a different material.

The club headincludes a flangewithin the cavitywhich defines a channel. The channelallows the threads of the connectorto progress into the stempast the flange. The flangeprevents the head, e.g., the non-threaded portion, of the connectorfrom moving further into the stem. Said another way, the flangeextends from the steminto the cavityto a distance such that the channelis narrower than the head but wider than the threads.

A cross-sectional view of the assembled club head, shaft, and adapteraligned along the central axisis shown in. As shown, the threaded end of the connectoris connected with the receiving column. The gasketis arranged within the stembetween the weightand the connector. When assembled, the stemfits around the adapterup to the tapered portion. The gasketfits within the weight, e.g., is sized to fit between the connectorand the weightwhen the connectoris connected to the receiving column.

The progression of a club headthrough a series of shaftsin a golf club kitis shown in. In general, the kitprovides a set of shafts, a set of adapters, a set of weights, and a set of club heads, e.g., one or more of club head. The kitcan be provided fully assembled, partially assembled, or unassembled as separate components. The kitprovides a complete set of golf clubs with interchangeable shaftsand club headsfor a user. The combinations of club heads, weights, adapters, grips, and shaftsprovide a user with a consistent swing weight as the user grows.

The kitmay provide a number of golf clubs to provide the user with sufficient for their experience level and physicality. The kitmay provide between two and fifteen golf clubs, e.g., three, six, nine, or twelve golf clubs. For example, the kitincludes three golf clubs with three different club headsfor a young user having little to no experience. In another example, the kitincludes six golf clubs with six different club headsfor an older user having a beginning experience level.

A younger user combines a short shaft, e.g., shaftwith a heavier weight, e.g., weightand a club head, e.g., headAn older user that has grown combines a longer shaft, e.g., shaftwith a lighter weight, e.g., weightand either the same club head, e.g., heador a different club head

The kitprovides a set of shaftshaving one or more shaft each at a different length. The shaftsshown includes shaftsandeach having a different length. In one example, the set of shaftsprovides three shafts at each different length, e.g., three of shaftthree of shaftthree of shaftand three of shaftEach of the shaftsinclude respective grips, e.g., shaftincludes grip

The kitprovides a set of adapters, one adapter per shaft. The adaptersallow the user to interchange the shaftswith different club heads. In some examples, the adaptersare affixed to the shaftswhen received by the user. In other examples, the user affixes the adaptersto the shaftsafter the kitis received.

The kitprovides the weights, one weight per adapter. The weightshave a mass that when combined with the mass of the shafts, the grips, the adapters, and the club heads, provide a consistent swing weight for the user. In some examples, weightsare pre-affixed to the adapters. In other examples, the users affix the weightsto the adapters.

One club headof the kitis shown which can provide the interchangeable club heads for the kitand can be provided by any club head described herein. Some examples of the kitprovide a basic set of club heads for an inexperienced user, e.g., a putter, a 9-iron, and a 3-wood. Other examples of the kitprovide a complete set of club headsfor an experienced user, e.g., twelve different club heads.