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Method of reducing golf ball spin

Method of reducing golf ball spin description/claims

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.

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.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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