Method and apparatus for golf club fitting

Abstract

A golf club fitting mat, comprising a base element and a mark retaining layer removeably secured or mounted to a base element. The mark retaining layer may be a no carbon required paper, carbon paper, or wax containing surface, and has one or more simulated golf balls imprinted thereon. A mark is left on the mark retaining layer which instantly records the contact area of the golf club with the practice mat. A transferable marking compound on the top of the mark retaining layer transfers to the club head in the area of contact during the swing. A method for club fitting using a golf club fitting mat which records club contact to the mat, relative to a ball target, and transfers a mark to the club.

1 . A golf club fitting apparatus, comprising: 
 a base element; a    a mark retaining layer overlaying said base element; and    a transferable marking layer residing on said mark retaining layer.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base element comprises a rigid element.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said mark retaining layer is removeably attached to said base element.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said base element further comprises a surface gripping layer attached to and underlying said rigid element  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer at least partially interlayed between said mark retaining layer and said base element.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said transferable marking layer comprises one or more images of golf balls  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said transferable marking layer covers substantially all of said mark retaining layer.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said transferable marking layer comprises ink.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said mark retaining layer comprises a sheet of no carbon required paper.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said mark retaining layer comprises a sheet of thermal paper.  
   
   
       11 . A method for fitting a golf club, said method comprising the steps of: 
 lining up a golf club with a simulated golf ball target on a practice pad;    swinging the golf club; and    transferring a marking compound from said practice pad to the golf club during the swing contact.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of reviewing the transferred mark on the golf club.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of adjusting the golf club length based at least in part upon the review of the transferred mark.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of adjusting the golf club head lie angle based at least in part upon the review of the transferred mark.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of leaving a mark on the practice pad.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of reviewing the mark left on the practice pad.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of adjusting the golf club head lie angle based at least in part upon the review of the transferred mark.