Golf club grip

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of displaying indicia on a golf club shaft having a substantially translucent grip. The indicia are permanently formed on an outer surface of the shaft by chemical etching, bead blasting, stamping, and the like. The grip is held on top of the gripping end of a shaft by a translucent glue or liquid adhesive. The grip is made from a rubber base or synthetic material. This method of displaying indicia is innovative because the indicia are protected from abrasion.

1 . A method of displaying indicia on a gripping end of a golf club shaft comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming indicia into an outer surface of the gripping end of the shaft;   (b) covering the gripping end with a grip, wherein the grip has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 10% and an index of refraction of 2.0 or less; and   (c) applying an adhesive to the grip, wherein the adhesive has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 10% and an index of refraction of 2.0 or less.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia are written in step (a) by chemical etching, mechanical etching, bead blasting, or stamping. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the grip has a magnification factor of at least about 2 to about 5. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is made from a rubber base or a synthetic material. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the grip has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 40%. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the grip has an index of refraction of 1.25 or less. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 40%. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive has an index of refraction of 1.25 or less. 
   
   
       9 . A golf club comprising:
 (a) a shaft having a gripping end with an outer surface having indicia formed thereon; and   (b) a grip attached by an adhesive to the outer surface of the shaft,   wherein the grip has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 10% and an index of refraction of 2.0 or less; and   wherein the adhesive has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 10% and an index of refraction of 2.0 or less.   
   
   
       10 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the indicia are etched by chemical etching, mechanical etching, bead blasting, or stamping. 
   
   
       11 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the grip has a magnification factor of at least about 2 to about 5. 
   
   
       12 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the grip is made from a rubber base or a synthetic material. 
   
   
       13 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the grip has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 40%. 
   
   
       14 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the grip has an index of refraction of 1.25 or less. 
   
   
       15 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive has an average transmittance of visible light of at least about 40%. 
   
   
       16 . The golf club of  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive has an index of refraction of 1.25 or less. 
   
   
       17 . The golf club of  claim 11  further comprising a magnifying inner tube.