Putter-type golf club

Abstract

A coupling for securing a golf shaft to a golf club head includes a first component configured to contact, and engage with, the golf shaft, and a second component bonded to the first component and configured to space the first component from the golf club head. The second component includes a second material having a Young's modulus less than a first material of the first component. In another aspect, a coupling includes a shaft engagement element, and a spacer configured to space the first component from the golf club head so that the golf shaft is above the golf club head in its entirety. The spacer includes a material having a Young's modulus no greater than about 10 Gpa. In another aspect, a kit includes a first coupling and a second coupling with at least one of a structural configuration or a material of a vibration dampening element differing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A putter-type golf club that, when in an operating position, comprises:
 a putter-type golf club head having a hosel with a hosel bore and comprising a first material characterized by a first Young's modulus;   a shaft with a tip end having an internal shaft bore and comprising a second material characterized by a second Young's modulus; and   a coupling configured to attach to the shaft tip end, the coupling comprising a main body including:
 a shaft engagement portion that fits within the internal shaft bore; 
 an outer sleeve portion that encircles the shaft engagement portion; 
 a hosel engagement portion that fits within the hosel bore; and 
 a third material characterized by a third Young's modulus less than both the first Young's modulus and the second Young's modulus. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve portion of the coupling encircles the tip end of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve portion is exposed on an exterior of the golf club. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft engagement portion includes an internal cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club of  claim 4 , wherein the coupling further comprises an insert located in the internal cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club of  claim 5 , wherein the insert comprises a fourth material characterized by a fourth Young's modulus that is greater than the third Young's modulus. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club of  claim 6 , wherein the fourth Young's modulus is equal to the second Young's modulus. 
     
     
         8 . The golf club of  claim 5 , wherein the insert is co-molded to the coupling main body. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve portion includes a chamfer on an upper side of the outer sleeve portion. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft, in its entirety, is spaced from the golf club head by the coupling. 
     
     
         11 . The golf club of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling main body includes an annular groove and the tip end of the shaft is received in the annular groove. 
     
     
         12 . A putter-type golf club that, when in an operating position, comprises:
 a putter-type golf club head having a hosel with a hosel bore and comprising a first material characterized by a first Young's modulus;   a shaft with a tip end having an internal shaft bore and comprising a second material characterized by a second Young's modulus; and   a coupling configured to attach to the shaft tip end, the coupling comprising a main body including:
 a shaft engagement portion that includes a lateral shaft support surface that contacts an exterior surface of the shaft; 
 an annular groove for receiving the tip end of the shaft; 
 an outer sleeve portion that encircles the shaft engagement portion; 
 a hosel engagement portion that fits within the hosel bore; and 
 a third material characterized by a third Young's modulus less than both the first Young's modulus and the second Young's modulus. 
   
     
     
         13 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the outer sleeve portion of the coupling encircles the tip end of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the outer sleeve portion is exposed on an exterior of the golf club. 
     
     
         15 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft engagement portion includes an internal cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The golf club of  claim 16 , wherein the coupling further comprises an insert located in the internal cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The golf club of  claim 16 , wherein the insert comprises a fourth material characterized by a fourth Young's modulus that is greater than the third Young's modulus. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club of  claim 17 , wherein the fourth Young's modulus is equal to the second Young's modulus. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club of  claim 16 , wherein the insert is co-molded to the coupling main body. 
     
     
         20 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the outer sleeve portion includes a chamfer on an upper side of the outer sleeve portion.