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How Would You Like One Consistent Putting Stroke, Regardless of the Speed of the Greens

By David Dawsey PE Esq

Last week Golf Science Technology LLC was granted an interesting putter patent. The basic premise is that you adjust the putter weighting to account for the speed of the greens, then take your normal swing for your typical ten foot putt. Nice theory.

The patent is USPN 7,686,705 titled ?Golf Club,? which describes the invention as:

An improved design for a golf club shaft and method increases stroke accuracy by significantly reducing stroke take-back distance. A ball traveling at a set initial velocity will travel a different distance on different parts of the course due to the friction of the grass on the ball which varies in response to height and moisture level. An inline weight management system that allows the moment of inertia of the club to be adjusted in a predictable manner. An increase in the moment of inertia translates into an increase in force which is in turn proportional to club velocity and resulting ball velocity. As green speed decreases, moment of inertia can be increased so that a stroke with a uniform take-back distance will deliver a shot that travels as far as the same stroke would deliver on a fast green.

The patent explains:

An improved design for a golf club shaft is described along with a method of using clubs including the improved shaft to increase stroke accuracy by significantly reducing stroke take-back distance. While the improved shaft is particularly suited to use on golf putters, it is useful with drivers and other club types as well. Accurate golf strokes are particularly difficult because of the need to deliver shots where there is a tremendous variation of distance as well as variation in surface speed characteristics. Surface speed characteristics refer to the phenomenon where a ball traveling at a set initial velocity will travel a different distance on different parts of the course. This is due to the friction of the grass on the ball. This varies on different parts of the course (e.g., the fairway versus the green) as well as the local characteristics of the grass (height, moisture level, etc.). As explained below surface speed characteristics are most commonly measured and expressed in terms of "green speed" but a similar measurement can also be made on other regions on a golf course.

When making long shots on a golf course, differences in desired shot distance can be at least partly controlled by choice of club. A uniform controlled stroke is used and produces the desired result in conjunction with the proper club. In putting the surface speed characteristics (green speed) are critical, and a selection of different putters for a variety of green speeds is generally not available. For a fast green a ball will travel too far unless the take-back distance and/or the force of the swing is not reduced. For attaining the same distance on a slow green more force and/or take-back distance is required. Increased take-back distance results in decrease accuracy particularly with amateur golfers whose hand coordination is insufficient to always maintain optimum club head orientation.

The present invention provides an inline weight management system that allows the moment of inertia of the club to be adjusted in a predictable manner. The system consists of one or more longitudinally slots within the shaft of the club. The slots are sized to accept one or more weights that are then fixed with bolts or other fasteners within the shaft. The moment of inertia is maximally altered by adding weight near the head of the club. The same weight added farther from the head has a smaller effect. An increase in the moment of inertia translates into an increase in force which is in turn proportional to club velocity. Increasing club velocity results in higher ball velocity so that the ball will travel a greater distance on a surface having a particular green speed. Thus, as green speed decreases moment of inertia can be increased so that a stroke with a uniform take-back distance will deliver a shot that travels as far as the same stroke would deliver on a fast green.

A method for use with the weight management system allows a golfer to develop a uniform and consistent stroke with an optimal (i.e., short) and consistent take-back distance. Once such a stroke is developed, this same stroke can be applied regardless of surface speed characteristics (green speed) by using the weight management system to increase ball velocity to precisely compensate for decreases in green speed. Because the weight added for altering the moment of inertia is completely inline with the shaft of the club, it has no effect on the aim of the stroke.

Check out their website, it seems like a pretty reasonable idea but I would have to try it to believe it.

Dave Dawsey  - Watching Golf Putter Patents

PS ? check out additional putter patents HERE 

Full post as published by Golf Patents on April 05, 2010 (boomark / email).