Golf Club Grip Segmentation for Hand Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club grips for putter-type golf clubs fail to provide improved control and feel for a variety of grip styles and hand dimensions, leading to reduced control and comfort for golfers.
Innovation Solution
The grip design features a longer planar portion with varying width and a narrowed rearward taper, along with grooves for moisture and debris management, to accommodate different hand sizes and grip styles, enhancing ergonomics and feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional grip with a flattened portion is used, then control for rotational movement is improved for some grip styles, but control and feel are not improved for a variety of grip styles and hand dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is segmented into three distinct portions: a rounded portion at the handle end, a planar portion in the middle, and a tapered portion at the grip end. This segmentation allows each portion to serve different functions - the rounded portion accommodates various hand sizes and grip styles, the planar portion provides control for rotational movement, and the tapered portion ensures proper hand placement. This resolves the contradiction by providing specialized zones that collectively improve adaptability while maintaining control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the grip have different geometric properties tailored to specific needs. The rounded portion has a larger cross-sectional area to accommodate various hand dimensions, the planar portion has a flattened geometry to provide rotational control, and the tapered portion has a narrowing cross-section to guide hand placement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function rather than using a uniform design.
2Ease of operation
If a grip design optimized for specific hand dimensions is used, then control is improved for that specific case, but control and feel deteriorate for other hand dimensions and grip styles
Solution Approach 1:
The grip design incorporates universal features that serve multiple functions and accommodate various users. The rounded portion with its larger cross-sectional area can accommodate different hand sizes and grip styles (overlap, interlock, baseball grips). The planar portion provides rotational control for all grip types. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the grip universally applicable while maintaining control across different grip styles and hand dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip transitions from a uniform cylindrical shape to a three-dimensional form with varying cross-sectional areas along its length. The rounded portion has a larger cross-section to accommodate various hand sizes, the planar portion provides a flattened surface for rotational control, and the tapered portion creates a gradient transition. This dimensional variation resolves the contradiction by providing a structure that adapts to different hand dimensions while maintaining functional control.
3Ease of manufacture
If a grip with uniform cross-section is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but ergonomics and feel are reduced for various hand sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is divided into three manufacturable segments with distinct geometric characteristics. The rounded portion, planar portion, and tapered portion can be formed using standard molding or machining processes. Each segment has a defined geometry that is relatively simple to produce, resolving the contradiction by breaking down the complex overall shape into simpler, manufacturable components that collectively provide superior ergonomics.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip design varies key geometric parameters (cross-sectional area, shape, orientation) along its length to optimize ergonomics. The rounded portion has a larger cross-sectional area for hand accommodation, the planar portion has a flattened geometry for control, and the tapered portion has a gradient cross-section for proper positioning. These parameter changes are implemented within manufacturing capabilities, resolving the contradiction by achieving ergonomic optimization through controlled variation of geometric parameters rather than uniform dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A grip for a putter-type golf club including a bottom end having a recess to receive a golf shaft, and a top end opposite the bottom end. The recess defines a longitudinal axis, and an exterior side surface extends about the circumference of the longitudinal axis. The exterior side surface defines a generally planar portion and a generally arcuate portion adjoining the planar portion. A grip cross-section no greater than 15 mm from the top end includes a planar portion cross-sectional width no less than 4 mm, a first cross-sectional length, L1, and a maximum cross-sectional width located at a depth D1 from the planar portion such that D1/L1 is no greater than 0.40. According to another aspect, a grip cross-section between 120 mm and 140 mm from the top end includes a cross-sectional maximum width, W3, and a cross-sectional length, L3, such that W3/L3 is no greater than 0.90.