Putter Balance Point Shift via Upper Weighted Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amateur golfers, especially older ones, frequently miss-hit the golf ball due to diminished feel and control resulting from a lower balance point in conventional putters, leading to inconsistent shots.
Innovation Solution
A golf putter with a solid steel shaft and a weighted, cylindrical adapter positioned closer to the golfer's hands, shifting the balance point from 35% to 60% towards the butt end, combined with a conventional grip, to enhance control and stability during the putting stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional putter design with lower balance point is used, then putter head weight can be maintained at traditional levels, but golfer control and stability during putting stroke deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The putter is divided into distinct weighted components: a heavy shaft (at least twice conventional weight) and a separate upper weighted adapter (approximately 40% of shaft weight). This segmentation allows independent optimization of weight distribution to achieve higher balance point for improved control while maintaining manageable head weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Concentration of weight in specific locations (shaft and upper adapter) rather than uniform distribution creates the desired balance point characteristics. The localized heavy weighting in the upper portion shifts the balance point to 60% of length from head, enhancing control without requiring overall putter redesign.
2Ease of operation
If balance point is relocated closer to golfer's hands, then control during putting stroke is improved, but putter structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper weighted adapter serves as an intermediary component between the shaft and grip, providing the necessary weight adjustment to achieve the desired balance point. This mediator element simplifies the overall design by concentrating the balancing function in a single removable component rather than requiring complex integrated weight distribution throughout the putter.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance point is made adjustable through the use of a removable upper weighted adapter that can be configured in different positions or removed entirely. This dynamic weighting system allows golfers to fine-tune the balance point location to optimize control for their specific putting style and hand position.
3Stability of the object's composition
If solid steel shaft with increased weight is used, then stability during putting stroke is enhanced, but overall putter weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Weight is concentrated in strategic locations (shaft and upper adapter) rather than uniformly distributed. The shaft weighs at least twice conventional putter shafts and the adapter adds approximately 40% of shaft weight, creating localized heavy zones that enhance stability without requiring proportional increase in overall putter mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight distribution is deliberately asymmetric with heavier concentration in the upper portion of the putter (shaft and adapter) rather than traditional head-heavy design. This asymmetric weighting enhances stability during the putting stroke by increasing moment of inertia about the stroke axis while keeping the head weight manageable at no greater than 310 grams.
Data Source
AI summary
A weight system for a putter type golf club that creates a balance point close to a golfer's hands when the putter is used in a normal manner for execution of a putting stroke. The putter is formed of a putter head, an elongated, constant ¼ inch diameter solid metal shaft; and a weighted, cylindrical adapter attached to an upper section of the elongated shaft between an overlying golf grip and the shaft.