Face-Forward Putter Hosel Layout for Stable Face Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf putters face issues with twisting and misalignment during the putting stroke due to the shaft being aligned in a way that requires the golfer to exert force to maintain face alignment, leading to inconsistent shots.
Innovation Solution
A putter design with a hosel structure that positions the shaft behind the striking face and aligns it with the center of gravity, maintaining stability and allowing the face to remain aligned with the target without requiring additional force from the golfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shaft is aligned conventionally (not through center of gravity), then the putter structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the putter face rotates during the putting stroke requiring golfer to exert force to maintain alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The hosel is divided into multiple functional segments: an upwardly extending arm for basic connection, an onset extension for rearward positioning, and a shaft connector for precise angular alignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while achieving the overall goal of aligning the shaft with the center of gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hosel extends in multiple dimensions: vertically (upwardly extending arm), horizontally (onset extension rearwardly), and angularly (shaft connector positioning). This multi-dimensional approach allows the shaft to be positioned behind the striking face while maintaining alignment with the center of gravity, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the shaft is positioned behind the striking face, then the putter face remains aligned with the target without requiring golfer force, but the hosel structure becomes more complex with multiple extensions
Solution Approach 1:
The hosel structure is designed to self-align the shaft with the center of gravity through its geometric configuration. The upwardly extending arm, onset extension, and shaft connector work together to automatically position the shaft in the correct orientation, eliminating the need for the golfer to exert force to maintain face alignment during the putting stroke.
3Force
If conventional shaft alignment is used, then the hosel structure is simpler, but the putter requires golfer force to counteract rotation and maintain face on target line
Solution Approach 1:
The hosel structure acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that offsets the natural rotation tendency of the putter head. By positioning the shaft behind the striking face and aligning it with the center of gravity through the complex hosel geometry, the design creates a balanced system that resists rotation without requiring additional force from the golfer.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures consistent alignment and reduces the tendency for the putter face to rotate, resulting in more accurate putting by keeping the face aligned with the intended target throughout the stroke.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft extending longitudinally about a longitudinal axis of the shaft which is oriented to intersect the club head body at a location between the center of gravity and the toe area
Data Source
AI summary
A putter type golf club includes a club head body having a striking face in a face forward position. The golf club also includes a shaft and a club grip at an upper end of the shaft. The golf club yet further includes a hosel connecting the shaft to the club head body at a heel area on a forward location of the club head body. The hosel is oriented in a reverse, onset position located behind the striking face. The hosel includes a hosel arm extending upwardly from the club head body. The hosel also includes an onset extension extending rearwardly from the hosel arm. The hosel further includes a shaft connector at an upper end of the hosel at a rearward end of the onset extension. The shaft connector is oriented at an angle to be aligned toward the center of mass of the club head body.