Segmented Putter Face for Loft Variation and Backspin Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf putters fail to automatically adjust their static loft to match an individual golfer's dynamic loft angle, leading to inconsistent launch angles and excessive backspin, making it difficult for golfers to achieve optimal control over the ball's path and distance.
Innovation Solution
A golf putter with a face comprising multiple facets, each with a unique static loft angle, and a series of grooves and landings, allowing for a gradual increase in loft from the sole to the top, which automatically corrects for the golfer's angle of approach and reduces backspin by promoting a launch angle between 2-2.5°.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a putter face with a single static loft angle is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the launch angle control is inconsistent and excessive backspin occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The putter face is segmented into multiple facets (first facet, second facet, third facet, fourth facet) with progressively increasing static loft angles. Each facet has a unique loft angle that increases from the sole toward the top of the face, allowing the putter to automatically adjust to different impact positions and reduce backspin while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular faceting.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the putter face have different static loft angles tailored to specific impact scenarios. The lower facets have smaller loft angles for lower impacts, while upper facets have larger loft angles for higher impacts. This local variation in loft angle optimizes launch angle control for each region of the face.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the static loft angle is increased to reduce backspin, then backspin is reduced, but the launch angle becomes too high causing the ball to skip and bounce
Solution Approach 1:
The putter face transitions from a static single-loft design to a dynamic multi-facet design where the effective loft angle varies based on impact position. This allows the putter to automatically adapt its loft characteristics during the swing, reducing backspin when needed while preventing excessive launch angles that would cause skipping and bouncing.
Solution Approach 2:
The static loft angle parameter is changed across different facets of the putter face. By varying the loft angle parameter from facet to facet (with each subsequent facet having a greater angle), the design optimizes the balance between reducing backspin and controlling launch angle to prevent skipping and bouncing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the putter face is made flat, then manufacturing is simple, but the ball achieves true roll slowly with excessive skid
Solution Approach 1:
The putter face incorporates curved surfaces through the progressive faceting that creates a subtle arc from sole to top. This curvature allows the ball to interact with progressively changing loft angles during impact, promoting quicker achievement of true roll while reducing skid, all while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the faceted approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A golf putter comprised of a shaft having an axis, a hosel attached to the shaft and a head attached to the hosel. The head of the putter has a face, a top and a sole. The face of the putter is comprised of multiple facets with a degree of static loft measured from the plane of the facet to the axis of the shaft. It is preferable that there are at least four facets on the face of the putter. The first facet is proximate to the sole of the face and has a first static loft angle. The second facet is above and abuts the first facet and has a second static loft angle which is greater than the first static loft angle. The third facet abutting and above the second facet has a third static loft angle which is greater than the second static loft angle. The fourth facet abuts and is above the third facet and has a fourth static loft angle which is greater than the third static loft angle. It is preferable that the static loft angles of said at least four facets differ by only 1 degree between abutting facets.