Could the inventor of this golf club actually be a golfer?.....<< MORE >>

Did you ever see the photo of an alligator that died trying to swallow another alligator? The problem was that they were both about the same size. Well, recently I came across a patent application disclosing a club head that reminded me of the alligator photo. The club head design looks like one club head unsuccessfully trying to swallow a second club head. Check out this club!....<< MORE >>

An interesting golf ball patent issued last week that I would have to see to believe that it works. The patent is USPN 7416493 titled “Golf Training Apparatus” and describes the invention as..... Now check out these drawings of the invention and ask yourself…. “if it could be made, what would it cost?”....<< MORE >>

An interesting design patent issued today. Check out these drawings.... Interesting design! Would these tees find their way into your golf bag?.... << MORE >>

I have enough trouble reading the break of greens, let alone factoring in the grain. However, if you are one of the golfers that is good enough to actually take the grain of a green into account then this ball marker may have some appeal to you. The invention is disclosed in a patent application that published last week as US Pub. No. 20080207356 titled “Ball Marker Used to Ascertain Grain Direction of a Putting Surface.” Check out this description of the invention (it is actually very educational).....<< MORE >>

I was just starting to think that there were enough golf grip variations to make everyone happy. Apparently David Cera does not agree. He is the inventor listed on a recently issued golf grip related patent; namely USPN 7407444 titled “Method for Cushioning the Grip of a Golf Club, and Apparatus for Practicing the Method.” The patent describes the invention as....<< MORE >>

It seems like every golfer has fought the chicken wing in their golf swing at some point in their life; and there is no shortage of training aides directed at solving the problem. Interestingly, many golfers end up reverting back to the golf towel or head cover tucked in the armpit. In fact it is not unusual to see professionals on the range practicing this technique. A recently published patent application takes a more elegant approach to treating the chicken wing problem. The patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080153615 titled “Golf Training Apparatus” and describes the invention as.... << MORE >>

I don’t. In fact I always heard that you should tilt the tee forward or backward to influence the backspin imparted on the ball. However, since I could not find any decent information on the subject, I suspect that it may be an old wives tale. Having a perfectly level tee is important enough to one inventor that he filed a patent application on his tee design. The patent application recently published as US Pub. No. 20080161137 titled “Golf Tee” and describes the invention as.... You can probably guess what the tee looks like.... This patent application also serves as yet another hard lesson as why inventors should not prepare and file patent applications themselves unless they thoroughly understand patent law. The following is the single claim from the patent application....<< MORE >>

Have you ever felt that you needed a free standing putter? Me neither, but fortunately the inventors associated with the patent application that published as US Pub. No. 20080171614 are not bound by such conventional thinking. The patent application describes the putter as.... I could see this putter helping my game..... << MORE >>

You make the call; worthwhile swing trainer or merely a wedgie creator? The invention was granted patent protection last month via USPN 7399232 titled “Golf Club Swing Training Device and Method.” The patent describes the invention as.....<< MORE >>

Familiar with the USGA Rules on Clubs & Balls? Well, if you intend to invent and market a golf product then you should familiarize yourself with the Rules. One of the Rules is often simply referred to as the “plain in shape” rule and reads as follows.... The USGA also publishes a Guide to the Rules on Clubs & Balls, which provides nice examples interpreting the Rules. The following is an excerpt from the Guide offering some assistance in interpreting the “plain in shape” rule.... Now, with that bit of background check out this recently issued design patent.... The patent is USPN D574455 titled “Golf Club Putter Head.” So do you think it conforms to the USGA Rules?....<< MORE >>

I don’t know the answer to that question, but a patent issued this week that makes me think that having spikes that independently rotate couldn’t hurt my game. This week Callaway was granted USPN 7412784 titled “Shoe Traction System” that describes the invention as..... << MORE >>

While I am not a cigar smoker, I do have to admit that this invention looks like a pretty handy device and an easy sell. The invention was granted a design patent today; namely USPN D575449 titled “Support for Cigars and the Like on a Golf Cart.” Check it out.....<< MORE >>

I was honored to be a guest on the nationally syndicated Small Business Advocate® radio show this morning. Jim Blasingame and I debunk some common patent myths. I have been a fan of Jim’s show for close to 10 years and highly recommend it. Click below to listen to the interview.... << MORE >>

Last week I was very fortunate to a get tour of the USGA Research and Test Center in Far Hills, NJ. The Senior Technical Director Dick Rugge led the tour and provided a great explanation of the role of the Center, as well as a breakdown of the testing and research performed at the Center. On my drive to the Center I was amazed at just how beautiful Far Hills New Jersey is, and felt like I was entering a quaint university as I turning up the street leading to the USGA headquarters. Check out these photographs of the amazing USGA campus..... The Research and Test Center is housed in a separate building on the campus that is loaded with high technology toys that would put a grin on the face of any golf gear-head.....<< MORE >>

Yesterday I was reviewing the latest patent applications that published related to golfing inventions and I actually found myself thinking “great idea!” That does not happen very often. The patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080190795 with the title “Golf Club Holder for Golf Carts.” Check out this rather handy invention..... << MORE >>

An interesting adjustable putter patent issued this week, just check out this design...... The invention comes from USPN 7410423 titled “Golf Club Having An Adjustable Shaft Angle” and describes the invention as..... Pretty ingenious design but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a new “concept,” just check out the putter found in USPN 1352020 from 1920!..... << MORE >>

Check out this putter design that recently issued as a utility patent. Would you be willing to give it a try?...... How is that for a little offset! The patent is USPN 7371185 titled “Putterhead with Center Line Forward Offset Hosel” and describes the invention as.....<< MORE >>

Remember a post I did for the Cele-Branding blog back in November regarding Bubba Watson’s deal with Steve & Barry’s®? No worries, let me recap...... The following comes from the original post..... So, why am I revisiting this topic? Well, last month Steve & Barry’s announced that they filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (click here for the press release). How would you like it if the federal trademark application for your line of golf products (which includes your name) and the URL that is your name (www.BubbaWatson.com) were both assets of a company in bankruptcy? I can’t even imagine the hassle that would be involved if Bubba wanted to obtain the rights to this intellectual property at this point. In fact, just consider this article highlighting the fact that the bankruptcy judge had to approve Steve & Barry's payment of $250,000 to tennis star Venus Williams under the terms of her clothing line contract.......<< MORE >>

It seems like the latest hot trend in putter designs is unique alignment features, but not necessary features that help you align the putter with the ball and the hole. Rather, the trend seems to be directed to features that provide feedback to the user regarding their stance and stroke. One putter with such alignment features recently issued as USPN 7393285 titled “Putter with Alignment Means.” The patent describes the invention as..... << MORE >>

Amazing, I just got done posting about Trisport, Ltd. suing Greenkeepers concerning USPN 6810608 titled “Shoe Cleats.” Now, it turns out that Softspikes sued MacNeill Engineering (a.k.a. Champ Spikes) on the same day in the same court, also for golf cleat patent infringement! What are the odds? On Tuesday Softspikes sued the makers of Champ Spikes for infringement of USPN 6052923 titled “Golf Cleat” and USPN 6167641 titled “Athletic Shoe Cleat.” Click HERE to read the actual Complaint..... << MORE >>

One year ago I wrote about a golf spike patent infringement lawsuit in which Greenkeepers sued Acushnet (FootJoy) and Softspikes for alleged patent infringement of USPN 6530162 titled “Sports Shoe Cleats.” Click HERE to review the post. Interestingly, this was not the first lawsuit centered on the ‘162 patent. Yesterday Greenkeepers found themselves in a different position; namely that of a defendant in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Trisport, Ltd. concerning USPN 6810608 titled “Shoe Cleats.” Click HERE to read the actual complaint filed in the Delaware District Court. Would you ever have guessed that the golf shoe spike / cleat market would be so competitive and litigious? True golf equipment gear heads may be interested in learning how the Trisport Fast Twist system works. Check out the following description and drawings from the patent..... Goodness, it is getting to the point that I have a hard time keeping track of all the golf industry patent infringement lawsuits!<< MORE >>

I am pleased to offer the first Bounty from the Golf-Patents.com Bounty Hunter Program and hope that it is claimed. The details are as follows: Bounty: $750.... Deadline: Submissions must be received by 5:00 EST August 1, 2008 ..... Quantity: Only one bounty will be awarded. The first submission meeting the criteria herein will be awarded the bounty within 1 week of notification that that the submission met the Bounty Criteria..... The Bounty Criteria are as follows..... Good Luck!<< MORE >>

Readers of the Golf-Patents blog know that there is a fair share of patent litigation in the golf industry. Further, the validity of the patent-in-suit is always brought into question, primarily by one of the parties producing prior art that was not considered by the US Patent and Trademark Office when it issued the patent. Thus, every year many illegitimate patent applications make their way through the US patent examination process without adequate review. The problem is particularly acute in the golf industry where the history of prior inventions (often called “prior art”) is widely distributed and poorly documented. In other words, a majority of golf industry prior art, whether it be clubs, balls, GPS range finders, training devices, etc. is not easily searchable in a nice library or convenient database. The reason is that a significant part of golf industry prior art consists of products that were not patented. For instance, very few, if any of the component club manufacturers patented their club designs; which often happen to be the most radical designs that gain mainstream acceptance years later. So how does a person find a component club catalog from 1982 containing a particularly relevant piece of prior art? Or how does one find that a particular golf product was sold in Japan five years before a patent application was filed in the US? The answer is the Golf-Patents.com Bounty Hunter Program. The goal of the Bounty Hunter Program is to tap into the knowledge of all hardcore golf enthusiasts and ..... << MORE >>

Check out the invention described in published patent application US Pub. No. 20080146363 titled “No-Head-Turn Putting and Swing Teaching Aid.”..... OK, I could imagine putting with this invention, but driving…. Really?<< MORE >>

Back in December I reported (click here) on a patent and trademark infringement lawsuit brought by The Grip Master Co. Pty Ltd. of Australia against TheGripMasterUSA. The patent at the center of the dispute is USPN 6449803 titled “Grip for a Handle or Shaft.” The patent is directed to an underlisting (or core) designed for wrapped grips, as seen below. Well, Grip Master obviously does not shy away from lawsuits and they have now sued Lamkin Grips alleging infringement of the same patent. Click HERE to read the actual Complaint......<< MORE >>

Two interesting design patents issued today to SRI Sports that may give us a look at some new Srixon clubs..... The designs look pretty nice, although I have to admit that I have never hit Srixon clubs..... << MORE >>

Becoming a golf superstar comes with its fair share of responsibilities, including building and protecting your personal brand. The most financially successful golf celebrities know how to capitalize on their brands via trademark protection and licensing, and there is no doubt that Greg Norman is one of the best at it. A simple search of the US Trademark Office’s records reveals that Greg Norman’s Great White Shark Enterprises has 41 records with the Office, 23 of which are LIVE records. The LIVE records list includes..... So, don’t feel too bad for Greg in light of his performance on Sunday at The British Open, he is obviously a very smart and successful businessman. Just think of the advertising value that his brands received this weekend, not to mention all the exposure for MacGregor! Interestingly, Greg has his hands in everything from sunglasses and meat to grass and restaurants! Perhaps tennis equipment is next.....<< MORE >>

About one year ago I reported that GPS Industries and Optimal IP Holdings filed a patent infringement lawsuit against 10 defendants ..... Then, back in May I reported (see post here) that many of the defendants from the initial lawsuit also found themselves listed as defendants in another GPS patent infringement lawsuit; this time filed by Roblor Marketing Group..... Now, this week (July 16th) yet another GPS patent infringement lawsuit was filed adding two new patents to the golf GPS patent minefield; namely, USPN 5685786 titled “Passive Golf Information System and Method” and USPN 5438518 titled “Player Positioning and Distance Finding System.” This most recent lawsuit finds GPS Industries Inc. and GPS IT LLC accusing ProLink Solutions LLC, ProLink Holdings Corp., LinksCorp Inc., and ABC National Television Sales, Inc. of patent infringement. Click HERE to read the actual Complaint. Suing ABC for patent infringement! Interesting strategy. The Complaint includes the following allegations with respect to ABC..... Fascinating litigation strategy. I wonder if ABC will put any pressure on the ProLink Defendants to make this lawsuit go away..... << MORE >>

Remember the Strike N Swipe reusable impact tape from The Golf Channel’s “Fore Inventors Only” show? If not, check out the impressive Strike N Swipe website, complete with David Leadbetter endorsement. In my prior posts (here, and here) I affectionately referred to the product as the million dollar reusable impact tape because on the show the inventor explained that he had almost one million dollars invested in the product (which blew me away). The following was my review of the Strike N Swipe from the very first episode..... Then, the Big Break Contestants provided their thoughts on the product during the 4th episode..... So, why the walk down memory lane? A few weeks ago the Strike N Swipe patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080153617 titled “Sports Impact Point Indicator.” The application describes the invention as..... Boy, a few of those extreme heel impacts look like they were taken right from my clubs!..... << MORE >>

Have you ever thought to yourself….. my “hosel does not have any gorgeousness or sumptuousness?” Gorgeousness.…. Sumptuousness….. What! (apparently some words don’t translate well, who knew) A few weeks ago a Bridgestone patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080153622 titled “Golf Club Head Having Decorated Hosel and Golf Club Using Same” and it left me thinking to myself…. “this is so bizarre that I must not be smart enough to appreciate the genius of it!” The application explains..... I would love to see Freddie Couples show up at a Major with his clubs sporting this hosel bling! << MORE >>

Yet another interesting golf training device patent application. Boy, they are a dime a dozen; and I, like most golfers, would try almost anything to improve my game. The invention disclosed in the application that published as US Pub. No. 20080146364 titled “Device for Correcting Golf Swing Posture” is unlike most training aids in that it is directed to the lower body. The application describes the invention as.... I am not totally convinced that this invention would help my game, but I would give it a try. << MORE >>

Ever heard of EZ Line Putters? Me neither, although I have to admit…. they look pretty nice. Plus, EZ Line Putter owns USPN 4962927 titled “Putter Head.” So, which Odyssey putters have come under fire? Well, the Odyssey White Hot XG #7 putter, the Odyssey White Hot XG #7 Long putter, the Odyssey Black Series I #7 putter, and the Odyssey White Hot Sabertooth putter have been accused of infringing the ‘927 patent. Plus, the White Hot XG Marxman Blade putter is the subject of trade dress infringement and unfair competition claims. The ‘927 patent describes the putter as.... << MORE >>

As I have mentioned in the past, design patents directed to golf balls are not very common, and design patents directed to a particular dimple design are even more rare. Well, last week Mizuno had an interesting golf ball design patent issue; namely USPN D572322 titled “Golf Ball.” Check out these figures from the patent........ Frankly, I did not even know that Mizuno was in the golf ball business, and you would never know it from the Mizuno Golf website. Interestingly, Mizuno has received at least 10 US patents directed to golf ball patents in the past 3 years. Additionally, Mizuno does have over 20 golf balls listed in the USGA records of conforming golf balls. Interesting! Is this a sign of things to come? If so, hopefully it will bring down the price of golf balls.<< MORE >>

I bet that at least 77% of golfers will not recognize the following iron. Heck, I will even tell you that it is a Callaway club. Do you recognize the product line?.....<< MORE >>

Almost a year ago I published a post on what may be the next step in club head adjustability; namely, coefficient of restitution (COR) adjustability, or the ability to adjust the stiffness of club’s face. Interested? The prior post posed the following hypothetical: Perhaps you really loosen up the face during your practice rounds to gain a few extra yards and carry those fairway bunkers, then turn around the next day and bring it back into USGA conformance for the club championship. It doesn’t sound too realistic, but then again… ten years ago a square driver might not have seemed very realistic. The same could be said for 460 cc club heads and titanium faced irons..... The latest patent describes the invention as ..... Obviously Acushnet feels there might be something to this technology. I can’t wait to see when, or if, it makes it to market! << MORE >>

How many possible uses for a “portable golf caddy” can you think of? Perhaps two or three? Well, a recently published patent application discloses a “portable golf caddy” invention that has at least 10 different uses. While I can’t imagine ever purchasing the device, it is the type of gift that you may receive from the non-golfer in your life (so there may be a market for it). The patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080146367 titled “Portable Golf Caddy” and describes the invention as.... Check out these drawings!.....<< MORE >>

How good are you at identifying a particular brand of putter when all the logos and trademarks are stripped off the club head? I was starting to think that I was pretty good at it until coming across USPN D571878 titled “Golf Putter Head.” The figures below come from the ‘878 patent that issued recently to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of putter?<< MORE >>

As I reported earlier this week (read post HERE), a recent letter from Acushnet’s attorney to the Court provided a nice status report regarding the reexamination progress. Well, Callaway did not let any grass grow under their feet before filing their own letter to the Court providing a different view of the situation. Enjoy..... Oh, if we only knew how much money has been spent on this lawsuit!<< MORE >>

An interesting golf trademark infringement lawsuit was filed this week. The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (The PGA of America) sued Scottish Golf Holidays for the unauthorized use of the RYDER CUP registered trademark. In fact, this is the second time The PGA of America has sued Scottish Golf Holidays in one year! Click HERE to review the actual Complaint. I have reproduced majority of the sections below..... Wow, is that a Complaint or what! So, did you have any idea that The PGA of America has over 28,000 golf professionals? I would never have guessed that high! PS - Because the PGA did not use one particular Ohio IP attorney (known to love golf) as local counsel to file this Complaint right in his back yard.... I vow that once my game finally comes around, I will not join The PGA of America! Since I have been waiting 25 years for my game to come around, perhaps they should not be too concerned about the risk of losing this unlikely member!<< MORE >>

The Callaway v. Titleist (Acushnet) golf ball battle has been pending for a couple of years now, so a quick refresher is in order..... You may recall that all four of the patents-in-suit are currently being re-examined by the USPTO, and things were not going well for the validity of the patents before the USPTO (recall, the jury already found majority of the claims valid). Now, for the update...... A recent letter from Acushnet’s attorney to the Court provides a nice status report regarding the reexamination progress..... Click HERE to read the actual letter. I predict that I will be reporting on this case for at least 2 more years! Hard to believe? << MORE >>

Ahh, the good old days.... Remember that crazy golf ball gun from the “Fore Inventors Only” show that looked as if Stina broke her hand when she fired it? Here is my review from my prior post..... Frankly, I recall being surprised that he had a patent application filed on the launcher. So, imagine how surprised I was to see another patent application recently publish on the invention. The most recent application published as US Pub. No. 20080099004 titled “Pressurized Air Shooting Device” and describes the invention as..... So, do you think this inventor will ever recoup his investment in two patent applications? I have to admit that it would be kind of fun to take one of these out on the course; that is until the Ranger noticed and banned me from the course for life. << MORE >>

An interesting golf grip patent application recently published as US Pub. No. 20080127459 titled “Apparatus For Gripping An Instrument Having An Elongate Handle.” I wonder what the USGA would have to say about this grip. The application describes the invention as.... Check out these drawings! I can see its applicability to hammers much more than golf clubs. << MORE >>

As you know, Golf-Patents.com has repeatedly used putter design patents to test your knowledge of putters (click here to satisfy your hunger for putter patent posts). The figure below come from a US putter design patent that issued recently to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of putter? << MORE >>

Hybrids, iron-woods, rescue clubs, utility clubs, ..... whatever you call them, it seems as though their popularity is growing every year. The following figures come from a design patent directed to a hybrid. Can you identify the manufacturer?<< MORE >>

I recently saw a post on a golf blog about the UROClub and chuckled (sorry, can’t recall which blog it was). Then almost fell out of my chair when a few weeks later I came across a published patent application on the device. The patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080127402 titled “Urinal Apparatus Including a Simulated Golf Club” and describes the invention as..... Check out these drawings..... I know that it is probably 100 percent spill-proof, but I am not comfortable risking any spillage on my grips or bag. (Perhaps when I am older) Although, the fact that it was invented by a urologist does give the product an extra level of credibility, but $50! It would make a good gag gift for the senior golfer in your life.<< MORE >>

I often wonder, “is there money to be made in golf training products?” There must be because the number of golf training aid patent applications is through the roof! A recent training aid patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080139332 titled “Golf Training Aid,” and describes the invention as.... The following drawings do a better job of explaining the invention..... I would try it, but wouldn’t buy it.<< MORE >>

That is just what I said when I came across one rather unique golf club disclosed in recently published patent application US Pub. No. 20080132349 titled “Golf Club Head having Concavely Curved Face.” Check out these drawings!..... The application describes the invention as..... Do you think this club would help your game?<< MORE >>

Check out this putter that was granted a utility patent this week..... I bet you didn’t think that was the side of the putter designed to strike the ball! The patent is USPN 7387576 titled “Golf Club,” and describes the invention as.... Would this putter ever find a place in your bag? << MORE >>

If you strip all the logos off a golf club head, the typical avid golfer can usually identify the manufacturer of the popular drivers… often the popular irons… and sometimes the popular putters… but I bet that most readers cannot identify this set of irons. These drawings come from a design patent issued to one of the popular club makers. Can you identify the brand?<< MORE >>