A golf club sleeve for use with various golf club structures is presented. The golf club sleeve may have an airfoil shaped cross section and may extend over at least a portion of the shaft of the golf club to reduce drag associated with the shaft during a golf swing, thereby increasing swing speed. The golf club sleeve may be rotatable relative to the shaft of the golf club to orient itself during a swing in order to improve air flow over the sleeve.

I. General Description of Example Golf Club Sleeves For Use With Various Golf Clubs in Accordance with this Invention

Aspects of this invention relate to golf club accessories, including a golf club sleeve, for use with various types of golf clubs. In at least some examples, golf clubs according to aspects described herein may include a golf club head and a shaft having a first end connected to the golf club head at a hosel. The golf club may further include a golf club sleeve extending over the shaft and surrounding the shaft, the golf club sleeve being formed of a substantially rigid material and being freely rotatable relative to shaft. In some arrangements, the golf club may also include a reduced-friction transition connecting the golf club sleeve to the hosel. In some examples, the reduced-friction transition may include ball bearings. In some arrangements, the golf club sleeve may extend over substantially all of the shaft of the golf club and may have a cross section having an airfoil shaped geometry to reduce drag associated with the shaft during a golf swing.

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs that may include a golf club head and a shaft having a first end to which the golf club head is connected. The golf club may further include a golf club sleeve extending over the shaft and surrounding the shaft, the golf club sleeve having a cross-section corresponding to an airfoil and being removably connected to the golf club and rotatable relative to the shaft. In some examples, the cross section corresponding to the airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a midsection extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. Further, a thickness of the sleeve may be greatest at a portion of the midsection.

In at least some examples, the golf club sleeve may further include at least one closure mechanism for securing the golf club sleeve to the golf club. The closure mechanism may include at least one snap fits, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop type closures, and snaps. The golf club sleeve may connect to the golf club at a hosel and the connection may include a reduced-friction transition that may, in some arrangements, include ball bearings. The golf club sleeve may further include an aperture extending through the golf club sleeve and corresponding to the size of the shaft. In some examples, the aperture may be tapered.

Still other aspects of the invention relate to a golf club sleeve. The golf club sleeve may include a sleeve body having an airfoil shaped cross section, the sleeve body including a leading edge, a trailing edge and a mid-section extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, wherein the thickness of the body in at least a portion of the midsection is greater than the thickness of the sleeve body at the leading edge and the trailing edge; and an aperture extending through the airfoil shaped sleeve body, the aperture being sized to correspond to a shaft of a golf club. In at least some examples, the aperture extends through the entire length of the golf club sleeve.

In some aspects, the golf club sleeve may be rotatable relative to the shaft of the golf club when connected to the golf club. The golf club sleeve may extend over substantially all of the shaft of the golf club when connected to the golf club.

In still other examples, the airfoil shaped cross section of the sleeve body may be tear drop shaped. In some examples, the sleeve body may be formed of a rigid material, such as a composite material. The sleeve body may also include a closure mechanism that may be located at the trailing edge of the sleeve body and may be configured to secure the sleeve body to the golf club.