The idea of incorporating some type of drag chute into a training aide seems to be a pretty popular idea; just check out THIS previous post. Recently a patent issued on a more discreet variation; you know one that doesn’t scream “hey look at me and my fancy training aide!” In fact, USPN 7479068 titled “Golf Swing Training Device” nicely incorporates the “drag chute” concept into a head cover. The patent explains.... Check out these drawings from the patent.... From the look of those last two drawings it seems that this device can also be used to catch butterflies.... << MORE >>

While reviewing the golf club patents that issued this week I came across a Callaway patent titled “Golf Club Head with Alignment Line.” I immediately assumed it was yet another putter alignment system patent. Since putter alignment systems are generally pretty innovative I immediately clicked on it to learn more. It only took a split second to notice the language “[t]he golf club head is preferably a driver or fairway wood, and preferably has a volume of 250 cubic centimeters to 475 cubic centimeters.” What… an alignment line for a driver or fairway wood! The patent describes the invention as..... Ahh, the old switcharoo! Make you think the face is open when it is actually closed, and vice versa. Now your clubs really will be playing mind games with you out on the course! Check out these drawings.... How about calling it the FT-i-Need-2-B-trkd-2-hit-r-str8?<< MORE >>

An interesting patent application published today under the title of “Method and Apparatus for an Assistive Energy Type Golf Club” (US Pub. No. 20090029793). The application explains that getting extra distance is simply a matter of timing; or more precisely the timing of an explosive charge, the release of a compressed spring or compressed gas, or other “assistive energy” means. The application explains.... I know that the day will come when I can no longer produce my picture perfect, silky-smooth, powerful, Tiger-esque golf swing, and when that day comes I hope that these types of clubs have been perfected so that I can still get out and enjoy some time on the course.....<< MORE >>

Wrong! I wanted to read about all the cool stuff going on behind the computer screen. You know, relationships among launch angles, spin rates, ball speed, swing speed, ball hardness, influences of multi-piece ball construction, etc. Nope, none of that interesting information in this patent application; it is more like a softball marketing piece.....<< MORE >>

If you are like me, and 99.99% of golfers, then you have no idea what triboluminescence is. Fortunately, a recently published Taylor Made golf ball patent application explains.... This explanation comes from published patent application US Pub. No. 20090023518 titled “Triboluminescent Materials and Golf Balls Made from Such Materials.” The application explains the need for a golf ball made of triboluminescent material..... OK, the application had my attention at this point! So what is special about this ball? Here you go.... How cool would it be to play with such a golf ball? I hope this makes it to market! << MORE >>

Having trouble reading the greens? If so, an invention disclosed in a recently published patent application may be just what you need. The application published as US Pub. No. 20090017943 titled “Golf Green Reader” and included these drawings..... The application describes the invention as.... I would suffer the embarrassment of lugging one of these around if it could shave at least 2 strokes off my round. << MORE >>

Watch out, if you wear a Greg Norman straw hat style GNS8AC20; you may be a patent infringer! Last week the Bollman Hat Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Greg Norman Interactive, LLC regarding the sale of the Greg Norman straw hat. You may read the Complaint HERE. The patent that is allegedly infringed is USPN 5426789 titled “Size Adjustable Hat.” The patent describes the invention as.... PS – Greg, if you are reading this (as if).... I just happen to know a patent attorney that would be happy to defend you in exchange for a week on Aussie Rules and one golf lesson. Sounds like a bargain to me.<< MORE >>

Back in November the District Court issued several rulings regarding the ProV1 litigation (click HERE to refresh your memory). Well since then Acushnet has appealed several rulings to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), and as you know the CAFC let the injunction stand. Well this week I was surprised to get an email that new documents had been filed with the District Court. What could it be? So, I do a little poking around and see that the new documents were filed by an attorney for Bridgestone. Yes, for a moment I thought I was looking at the docket for the wrong case. Nope, it was the right case. Click HERE to read the couple of sentences of the letter that have not been redacted and click HERE to see the couple portions of a November court ruling that were redacted. Interesting right?..... << MORE >>

Truth! Just consider the disclosure in an Acushnet patent application that published today. The patent application published as US Pub. No. 20090017941 titled “Golf Ball Surface Patterns Comprising Multiple Channels” and contained the following drawings..... Bet you haven’t seen a golf ball like those before. The application explains..... What will they think of next? << MORE >>

I don’t know if a heated head cover is really "necessary," but some inventor must think that there is a market for heated head covers because they have filed a patent application directed to one such device...... So what do you think is the ideal temperature to keep the face of your golf club?..... and the answer is ..... << MORE >>

A little over one year ago I wrote about a patent infringement lawsuit that GolfTech filed against Edens Technologies LLC regarding their Dancin’Dogg personal golf simulator. The plaintiff is not the golfTEC teaching franchise, but rather the owner of USPN 6821211 titled “Sport Swing Analysis System” and licensor of the technology for the P3ProSwing golf simulator and swing analyzer. Piece of cake, right? Does it infringe or doesn’t it? Oh, if only it were so easy. Click HERE to review the analysis that the judge performed to determine whether the patent is valid and infringed. Not too easy is it!<< MORE >>

Generally it is easy to dismiss golf ball locating systems as impractical or technically impossible. Recently I was about to dismiss yet another such patent application simply from the abstract and title, but upon scratching the surface I realized that there was an awful lot of technical disclosure in the application. This is a generally a sign that the application is directed to an actual invention rather than a nice idea supported only by smoke and mirrors. You be the judge. The patent application that I refer to published as US Pub. No. 20090003136 titled “Impact Energy Powered Golf Ball Transmitter.”.... Sounds crazy, right? Well, don’t dismiss it just yet; the listed inventor has roughly 20 issued patents, with many directed to mobile communication systems for major companies. He seems to have the credentials. The application goes on to explain.... Pretty cool idea that I would love to see make it to market, but I would have to see it work to believe it. << MORE >>

Grooves, grooves, grooves.... they have definitely been a hot topic for the past year at the USGA, which by default means they have been a topic for the club makers! Therefore, it should be no surprise that we are starting to see some interesting groove related inventions. Karsten (aka PING) has come up with a rather interesting groove related invention disclosed in a patent application that published today. The application published as US Pub. No. 20090011852 with the title “Grooves with Multiple Channels and Methods to Manufacture Grooves of a Golf Club Head.” Check out these groove designs.... << MORE >>

An interesting golf ball patent issued yesterday to Acushnet. The patent is USPN 7473194 titled “Dimpled Golf Ball and Dimple Distributing Method” and describes the invention as.... Like most golf ball dimple related patents, it is full of interesting information. For instance.... I just can’t explain why I find this stuff fascinating! Next time you are on the tee, look at your ball and ask yourself “are those dimples placed on the regions defined by a great rhombicosidodecahedron?” << MORE >>

How familiar are you with the new lines of “players” irons? Do these look familiar?..... You can click here for the answer, and click here to check out USPN D584370 titled “Iron Golf Club Head,” which issued today. Nice looking sticks, but my game is not good enough for them.....<< MORE >>

In the past I have posted about some pretty unusual Callaway designs (here) as well as some rather unique Taylor Made designs (here). This week Karsten Manufacturing (aka PING) steps up to the plate with a surprising design. Last Thursday a patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080318707 titled “Golf Club Head with Foam Core.” I wasn’t surprised by the title because every week there are several “odd” golf club related patent applications that publish. I was surprised when I clicked on the link to view the application and saw that it was a Karsten / PING patent application! Is a foam core PING driver in the future?.....<< MORE >>

How many oddities can you spot in this drawing from a patent directed to a golf club for shots within sixty yards of the green?..... The drawing comes from USPN 6605006 titled “Golf Club” which describes the invention as..... ANSWER.... The lesson: if you are going to spend the money to patent your golf invention, at least work with people that are golfers!....<< MORE >>

I will be the first to admit that it is hard to keep up with all the different putter models that are launched every year. In fact, it is often difficult to associate an actual putter product from the major putter producers with many of the newly issued putter design patents. This is due in part that many companies wisely apply for patent protection as soon as a new design looks promising; often before a decision is made as to how, or if, the new design fits into the planned product line-up. This week an interesting Nike putter design patent issued that I could not associate with any of their existing product offerings. The patent is USPN D583431 titled “Golf Club Head.” Check out this nice design....<< MORE >>

Merry Christmas! I thought I would find some interesting inventions that combine golf and the Christmas spirit. Should be easy, right? Nope, but here are two inventions that have at least some link to Christmas and golf. Would you use a Christmas tree shaped golf club carrier? The inventors of USPN 6032999 titled “Golf Club and Accessory Carrier” hope that you will. Check out this carrier....<< MORE >>

There is no doubt that Boo Weekley is a likeable character. Therefore it is good to see that someone is advising him on building and protecting the BOO brand. Check out Boo’s trademark portfolio!...... Congratulations Boo, you are doing a better job at protecting your brand than most guys on Tour.<< MORE >>

Lately the golf patent litigation scene has been a little slow. Perhaps that has changed with an exciting case filed this week concerning golf clubs that I did not know existed. OK, exciting may be a bit of a stretch, but did you know that there is a market for golf clubs that you don’t swing? Check out THIS website to learn about the Swingless® golf club. Also, click HERE to read the Complaint that explains the bizarre relationships among the parties of the lawsuit. The patents at issue are USPN 5522594 titled “Ballistic Impeller Golf Club;” 5816927 titled “Variable Range Device For A Ballistic Impeller Golf Club;” 5924932 titled “Ballistic Impeller Golf Club;” and 6139440 titled “Cartridge holder For A Ballistic Impeller Golf Club.” That’s right.... a ballistic impeller golf club! One of the patents describes the invention as.....<< MORE >>

Ever heard of Global Value Commerce, Inc.? Me neither, but a quick Google search reveals that it is the company that owns and operates the popular GlobalGolf® website. Well, this week GVC had an interesting patent application publish giving us an inside look at some intellectual property that GVC would love to own outright. The patent application published as US Pub. No. 20080313051 titled “Online Preowned Golf Club Sales.” The title alone piqued my interest. The application summarizes the invention as..... It will be interesting to see what the USPTO has to say about this application; and whether it issues as a patent!<< MORE >>

A pretty cool putting training aide was granted a patent this week. The patent is USPN 7465237 titled “Magnetic Golf Putting Training Device.” The invention is described as..... Check out these drawings..... Pretty cool putting patent! I would love to give it a try.... << MORE >>

Some people are of the belief that one should stick with what they are good at; while others think that one should try as many different things as possible and expand their horizons. You be the judge…. Should Mr. Cameron stick with designing putters or does he have a potential hit on his hands with this golf grip concept?....<< MORE >>

An interesting patent application published this week directed to a training putter. At first I thought it looked crazy, but the more I read about it the more I started to think that it might be a pretty good idea. The application published as US Pub. No. 20080305880 titled “Golf Swing and Putting Stroke Training Device and Method.” Check out this practice putter design.... The application explains.... << MORE >>

Check out the ball retriever found in a design patent that issued this week...... This retriever design is found in USPN D582496 titled “Golf Ball Retriever.” I suppose it would work without getting your grip wet if your ball was in a shallow puddle.... << MORE >>

An interesting putter patent issued today related to a deep face putter. The patent is USPN 7462111 titled “Confidence Putter” and describes the invention as..... Interesting concept. Unfortunately the legal scope of the patent is probably not as broad as one would hope.....<< MORE >>

Golf course developers, please…. please…. take a lesson from almost every other industry in existence. Don’t select a name for a golf course unless you are sure that it can be protected (i.e. obtain federal trademark registration) and enforced to prevent others from using the name..... Why do I make this plea? I see too many avoidable disputes between golf course developers and adjacent real estate developers or agents. The latest dispute involves the Arnold Palmer designed Tradition Golf Club in La Quinta, California. Looks like a nice course (as it should for a $175k initiation fee). Last month the dispute escalated when Tradition Club Associates, LLC sued Tradition Golf Club Sales for false designation of origin; unfair competition under California Business & Professions Code section 17200 et seq. and common law; and common-law passing off.... Here are a few tips that should get those lucky few individuals involved in naming golf courses into the right frame of mind....... << MORE >>

Perhaps a golf board game is the answer to the winter blues. Interestingly, a patent recently issued on one such game. The patent is USPN 7448628 titled “Golf Board Game” and describes the game as..... Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Numerous golf board game patents have issued over the years, just check out these patents....<< MORE >>

I was honored to be a guest on the nationally syndicated Small Business Advocate® radio show this morning. Jim Blasingame and I discussed some common copyright issues experienced by small business owners and attempted to debunk some common copyright myths. I have been a fan of Jim’s show for close to 10 years and highly recommend it. Feel free to listen to the interview HERE.....<< MORE >>

This week Eaton Corp., parent company of Golf Pride, was issued a rather interesting golf grip patent. The patent is USPN 7458902 titled “Changeable Golf Grip.” I know…. I also said “what is a CHANGEABLE golf grip?” Before we dive into the invention, a bit of background is in order..... OK, so the idea sounds smart, but how is it implemented? Well, the patent explains.... Interesting concept, but I am not sure I like the part about “a modified (reduced length) golf club shaft.”.....<< MORE >>

Why hasn’t this club made it to the market? Oh well, I can always dream..... Check out that grip! The club pictured above is found in USPN 5556345 titled “Golf Club With Improved Shafts.” The patent describes the invention as.... << MORE >>

How well do you understand the technology behind golf club shafts? If you are like most golfers, then you might know a few buzz words like kick point, torque, and flex, but probably don’t understand the impact that various construction techniques have on a shaft's properties. This post is not intended to explain the ins and outs of shaft technology (after all, there are a lot of people infinitely more qualified than me to explain those things). However, click HERE to learn what those common buzz words actually mean. This post is intended to introduce what may, or may not, be an interesting new shaft construction. The shaft construction is disclosed in a patent application that recently published as US Pub. No. 20080287212 titled “Golf Club Shaft and Method of Fabricating the Same.” The application explains.... << MORE >>

An interesting driver design appeared in a patent application that recently published as US Pub. No. 20080280697 titled “Golf Club Head and Shaft Assembly.” While I would like to swing an actual production driver constructed per this design, my gut tells me that I have seen this concept disclosed several times in the past. Check it out!....<< MORE >>

An interesting golf ball patent issued this month to Acushnet. The patent is USPN 7452291 titled “Foam-Core Golf Balls” and describes the invention as.... The patent provides a nice discussion of the significance of the core to a golf ball’s performance.... Interesting stuff, and I bet you learned something new about golf ball technology.... << MORE >>

Patent applications directed to unique methods of putting always grab my attention. Perhaps it is because no matter how bad I am putting I would never think that I should just try unconventional methods of holding and swinging the putter until my putting improves (probably a result of close my minded engineering education rather than a creative artistic education). Luckily, creative people do exist, but I don’t think we will see this stroke on Tour anytime soon. The most recent patent pending putting stroke is disclosed in a patent application that published as US Pub. No. 20080248892 titled “Putting Method and Apparatus.” The application discloses the invention as..... Would you ever think of resting one of your hands on your thigh? Check out these drawings....<< MORE >>

Yesterday Acushnet did what it promised and filed an appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in the Titleist ProV1 patent dispute. The case was destined for an appeal; it was just a matter of when it would occur. After all, since there has been over $1.5 billion in sales (see prior post) there is a lot of money at stake. Just consider that a measly 2% of $1.5 billion in sales is $30 million!.....<< MORE >>

Well, it is long overdue.... the time has come for me to eat my words! While reviewing my posts regarding the ProV1 litigation in an effort to refresh my memory regarding the case I stumbled upon a prediction that I made in a prior post. I gave my prediction regarding the likelihood of an injunction and stated..... Looks like it is time to buy stock in Callaway! Fortunately, I like their golf balls..... << MORE >>

OK, the title may be a little misleading. Callaway and Acushnet did settle a patent infringement lawsuit, just not the lawsuit that has garnered so much recent publicity. Regular readers of the Golf-Patents blog will recall that Callaway and Acushnet (parent company of Titleist and Cobra) have been fighting it out over more than just the ProV1’s. A golf club patent dispute between the two has been the ugly step-child of the more glamorous, and widely reported, golf ball patent lawsuit. In fact, I did not see any press releases or reports on the fact that the golf club patent infringement lawsuit was settled about a week ago..... If you need a refresher on the driver lawsuit ..... Thus, this driver infringement lawsuit stretched for almost a year and a half and basically included virtually every driver that Acushnet and Callaway have recently launched. So, needless to say, there was some money at stake (but probably not as much as their golf ball dispute). As with most litigation, there was plenty of money invested in discovery and depositions (see this post); not to mention the money spent by the USGA responding to a subpoena served on them by Acushnet (see this post). Well, it is finally over and we will most likely never know what brought it to a resolution, or if any money changed hands. Bummer, but at least it is over. Click HERE to read the boilerplate Stipulated Order of Dismissal....<< MORE >>

Delaware District Court Judge The Honorable Sue L. Robinson has been busy. Yesterday the Court issued several Orders that may influence your golf ball purchases over the next few weeks! Unfortunately I am tied up with prior commitments today and cannot summarize the documents for you (and no, my prior commitments do not involve purchasing every ProV1 that I can find in hopes of selling them for a nice premium, although that might not be a bad idea). Fortunately, I know that the readers of the Golf-Patents blog are smart and will enjoy reading the Court’s Memos free of my commentary. After all, the Orders and Memos do contain excellent summaries of the case and issues. Below are links to the actual Court documents..... << MORE >>

An interesting patent application published this week as US Pub. No. 20080274838 titled “Golf Ball Positioning Dispenser for Putting Practice.” The application describes the invention as.... Looks like a pretty good idea, but a rather limited market.<< MORE >>

An interesting patent issued this week to Taylor Made. The patent is USPN 7445561 titled “Golf Club Striking Face,” which describes the invention as.... Now, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words..... Pretty cool stuff!<< MORE >>

How familiar are you with the new lines of irons? Do these look familiar? If not, get your priorities in order!.....<< MORE >>

One of the things that makes golfers so interesting is that we are always looking for that one easy fix to gain 5 more yards, hit one more fairway, save one putt per round, and on, and on,.... I am guilty of it. It is the same mentality of many investors that always believe there is one hot stock tip out there that will make them rich beyond their wildest dreams. Unfortunately, I am also guilty of this. Now, sure I am smart enough to realize that there is no magic piece of equipment that is going to fix my game, but you know what - it is fun looking for it that magic bullet and trying different pieces of equipment.... Boy, that grip and those figures remind me why I don't allow comments to be left on this blog.... they are just too ripe for a lot of easy jokes!..... << MORE >>

Check out this putter design. Can you identify the pro that is named as one of the inventors? Here is a hint.... The pro has over 70 professional victories including 10 major championships and has career earnings of over $22 million!.... << MORE >>

Check out these golf ball dimple variations..... The drawings come from an Acushnet patent application that published last week as US Pub. No. 20080261725 titled “Golf Ball Dimples with Spiral Depressions.” The patent application describes the invention as..... The patent application provides an excellent explanation of the drag and lift associated with a golf ball..... << MORE >>

Check out this driver.... These drawings are from a patent application that recently published as US Pub. No. 20080171610 titled “Golf Club for Preventing Hook and Slice” and describes the invention as.... The application goes on to explain the following (some of which I am not buying).... Interesting design, but I have the feeling I have seen similar driver designs before (not too mention putter designs).... << MORE >>

Is it the next ProV? I doubt it, but Acushnet did have an interesting golf ball patent application publish this week. The application published as US Pub. No. 20080254913 titled “Golf Ball With A Translucent Layer Comprising Composite Material,” which includes the following description..... OK, a golf ball with a composite layer that includes fibrous material (which may be ferromagnetic)! Pretty cool. The application goes on to explain..... Next time you take a violent swing at one of those innocent white balls, think of the amount of R&D that goes into producing a commercially successful golf ball!<< MORE >>

Simple...... it depends. After all, what is a “cup?” Kidding, of course, the “cup” is that little hole in the green that my ball tends to avoid. In order to get you in the GPS patent frame of mind, a short history of the case is necessary. Almost a year and a half ago I reported that...... OK, so what’s the beef? Well, the lawsuit centers around USPN 5364093 titled “Golf Distance Measuring System and Method,” which contains the following claim (emphasis added)..... The heart of the dispute goes to the meaning of “locating” and “storing” “the position of the cup.” Does it mean that the greenskeeper must “locate” the cup each time it is moved, typically using GPS, so that golfers playing the course can know the exact distance to the cup? Below you will find a summary of the positions of the Plaintiffs and Defendants regarding the “proper” interpretation of the claim language.....<< MORE >>

A pretty cool compact collapsible golf pull cart was disclosed in a recently published patent application. It looks like a genius design that achieves a very compact storage arrangement; but my initial reaction is that the transformation to and from the storage position may be a little cumbersome and time consuming. See what you think.....<< MORE >>