When is too much of a good thing a bad thing, and has adjustability hit this threshold? The reason I ask is because Nike had an interesting patent application publish this week directed to an "adjustable ball striking face." The application published as US Pub. No. 20110207552 and describes the invention as.... Any chance this design will ever make it to the market? Looks like a bunch of heavy components to me.....<< MORE >>

Remember all the press coverage the USGA got when they developed a simple procedure to test whether grooves conform to the new rules? OK, it wasn’t a lot of press but I do remember some. Well, someone at the USGA was smart enough to say “hey, maybe we should patent this!” They did. Last week the USGA was granted USPN 8,000,517 titled “Test Procedure for Measuring the Geometric Features of a Golf Club Face.” The patent describes the invention as.... See, contrary to most media reporting, there are some smart folks at the USGA! << MORE >>

Bridgestone R&D seems to be at the forefront at generating design concepts to ensure their clubs don't lose any spin generating capacity in light of the new groove regulations. In fact, over the years I have specifically covered a few of their face texturing designs (HERE and HERE) and groove designs. Last week Bridgestone was issued a design patent unlike any of their prior face texturing work..... Now this is one clubface that could absolutely shred the cover of a golf ball..... << MORE >>

It has been over 4 years since I wrote about the impressive trademark portfolio of Augusta National. Boy how time flies. Augusta National recently used their trademark portfolio to allege trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, promissory estoppel, statutory deceptive trade practices and unfair competition against CustomPlay Games Ltd., Red Chain Games Ltd. and Dean Baker. The Complaint was filed in the District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Let’s examine the allegations....<< MORE >>

The following drawings come from a Karsten design patent that issued today. The associated application was just filed on March 15th, at least two months after the G20 and Anser wedge design applications were filed. Sure, I suppose this could be a new women’s iron, but the amount of offset and sole width seem more inline with the i-series, and the drawings suggest a recess for a toe weight insert. Plus, it looks consistent with the grainy TV screen-shots captured over at GolfWRX. Who knows, this could the first clear look at the i20!....<< MORE >>

Recall those great old “test your strength” carnival games that have you swing a sledge hammer as hard as possible in an effort to project a weight vertically, hopefully out of the “sissy” zone, and possibly ring a bell? If not, and you need a good laugh, watch this 15 second video (it is worth it). Well, if you like those games then you will love this golf related invention.... OK, who wants to hit their new custom fit driver with "special upgrade" shaft at this thing?....<< MORE >>

Srixon players may be faced with that question in the future. Almost four years ago I posted about “odorant golf balls” and the impressive list of possible scents included in the associated patent application. It must be an idea that SRI has been considering as well because this week they had a patent application publish as US Pub. No. 20110190077 titled “Golf Ball,” which describes the invention as.... So, do you think a scented ball would improve your scores? I doubt it but just in case.... sign me up for a few dozen in the pineapple scent!.... << MORE >>

I don’t know if a golf shirt can help you play better, but a poor fitting golf shirt can definitely assist you in posting a big number (at least that is one of the excuses that I occasionally pull out). In the past I have covered some golf shirt technology and suggested that it may become the next Olympic swimsuit controversy. Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you an interesting Nike patent that recently issued as USPN 7,934,267 titled “Articles of Apparel Providing Enhanced Body Position Feedback.”.... I am not sure I like the sound of “enhanced stimulation of nerves, joint mechanorecptors, and/or deep tissue receptors at the selected parts of the body,” but I would pay a lot for a shirt that can prevent me from chunking a wedge at 100 yards in the middle of the fairway!....<< MORE >>

Have you ever had an issue with determining whether you should replace your golf ball or not? I can’t say that I have ever had this problem, but perhaps I am the exception since my golf balls are always landing softly in the middle of the fairway about 300 yards out or are landing within ten feet of the pin; never hitting trees, cart paths, or a poorly placed clubhouse. If this is an issue for you then a golf ball invention that is disclosed in a patent application that recently published as US Pub. No. 20110177883 titled “Golf Ball Wear Indicator” may be just what you need to lower your score..... A solution to a problem that I didn’t know existed. Kudos.....<< MORE >>

Why thank you kind salesperson, I would like my golf balls coated with magnesium (I love the sparks), and only lightly on the land areas, as I lose too much distance when my dimples get filled. Can’t you just imagine that exchange occurring in the golf ball section of GolfGalaxy? It may be a reality some day, particularly if Nike brings the following golf ball invention to market. Continuing with their pursuit of acquiring golf ball intellectual property, last week Nike had an interesting golf ball patent application publish as US Pub. No. 20110177885 titled “Golf Ball Having Increased Moment of Inertia,” which describes the invention as.... What will they think of next? Oh, by the way this is post #1000! Crack the bubbly....<< MORE >>

I am about to show you the coolest golf invention that will do absolutely nothing to improve my game. Incredibly creative nonetheless and definitely in my favorite top 10 since starting this blog. The invention is a spin indicating golf ball by Nike..... Amazing! Sign me up for a few dozen.....<< MORE >>

Just wait, you may find those words singing from your lips in the future. So, what’s the inspiration for this post? A Nike patent application of course. Today a patent application published as US Pub. No. 20110177890 titled “Methods And Systems For Customizing A Golf Ball.”.... Interesting, but sounds like a pain in the neck to me. Is this the future of golf ball technology? Who knows, but it is one of those things that I just have to see to believe.....<< MORE >>

A “smart golf club” sounds pretty good, right? What characteristics do you feel make a golf club “smart”? Recently a patent application published under the title “smart golf club.” The application published as US Pub. No. 20110165956 and describes the invention as.... Hum, that club is too smart for me because I can't figure out what makes it smart!....<< MORE >>

Interesting golf shaft patent applications don’t come along everyday, which is why a Bridgestone patent application that published today got my attention. The application basically discloses a shaft within a shaft. Confused? Check this out..... What do you thing, are golfers ready for a single shaft that accommodates both slow swing speeds and fast swing speeds?.... << MORE >>

If left-to-right breakers are giving you headaches then the following putter may be of interest to you. This putter is disclosed in a patent application that published last week as US Pub. No. 20110165962 titled “Break Compensating Golf Club Head.” You may recall that I have previously covered a miracle putter that allows a golfer to ignore the break of a green. The present “break compensating” application describes the invention as.... I hear that Furyk was recently spotted practicing with one..... << MORE >>

So far we have examined how Dave Pelz suggests we learn to read greens, as well as how he measures the “roll quality” of a green. Today let’s look at Dave’s thoughts on swing plane training via one of his patent applications that published on Thursday. The application published as US Pub. No. 20110159980 titled “Golf Training System,” which explains.... So, are would you be more likely to purchase the Pelz device or Haney’s PlaneFinder?....<< MORE >>

Yesterday we examined how Dave Pelz suggests we learn to read greens. Today let’s look at another of his recent inventions, namely a device to measure the “roll quality” of putting greens as disclosed in a patent application that published yesterday as US Pub. No. 20110159977 titled “System for Measuring the Roll Quality of a Putting Green.”.... Ugh, something else for Johnny Miller to fixate on!....<< MORE >>

Interestingly, Dave Pelz had 3 patent applications publish this week; obviously he is a smart guy that appreciates the value of IP. Roughly four years ago I wrote about the fascinating Pelz patent portfolio here. In this post I will cover the first of his three recently published patent applications, which published today as US Pub. No. 20110160003 titled “Training Device for Reading a Putting Green.” The application describes the invention as.... OK, that is something I will buy as soon as I get the call to caddy for Paula Creamer....<< MORE >>

At this pace Lefty may surpass Lee Trevino in career patents; undoubtedly a goal every professional golfer has on their bucket-list. In the past I have written that Phil may have a fallback career as a club designer, which he may need if he keeps slipping in the rankings (although he is probably pretty financially secure). Phil’s third patent issued as USPN D625,374 titled “Putter Head.” What do you think of his design capabilities?....<< MORE >>

What is Srixon up to? Wave-like dimples, really? Apparently so, they had a patent application publish earlier this month as US Pub. No. 20110136590 titled “Golf Ball,” which explains.... Check out these dimples!.... Ahh, golf technology is amazing!.... << MORE >>

Golf ball patent infringement litigation seems to be picking up. Last month I posted about a rather unusual golf ball patent infringement case HERE, and this week another infringement action was filed.....<< MORE >>

I kid; Callaway’s industrial design team would be able to mold this into a sexy club (hopefully). The following driver design is found in a patent application that published today as US Pub. No. 20110143858 titled “External Weight for Golf Club Head.”....<< MORE >>

Words don’t do this invention justice. Check it out!....<< MORE >>

A patent issued last week that discloses the perfect invention for those golfers that aren't ready to commit to a belly putter just yet. The patent is USPN 7,942,755 titled “Core Connector Putting Stroke Trainer,” which explains....<< MORE >>

We probably won't see this adjustable driver design on Tour anytime soon, but it would be fun to give it a try (probably after a few drinks).....<< MORE >>

Acushnet had an interesting patent issue today for, of all things, a golf shaft. Yes, golfers don’t normally associate the Acushnet name with golf shaft design or manufacturing, but this seems to be the case of a good idea that could not just be swept under the rug, even if it was a little outside of their core strengths. The patent is USPN 7,955,187 titled “Swingweight Adjusted Golf Club Shaft,” which describes the invention as....<< MORE >>

Enough to coordinate 6 floors of lighting and a countless number of offices. Check out these pics I snapped with my phone camera while walking the dog early this morning. I am particularly found of the one with the Nationwide Insurance headquarters rising above the historic North Market. Perhaps I should give up on golf and take up photography!....<< MORE >>

An interesting patent application published today revealing a rather unique driver design. Check this out!.... Would this club find a place in your bag?.... << MORE >>

Surely someone will unveil this new product at the US Open. Perhaps? This week Nike was granted USPN 7,951,013 titled “Golf Club Sleeve and Golf Clubs for Use Therewith,” which describes the invention as.... Wow, check out that swing!.... << MORE >>

Last month Nike had an interesting patent issue under the title “Footwear Cooling System.” The patent, USPN 7,918,041, describes the invention as.... Surprisingly, this isn’t the first patent to issue on forced air shoe cooling systems, check out USPN 6,976,319 and USPN 5,341,581....<< MORE >>

I was honored to be a guest on the nationally syndicated Small Business Advocate® radio show this morning. Jim Blasingame and I discussed patent research and opinions in the context of a small business launching a new product. Feel free to listen to the interview HERE....<< MORE >>

Last week an interesting True Temper patent application published as US Pub. No. 20110118050 titled “Golf Shaft with Roughened Surface.” The application describes the invention as.... It is only a matter of time before I am writing about an aerodynamic golf grip patent application!.... << MORE >>

It didn’t take long for a new golf ball patent infringement case to fill the void left by apparent demise of the ProV1 dispute. The new lawsuit was filed last week and the dollars involved may be....<< MORE >>

I am not quite sure this invention is going to solve all of our landfill problems, but every little bit helps..... Ahh, waste product from shoe production recycled into golf products; I guess it is clear where the golf group fits in the corporate hierarchy! Kudos for at least thinking about the environment!....<< MORE >>

I am not sure what to think about this Nike invention; it makes me think of that ballistic gel that the CSI type shoot bullets into. The invention is disclosed in a patent application that published this week as US Pub. No. 20110111872 titled “Method And Apparatus For Analyzing A Golf Swing.”..... Does it look like this may be a little harsh on the wrists?....<< MORE >>

No explanation needed. Check out this Acushnet driver design disclosed in a patent application that published today..... Think we will ever see this design under a Titleist head cover?.... << MORE >>

In the past couple of months I have covered two Callaway design patents directed to rather unusual hosel designs (HERE and HERE). It is easy to dismiss one or two wacky design patents as just something dreamt up in R&D that is unlikely to ever see the light of day in an actual product; but by the time that a third variation appears in a design patent one has to start thinking “they may be serious about bringing some of these variations to market.” This week USPN D637,675 titled “Golf Club Hosel” issued and counts as the third occurrence. Check this variation out..... There must be some performance benefit associated with these new hosel designs, otherwise it is hard to imagine a Tour player saying “boy that fits my eye, give me one of those.” I can't wait to learn "the rest of the story."....<< MORE >>

This week a patent was granted on a unique putting aid that has made me look at my putting stroke in a different light. The patent issued as USPN 7,938,733 titled “Golf Swing Training Device,” and explains.... Surely I am not the only golfer that never considers where the putter grip butt end is pointing during a stroke; am I? Regardless, that is a great idea. Where can I buy one?....<< MORE >>

OK, that may be a stretch, but it is an interesting idea. The putter is described in a patent application that published as US Pub. No. 20110105239 titled “Single-Arm Golf Club,” which explains....<< MORE >>

Yesterday an ASP patent issued, but it is not a patent covering TaylorMade’s ASP technology, but rather a Callaway patent. Perhaps it is a sign of things to come in the Callaway product line. The patent issued as USPN 7,934,999 titled “Wood-type Golf Club Head with Adjustable Sole Contour,” which describes the invention as.... Look familiar?....<< MORE >>

As you can imagine, I browse through a lot of golf patent applications every week and see many inventions that could never make it to market simply because they are directed to such a small pool of golfers that it would never be financially viable. Golf ball heaters/warmers generally fall into this category. Yes, hitting the links on the first sunny 40 degree day in the middle of winter is great, but hitting a ball that has been sitting in your trunk for the past 2 months of sub-freezing temperatures can be a little jarring. Even still, I would not buy a ball warmer, which is why I generally don't even look at patent applications with titles indicating that they have anything to do with heating a golf ball. For some reason yesterday I didn't skip over an application titled “Device For Heating A Golf Ball,” and I am glad. The application immediately had my attention because it was submitted by Nike Golf. A little surprising, after all they have a lot of smart people that generally have a solid understanding of what will sell; so I read on.... OK, I buy the novelty of being able to purchase a smooth ball and do your own dimple imprinting, and I suspect most purchasers would do it a few times before deciding that it is easier to just purchase finished golf balls; but the "repair" angle.... don't most amateurs lose a golf ball long before it is in need of repair? Also, can it really be that easy? Call me a pessimist, but this seems like an idea that is easy to say out loud or put in writing, but very hard to actually pull off. What would the final finish look like? Regardless, it would be pretty cool if they could actually pull it off (although I wouldn't spend my hypothetical R&D dollars on it).....<< MORE >>

Corny title, but I couldn’t resist. Earlier this month I posted HERE about an unusual Nike Golf invention directed to an aerodynamic coating for a golf ball. It seems that there is no shortage of outside-the-box thinking going on at Nike R&D, as evidenced by a patent application that published today under the title “Golf Ball With Projections Adjacent Dimples.” Projections adjacent dimples, say what?.... Those are some wild looking golf balls. I have to wonder if one of these balls hitting a green from 100 yards at 10,000 rpm would do any more damage than a typical ball (so, feel free to send me one and I will test it out).....<< MORE >>

The answer to that question comes courtesy of a Bridgestone Golf patent that issued last week directed to a groove design that reduces the drop in spin when hitting from the rough. Since I am always in the fairway I can’t really relate to this problem, but I hear that it is an issue. Now, back to reality, the stair step groove design is found in USPN 7,922,601.... There you have it, a __ to __ percent decrease in the amount of spin generated when hitting from the rough seems to be pretty standard. How much would you be willing to spend for a __% improvement?....<< MORE >>

How’s your juggling? Check out this golf invention.... As much as I hate to admit it, that invention would sell....<< MORE >>

Nike Golf had an interesting patent application publish today disclosing a “suspended face plate” iron. The application published as US Pub. No. 20110086722 titled “Golf Club Assembly and Golf Club with Suspended Face Plate,” which describes the invention as... << MORE >>

If you are concerned enough about the wind speed on a golf course (and you are not on the Tour) that you would even consider carrying a calibrated wind sock…. snap out of it! The last thing I want in my foursome is another gadget that just ends up slowing down play. It is bad enough to wait on the tee of a par 5 because one of the golfers in the group in front of you has decided to let the green is clear so they can go for it (generally after hitting a 195 yard drive). If that same person then pulled out a wind sock to really “tune-in” their 300 yard approach shot, golf may become a contact sport. The inspiration for my quasi-rant is USPN 7,921,715 titled “Handheld Windsock with Dial Indicator,” which issued yesterday....<< MORE >>

I have recently posted about several club manufacturers efforts at developing adjustable shaft stiffness systems (Nike Golf, TaylorMade). This week we get to take a look at an adjustable length system developed by TaylorMade. The design is disclosed in a patent application that published as US Pub. No. 20110081984 titled “Golf Club Shaft,” which describes the invention as.... Looks like a lot of pieces and parts, but the same could have been said several years ago about the adjustable systems on the market today....<< MORE >>

Last week I authored a post titled “The New Look of Callaway Drivers?,” which revealed an unusual hosel design. That “unusual” hosel design looks mild compared to the hosel design that is disclosed in a design patent that issued today to Callaway Golf. Check out this design..... Gulp, that is ugly; but it is a level of ugliness that I could get past if they convince me that it would somehow improve my game (you know the drill... just guarantee me 5 more yards). Actually, I hear that Phil is going to introduce this driver to the world on Thursday at Augusta...<< MORE >>

Nike Golf had an interesting golf ball patent application publish this week as US Pub. No. 20110077106 titled “Golf Ball Having An Aerodynamic Coating.” Check this out!.... Looks like I will be taking a can of hairspray to the course this weekend and roll my ball around in the sand after a fresh coat!....<< MORE >>

At this point both sides in the ProV1 patent infringement dispute have invested too much time, energy, and money to simply let this case fade away, as exhibited by a recent letter to the court from Callaway’s legal team. The letter indicates not only that Callaway plans to continue pursuing their action, but also that they have filed an Administrative Procedure Act suit in the Eastern District of Virginia seeking expedited review of the Patent Office’s refusal to vacate the reexaminations filed in breach of a valid, court-ordered settlement agreement....<< MORE >>