WO2007120058A1

WO2007120058A1 - Golf glove, golf grip and system

Info

Publication number: WO2007120058A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2007/000084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil Mccree; Michael Oliver; Allan Mckay
Original assignee: PROGRIP NZ Ltd
Current assignee: PROGRIP NZ Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2007-04-18
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-18
Also published as: EP2012885A1; US20090217441A1; EP2012885A4; AU2007239125A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a golf glove and club grip system having a marking or markings on the glove, the club grip or both for registration with the thumb pad of a golfer. Registration of a golfer's thumb pad with the marking(s) assists correct hand positioning on the club grip. Additionally the markings may indicate a particular club grip size or glove size that matches a complimentary glove or club grip size determined by the size of a golfer's hand.

Description

GOLF GLOVE, GOLF GRIP AND SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a golf glove, golf grip and/or related golf glove and grip systems to assist a golfer obtaining a correct hand position about a golf club grip.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Fundamental to the game of golf is obtaining a correct hand position on the golf club grip. Professional golfing tutors provide lessons teaching correct hand positioning. However, when the tutors are not available, for example during normal play, the hand positioning will often deteriorate. To address this problem, golf gloves with markings to assist correct hand positioning have been proposed. For example US Patents US6,272,686, US3,848,874 and US5,704,065 disclose golf gloves having markings that are said to assist players to reliably produce effective grip of the club. To the inventors' knowledge these gloves are not commercially available and are not part of the common general knowledge.

Further, poor hand positioning is also caused by golf club grip sizes not being matched to the golfer's hand size. This adversely affects control of the golf club.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a golf glove, a golf glove and grip system, a golf grip, a range of club grips, a method to assist a golfer or a method of fitting a golfer with golf clubs which assist the correct gripping of a golf club or address the abovementioned difficulties or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a method to assist a golfer to correctly position their hands on a golf club grip comprising or including the steps of: wearing on the intended top hand a glove having a first marking on the thumb portion; selecting a golf club having a grip with a first indicium adapted for alignment with the first marking of the glove; aligning the first marking with the first indicium and closing the hand to thereby grip the club.

Preferably in use the first marking is contacted with the first indicium.

In second aspect the present invention provides a golf glove and grip system to assist correct hand positioning comprising or including: a golf grip having a first indicium thereon; a golf glove having a first marking on the thumb portion of the glove; wherein in use the first indicium and the first marking are aligned with each other to indicate a correct top hand thumb position on the golf club grip.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a golf club grip comprising or including a first indicium that in use is aligned with the thumb pad of a golfer's hand.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a golf glove, for use with a golf grip having a first indicium thereon, to assist correct hand positioning on a golf club, said golf glove comprising or including: a first marking on the thumb of the glove, wherein in use the first indicium and the first marking are aligned with each other to indicate a correct top hand thumb position on the golf club grip.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a golf grip for use with a golf glove having a marking on the thumb of the glove, said grip having a complimentary indicium to the marking on the glove, wherein in use the glove and grip together assist the user's placement and alignment of their top hand thumb on the grip.

Desirably the markings and indicia are contact markings and indicia, such that in use when the user correctly grips the golf club, the marking on the glove substantially contacts the complimentary indicium on the grip.

Desirably a second indicium is a line provided on the grip that in use is aligned with the base of the fingers of the user. Desirably a third indicium is provided on the grip. The third indicium is shaped for alignment with the crook formed between the thumb and forefinger of the lower hand of a golfer.

Desirably the size of the grip is matched to the size of the golfer's hand(s). The size of the grip is matched to the golfer's hand size by changing the diameter of the grip.

Desirably the first marking on the glove thumb overlies a wearer's thumb pad located on the distal phalanx of the thumb. The first marking provides a reference for alignment with the first indicium on the grip.

Preferably the marking on the thumb of the glove substantially covers the thumb pad of the glove, and the indicia on the grip has a matching outline to the thumb pad of the glove.

Optionally a second marking is provided on the glove and a second indicium is provided on the golf grip. The second marking provides a reference point for alignment with the second indicium on the grip.

Desirably the second marking on the glove comprises a narrow line or a broad corridor or both extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove. The narrow line is positioned to match against the second indicium of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip. The broad corridor provides a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

Desirably the narrow line comprises at least two line segments extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove configured to: display a non-rectilinear indicium when the glove is in a open condition and display a rectilinear indicium when the glove is in an at least partially closed condition.

Desirably the second marking includes both a narrow line and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor. Desirably the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at between about 20° to about 40° from a horizontal line across the golf glove, more desirably between about 25° and about 35°, most desirably 32°.

Typically for a right handed golfer the golf glove will be adapted for the left hand of the golfer and for a left handed golfer the golf glove will be adapted for the right hand of the golfer. Both a left and right hand glove being may be provided for the golfer.

For a right handed golfer the markings of the glove and grip are configured to position the hand(s) to the right of the centre of the golf club grip. For a left handed golfer the markings of the glove and grip are configured to position the hand(s) to the left of the centre of the golf club grip. Preferably the markings are configured to assist a user to maintain any one of the following grips: Overlap or Vardon grip; Interlocking grip; or Baseball or Ten Finger grip.

Desirably the markings will be on the palm side of the glove, so that in use they form a contact alignment with the indicia on the club grip. Alternatively the markings could be on the non-palm side of the glove, so that in use they form a visual alignment with the complimentary indicia on the club grip.

Desirably the size and shape of the markings and indicia are matched to the size of the golfer's hands.

In another aspect the present invention provides a golf glove to assist a golfer to correctly position their hands on a golf club grip comprising at least two line segments extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove configured to: display a non-rectilinear indicium when the glove is in a open condition and display a rectilinear indicium when the glove is in an at least partially closed condition.

Preferably the at least two line segments are separated and comprise at least two discrete lines. Alternatively the adjacent ends of the least two line segments are joined by a bridging line(s) to form a single continuous non-rectilinear line when the glove is in the open condition.

Preferably the at least two line segments comprise an upper line segment and a lower line segment.

Preferably the upper line segment extends from the thumb side of the palm of the glove to a point aligning with the inner side of the middle finger, said upper line being at an angle of about 29° from a horizontal line across the glove.

Preferably the lower line segment extends from the little finger side of the palm of the glove to a point aligning with the middle of the ring finger, said lower line being at an angle of about 39° from a horizontal line across the glove.

Desirably the upper line has an angle about 10° less than the lower line segment.

Alternatively the at least two line segments are offset with respect to each other when the glove is in the open condition.

Alternatively the at least two line segments may be offset and substantially parallel to each other.

In another aspect the present invention provides a golf glove to assist a golfer to correctly position their hands on a golf club grip, said glove comprising a reference indicium extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove, said indicium comprising an upper line segment extending from the thumb side of the palm towards the little finger side of the palm, and a lower line segment extending from the little finger side of the palm towards the thumb side of the palm.

Desirably when the glove is in an open condition the upper and lower line segments do not align in a substantially perpendicular plane extending through the palm of the glove in an open condition and when the glove is an at least partially closed condition the upper and lower line segments align with said plane.

Desirably the upper and lower line segments or an extension thereof meet at a point between the thumb side and the little finger side of the palm of the glove.

Desirably the line is a line; a series of lines, dots or markings; or an edge of a textured, shaded, coloured or otherwise distinct region.

Desirably in use as a golfer closes their hand about the grip of a club, the at least two line segments transition from displaying a non-rectilinear indicium to displaying a rectilinear indicium, said rectilinear indicium aligning with a linear marking on the club grip when the glove is correctly positioned on the club grip.

Alternatively in use as a golfer closes their hand about the grip of a club, the at least two line segments transition from displaying a non-rectilinear indicium to displaying a rectilinear indicium, said rectilinear indicium aligning with the centreline of the club grip when the glove is correctly positioned on the club grip.

In another aspect the present invention provides a range of club grips with different external diameters comprising or including indicia on the club grips, and a complimentary range of sized golf gloves provided with markings that match with indicia on a suitably sized grip, wherein in use the indicia assist a golfer to select a club grip matched to their hand size.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a glove comprising a marking representing the size of the glove, wherein in use gripping a club the marking is aligned with an indicium on a club grip, said indicium also representing the diameter of the grip.

In yet a further aspect the present invention provides a method of fitting a golfer with golf clubs comprising the steps of: fitting a golfer with a glove or gloves from a range of gloves having different markings depending on the size of the glove; and selecting grips or clubs with grips from a range of grips or clubs with grips having different indicia depending on the external diameter of the grip, wherein said selected grips or clubs with grips have indicia matched to the markings on the fitted glove or gloves.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a fitting system comprising a range of club grips with different external diameters comprising or including indicia on the club grips, and a complimentary range of sized golf gloves provided with markings that match with indicia on a suitably sized grip, wherein in use the indicia assist a golfer to select a club grip matched to their hand size.

In a still further aspect the invention consists in a packaged set comprising a set of golf grips and a golf glove, wherein said golf glove is as set forth above and said grips are asset forth above, and the markings on said golf grips are placed to match the size of said golf glove.

In a still further aspect the invention may also be said to consist in a golf glove, golf grips, a system including golf glove and golf grips, a fitting system and/or a packaged set as claimed in any one of the appended claims.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1 , 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7).

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure Ia is a top view of a grip of the present invention.

Figure Ib is an end view of a grip of the present invention. The end view is diagrammatic, representing a location one inch from the top end of the grip.

Figure Ic is a view of the first indicium on a grip of the present invention. Figure 2a is a diagram of a men's glove according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a view of a ladies' glove according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2c is a view of the palm side of a men's golf glove according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2d is a view of the palm side of a ladies' golf glove according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a view of several glove palms of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a view of several club grips of the present invention. Figures 5a to 5g show the use of the glove and grip of the present invention are used to assist a golfer obtaining correct hand positioning.

Figure 6 shows a golf glove having a split reference line of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Both the singular and plural terms 'indicium' and 'marking' as used in this specification refer to visual references provided on the grip and glove respectively and may be formed using varying colours, textures, shapes and materials to identify a particular line, point or area.

As used herein the term 'rectilinear' as used in this specification means extending in a substantially straight line. In particular this term refers to the visual alignment of the at least two line segments extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove when viewed from an angle substantially perpendicular to the palm side of the glove.

The figures and following description refer to gloves for a right handed golf player. By right handed player we mean a player who stands to hit the ball toward their left side. The scope of the invention also includes club grips and gloves adapted for use by left handed players, who stand to hit the ball toward their right side. Grips and gloves for left handed players will be the mirror image of the grips and gloves described for right handed players.

Figure Ia is a top view of a golf club grip of the present invention. A first indicium 116 provides a thumb reference. The thumb reference is intended to be contacted by the thumb of a golfer. Preferably the thumb reference is shaped to match against the thumb print of the user and will typically have an oval shape. The thumb reference is desirably offset from the centreline of the club by a distance 121 of about 0.13 inches.

Figure Ic shows a thumb reference in more detail. Typically the thumb reference has a length of about 1.12 inches and a width of about 0.75 inches.

The thumb reference may be a solid or broken outline, or a solid patch of colour. The reference may be textured or grooved. The preferred reference is defines an oval patch or region. However an alternative reference could indicate only the limits necessary to define the thumb pad contact, for example the extreme upper and lower and side locations. Whatever markings are used the thumb pad reference should define the contact area for contact by the thumb pad. A second indicium 114 is a line reference that is intended to match against markings on the palm of the preferred complimentary glove. The preferred line reference runs parallel to the centreline of the grip. Preferably the line reference is offset by an angle 129 between about 40° to about 70° from the centreline of the club 112. More preferably for a men's grip the line reference is about 50° offset from to the centreline of the club and for a ladies grip the line reference is offset by about 40° offset from to the centreline of the club.

The line reference may be a solid or broken line, the line may be narrow or wider (for example from 0.5mm to 4mm. The reference may be textured or grooved. Preferably the line is a colored groove about lmm wide.

The third indicium 118 is shaped to in use align with the crook formed between the forefinger and the thumb on the lower hand of the golfer when the club is gripped. While the shape of the third indicium 118 is illustrated as a 'V in Figure Ia, it will be appreciated that other shapes such as a single line or a dot or a coloured area may also be used. With a "V" or pointed region the included angle of the point is preferably about 50°, and the direction of the point is about 5° away from the centreline of the grip. Preferably angle 123 is about 60° and angle 125 is about 50°. The point is preferably located on the centreline of the thumbprint marking 116. In this case the point is offset for the centreline of the grip by the same offset 121.

The third reference may be a solid or broken outline, or a solid patch of colour. The reference may be textured or grooved. The preferred reference is a "V" shaped point defined by a colored groove about lmm wide.

The length 126 of third indicium 118, the distance 128 between the first and third indicia, and the length 120 of the second indicium 114 all vary according to the size of the golfer's hand. The length of the grip may also vary according to the club type, among other things. Figure Ib is an end view of a club grip of the present invention. An angle of between about 40° to about 70°, preferably about 50° for a men's grip and about 40° for a women's grip is provided between the centreline of the club grip 112 and the second indicium 114. The diameter 110 of the grip is varied according to the size of the golfer's nominal hand. Diameter 110 is taken one inch from the top of the grip, for example at location A in figure Ia. This accords with standard golf club grip measurements. The grip should preferably have a standard tapering profile. An example of standard grip sizes and profiles is provided in the text, "Golf Club Repair" by Ralph Maltby.

An additional marking (not shown) is provided on the grip to assist the correct fitting of the grip to the club using known techniques for fitting golf club grips to golf club shafts. As with other club grips having grip assisting indicia, the club grip of the present invention must be accurately aligned to ensure the correct positioning of the indicia 114, 116 and 118 relative to the club shaft and club head. Typical markings include a marking in the form of a small point or line at the lower end of the grip on the centreline 112. The fitter aligns these markings with a centreline marking on the club shaft with the club head partially in a fitting device. For the present invention two or more markings are preferred spaced along the centreline oso that any twist in the grip can be corrected.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are illustrations of a men's and women's golf glove 208 and 209 of the present invention. The following description relates to the men's golf glove 208 as illustrated in Figure 2a or Figure 2c.

A first marking 210 is provided on the thumb of the glove. The marking 210 will align with the first indicium (116) on the club grip. The marking is preferably a patch that is oval in shape and corresponds to the thumb print of the user. Preferably the marking is on the palm side of the glove.

One aspect of the present invention is the provision of markings on the palm side of the glove, which are intended to match with markings on the club grip when the user has a correct hand position and configuration. Providing markings on the palm side forces the user to make face to face contact between the markings of the glove and the markings of the grip. Face to face contact seems more difficult that typical prior art gloves that have markings on the back side. In some cases, as will be discussed later, it requires disrupting the user setup to check the hand placement. However face to face contact is precise, and is not affected by parrelax or other visual distortions generated by viewing angle and binocular vision. Furthermore, with a revised setup routine, such as described with reference to the visual sequence in Figures 5a to 5g, visual checking of the face to face contact can be incorporated. A second marking is provided across the base of the fingers and may comprise a corridor 212 and/or a line 211. In the glove of Figure 2 both a corridor 212 and a line 211 are provided. Preferably the second marking 212 is provided at an angle 218 of between 20° and 45° from a hypothertical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened glove.

In the glove of Figure 2a the line 211 is continuous and traverses in a straight line from a location adjacent the lower segment of the index finger to a location below the base of the little finger. To match a line on the grip that runs substantially parallel to the centreline of the grip, the line 211 extends at an angle 218 of approximately 32° relative to a line orthogonal to the axis of the flattened glove. This angle may be different for different golf hand grips, or by way of preference. For example some players choose to hold the club more across their palm, despite this generally being considered to offer less control than a grip that lies more in the fingers.

The line 211 is preferably located close to the base of the fingers, and to the lower edge of the corridor 212 (where the corridor is present). This location is influenced by the offset 121 of the reference line 114 on the grip. At least the index finger portion of the line then tends to be visible as the hand is opened and the correct face to face contact of the line 211 and the corresponding marking on the club grip can be checked. Proper contacting alignment of the other end of the line 211, which ends adjacent the base of the little finger, and the respective marking on the club grip, can be checked by looking over the outside of the hand with the grip closed.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figure 2c. In this embodiment the line 211 comprises an upper line segment 211a and a lower line segment 211b. In use as a golfer closes their hand about the grip of a golf club, the upper and lower line segments align to form a rectilinear indicium. This facilitates the accurate alignment of the line 211 with a corresponding indicium 114 on the grip of a club or with the centreline of the club.

The upper line segment 211a preferably has an angle about 10° less than the lower line segment 211b with respect to a hypothetical line extending orthogonal to the finger axis of the the flattened glove. In figures 2c and 2d the upper line has an angle of about 29° and the lower line segment has an angle of about 39°. The angle of the upper line 21 Ia may be between 15 and 35° and the angle of the lower line between 20 and 45°. The line 211 may alternatively comprise a substantially parallel upper and a lower line segment that are offset so that in use as a golfer closes their hand about the grip of a golf club, the upper and lower line segments align to form a substantial rectilinear indicium.

In either case the line segments may be short, so that they do not actually meet when the hand is closed, or long , so that they overlap substantially. In practise the end portions of the line, or the outer end portions on the pair of lines, are most important for checking against the line marking on the grip. Accordingly the reference line closest to the thumb should extend ftrom the outer edge of the index finger for at least half the width of the index finger. The reference line furthest from the thumb should extend for at least lcm, including at least the centreline of the little finger.

Figure 6 depicts a glove 709 in which the only reference indicia on the glove is the reference line extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove. The line comprises an upper line segment 711a and a lower line segment 711b. The upper line segment 711a has an angle 718 of 29° and the lower line segment 71 Ib has an angle 719 of about 39°.

In another embodiment (not shown) the line segments 711a and 711b may be joined by a bridging line.

Alternatively the line segment may be offset and parallel such that when the glove is moved to a closed condition the parallel line segments align to form a single rectilinear line.

Referring again to Figures 2a to 2d, and , for the line reference, also to Figure 6, the effect of the reference line and/or corridor will now be described.

In use the corridor 212 will align with the grip of a golf club to confirm a correct hand position. The width 214 of the corridor 212 is preferably similar to the width 110 of the grip. Both the width of the corridor 212 and the diameter of the grip may vary according to the user's hand size. In use the line 211 will align, with face to face contact, with a corresponding reference for example line 114, on a club grip to confirm a correct hand position. Typically when both the corridor 212 and line 21 are present the line will be within the corridor. Preferably the line will be off-centre within the corridor. For example the line may be closer to the base of the fingers. This makes the line more versatile to the user prior to closing their grip. This improves the accuracy of matching the grip and glove markings together. For the grip line 114 of the preferred embodiment of the invention, typically the glove line will be spaced a distance 216 of about 0.157 inches (4mm) from the lower edge of the corridor.

However, the reference line on the grip could curve around and along the grip, and the reference line (or lines) on the glove would then run at a quite different angle, and may not be fully within the corridor. The reference line on the grip could also be separate line segments at locations to match the outer limits of the palm of the hand. However, the most preferred club grip has a continuous line extending parallel to the centreline of the grip. This assists a user who chooses to reduce their swing speed by gripping the club lower down the club grip (closer to the shaft). The user may still use the line 211 for alignment with the corresponding glove line.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a range of colour coded gloves and grips according to one example of the present invention. Each glove and grip size has a unique colour to assist a golfer to select a glove and grip matched to the golfer's hand size. Table 1 below sets out the reference numerals applied to the glove and grip sizes illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

Table 1

M M

L L en Me en ad Ladies ad Mens Men

S ns S ies M ies S s M

M L X

S L

L L

Glove Ref. 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318

Grip Ref. 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418

Light Light Dark

Colour Pink Gold Orange Red Green

Blue Yellow Blue S Small

M Medium

Key: ML Medium Large

L Large

XL Extra Large

Table 2 below contains data showing how the indicia and markings on the preferred golf grip and glove vary according to the user's hand size. The data provided refers to the dimensions set out in figures Ib, 2a and 2b and explained above.

Table 2

Size Colour Grip Glove

120 128 126 110 214 216 218 (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) (degrees)

Mens Light

5.545 1.515 1.0 0.935 1.187 0.157 32 S Yellow

Mens

Orange 5.625 1.675 1.0 0.950 1.187 0.157 32 M

Mens

Red 5.705 1.835 1.0 0.965 1.187 0.157 32 ML

Mens

Green 5.785 1.995 1.0 0.980 1.187 0.157 32 L

Mens Dark

5.865 2.155 1.0 0.995 1.187 0.157 32 XL Blue

Size Colour Grip Glove

Ladies

Pink 5.545 1.035 1.0 0.900 1.0 0.157 32 S

Ladies Light

5.625 1.195 1.0 0.915 1.0 0.157 32 M Blue

Ladies

Gold 5.705 1.355 1.0 0.930 1.0 0.157 32 L

S Small M Medium

Key: ML Medium Large L Large XL Extra Large Figures 5a to 5g show how the golf glove and grip of the present invention are used to assist a right handed golfer obtain a correct hand position. A left handed golfer follows the same steps, with a mirrored version of the glove and grip, with the left and right hand instructions reversed.

In Figure 5 a the golfer places the head of a golf club having the grip of the present invention on the ground. The face of the club is aimed towards the target area for a golf ball. In this orientation the indicia on the grip will be facing upward and away from the golfer. The golfer looks down on this portion of the grip from above.

In Figure 5b the golfer places the first marking of the glove (the 'thumb pad') onto the first indicia of the grip (the 'thumb pad reference').

Then, as illustrated in Figure 5c, the golfer closes his/her fingers about the grip. Figure 5d shows that the left hand of the golfer is now correctly position on the golf club. The line formed between the thumb and the forefinger on the left hand points towards the right shoulder.

Figure 5e illustrates how a second mark on the glove (the 'palm line') and second indicium on the grip (the 'line reference') can be used to check if hand positioning is correct. The golfer opens their left hand to check if the palm line and line reference are aligned. As described above the palm markings may include a broad corridor and a narrow line. The broad corridor should align with the width of the grip and assists checking alignment while minimizing the extent to which the golfer must open their left hand. This reduces the risk of the club grip moving relative to the glove and spoiling alignment. The narrow line indicates precise alignment of the glove and grip, but requires the user to roll their hand open to check correct contact alignment.

In Figure 5f the right hand is placed on the grip so the grip runs across the base of the fingers with a small gap to the forefinger.

The golfer then wraps their right hand on top of their left hand and aligns their right forefinger and right thumb with a third indicium on the grip as illustrated by Figure 5g. The heel of the golfer's right thumb sits atop the left thumb and the line formed between the right forefinger and right thumb is parallel to the line formed between the left thumb and left forefinger.

According to an aspect of the present invention a glove and grip fitting system uses gloves and club grips described above. The fitting system preferably includes a display that presents a range of the golf club grips of different external diameters and including indicia of varying geometry and size matched to the hand size of a golfer. A complimentary range of sized golf gloves with complimentary markings of varying geometry and size matched to the respective markings for the group suitable sized grip are also provided.

Preferably the complimentary glove and grip combinations are indicated by common ^• markings. For example the glove size may be indicated by a particular colour and the corresponding grip size by the same colour. The colour may be the colour of the alignment indicia of the glove and grip.

In use a golfer will select a suitable glove(s) matched to their hand size from the range of gloves. A grip or a club with a grip is selected that matches the size of the selected glove. In use the markings on the glove and grip will align when the golfer's hand(s) are correctly positioned about the grip.

Preferably the gloves and grips of the present invention are sold together, as well as additional or replacement grips or gloves being on sale individually. For example a set of grips and a glove may be sold as a packaged set. In a typical packaged set between 7 and 14 grips would be included and one or more gloves. The included glove and the included grips would all be of a matching size (so that the location of the markings on the grip will match the hand size predicted from the size of the glove, and will match any markings on the glove). The customer buys a set that matches their golf glove size, and arranges regripping of an existing set of golf clubs with the new grips.

The present grips may also be applied to new sets of golf clubs. In this case, in the packaged set, the golf grips will be included already fitted to the shafts of the clubs. The grips may be used on drivers and irons, but would not usually be used on a putter. The golf glove may be made from leather, knotted acrylic material, cotton, wool, transversely isotropic material or any other suitable material. The glove markings may be printed on the glove, or stained or otherwise made noticeable on the background glove material. The glove markings may be printed or marked directly on the base material of the glove or be additional panels stitched onto the glove.

The detailed example set forth above provides a glove and grip combination that embodies a number of individual unique features. Many of these features can operate independently, but most work to best advantage in combination with one or more of the other features. For example, the different features include:

• markings on a club grip, and on the palm side of a corresponding glove, so that the complementary indicia are aligned in use by face to face contact.

• a thumb print shaped marking on the grip defining a contact region for the golfer's thumb pad. • a reference line on the grip and reference markings on the glove to align the club across the palm of the hand by close contact.

• a fitting system based on selecting correctly sized and marked grips based on the size of the golfer's glove alone.

Within these broader ideas, there are aspects of the described execution that lend to the effectiveness of each idea.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

The foregoing describes the invention and a preferred form(s) thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof. For example: the golf club grip can be configured for direct registration with the thumb pad of the golfer without a glove.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A golf glove and grip system to assist correct hand positioning comprising or including: a golf grip having a first indicium thereon; and a golf glove having a first marking on the thumb portion of the glove; wherein in use the first indicium and the first marking are aligned with each other to indicate a correct top hand thumb position on the golf club grip.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first indicium is a thumb dot on the gάp-

3. A system as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the thumb dot is oval shaped with a length of between about 20 mm to about 50 mm and a width of between about 10 mm to about 40 mm.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the lowest extent of said thumb dot is between 100 and 175 mm from the top end of said grip.

5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the location of the low point of said thumb dot is related to the diameter of the grip (where the diameter is measured one inch from the top cap, when fitted to a club shaft), being selected from the set of:

or from the set of:

or is related to the nominal size of the matching glove, being selected from the set of:

6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first marking defines a region on the thumb pad of the glove.

7. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein a second marking is provided on the glove and a second indicium is provided on the golf grip, said second marking and said second indicium configured such that in use the second marking provides a reference point for alignment with the second indicium on the grip, said second marking being independent of said thumb of said glove.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second marking on the glove comprises at least one of a narrow line and a broad corridor extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove.

9. A system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the second marking on the glove comprises at least one of: a narrow line positioned to in use match against the second indicium of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip; and a broad corridor configured to in use provide a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the second marking includes both a narrow line and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor.

11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at between about 20° to about 40° from a hypothetical line extending orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at about 32° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at about 39° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

14. A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein said narrow line extends across the palm face of said glove from the extreme edge closest to the thumb to at least the centreline of the little finger.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said narrow line extends from the lower part of the first finger to adjacent or below the base of the little finger.

16. A system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the second marking on the glove comprises at least one of: a collection of markings positioned to in use match against the second indicium of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip; and a broad corridor configured to in use provide a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second marking includes both said collection of markings and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor.

18. A system as claimed in either claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the overall disposition of said collection of markings and/or corridor are angled at between about 20° to about 45° from a hypothetical line extending orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein a marking of said group of markings, closest to the thumb of said glove, comprises a line segment on the palm side of said glove located across the lower part of the first finger and angled at about 29° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein a marking of said group of markings, closest to the little finger of said glove, comprises a line segment on the palm side of said glove located across the lower part of the little finger, or across a portion of the palm immediately below said little finger, and angled at about 39° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

21. A system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein said collection of markings includes line markings on the palm face of said glove including at least the extreme edge closest to the thumb to at least the centreline of the little finger.

22. A system as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 21 wherein said second indicium on said grip comprises a line marking extending for a distance at least sufficient to span the palm of the glove.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein said line marking extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said grip.

24. A system as claimed in either claim 22 or claim 23 wherein said line marking extends from said first indicium to adjacent the top end of said grip.

25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein, at a level adjacent said first marking on said grip, said line marking is offset from the centre of said first marking.

26. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein, said line marking extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said grip, said line marking extends from said first indicium to adjacent the top end of said grip, and at a level adjacent said first marking on said grip, said line marking is offset from the centre of said first marking.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said first marking comprises a region on said grip defining a thumb print, and said line marking extends from one side of said thumb print.

27. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the markings are on the palm side of the glove, so that in use they form a face to face contact with the indicia on the club grip.

28. A golf glove, for use with a golf grip having a first indicium thereon, to assist correct hand positioning on a golf club, said golf glove comprising or including: a first marking on the thumb of the glove, wherein in use the first indicium and the first marking are aligned with each other to indicate a correct top hand thumb position on the golf club grip.

29. A golf glove as claimed in claim 28, wherein the first marking on the glove thumb overlies a wearer's thumb pad located on the distal phalanx of the thumb.

30. A golf glove as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein the marking on the thumb of the glove substantially covers the thumb pad of the glove, and the indicia on the grip has a matching outline to the thumb pad of the glove.

31. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein at least one of the markings and indicia are contact markings or indicia, such that in use when the user correctly grips the golf club, a marking on the glove substantially contacts the complimentary indicium on the grip.

32. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 31 wherein a second marking is provided on the glove and a second indicium is provided on the golf grip, said second marking and said second indicium configured such that in use the second marking provides a reference point for alignment with the second indicium on the grip, said second marking being independent of said thumb of said glove.

33. A golf glove as claimed in claim 32 wherein the second marking on the glove comprises at least one of a narrow line and a broad corridor extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove.

34. A golf glove as claimed in claim 32 or 33, wherein the second marking on the glove comprises at least one of: a narrow line positioned to in use match against the second indicium of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip; and a broad corridor configured to in use provide a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

35. A golf glove as claimed in claim 33 or 34, wherein the second marking includes both a narrow line and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor.

36. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at between about 20° to about 40° from a hypothetical line extending orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

37. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at about 32° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

38. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 37 wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at about 39° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

39. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 38 wherein said narrow line extends across the palm face of said glove from the extreme edge closest to the thumb to at least the centreline of the little finger.

40. A golf glove as claimed in claim 39 wherein said narrow line extends from the lower part of the first finger to adjacent or below the base of the little finger.

41. A golf glove as claimed in claim 32 or 33, wherein the second marking on the glove comprises at least one of: a collection of markings positioned to in use match against the second indicium of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip; and a broad corridor configured to in use provide a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

42. A golf glove as claimed in claim 41, wherein the second marking includes both said collection of markings and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor.

43. A golf glove as claimed in either claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the overall disposition of said collection of markings and/or corridor are angled at between about

20° to about 45° from a hypothetical line extending orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

44. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein a marking of said group of markings, closest to the thumb of said glove, comprises a line segment on the palm side of said glove located across the lower part of the first finger and angled at about 29° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

45. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 44 wherein a marking of said group of markings, closest to the little finger of said glove, comprises a line segment on the palm side of said glove located across the lower part of the little finger, or across a portion of the palm immediately below said little finger, and angled at about 39° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

46. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 45 wherein said collection of markings includes line markings on the palm face of said glove including at least the extreme edge closest to the thumb to at least the centreline of the little finger.

47. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 46, wherein the markings are on the palm side of the glove, so that in use they form a face to face contact with the indicia on the club grip.

48. A golf glove for use with a golf grip having a reference line extending axially along said grip for a distance at least sufficient to span the width of the top hand of a user, said glove including a marking (or markings) on the palm side of the glove configured such that in use the marking provides a reference point for alignment with the line on the grip, said marking being independent of said thumb of said glove.

49. A golf glove as claimed in claim 48 wherein the marking on the glove comprises at least one of a narrow line and a broad corridor extending across the base of the fingers on the palm side of the glove.

50. A golf glove as claimed in claim 48 or 49, wherein the marking on the glove comprises at least one of: a narrow line positioned to in use match against the line of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip; and a broad corridor configured to in use provide a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

51. A golf glove as claimed in claim 49 or 50, wherein the marking includes both a narrow line, and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor.

52. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at between about 20° to about 40° from a hypothetical line extending orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

53. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 52, wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at about 32° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

54. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 52 wherein the narrow line and/or corridor are angled at about 39° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

55. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 54 wherein said narrow line extends across the palm face of said glove from the extreme edge closest to the thumb to at least the centreline of the little finger.

56. A golf glove as claimed in claim 55 wherein said narrow line extends from the lower part of the first finger to adjacent or below the base of the little finger.

57. A golf glove as claimed in claim 49 or 50, wherein the marking on the glove comprises at least one of: a collection of markings positioned to in use match against the line marking of the grip when a user holds the club with a correct grip; and a broad corridor configured to in use provide a reference guide for the path of the club grip across the palm that can be checked without substantially releasing the glove from the club.

58. A golf glove as claimed in claim 57, wherein the marking includes both said collection of markings and a broad corridor, and the narrow line is off centre with respect to the corridor.

59. A golf glove as claimed in either claim 57 or claim 58, wherein the overall disposition of said collection of markings and/or corridor are angled at between about

60. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 57 to 59, wherein a marking of said group of markings, closest to the thumb of said glove, comprises a line segment on the palm side of said glove located across the lower part of the first finger and angled at about 29° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

61. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 57 to 60 wherein a marking of said group of markings, closest to the little finger of said glove, comprises a line segment on the palm side of said glove located across the lower part of the litde finger, or across a portion of the palm immediately below said litde finger, and angled at about 39° from a hypothetical line orthogonal to the finger axis of the flattened golf glove.

62. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 57 to 61 wherein said collection of markings includes line markings on the palm face of said glove including at least the extreme edge closest to the thumb to at least the centreline of the litde finger.

63. A golf glove as claimed in any one of claims 48 to 62, wherein the markings are on the palm side of the glove, so that in use they form a face to face contact with the indicia on the club grip.

64. A golf grip for use with a golf glove having a marking on the thumb of the glove, said grip having a complimentary indicium to the marking on the glove, wherein in use the glove and grip together assist the user's placement and alignment of their top hand thumb on the grip.

65. A golf grip as claimed in claim 63 wherein the first indicium is a thumb dot on the grip.

66. A golf grip as claimed in claim 65 wherein the thumb dot is oval shaped with a length of between about 20 mm to about 50 mm and a width of between about 10 mm to about 40 mm.

67. A golf grip as claimed in either claim 65 or claim 66 wherein the lowest extent of said thumb dot is between 100 and 175mm from the top end of said grip.

68. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims 65 to 67 wherein the location of the low point of said thumb dot is related to the diameter of the grip (where the diameter is measured one inch from the top cap, when fitted to a club shaft), being selected from the set of:

or from the set of:

69. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims64 to 68, wherein a second indicium is provided on the grip, said second indicium comprising a line that in use is aligned across the base of the fingers of the user.

70. A golf grip as claimed in claim 69 wherein said second indicium on said grip comprises a line marking extending for a distance at least sufficient to span the palm of the glove.

71. A golf grip as claimed in claim 70 wherein said line marking extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said grip.

72. A system as claimed in either claim 70 or claim 71 wherein said line marking extends from said first indicium to adjacent the top end of said grip.

73. A system as claimed in any one of claims 70 to 72 wherein, at a level adjacent said first marking on said grip, said line marking is offset from the centre of said first marking.

74. A system as claimed in claim 70 wherein, said line marking extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said grip, said line marking extends from said first indicium to adjacent the top end of said grip, and at a level adjacent said first marking on said grip, said line marking is offset from the centre of said first marking.

75. A system as claimed in claim 74 wherein said first marking comprises a region on said grip defining a thumb print, and said line marking extends from one side of said thumb print.

76. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims 64 to 75 , wherein a third indicium is provided on the grip, said third indicium being shaped for, in use, alignment with the crook formed between the thumb and forefinger of the lower hand of a golfer.

77. A golf club grip including a first indicium on the golf club grip that in use is aligned with the thumb pad of a golfer's hand said indicium comprising a thumb dot that in use is aligned with the distal phalanx pad of a golfer's thumb, substantially overlying the centreline of the grip,

78. A golf grip as claimed in claim 77 wherein the thumb dot is oval shaped with a length of between about 20 mm to about 50 mm and a width of between about 10 mm to about 40 mm.

79. A golf grip as claimed in either claim 77 or claim 78 wherein the lowest extent of said thumb dot is between 100 and 175mm from the top end of said grip.

80. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims 77 to 79 wherein the location of the low point of said thumb dot is related to the diameter of the grip (where the diameter is measured one inch from the top cap, when fitted to a club shaft), being selected from the set of:

or from the set of:

81. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims 76 to 80, wherein a second indicium is provided on the grip, said second indicium comprising a line that in use is aligned across the base of the fingers of the user.

82. A golf grip as claimed in claim 81 wherein said second indicium on said grip comprises a line marking extending for a distance at least sufficient to span the palm of the glove.

83. A golf grip as claimed in claim 82 wherein said line marking extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said grip.

84. A golf grip as claimed in either claim 82 or claim 83 wherein said line marking extends from said first indicium to adjacent the top end of said grip.

85. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims 82 to 84 wherein, at a level adjacent said first marking on said grip, said line marking is offset from the centre of said first marking.

86. A golf grip as claimed in claim 82 wherein, said line marking extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said grip, said line marking extends from said first indicium to adjacent the top end of said grip, and at a level adjacent said first marking on said grip, said line marking is offset from the centre of said first marking.

87. A golf grip as claimed in claim 86 wherein said first marking comprises a region on said grip defining a thumb print, and- said line marking extends from one side of said thumb print.

88. A golf grip as claimed in any one of claims 86 to 88 , wherein a third indicium is provided on the grip, said third indicium being shaped for, in use, alignment with the crook formed between the thumb and forefinger of the lower hand of a golfer.

89. A method to assist a golfer to correctly position their hands on a golf club grip comprising or including the steps of: wearing on the intended top hand a glove having a first marking on the thumb portion; selecting a golf club having a grip with a first indicium adapted for alignment with the first marking of the glove; and aligning the first marking with the first indicium and closing the hand to thereby grip the club.

90. A method as claimed in claim 89 wherein in use the first marking is contacted with the first indicium.

91. A method as claimed in either claim 89 or claim 90 wherein said glove is as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 47 and said grip is as claimed in any one of claims 64 to 76.

92. A method as claimed in either claim 89 or claim 90 wherein said glove is as claimed in any one of claims 48 to 63 and said grip has a reference line extending axially along said grip for a distance at least sufficient to span the width of the top hand of a user.

93. A fitting system comprising a range of club grips with different external diameters comprising or including indicia on the club grips, and a complimentary range of sized golf gloves provided with markings that match with indicia on a suitably sized grip, wherein in use the indicia assist a golfer to select a club grip matched to their hand size.

94. A fitting system as claimed in claim 93, wherein the diameter of the grip is matched to the size of a golfer's glove.

95. A range of club grips as claimed in claim 93 or 94, wherein the size, position or both of the indicia is matched to the size of a golfer's glove.

96. A glove comprising a marking representing the size of the glove, wherein in use gripping a club the marking is aligned with an indicium on a club grip, said indicium also representing the diameter of the grip.

97. A glove according to claim 96 wherein the glove has a predetermined size and the marking comprises at least one of a shape, colour and pattern that matches at least one of a shape, colour and pattern on a grip having the same predetermined size.

98. A method of fitting a golfer with golf clubs comprising the steps of: fitting a golfer with a glove or gloves from a range of gloves having different markings depending on the size of the glove; and selecting grips or clubs with grips from a range of grips or clubs with grips having different indicia depending on the external diameter of the grip, wherein said selected grips or clubs with grips have indicia matched to the markings on the fitted glove or gloves.

99. A method according to claim 98 wherein the markings on the glove or gloves comprises at least one of a shape, colour and pattern that matches at least one of a shape, colour and pattern on the selected grip.

100. A golf glove and grip system substantially as herein described with reference to any example, and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

101. A golf glove substantially as herein described with reference to any example and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

102. A golf grip substantially as herein described with reference to any example and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

103. A golf club grip system substantially as herein described with reference to any example and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

104. A method to assist a golfer substantially as herein described with reference to any example and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

105. A range of club grips substantially as herein described with reference to any example and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

106. A method of fitting a golfer with golf clubs substantially as herein described with reference to any example and with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.

107. A packaged set comprising a set of golf grips and a golf glove, wherein said golf glove is as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 47 and said grips are as claimed in any one of claims 64 to 76, and the markings on said golf grips are placed to match the size of said golf glove.

108. A packaged set comprising a set of golf grips and a golf glove, wherein said glove is as claimed in any one of claims 48 to 63 and said grips each have a reference line extending axially along said grip for a distance at least sufficient to span the width of the top hand of a user., and the markings on said golf grips are placed to match the size of said golf glove.