HK1068566B - Single panel golf club grip - Google Patents

Description

Single panel golf club grip

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The present invention relates to an improved grip for a golf club.

[ description of the Prior Art ]

The applicant has previously developed a resilient grip which successfully alleviates the impact shock acting on the muscles and joints of the arms of a golf club user and which also provides a sticky (tackness) feel between the golfer's hands and the grip. See, for example, U.S. patent No. 5797813, which was granted on 8/25 of 1998. These early grips used polyurethane felt (polyurethane) strips that were helically wrapped around an underlisting sleeve that was slid over and bonded to the handle of the golf club. The strip is formed with overlapping hot pressed concave reinforced edges on both sides. Although such a handle has proven to be satisfactory in terms of mitigating impact shocks, its manufacture requires intensive labor, especially because the handle must be manually wrapped around the underlisting sleeve under prescribed pressure parameters. In addition, when spirally winding such a strip around the underlisting sleeve, it is difficult to accurately align the abutting side edges of the strip. During winding, the strip of such a wound handle twists. This is a particularly difficult problem when wrapping a putter (button) handle. These wrapped handles are also unsuitable for displaying their decorative design.

[ SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ]

The golf club grip of the present invention overcomes the above-described deficiencies of prior spirally wrapped grips while providing the same shock resistance effect imparted by such grips and also providing tackiness. These drawbacks can be eliminated by forming the structurally integral handle from a single piece of polyurethane-felt sheet material having an exterior shape corresponding to the underlisting sleeve. The side edges of the single sheet are abutted against one another and bonded together to define a longitudinal seam extending through the sheet. A heat-formed concave sealing groove may be formed on the exterior of the polyurethane layer at the outer end of the seam to strengthen the seam. Hot polyurethane is deposited along the seam or within the channel and, after the polyurethane is hardened, it is polished so that it smoothly blends into the surface of the handle. In another refinement, a die is used to emboss a friction increasing pattern into the accumulated polyurethane to match the friction increasing pattern of the surface body of the handle.

The grip of the golf club of the present invention may be manufactured at a considerably lower cost than existing spirally wound grips because the high intensity of labor intensive spirally winding the strip around the underlisting sleeve at the specified pressure parameters is eliminated. In addition, the one piece panel grip of the present invention does not twist during manufacture or after it is bonded to the underlisting sleeve. The inventor's new grip has an appearance similar to a conventional molded rubber grip to attract the attention of professional golfers and low handicap (low hand) amateurs and also provides a larger area for the use of decorative designs.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[ brief description of the drawings ]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a monolithic polyurethane-felt sheet member of a golf club grip embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating a first mold that may be used in forming the single piece panel grip of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated as 7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the monolithic sheet of FIGS. 1-3 after it has been removed from the mold shown in FIGS. 4-8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a second mold used in forming the single piece panel grip of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 15 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view showing the appearance of the inner surface of the monolithic sheet after such sheet has been removed from the mold of FIGS. 13-15;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show the side edges of a single sheet being shaved;

FIG. 20 shows the inner surface of the single sheet which has been shaved over its side edges in the manner shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a side view of an underlisting sleeve member of the monolithic sheet of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 23 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 24 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a side view showing an adhesive used on the exterior of the underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 26 is a side view showing an adhesive applied to the inner surface of the monolithic sheet;

FIG. 27 is a side view showing a first step in wrapping and bonding a single sheet to an underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 28 is a side view showing a second step in wrapping the single sheet around an underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 29 is a side view showing a single panel after it has been bonded to the underlisting sleeve;

FIG. 30 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 33 in FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 34 in FIG. 32 showing the seam between the side edges of the single sheet of material;

FIG. 35 is a side view showing the heat and pressure seal groove formed along the top of the seam shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 shows the portion of FIG. 36 after the seal groove has been formed;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 38 in FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a side view of a completed one-piece panel grip embodying the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a vertical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 40-40 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a vertical cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 41-41 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is a fragmentary side elevation view showing a first step in making a modified form of the handle of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a broken side view showing a second step in making the grip of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 44-44 of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 45 in FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of another modified form of the handle of FIG. 39;

FIG. 47 is a broken side view showing a first step in making the grip of FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a view similar to FIG. 44 showing a second step in the manufacture of the grip of FIG. 46;

FIG. 49 is a side view of the completed handle of FIG. 46;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an underlisting sleeve of a putter grip embodying the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a side view of the underlisting sleeve of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on an enlarged scale along line 52-52 of FIG. 50;

FIG. 53 is a fragmentary vertical section on an enlarged scale taken along line 53-53 of FIG. 51;

FIG. 54 is a vertical cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 54-54 of FIG. 51;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a completed single sheet putter handle embodying the present invention;

FIG. 56 is a rear elevational view of the rear of the putter handle of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on an enlarged scale along line 57-57 of FIG. 55;

FIG. 58 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 57 showing a modified form of the handle of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 59 in FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a fragmentary side elevation view showing another modified form of the handle of FIG. 49;

FIG. 61 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 61-61 of FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 62 in FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a broken side view of a modified form of the handle of FIG. 60;

FIG. 64 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 64-64 of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 65 in FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a side view of a mold used in the process of making the handle of FIGS. 60 and 63;

FIG. 67 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 67-67 of FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 68-68 of FIG. 66;

FIG. 69 is an enlarged view taken along line 69-69 of FIG. 66;

FIG. 70 is a side view of the handle made in accordance with FIGS. 60-69;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of a golf club provided with a single panel grip embodying the present invention;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view showing a putter provided with a single piece grip embodying the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Referring to the drawings, the attachment of a single panel grip G embodying the present invention to the shaft 55 of a golf club GC is shown in FIG. 71. The attachment of a single sheet (single panel) putter grip PG to the shaft 57 of a putter P is shown in FIG. 72. Referring now to the remaining figures, the preferred form of handle G comprises a single sheet S of bonded polyurethane 60 and felt 62 wrapped around and bonded to a resilient underlisting sleeve U of conventional construction.

Specifically, referring to fig. 1, 2 and 3, the outer surface of the felt layer 62 is bonded to the inner surface of the polyurethane layer 60, which is preferably cured to define pores (not shown). The felt layer may be made of wool, polyester, nylon or mixtures thereof. Nylon polyester felt is preferably used. The polyurethane layer 60 may be formed in a conventional manner by coating one side of a felt strip with a solution of polyurethane (e.g., polyester, polyether) dissolved in Dimethylformamide (DMF), immersing the coated strip in a water bath (water baths) to displace DMF and solidify the urethane, and finally driving off the water by using pressure and heat. The solids content of the polyurethane layer will vary depending on the hardness desired for the polyurethane layer. The preferred solids content solution is about 28.5% to 30.5% and the viscosity range measured at a temperature of 25+0.5 ℃ is about 60000 and 90000 centipoises (cps). Suitable polyurethane compositions are commercially available from the companies listed below, namely:

lidyne Chemical company, Taipei, Taiwan (Lidyne Chemical Co., Ltd.10F1 Lidyne-Commercial Bldg.22 Nanking W.road, Taipei Taiwan, R.O.C.)

Lidyne Chemical Co., Taiwan (Lidyne Chemical Co., Ltd. No.17, ChingChien 6th Road shoe in Industrial Area, shoe in Shiang TaoyuanHsien, Taiwan, R.O.C.)

Lidyne Resin (Panyu) Inc., Guangdong Province (Lidyne Resin (Panyu) Co., Ltd., Xiadao Industrial Park Liye Road, Dongchong Town Panyu City, Guangdong Provision, PRC.)

The polyurethane layer preferably has a thickness of about 0.3 to 0.5 mm and the felt layer has a thickness of about 0.8 to 1.7 mm. The polyurethane layer 60 provides a cushioned, shock-absorbing grip on the golf club's hands, and also increases the golfer's grip by providing increased adhesion or tackiness (tackiness) between the golfer's hands and the grip. The felt layer 62 provides strength to the polyurethane layer and serves as a means for attaching the bonded polyurethane and felt sheet to the underlisting sleeve U.

Referring now to fig. 4-12, there is shown a first mold M for forming a friction enhancing pattern 63 (fig. 9) on the outer surface of the polyurethane layer 60, as well as upper and lower hot pressed horizontal edges 64 and 65 along the upper and lower extremities of the monolithic sheet S, and depressed horizontal edges 66 along both sides of the sheet. The mold M includes a base plate B and a heated platen 67 formed with a cavity 68. The ends of the cavity 68 are provided with depending projections 69 which engage the top surface of the polyurethane layer 60 to form a depressed friction-increasing pattern 63, as shown in fig. 6. In fig. 5, the hanging projection 69a forms the recessed edge 66. As can be seen in fig. 8, the right-hand edge of the pocket 68 is formed with a shoulder 70a which engages the upper end of the sheet S to form the upper edge 64 of the heated recess in the polyurethane layer 60. The left hand side of the cavity is formed with a similar shoulder 70b to form a hot pressed concave edge 65 along the lower edge of the sheet.

Referring now to fig. 13-16, there is shown a second mold M2 for use in making a monolithic sheet of the present invention. The sheet S is shown inverted from its position in the mold M. The mold includes a base plate 71 and a heated platen 72 formed with a cavity 73. The base plate is also formed with a cavity 74 that receives the outer face of the polyurethane layer 60 to contain the felt layer within the cavity 73 of the heated platen 72. The upper and lower sides and edges of the heated platen 72 are formed with depending peripheral shoulders 76 which engage the upper and lower edges of the felt layer 62 and the side edges of the felt layer. When the heated platen 72 is forced downward toward the felt layer, the shoulders 76 will depress the perimeter of the felt layer and transfer heat through the felt layer, thereby densifying the peripheral edge of the polyurethane layer 60. This densification may be accomplished by heat transferred from shoulder 76 through felt layer 62. The heated platen 72 is also provided with a depending pointed projection 72a (fig. 14) which forms a score line SL-1 along the longitudinal center of the felt layer 62 shown in fig. 16.

Referring now to fig. 17-20, the peripheral edge of the sheet S is shown being shaved by a pair of rotary blades 77 and 78 and a single rotary blade 79, the rotary blades 77 and 78 engaging the upper and lower edges of the sheet as shown in fig. 17. The blades 77 and 78 form upper and lower scraping edges 80. The blade 79 shown forms a scraping edge 81 on the side of the sheet S in fig. 18 and a side of another scraping edge 82 in fig. 19 after the first side has been scraped. During the shaving operation, a platen 83 is used to secure the sheet over the bottom plate 84. Note that the scrapes on the opposite sides of the sheet S are parallel to each other as shown in fig. 19. The scraping preferably has a width of about 4.0-6.0 mm.

Referring now to fig. 21-24, there is shown an underlisting sleeve U formed of a resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber or plastic. The cartridge U includes an integral cap 85 at its upper end and the lower end of the cartridge is formed with an integral connecting nipple 86. A circumferentially downwardly extending groove 87 is formed in the underside of the cap. The groove 87 receives the upper edge of the sheet S as described below. The connecting nozzle 86 is formed with an upwardly extending recess 88 defined by a circumferential lip 89 formed on the outside of the recess to receive the lower edge of the sheet S in a manner to be described below. Preferably, underlisting sleeve U is formed with a vertically extending scribe line SL-2.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-32, application of the sheet S to the underlisting sleeve U is illustrated. In fig. 25, the outer surface of underlisting sleeve U is illustrated receiving an adhesive 90 via a nozzle, brush, or the like. In fig. 26, the inner surface of the felt layer 62 is described as receiving the adhesive 90 by a nozzle, a brush, or the like.

The illustrated sheet S is shown wrapped around and bonded to underlisting sleeve U in fig. 27. In this operation, the scribe lines SL-1 and SL-2 are arranged in alignment. Also, the upper edge of the sheet S is manually inserted into the circumferential groove 87 of the lower inclined cap 85, and the lower edge of the sheet S is manually inserted into the groove 89 formed in the connecting nozzle 86 by temporarily bending the circumferential lip 89 outward. As shown in fig. 32, 33 and 34, the skived side edges 81 and 82 of the sheet S are bonded together using a suitable adhesive 90 to define a seam 91 extending through the sheet. Because is thatThe skived side edges so that the seam 91 extends through the sheet S at an angle to the depth of the sheet S, thereby increasing the length of the seam relative to a seam extending parallel to the depth of the sheet. The increased seam length provides a stronger bond. The seam is particularly strong where it joins the batt layers together. A suitable binder 90 has the formula: polychloroprene (C)₄H₅Cl) and toluene (CH)₅CH₃). When the sheet material S is wrapped around and bonded to the underlisting sleeve U, the sleeve is temporarily supported on the telescoping mandrel 92 in a conventional manner. Referring to fig. 35-38, after the side edges of the sheet S have been bonded together, the underlisting sleeve is supported on a base 93 by a mandrel 92, while at the outer edges of the seam 91, longitudinally extending heat press teeth 94 (fig. 36) are pressed against the polyurethane layer 60. The heat press teeth form small depressions 95 in the polyurethane layer 60 that align with the outer edges of the seam 91, further strengthening the seam. A first form of the completed handle G is shown in fig. 39-41. Referring to fig. 40 and 41, it can be seen that: the upper edge of the sheet S is placed firmly in the recess 87 of the cap and the bottom of the sheet is placed firmly in the recess 88 of the connecting spout. The finished grip is then removed from the mandrel 92 and easily slipped over and bonded to the shaft of the golf club G in a conventional manner.

Fig. 42-45 show golf club G-1, which is similar in all respects to club G, except that recess 95 is filled with hot polyurethane 96 through a nozzle or brush (fig. 42). After the polyurethane has hardened, it may be polished with a suitable brush 97 or the like, as shown in fig. 43, to smoothly blend with the surface of the handle. As an alternative embodiment, after filling recess 95 with hot polyurethane, it is not polished again.

Referring now to fig. 46-49, there is shown another modified form G-2 of a handle embodying the present invention. In this modified form, the depressed reinforcement channel is no longer used. Alternatively, after the seam 91 has been formed, a small amount of hot polyurethane 96 is applied to the seam using a nozzle or brush, as shown in fig. 45. After the polyurethane has hardened, it may be polished with a suitable brush 97 or the like to smoothly blend with the surface of the handle, as shown in fig. 49. As an alternative embodiment, the polyurethane can be left unpolished.

Referring now to FIGS. 50-59, a single piece panel grip PG for use on a conventional putter is shown. The handle includes a resilient underlisting sleeve UP (FIGS. 50-54) that is generally similar to the aforementioned underlisting sleeve U, except that the underlisting sleeve UP is not a ring-like structure. Instead, the front surface of the underlisting sleeve UP has a flat configuration, according to most putter designs in general. It will be appreciated that the underlisting sleeve UP receives a single sheet SP of polyurethane-felt construction similar to the single sheet S previously described. The single piece of sheeting SP is spirally wound around and bonded to the underlisting sleeve in the same manner as previously described with respect to single piece grip G-2, with like parts of both grips being labeled with like reference numerals. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 57, the seam 91' may be filled with hot polyurethane, which is smoothly polished to provide a smooth surface. Alternatively, heat-formed depressions 95 'may be formed in the seam 91' and the seam covered with hot polyurethane, which may be polished away as it hardens to provide a smooth surface over the seam, as shown in FIGS. 56-59. The outer surface of the polyurethane layer of the putter handle PG may be smooth or may be formed with a friction-increasing pattern.

Referring to fig. 60-70, a modified form of the handle of fig. 27-49 is shown. In fig. 60-62, hot polyurethane 96 is shown applied to seam 91 with a nozzle or brush. In fig. 63-65, a nozzle or brush is shown filling a heated polyurethane 96 into recess 95. Fig. 66 shows a mold M3 having a heated platen 100 with a portion 63a of the friction-increasing pattern 63 formed on the underside of the platen 100 that embosses the surface of the polyurethane layer 60 of the handle. While the polyurethane is still hot, the heated platen 63a is pressed against the outer surface of the polyurethane layer in the region of the seam 91. Due to this structure, namely: the outer region of the polyurethane layer outside the seam is formed with a friction increasing pattern so that this part merges with a friction increasing pattern 63 moulded onto the body of the outer surface of the handle, as shown in figure 70.

Referring now to fig. 71, there is shown a golf club GC having a handle 55 to which handle 55 a grip G made in accordance with the foregoing description is telescopically secured. FIG. 72 shows a putter handle PG being telescopically applied to the handle 57 of a putter P.

It is clear that the outer surface of a handle embodying the invention may be coated with a thin layer of polyurethane (not shown) by means of a brush or spray, thereby protecting the surface, increasing its adhesion, and improving its durability.

The golf club grip of the present invention provides several benefits over the prior twist grips described above. In addition, the grip has the appearance of a molded integral grip familiar to golfers and low handicap golfers. While some of these golfers are reluctant to use non-traditional wraparound clubs, they are willing to play with the unitary construction grip of the present invention because such grips provide shock absorbing properties and adhesive qualities of the wraparound grip.

Various modifications and changes may be made to the details described above without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (30)

1. A grip for a golf club grip, the grip comprising: a resilient underlisting sleeve telescopically slipped over the handle of the golf club; a monolithic sheet comprising an outer layer of polyurethane bonded to an inner layer of textile fabric, the sheet having a configuration corresponding to the external shape of the elastic sleeve; the single sheet is wrapped around and bonded to the underlisting sleeve; the longitudinal side edges of the sheet are abutted against each other and bonded together to define a longitudinal seam extending from the inner surface of the textile layer to the outer surface of the polyurethane layer.

2. The golf club grip of claim 1 wherein the side edges of the panel are skived such that the seam extends through the panel at an oblique angle relative to the depth of the panel.

3. The grip of a golf club according to claim 1, in which heat-pressed channels are formed in the polyurethane layer outside the seam to strengthen the seam.

4. The golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the seam is covered by a polyurethane laminate.

5. The grip of a golf club according to claim 2, wherein a heat pressing channel is formed on the exterior of the polyurethane layer along the length of the seam to strengthen the seam.

6. The golf club grip of claim 3, wherein the heat pressing channel is covered with a smooth polished polyurethane.

7. The golf club grip of claim 4 wherein the polyurethane deposits are smoothly polished.

8. The grip of a golf club according to claim 5, wherein the grip further includes a polyurethane build-up along the seam, the polyurethane build-up being smoothly polished.

9. The grip of a golf club grip of claim 1, wherein the underlisting sleeve further includes a cap formed with a downwardly facing recess and a nipple formed with an upwardly facing peripheral recess, the nipple recess being externally defined by a peripheral lip; and the upper edge of the sheet is held firmly in the groove of the cap, the lower edge of the sheet being held firmly in the groove of the connecting spout by the peripheral lip.

10. The golf club grip of claim 9 wherein the side edges of the panel are skived such that the seam extends through the panel at an oblique angle relative to the depth of the panel.

11. The golf club grip of claim 9 in which a heat and pressure channel is formed in the seam along the length of the polyurethane layer to further strengthen the seam.

12. The golf club grip of claim 9 wherein the seam is covered on the outside by a polyurethane laminate.

13. The golf club grip of claim 12, wherein the polyurethane deposits are smoothly polished.

14. The golf club grip of claim 11, wherein the hot pressing channel is covered by a polyurethane stack.

15. The golf club grip of claim 14 wherein the polyurethane deposits are polished.

16. The golf club grip of claim 11 wherein the side edges of the panel are skived such that the seam extends through the panel at an oblique angle relative to the depth of the panel.

17. The grip of a golf club grip of claim 1, further comprising: a friction-increasing pattern formed on an outer surface of the polyurethane layer; a heat pressing passage formed in the polyurethane layer outside the joint to reinforce the joint; a polyurethane build-up on the seam; a portion of the friction enhancing pattern formed on the outside of the seam to merge with the friction enhancing pattern formed on the outside of the polyurethane layer.

18. The golf club grip of claim 17 wherein the seam extends obliquely through the sheet of material.

19. The grip of a golf club grip of claim 1, further comprising: a friction-increasing pattern formed on an outer surface of the polyurethane layer; a hot pressing channel formed in the polyurethane layer outside the seam to reinforce the seam; a polyurethane build-up within the channel; and forming a portion of the friction-increasing pattern on the polyurethane build-up outside the seam to merge with the friction-increasing pattern formed on the outside of the polyurethane layer.

20. The golf club grip of claim 17 wherein the resilient underlisting sleeve includes a cap formed with a downwardly facing groove and a nipple formed with an upwardly facing peripheral groove, the exterior of the nipple groove being defined by a peripheral lip, the upper edge of the panel being securely retained in the cap groove and the lower edge of the panel being securely retained in the nipple groove by the peripheral lip.

21. The golf club grip of claim 19 wherein the resilient underlisting sleeve includes a cap formed with a downwardly facing recess and a nipple formed with an upwardly facing peripheral recess, the exterior of the nipple recess being defined by a peripheral lip; and the upper edge of the sheet is held firmly in the groove of the cap, and the lower edge of the sheet is held firmly in the groove of the connecting spout by the peripheral lip.

22. A method of making a grip for a golf club, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic underlisting sleeve which is telescopically slipped over the handle of the golf club; providing a monolithic sheet comprising an outer layer of polyurethane bonded to an inner layer of textile fabric, the sheet having a configuration corresponding to the external shape of the elastic sleeve; wrapping the monolithic sheet around and bonding the monolithic sheet to the underlisting sleeve; the longitudinal side edges of the sheet are brought into abutment with each other and bonded together to define a longitudinal seam extending from the inner surface of the textile layer to the outer surface of the polyurethane layer.

23. The method of claim 22 including the additional step of skiving the side edges of the sheet so that the seam extends through the sheet at an oblique angle relative to the depth of the sheet.

24. The method of claim 22, including the further step of forming a heated pressing channel in the polyurethane layer outside the seam to strengthen the seam.

25. The method of claim 22 including the further step of covering the seam with polyurethane.

26. The method of claim 24, including the additional step of depositing polyurethane within the channel.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of: forming a friction-increasing pattern on the outer surface of the polyurethane layer; applying a pile of polyurethane over the length of the seam; a portion of the friction-increasing pattern is formed on the polyurethane build-up outside the seam so that the portion merges with the friction-increasing pattern formed on the outside of the polyurethane layer.

28. The method of claim 27, including the further step of forming a heated pressing channel in the polyurethane layer outside the seam to reinforce the seam, the channel accommodating the polyurethane build-up.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the underlisting sleeve comprises a cap formed with a downwardly facing groove and the sleeve further comprises a connecting nipple formed with an upwardly facing peripheral groove defined by a peripheral lip; when the sheet is wrapped around the sleeve, the upper edge of the sheet is forced into the peripheral groove of the cap, and the lower edge of the sheet is forced into the peripheral groove of the connecting nozzle.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the underlisting sleeve comprises a cap formed with a downwardly facing groove and the sleeve further comprises a connecting nipple formed with an upwardly facing peripheral groove defined by a peripheral lip; when the sheet is wrapped around the sleeve, the upper edge of the sheet is forced into the peripheral groove of the cap, and the lower edge of the sheet is forced into the peripheral groove of the connecting nozzle.