A method includes: obtaining a raw steel golf shaft; and applying a colored coating directly to exterior surfaces of the raw steel golf shaft using an applicator. A golf club shaft includes: a raw steel tubular member; and a colored coating applied directly to exterior surfaces of the raw steel tubular member.

A method for applying base paint non-uniformly to a golf shaft includes: inserting a portion of a golf shaft lengthwise through an aperture in a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where one of (a) the aperture is non-circular and (b) the aperture includes a plurality of slits formed circumferentially around the aperture; actuating a painting apparatus, thereby causing the base paint to contact the golf shaft and the second surface of the paint applicator; and pulling the golf shaft lengthwise through the aperture in the paint applicator, thereby non-uniformly applying the base paint lengthwise along the portion of the golf shaft.

A method for applying base paint non-uniformly to a golf shaft includes: inserting a portion of a golf shaft lengthwise through an aperture in a paint applicator, the paint applicator having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where one of (a) the aperture is non-circular and (b) the aperture includes a plurality of slits formed circumferentially around the aperture; actuating a painting apparatus, thereby causing the base paint to contact the golf shaft and the second surface of the paint applicator; and pulling the golf shaft lengthwise through the aperture in the paint applicator, thereby non-uniformly applying the base paint lengthwise along the portion of the golf shaft.

A process for manufacturing a putter with a bi-material shaft is disclosed herein. The putter comprises a putter head, the bi-material shaft, a mass member and a grip. The bi-material shaft comprises a body with a tip end and a butt end. The body comprises a metal section extending from the tip end to a connection point, and a composite section extending from the butt end to the connection point. The mass member is positioned within an opening at the butt end of the shaft. Mass from the shaft is transferred to the club head and the mass member in the butt end of the shaft.

A process for manufacturing a putter with a bi-material shaft is disclosed herein. The putter comprises a putter head, the bi-material shaft, a mass member and a grip. The bi-material shaft comprises a body with a tip end and a butt end. The body comprises a metal section extending from the tip end to a connection point, and a composite section extending from the butt end to the connection point. The mass member is positioned within an opening at the butt end of the shaft. Mass from the shaft is transferred to the club head and the mass member in the butt end of the shaft.

A flexible putter shaft may be interchanged with a stiff putter shaft even though the two shafts have markedly different properties including different diameters, different degrees of elasticity, and so on. An external adapter for a flexible putter shaft and an internal adapter for a stiff shaft allow either one to be fastened through a customized hole on the hosel of a putter head using a locking fastener and tool.

A multi-material golf shaft having a butt portion joined to a tip portion and possessing unique relationships, including rigidity relationships, which provide beneficial performance characteristics.

A multi-material golf shaft having a butt portion joined to a tip portion and possessing unique relationships, including rigidity relationships, which provide beneficial performance characteristics.

The present invention provides an apparatus for connecting shaft portions of sports equipment comprising a first shaft portion of sports equipment; a second shaft portion of sports equipment; a locking means for mounting the first and second shaft portions; the locking means comprising a locking ring, an extending member and a first receiver means; the extending member mounted to the second shaft portion; the first receiver means comprising a hollow portion adapted for receiving the first portion of the extending member; the first receiver means mounted to the first shaft portion; the locking ring rotatable mounted on the extending member; the extending member comprising a first portion which is removable mounted to the first receiver means; and the first portion adapted for restricting the rotational movement of the extending member inside the first shaft portion.

A divot repair tool comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft having a handle at the first end of the shaft and a divot head having one or more prongs at the second end of the shaft wherein the second end the shaft is fused to the divot head, a method of using the divot repair tool to repair divots, comprising embedding one or more prongs from the divot head into turf beneath the divot, applying a leveraging motion to the handle and lifting the turf and a method of using the divot repair tool to retrieve golf balls, comprising applying one or more prongs from said divot head underneath one or more golf balls and scooping said golf balls upward.