The Dead On Putter Design Features:

Accelerating Arrows

One of the unique features of the Dead On putter is the geometry of a series of accelerating arrows through the center of this putter. These provide the golfer with two unique tools to help their stroke:

A Superior Alignment System

Although the golf industry has long been searching for a better method of aiding the golfer in the alignment of his clubhead before making a putting stoke, it has not happened until now. Never before had there been an easier and more natural method of aligning up the putter head to its target. The sculpted arrows significantly assist both the average golfer as well as the touring professional by providing an alignment tool that is second to none. It is a natural thing for hand-eye coordination to aim this putter, using the arrows, to the intended direction. Not only does this work at initial set-up, but there is a self-correcting movement that occurs during the stoke, due to ones peripheral vision, that tends to correct any misalignment that is made during the backstroke or forward stoke.

The arrow geometry also provides a method for increasing throughput, or follow through in his/her stroke. Along with the ability to align the putter head in the desired direction, the geometry of the multiple arrows increases as they approach the putter head. This "accelerating arrow" design promotes a good follow through on one's stroke, and tends to eliminate tendencies such as deceleration during short putts, which is a major cause of the "yips".

Perimeter Weighting System

Another feature of the Dead On putter is the  perimeter weighting system.  On the Series I and Series II models, cavities are machined out of the bottom of each protrusion of the rear wing. Weights are then inserted into the cavities and screwed down using stainless steel screws.  Because the weights are located around the outside periphery of the putter, centered along the line of the putt, the moment of inertia is increased by the addition of the weights. The heavier the weight, the higher the moment of inertia (resistance to movement) of the putter. This provides the average golfer tools that previously were only available to the touring pro. 

High center of gravity

The Dead On putter was designed from the beginning with the center of gravity above the geometrical center of the club. What this does is reduce the bounce induced with the initial impact of the ball. By concentrating most of the weight on the upper end of the putter, this tends to reduce the initial hopping and skidding of the golf ball coming off of the putter face.  This feature in combination with the "peep-sight" (below) releases the ball after initial impact with results of less initial bounce and a truer roll.  The Dead On Putter uses 4 degrees of loft on its putting surface.

Peep sight set-up aid

Most of the great golfers in the world stress the importance of proper set-up on the putting surface. Nearly all articles and golf tips on proper putter set-up illustrate how important it is to have the ball either exactly below or slightly ahead of the eyes at address. This ensures that the putter will be hitting the ball either on plane, or slightly on the upward stroke of the swing. By placing the ball slightly ahead of the center of the swing, and having the putter head climbing up away from the green, the putter design reduces the balls tendency to bounce. The golfer also has more of a chance to hit through the ball rather than decelerate during contact.

Elite Sport Products, L.P. has utilized this technology to assist the golfer in proper set-up. Just behind the putter face there is a set up dot, viewable from the top, which provide the golfer a visual check on his set-up. This dot is to be placed directly under your dominant eye.  This ensures that the ball will not be behind the line of vision which leads to chucking or hitting down on the ball which produces excessive bounce.

True Grip(tm) putter face surface

How many variations are there in putter face design? Almost too many to list. With all of the materials and surface geometry available today it would take weeks of trial and error to decide on what is best.

Elite Sport Products, L.P. has developed the best putting solution. Instead of having a clean surface, a milled surface (I still don't understand this one), or a different insert material, we have designed and developed an abraded surface that will grip the ball without imparting a chance to set the ball off-course. This new technology produces a surface finish which is rough similar to a very fine piece of sandpaper  which will grip the ball upon impact. The tiny raised features in the surface are so small that they are naked to the human eye, but can be felt by your finger. Because this process is applied to the surface in a controlled environment, the consistency of the True Grip(tm) surface is guaranteed - and it will last a lifetime!

Beautiful design

A lot of research and engineering went into the creation of the Dead On putter. From the initial concept in 3D Computer aided Design to the final inspection and shipping of the product, no corners have been cut. This club is visually pleasing as well as functionally sound. The best available materials and latest technology manufacturing processes have been used to ensure uniform product consistency and quality. The look, features, and overall geometry of this putter provides a work of art, that has not been seen, before now, in the golf industry.

Because each club is made to your order, every dead-on putter made has an individual serial number which separates your putter from everyone else. Options on this club include:

• Right/Left handed
• 33", 34" or  35" shaft (Special length? Contact us - no extra charge)
• Center Shaft or offset shaft
• Black anodized rear wing
• True Temper stepless shafts
• Adjustable perimeter weights* (on available products)
• Your choice of available Winn grips* (Winn Excel XF USA standard)

Take a good look at what you get with this putter in comparison with any other brand. It will improve your game and you will be happy with your purchase. All Elite Sport Products come with an unconditional 45 day money back guarantee. We are so confident that you will be satisfied with your purchase that we will refund your money within 45 days of receipt, if you sre not satisfied with the Dead On putter. (less shipping and handling charges).

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Manufacturing Materials

Aluminum

There are a variety of grades of aluminum available to the manufacturing industry. All are alloyed  having different percentages of material added to the metal due to the fact that pure aluminum is extremely soft and malleable. One can easily bend pure aluminum with their bare hands.

The aluminum alloy used in the rear wing section of the Dead On putter meets our custom specifications. The rear wing is completely machined from a block of solid Aluminum - no casting or forging here! This is a highly versatile grade of aluminum, is readily available, and offers good mechanical properties as well as and corrosion resistance. It is used for a wide variety of products from truck bodies and frames to structural components.

The chemical composition of 6061 Aluminum is as follows:

Cu Si Fe Mn Mg Zn Cr Ti
0.15/0.40 0.4/0.8 0.7 0.15 0.8/1.2 0.25 0.04/0.35 0.15

Supplementing the normal corrosion resistance of this material, this product is anodized in accordance with Military Standard MIL-A-8625 Type 2, with either Class 1 (clear coating) or Class 2 (black coating) finish.

Stainless Steel

Steel turns into stainless steel mainly by the addition of chromium. In general, the more chromium that is added to the metal mix, the better the corrosion resistance. The putter head and standard rear weights of the Dead On are completely machined from solid blocks of 316 Stainless Steel. 316 is an aircraft grade of stainless steel, and possesses excellent strength and corrosion resistance. Type 316 is more resistant to atmospheric and general corrosive conditions than any of the other standard stainless steels.

It's chemical composition is as follows:

C Mn P S Si Cr Ni Mo Cu
.08 2.00 .040 .030 1.00 16.00/18.00 10.00/14.00 2.00/3.00 .75

In addition to the already excellent corrosion resistance of this metal, both the putter head and weights are passivated** (see passivation area for more details)

Tungsten

Tungsten is an extremely heavy metal. It's about the heaviest metal that is readily available to the general public before you get into the uraniums and active elements. To give you an idea of how much this material weighs, the specific gravity, depending on the alloying elements, is around 18. Lead, by comparison, has a specific gravity of 11.3.

Density is defined as the mass of a material divided by the unit volume. The density of water is 62.4 pounds/square foot. Specific gravity is defined as a ratio of the density of the material to the density of water. Water was chosen as the baseline and therefore has a specific gravity of 1 (density of water/density of water).  Other specific gravities for comparative purposes include aluminum (2.63), titanium (4.5), steel (7.8), copper (8.9), bronze (8.6).

Commercial tungsten, like so many metals, is alloyed by a number of elements to bring out attractive properties of the material. In order for things like machinability ( the ability to cut the metal), corrosion resistance, cost, castability, forging requirements to be apparent in the material, certain annoying elements are added to the melt.

The tungsten alloy that Elite Sport Products uses is Tungsten Alloy 17.7. It has 93% pure tungsten with the remaining alloys being nickel, steel, and molybdenum. The specific gravity of this material, illustrated by its name, is 17.7.

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Manufacturing Equipment

Design

Elite Sport products uses the latest in state-of the art manufacturing methods from initial concept to final inspection. Initial designs are developed in 3D solid models using a high-end Computer Aided Design system. This 3D solid model database is used throughout the manufacturing process, first being transformed into readable blueprints where dimensional data, tolerancing, and finish callouts are assigned, then transferred to a Computer Aided Manufacturing software package where instructions are coded for Computer Controlled Equipment to machine the part, and finally to the quality control area where CNC Coordinate measuring machines are programmed to inspect the part. In short, once a database of the product is produced, it is used throughout the entire manufacturing process.

All of the equipment used in each step of the manufacturing process is computer controlled with the exception of the abrasive blast finishing equipment. Examples of the equipment used follow:

Wire EDM Machine

A wire EDM (electron discharge machine) machine utilized a thin spool of wire between .003" and .012" in diameter made of brass or other conductive material to cut-out a shape. Large amounts of electricity are passed through the moving wire as it slowly moves along the programmed path in the table. Ionized water, a dieletreic, covers the part in a bath as flow is also directed along the wire to assist in removing the melted off debris. The material in the immediate vicinity of the part actually melts in the presence of the wire. This is a very time consuming process, but extremely accurate.

CNC Machining Center

Once the blank is complete from the EDM machine, it is loaded into custom made fixtures on a CNC machining center. The one shown here is a full 5-axis machining center capable of holding tolerances of greater than .0005" (about 1/10 the diameter of a human hair) over it's entire working envelope. The beauty of using this kind of machine is the ability to control all of the tolerances of the different features of each part that goes into the putter head assembly. Each time a part has to move from one machine to another due to the different surfaces that have to be machined there is an associated loss in tolerance. By hanging onto the part in one set-up, the tolerance loss of moving and re-clamping the part is eliminated. This machine is valued over half a million dollars!

In Process Inspection

Even though care and control of the manufacturing sequence is closely monitored, there are always variables such as tool wear, machine oil and ambient temperature, and slide bearing wear of the equipment. To keep on top of these small changes, parts are constantly inspected during manufacturing by the machinist. Corrections to compensate for these small dimensional changes can be input into the machine control without changing the initial program.

Finishing

There is a fine satin finish placed on all putter components before their chemical surface finish. The putter head face gets a classified surface finish put on. This provides a very aesthetically pleasing surface and reduces the sunlight glare on the putter. Operators working in this department have been providing medical instruments to hospitals and medical doctors for years using the same equipment. This also prepares the surface for the final chemical surface.

Laser Etching

A powerful laser provides a very deep engraving on the putter head. This machine is also computer controlled. This is also the last process for the individual parts before surface treatment and final inspection requirements.

Final Part Inspection

Before the parts are sent to finishing they are inspected for conformity. Here a Quality Control Inspector ensures that each part is complete and meets the requirements in all associated process documents. Digital height gages on a rose marble surface plate provide accurate readings of critical points during manufacturing. Parts are then sent to finishing.

Final Processing

Stainless steel parts are passivated as a final process. A protective film is present on the surface of stainless steels. This invisible and extremely thin layer ? less than 1/100,000 the thickness of a human hair is acquired when the stainless surface comes into contact with the atmosphere. However, during the machining process it is possible that contaminants such as shop dirt, sulfates from cutting fluids, or particles of iron from cutting tools may be transferred or embedded into the surface of the stainless steel, and if not removed may cause a thin coat of rust or reduce the effectiveness of the coating. By passivating the parts, cleaning, then immersing the parts in an acidic bath, these contaminants are removed.

Aluminum parts are anodized. Aluminum develops a thin oxide layer when exposed to the atmosphere which provides excellent resistance to corrosion. However, electrochemical processes such as anodizing have been developed that provide a thicker, even more effective coating that resists more elements in higher concentrations.

Elite Sport Products provides an anodized surface finish to all of the aluminum components in our products. This surface, available in either clear or black, meets Military Standards Requirements MIL-A-8625, class 1 for clear, and class 2 for black. These are very strict requirements that include not only the method of application and control of the process, but also the suitability of the coating to withstand hundreds of hours of a directed salt spray bath.

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Inspection Equipment

Not only are component parts inspected during in-process manufacturing, but every batch of product are reviewed after each step of manufacture to ensure they are prepared for the next step.

All quality control measurements take place in a closed controlled atmosphere room .

Here an operator uses a Coordinate Measuring Machine to fully inspect a product. This computer controlled machine not only follows a programmed path, but is able to provide an incredible amount of data about the part that it is inspecting. The accuracy of this equipment is almost unsurpassed in the shop for mechanical measurement. It not only verifies measurement data in the ten-thousandths of an inch, but can also provide ANSI positioning standards, verify concentricities, true position of objects and features, and provide graphical output of how the part statistically stands in reference to a controlled geometry. Equipment such as this ensures quality throughout the process.

Surface finish and laser engraving are inspected before parts are sent to passivation.

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Assembly Process

After the component parts are manufactured, the aluminum anodized wing section has its fluorescent paint applied.	The parts are mechanically attached using Loctite on the threads and peripheral weights, unless a variable weight system is ordered. If the variable weight system is ordered, the weight set, screws, loctite, and a wrench are bagged, along with instructions.
The assembly then goes to final QC.	The ordered shaft is then epoxied to the putter head and held in production drying fixtures.
And the grip of choice is placed on the shaft. All that's left is wrapping, boxing, and shipping!

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