The Game-Changing Golf Bag Stand: A Catalyst for Business Deal MakingApril 9, 2024

Did you know that the original patent for a golf bag stand was issued to inventor Talbert Dick in 1928? Talbert would go on to be the founder of the firm that today is known as McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC. 

In the realm of business, where every handshake counts and every meeting holds potential for a game-changing deal, the smallest innovations can sometimes have the most significant impact. One such innovation, often overlooked in its simplicity, is the humble golf bag stand. Yes, you read that right – the stand that holds golf bags upright on the green has quietly revolutionized the world of business deal making.

Picture this: It’s a bright, sunny morning on the golf course. Business executives clad in pressed polo shirts and khaki shorts stride across the manicured greens, clubs in hand, ready to tee off. Among their essential equipment stands a seemingly unassuming invention – the golf bag support, Patent #US1693889A, Granted on December 4, 1928. This unassuming contraption, designed to keep golf bags upright and easily accessible, has become a silent facilitator of business negotiations.

Before the advent of the golf bag stand, golfers faced the cumbersome task of constantly bending down to pick up their clubs from the ground. This inconvenience not only disrupted the flow of the game but also created a barrier to casual conversation and networking – two pillars of successful business deal making. Enter the golf bag stand, a game-changer in every sense of the word.

With the introduction of this simple yet ingenious device, golfers found themselves liberated from the shackles of constant bending and reaching. Suddenly, the golf course became more than just a venue for leisurely rounds – it became a dynamic arena for networking and relationship building. As golfers effortlessly retrieved their clubs from the conveniently positioned stand, they found themselves with more time and energy to focus on what truly mattered – forging meaningful connections and striking lucrative deals.

But how exactly did the golf bag stand transform business deal making? The answer lies in its ability to foster a relaxed and conducive environment for negotiation. Freed from the physical strain of constantly bending down, golfers could engage in casual conversations with their peers and potential business partners without missing a beat. As they strolled across the fairways, exchanging pleasantries and sharing anecdotes, the barriers to communication melted away, paving the way for genuine connections to form.

In the decades since its inception, the golf bag stand has become a ubiquitous feature on golf courses around the world. Its influence extends far beyond the fairways, permeating boardrooms, and conference halls where business deals are brokered. For those in the know, it serves as a constant reminder of the pivotal role that seemingly mundane inventions can play in shaping the course of history.

So, the next time you find yourself on the golf course, take a moment to appreciate the unassuming presence of the golf bag stand. Behind its simple exterior lies a profound truth – that sometimes, the smallest innovations can have the most significant impact. And who knows? The next business deal you strike might just owe its success to this humble yet indispensable device.

Jacob S. Blackford is an Intellectual Property Attorney at McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC in the Chemical and Biotechnology Practice Group. For additional information please visit www.ipmvs.com or contact Jacob directly via email at jacob.blackford@ipmvs.com.

The opinions expressed are those of the authors on the date noted above and do not necessarily reflect the views of McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC, any other of its lawyers, its clients, or any of its or their respective affiliates. This post is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed.