BUNKER GOLF CLUB HEAD

Abstract

The invention provides a wedge-type golf club head optimized for close-to-the-green shots. The golf club head comprises a highly lofted, large strike face and a sole with a broad bounce surface. The golf club head facilitates the golfer using a normal stance and swing path to produce an accurate, high trajectory shot to the green.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to golf club heads and, more particularly, relates to golf club heads for executing bunker and other shots close to the green.

BACKGROUND

Golf shots executed close to the green generally require special skills. The lie in a hazard close to the green, such as a bunker, and particularly those executed from hazards or from the rough requires a swing that varies from the full speed, standard set up that more distant fairway and tee shots require. For such shots, the golfer must adjust the speed and power of their stroke to achieve a higher trajectory for a shorter distance. Further, the golfer must adjust the loft and effective bounce area by opening or closing the golf club strike face relative to the desired shot trajectory while interacting with a more difficult ground surface. A highly experienced golfer has acquired the skill to properly adjust a standard wedge to the desired loft and bounce for close shots from a sand bunker, rough, or other hazard. Lower skill players struggle, and frequently mishit from the bunker or rough near the green. The lower skilled player often either doesn't get the ball out of the bunker or rough or hits the ball over the green requiring another approach shot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 4 illustrates a toe-end perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 5 illustrates a toe-end perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 6 illustrates a toe-end perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 10 illustrates a toe-end view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 12 illustrates a detail view of a wedge-type golf club head.

FIG. 13 illustrates test data comparing standard iron-type golf club heads used for bunker shots to the described wedge-type golf club heads.

DEFINITIONS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear”, “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically, and/or otherwise.

The term “strike face,” as used herein, refers to a club head front surface that is configured to strike a golf ball. The strike face is planar and is coplanar to the loft plane. The term strike face can be used interchangeably with the “face.”

The term “strike face perimeter,” as used herein, can refer to an edge of the strike face. The strike face perimeter can be located along an outer edge of the strike face where the curvature deviates from the planar surface of the strike face.

The term “geometric centerpoint,” “geometric center”, or “center” of the strike face, as used herein, can refer to a geometric centerpoint of the strike face perimeter, and at a midpoint of the face height of the strike face. In the same or other examples, the geometric centerpoint also can be centered with respect to an engineered impact zone, which can be defined by a region of grooves on the strike face. As another approach, the geometric centerpoint of the strike face can be located in accordance with the definition of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). A center plane is defined through the geometric center parallel to a YZ plane and perpendicular to the ground plane.

The term “ground plane,” as used herein, can refer to a reference plane associated with the surface on which a golf ball is placed. The ground plane can be a horizontal plane tangent to the sole at an address position.

The term “loft plane,” as used herein, can refer to a reference plane that is tangent to the geometric centerpoint of the strike face.

The term “loft angle (Loft_ang),” as used herein, can refer to an angle measured between the loft plane and the ground plane when the golf club head is at the address position.

The term “face height (F_H),” as used herein, can refer to a distance measured parallel to the loft plane between the top end of the strikeface perimeter and the bottom end of the strikeface perimeter and perpendicular to the x-axis. The term “maximum face height (F_HMax), as used herein, can refer to the largest F_H for a club head.

The term “lie angle (Lie_ang),” as used herein, can refer to an angle between a hosel axis, extending through the hosel, and the ground plane when the club is at the address position. The lie angle is measured from a front view.

The “depth” of the golf club head, as described herein, can be defined as a front-to-rear dimension of the golf club head.

The “height” of the golf club head, as described herein, can be defined as a top rail-to-sole dimension of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the height of the club head can be measured according to a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The “length” of the golf club head, as described herein, can be defined as a heel-to-toe dimension of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the length of the club head can be measured according to a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The “geometric center height) (CG_H) described herein, is a height measured perpendicular from the ground plane to the geometric centerpoint of the golf club head.

The “leading edge” of the club head, as described herein, can be identified as the most sole-ward and forward portion of the strike face perimeter.

A “leading edge plane” 1040 of the club head, as described herein, is an imaginary plane tangent to the forwardmost point of the leading edge 122 and perpendicular to the ground plane 1000 when the golf club head is in an address position.

A “leading edge height” 129 of the club head, as described herein, is the distance between the ground plane 1000 and the forwardmost point of the leading edge 122 measured parallel to the leading edge plane 1040.

A “top rail height” 183 of the club head (TRH), as described herein, is a distance measured perpendicularly from the ground plane 1000 to an imaginary top rail tangent plane 1060 tangent to the uppermost point of the top rail when the imaginary plane top rail tangent plane 1060 is parallel to the ground plane 1000.

A “rearmost plane” 1050 of the club head, as described herein, is an imaginary plane tangent to the rearmost point of the top rail 120 when the club head in an address position, where the rearmost plane 1050 is perpendicular to the ground plane 1000.

A “sole trailing edge” 137 of the club head, as described herein, can be identified as the most rearward portion of the sole 118.

A “trailing edge plane” 1070 of the club head, as described herein, is an imaginary plane tangent to the rearmost point of the sole trailing edge 137 oriented perpendicular to the ground plane 1000.

A “leading edge to sole trailing edge distance” of the club head, as described herein, is equivalent to the sole width 140 at any point on the sole.

A “strike face rear extension” 138 of the club head, as described herein, is a rearward projection of the top rail 120, toe 110, heel 106, and sole 118 from the strike face perimeter 170.

A “rear cavity” 179 of the club head, as described herein, is a recessed area in the back of the club head surrounded and defined by the strike face rear extension 138. An outer surface of the rear cavity partially defines a rear surface 108.

A “rear cavity forwardmost point” 201 of the club head, as described herein, is the rear cavity location adjacent to the upper sole surface and strike rear surface that is the most forward point of the rear cavity outer surface.

A “rear cavity forwardmost plane” 1080 of the club head, as described herein, is an imaginary plane tangent the rear cavity forwardmost point 201 oriented perpendicular to the ground plane 1000.

A “back wall” 114 the club head, as described herein, is the surface extending upward from the rearmost portion of the sole 118.

A “center of gravity leading edge depth” 203 of the club head, as described herein, is the distance from the leading edge plane 1040 to the CG 199 measured parallel to the ground plane 1000.

A “loft plane/ground plane intersection” 205 of the club head, as described herein, is the intersection of the loft plane 1010 with the ground plane 1000.

A “loft plane intersection point to rearmost plane distance” 207 of the club head, as described herein, is measured perpendicularly between the loft/ground plane intersection 205 and the rearmost plane 1050.

A “strike face grooved area” or “grooved area” is defined between the uppermost face groove 105 and the lowermost face groove 105, and between a boundary defined by the most toeward points of the face grooves 105 and the most heelward points of the face grooves 105. Face grooves may also be referred to as “score lines.”

An “xyz” coordinate system of the golf club head, as described herein, is based upon the geometric center of the strike face. The golf club head dimensions as described herein can be measured based on a coordinate system as defined below. The geometric center of the strike face defines a coordinate system having an origin located at the geometric center of the strike face. The coordinate system defines an s-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The x-axis extends through the geometric center of the strike face in a direction from the heel to the toe of the fairway-type club head. The y-axis extends through the geometric center of the strike face in a direction from the top rail to the sole of the golf club head. The y-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis. The z-axis extends through the geometric center of the strike face in a direction from the front end to the rear end of the golf club head. The z-axis is perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis.

The term or phrase “center of gravity position” or “CG location” can refer to the location of the club head center of gravity (CG) with respect to the xyz coordinate system, wherein the CG position is characterized by locations along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis. The term “CGx” can refer to the CG location along the x-axis, measured from the origin point. The term “CGy” can refer to the CG location along the y-axis, measured from the origin point. The term “CG depth” can refer to the CG location along the z-axis, measured from the origin point. The term “CGz” can be synonymous with CG depth.

The term or phrase “hosel axis” 139 as described herein, refers to an imaginary axis centered within the hosel bore 111.

The term or phrase “lie angle” 1022 as described herein, is defined between the hosel axis 139 and the ground plane 1000.

The xyz coordinate system of the golf club head, as described herein defines an xy plane extending through the x-axis and the y-axis. The coordinate system defines the xz plane extending through the x-axis and the z-axis. The coordinate system further defines a yz plane extending through the y-axis and the z-axis. The xy plane, the xz plane, and the yz plane are all perpendicular to one another and intersect at the coordinate system origin located at the geometric center of the strike face. In these or other embodiments, the golf club head can be viewed from a front view when the strike face is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the xy plane. Further, in these or other embodiments, the golf club head can be viewed from a side view or side cross-sectional view when the heel is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the yz plane.

The golf club head further comprises a coordinate system centered about the center of gravity. The coordinate system comprises an X′-axis, a Y′-axis, and a Z′-axis. The X′-axis extends in a heel-to-toe direction. The X′-axis is positive towards the heel and negative towards the toe. The Y′-axis extends in a sole-to-top rail direction and is orthogonal to both the Z′-axis and the X′-axis. The Y′-axis is positive towards the top rail and negative towards the sole. The Z-axis extends front-to-rear, parallel to the ground plane, and is orthogonal to both the X′-axis and the Y′-axis. The Z′-axis is positive towards the strike face and negative towards the rear.

The term or phrase “moment of inertia” (hereafter “MOI”) can refer to values measured about the CG. The term “MOIxx” or Ixx can refer to the MOI measured in the heel-to-toe direction, parallel to the X′-axis. The term “MOIyy” or Iyy can refer to the MOI measured in the sole-to-top rail direction, parallel to the Y′-axis. The term “MOIzz” or Izz can refer to the MOI measured in the front-to-back direction, parallel to the Z′-axis. The MOI values MOIxx, MOIyy, and MOIzz determine how forgiving the club head is for off-center impacts with a golf ball.

DESCRIPTION

The iron-type golf club disclosed herein is particularly suited for use in a bunker or close rough and is configured so that the player need not open or close the club face when making the shot out of the hazard. Instead, the golfer will place the golf club in a standard address position, similar to the position used when hitting from the turf with other wedges. Further, iron-type golf club disclosed herein allows the less skilled golfer to maintain their standard stance, swing trajectory, and swing speed (20 mph-70 mph). A higher-than-normal loft angle (between 60 and 70 degrees) and a wider sole bounce mimic the effect of opening the club head face resulting in a golf ball trajectory sufficiently high to clear the bunker while producing a higher trajectory golf shot.

The wedge-type club head 100 combines a large strike face, broad sole, and high loft angle to allow the less skilled golfer a more reliable and consistent shot making when close to the green. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the wedge-type club head 100 comprises a front 109 comprising a front surface 107 that includes a strike face 102, a back 104 opposite the front 109 comprising a strike face rear surface 108, a top rail 120, a sole 118 opposite the top rail 120, a toe 110, a heel 106 opposite the toe 110, and a leading edge 122 comprising the forwardmost perimeter of the front 109 adjacent the sole 118. The top rail 120, sole 118, toe 110, and heel 106 each extend rearwardly from a perimeter 170 of the strike face 102. The back 104 further comprises a back wall 114 extending upward from the sole 118, and at least partially towards the top rail 120. The club head 100 further comprises a hosel 103 located proximate to the heel 106 and configured to receive a golf club shaft (not shown). The front 109 further defines a plurality of score lines 105 extending in a heel-to-toe direction parallel to a ground plane 1000.

With continued reference to FIG. 1-3, the wedge type golf club head 100 further comprises a scored area 194 defined as the area of the strike face 102 occupied by the plurality of score lines 105. The scored area 194 comprises a topmost score line 180 and bottommost score line 182. The scored area 194 comprises a scored area heel boundary 196, defined by an imaginary line connecting the heel-most extent of the plurality of score lines 105 and a scored area toe boundary 197, defined by a line connecting the toe-most extent of the plurality of score lines 105. The scored area 194 can extend from an upper strike face perimeter 171 near the top rail 120 to a lower strike face perimeter 173 adjacent the sole 118.

The wedge-type club head 100 comprises a coordinate system centered about a center of gravity 199. The coordinate system comprises an X-axis 5000, a Y-axis 6000, and a Z-axis 7000. The X-axis 5000 extends in a heel-to-toe direction, and is positive towards the heel and negative towards the toe. The Y-axis 6000 extends in a sole-to-top rail direction and is orthogonal to the X-axis 5000. The Y-axis 6000 is positive towards the top rail and negative towards the sole. The Z-Axis 7000 extends in a front-to-back direction and is perpendicular to both the X-Axis and the Y-Axis. As best shown in FIG. 4, a Y-Z plane parallel to a ground plane 1000 is defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis. A loft angle 1020 is defined by the loft plane 1010 and the ground plane 1000.

Structure

Strike Face

The strike face 102 has a larger than typical surface area, thereby enabling the golfer to more reliably contact the ball and increasing forgiveness on mishits. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the strike face 102 is the front 109 of the golf club head 100 and is co-planar with the loft plane 1010. The strike face 102 comprises a strike face area (SF_A) defined by the strike face perimeter 170. According to the embodiments of this disclosure, the strike face area is in a range of 5.4 in² to 6.0 in². In contrast, a typical iron strike face is less than 5.0 in². The strike face area may be 5.4 in², 5.5 in², 5.6 in², 5.7 in², 5.8 in², 5.9 in², or 6.0 in². This larger than normal strike face area also allows for a larger area with score lines. The score line area 194 is in a range of 4.9 in² to 5.2 in². The score line area may be 4.90 in², 4.95 in², 5.00 in², 5.05 in², 5.10 in², 5.15 in², or 5.20 in².

Additionally, the wedge-type club head 100 can have a higher loft angle 1020 enabling the golfer to hit the ball in a higher trajectory. The loft angle 1020 of the golf club head 100 can be between 60 degrees to 70 degrees. The loft angle can be 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, or 70 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the loft angle 1020 of the wedge-type golf club head is 64 degrees.

The strike face 102 comprises a maximum strike face height 130 measured parallel to the Y-axis. The maximum strike face height (SF_Hmax) 130 is in the range of 1.6 inches to 1.7 inches. The maximum strike face height (SF_Hmax) 130 may be in a range of 1.60 inches, 1.61 inches, 1.62 inches, 1.63 inches, 1.64 inches, 1.65 inches, 1.66 inches, 1.67 inches, 1.68 inches, 1.69 inches, or 1.70 inches. Additionally, the strike face 102 comprises a maximum loft plane height (LP_Hmax) 132 measured from the leading edge 122 to the top rail 120 within the planar strike face 102. The maximum strike face loft plane height 132 is in a range from 2.6 inches to 2.7 inches. The maximum strike face loft plane height 132 may be 2.60 inches, 2.61 inches, 2.62 inches, 2.63 inches, 2.64 inches, 2.65 inches, 2.66 inches, 2.67 inches, 2.68 inches, 2.69 inches, or 2.70 inches. The strike face 102 comprises a maximum strike face width (SF_Wmax) 134 measured parallel to the X-axis 5000. The maximum strike face width 134 is in a range of 2.6 inches to 2.9 inches. The maximum strike face width 134 may be 2.6 inches, 2.7 inches, 2.8 inches, or 2.9 inches. The strike face 102 comprises a minimum strike face thickness (SF_Tmin) 136. The strike face thickness 136 is measured from the front surface 107 to the strike face rear surface 108 perpendicular to the front surface 107. The minimum strike face thickness 136 is in the range of 0.090 inch to 0.110 inch. The minimum strike face thickness 136 may be 0.090 inch, 0.095 inch, 0.100 inch, 0.115 inch, or 0.110 inch.

The wedge-type club head 100 comprises a top rail height 183 measured perpendicularly from the ground plane 1000 to an imaginary top rail tangent plane 1060 tangent to the uppermost point of the top rail when the imaginary plane top rail tangent plane 1060 is parallel to the ground plane 1000. The top rail height 183 is in a range between 1.55 inches and 1.65 inches. The top rail height 183 may be 1.55 inches, 1.56 inches, 1.54 inches, 1.58 inches, 1.59 inches, 1.60 inches, 1.61 inches, 1.62 inches, 1.63 inches, 1.64 inches, or 1.65 inches.

Sole

The sole 118 is enlarged and configured to complement a larger strike face 102 and allows a less skilled golfer to more consistently strike a ball near the green. The sole 118 comprises a bottom surface 124 of the wedge-type golf club head 100 when the club head 100 is held at an address position. The sole 118 comprises a maximum sole width (S_Wmax) 140 measured parallel to the Z-axis 7000 from the leading edge 122 to the sole back edge 126. The maximum sole width 140 is in the range of 1.10 inches to 1.25 inches. The maximum sole width 140 may be 1.10 inches, 1.15 inches, 1.20 inches, or 1.25 inches.

The bottom surface 124 further comprises a front sole radius 142, a bounce surface 144, and a back sole relief surface 146. The front sole radius 142 and the back sole relief surface 146 comprise surface curvatures different from the bounce surface 144. The front sole radius 142 is the transition between the front surface 107 and the sole 118. The front sole radius 142 comprises a maximum front sole radius width (FR_Wmax) 152 measured parallel to the Z-axis 7000. The maximum front sole radius width 152 is in the range of 0.06 inch to 0.09 inch. The maximum front sole radius width 152 may be 0.06 inch, 0.07, 0.08, or 0.09 inch.

The back sole relief surface 146 is the transition from the bounce surface 144 to the rear surface 108. The back sole relief surface 146 comprises a back sole relief maximum width (RS_Wmax) 156 measured parallel to the Z-axis 7000. The back sole relief maximum width 156 is in the range of 0.1 inch to 0.2 inch. The back sole relief maximum width 156 may be 0.1 inch, 0.11 inch, 0.12 inch, 0.13 inch, 0.14 inch, 0.15 inch, 0.16 inch, 0.17 inch, 0.18 inch, 0.19 inch, or 0.20 inch.

The bounce surface 144 comprises a maximum bounce width (B_Wmax) 154 measured parallel to the Z-axis 7000. The maximum bounce width 154 is in the range of 1.00 inches to 1.10 inches. The maximum bounce width 154 may be 1.00 inches, 1.01 inches, 1.02 inches, 1.03 inches, 1.04 inches, 1.05 inches, 1.06 inches, 1.07 inches, 1.08 inches, 1.09 inches, or 1.10 inches.

The sole 118 further comprises a sole surface area (S_A) 158. The sole surface area 158 is in a range of 2.0 in² to 2.6 in². The sole surface area 158 may be 2.0 in², 2.1 in², 2.2 in², 2.3 in², 2.4 in², 2.5 in², or 2.6 in². The bounce surface 144 comprises a bounce surface area (B_SA) 159. The bounce surface area 159 is in a range of 2.0 in² to 2.2 in². The bounce surface area 159 may be 2.00 in², 2.01 in², 2.02 in², 2.03 in², 2.04 in², 2.05 in², 2.06 in², 2.07 in², 2.08 in², 2.09 in², 2.10 in², 2.11 in², 2.12 in², 2.13 in², 2.14 in², 2.15 in², 2.16 in², 2.17 in², 2.18 in², 2.19 in², or 2.20 in².

The bounce surface 144 further comprises a bounce nadir 160. The bounce nadir can be described relative to a first reference plane 2000 extending through a midpoint of the bottom-most scoreline 182 parallel to the Z-axis 7000. The bounce nadir 160 is located where the first reference plane 2000 intersects with the lowest point of the bounce surface when the golf club head is at an address position. A second reference plane 2010 is defined as tangent to the bounce nadir 160. The angle between the second reference plane 2010 and the ground plane 1000 is the bounce angle 162. The wedge-type golf club head 100 herein described has a bounce angle (Bang) 162 in the range of 13.5 degrees to 14.5 degrees. The bounce angle 162 may be 13.5 5 degrees, 13.6 5 degrees, 13.7 5 degrees, 13.8 5 degrees, 13.9 5 degrees, 14.05 degrees, 14.1 5 degrees, 14.2 5 degrees, 14.3 5 degrees, 14.4 5 degrees, or 14.5 degrees.

The sole 118 further comprises an upper sole surface 128. The upper sole surface 128 is opposite the bottom surface 124 and has an upper sole surface depth 164, measured parallel to the Z-axis 7000 from a strike face rear surface 108 to the back surface 114. An upper sole surface width 166 is measured parallel to the X-axis 5000. The upper sole surface depth 164 varies in a range of 0.1 inch to 0.8 inch. The upper sole surface depth 164 may be 0.1 inch, 0.2 inch, 0.3 inch, 0.4 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.6 inch, 0.7 inch, or 0.8 inch. The upper sole surface width 166 is in a range of 1.6 inches to 2.5 inches. The upper sole surface width 166 may be 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, 2.0 inches, 2.1 inches, 2.2 inches, 2.3 inches, 2.4 inches, or 2.5 inches.

Mass and Mass Distribution

The wedge-type golf club head's total mass is in the range of 330 grams to 360 grams. The club head total mass may be 330 grams, 340 grams, 350 grams, or 360 grams. The mass of each golf club head is distributed to position the center of gravity (CG) 199 of the golf club head in a desirable location. In the embodiment of golf club head 100 described herein, the CG position along the x-axis (CGx) is in a range between 0.07 inch to 0.09 inch. CGx may be 0.07 inch, 0.08 inch, or 0.09 inch. The CG position along the y-axis (CGy) is in a range between −0.15 inch to −0.20 inch. CGy may be −0.15 inch, −0.16 inch, −0.17 inch, −0.18 inch, −0.19 inch, or −0.20 inch. The CG position along the z-axis (CGz) is in a range between −0.100 inch and −0.110 inch. CGz may be −0.100 inch, −0.102 inch, −0.104 inch, −0.106 inch, −0.108 inch, or −0.110 inch. The CG 199 further comprises a CG height 209 measured perpendicular from the ground plane to the CG 199. The CG height 209 is in a range between 0.70 inch and 0.75 inch. The CG height 209 may be 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inch, 0.73 inch, 0.74 inch, or 0.75 inch.

The wedge-type club head 100 moment of inertia about the y-axis (Iyy) is in a range between 1050 gm-cm² to 1200 gm-cm². The wedge-type golf club head moment of inertia about the x-axis (Ixx) is in a range between 1050 gm-cm² 1100 gm-cm². The wedge-type golf club head moment of inertia about the z-axis (Izz) is in a range between 2750 gm-cm² and 2850 gm-cm².

Structural Relationship

One or more of the following relationships apply to the disclosed wedge-type golf club head, and each reflects the structural characteristics that drive the beneficial effects on close-to-the-green shots for the less skilled golfer.

Relationship 1: Loft Angle/Sole Area (degrees/in²)

$27.\le \mathrm{Loft}\left(\mathrm{ang}\right)/S\left(A\right)\le 30.0$

This relationship emphasizes the combination of a high loft angle to achieve a high angle trajectory, coupled with a wedge-type golf club head having large enough sole to provide a guided impact for a normal swing.

Relationship 2: Loft Angle/Lie Angle

$0.95\le \frac{\mathrm{Loft}\left(\mathrm{ang}\right)}{\mathrm{Lie}\left(\mathrm{ang}\right)}\le 1.2$

This relationship emphasizes the large loft angle and its relationship to a lie angle that is of similar magnitude.

Relationship 3: Max Face Height in Loft Plane/Top Rail Height

$1.6\le \frac{LP\left(\mathrm{Hmax}\right)}{TR\left(H\right)}\le 1.65$

The relationship emphasizes the wedge-type golf club head's “low-to-the-ground” profile that combines a superior turf interaction with the shot confidence advantages of the larger face.

Relationship 4: Strike Face Area/Sole Surface Area

$2.15\le \frac{SF\left(A\right)}{S\left(A\right)}\le 2.8$

This relationship emphasizes the combination a large strike face and large sole area, providing shot confidence and superior surface interaction.

Relationship 5: Moment of Inertia Around Vertical Axis Through CG/Moment of Inertia Around Toe-to-Heel Axis Through CG

$2.65\le \frac{\mathrm{Iyy}}{\mathrm{Ixx}}\le 2.85$

This relationship emphasizes the balance of shot forgiveness to improve performance under both vertical and horizontal torques during impact.

Relationship 6: Moment of Inertia Around Vertical Axis Through CG/Moment of Inertia Around Front-to-Back Axis Through CG

$1.05\le \frac{\mathrm{Iyy}}{\mathrm{Izz}}\le 1.1$

This relationship emphasizes the balance of shot forgiveness to improve performance under both vertical and horizontal torques during impact.

Relationship 7: Strike Face Height (Max)/Strike Face Width (Max)

$0.9\le \frac{SF\left(\mathrm{Hmax}\right)}{SF\left(\mathrm{Wmax}\right)}\le 1.$

This relationship emphasizes a balanced club head height and width that provides a broad target for striking the ball from difficult lies while achieving the desired high shot trajectory.

Relationship 8: Sole Surface Area/Bounce Surface Area

$1.\le \frac{S\left(A\right)}{B\left(A\right)}\le 1.15$

This relationship emphasizes the proportionally large bounce area that provides superior surface interaction.

Relationship 9: Strike Face Surface Area/Bounce Surface Area

$2.60\le \frac{SF\left(A\right)}{B\left(A\right)}\le 2.70$

This relationship emphasizes the synergy of a large strike face for striking confidence with the proportionally large bounce area that provides superior surface interaction.

Relationship 10: CG Height Above Ground Plane/Top Rail Height

$0.4\le \frac{CG\left(H\right)}{TR\left(H\right)}\le 0.5$

This relationship emphasizes the wedge-type golf club head s “low-to-the-ground” profile.

Relationship 11: Sole Width Max/Bounce Width Max

$1.\le \frac{SW\left(\mathrm{Max}\right)}{BW\left(\mathrm{Max}\right)}\le 1.2$

This relationship emphasizes the proportionally large bounce width that provides superior surface interaction.

Relationship 12: Leading Edge Height/Top Rail Height

$0.20\le \frac{LE\left(H\right)}{TR\left(H\right)}\le 0.30$

This relationship emphasizes the wedge-type golf club head s “low-to-the-ground” profile combined with a sole bounce angle that elevates the sole leading edge to improve surface interactions.

Relationship 13: Leading Edge Height/CG Height

$0.5\le \frac{LE\left(H\right)}{CG\left(H\right)}\le 0.65$

This relationship emphasizes the wedge-type golf club head's “low-to-the-ground” profile combined with a sole bounce angle that elevates the sole leading edge to improve surface interactions.

Relationship 14: Total Strike Face Area/Strike Face Grooved Area

$1.\le \frac{SF\left(A\right)}{\mathrm{Grv}\left(A\right)}\le 1.20$

This relationship emphasizes the very large, spin improvement area of the golf club strike face, providing more confidence in controlling the ball spin with shots in large majority of the strike face.

Relationship 15: Loft Plane Intersection Point to Rearmost Plane Distance RP(Dist)

$3.3\mathrm{inches}\le RP\left(\mathrm{Dist}\right)\le 3.6\mathrm{inches}$

This relationship emphasizes the large, low profile of the wedge-type golf club head, providing improved turf and sand interactions.

Relationship 16: Leading Edge to Rearmost Plane Distance LE (Dist)

$2.5\mathrm{inches}\le LE\left(\mathrm{Dist}\right)\le 2.7\mathrm{inches}$

This relationship emphasizes the large, low profile of the wedge-type golf club head, providing improved turf and sand interactions.

Example 1

A first player test conducted had 20 high handicap players (over 16 handicap) hit a standard sand wedge and the disclosed wedge-type golf club from a variety of positions in a sand trap. The players were instructed to hit the disclosed wedge-type golf club with the strike face held square to the golf ball-neither opened nor closed. Referring to FIG. 13, a target area was defined on the green around the pin position on the green. The players striking the ball out of the sand trap either placed the ball in the target area, placed the ball outside of the target area, or left the ball in the sand trap. Using a first embodiment of the iron-type golf club described herein, the high handicap players struck the ball into the target area 53.4% of the time, outside of the target area 42.1% of the time, and left the ball in the sand trap only 4.5% of the time. In contrast, using a standard sand-wedge type golf club head, the high handicap players struck the ball into the target area 42.1% of the time, outside of the target area 46.9% of the time, and left the ball in the sand trap 11.0% of the time. The disclosed embodiment of the described golf club head provided a 26% increase of balls placed in the target area, and decreased the percentage of balls left in the sand trap by more than 50%

Example 2

A second player test conducted had a high handicap golfer (over 16 handicap) hit five shots with a standard wedge and five shots with the disclosed wedge-type golf club at each of a variety of golf course holes having differing layouts. Shot were taken in locations other than sand traps. Shots were scored according to their distance from the hole in five different scenarios. A shot was assigned a score of 5 if it resulted in a distance of 1 yard or less from the hole. Lower scores (4-1) were progressively further from the hole. For any given hole, a total score of 25 for 5 shots is the highest score, and a score of 5 for five shots is the lowest score. In the first scenario, both clubs were used for five shots each 15 yards from the hole and from the rough. Both the standard wedge and disclosed wedge scored a total of 23. In the second scenario, the shots were 30 yards from the hole in rough. The standard club scored 13 and the disclosed wedge scored 18-a 38% advantage. In the third scenario, the shots were 22 yards from the hole located downhill from the shot location. The standard club scored 12 and the disclosed wedge scored 17-a 42% advantage. In the fourth scenario, the shots were 32 yards from the hole located downhill from the shot location. The standard club scored 15 and the disclosed wedge scored 18-a 20% advantage. In the fifth scenario, the shots were 25 yards from the hole located downhill in a tight lie. The standard club scored 20 and the disclosed wedge-type golf club scored 24-a 20% advantage. Shots take with the disclosed wedge-type golf club as close to the pin or closer than the standard club from all shot locations around the green.

Clauses

Clause 1. A wedge-type golf club head comprising a golf club head body comprising a toe, a heel; a sole having a leading edge defining a forwardmost edge, a front portion comprising a planar strike face having scorelines defining a grooved area and a strike face geometric center, a rear surface opposite the front portion, a top rail, a hosel, a strike face perimeter, and a transition between the hosel and the strike face; wherein a loft plane is tangent to the strike face geometric center; wherein an intersection of the loft plane and a ground plane define a loft angle and a loft plane intersection point; wherein the loft angle is at least 62 degrees and no more than 70 degrees; wherein an x-axis is defined extending from the heel toward the toe through the strike face geometric center, parallel to the ground plane, a y-axis is defined extending through the strike face geometric center from the sole toward the top line perpendicular to the x-axis, a z-axis is defined in a front to rear direction through the strike face geometric center perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis, and an xy plane is defined by the x-axis and the y-axis; wherein a strike face area is planar and within the loft plane; wherein the strike face perimeter is defined at the transition from the strike face area planar surface; wherein the strike face area is in a range of 5.80 in² to 6.0 in²; wherein the sole further comprises a maximum sole width measured between the leading edge and a rear edge, a sole maximum length measured between the toe and the heel, and a total sole area that comprises a transition area, a bounce area, and a relief area; wherein the maximum sole width is in a range of 1.10 inch to 1.20 inch.

Clause 2. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein the strike face comprises a maximum strike face height measured between the leading edge and the strike face perimeter adjacent the top rail; wherein the maximum strike face height is in a range from 2.6 in to 2.8 in.

Clause 3. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a lie angle is in a range between 63.5 degrees and 64.5 degrees.

Clause 4. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein the maximum sole width is in a range from 1.10 in to 1.25 in.

Clause 5. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein the golf club head body defines a top rail height measured perpendicularly from a ground plane to an imaginary plane tangent to the top rail when the golf club head is at an address position; wherein the top rail height is in a range of 1.55 inches to 1.65 inches.

Clause 6. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a transition angle is defined between the leading edge and a transition area having a transition area rearward boundary between the leading edge and a bounce area; wherein the transition area comprises a maximum transition radius of curvature, and the transition area comprises a maximum transition width measured between the leading edge and the transition area rearward boundary; and wherein the maximum transition radius of curvature is in a range of 0.07 inch and 0.09 inch.

Clause 7. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 2, wherein the golf club head body further comprises a club head mass in a range of 330 grams to 360 grams.

Clause 8. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 5, wherein the golf club head body further comprises a center of gravity (CG); wherein a CG height (CG(H)) is measured perpendicularly to the ground plane; and wherein the CG height is in a range of 0.70 inch to 0.75 inch.

Clause 9. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 7, wherein 34% of the club head mass is located under a first mass plane parallel to the ground plane; wherein the first mass plane is located 0.49 inch above the ground plane.

Clause 10. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein the strike face comprises a minimum face thickness measured perpendicularly between a strike face front surface and a strike face rear surface; and wherein the minimum face thickness is in a range between 0.09 inch and 0.11 inch.

Clause 11. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1 further comprises a perimeter extension extending rearward from the strike face; and wherein the perimeter extension, an upper sole surface, and a strike face rear surface together define a rear cavity.

Clause 12. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 8, wherein a leading edge height is measured perpendicular to the ground plane to the leading edge when the golf club head body is in an address position; and wherein the following relationship is true:

$0.5\le \mathrm{LE}\left(H\right)/\mathrm{CG}\left(H\right)\le 0.65.$

Clause 13. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a ratio of the strike face surface area (SF(SA)) to a bounce surface area (B(SA)) is within the following relationship:

$2.6\le \mathrm{SF}\left(\mathrm{SA}\right)/B\left(SA\right)\le 2.70.$

Clause 14. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 8, wherein a ratio of the CG height (CG(H)) to the top rail height (TR(H)) is within the following relationship:

$0.4\le CG\left(H\right)/\mathrm{TR}\left(H\right)\le 0.5.$

Clause 15. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a rearmost plane is defined perpendicular to the ground plane and tangent to the top rail; wherein a loft plane intersection point is the intersection of the loft plane with the ground plane; wherein a loft plane intersection point to rearmost plane distance (RP(Dist)) is measured perpendicularly between the intersection of the loft plane with the ground plane and the rearmost plane; and wherein the (RP(Dist)) is in an inclusive range between 3.3 inches to 3.6 inches.

Clause 16. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 15, wherein a distance measured parallel to the ground plane between the leading edge and the rearmost plane (LE(Dist)) is in a range between 2.5 inches to 2.7 inches.

Clause 17. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a ratio between the strike face area (SF(A)) and a grooved area (Grv(A)) is defined by the following relationship:

$1.\le SF\left(A\right)/\mathrm{Gr}v\left(A\right)\le 1.2.$

Clause 18. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a ratio between the strike face area (SF(A)) and a sole surface area (S(SA)) is defined by the following relationship:

$2.15\le SF\left(A\right)/S\left(SA\right)\le 2.8.$

Clause 19. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a ratio between a moment of inertia around a vertical axis through the CG(Iyy) and a moment of inertia around a toe-to-heel axis through the CG(Ixx) is defined by the following relationship:

$2.65\le \mathrm{Iyy}/\mathrm{Ixx}\le 2.85.$

Clause 20. The wedge-type golf club head of clause 1, wherein a ratio between a strike face maximum height (SF(HMax)) and strike maximum width SF(WMax) measured in a heel-to-toe direction is defined by the following relationship:

$0.9\le \mathrm{SF}\left(\mathrm{Hmax}\right)/\mathrm{SF}\left(W\max \right)\le 1..$

Claims

1. A wedge-type golf club head comprising: a golf club head body comprising:a toe, a heel, a sole having a leading edge defining a forwardmost edge, a front portion comprising a planar strike face having scorelines defining a grooved area and a strike face geometric center, a rear surface opposite the front portion, a top rail, a hosel, a strike face perimeter, and a transition between the hosel and the strike face;wherein a loft plane is tangent to the strike face geometric center;wherein an intersection of the loft plane and a ground plane define a loft angle and a loft plane intersection point;wherein the loft angle is at least 62 degrees and no more than 70 degrees;wherein an x-axis is defined extending from the heel toward the toe through the strike face geometric center, parallel to the ground plane, a y-axis is defined extending through the strike face geometric center from the sole toward the top line perpendicular to the x-axis, a z-axis is defined in a front to rear direction through the strike face geometric center perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis, and an xy plane is defined by the x-axis and the y-axis;wherein a strike face area is planar and within the loft plane;wherein the strike face perimeter is defined at the transition from the strike face area planar surface;wherein the strike face area is in a range of 5.80 in2 to 6.0 in2;wherein the sole further comprises a maximum sole width measured between the leading edge and a rear edge, a sole maximum length measured between the toe and the heel, and a total sole area that comprises a transition area, a bounce area, and a relief area;wherein the maximum sole width is in a range of 1.10 inch to 1.20 inch;wherein the total sole area is in a range between 2.0 in2 to 2.6 in2; andwherein a ratio of loft angle to sole area (Loft (ang)/S(A)) satisfies the following relationship having a unit of degrees/in2:

2. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the strike face comprises a maximum strike face height measured between the leading edge and the strike face perimeter adjacent the top rail; wherein the maximum strike face height is in a range from 2.6 in to 2.8 in.

3. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a lie angle is in a range between 63.5 degrees and 64.5 degrees.

4. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the maximum sole width is in a range from 1.10 in to 1.25 in.

5. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head body defines a top rail height measured perpendicularly from a ground plane to an imaginary plane tangent to the top rail when the golf club head is at an address position; wherein the top rail height is in a range of 1.55 inches to 1.65 inches.

6. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a transition angle is defined between the leading edge and a transition area having a transition area rearward boundary between the leading edge and a bounce area; wherein the transition area comprises a maximum transition radius of curvature, and the transition area comprises a maximum transition width measured between the leading edge and the transition area rearward boundary; andwherein the maximum transition radius of curvature is in a range of 0.07 inch and 0.09 inch.

7. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 2, wherein the golf club head body further comprises a club head mass in a range of 330 grams to 360 grams.

8. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 5, wherein the golf club head body further comprises a center of gravity (CG); wherein a CG height (CG(H)) is measured perpendicularly to the ground plane; andwherein the CG height is in a range of 0.70 inch to 0.75 inch.

9. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 7, wherein 34% of the club head mass is located under a first mass plane parallel to the ground plane; wherein the first mass plane is located 0.49 inch above the ground plane.

10. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the strike face comprises a minimum face thickness measured perpendicularly between a strike face front surface and a strike face rear surface; and wherein the minimum face thickness is in a range between 0.09 inch and 0.11 inch.

11. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1 further comprises a perimeter extension extending rearward from the strike face; and wherein the perimeter extension, an upper sole surface, and a strike face rear surface together define a rear cavity.

12. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 8, wherein a leading edge height is measured perpendicular to the ground plane to the leading edge when the golf club head body is in an address position; and wherein the following relationship is true:

13. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the strike face surface area (SF(A)) to a bounce surface area (B(A)) is within the following relationship:

14. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the CG height (CG(H)) to the top rail height (TR(H)) is within the following relationship:

15. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a rearmost plane is defined perpendicular to the ground plane and tangent to the top rail; wherein a loft plane intersection point is the intersection of the loft plane with the ground plane;wherein a loft plane intersection point to rearmost plane distance (RP(Dist)) is measured perpendicularly between the intersection of the loft plane with the ground plane and the rearmost plane; andwherein the (RP(Dist)) is in an inclusive range between 3.3 inches to 3.6 inches.

16. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 15, wherein a distance measured parallel to the ground plane between the leading edge and the rearmost plane (LE(Dist)) is in a range between 2.5 inches to 2.7 inches.

17. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a ratio between the strike face area (SF(A)) and a grooved area (Grv(A)) is defined by the following relationship:

18. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a ratio between the strike face area (SF(A)) and a sole surface area (S(SA)) is defined by the following relationship:

19. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a ratio between a moment of inertia around a vertical axis through the CG(Iyy) and a moment of inertia around a toe-to-heel axis through the CG(Ixx) is defined by the following relationship:

20. The wedge-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein a ratio between a strike face maximum height (SF(HMax)) and strike maximum width SF(WMax) measured in a heel-to-toe direction is defined by the following relationship: