Patent Grant
8480507
The present disclosure relates to golf clubs and golf club heads. Particular example aspects of this disclosure relate to a set of golf clubs with different types of golf club heads.
Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players—players of different genders and dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diverse collections of players can play together in golf events, even in direct competition with one another (e.g., using handicapped scoring, different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing or competition. These factors, together with the increased availability of golf programming on television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golf history, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recent years, both in the United States and across the world.
Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lower their golf scores, and reach that next performance “level.” Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range of different golf ball models now are available, with balls designed to complement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics or preferences, e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide more spin, control, and/or feel (particularly around the greens); some designed for faster or slower swing speeds; etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the market that promise to help lower one's golf scores.
Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play, golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match the various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics of a golf ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g., club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, etc.).
While the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements to golf equipment in recent years, there is room in the art for further advances in golf club technology.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of the disclosure and various aspects of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that follows.
Golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure include: an iron-type golf club head having a ball striking face and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member extending rearward from the ball striking face and along at least a portion of a circumferential area of the golf club head). Also, the golf club head may include a slot, or “pocket cavity”, behind the ball striking face of the golf club head.
Further, other golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure include: an iron-type golf club head having a ball striking face and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member extending rearward from the ball striking face and along at least a portion of a circumferential area of the golf club head). Also, the golf club head may include a “split cavity” or “half cavity” configuration, which will be described in detail below.
Additionally, other golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure include: an iron-type golf club head having a ball striking face and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face. Also, the golf club head may be a blade type iron.
Also, other golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure include: a hybrid-type golf club head having a ball striking face and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face. Also, the golf club head body may include a cavity, or compression channel, extending through a bottom surface of the club head body behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, the golf club head body may include one or more additional cavities extending through a bottom surface of the club head.
A set of golf clubs in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure may include one, some or all of the above described golf club heads. For example, one or more of the golf clubs in the set may include iron-type golf club heads with the slot, or pocket cavity, behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, one or more of the golf clubs in the set may include iron-type golf club heads with the split cavity or half cavity configuration. Additionally, one or more of the golf clubs in the set may include iron-type golf club heads of the blade-type. Also, one or more of the golf clubs in the set may include a hybrid-type golf club head with a cavity, or compression channel, extending through the bottom surface of the club head behind the ball striking face of the golf club head and one or more additional cavities extending through a bottom surface of the club head.
Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club structures that include golf club heads, e.g., of the types described above. Such golf club structures further may include one or more of: a shaft member attached to the club head (optionally via a separate hosel member or a hosel member provided as an integral part of one or more of the club head or shaft); a grip or handle member attached to the shaft member; additional weight members; etc.
Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to methods for producing golf club heads and golf club structures, e.g., of the types described above. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing a golf club head of the various types described above, e.g., by manufacturing or otherwise constructing the golf club head body, by obtaining the golf club head body from another source, etc.; and (b) engaging a shaft member with the golf club head. Other steps also may be included in these methods, such as engaging a grip member with the shaft member, club head body finishing steps, etc.
The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements throughout, and in which:
The reader is advised that the various parts shown in these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following description and the accompanying figures disclose features of golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.
As described above, aspects of this disclosure relate to iron-type golf club heads and golf clubs. Iron-type golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include: (a) a ball striking face; (c) a golf club head body include a rear surface opposite the ball striking face, including a perimeter weighting member extending in a direction rearward from the ball striking face and along at least a portion of a circumferential area of the golf club head body; and (c) a slot, or pocket cavity, defined, at least in part, by the ball striking face and golf club head body, wherein the slot, or pocket cavity, is positioned behind the ball striking face of the golf club head.
According to some aspects of this disclosure, “long” iron-type golf clubs (i.e., irons with a relatively low degree of loft, e.g., 3-iron, 4-iron) in the set of golf clubs according to aspects of the disclosure may be configured with the slot, or pocket cavity, behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. As will be described in detail below, the configuration of such pocket cavity irons may provide a center of gravity of the golf club head which is low, away from the ball striking face of the golf club head and which is more centered relative to the center of the face of the golf club head. Further, as will be described in detail below, the pocket cavity configuration may provide a golf club head that is “forgiving” when the golf ball is not struck with the sweet spot of the golf club head (e.g., the errant trajectory of the golf ball when it is struck off-center of the face of the golf club head may be minimized).
Other iron-type golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include: (a) an iron-type golf club head body; (b) a ball striking face; and (c) a rear surface opposite the ball striking face, including a perimeter weighting member extending rearward from the ball striking face and along at least a portion of a circumferential area of the golf club head body. Further, the golf club head may include the split cavity or half cavity configuration which will be described in detail below.
According to some aspects of this disclosure, “middle” iron-type golf clubs (i.e., irons with a relatively intermediate degree of loft, e.g., a 5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron) of the set of golf clubs according to aspects of the disclosure may be configured with the split cavity or half cavity structure. As will be described in detail below, such a configuration may provide a center of gravity of the golf club head which relatively low, away from the ball striking face of the golf club head and which is more centered relative to the center of the face of the golf club head.
Further, as will be described in detail below, such a configuration may provide a relative compromise between the forgiveness of the above described pocket cavity iron-type golf club heads (or, even, cavity backed iron-type golf club heads in general) and the feel, control and workability (e.g., the ability to control the trajectory of the golf shot) of the blade type irons described below.
Other, iron-type golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include: (a) an iron-type golf club head body; (b) a ball striking face; (c) a rear surface opposite the ball striking face. Further, the iron-type golf club head may be a blade type iron (or simply a “blade”).
It is noted that a blade may have a smaller sweet spot compared with the larger sweet spot of the cavity back irons in which the perimeter weighting minimizes the extent of the errant trajectories during off-center shots. Therefore, it may be more difficult to make contact with the sweet spot in a blade. However, because a blade distributes the mass and weight of the golf club head more evenly throughout the golf club head, the blade may provide a golfer with better “feel” and more workability or, control over the trajectory of the shot, than a cavity back iron-type golf club head. This feature of blade-type irons may be particularly advantageous in short irons wherein control and feel is particular useful.
Hence, according to some aspects of this disclosure, “short” iron-type golf clubs (i.e., irons with a relatively high degree of loft, e.g., an 8-iron, 9-iron, 10-iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, a gap wedge, a lob wedge, etc.) of the set of golf clubs according to aspects of the disclosure may be configured with as a blade-type iron.
As described above, aspects of this disclosure relate to hybrid-type golf club heads and golf clubs. Hybrid-type golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include: (a) an hybrid-type golf club head body; (b) a ball striking face; (c) a rear surface opposite the ball striking face. Also, the golf club head body may include a cavity, or compression channel, extending through a bottom surface of the club head behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, the golf club head body may include one or more additional cavities or notches extending through a bottom surface of the club head body.
As will be described in detail below, such a configuration may allow the club head to compress during impact with the golf ball and, thereby, lower the loft of the club in order to increase launch on center shot of face. Therefore, such a configuration of the golf club head may be particularly useful in maximizing the distance of the golf shot.
Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to iron-type and hybrid-type golf club structures that include golf club heads, e.g., of the types described above. Such iron-type and hybrid-type golf club structures further may include one or more of: a shaft member attached to the club head (optionally via a separate hosel member or a hosel member provided as a part of one or more of the club head and/or shaft); a grip or handle member attached to the shaft member; additional weight members; medallions; etc.
Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to methods for producing iron-type and hybrid-type golf club heads and iron-type and hybrid-type golf club structures in accordance with examples of this disclosure. Such methods may include, for example, one or more of the following steps in any desired order and/or combinations: (a) providing a golf club head body of the various types described above (including any or all of the various structures, features, and/or arrangements described above), e.g., by manufacturing or otherwise constructing the golf club head body, by obtaining it from a third party source, etc.; (b) engaging a shaft member with the golf club head body; and (c) engaging a grip member with the shaft member.
Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to a set of golf clubs which may include one, some or all of the above described golf club heads. For example, one or more of the “long” irons in the set may include iron-type golf club heads with the slot, or pocket cavity, behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, one or more of the “middle” irons in the set may include iron-type golf club heads with the split cavity or half cavity configuration. Additionally, one or more of the “short” irons in the set may include iron-type golf club heads of the blade type. Also, one or more of the golf clubs in the set may include a hybrid-type golf club head with a cavity, or compression channel, extending through the bottom surface of the club head behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, the hybrid type golf club head body may include one or more additional cavities or notches extending through a bottom surface of the club head body.
Given the general description of various example aspects of the disclosure provided above, more detailed descriptions of various specific examples of golf clubs and golf club head structures according to the disclosure are provided below.
The following discussion and accompanying figures describe various example golf clubs and golf club head structures in accordance with the present disclosure. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
More specific examples and features of iron-type golf club heads and golf club structures according to this disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the example golf club structures illustrated in
The shaft 104 may be received in, engaged with, and/or attached to the golf club head in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art, without departing from the disclosure. As more specific examples, the shaft 104 may be engaged with the golf club head via a hosel 102 and/or directly to the golf club head structure 102, e.g., via adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the like), etc.; through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into the golf club head; etc. If desired, the shaft 104 may be connected to the golf club head in a releasable manner using mechanical connectors to allow easy interchange of one shaft for another on the head.
The shaft 104 also may be made from any suitable or desired materials, including conventional materials known and used in the art, such as graphite based materials, composite or other non-metal materials, steel materials (including stainless steel), aluminum materials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric materials, combinations of various materials, and the like. Also, the grip or handle member (not shown) may be attached to, engaged with, and/or extend from the shaft 104 in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art, e.g., using adhesives or cements; via welding, soldering, brazing, or the like; via mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, etc.); etc. As another example, if desired, the grip or handle member 106 may be integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft 104. Additionally, any desired grip or handle materials may be used without departing from this disclosure, including, for example: rubber materials, leather materials, rubber or other materials including cord or other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric materials, and the like.
The golf club head itself also may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing from this disclosure, including from conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and used in the art. For example, as seen in the example structure shown in
A wide variety of overall club head constructions are possible without departing from this disclosure. For example, if desired, some or all of the various individual parts of the golf club head described above may be made from multiple pieces that are connected together (e.g., by adhesives or cements; by welding, soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques; by mechanical connectors; etc.). The various parts (e.g., crown, sole, etc.) may be made from any desired materials and combinations of different materials, including materials that are conventionally known and used in the art, such as metal materials, including lightweight metal materials, composite materials, polymer materials, etc.
The dimensions and/or other characteristics of a golf club head structure according to examples of this disclosure may vary significantly without departing from the disclosure. For example, any iron-type club head may be provided including, for example: iron-type hybrid clubs, driving irons, 0 through 10 irons, wedges (e.g., pitching wedges, lob wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, etc.), chipping clubs, etc.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head may be one of several different embodiments that will be described in detail below. For example, one embodiment of the golf club head according to aspects of the disclosure may be the iron-type golf club head with the slot, or pocket cavity, behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, another embodiment of the golf club head according to aspects of the disclosure may include the iron-type golf club head with the split cavity or half cavity configuration. Additionally, another embodiment of the golf club head according to aspects of the disclosure may be the iron-type golf club head of the blade-type. Each of these embodiments will be described in detail below.
As seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 201 may be relatively thin. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the thickness of the ball striking face 201 may be in a range of: 0.080-0.110 inches, 0.080-0.095 of an inch, 0.085-0.090 of an inch, or 0.900-0.100 of an inch. Of course, other thicknesses may be used as well. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 201 may comprise a high strength alloy. For example, the ball striking face 201 may comprise SUP 10 steel alloy or SAE 8655 steel alloy. Of course, other materials may be used as well. It is noted that according to aspects of the disclosure, a high strength, resilient and durable material may be used so that the ball striking face 201 is able to withstand the repeated impacts with the golf ball and the general conditions of the golf course environment. For example, other metals, alloys, etc., or combinations thereof, may be used as desired.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 201 may be a separate element that is engaged with the golf club head body 202. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 201 may be welded to the golf club head body 202. For example, the ball striking face 201 may be welded to a front face of the golf club head body 202 around the perimeters of the front face of the golf club head body 202 and the ball striking face 201 (or at least a portion of the perimeters thereof). The perimeter, or “off the face” welding can contribute to providing the relatively thin ball striking face 201.
It is noted that according to aspects of the disclosure, the above described configuration of the ball striking face 201 (including the material comprising the ball striking face 201 and the methods of attached the ball striking face to the golf club head body 201) may provide a relatively high coefficient of restitution (COR) which may provide a relatively large amount of the ball speed when the golf ball leaves the ball striking face 201 after impact. For example, the COR may be in a range of 0.780-0.810. The larger amount of ball speed at impact may cause the golf ball to travel a farther distance after impact with the ball striking face 201.
Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 201 may include one or more score lines. The score lines may interact with the dimpled surface of the golf ball during the impact of the golf club head 200 with a golf ball (e.g., during a golf swing) and affect the aerodynamics of the golf ball during the golf shot. For example, the score lines may cause a spin (e.g., back spin) of the golf ball during the golf shot.
As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 202 may be a separate element with which the ball striking face 201 is engaged (e.g., welded to the golf club head body 202 along at least a portion of the perimeter of the front face of the golf club head body 202).
According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 202 may have a volume in a range of: 28-40 cubic centimeters (cc), 28-32 cc, 33-38 cc or 39-40 cc. Of course, other sizes may be used as well. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 201 may be comprised of steel. For example, the golf club head body 202 may comprise carbon steel (e.g., 1020 or 1025 carbon steel). Of course, other materials may be used as well. For example, other metals, alloys, polymers, plastics, etc. or combinations thereof, may be used as desired.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head body 202 may include at least a portion of the perimeter weighting member 203 being tapered in the direction of the ball striking face 201 of the golf club head 200. Further, as seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the perimeter weighting member 203 of the golf club head may define an interior region of the golf club head 200 which is interior relative to the perimeter weighting member 203. According to aspects of the disclosure and, as shown in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the lower part of the interior region (e.g., between the wall 206 and the ball striking face 201) may be hollow. Further, as most clearly seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, and as seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the pocket cavity 204 may have a width in the range of 1.0-3.0 inches, 2.00-2.75 inches or 2.45-2.50 inches. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the pocket cavity 204 may have a height in the range of 0.5-1.0 inches, 0.7-0.9 inches, 0.6-0.8 inches or 0.7-0.75 inches. Further, the pocket cavity 204 may have a depth (e.g., in the direction of the ball striking face 201 towards the rear of the golf club head) in the range of 0.08-0.12 inches. Of course other dimensions may be used as desired.
According to some aspects of this disclosure, the pocket cavity 204 can be used to alter (e.g., shift) the center of the gravity of the golf club head 200. For example, the size and positioning of the pocket cavity 204 may redistribute the mass and weight of the golf club head 200 (e.g., as compared to a differently configured golf club head without a pocket cavity) and, thereby, shift golf club head's center of gravity. Therefore, the pocket cavity can be selectively sized and positioned to control features of the club head's center of gravity. For example, by sizing and positioning the pocket cavity 204, the center of gravity of the club head 200 may be adjusted, vertically (e.g., in the crown to sole direction of the golf club head 200), horizontally (e.g., in the heel to toe direction of the golf club head 200) and in a depth direction (e.g., in a ball striking face to rear surface direction of the golf club head 200).
For illustrative purposes the golf club head 200 may have center of gravity denoted symbolically at reference numeral 205. Therefore, as seen in
For example, the above described configuration of such pocket cavity iron-type golf club heads may provide a center of gravity of the golf club head 205 in a position such as described above which is low, and, also, away from the ball striking face 201 of the golf club head 200. Such a configuration may aid a golfer in imparting a more lofted trajectory to the golf ball, or higher ball flight.
Further, the above described configuration of such pocket cavity irons may provide a center of gravity of the golf club head 205 in a position such as described above which is relatively lower relative to the center of the face of the golf club head 200. Additionally, the above described configuration of such pocket cavity irons may provide a center of gravity of the golf club head 205 in a position such as described above which is farther back and away from the ball striking face 201. Such features may increase the Moment of Inertia (MOI (IZZ)). Therefore, by positioning the center of gravity of the golf club head 205 lower behind the center of the ball striking face 201 of the golf club head 200 and farther back and away from the ball striking face 201 of the golf club head 200, the size of the “sweet spot” of the golf club head 200 (the area typically in the center of the ball striking face 201 of the golf club head 200, wherein the trajectory of the golf ball is maximized according to the particular characteristics of the golf club head 200) may be increased.
Also, by removing the material behind ball striking face 201 and, instead, providing the negative space of the slot or pocket cavity 204 which extends in accordance with the height, width and depth ranges discussed above, the above described configuration of such pocket cavity iron-type golf club heads may provide more forgiveness. For example, the errant trajectory of the golf ball when the golf ball struck off center of the ball striking face 201 of the golf club head 200 is minimized. For example, the errant trajectory of the golf ball during golf shots in which the golf ball is contacted closer to the sole of the golf club head (e.g., as compared with the sweet spot) will be minimized. Therefore, such a configuration of the golf club head may be particularly advantageous in “long” irons, as longer irons may be more difficult to hit properly and, additionally, the distance lost due the off-center contact (which is particularly greater for “long” irons as opposed “middle” or “short” irons) is minimized.
Hence, for the reasons discussed above, the above described configuration of the pocket cavity iron-type golf club head which includes the above described relatively thin ball striking face 201 (and its method of attachment) along with the pocket cavity 204 configuration may, therefore, provide a higher ball flight (e.g., by increasing launch angle) and more forgiving golf shot. Therefore, the distance the golf ball travels after impact may be increased. In view of the above, aspects of the disclosure are directed to “long” irons with golf club heads with the above described pocket cavity configuration. It is noted that the configuration of the pocket cavity iron-type golf club head may take on a variety of forms (e.g., different dimensions, etc.) without departing from the spirit of disclosure.
As seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, one or more elements of the golf club head 300, such as the ball striking face 301, the golf club head body 302 and the perimeter weighting member 303 maybe be formed as a single piece. For example, golf club head 300 may be cast or forged. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 300 may be comprised a high strength metal. For example, the golf club head 300 may comprise a carbon steel (e.g., 1020 or 1025 carbon steel). Of course, other materials may be used as well. It is noted that according to aspects of the disclosure, a high strength, resilient and durable material may be used so as that the golf club head 300 is able to withstand the general conditions of the golf course environment. For example, other metals, alloys, polymers, plastics, etc., or combination thereof, may be used as desired. According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 300 may have a volume in a range of: 28-40 cubic centimeters (cc), 28-32 cc, 33-38 cc or 39-40 cc. Of course, other sizes may be used as well.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 301 may include a face plate integrally formed with ball striking face 301 or otherwise engaged with ball striking face 301. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 301 (or faceplate) may include one or more score lines which provide the same function as discussed above with regard to the embodiment shown in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 300 may include the split cavity or half cavity configuration wherein, at least a portion of, the perimeter weighting member 303 may be tapered in the direction of the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the lower half of the perimeter weighting member 303 maybe be tapered in the direction of the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300. Further, as seen in
Additionally, the perimeter weighting member 303 of the golf club head 300 may define a recessed interior region of the golf club head 300 which is interior relative to the perimeter weighting member 300. The recessed interior region may include a notch 304 in the recessed interior region of the golf club head which extends through at least an upper quarter of the recessed interior region and positioned behind the ball striking face of the golf club head. Further, the notch 304 may extend through others areas of the interior region, such as the upper half of the interior region defined by the perimeter weighting member 303. As seen in
It is noted that the remaining part of the interior region (e.g., the lower half of the interior region within the recess defined by the perimeter weighting member 303) may be solid, or substantially solid. For example, in contrast to the above described pocket cavity configuration which may include a hollow lower region, the recessed interior region defined within perimeter weighting member 300 is filled and solid. In this way, as will be described below, the split cavity or half cavity configuration provides more control, feel and workability to the golf club head 300.
Further, it is noted that the lower region of the interior region may be thicker than the area defined by the notch, and the boundary between the notch and the lower region may be defined by a ledge that extends within the interior region of the golf club head body between inner edges of the perimeter weighting member in the toe to heel direction.
In such a split or half cavity configuration as described above, more mass and weight may be positioned lower in the club head body 300 (e.g., more mass and weight may be positioned in a lower half of the club head body 300 than in an upper half of the club head body). Therefore, according to some aspects of this disclosure, half cavity configuration can be used to alter (e.g., shift) the center of the gravity of the golf club head 300 lower in the golf club head and away from the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, by sizing and positioning the notch 304, the center of gravity of the club head 30 may be adjusted, vertically (e.g., in the crown to sole direction of the golf club head 300), horizontally (e.g., in the heel to toe direction of the golf club head 300) and in a depth direction (e.g., in a ball striking face to rear surface direction of the golf club head 300).
For example, the configuration and positioning of the notch 304 may redistribute the mass and weight of the golf club head 300 so that the mass and weight of the golf club head is lower in the golf club head and away from the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300 (e.g., as compared to a differently configured golf club head without a split cavity or half cavity configuration) and, thereby, shift golf club head's center of gravity lower and away from the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300.
For illustrative purposes the golf club head 300 may have center of gravity denoted symbolically at reference numeral 305. Therefore, as seen in
Further, the above described configuration of such split half cavity iron-type golf club heads may provide a center of gravity of the golf club head 305 in a position such as described above which is relatively centered relative to the center of the face of the golf club head. By positioning the center of gravity of the golf club head 305 substantially behind the center of the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300, the size of the “sweet spot” of the golf club head 300 may be increased. Therefore, by positioning the center of gravity of the golf club head 305 substantially behind the center of the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300, the errant trajectory of the golf ball is minimized when the golf ball struck off center of the ball striking face 301 of the golf club head 300.
Also, as described above, the split cavity or half cavity configuration provides an outer perimeter member 303, a notched upper potion of the interior region behind the ball striking face 301 and a filled and solid lower portion of the interior region behind the ball striking face 301. It is noted that the filled and solid lower portion of the interior region behind the ball striking face 301 may provide more feel, control and workability for the golf shot as compared with the above described pocket cavity irons (or, even, cavity backed irons in general). Therefore, such a split cavity or half cavity configuration provides a relative compromise between the forgiveness of the above described pocket cavity irons (or, even, cavity backed irons in general) and the feel, control and workability of the blade-type irons described below. Therefore, such a configuration of the golf club head may be particularly advantageous in “middle” irons, wherein golfer may wish to have more feel, control and workability in a golf shot, and not have as great a need for as much forgiveness as the golfer might in the longer iron.
In view of the above, aspects of the disclosure are directed to middle irons with golf club heads with the above described split cavity or half cavity configuration. It is noted that the configuration of the split cavity or half cavity iron-type golf club heads may take on a variety of forms (e.g., different dimensions, etc.) without departing from the spirit of disclosure. For example, according to some aspects of this disclosure, the indicator may include a back cover or medallion which is set in the notch 304 of the golf club head body 300.
As seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 400 may be formed as a single piece. For example, golf club head 400 may be forged (or cast, if desired). Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 400 may be comprised a high strength metal. For example, golf club head may comprise a carbon steel (e.g., 1020 or 1025 carbon steel). Of course, other materials may be used as well. It is noted that according to aspects of the disclosure, a high strength, resilient and durable material may be used so as that the golf club head 400 is able to withstand the general conditions of the golf course environment. For example, other metals, alloys, etc. or combinations thereof may be used as desired.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 400 may be a muscle back type blade (e.g., a blade in which more mass may be distributed around the sweet spot of the golf club head). Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 400 may have a volume in a range of: 28-40 cubic centimeters (cc), 28-32 cc, 33-38 cc or 39-40 cc. Of course, other sizes may be used as well.
According to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 401 may include a face plate integrally formed with ball striking face 401 or otherwise engaged with the ball striking face 401. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the ball striking face 401 (or faceplate) may include one or more score lines which provide the same function as discussed above with regard to the embodiment shown in
In contrast to cavity back iron-type golf club heads in which mass and weight is distributed around the perimeter of the golf club head and, a blade distributes the mass and weight of the golf club head more evenly throughout the golf club head. Hence, as mentioned above a blade may have a smaller sweet spot compared with the larger sweet spot of the cavity back irons in which the perimeter weighting minimizes the extent of the errant trajectories during off center shots. Therefore, it may be more difficult to make contact with the sweet spot in a blade. However, because a blade distributes the mass and weight of the golf club head more evenly throughout the golf club head, the blade may provide a golfer with better “feel” and more control over the shot than a cavity backed iron. This feature of blade-type irons may be particularly advantageous in short irons wherein control and feel is particular useful.
Therefore, in view of the above, the above described blades may be particularly advantageous when employed in short irons. Hence, aspects of the disclosure are directed to short irons with golf club heads with the above described blade.
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a set of golf clubs which may include one, some or all of the above described iron-type golf club heads. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, one or more of the long irons in the set may include the pocket cavity iron-type golf club heads described above. Further, one or more of the middle irons in the set may include the split cavity or half cavity iron-type golf club heads described above. Additionally, one or more of the short irons in the set may include the blade type, iron-type golf club heads described above.
By providing the a set of golf clubs with each of the above described types of the golf club heads, the golfer may be able to utilize the advantages of each of the types of the golf club heads in the set. For example, the pocket cavity configuration of
Conversely, the blades shown in
Additionally, the half cavity iron-type golf club heads shown in
It is noted that while the particular set of golf clubs described above has pocket cavity configured golf club heads in long irons, split cavity or half cavity configured golf club heads in middle irons and blade-type golf club heads in short irons, other combinations may be used as desired. For example, any of the above described types of iron-type golf club head structure may be used in 0-10 irons, wedges (e.g., iron-type clubs having lofts from 44-68 degrees, such as pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, gap wedges, etc.), etc. Further, in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure, golf clubs and/or golf club heads in accordance with examples of this disclosure may be sold or marketed as a set including plural irons, including, for example, sets having 0-10 irons, pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, gap wedges, and/or chipping clubs. When present in a set, any desired number of the clubs in the set may have one or more of the three types of golf club heads in accordance with this disclosure. In some more specific examples, sets of golf clubs in accordance with this disclosure may contain at least the 3-9 irons and a pitching wedge, wherein at least two of these irons (and in some examples, all of these irons) will have a golf club head in accordance with examples of this disclosure. As another example, sets of golf clubs in accordance with this disclosure will contain at least the 4-9 irons (or even 5-9 irons or 6-9 irons) and a pitching wedge, and optionally a sand wedge and/or one or more iron-type hybrid clubs, wherein at least two of these clubs (and in some examples, all of these irons) will have a golf club head in accordance with examples of this disclosure.
Aspects of this disclosure relate to hybrid-type golf club heads.
The golf club head 600 itself also may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing from this disclosure, including from conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and used in the art. For example, wide varieties of overall club head constructions are possible without departing from this disclosure. For example, if desired, some or all of the various individual parts of the club head body described above may be made from multiple pieces that are connected together (e.g., by adhesives or cements; by welding, soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques; by mechanical connectors; etc.). The various parts (e.g., crown, sole, ball striking face, aft body, body ribbon members, etc.) may be made from any desired materials and combinations of different materials, including materials that are conventionally known and used in the art, such as metal materials, including lightweight metal materials (e.g., titanium, titanium alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, etc.), composite materials, polymer materials, etc. The club head body and/or its various parts may be made by forging, casting, molding, machining, and/or using other techniques and processes, including techniques and processes that are conventional and known in the art.
According to some aspects of the disclosure, the dimensions of the golf club head 600 may include a volume between 90-150 cubic centimeters. As seen in
As seen in
According to aspects of the disclosure, the compression channel 603 may extend around the perimeter of the sole and rear of the golf club head 600. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the width of the compression channel 603 behind the ball striking face 601 may be in the range of: 0.1-0.4 inches, 0.2-0.3 inches, or 0.25 inches. Of course, other ranges may be used as desired. Further, the depth of the compression channel 603 behind the ball striking face 601 may be in the range of several millimeters.
Further, the golf club head body may include one or more additional cavities extending through a bottom surface of the club head. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the golf club head 600 may include two cavities 604 positioned in the sole of the golf club head. As seen the depicted embodiment, the cavities 604 may be positioned behind the compression channel 603 and extend towards the rear of the golf club head 600. According to aspects of the disclosure, the depth of the cavities 604 may be in the range of several millimeters. Of course, other ranges may be used as desired.
Further, in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure, golf clubs and/or golf club heads in accordance with examples of this disclosure may be sold or marketed as a set including plural irons, including, for example, sets having one or more of iron-type hybrid clubs (such as described above), driving irons, 0-10 irons, pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, gap wedges, and/or chipping clubs. When present in a set, any desired number of the clubs in the set may have a club head in accordance with this disclosure. In some more specific examples, sets of golf clubs in accordance with this disclosure may contain at least the 3-9 irons and a pitching wedge, wherein at least 1 of these irons (and in some examples, all of these irons) will have a golf club head in accordance with examples of this disclosure and at least 1 hybrid type golf club head in accordance with examples of this disclosure. As another example, sets of golf clubs in accordance with this disclosure will contain at least the 4-9 irons (or even 5-9 irons or 6-9 irons) and a pitching wedge, and optionally a sand wedge and/or one or more iron-type hybrid clubs (such as described above), wherein at least 2 of these clubs (and in some examples, all of these clubs) will have a golf club head in accordance with examples of this disclosure.
The present disclosure is described above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example structures, features, elements, and combinations of structures, features, and elements. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. For example, the various features and concepts described above in conjunction with
This application is a non-provisional application which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/375,558, filed Aug. 20, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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