Patent Application
20070099726
The present invention relates to golf clubs and in particular to wood or metal wood type golf club heads having an improved sole configuration.
The way the sole of a golf club impacts the ground surface during the execution of a golf shot often determines the ball flight and the overall results of the shot. The leading edge of a golf club head is the edge at the interface of the bottom sole and lower portion of the ball striking face. It is well known in order to prevent the leading edge from digging into the ground at impact with a golf ball, the bottom sole configuration is formed with a downwardly extending, angular surface toward the rear edge of the club head that raises the leading edge above the ground. This is known in the art as the bounce of the club head, the bounce angle being the angle of the bottom sole relative to the horizontal when the club head is in a normal address position prior to the execution of a golf swing. Therefore, golf clubs with different bounce characteristics will react differently with the ground surface as the club head impacts with the ground during a golf shot.
Typically, a golf club with a higher bounce angle is considered to have more bounce. Typical bounce angles vary between 6 and 12 degrees. However, the effective bounce of a club head may also vary by changing the overall length of the bounce surface that engages the ground. For example, a larger bounce angle combined with a shorter bounce surface will create the same effective bounce as a lesser bounce angle with a wider ground engaging surface, since each structure will raise the leading edge of the club head the same height above the ground support surface. Bounce is particularly useful for golf clubs that are used to hit shots out of sand bunkers to enable the club to be swung down and through the sand without digging too deeply therein.
Even when a golf ball lies on smoothly cut grass or turf, the bounce and sole configuration will effect the results of the golf shot. This is particularly true when more severe conditions are encountered, such as extremely hard or soft surfaces. For example, when a golf club impacts a hard surface, the club head will tend to bounce resulting in the golf ball being hit thin resulting in a lower golf shot. When a ground surface is soft, a golf club may embed in the ground resulting in the loss of club head speed causing the golf ball to fly short of the intended target. Prior art golf club heads have been made with bottom sole configurations to control the way a golf club head reacts with the ground for the purpose of better controlling a golf shot.
The present invention is a metal wood type golf club head of conventional design with an improved sole configuration to increase the effective bounce of the club head. The bottom sole surface is formed in separate sections. A first forward sole section is located directly behind the leading edge of the club head and extends partway to the rear of the club head. The forward sole section is formed of a generally flat or planar land area at an angle downward from the horizontal when the club head is in a normal address position just prior to the execution of a golf shot. This angle is the bounce angle and raises the leading edge above the ground surface. The forward section provides a frictional surface that impacts the ground as a golf ball is hit with the club head. The bounce angle of the forward section prevents the club head from digging into the turf or ground and actually causes the club head to bounce. The bottom sole includes at least a second section behind the forward sole bounce section. The second section extends upwardly and inwardly and recesses into the club head body so it is raised above the ground surface with the club head at the address position. There is less friction on the second section surface since it is raised relative to the ground as a golf ball is hit by the club head. The raised second section preferably has an aerodynamic or airfoil shape that traps air between the bottom sole and ground creating lift and increasing club head speed.
Another feature of the sole structure is increased mass low on the club head because of the increased surface area and thickness of the metal wood shell in the lower areas. This produces a higher trajectory ball flight for a given loft angle of the clubface. This, in turn, allows for a lower loft angle for a given ball flight resulting in increased distance for a given swing force. Because of this combination of bounce, loft angle and lower weight, lower lofted clubs, such as drivers, may be used in the fairway resulting in longer golf shots for a given swing force.
In various embodiments, the club head may be provided with a rear edge of the bottom sole that rests the club head on the ground for increases stability. The club head may have a flat mid section to stabilize the club at address. Similarly the bottom sole of the club head may have a forward or bounce section of various sizes and bounce angles.
The present invention is particularly adaptable for metal wood type golf clubs and in particular to fairway woods. The invention is also adapted for driver type golf clubs and allows drivers to hit a golf ball off closely cut fairway grasses.
Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole configuration having a reduced frictional surface.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal wood having an improved sole configuration to facilitate hitting a golf ball from a fairway grass surface.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole configuration with a bounce angle at the leading edge.
Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole configuration having an aerodynamic lower surface.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole configuration allowing a driver lofted club to be used from the fairway grass.
These and other objects will become apparent with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings.
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore the details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely form a basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art how to make and/or use the invention.
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 disclose a metal wood golf club head100 of the present invention formed with a body portion 102 made of a hard metal material, forming a metal shell 104. The club head 100 includes a ball striking face 106, heel 108, toe 110, rear face 112, top crown 114, and bottom sole 116. The club head 100 is preferably formed with a hosel 118 connected to a conventional shaft 120 of any suitable length and handle or grip (not shown) on the upper end thereof.
The bottom sole 116 is formed in separate sections. A first forward sole section 122 is located directly behind the leading edge 124 of the club head 100 and extends partway to the rear face 112 of the club head 100. The forward sole section 122 is formed of a flat or planar land area at an angle downward from the horizontal when the club head 100 is in a normal address position just prior to the execution of a golf shot. This angle is the bounce angle and raises the leading edge 124 above the ground surface. The bounce angle extends from the leading edge 124 to the rear edge 125 of the forward sole section 122. The bounce angle may be as little as three degrees and as much as 12-15 degrees depending upon the overall front to rear width of the forward sole bounce section 122, the loft and size of the club head 100. The forward section 122 provides a frictional surface that impacts the ground when a golf ball is struck by the club head 100. The bounce angle of the forward section 122 prevents the leading edge 124 of the club head 100 from digging into the turf or ground surface and actually causes the club head 100 to bounce slightly, thereby maintaining the club head on plane without interference with the ground.
The bottom sole 116 includes a mid-section 126 behind or rearward of the forward sole bounce section 122. The mid-section 126 extends upwardly and inwardly and recesses into the club head body 102 to the extent that it is raised above the ground surface with the club head 100 at the address position. The bottom sole 116 preferably may be provided with a rear edge 128 having at least a portion that rests the club head 100 on the ground for increased stability. Raising the mid-section 126 above the ground provides less friction on the surface of the mid-section 126 since it is raised higher than the forward sole bounce section 122 that, in turn, reduces the overall friction across the bottom sole surface 116 of the club head 100 as the club head 100 is swung. The raised mid-section126 preferably has an aerodynamic or airfoil shape that traps air between the bottom sole 116 and ground creating lift and increasing club head speed.
As seen in the sectional view of
In the present embodiment, the club head 100 includes a third rear section 128 on the bottom sole 116 that touches the ground to stabilize the club head 100.
While various embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure. All modifications and alternate constructions of woods and metal woods having a bottom sole with a bounce section are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
