JP2025032284A - Golf club head with open back cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a golf club head with energy storage characteristics.SOLUTION: The golf club head comprises a hollow body 7106 comprising: a strikeface 7112; a heel region; a toe region opposite the heel region; a sole 7122; a top rail 7124 and an inflection point. The inflection point increases bending of the strikeface thereby enhancing performance over clubs without an inflection point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 58

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to golf club heads having energy storage properties.

(Related Applications)
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/802,125, filed February 6, 2019.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/231,053, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/920,484, filed Oct. 22, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/628,639, filed Jun. 20, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/920,480, filed Oct. 22, 2015.

U.S. Patent Application No. 16/231,053, filed December 21, 2018, is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/435,054, filed February 16, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/920,484, filed October 22, 2015. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application No. 14/920,484, filed October 22, 2015, claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/206,152, filed August 17, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/131,739, filed March 11, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/105,460, filed January 20, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/105,464, filed January 20, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/068,232, filed October 24, 2014.
U.S. Patent Application No. 14/920,480, filed October 22, 2015, also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/206,152, filed August 17, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/131,739, filed March 11, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/105,460, filed January 20, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/105,464, filed January 20, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/068,232, filed October 24, 2014.

U.S. Patent Application No. 15/435,054, filed February 16, 2017, also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/313,215, filed March 25, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/295,565, filed February 16, 2016.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/231,053, filed December 21, 2018, claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/610,053, filed December 22, 2017, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/908,427, filed February 28, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/920,484, filed October 22, 2015. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application No. 15/628,639, filed June 20, 2017, further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/484,529, filed April 12, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/462,250, filed February 22, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/436,019, filed December 19, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/352,495, filed June 20, 2016.

The entire contents of the above disclosure are hereby fully incorporated by reference.

Golf club manufacturers have designed golf club heads to reduce stress on the strike face of the golf club head. In many cases, the golf club head is designed to not flex in the crown-to-sole direction. Furthermore, these designs do not change the location of peak bending of the golf club head and do not allow for additional storage of spring energy within the golf club head upon impact with the golf ball. The additional spring energy can increase ball speed across the strike face.

The following drawings are provided to facilitate further explanation of the embodiments:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rear toe side of a golf club head according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head in the embodiment of FIG.

3 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along section line XII-XII of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG. 3, as well as a view of the same area of a standard golf club head.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the rear toe side of a golf club according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 5 taken along section line XVI-XVI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a golf club head in an alternative method embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 8 taken along section line XXIV-XXIV of FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG. 10, as well as a view of the same area of a standard golf club head.

FIG. 12 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 8, as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head in the embodiment of FIG.

15 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 13 taken along section line XXIX-XXIX of FIG.

FIG. 16 shows a view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG. 15, as well as a view of the same area of a standard golf club head.

FIG. 17 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 13 as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 18 shows a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head in the embodiment of FIG.

20 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 18 taken along section line XXXIV-XXXIV of FIG.

FIG. 21 shows a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

22 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 18 as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 23 shows a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head of the embodiment of FIG.

25 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 23 taken along section line XXIX-XXXIX of FIG. 23. FIG.

FIG. 26 shows a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 27 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 23 as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 28 shows an internal view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 29 illustrates a front perspective view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 30 shows a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head of the embodiment of FIG.

32 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 30 taken along section line XLVI-XLVI of FIG.

FIG. 33 shows a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 34 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 30, as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 35 illustrates a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 36 illustrates a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head of the embodiment of FIG.

37 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 35 taken along section line LI-LI of FIG.

FIG. 38 illustrates a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 39 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 35 as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 40 shows an internal view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 41 illustrates a front perspective view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 42 shows a rear perspective view of a golf club head in yet another embodiment.

FIG. 43 illustrates a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head of the embodiment of FIG.

44 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 42 taken along section line LVIII-LVIII of FIG.

FIG. 45 shows a portion of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 46 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 42 as well as a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG.

FIG. 47 shows a cross-sectional view of the heel portion of the golf club head of FIG. 42 taken along section line LXI-LXI.

FIG. 48 shows a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 42 taken along section line LXII-LXII.

FIG. 49 is a rear perspective view of the golf club head.

50 is a rear heel side perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49. FIG.

51 is a front toe side perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49. FIG.

52 is a front toe side exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49. FIG.

53 is a front heel side perspective view, with portions removed, of the golf club head of FIG. 49. FIG.

54 is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 with portions removed.

55 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

56 is another cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

57 is another cross-sectional view of a portion of the golf club head of FIG. 49 taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

58 is another cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 49 and is similar to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 55.

59A is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a different embodiment of the badge disclosed herein. 59B is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a different embodiment of the badge disclosed herein. 59C is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a different embodiment of the badge disclosed herein. FIG. 59D is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a different embodiment of the badge disclosed herein.

60A is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a filler material as disclosed herein. 60B is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a filler material as disclosed herein. 60C is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a filler material as disclosed herein. FIG. 60D is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 49 including a filler material as disclosed herein.

For brevity and clarity of illustration, the drawings show general structural patterns, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring golf clubs and their manufacturing methods. Additionally, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of golf clubs and their manufacturing methods. The same reference numbers in different drawings refer to the same elements.

Terms such as "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a particular sequential or chronological order. The terms used should be understood to be interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, such that the golf club and manufacturing method embodiments described herein are operable, for example, in sequences other than those illustrated herein or in other ways. Furthermore, the terms "including," "comprising," and "having" and variations thereof are intended to include non-exclusive inclusions, and a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus.

The terms "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "side," "lower," "upper," and the like, if any, in this specification and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, such that the embodiments of the golf clubs and methods of manufacture described herein may, for example, operate in other orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected, whether physically, mechanically, or otherwise.

Various embodiments of golf club heads with energy storage properties include a golf club head including a hollow body. The hollow body includes a strike face, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown includes an upper region including a top rail, and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is at least partially defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Some embodiments include a golf club including a hollow body golf club and a shaft coupled to the hollow body golf club head. The hollow body golf club head includes a strike face, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown includes an upper region including a top rail, and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is at least partially defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a top wall, a back wall, a bottom slope, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Other embodiments include a method for manufacturing a golf club head. In many embodiments, the method includes providing a body. The body has a strike face, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The crown includes an upper region including a top rail, and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is at least partially defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a top wall, a back wall adjacent the top wall, a bottom slope adjacent the back wall, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Various embodiments include a golf club head including a hollow body. The hollow body includes a strike face, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown includes an upper region including a top rail and a lower region including a lower outer wall. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is at least partially defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a top wall, a back wall, a first inflection point adjacent the top wall and the back wall, a bottom slope, a second inflection point adjacent the back wall and the bottom slope, a third inflection point adjacent the bottom slope and the lower outer wall, a bottom angle measured between the bottom slope and the lower outer wall, the bottom angle being less than 180 degrees, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Some embodiments include a golf club including a hollow body golf club and a shaft coupled to the hollow body golf club head. The hollow body golf club head includes a strike face, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown includes an upper region including a top rail and a lower region including a lower outer wall. In some embodiments, the cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is at least partially defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a top wall, a back wall, a first bending point adjacent the top wall and the back wall, a bottom slope, a second bending point adjacent the back wall and the bottom slope, a third bending point adjacent the bottom slope and the lower outer wall, a lower angle measured between the bottom slope and the lower outer wall, the lower angle being less than 180 degrees, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Other embodiments include a method for manufacturing a golf club head. In many embodiments, the method includes providing a body. The body has a strike face, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The crown includes an upper region including a top rail and a lower region including a lower outer wall. In some embodiments, the cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown and is at least partially defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a top wall, a back wall, a first inflection point adjacent the top wall and the back wall, a bottom slope, a second inflection point adjacent the back wall and the bottom slope, a third inflection point adjacent the bottom slope and the lower outer wall, a bottom angle measured between the bottom slope and the lower outer wall, the bottom angle being less than 180 degrees, a back cavity angle measured between the top wall and the back wall of the cavity, and at least one channel.

Some embodiments include a golf club head including a body with a partial back cavity disposed within the body. The club head includes a face plate coupled to the body at a forward end and defining a striking or strike face, and a cover or badge coupled to the body at a rearward end opposite the forward end. In some embodiments, as described below, the badge may be a partial badge or the badge may be omitted entirely from the club head. In addition to the forward and rearward ends, the body includes a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a top rail opposite the sole. The partial back cavity contributes to the dynamic deflection or spring effect of the body when striking a golf ball.

Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and embodiments may be found in the drawings, claims, and/or this specification.

I. Golf Club Head with Back Cavity In one embodiment, the golf club head has a back cavity located in the upper crown area of the golf club. In many embodiments, the back cavity can provide a box spring effect when striking a golf ball. The back cavity can provide a spring-like effect in combination with a change in thickness of the inner diameter of the sole of the club head (cascading sole).

Some embodiments are directed to club heads (hybrids or fairway woods or irons with hollow design) that feature a club head with a hollow construction that provides a more "iron-like" look and feel. In some embodiments, the golf club head can feature a flat strike face and an iron-like profile, which can provide improved playability and accuracy, similar to an iron. A back cavity located below the top rail along the upper crown of the club head is designed for hybrids, fairway woods and irons with hollow construction. The back cavity may be a full heel-to-toe channel just below the top rail and along the upper crown or back of the club head. The top rail and cavity may be of any design. In some embodiments, the cavity is angled at approximately 90 degrees to provide a targeted hinge point in the crown area of the golf club head. This hinge or buckling area allows the top rail to absorb more of the impact force over a larger volume area and allows the cavity and top rail to act as a springboard by transferring more reaction force back to the strike face as it returns to its original orientation, thereby imparting more power to the ball. This greater club face flexure with the cavity design can result in less spin, higher loft of the golf ball at impact, and greater ball speed for the same club speed than a standard golf club head.

In a standard hybrid club head, the top rail and upper crown area do not have a cavity in this design. There is less bending or deflection of the club strike face in such a standard hybrid club head compared to the present disclosure. A standard hybrid cannot have as much spring back effect because there is less energy transferred to the top rail of the club due to the lack of a cavity. The disclosed golf club head with a back cavity allows more of the impact force of the golf ball to be absorbed and then returned to the strike face. In many embodiments, the angle of the cavity can provide a buckling point, or plastic hinge, or target hinge for the strike face to deflect more on a standard golf club.

The recoil effect of the cavity on the strike face provides (1) a higher golf ball velocity for the same club head speed with and without a top crown cavity (or back cavity), due in part to the spring effect transferred from the hinge area to the strike face to the ball, (2) less spin of the golf ball after impact with the club, due in part to the hinge point at the top of the cavity reacting to the greater force absorbed by the club and instead transferring the greater force to the ball, thereby preventing the ball from spinning backwards from the strike face, and (3) a greater loft angle for the golf ball at impact, due to the hinge and strike face acting as a diving board or catapult for the ball. In some embodiments, the cavity can provide an increase in ball velocity of about 1.0 to 1.2%, and an increase in launch angle of about 0.4 to 0.7 degrees.

Returning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a rear toe-side perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club head 1000, and FIG. 2 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 1000 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The golf club head 1000 can be a hybrid-type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 1000 can be an iron-type golf club head or a fairway wood-type golf club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1000 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

The golf club head 1000 includes a body 1001. In many embodiments, the body is hollow. In some embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. The body 1001 includes a strike face 1012, a heel region 1002, a toe region 1004 opposite the heel region 1002, a sole 1006, and a crown 1008. The crown 1008 includes an upper region 1011 and a lower region 1013. The upper region 1011 includes a top rail 1015. The top rail 1015 begins at the toe region 1004, adjacent the top edge of the strike face 1012, and extends along the top of the golf club head 1000 toward the heel region 1002. From a cross-sectional side view such as FIG. 3, the top rail 1015 begins at the transition between the strike face 1012 and the top of the golf club head 1000 and ends at the transition between the top of the crown 1008 of the golf club head 1000 and a section of the crown with a different orientation such as the rear wall 1023. In some embodiments, the top rail 1015 can be flatter and taller than irons known to those skilled in the art. A flatter and taller top rail can compensate for mis-hits on the strike face 1012 and increase playability off the tee.

In some embodiments, the body 1001 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the strike face 1012 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the body 1001 can include the same material as the strike face 1012. In some embodiments, the body 1001 can include a different material than the strike face 1012.

In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 is located below the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 comprises a top rail box spring design. In many embodiments, the top rail 1015 and cavity 1030 provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face 1012. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 1012 can allow for an increase in energy of about 2% to about 5%. The cavity 1030 allows the strike face 1012 to be thinner, allowing for additional overall bending. In some fairway wood type golf club head embodiments, the cavity 1030 can be a reverse scoop or recess in the crown 1008, with the body 1001 having a greater thickness or width toward the sole 1006.

Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the golf club head 1000 may further include an insert 1062 in the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 toward the toe region 1004. Some embodiments include an internal weight in the sole 1006. In many embodiments, the insert 1062 may be constructed of tungsten or some other high density material. In many embodiments, the insert moves the center of gravity (CG) back about 0.04 inches (1 mm) to 0.10 inches (2.5 mm) from the strike face 1012, resulting in a 3.5% to 5.5% increase in launch angle, which may result in increased playability off the tee and higher or lower mis-hits.

In many embodiments, the CG is in the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 near the intersection of the toe region 1004 and the sole 1006. In some embodiments, the CG of the golf club head 1000 is 0.597 inches along the CGy plane and 0.541 inches along the CGz plane. For moment of inertia Ixx, the golf club head 1000 had a 20.5% increase over the G30 irons and a 28% increase over the Rapture DI. For Iyy, there was a 1.7% increase over the G30 irons and a 22% increase over the Rapture DI.

In some embodiments, about 3 grams (g) to about 4 g is added to the top rail 1015. In most embodiments, the overall mass of the golf club head 1000 remains the same. In some embodiments, mass can be removed from the sole 1006 or toe area 1004 to offset the addition of mass to the top rail 1015. In some embodiments, adding about 3 g to about 4 g of mass to the top rail 1015 can help the golf club head resist rotation. In some embodiments, the CG of the golf club head is slightly increased.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the golf club head 1000 along section line XII-XII of Figure 1 in one embodiment. As seen in Figure 3, the strike face 1012 includes a high region 1076, a mid region 1074, and a low region 1072. In many embodiments, the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 includes a rear wall 1023, a top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030 adjacent below the rear wall 1023, and a back wall 1019 of the cavity 1030 adjacent below the top wall 1017.

In some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), or about 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to about 0.400 inches (1.02 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be about 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.275 inches (0.699 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.475 inches (1.21 cm), 0.575 inches (1.46 cm), or 0.675 inches (1.71 cm). In some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be from about 5% to about 25% of the height of the golf club head 1000. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 1015 measured from the heel region 1002 to the toe region 1004 can be from about 70% to about 95% of the length of the golf club head 1000.

The height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 allows the cavity 1030 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on the strike face 1012 during impact with a golf ball, as described herein. A golf club head having a rear wall height greater than the rear wall height 1280 described herein would absorb less stress on impact (and allow less strike face deflection) than the golf club head 1000 described herein, due to increased distribution of impact stress along the top rail before reaching the cavity.

In some embodiments, the cavity 1030 is located above the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 and is at least partially defined by the upper region 1011 and the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008. The cavity 1030 comprises a top wall 1017, a back wall 1019, and a bottom sloped portion 1021. A first bending point 1082 is located between the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030 and the back wall 1019 of the cavity. A second bending point 1086 is located between the back wall 1019 of the cavity 1030 and the bottom sloped portion 1021.

The top wall 1017 and back wall 1019 of the exterior cavity 1030 hinge about a first flex point 1082. This hinge-like movement at the first flex point 1082 allows for greater deflection of the strike face 1012.

In some embodiments, the height of the back wall 1019, measured from the first inflection point 1082 to the second inflection point 1086, can be from about 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to about 0.138 inches (3.5 mm), or from about 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to about 0.059 inches (1.5 mm). For example, the height of the back wall 1019 can be approximately 0.01 inch (0.25 mm), 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), 0.03 inch (0.75 mm), 0.04 inch (1.0 mm), 0.05 inch (1.25 mm), 0.06 inch (1.5 mm), 0.07 inch (1.75 mm), 0.08 inch (2.0 mm), 0.09 inch (2.25 mm), 0.10 inch (2.5 mm), 0.11 inch (2.75 mm), 0.012 inch (3.0 mm), 0.13 inch (3.25 mm), or 0.14 inch (3.5 mm). In many embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1017 can be about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), or about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015. For example, the apex of the top wall 1017 can be about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), or 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015.

In many embodiments, the back wall 1019 of the cavity 1030 can be substantially parallel to the strike face 1012. In other embodiments, the back wall 1019 is not substantially parallel to the strike face 1012. In many embodiments, the top wall 1017 of the cavity is angled toward the strike face 1012 as it moves toward the first bending point 1082. This orientation of the top wall 1017 creates a buckling or hinge point or plastic hinge, directing the impact stresses toward the cavity 1030 and allowing increased deflection of the strike face 1012 during impact.

The lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 includes the bottom sloped portion 1021 of the cavity 1030. In many embodiments, the second bending point 1086 adjacent the bottom sloped portion 1021 can be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), or about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015. For example, the second bending point 1086 can be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 1.0 inches (2.53 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), or 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) below the apex of the top rail 1015. In some embodiments, the maximum height of the bottom slope portion measured from the sole 1006 of the club head 1000 to the second inflection point 1086 may be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 3 inches (7.62 cm), or about 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) to about 2 inches (5.08 cm) above the lowest point of the sole 1006. For example, the second inflection point 1086 can be at least approximately 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.625 inches (4.12 cm), or 1.75 inches (4.45 cm) above the lowest point of the sole 1006. It can be 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm), or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm).

The cavity 1030 further comprises at least one channel 1039 (FIG. 1). In many embodiments, the channel 1039 extends from the heel region 1002 to the toe region 1004. The channel width 1032 (FIG. 3) can be substantially constant throughout the channel 1039. In some embodiments, the channel width 1032 (FIG. 3) can be from about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 1 inch (25 mm), or from about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 0.31 inches (8 mm). For example, the channel width 1032 can be about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm), 0.016 inches (0.4 mm), 0.024 inches (0.6 mm), 0.031 inches (0.8 mm), 0.039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.59 inches (15 mm), 0.79 inches (20 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe region width of the channel 1039 is less than the channel heel region width of the channel. In other embodiments, the channel heel region width is less than the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel center region width of the channel 1039 can be less than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel middle region width can be greater than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, the channel 1039 is symmetrical. In other embodiments, the channel 1039 is asymmetrical. In other embodiments, the channel 1039 can further include at least two partial channels. In some embodiments, the channel 1039 can comprise a series of partial channels interrupted by one or more bridges. In some embodiments, the one or more bridges can be approximately the same thickness as the thickness of the top region 1011 of the crown 1008.

The channel width 1032 allows for absorption of stress from the strike face 1012 upon impact as described herein. Golf club heads having channel widths less than those described herein (e.g., golf club heads having less pronounced cavities) may absorb less stress from the strike face upon impact (due to less material on the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008) and therefore may experience less deflection of the strike face than the golf club head 1000 described herein.

In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 further includes a back cavity angle 1035. The back cavity angle is measured between the top wall 1017 and the back wall 1019 of the cavity 1030. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 can be about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 is about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or 110 degrees. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 provides a buckling point or plastic hinge or target hinge at the top rail hinge point 1070 on the golf club head 1000 impacting a golf ball. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the top rail hinge point 1070 is less than the wall thickness at the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030.

4 shows a view of the crown 1008 of the cross section of the golf club head 1000 of FIG. 3 alongside a similar cross section of a cavity-free golf club head 1200 along similar cross section line XII-XII of FIG. 1. The golf club head 1200 comprises a strike face 1212, a crown 1208, a top rail 1215, a top rail hinge point 1270, and a rear wall 1223. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1000 comprises a rear angle 1040, a top rail angle 1045, and a strike face angle 1050. The top region angle 1040 is measured from the top wall 1017 to the rear wall 1023 of the top region 1011. In many embodiments, the rear angle 1040 can be from about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 1040 is about 90 degrees. The top rail angle 1045 is measured from the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 to the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 1045 can be from about 35 degrees to about 120 degrees, or from 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 1045 can be about 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, or 120 degrees. The strike face angle 1050 is measured from the strike face 1012 to the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the strike face angle 1050 can be from about 70 degrees to about 160 degrees, or from 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 1050 is approximately 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, or 160 degrees.

4, in some embodiments, the minimum gap 1090 between the strike face 1012 and the back wall 1019 is about 0.079 inches (2 mm) to about 0.39 inches (10 mm). For example, the minimum gap 1090 between the strike face 1012 and the back wall 1019 can be about 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), or 0.39 inches (10 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 1090 between the strike face 1012 and the back wall 1019 is less than about 0.55 inches (14 mm), less than about 0.47 inches (12 mm), less than about 0.39 inches (10 mm), less than about 0.31 inches (8 mm), less than about 0.24 inches (6 mm), or less than about 0.16 inches (4 mm). Additionally, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the strike face 1012 and the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the golf club head 1000 is greater than the minimum gap 1090. Additionally, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the strike face 1012 and the bottom slope 1021 of the lower region 1013 of the golf club head 1000 is greater than the minimum gap 1090 and the maximum gap in the upper region 1011.

In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 can provide increased golf ball velocity over the golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head, and can increase the launch angle over both standard hybrid club heads and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 1035 determines the spring level and timing of response of the golf club head 1000. When a golf ball impacts the strike face 1012 of a club head 1000 with a cavity 1030, the strike face 1012 springs back like a drum and the crown 1008 bends in a controlled buckling manner. In many embodiments, the top rail 1015 can absorb more stress over a larger volumetric space than the top rail of a golf club head without the cavity 1030. The length, depth, and width of the cavity 1030 can vary. These parameters provide control over how much springback is present in the overall design of the club head 1000.

Upon impact with a golf ball, the strike face 1012 can bend inward a greater distance than a golf club head without the cavity 1030. In some embodiments, the strike face 1012 has a deflection of about 10% to about 50% greater than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 1030. In some embodiments, the strike face 1012 has a deflection of about 5% to about 40%, or about 10% to about 20% greater than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 1035. For example, the strike face 1012 can have a deflection of about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% greater than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 1035. In many embodiments, there is both a greater pull-in distance by the strike face 1012 due to the hinge and bending of the cavity 1030 over a standard strike face that does not have a back of the club with a cavity.

In many embodiments, the deflection of the face is greater in the club head 1000 with the cavity 1030 because impact with a golf ball causes greater buckling along the top rail hinge point 1070. However, the cavity 1030 provides greater distribution of stress along the top rail hinge point 1070 area of the top rail, and springback forces are transferred from the cavity 1030 and the top rail 1015 to the strike face 1012. A standard top rail without a cavity does not have this hinge/buckling effect and does not absorb high levels of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail. Thus, the standard strike face does not contract and subsequently recoil as much as the strike face 1012. Furthermore, both the larger area of the strike face 1012 and the top rail 1015 absorb more stress than the same crown area of a standard golf club head with a standard top rail and no cavity. In many embodiments, there is more stress along a larger area above the cavity 1030 than the same area in a standard club without a cavity, but the durability of the club head with and without the cavity is the same. By adding more spring to the back end of the club (due to the inward slope of the top wall 1017 toward the strike face 1012), more force is displaced throughout the volume of the structure. Stresses are observed over a larger area of the strike face 1012 and the top rail 1015 of the golf club head 1000. Peak stresses can be seen in the standard top rail club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in the golf club head 1000, but distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending regions of the golf club head 1000 (i.e., the cavity 1030 and the area above the cavity 1030 itself) will not deform unless the stress meets a critical buckling threshold. The cavity 1030 and its placement can be designed to be below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

Looking forward to the drawings, FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club head 2200, and FIG. 9 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 2200 in the embodiment of FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the golf club head 2200 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1). The golf club head 2200 can be a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 2200 can be an iron type golf club head or a fairway wood type golf club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 2200 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

The golf club head 2200 includes a body 2201. In some embodiments, the body 2201 can be similar to the body 1001 (FIG. 1). In many embodiments, the body is hollow. In some embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. The body 2201 includes a strike face 2212, a heel region 2202, a toe region 2204 opposite the heel region 2202, a sole 2206, and a rear portion 2210. The rear portion 2210 includes an upper region 2211 and a lower region 2213. The upper region 2211 includes a top rail 2215. The top rail 2215 can be similar to the top rail 1015 of the golf club head 1000. In some embodiments, the top rail 2215 can be a flatter, taller top rail than that of an iron known to those skilled in the art. A flatter, taller top rail can compensate for mis-hits on the strike face 2212 and increase playability off the tee.

8-12 further comprises a blade length. The blade length for the body 2201 may be measured similarly to the blade length 3725 as shown and described in FIG. 29 (i.e., measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face 3712 from the toe end 3726 of the strike face 3712 to the strike face end 3727 before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel). The blade length of the body 2201 may range from 2.80 inches (7.11 cm) to 3.00 inches (7.62 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 2201 is 2.80 inches (7.11 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.84 inches (7.21 cm), 2.86 inches (7.26 cm), 2.88 inches (7.32 cm), 2.90 inches (7.37 cm), 2.93 inches (7.44 cm), 2.94 inches (7.47 cm), 2.96 inches (7.52 cm), 2.98 inches (7.57 cm), or 3.00 inches (7.62 cm).

The body 2201 further comprises a uniformly thinned region that transitions from the bottom of the strike face 2212 to the sole 2206 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region includes a sole thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 2225 to the inner surface at the uniformly thinned region, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 2212 to adjacent the cascade sole portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

In some embodiments, the body 2201 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 2201 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some implementations, the strike face 2212 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 2212 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 2201 can include the same material as the strike face 2212. In some embodiments, the body 2201 can include a different material than the strike face 2212.

In many embodiments, the cavity 2230 is located under the top rail 2215. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 2215 measured from the heel region 2202 to the toe region 2204 can be about 70% to about 95% of the length of the golf club head 2200. In many embodiments, the cavity 2230 includes a top rail box spring design. In many embodiments, the top rail 2215 and the cavity 2230 provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face 2212. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 2212 can allow for an increase in energy of about 2% to about 5%. The cavity 2230 allows the strike face 2212 to be thinner, allowing for additional overall bending. In some fairway wood type golf club head embodiments, the cavity 2230 can be a reverse scoop or recess in the rear portion 2210, and the body 2201 includes a sole 2206 of greater thickness or width.

10 illustrates a cross-section of the golf club head 2200 along section line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 8 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 10, the strike face 2212 includes a high region 2476, a middle region 2474, and a low region 2472. In many embodiments, the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 includes a rear wall 2423, a top wall 2417 of the cavity 2230 adjacent below the rear wall 2423, and a back wall 2219 of the cavity 2230 adjacent below the top wall 2417. In some embodiments, the top wall length 2491 of the top wall 2417 can be from about 0.090 inches (0.229 cm) to about 0.130 inches (0.330 cm). In some embodiments, the top wall length 2491 of the top wall 2417 can be approximately 0.090 inches (0.229 cm), 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.110 inches (0.279 cm), 0.120 inches (0.305 cm), or 0.130 inches (0.330 cm).

In some embodiments, the height 2480 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 can be about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), or about 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to about 0.400 inches (1.02 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 2480 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 can be about 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.275 inches (0.699 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.475 inches (1.21 cm), 0.575 inches (1.46 cm), or 0.675 inches (1.71 cm). In some embodiments, the height 2480 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 can be about 0.180 inches (0.4572 cm) to about 0.200 inches (0.508 cm). In some embodiments, the height 2480 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 can be about 0.190 inches (0.4826 cm). In some embodiments, the height 2480 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 can be about 5% to about 25% of the height of the golf club head 2200.

As described herein, the height 2480 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210 allows the cavity 2230 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on the strike face 2212 during impact with a golf ball. A golf club head having a rear wall height greater than the rear wall height 2480 described herein would absorb less stress on impact (and allow less strike face deflection) than the golf club head 2200 described herein due to increased distribution of the impact force along the top rail before it reaches the cavity.

In some embodiments, the cavity 2230 is located above the lower region 2213 of the rear portion 2210 and is at least partially defined by the upper region 2211 and the lower region 2213 of the rear portion 2210. The cavity 2230 comprises a top wall 2417, a back wall 2219, and a bottom sloped portion 2421. A first bending point 2482 is located between the top wall 2417 of the cavity 2230 and the rear wall 2219 of the cavity. A second bending point 2486 is located between the rear wall 2219 of the cavity 2230 and the bottom sloped portion 2421.

In some embodiments, the height 2488 of the back wall 2219 measured from the first bend point 2482 to the second bend point 2486 can be from about 0.100 inches (0.254 cm) to about 0.600 inches (1.524 cm). For example, the height 2488 of the back wall 2219 can be about 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), 0.250 inches (0.635 cm), 0.300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.350 inches (0.889 cm), 0.400 inches (1.016 cm), 0.450 inches (1.143 cm), 0.500 inches (1.27 cm), 0.550 inches (1.397 cm), or 0.600 inches (1.524 cm). In many embodiments, the height 2488 of the back wall 2219 can be about 0.420 inches (1.067 cm) to about 0.520 inches (1.321 cm). In some embodiments, the height 2488 of the back wall 2219 can be approximately 0.420 inches (1.067 cm), 0.430 inches (01.092 cm), 0.440 inches (1.118 cm), 0.450 inches (1.143 cm), 0.460 inches (1.168 cm), 0.470 inches (1.194 cm), 0.480 inches (1.219 cm), 0.490 inches (1.245 cm), 0.500 inches (1.27 cm), 0.510 inches (1.295 cm), or 0.520 inches (1.321 cm).

In many embodiments, the apex of the top wall 2417 can be about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), or about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex of the top rail 2215. For example, the apex of the top wall 2417 can be about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), or 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex of the top rail 2215.

In many embodiments, the back wall 2219 of the cavity 2230 can be substantially parallel to the strike face 2212. In other embodiments, the back wall 2219 is not substantially parallel to the strike face 2212. In some embodiments, the back wall 2219 of the cavity 2230 is substantially parallel to the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210. In many embodiments, the back wall 2219 of the cavity 2230 is angled away from the strike face 2212 as it moves from the first bending point 2482 to the second bending point 2486. This orientation of the back wall 2219 creates a buckling or hinge point or plastic hinge that directs the impact stresses toward the cavity 2230 and allows for increased deflection of the strike face 2212 during impact.

The lower region 2213 of the rear portion 2210 includes a bottom sloped portion 2421 of the cavity 2230 and a lower outer wall 2427. In some implementations, the bottom sloped portion 2421 of the cavity 2230 can have a bottom sloped portion length 2484 measured from a second inflection point 2486 to a third inflection point 2492 disposed between the bottom sloped portion 2421 and the lower outer wall 2427. In some embodiments, the bottom sloped portion length 2484 can be from about 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to about 0.210 inches (0.533 cm). In many embodiments, the bottom ramp length 2484 can be approximately 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.160 inches (0.406 cm), 0.170 inches (0.432 cm), 0.180 inches (0.457 cm), 0.190 inches (0.483 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), or 0.210 inches (0.533 cm).

In some implementations, the lower angle 2451 can be measured between the bottom sloped portion 2421 and the lower outer wall 2427. In some embodiments, the lower angle 2451 can be less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 2451 can be from about 30 degrees to less than 180 degrees. In various embodiments, the lower angle 2451 can be from about 70 degrees to about 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 2451 can be about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, or 130 degrees.

In some embodiments, the bend angle 2496 measured from the back wall 2219 to the bottom slope 2421 can be about 70 degrees to about 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the bend angle 2496 can be about 90 degrees to about 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the bend angle 2496 is about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, or 150 degrees.

In many embodiments, the second flex point 2486 adjacent the bottom sloped portion 2421 can be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), or about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) below the apex of the top rail 2215. For example, the second flex point 2486 can be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 1.0 inches (2.53 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), or 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) below the apex of the top rail 2215. In some embodiments, the maximum height of the bottom slope portion measured from the sole 2206 of the club head 2200 to the second inflection point 2486 may be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 3 inches (7.62 cm), or about 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) to about 2 inches (5.08 cm) above the lowest point of the sole 2206. For example, the second inflection point 2486 may be at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (1.27 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.5 inches (3. 81 cm), 1.625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm), 3.0 inches (7.62 cm).

The cavity 2230 further comprises at least one channel 2239 (FIG. 8). In many embodiments, the channel 2239 extends from the heel region 2202 to the toe region 2204. A channel width 2432 (FIG. 10), measured from the back wall 2219 (FIG. 10) to the rear wall 2423 (FIG. 10) and substantially perpendicular to the ground plane when the golf club head 2200 is at address, may be substantially constant throughout the channel 2239. In some embodiments, the channel width 2432 (FIG. 10) may be from about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 1 inch (25 mm), or from about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 0.31 inches (8 mm). For example, the channel width 2432 can be about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm), 0.016 inches (0.4 mm), 0.024 inches (0.6 mm), 0.031 inches (0.8 mm), 0.039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.59 inches (15 mm), 0.79 inches (20 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe region width of the channel 2239 is less than the channel heel region width of the channel. In other embodiments, the channel heel region width is less than the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel center region width of the channel 2239 can be less than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel middle region width can be greater than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, the channel 2239 is symmetrical from the heel region 2202 to the toe region 2204. In other embodiments, the channel 2239 is asymmetrical. In other embodiments, the channel 2239 can further include at least two partial channels. In some embodiments, the channel 2239 can comprise a series of partial channels interrupted by one or more bridges. In some embodiments, the one or more bridges can be approximately the same thickness as the thickness of the top region 2211 of the rear portion 2210.

The channel width 2432 allows for absorption of stress from the strike face 2212 upon impact as described herein. Golf club heads having channel widths less than those described herein (e.g., golf club heads having less pronounced cavities) may absorb less stress from the strike face upon impact (due to less material on the upper region 2211 of the rear portion 2210) and therefore may experience less deflection of the strike face than the golf club head 2200 described herein.

In many embodiments, the cavity 2230 further includes a back cavity angle 2435. The back cavity angle is measured between the top wall 2417 and the back wall 2219 of the cavity 2230. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 2435 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 2435 can be about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 2435 is about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or 110 degrees. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 2435 provides a buckling point or plastic hinge or target hinge at the top rail hinge point 2470 on the golf club head 2200 that impacts the golf ball with the strike face 2212. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the top rail hinge point 2470 is less than the wall thickness at the top wall 2417 of the cavity 2230.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of the top rail 2215 and rear section 2210 of the golf club head 2200 of FIG. 8 in a cross section different from the cross section of the golf club head 1200 as shown in FIG. 4. In many embodiments, the golf club head 2200 includes a rear angle 2540, a top rail angle 2545, and a strike face angle 2550. The rear angle 2540 is measured from the top wall 2417 to the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211. In many embodiments, the rear angle 2540 can be from about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 2540 is about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, or 110 degrees. The top rail angle 2545 is measured from the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 to the top rail 2215. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 2545 can be about 35 degrees to about 120 degrees or 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 2545 can be about 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, or 120 degrees. The strike face angle 2550 is measured from the strike face 2212 to the top rail 2215. In many embodiments, the strike face angle 2550 can be about 70 degrees to about 160 degrees, or 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 2550 is approximately 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, or 160 degrees.

In some embodiments, the minimum gap 2590 measured perpendicular to the strike face 2212 to the back wall 2219 is about 0.079 inches (2 mm) to about 0.39 inches (10 mm). For example, the minimum gap 2590 between the strike face 2212 and the back wall 2219 can be about 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), or 0.39 inches (10 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 2590 between the strike face 2212 and the back wall 2219 is less than about 0.55 inches (14 mm), less than about 0.47 inches (12 mm), less than about 0.39 inches (10 mm), less than about 0.31 inches (8 mm), less than about 0.24 inches (6 mm), or less than about 0.16 inches (4 mm). Additionally, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the strike face 2212 and the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211 of the golf club head 2200 is greater than the minimum gap 2590. Additionally, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the strike face 2212 and the bottom slope 2421 (FIG. 10) of the lower region 2213 (FIG. 10) of the golf club head 2200 is greater than the minimum gap 2590 and the maximum gap in the upper region 2211.

12 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a golf club head 2200 similar to the detailed cross-section of the golf club head 2200 shown in FIG. 10. The golf club head 2200 includes a cavity 2230, an outer surface 2225, an upper region 2211, and a lower region 2213. The upper region 2211 has a rear wall 2423, the cavity 2230 has a cavity outer wall 2225, a top wall 2417, and a back wall 221, and the lower region 2213 has a bottom slope 2421 and a lower outer wall 2427. In many embodiments, the maximum top distance 2692, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 2225 of the strike face 2212 to the outer surface 2225 of the rear wall 2423 of the upper region 2211, may be about 0.20 to 0.59 inches (5 to 15 mm). For example, the maximum top distance 2692 can be approximately 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (8.89 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), 0.47 inches (12 mm), 0.51 inches (13 mm), 0.55 inches (14 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). In some embodiments, the maximum top distance 2692 can be approximately 0.355 inches (9.02 mm).

Additionally, the minimum top distance 2694, measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 2225 of the strike face 2212 to the outer surface 2225 of the back wall 2219, can be about 0.16 to 0.47 inches (4 to 12 mm). For example, the minimum top distance 2694 can be about 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), or 0.47 inches (12 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum top distance 2694 can be about 0.284 inches (7.21 mm).

Additionally, the maximum lower distance 2696, measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 2225 of the strike face 2212 to the outer surface 2225 of the lower outer wall 2427, can be about 0.98 to 1.57 inches (25-40 mm). For example, the maximum lower distance 2696 can be about 0.98 inches (25 mm), 1.02 inches (26 mm), 1.06 inches (27 mm), 1.10 inches (28 mm), 1.14 inches (29 mm), 1.18 inches (30 mm), 1.22 inches (31 mm), 1.26 inches (32 mm), 1.30 inches (33 mm), 1.34 inches (34 mm), 1.38 inches (35 mm), 1.42 inches (36 mm), 1.46 inches (37 mm), 1.50 inches (38 mm), 1.54 inches (39 mm), 1.57 inches, or (40 mm). In some embodiments, the maximum bottom distance 2696 can be approximately 1.043 inches (26.5 mm). In many embodiments, the maximum bottom distance 2696 is greater than the maximum top distance 2692, which is greater than the minimum top distance 2694.

In many embodiments, the cavity 2230 can provide increased golf ball velocity over the golf club head 1200 (FIG. 11) or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head, and can increase the launch angle over both standard hybrid club heads and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 2230 determines the spring level and timing of response of the golf club head 2200. When a golf ball impacts the strike face 2212 of a club head 2200 with a cavity 2230, the strike face 2212 springs back like a drum and the rear section 2210 bends in a controlled buckling manner. In many embodiments, the top rail 2215 can absorb more stress over a larger volumetric space than a top rail of a golf club head without a cavity 2230. The length, depth, and width of the cavity 2230 can vary. These parameters provide control over how much springback is present in the overall design of the club head 2200.

Upon impact with a golf ball, the strike face 2212 can bend inward a greater distance than a golf club head without the cavity 2230. In some embodiments, the strike face 2212 has about 10% to about 50% more deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 2230. In some embodiments, the strike face 2212 has about 5% to about 40%, or about 10% to about 20% more deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 2230. For example, the strike face 2212 can have about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% more deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 2230. In many embodiments, there is both a greater pull-in distance by the strike face 2212 due to the hinge and bending of the cavity 2230 over a standard strike face that does not have a cavity as well as the back of the club.

In many embodiments, the deflection of the face is greater in the club head 2200 with the cavity 2230 because impact with a golf ball causes greater buckling along the top rail hinge point 2470. However, the cavity 2230 provides greater distribution of stress along the top rail hinge point 2470 area of the top rail, and springback forces are transferred from the cavity 2230 and the top rail 2215 to the strike face 2212. A standard top rail without a cavity does not have this hinge/buckling effect and does not absorb high levels of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail. Thus, the standard strike face does not contract and subsequently recoil as much as the strike face 2212. Furthermore, both the larger area of the strike face 2212 and the top rail 2215 absorb greater stress than the same crown area of a standard golf club head with a standard top rail and no cavity. In many embodiments, there is more stress along a larger area above the cavity 2230 than the same area in a standard club without a cavity, but the durability of the club head with and without the cavity is the same. By adding more spring to the back end of the club (due to the inward slope of the top wall 2417 toward the strike face 2212), more force is displaced throughout the volume of the structure. Stresses are observed over a larger area of the strike face 2212 and the top rail 2215 of the golf club head 2200. Peak stresses can be seen in the standard top rail club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in the golf club head 2200, but distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending regions of the golf club head 2200 (i.e., the areas above the cavity 2230 and the cavity 2230 itself) will not deform unless the stress meets a critical buckling threshold. The cavity 2230 and its placement can be designed to be below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

5, FIG. 5 shows a golf club 1500 including a golf club head 1500 and a shaft 1590 coupled to the golf club head 1500. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1500 of the golf club 15000 includes a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 1500 can be an iron type golf club head or a fairway wood type golf club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1500 can be similar to the golf club head 100 or the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1). The golf club head 1500 can be a hollow body and includes a strike face 1512, a heel region 1502, a toe region 1504 opposite the heel region 1502, a sole 1506, and a crown 1508. The crown 1508 includes an upper region 1511 and a lower region 1513. The upper region 1511 includes a top rail 1515. The golf club head 1500 further includes a cavity 1530 located below the top rail 1515 and above the lower region 1513 of the crown 1508.

6 illustrates a cross-section of the golf club head 1500 along section line XVI-XVI of FIG. 5 in one embodiment. In some embodiments, the cavity 1530 can be at least partially defined by an upper region 1511 and a lower region 1513. In many embodiments, the cavity 1530 includes a top wall 1517, a back wall 1519, a bottom sloped portion 1521, a back cavity angle 1535 measured between the top wall 1517 and the back wall 1519, and at least one channel 1539. In some embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1517 is about 0.25 inches to about 1.25 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In some embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1517 is about 0.375 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In some embodiments, the bottom sloped portion 1521 can be at least about 0.50 inches to about 2 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1535 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 1535 can be about 90 degrees.

In many embodiments, the upper region 1511 includes the top and back walls of the cavity, and the lower region of the crown includes the bottom slope of the cavity. In some implementations, the upper region 1511 further includes a rear wall 1523 adjacent the top wall 1517 of the cavity 1530, and a rear angle 1540 measured between the top wall 1517 of the cavity 1530 and the rear wall 1523 of the upper region 1511. In many embodiments, the rear angle 1540 is from about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

In another embodiment, the golf club head can include a hosel. The hosel can include a hosel notch. The hosel notch can allow for an iron-like range of loft and lie angle adjustments.

As shown in FIG. 12, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 2200 may be a uniformly thinned region 2660 located in the sole 2206 and extending between the rear portion 2210 of the body 2201 and the strike face 2212 toward the cascading sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). The uniformly thinned region 2660 may provide multiple benefits. First, the uniformly thinned region 2660 may reduce stress on the strike face 2212 that occurs during impact with a golf ball. Second, the uniformly thinned region 2660 may be curved to allow the strike face 2212 to experience greater flexure. Third, the uniformly thinned region 2660 may remove weight from the sole region, allowing weight to be more redistributed toward the rear portion of the golf club head 2200. Upon impact, the energy imparted to the strike face 2212 by the golf ball causes the uniformly thinned region 2660 to bend outward, which in turn increases the deflection of the strike face 2212. After bending, the uniformly thinned region 2660 returns to its original position, transferring most of the energy from the impact back to the golf ball. As a result, the golf club head 2200 imparts increased ball velocity and greater flight distance to the golf ball after impact.

Looking forward to the drawings, FIG. 13 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club head 2700, and FIG. 14 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 2700 according to the embodiment of FIG. 13. In some embodiments, the golf club head 2700 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1) and/or the golf club head 2200 (FIG. 8). The golf club head 2700 can be a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 2700 can be an iron type golf club head or a fairway wood type golf club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 2700 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

The golf club head 2700 includes a body 2701. In some embodiments, the body 2701 can be similar to the body 1001 (FIG. 1) and/or the body 2201 (FIG. 8). In many embodiments, the body is hollow. In some embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. The body 2701 includes an outer surface 2703, a strike face 2712, a heel region 2702, a toe region 2704 opposite the heel region 2702, a sole 2706, and a rear portion 2710.

13-17 further comprises a blade length. The blade length of the body 2701 may be measured similarly to the blade length 3725 as shown and described in FIG. 43 (i.e., measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face 3712 from the toe end 3726 of the strike face 3712 to the strike face end 3727 before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel). The blade length of the body 2701 may range from 2.80 inches (7.11 cm) to 3.00 inches (7.62 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 2701 is 2.80 inches (7.11 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.84 inches (7.21 cm), 2.86 inches (7.26 cm), 2.88 inches (7.32 cm), 2.90 inches (7.37 cm), 2.93 inches (7.44 cm), 2.94 inches (7.47 cm), 2.96 inches (7.52 cm), 2.98 inches (7.57 cm), or 3.00 inches (7.62 cm).

The body 2701 further comprises a uniformly thinned region that transitions from the bottom of the strike face 2712 to the sole 2706 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region includes a sole thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 2703 to the inner surface at the uniformly thinned region, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 2712 to adjacent the cascade sole portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

15 shows a cross-section of the golf club head 2700 along section line XXIX-XXIX of FIG. 13 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 15, the strike face 2712 includes a high region 2976, a middle region 2974, and a low region 2972. The rear portion 2710 includes an upper region 2711 and a lower region 2713 (FIG. 15). The upper region 2711 includes a top rail 2715, a rear wall 2923, and a top wall 2719. The top rail 2715 can be similar to the top rail 1015 of the golf club head 1000. In many embodiments, the rear wall 2923 of the rear portion 2710 is located below and adjacent to the top rail 2715, and the top wall 2719 of the rear portion 2710 is located below and adjacent to the rear wall 2923. The lower region 2713 includes a back wall 2921 and a lower outer wall 2927, the back wall 2921 being adjacent and below the top wall 2719, and the lower outer wall 2927 being adjacent and below the back wall 2921. A cavity 2730 is located on the outer surface 2703 above the lower region 2713 of the rear portion 2710, below the torrail 2715 and the rear wall 2923, and is at least partially defined by the upper region 2711 and the lower region 2713.

In some embodiments, the top rail 2715 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 can be a flatter and taller top rail or skirt than that of irons known to those skilled in the art. A flatter and taller top rail can compensate for mishits on the strike face 2712 to increase playability off the tee. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 2715 measured from the heel region 2702 to the toe region 2704 can be 70% to 95% of the length of the golf club head 2700. In many embodiments, the cavity 2730 includes a top rail box spring design. In many embodiments, the top rail 2715 and cavity 2730 provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face 2712. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 2712 can allow for a 2% to 5% increase in energy. The cavity 2730 allows the strike face 2712 to be thinner and allow for additional overall bending. In some fairway wood type golf club head embodiments, the cavity 2730 can be a reverse scoop or recess in the rear portion 2710, and the body 2701 includes a greater thickness or width toward the sole 2706.

In some embodiments, the height 2980 of the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 can range from 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), or from 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.400 inches (1.02 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 2980 of the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 can be 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.275 inches (0.699 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.475 inches (1.21 cm), 0.575 inches (1.46 cm), or 0.675 inches (1.71 cm). In some embodiments, the height 2980 of the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 can range from 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.200 inches (0.508 cm). In some implementations, the height 2980 of the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 can be 0.170 inches (0.432 cm). In some implementations, the height 2980 of the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 can be 5% to 25% of the height of the golf club head 2700.

As described herein, the height 2980 of the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710 allows the cavity 2730 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on the strike face 2712 during impact with a golf ball. A golf club head having a rear wall height greater than the rear wall height 2980 described herein would absorb less stress on impact (and allow less strike face deflection) than the golf club head 2700 described herein due to increased distribution of impact stress along the top rail before it reaches the cavity.

In some embodiments, the cavity 2730 is located above the lower region 2713 of the rear portion 2710 and is at least partially defined by the upper region 2711 and the lower region 2713 of the rear portion 2710. The cavity 2730 includes a top wall 2719 and a back wall 2921. A first reference point 2922 is located between the top rail 2715 and the rear wall 2923. A second reference point 2982 is located between the rear wall 2923 and the top wall 2719. A first bending point 2986 is located between the top wall 2719 and the back wall 2921 of the cavity 2730. A third reference point 2924 is a point located on the top wall 2719 closest to the strike face 2712. The first reference point 2922 and the second reference point 2982 generate a first reference line 2929. The second reference point 2982 and the third reference point 2924 generate a second reference line 2925. The third reference point 2924 and the first inflection point 2986 generate a third reference line 2926.

The golf club head 2700 further includes a height 2988 of the top wall 2719, measured parallel to the strike face 2712 and from the second reference point 2982 to the first inflection point 2986. In many embodiments, the height 2988 can range from 0.100 inches (0.254 cm) to 0.600 inches (1.524 cm). For example, the height 2988 can be 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), 0.250 inches (0.635 cm), 0.300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.350 inches (0.889 cm), 0.400 inches (1.016 cm), 0.450 inches (1.143 cm), 0.500 inches (1.27 cm), 0.550 inches (1.397 cm), or 0.600 inches (1.524 cm). In many embodiments, the height 2988 can range from 0.500 inches (1.27 cm) to 0.600 inches (1.524 cm). In some embodiments, the height 2488 of the top wall 2719 can be 0.500 inches (1.27 cm), 0.510 inches (1.295 cm), 0.520 inches (1.321 cm), 0.530 inches (1.346 cm), 0.540 inches (1.372 cm), 0.550 inches (1.397 cm), 0.560 inches (1.422 cm), 0.570 inches (1.448 cm), 0.580 inches (1.473 cm), 0.590 inches (1.499 cm), or 0.600 inches (1.524 cm).

In many embodiments, the second reference point 2982 can be 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) or 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) relative to the apex 2928 of the top rail 2715. For example, the second reference point 2982 can be 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), or 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) below the apex 2928 of the top rail 2715.

In many embodiments, the top wall 2719 of the cavity 2730 can be substantially parallel to the strike face 2712. In other embodiments, the top wall 2719 is not substantially parallel to the strike face 2712. In some implementations, the top wall 2719 of the cavity 2730 is substantially parallel to the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710. In some embodiments, a portion of the top wall 2719 extends from the rear wall 2923 toward the strike face 2712 from the second reference point 2982 to the third reference point 2924. In some implementations, the portion of the top wall 2719 that extends away from the rear wall 2923 toward the strike face 2712 from the second reference point 2982 toward the third reference point 2924 can be straight, curved upward, or curved downward. In many embodiments, a portion of the top wall 2719 of the cavity 2730 is angled away from the strike face 2712 from the third reference point 2924 to the first bend point 2986. In some implementations, the portion of the top wall 2719 angled away from the strike face 2712 from the third reference point 2924 to the first bend point 2986 may be straight, curved upward, or curved downward. This orientation of the top wall 2719 creates a buckling point, hinge point, or plastic hinge, directing the stresses of the impact into the cavity 2730 and allowing increased deflection of the strike face 2712 during impact.

The lower region 2713 of the rear portion 2710 includes a back wall 2921 of a cavity 2730 and a lower outer wall 2927. In some implementations, the back wall 2921 of the cavity 2730 can have a back wall length 2990 measured from a first inflection point 2986 to a second inflection point 2992 located between the back wall 2921 and the lower outer wall 2927. In some embodiments, the back wall length 2990 can range from 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.400 inches (1.02 cm). In many embodiments, the back wall length 2990 is 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.160 inches (0.432 cm), 0.170 inches (0.432 cm), 0.180 inches (0.457 cm), 0.190 inches (0.583 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), 0.210 inches (0.533 cm), 0.220 inches (0.559 cm), 0.230 inches (0.584 cm), 0.240 inches (0.61 cm), 0.250 inches (0.635 cm), 0.260 inches (0.660 cm), 0.270 inches (0. 686 cm), 0.280 inches (0.711 cm), 0.290 inches (0.762 cm), 0.300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.310 inches (0.787 cm), 0.320 inches (0.813 cm), 0.330 inches (0.838 cm), 0.340 inches (0.864 cm), 0.350 inches (0.889 cm), 0.360 inches (0.914 cm), 0.370 inches (0.94 cm), 0.380 inches (0.965 cm), 0.390 inches (0.991 cm), or 0.400 inches (1.02 cm).

In some implementations, the lower angle 2951 can be measured between the back wall 2921 and the lower outer wall 2927. In some embodiments, the lower angle 2951 can be less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 2951 can range from 30 degrees to 180 degrees. In various embodiments, the lower angle 2951 can range from 70 degrees to 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 2951 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, or 130 degrees.

In some embodiments, the flex angle 2996 measured from the third reference line 2926 to the back wall 2921 may range from 70 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the flex angle 2996 may range from 90 degrees to 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the flex angle 2996 may be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees. In many embodiments, the flex angle 2996 allows the first flex point 2986 to act as a buckling point or plastic hinge when the golf club head 2700 impacts a golf ball with the strike face 2712. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the first inflection point 2986 can be less than the wall thickness at the top wall 2719 and the back wall 2921.

In many embodiments, the first inflection point 2986 adjacent the back wall 2921 can range from 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), or 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) below the apex 2928 of the top rail 2715. For example, the first inflection point 2986 can be 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 1.0 inches (2.53 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), or 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) below the apex 2928 of the top rail 2715. In some embodiments, the maximum height of the back wall 2921 from the lowest point of the sole 2706 to the first flex point 2986, measured perpendicular to the ground plane 2903 when the golf club head 2700 is at address, may range from 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm), or from 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) to 2 inches (5.08 cm). For example, the first inflection point 2986 may be located 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (1.27 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.4 9 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm), or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm).

In some embodiments, the back wall angle 2905, measured from the back wall 2921 to the ground plane 2903, can range from 15 degrees to 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the back wall angle 2905 can be 15 degrees, 16 degrees, 17 degrees, 18 degrees, 19 degrees, 20 degrees, 21 degrees, 22 degrees, 23 degrees, 24 degrees, 25 degrees, 26 degrees, 27 degrees, 28 degrees, 29 degrees, 30 degrees, 31 degrees, 32 degrees, 33 degrees, 34 degrees, 35 degrees, 36 degrees, 37 degrees, 38 degrees, 39 degrees, 40 degrees, 41 degrees, 42 degrees, 43 degrees, 44 degrees, or 45 degrees.

In some embodiments, the cavity 2730 can further include at least one channel 2739 (FIG. 13). In many embodiments, the channel 2739 extends from the heel region 2702 (FIG. 13) to the toe region 2704 (FIG. 13). The channel 2739 includes a channel width measured substantially parallel to the ground contact surface 2903 from the second reference point 2982 to the top wall 2719, and the channel width can vary in a direction from the top rail 2715 to the sole 2706. In some embodiments, the maximum channel width 2932 measured substantially parallel to the ground contact surface 2903 from the first inflection point 2986 to the second reference point 2982 can be substantially constant throughout the channel 2739 from the heel region 2702 to the toe region 2704. In some embodiments, the maximum channel width 2932 (FIG. 15) can range from 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to 1 inch (25 mm), or from 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to 0.31 inches (8 mm). For example, the maximum channel width 2932 can be 0.008 inches (0.2 mm), 0.016 inches (0.4 mm), 0.024 inches (0.6 mm), 0.031 inches (0.8 mm), 0.039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.59 inches (15 mm), 0.79 inches (20 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe region width of the channel 2739 is less than the channel heel region width of the channel 2739. In other embodiments, the channel heel region width is less than the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel mid region width of the channel 2739 may be less than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel mid region width can be greater than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, the channel 2739 is symmetrical from heel to toe. In other embodiments, the channel 2739 is asymmetrical. In other embodiments, the channel 2739 can further include at least two partial channels. In some embodiments, the channel 2739 can comprise a series of partial channels interrupted by one or more bridges. In some embodiments, the one or more bridges can be approximately the same thickness as the thickness of the top rail 2715.

As described herein, the maximum channel width 2932 allows for absorption of stress from the strike face 2712 upon impact. Golf club heads having a channel width less than the maximum channel width described herein (e.g., golf club heads having less pronounced cavities) may absorb less stress from the strike face upon impact (due to less material on the upper region 2711 of the rear portion 2710) and therefore may experience less deflection of the strike face than the golf club head 2700 described herein.

In many embodiments, the cavity 2730 further includes a back cavity angle 2935. The back cavity angle 2935 is measured from the first reference line 2929 to the second reference line 2925. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 2935 can range from 15 degrees to 80 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 2935 is 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, or 80 degrees.

FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of the top rail 2715 and rear section 2710 of the golf club head 2700 of FIG. 13 in a cross section that differs from the cross section of the golf club head 1200 as shown in FIG. 4. In many embodiments, the golf club head 2700 includes a rear angle 3040, a top rail angle 3045, and a strike face angle 3050. The rear angle 3040 is measured from the second reference line 2925 to the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711. In many embodiments, the rear angle 3040 can range from 70 degrees to 140 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 3040 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, or 140 degrees. The top rail angle 3045 is measured from the rear wall 2923 of the upper region 2711 to the top rail 2715. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 3045 can range from 35 degrees to 120 degrees, or 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 3045 can be 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, or 120 degrees. The strike face angle 3050 is measured from the strike face 2712 to the top rail 2715. In many embodiments, the strike face angle 3050 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees, or 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 3050 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees.

The upper region 2711 further includes a minimum gap 3090 measured perpendicular to the strike face 2712 from a third reference point 2924 on the interior 2919 of the top wall 2719 to the interior 2919 of the strike face 2712. In some implementations, the minimum gap 3090 can be in the range of 0.079 inches (2 mm) to 0.39 inches (10 mm). For example, the minimum gap 3090 can be 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), or 0.39 inches (10 mm). In other embodiments, the minimum gap 3090 can be in the range of 0.16 inches (4 mm) to 0.55 inches (14 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 3090 can be 0.55 inches (14 mm), 0.47 inches (12 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), or 0.16 inches (4 mm).

17 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a golf club head 2700 similar to the detailed cross-section of the golf club head 2700 shown in FIG. 15. The golf club head 2700 includes a cavity 2730, an upper region 2711, a lower region 2713, and an outer surface 2703. In many embodiments, a maximum upper distance 3192 measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 2703 of the strike face 2712 to the outer surface 2703 of the second reference point 2982 of the upper region 2711 can range from 0.20 inches to 0.59 inches (5 mm to 15 mm). For example, the maximum top distance 3192 can be 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (8.89 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), 0.47 inches (12 mm), 0.51 inches (13 mm), 0.55 inches (14 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). In some embodiments, the maximum top distance 3192 can be 0.358 inches (9.09 mm). Additionally, the minimum top distance 3194, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 2703 of the strike face 2712 to the outer surface 2703 of the third bending point 2924, can be in the range of 0.09 inches to 0.47 inches (2.28 mm to 12 mm). For example, the minimum top distance 3194 can be 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), or 0.47 inches (12 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum top distance 3194 can be 0.309 inches (7.85 mm). Additionally, the maximum bottom distance 3196, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 2703 of the strike face 2712 to the outer surface 2703 of a fourth reference point 2920 located between the lower outer wall 2927 and the sole 2706, can be in the range of 0.98 inches to 1.57 inches (25 mm to 40 mm). For example, the maximum bottom distance 3196 can be 0.98 inches (25 mm), 1.02 inches (26 mm), 1.06 inches (27 mm), 1.10 inches (28 mm), 1.14 inches (29 mm), 1.18 inches (30 mm), 1.22 inches (31 mm), 1.26 inches (32 mm), 1.30 inches (33 mm), 1.34 inches (34 mm), 1.38 inches (35 mm), 1.42 inches (36 mm), 1.46 inches (37 mm), 1.50 inches (38 mm), 1.54 inches (39 mm), 1.57 inches, or (40 mm). In some embodiments, the maximum bottom distance 3196 can be 1.302 inches (33.1 mm). In many embodiments, the maximum bottom distance 3196 is greater than the maximum top distance 3192, which is greater than the minimum top distance 3194.

In many embodiments, the cavity 2730 can provide increased golf ball velocity over the golf club head 1200 (FIG. 16) or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head, and can increase launch angle over both standard hybrid and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 2730 determines the spring level and timing of the response of the golf club head 2700. When a golf ball impacts the strike face 2712 of a club head 2700 with a cavity 2730, the strike face 2712 springs back like a drum and the rear section 2710 bends in a controlled buckling manner. In many embodiments, the top rail 2715 can absorb more stress over a larger volumetric space than a top rail of a golf club head without a cavity 2730. The length, depth, and width of the cavity 2730 can vary. These parameters provide control over how much springback is present in the overall design of the club head 2700.

Upon impact with a golf ball, the strike face 2712 can bend inward a greater distance than on a golf club head without the cavity 2730. In some embodiments, the strike face 2712 has a 10% to 50% greater deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 2730. In some embodiments, the strike face 2712 has a 5% to 40% or 10% to 20% greater deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 2730. For example, the strike face 2712 can have a 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% or 40% greater deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 2730. In many embodiments, there is both a greater pull-in distance by the strike face 2712 due to the hinge and bending of the cavity 2730 over a standard strike face that does not have a back of the club with a cavity.

In many embodiments, the deflection of the face is greater in the club head 2700 with the cavity 2730 because greater buckling occurs at the first inflection angle 2986 of the top wall 2719 upon impact with a golf ball. However, the cavity 2730 provides greater distribution of stress along the top rail 2715, rear wall 2923, and top wall 2719, and the springback force is transferred from the first inflection point 2986 of the cavity 2730 and top wall 2719 to the strike face 2712. A standard top rail, rear wall, and top wall without a cavity does not have this hinge/buckling effect and does not absorb high levels of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail, rear wall, and top wall. Thus, the standard strike face does not contract and subsequently recoil as much as the strike face 2712. Additionally, the larger area of the strike face 2712, both the top rail 2715, rear wall 2923, and top wall 2719 absorb more stress than the same crown area of a standard golf club head without a standard top rail, top wall, and cavity. In many embodiments, there is more stress along the larger area above the cavity 2730 in a standard club without a cavity than the same area, but the durability of the club head with and without the cavity is the same. By adding more spring to the back end of the club (due to the inward slope of a portion of the top wall 2719 toward the strike face 2712), more force is displaced throughout the volume of the structure. Stresses are observed over the larger areas of the strike face 2712, top rail 2715, rear wall 2923, and top wall 2719 of the golf club head 2700. Peak stresses can be seen in the standard top rail club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in the golf club head 2700, but distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending regions of the golf club head 2700 (i.e., the cavity 2730 and the region above the cavity 2730 itself) will not deform unless the stress meets the critical buckling threshold. The cavity 2730 and its placement can be designed to be below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

As shown in FIG. 17, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 2700 may be a uniformly thinned region 3160 located in the sole 2706 between the rear 2710 of the body 2701 and the strike face 2712, extending toward the cascading sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). The uniformly thinned region 3160 may provide several advantages. First, the uniformly thinned region 3160 may reduce stress on the strike face 2712 that occurs during impact with a golf ball. Second, the uniformly thinned region 3160 may flex so that the strike face 2712 can experience greater flexure. Third, the uniformly thinned region 3160 may remove weight from the sole region, allowing weight to be more redistributed toward the rear of the golf club head 2700. Upon impact, the energy imparted to the strike face 2712 by the golf ball can cause the uniformly thinned region 3160 to bend outward, resulting in increased deflection of the strike face 2712. After bending, the uniformly thinned region 3160 returns to its original position, transferring most of the energy from the impact back to the golf ball. As a result, the golf club head 2700 imparts increased ball velocity and greater flight distance to the golf ball after impact.

In some embodiments, the body 2701 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 2701 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the strike face 2712 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 2712 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 2701 can include the same material as the strike face 2712. In some embodiments, the body 2701 can include a different material than the strike face 2712.

18 shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head 3200, and FIG. 19 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 3200 according to the embodiment of FIG. 18. In some embodiments, the golf club head 3200 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1), the golf club head 2200 (FIG. 8), and/or the golf club head 2700 (FIG. 13). The golf club head 3200 can be an iron-type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 3200 can be a hybrid-type or fairway wood-type golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head 3200 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

The golf club head 3200 includes a body 3201. In some embodiments, the body 3201 can be similar to the body 1001 (FIG. 1), the body 2201 (FIG. 8), and/or the body 2701 (FIG. 13). In some embodiments, the body 3201 is hollow. In other embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. The body 3201 includes an outer surface 3203, a strike face 3212, a heel region 3202, a toe region 3204 opposite the heel region 3202, a sole 3206, a top rail 3215, and a rear portion 3210.

18-22 further comprises a blade length. The blade length of the body 3201 may be measured similarly to the blade length 3725 as shown and described in FIG. 29 (i.e., measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face 3712 from the toe end 3726 of the strike face 3712 to the strike face end 3727 before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel). The blade length of the body 3201 may range from 2.70 inches (6.86 cm) to 3.00 inches (7.62 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 3201 can include a blade length of 2.74 inches (6.96 cm), 2.78 inches (7.06 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.86 inches (7.26 cm), 2.90 inches (7.37 cm), 2.94 inches (7.47 cm), 2.98 inches (7.57 cm), or 3.00 inches (7.62 cm).

The body 3201 further comprises a uniformly thinned region that transitions from the bottom of the strike face 3212 to the sole 3206 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region includes a sole thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 3203 to the inner surface in the uniformly thinned region, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 3212 to adjacent the cascade sole portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

20 shows a cross section of the golf club head 3200 along the section line XXXIV-XXXIV of FIG. 18 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 18, the strike face 3212 includes a high region 3476, a middle region 3474, and a low region 3472. The rear portion 3210 can include an upper region 3211, a lower region 3213, and a cavity 3230. The upper region 3211 includes a top rail 3215, a rear wall 3423, and a top wall 3219. In many embodiments, the rear wall 3423 of the rear portion 3210 is located below and adjacent to the top rail 3215, and the top wall 3219 of the rear portion 3210 is located below and adjacent to the rear wall 3423. The lower region 3213 includes a back wall 3421 and a lower outer wall 3427. The cavity 3230 is located on the outer surface 3203, below the top rail 3215 and the rear wall 3423, above the lower outer wall 3427 of the rear portion 3210, and is at least partially defined by an upper region 3211 and a lower region 3213.

In some embodiments, the top rail 3215 of the upper region 3211 can be a flatter and taller top rail or skirt than irons known to those skilled in the art. The flatter and taller rail 3215 can compensate for mis-hits on the strike face 3212 to increase playability off the tee. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 3215 measured from the heel region 3202 to the toe region 3204 can be 70% to 95% of the length of the golf club head 3200. In many embodiments, the cavity 3230 includes a top rail box spring design. In many embodiments, the top rail 3215 and cavity 3230 provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face 3212. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 3212 can allow for a 2% to 5% increase in energy. The cavity 3230 allows the strike face 3212 to be thinner and allow for additional overall bending. In some fairway iron-type golf club head embodiments, the cavity 3230 may be a reverse scoop or recess in the rear portion 3210, and the body 3201 includes a greater thickness toward the sole 3206.

In some embodiments, the height 3480 of the rear wall 3423 in the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 can range from 0.115 inches (0.292 cm) to 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), or from 0.130 inches (0.330 cm) to 0.20 inches (0.508 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 3480 of the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 can be 0.115 inches (0.292 cm), 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.135 inches (0.343 cm), 0.145 inches (0.368 cm), 0.155 inches (0.394 cm), 0.165 inches (0.419 cm), 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.185 inches (0.470 cm), 0.195 inches (0.495 cm), or 0.250 inches (0.635 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3480 of the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 can range from 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.210 inches (0.533 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3480 of the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 can be 0.166 inches (0.422 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3480 of the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 can be in the range of 3% to 15% of the height of the golf club head 3200.

As described herein, the height 3480 of the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 allows the cavity 3230 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on the strike face 3212 during impact with a golf ball. A golf club head having a rear wall height greater than the rear wall height 3480 described herein would absorb less stress at impact (and allow less strike face deflection) than the golf club head 3200 described herein due to increased distribution of impact stress along the top rail before reaching the cavity.

In some embodiments, the cavity 3230 is located above the lower region 3213 of the rear portion 3210 and is at least partially defined by the upper region 3211 and the lower region 3213 of the rear portion 3210. The cavity 3230 comprises a top wall 3219 and a back wall 3421. The first reference point 3422 is located between the top rail 3215 and the rear wall 3423. The second reference point 3482 is located between the rear wall 3423 and the top wall 3219. The first bending point 3486 is disposed between the top wall 3219 and the back wall 3421 of the cavity 3230. The third reference point 3424 is a point located on the top wall 3219 closest to the strike face 3212. The first reference point 3422 and the second reference point 3482 generate a first reference line 3429. The second reference point 3482 and the third reference point 3424 generate a second reference line 3425. The third reference point 3424 and the first inflection point 3486 generate a third reference line 3426.

The golf club head 3200 further includes a height 3488 of the top wall 3219, measured parallel to the strike face 3212 from the second reference point 3482 to the first inflection point 3486. In many embodiments, the height 3488 can range from 0.100 inches (0.254 cm) to 0.700 inches (1.778 cm). For example, the height 3488 can be 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), 0.250 inches (0.635 cm), 0.300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.350 inches (0.899 cm), 0.400 inches (1.016 cm), 0.450 inches (1.143 cm), 0.500 inches (1.270 cm), 0.550 inches (1.397 cm), 0.600 inches (1.524 cm), 0.650 inches, or 0.700 inches (1.778 cm). In many embodiments, the height 3488 can range from 0.300 inches (0.762 cm) to 0.550 inches (1.397 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3488 of the top wall 3219 can be 0.300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.330 inches (0.838 cm), 0.360 inches (0.914 cm), 0.390 inches (0.991 cm), 0.420 inches (1.067 cm), 0.450 inches (1.143 cm), 0.480 inches (1.219 cm), 0.510 inches (1.295 cm), or 0.540 inches (1.312 cm).

In many embodiments, the second reference point 3482 can be in the range of 0.075 inches (0.191 cm) to 1.00 inches (2.54 cm) or 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.180 inches (0.457 cm) relative to the apex 3428 of the top rail 3215. For example, the second reference point 3482 can be 0.075 inches (0.191 cm), 0.095 inches (0.241 cm), 0.115 inches (0.292 cm), 0.135 inches (0.343 cm), 0.155 inches (0.394 cm), 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.190 inches (0.483 cm), or 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) below the apex 3428 of the top rail 3215.

In many embodiments, the top wall 3219 of the cavity 3230 can be substantially parallel to the strike face 3212. In other embodiments, the top wall 3219 is not substantially parallel to the strike face 3212. In some implementations, the top wall 3219 of the cavity 3230 is substantially parallel to the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210. In some implementations, a portion of the top wall 3219 extends from the second reference point 3482 toward the third reference point 3424 away from the top rail 3215 toward the strike face 3212. In some implementations, the portion of the top wall 3219 extending from the second reference point 3482 toward the third reference point 3424 away from the top rail 3215 toward the strike face 3212 can be straight, curved upward, or curved downward. In many embodiments, a portion of the top wall 3219 of the cavity 3230 is angled away from the strike face 3212 from the third reference point 3424 to the first bend point 3486. In some implementations, the portion of the top wall 3219 angled away from the strike face 3212 from the third reference point 3424 to the first bend point 3486 may be straight, curved upward, or curved downward. This orientation of the top wall 3219 creates a buckling point, hinge point, or plastic hinge that directs the impact stresses toward the cavity 3230 and allows for increased deflection of the strike face 3212 during impact.

The lower region 3213 of the rear portion 3210 includes a back wall 3421 of the cavity 3230 and a lower outer wall 3427. In some implementations, the back wall 3421 of the cavity 3230 can have a back wall length 3490 measured from a first inflection point 3486 to a second inflection point 3492 located between the back wall 3421 and the lower outer wall 3427. In some embodiments, the back wall length 3490 can range from 0.100 inches (0.254 cm) to 0.350 inches (0.889 cm). In many embodiments, the back wall length 3490 can be 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), 225 inches (0.572 cm), 250 inches (0.635 cm), 275 inches (0.699 cm), 300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.325 inches (0.826 cm), or 0.350 inches (0.889 cm).

In some implementations, the lower angle 3451 can be measured between the back wall 3421 and the lower outer wall 3427. In some embodiments, the lower angle 3451 can be less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 3451 can range from 30 degrees to 180 degrees. In various embodiments, the lower angle 3451 can range from 70 degrees to 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 3451 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, or 130 degrees.

In some embodiments, the flex angle 3496 measured from the third reference line 3426 to the back wall 3421 may range from 70 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the flex angle 3496 may range from 90 degrees to 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the flex angle 3496 may be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees. In many embodiments, the flex angle 3496 allows the first flex point 3486 to act as a buckling point or plastic hinge when the golf club head 3200 impacts a golf ball with the strike face 3212. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the first inflection point 3486 can be less than the wall thickness at the top wall 3219 and the back wall 3421.

In many embodiments, the first flex point 3486 adjacent the back wall 3421 can be in the range of 0.20 inches (0.508 cm) to 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), or 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to 0.7 inches (1.778 cm) below the apex 3428 of the top rail 3215. For example, the first flex point 3486 can be in the range of 0.20 inches (0.508 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.30 inches (0.762 cm), 0.35 inches (0.889 cm), 0.40 inches (1.016 cm), 0.45 inches (1.143 cm), 0.50 inches (1.27 cm), 0.55 inches (1.39 cm), or 0.5 inches (1.47 cm) below the apex 3428 of the top rail 3215. 7 cm), 0.60 inches (1.524 cm), 0.65 inches (1.651 cm), 0.70 inches (1.778 cm), 0.75 inches (1.905 cm), 0.80 inches (2.032 cm), 0.85 inches (2.159 cm), 0.90 inches (2.286 cm), 0.95 inches (2.413 cm), or 1.0 inches (2.54 cm). In some embodiments, the maximum height of the backwall 3421 from the lowest point of the sole 3206 to the first flex point 3486, measured perpendicular to the ground 3403 when the golf club head 3200 is at address, may range from 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm), or from 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) to 2 inches (5.08 cm). For example, the first bending point 3486 may be located 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.725 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 ... It can be 5 inches (3.81 cm), 1,625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm) or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm).

In some implementations, the back wall angle 3405, measured from the back wall 3421 to the ground plane 3403, can range from 15 degrees to 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the back wall angle 3405 can be 15 degrees, 16 degrees, 17 degrees, 18 degrees, 19 degrees, 20 degrees, 21 degrees, 22 degrees, 23 degrees, 24 degrees, 25 degrees, 26 degrees, 27 degrees, 28 degrees, 29 degrees, 30 degrees, 31 degrees, 32 degrees, 33 degrees, 34 degrees, 35 degrees, 36 degrees, 37 degrees, 38 degrees, 39 degrees, 40 degrees, 41 degrees, 42 degrees, 43 degrees, 44 degrees, or 45 degrees.

In some embodiments, shown in FIG. 18, the cavity 3230 can further include at least one channel 3239. In many embodiments, the channel 3239 extends from the heel region 3202 to the toe region 3204. The channel 3239 includes a channel width measured substantially parallel to the ground contact surface 3403 from the second reference point 3482 to the top wall 3219, and the channel width can vary in a direction from the top rail 3215 to the sole 3206. In some embodiments, the maximum channel width 3432 measured substantially parallel to the ground contact surface 3403 from the first inflection point 3486 to the second reference point 3482 can be substantially constant throughout the channel 3230 from the heel region 3202 to the toe region 3204. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 20, the maximum channel width 3432 can range from 0.039 inches (1 mm) to 0.590 inches (15 mm), or from 0.150 inches (3.81 mm) to 0.400 inches (10.16 mm). For example, the maximum channel width 3432 can be 0.039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe region width of the channel 3239 is less than the channel heel region width of the channel 3239. In other embodiments, the channel heel region width is less than the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel mid-region width of the channel 3239 may be less than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel mid-region width may be greater than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, the channel 3239 is symmetrical from heel to toe. In other embodiments, the channel 3239 is asymmetrical. In other embodiments, the channel 3239 may further include at least two partial channels. In some embodiments, the channel 3239 may comprise a series of partial channels interrupted by one or more bridges. In some implementations, the one or more bridges may be approximately the same thickness as the thickness of the top region 3211 of the top rail 3215.

As described herein, the maximum channel width 3432 allows for absorption of stress from the strike face 3212 upon impact. Golf club heads having a channel width less than the maximum channel width 3432 described herein (e.g., golf club heads having less pronounced cavities) may absorb less stress from the strike face upon impact (due to less material on the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210) and therefore may experience less deflection of the strike face than the golf club head 3200 described herein.

In many embodiments, the back cavity 3230 further includes a cavity angle 3435. The back cavity angle 3435 is measured from the first reference line 3429 to the second reference line 3425. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 3435 can range from 15 degrees to 80 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 3435 can be 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, or 80 degrees.

FIG. 21 illustrates a portion of the top rail 3215 and rear section 3210 of the cross section of the golf club head 3200 of FIG. 18, which differs from the cross section of the golf club head 1200 as shown in FIG. 4. In many embodiments, the golf club head 3200 includes a rear angle 3540, a top rail angle 3545, and a strike face angle 3550. The rear angle 3540 is measured from the second reference line 3425 to the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211. In many embodiments, the rear angle 3540 can range from 70 degrees to 140 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 3540 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, or 140 degrees. The top rail angle 3545 is measured from the rear wall 3423 of the upper region 3211 to the top rail 3215. In many embodiments, the top rail 3545 can range from 35 degrees to 120 degrees, or from 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 3545 can be 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, or 120 degrees. The strike face angle 3550 is measured from the strike face 3212 to the top rail 3215. In many embodiments, the strike face angle 3550 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees, or from 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the fringe surface angle 3550 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees.

The upper region 3211 further includes a minimum gap 3590 measured perpendicular to the strike face 3212 from a third reference point 3424 on the inner surface 3419 of the top wall 3219 to the inner surface 3419 of the strike face 3212. In some embodiments, the minimum gap 3590 can range from 0.079 inches (2 mm) to 0.24 inches (6 mm). For example, the minimum gap 3590 can be 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.118 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.197 inches (5 mm), or 0.24 inches (6 mm). In other embodiments, the minimum gap 3590 can range from 0.118 inches (3 mm) to 0.16 inches (4 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 3590 can be 0.135 inches (3.429 mm).

22 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a golf club head 3200 similar to the detailed cross-section of the golf club head 3200 shown in FIG. 20. The golf club head 3200 includes a cavity 3230, an upper region 3211, a lower region 3213, and an outer surface 3203. In many embodiments, a maximum upper distance 3692, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 3203 of the strike face 3212 to the outer surface 3203 of the second reference point 3482 of the upper region 3211, may range from 0.20 inches to 0.59 inches (5 mm to 15 mm). For example, the maximum top distance 3692 can be 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (8.89 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), 0.47 inches (12 mm), 0.51 inches (13 mm), 0.55 inches (14 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). In some implementations, the maximum top distance 3692 can be 0.348 inches (9.09 mm). Additionally, the minimum top distance 3694, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 3203 of the strike face 3212 to the outer surface 3203 of the third reference point 3424, can be in the range of 0.10 inches to 0.47 inches (.54 mm to 12 mm). For example, the minimum top distance 3694 can be 0.10 inches (2.54 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), or 0.47 inches (12 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum top distance 3694 can be 0.309 inches (7.85 mm). Additionally, the maximum bottom distance 3696, measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 3203 of the strike face 3212 to the outer surface 3203 of the fourth reference point 3420 located between the lower outer wall 3427 and the sole 3206, can be in the range of 0.670 inches to 0.98 inches (17 mm to 25 mm). For example, the maximum lower distance 3696 can be 0.670 inches (17 mm), 0.709 inches (18 mm), 0.748 inches (19 mm), 0.787 inches (20 mm), 827 inches (21 mm), 0.866 inches (22 mm), 0.906 inches (23 mm), 0.945 inches (24 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In some embodiments, the maximum lower distance 3696 can be 0.863 inches (21.9 mm). In many embodiments, the maximum lower distance 3696 is greater than the maximum upper distance 3692, which is greater than the minimum upper distance 3694.

In many embodiments, the cavity 3230 can increase golf ball speed over the golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head, and can increase launch angle over both standard hybrid club heads and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 3230 determines the spring level and timing of response of the golf club head 3200. When a golf club ball impacts the strike face 3212 of a club head 3200 with a cavity 3230, the strike face 3212 bounces like a drum and the rear section 3210 bends in a controlled buckling manner. In many examples, the top rail 3215 can absorb more stress over a larger volumetric space than a top rail of a golf club head without a cavity 3230. The length, depth, and width of the cavity 3230 can vary. These parameters provide control over how much springback is present in the overall design of the club head 3200.

Upon impact with a golf ball, the strike face 3212 can bend inward a greater distance than on a golf club head without the cavity 3230. In some embodiments, the strike face 3212 has a 10% to 50% greater deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 3230. In some embodiments, the strike face 3212 has a 5% to 40% or 10% to 20% greater deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 3230. For example, the strike face 3212 can have a 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% greater deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the cavity 3230. In many embodiments, there is both a greater pull-in distance of the strike face 3212 due to the hinge and bending of the cavity 3230 over a standard strike face that does not have a back of the club with a cavity.

In many embodiments, the deflection of the face is greater in the club head 3200 with the cavity 3230 because greater buckling occurs at the first inflection angle 3486 of the top wall 3219 upon impact with a golf ball. However, the cavity 3230 provides greater distribution of stress along the top rail 3215, rear wall 3423, and top wall 3219, and the springback force is transferred from the first inflection point 3486 of the cavity 3230 and top wall 3219 to the strike face 3212. A standard top rail, rear wall, and top wall without a cavity does not have this hinge/buckling effect and does not absorb high levels of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail, rear wall, and top wall. Thus, the standard strike face does not contract and subsequently recoil as much as the strike face 3212. Additionally, the larger area of the strike face 3212, both the top rail 3215, rear wall 3423, and top wall 3219 absorb more stress than the same crown area of a standard golf club head without a standard top rail, top wall, and cavity. In many embodiments, there is more stress along the larger area above the cavity 3230 than the same area of a standard club without a cavity, but the durability of the club head without a cavity is the same. By adding more spring to the back end of the club (by the inward slope of a portion of the top wall 3219 toward the strike face 3212), more force is displaced throughout the volume of the structure. Stresses are observed over the larger area of the strike face 3212, the top rail 3215, rear wall 3423, and top wall 3219 of the golf club head 3200. Peak stresses can be seen in the standard top rail club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in the golf club head 3200, but distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending regions of the golf club head 3200 (i.e., the cavity 3230 and the region above the cavity 3230 itself) will not deform unless the stress meets the critical buckling threshold. The cavity 3230 and its placement can be designed to be below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

As shown in FIG. 22, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 3200 may be a uniformly thinned region 3660 located in the sole 3206 and extending between the rear 3210 of the body 3201 and the strike face 3212 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). The uniformly thinned region 3660 may provide multiple benefits. First, the uniformly thinned region 3660 may reduce stress on the strike face 3212 that occurs during impact with a golf ball. Second, the uniformly thinned region 3660 may bend to allow the strike face 3212 to experience greater flexure. Third, the uniformly thinned region 3660 may remove weight from the sole region, allowing weight to be more redistributed toward the rear of the golf club head 3200. Upon impact, the energy imparted to the strike face 3212 by the golf ball can cause the uniformly thinned region 3660 to bend outward, resulting in increased deflection of the strike face 3212. After bending, the uniformly thinned region 3660 returns to its original position, transferring most of the energy from the impact back to the golf ball. As a result, the golf club head 3200 imparts increased ball speed and greater flight distance to the golf ball after impact.

In some embodiments, the body 3201 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 3201 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some implementations, the strike face 212 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 3212 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, quenched and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 2701 can include the same material as the strike face 3212. In some embodiments, the body 2701 can include a different material than the strike face 3212.

23 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club head 3700, and FIG. 24 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 3700 according to the embodiment of FIG. 23. In some embodiments, the golf club head 3700 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1), the golf club head 2200 (FIG. 8), the golf club head 2700 (FIG. 13), and/or the golf club head 3200 (FIG. 18). The golf club head 3700 can be an iron-type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 3700 can be a hybrid-type or fairway wood-type golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head 3700 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

Golf club head 3700 includes a body 3701. In some embodiments, body 3701 can be similar to body 1001 (FIG. 1), body 2201 (FIG. 8), body 2701 (FIG. 13), and/or body 3201 (FIG. 18). In some embodiments, body 3701 is hollow having an interior cavity 3716. In other embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. In examples where body 3701 is hollow or partially hollow, body 3701 can include a volumetric void of interior cavity 3716 ranging from 1.71 ⁱⁿ³ (28 cc) to 2.3 ⁱⁿ³ (37.69 cc). In some hollow and partially hollow embodiments, the body 3701 can include a volume of 1.70 ^inches (27.86 cc), 1.80 ^inches (29.50 cc), 1.90 ^inches (31.14 cc), 2.00 ^inches (32.77 cc), 2.10 ^inches (34.41 cc), 2.20 ^inches (36.05 cc), or 2.30 ^inches (37.69 cc). The body 3701 further comprises an outer surface 3703, a strike face 3712, a heel region 3702, a toe region 3704 opposite the heel region 3702, a sole 3706, a top rail 3715, and a rear portion 3710.

23-29 further comprises a blade length 3725, a toe end 3726, and a strike face end 3727. The toe end 3726 is the furthest end of the strike face 3712 in the toe region 3704, and the strike face end 3727 is the end of the strike face 3712 in the heel region 3702 just before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel. As shown in FIG. 29, the blade length 3725 is the distance measured from the toe end 3726 to the strike face end 3727. The blade length 3725 is measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face 3712 between the toe end 3726 and the strike face end 3727 at the heel end 3702 just before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel. The blade length of the body 3701 can range from 2.70 inches (6.86 cm) to 3.00 inches (7.62 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 3701 can include a blade length of 2.74 inches (6.96 cm), 2.78 inches (7.06 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.86 inches (7.26 cm), 2.90 inches (7.37 cm), 2.94 inches (7.47 cm), 2.98 inches (7.57 cm), or 3.00 inches (7.62 cm).

The body 3701 further comprises a uniformly thinned region that transitions from the bottom of the strike face 3712 to the sole 3706 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region includes a sole thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 3703 to the inner surface 3919 in the uniformly thinned region, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 3712 to adjacent the cascade sole portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region may range from about 0.040 inches to about 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

25 illustrates a cross-section of a golf club head 3700 along section line XXXIX-XXXIX of FIG. 23 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 25, the strike face 3712 includes a high region 3976, a mid region 3974, and a low region 3972. The rear portion 3710 can include an upper region 3711, a lower region 3713, and a cavity 3730.

The upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 includes a top rail 3715, a rear wall 3923, a top wall 3719, and a back wall 3921. In many embodiments, the rear wall 3923 of the rear portion 3710 is located below and adjacent to the top rail 3715, the top wall 3719 of the rear portion 3710 is located below and adjacent to the rear wall 3923, and the back wall 3721 is located below and adjacent to the top wall 3719. The upper region further includes a first reference point 3922 located between the top rail 3715 and the rear wall 3923, a second reference point 3982 located between the rear wall 3923 and the top wall 3719, a first bending point 3986 located between the top wall 3719 and the back wall 3921, and a second bending point 3992 located between the back wall 3921 and the bottom sloped portion 3925 of the lower region 3713. The first reference point 3922 and the second reference point 3982 generate a reference line 3939 as shown in FIG.

The top wall 3719 slopes toward the strike face and away from the top rail 3715 in a direction toward the first bending point 3986. The disclosed configuration of the top wall 3719 allows for increased bending of the top rail 3715 of the club head 3700 upon impact with a golf ball as compared to a club head lacking the disclosed top wall configuration.

The cavity 3730 is located on the outer surface 3703 above the lower region 3713 of the rear portion 3710 and below the top rail 3715 and rear wall 3923, and is at least partially defined by the upper region 3711 and the lower region 3713.

In some embodiments, the top rail 3715 of the upper region 3711 can be a flatter, taller top rail or skirt than irons known to those skilled in the art. The flatter, taller rail can compensate for mishits of the strike face 3712 to increase playability off the tee. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 3715 measured from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704 can be 70% to 95% of the length of the golf club head 3700. In many embodiments, the cavity 3730 includes a top rail box spring design. In some fairway iron type golf club head embodiments, the cavity 3730 can be a reverse scoop or recess in the rear portion 3710, and the body 3701 includes a greater thickness toward the sole 3706. In many embodiments, the top rail 3715 and cavity 3730 provide increased overall flex of the strike face 3712. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 3712 can allow for a 2% to 5% increase in energy. The cavity 3730 allows the strike face 3712 to be thinner and allow for additional overall bending.

The strike face 3712 of the body 3701 includes a thickness 3954 measured from the outer surface 3703 to the inner surface 3919 perpendicular to the strike face 3712. The thickness 3954 of the strike face 3712 can range from 0.060 inches to 0.110 inches. For example, the thickness 3954 of the strike face 3712 can be 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.085 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.095 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.105 inches, or 0.110 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 3954 of the strike face 3712 can remain constant from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704 and/or from the top rail 3715 to the sole 3706. In other embodiments, the thickness 3954 of the strike face 3712 can vary from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704 and/or from the top rail 3715 to the sole 3706. For example, the thickness 3954 of the strike face 3712 can be greatest at a central portion of the strike face 3712 near the mid region 3974 and taper along the perimeter of the strike face 3712 near the high region 3976 and low region 3972. In many embodiments, the center of the strike face 3712 near the mid region 3974 can have a thickness 3954 of 0.100 inches and the perimeter of the strike face 3712 near the mid region 3974 can have a thickness 3954 of 0.080 inches. In other examples, the thickness 3954 can begin in a central region near the mid region 3974 of the strike face 3712 and extend toward the periphery near the high region 3976 and the low region 3972, increase or decrease, or any variation thereof.

The golf club head 3700 further comprises a height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710, measured from the first reference point 3922 to the second reference point 3982. In some embodiments, the height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 can range from 0.115 inches (0.292 cm) to 0.250 inches (0.635 cm), 0.130 inches (0.330 cm) to 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), or 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.180 inches (0.457 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 can be 0.115 inches (0.292 cm), 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.135 inches (0.343 cm), 0.145 inches (0.368 cm), 0.155 inches (0.394 cm), 0.165 inches (0.419 cm), 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.185 inches (0.470 cm), 0.195 inches (0.495 cm), or 0.250 inches (0.635 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 can range from 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.210 inches (0.533 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 can be 0.166 inches (0.422 cm). In some embodiments, the height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 can be in the range of 3% to 15% of the height of the golf club head 3700.

As described herein, the height 3980 of the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3211 of the rear portion 3210 allows the cavity 3730 to absorb at least a portion of the stress on the strike face 3712 during impact with a golf ball. A golf club head having a rear wall height greater than the rear wall height 3980 described herein would absorb less stress on impact (and allow less strike face deflection) than the golf club head 3700 described herein due to increased distribution of impact stress along the top rail before reaching the cavity.

The rear wall 3923 further comprises a thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 3703 to the inner surface 3919 of the rear wall 3923. The thickness of the rear wall 3923 may range from 0.037 inches to 0.058 inches, 0.037 inches to 0.048 inches, or 0.042 inches to 0.058 inches. For example, the thickness of the rear wall 3923 may be 0.037 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.052 inches, 0.055 inches, or 0.058 inches. The thickness of the rear wall 3923 may aid in stress distribution and increase bending of the strike face 3712.

In many embodiments, the second reference point 3982 of the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710 can have a distance in the range of 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 1.00 inches (2.54 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.350 inches (0.457 cm), 0.300 inches (0.457 cm) to 0.500 inches (1.27 cm), 0.450 inches (1.14 cm) to 0.650 inches (1.65 cm), 0.600 inches (1.52 cm) to 0.800 inches (2.03 cm), or 0.750 inches (1.91 cm) to 1.00 inches (2.54 cm) from the apex 3928 of the top rail 3715. For example, the second reference point 3982 of the upper region 3711 can be 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.450 inches (1.14 cm), 0.600 inches (1.52 cm), 0.750 inches (1.91 cm), 0.900 inches (2.29 cm), or 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) below the apex 3428 of the top rail 3215.

The golf club head 3700 further includes a length 3988 of the top wall 3719 of the upper region 3711, measured from the second reference point 3982 to the first inflection point 3986. In many embodiments, the top wall length 3988 can range from 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to 0.100 inches (0.254 cm). In many embodiments, the top wall length 3988 can range from 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to 0.050 inches (0.127 cm), 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) to 0.060 inches (0.152 cm), 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to 0.080 inches (0.203 cm), or 0.070 inches (0.178 cm) to 0.100 inches (0.254 cm). For example, the top wall length 3988 can be 0.030 inches (0.076 cm), 0.035 inches (0.089 cm), 0.040 inches (0.102 cm), 0.045 inches (0.114 cm), 0.050 inches (0.127 cm), 0.055 inches (0.140 cm), 0.060 inches (0.152 cm), 0.065 inches (0.165 cm), 0.070 inches (0.178 cm), 0.075 inches (0.191 cm), 0.080 inches (0.203 cm), 0.085 inches (0.216 cm), 0.090 inches (0.229 cm), 0.095 inches (0.241 cm), or 0.100 inches (0.254 cm).

In some embodiments, a portion of the top wall 3719 of the upper region 3711 extends away from the rear wall 3923 at a second reference point 3982 toward the strike face 3712 at a first bending point 3986. In some implementations, the portion of the top wall 3719 that extends away from the rear wall 3923 toward the strike face 3712 can be straight, curved upward, or curved downward. This orientation of the top wall 3719 creates a buckling point, hinge point, or plastic hinge that directs the impact stress toward the cavity 3730 and allows for increased deflection of the strike face 3712 during impact.

The first inflection point 3986 of the upper region 3711 can have a distance from the first reference point 3922 in the range of 0.20 inches (0.508 cm) to 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), or 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to 0.7 inches (1.778 cm). For example, the first inflection point 3986 can be 0.20 inches (0.508 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.30 inches (0.762 cm), 0.35 inches (0.889 cm), 0.40 inches (1.016 cm), 0.45 inches (1.143 cm), 0.50 inches (1.27 cm), 0.55 inches (1.397 cm), 0.60 inches (1.524 cm), 0.65 inches (1.651 cm), 0.70 inches (1.778 cm), 0.75 inches (1.905 cm), 0.80 inches (2.032 cm), 0.85 inches (2.159 cm), 0.90 inches (2.286 cm), 0.95 inches (2.413 cm), or 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) below the first reference point 3922.

In some embodiments, the upper region 3711 further includes a flex angle 3996 measured from the top wall 3719 to the rear wall 3921, and the flex angle 3996 may range from 70 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the flex angle 3996 of the upper region may range from 90 degrees to 130 degrees. In some embodiments, the flex angle 3996 of the upper region may be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees. In many embodiments, the flex angle 3996 of the upper region allows the first flex point 3986 to act as a buckling point or plastic hinge when the golf club head 3700 impacts a golf ball with the strike face 3712. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the first inflection point 3986 can be less than the wall thickness at the top wall 3719 and the back wall 3921.

In some embodiments, the back wall 3921 of the cavity 3730 in the upper region 3711 can have a back wall length 3990 measured from a first inflection point 3986 to a second inflection point 3992. In some embodiments, the back wall length 3990 can range from 0.100 inches (0.254 cm) to 0.350 inches (0.889 cm). In many embodiments, the back wall length 3990 can be 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), 225 inches (0.572 cm), 250 inches (0.635 cm), 275 inches (0.699 cm), 300 inches (0.762 cm), 0.325 inches (0.826 cm), or 0.350 inches (0.889 cm).

The back wall 3921 of the cavity 3730 can further include a thickness measured perpendicularly from the inner surface 3919 to the outer surface 3703 of the back wall 3921. The thickness of the back wall 3921 can range from 0.028 inches to 0.039 inches, 0.028 inches to 0.032 inches, or 0.032 inches to 0.039 inches. For example, the thickness of the back wall 3921 can be 0.028 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.032 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.037 inches, or 0.039 inches. The thickness of the back wall 3921 can help distribute stress and increase bending of the strike face 3712.

In some embodiments, the maximum height of the back wall 3921 of the upper region 3711, measured perpendicular to the ground plane 3903 when the golf club head 3700 is at address, to the first flex point 3986 may range from 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm), or from 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) to 2 inches (5.08 cm). For example, the first inflection point 3986 may be located 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.5 inches (1.59 cm), 1.6 inches (1.59 cm), 1.7 inches (1.59 cm), 1.8 inches (1.59 cm), 1.9 inches (2.54 cm), 1.5 ... cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1,625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm) or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm).

In many embodiments, the second inflection point 3992 of the cavity 3730 of the upper region 3711 adjacent the bottom slope 3925 of the lower region 3713 can have a distance in the range of at least 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), or 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) from the apex 3928 of the top rail 3715. For example, the second inflection point 3992 can be at least 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 1.0 inches (2.53 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), or 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) below the apex 3928 of the top rail 3715.

As shown in FIG. 23, in some embodiments, the cavity 3730 in the upper region 3711 can include at least one channel 3739. In many embodiments, the channel 3739 extends from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704. The channel 3739 includes a channel width 3932 measured from the back wall 3921 to the second reference point 3982 substantially parallel to the ground contact surface 3903, and the channel width can vary in a direction from the top rail 3215 to the sole 3206. In some implementations as illustrated in FIG. 23, the channel width 3932 can range from 0.039 inches (1 mm) to 0.590 inches (15 mm), or from 0.150 inches (3,81 mm) to 0.400 inches (10.16 mm). For example, the channel width 3932 can be 0.039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe region width of the channel 3739 is smaller than the channel heel region width of the channel 3739. In other embodiments, the channel heel region width is smaller than the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel mid region width of the channel 3739 can be smaller than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In other embodiments, the channel mid region width can be larger than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, the channel 3739 is symmetrical from heel to toe. In other embodiments, the channel 3739 is asymmetrical. In other embodiments, the channel 3739 can further include at least a toe partial channel. In some embodiments, the channel 3739 can comprise a series of partial channels interrupted by one or more bridges. In some embodiments, the one or more bridges can be approximately the same thickness as the thickness of the top rail 3715.

The channel width 3932 allows for absorption of stress from the strike face 3712 upon impact as described herein. Golf club heads having a channel width less than the channel width 3932 described herein (e.g., golf club heads having less pronounced cavities) may absorb less stress from the strike face upon impact (due to less material on the upper region 3711 of the rear portion 3710) and therefore may experience less deflection of the strike face than the golf club head 3700 described herein.

In many embodiments, the back cavity 3730 further includes a back cavity angle 3935. The back cavity angle 3935 is measured from the reference line 3939 to the top wall 3719. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 3935 can range from 5 degrees to 80 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 3935 can be 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, or 80 degrees.

In some embodiments, the back wall 3921 of the cavity 3730 in the upper region 3711 can further comprise a flat surface. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the back wall 3921 can include a protrusion 3940 extending outwardly away from the strike face 3712. At least a portion of the back wall 3921 that includes the protrusion 3940 can range from 15% to 100%. For example, at least 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of the back wall 3921 can include the protrusion 3940. The projection 3940 can be located on at least a portion of the back wall 3921 near the toe region 3704, near the heel region 3702, near the lower outer wall 3927, near the top wall 3719, or at the center of the back wall 3921. The projection 3940 includes a length 3942 measured from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704 and a width 3944 measured from the top rail 3715 to the sole 3706.

The protrusion 3940 may include a thickness measured perpendicularly from the inner surface 3919 to the outer surface 3703 of the protrusion 3940. The thickness of the protrusion 3940 may range from 0.028 inches to 0.045 inches, 0.028 inches to 0.032 inches, 0.032 inches to 0.039 inches, or 0.039 inches to 0.045 inches. For example, the thickness of the back wall 3921 may be 0.028 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.032 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.039 inches, 0.041 inches, 0.043 inches, or 0.045 inches. The thickness of the protrusion 3940 may help distribute stress and increase bending of the strike face 3712.

FIG. 26 shows a portion of the top rail 3715 and rear portion 3710 of the golf club head 3700 of FIG. 23 in a cross section taken along section line XXXIX-XXXIX of FIG. 23, similar to the cross section of FIG. 25. In many embodiments, the golf club head 3700 comprises a rear angle 4040, a top rail angle 4045, and a strike face angle 4050. The rear angle 4040 is measured from the top wall 3719 to the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711. In many embodiments, the rear angle 4040 can range from 70 degrees to 140 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 4040 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, or 140 degrees. The top rail angle 4045 is measured from the rear wall 3923 of the upper region 3711 to the top rail 3715. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 4045 can range from 35 degrees to 120 degrees, or from 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 4045 can be 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, or 120 degrees. The strike face angle 4050 is measured from the strike face 3712 to the top rail 3715. In many embodiments, the strike face angle 4050 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees, or from 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 4050 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees.

The upper region 3711 further includes a minimum gap 4090 measured as the vertical distance from the inner surface of the cavity at the first inflection point 3986 to the inner surface 3919 of the strike face 3712. In some embodiments, the minimum gap 4090 can range from 0.079 inches (2 mm) to 0.24 inches (6 mm). For example, the minimum gap 4090 can be 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.118 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.197 inches (5 mm), or 0.24 inches (6 mm). In other embodiments, the minimum gap 4090 can range from 0.118 inches (3 mm) to 0.16 inches (4 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 4090 can be 0.135 inches (3.429 mm).

The lower region 3713 of the rear portion 3710 of the body 3701 includes a bottom sloped portion 3925 and a lower outer wall 3927. The lower outer wall 3927 is located below and adjacent to the bottom sloped portion 3925. A third inflection point 3994 is located between the bottom sloped portion 3925 and the lower outer wall 3927. A third reference point 3920 is located between the lower outer wall 3927 and the sole 3706.

The top of the lower outer wall 3927 of the lower region 3713 can include a thickness. The thickness of the top of the lower outer wall 3927 can be measured perpendicular to the inner surface 3919 to the outer surface 3703 of the top of the lower outer wall 3927. The thickness of the top of the lower outer wall 3827 can range from 0.037 inches to 0.058 inches, 0.037 inches to 0.048 inches, or 0.042 inches to 0.058 inches. For example, the thickness of the top of the lower outer wall 3827 can be 0.037 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.052 inches, 0.055 inches, or 0.058 inches. The thickness of the top of the lower outer wall 3827 can increase bending of the strike face 3712 and aid in stress distribution.

In some embodiments, the bottom slope 3925 of the lower region 3713 includes a bottom slope length 3929. The bottom slope length 3929 is measured from the second inflection point 3992 to the third inflection point 3994. In some embodiments, the bottom slope length 3994 can range from 0.010 inches (0.025 cm) to 0.210 inches (0.533 cm), 0.010 inches (0.025 cm) to 0.050 inches (0.127 cm), 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to 0.100 inches (0.254 cm), 0.100 inches (0.254 cm) to 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), or 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to 0.210 inches (0.533 cm). In many embodiments, the bottom ramp length 3929 can be 0.010 inches (0.025 cm), 0.030 inches (0.076 cm), 0.050 inches (0.127 cm), 0.070 inches (0.178 cm), 0.090 inches (0.229 cm), 0.110 inches (0.279 cm), 0.130 inches (0.330 cm), 0.150 inches (0.381 cm), 0.160 inches (0.406 cm), 0.170 inches (0.432 cm), 0.180 inches (0.457 cm), 0.190 inches (0.483 cm), 0.200 inches (0.508 cm), or 0.210 inches (0.533 cm). In some embodiments, the bottom ramp length 3929 can vary from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704. In other embodiments, the bottom slope length 3929 can remain constant from the heel region 3702 to the toe region 3704.

In some embodiments, the maximum height of the bottom slope 3925 measured vertically from the ground surface 3903 to the second flex point 3992 when the body 3701 is at address can be 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm), or 0.05 inches (1.27 cm) to 2 inches (5.08 cm) above the ground 3903. For example, the second inflection point 3992 may be located 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inches (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), It can be 1.625 inches (4.12 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), 2.125 inches (5.40 cm), 2.25 inches (5.71 cm), 2.375 inches (6.03 cm), 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), 2.625 inches (6.67 cm), 2.75 inches (7.00 cm), 2.875 inches (7.30 cm), or 3.0 inches (7.62 cm).

In some embodiments, the lower region 3713 further includes a lower angle 3951 measured between the bottom slope 3925 of the lower region 3713 and the lower outer wall 3927 of the lower region 3710, as shown in FIG. 27. In some embodiments, the lower angle 3951 can be less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 3951 can be between 30 degrees and 160 degrees, or between 70 degrees and 130 degrees. For example, the lower angle 3951 can be 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 100 degrees, 110 degrees, 120 degrees, 130 degrees, 140 degrees, 150 degrees, or 160 degrees.

In some embodiments, the lower region 3713 further includes a bottom slope angle 3905 measured from the bottom slope 3925 to the ground 3903. The bottom slope angle 3905 can range from 15 degrees to 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the bottom slope angle 3905 can be 15 degrees, 16 degrees, 17 degrees, 18 degrees, 19 degrees, 20 degrees, 21 degrees, 22 degrees, 23 degrees, 24 degrees, 25 degrees, 26 degrees, 27 degrees, 28 degrees, 29 degrees, 30 degrees, 31 degrees, 32 degrees, 33 degrees, 34 degrees, 35 degrees, 36 degrees, 37 degrees, 38 degrees, 39 degrees, 40 degrees, 41 degrees, 42 degrees, 43 degrees, 44 degrees, or 45 degrees.

27 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a golf club head 3700 similar to the detailed cross-section of the golf club head 3700 shown in FIG. 25. The golf club head 3700 includes a cavity 3730, an upper region 3711, a lower region 3713, and an outer surface 3703. In many embodiments, a maximum upper distance 4192 measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 3703 of the strike face 3712 to the outer surface 3703 of the second reference point 3982 of the upper region 3711 can range from 0.20 inches to 0.59 inches (5 mm to 15 mm). For example, the maximum top distance 4192 can be 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (8.89 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), 0.47 inches (12 mm), 0.51 inches (13 mm), 0.55 inches (14 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). In some implementations, the maximum top distance 4192 can be 0.348 inches (9.09 mm). Additionally, the minimum top distance 4194, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 3703 of the strike face 3712 to the outer surface 3703 of the back wall 3921 at the first bending point 3986, can be in the range of 0.16 inches to 0.47 inches (4 mm to 12 mm). For example, the minimum top distance 4194 can be 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), or 0.47 inches (12 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum top distance 4194 can be 0.309 inches (7.85 mm). Additionally, the maximum bottom distance 4196, measured as the perpendicular distance from the outer surface 3703 of the strike face 3712 to the outer surface 3703 of the third reference point 3920 of the lower region 3713, can be in the range of 0.670 inches to 0.98 inches (17 mm to 25 mm). For example, the maximum bottom distance 4196 can be 0.670 inches (17 mm), 0.709 inches (18 mm), 0.748 inches (19 mm), 0.787 inches (20 mm), 827 inches (21 mm), 0.866 inches (22 mm), 0.906 inches (23 mm), 0.945 inches (24 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In some embodiments, the maximum bottom distance 4196 can be 0.863 inches (21.9 mm). In many embodiments, the maximum bottom distance 4196 is greater than the maximum top distance 4192, which is greater than the minimum top distance 4194.

25-27, the body 3701 is a hollow body club head further comprising an interior cavity 3716. The interior cavity 3716 of the body 3701 includes a volume. The volume of the interior cavity 3716 can range from 0.70 ⁱⁿ³ (11.47 cc) to 1.70 ⁱⁿ³ (27.86 cc). In certain embodiments, the interior cavity 3716 can include a volume of 0.70 ^inch3 (11.47 cc), 0.80 ^inch3 (13.11 cc), 0.90 ^inch3 (14.75 cc), 1.00 ^inch3 (16.39 cc), 1.10 ^inch3 (18.03 cc), 1.20 ^inch3 (19.66 cc), 1.30 ^inch3 (21.30 cc), 1.40 ^inch3 (22.94 cc), 1.50 ^inch3 (24.58 cc), 1.60 ^inch3 (26.22 cc), or 1.70 ^inch3 (27.86 cc).

The interior cavity 3716 of the body 3701 further comprises an inner surface 3919. In some embodiments, the inner surface 3919 of the rear portion 3710 is a flat, smooth surface. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 28, the inner surface 3919 of the interior cavity 3716 of the rear portion 3710 includes a plurality of ribs 3952. The plurality of ribs 3952 extends in a direction from the top rail 3715 toward the sole 3706. The plurality of ribs 3952 can be disposed anywhere on the inner surface 3919 of the rear portion 3710. In some examples, the plurality of ribs 3952 can be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 3919 of the lower outer wall 3927. In other examples, the plurality of ribs 3952 can be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 3919 of the rear wall 3923. In some embodiments, the plurality of ribs 3952 can be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 3919 of the rear portion 3710 and can extend to another portion of the rear portion 3710. For example, the plurality of ribs 3952 can be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 3919 of the rear wall 3923 and can further extend to at least a portion of the inner surface 3919 of the top wall 3719, at least a portion of the back wall 3921, or at least a portion of the lower outer wall 3927. The plurality of ribs 3952 can include 1 to 8 ribs. For example, the plurality of ribs 3952 can include one rib 3952, two ribs 3952, three ribs 3952, four ribs 3952, five ribs 3952, six ribs 3952, seven ribs 3952, or eight ribs 3952. In embodiments having one or more of the plurality of ribs 3952, the plurality of ribs 3952 can be spaced equidistant from one another or more concentrically near the heel region 3702, the toe region 3704, the top rail 3715, or the sole 3706. The plurality of ribs 3952 and the positioning of the plurality of ribs 3952 can help optimize the frequency and amplitude of the sound response.

In many embodiments, the internal cavity 3716 of the body 3701 may be free of any material. In other embodiments, the internal cavity 3716 of the body 3701 may further include a polymer, which may at least partially fill the internal cavity 3716. The polymer may be polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other thermoplastics, composite polymers, or any combination thereof. The polymer may fill 10% to 80%, 10% to 25%, 15% to 30%, 30% to 45%, 45% to 60%, 60% to 75%, 75% to 80%, 10% to 40%, 30% to 60%, or 40% to 80% of the internal cavity 3716 of the body 3701. For example, the polymer can fill 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the interior cavity 3716 of the body 3701. In some embodiments, the polymer fills 80% of the interior cavity 3716 of the body 3701.

The polymers include specific gravities ranging from 0.5 to 4. For example, the specific gravity of the polymer can be 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the polymer is proportional to the mass of the polymer, with a specific gravity of 1 of the polymer equal to 1 gram, a specific gravity of 2 of the polymer equal to 2 grams, and so on. Similarly, in some embodiments, the volume of the polymer is proportional to the polymer specific gravity. For example, the ratio of polymer mass to polymer volume can be 1 g/1 cc, 2 g/2 cc, 3 g/3 cc, or 4 g/4 cc. However, in other embodiments, the specific gravity of the polymer is proportional to the polymer mass, but the volume does not correlate to the specific gravity. For example, the ratio of polymer mass to polymer volume can be 1 g/1 cc, 2 g/0 cc, 3 g/1 cc, 4 g/2 cc, 4 g/3 cc, 3 g/2 cc, 3 g/4 cc, or any other suitable ratio.

The mass of the polymer allows the swing weight of the golf club head 3700 to be customizable for each player. Increasing the volume, and therefore the mass, of the polymer increases the swing weight, while decreasing the volume of the polymer decreases the swing weight. Having the proper swing weight for each individual player can improve the feel during the swing and improve performance such as swing speed, swing path and ball speed, and ball trajectory. The polymer can further increase the overall weight of the golf club head 3700 toward the rear section 3710 and the sole 3706. Increasing the weight more toward the rear section 3710 and the sole 3706 can keep the center of gravity low and rearward, improving the moment of inertia. The polymer can also improve sound and act as a cushion to absorb shock during impact.

The polymer volume filled within the inner cabinet 3716 can range from 0 ⁱⁿ³ (0 cc) to 1.53 ⁱⁿ³ (25 cc), 0.244 ⁱⁿ³ (4 cc) to 1.22 ⁱⁿ³ (20 cc), 0.305 in3 (5 cc) to 0.915 ⁱⁿ³ (15 cc), 0.122 ⁱⁿ³ (2 cc) to 0.488 ⁱⁿ³ (12 cc), or 0.854 ⁱⁿ³ (14 cc) to 1.34 in3 (22 cc). In some embodiments, the volume of polymer in the interior cavity 3716 can be 0 ^inch3 (0 cc), 0.244 ^inch3 (4 cc), 0.244 ^inch3 (8 cc), 0.488 ^inch3 (12 cc), 0.976 ^inch3 (16 cc), 1.22 ^inch3 (20 cc), or 1.53 ^inch3 (25 cc). The polymer filled in the interior cavity 3716 can cover a percentage of the inner surface 3919 of the strike face 3712 in the range of 0% to 100%, 15% to 85%, 30% to 70%, 45% to 60%, 20% to 40%, or 60% to 80%. In some embodiments, the polymer covers 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, 75%, 90% or 100% of the inner surface 3919 of the strike face 3712. Increasing the coverage of the polymer on the inner surface 3919 of the strike face 3712 increases the support of the strike face 3712, thereby allowing for a thinner strike face 3712. Thinning the strike face 3712 can increase the deflection of the strike face 3712 upon impact with a ball, which can impart increased velocity and spin to the ball. Thinning the strike face 3716 also allows weight to be redistributed elsewhere on the body 3701 to optimize the center of gravity and moment of inertia.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 29, the golf club head 3700 may further include a first aperture 3934 located on the toe region 3704 and a second aperture 3936 located in the hosel of the golf club head 3700. The first aperture 3924 is configured to receive a toe weight (not shown), which may range from 2 grams to 7 grams. In some embodiments, the toe weight may be 2 grams, 3 grams, 4 grams, 5 grams, 6 grams, or 7 grams. The second aperture 3936 is configured to receive a tip weight (not shown), which may range from 2 grams to 7 grams. In some embodiments, the tip weight may be 2 grams, 3 grams, 4 grams, 5 grams, 6 grams, or 7 grams. In many embodiments, the first aperture 3934 and the second aperture 3936 may further be configured to receive a polymer. The first aperture 3934 can accommodate 1 to 9 grams of polymer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 grams). Similarly, the second aperture 3936 can accommodate 1 to 9 grams of polymer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 grams). The toe and tip weights, as well as the polymers accommodated within the first aperture 3934 and second aperture 3936 can affect the swing weight to optimize the CG and MOI.

In many embodiments, the cavity 3730 can increase golf ball speed over the golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads, can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head, and can increase launch angle over both standard hybrid club heads and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 3730 determines the spring level and timing of response of the golf club head 3200. When a golf club ball impacts the strike face 3712 of a club head 3700 with a cavity 3730, the strike face 3712 springs back like a drum and the rear section 3710 bends in a controlled buckling manner. In many embodiments, the top rail 3715 can absorb more stress over a larger volumetric space than a top rail in a golf club head without a cavity 3730. The length, depth, and width of the cavity 3730 can vary. These parameters provide control over how much springback is present in the overall design of the club head 3700.

Upon impact with a golf ball, the strike face 3712 can bend inward a greater distance than on a golf club head without the cavity 3730. In some embodiments, the strike face 3712 has a 10% to 50% greater deflection than a strike face on a golf club head without the cavity 3730. In some embodiments, the strike face 3712 has a 5% to 40% or 10% to 20% greater deflection than a strike face on a golf club head without the cavity 3730. For example, the strike face 3712 can have a 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% greater deflection than a strike face on a golf club head without the cavity 3730. In many embodiments, there is both a greater pull-in distance by the strike face 3712 due to the hinge and bending of the cavity 3730 over a standard strike face that does not have a cavity in the rear of the club.

In many embodiments, the deflection of the face is greater in the club head 3700 with the cavity 3730 because greater buckling occurs at the first flex angle 3986 of the top wall 3219 upon impact with a golf ball. However, the cavity 3730 provides greater distribution of stress along the top rail 3715, rear wall 3923, and top wall 3719, and the springback force is transferred from the first flex point 3986 of the cavity 3730 and top wall 3719 to the strike face 3712. A standard top rail, rear wall, and top wall without a cavity does not have this hinge/buckling effect and does not absorb high levels of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail, rear wall, and top wall. Thus, the standard strike face does not contract and subsequently recoil as much as the strike face 3712. Additionally, the larger areas of both the strike face 3712, top rail 3715, rear wall 3923, and top wall 3719 absorb more stress than the same crown area of a standard golf club head without a standard top rail, top wall, and cavity. In many embodiments, there is more stress along the larger area above the cavity 3730 than the same area of a standard club without a cavity, but the durability of the club head with and without the cavity is the same. By adding more spring to the back end of the club (by the inward slope of the portion of the top wall 3719 toward the strike face 3712), more force is displaced throughout the volume of the structure. Stresses are observed over the larger areas of the strike face 3712, top rail 3715, rear wall 3923, and top wall 3719 of the golf club head 3700. Peak stresses can be seen in the standard top rail club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in the golf club head 3700, but distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending regions of the golf club head 3700 (i.e., the cavity 3730 and the region above the cavity 3730 itself) will not deform unless the stress meets the critical buckling threshold. The cavity 3730 and its placement can be designed to be below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

As shown in FIG. 28, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 3700 may be a uniformly thinned region 4160 located in the sole 3706 and extending toward the cascade sole portion of the sole between the rear portion 3710 of the body 3701 and the strike face 3712 (as described in more detail below). The uniformly thinned region 4160 may provide multiple benefits. First, the uniformly thinned region 4160 may reduce stress on the strike face 3712 that occurs during impact with a golf ball. Second, the uniformly thinned region 4160 may flex so that the strike face 3712 can experience greater flexure. Third, the uniformly thinned region 4160 removes weight from the sole region, allowing weight to be more redistributed toward the rear portion of the golf club head 3700. Upon impact, the energy imparted to the strike face 3712 by the golf ball can cause the uniformly thinned region to bend outward, resulting in increased deflection of the strike face 3712. After bending, the uniformly thinned region 4160 returns to its original position, transferring most of the energy from the impact back to the golf ball. As a result, the golf club head 3700 imparts increased ball velocity and greater flight distance to the golf ball after impact.

In some embodiments, the body 3701 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 3701 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some implementations, the strike face 3712 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 3712 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 3701 can include the same material as the strike face 3712. In some embodiments, the body 3701 can include a different material than the strike face 3712.

30 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club head 4400, and FIG. 31 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 4400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 30. In some embodiments, the golf club head 4400 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1), the golf club head 2200 (FIG. 8), the golf club head 2700 (FIG. 13), the golf club head 3200 (FIG. 18), and/or the golf club head 3700 (FIG. 23). The golf club head 4400 can be an iron-type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 4400 can be a hybrid-type or fairway wood-type golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head 4400 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

The golf club head 4400 includes a body 4401. In some embodiments, the body 4401 can be similar to the body 1001 (FIG. 1), the body 2201 (FIG. 8), the body 2701 (FIG. 13), the body 3201 (FIG. 18), and/or the body 3701 (FIG. 23). The body 4401 further includes an outer surface 4403, a strike face 4412, a heel region 4402, a toe region 4404 opposite the heel region 4402, a sole 4406, a top rail 4415, and a rear portion 4410.

44-48 further comprises a blade length. The blade length of the body 4401 may be measured similarly to the blade length 3725 as shown and described in FIG. 29 (i.e., measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face 3712 from the toe end 3726 of the strike face 3712 to the strike face end 3727 before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel). The blade length of the body 4401 may range from 2.50 inches (6.35 cm) to 2.90 inches (7.37 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 3701 can be 2.50 inches (6.35 cm), 2.54 inches (6.45 cm), 2.58 inches (6.55 cm), 2.62 inches (6.65 cm), 2.66 inches (6.76 cm), 2.70 inches (6.86 cm), 2.74 inches (6.96 cm), 2.78 inches (7.06 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.86 inches (7.264 cm), or 2.90 inches (7.37 cm).

As shown in FIG. 34, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 4400 may be a uniformly thinned region 4860 located in the sole 4406 and extending between the rear portion 4410 of the body 01 and the strike face 4412 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region 4860 includes a sole thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 4403 to the inner surface 4619 in the uniformly thinned region 4860, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 4412 to adjacent the cascade sole portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region 4860 may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness in the uniformly thinned region 4860 may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 4860 may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 4860 may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-section of a golf club head 4400 taken along section line XLVI-XLVI of FIG. 30 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 32, the strike face 4412 includes a high region 4676, a mid region 4674, and a low region 4672.

The strike face 4412 of the body 4401 further includes a thickness 4654 measured perpendicular to the strike face 4412 from the outer surface 4403 to the inner surface 4619. The thickness 4654 of the strike face 4412 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.100 inches. For example, the thickness 4654 of the strike face 4412 can be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.085 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.095 inches, or 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 4654 of the strike face 4412 can vary from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404 and/or from the top rail 4415 to the sole 4406. For example, the thickness 4654 of the strike face 4412 can be greatest at a central portion near a central region 4674 of the strike face 4412 and taper along the periphery near the high region 4676 and low region 4672 of the strike face 4412. In many embodiments, the center of the strike face 4412 can have a thickness 4654 of 0.090 inches and the periphery of the strike face 4412 can have a thickness 4654 of 0.070 inches. In other examples, the thickness 4654 can be increased, decreased, or any other variation beginning in a central region near the mid region 4674 of the strike face 4412 and extending toward the periphery near the high region 4676 and the low region 4672.

The cross-section of the golf club head 4400 in FIG. 32 further illustrates the rear portion 4410. The rear portion 4410 can include an upper region 4411, a lower region 4413, and a flex point 4686 disposed between the upper region 4411 and the lower region 4413. The flex point 4686 is further located at the junction between the rear wall 4623 and the bottom sloped portion 4625. The flex point 4686 is located closer to the sole of the club head than the top rail 4415.

The upper region 4411 of the rear portion 4410 includes a top rail 4415, a top 4628 of the top rail, a rear wall 4623 oriented parallel to the strike face 4412, and a first reference point 4622 disposed between the top rail 4415 and the rear wall 4623. The first reference point 4622 is located at the junction between the top rail 4415 and the rear wall 4623 parallel to the strike face 4412. In many embodiments, the rear wall 4623 of the upper region 4411 is located adjacent to and below the top rail 4415.

In some embodiments, the top rail 4415 in the upper region 4411 can be a flatter, taller top rail or skirt than irons known to those skilled in the art. The flatter, taller rail can compensate for mis-hits or strike faces 4412 to increase playability off the tee. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 4415 measured from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404 can be 70% to 95% of the length of the golf club head 4400.

The top rail 4415 of the upper region 4411 comprises a thickness 4652. The thickness 4652 of the top rail 4415 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 4652 of the top rail 4415 can be 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.077 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 4652 of the top rail 4415 is constant throughout. In other embodiments, the thickness 4652 of the top rail 4415 can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness 4652 of the top rail 4415 decreases from the strike face 4412 toward the rear wall 4623. In many embodiments, the thickness 4652 of the top rail 4415 can provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face 4412. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 4412 can allow for a 2% to 5% increase in energy.

33 illustrates a portion of the top rail 4415 and rear portion 4410 of a cross section of the golf club head 4400 of FIG. 32, which differs from the cross section of the golf club head 1200 as shown in FIG. 4. The strike face 4412 further includes a strike face angle 4750. The strike face angle 4750 is measured from the strike face 4412 to the top rail 4415, where the strike face angle 4750 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees or from 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 4050 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees.

33 further illustrates the top rail 4415 with a top rail angle 4745. The top rail angle 4745 is measured from the rear wall 4623 to the top rail 4415. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 4745 can range from 35 degrees to 120 degrees, or 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 4745 can be 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, or 120 degrees.

The rear wall 4623 of the upper region 4411 includes a height 4680. The height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 is measured from a first reference point 4622 to a bending point 4686, the first reference point 4622 being located at the junction between the top rail 4415 and the rear wall 4623 parallel to the strike face 4412. The height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 may range from 0.055 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.080 inches to 0.085 inches, or 0.55 inches to 0.85 inches. For example, the height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 can be 0.55 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.82 inches, or 0.85 inches. In some embodiments, the height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 ranges from 35% to 60%, 35% to 45%, 45% to 68%, 40% to 55%, 30% to 40%, 35% to 45%, 40% to 50%, 45% to 55%, or 50% to 60% of the overall height of the golf club head 4400. For example, the height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 can be 35%, 38%, 41%, 44%, 47%, 50%, 53%, 56%, or 60% of the overall height of the golf club head 4400.

The rear wall 4623 of the upper region 4411 may also include a height 4680A. The height 4680A is measured from the apex 4628 of the top rail 4415 to the inflection point 4686. The range of the height 4680A is 0.60 inches to 1.0 inches. For example, the height 4680A may be 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1.0 inches. In some embodiments, the height 4680A may range from 40% to 75% of the overall height of the golf club head 4400. For example, the height 4680A can be 40%, 44%, 47%, 50%, 53%, 56%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75% of the overall height of the golf club head 4400.

The rear wall 4623 of the upper region 4411 further comprises a thickness 4656. The thickness 4656 is the vertical distance of the rear wall 4623 from the outer surface 4403 to the inner surface 4619. The thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 can be 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.077 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 is constant throughout. In other embodiments, the thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 is a constant 0.05 inches. The thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 allows for energy transfer from the impact to the bending point 4686 and helps induce the buckling effect.

The lower region 4413 of the body 4401 includes a bottom ramp 4625, a lower outer wall 4627, a second reference point 4682, and a third reference point 4620. The bottom ramp 4625 is adjacent below the inflection point 4686. The lower outer wall 4627 is adjacent below the bottom ramp 4625. The second reference point 4682 is located or positioned at the junction between the bottom ramp 4625 and the lower outer wall 4627. The third reference point 4620 is located between the lower outer wall 4727 and the sole 4406. The bottom ramp 4625 is angled away from the strike face 4412 in a direction away from the top rail 4415 and toward the second reference point 4682.

In some embodiments, the bottom slope 4625 of the lower region 4413 includes a bottom slope length 4629. The bottom slope length 4629 is measured from the inflection point 4686 to the second reference point 4682. The bottom slope length 4629 can range from 0 inches to 0.45 inches. For example, the bottom slope length 4629 can be 0 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.40 inches, or 0.45 inches. In some embodiments, the bottom slope length 4629 can remain constant from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404. In other embodiments, the bottom slope length 4629 can vary from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404. For example, the bottom slope length 4629 can increase from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404, as shown in FIG. 44. In other embodiments, the bottom slope length 4629 can decrease from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404.

In some embodiments, the lower region 4413 further comprises a lower angle 4651 measured from the bottom sloped portion 4625 to the lower outer wall 4627. In some embodiments, the lower angle 4651 can be less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 4651 can be between 130 degrees and 175 degrees. For example, the lower angle 4651 of the lower region 4413 can be 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, 160 degrees, 165 degrees, 170 degrees, or 175 degrees.

The upper region 4411 and the lower region 4413 of the rear portion 4410 are separated by a flex point 4686. The height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 causes the flex point 4686 to be positioned low on the body 4401. In many embodiments, the flex point 4686 is located on the body 4401 at least 40% below the apex 4628. For example, the flex point 4686 can be located on the body 4401 40%, 42%, 44%, 46%, 48%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, or 60% below the apex 4628. The low positioned flex point 4686 allows for greater leverage on the upper region 4411 to experience increased bending during impact with the ball compared to a similar golf club head having a higher flex point location.

The inflection point 4686 includes a bend angle 4696 measured from the rear wall 4623 of the upper region 4411 to the bottom ramp 4625 of the lower region 4413. In some embodiments, the bend angle 4696 can be measured from the rear wall 4623 to the lower outer wall 4627 in the absence of the bottom ramp 4625 (i.e., when the bottom ramp length 4629 is 0 inches). The bend angle 4696 of the inflection point 4686 can range from at least 95 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the bend angle 4696 can be at least 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the bend angle 4696 can be constant from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404. In other embodiments, the flex angle 4696 can vary from the heel region 4402 to the toe region 4404. In many embodiments, the flex angle 4696 allows the flex point 4686 to act as a buckling point or plastic hinge when the golf club head 4400 impacts a golf ball with the strike face 4412. In other examples of similar golf club heads with flex angles less than 95 degrees (i.e., less than 90 degrees or with the bottom ramp oriented approximately perpendicular to the strike face), the flex angle impedes energy transfer and prevents bending at the flex point.

The inflection point 4686 further includes a thickness 4660. The thickness 4660 of the inflection point 4686 is measured perpendicular to the inflection point 4686 from the outer surface 4403 to the inner surface 4619. The thickness 4660 of the inflection point 4686 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 4660 can be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 4660 at the inflection point 4686 is constant with the thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 and the thickness 4658 of the bottom sloped portion 4625. In other embodiments, the thickness 4660 at the bending point 4686 can be less than the thickness 4656 of the rear wall 4623 and the thickness 4658 of the bottom sloped portion 4656. The thickness 4660 at the bending point 4686 can match or be less than the thicknesses 4656, 4658 of the rear wall 4623 and the bottom sloped portion 4656, allowing for more uniform energy transfer and bending.

34 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the golf club head 4400 similar to the detailed cross-section of the golf club head 4400 illustrated in FIG. 30. The body 4401 of the golf club head 4400 further comprises a minimum distance 4616 and a maximum distance 4618. The minimum distance of the body 4401 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 4403 of the strike face 4412 in the upper region 4411 to the outer surface 4403 of the rear wall 4623. The minimum distance 4616 is in the range of 0.20 inches to 0.40 inches. For example, the minimum distance 4616 can be 0.20 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.038 inches, or 0.40 inches. In some embodiments, the minimum distance 4616 of the body 4401 can be less than the bottom slope length 4629. The maximum distance 4618 of the body 4401 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 4403 of the strike face 4412 in the lower region 4413 to the outer surface 4403 of the third reference point 4620. The maximum distance 4618 is in the range of 0.60 inches to 0.90 inches. For example, the maximum distance 4618 can be 0.60 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.84 inches, 0.88 inches, or 0.90 inches.

32-34, the golf club head 4400 can be a hollow or at least partially hollow body that includes an interior cavity 4416. The interior cavity 4416 of the body 4401 includes a volume. The volume of the interior cavity 4416 can range from 0.65 ^in.3 (10.65 ^cm.sup.3 ) to 1.05 ^in.3 (17.21 ^cm.sup.3 ). In some embodiments, the interior cavity 4416 can include a volume of 0.65 ^inches (10.65 ^cm ), 0.70 ^inches (11.47 ^cm ), 0.75 ^inches (12.29 ^cm ), 0.80 ^inches (13.11 ^cm ), 0.85 ^inches (13.93 ^cm ), 0.90 ^inches (14.75 ^cm ), 0.95 ^inches (15.57 ^cm ), 1.00 ^inches (16.39 ^cm ), or 1.05 ^inches (17.21 ^cm ). Similarly, the solid portion of the body 4401 that is the void of the cavity 4416 further includes a volume of material. The material volume of the body 4401 can range from 2.50 ⁱⁿ³ (40.97 ^cm3 ) to 3.50 ⁱⁿ³ (57.35 ^cm3 ). For example, the material volume of the body 4401 can be 2.50 ^inches3 (40.97 ^cm3 ), 2.60 ^inches3 (42.61 ^cm3 ), 2.70 ^inches3 (44.25 ^cm3 ), 2.80 ^inches3 (45.88 ^cm3 ), 2.90 ^inches3 (47.52 ^cm3 ), 3.00 ^inches3 (49.16 ^cm3 ), 3.10 ^inches3 (50.80 ^cm3 ), 3.20 ^inches3 (52.44 ^cm3 ), 3.30 ^inches3 (54.08 ^cm3 ), 3.40 inches (55.72 ^cm3 ), or 3.50 ^inches3 (57.35 ^cm3 ).

In many embodiments, the internal cavity 4416 of the body 4401 can be a void of any material. In other embodiments, the internal cavity 4416 of the body 4401 can include a polymer (not shown), which can at least partially fill the internal cavity 4416. The polymer can be polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other thermoplastics, composite polymers, or any combination thereof. The polymer can fill 10% to 80%, 10% to 25%, 15% to 30%, 30% to 45%, 45% to 60%, 60% to 75%, 75% to 80%, 10% to 40%, 30% to 60%, or 40% to 80% of the internal cavity 4416 of the body 4401. For example, the polymer can fill 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the interior cavity 4416 of the body 4401. In some embodiments, the polymer fills 80% of the interior cavity 4416 of the body 4401.

The polymer for at least partially filling the internal cavity 4416 of the body 4401 includes a specific gravity ranging from 0.05 to 4. For example, the specific gravity of the polymer can be 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the polymer is proportional to the mass of the polymer, with 1 specific gravity of the polymer equal to 1 gram. Similarly, in these exemplary embodiments, the volume is proportional to the polymer specific gravity, with 1 specific gravity of the polymer equal to 1 cc. In other embodiments, the volume is not proportional to the specific gravity of the polymer. For example, the ratio of polymer specific gravity to polymer volume can be 2:1 cc, 2:3 cc, 2:4 cc, 3:1 cc, 3:2 cc, 3:4 cc, 4:1 cc, 4:2 cc, or 4:3 cc.

The mass of the polymer allows the swing weight of the golf club head 4400 to be customizable for each player. Increasing the volume, and therefore weight, of the polymer increases the swing weight. Similarly, decreasing the volume of the polymer decreases the swing weight. Proper swing weight for an individual player can improve feel during the swing and improve performance such as swing speed, swing path, ball speed, and ball trajectory. The polymer can further increase the overall weight of the golf club head 4400 toward the sole 4406. Increasing the weight toward the sole shifts the CG lower and rearward, thereby improving the moment of inertia.

In some embodiments, the golf club head 4400 can further include an aperture (not shown) located on the toe region 4404. The aperture includes an internal thread and is configured to receive a threaded screw weight (not shown). The threaded screw weight includes a weight, and the weight of the threaded screw weight can range from 2 grams to 12 grams. In other embodiments, the weight of the threaded screw weight can range from 4 grams to 10 grams. In some embodiments, the screw weight can be 2 grams, 3 grams, 4 grams, 5 grams, 6 grams, 7 grams, 8 grams, 9 grams, 10 grams, 11 grams, or 12 grams. The weight of the screw weight correlates with the length of the screw weight, with a longer screw weight equating to a larger weight. The threaded screw weight further affects the mass and overall swing weight of the golf club head 4400. Thus, the threaded screw weight can improve the feel of the golf club head 4400 as well as the performance characteristics (e.g., swing speed, ball speed, and ball flight).

In many embodiments, the lower location of the flex point 4686 can provide increased golf ball speed over the golf club head 1200 (or other standard golf club head), can reduce the spin rate of a standard hybrid club head (or other standard golf club head), and can increase the launch angle over both standard hybrid and iron club heads. A flex point positioned less than 40% of the body below the apex cannot buckle as easily because the higher positioning reduces the leverage for the upper region to flex. Thus, when a golf ball impacts the strike face 4412 of a club head 4400 having a flex point 4686 positioned at least 40% of the body below the apex 4628, the strike face 4412 springs back like a drum and the rear portion 4410 flexes in a more controlled buckling manner than a golf club head having a flex point positioned less than 40% of the body below the apex.

A standard top rail and rear wall without a low positioned flex point do not have this hinge/buckling effect and do not absorb high levels of stress over a large volumetric area of the top rail and rear wall. Thus, the standard strike face does not contract and then recoil as much as the strike face 4412. By adding more springs to the rear end of the club (due to the thinness of the top rail 4415 and rear wall 4623 and the low location of the flex point 4686), more force is displaced over the entire volume of the structure. Stresses are observed over a larger area of the strike face 4412, top rail 4415, and rear wall 4623 of the golf club head 4400. Peak stresses can be seen along the top rail of the standard club head. However, more peak stresses are seen in the golf club head 4400, but distributed over a large volume of material. The hinge and bending regions (i.e., flex points 4686) of the golf club head 4400 will not deform unless the stress meets a critical buckling threshold. The flex points 4686 and their placement can be designed to be below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

Furthermore, upon impact with a golf ball, the strike face 4412 can bend inward a greater distance than a golf club without the thin top rail 4415, the thin rear wall 4623, and the flex point 4686 located at least 40% below the apex 4628. In some embodiments, the strike face 4412 has 10% to 50% more deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the thin top rail, the thin rear wall, and the low-positioned flex point. For example, the strike face 4412 can have 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% more deflection than a strike face of a golf club head without the thin top rail 4415, the thin rear wall 4623, and the low-positioned flex point 4686.

As shown in FIG. 34, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 4400 may be a uniformly thinned region 4860 located in the sole 4406 and extending toward the cascade sole portion of the sole between the rear portion 4410 of the body 4401 and the strike face 4412 (as described in more detail below). The uniformly thinned region 4860 may provide multiple benefits. First, the uniformly thinned region 4860 may reduce stress on the strike face 4412 that occurs during impact with a golf ball. Second, the uniformly thinned region 4860 may bend to allow the strike face 4412 to experience greater flexure. Third, the uniformly thinned region 4860 may remove weight from the sole region, allowing weight to be redistributed more toward the rear of the golf club head 4400. Upon impact, the energy imparted to the strike face 4412 by the golf ball may cause the uniformly thinned region 4860 to bend outward, resulting in increased deflection of the strike face 4412. After bending, the uniformly thinned region 4860 returns to its original position, transferring most of the energy from the impact back to the golf ball. As a result, the golf club head 4400 imparts increased ball speed and greater flight distance to the golf ball after impact.

In some embodiments, the body 4401 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 4401 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some implementations, the strike face 4412 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 4412 may comprise Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, quenched and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 4401 may comprise the same material as the strike face 4412. In some embodiments, the body 4401 may comprise a different material than the strike face 4412.

35 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club head 4900, and FIG. 36 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 4900 according to the embodiment of FIG. 35. In some embodiments, the golf club head 4900 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1), the golf club head 2200 (FIG. 8), the golf club head 2700 (FIG. 13), the golf club head 3200 (FIG. 18), the golf club head 3700 (FIG. 23), and/or the golf club head 4400 (FIG. 30). The golf club head 4900 can be an iron-type golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head 4900 does not include a badge or a custom tuning port.

The golf club head 4900 includes a body 4901. In some embodiments, the body 4901 can be similar to the body 1001 (FIG. 1), the body 2201 (FIG. 8), the body 2701 (FIG. 13), the body 3201 (FIG. 18), the body 3701 (FIG. 23), and/or the body 4401 (FIG. 30). The body 4901 further includes an outer surface 4903, a strike face 4912, a heel region 4902, a toe region 4904 opposite the heel region, a sole 4906, a top rail 4915, and a rear portion 4910.

49-52 further comprises a blade length. The blade length of the body 4901 may be measured similarly to the blade length 3725 as shown and described for the golf club head 3700 of FIG. 43 (i.e., measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face from the toe end of the strike face to the end of the strike face before the strike face is integrally curved into the hosel). The blade length of the body 4901 may range from 2.50 inches (6.35 cm) to 2.90 inches (7.37 cm). In some embodiments, the blade length may range from 2.50 inches (6.35 cm) to 2.60 inches (6.60 cm), 2.60 inches (6.60 cm) to 2.70 inches (6.86 inches), 2.70 inches (6.86 cm) to 2.80 inches (7.11 cm), or 2.80 inches (7.11 cm) to 2.90 inches (7.37 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 4901 can include a blade length of 2.50 inches (6.35 cm), 2.54 inches (6.45 cm), 2.58 inches (6.55 cm), 2.62 inches (6.65 cm), 2.66 inches (6.76 cm), 2.70 inches (6.86 cm), 2.74 inches (6.96 cm), 2.78 inches (7.06 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.86 inches (7.264 cm), or 2.90 inches (7.37 cm).

As shown in FIG. 39, a further flexure feature of the golf club head 4900 may be a uniformly thinned region 5360 located in the sole 4906 and extending between the rear 4910 of the body 4901 and the strike face 4912 toward the cascade sole portion of the sole (as described in more detail below). In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region 5360 includes a sole thickness 5361 measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 4903 to the inner surface 5119 at the uniformly thinned region 5360, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 4912 to adjacent the cascade sole portion of the sole 4906. In some embodiments, the sole thickness 5361 of the uniformly thinned region 5360 may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness 5361 of the uniformly thinned region 5360 may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness 5361 of the uniformly thinned region 5360 may be in the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 5360 may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

FIG. 37 shows a cross section of a golf club head 4900 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 37, the strike face 4912 includes a high region 5176, a mid region 5174, and a low region 5172.

The strike face 4912 of the body 4901 further includes a thickness 5154 measured perpendicular to the strike face 4912 from the outer surface 4903 to the inner surface 5119. The thickness 5154 of the strike face 4912 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 5154 of the strike face 4912 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.080 inches to 0.120 inches, 0.120 inches to 0.160 inches, or 0.160 inches to 0.20 inches. For example, the thickness 5154 of the strike face 4912 can be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.085 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.095 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.150 inches, or 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 5154 of the strike face 4912 can vary from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904 and/or from the top rail 4915 to the sole 4906. For example, the thickness 5154 of the strike face 4912 may be greatest at a central portion near the central region 5174 of the strike face 4912 and taper along the periphery near the high region 5176 and low region 5172 of the strike face 4912. In many embodiments, the center of the strike face 4912 may have a thickness 5154 range of 0.10 inches to 0.14 inches and the periphery of the strike face 4912 may have a thickness 5154 range of 0.06 inches to 0.10 inches. In some embodiments, the center of the strike face 4912 may have a thickness 5154 range of 0.10 inches to 0.12 inches, or 0.12 inches to 0.14 inches. In other embodiments, the periphery of the strike face 4912 may have a thickness 5154 range of 0.06 inches to 0.08 inches, or 0.08 inches to 0.10 inches. In other examples, the thickness 5154 can be increased, decreased, or any other variation beginning in a central region near the mid-region of the strike face and extending toward the periphery near the high region 5176 and low region 5172.

The cross section of the golf club head in FIG. 37 further illustrates the rear portion 4910. The rear portion 4910 can include an upper region 4911, a lower region 4913, and a flex point 5186 disposed between the upper region 4911 and the lower region 4913. The flex point 5186 is further located at the junction between the rear wall 5123 and the bottom sloped portion 5125. The flex point 5186 is located closer to the sole 4906 of the club head 4900 than the top rail 4915.

The upper region 4911 of the rear portion 4910 includes a top rail 4915, a top of the top rail 5128, a rear wall 5123 oriented parallel to the strike face 4912, and a first reference point 5122 disposed between the top rail 4915 and the rear wall 5123. The first reference point 5122 is located at the junction between the top rail 4915 and the rear wall 5123 parallel to the strike face. In many embodiments, the rear wall 5123 of the upper region 4911 is located below and adjacent to the top rail 4915.

In some embodiments, the top rail 4915 in the upper region 4911 can be a flatter, taller top rail or skirt than irons known to those skilled in the art. The flatter, taller rail can compensate for mishits of the strike face 4912 and increase playability off the tee. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 4915 measured from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904 can be 60% to 95% of the length of the golf club head 4900.

The top rail 4915 of the upper region 4911 comprises a thickness 5152. The thickness 5152 of the top rail 4915 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 5152 of the top rail 4915 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.060 inches, or from 0.060 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 5152 of the top rail 4915 can be 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.077 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 5152 of the top rail 4915 is constant throughout. In other embodiments, the thickness 5152 of the top rail 4915 can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness 5152 of the top rail 4915 decreases from the strike face 4912 toward the rear wall 5123. In many embodiments, the thickness of the top rail can cause the top rail to provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face can allow for a 2% to 5% increase in energy.

38 illustrates a portion of the top rail 4915 and rear portion 4910 of the cross section of the golf club head of FIG. 35, which differs from the cross section of the golf club head 1200 as shown in FIG. 4. The strike face 4912 further includes a strike face angle 5250. The strike face angle 5250 is measured from the strike face 4912 to the top rail 4915, where the strike face angle 5250 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees, or 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees.

38 further illustrates the top rail 4915 with a top rail angle 5245. The top rail angle 5245 is measured from the rear wall 5123 to the top rail 4915. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 5245 can range from 35 degrees to 150 degrees or 70 degrees to 145 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 5245 can be 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees.

The rear wall 5123 of the upper region 4911 has a height 5180. The height 5180 of the rear wall 5123 is measured from a first reference point 5122 to a bending point 5186, the first reference point 5122 being located at a junction between the top rail 4915 and the rear wall 5123 parallel to the strike face 4912. The height 5180 of the rear wall 5123 can be in the range of 0.55 inches to 0.60 inches, 0.60 inches to 0.70 inches, 0.70 inches to 0.80 inches, 0.80 inches to 0.85 inches, 0.85 inches to 0.90 inches, 0.90 inches to 0.95 inches, 0.95 inches to 1 inch, or 0.55 inches to 1 inch. For example, the height 5180 of the rear wall 5123 can be 0.55 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.88 inches, 0.91 inches, 0.94 inches, 0.97 inches, or 1 inch. In some embodiments, the height 5180 of the rear wall 5123 is in the range of 35% to 60%, 35% to 45%, 45% to 68%, 40% to 55%, 30% to 40%, 35% to 45%, 40% to 50%, 45% to 55%, or 50% to 60% of the overall height of the golf club head 4900. For example, the height 5180 of the rear wall 5123 can be 35%, 38%, 41%, 44%, 47%, 50%, 53%, 56%, or 60% of the overall height of the golf club head 4900.

The rear wall 5123 of the upper region 4911 may also include a second height 5180A. The second height 5180A is measured from the apex 5128 of the top rail 4915 to the inflection point 5186. The second height 5180A may range from 0.60 inches to 1.2 inches. In some embodiments, the second height 5180A may range from 0.60 inches to 0.80 inches, 0.80 inches to 1.0 inches, or 1.0 inches to 1.20 inches. For example, the second height 5180A may be 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.95 inches, 1.0 inches, or 1.2 inches. In some embodiments, the second height 5180A can range from 40% to 75% of the total height of the golf club head 4900. For example, the second height 5180A can be 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75% of the total height of the golf club head 4900.

The rear wall 5123 of the upper region 4911 further comprises a thickness 5156. The thickness 5156 is the vertical distance of the rear wall 5123 from the outer surface 4903 to the inner surface 5119. The thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.060 inches, or from 0.060 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 can be 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.077 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 is constant throughout. In other embodiments, the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 is a constant 0.045 inches. The thickness of the rear wall allows for energy transfer from the impact to the bending point and helps induce the buckling effect.

The lower region 4913 of the body 4901 includes a bottom ramp 5125, a lower outer wall 5127, a second reference point 5182, and a third reference point 5120. The bottom ramp 5125 is adjacent to and below the inflection point 5186. The lower outer wall 5127 is adjacent to and below the bottom ramp 5125. The second reference point 5182 is located between or at the junction between the bottom ramp 5125 and the lower outer wall 5127. The third reference point 5120 is located between the lower outer wall 5127 and the sole 4906. The bottom ramp 5125 is angled away from the strike face 4912 in a direction away from the top rail 4915 and toward the second reference point 5182.

In some embodiments, the bottom slope 5125 of the lower region 4913 includes a bottom slope length 5129. The bottom slope length 5129 is measured from the inflection point 5186 to the second reference point 5182. The bottom slope length 5129 can range from 0 inches to 0.55 inches. In some embodiments, the bottom slope length 5129 can range from 0 inches to 0.35 inches, or from 0.35 inches to 0.55 inches. For example, the bottom slope length 5129 can be 0 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.50 inches, or 0.55 inches. In some embodiments, the bottom slope length 5129 can remain constant from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904. In other embodiments, the bottom slope length 5129 can vary from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904, as shown in FIG. 35. For example, the bottom slope length 5129 can increase from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904. In other embodiments, the bottom slope length 5129 can decrease from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904.

In some embodiments, the lower region 4913 further comprises a lower angle 5151 measured from the bottom slope 5125 to the lower outer wall 5127. In some embodiments, the lower angle 5151 can be less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower angle 5151 can be between 130 degrees and 175 degrees. For example, the lower angle 5151 of the lower region 4913 can be 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, 160 degrees, 165 degrees, 170 degrees, or 175 degrees.

The upper region 4911 and the lower region 4913 of the rear portion 4910 are separated by a flex point 5186. Due to the height of the rear wall, the flex point 5186 is located low on the body 4901. In many embodiments, the flex point 5186 is located on the body 4901 at least 40% below the apex 5128. For example, the flex point 5186 can be located on the body 4901 40%, 42%, 44%, 46%, 48%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, or 60% below the apex 5128. The low positioned flex point 5186 allows for greater leverage on the upper region 4911 to experience increased bending during impact with the ball compared to a similar golf club head having a higher flex point location.

The inflection point 5186 includes a bend angle 5196 measured from the rear wall 5123 of the upper region 4911 to the bottom slope 5125 of the lower region 4913. In some embodiments, the bend angle 5196 may be measured from the rear wall 5123 to the lower outer wall 5127 in the absence of the bottom slope 5125 (i.e., a bottom slope length of 0 inches). The bend angle 5196 of the inflection point 5186 may range from at least 95 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the bend angle 5196 may be at least 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the bend angle 5196 may be constant from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904. In other embodiments, the flex angle 5196 can vary from the heel region 4902 to the toe region 4904. In many embodiments, the flex angle 5196 allows the flex point 5186 to act as a buckling point or plastic hinge when the golf club head 4900 impacts a golf ball with the strike face 4912. In other examples of similar golf club heads with flex angles less than 95 degrees (i.e., 90 degrees, or a bottom ramp oriented nearly perpendicular to the strike face), the flex angle impedes energy transfer and prevents bending at the flex point.

The rear wall at the inflection point 5186 further includes a thickness 5160. The thickness 5160 at the inflection point 5186 is measured perpendicular to the inflection point 5186 from the outer surface 4903 to the inner surface 5119. The thickness 5160 at the inflection point 5186 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 5160 at the inflection point 5186 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.060 inches, or from 0.060 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 5160 can be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 5160 of the inflection point 5186 is constant with the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 and the thickness 5158 of the bottom ramp 5125. In other embodiments, the thickness 5160 of the inflection point 5186 can be less than the thickness 5156 of the rear wall 5123 and the thickness 5158 of the bottom ramp 5125. The thickness 5160 of the inflection point 5186 matches or is less than the thicknesses 5156, 5158 of the rear wall 5123 and the bottom ramp 5125, allowing for more uniform energy transfer and bending.

The body 4901 of the golf club head 4900 further includes a minimum distance 5116 and a maximum distance 5118. The minimum distance 5116 of the body 4901 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 4903 of the strike face 4912 in the upper region 4911 to the outer surface 4903 of the rear wall 5123. The minimum distance 5116 is in the range of 0.20 inches to 0.44 inches. In some embodiments, the minimum distance 5116 can be in the range of, for example, 0.20 inches to 0.30 inches, or 0.30 inches to 0.44 inches, and the minimum distance 5116 can be 0.20 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.42 inches, or 0.44 inches. The maximum distance 5118 of the body 4901 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 4903 of the strike face 4912 in the lower region 4913 to the outer surface 4903 of the third reference point 5120. The maximum distance 5118 is in the range of 0.60 inches to 1.0 inches. In some embodiments, the maximum distance 5118 can be in the range of 0.60 inches to 0.80 inches, or 0.80 inches to 1.0 inches. For example, the maximum distance 5118 can be 0.60 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.84 inches, 0.88 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.92 inches, 0.94 inches, 0.96 inches, or 1.0 inches.

The body 4901 of the golf club head 4900 further includes an internal cavity distance 5114, as shown in FIG. 39. The internal cavity distance 5114 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 4903 of the strike face 4912 in the lower region 4913 to the inner surface 5119 of the rear wall 5123. The internal cavity distance 5114 may range from 0.40 inches to 0.80 inches. In some implementations, the internal cavity distance 5114 may range from 0.40 inches to 0.60 inches, or from 0.60 inches to 0.80 inches. For example, the internal cavity distance 5114 may be 0.40 inches, 0.44 inches, 0.48 inches, 0.52 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.76 inches, or 0.80 inches.

35-38, the golf club head 4900 can be a hollow or at least partially hollow body that includes an interior cavity 4916. The interior cavity 4916 of the body 4901 includes a volume. The volume of the interior cavity 4916 can range from 1.20 ^inches3 (19.66 ^cm3 ) to 2.0 ^inches3 (32.77 ^cm3 ). In some embodiments, the interior cavity 4916 can range from 1.20 ^inches3 (19.66 ^cm3 ) to 1.6 ^inches3 (26.22 ^cm3 ), or from 1.6 ^inches3 (26.22 ^cm3 ) to 2.0 ^inches3 (32.77 ^cm3 ). For example, the interior cavity 4916 may include a volume of 1.20 ^inches (19.66 ^cm ), 1.30 ^inches (21.30 ^cm ), 1.40 ^inches (22.94 ^cm ), 1.50 ^inches (24.58 ^cm ), 1.60 ^inches (26.22 ^cm ), 1.70 ^inches (27.86 ^cm ), 1.80 ^inches (29.50 ^cm ), 1.90 ^inches (31.14 ^cm ), or 2.0 ^inches (32.77 ^cm ). Similarly, the solid portion of the body 4900 that is the void of the cavity 4916 further includes a material volume. The volume may be 3.0 ^inches (49.16 ^cm ) to 4.0 ^inches (65.55 ^cm ). In some embodiments, the material volume of the body can be from 3.0 ⁱⁿ³ (49.16 ^cm3 ) to 3.5 ⁱⁿ³ (57.35 ^cm3 ), or from 3.5 ⁱⁿ³ (57.35 ^cm3 ) to 4.0 ⁱⁿ³ (65.55 ^cm3 ). For example, the volume of the body may be any of 3.0 ^inches3 (40.97 ^cm3 ), 3.10 ^inches3 (50.80 ^cm3 ), 3.20 ^inches3 (52.44 ^cm3 ), 3.30 ^inches3 (54.08 ^cm3 ), 3.40 ^inches3 (55.72 ^cm3 ), 3.50 ^inches3 (57.35 ^cm3 ), 3.60 ^inches3 (58.99 ^cm3 ), 3.70 ^inches3 (60.63 ^cm3 ), 3.80 ^inches3 (62.27 ^cm3 ), 3.90 ^inches3 (63.91 ^cm3 ), or 4.0 ^inches3 (65.55 ^cm3 ).

In many embodiments, the internal cavity 4916 of the body 4900 can be free of any material. In other embodiments, the internal cavity 4916 of the body 4900 can include a polymer (not shown), which can at least partially fill the internal cavity 4916. The polymer can be polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other thermoplastics, composite polymers, or any combination thereof. The polymer can fill 10% to 80%, 10% to 25%, 15% to 30%, 30% to 45%, 45% to 60%, 60% to 75%, 75% to 80%, 10% to 40%, 30% to 60%, or 40% to 80% of the internal cavity of the body. For example, the polymer can fill 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the interior cavity of the body. In some embodiments, the polymer fills 80% of the interior cavity 4916 of the body 4901.

The polymer for at least partially filling the internal cavity 4916 of the body 4901 includes a specific gravity in the range of 0.05 to 4. In some embodiments, the specific gravity ranges from 0.05 to 0.10, 0.10 to 0.50, 0.50 to 1.0, 1.0 to 2.0, or 2.0 to 4.0. For example, the specific gravity of the polymer can be 0.50, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the polymer is proportional to the mass of the polymer, with 1 specific gravity of the polymer equal to 1 gram. Similarly, in these exemplary embodiments, the volume is proportional to the polymer specific gravity, with 1 specific gravity of the polymer equal to 1 cc. In other embodiments, the volume is not proportional to the specific gravity of the polymer. For example, the ratio of polymer specific gravity to polymer volume can be 2:1 cc, 2:3 cc, 2:4 cc, 3:1 cc, 3:2 cc, 3:4 cc, 4:1 cc, 4:2 cc, or 4:3 cc.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 40, the golf club head 4900 may further include a first aperture 5134 located on the toe region 4904 and a second aperture 5136 located in the hosel of the golf club head 4900. The first aperture 5134 is configured to receive a toe weight (not shown), and the toe weight may range from 2 grams to 7 grams. In some embodiments, the toe weight may range from 2 grams to 5 grams, or from 5 grams to 7 grams. For example, the toe weight may be 2 grams, 3 grams, 4 grams, 5 grams, 6 grams, or 7 grams. The second aperture 5136 is configured to receive a tip weight (not shown), and the tip weight may range from 2 grams to 7 grams. In some embodiments, the tip weight may range from 2 grams to 5 grams, or from 5 grams to 7 grams. For example, the tip weight may be 2 grams, 3 grams, 4 grams, 5 grams, 6 grams, or 7 grams. In many embodiments, the first aperture 5134 and the second aperture 5136 can be further configured to receive a polymer. The first aperture 5134 can receive 1 to 9 grams of polymer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 grams). Similarly, the second aperture 5136 can receive 1 to 9 grams of polymer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 grams). The toe and tip weights, as well as the polymer contained within the first aperture 5134 and the second aperture 5136 can affect the swing weight to optimize the CG and MOI.

The interior cavity 4916 of the body 4901 further comprises an inner surface 5119. In some embodiments, the inner surface 5119 of the rear portion 4910 is a flat, smooth surface. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 38, the inner surface 5119 of the interior cavity 4916 of the rear portion 4910 includes a plurality of ribs 4952. The plurality of ribs 4952 extend in a direction from the top rail 4915 toward the sole 4906. The plurality of ribs 4952 may be located anywhere on the inner surface 5119 of the rear portion 4910. In some examples, the plurality of ribs 4952 may be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 5119 of the lower outer wall 5127. In other examples, the plurality of ribs 4952 may be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 5119 of the rear wall 5123. In some embodiments, the plurality of ribs 4952 may be disposed on a portion of the inner surface 5119 of the rear portion 4910 and may extend into another portion of the rear portion 4910. For example, the ribs 4952 can be positioned on a portion of the inner surface 5119 of the rear wall 5123 and extend to at least a portion of the bottom ramp 5125 or at least a portion of the lower outer wall 5127. The ribs 4952 can include between one and eight ribs. For example, the ribs 4952 can include one rib, two ribs, three ribs, four ribs, five ribs, six ribs, seven ribs, or eight ribs. In an embodiment having one or more ribs 4952, the ribs 4952 can be spaced equidistant from each other or more concentrated near the heel region 4902, the toe region 4904, the top rail 4915, or the sole 4906. The ribs 4952 and the location of the ribs 4952 can help optimize the frequency and amplitude of the sound response.

In some embodiments, the body 4901 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 4901 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some implementations, the strike face 4912 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 4912 may comprise Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, quenched and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 4901 may comprise the same material as the strike face 4912. In some embodiments, the body 4901 may comprise a different material than the strike face 4912.

42 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a golf club head 5600, and FIG. 43 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 5600 according to the embodiment of FIG. 42. In some embodiments, the golf club head 5600 can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1), the golf club head 2200 (FIG. 8), the golf club head 2700 (FIG. 13), the golf club head 3200 (FIG. 18), the golf club head 3700 (FIG. 23), and/or the golf club head 4400 (FIG. 30). The golf club head 5600 can be an iron-type golf club head.

The golf club head 5600 includes a body 5601. In some embodiments, the body 5601 can be similar to the body 1001 (FIG. 1), the body 2201 (FIG. 8), the body 2701 (FIG. 13), the body 3201 (FIG. 18), the body 3701 (FIG. 23), and/or the body 4401 (FIG. 30). The body 5601 includes an outer surface 5603, a strike face 5612, a heel region 5602, a toe region 5604 opposite the heel region 5602, a sole 5606, a top rail 5615, and a rear portion 5610. The strike face 5612, the sole 5606, the top rail 5615, and the rear portion 5610 of the body 5601 together form an interior cavity 5616. Furthermore, the golf club head 5600 can be divided into an upper region 5611 and a lower region 5613 (see FIG. 44).

The rear portion 5610 of the golf club head 5600 may include a recess 5630 that alters the flexure and/or weight distribution of the club head. The rear portion 5610 of the golf club head may further include a ledge 5825 or step wall below the recess 5630. The rear portion 5610 further includes an upper perimeter 5609 that extends along the top rail 5615 and wraps around the sides of the toe region 5604 and heel region 5602. The toe slit 5666 and heel slit 5662 are disposed between a portion of the upper perimeter 5609 and the lower outer wall 5727 of the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600, respectively, to allow structural bending between the upper and lower halves of the club head 5600. This bending permitted by the toe slit 5666 and heel slit 5662 results in greater flexure of the strike face 5612 than a club head without these slits. The club head 5600 may further include a vibration-damping layer 5878 on the inner surface 5819 of the strike face 5612. In some embodiments, the interior cavity 5616 may be filled or partially filled with a polymeric material.

42-48 includes a blade length. The blade length of the body 5601 may be measured similarly to the blade length 3725 shown and described in FIG. 29 (i.e., measured parallel to the flat surface of the strike face 3712 from the toe end of the strike face 3712 to the strike face end 3727 before the strike face 3712 is integrally curved into the hosel). The blade length of the body 5601 may range from 2.50 inches (6.35 cm) to 2.90 inches (7.37 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the body 3701 can be 2.50 inches (6.35 cm), 2.54 inches (6.45 cm), 2.58 inches (6.55 cm), 2.62 inches (6.65 cm), 2.66 inches (6.76 cm), 2.70 inches (6.86 cm), 2.74 inches (6.96 cm), 2.78 inches (7.06 cm), 2.82 inches (7.16 cm), 2.86 inches (7.264 cm), or 2.90 inches (7.37 cm).

The sole may include a cascading sole portion of the sole, as described in more detail below. As shown in FIG. 46, the flexure feature of the golf club head 5600 may be a uniformly thinned region 6060 located in the sole 5606 and extending between the rear portion 5610 of the body 5601 and the strike face 5612 toward the cascading sole portion of the sole. In the illustrated embodiment, the uniformly thinned region 6060 includes a sole thickness measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 5603 to the inner surface 5819 in the uniformly thinned region 6060, which may remain constant from the bottom of the strike face 5612 to adjacent the cascading sole portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 6060 may be thinner than a conventional sole. For example, in some embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 6060 may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 6060 may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness of the uniformly thinned region 4860 may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

FIG. 44 illustrates a cross-section of the golf club head 5600 taken along section line LVIII-LVIII of FIG. 42 in one embodiment. As seen in FIG. 44, the strike face 5612 includes a high region 5876, a mid region 5874, and a low region 5872.

The strike face 5612 of the body 5601 further includes a thickness 5854 measured perpendicular to the strike face 5612 from the outer surface 5603 to the inner surface 5819. The thickness 5854 of the strike face 5612 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.100 inches. For example, the thickness 5854 of the strike face 4412 can be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.085 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.095 inches, or 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 5854 of the strike face 5612 can vary from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604 and/or from the top rail 5615 to the sole 5606. For example, the thickness 5854 of the strike face 5612 can be greatest at a central portion near a mid region 5874 of the strike face 5612 and taper along the perimeter near the high region 5876 and low region 5872 of the strike face 5612. In many embodiments, the center of the strike face 5612 can have a thickness 5854 of 0.090 inches and the perimeter of the strike face 5612 can have a thickness 5854 of 0.070 inches. In other examples, the thickness 5854 can be increased, decreased, or any variation beginning in the central region near the mid region 5874 of the strike face 5612 and extending toward the perimeter near the high region 5876 and low region 5872.

The upper region 5611 of the rear portion 5610 includes an upper perimeter 5609, a recess 5630, and a ledge 5825. The upper perimeter includes the top rail of the club head and wraps around the length of the toe and heel regions of the club head. The upper perimeter 5609 extends along the top edge of the golf club head 5600 from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. In the toe region 5604, the upper perimeter 5609 extends downward along the perimeter of the toe region 5604. In some embodiments, the upper perimeter 5609 extends approximately halfway down along the perimeter of the toe region 5604. The upper perimeter abuts the recess. The upper perimeter 5609 of the rear portion 5610 can provide a perimeter weight distribution for the club head 5600. Additionally, the upper perimeter 5609 allows stresses in the top rail 5615 to be dissipated into the rear portion 5610 of the club head 5600.

The recess 5630 is located on the outer surface 5603 below the top perimeter and above the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600. The recess 5630 in the rear portion 5610 extends inward toward the strike face of the golf club head 5600. The recess 5630 is located in the top portion 5611 of the club head 5600. In some embodiments, the recess 5630 is located primarily in the top half of the golf club head 5600. The recess 5630 is bounded on its top, toe, and heel sides by the top perimeter 5609. The recess 5630 is bounded on its bottom by a ledge 5825.

The ledge 5825 generally extends in a direction from the heel region 5602 toward the toe region 5604. The ledge 5825 helps to form a lower boundary of the recess 5630. The ledge 5825 can be located at various heights above the ground surface 10 when the club head 5600 is in the address position. The ledge 5825 can include multiple segments, each segment located at a different height above the ground surface 10, as shown in the rear view of FIG. 42. For example, the ledge 5825 can include a segment located at least partially in the toe region 5604 that is higher from the ground surface 10 than a segment located in the heel region 5602.

The ledge 5825 on the rear portion 5610 of the club head 5600 may be positioned in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the strike face 5612. The ledge 5825 runs the length of the club head 5600 from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. The ledge 5825 may also be considered a ledge or a groove. At the heel end, the ledge 5825 may blend into the heel slit 5662. At the toe end, the ledge 5825 may blend into the toe slit 5666.

The ledge 5825 may be angled relative to the ground contact surface 10 at a ledge angle (not shown). In some embodiments, the ledge angle measured from the ledge 5825 to the ground contact surface 10 may range from 15 degrees to 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the ledge angle may be 15 degrees, 16 degrees, 17 degrees, 18 degrees, 19 degrees, 20 degrees, 21 degrees, 22 degrees, 23 degrees, 24 degrees, 25 degrees, 26 degrees, 27 degrees, 28 degrees, 29 degrees, 30 degrees, 31 degrees, 32 degrees, 33 degrees, 34 degrees, 35 degrees, 36 degrees, 37 degrees, 38 degrees, 39 degrees, 40 degrees, 41 degrees, 42 degrees, 43 degrees, 44 degrees, or 45 degrees.

The toe and heel slits 5666, 5662 are positioned on the rear 5610 of the club head 5600 approximately halfway up from the ground 10 toward the top rail 5615. The toe slit 5666 and heel slit 5662 span a short length across the toe and heel regions 5604, respectively, of the club head 5600. The toe slit 5666 and heel slit 5662 extend from either end of the ledge 5825. The toe slit 5666 is located in the toe region 5604 between the upper perimeter 5609 and the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600. The heel slit 5662 is positioned in the heel region 5602 between the adjacent upper perimeters 5609 next to the hosel.

The toe slit 5666 and the heel slit 5662 are oriented in a toe-heel direction. The toe slit 5666 may be positioned between approximately halfway and approximately 2/3 of the way up from the ground surface 10 toward the top rail 5615, measured parallel to the strike face 5612. The heel slit 5662 may also be positioned between approximately halfway and approximately 2/3 of the way up from the ground surface 10 toward the top rail 5615. In some embodiments, the heel slit 5662 is positioned lower relative to the ground surface 10 than the toe slit 5666. In these examples, the upper perimeter 5609 extends downward in the heel region 5602 than in the toe region 5604.

The toe slit 5666 has a depth 6267 such that the deepest surface of the slit 5666 blends into the recess 5630. The toe slit depth 6267 may be measured from the outer surface of the upper perimeter to the lowest point on the inside of the toe slit. The toe slit depth 6267 may range from 0.05 inches to 0.20 inches. For example, the toe slit depth 6267 may range from 0.05 inches to 0.15 inches, or from 0.15 inches to 0.20 inches. The toe slit height 5668 may be measured in a direction generally perpendicular to the ground plane from the intersection of the toe slit 5666 with the upper perimeter 5609 to the intersection of the toe slit 5666 with the ledge 5825. The toe slit height 5668 may range from 0.10 inches to 0.30 inches. For example, the toe slit height 5668 can range from 0.15 inches to 0.17 inches, 0.10 inches to 0.15 inches, 0.15 inches to 0.20 inches, or 0.20 inches to 0.30 inches. The toe slit 5666 can include a length 5669 between an outer edge of the toe region 5604 and the recess 5630 where the toe slit 5666 terminates, as shown in FIG. 42. The toe slit length 5669 can range from 0.318 inches to 0.418 inches. For example, the toe slit length 5669 can be 0.318 inches, 0.320 inches, 0.330 inches, 0.340 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.360 inches, 0.368 inches, 0.370 inches, 0.380 inches, 0.390 inches, 0.400 inches, 0.410 inches, 0.418 inches. The dimensions of the toe slit 5666 can affect the deflection of the strike face 5612, as described below.

The heel slit 5662 is similar in depth and orientation to the toe slit 5666. However, in some embodiments, the angular orientation of the heel slit 5662 with respect to the ground plane is slightly different than the angular orientation of the toe slit 5666. In some embodiments, the heel slit 5662 does not extend to the heel-extent of the club head 5600. The heel slit height 5664 may be measured in a direction generally perpendicular to the ground plane from the intersection of the upper periphery 5609 and the heel slit 5662 to the intersection of the ledge 5825 and the heel slit 5662. The heel slit height 5664 may range from 0.10 inches to 0.30 inches. For example, the heel slit height 5664 may range from 0.13 inches to 0.16 inches, 0.10 inches to 0.15 inches, 0.15 inches to 0.20 inches, or 0.20 inches to 0.30 inches. The heel slit can include a length 5665 measured adjacent the edge of the peripheral portion toward the heel region, as shown in FIG. 42. The heel slit length 5665 can be longer than the toe slit length 5669. In other embodiments, the heel slit and toe slit are the same length. The heel slit length 5665 can range from 0.325 inches to 0.425 inches. For example, the heel slit length 5665 can be 0.325 inches, 0.330 inches, 0.335 inches, 0.340 inches, 0.345 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.355 inches, 0.360 inches, 0.365 inches, 0.370 inches, 0.375 inches, 0.380 inches, 0.385 inches, 0.390 inches, 0.395 inches, 0.400 inches, 0.405 inches, 0.410 inches, 0.415 inches, 0.420 inches, or 0.425 inches. The dimensions of the heel slit 5662 can affect the deflection of the strike face 5612, as described below.

In the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600, the body 5601 extends a greater vertical distance from the strike face 5612 than in the upper perimeter 5609 or the recess 5630. The lower region 5613 includes a solid region adjacent the sole 5606 and rear portion 5610 of the club head 5600. The solid region provides the club head 5600 with a perimeter weight distribution. The solid region is bounded by the sole 5606 and the lower outer wall 5727. The leading edge of the solid region defines a portion of the inner wall of the interior cavity 5616.

The cross section of the golf club head 5600 in FIG. 44 further illustrates the rear portion 5610. The rear portion 5610 can be understood as being divided into an upper region 5611 and a lower region 5613 of the club head 5600. The upper region 6511 of the rear portion includes an upper perimeter 5609 and a recess 5630 that includes a ledge 5825. As illustrated in FIG. 44, the upper perimeter 5609 includes a top rail 5615, a rear wall 5723, and a top wall 5719. The recess 5630 is formed by the top wall 5719 of the upper perimeter, the recess wall 5821, and the ledge 5825.

44, from a cross-sectional view, the upper region 5611 of the rear portion 5610 includes a top rail 5615, a rear wall 5723, a top wall 5719, a recess wall 5821, and a ledge 5825. The rear wall 5723 of the rear portion 5610 is below and adjacent to the top rail 5615. The top wall 5719 of the rear portion 5610 is below and adjacent to the rear wall 5723. The recess wall 5821 is below and adjacent to the top wall 5719. The ledge 5825 is below and adjacent to the recess wall 5821. In short, the top wall 5719 and the ledge 5825 are angled toward the strike face and connect to the recess wall 5821 to form the recess 5630. The upper region 5611 further includes a first reference point 5722 located between the top rail 5615 and the rear wall 5723, a second reference point 5782 located between the rear wall 5723 and the top wall 5719, a first flex point 5786 located between the top wall 5719 and the recessed wall 5821, a second flex point 5792 located between the recessed wall 5821 and the ledge 5825, and a third flex point 5794 located between the ledge 5825 and the lower region 5613.

In some embodiments, the top rail 5615 of the upper perimeter can be a flatter and taller top rail or skirt than that of irons known to those skilled in the art. The flatter and taller rail can compensate for miss-hits of the strike face 5612 to increase playability off the tee. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 5615 measured from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604 can be 70% to 95% of the length of the golf club head 5600. In many embodiments, the recess 5630 includes a top rail box spring design. In some fairway iron type golf club head embodiments, the recess 5630 can be a reverse scoop or recess in the rear portion 5610, and the body 5601 includes a greater thickness toward the sole 5606. In many embodiments, the top rail and recess 5630 of the upper perimeter provide an increase in the overall bending of the strike face 5612. In some embodiments, the bending of the strike face 5612 can allow for a 2% to 5% increase in energy. The recess 5630 allows the strike face 5612 to be thinner, allowing for additional overall bending.

The top rail 5615 at the upper periphery has a thickness 6052. The thickness 6052 of the top rail 5615 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the thickness 6052 of the top rail 5615 can be 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.077 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness 6052 of the top rail 5615 is constant throughout. In other embodiments, the thickness 6052 of the top rail 5615 can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness 6052 of the top rail 5615 decreases from the strike face 5612 toward the rear wall 5823. In many embodiments, the thickness 6052 of the top rail may allow the top rail 5615 to provide an increase in overall bending of the strike face 5612.

FIG. 45 illustrates a portion of the top rail 5615 and rear section 5610 of the golf club head 5600 of FIG. 42 in a cross section taken along section line LVIII-LVIII of FIG. 42, similar to the cross section of FIG. 44. In many embodiments, the golf club head 5600 includes a rear angle 5940, a top rail angle 5945, and a strike face angle 5950. The rear angle 5940 is measured from the top wall 5819 to the rear wall 5823 of the upper region 5611. In many embodiments, the rear angle 5940 can range from 70 degrees to 140 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 5940 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, or 140 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 5940 is approximately 122 degrees.

The strike face 5612 further includes a strike face angle 5950. The strike face angle 5950 is measured from the strike face 5612 to the top rail 5615, where the strike face angle 5950 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees or from 70 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 5950 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees. In some embodiments, the strike face angle 5950 is approximately 90 degrees.

45 further illustrates the top rail 5615 with a top rail angle 5945. The top rail angle 5945 is measured from the rear wall 5823 to the top rail 5615. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 5945 can range from 70 degrees to 160 degrees or 90 degrees to 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 5945 can be 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, or 160 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 5945 is approximately 131 degrees.

The rear wall 5723 extends from a first reference point 5722 to a second reference point in a generally parallel orientation to the strike face. The rear wall 5723 connects the top rail to the top wall 5719. The rear wall 5823 of the upper region 5611 has a height 5880. The height 5880 of the rear wall 5823 is measured from the first reference point 5722 to the second reference point 5782. The height 5880 of the rear wall 5823 can range from 0.055 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.080 inches to 0.085 inches, or 0.55 inches to 0.85 inches. For example, the height 4680 of the rear wall 4623 can be 0.55 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.82 inches, or 0.85 inches. In some embodiments, the height 5880 of the rear wall 4623 ranges from 35% to 60%, 35% to 45%, 45% to 68%, 40% to 55%, 30% to 40%, 35% to 45%, 40% to 50%, 45% to 55%, or 50% to 60% of the overall height of the golf club head 5600. For example, the height 5880 of the rear wall 5823 can be 35%, 38%, 41%, 44%, 47%, 50%, 53%, 56%, or 60% of the overall height of the golf club head 5600.

The rear wall 5823 of the upper region 5611 may also include a height 5680A. The height 5680A is measured from the top 5828 of the top rail 5615 to the second reference point 5782. The height 5880A may range from 0.60 inches to 1.0 inches. For example, the height 5880A may be 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1.0 inches. In some embodiments, the height 5880A may range from 40% to 75% of the overall height of the golf club head 5600. For example, the height 5880A can be 40%, 44%, 47%, 50%, 53%, 56%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75% of the overall height of the golf club head 5600.

The rear wall 5823 of the upper region 5611 further comprises a rear wall thickness 5856. The rear wall thickness 5856 is the vertical distance of the rear wall 5823 from the exterior surface 5603 to the interior surface 5619 of the internal cavity 5630. The rear wall thickness 5856 can range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the rear wall thickness 5856 can be 0.040 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.077 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the rear wall thickness 5856 is constant throughout. In other embodiments, the rear wall thickness 5856 can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear wall thickness 5856 is a constant 0.05 inches. The rear wall thickness 5856 allows for energy transfer from the impact to the bending point 5886 and helps induce the buckling effect.

The top wall 5719 slopes toward the strike face and away from the top rail 5615 in a direction toward the first flex point 5786. The top wall 5719 extends from the second reference point 5782 to the first flex point 5786. The described configuration of the rear wall 5723 and the top wall 5719 allows for increased bending of the top rail 5615 of the club head 5600 upon impact with a golf ball, as compared to a club head lacking the described rear wall and top wall configuration. The top wall 5719 connects to the recess wall 5821 at the first flex point 5786.

The recess 5630 is formed by a top wall 5719, a recess wall 5821, and a ledge 5825. In some embodiments, the recess wall 5821 may be substantially flat. In some embodiments, the recess wall 5821 may include an at least partially curved profile when viewed in cross section, as shown in FIG. 44. The recess wall thickness 5858 is measured perpendicularly from the outer surface 5603 to the inner surface 5819 at a point along the recess wall 5821 between the first inflection point 5786 and the second inflection point 5792. The recess wall thickness 5858 may range from 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the recess wall thickness 5858 can be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the recess wall thickness 5858 is constant with the rear wall thickness 5856 and the ledge thickness 5860. In other embodiments, the recess wall thickness 5858 can be less than the rear wall thickness 5856 and the ledge thickness 5860. The recess wall thickness 5858 matches or is less than the thicknesses 5823, 5860 of the rear wall 5723 and ledge 5825, allowing for more uniform energy transfer and bending.

As best seen from a rear view, such as FIG. 42, the recessed walls 5821 may cover a surface area of between 10% and 40% of the surface area of the rear portion 5610. For example, the recessed walls 5821 may cover a surface area of between 10% and 20%, 20% and 30%, or 30% and 40% of the surface area of the rear portion 5610. In some embodiments, the recessed walls 5821 may cover a surface area of approximately 29% of the surface area of the rear portion 5610.

The height 5888 of the recess 5630 is measured perpendicular to the ground surface 10 from the second reference point 5782 to the third inflection point 5794. The height 5888 of the recess 5630 can range from 0.15 inches to 1.1 inches. For example, the height 5888 of the recess 5630 can range from 0.15 inches to 0.30 inches, 0.30 inches to 0.45 inches, 0.45 inches to 0.60 inches, 0.60 inches to 0.75 inches, 0.75 inches to 0.90 inches, or 0.90 inches to 1.0 inches. For example, the height 5888 of the recess 5630 can be approximately 0.21 inches in the heel region 5602, approximately 0.63 inches at the center of the club head between the heel region 5602 and the toe region 5604, and approximately 0.98 inches in the toe region 5604. In some embodiments, the maximum height of the recess 5888 is between 0.80 inches and 1.1 inches.

The second bend point 5792 includes a second bend angle measured from the recess wall 5721 to the ledge portion 5825. The second bend angle of the second bend point 5792 can range from at least 95 degrees to 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the second bend angle 5796 can be at least 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, or 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the second bend angle can be constant from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. In other embodiments, the second bend angle 5796 can vary from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. In many embodiments, the second bend angle 5796 allows the second bend point 5686 to act as a buckling point or plastic hinge when the golf club head 5600 impacts a golf ball with the strike face 5712.

44, in some embodiments, the ledge includes a ledge width 5829. The ledge width 5829 is measured along the ledge 5825 from the second inflection point 5792 to the third inflection point 5794. The ledge width 5829 can range from 0.088 inches to 0.128 inches. For example, the ledge width 5829 can be 0.090, 0.094 inches, 0.098 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.104 inches, 0.108 inches, 0.110 inches, 0.112 inches, 0.114 inches, 0.118 inches, 0.120 inches, 0.124 inches, or 0.128 inches. In some embodiments, the ledge width 5829 can remain constant from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. In other embodiments, the ledge width 5829 can vary from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. For example, the ledge width 5829 can increase from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5604. In other embodiments, the ledge width 5829 can decrease from the heel region 5602 to the toe region 5602.

The ledge 5825 includes a ledge thickness measured vertically from the outer surface 5603 to the inner surface 5819 at a point along the ledge 5825 between the second inflection point 5792 and the third inflection point 5794. The ledge thickness can be similar to the recess wall thickness.

The upper region 5611 and the lower region 5613 of the rear portion 5610 are separated by a third flex point 5794. In many embodiments, the third flex point 5794 is located at least 40% below the body 5601 below the apex 5828. For example, the third flex point 5694 can be located 40%, 42%, 44%, 46%, 48%, 50%, 52%, 54%, 56%, 58%, 60%, 62%, 64%, 66%, 68%, or 70% below the body 5601 below the apex 5828. The lower positioned third flex point 5794 allows the upper region 5611 to experience increased bending during impact with the ball due to greater leverage on the upper region 5611 compared to a similar golf club head having a higher flex point location.

The lower region 5613 of the body 5601 begins at the third inflection point 5794 and includes a lower outer wall 5827. The lower outer wall 5827 extends from the first inflection point 5794 to the sole 5606. The lower outer wall 5827 may be angled relative to the strike face. The lower region 5613 includes a height measured from the ground surface 5703 to the third inflection point 5794 adjacent the bottom end of the ledge 5825. The height of the lower region 5613 may range from 0.40 inches to 1.20 inches. For example, the height of the lower region 5613 may range from 0.40 inches to 0.70 inches, 0.60 inches to 0.80 inches, 0.70 inches to 0.90 inches, 0.80 inches and 1.00 inches, 0.90 inches and 1.10 inches, or 1.00 inches and 1.20 inches.

At the third bend point 5794, a third bend angle 5851 is measured between the ledge 5825 and the lower outer wall 5727. In some embodiments, the third bend angle 5851 may be less than 160 degrees. In some embodiments, the third bend angle 5851 can be between 90 degrees and 175 degrees. For example, the third bend angle 5851 can be 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, 120 degrees, 125 degrees, 130 degrees, 135 degrees, 140 degrees, 145 degrees, 150 degrees, 155 degrees, 160 degrees, 165 degrees, 170 degrees, or 175 degrees.

The lower outer wall 5727 is located in the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600. The lower outer wall 5727 extends downwardly from a third bend point 5794 at the edge of the ledge 5825 to the sole of the club head 5600. A portion of the lower outer wall 5727 forms an outer rear edge of the solid region of the lower region 5613. The lower outer wall 5727 bounds the rear of the club head 5600 below the ledge 5825.

46 shows another cross-sectional view of the golf club head 5600 similar to the detailed cross-section of the golf club head 5600 shown in FIG. 42. The internal cavity 5616 includes an upper cavity width 5993, a minimum cavity width (minimum gap) 5990, a maximum cavity width 6095, and a lower region cavity width 6097, all measured in a direction perpendicular to the strike face 5612 from the inner surface 5819 of the strike face 5612 to the rear end of the internal cavity 5616. The upper cavity width 5993 is located above the minimum upper cavity width 5990. The region of the internal cavity 5616 having the larger upper cavity width 5993 corresponds to the upper perimeter 5609. The portion of the internal cavity 5616 adjacent the minimum upper cavity width 5990 corresponds to the recess 5630. The upper cavity width 5993 is above a minimum cavity width 5990 which is above a maximum cavity width 6095 which is above a lower region cavity width 6097. In some embodiments, the maximum cavity width 5990 is located in the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600. In many embodiments, the lower region 5613 of the body 5601 includes a solid region adjacent the rear portion 5610. The solid region provides weight to the rear portion 5610 of the club head 5600. This solid region makes the lower region cavity width 6097 smaller than the width of the cavity adjacent and below the recess 5630. The minimum cavity width 5990 can be between 20% and 55% of the lower region cavity width 6097 at the central portion of the club head 5600, as shown in cross section in FIG. For example, the minimum cavity width 5990 can be 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the lower region cavity width 6097.

The upper cavity width 5993 is measured between the rear wall 5723 and the back surface of the strike face 5612. In some embodiments, the upper cavity width 5993 can range from 0.079 inches (2 mm) to 0.24 inches (6 mm). For example, the upper cavity width can be 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.118 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.197 inches (5 mm), or 0.24 inches (6 mm). In other embodiments, the upper cavity width can range from 0.118 inches (3 mm) to 0.16 inches (4 mm). In some embodiments, the upper cavity width can be 0.135 inches (3.429 mm).

In some embodiments, the minimum cavity width 5990 is located between the first inflection point 5786 and the back surface of the strike face 5612. In some implementations, the minimum cavity width 5990 is located between the recess wall 5821 and the back surface of the strike face 5612. In some embodiments, the minimum cavity width 5990 can be in the range of 0.079 inches (2 mm) to 0.24 inches (6 mm). For example, the minimum cavity width 5990 can be 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.118 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.197 inches (5 mm), or 0.24 inches (6 mm). In other embodiments, the minimum cavity width 5990 can be in the range of 0.118 inches (3 mm) to 0.16 inches (4 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum cavity width 5990 can be 0.135 inches (3.429 mm).

The maximum cavity width 6095 is located below the recess 5630. In some embodiments, the maximum cavity width 6095 can be in the range of 0.40 inches to 0.70 inches. For example, the maximum cavity width can be 0.40 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.65 inches, or 0.70 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum cavity width 6095 can be in the range of 0.55 inches to 0.60 inches. In some embodiments, the maximum cavity width 6095 can be 0.59 inches.

The lower region cavity width 6097 is measured between the solid region and the inner surface 5819 of the strike face 5612. In some implementations, the lower region cavity width 6097 can range from 0.15 inches to 0.40 inches. For example, the lower region cavity width 6097 can be 0.15 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.35 inches, or 0.40 inches. In other embodiments, the lower region cavity width 6097 can range from 0.27 inches to 0.31 inches. In some embodiments, the upper cavity width can be 0.29 inches.

46, the body 5601 of the golf club head 5600 further includes a top perimeter distance 6092, a minimum distance 6094, and a maximum distance 6096. The top perimeter distance 6092 of the club head 5600 adjacent the top rail 5615 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 5603 of the strike face 5612 to the outer surface 5603 of the rear wall 5623. The top perimeter distance 6092 of the club head is between 0.305 inches and 0.325 inches. In some embodiments, the top perimeter distance 6092 of the club head is between 0.305 inches and 0.310 inches, 0.310 inches and 0.315 inches, 0.315 inches and 0.320 inches, or 0.320 inches and 0.325 inches. In some embodiments, the top perimeter distance 6092 of the club head 5600 is greater than the ledge width 5829.

The minimum distance 6094 of the body 5601 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 5603 of the strike face 5612 in the upper region 5611 to the outer surface 5603 of the rear wall 5623. The minimum distance 6094 ranges from 0.20 inches to 0.40 inches. For example, the minimum distance 6094 can be 0.20 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.038 inches, or 0.40 inches. In some embodiments, the minimum distance 6094 of the body 5601 can be greater than the ledge width 5829. The maximum distance 6096 of the body 5601 is measured as the vertical distance from the outer surface 5603 of the strike face 5612 to the outer surface 5603 of the rear section 5610. The maximum distance 6096 is in the range of 0.60 inches to 0.90 inches. For example, the maximum distance 6096 can be 0.60 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.84 inches, 0.88 inches, or 0.90 inches.

44-48, the golf club head 5600 can be a hollow or at least partially hollow body that includes an interior cavity 5616. The interior cavity 5616 of the body 5601 includes a volume. The volume of the interior cavity 5616 can range from 0.65 ⁱⁿ³ (10.65 ^cm3 ) to 1.05 ⁱⁿ³ (17.21 ^cm3 ). In some embodiments, the interior cavity 5616 can include a volume of 0.65 ^inches (10.65 ^cm ), 0.70 ^inches (11.47 ^cm ), 0.75 ^inches (12.29 ^cm ), 0.80 ^inches (13.11 ^cm ), 0.85 ^inches (13.93 ^cm ), 0.90 ^inches (14.75 ^cm ), 0.95 ^inches (15.57 ^cm ), 1.00 ^inches (16.39 ^cm ), or 1.05 ^inches (17.21 ^cm ). Similarly, the material portion of the body 5601 that is the void of the cavity 5616 further includes a material volume. The material volume of the body 5601 can range from 2.50 ⁱⁿ³ (40.97 ^cm3 ) to 3.50 ⁱⁿ³ (57.35 ^cm3 ). For example, the material volume of the body 5601 can be 2.50 ^inches3 (40.97 ^cm3 ), 2.60 ^inches3 (42.61 ^cm3 ), 2.70 ^inches3 (44.25 ^cm3 ), 2.80 ^inches3 (45.88 ^cm3 ), 2.90 ^inches3 (47.52 ^cm3 ), 3.00 ^inches3 (49.16 ^cm3 ), 3.10 ^inches3 (50.80 ^cm3 ), 3.20 ^inches3 (52.44 ^cm3 ), 3.30 ^inches3 (54.08 ^cm3 ), 3.40 ^inches3 (55.72 ^cm3 ), or 3.50 ^inches3 (57.35 ^cm3 ).

In many embodiments, the internal cavity 5616 of the body 5601 can be a void of any material. In other embodiments, the internal cavity 5616 of the body 5601 can include a polymer (not shown), which can at least partially fill the internal cavity 5616. The polymer can be polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other thermoplastics, composite polymers, or any combination thereof. The polymer can fill 10% to 80%, 10% to 25%, 15% to 30%, 30% to 45%, 45% to 60%, 60% to 75%, 75% to 80%, 10% to 40%, 30% to 60%, or 40% to 80% of the internal cavity 5616 of the body 5601. For example, the polymer can fill 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the interior cavity 5616 of the body 5601. In some embodiments, the polymer fills 80% of the interior cavity 5616 of the body 5601.

The polymer at least partially filling the internal cavity 5616 of the body 5601 can include a specific gravity ranging from 0.05 to 4. For example, the specific gravity of the polymer can be 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the polymer is proportional to the mass of the polymer, with 1 specific gravity of the polymer equal to 1 gram. Similarly, in these exemplary embodiments, the volume is proportional to the polymer specific gravity, with 1 specific gravity of the polymer equal to 1 cc. In other embodiments, the volume is not proportional to the specific gravity of the polymer. For example, the ratio of polymer specific gravity to polymer volume can be 2:1 cc, 2:3 cc, 2:4 cc, 3:1 cc, 3:2 cc, 3:4 cc, 4:1 cc, 4:2 cc, or 4:3 cc.

The weight of the polymer allows the swing weight of the golf club head 4400 to be customizable for each player. Increasing the volume, and therefore weight, of the polymer increases the swing weight. Similarly, decreasing the volume of the polymer decreases the swing weight. Providing the proper swing weight for an individual player can improve feel during the swing and improve performance such as swing speed, swing path, ball speed, and ball trajectory. The polymer can further increase the overall weight of the golf club head 5600 toward the sole 5606. Increasing the weight toward the sole shifts the CG lower and rearward, thereby improving the moment of inertia.

The strike face 5612 can be coated with a durable finish. For example, the strike face 5612 can be coated with Hydropearl 2.0 chrome plate finish or highly polished chrome. In some embodiments, the strike face 5612 is further finished with brushing or blasting. The golf club head 5600 can further include a vibration damping layer 5878 on the inner surface 5819 of the strike face 5612. The vibration damping layer 5878 can be formed from an elastomeric material or any other suitable material. For example, the vibration damping layer 5878 can be formed from a urethane and graphene coating, a urethane coating, or a silicone gel. The vibration damping layer 5878 can have a weight of 1 to 7 grams. For example, the vibration damping material can have a weight of 1 gram, 3 grams, 5 grams, or 7 grams. The vibration damping layer 5878 can fill between 10% and 30% of the volume of the interior cavity of the club head 5600. The vibration-damping layer 5878 can partially or completely cover the inner surface 5819 of the strike face 5612. The thickness of the vibration-damping layer 5878, measured perpendicular to the strike face 5612, can vary or be constant across the inner surface 5819 of the strike face 5612.

In some embodiments, the golf club head 5600 can further include an aperture 5634 located on the toe region 5604. The aperture 5634 includes internal threads and is configured to receive a threaded screw weight 5637, as seen in FIG. 42. FIG. 42 illustrates the threaded screw weight 5637 removed from the aperture 5634, but positioned for insertion into the aperture 5634. The threaded screw weight 5637 includes a weight, and the weight of the threaded screw weight 5637 can range from 2 grams to 12 grams. In other embodiments, the weight of the threaded screw weight 5637 can range from 4 grams to 10 grams. In some embodiments, the screw weight 5637 can weigh 2 grams, 3 grams, 4 grams, 5 grams, 6 grams, 7 grams, 8 grams, 9 grams, 10 grams, 11 grams, 12 grams, 13 grams, or 14 grams. The weight of the screw weight 5637 correlates with the length of the screw weight 5637, with a longer threaded screw weight 5637 equating to a larger weight. The threaded screw weight 5637 further affects the mass and overall swing weight of the golf club head 5600. Thus, the threaded screw weight 5637 can improve the feel of the golf club head 5600, as well as performance characteristics (e.g., swing speed, ball speed, and ball flight).

The hosel of the club head 5600 can accommodate a tip weight 5638. FIG. 42 shows the tip weight 5638 removed from the hosel but in position for insertion into the hosel. The tip weight 5638 can have a weight ranging from 0.1 to 10 grams. For example, the tip weight 5638 can have a weight of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 grams.

While both the toe slit 5666 and the heel slit 5662 affect the flexure of the club head 5600, the toe slit 5666 has a greater effect on the flexure. The slits 5666, 5662 reduce concentrated stresses at the toe and heel junction between the lower region 5613 and the upper periphery 5609 and spread the impact stress over a larger volume of the club body 5601. The toe slit 5666 and the heel slit 5662 allow structural bending between the upper region 5611 and the lower region 5613 of the club head 5600, resulting in a greater flexure of the strike face 5612 than would be present in a similar golf club head without the toe slit and/or heel slit. The slits 5666, 5662 may increase the flexure between the lower region 5613 and the upper region 5611 around the second flex point 5792. The greater deflection of the strike face 5612 provides the golf club 5600 with a higher dynamic loft angle. The loft angle is the acute angle measured from the strike face 5612 to the ground reference plane 10. By dynamically increasing the deflection of the club head 5600, the conventional loft angle can be lowered without sacrificing trajectory. For example, a first club head having a lower loft angle than a second club head can have a trajectory equal to that of the second club head if the first club head includes a slit that increases the deflection of the club head. In some embodiments, the conventional loft angle can be reduced to 0.6 degrees, 0.5 degrees, or 0.4 degrees. The lower loft of the first club head results in a higher ball velocity for the golf ball impacted by the club head due to the lower loft angle of the first club. The gap between the clubs in a set can be more uniform in a club head set including the slits disclosed herein.

Furthermore, in many embodiments, the dimples 5630 can provide increased golf ball velocity over that of a standard golf club head and can increase launch angles over both standard hybrid and iron club heads. Golf club heads lacking the dimples 5630 cannot buckle in a controlled manner as the club head 5600 does during impact or spring back like a drum after impact. The first, second, and third flex points 5786, 5792, and 5794 allow the body 5601 to flex backwards when the golf ball impacts the strike face in a manner that is not possible with a golf club head lacking these flex points.

The upper perimeter provides a spring at the rear end of the club and can exhibit a low peak stress concentration. The interaction of the strike face 5612, top rail 5615, rear wall 5723, and top wall 5719 is affected by the strike face angle 5950, the top rail angle 5945, and the rear angle 5940. The strike face 5612, top rail 5615, rear wall 5723, and top wall 5719 interact with and benefit the flexing of the club head in a manner similar to the respective components of the golf club head 3700 described above.

The uniformly thinned region 6060 of the sole 5606 described above can provide multiple benefits similar to those described above for the uniformly thinned regions of the golf club heads 2200, 2700, 3200, 3700, 4400, and 4900.

In some embodiments, the body 5601 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 5601 can include Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, quenched and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some implementations, the strike face 4412 can include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the strike face 4412 may comprise Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, quenched and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In some embodiments, the body 5601 may comprise the same material as the strike face 5612. In some embodiments, the body 5601 may comprise a different material than the strike face 5612.

II. Golf Club Head with Partial Back Cavity FIGS. 49-60D show a golf club head 7100 including a partial back cavity 7102 and a rear opening 7104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the club head 7100 is an iron-type club head 7100. The club head 7100 includes a body 7106, a face plate 7108 coupled to the body 7106 at a forward end 7110 and defining a striking face or strike face 7112, and a cover or badge 7114 coupled to the body 7106 at a rearward end 7116 opposite the forward end 7110. In some embodiments, the body 7106 can be similar to body 1001 (FIG. 1), body 2201 (FIG. 8), body 2701 (FIG. 13), body 3201 (FIG. 18), body 3701 (FIG. 23), and/or body 4401 (FIG. 30). As described below, in some embodiments, the badge 7114 may be a partial badge 7114 (FIGS. 59A-59C) or the badge 7114 may be omitted entirely from the club head 7100 (FIG. 59D). In addition to the forward end 7110 and the rearward end 7116, the body 7106 includes a heel region 7118, a toe region 7120 opposite the heel region 7118, a sole 7122, and a top rail 7124 opposite the sole 7122. The body 7106 also includes a hosel 77126 adjacent the heel region 7118 for coupling the golf club head 7100 to a shaft (not shown) to form a golf club.

52, the rear opening 7104 is defined by the body 7106 and formed at the rear end 7116. The body 7106 further defines a front opening 7128 formed at the forward end 7110 and located opposite the rear opening 7104. The faceplate 7108 covers and closes the front opening 7128. In some embodiments, as described below, the badge 7114 partially or completely covers and closes the rear opening 7104. The faceplate 7108 and the body 7106 together define a partial back cavity 7102. The partial back cavity 7102 may also be described as a partially closed interior space formed within the body 7106 and partially bounded by the faceplate 7108. The partial back cavity 7102 is referred to herein as "partial" in the sense that it remains partially open to the exterior of the club head 7100 due to the presence of a rear opening 7104 that communicates the partial back cavity 7102 with the exterior of the club head 7100. In other embodiments (not shown), the body 7106 can be integrally formed with the face plate such that only the body defines the partial back cavity 7102.

54 and 55, the body 7106 also defines an open exterior cavity 7130 (hereinafter referred to as the recess 7130) that extends inwardly from the rear end 116 toward the forward end 7110 and toward the strike face 7112. The rear opening 7104 is formed within the recess 7130. The recess 7130 alters the flexure and/or weight distribution of the club head 7100. Specifically, the recess 7130 allows the club head 7100 to buckle in a controlled manner during impact with a golf ball or to spring back like a drum after impact. Thus, the recess 7130 can relatively increase golf ball speed and launch angle compared to known prior art iron-type golf club heads.

55 and 58, the body 7106 includes a back wall 7132 formed at the rear end 7116. The back wall 7132 surrounds and defines the recess 7130 and generally extends between the top rail 7124 and the sole 7122 and between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120. The back wall 7132 is further divided into an upper back wall 7134 formed adjacent the top rail 7124 and a lower back wall 7136 formed adjacent the sole 7122. The upper back wall 7134 extends downwardly from the top rail 7124 to an upper ledge or top cavity wall 7138. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper back wall 7134 is generally parallel to the strike face 7112. In other embodiments, the upper back wall 7134 can generally be angled toward or away from the strike face 7112 as the upper back wall 7134 extends from the top rail 7124 to the top cavity wall 7138. The lower back wall 7136 extends upward from the sole 7122 to a bottom ledge or bottom cavity wall 7140. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower back wall 7136 is generally angled away from the strike face 7112 as the lower back wall 7136 extends from the sole 7122 to the bottom cavity wall 7140. In other embodiments, the lower back wall 7136 can be generally parallel to the strike face 7112, or the lower back wall 7136 can be angled toward the strike face 7112.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 58, the top cavity wall 7138 extends from the upper back wall 7134 to an upper recess wall 7142 in a direction generally toward the strike face 7112. The top cavity wall 7138 generally follows the contour of the top rail 7124 as the top cavity wall 138 extends between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120. The bottom cavity wall 7140 extends from the lower back wall 7136 to a lower recess wall 7144 in a direction generally toward the strike face 7112. The bottom cavity wall 7140 generally follows the contour of the sole 7122 as it extends between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120, except that the bottom cavity wall 7140 includes a stepped portion 146 (FIG. 54) located toward the toe region 7120 that steps upward toward the top rail 124.

A rear opening rim 7148 (FIG. 54) further defines the rear opening 7104 and delineates a perimeter of the rear opening 7104. The rear opening rim 7148 is divided into an upper rim 7150 located closer to the top rail 7124 and a lower rim 7152 located closer to the sole 7122 (FIGS. 57, 58). The upper rim 7150 generally follows the contours of the top rail 7124 and the top cavity wall 7138. The lower rim 7152 generally follows the contours of the bottom cavity wall 7140 and can include a generally linear, arcuate, or segmented extent (e.g., a stepped extent) as the lower rim 7152 extends between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120. The upper recess wall 7142 extends from the top cavity wall 7138 to an upper rim 7150 of the rear opening 7104 in a direction generally toward the sole 7122. The upper recess wall 7142 is generally parallel to the upper back wall 7134. The upper recess wall 7142 is also generally parallel to the strike face 7112. In other embodiments, the upper recess wall 7142 can be angled generally away from the strike face 7112 as the upper recess wall 7142 extends from the top cavity wall 7138 to the upper rim 7150. The lower recess wall 7144 extends from the bottom cavity wall 7140 to a lower rim 7152 of the rear opening 7104 in a direction generally toward the top rail 7124. The lower recess wall 7144 generally slopes toward the strike face 7112 as the lower recess wall 7144 extends from the bottom cavity wall 7140 to the lower rim 7152. Together, the top and bottom cavity walls 7138, 7140 and the upper and lower recess walls 7142, 7144 cooperate to define a recess 7130. In embodiments that include a badge 7114, the badge 7114 further defines the recess 7130 and closes off the recess 7130 from the partial back cavity 7102. Additionally, in some embodiments that include a badge 7114, the badge 7114 further defines the recess 7130 and closes off the recess 7130 from the partial back cavity 7102 by being disposed within the rear opening rim 7148. In some embodiments, the badge 7114 can be adhered to the upper rim 7150 and the lower rim 7152.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 58, the body 7106 further includes a front wall 7154 formed at the forward end 7110. The front wall 7154 surrounds the front opening 7128 and generally extends between the top rail 7124 and the sole 7122, and between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120. The front wall 7154 is further divided into an upper front wall 7156 formed adjacent the top rail 7124 and a lower front wall 7158 formed adjacent the sole 7122. A front opening rim 7160 defines the front opening 7128 and borders the perimeter of the front opening 7128. The upper front wall 7156 extends downwardly from the top rail 7124 to the front opening rim 7160. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper front wall 7156 is generally parallel to the strike face 7112. The lower front wall 7158 extends upwardly from the sole 7122 to the front opening rim 7160. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower front wall 7158 is also generally parallel to the strike face 7112.

The body 7106 also includes a top rail wall 7162 that extends across the top rail 7124 between the front wall 7156 and the upper back wall 7134. The top rail wall 7162 includes a smoothly curved contour as the top rail wall 7162 extends between the upper front wall 7156 and the upper back wall 7134. The body 7106 further includes a bottom wall 7164 that extends across the sole 7122 between the lower front wall 7158 and the lower back wall 7136. The bottom wall 7164 includes a smoothly curved contour as the bottom wall 7164 extends between the lower front wall 7158 and the lower back wall 7136.

A portion of the bottom wall 7164 adjacent the lower front wall 7158 defines a uniformly thinned region 7166. The uniformly thinned region 7166 has a sole thickness 7168 measured perpendicular to the outer surface of the bottom wall 7164 and between the outer surface and its inner surface. The sole thickness 7168 is relatively thin compared to the thickness of the remainder of the bottom wall 7164. The sole thickness 7168 is also relatively thin compared to the thickness of known prior art iron-type clubs. In some embodiments, the sole thickness may range from about 0.040 inches to 0.080 inches. In other embodiments, the sole thickness 7168 may be within the range of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.080 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.055 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.060 inches, 0.050 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.055 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.060 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the sole thickness 7168 may be 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.075 inches, or 0.080 inches.

57 and 58, the partial back cavity 7102 is defined within the top rail 7124 of the body 7106 and includes an upper channel 7170 that extends generally longitudinally across the club head 7100 between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120. The upper channel 7170 is bounded between the top cavity wall 7138 and the top rail wall 7162, and between the face plate 7108 and the upper back wall 7134. Due in part to the upper channel 7170, the top rail wall 7162 and the upper back wall 7134 cooperate to define a first buckling or first hinge region 7172 of the body 7106. The first hinge region 7172 experiences increased bending relative to other regions of the body 7106 when the strike face 7112 impacts a golf ball. The first hinge region 7172 allows the top rail 7124 to dynamically flex over a greater range compared to known prior art iron-type club heads, allowing the top rail 7124 to react to impact forces over a larger volumetric area of the body 7106. The top rail 7124 then acts as a springboard by transferring more recoil force back to the face plate 7108 as the top rail 7124 returns to its original orientation, thereby imparting more energy to the golf ball.

The flexing of the top rail 7124 also causes the face plate 7108 to flex more upon impact with a golf ball, resulting in less spin, higher loft angle, and greater ball speed for a given club speed compared to a standard iron-type golf club head. As the first hinge region 7172 bends during impact, the face plate 7108 flexes, increasing the loft angle (defined between the strike face 7112 and the ground plane when the golf club head 7100 is in the address position) compared to that of the club head 7100 at rest. The rest state loft angle of the club head 7100 (before impact with a golf ball) is reduced compared to the rest state loft angle of a typical prior art iron-type club head. This reduction in the rest state loft angle accounts for the flexing of the top rail 7124 at the hinge region 7172 and the resulting dynamically increased loft angle experienced while striking a golf ball. In some embodiments, the resting state loft angle can be reduced by up to 0.6 degrees compared to known prior art iron-type club heads and still achieve a comparable launch angle of the golf ball during impact. Additionally, the club head 7100 including the relatively reduced loft angle can achieve relatively higher ball speeds due to the reduced loft angle.

57 and 58, the partial back cavity 7102 also includes a lower channel 7174 defined within the sole 7122 of the body 7106 and extending generally longitudinally across the club head 7100 between the heel region 7118 and the toe region 7120. The lower channel 7174 is bounded between the bottom cavity wall 7140 and the bottom wall 7164, and between the face plate 7108 and the lower back wall 7136. Due in part to the lower channel 7174, the uniformly thinned region 7166 defines a second buckling or hinge region 7176 of the body 7106. Much like the first hinge region 7172, the second hinge region 7176 experiences increased bending relative to other regions of the body 7106 when the golf club head 7100 impacts a golf ball. The second hinge region 7176 dynamically flexes over a greater range, allowing the sole 7122 to react to impact forces over a larger volumetric area of the body 7106, as compared to known prior art iron-type club heads. The sole 7122 then acts as a springboard by transferring more reaction force back to the face plate 7108 as the sole 7122 returns to its original orientation, thereby imparting more energy to the golf ball.

53, the body 7106 also includes solid regions 7178 located toward the toe region 7120, the sole 7122, and the rearward end 7116 of the body 7106. The solid regions 7178 include a relatively greater volume of material forming the body 7106 compared to other regions of the body 7106. Thus, the solid regions 7178 have a relatively greater weight compared to other regions of the body 7106 and provide perimeter weight to the club head 7100.

52 and 53, an exterior toe cavity 7180 is formed in the body 7106. The toe cavity 7180 is generally disposed within the solid region 7178 toward the toe region 7120 and the sole 7122. The toe cavity 7180 is cylindrically shaped to receive a cylindrical toe weight 7182. In some embodiments, the toe cavity 7180 is threaded to receive a threaded toe weight 7182. In other embodiments, the toe weight 7182 is pressed into the toe cavity 7180. In other embodiments, the toe cavity 7180 can be trapezoidal shaped to receive a non-cylindrical toe weight 7182. The body 7106 can include multiple toe cavities to receive multiple weights. The toe cavity 7180 extends through the solid region 7178 and connects with the partial back cavity 7102. In other embodiments, the toe cavity 7180 extends partially into the solid region 7178 but does not extend to the partial back cavity 7102. In some embodiments, the toe weight 7182 can have a mass of 2 to 14 grams. The toe weight 7182 improves the swing weight and overall feel of the golf club head 7100, as well as other performance characteristics (e.g., swing speed, ball speed, and ball flight).

55, the strike face 7112 is generally flat and has a center point 7184 located at the geometric center of the strike face 7112. A mid-plane 7188 coincident with the center point 7184 extends perpendicular to the strike face 7112 and generally divides the club head 7100 into an upper region and a lower region. The rear opening 7104 is located above the mid-plane 7188 such that the rear opening 7104 is located between the mid-plane 7188 and the top rail 7124. In other embodiments, at least 50% of the area of the rear opening 7104 is located between the mid-plane 7188 and the top rail 7124. In further embodiments, 50% to 60%, 60% to 70%, 70% to 80%, 80% to 90%, or 90% to 100% of the area of the rear opening 7104 may be disposed between the mid-plane 7188 and the top rail 7124.

58, the area of the rear opening is bounded and defined by the rear opening rim 7148. The projected area 7189 of the rear opening 7104 is defined by projecting the area of the rear opening 7104 onto the strike face 7112 along a direction parallel to the mid-plane 7184, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 58. The mid-plane 7184 divides the strike face 7112 into an upper region 7112A located above the mid-plane 7184 and closer to the top rail 7124, and a lower region 7112B located below the mid-plane 7184 and closer to the sole 7122. The projected area 7189 of the rear opening 7104 is located on the upper region 7112A. In other embodiments, at least 50% of the projected area 7189 is located on the upper region 7112A. In further embodiments, 50% to 60%, 60% to 70%, 70% to 80%, 80% to 90%, or 90% to 100% of the projection area 7189 can be disposed on the upper region 7112A.

The strike face 7112 is coated with a durable finish (e.g., Hydropearl 2.0 chrome plate finish or highly polished chrome). In some embodiments, the strike face 7112 is further finished by brushing or blasting. The golf club head 7100 also includes a vibration dampening layer 7190 applied to the inner surface of the face plate 7108. The vibration dampening layer 7190 is formed from an elastomeric material (e.g., urethane and graphene coating, urethane coating, silicone gel, etc.). The vibration dampening layer 7190 may modify and/or reduce the sound (e.g., "crank" or "pinging" noise) generated when the strike face 7112 impacts a golf ball. The vibration dampening layer 7190 may have a weight of 1 to 7 grams and may fill 10% to 30% of the volume of the partial back cavity 7102 of the club head 7100. The vibration-damping layer 7190 can partially or completely cover the inner surface of the faceplate 7108. The thickness of the vibration-damping layer 7190, measured perpendicular to the faceplate 7108, can vary or be constant across the inner surface of the faceplate 7108.

60A-60D, the partial back cavity 7102 of the club head 7100 may be filled with a vibration-damping filler material 7192. In some embodiments, the entire volume of the partial back cavity 7102 is completely filled with the filler material 7192 (FIG. 60A). In other embodiments, a majority of the volume of the partial back cavity 7102 (FIG. 60B), or about half of the volume (e.g., the bottom half of the volume) (FIG. 60C), or about a quarter of the volume of the partial back cavity 7102 (e.g., the bottom quarter of the volume) (FIG. 60D) is filled with the filler material 7192. In other embodiments, the fill material 7192 can fill 10% to 80%, 10% to 25%, 15% to 30%, 30% to 45%, 45% to 60%, 60% to 75%, 75% to 80%, 10% to 40%, 30% to 60%, or 40% to 80% of the partial back cavity 7102. For example, the fill material 7192 can fill 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the partial back cavity 7102. In some embodiments, the fill material 7192 fills 80% of the partial back cavity 7102. In yet other embodiments, the partial back cavity 7102 does not include a fill material.

The filling material 7192 may be a synthetic polymer elastomer (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, hot melt, other thermoplastics, composites, polymers, or any combination thereof). In other embodiments, the filling material 7192 may be a natural polymer (e.g., rubber, natural polymers derived from feathers, etc.) or the filling material 7192 may be a non-polymeric material (e.g., quartz or other minerals). The filling material 7192 may have a specific gravity ranging from 0.05 to 4. For example, the specific gravity of the filling material 7192 may be 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the filling material 7192 is proportionally equal to the mass of the filling material 7192, with 1 specific gravity of the filling material 7192 being equal to 1 gram. Similarly, in these exemplary embodiments, the volume occupied by the fill material 192 is proportionally equal to the specific gravity of the fill material 7192, with 1 specific gravity of the fill material 7192 equal to 1 cc. In other embodiments, the volume is proportionally greater or less than the specific gravity of the fill material 192. For example, the ratio of specific gravity to volume of the fill material 192 can be 2:1 cc, 2:3 cc, 2:4 cc, 3:1 cc, 3:2 cc, 3:4 cc, 4:1 cc, 4:2 cc, 4:3 cc.

The weight of the filler material 7192 allows the swing weight of the golf club head 7100 to be customizable for each player. Increasing the volume of the filler material 7192 occupying the open back cavity 7102 increases the overall weight of the club head 7100 and therefore its swing weight. Similarly, decreasing the volume of the filler material 7192 occupying the open back cavity 7102 decreases the swing weight of the club head 7100. Achieving the proper swing weight of the club head 7100 for each individual player can improve the feel of the golf club during the swing and improve performance by optimizing swing speed, swing path, ball speed, and ball trajectory. The filler material 7192 can further concentrate the weight of the golf club head 7100 toward the sole 7122. Concentrating the weight more toward the sole 7122 moves the center of gravity (CG) of the club head 100 toward the sole 7122 and toward the back end 7116, thereby improving the club head's moment of inertia (MOI) as measured about an axis defined by the hosel 7126 of the club head 7100.

The rear opening 7104 provides access to the partial back cavity 7102 for applying a vibration-damping layer 7190 to the back surface of the faceplate 7108. In those embodiments that include a fill material 7192, the rear opening 7104 also provides access to the partial back cavity 102 for depositing the fill material 7192 within the partial back cavity 7102.

57 and 58, the badge 7114 covers the rear opening 7104. During assembly of the golf club head 7100, the badge 7114 is bonded to the body 7106 after the vibration damping layer 7190 is applied to the face plate 7108 and after the filler material 7192 is deposited in the partial back cavity 7102. When both the face plate 7108 and the badge 7114 are bonded to the body 7106, the partial back cavity 7102 becomes a completely enclosed internal volume within the golf club head 7100. The badge 7114 includes a protruding portion 7194 (FIG. 58) that extends into the rear opening 7104. The badge 7114 can be wider than the upper and lower recess walls 7142, 7144, while the protruding portion 7194 can be equal in width to the upper and lower recess walls 7142, 7144.

In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 59A-59C, the badge 7114 is a partial badge 7114 that covers only a portion of the rear opening 7104. For example, the partial badge 7114 can cover an upper portion of the rear opening 7104 adjacent the upper rim 7150 (FIG. 59A), with the lower portion of the rear opening 7104 left uncovered. In other embodiments, the partial badge 7114 can cover a lower portion of the rear opening 7104 adjacent the lower rim 7152 (FIG. 59B), with the upper portion of the rear opening 7104 left uncovered. In further embodiments, the partial badge 7114 can include a central opening 7196 (FIG. 59C), such that a central region of the rear opening 7104 remains uncovered. In some embodiments, the badge 7114 is permanently secured to the body 7106, while in other embodiments, the badge 7114 is selectively removable. An embodiment that includes a selectively removable badge 7114 can provide the user with more flexibility in customizing the type and volume of filler material 7192 deposited within the partial back cavity 7102. Other embodiments of the club head 7100 do not include a badge (FIG. 59D), and thus the rear opening 7104 remains uncovered.

In some embodiments, the body 7106 is formed from 17-4 stainless steel. In other embodiments, the body 7106 may be formed from titanium, aluminum, another steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, Ti-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the body 7106 may be formed from Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel.

The faceplate 7108 is formed from C300 steel. In other embodiments, the faceplate 108 can be formed from stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, another steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, or any combination thereof), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the faceplate 108 can be formed from Carpenter grade 455 steel, Carpenter grade 475 steel, C300 steel, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. In the disclosed embodiment, the body 7106 is formed from a different material than the faceplate 7108. In other embodiments, the body 7106 can be formed from the same material as the faceplate 7108.

In some embodiments, the badge 7114 is formed from aluminum. In other embodiments, the badge 7114 can be formed from other metals (e.g., titanium, metal alloys, etc.) or non-metals (e.g., polymers, elastomers, composites, wood, etc.). The material forming the badge 7114 has a lower density than the density of the material forming the body 7106, resulting in a relatively high perimeter weight of the club head 7100 compared to that of prior art iron-type club heads. The material forming the badge 7114 can have a specific gravity of about 0.1 to 8.0.

The body 7106 is formed by casting. The front and rear openings 7128, 7104 of the body 7106 simplify the casting process by reducing the hard contours and eliminating undercuts and similar geometric shapes. The face plate 7108 may be cast, punched, machined, or otherwise formed. The badge 7114 may be cast, molded, or stamped. During the manufacture of the club head 7100, the face plate 7108 is swaged or welded to the body 7106. The damping layer 7190 and the filler material 7192 are inserted, poured, sprayed, or otherwise deposited into the partial back cavity 7102 through the rear opening 7104, and then the badge 7114 is glued, welded, snap-fit, or otherwise secured to the body 7106 to cover the rear opening 7104. Other steps, such as polishing or painting, may also be performed as part of the manufacturing process.

The golf club head having the energy storage characteristics discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings and the drawings themselves disclose at least one preferred embodiment of a golf club head having energy storage characteristics, and may disclose other embodiments of golf club heads having stepped inner thinned portions.

Example 1: Cavity Back vs. Hollow Body/Flex Point Golf Clubs Referring to Table 1 below, the exemplary club head 3700, which is a hollow body iron club head having a flex point 3986, was compared to two control club heads (hereinafter "Control 1" and "Control 2"). Control 1 and Control 2 were cavity back iron club heads similar in size and loft angle to the exemplary club head 3700, but lacking a flex point. Control 2 has a more pronounced cavity and wider sole than Control 1. Ball speed (measured in mph), launch angle (measured in degrees), carry distance (measured in yards), and spin rate (measured in rpm) were measured between the exemplary club head 3700, Control 1, and Control 2.

As shown in Table 1, the exemplary club head 3700 with a hollow body and flex point 3986 had an average ball speed of 127.3 mph, an average launch angle of 15.9 degrees, an average carry distance of 193 yards, and an average spin rate of 5931 rpm. Meanwhile, control 1 had an average ball speed of 127.6 mph, an average launch angle of 15.4 degrees, an average carry distance of 190 yards, and an average spin rate of 5972 rpm. Control 2 had an average ball speed of 126.3 mph, an average launch angle of 15.8 degrees, an average carry distance of 185 yards, and an average spin rate of 6551 rpm. The exemplary club head 3700 had approximately a 0.2% decrease in average ball speed compared to Control 1 and an approximately 0.8% to 1% increase in average ball speed compared to Control 2, while the average launch angle and average spin rate further increased the average carry distance due to the hollow body and bending point 3986 of the exemplary club head 3700. The exemplary club head 3700 had a 3.25% increase in average launch angle compared to Control 1 and an approximately 0.6% to 1% increase in average launch angle compared to Control 2, respectively. Additionally, the exemplary club head 3700 had approximately a 0.7% decrease in average spin rate compared to Control 1 and an approximately 9.46% decrease in average spin rate compared to Control 2, respectively. The increased average launch angle and decreased average spin rate of the exemplary club head 3700 compared to Controls 1 and 2 increased the carry distance of the ball during impact. More specifically, the exemplary club head 3700 had a 1.58% increase in average carry distance of the ball compared to Control 1 and an approximately 4.32% increase in average carry distance of the ball compared to Controls 1 and 2. Thus, the hollow body and flex points 3986 of the exemplary club head 3700 increase the bending of the strike face 3712 compared to a similarly sized club head without flex points, producing optimal ball performance characteristics.

Example 2: Cavity Back vs. Hollow Body/Flex Point Golf Clubs Referring to Table 2 below, an exemplary club head 4400, which is a hollow body iron club head having a flex point 4686 that is 55% from the apex of the top rail to the flex point of the club head 4400, was compared to a control club head (hereinafter "control club head"). The control club head was a cavity back iron club head similar in size and loft angle to the exemplary club head 4400, but lacking a flex point and hollow body. As with Table 1 above, the parameters measured to compare the exemplary club head 4400 and the control club head were ball speed (measured in mph), launch angle (measured in degrees), carry distance (measured in yards), and spin rate (measured in rpm).

As shown in Table 2, the exemplary club head 4400 with the hollow body and flex points 4686 had an average ball speed of 123.8 mph, an average launch angle of 16.8 degrees, an average carry distance of 179.2 yards, and an average spin rate of 6211 rpm compared to the control club head, which had an average ball speed of 123.3 mph, an average launch angle of 16.1 degrees, an average carry distance of 175.7 yards, and an average spin rate of 6746 rpm. The exemplary club head 4400 had a 0.5 to 1% increase in ball speed compared to the control club head, but due to the hollow body and flex points 4686, which increased the bending of the strike face 4412, the exemplary club head 4400 experienced a 4.35% increase in launch angle and a 7.93% decrease in spin rate. With a 4.35% increase in launch angle and a 7.93% decrease in spin rate, the example club head 4400 experienced approximately a 2% increase in carry distance over the control club head. Thus, the hollow body of the example club head 4400 and this increase in bending of the strike face 4412 due to the bending 4686 allows for a greater carry distance of the ball compared to a similarly sized club head without a bending point.

Example 3: Smaller Volume Hollow Body Irons vs. Hollow Body Crossovers With reference to Table 3 below, an exemplary club head 3700 and an exemplary club head 4400 were compared to an exemplary club head 2700. All three exemplary club heads 3700, 4400, and 2700 had similar loft angles and included hollow bodies and flex points. Both exemplary club heads 3700 and 4400 were significantly smaller in size (volumes ranging from 0.65 ^inches3 to 1.70 ^inches3 ) than exemplary club head 2700 (volume approximately 1.75 ^inches3 ). Similar to Tables 1 and 2 above, the parameters measured for the exemplary club heads 3700, 4400, and 2700 were ball speed (measured in mph), launch angle (measured in degrees), carry distance (measured in yards), and spin rate (measured in rpm).

As shown in Table 3, the exemplary club head 3700 had an average ball speed of 138.8 mph, an average launch angle of 12.2 degrees, an average spin rate of 4322 rpm, and an average carry distance of 219 yards, the exemplary club head 4400 had an average ball speed of 138.0 mph, an average launch angle of 11.4 degrees, an average spin rate of 4135 rpm, and an average carry distance of 216 yards, and the exemplary club head 2700 had an average ball speed of 139.3 mph, an average launch angle of 11.8 degrees, an average spin rate of 4312 rpm, and an average carry distance of 217 yards. The exemplary club head 3700 experienced a 0.92% increase in carry distance over the exemplary club 2700, while the exemplary club head 4400 experienced a 0.46% decrease in carry distance compared to the exemplary club 2700. The small percentage difference in ball carry distance between exemplary club heads 3700, 4400, and 2700 indicated the bending of the strike face due to the hollow body and flex point, despite the significantly smaller size of exemplary club head 3700 and exemplary club head 4400. Due to their smaller size and lower flex point, exemplary club heads 3700 and 4400 provide players with the look and feel of a smaller iron body club head while delivering the ball performance results (e.g., launch angle, carry distance) of a larger volumetric size hollow body club head with a higher flex point (i.e., exemplary club head 2700).

Example 4: Cavity Back vs. Hollow Body/Flex Point Golf Clubs Referring to Table 4 below, the exemplary club head 4900 is a hollow body iron club head with a flex point 5186 located approximately 52% below the apex of the top rail. The club head 4900 was compared to a control club head (hereinafter, the "control club head"). The control club head was a cavity back iron club head similar in size to the exemplary club head 4900, but lacking a flex point and hollow body. The control club head had a loft angle approximately 1 degree less than the exemplary club head 4900. Similar to Table 1 above, the parameters measured to compare the exemplary club head 4900 and the control club head were ball speed (measured in mph), launch angle (measured in degrees), carry distance (measured in yards), and spin rate (measured in rpm).

As shown in Table 2, the exemplary club head 4900 having a hollow body and flex point 5186 had an average ball speed of 145.1 mph, an average launch angle of 11.6 degrees, an average carry distance of 229 yards, and an average spin rate of 3980 rpm compared to the control club head which had an average ball speed of 146.1 mph, an average launch angle of 11.1 degrees, an average carry distance of 227 yards, and an average spin rate of 4073 rpm.

The higher launch angle of the club head 4900 results from its higher loft angle. It may also be expected that the ball speed will be lower due to the higher loft angle of the club head 4900. An unexpected result is the spin rate of the club head 4900 versus the spin rate of the control club head. One skilled in the art would expect the spin rate of the high loft club head (club head 4900 in this example) to be significantly higher than the spin rate of the low loft club head (control club head in this example). However, the measured spin rates are close enough that the error bars for the spin rates overlap in the measured data. The spin rates of the club head 4900 and the control club head are not significantly different. Thus, this test shows that the golf club head 4900 exhibits a lower spin rate than the control club head for a given loft angle. This lower spin rate reduces the ballooning of the golf ball during flight. A golf ball that is imparted with a high spin rate at impact tends to twist upwards, or balloon, during flight. Such a dynamic increase in the flight path height of the golf ball can adversely affect carry distance and result in unpredictable shots. The average carry distance of the exemplary golf club 4900 is approximately the same as the average carry distance of the control club head. The flex point 5186 of the exemplary club head 4900, along with the hollow body, allows the face plate 4912 to flex in a manner that reduces the spin imparted to the golf ball.

In addition to the data in Table 4 above, the testing revealed the average statistical plot area where the test shots landed. The average statistical plot area for the exemplary club head 4900 was 6.2% less than the average statistical plot area for the control club head. This indicates that the exemplary club head 4900 demonstrated greater accuracy than the control club head. Thus, the hinging of the face plate 4912 about the flex point 5186 does not adversely affect the golfer's ability to control their shots. Rather, the golfer's shot accuracy is improved.

Substitution of one or more claim elements constitutes a rearrangement, not a prosthesis. Moreover, advantages, other advantages, and solutions to a problem have been described in connection with particular embodiments. However, the advantages, other advantages, and solutions to a problem, and any one or more elements that give rise to or make apparent any advantage, advantage, or solution, do not constitute a critical, essential, or essential feature or element of any or all elements of a claim, unless such advantage, advantage, solution, or element is expressly recited in such claim.

Because the rules of golf change from time to time (e.g., new rules may be adopted, or old rules may be repealed or modified, by golf standards organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and American Golf Association (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may or may not conform to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The devices, methods, and products described herein are not limited in this respect.

Although the above embodiments are described in the context of driver-type golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and products described herein may be applied to other types of golf clubs, such as fairwood-type golf clubs, hybrid-type golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs, wedge-type golf clubs, or putter-type golf clubs. However, the apparatus, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to other types of sporting goods, such as hockey sticks, tennis racquets, fishing rods, ski poles, etc.

Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations described herein are not offered to the public under the doctrine of disclosure if the embodiments and/or limitations (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims and (2) are equivalent or potentially equivalent to the expressive elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims (20)

A golf club head,
a body having a sole and a top rail facing the sole;
a face plate defining a strike face;
a back wall facing the strike face;
a partial back cavity defined within the club head between the face plate, the back wall, the sole, and the top rail;
a recess formed in the back wall and extending toward the strike face;
a rear opening defined within the recess, the rear opening communicating with the partial back cavity at or near an exterior of the golf club head;
a mid-plane extends through a geometric center of the strike face and perpendicular to the strike face between the top rail and the sole such that at least half of the rear opening is located between the mid-plane and the top rail. the midplane divides the strike face into an upper region and a lower region;
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein a projected area of the rear opening is defined by projecting an area of the rear opening onto the strike face along a direction parallel to the mid-plane. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein at least 50% of the projection area is located in the upper region. the back wall surrounds and defines the recess;
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the back wall extends between the top rail and the sole. The back wall is further divided into an upper back wall and a lower back wall,
the upper back wall is adjacent to the top rail and extends downwardly from the top rail;
The golf club head of claim 4 , wherein the lower back wall is adjacent to and extends upwardly from the sole. a rear opening rim surrounding the rear opening;
The rear opening rim is divided into an upper rim and a lower rim,
the upper rim is proximate the top rail and follows the contour of the upper back wall;
The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the lower rim is adjacent the sole and follows the contour of the lower back wall. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein a badge is disposed within the rear opening rim to close off at least a portion of the recess from the partial back cavity. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the badge is adhered to the upper rim and the lower rim. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the badge is made from one of aluminum, titanium, a polymer, an elastomer, or a composite material. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the face plate is made from any one of C300 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, maraging steel, titanium, composite material, C350 steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, hardened and tempered steel alloy, or 565 steel. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the body is made from any one of 17-4 stainless steel, 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, maraging steel, titanium, or a composite material. the strike face is coated with a durable finish;
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the durable finish is a Hydropearl 2.0 chrome plate finish or a highly polished chrome finish; The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the badge covers the entire rear opening. The badge covers an upper portion of the rear opening,
The golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the top of the rear opening is adjacent the upper rim. The badge covers a lower portion of the rear opening,
The golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the lower portion of the rear opening is adjacent the lower rim. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the badge is selectively removable. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the partial back cavity of the club head is fillable with a vibration damping filler material. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the vibration damping filler material is capable of filling 10% to 80% of the volume of the partial back cavity. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein the vibration dampening filler material can be any one of polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, hot melt, other thermoplastics, composites, or polymers. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the vibration dampening filler material can have a specific gravity in the range of 0.05 to 4.