KR20250012745A - Golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of a golf club head having optimized characteristics is presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Description

{GOLF CLUB HEADS WITH OPTIMIZED CHARACTERISTICS AND RELATED METHODS}

Cross-reference to related application(s)

This application

U.S. Patent Application No. 13/804,859, filed March 14, 2013, with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office;

U.S. Patent Application No. 13/804,917, filed March 14, 2013 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and

U.S. Patent Application No. 13/826,111, filed March 14, 2013 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

This is an international patent application claiming the benefit of .

The disclosures of the above-cited documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to sports equipment, and more particularly to golf club heads having optimized characteristics and related methods.

Golf club heads include different features that can be designed or configured to enhance one or more of their performance characteristics. However, there is an inherent interaction between these different features, such that adjusting or configuring one feature can inherently alter other features, often detrimentally. For example, extending the strikeface of a golf club to provide a larger impact area can detrimentally alter the location of the center of gravity of the golf club, and if the features are not configured or designed in a balanced manner to account for the interactions between the different features, unintended performance results can occur.

In consideration of the above, additional improvements to the golf club features that are balanced with respect to each other will improve the performance of the golf club.

The disclosure of the present invention may be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a golf club head according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head along line II-II of FIG. 1.
Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head of Figures 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method that may be used to provide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club head according to the present invention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings illustrate a general scheme of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements of the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the invention. Like reference numerals in different drawings represent like elements.

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

When used in the detailed description and claims, the terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “over,” “below,” and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that such terms are, under appropriate circumstances, interchangeable so that embodiments of the devices, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are capable of operating in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms "join", "coupled", "joins", "joining" and the like are to be understood broadly and refer to the joining of two or more elements, mechanically or otherwise. The joining (whether mechanically or otherwise) may be for any period of time, for example permanent or semi-permanent, or only momentary.

The absence of the words "removably", "removable", etc., in the vicinity of the word "coupled", etc., does not imply that the combination, etc. is removable or non-removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are "integral" if they are composed of portions of the same material. As defined herein, two or more elements are "non-integral" if they are each composed of portions of different materials.

In one example, a golf club head can include a head body including a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior can be defined by a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure can have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, and the bore can have a hosel axis. The golf club head can also include a head center of gravity, a head horizontal axis extending from the head heel portion to the head toe portion and parallel to the ground through the head center of gravity when the golf club head is at an address position on the ground, a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, and a horizontal moment of inertia about the head horizontal axis. The horizontal moment of inertia can be greater than or equal to 39% of the hosel moment of inertia.

In one example, a golf club head can include a head body including a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior can be bounded by a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure can have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, and the bore can have a hosel axis. The golf club head can also include a head center of gravity, a head vertical axis extending through the head center of gravity from the head top portion to the head sole portion and perpendicular to the ground when the golf club head is in an address position above the ground, a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, and a vertical moment of inertia about the head vertical axis. The vertical moment of inertia can be greater than or equal to 59% of the hosel moment of inertia.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head can include providing a head body having a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior can be bounded by a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure can have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, and the bore can have a hosel axis. The method can also include coupling the golf club shaft to the hosel structure. A head horizontal axis can extend through a center of gravity of the golf club head, from the head heel portion to the head toe portion, and parallel to the ground when the golf club head is in an address position above the ground. A head vertical axis can extend through the center of gravity of the head, from the head top portion to the head sole portion, and perpendicular to the ground when the golf club head is in an address position above the ground. Additionally, providing the head body may include at least one of (a) setting the horizontal moment of inertia about the head horizontal axis to be greater than or equal to 39% of the hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, or (b) setting the vertical moment of inertia about the head vertical axis to be greater than or equal to 59% of the hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis.

In one example, a golf club head can include a head body including a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The golf club head includes a striking face that is at the head front portion and includes a striking face center point, a head volume that is measured in cc and includes a head volume size greater than 420, a head center of gravity, and an optimization characteristic. When the golf club head is at an address position above the ground, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the ground, a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the head vertical axis, and a loft plane of the golf club head can be tangent to the striking face center point. A front plane of the golf club head can extend through the striking face center point and parallel to the hosel axis. A head depth plane can extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can vertically intersect a head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to a forward plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground. The optimization characteristic can be defined by a value obtained by adding a ratio between (a) the head volume size divided by (b) the absolute value of the head CG height to the head CG depth. The optimization characteristic can be greater than or equal to 425.

In one example, a golf club head can include a head body including a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The golf club head can also include a striking face including a striking face center point at the head front portion, and a head center of gravity. When the golf club head is at an address position on the ground, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the ground, and a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head can be tangent to the striking face center point. A front plane of the golf club head can extend through the striking face center point and parallel to the hosel axis. A head depth plane can extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can vertically intersect a head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to a forward plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground. An absolute value of the head CG height can be 2.54 mm or less. The head CG depth can be 40.64 mm or greater.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head can include providing a head body including a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The method can also include coupling a striking face to the head front portion, and setting an optimized characteristic of the golf club head. The striking face includes a striking face centerpoint. The head volume of the golf club head can be measured in cc and can include a head volume size greater than 420. When the golf club head is in an address position above the ground, a head vertical axis can extend through a head center of gravity and can be perpendicular to the ground. A head horizontal axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can be perpendicular to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head can be tangent to the striking face centerpoint. A front plane of the golf club head can extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face centerpoint. A head depth plane can extend through the center of the striking face, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the center of gravity of the head and vertically intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the center of gravity of the head and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground. The optimization characteristic can be set by a value obtained by adding a ratio between (a) the head volume size divided by (b) the absolute value of the head CG height to the head CG depth, and the optimization characteristic can be greater than or equal to 425.

In one example, a golf club head can include a head body, a face portion, a head center of gravity, and at least one of a first performance characteristic or a second performance characteristic. The head body can include a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The face portion can be at the head front portion and can include a striking face center point, a striking face perimeter, and a face height bounded by the striking face perimeter. When the golf club head is at an address position above the ground, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the ground, and a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head can be tangent to the striking face center point. A front plane of the golf club head can extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. A head depth plane can extend through a center point of the striking face, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the center of gravity of the head and vertically intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the center of gravity of the head and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to a forward plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height can be between about 33 mm and about 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane. The first performance characteristic can include a head CG height that is less than or equal to about 5.08 mm. A second performance characteristic may include a CG performance ratio of less than or equal to 0.56, as defined by (a) the face height minus 76.2 mm, divided by (b) the head CG depth.

In one example, a golf club head can include a head body, a face, and a center of gravity of the head. The head body can include a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The face portion can be coupled to the head front portion and can include a striking face having a striking face center point, a striking face perimeter, and a face height. When the golf club head is at an address position above the ground, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the ground, and a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head can be tangent to the striking face center point. A front plane of the golf club head can extend through the striking face center point and parallel to the hosel axis. A head depth plane can extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can vertically intersect a head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to a front plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height can be between about 33 mm and about 71 mm, as defined by the striking face perimeter and measured parallel to the loft plane. A CG performance ratio between (a) 76.2 mm minus the face height and (b) the head CG depth is 0.56 or less. The head body can include a driver-shaped body. The head volume of the golf club head can be between about 420 cc and about 470 cc. The head weight of the golf club head may be about 185 grams to about 225 grams. The head CG height may be about 0 mm to about 3.18 mm. The head CG depth may be about 25 mm to about 102 mm. The head body may include a weight structure located at the sole and rear portions of the head body.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head can include providing a head body having a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head back portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The method can also include coupling a face portion to the head front portion, the face portion including a striking face having a striking face center point, a striking face perimeter, and a face height bounded by the striking face perimeter. The method further includes establishing at least one of a first performance characteristic of the golf club head, or a second performance characteristic of the golf club head. When the golf club head is in an address position above the ground, a head vertical axis extends through a center of gravity of the golf club head and is perpendicular to the ground, and a head horizontal axis extends through the center of gravity of the golf club head and is perpendicular to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head can be tangent to the striking face center point. A front plane of the golf club head can extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. A head depth plane can extend through a center point of the striking face, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the center of gravity of the head and can vertically intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the golf club head can be measured along the CG height axis between the center of gravity of the head and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to a front plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection between the front plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height can be between about 33 mm and about 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane. The first performance characteristic can include a head CG height that is less than or equal to about 5.08 mm. A second performance characteristic may include a CG performance ratio of less than or equal to 0.56, as defined by (a) the face height minus 76.2 mm, divided by (b) the head CG depth.

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

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a golf club head (1000) including a head body (1100) and a face portion (1200). The face portion (1200) includes a striking face (1210). FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the golf club head (1000) along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head (1000). FIGS. 1 to 3 present the golf club head (1000) in an address position relative to the ground (1010), wherein the hosel axis (1710) is at a 60 degree angle with respect to the ground (1010) with respect to the front view of the golf club head (1000) (FIG. 1), and the hosel axis (1710) is substantially perpendicular to the ground (1010) with respect to the side view of the golf club head (1000) (FIG. 2).

In the present embodiment, the head body (1100) of the face portion (1200) comprises individual material pieces joined together, for example, via a welding process. However, in other examples, the face portion (1200) may comprise a single piece of material having one or more portions of the head body (1100), such as a head front portion (1110), a head top portion (1120), a head sole portion (1130), a head heel portion (1140), a head toe portion (1150), and/or a head back portion (2160). The head front surface (1160) of the golf club head (1000) comprises the striking face (1210), the face portion (1200), and at least a portion of the head front surface (1110). In some embodiments, the head front surface (1160) may also comprise at least a portion of the head sole portion (1130). In the same or different embodiments, the head frontal portion (1110) may include a striking face (1210) and/or a face portion (1200).

The face portion (1200) includes a striking face (1210) having a striking face center point (1211), a striking face perimeter (1212), and a face height (1213). The striking face center point (1211) is located, in this example, at the geometric center point of the striking face perimeter (1212) and at the midpoint of the face height (1213). In the same or another example, the striking face center point (1211) may also be centered relative to a machined impact zone (1250), which may be defined by a region of a groove (1259) of the striking face (1210). In another approach, the striking face center point (1211) may be positioned according to the definitions of a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the striking face center point (1211) is defined in Section 6.1 of the USGA's Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (available at http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/ protocols/Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head/) ["Flexibility Procedure"].

A golf club head (1000) includes a loft plane (2270) (FIG. 2) that is at least tangent to a center point (1211) of the striking face (1210). A face height (1213) can be measured parallel to the loft plane (2270) between a top portion (1215) of the striking face and a bottom portion (1216) of the striking face perimeter (1212), and can be from about 33 millimeters (mm) to about 71 mm in this or other examples.

The striking face perimeter (1212), which includes a striking face upper portion (1215) and a striking face lower portion (1216) forming a face height (1213), need not bound the entire face portion (1200). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the striking face (1210) is bounded by the striking face perimeter (1212), and is only a portion of the face portion (1200). In some examples, the striking face (1210) may include a roll radius and/or a bulge radius, and the striking face perimeter (1212) may be formed along a transition boundary where the contour of the face portion (1200) departs from the roll radius and/or bulge radius of the striking face (1210). For example, FIG. 2 includes an enlarged view of a portion of an upper transition boundary of a golf club head (1000), highlighting a vertical roll radius (2170) extending along the striking face (1210), and illustrating how a top portion (1215) of the striking face is positioned at the upper transition boundary where the head front face (1160) deviates from the vertical roll radius (2170). FIG. 2 also includes an enlarged view of a portion of a lower transition boundary of the golf club head (1000), highlighting a vertical roll radius (2170) extending vertically along the striking face (1210), and illustrating how a bottom portion (1216) of the striking face is positioned at the lower transition boundary where the head front face (1160) deviates from the vertical roll radius (2170).

In the same or another embodiment, the striking face perimeter (1212) can be defined relative to an edge of a striking plate that includes the striking face. For example, the face portion (1200) includes a striking plate (1220), wherein the striking face (1210) forms an outer surface of the faceplate (1220), and the striking plate (1220) is connected to the head front portion (1110) along a striking plate edge (1221). In the present example, the striking plate edge (1221) defines at least a portion of the striking face perimeter (1212) including upper and lower sections of the striking face perimeter (1212) that are each positioned such that a striking face upper portion (1215) and a striking face lower portion (1216) define a face height (1213), although other examples may exist in which the striking plate edge of the striking plate may define most or all of the striking face perimeter of the striking face.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the golf club head (1000) also includes a head center of gravity (CG) (2500), a head depth plane (2310), and a CG height axis (2320), wherein the head depth plane (2310) extends through the striking face center point (1211) and is perpendicular to the loft plane (2270), and the CG height axis (2320) extends through the head center of gravity (2500) and intersects the head depth plane (2310) vertically at an intersection point (2801).

The head center of gravity (2500) includes a CG height (2520) and a CG depth (2510) that position the head center of gravity (2500) relative to the golf club head (1000). In this example, the CG height (2520) can be measured along the CG height axis (2320) between the head center of gravity (2500) and the intersection point (2801). The CG depth (2510) can be measured between the intersection points (2802 to 2803) parallel to the ground (1010), as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this example, the intersection point (2802) is defined by the intersection between the ground (1010) and a forward plane (2280), wherein the forward plane (2280) extends through the striking face center point (1211) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position, is parallel to the hosel axis (1710), and is perpendicular to the ground plane (1010). Furthermore, the intersection point (2803) is defined by the intersection between the ground (1010) and a head vertical axis (1610), wherein the head vertical axis (1610) extends through the head center of gravity (2500) and is perpendicular to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The head center of gravity (2500) may also be positioned relative to the ground (1010), whereby the head CG elevation (2530) of the head center of gravity (2500) may be measured along the head vertical axis (1610) between the center of gravity (2750) and the ground (1010).

The head body (1100) of the golf club head (1000) also includes a hosel structure (1217) (FIG. 1) and a hosel axis (1710) extending along the center of the bore of the hosel structure (1217). In the present example, the hosel engagement mechanism of the golf club head (1000) includes the hosel structure (1217) and a shaft sleeve (1411), wherein the shaft sleeve (1411) can be engaged with an end of the golf shaft (1410). The shaft sleeve (1411) can be engaged with the hosel structure (1217) in a plurality of configurations, thereby allowing the golf shaft (1410) to be secured to the hosel structure (1217) at a plurality of angles relative to the hosel axis (1710). However, other examples may exist in which the shaft (1410) can be non-adjustably secured to the hosel structure.

A golf club head according to the present invention may be configured to exhibit one or more optimization characteristics that optimize or balance its performance. For example, one characteristic of a golf club head that the design of the present invention seeks to optimize is face height and/or face size. Maximizing the face height and/or face size of a golf club head can have a number of benefits, such as increasing the target impact area of the striking face to provide a more forgiving club head that produces better results on golf shots struck eccentrically from the striking face center point. Additionally, a greater height and/or size striking face can provide better energy transfer to the golf ball upon impact therewith, thereby increasing the characteristic time or "spring effect" of the golf club head to achieve longer distance golf shots. In some instances, the height or size of the striking face may be increased to achieve a characteristic time limit set by a golf governing body, such as the 239 microsecond (μs) characteristic time limit set by the USGA in its flexibility procedures.

However, indiscriminately increasing the face height and/or size may adversely affect performance in other areas, such as the launch angle of the golf ball upon impact with the striking face, ball spin and/or ball speed. For example, increasing the face height and/or size may decrease the CG depth between the center of gravity of the golf club head and the center point of the striking face to move the center of gravity forward, thereby decreasing the dynamic loft of the golf club head and thus decreasing the launch angle for the golf ball. As another example, increasing the face height and/or size may increase the CG height between the center of gravity and the head depth plane to raise the center of gravity away from the sole of the golf club head, thereby suppressing the gear effect between the striking face and the golf ball, thereby preventing the golf club head from reducing the amount of backspin the golf ball generates upon impact, and thus decreasing the distance the ball travels due to backspin.

In consideration of the above, the height or size of the face of the golf club head should be balanced with respect to the location of the center of gravity. With respect to the golf club head (1000), the striking face (1210) has been increased to include an increased face size and/or face height (1213) to provide a larger impact area and greater energy transfer to the golf ball (2900). In particular, the golf club head (1000) can be configured such that the face height (1213) can be between about 33 mm and about 71 mm to provide a larger impact area and energy transfer upon impact with the golf ball (2900). In some examples, including the increased face area, the area of the striking face (1210) can be between about 23.6 square centimeters (cm ² ) and about 45.2 cm ² .

Despite the increased face size and/or face height (1213) described above, the golf club head (1000) still suppresses the CG height (2520) from increasing toward the head top (1120) and/or deviating too far from the head depth plane (2310). For example, the golf club head (1000) includes a first optimization characteristic satisfying the following relationship 1:

[Relationship 1]

There may be examples where the CG height (2520) may have a maximum relationship 1 limit of approximately 0 mm to 5.08 mm. The CG height (2520) may also have a maximum value of approximately 4.45 mm, 3.81 mm, or 3.18 mm in other examples. In some implementations, the first optimization characteristic may reduce backspin of the golf ball (2900) via a gear effect between the striking face (1210) and the golf ball (2900) for better performance. The head center of gravity (2500) is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being below the depth plane (2310) such that the CG height (2520) extends between the depth plane (2310) and the head sole (1130), however, there may be embodiments where the head center of gravity (2500) can be above the depth plane (2310) such that the CG height (2520) extends between the depth plane (2310) and the head top (1120) while still satisfying relationship 1 above.

Additionally, considering the increased face size and/or face height (1213) described above, the golf club head (1000) still suppresses the center of gravity (2500) from moving toward the striking face (1212), thereby preventing the CG depth (2510) from being excessively reduced. For example, the golf club head (1000) includes a second optimization characteristic satisfying the following relationship 2.

[Relationship 2]

Accordingly, the relationship between the face height (1213) and the CG depth (2510) is balanced according to relationship 2 to maintain a second optimization characteristic of less than or equal to 0.56, thereby limiting the amount by which the CG depth (2510) can decrease toward the striking face (1210). There may be examples where the CG depth (2510) can be between about 25 mm and about 102 mm. In the same or another example, the CG depth (2510) can be at least about 39 mm. In some implementations, the second optimization characteristic can increase or optimize at least one of the dynamic loft of the golf club head (1000) or the launch angle of the golf ball (2900) upon impact therebetween.

In some examples, the golf club head (1000) may be configured to include only one of the first or second optimization characteristics described above. For example, the golf club head (1000) may include the first optimization characteristic but not the second optimization characteristic, and thus satisfy relation 1 without necessarily satisfying relation 2. As another example, the golf club head (1000) may include the second optimization characteristic but not the first optimization characteristic, and thus satisfy relation 2 without necessarily satisfying relation 1. Additionally, there may be embodiments in which the golf club head (1000) satisfies both relations 1 and 2, and thus includes the first and second optimization characteristics.

The golf club head (1000) may also include a third optimization characteristic for its head volume (HV) (2600). In this example, the head body (1100) of the golf club head (1000) includes a driver-shaped body having a head volume of greater than or equal to 420 cubic centimeters (cc), and thus has a head volume size of greater than or equal to 420. For example, the head body (1000) may include a head volume of 420 cc, and thus has a head volume size of 420. As another example, the golf club head (1000) may include a head volume of 460 cc, and thus has a head volume size of 460. The golf club head (1000) may, in some embodiments, include a head volume of up to about 470 cc and/or a total head weight of about 185 grams to about 225 grams. In some specific examples, the total head weight may be approximately 202 grams and/or the head volume may be approximately 460 cc.

The third optimization characteristic can control the relationship between the head volume (2600) and the location of the center of gravity (2500), and can be specified to satisfy the following relationship 3.

[Relationship 3]

In some instances, the head volume (2600) may be increased to adjust, for example, the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head (1000). However, an unrestricted increase in head volume may have a detrimental effect on other characteristics of the golf club head. For example, increasing the head volume (2600) may cause the head center of gravity (2500) to shift toward the head front portion (1110), toward the head top portion (1120), toward another undesired direction, and/or away from the desired center of gravity location or direction(s), thereby impairing the performance of the golf club head (1000). Such undesired changes in the center of gravity location may detrimentally affect one or more characteristics of the golf club head, such as launch speed, launch angle, gear effect, backspin, and/or shot distance. Accordingly, the third optimization characteristic used to balance the relationship between the head volume (2600) and the location of the head center of gravity (2500) can be set to provide a desirable balanced property for the golf club head (1000). For example, the weight distribution of the golf club head (1000) can be configured to satisfy relationship 3 so that the golf club head (1000) can exhibit the third optimization characteristic, thereby allowing the head volume (2600) to be increased for a larger moment of inertia and greater energy transfer to the golf ball (2900) upon golf impact between the striking face (1210) and the golf ball (2900). In the same or another embodiment, the weight distribution of the golf club head (1000) can be configured to suppress the CG depth (2510) from decreasing toward the head frontal portion (1110) due to the increased head volume (2600), thereby increasing at least one of the dynamic loft of the striking face (1210) or the launch angle of the golf ball (2900) upon golf impact. In addition, the weight distribution of the golf club head (1000) can be configured to suppress the CG height from increasing toward the head top portion (1120) as a result of the increased head volume (2600), thereby reducing backspin of the golf ball (2900) via the gear effect between the striking face (1210) and the golf ball (2900) upon golf impact.

In consideration of the above, in order to obtain the third optimization characteristic according to relation 3, the CG depth (2510) can be configured to be greater than or equal to 40.64 mm. In the same or another embodiment, the absolute value of the CG height (2520) can be less than or equal to 2.54 mm. Note that the CG height (2520) is specified as an absolute value considering that the head center of gravity (2500) may be above or below the head depth plane (2310) in some embodiments. The third optimization characteristic has a lower bound of at least 425, although there may be other embodiments where the third optimization characteristic may be specified with respect to other lower bounds. For example, the third optimization characteristic may include a lower bound of at least 435 or 445 in some implementations. The location of the head center of gravity (2500) can also be designed or configured relative to other features of the golf club head (1000) to satisfy relation 3 and/or to obtain the third optimization characteristic. For example, the location of the head center of gravity (2500) can be configured such that the CG depth (2510) includes approximately 25% to approximately 80% of the head depth length (2312), where the head depth length (2312) is measured from the striking face center point (1211) to the exterior intersection of the head back portion (2160) with the head depth plane (2310). As another example, the location of the head center of gravity (2500) can be configured such that the CG depth (2520) includes approximately 0% to approximately 13% of the CG height axis length (2322), where the CG height axis length (2322) is measured from the exterior intersection of the head top portion (1120) with the CG height axis (2320) to the exterior intersection of the head sole portion (1130) with the CG height axis (2320).

The golf club head (1000) may also include a fourth optimization characteristic relating to a balance between a hosel MOI (1711) (FIG. 1) and a horizontal MOI (1811) (FIG. 1). The hosel MOI (1711) is defined about the hosel axis (1710). The horizontal MOI (1811) is defined about the head horizontal axis (1810) extending from the head heel (1140) to the head toe (1150) through the head center of gravity (2500) and parallel to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position on the ground (1010).

In some examples, the horizontal MOI (1811) may be increased to inhibit rotation of the golf club head (1000) about the horizontal axis (1810) of the head when striking a golf ball (2600) eccentrically toward the head top (1120) or the head sole (1130), thereby increasing the forgiveness of the golf club head (1000) for high or low mis-hits. For example, to increase the horizontal MOI (1811), weight may be added or repositioned toward the head front (1110) and/or the head back (2160). In the same or other examples, the golf club head (1000) may be extended toward the head front (1110) and/or the head back (2160).

However, such adjustments or changes to increase the horizontal MOI (1811) can be made at a point before they begin to affect other golf club head characteristics. For example, unrestricted adjustments to increase the horizontal MOI (1811) may, if not properly balanced, result in excessive increases in the hosel MOI (1711), thereby increasing the resistance of the golf club head (1000) to rotate about the hosel axis (1710), and thus making it more difficult for a person to "turn over" the golf club during the golf swing for proper positioning or "squaring" of the golf club head (1000) upon impact with the golf ball (2600). Increasing the hosel MOI (1711) may also inhibit or reduce a gearing effect between the golf ball (2600) and the striking face (1210) that would otherwise impart a desired compensating spin to the golf ball (2600) during eccentric impacts.

To reduce the hosel MOI (1711), the golf club head (1000) can be designed to limit the distance between any additional or arbitrary mass of the golf club head (1000) and the hosel axis (1710). This approach to reducing the hosel MOI (1711) may be incompatible with some of the approaches described above to increasing the horizontal MOI (1811) if not properly balanced. Accordingly, adding or redistributing weight to the golf club head (1000) to increase the horizontal MOI (1811) should be balanced with respect to maintaining or inhibiting an increase in the hosel MOI (1711).

In view of the above, the fourth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) controls the relationship between the horizontal MOI (1811) and the hosel MOI (1711) to satisfy the following relationship 4.

[Relationship 4]

There may be examples where the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that the fourth optimization characteristic exceeds the requirements of relationship 4. As another example, in some implementations, the fourth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that the horizontal MOI (1811) is greater than or equal to 40% of the hosel MOI (1711), greater than or equal to 45% of the hosel MOI (1711), or greater than or equal to 50% of the hosel MOI (1711). In this example, the horizontal MOI (1811) is approximately 3740 grams square centimeters (g cm ² ), although examples may exist where it may range from approximately 2800 g cm ² to approximately 4300 g cm ² . The hosel MOI (1711) is approximately 9370 g cm ² in this example, but can range from approximately 7000 g cm ² to approximately 11,000 g cm ² in the same or other examples.

The golf club head (1000) may also include a fifth optimization characteristic for a balance between hosel MOI (1711) and vertical MOI (1611) (FIG. 1). The vertical MOI (1611) is defined about a head vertical axis (1610) extending from the head top (1120) to the head sole (1130) through the head center of gravity (2500) and perpendicular to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The vertical MOI (1611) is approximately 5300 g cm ² in this example, but may range from approximately 4700 g cm ² to approximately 6000 g cm ² in the same or other examples.

In some examples, the vertical MOI (1611) is increased to inhibit rotation of the golf club head (1000) about the vertical axis (1610) when the striking face (1210) is eccentric toward the head heel (1140) or toward the head toe (1150) when striking a golf ball (2600), thereby increasing the forgiveness of the golf club head (1000) for such heel-side or toe-side mis-hits. For example, to increase the MOI (1611), weight may be added or repositioned toward the head heel (1140) and/or the head toe (1150). In the same or other examples, the golf club head may be extended toward the head heel (1140) and/or the head toe (1150).

However, such adjustments or changes to increase the vertical MOI (1611) can be made at a point before they begin to affect other golf club head characteristics. For example, unrestricted adjustments to increase the vertical MOI (1611) if not properly balanced may result in excessive increases in the hosel MOI (1711), thereby increasing the resistance of the golf club head (1000) to rotate about the hosel axis (1710), as described above. Furthermore, some approaches to decreasing the hosel MOI (1711) if not properly balanced may be incompatible with some of the approaches described above to increasing the vertical MOI (1611). Accordingly, weight additions or redistributions to the golf club head (1000) to increase the vertical MOI (1611) should be balanced against maintaining or inhibiting increases in the hosel MOI (1711).

In view of the above, the fifth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) controls the relationship between the vertical MOI (1611) and the hosel MOI (1711) to satisfy the following relationship 5.

[Relationship 5]

There may be instances where the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that its fifth optimization characteristic exceeds the requirements of relation 5. For example, in some implementations, the fifth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that the vertical MOI (1611) is greater than or equal to 60% of the hosel MOI (1711), greater than or equal to 65% of the hosel MOI (1711), or greater than or equal to 70% of the hosel MOI (1711). In some instances, the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that while its fourth optimization characteristic satisfies relation 4, its fifth optimization characteristic also satisfies relation 5.

In some implementations, the golf club head (1000) can be configured to exhibit the first, second, third, fourth and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above by adjusting the distribution or relationships of mass between different elements of the golf club head (1000). For this purpose, the golf club head (1000) can include a weight structure (2700) positioned toward the head sole (1130) and the head rear (2160), as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 . In some configurations, the weight structure (2700) can be designed and/or positioned to satisfy constraints imposed by relationships (1), 2, 3, 4 and/or 5, thereby balancing the face height or size of the striking face (1210), the head volume (2600), the location of the center of gravity (2500), and/or different moments of inertia of the golf club head (1000).

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the weight structure (2700) can be positioned relative to a clock grid (3500) that can be aligned with the striking face (1210). For example, the clock grid (3500) includes a 12 o'clock line aligned with the striking face center point (1211) in the present embodiment. The 12 o'clock line (3512) is orthogonal to a forward intersection line (3271) defined by the intersection of the loft plane (2270) (FIGS. 2-3) and the ground (1010) (FIGS. 1-2). The clock grid (3500) can be centered along the 12 o'clock line (3512) at a midpoint between the forward end of the front portion (1110) and the rear end of the rear portion (2160). In the same or another example, the clock grid center point (3515) can be centered proximate the geometric center point of the golf club head (1000). The clock grid (3500) also includes a 3 o'clock line (3503) extending toward the head heel (1140) and a 9 o'clock line (3509) extending toward the head toe (1150).

The weight perimeter (2705) of the weight structure (2700) is located toward the rear of the head (2160) at least partially bounded between at least the 4 o'clock line (3504) and the 8 o'clock line (3508) of the clock grid (3500) in the present embodiment, while the weight center (2750) is located between the 5 o'clock line (3505) and the 7 o'clock line (3507). In this example, the weight perimeter (2705) is completely bounded between the 4 o'clock line (3504) and the 8 o'clock line (3508). Although the weight perimeter (2705) is defined on the exterior of the golf club head (1000) in the present example, there may be other examples in which the weight perimeter may extend into, or be defined within, the interior of the golf club head (1000). In some examples, the location of the weights (2700) can be set over a larger area. For example, in such examples, the weight center (2705) of the weight structure (2700) can be located toward the back of the head (2160) that is at least partially bounded between the 4 o'clock line (3504) and the 9 o'clock line (3509) of the clock grid (3500), while the weight center (2750) can be located between the 5 o'clock line (3505) and the 8 o'clock line (3508).

In the same or different embodiments, the weight structure (2700) may be extended or shifted toward the heel end (1140). For example, the weight center (2705) and/or the weight center (2750) may be shifted toward the 4 o'clock line (3504) rather than toward the 9 o'clock line (3509). Biasing the weight structure (2700) toward the head heel end (1140) may allow for a reduction in the hosel MOI (1711) about the hosel axis (1710) by limiting the distance between the hosel axis (1710) and the weight structure (2700), thereby allowing easier rotation of the golf club head (1000) about the hosel axis (1710) during the swing.

In some examples, the weight structure (2700) may include a mass of from about 2 grams to about 50 grams, and/or a volume of from about 1 cc to about 30 cc. In the present example, the weight structure (2700) protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole (1130), and is thus at least partially external to allow for greater adjustment of the head center of gravity (2500).

The weight structure (2700) may include a removable weight (2790) in the same or another example, wherein the removable weight (2790) may include a mass of from about 0.5 grams to about 30 grams and may be replaced with one or more other similar weights to adjust the location of the head center of gravity (2500) as required to satisfy relationships (s) 1, 2, 3, 4 and/or 5. In the same or another example, the center of gravity (2750) may include at least one of the center of gravity of the weight structure (2700), the center of gravity of the removable weight (2790), the geometric center of the weight structure (2700), and/or the geometric center of the removable weight (2790).

The weight center (2750) can be positioned relative to the ground (1010) and a weight center elevation axis (2340) extending between the weight center (2750) and the ground (1010). The weight center elevation axis (2340) is perpendicular to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The weight center elevation (2730) relative to the weight center (2750) can thus be measured along the weight center elevation axis (2340) between the weight center (2750) and the ground (1010). Additionally, the weight center depth (2710) relative to the weight center (2750) can be measured parallel to the ground (1010) between the intersections (2802, 2804). In this example, the intersection point (2804) is defined by the intersection between the ground (1010) and the weight center elevation axis (2340) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The weight center (2750) can be positioned such that, in the same or another embodiment, the weight distance (2751) (FIG. 2) separating the head center of gravity (2500) from the weight center (2750) can be from about 25 mm to about 102 mm.

Embodiments may also exist in which the face portion (1200) may include a reduced thickness, which may be optionally reinforced with one or more reinforcing structures on the rear surface of the striking face (1210) and/or at the junction between the face portion (1200) and the head front portion (1110). Other mass redistribution mechanisms may likewise be utilized if desired to satisfy relationships (s) 1, 2, 3, 4, and/or 5.

In some implementations, the relationship or ratio between the head center of gravity (2500) and the center of weight (2750) can be configured to allow one or more of relationships 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to be satisfied. For example, the elevation ratio defined by the ratio of the center of weight elevation (2730) divided by the head CG elevation (2530) can be greater than 0.44 to help maintain the head center of gravity (2500) closer to the head sole (1130). As another example, the depth ratio defined by the ratio of the center of weight depth (2710) divided by the head CG depth (2510) can be less than 2.54 to prevent the CG depth (2510) from decreasing excessively toward the head frontal portion (1110). There may be some implementations where the head CG elevation (2530) may be less than approximately 28.5 mm, where the weight center elevation (2730) may be less than approximately 12.5 mm, and/or where the weight center depth (2710) may be greater than approximately 99.7 mm.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram for a method (4000) that may be used to manufacture, form, and/or fabricate a golf club head according to the present invention, wherein in some examples, the golf club head may be similar to the golf club head (1000) presented above (FIGS. 1-3).

The method (4000) includes a block 4100 for providing a head body of a golf club head including a head front portion. In some examples, the head body can be similar to the head body (1100) (FIGS. 1-3) and the head front portion can be similar to the head front portion (1110) (FIGS. 1-3).

Block 4200 of the method (4000) includes coupling a face portion to a head front portion, the head front portion including a striking face having an augmented face size. In some examples, the face portion has a striking face (1210) having the augmented face size described above, which may be similar to the face portion (1200) (FIGS. 1-2). For example, the augmented face size of the striking face may in some examples allow the face height to be up to about 71 mm.

The method (4000) may include block 4300 for configuring a golf club head to include a first optimization characteristic, wherein a CG height between a center of gravity of the golf club head and a head depth plane of the golf club head may be from about 0 mm to about 5.08 mm or 0.200 inches. In some examples, the first optimization characteristic may be similar to what was described above with respect to relationship 1 to balance a golf club head face height or size with respect to the center of gravity height, and in some examples, the CG height may be similar to the CG height (2520) (FIG. 2), the center of gravity may be similar to the head center of gravity (2500) (FIG. 2), and the head depth plane may be similar to the head depth plane (2310) (FIG. 2).

There may be implementations in which the method (4000) may include block 4400 for configuring a golf club head to include a second optimization characteristic, wherein a ratio of (a) the face height minus 76.2 mm (or approximately 3.0 in) and (b) the CG depth between the striking face center point and the center of gravity is less than 0.56. In some examples, the second optimization characteristic may be similar to what was described above with respect to relationship 2 to balance the golf club head face height or size with respect to the center of gravity depth. For example, the face height may be similar to the face height (1213), and the CG depth may be similar to the CG depth (2510).

In some examples, the method (4000) can include block 4500 for configuring a golf club head to include a third optimization characteristic wherein the head volume size added to the ratio between the CG depth and the CG height is greater than or equal to 425. In some implementations, the third optimization characteristic can be similar to what was described above with respect to relationship 3 to balance the head volume with respect to the center of gravity location. For example, the head volume size can be similar to the size of the head volume (2600) ( FIG. 2 ), the CG depth can be similar to the CG depth (2510), and the CG height can be similar to the CG height (2520).

The method (4000) may include block 4600 for configuring a golf club head to include a fourth optimization characteristic, in some embodiments, wherein the horizontal moment of inertia of the golf club head is greater than or equal to 39% of its hosel moment of inertia. In some implementations, the fourth optimization characteristic may be similar to what was described with respect to relation 4 to balance the horizontal MOI (1811) with respect to the hosel MOI (1711) (FIG. 1). In the same or a different example, the magnitude of the horizontal moment of inertia may be similar to what was described above with respect to the horizontal MOI (1811). Additionally, the magnitude of the hosel moment of inertia may be similar to what was described above with respect to the hosel MOI (1711). There may also be examples where the horizontal moment of inertia and/or the hosel moment of inertia may be balanced with respect to other characteristics, such as with respect to the vertical moment of inertia of the golf club head.

Block 4700 of the method (4000) can, in some embodiments, be performed to configure a golf club head to include a fifth optimization characteristic, wherein the vertical moment of inertia of the golf club head is greater than or equal to 59% of its hosel moment of inertia. In some implementations, the fifth optimization characteristic can be similar to what was described above with respect to relationship 5 to balance the vertical MOI (1611) with respect to the hosel MOI (1711) (FIG. 1). In the same or a different example, the magnitude of the vertical moment of inertia can be similar to what was described above with respect to the vertical MOI (1611). Additionally, the magnitude of the hosel moment of inertia can be similar to what was described above with respect to the hosel MOI (1711). There can also be examples where the vertical moment of inertia and/or the hosel moment of inertia can be balanced with respect to other characteristics, such as with respect to the horizontal moment of inertia of block 4500.

In this example, the method (4000) also includes a block 4800 for providing a mass redistribution mechanism to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head. In some examples, the mass redistribution mechanism can be configured to allow the golf club head to achieve the requirements of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700 of the method (4000). The mass redistribution mechanism can include a weight structure, such as a weight structure (2700) (FIGS. 2-3) that can adjust the location of the center of gravity toward the sole and/or rear portion of the golf club head, if desired. In the same or another embodiment, the mass redistribution mechanism can include a reduced thickness portion on the face portion of the golf club head, which reduced thickness portion can be reinforced, if desired, with one or more reinforcing structures, such as on the back surface of the striking face and/or at the junction between the head body and the face portion of the golf club head.

In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of the method (4000) may be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/or the sequence of such blocks may be varied. For example, blocks 4100 and 4200 may be combined in some embodiments, such as where at least one portion of the face portion and the head body comprises a single piece of material. Block 4800 may be combined with one or more of blocks 4100, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700, in the same or different examples, and may be accomplished simultaneously by adjusting the center of gravity, the face height, the face size, the head volume, and/or one or more moments of inertia of the golf club head, such as via the mass redistribution mechanism of block 4800. In the same or different examples, some of the blocks of the method (4000) may be subdivided into multiple sub-blocks. For example, block 4100 may be subdivided into a number of sub-blocks for providing different portions of the head body of the golf club head. There may also be instances where the method (4000) may include other or different blocks. For example, the method (4000) may include another block for providing a golf club shaft to the head body of block 4100. Additionally, the method (4100) may include only some of the blocks described above. For example, one or more of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700 may be optional in some implementations, and/or block (4800) may be skipped if not required to accomplish the requirements of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700. Other variations may be implemented for the method (4000) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

While the golf club heads having the optimized characteristics and related methods of the present disclosure have been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the examples may have been described with respect to driver-type golf clubs, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs, such as fairway wood-type golf clubs, hybrid-type golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs, wedge-type golf clubs, or putter-type golf clubs. Alternatively, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of sporting equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, and the like.

Additional examples of such modifications are provided in the above description. Other permutations of different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various drawings are likewise contemplated. Accordingly, the detailed description, claims, and drawings herein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention, and not limiting. The scope of the present application is intended to be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

The golf club head and related method having optimized characteristics described herein may be implemented in various embodiments, and the above description of specific 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 and may also disclose alternative embodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiments claimed in that particular claim. Accordingly, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes a reorganization, not a correction. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to particular embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause the benefits, advantages, or solutions to occur or become more pronounced should not be construed as essential, required, or essential features or elements of any or all claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly recited in the claims.

Because the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g., new rules may be adopted, and older rules may be removed or amended, by golf standards bodies and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment relating to the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may or may not conform to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment relating to the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or marketed as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this respect.

Moreover, the embodiments and limitations disclosed in this specification are not dedicated to the public under a contribution to the public unless the embodiment and/or limitation (1) is explicitly claimed in the claim, and (2) is equivalent or potentially equivalent to an explicit element and/or limitation of the claim under the doctrine of equivalents.

1000: Golf club head 1010: Ground
1100: Head body 1110: Head front
1120: Head top 1130: Head sole
1140: Head heel 1150: Head toe
1200: Face 1210: Hitting Face

Claims (20)

In the golf club head,
As a head body,
Front view of head; Back view of head;
Head heel portion; Head toe portion;
Head sole portion; Head top portion;
A hosel structure having a bore for accommodating a golf club shaft and having a hosel axis;
Total head weight; and
Head volume size
Head body including;
As the face part on the front of the above head,
Center point of the striking face;
The striking face perimeter; and
A face height defined by the above striking face boundary, wherein the center point of the striking face is located at the midpoint of the face height.
a face portion including; and
Head center of gravity
Including,
When the above golf club head is at the address position above the ground,
The head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the ground,
The head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis;
The loft plane of the above golf club head is tangent to the center point of the striking face;
The front plane of said golf club head extends parallel to the hosel axis and perpendicular to the ground through the center point of said striking face;
The head depth plane extends parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane through the center point of the striking face;
The CG height axis extends through the head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point;
The CG height axis length is measured from the outer intersection of the head top portion with the CG height axis to the outer intersection of the head sole portion with the CG height axis;
The head CG height of the head center of gravity is measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point;
The head CG depth of the above head center of gravity is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front plane.
A second intersection point located at the intersection between the above front plane and the ground,
The third intersection point is located at the intersection between the above head vertical axis and the ground.
measured between;
The hosel moment of inertia is measured about the hosel axis;
The horizontal moment of inertia is measured about the horizontal axis of the head;
The vertical moment of inertia is measured about the vertical axis of the head; and
The golf club head comprises at least three performance characteristics selected from the group consisting of a first performance characteristic, a second performance characteristic, a third performance characteristic, a fourth performance characteristic and a fifth performance characteristic,
The above first performance characteristic is,
The above head CG height is 5.08 mm or less
including;
The above second performance characteristic is,
(a) A CG performance ratio of 0.56 or less, determined by dividing the value obtained by subtracting the face height from 76.2 mm by the head CG depth.
including;
The third performance characteristic is,
(a) The value added to the ratio between the head volume size and (b) the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height.
, and the third performance characteristic is 425 cc or more;
The above fourth performance characteristic is,
The above horizontal moment of inertia is 39% or more of the above hosel moment of inertia.
including;
The above fifth performance characteristic is,
The above vertical moment of inertia is 59% or more of the above hosel moment of inertia.
Including
Golf club head. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a horizontal moment of inertia of 2800 g cm ² to 4300 g cm ² . In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a head CG depth of 30 mm to 102 mm. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a head CG depth of 44 mm to 102 mm. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a head volume size of 420 cc or more. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a total head weight of 185 grams to 225 grams. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a head CG height of 0 mm to 3.18 mm. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head having a hosel moment of inertia of 7000 g cm ² to 11000 g cm ² . In the first paragraph,
A golf club head wherein the center of gravity of the head is located between the head depth plane and the head sole. In the first paragraph,
A golf club head wherein the face height is measured parallel to the loft plane and is between 40 mm and 50 mm. In the golf club head,
As a head body,
As inside the head,
Frontal view of the head;
back of head;
Head heel;
head toe;
Head sole; and
Head top
Head interior bordered by;
A hosel structure having a bore that accommodates a golf club shaft and has a hosel axis;
Head volume size; and
An external weight structure positioned on the head sole portion and the head rear portion of the head body, wherein the external weight structure at least partially protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole portion of the head body and has a weight center.
Head body including;
As the face part on the front of the above head,
Center of the striking face;
Strike face main; and
A face height defined by the above striking face boundary, wherein the center point of the striking face is located at the midpoint of the face height.
a face portion including; and
Head center of gravity
Including,
When the above golf club head is at the address position above the ground,
The head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is perpendicular to the ground,
The head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis;
The loft plane of the above golf club head is tangent to the center point of the striking face;
The front plane of said golf club head extends parallel to the hosel axis and perpendicular to the ground through the center point of said striking face;
The head depth plane extends parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane through the center point of the striking face;
The CG height axis extends through the head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point;
The CG height axis length is measured from the outer intersection of the head top portion with the CG height axis to the outer intersection of the head sole portion with the CG height axis;
The head CG height of the head center of gravity is measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point;
The head CG depth of the above head center of gravity is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front plane.
A second intersection point located at the intersection between the above front plane and the ground,
The third intersection point is located at the intersection between the above head vertical axis and the ground.
measured between;
The hosel moment of inertia is measured about the hosel axis;
The horizontal moment of inertia is measured about the horizontal axis of the head;
The vertical moment of inertia is measured about the vertical axis of the head;
The above head CG depth is 35 mm to 102 mm;
The face height is measured parallel to the loft plane and is between 33 mm and 71 mm; and
The golf club head comprises at least three performance characteristics selected from the group consisting of a first performance characteristic, a second performance characteristic, a third performance characteristic, a fourth performance characteristic and a fifth performance characteristic,
The above first performance characteristic is,
The above head CG height is 5.08 mm or less
including;
The above second performance characteristic is,
(a) A CG performance ratio of 0.56 or less, determined by dividing the value obtained by subtracting the face height from 76.2 mm by the head CG depth.
including;
The third performance characteristic is,
(a) The value added to the ratio between the head volume size and (b) the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height.
, wherein the third performance characteristic is 425 cc or more;
The fourth performance characteristic is:
The above horizontal moment of inertia is 39% or more of the above hosel moment of inertia.
including;
The above fifth performance characteristic is,
The above vertical moment of inertia is 59% or more of the above hosel moment of inertia.
Including
Golf club head. In Article 11,
The weight center elevation axis extends between the weight center and the ground and is perpendicular to the ground when the golf club head is in the address position;
Head CG elevation is measured along the head vertical axis between the head center of gravity and the ground;
The center of gravity elevation is measured along the center of gravity elevation axis between the head center of gravity and the ground;
The depth of the weight center of gravity is parallel to the ground,
The second intersection point at the intersection between the above front plane and the ground,
The fourth intersection point is at the intersection between the above weight center height axis and the ground.
A golf club head that is measured between. In Article 12,
The depth ratio defined by the weight center depth divided by the head CG depth is less than 2.54;
A golf club head having an elevation ratio defined by the center of gravity elevation divided by the head CG elevation of greater than 0.44. In Article 13,
A golf club head having a head CG height of less than 28.5 mm. In Article 13,
A golf club head having a center of gravity height of less than 12.5 mm. In Article 13,
A golf club head having a weight center depth exceeding 99.7 mm. In Article 13,
A golf club head having a head CG depth of 30 mm to 102 mm. In Article 11,
A golf club head having a hosel moment of inertia of 7000 g cm ² to 11000 g cm ² . In Article 11,
The above external weight structure comprises a mass of 2 grams to 50 grams;
A golf club head wherein said external weight structure comprises a volume of 1 cc to 30 cc. In Article 11,
The clock grid is at least
12 o'clock line,
3 o'clock line,
4 o'clock line,
5 o'clock line,
8 o'clock line, and
9 o'clock line
including;
When the golf club head is at the address position on the ground, from a bottom view of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the center point of the striking face and is perpendicular to the forward intersection line between the loft plane and the ground;
The above clock grid is centered along the 12 o'clock line at the midpoint between the front end of the head front portion and the rear end of the head rear portion;
The above 3 o'clock line extends toward the head heel;
The above 9 o'clock line extends toward the head toe;
The perimeter of the above external weight structure is at least partially bounded by the 4 o'clock line and the 9 o'clock line;
A golf club head, wherein the center of gravity of the external weight structure is positioned between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line.