JP7809755B2 - Golf club head with optimized characteristics and related methods - Google Patents

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/365,133, filed July 21, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/404,602, filed October 5, 2016, which are continuations of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/826,111, filed March 14, 2013, which are continuations-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 14/836,729, filed August 26, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/413,684, filed January 24, 2017. U.S. Patent Application No. 15/413,684 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/286,899, filed January 25, 2016. The entire contents of the disclosures set forth above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This disclosure relates generally to sporting goods, and more specifically to golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods.

Golf club heads often include various features that can be designed or configured to enhance one or more performance characteristics of the golf club head. However, these various features often interact with one another, and adjusting or configuring one feature can inherently alter another feature, often to a detriment. As one example, widening the striking face of a golf club to create a larger impact area can adversely change the location of the golf club's center of gravity, and unintended performance can result if the interactions between the various features are not understood and balanced when configured or designed.

Based on the above, we will continue to make advancements in golf club features and improve the performance of golf clubs by balancing these features in relation to each other.

The present disclosure may be further understood by reading the following detailed description of example embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a front view of a golf club head according to the present disclosure.

2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the golf club head taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

3 shows a bottom view of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method that can be used to provide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club head in accordance with the present disclosure.

2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the upper transition boundary of the golf club head taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the rear transition boundary of the golf club head taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the golf club head taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a golf club head according to the present disclosure.

9 shows a cross-sectional side view of the golf club head taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings show general aspects of the configuration, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. Furthermore, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to facilitate understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

In this specification and claims, terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., are used where appropriate to distinguish between like elements and not necessarily to describe a particular sequence or chronological order. Such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, so that it should be understood that the embodiments described herein may, for example, be practiced in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to include a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, apparatus, or device that includes listed elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, system, article, apparatus, or device.

In this specification and claims, terms such as "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," and the like, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein may, for example, be practiced in orientations other than those described or illustrated herein.

The terms "connect," "connected," "connected," "connecting," and the like should be interpreted broadly and refer to joining two or more elements together, mechanically or otherwise. The connection (whether mechanical or otherwise) may be for any duration, for example, permanently, semi-permanently, or only momentarily.

Even if the term "detachably" or "detachable" is not used near a term such as "connected," it does not mean that the connection is detachable or not.

As defined herein, two or more elements are "unitary" if they are constructed from the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are "non-unitary" if they are each constructed from a different piece of material.

In one example, a golf club head may include a head body having a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior may be bounded by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure may have an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, and in this structure, the inner diameter portion may have a hosel axis. The golf club head may also have a head center of gravity, a head horizontal axis extending through the head center of gravity 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 relative to 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 may be 39% or more of the hosel moment of inertia.

In one example, a golf club head may include a head body having a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior may be bounded by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure may have an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, and in this structure, the inner diameter portion may have a hosel axis. The golf club head may also have a head center of gravity, a head vertical axis extending from the head top portion to the head sole portion through the head center of gravity and perpendicular to the ground when the golf club head is in an address position relative to the ground, a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, and a vertical moment of inertia about the head vertical axis. The horizontal moment of inertia may be 59% or more of the hosel moment of inertia.

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

In one example, a golf club head may include a head body having a front portion, a rear portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, a sole portion, a top portion, and a hosel structure. The hosel structure may have an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, and the inner diameter portion may have a hosel axis. The golf club head may also include a striking face at the front portion, the striking face having a striking face center point, a head volume measured in cubic centimeters (cc) greater than 420, a head center of gravity, and optimization characteristics. When the golf club head is in an address position relative to 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 may be tangent to the striking face center point. The front surface of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. A center of gravity (CG) height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and perpendicularly intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may 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 may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front surface between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front surface and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The optimization characteristic may be determined by adding (a) the magnitude of the head volume to (b) the ratio of the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height. The optimization characteristic may be 425 or greater.

In one example, a golf club head may include a head body having a front portion, a rear portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, a sole portion, a top portion, and a hosel structure. The hosel structure has an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, and in this structure, the inner diameter portion may have a hosel axis. The golf club head may also include a striking face at the front portion of the head and having a striking face center point, and a head center of gravity. When the golf club head is in an address position relative to 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 may be tangent to the striking face center point. A front surface of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. A top surface of the golf club head may extend parallel to the ground through the striking face center point. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and perpendicularly intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may 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 may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front surface between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front surface and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The head CG upper boundary may be measured along the head vertical axis between the head center of gravity and a fourth intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the top surface. The absolute value of the head CG height may be 2.54 mm or less. The head CG depth may be 40.64 mm or greater. In other embodiments, the head CG depth may be greater than approximately 41 mm and less than approximately 102 mm. In further embodiments, the head CG depth can be greater than about 42 mm, about 43 mm, about 44 mm, about 45 mm, about 46 mm, about 47 mm, about 48 mm, about 49 mm, about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, or about 70 mm. The head CG upper boundary can be between about 0 mm and about 30 mm. In other embodiments, the head CG upper boundary can be less than about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, about 15 mm, about 20 mm, or about 25 mm.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head includes providing a head body having a front portion, a rear portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, a sole portion, a top portion, and a hosel structure. The hosel structure has an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, the inner diameter portion having a hosel axis. The method may also include connecting a striking face to the front portion and configuring optimization characteristics for the golf club head. The striking face has a striking face center point. The golf club head has a head volume measured in cubic centimeters (cc) and may be greater than 420. When the golf club head is in an address position relative to the ground, a head vertical axis may extend through the head center of gravity and be perpendicular to the ground. A head horizontal axis may extend through the head center of gravity and be perpendicular to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The front surface of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The center of gravity (CG) height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and perpendicularly intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may 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 may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front surface between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front surface and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The optimization characteristic may be set by adding (a) the magnitude of the head volume to (b) the ratio of the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height, where the optimization characteristic may be 425 or greater.

In one example, a golf club head may 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 may include a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure. The hosel structure has an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, the inner diameter portion having a hosel axis. The face portion may be present at the head front portion and may have a striking face center point, a striking face edge, and a face height limited by the striking face edge. When the golf club head is in an address position relative to 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 may be tangent to the striking face center point. A front surface of the golf club head may extend through the striking face center point and parallel to the hosel axis. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and perpendicularly intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may 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 may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front surface between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front surface and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height, measured parallel to the loft plane, may be between about 33 mm and about 71 mm. The first performance characteristic may have a head CG height of about 5.08 mm or less. The second performance characteristic may have a CG performance ratio of 0.56 or less, determined by (a) subtracting the face height from 76.2 mm and (b) dividing by the head CG depth.

In one example, a golf club head may include a head body, a face portion, and a head center of gravity. The head body may include a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure. The hosel structure may have an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, the inner diameter portion having a hosel axis. The hosel structure may include a hosel diameter. The face portion may be connected to the head front portion and may include a striking face having a striking face center point, a striking face edge, and a face height. When the golf club head is in an address position relative to 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 may be tangent to the striking face center point. A front surface of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. A top surface of the golf club may extend parallel to the ground through the striking face center point. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and perpendicularly intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may 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 may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front surface between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front surface and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The head CG upper boundary may be measured along the head vertical axis between the head center of gravity and a fourth intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the top surface. The face height is defined by the striking face edge and may be between about 33 mm and about 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane. The CG performance ratio of (a) 76.2 mm minus the face height and (b) the head CG depth is 0.56 or less. The head body may be a driver-type body. The head volume of the golf club head may be between about 420 cc and about 470 cc. The head weight of the golf club head may be between about 185 grams and about 225 grams. The head CG height may be between about 0 mm and about 3.18 mm. The head CG depth may be between about 25 mm and about 102 mm. In other embodiments, the head CG depth may be greater than about 41 mm and less than about 102 mm. In further embodiments, the head CG depth may be greater than about 42 mm, about 43 mm, about 44 mm, about 45 mm, about 46 mm, about 47 mm, about 48 mm, about 49 mm, about 50 mm, about 55 mm, about 60 mm, about 65 mm, or about 70 mm. The head CG upper boundary can be between about 0 mm and about 30 mm. In other embodiments, the head CG upper boundary can be less than about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, about 15 mm, about 20 mm, or about 25 mm. The head body can include weight structures disposed near the sole and rear of the head body.

In one embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head may include providing a head body including a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure. The hosel structure may have an inner diameter portion for receiving a golf club shaft, the inner diameter portion having a hosel axis. The method may also include connecting a face portion to the head front portion, the face portion including a striking face having a striking face center point, a striking face edge, and a face height limited by the striking face edge. The method may further include setting 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 relative to the ground, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity of the golf club head 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 may be tangent to the striking face center point. The front surface of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. The head depth plane may extend parallel to the head horizontal axis through the striking face center point and perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and perpendicularly intersect the head depth plane at a first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may 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 may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front surface between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection of the front surface and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection of the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height, measured parallel to the loft plane, may be between approximately 33 mm and approximately 71 mm. The first performance characteristic may have a head CG height of approximately 5.08 mm or less. The second performance characteristic may have a CG performance ratio of 0.56 or less, as determined by (a) subtracting the face height from 76.2 mm and (b) dividing by the head CG depth.

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

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a front view of a golf club head 1000, which includes a head body 1100 and a face portion 1200. The face portion 1200 includes a striking face 1210. FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the golf club head 1000 taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the golf club head 1000. FIGS. 1-3 depict the golf club head 1000 in an address position relative to the ground 1010. In these figures, with respect to the front view of the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 1), the hosel axis 1710 is at an angle of 60 degrees with the ground 1010, and with respect to the side view of the golf club head 1000 (FIG. 2), the hosel axis 1710 is substantially perpendicular to the ground 1010.

In this embodiment, the head body 1100 and the face portion 1200 are constructed from different pieces of material joined by, for example, a welding process. However, in other examples, the face portion 1200 may be constructed from a single piece of material along with one or more portions of the head body 1100, such as the head front portion 1110, head top portion 1120, head sole portion 1130, head heel portion 1140, head toe portion 1150, and/or head rear portion 2160. The head front surface 1160 of the golf club head 1000 includes the hitting face 1210, the face portion 1200, and at least a portion of the head front portion 1110. In some embodiments, the head front surface 1160 may also include at least a portion of the head sole portion 1130. In the same or a different embodiment, the head front portion 1110 may include the hitting face 1210 and/or the face portion 1200.

The face portion 1200 includes a striking face 1210 having a striking face center point 1211, a striking face edge 1212, and a face height 1213. The striking face center point 1211 is located at the geometric center of the striking face edge 1212 in this example and at the midpoint of the face height 1213. In the same or another example, the striking face center point 1211 can be centered relative to a designed impact area 1250, which can be defined by the extent of grooves 1259 in the striking face 1210. As an alternative approach, the striking face center point 1211 can be located in accordance with the regulations of a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the striking face center point 1211 may be determined in accordance with Section 6.1 of the USGA Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Club Head ("Flexibility Procedure") (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/).

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

The striking face edge 1212 includes a striking face upper end 1215 and a striking face lower end 1216 that define the face height 1213, but need not bound the entire face portion 1200. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 1 , the striking face 1210 is bounded by the striking face edge 1212, but only a portion of the face portion 1200. In some examples, the striking face 1210 may have a roll radius and/or a bulge radius. The striking face edge 1212 may be defined along a transition boundary, which is where the contour of the face portion 1200 departs from the roll radius and/or bulge radius of the striking face 1210. For example, Figure 2 includes a close-up view of a portion of the upper transition boundary of the golf club head 1000, highlighting the vertical roll radius 2170 extending along the striking face 1210 and showing how the upper edge 1215 of the striking face is located at the upper transition boundary where the head front surface 1160 departs from the vertical roll radius 2170. Figure 2 also includes a close-up view of a portion of the lower transition boundary of the golf club head 1000, highlighting the vertical roll radius 2170 extending vertically along the striking face 1210 and showing how the lower edge 1216 of the striking face is located at the lower transition boundary where the head front surface 1160 departs from the vertical roll radius 2170.

In the same or other embodiments, the striking face edge 1212 can be defined relative to the end of the striking plate that includes the striking face. For example, the face portion 1200 includes the striking plate 1220, where the striking face 1210 forms the exterior surface of the striking plate 1220, and the striking plate 1220 is joined to the head front portion 1110 along the striking plate end 1221. In this example, the striking plate end 1221 defines at least a portion of the striking face edge 1212. This defined portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion of the striking face edge 1212, where the striking face upper end 1215 and the striking face lower end 1216, respectively, are located and define the face height 1213. Other examples are possible, in which the striking plate end of the striking plate can define most or all of the striking face edge of the striking face.

As shown 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. In the figure, 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 perpendicularly intersects the head depth plane 2310 at an intersection point 2801. The golf club head 1000 also includes a top surface 2330 that extends through the striking face center point 1211 and parallel to the ground 1010.

The head center of gravity 2500 comprises a CG height 2520 and a CG depth 2510, which 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 parallel to the ground 1010 and between the intersection points 2802 and 2803, as can be seen in FIG. 2. In this example, the intersection point 2802 is defined by the intersection of the ground 1010 and the front surface 2280, where the front surface 2280 extends through the striking face center point 1211, is parallel to the hosel axis 1710, and is perpendicular to the ground 1010 when the golf club head 1000 is in the address position. Additionally, an intersection point 2803 is defined by the intersection of the ground 1010 and the head vertical axis 1610, where 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, in which case the head CG vertical distance 2530 of the head center of gravity 2500 may be measured along the head vertical axis 1610 between the mass center 2750 and the ground 1010. The head center of gravity 2500 is also positioned relative to the head CG upper boundary 2540, where it may be measured along the head vertical axis 1610 between the head center of gravity 2500 and a fourth intersection point 2805 located at the intersection of the head vertical axis 1610 and the top surface 2330. The head CG upper boundary 2540 may be a positive value when measured above the top surface 2330 and a negative value when measured below the top surface 2330.

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 inner diameter 1217 of the hosel structure. In this example, the hosel connection mechanism of the golf club head 1000 includes the hosel structure 1217 and a shaft sleeve 1411, which can connect the shaft sleeve 1411 to the end of the golf shaft 1410. The shaft sleeve 1411 can be connected to the hosel structure 1217 in multiple configurations, thereby allowing the golf shaft 1410 to be secured to the hosel structure 1217 at multiple angles relative to the hosel axis 1710. However, other examples are possible, in which case the shaft 1410 can be non-adjustably secured to the hosel structure 1217.

Golf club heads according to the present disclosure can be configured to exhibit one or more optimization characteristics that optimize or balance their performance. For example, one golf club head characteristic that the present design seeks to optimize is that of face height and/or face size. Maximizing the face height and/or face size of a golf club head can provide several benefits, including an increased impact area on the striking face, resulting in a more forgiving club head, which can also improve results on golf shots struck off-center. Additionally, a higher striking face height and/or larger striking face size can better transfer energy to the golf ball upon impact with the golf ball. This can increase the characteristic time or "spring effect" of the golf club head, resulting in longer golf shots. In some instances, the height or size of the striking face may be increased to achieve a characteristic time limit imposed by a golf governing body (such as the 239 microsecond (μs) characteristic time limit imposed by the USGA in its "Flexibility Procedure").

However, indiscriminately increasing face height and/or face size can adversely affect performance in other areas (e.g., with respect to the launch angle, ball spin, and/or ball speed of the golf ball upon impact with the striking face). For example, increasing face height and/or face size can decrease the CG depth between the center of gravity of the golf club head and the center point of the striking face by moving the center of gravity forward. This can decrease the dynamic loft of the golf club head, thereby lowering the launch angle of the golf ball. In another example, increasing face height and/or face size can increase the CG height between the center of gravity and the head depth plane, raising the center of gravity away from the sole of the golf club head. This reduces the gear effect between the striking face and the golf ball, making it more difficult for the golf club head to reduce the amount of backspin generated by the golf ball upon impact, thereby reducing the ball's flight distance due to this backspin.

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

Despite increasing the face size and/or face height 1213 as described above, the golf club head 1000 still limits the CG height 2520 from rising too far toward the head top 1120 and/or from moving too far away from the head depth plane 2310. For example, the golf club head 1000 has a first optimization characteristic that satisfies Relationship 1 below:
Illustrative examples are possible in which CG height 2520 can be from approximately 0 mm up to the limit of 5.08 mm of Relationship 1. In other examples, CG height 2520 can be up to approximately 4.45 mm, 3.81 mm, or 3.18 mm. In some implementations, the first optimization characteristic can reduce backspin of golf ball 2900 through a gear effect between striking face 1210 and golf ball 2900 for better performance. In FIG. 2 , head center of gravity 2500 is shown below depth plane 2310, with CG height 2520 extending between depth plane 2310 and head sole portion 1130. However, embodiments are also possible in which head center of gravity 2500 can be above depth plane 2310 such that CG height 2520 extends between depth plane 2310 and head top portion 1120 while still satisfying Relationship 1 above. In some embodiments, head CG upper boundary 2540 can be between about 0 mm and about 30 mm, while in other embodiments, head CG upper boundary 2540 can be less than about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, about 15 mm, about 20 mm, or about 25 mm.

Additionally, further accounting for increasing face size and/or face height 1213 as described above, golf club head 1000 still limits movement of center of gravity 2500 toward striking face 1212, thereby preventing CG depth 2510 from becoming excessively shallow. For example, golf club head 1000 comprises a second optimization characteristic that satisfies relationship 2 below:
As such, the relationship between face height 1213 and CG depth 2510 is balanced to maintain the second optimization characteristic at or below 0.56, according to Relationship 2, thereby limiting the amount by which CG depth 2510 can shallow toward the striking face 1210. Examples include CG depth 2510 can be between approximately 25 mm and approximately 102 mm. In the same or other examples, CG depth 2510 can be at least approximately 39 mm. In the same or other examples, CG depth 2510 can be greater than approximately 41 mm and less than approximately 102 mm. In further embodiments, CG depth 2510 can be greater than approximately 42 mm, approximately 43 mm, approximately 44 mm, approximately 45 mm, approximately 46 mm, approximately 47 mm, approximately 48 mm, approximately 49 mm, approximately 50 mm, approximately 55 mm, approximately 60 mm, approximately 65 mm, or approximately 70 mm. In some embodiments, the second optimizing characteristic may improve or optimize at least one of the dynamic loft of the golf club head 1000 or the launch angle of the golf ball 2900 at impact.

In some examples, the golf club head 1000 may be configured to have only one of the first or second optimization characteristics described above. For example, the golf club head 1000 may have the first optimization characteristic but not the second optimization characteristic, and thus satisfy relationship 1 without satisfying relationship 2. As another example, the golf club head 1000 may have the second optimization characteristic but not the first optimization characteristic, and thus satisfy relationship 2 without satisfying relationship 1. In addition, embodiments are also possible in which the golf club head 1000 satisfies both relationship 1 and relationship 2, and thus has both the first and second optimization characteristics.

The golf club head 1000 may also have a third optimization characteristic related to its head volume (HV) 2600. In this example, the head body 1000 of the golf club head 1000 is configured as a driver-type body having a head volume of 420 cubic centimeters (cc) or more, and therefore the head volume is 420 or greater. For example, the head body 1000 may have a head volume of 420 cc, and therefore the head volume is 420. As another example, the golf club head 1000 may have a head volume of 460 cc, and therefore the head volume is 460. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1000 may have a head volume of up to approximately 470 cc and/or a total head weight of approximately 185 grams to approximately 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 capacitance 2600 and the position of the center of gravity 2500, and can be determined to satisfy the following relationship 3.
In some cases, the head volume 2600 can be increased to, for example, adjust the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head 1000. However, increasing the head volume indefinitely can have undesirable effects on other characteristics of the golf club head. For example, increasing the head volume 2600 can move the head center of gravity 2500 toward the head front 1110, toward the head top 1120, in other undesirable directions, and/or away from the desired center of gravity location or directions, thereby hindering the performance of the golf club head 1000. Such undesirable changes in the center of gravity location can adversely affect one or more characteristics of the golf club head, such as launch velocity, launch angle, gear effect, backspin, and/or shot distance. Therefore, by establishing a third optimization characteristic used to balance the relationship between the head volume 2600 and the location of the head center of gravity 2500, desirable and balanced attributes for the golf club head 1000 can be achieved. For example, the weight distribution of the golf club head 1000 can be configured to satisfy relationship 3 to enable the golf club head 1000 to exhibit a third optimization characteristic, thereby increasing the head volume 2600 to provide a greater moment of inertia and transfer more energy to the golf ball 2900 upon golf impact between the striking face 1210 and the golf ball 2900. In the same or other embodiments, the weight distribution of the golf club head 1000 can be configured to limit the shallowing of the CG depth 2510 toward the front of the head 1110 due to the increased head volume 2600, thus improving at least one of the dynamic loft of the striking face 1210 or the launch angle of the golf ball 2900 upon golf impact. Additionally, the weight distribution of the golf club head 1000 can be configured to limit the increase in CG height 2520 toward the head top 1120 as a result of increasing the head volume 2600, thereby reducing the backspin of the golf ball 2900 due to the gear effect between the striking face 1210 and the golf ball 2900 during golf impact.

In consideration of the above, to achieve the third optimization characteristic according to Relationship 3, the CG depth 2510 can be configured to be equal to or greater than 40.64 mm. In other embodiments, the CG depth 2510 can be greater than approximately 41 mm and less than approximately 102 mm. In further embodiments, the CG depth 2510 can be greater than approximately 42 mm, approximately 43 mm, approximately 44 mm, approximately 45 mm, approximately 46 mm, approximately 47 mm, approximately 48 mm, approximately 49 mm, approximately 50 mm, approximately 55 mm, approximately 60 mm, approximately 65 mm, or approximately 70 mm. In the same or other embodiments, the absolute value of the CG height can be equal to or less than 2.54 mm. In some embodiments, the CG height 2520 is characterized as an absolute value, taking into account that the head center of gravity 2500 can be above or below the head depth plane 2310. The head CG upper boundary 2540 can be between approximately 0 mm and approximately 30 mm. In other embodiments, the head CG upper boundary 2540 can be approximately 8 mm, approximately 9 mm, approximately 10 mm, approximately 11 mm, approximately 12 mm, approximately 13 mm, approximately 14 mm, approximately 15 mm, approximately 20 mm, or approximately 25 mm or less. The third optimization characteristic has a lower bound of at least 425, although other embodiments may include the third optimization characteristic being defined relative to other lower bounds. For example, in some embodiments, the third optimization characteristic may include a lower bound of at least 435 or 445. In other examples, the third optimization characteristic may include a lower bound of at least 460, at least 470, at least 480, at least 490, or at least 500. The location of the head center of gravity 2500 can also be designed or set with respect to other features of the golf club head 1000 to satisfy Relationship 3 and/or achieve the third optimization characteristic. For example, the position of the head center of gravity 2500 can be configured so that the CG depth 2510 is approximately 25% to approximately 80% of the head depth length 2312. Note that, in the above, the head depth length 2312 is the dimension from the striking face center point 1211 to the intersection of the outer surface of the head rear portion 2160 and the depth surface 2310. As another example, the position of the head center of gravity 2500 can be configured so that the CG height 2520 is approximately 0% to approximately 13% of the CG height axis length 2322. Note that, in the above, the CG height axis length 2322 is the dimension from the intersection of the outer surface of the head top portion 1120 and the CG height axis 2320 to the intersection of the outer surface of the head sole portion 1130 and the CG height axis 2320.

The head CG depth 2510 and head CG height 2520 described above pertain to a driver-type club head. In embodiments where the club head is a fairway wood-type club head, the head CG depth 2510 may be configured to be 35 mm or greater. In other embodiments of fairway wood-type club heads, the CG depth 2510 may be greater than approximately 35 mm and less than approximately 90 mm. In further embodiments of fairway wood-type club heads, the CG depth 2510 may be greater than approximately 34.5 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm, 37 mm, 38 mm, 39 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, 42 mm, 43 mm, 44 mm, 45 mm, or 46 mm. Furthermore, in embodiments where the club head is a fairway wood-type club head, the head CG height 2520, or its absolute value, may be configured to be 12.8 mm or less. In other embodiments of the fairway wood-type club head, the CG height 2520, or its absolute value, may be less than approximately 13.0 mm, 12.8 mm, 12.6 mm, 12.4 mm, 12.2 mm, 12.0 mm, 11.8 mm, 11.6 mm, 11.4 mm, 11.2 mm, or 11.0 mm. In these embodiments, the volume of the fairway wood-type club head may be between 300 cc and 400 cc, and the mass of the fairway wood-type club head may be between 190 grams and 240 grams.

The golf club head 1000 may also include a hosel diameter of the hosel structure 1217. The hosel diameter may be kept to a minimum and/or may remain relatively unchanged from the hosel diameter of a corresponding standard golf club head. In some examples, the hosel diameter may be less than approximately 0.78 inches (20 mm). For example, the hosel diameter may be less than approximately 0.78 inches and greater than approximately 0.50 inches. A hosel diameter within this range may impart performance advantages to the golf club head 1000. When the hosel diameter is within this range, the hosel may have greater structural integrity and may reduce stress on the hosel during a golf club swing. In addition to having a hosel diameter within this range, the golf club head 1000 may further include optimization characteristics related to the center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) as described herein.

In further examples, the hosel diameter may be less than approximately 0.50 inches, 0.49 inches, 0.48 inches, 0.47 inches, 0.46 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.44 inches, 0.43 inches, 0.42 inches, 0.41 inches, or 0.40 inches. A hosel diameter less than 0.50 inches may provide additional performance benefits to the golf club head 1000. When the hosel diameter is minimized as described above, the aerodynamic characteristics of the golf club head 1000 may be improved as a result of reduced aerodynamic drag from the hosel structure 1217. In addition to having a hosel diameter within this range, the golf club head 1000 may also include optimization characteristics related to the center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) as described herein.

The golf club head 1000 may also have a fourth optimization characteristic related to the balance between the hosel MOI 1711 (FIG. 1) and the 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. This axis extends from the head heel portion 1140 to the head toe portion 1150 through the head center of gravity 2500 and is parallel to the ground 1010 when the golf club head 1000 is in an address position relative to the ground 1010.

In some examples, increasing the horizontal MOI 1811 can limit rotation of the golf club head 1000 about the head horizontal axis 1810 when the striking face 1210 strikes the golf ball 2600 off-center toward the head top 1120 or head sole 1130. This can improve the golf club head 1000's tolerance for high or low misses, as described above. For example, weights may be added or relocated near the head front 1110 and/or head rear 2160 to increase the horizontal MOI 1811. In the same or other examples, the golf club head 1000 can be extended toward the head front 1110 and/or head rear 2160.

However, such adjustments or changes to increase the horizontal MOI 1811 can be made only to a certain extent before they begin to affect other golf club head characteristics. For example, unrestricted adjustments to increase the horizontal MOI 1811, if not properly balanced, can excessively increase the hosel MOI 1711. This increases the resistance to rotating the golf club head 1000 about the hosel axis 1710, making it more difficult for some people to "rotate" the golf club during the golf swing to properly position (or "square") the golf club head 1000 at impact with the golf ball 2600. Increasing the hosel MOI 1711 can also limit or inhibit the gear effect between the golf ball 2600 and the striking face 1210, which would otherwise result in some spin correction of the golf ball 2600 at off-center impacts.

To reduce the hosel MOI 1711, the golf club head 1000 can be designed to limit the distance between the hosel axis 1710 and any additional or optional mass added to the golf club head 1000. The above approaches to reducing the hosel MOI 1711 may conflict with some of the above approaches to increasing the horizontal MOI 1811 if not properly balanced. Therefore, adding or redistributing weight to the golf club head 1000 to increase the horizontal MOI 1811 must be balanced with maintaining or limiting the increase in the hosel MOI 1711.

In view of the above, the fourth optimization characteristic of the golf club head 1000 is to control the relationship between the horizontal MOI 1811 and the hosel MOI 1711 to satisfy the following Relationship 4:

There are possible examples where golf club head 1000 can be configured such that its fourth optimization characteristic can exceed the requirements of Relationship 4. As an example, in some implementations, golf club head 1000's fourth optimization characteristic can be configured such that horizontal MOI 1811 is greater than or equal to 40% of hosel MOI 1711, greater than or equal to 45% of hosel MOI 1711, or greater than or equal to 50% of hosel MOI 1711. In this example, horizontal MOI 1811 is approximately 3740 grams squared (g·cm ² ), although there are also possible examples where it can range from approximately 2800 g·cm ² to approximately 4300 g·cm ² . In many embodiments, the horizontal MOI can be greater than about 2800 g cm ² , greater than about 3000 g cm ² , greater than about 3200 g cm ² , greater than about 3400 g cm ² , greater than about 3600 g cm ² , greater than about 3800 g cm ² , greater than about 4000 g cm ² , or greater than about 4200 g cm ^2. The hosel MOI 1711 is about 9370 g cm ² in this example, but can also range from about 7000 g cm ² to about 11,000 g cm ² in the same or other examples. In many embodiments, the hosel MOI 1711 can be greater than about 7000 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 7500 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 8000 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 8500 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 9000 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 9500 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 10,000 g- ^cm2 , greater than about 10,500 g- ^cm2 , or greater than about 11,000 g- ^cm2 .

The golf club head 1000 may also have a fifth optimization characteristic related to the balance between the hosel MOI 1711 and the vertical MOI 1611 (FIG. 1). The vertical MOI 1611 is defined about the head vertical axis 1610. This axis extends from the head top 1120 to the head sole 1130 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 vertical MOI 1611 is approximately 5300 g- ^cm² in this example, but may range from approximately 4700 g- ^cm² to approximately 6000 g- ^cm² in the same or other examples. In many embodiments, the vertical MOI 1611 can be greater than about 4700 g cm ² , greater than about 4900 g cm ² , greater than about 5100 g cm ² , greater than about 5300 g cm ² , greater than about 5500 g cm ² , greater than about 5700 g cm ² , or greater than about 5900 g cm ² .

In some examples, increasing the vertical MOI 1611 can limit rotation of the golf club head 1000 about the head vertical axis 1610 when the striking face 1210 strikes the golf ball 2600 off-center toward the head heel portion 1140 (or toward the head toe portion 1150). This can improve the golf club head 1000's tolerance for heel-side or toe-side misses, as described above. For example, weights can be added or relocated near the head heel portion 1140 and/or head toe portion 1150 to increase the vertical MOI 1611. In the same or other examples, the golf club head can be extended toward the head heel portion 1140 and/or head toe portion 1150.

However, such adjustments or modifications to increase the vertical MOI 1611 can be made only to a certain extent 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 an excessive increase in the hosel MOI 1711, which, as described above, increases the resistance to rotating the golf club head 1000 about the hosel axis 1710. In addition, some approaches to decreasing the hosel MOI 1711, if not properly balanced, may contradict some of the approaches described above to increasing the vertical MOI 1611. Therefore, adding or redistributing weight to the golf club head 1000 to increase the vertical MOI 1611 must be balanced with maintaining or limiting the increase 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:

There are possible examples where the golf club head 1000 can be configured such that its fifth optimization characteristic exceeds the requirements of relationship 5. As an example, in some implementations, the fifth optimization characteristic of the golf club head 1000 can be configured such that the vertical MOI 1611 is 60% or more of the hosel MOI 1711, 65% or more of the hosel MOI 1711, or 70% or more of the hosel MOI 1711. In some examples, the golf club head 1000 can be configured such that its fourth optimization characteristic satisfies relationship 4 and its fifth optimization characteristic also satisfies relationship 5.

(weight structure)
In some implementations, the golf club head 1000 can be configured to exhibit the head CG depth, head CG height, first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above by adjusting the mass distribution of the golf club head 1000 or the relationships between various elements of the golf club head 1000. To this end, as can be seen in FIGS. 2-3 , the golf club head 1000 can include a weight structure 2700 located near the head sole portion 1130 and the head rear portion 2160. In some configurations, the weight structure 2700 can be designed and/or positioned to satisfy the constraints imposed by Relationship 1, Relationship 2, Relationship 3, Relationship 4, and/or Relationship 5, thereby balancing the face height or face size of the striking face 1210, the head volume 2600, the location of the center of gravity 2500, and/or various 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 the clock face 3500, which can be aligned with respect to the striking face 1210. For example, the clock face 3500 includes a 12 o'clock line 3512, which is aligned with the striking face center point 1211 in this embodiment. The 12 o'clock line 3512 is perpendicular to the front intersection line 3271, which is defined by the intersection of the loft plane 2270 (FIGS. 2-3) and the ground surface 1010 (FIGS. 1-2). The clock face 3500 is centered along the 12 o'clock line 3512 at the midpoint between the front end of the front portion 1110 and the rear end of the rear portion 2160. In the same or another example, the clock face center point 3515 can be positioned proximate the geometric center of the golf club head 1000. The clock face 3500 also includes a three o'clock line 3503 extending toward the head heel portion 1140 and a nine o'clock line 3509 extending toward the head toe portion 1150.

In this embodiment, the weight rim 2705 of the weight structure 2700 is located near the rear of the head 2160, at least partially confined between the 4 o'clock line 3504 and the 8 o'clock line 3508 of the clock face 3500, with the weight center 2750 located between the 5 o'clock line 3505 and the 7 o'clock line 3507. In examples such as the clock face, the weight rim 2705 is completely confined between the 4 o'clock line 3504 and the 8 o'clock line 3508. In this example, the weight rim 2705 is defined on the outer surface of the golf club head 1000, but other examples are possible, in which case the weight rim may extend to the inside of the golf club head 1000 (or may be defined within the golf club head 1000). In some examples, the position of the weight 2700 can be set over a wider area. For example, in the above example, the weight edge 2705 of the weight structure 2700 can be positioned near the rear of the head 2160, at least partially restricted between the 4 o'clock line 3504 and the 9 o'clock line 3509 of the watch face 3500, and the weight center 2750 can be positioned between the 5 o'clock line 3505 and the 8 o'clock line 3508.

In the same or other embodiments, the weight structure 2700 can be extended or moved toward the heel portion 1140. For example, the weight edge 2705 and/or weight center 2750 can be moved toward the 4 o'clock line 3504 rather than toward the 9 o'clock line 3509. Biasing the weight structure 2700 closer to the head heel portion 1140 can reduce the hosel MOI 1711 about the hosel axis 1710 by limiting the distance between the hosel axis 1710 and the weight structure 2700. This can make it easier for the golf club head 1000 to rotate about the hosel axis 1710 during a swing.

In some examples, the weight structure 2700 can have a mass of approximately 2 grams to approximately 50 grams and/or a volume of approximately 1 cc to approximately 30 cc. In this example, the weight structure 2700 protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole portion 1130 and is therefore at least partially external, thereby allowing for greater adjustment of the head center of gravity 2500.

The weight structure 2700 may, in the same or other examples, include a detachable weight 2790. In this case, the detachable weight 2790 may have a mass of approximately 0.5 grams to approximately 30 grams, and the position of the head center of gravity 2500 may be adjusted by replacing this weight with one or more other similar weights as necessary to satisfy Relationship 1, Relationship 2, Relationship 3, Relationship 4, and/or Relationship 5. In the same or other examples, the weight center 2750 may include at least one of the center of gravity of the weight structure 2700, the center of gravity of the detachable weight 2790, the geometric center of the weight structure 2700, and/or the geometric center of the detachable weight 2790.

The weight center 2750 can be positioned relative to the ground 1010 and the weight center vertical distance axis 2340, which extends between the weight center 2750 and the ground 1010. The weight center vertical distance axis 2340 is perpendicular to the ground 1010 when the golf club head 1000 is in an address position relative to the ground. Thus, the weight center vertical distance 2730 of the weight center 2750 can be measured between the weight center 2750 and the ground 1010 along the weight center vertical distance axis 2340. Additionally, the weight center depth 2710 of the weight center 2750 can be measured parallel to the ground 1010 between the intersection point 2802 and the intersection point 2804. In this example, the intersection point 2804 is defined by the intersection between the ground 1010 and the weight center vertical distance axis 2340 when the golf club head 1000 is in the address position. In the same or other embodiments, the weight center 2750 can be positioned so that the weight distance 2751 (FIG. 2) separating the head center of gravity 2500 from the weight center 2750 can be between about 25 mm and about 102 mm.

While embodiments are possible in which the thickness of the face portion 1200 can be reduced, if desired, the face portion 1200 may be reinforced using one or more reinforcing structures at the rear of the striking face 1210 and/or at the junction of the face portion 1200 and the front portion 1110. Other mass redistribution mechanisms may also be utilized if desired to satisfy Relationship 1, Relationship 2, Relationship 3, Relationship 4, and/or Relationship 5.

In some embodiments, the relationship or ratio between the head center of gravity 2500 and the weight center 2750 can be configured to satisfy one or more of Relationship 1, Relationship 2, Relationship 3, Relationship 4, and/or Relationship 5. For example, the vertical distance ratio defined by the ratio of the weight center vertical distance 2730 to the head CG vertical distance 2530 can be greater than 0.44, which can have the effect of maintaining the head center of gravity 2500 closer to the head sole portion 1130. In another example, the depth ratio defined by the ratio of the weight center depth 2710 to the head CG depth 2510 can be less than 2.54, which can prevent the CG depth 2510 from becoming excessively shallow toward the head front portion 1110. In some embodiments, the head CG vertical distance 2530 can be less than approximately 28.5 mm, in which case the weight center vertical distance 2730 can be less than approximately 12.5 mm and/or the weight center depth 2710 can be greater than approximately 99.7 mm.

In the same or other embodiments, the mass distribution within the golf club head 1000 can be further tailored to configure the golf club head 1000 to exhibit the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above. To this end, the golf club head 1000 can include one or more weight members comprised of an adhesive material distributed near the head sole portion 1130. The one or more weight members can be disposed on an inner surface of the head sole portion 1130. In some configurations, the one or more weight members can be designed and/or positioned to satisfy the constraints imposed by relationships 1, 2, 3, 4, and/or 5, thereby balancing the face height or face size of the striking face 1210, the head volume 2600, the location of the center of gravity 2500, and/or various moments of inertia of the golf club head 1000.

In some examples, each of the one or more weight members can include a mass of about 2 grams to about 50 grams and/or a volume of about 1 cc to about 30 cc. In some configurations, the one or more weight members can include an adhesive, such as an acrylic adhesive or an epoxy-based adhesive. The one or more weight members can optionally be comprised of a mixture of adhesive and metal powder. Alternatively, the one or more weight members can include a combination of adhesive and one or more mass elements. Each of the one or more mass elements can weigh between about 0.5 grams and about 30 grams. In some examples, each of the one or more mass elements can include a metal, a metal alloy, or some other material having a high density.

In addition to tailoring the mass distribution within the golf club head 1000 to configure the golf club head 1000 to exhibit the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above, the one or more weight members can impart additional performance benefits to the golf club head 1000. In some examples, the adhesive material comprising the one or more weight members can maintain its tacky or adhesive properties, causing loose debris within the club head 1000 to adhere to the one or more weight members during use of the golf club head 1000. In the same or other examples, the one or more weight members disposed on the inner surface of the head sole portion 1130 can provide vibration damping and/or sound damping during impact between the golf club head 1000 and the golf ball 2900. In the same or further examples, the one or more weight members can be positioned on the inner surface of the head sole portion 1130 in specific locations and in specific amounts to achieve desired acoustic characteristics of the golf club 1000 during impact with the golf ball 2900.

(Small area)
In some embodiments, by adjusting the mass distribution of the golf club head 1000 or the relationships between various elements of the golf club head 1000, the golf club head 1000 can be configured to exhibit the head CG depth, first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above. To this end, the golf club head 1000 can include one or more subregions located in various regions of the club head 1000. The club head 1000 can include a subregion instead of or in addition to the weight structure 2700. The subregions increase the discretionary weight of the golf club head 1000, such that additional discretionary weight can be positioned within the weight structure, on the inner or outer periphery of the club head 1000, and/or in other regions of the club head 1000 to achieve the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth performance characteristics.

The thin region can be positioned on any region of the club head 1000. For example, the thin region can be positioned on one or more of the head top portion 1120, head sole portion 1130, head heel portion 1140, head toe portion 1150, head rear portion 2160, or face portion 1200.

In many embodiments, the narrow region has a thickness of less than about 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the narrow region has a thickness of less than 0.025 inches, less than 0.020 inches, less than 0.015 inches, or less than 0.010 inches. For example, the narrow region can have a thickness of about 0.010 to about 0.025 inches, about 0.015 to about 0.020 inches, about 0.016 to about 0.020 inches, about 0.017 to about 0.020 inches, or about 0.018 to about 0.020 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment, the subregions are variable in shape and position and cover approximately 25% of the surface area of the club head 1000. In other embodiments, the subregions can cover approximately 20% to approximately 30%, approximately 15% to approximately 35%, approximately 15% to approximately 25%, approximately 10% to approximately 25%, approximately 15% to approximately 30%, or approximately 20% to approximately 50% of the surface area of the club head 1000. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the subregions can cover up to 5%, up to 10%, up to 15%, up to 20%, up to 25%, up to 30%, up to 35%, up to 40%, up to 45%, or up to 50% of the surface area of the club head 1000.

In many embodiments, a portion of the fine region is positioned on the head top 1120 such that approximately 51% of the surface area of the head top 1120 comprises the fine region. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the fine region can be positioned such that up to 20%, up to 25%, up to 30%, up to 35%, up to 40%, up to 45%, up to 50%, up to 55%, up to 60%, up to 65%, up to 70%, or up to 75% of the head top 1120 comprises the fine region. For example, in some embodiments, approximately 40-60% of the head top 1120 can comprise the fine region. By way of further example, in other embodiments, approximately 35-65%, approximately 30-70%, or approximately 25-75% of the head top 1120 can comprise the fine region.

In many embodiments, a portion of the microregion is positioned on the head sole portion 1130 such that approximately 64% of the surface area of the head sole portion 1130 comprises the microregion. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the microregion can be positioned on the head sole portion 1130 such that up to 20%, up to 25%, up to 30%, up to 35%, up to 40%, up to 45%, up to 50%, up to 55%, up to 60%, up to 65%, up to 70%, or up to 75% of the head sole portion 1130 comprises the microregion. For example, in some embodiments, approximately 40 to approximately 60% of the head sole portion 1130 can comprise the microregion. By way of further example, in other embodiments, approximately 35 to approximately 65%, approximately 30 to approximately 70%, or approximately 25 to 75% of the head sole portion 1130 can comprise the microregion.

In many embodiments, the club head 1000 having the subregions can be manufactured using centrifugal casting. In other embodiments, the portions of the club head 1000 having the subregions can be manufactured using other suitable methods, such as stamping, forging, or machining. In embodiments in which the portions of the club head 1000 having the subregions are manufactured using stamping, forging, or machining, the portions of the club head 1000 can be connected using epoxy, tape, welding, mechanical fasteners, or other suitable methods.

(Fixed weight)
In some embodiments, by adjusting the mass distribution of the golf club head 1000 or the relationships between various elements of the golf club head 1000, the golf club head 1000 can be configured to exhibit the head CG depth, head CG height, and the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above. To this end, the golf club head 1000 can be equipped with one or more fixed weights 3100 having a specific gravity greater than that of the main body, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . The club head 1000 can include one or more fixed weights 3100 instead of or in addition to the weight structure 2700. Furthermore, the club head 1000 can include one or more fixed weights 3100 instead of or in addition to the thin regions. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the club head includes one or more fixed weights 3100 in addition to the weight structure 2700, the one or more fixed weights 3100 can be disposed within the weight structure 2700, or the one or more fixed weights 3100 can be disposed outside of or separate from the weight structure 2700.

8 and 9, in these or other embodiments, one or more fixed weights 3100 are positioned on the sole of the club head near the edge 2162 of the head rear 2160 of the club head 1000. For example, in many embodiments, the one or more fixed weights 3100 are positioned within 1.0 inch of the edge 2162 of the head rear 2160. In other embodiments, the one or more fixed weights 3100 can be positioned within 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, or 2.0 inches of the edge 2162 of the head rear 2160.

Further, in these or other embodiments, the one or more fixed weights 3100 can be positioned at a distance greater than 3.75 inches, greater than 4.0 inches, greater than 4.25 inches, greater than 4.50 inches, or greater than 4.75 inches from the front face 2280 of the club head 1000. Further, in these or other embodiments, the one or more fixed weights 3100 can be positioned at a distance greater than 1.5 inches, greater than 1.75 inches, greater than 2.0 inches, greater than 2.25 inches, or greater than 2.5 inches from the head CG 2500 of the club 1000.

The body 1100 of the club head 1000 comprises a first material. The one or more fixed weights 3100 comprise a second high-density material, such as tungsten, gold, hafnium, iridium, mercury, neptunium, osmium, palladium, platinum, plutonium, protactinium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, uranium, or any other high-density material. In many embodiments, the second material has a specific gravity greater than 12.0. In other embodiments, the second material can have a specific gravity greater than 10.0, greater than 11.0, greater than 12.0, greater than 13.0, greater than 14.0, greater than 15.0, greater than 16.0, greater than 17.0, or greater than 18.0. For example, in some embodiments, the second material can have a specific gravity between 10.0 and 18.0, between 12.0 and 18.0, or between 14.0 and 18.0.

In many embodiments, one or more of the fixed weights 3100 can include a mass greater than 12 grams. In other embodiments, one or more of the fixed weights 3100 can include a mass greater than 8 grams, greater than 9 grams, greater than 10 grams, greater than 11 grams, or greater than 12 grams.

In some embodiments, the locking weight 3100 can be integrally formed with the body of the club head by casting, co-molding, or any other suitable method. In other embodiments, the locking weight 3100 can be formed separately from the body of the club head and coupled to the club head by welding (e.g., sintering the locking weight to a low-density weldable material), brazing, adhesive (e.g., epoxy), rivets, screws, or any other suitable method. In many embodiments, one or more locking weights are permanently coupled to the club head. In other embodiments, one or more locking weights can be removably coupled to the club head.

(Relative Mass Properties)
Various embodiments of the mass properties of the golf club head 1000 are described below with respect to exemplary driver, fairway wood, and hybrid golf club heads to achieve the head CG depth, head CG height, first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 1000 may include a first rear region that includes a portion of the rear end of the club head 1000 located within the last or rearmost 20% of the length 2910 of the club head 1000. Additionally, the golf club head 1000 may include a second rear region that includes a portion of the rear end of the club head 11000 located within the last or rearmost 10% of the length 2910 of the club head 1000. In these or other embodiments, the length 2910 of the club head 1000 is the maximum distance measured perpendicular to the front surface 2280 from the leading edge 2912 to the rear end of the club head in the direction from the face portion 1200 to the head rear 2160.

The exemplary driver-type club head 1000 can have a volume greater than approximately 400 cc and a golf club length greater than 44 inches. In other embodiments, the exemplary driver-type club head can include a volume greater than 400 cc, greater than 410 cc, greater than 420 cc, greater than 430 cc, greater than 440 cc, or greater than 450 cc. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the exemplary driver-type club head can include a golf club length greater than 44 inches, greater than 45 inches, greater than 46 inches, or greater than 47 inches. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the exemplary driver-type club head can include a golf club length between 44 and 48 inches, between 45 and 48 inches, or between 46 and 48 inches.

In many embodiments of the exemplary driver-type club head, the first material of the body 1100 comprises a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6-4 or Ti-9s. In other embodiments, the first material of the body 1100 may comprise any suitable material having a specific gravity less than 5.0. For example, the first material of the body 1100 may comprise titanium, aluminum, barium, beryllium, scandium, strontium, or yttrium. In many embodiments of the exemplary driver-type club head, the ratio of the specific gravity of the first material of the body to the specific gravity of the second material of the weight is less than about 0.4. In other embodiments of the exemplary driver-type club head, the ratio of the specific gravity of the first material of the body to the specific gravity of the second material of the weight may be less than about 0.6, less than about 0.5, less than about 0.4, less than about 0.3, or less than about 0.2. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the exemplary driver-type club head, the ratio of the specific gravity of the first material of the body to the specific gravity of the second material of the weight may be in the range of approximately 0.35 to 0.45, approximately 0.35 to 0.5, or approximately 0.2 to 0.6.

In the illustrated embodiment of the exemplary driver-type club head, the first rear region comprises approximately 20.6% of the total mass of the club head 1000. In other embodiments, the first rear region of the driver-type club head 1000 may comprise greater than 15%, greater than approximately 16%, greater than approximately 17%, greater than approximately 18%, greater than approximately 19%, greater than approximately 20%, greater than approximately 22.5%, or greater than approximately 25% of the total mass of the club head 1000. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the first rear region of the driver-type club head may comprise between 15-20%, between 17.5-25%, or between 20-30% of the total mass of the club head 1000.

In the illustrated embodiment of the exemplary driver-type club head, the second rear region comprises approximately 10.0% of the total mass of the club head 1000. In other embodiments, the second rear region of the driver-type club head 1000 can comprise greater than approximately 5%, greater than approximately 6%, greater than approximately 7%, greater than approximately 8%, greater than approximately 9%, greater than approximately 10%, greater than approximately 12.5%, or greater than approximately 15% of the total mass of the club head 1000. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the second rear region of the driver-type club head can comprise between 5-10%, between 7.5-15%, or between 10-20% of the total mass of the club head 1000.

An exemplary fairway wood or hybrid-type club head may have a volume of less than about 400 cc and a golf club length of less than 44 inches. In other embodiments, an exemplary fairway wood or hybrid-type club head may include a volume of less than 420 cc, less than 410 cc, less than 400 cc, less than 390 cc, less than 380 cc, or less than 370 cc. In some embodiments of an exemplary fairway wood-type club head, the club head volume may be between about 300 cc and 400 cc, between about 325 cc and 400 cc, between about 350 cc and 400 cc, between about 250 cc and 400 cc, between about 250 cc and 350 cc, or between about 275 cc and 375 cc. In some embodiments of the exemplary hybrid-type club head, the club head volume may be approximately 100cc to 150cc, approximately 75cc to 150cc, approximately 100cc to 125cc, or approximately 75cc to 125cc. Additionally, in other embodiments, the exemplary fairway wood or hybrid-type club head may include a golf club length of less than 45 inches, less than 44 inches, less than 43 inches, or less than 42 inches. Additionally, in other embodiments, the exemplary fairway wood or hybrid-type club head may include a golf club length of between 40 and 44 inches, between 37 and 40 inches, or between 35 and 40 inches.

In many embodiments of the exemplary fairway wood or hybrid club head, the first material of the body 1100 comprises a steel alloy. In other embodiments, the first material of the body 1100 can comprise any suitable material having a specific gravity less than 10.0. For example, the first material of the body 1100 can comprise titanium, aluminum, barium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, europium, gadolinium, gallium, holmium, indium, iron, steel, steel alloy, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, nickel, niobium, polonium, praseodymium, promethium, terbium, thulium, tin, vanadium, zinc, zirconium, beryllium, scandium, strontium, or yttrium. In many embodiments of the exemplary fairway wood or hybrid club head, the ratio of the specific gravity of the first material of the body to the specific gravity of the second material of the weight is less than about 0.8. In other embodiments of exemplary fairway wood or hybrid-type club heads, the ratio of the specific gravity of the first material of the body to the specific gravity of the second material of the weight can be less than about 0.9, less than about 0.8, less than about 0.7, less than about 0.6, or less than about 0.5. Furthermore, in other embodiments of exemplary fairway wood or hybrid-type club heads, the ratio of the specific gravity of the first material of the body to the specific gravity of the second material of the weight can be in the range of about 0.7 to 0.85, about 0.7 to 0.9, or about 0.3 to 0.9.

In embodiments of the club head 1000, including fairway wood-type club heads, the first rear region may comprise greater than about 13%, greater than about 14%, greater than about 15%, greater than about 16%, greater than about 17%, greater than about 18%, greater than about 19%, greater than about 20%, greater than about 22.5%, or greater than about 25% of the total mass of the club head 1000. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the first region of a fairway wood-type club head may comprise between 13 and 20%, between 17.5 and 25%, or between 20 and 30% of the total mass of the club head 1000. For example, in one embodiment of a fairway wood-type club head, the first rear region comprises approximately 20.0% of the total mass of the club head 1000.

In this and other embodiments of the club head 1000, including fairway wood-type club heads, the second rear region may comprise greater than about 5%, greater than about 6%, greater than about 7%, greater than about 8%, greater than about 9%, greater than about 10%, greater than about 11%, greater than about 12%, greater than about 15%, greater than about 18%, or greater than about 21% of the total mass of the club head 1000. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the second rear region of a fairway wood-type club head may comprise between 5 and 10%, between 7.5 and 15%, between 12.5 and 20%, or between 17.5 and 25% of the total mass of the club head 1000. For example, in one embodiment of a fairway wood-type club head, the second rear region comprises approximately 8% of the total mass of the club head 1000.

In embodiments of the club head 1000, including hybrid-type club heads, the first rear region may comprise greater than about 12.5%, greater than about 15%, greater than about 16%, greater than about 17%, greater than about 18%, greater than about 19%, greater than about 20%, greater than about 22.5%, or greater than about 25% of the total mass of the club head 1000. Additionally, in other embodiments, the first rear region of the hybrid-type club head may comprise between 12.5 and 20%, between 15 and 20%, between 17.5 and 25%, or between 20 and 30% of the total mass of the club head 1000. For example, in one embodiment of a hybrid-type club head, the first rear region comprises approximately 17.5% of the total mass of the club head 1000.

In the same or other embodiments of the club head 1000, including hybrid-type club heads, the second rear region may comprise greater than about 3%, greater than about 4%, greater than about 5%, greater than about 6%, greater than about 7%, greater than about 8%, greater than about 9%, greater than about 12%, or greater than about 15% of the total mass of the club head 1000. Additionally, in other embodiments, the second rear region of the hybrid-type club head may comprise between 3 and 7.5%, between 5 and 10%, between 7.5 and 15%, or between 12 and 20% of the total mass of the club head 1000. For example, in one embodiment of a hybrid-type club head, the second rear region comprises approximately 6% of the total mass of the club head 1000.

(Crown angle)
In some embodiments, the golf club head 1000 can be configured to exhibit the head CG depth, head CG height, first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above by adjusting the mass distribution of the golf club head 1000 or the relationships between various elements of the golf club head 1000. To this end, the golf club head 1000 can include a steep crown angle 1660 near the center region, heel portion 1140, and/or toe portion 1150 of the club head 1000. In many embodiments, the steep crown angle 1660 can help lower the head CG height 2510 and/or increase the head CG depth 2520.

The club head 1000 may include a steep crown angle 1660 instead of, or in addition to, the weight structure 2700. Further, the club head 1000 may include a steep crown angle 1660 instead of, or in addition to, a narrow region. Further, the club head 1000 may include a steep crown angle 1660 instead of, or in addition to, one or more fixed weights 3100.

The steep crown angle 1660 is defined relative to various points and axes on the upper and rear transition boundaries of the club head, as described below. Referring to FIG. 5 , the upper transition boundary extends between the striking face edge 1212 and the head top 1120 of the golf club head 1000, from near the head heel 1140 to near the head toe 1150. The striking face edge 1212 may be defined along the transition boundary where the contour of the face 1200 departs from the roll radius and/or bulge radius of the striking face 1210. The upper transition boundary, when viewed from a side cross-sectional view, includes the upper transition boundary shape 1500. In these embodiments, the side cross-sectional view of the upper transition boundary shape 1500 may be taken along any point on the club head 1000, from near the head heel 1140 to near the head toe 1150.

The upper transition boundary shape 1500 includes an upper radius of curvature 1515. The upper radius of curvature 1515 is defined by a first upper transition point 1510 and a second upper transition point 1520. The first upper transition point 1510 is positioned on the upper transition boundary (i.e., on the striking face edge 1212) where the contour of the club head 1000 departs from the roll radius and/or bulge radius of the striking face 1210. The second upper transition point 1520 is positioned along the upper transition boundary where the shape deviates from the upper radius of curvature 1515. The first upper radius of curvature 1515 extends from the first upper transition point 1510 to the second upper transition point 1520.

5, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper radius of curvature 1515 is substantially constant from the heel portion 1140 to the toe portion 1150 of the club head 1000. In other embodiments, the upper radius of curvature 1515 may vary from the heel portion 1140 to the toe portion 1150 of the club head 1000. For example, the upper radius of curvature 1515 may be larger toward the heel portion 1140 of the club head 1000, toward the toe portion 1150 of the club head 1000, within the center of the club head 1000, or at any combination of the aforementioned locations. The upper radius of curvature 1515 may vary from the heel portion 1140 to the toe portion 1150 according to any shape, such as, for example, a linear shape, a parabolic shape, a quadratic shape, an exponential shape, or any other shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper transition boundary shape 1500 has two transition points and one radius of curvature. In other embodiments, the upper boundary transition shape 1500 can include any number of transition points and any number of radii of curvature. For example, the upper transition boundary shape 1500 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any number of transition points. As a further example, the upper transition boundary shape 1500 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any number of radii of curvature.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the rear transition boundary extends between the rear 2160 and the top 1120 of the golf club head 1000 from near the heel 1140 to near the toe 1150. The rear transition boundary, when viewed from a cross-sectional side view, includes a rear transition boundary shape 1600. In these embodiments, the cross-sectional side view of the rear transition boundary shape 1600 can be taken along any point on the club head 1000 from near the heel 1140 to near the toe 1150.

The rear transition shape 1600 further includes a rear radius of curvature 1615 positioned between a first rear transition point 1610 and a second rear transition point 1620. In the illustrated embodiment, the first rear transition point 1610 is located at the end of the head top 1120 near the head rear 2160, where the curvature of the head top 1120 diverges in cross-section. In the same or other embodiments, the first rear transition point 1610 can be located on the rear transition shape of the club head 1000, in cross-section, where the rear radius of curvature 1615 begins. The second rear transition point 1620 is located on the head rear 2160 of the club head 1000, in cross-section, where the rear radius of curvature 1615 ends.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear radius of curvature 1615 is substantially constant along the head rear 2160 of the golf club head 1000 from the head heel 1140 to the head toe 1150. In other embodiments, the rear radius of curvature 1615 may be variable along the head rear 2160 of the golf club head 1000 from the head heel 1140 to the head toe 1150. The rear radius of curvature may be larger near the head heel 1140, near the head toe 1150, near the center of the golf club head 1000, or any combination of the aforementioned locations. For example, the rear radius of curvature 1615 may be larger near the head heel 1140 and the head toe 1150 than in the center of the head rear 2160 of the golf club head 1000. The rear radius of curvature 1615 can vary from the head heel portion 1140 to the head toe portion 1150 according to any shape, such as, for example, a linear shape, a parabolic shape, a quadratic shape, an exponential shape, or any other shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear transition shape 1600 has two rear transition points and one radius of curvature. In other embodiments, the rear transition shape can include any number of rear transition points and any number of radii of curvature. For example, the rear transition shape 1600 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any number of rear transition points. As a further example, the rear transition shape 1600 can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any number of radii of curvature.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the head top 1120 of the golf club head 1000, when viewed from a side cross-sectional view, further includes a crown axis 1650. In these embodiments, the side cross-sectional view may be taken along any point on the club head 1000 from near the head heel portion 1140 to near the head toe portion 1150. The crown axis 1650 extends through the second upper transition point 1520 and the first rear transition point 1610.

The crown axis 1650 intersects the front surface 2280 at a point on the front of the golf club head 1000. The crown angle 1660 is defined as the acute angle between the crown axis 1650 and the front surface 2280. The crown angle 1660 can be variable when cross-sectional side views are taken at various positions relative to the head heel portion 1140 and/or head toe portion 1150.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crown angle 1660 near the toe portion 1150 is approximately 72.25 degrees, the crown angle 1660 near the heel portion 1140 is approximately 64.5 degrees, and the crown angle 1660 near the center of the golf club head 1000 is approximately 64.2 degrees. In other embodiments, the crown angle 1660 near the toe portion 1150 of the club head 1000 can be less than approximately 79 degrees, less than approximately 78 degrees, less than approximately 77 degrees, less than approximately 76 degrees, less than approximately 75 degrees, less than approximately 74 degrees, less than approximately 73 degrees, less than approximately 72 degrees, less than approximately 71 degrees, less than approximately 70 degrees, less than approximately 69 degrees, or less than approximately 68 degrees. For example, the crown angle 1660 measured in a cross-sectional side view of the club head taken through a point positioned approximately 1.0 inch from the geometric center of the striking face toward the toe 1150 of the head can be less than 79 degrees, less than 78 degrees, less than 77 degrees, less than 76 degrees, less than 75 degrees, less than 74 degrees, less than 73 degrees, less than 72 degrees, less than 71 degrees, less than 70 degrees, less than 69 degrees, or less than 68 degrees.

In some embodiments, the crown angle 1660 near the head heel portion 1140 can be less than about 70 degrees, less than about 69 degrees, less than about 68 degrees, less than about 67 degrees, less than about 66 degrees, less than about 65 degrees, less than about 64 degrees, less than about 63 degrees, less than about 62 degrees, less than about 61 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 59 degrees. For example, the crown angle 1660 measured in a cross-sectional side view of the club head taken through a point positioned about 1.0 inch closer to the head heel portion 1140 from the geometric center of the striking face can be less than about 70 degrees, less than about 69 degrees, less than about 68 degrees, less than about 67 degrees, less than about 66 degrees, less than about 65 degrees, less than about 64 degrees, less than about 63 degrees, less than about 62 degrees, less than about 61 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 59 degrees.

In some embodiments, the crown angle 1660 near the center of the club head 1000 can be less than about 70 degrees, less than about 69 degrees, less than about 68 degrees, less than about 67 degrees, less than about 66 degrees, less than about 65 degrees, less than about 64 degrees, less than about 63 degrees, less than about 62 degrees, less than about 61 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 59 degrees. For example, the crown angle 1660 measured in a cross-sectional side view of the club head taken through the geometric center of the striking face can be less than about 70 degrees, less than about 69 degrees, less than about 68 degrees, less than about 67 degrees, less than about 66 degrees, less than about 65 degrees, less than about 64 degrees, less than about 63 degrees, less than about 62 degrees, less than about 61 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 59 degrees.

In many embodiments, reducing the crown angle 1660 relative to existing club heads creates a steeper top 1120 or a top 1120 that is positioned closer to the ground. Therefore, reducing the crown angle 1660 can result in a lower head CG position.

In some embodiments, decreasing the crown angle 1660 to create a steeper head top 1120 and a lower head CG position may result in an undesirable increase in aerodynamic drag. To prevent the increased drag associated with a steeper head top 1120, the maximum head top height 1670 may be increased. Referring again to FIG. 7 , the maximum head top height 1670 is defined as the maximum distance between the head top 1120 and the crown axis 1650, as cut in any cross-sectional side view. In many embodiments, the increased head top height 1670 results in the head top 1120 having a greater curvature. The increased curvature within the head top 1120 moves the location of airflow separation further back on the club head 1000 during a swing. In other words, the greater curvature allows the airflow to remain attached to the club head 1000 for a longer distance across the head top 1120 as the club is swung. Moving the airflow separation point later on the golf club head 1000 results in less drag and allows for higher club head speeds.

In some embodiments, the maximum head top height 1670 can be approximately 16.5 mm (or approximately 0.65 inches). In other embodiments, the maximum head top height 1670 can be greater than approximately 5 mm, greater than approximately 7.5 mm, greater than approximately 10 mm, greater than approximately 12.5 mm, greater than approximately 15 mm, greater than approximately 17.5 mm, greater than approximately 20 mm, greater than approximately 22.5 mm, or greater than approximately 25 mm. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the maximum head top height 1670 can be within the range of 5 mm to 15 mm, 10 mm to 20 mm, or 15 mm to 25 mm.

(Method of manufacturing a club head)
4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 4000 that can be used to provide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club head according to the present disclosure. In some examples, the golf club head can be similar to the golf club head 1000 (FIGS. 1-3) presented above.

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

Block 4200 of method 4000 includes connecting a face portion to the front head portion, the front head portion including a striking face with an increased face size. In some examples, the face portion may be similar to face portion 1200 (FIGS. 1-2), but includes striking face 1210 with an increased face size (as described above with respect to the face portion). For example, increasing the face size of the striking face may enable the face height to be up to approximately 71 mm in some examples.

Method 4000 may include block 4300, which configures a golf club head with a first optimization characteristic, where the CG height between the center of gravity of the golf club head and the depth plane of the golf club head may be between about 0 mm and about 5.08 mm (or 0.200 inches). In some examples, the first optimization characteristic may be similar to that described above with respect to Relationship 1, which balances the face height or face size of the golf club head relative to the center of gravity. In some examples, the CG height may be similar to CG height 2520 (FIG. 2), the center of gravity may be similar to head center of gravity 2500 (FIG. 2), and the head depth plane may be similar to head depth plane 2310 (FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, method 4000 can include block 4400 of configuring a golf club head to have a second optimization characteristic, where the ratio of (a) 76.2 mm (or approximately 3.0 inches) minus the face height 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 can be similar to that described above with respect to Relationship 2, which balances the face height or face size of a golf club head against the center of gravity depth. For example, the face height can be similar to face height 1213, and the CG depth can be similar to CG depth 2510.

In some examples, method 4000 can include block 4500 of configuring a golf club head to have a third optimization characteristic, where the head volume size plus the ratio of CG depth to CG height is 425 or greater. In some implementations, the third optimization characteristic can be similar to that described above with respect to relationship 3, which balances head volume relative to center of gravity location. For example, the head volume size can be similar to the size of head volume 2600 (FIG. 2), the CG depth can be similar to CG depth 2510, and the CG height can be similar to CG height 2520.

Method 4000 may include method 4600 in some embodiments for configuring a golf club head to have a fourth optimization characteristic, where the golf club head's horizontal moment of inertia is greater than or equal to 39% of its hosel moment of inertia. In some implementations, the fourth optimization characteristic may be similar to that described above with respect to relationship 4, which balances the horizontal MOI 1811 relative to the hosel MOI 1711 (FIG. 1). In the same or other examples, the magnitude of the horizontal moment of inertia may be similar to that described above with respect to the horizontal MOI 1811. Additionally, the magnitude of the hosel moment of inertia may be similar to that described above with respect to the hosel MOI 1711. Examples are also possible in which the horizontal moment of inertia and/or the hosel moment of inertia may be balanced against other characteristics (e.g., against the golf club head's vertical moment of inertia).

Block 4700 of method 4000 may be performed in some embodiments that configure a golf club head with a fifth optimization characteristic, where the golf club head's vertical moment of inertia is greater than or equal to 59% of its hosel moment of inertia. In some embodiments, the fifth optimization characteristic may be similar to that described above with respect to relationship 5, which balances the vertical MOI 1611 with the hosel MOI 1711 (FIG. 1). In the same or other examples, the magnitude of the vertical moment of inertia may be similar to that described above with respect to the vertical MOI 1611. Additionally, the magnitude of the hosel moment of inertia may be similar to that described above with respect to the hosel MOI 1711. Examples are also possible in which the vertical moment of inertia and/or the hosel moment of inertia may be balanced with respect to other features (such as with respect to the horizontal moment of inertia of block 4500).

In this example, method 4000 also includes block 4800, which provides a mass relocation mechanism to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club head. In some examples, the mass relocation mechanism can be configured to enable the golf club head to achieve the requirements of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700 of method 4000. The mass relocation mechanism can include a weight structure, such as weight structure 2700 (FIGS. 2-3), which can adjust the center of gravity location near the sole and/or rear of the golf club head, if desired. In the same or other embodiments, the mass relocation mechanism can reduce the thickness of the face portion of the golf club head, which may then be reinforced, if desired, with one or more reinforcing structures, such as at the rear of the striking face and/or at the junction between the face portion and the head body of the golf club head.

In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of method 4000 may be combined into one block or performed simultaneously, and/or the order of each of these blocks may be changed. For example, in some embodiments (e.g., when the face portion and at least a portion of the head body are constructed from a single piece of material), block 4100 may be combined with block 4200. In the same or other examples, block 4800 may be combined with one or more of blocks 4100, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700, and may be implemented simultaneously by adjusting the center of gravity, face height, face size, head volume, and/or one or more moments of inertia of the golf club head, such as by using the mass relocation mechanism of block 4800. In the same or other examples, some of the blocks of method 4000 may be subdivided into several sub-blocks. For example, block 4100 may be subdivided into several sub-blocks that provide different portions of the head body of the golf club head. Instances are possible in which method 4000 can include additional or different blocks. In one example, method 4000 can include another block that provides or couples a golf club shaft to the head body of block 4100. Additionally, there are instances in which method 4100 can include only some of the blocks described above. For example, one or more of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700 can be optional in some implementations, and/or block 4800 can be omitted if not necessary to achieve the requirements of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700. Other variations can be implemented to method 4000 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

While golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods have been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications may be made without departing from the concept or scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the above examples may be described with reference to driver-type golf clubs, the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs (e.g., 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 (e.g., hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, etc.).

Other examples of such modifications and others have been provided in the description above. Other permutations of the various embodiments having one or more of the various features are also contemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawings herein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure, but not limiting. It is intended that the scope of the present application be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

The golf club heads and related methods having the optimization characteristics described herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of some 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, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

The substitution of one or more claimed elements constitutes a reformulation, not a repair. Furthermore, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to particular embodiments. However, any element or elements that give rise to or make more apparent a benefit, advantage, or solution, or that produce a benefit, advantage, or solution, should not be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims, unless such benefit, advantage, solution, or element is expressly recited within 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 golf governing bodies, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) or the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A)), golf equipment relating to the apparatus, 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 apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this respect.

Furthermore, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not offered for public use under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiment and/or limitation (1) is not explicitly claimed in the claims and (2) is an equivalent or potential equivalent of an explicit element and/or limitation in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
The following items are elements of the claims as filed:
(Item 1)
A golf club head,
a head body having a head interior bounded by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion;
a striking face having a geometric center;
a head center of gravity having a head CG depth and a head CG height;
the club head comprises a driver-type body;
the head CG height is from about 0 mm to about 5.08 mm;
the head CG depth is about 41 mm to about 102 mm;
The golf club head has a head volume of about 420 cc to about 470 cc,
The golf club head has a head weight of about 185 grams to about 225 grams;
more than 15% of the club head's mass is located within the last 20% of the club head's length;
A golf club head wherein more than 5% of the club head's mass is located within the last 10% of the club head's length.
(Item 2)
Item 1. The golf club head of item 1, wherein more than 20% of the club head's mass is located within the rearmost 20% of the club head's length.
(Item 3)
Item 1. The golf club head of item 1, wherein more than 25% of the club head's mass is located within the last 20% of the club head's length.
(Item 4)
Item 1. The golf club head of item 1, wherein more than 10% of the club head's mass is located within the rearmost 10% of the club head's length.
(Item 5)
Item 1. The golf club head of item 1, wherein more than 15% of the club head's mass is located within the last 10% of the club head's length.
(Item 6)
The golf club head further includes a weight structure disposed near the head sole portion and the head rear portion of the head body, the weight structure having a weight structure center of gravity disposed between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line of a clock face,
The clock face is
12 o'clock line,
3 o'clock line,
4 o'clock line,
5 o'clock line,
8 o'clock line, and
Equipped with a 9 o'clock line,
when the golf club head is in the address position as viewed from the bottom of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the striking face center point and is perpendicular to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground;
the clock face is centered along the 12 o'clock line at a midpoint between the front end of the front head portion and the rear end of the rear head portion;
the three o'clock line extends toward the head heel portion,
2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the nine o'clock line extends toward the toe of the head.
(Item 7)
7. The golf club head according to claim 6, wherein the weight structure at least partially protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole portion.
(Item 8)
2. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising one or more subregions positioned on the top of the head, the one or more subregions having a thickness of less than 0.020 inches.
(Item 9)
2. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a weight positioned within 1.0 inch of the rear edge of the club head, the weight having a specific gravity greater than 10.0 and a mass greater than 10 grams.
(Item 10)
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the weight is positioned more than 1.5 inches from the head center of gravity.
(Item 11)
The golf club head further comprises a crown angle;
the crown angle is less than 70 degrees when measured in a cross-sectional side view of the club head taken through the geometric center of the striking face;
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the crown angle is less than 79 degrees when measured in a cross-sectional side view of the club head taken through a point located approximately 1.0 inch from the geometric center of the striking face toward the toe of the head.
(Item 12)
A golf club head,
a head body having a head interior bounded by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion;
a striking face having a geometric center;
a head center of gravity having a head CG depth and a head CG height;
the club head comprises a driver-type body;
the CG height is from about 0 mm to about 12.8 mm;
the head CG depth is about 35 mm to about 90 mm;
The golf club head has a head volume of about 300 cc to about 400 cc,
The golf club head has a head weight of about 190 grams to about 240 grams,
more than 15% of the club head's mass is located within the last 20% of the club head's length;
A golf club head wherein more than 5% of the club head's mass is located within the last 10% of the club head's length.
(Item 13)
Item 13. The golf club head of item 12, wherein more than 20% of the club head's mass is located within the rearmost 20% of the club head's length.
(Item 14)
Item 13. The golf club head of item 12, wherein more than 25% of the club head's mass is located within the last 20% of the club head's length.
(Item 15)
Item 13. The golf club head of item 12, wherein more than 10% of the club head's mass is located within the rearmost 10% of the club head's length.
(Item 16)
Item 13. The golf club head of item 12, wherein more than 15% of the club head's mass is located within the last 10% of the club head's length.
(Item 17)
The golf club head further includes a weight structure disposed near the head sole portion and the head rear portion of the head body, the weight structure having a center of gravity of the weight structure disposed between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line of a clock face,
The clock face is
12 o'clock line,
3 o'clock line,
4 o'clock line,
5 o'clock line,
8 o'clock line, and
Equipped with a 9 o'clock line,
when the golf club head is in the address position as viewed from the bottom of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the striking face center point and is perpendicular to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground;
the clock face is centered along the 12 o'clock line at a midpoint between the front end of the front head portion and the rear end of the rear head portion;
the three o'clock line extends toward the head heel portion,
Item 13. The golf club head according to item 12, wherein the nine o'clock line extends toward the toe of the head.
(Item 18)
Item 18. The golf club head according to item 17, wherein the weight structure at least partially protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole portion.
(Item 19)
Item 13. The golf club head of item 12, wherein the golf club head further comprises one or more subregions positioned on the head top, the one or more subregions comprising a thickness of less than 0.020 inches.
(Item 20)
Item 13. The golf club head of item 12, wherein the golf club head further comprises a weight positioned within 1.0 inch of the rear edge of the club head.

Claims (20)

A golf club head,
a head body having a head interior bounded by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion;
a striking face located at the front of the head and having a striking face height and a geometric center, the striking face having a face height between 33 mm and 71 mm and the geometric center located at a midpoint of the striking face;
a head depth measured from the geometric center of the striking face to the intersection of the outer surface of the rear of the head and a depth plane;
a head center of gravity having a head CG depth and a head CG height;
a weight positioned in the head sole portion,
the golf club head comprises a driver-type body;
The head CG height is 2.54 mm or less,
the head CG depth is about 70 mm to about 102 mm;
The golf club head has a head volume of greater than about 450 cc,
The golf club head has a head weight of about 185 grams to about 225 grams;
more than 25% of the mass of the golf club head is located within the last 20% of the length of the golf club head;
the weight is positioned within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of the rear edge of the head, more than 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) from the front face of the golf club head, and more than 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) from the center of gravity of the head ;
The golf club head further comprises:
a crown angle, measured between a crown axis and a front surface of the golf club head, of less than 70 degrees when measured in a cross-sectional side view of the golf club head taken through the geometric center of the striking face;
a maximum head top height that is a maximum distance between the head top and the crown axis and is greater than 20 mm;
Golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the head body further includes a removable weight disposed near the head sole portion and the head rear portion of the head body. The golf club head of claim 1 or 2, wherein more than 10% of the mass of the golf club head is located within the last 10% of the length of the golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1 or 2, wherein more than 15% of the mass of the golf club head is located within the last 10% of the length of the golf club head. A golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head CG depth is 50% to 80% of the head depth length. the detachable weight further comprises a mass between 25 grams and 50 grams, a volume between 20 cc and 30 cc, and a weight center of gravity located between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line on the watch face;
The clock face is
12 o'clock line,
3 o'clock line,
4 o'clock line,
5 o'clock line,
Equipped with 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock lines,
When the golf club head is in the address position as viewed from the bottom of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the geometric center and is perpendicular to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground;
the clock face is centered along the 12 o'clock line at a midpoint between the front end of the front head portion and the rear end of the rear head portion;
the three o'clock line extends toward the head heel portion,
The golf club head of claim 2 , wherein the nine o'clock line extends toward the toe of the head. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the removable weight at least partially protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole portion. The golf club head of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising one or more narrow regions positioned on the top of the head and having a thickness of less than 0.020 inches. The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the weight has a specific gravity greater than 10.0. 10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight is positioned more than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) from the head center of gravity. 11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the crown angle is less than 79 degrees when measured in a cross-sectional side view of the golf club head taken through a point located approximately 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) from the geometric center of the striking face toward the toe of the head. A golf club head,
a head body having a head interior bounded by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion;
a striking face located at the front of the head and having a striking face height and a geometric center, the striking face having a face height between 33 mm and 71 mm and the geometric center located at a midpoint of the striking face;
a head center of gravity having a head CG depth and a head CG height;
at least one weight having a mass greater than 12 grams;
the golf club head comprises a driver-type body;
The head CG height is 2.54 mm or less,
the head CG depth is about 70 mm to about 102 mm;
The golf club head has a head volume of greater than about 450 cc,
The golf club head has a head weight of about 185 grams to about 225 grams;
more than 25% of the mass of the golf club head is located within the last 20% of the length of the golf club head;
more than 10% of the mass of the golf club head is located within the last 10% of the length of the golf club head ;
The golf club head further comprises:
a crown angle, measured between a crown axis and a front surface of the golf club head, of less than 70 degrees when measured in a cross-sectional side view of the golf club head taken through the geometric center of the striking face;
A golf club head comprising: a maximum head top height, which is the maximum distance between the head top and the crown axis, greater than 20 mm . 13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein at least one of the weights is positioned within 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) of the rear edge of the head, more than 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) from the front face of the golf club head, and more than 2.0 inches (5.08 cm) from the head center of gravity. The golf club head of claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the weights is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten, gold, hafnium, iridium, mercury, neptunium, osmium, palladium, platinum, plutonium, protactinium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, and uranium. The golf club head according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein at least one of the weights is welded to the head body. The golf club head further includes a detachable weight disposed near the head sole portion and the head rear portion of the head body,
The detachable weight has a weight structure center of gravity located between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line of the watch face,
The clock face is
12 o'clock line,
3 o'clock line,
4 o'clock line,
5 o'clock line,
Equipped with 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock lines,
When the golf club head is in the address position as viewed from the bottom of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the geometric center and is perpendicular to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground;
the clock face is centered along the 12 o'clock line at a midpoint between the front end of the front head portion and the rear end of the rear head portion;
the three o'clock line extends toward the head heel portion,
The golf club head according to claim 12 , wherein the nine o'clock line extends toward the toe of the head. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the removable weight at least partially protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole portion. the golf club head includes at least one of the weights and the removable weight;
The golf club head of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the weights is formed separately from the removable weight. The golf club head of any one of claims 12 to 18, further comprising one or more narrow regions positioned on the top of the head and having a thickness of less than 0.020 inches. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the removable weight further comprises a mass between 25 grams and 50 grams and a volume between 20 cc and 30 cc.