Golf club head with high center of gravity

Abstract

A golf club head is formed of a hollow metal body having a center of gravity that is above the geometric center of the club face. The hollow metal body of the club head has a sole plate that is smoothly contoured and devoid of any inefficient structures such as weight pads or other mass concentrations. By avoiding the use of inefficient structures such as weight pads, more material is available for the structural walls of the club head body while maintaining the club head within acceptable weight limitations. Moreover, placement of the center of gravity above the center line of the face ensures that sufficient backspin will be imparted to the golf ball when struck by the club.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to golf clubs and, in particular, to so-called metal wood drivers.

[0002] Recent developments in golf club design have included improvements in drivers, which are clubs used primarily to strike a golf ball resting on a golf tee. These improvements have resulted in drivers with club heads consisting of a hollow shell usually made of metal, such as steel, aluminum, or titanium. These hollow shells typically have a weight pad located on the sole of the club for the purpose of moving the center of gravity downward toward the sole and inward toward the heel of the club head. One example of a golf club head consisting of a hollow metal shell with a weight pad is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,160 to Rugge, et al. According to Rugge, et al., moving the center of gravity to a position below the center of the impact face reduces the amount of backspin imparted to the golf ball by creating a counteracting torque couple betw...

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