Golf club head

Abstract

A putter-type golf club head is provided having enhanced moment of inertia and alignment characteristics. The putter head includes a front body and a weight body. The weight body includes a central weight section extending rearwardly from the front body a prescribed distance to a rear weight section. The putter head is configured such that the rear weight section has a width less than the width of the front body and greater than a width of the central weight section. Thus, both the longitudinal and lateral moments of inertia are improved to offer greater forgiveness and increased accuracy during putts. The central weight section may include at least one and more preferably two elongated, high-density elements that are visible on a top surface of the sole between the front body and the rear weight section. The visibility of the elongated elements, with optional parallel markings on a top surface of the golf club head, also act as alignment aids to the golfer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 338,808, filed Jan. 8, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to a golf club head and, more particularly, to a putter head. [0003] Putting is an important aspect of the game of golf. During a typical round of golf, a putter is the club most often used. To putt effectively, a golfer must predict a path of travel from the golf ball's stationary position to the cup. Then, using the putter, the golfer must strike the ball with the appropriate force and alignment to cause the ball to roll along the predicted path. [0004] Misalignment of the putter with respect to the ball during impact, i.e., off-center hits, is a chief source of error in putting. Upon impact with the ball in an off-center hit, the putter undergoes angular acceleration, both longitudinally (i.e., about a heel-to-toe axis) and latera...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a putter head with improved moment of inertia and alignment characteristics. It has a front body and a weight body with a central weight section and rear weight section. The rear weight section has a narrower width than the front body and a higher density. The front body has a face plate and the rear weight section has a greater height than the sole. These features make the putter head more forgiving and accurate during putts, even for off-center hits. The elongated elements in the central weight section serve as alignment aids for the golfer. The invention provides greater accuracy and forgiveness for the golfer.

Problems solved by technology

Misalignment of the putter with respect to the ball during impact, i.e., off-center hits, is a chief source of error in putting.

This causes the ball to deviate from the predicted path.

Although attempts have been made to counteract angular acceleration from off-center hits, they have been deficient in some respects.

For example, prior approaches have not properly accounted for angular acceleration about both longitudinal and lateral axes.

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