Sole configuration for metal wood golf club

Abstract

A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, the club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, and top crown, and a rigid, non-deformable bottom sole having a forward section and at least one additional rear section. The forward section provides a friction surface and is defined by a bounce angle extending downwardly from said frontal ball striking face to prevent the leading edge of the club head from digging into the turf or ground during the execution of a golf shot. The rear section of the bottom sole is a reduced friction surface and is recessed upwardly into the club head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 264,390, filed Nov. 2, 2005, entitled “SOLE CONFIGURATION FOR METAL WOOD GOLF CLUB”, which is currently pending.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to golf clubs and in particular to wood or metal wood type golf club heads having an improved sole configuration.[0003]The way the sole of a golf club impacts the ground surface during the execution of a golf shot often determines the ball flight and the overall results of the shot. When the impact of the golf club on the ground surface creates a divot, mis-hits often occur. The leading edge of a golf club head is the edge at the interface of the bottom sole and lower portion of the ball striking face. It is well known in order to prevent the leading edge from digging into the ground at impact with a golf ball, the bottom sole configuration is formed with a downwardly extending, angular ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention is a metal wood type golf club head of conventional design with an improved sole configuration to increase the effective bounce of the club head. The bottom sole surface is rigid and non-deformable and formed in separate sections. A first forward sole section is located directly behind the leading edge of the club head and extends partway to the rear of the club head. The forward sole section is formed of a generally flat or planar land area at an angle downward from the horizontal when the club head is in a normal address position just prior to the execution of a golf shot. This angle is the bounce angle and raises the leading edge above the ground surface. The bounce angle allows the club to hit a golf ball off of a ground surface without taking a divot. The forward section provides a non-de

Problems solved by technology

When the impact of the golf club on the ground surface creates a divot, mis-hits often occur.

This is particularly true when more severe conditions are encountered, such as extremely hard or soft surfaces.

For example, when a golf club impacts a hard surface, the club head will tend to bounce resulting in the go

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