Golf club head with flexible sole

Abstract

To provide a golf club head with flexible sole.SOLUTION: In one embodiment, a golf club head includes a body having a crown opposite a sole, a toe opposite a heel, a back end opposite a front end, and a hosel. The golf club head also includes a sole curvature profile comprising a radius of curvature that varies as the sole curvature profile extends between the front end and the back end. The radius of curvature is configured to increase the flexure of the entire golf club head, thereby increasing the internal energy of the golf club head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 861,247, filed June 13, 2019, the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 856,637, filed June 3, 2019, and the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 690,858, filed June 27, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf club heads that include flexible soles. [Background technology]

[0003] Metalwood golf club heads typically include a high-strength metal face plate attached to a hollow metal club body. When a metalwood club head impacts a golf ball, the ball's flight distance is primarily a function of the kinetic energy transferred from the club head to the ball. During impact, some energy is lost as a result of the impact. One measure of energy transfer from the club head to the golf ball is the coefficient of restitution ("COR"). In contrast to the relatively small deformation of the club head, the majority of the energy is lost as a result of the large stresses and deformations of the golf ball. Therefore, to reduce the amount of energy lost during impact and thus increase the efficiency of energy transfer, the stresses and deformation rates imparted to the golf ball during impact must be reduced.

[0004] One way to achieve this is to allow for greater deformation of the club head during impact. For example, this can be achieved by increasing the deflection of the face plate. Typical ways to increase the deflection of the face plate include uniformly thinning the face plate, varying the thickness of the face plate, providing ribbed stiffeners in the face plate, using lighter materials such as titanium, and providing a forged, stamped, or machined metal face plate rather than a cast face plate.

[0005] Another approach to increasing club head deformation during impact is to increase the deformation of the club head body. This can be achieved by modifying the shape of the club head body to have a radius of curvature between the front and rear regions. Some prior art club heads achieve this by providing a sole region with a greater outward curvature between the front and rear of the club head. The greater outward curvature distributes stress over a wider area in the sole region, allowing the thickness of the sole region to be reduced to promote greater deformation. However, these prior art sole regions "bow outward" toward the ground and away from the centerline of the club head. This results in the strike face being higher off the ground at address, making it more difficult to achieve desired contact during impact. There is a need in the art for a golf club head with a significant sole curvature that does not bow outward toward the ground at address, or with other structures that result in optimal deformation of the golf club. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the heel side of the front of a golf club head. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a dorsal crown side perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along the YZ plane as described herein. [Figure 5] A perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along the YZ plane. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view from above of the golf club head of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a golf club head taken along the YZ plane. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 8 taken along the YZ plane. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a heel-side perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of the internal energy generated by the golf club of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings show general aspects of the structure, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the golf club and method of manufacturing the golf club. Further, elements in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the golf club and method of manufacturing the golf club. The same reference numbers in different drawings represent the same elements.

[0008] Described herein is a metalwood golf club head including a body with a reverse-camber sole. Specifically, the sole of the club head includes a concave region, which includes an area of ​​reverse concavity relative to the concavity of the remainder of the sole. Compared to prior art metalwood club heads, the reverse-camber sole follows a more steeply curved profile between the front end of the club head and the rear end of the club head. This facilitates greater deflection of the body at the sole when the club head impacts a golf ball. The greater deflection of the club body can result in higher internal energy of the club head compared to prior art metalwood golf clubs. The greater internal energy of the club head results in longer-flying golf shots. Furthermore, the greater deflection of the sole during impact can result in a reduced ball spin rate experienced by the golf ball upon impact with the club head.

[0009] In some embodiments, the club heads described herein may further include one or more internal beams attached to the sole at a first end and a second end and extending through the interior cavity of the golf club head between the first and second ends. The first end of each beam is attached to the sole proximate the front end of the golf club head, and the second end of each beam is attached to the sole at or near the recessed region. The internal beams reinforce the sole to prevent failure while also providing additional flexibility for flexion in the sole during impact with a golf ball.

[0010] When used in this description and in the claims, terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used to distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily describe a particular sequential or chronological order. It is understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, such that the golf club and manufacturing method embodiments described herein may be practiced in an order other than that shown or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, terms such as "comprise," "include," and "have," as well as terms of similar meaning, are intended to include non-exclusive inclusions, and thus a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0011] Terms such as "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "side," "lower," "above," and the like, when used in this description and in the claims, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It is understood that the terms used above are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and thus, embodiments of the golf clubs and manufacturing methods described herein may be embodied in other orientations, for example, from those shown or otherwise described herein. As used herein, the term "coupled" is defined as directly or indirectly connected by physical, mechanical, or other means.

[0012] Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the specific construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0013] 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a golf club head 100 having a flexible sole 112. The sole 112 is designed to deflect inward (away from the ground), thereby increasing the flexibility of the golf club head 100 upon impact with a golf ball. This increase results in greater internal energy being generated by the golf club head 100. This increase in internal energy increases the ball velocity of a golf ball struck by the golf club head 100. Higher ball velocity, in turn, directly translates to a longer golf shot. The deflected sole provides 5-10 yards more distance than a golf club head without a deflected sole. The golf club head 100 may further include one or more stiffening beams 290 that dampen and control the flexibility of the golf club head 100.

[0014] I. Inward-Curved Golf Club Head 1-4 show a golf club head 100 having a body 102 and a strike face 104. The body 102 of the club head 100 includes a front end 106, a rear end 108 opposite the front end 106, a crown 110, a sole 112 opposite the crown 110, a heel 114, and a toe 116 opposite the heel 114. The sole 112 of the golf club head 100 includes a contact surface 113, and the contact surface 113 contacts the sole 112 when the golf club head 100 is in an address position for striking a golf ball.

[0015] The club head 100 is a hollow-body club head. The golf club head 100 includes a body 102 and a strike face 104. The body 102 and strike face 104 define an interior cavity 118 ( FIG. 4 ) of the golf club head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 further defines a crown 110, a sole 112, a heel 114, a toe 116, a rear end 108, and an outer edge 120 ( FIG. 3 ) of the front end 106 of the club head 100. These features may further define a hollow body. The outer edge 120 of the body 102 further defines an opening 122 at the front end 106 of the club head 100, and the strike face 104 is coupled to the outer edge 120 to close the opening 122, thereby forming the club head 100. In other embodiments (not shown), the strike face 104 may extend across the entire front end 106 of the club head and may include a return portion that extends across at least one of the crown 110, the sole 112, the heel 114, and the toe 116. In these embodiments, the return portion of the strike face 104 is coupled to the body 102 to form the club head 100.

[0016] 3, the club head 100 further includes a hosel structure 124 and a hosel axis 126 extending centrally along an aperture in the hosel structure 124. The hosel structure 124 may be coupled to the end of a golf shaft (not shown). The golf shaft may be secured to the hosel structure 124 at multiple angles relative to the hosel axis 126. However, there may be other instances in which the shaft may be non-adjustably secured to the hosel structure 124.

[0017] Club head 100 defines a depth 140, a length 142, and a height 144. With reference to FIG. 4, the depth 140 of club head 100 may be measured as the furthest extent of club head 100 from front end 106 to rear end 108 in a direction parallel to Z axis 1016.

[0018] The length 142 of the club head 100 may be measured as the furthest extent of the club head 100 from the heel 114 to the toe 116 in a direction parallel to the X-axis 1012 when viewed from the front view ( FIG. 3 ). In many embodiments, the length 142 of the club head 100 may be measured in accordance with a golf governing organization, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the length 142 of the club head 100 may be determined in accordance with the USGA's procedure for measuring club head size for wood clubs (USGA-TPX3003, Rev. 2.1, April 9, 2019).

[0019] The height 144 of the club head 100 may be measured as the furthest extent of the club head 100 from the crown 110 to the sole 112 in a direction parallel to the Y-axis 1014 when viewed from the front view ( FIG. 3 ). In many embodiments, the height 144 of the club head 100 may be measured in accordance with a golf governing organization, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the height 144 of the club head 100 may be determined according to the USGA's procedures for measuring club head size for wood clubs.

[0020] In many embodiments, the volume (V) of the club head 100 is greater than about 150 cc, greater than about 160 cc, greater than about 170 cc, greater than about 170 cc, greater than about 180 cc, greater than about 190 cc, or greater than about 195 cc. In some embodiments, the volume (V) of the club head can be between about 150 cc and 198 cc, between 160 cc and 198 cc, between 170 cc and 198 cc, between about 180 cc and 198 cc, or between about 190 cc and 199 cc.

[0021] Additionally, in many embodiments, the volume of club head 100 is greater than about 400 cc, greater than about 425 cc, greater than about 450 cc, greater than about 475 cc, greater than about 500 cc, greater than about 525 cc, greater than about 550 cc, greater than about 575 cc, greater than about 600 cc, greater than about 625 cc, greater than about 650 cc, greater than about 675 cc, or greater than about 700 cc. In some embodiments, the volume of club head 100 can be between about 400 cc and 600 cc, between 425 cc and 500 cc, between about 500 cc and 600 cc, between about 500 cc and 650 cc, between about 550 cc and 700 cc, between about 600 cc and 650 cc, between about 600 cc and 700 cc, or between about 600 cc and 800 cc.

[0022] With continued reference to FIG. 3 , the strike face 104 of the club head 100 defines a center point or geometric center 128. In some embodiments, the geometric center 128 may be located at the geometric center point of the strike face outer edge 130 and at the midpoint of the face height 132. In the same or other examples, the geometric center 128 may be further centered relative to a designed impact zone 134, which may be defined by the area of ​​grooves 136 in the strike face 104. As an alternative approach, the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104 may follow the definition of a golf governing organization, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104 may be identified according to Section 2.1 of the USGA's Procedure for Measuring Golf Club Head Flexibility (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 2.0, April 9, 2019).

[0023] 3 and 4, the club head 100 further defines a loft plane 1010 tangent to the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104. A face height 132 may be measured parallel to the loft plane 1010 between the top end of the strike face outer edge 130 near the crown 110 and the bottom end of the strike face outer edge 130 near the sole 112.

[0024] The geometric center 128 of the strike face 104 further defines a coordinate system for the golf club head 100 with its origin located at the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104. The coordinate system further includes an X-axis 1012, a Y-axis 1014, and a Z-axis 1016. The X-axis 1012 extends through the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104 in a direction from the heel 114 toward the toe 116 of the club head 100. The Y-axis 1014 extends through the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104 in a direction from the crown 110 toward the sole 112 of the club head 100 and is perpendicular to the X-axis 1012. The Z-axis 1016 extends from the front end 106 toward the back end 108 of the club head 100 through the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104 and is perpendicular to the X-axis 1012 and the Y-axis 1014 .

[0025] The coordinate system defines an XY plane 1018 extending through the X-axis 1012 and the Y-axis 1014, an XZ plane 1020 extending through the X-axis 1012 and the Z-axis 1016, and a YZ plane 1022 extending through the Y-axis 1014 and the Z-axis 1016. The XY plane 1018, the XZ plane 1020, and the YZ plane 1022 are all perpendicular to one another and intersect at the origin of the coordinate system, which is located at the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104. The XY plane 1018 extends parallel to the hosel axis 126 and is oriented at an angle from the loft plane 1010 corresponding to the loft angle 138 of the club head 100. Furthermore, the X-axis 1012 is oriented at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the hosel axis 126 when viewed perpendicular to the XY plane 1018 (i.e., as viewed in FIG. 4 ). In other embodiments, the X-axis 1012 may lie at an angle between 45 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the hosel axis 126 when viewed perpendicular to the XY plane 1018 .

[0026] In these or other embodiments, the club head 100 may be viewed from a front view (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3) when the strike face 104 is viewed perpendicular to the XY plane 1018. Additionally, in these or other embodiments, the club head 100 may be viewed from a side view or a side cross-sectional view (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4) when the heel 114 is viewed perpendicular to the YZ plane 1022.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the club head 100 further includes a head center of gravity (CG) 146 and a head depth plane 1024. The head depth plane 1024 extends perpendicular to the loft plane 1010 in a direction from the heel 114 to the toe 116 of the club head 100 and through the geometric center 128 of the strike face 104. In many embodiments, the head CG 146 is located at a head CG depth from the XY plane 1018 and is measured in a direction perpendicular to the XY plane 1018. In some embodiments, the head CG 146 may be located at a head CG depth 148 from the loft plane 1010 and is measured in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane 1010. The head CG 146 is further located at a head CG height 150 from the head depth plane 1024 and is measured in a direction perpendicular to the head depth plane 1024. Furthermore, head CG height 150 is measured as an offset distance from head depth plane 1024 in a direction perpendicular to head depth plane 1024, either toward the crown 110 or toward the sole 112. In many embodiments, when head CG 146 is located above head depth plane 1024 (i.e., between head depth plane 1024 and crown 110), head CG height 150 is a positive value, and when head CG 146 is located below head depth plane 1024 (i.e., between head depth plane 1024 and sole 112), head CG height 150 is a negative value. In some embodiments, the absolute value of head CG height 150 may account for head CG 146 being located above or below head depth plane 1024 (i.e., between head depth plane 1024 and crown 110 or between head depth plane 1024 and sole 112). In many embodiments, the head CG 146 is strategically positioned toward the sole 112 and rear end 108 of the club head 100 .

[0028] The head CG 146 defines the origin of a coordinate system having an X' axis 1026, a Y' axis 1028, and a Z' axis 1030. The Y' axis 1028 extends through the head CG 146 from the crown 110 to the sole 112, parallel to the hosel axis 126 when viewed from a side view and at a 30 degree angle relative to the hosel axis 126 when viewed from a front view (i.e., as viewed in FIG. 3 ). The X' axis 1026 extends through the head CG 146 from the heel 114 to the toe 116, and extends perpendicular to the Y' axis 1028 and parallel to the XY plane 1018 when viewed from a front view. The Z' axis 1030 extends through the head CG 146 from the front end 106 to the back end 108, and extends perpendicular to the X' axis 1026 and the Y' axis 1028. In many embodiments, the X' axis 1026 extends parallel to the X axis 1012 through the head center of gravity 146 from the heel 114 to the toe 116. The Y' axis 1028 extends parallel to the Y axis 1014 through the head center of gravity 146 from the crown 110 to the sole 112. The Z' axis 1030 extends parallel to the Z axis 1016 through the head center of gravity 146 from the front end 106 to the back end 108.

[0029] Although the above examples may be described in connection with a wood-type golf club 100, the apparatus, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to various types of golf clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, crossovers, or any hollow-body type golf club.

[0030] Club head 100 further comprises a loft angle (not shown), measured as the angle between loft plane 1010 and ground plane 113. In many embodiments, the loft angle ranges between about 7 degrees and 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the loft angle of club head 100 is less than about 16 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 14 degrees, less than about 13 degrees, less than about 12 degrees, less than about 11 degrees, or less than about 10 degrees.

[0031] In many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head 100 is less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Additionally, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head 100 is greater than about 12 degrees, greater than about 13 degrees, greater than about 14 degrees, greater than about 15 degrees, greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, or greater than about 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of the club head 100 may be between 12 and 35 degrees, between 15 and 35 degrees, between 20 and 35 degrees, or between 12 and 30 degrees.

[0032] In many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head 100 is less than about 40 degrees, less than about 39 degrees, less than about 38 degrees, less than about 37 degrees, less than about 36 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Additionally, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head 100 is greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees, greater than about 21 degrees, greater than about 22 degrees, greater than about 23 degrees, greater than about 24 degrees, or greater than about 25 degrees.

[0033] The strike face 104 of the club head 100 is formed from a first material. In many embodiments, the first material can be a metal alloy, such as a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, HST-180, etc., or any combination thereof), a steel alloy (e.g., C300 steel, C350 steel, 455 steel, 431 steel, 475 steel, 565 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, etc.), an aluminum alloy, or any other metal or metal alloy. In other embodiments, the first material may be another material, for example, a composite material, a plastic, a thermoplastic composite material, or any other suitable material or combination of materials.

[0034] The body 102 of the club head 100 is formed from a second material. In many embodiments, the first material can be a metal alloy, such as a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S, Ti SSAT2041, Ti SP700, Ti 15-0-3, Ti 15-5-3, Ti 3-8-6-4-4, Ti 10-2-3, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti-6-6-2, Ti-185, etc., or any combination thereof), a steel alloy (e.g., C300 steel, C350 steel, 455 steel, 431 steel, 475 steel, 565 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel, Ni-Co-Cr steel alloy, etc.), an aluminum alloy, or any other metal or metal alloy. In other embodiments, the first material can be another material, such as a composite material, a plastic, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. In the embodiment shown, the second material is different from the first material. In other embodiments, the first and second materials may be the same.

[0035] II. Reverse curve sole Referring to FIG. 2 , the sole 112 of the golf club head 100 further includes a recess, or concave region 152, where the sole 112 curves inward in a direction toward the internal cavity 118 ( FIG. 4 ). Relative to the XZ plane 1020 ( FIG. 4 ), the concave region 152 includes a convex, reverse-camber region 154 relative to the XZ plane 1020. Typical prior art metal woods include sole profiles that are only concave relative to the equivalent XZ plane. Thus, typical prior art metal woods include sole profiles with a relatively large radius of curvature between the front and back ends (i.e., a radius of curvature of approximately 22 inches to 25 inches). In contrast, the concave region 152 of the golf club head 100 allows the sole 112 to follow a much more steeply curved profile between the front end 106 and the back end 108. For example, in some embodiments of club head 100, when viewed from a side cross-sectional view taken along YZ plane 1022 (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4), no portion of sole 112 intersected by YZ plane 1022 includes a radius of curvature greater than 10 inches between front end 106 and rear end 108.

[0036] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment of the club head 100, no portion of the sole 112 includes a radius of curvature greater than 6 inches when viewed from a side cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane 1022. By implementing the recessed region 152 in the sole 112, a relatively small radius of curvature of the sole 112 between the front end 106 and the rear end 108 is achieved, and the club head body 102 experiences greater deformation at the sole 112 during impact with a golf ball. This results in increased deflection of the golf club head 100 and more efficient energy transfer from the club head 100 to the ball during impact. The curvature of the sole 112 is described in further detail below.

[0037] 4, club head 100 includes a face-sole transition boundary 156 (FIG. 2) where front end 106 transitions to sole 112. Face-sole transition boundary 156 extends between front end 106 and sole 112 from near heel 114 to near toe 116. Face-sole transition profile 158 is defined where face-sole transition boundary 156 is intersected by YZ plane 1022. That is, face-sole transition profile 158 is a linear portion of face-sole transition boundary 156 intersected by YZ plane 1022, as viewed from a side cross-sectional view taken along YZ plane 1022 (e.g., as seen in FIG. 4).

[0038] The face-sole transition profile 158 follows a face-sole transition radius of curvature R1. The face-sole transition profile 158 extends from a strike face transition point 160, where the outline of the strike face 104 deviates from the roll radius of the strike face 104, to a sole transition point 162, where the curvature of the sole 112 deviates from the face-sole transition radius of curvature R1. The sole transition point 162 is defined by the intersection of the strike face 104 and the sole 112. In some embodiments, the face-sole transition radius of curvature R1 has a constant radius of curvature from the strike face transition point 160 to the sole transition point 162.

[0039] In some embodiments, the face-sole transition radius of curvature R1 can range from about 0.10 inches to 0.50 inches. For example, the face-sole transition radius of curvature R1 can be less than about 0.5 inches, less than about 0.475 inches, less than about 0.45 inches, less than about 0.425 inches, or less than about 0.40 inches. In further examples, the face-sole transition radius of curvature R1 can be about 0.10 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.45 inches, or 0.50 inches.

[0040] Continuing with reference to FIG. 4, the sole 112 defines an exterior sole surface 164 (FIG. 2) that extends from the front end 106 to the rear end 108 and from the heel 114 to the toe 116. A sole curvature profile 166 of the club head 100 is defined as the linear extent of the sole surface 164 intersected by the YZ plane 1022 and extending from the sole transition point 162 to the rear end 108. The sole curvature profile 166 includes a first concave section 168, a convex section 170, and a second concave section 172. The first concave section 168 extends from the sole transition point 162 to a first inflection point 174 and is concave with respect to the XZ plane 1020 (convex with respect to the ground surface 113). The first inflection point 174 is defined as the first point along the sole curve profile 166 where the sole curve profile 166 inverts its concave shape relative to the XZ plane 1020 when tracing the sole curve profile 166 from the front end 106 towards the rear end 108.

[0041] The convex section 170 of the sole curve profile 166 extends from the first inflection point 174 to the second inflection point 176 and is convex with respect to the XZ plane 1020 (concave with respect to the ground contact surface 113). The second inflection point 176 is defined as a second point along the sole curve profile 166 when tracing the sole curve profile 166 from the front end 106 toward the rear end 108 where the sole curve profile 166 inverts from concave with respect to the XZ plane 1020. The second concave section 172 of the sole curve profile 166 extends from the second inflection point 176 to the rear end 108 and is concave with respect to the XZ plane 1020 (convex with respect to the ground contact surface 113).

[0042] Continuing with reference to FIG. 4 , the club head 100 further includes a first inflection point depth 178 measured along a direction perpendicular to the loft plane 1010 between the loft plane 1010 and the first inflection point 174. In many embodiments, the first inflection point depth 178 of the club head 100 is greater than 0.50 inches. In the embodiment shown, the first inflection point depth 178 is approximately 1.50 inches. In other embodiments, the first inflection point depth 178 of the club head 100 is greater than 0.75 inches, greater than 1.00 inches, greater than 1.10 inches, greater than 1.20 inches, greater than 1.30 inches, greater than 1.40 inches, greater than 1.50 inches, greater than 1.60 inches, greater than 1.70 inches, greater than 1.80 inches, greater than 1.90 inches, greater than 2.00 inches, greater than 2.25 inches, or greater than 2.50 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the first inflection point depth 178 of the club head 100 can be between 0.50 inches and 2.50 inches, between 1.00 inches and 2.00 inches, between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches, between 1.35 inches and 1.65 inches, or between 1.45 inches and 1.55 inches. In some embodiments, the first inflection point depth 178 of the club head 100 can be 0.50 inches, 0.75 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.25 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.75 inches, 2.00 inches, 2.25 inches, or 2.50 inches.

[0043] The first inflection point depth ratio of the club head 100 is defined as the ratio of the first inflection point depth 178 to the depth 140 of the club head 100. In many embodiments, the first inflection point depth ratio is greater than 0.25. In other embodiments, the first inflection point depth ratio is greater than 0.30, greater than 0.31, greater than 0.32, greater than 0.33, greater than 0.34, greater than 0.35, greater than 0.36, greater than 0.37, greater than 0.38, greater than 0.39, greater than 0.40, or greater than 0.45. For example, in some embodiments, the first inflection point depth ratio of the club head 100 may be between 0.25 and 0.45, between 0.30 and 0.45, between 0.25 and 0.40, between 0.30 and 0.40, between 0.32 and 0.38, or between 0.34 and 0.36. In some embodiments, the first inflection point depth ratio of club head 100 may be 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, or 0.45.

[0044] 4 , the sole 112 of the club head 100 further defines a recess 180. The recess 180 is located along a cross section of the sole curve profile 166 that extends through the recessed region 152 ( FIG. 2 ). In particular, the recess 180 is defined as the point located on the sole curve profile 166 within the recessed region 152 and closest to the XZ plane 1020. In most embodiments, the recess 180 is located in the convex section 170. In other words, the recess 180 represents the lowest point of the recessed region 152 as it extends toward the internal cavity 118.

[0045] Club head 100 further includes a rear height (not shown), which is measured vertically from ground plane 113 to rear 180. In many embodiments, the rear height of club head 100 ranges between 0.01 inches and 0.30 inches. In other embodiments, the rear height of club head 100 may range between 0.01 inches and 0.05 inches, 0.05 inches and 0.10 inches, 0.10 inches and 0.15 inches, 0.15 inches and 0.20 inches, 0.20 inches and 0.25 inches, or 0.25 inches and 0.30 inches. In other embodiments, the recess height can be 0.01 inch, 0.02 inch, 0.03 inch, 0.04 inch, 0.05 inch, 0.06 inch, 0.07 inch, 0.08 inch, 0.09 inch, 0.10 inch, 0.11 inch, 0.12 inch, 0.13 inch, 0.14 inch, 0.15 inch, 0.16 inch, 0.17 inch, 0.18 inch, 0.19 inch, 0.20 inch, 0.21 inch, 0.22 inch, 0.23 inch, 0.24 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.26 inch, 0.27 inch, 0.28 inch, 0.29 inch, or 0.30 inch.

[0046] Club head 100 further includes a depth 182 measured along a direction perpendicular to loft plane 1010 between loft plane 1010 and depth 180. In many embodiments, depth 182 of club head 100 is greater than 1.5 inches. In other embodiments, depth 182 of club head 100 is greater than 1.6 inches, greater than 1.7 inches, greater than 1.8 inches, greater than 1.9 inches, greater than 2.0 inches, greater than 2.1 inches, greater than 2.2 inches, greater than 2.3 inches, greater than 2.4 inches, or greater than 2.5 inches. For example, in some embodiments, depth 182 of club head 100 may be between 1.5 inches and 3.0 inches, between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches, between 2.0 inches and 3.0 inches, between 2.0 inches and 2.5 inches, or between 2.5 inches and 3.0 inches.

[0047] The depth ratio of the club head 100 is defined as the ratio of the depth 182 to the depth 140 of the club head 100. In many embodiments, the depth ratio is greater than 0.35. In other embodiments, the depth ratio is greater than 0.40, greater than 0.45, greater than 0.46, greater than 0.47, greater than 0.48, greater than 0.49, greater than 0.50, greater than 0.51, greater than 0.52, greater than 0.53, greater than 0.54, greater than 0.55, or greater than 0.60. For example, in some embodiments, the depth ratio B of the club head 100 may be between 0.40 and 0.60, between 0.45 and 0.60, between 0.40 and 0.55, between 0.45 and 0.55, between 0.47 and 0.53, or between 0.49 and 0.51.

[0048] The sole curve profile 166 of the club head 100 may be further described in terms of the radii of curvature along each of the various sections of the sole curve profile 166 between the front end 106 and the rear end 108. Referring to FIG. 4 , the first concave section 168 of the sole curve profile 166 is divided into a first curved section 184 having a first section radius of curvature R2 and a second curved section 186 having a second section radius of curvature R3. The first curved section 184 extends from the sole transition point 162 to a first concave section transition point 188. The first concave section transition point 188 is defined as the point along the sole curve profile 166 where the first section radius of curvature R2 transitions to the second section radius of curvature R3. The second curved section 186 extends from the first concave section transition point 188 to a first inflection point 174, which divides the second curved section 186 from the convex section 170. The convex section 170 of the sole curve profile 166 includes a convex section radius of curvature R4. Finally, the second concave section 172 includes a second concave section radius of curvature R5.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first section radius of curvature R2 can range from approximately 1.00 inches to 3.50 inches. In the embodiment shown, the first section radius of curvature R2 is approximately 1.75 inches. In other embodiments, the first section radius of curvature R2 can be less than 3.00 inches, less than 2.50 inches, less than 2.25 inches, less than 2.00 inches, or less than 1.75 inches. For example, the first section radius of curvature R2 can be approximately 1.00 inches, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.75 inches, 2.00 inches, 2.25 inches, or 2.50 inches.

[0050] In some embodiments, the second section radius of curvature R3 can range from approximately 1.0 inch to 10.0 inches. In one embodiment, the second section radius of curvature R3 is approximately 6.0 inches. In other embodiments, the second section radius of curvature R3 can be less than 9.0 inches, less than 8.0 inches, less than 7.0 inches, less than 6.0 inches, less than 5.0 inches, less than 4.0 inches, less than 3.0 inches, or less than 2.0 inches. For example, the second section radius of curvature R3 can be approximately 3.0 inches, 4.0 inches, 5.0 inches, 6.0 inches, 7.0 inches, 8.0 inches, or 9.0 inches.

[0051] The depth-to-height ratio of the club head 100 is defined as the ratio of the depth to the radius of curvature R3 of the first concave section 168. The depth is inversely proportional to the radius of curvature R3. As the magnitude of the radius of curvature R3 decreases, the depth increases. As the magnitude of the radius of curvature R3 increases, the depth decreases. In many embodiments, the depth-to-height ratio is equal to or less than 0.33. In other embodiments, the depth-to-height ratio is less than 0.30, less than 0.25, less than 0.20, less than 0.15, less than 0.10, or less than 0.05. In other embodiments, the depth-to-height ratio may range between 0.001 and 0.05, 0.05 and 0.10, 0.10 and 0.15, 0.15 and 0.20, 0.20 and 0.25, 0.25 and 0.30, or 0.30 and 0.33.

[0052] In some embodiments, the convex section radius of curvature R4 can range from approximately 1.0 inch to 9.0 inches. In one embodiment, the convex section radius of curvature R4 is approximately 2.5 inches. In other embodiments, the convex section radius of curvature R4 can be less than 8.0 inches, less than 7.0 inches, less than 6.0 inches, less than 5.0 inches, less than 4.0 inches, less than 3.5 inches, less than 3.0 inches, or less than 2.5 inches. For example, the convex section radius of curvature R4 can be approximately 1.0 inch, 2.0 inches, 2.5 inches, 3.0 inches, 4.0 inches, 5.0 inches, 6.0 inches, 7.0 inches, 8.0 inches, or 9.0 inches.

[0053] In some embodiments, the second concave section radius of curvature R5 can range from approximately 3.0 inches to 10.0 inches. In the embodiment shown, the second concave section radius of curvature R5 is approximately 6.0 inches. In other embodiments, the second concave section radius of curvature R5 can be less than 9.0 inches, less than 8.0 inches, less than 7.0 inches, less than 6.0 inches, or less than 5.0 inches. For example, the second concave section radius of curvature R5 can be approximately 3.0 inches, 4.0 inches, 5.0 inches, 6.0 inches, 7.0 inches, 8.0 inches, or 9.0 inches. In other embodiments, the sole curvature profile 166 of the club head 100 can also be determined by a polynomial or quadratic equation.

[0054] The recessed region 152 as described above allows the sole 112 of the club head 100 to follow a much steeper curved profile between the front end 106 and the rear end 108 compared to prior art metal wood club heads (i.e., a radius of curvature greater than 10 inches as the sole curve profile extends between the front and rear ends). This facilitates greater deflection in the sole 112 of the club body 102 when the club head 100 impacts a golf ball. The relatively greater deflection of the club body 102 can result in greater deflection of the club head 100 compared to conventional metal wood golf clubs.

[0055] Golf club head 100 may increase the internal energy generated upon impact by between 1.0 lbf-inch and 8.0 lbf-inch over comparable clubs. In some embodiments, the internal energy generated by golf club head 200 upon impact may be 1.0 lbf-inch, 2.0 lbf-inch, 3.0 lbf-inch, 4.0 lbf-inch, 5.0 lbf-inch, 6.0 lbf-inch, 7.0 lbf-inch, or 8.0 lbf-inch. This significant increase in internal energy may result in increased ball velocity by 0.1 mph, 0.2 mph, 0.3 mph, 0.4 mph, 0.5 mph, 0.6 mph, 0.7 mph, 0.8 mph, 0.9 mph, 1.0 mph, 1.1 mph, 1.2 mph, 1.3 mph, 1.4 mph, or 1.5 mph, which may result in an increase in golf ball distance of between 1 yard and 10 yards. In some embodiments, the distance traveled by a golf ball may be increased by 1 yard, 2 yards, 3 yards, 4 yards, 5 yards, 6 yards, 7 yards, 8 yards, 9 yards, or 10 yards.

[0056] Additionally, the relatively large deflection of the sole 112 during impact can result in a reduction in the ball spin rate experienced by the golf ball upon impact with the club head 100. For example, the spin rate can be reduced by approximately 150 revolutions per minute (RPM). In some embodiments, the spin rate can be reduced by 10 RPM, 20 RPM, 30 RPM, 40 RPM, 50 RPM, 60 RPM, 70 RPM, 80 RPM, 90 RPM, 100 RPM, 110 RPM, 120 RPM, 130 RPM, 140 RPM, or 150 RPM. In some examples, the ball spin rate can be reduced by 160 RPM, 170 RPM, 180 RPM, 190 RPM, or even 200 RPM.

[0057] III. Reverse-cambered sole and internally curved beam 5-7 illustrate a golf club head 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Golf club head 200 is similar to golf club head 100 and includes substantially the same structure as golf club head 100. Therefore, the following description will primarily focus on the structure and features that differ from the embodiment described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4. Features and elements described in connection with FIGS. 1-4 are labeled with reference numerals in the 200 series in FIGS. 5-7. Features of golf club head 200 that are not explicitly described below should be understood to have the same nature as features of golf club head 100.

[0058] Similar to golf club head 100, golf club head 200 includes a recessed region 252 (FIG. 5) formed in sole 212. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, golf club head 200 further includes an internal beam 290 attached to sole 212 at a first end 291 and at a second end 292 and extending through internal cavity 218 of golf club head 200 between first end 291 and second end 292. In the embodiment shown, golf club head 200 includes three beams 290. In other embodiments, golf club head 200 may include one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten beams 290.

[0059] A first end 291 of each beam 290 is attached to the sole 212 at a location proximate the front end 206 of the golf club head 200. For example, in the embodiment shown, the first end 291 is attached to a portion of the sole 212 proximate the face-sole transition boundary 256. A second end 292 of each beam 290 is attached to the sole 212 at or near the recessed region 252.

[0060] Each beam 290 extends generally in the front-to-rear direction, or generally along the Z-axis 1016. In some embodiments, each beam 290 follows a generally straight path between the first end 291 and the second end 292. In the embodiment shown, each beam 290 follows a curved path between the first end 291 and the second end 292. In particular, each beam 290 follows a generally arcuate path between the first end 291 and the second end 292. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the beams 290 extend generally parallel to one another, and each beam 290 follows generally the same arcuate path. In other embodiments, the beams 290 may follow different respective paths between the first end 291 and the second end 292.

[0061] The beam height 293 of each beam 290 is defined as the maximum distance between the beam 290 and the inner surface of the sole 212, measured perpendicular to the inner surface of the sole. The beam height 293 can range from 0.010 inches to 1.000 inches. In some embodiments, the beam height 293 can range between 0.010 inches and 0.10 inches, 0.10 inches and 0.20 inches, 0.20 inches and 0.30 inches, 0.30 inches and 0.40 inches, 0.40 inches and 0.50 inches, 0.50 inches and 0.60 inches, 0.60 inches and 0.70 inches, 0.70 inches and 0.80 inches, 0.80 inches and 0.90 inches, or 0.90 inches and 1.0 inches. In some embodiments, the beam height 293 can be 0.10 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.90 inches, or 1.0 inches.

[0062] 7, each beam 290 includes a cross-sectional shape 294 defined as the beam 290 is cut by a plane extending perpendicular to the path of the beam 290. In the embodiment shown, the cross-sectional shape 294 of each beam 290 is rectangular. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape 294 of each beam 290 may be circular, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, octagonal, or any other desired cross-sectional shape.

[0063] In the embodiment shown, the cross-sectional shape 294 of each beam 290 includes a width 295 measured generally in a heel-to-toe direction and a thickness 296 measured generally in a crown-to-sole direction. The width 295 can range from approximately 0.010 inches to 1.000 inches. The width 295 can be 0.010 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.90 inches, or 1.0 inch. In the embodiment shown, the width 295 is approximately 0.2 inches.

[0064] The thickness 296 can range from approximately 0.010 inches to 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness 296 can be 0.010 inches, 0.015 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, or 0.050 inches. In the embodiment shown, the thickness 296 is approximately 0.033 inches. Additionally, each beam 290 is separated from each adjacent beam by approximately 0.5 inches.

[0065] In other embodiments, the beams 290 can be spaced apart by a distance ranging from 0.050 inches to 1.000 inches. In some embodiments, the beams 290 can be spaced apart by a distance of 0.010 inches, 0.015 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.045 inches, or 0.050 inches.

[0066] In some embodiments, beam 290 may be formed from the same material as body 204 of club head 200 and may be integrally formed with body 204. In other embodiments, beam 290 may be formed separately from body 204 and coupled to body 204 by a connecting method, such as welding, resin bonding, or any other suitable connecting method. In these embodiments, beam 290 may be formed from the same or a different material as body 204 of club head 200.

[0067] 8 and 9 illustrate a golf club head 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Golf club head 300 is similar to golf club head 200 and includes substantially the same structure as golf club head 200. Therefore, the following description will primarily focus on the structure and features that differ from the embodiment described above in connection with FIGS. 5-7. Features and elements described in connection with FIGS. 5-7 are labeled with reference numerals in the 300 series in FIGS. 8 and 9. Features of golf club head 300 that are not explicitly described below should be understood to have the same nature as features of golf club head 200.

[0068] Similar to golf club heads 100 and 200, golf club head 300 includes a recessed area 352 formed in the sole 312. Also similar to golf club head 200, golf club head 300 includes an internal beam 390 extending between a first end 391 and a second end 392. However, unlike golf club head 200, the first ends 391 of the beams 390 of club head 300 are not attached to the sole 312. The first ends 391 of each beam 390 are attached to the front end 306. In particular, the first ends 391 of each beam 390 are attached to the outer edge 320 of the front end 306. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, club head 300 includes four beams 390. In other embodiments, club head 300 may include one, two, three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten beams 290. The beams 390 of club head 300 may follow any of the paths described above in connection with club head 200. Similarly, beams 390 may include beam heights 393, cross-sectional shapes 394, widths 395, and thicknesses 396 similar to the beam heights 293, cross-sectional shapes 294, widths 295, and thicknesses 296 described above in connection with club head 200.

[0069] IV. Examples Example 1: Golf club head with a reverse-cambered sole 10-12, a wood-type golf club head 400 is shown that includes a sole 412 that includes a depression or recessed region 452 that curves inwardly toward the interior cavity 418 of the club head 400. A typical wood therefore includes a sole profile with a relatively large radius of curvature between the front and rear ends (i.e., a radius of curvature of approximately 22-25 inches). In contrast, the recessed region 452 of the golf club head 400 allows the sole 412 to follow a much more steeply curved profile between the front end 406 and the rear end 408. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment of the club head 400, no portion of the sole 412 includes a radius of curvature greater than 6 inches when viewed from a side cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane 4022.

[0070] The recessed region 452 allows the sole 412 of the club head 400 to follow a much steeper curved profile between the front end 406 and the rear end 408, as compared to a metal wood club head that does not include this profile. This facilitates greater deflection in the sole 412 of the club body 402 when the club head 400 impacts a golf ball. The greater deflection of the club body 402 generates a greater amount of internal energy within the club head 400, as compared to a conventional metal wood golf club that does not include the recessed region 452.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 13 , the internal energy generated by golf club head 400 upon impact is compared to the internal energy generated by a golf club head (hereinafter, “comparative club”) that does not include a recessed region in the sole (wherein the sole profile has a relatively large radius of curvature between the front and rear ends of the club). The recessed region 452 of golf club head 400 increases the internal energy of golf club head 400 by approximately 7.8 lbf-inch over the comparative club, thereby increasing deflection. This 7.8 lbf-inch increase in internal energy results in an increase in ball speed of approximately 1.0 mile per hour (mph) (at a 100 mph swing speed), thereby lengthening the golf shot by at least 5 yards. Furthermore, the recessed sole 412 of golf club head 400 stores more vibrational energy in the golf club head immediately after impact, allowing for higher energy transfer from golf club head 400 to the golf ball, thereby increasing ball speed.

[0072] Additionally, the recessed region 452 of the golf club head 400 improves ball speed for shots struck below the center of the strike face. The greater deflection of the recessed sole 412 mitigates the high backspin caused by low-face strikes, resulting in golf shots that travel farther than comparable clubs. The recessed region 452 in the sole 412 allows the front end 406 of the club head 400 to compress in a spring-like manner, downward toward the ground and toward the rear end 408 of the golf club head 400. This generates spring energy and causes the golf club 400 to diloft, thereby increasing the overall internal energy of the golf club 400 and reducing spin rate.

[0073] Additionally, the relatively large deflection of the sole 412 during impact may result in a reduced ball spin rate experienced by the golf ball upon impact with the club head 400 over comparable clubs. In one embodiment, the spin rate may be reduced by up to 150 revolutions per minute (RPM). In some embodiments, the ball spin rate may be reduced from approximately 600 RPM to approximately 450 RPM. The combination of higher ball velocity and lower spin rate produced by the greater deflection of the golf club head 400 results in straighter and longer-flying golf shots over comparable clubs.

[0074] Example 2: Golf club head with a reverse-cambered sole and an internal curved beam In one embodiment, an exemplary golf club head 200 including a reverse-cambered sole 212 (recessed region 252) and one or more internal curved beams 290 is compared to a golf club head (hereinafter, the "comparative club") including a highly flexible reverse-cambered sole that does not include any internal curved beams. The one or more internal curved beams 290 function to partially stiffen and support the flexible cambered sole 212.

[0075] As previously mentioned, the reverse camber sole 212 may increase the internal energy and resultant ball speed of a golf ball struck by the golf club head 200. However, for very fast golf swings, the reverse camber sole 212 may require reinforcement (one or more internal curved beams 292) to prevent permanent deformation of the sole 212 or breakage of the sole 212.

[0076] Compared to the comparative club, the exemplary golf club head 200 prevents some deflection in the sole 212 caused by the recessed area 252. However, while the golf club head 200 is not as flexible as the comparative club, it still allows for significant overall deflection of the club head 200 and strike face 204, thereby increasing the internal energy of the golf club head 200 while structurally reinforcing the sole 212.

[0077] In some embodiments, the exemplary golf club head 200, including the reverse camber sole 212 and one or more internal curved beams 290, can increase the internal energy generated upon impact by between 1.0 lbf-inch and 7.0 lbf-inch over comparable clubs. In some embodiments, the internal energy generated by the golf club head 200 upon impact can be 1.0 lbf-inch, 2.0 lbf-inch, 3.0 lbf-inch, 4.0 lbf-inch, 5.0 lbf-inch, 6.0 lbf-inch, or 7.0 lbf-inch. This significant increase in internal energy can result in an increase in ball speed of 0.1 mph, 0.2 mph, 0.3 mph, 0.4 mph, 0.5 mph, 0.6 mph, 0.7 mph, 0.8 mph, 0.9 mph, or 1.0 mph, thereby increasing the distance the golf ball can travel by up to 5 yards.

[0078] Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

[0079] Clause 1: A hollow-body golf club comprising: a body having a front end; a back end opposite the front end; a crown; a sole opposite the crown and defining a sole surface, a ground contact surface contacting the sole surface when the golf club head is in an address position for striking a golf ball; a heel; a toe opposite the heel; the hosel structure having a hosel axis extending through a center of a hole in the hosel structure; and a strike face located at the front end and defining a geometric center and a loft plane tangent to the geometric center, the geometric center further defining a coordinate system having an X-axis extending through the geometric center between the heel and the toe and a Y-axis extending between the crown and the sole. a Y-axis extending through the geometric center and perpendicular to the X-axis; and a Z-axis extending through the geometric center between the front end and the rear end and perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis together defining a YZ plane extending between the crown and the sole and between the front end and the rear end; the hollow-body golf club further comprising a sole transition point defined by the intersection of the sole and the strike face; and a sole curve profile defined by the intersection of the sole surface and the YZ plane, the sole curve profile comprising a radius of curvature that varies as the sole curve profile extends between the front end and the rear end, the radius of curvature being equal to or less than 10 inches as the sole curve profile extends between the front end and the rear end.

[0080] Clause 2: A hollow-body golf club head, comprising: a body having a front end; a back end opposite the front end; a crown; a sole opposite the crown, the sole defining a sole surface; a heel; a toe opposite the heel; a hosel structure having a hosel axis extending through a center of a hole in the hosel structure; and a strike face located at the front end and defining a geometric center and a loft plane tangent to the geometric center, the geometric center further defining a coordinate system having an origin located at the geometric center. the coordinate system includes an X-axis extending through the geometric center between the heel and the toe, a Y-axis extending through the geometric center between the crown and the sole and orthogonal to the X-axis, and a Z-axis extending through the geometric center between the front end and the rear end and orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis, the X-axis and the Z-axis together defining an XZ plane extending between the heel end and the toe end and between the front end and the rear end, and the Y-axis and the Z-axis together defining an XZ plane extending between the crown and the sole and between the front end and the rear end. a sole curvature profile defined by an intersection of the sole surface and the YX plane, the sole curvature profile including a first concave section, a convex section, and a second concave section, the first concave section being located proximate the front end and concave with respect to the XZ plane, the second concave section being located proximate the rear end and concave with respect to the XZ plane, and the convex section being located between the first concave section and the second concave section. the club head is convex with respect to the XZ plane, the sole curvature profile further including an inflection point dividing the first concave section and the convex section, the club head defining an inflection point depth measured along a direction perpendicular to the loft plane between the loft plane and the inflection point, the club head defining a club head depth measured in a direction parallel to the Z axis between the furthest extent of the front end and the furthest extent of the rear end, an inflection point depth ratio defined as the ratio of the inflection point depth to the club head depth,A hollow-body golf club head with an inflection point depth ratio between 0.25 and 0.45.

[0081] Clause 3: A hollow-body golf club head, comprising: a body having a front end; a back end opposite the front end; a crown; a sole opposite the crown; a heel; a toe opposite the heel; a hosel structure having a hosel axis extending through a center of a hole in the hosel structure; and a strike face located at the front end, the strike face defining a geometric center and a loft plane tangent to the geometric center, the geometric center further defining a coordinate system having an origin located at the geometric center, the coordinate system including: an X-axis extending through the geometric center between the heel and the toe; a Y-axis extending through the geometric center between the crown and the sole and orthogonal to the X-axis; and a Z-axis extending through the geometric center between the front end and the back end and orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis. the X-axis and the Z-axis together define an XZ plane extending between the heel end and the toe end and between the front end and the rear end, the sole including a recessed region extending toward the XZ plane, the recessed region defining a depth extending along a direction perpendicular to the XZ plane and closest to the XZ plane, the club head defining a depth measured between the loft plane and the depth along a direction perpendicular to the loft plane, the club head defining a club-head depth measured in a direction parallel to the Z-axis between the furthest extent of the front end and the furthest extent of the rear end, the depth ratio defined as the ratio of the depth to the club-head depth, the depth ratio being between 0.45 and 0.60.

[0082] Clause 4: The golf club head of Clause 1, wherein the radius of curvature comprises a first inflection point and a second inflection point, and the sole curvature comprises a first concave section extending from the sole transition point to the first inflection point and concave with respect to the XZ plane, a convex section extending from the first inflection point to the second inflection point and convex with respect to the XZ plane, and a second concave section extending from the second inflection point to the rear end and concave with respect to the XZ plane.

[0083] Clause 5: The golf club head of clause 4, wherein the first concave section has a radius of curvature (R3), the convex section has a radius of curvature (R4), and the second concave section has a radius of curvature (R5).

[0084] Clause 6: The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the sole curve profile comprises a recessed portion, the recessed portion representing a point on the sole curve profile closest to the XZ plane, and the recessed portion being located on the convex portion.

[0085] Clause 7: The golf club head of clause 6, wherein the rear portion has a rear height, the rear height being measured vertically from the ground surface to the rear portion.

[0086] Clause 8: The golf club head of clause 7, wherein the recess height is inversely proportional to the radius of curvature (R3) of the first concave section.

[0087] Clause 9: The golf club head of clause 8, further comprising a depth height ratio, the depth height ratio being defined as the ratio of the depth height to the radius of curvature (R3) of the first concave section.

[0088] Clause 10: The golf club head of clause 9, wherein the depth-to-height ratio is less than 0.33.

[0089] Clause 11: The golf club head of clause 10, wherein the depth-to-height ratio is between 0.001 and 0.05.

[0090] Clause 12: The golf club head according to clause 5, wherein the radii of curvature R3 and R5 are greater than or equal to R4.

[0091] Clause 13: The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the radius of curvature R3 is at least twice as large as the radius of curvature R4.

[0092] Clause 14: The golf club head of Clause 8, further comprising a depth and a depth at the back, wherein the depth of the club head is measured in a direction parallel to the Z axis as the farthest point from the front end to the back end, and the depth at the back is measured perpendicularly from the loft plane to the back.

[0093] Clause 15: The golf club head of clause 14, further comprising a depth-to-depth ratio, the depth-to-depth ratio being defined as the ratio of the depth to the depth of the club head.

[0094] Clause 16: The golf club head of clause 15, wherein the depth ratio is greater than 0.35.

[0095] Clause 17: The golf club head of clause 16, wherein the depth ratio is between 0.40 and 0.60.

[0096] Clause 18: The golf club head according to clause 5, wherein the radius of curvature R5 is greater than 10 inches.

[0097] Clause 19: The golf club head of Clause 15, wherein the first inflection point also has a depth, the first inflection point depth being measured between the loft plane and the first inflection point along a direction perpendicular to the loft plane.

[0098] Clause 20: The golf club head of clause 19, further comprising an inflection point depth ratio, the inflection point depth ratio defined as a ratio of the first inflection point depth to the depth of the club head.

[0099] Clause 21: The golf club head according to clause 20, wherein the inflection point depth ratio is greater than 0.25.

[0100] Clause 22: The golf club head of clause 21, wherein the inflection point depth ratio is between 0.25 and 0.45.

[0101] The substitution of an element recited in one or more claims constitutes a reconstruction, not a repair. Furthermore, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described in connection with particular embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any one or more elements that may give rise to or make more apparent any benefit, advantage, or solution are not construed as a key, necessary, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims, unless such benefit, advantage, solution, or element is expressly recited in any or all of the claims.

[0102] Because the Rules of Golf may change from time to time (e.g., new Rules may be adopted, or old Rules may be waived or modified, by golf standards organizations and / or governing bodies, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may or may not conform to the Rules of Golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and / or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The devices, methods, and products described herein are not limited in this respect.

[0103] Although the above examples may be described in connection with wood-type golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to various types of golf clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, crossovers, or any hollow-body type golf club.

[0104] Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of public domain if the embodiment and / or limitation (1) is not explicitly recited in the claims, and (2) is or may be equivalent to an element and / or limitation set forth in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0105] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention described.

Claims

1. 1. A hollow body golf club, comprising: a body having a front end; a rear end opposite the front end; Crown and a sole opposite the crown and defining a sole surface, the sole having a ground contact surface that contacts the sole surface when the golf club head is in an address position for striking a golf ball; Heels and a toe opposite the heel and a hosel structure having a hosel axis extending through a center of a hole in the hosel structure; a strike face located at the front end and defining a geometric center and a loft plane tangent to the geometric center; the geometric center further defines a coordinate system having the geometric center; The coordinate system is an X-axis extending through the geometric center between the heel and the toe; a Y-axis extending between the crown and the sole through the geometric center and perpendicular to the X-axis; a Z-axis extending through the geometric center between the front end and the rear end and perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis; the Y-axis and the Z-axis together define a YZ plane extending between the crown and the sole and between the front end and the rear end; The hollow body golf club comprises: a sole transition point defined by the intersection of the sole and the strike face; a sole curvature profile defined by an intersection of the sole surface and the YZ plane; the sole curve profile comprises a radius of curvature that varies as the sole curve profile extends between the front end and the rear end; The radius of curvature when the sole curve profile extends between the front end and the rear end is 10 inches or less.

2. the radius of curvature comprises a first inflection point and a second inflection point; The sole curvature is a first concave section extending from the sole transition point to the first inflection point and concave with respect to the XZ plane; a convex section extending from the first inflection point to the second inflection point and convex with respect to the XZ plane; a second concave section extending from the second inflection point to the rear end and concave with respect to the XZ plane.

3. the first concave section has a radius of curvature (R3); the convex section has a radius of curvature (R4); The golf club head of claim 2 , wherein the second concave section comprises a radius of curvature (R5).

4. The sole curve profile further comprises a recessed portion, the deepest part represents the point on the sole curve profile closest to the XZ plane; The golf club head according to claim 3 , wherein the recessed portion is located on the protruding portion.

5. the depth portion has a depth portion height, The golf club head of claim 4 , wherein the depth height is measured vertically from the ground surface to the depth closest to the XZ plane.

6. 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein said recess height is inversely proportional to said radius of curvature (R3) of said first concave section.

7. Further equipped with a depth height ratio, 7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the recess height ratio is defined as the ratio of the recess height to the radius of curvature (R3) of the first concave section.

8. The golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the depth-to-height ratio is less than 0.

33.

9. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the depth-to-height ratio is between 0.001 and 0.

05.

10. 4. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the radii of curvature R3 and R5 are greater than or equal to R4.

11. The golf club head of claim 3 , wherein the radius of curvature R3 is at least twice the radius of curvature R4.

12. Further comprising a depth and a recess depth, the depth of the club head is measured in a direction parallel to the Z axis as the furthest point from the front end to the rear end; The golf club head of claim 6 , wherein the depth of the recess is measured perpendicularly from the loft plane to the recess.

13. Further comprising a depth ratio; The golf club head of claim 12 , wherein the depth ratio is defined as the ratio of the depth to the depth of the club head.

14. The golf club head of claim 13 , wherein the depth ratio is greater than 0.

35.

15. The golf club head of claim 14 , wherein the depth ratio is between 0.40 and 0.

60.

16. The golf club head of claim 3 , wherein the radius of curvature R5 is greater than 10 inches.

17. the first inflection point also has a depth; The golf club head of claim 13 , wherein the first inflection point depth is measured along a direction perpendicular to the loft plane, between the loft plane and the first inflection point.

18. Further comprising an inflection point depth ratio; 18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the inflection point depth ratio is defined as the ratio of the first inflection point depth to the depth of the club head.

19. The golf club head of claim 18 , wherein the inflection point depth ratio is greater than 0.

25.

20. 20. The golf club head of claim 19, wherein the inflection point depth ratio is between 0.25 and 0.45.

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