Golf club head with embedded tracking markers

Abstract

To provide a golf club with embedded tracking markers.SOLUTION: Disclosed herein is a golf club head that includes a forward portion (including a strike face), a crown portion, a rear portion, an interior cavity, and a trihedral corner reflector, where the trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed in, or attached to at least one of the crown portion or the rear portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 553,553, filed February 14, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 641,764, filed May 2, 2024, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 313,186, filed May 5, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 338,818, filed May 5, 2022, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf clubs configured for enhanced detection and accuracy when analyzed by a launch monitor. [Background technology]

[0003] For some launch monitors that detect head presentation parameters of a golf club head and other parameters of the golf club during a golf swing, tracking markers (or stickers) are manually and temporarily adhered to the face of the finished golf club head. Conventional tracking markers include surfaces that are identified and tracked by the launch monitor during the golf swing to determine the head presentation parameters of the golf club head. To promote accuracy, the tracking markers should be positioned at precise locations that correspond to the locations expected by the launch monitor.

[0004] However, the conventional process of manually applying conventional tracking markers to the face of a golf club head is not precise. Additionally, manually placing conventional tracking markers on a finished golf club head is time-consuming and requires removal of adhesive residue that may be left behind on the face of the golf club head after the conventional tracking marker is removed. Additionally, tracking markers are designed for temporary use only during launch monitor hitting sessions. In fact, tracking markers on the outer surface of the striking face render the golf club head non-conforming under current United States Golf Association (USGA) rules (e.g., Rule 4.1a(3) considers stickers on the outside of a golf club to be external attachments, and therefore, the golf club is considered non-conforming equipment). A player using a golf club head with a temporary tracking marker on the outside of the striking face can and should be disqualified from tournaments and competitions.

[0005] Conventional tracking markers, which are designed for temporary use only, must be removed following a launch monitor hitting session before the golf club is in proper condition for actual play. While many players are aware of this rule, the small size of the tracking markers can cause players to accidentally leave the markers on the face when transitioning from a launch monitor session (e.g., a launch monitor session at a driving range) to tournament play. Also, conventional tracking markers are manufactured, purchased, and stored separately from the golf club, which increases the cost and burden associated with determining golf club parameters with a launch monitor during a hitting session. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,025,587 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,235,831 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 8,337,319 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 9,610,479 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 8,758,153 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent No. 8,398,503 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent No. 8,951,138 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 105,194 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 438,501 [Patent Document 10] UK Patent Application No. GB2517712 [Patent Document 11] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 436,326 [Patent Document 12] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 172,834 [Patent Document 13] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 560,054 [Patent Document 14] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 228,511 [Patent Document 15] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 410,149 [Patent Document 16] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 345,875 [Patent Document 17] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 124,134 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 321,315 [Patent Document 19] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 312,771 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 389,167 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent No. 9,174,099 [Patent Document 22] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0199282 [Patent Document 23] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0274446 [Patent Document 24] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 156,205 [Patent Document 25] U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 965,129 [Patent Document 26] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 066,033 [Patent Document 27] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 399,823 [Patent Document 28] U.S. Patent No. 8,012,039 [Patent Document 29] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 226,294 [Patent Document 30] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 534,512 [Patent Document 31] U.S. Patent No. 10,881,916 [Patent Document 32] U.S. Patent No. 9,089,745 [Patent Document 33] U.S. Patent No. 8,303,435 [Patent Document 34] U.S. Patent No. 8,684,864 [Patent Document 35] U.S. Patent No. 8,096,897 [Patent Document 36] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 519,327 [Patent Document 37] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 544,301 [Patent Document 38] U.S. Patent No. 11,596,841 [Patent Document 39] U.S. Patent No. 11,141,632 [Patent Document 40] U.S. Patent No. 10,902,612 [Patent Document 41] U.S. Patent No. 11,883,724 [Patent Document 42] U.S. Patent No. 11,497,972 [Patent Document 43] U.S. Patent No. 10,493,336 [Patent Document 44] U.S. Patent No. 8,517,863 [Patent Document 45] U.S. Patent No. 11,406,882 [Patent Document 46] U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 706,632 [Patent Document 47] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 401,320 [Patent Document 48] U.S. Patent No. 11,213,726 [Patent Document 49] U.S. Patent No. 6,773,360 [Patent Document 50] U.S. Patent No. 7,166,040 [Patent Document 51] U.S. Patent No. 7,452,285 [Patent Document 52] U.S. Patent No. 7,628,707 [Patent Document 53] U.S. Patent No. 7,186,190 [Patent Document 54] U.S. Patent No. 7,591,738 [Patent Document 55] U.S. Patent No. 7,963,861 [Patent Document 56] U.S. Patent No. 7,621,823 [Patent Document 57] U.S. Patent No. 7,448,963 [Patent Document 58] U.S. Patent No. 7,568,985 [Patent Document 59] U.S. Patent No. 7,578,753 [Patent Document 60] U.S. Patent No. 7,717,804 [Patent Document 61] U.S. Patent No. 7,717,805 [Patent Document 62] U.S. Patent No. 7,530,904 [Patent Document 63] U.S. Patent No. 7,540,811 [Patent Document 64] U.S. Patent No. 7,407,447 [Patent Document 65] U.S. Patent No. 7,632,194 [Patent Document 66] U.S. Patent No. 7,846,041 [Patent Document 67] U.S. Patent No. 7,419,441 [Patent Document 68] U.S. Patent No. 7,713,142 [Patent Document 69] U.S. Patent No. 7,744,484 [Patent Document 70] U.S. Patent No. 7,223,180 [Patent Document 71] U.S. Patent No. 7,410,425 [Patent Document 72] U.S. Patent No. 7,410,426 [Patent Document 73] U.S. Patent No. 7,775,905 [Patent Document 74] U.S. Patent No. 8,444,505 [Patent Document 75] U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 898,313 [Patent Document 76] U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 047,880 [Patent Document 77] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0123040A1 [Patent Document 78] U.S. Patent No. 8,303,431 [Patent Document 79] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0312437A1 [Patent Document 80] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0258818A1 [Patent Document 81] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0122601A1 [Patent Document 82] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0071264A1 [Patent Document 83] U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 686,677 [Patent Document 84] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0152000A1 [Patent Document 85] U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 006,060 [Patent Document 86] U.S. Patent No. 6,997,820 [Patent Document 87] U.S. Patent No. 6,800,038 [Patent Document 88] U.S. Patent No. 6,824,475 [Patent Document 89] U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 998,435 [Patent Document 90] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 642,310 [Patent Document 91] U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 825,138 [Patent Document 92] U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 823,638 [Patent Document 93] U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 004,386 [Patent Document 94] U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 004,387 [Patent Document 95] U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 960,609 [Patent Document 96] U.S. Patent Application No. 11 / 960,610 [Patent Document 97] U.S. Patent No. 7,267,620 [Patent Document 98] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 505,511 [Patent Document 99] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 179848 [Patent Document 100] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 137151 [Patent Document 101] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 691649 [Patent Document 102] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 510476 [Patent Document 103] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 224,026 [Patent Document 104] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 564077 [Patent Document 105] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 292708 [Patent Document 106] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 478107 [Patent Document 107] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 433380 [Patent Document 108] U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 694998 [Patent Document 109] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 068347 [Patent Document 110] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 547519 [Patent Document 111] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 360179 [Patent Document 112] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531979 [Patent Document 113] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 722,748 [Patent Document 114] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 006561 [Patent Document 115] U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 806,254 [Patent Document 116] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 696664 [Patent Document 117] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 565580 [Patent Document 118] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 727963 [Patent Document 119] U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 288499 [Patent Document 120] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 530331 [Patent Document 121] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 586960 [Patent Document 122] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 884,027 [Patent Document 123] U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 842011 [Patent Document 124] U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 817311 [Patent Document 125] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 355642 [Patent Document 126] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 132645 [Patent Document 127] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 390615 [Patent Document 128] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 164033 [Patent Document 129] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 107474 [Patent Document 130] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 526981 [Patent Document 131] U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 352537 [Patent Document 132] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 132541 [Patent Document 133] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 824727 [Patent Document 134] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 722632 [Patent Document 135] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 712041 [Patent Document 136] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 695194 [Patent Document 137] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 686181 [Patent Document 138] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 305777 [Patent Document 139] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 577943 [Patent Document 140] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 570613 [Patent Document 141] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 569810 [Patent Document 142] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 566833 [Patent Document 143] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 566131 [Patent Document 144] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 566263 [Patent Document 145] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 557759 [Patent Document 146] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 558387 [Patent Document 147] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 645033 [Patent Document 148] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 541107 [Patent Document 149] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 526855 [Patent Document 150] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 524056 [Patent Document 151] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 522560 [Patent Document 152] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 515112 [Patent Document 153] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 513716 [Patent Document 154] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 504335 [Patent Document 155] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 504,327 [Patent Document 156] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 494,416 [Patent Document 157] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 493604 [Patent Document 158] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 261457 [Patent Document 159] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 479785 [Patent Document 160] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 476,839 [Patent Document 161] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 477258 [Patent Document 162] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 476,025 [Patent Document 163] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 467709 [Patent Document 164] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 403,516 [Patent Document 165] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 227889 [Patent Document 166] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 878,734 [Patent Document 167] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 323,935 [Patent Document 168] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 827,140 [Patent Document 169] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 957,619 [Patent Document 170] U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 007,332 [Patent Document 171] U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 263,929 [Patent Document 172] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 387181 [Patent Document 173] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 378407 [Patent Document 174] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 368520 [Patent Document 175] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 330033 [Patent Document 176] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 235533 [Patent Document 177] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 233201 [Patent Document 178] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 216185 [Patent Document 179] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 198030 [Patent Document 180] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 191617 [Patent Document 181] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 190864 [Patent Document 182] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 183905 [Patent Document 183] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 183057 [Patent Document 184] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 181923 [Patent Document 185] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 171678 [Patent Document 186] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 171656 [Patent Document 187] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 107447 [Patent Document 188] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 102,001 [Patent Document 189] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 456,313 [Patent Document 190] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 515,971 [Patent Document 191] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 943,832 [Patent Document 192] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 748,887 [Patent Document 193] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 338818 [Patent Document 194] U.S. Patent No. 8,777,776 [Patent Document 195] U.S. Patent No. 7,278,928 [Patent Document 196] U.S. Patent No. 7,445,561 [Patent Document 197] U.S. Patent No. 9,409,066 [Patent Document 198] U.S. Patent No. 7,874,937 [Patent Document 199] U.S. Patent No. 8,628,434 [Patent Document 200] U.S. Patent No. 8,608,591 [Patent Document 201] U.S. Patent No. 8,740,719 [Patent Document 202] U.S. Patent No. 9,694,253 [Patent Document 203] U.S. Patent No. 9,683,301 [Patent Document 204] U.S. Patent No. 9,468,816 [Patent Document 205] U.S. Patent No. 8,262,509 [Patent Document 206] U.S. Patent No. 7,901,299 [Patent Document 207] U.S. Patent No. 8,119,714 [Patent Document 208] U.S. Patent No. 8,764,586 [Patent Document 209] U.S. Patent No. 8,227,545 [Patent Document 210] U.S. Patent No. 8,066,581 [Patent Document 211] U.S. Patent No. 10,052,530 [Patent Document 212] U.S. Patent No. 10,195,497 [Patent Document 213] U.S. Patent No. 10,086,240 [Patent Document 214] U.S. Patent No. 9,914,027 [Patent Document 215] U.S. Patent No. 9,697,613 [Patent Document 216] U.S. Patent No. 1,1673,029 [Patent Document 217] U.S. Patent No. 1,121,9803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The subject matter of the present application was developed in response to the current state of the art, and in particular in response to the shortcomings of golf clubs and tracking markers that have not yet been adequately addressed. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application was developed to provide a golf club with embedded tracking markers that overcomes at least some of the shortcomings of conventional golf clubs discussed above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Disclosed herein is a golf club head including a forward portion (including a striking face), a crown portion, a rearward portion, an internal cavity, and a trihedral corner reflector, the trihedral corner reflector being permanently embedded within, integrally formed within, or attached to at least one of the crown portion or the rearward portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 1 of the present disclosure.

[0009] The trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed within, or attached to the crown portion. The trihedral corner reflector is configured to be tracked by an overhead launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 2 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 1 above.

[0010] The crown portion includes a crown insert. The trihedral corner reflector is integrally formed within the crown insert. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 3 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 2 above.

[0011] The crown insert is made of a fiber-reinforced polymer material. The trihedral corner reflector includes a coating or paint on the fiber-reinforced polymer material. The coating or paint is made of a conductive metallic material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 4 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 3 above.

[0012] A trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed within, or attached to the aft portion. The trihedral corner reflector is configured to be tracked by an aft launch monitor. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 5 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-4 above.

[0013] The rear portion of the golf club head is made from a conductive metal material. A trihedral corner reflector is integrally formed within the rear portion. The trihedral corner reflector is defined by the conductive metal material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 6 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 5 above.

[0014] The trihedral corner reflector includes a plurality of retroreflective surfaces that are more retroreflective than the surrounding portion of a crown or rear portion that at least partially surrounds the trihedral corner reflector. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 7 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-6 above.

[0015] The trihedral corner reflector includes a plurality of retroreflective surfaces coated with a conductive coating or paint. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 8 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-7 above.

[0016] The conductive coating or paint includes silver, aluminum, gold, or copper.The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 9 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 8 above.

[0017] The trihedral corner reflector is covered by a radar-transparent material. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 10 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-9 above.

[0018] The radar-transparent material includes at least one of fiberglass, glass, epoxy, thermoplastic, or polyurethane. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 11 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 10 above.

[0019] A radar transparent material is transparent to visible light. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 12 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 11 above.

[0020] A radar transparent material is opaque to visible light. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 13 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 11 above.

[0021] The golf club head includes a trihedral corner reflector, a first trihedral corner reflector, which is permanently embedded in, integrally formed within, or attached to the crown portion. The golf club head further includes a second trihedral corner reflector, which is permanently embedded in, integrally formed within, or attached to the rear portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 14 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-13 above.

[0022] The golf club head further includes a third trihedral corner reflector, the third trihedral corner reflector being permanently embedded in, integrally formed within, or attached to the rear portion and spaced apart from the second trihedral corner reflector. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 15 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 14 above.

[0023] The first trihedral corner reflector is configured to reflect a first radar signal having a first radar frequency or a first radar wavelength. The second trihedral corner reflector is configured to reflect a second radar signal having a second radar frequency or a second radar wavelength. At least one of the first radar frequencies is different from the second radar frequency or the first radar wavelength is different from the second radar wavelength. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 16 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 14-15 above.

[0024] The first trihedral corner reflector includes a first edge length. The second trihedral corner reflector includes a second edge length. The first edge length is different from the second edge length. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 17 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 16 above.

[0025] The golf club head includes at least one of an injection molded component, a cast component, a metal injection molded component, a machined component, or a 3D printed component. The trihedral corner reflector is integrally formed within at least one of the injection molded component, the cast component, the metal injection molded component, the machined component, or the 3D printed component. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 18 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-17 above.

[0026] The trihedral corner reflector is within the internal cavity. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 19 of the present disclosure, which includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-18 above.

[0027] The golf club head further includes a tracking marker permanently embedded in at least one of the striking face, the crown portion, or the rear portion. The tracking marker includes a retroreflective surface configured to retroreflect visible or infrared light. The trihedral corner reflector is configured to retroreflect radar waves. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 20 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to any of Examples 1-19 above.

[0028] The trihedral corner reflector is permanently embedded in, integrally formed within, or attached to one of the crown portion or the rear portion. The tracking marker is permanently embedded in the other of the crown portion or the rear portion. The preceding subject matter of this paragraph characterizes Example 21 of the present disclosure, which also includes subject matter according to Example 20 above.

[0029] The described features, structures, advantages, and / or characteristics of the presently disclosed subject matter may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples and / or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Those skilled in the art will understand that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and / or methods of a particular example or implementation. In other examples, additional features and advantages may be recognized in a particular example and / or implementation that may not be present in all examples or implementations. Moreover, in some examples, well-known structures, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter. The features and advantages of the presently disclosed subject matter will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

[0030] In order that the advantages of the present subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the present subject matter, briefly described above, will be rendered by reference to specific examples that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With the understanding that these drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, depict only particular examples of the present subject matter and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope, the present subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for detecting head presentation parameters of a golf club head during a golf swing, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 3B is a cross-sectional side view of a golf club head taken along line AA of FIG. 3A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a striking plate of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 3B is a cross-sectional side view of a striking plate of a golf club head taken along a line similar to line AA of FIG. 3A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 3B is a cross-sectional side view of a striking plate of a golf club head taken along a line similar to line AA of FIG. 3A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 3B is a cross-sectional side view of a striking plate of a golf club head taken along a line similar to line AA of FIG. 3A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 3B is a cross-sectional side view of a striking plate of a golf club head taken along a line similar to line AA of FIG. 3A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 30] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 31A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 31B]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 31C] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 32A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 32B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 33A] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 33B] FIG. 33B is a perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 33A from the rear of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 33C] FIG. 33B is a perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 33A from the top of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 33D] FIG. 33B is a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 33A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 34A] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 34B] FIG. 34B is a perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 34A from the rear of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 34C] FIG. 34B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 34A from the top of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 35A] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 35B] FIG. 35B is a perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 35A from the rear of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 35C] FIG. 35B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 35A from the toe side of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 35D] FIG. 35B is a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 35A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 35E] FIG. 35B is a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 35A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 35F] FIG. 35B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 35A from the heel side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 36] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 37] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 38] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 39A] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 39B] FIG. 39B is a perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 39A from the rear of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 39C] FIG. 39B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 39A from the toe side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 40A] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 40B] FIG. 40B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 40A from the toe side of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 40C] FIG. 40B is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 40A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 40D] FIG. 40B is a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 40A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 40E]FIG. 40B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 40A from the heel side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 40F] FIG. 40B is a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 40A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from a top of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41B] FIG. 41B is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41C] FIG. 41B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A from the toe side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41D] FIG. 41B is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41E] FIG. 41B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A from the heel side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41F] FIG. 41B is a perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A from the bottom of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41G] FIG. 41B is a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 41H] FIG. 41B is a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 41A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42B] FIG. 42B is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 42A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42C] FIG. 42B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 42A from the toe side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42D] FIG. 42B is a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 42A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42E] FIG. 42B is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 42A according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42F] FIG. 42B is a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 42A from the bottom of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 42G] FIG. 42B is a side view of the golf club head of FIG. 42A from the heel side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 43] 1 is a side view of a golf club from the toe side of a golf club head of the golf club in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 44A] FIG. 1 is a side view of a shaft of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 44B] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a shaft of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 44C] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a shaft of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 45] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 46] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club head from the toe side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 47] FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf club head from the toe side of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 48] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 49] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 50] 50 is a cross-sectional side view of a golf club head taken along plane 50-50 of FIG. 51 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 50 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 52] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 53] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 54] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 55] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 56] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 57] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 58] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a golf club head taken along a plane extending in a rear-to-front direction relative to the golf club head and shown relative to a launch monitor, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 59] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 60] FIG. 60 is a plan view of a tracking marker of the golf club of FIG. 59 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 61] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 62] FIG. 62 is a plan view of a tracking marker of the golf club of FIG. 61 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 63]1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 64] FIG. 64 is a plan view of a tracking marker of the golf club of FIG. 63 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 65] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a corner reflector of a golf club according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 66] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 67] FIG. 1 is a front view of a striking face of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 68] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 69] 1A-1C include diagrams of various dipole antenna configurations, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 70] 10A-10C include diagrams of various other dipole antenna configurations, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 71] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 72] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 73] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 74] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 75] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head from the rear of the golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 76] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 77] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 78] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 79] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 80] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 81] FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 82] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] References throughout this specification to "one example," "an example," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases "in one example," "in an example," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, use of the term "implementation" means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the present disclosure, but an implementation may be associated with one or more examples, absent an explicit correlation stating otherwise.

[0033] Disclosed herein are golf clubs, including a golf club head, a golf club shaft, and a golf club grip, and related manufacturing methods, which provide a cost-effective, time-saving, accurate, and clean method for detecting head presentation parameters of a golf club head and / or automatically identifying characteristics of a golf club during a hitting session or on-course play. The golf club head of the present disclosure can be any of various types of golf club heads (e.g., driver golf club heads, fairway metal or hybrid golf club heads, iron golf club heads, putter golf club heads, etc.). Moreover, the golf club shaft and golf club grip of the present disclosure can be any of various types of golf club shafts and golf club grips, respectively. Thus, the benefits of the present disclosure are applicable across multiple types of golf club heads, golf club shafts, and golf club grips.

[0034] 1 , system 101 is shown to include a launch monitor 104 that detects head presentation parameters of a golf club head 110 of golf club 100 during a hitting session. Launch monitor 104 includes an emitter 104B and a receiver 104C. Emitter 104B is operable to generate incident light 111 (e.g., infrared light, radar waves, visible light, etc.) directed toward golf club head 110. Receiver 104C is operable to receive and detect retroreflected light 113, which includes a portion of incident light 111 that is retroreflected back from golf club head 110 to receiver 104C. Receiver 104C can be any of a variety of sensors (e.g., an infrared camera, a radar sensor, a visible light camera, etc.) specifically configured to detect light having wavelengths within a particular spectrum. In some examples, receiver 104C is configured to detect only retroreflected light 113 having wavelengths within a particular spectrum (i.e., light having wavelengths outside the particular spectrum is not detectable by receiver 104C). According to particular examples, receiver 104C is selectively adjustable to adjust the frame rate at which retroreflected light 113 is sensed. The frame rate can be selected to be lower for slower swing speeds, such as those associated with a putter stroke, and higher for higher swing speeds, such as a driver stroke.

[0035] The golf club head 110 includes a plurality of tracking markers 160 embedded therein. When the golf club head 110 impacts the golf ball 102, the launch monitor 104 detects the positions of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 through the hitting zone. As used herein, a tracking marker can be any one of a tracking marker, a fiducial, a reflector, or a retroreflector. Thus, unless otherwise stated, the term "tracking marker," as used herein, can be interchangeable with a fiducial, a reflector, a retroreflector, or any other marker that assists in automatically tracking or identifying a golf club via electronic sensors.

[0036] As used herein, embedded means securely fixed within a surrounding mass, such that a tracking marker is embedded within a golf club when it is sufficiently surrounded by a portion of the golf club and / or by an adhesive configured to attach the tracking marker to a portion of the golf club. Generally, when a tracking marker is embedded (i.e., an embedded tracking marker), the bottom or innermost surface of the tracking marker is surrounded by a portion of the golf club, and the sidewalls (extending from the bottom or innermost surface) of an embedded tracking marker are at least partially, if not completely, surrounded by a portion of the golf club. Additionally, when a tracking marker is embedded, the outermost or top surface of the tracking marker can be uncovered or at least partially, if not completely, surrounded by a portion of the golf club.

[0037] FIGS. 12, 13, 59, and 61 show various examples of embedded tracking markers. In these examples, one or more sides of the tracking marker can be adhesively attached to a portion of the golf club (e.g., a golf club head, a component of the golf club, and / or a component of the golf club head). However, in other examples, the tracking marker can be sandwiched between two surfaces or co-molded or co-formed with a portion of the golf club, which may not require an adhesive. Most of the examples described throughout show a recessed area formed in a portion of the golf club and the tracking marker seated within the recessed area. However, in some examples, the tracking marker can simply be placed on the outer surface of a portion of the golf club (e.g., a golf shaft) and then covered with a coating (e.g., a polymer coating such as polyurethane) that acts as both an adhesive and a protectant. In this manner, and according to these examples, the tracking marker no longer forms any part of the outermost surface of the golf club. Similarly, for a putter or driver-type golf club, the tracking marker can simply be placed on the outer surface of the striking face of the putter or the striking face of the driver and then covered with a plastic (e.g., polyurethane) cover having a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.75 mm. In some examples, the tracking marker is generally placed well outside the intended impact area (e.g., at least 15 mm or at least 20 mm from the geometric center of the striking face) and has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm (e.g., 0.09 mm to 0.15 mm), so that the tracking marker does not substantially interfere with the hitting surface of the golf club even if it is not set in a recessed area. The above examples are merely provided to illustrate different ways in which a tracking marker may be considered embedded within a portion of a golf club.

[0038] In an alternative example, a narrower definition may be applied to all references to the term "embedded," where the outermost surface of the tracking marker along its periphery is recessed below the adjacent surface of the portion of the golf club surrounding the tracking marker at locations (e.g., everywhere) within 5 mm beyond the periphery of the tracking marker by a predetermined recessed distance. In one example, the recessed distance is at least 0.1 mm, and in a further example, at least 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm. In another set of examples, the recessed distance is 5 mm or less, and in further examples, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm or less. In a further example, the recessed distance is related to the maximum marker thickness of the tracking marker. For example, the recessed distance can be at least 25% of the maximum marker thickness, and in other examples, at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the maximum marker thickness. In another set of examples, the recession distance is no greater than 4000% of the maximum marker thickness, and in further examples, no greater than 3500%, 3000%, 2500%, 2000%, 1050%, or 1000% of the maximum marker thickness.

[0039] In still other examples, a narrower definition can be applied to all references to the term "embedded," whereby the outermost surface of the tracking marker is covered with a permanent coating that cannot be removed by a single human hand without the use of tools in less than 30 seconds at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In some examples, the permanent coating extends continuously onto the adjacent surface of the golf club at least 5 mm beyond the perimeter of the tracking marker, and in further examples, extends continuously onto the adjacent surface of the golf club at least 7.5 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm, 17.5 mm, 20 mm, 22.5 mm, or 25 mm beyond the perimeter of the tracking marker.

[0040] According to some examples, a narrower definition can be applied to all references to the term "embedded," whereby the tracking marker is adhesively attached to the club head by an adhesive having an overlap shear strength of at least 1000 psi when bonded to a metal component, and in further examples, at least 1250 psi, 1500 psi, 1750 psi, 2000 psi, 2250 psi, 2500 psi, or 2750 psi (per ASTM D1002 test method) when bonded to a metal component, and / or when bonded to a non-metal component, the adhesive has an overlap shear strength of at least 200 psi, and in further examples, at least 250 psi, 300 psi, 350 psi, 400 psi, 450 psi, 500 psi, 600 psi, 700 psi, 800 psi, or 900 psi (per ASTM D1002 test method).

[0041] Any of the above definitions of the term "embedded" may be used individually or in any combination with one or more of the other disclosed definitions.

[0042] In some examples, launch monitor 104 is an optical-based launch monitor (e.g., a photometric launch monitor) that is configured to detect the positions of golf club head 110 and golf ball 102 using light in the infrared spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 700 nanometers (nm) and 10,000 nm, inclusive, in one example, electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 750 nm and 1,250 nm, inclusive, in another example, more preferably, electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 800 nm and 1,150 nm, inclusive, in yet another example). Optical-based launch monitors include sensors that capture digital images of infrared light. One example of an optical-based launch monitor is the GCQuad™ Launch Monitor manufactured by Foresight Sports™.

[0043] In some examples, launch monitor 104 is a radar-based launch monitor that is configured to detect the position of golf club head 110 and golf ball 102 using light in the radio spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between 10 cm and 100 km, inclusive). Radar-based launch monitors include sensors (i.e., Doppler radar) that capture digital images (e.g., data) that identify radio waves. One example of a radar-based launch monitor is the Mevo+™ Launch Monitor manufactured by FlightScope™. In one example, the radar-based launch monitor includes a transmitter, a receiver, a signal processor, a display, and / or a communication system for transmitting data via wires or wirelessly to an external device (e.g., a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartwatch, a digital vending machine, and / or a laptop or desktop computer, etc.). According to one example, the radar-based launch monitor operates at a frequency of 300 MHz to 40 GHz, and in additional examples, the frequency is equal to or less than 35 GHz, 30 GHz, 26.5 GHz, and / or 24 GHz. In one example, the radar-based launch monitor operates at a frequency of at least 1 GHz, and in additional examples, at least 2 GHz, 4 GHz, 6 GHz, 8 GHz, and / or 10 GHz. In further examples, the radar-based launch monitor operates at a wavelength of equal to or less than 30 cm, and in further examples, equal to or less than 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm, 7.5 cm, 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, or 1 cm.

[0044] Pulse width refers to the duration of a transmitted radar pulse, which affects the range resolution of a radar system. In one example, a radar-based launch monitor has a pulse width of less than 150 microseconds (μs), and in additional examples, the pulse width is less than 130 μs or less than 100 μs. In a further example, a radar-based launch monitor has a pulse width of less than 100 nanoseconds (ns), and in additional examples, the pulse width is less than 90 ns, 80 ns, or 70 ns. In yet another example, the pulse width is at least 10 ns, and in further examples, the pulse width is at least 20 ns, 30 ns, or 40 ns.

[0045] The pulse repetition frequency (PRF) is the rate at which radar pulses are transmitted, which affects the radar system's maximum unambiguous range and determines its ability to detect fast-moving targets without ambiguity. In one example, the PRF is at least 2 kHz, while in a further example, the PRF is at least 6 kHz, 10 kHz, or 14 kHz. In another example, the PRF is between 2 and 8 kHz, while in another example, the PRF is between 8 and 30 kHz, and in a further example, the PRF is between 30 and 250 kHz.

[0046] The duty cycle of a radar system is the ratio of the pulse width to the pulse repetition period; in one example, the duty cycle is less than 10%, while in further examples, the duty cycle is less than 8%, 6%, 4%, 2%, or 1%.

[0047] Beamwidth refers to the angular coverage of the radar beam of a radar-based launch monitor. A narrow beamwidth provides better angular resolution and target discrimination but may reduce the coverage area, while a wider beamwidth provides greater coverage but lower angular resolution. In one example, the beamwidth is at least 3 degrees, and in further examples, the beamwidth is at least 4 degrees, 5 degrees, or 6 degrees. In further examples, the beamwidth is less than 30 degrees, and in additional examples, the beamwidth is less than 26 degrees, 22 degrees, 18 degrees, 14 degrees, or 10 degrees.

[0048] In yet another example, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 using light in the visible light spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation between 400 nm and 700 nm, inclusive). A visible light launch monitor includes a conventional camera sensor that captures digital images of visible light. According to another example, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect the position of the golf club head 110 and the golf ball 102 using light in the ultraviolet light spectrum (e.g., electromagnetic radiation between 10 nm and 400 nm, inclusive). Although light is conventionally considered to be limited to visible light, as used herein, light can refer to any electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within any range along the electromagnetic spectrum (including non-visible light and what are conventionally considered sound waves), unless otherwise indicated. According to some examples, launch monitor 104 is used to capture at least one digital image of the golf club 100's Flight Control Technology (FCT) system, also referred to as an adjustable loft / lie feature, including those described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 8,025,587 issued September 27, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 8,235,831 issued August 7, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 8,337,319 issued December 25, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 9,610,479 issued April 4, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 8,758,153 issued June 24, 2014, and U.S. Patent No. 8,398,503 issued March 19, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The FCT system may include one or more identification tags (e.g., barcodes, QR codes, etc.). The electronic controller 105 can then be configured to automatically identify the golf club 100 (e.g., one or more attributes of the golf club) and / or identify the configuration (e.g., lie, loft, FCT setting, weight position, and / or face angle) based on the identification tag captured in the digital image.In a further example, as described in more detail below, launch monitor 104 can be used to capture movable weight attributes of the golf club head, such as the location of a sliding weight in a track and / or the position of a repositionable weight on the club head, as well as the position of the repositionable weight with the largest mass. The movable (or repositionable) weight system can include one or more identification tags (e.g., barcode, QR code, etc.). Electronic controller 105 can then be configured to automatically identify golf club 100 (e.g., one or more attributes of the golf club) and / or identify a configuration (e.g., weight location) based on the identification tags captured in the digital image.

[0049] The tracking marker 160 is more retroreflective than other portions of the golf club head 110. Therefore, identifying the location of the tracking marker 160 in the digital image is made easier by the increased retroreflectiveness of light from the tracking marker 160 compared to other portions of the golf club head 110. The tracking marker 160 is sized and shaped to cover only a discrete portion of the golf club head 110, and its location corresponds to one or more head presentation parameters of the golf club head 110. The launch monitor 104 is pre-programmed to associate the location of the tracking marker 160 in the digital image with the discrete portion of the golf club head 110. Therefore, for accurate results, the tracking marker 160 should be accurately positioned on the discrete portion of the golf club head 110. Because the tracking markers 160 are embedded (e.g., permanently formed) in the golf club head 110, the golf club head 110 with the tracking markers 160 is USGA conforming, and accuracy and precision of the location of the tracking markers 160 at discrete portions of the golf club head 110 can be more easily achieved during the manufacture of the golf club head 110 than during a manual post-manufacturing process by a user of the golf club head 110. For example, robots are often used to help manufacture golf club heads and can be used to automatically apply the tracking markers 160 at discrete portions of the golf club head 110. Examples of launch monitors and methods of using launch monitors to effectively capture head presentation parameters of a golf club head can be found in U.S. Patent No. 8,951,138, issued February 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the launch monitor 104 is positioned laterally from or to the side of the golf ball 102 being struck by the golf club 100. In other words, the emitter 104B and the receiver 104C face the toe portion of the golf club head 110 as the golf club head 110 strikes the golf ball 102. Alternatively, the launch monitor 104 can be positioned behind the golf ball 102 being struck by the golf club 100. In other words, the emitter 104B and the receiver 104C face the rear portion of the golf club head 110 as the golf club head 110 strikes the golf ball 102. Of course, the launch monitor 104 can be positioned at any of a variety of angles between the depicted lateral position and a position behind the golf ball 102. In some examples, the launch monitor 104 can be positioned in front of the golf ball 102 being struck by the golf club 100.

[0051] Further, in some examples, the system 101 includes multiple launch monitors 104 (e.g., one launch monitor 104 positioned laterally of the golf ball 102 and another launch monitor 104 positioned behind the golf ball 102). The launch monitors 104 may capture the same or different club head presentation parameters. Moreover, in certain examples, the emitter 104B and receiver 104C of one of the launch monitors 104 may be configured differently from the emitter 104B and receiver 104C of another of the launch monitors 104. For example, a first of the launch monitors 104 may be configured to emit and sense light within a first limited spectrum (e.g., visible light), and a second of the launch monitors 104 may be configured to emit and sense light within a second limited spectrum (e.g., radar).

[0052] In certain examples, in addition to or as an alternative to launch monitor 104, system 101 includes overhead launch monitor 104A. Overhead launch monitor 104A can be a launch monitor similar to launch monitor 104, but with a wider range of detectability than launch monitor 104. According to some examples, launch monitor 104 is positioned on the ground (e.g., at a driving range, simulator, or otherwise) within a predetermined distance (e.g., 2-3 feet) from golf ball 102 and golf club head 110 at address. In some situations (e.g., during actual play on a golf course), positioning a ground-based launch monitor (such as launch monitor 104) may be impractical. Because overhead launch monitor 104A has a wider range of detectability, utilizing overhead launch monitor 104A during actual play on a golf course may be more practical than a ground-based launch monitor. For example, an overhead launch monitor 104A may be located above a tee box for one or more holes on a golf course being played in a golf tournament. The overhead launch monitor 104A is configured to detect head presentation parameters of the golf club head 110 regardless of where the golf ball 102 is positioned on the tee box. In a particular example, the entire tee box may be within an area detectable by one or more launch monitors (e.g., by positioning the overhead launch monitor 104A on or to the side of the ground, or by using an array of launch monitors 104 on the ground, with each launch monitor 104 having a different focal length). In one example, the system 101 includes two launch monitors 104 (one on the side of the golf ball 102 and one behind the golf ball 102) and the overhead launch monitor 104A.

[0053] Regardless of whether one or both of the launch monitors, launch monitor 104 and overhead launch monitor 104A, are used, in some examples, head presentation parameters of the golf club head 110 sensed by the launch monitor during the golf swing are transmitted to an electronic controller 105 of the system 101. The electronic controller 105 can be internal to and form the launch monitor 104 (and / or launch monitor 104A), or it can be a standalone computing device separate from the launch monitor 104 (and / or launch monitor 104A). Transmission of the sensed parameters can be wired or wireless and facilitated by any of a variety of hardware (e.g., a wireless transceiver, etc.). The electronic controller 105 includes a processor, memory, and code stored in the memory that is executable by the processor to process the sensed head presentation parameters received from the launch monitor and output corresponding head presentation data. Output data from the electronic controller 105 can, in particular examples, be sent to a display 107 of the system 101. Display 107 is configured to visually display and / or audibly present output data.

[0054] In some examples, display 107 is physically proximate to or physically associated with the swinger (e.g., golfer) of golf club 100 sensed by the launch monitor, or in other words, physically proximate to or physically associated with launch monitor 104. For example, display 107 can be a display associated with a user's mobile device, tablet, laptop computer, wearable device, or user's golf equipment (e.g., a display on golf club 100, a display on a golfer's bag, a display on a golfer's headcover, etc., such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 105,194 filed February 2, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 438,501 filed September 13, 2021, and UK Patent Application No. GB2517712 filed August 28, 2013, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties). In one example, display 107 is a public display at a driving range where a golfer is swinging golf club 100. According to another example, display 107 is a virtual display associated with an electronic or virtual gaming device or platform. Display 107 can be incorporated into eyewear worn by the swinger of golf club 100 or a spectator, such as the eyewear described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 436,326, filed December 30, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0055] However, in other examples, the display 107 is not physically proximate to or physically associated with the golfer or the optical-based launch monitor 104 (e.g., is physically remote from the golfer and launch monitor 104). For example, the display 107 may be associated with one or more spectators at the golf course, a broadcaster of the golf tournament, a remote viewer of the golf tournament, a webcaster of information associated with the golf tournament, etc. In one example, a remote viewer of the golf tournament may receive head presentation data regarding the golfer's swing on the remote viewer's personal device.

[0056] 2-7, an example of a golf club head 210 is shown. The golf club head 210 is a driver golf club head. The golf club head 210 includes a body 220 having a heel portion 222, a toe portion 224, a crown portion 226, a sole portion 228, and a forward portion 230. The golf club head 210 also includes a rearward portion 229 (i.e., aft portion) opposite the forward portion 230 (see, for example, FIGS. 16-18). Additionally, the golf club head 210 includes a skirt portion that defines a transition region where the golf club head 210 transitions between the crown portion 226 and the sole portion 228. Thus, the skirt portion is positioned between the crown portion 226 and the sole portion 228 and extends around the periphery of the golf club head 210.

[0057] The heel portion 222 defines a hosel 232 of the golf club head 210. The toe portion 224 is opposite the heel portion 222, and the crown portion 226 is opposite the sole portion 228. The crown portion 226 and the sole portion 228 extend from the heel portion 222 to the toe portion 224. The toe portion 224 comprises the toe of the golf club head 210, which is defined as at least the left-most (e.g., most toe-side) point of the golf club head 210 as viewed in FIGS. 2-5. Similarly, the heel portion 222 comprises the heel of the golf club head 210, which is defined as at least the right-most (e.g., most heel-side) point of the golf club head 210 as viewed in FIGS. 2-5. The sole portion 228 is in a bottom region of the golf club head 210, and the crown portion 226 is in a top region of the golf club head 210. The sole portion 228 includes the sole of the golf club head 210, which is defined as at least the bottom-most point of the golf club head 210. The crown portion 226 includes the crown of the golf club head 210, which is defined as at least the top-most point of the golf club head 210.

[0058] The forward portion 230 defines a striking face 245 that extends upwardly along the forward portion 230 from the sole portion 228 to the crown portion 226 and in a heel direction from the toe portion 224 to the heel portion 222. As further defined, the striking face 245 faces generally in a forward direction. The striking face 245 can be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body portion 220 of the golf club head 210. However, in certain examples, the striking face 245 is formed separately from any other portions of the body portion 220. In examples in which the striking face 245 is formed separately, the striking face 245 is defined by a striking plate 243 that is attached to the forward portion 230 of the body portion 220 over an opening formed in the forward portion 230 of the body portion 220.

[0059] Whether co-formed with the rest of the body portion 220 or formed separately as a striking plate and attached to the forward portion 230, in certain examples, the striking face 245 is made from a metallic material (e.g., a steel alloy or a titanium alloy). However, in other examples, the striking plate 243 is made (at least in part) from a fiber-reinforced polymer material (FRPM), and in certain examples, a polymer layer is applied over the fiber-reinforced polymer material. In certain examples, the polymer layer defines the striking face 245 and does not have reinforcing fibers. However, in other examples, the polymer layer can include some fibers, such as glass fibers. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6-8 , the striking plate 243 includes an FRPM layer 250 and a polymer layer 252 attached to the FRPM layer 250. More specifically, FRPM layer 250 defines an outwardly facing surface 254, and polymer layer 252 includes an inwardly facing surface 256 attached to outwardly facing surface 254 of FRPM layer 250. Outwardly facing surface 258 of polymer layer 252 defines striking face 245, which impacts a golf ball during a golf swing. In one example, polymer layer 252 is made from an unreinforced polymer material; in a further example, polymer layer 252 includes a UV inhibitor; in yet another example, polymer layer 252 is abrasion resistant; and in yet another example, polymer layer 252 has a Shore D value between 40 and 100, inclusive, or a Shore D value of at least 50, 60, or 70. In yet another example, striking face 245 is made from a thermoplastic or thermoset polyester material.

[0060] Examples of golf club heads including a striking plate that includes a FRPM layer and a polymer layer, as well as methods of manufacturing such golf club heads, are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 172,834, filed February 22, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 560,054, filed December 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 228,511, filed April 12, 2021, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 410,149, filed September 26, 2022, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 345,875, filed May 25, 2022, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 124, filed December 16, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 124,444, filed December 16, 2020. ,134, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 321,315 filed May 14, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 312,771 filed February 22, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 389,167 filed July 29, 2021, and U.S. Patent No. 9,174,099 issued November 3, 2015, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0199282 published August 9, 2012, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0274446 published September 18, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, the golf club head may include alignment aids or additional color contrast or image markings that are printed on one or more surfaces (not necessarily the outermost surfaces) of the golf club head (e.g., the striking face and / or crown) and are user or machine visible, and the markings may be printed using inkjet printing, single-pass inkjet printing, digital printing, or other techniques, as more fully described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 156,205, filed January 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 965,129, filed January 23, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 066,033, filed August 14, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 399,823, filed August 11, 2021, which documents are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

[0062] The striking face can include bulge and roll radius features, which can be incorporated into the striking plate, similar to those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,012,039, issued September 6, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment, the bulge is 330.2 mm or less, and in a further embodiment, 317.5 mm or less or 305 mm, while in another set of embodiments, the bulge is greater than the roll and / or is at least 265 mm, 279 mm, or 290 mm. In another embodiment, the roll is 280 mm or less, and in a further embodiment, 267 mm or less or 255 mm, while in another set of embodiments, the roll is at least 215 mm, and in a further embodiment, at least 220 mm, 225 mm, or 230 mm. Further, the striking face 245 has a striking face width (Wss) and a striking face height (Hss), which are also referred to as a face profile length and a face profile width, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 226,294, filed July 26, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and as illustrated in FIG. 68, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 534,512, filed December 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0063] The striking face may include twisted striking face features, which may be incorporated into the striking plate 243, and may be similar to the striking face features disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,881,916, issued January 5, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0064] A plasma treatment process may be used and may be similar or the same as the process described in U.S. Patent No. 9,089,745, issued July 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0065] Laser ablation may be applied to one or more bonding surfaces of the golf club head and may be accomplished in the manner described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 389,167, filed July 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some examples, the golf club head includes at least one of a crown insert, a sole insert, a rear ring, and a continuous collar, similar to those shown and described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 560,054, filed December 22, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The composite faces disclosed herein may be manufactured using alternative additional manufacturing steps or may have alternative or additional features, such as those disclosed in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,435, issued November 6, 2012; U.S. Pat. No. 8,684,864, issued April 1, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 9,089,745, issued July 28, 2015; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0274446, published September 18, 2014, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0066] In the example of FIG. 2 , golf club head 210 includes a single tracking marker 260 positioned on an upper central portion of striking face 245. At this location, the optical-based launch monitor can detect tracking marker 260 and determine a first set of head presentation parameters (e.g., head speed). It is understood that the optical-based launch monitor can be pre-programmed to recognize and predict tracking markers at any of a variety of customizable locations on golf club head 210. In other words, the tracking marker locations on the master golf club head are pre-programmed into the optical-based launch monitor (e.g., electronic controller 105) to track golf club heads having tracking markers at locations corresponding to the master golf club head. In some examples, the tracking marker locations on the master golf club head can be any of a variety of locations, whether or not visible to the golfer at address (so long as those locations allow the optical-based launch monitor to determine (e.g., triangulate) the location of the center face and calculate the desired head presentation parameters).

[0067] Additionally, in some examples, the geometry of the golf club head 210 may be known by the electronic controller 105, such as by uploading computer-aided drafting (CAD) model parameters to the electronic controller 105. By knowing the geometry of the golf club head 210 and the location of one or more tracking markers 260 relative to that geometry, the electronic controller 105 can determine head presentation parameters of the golf club head 210 with fewer tracking markers 260 than would be determinable without knowing the geometry of the golf club head 210. In particular examples, the tracking markers 260 may be arranged in a unique pattern (or positioned in a unique location) associated only with a particular golf club head (e.g., a particular brand or model of golf club head). The electronic controller 105 may be configured to recognize the unique pattern or location, associate the unique pattern or location with the particular golf club head, and process the sensed parameters accordingly.

[0068] 3A , the golf club head 210 includes a plurality of tracking markers 260 positioned at a plurality of spaced-apart locations around the striking face 245. For example, each of the plurality of tracking markers 260 is positioned at a corresponding one of the upper toe portion, the mid-toe portion, the lower toe portion, and the mid-heel portion of the striking face 245. At these locations, an optical-based launch monitor can detect the tracking markers 260 and determine a second set of head presentation parameters (e.g., head speed, swing path, lie angle, impact location, face angle, etc.) that are greater than the first set of head presentation parameters. For example, three tracking markers 260 at the toe portion can help define a plane, and the tracking markers 260 at the heel portion can help define a line relative to that plane, which allows the launch monitor to detect the rotational orientation of the golf club head 210. Additionally or alternatively, any three of the tracking markers 260 can be used to define the plane, such as, for example, tracking markers 260 at the upper toe portion, lower toe portion, and mid-heel portion. In a particular example, the tracking markers 260 at the mid-toe portion and mid-heel portion can be positioned relative to the striking face 245 such that a line between the two tracking markers 260 can define the lie angle of the golf club head 210, and the point bisecting that line can be the preferred impact location or center face of the golf club head 210. It is also understood that while the tracking markers 260 at the upper toe portion, lower toe portion, and mid-toe portion in FIG. 3A are not vertically aligned (e.g., are positioned diagonally so that the tracking markers 260 are at different toe locations), in other examples, the tracking markers 260 at the upper toe portion, lower toe portion, and mid-toe portion can be vertically aligned (see, for example, FIGS. 7 and 9).

[0069] Similar to the example of FIG. 3A , in the example of FIG. 4 , the golf club head 210 includes multiple tracking markers 260 positioned at multiple locations around the striking face 245. The amount of tracking markers 260 in the example of FIG. 4 is greater than the amount of tracking markers 260 in the example of FIG. 3A . For example, in addition to the locations associated with the example of FIG. 3A , the golf club head 210 of FIG. 4 includes one of the tracking markers 260 at each of the upper and lower central portions of the striking face 245. At these locations, the launch monitor can detect the tracking markers 260 and determine a third set of head presentation parameters that are greater than the second set of head presentation parameters. Conventional stickers applied to the striking face of a golf club head to monitor launch conditions during a golf swing are not applied within the impact zone of the golf club head because the stickers protrude from the striking face and may adversely affect impact with the golf ball. However, because the tracking markers 260 are embedded, they can be placed within the impact zone (e.g., at or near the center face, e.g., within a 20 mm, 15 mm, 10 mm, or 5 mm radius of the center face, etc.) without affecting the performance of the golf club head. In some instances, moving the heel-most tracking marker closer to the center face facilitates better detection of the tracking marker by the launch monitor because that location on the striking face is more susceptible to the launch monitor for a longer period during the golf swing.

[0070] The tracking markers 260 can have any of a variety of shapes and sizes. In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 3A and 4 , each of the tracking markers 260 is circular (on or relative to a plane that passes through the tracking marker 260 and is parallel to the loft or loft plane (defined by the striking face) of the golf club head) and has the same size. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5 , each of the tracking markers 260 has a non-circular shape (e.g., a triangular shape) and has the same size. Referring to FIG. 3B , in some examples, the tracking markers 260 of the golf club head 210 have different shapes. For example, at least one of the tracking markers 260 of the golf club head 210 can have one shape (e.g., a circle) and at least one of the tracking markers 260 of the golf club head 210 can have another shape (e.g., a triangle), as shown in FIG. 3B . In the illustrated example, the tracking marker 260 on the heel portion 222 of the striking face 245 is non-circular (e.g., triangular, oval, elongated, etc.), and the tracking marker 260 on the toe portion 224 is circular. With reference to FIG. 3C , in some examples, the tracking markers 260 on the golf club head 210 have the same shape but different sizes. For example, at least one of the tracking markers 260 on the golf club head 210 can be larger (e.g., larger surface area) or smaller (e.g., smaller surface area) than at least one other of the tracking markers 260 on the golf club head 210. In FIG. 3C , the tracking marker 260 on the heel portion 222 of the striking face 245 is larger than the tracking marker 260 on the toe portion 224 of the striking face 245.

[0071] In some examples, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect tracking markers 260 having sizes within a particular size range. In certain examples, the size of each tracking marker 260 should be large enough to be detectable by the launch monitor 104 and small enough to allow the launch monitor 104 to properly identify the location of the tracking marker 260. For example, the launch monitor 104 can be configured to identify the location of the tracking marker 260 by finding the centroid of the tracking marker 260. If the tracking marker 260 is too small, it may not be able to be found by the launch monitor 104 (e.g., because the retroreflectivity is below a minimum threshold) and / or the launch monitor 104 may not be able to determine the marker's centroid. If the tracking marker 260 is too large, the launch monitor 104 may not be able to identify the marker's perimeter and therefore may not be able to accurately find the marker's centroid, or the launch monitor 104 may assign two centroids to a single marker.

[0072] Each of the tracking markers 260 can be sized to have a surface area that is any of various percentages of the total surface area (e.g., total exterior surface) (or face area) of the striking face 245. In one example, each of the tracking markers 260 has a surface area that is less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 1% of the total surface area of ​​the striking face 245. Procedures for measuring face area are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,096,897, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, in other examples, each of the tracking markers 260 has a surface area that is less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the total surface area of ​​the striking face 245. In particular examples, the combined surface area of ​​the tracking markers 260 embedded in the forward portion 230 (e.g., the striking face 245) is between 1.5% and 4.5%, inclusive, or between 1.3% and 5%, inclusive (e.g., 1.6%) of the total surface area of ​​the striking face 245. As used herein, the total surface area of ​​the striking face 245 excludes grooves and texturing and assumes a smooth surface. In one driver-type golf club head embodiment, the face area is at least 4000 mm 2 while in a further embodiment the face area is at least 4200 mm 2 , 4400mm 2 , 4600mm 2 , 4800mm 2 , or 5000mm 2 In another set of embodiments, the face area is 7000 mm 2 or less, while in a further embodiment the face area is 6500 mm 2 and in a further embodiment, the face area is 6250 mm 2 The following is the result.

[0073] According to some examples, each of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum marker dimension (e.g., diameter for a circular-shaped tracking marker) of 25% or less of the striking face height Hss, and in further embodiments, 22.5%, 20%, 17.5%, or 15% or less, while in another set of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is at least 4% of the striking face height Hss, and in further embodiments, at least 6%, 8%, or 10%. In embodiments in which the tracking markers 260 are non-circular, each tracking marker 260 also has a minimum marker dimension. In one embodiment, the minimum marker dimension is at least 2% of the striking face height Hss, and in further embodiments, at least 4%, 6%, or 8%. The minimum marker dimension can be equal to the maximum marker dimension in non-circular embodiments, such as square-shaped, but in many non-circular embodiments, the minimum marker dimension is smaller than the maximum marker dimension. In one embodiment, the maximum marker dimension is at least 2.5% larger than the minimum marker dimension, and in a further embodiment, at least 5%, 7.5%, or 10% larger. In a further set of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is no more than 100% larger than the minimum marker dimension, and in a further embodiment, no more than 90%, 80%, 70%, or 60% larger than the minimum marker dimension. The size, location, spacing, and / or quantity of tracking markers 260 affect the accuracy of the system.

[0074] In another embodiment, an offset ground plane analysis is performed by the system. The ground plane is disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 534,512, filed December 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The offset ground plane is a plane parallel to the ground plane and vertically offset by an offset distance. For ease of explanation, and with reference to FIG. 5 , at a first offset distance, the first offset ground plane passes through the toe-most point of the lowest tracking marker 260; at a second offset distance, the second offset ground plane passes through the toe-most point of the next highest tracking marker 260, and this second offset ground plane passes through two tracking markers 260 (specifically, the heel-side tracking marker 260 and the toe-side tracking marker 260); and at a third offset distance, the third offset ground plane passes through the toe-most point of the highest tracking marker 260.

[0075] FIG. 66 helps illustrate this disclosure. As disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 534,512, a three-dimensional reference coordinate system is located at the origin (also referred to as the face center and / or center face). For a methodology for measuring the center of a golf club's striking face, see USGA "Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Club Head," Revision 2.0, March 25, 2005. The face center vertical plane (FCVP) (see FIG. 66) is a vertical plane that extends through the center face and perpendicular to both the ground plane (GP) and the shaft axis vertical plane (SAVP). The shaft axis vertical plane (SAVP) (also referred to simply as the shaft axis plane) is a vertical plane that extends perpendicular to the ground plane (GP) and contains the shaft axis (SA). The shaft axis (SA) is defined along the central axis of the hosel. The face center horizontal plane (FCHP) (also seen in FIG. 66) is a horizontal plane that extends through the center face and perpendicular to the face center vertical plane (FCVP).

[0076] 66 also illustrates several planes parallel to the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), with the 1C plane located 10 mm above the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP) and the 1S plane located 10 mm below the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP). Extrapolating this grid provides the 2C plane located 20 mm above the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), the 3C plane located 30 mm above the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), and the 4C plane located 40 mm above the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), with additional planes continuing in the same manner as needed to encompass the entire club head. Similarly, the 2S plane is located 20 mm below the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), the 3S plane is located 30 mm below the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), the 4S plane is located 40 mm below the Face Center Horizontal Plane (FCHP), and additional planes continue in the same manner as needed to encompass the entire club head.

[0077] Still referring to FIG. 66, but now with emphasis on planes parallel to the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 1T plane is located 10 mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP) and the 1H plane is located 10 mm heel of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP). Extrapolating this grid provides for the 2T plane being located 20mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 3T plane being located 30mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 4T plane being located 40mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 5T plane being located 50mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 6T plane being located 60mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 7T plane being located 70mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), and the 8T plane being located 80mm to the toe of the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), with additional planes continuing in the same manner as needed to encompass the entire club head. Similarly, the 2H plane is located 20 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 3H plane is located 30 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 4H plane is located 40 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 5H plane is located 50 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 6H plane is located 60 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), the 7H plane is located 70 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), and the 8H plane is located 80 mm heel from the Face Center Vertical Plane (FCVP), with additional planes continuing in the same manner as needed to encompass the entire club head.

[0078] In one embodiment, a majority of the at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned above the 1C plane and between the 2T and 4T planes. In another embodiment, a majority of the at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned above the 1C plane and between the 1H and 4H planes. In yet another embodiment, a majority of the at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned below the 1S plane and between the 2T and FCVP. In a further embodiment, a majority of the at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned below the 1S plane and between the 2H and FCVP.

[0079] In one embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely above the 1C plane and between the 2T and 4T planes. In another embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely above the 1C plane and between the 1H and 4H planes. In yet another embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely below the 1S plane and between the 2T and FCVP. In a further embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely below the 1S plane and between the 2H and FCVP.

[0080] In one embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely below the 1C plane, above the 1S plane, and between the 2T and 2H planes. In another embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely below the 1C plane, above the 1S plane, and between the 2T and FCVP, and at least one tracking marker 260 is positioned entirely below the 1C plane, above the 1S plane, and between the 2H and FCVP. In yet another embodiment, no tracking marker 260 is positioned between the 1T and 1H planes, and no tracking markers 260 are positioned between the 1C and 1S planes. In one embodiment, there are 10 or fewer tracking markers 260 on the face, and in further embodiments, there are 9, 8, 7, or 6 or fewer tracking markers 260 on the face. In another embodiment, there are at least two tracking markers on the face, and in further embodiments, there are at least 3 or 4 tracking markers 260 on the face.

[0081] Additionally, bulges and rolls also affect system accuracy. Thus, in another embodiment, the maximum marker dimension is at least 1% of the roll, and in a further embodiment, at least 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, or 2% of the roll. In yet another set of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is no more than 4.5% of the roll, and in a further embodiment, no more than 4.25%, 4%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3.25%, 3%, 2.75%, or 2.5% of the roll. Thus, in another embodiment, the maximum marker dimension is at least 1% of the bulge, and in a further embodiment, no more than 1.25%, 1.5%, 1.75%, or 2% of the bulge. In a further set of embodiments, the maximum marker dimension is no more than 4.5% of the bulge, and in a further embodiment, no more than 4.25%, 4%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3.25%, 3%, 2.75%, or 2.5% of the bulge. In some embodiments, the bulge and / or roll may vary across the striking face, and therefore references to bulge and / or roll refer to maximum bulge or maximum roll unless otherwise stated.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each tracking marker 260 has an easily identifiable marker centroid (MC) based on the perimeter of the tracking marker 260 (illustrated in FIG. 67 and represented by the star shape within each tracking marker 260). Additionally, the distance measured along the exterior surface of the club head from one marker centroid to the centroid of the nearest adjacent tracking marker 260 is the marker separation distance (MSD), illustrated in FIG.

[0083] One embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD less than or equal to roll divided by a variable alpha, where alpha is 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17.5, or 20. For example, for a 254 mm roll and an alpha of 10, the MSD is less than or equal to 25.4 mm. Similarly, for a 254 mm roll and an alpha of 20, the MSD is less than or equal to 12.7 mm. In another embodiment, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD at least equal to roll divided by a variable beta, where beta is 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, or 26. For example, for a 254 mm roll and a beta of 40, the MSD is at least 6.35 mm. Similarly, for a 254 mm roll and a beta of 26, the MSD is at least 9.77 mm.

[0084] Another set of embodiments recognizes the role that bulge, striking face width (Wss), striking face height (Hss), and / or loft play in influencing the performance and accuracy associated with the placement and spacing of tracking markers 260. This is because the ability to accurately track markers on a curved-face club (as it rotates through a golf swing) is affected by these and other variables. One embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 with an MSD less than or equal to the bulge divided by a variable gamma, where gamma is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19. For example, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a gamma of 12, the MSD is less than or equal to 25.4 mm. Similarly, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a gamma of 19, the MSD is less than or equal to 16 mm. In another embodiment, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD that is at least the bulge divided by a variable delta, where delta is 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, or 32. For example, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a delta of 44, the MSD is at least 6.93 mm. Similarly, for a bulge of 304.8 mm and a delta of 32, the MSD is at least 9.53 mm.

[0085] Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 with an MSD of 22% or less of the striking face width (Wss), and in additional embodiments, an MSD of 20%, 18%, or 16% or less of the striking face width Wss. In a further set of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least 7% of the striking face width (Wss), and in additional embodiments, an MSD of at least 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, or 12% of the striking face width Wss. Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 with an MSD of at least 12% of the striking face height (Hss), and in additional embodiments, an MSD of at least 13%, 14%, 15%, or 16% of the striking face height Hss. In yet another set of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of 40% or less of the striking face height (Hss), and in additional embodiments, an MSD of 38%, 36%, 34%, 32%, or 30% or less of the striking face height Hss. Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 with an MSD of 2.5 times the loft or less, and in additional embodiments, an MSD of 2.25, 2, or 1.75 times the loft or less. In yet another set of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least 0.75 times the loft, and in additional embodiments, an MSD of at least 0.85, 0.95, 1.05, or 1.15 times the loft. For example, if the loft is 10 degrees, an MSD of 2.5 times the loft or less would be 25 mm or less.

[0086] Another embodiment includes at least one pair of tracking markers 260 having an MSD of 4 times or less the largest marker dimension, and in additional embodiments, 3.75, 3.5, or 3.25 times or less the largest marker dimension. In a further set of embodiments, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 has an MSD of at least 1.5 times the largest marker dimension, and in additional embodiments, an MSD of at least 1.75, 2, 2.25, or 2.5 times the largest marker dimension.

[0087] The relationships disclosed herein represent a delicate balance of variables necessary to achieve tracking system performance without adversely affecting the performance of the golf club and golf club head, and without adversely affecting the aesthetics of the golf club head. Golfers are accustomed to a particular appearance of the face of a golf club head when addressing a golf ball, and introducing many visual features onto the face can be distracting and can adversely affect the golfer's confidence and can adversely affect the face alignment and the golfer's pre-shot routine.

[0088] Because golf club head alignment is important, it is desirable that the tracking marker 260 not distract the golfer. This is especially true because golfers typically focus near the center face at address. As the loft of the golf club head increases, the golfer can see more of the face and is more likely to notice the tracking marker 260 at address. Therefore, one embodiment incorporates a low to moderate contrast between the face and the tracking marker 260. In this embodiment, the tracking marker 260 has a marker CIELab L* value and the face has a face CIELab L* value, with the difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value being related to the volume and loft of the golf club head, as disclosed in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 519,327, filed Nov. 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In one embodiment, the difference in L* values ​​is governed by the formula ΔL*<[(volume) / 100×(loft)]. Thus, a large volume, low loft golf club head (such as a 9-degree, 460cc driver) can accommodate a larger difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value without distracting the golfer at address. Additionally, a smaller volume, higher loft golf club head (such as a 21-degree, 100cc hybrid-type golf club head) can support a smaller difference between the marker L* value and the face L* value without distracting the golfer at address. In an even more potentially less distracting embodiment, the difference in L* values ​​is governed by the formula ΔL*<[(volume) / 125×(loft)]. A further embodiment reduces the potential for distraction by keeping the difference between the marker L* and face L* values ​​below 25, and another embodiment creates very low contrast with the difference between the marker L* and face L* values ​​being less than 10.In a further embodiment, the marker CIELab L* values ​​vary with the elevation of the tracking markers 260 relative to the ground plane when the golf club head is above the ground plane in the correct address position. Such varying CIELab L* values ​​for different tracking markers 260 can make tracking markers 260 at higher elevations (closer to the crown) less noticeable to the golfer when in the address position, while remaining easily discernible to the tracking system. In one variation of this embodiment, the highest marker CIELab L* values ​​are located below the FCHP, and the marker L* values ​​decrease as the elevation of the ground plane (GP) increases.

[0089] To further aid in golfer alignment, some embodiments of the golf club head include at least one linear face marking (LFM) (seen in FIG. 67) having a linear face marking L* value. In this embodiment, a higher contrast between the linear face marking LFM and the face is desirable so that the golfer can easily distinguish this feature, which can aid in alignment and reduce the likelihood that the golfer will focus on the tracking marker 260. Thus, the difference between the linear face marking L* value and the face L* value is at least 30 in one embodiment, and at least 40, 50, or 60 in further embodiments.

[0090] The at least one linear face marking LFM can include multiple individual linear face marking LFM, as seen in Figure 67. Whether the at least one linear face marking LFM is a single marking or multiple markings, there will be a total linear face marking surface area. For example, if a face contains at least one linear face marking LFM having a total length of 250 mm and a width of 1 mm, the total linear face marking surface area will be 250 mm.2 Because the at least one linear face marking LFM assists the golfer in alignment and diverts the golfer's focus from the tracking markers 260, in one embodiment it is preferred that the total exposed surface area of ​​all tracking markers 260 be no more than three times the total linear face marking surface area, and in further embodiments it is preferred that the total exposed surface area be no more than 2.75, 2.5, 2.25, or 2 times the total linear face marking surface area.

[0091] Returning now to the surface area of ​​the tracking markers 260 presented to the external environment, it is referred to as the tracking marker area when discussing a single tracking marker 260, the face tracking marker surface area when referring to a single tracking marker 260 positioned on the face, and collectively as the total tracking marker surface area, or the total face tracking marker surface area when referring to only those tracking markers 260 positioned on the face. The tracking marker area is thereby defined as the area bounded by the perimeter of a single tracking marker 260. For example, a simple 10 mm diameter tracking marker 260 has an area of ​​78.53982 mm 2 The tracking marker area is

[0092] The total face tracking marker surface area can be further decomposed into a toe-side total face tracking marker surface area and a heel-side total face tracking marker surface area, where the toe-side total face tracking marker surface area means the sum of the tracking marker areas of those tracking markers 260 positioned on the toe side of the FCVP, and the heel-side total face tracking marker surface area means the sum of the tracking marker areas of those tracking markers 260 positioned on the heel side of the FCVP. Similarly, the total face tracking marker surface area can be further decomposed into a sole-side total face tracking marker surface area and a crown-side total face tracking marker surface area, where the sole-side total face tracking marker surface area means the sum of the tracking marker areas positioned below the FCHP, and the crown-side total face tracking marker surface area means the sum of the tracking marker areas positioned above the FCHP, thereby taking into account tracking markers 260 that may straddle the FCHP and allocating an appropriate amount to the amount of tracking markers 260 positioned above (or below) the FCHP.

[0093] In one embodiment, the total face tracking marker surface area is less than 10% of the face area, and in additional embodiments, less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, or 5% of the face area. In further embodiments, the total face tracking marker surface area is at least 0.75% of the face area, and in additional embodiments, at least 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, or 3.5% of the face area. In one embodiment, the sole-side total face tracking marker surface area is greater than the crown-side total face tracking marker surface area, while in further embodiments, the toe-side total face tracking marker surface area is greater than the heel-side total face tracking marker surface area.

[0094] While the above-referenced embodiments address a proportional relationship between the surface area of ​​the tracking markers embedded in the striking face and the total surface area of ​​the striking face, the same or similar proportional relationship between the surface area of ​​the tracking markers embedded in another portion (e.g., crown insert, sole insert, rear portion, etc.) and the total surface area of ​​the other portion (e.g., total surface area of ​​the crown insert, total surface area of ​​the sole insert, total surface area of ​​the rear portion, etc.) can exist in the same or other embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the total crown insert tracking marker surface area is less than 10% of the total surface area of ​​the crown insert, and in additional embodiments, less than 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, or 5% of the total surface area of ​​the crown insert, and in further embodiments, the total crown insert tracking marker surface area is at least 0.75% of the total surface area of ​​the crown insert, and in additional embodiments, at least 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, or 3.5% of the total surface area of ​​the crown insert.

[0095] The disclosure regarding "at least one pair of tracking markers 260" is equally applicable to embodiments directed to at least X pairs of tracking markers 260, where X is 2, 3, or 4, and therefore, the present disclosure will not be repeated with respect to these embodiments for the sake of brevity. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 544,301, filed December 18, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 519,327, filed November 27, 2023 (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) disclose numerous face patterns, face markings, relationships, and club head features that can be incorporated into the presently disclosed club head.

[0096] The shape of the tracking marker 260 may be, but is not limited to, an angle, a balbis, a concave polygon, a constructible polygon, a convex polygon, an inscribed polygon, an equiangular polygon, an equilateral polygon, a Penrose tile, a polyform, a regular polygon, a simple polygon, a circumscribed polygon of a circle, a unilateral, a diagonal, a triangle, an acute triangle, an equilateral triangle, a triangle within a regular heptagon (heptagonal triangle), an isosceles triangle, a golden triangle, and the like. Triangle, obtuse triangle, rational triangle, right triangle, isosceles right triangle, Keplerian triangle, scalene triangle, quadrilateral, inscribed quadrilateral, kite, parallelogram, rhombus (equilateral parallelogram), lozenge, rhomboid, rectangle, square (regular quadrilateral), circumscribed quadrilateral, trapezoid, isosceles trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, Lemoine hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, decagonal, decagonal, decagonal, decagonal, decagonal, star polygon, pentagram, hexagram, heptagram, octagram, octagram, nonagram, decagram, arc, ring, arbelos, circle, Archimedes' twin circle, Bankoff circle The shape may be a circle, a circular triangle, a Reuleaux triangle, a circumscribed circle, a disk, a triangle's incircle and circumscribed circle, a nine-point circle, a sector, a bow, a crescent, a lenticular, a Lune, a quatrefoil, a Reuleaux polygon, a Reuleaux triangle, a salinon, a semicircle, a tomahawk, a trefoil, a triquetra, a heart, an Archimedean spiral, an astroid, a cardioid, a delta, an ellipse, a heartagon, various lemniscates, an oval, a Cartesian oval, a Cassini oval, a Booth oval, an oval, a super ellipse, a Tai Chi, a Tomoe, and / or a magatama, as well as combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the shape and size of each tracking marker 260 on the face are identical, while in an alternative embodiment, the shape and size of at least one tracking marker 260 on the face is different from the shape and size of a second tracking marker 260 on the face.

[0097] The shape and / or location of the tracking markers 260 can further aid in golf club head alignment in some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 67 , the MSD defines an MSD line that can be used to establish the MSD angle from the FCVP. In one embodiment, at least one pair of tracking markers 260 are positioned to define an MSD angle that is at least 2 degrees, and in additional embodiments, at least 4, 8, 12, 16, or 20 degrees. In further embodiments, the MSD angle is 45 degrees or less, and in additional embodiments, 42, 39, 36, 33, 30, or 27 degrees or less. One embodiment includes at least three tracking markers 260 on the toe side of the FCVP, thereby defining two MSD lines that are parallel to one another and, in further embodiments, collinear. In a further embodiment, at least two tracking markers 260 are positioned on a heel side of the FCVP, thereby defining a heel side MSD line and a heel side MSD angle, which in one embodiment is equal to the MSD angle defined by at least one of the pair of tracking markers 260 positioned on the toe side of the FCVP, and in an alternative embodiment, the heel side MSD angle is not equal to the MSD angle defined by at least one of the pair of tracking markers 260 positioned on the toe side of the FCVP. In one embodiment, the heel side MSD angle is greater than the toe side MSD angle.

[0098] In another embodiment directed to utilizing tracking markers 260 to also aid in alignment, the perimeter of at least one tracking marker 260 has a straight segment that is parallel to the MSD line associated with that particular tracking marker 260. In a further embodiment, the perimeter of at least one tracking marker 260 has at least two straight segments that are parallel to the MSD line associated with that particular tracking marker 260. In a further embodiment, at least one tracking marker 260 has a perimeter that defines a parallelogram with at least two of the straight segments parallel to the MSD line, such as the tracking marker 260 illustrated in FIG.

[0099] According to some non-limiting examples, each of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum dimension (e.g., diameter for a circular-shaped tracking marker) that is between 2 millimeters (mm) and 12 mm (inclusive), between 2 mm and 10 mm (inclusive), between 2 mm and 8 mm (inclusive), or between 4.5 mm and 7 mm (inclusive). According to one example, each of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum dimension that is between 3 mm and 6 mm (inclusive). According to another example, each of the tracking markers 260 has a maximum dimension that is between 5 mm and 6 mm (inclusive).

[0100] The non-circular shape or size of tracking marker 260 can be functional (to enhance the detectability of tracking marker 260 by a launch monitor), decorative (to enhance the visual appearance of golf club head 210), and / or performance-based (to help improve a user's ability to strike a golf ball). For example, because the heel portion 222 of golf club head 210 is susceptible to detection by launch monitor 104 for a shorter amount of time compared to the toe portion 224 (due to the heel portion 222 closing more quickly than the toe portion 224 during a golf swing), making tracking marker 260 in heel portion 222 larger than tracking marker 260 in toe portion 224 helps extend the amount of time that tracking marker 260 in heel portion 222 is available for detection during a golf swing. Regardless of the size and shape of the tracking marker 260, in some examples, the size and shape of the tracking marker 260 are known by the electronic controller 105, allowing the electronic controller 105 to more accurately identify the location of the tracking marker 260 (e.g., by knowing how to determine the center of the tracking marker 260).

[0101] According to one example, the tracking marker 260 is defined by a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective, for a given wavelength or range of wavelengths, than any visible surface of the forward portion 230 surrounding the tracking marker 260 (including the surface of the striking face 245). As defined herein, a retroreflective surface is a surface configured to accept incident light (generated by a source) at an oblique angle relative to the surface and redirect the incident light from the surface back to the source as reflected light. Thus, a surface that reflects light back to the source only when the light is directed at a 90° angle relative to the surface and does not reflect light back to the source when the light is directed at an oblique angle relative to the surface is not a retroreflective surface. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 and described above, the launch monitor 104 generates incident light 111 toward the golf club head 210 and accepts retroreflective light 113 retroreflected from the tracking marker 260 on the golf club head 210. This is in contrast to a reflective surface, which reflects light from a source away from the source. Thus, in certain instances, the tracking marker 260 is distinguished from the surface of the striking face 245 by having a higher retroreflectivity than at least the surrounding surface of the striking face 245. Typically, the retroreflective surface of the tracking marker 260 is defined by one or more (e.g., a pattern) of retroreflective elements, such as spherical beads (with a reflective back surface), microprisms (e.g., prismatic tape), corner reflectors, or any conductive surface (i.e., a surface made from a conductive material).

[0102] 10 and 11 , according to one example, tracking marker 260 is a sticker 262 including multiple layers. Sticker 262 includes a retroreflective layer 267, an adhesive layer 275 affixed to retroreflective layer 267, and a polymer cover 269 affixed to retroreflective layer 267. Retroreflective layer 267 is interposed between polymer cover 269 and adhesive layer 275. Moreover, retroreflective layer 267 includes a pattern of retroreflective elements 277, which define the retroreflective surface of sticker 262. Thus, adhesive layer 275 is on the opposite side of the retroreflective surface such that, when adhesive layer 275 is adhered to FRPM layer 250 (or the substrate material of the face), the retroreflective surface faces outward, away from FRPM layer 250 (or the substrate material of the face). The retroreflective elements of the pattern of retroreflective elements 277 are closely packed. Each of the retroreflective elements is configured to retroreflect light. In some examples, each retroreflective element 277 is made from an at least partially transparent material (e.g., glass) and has a reflective back surface (e.g., retroreflective beads) or a particular shape (e.g., microprisms) so that light entering the retroreflective element is redirected back from the retroreflective element in a direction roughly opposite the direction of the light when it entered the retroreflective element. The retroreflective surface, in some examples, can be made from a conductive metal material, which, among other things, helps to retroreflect radar waves, as described in more detail below. In certain examples, rather than comprising a transparent material, each retroreflective element 277 comprises a reflective surface having a particular shape (e.g., a corner reflector). Retroreflective layer 267 may further include a substrate to which the pattern of retroreflective elements 277 is fixed. Polymer cover 269 is transparent, allowing light to be transmitted to and from the pattern of retroreflective elements 277 through polymer cover 269.The polymer cover 269 is secured to the pattern of retroreflective elements 277 such that an air gap 265 is located between the polymer cover 269 and the pattern of retroreflective elements 277. The air gap 265 enhances the transmission of light into and out of the pattern of retroreflective elements 277. In some examples, the air gap is located between the pattern of retroreflective elements 277 and the adhesive layer 275.

[0103] In some examples, the tracking marker 260 is configured to be detectable by a launch monitor but not visible or perceptible to the naked eye. In such examples, the tracking marker 260 blocks retroreflected light in the visible spectrum but does not block retroreflected light in the non-visible spectrum (e.g., infrared, ultraviolet, or radar waves). Thus, in certain examples, the tracking marker 260 can include a low-pass or short-pass filter that filters out visible light from the light retroreflected from the pattern of retroreflective elements 277 (e.g., filters out light having wavelengths in the visible light spectrum). In this way, only non-visible retroreflected light that is imperceptible to the human eye can exit the tracking marker 260 after being retroreflected. The low-pass or short-pass filter can be embedded in the tracking marker 260 (e.g., between the polymer cover 269 and the pattern of retroreflective elements 277) or it can be incorporated into the polymer cover 269.

[0104] In some examples, the retroreflectivity of the tracking marker 260 has a coefficient of retroreflection of at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, or at least 0.9. In these or other examples, the retroreflectivity of the tracking marker 260 is at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% greater than the retroreflectivity of the surrounding striking face 245.

[0105] 8 , in examples where golf club head 210 includes striking plate 243 having FRPM layer 250 and polymer layer 252, polymer layer 252 is substantially clear or transparent, and tracking marker 260 is interposed between FRPM layer 250 and polymer layer 252. Thus, tracking marker 260 can be a sticker (such as sticker 262) and can be detectable through polymer layer 252 (e.g., in certain examples, sticker 262 is visible through polymer layer 252 in the visible light spectrum). The retroreflectivity of the retroreflective surface of sticker 262 is greater than the retroreflectivity of striking face 245 and / or outward-facing surface 254 of FRPM layer 250.

[0106] According to a particular example, during manufacture of golf club head 210, sticker 262 is adhered to outward-facing surface 254 of FRPM layer 250, with the retroreflective surface of sticker 262 facing outward, before polymer layer 252 is applied over outward-facing surface 254. Thus, polymer layer 252 is applied over sticker 262, which effectively encapsulates sticker 262 within forward portion 230 between FRPM layer 250 and polymer layer 252. In this manner, tracking marker 260 becomes a permanent part of golf club head 210, and the entirety of sticker 262 is recessed relative to the surface of polymer layer 252 that immediately surrounds sticker 262. In other words, tracking marker 260 is permanently embedded within golf club head 210. According to one definition, tracking marker 260 is permanently embedded in the golf club head when it forms a permanent part of the golf club head and at least a portion of tracking marker 260 is recessed relative to the immediately surrounding outer surface of the golf club head. In one example, tracking marker 260 forms a permanent part of the golf club head when the part is not removable from the golf club head without irreversible destruction, damage, or deformation of the part or the golf club head. A sticker applied onto striking face 245 (or onto another outer surface of golf club head 210) is not permanently embedded in golf club head 210 because it does not form a permanent part of the golf club head (it can be easily removed (e.g., peeled off)) and it rests on the outer surface of the golf club head without any portion of the sticker being recessed relative to the immediately surrounding portion of the outer surface. Although not shown, in some examples, if the striking face 245 is made from a thermoplastic polymer material, the tracking marker 260 can be co-formed with the striking face 245, such that the striking face 245 and the tracking marker 260 are formed in a single molding process.

[0107] 8-11 , in some examples, the tracking markers 260 are positioned on the FRPM layer 250 such that the scorelines 270 formed in the polymer layer 252 do not overlap the tracking markers 260. In other words, in the sole-to-crown direction along the striking face 245, the tracking markers 260 are offset from the scorelines 270 by a distance D1, or the tracking markers 260 are located between adjacent scorelines 270 (see, for example, FIG. 10 ). The presence of the scorelines 270 on top of the tracking markers 260 can adversely affect the performance of the tracking markers 260 by redirecting light away from the tracking markers 260. Therefore, staggering the tracking markers 260 and the scorelines 270 helps ensure that sufficient light from the launch monitor 104 reaches the tracking markers 260.

[0108] 9 , according to certain examples, the polymer layer 252 includes unscored regions 263 (e.g., windows) at locations associated with desired locations of the tracking markers 260. Each unscored region 263, in certain examples, divides at least one scoreline 270 into two parts (e.g., intermittent scorelines), the two parts being spaced apart by a corresponding unscored region 263. As shown, in some examples, each unscored region 263, in certain examples, divides at least two scorelines 270 into two respective parts. Depending on the spacing of the scorelines 270, one or more of the unscored regions 263, in certain examples, divide at least three scorelines 270 into two respective parts. The tracking markers 260 are applied onto the FRPM layer below corresponding unscored regions 263 of the polymer layer 252. Accordingly, the tracking markers 260 are shown with dashed lines. The striking plate 243 includes three tracking markers 260 on the toe side of the striking plate 243 and a single tracking marker 260 on the heel side of the striking plate, which is similar to the configuration of tracking markers 260 on the golf club head 210 of FIG. 3A.

[0109] Additionally, to maintain aesthetic symmetry (e.g., to properly frame a golf ball), in certain applications, dummy markers 261 can be applied on the FRPM layer below the corresponding unscored area 263 of the polymer layer 252 on the heel side. According to some examples, the dummy markers 261 are visible in the visible light spectrum but are not detectable by the launch monitor 104. The indetectability of the dummy markers 261 by the launch monitor 104 is necessary because, in certain examples, the launch monitor 104 is configured to detect a certain amount of tracking markers (e.g., four) to properly determine the presentation parameters of the golf club head 110, and detecting more than that certain amount may lead to inaccurate and / or inconsistent results.

[0110] In one example, the dummy marker 261 is configured to appear like the tracking marker 260 to the naked eye, but does not have retroreflective elements so that light does not retroreflect from the dummy marker 261, and therefore the dummy marker 261 is not detectable by the launch monitor 104.

[0111] In another example, dummy marker 261 has the same retroreflective elements as tracking marker 260, but does not have a polymer cover (such as polymer cover 269) or corresponding air gap. Thus, when polymer layer 252 is applied to FRPM layer 250, it is applied directly over the retroreflective elements without an air gap, which, as presented above, significantly reduces or prevents light from retroreflecting from the retroreflective elements, thus rendering dummy marker 261 undetectable by launch monitor 104. Alternatively, dummy marker 261 has the same configuration as tracking marker 260, but the surface of polymer layer 252 directly above dummy marker 261 has a textured or rough surface that prevents or significantly limits the retroreflection of light from dummy marker 261, thus rendering them undetectable by launch monitor 104. In this alternative example, the surface of the striking face 245 may have three different texturings, including a first texturing occupying a majority of the striking face 245 at locations away from the tracking markers 260 and dummy markers 261, a second texturing (different from the first texturing) at a location above the tracking markers 260, and a third texturing (different from the first and second texturing) at a location above the dummy markers 261. In yet another example, a low-pass or short-pass filter (configured to prevent retro-reflected light from passing through the filter) may be incorporated into each of the dummy markers 261.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 10 , in some examples, the striking face 245 (defined by the polymer layer 252) is textured, or the substrate material of the striking face 245 can be textured. More specifically, the striking face 245 includes one or more textured zones thereon having a textured surface. In certain examples, the entire striking face 245 (except for the scorelines 270) is textured with the same texturing. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , each of the textured zones 271 between the scorelines 270 has the same texturing. The texturing of the textured zones is defined by a repeating pattern of surface features or undulations that are configured to help direct light into the underlying tracking markers 260. In certain examples, texturing as defined herein is in contrast to surface roughness associated with any surface in that texturing has a repeating pattern, whereas surface roughness does not.

[0113] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 10 , the texturing of the textured zone 271 has a sawtooth configuration with a repeating pattern of asymmetrical sawtooth or asymmetrical triangular shapes (i.e., cross-sectional shapes when viewed along a plane perpendicular to the striking face 245). Each sawtooth has a maximum height H1 (e.g., peak-to-trough height), which is defined relative to the minimum height of the sawtooth. The height H1 is between 0.014 mm and 0.022 mm, inclusive, such as 0.018 mm. Each sawtooth of the textured zone 271 also has a peak-to-peak or trough-to-trough width D2. In some examples, the width D2 is between 0.38 mm and 0.42 mm, inclusive. Moreover, the triangular shape of the sawtooth can have any of a variety of configurations defined by the angle of the surface relative to the overall (or average) plane 279 (e.g., loft) of the striking face 245. In FIG. 10 , the first surface 281 of each sawtooth defines a first angle θ1 relative to the overall plane 279, and the second surface 283 of each sawtooth defines a second angle θ2 relative to the overall plane 279. In some examples, the second angle θ2 is greater than the first angle θ1 (e.g., the first angle θ1 can be + / −3° or + / −2° relative to the overall plane or loft of the striking face 245). The second angle θ2 can be between 85° and 90° (inclusive) in some examples. Additionally, in some examples, the first surface 281 can have a greater width than the second surface 283. However, in other examples, the first angle θ1 is equal to the second angle θ2, and the first surface 281 has a width equal to the width of the second surface 283, such that each of the surface features has a symmetrical triangular shape. The transition between the first surface 281 and the second surface 283 can be sharp or rounded. Additionally, the transition from one sawtooth to the next adjacent sawtooth can be sharp or rounded.

[0114] In other examples, each one of the surface features of the repeating pattern of surface features has a non-triangular cross-sectional shape along a plane perpendicular to the striking face 245. For example, in one implementation, each surface feature can have a convex (semicircular or semi-oval) rounded outer surface or a concave (semicircular or semi-oval) rounded outer surface.

[0115] The texturing of the textured surface of the striking face 245 enhances the retroreflection (e.g., via diffraction) of light from the tracking markers 260. In contrast, it is understood that the absence of texture (e.g., general non-patterned surface roughness or (alternatively) smoothness) hinders the retroreflection of light. This is because the textured surface on the polymer layer 252 helps direct light through the polymer layer 252 and into the tracking markers 260, while the light tends to reflect off the non-textured or smooth surface of the polymer layer 252 without passing through the polymer layer 252. In other words, the retroreflection of light from the tracking markers 260 is more efficient when the striking face 245 is textured than when the striking face 245 is not textured. Moreover, some texturing enhances retroreflection from the tracking markers 260 better than other texturing. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the texturing of the striking face 245 enhances the performance of the golf club head 210 by affecting how a golf ball reacts to the striking face 245 upon impact. As with the retroreflectivity of the tracking markers 260, some texturing enhances the performance attributes of the golf club head 210 better than other texturing. In certain instances, such as shown in FIG. 10 , some texturing enhances both the performance attributes of the golf club head 210 and the retroreflectivity of the tracking markers 260, such that the entire striking face 245 (except for the scorelines 270) has the same texturing (i.e., the same textured zones 271).

[0116] However, in other examples, the texturing of the striking face 245 above the tracking marker 260 differs from the texturing of the striking face 245 away from the tracking marker 260, as shown, for example, in Figure 11. In Figure 11, the striking face 245 includes a textured zone 271 at a location away or offset from the tracking marker 260 and a second textured zone 273 above or at the location of the tracking marker 260 (e.g., in the non-scoreline area 263 or window). In one example, the striking face 245 includes multiple second textured zones 273 each in a corresponding one of the non-scoreline areas 263, with the multiple textured zones 271 surrounding the non-scoreline area 263 and positioned between the scorelines 270. The texturing of textured zone 271 is configured to enhance the performance attributes of golf club head 210, and the texturing of second textured zone 273 (which is different from the texturing of textured zone 271) is configured to enhance the retroreflectivity of light from tracking marker 260. Second textured zone 273, like textured zone 271, includes a repeating pattern of surface features or undulations; however, each surface feature of second textured zone 273 is configured differently from each feature of textured zone 271.

[0117] The texturing of the second textured zone 273 has a sawtooth configuration with a repeating pattern of sawtooth or triangular shapes. Each sawtooth of the second textured zone 273 has a maximum height H2, which is defined relative to the minimum height of the sawtooth. Each sawtooth of the second textured zone 273 also has a peak-to-peak or trough-to-trough length D3. In FIG. 11 , the second textured zone first surface 285 of each sawtooth defines a third angle θ3 with respect to the general plane, and the second textured zone second surface 237 of each sawtooth defines a fourth angle θ4 with respect to the general plane. In some examples, the fourth angle θ4 is greater than the third angle θ3. Additionally, in some examples, the second textured zone first surface 285 may have a greater width than the second textured zone second surface 237. However, in other examples, third angle θ3 is equal to fourth angle θ4, and second textured zone first surface 285 has a width equal to the width of second textured zone second surface 237. The transition between second textured zone first surface 285 and second textured zone second surface 237 can be sharp or rounded. Additionally, the transition from one sawtooth to the next adjacent sawtooth in second textured zone 273 can be sharp or rounded. One or more of the angle or width (e.g., areal density) of the surface features of second textured zone 273 can be different from the angle or width of the surface features of textured zone 271. For example, as shown, the surface features of the second textured zone 273 can have a width D3 that is smaller than the width D2 of the textured zone 271, such that the areal density of the surface features of the second textured zone 273 is greater than the areal density of the surface features of the textured zone 271.Also, the first angle θ1 of the textured zone 271 may be different from (e.g., smaller than) the third angle θ3 of the second textured zone 273, and the second angle θ2 of the textured zone 271 may be different from (e.g., larger than) the fourth angle θ4 of the second textured zone 273.

[0118] 10 and 11 , the retroreflectivity of the tracking marker 260 can also be affected by the thickness T1 of the polymer layer 252 between the tracking marker 260 and the striking face 245 (i.e., the depth of the tracking marker 260 below the striking face 245). According to various examples, the thickness T1 of the polymer layer 252 at the tracking marker 260 is greater than the thickness T2 of the polymer layer 252 at or below the scoreline 270. In some examples, the ratio of the thickness T1 of the polymer layer 252 at the tracking marker 260 to the thickness T2 of the polymer layer 252 at the scoreline 270 is between 2 and 4 (inclusive), such as 3.3. The thickness T1 of the polymer layer 252 at the tracking marker 260 is less than the thickness T3 of the polymer layer 252 at locations away from the scoreline 270 and away from the tracking marker 260. In some examples, the ratio of the thickness T1 of the polymer layer 252 at the tracking markers 260 to the thickness T3 of the polymer layer 252 away from the scorelines 270 and the tracking markers 260 is between 0.3 and 0.7, inclusive, such as 0.5. In particular examples, each of the tracking markers 260 has a thickness (excluding the backing paper, if applicable) of between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm, inclusive (e.g., 0.13 mm). In some examples, the thickness T3 of the polymer layer 252 is between 0.35 mm and 0.45 mm, inclusive (e.g., 0.40 mm). Accordingly, in some examples, the thickness T1 of the polymer layer at or on the tracking markers 260 is between 0.15 mm and 0.4 mm, inclusive. According to a particular example, the thickness T2 of the polymer layer 252 at or below the scoreline 270 is between 0.07 mm and 0.11 mm, inclusive.

[0119] According to some examples, the striking plate 243 can be configured according to one or more examples of the striking plate defined in U.S. Patent No. 11,596,841, issued March 7, 2023, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. For example, the FRPM layer 250 of the striking plate 243 can include a plurality of composite prepreg plies, and the polymer layer 252 of the striking plate 243 can have a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 3.0 mm, inclusive, or between 0.05 mm and 3.0 mm, inclusive. The polymer layer 252 can have a plurality of surface features such that the average roughness of the striking face 245 is between 2.5 micrometers and 5 micrometers, inclusive, and the thickness of the polymer layer 252 can be between 0.2 mm and 1.2 mm, inclusive. Alternatively, the polymer layer 252 can have a plurality of surface features such that the average roughness of the striking face 245 is between 2.5 micrometers and 5 micrometers, inclusive, and the thickness of the polymer layer 252 can be between 0.05 mm and 1.2 mm, inclusive. The peak-to-trough height of the surface features can be between 20 micrometers and 30 micrometers, inclusive, or between 20 micrometers and 60 micrometers, inclusive.

[0120] In some examples, the retroreflectivity of tracking marker 260 can also be affected by the orientation of the textured surface features formed in polymer layer 252. In the illustrated example of Figures 10 and 11, the surface features are oriented downward (e.g., toward the sole) such that the surface features extend lengthwise in the heel-to-toe direction and widthwise in the sole-to-crown direction, with the less angled surfaces of the surface features facing upward toward the crown and the more angled surfaces of the surface features facing downward toward the sole. However, it will be understood that other orientations may be more effective in certain examples, depending on the configuration of the surface features. In one example, the surface features are similar to those shown in Figures 10 and 11, but are oriented 180 degrees relative to those in Figures 10 and 11, such that the surface features are oriented upward (e.g., toward the crown), meaning that the surface features extend lengthwise in the heel-to-toe direction and widthwise in the sole-to-crown direction, with the less angled surface of the surface features facing downward toward the sole and the more angled surface of the surface features facing upward toward the crown. In other examples, the surface features are similar to those shown in Figures 10 and 11, but are oriented + / - 90 degrees relative to those in Figures 10 and 11, such that the surface features are oriented laterally (e.g., toward the toe or toward the heel), meaning that the surface features extend lengthwise in the sole-to-crown direction and widthwise in the heel-to-toe direction, with the less angled surface of the surface feature facing toward the toe or heel and the more angled surface of the surface feature facing toward the other of the toe or heel.

[0121] In one example, as shown in FIG. 12 , the striking face 245 is made of a metal material (e.g., a fairway metal, iron, wedge, putter, etc.) or a non-FRPM material (e.g., a putter). For example, the front portion 230 can be or include a striking plate made of a metal material (or can be co-formed with the remainder of the metal portion of the body of the golf club head) or a non-FRPM material. The front portion 230 includes tracking markers 260. For each tracking marker 260, a recess 296 (or a blind hole) is formed in the front portion 230 (e.g., the striking face 245). The tracking markers 260 are inserts 290 that are inserted into the recesses 296. The inserts 290 include a retroreflective surface 291 that faces outward when the insert 290 is inserted into the recesses 296. The front portion 230 also includes a cover 292, which in one example is made of a polymeric material. The cover 292 is also inserted into the recess 296 over the insert 290. The cover 292 helps retain and protect the insert 290 and defines a portion of the striking face 245. Additionally, the cover 292 is at least partially transparent, allowing the retroreflective surface 291 to be visible from outside the golf club head 210. Moreover, in some examples, the outer surface of the cover 292 is textured to have a repeating pattern of surface features as described above. The insert 290 can be a sticker, as suggested above. Thus, although not shown, the insert 290 can include an adhesive layer (e.g., a pressure-activated adhesive, glue, or tape) that at least partially adheres the insert to the bottom of the recess 296. Additionally or alternatively, in certain examples, recess 296 may be angled toward the expected location of the launch monitor (e.g., toward the toe) so that retroreflective surface 291 of insert 290 (which is also angled) enhances the retroreflectivity of light returning to the launch monitor.Although described as being formed in a metal material, in some examples, a recess (similar to recess 296 described above) can be formed in FRPM layer 250 of striking plate 243, and tracking marker 260 can be inserted into the recess before polymer layer 252 is applied over FRPM layer 250 and tracking marker 260. Insert 290 in FIG. 12 is permanently embedded because it is intended to be permanently affixed to the golf club head, and the entire insert 290 is recessed relative to the immediately surrounding outer surface of the golf club head (e.g., striking face 245).

[0122] According to some examples, forward portion 230 optionally includes a physical vapor deposition (PVD) layer 294 applied over the underlying metal layer of forward portion 230. PVD layer 294 defines striking face 245. Additionally, recess 296 is partially formed in PVD layer 294. Regardless of whether forward portion 230 includes PVD layer 294, insert 290 and cover 292 are sized (e.g., have a relative thickness) such that the outer surface of cover 292 is flush with striking face 245, protrudes from striking face 245 by 0.15 mm or less, or is recessed below striking face 245 by 0.1 mm or less. In some cases, recess 296 can be countersunk or countersunk to provide a larger bonding area to cover 292.

[0123] In another example, as shown in FIG. 13 , the hitting face 245 is made of a metal material, and a recess 296 is formed in the forward portion 230. Similar to the example of FIG. 12 , the tracking marker 260 is an insert 290 that is inserted into the recess 296. The insert 290 includes a retroreflective surface 291 that faces outward when the insert 290 is inserted into the recess 296. However, unlike the example of FIG. 12 , the forward portion 230 does not include a cover 292. Thus, the retroreflective surface 291 of the insert 290, or the integrated cover of the insert 290 in FIG. 13 , defines a portion of the hitting face 245. According to some examples, the forward portion 230 optionally includes a physical vapor deposition (PVD) layer 294. Thus, in some examples, the recess 296 is partially formed in the PVD layer 294. Regardless of whether the forward portion 230 includes the PVD layer 294, in some examples, the insert 290 is sized (e.g., has a thickness) such that the retroreflective surface 291 of the insert 290 is flush with the striking face 245, protrudes from the striking face 245 by 0.15 mm or less, or is recessed below the striking face 245 by 0.1 mm or less. In some examples, the insert can be similar to or include a sticker, as described in more detail above. The insert 290 of FIG. 13 is permanently embedded because it is intended to be permanently affixed to the golf club head and most (if not all) of the insert 290 is recessed relative to the immediately surrounding outer surface of the golf club head (e.g., the striking face 245). Thus, even if a portion of the tracking marker or insert is not covered by another layer, if the portion of the tracking marker or insert is recessed as defined herein, the tracking marker 260 or insert 290 can be considered permanently embedded.As in Figure 13, when the tracking marker or insert is not covered by another layer, the outermost surface of the tracking marker or insert protrudes by 0.05 mm or less relative to the immediately surrounding outer surface and is recessed by 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or less relative to the immediately surrounding outer surface.

[0124] 12 and 13 is performed via a machining process (e.g., by a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine, etc.) in certain examples. Alternatively, in some examples, recess 296 can be formed simultaneously with the remainder of front portion 230 via a casting process. While FIGS. 12 and 13 depict an example of tracking marker 260 embedded in striking face 245 of front portion 230, it will be understood that tracking marker 260 can be formed in the same manner in the exterior surface of any of various portions of the golf club head other than striking face 245 and / or other than front portion 230.

[0125] 59-62, according to some examples, tracking marker 260 can be embedded in any of a variety of exterior surfaces 247 of a golf club in a manner different from that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In the examples shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, the width of recess 296 is greater than the width of insert 290 and the width of cover 292. Thus, gaps exist between the sides of recess 296 and insert 290, and between the sides of recess 296 and cover 292. The gaps are filled with adhesive 249 (e.g., epoxy), such that adhesive 249 is between and adheres to the sides of recess 296, insert 290, and cover 292. In other words, in certain examples, adhesive 249 completely surrounds the peripheries of insert 290 and cover 292. Adhesive 249 enhances retention of insert 290 and cover 292 within recess 296 during repeated use of the golf club head to impact golf balls. More specifically, adhesive 249 (which bonds the sides of insert 290 and cover 292 to the sides of recess 296) supplements and strengthens the retention force that maintains insert 290 and cover 292 within recess 296 beyond the retention force of just the adhesive layer (e.g., adhesive layer 275) of insert 290 with the bottom of recess 296.

[0126] 59 and 60 , according to certain examples, tracking marker 260 can be embedded in any of a variety of exterior surfaces 247 of a golf club without a cover 292, as shown in FIGS. 61 and 62 . As with the examples of FIGS. 59 and 60 , the width of recess 296 is greater than the width of insert 290 in FIGS. 61 and 62 . However, in FIGS. 61 and 62 , instead of a cover covering insert 290, adhesive 249 filling the gap between insert 290 and the sides of recess 296 also fills the space between reflective surface 291 (i.e., retroreflective surface) and exterior surface 247, thus covering reflective surface 291. Thus, the surface of adhesive 249 defines the exterior surface of the golf club head and, in some examples, is flush with exterior surface 247 surrounding recess 296. The adhesive 249 (which bonds the sides and top of the insert 290 to the sides of the recess 296) supplements and strengthens the retention of the insert 290 within the recess 296 beyond that of just the adhesive layer of the insert 290 with the bottom of the recess 296. According to certain examples, the adhesive 249 does not cover the reflective surface 291 of the insert 290, such that the reflective surface 291 defines the exterior surface of the golf club head. In such examples, the insert 290 can be sized (e.g., have a particular height) such that the reflective surface 291 is flush with the exterior surface 247 surrounding the recess 296. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the outermost surface of the insert 290 can be sub-flush (e.g., 0.05 mm to 0.40 mm below) the adjacent outermost surface; in other examples, the outermost surface of the insert 290 can be sub-flush but no more than 0.15 mm below the adjacent outermost surface. In other embodiments, the outermost surface of the insert 290 may protrude no more than 0.15 mm from the adjacent outermost surface.

[0127] In some examples, the outer surface of the cover 292 shown in FIG. 59 is textured to have a repeating pattern of surface features, as described above in connection with the polymer layer 252 of the striking plate 243. Also, in certain examples, the outermost surface of the adhesive 249 of FIG. 61 can be textured in a similar manner to have a repeating pattern of surface features. The texturing on the cover 292 or adhesive 249 can be defined by a repeating pattern of surface features or undulations that are configured to help direct light into the underlying tracking marker (e.g., the insert 290). As presented above, the texturing on the cover 292 or adhesive 249 enhances the dual functionality of the cover 292 or adhesive 249 as a light diffractor and as a protector for the insert 290. Thus, the texturing on the cover 292 or adhesive 249 can be configured to diffract light, which includes bending light due to the textured edges. However, in some instances, the cover 292 or adhesive 249 can be made from a particular material that promotes the desired refraction of light into the tracking markers.

[0128] The adhesive 249 (which bonds the sides and top of the insert 290 to the sides of the recess 296) supplements and strengthens the holding force that maintains the insert 290 within the recess 296 beyond the holding force of just the adhesive layer of the insert 290 with the bottom of the recess 296.

[0129] According to a particular example, insert 290 and cover 292 form an insert assembly that is inserted into recess 296. In other words, cover 292 and insert 290 are coupled together before being inserted into recess 296. In one example, one or more insert assemblies are formed by molding a cover layer over a sheet of retroreflective material. The cover layer can be made from a polymeric material (e.g., polyurethane, DP100, etc.) and molded to have a textured outer surface. Individual insert assemblies are then formed by cutting (e.g., punching) a portion of the polymer-covered sheet having the desired shape of the insert assembly. In some examples, a single sheet of retroreflective material and cover layer can be used to cut out multiple insert assemblies.

[0130] In the example of FIGS. 59-62, there is one insert 290 per recess 296. For example, the recess 296 can have a shape that is substantially the same as or different from the shape of the insert 290, but can be sized so that only one insert 290 can fit within the recess 296. However, in some examples, as shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, two or more inserts 290 can be positioned within a single recess 296. For example, as shown, the recess 296 can be shaped to receive two inserts 290 in a side-by-side (or coplanar) configuration, where gaps exist between the inserts 290 and between both inserts 290 and the sides of the recess 296. The adhesive 249 fills the gaps between the inserts 290 and between both inserts 290 and the sides of the recess 296. Moreover, the adhesive 249 also covers both inserts 290, defining the exterior surface of the golf club head. In one example, the recess 296 is elongated, with a first one of the inserts 290 adjacent a first end of the elongated recess 296 and a second one of the inserts 290 adjacent a second end of the elongated recess 296 opposite the first end.

[0131] 12 and 13 may be associated with a driver golf club head, it will be understood that the example of the front portion 230 shown in Figures 12-13 is equally applicable to the front portions of fairway metal golf club heads, hybrid golf club heads, iron golf club heads, and putter golf club heads, such as those described below. Accordingly, the tracking markers described below in connection with fairway metal golf club heads, hybrid golf club heads, iron golf club heads, and putter golf club heads can be formed in the same manner as those described above in connection with a driver golf club head.

[0132] 3A-13 include one or more tracking markers 260 at one or more locations around the striking face 245, while in other examples, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 14-16, instead of or in addition to tracking markers 260 at the striking face 245, the golf club head 210 includes one or more tracking markers 260 at portions of the golf club head 210 other than the striking face 245. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the golf club head 210 includes multiple tracking markers 260 at multiple locations around or to the toe portion 224 of the golf club head 210. More specifically, the golf club head 210 of FIG. 14 includes three tracking markers 260 (e.g., spaced apart in a crown-to-sole direction) on the toe portion 224 at a forward location and one tracking marker 260 on the toe portion 224 at a rearward location. 15, the golf club head 210 includes multiple tracking markers 260 at multiple locations around or to the toe side of the toe portion 224 of the golf club head 210. However, the golf club head 210 of FIG. 15 has three tracking markers 260 (e.g., spaced apart in a crown-to-sole direction) on the toe portion 224 at a rearward location and one tracking marker 260 on the toe portion 224 at a forward location. In a particular example, as shown in FIG. 16, for example, the golf club head 210 has at least one tracking marker 260 at a location on the heel portion 222 or the hosel 232 of the golf club head 210. With one or more tracking markers 260 on the heel portion 222 or the hosel 232, the depth of the golf club head 210 can be more easily determined and identified by a launch monitor.

[0133] Tracking markers 260 on locations on the golf club head 210 other than the striking face 245 can be formed in a similar manner to the tracking markers 260 on the striking face 245 and can be permanent parts of the golf club head 210. For example, tracking markers 260 on the toe portion 224, hosel 232, or other portions of the golf club head 210 can be stickers or inserts embedded between two layers of the golf club head 210. It is also understood that with respect to golf club heads with multiple tracking markers as disclosed herein, different types of tracking markers can be used on the same golf club head. For example, tracking markers on the striking face can be of a different type or formed differently than tracking markers on other portions of the golf club head.

[0134] 17-20 , an example of a golf club head 310 is shown. The golf club head 310 is a fairway metal golf club head or a hybrid golf club head. The golf club head 310 includes features similar to those of the golf club head 210, and like numbers refer to like features. For example, the golf club head 310 includes a body 320 having a heel portion 322, a toe portion 324, a crown portion 326, a sole portion 328, and a forward portion 330. Although not shown, the golf club head 310 also includes a rear portion opposite the forward portion 330. Additionally, the golf club head 310 includes a skirt portion that defines a transition region where the golf club head 310 transitions between the crown portion 326 and the sole portion 328. Thus, the skirt portion is positioned between the crown portion 326 and the sole portion 328 and extends around the periphery of the golf club head 310. The heel portion 322 defines a hosel 332 of the golf club head 310 .

[0135] The front portion 330 defines a striking face 345, which may be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body portion 320 or may be formed separately from any other portions of the body portion 320. The front portion 330 of the golf club head 310 also includes at least one tracking marker 360. The configuration and location of the tracking marker 360 on the front portion 330 of the golf club head 310 may be similar to that of the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210. In the example of FIG. 17 , the golf club head 310 includes a single tracking marker 360 positioned at an upper central portion of the striking face 345. In the example of FIG. 18 , the golf club head 310 includes multiple tracking markers 360 positioned at multiple spaced-apart locations around the striking face 345 (e.g., at an upper toe portion, a mid-toe portion, a lower toe portion, and a mid-heel portion of the striking face 345). In the example of Figure 19, the golf club head 310 also includes a plurality of tracking markers 360 positioned at multiple locations around the striking face 345. However, the amount of tracking markers 360 in the example of Figure 19 is greater than the amount of tracking markers 360 in the example of Figure 18. In contrast, as shown in Figure 20, each of the plurality of tracking markers 360 has a non-circular shape (e.g., a triangular shape).

[0136] The tracking marker 360 is embedded in the front portion 330 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 8-11 or 12-13 . In other words, the striking face 345 can, in some examples, be defined by a polymer layer of the striking plate 343, including the FRPM layer, or in other examples, be defined by a surface co-formed with the metallic material of the striking plate 343 or other portions of the body portion 320. In the former example, the tracking marker 360 is a sticker interposed between the FRPM layer and the polymer layer. In the latter example, the tracking marker 360 is an insert inserted into a recess formed in the striking face. The tracking marker 360 can be positioned in any of a variety of alternative or additional locations around the golf club head 310 other than the striking face 345, in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the golf club head 210.

[0137] 21-24, an example of a golf club head 410 is shown. The golf club head 410 is an iron golf club head. The golf club head 410 includes similar features to those of the golf club head 210 and the golf club head 310, and like numbers refer to like features. For example, the golf club head 410 includes a body 420 having a heel portion 422, a toe portion 424, a topline portion 426, a sole portion 428, and a forward portion 430. Although not shown, the golf club head 410 also includes a rear portion opposite the forward portion 430. The heel portion 422 defines a hosel 432 of the golf club head 410.

[0138] The front portion 430 defines a striking face 445, which may be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body portion 420 or may be formed separately from any other portion of the body portion 420. The front portion 430 of the golf club head 410 also includes at least one tracking marker 460. The configuration and location of the tracking marker 460 on the front portion 430 of the golf club head 410 may be similar to that of the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210. In the example of FIG. 21 , the golf club head 410 includes a single tracking marker 460 that is positioned on an upper, central portion of the striking face 445.

[0139] In the example of FIG. 22 , the golf club head 410 includes multiple tracking markers 460 positioned at multiple spaced locations around the striking face 445 (e.g., the upper toe portion, mid-toe portion, optionally the lower toe portion, and mid-heel portion of the striking face 445). The tracking markers at the lower toe portion are optional because, in certain circumstances, this area of ​​the striking face experiences a relatively high amount of abuse and impact due to its frequent interaction with the turf. Such abuse and impact may damage the tracking markers 460 and / or limit their ability to be identified by a launch monitor. In some examples, the golf club head 410 in FIG. 22 has only three tracking markers 460 on its striking face 445, including a mid-toe tracking marker, an upper toe tracking marker, and a mid-heel tracking marker, as shown, which collectively define a plane. The intermediate toe tracking marker can be horizontally aligned with the geometric center (e.g., center face (CF)) of the striking face 445. In other words, a horizontal plane (which passes through the geometric center and is parallel to the scorelines on the face or to the ground plane when the golf club head 410 is in an address position above the ground plane) bisects the intermediate toe tracking marker. In a particular example, the intermediate toe tracking marker can be set at a predefined height, such as between the fifth and sixth scorelines or between the sixth and seventh scorelines, counting from the bottom of the golf club head. The upper toe tracking marker can be vertically aligned with the intermediate toe tracking marker. In other words, a vertical plane (either perpendicular to the scoreline on the face or perpendicular to the ground plane when the golf club head 410 is in an address position above the ground plane) bisects the middle toe tracking marker and the upper toe tracking marker.Finally, the mid-heel tracking marker can be horizontally aligned with the geometric center of the striking face 445 and the mid-toe tracking marker. In other words, a horizontal plane (which passes through the geometric center, is parallel to the grooves on the face, and bisects the mid-toe tracking marker) also bisects the mid-heel tracking marker. In the illustrated example, the mid-toe and upper toe tracking markers are spaced a distance (L) from each other and a distance (L / 2) away from the center face (CF) in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane that is the same as the distance the mid-heel tracking marker is away from the center face (CF) in the opposite direction (i.e., the midpoint between the mid-toe tracking marker and the mid-heel tracking marker is approximately the center face (CF)).

[0140] The mid-toe, upper toe, and mid-heel tracking markers are all positioned outside the impact area or hitting zone of the striking face 445. In one example, the tracking markers are positioned about the width of the tracking marker from the scoreline or groove. The mid-toe, upper toe, and mid-heel tracking markers can be considered to be outside the impact area or hitting zone in the same way that face slots are positioned outside the impact area or hitting zone, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,141,632, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In one example, the impact area of ​​the striking face 445 can be defined as the greater of the part of the striking face 445 to which treatments (e.g., grooves, sandblasting, etc.) have been applied or a central strip in the middle of the striking face 445 having a width of 1.68 inches (42.67 mm).

[0141] While the example shown and described above in connection with FIG. 22 references an iron-type golf club head, the same methodology regarding the number and placement of tracking markers on the striking face is equally applicable to other types of golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods / metals, hybrids, wedges, putters, etc.). For example, as shown in FIG. 68, a driver-type golf club head includes a mid-toe tracking marker 260, an upper toe tracking marker 260, and a mid-heel tracking marker 260, all positioned outside the hitting zone, all aligned, and all spaced apart from each other and from the center face (CF) in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the iron-type golf club head of FIG. 22. In addition to the intermediate toe tracking marker and intermediate heel tracking marker (which are shown in solid lines), in some examples, the upper toe tracking marker is moved more to the toe, as shown in dashed lines, and the golf club head also includes a lower toe tracking marker 260 on the heel side of the intermediate toe tracking marker, as shown in dashed lines. According to some examples, the golf club head can further include an upper heel tracking marker 260 on the heel side of the intermediate heel tracking marker 260, and a lower heel tracking marker 260 on the toe side of the intermediate heel tracking marker 260, both of which are shown in dashed lines.

[0142] In the example of Figure 23, the golf club head 410 also includes a plurality of tracking markers 460 positioned at multiple locations around the striking face 445. However, the amount of tracking markers 460 in the example of Figure 23 is greater than the amount of tracking markers 460 in the example of Figure 22. In contrast, as shown in Figure 24, each of the plurality of tracking markers 460 has a non-circular shape (e.g., a triangular shape, etc.).

[0143] In some examples, the striking face 445, whether co-formed with the rest of the body portion 420 or formed separately as the striking plate 443, is made of a metallic material (e.g., a steel alloy or a titanium alloy). Accordingly, the tracking marker 460 is embedded in the forward portion 430 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 . In other words, the striking face 445 can be defined by a metallic material, and the tracking marker 460 is a sticker or insert that is inserted into a recess formed in the striking face 445. Of course, if the striking face 445 is defined by a polymer layer of the striking plate 443 that includes a FRPM layer, the tracking marker 460 can be a sticker that is interposed between the FRPM layer and the polymer layer of the striking plate 443.

[0144] 21-24 have one or more tracking markers 460 at one or more locations around the striking face 445, while in other examples, as shown in, for example, FIGS. 25 and 26, instead of or in addition to a tracking marker 460 at the striking face 445, the golf club head 410 includes one or more tracking markers 460 at a portion of the golf club head 410 other than the striking face 445. In the example shown in FIG. 25, the golf club head 410 includes multiple tracking markers 460 at multiple locations around or to the toe portion 424 of the golf club head 410. More specifically, the golf club head 410 of FIG. 25 has three tracking markers 460 (e.g., spaced apart in a crown-to-sole direction) on the toe portion 424. 26, the golf club head 410 has at least one tracking marker 460 at a location on the heel portion 422 or hosel 432 of the golf club head 410. With one or more tracking markers 460 on the heel portion 422 or hosel 432, the depth of the golf club head 410 can be more easily defined and identified by a launch monitor.

[0145] Tracking markers 460 on locations on the golf club head 410 other than the striking face 445 may be formed in a similar manner to the tracking markers 460 on the striking face 445 and may be permanent parts of the golf club head 410. For example, tracking markers 460 on the toe portion 424, hosel 432, or other portions of the golf club head 410 may be stickers or inserts that are inserted into recesses formed in the golf club head 410.

[0146] 27-30 , an example of a golf club head 510 is shown. The golf club head 510 is a putter golf club head. The golf club head 510 includes features similar to those of the golf club head 210, the golf club head 310, and the golf club head 410, and like numbers refer to like features. For example, the golf club head 510 includes a body 520 having a heel portion 522, a toe portion 524, a top portion 526, a sole portion 528, and a forward portion 530. Although not shown, the golf club head 510 also includes a rear portion opposite the forward portion 530. The heel portion 522 defines a hosel 532 of the golf club head 510.

[0147] The front portion 530 defines a striking face 545, which may be co-formed with one or more other portions of the body portion 520 or may be formed separately from any other portions of the body portion 520. The front portion 530 of the golf club head 510 also includes at least one tracking marker 560. The configuration and location of the tracking marker 560 on the front portion 530 of the golf club head 510 may be similar to that of the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210. In the example of FIG. 27 , the golf club head 510 includes a single tracking marker 560 that is positioned at an upper central portion of the striking face 545. In the example of FIG. 28 , the golf club head 510 includes multiple tracking markers 560 that are positioned at multiple spaced-apart locations around the striking face 545 (e.g., at an upper toe portion, a mid-toe portion, a lower toe portion, and a mid-heel portion of the striking face 545). In the example of Figure 29, the golf club head 510 also includes a plurality of tracking markers 560 positioned at multiple locations around the striking face 545. However, the amount of tracking markers 560 in the example of Figure 29 is greater than the amount of tracking markers 560 in the example of Figure 28. In contrast, as shown in Figure 30, each of the plurality of tracking markers 560 has a non-circular shape (e.g., an elongated shape, etc.).

[0148] In some examples, the striking face 545, whether co-formed with the rest of the body portion 520 or formed separately as the striking plate 543, is made from a metal, rubber, or plastic material. In these examples, the tracking marker 560 is embedded in the forward portion 530 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 . In other words, the tracking marker 560 is a sticker or insert that is inserted into a recess formed in the striking face 545. Of course, if the striking face 545 is defined by a polymer layer of the striking plate 543 that includes a FRPM layer, the tracking marker 560 can be a sticker or insert that is interposed between the FRPM layer and the polymer layer of the striking plate 543. The tracking marker 560 can be positioned in any of a variety of alternative or additional locations around the golf club head 510 other than the striking face 545 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the golf club head 210 and the golf club head 410.

[0149] While the fairway metal golf club head, iron golf club head, and putter golf club head shown in the figures each include tracking markers, it will be understood that in other examples, the fairway metal golf club head, iron golf club head, and putter golf club head may include dummy markers in addition to tracking markers (such as those described above in connection with driver-type golf club heads).

[0150] Although an example is shown of a tracking marker interposed between a polymer layer and an FRPM of a laminated or layered striking plate, it is understood that in some examples, the laminated or layered striking plate can include layers made of different materials (e.g., two non-fibrous plastic materials, or one plastic material and one metal material, etc.), and the tracking marker can be positioned between such layers.

[0151] In certain examples, a primer can be applied above and / or below the tracking marker to enhance adhesion of the tracking marker to the upper and / or lower surface, respectively. When the primer is applied above the tracking marker, the primer is at least partially transparent, allowing the launch monitor to visually detect the presence of the tracking marker.

[0152] Although the tracking marker has been described as having a retroreflective surface, in some examples, as used herein, a retroreflective surface can be any surface that contrasts with its surrounding surfaces. Thus, as used herein, in some examples, a retroreflective surface need not have greater retroreflectivity than the surrounding surfaces, as long as the retroreflective surface has some features that clearly contrast with the surrounding surfaces so that the launch monitor can distinguish the tracking marker from its surroundings. For example, the tracking marker and corresponding launch monitor can be one of the examples disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,902,612, issued January 26, 2021.

[0153] 31A-31C , according to some examples, a golf club head 610 includes at least one tracking marker 660, as defined above, embedded within a portion of the golf club head 610. The golf club head 610 is an iron golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 410 of FIGS. 21-24 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 610 includes a toe portion 624, a topline portion 626 (e.g., an upper portion), a sole portion 628 (e.g., a bottom portion), and a forward portion 630. The golf club head 610 includes a rearward portion 629 opposite the forward portion 630. The forward portion 630 defines a striking face of the golf club head 610, and the heel portion defines a hosel 632 of the golf club head 610.

[0154] As shown in Figures 31A and 31B, rear portion 629 is defined at least in part by rear badge 631. Rear badge 631 is attached to and covers a rear opening formed in the rear wall of rear portion 629, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 11,883,724 issued January 30, 2024, U.S. Patent No. 11,497,972 issued November 15, 2022, U.S. Patent No. 10,493,336 issued December 3, 2010, U.S. Patent No. 8,517,863 issued August 27, 2013, and U.S. Patent No. 11,406,882 issued August 9, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The rear wall is made from a first material (e.g., a metallic material, etc.), and the rear badge 631 is made from a second material different from the first material (e.g., a non-metallic material (e.g., a polymeric material, etc.)). In some examples, as shown, a portion of the rear badge 631 wraps around and forms part of the toe portion 624 of the golf club head 610.

[0155] The golf club head 610 includes at least one tracking marker 660 embedded in the rear badge 631. According to the illustrated example, the golf club head 610 includes three tracking markers 660 embedded in the rear badge 631. Two of the tracking markers 660 are embedded in a portion of the rear badge 631 that defines a rear portion 629 of the golf club head 610. One of the tracking markers 660 is embedded in a portion of the rear badge 631 that defines a toe portion 624 of the golf club head 610. In some examples, the tracking marker 660 embedded in the portion of the rear badge 631 that defines the toe portion 624 has a different shape than the shape of the tracking marker 660 embedded in the portion of the rear badge 631 that defines the rear portion 629. When the rear badge 631 is made from a non-metallic material, the tracking marker 660 can be embedded or permanently formed in the rear badge 631 in the same manner as the tracking marker embedded in the striking face 245, as described above. In some examples, an external tracking marker 280 (configured as a corner reflector) can be formed in the exterior surface of the rear badge 631. Alternatively, the external tracking marker 280 can instead be an internal tracking marker (configured as a corner reflector, similar to the internal tracking marker 295 described below) attached to the interior surface of the rear badge 631.

[0156] Tracking marker 660, positioned in rear portion 629 of golf club head 610, faces generally rearward upon impact with the golf ball and is therefore detectable by a launch monitor at any of a variety of locations relative to the golf ball, but is particularly detectable by a launch monitor positioned behind the golf ball.

[0157] Similar to the golf club head 410 shown in FIG. 26 , in some examples, the golf club head 610 includes at least one tracking marker 660 embedded in a hosel 632 of the golf club head 610. In some examples, the hosel 632 includes one or more recesses 633 that define a concave surface. The tracking marker 660 is embedded in the recess 633 of the hosel 632. In some examples, the tracking marker 660 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the recess 633. In the illustrated example, the hosel 632 includes two recesses 633 and two tracking markers 660, each embedded in a corresponding one of the recesses 633.

[0158] 31B and 31C, in a particular example, a golf club head 610 is configured for use with a system 101 having three launch monitors, including a launch monitor 104 on the side of the golf ball 102, a launch monitor behind the golf ball 102, and an overhead launch monitor 104A. The tracking markers 660 of the golf club head 610 are grouped into one of a plurality of groupings of tracking markers 660 based on the location of the tracking markers 660 on the golf club head 610 relative to the launch monitors of the system 101. For example, in the illustrated implementation, the tracking markers include a first tracking marker 660A, a second tracking marker 660B, and a third tracking marker 660C, where the first tracking marker 660A is positioned in the rear portion 629 (and / or other portions) of the golf club head 610 and faces rearward, the second tracking marker 660B is positioned in the toe portion 624 and hosel 632 (and / or other portions) of the golf club head 610 and faces toeward, and the third tracking marker 660C is positioned in the topline portion 626 and forward portion 630 (and / or other portions) and faces upward and / or forward. The location and orientation of the first tracking marker 660A is amenable to detection by a launch monitor 104 behind the golf ball 102, among other things. The location and orientation of the second tracking marker 660B is adapted for, among other things, detection by a launch monitor 104 on the side of the golf ball 102. The location and orientation of the third tracking marker 660C is adapted for, among other things, detection by an overhead launch monitor 104A above the golf ball 102. Referring to FIG. 45 , in some examples, the golf club head 610 includes only two tracking markers 660, both embedded in the forward portion 630 on the toe and heel sides of the striking face, respectively.Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0159] 32A and 32B , in some examples, a golf club head 710 includes at least one tracking marker 760, as defined above, embedded within the golf club head 710. The golf club head 710 is an iron golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 610 of FIGS. 31A-31C , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 710 includes a toe portion 724, a rear portion 729, and a hosel 732. However, unlike the golf club head 610, the rear portion 729 of the golf club head 710 includes an enclosed rear wall made of a metal material, such that the golf club head 710 has a hollow body construction. The golf club head 710 includes a tracking marker 760 embedded within the rear wall of the rear portion 729 and facing generally in a rearward direction. Additionally, the golf club head 710 includes at least one tracking marker 760 embedded within the toe portion 724. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 32A , at least two tracking markers 760 are embedded in the toe portion 724. According to a particular example, the toe portion 724 includes a toe port and a toe plug that plugs the toe port, through which a filler material can be injected into the interior cavity of the golf club head 710, such as that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 706,632, filed September 15, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In such examples, as shown in FIG. 32B , the golf club head 710 can include tracking markers 760 embedded in or around the toe port or embedded in the toe plug. In one example, the golf club head 710 includes an annular-shaped or ring-shaped tracking marker 760 that surrounds the toe port. Referring to FIG. 32A, in a particular example, the golf club head 710 includes at least one tracking marker 760 embedded in the hosel 732 .Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0160] 33A-33D , in some examples, golf club head 810 includes at least one tracking marker 860, as defined above, embedded within a portion of golf club head 810. Golf club head 810 is an iron golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 610 of FIGS. 31A-31C and golf club head 710 of FIGS. 32A-32B, with like numbers referring to like features. For example, golf club head 810 includes a toe portion 824, a rear portion 829, a front portion 830, and a hosel 832. Like rear portion 729 of golf club head 710, rear portion 829 of golf club head 810 includes an enclosed rear wall made of a metal material, such that golf club head 810 has a hollow body construction. Golf club head 810 includes tracking marker 860 embedded within the rear wall of rear portion 829 and facing generally in a rearward direction. Additionally, golf club head 810 includes at least one tracking marker 860 embedded in toe portion 824. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 33A , at least two tracking markers 860 are embedded in toe portion 824. In the illustrated example, one of tracking markers 860 extends from rear portion 829 to toe portion 824 such that the tracking marker is formed in rear portion 829 and encases at least a portion of toe portion 824. According to certain examples, toe portion 824 includes a toe port and a toe plug that closes the toe port, through which filler material can be injected into the internal cavity of golf club head 810. As shown in FIG. 33A , in such examples, golf club head 810 can include tracking marker 860 embedded in or around the toe port or embedded in the toe plug. In a particular example, the golf club head 810 includes at least one tracking marker 860 embedded in the hosel 832 .In the illustrated example, the hosel 832 includes two tracking markers 860, each positioned on the hosel 832 and facing a corresponding one of a toe direction and a rearward direction. The golf club head 810 also includes tracking markers 860 embedded in the front portion 830 (e.g., in the striking face of the front portion 830). Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown can be used, and the placement of the tracking markers can be the same or different from that shown.

[0161] 34A-34C , in some examples, golf club head 910 includes at least one tracking marker 960, as defined above, embedded within golf club head 910. Golf club head 910 is a wedge golf club head (e.g., lob wedge, sand wedge, etc.) and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 610, golf club head 710, and golf club head 810 of FIGS. 31A-33D , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, golf club head 910 includes a toe portion 924, a rear portion 929, a front portion 930, a sole portion 928, and a hosel 932. Golf club head 910 includes tracking marker 960 embedded within rear portion 929 and facing generally in a rearward direction. Additionally, golf club head 910 includes at least one tracking marker 960 embedded within toe portion 924. 34C , at least two tracking markers 960 are embedded in the toe portion 924. One of the tracking markers 960 in the toe portion 924 is also formed at least partially in the sole portion 928. In the illustrated example, the hosel 932 includes two tracking markers 960. One of the tracking markers 960 in the hosel 932 is disc-shaped, and the other of the tracking markers 960 is annular or ring-shaped and extends around the periphery of the hosel 932. The golf club head 910 also includes a tracking marker 960 embedded in the front portion 930 (e.g., in the striking face defined by the front portion 930). Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown can be used, and the placement of the tracking markers can be the same or different from that shown.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 35A-35F , in some examples, the golf club head 1010 includes at least one tracking marker 1060, as defined above, embedded within the golf club head 1010. The golf club head 1010 is a wedge golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 910 of FIGS. 34A-34C , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 1010 includes a toe portion 1024, a rear portion 1029, a front portion 1030, a sole portion 1028, and a hosel 1032. The golf club head 1010 includes a tracking marker 1060 embedded within the rear portion 1029 and facing generally in a rearward direction. Unlike the golf club head 910, the golf club head 1010 includes four tracking markers 1060 embedded within the rear portion 1029. A first pair of tracking markers 1060 in the rear portion 1029 is positioned closer to the top of the golf club head 1010, and a second pair of tracking markers 1060 in the rear portion 1029 is positioned closer to the bottom or sole portion of the golf club head 1010. Additionally, the golf club head 1010 includes at least one tracking marker 1060 embedded in the toe portion 1024. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 35C , at least two tracking markers 1060 are embedded in the toe portion 1024. In the illustrated example, the hosel 1032 includes two tracking markers 1060, where one of the tracking markers 1060 is disc-shaped and the other of the tracking markers 1060 is annular or ring-shaped and extends around the periphery of the hosel 1032. The golf club head 1010 also includes tracking markers 1060 embedded in the forward portion 1030 (e.g., in the striking face defined by the forward portion 1030). Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0163] 36 , according to a particular example, a golf club head 1110 includes at least one tracking marker 1160, as defined above, embedded within a portion of the golf club head 1110. The golf club head 1110 is a putter golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 510 of FIGS. 27-30 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 1110 includes a rear portion 1129 and a hosel 1132. The golf club head 1110 includes a tracking marker 1160 embedded within the rear portion 1129 and facing generally in a rearward direction. For example, as shown, the tracking markers 1160 embedded within the rear portion 1129 can be positioned at extreme toe and heel locations, respectively. The golf club head 1110 may also include a tracking marker 1160 embedded in the hosel 1132, which in certain examples may face in a rearward direction (e.g., embedded in the rear surface of the hosel 1132). Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 37 , according to a particular example, golf club head 1210 includes at least one tracking marker 1260, as defined above, embedded within a portion of golf club head 1210. Golf club head 1210 is a putter golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 510 of FIGS. 27-30 and golf club head 1110 of FIG. 36 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, golf club head 1210 includes rear portion 1229 and hosel 1232. However, unlike golf club head 1110, which is a mallet-style putter, golf club head 1210 is a blade-style putter. Golf club head 1210 includes tracking marker 1260 embedded within rear portion 1229 and facing generally in a rearward direction. Tracking marker 1260 embedded within rear portion 1229 can be positioned at extreme toe and heel locations, respectively. The golf club head 1210 may also include a tracking marker 1260 embedded in the hosel 1232, which may also face in a rearward direction. Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0165] Referring to FIG. 38 , according to a specific example, golf club head 1310 includes at least one tracking marker 1360, as defined above, embedded within a portion of golf club head 1310. Golf club head 1310 is a putter golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 510 of FIGS. 27-30 and golf club head 1110 of FIG. 36 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, golf club head 1310 is a mallet-style putter and includes a rear portion 1329. Unlike golf club head 1110, golf club head 1310 does not include a hosel. Instead, golf club shaft 1333 (of which golf club head 1310 forms a portion) is attached directly to the body of golf club head 1310 without a hosel. Additionally, rear portion 1329 includes weights 1312 positioned at extreme toe and heel locations. In some examples, the weights 1312 are selectively removable. The golf club head 1310 includes tracking markers 1360 embedded in the rear portion 1329 and facing generally in a rearward direction. The tracking markers 1360 embedded in the rear portion 1329 can be embedded in each of the weights 1312. In certain examples, the tracking markers 1360 embedded in the weights 1312 are annular or ring-shaped and / or surround the fasteners of the weights 1312 to accommodate access to the fasteners. The golf club head 1310 can also include tracking markers 1360 embedded in the shaft 1333, which can face in a rearward direction or can have an annular shape and face in all directions. Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown can be used, and the placement of the tracking markers can be the same or different from that shown.

[0166] 39A-39C , according to a particular example, a golf club head 1410 includes at least one tracking marker 1460, as defined above, embedded within a portion of the golf club head 1410. The golf club head 1410 is a putter golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 510 of FIGS. 27-30 and the golf club head 1310 of FIG. 38 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 1410 is a mallet-style putter and includes a rear portion 1429. Unlike the golf club head 1310, the golf club head 1410 includes a hosel 1432 extending upright from a top portion 1426 of the golf club head 1410. Like the golf club head 1310, the rear portion 1429 includes weights 1412 positioned at extreme toe and heel locations. In some examples, the weights 1412 are selectively removable. The golf club head 1410 includes a tracking marker 1460 embedded in the rear portion 1429 and facing generally in a rearward direction. The tracking markers 1460 embedded in the rear portion 1429 may be embedded in each of the weights 1412 and may be annular or ring-shaped, as described above. The golf club head 1410 may also include a tracking marker 1460 embedded in the hosel 1432 (which may face in a rearward direction) and multiple tracking markers 1460 embedded in the top portion 1426 (which may face in an upward direction). In the illustrated example, the tracking markers 1460 in the top portion 1426 include a forward center tracking marker, a rearward center tracking marker, a forward toe tracking marker, a rearward toe tracking marker, and a rearward heel tracking marker. Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0167] 40A-40F , according to a particular example, a golf club head 1510 includes at least one tracking marker 1560, as defined above, embedded within a portion of the golf club head 1510. The golf club head 1510 is a hybrid golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 310 of FIGS. 17-20 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 1510 includes a toe portion 1524, a rear portion 1529, a forward portion 1530, a sole portion 1528, and a hosel 1532. Like the golf club head 310, the forward portion 1530 includes a tracking marker 1560 embedded therein in any of a variety of configurations. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 40D , the golf club head 1510 includes a tracking marker 1560 embedded within the rear portion 1529 and facing generally in a rearward direction. The golf club head 1510 also includes a tracking marker 1560 embedded in the sole portion 1528. Referring to FIG. 40F , the sole portion 1528 of the golf club head 1510 may include a sole slot 1561, a flight control technology (FCT) system fastener 1563 (which secures the shaft to the golf club head 1510), and a movable weight 1565. The fastener may be positioned in an FCT port formed in the sole of the golf club head (e.g., FCT port 241 of golf club head 210 of FIG. 16 ). Although not shown, for golf club heads having an FCT system or ferrule, one or more tracking markers may be embedded in the FCT system and / or ferrule, which may help automatically identify the configuration of the FCT system (e.g., lie angle, loft angle, and / or face angle). In some examples, the tracking marker 1560 is embedded within each of (or at least one of) the sole slot 1561, the fastener 1563, and the movable weight 1565.The golf club head 1510 may also include tracking markers 1560 embedded in the hosel 1532, each facing a corresponding one of a toe-side, a heel-side, or a rearward direction. Referring to FIG. 40B , the tracking markers 1560 may also be embedded in the toe portion 1524 of the golf club head 1510. Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0168] In some examples of golf club heads having movable weights (e.g., movable weight 1565) or selectively interchangeable weights, launch monitor 104 can be used to automatically determine the position of the weight or the mass of the interchangeable weight relative to the golf club head based on identifying tracking markers 1560 corresponding to the weight or by identifying weights that do not include tracking markers 1560. Automatic identification of weights and determination of their positions or masses can promote more accurate and efficient fitting of golfers during golf club fitting sessions (e.g., by reducing the number of manual inputs required and by providing a larger data set that can be used for machine learning to enhance current and future fittings). Additionally or alternatively, for golf club heads having multiple selectively interchangeable weights with a limited number of combinations, identification of one weight and its position can aid in identifying and determining the positions of other weights. One example of a system for golf fitting is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 401,320, filed December 29, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0169] As shown in FIGS. 41A-41H , according to a particular example, a golf club head 1610 includes at least one tracking marker 1660, as defined above, embedded within a portion of the golf club head 1610. The golf club head 1610 is a fairway metal golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 310 of FIGS. 17-20 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 1610 includes a toe portion 1624, a rear portion 1629, a forward portion 1630, a sole portion 1628, and a hosel 1632. Like the golf club head 310, the forward portion 1630 includes a tracking marker 1660 embedded therein in any of a variety of configurations. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 41H , the golf club head 1610 includes a tracking marker 1660 embedded within the rear portion 1629 and facing generally in a rearward direction. The golf club head 1610 also includes tracking markers 1660 embedded in the sole portion 1628. Referring to FIGS. 41F and 41G, the sole portion 1628 of the golf club head 1510 can include fasteners 1663 and movable weights 1665 of the FCT system. In some examples, the tracking markers 1660 are embedded in each (or at least one) of the fasteners 1663 and movable weights 1665. For example, the movable weights 1665 can be releasably fastened via fasteners, and the tracking markers 1660 can be embedded in the fasteners. The golf club head 1610 can also include tracking markers 1660 embedded in the hosel 1632, each facing a corresponding one of a toe-side direction, a heel-side direction, or a rearward direction. Referring to FIG. 41C, a tracking marker 1660 can also be embedded in the toe portion 1624 of the golf club head 1610 .Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0170] 42A-42G , according to a particular example, a golf club head 1710 includes at least one tracking marker 1760, as defined above, embedded within a portion of the golf club head 1710. The golf club head 1710 is a fairway metal golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 310 of FIGS. 17-20 , with like numbers referring to like features. For example, the golf club head 1710 includes a toe portion 1724, a rear portion 1729, a front portion 1730, and a hosel 1732. The hosel 1732 includes a plurality of recesses that help reduce the mass of the golf club head 1710 without sacrificing strength. Similar to the golf club head 310, the front portion 1730 includes a tracking marker 1760 embedded therein in any of a variety of configurations. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 42A , 42C , 42D , 42F , and 42G , the golf club head 1710 includes a tracking marker 1760 embedded in the rear portion 1729 and facing generally in a rearward direction. The golf club head 1710 may also include a tracking marker 1760 embedded in the hosel 1732. In some examples, at least one tracking marker 1760 is embedded in a recess in the hosel 1732, as shown. Referring to FIG. 42C , one or more tracking markers 1760 may also be embedded in the toe portion 1724 of the golf club head 1710. As shown in FIG. 42E , the tracking markers 1760 may be embedded in a top or crown portion of the golf club head 1710. Of course, more or fewer tracking markers than shown may be used, and the placement of the tracking markers may be the same or different from that shown.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 43 , golf club 1800 includes a shaft 1802, a grip 1804 attached to shaft 1802 at one end thereof, and a golf club head 1810 at the end of shaft 1802 opposite grip 1804. Golf club head 1810 is a driver golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 210 described above, with like numbers referring to like features. However, the golf club head of golf club 1800 could be any of a variety of other types of golf club heads (e.g., any of those described herein). Golf club head 1810 includes a plurality of tracking markers 1860 embedded in various portions of golf club head 1810 (e.g., front portion, toe portion, rear portion, hosel, etc.) that are detectable by a launch monitor to aid in determining head presentation parameters of golf club head 1810. The golf club 1800 includes additional tracking markers 1860 embedded in at least one of the shaft 1802 or the grip 1804 of the golf club 1800. For example, in some implementations, the golf club 1800 includes tracking markers 1860 embedded in the shaft 1802 at spaced locations along the shaft 1802 (e.g., proximate the grip 1804, proximate the golf club head 1810, and proximate a midpoint between the grip 1804 and the golf club head 1810). In some examples, the tracking markers 1860 on the shaft 1802 are detectable by a launch monitor to help determine shaft presentation parameters (e.g., rotation rate, location, curvature, swing path, etc.) when the golf club 1800 is used to impact a golf ball during a golf shot. Additionally, in certain examples, the golf club 1800 includes tracking markers 1860 embedded in the grip 1804.In some examples, the tracking markers 1860 on the grip 1804 are detectable by a launch monitor to assist in determining grip presentation parameters (e.g., hand path, hand speed, etc.) when the golf club 1800 is used to impact a golf ball during a golf shot.

[0172] 44A, various shafts 1802A-1802E are shown for use as part of a golf club, according to some examples, each of the shafts 1802A-1802E including at least one tracking marker 1860 embedded therein.

[0173] In some examples, the amount of tracking markers 1860 embedded in the shaft corresponds to a characteristic of the shaft (e.g., stiffness, weight, tipping point, etc.). In the example shown, the first shaft 1802A includes one tracking marker 1860, the second shaft 1802B includes two tracking markers 1860, the third shaft 1802C includes three tracking markers 1860, the fourth shaft 1802D includes four tracking markers 1860, and the fifth shaft 1802E includes five tracking markers 1860. The first shaft 1802A has a first characteristic or a given characteristic having a first value. Similarly, the second shaft 1802B, the third shaft 1802C, the fourth shaft 1802D, and the fifth shaft 1802E have corresponding second, third, fourth, and fifth characteristics, or second, third, fourth, and fifth values ​​for a given characteristic, which differ from each other and from the first characteristic or first value. In one particular example, different amounts of tracking markers 1860 identify different degrees of shaft stiffness. A single tracking marker 1860 on the first shaft 1802A can identify a particular stiffness of the first shaft 1802A, with increasing amounts of tracking markers 1860 identifying progressively stiffer or more flexible shafts. In some examples, fewer tracking markers 1860 result in a stiffer flex for the shaft 1802, which helps make the presence of the tracking markers less noticeable to faster swing speeds and more advanced players. The shaft includes a tip end and a grip end, with the golf club head attached directly to the tip end and the grip attached directly to the grip end. In some examples, the tracking markers 1860 of the shafts 1860A-1860E are positioned proximate to the tip end or closer to the tip end than to the grip end. Each of the tracking markers 1860 can have an annular or ring shape and extend continuously around the circumference of the shaft, as shown in FIG. 44A.However, in other examples, as shown in FIG. 44C, the shape of the tracking marker 1860 used to identify the characteristic through quantification can be other shapes (e.g., disc-shaped, etc.) (see, for example, tracking markers 1860 on shafts 1802K-1802M).

[0174] System 101 is configured to detect one or more tracking markers 1860 on shafts 1860A-1860E and automatically determine shaft characteristics or characteristic values ​​based on the automatic identification of the detected tracking marker numbers. In this manner, system 101 is able to identify the shaft type of a golf club without manual input from a user. Additionally, when system 101 is integrated into a golf club fitting system (such as that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 401,320), the golf club fitting system can adjust its golf club recommendations based on the shaft characteristics automatically identified by system 101.

[0175] Additionally or alternatively, shaft characteristics can be determined by differentiating techniques other than quantity (e.g., different patterns or different shapes). Referring to FIG. 44B, each of shafts 1802F-1802J has at least one tracking marker 1860 embedded therein that forms a pattern different from the pattern of any other one of shafts 1802F-1802J. For example, shaft 1802F has one short tracking marker 1860, shaft 1802G has one long tracking marker 1860, shaft 1802H has two long tracking markers 1860 separated by one short tracking marker 1860, shaft 1802I has only two long tracking markers 1860, and shaft 1802J has two short tracking markers 1860 separated by one long tracking marker 1860. Each different pattern of tracking markers 1860 represents a different shaft characteristic or characteristic value and is identifiable as a different shaft characteristic or characteristic value by system 101. In this manner, system 101 is configured to detect one or more tracking markers 1860 on shafts 1860F-1860J and to automatically identify the shaft characteristic or characteristic value based on the detected tracking marker pattern.

[0176] According to another example, and referring to FIG. 44C , each of shafts 1802N-1802O has a tracking marker 1860 embedded therein that has a different shape than the others of shafts 1802N-1802O. For example, shaft 1802N has a pentagon-shaped tracking marker 1860, and shaft 1802O has a triangular-shaped tracking marker 1860. Each of the differently shaped tracking markers 1860 represents a different shaft characteristic or characteristic value and is identifiable by system 101 as a different shaft characteristic or characteristic value. In this manner, system 101 is configured to detect one or more tracking markers 1860 of shafts 1860N-1860O and to automatically identify the shaft characteristic or characteristic value based on the shape of the detected tracking marker.

[0177] In addition to, or as an alternative to, automatically determining one or more characteristics of a golf club shaft by detecting particular characteristics (e.g., quantity, pattern, location, shape) of one or more tracking markers on the shaft, one or more other characteristics of the golf club head can be automatically determined by detecting particular characteristics of one or more tracking markers on the golf club head. In other words, embedded tracking markers as disclosed herein can be used to automatically determine only non-presentation parameters of a golf club head (e.g., type, skew, model, manufacturer, loft, weight, and / or FCT configuration, etc.) or to automatically determine both non-presentation and presentation parameters.

[0178] According to another example, the system 101 is configured to automatically identify one or more non-presentation parameters of a golf club used in fitting (or, alternatively, otherwise used to impact a golf ball). In one example, the golf club head may include an electronic identification device integrated into a portion of the golf club head. The electronic identification device may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a near field communication (NFC) tag attached to or otherwise integrated into the golf club head. In one implementation, the electronic identification device is embedded in a crown insert of the golf club head. The electronic identification device includes a memory that stores the non-presentation parameters of the golf club head. When the electronic identification device is a passive device, power to activate the electronic identification device may be provided by an external computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, PC, launch monitor, etc.) having a reader in close proximity to the golf club head. In practice, the external computing device may be positioned near the golf club head (or vice versa), with the reader activating the electronic identification device and receiving the non-presentation parameters of the golf club from the electronic identification device. In some examples, when a non-presentation parameter of the golf club is read by the external computing device, the external computing device may automatically provide an alert (e.g., an audible noise, a tactile response, etc.) to the user.

[0179] In an alternative example, one or more non-presentation parameters of a golf club used in fitting (or otherwise used to impact a golf ball) are identified using artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning tools. The tools can receive a digital image of the golf club (e.g., captured by a camera on a launch monitor or other external computing device) and, via a machine learning algorithm (e.g., a deep neural network), compare the digital image with data stored or learned in a database to identify the non-presentation parameters of the golf club. A user can artificially position a golf club head relative to the camera of the external computing device, and a digital image of the golf club head can be captured. Alternatively, a digital image can be captured as the golf club is swung to impact a golf ball. In at least certain examples, using optical recognition and / or optical character recognition (OCR) technology, the digital image is analyzed (e.g., compared to a database of images) to identify individual characteristics, which are converted into digital data. In some examples, optical recognition can use the serial number in combination with a lookup table to determine the clubhead model, loft, handedness, and / or year of manufacture, which can be used in combination with a digital image to determine the adjustable shaft sleeve position (FCT position) and any adjustable weight positions and / or weight mass and location. In some examples, the serial number can be an intelligent serial number indicating the clubhead model, loft, handedness, manufacturing plant, and year of manufacture. For example, the year can be two or four digits using numbers or letters (e.g., the letters CF can represent a club made in 2036 because C is the third letter and F is the sixth letter).Golf manufacturers typically have three to four head models, which can be separately designated as A, B, C, D, or 1, 2, 3, 4. Additionally, when included in an identification marker or number, A / 1 can equate to a low spin driver, B / 2 can equate to a core driver, C / 3 can equate to a maximum forgiveness driver, and D / 4 can equate to a light driver or draw-biased driver for a lower head mass. Loft can also be designated by either a letter or a number (e.g., 10 degrees is J and 11 degrees is K). Loft and head type can optionally be confirmed using a digital image. In some examples, an external computing device can automatically provide an alert (e.g., an audible noise, a tactile response, etc.) to the user when the non-presentation parameters of the golf club are determined by the tool. Machine learning algorithms can be configured to automatically determine changes to the configuration of a golf club (eg, changes to loft sleeve settings, weight positions, etc.) through analysis of digital images.

[0180] According to some examples, an active identification sensor can be integrated into or attached to a golf club and used to automatically identify fixed non-presentation parameters of the golf club when used in a fitting (or when otherwise used to impact a golf ball). The active identification sensor can include a memory that stores the unique non-presentation parameters, an accelerometer, a power source, and a wireless signal transmitter. The accelerometer senses use of the golf club. In response to use of the golf club, the wireless signal transmitter (powered by the power source) transmits a wireless signal (including information about the unique non-presentation parameters stored in the memory) to an external computing device. The wireless signal can be a high frequency sound, a Bluetooth signal, or other wireless signal.

[0181] In certain examples, the active identification sensor is integrated into or attached to the shaft and / or grip of the golf club, and the fixed non-presentation parameters stored in memory include unique characteristics of the shaft / grip combination. Thus, for golf club heads configured to accept interchangeable shafts, the shaft / grip combination of the shaft used with the golf club during a golf shot can be automatically identified using the active identification sensor. The fixed non-presentation parameters of the golf club head of the golf club used to hit the golf shot can be automatically identified through other methods (e.g., such as those described above). Alternatively, the fixed non-presentation parameters of the golf club head can be automatically identified via an active identification sensor integrated into or attached to the golf club head, which stores and transmits non-presentation parameters unique to the golf club head. The changeable non-presentation parameters of the golf club head (associated with configurable or changeable settings (e.g., FCT, movable weights, etc.)) can be determined using other methods (e.g., AI or machine learning tools, etc.) or through the use of embedded markers as described throughout this disclosure.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 46 , according to a particular example, a golf club head 210A includes a different type of tracking marker, as defined above, embedded within at least one portion of the golf club head 210A. The golf club head 210A is a driver golf club head and includes several features similar to those of the golf club head 210 of FIGS. 14-16 , with like numbers referring to like features. The golf club head 210A can have a multi-piece or multi-material construction, such as that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 560,054, filed December 22, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the golf club head 210A of FIG. 46 includes a body portion or forward cup 282, a ring 284 attached to the forward cup 282, and a crown insert 286 and a sole insert 288 attached to both the forward cup 282 and the ring 284. The golf club head 210A includes a plurality of discrete and similarly shaped tracking markers 260 embedded in various portions of the golf club head 210A (e.g., three tracking markers 260 on the toe portion of the golf club head 210A near the forward portion 230 and one tracking marker 260 on the rearward portion 229 (e.g., the rearward portion 229 defined by the ring 284)).

[0183] Golf club head 210A also includes at least one tracking marker integrated into one or more portions of golf club head 210A and specifically configured to be detected by radar-based launch monitor 104, as described above. According to one example, golf club head 210A includes external tracking marker 280 formed in (or attached to) an exterior surface of one or more portions of golf club head 210A (e.g., a hosel or a portion of the shell of the golf club head). In the illustrated example, external tracking marker 280 is formed in the exterior surface of rear portion 229 of golf club head 210A, which in some embodiments can be a ring 284 in rear portion 229 of golf club head 210A. The external tracking marker 280 includes multiple surfaces angled relative to one another such that radar waves (approaching the external tracking marker 280 in a given direction) are reflected (e.g., retro-reflected) off the external tracking marker 280 in a direction substantially opposite the given direction. In one example, the external tracking marker 280 (and, as discussed below, the internal tracking marker) is a corner reflector 300 made from three mutually perpendicular intersecting flat surfaces 302, as shown, for example, in FIG. 65. In some embodiments, the corner reflector 300 is a trihedral corner reflector, while in other embodiments, the corner reflector 300 is a circular corner reflector, a rectangular corner reflector, or a dihedral corner reflector. Each surface 302 (i.e., reflective surface) of the corner reflectors 300 of the external tracking marker 280 is made from a radar-reflective metallic material, which, among other things, is a metallic material that helps to reflect radar waves (or light having wavelengths within the radar spectrum), as defined above. The more conductive the material, the better it is at reflecting radar waves. As defined herein, in certain examples, the radar-reflective metallic material has a conductivity of at least 1.43×10 at 20° C.-7 Metallic materials (such as steel, aluminum, tin, copper, silver, and gold, but not titanium) that have an electrical conductivity of σ (S / m).

[0184] One embodiment of the corner reflector has an edge length (which is the length of the junction where two of the surfaces intersect) of at least 5 mm, and in further embodiments, an edge length of at least 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, or 13 mm. In further embodiments, the edge length is 25 mm or less, and in further embodiments, 23 mm, 21 mm, 19 mm, or 17 mm or less. Another embodiment incorporates alternatives to the corner reflector (i.e., an internal spherical reflector or a Luneburg lens).

[0185] In one example, the portion of golf club head 210A (in which external tracking markers 280 are formed) is made from a radar-reflective metallic material, but in other examples, the radar-reflective metallic material of external tracking markers 280 can be coated or applied onto the surface of the portion of golf club head 210A in which external tracking markers 280 are formed and that is not made from a radar-reflective metallic material (e.g., plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.).

[0186] In another example, golf club head 210A includes tracking marker 281A, which is not a corner reflector but is an entire portion or substantial portion of golf club head 210A made from a radar-reflective metallic material. A portion of golf club head 210A (forming tracking marker 281A) is made from a radar-reflective metallic material when that portion is formed from or coated with a radar-reflective metallic material. According to the illustrated example, ring 284 is made substantially entirely from a radar-reflective metallic material. Alternatively, ring 284 is made from a non-metallic material or is coated with a radar-reflective material, and has a reflectivity of 1.43×10 at 20° C. -7 It is made from a metallic material with an electrical conductivity less than σ.

[0187] In some examples, the golf club head 210A can include one or more tracking markers 281A made from discrete portions or discrete coatings of a radar-reflective metal material. For example, one or more of the tracking markers 260 shown in FIG. 46 can be replaced with tracking markers 281A made from a radar-reflective metal material. Indeed, according to some examples, any one or more (e.g., all) of the tracking markers 260 shown and described herein can be interchangeable (including in size, shape, and location) with a discrete type of tracking marker 281A made from a radar-reflective metal material. For example, the tracking markers 281A can be stickers including a retroreflective surface made from a radar-reflective metal material and can be adhered / embedded in the same manner as described above in connection with the particular sticker configuration of the tracking markers 260. In this manner, the golf club head can be configured for use with a radar-based launch monitor, an optical-based launch monitor, and / or both a radar-based launch monitor and an optical-based launch monitor.

[0188] In some examples, external tracking marker 280 or tracking marker 281A can include a portion of golf club head 210A in which a radar-reflective metallic material is integrated into a non-metallic material. For example, external tracking marker 280 or tracking marker 281A can be a portion of golf club head 210A in which fibers (made from a radar-reflective metallic material) are woven into a fiber-reinforced polymer material (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,213,726, issued January 4, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Alternatively, radar-reflective metallic material can be painted onto the external or internal surface of a non-metallic material of the golf club head, whether the external or internal surface is a corner reflector or a surface having any of a variety of shapes (e.g., planar and curved shapes).

[0189] Launch monitor 104 of system 101 can be configured to emit radar waves at golf club head 210A and receive radar waves reflected from external tracking marker 280 and / or tracking marker 281A. System 101 can be specifically configured to locate, identify, and track external tracking marker 280 and / or tracking marker 281A based on the reflected radar waves. In a particular example, launch monitor 104 (or a secondary launch monitor 104 of system 101) can also be configured to emit visible light waves at golf club head 210A and receive visible light waves reflected from tracking marker 260. System 101 can utilize (e.g., compare, contrast, combine, etc.) both the reflected radar waves from external tracking marker 280 and / or tracking marker 281A and the reflected visible light waves from tracking marker 260 to determine head presentation parameters of golf club head 210A.

[0190] 47 , according to a particular example, golf club head 210B includes tracking marker 260 and / or tracking marker 281B. Golf club head 210B is a driver golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 210 of FIGS. 14-16 , with like numbers referring to like features. Like tracking marker 281A, tracking marker 281B is made from a radar-reflective metallic material, which may form a portion or portions of golf club head 210B (e.g., a ring, collar, hosel, and / or tracking marker 260 of golf club head 210B) or may be coated on a portion or portions of golf club head 210B. However, unlike tracking marker 281A, tracking marker 281B also includes a patterned and angled surface structure or texturing designed to enhance the reflectivity of radar waves from tracking marker 281B and promote retroreflectivity. For example, each one of the tracking markers 281B may include an array or pattern of pyramidal-shaped (e.g., polyhedral-shaped) protrusions and corresponding recesses between the protrusions. In certain examples, the recesses form corner reflectors, as has been described herein. Radar waves that strike an array of metallic pyramidal-shaped protrusions (or, conversely, an array of corner reflectors) tend to reflect back toward the source of the radar waves.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 48 , according to a particular example, golf club head 210C includes an internal tracking marker 295. Golf club head 210C is a driver golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 210 of FIGS. 14-16 , with like numbers referring to like features. Like tracking markers 281A and 281B, internal tracking marker 295 is made from a radar-reflective metallic material. However, unlike tracking markers 281A and 281B (which are positioned on the exterior surfaces of golf club heads 210A and 210B), internal tracking marker 295 is positioned inside golf club head 210C. More specifically, internal tracking marker 295 is positioned within an internal cavity 293 of golf club head 210C. Each of the internal tracking markers 295 includes surfaces made of or coated with a radar-reflective metallic material and angled relative to one another to form at least one corner reflector or pyramid-shaped recess. For example, each of the internal tracking markers 295 can be a corner reflector made of three mutually perpendicular intersecting flat surfaces. The surfaces of the internal tracking markers 295 can be formed into an internal structure specifically designed to accommodate the internal tracking markers 295. Alternatively, the surfaces of the internal tracking markers 295 can be formed into an existing internal structure (e.g., acoustic damping ribs, weight ports, weight pads, sole slots, stiffening tubes, and / or posts) that serves one or more other purposes.

[0192] 48, radar waves penetrate and are not reflected by materials with low electrical conductivity (e.g., some fiber-reinforced plastics, titanium, etc.), so radar waves 287 pass through crown insert 286 and sole insert 288, enter internal cavity 293, and reflect off internal tracking markers 295. Additionally, because internal tracking markers 295 are positioned within internal cavity 293, they are not visible to a user of the golf club and therefore do not distract from the exterior aesthetic look and feel of golf club head 210C.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 49 , according to a particular example, golf club head 210D includes internal tracking markers 289. Golf club head 210D is a driver golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 210 of FIGS. 14-16 , with like numbers referring to like features. Like internal tracking markers 295 of golf club head 210C, internal tracking markers 289 are made from a radar-reflective metallic material. However, unlike internal tracking markers 295, each of which may define a single reflective recess, each of internal tracking markers 289 includes a patterned surface structure or texturing designed to enhance the reflectivity of radar waves from internal tracking marker 289 and promote retroreflectivity. For example, each of internal tracking markers 289 may include an array or pattern of pyramidal-shaped protrusions and corresponding recesses between the protrusions. As shown, radar waves 287 pass through crown insert 286 or sole insert 288, enter internal cavity 293 and reflect off internal tracking marker 289.

[0194] 50-51 , according to some examples, golf club head 210E includes one or more internal tracking markers 295. Golf club head 210E is a driver golf club head and includes several features similar to those of golf club head 210 of FIGS. 14-16 and golf club head 210C of FIG. 48, with like numbers referring to like features. Like golf club head 210C, golf club head 210E includes at least one internal tracking marker 295 made from a radar-reflective metallic material. Internal tracking marker 295 includes a base 1904 co-formed with or attached to a portion of golf club head 210E (e.g., front cup 282, etc.). In some examples, as shown in FIG. 50 , a surface of base 1904 defines a reflective surface of internal tracking marker 295. In the illustrated example, forward cup 282 includes a forward aperture 1900, and internal tracking marker 295 is attached to forward cup 282 (e.g., via welding, bonding, fastening, or adhesive). Golf club head 210E also includes a crown insert 286, which is attached to forward cup 282 and overlaps forward aperture 1900. To enhance transmission of radar waves through crown insert 286, crown insert 286 includes a crown insert opening 1906 that is aligned with (e.g., overlaps) forward aperture 1900. Internal tracking marker 295 is positioned such that a reflective surface of internal tracking marker 295 faces outward toward forward aperture 1900 and crown insert opening 1906, away from internal cavity 293. In this manner, the reflective surface of the internal tracking marker 295 is positioned to receive and reflect radar waves 287 coming from a source external to the golf club head 210E (e.g., an overhead launch monitor, a rear launch monitor, a front launch monitor, or a side launch monitor) through the forward aperture 1900 and the crown insert opening 1906.The area of ​​each of the forward aperture 1900 and the crown insert opening 1906 is at least as large as (e.g., larger than) the maximum area of ​​the recess defined by the internal tracking marker 295. Thus, the forward aperture 1900 and the crown insert opening 1906 do not substantially limit the accessibility of the internal tracking marker 295 to radar waves 287 by allowing radar waves 287 within a wider angular range (or capture cone) to enter and reflect from the internal tracking marker 295.

[0195] In some examples, the crown insert opening 1906 is filled with a radar-transparent material that forms the window 1902. The radar-transparent material is configured to allow radar waves to pass through it with minimal reflection. In the illustrated example, the radar-transparent material fills only the crown insert opening 1906 (e.g., to form a thin window) and does not fill the recess defined by the base 1904. As defined herein, in certain examples, the radar-transparent material has a reflectivity of 1.43×10 at 20° C. -7The material may be a material (e.g., polymer, glass, fiberglass reinforced polymer, etc.) having an electrical conductivity less than σ(S / m). According to some examples, the material of window 1902 is more transparent to radar waves than the material of crown insert 286 in which crown insert opening 1906 is formed, or any other disclosed element of the golf club head. In certain examples, the material of window 1902 is also transparent to visible light, such that internal tracking marker 295 is at least partially visible to the human eye through window 1902. However, in other examples, to enhance the particular aesthetics of the golf club head 210E, the material of the window 1902 may be opaque to visible light, such that the internal tracking marker 295 is not visible to the human eye through the window 1902 (e.g., the material of the window 1902 may have the same or similar color as the material of the crown insert 286 in which the crown insert opening 1906 is formed, such that the window 1902 is distinguishable or only slightly distinguishable from the surrounding portions of the crown insert 286), or may be a gaze angle-dependent window 1902 that is not transparent when viewed from overhead by a line of sight between the lie angle of the golf club and a second angle that is 20 degrees greater than the lie angle. In some examples, when the window 1902 is formed in a crown or sole insert, the window 1902 (or each window of the plurality of windows 1902) has an area of ​​between 1% and 20%, inclusive, or between 1% and 5%, inclusive, of the total surface area of ​​the crown or sole insert. In particular examples, the window 1902 (or each window of the plurality of windows 1902) has an area of ​​at least 78 mm 2 and in a further embodiment has an area of ​​at least 100 mm 2 , 150mm 2 , 200mm 2 , 250mm2 , 300mm 2 , 350mm 2 , 400mm 2 , or 450mm 2 In another set of embodiments, the total window area is no more than 75% of the total exterior surface area of ​​the club head, and in additional embodiments, no more than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, or 35% of the total exterior surface area of ​​the club head.

[0196] 52, the internal tracking marker 295 includes a reflective layer 1912 applied (e.g., coated) onto a surface of the base 1904. In this example, the reflective layer 1912 is made from a radar-reflective metallic material, and the base 1904 is made from a radar-transparent material. Thus, in such an example, the surface of the reflective layer 1912 defines the reflective surface of the internal tracking marker 295, rather than the surface of the base 1904 as in the example of the golf club head 210E in FIG.

[0197] The base 1904 is attached to or formed with the front cup 282 so that the reflective surface of the internal tracking marker 295 is as close as possible to the exterior surface of the golf club head 210E (towards which the reflective surface faces) because the internal tracking marker 295 is positioned so close to the exterior surface of the golf club head 210E that radar waves 287 within a wider angular range (or capture cone) can enter and be reflected from the internal tracking marker 295.

[0198] In some examples, the recess defined by the internal tracking marker 295 is hollow or unfilled, which promotes better transmission of radar waves therethrough. However, the recess can be at least partially filled with a radar-transparent material to promote structural strength, rigidity, and / or acoustic properties and to enable transmission of radar waves therethrough. For example, as shown in FIG. 54 , the internal tracking marker 295 of the golf club head 210G includes a filler material 1908 made from a radar-transparent material, which fills the recess defined by the base 1094. In some examples, the filler material 1908 is an epoxy or thermoplastic material. The filler material 1908 can fill the recess and the forward aperture 1900 of the internal tracking marker 295, as well as the crown insert opening 1906, if desired. However, in some examples, a non-transparent coating 1910 (e.g., paint or other coating) made from an opaque and radar-transparent material (e.g., a non-conductive material) can be applied over the filler material 1908 and can fill or at least partially fill the crown insert opening 1906.

[0199] 51 , in some examples, the golf club head 210E includes multiple internal tracking markers 295 and corresponding windows 1902 that are respectively located below and formed within the crown insert 286. In the example shown, the golf club head 210E includes two internal tracking markers 295 proximate a front portion of the golf club head 210E and one internal tracking marker 295 proximate a rear portion of the golf club head 210E. However, in other examples, the golf club head can include any number of internal tracking markers 295 in any of various locations along the crown insert 286 or other portions of the golf club head, as shown in FIG. 53 for example. For example, in the illustrated examples of Figures 50, 52, and 54, the internal tracking marker 295 is positioned under and accessible through the crown insert 286, but in other examples, one or more internal tracking markers 295 may be positioned under and accessible through the sole insert 288 or any other portion of the golf club head (including the striking plate 243 of the golf club head).

[0200] Similar to golf club head 210A of FIG. 46 , in additional examples, golf club head 210H and golf club head 210I include external tracking marker 280 at the rear portion 229 of the golf club head, as shown in FIGS. 55 and 56 . External tracking marker 280 can be formed within a ring 284 or generally around the periphery of the golf club head such that the reflective surface of tracking marker 280 faces outward, away from the golf club head's internal cavity 293 in the rearward direction. In some examples, the surface of the base material of ring 284 (or the shell of the golf club head) defines the reflective surface of external tracking marker 280. However, as shown by the dashed lines, in alternative examples, the reflective surface of external tracking marker 280 can be defined by a reflective layer 1912 applied over the base material of ring 284 (or the periphery of the golf club head).

[0201] 55 , in certain examples, the recess defined by the reflective surface of external tracking marker 280 is hollow or unfilled. In such examples, a window 1902 made from a radar-transparent material can be attached to the rear portion of golf club head 210H, covering the hollow recess of external tracking marker 280. In this manner, window 1902 can act as a cover or cap to hide external tracking marker 280 from the user, but allow radar waves to pass through window 1902.

[0202] 56, in some examples, the recess defined by the reflective surface of the external tracking marker 280 is filled with a filler material 1908 made from a radar-transparent material. To hide the filler material 1908 from a user, a non-transparent coating 1910 made from a radar-transparent material can be applied over the filler material 1908.

[0203] In some examples, the external tracking markers 280 are formed in a portion of a golf club head made from a non-metallic material and coated with a radar-reflective material as discussed above. According to one example, one or more external tracking markers 280 can be formed in a portion of a golf club head made from a fiber-reinforced polymer. For example, one or more external tracking markers 280 can be formed in a crown insert 286 or a sole insert 288. To aid in forming the shape of the external tracking markers 280, the fiber-reinforced polymer can include staggered slits that are perpendicular to the direction of the fibers (see, for example, Torray ET 40). The discontinuities defined by the slits allow the fiber-reinforced polymer to be shaped into any of a variety of complex shapes (e.g., corner reflector shapes, etc.). Because the slits are staggered, the strength of the fiber-reinforced polymer is significantly maintained compared to fiber-reinforced polymer materials with completely continuous fibers.

[0204] 57, in some examples, golf club head 210J, like golf club head 210A of FIG. 46, golf club head 210H of FIG. 55 and golf club head 210I of FIG. 56 include an external tracking marker on a rear portion 229 of golf club head 210J. However, unlike the external tracking markers of golf club heads 210A, 210H, and 210I, external tracking marker 280A of golf club head 210J is integrated into or formed within a rear weight 1920 (or a removably attachable component) of golf club head 210J. The reflective surface of external tracking marker 280A may be defined by the material of rear weight 1920 or may be defined by a radar-reflective coating applied to rear weight 1920. Optionally, a radar-transparent filler material, window, or coating can be integrated into or on external tracking marker 280A, as defined above in connection with other golf club head examples. While two external tracking markers 280A are formed in rear weight 1920 (or removably attachable component), in other examples, only one external tracking marker 280A or three or more external tracking markers 280A are formed in rear weight 1920 (or removably attachable component). In addition to external tracking marker 280A formed in rear weight 1920, in some examples, one or more external tracking markers 280A can be formed in rear portion 229 (e.g., ring 284) adjacent to rear weight 1920 and / or a portion of the hosel.

[0205] Also disclosed radar-transparent materials may include PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) (commonly known as Teflon®), which offers a relatively low dielectric constant, and blends thereof, and / or PEEK (polyetheretherketone), which has a slightly higher dielectric constant than PTFE but may offer better mechanical properties, and blends thereof, and / or perfluoropolyether (PFPE), which is known for its excellent dielectric properties, and / or polymer composites and blends thereof with low-loss fillers such as hollow glass microspheres or artificial ceramic particles, and / or polyolefins (such as, for example, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)), and blends thereof, and / or polystyrene (PS), and blends thereof, and / or nylon, and / or fiberglass composites and blends thereof, and / or thermoplastics (such as, for example, acrylic and polycarbonate variations), and blends thereof, and / or carbon fiber composites and blends thereof.

[0206] 58 , according to some examples, the golf club head 210K may have external tracking markers 280 in multiple portions of the golf club head 210K to accommodate multiple launch monitors at different locations relative to the golf club head 210K. In the example shown, the golf club head 210K includes at least two external tracking markers 280 that face in an upward direction and are formed in a crown portion 226 (i.e., upper portion) of the golf club head 210K near or in a front portion 230 of the golf club head 210K. As shown, the golf club head 210K also includes at least two external tracking markers 280 formed in a rear portion 229. One of the external tracking markers 280 in the rear portion 229 faces upward, and one of the external tracking markers 280 in the rear portion 229 faces rearward. The upwardly facing tracking marker 280 receives, among other things, retro-reflected radar waves 287 from an overhead launch monitor 104A above the golf club head 210K. In contrast, the rearward facing external tracking marker 280 receives, among other things, retro-reflected radar waves 287 from a launch monitor 104A behind the golf club head 210K. Although not shown, the golf club head 210K may include one or more additional tracking markers 280 formed in the toe portion and facing toward the toe side to receive, among other things, retro-reflected radar waves 287 from launch monitors on the sides of the golf club head 210K.

[0207] Any of the disclosed tracking markers can include a radar-reflective coating to increase the radar reflectivity of a defined area of ​​the golf club head. Accordingly, all of the disclosure related to tracking marker 260 is also applicable to tracking marker 260 comprised of a radar-reflective coating. The radar-reflective coating can include a metallized coating having a thin layer of metal (e.g., copper, nickel, silver, aluminum, or a combination thereof), and / or a dielectric coating (including high-permittivity dielectric paint and frequency-selective surface (FSS)-inspired paint), and / or a retroreflective coating containing tiny corner reflectors, and / or a metamaterial. The size and shape of the metallized coating (including the underlying structure on which it is coated) can be configured to create a resonant cavity, amplify the overall radar return signal, and / or enhance reflection. Those skilled in the art will understand that the term resonant cavity is not limited to an enclosed cavity such as a box, but rather the design of the coating (including size, shape, and / or material) promotes the interaction of radar waves to create resonance by inducing currents on the surface of the coating, thereby acting as a radiator at the same frequency as the incoming waves and creating a stronger reflection.

[0208] Additionally, radar-reflective coatings can be used to create microwave dipole cavities, which are specialized electromagnetic structures designed to enhance the interaction between microwave radiation and atomic or molecular dipoles. A microwave dipole cavity consists of a resonant cavity (often made from a conductive material) that confines and enhances the microwave field within a specific volume. The dipole can be made from a thin wire or rod of a conductive metal, such as copper or aluminum, with an overall length and gap to create the separate arms of the dipole.

[0209] A dipole antenna is made from a thin wire or rod of conductive metal, such as copper or aluminum, and is capable of reflecting radar signals back to their source. This is because dipole antennas operate on the principle of resonance, with the length of the wire or rod being approximately half the wavelength of the radio frequency being transmitted or received. When a radar signal strikes a dipole antenna, it induces oscillating currents in the conductive material, which causes the antenna to radiate electromagnetic waves back toward the radar source. The length of the dipole determines its resonant frequency, and a half-wavelength dipole is most efficient at reflecting signals at that particular frequency.

[0210] One embodiment incorporates a folded dipole configuration of the dipole arms, while another embodiment incorporates a spiral dipole configuration. Figure 69 illustrates a conventional dipole configuration and several folded dipole configurations, while Figure 70 illustrates several spiral dipole configurations. Spiral dipoles are utilized in radar systems to enhance performance through circular polarization, wideband operation, and compact antenna design, offering advantages in terms of radiation pattern control and bandwidth efficiency. Incorporating spiral dipoles into radar antennas allows for the creation of compact structures with improved radiation characteristics. By utilizing twin spiral dipoles, radar systems can achieve lower reflection coefficients, wider bandwidths, and efficient operation across various frequency ranges. Any of the dipole antenna embodiments can be applied to the clubhead in a tracking marker. Furthermore, the tracking marker can be a microstrip patch antenna and / or a Yagi-Uda antenna.

[0211] In some examples, the golf club head of the present disclosure may include at least two tracking markers, preferably at least three tracking markers, and even more preferably at least four tracking markers, positioned on the golf club head so as to be spaced as far apart as possible and still visible to a launch monitor, of a specific type and in a specific location relative to the golf club head as the golf club head is swung to identify desired head presentation parameters of the golf club head. In one example, the launch monitor is positioned behind the golf club head as it strikes the golf ball during a golf swing. A launch monitor in such a position is particularly suitable for detecting tracking markers positioned on a rearward-facing portion of the golf club head. Moreover, a launch monitor positioned behind the golf club head primarily focuses on the positioning and orientation of the golf club head during the very last moments before impact with the golf ball (e.g., the last 20% to 30% of the swing). In certain examples, only three tracking markers are necessary to accurately determine the head presentation parameters of the golf club head, and a fourth tracking marker, if present, is redundant. Due to the location of such a launch monitor behind the golf club head, the locations on the golf club head where tracking markers are detectable may be limited, and some rear-facing locations on the golf club head may be more visible than others. Furthermore, the swing path of the golf club head during an approach to a golf ball may interfere with the launch monitor's ability to detect tracking markers at certain locations on the golf club head. For example, a tracking marker that is too far to the heel on the golf club head may not be visible to the launch monitor for an extreme in-out swing path.Conversely, for example, a tracking marker that is too toe-side on the golf club head may not be visible to the launch monitor for an extreme out-to-in swing path. Thus, having one or more redundant tracking markers and / or properly positioning and spacing the tracking markers on the rear-facing portion of the golf club head may be important to accurate detection of the tracking markers and determination of golf club head presentation parameters.

[0212] 71-75, several examples of driver-type golf club heads having tracking markers on the rearward-facing portion of the golf club head are shown. In FIG. 71, the golf club head 210L includes a rear weight 253 in the rearward portion 229 of the golf club head 210L. The golf club head 210L further includes four tracking markers 260 embedded in the rearward-facing portion of the golf club head 210L such that the tracking markers 260 face generally in a rearward direction. Two of the tracking markers 260 are positioned adjacent to the rearward weight 253 on either side of the rearward weight 253. One of the tracking markers 260 on the heel side is positioned in the toe portion 224 of the golf club head 210L at a location closer to the rearward-most point of the golf club head than to the forward-most point of the golf club head. Additionally, one of the tracking markers 260 on the toe side is positioned in the FCT system 251 of the golf club head 210L, which is attached to the hosel of the golf club head. In the illustrated example, the additional one of the tracking markers 260 has an annular shape and is formed in the rear weight 253 around the fastener 255, which secures the rear weight 253 to the body of the golf club head 210L.

[0213] In some examples, the size of the tracking marker 260 on the golf club head 210L has been increased for improved visibility, as shown in Figure 72. Additionally, the shape of the tracking marker 260 on the golf club head 210L in Figure 72 is different from the example shown in Figure 72. For example, the tracking marker 260 adjacent the rear weight 253 and formed in the FCT system 251 is triangular in the example of Figure 73, as opposed to diamond-shaped as in the example of Figure 72.

[0214] In particular, in some examples, tracking markers (e.g., retroreflective markers) may be more conspicuous to the human eye, while in other examples, tracking markers may be colored to camouflage them (e.g., block their view from the human eye) with nearby surfaces, but they will still act as retroreflectors. The tracking markers may have any of a variety of colors (including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black, white, silver, yellow-green, fluorescent, and many more colors and hues of each color). This may allow some or all of the retroreflectors to be camouflaged. Alternatively, it may be desirable to make the retroreflectors more conspicuous or distinctive, allowing a user or fitter to better position them. In these examples, the tracking markers may be colored to contrast with nearby surfaces to enhance their visibility to the human eye. In certain locations, such as the hosel, crown, forward crown portion, and / or portions of the face, it may be desirable to color the tracking marker black to camouflage it, while in other locations (e.g., the rear of the club head), it may be desirable to have the tracking marker contrast with various surfaces (including neighboring surfaces).

[0215] According to another example, the tracking marker is positioned on at least a portion of the club head's top line (e.g., the transition from the face to the crown or the transition from the face to the upper portion) so that it is visible by either an overhead launch monitor, a face-on-view launch monitor (which may be positioned in front of the golfer), or both. With reference to FIG. 77 , in some examples, the top line tracking marker 260R (shown in dashed lines) may extend lengthwise along (e.g., across or abutting) the entire or substantial portion of the upper edge of the striking face 245. The top line tracking marker 260R may be embedded in the striking face 245, the transition between the striking face 245 and the crown, and / or the crown. In this location, the top line tracking marker 260R may also provide a visual indication of the transition from the crown to the striking face by contrasting with both the striking face and the crown, for example, when the contrast between the striking face and the crown is low. In such an example, the bottom tracking marker 260S can be positioned on the lower portion of the striking face 245 at the horizontal midpoint of the striking face 245.

[0216] 73 , according to another example, golf club head 210M includes a rear weight 253 in a rear portion 229 of golf club head 210M. Similar to golf club head 210L, golf club head 210M includes two tracking markers 260 positioned adjacent to rear weight 253 on either side of rear weight 253, a tracking marker 260 having an annular shape formed in rear weight 253, and a tracking marker 260 formed in FCT system 251 of golf club head 210M. However, each of the tracking markers 260 adjacent to rear weight 253 of golf club head 210M is a single corner reflector, and golf club head 210M also includes a tracking marker 260 formed in hosel 232 of golf club head 210M. In one example, the tracking markers 260 formed in the FCT system 251 aid in identifying characteristics of the golf club (e.g., shaft characteristics) rather than aid in determining presentation parameters of the golf club head 210M during a golf swing.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 74 , one example of a golf club head 210N includes tracking markers 260 formed in the rear weights 253 of the golf club head 210N. Each of the tracking markers 260 formed in the rear weights 253 is positioned on either side of the fastener 255 and can curve around a portion of the fastener 255. The golf club head 210N additionally includes two tracking markers 260 formed in a sole insert 288 of the sole portion 228 of the golf club head 210N. One of the tracking markers 260 formed in the sole insert 288 is positioned on a heel side of the sole insert 288, and the other of the tracking markers 260 is positioned on a toe side of the sole insert 288. Unlike the tracking markers formed in the rear weights 253, the tracking markers 260 formed in the sole insert 288 are internal markers or markers covered with an opaque coating or material. In some examples, the markers can be positioned within an internal cavity, for example, on the interior surface of a composite crown or sole portion, or embedded within the composite material. Despite not being positioned externally, these markers can still reflect back to the receiver; for example, various wavelengths can pass through plastic materials. Internal markers on the crown or other portions of the head can work well for overhead launch monitor systems, which may be able to emit various wavelengths (e.g., infrared). Locating them internally can be less distracting to the golfer while providing similar benefits as external markers.

[0218] The golf club head 210N also includes a tracking marker 260 formed in the rear-facing surface of the hosel 232. The FCT system 251 also includes a grouping of tracking markers 260G having various shapes and relative locations that are detectable by a launch monitor to help identify one or more characteristics of a golf club associated with the golf club head 210N.

[0219] To account for shaft sleeve or hosel rotation, tracking markers on the FCT system or hosel can surround the shaft sleeve or hosel, which will appear as lines. Markers on the shaft sleeve for the FCT system can be used to further identify the shaft sleeve position. This is because the shaft sleeve can be installed in various configurations, adjusting one or more of the loft angle, lie angle, and / or face angle. By having unique markings, the system may be able to detect the installation position of the shaft sleeve (e.g., higher or lower loft). This information can be used to optimize launch conditions (e.g., fitting) or to better understand and compare results from various sessions.

[0220] An example of a golf club head 210P similar to golf club head 210N is shown in FIG. 75. Like golf club head 210N, golf club head 210P includes a tracking marker 260 adjacent to rear weight 253 and a tracking marker 260 formed within FCT system 251 of golf club head 210N. Golf club head 210P also includes a hidden or internal tracking marker 260. However, the internal tracking marker 260 of golf club head 210P is formed within a crown insert 286 of crown portion 226. One of the tracking markers 260 formed within crown insert 286 is positioned on a heel side of crown insert 286, and the other of the tracking markers 260 is positioned on a toe side of crown insert 286.

[0221] 76 and 77, similar to the golf club head 210 of FIGS. 2 and 3A, some examples of golf club head 210Q include tracking markers formed in the striking face 245 of the golf club head 210Q. The tracking markers of the golf club head 210Q include a heel tracking marker 260A and a toe tracking marker 260B. The heel tracking marker 260A is positioned on the heel side of the striking face 245, and the toe tracking marker 260B is positioned on the toe side of the striking face 245. The heel tracking marker 260A has a non-elongated shape (e.g., has the same length and width) and is positioned approximately halfway between the top and bottom points of the striking face 245 (e.g., the vertical midpoint of the striking face 245). In contrast, the toe tracking marker 260B is elongated and vertically oriented such that the length of the toe tracking marker 260B extends generally vertically above the striking face 245. At least a portion of the heel tracking marker 260A and the toe tracking marker 260B can be equidistant horizontally from the geometric center of the striking face 245. Unlike the example golf club head 210Q of FIG. 76 (which has a straight toe tracking marker 260B), the toe tracking marker 260B of the example golf club head 210Q of FIG. 77 is curved to at least generally follow the curvature of the toe side of the striking face 245.

[0222] 78 and 79, similar to the golf club head 210F of FIG. 53, some examples of the golf club head 210R include tracking markers formed in the crown portion 226 (e.g., crown insert 286) of the golf club head 210R. The tracking markers of the golf club head 210R include a heel tracking marker 260C and a toe tracking marker 260D. The heel tracking marker 260C is positioned on a heel-side side of the crown portion 226, and the toe tracking marker 260D is positioned on a toe-side side of the crown portion 226. The heel tracking marker 260C has a non-elongated shape (e.g., has the same length and width). In contrast, the toe tracking marker 260D is elongated and oriented such that the length of the toe tracking marker 260D extends in a substantially rearward direction along the crown portion 226. Unlike the example golf club head 210R of FIG. 78 (which has a straight or linear toe tracking marker 260D), the toe tracking marker 260D of the example golf club head 210R of FIG. 79 is curved to at least generally follow the curvature of the toe side of the crown portion 226.

[0223] Referring to FIG. 80 , similar to the golf club head 210R of FIGS. 78 and 79 , some examples of the golf club head 210S include a tracking marker formed in the upper portion of the golf club head 210S. However, the tracking marker 260 of the golf club head 210S is positioned in the upper portion at the front portion 230 of the golf club head 210S. The tracking marker 260 is elongated, with its length extending substantially parallel to the striking face 245 of the golf club head 210S. Similar to many conventional driver-type golf club heads, the golf club head 210S may have an alignment marker formed in the front portion 230 at the upper portion of the golf club head 210S. The alignment marker (which is vertically aligned with the center face of the striking face 245) provides the golfer with a visual indication of the location of the center face. This allows the golfer to align the striking face 245 with the golf ball to be struck. In some examples, the alignment markers are superimposed on or formed within the tracking markers 260. Additionally, the alignment markers are configured to contrast with the tracking markers 260 (e.g., be a different color than the tracking markers 260) so that the golfer can distinguish the alignment markers from the tracking markers 260.

[0224] As shown in FIG. 81 , in some examples of an iron-type golf club head 610A, the golf club head includes a toe tracking marker 260E and a heel tracking marker 260F, where the toe tracking marker 260E is formed in the front portion 630 (e.g., the striking face) on a toe side of the front portion 630, and the heel tracking marker 260F is formed in the front portion 630 on a heel side of the front portion 630. Similar to the golf club head 210Q of FIG. 76 , the toe tracking marker 260E can be elongated and extend vertically along the front portion 630, and the heel tracking marker 260F can be non-elongated (e.g., circular or square). In certain examples, the toe tracking marker 260E is formed in a portion of the front portion 630 on the toe side of the scoreline formed in the front portion 630. In some examples, a horizontal plane passing through the geometric center of the striking face of the front portion 630 causes the toe tracking marker 260E and the heel tracking marker 260F to diverge when the golf club head 610A is in the correct address position above the horizontal ground plane. The golf club head 610A also includes a topline tracking marker 260H formed in the topline portion 626 of the golf club head 610A. The topline tracking marker 260H may be elongated and extend lengthwise along the topline portion 626. In some examples, a vertical plane passing through the geometric center of the striking face of the front portion 630 causes the topline tracking marker 260H to diverge when the golf club head 610A is in the correct address position above the horizontal ground plane.

[0225] 82, similar to the golf club head 210Q of FIGS. 76 and 77, some examples of golf club heads 210T include tracking markers 260 formed in the striking face 245 of the golf club head 210T. The tracking markers 260 of the golf club head 210T form a tracking marker pattern 260G. In the example shown, the tracking marker pattern 260G includes a plurality of horizontally aligned, spaced-apart, linear, and elongated tracking markers 260. With the exception of the heel-most tracking marker 260, the tracking markers 260 of the tracking marker pattern 260G are the same size and shape. Moreover, the tracking markers 260 are spaced equidistantly across the striking face 245 along a horizontal plane.

[0226] According to some examples, the launch monitor 104 of the system 101 can operate in an “in-play mode” (as opposed to a “fitting mode” used during golf fitting) and be secured to golf equipment associated with play on a course. For example, the golf equipment can include a drivable golf cart, a pullable golf bag cart (e.g., a rickshaw), an electric golf bag cart, a golf bag, a dedicated tote / bag, etc. During a round of golf, the golf equipment can be positioned relative to a golfer taking a golf shot such that the launch monitor 104 is oriented toward the golfer (i.e., toward the impact zone with the golf ball). The launch monitor 104 and the golf club can be configured to cooperate to determine head presentation parameters of the golf club head in any of the various manners described herein during a golf shot on a golf course. Additionally or alternatively, the launch monitor 104 and / or other external computing devices can be used to automatically identify non-presentation parameters of a golf club used to take a golf shot. The head presentation and non-presentation parameters can be collected and presented to a user in a meaningful manner on the golf course to help a golfer improve their golf score or make a round of golf more enjoyable or entertaining. In some examples, the golf equipment can include a drone that can be programmed to automatically follow the golfer shot by shot during the round and to be positioned relative to the golfer during the golf shot such that the launch monitor 104 can accurately detect or identify parameters of the golf club used during the golf shot or the outcome of the golf shot.Launch monitor 104 can be used in conjunction with any of a variety of other methods or devices disclosed herein designed to automatically identify non-presentation parameters of a golf club used during a golf shot. Launch monitor 104 can be a radar-based launch monitor, an optical-based launch monitor, or a combination of radar-based and optical-based launch monitors. Moreover, if needed, for example, when using an optical-based launch monitor, system 101 can include multiple launch monitors on multiple pieces of golf equipment to help track golf shot and head presentation parameters during a round of golf.

[0227] According to a particular example, golf club head presentation parameters may be monitored during a user's golf swing, but will not be recorded or displayed as associated with a golf shot unless impact with a golf ball occurs. Determination of impact with a golf ball may be provided in any of a variety of ways. In one example, the launch monitor 104 may include an acoustic sensor that acoustically detects impact with the golf ball based on a sound associated with the impact. The launch monitor 104 may include a radar emitter and sensor that can detect the flight of the golf ball associated with the impact. Additionally or alternatively, the launch monitor 104 may optically determine impact with the golf ball by capturing and analyzing images of the golf ball during and following impact with the golf club head. Finally, in some examples, an electronic device (e.g., an accelerometer, etc.) may be embedded in the golf ball and monitored for motion associated with impact with the golf ball.

[0228] In view of the foregoing, according to some examples, the tracking markers disclosed herein (e.g., fiducials, retroreflectors, etc.) should be as small as possible while still being visible to the receiver. Preferably, in some examples, the maximum dimension of each tracking marker is 10 mm or less. For example, in one particular implementation, the tracking markers are 10 mm x 3 mm. Under some conditions, having a tracking marker with too large a surface area can result in a wide band, which is undesirable. This is because overlapping of tracking markers can be associated with blurring and overlapping blurring, thus resulting in a potential loss of information. A small amount of blurring can be tolerable and even desirable. However, significant overlapping blurring can be undesirable.

[0229] Generally, in some cases, at least 2 mm 2 A tracking marker with a surface area of ​​30 mm is preferred. 2 It is preferable that the thickness is less than 20 mm (for example, more preferably 2 surface area below). However, in some instances, smaller and larger surface areas may be acceptable. Separation of the tracking markers may be desirable to more easily distinguish between various marker locations on the club head. A variety of shapes may be used, including pentagons, parallelograms, triangles, circles, diamonds, squares, triangles with blunt ends, oval shapes, etc.

[0230] The tracking markers shown throughout are used to better position the club head in three-dimensional space, which can provide improved results compared to a golf club head lacking markers. Additionally, the markers can provide additional results that may not be possible without the markers. For example, head path, face angle, head speed, and impact location can all be more accurately obtained with the addition of tracking markers. To further increase accuracy, the tracked markers can be compared to a database containing various head, head characteristics, head dimensions (e.g., face area, face height, and face width), as well as marker coordinates and marker coordinates relative to the geometric center of the face and / or relative to the shaft or hosel axis. All or just some of this data can be provided to a launch monitor system, which can improve results and calculations by having more precise head geometry and marker locations. The markers themselves, the marker configuration, and / or the marker orientation can serve to uniquely identify the head to the launch monitor system. Alternatively, an NFC or RFID chip on or in the head, or other communication method, can be used to identify the head to the launch monitor system so that it can be looked up from a database. Alternatively, a barcode can be scanned to identify the head, or the user or fitter can search or select a head from a database.

[0231] Some conventional radar-based launch monitors do not perform optimally in indoor or lower light settings. The addition of tracking markers, in combination with electromagnetic radiation emitters and receivers, can be used to improve head tracking in these conditions as well as outdoor conditions. Additionally, combining a radar-based launch monitor with an optical-based launch (including an electromagnetic radiation emitter and receiver) can improve results in various settings and lighting conditions. Furthermore, images captured during the swing can be further combined to improve results and enrich the data. Images can be taken from down the line, in front, or above the golfer. There can be several cameras at one or more locations (e.g., a down-the-line camera, a front camera, and an overhead camera), with two or more cameras at each location.

[0232] The various examples shown in the figures of this disclosure are merely examples of possible tracking marker placement options. Fewer markers, more markers, different combinations, different shapes and / or locations than those shown can be used. In other words, the examples shown are non-limiting. The tracking markers can optionally be seated in a recessed portion of the club or in a protruding portion of the club head that includes a recessed portion, and they can optionally be covered with a coating (e.g., a clear coat), as has been described in more detail above.

[0233] All patent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including any definitions, except for any inconsistent or conflicting definitions, except for any disclaimer or disclaimer of subject matter, and except to the extent the incorporated material is inconsistent with the explicit disclosure herein, in the event of an inconsistency, the usage in this disclosure shall control. In the event of an inconsistent usage between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated references shall be considered supplementary to that of this document, and for the avoidance of doubt, the usage in this document shall control.

[0234] This disclosure encompasses the delicate interplay of various component relationships, variables within each component, and relationships between components that affect the performance, sound, feel, durability, and manufacturability of a golf club head, as well as the performance and accuracy of a launch monitor. The disclosed relationships go beyond the mere optimization, maximization, or minimization of a single attribute or variable and, while often contrary to conventional design thinking, have been found to achieve a unique balance of trade-offs associated with competing criteria such as durability, acoustics, aerodynamics, vibration, fatigue resistance, weight, and manufacturability. The disclosed relationships do not merely maximize or minimize a single attribute, such as characteristic time (CT), coefficient of restitution (COR) at a single point such as face center or offset / distributed COR, moment of inertia, single component flexure, single component rigidity, single component ductility, overall club head stiffness, single component flexure, single component frequency, damping, aerodynamic performance, durability, and / or change in modal frequency of individual components. Rather, the relationships achieve a unique balance between these often-conflicting attributes to create a club head with improved feel, sound, durability, and / or performance. Ultimately, the interaction of the multiple components of current golf club heads, especially when they have such diverse material properties, can adversely affect the sound and feel of the golf club head, as well as its durability, manufacturability, and the overall performance of the golf club, golf club head, and launch monitor. The aforementioned balance requires tradeoffs between competing attributes, recognizing significant points of diminishing returns. Furthermore, it is important to understand that all related disclosures and relationships apply equally to all embodiments and should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiment being discussed when the relationship is stated.The above-described balance, often disclosed in terms of open and closed ranges for certain variables and relationships, requires tradeoffs between competing attributes, recognizing significant points of diminishing returns. Proper functioning of each component and the overall club head is critical on each and every shot over the thousands of impacts during the life of a golf club. Accordingly, the present disclosure contains unique combinations of components and relationships that achieve these goals. While the relationships of various features and dimensions of a single component play an essential role in achieving the goals, the relationships of features and / or attributes across multiple components and / or across multiple devices, including launch monitors, are equally or even more important to achieving the goals. Furthermore, the relative length, width, thickness, geometry, and material properties of the various components, as well as their relationships to each other and to other designs disclosed herein, affect performance, durability, feel, sound, safety, and ease of manufacturing. Additionally, many embodiments identify upper and / or lower limit ranges for the relationships, beyond which performance may struggle or adversely affect the goals. While some relationships may appear unrelated, aspects of the present disclosure have been avoided in the past due to unnecessarily increasing the complexity of the golf club and / or adversely affecting performance (whether it be durability, aerodynamics, mass distribution, sound, and / or feel), and therefore have been avoided in the past despite the benefits associated with improved accuracy of launch monitors. The disclosed attributes and relationships, material properties of the various club head components and bonding agents, optical and radar tracking enhancements all play important roles in the performance of the system and system components.

[0235] In addition to the various features described herein, any of the golf club heads disclosed herein may incorporate additional features, which may include any of the following features: 1. U.S. Patent No. 6,773,360, U.S. Patent No. 7,166,040, U.S. Patent No. 7,452,285, U.S. Patent No. 7,628,707, U.S. Patent No. 7,186,190, U.S. Patent No. 7,591,738, U.S. Patent No. 7,963,861, U.S. Patent No. 7,621,823, U.S. Patent No. 7,448,963, U.S. Patent No. 7,568,985, U.S. Patent No. 7,578,753, U.S. Patent No. 7,717,804, U.S. Patent No. 7,530,904, U.S. Patent No. Nos. 7,540,811, 7,407,447, 7,632,194, 7,846,041, 7,419,441, 7,713,142, 7,744,484, 7,223,180, 7,410,425, and 7,410,426, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; 2. Slidable weight features, including those described in more detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,775,905 and 8,444,505, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 898,313, filed May 20, 2013, and U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 047,880, filed October 7, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; 3. Aerodynamic shape features, including those described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0123040A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; 4. Removable shaft features, including those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,431, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; 5. Adjustable loft / lie features, including those described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 8,025,587, U.S. Patent No. 8,235,831, U.S. Patent No. 8,337,319, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0312437A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0258818A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0122601A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0071264A1, and U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 686,677, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties; 6. Adjustable sole features, including those described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,319, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0152000A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0312437, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0122601A1, and U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 686,677, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; 7. Variable thickness face features, as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 006,060, U.S. Patent No. 6,997,820, U.S. Patent No. 6,800,038, and U.S. Patent No. 6,824,475, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties; 8. Composite faceplate features as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 11 / 998,435, 11 / 642,310, 11 / 825,138, 11 / 823,638, 12 / 004,386, 12 / 004,387, 11 / 960,609, 11 / 960,610, and U.S. Patent No. 7,267,620, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0236] Additionally, in addition to the various features described herein, any of the embodiments disclosed herein may incorporate additional features, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 560,054, filed December 22, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 505,511, filed October 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 389,167, filed July 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 321,315, filed May 14, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 1798, filed March 7, 2023; No. 48, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 124134 filed December 16, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 137151 filed December 29, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 691649 filed March 10, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 510476 filed November 15, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 228511 filed April 12, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 224026 filed April 6, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 56407 filed December 28, 2021 No. 7, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 292708 filed December 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 478107 filed December 30, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 433380 filed December 16, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 694998 filed April 23, 2015, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 068347 filed December 19, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 547519 filed December 10, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 3601 filed June 28, 2021 No. 79, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531979 filed November 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 722748 filed April 18, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 006561 filed August 28, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 806254 filed March 2, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 696664 filed March 16, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 565580 filed December 30, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 727963 filed April 25, 2022,U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 288499 filed February 28, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 530331 filed November 18, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 586960 filed January 28, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 884027 filed August 9, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 842011 filed March 15, 2013, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 817311 filed March 12, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 355642 filed June 23, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 355642 filed December 2, 2020 U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 132645 filed on July 3, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 390615 filed on July 30, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 164033 filed on February 1, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 107474 filed on November 30, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 526981 filed on November 15, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 352537 filed on March 13, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 156205 filed on January 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 156205 filed on December 23, 2020 U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 132541, filed May 25, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 824727, filed April 18, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 722632, filed April 1, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 712041, filed April 1, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 695194, filed March 15, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 686181, filed March 3, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 305777, filed February 2, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 5 No. 77943, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 570613 filed January 7, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 569810 filed January 6, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 566833 filed December 31, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 566131 filed December 30, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 566263 filed December 30, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 557759 filed December 21, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 558387 filed December 21, 2021,U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 645033 filed December 17, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 541107 filed December 2, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 526855 filed November 15, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 524056 filed November 11, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 522560 filed November 9, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 515112 filed October 29, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 513716 filed October 28 ... U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 504335 filed on October 18, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 504327 filed on October 18, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 494416 filed on October 5, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 493604 filed on October 4, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 261457 filed on September 21, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 479785 filed on September 20, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 476839 filed on September 16, 2021 U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 477258, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 476025 filed September 15, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 467709 filed September 7, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 403516 filed August 16, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 399823 filed August 11, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 227889 filed July 30, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 878,734 filed August 1, 2022, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 32 filed May 25, 2023 3,935, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 827,140 filed September 6, 2024, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 957,619 filed November 22, 2024, U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 007,332 filed December 31, 2024, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 263,929 filed September 13, 2016, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 387181 filed July 28, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 378407 filed July 16, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 368520 filed July 06, 2021,U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 330033 filed May 25, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 235533 filed April 20, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 233201 filed April 16, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 216185 filed March 29, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 198030 filed March 10, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 191617, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 190864 filed March 3, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 183905 filed February 24, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 183057 filed February 23, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 181923 filed February 22, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 171678 filed February 9, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 171656 filed February 9, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 107447 filed November 30, 2020, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 102,001 filed January 26, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 456,313 filed August 25, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 515,971 filed November 1, 2021, U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 515,971 filed February 2, 2023 The present invention may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 105,194, filed November 11, 2024, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 943,832, filed January 23, 2025, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 748,887, filed May 5, 2022, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additionally, in addition to the various features described herein, any of the embodiments disclosed herein may incorporate additional features, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 9,610,479 issued April 4, 2017; U.S. Patent No. 1,213,726 issued January 4, 2022; U.S. Patent No. 8,777,776 issued July 15, 2014; U.S. Patent No. 7,278,928 issued October 9, 2007; U.S. Patent No. 7,445,561 issued November 4, 2008;U.S. Patent No. 9,409,066 issued on August 9, 2016, U.S. Patent No. 8,303,435 issued on November 6, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 7,874,937 issued on January 25, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 8,628,434 issued on January 14, 2014, U.S. Patent No. 8,608,591 issued on December 17, 2013, U.S. Patent No. 8,740,719 issued on June 3, 2014, U.S. Patent No. 8,740,719 issued on July 4, 2017 Patent No. 9694253, U.S. Patent No. 9683301 issued on June 20, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 9468816 issued on October 18, 2016, U.S. Patent No. 8262509 issued on September 11, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 7901299 issued on March 8, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 8119714 issued on February 21, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 8764586 issued on July 1, 2014 ...7901299 issued on March 8, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 8119714 issued on February 21, 2012, U.S. Patent No. 7901299 issued on March 8, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 7901299 issued on March 8, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 7901299 U.S. Patent No. 8,227,545 issued on November 24, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 8,066,581 issued on November 29, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 10,052,530 issued on August 21, 2018, U.S. Patent No. 10,195,497 issued on February 5, 2019, U.S. Patent No. 10,086,240 issued on October 2, 2018, U.S. Patent No. 9,914,027 issued on March 13, 2018, U.S. Patent No. 10,195,497 issued on November 3, 2015, U.S. Patent No. 10,086,240 issued on October 2, 2018, U.S. Patent No. 9,914,027 issued on November 3, 2015, U.S. Patent No. 10,086,240 issued on March 13, 2018, U.S. Patent No. 10,086,240 issued on November 2 ... The present invention may include any of the features disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,174,099, 9,697,613 issued July 4, 2017, 8,608,591 issued December 17, 2013, 1,673,029 issued June 13, 2023, and 1,121,9803 issued January 11, 2022, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0237] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 534,512, filed December 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses various materials, unique golf club head constructions, unique mass distributions, unique volume distributions, manufacturing methodologies, and club head characteristics. Some of the club head characteristics are set forth below. Definitions for various club head characteristics can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 534,512, filed December 8, 2023, and, if definitions are not provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 534,512, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0238] The various club heads disclosed herein are typically cubic centimeters (cm 3 ), which is equal to the volume displacement of the club head, assuming any apertures are sealed, and generally sealed, by a substantially planar surface. (See United States Golf Association, "Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs," Revision 1.0, November 21, 2003.) In other words, for golf club heads with one or more weight ports in the head, it is assumed that the weight ports are either absent or "covered" by a common imaginary surface, such that the club head volume is not affected by the presence or absence of the ports. In some embodiments, the golf club heads of the present application have a volume range of approximately 30 cm. 3 Approximately 600cm from 3 In a more specific embodiment, the head volume is about 30 cm 3 Approximately 80cm from 3 The head volume is approximately 45cm 3 Approximately 65cm from 3 The head volume is approximately 90cm3 Approximately 125cm from 3 The head volume is approximately 130cm 3 Approximately 280cm from 3 The head volume is approximately 130cm 3 Approximately 190cm from 3 The head volume is approximately 195 cm 3 Approximately 320cm from 3 Between or about 250 cm 3 Approximately 500cm from 3 In an even more specific embodiment, the head volume is between about 300 cm 3 Approximately 500cm from 3 Located between 300cm 3 Approximately 360cm from 3 It is located between the 3 Approximately 420cm from 3 It is located between the 3 Approximately 500cm from 3 Between or about 420cm 3 Approximately 500cm from 3 In some embodiments, the head volume is between about 370 cm 3 Approximately 500cm from 3 It is between.

[0239] For a driver, the golf club head is approximately 390 cm 3 Approximately 490cm 3 For fairway woods, the golf club head has a volume between approximately 130cm and approximately 185g, and a total head mass between approximately 215g. 3 Approximately 250cm from 3 For a utility or hybrid club, the golf club head has a volume between approximately 60cm and a total head mass between approximately 205g and approximately 260g. 3 Approximately 150cm from 3For iron and / or wedge clubs, the golf club head has a volume between approximately 20 cm and a total head mass between approximately 215 g and approximately 280 g. 3 Approximately 80cm from 3 For putter clubs, the golf club head has a volume between approximately 10cm and approximately 230g, and a total head mass between approximately 320g. 3 Approximately 80cm from 3 and has a total head mass between approximately 260g and approximately 460g.

[0240] Tables 1-4 below provide some mass properties of various types of exemplary embodiments of golf club heads disclosed herein with the club heads oriented at a 0-degree face angle. While many of the examples are specific to driver-type golf club heads, at least some of the various properties may be similar to or overlap with properties for fairway wood, hybrid or rescue, iron, and putter-type golf club heads.

[0241] [Table 1A]

[0242] [Table 1B]

[0243] [Table 2A]

[0244] [Table 2B]

[0245] [Table 3A]

[0246] [Table 3B]

[0247] [Table 4]

[0248] In the above table, if a value is not defined herein, the definition used in U.S. Pat. No. 10,195,497 and / or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 722,748 shall apply, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. As used in the above table, "BP PROJ" means "projected CG location," which is also referred to as "balance point" projection or "CG projection." In practice, CFZ, as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 10,195,497, is measured in the same manner as DELTA2, but measured relative to a projection of the center face 205 onto an imaginary vertical shaft axis plane in the y-axis direction, thereby defining a point referred to as the CFZ point, and the shortest distance from the CFZ point to the shaft axis is the CFZ value. In addition to the Ixx, Iyy, and Izz moments of inertia disclosed above, those skilled in the art will be familiar with the products of inertia Ixy, Ixz, Iyx, Iyz, Izx, and Izy. In one embodiment, Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and / or Izy are 4.2 times or less than Izx and / or Ixz, and in a further embodiment, 4.1, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, or 3.7 times or less. In another embodiment, Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and / or Izy are at least 3.0 times or at least 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, or 3.6 times Izx and / or Ixz. In one embodiment, Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and / or Izy are at least 520 g*cm 2or less, and in a further embodiment, 510 g*cm 2 , 500g*cm 2 , or 490g*cm 2 In a further embodiment, at least one of Iyz and Izy is at least 30 g*cm greater than Ixy, Iyx, Iyz, and / or Izy. 2 small, and in a further embodiment at least 35 g*cm 2 , 40g*cm 2 , or 45g*cm 2 small.

[0249] The ratio of Ixx / Izz is generally greater than approximately 0.6 and less than approximately 0.9. In some implementations, it is greater than approximately 0.7, and in other implementations, it is less than approximately 0.8. The ratio of Ixx / Izz is preferably between 0.63 and 0.76.

[0250] The ratio of Iyy / Izz is generally greater than approximately 0.45 and less than approximately 0.85. In some implementations, it is between 0.46 and 0.56. In some implementations, it is between 0.50 and 0.59. In some implementations, it is between 0.65 and 0.79. In some implementations, it is between 0.6 and 0.75.

[0251] The ratio of Ixx / Iyy is generally between approximately 0.55 and approximately 1.60. In some implementations, it is between 0.92 and 1.47. In some implementations, it is between 1.05 and 1.39.

[0252] In the above description, certain terms may be used, such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below.” These terms, where applicable, are used to provide some clarity of explanation when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, the “top” surface may simply become the “lower” surface by inverting the object. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Furthermore, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including, but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of enumerated items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and / or mutually inclusive unless expressly specified otherwise. Furthermore, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Furthermore, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” In some instances, the term "about" can be defined to mean within + / - 5% of a given value.

[0253] Furthermore, each value set forth in any table, example, or disclosure can stand alone as an upper or lower boundary, or can be combined with any other disclosed value to establish a closed end range. Furthermore, if a lower end limit in one embodiment is higher than an upper end limit in another embodiment, this does not constitute a conflict; rather, it merely indicates that the two limits cannot be used together. Furthermore, any discrete value within a disclosed range is fully valid and can be claimed either as a value or as a boundary to a range. Additionally, each value set forth in any of the present disclosure allows for open-ended ranges and also allows for ranges bounded only by zero. When a range is disclosed, any discrete value within the disclosed range is fully valid and can be claimed either as a value or as a boundary to a range. For example, when a range is disclosed, the upper and / or lower boundaries are valid to stand alone without any relation to the opposing boundaries; thus, if a Zup range is disclosed as including A to B mm, C to D mm, E to F mm, G to H mm, and I to J mm, that range also allows for Zup embodiments of at least A, C, E, G, and I, as well as Zup embodiments of B, D, F, H, and J, and below. Furthermore, any disclosed lower limit can be combined with any disclosed upper limit; for example, a Zup range of C to J, and any other variation of the disclosed values. Furthermore, any discrete value within a disclosed range is fully valid and can be claimed as either a value or a boundary to a range. These principles apply to each disclosed variable.

[0254] Additionally, examples herein of one element being "coupled" to another element may include direct and indirect coupling. A direct coupling may be defined as one element being coupled to another element and having some contact with the other element. An indirect coupling may be defined as a coupling between two elements that are not in direct contact with each other but have one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Furthermore, as used herein, fixing one element to another element may include direct fixing and indirect fixing. Additionally, as used herein, "adjacent" does not necessarily indicate contact. For example, one element may be adjacent to another element without contacting the other element.

[0255] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of,” when used in conjunction with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used, and that only one of the items in the list may be required. An item can be a specific object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means that any combination or number of items can be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” could mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” could mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.

[0256] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used herein merely as labels and are not intended to impose any sequential, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which they refer. Moreover, a reference to, for example, a "second" item does not require or exclude the presence of, for example, a "first" or lower-numbered item, and / or, for example, a "third" or higher-numbered item.

[0257] Unless otherwise stated, the terms "about" or "substantially" or "approximately" are defined in some embodiments to mean within + / - 5% of a given value; however, in additional embodiments, any disclosure of "about" or "substantially" or "approximately" can be further narrowed to claim to mean within + / - 4% of a given value, within + / - 3% of a given value, within + / - 2% of a given value, within + / - 1% of a given value, or the exact given value. Furthermore, when at least two values ​​of a variable are disclosed, such disclosure is specifically intended to include a range of the two values, regardless of whether they are disclosed in terms of separate embodiments or examples, and is also specifically intended to include a range up to the lower of the at least two values ...

Claims

1. A golf club head, Face area, hitting face height H ＳＳ , striking face width W ＳＳ a curved striking face having a loft, a center face location, a roll, and a bulge; at least three tracking markers configured to be tracked by a launch monitor and embedded within the curved striking face; Including, The at least three tracking markers include: The hitting face height H ＳＳ wherein the maximum marker dimension is 4-20% of the roll, the maximum marker dimension being 4.5% or less of the roll, and the maximum marker dimension being at least 1% of the bulge; and a marker surface area less than 10% of the face area; Marker centroid and each having at least three of the tracking markers include retroreflective surfaces that are more retroreflective than the curved striking face; the at least three tracking markers include a first tracking marker having a first centroid, a second tracking marker having a second centroid, and a third tracking marker having a third centroid; a first marker separation distance measured along the curved striking face between the first centroid and the second centroid, a second marker separation distance measured along the curved striking face between the first centroid and the third centroid, and a third marker separation distance measured along the curved striking face between the second centroid and the third centroid; at least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is less than or equal to the roll divided by 10; at least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is at least the bulge divided by 44; The golf club head has a volume of 390 to 500 cc and a club head mass of 180 to 210 grams.

2. at least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is less than or equal to the bulge divided by 12; The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is at least the roll divided by 40.

3. At least two of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance are: is less than or equal to the roll divided by 10; at least said bulge divided by 44; the bulge is equal to or less than the value obtained by dividing the bulge by 12; The golf club head of claim 2 , wherein the roll is at least a factor of 40.

4. At least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is greater than or equal to the striking face width W ＳＳ is 22% or less of the At least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is ＳＳ The golf club head of claim 2 , wherein the axial length is at least 12% of the axial length.

5. At least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is greater than or equal to the striking face width W ＳＳ is at least 7% of At least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is ＳＳ 5. The golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the thickness is 40% or less.

6. At least two of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance are: The striking face width W ＳＳ is 22% or less of the The hitting face height H ＳＳ at least 12% of The striking face width W ＳＳ is at least 7% of The hitting face height H ＳＳ 6. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the thickness is 40% or less.

7. at least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is between 0.85 and 2.5 times the loft; at least one of the first marker separation distance, the second marker separation distance, and the third marker separation distance is 1.5 to 4 times the maximum marker dimension; 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the golf club head further includes a hosel having a Flight Control Technology (FCT) system adjustably joining the hosel and the shaft to control positioning of the golf club head relative to the shaft.

8. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the maximum marker dimension is at least 1% of the roll, and the maximum marker dimension is no more than 4.5% of the bulge.

9. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein at least three of the tracking markers each have a minimum marker dimension that is not equal to the maximum marker dimension.

10. The minimum marker dimension is the striking face height H ＳＳ 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the maximum marker dimension is at least 2% of the minimum marker dimension and the maximum marker dimension is at least 5% greater than the minimum marker dimension.

11. The maximum marker dimension is at least 10% greater than the minimum marker dimension, and the minimum marker dimension is at least 10% greater than the striking face height H ＳＳ The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the axial length is at least 4% of the axial length.

12. The minimum marker dimension is the striking face height H ＳＳ and the maximum marker dimension is at least 6% of the striking face height H ＳＳ 12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the maximum marker dimension is no more than 15% of the minimum marker dimension, and the maximum marker dimension is no more than 100% greater than the minimum marker dimension.

13. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the at least three tracking markers each have a non-circular marker perimeter shape.

14. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the bulge is greater than the roll.

15. The golf club head has a center of gravity (CG), a horizontal axis CG passing through the CG, an Ixx moment of inertia about the x-axis, and a center of gravity of 480 to 700 kg mm ２ 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the golf club head has an Izz moment of inertia about a vertical axis CG z-axis passing through the CG of 0.63 to 0.76, and the ratio of Ixx to Izz is between 0.63 and 0.

76.

16. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the retroreflective surface is defined by one or more microprisms.

17. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the at least three tracking markers include ten or fewer tracking markers.

18. The golf club head of claim 17 , wherein the at least three tracking markers include an adhesive layer and a retroreflective layer, the retroreflective layer including a pattern of retroreflective elements.

19. The golf club head of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements are formed from an at least partially transparent material.

20. a face center horizontal plane extending horizontally through the center face location; a face center vertical plane extending vertically through the center face location; a 1T vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 10 mm toe from the face center vertical plane, a 2T vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 20 mm toe from the face center vertical plane, a 3T vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 30 mm toe from the face center vertical plane, and a 4T vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 40 mm toe from the face center vertical plane; a 1H vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 10 mm heelward from the face center vertical plane, a 2H vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 20 mm heelward from the face center vertical plane, a 3H vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 30 mm heelward from the face center vertical plane, and a 4H vertical plane is parallel to the face center vertical plane and offset 40 mm heelward from the face center vertical plane; a 1C horizontal plane parallel to the face center horizontal plane and offset 10 mm above the face center horizontal plane; a 1S horizontal plane parallel to the face center horizontal plane and offset 10 mm below the face center horizontal plane; 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein a majority of at least one of the tracking markers is positioned above the 1C horizontal plane and between the 2T and 4T vertical planes.

21. 21. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein a majority of at least one of the tracking markers is positioned below the 1S horizontal plane and between the 2H vertical plane and the face center vertical plane.

22. 21. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein a majority of at least one of the tracking markers is positioned below the 1S horizontal plane and between the 2T vertical plane and the face center vertical plane.

23. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the at least three tracking markers retroreflect light having a wavelength greater than at least 700 nanometers.

24. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the at least three tracking markers retroreflect visible light having a wavelength between 400 and 700 nanometers.

25. 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the curved striking face has an impact zone located within a radius of 20 mm from the center face location, and wherein a portion of at least one of the tracking markers is located within the impact zone.

26. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the marker surface area is less than 5% of the face area.

27. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the curved striking face is made from a non-metallic material.

28. 28. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the curved striking face includes a plurality of composite prepreg plies and a polymer cover having a thickness of 0.1 to 3.0 mm.

29. 29. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein a plurality of scorelines are formed in the polymer cover, the polymer cover including a plurality of surface features configured to provide the curved striking face with an average roughness of 2.5 to 5 micrometers.

30. 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the curved striking face includes a plurality of recesses, at least three of the tracking markers are seated within the plurality of recesses, and at least one of the tracking markers is covered by a cover.

31. 31. The golf club head of claim 30, wherein the cover protrudes from the striking face by 0.15 mm or less.

32. The golf club head of claim 30 , wherein the cover includes a texture.

33. The golf club head of claim 32 , wherein the texturing comprises a repeating pattern of surface features.

34. 31. The golf club head of claim 30, wherein a plurality of scorelines are formed in the curved striking face and do not overlap at least three of the tracking markers.

35. 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein a face center vertical plane extends vertically through the center face location, the first marker separation distance defines a first MSD line and a first MSD angle measured from the face center vertical plane to the first MSD line, and the first MSD angle is between 4 and 39 degrees.

Images