Golf club head with improved characteristic time

Abstract

A drive-type golf club head with a reduced striking face height and reduced striking face thickness produces a faster golf ball launch speed while maintaining a suitable CT value. Furthermore, the drive-type golf club head maintains or improves club head durability, optimized ball flight path, and forgiveness through careful distribution of the club head's mass.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 371,449, filed August 15, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 510,076, filed June 23, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to driver-type club heads. [Background technology]

[0003] Golf club designers have long sought to maximize ball speed in driver-type clubheads, as faster ball speeds translate to increased distance and improved scores. Typically, designers focus on various mass properties, such as center of gravity location, moment of inertia value, variable face thickness configuration, and other features, as a means of improving a clubhead's ball speed. However, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has implemented restrictions that limit a club's performance. One of these restrictions is characteristic time (CT), which the USGA measures using a CT test. This test measures the amount of time a steel ball, swung from a pendulum, remains in contact with the clubface. CT measurements indicate face flexibility and energy transfer. While the USGA imposes limits on clubhead CT, it does not impose restrictions on ball speed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Throughout the history of golf, designers have increased the area and size of striking surfaces on driver-type club heads. It is recognized in the art that larger striking surfaces offer several advantages. A striking surface can be likened to the surface of a drum or a trampoline; the larger the surface, the more deflection / displacement that surface experiences. This also applies to golf club faces. Therefore, designers tend to create larger striking surfaces to provide greater surface deflection and, ultimately, higher ball speeds. Furthermore, it is well recognized in the art that the thickness of a striking surface significantly impacts ball speed. It is common in the art for designers to strive for the thinnest possible surface within durability limits without exceeding the CT limit. By incorporating new, stronger materials into golf club head designs, the thickness of a striking surface on a golf club head can be reduced while maintaining the club head's durability. While this reduction in striking surface thickness increases ball speed upon impact, it also increases the CT of the golf club head. The ability to increase ball speed upon impact with a given force is limited by the requirement to limit the CT of the golf club head. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a driver-type golf club head that can produce higher ball speeds while still maintaining a suitable CT value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a golf club head according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a side view of the toe side of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 8 without the striking face insert. [Figure 10] 1 is a rear interior view of a golf club head according to one embodiment compared to a control club head. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. [Figure 12] This is a chart comparing face height and ball speed. [Figure 13] This is a chart comparing surface height and CT. [Figure 14] This is a chart comparing face thickness and ball speed. [Figure 15] This is a chart comparing surface thickness and CT. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] definition

[0007] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., used in this specification and claims, when any, are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a particular sequence or chronological order. It is understood that terms so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, such that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," and variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus consisting of a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0008] In this specification and claims, terms such as "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," and the like, when any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are operable, for example, in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

[0009] The terms "coupled," "coupled," "coupled," "coupling," and the like should be understood broadly and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals in an electrical, mechanical, and / or other manner.

[0010] 1 illustrates various embodiments of a golf club. A golf club is generally understood to include a club head configured to receive a shaft. Additionally, the golf club includes a grip secured to the shaft.

[0011] 1 through 9 are schematic illustrations of various embodiments of a driver-type golf club head in various views. The features described below relate to club head 100. For ease of explanation, the features shown in club head 100 are applicable to various embodiments of the club head according to the present invention. Any one or more features described in the various embodiments below may be used in combination with each other.

[0012] The club head 100 may include a striking face 102 and a body 101 secured together to define a substantially closed / hollow interior cavity. The club head 100 includes a crown 110, a sole 112 opposite the crown 110, a heel 104, a toe 106 opposite the heel 104, a front end 108, and a rear end 111 opposite the front end 108. Additionally, the body 101 may include a skirt 114 and / or a trailing edge 109 positioned between and adjacent the crown 110 and the sole 112. The skirt 114 may extend from near the heel 104 to near the toe 106 of the club head 100.

[0013] The "driver-type golf club heads" described herein, also referred to as drivers, can be defined by specific dimensional ranges. In particular, drivers as described with respect to the invention disclosed herein include loft angles, volumes, lengths, depths, and heights within the ranges defined below.

[0014] The "loft angle" of the driver may be less than about 16 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 14 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 13 degrees, less than about 12 degrees, less than about 11 degrees, or less than about 10 degrees.

[0015] The volume of the driver may be greater than about 300 cm, greater than about 350 cm, greater than about 400 cm, greater than about 425 cm, greater than about 450 cm, greater than about 475 cm, greater than about 500 cm, greater than about 525 cm, greater than about 550 cm, greater than about 575 cm, greater than about 600 cm, greater than about 625 cm, greater than about 650 cm, greater than about 675 cm, or greater than about 700 cm.

[0016] The club head 100 can include one or more body materials, such as steel, stainless steel, tungsten, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, or other metals or metal alloys. In some embodiments, the body material can include a Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V alloy or a 17-4 stainless steel. In some embodiments, the body material can include C300, C350, a nickel (Ni)-cobalt (Co)-chromium (Cr)-steel alloy, 565 steel, AISI 304 or AISI 630 stainless steel, 17-4 stainless steel, a titanium alloy, such as, but not limited to, Ti-6-4, Ti-3-8-6-4-4, Ti-10-2-3, Ti15-3-3-3, Ti15-5-3, Ti185, Ti6-6-2, Ti-7s, Ti-9s, Ti-92, or Ti-8-1-1 titanium alloy, or can be formed from an amorphous metal alloy or other similar metal. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the club head 100 may include a non-metallic material.

[0017] As used herein, "ground contact" refers to a reference plane relative to the surface on which a golf ball rests. The ground contact plane 1010 may be the horizontal plane that contacts the sole at the address position. The address position is defined in more detail below. The ground contact plane 1010 is shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] As used herein, "loft plane" refers to a reference plane that is tangent to the geometric center of the striking face ("geometric center" is explained in more detail below). Loft plane 1015 is shown in FIG.

[0019] As used herein, the term "loft angle" may refer to the angle measured between the loft plane 1015 and the XY plane (defined below). The loft angle 10 is shown in FIG.

[0020] As used herein, the term "lie angle" may refer to the angle between the hosel axis 1020 extending through the hosel 105 and the ground plane. The lie angle 15 is measured from the front of the club head, as shown in FIG.

[0021] The club head 100 can define an "address position" (also referred to as "address") where the club head is oriented to define its intended loft angle 10 and lie angle 15. For example, at the address position, the loft plane 1015 and the XY plane define the intended loft angle 10 between each other. Similarly, at the address position, the hosel axis 1020 and the ground plane 1010 define the intended lie angle 15 between each other.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the club head 100 may define a primary coordinate system centered at the geometric center 116 of the striking face 102. The primary coordinate system may include an X-axis 1040, a Y-axis 1050, and a Z-axis 1060. The X-axis 1040 may extend in a heel-to-toe direction parallel to the contact surface 1010. The X-axis 1040 may be positive toward the heel 104 and negative toward the toe 106. The Y-axis 1050 may extend in a crown-to-sole direction and may be perpendicular to both the contact surface 1010 and the X-axis 1040. The Y-axis 1050 may be positive toward the crown 110 and negative toward the sole 112. The Z-axis 1060 may extend in a front-to-back direction parallel to the contact surface 1010 and may be perpendicular to both the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. The Z-axis 1060 may be positive toward the striking face 102 and negative toward the rear end 111 .

[0023] As described herein, the primary coordinate system defines an XY plane as a vertical plane extending along the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. The primary coordinate system defines an XZ plane as a horizontal plane extending along the X-axis 1040 and the Z-axis 1060. The primary coordinate system further defines a YZ plane as a vertical plane extending along the Y-axis 1050 and the Z-axis 1060. The XY, XZ, and YZ planes are all perpendicular to one another and intersect at the primary coordinate system origin, which is located at the geometric center 116 of the striking face 102. In these or other embodiments, the club head 100 can be viewed from the front, with the striking face 102 viewed perpendicular to the XY plane. Additionally, in these or other embodiments, the club head 100 can be viewed from a side view or cross-sectional side view, with the heel 104 or toe 106 viewed perpendicular to the YZ plane.

[0024] As used herein, "body depth" or "depth" DB of club head 100 refers to the front-to-back dimension measured across body 101. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, body depth DB is measured parallel to the Z axis 1060 from the leading edge 103 to the rearmost point 119 of body 101. In many embodiments, body depth DB may be measured in accordance with a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

[0025] As described herein, the "body height" or "height" HB of the club head 100 may refer to the dimension measured across the body 101 from the crown to the sole. With reference to FIG. 2 , the body height HB may be measured as the vertical distance (parallel to the Y-axis 1050) between the ground contact surface 1010 and the highest point of the crown 110. In many embodiments, the body height HB may be measured in accordance with a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

[0026] As described herein, the "body width" or "width" WB of the club head 100 may refer to the heel-to-toe dimension measured across the body 101. With reference to FIG. 2 , the body width WB may be measured parallel to the X-axis 1040 from the heel apex 117 to the toe apex 118. The toe apex 118 is defined as the toe-most point of the body 101. The heel apex 117 is the heel-most point of the heel 104 located 0.875 mm above the ground surface 1010. In many embodiments, the body width WB may be measured in accordance with a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). The specified ranges of the body depth DB, body height HB, and body width WB may be designed in accordance with USGA rules.

[0027] The "center of gravity" or "CG" of a club head as described herein may refer to the point within the club head about which mass is centered. CG 160 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0028] The term or phrase "center of gravity location" or "CG location" may refer to the location of the center of gravity (CG) of a club head relative to a primary coordinate system, where the CG location is characterized by location along the X-axis 1040, the Y-axis 1050, and the Z-axis 1060. The term "CGx" may refer to the CG location along the X-axis 1040, measured from the geometric center 116. The term "CG height" may refer to the CG location along the Y-axis 1050, measured from the geometric center 116. The term "CGy" may be synonymous with CG height. The term "CG depth" may refer to the CG location along the Z-axis 1060, measured from the geometric center 116. The term "CGz" may be synonymous with CG depth.

[0029] Furthermore, the golf club head has a secondary coordinate system centered at the center of gravity 160. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the secondary coordinate system has an X'-axis 1070, a Y'-axis 1080, and a Z'-axis 1090. The X'-axis 1070 extends in a direction from heel to toe. The X'-axis 1070 is positive toward the heel 104 and negative toward the toe 106. The Y'-axis 1080 extends in a direction from sole to crown and is perpendicular to both the Z'-axis 1090 and the X'-axis 1070. The Y'-axis 1080 is positive toward the crown 110 and negative toward the sole 112. The Z'-axis 1090 extends in the front-to-back direction parallel to the ground contact surface 1010 and is perpendicular to both the X'-axis 1070 and the Y'-axis 1080. The Z'-axis 1090 is positive toward the striking face 102 and negative toward the rear end 111.

[0030] The term or phrase "moment of inertia" (hereinafter "MOI") may refer to a value derived using the center of gravity (CG) location. The terms "MOIxx" or "Ixx" may refer to the MOI measured about the X' axis 1070. The terms "MOIyy" or "Iyy" may refer to the MOI measured about the Y' axis 1080. The terms "MOIzz" or "Izz" may refer to the MOI measured about the Z' axis 1090. The MOI values ​​of MOIxx, MOIyy, and MOIzz determine how susceptible the club head 100 is to off-center impacts with a golf ball.

[0031] MOI is a measure of an object's resistance to twisting around an axis and is calculated according to Equation 1 below:

[0032]

number

[0033] Equation 1 defines the MOI of an object, denoted I, with respect to its mass (denoted dm), as the integral of the square of the perpendicular distance, denoted r, between the axis about which the MOI is measured and the location of the object's mass. It is generally known that if the center of gravity (CG) of an object is known, the object can be treated as a point mass located at that CG. Treating the object as a point mass simplifies Equation 1 to the following Equation 2:

[0034]

number

[0035] Equation 2 explains that the moment of inertia, I, of an object about an axis is equal to the sum of the products of the masses of the point masses that make up the object and the perpendicular distance from each point mass to the axis along which the moment of inertia is measured.

[0036] As used herein, the term "striking face" refers to the front surface of the club head that is configured to strike a golf ball. The term "striking face" can be used interchangeably with the terms "face" or "striking face surface."

[0037] The striking face includes a "bulge curvature" and a "roll curvature." The bulge curvature is the curvature of the striking face in a direction from heel to toe. The roll curvature is the curvature of the striking face in a direction from crown to sole. The bulge curvature and roll curvature each include a "bulge radius" and a "roll radius" that define the radius of curvature associated with the bulge curvature and roll curvature, respectively. The bulge curvature and / or roll curvature may consist of one or more radii. The bulge radius and roll radius are designed and selected to improve hits with off-center golf balls. The bulge radius and roll radius define the striking face and the boundary around the striking face.

[0038] As used herein, the term "striking face (SF) perimeter" can refer to the edge of the striking face. The SF perimeter 120 is located and defined at the point where the bulge radius and roll radius deviate from the bulge curvature and roll curvature, respectively. Referring to FIG. 5, the striking face perimeter includes a top edge 122, a toe edge 124, a bottom edge 126, and a heel edge 128. The striking face perimeter is the outermost perimeter of the striking face 102.

[0039] As described herein, the "leading edge" of the club head may be identified as the forward-most portion of the club head 100. The leading edge 103 is not necessarily part of the striking face 102. The leading edge 103 may be located just below the bottom of the bottom edge 126 of the striking face. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the leading edge 103 is within the transition from the striking face 102 to the sole 112 of the club head 100.

[0040] As used herein, the "striking face height" or "face height" HSF of a club head refers to the distance measured in the YZ plane from the striking face top edge point 123 to the striking face bottom edge point 127. The striking face top edge point 123 is defined by the intersection of the striking face top edge 122 with the YZ plane. Similarly, the striking face bottom edge point 127 is defined by the intersection of the striking face bottom edge 126 with the YZ plane. Referring to FIG. 6 , the height HSF can be measured parallel to the loft plane 1015 from the SF top edge point 123 to the SF bottom edge point 127 in the YZ plane that intersects the face center 116.

[0041] As used herein, the "striking face width" WSF of a club head refers to the horizontal distance measured across the striking face in a heel-to-toe direction. Referring to Figure 5, the striking face width WSF can be measured parallel to the ground contact patch 1010 from the heel-most point on the striking face perimeter to the toe-most point on the striking face perimeter.

[0042] As used herein, the "top edge point height" HTP of a club head refers to the distance measured perpendicular to the contact surface between the top edge point 123 and the contact surface 1010, as shown in Figure 7. The striking surface top edge point 123 is defined by the intersection of the striking surface top edge point 122 and the YZ plane.

[0043] As used herein, the "bottom edge point height" HBP of the club head refers to the distance measured perpendicular to the contact surface between the bottom edge point 127 and the contact surface 1010, as shown in Figure 7. The striking surface bottom edge point 127 is defined by the intersection of the striking surface bottom edge point 126 and the YZ plane.

[0044] As used herein, the "crown apex height" HCA of a club head refers to the distance measured perpendicular to the contact surface between the crown apex 130 and the contact surface 1010, as shown in Figure 7. The crown apex 130 is the highest point on the crown 110 in the YZ plane.

[0045] As used herein, the "crown apex depth" DCA of a club head refers to the distance parallel to the Z axis 1060 measured between the top edge point 123 and the crown apex 130 on the YZ plane.

[0046] As used herein, the "crown apex angle" 20 of a club head refers to the angle of the crown apex 130 relative to the top edge point 123. The crown apex angle 20 is measured as the angle between a line parallel to the Z axis that intersects the crown apex 130 and a line that intersects both the crown apex 130 and the top edge point 123.

[0047] As used herein, the "sole apex depth" DSA of the club head refers to the distance measured between the bottom edge point 127 and the sole apex 132. The sole apex 132 is the lowest point on the sole 112 in the YZ plane and is the point on the sole 112 where the ground contact surface 1010 meets.

[0048] As used herein, the "sole vertex angle" 25 of a club head refers to the angle of the sole vertex 132 relative to the ground contact surface 1010. The sole vertex angle 25 is measured between the line intersecting the bottom edge point 127 and the sole vertex 132 and the ground contact surface 1010.

[0049] As used herein, the "geometric center" of the striking face refers to the geometric center point of the striking face perimeter as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. The geometric center point 120 of the striking face 102 may be located according to the definition of a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

[0050] 6, the striking face 102 has a face center height HFC, which is measured perpendicular to the contact surface 1010 from the contact surface 1010 to the geometric center 116.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3 , club head 100 further includes force lines 1075 that intersect center of gravity 160 and extend perpendicular to loft plane 1015. The launch characteristics of a golf ball depend on the relationship between force lines 1075 and the impact location of the golf ball on the striking face. The closer the impact location is to force lines 1075, the greater the energy transfer at impact between club head 100 and the golf ball. Force lines 1075 can be offset from face center 116 to adjust launch characteristics, assuming the golf ball is struck at the face center.

[0052] Before describing any embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0053] explanation

[0054] Described herein are driver-type club heads having face height to face thickness ratios that produce higher ball speeds while staying within CT limits. The club heads described herein are not fairway-type golf club heads. The club heads described herein are not hybrid-type golf club heads. Specifically, the driver-type golf club heads have shallower (i.e., shorter face heights) and thinner striking faces compared to known driver-type golf club heads to increase ball speeds while maintaining a CT within the United States Golf Association ("USGA") limits. In many embodiments, a driver-type golf club head 100 having a shallower and thinner striking face provides an increase in ball speed of at least 1 mph while maintaining a CT within the USGA limits compared to a driver-type golf club head having a larger striking face, including a larger face height and / or thicker striking face.

[0055] I. Theoretical Considerations

[0056] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a striking surface that is as thin as possible while maintaining a suitable CT value, thereby providing a sufficiently durable club head. This disclosure recognizes that striking surface thickness is the dominant parameter affecting ball launch speed. For driver-type club heads in particular, striking surface thickness has a greater impact on ball speed than any other design parameter. However, striking surface thickness also affects CT value. If all other structural parameters remain the same, simply thinning the surface will increase CT value and therefore ball launch speed. However, making the striking surface thinner may result in exceeding the CT limit set by the USGA. This disclosure identifies parameters that work in conjunction with striking surface thickness to reduce CT value so that the CT value remains within the USGA CT limit. Adjusting parameters other than striking surface thickness will also reduce ball speed, but not as much as the increase caused by thinning the striking surface, resulting in a net increase in ball speed.

[0057] Shortening or reducing the striking face height as a means of reducing the CT of a golf club head so that it falls within the USGA CT limits is an aspect of this invention. It is recognized that striking face height (or size) affects ball speed, as discussed above. In addition to the impact of striking face height on ball speed, striking face height also affects CT. Contrary to the prior art and counterintuitively, this disclosure aims to reduce striking face height (and total striking face volume). This disclosure aims to reduce striking face height as a means of lowering CT so that the striking face can be made as thin as possible. The increase in ball speed achieved by reducing the striking face thickness more than offsets the loss in ball speed due to the reduction in striking face height, resulting in a net increase in ball speed.

[0058] The driver-type golf club heads described herein have shallower and thinner faces, which also provide mass property advantages. A shallower and thinner striking face may provide a lighter, lower-mass striking face by allowing more mass to be moved to other desirable locations. Mass removed from the striking face can be moved to locations around the club head, such as the perimeter or rear, to increase MOI and improve center of gravity location. For example, the face plate of a driver-type golf club head described herein may have a mass of approximately 30 g. In other embodiments, the face plate mass may be between approximately 22 g and approximately 32 g.

[0059] In addition to striking face height and striking face thickness, many other structural factors can affect CT and ball speed. However, many other methods for controlling CT are more complex and involve cost and potential quality control issues. Many prior art structures used to control CT require additional molding operations or additive materials, increasing the mass of the forward portion of prior art golf club heads and incurring additional costs. The driver-type golf club head described herein maintains CT without requiring many known methods for controlling CT. The driver-type golf club head described herein does not require ribs, braces, springs, or struts connecting the interior sole, skirt, crown, toe, or heel surfaces to the interior striking face surface before or during deflection at impact, other than welds, braze interfaces, or adhesive surfaces between the striking face and the club head body around the striking face. The striking face insert of the driver-type golf club head described herein does not require multiple materials with distinct boundaries. The striking face of the driver-type golf club described herein does not require any polymeric material attached to the interior striking face surface. The driver-type golf club heads described herein do not require channels, slots, or other flexure mechanisms formed in or attached to the crown, sole, toe, skirt, or heel portions, unless otherwise described herein. The driver-type golf club heads described herein do not require any channels, slots, or other flexure mechanisms formed in or attached to the striking face or forward portion in any location, unless otherwise described herein. The driver-type golf club heads described herein do not require any structure connecting the interior crown surface to the interior sole surface. The driver-type golf club heads described herein do not require any structure connecting the interior toe surface to the interior heel surface. The driver-type golf club heads described herein take a geometry-based approach to increasing ball speed while maintaining CT.

[0060] A. Ball Speed

[0061] As mentioned above, the launch speed of a golf ball when struck with a driver-type golf club head is determined in part by two characteristics of the striking face. For a constant club head impact speed and a constant impact location on the striking face, the striking face height and striking face thickness determine the launch speed. As the striking face height increases, the launch speed of the struck golf ball increases, holding all other characteristics constant. Conversely, as the striking face height decreases, the launch speed of the struck golf ball decreases, holding all other characteristics constant. This is true within the allowable volume limits for driver-type golf club heads set by the USGA. As the striking face thickness decreases, the launch speed of the struck golf ball increases. Conversely, as the striking face thickness increases, the launch speed of the struck golf ball decreases. (This is true for the practical range of club head swing speeds between 50 mph and 150 mph.)

[0062] The claimed driver-type golf club head reduces the striking surface thickness in a specific manner. The outer surface of the striking surface is required by USGA rules to be smoothly curved. That is, the outer striking surface has no ridges or depressions, but instead is a smoothly curved surface with a substantially constant bulge and roll radius across the striking surface. The inner (or rear) surface of the striking surface may have depressions or ridges that are not smooth or uniform. The inner surface of the striking surface provides a shape that allows for a variable striking surface thickness. According to the embodiments described herein, the striking surface thickness is reduced by uniformly reducing the outer surface while maintaining the inner surface shape. Stated another way, reducing the striking surface thickness can be visualized as if the striking surface were uniformly milled into a smoothly curved outer surface, with any given point on the striking surface being thinner by a uniform amount. The striking surface still has a variable surface thickness, with the cross-sectional width at each point being thinner by a uniform amount. The average surface thickness is calculated by dividing the striking surface volume by the striking surface frontal area.

[0063] 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the launch speed of a golf ball at impact is linearly related to the striking face height. For a constant club head impact speed and striking face impact location, as the striking face height increases, the ball speed at launch increases. For a constant club head impact speed and striking face impact location, as the striking face height decreases, the ball speed at launch decreases. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a 0.2 inch decrease in striking face height decreases the ball launch speed by approximately 1.5 mph. A 0.2 inch increase in striking face height increases the ball launch speed by approximately 1.5 mph.

[0064] Referring to Figure 8, in one embodiment, the launch speed of a golf ball at impact is linearly related to changes in striking face thickness, as discussed above. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the launch speed of a golf ball, measured in miles per hour (mph), is inversely linearly related to the striking face thickness. This equation indicates that as the striking face thickness increases, ball speed decreases, and as the striking face thickness decreases, ball speed increases essentially linearly.

[0065] B. Contact time (CT)

[0066] As mentioned above, the contact time (CT) of a golf club's striking face is determined by several factors. The striking face height and striking face thickness directly affect the CT of a golf club head, independent of other factors. Referring to Figure 7, the CT of the striking face is plotted against changes in striking face height. For a constant club head impact speed and striking face impact location, an increase in striking face height increases the CT of the striking face. Similarly, a decrease in striking face height decreases the CT of the striking face. Increasing the striking face height increases the CT of the striking face. Decreasing the striking face height decreases the CT of the striking face. Increasing the striking face thickness increases the CT of the striking face. Decreasing the striking face thickness decreases the CT of the striking face. While it is desirable to control the CT of the striking face to stay within USGA limits in golf club design, the higher the CT, the more energy is transferred to the golf ball upon impact.

[0067] C. Trade-off between CT control and increased ball speed

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, |ΔCT| resulting from a change in face thickness is less than or equal to |ΔCT| resulting from a change in face height. The |ΔBS| resulting from a change in face thickness is greater than the |ΔBS| resulting from a change in face height. Therefore, if the average face thickness of the striking face is appropriately reduced compared to a comparable driver-type golf club head, and if the striking face height is appropriately reduced compared to a comparable driver-type golf club head, ΔCT will be 0 or a negative value. However, ΔBS is positive. In other words, two striking face thickness functions are defined as BS(FT) shown in FIGS. 6 through 9 and CT(FT) shown in FIGS. 6 through 9. Similarly, two striking face height functions are defined as BS(FH) and CT(FH), respectively, shown in FIGS. 6 through 9. The ratio of the effect of striking face thickness on ball speed at launch to the effect of striking face thickness on CT is (ΔBS(FT)) / (ΔCT(FT)), expressed in mph / μs. The ratio of the effect of striking face height on ball speed at launch to the effect of striking face height on CT is (ΔBS(FH)) / (ΔCT(FH)), expressed in mph / μs. The described driver-type golf club head increases ball speed at launch without increasing the CT of the striking face. Therefore, (ΔBS(FT)) / (ΔCT(FT))>(ΔBS(FH)) / (ΔCT(FH)). In other words, adjusting face thickness results in a greater change in ball speed per unit of CT (microseconds) than adjusting face height.

[0069] D. Performance Goals and Trade-Offs

[0070] As mentioned above, one of the challenges golf club head designers face is the trade-off between increasing the launch speed of a golf ball upon impact and the durability of a golf club head during repeated impacts with a golf ball, while maintaining the CT of the golf club head within the limits of USGA regulations. If USGA CT limitations did not exist, the striking face thickness would be minimized and the striking face height would be maximized within the durability characteristics of any given striking face material. However, USGA CT limitations exist, and existing driver-type golf club heads have gradually increased the striking face of golf club heads to maximize ball speed within the CT limitations. The driver-type golf club head of the present disclosure takes a slightly different approach. Rather than pursuing an increase in striking face size, driver-type golf club heads with smaller striking faces can be designed to achieve ball speeds that exceed those achieved by club heads with larger striking faces. To achieve higher ball speeds, the following three specific relationships are combined: 1) Reducing the striking face height, all other factors being equal, decreases the CT of the golf club head. 2) Reducing the striking face thickness increases ball speed. 3) Reducing the striking face thickness increases the CT of the golf club head. The key to these three relationships is their relative effect. The decrease in CT caused by reducing the striking face height is proportionally faster than the increase in CT caused by reducing the striking face thickness. Therefore, within a certain range of lower striking face heights, a thinner striking face can increase ball speed while remaining within the USGA CT limit. All things being equal, a faster ball launch speed will result in greater distance. However, other trade-offs in the performance of a driver-type golf club head must also be managed.

[0071] The striking face height must be managed by taking into account the mass properties of the golf club head. A lower striking face height results in a proportionally lower geometric center of the striking face. Therefore, the CG of the golf club head, projected perpendicular to the loft plane, is proportionally higher relative to the geometric center of the striking face, resulting in a lower spin rate on the launched ball. Without additional design adjustments, the additional distance achieved by a shorter, thinner striking face, resulting in a higher ball speed, is offset by a reduction in launch spin. From a spin perspective, a lower CG of the golf club head relative to the loft-normal axis is advantageous. This trade-off has led designers to use higher striking faces to reduce spin rate on ball launch, resulting in the industry's trend toward higher striking faces for golf club heads. (A higher striking face raises the geometric center. A higher geometric center raises the loft-normal axis. A higher loft-normal axis improves CG offset from the loft-normal axis, resulting in improved ball spin on launch.)

[0072] Furthermore, the mass distribution of a driver-type golf club head 100 is directly affected by a shorter, thinner striking face due to the reduced mass at the striking face. To maintain the overall mass of the golf club head within a desired range, the mass removed from the striking face must be redistributed to other portions of the club head body. The moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head is also affected by the distribution of mass. Achieving the highest possible MOI, among other constraints, is desirable. Furthermore, the striking face height and striking face thickness must be controlled for durability, as an excessively thin striking face thickness can cause the golf club head to fail during use. The following describes an embodiment of a driver-type golf club head that achieves desirable higher ball speeds at launch, thereby facilitating increased distance, while maintaining desirable durability, play-enhancing mass properties, and a CT value within USGA requirements.

[0073] E. Ball Spin

[0074] The spin rate of a golf ball at launch, typically measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), affects the distance of a shot. Generally, a decrease in RPM results in a "flatter" shot trajectory, resulting in a longer shot distance. Conversely, a higher RPM results in a higher shot trajectory and a shorter shot distance. While increased ball speed at launch may increase distance, as discussed above, this increase in ball speed can be offset by the increased ball speed. A smaller striking face height presents a problem in this regard. Ball spin is linked to the "gear effect" of the golf club head. A lower club head CG reduces the initial spin rate of the ball. A higher club head CG increases the initial spin rate of the ball. Reducing the striking face height while keeping all other geometry, such as the bottom edge point height (HBP), equal increases the CG relative to the face center, thereby increasing spin. In some embodiments, the CG may be undesirably elevated, resulting in less-than-ideal launch conditions.

[0075] To address these non-ideal launch conditions, the geometric center of the striking face can be raised while reducing the striking face height. The leading edge can be raised by providing a raised curvature on the forward portion of the sole. This raised curvature lowers the sole apex relative to the leading edge, thereby raising the entire striking face further above the ground plane. The vertical extent of the striking face (striking face height) can be reduced while simultaneously raising the geometric center of the striking face. When the geometric center of the striking face is raised by raising the leading edge, the projected location of the center of gravity moves relative to the face center. This results in corresponding changes in spin and launch characteristics. For example, when the geometric center of the face is raised by raising the leading edge, the projected location of the center of gravity moves relative to the face center.

[0076] The mass of the club head body may be redistributed to change the relative club head CG location by removing mass from the golf club head crown and repositioning that mass lower on the golf club head body. The mass may be redistributed from a reduced-mass striking face to a lower position on the golf club head body. The additional mass may also be placed on a removable, high-density weight attached to the lower rear of the golf club head body. Furthermore, the shaft-receiving structure within the hollow interior of the golf club head body may be modified to remove material, and the mass saved by such modifications may be relocated lower on the golf club head body. Any of these may be used alone or in combination to lower the club head body CG as the striking face height lowers the striking face geometric center, improving golf ball launch spin.

[0077] Utilizing the redistributed mass and ridge curvature, the vertical position of the golf club head CG relative to the loft normal axis is from 0.1 inches above the loft normal axis to 0.5 inches below the loft normal axis. The vertical position of the CG relative to the club loft normal axis in the comparative club is from 0.1 inches above the loft normal axis to 0.5 inches below the loft normal axis.

[0078] G. Durability

[0079] One concern with reducing the striking face thickness is a decrease in the durability of the club head. However, simultaneously reducing the striking face thickness and striking face height results in a beneficial trade-off. Reducing the striking face thickness decreases the durability of the club head. As the striking face height decreases, the durability of the striking face increases. The club heads described herein pass a standard durability test in which the club face is repeatedly struck by a golf ball having a speed of 120 mph. The club heads described herein successfully pass the 2,000 strikes threshold, indicating a high degree of striking face durability at least as high as club heads with higher and thicker striking faces.

[0080] II. Consideration of the striking surface

[0081] As described above, a driver-type club head 100 is provided that simultaneously reduces the striking face (hereinafter, "SF") height HSF and SF thickness TSF to improve ball speed while maintaining a suitable CT. The "striking face height" or "face height" HSF of the club head, as defined above, refers to the distance measured from the striking face's top edge point 123 to the striking face's bottom edge point 127 in the YZ plane. The striking face's top edge point 123 is defined by the intersection of the striking face's top edge 122 and the YZ plane. Similarly, the striking face's bottom edge point 127 is defined by the intersection of the striking face's bottom edge 126 and the YZ plane. Referring to FIG. 6 , the height HSF is measured parallel to the loft plane 1015 from the SF's top edge point 123 to the SF's bottom edge point 127 in the YZ plane that intersects the face center 116.

[0082] The club head's SF thickness TSF is the average striking face thickness measured within the boundaries of the striking face perimeter 120. This average striking face thickness can be calculated by dividing the volume of the striking face by the area. The striking face volume covers the material bounded by the striking face front surface 102, the striking face rear surface 115, and the striking face perimeter 120. The outline of the striking face perimeter 120 is extended or projected rearward, perpendicular to the loft plane, until it intersects with the striking face rear surface 115. This projection defines a perimeter boundary for the striking face volume. The striking face area is the area of ​​the front surface 102 bounded by the striking face perimeter 120.

[0083] In many embodiments, the striking face height HSF of the driver-type club head 100 is within a range of approximately 1.40 to 1.80 inches. In some embodiments, the striking face height HSF is within a range of approximately 1.40 to 1.45 inches, 1.45 to 1.50 inches, 1.50 to 1.55 inches, 1.55 to 1.60 inches, 1.60 to 1.65 inches, 1.65 to 1.70 inches, 1.70 to 1.75 inches, or 1.75 to 1.80 inches. Further, in some embodiments, the striking face height HSF may be approximately less than 1.80 inches, less than 1.78 inches, less than 1.76 inches, less than 1.74 inches, less than 1.72 inches, less than 1.70 inches, less than 1.68 inches, less than 1.66 inches, less than 1.64 inches, less than 1.62 inches, less than 1.60 inches, less than 1.58 inches, less than 1.54 inches, less than 1.52 inches, less than 1.50 inches, less than 1.48 inches, less than 1.46 inches, less than 1.44 inches, less than 1.42 inches, or less than 1.40 inches. In some embodiments, the striking face height is approximately 1.80 inches, 1.79 inches, 1.78 inches, 1.77 inches, 1.76 inches, 1.75 inches, 1.74 inches, 1.72 inches, 1.71 inches, 1.70 inches, 1.69 inches, 1.68 inches, 1.67 inches, 1.66 inches, 1.65 inches, 1.64 inches, 1.63 inches, 1.62 inches, 1.61 inches. , 1.60 inches, 1.59 inches, 1.58 inches, 1.57 inches, 1.56 inches, 1.55 inches, 1.54 inches, 1.53 inches, 1.52 inches, 1.51 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.49 inches, 1.48 inches, 1.47 inches, 1.46 inches, 1.45 inches, 1.44 inches, 1.43 inches, 1.42 inches, 1.41 inches, or 1.40 inches. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the club head 100 includes a striking face height HSF of approximately 1.622 inches. In other embodiments, the striking face height HSF may be within the range of 1.733 to 1.622 inches.

[0084] In many embodiments, the striking face thickness TSF of the driver-type club head 100 is approximately within the range of 0.085 to 0.110 inches. The striking face thickness TSF may be within the range of 0.085 to 0.090 inches, 0.090 to 0.095 inches, 0.095 to 0.100 inches, 0.100 to 0.105 inches, or 0.105 to 0.110 inches. In other embodiments, the striking face thickness TSF may be within the range of 0.094 to 0.099 inches, 0.090 to 0.097 inches, or 0.095 to 0.103 inches. The striking surface thickness TSF may be less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.099 inches, less than 0.098 inches, less than 0.097 inches, less than 0.096 inches, less than 0.095 inches, less than 0.094 inches, less than 0.093 inches, less than 0.092 inches, less than 0.091 inches, or less than 0.091 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the striking surface thickness TSF may be approximately 0.085 inches, 0.086 inches, 0.087 inches, 0.088 inches, 0.089 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.091 inches, 0.092 inches, 0.093 inches, 0.094 inches, 0.095 inches, 0.096 inches, 0.097 inches, 0.098 inches, 0.099 inches, or 0.100 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the striking face thickness TSF is approximately 0.094 inches. The striking face thickness TSF of the driver-type club head 100 can be reduced by reducing the striking face height HSF. The combination of a thin striking face and a small striking face height improves ball speed while maintaining a suitable CT value.

[0085] The striking face can have a maximum thickness value, measured within the perimeter of the striking face from the front to the rear of the striking face. In many embodiments, the maximum thickness value can be within a range of approximately 0.140 to 0.100 inches. For example, the maximum thickness value can be within a range of approximately 0.100 to 0.105 inches, 0.105 to 0.110 inches, 0.110 to 0.115 inches, 0.115 to 0.120 inches, 0.120 to 0.125 inches, 0.125 to 0.130 inches, 0.130 to 0.135 inches, or 0.135 to 0.140 inches. In some embodiments, the maximum thickness value is approximately 0.100 inches, 0.102 inches, 0.104 inches, 0.106 inches, 0.108 inches, 0.110 inches, 0.112 inches, 0.114 inches, 0.116 inches, 0.118 inches, 0.120 inches, 0.122 inches, 0.124 inches, 0.126 inches, 0.128 inches, 0.130 inches, 0.132 inches, 0.134 inches, 0.136 inches, 0.138 inches, or 0.140 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum thickness value is less than 0.135 inches, less than 0.134 inches, less than 0.133 inches, less than 0.132 inches, less than 0.131 inches, less than 0.130 inches, less than 0.129 inches, less than 0.128 inches, less than 0.127 inches, less than 0.126 inches, less than 0.125 inches, less than 0.124 inches, less than 0.123 inches, or less than 0.122 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum thickness value is about 0.122 inches.

[0086] The maximum thickness of the striking face can be located at various locations on the striking face. In one embodiment, the striking face is configured so that the maximum thickness is located at the geometric center of the face. In other embodiments, the maximum thickness may be located at other locations within the face, such as on the heel, toe, crown, or sole side of the geometric center.

[0087] Similarly, the striking face can have a minimum thickness that can be located at various locations within the striking face perimeter 120. For example, in one embodiment, the minimum thickness of the striking face can be located at the outermost region of the striking face, while in other embodiments, the minimum thickness can be located at the geometric center.

[0088] The striking face may have a minimum thickness within the range of 0.065 inches to 0.080 inches. For example, the minimum thickness may range from 0.065 inches to 0.070 inches, 0.070 inches to 0.075 inches, or 0.075 inches to 0.080 inches. In one embodiment, the minimum thickness is approximately 0.074 inches.

[0089] In many embodiments, the SF region is 4.0 to 5.0 in 2 For example, the SF region may be in the range of 4.0 in 2 From 4.5in 2 , 4.1in 2 From 4.6in 2 , 4.2in 2 From 4.7in 2 , 4.3in 2 From 4.8in 2 , 4.4in 2 From 4.9in 2 , or 4.5in 2 From 5 inches 2 In one embodiment, the SF region may be in the range of 4.02 in 2 , 4.04in 2 , 4.06in 2 , 4.08in 2 , 4.10in 2 , 4.12in 2 , 4.14in 2 , 4.16in 2 , 4.18in 2 , 4.20in 2 , 4.22in 2 , 4.24in 2 , 4.26in 2 , 4.28in 2 , 4.30in 2 , 4.32in 2 , 4.34in2 , 4.36in 2 , 4.38in 2 , 4.40in 2 , 4.42in 2 , 4.44in 2 , 4.46in 2 , 4.48in 2 , 4.50in 2 , 4.52in 2 , 4.54in 2 , 4.56in 2 , 4.58in 2 , 5.60in 2 , 4.62in 2 , 4.64in 2 , 4.66in 2 , 4.68in 2 , 4.70in 2 , 4.72in 2 , 4.74in 2 , 4.76in 2 , 4.78in 2 , 4.80in 2 , 4.82in 2 , 4.84in 2 , 4.86in 2 , 4.88in 2 , 4.90in 2 , 4.92in 2 , 4.94in 2 , 4.96in 2 , 4.98in 2 , or 5.00 in 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the driver-type club head 100 may be approximately 4.46 inches 2 The driver-type club head of the present disclosure, with its shallower, thinner striking face, also has a smaller SF area compared to other contemporary driver-type club heads.

[0090] In many embodiments, the SF perimeter 120 can have a length measured as the perimeter of the striking face perimeter 120. The striking face perimeter length is approximately within the range of 8.15 inches to 8.90 inches. For example, the striking face perimeter length is within the range of 8.15 to 8.50 inches, 8.25 to 8.60 inches, 8.35 to 8.70 inches, 8.45 to 8.80 inches, or 8.55 to 8.90 inches. The striking face perimeter length may be 8.15 inches, 8.20 inches, 8.25 inches, 8.30 inches, 8.35 inches, 8.40 inches, 8.45 inches, 8.50 inches, 8.55 inches, 8.60 inches, 8.65 inches, 8.70 inches, 8.75 inches, 8.80 inches, 8.85 inches, or 8.90 inches. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the striking face perimeter has a length of approximately 8.386 inches.

[0091] The striking face height can also be measured curvilinearly, such that the curvilinear striking face height is measured along the front surface of the striking face from the top edge point 123 to the bottom edge point 127 and includes the bulge curvature and the roll curvature. In many embodiments, the curvilinear striking face height is within the range of approximately 1.40 to 1.80 inches. In some embodiments, the curvilinear striking face height can be within the range of approximately 1.40 to 1.45 inches, 1.45 to 1.50 inches, 1.50 to 1.55 inches, 1.55 to 1.60 inches, 1.60 to 1.65 inches, 1.65 to 1.70 inches, 1.70 to 1.75 inches, or 1.75 to 1.80 inches. Additionally, in some embodiments, the curvilinear height of the striking face may be less than 1.80 inches, less than 1.78 inches, less than 1.76 inches, less than 1.74 inches, less than 1.72 inches, less than 1.70 inches, less than 1.68 inches, less than 1.66 inches, less than 1.64 inches, less than 1.62 inches, less than 1.60 inches, less than 1.58 inches, less than 1.54 inches, less than 1.52 inches, less than 1.50 inches, less than 1.48 inches, less than 1.46 inches, less than 1.44 inches, less than 1.42 inches, or less than 1.40 inches. In some embodiments, the curvilinear height of the striking face is approximately 1.80 inches, 1.79 inches, 1.78 inches, 1.77 inches, 1.76 inches, 1.75 inches, 1.74 inches, 1.72 inches, 1.71 inches, 1.70 inches, 1.69 inches, 1.68 inches, 1.67 inches, 1.66 inches, 1.65 inches, 1.64 inches, 1.63 inches, 1.62 inches, 1.61 inches. The curved striking face height may be 1.623 inches, 1.60 inches, 1.59 inches, 1.58 inches, 1.57 inches, 1.56 inches, 1.55 inches, 1.54 inches, 1.53 inches, 1.52 inches, 1.51 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.49 inches, 1.48 inches, 1.47 inches, 1.46 inches, 1.45 inches, 1.44 inches, 1.43 inches, 1.42 inches, 1.41 inches, or 1.40 inches. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the club head 100 comprises a curved striking face height of approximately 1.623 inches. In other embodiments, the curved striking face height may be within the range of 1.735 to 1.624 inches.

[0092] The top edge point height HTP, as defined above, may be in the range between 1.85 inches and 2.20 inches. For example, the top edge point height HTP may be in the ranges of 1.85 to 2.00 inches, 1.90 to 2.05 inches, 1.95 to 2.10 inches, 2.00 to 2.15 inches, or 2.05 to 2.20 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the top edge point height HTP is approximately 1.97 inches. In other embodiments, the top edge point height HTP may be in the range between 1.97 and 2.087 inches.

[0093] The bottom edge point height HBP, as defined above, may be within a range between 0.350 inches and 0.385 inches. For example, the bottom edge point height HBP may be within a range between 0.350 and 0.360 inches, between 0.355 and 0.365 inches, between 0.360 and 0.370 inches, between 0.365 and 0.375 inches, or between 0.370 and 0.380 inches. In some embodiments, the bottom edge point height HBP may be approximately 0.350 inches, 0.352 inches, 0.354 inches, 0.356 inches, 0.358 inches, 0.360 inches, 0.362 inches, 0.364 inches, 0.366 inches, 0.368 inches, 0.370 inches, 0.372 inches, 0.374 inches, 0.376 inches, 0.378 inches, or 0.380 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom edge point height HBP is approximately 0.367 inches.

[0094] The face center height HFC, as defined above, may be in the range between 1.100 inches and 1.300 inches. For example, the face center height HFC may be in the range between 1.100 and 1.200 inches, between 1.110 and 1.210 inches, between 1.120 and 1.220 inches, between 1.130 and 1.230 inches, between 1.140 and 1.240 inches, between 1.150 and 1.250 inches, between 1.160 and 1.260 inches, between 1.170 and 1.270 inches, between 1.180 and 1.280 inches, between 1.190 and 1.290 inches, or between 1.200 and 1.300 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the face center height HFC is approximately 1.173 inches.

[0095] The driver-type golf club head 100 can have a ratio of striking face height HSF to face center height HFC. The ratio of striking face height HSF to face center height HFC can be determined by dividing striking face height HSF by face center height HFC. In many embodiments, the ratio of striking face height HSF to face center height HFC can be within a range between 1.20 and 1.60. For example, the ratio of striking face height HSF to face center height HFC can be within a range between 1.20 and 1.35 inches, between 1.25 and 1.40, between 1.30 and 1.45, between 1.35 and 1.50, between 1.40 and 1.55, or between 1.45 and 1.60. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of striking face height HSF to face center height HFC is approximately 1.36.

[0096] When the SF height is reduced, the striking face may be made thinner to restore more ball speed than was lost by reducing the striking face height. If the striking face thickness is reduced, it is reduced uniformly. In some embodiments, the striking face thickness is reduced uniformly only in the striking face region, so that the thickness value of the surrounding transition region remains unchanged. In other embodiments, the striking face thickness is reduced uniformly only within the perimeter of the striking face insert. In this embodiment, even if there are areas of the striking face that fall outside the perimeter of the striking face insert, only the thickness of the striking face insert is reduced.

[0097] The driver-type golf club head also has a 2D average striking face thickness. The 2D average thickness is the average thickness of the striking face measured in the YZ plane. The 2D average thickness of the striking face can be determined by the area of ​​the cross section of the striking face enclosed by the front striking face, the rear striking face, and the striking face perimeter projected backward perpendicular to the loft plane. The 2D average striking face thickness may be within a range of approximately 0.090 to 0.120 inches. For example, the 2D average striking face thickness may be within a range of 0.090 to 0.100 inches, 0.095 to 0.105 inches, 0.100 to 0.110 inches, 0.105 to 0.115 inches, or 0.110 to 0.120 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the 2D average striking face thickness is approximately 0.108 inches.

[0098] The striking face width WSF, as defined above, may be within a range between 3.0 and 4.5 inches. For example, the striking face width WSF may be within a range of 3.0 inches to 3.25 inches, 3.25 inches to 3.5 inches, 3.5 inches to 3.75 inches, 3.75 inches to 4 inches, or 4 inches to 4.5 inches.

[0099] The striking face may further include a striking face volume. The striking face volume is the volume of material enclosed by the striking face front surface, the striking face rear surface, and the striking face perimeter 120 projected backward perpendicular to the loft plane. The striking face volume is 0.410 in 3 and 0.500in. 3 For example, the striking surface volume may be in the range between 0.410 and 0.460 in 3 , 0.415 and 0.465in 3 , 0.420 and 0.470 in 3 , 0.425 and 0.475in 3 , 0.430 and 0.480in3, 0.435 and 0.485in 3 , 0.440 and 0.490 in 3 , 0.445 and 0.495 in 3 , or 0.450 and 0.500 in 3 , may be in the range between.

[0100] The striking surface is 50g / in 3 from 100g / in 3 For example, in some embodiments, the striking surface may comprise a material having a density in the range of 50 to 60 g / in 3 , 60 to 70 g / in 3 , 70 to 80 g / in 3 , 80 to 90 g / in 3 , or 90 to 100 g / in 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the striking surface has a density of about 72 g / in 3 is.

[0101] III. Driver Structure

[0102] As detailed above, simultaneously reducing the striking face height and striking face thickness provides a driver that improves ball speed while maintaining a suitable CT. As defined above, simultaneously reducing the striking face height HSF and striking face thickness TSF can be applied to all driver-type club heads, regardless of construction. However, in some embodiments, the striking face height and striking face thickness can be expressed in ways other than those defined above.

[0103] A. Face insert

[0104] In some embodiments, a driver-type club head can include a striking face insert structure. FIGS. 8 and 9 show one embodiment of a driver-type golf club head 200 including a face insert structure, where the golf club head has a front opening 202 configured to receive a separately attached striking face insert 204. The face insert includes a perimeter 221 that can be different from the striking face perimeter 220. The face insert perimeter 221 is the periphery of the face plate insert 204, while the striking face perimeter 220 is defined by the bulge and roll contours, as described above. The front opening 202 is sized and shaped to receive the face plate insert 204. In some embodiments, the front opening 202 is approximately the same size and shape as the face insert 204. In other embodiments, the front opening 202 may include a geometric shape to facilitate assembly, such as a tab, lap joint, or other similar structure configured for the face plate insert to rest or fit within. The face insert may be permanently or mechanically secured to the front opening. For example, in one embodiment, the face insert may be welded to the front opening, while in other embodiments, the face insert may be adhesively secured to the front opening or mechanically attached with screws or fasteners.

[0105] In this embodiment, the striking face insert is comprised of a face insert height HFI and a face insert thickness TFI. The face insert height refers to the distance measured from the face insert's top edge point 223 to the face insert's bottom edge point 227 in the YZ plane. The face insert's top edge point 223 is defined by the intersection of the face insert's top edge 222 with the YZ plane. Similarly, the face insert's bottom edge point 227 is defined by the intersection of the face insert's bottom edge 226 with the YZ plane. The height HFI may be measured parallel to the loft plane 1015 from the face insert's top edge point 223 to the face insert's bottom edge point 227 in the YZ plane intersecting the face center 216.

[0106] The face insert thickness TFI is measured in the same manner as the striking face thickness TSF. The face insert thickness can be determined by dividing the face insert volume by the face insert frontal area. The face insert frontal area is the area enclosed by the face insert perimeter 221.

[0107] In many embodiments, the face insert height HFI is within the range of 1.35 to 1.70 inches. For example, the face insert height HFI may be within the range of 1.35 to 1.45, 1.45 to 1.55, 1.55 to 1.65, or 1.65 to 1.70 inches. In some embodiments, the face insert height may be approximately 1.35 inches, 1.36 inches, 1.37 inches, 1.38 inches, 1.39 inches, 1.40 inches, 1.41 inches, 1.42 inches, 1.43 inches, 1.44 inches, 1.45 inches, 1.46 inches, 1.47 inches, 1.48 inches, 1.49 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.51 inches, 1.52 inches, 1.53 inches, 1.54 inches, 1.55 inches, 1.56 inches, 1.57 inches, 1.58 inches, 1.59 inches, 1.60 inches, 1.61 inches, 1.62 inches, 1.63 inches, 1.64 inches, 1.65 inches, 1.66 inches, 1.67 inches, 1.68 inches, 1.69 inches, or 1.70 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the face insert height HFI is approximately 1.49 inches.

[0108] In many embodiments, the face insert pressure TFI is within the range of 0.085 to 0.110 inches. The face insert pressure TFI may be within the range of 0.085 to 0.090 inches, 0.090 to 0.095 inches, 0.095 to 0.100 inches, 0.100 to 0.105 inches, or 0.105 to 0.110 inches. In other embodiments, the face insert pressure TFI may be within the range of 0.094 to 0.099 inches, 0.090 to 0.097 inches, or 0.095 to 0.103 inches. The face insert pressure TFI may be less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.099 inches, less than 0.098 inches, less than 0.097 inches, less than 0.096 inches, less than 0.095 inches, less than 0.094 inches, less than 0.093 inches, less than 0.092 inches, less than 0.091 inches, or less than 0.091 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the face insert pressure TFI may be approximately 0.085 inches, 0.086 inches, 0.087 inches, 0.088 inches, 0.089 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.091 inches, 0.092 inches, 0.093 inches, 0.094 inches, 0.095 inches, 0.096 inches, 0.097 inches, 0.098 inches, 0.099 inches, or 0.100 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the face insert pressure TFI is approximately 0.096 inches.

[0109] As described above, the face insert (FI) perimeter 221 is separate and distinct from the striking face (SF) perimeter 120. Thus, in this embodiment, the golf club head 200 can have both the SF perimeter 220 and the FI perimeter 221. The SF perimeter 220 is defined by the bulge and roll, as described above, while the FI perimeter 221 is defined by the edge of the face insert 204. As shown in FIG. 8 , the SF perimeter 220 is offset outward from the FI perimeter 221. In this manner, the face insert 204 forms only a portion of the total striking face defined by the SF perimeter 220, such that the FI area is smaller than the SF area. In other embodiments, the face insert 204 can form the entire striking face defined by the SF perimeter 220.

[0110] In many embodiments, the FI circumference may be between about 7.30 and 8.10 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the FI circumference may be within the range of approximately 7.30 to 7.40 inches, 7.40 to 7.50 inches, 7.50 to 7.60 inches, 7.60 to 7.70 inches, 7.70 to 7.80 inches, 7.80 to 7.90 inches, 7.90 to 8.00 inches, or 8.00 to 8.10 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the FI circumference is approximately 7.52 inches.

[0111] In many embodiments, the face insert is 3.00 in. 2 From 4.30 in 2 For example, in some embodiments, the front surface area may be in the range of 3.00 in. 2 From 3.25in 2 , 3.25in 2 From 3.50 in 2 , 3.50in 2 from 3.75in 2 , 3.75in 2 From 4.00 in 2 , or 4.00 in 2 From 4.30 in 2 The front surface may be in the range of

[0112] In some embodiments, the face insert has a mass in the range of 15 to 40 grams. For example, in some embodiments, the face insert may have a mass in the range of 15 to 20 grams, 20 to 25 grams, 25 to 30 grams, 30 to 35 grams, or 35 to 40 grams. In the illustrated embodiment, the face insert has a mass of approximately 25 grams. By reducing the face insert height HFI, the face insert has less mass than a driver without a shortened face. In this manner, shortening the face height can provide additional mass that can be redistributed elsewhere in the club head body to improve mass properties such as MOI and CG location.

[0113] In some embodiments, the face insert is 0.244 in 3 from 0.550 in 3 For example, in some embodiments, the face insert has a volume in the range of 0.244 to 0.300 in 3 , 0.300 to 0.350 in 3 , 0.350 to 0.400 in 3 , 0.400 to 0.450 in 3 , 0.450 to 0.500 in 3 , or 0.500 to 0.550 in 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the striking face insert may have a volume in the range of approximately 0.359 in 3 The volume is in the range of

[0114] In many embodiments, the face insert has a width measured from the heel-most point on the periphery of the face insert to the toe-most point on the periphery of the face insert, and the width of the face insert can be within the range of 3.00 inches to 4.00 inches.

[0115] B. Face wrap

[0116] A driver with a face wrap structure has a front portion formed from a single piece, such that the striking face and rearwardly extending transition region are integrally formed and comprised of the same material. In face wrap embodiments, the face wrap may continue rearward to form the remainder of the body, or the face wrap may be secured to a second, rearward body. In face wrap embodiments, the striking face height and striking face thickness are measured according to the striking face height HSF and striking face thickness TSF defined above and illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. A driver-type club head with a face wrap structure, according to aspects of the present invention, can have a shallow, thin face to improve ball speed and maintain a suitable CT value.

[0117] C. VFT

[0118] As described above, providing a driver-type club head with a short striking face height HSF is independent of the structure of the driver-type club head. Similarly, providing a driver-type club head with a thinner striking face thickness TSF can be measured and applied to any VFT profile or structure. In other words, the present invention achieves improved ball speed while maintaining CT, regardless of whether the driver-type club head also has a VFT profile. As described above, to achieve a thinner striking face, the striking face thickness is uniformly reduced across the entire striking face area. In this manner, the geometry of the VFT profile is not changed or modified to account for thickness variations. Similarly, the geometry of the VFT profile is not changed or modified to account for height variations. The consistency of the VFT profile in a driver-type club head with a taller, thicker face compared to an exemplary driver-type club head with a shallower, thinner face is shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0119] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary club head 300 according to an aspect of the present invention, including a shallow, thin striking face, and a control club head 400. Club head 300 has a VFT profile / geometry located on the rear surface 315 of the striking face, while control club head 400 also has a VFT profile on rear surface 415. The control club head, in the exemplary embodiment, has a taller, thicker striking face. As shown in FIG. 10, the VFT geometry remains unchanged between the control club head and the exemplary club head, with the striking face height reduced.

[0120] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional comparison of the exemplary club head 300 and the control club head 400. FIG. 11 is not drawn to scale and illustrates the variation in thickness and face height between the control club head 400 and the exemplary club head 300. In FIG. 11, face centers 416 and 316 are coincident. However, rear faces 415 and 315 are offset. Rear face 315 of the exemplary embodiment is closer to face center 316 due to the reduced face thickness. Similarly, the top of the face is lower compared to the control club head.

[0121] D. Multiple Material Embodiments

[0122] In some embodiments, the golf club head may include a first component and a second component. The first component includes a load-bearing structure and a majority of the club head mass. The second component includes a lightweight structure including a majority of the crown and portions of the skirt and sole. The lightweight structure may be constructed from a composite material.

[0123] The first component is made of a first material having a first density. The first material can be a metallic material. The first component has a first component mass. In some embodiments, the first component can be integrally formed as a single piece formed of a single material. Alternatively, the first component can receive a separately formed striking face insert that can be secured to the front portion of the club head. The separately formed striking face insert can be made of a metallic material different from the metallic material of the first component. The second component is made of a second material having a second density. The second material can be a non-metallic material. The second component has a second component mass.

[0124] The first density of the first component can be greater than the second density of the second component. The mass percentage of the first component may be within a range of 80% to 95% of the total mass of the golf club head. For example, the mass percentage of the first component may be 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, or 95% of the total mass of the golf club head. The mass percentage of the second component may be within a range of 5% to 20% of the total mass of the golf club head. For example, the mass percentage of the second component may be 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, or 20% of the total mass of the golf club head.

[0125] As described above, the club head includes a first component formed from a metal material. The first component includes a load-bearing structure and a majority of the club head's mass. The first component can receive removable weights and / or mass pads to further adjust the center of gravity location and moment of inertia. Additionally, the first component can include ribs to provide structural reinforcement or acoustic control.

[0126] As described above, the club head includes a second component formed from a non-metallic lightweight material. The second component has a lightweight structure that forms a crown, a sidewall or skirt, and a portion of the sole. The second component can reduce the mass of the golf club head, allowing additional excess mass to be distributed to the first component.

[0127] Alternatively, the second component may include multiple separately formed portions that are then permanently joined by adhesives, sonic welding, fusion bonding, or other permanent joining methods appropriate to the materials used to form each of the multiple separately formed portions. For example, single or multiple sole and skirt portions may be formed separately from the same or different materials. The second component portions may then be adhesively joined to form the complete second component. Forming the second component as separate portions may be advantageous for certain materials. For example, forming separate portions may be advantageous when using materials such as two-way carbon fiber prepreg. Two-way carbon fiber prepreg cannot easily accommodate small curvatures in the geometry of the second component and therefore cannot be easily manufactured into a single-piece structure. Using such materials may require forming separate sole portions that are later adhesively or otherwise joined to form the second component.

[0128] In many embodiments, the thickness of the second component may be in the range of 0.025 inches to 0.075 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second component may be in the range of 0.025 inches to 0.05 inches, or 0.05 inches to 0.075 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second component may be in the range of 0.03 inches to 0.06 inches, 0.035 inches to 0.065 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.07 inches, or 0.05 inches to 0.075 inches. For example, the thickness of the second component may be 0.025, 0.03, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.07, or 0.075 inches. In one example, the thickness of the second component may be in the range of 0.025 inches to 0.05 inches.

[0129] In some embodiments, the second component can further include a rib, a thickened portion, a thinned portion, or any combination thereof. As used herein, when referring to a rib or a thickened portion, the present disclosure is intended to refer to a portion of the second component having a variable thickness (measured normal to the outer surface of the component) that is relatively thicker than a second, non-thickened region of the second component.

[0130] Ribs or thickened sections can provide additional strength and / or rigidity to the club head through various mechanisms. First, thickened ribs / sections can function as struts / gussets, providing a structural framework for the component. In this way, the design of the structure itself can promote strength. Furthermore, thickened sections can be used during molding to help control the direction, speed, and uniformity of polymer flow. This can control the orientation of embedded fibers and orient any anisotropic parameters of the material itself to support the intended purpose of the club head. In this sense, thickened sections can provide both an engineered structure and an engineered material. Finally, in some embodiments, a first component may include reinforcing structures, such as upstanding struts, configured to be attached to a second component. In such designs, thickened sections can provide suitable bonding points, as the thickened material can distribute transmitted loads without the risk of fatigue or fracture of the relatively thin sections.

[0131] Lap Joint

[0132] The first component has an adhesive surface formed as a concave lip, the lip of the first component extending along a periphery of the first component, the periphery of the first component extending around a rearward extension of the striking face.

[0133] The concave lip may be recessed from the outer surface of the club head to accommodate the combined thickness of the overlap between the first and second components and the adhesive used to secure the two components together.

[0134] The lip of the first component has a width. The lip width of the first component may be measured horizontally from where the first component is recessed relative to the exterior surface to the periphery. In many embodiments, the lip width of the first component may be in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 inches. In some embodiments, the lip width of the first component may be in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 inches, or 0.2 to 0.3 inches. For example, the lip width of the first component may be 0.100 inches, 0.125 inches, 0.130 inches, 0.150 inches, 0.175 inches, 0.200 inches, 0.220 inches, 0.225 inches, 0.230 inches, 0.250 inches, 0.275 inches, or 0.300 inches. In one example, the lip width of the first component may be in the range of 0.125 inches to 0.275 inches.

[0135] The lip of the first component may include a thickness measured between an outer surface and an inner surface of the lip of the first component. In many embodiments, the thickness of the lip of the first component may be within a range between 0.015 inches and 0.035 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness of the lip of the first component may be within a range from 0.015 inches to 0.025 inches, or from 0.025 inches to 0.035 inches. For example, the thickness of the lip of the first component may be 0.015, 0.020, 0.022, 0.023, 0.024, 0.025, 0.026, 0.027, 0.028, 0.029, 0.030, or 0.035 inches. In one example, the thickness of the lip of the first component may be within a range from 0.015 inches to 0.030 inches. In another example, the thickness of the lip of the first component may be 0.025 inches.

[0136] composite material

[0137] The second component is made of a material with a lower density than the material of the first component. In some embodiments, the second component may include a composite formed from a polymer resin and reinforcing fibers. The polymer resin may be made of a thermosetting or thermoplastic material. The composite of the second component may be either a filled thermoplastic (FT) or a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). In some embodiments, the second component may be made of FT glued together with FRC. Filled thermoplastics (FT) are typically injection molded into the desired shape. As the name suggests, filled thermoplastics (FT) may be made of thermoplastic resin and randomly oriented, non-continuous fibers. In contrast, fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) are formed from resin-impregnated (prepreg) sheets of continuous fibers. Fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) may be made of thermoplastic or thermosetting resins.

[0138] In embodiments using a thermoplastic resin, the resin can be composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). For example, the resin can be composed of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide, polyamide such as PA6 or PA66, polyamideimide, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polycarbonate, engineering polyurethane, and / or other similar materials. While strength and weight are two primary properties considered for composite materials, suitable composite materials may also exhibit secondary benefits, such as acoustic properties. In some embodiments, PPS and PEEK are desirable because they typically produce a metallic acoustic response upon impact with the club head.

[0139] The reinforcing fibers may be composed of carbon fiber (or chopped carbon fiber), glass fiber (or chopped glass fiber), graphene fiber (or chopped graphite fiber), or any other suitable filler. In other embodiments, the composite may be composed of any reinforcing filler that adds strength, durability, and / or weight.

[0140] The density of the composite material (combination of resin and fiber) forming the second component can range from about 1.15 g / cc to about 2.02 g / cc. In some embodiments, the density of the composite material can be between about 1.20 g / cc and about 1.90 g / cc, between about 1.25 g / cc and about 1.85 g / cc, between about 1.30 g / cc and about 1.80 g / cc, between about 1.40 g / cc and about 1.70 g / cc, between about 1.30 g / cc and about 1.40 g / cc, or between about 1.40 g / cc and about 1.45 g / cc.

[0141] IV. Structural Features of Golf Club Heads

[0142] The driver-type golf club head of the present disclosure has a shallower and thinner striking face, as described above. By combining the shallower and thinner features with other features, the driver-type golf club head increases ball speed at the same CT value while increasing MOI and improving the center of gravity location. The driver-type golf club head has a body width WB, body depth DB, and body height HB, as defined above. In many embodiments, the body width WB, body depth DB, and body height HB may not be affected by simultaneously reducing the striking face height and striking face thickness. In other words, the driver-type club head of the present disclosure can achieve a shallower and thinner face to achieve a higher moment of inertia and an improved center of gravity location without significantly modifying the body frame. The driver-type club head with a shallower and thinner face can achieve overall body dimensions similar to those of a driver-type club head lacking a shallower or thinner face by utilizing slight changes in the curvature of the crown, sole, and / or skirt.

[0143] The driver-type golf club head 100 has a body width WB, as defined above, within the range of 4.8 to 5 inches. The body width WB provides a larger frame to improve the moment of inertia of the golf club head. The body width WB is not affected by simultaneously reducing the striking face height and striking face thickness.

[0144] The driver-type golf club head 100 has a body depth DB within the range of 4.65 to 4.95 inches. This body depth DB provides a larger frame that helps improve the moment of inertia of the golf club head and provides a structure that improves the center of gravity location in a low, rearward position. The body depth DB is not affected by simultaneously reducing the striking face height and striking face thickness.

[0145] The driver-type golf club head 100 has a body height HB within the range of 2.35 inches to 2.8 inches. In some embodiments, the club head body height HB may be maintained to provide an improved moment of inertia and center of gravity location. In other embodiments, the body height HB may be slightly reduced to accommodate a shortened striking surface without significantly changing the crown and sole curvatures.

[0146] The crown apex height HCA, as defined above, may be within a range of 2.15 to 2.45 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the crown apex height HCA may be within a range of 2.15 to 2.25 inches, 2.20 to 2.30 inches, 2.25 to 2.35 inches, 2.30 to 2.40 inches, or 2.35 to 2.45 inches.

[0147] The crown apex height HCA, as defined above, may be within a range of 0.70 to 0.90 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the crown apex height HCA may be within a range of 0.70 to 0.75 inches, 0.75 to 0.80 inches, 0.80 to 0.85 inches, or 0.85 to 0.90 inches.

[0148] The crown apex angle 20, as defined above, is within the range of 18 to 23 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the crown apex angle 20 may be within the range of 18 to 19 degrees, 19 to 20 degrees, 20 to 21 degrees, 21 to 22 degrees, or 22 to 23 degrees.

[0149] As described above, in some embodiments, reducing the striking face height may alter ball launch characteristics such as ball spin and ball launch angle. In some embodiments, reducing the striking face height may change the location of the center of gravity projection relative to the face center. In some embodiments, the CG projection is elevated relative to the face center 116. To maintain the shortened face height and improved CG projection, a driver-type club head may increase the bottom edge point height HBP or increase the sole vertex angle 25. By elevating the bottom edge point 127 away from the ground contact surface 1010, the face center 116 is also elevated.

[0150] The bottom edge point height HBP, as defined above, may be within a range between 0.350 inches and 0.385 inches. For example, the bottom edge point height HBP may be within a range between 0.350 and 0.360 inches, between 0.355 and 0.365 inches, between 0.360 and 0.370 inches, between 0.365 and 0.375 inches, or between 0.370 and 0.380 inches. In some embodiments, the bottom edge point height HBP may be approximately 0.350 inches, 0.352 inches, 0.354 inches, 0.356 inches, 0.358 inches, 0.360 inches, 0.362 inches, 0.364 inches, 0.366 inches, 0.368 inches, 0.370 inches, 0.372 inches, 0.374 inches, 0.376 inches, 0.378 inches, or 0.380 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom edge point height HBP is approximately 0.367 inches. The bottom edge point height can be selected to position the face center 116 as desired without changing the striking face height HFC and striking face thickness TSF so that a driver-type club head can improve ball speed and launch characteristics while maintaining a suitable CT value.

[0151] The sole apex depth DSA, as defined above, may be within a range of between 0.60 and 0.67 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the sole apex depth DSA may be within a range of between 0.60 and 0.61 inches, between 0.61 and 0.62 inches, between 0.62 and 0.63 inches, between 0.63 and 0.64 inches, between 0.64 and 0.65 inches, between 0.65 and 0.66 inches, or between 0.66 and 0.67 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole apex depth DSA is approximately 0.62 inches.

[0152] The sole vertex angle 25, as defined above, may be within a range between 27 and 32 degrees. For example, the sole vertex angle 25 may be within a range between 27 and 28 degrees, between 28 and 29 degrees, between 29 and 30 degrees, between 30 and 31 degrees, or between 31 and 32 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole vertex angle 25 is approximately 30.8 degrees.

[0153] The driver-type golf club head 100 accounts for the club head volume and the club head mass. In one embodiment, the club head volume is not less than 400 cc. In one embodiment, the club head volume is greater than 400 cc. In one embodiment, the club head volume is within the range of 401 cc to 500 cc. In one embodiment, the club head volume may be within the range of 420 cc to 460 cc. In one embodiment, the club head volume may be within the range of 440 cc to 460 cc. In one embodiment, the club head volume may be within the range of 440 cc to 480 cc. In one embodiment, the club head mass is less than 360 grams. In one embodiment, the club head mass is greater than 290 grams. In one embodiment, the club head mass may be within the range of 290 grams to 360 grams.

[0154] In some embodiments, the driver-type golf club head 100 can further include a removable and adjustable weight system located at the rear sole and rear skirt. The removable and adjustable weight system includes a weight-receiving channel with at least three discrete weight attachment points and a removable weight having a mass within a range of 5 grams to 50 grams. In other embodiments, the driver-type golf club head 100 can further include a single-position weight, where the removable weight is attached to a single location on the golf club head. The removable weight can have a mass within a range of 15 grams to 50 grams.

[0155] In some embodiments, the driver-type golf club head 100 has an upper opening configured to receive a lightweight upper insert. When the upper opening receives the lightweight upper insert, the upper insert constitutes a portion of the crown, a portion of the toe skirt or sidewall, a portion of the heel skirt or sidewall, and a portion of the rear skirt or sidewall of the golf club head. The toe and heel sides of the upper insert may further constitute a portion of the sole of the golf club head. The upper insert may be a one-piece insert made of multiple pieces joined together to form the upper insert, all of which are made of the same lightweight material. The upper insert may be made of a lightweight material, such as a polymeric material, a composite material, or other similar material.

[0156] In some embodiments, the driver-type golf club head 100 includes an internal hosel structure configured to receive the lower end of a golf shaft or a golf shaft adjustment system attached to the lower end of the golf shaft, with a gap present in the internal hosel structure. The internal hosel structure includes an upper internal hosel portion adjacent to the upper hosel opening and a lower internal hosel portion adjacent to the sole, which are not connected to each other and define a gap between the upper and lower internal hosel portions. The gap in the internal hosel structure is configured so that part or all of the lower end of the received golf shaft or the golf shaft adjustment system attached to the lower end of the golf shaft is exposed within the interior volume of the golf club head 100 but not to the exterior surface.

[0157] A driver-type golf club head, as defined above, has a weight of approximately 3600g*cm 2 From 4500g*cm 2 For example, in some embodiments, a driver-type golf club head may have an Ixx in the range of 3600 g*cm 2 Larger: 3700g*cm 2 Larger: 3800g*cm 2 Larger: 3900g*cm 2 Larger: 4000g*cm 2 Larger: 4100g*cm 2 Greater than or equal to 4200g*cm 2 It may have a larger Ixx.

[0158] A driver-type golf club head, as defined above, has a maximum swing speed of approximately 5000g*cm 2 From 6000g*cm 2 The Iyy may have a range of 5000 g*cm 2 , 5100g*cm 2 , 5200g*cm 2 , 5300g*cm 2 , 5400g*cm 2 , 5500g*cm 2, or 5600g*cm 2 Iyy may exceed 5000g*cm 2 and 5250g*cm 2 Between 5100g*cm 2 and 5350g*cm 2 Between or 5200g*cm 2 and 5450g*cm 2 It may be in the range between.

[0159] A driver-type golf club head, as defined above, has a weight of approximately 2500 to 2900 g*cm 2 The Izz may have a range of 2500g*cm 2 and 2600g*cm 2 Between 2600g*cm 2 and 2700g*cm 2 Between 2700g*cm 2 and 2800g*cm 2 Between or 2800g*cm 2 and 2900g*cm 2 It may be in the range between.

[0160] A driver-type golf club head may have a CGy, as defined above, having a range of -0.30 to 0.00 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the CGy may be within the range of -0.30 to -0.20 inches, -0.20 to -0.10 inches, or -0.10 to 0.00 inches.

[0161] A driver-type golf club head may have a CGx, as defined above, having a range of −0.10 to 0.20 inches. For example, CGx may be within the range of −0.10 to −0.05 inches, −0.05 to 0.00 inches, 0.00 to 0.10 inches, or 0.10 to 0.20 inches.

[0162] A driver-type golf club head may have a CGz, as defined above, having a range of -1.5 to -2.0 inches. For example, in some embodiments, CGz may be within the range of -1.5 to -1.6 inches, -1.6 to -1.7 inches, -1.7 to -1.8 inches, -1.8 to -1.9 inches, or -1.9 to -2.0 inches.

[0163] A driver-type golf club head may have a YGP, as defined above, ranging from 0.90 to 1 inch. For example, the YGP may be approximately 0.90 inch, 0.91 inch, 0.92 inch, 0.93 inch, 0.94 inch, 0.95 inch, 0.96 inch, 0.97 inch, 0.98 inch, 0.99 inch, or 1.00 inch.

[0164] V. Relations

[0165] The golf club head of the present disclosure is a careful balancing of various structural relationships. Each structural decision is made in relation to the requirements of other structures within the golf club. The relationships listed below reflect the numerous synergistic structural decisions required to achieve increased ball speed while staying within the constraints of CT regulations and desired mass properties.

[0166] Relationship 1 (Face Insert Volume vs. Clubhead Volume)

[0167]

number

[0168] Relationship 2 (Face Insert Mass vs. Clubhead Mass)

[0169]

number

[0170] Relationship 3 (CGY facing insert height)

[0171]

number

[0172] Relationship 4A and 4B (CG Position vs. Face Insert Mass) (in / gram)

[0173]

number

[0174] Relationships 5A and 5B (CG position vs. face insert volume) (in -2 )

[0175]

number

[0176] Relationship 6 (see Figure 13) CT change of driver face height

[0177]

number

[0178] y is the CT in microseconds, and x is the change in face height in inches.

[0179] Relationship 7 (Face height vs. face thickness)

[0180]

number

[0181] Relationship 8 - See Figure 15 (average surface thickness vs. CT)

[0182]

number

[0183] where y is the predicted CT in microseconds and x is the surface thickness in inches.

[0184] Relationship 9 - See Figure 14 (Face Thickness vs. Ball Speed)

[0185]

number

[0186] where y is the ball speed in mph and x is the uniform thickness across the striking face.

[0187] Relationship 10 - See Figure 12 (Change in face height vs. change in ball speed) (cm / mph)

[0188]

number

[0189] Relationship 11

[0190]

number

[0191] Relationship 12 (Face height vs. Top point height) JPEG2025527541000015.jpg17170

[0192] Relationship 13 (Face height vs. Bottom point height)

[0193]

number

[0194] Relationship 14 (face height vs. crown apex depth)

[0195]

number

[0196] Relationship 15 (surface height vs. CG height from the ground surface)

[0197]

number

[0198] Relationship 16 (Face Height vs. Clubhead Depth)

[0199]

number

[0200] Relationship 17 (Face Height vs. Clubhead Width)

[0201]

number

[0202] Relationship 18 (face height vs. average striking surface thickness)

[0203]

number

[0204] Relationship 19 (Face height vs. maximum striking face thickness)

[0205]

number

[0206] Relationship 20 (face height vs. striking surface perimeter)

[0207]

number

[0208] Relationship 21 (Face height vs. striking face width)

[0209]

number

[0210] Relationship 21 (Ratio of crown apex angle to sole apex angle)

[0211]

number

[0212] Relationship 22 (Top point height vs. Bottom point height)

[0213]

number

[0214] Relationship 23 (striking surface area vs. striking surface perimeter)

[0215]

number

[0216] Relationship 24 (Clubhead Depth vs. Clubhead Width)

[0217]

number

[0218] Relationship 25 (Clubhead Body Height vs. CG Height from Ground)

[0219]

number

[0220] Relationship 26 (Face center height vs. bottom point height)

[0221]

number

[0222] Example 1: Relationship between face thickness and ball speed for CT

[0223] Example 1 illustrates the relationship between face thickness and ball speed relative to CT. As shown in the charts of Figures 14 and 15, face thickness affects CT by 9.24 microseconds for every 0.0075 inch change in face thickness, and affects ball speed by 1 mph for every 0.0075 inch change in face thickness.

[0224] Example 2: Relationship between face height and ball speed relative to CT

[0225] Example 2 illustrates the relationship between face height and ball speed relative to CT. As shown in the charts of Figures 13 and 14, face height affects CT by 7.66 microseconds for every 0.100 inch change in face height, and affects ball speed by 0.8 mph for every 0.100 inch change in face height.

[0226] Example 3: Comparison of FEA Examples and Controls

[0227] Example 3 compares an exemplary driver-type golf club head according to an embodiment of the present invention with a control club head. This comparative example was conducted to illustrate the advantages and improvements that the exemplary driver-type golf club head exhibits compared to the control club head. The exemplary driver-type golf club head and the control driver-type golf club head were identical in all respects except for two important features. First, the exemplary club head had a shorter face height than the control club head. Second, the exemplary club head had a thinner face thickness than the control club head. Specifically, the exemplary club head had a face height of 1.733 inches, while the control club head had a face height of approximately 1.820 inches.

[0228] Additionally, the exemplary driver-type golf club head had a face thickness that was 0.008 inches less than the face thickness of the control club head when measured at any corresponding point on the striking face. The exemplary driver-type golf club head has the exact same VFT geometry / structure as the control driver-type golf club head. The VFT structure has a thicker middle portion that tapers to a thinner perimeter region. The VFT structures of both the exemplary club head and the control club head are identical except for the thickness. The exemplary driver-type golf club head has the same VFT structure, but with a uniformly reduced thickness value of 0.080 inches.

[0229] Data was collected using finite element analysis (FEA) using computer-aided design software (CAD). The collected data was for ball speed and CT. The exemplary driver-type golf club head increased ball speed by 0.7 MPH over the control club head. The exemplary club head exhibited a CT value of 270 microseconds, while the control club head exhibited a CT value of 269 microseconds. Thus, by reducing the face height and thinning the face, the exemplary driver-type club head was able to achieve a higher ball speed than the control driver-type club head while maintaining the same matching CT value.

[0230] Example 4: Comparison of Club Head Features

[0231] Example 4 compares two exemplary club heads with short, thin striking faces to a control club head with a large, thick striking face.

[0232] [Table 1]

[0233] Table 1 shows the striking face perimeter, top edge point height HTP, face center height HFC, and bottom edge point height HBP. The two exemplary embodiments have striking face perimeters of 8.386 inches and 8.710 inches, while the control club head has a striking face perimeter of 8.810 inches. The shorter striking face height results in a reduced striking face perimeter.

[0234] The two exemplary embodiments had top edge heights of 1.97 inches and 2.087 inches, while the control club head had a top edge height of 2.191 inches. The shorter striking face height resulted in a reduced top edge height.

[0235] The two exemplary embodiments had face center heights of 1.173 inches and 1.236 inches, while the control club head had a face center height of 1.299 inches. The reduced face center height was due to the shorter height of the striking face.

[0236] The two exemplary embodiments had bottom edge point heights of 0.367 inches and 0.374 inches, while the control club head had a bottom edge point height of 0.396 inches. The reduced height of the striking face resulted in a reduced bottom edge point height.

[0237] The reduced striking face height of the exemplary embodiment provides a change to the general geometric features described above.

[0238] Example 5: Face Height and Face Thickness vs. Normalized Ball Speed

[0239] Example 5 compares two exemplary driver-type golf club heads with shorter, thinner striking faces with a control club head with a thicker, taller striking face. Data was collected through two player tests using physical club heads. The first player test compared exemplary club 1 with exemplary club 2. The second player test compared exemplary club 2 with the control club. The data was normalized to provide a comparison of the three clubs, where the normalized ball speed indicated the relative ball speed difference between each club.

[0240] [Table 2]

[0241] As shown in Table 2, exemplary club 1 exhibited the highest normalized ball speed. Exemplary club 1 exhibited a normalized ball speed of +1.2 mph compared to the control club head. Thus, exemplary club head 1 exhibited an average increase in ball speed of 1.2 mph compared to the control club head. For example, if a player produces a ball speed of 120 mph with the control club head, that same player will produce a ball speed of 121.2 mph with exemplary club head 1.

[0242] Similarly, exemplary club 2 exhibited the second-highest normalized ball speed. Exemplary club 2 exhibited a normalized ball speed of +0.7 mph compared to the control club head. Thus, exemplary club 2 exhibited an average increase in ball speed of 0.7 mph compared to the control club head. For example, if a player produces a ball speed of 120 mph with the control club head, that same player will produce a ball speed of 120.7 mph with exemplary club head 2.

[0243] Thus, the exemplary club head with a lower face height and reduced face thickness exhibited increased ball speed compared to the control club head with a higher, thicker face. Additionally, the exemplary club head maintained a consistent CT value of 237 microseconds.

[0244] Example 6: Comparison of MOI

[0245] Example 6 compared the moment of inertia values ​​of two exemplary club heads with shallow, thin faces to a control club head with a larger, thicker striking face.

[0246] As shown in Table 3, each of Exemplary Club Heads 1 and 2 had a higher Iyy moment of inertia than the control club head. Exemplary Club 1 also had a higher Ixx than the control club head. Higher moment of inertia values ​​create a more forgiving club head for improving off-center hits. The exemplary club head with a shallower, thinner face achieved a higher moment of inertia due to the mass saved by the smaller face. The mass saved by reducing the face height was distributed to other locations on the club head body, improving perimeter weighting and thereby increasing the moment of inertia value.

[0247] [Table 3]

[0248] item

[0249] Item 1: A driver-type golf club head comprising a club head body, the club head body including a crown, a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a sole opposite the crown, and a skirt forming a transition surface between the crown and the sole other than the front end, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and further including a striking surface disposed at the front end and having a geometric center, the club head body having a body width, a body depth, a body height, and a body center of gravity, the loft plane being defined to be tangent to the geometric center, and the ground contact surface when the club head body is in an address position a loft angle defined by the loft plane and the ground contact plane, the loft angle being within a range of 7.0 degrees to 16 degrees; an x-axis defined in a toe-to-heel direction passing through the geometric center and parallel to the ground contact plane; a y-axis defined in a crown-to-sole direction passing through the geometric center and perpendicular to the x-axis; a z-axis defined in a front-to-back direction passing through the geometric center and perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis; a y'-axis defined in a crown-to-sole direction passing through the center of gravity and parallel to the y-axis; Iyy measured as a moment of inertia about the y'-axis, and Iyy being approximately 4900 g*cm 2to 5900 g*cm2, the body width measured parallel to the x-axis between the heel-most point and the toe-most point, the body width being between 4.6 inches and 5 inches, the body depth measured parallel to the z-axis between the leading edge and the rearward-most point, the body depth being between 4.5 and 4.95 inches, the body height measured between the ground plane and the highest point on the crown, the body height being between about 2.3 inches and 2.8 inches, and the club head body volume being about 4 40 cm3, YGP measured parallel to the y-axis from the center of gravity of the body to the ground contact surface, the YGP being between approximately 0.8 inches and 1.0 inches, CGz measured parallel to the z-axis from the geometric center to the center of gravity of the body, the CGz being between approximately 1.60 inches and 1.85 inches, the striking surface being defined by a bulge curvature and a roll curvature, the bulge curvature being the curvature of the striking surface in a direction from heel to toe, and the roll curvature being the curvature of the striking surface in a direction from crown to sole. the bulge curvature includes a bulge radius, the roll curvature includes a roll radius, the striking surface includes a striking surface perimeter defined by points where the bulge radius and the roll radius deviate from the bulge curvature and the roll curvature, respectively, the striking surface perimeter includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a toe edge, and a heel edge, the striking surface perimeter includes a top edge point defined by the intersection of the top edge with a YZ plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis, and the striking surface perimeter includes the bottom edge of the striking surface perimeter. the striking surface includes a bottom edge point defined by the intersection of the top edge and the bottom edge points with the YZ plane, the striking face perimeter having a striking face perimeter length of 8.15 inches to 8.90 inches, the striking face having a striking face height measured parallel to a loft plane between the top edge point and the bottom edge point, the striking face height being between approximately 1.40 inches and 1.80 inches, the striking face having a striking face volume measured as the volume enclosed by a striking face front surface, a striking face rear surface, and the striking face perimeter projected perpendicular to the loft plane, the striking face volume being approximately 0.410 inches. 3 and 0.500in. 3and the striking surface has an area measured as the area of ​​the front of the striking surface surrounded by the striking surface perimeter, the striking surface area being between about 4.0 in 2 and 5.0in 2 the striking surface has a thickness measured as the striking surface volume divided by the striking surface area, the striking surface thickness being between about 0.085 inches and 0.100 inches; the striking surface has a striking surface width measured as the distance struck parallel to the x-axis from the heel-most point on the striking surface perimeter to the toe-most point on the striking surface perimeter, the striking surface width being between about 3.5 inches and about 4.5 inches; the striking surface has a top edge point height measured parallel to the y-axis between a top edge point and the ground contact surface, the top edge point height being between about 0.085 inches and 0.100 inches; the striking surface includes a bottom edge point height measured parallel to the y-axis between the bottom edge point and the ground contact surface, the bottom edge point height being approximately 0.350 to 0.385 inches; the striking surface includes a face center height measured parallel to the y-axis between the geometric center and the ground contact surface, the face center height being within the range of 1.10 to 1.30 inches; the club head body has a crown apex located at the highest point on the crown in the YZ plane, the crown apex being the club head height; a driver-type golf club head having a height of approximately 2.15 to 2.45 inches, measured parallel to the y-axis between the crown apex and the ground plane; a crown apex having a depth measured parallel to the z-axis between the top edge point and the crown apex, the crown apex depth being approximately 0.70 to 0.90 inches; a club head body including a crown apex angle measured between a first imaginary line parallel to the z-axis and a second imaginary line intersecting both the crown apex and the top edge point, the crown apex angle being within the range of 18 to 23 degrees; a sole apex located at the lowest point on the sole in the YZ plane, the sole apex having a depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the bottom edge point to the sole apex, the sole apex depth being within the range of 0.60 to 0.67 inches; and a club head body including a sole apex angle measured between a third imaginary line parallel to the z-axis and a fourth imaginary line intersecting both the sole apex and the bottom edge point, the sole apex angle being within the range of 27 to 32 degrees.

[0250] Item 2: The driver-type golf club head described in Item 1, wherein the striking face has a striking face width measured as the distance parallel to the x-axis between a heel-most point on the striking face periphery and a toe-most point on the striking face periphery, and the striking face width is between approximately 3.5 inches and approximately 4.5 inches.

[0251] Item 3: The driver-type golf club head described in Item 2, wherein the striking surface includes a top edge point height measured parallel to the y-axis between the top edge point and the ground contact surface, and the top edge point height is approximately 1.85 inches to 2.20 inches.

[0252] Item 4: The driver-type golf club head described in Item 3, wherein the striking surface includes a bottom edge point height measured parallel to the y-axis between the bottom edge point and the ground contact surface, and the bottom edge point height is approximately 0.350 inches to 0.385 inches.

[0253] Item 5: The driver-type golf club head according to Item 4, wherein the striking surface includes a face center height measured parallel to the y-axis between the geometric center and the ground contact surface, and the face center height is within the range of 1.10 inches to 1.30 inches.

[0254] Item 6: A driver-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the club head body has a crown apex located at the highest point on the crown in the YZ plane, and the crown apex has a height of between approximately 2.15 inches and 2.45 inches measured parallel to the y-axis between the crown apex and the ground plane.

[0255] Item 7: The driver-type golf club head described in Item 6, wherein the crown apex has a depth measured parallel to the z-axis between the top edge point and the crown apex, and the depth of the crown apex is between approximately 0.70 and 0.90 inches.

[0256] Item 8: A driver-type golf club head according to Item 7, wherein the club head has a crown apex angle measured between a first imaginary line parallel to the z-axis and a second imaginary line intersecting both the crown apex and the top edge point, and the crown apex angle is between 18 degrees and 23 degrees.

[0257] Item 9: A driver-type golf club head according to Item 8, wherein the club head body has a sole apex located at the lowest point on the sole in the YZ plane, the sole apex having a depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the bottom edge point to the sole apex, and the depth of the sole apex is within the range of 0.60 inches to 0.67 inches.

[0258] Item 10: The driver-type golf club head described in Item 9, wherein the club head body includes a sole apex angle measured between a third imaginary line parallel to the z-axis and a fourth imaginary line intersecting both the sole apex and the bottom edge point, and the sole apex angle is within a range between 27 degrees and 32 degrees.

[0259] Item 11: A driver-type golf club head comprising a club head body, the club head body including a crown, a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a sole opposite the crown, and a skirt forming a transition surface between the crown and the sole other than the front end, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and further including a striking face disposed at the front end and having a geometric center, the club head body having a body width, a body depth, a body height, and a body center of gravity, and further including a face insert and a front opening configured to receive the face insert, the loft plane being defined tangent to the geometric center, the club head body a ground plane is defined to be tangent to the sole when the club is in an address position; a loft angle is defined by the loft plane and the ground plane, the loft angle being within a range of 7.0 degrees to 16 degrees; an x-axis is defined in a toe-to-heel direction passing through the geometric center and parallel to the ground plane; a y-axis is defined in a crown-to-sole direction passing through the geometric center and perpendicular to the x-axis; a z-axis is defined in a front-to-back direction passing through the geometric center and perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis; a y'-axis is defined in a crown-to-sole direction passing through the center of gravity and parallel to the y-axis; Iyy is measured as a moment of inertia about the y'-axis, and Iyy is approximately 4900 g*cm 2 From 5900g*cm 2 the body width measured parallel to the x-axis between the heel-most point and the toe-most point, the body width being between 4.6 inches and 5 inches; the body depth measured parallel to the z-axis between the leading edge and the rearward-most point, the body depth being between 4.5 inches and 4.95 inches; the body height measured between the ground plane and the highest point on the crown, the body height being between approximately 2.3 inches and 2.8 inches; and the volume of the club head body being approximately 440 cm 3wherein YGP is measured parallel to the y-axis from the center of gravity of the body to the ground contact surface, the YGP being between approximately 0.8 inches and 1.0 inches; CGz is measured parallel to the z-axis from the geometric center to the center of gravity of the body, the CGz being between approximately 1.60 inches and 1.85 inches; the face insert has a face insert perimeter, a front surface forming at least a portion of a striking face, and a rear surface, the face insert perimeter having a top edge and a bottom edge, the face insert including a top edge point defined by the intersection of the top edge of the face insert perimeter with the YZ plane; and a bottom edge point defined by the intersection of a bottom edge of the insert perimeter with the YZ plane, the face insert perimeter having a face insert perimeter length between 7.30 inches and 8.10 inches, the face insert having a face insert height measured parallel to the loft plane between the top edge point and the bottom edge point, the face insert height being between approximately 1.35 inches and 1.70 inches, the face insert having a face insert volume measured as the volume enclosed by the face insert front surface, the face insert rear surface, and the face insert perimeter projected perpendicular to the loft plane, the face insert volume being approximately 0.244 inches. 3 and 0.400in. 3 and the face insert has an area measured as the area of ​​the face insert front surface surrounded by the face insert perimeter, the area of ​​the face insert being between about 3.0 in 2 and 4.30in 2 wherein the face insert has a thickness measured as the face insert volume divided by the area of ​​the face insert front surface, and the face insert thickness is between about 0.085 inches and 0.110 inches.

[0260] Item 12: The golf club head of item 11, wherein the face insert height is between about 1.45 inches and 1.52 inches.

[0261] Item 13: The golf club head of item 12, wherein the face insert thickness is between about 0.094 inches and 0.098 inches.

[0262] Item 14: The golf club head of item 13, wherein the face insert has a mass within a range of approximately 22 to 28 grams.

[0263] Item 15: The golf club head of item 11, wherein the face insert area is less than a striking face area, the striking face area being defined by the contours of the bulge and roll curvature.

[0264] Item 16: The golf club head of item 15, wherein the club head includes a removably attached weight, the removably attached weight having a mass in the range of 18 grams to 38 grams.

[0265] Item 17: The golf club head of item 16, wherein the face insert is welded to the front opening.

[0266] Item 18: The golf club head according to item 11, wherein the face insert has a VFT contour on a rear surface of the face insert.

[0267] Item 19: The striking face insert has a ball bearing strength of 50 g / in 3 from 100g / in 3 Item 19. The golf club head according to item 18, wherein the golf club head is constructed from a material having a density of

[0268] Item 20: The golf club head of item 19, wherein the thickness at the geometric center is less than 0.125 inches.

[0269] The substitution of one or more claimed elements constitutes a rearrangement, not a repair. Furthermore, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to particular embodiments. However, a benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, or an element that may make a benefit, advantage, or solution appear or become more pronounced should not be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of the claims, unless such benefit, advantage, solution, or element is so recited in the claim.

[0270] Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not offered to the public under the doctrine of equivalents if the embodiments and / or limitations (1) are not expressly recited in the claims, and (2) are equivalent or potentially equivalent to the explicit elements and / or limitations recited in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A driver-type golf club head, Equipped with a club head body, The club head body a crown, a front end, a back end opposite the front end, a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a sole opposite the crown, and a skirt forming a transition surface between the crown and the sole other than the front end, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and further comprising a striking surface disposed at the front end and having a geometric center; The vehicle has a body width, a body depth, a body height, and a center of gravity of the body, a loft plane is defined tangent to the geometric center; a ground contact surface is defined to contact the sole when the club head body is in an address position; a loft angle is defined by the loft plane and the ground contact plane; the loft angle is within the range of 7.0 degrees to 16 degrees; an x-axis is defined as a direction passing through the geometric center, parallel to the ground contact surface, and extending from the toe portion to the heel portion; a y-axis is defined as a direction from crown to sole that passes through the geometric center and is perpendicular to the x-axis; a z-axis is defined as a direction from the front end to the rear end that passes through the geometrical body and is perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis; a y′-axis is defined as a direction from the crown to the sole that passes through the center of gravity and is parallel to the y-axis; Iyy is measured as the moment of inertia about the y' axis, and Iyy is approximately 4900 g*cm ２ to 5900 g*cm ２ is within the range of the body width is measured parallel to the x-axis between the heel-most point and the toe-most point, and the body width is between 4.6 inches and 5 inches; the depth of the body is measured parallel to the z-axis between the leading edge and the rearmost point, and the depth of the body is between 4.5 and 4.95 inches; the body height is measured between the ground contact surface and the highest point on the crown, and the body height is between approximately 2.3 inches and 2.8 inches; The volume of the club head body is approximately 440 cm ３ It exceeds YGP is measured parallel to the y-axis from the center of gravity of the body to the ground plane, and the YGP is between approximately 0.8 inches and 1.0 inches; CGz is measured parallel to the z-axis from the geometric center to the center of gravity of the body, and the CGz is between approximately 1.60 inches and 1.85 inches; the striking surface is defined by a bulge curvature and a roll curvature; the bulge curvature is the curvature of the striking surface in a direction from the heel to the toe, and the roll curvature is the curvature of the striking surface in a direction from the crown to the sole; the bulge curvature includes a bulge radius, and the roll curvature includes a roll radius; the striking surface includes a striking surface perimeter defined by points at which the bulge radius and the roll radius deviate from the bulge curvature and the roll curvature, respectively; the striking surface periphery includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a toe edge, and a heel edge; the striking surface perimeter includes a top edge point defined by the intersection of the top edge with a YZ plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis; the striking surface perimeter includes a bottom edge point defined by an intersection of the bottom edge of the striking surface perimeter with the YZ plane; the striking face perimeter has a striking face perimeter length of 8.15 inches to 8.90 inches; the striking surface has a striking surface height measured parallel to the loft plane between the top edge point and the bottom edge point, the striking surface height being between approximately 1.40 inches and 1.80 inches; The striking face has a striking face volume measured as the volume enclosed by a striking face front surface, a striking face rear surface, and the striking face perimeter projected perpendicular to the loft plane, the striking face volume being approximately 0.410 in ３ and 0.500 in. ３ Between The striking surface has an area measured as the area of ​​the front of the striking surface surrounded by the striking surface perimeter, the area of ​​the striking surface being approximately 4.0 in ２ and 5.0 in. ２ Between 1. A driver-type golf club head, wherein the striking face has a thickness measured as the striking face volume divided by the striking face area, the striking face thickness being between approximately 0.085 inches and 0.100 inches.

2. the striking surface has a striking surface width measured as the distance parallel to the x-axis between a heel-most point on the striking surface periphery and a toe-most point on the striking surface periphery; 10. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the striking face width is between about 3.5 inches and about 4.5 inches.

3. the striking surface includes a top edge point height measured parallel to the y-axis between the top edge point and the ground contact surface; 3. The driver-type golf club head of claim 2, wherein the top edge point height is approximately 1.85 inches to 2.20 inches.

4. the striking surface includes a bottom edge point height measured parallel to the y-axis between the bottom edge point and the ground contact surface; 4. The driver-type golf club head of claim 3, wherein the bottom edge point height is approximately 0.350 inches to 0.385 inches.

5. the striking surface includes a surface center height measured parallel to the y-axis between the geometric center and the ground contact surface; 5. The driver-type golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the face center height is within a range of 1.10 inches to 1.30 inches.

6. the club head body has a crown apex located at the highest point on the crown in the YZ plane; 10. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the crown apex has a height, measured parallel to the y-axis between the crown apex and the ground plane, of between approximately 2.15 inches and 2.45 inches.

7. the crown apex has a depth measured parallel to the z-axis between the top edge point and the crown apex; 7. The driver-type golf club head of claim 6, wherein the crown apex depth is between about 0.70 and 0.90 inches.

8. the club head has a crown apex angle measured between a first imaginary line parallel to the z-axis and a second imaginary line intersecting both the crown apex and the top edge point; 8. The driver-type golf club head of claim 7, wherein the crown apex angle is between 18 and 23 degrees.

9. the club head body has a sole apex located at the lowest point on the sole in the YZ plane; the sole apex has a depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the bottom edge point to the sole apex; 9. The driver-type golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the sole apex depth is within a range of 0.60 inches to 0.67 inches.

10. the club head body includes a sole apex angle measured between a third imaginary line parallel to the z-axis and a fourth imaginary line intersecting both the sole apex and the bottom edge point; The driver-type golf club head of claim 9 , wherein the sole apex angle is within a range between 27 degrees and 32 degrees.

11. A driver-type golf club head, Equipped with a club head body, The club head body a crown, a front end, a back end opposite the front end, a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a sole opposite the crown, and a skirt forming a transition surface between the crown and the sole other than the front end, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and further comprising a striking surface disposed at the front end and having a geometric center; The vehicle has a body width, a body depth, a body height, and a center of gravity of the body, further comprising a face insert and a front opening configured to receive the face insert; a loft plane is defined tangent to the geometric center; a ground contact surface is defined to contact the sole when the club head body is in an address position; a loft angle is defined by the loft plane and the ground contact plane; the loft angle is within the range of 7.0 degrees to 16 degrees; an x-axis is defined as a direction passing through the geometric center, parallel to the ground contact surface, and extending from the toe portion to the heel portion; a y-axis is defined as a direction from crown to sole that passes through the geometric center and is perpendicular to the x-axis; a z-axis is defined as a direction from the front end to the rear end that passes through the geometrical body and is perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis; a y′-axis is defined as a direction from the crown to the sole that passes through the center of gravity and is parallel to the y-axis; Iyy is measured as the moment of inertia around the y' axis, and Iyy is approximately 4900 g*cm ２ to 5900 g*cm ２ is within the range of the body width is measured parallel to the x-axis between the heel-most point and the toe-most point, and the body width is between 4.6 inches and 5 inches; the depth of the body is measured parallel to the z-axis between the leading edge and the rearmost point, and the depth of the body is between 4.5 inches and 4.95 inches; the body height is measured between the ground contact surface and the highest point on the crown, and the body height is between approximately 2.3 inches and 2.8 inches; The volume of the club head body is approximately 440 cm ３ It exceeds YGP is measured parallel to the y-axis from the center of gravity of the body to the ground plane, and the YGP is between approximately 0.8 inches and 1.0 inches; CGz is measured parallel to the z-axis from the geometric center to the center of gravity of the body, and the CGz is between approximately 1.60 inches and 1.85 inches; the face insert having a face insert perimeter, a front surface forming at least a portion of a striking face, and a rear surface; the face insert perimeter having a top edge and a bottom edge; the surface insert includes a top edge point defined by the intersection of the top edge of the surface insert periphery with the YZ plane; the face insert perimeter includes a bottom edge point defined by the intersection of a bottom edge of the face insert perimeter with the YZ plane; the face insert perimeter having a face insert perimeter length between 7.30 inches and 8.10 inches; the face insert has a face insert height measured parallel to the loft plane between the top edge point and the bottom edge point, the face insert height being between approximately 1.35 inches and 1.70 inches; The face insert has a face insert volume measured as the volume enclosed by a face insert front surface, a face insert rear surface, and a face insert perimeter projected perpendicular to the loft plane, the face insert volume being approximately 0.244 in ３ and 0.400 in. ３ Between The face insert has an area measured as the area of ​​the face insert front surface surrounded by the face insert perimeter, the area of ​​the face insert being approximately 3.0 in ２ and 4.30 in. ２ Between a face insert having a thickness measured as a volume of the face insert divided by an area of ​​a front surface of the face insert, the thickness of the face insert being between about 0.085 inches and 0.110 inches;

12. The golf club head of claim 11 , wherein the face insert height is between approximately 1.45 inches and 1.52 inches.

13. The golf club head of claim 12 , wherein the face insert has a thickness between about 0.094 inches and 0.098 inches.

14. The golf club head of claim 13 , wherein the face insert has a mass within a range of approximately 22 to 28 grams.

15. the area of ​​the face insert is less than the striking face area; The golf club head of claim 11 , wherein the striking face area is defined by a bulge and roll curvature profile.

16. the club head includes a removably attached weight; The golf club head of claim 15 , wherein the removably attached weight has a mass in the range of 18 grams to 38 grams.

17. The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the face insert is welded to the front opening.

18. The golf club head of claim 11 , wherein the face insert has a VFT profile on the face insert rear surface.

19. The striking face insert has a 50 g / in ３ to 100 g / in ３ 20. The golf club head of claim 18, constructed from a material having a density of

20. 20. The golf club head of claim 19, wherein the thickness at the geometric center is less than 0.125 inches.

Images