Golf club head and golf club

Abstract

To provide a golf club head capable of improving a carry by suppressing the lowering of the initial speed of a ball when hitting the ball.SOLUTION: In the golf club head in which a face member 20 is fixed to a body member 11 on which a hosel 13 is formed, a heel side bent part 25, a sole side bent part 26 and a toe side bent part 27 are formed on the peripheral edge part of the back surface of the face member 20. The widths of a heel side bent part 25, a sole side bent part 26 and a toe side bent part 27 of the face member 20 are larger in the toe side bent part than in the heel side bent part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf club head and a golf club having the golf club head. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that in iron-type golf club heads, the face portion that hits the ball is made up of a face member that is separate from the head body and is then integrated with the head body by welding, adhesive, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of the face member in which the lower end is bent to form an L-shaped cross section and this is fastened to the head body, thereby improving the flexibility of the face portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2008-246085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As with the above-mentioned known technology, a golf club head in which the sole side of the face member is bent in the toe-heel direction can dramatically improve the resilience characteristics in the area below the hitting position compared to a head that does not have this structure, but the resilience in the area below the hitting position is still low, so the initial velocity of the ball decreases on balls hit on the lower side, making it difficult to achieve distance.In particular, because a hosel into which the shaft is inserted is formed on the heel side, the center of gravity of the head is located on the heel side of the geometric center of the face, so the initial velocity of the ball decreases on balls hit on the toe side, making it difficult to achieve distance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head and a golf club that can suppress a decrease in the initial velocity of the ball when hit and improve the flight distance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is characterized in that, in a golf club head in which a face member having a face surface on which a ball is hit is fixed to a main body member having a hosel formed thereon, a heel-side bend portion, a sole-side bend portion, and a toe-side bend portion are formed on the peripheral edge of the back surface of the face member, and the width of the heel-side bend portion, sole-side bend portion, and toe-side bend portion of the face member is greater at the toe-side bend than at the heel-side bend portion.

[0007] The face member described above has its heel side, sole side, and toe side bent and abutted against the main body member, improving the flexibility of the hitting area of ​​the face member. The heel-side bent portion, sole-side bent portion, and toe-side bent portion, which are formed on the periphery of the back surface of the face member, are formed so that their widths increase (widen) from the heel-side bent portion to the toe-side bent portion, improving the balance of flex between the heel side and the toe side. That is, although the heel side has a high rigidity and a structure that is difficult to flex due to the hosel formed thereon, by forming the toe-side bent portion wider than the heel-side bent portion, the balance of flex between the heel side and the toe side is improved. Furthermore, the center of gravity is shifted from the heel side to the toe side, improving the flexibility of the area below impact point C, which is 15 mm above the leading edge on a perpendicular line passing through the geometric center of the face member, thereby enhancing resilience and improving the flight distance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a golf club head and a golf club are obtained that can suppress a decrease in the initial velocity of the ball when hit and improve the flight distance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a golf club (iron type). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a head attached to the golf club of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the head shown in FIG. 2 at a central position. [Figure 4] 3A is a view from the back side of the face member fastened to the main body member of the head shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the state before the face member is fastened to the main body member. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a head with a face member attached to a main body member, as seen from the back side, with the region from the sole portion to the toe portion of the main body member cut away. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a view of the head shown in FIG. 2 from the sole side. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram comparing a conventional face member with the face member of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10(a) is a view of the head of the second embodiment as seen from the sole side, and FIG. 10(b) is a view of the head of the third embodiment as seen from the sole side. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view of the head of the fourth embodiment as seen from the back side. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a view of the head of the fifth embodiment as seen from the back side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a golf club and a golf club head (hereinafter referred to as a head) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, an iron-type golf club will be described as an example.

[0011] Figures 1 to 6 are figures showing a first embodiment, in which Figure 1 is a figure showing the overall configuration of a golf club, Figure 2 is a front view of the head attached to the golf club shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the center position of the head shown in Figure 2, Figure 4(a) is a figure showing the face member attached to the main body member of the head shown in Figure 2 from the back side, Figure 4(b) is an exploded view of the state before the face member is attached to the main body member, Figure 5 is a figure showing the head with the face member attached to the main body member from the back side, showing a cut-out of the area from the sole portion to the toe portion of the main body member, and Figure 6 is a figure showing the head shown in Figure 2 from the sole side.

[0012] Golf club 1 has a configuration in which a head 10 is fixed to the tip of a shaft 3 having a grip 2 attached to the base end, and the shaft 3 and head 10 are set so that when golf club 1 is held with respect to a reference horizontal plane P, a predetermined lie angle α is formed between the axis X of shaft 3 and the reference horizontal plane P. The shaft 3 may be made of steel or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP).

[0013] The head 10 includes a body member 11 having a top portion 11a, a sole portion 11b, a toe portion 11c, and a heel portion 11d, and a face member 20 formed in a plate shape, and the head (head body 10A) is configured by fastening the face member 20 to the front surface of the body member 11. The body member 11 is formed in a substantially ring shape so that the back surface side of the fastened face member 20 is exposed to the rear side, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0014] That is, the main body member 11 has a structure (cavity structure) with an opening (cavity) 12, which distributes weight around the periphery of the face member 20 attached to the front surface, increasing the moment of inertia and making the head less likely to wobble when hitting the ball, thereby stabilizing directionality. Also, a hosel 13 having a hole into which the shaft 3 is inserted is integrally formed and protrudes from the upper side of the heel portion 11d of the main body member 11.

[0015] The main body member 11 can be integrally formed by casting or the like using a metal material such as titanium, a titanium alloy, stainless steel, carbon steel, or tungsten. The face member 20 can also be formed from a similar material, and is attached to the front side of the opening 12 of the main body member 11 by welding, bonding, caulking, or the like.

[0016] The body member 11 and the face member 20 may have the same or different specific gravities. If the constituent material of the face member 20 has a lighter specific gravity than the constituent material of the body member 11, it becomes easier to lower the center of gravity of the head.

[0017] The top portion 11a, sole portion 11b, toe portion 11c, and heel portion 11d of the main body member 11 have a predetermined front-to-rear length (length in the face-back direction) along the periphery of the face member 20. In this embodiment, the top portion 11a, toe portion 11c, and heel portion 11d have approximately the same front-to-rear length, and the sole portion 11b is formed so that its front-to-rear length gradually increases as it moves downward (toward the sole surface) from the lower end edge 12a of the opening 12. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the sole portion 11b has a shape that becomes thicker as it moves downward, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the head.

[0018] Furthermore, the lower edge 12a of the opening 12 is formed so as to slope obliquely upward from the heel side toward the toe side, so that the vertical width of the opening 12 is narrowed on the toe side by the sloped portion 12b formed on the toe side of the lower edge 12a, thereby increasing the rigidity on the toe side.

[0019] The face member 20 has a face surface 20A on the front side where a ball is hit, and a back side 20B on the back side where grooves (recesses) and flanges (described later) are formed. The body member 11 is formed so that when the face member 20 is fastened, the face surface 20A has a predetermined loft angle β according to the club number.

[0020] The main body member 11 has a step portion 11d' formed in the heel portion 11d, which extends in the vertical direction (top-sole direction), and the heel side edge 20d of the face member 20 abuts against this step portion 11d' and is fastened (welded) to it, so that the surface of the heel portion 11d of the main body member 11 and the face surface 20A of the face member 20 are flush with each other.

[0021] Furthermore, when the face member 20 is fastened to the main body member 11, the top side edge 20a, sole side edge 20b, toe side edge 20c and heel side edge 20d of the face member 20 are integrated flush with the top portion 11a, sole portion 11b, toe portion 11c and heel portion 11d of the main body member 11, forming the top portion, sole portion, toe portion and heel portion of the head main body 10A.

[0022] A plurality of parallel scorelines 21 are formed in the toe-heel direction on the face surface (surface) 20A of the face member 20. In this embodiment, the region R where the scorelines 21 are formed is defined as the ball-striking surface. This region R may be subjected to a roughening treatment such as sandblasting.

[0023] The face member 20 has a geometric center position (face center) FC within the region R. When a player hits a ball, the ball is hit in the toe-heel direction near a perpendicular line passing through the geometric center position FC (the player hits the ball while keeping this point in mind), but as described above, the actual ideal hitting position in the height direction is below the geometric center position FC.

[0024] Specifically, the height H is the position where, when the ball is placed on the ground, the sole portion of the head body (the sole portion 11b of the body member 11 and the edge 20b of the face member 20) moves along the ground to hit the ball, and is approximately 15 mm from the leading edge LE of the sole portion. With an iron-type golf club, this position is the ideal impact point where the ball is hit without a so-called top or duff shot, and this position is defined as impact point C. Impact point C varies depending on the type of club, but is generally located near the fourth scoreline from the bottom. Golfers usually swing to hit the ball near the impact point. The back surface 20B of the face member 20 shown in FIG. 4(a) shows the geometric center FC and impact point C, which coincide with the geometric center FC and impact point C shown on the front surface of the face member shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] Furthermore, when examining the impact point position of a typical golfer, it is found that the ball is often hit within a radius of 10 mm from impact point position C, which is located at a height H of 15 mm from the leading edge LE. Therefore, in the following, the area defined within a radius of 10 mm from impact point position C will be referred to as the effective impact point area.

[0026] Furthermore, since the rear side of the face member 20 has a cavity structure as described above, the central region of the entire face portion is structured to bend easily. In this case, the position where it bends most easily is near the geometric center position FC, but as described above, this position does not coincide with the impact point C where the ball is actually hit. Furthermore, when viewed in the top-sole direction, the face member 20 is actually shaped so that its length is short on the heel side and increases as it moves toward the toe side, and therefore the position where it bends most easily is thought to be slightly toe side of the geometric center position FC.

[0027] A heel-side bent portion 25, a sole-side bent portion 26, and a toe-side bent portion 27 are formed on the peripheral edge of the back surface 20B of the face member 20. These bent portions 25 to 27 are all bent rearward, and in this embodiment, the length L in the face-back direction is formed to be approximately uniform, and the face member 20 is fastened to the main body member 11 with the tip end surfaces of the bent portions abutting against each other.

[0028] The heel-side bent portion 25, the sole-side bent portion 26, and the toe-side bent portion 27 are formed so that the length L in the face-back direction, which is the front-to-rear direction, is 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more. The reason why the length L in the face-back direction is at least 2 mm or more is to ensure effective bending of the face surface 20A between the body member 11 and the face surface 20A when hitting the ball. A length of 2 mm or more enables effective bending, and a length of 3 mm or more in particular enables effective bending. Note that, regarding the upper limit, it is preferable to set the length L to 10 mm or less, because an excessively long length L raises the center of gravity of the head, resulting in a decrease in flight distance.

[0029] Furthermore, when the face member 20 is viewed from the back side, the widths (flange widths) of the heel-side bent portion 25, the sole-side bent portion 26, and the toe-side bent portion 27 are such that the width W2 of the toe-side bent portion 27 is wider than the width W1 of the heel-side bent portion 25 (W2>W1; see Figure 4).

[0030] In this way, by varying the width of the bend depending on the position, the rigidity of the toe side can be relatively increased compared to the heel side, improving the overall flex balance (effective flex). In other words, the side where the hosel 13 is formed is less likely to flex due to the hosel 13. Furthermore, considering the face shape, which is short on the heel side and gets longer toward the toe side when viewed in the top-sole direction, reducing the rigidity of the heel side and increasing the rigidity of the toe side improves the overall flex balance and enables effective flex. In particular, when looking at the distribution of balls hit by amateurs, they tend to spread diagonally in an elliptical shape from the sole side of the heel to the top side of the toe. Therefore, by relatively increasing the flexibility of the sole side of the heel, the decrease in the initial velocity of the ball at the time of impact can be suppressed, improving the flight distance.

[0031] Furthermore, the center of gravity of the head body 10A is shifted toward the heel side by the hosel 13, and even if the ball is hit at a position shifted from the center of gravity, for example, near the ideal impact point C, the head will rotate, the ball will not fly in the intended direction, and the initial velocity of the ball will tend to decrease. For this reason, it is better to shift the center of gravity toward the toe side rather than the heel side (closer to the impact point C), and as described above, the center of gravity can be shifted toward the toe side by forming a wide toe-side bend portion 27 on the face member 20. In particular, shifting the center of gravity from the heel side to the toe side improves the flexibility of the area below the impact point C, which is 15 mm high from the leading edge on a perpendicular line passing through the geometric center position FC of the face member 20, thereby improving resilience and improving the flight distance.

[0032] The boundary positions of the heel-side bend portion 25, the sole-side bend portion 26, and the toe-side bend portion 27 are not limited to specific positions, and the positions where the width changes are also not limited, and may be an inflection point, multiple inflection points that change in stages, a gradual continuous increase, a gradual change section, or an appropriate combination of these. Furthermore, the positions where such inflection points and gradual change sections are formed are also not limited.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 4(a), a gradual change section 28a is provided between the heel side bending section 25 and the sole side bending section 26, and a gradual change section 28b is provided between the sole side bending section 26 and the toe side bending section 27, and the width is changed in the gradual change section. In this way, by providing the gradually changing sections 28a, 28b and changing the width of the bent portion so that it becomes continuously wider toward the toe side, no localized high rigidity portion is created, and as a result, the amount of face flexure can be increased.

[0034] Of the heel-side bent portion 25, sole-side bent portion 26, and toe-side bent portion 27 formed on the face member 20, it is preferable that the width W1 of the heel-side bent portion 25 is the narrowest and the width W2 of the toe-side bent portion is the widest. In this embodiment, the thicknesses of the heel-side bent portion 25 and the sole-side bent portion 26 are set within a range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, so that the rigidity from the sole side to the heel side is somewhat low. Note that the thickness of the face member 20 is preferably set to 2.20 mm or less, because flexibility can be improved by forming it thin.

[0035] Furthermore, when the thicknesses of the heel-side bend portion 25 and the sole-side bend portion 26 are within the above-mentioned ranges, it is preferable to set the width W2 of the toe-side bend portion to 4 mm or more (5 mm in this embodiment), and it is preferable to set the height of the toe-side bend portion 27 (height to the upper edge 27a of the toe-side bend portion) to 50% or more of the height of the face member 20 in order to increase the rigidity on the toe side and effectively improve flexibility in the hitting area.

[0036] Furthermore, the lengths in the toe-heel direction of the heel-side bent portion 25, the sole-side bent portion 26, and the toe-side bent portion 27 are not limited as long as they can improve flexibility and shift the center of gravity toward the toe side as described above. In the example shown in Fig. 4(a), the formation range of the heel-side bent portion 25 in the toe-heel direction is set so that the length L1 from the heel-side edge 20d is 10 mm, the length L2 of the gradually changing section 28a is 5 mm, and the length L3 of the sole-side bent portion 26 is 40 mm.

[0037] As described above, the scorelines 21 are formed on the face surface 20A of the face member 20. In this embodiment, the toe-side end position 21a of the scorelines 21 is aligned with the boundary position P1 (the position where the gradual change section starts) between the sole-side bend portion 26 and the toe-side bend portion 27. This is because, since a ball is generally hit within the range where the scorelines 21 are formed, by aligning the scoreline end position 21a with the boundary position P1, it is possible to effectively exert the flexure effect.

[0038] Furthermore, the heel-side end position 21b of the scoreline 21 is also aligned approximately with the heel end P2 of the heel-side bent portion 25. As with the end position 21a, a ball is generally hit within the range in which the scoreline 21 is formed, and therefore, by aligning the end position 21b of the scoreline approximately with the heel end P2 of the heel-side bent portion 25, it is possible to effectively exert the flexure effect.

[0039] Typically, when a golfer hits a ball, the ball is hit within the area on the surface of the face where scorelines are formed. In this case, the golfer swings to hit the ball at the geometric center position FC (impact point position C), but there is variation from the impact point C. In this embodiment, to improve the flexibility of this varying area, the resilience is particularly improved within a range within a 10 mm radius centered on the impact point C (referred to as the effective impact point area). For this reason, it is preferable to form the boundary positions P1 and P2 closer to the toe and heel than the end positions 21a and 21b of the scoreline 21 to improve the flexibility in the central area.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable that the boundary position P1 between the sole-side curved portion 26 and the toe-side curved portion 27 is set below the geometric center position FC of the face member 20. This allows the area in which the toe-side bent portion 27 is formed to expand toward the sole side, making it possible to lower the center of gravity and shift the center of gravity toward the toe side.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, the heel-side bent portion 25, the sole-side bent portion 26, and the toe-side bent portion 27 formed on the face member 20 are formed so that the length L is approximately uniform in the toe-heel direction, as shown in FIG. Such a configuration makes it possible to easily design the head and manufacture the head body.

[0042] Furthermore, on the back surface 20B of the face member 20, when the impact point position C is defined as a position 15 mm high from the leading edge LE on a perpendicular line passing through the geometric center position FC, it is preferable to form a toe side recess 30 and a heel side recess 31 on the outer toe side and outer heel side of the effective impact point area defined within a radius of 10 mm centered on the impact point position C.

[0043] In other words, by forming the thin recesses (grooves) 30, 31 outside the effective impact area, the rigidity of this area is reduced, allowing the effective impact area to flex effectively. In this case, considering the geometric shape of the face, the most flexible area is near the geometric center FC. If the low-rigidity recesses 30, 31 were formed above the geometric center FC, the flexible area would shift upward, preventing the effective impact area from flexing effectively. For this reason, it is preferable to form the toe-side recess 30 and heel-side recess 31 in a position that effectively flexes the lower region of the face, particularly the impact point C, so that the effective impact area can flex easily.

[0044] In this embodiment, the toe-side recess 30 and the heel-side recess 31 are each composed of three parallel curved grooves on the toe side and the heel side, respectively, but the shape, formation position, depth, etc. of the recess can be modified as appropriate.

[0045] Additionally, in this embodiment, a rib 35 is formed on the top side of the toe-side recess 30 and the heel-side recess 31. This rib 35 is formed to extend obliquely from approximately the middle position on the heel side of the face member 20 toward the upper part of the toe side, thereby shifting the position of high rigidity from the top side to the sole side and making it possible to move the position with the greatest amount of flex closer to the impact point C (making it possible to improve the flexibility of the effective impact point area).

[0046] 3, it is preferable to interpose a vibration absorbing member 40 made of resin or the like between the face member 20 and the main body member 11. By interposing such a vibration absorbing member 40, it is possible to improve the feel on impact.

[0047] Here, we will explain the results of measuring the CT value distribution of the face member and test hitting using a robot testing machine for a golf club with a conventional face member attached and a golf club with a face member according to this embodiment attached.

[0048] Regarding the deflection of the face (face member 20), there is a measurement method based on the pendulum test of the USGA (United States Golf Association), which can be used as an index to evaluate the deflection of the face portion using a numerical value called characteristic time (CT value). Specifically, the elasticity of the position of the face portion can be evaluated by measuring the contact time when a specified test piece impacts the face portion. A higher CT value (longer contact time) indicates a longer contact time with the face portion when the ball is hit, and the deflection can be evaluated as good. In other words, the higher the CT value, the more easily the face portion at the impact position of the test piece deflects, improving the ball's flight distance. Furthermore, a wider area of ​​the face portion with a high CT value means that a stable hit can be achieved even if there is some deviation in the impact point.

[0049] The face member 20 of this embodiment can derive the CT value according to the position on the face surface, making it possible to obtain the magnitude of the CT value for each position and the overall distribution state. The CT value also depends on the material of the face member, but in this embodiment, the face member is made of the same material, and an investigation was conducted to determine the extent to which the configuration of the bent portion, which differs from that of a conventional product, affects the CT value and its distribution. That is, as described above, the investigation was conducted to determine the extent to which the CT value and CT value distribution change when the thickness of the toe side is increased and the thickness of the heel side is decreased, compared to the uniform thickness of 3 mm of the bent portion of a conventional product.

[0050] In the conventional product shown in the left diagram of Figure 7, the width of the region from the heel-side bend portion to the toe-side bend portion is uniform at 3.0 mm, whereas in this embodiment, the width of the heel-side bend portion is 1.5 mm, the width of the sole-side bend portion is 2.0 mm, and the width of the toe-side bend portion is 5.0 mm, changing the structure of the bend portions from the conventional product to relatively lower the rigidity of the heel side and increase the rigidity of the toe side. Note that the shapes of grooves and the like are formed to be approximately the same.

[0051] The left side of Table 1 below shows the CT value distribution of a conventional face member, which has a uniform 3.0 mm width in the region extending from the heel-side bend, sole-side bend, and toe-side bend formed around the periphery of the face member, as well as the percentage distribution, with impact point C being 100%. Specifically, the table shows the results of measurements of the CT value distribution in the effective impact point region (heights ranging from U5 to U25, and T10 to H10 in the toe (T) and heel (H) directions) in 5 mm increments, centered on impact point C (15 mm above the leading edge; indicated by U15). The measurements show results up to 20 mm on the toe side (T15, T20) and up to 25 mm on the heel side (H15, H20). However, measurements are not shown for heights of 20 mm or more (U20, U25) at 20 mm on the heel side (H20), as these are not appropriate for impacts.

[0052] [Table 1]

[0053] According to this example, the results showed that the flexibility at impact point C and the effective impact area with a radius of 10 mm centered on impact point C was improved compared to the conventional product. In other words, by adjusting the balance of flex between the heel side and the toe side and shifting the center of gravity from the heel side to the toe side, the CT value at 5 mm below impact point C was improved by approximately 10% compared to the conventional product (34.6% for the conventional product and 44.5% for the example).

[0054] Furthermore, Table 2 below shows the results of measuring the initial velocity and flight distance of the ball when hitting a golf club with the face member shown in Table 1, using a robot testing machine and setting the club speed to 32.5 m / s, for a conventional golf club with a head having a loft angle set to 30° and a golf club with a head having the face member of this embodiment.

[0055] [Table 2]

[0056] When the ball was hit from positions 15 mm to the toe side, 15 mm to the heel side, and 5 mm below the impact point C, the improvement in flexibility was obtained as described above, and therefore the reduction in flight distance was smaller with this example. In other words, even when the ball was hit from positions shifted from the impact point C, the flight distance was improved compared to the conventional product.

[0057] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the shapes of the heel-side bent portion, sole-side bent portion, and toe-side bent portion formed on the back surface of the face member are modified, and only the back surface of the face member is shown. Furthermore, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0058] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the heel-side bending portion 25, the sole-side bending portion 26, and the toe-side bending portion 27 are configured to have a wide width so that the rigidity on the heel side is low and the rigidity on the toe side is relatively high. However, in the present embodiment, the rigidity is changed by changing the length in the face-back direction.

[0059] Specifically, the length of the sole portion is continuously changed (decreased) in a linear manner from the heel side bend portion 25 to the toe side bend portion 27 (L5>L6), thereby increasing the rigidity of the toe side bend portion 27. In this way, even in the embodiment in which the length of the bent portion is changed, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0060] Note that, in addition to the change in width from heel-side bend portion 25 to toe-side bend portion 27 as in the first embodiment, it is also possible to have both features, such as a change in length as in the present embodiment. In other words, as long as the structure has a lower rigidity on the heel side and a higher rigidity on the toe side compared to conventional bend portion structures, it can be modified appropriately.

[0061] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the thickness of the sole portion changes linearly from the heel-side bend portion 25 to the toe-side bend portion 27, but it may change in a curved manner as in this embodiment. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8(b), the sole-side bend portion 26 is curved so that its length increases, but the manner in which the width changes and the length of each portion can be modified as appropriate.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rib 35 formed on the back surface of the face member 20 is continuous with the toe-side bent portion 27 .

[0063] In this configuration, the central region of the face member 20 (the region including the effective impact point region) is surrounded by the rib 35, which contributes to high rigidity, and the toe side bend portion 27, thereby improving flexibility near the impact point position C and enabling an increase in flight distance.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, below the rib 35 formed on the back surface of the face member 20, a groove portion 30A is formed which extends in the toe-heel direction and curves on the toe side before extending toward the sole side.

[0065] In this way, the shape of the grooves formed outside the effective impact area can be modified as needed, and the groove shape shown in Figure 10 reduces the rigidity on the toe side, allowing the effective impact area to flex effectively. This improves flexibility near impact point C, thereby improving flight distance.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the face member 20 has been illustrated as having a configuration in which both the sole side and the toe side are partially bent, but the face member may be formed into a cup shape by a flange having a predetermined length in the face-back direction, including the heel-side bent portion 25, the sole-side bent portion 26, and the toe-side bent portion 27. In other words, the face member may be fixed by abutting the leading edge of the annular flange against the main body member 11.

[0067] This configuration allows for improved flexibility in the vicinity of the effective impact point. As with the above-described embodiment, the length of the cup-shaped flange in the face-back direction is preferably 2 mm or more. The length of the cup-shaped flange in the face-back direction may be approximately uniform at the heel-side bend, sole-side bend, and toe-side bend as shown in FIG. 6, or may be formed to different lengths as shown in FIG. 8. The thickness may also be varied as appropriate depending on the location.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the configuration of the above-described embodiment, recesses (grooves) 30, 31, and 30A are formed on the back surface of face member 20, but such recesses may not be formed, or the depth of the recesses may be varied depending on the location. The shape, position, and number of ribs 35 can also be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the heel-side bent portion 25, sole-side bent portion 26, and toe-side bent portion 27 can be modified as appropriate in terms of the bending angle at which they bend toward the main body member, their length in the toe-heel direction, the length of the gradually changing section, their thickness in the top-sole direction, and the like, and may even be partially separated.

[0069] The configuration of the main body member 11 described above can also be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in Fig. 4(b), by forming an inclined rib 45 extending from the sole side to the toe side, it is possible to change the center of gravity balance (lower the center of gravity and increase the rigidity of the toe side). In addition, it is possible to modify the center of gravity balance as appropriate by providing a weight member in the sole portion 11b of the main body member 11, for example.

[0070] The golf club having the above-described head structure is attached to an iron-type golf club and can be applied to any club regardless of the number. It can also be applied to the face member of the head of a wood-type golf club.

[0071] Furthermore, the configurations of the above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination as appropriate, and the configurations described in the claims can also be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Golf Love 10 heads 10A head body 11 Main body member 13 Hosel 20 Face member 21 Scoreline 25 Heel side bend 26 Sole side flexion 27 Toe side bend 30,31,30A Groove FC geometric center position C RBI position

Claims

1. A golf club head in which a face member having a face surface on which a ball is hit is fixed to a main body member having a hosel formed thereon, a heel-side bent portion, a sole-side bent portion, and a toe-side bent portion are formed on the periphery of the rear surface of the face member; The golf club head has a heel-side bent portion, a sole-side bent portion, and a toe-side bent portion of the face member, the toe-side bent portion being wider than the heel-side bent portion.

2. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the heel-side curved portion, the sole-side curved portion, and the toe-side curved portion has a gradually changing section, and the curve becomes larger from the heel-side curved portion toward the toe-side curved portion.

3. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the face member has a narrowest width at the heel-side bent portion and a widest width at the toe-side bent portion.

4. 4. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the width of the heel-side bent portion and the sole-side bent portion is 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

5. The maximum width of the toe side bend is 4 mm or more, 4. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the height of the toe-side bent portion is 50% or more of the height of the face member.

6. score lines are formed on the surface of the face member, 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the position of the toe-side end of the scoreline substantially coincides with the boundary position between the sole-side bent portion and the toe-side bent portion.

7. score lines are formed on the surface of the face member, 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the heel-side end position of the scoreline substantially coincides with the heel end of the heel-side bent portion.

8. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a boundary position between the sole-side bent portion and the toe-side bent portion is equal to or lower than a geometric center position of the face member.

9. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the face member is formed into a cup shape by a flange having a length in a face-back direction including the heel-side bent portion, the sole-side bent portion, and the toe-side bent portion.

10. 2. A golf club head as described in claim 1, wherein a toe-side recess and a heel-side recess are formed on the outer toe side and outer heel side of an effective impact area defined within a radius of 10 mm centered on the impact point position C, where C is the impact point position defined at a position 15 mm high from the leading edge on a perpendicular line passing through the geometric center position of the face member.

11. 11. The golf club head according to claim 10, wherein a rib is formed on the top side of the toe-side recess and the heel-side recess.

12. The golf club head according to claim 11 , wherein the rib is continuous with the toe-side bend portion.

13. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a vibration absorbing member is interposed between the face member and the main body member.

14. An iron-type golf club comprising the golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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