Golf Clubs

Abstract

The present invention discloses a putter having a putter head with a rear hollow cavity sealed within the putter head body that helps move the center of gravity forward, and a shaft axis that intersects the center of gravity of the putter head within a predetermined range. The putter head may have a heel counterweight to move the center of gravity of the putter head in a desired direction. The hollow cavity in the putter head may extend from the heel region to the toe region of the putter head. In some examples, the hollow cavity may include multiple hollow cavities or may be a single cavity located in the heel region or the toe region. TIFF2023549529000002.tif196106

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related topics cross-reference This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 113,356, filed November 13, 2020. The above-referenced applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] Field Aspects of the present disclosure relate to golf clubs, and in particular to putters. [Background technology]

[0003] background The game of golf may be difficult for many golfers. Many golf clubs are designed to assist the golfer in making the game easier. Putter designs can improve overall forgiveness and performance by optimizing the mass properties of the club head and the relationship of the club head to the shaft, which can help make the game more enjoyable for golfers.

[0004] Specific objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art or those having knowledge or experience in the art upon review of the following disclosure and detailed description of the specific examples. Summary of the Invention

[0005] overview The present disclosure may relate to a golf club including a club head with a club head body having a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side, the club head body including (a) a ball striking face with a lower edge defining a front edge of the club head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, (b) a sole face extending rearward from the front edge and having a rear edge opposite the front edge, (c) a hollow cavity enclosed within the club head body, and (d) a hosel disposed on the heel side. The golf club further includes a shaft that may be connected to the hosel, defining a shaft axis. The center of gravity of the club head may be within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the club head.

[0006] Further aspects of the disclosure may relate to a golf club including a club head with a club head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side, the club head body including (a) a ball striking face with a lower edge defining a front edge of the club head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, (b) a sole surface extending rearwardly from the front edge and having a rear edge opposite the front edge, (c) a hollow cavity enclosed within the club head body, and (d) a hosel disposed on the heel side. A shaft defining a shaft axis is connected to the hosel of the club head. The center of gravity of the club head may be within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the club head. The club head body may include an upper surface extending from an upper edge of the ball striking face and a shelf member disposed below the upper surface and above the sole surface. The hollow cavity may have a portion extending between the shelf member and the sole surface, and a heel portion of the hollow cavity may have a first volume greater than a second volume of a toe portion of the hollow cavity. In some examples, the club head body may be formed as a unitary member. In another example, the club head body may include a heel counterweight region forward of the ball striking face, and the heel counterweight region may have a weight within 10 percent and 25 percent of the total weight of the club head. The total weight of the club head may be in the range of 330 grams to 390 grams. The width of the club head body may be in the range of 3.2 centimeters (cm) to 4.4 cm, the width being defined as the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The golf club may be a putter.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a putter head including a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side, the putter head body including: (a) a planar ball striking surface with a lower edge defining a front edge of the putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; (b) a sole surface extending rearwardly from the front edge and having a rear edge opposite the front edge; (c) an asymmetric hollow cavity enclosed within the putter head body, the first portion of the hollow cavity being disposed in the heel portion of the putter head and the second portion of the hollow cavity being disposed in the toe portion of the putter head, the first portion having a first volume greater than a second volume of the second portion; and (d) a hosel disposed in the heel portion of the putter head body. The total weight of the putter head may be in the range of 330 grams to 390 grams, and the loft angle of the putter head may be in the range of 0 to 6 degrees. Further, the total volume of the putter head may be within a range of 57 cubic centimeters (cc) to 85 cc. The width of the putter head body may be within a range of 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm, and the width may be defined as the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The putter head may be connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head may be within a range of ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. The putter head may be connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head may be within a range of ±2 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. The hollow cavity may have a volume within a range of 24 percent to 50 percent of the total volume of the putter head, and the first volume may be within a range of 1.2 to 2.3 times the second volume.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a putter head including a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side, the putter head body including: (a) a ball striking face with a lower edge defining a front edge of the putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; (b) a sole surface extending rearwardly from the front edge and having a rear edge opposite the front edge; (c) a first hollow cavity sealed within the putter head body disposed in a heel portion of the putter head; (d) a second hollow cavity sealed within the putter head body disposed in a toe portion of the putter head, the first hollow cavity and the second hollow cavity being separated from one another; and (e) a hosel disposed on the heel side of the putter head body. The total weight of the putter head may be in the range of 330 grams to 390 grams, and the loft angle of the putter head may be in the range of 0 to 6 degrees. The total volume of the putter head may be in the range of 57 cubic centimeters (cc) to 85 cc. The putter head may be connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. The putter head may also have a width of the putter head body in the range of 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm, the width being defined as the distance from the front edge to the rear edge. In some examples, the first hollow cavity in the heel portion may have a larger volume than the second hollow cavity in the toe portion.

[0009] [The present invention 1001] a ball striking face having a lower edge defining a leading edge of the club head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; a sole surface extending rearwardly from a leading edge and having a trailing edge opposite the leading edge; A hollow cavity enclosed within the body of the club head; The hosel is located on the heel side. a club head body including a front side, a rear side opposite to the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite to the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite to the toe side; A club head comprising: a shaft defining a shaft axis and connected to a hosel of the club head; A golf club comprising: The center of gravity of the club head is within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the club head. Golf club. [The present invention 1002] A golf club according to the present invention 1001, wherein the club head body includes an upper surface extending from an upper edge of the ball striking face, and a shelf member disposed below the upper surface and above the sole surface. [The present invention 1003] The golf club of the present invention 1002, wherein the hollow cavity has a portion extending between the shelf member and the sole surface. [The present invention 1004] The golf club of the present invention 1001, wherein the heel portion of the hollow cavity has a first volume greater than a second volume of the toe portion of the hollow cavity. [The present invention 1005] A golf club according to the present invention 1001, in which the club head body is formed as an integral member. [The present invention 1006] The golf club of the present invention 1001, wherein the club head body further includes a heel counterweight area in front of the ball striking face. [The present invention 1007] The golf club of the present invention 1006, wherein the heel counterweight area has a weight within 10 percent and 25 percent of the total weight of the club head. [The present invention 1008] The golf club of the present invention 1001, wherein the total weight of the club head is within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams. [The present invention 1009] A golf club of the present invention 1001, wherein the width of the club head body is within the range of 3.2 centimeters (cm) to 4.4 cm, and the width is defined as the distance from the front edge to the rear edge. [The present invention 1010] The golf club of the present invention 1001 is a putter. [The present invention 1011] a planar ball striking surface having a lower edge defining a leading edge of the putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; a sole surface extending rearwardly from a leading edge and having a trailing edge opposite the leading edge; an asymmetric hollow cavity enclosed within a putter head body, the first portion of the hollow cavity being located in a heel portion of the putter head and the second portion of the hollow cavity being located in a toe portion of the putter head, the first portion having a first volume greater than a second volume of the second portion; a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side; The hosel located on the heel side of the putter head body 1. A putter head comprising: The total weight of the putter head is within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams, and the loft angle of the putter head is within the range of 0 to 6 degrees, and The total volume of the putter head is within the range of 57 cubic centimeters (cc) to 76 cc. Putter head. [The present invention 1012] A putter head according to the present invention 1011, wherein the width of the putter head body is within the range of 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm, and the width is defined as the distance from the front edge to the rear edge. [The present invention 1013] A putter head of the present invention 1011, wherein the putter head is connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. [The present invention 1014] A putter head of the present invention 1011, wherein the putter head is connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within ±2 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. [The present invention 1015] The putter head of the present invention 1011, wherein the hollow cavity has a volume within the range of 24 percent to 50 percent of the total volume of the putter head. [The present invention 1016] The putter head of the present invention 1011, wherein the first volume is within a range of 1.2 to 2.3 times the second volume. [The present invention 1017] a ball striking face having a lower edge defining a leading edge of the putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; a sole surface extending rearwardly from a leading edge and having a trailing edge opposite the leading edge; a first hollow cavity disposed in a heel portion of the putter head and sealed within the putter head body; a second hollow cavity disposed in a toe portion of the putter head and enclosed within the putter head body, the first hollow cavity and the second hollow cavity being separated from each other; a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side; The hosel located on the heel side of the putter head body 1. A putter head comprising: The total weight of the putter head is within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams, and the loft angle of the putter head is within the range of 0 to 6 degrees, and The total volume of the putter head is within the range of 57 cubic centimeters (cc) to 85 cc. Putter head. [The present invention 1018] A putter head of the present invention 1017, wherein the putter head is connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. [The present invention 1019] A putter head according to the present invention 1017, wherein the width of the putter head body is within the range of 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm, and the width is defined as the distance from the front edge to the rear edge. [The present invention 1020] The putter head of the present invention 1017, wherein the first hollow cavity in the heel portion has a larger volume than the second hollow cavity in the toe portion. These and further features and advantages disclosed herein will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of specific examples, drawings thereof, and from the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an example golf club according to aspects described herein; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a top view of the example golf club of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom front perspective view of an example golf club head of the golf club of FIG. 1 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom rear perspective view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a toe-side perspective view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a heel side perspective view of the example golf club head of FIG. 3 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional rear view of an example golf club head taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7 according to aspects described herein; [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example golf club head taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 7 according to aspects described herein; and [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of another example golf club according to aspects described herein.

[0011] It should be understood that the drawings referred to above are not necessarily drawn to scale and provide depictions of particular examples, which are merely conceptual in nature and illustrate relevant principles. Some features of the golf clubs or club heads depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to other features to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical parts and features shown in various alternative examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Detailed Description Generally, the present disclosure relates to golf clubs, and particularly putters, with a club head including a hollow portion, with the center of gravity (CG) located within a predetermined range of the intersection of the shaft axis and the center of the ball striking face.

[0013] Generally, the present disclosure relates to golf clubs, and particularly putters, with club heads that include a hollow cavity that helps move the center of gravity forward to align it with the shaft axis, as compared to solid club heads.

[0014] As used herein, the term "substantially" means mostly or nearly completely, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, cost, manufacturing tolerances, and performance in the field of golf clubs. Similarly, the term "about" as used herein means near or approximately a particular value, within the constraints of sensible commercial engineering objectives, cost, manufacturing tolerances, and performance in the field of golf clubs.

[0015] 1 illustrates an exemplary golf club 100 as described herein. The golf club 100 may include a golf club head 110, a shaft 170 that couples to a hosel portion 125 (e.g., the stem of a putter head) at a first end 172 of the shaft 170 of the golf club head 110, and a grip member 180 connected to a second end of the shaft 170 that is disposed inside the grip member 180. The shaft 170 may define a shaft axis 176 that extends along a portion of the shaft 170 that defines a majority of the length of the shaft 170. The shaft axis 176 may also extend parallel to and be collinear with a grip axis 182 that is defined by a receiver of the grip member 180 that engages the shaft 170. The exemplary golf club head 110 is a putter head.

[0016] 2-10, the golf club head 110 may have a club head body 112 with a front side 114, a back side 116 opposite the front side 114, a toe side 118, a heel side 120 opposite the toe side 118, an upper side 122 visible to a user at address position, and a sole side 124 opposite the upper side 122. A hosel portion 125 may be disposed on the heel side 120 of the club head body 112. A shaft axis 176 may define a lie angle 158 of the club head, defined as an angle from a ground plane 178. The club head center plane 140 may be defined as a plane perpendicular to the ground plane 178, perpendicular to the plane defining a zero degree (0°) face angle, and located at the midpoint of the ball striking face 126, which may be defined as the midpoint between the furthest point on the toe side 118 of the ball striking face 126 and the furthest point on the heel side 120 of the ball striking face 126. Additionally, the club head 110 may have a heel portion 142 defined as the portion of the club head body 112 heelward of the center plane 140, and a toe portion 144 defined as the portion of the club head body 112 to the toe of the center plane 140.

[0017] The club head body 112 may include a ball striking face 126 on the front side 114 configured to strike a golf ball, the ball striking face 126 may have a lower edge 128 that defines a leading edge of the club head 110 and an upper edge 130 of the ball striking face 126. A sole member 132 of the club head body 112 may extend rearwardly along the sole side 124 from the leading edge 128 to a rear edge 134 of the club head body 112, the rear edge 134 may be disposed opposite the leading edge 128. A hosel portion 125 may be connected to and disposed forward of the ball striking face 126 of the club head body 112. In some examples, a heel counterweight 138 may be disposed forward of the ball striking face 126, and the hosel portion 125 may be coupled to the heel counterweight 138.

[0018] Additionally, the club head body 112 may have a top surface 146 extending rearwardly from the upper edge 130 of the ball striking face 126. The top surface 146 may extend between the heel side 120 and the toe side 118 and may extend along a majority of the length L of the club head body 112. The club head body 112 may also include a substantially vertical trailing surface 148 extending downwardly from a rear edge 150 of the top surface 146. The trailing surface 148 may include a recess 152 or undercut pocket extending directly below the top surface 146. A shelf member 154 may be disposed below the top surface 146 and may be disposed below a lower edge of the recess 152. The recess 152 may be substantially centered along the club head center plane 140. The shelf member 154 may extend across the top side 122 of the club head body 112 from the toe side 118 to the heel side 120. In some cases, the shelf member 154 may have multiple tiers or tiers. The club head body 112 may further include a hollow cavity 156 that is completely enclosed within the club head body 112. The wall thickness of the club head body 112 around the hollow cavity 156 may vary and in some areas may be in the range of 1.5 mm to 3 mm. As shown in FIG. 12, a portion of the hollow cavity 156 may be disposed between the shelf member 154 and the sole member 132. In some examples, the hollow cavity 156 may extend to both the heel portion 142 and the toe portion 144. The hollow cavity 156 may have an asymmetric shape such that the shape of the portion of the hollow cavity 156 in the heel portion 142 is different than the shape of the portion of the hollow cavity 156 in the toe portion 144. As shown in FIG. 11 in the illustrated example, the hollow cavity 156 may have a larger volume in the heel portion 142 than in the toe portion 144. In some examples, the portion of hollow cavity 156 in heel portion 142 may have a volume that is approximately 60 percent of the volume of hollow cavity 156, or within a range of 55 percent to 70 percent of the volume of hollow cavity 156. In other words, the volume of heel portion 142 may be approximately 1.6 times the volume of hollow cavity 156 in toe portion 144, or the volume of heel portion 142 may be within a range of 1.2 to 2.3 times the volume of hollow cavity 156 in toe portion 144.In some examples, the hollow cavity 156 may include multiple hollow cavities that are completely enclosed within either the heel portion 142 or the toe portion 144. For example, the hollow cavity 156 may include a first cavity 157A that is completely enclosed in the heel portion 142 and a second cavity 157B that is completely enclosed in the toe portion 144 that are not in communication with each other across the central plane 140, as shown in FIG. 14. As another example, the hollow cavity 156 may include multiple hollow cavities in the heel portion 142 and multiple cavities in the toe portion 144, such that the first hollow cavity may be in the heel portion 142 and the second hollow cavity may be in the toe portion 144, with the two hollow cavities separated. As in the illustrated example, the first hollow cavity in the heel portion 142 may have a larger volume than the second hollow cavity in the toe portion 144. Alternatively, the hollow cavity 156 may be a single cavity located in either the heel portion 142 or the toe portion 144. The total volume of the club head 110 may be in the range of 55 cubic centimeters (cc) to 100 cc, or in the range of 57 cc to 85 cc, or in the range of 59 cc to 76 cc. Optionally, the total volume may be outside the ranges referenced above. In the illustrated example, the hollow cavity 156 may have a volume of approximately 15.5 cc, or in some examples, the hollow cavity 156 may have a volume in the range of 12 cc to 30 cc. The total volume of the club head 100 may be measured by a water displacement method, as known to those skilled in the art. Another way to express the volume of the hollow cavity 156 may be as a percentage of the total volume of the club head 110. For example, hollow cavity 156 may have a volume within a range of 35 percent to 60 percent of the total volume of club head 110, or in some examples, hollow cavity 156 may have a volume within a range of 24 percent to 50 percent of the total volume of club head 110. Optionally, in some examples, hollow cavity 156 may have an opening or openings (not shown) to the exterior extending through the sole member such that hollow cavity 156 is not completely enclosed by club head body 112.

[0019] The putter head 110 may have mass properties that allow the putter to substantially reduce the torque felt by the user during the putting stroke. The center of gravity 160 of the putter head 110 may provide the putter 100 with adequate performance to reduce the spin imparted to the golf ball at impact while also providing a solid feel. Furthermore, the combination of the mass properties of the putter head 110 and the alignment of the center of gravity with the shaft axis allows the putter to eliminate the torque normally felt with a typical putter when striking the ball. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the center of gravity 160 of the putter head 110 may be located at the intersection 164 of the shaft axis 176 and the central plane 140, or the center of gravity 160 may be located within ±2 mm of the intersection 164 in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions, or within ±4 mm of the intersection 164 in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions. The center of gravity 160 of the putter head 110 may be located along the central plane 140 of the putter head 110, or within ±2 mm of the central plane 140, or within ±4 mm of the central plane 140. In some examples, the center of gravity 160 may be located at a center point 162 of the ball striking face 126 or within ±2 mm in the up-down direction and within ±2 mm in the front-to-back direction, or in some examples, the center of gravity 160 may be within ±4 mm in the up-down direction and within ±4 mm in the front-to-back direction. In some cases, the center of gravity 160 may be located within 12.7 mm behind the center point 162. In other cases, the center of gravity 160 may be located within 6.3 mm behind the center point 162. The center point 162 of the ball striking face 126 may be defined as the midpoint between the leading edge 128 and the top edge 130 along the central plane 140.

[0020] The total weight of the putter head 110 may be approximately 355 grams, or within the range of 340 grams to 375 grams, or within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams. The heel counterweight 138, which may be defined as an area located forward of the ball striking face 126, may help move the overall center of gravity 160 forward to a desired location. The weight of the heel counterweight area 138 (which includes the hosel portion 125 that connects to the shaft) may be approximately 14.5% of the total weight of the putter head 110, or within the range of 12 percent to 17 percent of the total weight of the putter head, or within the range of 10 percent to 25 percent of the total weight. For example, the heel counterweight area may have a weight of approximately 51.5 or approximately 54.5 grams, or within the range of 50 grams to 60 grams, or within the range of 40 grams to 90 grams. As another feature, when considering a club head 110 without the heel counterweight area 138 , the weight of the toe portion 144 of the club head 110 may be greater than the weight of the heel portion 142 of the club head 110 .

[0021] Additionally, the putter head 110 may have a range of dimensions that are useful for providing the center of gravity 160 in a desired location. For example, the overall length L from the furthest point on the toe side 118 to the furthest point on the heel side 120 may be about 4.25 inches, or about 4.5 inches, or within the range of 3.54 inches to 5.0 inches. The overall height H, defined as the distance from the lowest point of the sole member 132 to the ball striking face 126 or the highest point of the putter head 110 behind the ball striking face 126 (i.e., excluding the hosel portion 125 and heel counterweight area 138), may be within the range of 1.0 inch, or within the range of 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches. The overall width B, defined as the distance from the leading edge 128 to the trailing edge 134 of the putter head 110, may be approximately 1.5 inches, or within the range of 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches. In some examples, the width may be within the range of 1.5 inches to 4.25 inches. If the width of the putter head 110 is greater than 3.2 cm, the putter head 110 may be closer to the center of gravity 16. 10 and may have a high moment of inertia about both the vertical (up-down) axis extending through 0 and the horizontal (heel-toe) axis (compared to a putter with a smaller width). Optionally, the width of the putter head 110 may be expressed as a percentage of the length of the putter head 110. The width of the putter head 110 may be less than the length of the putter head and may be within a range of 70 percent of the length to 99 percent of the length. This increased moment of inertia may improve the overall tolerance of the putter head 110 to off-center impacts. Width B may also provide a platform for alignment aids that may be located on the shelf member 154 or the top surface 146, or in some cases, on both the shelf member 154 and the top surface 146. In another example, the putter head 110 may be outside of the above ranges.

[0022] The ball striking face 126 may be flat or may have a loft angle within the range of 0 degrees to 4 degrees or within the range of 0 degrees to 6 degrees. As known to those skilled in the art, the loft angle may be defined as the angle between the ball striking face 126 and a vertical plane.

[0023] Additionally, the golf club head 110 may be formed from multiple elements. For example, the club head body 112 may be formed from a first member 113 including the striking face 126, the top surface 146, the shelf member 154, and a portion of the sole member 132, and a second member 115 forming a portion of the sole member 132. The two elements 113, 115 may be permanently joined to present a single, integral structure and enclose a hollow cavity 156. In some examples, the two elements 113, 115 may be joined using a welding technique such as plasma or laser welding, or may be joined using adhesives, brazing, or other permanent joining methods known to those skilled in the art. In some examples, the club head body 112 may be formed as a single, integral member using an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. Additionally, in some examples, the hollow cavity 156 formed within the club head body 112 may include a honeycomb or lattice structure that helps support the outer structure of the club head body 112. Club head 110 may be formed from a metallic material, such as a steel alloy, and the density of club head 110 may be within the range of 7.75 g / cc to 8.05 g / cc. In some examples, the elements forming club head 110 may be made from different materials having different densities. In another example, club head 110 may be formed from an aluminum or magnesium alloy.

[0024] Alternatively or optionally, as shown in FIG. 13, the putter head 110 may be formed without the heel counterweight 138 while still having the dimensional and mass characteristics described above. For example, the putter head 110 may be formed with a hollow cavity 156 and have a shaft axis 176 that intersects with the center of gravity 160 of the putter head 110, as described above. The club head body 112 may include a high density insert located on or near the ball striking face to position the center of gravity 160 in the range described above. The high density insert may include tungsten and may have a density in the range of 10 g / cc to 17 g / cc.

[0025] Those skilled in the art, having knowledge gained from this disclosure, will recognize that in achieving these and other advantages, various modifications may be made to the disclosed apparatus and method without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the features described herein are susceptible to modification, alteration, change, or substitution. For example, all combinations of components and / or steps that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result are expressly intended to be within the scope of the invention. Substitution of components from one described example to another is fully intended and contemplated. The specific examples shown and described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not limitations of the invention described in the appended claims. Other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the foregoing description is provided for clarity only and is merely exemplary. The spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to the above examples, but is encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A ball striking surface having a lower edge defining a leading edge of a putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge. a sole surface extending rearwardly from a leading edge and having a trailing edge opposite the leading edge; a hollow cavity enclosed within the putter head body, the hollow cavity having a heel portion having a first volume greater than a second volume of a toe portion of the hollow cavity; The hosel connected to the putter head body a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite to the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite to the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite to the toe side. A putter head having a shaft defining a shaft axis and connected to a hosel of the putter head; 1. A putter comprising: The center of gravity of the putter head is within ±4 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. putter.

2. The putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head body includes a top surface extending from an upper edge of the ball striking surface and a shelf member disposed below the top surface and above the sole surface.

3. 3. The putter of claim 2, wherein the hollow cavity has a portion that extends between the shelf member and the sole surface.

4. The putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head body is formed as a unitary member.

5. The putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head body further includes a heel counterweight area forward of the ball striking face.

6. 6. The putter of claim 5, wherein the heel counterweight area has a weight within 10 percent and 25 percent of the total weight of the putter head.

7. The putter of claim 1, wherein the total weight of the putter head is within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams.

8. The putter of claim 1, wherein the width of the putter head body is within the range of 3.2 centimeters (cm) to 4.4 cm, the width being defined as the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

9. a planar ball striking surface having a lower edge defining a leading edge of the putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; a sole surface extending rearwardly from a leading edge and having a trailing edge opposite the leading edge; an asymmetric hollow cavity enclosed within a putter head body, the first portion of the hollow cavity being located in a heel portion of the putter head and the second portion of the hollow cavity being located in a toe portion of the putter head, the first portion having a first volume greater than a second volume of the second portion; a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side; A hosel connected to the putter head body 1. A putter head comprising: The total weight of the putter head is within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams, and the loft angle of the putter head is within the range of 0 to 6 degrees, and The total volume of the putter head is between 57 cubic centimeters (cc) and 76 cc, and A putter head is connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within a range of ±4 mm in the front-to-back direction, heel-to-toe direction, and up-down direction of the intersection point between the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. Putter head.

10. 10. The putter head of claim 9, wherein the putter head body has a width in the range of 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm, the width being defined as the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

11. 10. The putter head of claim 9, wherein the putter head is connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within ±2 mm in the front-to-back, heel-to-toe, and up-down directions of the intersection of the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head.

12. 10. The putter head of claim 9, wherein the hollow cavity has a volume within the range of 24 percent to 50 percent of the total volume of the putter head.

13. 10. The putter head of claim 9, wherein the first volume is within a range of 1.2 to 2.3 times the second volume.

14. a ball striking face having a lower edge defining a leading edge of the putter head and an upper edge opposite the lower edge; a sole surface extending rearwardly from a leading edge and having a trailing edge opposite the leading edge; a first hollow cavity disposed in a heel portion of the putter head and sealed within the putter head body; a second hollow cavity disposed in a toe portion of the putter head and enclosed within the putter head body, the first hollow cavity and the second hollow cavity being separated from each other; a putter head body including a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, an upper side, a lower side opposite the upper side, a toe side, and a heel side opposite the toe side; A hosel connected to the putter head body 1. A putter head comprising: The total weight of the putter head is within the range of 330 grams to 390 grams, and the loft angle of the putter head is within the range of 0 to 6 degrees, and The total volume of the putter head is between 57 cubic centimeters (cc) and 85 cc, and A putter head is connected to a shaft to form a putter, and the center of gravity of the putter head is within a range of ±4 mm in the front-to-back direction, heel-to-toe direction, and up-down direction of the intersection point between the shaft axis and the central plane of the putter head. Putter head.

15. 15. The putter head of claim 14, wherein the putter head body has a width in the range of 3.2 cm to 4.4 cm, the width being defined as the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

16. 15. The putter head of claim 14, wherein the first hollow cavity in the heel portion has a larger volume than the second hollow cavity in the toe portion.

17. The putter of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity is located within 6.3 mm rearward of the center point of the striking face, the center point of the striking face being defined as the midpoint between the leading edge and the upper edge along the central plane.

18. A putter head as described in claim 9, wherein the center of gravity is located within 6.3 mm rearward of the center point of the striking surface, the center point of the striking surface being defined as the midpoint between the leading edge and the upper edge along the central plane.

19. A putter head as described in claim 14, wherein the center of gravity is located within 6.3 mm rearward of the center point of the striking face, the center point of the striking face being defined as the midpoint between the leading edge and the upper edge along the central plane.

20. The putter head of claim 14, wherein the putter head body includes an insert on the ball striking surface, the insert having a density within the range of 10 g / cc to 17 g / cc.

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