Golf club head with face reinforcement structure

Abstract

Some embodiments of the lightweight golf clubs described herein include a thin crown, a thin sole, a mass-efficient weight system, and a thin face plate to maximize performance gains (e.g., ball distance, impact efficiency, and ball speed) for individuals with swing speeds below 85 mph. As further described below, to achieve a lightweight golf club head (having a thin crown, a thin sole, a mass-efficient weight system, and a thin face plate), the golf club head further includes a crown-to-face plate bridge and a sole-to-face plate bridge to control the characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the golf club head.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf club heads having one or more thickened regions.

[0002] (Related application data) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 076,859, filed September 10, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 073,849, filed September 2, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 944,968, filed December 6, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Golf can be played by a wide variety of individuals, generally categorized by age, gender, physical strength, and flexibility. This diverse group of individuals (or golfers) often leads golf club manufacturers to design golf clubs to accommodate a full range of golfers, including those with slow, medium, and fast swing speeds. Thus, because golf club manufacturers design golf clubs to accommodate all individuals, individuals with slow and medium swing speeds often end up using golf clubs that do not optimally match their unique swing signatures. In exchange, many golfers sacrifice impact efficiency, resulting in less-than-maximized ball distance. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a golf club head, and more particularly, a driver-type golf club head, designed to provide maximum performance for golfers with slow and medium swing speeds. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a perspective view of the outer heel and rear of a golf club head.

[0005] [Figure 2] 2 illustrates a view of the outer apex or crown of the golf club head of FIG. 1;

[0006] [Figure 3] 2 illustrates a view of the outer bottom or sole of the golf club head of FIG. 1;

[0007] [Figure 4] 2 illustrates an exterior front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in an address position.

[0008] [Figure 5] 5 illustrates a rear interior view of the face plate with variable face thickness of FIG. 4 in the address position.

[0009] [Figure 6] 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a weight assembly attached to the club head.

[0010] [Figure 7] 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 without a weight assembly attached to the club head.

[0011] [Figure 8] 2 illustrates a rear interior view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 having a sole-face plate bridge and a crown-face plate bridge.

[0012] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up view of the crown-faceplate bridge of FIG. 8.

[0013] [Figure 10] 2 illustrates a rear interior view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a sole-face plate bridge.

[0014] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a close-up view of the sole-face plate bridge of FIG. 10.

[0015] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0016] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, these drawings illustrate general modes of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numbers in different drawings refer to the same elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Presented herein are golf clubs, particularly lightweight, wood-type golf clubs designed for golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph (e.g., low and medium swing speeds). Generally, the lightweight golf clubs described herein may include a thin crown, a thin sole, a mass-efficient weight system, and / or a thin face plate to maximize performance gains (e.g., ball distance, impact efficiency, and ball speed) for individuals with swing speeds below 85 mph. As further described below, to achieve a lightweight golf club (having a thin crown, a thin sole, a mass-efficient weight system, and a thin face plate), the golf club head further includes a crown-to-face plate bridge and a sole-to-face plate bridge for controlling the characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the club head.

[0018] Creating golf clubs that specifically target unique swing speed tiers (i.e., slow and mid-speed swing speeds) can enable these individuals to use golf clubs that fit their swing signature, rather than using golf clubs designed to accommodate the full range of golfers (i.e., slow, mid-speed, and high-speed swing speeds). This, in turn, reduces the need to create golf club heads that can withstand the extreme load (and / or stress) conditions imposed by high-speed swing speeds for durability purposes. This allows the golf club heads described herein to have reduced club head mass-to-volume ratios, improved mass placement, and thinner face plates.

[0019] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. in the description and claims, when present, are used to distinguish between like elements and are not necessarily used to describe a particular sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that when so used, these terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, such that the embodiments described herein can operate in orders other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," and any conjugations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, whereby a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but rather may include other elements not expressly listed or inherently included in such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0020] Terms such as "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "above," and "below," when present, in the description and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that when so used, these terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, e.g., to enable the device, method, and / or article embodiments described herein to operate in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

[0021] The golf club heads described herein can be driver-type club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, or hybrid-type club heads, as described below. In many embodiments, the golf club heads can be wood-type golf club heads (i.e., driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, or hybrid-type golf club heads). Driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, and hybrid-type golf club heads can be characterized by loft angle, head volume, and / or head weight, as described above. 1.Loft Angle - Driver

[0022] As used herein, the term "driver-type golf club head" can be defined by a loft angle.

[0023] In many embodiments, the loft angle of a driver-type club head can be less than about 16 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 14 degrees, less than about 13 degrees, less than about 12 degrees, less than about 11 degrees, less than about 10 degrees, less than about 9 degrees, less than about 8 degrees, or less than about 7 degrees. 2.Loft angle - Fairway wood

[0024] As used herein, the term "fairway wood-type golf club head" may be defined by one or more of loft angle or club head material.

[0025] In many embodiments, the loft angle of a fairway wood-type club head can be less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Furthermore, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be greater than about 12 degrees, greater than about 13 degrees, greater than about 14 degrees, greater than about 15 degrees, greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, or greater than about 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of a fairway wood-type club head can be between 12 and 35 degrees, between 15 and 35 degrees, between 20 and 35 degrees, or between 12 and 30 degrees. 3.Materials - Fairway Wood

[0026] The material of the fairway wood-type golf club head can be constructed from any material used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, the material of the fairway wood-type golf club head can be constructed from any one or combination of the following: 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, steel alloy, or any other known metal material or composite material for fabricating fairway wood-type golf club heads. In many embodiments, the fairway wood-type golf club head is constructed from a titanium alloy and / or a composite material. 4.Loft Angle - Hybrid

[0027] As used herein, the term "hybrid-type golf club head" may be defined by one or more of loft angle or club head material.

[0028] In many embodiments, the loft angle of a hybrid-type club head can be less than about 40 degrees, less than about 39 degrees, less than about 38 degrees, less than about 37 degrees, less than about 36 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Additionally, in many embodiments, the loft angle of a hybrid-type club head can be greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees, greater than about 21 degrees, greater than about 22 degrees, greater than about 23 degrees, greater than about 24 degrees, or greater than about 25 degrees. 5. Materials - Hybrid

[0029] The material of the hybrid-type golf club head can be constructed from any material used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, the material of the hybrid-type golf club head can be constructed from any one or combination of the following: 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, steel alloy, or any other known metal or composite material for fabricating hybrid-type golf club heads. In many embodiments, the hybrid-type golf club head can be constructed from titanium alloy and / or composite material.

[0030] Before any embodiment of this disclosure is described in detail, it should be understood that this 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. This disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0031] Described below is a lightweight golf club head having a mass-conservative face plate and a mass-conservative body, as compared to golf club heads designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The body and face plate together form a golf club head defining a hollow interior. The body includes a crown, a sole, a toe, a heel, and a rear portion that define the interior cavity. The crown, sole, toe, and heel of the body define an opening configured to receive the face plate.

[0032] As noted above, in many embodiments, the face plates described herein can be designed according to unique swing speed tiers. As a non-limiting example, a first user tier with a swing speed of less than 85 miles per hour (mph) can use a golf club with a thinner face plate (and therefore a less mass-intensive face plate) than a second user tier with a swing speed of over 100 miles per hour (mph). This allows the first user tier to experience higher ball speeds and increased ball distance (due to increased face deflection caused by the thinner face plate) compared to using a golf club head designed for the second user tier, both while maintaining its durability. In this unique scenario, durability issues caused by the thinner face plate are not readily apparent (for the first user tier) due to the slow-to-medium impact speeds, but the thinner face plate thickness can result in an unconstrained increase in CT.

[0033] In many embodiments, to appropriately control or modify CT throughout the face plate (while maintaining a thin and lightweight face plate), the face plate can have a variable thickness profile, which tunes CT by allowing for thickening only in desired areas. In contrast, however, for golf club heads designed for swing speeds greater than 100 miles per hour, simply implementing a variable face thickness profile may be insufficient to appropriately control CT. Therefore, to further control, modify, and / or reduce the club head's characteristic time response (CT), a crown-to-face plate bridge and a sole-to-face plate bridge are formed inwardly and integrally within the club head.

[0034] The variable thickness of the faceplate can include an outer periphery region, a toe region, a heel region, an upper transition region, a lower transition region, and a central region. The outer periphery region can be substantially elliptical and circumscribes the toe region, the heel region, the upper transition region, the lower transition region, and the central region. The toe region extends from the boundaries of the outer periphery, the upper transition region, and the lower transition region. The heel region extends from the boundaries of the outer periphery, the upper transition region, and the lower transition region. The central region extends from and is bounded by the upper transition region and the lower transition region. In many embodiments, the variable thickness (VFT) of the face plate can be defined from the heel end of the golf club head to the center of the face plate, and from the toe end of the golf club head to the center of the face plate, with the outer periphery being the outermost region, followed by the heel and toe portions, the upper and lower transition regions, and finally the center region.

[0035] In general, the portions of the golf club head having the greatest characteristic time measurements can typically be found (1) toward the geometric center of the face plate, (2) offset from the geometric center of the face plate toward the toe of the face plate, (3) offset from the geometric center toward the apex of the face plate, or a combination thereof. These areas can potentially have characteristic time measurements that are at, near, or approaching CT thresholds (i.e., USGA and R&A CT limits). Therefore, in one or more thin-walled face plate embodiments, it may be desirable to reduce the CT in the toe portion of the face plate and increase the CT in the heel portion of the face plate. In these situations, the toe region of the VFT can have a greater thickness than the heel region of the VFT, thereby creating a face plate that is stiffer in the toe portion and more flexible in the heel portion, in part resulting in a more uniform CT throughout the face plate.

[0036] As described above, while having a face plate with a variable face thickness profile facilitates controlling (and / or reducing) CT, simply implementing VFT is insufficient to adequately control CT due to the increased face deflection caused by a thin, lightweight face plate. Therefore, to further adjust CT without adding mass-intensive features, a golf club head can include a crown-to-face plate bridge and / or a sole-to-face plate bridge. The crown-to-face plate bridge and / or the sole-to-face plate bridge can be positioned in portions of the golf club head that are areas that experience less displacement and / or stress upon impact with a golf ball. This allows for the strengthening / thickening of certain portions of the transition region between the face plate and the crown and / or certain portions of the transition region between the face plate and the sole, providing localized and / or specialized stiffening to adjust the dynamic response characteristics (i.e., CT) of the golf club head with negligible effect on impact ball velocity. Golf Club Head Composition and Setup

[0037] As further described below, to achieve a lightweight golf club that meets a predetermined mass-to-volume ratio, the golf club head includes a thinner crown, thinner sole, mass-efficient weight system, and thinner face plate compared to conventional club heads designed for swing speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Thinning these structural features (i.e., a thinner crown, a thinner sole, a mass-efficient weight system, and a thinner face plate) increases the flexibility of the golf club head, which correlates with an increased CT. Therefore, to limit (or offset) the increase in CT and ensure the club complies with USGA regulations, the golf club head also includes a crown-to-face plate bridge and / or a sole-to-face plate bridge to control (or reduce) the club head's characteristic time (CT) characteristics without having to increase the face plate thickness (i.e., without limiting the face plate's flexibility). The club head achieves these characteristics at swing speeds of less than 85 miles per hour.

[0038] In many embodiments, a golf club head includes a club head body (which may also be referred to as a "body"). The club head body defines a toe (or toe portion), a heel (or heel portion), a crown (or crown portion), a sole (or sole portion), a rear portion, and a face plate opening configured to receive a face plate. The face plate may provide a surface adapted for impact with a golf ball. The rear portion is spaced rearward from the face plate. The sole portion is defined as being between the face plate and the rear portion and resting on the ground plane (or playing surface) at address. The crown (or crown portion) may be formed opposite the sole (or sole portion). The face plate may be defined by the sole, crown, heel, and toe of the golf club head.

[0039] As previously stated, a golf club head can be configured to be in an "address position." Unless otherwise stated or indicated, the golf club head is in the address position for all reference measurements, ratios, and / or descriptive parameters. The address position can be described as (1) the sole of the golf club head resting on a contact plane that is in contact with and parallel to the playing surface, and (2) the face plate being substantially perpendicular to the contact plane.

[0040] The face plate of the club head defines a geometric center. In some embodiments, the geometric center can be located at the geometric center point of the face plate periphery and at the midpoint of the face height. In the same or other examples, the geometric center can also be centered relative to an engineered impact zone, which can be defined by the area of ​​a groove on the face plate. As another approach, the geometric center of the face plate can be located according to the specifications of a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the geometric center of the face plate can be identified according to Section 6.1 of the USGA's Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Club Head (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (available at http: / / www.usga.org / equipment / testing / protocols / Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibilitly-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head / ) ("Flexibility Procedure").

[0041] The club head further defines a loft plane tangent to the geometric center of the face plate. The face height can be measured parallel to the loft plane between the top end of the face plate perimeter near the crown and the bottom end of the face plate perimeter near the sole. In these embodiments, the face plate perimeter can be located along the outer edge of the face plate where the curvature deviates from the bulge and / or undulations of the face plate.

[0042] The geometric center of the face plate further defines a coordinate system with an origin located at the geometric center of the face plate, the coordinate system having an X'-axis, a Y'-axis, and a Z'-axis. The X'-axis extends through the geometric center of the face plate in a heel-to-toe direction of the club head. The Y'-axis extends perpendicular to the X'-axis through the geometric center of the face plate in a crown-to-sole direction of the club head, and the Z'-axis extends perpendicular to the X'-axis and Y'-axis through the geometric center of the face plate in a front-to-rear direction of the club head (e.g., face plate).

[0043] The coordinate system defines an X'Y' plane extending through the X' and Y' axes. The X'Y' plane extends parallel to the hosel axis (not shown) and is positioned at an angle from the loft plane 164 corresponding to the loft angle of the club head. Additionally, the X' axis may be positioned at a 60-degree angle relative to the hosel axis when viewed perpendicular to the X'Y' plane. In these or other embodiments, the club head may be viewed from a front view (FIG. 4) when the face plate is viewed perpendicular to the X'Y' plane. I. Embodiment

[0044] Many of the golf club head embodiments described below (FIGS. 1-11) illustrate driver-type golf club heads 100 configured to enhance performance for golfers with swing speeds below 85 miles per hour (mph). As further described below, the enhanced performance can be attributed, at least in part, to the addition of a crown-to-face plate bridge 106 and / or a sole-to-face plate bridge 107, a thin crown 102, a thin sole 103, a lightweight, flexible face plate 105 with a variable thickness profile 111, and a mass-efficient weight system 104. As discussed below, the combination of these features and attributes helps prevent durability and CT issues while enhancing club head performance for golfers with swing speeds below 85 miles per hour. Mass properties of a golf club head

[0045] 1-11 , a golf club head 100 includes a body 101 and a face plate 105 joined together to define a hollow interior cavity. The body 101 includes a crown 102, a sole 103, a toe 108, a heel 109, and a rear portion 110 that define the hollow interior cavity. The crown 102, the sole 103, the toe 108, and the heel 109 of the body define an opening configured to receive the face plate 105. The face plate 105 can provide a surface adapted for impact with a golf ball. The rear portion 110 is spaced rearward from the face plate 105. The sole 103 is defined as being between the face plate 105 and the rear portion 110 and resting on a ground plane 120 (or playing surface) at address. The crown 102 can be formed on the opposite side of the sole 103.

[0046] By creating a golf club head for use (only) by golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph, it is possible to reduce (or thin) the structural mass of many features of the club head (i.e., crown, sole, face plate, etc.) beyond what has traditionally been required for golf club heads used by golfers with swing speeds exceeding 100 mph (traditional golf clubs). This creates a golf club head that is significantly more flexible than traditional golf clubs, which results in an increase in the club head's CT characteristics. Therefore, by implementing an integrally formed crown-face plate bridge or sole-face plate bridge, areas of the club head that inherently have a high CT can be locally thickened without having to add thickness (or mass) to the entire face plate. In traditional club heads, the primary option for reducing the club head's CT characteristics is to thicken the entire face (rather than just the perimeter of the face). Therefore, the crown-face plate bridge and sole-face plate bridge aid in the creation of lightweight golf club heads. In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can be approximately 3 grams, approximately 4 grams, approximately 5 grams, approximately 6 grams, approximately 7 grams, approximately 8 grams, or approximately 9 grams lighter than conventional golf club heads. Driver-type golf club head

[0047] To achieve a lightweight (yet durable) golf club head 100, the total mass of the golf club head 100 can be between approximately 190 grams and 200 grams. In many embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head 100 can be between approximately 190 grams and 192 grams, between approximately 192 grams and 194 grams, between approximately 194 grams and 196 grams, between approximately 196 grams and 198 grams, or between approximately 198 grams and 200 grams. In further embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head 100 can be less than 200 grams, less than 199 grams, less than 198 grams, less than 197 grams, less than 196 grams, less than 195 grams, less than 194 grams, less than 193 grams, less than 192 grams, or less than 191 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass of golf club head 100 can be approximately 190 grams, approximately 191 grams, approximately 192 grams, approximately 193 grams, approximately 194 grams, approximately 195 grams, approximately 196 grams, approximately 197 grams, approximately 198 grams, approximately 199 grams, or approximately 200 grams. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1-11, the total club head mass (i.e., the club head body coupled to the face plate) is approximately 194 grams. For comparison purposes, conventional golf club heads designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour have total club head masses in excess of 203 grams.

[0048] Producing a lightweight golf club head 100 does not necessarily mean trading off (or reducing) the volume of the club head 100. For example, the volume of the golf club head 100 can be between about 444 cc and about 460 cc. In many embodiments, the volume of the golf club head 100 can be between about 444 cc and about 448 cc, between about 448 cc and about 450 cc, between about 450 cc and about 452 cc, between about 452 cc and about 454 cc, between about 454 cc and about 456 cc, between about 456 cc and about 458 cc, or between about 458 cc and about 460 cc. In other embodiments, the volume of golf club head 100 can be approximately 444 cc, approximately 445 cc, approximately 446 cc, approximately 447 cc, approximately 448 cc, approximately 449 cc, approximately 450 cc, approximately 451 cc, approximately 452 cc, approximately 453 cc, approximately 454 cc, approximately 455 cc, approximately 456 cc, approximately 457 cc, approximately 458 cc, approximately 459 cc, or approximately 460 cc. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1-11, the total volume of club head 100 is 460 cc.

[0049] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 has a mass-to-volume ratio, defined as the ratio between the mass of the golf club head and the volume of the golf club head.

number

[0050] By maintaining the golf club head 100 with a mass-to-volume ratio of less than 0.44, individuals with slower swing speeds can swing freely and naturally without sacrificing the forgiveness (MOI) typically associated with larger volume club heads. This ratio is achieved through various features, which are described in more detail below. fairway wood golf club head

[0051] To achieve a lightweight (but durable) golf club head, the total mass of the golf club head can be between about 180 grams and 198 grams. In many embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head can be between about 180 grams and 182 grams, between about 182 grams and 184 grams, between about 184 grams and 186 grams, between about 186 grams and 188 grams, between about 188 grams and 190 grams, between about 190 grams and about 192 grams, between about 192 grams and about 194 grams, between about 194 grams and about 196 grams, or between about 196 grams and about 198 grams. In further embodiments, the overall mass of the golf club head may be less than 198 grams, less than 197 grams, less than 196 grams, less than 195 grams, less than 194 grams, less than 193 grams, less than 192 grams, less than 191 grams, less than 190 grams, less than 189 grams, less than 188 grams, less than 187 grams, less than 186 grams, less than 185 grams, less than 184 grams, less than 183 grams, less than 182 grams, or less than 181 grams. In other embodiments, the total golf club head mass may be about 180 grams, about 181 grams, about 182 grams, about 183 grams, about 184 grams, about 185 grams, about 186 grams, about 187 grams, about 188 grams, about 189 grams, about 190 grams, about 191 grams, about 192 grams, about 193 grams, about 194 grams, about 195 grams, about 196 grams, about 197 grams, or about 198 grams. For comparison purposes, conventional fairway wood-type golf club heads designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour have total club head masses between 200 grams and 208 grams.

[0052] Producing a lightweight golf club head does not necessarily mean trading off (or reducing) the volume of the club head. For example, the volume of the golf club head can be between about 165 cc and about 180 cc. In many embodiments, the volume of the golf club head can be between about 165 cc and about 170 cc, between about 170 cc and about 175 cc, or between about 175 cc and about 180 cc. In other embodiments, the volume of the golf club head can be about 165 cc, about 166 cc, about 167 cc, about 168 cc, about 169 cc, about 170 cc, about 171 cc, about 172 cc, about 173 cc, about 174 cc, about 175 cc, about 176 cc, about 177 cc, about 178 cc, about 179 cc, or about 180 cc.

[0053] In many embodiments, the golf club head has a mass-to-volume ratio, defined as the ratio between the mass of the golf club head and the volume of the golf club head.

number

[0054] By maintaining a golf club head with a mass-to-volume ratio of less than 1.07, individuals with slower swing speeds can swing freely and naturally without sacrificing the forgiveness (MOI) typically associated with larger volume club heads. This ratio is achieved through various features described in more detail below. Similar mass-to-volume ratios can also be achieved with hybrid-type golf club heads. Golf club head crown

[0055] As described above, by fabricating a golf club head for use solely by golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph, the structural mass of many of the club head's features (i.e., crown, sole, face plate, etc.) can be reduced (or thinned) from what has traditionally been mandated (for durability purposes) by golf club heads (traditional golf clubs) designed for use by golfers with swing speeds exceeding 100 mph. Thinning the crown of the golf club head results in a lower and deeper center of gravity, helping to launch the golf ball into the air more quickly upon impact. However, this also allows for the fabrication of golf club heads with thinner crown-face transition regions than traditional golf clubs, which can result in increased CT characteristics of the club head. Therefore, by locally implementing an integrally formed crown-face plate bridge that blends tangentially with some of the peripheral areas of the club head, the CT can be reduced with a negligible increase in club head mass and while maintaining a thin crown.

[0056] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can have a crown 102 with a relatively smaller wall thickness (than a standard club that must remain durable against impacts exceeding 100 mph) to achieve certain head mass and volume goals. As defined above, the crown 102 of the golf club 100 is the top surface of the club head when an individual or golfer (not shown) looks down, and is the portion of the club that is visible from the address position. The crown 102 can be segmented (or divided) into three distinct length sections (i.e., a front section 125, a middle section 126, and a rear section 127) measured in the front-to-rear direction from the rear of the golf club head 110 to the face plate 105.

[0057] The front portion 125 of the crown 102 is proximal to the face plate 105 and can be defined as the forward 1 / 6 of the crown length (and / or having a length of 1 / 6). The rear portion 127 of the crown 102 is proximal to the rear 110 of the golf club head 100 and can be defined as the rearward 2 / 6 of the crown length (and / or having a length of 2 / 6). The middle portion 126 of the crown 102 is between the front portion 125 and the rear portion 127 and can be defined as the middle 3 / 6 of the crown length (and / or having a length of 3 / 6).

[0058] In this or other embodiments, the thickness of the crown 102 can vary from near the front portion 125 of the crown 102 to near the back end 110 of the crown 102, and / or from near the heel portion of the crown 102 to near the toe portion of the crown 102, or in any direction along the crown 102 of the golf club head. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, in many embodiments, the thickness of the crown 102 can decrease from near the front end to the back end of the golf club head 100, measured from the inner crown surface 128 to the outer crown surface 129.

[0059] For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 125 of the crown 102 can be between 0.019 inches and 0.031 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 125 of the crown 102 can be less than about 0.031 inches, less than about 0.030 inches, less than about 0.029 inches, less than about 0.028 inches, less than about 0.027 inches, less than about 0.026 inches, less than about 0.025 inches, less than about 0.024 inches, less than about 0.023 inches, less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, or less than about 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 125 of the crown 102 can be about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches, about 0.021 inches, about 0.022 inches, about 0.023 inches, about 0.024 inches, about 0.025 inches, about 0.026 inches, about 0.027 inches, about 0.028 inches, about 0.029 inches, about 0.030 inches, or about 0.031 inches.

[0060] In the same or alternative embodiment, the thicknesses of the intermediate and rear portions 126, 127 of the crown 102 can be the same or substantially equivalent. For example, in many embodiments, the thicknesses of the intermediate and rear portions 126, 127 of the crown 102 can be between 0.014 inches and 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the thicknesses of the intermediate and rear portions 126, 127 of the crown 102 can be less than about 0.020 inches, less than about 0.019 inches, less than about 0.018 inches, less than about 0.017 inches, less than about 0.016 inches, or less than about 0.015 inches. In other embodiments, the thicknesses of the intermediate and rear portions 126, 127 of the crown 102 can be about 0.014 inches, about 0.015 inches, 0.016 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.018 inches, 0.019 inches, or 0.020 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate portion 126 of the crown can be a transition region from the thickest anterior portion 125 to the thinnest posterior portion 127 of the crown.

[0061] Stated another way, in many embodiments, about 85% of the crown 102 may have a wall thickness of about 0.017 inches, and the reamed portion of the crown 102 may have a wall thickness of about 0.031 inches. For comparison purposes, conventional golf club heads that remain durable to swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour have an average wall thickness of 0.031 inches across the majority of the crown. Sole of golf club head

[0062] As described above, by fabricating a golf club head configured for use by golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph, the structural mass of many of the club head's features (i.e., crown, sole, face plate, etc.) can be reduced (or made thinner) than traditionally required for golf club heads used by golfers with swing speeds in excess of 100 mph (i.e., conventional golf clubs). By thinning the sole of the golf club head, the face plate can deform and flex more (i.e., more deflection of the face plate produces higher ball speeds) than conventional club heads that maintain durability beyond 100 mph. However, this allows for the fabrication of a golf club head with a thinner sole-to-face transition region than conventional golf clubs, which may result in increased CT characteristics for the club head. Therefore, by locally implementing an integrally formed sole-face plate bridge that blends tangentially with some peripheral area of ​​the club head, the CT can be reduced (or controlled) with a negligible increase in club head mass and while maintaining a thin sole.

[0063] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can have a sole 103 with a relatively smaller wall thickness (than a standard club that must remain durable against impacts exceeding 100 mph) to achieve certain head mass and volume goals. As defined above, the sole 103 of the golf club head 100 is between the face plate 105 and the rear portion 110 and rests on the ground plane 120 (or playing surface) at address. The sole 103 can be segmented (or divided) into three distinct length portions (i.e., a front sole portion 130, a middle sole portion 131, and a rear sole portion 132) measured in the front-to-rear direction from the face plate to the rear of the golf club head.

[0064] The front sole portion 130 of the sole 103 is proximal to the face plate 105 and can be the front third of the sole length (and / or have the length of the front third). The rear sole portion 132 of the sole 103 is defined as the rear third of the sole length (and / or have the length of the rear third) and is proximal to the rear of the golf club head 110. The middle sole portion 131 of the sole is between the front sole portion 130 and the rear sole portion 132 and is defined as the middle third of the sole length (and / or have the length of the rear third).

[0065] In this or other embodiments, the thickness of the sole 103, as measured from the medial sole surface 133 to the lateral sole surface 134, can vary from near the front portion of the sole to near the rear end of the sole, and / or from near the heel portion of the sole to near the toe portion of the sole, or in any direction along the sole of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the thickness of the sole 103 can decrease from near the front end toward the rear end 110 of the golf club head 100.

[0066] For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 can be between 0.019 inches and 0.031 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 can be less than about 0.031 inches, less than about 0.030 inches, less than about 0.029 inches, less than about 0.028 inches, less than about 0.027 inches, less than about 0.026 inches, less than about 0.025 inches, less than about 0.024 inches, less than about 0.023 inches, less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, or less than about 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 can be about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches, about 0.021 inches, about 0.022 inches, about 0.023 inches, about 0.024 inches, about 0.025 inches, about 0.026 inches, about 0.027 inches, about 0.028 inches, about 0.029 inches, about 0.030 inches, or about 0.031 inches.

[0067] In the same or an alternative embodiment, the thicknesses of the intermediate portion 131 and the rear portion 132 of the sole 103 can be the same or substantially equivalent. For example, in many embodiments, the thicknesses of the intermediate portion 131 and the rear portion 132 of the sole 103 can be between 0.014 inches and 0.022 inches. In other embodiments, the thicknesses of the intermediate portion 131 and the rear portion 132 of the sole 103 can be less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, less than about 0.020 inches, less than about 0.019 inches, less than about 0.018 inches, less than about 0.017 inches, less than about 0.016 inches, or less than about 0.015 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the mid-portion 131 and rear-portion 132 of the sole 103 can be about 0.014 inches, about 0.015 inches, about 0.016 inches, about 0.017 inches, about 0.018 inches, about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches, about 0.021 inches, or about 0.022 inches. In alternative embodiments, the mid-portion 131 of the sole can be a transition region from the thickest front portion 130 to the thinnest rear portion 132.

[0068] Stated another way, in many embodiments, the entire sole 103 can have a wall thickness of less than about 0.030 inches. In an alternative embodiment, about 97% of the sole can have a wall thickness of less than about 0.028 inches. For comparison purposes, conventional golf club heads that remain durable to swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour have an average sole wall thickness of 0.030 inches across the majority of the sole. Faceplate Features

[0069] 4, 5, and 6, to partially control the CT throughout the face plate 105 (while maintaining a thin face plate, thin crown 102, and thin sole 103), the face plate 105 can have a variable thickness profile 111, which can tune the CT by allowing for thickening only in desired areas. In the illustrated embodiment, the variable thickness profile 111 of the face plate 105 can include an outer perimeter region 112, a toe region 113, a heel region 114, an upper transition region 115, a lower transition region 116, and a center region 117. The thickness of the face plate 105 is approximately 5% to 7% thinner than conventional golf club heads that must maintain durability at swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. However, simply implementing a variable face thickness profile to control CT may be insufficient due to the greater bending / deflection characteristics resulting from a thin face plate and a lighter club head. Therefore, a crown-face plate bridge and a sole-face plate bridge are integrally formed within the club head to control, modify, and / or reduce the club head's characteristic time characteristic (CT).

[0070] 4 and 5. When golf club head 100 is viewed in the XY' plane and in a direction generally perpendicular to face plate 105, golf club head 100 can be defined by a coordinate system having an X' axis 122 extending in a heel-to-toe direction through a geometric center 121 of face plate 105 and a Y' axis 123 extending in a top-to-bottom (or crown-to-sole) direction through geometric center 121.

[0071] The X' axis 122 horizontally divides the golf club head 100 into an upper region and a lower region. The upper region of the golf club head is bounded by the X' axis 122, the crown 102, and the maximum heel-toe width of the club head 100. The lower region of the golf club head is bounded by the X' axis 122, the sole 103, and the maximum heel-toe width of the golf club head 100. The Y' axis 123 vertically separates the club head into a left region and a right region. The left region may be bounded by the Y' axis 123 and the toe end 108 of the golf club head 100. The right region may be bounded by the Y' axis 123 and the heel 109 of the golf club head 100. Additionally, the X' axis 122 and the Y' axis 123 are perpendicular to each other and form four faceplate quadrant regions.

[0072] Four face plate quadrant areas can be defined as a center-high toe quadrant 135, a center-low toe quadrant 136, a center-high heel quadrant 137, and a center-low heel quadrant 138 when the golf club head 100 is at rest on the ground plane 120 in the address position. The center-high toe quadrant 135 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the upper left face plate area. The center-low toe quadrant 136 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the lower left face plate area. The center-high heel quadrant 137 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the upper right face plate area. The center-low heel quadrant 138 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the lower right face plate area.

[0073] As described above, the variable thickness 111 of the faceplate 105 may include an outer periphery region 112, a toe region 113, a heel region 114, an upper transition region 115, a lower transition region 116, and a central region 117. The outer periphery region 112 may be substantially elliptical and circumscribed by the toe region 113, the heel region 114, the upper transition region 115, the lower transition region 116, and the central region 117. The toe region 113 may be bounded by the outer periphery 112, the upper transition region 115, and the lower transition region 116. The heel region 114 may be bounded by the outer periphery 112, the upper transition region 115, and the lower transition region 116. The central region 117 is bounded by the upper transition region 115 and the lower transition region 116. In many embodiments, the VFT can be defined as the outermost region from the heel end of the golf club head to the center of the striking surface (or face plate) and / or from the toe end of the golf club head to the center of the striking surface (or face plate), with the outer periphery 112 being the outermost region, followed by the heel 114 and toe 113 portions, the upper transition region 115 and the lower transition region 116, and finally the central region 117.

[0074] In many embodiments, the outer periphery 112 can define the outermost region of the faceplate 105 and circumscribes the toe region 113, the heel region 114, the upper transition region 115, the lower transition region 116, and the central region 117.

[0075] In many embodiments, the toe region 113 of the variable face thickness 111 can extend only throughout the center-low toe quadrant 136 and the center-high toe quadrant 135, and cannot extend into the center-low heel quadrant 138 and the center-high heel quadrant 137. In the same or an alternative embodiment, the toe region 113 can have a constant thickness. In other embodiments, the toe region 113 can have a variable thickness. The toe region 113 has a surface area on the back surface of the faceplate 105. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the surface area of ​​the toe region 113 is greater than the surface area of ​​the heel region 114.

[0076] Additionally, in many thin-walled striking face (or faceplate 105) embodiments, it is desirable to reduce the CT in the toe portion 113 of the faceplate and increase the CT in the heel portion 114 of the faceplate 115. For illustrative purposes, the toe portion 113 of the variable face thickness 111 can have a greater thickness than the heel portion 114 of the variable face thickness 111, thereby producing a faceplate 105 that is stiffer in the toe portion 113 and more flexible in the heel portion 114 (and resulting in a more uniform CT response throughout the faceplate 105).

[0077] In many embodiments, the wall thickness of the toe portion 113 of the VFT 111 can be between about 0.081 inches and about 0.087 inches. In many embodiments, the wall thickness of the toe portion 113 of the variable face thickness 111 can be between about 0.081 inches and about 0.082 inches, between about 0.082 inches and about 0.083 inches, between about 0.084 inches and about 0.085 inches, or between about 0.086 inches and about 0.087 inches. In alternative embodiments, the wall thickness of the toe portion 113 of the VFT 111 can be about 0.081 inches, about 0.082 inches, about 0.083 inches, about 0.084 inches, about 0.085 inches, about 0.086 inches, or about 0.087 inches.

[0078] The heel region 114 of the variable face thickness 111 can only extend entirely across both the center-low heel quadrant 138 and the center-high heel quadrant 137, and cannot extend into the center-low toe quadrant 136 or the center-high toe quadrant 135. In many embodiments, the heel region 114 can have a constant thickness. In other embodiments, the heel region 114 can have a variable thickness 111. The heel region 114 has a surface area on the back surface of the face plate 105. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the surface area of ​​the heel region 114 is less than the surface area of ​​the toe region 113.

[0079] As previously mentioned, to reduce the CT in the toe portion of the faceplate and increase the CT in the heel portion of the faceplate, the toe portion 113 of the variable face thickness can have a greater thickness than the heel portion 114. This produces a faceplate 105 that is stiffer in the toe portion 113 and more flexible in the heel portion 114 (and results in a more uniform CT response across the faceplate 105).

[0080] In many embodiments, the wall thickness of the heel portion 114 of the VFT can be between about 0.075 inches and about 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the wall thickness of the heel portion 114 of the variable face thickness 111 can be between about 0.075 inches and about 0.076 inches, between about 0.076 inches and about 0.077 inches, between about 0.077 inches and about 0.078 inches, between about 0.078 inches and about 0.079 inches, or between about 0.079 inches and about 0.080 inches. In alternative embodiments, the wall thickness of the heel portion 114 of the VFT 111 can be about 0.075 inches, about 0.076 inches, about 0.077 inches, about 0.078 inches, about 0.079 inches, or about 0.080 inches.

[0081] 5, a majority of the upper transition region 115 is bounded by at least one of the x-axis 122 (i.e., upper region), toe portion, heel portion, and / or top perimeter of the faceplate. In many embodiments, the upper transition region 115 abuts or contacts the heel portion, toe portion, and top of the faceplate and extends inward toward the central region 117. The upper transition region 115 has a transition thickness that varies in a direction from at least the toe and heel portions toward the central region. In many embodiments, the thickness of the upper transition region is greater than the thickness of the heel and / or toe portions.

[0082] 8 , a majority of the lower transition region 116 can border at least one of the x-axis 122 (i.e., the lower region), the toe portion, the heel portion, and / or the bottom perimeter of the faceplate. In many embodiments, the lower transition region 116 abuts or contacts the heel portion, the toe portion, and the bottom of the faceplate and extends inward toward the central region. The lower transition region 116 has a transition thickness that varies in a direction from at least the toe portion and / or the heel portion toward the central region. In many embodiments, the thickness of the lower transition region 116 is greater than the thickness of the heel portion and / or the toe portion.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 of the variable thickness profile 111 has an elliptical (or elliptical) shape. The shape of the central region defines a major axis extending generally in a heel-to-toe direction and a minor axis extending generally in a top-to-bottom direction. The major and minor axes intersect at the center of the central region. The major axis extends along the length of the central region, and the minor axis extends along the greatest width of the central region. In this particular embodiment, the major axis of the central region extends parallel to (and / or at no angle to) the x-axis 122.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 has a wall thickness of 0.133 inches. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the central region can vary from 0.070 inches to 0.25 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the wall thickness of the central region is from 0.07 inches to 0.1 inches, from 0.09 inches to 0.1 inches, from 0.095 inches to 0.105 inches, from 0.1 inches to 0.12 inches, from 0.105 inches to 0.115 inches, from 0.11 inches to 0.12 inches, from 0.115 inches to 0.125 inches, from 0.12 inches to 0.13 inches, from 0.125 inches to 0.13 inches, The central region 350 can be up to 5 inches, 0.13 inches to 0.14 inches, 0.135 inches to 0.145 inches, 0.14 inches to 0.15 inches, 0.145 inches to 0.155 inches, 0.15 inches to 0.17 inches, 0.16 inches to 0.18 inches, 0.17 inches to 0.2 inches, 0.19 inches to 0.22 inches, or 0.21 inches to 0.25 inches. In many embodiments, the central region 350 can comprise less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, less than 25%, or less than 30% of the total surface area of ​​the faceplate 320. For example, the central region can comprise 2-10%, 5-10%, 2-15%, 5-15%, or 5-20% of the total surface area of ​​the faceplate.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the center of the central region can be offset from the geometric center of the faceplate toward the toe. In an alternative embodiment, the center of the central region can be located at the geometric center of the faceplate.

[0086] The central region has a first side or toe side and a second side or heel side. The first and second sides of the central region are separated by a minor axis. The first side is positioned between the minor axis and the toe portion, and the second side is positioned between the minor axis and the heel portion. The length of the first side, measured along the major axis, is equal to (or substantially similar to) the length of the second side.

[0087] In many embodiments, the combined length of the first and second sides can be greater than about 0.75 inches, greater than about 0.80 inches, greater than about 0.85 inches, greater than about 0.90 inches, greater than about 0.95 inches, or greater than about 1.0 inches. In other embodiments, the combined length of the first and second sides can be about 0.89 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, or 1.4 inches.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 further has a top length measured from the center of the central region toward the top along the minor axis, and a bottom length measured from the center of the central region toward the bottom along the minor axis, in this embodiment, the top length and the bottom length are equivalent (or substantially similar) in length.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, the top length and bottom length are approximately 0.25 inches. In other embodiments, the top length and / or bottom length can be between 0.05 inches and 1.0 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the top length and / or bottom length can be between 0.05 inches and 0.25 inches, between 0.15 inches and 0.35 inches, between 0.25 inches and 0.45 inches, between 0.35 inches and 0.55 inches, between 0.45 inches and 0.65 inches, between 0.55 inches and 0.75 inches, between 0.65 inches and 0.85 inches, or between 0.75 inches and 0.1 inches.

[0090] The total mass of the faceplate 105 can be between about 60 grams and 66 grams. In many embodiments, the mass of the faceplate can be between about 60 grams and about 61 grams, between about 61 grams and about 62 grams, between about 62 grams and about 63 grams, between about 63 grams and about 64 grams, between about 64 grams and about 65 grams, or between about 65 grams and about 66 grams. In further embodiments, the total mass of the faceplate can be less than 66 grams, less than 65 grams, less than 64 grams, less than 63 grams, less than 62 grams, or less than 61 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass of the faceplate can be about 60 grams, about 61 grams, about 62 grams, about 63 grams, about 64 grams, about 65 grams, or about 66 grams. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the total mass of the faceplate 105 is 62.8 grams. For comparison, a conventional face plate that remains durable for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour has a total mass of approximately 66.3 grams. In many embodiments, face plate 105 can be approximately 3 grams, approximately 4 grams, approximately 5 grams, approximately 6 grams, approximately 7 grams, approximately 8 grams, or approximately 9 grams lighter than conventional face plates. Golf club head weight system

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club head 100 further incorporates a mass-efficient adjustable weight system 104 designed for swing speeds below 85 mph. Notably, the mass-efficient adjustable weight system 104 described below has only a center weight position 140 and a heel weight position 141, and no toe weight position (not shown). This is because golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph typically suffer from a tendency to miss to the right, and therefore, the introduction of a heel-bias weight position would be unnecessary and would increase the structural mass of the golf club head 100. The weight system described below provides approximately 8 to 10 yards of slice shot correction.

[0092] 1 , 3 , 6 , and 7 , the golf club head defines a single slot 142 proximal to the back end 110 of the golf club 100. In many embodiments, the single slot 142 can be used as a geometric receiving structure for a weight assembly 143. The single slot 142 can be defined by a slot inner surface 144 that is generally perpendicular to the sole 103. The slot inner surface 144 can be defined by a slot length 145. The single slot 142 is further defined by a slot bottom surface 146 that is perpendicular to the slot inner surface 144 and generally parallel to the sole 103. The slot 142 is further defined by a top surface 147 that is perpendicular to the slot inner surface 144 and generally parallel to the sole 103. In many embodiments, the slot bottom surface 146 does not extend as far toward the rear of the golf club head as the slot top surface 147. The slot further includes at least two side walls 148, 149 at the heel end and central portion of the golf club head. The slot inner surface 144, bottom surface 146, top surface 147, and the two side walls 148, 149 define a channel that is open to the rear and bottom of the golf club head, such that when the slot 142 receives the weight assembly 143, at least a portion of the outer and lower surfaces of the weight assembly are exposed.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the slot inner surface 144 can define two windows: a central window (which can also be referred to as a central weight position 140) and a heel side window (which can also be referred to as a heel weight position 141). Each of these windows includes a weight assembly attachment point within a single slot 142. In many embodiments, the central window 140 and the heel side window 141 are threaded to receive threaded fasteners 150.

[0094] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 may further include a shroud 151, which is a portion of the sole 103 of the golf club head 100 that may extend across the slot 142. The shroud 151 may include a portion or all of the bottom surface 146.

[0095] In many embodiments, the slot length 145 of the slot inner surface can range from 2.0 inches to 4.0 inches. For example, the slot length 145 can be greater than 2.0 inches, greater than 2.5 inches, greater than 3.0 inches, or greater than 3.5 inches. The slot length of the slot inner surface 144 is equal to or greater than 2.0 inches.

[0096] Additionally, slot 144 can have an asymmetrical shape, where the cross-sectional shape of the slot varies non-uniformly in the heel-toe direction. This asymmetrical shape helps securely fasten weight assembly 143 within the channel defined by slot 144. Because of the asymmetrical shape of slot 144, weight assembly 143 cannot slide all the way through the channel. Rather, weight assembly 143 must be removed and placed at one of two separate locations 140, 141.

[0097] Additionally, the slot 144 can have a height 152 measured from the top surface 147 of the slot to the bottom surface 146 of the slot, where the slot height 152 is the channel height 152. In most embodiments, the slot 144 can have a variable height, which is not consistent in the heel-toe direction. The uneven height of the slot 144 is essential for the security of the weight assembly within the slot 144 because the variable channel height 152 allows for only two weight positions to align the weight assembly with either the heel side window 141 or the central window 140. Because of the uneven height 152 of the slot 144, the weight assembly 143 cannot slide laterally across the entire channel. Rather, the weight assembly 143 must be removed and placed at one of two separate positions 140, 141. This prevents the golfer from being presented with an endless number of positional choices that can confuse the golf ball in determining its shot shape and flight.

[0098] The variable height 152 of the slot 144 can range between 0.2 inches and 0.6 inches. The variable height 152 of the slot 144 can be 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, or 0.6 inches.

[0099] In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 can include a shroud 151 that allows a portion of the sole 103 of the golf club head 100 to extend across the slot 144. The shroud 151 functions to increase the aerodynamics of the channel and aid in proper insertion of the weight member 153 into the slot 144. The shroud 151 can have any desired geometric configuration that covers a specific portion of the slot 144 or the entire slot 144. In some embodiments, the shroud 151 may cover 5% to 10% of the slot, 10% to 15% of the slot, 15% to 20% of the slot, 20% to 25% of the slot, 25% to 30% of the slot, 30% to 35% of the slot, 35% to 40% of the slot, 40% to 45% of the slot, 45% to 50% of the slot, 50% to 55% of the slot, 55% to 60% of the slot, 60% to 65% of the slot, 65% to 70% of the slot, 70% to 75% of the slot, 75% to 80% of the slot, 80% to 85% of the slot, 85% to 90% of the slot, 90% to 95% of the slot, or 95% to 100% of the slot. Less coverage provided by the shroud over the slot directly correlates to a lighter club head, and vice versa.

[0100] Referring to Figures 1, 6 and 7, the weight assembly 143 is attached to the golf club head 100 by threadingly attaching a weight member 153 (i.e., the weight assembly) having a fastener 150 to one of the threaded heel side window 141 or the threaded central window 140.

[0101] Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the variable weight assembly (also referred to as weight assembly 143) includes a single weight member 153 and a single mechanical fastener (or fastener 150). The weight member 153 is configured to be positioned within slot 144 of golf club head 100. The weight member 153 includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a sidewall extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a window extending through the weight member from the outer surface to the inner surface. The window further includes window threads on an interior portion of the window. The fastener 150 is retained within weight member 153 when weight assembly 143 is removed from slot 144 by means of the window threads in the weight member window. The lower surface of the weight member further includes a recess configured to receive the slot bottom surface formed by the sole extension. The sole extension includes a shroud. The shroud provides additional stability to the weight assembly when the weight assembly is threadably mounted in the slot.

[0102] Due to the limited size of the slot structure, the mass of the slot structure 144 is very small compared to the total mass of the golf club head 100. The mass of the slot structure 144 may be less than 10.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 100.

[0103] In many embodiments, the mass of the weight member 153 ranges between 12 grams and 18 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the weight member 153 ranges between 12 grams and 13 grams, 13 grams and 14 grams, 14 grams and 15 grams, 15.0 grams and 16.0 grams, 16.0 grams and 17.0 grams, or 17.0 grams and 18.0 grams. The mass of the weight assembly 143 can be 12 grams, 13 grams, 14 grams, 15 grams, 16 grams, 17 grams, or 18 grams. In many embodiments, the mass of the weight assembly 143 (weight member 153 and fastener 150) ranges between 12 grams and 20 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the back weight assembly ranges between 12 grams and 14 grams, 14 grams and 16 grams, 16 grams and 18 grams, or 18.0 grams and 20.0 grams. The mass of the weight assembly can be 12g, 13g, 14g, 15g, 16g, 17g, 18g, 19g, or 20g.

[0104] Due to the mass of the adjustable weight system 104, as well as the efficient placement of the weight system resulting from having only a center weight location and a heel weight location and no toe weight location, a lighter golf club head 100 can be achieved while still achieving a deep club head center of gravity location 163 of greater than 43 mm. The deep club head center of gravity 163 can be measured parallel to the ground plane 120 from the geometric center 121 of the face plate 105 to the club head center of gravity 163. In many embodiments, the club head center of gravity 163 can be greater than 44 mm, greater than 45 mm, greater than 46 mm, greater than 47 mm, greater than 48 mm, greater than 49 mm, or greater than 50 mm. Having a lighter golf club head 100 while maintaining a deep club head center of gravity location 163 beneficially aids in creating a high MOI golf club head while maintaining a high ball flight during the golf ball's flight.

[0105] In many embodiments, the club head 100 has a surface area of ​​greater than about 2250 g·cm2, greater than about 2500 g·cm2, greater than about 2750 g·cm2, greater than about 3000 g·cm2, greater than about 3250 g·cm2, greater than about 3500 g·cm2, greater than about 3750 g·cm2, greater than about 4000 g·cm2, greater than about 4250 g·cm2, greater than about 4500 g·cm2, greater than about It has a crown-sole moment of inertia Ixx greater than 4750 g·cm2, greater than about 5000 g·cm2, greater than about 5250 g·cm2, greater than about 5500 g·cm2, greater than about 5750 g·cm2, greater than about 6000 g·cm2, greater than about 6250 g·cm2, greater than about 6500 g·cm2, greater than about 6750 g·cm2, or greater than about 7000 g·cm2.

[0106] In many embodiments, the club head 100 has a heel-toe moment of inertia Iyy greater than about 4500 g·cm2, greater than about 4750 g·cm2, greater than about 5000 g·cm2, greater than about 5250 g·cm2, greater than about 5500 g·cm2, greater than about 5750 g·cm2, greater than about 6000 g·cm2, greater than about 6250 g·cm2, greater than about 6500 g·cm2, greater than about 6750 g·cm2, or greater than about 7000 g·cm2.

[0107] In many embodiments, the club head 100 has a ball bearing capacity of greater than about 7000 g·cm2, greater than about 7250 g·cm2, greater than about 7500 g·cm2, greater than about 7750 g·cm2, greater than 8000 g·cm2, greater than 8500 g·cm2, greater than 8750 g·cm2, greater than 9000 g·cm2, greater than 9250 g·cm2, greater than 9500 g·cm2, greater than 9750 g·cm2, greater than 10000 g·cm2, 10250 g·cm2, 10500 g·cm2, or greater than 10500 g·cm2. greater than 10750 g·cm2, greater than 11000 g·cm2, greater than 11250 g·cm2, greater than 11500 g·cm2, greater than 11750 g·cm2, or greater than 12000 g·cm2, greater than 12500 g·cm2, greater than 1300 g·cm2, greater than 13500 g·cm2, or greater than 14000 g·cm2. Crown-Faceplate-Bridge

[0108] Many of the aforementioned features of the golf club head can be designed into the golf club head 100 due to the implementation of the crown-face plate bridge 106. The crown-face plate bridge 106 can be located in low-stress and / or low-displacement areas of the club head 100 to locally strengthen the inherent crown portion 102 and face plate 105 portions without affecting the performance (i.e., ball speed) of the club head 100. By locally strengthening the crown portion and face plate portion through the crown-face plate bridge 106, the area of ​​high CT characteristics can be reduced (without increasing the overall face thickness) with negligible effect on impact ball speed. In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 can mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening / enlarging the inherent portion of the transition region 118.

[0109] In many embodiments, the crown-to-faceplate bridge 106 extends from the inner surface 128 of the crown to the inner rear surface of the faceplate 105. As illustrated by Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, the crown-to-faceplate bridge 106 resides only in the anterior portion 125 of the crown. Stated another way, the crown-to-faceplate bridge 106 resides only in the anterior portion of the crown 102, not in the intermediate portion 126 or the posterior portion 127 of the crown 102.

[0110] With continued reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, the golf club head 100 further includes a continuous transition region 118 extending between the sole and crown. The continuous transition region 118 includes a crown transition region 154 and a sole transition region 155. The crown transition region 154 can extend completely or partially from the heel end to the toe end, extending between the face plate 105 and the crown 102. In many embodiments, the continuous transition region 118 completely surrounds the striking face and is disposed between the striking face and the crown. The continuous transition region 118 includes at least one crown-face plate bridge 106. The continuous transition region is curved and does not include any sharp angles or points. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is between 0.15 inches and 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the crown transition region 154 is between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches. The portion of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 that resides within the transition region 118 has a radius of curvature that is constant or variable, matching the radius of curvature of the transition region 118 .

[0111] The club head 100 may further include at least one crown-face plate bridge 106 positioned entirely within the hollow body and near the striking face 105. The crown-face plate bridge 106 is positioned near or against the striking face 105 at a location between the heel 109 and the toe 108 to provide stiffness to the striking face 105 near the area having the highest CT. In many embodiments, the striking face 105 experiences maximum CT characteristics between the mid-plane 156 and the toe end nearest the crown 102 and between the mid-plane 156 and the heel end nearest the sole 103. Thus, the crown-face plate bridge 106 may be positioned based on the golf club head structure to reduce CT characteristics only in the desired areas. The crown-face plate bridge 106 may mimic a gusset-like structure in providing inherent stiffening / widening (or thickening) of the transition region.

[0112] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can have a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane that are parallel to the mid-plane 156. For example, the heel-side plane can be positioned toward the heel of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156, and the toe-side plane can be positioned toward the toe of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156. In many embodiments, the heel-side plane can be positioned 0.55 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane in the direction toward the heel, and the toe-side plane can be positioned 0.55 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane in the direction toward the toe. For example, the heel side plane can be positioned at a distance of 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches from the intermediate plane 156. By way of example, the toe plane can be positioned 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches from the mid-plane. In a further embodiment, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is bounded by the heel plane and the toe plane and can reside entirely between the heel plane and the toe plane, but extends through the mid-plane 156.

[0113] The crown-faceplate bridge 106 is integral with the inner continuous transition region 118, the crown 102, and / or the sole 103. The crown-faceplate bridge 106 does not have a weld bead, adhesive, or any other known joining method.

[0114] The crown-face plate bridge 106 can be used to locally thicken specific areas of the club head 100. A club head with a crown-face plate bridge 106 can eliminate mass from other portions of the club head 100, allowing for an optimized mass-to-volume ratio (discussed above) that accommodates slower swing speeds. The reduced mass-to-volume ratio can lead to improved ball speed, flight trajectory, and distance.

[0115] In many embodiments, the mass of the crown-face plate bridge 106 can be 3 grams or less. Minimizing the weight of the crown-face plate bridge 106 ensures that the above mass / volume relationship is met, improving club head performance while reducing the likelihood of the golf club head having a CT value outside the designed threshold. In alternative embodiments, the mass of the crown-face plate bridge 106 can be between about 0.5 grams and about 1 gram, between about 1 gram and about 2 grams, or between about 2 grams and about 3 grams. In other embodiments, the mass of the crown-face plate bridge can be about 0.5 grams, about 1 gram, about 2 grams, or about 3 grams.

[0116] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the golf club head 100 includes at least one crown-to-face plate bridge 106 that intersects a mid-plane 156 (of the golf club head) and extends beyond the mid-plane 156 toward the heel and / or toe of the golf club head. The mid-plane 156 divides the heel-to-toe width of the golf club head into two equal portions. The crown-face plate bridge 106 can be defined by at least a length, a width, and a thickness. The crown-face plate bridge length is measured perpendicular to the mid-plane 156 in the heel-to-toe direction. The crown-face plate bridge width is measured parallel to the mid-plane in the front-to-rear direction. In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 has a heel-to-toe center 157 that divides its length into two equal portions. In the same or another embodiment, the crown-face plate bridge has a front-to-rear center that divides its width into two equal portions. Stated another way, at least one of the heel end 158 and / or toe end 159 of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is partially distal to and / or spaced apart from the mid-plane intersection line. In alternative embodiments, the entire crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be positioned between the mid-plane 156 and the heel end or toe end, but does not intersect the mid-plane.

[0117] In some embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 is aligned so that the heel-toe center is coplanar with the club head mid-plane 156. In other embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 is offset from the mid-plane 156. In some of these embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge center is offset from the mid-plane by between 0.5 inches and 1.0 inches. For example, the crown-face plate bridge center can be offset from the mid-plane 156 by 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.8 inches, 0.9 inches, or 1.0 inches. In other embodiments, the reinforced region center is offset from the mid-plane by between 1.0 inches and 2.0 inches. For example, the reinforcement center can be offset from the mid-plane by 1.0 inch, 1.1 inch, 1.2 inch, 1.3 inch, 1.4 inch, 1.5 inch, 1.6 inch, 1.7 inch, 1.8 inch, 1.9 inch, or 2.0 inch.

[0118] The crown-face plate bridge length does not extend completely from the heel end to the toe end of the golf club head. The crown-face plate bridge length extends along a portion of the heel-toe length in the transition region where the crown-face plate bridge is located. In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge length can be between 0.75 inches and 4 inches. For example, the crown-face plate bridge length can be between 0.75 inches and 1 inch, between 1 inch and 1.25 inches, between 1.25 inches and 1.50 inches, between 1.50 inches and 1.75 inches, between 1.75 inches and 2 inches, between 2 inches and 2.25 inches, between 2.25 inches and 2.5 inches, between 2.5 inches and 2.75 inches, between 2.75 inches and 3 inches, between 3 inches and 3.25 inches, between 3.25 inches and 3.5 inches, between 3.5 inches and 3.75 inches, or between 3.75 inches and 4 inches. In alternative embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length can be 0.75 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.25 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.75 inches, 2.0 inches, 2.25 inches, 2.5 inches, 3.0 inches, 3.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 3.75 inches, or 4.0 inches. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length can be between 15% and 85% of the length of the transition region from the heel end to the toe end.

[0119] As described above, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 resides at least partially within the transition region 118. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends across the entire front-to-rear width of the transition region. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends across only a portion of the front-to-rear width of the transition region. In some of these and other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends beyond the transition region onto either the crown or the sole. The crown-faceplate bridge width can be between 50% and 100% of the transition region width. In some embodiments where the crown-faceplate bridge extends beyond the transition region, the crown-faceplate bridge width can be greater than the transition region width. In these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width can be up to 150% of the crown-faceplate bridge width.

[0120] The crown-face plate bridge width does not extend completely from the face plate 105 to the rear of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge width can be between 0.40 inches and 0.80 inches. For example, the crown-face plate bridge width can be between 0.40 inches and 0.50 inches, between 0.50 inches and 0.6 inches, between 0.6 inches and 0.7 inches, or between 0.7 inches and 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge width can be approximately 0.40 inches, approximately 0.45 inches, approximately 0.50 inches, approximately 0.55 inches, approximately 0.60 inches, approximately 0.65 inches, approximately 0.70 inches, approximately 0.75 inches, or approximately 0.80 inches.

[0121] In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 is integrally formed (i.e., has no weld beads, adhesives, etc.) with at least the portion of the club head that the crown-face plate bridge 106 contacts. Stated another way, the crown-face plate bridge 106, the transition region, and the portion of the crown to which the crown-face plate bridge 106 is joined comprise the same material or combination of materials.

[0122] In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has a generally protruding rectangular shape when viewed from the top. In other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 can have one of the following shapes: oval, circular, trapezoidal, rounded rectangle, square, rounded square, or another polygon. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is substantially parallel along its length. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is substantially parallel along its width.

[0123] The crown-face plate bridge 106 can have a variable or constant wall thickness throughout its width and / or length. In some of these embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 has a constant, non-tapered wall thickness throughout both its width and length. In other embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 has a constant wall thickness throughout only one of its width or length and a variable (or tapered) wall thickness throughout the other of its width or length.

[0124] In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 106 is thickest at its center. In these embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge thickness tapers circumferentially (or radially) from the center, with the center of the reinforced region having a rounded or pointed peak. In other words, the crown-face plate bridge thickness decreases in all directions, either linearly or curved, away from the center (both width and length). The taper rate varies in one direction relative to another based on the crown-face plate bridge dimensions, so that the crown-face plate bridge thickness is the same at all edges of the crown-face plate bridge. The thickness can taper linearly, curved, or in a stepped manner toward the edges away from the center toward the front, rear, heel, and toe ends. The front, rear, heel end 158, and toe end 159 edges of the crown-face plate bridge are tapered so that they transition substantially seamlessly with the surrounding club head. In other words, the thickness of the crown-face plate bridge is reduced at its outer periphery to the thickness of the surrounding golf club head to prevent the presence of a substantial lip or step that differentiates the reinforced region from the surrounding club head.

[0125] In some embodiments, the front-to-rear cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge is different from the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge. In other of these embodiments, the front-to-rear cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge is similar to the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge. In some embodiments, the reinforced region has a slightly curved cross-sectional shape. Sole-Face Plate Bridge

[0126] Many of the aforementioned features of the golf club head 100 can be designed into the golf club head 100 due to the implementation of at least one sole-face plate bridge 107. The sole-face plate bridge 107 can be located in low-stress and / or low-displacement areas of the club head to locally strengthen the inherent sole portion 103 and face plate portion without affecting the club head's performance (i.e., ball speed). By locally strengthening the sole portion and face plate portion through the sole-face plate bridge 107, areas of high CT characteristics can be reduced (without increasing the overall face thickness) with negligible effect on impact ball speed. In many embodiments, the crown-face plate bridge 107 can mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening / enlarging the inherent portions of the club head.

[0127] In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 extends from the medial surface 133 of the sole to the medial rear surface of the face plate 105. As illustrated by Figures 10 and 11, the sole-face plate bridge 107 resides only in the front portion of the sole 103. Stated another way, the sole-face plate bridge 107 resides only in the front portion 130 of the sole 103, not in the mid portion 131 or the rear portion 132 of the sole 103.

[0128] As described above, the golf club head 100 further includes a continuous transition region 118 extending between the sole 103 and the crown 102. The continuous transition region 118 includes a crown transition region 154 and a sole transition region 155. The sole transition region 155 can extend completely or partially from the heel end to the toe end and extends between the face plate 105 and the sole 103. In many embodiments, the continuous transition region 118 completely surrounds the striking face 105 and is disposed between the striking face 105 and the sole 103. The continuous transition region 118 includes at least one sole-to-face plate bridge 107. The continuous transition region 118 is curved and does not include any sharp angles or points. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is between 0.15 inches and 0.80 inches. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is approximately 0.15 inches, 0.16 inches, 0.17 inches, 0.18 inches, 0.19 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.21 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.23 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.27 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.29 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.41 inches, 0.42 inches, 0.43 inches, 0.44 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.46 inches, 0.47 inches, 0.48 inches, 0.49 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.51 inches, 0.52 inches, 0.53 inches, 0.54 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.81 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.83 inches, 0.84 inches, inch, 0.47 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.49 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.51 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.53 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.61 inch, 0.62 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inch, 0.73 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.75 inch, 0.76 inch, 0.77 inch, 0.78 inch, 0.79 inch, or 0.80 inch. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the sole transition region 155 is between 0.30 inch and 0.80 inch.In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the sole transition region 155 is approximately 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.41 inches, 0.42 inches, 0.43 inches, 0.44 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.46 inches, 0.47 inches, 0.48 inches, 0.49 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.51 inches, 0.52 inches, 0.53 inches, The radius of curvature of the sole-face plate bridge 107 may be 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.61 inch, 0.62 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inch, 0.73 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.75 inch, 0.76 inch, 0.77 inch, 0.78 inch, 0.79 inch, or 0.80 inch. The portion of the sole-face plate bridge 107 that is within the continuous transition region 118 may have a radius of curvature or a variable radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature of the transition region 118.

[0129] The club head 100 may further include at least one sole-face plate bridge 107 positioned internally within the hollow body near the striking face 105. The sole-face plate bridge 107 is located near or against the striking face 105 at a location between the heel and toe to provide stiffness to the striking face 105 near the area having the highest CT. In many embodiments, the striking face 105 experiences maximum CT characteristics between the mid-plane 156 and the nearest toe end of the sole 103, and between the mid-plane 156 and the nearest heel end of the sole 103. Thus, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is positioned based on the structure of the golf club head to reduce CT characteristics only in the necessary areas.

[0130] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can have a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane that are parallel to the mid-plane 156. For example, the heel-side plane can be positioned toward the heel of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156, and the toe-side plane can be positioned toward the toe of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156. In many embodiments, the heel-side plane can be positioned 0.55 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane in the direction toward the heel, and the toe-side plane can be positioned 0.55 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane in the direction toward the toe. For example, the heel-side plane and / or the toe-side plane can be positioned 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches from the mid-plane 156. In further embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is bounded by the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and can lie between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane but extend through the mid-plane 156.

[0131] In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is integrally formed (i.e., has no weld beads, adhesives, etc.) with at least the portion of the club head that it contacts. Stated another way, the sole-face plate bridge 107, the transition region, and the portion of the sole to which the sole-face plate bridge 107 is joined comprise the same material or combination of materials.

[0132] The sole-face plate bridge 107 can be used to locally thicken the club head. A club head with the sole-face plate bridge 107 can eliminate mass from other portions of the club head 100, allowing for an optimized mass-to-volume ratio that accommodates slower swing speeds. The reduced mass-to-volume ratio can lead to improved ball speed, flight trajectory, and distance.

[0133] In many embodiments, the mass of the sole-face plate bridge 107 can be 3 grams or less. Minimizing the weight of the sole-face plate bridge 107 ensures that the above mass / volume relationship is met, improving club head performance while reducing the likelihood of the golf club head having a CT value outside the designed threshold. In alternative embodiments, the mass of the sole-face plate bridge 107 can be between about 0.5 grams and about 1 gram, between about 1 gram and about 2 grams, or between about 2 grams and about 3 grams. In other embodiments, the mass of the sole-face plate bridge can be about 0.5 grams, about 1 gram, about 2 grams, or about 3 grams.

[0134] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the golf club head 100 includes at least one sole-face plate bridge 107 that intersects the mid-plane 156 and extends beyond the mid-plane 156 toward the heel and / or toe of the golf club head. The sole-face plate bridge 107 can be defined by at least a length, a width, and a thickness. The sole-face plate bridge length is measured perpendicular to the mid-plane 156 in a heel-toe direction. The sole-face plate bridge width is measured parallel to the mid-plane in a front-to-back direction. In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 has a heel-to-toe center that divides its length into two equal parts. In the same or another embodiment, the sole-face plate bridge 107 has a front-to-back center that divides its width into two equal parts. Stated another way, at least one end of the sole-face plate bridge is partially distal to the mid-plane 156 intersection line. In an alternative embodiment, the entire sole-face plate bridge can be positioned between the mid-plane and the heel end or the toe end, but does not intersect the mid-plane.

[0135] In some embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is aligned so that the heel-toe center 160 is coplanar with the club head mid-plane 156. In other embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is offset from the mid-plane 156. In some of these embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge center is offset from the mid-plane 156 by between 0.5 inches and 1.0 inches. In other embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge center is offset from the mid-plane by between 1.0 inches and 2.0 inches.

[0136] The sole-face plate bridge length does not extend completely from the heel end to the toe end. The sole-face plate bridge length extends along a portion of the heel-toe length in the transition region where the sole-face plate bridge is located. In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge length can be between 0.75 inches and 4 inches. For example, the sole-face plate bridge length can be between 0.75 inches and 1 inch, between 1 inch and 1.25 inches, between 1.25 inches and 1.50 inches, between 1.50 inches and 1.75 inches, between 1.75 inches and 2 inches, between 2 inches and 2.25 inches, between 2.25 inches and 2.5 inches, between 2.5 inches and 2.75 inches, between 2.75 inches and 3 inches, between 3 inches and 3.25 inches, between 3.25 inches and 3.5 inches, between 3.5 inches and 3.75 inches, or between 3.75 inches and 4 inches. In some embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge length can be between 15% and 85% of the length of the transition region from the heel end to the toe end.

[0137] As described above, the sole-face plate bridge 107 resides at least partially within the transition region 118. In some embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge width extends across the entire front-to-rear width of the transition region. In some embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge width extends across only a portion of the front-to-rear width of the transition region. In these and some other embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge width extends beyond the transition region 118 onto the sole 103. The sole-face plate bridge width can be between 50% and 100% of the transition region width. In some embodiments where the sole-face plate bridge extends beyond the transition region, the sole-face plate bridge width can be greater than the transition region width. In these embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge width can be up to 150% of the sole-face plate bridge width.

[0138] The sole-face plate bridge width does not extend completely from the face plate 105 to the rear of the golf club head 100. In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge width can be between 0.40 inches and 0.80 inches. For example, the sole-face plate bridge width can be between about 0.40 inches and about 0.50 inches, between about 0.50 inches and about 0.6 inches, between about 0.6 inches and about 0.7 inches, or between about 0.7 inches and about 0.80 inches. In other embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge width can be about 0.40 inches, about 0.45 inches, about 0.50 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.60 inches, about 0.65 inches, about 0.70 inches, about 0.75 inches, or about 0.80 inches.

[0139] In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge is integrally formed with at least the portion of the club head where it contacts, and the sole-face plate bridge, the transition region, and the portion of the sole where the sole-face plate bridge resides comprise the same material or combination of materials.

[0140] In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 has a generally protruding rectangular shape when viewed from the top. In other embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 can have one of the following shapes: oval, circular, trapezoidal, rounded rectangle, square, rounded square, or another polygon. In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is substantially parallel along its length. In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is substantially parallel along its width.

[0141] The sole-face plate bridge 107 can have a variable or constant wall thickness throughout its width and / or length. In some of these embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 has a constant, non-tapered wall thickness throughout both its width and length. In other embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 has a constant wall thickness throughout only one of its width or length and a variable (or tapered) wall thickness throughout the other of its width or length.

[0142] In many embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge 107 is thickest at its center. In these embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge thickness tapers circumferentially (or radially) from the center, with the center of the reinforced region having a rounded or pointed peak. In other words, the sole-face plate bridge 107 thickness decreases in all directions, either linearly or curved, away from the center (both width and length). The taper rate varies in one direction relative to another based on the sole-face plate bridge dimensions, so that the sole-face plate bridge thickness is the same at all edges of the sole-face plate bridge. The thickness tapers linearly, curved, or in a stepped manner toward the edges away from the center toward the front, rear, heel, and toe ends. The front, rear, heel end 161, and toe end 162 edges of the sole-face plate bridge are tapered so that they transition substantially seamlessly with the surrounding golf club head. In other words, the thickness of the sole-face plate bridge 107 is reduced at its edges to the thickness of the surrounding golf club head to prevent the presence of a substantial lip or step that differentiates the sole-face plate bridge from the surrounding club head.

[0143] In some embodiments, the front-to-rear cross-sectional shape of the sole-face plate bridge is different from the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the sole-face plate bridge. In other of these embodiments, the front-to-rear cross-sectional shape of the sole-face plate bridge is similar to the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the sole-face plate bridge. In some embodiments, the sole-face plate bridge has a slightly curved cross-sectional shape. Example 1

[0144] A two-club player test experiment was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the golf club head embodiments of Figures 1-11 and obtain quantifiable information regarding ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate characteristics. Specifically, the embodiments of Figures 1-11 were benchmarked against a control club that maintained durability at swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

[0145] The two-club player test procedure was conducted on 22 golfers, with each golfer hitting a total of 20 shots. Each player hit five shots with the experimental club head, followed by five shots with the control club, until a total of 20 shots had been hit. After each swing, ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate characteristics were recorded and logged.

[0146] 1-11, the tested golf club heads (or experimental clubs) were driver-type golf club heads with a loft angle of approximately 10.5 degrees, a swing weight of C8, a head weight of 191.1 grams, and a head volume of 460 cc. The control club was a driver-type golf club head with a loft angle of approximately 10.5 degrees, a swing weight of D3.0, a head weight of 201 grams, and a head volume of 460 cc.

[0147] Typically, all things being equal (i.e., the same swing speed, etc.), reducing the mass of the club head results in a decrease in ball speed because the momentum of a moving object (i.e., a golf ball) is the product of the mass of the golf club head and the velocity of the golf club head. Therefore, increasing the mass of the club head impacting the golf ball typically results in a higher ball speed. However, this was not the case. Specifically, the experimental club weighed 8.1 grams less than the control club, yet produced a 0.5% higher ball speed while achieving a similar launch angle. Therefore, it can be concluded that the increased flex of the golf club head, resulting from thinning many of the structural elements of the club head described above, can outperform and / or meet the performance gains typically associated with heavier golf clubs. This is particularly important because increased distance can compensate for strokes lost due to increased player variability. Example 2

[0148] FEA experiments were conducted to analyze the effectiveness of golf club head embodiments described herein and obtain quantifiable information regarding changes in CT, ball speed loss, and added mass to the club head due to the implementation of one or more of a crown-face plate bridge or a sole-face plate bridge. Specifically, the crown-face plate bridge and / or sole-face plate bridge positioning illustrated by FIGS. 8-11 were simulated individually and together to determine the effectiveness of each feature individually (and together) in terms of changes in club head CT, ball speed loss, and added structural mass to the club head. The control club was the golf club head of FIGS. 1-11 with a thin crown, thin sole, thin face plate, and mass-efficient weight system, but without a crown-face plate bridge or sole-face plate bridge.

[0149] The FEA experiment was a virtual study conducted to simulate an actual USGA CT test. In the virtual FEA experiment, a steel hammer was impacted at three specified velocities specified by the USGA test protocol. The rigid body acceleration and rigid body velocity of the hammer during impact were plotted. The data from all three impacts was then collected and plotted on a new curve, with the Y-axis intercept representing the calculated CT value.

[0150] The only difference between the tested golf club heads and the control club was the addition of either a crown-face plate bridge or a sole-face plate bridge, or both. The first simulated golf club head included only a sole-face plate bridge weighing approximately 1 gram and no crown-face plate bridge. This first simulated golf club head reduced CT by 2.7 microseconds and ball speed by approximately 0.3 miles per hour compared to the control club. The second simulated golf club head included only a sole-face plate bridge weighing approximately 2 grams and no crown-face plate bridge. This second simulated golf club head reduced CT by 12.5 microseconds and ball speed by approximately 0.5 miles per hour compared to the control club. The third simulated golf club head included only a crown-face plate bridge weighing approximately 2 grams and no sole-face plate bridge. The third simulated golf club head reduced CT by 12.3 microseconds and ball speed by approximately 0.33 miles per hour compared to the control club. The fourth simulated golf club head included both a sole-to-face plate bridge weighing approximately 1 gram and a crown-to-face plate bridge weighing approximately 1 gram. The fourth simulated golf club head reduced CT by 6.6 microseconds and ball speed by approximately 0.51 miles per hour compared to the control club. These results illustrate the effectiveness of controlling CT throughout the face plate (using a crown-to-face plate bridge and / or a sole-to-face plate bridge) without increasing the perimeter thickness of the face plate, while minimizing the mass added to the club head and maintaining a lightweight club head.

[0151] Clause 1: A hollow golf club head comprising a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end, and a rear portion, wherein the crown, the sole, the striking face, and the rear portion combine to form an internal cavity, the striking face being opposite the rear portion and proximate to the crown and the sole, the sole resting on a ground plane when the club head is in an address position, the toe end being opposite the heel end, and the sole being opposite the crown, the striking face further comprising a geometric center point and a mid-plane extending through the geometric center point in a direction from the striking face to the rear portion of the golf club head, the mid-plane being perpendicular to the ground plane, the golf club head further comprising a crown transition region and a sole transition region, the crown transition region being perpendicular to the ground plane, a hollow golf club head having a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge, the crown-faceplate bridge being completely positioned within the crown transition region, the sole-faceplate bridge being positioned within the sole transition region, the crown-faceplate bridge having a first reinforced region thickness and the sole-faceplate bridge having a second reinforced region thickness, the first reinforced region thickness being greater than the crown transition region thickness and the second reinforced region thickness being greater than the sole transition region thickness.

[0152] Clause 2: The hollow golf club head of clause 1, wherein the crown-face plate bridge further has a first reinforced region width measured in the heel-toe direction and a first reinforced region length measured in the front-to-rear direction, and the sole-face plate bridge further has a second reinforced region width measured in the heel-toe direction and a second reinforced region length measured in the front-to-rear direction, the first reinforced region width varying along the first reinforced region length and the second reinforced region width varying along the second reinforced region length.

[0153] Clause 3. The hollow golf club head of clause 2, wherein the first reinforced region length varies along the first reinforced region width and the second reinforced region length varies along the second reinforced region width.

[0154] Clause 4. The hollow golf club head of Clause 2, further comprising a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane, the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane being parallel to the mid-plane, the heel-side plane being positioned in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head and spaced apart from the mid-plane, the toe-side plane being positioned in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club and spaced apart from the mid-plane, the heel-side plane being positioned at a distance of 0.55 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane, and the toe-side plane being positioned at a distance of 0.75 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane, and the first reinforced region width and the second reinforced region width bounding the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and existing between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane.

[0155] Clause 5. The hollow golf club head of clause 1, wherein the crown-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region.

[0156] Clause 6. The hollow golf club head of clause 1, further comprising: a first intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the crown-face plate bridge; and a second intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the sole-face plate bridge, wherein the crown-face plate bridge is in contact with the first intersection and extends beyond the first intersection in both the heel direction and the toe direction, and the sole-face plate bridge is in contact with the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel direction and the toe direction.

[0157] Clause 7. The hollow golf club head of Clause 6, wherein the mass of the club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of the club head is approximately 460 cc, thereby providing a club head mass-to-volume ratio of between 0.40 and 0.44.

[0158] Clause 8. The hollow golf club head of Clause 7, wherein the center of gravity of said club head is greater than 43 mm from said geometric center point of said striking face, measured parallel to said ground plane.

[0159] Clause 9: The hollow golf club head of clause 8, wherein the rear portion of the golf club head further comprises a single slot, the single slot defining a slot inner surface, a slot bottom surface, a slot top surface, and two slot side walls, the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls cooperating to form a slot channel that is open to the exterior rear of the golf club head and the sole, the slot inner surface further comprising only a center weight position and a heel weight position and no toe weight position, the center weight position and the heel weight position having weight assembly attachment points, and the golf club head further comprising a movable weight assembly, the weight assembly being removably attached to only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position.

[0160] Clause 10: A hollow golf club head comprising a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end, and a rear portion, wherein the crown, the sole, the striking face, and the rear portion combine to form an internal cavity, the striking face being opposite the rear portion and proximate to the crown and the sole, the sole resting on a ground plane when the club head is in an address position, the toe end being opposite the heel end, and the sole being opposite the crown, the striking face further comprising a geometric center point and a mid-plane extending through the geometric center point from the striking face to the rear portion of the golf club head, the striking face having a mass of less than 63 grams, the mid-plane being perpendicular to the ground plane, the golf club head further comprising a crown transition region and a sole transition region, a transition region formed between the striking face and the crown, the sole transition region formed between the striking face and the sole, the crown transition region having a first transition region thickness and the sole transition region having a second transition region thickness; the golf club head further comprising a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge, the crown-faceplate bridge being completely positioned within the crown transition region, the sole-faceplate bridge being positioned within the sole transition region, the crown-faceplate bridge having a first reinforced region thickness and the sole-faceplate bridge having a second reinforced region thickness, the first reinforced region thickness being greater than the crown transition region thickness and the second reinforced region thickness being greater than the sole transition region thickness.

[0161] Clause 11. The hollow golf club head of Clause 10, wherein the crown-face plate bridge further has a first reinforced region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforced region length measured in a front-to-rear direction, and the sole-face plate bridge further has a second reinforced region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a second reinforced region length measured in a front-to-rear direction, the first reinforced region width varying along the first reinforced region length and the second reinforced region width varying along the second reinforced region length.

[0162] Clause 12. The hollow golf club head of clause 11, wherein the first reinforced region length varies along the first reinforced region width and the second reinforced region length varies along the second reinforced region width.

[0163] Clause 13. The hollow golf club head of Clause 11, further comprising a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane, the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane being parallel to the mid-plane, the heel-side plane being positioned in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head and spaced apart from the mid-plane, the toe-side plane being positioned in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club and spaced apart from the mid-plane, the heel-side plane being positioned at a distance of 0.55 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane, and the toe-side plane being positioned at a distance of 0.75 to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane, and the first reinforced region width and the second reinforced region width bounding the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and existing between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane.

[0164] Clause 14. The hollow golf club head of Clause 10, wherein the crown-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region.

[0165] Clause 15. The hollow golf club head of Clause 10, further comprising: a first intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the crown-face plate bridge; and a second intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the sole-face plate bridge, wherein the crown-face plate bridge contacts the first intersection and extends beyond the first intersection in both the heel direction and the toe direction; and the sole-face plate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel direction and the toe direction.

[0166] Clause 16. The hollow golf club head of Clause 15, wherein the mass of the club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of the club head is approximately 460 cc, thereby providing a club head mass-to-volume ratio of between 0.40 and 0.44.

[0167] Clause 17. The hollow golf club head of Clause 16, wherein the center of gravity of said club head is greater than 43 mm from said geometric center point of said striking face, measured parallel to said ground plane.

[0168] Clause 18. The hollow golf club head of clause 17, wherein the rear portion of the golf club head further comprises a single slot, the single slot defining a slot inner surface, a slot bottom surface, a slot top surface, and two slot side walls, the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls cooperating to form a slot channel open to the exterior rear of the golf club head and the sole, the slot inner surface further having only a center weight position and a heel weight position and no toe weight position, the center weight position and the heel weight position having weight assembly attachment points, and the golf club head further comprising a movable weight assembly, the weight assembly being removably attached to only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position.

[0169] Clause 19. The hollow golf club head of clause 10, wherein the mass of the face plate is between about 61 grams and 62 grams.

[0170] Clause 20. The hollow golf club head of Clause 10, wherein the mass of the face plate is 62.8 grams.

Claims

1. A hollow golf club head, a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end, and a rear portion, the crown, the sole, the striking face, and the rear portion combining to form an interior cavity; the striking face is opposite the rear portion and adjacent the crown and the sole; the sole rests on a ground plane when the hollow golf club head is in an address position; the toe end is opposite the heel end, the sole is opposite the crown, the striking face further having a geometric center point and a mid-plane extending through the geometric center point in a direction from the striking face to the rear of the hollow golf club head; the mid-plane is perpendicular to the ground plane; the hollow golf club head further comprises a continuous transition region free of any sharp angles or points; the continuous transition region comprises a crown transition region and a sole transition region; the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown and has a crown transition region radius of curvature ranging between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches; the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole and has a sole transition region radius of curvature ranging between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches; the crown transition region has a crown transition region thickness; the sole transition region has a sole transition region thickness; the continuous transition region further comprises a crown-to-face plate bridge and a sole-to-face plate bridge; the crown-faceplate bridge is positioned entirely within the crown transition region such that the crown transition region radius of curvature of the crown-faceplate bridge is equal to the crown transition region radius of curvature of the crown transition region around the crown-faceplate bridge; the sole-face plate bridge is positioned within the sole transition region such that the sole transition region radius of curvature of the sole-face plate bridge is equal to the sole transition region radius of curvature of the sole transition region around the sole-face plate bridge; a crown transition region thickness of the crown-face plate bridge being greater than a crown transition region thickness of the crown transition region around the crown-face plate bridge; The sole transition region thickness of the sole-face plate bridge is greater than the sole transition region thickness of the sole transition region around the sole-face plate bridge. Hollow golf club head.

2. the crown-faceplate bridge further having a first reinforced region width measured in a heel-to-toe direction and a first reinforced region length measured in a front-to-back direction; the sole-face plate bridge further having a second reinforced region width measured in a heel-to-toe direction and a second reinforced region length measured in a front-to-back direction; the first reinforced region width varies along the first reinforced region length; the second reinforced region width varies along the second reinforced region length; The hollow golf club head according to claim 1 .

3. the first reinforced region length varies along the first reinforced region width; the second reinforced region length varies along the second reinforced region width; 3. The hollow golf club head according to claim 2.

4. The shoe further includes a heel-side planar surface and a toe-side planar surface, the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane; the heel-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the heel end of the hollow golf club head and is spaced apart from the mid-plane, and the toe-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the toe end of the hollow golf club head and is spaced apart from the mid-plane, the heel-side plane is located 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane; the toe-side plane is positioned 0.75 inches to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane; the crown-face plate bridge and the sole-face plate bridge are in contact with the heel side plane and the toe side plane, and are located between the heel side plane and the toe side plane; 3. The hollow golf club head according to claim 2.

5. the crown-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition area, and the sole-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition area; The hollow golf club head according to claim 1 .

6. a first intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the crown-face plate bridge, and a second intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the sole-face plate bridge; the crown-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection point and extends beyond the first intersection point in both a heel direction and a toe direction; the sole-face plate bridge contacts the second intersection point and extends beyond the second intersection point in both the heel direction and the toe direction; The hollow golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The mass of the hollow golf club head is 194 grams and the volume of the hollow golf club head is 460 cc, thereby providing a mass-to-volume ratio between 0.40 and 0.

44.

7. The hollow golf club head according to claim 6.

8. a center of gravity greater than 43 mm from the geometric center point of the striking face, measured parallel to the ground plane; The hollow golf club head according to claim 7.

9. A hollow golf club head, a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end, and a rear portion, the crown, the sole, the striking face, and the rear portion combining to form an interior cavity; the striking face is opposite the rear portion and adjacent the crown and the sole; the sole rests on a ground plane when the hollow golf club head is in an address position; the toe end is opposite the heel end, the sole is opposite the crown, the striking face further having a geometric center point and a mid-plane extending through the geometric center point in a direction from the striking face to the rear of the hollow golf club head; the striking face has a mass of less than 63 grams; the mid-plane is perpendicular to the ground plane; the hollow golf club head further comprises a continuous transition region free of any sharp angles or points; the continuous transition region comprises a crown transition region and a sole transition region; the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown and has a crown transition region radius of curvature ranging between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches; the sole transition region formed between the striking face and the sole has a sole transition region radius of curvature ranging between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches; the crown transition region has a crown transition region thickness; the sole transition region has a sole transition region thickness; the continuous transition region further comprises a crown-to-face plate bridge and a sole-to-face plate bridge; the crown-faceplate bridge is positioned entirely within the crown transition region such that the crown transition region radius of curvature of the crown-faceplate bridge is equal to the crown transition region radius of curvature of the crown transition region around the crown-faceplate bridge; the sole-face plate bridge is positioned within the sole transition region such that the sole transition region radius of curvature of the sole-face plate bridge is equal to the sole transition region radius of curvature of a portion of the sole transition region around the sole-face plate bridge; a crown transition region thickness of the crown-face plate bridge being greater than a crown transition region thickness of the crown transition region around the crown-face plate bridge; The sole transition region thickness of the sole-face plate bridge is greater than the sole transition region thickness of the sole transition region around the sole-face plate bridge. Hollow golf club head.

10. the crown-faceplate bridge further having a first reinforced region width measured in a heel-to-toe direction and a first reinforced region length measured in a front-to-back direction; the sole-face plate bridge further having a second reinforced region width measured in a heel-to-toe direction and a second reinforced region length measured in a front-to-back direction; the first reinforced region width varies along the first reinforced region length; the second reinforced region width varies along the second reinforced region length; The hollow golf club head according to claim 9.

11. the first reinforced region length varies along the first reinforced region width; the second reinforced region length varies along the second reinforced region width; The hollow golf club head according to claim 10.

12. The shoe further includes a heel-side planar surface and a toe-side planar surface, the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane; the heel-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the heel end of the hollow golf club head and is spaced apart from the mid-plane, and the toe-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the toe end of the hollow golf club head and is spaced apart from the mid-plane, the heel-side plane is located 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane; the toe-side plane is positioned 0.75 inches to 0.80 inches from the mid-plane; the crown-face plate bridge and the sole-face plate bridge are in contact with the heel side plane and the toe side plane, and are located between the heel side plane and the toe side plane; The hollow golf club head according to claim 10.

13. the crown-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition area, and the sole-face plate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition area; The hollow golf club head according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. a first intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the crown-face plate bridge, and a second intersection defined by an intersection of the midplane with the sole-face plate bridge, the crown-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection point and extends beyond the first intersection point in both a heel direction and a toe direction; the sole-face plate bridge contacts the second intersection point and extends beyond the second intersection point in both the heel direction and the toe direction; The hollow golf club head according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. 15. The hollow golf club head of claim 14, wherein the mass of the hollow golf club head is 194 grams and the volume of the hollow golf club head is 460 cc, thereby providing a mass-to-volume ratio between 0.40 and 0.

44.

16. a center of gravity greater than 43 mm from the geometric center point of the striking face, measured parallel to the ground plane; The hollow golf club head of claim 15.

17. The striking face has a mass between 61 grams and 62 grams. The hollow golf club head according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. The striking face has a mass of 62.8 grams. The hollow golf club head according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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