Golf club head

Abstract

To provide a golf club head effectively suppressing a water screen formed on a face surface, and advantageous for improving a spin quantity to be imparted to a golf ball.SOLUTION: A plurality of fine grooves 28 formed with a width Wf of 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less are formed in an impact area 24, and a groove group 30 is composed of the plurality of fine grooves 28. Each of the fine grooves 28 is formed without crossing each other, and at least one end of each of the fine grooves 28 is connected to a drain groove 26A. A length of each of the fine grooves 28 is 1.2 times or more, more preferably 1.5 times or more of a linear distance connecting both ends in an extension direction of the fine groove 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When rainwater or water contained in grass adheres to the face surface of a golf club head and forms a water film, making the face surface wet, the amount of spin imparted to a golf ball hit by the golf club head tends to decrease compared to when the face surface is dry and no water film is formed. This is because the water film formed on the face surface causes the golf ball to slip. In order to reduce slippage caused by such water films and ensure the amount of spin, a golf club head has been proposed in which multiple fine grooves are formed on the face surface, and the multiple fine grooves absorb the water adhering to the face surface, thereby suppressing the formation of a water film on the face surface (see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-169413 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-107227 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-171233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a limit to the amount of water that can be absorbed by the fine grooves, and no particular consideration is given to how to efficiently guide the water adhering to the face surface into the fine grooves. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of increasing the effect of suppressing the formation of a water film on the face surface. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a golf club head that is advantageous in effectively suppressing the formation of a water film on the face surface and improving the amount of spin imparted to a golf ball. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention is a golf club head having a face surface for hitting a golf ball, an impact area and drainage grooves provided on the face surface, and formed at a predetermined loft angle, wherein the impact area has a plurality of fine grooves formed therein, each having a depth of 5 μm to 50 μm, smaller than the depth of the drainage groove, and a width of 5 μm to 100 μm, the plurality of fine grooves forming a groove group, the fine grooves being formed without intersecting with each other, at least one end of each fine groove in the extension direction being connected to the drainage groove, and the length of each fine groove being 1.2 times or more the straight-line distance connecting both ends of the fine groove in the extension direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, water adhering to the impact area is smoothly guided to each fine groove, and the water guided to each fine groove moves without interruption, which is advantageous for smoothly draining the water guided to each fine groove into the drainage groove, thereby being advantageous for effectively suppressing the formation of a water film in the impact area. Therefore, it is advantageous in efficiently removing the water film that forms on the face surface in a wet state and improving the amount of spin imparted to the golf ball. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a golf club head according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a partially enlarged view of the face surface of the golf club head according to the first embodiment, corresponding to part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a partially enlarged view of a face surface of a golf club head in Modification 1, corresponding to FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 10 is a partially enlarged view of a face surface of a golf club head in Modification 2, corresponding to FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of a face surface of a golf club head according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf club head 10 according to this embodiment is an iron-type golf club head made of steel such as soft iron or an iron alloy (including stainless steel), and includes a face portion 12, a sole portion 14, a blade portion 16, and a hosel portion 18.

[0009] The sole portion 14 is connected to the lower portion of the face portion 12 and extends in the toe-heel direction. The blade portion 16 is connected to the upper portion of the face portion 12 and extends in the toe-heel direction. The hosel portion 18 protrudes from the heel 22 side, and one end of a shaft (not shown) is inserted and attached to the hosel portion 18, thereby connecting the shaft to the golf club head 10.

[0010] The face portion 12 has a face surface 12A for hitting a ball, which has a vertical height and extends laterally. The face surface 12A is formed to have a predetermined loft angle, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, an impact area 24 is provided on the face surface 12A, and a plurality of scorelines 26 are provided in the impact area 24. The impact area 24 is an area of ​​the face 12A intended to be struck with a golf ball. The impact area 24 is also sandblasted to enhance its design. In addition, the equipment rules established by the R&A and USGA define the "impact area" as follows: That is, for iron clubs, the "impact area" is considered to be the portion of the club that has face treatments (e.g., grooves, sandblasting, etc.) or a strip passing through the center of the club face and measuring 1.68 inches (42.67 mm) wide, whichever is greater. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the multiple score lines 26 are formed by grooves that extend in the toe-heel direction, are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and are parallel to one another, and have a depth Ds of 200 μm or more and 600 μm or less and a width Ws of 250 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. In this embodiment, the scorelines 26 form drainage grooves 26A for draining water adhering to the face surface 12A.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the impact area 24, more specifically on the face surface 12A located between adjacent score lines 26 in the impact area 24, a plurality of fine grooves 28 are formed, each having a depth Df of 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, which is smaller than the depth Ds of the score lines 26, and a width Wf of 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Further, groove groups 30 each made up of a plurality of fine grooves 28 are provided on each face surface 12A located between adjacent scorelines 26 in the vertical direction. Note that the fine grooves 28 are not shown in FIG.

[0012] If the depth Df of the fine grooves 28 is 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and the width Wf is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, it is advantageous for the water adhering to the impact area 24 to be absorbed into the fine grooves 28 by capillary action. If the depth Df and width Wf of the fine grooves 28 are below or above the above ranges, the effect of efficiently exerting capillary action will decrease. The fine grooves 28 are formed so as not to intersect with each other. At least one end of each of the fine grooves 28 in the extension direction is connected to the drain groove 26A, and in this embodiment, both ends of each of the fine grooves 28 in the extension direction are connected to the drain groove 26A. As shown in Figure 2, when the length of each microgroove 28 is L, this length L is at least 1.2 times the straight-line distance L0 connecting both ends of the microgroove 28 in the extension direction, and more preferably at least 1.5 times. The microgrooves 28 can be formed by various conventionally known processes such as cutting, but in this embodiment, the microgrooves 28 are formed by grooves processed by laser milling, which is advantageous in terms of processing cost and processing accuracy.

[0013] Furthermore, when one end of the extension direction of the microgroove 28 is the starting point and the other end of the extension direction is the end point, the microgroove 28 includes a direction change portion that is provided at least at one location between the starting point and the end point and changes the extension direction of the microgroove 28. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the fine groove 28 is configured to include a plurality of direction change portions. In the example shown in Figure 2, the microgroove 28 is composed of a plurality of first straight line sections that extend in a straight line at an angle to the vertical direction, and a plurality of second straight line sections that extend in a straight line in the opposite direction to the first straight line sections, which are connected by a plurality of V-shaped direction change sections 32A. Both ends of the fine groove 28 in the extending direction are connected to the drain groove 26A. The fine grooves 28 are arranged evenly in the toe-heel direction to form a groove group 30.

[0014] In the example shown in Figure 4, the microgroove 28 is composed of a plurality of arc-shaped direction change sections 32B that are convex in the toe direction and a plurality of arc-shaped direction change sections 32C that are convex in the heel 22 direction, arranged at intervals vertically, and a plurality of curved sections connecting these plurality of direction change sections. Both ends of the fine groove 28 in the extending direction are connected to the drain groove 26A. The fine grooves 28 are arranged evenly in the toe-heel direction to form a groove group 30.

[0015] In the example shown in Figure 5, two types of microgrooves 28A and 28B with different extension shapes are provided, and one of the microgrooves 28A is composed of a plurality of gate-shaped direction change sections 32D that are arranged vertically at intervals and are convex in the toe direction, and a plurality of straight sections connecting these plurality of direction change sections 32D. The other microgroove 28B is composed of a plurality of gate-shaped direction change sections 32E that are convex in the toe direction and have a vertical width smaller than that of the direction change section of one microgroove 28, at the vertical middle part of the direction change section of one microgroove 28, and a plurality of straight sections connecting these plurality of direction change sections 32E. Both ends of the microgrooves 28A and 28B in the extending direction are connected to the drain groove 26A. The two types of microgrooves 28A, 28B are arranged close to each other in the toe-heel direction to form a microgroove array 34, and the groove group 30 is formed by lining up these microgroove arrays 34 in the toe-heel direction.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to efficiently remove water adhering to the impact area 24, it is advantageous to provide a large number of fine grooves 28 in the impact area 24. In this case, the pitch of the fine grooves 28 (the distance between adjacent fine grooves 28 in the toe-heel direction) is preferably within five times the width Wf of the fine grooves 28, and more preferably within two times.

[0017] Next, the effects will be described. According to this embodiment, multiple micro grooves 28 having a width Wf of 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less are formed in the impact area 24, and the multiple micro grooves 28 form a groove group 30, so that water adhering to the impact area 24 of the face surface 12A is guided to each micro groove 28 by capillary action and absorbed by the groove group 30. Furthermore, since each micro-groove 28 is formed without intersecting with each other, and at least one end of each micro-groove 28 is connected to the drain groove 26A, water introduced into each micro-groove 28 does not disperse, as compared to when the micro-grooves 28 intersect with each other, but moves continuously through the micro-grooves 28 toward the drain groove 26A, which is advantageous for smoothly draining the water introduced into each micro-groove 28 into the drain groove 26A. This is advantageous in effectively preventing the formation of a water film on the impact area 24. Furthermore, the length L of each microgroove 28 is at least 1.2 times, and more preferably at least 1.5 times, the straight-line distance L0 connecting both ends of the microgroove 28 in the extension direction, ensuring a large length of the microgroove 28 through which water flows, and slowing down the flow rate of water flowing through each microgroove 28. Therefore, water adhering to the impact area 24 is more likely to come into contact with the water remaining in each micro-groove 28, and the water adhering to the impact area 24 is smoothly guided to each micro-groove 28. At the same time, the water guided to each micro-groove 28 moves without interruption, which is advantageous for smoothly draining the water guided to each micro-groove 28 into the drain groove 26A. This is advantageous in effectively preventing the formation of a water film on the impact area 24. Therefore, it is advantageous in efficiently removing the water film that forms on the face surface 12A in a wet state and improving the amount of spin imparted to the golf ball, in other words, in suppressing a decrease in the amount of spin on the face surface 12A in a wet state.

[0018] In addition, in this embodiment, a plurality of score lines 26 having a depth Ds of 200 μm or more and 600 μm or less and a width Ws of 250 μm or more and 1000 μm or less are provided at intervals above and below the impact area 24, and the drainage groove 26A is formed by the score lines 26. Therefore, the drainage grooves 26A can be formed by utilizing the scorelines 26, which is advantageous in reducing the processing costs of the golf club head 10.

[0019] Furthermore, since the microgrooves 28 include a direction change section that is provided at least at one location between the start point and the end point and changes the extension direction of the microgrooves 28, the resistance of each microgroove 28 acting on the water flowing through each microgroove 28 becomes larger than when each microgroove 28 extends in a straight line, and the flow rate of the water flowing through each microgroove 28 becomes slower. As a result, water adhering to the impact area 24 is more likely to come into contact with the water remaining in each of the fine grooves 28, and the water adhering to the impact area 24 is guided to each of the fine grooves 28, and the water guided to each of the fine grooves 28 is smoothly and uninterruptedly drained into the drain groove 26A, which is more advantageous in effectively preventing a water film from forming in the impact area 24.

[0020] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following embodiments, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the different parts. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that drainage grooves 36 are provided in addition to the scorelines 26 on the face surface 12A. As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, drainage grooves are formed on the face 12A outside the impact area 24 and extending linearly in the vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the scorelines . The depth Dd of the drain groove 36 is set to 200 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the width Wd is set to 250 μm or more and 2500 μm or less. In the second embodiment, the drainage grooves 36 are provided on both sides of the impact area 24 in the toe-heel direction, but the drainage grooves 36 may be provided on either side in the toe-heel direction. The microgroove 28 is configured by a plurality of first straight line sections extending in a straight line at an angle to the toe-heel direction, and a plurality of second straight line sections extending in a straight line in the opposite direction to the first straight line sections, which are connected by a plurality of V-shaped direction change sections 32F. Both ends of the fine groove 28 in the extending direction are connected to the drain groove 36 . The fine grooves 28 are arranged evenly in the vertical direction to form a groove group 30. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the depth Df of the microgrooves 28 is 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and the width Wf is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and the length L of each microgroove 28 is 1.2 times or more, and more preferably 1.5 times or more, the straight-line distance L0 connecting both ends of the microgroove 28 in the extension direction.

[0021] The second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, a drainage groove 36 separate from the scoreline 26 is provided outside the impact area 24, so that the depth Dd and width Wd of the drainage groove 36 can be ensured to be greater than the depth Ds and width Ws of the scoreline 26 specified by the rules. Therefore, a larger cross-sectional area of ​​the drain groove 36 can be ensured, and more water can be drained from each fine groove 28 to the drain groove 36 . This is advantageous in effectively preventing the formation of a water film on the impact area 24, and is advantageous in improving the amount of spin imparted to the golf ball.

[0022] In the embodiment, the golf club head 10 is an iron type golf club head, but the present invention is also applicable to wood type golf club heads, fairway woods, and utilities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 10. Golf club head 12 Face section 12A face 14 Sole 16 Blade section 18 Hosel 20 Tou 22 Heels 24 Impact Area 26 Scoreline 26A Drain 28 Microgrooves 28A First fine groove 28B 2nd fine groove 30 Groove Group 32A-32F direction change section 34 Micro-groove array 36 Drain Df Depth of micro groove Wf Width of the microgroove Ds Scoreline Depth Ws Score line width Dd Depth of the drain Wd Ditch width

Claims

1. A golf club head having a face for striking a golf ball, the face being provided with an impact area and drainage grooves and formed at a predetermined loft angle, A plurality of microgrooves are formed in the impact area, each having a depth of 5 μm to 50 μm, which is smaller than the depth of the drainage groove, and a width of 5 μm to 100 μm, The plurality of fine grooves constitute a groove group, No grooves other than the groove group and the drainage groove are formed in the impact area, The microgrooves are formed to extend continuously without intersecting with each other, At least one end of each of the microgrooves in the extension direction is connected to the drain groove, When one end of the extension direction of the microgroove is a start point and the other end of the extension direction is an end point, the microgroove includes a direction changing portion that is provided at at least one location between the start point and the end point and changes the extension direction of the microgroove, The length of each microgroove is 1.2 times or more the linear distance connecting both ends of the microgroove in the extension direction. A golf club head characterized by:

2. A plurality of score lines having a depth of 200 μm or more and 600 μm or less and a width of 250 μm or more and 1000 μm or less are provided at intervals in the vertical direction in the impact area, The drainage groove is formed by the score line.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1.

3. A golf club head having a face for striking a golf ball, the face being provided with an impact area and drainage grooves and formed at a predetermined loft angle, A plurality of microgrooves are formed in the impact area, each having a depth of 5 μm to 50 μm, which is smaller than the depth of the drainage groove, and a width of 5 μm to 100 μm, The plurality of fine grooves constitute a groove group, The microgrooves are formed without crossing each other, At least one end of each of the microgrooves in the extension direction is connected to the drain groove, The length of each microgroove is 1.2 times or more the linear distance connecting both ends of the microgroove in the extension direction, The drainage groove is formed as a groove that extends in the vertical direction on the face surface outside the impact area, has a depth of 200 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and a width of 250 μm or more and 2500 μm or less. A golf club head characterized by:

4. When one end of the extension direction of the microgroove is a starting point and the other end of the extension direction is an end point, the microgroove includes a direction change portion that is provided at at least one location between the starting point and the end point and changes the extension direction of the microgroove, 4. The golf club head according to claim 3.

5. The length of each microgroove is 1.5 times or more the linear distance connecting both ends of the microgroove in the extension direction.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts are arranged parallel to each other.

6. The microgroove is a groove processed by laser milling.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts are spaced apart from each other.

7. The extension shapes of at least two of the microgrooves forming the groove group are different from each other.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first and second shafts are spaced apart from each other.

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