Golf club head

Abstract

To provide a golf club head in which a center of gravity thereof can be moved to a position closer to where a golf ball is likely to be struck.SOLUTION: A golf club head, when oriented in a reference position, comprises: a striking face 160 which has a face center 164 and defines a face plane; a vertical center plane 166 which is perpendicular to the face plane and passes through the face center 164; a sole portion 140; a top portion 130; a heel portion 120; a toe portion 110 opposite the heel portion; and a hosel 150 which is configured to receive a shaft and defines a hosel axis. The golf club head mass is between about 250 g and 320 g, a loft L is 39° or more, and a club head center of gravity is spaced rearward from the face plane by a distance D5 and spaced from the vertical center surface 166 by a distance D7 of 5 mm or less. The distance D5 satisfies D5≤7.69 mm-0.074 mm / °*L, and a moment of inertia Iyy, measured about an axis which extends in a heel to toe direction and passes through the center of gravity is 1000 g cm2 or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority rights to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 201,937, filed on 19 May 2021, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 519,975, filed on 5 November 2021.

[0002] This disclosure is generally related to the field of golf clubs. More specifically, it relates to a golf club head having an insert in at least the hosel portion of the club head. [Background technology]

[0003] The goal of golf club head design is to align the club head's center of gravity with the point of impact that is most likely to contact the golf ball during the swing. This improves shot accuracy and allows as much energy as possible from the golfer's swing to be transferred to the golf ball at impact, resulting in a better golf shot. [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] However, this goal is often difficult to achieve within the constraints of a given mass budget. This is especially true for "player" iron-type golf club heads, where the shape and weight of the heel and hosel naturally cause the club head's center of gravity to be shifted towards the heel from the center of the face. Golfers who use these club heads often prefer a more traditional look, and therefore, they may oppose design changes that would not only beneficially alter the weight profile of the club head but also deviate the club head from this conventional look.

[0005] For example, adding weight to the periphery of an iron or wedge-type golf club head can increase the moment of inertia, thereby adding "forgiveness" to off-center hits. However, the appearance of such cavity-back club heads can be unpleasant for players who prefer the look of blade-type irons and sand wedges. Such features can also negatively affect the location of the sweet spot, especially in the case of wedge-type golf club heads where backspin characteristics are relevant.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a design that discretely shifts weight from one part of the clubhead to another, so as to provide forgiveness for off-center hits while bringing the center of gravity closer to where the golf ball is likely to be struck, probably the center of the clubhead face.

[0007] Accordingly, a golf club head according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes, when placed in a reference position, a striking face having a face center and defining a face plane; a vertical center plane perpendicular to the face plane and passing through the face center; a sole portion; a top portion; a heel portion; a toe portion opposite the heel portion; and a hosel bore extending from the heel portion, including an open end and a bottom surface for receiving a shaft, wherein the hosel bore comprises a hosel portion defining a central hosel axis; a club head mass of approximately 250 g to 320 g; and a club head center of gravity located less than 5 mm from the vertical center plane. The golf club head may also include a first component of a first material having a first melting point and a first density, and a second component having a second melting point higher than the first melting point and a second density lower than the first density, wherein the second component (i) is at least partially encased by the first component, (ii) extends into the hosel portion below the hosel bore, and (iii) has a mass of less than about 5 g.

[0008] A method for manufacturing a golf club head according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may, in order, include the following steps: (a) forming an auxiliary component with an auxiliary material; (b) sealing the auxiliary component within a golf club head body comprising a first material by a lost-twack casting method; and (c) removing a portion of the auxiliary component to form a hosel bore having an open end and a bottom surface such that the uppermost part of the auxiliary component is below the bottom surface. The first material may have a first melting point and a first density, and the auxiliary material may have a second melting point greater than the first melting point and a second density less than the first density. The golf club head may also include a striking face having a face center and defining a face plane; a vertical center plane substantially perpendicular to the face plane and passing through the face center; and a center of gravity located less than 5 mm from the vertical center plane.

[0009] Furthermore, another golf club head according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a golf club head body and auxiliary components. The golf club head body may include a striking face having a face center and defining a face plane; a vertical center plane perpendicular to the face plane and extending through the face center; a sole portion, a top portion, a heel portion, a toe portion opposite the heel portion, and a hosel portion extending from the heel portion and having an open end and a bottom surface, wherein the hosel bore may include the hosel portion defining a central hosel axis, and a first material having a first melting point and a first density.

[0010] The auxiliary components may include a heel portion comprising a second material having a second melting point higher than the first melting point and a second density lower than the first density; an upper portion located below the bottom surface of the hosel bore; and a toe portion connected to the heel portion and comprising a third material having a density higher than the first density. The center of gravity of the golf club head may be located less than 5 mm from the vertical center plane.

[0011] These and other features and advantages of the various aspects of the golf club heads and methods for manufacturing the same as those described herein will become more apparent by examining the following description, drawings, and appended claims. The following description and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] An exemplary front view of a golf club head according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic rear view of an example golf club head. [Figure 3] An example heel-side elevation view of a golf club head according to one or more aspects of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the golf club head along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the golf club head with the hosel removed. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head along the line VI-VI. [Figure 7] Figure 3 shows an exemplary method for manufacturing a golf club head. [Figure 8] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of the insert inside the golf club head. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows overlapping club heads as part of the method for designing the insert. [Figure 10] Figure 7 shows the golf club head resulting from the second step of the method. [Figure 11] Figure 7 shows the golf club head resulting from the third step of the method. [Figure 12] Figure 7 shows the golf club head resulting from the fourth step of the method. [Figure 13] This disclosure illustrates an exemplary method for manufacturing a golf club head according to one or more embodiments thereof. [Figure 14]Shows a golf club head resulting from the fourth step of the method of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] Shows a rear cross-sectional view of a golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] Shows a heel-side cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] Shows a rear schematic view of the golf club head of FIG. 15. [Figure 18] Shows a cross-section of the golf club head of FIG. 17 along line XVIII-XVIII. [Figure 19] Shows a cross-section of the golf club head of FIG. 17 along line XIX-XIX. [Figure 20] Shows a front view of a golf club head according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] Shows a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] Shows a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 20 with reference dimensions. [Figure 23] Shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 20 passing through the virtual vertical center plane 566. [Figure 24] Shows a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 20. [Figure 25] Shows a toe-side elevation view of the golf club head of FIG. 20. [Figure 26] Shows a heel-side elevation view of the golf club head of FIG. 20. [Figure 27] Shows a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 20. [Figure 28] Shows a bottom view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] Shows a correlation set of golf club heads in a front view according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The club head may further include a striking face 160 at its front. The striking face is the substantially planar outer portion of the front portion that substantially coincides with a virtual striking face plane 76, which is positioned to contact the golf ball at a factory-specified loft angle obtained between its face plane 76 and the central hosel axis 152.

[0015] The striking face may be formed with surface features that increase traction between the striking face and the struck golf ball, ensure good contact with the ball (e.g., when wet), and impart some spin to the ball, for example, for stability in flight or to better control the resting position of the struck golf ball after it returns to the ground by backspin. These surface features may include a plurality of substantially parallel horizontal grooves or scorelines 162, as well as other surface features (not shown) that form a textured pattern.

[0016] The striking face may include a leading edge 161 that constitutes a junction formed between a substantially flat striking face 160 and the sole portion 140. The leading edge 161 includes its foremost point 165 (see Figures 1 and 3). A virtual vertical center plane 166 passes through the foremost point 165 of the leading edge 161.

[0017] The striking face may include a face center 164. As used herein, the face center refers to a point on the striking face of the clubhead that is midway between the top and sole portions of the scorelines and passes through a virtual vertical center plane 166. In some embodiments, for example, the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the face center is also preferably located midway between the heel and toe portions of the scorelines. However, in other embodiments, the face center is not located midway between the heel and toe portions of the scorelines. For example, the scorelines may be offset laterally from the contour of the leading edge, or the scorelines may extend entirely to the toe portion of the striking face.

[0018] A virtual vertical center plane 166 perpendicular to the face plane protrudes through the center of the face in the front-to-back direction of the club head, and the center of gravity 170 of the golf club head can be spaced away from this virtual vertical center plane. In Figure 1, for example, the center of gravity is spaced away from the virtual vertical center plane in the heel direction. The center of gravity can be spaced less than 5 mm 172 away from the virtual vertical center plane, and in a more preferred embodiment, it may be spaced less than 2 mm away from the virtual vertical center plane.

[0019] The golf club head is shown in Figure 1 in its “reference position.” As used herein, “reference position” refers to the position of the golf club head, for example, the club head in Figure 1 where the sole of the club head is in contact with a virtual ground surface 10, the virtual central hosel axis 152 of the hosel is in a virtual vertical hosel plane, and the scorelines 162 are oriented horizontally to the ground surface. Unless otherwise specified, all club head dimensions described herein are obtained with the club head in the reference position.

[0020] The golf club heads in Figures 1 and 2 preferably include iron-type club heads such as wedge-type club heads, which may preferably have a loft angle of 40° or more. More preferably, the golf club head may be a traditional blade-type club head, or otherwise may be what certain golfers call a “player” type club head. As such, as shown in Figure 2, the rear portion 180 of the club head may include a top blade portion 182 and a lower muscle portion 184. The top blade portion may preferably include a substantially planar surface, and therefore may preferably lack a periphery weighting function. The muscle portion may project rearward from the top blade portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the striking face. Since the mass of the golf club head may generally be concentrated in the muscle portion, the center of gravity 170 may be located on the sole side of the face center. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the moment of inertia ("MOI") Izz 186 of the golf club head can be measured around a virtual vertical axis 187 passing through the center of gravity, and the MOI Ixx 188 of the golf club head can be measured around a virtual horizontal axis 189 parallel to the ground, similarly passing through the center of gravity. As is known to those skilled in the art, MOI generally correlates with increasing the natural resistance of the club head to rotation around a particular axis in off-center golf ball strikes.

[0021] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure of a golf club head preferably have an internal structure that moves weight independently from the heel or lower hosel to the sole / muscle or upper hosel, compared to other “player” type golf club heads, thereby bringing the center of gravity closer to the center of the face, i.e., where an experienced golfer is likely to strike the golf ball with the hitting face, and accordingly increasing both the vertical (Izz) and horizontal (Ixx) MOI. Exemplary golf club heads having such internal structures are described below. Each of these exemplary club heads may include the body structure described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

[0022] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. As shown in the figure, the hosel portion 150 of the club head may include a hosel bore 154 extending to a depth of 155 from the open uppermost end 156 of the hosel portion. This bore may have an upper inner diameter 157 and a lower inner diameter 158, which may be the same or different. The hosel bore is terminated at the bottom by a metal shelf 159 projecting inward toward a virtual central hosel axis 152. The side walls of the hosel portion (and the rest of the golf club head body) are preferably made of steel and / or 8 g / cm². 3 The first component may be made of a first material such as a material having a density and / or a melting point of less than 1600°C. The minimum thickness 151 of the side wall of the hosel, measured at the bottom of the hosel bore, is preferably sufficient to ensure the structural integrity of the hosel without adversely affecting the vibration feedback of the golf shot. For example, this minimum thickness may be 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 0.75 mm or more.

[0023] An insert 190 may be provided at the sole side of the bottom of the hosel bore, functioning as a second or auxiliary component. The insert may include a substantially cylindrical portion 192 (Figure 8) having a central axis coaxial with a virtual central hosel axis. The insert may also include a heel portion molded to roughly match the heel contour of the golf club head. This insert may be formed from an auxiliary material such as ceramic, preferably having a melting point higher than that of the first component and a density lower than that of the first component. As such, the insert may have a mass of less than about 5 g in the golf club head, and the mass of the insert may be less than about 1.5% of the total mass of the golf club head. This insert may consist of at least 60% aluminum oxide (Al2O3). More specifically, this ceramic insert may consist of 20% SiO2, 10% ZrO2, and 70% Al2O3, although these percentages may vary by up to about 10% each. By adjusting the composition of the ceramic, the material properties of the insert can be adjusted to achieve weight distribution targets, such as an increased moment of inertia, a lower and / or more central center of gravity, or a specific vibration frequency during impact. The insert may also have the following properties: (i) a bonding strength of 15 MPa, (ii) a porosity of 40% or less, preferably 30%, (iii) an adsorption capacity of 30%, (iv) a melting point above 2500°C, and (v) 3 g / cm³. 3 Preferably 2 g / cm³ 3 The following densities apply. However, as with the composition of the insert, the bonding strength, porosity, adsorption properties, and density of the insert may vary to achieve specific weight distribution targets.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, which shows a cross-section along the line VI-VI in Figure 5, the insert 190 can extend from the hosel to the heel of the golf club head. Furthermore, this insert can affect various MOI values ​​of the golf club head. For example, the vertical MOI Izz is 3000 g·cm². 2It may exceed this value, and the horizontal MOI Ixx is 1000 g·cm 2 It may exceed that amount.

[0025] Figures 7-12 show an exemplary method 200 for forming the golf club heads of Figures 3-6. In the first step 210, the insert may be formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0026] Figure 8 shows one embodiment of the insert 190 after this first molding step. The insert is preferably designed by overlaying various club lofts in a computer-aided design ("CAD") program and selecting the overlapping regions of those club heads, taking into account necessary constraints such as the minimum steel wall (peripheral wall) thickness for the integrity of the hosel and / or heel. For example, Figure 9 shows an insert formed in the overlapping regions of club heads with lofts of 46°, 54°, and 64°. This design process may alleviate manufacturing concerns and offer various cost advantages, as it eliminates the need to design a new insert for each golf club head loft and sole shape. In one or more embodiments, the minimum steel wall thickness is 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 0.75 mm or more.

[0027] Next, in the second step 220 shown in Figure 7, the golf club head body is formed around the insert 190, for example by lost-wax casting, and the insert can be sealed therein. The result of this step is shown in Figure 10, showing that the insert extends not only below the metal shelf 159 at the bottom of the hosel bore, but also through the hosel bore and beyond the opening at the uppermost end 156 of the hosel portion 150.

[0028] Next, the upper part 194 of the insert, i.e., the portion extending beyond the uppermost opening of the hosel and the portion extending into the hosel bore, can be removed, for example, by machining in a third step 230 shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 11, which illustrates the result of this third step, the hosel bore 154 and the uppermost end 156 of the hosel can be opened here to accommodate the golf club shaft. The insert 190 can extend towards the sole side of the metal shelf 159 that separates the bottom of the hosel bore. As also shown in Figure 11, the insert does not have to extend beyond the heel-most portion 163 of the scorelines formed on the striking face. Preferably, the insert may extend to approximately the heel-most portion of those scorelines. This ensures that the insert does not extend into the striking zone of the striking face, minimizing any change to the conventional feel and sound of the golf club head upon impact with the golf ball.

[0029] The result is shown in Figure 12. In the final step 240 of Figure 7, the insert cap 196 may be introduced into the hosel bore so as to rest on the metal shelf 159. This insert cap can be formed of Al or ABS plastic and can provide a protective barrier between the tip of the shaft and the top of the insert. In other embodiments, if the tip of the shaft is fixed to the hosel bore, the insert cap may not be necessary as the top of the insert is covered with an epoxy layer. By forming the golf club head body around the insert in this way, the space that would otherwise be filled with a higher density metallic material is instead occupied by, for example, a ceramic material. Thus, mass is selectively removed from the hosel and heel portions, thereby achieving the goal of bringing the center of gravity closer to the center of the face.

[0030] Other exemplary club heads are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the insert 390 may first be formed in the first step 310, for example, by injection molding, similar to the method in Figure 7.

[0031] Next, the body of the golf club head may be formed around the insert in the second step 320, for example, by lost-wax casting. However, in the third step 330, instead of removing only the top of the insert to form the hosel bore of the hosel portion, more of the insert may be removed to form an internal cavity below the hosel bore. More specifically, as shown in Figure 14, a portion 392, for example, at least 50% of the volume, or all of the insert, may be removed to form an internal cavity, for example, by mechanical stirring, chemical etching, or electrolytic etching. In some embodiments, the insert may be made of a material having high solubility in water or aqueous solution. In such embodiments, the insert can be easily dissolved from the golf club head to form a cavity.

[0032] Next, this cavity may be filled in the fourth step 340 of Figure 13 by injecting a material into it, such as a polymer foam that will solidify later. Thus, this fourth step may allow for adjustment of the center of gravity by introducing a vibration-damping material into the club head or, for example, by changing the density of the polymer material.

[0033] Then, as shown in Figure 7, the insert cap may be introduced into the hosel bore so that it rests on a metal shelf that partitions the bottom of the hosel bore in the fifth step 350.

[0034] Further exemplary club heads are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, Figures 10-12 and 14 show the insert extending only to the part of the scoreline closest to the heel, but this is not required. Rather, as shown in the exemplary golf club head 400 of Figures 15-19, the insert 490 can extend further to the sole or toe of the golf club head. This insert could actually extend over the entire distance from heel to toe. Such a configuration is more likely to be realized in “game-enhancing” type golf club heads, which generally have a larger sole volume to accommodate such an insert. Golfers using “game-enhancing” club heads may also not find the changes in sound and / or feel caused by the insert extending to the striking face to be as unpleasant. In fact, the presence of the insert may provide a vibration damping effect and improve the feel for off-center hits.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, which shows a cross-section along the line XIX-XIX of the golf club head in Figure 17, the high-density portion 492 may be molded simultaneously with the toe insert or placed within the insert. This high-density portion may be made of a metallic material, such as a tungsten alloy, with a density of 10 g / cm³. 3 It can have a density exceeding [a certain value]. Including such a high-density portion in the insert can be beneficial because it may add mass to the toe of the golf club head, potentially increasing the MOI, improving the feel of the golf club head when hitting the golf ball, and ultimately reducing manufacturing costs.

[0036] Figures 20–28 show additional embodiments of the golf club head. Unless otherwise specified, the golf club head 500 shown in Figure 20 is similarly structured, similarly formed, and has a multi-component structure similar to the embodiments in Figures 1–19. For example, the golf club head 500 includes a sole portion 540, a top portion 530, a heel portion 520, a toe portion 510, a striking face 560, and a rear portion 580 (see, for example, Figure 21). The striking face 560 includes a leading edge 561 having its foremost point 565. A virtual vertical center plane 566 passes through the foremost point 565 and the center of the face 564, as defined above with respect to the embodiment in Figure 1.

[0037] The golf club head 500 can be characterized as a game-enhancing type golf club, more specifically, a game-enhancing wedge type golf club head. Thus, the golf club head 500 may have certain features that deviate from and are emphasized in the embodiment of the golf club head 100 shown in Figure 1. For example, the rear portion 580 of the golf club head 500 includes a blade portion 582 and a muscle portion 584. However, a peripheral weighting element 586 is formed on the periphery of the rear portion 580. The muscle portion 584 of the rear portion 580 further includes an insert 588. The insert 588 may be made of an elastic material to dampen vibrations that may be generated when the golf club head 500 strikes a golf ball during use, such as a polymer material such as ABS, TPU, polyurethane, polyamide, polybutadiene, and / or a viscoelastic material.

[0038] The insert 588 may function to convey to the golfer solid, blade-type characteristics and / or aesthetics, as traditionally desired in wedge-type golf club heads, in addition to any particular functional aspects, such as vibration damping, acoustic tuning, or feel tuning. In practice, the insert 588 fills and conceals recesses into which it fits, preferably heel-side recess 590A and toe-side recess 590B. This further enhances the characteristics of the golf club head 500 related to forgiveness on off-center shots and may also increase discretionary mass. Such discretionary mass may be reallocated to other areas of the golf club head 500 to improve characteristics related to the mass of the golf club head 500, which has been given a predetermined mass budget.

[0039] In addition to the goal of configuring the golf club head 500 for golfers in the game improvement class, the process by which various elements are configured is a result of a design methodology that may deviate from that of the embodiment in Figure 1. In the case of the golf club head 500 in Figure 20, various features and elements are determined, in particular, in terms of size and contour, based on maximizing expected performance. Specifically, for each of several positions on the striking face 560 of the club head 500, a model representing the probability of impact is generated. Next, specific performance characteristics, such as ball speed and / or average carry distance at impact, are measured for the teachings on the striking face 560. By associating the probability model with such performance characteristics, a model can be generated that aggregates such information and, based on it, calculates an overall performance value that represents what a golfer can expect to achieve over a large sample of golf shots during play.

[0040] As a result of generating and running such models, various attributes came to be considered relatively acceptable or those that would yield the minimum return if further manipulated. However, other attributes were deemed suitable for further manipulation. In other words, if changing one attribute could negatively affect others, employing a model with probabilistic overall performance may indicate the most desirable combination of attributes.

[0041] In particular, increasing Iyy was deemed worth modifying. In the case of wedge-type golf club heads, golfers tend to hit the golf ball with the 560° striking face, resulting in greater vertical vibration (compared to, for example, lower-loft iron-type golf clubs). However, as mentioned above with respect to the embodiment of club head 100 in Figure 1, the lateral position of the center of gravity remains an important characteristic of wedge-type golf club heads. Other aspects of the golf club head are also particularly important, such as the height of the sweet spot on the 560° striking face.

[0042] For these reasons, compared to the embodiment in Figure 1, it was found that there is a desire to maintain various desirable characteristics, such as the height of the sweet spot and the lateral positioning of the center of gravity, while prioritizing the manipulation of other characteristics, such as significantly increasing Iyy—or at least limiting their manipulation.

[0043] A more desirable combination of these properties can be achieved in various ways. For example, the golf club head 500 maintains a low-density insert similar in form, position and composition to the low-density insert 190 described with respect to the embodiment of Figure 1. However, in the particular case of the golf club head 500, the low-density insert 190 has a higher mass and a larger volume, and therefore has a larger percentage volume and percentage mass of the entire golf club head.

[0044] Firstly, the inventors determined that a larger insert mass is feasible without reducing the structural integrity of the golf club head 500 to an acceptable threshold. Secondly, a larger insert volume can be achieved when multiple different low-density inserts are implemented in a set or portfolio, or when providing golf club heads with multiple lofts.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, it has been proposed that identically shaped low-density inserts be associated with each of multiple golf club heads with varying lofts that constitute a set or portfolio. As a result, the design envelope in which the low-density inserts could potentially be accommodated was considered to be the net overlapping space of all such golf club heads superimposed on each other in the same orientation. Alternatively, if it is permitted to incorporate multiple different low-density inserts into a set of club heads with different lofts, the number of club heads that overlap per low-density insert can be reduced or eliminated altogether. As a result, the design envelope generally becomes larger, allowing or providing greater design freedom for the set or the product as a whole.

[0046] According to the above, the low-density insert 190 according to the embodiment of Figure 25 preferably has a density of 4 g / cc or less, more preferably 3 g / cc or less, and even more preferably equal to about 2 g / cc. Furthermore, or alternatively, the low-density insert has a mass of 4 g or more, more preferably 4.25 g or more, and even more preferably in the range of 4.4 g to 5.25 g. Furthermore, or alternatively, the low-density insert contains a volume of 2 cc or more, more preferably 2.1 cc or more, and even more preferably in the range of 2.1 cc to 2.75 cc.

[0047] However, as stated above, applying multiple low-density inserts to a set or offering of club heads with different lofts allows for greater design freedom, at least with respect to a particular loft. As used herein, “offering” refers to a set of products having similar aesthetic and functional characteristics, intended to be a single product line and appear so, where the user is expected to select all or fewer products from the offering to constitute a set or part of a set of golf clubs or golf club heads. As used herein, “set” or “related set” refers to a set of products having similar or correlated functionality and / or aesthetics, sold or offered together. Therefore, in addition to or alternatively to the above, the amount of low-density insert is preferably related to the loft throughout the set or offering as follows: Volume ≥ 0.0279cc / ° * Loft + 0.7805cc

[0048] As an example, referring to Figure 29, the set or offering of multiple golf club heads 568 according to the above disclosure includes golf club heads, for example, golf club heads 500A, 500B, and 500C which have different lofts. Golf club heads 500A, 500B, and 500C may each include low-density inserts 190A, 190B, and 190C according to the present disclosure, the low-density inserts having the following characteristics: [Table 1]

[0049] Therefore, a set of golf club heads (e.g., a set or offering 568) having at least three club heads with distinct lofts, such as a wedge-type golf club head, is intended to include different low-density inserts from a club head of a particular loft to another club head of a different loft (as described with respect to Figure 20). In such a case, the same first low-density insert may be incorporated into a first subset of the set of golf club heads (e.g., the first two to three club heads), each preferably having a different loft, while a second identical low-density insert (having a different shape from the first low-density insert) may be incorporated into a second subset of the set of golf club heads (e.g., the second two to three club heads), each preferably having a different loft. In some such embodiments, the low-density inserts of different shapes may correspond to each of the club heads of the different lofts in the set of golf club heads. However, such embodiments may, from a practical standpoint, result in increased manufacturing costs that may not outweigh the incremental mass-related benefits achieved.

[0050] Therefore, a greater discretionary mass is achieved, which may be redistributed to a more desirable area of ​​the club head, and may also be removed from areas of the club head where mass removal is deemed desirable, such as positions close to the heel portion and / or close to the y-axis (i.e., the horizontal heel-toe axis passing through the center of gravity of the club head when the club head is oriented to a reference position relative to the virtual ground contact surface 510). Thus, Iyy may be further increased.

[0051] Preferably, in combination with enlarging the low-density insert as described above, the mass is repositioned closer to various ends of the club head, preferably near the hosel 550. For example, the hosel 550 may be longer as a result of incorporating the low-density insert. Preferably, the hosel length is 78 mm or more, more preferably 80 mm or more, even more preferably equal to about 85 mm, but preferably not exceeding 90 mm. In this way, the moment of inertia characteristics are further improved. For example, if the mass is repositioned to a region further away from the y-axis, Iyy may increase. If the mass is repositioned to a region further away from the z-axis, where Izz is measured, Izz may increase. Furthermore, if the mass is removed near the heel side and repositioned near the hosel 550, the desired lateral (heel to toe) position of the center of gravity can generally be maintained (changes in distance from the axis have a much greater effect on MOI than the position of the center of gravity). Preferably, the center of gravity is located at a distance D7 of 5 mm or less from the virtual vertical center plane 566 (see, for example, Figure 22). However, if the mass and volume of the low-density insert are large, this dimension can be further increased. Therefore, D7 is more preferably 2 mm or less, and even more preferably 1.25 mm or less.

[0052] In addition, the center of gravity preferably has a depth D5 (see FIG. 23) from the face plane 576 of the hitting face, where D5 is measured perpendicular to the face plane 576 and its positive value corresponds to a rearward direction of 2.5 mm or less, more preferably 2.25 mm or less, and even more preferably 2 mm or less. In some embodiments, the depth of the center of gravity can be a negative value indicating that the center of gravity is in front of the hitting face 560. Such embodiments are particularly feasible because any substantial mass is incorporated into the hosel 550. These values, on the one hand, indicate that the golf club head 500 is qualitatively blade-like or solid in appearance and / or feel. On the other hand, these values may help indicate that the sweet spot of the club head is relatively low on the hitting face 560, which can be considered a particularly desirable feature for a wedge-type golf club head considering the ability of the golf club head to generate beneficial spin at impact.

[0053] Furthermore, or alternatively, the depth D5 of the center of gravity is preferably related to the club head loft (L: °). For example, preferably, the following is satisfied. D5≦7.69mm - 0.074mm / °*L More preferably, the following is satisfied. D5≦7.19mm - 0.074mm / °*L These relationships guarantee the above advantages related to D5 in absolute terms and take into account the natural tendency for D5 to vary in correlation with the club head loft.

[0054] Based on the above configuration, Iyy is preferably 1000 g·cm 2 or more, more preferably 1100 g·cm 2 or more. Furthermore, or alternatively, Izz is preferably 3000 g·cm 2 or more, more preferably 3250 g·cm 2 or more, even more preferably 3300 g·cm 2That concludes the explanation. These values ​​are thought to increase the expected ball carry distance and / or expected ball impact velocity, as considered across a series of positions around the striking face 560 using the probability-based model described above. This thereby improves the overall expected performance of the golf club head 500.

[0055] Referring to Figure 23, further or alternatively, the sweet spot of the club head 500 has a height D1 measured vertically from the virtual ground contact surface 10, preferably 24 mm or less, more preferably between 19 mm and 23 mm. In connection with this, the head center of gravity has a height D3, preferably 22 mm or less, more preferably in the range of 19 mm to 21.5 mm. Further or alternatively, the club head 500 has an overall depth D4 measured backward from the striking face 576 in a direction perpendicular to the striking face 576, where D4 is preferably 23 mm or less, more preferably 22 mm or less, even more preferably in the range of 17 mm to 22 mm. The club head 500 further has a toe width dimension D2, which is the lateral distance between the face center 564 and the toemost position of the club head. D2 is preferably 44 mm or more, more preferably 45 mm or more, even more preferably in the range of 45 mm to 48 mm. Furthermore, or alternatively, the club head 500 includes a club head height dimension D6, which is the vertical range of the club head body excluding the hosel 550. This height D6 is preferably 38 mm or more, and more preferably in the range of 39 mm to 49 mm.

[0056] As described above, from the perspective of probability-based modeling, it is intended that it may be preferable to maintain or reduce the enhancement of Izz while enhancing Iyy. Therefore, the Iyy / Izz ratio is preferably 0.25 or higher, more preferably 0.28 or higher, even more preferably 0.30 or higher, and even more preferably 0.32 or higher. Preferably, such a ratio is in the range of 0.30 to 0.35. Such characteristics further improve the overall probability-based expected performance of the clubhead 500.

[0057] The following are exemplary values ​​for the aforementioned dimensions D1–D7 for each of the multiple club head offerings with different lofts (where dimensions are in millimeters): [Table 2]

[0058] As mentioned above, one of the required characteristics of a wedge-type golf club head is the ability to generate backspin at impact. In addition to the aforementioned characteristics such as the sweet spot location and moment of inertia, other aspects of the golf club head can help contribute to backspin generation. Such attributes include the surface roughness characteristics of the striking face.

[0059] The surface roughness of the striking face of iron-type, such as wedge-type, golf club heads is regulated in various ways by organizations that publish rules governing professional golf play, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). In particular, the USGA publishes rules governing equipment, including rules that limit the types of surface roughness. These rules are thought to limit the average surface roughness Ra to 180 μin. However, average surface roughness is only one way of representing surface properties. Therefore, complex surface variations are possible within this tolerance range.

[0060] Therefore, it has been found that by appropriately selecting a surface finish, particularly focusing on play in wet conditions, overall performance, such as backspin generation, can be improved. Preferably, apart from the scorelines formed by the above method, the striking face 500 is preferably surface-finished by media blasting. More preferably, the striking face is preferably finished using a natural sand-based medium, such as cruciferous sand like STARBLAST™, commercially available from CHEMOURS™. Furthermore, or alternatively, the media is preferably in the range of 7.0 to 7.5 Mohs hardness. Furthermore, or alternatively, the media has a specific gravity in the range of 3.5 to 4, more preferably in the range of 3.7 to 3.85. Furthermore, or alternatively, the media has an average diameter in the range of about 100 μm to 200 μm. Preferably, blasting of such media occurs following and during the application of the Ni-Cr coating.

[0061] As described above, the embodiment of the golf club head in Figure 20 may be considered individually or as a set or offering of multiple loft-variable golf club heads, preferably intended to fall within the class of game-enhancing club heads. Therefore, it is preferable to recognize such offerings in a broad sense. For example, in this particular class of golf clubs, the irons tend to be "stronger," and appear to have lower lofts relative to their numerical designation, for example, compared to past references. As a result, and in any combination with the aforementioned features, it may be desirable to include wedge-type club heads in such a set or offering, e.g., set 568, that have lofts less than 46 degrees, more preferably between approximately 40 and 46 degrees, and even more preferably equal to approximately 44 degrees. Such would help fill the potential loft gap with pitching wedges, which may be lofted at any angle from approximately 38 to 43 degrees—based on this trend.

[0062] Most importantly, this low-loft wedge preferably bears all the features described above with respect to the embodiment in Figure 20. However, some modifications may be preferred based on the unique low loft of this wedge, for example, as golfers tend to use it more in a manner similar to an iron-type golf club.

[0063] For example, the low-loft clubhead 500 in Figure 24 (e.g., having a loft between 42 and 46°, preferably 44°) includes a sole portion 540 having a different sole grind than the higher-loft clubheads in the same clubset or offering. As shown in Figure 28, the first grind edge 570 generally runs centrally between the leading edge 561 and trailing edge 574 of the sole portion 540, typically in the heel-to-toe direction. Compared to one or more higher-loft clubheads in the set, this grind results in the sole portion 540 having a “keel” structure that is pulled toward the virtual ground contact surface. Thus, for example, the clubhead 500 in Figure 24 may include a leading edge point 565 (see Figure 20) that is higher than at least one, preferably two, more preferably all, clubheads in the set (e.g., a set 568 with higher lofts) relative to the virtual ground contact surface 510.

[0064] Furthermore, the surface of the sole portion 540 of the lower loft clubhead 500 in Figure 24 includes a second grind edge 572 in front of the first grind edge 570. The second grind edge 572 preferably follows a generally C-shaped path that curves backward.

[0065] These sole features are beneficial in that they anticipate that golfers may intend to perform forward press and / or chipping shots to a significantly greater extent than when using higher loft clubheads in a set or offering, such as Set 568. As a result of the first and second grind edges, the effective bounce of such clubheads may preferably be greater than that of one or more higher loft clubheads in the same set or offering, and more preferably greater than that of all clubheads in the set having higher lofts.

[0066] In some embodiments, the dual-grind sole of the lower-loft clubhead 500 in Figure 24 may be formed by manual grinding. However, alternatively, the grind surface may be formed by casting or forging. In yet another embodiment, to increase consistency from product to product, the grind surface may be machined using, for example, a robotic arm grinding process.

[0067] In the foregoing description, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary aspects thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made to these exemplary aspects without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are not intended to limit their scope in any way, but are merely illustrative of the disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100 Golf Club Heads 110 Toe section 120 Heel section 130 Top section 140 Sole 160 Hitting Face 164 Face Center 166 Vertical center plane

Claims

1. A golf club head, when placed in a reference position, A striking face having a face center and defining a face plane; A vertical center plane perpendicular to the face plane and passing through the center of the face; Sole; Top section; Heel section; The toe portion opposite the heel portion; A hosel configured to receive a shaft and defining the hosel axis; Club head mass ranging from 250g to 320g; Loft L of 39° or more; and The club head has a center of gravity located at a distance D5 behind the face plane and at a distance D7 of 5 mm or less from the vertical center plane. The aforementioned distance D5 satisfies D5 ≤ 7.69 mm - 0.074 mm / ° * L, The moment of inertia Iyy, measured around an axis extending in the heel-toe direction and passing through the center of gravity of the club head, is 1000 g·cm. ２ That's all. The golf club head comprises a first component comprising a first material having a first melting point and a first density, and a second component comprising a second material having a second melting point higher than the first melting point and a second density lower than the first density. The second component is at least partially enclosed by the first component. Golf club head.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second density is 2.5 g / cm³ or less.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second material includes a ceramic material.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the minimum thickness of the first component surrounding the second component is 0.75 mm or more.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising a moment of inertia Izz measured about an axis passing vertically through the center of gravity of the club head, wherein the moment of inertia Izz is 2800 g・cm² or more.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the club head has a height D3 of 22 mm or less.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the hosel has a hosel length of 80 mm or more.

8. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the hosel length is between 90 mm and 110 mm.

9. The golf club head according to Claim 1, wherein the distance D5 satisfies the following: D5≦5.69mm-0.074mm / °*L

10. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the moment of inertia Iyy is 1100 g·cm² or more.

11. A golf club head, which, when placed in a reference position, A striking face having a face center and defining a face plane; A vertical center plane perpendicular to the face plane and passing through the center of the face; Sole; Top section; Heel section; The toe portion opposite the heel portion; A hosel configured to receive a shaft and defining the hosel axis; Club head mass ranging from 250g to 320g; Loft of 39° or more (L); The club head center of gravity is located at a distance D5 of 2.2 mm or less behind the face plane and at a distance D7 of 5 mm or less from the vertical center plane; A moment of inertia Iyy of 1000 g / cm² or more, measured around an axis extending in the heel-toe direction and passing through the center of gravity of the club head, and The present invention comprises a first component comprising a first material having a first melting point and a first density, and a second component comprising a second material having a second melting point higher than the first melting point and a second density lower than the first density, wherein the second component is at least partially encased by the first component. Golf club head.

12. The golf club head according to claim 11, further comprising a moment of inertia Izz measured about an axis passing vertically through the center of gravity of the club head, wherein the moment of inertia Izz is 2800 g・cm² or more.

13. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the center of gravity of the club head has a height D3 of 22 mm or less.

14. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the hosel has a hosel length of 80 mm or more.

15. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the hosel length is between 90 mm and 110 mm.

16. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the distance D5 satisfies the following: D5≦5.69mm-0.074mm / °*L

17. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the moment of inertia Iyy is 1100 g·cm² or more.

18. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the second density is 2.5 g / cm³ or less.

19. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the second material includes a ceramic material.

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