Golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods

The golf club head design optimizes face height, CG location, and moment of inertia to balance performance, enhancing energy transfer and forgiveness while maintaining optimal launch angle and distance.

KR102997688B1Active Publication Date: 2026-07-29KARSTEN MFG CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
KR · KR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
KARSTEN MFG CORP
Filing Date
2014-03-14
Publication Date
2026-07-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing golf club heads face challenges in balancing the interactions between different features, such as expanding the strikeface for a larger impact area, which can adversely affect the center of gravity and other performance characteristics.

Method used

A golf club head design that optimizes features like face height, face size, center of gravity location, and moment of inertia to maintain balanced performance, including specific relationships between face height, CG depth, and hosel/horizontal moments of inertia to enhance energy transfer and forgiveness.

Benefits of technology

The design provides a larger impact area with improved energy transfer, reduced backspin, and optimized launch angle, ensuring better performance and distance without compromising other characteristics.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Examples of golf club heads having optimized characteristics are presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
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Description

Technology Field

[0001] Cross-reference of related application(s)

[0002] This application is

[0003] U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 804,859 filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 14, 2013;

[0004] U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 804,917 filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 14, 2013; and

[0005] U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 826,111 filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 14, 2013

[0006] It is an international patent application claiming the benefit of.

[0007] The disclosures of the literature cited above are incorporated herein by reference.

[0008] Technology field

[0009] The present invention generally relates to sports equipment, and more specifically to a golf club head having optimized characteristics and a related method. Background Technology

[0010] A golf club head comprises different features that can be designed or configured to enhance one or more of their performance characteristics. However, due to inherent interactions between these different features, adjusting or configuring one feature can often inherently alter another feature to the disadvantage. For example, expanding the strikeface of a golf club to provide a larger impact area can adversely alter the location of the club's center of gravity, and unintended performance results may occur if the features are not configured or designed in a balanced manner to account for the interactions between the different features.

[0011] Considering the above, further improvements to the golf club features that are balanced with respect to one another will improve the performance of the golf club. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0012] The disclosure of the present invention may be better understood from a thorough reading of the following detailed description of the examples of embodiments taken together with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a front view of a golf club head according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of a golf club head along line II-II of Figure 1. FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method that can be used to provide, form, and / or manufacture a golf club head according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0013] For the sake of simplification and clarity of the drawings, the drawings illustrate the general configuration, and descriptions and details of known features and technologies may be omitted to avoid making the invention unnecessarily obscure. Additionally, the elements of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to actual scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements of the drawings may be exaggerated relative to others to help improve understanding of embodiments of the invention. Identical reference numerals in different drawings indicate identical elements.

[0014] In the detailed description and claims, terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc., are used to distinguish between similar elements, if any, and are not intended to describe a specific sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that the terms used in this specification are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments described herein may operate in an order other than those exemplified or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having” and any derivatives thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus comprising a list of elements is not necessarily limited to these elements and may include other elements that are unique to or not explicitly enumerated in such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0015] If terms such as "left," "right," "forward," "rear," "upper," "lower," "upper," "lower," etc., exist in the detailed description and claims, they are used for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily intended to describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, so that embodiments of the apparatus, method, and / or manufactured article described herein may be operated in orientations other than those exemplified or otherwise described herein.

[0016] The terms “to combine,” “combined,” “combining,” and “combining” should be understood broadly and refer to the connection of two or more elements mechanically or otherwise. The combination (whether mechanical or otherwise) may be for any duration, for example, permanent or semi-permanent, or merely momentary.

[0017] The absence of words such as "removably" or "removable" near words such as "combined" does not imply that the corresponding combination, etc. is removable or not removable.

[0018] As defined in this specification, two or more elements are “integrated” if they are composed of parts of the same material. As defined in this specification, two or more elements are “non-integrated” if each of them is composed of parts of different materials.

[0019] In one example, a golf club head may include a head body comprising a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior may be defined by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure may have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, and the bore may have a hosel axis. The golf club head may also include a head center of gravity, a head horizontal axis extending parallel to the ground through the head center of gravity from the head heel portion to the head toe portion when the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, and a horizontal moment of inertia about the head horizontal axis. The horizontal moment of inertia may be 39% or more of the hosel moment of inertia.

[0020] In one example, a golf club head may include a head body comprising a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior may be defined by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure may have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, and the bore may have a hosel axis. The golf club head may also include a head center of gravity, a head vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the ground through the head center of gravity from the head top portion to the head sole portion and through the head vertical axis when the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, and a vertical moment of inertia about the head vertical axis. The vertical moment of inertia may be 59% or more of the hosel moment of inertia.

[0021] In one embodiment, a method for providing a golf club head may include providing a head body having a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior may be defined by a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole portion. The hosel structure may have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, and the bore may have a hosel axis. The method may also include joining a golf club shaft to the hosel structure. The head horizontal axis may extend from the head heel portion to the head toe portion and parallel to the ground through the head center of gravity of the golf club head when the golf club head is in an address position on the ground. The head vertical axis may extend from the head top portion to the head sole portion and perpendicular to the ground through the head center of gravity when the golf club head is in an address position on the ground. In addition, providing a head body may include at least one of (a) setting the horizontal moment of inertia about the head horizontal axis to be 39% or more of the hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis, or (b) setting the vertical moment of inertia about the head vertical axis to be 59% or more of the hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis.

[0022] In one example, a golf club head may include a head body comprising a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the bore has a hosel axis. The golf club head includes a striking face having a striking face center point located at the head front portion, a head volume having a head volume size of greater than 420 measured in cc, a head center of gravity, and optimization characteristics. When the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground, the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis, and the loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The forward plane of the golf club head may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the hosel axis. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can intersect the head depth plane vertically at the first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground. The optimization characteristic can be defined by the value added to the ratio between (a) the head volume size and (b) the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height. The optimization characteristic can be 425 or greater.

[0023] In one example, a golf club head may include a head body comprising a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the bore has a hosel axis. The golf club head may also include a striking face having a striking face center point located at the head front portion and a head center of gravity. When the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground, and the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. The loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The forward plane of the golf club head may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the hosel axis. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and may intersect the head depth plane vertically at the first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection point between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection point between the head vertical axis and the ground. The absolute value of the head CG height may be 2.54 mm or less. The head CG depth may be 40.64 mm or more.

[0024] In one embodiment, a method for providing a golf club head may include providing a head body comprising a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the bore has a hosel axis. The method may also include attaching a striking face to the head front portion and setting the optimization characteristics of the golf club head. The striking face includes a striking face center point. The head volume of the golf club head may be measured in cc and may include a head volume size greater than 420. When the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis may extend through the head center of gravity and may be orthogonal to the ground. The head horizontal axis may extend through the head center of gravity and may be orthogonal to the head vertical axis. The loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The forward plane of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. The head depth plane can extend through the center point of the impact face, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can intersect the head depth plane perpendicularly at the first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity can be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection point between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection point between the head vertical axis and the ground. The optimization characteristic can be set by adding the ratio between (a) the head volume size and (b) the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height, and the optimization characteristic can be 425 or greater.

[0025] In one example, a golf club head may include a head body, a face portion, a head center of gravity, and at least one of a first performance characteristic or a second performance characteristic. The head body may include a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the bore has a hosel axis. The face portion may be located at the head front portion and may include a striking face center point, a striking face perimeter, and a face height bounded by the striking face perimeter. When the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground, and the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. The loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The forward plane of the golf club head may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the hosel axis. The head depth plane may extend through the center point of the striking face, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and may intersect the head depth plane perpendicularly at the first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane, between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection point between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection point between the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height may be approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane. The first performance characteristic may include a head CG height of approximately 5.08 mm or less. The second performance characteristic is 0. defined by (a) the value obtained by subtracting the face height from 76.2 mm, and (b) the value obtained by dividing by the head CG depth.It may include a CG performance ratio of 56 or less.

[0026] In one example, a golf club head may include a head body, a face portion, and a head center of gravity. The head body may include a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the bore has a hosel axis. The face portion may be coupled to the head front portion and may include a striking face having a striking face center point, a striking face main plane, and a face height. When the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground, and the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. The loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The forward plane of the golf club head may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the hosel axis. The head depth plane may extend through the striking face center point parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and may intersect the head depth plane vertically at the first intersection point. The head CG height of the head center of gravity may be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection point between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection point between the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height may be approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, as defined by the striking face main scale and measured parallel to the loft plane. The CG performance ratio between (a) the face height subtracted from 76.2 mm and (b) the head CG depth is 0.56 or less. The head body may include a driver-type body. The head volume of the golf club head may be approximately 420 cc to approximately 470 cc.The head weight of the golf club head may be approximately 185 grams to approximately 225 grams. The head CG height may be approximately 0 mm to approximately 3.18 mm. The head CG depth may be approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm. The head body may include weight structures located on the sole and rear sides of the head body.

[0027] In one embodiment, a method for providing a golf club head may include providing a head body having a hosel structure having a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, wherein the bore has a hosel axis. The method may also include coupling a face portion to the head front portion, and the face portion includes a striking face center point, a striking face main plane, and a striking face having a face height bounded by the striking face main plane. The method further includes setting at least one of a first performance characteristic of the golf club head or a second performance characteristic of the golf club head. When the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity of the golf club head and is orthogonal to the ground, and the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. The loft plane of the golf club head may be tangent to the striking face center point. The forward plane of the golf club head may extend parallel to the hosel axis through the striking face center point. The head depth plane may extend through the center point of the striking face, parallel to the head horizontal axis, and perpendicular to the loft plane. The CG height axis may extend through the head center of gravity and may intersect the head depth plane perpendicularly at the first intersection point. The head CG height of a golf club head may be measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point. The head CG depth of the head center of gravity may be measured parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the forward plane between (a) a second intersection point located at the intersection point between the forward plane and the ground, and (b) a third intersection point located at the intersection point between the head vertical axis and the ground. The face height may be approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane. The first performance characteristic may include a head CG height of approximately 5.08 mm or less. The second performance characteristic is (a) 76.It may include a CG performance ratio of 0.56 or less, defined by (b) the value obtained by subtracting the face height from 2 mm and dividing it by the head CG depth.

[0028] Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed in this specification. Such examples and embodiments may be found in the drawings, claims, and / or this description.

[0029] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a golf club head (1000) including a head body (1100) and a face portion (1200). The face portion (1200) includes a striking face (1210). FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the golf club head (1000) along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head (1000). FIG. 1 to 3 present the golf club head (1000) at an address position relative to the ground (1010), wherein the hosel axis (1710) is at a 60-degree angle with respect to the ground (1010) with respect to the front view of the golf club head (1000) ( FIG. 1), and the hosel axis (1710) is substantially orthogonal to the ground (1010) with respect to the side view of the golf club head (1000) ( FIG. 2).

[0030] In this embodiment, the head body (1100) of the face portion (1200) comprises individual material parts joined together, for example, through a welding process. However, in other examples, the face portion (1200) may comprise a single piece of material having one or more parts of the head body (1100), such as the head front portion (1110), head top portion (1120), head sole portion (1130), head heel portion (1140), head toe portion (1150), and / or head rear portion (2160). The head front surface (1160) of the golf club head (1000) comprises at least a portion of the striking face (1210), the face portion (1200), and the head front portion (1110). In some embodiments, the head front surface (1160) may also comprise at least a portion of the head sole portion (1130). In the same or different embodiments, the head front portion (1110) may include a striking face (1210) and / or a face portion (1200).

[0031] The face portion (1200) comprises a striking face (1210) having a striking face center point (1211), a striking face main scale (1212), and a face height (1213). In this example, the striking face center point (1211) is located at the geometric center point of the striking face main scale (1212) and at the midpoint of the face height (1213). In the same or other examples, the striking face center point (1211) may also be centered with respect to a machined impact zone (1250) that may be formed by the area of ​​the groove (1259) of the striking face (1210). In another approach, the striking face center point (1211) may be located according to the definition of a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the center point of the striking face (1211) is Section 6.1 of the USGA's Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (available at http: / / www.usga.org / equipment / testing / protocols / Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head / ) ["Flexibility Procedure"].

[0032] A golf club head (1000) includes a loft plane (2270) (Fig. 2) that is at least in contact with the center point (1211) of the striking face (1210). The face height (1213) can be measured parallel to the loft plane (2270) between the upper part (1215) and the lower part (1216) of the striking face main scale (1212), and may be approximately 33 millimeters (mm) to approximately 71 mm in this example or another example.

[0033] The striking face main structure (1212), comprising an upper striking face portion (1215) and a lower striking face portion (1216) forming the face height (1213), does not need to form the entire face portion (1200). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the striking face (1210) is formed by the striking face main structure (1212) and is only a part of the face portion (1200). In some examples, the striking face (1210) may include a roll radius and / or a bulge radius, and the striking face main structure (1212) may be formed along a transition boundary where the contour of the face portion (1200) deviates from the roll radius and / or bulge radius of the striking face (1210). For example, FIG. 2 includes an enlarged view of a portion of the upper transition boundary of a golf club head (1000), highlighting a vertical roll radius (2170) extending along the striking face (1210), and illustrates how the upper portion (1215) of the striking face is positioned at the upper transition boundary where the head front surface (1160) is offset from the vertical roll radius (2170). FIG. 2 also includes an enlarged view of a portion of the lower transition boundary of a golf club head (1000), highlighting a vertical roll radius (2170) extending vertically along the striking face (1210), and illustrates how the lower portion (1216) of the striking face is positioned at the lower transition boundary where the head front surface (1160) is offset from the vertical roll radius (2170).

[0034] In the same or different embodiments, the striking face main structure (1212) may be defined for the edge of the striking plate including the striking face. For example, the face portion (1200) includes a striking plate (1220), wherein the striking face (1210) forms the outer surface of the face plate (1220), and the striking plate (1220) is connected to the head front portion (1110) along the striking plate edge (1221). In this example, the striking plate edge (1221) defines at least a portion of the striking face main structure (1212) including upper and lower sections of the striking face main structure (1212) which are respectively positioned so that the upper portion (1215) and the lower portion (1216) of the striking face form the face height (1213), but there may be other examples in which the striking plate edge of the striking plate defines most or all of the striking face main structure of the striking face.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the golf club head (1000) also includes a center of gravity (CG) (2500), a head depth plane (2310), and a CG height axis (2320), wherein the head depth plane (2310) extends through the center point of the striking face (1211) and is perpendicular to the loft plane (2270), and the CG height axis (2320) extends through the center of gravity (2500) and intersects the head depth plane (2310) perpendicularly at the intersection point (2801).

[0036] The head center of gravity (2500) includes a CG height (2520) and a CG depth (2510) that position the head center of gravity (2500) relative to the golf club head (1000). In this example, the CG height (2520) can be measured along the CG height axis (2320) between the head center of gravity (2500) and the intersection point (2801). The CG depth (2510) can be measured between the intersection points (2802 to 2803) parallel to the ground (1010), as shown in FIG. 2. In this example, the intersection point (2802) is defined by the intersection point between the ground (1010) and the forward plane (2280), where the forward plane (2280) extends through the center point of the striking face (1211) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position, is parallel to the hosel axis (1710), and is orthogonal to the ground plane (1010). Additionally, the intersection point (2803) is defined by the intersection point between the ground (1010) and the head vertical axis (1610), where the head vertical axis (1610) extends through the center of gravity of the head (2500) and is orthogonal to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The head center of gravity (2500) can also be positioned relative to the ground (1010), where the head CG elevation (2530) of the head center of gravity (2500) can be measured along the head vertical axis (1610) between the center of gravity (2750) and the ground (1010).

[0037] The head body (1100) of the golf club head (1000) also includes a hosel structure (1217) (Fig. 1) and a hosel axis (1710) extending along the center of the bore of the hosel structure (1217). In this example, the hosel coupling mechanism of the golf club head (1000) includes a hosel structure (1217) and a shaft sleeve (1411), wherein the shaft sleeve (1411) can be coupled to the end of a golf shaft (1410). The shaft sleeve (1411) can be coupled to the hosel structure (1217) in a plurality of configurations, thereby allowing the golf shaft (1410) to be fixed to the hosel structure (1217) at a plurality of angles with respect to the hosel axis (1710). However, there may be other examples in which the shaft (1410) can be fixed to the hosel structure in an unadjustable manner.

[0038] A golf club head according to the present invention may be configured to exhibit one or more optimization characteristics that optimize or balance its performance. For example, one characteristic of the golf club head that the design of the present invention seeks to optimize is face height and / or face size. Maximizing the face height and / or face size of a golf club head may have multiple benefits, such as increasing the target impact area of ​​the striking face to provide a more forgiving club head that produces better results for golf shots struck with an eccentric center point of the striking face. Furthermore, a striking face of greater height and / or size may provide better energy transfer to the golf ball upon impact with it, and thus may increase the characteristic time or "spring effect" of the golf club head to achieve longer distance golf shots. In some examples, the height or size of the striking face may be increased to achieve a characteristic time limit set by a golf management agency, such as the characteristic time limit of 239 microseconds (μs) set by the USGA in its flexibility procedure.

[0039] However, indiscriminately increasing face height and / or size can have an adverse effect on performance in other areas, such as the golf ball's launch angle, spin, and / or speed upon impact with the striking face. For example, increasing face height and / or size can reduce the CG depth between the center of gravity of the golf club head and the center point of the striking face to direct the center of gravity forward, thereby reducing the dynamic loft of the golf club head and consequently reducing the launch angle for the golf ball. As another example, increasing face height and / or size can increase the CG height between the center of gravity and the head depth plane to raise the center of gravity away from the sole of the golf club head, thereby suppressing the gear effect between the striking face and the golf ball. Consequently, the golf club head prevents a reduction in the amount of backspin generated on the golf ball at impact, and thus reduces the distance the ball travels due to backspin.

[0040] In consideration of the above, the height or size of the face of the golf club head should be balanced with respect to the location of the center of gravity. With respect to the golf club head (1000), the striking face (1210) has been increased to include an increased face size and / or face height (1213) to provide a larger impact area and greater energy transfer to the golf ball (2900). In particular, the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that the face height (1213) is approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm to provide a larger impact area and energy transfer upon impact with the golf ball (2900). In some examples, including the increased face area, the area of ​​the striking face (1210) is approximately 23.6 square centimeters (cm²). 2 ) to approximately 45.2 cm 2 It could be.

[0041] Despite the aforementioned increased face size and / or face height (1213), the golf club head (1000) still prevents the CG height (2520) from increasing toward the top of the head (1120) and / or deviating too far from the head depth plane (2310). For example, the golf club head (1000) includes a first optimization characteristic that satisfies the following relationship 1.

[0042] [Relationship 1]

[0043] There may be examples where the CG height (2520) is a maximum limit of relationship 1 of approximately 0 mm to 5.08 mm. The CG height (2520) may also be a maximum value of approximately 4.45 mm, 3.81 mm, or 3.18 mm in other examples. In some embodiments, the first optimization characteristic may reduce the backspin of the golf ball (2900) through the gear effect between the striking face (1210) and the golf ball (2900) for better performance. Although the head center of gravity (2500) is shown in FIG. 2 as being below the depth plane (2310) so that the CG height (2520) extends between the depth plane (2310) and the head sole (1130), there may be an embodiment in which the head center of gravity (2500) is above the depth plane (2310) so that the CG height (2520) extends between the depth plane (2310) and the head top (1120) while still satisfying the above relationship 1.

[0044] Furthermore, considering the aforementioned increased face size and / or face height (1213), the golf club head (1000) still restrains the center of gravity (2500) from moving toward the striking face (1212), thereby preventing the CG depth (2510) from being excessively reduced. For example, the golf club head (1000) includes a second optimization characteristic that satisfies the following relationship 2.

[0045] [Relationship 2]

[0046] Accordingly, the relationship between the face height (1213) and the CG depth (2510) is balanced according to relationship 2 to maintain a second optimization characteristic of 0.56 or less, thereby limiting the amount by which the CG depth (2510) can decrease toward the striking face (1210). There may be examples where the CG depth (2510) is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm. In the same or different examples, the CG depth (2510) may be at least approximately 39 mm. In some embodiments, the second optimization characteristic may increase or optimize at least one of the dynamic loft of the golf club head (1000) or the launch angle of the golf ball (2900) at impact between them.

[0047] In some examples, the golf club head (1000) may be configured to include only one of the aforementioned first or second optimization characteristics. For example, the golf club head (1000) may include the first optimization characteristic instead of the second optimization characteristic, and thus satisfy relationship 1 without needing to satisfy relationship 2. As another example, the golf club head (1000) may include the second optimization characteristic instead of the first optimization characteristic, and thus satisfy relationship 2 without needing to satisfy relationship 1. Furthermore, there may be an embodiment in which the golf club head (1000) satisfies both relationships 1 and 2 and thus includes the first and second optimization characteristics.

[0048] The golf club head (1000) may also include a third optimization characteristic for its head volume (HV) (2600). In the present example, the head body (1100) of the golf club head (1000) includes a driver-type body having a head volume of 420 cubic centimeters (cc) or more, and thus has a head volume size of 420 or more. For example, the head body (1000) may include a head volume of 420 cc and thus has a head volume of 420. As another example, the golf club head (1000) may include a head volume of 460 cc and thus has a head volume size of 460. In some embodiments, the golf club head (1000) may include a head volume of up to approximately 470 cc and / or a total head weight of approximately 185 grams to approximately 225 grams. In some specific examples, the total head weight may be approximately 202 grams, and / or the head volume may be approximately 460 cc.

[0049] The third optimization characteristic can control the relationship between the head volume (2600) and the center of gravity (2500) and can be defined to satisfy the following relationship 3.

[0050] [Relationship 3]

[0051] In some cases, the head volume (2600) may be increased to adjust, for example, the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head (1000). However, an unrestricted increase in head volume may have an adverse effect on other characteristics of the golf club head. For example, increasing the head volume (2600) may cause the head center of gravity (2500) to shift toward the front of the head (1110), toward the top of the head (1120), toward other undesirable directions, and / or away from the desired center of gravity location or direction(s), thereby impairing the performance of the golf club head (1000). Such undesirable changes in the center of gravity location may have an adverse effect on one or more characteristics of the golf club head, such as launch speed, launch angle, gear effect, backspin, and / or shot distance. Accordingly, the third optimization characteristic used to balance the relationship between the head volume (2600) and the location of the head center of gravity (2500) can be set to provide desirable balanced properties for the golf club head (1000). For example, the weight distribution of the golf club head (1000) can be configured to satisfy relationship 3 so that the golf club head (1000) can exhibit the third optimization characteristic, thereby allowing the head volume (2600) to be increased for a greater moment of inertia and greater energy transfer to the golf ball (2900) during a golf impact between the striking face (1210) and the golf ball (2900). In the same or different embodiments, the weight distribution of the golf club head (1000) may be configured to prevent the CG depth (2510) from decreasing toward the front of the head (1110) due to the increased head volume (2600), thereby increasing at least one of the dynamic loft of the striking face (1210) or the launch angle of the golf ball (2900) at golf impact.In addition, the weight distribution of the golf club head (1000) can be configured to suppress the increase in CG height toward the top of the head (1120) as a result of the increased head volume (2600), thereby reducing the backspin of the golf ball (2900) through the gear effect between the striking face (1210) and the golf ball (2900) during golf impact.

[0052] Considering the above, in order to obtain the third optimization characteristic according to relation 3, the CG depth (2510) may be configured to be 40.64 mm or greater. In the same or other embodiments, the absolute value of the CG height (2520) may be 2.54 mm or less. Note that the CG height (2520) is specified as an absolute value, taking into account that the head center of gravity (2500) may be above or below the head depth plane (2310) in some embodiments. The third optimization characteristic has a lower limit of at least 425, but there may be other embodiments in which the third optimization characteristic may be defined in relation to a different lower limit. For example, the third optimization characteristic may include a lower limit of at least 435 or 445 in some embodiments. The location of the head center of gravity (2500) may also be designed or configured for other features of the golf club head (1000) to satisfy relation 3 and / or to obtain the third optimization characteristic. For example, the location of the head center of gravity (2500) may be configured such that the CG depth (2510) includes approximately 25% to approximately 80% of the head depth length (2312), where the head depth length (2312) is measured from the center point of the striking face (1211) to the intersection point outside the rear part of the head (2160) by the head depth plane (2310). As another example, the location of the head center of gravity (2500) may be configured such that the CG depth (2520) includes approximately 0% to approximately 13% of the CG height axis length (2322), where the CG height axis length (2322) is measured from the intersection point outside the head top part (1120) by the CG height axis (2320) to the intersection point outside the head sole part (1130) by the CG height axis (2320).

[0053] The golf club head (1000) may also include a fourth optimization characteristic in relation to the balance between the hosel MOI (1711) (Fig. 1) and the horizontal MOI (1811) (Fig. 1). The hosel MOI (1711) is defined around the hosel axis (1710). The horizontal MOI (1811) is defined around the head horizontal axis (1810) which extends parallel to the ground (1010) through the head center of gravity (2500) from the head heel portion (1140) to the head toe portion (1150) when the golf club head (1000) is in an address position on the ground (1010).

[0054] In some examples, the horizontal MOI (1811) may be increased to suppress the rotation of the golf club head (1000) around the head horizontal axis (1810) when the striking face (1210) strikes the golf ball (2600) eccentrically toward the head top (1120) or head sole (1130), thereby increasing the forgiveness of the golf club head (1000) for high or low mis-hits. For example, to increase the horizontal MOI (1811), weights may be added or repositioned toward the head front (1110) and / or the head rear (2160). In the same or other examples, the golf club head (1000) may be extended toward the head front (1110) and / or the head rear (2160).

[0055] However, such adjustments or changes to increase the horizontal MOI (1811) may be made until a point before they begin to affect other golf club head characteristics. For example, unrestricted adjustments to increase the horizontal MOI (1811), if not properly balanced, may lead to an excessive increase in the hosel MOI (1711), thereby increasing the resistance of the golf club head (1000) to rotate around the hosel axis (1710), and thus making it difficult for a person to "turn over" the golf club during a golf swing to properly position or "square" the golf club head (1000) upon impact with the golf ball (2600). An increase in the hosel MOI (1711) may also suppress or reduce the gearing effect between the golf ball (2600) and the striking face (1210), which would otherwise impart a certain corrective spin to the golf ball (2600) during an eccentric impact.

[0056] To reduce the hosel MOI (1711), the golf club head (1000) may be designed to limit the distance between any additional or arbitrary mass of the golf club head (1000) and the hosel axis (1710). This approach to reducing the hosel MOI (1711) may be incompatible with some of the aforementioned approaches to increase the horizontal MOI (1811) unless properly balanced. Accordingly, the addition or redistribution of weight for the golf club head (1000) to increase the horizontal MOI (1811) must be balanced with respect to maintaining or suppressing the increase in the hosel MOI (1711).

[0057] In light of the above, the fourth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) controls the relationship between the horizontal MOI (1811) and the hosel MOI (1711) to satisfy the following relationship 4.

[0058] [Relationship 4]

[0059] There may be examples in which the golf club head (1000) can be configured such that its fourth optimization characteristic exceeds the requirements of relation 4. As another example, in some embodiments, the fourth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that the horizontal MOI (1811) is at least 40% of the hosel MOI (1711), at least 45% of the hosel MOI (1711), or at least 50% of the hosel MOI (1711). In this example, the horizontal MOI (1811) is approximately 3740 grams per square centimeter (g·cm²). 2 ) but, approximately 2800 g·cm 2 Up to approximately 4300 g·cm 2 There may be examples where the range is. The hosel MOI (1711) in this example is approximately 9370 g·cm² 2 However, in the same or other examples, approximately 7000 g·cm³ 2 Up to approximately 11,000 g·cm 2 It can be within the range of.

[0060] The golf club head (1000) may also include a fifth optimization characteristic regarding the balance between the hosel MOI (1711) and the vertical MOI (1611) (Fig. 1). The vertical MOI (1611) is defined around the head vertical axis (1610) which extends through the head center of gravity (2500) from the head top (1120) to the head sole (1130) and perpendicular to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The vertical MOI (1611) is approximately 5300 g·cm² in this example. 2 However, in the same or other examples, approximately 4700 g·cm³ 2 Up to approximately 6000 g·cm 2 It can be within the range of.

[0061] In some examples, the vertical MOI (1611) is increased to suppress rotation of the golf club head (1000) around the head vertical axis (1610) when the striking face (1210) strikes the golf ball (2600) eccentrically toward the head heel portion (1140) or the head toe portion (1150), thereby increasing the forgiveness of the golf club head (1000) for such heel-side or toe-side mis-hits. For example, to increase the MOI (1611), weights may be added or repositioned toward the head heel portion (1140) and / or the head toe portion (1150). In the same or other examples, the golf club head may be extended toward the head heel portion (1140) and / or the head toe portion (1150).

[0062] However, such adjustments or changes to increase the vertical MOI (1611) may be made until a point before they begin to affect other golf club head characteristics. For example, unrestricted adjustments to increase the vertical MOI (1611), if not properly balanced, can lead to an excessive increase in the hosel MOI (1711), thereby increasing the resistance of the golf club head (1000) to rotate around the hosel axis (1710) as described above. Furthermore, some approaches to decrease the hosel MOI (1711) may be incompatible with some of the approaches described above to increase the vertical MOI (1611) if not properly balanced. Accordingly, weight addition or redistribution for the golf club head (1000) to increase the vertical MOI (1611) must be balanced to maintain or suppress the increase in the hosel MOI (1711).

[0063] In light of the above, the fifth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) controls the relationship between the vertical MOI (1611) and the hosel MOI (1711) to satisfy the following relationship 5.

[0064] [Relationship 5]

[0065] There may be examples in which the golf club head (1000) is configured such that its fifth optimization characteristic exceeds the requirements of relation 5. For example, in some embodiments, the fifth optimization characteristic of the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that the vertical MOI (1611) is 60% or more of the hosel MOI (1711), 65% or more of the hosel MOI (1711), or 70% or more of the hosel MOI (1711). In some examples, the golf club head (1000) may be configured such that its fourth optimization characteristic satisfies relation 4, and its fifth optimization characteristic also satisfies relation 5.

[0066] In some embodiments, the golf club head (1000) may be configured to exhibit the aforementioned first, second, third, fourth, and / or fifth optimization characteristics by adjusting the distribution or relationship of mass between different elements of the golf club head (1000). For this purpose, the golf club head (1000) may include a weight structure (2700) located on the head sole (1130) and the head rear portion (2160), as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some configurations, the weight structure (2700) may be designed and / or positioned to satisfy the constraints imposed by relationship(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, and / or 5, thereby balancing the face height or size of the striking face (1210), the head volume (2600), the location of the center of gravity (2500), and / or different moments of inertia of the golf club head (1000).

[0067] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the weight structure (2700) can be positioned with respect to a clock grid (3500) that can be aligned with the striking face (1210). For example, in this embodiment, the clock grid (3500) includes a 12 o'clock line aligned with the center point (1211) of the striking face. The 12 o'clock line (3512) is orthogonal to the forward intersection line (3271) defined by the intersection point of the loft plane (2270) (Figs. 2 to 3) and the ground (1010) (Figs. 1 to 2). The clock grid (3500) can be centered along the 12 o'clock line (3512) at the midpoint between the front end of the front portion (1110) and the rear end of the rear portion (2160). In the same or different examples, the clock grid center point (3515) may be centered near the geometric center point of the golf club head (1000). The clock grid (3500) also includes a 3 o'clock line (3503) extending toward the head heel portion (1140) and a 9 o'clock line (3509) extending toward the head toe portion (1150).

[0068] In this embodiment, the weight main scale (2705) of the weight structure (2700) is located on the rear side of the head (2160), which is at least partially bordered between the 4 o'clock line (3504) and the 8 o'clock line (3508) of the clock grid (3500), while the weight center (2750) is located between the 5 o'clock line (3505) and the 7 o'clock line (3507). In an example like this, the weight main scale (2705) is completely bordered between the 4 o'clock line (3504) and the 8 o'clock line (3508). Although the weight main scale (2705) is defined outside the golf club head (1000) in this example, there may be other examples where the weight main scale extends into the interior of the golf club head (1000) or is defined therein. In some examples, the position of the weight (2700) may be set over a wider area. For example, in such examples, the weight main scale (2705) of the weight structure (2700) may be located on the rear side of the head (2160) that is at least partially bordered between the 4 o'clock line (3504) and the 9 o'clock line (3509) of the clock grid (3500), while the weight center (2750) may be located between the 5 o'clock line (3505) and the 8 o'clock line (3508).

[0069] In the same or different embodiments, the weight structure (2700) may be extended or shifted toward the heel portion (1140). For example, the weight main scale (2705) and / or weight center (2750) may be shifted toward the 4 o'clock line (3504) rather than toward the 9 o'clock line (3509). Deflecting the weight structure (2700) toward the head heel end (1140) may allow for a reduction in the hosel MOI (1711) centered on the hosel axis (1710) by limiting the distance between the hosel axis (1710) and the weight structure (2700), thereby allowing for easier rotation of the golf club head (1000) centered on the hosel axis (1710) during the swing.

[0070] In some examples, the weight structure (2700) may comprise a mass of approximately 2 grams to approximately 50 grams and / or a volume of approximately 1 cc to approximately 30 cc. In this example, the weight structure (2700) protrudes from the outer contour of the head sole (1130) and is therefore at least partially external to allow for more adjustment of the head center of gravity (2500).

[0071] The weight structure (2700) may include a removable weight (2790) in the same or other examples, wherein the removable weight (2790) may include a mass of approximately 0.5 grams to approximately 30 grams and may be replaced with one or more other similar weights to adjust the position of the head center of gravity (2500) if required to satisfy relationship(s) 1, 2, 3, 4 and / or 5. In the same or other examples, the weight center (2750) may include at least one of the center of gravity of the weight structure (2700), the center of gravity of the removable weight (2790), the geometric center of the weight structure (2700), and / or the geometric center of the removable weight (2790).

[0072] The center of weight (2750) can be positioned relative to the ground (1010) and the center of weight elevation axis (2340) extending between the center of weight (2750) and the ground (1010). The center of weight elevation axis (2340) is orthogonal to the ground (1010) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. The center of weight elevation (2730) relative to the center of weight (2750) can therefore be measured along the center of weight elevation axis (2340) between the center of weight (2750) and the ground (1010). Furthermore, the center of weight depth (2710) relative to the center of weight (2750) can be measured parallel to the ground (1010) between the intersection points (2802, 2804). In this example, the intersection point (2804) is defined by the intersection point between the ground (1010) and the weight center elevation axis (2340) when the golf club head (1000) is in the address position. In the same or other embodiments, the weight center (2750) may be positioned such that the weight distance (2751) (Fig. 2) separating the head center of gravity (2500) from the weight center (2750) is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm.

[0073] There may also be embodiments in which the face portion (1200) may include a reduced thickness, which may be reinforced as required by one or more reinforcing structures on the back side of the striking face (1210) and / or at the joint between the face portion (1200) and the head front portion (1110). Other mass redistribution mechanisms may likewise be used if required to satisfy relationship(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, and / or 5.

[0074] In some embodiments, the relationship or ratio between the head center of gravity (2500) and the center of weight (2750) may be configured to allow one or more of relationship(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to be satisfied. For example, the elevation ratio defined by the ratio of the center of weight elevation (2730) to the head CG elevation (2530) may be greater than 0.44 to help maintain the head center of gravity (2500) closer to the head sole (1130). As another example, the depth ratio defined by the ratio of the center of weight depth (2710) to the head CG depth (2510) may be less than 2.54 to prevent the CG depth (2510) from decreasing excessively toward the head front (1110). There may be some embodiments in which the head CG height (2530) may be approximately less than 28.5 mm, where the weight center height (2730) may be approximately less than 12.5 mm, and / or the weight center depth (2710) may be approximately greater than 99.7 mm.

[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for a method (4000) that can be used to manufacture, form, and / or manufacture a golf club head according to the present invention, and in some examples, the golf club head may be similar to the golf club head (1000) (Figs. 1 to 3) presented above.

[0076] The method (4000) includes a block 4100 for providing a head body of a golf club head including a head front portion. In some examples, the head body may be similar to a head body (1100) (Figs. 1 to 3), and the head front portion may be similar to a head front portion (1110) (Figs. 1 to 3).

[0077] Block 4200 of the method (4000) comprises joining a face portion to a head front portion, and the head front portion comprises a striking face having an enlarged face size. In some examples, the face portion has a striking face (1210) having an enlarged face size as described therein and may be similar to the face portion (1200) (Figs. 1 and 2). For example, the enlarged face size of the striking face may allow the face height to be up to approximately 71 mm in some examples.

[0078] The method (4000) may include a block 4300 for configuring a golf club head to include a first optimization characteristic, wherein the CG height between the center of gravity of the golf club head and the head depth plane of the golf club head may be approximately 0 mm to approximately 5.08 mm or 0.200 inches. In some examples, the first optimization characteristic may be similar to that described for relation 1 to balance the golf club head face height or size with respect to the center of gravity height, and in some examples, the CG height may be similar to the CG height (2520) (Fig. 2), the center of gravity may be similar to the head center of gravity (2500) (Fig. 2), and the head depth plane may be similar to the head depth plane (2310) (Fig. 2).

[0079] There may be an embodiment in which the method (4000) may include a block 4400 for configuring a golf club head such that the method (4000) includes a second optimization characteristic, wherein (a) the face height is subtracted from 76.2 mm (or approximately 3.0) and (b) the ratio between the center of the striking face and the center of gravity depth is less than 0.56. In some examples, the second optimization characteristic may be similar to that described for relation 2 to balance the golf club head face height or size with respect to the center of gravity depth. For example, the face height may be similar to the face height (1213), and the CG depth may be similar to the CG depth (2510).

[0080] In some examples, the method (4000) may include a block 4500 for configuring a golf club head to include a third optimization characteristic in which the head volume size added to the ratio between the CG depth and the CG height is 425 or greater. In some embodiments, the third optimization characteristic may be similar to that described for relation 3 to balance the head volume with respect to the center of gravity location. For example, the head volume size may be similar to the size of the head volume (2600) (Fig. 2), the CG depth may be similar to the CG depth (2510), and the CG height may be similar to the CG height (2520).

[0081] The method (4000) may include block 4600 for configuring a golf club head to include a fourth optimization characteristic in some embodiments, wherein the horizontal moment of inertia of the golf club head is greater than or equal to 39% of its hosel moment of inertia. In some embodiments, the fourth optimization characteristic may be similar to that described for relation 4 to balance the horizontal MOI (1811) against the hosel MOI (1711) (Fig. 1). In the same or different examples, the magnitude of the horizontal moment of inertia may be similar to that described for the horizontal MOI (1811). Furthermore, the magnitude of the hosel moment of inertia may be similar to that described for the hosel MOI (1711). There may also be examples where the horizontal moment of inertia and / or the hosel moment of inertia may be balanced against other characteristics, such as for the vertical moment of inertia of the golf club head.

[0082] Block 4700 of the method (4000) may be performed in some embodiments to configure a golf club head to include a fifth optimization characteristic, wherein the vertical moment of inertia of the golf club head is greater than or equal to 59% of its hosel moment of inertia. In some embodiments, the fifth optimization characteristic may be similar to that described for relation 5 to balance the vertical MOI (1611) against the hosel MOI (1711) (Fig. 1). In the same or different examples, the magnitude of the vertical moment of inertia may be similar to that described for the vertical MOI (1611). Furthermore, the magnitude of the hosel moment of inertia may be similar to that described for the hosel MOI (1711). There may also be examples where the vertical moment of inertia and / or the hosel moment of inertia may be balanced against other characteristics, such as for the horizontal moment of inertia of block 4500.

[0083] In the present example, the method (4000) also includes block 4800 for providing a mass redistribution mechanism to adjust the center of gravity of a golf club head. In some examples, the mass redistribution mechanism may be configured to allow the golf club head to fulfill the requirements of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and / or 4700 of the method (4000). The mass redistribution mechanism may include a weight structure (2700) (Figs. 2 to 3) that, if desired, can adjust the position of the center of gravity toward the sole and / or rear portion of the golf club head. In the same or other embodiments, the mass redistribution mechanism may include a reduced thickness portion of the face portion of the golf club head, which may be reinforced with one or more reinforcing structures if required, such as at the back of the striking face and / or at the joint between the head body and the face portion of the golf club head.

[0084] In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of the method (4000) may be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and / or the sequence of these blocks may be changed. For example, blocks 4100 and 4200 may be combined in some embodiments, such as when at least one part of the face and head body comprises a single piece of material. Block 4800 may be combined with one or more of blocks 4100, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600 and / or 4700 in the same or other examples, and may be achieved simultaneously by adjusting the center of gravity, face height, face size, head volume, and / or one or more moments of inertia of the golf club head, such as through the mass redistribution mechanism of block 4800. In the same or other examples, some of the blocks of the method (4000) may be subdivided into a number of sub-blocks. For example, block 4100 may be subdivided into a plurality of sub-blocks to provide different parts of the head body of a golf club head. There may also be examples in which the method (4000) may include other or different blocks. For example, the method (4000) may include other blocks to provide a golf club shaft to the head body of block 4100. Furthermore, the method (4100) may include only some of the aforementioned blocks. For example, one or more of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600 and / or 4700 may be optional in some embodiments, and / or block (4800) may be skipped if not required to fulfill the needs of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and / or 4700. Other variations may be implemented for the method (4000) without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0085] Although a golf club head having the optimized characteristics and related methods of this specification has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, while the above examples may be described in relation to a driver-type golf club, the apparatus, method, and manufactured article described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs, such as fairway wood-type golf clubs, hybrid-type golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs, wedge-type golf clubs, or putter-type golf clubs. Alternatively, the apparatus, method, and manufactured article described herein may be applicable to other types of sports equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, etc.

[0086] Additional examples of such modifications are provided in the foregoing description. Other substitutions of different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various drawings are likewise considered. Accordingly, the detailed description, claims, and drawings of this specification are intended to be examples of the scope of the invention, not to be limiting. The scope of this application is intended to be limited only to the scope required by the appended claims.

[0087] The golf club head having optimized characteristics and the related method described herein may be implemented in various embodiments, and the above description of specific embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings and the drawings themselves disclose at least one preferred embodiment and may disclose alternative embodiments.

[0088] All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Accordingly, the replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes a reconstruction, not a correction. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described in relation to the particular embodiment. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements or elements that may cause or make more significant benefits, advantages, or solutions to occur, shall not be interpreted as essential, required, or essential features or elements of any or all claims unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are explicitly mentioned in these claims.

[0089] Because the rules of golf may change from time to time [for example, new rules may be adopted, and old rules may be removed or modified by golf standards organizations and / or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A)], golf equipment related to the apparatus, method, and manufactured article described herein may or may not be compliant with the rules of golf at any given time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, method, and manufactured article described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and / or marketed as golf equipment that is compliant or non-compliant. The apparatus, method, and manufactured article described herein are not limited thereto.

[0090] Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations disclosed in this specification are not made available to the public under the principle of equivalence where the embodiments and / or limitations are (1) not explicitly claimed in the claims, and (2) equivalent or potentially equivalent to the express elements and / or limitations of the claims under the principle of equivalence. Explanation of the symbols

[0091] 1000: Golf club head 1010: Ground 1100: Head body 1110: Head front 1120: Head top 1130: Head sole 1140: Head heel part 1150: Head toe part 1200: Face Section 1210: Striking Face

Claims

Claim 1 In a golf club head, as a head body, the head front portion; the head rear portion; the head heel portion; the head toe portion; the head sole portion; the head top portion; A head body comprising a hosel structure having a bore that accommodates a golf club shaft and has a hosel axis; a strike face located on the front portion of the head and including a face height and a strike face center point, wherein the face height is 33 mm to 71 mm and the strike face center point is located at the midpoint of the face height; a head volume of the golf club head having a size of 420 cc to 470 cc; a head weight of the golf club head having a weight of 185 gram to 225 gram; and a head center of gravity; wherein, when the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground, and the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis; the loft plane of the golf club head is tangent to the strike face center point; and the front plane of the golf club head is parallel to the hosel axis and orthogonal to the ground through the strike face center point Extended; the head depth plane extends parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane through the center point of the impact face; the head depth plane includes a head depth length measured from the center point of the impact face to an external intersection point of the rear part of the head by the head depth plane; the CG height axis extends through the center of gravity of the head and intersects perpendicularly with the head depth plane at a first intersection point; the head CG height of the center of gravity of the head is measured along the CG height axis between the center of gravity of the head and the first intersection point;The head CG depth of the head center of gravity is measured between a second intersection point located at the intersection between the front plane and the ground, parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front plane, and a third intersection point located at the intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground; the head CG depth comprises 25% to 80% of the head depth length; the hosel moment of inertia is centered on the hosel axis; and the vertical moment of inertia centered on the head vertical axis is 4700 g·cm. 2 Up to 6000 g·cm 2 Between, and the vertical moment of inertia is 59% or more of the hosel moment of inertia; the head body includes a weight structure located on the head sole and the rear side of the head, and the weight structure protrudes at least partially from the outer contour of the head sole; and the clock grid is at least 12 o'clock line: 3 o'clock line: 4 o'clock line; 5 o'clock line; 8 o'clock line; A golf club head comprising a 9 o'clock line, wherein when the golf club head is in the address position on the ground, and when the golf club head is viewed from the bottom, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the center point of the striking face and is orthogonal to the forward intersection line between the loft plane and the ground; the clock grid is centered along the 12 o'clock line at the midpoint between the front end of the head front portion and the rear end of the head rear portion; the 3 o'clock line extends toward the head heel portion; the 9 o'clock line extends toward the head toe portion; the main scale of the weight structure is at least partially bounded between the 4 o'clock line and the 9 o'clock line; and the center of gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line. Claim 2 A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the head CG height is measured along the vertical axis of the head between the center of gravity of the head and the ground, and the head CG height is less than 28.5 mm. Claim 3 A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the absolute value of the head CG height is 5.08 mm or less. Claim 4 A golf club head according to paragraph 3, wherein the head CG height is 0 mm to 3.18 mm. Claim 5 A golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the absolute value of the head CG height is 2.54 mm or less. Claim 6 A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the head center of gravity is located between the head depth plane and the head sole. Claim 7 A golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising a horizontal moment of inertia centered on the horizontal axis of the head, wherein the horizontal moment of inertia is 39% or more of the hosel moment of inertia. Claim 8 A golf club head according to claim 7, wherein the horizontal moment of inertia is 40% or more of the hosel moment of inertia. Claim 9 In claim 8, the hosel moment of inertia is 7000 g·cm 2 Up to 11,000 g·cm 2 A golf club head that is. Claim 10 In paragraph 8, the horizontal moment of inertia is 2800 g·cm 2 Up to 4300 g·cm 2 A golf club head that is. Claim 11 A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight structure comprises a weight mass of 2 grams to 50 grams and a weight volume of 1 cc to 30 cc. Claim 12 A golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising an optimization characteristic defined by (a) the head volume size and (b) the ratio of the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height, wherein the optimization characteristic is 425 cc or more. Claim 13 In Clause 12, the above-mentioned optimization characteristic is a golf club head having a size of 435 cc or more. Claim 14 In Clause 13, the above-mentioned optimization characteristic is a golf club head having a size of 445 cc or more. Claim 15 In a golf club head, as a head body, the head front portion; head rear portion; head heel portion; head toe portion; head sole portion; head top portion; A head body comprising a hosel structure having a bore that accommodates a golf club shaft and has a hosel axis; a striking face located at the front of the head and comprising a face height and a striking face center point, wherein the face height is 33 mm to 71 mm and the striking face center point is located at the midpoint of the face height; a head volume having a head volume size measured in cc and greater than 420 cc; and a head center of gravity; wherein, when the golf club head is in an address position on the ground, the head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground, and the head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis; the loft plane of the golf club head is tangent to the striking face center point; the forward plane of the golf club head extends through the striking face center point parallel to the hosel axis and orthogonal to the ground; the head depth plane extends through the striking face center point parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane; and the head depth plane is the striking face It includes a head depth length measured from a center point to an external intersection point of the rear portion of the head by the head depth plane; the CG height axis extends through the head center of gravity and intersects perpendicularly with the head depth plane at a first intersection point; the head CG height of the head center of gravity is measured along the CG height axis between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point; the head CG depth of the head center of gravity is measured between a second intersection point located at an intersection point between the front plane and the ground, parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the front plane, and a third intersection point located at an intersection point between the head vertical axis and the ground; and the head CG depth includes 25% to 80% of the head depth length;The hosel moment of inertia is centered on the hosel axis; the vertical moment of inertia centered on the head vertical axis is 5300 g·cm; 2 Up to 6000 g·cm 2 Between, and the vertical moment of inertia is 59% or more of the hosel moment of inertia; the head body includes a weight structure located on the head sole and the rear side of the head, and the weight structure protrudes at least partially from the outer contour of the head sole; the clock grid includes at least 12 o'clock line: 3 o'clock line: 4 o'clock line; 5 o'clock line; 8 o'clock line; A golf club head comprising a 9 o'clock line, wherein when the golf club head is in the address position on the ground, and when the golf club head is viewed from the bottom, the 12 o'clock line is aligned with the center point of the striking face and is orthogonal to the forward intersection line between the loft plane and the ground; the clock grid is centered along the 12 o'clock line at the midpoint between the front end of the head front portion and the rear end of the head rear portion; the 3 o'clock line extends toward the head heel portion; the 9 o'clock line extends toward the head toe portion; the main scale of the weight structure is at least partially bounded between the 4 o'clock line and the 9 o'clock line; and the center of gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5 o'clock line and the 8 o'clock line. Claim 16 A golf club head according to claim 15, wherein the head CG height is measured along the vertical axis of the head between the center of gravity of the head and the ground, and the head CG height is less than 28.5 mm. Claim 17 A golf club head according to claim 15, further comprising an optimization characteristic defined by (a) the head volume size and (b) the ratio of the head CG depth divided by the absolute value of the head CG height, wherein the optimization characteristic is 425 cc or more. Claim 18 A golf club head according to claim 15, wherein the absolute value of the head CG height is 5.08 mm or less. Claim 19 A golf club head according to claim 18, wherein the absolute value of the head CG height is 2.54 mm or less. Claim 20 In claim 15, the weight structure comprises a golf club head having a weight mass of 2 grams to 50 grams and a weight volume of 1 cc to 30 cc.