Golf Club Face Thickness Layout for Rebound and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf club heads with high forgiveness for reducing missed shots are less advantageous for professional and advanced golfers who can consistently hit the ball at the ideal point, as they do not effectively increase the flight distance.

Innovation Solution

A golf club head design with an enlarged high rebound area in the up-down direction, featuring specific wall thickness distributions in the face portion, including a central section with uniform thickness, and peripheral subsections with varying thicknesses to enhance durability and rebound performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wall thickness distribution is designed to suppress reduction of ball flight distance even when hitting at points apart from the ideal hit point (high forgiveness design), then forgiveness for reducing missed shots is improved, but ball flight distance for professional golfers who hit at the ideal hit point is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforgiveness for reducing missed shotsVSAvoidball flight distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The face portion is divided into multiple sections (central section, first peripheral section, second peripheral section) with different wall thickness characteristics. The central section has a first wall thickness optimized for high rebound performance when hitting at or near the ideal hit point, while the peripheral sections have different wall thicknesses to provide forgiveness for off-center hits. This local differentiation allows each section to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The face portion is segmented into distinct sections with different wall thickness profiles. The central section is separated from the peripheral sections, allowing independent optimization of rebound performance for center hits versus forgiveness for off-center hits. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing different design priorities in different spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the high rebound area is enlarged in the up-down direction to increase flight distance, then ball flight distance is improved, but durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball flight distanceVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The central section, which constitutes the enlarged high rebound area, has a specific wall thickness (first wall thickness) that is optimized for rebound performance. The peripheral sections have different wall thicknesses that provide structural support and durability. This local differentiation allows the central area to maximize rebound while the periphery maintains structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The face portion employs a composite structure with varying wall thicknesses across different sections. This composite design allows the central section to be optimized for elastic rebound while the peripheral sections provide structural reinforcement, achieving both high rebound performance and durability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design increases the flight distance of the hit ball by enhancing local deformation and rebound performance, particularly for golfers who can adjust the hit point in the up-down direction.

Implementation Method 1

The central section has a first uniform wall thickness... the first peripheral subsection has a second uniform wall thickness... the second peripheral subsection has a third uniform wall thickness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4578516B1Golf club head
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4578516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4578516B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4578516B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A head includes a face portion including a striking face. The face portion includes a face main portion that includes: a central section including a face center, a transition section located outside the central section, and a peripheral section located outside the transition section. The peripheral section includes: a first peripheral subsection located in toe and heel side parts; and a second peripheral subsection located in crown and sole side parts. The transition section includes a first transition subsection located between the central section and the first peripheral subsection, and a second transition subsection located between the central section and the second peripheral subsection. The central section has a central section uniform wall thickness tc and a surface area of 100 mm2 or more. The first peripheral subsection has a wall thickness greater than the thickness tc. The second peripheral subsection has a wall thickness smaller than the thickness tc.