Multi-material golf club head with segmented density zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a golf club head that combines the compact size and solid feel of tour irons with the high moment of inertia and perimeter weighting of game improvement irons, suitable for mid-low handicap players.
Innovation Solution
A multi-material golf club head design featuring a hollow body with a low-density insert, such as aluminum or titanium, and a high-density perimeter, including toe and tip weights, to enhance forgiveness and acoustics, while maintaining a low center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a traditional tour iron design is used, then the club head achieves a compact size and solid feel, but the moment of inertia is reduced and forgiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The club head is segmented into multiple material zones: a dense material (e.g., tungsten) is placed in the perimeter regions (heel and toe) to increase moment of inertia and forgiveness, while a lighter material (e.g., titanium or aluminum) is used in the central region to maintain the compact overall size and aesthetic appearance of a tour iron. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of compact dimensions and high forgiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The club head employs composite construction by combining materials with different densities in a single club head structure. The perimeter regions contain high-density material for increased moment of inertia, while the central region uses low-density material to preserve compact size. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between compact shape and high forgiveness by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials in strategically located zones.
2Reliability
If game improvement iron design is used, then the moment of inertia and forgiveness are increased, but the club head loses the compact size and solid feel of tour irons
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing mass throughout the club head, the invention applies local quality by concentrating high-density material specifically in the perimeter regions (heel and toe) where it is most effective for increasing moment of inertia. The central region maintains low-density material to preserve the compact overall dimensions. This localized application of dense material achieves high forgiveness without the bulk associated with traditional game improvement irons.
3Reliability
If high-density material is added to increase moment of inertia, then the center of gravity rises, but a low center of gravity is desired for optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the center of gravity issue by strategically positioning high-density material in the perimeter regions (heel and toe) rather than concentrating it in the vertical dimension. This horizontal distribution of mass increases moment of inertia without significantly raising the center of gravity, as the dense material is placed laterally at the same vertical level as the lightweight central region, maintaining optimal weight distribution.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Described herein is a tour iron having a golf club head with a faceplate, a body, and an insert. A sole, top rail, rear, and the faceplate enclose a cavity within the body. The cavity can house the insert. The insert can comprise a low-density material, allowing weight to be concentrated around the peripheral edge of the golf club head. The rear of the golf club head has an inflection seam running from the heel to the toe. The golf club head has an upper portion, above the inflection seam and a lower portion below the inflection seam. The lower portion can have a depth greater that the upper portion depth. The faceplate, body, and insert can be formed of different materials having different densities. The golf club head has a comparatively high moment of inertia and a low center of gravity. Other embodiments and methods are described herein.