Golf Putter Face Insert with Oval Holes and Variable Radius Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf club face inserts fail to provide optimal feedback and feel during putting while also enhancing performance qualities in putter-type golf club heads.
Innovation Solution
A golf club face insert featuring a planar member with oval-shaped holes and a variable radius perimeter edge, combined with a polymeric backing and protrusions, designed to improve ball control and spin characteristics by maximizing contact with the golf ball and absorbing impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a face insert with holes is used to improve ball control and spin, then golf ball control and spin are enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The face insert is segmented into multiple functional zones: a planar member with oval-shaped holes for spin control, a polymeric backing for impact absorption, and protrusions for additional ball interaction. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to enhance overall ball control.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric backing is nested within the planar member structure, with protrusions extending from the backing through the planar member. This nested configuration allows the softer polymeric material to be protected by the rigid planar member while still making contact with the golf ball, creating a multi-layered control system.
2Reliability
If protrusions with angled surfaces are added to maximize ball contact, then spin rate increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed with specific geometric parameters: angled upper surfaces with slopes of 5° to 20°, and edge radii of 0.005 to 0.015 inch. These controlled parameter variations optimize ball contact and spin generation while maintaining manufacturability through precise but achievable dimensional specifications.
3Strength
If the planar member thickness is increased to improve durability, then strength increases, but feedback and feel are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planar member is designed with non-uniform local properties: it has varying thickness (0.005 to 0.100 inch) and features localized oval-shaped holes with variable radius perimeter edges. The softer polymeric backing is strategically positioned to provide feedback and feel, while the rigid planar member provides overall structural strength and durability.
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 solution enhances golf ball control and spin, resulting in a smoother, more consistent roll with reduced bouncing, as demonstrated by improved launch angles and spin rates compared to commercial products, providing better distance control and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric backing and protrusions, designed to improve ball control and spin characteristics by maximizing contact with the golf ball and absorbing impact forces
Data Source
AI summary
A face insert comprising a planar member composed of a rigid material such as plastic or metal and a polymeric backing is disclosed herein. The planar member, which makes contact with a golf ball during use, includes a plurality of geometrically-shaped holes, each of which comprises a perimeter edge that has a variable radius to further optimize performance of the face insert. In some embodiments, one or more of the holes extends completely through the planar member, i.e. is a through-hole, and the polymeric backing includes at least one protrusion with an angled upper surface that is sized to extend into a through-hole and further improve performance of the face insert. The face insert described herein can be used with any type of golf club head, including putters, woods, irons, and hybrids, and the holes may take any shape, including oval, hexagonal, and chevron.