Putter Head Groove Pattern for Launch Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golfers face inconsistency and reduced control over putts due to variations in swing, as the putter head's interaction with the ball leads to skidding and bouncing, affecting the ball's distance and path on the green.
Innovation Solution
A putter head with a groove pattern extending in a heel-to-toe direction, featuring multiple sets of grooves with different cross-sectional configurations, allowing for adjustable launch angles based on impact location, thereby improving ball control and consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a golfer uses a conventional putter head with uniform groove configuration, then the putter head structure is simple, but the control over ball distance and path is reduced due to inconsistent swing causing skidding and bouncing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the groove cross-sectional configurations in different vertical regions of the putter face. Specifically, grooves in the upper portion have different configurations than grooves in the lower portion, allowing each region to optimize performance for specific impact locations. This resolves the contradiction by providing region-specific control characteristics that improve reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire putter head.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove pattern is segmented into multiple sets with different cross-sectional configurations arranged vertically on the putter face. Each set of grooves is positioned to address specific swing variations, creating distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows the putter to handle different impact conditions independently, improving control reliability while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular groove design.
2Speed
If the putter head launches the ball off the ground during upward or downward swing motion, then the ball achieves forward roll quickly, but the ball bounces and/or skids when it hits the green surface, reducing control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the grooves, specifically varying the cross-sectional configurations (such as groove width, depth, and angle) across different vertical regions of the putter face. These parameter changes allow the grooves to modify ball interaction characteristics, optimizing the balance between achieving quick forward roll and minimizing unwanted bouncing and skidding for improved control reliability.
3Reliability
If a golfer's swing varies from the ideal bottom-of-swing impact, then the launch angle becomes inconsistent, but the groove pattern with multiple sets can adjust launch angle based on impact location
Solution Approach 1:
Different vertical regions of the putter face are equipped with grooves having specific cross-sectional configurations tailored to compensate for impacts in those regions. For example, grooves in the upper portion may have configurations optimized for high impacts, while lower portion grooves address low impacts. This local optimization improves launch angle consistency despite swing variations without requiring overly complex external adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A putter head is provided. The putter head includes a putter face defining a groove pattern extending in a heel-to-toe direction of the putter face. The groove pattern includes multiple sets of grooves spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction of the putter face. The sets of grooves have different cross-sectional configurations to adjust a launch angle of a golf ball based on an impact location of the golf ball along the vertical direction of the putter face.