Tungsten-Weighted Iron Set for Consistent Ball Flight

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional iron golf clubs exhibit varying performance characteristics due to differences in loft, length, and center of gravity, leading to inconsistent ball trajectories and distances across the set, particularly between long, mid, and short irons.

Innovation Solution

A set of golf clubs with club heads having specific lofts and varying masses, incorporating tungsten weight members, particularly in the heel and toe, to optimize launch conditions and moment of inertia, with each club head differing by at least 5 grams in mass and utilizing tungsten to form a significant portion of the club head mass, especially in long and mid irons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional iron golf clubs use standard materials and designs, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but ball trajectories and distances are inconsistent across the set

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency in ball flight trajectories and distancesVSAvoidclub head mass variation and tungsten integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically placing tungsten weight members at specific locations (heel and toe) within the club head. This localized weighting optimizes the moment of inertia and center of gravity for each specific club, improving ball trajectory consistency without requiring complex changes to the entire club design. Each club head receives customized weighting based on its specific performance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the mass of each club head by at least 5 grams and incorporating tungsten members that comprise more than 25% of the total club head mass. These parameter adjustments in mass distribution and material composition directly improve the consistency of ball flight trajectories and distances across the iron set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If each club head has different mass to optimize performance, then ball trajectory consistency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball trajectory consistencyVSAvoidmass differentiation and tungsten placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the club head into distinct components: a base club head structure and separate tungsten weight members. This allows the tungsten components to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances and then assembled into the final club head configuration, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to monolithic custom-machined club heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining conventional club head materials with tungsten weight members. This composite approach allows each material to be manufactured according to its own optimal specifications, and the assembly process creates the final customized mass distribution. The tungsten members can be produced using standard casting or machining processes rather than requiring precision manufacturing of the entire club head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If tungsten weight members are added to optimize moment of inertia, then club performance improves, but device complexity and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoment of inertia optimizationVSAvoidtungsten member integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically placing tungsten weight members at specific locations (heel and toe) within the club head. This localized weighting optimizes the moment of inertia and center of gravity for each specific club, improving ball trajectory consistency without requiring complex changes to the entire club design. Each club head receives customized weighting based on its specific performance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12599820B2Weighted iron set

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

The present invention is direct to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid-irons and short irons. The invention contemplates the use of titanium or steel for the main body portion and a tungsten weight member coupled to the toe and a tungsten heel weight member coupled in a hosel cavity.