Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
86164148
GOLF CLUB HEADS WITH OPTIMIZED CHARACTERISTICS
AND RELATED METHODS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
This application is a divisional of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,994,141
which is a
divisional of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,905,053 and claims priority
from therein.
This Patent Application claims the benefit of:
U.S. Patent Application No. 13/804,859, filed on March 14, 2013 at the U.S.
Patent &
Trademark Office;
U.S. Patent Application No. 13/804,917, filed on March 14, 2013 at the U.S.
Patent &
Trademark Office; and
U.S. Patent Application No. 13/826,111, filed on March 14, 2013 at the U.S.
Patent &
Trademark Office.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and relates,
more particularly, to
golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods.
BACKGROUND
Golf club heads often comprise different features that can be designed or
configured to improve
one or more of their performance characteristics. Innate interplay between
such different features
often exists, however, such that adjusting or configuring one feature may
inherently alter another
feature, often disadvantageously. As an example, expanding the strikeface of a
golf club to
provide a greater impact area can alter the location of the center of gravity
of the golf club
disadvantageously, and unintended performance consequences may ensue if
features are not
configured or designed in a balanced manner to account for the interplay
between the different
features.
Considering the above, further developments with respect to golf club features
that are
balanced with respect to each other will enhance the performance of golf
clubs.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present disclosure may be better understood from a reading of the
following detailed
description of examples of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a golf club head in accordance with the
present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the golf club head along
line II-II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head of FIGs. 1-2.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for a method that can be used to provide, form,
and/or
manufacture a golf club head in accordance with the present disclosure.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the thawing figures illustrate the
general manner of
construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and
techniques may be omitted to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements
in the drawing
figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in
the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve
understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in
different figures denote
the same elements.
The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the
description and in the claims,
if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not
necessarily for describing a
particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the
terms so used are
interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments
described herein are,
for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or
otherwise described
herein. Furthermore, the terms "include," and "have," and any variations
thereof, are intended to
cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article,
device, or apparatus
that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those
elements, but may include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system,
article, device, or
apparatus.
The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under,"
and the like in the
description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and
not necessarily for
describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the
terms. so used are
interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of
the apparatus,
methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example,
capable of operation in
other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms "couple," "Coupled," "couples," "coupling," and the like should be
broadly
understood and refer to connecting two or more elements, mechanically or
otherwise. Coupling
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(whether mechanical or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g.,
permanent or
semi-permanent or only for an instant.
The absence of the word "removably," "removable," and the like near the word
"coupled," and
the lilce does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not
removable.
As defined herein, two or more elements are "integral" if they are comprised
of the same piece
of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are "non-integral" if
each is comprised of a
different piece of material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In one example, a golf club head can comprise a head body comprising a head
interior and a
hose! structure. The head interior can be bounded by a head front portion, a
head rear portion, a
head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole
portion. The hosel
structure can have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, where the bore can
have a hosel axis. The
golf club head can also comprise a head center of gravity, a head horizontal
axis extending through
the head center of gravity, from the bead heel portion to the head toe
portion, and parallel to a
ground plane when the golf club head is at an address position over the ground
plane, a hosel
moment of inertia about the hosel axis, and a horizontal moment of inertia
about the head
horizontal axis. The horizontal moment of inertia can be greater than or equal
to 39% of the hosel
moment of inertia.
In one example, a golf club head can comprise a head body comprising a head
interior and a
hosel structure. The head interior can be bounded by a head front portion, a
head rear portion, a
head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head top portion, and a head sole
portion. The hosel
structure can have a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, where the bore can
have a hosel axis. The
golf club head can also comprise a head center of gravity, a head vertical
axis extending through
the head center of gravity, from the head top portion to the head sole
portion, and perpendicular to
a ground plane when the golf club head is at address over the ground plane, a
hosel moment of
inertia about the hosel axis, and a vertical moment of inertia about the head
vertical axis. The
vertical moment of inertia can be greater than or equal to 59% of the hose
moment of inertia.
In one implementation, a method for providing a golf club head can comprise
providing a head
body having a head interior and a hosel structure. The head interior can be
bounded by a head front
portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head
top portion, and a head
sole portion. The hose structure can have a bore for receiving a golf club
shaft, where the bore
can have a hosel axis. The method can also comprise coupling the golf club
shaft to the hosel
structure. A head horizontal axis can extend through a head center of gravity
of the golf club head,
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from the head heel portion to the head toe portion, and parallel to a ground
plane when the golf
club head is at an address position over the ground plane. A head vertical
axis can extend through
the head center of gravity, from the head top portion to the head sole
portion, and perpendicular to
the ground plane when the golf club head is at address over the ground plane.
In addition,
providing the head body can comprise at least one of (a) establishing a
horizontal moment of
inertia about the head horizontal axis to be greater than or equal to 39% of a
hosel moment of
inertia about the hosel axis, or (b) establishing a vertical moment of inertia
about the head vertical
axis to be greater than or equal to 5904 of the hosel moment of inertia about
the hosel axis.
In one example, a golf club head can comprise a head body comprising a head
front portion, a
head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole
portion, a head top portion,
and a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, where the
bore can have a hose!
axis. The golf club head can also comprise a stailceface at the head front
portion and comprising a
stnleface centerpoint, a head volume measured in cc's'and comprising a head
volume magnitude
greater than 420, a head center of gravity, and an optimization
characteristic. When the golf club
head is at an address position over a ground plane, a head vertical axis
extends through the head
center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground plane, and a head horizontal
axis extends through
the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. A
loft plane of the golf club
head can be tangent to the strilceface centerpoint A front plane of the golf
club head can extend
through the strilceface centerpoint and parallel to the hosel axis. A head
depth plane can extend
through the stoleface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and
perpendicular to the loft
plane. A CO height can axis extends through the head center of gravity and can
intersect the head
depth plane perpendicularly at a rust intersection point. A head CO height of
the head center of
gravity can be measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of
gravity and the first
intersection point A head CO depth of the head center of gravity can be
measured, parallel to the
ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between (a) a second
intersection point located at
an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane, and (b) a third
intersection point
located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground
plane. The optimization
characteristic can be defined by (a) the head volume magnitude added to (b) a
ratio between the
head CO depth divided by an absolute value of the bead CO height. The
optimization
characteristic can be greater than or equal to 425.
In one example, a golf club head can comprise a head body comprising a head
front portion, a
head rear portion, a head heel portion, a head toe portion, a head sole
portion, a head top portion,
and a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, where the
bore can have a hosel
axis. The golf club head can also comprise a siniceface at the head front
portion and comprising a
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strikeface centerpoint, and a head center of gravity. When the golf club head
is at an address
position over a ground plane, a head vertical axis extends through the head
center of gravity and is
orthogonal to the ground plane, and a head horizontal axis extends through the
head center of
gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf
club head can be
tangent to the strikeface centerpoint A front plane of the golf club head can
extend through the
strikeface centerpoint and parallel to the hosel axis. A head depth plane can
extend through the
strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular
to the loft plane. A
CO height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can intersect
the head depth
plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point A head CG height of the
head center of gravity
can be measured, along the CO height axis, between the head center of gravity
and the first
intersection point A head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be
measured, parallel to the
ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between (a) a second
intersection point located at
an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane, and (b) a third
intersection point
located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground
plane. An absolute value
of the head CG height can be less than or equal to 2.54 nrm. The head CG depth
can be greater
than or equal to 40.64 mm.
In one implementation, a method for providing a golf club head can comprise
providing a head
body comprising a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel
portion, a head toe portion, a
head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure having a bore for
receiving a golf club
shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The method can also comprise coupling a
strikeface at the head
front portion, and establishing an optimization characteristic of the golf
club head. The strikeface
comprises a strikeface centerpoint A head volume of the golf club head can be
measured in cc's
and can comprise a head volume magnitude greater than 420. When the golf club
head is at an
address position over a ground plane, a head vertical axis can extend through
the head center of
gravity and can be orthogonal to the ground plane. A head horizontal axis can
extend through the
head center of gravity, and can be orthogonal to the head vertical axis. A
loft plane of the golf club
head can be tangent to the strikeface centerpoint. A front plane of the golf
club head can extend
through the strikeface centerpoint and parallel to the hosel axis. A head
depth plane can extend
through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and
perpendicular to the loft
plane. A CO height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and
caryntersect the head
depth plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point. A head CO height of
the head center of
gravity can be measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of
gravity and the first
intersection point A head CO depth of the head center of gravity can be
measured, parallel to the
ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between (a) a second
intersection point located at
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an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane, and (b) a third
intersection point
located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the Found plane.
The optimization
characteristic can be established by (a) the head volume magnitude added to
(b) a ratio between the
head CO depth divided by an absolute value of the head CG height, where the
optimization
characteristic can be greater than or equal to 425.
In one example, a golf club head can comprise a head body, a face portion, and
a head center of
gravity, and at least one of a first performance characteristic or a second
performance
characteristic. The head body can comprise a head front portion, a head rear
portion, a head heel
portion, a bead toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a
hosel structure having a
bore for receiving a golf club shaft, where the bore can have a hosel axis.
The face portion can be
at the head front portion and can comprise a strikeface centerpoint, a
strikeface perimeter, and a
face height bounded by the stniceface perimeter. When the golf club head is at
an address position
over a ground plane, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of
gravity and is
orthogonal to the ground plane, and a head horizontal axis extends through the
head center of
gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf
club head can be
tangent to the strfireface centerpoint. A front plane of the golf club head
can extend through the
strilceface centerpoint and parallel to the hose' axis. A head depth plane can
extend through the
strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular
to the loft plane. A
CO height axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can intersect
the head depth
plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point. A head CO height of the
head center of gravity
can be measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of gravity
and the first
intersection point. A head CO depth of the head center' of gravity can be
measured, parallel to the
ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between (a) a second
intersection point located at
an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane, and (b) a third
intersection point
located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground
plane. The face height can
be approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft
plane. The first
performance characteristic can comprise the head CG height being less than or
equal to
approximately 5.08 mm. The second performance characteristic can comprise a CO
performance
ratio of less than or equal to 0.56, as defined by (a) 76.2 mm minus the face
height, divided by (b)
the head CG depth.
In one example, a golf club head can comprise a head body, a face portion, and
a head center of
gravity. The head body can comprise a head front portion, a head rear portion,
a head heel
portion, a head toe portion, a head sole portion, a head top portion, and a
hosel structure having a
bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a howl axis. The face
portion can be coupled
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to the head front portion and can comprise a strikeface having a strikeface
centexpoint, a strikeface
perimeter, and a face height. When the golf club head is at an address
position over a ground
plane, a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is
orthogonal to the
ground plane, and a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of
gravity, and is
orthogonal to the head vertical axis. A loft plane of the golf club head can
be tangent to the
strikeface centerpoint A front plane of the golf club head can extend through
the strikeface
centeapoint and parallel to the hosel axis. A head depth plane can extend
through the strikeface
centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the
loft plane. A CG height
axis can extend through the head center of gravity and can intersect the head
depth plane
perpendicularly at a first intersection point A head CO height of the head
center of gravity can be
measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of gravity and the
first intersection
point. A head CG depth of the head center of gravity can be measured, parallel
to the ground
plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between (a) a second intersection
point located at an
intersection between the front plane and the ground plane, and (b) a third
intersection point located
at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground plane. The
face height can be
approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, as delimited by the strikeface
perimeter and
measured parallel to the loft plane. A CO performance ratio between (a) 76.2
mm minus the face
height, and (b) the head co depth, is less than or equal to 056. The head body
can comprise a
driver-type body. A head volume of the golf club head can be approximately 420
cc to
approximately 470 cc. A head weight of the golf club head can be approximately
185 grams to
approximately 225 grams. The head CO height can be approximately 0 mm to
approximately 3.18
mm. The head CO depth can be approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm. The
head body
can comprise a weight structure located towards the sole portion and the rear
portion of the head
body.
In one implementation, a method for providing a golf club head can comprise
providing a head
body having a head front portion, a head rear portion, a head heel portion, a
head toe portion, a
head sole portion, a head top portion, and a hosel structure having a bore for
receiving a golf club
shaft, the bore having a hosel axis. The method can also comprise coupling a
face portion to the
head front portion, the face portion comprising a strikeface having a
strikeface centerpoint, a
strikeface perimeter, and a face height bounded by the strikeface perimeter.
The method an further
comprise establishing at least one of a first performance characteristic of
the golf club head, or a
second performance characteristic of the golf club head. When the golf club
head is at an address
position over a ground plane, a head vertical axis extends through a head
center of gravity bf the
golf club head and is orthogonal to the ground plane, and a head horizontal
axis extends through
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the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis. A
loft plane of the golf
club head can be tangent to the strikeface centerpoint. A front plane of the
golf club head can
extend through the strikeface centerpoint and parallel to the hosel axis. A
head depth plane
can extend through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal
axis and
perpendicular to the loft plane. A CG height axis can extend through the head
center of
gravity and can intersect the head depth plane perpendicularly at a first
intersection point. A
head CG height of the golf club head can be measured, along the CO height
axis, between the
head center of gravity and the first intersection point. A head CG depth of
the head center of
gravity can be measured, parallel to the ground plane and orthogonal to the
front plane,
between: (a) a second intersection point located at an intersection between
the front plane and
the ground plane, and (b) a third intersection point located at an
intersection between the head
vertical axis and the ground plane. The face height can be approximately 33 mm
to
approximately 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane. The first
performance characteristic
can comprise the head CO height being less than or equal to approximately 5.08
mm. The
second performance characteristic can comprise a CO performance ratio of less
than or equal
to 0.56, as defined by (a) 76.2 mm minus the face height, divided by (b) the
head CO depth.
In another embodiment, there is provided a golf club head comprising: a head
body
comprising: a head front portion; a head rear portion; a head heel portion; a
head toe portion; a
head sole portion; a head top portion; and a hosel structure having a bore for
receiving a golf
club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis; a strikeface at the head front
portion and comprising a
face height and a strikeface centerpoint, the face height being between 33 mm
and 71 mm and
the strikeface centerpoint positioned at a midpoint of the face height; a head
volume measured
in cc's and comprising a head volume magnitude greater than 420 cc; a head
center of gravity;
a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis; a horizontal moment of inertia
about the head
horizontal axis; and an optimization characteristic; wherein: when the golf
club head is at an
address position over a ground plane: a head vertical axis extends through the
head center of
gravity and is orthogonal to the ground plane; and a head horizontal axis
extends through the
head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis; a loft
plane of the golf club
head is tangent to the strikeface centerpoint; a front plane of the golf club
head extends
through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the hosel axis, and orthogonal
to the ground
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plane; a head depth plane extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel
to the head
horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane; a CG height axis extends
through the head
center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at a
first intersection
point; a head CG height of the head center of gravity is measured, along the
CG height axis,
between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point; a head CG
depth of the
head center of gravity is measured, parallel to the ground plane and
orthogonal to the front
plane, between: a second intersection point located at an intersection between
the front plane
and the ground plane; and a third intersection point located at an
intersection between the head
vertical axis and the ground plane; the head CG height is approximately 0 mm
to
approximately 5.08 mm and the head CG depth is approximately 25 mm to
approximately
102 mm; the optimization characteristic is defined as the horizontal moment of
inertia is
greater than or equal to 39% of the hosel moment of inertia; the head body
comprises a weight
structure located towards the head sole portion and the head rear portion; a
clock grid
comprises at least: a 12 o'clock ray; a 3 o'clock ray; a 4 o'clock ray; a 5
o'clock ray; a
8 o'clock ray; and a 9 o'clock ray; when the golf club head is at the address
position over the
ground plane, from a bottom view of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock ray is
aligned with the
strikeface centerpoint and orthogonal to a front intersection line between the
loft plane and the
ground plane; the clock grid is centered along the 12 o'clock ray, at a
midpoint between a
front end of the head front portion and a rear end of the head rear portion;
the 3 o'clock ray
extends towards the head heel portion; the 9 o'clock ray extends towards the
head toe portion;
a perimeter of the weight structure is bounded between the 4 o'clock ray and
the 9 o'clock
ray; and a center of gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5
o'clock ray and
the 8 o'clock ray.
In another embodiment, there is provided a golf club head comprising: a head
body
.. comprising: a head front portion; a head rear portion; a head heel portion;
a head toe portion; a
head sole portion; a head top portion; and a hosel structure having a bore for
receiving a golf
club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis; a strikeface at the head front
portion and comprising
face height and a strikeface centerpoint, the face height being between 33 mm
and 71 mm and
the strikeface centerpoint positioned at a midpoint of the face height; a head
center of gravity;
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a head volume measured in cc's and comprising a head volume magnitude greater
than
420 cc; a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis; a horizontal moment of
inertia bout the
head horizontal axis; and an optimization characteristic; wherein: when the
golf club head is
at an address position over a ground plane: a head vertical axis extends
through the head
center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground plane; and a head horizontal
axis extends
through the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical
axis; a loft plane of
the golf club head is tangent to the strikeface centerpoint; a front plane of
the golf club head
extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the hosel axis, and
orthogonal to the
ground plane; a head depth plane extends through the strikeface centerpoint,
parallel to the
head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane; a CG height axis
extends through the
head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at
a first
intersection point; a head CO height of the head center of gravity is
measured, along the CO
height axis, between the head center of gravity and the first intersection
point; a head CG
depth of the head center of gravity is measured, parallel to the ground plane
and orthogonal to
the front plane, between: a second intersection point located at an
intersection between the
front plane and the ground plane; and a third intersection point located at an
intersection
between the head vertical axis and the ground plane; the optimization
characteristic is defined
as the horizontal moment of inertia being greater than or equal to 39% of the
hosel moment of
inertia; an absolute value of the head CG height is less than or equal to 2.54
mm; the head CO
depth is greater than or equal to 40.64 mm; and the head body comprises a
weight structure
located towards the head sole portion and the head rear portion; a clock grid
comprises at
least: a 12 o'clock ray; a 3 o'clock ray; a 4 o'clock ray; a 5 o'clock ray; a
8 o'clock ray; and a
9 o'clock ray; when the golf club head is at the address position over the
ground plane, from a
bottom view of the golf club head, the 12 o'clock ray is aligned with the
strikeface centerpoint
and orthogonal to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the
ground plane; the
clock grid is centered along the 12 o'clock ray, at a midpoint between a front
end of the head
front portion and a rear end of the head rear portion; the 3 o'clock ray
extends towards the
head heel portion; the 9 o'clock ray extends towards the head toe portion; a
perimeter of the
weight structure is bounded between the 4 o'clock ray and the 9 o'clock ray;
and a center of
.. gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5 o'clock ray and
the 8 o'clock ray.
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In another embodiment, there is provided a method for providing a golf club
head,
the method comprising: providing a head body comprising: a head front portion;
a head rear
portion; a head heel portion; a head toe portion; a head sole portion; a head
top portion; and a
hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having
a hose! axis;
coupling a strikeface at the head front portion; and establishing an
optimization characteristic
of the golf club head; a hosel moment of inertia about the hosel axis; a
horizontal moment of
inertia bout the head horizontal axis; and wherein: the strikeface comprises
face height and a
strikeface centerpoint, the face height being between 33 mm and 71 mm and the
strikeface
centerpoint positioned at a midpoint of the face height; a head volume of the
golf club head is
.. measured in cc's and comprises a head volume magnitude greater than 420 cc;
when the golf
club head is at an address position over a ground plane: a head vertical axis
extends through
the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground plane; and a head
horizontal axis
extends through the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head
vertical axis; a loft
plane of the golf club head is tangent to the strikeface centerpoint; a front
plane of the golf
club head extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the hosel
axis, and orthogonal
to the ground plane; a head depth plane extends through the strikeface
centerpoint, parallel to
the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane; a CG height axis
extends through
the head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly
at a first
intersection point; a head CG height of the head center of gravity is
measured, along the CG
.. height axis, between the head center of gravity and the first intersection
point; a head CG
depth of the head center of gravity is measured, parallel to the ground plane
and orthogonal to
the front plane, between: a second intersection point located at an
intersection between the
front plane and the ground plane; and a third intersection point located at an
intersection
between the head vertical axis and the ground plane; the optimization
characteristic is
established as the horizontal moment of inertia is greater than or equal to
39% of the hosel
moment of inertia; the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately
5.08 mm and
the head CO depth is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm; the head
body
comprises a weight structure located towards the head sole portion and the
head rear portion; a
clock grid comprises at least: a 12 o'clock ray; a 3 o'clock ray; a 4 o'clock
ray; a 5 o'clock
ray; a 8 o'clock ray; and a 9 o'clock ray; when the golf club head is at the
address position
over the ground plane, from a bottom view of the golf club head, the 12
o'clock ray is aligned
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with the strikeface centerpoint and orthogonal to a front intersection line
between the loft
plane and the ground plane; the clock grid is centered along the 12 o'clock
ray, at a midpoint
between a front end of the head front portion and a rear end of the head rear
portion; the
3 o'clock ray extends towards the head heel portion; the 9 o'clock ray extends
towards the
head toe portion; a perimeter of the weight structure is bounded between the 4
o'clock ray and
the 9 o'clock ray; and a center of gravity of the weight structure is located
between the
5 o'clock ray and the 8 o'clock ray.
Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and
embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims, and/or in the present
description.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of golf club head
1000,
comprising head body 1100 and face portion 1200. Face portion 1200 includes
strikeface
1210. FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of golf club head 1000
along line II-II of
FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of golf club head 1000. FIGs. 1-3
present golf club
head 1000 at an address position relative to ground plane 1010, where hosel
axis 1710 is at a
60-degree angle with ground plane 1010 with respect to a front view of golf
club head 1000
(FIG. 1), and where hosel axis 1710 is substantially orthogonal to ground
plane 1010 with
respect to a side view of golf club head 1000 (FIG. 2).
In the present embodiment, head body 1100 and face portion 1200 comprise
separate pieces of material coupled together, for example, via a welding
process. In other
examples, however, face portion 1200 may comprise a single piece of material
with one or
more portions of head body 1100, such as head front portion 1110, head top
portion 1120,
head sole portion 1130, head heel portion 1140, head toe portion 1150, and/or
head rear
portion 2160. Head forward surface 1160 of golf club head 1000 comprises
strikeface 1210,
face portion 1200, and at least part of head front portion 1110. In some
embodiments, head
forward surface 1160 also can include at least part of
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head sole portion 1130. In the same or different embodiments, head. front
portion 1110 can include
strikeface 1210 and/or face portion 1200.
Face portion 1200 comprises strikeface 1210 having strilceface centerpoint
1211, strikeface,
perimeter 1212, and face height 1213. Strficeface centerpoint 1211 is located
at a geometric
centerpoint of strikeface perimeter 1212 in the present example, and at a
midpoint of face height
1213. In the same or other examples, strikeface centerpoint 1211 also can be
centered with respect
to engineered impact zone 1250, which can be defined by a region of grooves
1259 of strikeface
1210. As another approach, strikeface centerpoint 1211 can be located in
accordance with the
definition of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association
(USGA). For
example, strikeface centerpoint 1211 can be determined in accordance with
Section 6.1 of the
USGA's Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead (USGA-
TPX3004, Rev.
1.0,0, May 1, 2008) (available at
http://wvvw:usga.org/equipinent/testine/protocols/ Procedure-For-
Measurine-The-Flexibilitv-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head/) (the "Flexibility Procedure").
Golf club head 1000 comprises loft plane 2270 (FIG. 2), Which is at least
tangent to strikeface
centerpoint 1211 at strikeface 1210. Face height 1213 can be measured parallel
to loft plane 2270
between strikeface top end 1215 and strikeface bottom end 1216 of strikeface
perimeter 1212, and
can be of approximately 33 millimeters (mm) to approximately 71 mm in the
present or other
examples.
Strikeface perimeter 1212, comprising strikeface top end 1215 and strikeface
bottom end 1216
defining face height 1213, need not bound an entirety of face portion 1200.
For example, as seen
in FIG. 1, strikeface 1210 is bounded by strikeface perimeter 1212 and is only
part of face portion
1200. In some examples, strikeface 1210 can comprise a roll radius and/or a
bulge radius, and
strikeface perimeter 1212 can be defined along a transition boundary where a
contour of face
portion 1200 departs from the roll radius and/or the bulge radius of
strileface 1210. For example,
FIG. 2 contains a zoom view of part of the top transition boundary of golf
club head 1000,
highlighting vertical roll radius 2170 extending along strikeface 1210, and
showing how strikeface
top end 1215 is located at the top transition boundary where head forward
surface 1160 departs
from vertical roll radius 2170. FIG. 2 also contains a zoom view of part of
the bottom transition
boundary of golf club head 1000, highlighting vertical roll radius 2170
extending vertically along
suficeesce 1210, and showing how strikeface bottom end 1216 is located at the
bottom transition
boundary where head forward surface 1160 departs from vertical roll radius
2170.
In the same or other embodiments, strikeface perimeter 1212 can be defined
with respect to the
edge of a strikeplate comprising the strikeface. For instance, face portion
1200 comprises
stnic.eplate 1220, where strikeface 1210 forms an exterior surface of
faceplate 1220, and where
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strikeplate 1220 is joined to head front portion 1110 along strikeplate edge
1221. In the present
example, strikeplate edge 1221 defines at least part of strikeface perimeter
1212, including the top
and bottom sections of strikeface perimeter 1212 where strikeface top end 1215
and strikeface
bottom end 1216 are respectively located to define face height 1213, but there
can be other
examples where the strikeplate edge of the strikeplate can define a majority
or all of the strikeface
perimeter of the strikeface.
As shown in FIG. 2, golf club head 1000 also comprises head center of gravity
(CG) 2500,
head depth plane 2310, and CO height axis 2320, where head depth plane 2310
extends through
strikeface centerpoint 1211 and is perpendicular to loft plane 2270, and where
CG height axis 2320
extends through head center of gravity 2500 and intersects head depth plane
2310 perpendicularly
at intersection point 2801.
Head center of gravity 2500 comprises CO height 2520 and CO depth 2510, which
locate head
center of gravity 2500 relative to golf club head 1000. In the present
example, CO height 2520 can
be measured along CO height axis 2320, between head center of gravity 2500 and
intersection
point 2801. CO depth 2510 can be measured, as seen in FIG. 2, parallel to
ground plane 1010 and
between intersection points 2802-2803. In the present example, intersection
point 2802 is defined
by the intersection between ground plane. 1010 and front plane 2280, where
front plane 2286
extends through strikeface centerpoint 1211, is parallel to hosel axis 1710,
and is orthogonal to
ground plane 1010 when golf club head 1000 is at the address position. In
addition, intersection
point 2803 is defined by the intersection between ground plane 1010 and head
vertical axis 1610,
where head vertical axis 1610 extends through head center of gravity 2500, and
is orthogonal to
ground plane 1010 when golf club head 1000 is at the address position. Head
center of gravity
2500 can also be located relative to ground plane 1010, where head CG
elevation 2530 of bead
center of gravity 2500 can be measured along head vertical axis 1610, between
weight center 2750
and grotmd plane 1010.
Head body 1100 of golf club head 1000 also comprises hosel structure 1217
(FIG. 1) and hosel
axis 1710 extending along a center of a bore of hose! structure 1217. In the
present example, a
hosel coupling mechanism of golf club head 1000 comprises hosel structure 1217
and shaft sleeve
1411, where shaft sleeve 1411 can be coupled to an end of golf shaft 1410.
Shaft sleeve 1411 can
couple with hosel structure 1217 in a plurality of configurations, thereby
permitting golf shaft 1410
to be secured to hosel structure 1217 at a plurality of angles relative to
hosel axis 1710. There can
be other examples, however, where shaft 1410 can be non-adjustably secured to
hosel structure
1217.
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Golf club heads in accordance with the present disclosure can be configured to
exhibit one or
more optimization characteristics that optimize or balance the performance
thereof. For example,
one characteristic of golf club heads that the present designs strive to
optimize is that of face height
and/or face size. Maximizing the face height and/or face size of a golf club
head can have several
benefits, such as increasing the target impact area of the strikeface to yield
a more forgiving club
head that produces better results for golf shots that are hit off-center of
the strikeface centelpoint.
In. addition, a strikeface of larger height and/Or size can provide for better
energy transfer to the
golf ball upon impact therewith, and may thus increase a characteristic time
or a "spring effect" of
the golf club head to achieve golf shots of longer distance. In some examples,
the height or size of
the strikeface may be augmented to achieve a characteristic time limit set by
a golf governing
body, such as the characteristic time limit of 239 microseconds (ps) set by
the USGA in its
Flexibility Procedure.
Indiscriminately increasing face height and/or size, however, can adversely
affect performance
in other areas, such as with respect to launch angle, ball spin, and/or ball
speed of the golf ball
upon impact with the strikeface. For example, increasing face height and/or
size can decrease the
CO depth between the center of gravity and the strikeface centerpoint of the
golf club head to bring
the center of gravity forward, thereby reducing the dynamic loft of the golf
club head and thus
decreasing the launch angle for the golf ball. As another example, increasing
face height and/or
size can raise the CO height between the center of gravity and the head depth
plane to elevate the
center of gravity away from the sole of the golf club head, thereby inhibiting
a gear effect between
the strikeface and the golf ball, thus preventing the golf club head from
decreasing the amount of
backspin of the golf ball created upon impact, and thus decreasing the
distance the ball will travel
due to the backspin.
Considering the above, the height or size of the face of the golf club head
should be balanced
with respect to the location of the center of gravity. With respect to golf
club head 1000, stnieface
1210 has been increased to comprise an augmented face skft and/or face height
1213 to provide a
larger impact area and greater energy transfer to golf ball 2900. In
particular, golf club head 1000
can be configured so that face height 1213 can be of approximately 33 mm to
approximately 71
mm to provide greater impact area and energy transfer upon impact with golf
ball 2900. In some
examples, an area of strikeface 1210, including the augmented face area, can
be of approximately
23.6 centimeters squared (cm2) to approximately 45.2 cm2.
Notwithstanding the augmented face size and/or face height 1213 described
above, golf club
head 1000 still restricts CO height 2520 from increasing towards head top
portion 1120 and/or
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from straying too far from head depth plane 2310. For example, golf club head
1000 comprises a
first optimization characteristic satisfying Relation 1 below:
ICG height252015. 5.08 mm [Relation 11
There can be examples where CO height 2520 can be of approximately 0 mm up to
Relation
l's limit of 5.08 mm. CO height 2520 can also be of up to a maximum of
approximately 4.45 mm,
3.81 mm, or 3.18 mm in other examples. In some implementations, the first
optimization
characteristic can decrease the backspin of golf ball 2900 via a gear effect
between strikeface 1210
and golf ball 2900 for better performance. Although head center of gravity
2500 is shown in FIG.
2 as being below depth plane 2310, such that CO height 2520 extends between
depth plane 2310
and head sole portion 1130, there can be embodiments where head center of
gravity 2500 can be
above depth plane 2310, such that CG height 2520 extends between depth plane
2310 and head
top portion 1120, while still satisfying Relation 1 above.
In addition, and considering the augmented face size and/or face height 1213
described above,
golf club head 1000 still restricts center of gravity 2500 from moving towards
strikeface 1212,
thereby preventing CG depth 2510 from unduly decreasing. For example, golf
club head 1000
comprises a second optimization characteristic satisfying Relation 2 below:
76.2 mm ¨ face heiglaim <0.56 [Relation 2]
CG depth2510
Accordingly, the relationship between face height 1213 and CG depth 2510 is
balanced
pursuant to Relation 2 to maintain the second optimization characteristic of
less than or equal to
0.56, thereby limiting the amount that CO depth 2510 can decrease towards
strikeface 1210. There
can be examples where CG depth 2510 can be approximately 25 mm to
approximately 102 mm. In
the same or other examples, CG depth 2510 can be at least approximately 39
tom. In some
implementations, the second optimization characteristic can increase or
optimize at least one of a
dynamic loft of golf club head 1000 or a launch angle of golf ball 2900 upon
impact therebetween.
In some examples, golf club head 1000 may be configured to comprise only one
of the first or
second optimization characteristics described above. For example, golf club
head 1000 may
comprise the first optimization characteristic and not the second optimization
characteristic, thus
satisfying Relation 1 without having to satisfy Relation 2. As another
example, golf club head
1000 may comprise the second optimization characteristic and not the first
optimization
characteristic, thus satisfying Relation 2 without having to satisfy Relation
I. In addition, there
can be embodiments where golf club head 1000 satisfies both Relations 1 and 2,
and thus
comprises the first and second optimization characteristics.
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Golf club head 1000 can also comprise a third optimization characteristic with
respect to head
volume (HV) 2600 thereof. In the present example, head body 1000 of golf club
head 1000
comprises a driver-type body with a head volume greater than or equal to 420
cubic centimeters
(cc), and thus has a head volume magnitude greater than or equal to 420. For
example, head body
1000 can comprise a head volume of 420 cc, thus having a head volume magnitude
of 420. As
another example, golf club head 1000 can comprise a head volume of 460 cc,
thus having a head
volume magnitude of 460. Golf club head 1000 can comprise a head volume up to
approximately
470 cc, in some implementations, and/or a total head weight of approximately
185 gams to
approximately 225 grams. In some specific examples, the total head weight can
be approximately
202 grams, and/or the head volume can be of approximately 460 cc.
The third optimization characteristic can control the relationship between
head volume 2600
and the location of center of gravity 2500, and can be defined to satisfy
Relation 3 below:
HV pth?: 425 [Reladon 3]
ICG height:5ml
In some instances, head volume 2600 can be increased to adjust, for instance,
a moment of
inertia (MOI) of golf club head 1000. An unrestrained increase in head volume,
however, can have
detrimental effects with respect to other characteristics of the golf club
head. For example,
increasing head volume 2600 can cause head center of gravity 2500 to shift
towards head front
portion 1110, towards head top portion 1120, towards other undesired
directions, and/or away from
a desired center of gravity location or direction(s), thereby hampering the
performance of golf club
head 1000. Such undesired changes in the center of gravity location can
detrimentally affect one
or more characteristics of the golf club head, such as launch speed, launch
angle, gear effect,
backspin, and or shot distance. Accordingly, the third optimization
characteristic used to balance
the relationship between head volume 2600 and the location of head center of
gravity 2500 can be
established to yield desirable and balanced attributes for golf club head
1000. For instance, a
weight distribution of golf club head 1000 can be configured to satisfy
Relation 3 so that golf club
head 1000 can exhibit the third optimization characteristic, thereby
permitting head volume 2600
to be augmented for greater moment of inertia and greater energy transfer to
golf ball 2900 upon a
golf impact between stniceface 1210 and golf ball 2900. In the same or other
implementations, the
weight distribution of golf club head 1000 can be configured for restricting
CG depth 2510 from
decreasing towards head front portion 1110 due to the augmented head volume
2600, thus
increasing at least one of a dynamic loft of strftceface 1210 or a launch
angle of golf ball 2900 upon
the golf impact. In addition, the weight distribution of golf club head 1000
can be configured for
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restricting CO height 2520 from increasing towards head top portion 1120 as a
result of the
augmented head volume 2600, thereby decreasing a backspin of golf ball 2900
via a gear effect
between strikeface 1210 and golf ball 2900 upon the golf impact.
Considering the above, to attain the third optimization characteristic in
compliance with
Relation 3, CG depth 2510 can be configured to be greater than or equal to
40.64 mm. In the same
or other embodiments, the absolute value of CG height 2520 can be less than or
equal to 2.54 mm.
Note that CO height 2520 is characterized as an absolute value, considering
that head center of
gravity 2500 can be above or below head depth plane 2310 in some embodiments.
Although the
third optimization characteristic has a lower bound of at least 425, there can
be other embodiments
where the third optimization characteristic can be defined with respect to
other lower bounds. For
instance, the third optimization characteristic can comprise a lower bound of
at least 435 or 445 in
some implementations. The location of head center of gravity 2500 can also be
designed or
configured with respect to other features of golf club head 1000 in order to
satisfy Relation 3
and/or to attain the third optimization characteristic. For instance, the
location of head center of
gravity 2500 can be configured such that CG depth 2510 comprises between
approximately 25% to
approximately 80% of head depth length 2312, where head depth length 2312 is
measured from
strikeface centetpoint 1211 to an intersection of an exterior of head rear
portion 2160 by head
depth plane 2310. As another example, the location of head center of gravity
2500 can be
configured such that CG height 2520 comprises between approximately 0% to
approximately 13%
of CO height axis length 2322, where CG height axis length 2322 is measured
from an intersection
of an exterior of head top portion 1120 by CO height axis 2320, to an
intersection of an exterior of
head sole portion 1130 by CG height axis 2320.
Golf club head 1000 also can comprise a fourth optimization characteristic
with respect to a
balance between hose! MOI 1711 (FIG. 1) and horizontal MOI 1811 (FIG. 1).
Hose! MOI 1711 is
defined about hosel axis 1710. Horizontal MOI 1811 is defined about head
horizontal axis 1810,
which extends through head center of gravity 2500, from head heel portion 1140
to head toe
portion 1150, and parallel to ground plane 1010 when golf club head 1000 is at
the address
position over ground plane 1010.
In some examples, horizontal MO! 1811 can be increased to restrict a rotation
of golf club head
1000 about head horizontal axis 1810 when strikeface 1210 hits golf ball 2600
off-center towards
head top portion 1120 or head sole portion 1130, thereby increasing the
forgiveness of golf club
head 1000 for such high or low mis-hits. For instance, to increase horizontal
MOI 1811, weight
may be added or repositioned towards head front portion 1110 and/or head rear
portion 2160. In
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the same or other examples, golf club head 1000 can be lengthened towards head
front portion
1110 and/or heed rear portion 2160.
Such adjustments or changes to increase horizontal MOI 1811 can be made up to
a point,
however, before they start affecting other golf club head characteristics. For
example, unrestrained
adjustments to increase horizontal MOI 1811 can lead to an undue increase in
hosel MOI 1711 if
not properly balanced, thereby increasing the resistance of golf club head
1000 to rotate about
hosel axis 1710, an thus making it hard for a person to "turn over" the golf
club during a golf
swing for proper positioning or "squaring" of golf club head 1000 at impact
with golf ball 2600.
An increase in hosel MOI 1711 also can restrict or reduce a gearing effect
between golf ball 2600
and strfireface 1210 that would otherwise impart some corrective spin to golf
ball 2600 during off-
center impacts.
To reduce hosel MOI 1711, golf club head 1000 can be designed to limit the
distance between
hose!. axis 1710 and any additional or discretionary mass of golf club head
1000. Such approaches
to decrease hose! MOI 1711, if not properly balanced, can be incompatible with
some of the
approaches described above to increase horizontal MOI 1811. Accordingly,
weight addition or
redistribution for golf club head 1000 to increase horizontal MOI 1811 should
be balanced with
respect to maintaining or restricting an increase in hosel MOI 1711.
In light of the above, the fourth optimization characteristic of golf club
head 1000 controls the
relationship between horizontal MOI 1811 and hosel MOI 1711 to satisfy to
satisfy Relation 4
below:
(Horizontal M0I1811) 39% (Hosel MOInn) [Relation 4i
There can be examples where golf club head 1000 can be configured so that its
fourth
optimization characteristic can surpass the requirements of Relation 4. As an
example, in some
implementations, the fourth optimization characteristic of golf club head 1000
can be configured so
.. that horizontal MOI 1811 is greater than or equal to 40% of hose! MOI 1711,
greater than or equal
to 45% of hosel MOI 1711, or greater than or equal to 50% of hosel MOI 1711.
In the present
example, horizontal MOI 1811 is approximately 3740 grams-square-centimeter (g-
cm2), but there
can be examples where it can range between approximately 2800 g-cm2 to
approximately 4300
g=cm2. Hose! MOI 1711 is approximately 9370 g.cm2 in the present example, but
can range
between approximately 7000 g=cm2 and approximately 11,000 g.cm2 in the same or
other
examples.
Golf club head 1000 also can comprise a fifth optimization characteristic with
respect to a
balance between hosel MOI 1711 and vertical MOI 1611 (FIG. 1). Vertical MOI
1611 is defined
about head vertical axis 1610, which extends through head center of gravity
2500, from head top
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portion 1120 to head sole portion 1130, and orthogonal to ground plane 1010
when golf club head
1000 is at the address position. Vertical MOI 1611 is approximately 5300 g-cm2
in the present
example, but can range between approxinasoly 4700 g-cm2 and approximately 6000
gcm2 in the
same or other examples.
In some examples, vertical MO! 1611 can be increased to restrict a rotation of
golf club head
1000 about head vertical axis 1610 when strileface 1210 hits golf ball 2600
off-center towards
head heel portion 1140 or towards head toe portion 1150, thereby increasing
the forgiveness of
golf club head 1000 for such heel-side or toe-side mis-hit& For instance, to
increase vertical MOI
1611, weight can be added or repositioned towards head heel portion 1140
and/or head toe portion
1150. In the same or other examples, the golf club head can be lengthened
towards head heel
portion 1140 and/or head toe portion 1150.
Such adjustments or changes to increase vertical MOI 1611 can be made up to a
point,
however, before they start affecting other golf club head characteristics. For
example, unrestrained
adjustments to increase vertical MOI 1611 can lead to undue increase in hosel
MOI 1711 if not
properly balanced, thereby increasing the resistance of golf club head 1000 to
rotate about hosel
axis 1710 as described above. In addition, some approaches to decrease hosel
MOI 1711, if not
properly balanced, can be incompatible with some of the approaches described
above to increase
vertical MOI 1611. Accordingly, weight addition or redistribution for golf
club head 1000 to
increase vertical MOI 1611 should be balanced with respect to maintaining or
restricting an
increase in hosel MOI 1711.
In light of the above, the fifth optimization characteristic of golf club head
1000 controls the
relationship between vertical MOI 1611 and hosel MOI 1711 to satisfy Relation
5 below:
(Vertical MOI1611) 59% (Hosel MOImi) [Relation 5]
There can be examples where golf club head 1000 can be configured so that its
fifth
optimization characteristic can surpass the requirements of Relation 5. As an
example, in some
implementations, the fifth optimization characteristic or golf club head 1000
can be configured so
that vertical MOI 1611 is greater than or equal to 60% of hosel MOI 1711,
greater than or equal to
65% of hosel MOI 1711, or greater than or equal to 70% of hosel MOI 1711. In
some examples,
golf club head 1000 can be configured so that its fourth optimization
characteristic satisfies
.. Relation 4, while its fifth optimization characteristic also satisfies
Relation 5.
In some implementations, golf club head 1000 can be configured to exhibit the
first, second,
third, fourth, and/or fifth optimization characteristics described above by
adjiistin a distribution of
mass or a relationship between different elements of golf club head 1000. To
such ends, golf club
head 1000 can comprise weight structure 2700, located towards head sole
portion 1130 and head
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rear portion 2160, as seen in FIGs. 2-3. In some configurations, weight
structure 2700 can be
designed and/or located to satisfy the constraints imposed by Relation(s) 1,
2, 3, 4, and/or 5,
thereby balancing the face height or size of strikeface 1210, head volume
2600, the location of
center of gravity 2500, and/or the different moments of inertia of golf club
head 1000.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, weight structure 2700 can be located relative to
clock grid 3500,
which can be aligned with respect to strikeface 1210. For example, clock grid
3500 comprises 12
o'clock ray 3512, which is aligned with strikeface centeipoint 1211 in the
present embodiment 12
o'clock ray 3512 is orthogonal to front intersection line 3271, which is
defined by the intersection
of loft plane 2270 (Ms. 2-3) and ground plane 1010 (FIGs. 1-2). Clock grid
3500 can be centered
along 12 o'clock ray 3512, at a midpoint between a front end of front portion
1110 and a rear end
of rear portion 2160. In the same or other examples, clock grid centerpoint
3515 can be centered
proximate to a geometric centerpoint of golf club head 1000. Clock grid 3500
also comprises 3
o'clock ray 3503 extending towards head heel portion 1140, and 9 o'clock ray
3509 extending
towards head toe portion 1150.
Weight perimeter 2705 of weight structure 2700 is located in the present
embodiment towards
head rear portion 2160, at least partially bounded between 4 o'clock ray 3504
and 8 o'clock ray
3508 of clock grid 3500, while weight center 2750 is located between 5 o'clock
ray 3505 and 7
o'clock ray 3507. In examples such as the present one, weight perimeter 2705
is fully bounded
between 4 o'clock ray 3504 and 8 o'clock ray 3508. Although weight perimeter
2705 is defined
external to golf club head 1000 in the present example, there can be other
examples where weight
perimeter may extend into an interior of, or be defined within, golf club head
1000. In some
examples, the location of weight 2700 can be established with respect to a
broader area. For
instance, in such examples, weight perimeter 2705 of weight structure 2700 can
be located towards
head rear portion 2160, at least partially bounded between 4 o'clock ray 3504
and 9 o'clock ray
3509 of clock grid 3500, while weight center 2750 can be located between 5
o'clock ray 3505 and
8 o'clock ray 3508.
In the same or other embodiments, weight structure 2700 can extend or be
shifted towards heel
portion 1140. For instance, weight perimeter 2705 and/or weight center 2750
can be shifted
towards 4 o'clock ray 3504 than towards 9 o'clock ray 3509. Biasing weight
structure 2700
towards head heel end 1140 can permit a decrease in hosel MOI 1711 about hosel
axis 1710 by
Limiting the distance between hosel axis 1710 and weight structure 2700,
thereby allowing easier
turning of golf club head 1000 about hosel axis 1710 during a swing.
In some examples, weight structure 2700 can comprise a mass of approximately 2
grams to
approximately 50 grams, and/or a volume of approximately I cc to approximately
30 cc. In the
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resent example, weight structure 2700 protrudes from the external contour of
head sole portion
1130, and is thus at least partially external to allow for greater adjustment
of head center of gravity
2500.
Weight structure 2700 can comprise removable weight 2790 in the same or other
examples,
where removable weight 2790 can comprise a mass of approximately 0.5 grams to
approximately
30 grams, and can be replaced with one or more other similar weights to adjust
the location of head
center of gravity 2500 if needed to satisfy Relation(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, and/or 5.
In the same or other
examples, weight center 2750 can comprise at least one of a center of gravity
of weight structure
2700, a center of gravity of removable weight 2790, a geometric center of
weight structure 2700,
and/or a geometric center of removable weight 2790.
Weight center 2750 can be located with respect to ground plane 1010 and weight
center
elevation axis 2340, which extends between weight center 2750 and ground plane
1010. Weight
center elevation axis 2340 is orthogonal to ground plane 1010 when golf club
head 1000 is at the
address position. Weight center elevation 2730 for weight center 2750 can thus
be measured along
weight center elevation axis 2340, between weight center 2750 and ground plane
1010. In
addition, weight center depth 2710 for weight cenier 2750 can be measured,
parallel to ground
plane 1010, between intersection points 2802 and 2804. In the present example,
intersection point
2804 is defined by the intersection between ground plane 1010 and weight
center elevation axis
2340 when golf club head 1000 is at the address position. Weight center 2750
can be located in
the same or other embodiments such that weight distance 2751 (FIG. 2), which
separates head
center of gravity 2500 from weight center 2750, can be approximately 25 mm to
approximately
102 mm.
There can also be embodiments where face portion 1200 can comprise a reduced
thickness,
which may be reinforced as needed with one or more reinforcing structures at
the backside of
strikeface 1210 and/or at the junction between face portion 1200 and head
front portion 1110.
Other mass redistribution mechanisms can be employed as well if desired to
satisfy Relation(s) 1,
2, 3, 4, and/or 5.
In some implementations, a relationship or ratio between head center of
gravity 2500 and
weight center 2750 can be configured to permit one or more or Relation(s) 1,
2, 3, 4, or 5 to be
satisfied. For example, an elevation ratio, defined by the ratio of weight
center elevation 2730 over
head CO elevation 2530, can be greater than 0.44 to help maintain head center
of gravity 2500
closer to head sole portion 1130. As another example, a depth ratio, defined
by the ratio of weight
center depth 2710 over head CO depth 2510, can be less than 2.54 to preventing
CO depth 2510
from unduly decreasing towards head front portion 1110. There can be some
implementations
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where head CO elevation 2530 can be less than approximately 28.5 mm, where
weight center
elevation 2730 can be less than approximately 12.5 mm, and/or where weight
center depth 2710
can be greater than approximately 99.7 mm.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for method 4000, which can be used to provide,
farm, and/or
manufacture a golf club head in accordance with the present disclosure. In
some examples, the
golf club head can be similar to golf club head 1000 (FIGs. 1-3) presented
above.
Method 4000 comprises block 4100 for providing a head body of a golf club head
comprising a
head front portion. In some examples, the head body can be similar to head
body 1100 (FIGs. 1-
3), and the head front portion can be similar to head front portion 1110
(FIGs. 1-3).
Block 4200 of method 4000 comprises coupling a face portion to the head front
portion, the
head front portion comprising a strikeface with an augmented face size. In
some examples, the
face portion can be similar to face portion 1200 (FIGs. 1-2), with staeface
1210 having the
augmented face size described above with respect thereto. For example, the
augmented face size
of the strikeface may permit its face height to be of up to approximately 71
mm in some examples.
Method 4000 can comprise block 4300 for configuring the golf club head to
comprise a first
optimization characteristic, where a CO height between a center of gravity of
the golf club head
and a head depth plane of the golf club head can be approximately 0 mm to
approximately 5.08
mm or 0.200 inches. In some examples, the first optimization characteristic
can be similar to that
described above with respect to Relation 1 for balancing golf club head face
height or size with
respect to center of gravity height. In some examples, the CO height may be
similar to CO height
2520 (FIG. 2); the center of gravity may be similar to head center of gravity
2500 (FIG. 2); and the
head depth plane can be similar to head depth plane 2310 (FIG. 2).
There can be implementations where method 4000 can comprise block 4400 for
configuring
the golf club head to comprise a second optimization characteristic, where a
ratio between (a) 76.2
mm (or approximately 3.0 inches) minus the face height and (b) a CO depth
between the strikefiice
centerpoint and the center of gravity, is less than 0.56. In some examples,
the second optimization
characteristic can be similar to that described above with respect to Relation
2 for balancing golf
club head face height or size with respect to center of gravity depth. For
example, the face height
can be similar to face height 1213, and the CG depth can be similar to CO
depth 2510.
In some examples, method 4000 can comprise block 4500 for configuring the golf
club head to
comprise a third optimization characteristic where a head volume magnitude,
added to a ratio
between the CO depth and the CG height, is greater than or equal to 425. In
some
implementations, the third optimization characteristic can be similar to that
described above with
respect to Relation 3 for balancing head volume relative to center of gravity
location. For example,
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the head volume magnitude can be similar to the magnitude of head volume 2600
(FIG. 2), the CO
depth can be similar to CG depth 2510, and the CO height can be similar to CG
height 2520.
Method 4000 can comprise block 4600 in some embodiments for configuring the
golf club
head to comprise a fourth optimization characteristic, where the golf club
head's horizontal
moment of inertia is greater than or equal to 39% of its hosel moment of
inertia. In some
implementations, the fourth optimization characteristic can be similar to that
described above with
respect to Relation 4 for balancing horizontal MOI 1811 with respect to hosel
MOI 1711 (FIG. 1).
In the same or other examples, the magnitude of the horizontal moment of
inertia can be similar to
that described above with respect to horizontal MOI 1811. In addition, the
magnitude of the hosel
moment of inertia can be similar to that described above with respect to hosel
MOI 1711. There
can also be examples where the horizontal moment of inertia and/or the hosel
moment of inertia
can be balanced with respect to other features, such as with respect to a
vertical moment of inertia
of the golf club head.
Block µ4700 of method 4000 can be carried out in some implementations for
configuring the
golf club head to comprise a fifth optimization characteristic, where the golf
club bead's vertical
moment of inertia is greater than or equal to 59% of its hosel moment of
inertia. In some
implementations, the fifth optimization characteristic can be similar to that
described above with
respect to Relation 5 for balancing vertical MOI 1611 with respect to hosel
MCI 1711 (FIG. 1). In
the same or other examples, the magnitude of the vertical moment of inertia
can be similar to that
described above with respect to vertical MCI 1611. In addition, the magnitude
of the hosel
moment of inertia can be similar to that described above with respect to hosel
MOI 1711. There
can also be examples where the vertical moment of inertia and/or the hosel
moment of inertia can
be balanced with respect to other features, such as with respect to the
horizontal moment of inertia
of block 4500.
In the present example, method 4000 also comprises block 4800 for providing a
mass
redistribution mechanism to adjust the center of gravity of the golf club
head. In some examples,
the mass redistribution mechanism can be configured to permit the golf club
head to achieve the
requirements of block 4300, block 4400, block 4500, block 4600, and/or block
4700 of method
4000. The mass redistribution mechanism can comprise a weight structure, such
as weight
structure 2700 (FIGs. 2-3), which can adjust the location of the center of
gravity towards the sole
and/or the rear portion of the golf club head if desired. In the same or other
embodiments, the
mass redistribution mechanism can comprise a reduced thickness of the face
portion of the golf
club head, which may be reinforced if needed with one or more reinforcing
structures, such as at
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the backside of the strikeface, and/or at a junction between the face portion
Sand the head body of
the golf club head.
In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of method 4000 can be
combined into a
single block or performed simultaneously, and/or the sequence of such blocks
can be changed. For
example, blocks 4100 and 4200 may be combined in some embodiments, such as
where the face
portion and at least one portion of the head body comprise a single piece of
material. Block 4800
may be combined with one or more of blocks 4100, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600,
and/or 4700 in the
same or other examples, and may be achieved simultaneously by adjusting the
center of gravity,
the face height, the face size, the head volume, and/or one or more moments of
inertia of the golf
club head, such as via the mass redistribution mechanism of block 4800. In the
same or other
examples, some of the blocks of method 4000 can be subdivided into several sub-
blocks. For
example, block 4100 can be subdivided into several sub-blocks for providing
different portiOns of
the head body of the golf club head. There can also be examples where method
4000 can comprise
further or different blocks. As an example, method 4000 may comprise another
block for
providing or coupling a golf club shaft to the head body of block 4100. In
addition, there may be
examples where method 4100 can comprise only part of the blocks described
above. For example,
one or more of blocks 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and/or 4700 may be optional in
some
implementations, and/or block 4800 may be skipped if not needed to achieve the
requirements of
block 4300õ block 4400, block 4500, block 4600, and/or block 4700. Other
variations can be
implemented for method 4000 without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
Although the golf club heads with optimized Characteristics and related
methods herein have
been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be
made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For instance,
while the above
examples may be described in connection with a driver-type golf club, the
apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of
golf club such as a
fairway wood-type golf club, a hybrid-type golf club, an iron-type golf club,
a wedge-type golf
club, or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and
articles of manufacture
described herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment such as a
hockey stick, a tennis
racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.
Additional examples of such changes and others have been given in the
foregoing description.
Other permutations of the different embodiments having one or more of the
features of the various
figures are likewise contemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and
drawings herein are
intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended
to be limiting. It is
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intended that the scope of this application shall be limited only to the
extent required by the
appended claims.
The golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods
discussed herein may
be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of
certain of these
embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all
possible embodiments.
Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves,
disclose at least one
preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment
claimed in that
particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements
constitutes
reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and
solutions to problems
have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits,
advantages, solutions to
problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage,
or solution to occur
or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical,
required, or essential
features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits,
advantages, solutions, or
elements are expressly stated in such claims.
As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may
be adopted or old
rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or
governing bodies such
as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club
of St. Andrews
(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles
of manufacture
described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at
any particular time.
Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of
manufacture
described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as
conforming or non-conforming
golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described
herein are not
limited in this regard.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to
the public under
the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not
expressly claimed in
the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements
and/or limitations in the
claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
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