GB2253356A - Golf club with stepped sole - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf club 10 of the iron type comprises a head 12 with a front face 14 which is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle to the sole 13 and whose sole 13 has steps 18 to provide a lower portion 19 and at least one other portion 20, 21 which lies in a common plane spaced from but substantially parallel with the plane of the lower portion 19. This provides that there is a lesser resistance to the motion of the club head 12 if it strikes the ground or drags in the grass. The top edge 16 of the front surface 14, and grooves 18 in the front face 14, are also parallel with the planes of the sole 13 to facilitate alignment of the head 12 when viewed from above. <IMAGE>

Description

GOLF CLUB This invention relates to golf clubs. and in particular to golf clubs of the type known generally as "irons".

When an iron is addressing or striking the ball, the shaft of the club is inclined towards the hands of the golfer, but lies substantially in a vertical plane. and the bottom surface, or sole, of the head of the club is customarily generally flat in order that it can be parallel with the ground over the majority of its length. An iron is also characterised by having a head whose front face which strikes the ball is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle to the sole of the club head, the club being designated by a number in the range 1 to 9 or as a pitching wedge or sand iron, the lower numbered clubs having their front faces inclined at progressively larger acute angles to the sole of the club head. A further characteristic of irons generally is that the width of the front face of the head increases away from the club shaft over substantially the whole length of the club head.

However such a configuration of club head has certain disadvantayes associated with it. For example, when attempting to strike a ball which is in a hole or a hollow contour in the ground. it is difficult to avoid either "topping" the ball or forcibly striking the ground. neither of which give rise to a satisfactory strike of the ball. Similarly when striking a ball which is lying in relatively long grass, much of the inertia of the club head is dissipated in swathing through the grass, resulting in a reduced distance of flight of the ball.

Even when the ball is lying in short grass on level ground. if the club head strikes the ground a considerable proportion of the inertia of the head is lost and does not serve to drive the ball for the maximum possible distance.

When a golfer is addressing the ball with such a golf club, he or she is able to see the inclined front face of the club head.

and may be able to align the club using sight judgement to ensure that the bottom edge of the front face is at right angles to the direction in which he or she wishes the ball to travel after being struck. However, the top edge of the front face of a conventional iron is of no assistance in making such sight judgement. Furthermore, in some circumstances, such as when the ball is on a tee or is in long grass, the bottom edge of the club head may be at least partially obscured from the view of the player, in which case alignment can be difficult. at least for the inexperienced player.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf club of the iron type. whose configuration faciai ates clean striking of the ball when in a difficult lie. It is a further object to provide such a golf club whose configuration facilitates visual alignment of the club whilst addressing the ball.

The invention provides a golf club of the "iron" type. having a head with a front face which is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle to the front face which is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle to the sole of the head and whose sole is stepped to provide at least two substantially planar portions which are substantially parallel with each other.

Preferably the sole has two steps therein whereby a central lower portion is disposed between two end portions. The two end portions may lie in a common plane spaced from but parallel with the central portion. The length of the central portion may be between 25 and 75% of the length of the sole, and may be substantially 50% thereof.

The front face may have a substantially straight top edge which is preferably substantially parallel with the planes of the sole.

A plurality of grooves may be provided in the front face, and such grooves may be parallel with each other and with the planes of the sole. Eight such grooves may be provided.

Preferably the club has a shaft which lies in a plane perpendiular to those of the sole of the club head. and the shaft may make an obtuse angle with the sole and the top edge of the front face of the head of the club.

Tke invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a golf club in a ball adressing position, Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the club of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the club of Fig. 1. and Fig. 4 is a underplan of the club of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown a golf club 10 in a ball addressing position, the club 10 being of the "iron" type and comprising a shaft 11 and a head 12. The head 12 has a bottom surface, or sole. 13 and a front face 14 which has a bottom edge 15 and a top edge 16. The front face 14 is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle A (see Fig. 3) to the sole 13. In the front face 14 are eight grooves 17. each of which extends parallel with the other grooves 17.

The sole 13 has two steps 18 providing a lower central portion 19 and two end portions 20,21 extending to the heel 22 and toe 23 respectively. The two end portions 20.21 lie in a common plane which is spaced from but parallel with the plane of the central portion 19. When the club 10 is addressing the ball, the shaft 11 lies in a substantially vertical plane (see Fig. 3), ie perpendicular to the sole 13. but is inclined towards the hands of the golfer, making an obtuse angle B with the sole 13 and the top and bottom edges 16,15 of the front face 14 (see Fig. 2).

The length of the central portion 19 is approximetely 50 Ó of the length of the sole 13.

With such a configuration. the top and bottom edges 16.15 and the grooves 17 are parallel with each other. and can all be seen by the golfer when the club 10 is in the ball-addressing position. In this position the top and bottom edges 16.15 and the grooves 17 are at right angles to the direction, shown by arrow C. in which it is intended that the ball should travel after it has been struck by the club 10. By this means the align -ment of the club head 12 during the addressing of the ball is facilitated, whereas with a conventional iron the top edge of the head, shown in dashed lines in Figs. 1 and 4. extends in a direction at an indefinite angle to the direction C of intended travel of the ball.This latter situation may confuse all but the most experienced golfers, whereas a golf club 10 as described herein may be of considerable help at least to inexperienced golfers. The visual alignment of the club 10 may be further facilated, in the case of addressing a ball which is lying in long grass. since only the lower central portion 19 may be obscured from the view of the golfer, and the end portions 20 21 may be visible.

The configuration also provides that. even when striking a ball lying on a plane ground surface of short grass, if the ground is struck by the club head 12, the area of the sole 13 which hits the ground is less than would be the case with a conventional iron club head. This allows more of the inertia of the club head 10 to be converted into propelling energy for the ball, thereby improving the distance travelled by the ball after being struck.

Furthermore. if the ball is lying in long grass, less of the club head 12 will be required to swathe through the grass than would be the case with a conventional iron club head. with the same ball travel distance enhancing effect as described above.

In the case of a ball lying in a hole or in a hollow contour in the ground. the configuration of the club head 12 provides that the ball may be correctly struck without undue striking of the ground or without striking only the top of the ball. The length of the central portion 19 may be between 25% and 7 of the length of the sole 13 to increase or decrease the ball travel distance effects described above. as desired.

Although the thickness of the golf club head 12 may vary from the top of the head 12 to the sole 13, it is preferred that the width of the top surface of the head 12 does not vary lengthwise of the head 12. so as to further facilitate alignment of the club head 10 during addressing of the ball. A number of grooves 17 other than eight, or no such grooves. may be provided if desired.

Claims (1)

1. A golf club of the iron type. having a head with a front face which is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle to the sole of the head. and whose sole is stepped to provide at least two substantially planar portions which are substantially parallel with each other.

2. A golf club according to claim 1. wherein the sole has two steps therein.

3. A golf club according to claim 2, wherein the sole comprises a central lower portion disposed between two end portions.

4. A golf club according to claim 3, wherein the two end portions lie in a common plane spaced from, but parallel with.

the central portion.

5. A golf club according to claim 3 or claim 4. wherein the length of the central portion is between 25% and 75% of the length of the sole.

t A golf club according to claim 5. wherein the length of the central portion is substantially 50 ó of the length of the sole.

7. A golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

wherein the front face has a substantially straight top edge.

8. A golf club according to claim 7. wherein the top edge is substantially Parallel with the planes of the sole.

is. A golf club according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

wherein the front face has a plurality of grooves therein.

10. A aolf club according to claim 9. wherein the grooves are substantially parallel with each other and the planes of the sole.

11. A golf club according to claim 9 or claim 10. wherein eight grooves are provided in the front face.

12. A golf club of the iron type substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.