CN110475591B - Golf club head and method of manufacturing golf club head - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of golf club heads and methods of manufacturing golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a hollow body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a sole portion, a top portion having a crown portion with an opening, and a cover portion configured to be coupled to the crown portion to cover the opening. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description

Golf club head and method of manufacturing golf club head

Copyright authorization

The present disclosure may be protected by copyright. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the disclosure or the documents it appears in the patent and trademark office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Cross-referencing

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/512,275 filed on 30/5/2017. This application also claims priority to U.S. non-provisional application No. 15/492,711 filed on 20/4/2017. The present application also claims priority to U.S. non-provisional application No. 15/440,968 filed on 23/2/2017. This application also claims priority to U.S. non-provisional application No. 15/667,343 filed on 2.8.2017. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to athletic equipment, and more particularly, to golf club heads and methods of manufacturing golf club heads.

Background

In golf, various factors may affect the distance and direction a golf ball may travel. In particular, the Center of Gravity (CG) and/or moment of inertia (MOI) of a golf club head may affect the launch angle, spin rate, and direction of the golf ball at impact. Such factors may vary significantly based on the type of golf swing.

Disclosure of Invention

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates a front view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 illustrates a rear view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 illustrates a toe (toe) view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 illustrates a heel view of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the example body portion of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example body portion of the example golf club head of FIG. 1.

Fig. 11 illustrates two weight ports of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 12 illustrates a top view of an example weight portion of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 13 illustrates a side view of the example counterweight portion of fig. 10.

Fig. 14 illustrates a launch trajectory profile of the example golf club head of fig. 1.

Fig. 15 illustrates a first counterweight configuration of an example counterweight portion.

Fig. 16 illustrates a second counterweight configuration of an example counterweight portion.

Fig. 17 illustrates a third weight configuration of an example weight portion.

Fig. 18 illustrates a fourth weight configuration of an example weight portion.

Fig. 19 illustrates an example launch trajectory profile for the example golf club head of fig. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates one manner in which the example golf club heads described herein may be manufactured.

Fig. 21 illustrates a bottom view of another example golf club head.

Fig. 22 illustrates a bottom view of yet another example golf club head.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of an example golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 24 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

Fig. 25 illustrates a front view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

Fig. 26 illustrates a rear view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

Fig. 27 illustrates a top view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

Fig. 28 illustrates a bottom view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

Fig. 29 illustrates a toe view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

Fig. 30 illustrates a heel view of the example golf club head of fig. 23.

FIG. 31 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29.

Fig. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of fig. 23 taken at section line 32-32 of fig. 25.

FIG. 33 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 33 taken at section line 32-32 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 35 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 36 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 37 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 38 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 39 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 23 taken at section line 31-31 of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view of an elastic polymer insert in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 41 is a top perspective view of an example golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 42 illustrates a bottom view of the example golf club head of fig. 41.

Fig. 43 illustrates a toe view of the example golf club head of fig. 41.

FIG. 44 illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 41 taken at section line 44-44 of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 41 taken at section line 44-44 of FIG. 43 according to an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 46 illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of FIG. 41 taken at section line 44-44 of FIG. 43 according to an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 47 illustrates a perspective view of an elastic polymer insert in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 48 illustrates a perspective view of an elastic polymer insert in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

FIG. 49 is a top perspective view of an example golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 50 illustrates a rear perspective view of the example golf club head of fig. 49.

FIG. 51 illustrates a toe perspective view of the example golf club head of FIG. 49.

Fig. 52 illustrates a heel perspective view of the example golf club head of fig. 49.

Fig. 53 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the example golf club head of fig. 49.

Fig. 54 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example golf club head of fig. 48 taken at section line 54-54 of fig. 51.

FIG. 55 is a top perspective view of an example golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 56 illustrates a top view of the example golf club head of fig. 55.

Fig. 57 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the example golf club head of fig. 55.

Fig. 58 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another example golf club head of fig. 55.

Fig. 59 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another example golf club head of fig. 55.

FIG. 60 illustrates a side perspective cut-away view of an example golf club head, in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein.

Fig. 61 illustrates another side perspective cut-away view of the golf club head of fig. 60.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings show a general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the application. Additionally, elements in the drawings 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 application.

Detailed Description

In general, golf club heads and methods of manufacturing golf club heads are described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard. In the example of fig. 1-13, the golf club head 100 may include a body portion 110, and a plurality of weight portions 120, shown generally as a first set of weight portions 210 (fig. 2) and a second set of weight portions 220 (fig. 2). The body portion 110 may include a top portion 130, a bottom portion 140, a toe portion 150, a heel portion 160, a front portion 170, and a rear portion 180. The sole 140 may include a skirt portion (skirt portion)190, the skirt portion 190 being defined as the side of the golf club head 100 between the top 130 and the sole 140 excluding the front portion 170 and extending across the periphery of the golf club head 100 from the toe portion 150, around the rear portion 180, and toward the heel portion 160. The base 140 may include a transition region 230 and a weight port region 240. For example, the weight port region 240 may be a D-shaped region. The weight port region 240 may include a plurality of weight ports 900 (fig. 9) for receiving a plurality of weight portions 120. The front portion 170 may include a face 175 to strike a golf ball (not shown). The body portion 110 may also include a sheath portion (hosel portion)165 to receive a shaft (craft) (not shown). Alternatively, the body portion 110 may include a bore (bore) without the sheath 165. For example, the body portion 110 may be partially or entirely made of an aluminum-based material, a magnesium-type material, a steel-based material, a titanium-based material, any combination thereof, or any other suitable material. In another example, the body portion 110 may be partially or entirely made of a non-metallic material such as a ceramic material, a composite material, any combination thereof, or any other suitable material.

The golf club head 100 may have a cubic centimeter (cm) or greater than 300³Or cc) of club head volume. In one example, the golf club head 100 may be approximately 460 cc. Alternatively, the golf club head 100 may have a club head volume of less than or equal to 300 cc. In particular, the golf club head 100 may have a club head volume between 100cc and 200 cc. The club head volume of the golf club head 100 may be determined by using weighted water displacement method (i.e., archimedes principle). For example, by the Golf standardization organization and/or management entity, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) and/or the Royaland Antrient Golf Club of the Ancient Golf Club of St&A) The defined protocol of (1) may be used to measure the club head volume of the golf club head 100. Although fig. 1 may depict a particular type of club head (e.g., a driver-type club head), the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of club heads (e.g., fairway wood-type club heads, iron-type club heads, putter-type club heads, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each weight portion of the first set of weight portions 210, shown generally as 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 (fig. 4), may be associated with a first mass. Each weight portion of the second set of weight portions 220, shown generally as 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, and 480 (fig. 4), may be associated with a second mass. The first mass may be greater than the second mass, or vice versa. In one example, the first set of weight portions 210 may be made of a tungsten-based material, and the second set of weight portions 220 may be made of an aluminum-based material. As described in detail below, the first and second sets of weight portions 210 and 220 may each provide various weight configurations (e.g., fig. 15-18).

As shown in fig. 9-11, for example, the bottom portion 140 of the body portion 110 may include a plurality of weight ports 900. A plurality of weight ports 900, shown generally as 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, 975, and 980, may be located along the periphery of the weight port region 240 of the bottom portion 140. A plurality of weight ports 900 may extend across the bottom portion 140. In particular, a plurality of weight ports 900 may extend across the sole 140 between the toe portion 150 and the heel portion 160, respectively. A plurality of weight ports 900 may also extend across the bottom portion 140 between the front portion 170 and the rear portion 180, respectively. A plurality of weight ports 900 may be disposed across the bottom portion 140 along a path defining a generally D-shaped loop. In one example, the plurality of weight ports 900 may extend across the sole 140 greater than 50% of a maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 between the toe 150 and the heel 160, respectively. The maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 of the golf club head 100 may be measured at the toe 150 and heel 160, respectively, from the transition area between the top portion 130 and the bottom portion 140, respectively. Alternatively, the maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 may be the horizontal distance between the vertical projections of the outermost points of the toe 150 and heel 160, respectively. For example, the maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 may be measured when the golf club head 100 is at a lie angle (lie angle)510 of about 60 degrees. If the outermost point of the heel 160 is not readily definable, the outermost point of the heel 160 may be located at a height 520 of about 0.875 inches (22.23 millimeters) above the ground plane 530 (i.e., the horizontal plane in which the golf club head 100 is being placed). The plurality of weight ports 900 may extend greater than 50% of the maximum toe-to-heel club head distance 500 of the golf club head 100. In particular, the plurality of weight ports 900 may extend between the toe 150 and the heel 160 at a maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance 995, which may be greater than 50% of the maximum toe-to-heel club head distance 500 of the golf club head 100. In one example, the maximum toe-to-heel club head distance 500 of the golf club head 100 may be no greater than 5 inches (127 millimeters). Thus, the plurality of weight ports 900 may each extend between the toe portion 150 and the heel portion 160 for a weight port maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance of at least 2.5 inches. The maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance 995 may be the maximum distance between the heel-side boundary of the weight port furthest from the toe 150 and the toe-side boundary of the weight port furthest from the heel 160. In the example of fig. 9, the weight port maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance 995 may be the maximum distance between the heel-side boundary of the weight port 940 and the toe-side boundary of the weight port 980. For example, the maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance 995 may be approximately 3.7 inches. As the rules of the golf game may change over time (e.g., the golf standardization organization and/or management entity may adopt new rules or may discard or modify old rules), the lie angle 510 and/or height 520 used to measure the maximum toe-to-heel club head distance 500 may also change. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each weight port of the plurality of weight ports 900 may have a port diameter (D)_port) (e.g., two shown as 1105 and 1110 in fig. 11). For example, the port diameter of each weight port of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be approximately 0.3 inches (7.65 millimeters). Alternatively, the port diameters of adjacent weight ports may be different. In an example, the weight port 905 may be associated with a port diameter 1105 and the weight port 910 may be associated with a port diameter 1110. In particular, the port diameter 1105 of the weight port 905 may be greater than the port diameter 1110 of the weight port 910, or vice versa. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The base 140 may also include an outer surface 990. As shown in fig. 10, for example, a plurality of weight ports 900 may be formed on the bottom portion 140 relative to an outer surface curve 1090 formed by the outer surface 990. In particular, each weight port of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be associated with a port axis, shown generally as 1005, 1010, and 1015. The center of the weight port may define a port axis of the weight port. Each hole axis may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a plane tangent to outer surface curve 1090 at the intersection of the hole axis and outer surface curve 1090. In an example, substantially perpendicular may refer to a deviation of ± 5 ° from perpendicular. In another example, substantially perpendicular may refer to a deviation of ± 3 ° from perpendicular. The vertical deviation may depend on manufacturing tolerances.

In an example, the bore axis 1010 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular (i.e., orthogonal) to a tangent plane 1012 of the outer surface curve 1090. Multiple fixtures (fixtures) may be used to manufacture multiple weight ports 900 by positioning the golf club head 100 in different locations. Alternatively, the weight ports may be manufactured by a multi-axis machining process, which may be capable of rotating the golf club head about multiple axes to grind away excess material (e.g., by water jet cutting and/or laser cutting) to form the plurality of weight ports 900. In addition, multi-axis machining processes may provide a suitable surface finish because the milling tool may move tangentially with respect to a surface. Accordingly, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may use a multi-axis machining process to form each of the plurality of weight ports 900 on the bottom portion 140. For example, a five-axis milling machine (millilingmachine) may form the plurality of weight ports 900 such that the port axis 1000 of each weight port of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the outer surface curve 1090. The tool of the five-axis milling machine may move tangentially about the outer surface curve 1090 of the outer surface 990.

Turning to fig. 11, for example, two adjacent weight ports may be separated by a port distance 1100, and the port distance 1100 may be the shortest distance between two adjacent weight ports on the outer surface 990. In particular, the port distance 1100 may be less than or equal to the port diameter of either of two adjacent weight ports. In an example, the port distance 1100 between the weight ports 905 and 910 may be less than or equal to the port diameter 1105 or the port diameter 1110. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The plurality of weight portions 120 may have similar or different physical properties (e.g., density, shape, mass, volume, size, color, etc.). In one example, the first set of weight portions 210 may be black, while the second set of weight portions 220 may be gray or steel (steel color). Some or all of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be partially or entirely made of a metallic material such as a steel-based material, a tungsten-based material, an aluminum-based material, any combination thereof, or suitable types of materials. Alternatively, some or all of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be partially or entirely made of a non-metallic material (e.g., a composite material, a plastic, etc.).

In the example shown in fig. 12 and 13, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may have a cylindrical shape (e.g., a circular cross-section). While the above examples may describe counterweight portions having a particular shape, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include counterweight portions of other suitable shapes (e.g., partial or complete spheres, cubes, cones, cylinders, pyramids, cuboids, prisms, frustums, or other suitable geometric shapes). Each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be associated with a diameter 1200 and a height 1300. In an example, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may have a diameter of about 0.3 inches (7.62 millimeters) and a height of about 0.2 inches (5.08 millimeters). Alternatively, the first and second sets of weight portions 210 and 220, respectively, may differ in width and/or height.

Instead of a rear to front direction as in other golf club heads, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may engage with one of the plurality of weight ports 400 in a bottom to top direction. The plurality of weight portions 120 may include threads (threads) to secure in the weight ports. For example, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be a screw (screw). The plurality of weight portions 120 may not be easily removed from the body portion 110 with or without tools. Alternatively, the plurality of weight portions 120 may be easily removed (e.g., with a tool) such that a relatively heavier or lighter weight portion may replace one or more of the plurality of weight portions 120. In another example, the plurality of weight portions 120 may be secured in the weight ports of the body portion 110 with an epoxy or adhesive such that the plurality of weight portions 120 may not be easily removable. In yet another example, the plurality of weight portions 120 may be secured in the weight ports of the body portion 110 with both epoxy and threads, such that the plurality of weight portions 120 may not be easily removable. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In contrast to other golf club heads, the golf club head 100 may accommodate (accmod) at least four different types of golf swings. As shown in fig. 14, for example, each weight configuration may be associated with one of a plurality of emission trajectory profiles 1400, shown generally as 1410, 1420, and 1430. Referring to fig. 15, for example, in a first weight configuration 1500, a first set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 405, 410, 415, 120, 425, 430, and 435, may be disposed toward the front portion 170, while a second set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, may be disposed toward the rear portion 180 depending on the configuration of the first set of weight ports 1510. The first weight configuration 1500 may be associated with a first transmission trajectory 1410 (fig. 14). In particular, the first weight configuration 1500 may reduce the spin rate of the golf ball. By placing a relatively heavier weight portion (i.e., the first set of weight portions) toward the front portion 170 of the golf club head 100 according to the configuration of the first set of weight ports 1510, the center of Gravity (GC) of the golf club head 100 may be moved relatively forward and downward to create a relatively lower launch and rotation trajectory. Thus, the first emission trace 1410 may be associated with a relatively greater roll distance (i.e., distance after landing). While the above examples may describe weight portions disposed in certain weight ports, any weight portion of the first set of weight portions 210 may be disposed in any weight port of the first set of weight ports 1510.

Turning to fig. 16, for example, in the second weight configuration 1600, a first set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 405, 410, 415, 120, 425, 430, and 435, may be disposed toward the rear portion 180, while a second set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, may be disposed toward the front portion 170 according to the configuration of the second set of weight ports 1610. The second weight configuration 1600 may be associated with a second launch trajectory curve 1420 (fig. 14). In particular, the second weight arrangement 1600 may increase the launch angle of the golf ball and maximize the forgiveness. By placing a relatively heavier weight portion (i.e., the first set of weight portions) toward the rear 180 of the golf club head 100 depending on the configuration of the second set of weight ports 1610, the center of Gravity (GC) of the golf club head 100 may be moved relatively rearward and upward to create a relatively higher launch and rotation trajectory. Furthermore, the moment of inertia (MOI) of a golf club head may increase on both the horizontal axis (front-to-back axis) and the vertical axis (top-to-bottom axis), which in turn provides relatively more tolerance on off-center hits. Accordingly, the second emission trajectory profile 1420 may be associated with a relatively greater flight distance (i.e., air-borne distance).

Turning to fig. 17, for example, in the third weighting configuration, a first set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 405, 410, 415, 120, 425, 430, and 435, may be disposed toward the heel 160, while a second set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, may be disposed toward the toe 150 according to the configuration of the third set of weight ports 1710. The third counterweight configuration 1700 may be associated with a third launch trajectory curve 1430 (fig. 14). In particular, the third weight configuration 1700 may allow a player to relatively easily flip the golf club head 100 (i.e., square up face 175) to hit a golf ball). By placing a relatively heavier weight portion (i.e., the first set of weight portions) toward the heel 160 of the golf club head 100, the center of Gravity (GC) of the golf club head 100 may be moved relatively closer to the axis of the shaft.

Turning to fig. 18, for example, in the fourth weight configuration 1800, a first set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 405, 410, 415, 120, 425, 430, and 435, may be disposed toward the toe portion 150, while a second set of weight portions, which may be defined by weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, may be disposed toward the heel portion 160 according to the configuration of the fourth set of weight ports 1810. The fourth weight configuration 1800 may be associated with a third launch trajectory curve 1430 (fig. 14). In particular, the fourth weight configuration 1800 may prevent a player from flipping the golf club head 100 (i.e., the face 175 may be more open to hit a golf ball). By placing a relatively heavier weight portion (i.e., the first set of weight portions) toward the toe 150 of the golf club head 100, the center of Gravity (GC) of the golf club head 100 may be moved relatively farther from the axis of the shaft. The fourth weight configuration 1800 may result in a fade golf shot (e.g., one trajectory or flight path of a ball that travels to the left of the target 1910 and curves back to the right of the target for a right-handed player, for example, as shown in fig. 19). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fig. 20 illustrates one manner in which the golf club head 100 may be manufactured. In the example of fig. 20, the process 2000 may begin by providing a plurality of weight portions (block 2010). The plurality of weight portions may include a first set of weight portions and a second set of weight portions. Each weight portion of the first set of weight portions may be associated with a first mass and each weight portion of the second set of weight portions may be associated with a second mass. The first mass may be greater than the second mass. In one example, each weight portion of the first set of weight portions may be made of a tungsten-based material having a mass of 2.6 grams, while each weight portion of the second set of weight portions may be made of an aluminum-based material having a mass of 0.4 grams. The first set of weight portions may have a gray or steel color and the second set of weight portions may have a black color. The process 2000 may provide a body portion of a golf club head (block 2020). The body portion may include a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion having an outer surface associated with an outer surface curve, and a skirt portion between the top portion and the sole portion. The process 2000 may form weight port regions at or near the bottom and skirt (block 2030). The transition region may surround the weight port region. The process 2000 may form a plurality of weight ports along a perimeter of the weight port region (block 2040). Each weight port of the plurality of weight ports may be associated with a port diameter and configured to receive at least one weight portion of the plurality of weight portions. Two adjacent weight ports may be separated by less than or equal to the port diameter. Further, each weight port of the plurality of weight ports may be associated with a port axis. The hole axis may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular with respect to a tangent plane of the outer surface curve of the sole portion of the golf club head. The example process 2000 of fig. 20 is provided and described in connection with fig. 1-19 merely as an example of one way to manufacture the golf club head 100. Although a particular order of actions is shown in fig. 20, these actions may be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more of the acts depicted in fig. 20 may be performed sequentially, concurrently, or simultaneously. Although fig. 20 shows a certain number of blocks, the process may not perform one or more of the blocks. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in the above example, the plurality of weight portions 120 and the plurality of weight ports 900 may be positioned at the perimeter of the weight port region 240 along a path defining a generally D-shaped loop formed by two arcs, generally indicated as 490 and 495 in fig. 4. For example, the weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 (fig. 4) and the weight ports 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, and 935 (fig. 9) may form the first arc 490. In particular, the first arc 490 may extend across the sole 140 between the toe 150 and heel 160, respectively. The weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, and 480 (fig. 4), the weight ports 940, 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, 975, and 980 (fig. 9) may form the second arc 495. The second arc 495 may generally follow the contour of the rear portion 180 of the body portion 110. Alternatively, the first arc 490 and the second arc 495 may define rings having other shapes (e.g., generally O-shaped rings) extending across the base 140. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

While the above examples may show multiple weight portions 120 and multiple weight ports 900 formed into a particular geometry, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may have weight portions and weight ports located along the perimeter of the weight portion region to form other geometries. Turning to fig. 21, for example, the golf club head 2100 may include a bottom portion 2110 and a plurality of weight portions 2120 disposed in a plurality of weight ports 2130. A plurality of weight ports 2130 may be located along the periphery of the weight port region 2140 of the bottom portion 2110 (i.e., a plurality of weight ports 2130 may extend across the bottom portion 2110, between the toe portion 2112 and the heel portion 2114, respectively). Unlike the plurality of weight portions 120 and the plurality of weight ports 900 (e.g., fig. 4 and 9), the plurality of weight ports 2130 may form two separate arcs extending across the bottom portion 2110, shown generally as 2150 and 2155.

A first arc 2150 may extend between the toe portion 2112 and the heel portion 2114. The first arc 2150 may curve toward the front portion 2170 of the golf club head 2100 (i.e., concave relative to the front portion 2170). According to the example of fig. 21, the first arc 2150 may extend from an area proximate the toe portion 2112 to an area proximate the front portion 2170, and from an area proximate the front portion 2170 to an area proximate the heel portion 2114 (i.e., concave relative to the front portion 2170). Accordingly, the first arc 2150 may appear as a C-shaped arc facing the rear portion 2180 of the golf club head 2100 extending between the toe portion 2112 and the heel portion 2114. A second arc 2155 may also extend between the toe portion 2112 and the heel portion 2114. The second arc 2155 may curve toward the rear portion 2180 of the golf club head 2100 (i.e., concave relative to the rear portion 2180). Thus, the second arc 2155 may appear as a C-shaped arc facing the front portion 2170 of the golf club head 2100 extending between the toe portion 112 and the heel portion 2114. Further, first arc 2150 may be closer to front 2170 than second arc 2155. The first and second arcs 2150, 2155 may be disjunct such that the first and second arcs 2150, 2155, respectively, may be spaced apart along the perimeter of the bottom 2110. Thus, the bottom 2110 may include gaps (gap)2190 and 2192 along the periphery of the bottom 2110 between the weight ports 2130 of the first arc 2150 and the weight ports 2130 of the second arc 2155. The gaps 2190 and/or 2192 may be greater than or equal to the port diameter of any weight port 2130, such as the weight ports 2130 adjacent to the gaps 2190 and/or 2192. According to one example shown in fig. 21, the gaps 2190 and 2192 may be several orders of magnitude larger than the diameter of the weight port 2130 adjacent to the gaps 2190 and 2192. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Referring to fig. 21, for example, the first arc 2150 may include a greater number of weight ports 2130 than the second arc 2155, which may be suitable for certain golf club heads (e.g., fairway wood-type golf club heads and/or ironwood-type golf club heads). Alternatively, the second arc 2155 may include the same or a greater number of weight ports 2130 than the first arc 2150. The respective number of weight ports 2130 in each of the first and second arcs 2150, the weight portion 2120 associated with each weight port 2130, and the spacing between adjacent weight ports 2130 may be determined based on the type of golf club, the preferred weight distribution for the golf club head 2100, and/or the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head 2100.

The weight ports 2130 of the first and/or second arcs 2150, 2155 may be spaced apart from one another along the first and/or second arcs 2150, 2155 by the same or approximately the same distance. Any variation in the spacing between the weight ports 2130 of the first or second arcs 2150, 2155, or any weight ports described herein, may be due to different manufacturing considerations, such as manufacturing tolerances and/or cost-effectiveness associated with manufacturing accuracy. For example, the change in the spacing between the weight ports 2130 of the first and/or second arcs 2150, 2155 may be between 1/16 inches and 0.001 inches. As described herein, the distance between adjacent weight ports 2130 (i.e., the port distance) may be less than or equal to the port diameter of either of the two adjacent weight ports. The plurality of weight ports 2130 may extend between the toe portion 2112 and the heel portion 2114 at a maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance that is greater than 50% of the maximum toe-to-heel club head distance 2195 of the golf club head 2100. The maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance may be the maximum distance between the heel-side boundary of the weight port furthest from the toe 2112 and the toe-side boundary of the weight port furthest from the heel 2114.

In particular, the golf club head 2100 may have a volume of less than 430 cc. In one example, the golf club head 2100 may have a volume of 100cc to 400 cc. In another example, the golf club head 2100 may have a volume of 150cc to 350 cc. In yet another example, the golf club head 2100 may have a volume of 200cc to 300 cc. The golf club head 2100 may have a mass of 100 grams to 350 grams. In another example, the golf club head 2100 may have a mass of 150 grams to 300 grams. In yet another example, the golf club head 2100 may have a mass of 200 grams to 250 grams. The golf club head 2100 may have a loft angle (slope angle) of 10 ° to 30 °. In another example, the golf club head 2100 may have a loft angle of 13 ° to 27 °. For example, the golf club head 2100 may be a fairway wood-type golf club head. Alternatively, the golf club head 2100 may be a smaller driver type golf club head (i.e., larger than a fairway wood type golf club head, but smaller than a driver type golf club head). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 22, for example, the golf club head 2200 may include a bottom portion 2210, and a plurality of weight portions 2220 disposed in the plurality of weight ports 2230. A plurality of weight ports 2230 positioned along a periphery of the weight port region 2240 may be disposed along a path that defines an arc, shown generally as 2250, extending across the bottom portion 2210 (i.e., a plurality of weight ports 2230 may extend across the bottom portion 2210 between the toe and heel portions 2212 and 2214, respectively). The arc 2250 may curve toward the rear portion 2280 of the golf club head 2200 (i.e., concave relative to the rear portion 2280). According to the example of fig. 22, the arc 2250 may extend from an area proximate the toe portion 2212 to an area proximate the rear portion 2280, and from an area proximate the rear portion 2280 to an area proximate the heel portion 2214 (i.e., recessed relative to the rear portion 2280). Accordingly, the arc 2250 may appear as a C-shaped arc facing the front portion 2270 of the golf club head 2200, extending from proximate the heel portion 2214 to proximate the toe portion 2212. Further, the curvature of the arc 2250 may be substantially similar to or generally follow the contour of the rear portion 2280 of the golf club head 2200. The number of weight ports 2230 in the arc 2250, the weight portion 2220 associated with each weight port 2230, and the spacing between adjacent weight ports 2230 may be determined based on the type of golf club, the preferred weight distribution for the golf club head 2200, and/or the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head 2200.

The weight ports 2230 of the arc 2250 may be spaced apart from each other at the same or approximately the same distance along the arc 2250 (e.g., the weight ports 2230 may be substantially similarly spaced apart from each other). Any variation in the spacing between the weight ports 2230 of the arc 2250 or any weight ports described herein may be due to different manufacturing considerations, such as manufacturing tolerances and/or cost-effectiveness associated with manufacturing accuracy. For example, the change in spacing between the weight ports 2130 of the arc 2250 may be between 1/16 inches and 0.001 inches. As described herein, the distance between adjacent weight ports 2230 (i.e., the port distance) may be less than or equal to the port diameter of any of the two adjacent weight ports. The plurality of weight ports 2230 may extend between the toe portion 2212 and the heel portion 2214 at a maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance that is greater than 50% of the maximum toe-to-heel club head distance 2290 of the golf club head 2200. The maximum toe-to-heel weight port distance may be the maximum distance between the heel-side boundary of the weight port furthest from the toe 2212 and the toe-side boundary of the weight port furthest from the heel 2214.

In particular, the golf club head 2200 may have a volume of less than 200 cc. In one example, the golf club head 2200 may have a volume of 50cc to 150 cc. In another example, the golf club head 2200 may have a volume of 60cc to 120 cc. In yet another example, the golf club head 2200 may have a volume of 70cc to 100 cc. The golf club head 2200 may have a mass of 180 grams to 275 grams. In another example, the golf club head 2200 may have a mass of 200 grams to 250 grams. The golf club head 2200 may have a loft angle of 15 ° to 35 °. In another example, the golf club head 2200 may have a loft angle of 17 ° to 33 °. For example, the golf club head 2200 may be a hybrid golf club head. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 23-32, the golf club head 2300 may include a body portion 2310, and a plurality of weight portions 2320, shown generally as a first set of weight portions 2410 and a second set of weight portions 2420 (fig. 24). The body portion 2310 may include a top portion 2330, a bottom portion 2340, a toe portion 2350, a heel portion 2360, a front portion 2370 having a face portion 2375, and a rear portion 2380. The bottom portion 2340 may include a skirt portion 2390, which skirt portion 2390 is defined as the side of the golf club head 2300 between the top portion 2330 and the bottom portion 2340 that does not include the front portion 2370 and extends across the periphery of the golf club head 2300 from the toe portion 2350, around the rear portion 2380, and toward the heel portion 2360. The bottom portion 2340 may include a transition region 2430 and a weight port region 2440. For example, the weight port region 2440 may be a D-shaped region. The weight port region 2440 may include a plurality of weight ports 2800 (fig. 28) for receiving a plurality of weight portions 2320. The body portion 2310 may also include a hosel portion 2365 to receive a shaft (not shown). The sheath portion 2365 may be an integral part of the body portion 2310 or a separate part. For example, the sheath portion 2365 may comprise a sheath having one end to receive the shaft and an opposite end insertable into the body portion 2310. Alternatively, the body portion 2310 may include an aperture without the sheath portion 2365. The golf club head 2300 may be constructed from similar materials, may have a similar volume, and may be of the same type as the golf club head 100 or any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each weight portion of the first set of weight portions 2410, shown generally as 2605, 2610, 2615, and 2620, may be associated with a first mass. Each weight portion of the second set of weight portions 2420, shown generally as 2640, 2645, 2650, 2655, 2660, 2665 and 2670, may be associated with a second mass. The first mass may be greater than the second mass, or vice versa. The first and second sets of weight portions 2410 and 2420, respectively, may provide various weight configurations for the golf club head 2300, similar to the various weight configurations for the golf club head 100 or any of the golf club heads described herein. Alternatively, all of the weight portions of the first and second sets of weight portions 2410 and 2420, respectively, may have the same mass. That is, the first and second masses may be equal to each other. The plurality of weight portions 2320 may have similar or different physical properties (e.g., density, shape, mass, volume, size, color, etc.). The weight portion 2320 may be similar in many respects to the weight portion 120 of the golf club head 100 or any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in fig. 28, for example, the bottom 2340 of the body portion 2310 may include a plurality of weight ports 2800. A plurality of weight ports 2800, shown generally as 2805, 2810, 2815, 2820, 2840, 2845, 2850, 2855, 2860, 2865, and 2870, may be positioned on and/or along a periphery of the weight port region 2440 of the bottom portion 2340. Each weight port of the plurality of weight ports 2800 may be similar in many respects (e.g., port diameter) to any weight port of the golf club head 100 or any of the golf club heads described herein. Further, each of the plurality of weight ports 2800 may be formed on the bottom portion 2340 similar to the formation of the weight ports 900 of the golf club head 100 or any of the weight ports in the golf club head described herein. Further, the plurality of weight ports 2800 may extend across the bottom portion 2340 similar to the configuration of the weight ports 900 of the golf club head 100 or any of the weight ports in the golf club head described herein. However, the configuration of the weight ports 2800 on the bottom portion 2340 may be different from the configuration of the weight ports 900 of the golf club head 100 or any of the weight ports in the golf club head described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example shown in fig. 23-32, bottom portion 2340 may include an outer surface 2342 and an inner surface 2344. Each of the exterior surface 2342 and the interior surface 2344 may include one or more support portions, shown generally as 3110, 3120, and 3140. Outer surface 2342 may include at least one outer support portion 3110 and inner surface 2344 may include a first set of inner support portions 3120 (shown generally as inner support portions 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125, 3126, 3127, 3128, 3129, 3130, 3131, 3132, and 3133) and a second set of inner support portions 3140 (shown generally as inner support portions 3141, 3142, 4143, 3144, 3145, and 3146). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The outer support portion 3110 may be positioned on the bottom portion 2340 and/or the skirt portion 2390 between any weight ports 2800 and the periphery of the body portion 2310 defined by the toe portion 2350, the heel portion 2360, the front portion 2370 and the rear portion 2380. However, the outer support portion 3110 may be positioned at any location on the golf club head 2300 for structural support of the golf club head 2300. As shown in the examples of fig. 23-32, the outer support portion 3110 can be defined by a groove or notch that extends from the rear portion 2380 toward and/or to the toe portion 2350 on the bottom portion 2340 and/or the skirt portion 2390 proximate a periphery of the body portion 2310. The outer support portion 3100 may have any configuration. As shown in fig. 31, the width of outer support portion 3110 can be from rear portion 2380 toward toe portion 2350, and outer support portion 3110 can follow the contour of the periphery of body portion 2310 between rear portion 2380 and toe portion 2350. Thus, the outer support portion 3110 may resemble a curved triangular groove on the bottom 2340. The depth of the outer support portion 3110 may also vary. Alternatively, the depth of the outer support portion 3110 may be constant. Further, the depth of outer support portion 3110 may be determined based on the thickness of bottom portion 2340 and the material forming bottom portion 2340. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each inner support portion in the first set of inner support portions 3120 may include walls, ribs, and/or any protrusions of the inner surface 2344 of the base portion 2340. Each inner support portion of the first set of inner support portions 3120 may extend from each weight port 2800 and connect each weight port 2800 to an adjacent weight port or one or more non-adjacent weight ports 2800. As shown in fig. 31, for example, inner support portion 3121 may include walls that protrude from an inner surface 2344 of bottom portion 2340 and connect weight ports 2805 and 2810. Similarly, as shown in fig. 31, each pair of adjacent weight ports 2810 and 2815, 2815 and 2820, 2820 and 2840, 2840 and 2845, 2845 and 2850, 2850 and 2855, 2855 and 2860, 2860 and 2865, 2865 and 2870, 2870 and 2805 may be connected by an inner support portion 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125, 3126, 3127, 3128, 3129, 3130, 3131, respectively. Thus, the inner support portions 3121-3131 of the first set of inner support portions 3120 may define an annular support region 3150 on the inner surface 2344 of the base 2340. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In addition, inner support portion 3132 may include a wall protruding from inner surface 2344 of bottom portion 2340 and connecting two non-adjacent weight ports, such as weight ports 2805 and 2855. The inner support portion 3133 may include two non-adjacent weight ports, such as 2820 and 2855, protruding from the inner surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340. Thus, inner support portions 3121, 3122, 3123, 3132 and 3133 may define a triangular support region 3160 on an inner surface 2344 of bottom 2340 that is partially within annular support region 3150 and partially overlaps annular region 3150. The weight ports 2805, 2820, and 2855 may define the apex of the triangular support region 3160. The first set of inner support portions 3120 may have any configuration, connect any two or more of the weight ports, and/or define any shape. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each inner support portion of the second set of inner support portions 3140 may include walls, ribs, and/or any protrusions on the inner surface 2344 of the base portion 2340. Each of the second set of inner support portions 3140 (shown generally as inner support portions 3141, 3142, 3143, 3144, 3145, and 3146) may extend from one or more of the weight ports 2800 toward the periphery of the body portion 2310 and/or the skirt portion 2390. In one example illustrated in fig. 31, each inner support portion of the second set of inner support portions 3140 is shown extending from a respective weight port of the weight ports 2800 to the toe, toe and rear, heel and rear, and heel portions, respectively. The length, height, thickness, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional configuration of each of inner support portions 3141, 3142, 3143, 3144, 3145, and/or 3146 may be configured such that inner support portions 3141, 3142, 3143, 3144, 3145, and/or 3146 may provide or substantially provide structural support to bottom portion 2340, skirt portion 2390, toe portion 2350, heel portion 2360, front portion 2370, and/or rear portion 2380. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first set of inner support portions 3120 may structurally support the bottom portion 2340 by distributing the impact load exerted on the bottom portion 2340 throughout the bottom portion 2340 when the golf club head 2300 strikes a golf ball (not shown). The second set of inner support portions 3140 may further distribute impact loads to the spread 2340, skirt portion 2390, toe portion 2350, heel portion 2360, front portion 2370, and/or rear portion 2380. In an example, the second set of inner support portions 3140 may include additional walls, ribs, and/or protrusions (not shown) connected to any of the weight ports, such as weight ports 2840, 2850, and 2860, to further distribute impact loads throughout the body portion 2310. While the above examples may depict a particular number of internal support portions, the bottom portion 2340 may include additional internal support portions (not shown). For example, the bottom portion 2340 may include a plurality of internal support portions (not shown) connecting non-adjacent weight ports 2800 (e.g., weight ports 2815 and 2860) and/or a second set of internal support portions 3140. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The width (i.e., thickness), length, height, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional shape of the inner support portions of the first set 3120 and/or the second set 3140 may be similar or different and configured to provide structural support to the golf club head 2300. For example, the material from which the bottom portion 2340 and/or the body portion 2310 may be constructed may determine the width, length, height, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional shape of the inner support portions of the first set 3120 and/or the second set 3140. For example, the inner support portions of the first set of inner support portions 3120 and/or the second set of inner support portions 3140 may be defined by walls having a rectangular cross-section with a height similar to the depth of the weight portion 2800. The length of each inner support portion of second set 3140 may be configured such that one or more inner support portions of second set 3140 extend from bottom portion 2340 to skirt portion 2390. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the golf club heads described herein may have differently configured outer and/or inner support portions based on the size, thickness, materials of construction, and/or other characteristics of any portion and/or component of the golf club head to provide structural support to the golf club head when a golf ball is struck. Different configurations of the outer support portion and/or the inner support portion may affect the vibration, damping, and/or noise characteristics of the golf club head when striking a golf ball. Further, different configurations of the outer support portion and/or the inner support portion may provide structural support for portions of the golf club head that may require additional structural support. For example, a golf club head as described herein may include more inner support portions in addition to the first and second sets of inner support portions as described herein. For example, a golf club head as described herein may include fewer inner support portions than the first and second sets of inner support portions described herein.

Fig. 33 and 34 illustrate another example of a golf club head 2300 having different configurations of inner support portions. The interior surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340 may include a first set of inner support portions 3320 (shown generally as inner support portions 3323, 3324, 3325, 3326, and 3327), and a second set of inner support portions 3340 (shown generally as inner support portions 3344, 3345, 3346, 3347, and 3348). The first set of inner support portions 3320 and the second set of inner support portions 3340 are closer to the heel portion 2360 than to the toe portion 2350. For example, the first set of inner support portions 3320 and the second set of inner support portions 3340 may be positioned on the bottom portion 2340 between a midpoint (not shown) of the body portion 2310 and the heel portion 2360. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first set of inner support portions 3320 may be similar in many respects to any of the inner support portions described herein, such as the first set of inner support portions 3120 shown in fig. 31. The inner support portions 3323 to 3327 of the first set of inner support portions 3320 may define an annular support region 3350 on the inner surface 2344 of the base portion 2340. The annular support region 3350 may be closer to the heel portion 2360 than to the toe portion 2350. The annular support area 3350 may be located between a midpoint (not shown) of the body portion 2310 and the heel portion 2360. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The second set of inner support portions 3340 may be similar in many respects to any of the inner support portions described herein, such as the second set of inner support portions 3140 shown in fig. 31. As shown in fig. 33 and 34, for example, each of the inner support portions 3344, 3345, 3346, 3347, and 3348 may include walls connected to weight ports 2850, 2845, 2840, 2820, and 2815, respectively, and extending outwardly from the respective weight port toward and/or to the perimeter of the bottom portion 2340. The length, height, thickness, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional configuration of each inner support portion 3344, 3345, 3346, 3347, and 3348 may be configured such that inner support portions 3344, 3345, 3346, 3347, and 3348 may provide or substantially provide structural support for bottom portion 2340, skirt portion 2390, heel portion 2360, front portion 2370, and/or rear portion 2380. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fig. 35 illustrates another example of a golf club head 2300 having a different configuration of inner support portions. Inner surface 2344 may include a first set of inner support portions 3120 (shown generally as inner support portions 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125, 3126, 3127, 3128, 3129, 3130, and 3131) and a second set of inner support portions 3140 (shown generally as inner support portions 3141, 3142, 3143, 3144, 3145, and 3146). Accordingly, the golf club head 2300 of fig. 43 may be similar to the golf club head 2300 of fig. 31 except that the golf club head 2300 of fig. 43 does not include the inner support portions 3132 and 3133. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In addition to any of the golf club heads described herein having differently configured outer support portions and/or inner support portions, any of the golf club heads described herein may have differently configured weight ports in combination with the different configurations of the outer support portions and/or inner support portions. Different configurations of weight ports may affect the weight distribution of the golf club head. Different configurations of the outer support portion and/or the inner support portion may affect the stiffness, vibration, damping, and/or noise characteristics of the golf club head when striking a golf ball. Further, different configurations of the outer support portion and/or the inner support portion may provide structural support for portions of the golf club head that may require additional structural support. For example, a golf club head as described herein may include more or fewer weight ports than some of the example golf club heads described herein. For example, a golf club head as described herein may include more inner support portions in addition to the first and second sets of inner support portions as described herein. For example, a golf club head as described herein may include fewer inner support portions than the first and second sets of inner support portions described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Fig. 36 illustrates another example of a golf club head 2300 having a different configuration of weight ports and a different configuration of inner support portion. The bottom portion 2340 may include a plurality of weight ports 2800, which are generally shown as 2805, 2810, 2815, 2820, 2845, 2850, 2855, 2860, and 2865. Accordingly, the golf club head 2300 of fig. 36 is similar to the golf club head 2300 of fig. 31, except that the golf club head 2300 of fig. 36 does not include weight ports 2840 and 2870. Further, in the example of fig. 36, inner surface 2344 of bottom portion 2340 may include a first set of inner support portions 3120 (shown generally as inner support portions 3121, 3122, 3123, 3126, 3127, 3128, and 3129) and a second set of inner support portions 3140 (shown generally as inner support portions 3141, 3143, 3144, 3145, and 3146). Accordingly, the golf club head 2300 of fig. 36 may be similar to the golf club head 2300 of fig. 31, except that the golf club head 2300 of fig. 36 does not include the inner support portions 3124, 3125, 3130, 3131, 3132, 3133, and 3142. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example shown in fig. 37, certain areas of the interior of the body portion 2310 of the golf club head 2300 may include an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material, which may be referred to herein as a filler material. The filler material may dampen vibration, dampen noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 2300 when a golf ball (not shown) is struck. According to one example, the triangular support regions 3160 may be filled with a filler material. According to another example, support region 3161 defined by inner support portions 3128, 3129, 3130, 3131, and 3132; and the support area 3162 defined by the inner support portions 3124, 3125, 3136, 3137, and 3133 may be filled with a filler material. The filler material may extend upwardly from the inner surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340 to the height of any internal support portions defining support areas 3160, 3161, and/or 3162. However, the filler material may extend below or above the height of any of the inner support portions. Further, the thickness of the fill material may be constant or variable for support regions 3160, 3161, and/or 3162, which may be defined as the distance the fill material extends from the inner surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example shown in fig. 38, the support area 3350 may be filled with a filler material similar to many aspects of the golf club head 2300 shown in fig. 33. The filler material may be a resilient polymeric or elastomeric material as described herein, and may extend from the inner surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340 up to the height of any one of the inner support portions 3323, 3324, 3325, 3326, and/or 3327. The filler material may dampen vibration, dampen noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 2300 when a golf ball (not shown) is struck. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the golf club heads described herein may have one or more interior regions that may include the filler material described. In one example, the filling material is injected into the area of the golf club head from one or more apertures on the golf club head to cover or fill the area. The one or more ports available for injection of filler material may be one or more of the weight ports described herein. Thus, the filler material may be molded in the shape of the area into which the filler material is injected to cover or fill the area. Alternatively, one or more inserts may be formed from an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material (i.e., a filler material) and placed in one or more areas of the interior of the golf club head. Fig. 39 illustrates the example of the golf club head 2300 of fig. 36 having an insert 3950, which insert 3950 may be constructed of an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material. The insert 3950 may be manufactured to have a shape similar to the shape of the area 3954 on the inner surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340. Thus, the insert 3950 may have a curvature similar to the curvature of the bottom portion 2340 at the area 3954 to lie generally flat and in contact with the inner surface 2344 of the bottom portion 2340, a shape similar to the shape of the area 3954 to be inserted into the area 3954 and generally fit within the area 3954, and/or a plurality of cutout portions 3956 to generally match the shape and/or contour of the side wall portions of each weight port 2800. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The insert 3950 may have a thickness similar to the height of any weight port 2800. Thus, when the insert 3950 is in the region 3954, the top of the insert 3950 at or near the weight port 2800 may be at the same height or substantially the same height as the weight port 2800. However, the thickness of the insert 3950 may be constant or varying, such that the thickness of the insert 3950 at any location of the insert 2950 may be greater than or less than the height of any weight port 2800. The insert 3950 may dampen vibrations, dampen noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 2300 of fig. 39 when a golf ball is struck (not shown). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The insert 3950 may be manufactured for use with any of the golf club heads described herein. As shown in fig. 39, the insert 3950 may include a plurality of cutout portions 3956 that may generally match the shape of the outer wall portions of the weight ports 2800. The insert 3950 shown in fig. 39 also includes cut-out portions 3958 and 3959. Referring back to fig. 35, when the insert 3950 is used with the golf club head 2300 of fig. 35, the cutout portions 3958 and 3959 may generally match the shape of the outer wall portions of the weight ports 2870 and 2840, respectively. Accordingly, the insert 3950 may be used in the golf club head 2300 of fig. 35 and the golf club head 2300 of fig. 36. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Referring back to fig. 31, insert 3950 may include channels, grooves, or slots (not shown) that may be sized and shaped to receive inner support portions 3132 and 3133 therein. Accordingly, the insert 3950 may be manufactured with the described channels, grooves, or slots for use with the golf club head 2300 of fig. 31, 33, 35, and 36. Alternatively, one or more inserts may be manufactured that may fit only one of the golf club heads described herein. For example, each of the golf club heads described herein may include one or more inserts that may be shaped to fit only within one or more areas of the golf club head. Referring back to fig. 31, for example, the golf club head 2300 may include a first insert (not shown) for fitting in the support region 3161, a second insert (not shown) for fitting in the triangular support region 3160, and a third insert (not shown) for fitting in the support region 3162. Referring back to fig. 33, for example, the golf club head 3300 may include an insert (not shown) for fitting in the support area 3350. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the inserts described herein may be made as a one-piece, continuous member from a resilient polymeric material. In the example of fig. 39, the insert 3950 may be a one-piece continuous member without any recesses and/or holes. Figure 40 shows an insert 4050 that is similar in many respects to insert 3950. Thus, in one example, the insert 4050 may be manufactured to have a shape similar to the shape of the area 3954 on the interior surface 2344 of the sole portion 2340 of the golf club head 23 of fig. 39, and also include a plurality of cut-out portions 4056 similar to the cut-out portions 3956, 3958, and 3959 as described herein. The insert 4050 also includes a plurality of holes 4062, which can reduce the weight of the insert 4050 and/or the amount of material used to construct the insert 4050. The insert 4050 can include any number of holes 4062 arranged in any configuration on the insert 4050. In the example of figure 40, the insert 4050 includes a plurality of hexagonal apertures 4062 that extend through the thickness of the insert 4050 and are arranged on the insert 4050 to define a pattern similar to a honeycomb pattern. The apertures 4062 can have any shape or spacing. Although the above examples may describe apertures having a particular shape, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include apertures having other suitable shapes (e.g., circular, triangular, octagonal, or other suitable geometric shapes). Further, the shape, size, and/or arrangement of the apertures 4062 on the insert 4050 may be similar or different. In an example, the insert 4050 can include a plurality of circular holes (not shown). In another example, the insert 4050 can include a plurality of slots, grooves, and/or slits (not shown). In yet another example, the insert 4050 can include a recess (not shown) that does not extend through the insert 4050. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the filler materials and/or inserts described herein can be a polymeric material, an elastomeric polymer, or an elastomeric material (e.g., such as manufactured by Sorbothane, inc., Kent, Ohio, for example)

Viscoelastic polyurethane polymer materials of the material), thermoplastic elastomer materials (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane materials (TPU), and/or other suitable types of materials to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise. At another placeIn examples, the filler material may be a high density ethylene copolymer ionomer, a fatty acid modified ethylene copolymer ionomer, a highly amorphous ethylene copolymer ionomer, an ionomer of an ethylene acid acrylate terpolymer, an ethylene copolymer comprising a magnesium ionomer, an injection moldable ethylene copolymer that may be used in conventional injection molding equipment to produce various shapes, an ethylene copolymer that may be used in conventional extrusion equipment to produce various shapes, and/or an ethylene copolymer with high compressibility and low resilience similar to a thermoset polybutadiene rubber. For example, the ethylene copolymer may include a copolymer with DuPont^TMHigh Performance resin (HPF) series materials (e.g., DuPont)^TM HPFAD 1172，DuPont^TMHPFAD 1035，

HPF 1000 and DuPont^TMHPF 2000) manufactured by companies such as du Pont de Nemours and Wilmington, Delaware. DuPont^TMThe HPF series ethylene copolymers can be injection molded and used with conventional injection molding equipment and molds, providing low compressibility, and providing high resiliency. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The filler material, including any inserts that may be made from the filler material as described herein, may be bonded, attached, and/or connected by a bonding portion (not shown) to any of the golf club heads described herein to improve adhesion and/or reduce delamination between the body portion and the filler material of any of the golf club heads described herein. The adhesive portion may be an adhesive, an epoxy, a combination of adhesives, an adhesive structure or attachment means, a combination of adhesive structures and/or attachment means, and/or a combination of one or more adhesives, one or more adhesive structures and/or one or more attachment means. In one example, the adhesive portion may be a MEGUM such as manufactured by Dow Chemical Company of Oroban, Mich^TM、ROBOND^TMAnd/or THIXON^TMLow viscosity, organic, solvent-based solutions of materials and/or dispersions of polymers and other reactive chemicalsAnd (3) a body. In another example, the adhesive portion may be manufactured by Henkel Corporation, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Henkel

A material. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 41-47, the golf club head 4100 may include a body portion 4110, the body portion 4110 having a top portion 4130, a bottom portion 4140, a toe portion 4150, a heel portion 4160, a front portion 4170, and a rear portion 4180. The bottom portion 4140 may include a skirt portion (not shown) defined as the side of the golf club head 4100 between the top portion 4130 and the bottom portion 4140 that does not include the front portion 4170 and that extends across the periphery of the golf club head 4100 from the toe portion 4150, around the rear portion 4180, and to the heel portion 4160. The bottom portion 4140 may include a transition region 4230 and a weight port region 4240. The transition region 4230 may be defined by a groove or channel on the bottom 4140. Further, the transition region 4230 may define boundaries of the weight port region 4240. The front portion 4170 may include a face portion 4175 to impact a golf ball (not shown). The body portion 4110 may also include a sheath 4165 similar in many respects to any of the sheaths described herein. Alternatively, the body portion 4110 may include a bore (not shown) without the sheath portion 4165. The body portion 4110 may be partially or completely made of any of the materials described herein. Additionally, the golf club head 4100 may be any type of golf club head having a club head volume similar to the club head volume of any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion 4110 may include a plurality of weight portions 4120 (fig. 42), generally shown as a first set of weight portions 4210 (generally shown as weight portions 4405, 4410, 4415, 4420, and 4425) and a second set of weight portions 4220 (generally shown as weight portions 4445, 4450, 4455, 4460, and 4465). The weight port region 4240 may have a shape similar to the weight port region of any of the golf club heads described herein. The weight port region 4240 may include a plurality of weight ports 4600 (shown generally as weight ports 4605, 4610, 4615, 4620, 4625, 4645, 4650, 4655, 4660, and 4665) to receive a plurality of weight portions 4120. The features (e.g., density, shape, volume, size, color, dimensions, depth, diameter, structural material, mass, method of formation, etc.), the location on the golf club head (e.g., location relative to the golf club head perimeter and/or location relative to other weight portions and/or weight ports), and/or any other properties of each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 4120 and each weight port of the plurality of weight ports 4600 may be similar in many respects to each weight portion and weight port, respectively, of any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The outer surface 4142 and/or the inner surface 4144 of the bottom portion 4140 may include one or more support portions similar to any of the inner or outer support portions described herein. The outer surface 4142 may include at least one outer support portion 4310. The outer support portion 4310 is similar to the outer support portion 3110 of the golf club head 2300 in many respects including functionality. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Inner surface 4144 may include an inner support portion 4320, which may also be referred to herein as inner wall portion 4320. Inner support portions 4320 may include walls, ribs, and/or any protrusions extending from inner surface 4144 of bottom portion 4140. The inner support portions 4320 may extend around some or all of the weight ports 4600 to partially or completely surround the weight ports 4600. In the example of fig. 41-46, the inner support portion 4320 completely surrounds the weight port 4600. Accordingly, the inner support portion 4320 can define an inner bore region 4325 on the inner surface 4144 of the bottom portion 4140. When the golf club head 100 strikes a golf ball (not shown), the inner support portion 4320 may structurally support the bottom portion 4140 by distributing the impact load applied to the bottom portion 4140 throughout the bottom portion 4140. While the above examples may depict particular inner support portions, the bottom 4140 may include additional inner support portions and/or any type of support portion (not shown). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The width (i.e., thickness), length, height, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional shape of the inner support portion 4320 may be similar or varied along the length of the inner support portion 4320 and configured to provide structural support to the golf club head 4100. For example, the features of the body portion 4110 and/or the bottom portion 4140 comprising the material comprising the bottom portion 4140 and/or the body portion 4110 may determine the width, length, height, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional shape of the inner support portion 4320 along the length of the inner support portion 4320. In an example, inner support portion 4320 may be defined by a wall having a height similar to the depth of weight portion 4600. In another example, the inner support portion 4320 may be defined by a wall having a height greater than a depth of the weight port 4600. In yet another example, the inner support portion 4320 may be defined by a wall having a height less than a depth of the weight port 4600. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example shown in fig. 45, certain areas of the interior of the body portion 4110 of the golf club head 4100 may include a polymer material, an elastic polymer material, or an elastomeric material, which may be referred to herein as a filler material 4510. The filler material 4510 may suppress vibration, suppress noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide better feel and sound to the golf club head 4100 when striking a golf ball (not shown). According to an example, the inner bore region 4325 defined by the inner surface 4144 of the bottom portion 4140 and the inner support portion 4320 can partially or completely comprise the filler material 4510. The filler material 4510 may extend upwardly from the inner surface 4144 of the bottom portion 4140 to the height of the inner support portion 4320 at any location on the inner support portion 4320. However, the filler material 4510 may extend below or above the inner support portion 4320 at any location on the inner support portion 4320. Accordingly, if the height of the inner support portion 4320 is greater than or equal to the depth of the weight ports 4600, the weight ports 4600 may be surrounded and/or covered with the filler material 4510, respectively, which may provide vibration suppression, noise suppression, and/or a better feel and sound for the golf club head 4100 when striking a golf ball (not shown). The height or thickness of the filler material 4510 in the bore region 4325 may be constant or may vary. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the golf club heads described herein, including the golf club head 4100, may have one or more interior regions comprising a filler material as described herein. In an example, filler material 4510 may be injected from the one or more weight ports 4600 into the inner bore region 4325 of the body portion 4110. In the example of fig. 41-46, each of the weight ports 4615 and 4655 may include an opening 4616 and 4656, respectively, into the interior of the bore region 4325 or the body portion 4110. Thus, the openings 4616 and 4656 may be used to inject the filler material 4510 into the bore region 4325. In an example, one of the openings 4616 or 4656 may be used to inject filler material into the bore region 4325, while the other of the openings 4656 or 4616, respectively, may be used to vent air displaced by the filler material injected into the body portion 4110. Inner support portion 4320 may provide a boundary or retaining perimeter for the filler material 4510 when the filler material 4510 is injected into the body portion 4110. Filler material 4510 may be injected into the inner bore region 4325 until the height of filler material 4510 is similar to, substantially similar to, or greater than the height of inner support portion 4320. Thus, the filler material can be molded into the shape of the inner bore region 4325. Alternatively, the bore region 4325 may be partially filled with the filler material 4510. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Alternatively, one or more inserts may be formed from an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material (e.g., a filler material) and placed in one or more areas inside the golf club head. Fig. 46 illustrates an example of the golf club head 4100 of fig. 41 with the insert 4750 that may be constructed of an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material. The insert 4750 may be manufactured to have a shape similar to the shape of the inner bore region 4325. Accordingly, the insert 4750 may have a curvature similar to the curvature of the bottom portion 4140 at the inner bore region 4325 to lie generally flat and in contact with the inner surface 4144 of the bottom portion 4140. The insert 4750 can have a shape similar to the shape of the inner bore region 4325 to insert into the inner bore region 4325 and generally fit within the inner bore region 4325. Additionally, insert 4750 may surround and/or contact inner support portion 4320. Inner support portions 4320 may engage all or part of the perimeter of insert 4750 to assist in retaining the insert in inner bore region 4325 or in retaining the insert in inner bore region 4325. The insert 4750 may have a plurality of cutout portions 4756 to generally match the shape and/or contour of the side wall portions of each weight port 4600. Thus, when the insert 4750 is placed in the interior bore region 4325, each of the plurality of weight ports 4600 is received in a respective cutout portion 4756. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The insert 4750 may have a thickness similar or substantially similar to the height of any weight ports 4600. Thus, the top of the insert 4750 at or near the weight ports 4600 may be at the same or substantially the same height as the weight ports 4600 when the insert 4750 is in the interior port region 4325. However, the thickness of the insert 4750 may vary such that the thickness of the insert 4750 at any location of the insert 4750 may be thicker or thinner than the height of the weight holes 4600. The insert 4750 may dampen vibration, dampen noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 4100 when striking a golf ball (not shown). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the inserts described herein may be made as a one-piece, continuous member from a resilient polymeric material. The insert 4750 may be a one-piece, continuous member without any depressions and/or holes. According to the example shown in fig. 47, the insert 4750 may include a plurality of holes 4762 that may reduce the weight of the insert 4750. The insert 4750 may include any number of holes arranged in any configuration on the insert 4750. In the example of fig. 47, the insert 4750 includes a plurality of hexagonal apertures 4762 that extend through the thickness of the insert 4750 and are arranged on the insert 4750 to define a pattern similar to a honeycomb pattern. The apertures 4762 may have any shape or spacing. In the example of fig. 48, the insert 4750 also includes a plurality of apertures, which may be hexagonal apertures 4762 as in the example of fig. 47, and a central aperture 4862 that may be larger than the hexagonal apertures 4762 or the cutout portions 4756. The central aperture 4862 can have any size, shape, or configuration. In the example of fig. 48, the central aperture 4862 has a shape that may generally resemble the perimeter shape of the insert 4750. The insert 4750 may include apertures that are larger or smaller than the central aperture 4862, hexagonal aperture 4762, and/or cutout portion 4756. Although the above examples may describe apertures having a particular shape, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include apertures of other suitable shapes (e.g., circular, triangular, octagonal, or other suitable geometries). Further, the shape, size, and/or arrangement of the openings on the insert 4750 may be similar or different. In one example, the insert 4750 may include a plurality of round holes (not shown). In another example, the insert 4750 may include a plurality of slots, grooves, and/or slits (not shown). In yet another example, the insert 4750 may include a recess (not shown) that does not extend through the insert 4750, without including a hole. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The filler material 4510 and/or the insert 4750 may be made from any of the materials described herein. The filler material 4510 or insert 4750 may be bonded, attached, and/or connected to the body portion 4110 of the golf club head 4100 by a bonding portion (not shown) to improve adhesion and/or mitigate delamination between the body portion 4110 and the filler material 4510 or insert 4750. Further, as described herein, inner support portions 4320 may engage insert 4750 to partially or completely retain insert 4750 in inner bore region 4325. In an example, insert 4750 can be retained within inner bore region 4325 by frictionally engaging and/or bonding portions with inner support portion 4320 to bond insert 4750 to inner surface 4144 of inner support portion 4320 and/or bottom portion 4140. The adhesive portion may be any of the adhesive portions described herein, such as an adhesive, an epoxy, a combination of adhesives, an adhesive structure or attachment means, a combination of adhesive structures and/or attachment means, and/or a combination of one or more adhesives, one or more adhesive structures and/or one or more attachment means. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 50-54, the golf club head 4900 may include a body portion 4910, the body portion 4910 having a top portion 4930, a sole portion 4940, a toe portion 4950, a heel portion 4960, a front portion 4970, and a rear portion 4980. The sole portion 4940 may include a skirt (not shown) defined as the side of the golf club head 4900 between the top portion 4930 and the sole portion 4940 that excludes the front portion 4970 and extends across the periphery of the golf club head 4900 from the toe portion 4950, around the rear portion 4980, and to the heel portion 4960. The bottom 4940 may include one or more weight port regions. For example, the bottom 4940 may include a first weight port region 5040 and a second weight port region 5050. The front portion 4970 may include a face portion 4975 to impact a golf ball (not shown). The body portion 4910 may also include a sheath 4965 similar in many respects to any of the sheaths described herein. Alternatively, the body portion 4910 may include apertures (not shown) rather than the sheath portion 4965. The body portion 4910 may be partially or completely made of any of the materials described herein. Additionally, the golf club head 4900 may be any type of golf club head having a club head volume similar to the club head volume of any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion 4910 may include a plurality of weight portions, generally shown as a first set of weight portions 5010 (generally shown as weight portions 5205, 5210, and 5215) and a second set of weight portions 5020 (generally shown as weight portions 5245, 5250, and 5255). The first weight port region 5040 may include a plurality of weight ports (shown generally as 5405, 5410, and 5415), and the second weight port region 5050 may include a plurality of weight ports (shown generally as 5445, 5450, and 5455). Each weight port of the first weight port region 5040 and the second weight port region 5050 may receive a weight portion of the first set of weight portions 5010 or the second set of weight portions 5020. The features (e.g., density, shape, volume, size, color, dimensions, depth, diameter, structural material, mass, forming method, etc.), and/or any other attributes of each of the plurality of weight portions, may be similar in many respects to each of the weight portions of any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first weight port region 5040 may be located on the sole 4940 at or near the rear 4980. All or a portion of the first weight port region 5040 may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the sole 4940 to protrude into the body portion 4910 as shown in fig. 54 and/or to protrude from an outer surface 4942 of the sole 4940 as shown in fig. 52. Thus, a portion of the first weight port region 5040 that extends into the body portion 4910 may define a first inner support portion 5120 on the inner surface 4944 of the bottom 4940. The first inner support portion 5120 can include an inner wall 5121 that projects into the body portion 4910 from an inner surface 4944 of the bottom 4940. Accordingly, the inner wall 5121 may define the boundary of the first inner support portion 5120 within the body portion 4910. The first inner support portion 5120 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the first weight port region 5040 that extends into the body portion 4910. In one example, as shown in fig. 54, portions of the first inner support portion 5120, such as the inner wall 5121, may define boundaries of the weight ports 5405, 5410, and 5415. Accordingly, portions of the first inner support portion 5120 may partially define walls of the weight ports 5405, 5410, and 5415. In one example, similar to the weight ports of any of the golf club heads described herein, only the weight ports 5405, 5410, and 5415 of the first weight port region 5040 may protrude into the body portion 4910. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The second weight port region 5050 may be located on the sole 4940 at or near the heel 4960. All or a portion of the second weight port region 5050 may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the sole 4940 to protrude into the body portion 4910 as shown in fig. 54 and/or protrude from an outer surface 4942 of the sole 4940 (not shown). Thus, a portion of the second weight port region 5050 extending into the body portion 4910 may define a second inner support portion 5122 on the inner surface 4944 of the bottom portion. The second inner support portion 5122 may include an inner wall 5123 that protrudes into the body portion 4910 from an inner surface 4944 of the bottom 4940. Accordingly, the inner wall 5123 may define the boundary of the second inner support portion 5122 within the body portion 4910. The second inner support portion 5122 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the second weight port region 5050 that extends into the body portion 4910. In one example, as shown in fig. 54, portions of the second inner support portion 5122 may define boundaries of the weight ports 5445, 5450, and 5455. Accordingly, portions of the second inner support portion 5122 may partially define walls of the weight ports 5445, 5450, and 5455. In one example, similar to the weight ports of any of the golf club heads described herein, only the weight ports 5445, 5450, and 5455 of the second weight port region 5050 may protrude into the body portion 4910. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The body portion 4910 includes a third inner support portion 5124, the third inner support portion 5124 extending from the heel portion 4960 to an area of the sole portion 4940 or skirt (not shown) between the heel portion 4980 and the toe portion 4950. The third inner support portion 5124 may be defined by a wall that protrudes into the body portion 4910 from an inner surface 4944 of the bottom 4940. The third inner support portion 5124 can have any shape and have any path (path) on the inner surface 4944 of the base 4940. In one example, as shown in fig. 54, the third inner support portion 5124 extends from a location at or near the heel portion 4960 between the second weight port region 5050 and the face 4975 generally toward the toe portion 4950 through the second weight port region 5050. The third inner support portion 5124 then extends toward the rear portion 4980 to a location between the first weight portion region 5040 and the second weight port region 5050 while maintaining a distance from the second weight port region 5050. The third inner support portion 5124 then extends generally toward the toe 4950 and past the first weight port region 5040 while maintaining a distance from the first weight port region 5040. The third inner support portion 5124 may then terminate at or near a location on the body portion 4910 between the rear portion 4980 and the toe portion 4950. A distance between the third inner support portion 5124, the inner wall 5123 of the second inner support portion 5122, the inner wall 5121 of the first inner support portion 5120, and the rear portion 4980 may define a support area 5160. As shown in fig. 54, the support region 5160 partially surrounds the first weight port region 5040 and the second weight port region 5050. The inner walls 5121, 5123, and 5124 can have any shape and/or configuration, such as any of the inner support portion configurations described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The bottom 4940 may include one or more outer support portions. In one example, as shown in fig. 53, the bottom 4940 can include a first outer support portion 5170 and a second outer support portion 5180. Each of the first outer support portion 5170 and the second outer support portion 5180 can be defined by a channel or groove on the outer surface 4942 of the base 4940. First outer support portion 5170 may be closer to face 4975 than rear portion 4980. The second outer support portion 5170 may be closer to the rear 4980 than the face 4975. First outer support portion 5170 may include a central portion 5172, and the central portion 5172 may extend in a direction substantially similar to face 4975. First outer support portion 5170 may further include a first wing (wing portion)5174 that may extend from central portion 5172 toward toe portion 4950 and/or heel portion 4980, and a second wing 5176 that may extend from central portion 5172 toward heel portion 4960 and/or heel portion 4980. The second outer support portion 5180 can include a central portion 5182, and the central portion 5172 can extend in a direction generally similar to the face portion 4975. The second outer support portion 5180 may further include a first wing 5184 that may extend from the central portion 5182 toward the toe portion 4950 and/or the heel portion 4980, and a second wing 5186 that may extend from the central portion 5182 toward the heel portion 4960 and/or the heel portion 4980. The outer support portion of the body portion 4910 may have any shape and/or configuration, such as any of the outer support portion configurations described herein. Outer support portions 5170 and 5180 may have any configuration, such as the configurations described herein, to provide structural support to sole 4940 when face 4975 impacts a golf ball. In addition, the outer support portions 5170 and 5180 may provide vibration and noise suppression as well as better feel and sound for the golf club head 4900. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The width (i.e., thickness), length, height, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional shape of the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and/or 5124, including the inner walls 5121 and 5123, may be similar or vary along any dimension thereof and/or configured to provide structural support to the golf club head 4900. For example, the characteristics of the body portion 4910 and/or the floor 4940 including the material from which the floor 4940 and/or the body portion 4910 may be constructed may determine the width, length, height, orientation angle, and/or cross-sectional shape of the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and/or 5124 including the inner walls 5121 and 5123 along any dimension thereof. In one example, any one or more of the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and 5124 can be defined by a wall having a height that can be similar to, greater than, or less than the depth of the weight portions 5405, 5410, 5415, 5445, 5450, and/or 5455. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Certain areas of the interior of the body portion 4910 of the golf club head 4900 may include a polymer material, an elastic polymer material, or an elastomeric material, which may be referred to herein as a filler material. The filler material may dampen vibration, dampen noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 4900 when striking a golf ball (not shown). According to an example, support region 5160 may partially or completely include a filler material. The filler material may extend upwardly from the inner surface 4944 of the bottom 4940 to the height of any one or more of the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and 5124. However, the filler material can extend under or over any one or more of the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and 5124. The height or thickness of the filler material in support area 5160 may be constant or may vary similar to the filler material of any of the golf club heads described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Any of the golf club heads described herein, including golf club head 4900, may have one or more interior regions that include a filler material as described herein. In an example, the filler material may be injected into the support region 5160 of the body portion 4910 from one or more weight ports. In the example of fig. 49-54, each weight port 5410 and 5450 may include an opening 5411 and 5451, respectively, into the interior of the body portion 4910. Thus, openings 5411 and 5451 may be used to inject filler material into support region 5160. In an example, one of the openings 5411 or 5451 may be used to inject filler material into the support region 5160, while the other opening 5451 or 5411 may be used for air venting displaced by filler material injected into the body portion 4910, respectively. When a filler material is injected into the body portion 4910, the first inner support portion 5120, the second inner support portion 5122, and the third inner support portion 5124 may provide a boundary or perimeter of retention of the support area 5160 for the filler material. Filler material can be injected into support region 5160 until all or a portion of the filler material has a height similar to, less than, or greater than the height of any one or more of inner support portions 5120, 5122, and 5124. Support area 5160 may be partially filled with a filler material. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Alternatively, one or more inserts may be formed from an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material (e.g., a filler material) and placed in one or more areas inside the golf club head. Fig. 54 illustrates an example of a golf club head 4900 having an insert 5350 that may be constructed of an elastic polymer material or an elastomeric material. The insert 5350 may be manufactured to have a shape similar to that of the support area 5160. Thus, the insert 5350 may have a curvature similar to the curvature of the base 4940 at the support area 5160 to lie generally flat and in contact with the inner surface 4944 of the base 4940. The insert 5350 may have a shape similar to the shape of the support area 5160 to be inserted into the support area 5160 and substantially fit within the support area 5160. In addition, the insert 5350 may be surrounded by and/or in contact with the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and/or 5124. The inner support portions 5120, 5122, and/or 5124 can engage all or a portion of the perimeter of the insert 5350 to assist in retaining the insert in the support region 5160 or in retaining the insert in the support region 5160. The insert 5350 may have a plurality of cutout portions 5356 to substantially match the shape and/or contour of the inner walls 5121 and 5123 and/or the side wall portions of each weight port 5405, 5410, 5415, 5445, 5450, and 5455. Thus, when the insert 5350 is placed in the support region 5160, each of the plurality of weight ports is received in a respective cutout portion 5356. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Insert 5350 may have a thickness similar to the thickness of any insert described herein. Further, similar to any of the inserts described herein, the insert 5350 can be made as a one-piece, continuous member from a resilient polymeric material. Further, the inserts 5350 may have any type of hole or pocket, such as the hole or pocket of any of the inserts described herein. For example, as shown in fig. 54, the insert may include hexagonal holes in a honeycomb pattern. The insert 5350 may dampen vibration, dampen noise, lower the center of gravity, and/or provide a better feel and sound to the golf club head 4900 when striking a golf ball (not shown). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The filler material and/or insert 5350 may be made of any of the materials described herein. The filler material or insert 5350 may be bonded, attached, and/or connected to the body portion 4910 of the golf club head 4900 by any of the methods described herein, such as by a bonding portion (not shown) to improve adhesion and/or reduce delamination between the body portion 4910 and the filler material or insert 5350. Additionally, the filler material and inserts can be retained in the support region 5160 by the inner support portions 5120, 5122, and 5124 as described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 55-59, the golf club head 5500 may include a body portion 5510, the body portion 5510 having a top portion 5530, a bottom portion 5540, a toe portion 5550, a heel portion 5560, a front portion 5570 having a face portion 5575, a rear portion 5580, and a hosel portion 5565. Alternatively, the body portion 5510 may include a hole without the sheath portion 5565. The golf club head 5500 may be any of the types of golf club heads described herein. The body portion 5510 can be made of any of the materials described herein. Similar to any of the golf club heads described herein, the golf club head 5500 may or may not include a plurality of weight portions, weight ports configured to receive weight portions, outer and/or inner support portions, an elastic polymer fill material, and/or an elastic polymer insert. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Top portion 5530 can include a crown portion 5630, crown portion 5630 having one or more openings extending into body portion 5510. In the example of fig. 55-58, the crown 5630 includes a first opening 5632 and a second opening 5634. In the example of fig. 59, the crown 5630 includes one opening 5832. However, the crown may include any number of openings. In the example of fig. 57 and 58, a portion of the crown 5630 defines a reinforcement 5636, which reinforcement 5636 can separate the first and second openings 5632, 5636. The reinforced portion 5636 may be proximate a central portion of the body portion 5510 and extend from a position at or proximate the front portion 5570 to a position at or proximate the rear portion 5580. The width of the reinforced portion 5636 may be between about 3% and 15% of the distance between the toe portion 5550 and the toe portion 5560. The thickness of the reinforcement may be between about 2% and 30% of the width of the reinforcement 5636. The reinforcement 5636 may be integral with the body portion 5510 and be composed of the same material as the body portion 5510. The reinforcement 5636 may be a separate piece forming the body portion 5510 and/or be constructed of a different material than the body portion 5520. The reinforcement 5636 may provide a reinforcing or supporting (weaving) effect on the crown 5630. Thus, the reinforced portions 5636 may reduce the bending of the face portion 5575 and/or the crown portion 5630 when the golf club head 5500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 5575. When the crown 5630 includes more than two openings, the crown 5630 may include a plurality of reinforcements. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first opening 5632 may extend from a location near the front portion 5570 to a location near the rear portion 5580. First opening 5632 may also extend from reinforced portion 5636 to a location proximate toe portion 5550 and follow the contour of body portion 5510 proximate toe portion 5550. The second opening 5634 may extend from a location near the front portion 5570 to a location near the rear portion 5580. The second opening 5634 may also extend from the reinforcement 5636 to a location proximate the heel 5560 and follow the contour of the body portion 5510 proximate the heel 5560. In one example as shown in fig. 55-57, the first opening 5632, the second opening 5634, and the reinforced portion 5636 can collectively define a shape that is similar to the general shape of the crown 5630 and that is located within the boundaries of the crown 5630. Accordingly, the crown 5630 can include a crown perimeter portion 5638 that surrounds the first opening 5632, the second opening 5634, and the reinforcement 5636. The width 5640 of the crown peripheral portion 5638 at any location around the crown peripheral portion 5638 may be configured based on at least one of the thickness, size, shape, and material of construction of the crown 5630 and the impact force to which the body portion 5510 is subjected when striking a golf ball (not shown). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The golf club head 5500 may include one or more covers to cover any one or more openings in the crown 5630. In the example of fig. 57, the golf club head 5500 includes a first cover portion 5650 and a second cover portion 5750, the first cover portion 5650 configured to be attached to the crown portion 5630 and cover the first opening 5632, the second cover portion 5750 configured to be attached to the crown portion 5630 to cover the second opening 5634. The first and second caps 5650, 5750 may also provide structural support for the crown 5630. Accordingly, the thickness and materials of construction of the first and second cap portions 5650, 5750 may be configured to provide structural support to the crown portion 5630 and to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club head 5500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 5575. The first opening 5630 can include one or more ridges, shoulders, or protrusions (not shown) below the outer surface of the crown 5630 that are configured to support the first cover 5650 such that the first cover 5650 can be flush with the outer surface of the crown 5630 when the first cover 5650 is attached to the crown 5630 to cover the first opening 5632. The second opening 5630 can include one or more ridges, shoulders, or protrusions (not shown) below the outer surface of the crown 5630 that are configured to support the second cap portion 5750 such that the second cap portion 5750 can be flush with the outer surface of the crown 5630 when the second cap portion 5750 is attached to the crown 5630 to cover the second opening 5633. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first cover portion 5650 and/or the second cover portion 5750 may be partially or entirely made of an aluminum-based material, a magnesium-based material, a steel-based material, a titanium-based material, a non-metallic material (such as a polymeric material, a ceramic material, a composite material), any combination thereof, or any other suitable material. In the example of fig. 55-57, the first cover portion 5650 includes a top layer 5652, a bottom layer 5654, and an intermediate layer 5656. The second cover portion 5750 includes a top layer 5752, a bottom layer 5754, and an intermediate layer 5756. The top layer 5652, the top layer 5752, the bottom layer 5654, and/or the bottom layer 5754 may be comprised of a composite material. In one example, the top layer 5652, the top layer 5752, the bottom layer 5654, and/or the bottom layer 5754 may be comprised of a graphite-epoxy composite or other suitable fiber composite. The thickness of the top layer 5652, top layer 5752, bottom layer 5654, and/or bottom layer 5754 may depend on the characteristics and certain weight distribution of the golf club head 5500. The top layer 5652, top layer 5752, bottom layer 5654, and/or bottom layer 5754 may provide structural support to the crown 5630 when the golf club head 5500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 5575. The middle layer 5656 and/or the middle layer 5756 may be constructed from any polymeric and/or elastomeric material having a thickness to absorb impact, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club head 5500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 5575. Thus, the middle layer 5656 and/or the middle layer 5756 may be constructed of a material having a lower durometer or greater elasticity than the material of the top layers 5652 and 5752 and/or the bottom layers 5654 and 5754. For example, intermediate layer 5656 and/or intermediate layer 5756 may be constructed of materials similar to any of the polymeric, elastomeric, and/or elastic polymeric materials described herein. The top layer 5652, bottom layer 5654, and middle layer 5656 may be attached or bonded together by an adhesive such as epoxy. The top layer 5752, bottom layer 5754, and middle layer 5756 may be attached or bonded together by an adhesive such as epoxy. The first cover 5650 may be attached to the crown 5630 by any method or material to cover the first opening 5632. For example, the first cover 5650 may be attached to the crown 5630 with one or more adhesives described herein, such as an epoxy. The second cap 5750 may be attached to the crown 5630 by any method or material to cover the second opening 5634. For example, the second cap 5750 may be attached to the crown 5630 with one or more adhesives described herein, such as an epoxy. Any of the caps described herein may be co-manufactured with the body portion 5510 such that one or more caps as described herein define a continuous, integral portion of the crown 5630. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first and second covers 5660 and 5750 may be a single cover that may be configured to cover the first and second openings 5632 and 5634. For example, as shown in fig. 58, the golf club head 5500 may include a single cover 5850 configured to be attached to the crown 5630 to cover the first and second openings 5632, 5634. Thus, the reinforcement 5636 may be recessed such that the cap 5850 may remain flush with the outer surface of the crown 5630 when the cap 5850 is attached to the crown 5630. The golf club head 5500 may not include a reinforcement portion. For example, as shown in fig. 59, the golf club head 5500 may include a single opening 5832 in the crown 5630. Thus, the cover 5850 may be configured to attach to the crown 5630 to cover the opening 5832. The opening 5832 may include one or more ridges, shoulders, or protrusions (not shown) below the outer surface of the crown 5630 that are configured to support the cover 5850 such that the cover 5850 may be flush with the outer surface of the crown 5630 when the cover 5850 is attached to the crown 5630 to cover the opening 5832. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example of fig. 58, the cover 5650 may include a top layer 5852, a bottom layer 5854, and a middle layer 5856. The cover 5850, including the top layer 5852, bottom layer 5854, and middle layer 5856, may be similar to the cover 5650 (including layers 5652, 5654, and 5656) and/or cover 5750 (including layers 5752, 5754, and 5756) described herein in many respects, including methods and materials of construction. By any of the methods or materials described herein, the cap 5850 can be attached to the crown 5630 to cover the first and second openings 5632, 5632 as shown in the example of fig. 58, or to cover the opening 5832 as shown in the example of fig. 59. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The first and second caps 5660, 5750 in the example of fig. 57 and the cap 5850 in the example of fig. 58 and 59 can help reduce the weight of the crown 5630 while maintaining or increasing the structural strength of the crown 4430. Accordingly, the golf club head 5500 may have a lower center of gravity than a golf club head having a crown that is constructed of the same material as the body portion 5510 and may be integral with the body portion 5510. A lower center of gravity may promote a higher ball trajectory. Additionally, the intermediate layers 5656, 5756, and 5856 of the cover portions 5650, 5750, and 5850, respectively, may absorb and dissipate shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise when the golf club head 5500 strikes a golf ball via the face portion 5575. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The crown 5630 may include one or more recesses (not shown), rather than one or more openings, which may be configured to receive one or more caps as described herein. Thus, the one or more depressions may not open into the interior of the body portion 5510. The depth of the one or more recesses (not shown), which may be similar or substantially similar to the thickness of the one or more caps, respectively, is configured to cover the one or more recesses such that the one or more caps remain flush with the top surface of the crown 5630. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Turning to fig. 60 and 61, for example, the golf club head 5500 may include a sheath assembly 6000 having a sheath 6002, a sheath barrel 6004, and a fastener 6008. In an example, the sheath 6002 can extend outwardly from the top portion 5530 and not into the body portion 5510. The sheath 6002 may be configured to receive the sheath barrel 6004 such that a portion of the sheath barrel 6004 may be located within the body portion 5510 as shown in fig. 60. The sheath barrel 6004 may include an outer wall 6005 and a hoop (hoop) portion 6006. An outer wall 6005 of a portion of the sheath barrel 6004 within the body portion 5510 may be exposed to an interior space or hollow space of the body portion 5510. That is, as shown in fig. 61, the sheath 6002 does not extend into the body portion 5510, and the body portion 5510 does not include any structure surrounding or covering the sheath barrel 6004. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The sheath barrel 6004 may be attached to the sheath 6002 and/or the body portion 5510 by one or more fasteners, one or more adhesives, welding, one or more mechanical locking mechanisms, and/or combinations thereof. In one example shown in fig. 60, the sheath barrel 6004 may be secured to the body portion by a fastener 6008, which fastener 6008 may be a threaded fastener such as a bolt. The sheath barrel 6004 may include a first end configured to receive a shaft (not shown) and a second end 6012 having a threaded bore 6014. The bottom 5540 can include an opening 6016 configured to receive a fastener 6008. When the sheath barrel 6004 is inserted into the hollow body portion 5510 through the sheath 6002 as shown in fig. 60, the opening 6016 may be generally axially aligned with the threaded hole 6014 at the second end 6012 of the sheath barrel 6004. The fastener 6008 may be inserted into the opening 6016 and screwed into the threaded hole 6014 of the sheath barrel 6004 to fasten the sheath barrel 6004 to the sheath 6002 and/or the body portion 5510. A shaft (not shown) may then be inserted and fixed in the sheath 6004. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The terms "and" or "may have combined and separate meanings. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless the disclosure otherwise indicates. The term "couple" and any variation thereof, refers to the chemical, mechanical, and/or otherwise joining two or more elements, directly or indirectly. The phrase "removably connectable" is defined such that two elements that are "removably connectable" can be separated from each other without disconnecting or disrupting the usability of either element.

The term "substantially," when used to describe a property, parameter, property, or value of an element, can mean a deviation or variation that does not cause the property, parameter, property, or value that the element is intended to provide to disappear. Variations or changes in the characteristics, parameters, properties, or values of elements may be based on, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors. The term "adjacent" is synonymous with terms such as "adjacent," "proximate," "immediately adjacent," "near," "adjacent," etc., and these terms are used interchangeably when appearing in this disclosure.

The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be implemented in various embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the description of the drawings, as well as the drawings themselves, disclose at least one embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

Since the rules of golf may change over time (e.g., a golf standardization organization and/or management entity such as USGA, R & a, etc. may adopt new rules or may discard or modify old rules), golf equipment associated with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may or may not comply with golf rules at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment associated with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as regular or non-regular golf equipment. Further, although the above examples may be described as relating to golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other suitable types of athletic equipment, such as fishing rods, hockey sticks, ski poles, tennis rackets, and the like. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The scope of coverage of this application is not limited to the example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein. On the contrary, this patent covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims (15)

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a hollow body portion having a front, a rear, a toe, a heel, a top having a crown, and a bottom, the crown having an opening;

a cover configured to be coupled to the crown to cover the opening, the cover including a plurality of layer sections, the plurality of layer sections including: a first layer portion comprising a first material, a second layer portion comprising a second material, and a third layer portion disposed between the first layer portion and the second layer portion and comprising a third material,

wherein the first material and the second material are harder than the third material,

wherein the third material comprises an elastic polymeric material, and,

wherein the hollow body portion comprises an internal cavity and an elastic polymeric insert at least partially filling the internal cavity, the elastic polymeric insert being in contact with an inner surface of the bottom portion.

2. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the first material and the second material comprise the same material.

3. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the first material and the second material comprise a graphite composite material.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of weight portions and a plurality of apertures on the sole, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a weight portion of the plurality of weight portions.

5. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the elastic polymer insert includes a plurality of hexagonal recesses in a honeycomb configuration.

6. A golf club head, comprising:

a hollow body portion comprising an internal cavity, the hollow body portion having a front, a rear, a toe, a heel, a top having a crown, and a bottom, the crown having at least one opening to the hollow body portion;

at least one cover configured to be coupled to the crown to cover the at least one opening, the at least one cover comprising: a first layer portion comprising a first material, a second layer portion comprising a second material, and a third layer portion comprising a third material different from the first material and the second material; and

an elastic polymeric material at least partially filling the internal cavity of the hollow body portion, the elastic polymeric material being in contact with an inner surface of the bottom portion,

wherein the third material comprises an elastic polymeric material.

7. The golf club head of claim 6, further comprising at least one inner support portion extending from an inner surface of the sole portion into the hollow body portion.

8. The golf club head of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of weight portions and a plurality of apertures on the sole, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a weight portion of the plurality of weight portions.

9. A golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the crown portion includes a reinforcement portion located at the at least one opening.

10. A golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the first material and the second material comprise a graphite composite material.

11. A golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the elastic polymer material comprises an elastic polymer insert at least partially filling the interior cavity, and wherein the elastic polymer insert comprises a plurality of hexagonal recesses in a honeycomb configuration.

12. A golf club head, comprising:

a hollow body portion having a front, a rear, a toe, a heel, a top having a crown, and a bottom;

wherein at least a portion of the crown comprises one or more caps, each cap comprising a first layer portion of a first material, a second layer portion of a second material, and a third layer portion disposed between the first layer portion and the second layer portion and comprising a third material,

wherein the first material and the second material are harder than the third material,

wherein the third material comprises an elastic polymeric material, and,

wherein the hollow body portion comprises an internal cavity and an elastic polymeric material at least partially filling the internal cavity,

wherein the one or more cover portions are received by one or more recesses that do not open into the interior of the hollow body portion.

13. A golf club head as defined in claim 12, wherein the one or more recesses have a depth that is the same as a thickness of the one or more covers, respectively, such that the one or more covers remain flush with the top surface of the crown.

14. The golf club head of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of weight portions and a plurality of apertures on the sole, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a weight portion of the plurality of weight portions.

15. A golf club head as defined in claim 12, further comprising a sheath assembly including a sheath on the crown and a barrel extending from the sheath into the hollow body portion, the barrel having an outer wall, wherein the outer wall of the portion of the barrel in the hollow body portion is exposed to a hollow interior of the hollow body portion.

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