EP3976214A1

EP3976214A1 - Golf club head and golf club

Info

Publication number: EP3976214A1
Application number: EP20728036.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roger Stadler
Original assignee: Golfyr Ag
Current assignee: Golfyr Ag
Priority date: 2019-05-27
Filing date: 2020-05-26
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Also published as: CA3141925A1; WO2020239769A1; US20220226698A1; JP2022534257A

Abstract

The invention relates to a club head (1) for a golf club, comprising an impact plate (4) for teeing off a golf ball. The club head also comprises a shell (2) produced from a first material, on which the impact plate (4) is attached, a core (3) at least partially surrounded by the shell (2) and produced from a second material, and at least one weighting element (6; 6a, 6b) produced from a third material. The second material of the core (3) has a lower density than the first material of the shell (2). The third material of the weighting element (6; 6a, 6b) has a higher density than the first material of the shell (2) and/or than the second material of the core (3). Preferably, at least one sensor unit (5) is also provided, which is arranged at least partially inside the core (3).

Description

TITLE

Golf club head and golf club

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a club head for a golf club and to a golf club with such a club head.

STATE OF THE ART

Golf is a widespread sport in which both the performance of the golfer and the technological properties of the golf club are of central importance. From a technological point of view, it is important that the golf ball can be hit in the vicinity of the hole in a controlled and targeted manner from the most varied of environmental situations. In the field of the development and construction of golf clubs, one goal is therefore to improve both the directional accuracy and the achievable distance of the strokes.

In addition to these purely technological requirements for the golf club, the playing skills of the golfer are of decisive importance. There is therefore a great need to offer the golfer opportunities to improve his performance. In order for a golfer to improve their game skills, they must understand their game deficits. Measurement and analysis devices, which enable a golfer to record and analyze the golf game as precisely as possible, can support the golfer considerably in his training.

Thus, WO 2009/118019 discloses a measuring device for attachment to a golf club in order to use the measuring device to collect data relating to the accuracy of the hit and to transmit the swing movement wirelessly to a mobile evaluation device such as a cell phone, smartphone or PDA. On the one hand, the accuracy of the hit is measured on a sensor plate mounted on the face of the club head as well as the direction of rotation, angular speed, angular position and duration of the phases of the back and forth movements of the club head.

DE 101 03 449 describes a golf club with a measuring device arranged on the club head for measuring the speed and / or the speed profile of the club head. The maximum speed or the speed profile during the stroke delivery is displayed on a display device attached to the golf club.

Other technical possibilities for recording or analyzing the individual golf game, which are mounted in the club head itself, are known, for example, from US 2010/0093458, physical parameters such as the acceleration movement or impact forces being measured directly by sensors in the club head and used for a golf swing analysis . For this purpose, the striking surface can have an outer metal layer and an inner metal layer, pressure sensors being arranged in between.

A detection of the golf swinging movements by a sensor module which is integrated in the club head or attached to the club head is known from WO 2005/118086. For this purpose, the sensor module has a gyro sensor and acceleration sensors.

The golf club, all golf equipment in general, as well as all training accessories, are often very expensive equipment, especially due to the high technological requirements. Thus, another need of the golfer is to be able to protect his equipment from potential theft. At the same time, it is also in his interest that he does not acquire counterfeit equipment when purchasing the equipment, but rather genuine equipment which also meets his quality requirements, in particular his technological requirements. WO 2006/124091 discloses an HF tag or RFID tag which is attached to the handle of a golf club. A device sends a signal to the day at regular intervals. As long as the tag is within a certain distance from the device, the tag is sent back to the device. If the day is outside the specified interval, the device will notify the golfer.

When playing golf, the golf ball is often hit by the club head with great force. It is known that as a result, analogous to tennis, the bouncing or swinging of the golf club during or after the impact on the ball can lead to a so-called "tennis elbow". In addition to this health aspect, the bouncing or swinging of the golf club also influences the stroke guidance, the immediate tee shot, thus the entire movement and stroke profile, and therefore also has a significant influence on the performance of the golfer. In addition, due to the kickback and the oscillation of the golf club, impact energy is lost, which should be used to accelerate the ball. Any measuring or analysis devices attached to the golf club are also affected by this bouncing or reverberation, and depending on the extent of the bouncing or reverberation, inaccurate measurement or analysis results can result.

Due to the high impact energy, there is also the risk of damage to the sensor unit. A more robust construction of the sensor unit can possibly reduce the risk of such damage. However, this usually increases the weight of the golf club, which can result in an undesired change in the hitting behavior. This can also increase the bouncing or swinging of the golf club and thus the risk of the tennis elbow mentioned above.

Since the greatest swing movement of a golf club is carried out from the moment of swinging to the moment of hitting the club head, the measuring or analysis devices provided on it are very suitable for recording the club movement of a golfer as completely as possible. But there just that Club head is most exposed to the great force of the tee shot, the provision of the measuring or analysis devices on the club head is associated with certain disadvantages and / or risks, for example due to the abovementioned bouncing or reverberation. For example, bouncing or reverberation can have an unwanted influence on the measurement or analysis results. In addition, measuring or analysis devices have their own weight, which can also lead to undesirable changes in the vibration behavior.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a club head for a golf club which has improved hitting behavior. This object is achieved by a club head with the features of claim 1.

A club head for a golf club is thus specified which has a striking plate for hitting a golf ball. The club head has a shell made of a first material to which the striking plate is attached, a core made of a second material and at least partially surrounded by the shell, and at least one weighting element made of a third material. The second material of the core has a lower density than the first material of the shell. In addition, the third material of the weighting element has a higher density than the first material of the shell and / or than the second material of the core.

The different densities of the core and shell material enable the production of a club head with a particularly low weight, which also has good bounce and kickback absorption. By means of the weighting element, the weight distribution of the club head can be optimized with regard to its hitting behavior, and / or the weighting element can be used to achieve any given weight specifications. The weighting element or elements can in particular be arranged at precisely defined and preferably previously calculated locations in the club head in order to achieve an optimal hitting behavior. By means of the at least one weighting element, for example, the moment of inertia of the Club head is enlarged and / or its center of gravity is changed, a high level of directional accuracy and long shot distances can be achieved.

The bounce and kickback damping enables ergonomic handling and increased ball acceleration due to better utilization of the impact energy and less variation in the trajectory. In addition, this also protects the golfer in terms of ergonomic handling and enables precise shot guidance. The specified club head is thus characterized by a particularly good impact behavior.

In particular, it is possible for the second material of the core to be softer and / or more elastic than the first material of the shell.

The shell can be partially surrounded by the striking plate. The shell can partially or completely surround the core. However, the shell advantageously encloses at least a large part of the core.

The striking plate is preferably attached directly to the outside of the shell and in particular rests directly on it. The striking plate is usually made of a relatively hard material, which is in particular harder than the material of the core and the shell. The striking plate can for example be made of a metal, such as iron in particular.

It is preferred that the core takes up a larger volume of the club head than the shell. However, it is also conceivable that the club head and the shell have a similarly large volume, which can be the case, for example, with a thin, filigree club head.

The first material of the shell can be a composite material, such as in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic. A composite material is understood here as a composite material which consists of two or more connected materials which have different properties than the respective individual components. Basically, a composite material consists of a basic material called a matrix and a reinforcing material such as fiber. Examples of materials for a matrix material are thermoplastic materials such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), thermosetting materials such as resins, etc. Examples of fibers are materials such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid, Kevlar fibers, etc. A large number of suitable composite materials for a club head are known.

However, the shell of the club head can also be made of other materials, for example steel, amorphous metals, ceramics, carbon, carbon fibers and other fiber materials.

As already mentioned, the second material of the core has a lower density than the density of the first material of the shell. For example, the second material of the core can be a foam material. A foam material here means a substance which is usually manufactured artificially and has a cell-like structure with low density. Substances suitable for foaming and for the present application are, for example, many plastics in the sense of organic, polymeric solids such as thermoplastics, thermosets or elastomers, which can reduce their volume under pressure, i.e. have compressibility.

The second material of the core can also be a gaseous material, such as in particular air. In this case, the shell encloses a cavity and the gaseous material filling this cavity forms the core. As a result, the core has a particularly low weight. With club heads whose core is foamed or gaseous, it was surprisingly possible to determine a particularly advantageous impact behavior in each case.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the club head additionally has at least one sensor unit which is at least partially arranged in the interior of the core.

Since the at least one sensor unit is arranged at least partially inside the core, it is well protected and has a minimal impact on it Hitting behavior. The sensor unit is thus at least partially surrounded by the second material of the core, but it is preferably even arranged completely inside the core, that is to say completely surrounded by the second material of the core. At least a large part of the sensor unit is advantageously arranged in the interior of the core.

The lower density as well as a preferably existing compressibility of the core lead to a dampening or weakening of the bouncing or post-oscillation, triggered by the great force of the knockdown, and on the one hand protect the sensor unit from these unwanted forces. By damping the impact energies acting on the sensor unit, on the other hand, precise measurement and analysis of the impact dynamics is made possible.

It is conceivable that the sensor unit has, for example, a signal transmitter and / or an electronic unit or signal evaluation unit, the signal transmitter resting on the striking plate and the electronic unit or signal evaluation unit being at least partially arranged inside the core. A predominant volume fraction of the sensor unit and in particular of the electronics unit belonging to the sensor unit is preferably arranged in the interior of the core.

Due to the low density of the second material of the core, in which the at least one sensor unit is arranged, the impact forces generated when hitting the golf ball are attenuated on the sensor unit, which enables precise detection and / or analysis of the club's movement during swing and swing .

The core can partially enclose or completely enclose the sensor unit. However, the sensor unit is preferably completely enclosed at least by the shell.

The sensor unit can have at least one sensor for detecting the impact dynamics. The sensor for detecting the impact dynamics can be an angular velocity sensor and / or an acceleration sensor and / or a magnetic sensor. It can also be a sensor for measuring the accuracy of the hit, which is attached, for example, to the striking plate of the golf club. It is It is conceivable that the sensor unit has two or more sensors for detecting the impact dynamics, and that then, for example, such a sensor is an angular velocity sensor and another sensor is an acceleration sensor or a magnetic sensor.

The sensor unit can have at least one sensor to ensure protection against forgery. In this case, the sensor can be designed as an RFID transponder suitable for transmitting and / or receiving RF signals in order to ensure protection against forgery. It is also conceivable for the sensor unit to have two or more sensors to ensure protection against forgery.

RFID is used here to refer to "radio-frequency identification", a generally known technology for transmitter-receiver systems for the contactless identification or localization of objects using radio waves. An RFID system usually consists of a transponder, which is located on or in the object and contains an identifier, as well as a suitable reader for reading out this identifier.

For example, the sensor unit can have one or more sensors for detecting the impact dynamics, or one or more sensors for ensuring security against forgery. The sensor unit can, however, also have one or more sensors for detecting the impact dynamics and one or more sensors for ensuring security against forgery. In other words, it can be said that the sensor unit can have any number of sensors for detecting the impact dynamics and / or for ensuring security against forgery.

The sensor unit can also have one or more sensors in the form of one or more chips, such as in particular RFID transponders.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensor unit can have a location sensor, in particular a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, in order to detect the swing and / or the location of the person striking. The location sensor can in particular be combined with a further sensor, for example arranged in the shaft or in the handle of the golf club to determine the position of the club or the club head. A tilt sensor can also be provided in the club head, in the shaft or in the handle.

The signals detected by the sensor unit can be transmitted to a signal evaluation unit. For example, the at least one sensor for detecting the dynamics of the stroke can detect the club movement during the back swing and the tee shot, in that an acceleration sensor measures the acceleration or an angular velocity sensor measures the position of the club head. These measurement parameters - or data can e.g. via wire, Bluetooth or WiFi to an analysis device such as a handheld device, e.g. a mobile phone or an iPad. In this way, for example, the stroke consistency or the stroke accuracy can be evaluated on the hand-held device in order to support the user's learning process. Similarly, security information can be transmitted or evaluated using the at least one sensor or chip to ensure protection against forgery, for example by using a reading device that generates a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field to which the RFID transponder is exposed and activated. The RFID transponder activated in this way, preferably in the form of an activated microchip in the RFID tag, influences the electromagnetic transmission field of the reader and thereby allows conclusions to be drawn about the security against forgery.

The sensor unit can be arranged in a fixed manner in the core of the club head so that it cannot be removed from the club head without being destroyed. However, it is also conceivable that the sensor unit can be removed from the club head in a non-destructive manner. For example, the sensor unit could be removed non-destructively in the case of a modular design of the club head, which was joined together using connection techniques such as screwing or plugging together. With a modular design of the club head, respectively. The racket could also be exchanged for the individual modules.

The club head can additionally have an energy supply unit for supplying the sensor unit with energy, wherein the energy supply unit can be arranged in a fixed or removable manner in the club head, preferably in the core. For example, the energy supply unit can be a battery, which is fixed in the club head and cannot be removed. Or it can be a battery, for example, which can be removed from the club head and recharged or replaced with a new battery. Such a power supply for the sensor unit can be referred to as active operation of the sensor unit. It is also conceivable here to arrange the power supply unit not in the club head but at a different location in the golf club, for example in the shaft. It is also conceivable that a self-sufficient energy supply of the sensor unit takes place, for example by the movement of the club head or the golf club, the flywheel induces an induction voltage in an induction system, which can be made available to the sensor unit as an energy supply.

However, it is also conceivable to operate the sensor unit passively, that is to say to supply the sensor unit with an energy supply unit which is located outside the club head. Thus at least one of the sensors, for example an RFID transponder, could be supplied with energy from the signals of an analysis or reading device. A capacitor could preferably be charged with a coil as a receiving antenna by induction, similar to a transformer.

As already mentioned, the sensor unit often has its own weight, which has a negative effect on the impact dynamics, respectively. can lead to undesirable changes in the vibration behavior. The at least one weighting element can include serve in particular to compensate for any change in the vibration behavior due to the sensor unit. The weighting element or elements are preferably designed and arranged in the club head in such a way that they compensate for the influence of the sensor unit on the dynamics of the stroke. Conversely, however, it is also conceivable that the sensor unit itself forms a weighting element which is designed and arranged in such a way that the hitting behavior of the club head is specifically improved.

The weighting element is preferably arranged immovably in or on the club head. The club head can, however, additionally have a cavity, the weighting element being arranged displaceably in the cavity. By means of a displaceably arranged weighting element, kinetic energy is stored in this displaceable weighting element during the stroke, which is released again when the club head meets the ball and the club is decelerated during the free movement of this weighting element in the direction of the hit, in addition to that from the club head on the Ball transmitted impact energy. In other words, it can be said that the force acting as a "kickback pulse" on the racket when striking the ball is compensated and an additional force of the order of magnitude of the kickback contributes to the acceleration of the ball, which in particular allows long shot distances to be achieved.

The weighting element can be arranged completely or at least partially, in particular to a large extent, within the shell. The weighting element is preferably arranged completely or at least partially, in particular to a large extent, in the interior of the core. The weighting element is preferably arranged in the area of an underside of the club head.

The weighting element can be designed according to a desired weight distribution, for example semicircular or ring-shaped, and can be arranged in the area of the underside or in the center of the club head.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a first weighting element and a second weighting element are provided, which are each arranged laterally to the striking plate. In this case, the striking plate is advantageously arranged between the first and the second weighting element. In this embodiment, the two weighting elements are advantageously each attached to the outside of the shell. This not only has the advantage that the weight distribution is optimal with regard to the impact behavior, but also that the weighting elements are particularly easy to assemble and e.g. can be exchanged for others.

The weighting element can be arranged only in the shell or only in the core or both in the shell and in the core. As already mentioned, the lower density of the second material of the core compared to the higher density of the first material of the shell, especially when the club head hits the ball, causes a bounce or kickback damping, which also has a corresponding effect on a weighting element. That is, while a weighting element leads on the one hand to an additional force when impacting and accordingly also to an additional "kickback impulse", the different densities of the shell resp. Core material damping in the sense of cushioning. The effect of such a kickback pulse on a derogatory sensor unit and on the golfer can thereby be reduced or even prevented, so that, despite the additional kickback force of the weighting element, precise detection and / or analysis of the club movement and ergonomic handling are possible.

Analogous to the arrangement of a weighting element according to the type described above, a cavity can be arranged in the shell and / or in the core, preferably in the area of an underside of the club head, and the weighting element can be present therein composed of several components, the several components are preferably a powder or a mixture of pellets. However, it is also conceivable that the weighting element is present as a liquid in the cavity, or that the weighting element is an integral, fixed weighting element which is movably arranged in the cavity. In other words, a cavity can be formed in the club head which is filled with a solid mass, e.g. a foam material, or which is filled with a movable mass, e.g. Powder, pellets or a liquid.

The third material of the weighting element can be a metal or an alloy, in particular if it is formed in one piece. The metal can be, for example, lead or tungsten. A weighting element in the form of a powder or a pellet mixture can have a high-density component, for example tungsten, and a compound component, for example copper or tin. A number of suitable materials for such weighting elements are known to the person skilled in the art. The weighting element arranged in a cavity, such as a powder, a pellet mixture or a liquid, first slides from the club head in the direction of the shaft in the pull-up movement within the cavity, and then slides back into the club head when it swings through. This results in a higher club head speed of the Swing is achieved and a high degree of directional accuracy and high shot distances can be made possible.

For individual adjustment of the swing weights of the golf club, it is possible for the weighting element to be removable from the club head without being destroyed. This enables the club to be individually adapted to the golfer, the weighting element being able to be selected depending on the requirements in such a way that a large moment of inertia is created while at the same time there is a desired dynamic response in the moment of impact.

In general, it is to be understood here that one or more weighting elements can be arranged in the interior of the shell and / or in the interior of the core and / or that one or more weighting elements can be arranged in one or more cavities in the interior of the shell and / or in the interior of the core can be arranged.

If, for example, a weighting element is only arranged in the interior of the core, the shell can completely enclose the core immediately adjacent to it. If, for example, a weighting element is arranged in the interior of the core and in the interior of the shell, the shell only partially surrounds the core immediately adjacent, namely in those areas where there is no weighting element between the core and the shell.

A golf club is also specified which has a club head according to the above statements. The golf club can have a shaft, a handle, and a connecting piece, the shaft being attachable to the club head via the connecting piece.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to FIG Drawings described which are only used for explanation and are not to be interpreted restrictively. In the drawings show:

1 shows a cross section through a club head according to a first

Execution;

2 shows a longitudinal section through a golf club with a club head according to a second embodiment;

3 shows a cross section through a golf club with a club head according to a third embodiment;

4 shows a cross section through a golf club with a club head according to a fourth embodiment;

5 shows a longitudinal section through a golf club with a club head according to a fifth embodiment;

6 shows a longitudinal section through a golf club with a club head according to a sixth embodiment;

7 shows a cross section through a golf club with a club head according to a seventh embodiment;

8 shows a cross section through a golf club with a club head according to an eighth embodiment;

9 shows a perspective view of a club head according to a ninth

Version, without impact plate;

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the club head of FIG. 9, with

Impact plate; as

1 1 is an exploded view from the front of the club head of FIG. 9, with

Impact plate.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 11 each show a club head 1 for a golf club, which has a shell 2 made of a first material and a core 3 made of a second material, which is completely or at least partially surrounded by the shell 2. On the outside of the shell 2 there is a striking plate 4 for hitting a golf ball appropriate. A sensor unit 5 is arranged in the interior of the core 3, the core completely or at least partially enclosing the sensor unit 5. The core 3 takes up a larger volume of the club head 1 than the shell 2. In or on the club head there is at least one weighting element 6 or 6a, 6b made of a third material, with different designs and arrangements according to FIGS of the weighting element (s) are possible. Identically or similarly designed elements with the same or similar function are each provided with the same reference symbols in FIGS. 1 to 11.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the club head 1, in which the sensor unit 5 and the weighting element 6 are each arranged centrally in the area of an underside of the club head 1. The sensor unit 5 is completely enclosed by the core 3 and is located in the area of its underside directly next to the weighting element 6, which is immovably arranged between the shell 2 and the core 3. The weighting element 6 is designed and arranged in such a way that an optimal impact behavior is created. Here, the weighting element 6 is essentially rectangular and extends along an entire width of the core 3.

In the second embodiment of the club head 1 shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 5 is again located centrally in the area of an underside of the club head 1 and is completely enclosed by the core 3. The core 3 is T-shaped, and the weighting element 6 is U-shaped and extends along the entire width and over a partial area of the height of the core 3, so that the core in the channel, which by the U-shaped configuration of the weighting element 6 is formed, partially accommodated or enclosed by it. Both the core 3 and the weighting element 6 are completely enclosed by the shell 2.

In the third embodiment of the club head 1 shown in Figure 3, the sensor unit 5 and the weighting element 6 are arranged on one side in the club head. The weighting element extends in an L-shape over a partial area of the height of the shell 2 and core 3 in the area of the front of the club head and protrudes into the shell 2 and core 3 in this partial area. The sensor unit 5 is completely enclosed by the core 3 and is located close to the weighting element 6. The weighting element 6 has an L-shaped profile with two legs at right angles to one another, which together span an area in which the sensor unit 5 is arranged. This arrangement allows the sensor unit 5 to be additionally protected from forces acting on the club head 1. The striking plate 4 is attached to the front of the club head 1 and also has an L-shaped profile which extends along the entire underside and on one side along the entire height of the club head 1.

FIG. 4 shows a club head 1 for a golf club in which an essentially L-shaped weighting element 6 extends along an underside of the core 3 and along the entire height of the striking plate 4 between the shell 2 and the core 3. The sensor unit 5 is arranged centrally in the area of the underside of the club head 1 and is completely enclosed by the core 3.

Figures 5 and 6 each show a club head 1 with a weighting element 6. In these figures, neither the shell nor the sensor unit of the club head 1 is visible. However, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, there is a shell that at least partially surrounds a core, and, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, there is a sensor unit which is at least partially arranged in the interior of the core. In contrast to the club heads 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4, the flat weighting element 6 in the club heads 1 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is not arranged in the interior of the shell 2, but is attached to its underside.

The weighting element 6 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is designed as an overall flat plate. The weighting element 6 of FIG. 6 is also flat on a side facing away from the shell 2 and has a projection on a side facing the shell 2 which extends into the shell 2. The flat side of the weighting element 6 extends parallel to the outside of the shell 2. The weighting element 6 shown in FIG. 6 is thus essentially T-shaped, with the free center leg of the T-shaped weighting element 6 in a recess of the longitudinal section in Substantially U-shaped shell 2 is added. The designs shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 differ from that of FIG. 1 in that the sensor unit 5 is not arranged completely, but only partially inside the core 3. In these embodiments, however, a large part of the sensor unit 5 is still arranged in the interior of the core 3, that is to say a large part of the sensor unit 5 is enclosed by the core 3.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the sensor unit 5 rests with its front side on the inner surface of the shell 2 in the region of the striking plate 4, but is otherwise enclosed by the core 3. The sensor unit 5 is thus completely enclosed by the shell 2 here, but only partially by the core 3.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, the front of the sensor unit 5, which is usually formed here by a signal transmitter, rests against the inner surface of the striking plate 4, but is also at least partially enclosed by the core 3. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 7, however, the sensor unit 5 in the present embodiment is not completely enclosed by the shell 2, but rather penetrates through the shell 2 with its area facing the striking plate 4. Thus, the sensor unit 5 is also only partially enclosed by the core 3, although a predominant volume portion of the sensor unit 5 is located in the core 3.

Another embodiment of a club head 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. Here, too, a shell 2 completely encloses a core that cannot be seen in FIGS. 9 to 11. The core is preferably formed by a foam material or a gaseous material, such as in particular air. In the latter case, the shell 2 encloses a cavity and the air filling this cavity forms the core. The material of the core preferably takes up a larger volume than the material of the shell 2.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 preferably, but not necessarily, has a sensor unit 5 which, for example, is arranged in the form of a sensor plate between the shell 2 and on a striking plate 4 that is attached to the front of the shell 2 can. However, the sensor unit 5 is at least particularly preferred partially, in particular completely, arranged in the interior of the core. It can for example be attached to an inner surface of the shell 2, in particular to the inner surface of the front side of the shell 2, or, in particular if the core is made of a foam material, be arranged completely inside the core.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the club head 1 has two weighting elements 6a and 6b, which are attached to the shell 2 on the outside of the striking plate 4 on the outside. To hold the weighting elements 6a and 6b, outwardly protruding pins are formed on the shell 2, which pins are inserted into openings provided for this purpose when the weighting elements 6a, 6b are attached. Alternatively or in addition, the weighting elements 6a, 6b can also be glued and / or screwed to the shell 2. The combination of the weighting elements 6a, 6b arranged laterally on the outside of the striking plate 4 with a core made of a foam material or a gaseous material has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the striking behavior of the golf club.

In contrast to the previous versions, the striking plate 4 does not have an L-shaped profile here, but an overall flat profile. For this purpose, a sole plate 9 made of metal is attached to the shell 2 to reinforce the underside of the club head 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as well as 5 and 6, the club head 1 is connected to a shaft 8. The club head 1 of FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 is formed in one piece with the shaft 8, while the club head 1 of FIGS. 3 and 9 to 11 is attached to the shaft 8 via a hosel 7.

Even if a sensor unit 5 is present in the club head in each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, it is entirely conceivable to provide these club heads without the sensor unit. Even then, the club heads show particularly good striking behavior. REFERENCE LIST

1 club head 6, 6a, 6b weighting element

Shell 7 hosel

Core 8 shaft

Impact plate 9 sole plate

Sensor unit

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Club head (1) for a golf club, having

a striking plate (4) for hitting a golf ball,

a shell (2) made of a first material to which the striking plate (4) is attached,

a core (3) made of a second material, at least partially surrounded by the shell (2), and

at least one weighting element (6; 6a, 6b) made of a third material,

wherein the second material of the core (3) has a lower density than the first material of the shell (2),

and wherein the third material of the weighting element (6; 6a, 6b) has a higher density than the first material of the shell (2) and / or than the second material of the core (3).

2. The club head (1) according to claim 1, wherein the club head (1) additionally has at least one sensor unit (5) which is at least partially arranged in the interior of the core (3).

3. The club head (1) according to claim 2, wherein the core (3) is the sensor unit

(5) completely encloses.

4. The club head (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sensor unit

(5) has at least one sensor for detecting the impact dynamics, which is preferably an angular velocity sensor and / or a

Accelerometer and / or a magnetic sensor is.

5. The club head (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the

Sensor unit (5) has at least one sensor to ensure protection against forgery, which is preferably designed as an RFID transponder suitable for transmitting and / or receiving RF signals.

6. The club head (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sensor unit (5) can be removed from the club head in a non-destructive manner.

7. The club head (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, additionally having a power supply unit for supplying the sensor unit (5) with energy, the power supply unit being arranged in the club head, preferably in the core (3).

8. The club head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell (2) completely encloses the core (3).

9. The club head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material of the shell (2) is a composite material.

10. The club head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second material of the core (3) is a foam material.

11. The club head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second material of the core (3) is a gaseous material, in particular air.

12. The club head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (3) occupies a larger volume of the club head than the shell (2).

13. The club head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the weighting element (6; 6a, 6b) is arranged immovably in or on the club head, or

wherein the club head additionally has a cavity, and wherein the weighting element (6) is arranged displaceably in the cavity.

14. The club head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the weighting element (6) is arranged inside the shell (2), preferably in the interior of the core (3).

15. The club head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a first weighting element (6a) and a second weighting element (6b) are provided, which are each arranged laterally to the striking plate (4).

16. A golf club having a club head (1) according to one of the preceding claims.