GB2338903A

GB2338903A - Golf club face

Info

Publication number: GB2338903A
Application number: GB9814210A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Woolgar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-01
Filing date: 1998-07-01
Publication date: 2000-01-12
Also published as: GB9814210D0

Description

2338903 1 IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GOLF CLUBS This invention relates to

golf clubs and more particularly to golf club faces.

11 C When a golf ball is struck off-centre, deflection of the striking face of the club tends to occur. This results in an "open" or "closed" club face at impact, which imparts spin to the ball causing an undesirable "slice" or "hook", respectively.

This problem has been addressed by toe7heel weighting (especially in woods) and by perimeter weighting in irons. In toe-heel weighted woods, a striking plate of uniform thickness acts as the club face. It is set into a surrounding club head (now often made of metal) which contributes mass at each end (the "toe" and "heel") of the club head.

In perimeter weighted irons, the aim has been to shift as much of the mass of the club head to its periphery as possible. This has been achieved, for example, by the use of light, rigid face materials (such as titanium and ceramic) set into a relatively heavy cavity-backed head which provides peripheral mass.

In both cases, when an off-centre shot is struck the mass which lies outside the ball provides inertia to the club head and reduces deflection of the face resulting in straighter shots.

2 It has now been found that improved feel and truer flight can be achieved by providing peripheral weighting to the club face of both woods and irons, wherein the weighting is achieved by distributing mass such that it increases progressively and peripherally from the centre of the club face. Moreover, the extra thickness at the face confers greater rigidity on the face which decreases "rebound" of the golf ball from the club face and prevents deformation of the face on impact.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a golf club face whose mass is distributed such that it increases progressively from the central area of the club face to the periphery thereof.

The mass distribution atthefacegives afeeling of solidityto the head during striking of a golf ball. The inertia of the mass distributed throughout the face resists rearward deflection of the head so a ball may be mis-struck off-centre at any region of the face with less deflection (and attendant hook or slice) than with a standard club.

The mass distribution is conveniently achieved by increasing the thickness of the face progressively from the centre of the club face to the periphery thereof. Alternatively, the mass distribution can be achieved by using composite materials having different masses.

Variation in the thickness of the face may be achieved by any convenient means including casting, pressing, machining, turning, abrading, grinding or laminating. The result is a club face having a substantially concave back.

As used herein, the term "progressively" is intended to define a progressive or gradual change. As applied to the thickness of the face, the term implies a smooth or finely stepped gradation.

3 The face maybe manufactured from any suitable material. Particularly preferred are metallic materials, such as steel or titanium.

Also contemplated by the invention is a golf club head comprising the face of the invention. The head may be for a wood or an iron. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that "wood" is a term of art used in contradistinction to "iron" to define a particular class of golf club, and does not necessarily imply a wooden construction. Indeed, woods are now generally fabricated from steel, titanium or plastics. Particularly preferred for use with the invention are hollow-headed woods.

Also contemplated is a golf club head adapted to receive the face of the invention, since the face may be supplied independently of the other elements of the golf club and/or may be interchangeable therewith.

The invention also covers a golf club comprising the face or head of the invention. Thus, the clubs of the invention may further comprise a shaft (preferably of steel or graphite) and/or a grip.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified view of the face of a golf club according to the invention; Figure 2 is a section taken along line 11-11 of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section taken along line 111-111 of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, the golf club 1 comprises a shaft 2, head 3 and a striking plate or facing plate 5. Grooves 4 are found in the exposed surface of the facing plate 5. The facing plate is secured within a frontal 4 cavity (not shown) of the head.

As will be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the illustrated head 3 comprises a body 9 housed within a casing 7. The body is formed with a smoothly convex surface 10 to which the inner surface 11 of the facing plate.5- is secured. As shown, the surface 11 is concave and closely complements the convex shaping of the surface 10 thereby ensuring a secure fit one to the other. The facing plate is typically of steel and is typically of 2 to 3 mm thickness at its centre increasing progressively to about 6-7 mm at its periphery. Thus, the mass of the facing plate 5 increases progressively from its central area to its periphery.

As illustrated, the change in thickness of the facing plate is smoothly progressive from the centre of the plate to its periphery. This desired change could alternatively be achieved by a series of discrete steps or by employing composite materials having different masses.

As explained previously, the unique mass distribution at the facing plate gives a feeling of solidity to the head during striking of a golf ball. The inertia of the mass distributed throughout the face resists rearward deflection of the head so a ball may be mis-struck off-centre at any region of the face with less deflection (and attendant hook or slice) than with a standard club. It is also possible intentionally to impart spin to a ball by striking the ball off-centre.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of golf clubs in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 A golf club face whose mass is distributed such that it increases progressively from the central area of the club face to the periphery thereof.

2. A golf club face as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mass distribution is achieved by increasing the thickness of the face progressively from the centre of the club face to the periphery thereof.

3. A golf club face as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mass distribution is achieved by using composite materials having different masses.

4. A golf club face is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein variation in the thickness of the face is achieved by casting, pressing, machining, turning, abrading, grinding or laminating.

5. A golf club face as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 whose back is substantially concave.

6. A club face as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 of steel or titanium.

7. A golf club head having a face as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. A golf club head which is adapted to receive a club face as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A club head as claimed in claim 8 whose face is interchangeable.

10. A golf club substantially as herein described and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.