KR20220103185A - Golf club head with face reinforcement structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Some embodiments of the lightweight golf clubs described herein include a thin crown to maximize performance improvement (e.g., ball travel distance, impact efficiency, and ball speed) targeted to individuals with swing speeds less than 85 mph; Includes a thin sole, a mass efficient weight system and a thin faceplate. As described further below, to achieve a lightweight golf club (with a thin crown, thin sole, mass efficient weight system and thin faceplate), the golf club head controls the characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the club head. It further includes a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge for the purpose.

Description

Golf club head with face reinforcement structure

field of invention

This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a golf club head having one or more thickened regions.

Related application data

This application is filed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/076,859, filed September 10, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/073,849, filed September 2, 2020, and filed December 6, 2019 Claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/944,968, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Golf can be played by a variety of individuals, generally classified by age, gender, stamina and flexibility. This diverse group of individuals (or golfers) often leads to golf club manufacturers designing golf clubs to fit the full range of golfers, including those with low, medium and high swing speeds. Thus, often due to golf club manufacturers designing golf clubs to accommodate all individuals, individuals with low swing speeds and swing speeds may be using golf clubs that are less optimally suited to specific swing characteristics. As a result, many golfers sacrifice impact efficiency to be less than maximized ball travel. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a golf club head, particularly a driver-type golf club head, designed to provide maximum performance to golfers with low swing speeds and swing speeds.

1 illustrates an outer heel and rear side perspective view of a golf club head;
FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the outer top or crown of the golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
3 illustrates a view of the outer underside or sole of the golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
4 illustrates an exterior front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in an address position;
FIG. 5 illustrates an interior rear view of the faceplate having the variable face thickness of FIG. 4 in an address position;
6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a weight assembly attached to the club head;
7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 without a weight assembly attached to the club head;
FIG. 8 illustrates a rear interior view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a sole-to-faceplate bridge and a crown-to-faceplate bridge;
9 illustrates an enlarged view of the crown-faceplate bridge of FIG. 8 ;
10 illustrates a rear interior view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a sole-faceplate bridge;
11 illustrates an enlarged view of the sole-faceplate bridge of FIG. 10 .
Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings illustrate a general manner of construction, and descriptions of well-known features and techniques and their details may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Like reference numbers in different drawings indicate like elements.

Provided herein are golf clubs, particularly lightweight wood-type golf clubs designed for golfers having swing speeds (eg, low and medium swing speeds) less than 85 mph. In general, the lightweight golf clubs described herein have a thin crown, thin profile to maximize performance improvement (e.g., ball travel distance, impact efficiency, and ball speed) targeting individuals with swing speeds less than 85 mph. soles, mass efficient weight systems and/or thin faceplates. As explained further below, to achieve a lightweight golf club (with a thin crown, thin sole, mass efficient weight system and thin faceplate), the golf club head has a characteristic time (CT) of the club head. It further includes a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge to control the characteristics.

Forming golf clubs that specifically target demographics of specific swing speeds (i.e., low and medium swing speeds) means that these individuals Instead of using a golf club that is configured to match your speed and high swing speed, you may want to use a golf club that matches your swing signature. Thus, this reduces the need to form a golf club head capable of withstanding the highest load (and/or highest stress) conditions imparted from high swing speeds for durability purposes. This allows the golf club heads described herein to have a reduced club head mass to volume ratio, improved mass placement and thinner faceplates.

In the description and claims, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., if present, are used to distinguish similar elements, but do not necessarily refer to a particular sequential or chronological order. It is not intended to be used to describe. It is to be understood that the terminology used as such is interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein may be operated, for example, in an order not illustrated or otherwise described herein. Also, "comprise", "have" and any variations thereof are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, system, article, apparatus, or apparatus comprising a list of elements includes those elements. It is not necessarily limited and may include other elements not explicitly listed or inherent to the process, method, system, article, apparatus, or apparatus.

In the description and claims, the terms "left", "right", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "above", "below", etc., if any, are used for descriptive purposes. As such, it is not necessarily used to describe a permanent relative position. The terminology so used indicates that the embodiments of the apparatus, method, and/or article of manufacture described herein are compatible, under appropriate circumstances, to, for example, operate in an orientation other than that illustrated or otherwise described herein. should know

The golf club head described herein may be a driver-type club head, a fairway wood-type golf club, or a hybrid-type club head, as described below. In many embodiments, the golf club head may be a wood-type golf club head (ie, a driver-type golf club head, a fairway wood-type golf club head, or a hybrid-type golf club head). Driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads and hybrid-type golf club heads may be characterized by a loft angle, head volume and/or head weight as noted above.

1. Loft Angle - Driver

As used herein, the term “driver-type golf club head” may be defined as a loft angle.

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the driver-type club head is less than about 16 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 14 degrees, less than about 13 degrees, less than about 12 degrees, less than about 11 degrees, less than about 10 degrees, about It may be less than 9 degrees, less than about 8 degrees, or less than about 7 degrees.

2. Loft Angle - Fairway Woods

As used herein, the term "fairway wood-type golf club head" may be defined as one or more of a loft angle or a club head material.

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the fairway wood-type club head is less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, It may be less than approximately 30 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head is greater than about 12 degrees, greater than about 13 degrees, greater than about 14 degrees, greater than about 15 degrees, greater than about 16 degrees, or about 17 degrees. greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, or greater than about 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of a fairway wood-type club head may be between 12 and 35 degrees, between 15 and 35 degrees, between 20 and 35 degrees or between 12 and 30 degrees.

3. Material - Fairway Wood

The material of the fairway wood-type golf club head may be constructed from any material used to construct a conventional golf club head. For example, the material of a fairway wood-type golf club head is 8620 stainless steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten. , aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy steel alloy or any other known metal or composite material for forming a fairway wood-type golf club head. In many embodiments, the fairway wood-type golf club head may be constructed from a titanium alloy and/or composite material.

4. Loft Angle - Hybrid

As used herein, the term “hybrid-type golf club head” may be defined as one or more of a loft angle or a club head material.

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the hybrid-type club head is less than about 40 degrees, less than about 39 degrees, less than about 38 degrees, less than about 37 degrees, less than about 36 degrees, or about It may be less than 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the hybrid-type club head is greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees, or , greater than about 21 degrees, greater than about 22 degrees, greater than about 23 degrees, greater than about 24 degrees, or greater than about 25 degrees.

5. Material - Hybrid

The material of the hybrid-type golf club head may be constructed from any material used to construct a conventional golf club head. For example, the material of the hybrid-type golf club head may be 8620 stainless steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten, may be composed of any one or combination of aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, steel alloy or any other known metal or composite material for forming a fairway hybrid-type golf club head. In many embodiments, the hybrid-type golf club head may be constructed from a titanium alloy and/or composite material.

Before any embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of arrangement and configuration of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

A lightweight golf club head having a mass conserving faceplate and mass conserving body compared to a golf club head designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour is described below. The body and faceplate together form a golf club head defining a hollow interior. The body includes a crown, a sole, a toe, a heel and a rear portion defining an interior cavity. The crown, sole, toe and heel of the body define an opening configured to receive a faceplate.

As noted above, in many embodiments, the faceplates described herein may be designed according to a particular set of swing speed statistics. As a non-limiting example, a first population of users having a swing speed of less than 85 miles per hour (85 mph) has a thinner faceplate ( Thus, golf clubs with less mass intensive faceplates can be used. This allows the first population of users to experience faster ball speed and increased ball travel compared to using a golf club head that is designed and durable for both the second and second populations (faceplates). due to increased flexure of the face caused by the thinning of In this particular scenario, the issue of durability caused by thinning the faceplate is not readily apparent (in the first user statistic population) due to the low to medium impact velocity, but thinning the faceplate thickness can provide an unlimited increase in CT. have.

In many embodiments, in order to properly control or modify the CT across the faceplate (while maintaining a thin and light faceplate), the faceplate may have a variable thickness profile, which allows the CT to be reduced by allowing only the desired area to be thickened. tune in However, compared to a golf club head designed for swing speeds faster than 100 miles per hour, simply implementing a variable face thickness profile will not be sufficient to adequately control the CT. Accordingly, a crown-faceplate bridge and sole-faceplate bridge are integrally formed internally within the club head to further control, modify and/or reduce the characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the club head.

The variable thickness of the faceplate may include a perimeter edge region, a toe region, a heel region, an upper transition region, a lower transition region and a central region. The perimeter edge region may be substantially elliptical and enclose the toe region, the heel region, the upper transition region, the lower transition region and the central region. The toe region spans from the perimeter edge, the boundary of the upper transition region and the lower transition region. The heel region spans from the perimeter edge, the boundary of the upper transition region and the lower transition region. The central region spans from and is bounded by the upper and lower transition regions. In many embodiments, from the heel end of the golf club head to the center of the faceplate and from the toe end of the golf club head to the center of the faceplate, the variable thickness (VFT) of the faceplate is the heel and toe portions, upper and lower transition regions. , and finally, it may be defined as a peripheral edge, which is the outermost region to which the central region continues.

In general, the portion of the golf club head that has the largest characteristic time measurement is typically (1) towards the geometric center of the faceplate, and (2) offset from the geometric center of the faceplate towards the toe of the faceplate. , (3) offset from the geometric center towards the upper end of the faceplate, or a combination thereof. These regions may potentially have characteristic time measurements that are at, close to, or approaching critical CT values (ie, USGA and R&A CT limits). Accordingly, in one or more thin faceplate embodiments, it may be desirable to decrease the CT in the toe portion of the faceplate and increase the CT in the heel portion of the faceplate. In this situation, the toe region of the VFT may have a greater thickness than the heel region of the VFT. This forms a stiffer faceplate in the toe portion and more flexible in the heel portion. This, in part, forms a more uniform CT across the faceplate.

As mentioned above, having a faceplate with a variable face thickness profile facilitates CT control (and/or reduction), but due to the increased face curvature generated by a thin and light faceplate, it is difficult to implement VFT. This alone is not sufficient to adequately control the CT. Accordingly, to further adjust the CT without adding mass intensive features, the golf club head may include a crown-faceplate bridge and/or a sole-faceplate bridge. The crown-faceplate bridge and/or sole-faceplate bridge may be positioned in portions of the golf club head that are subjected to low displacement and/or low stress areas at golf ball impact. This is done by specifying the transition region between the faceplate and the crown to provide localized and/or customized reinforcement to adjust the dynamic response characteristics (i.e. CT) of the golf club head, with negligible impact on impact ball velocity. Certain portions of the portion and/or the transition region between the faceplate and the sole may be stiffened and/or thickened.

Construction and setup of golf club heads

As will be described further below, in order to achieve a lightweight golf club that meets a predetermined mass/volume ratio, the golf club head has a thin crown, thin profile when compared to conventional club heads designed for swing speeds of 100 miles per hour or more. Includes sole, mass-efficient weight system and thin faceplate. Thinning these structural features (ie, thin crowns, thin soles, mass efficient weight systems and thin faceplates) increases the flexibility of the golf club head, which correlates with an increase in CT. Accordingly, to limit (or offset) the increase in CT and to ensure that the club complies with the USGA, the golf club head may further include a crown-faceplate bridge and/or sole-faceplate bridge to reduce the thickness of the faceplate. Controlling (lowering) the characteristic time (CT) characteristic of the club head without having to increase it (ie without limiting the flexibility of the faceplate). The club head achieves these characteristics with a swing speed of less than 85 mph.

In many embodiments, a golf club head includes a club head body (which may also be referred to as a “body”). The club head body defines a toe (or toe portion), a heel (or heel portion), a crown (or crown portion), a sole (or sole portion), a rear portion, and a faceplate opening configured to receive a faceplate. The faceplate may provide a surface suitable for impact with a golf ball. The rear portion is spaced rearwardly from the faceplate. The sole portion is defined as lying between the faceplate and the rear portion and resting on the ground (or play surface) at the address location. The crown (or crown portion) may be formed opposite the sole (or sole portion). The faceplate may be defined by the sole, crown, heel and toe of the golf club head.

As previously mentioned, the golf club head may be configured to be in an “address position”. Unless otherwise stated or stated, the golf club head is in the address position for all reference measurements, ratios and/or descriptive parameters. Address location may be referred to as (1) the sole of the golf club head resting on the ground in contact with and parallel to the playing surface and (2) the faceplate may be substantially perpendicular to the ground.

The faceplate of the club head defines the geometric center. In some embodiments, the geometric center may be located at a geometric midpoint around the faceplate and at a midpoint of the face height. In the same or other examples, the geometric center may also be centered with respect to an engineered impact zone, which may be defined by a groove area on the faceplate. As another approach, the geometric center of the faceplate may be positioned according to the definition of a golf management organization such as the American Golf Association (USGA). For example, the geometric center 29 of the faceplate 20 is determined in section 6.1 of the USGA's Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (from http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head/) available) (“Flexibility Procedure”).

The club head further defines a loft plane tangent to the geometric center of the faceplate. The face height may be measured parallel to the loft plane between the upper end around the faceplate near the crown and the lower end around the faceplate near the sole. In this embodiment, the perimeter of the faceplate may be positioned along the outer edge of the faceplate where the curvature deviates from the bulge and/or roll of the faceplate.

The geometric center of the faceplate further defines a coordinate system having an origin located at the geometric center of the faceplate, the coordinate system having an X' axis, a Y' axis and a Z' axis. The X' axis extends through the geometric center of the faceplate in the direction from the heel of the club head to the toe. The Y' axis extends from the crown of the club head through the geometric center of the faceplate in a direction perpendicular to the X' axis of the solo, the Z' axis extends rearward from the front end of the club head (e.g., faceplate) with the X' axis and It extends through the geometric center of the faceplate in a direction perpendicular to the Y' axis.

The coordinate system defines an X'Y' plane that extends through the X' axis and the Y' axis. The X'Y' plane extends parallel to the hosel axis (not shown) and is positioned at an angle corresponding to the loft angle of the club head from the loft plane 164 . Also, the X' axis may be positioned at a 60 degree angle with respect to the hosel axis when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane. In this or other embodiments, when viewing the faceplate from a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane, the club head is visible in the front view (FIG. 4).

I. Example

Many of the golf club head embodiments described below ( FIGS. 1-11 ) illustrate a driver-type golf club head 100 configured to increase the performance of a golfer having a swing speed of less than 85 miles per hour (85 mph). do. As will be explained further below, the increased performance can be achieved with a crown-faceplate bridge 106 and/or a sole-faceplate bridge 107 , a thin crown 102 , a thin sole 103 , a variable thickness profile 111 . at least in part due to the addition of a lightweight flexible faceplate 105 and a mass efficient weight system 104 with As discussed below, this combination of features and attributes helps avoid durability and CT issues while increasing club head performance for golfers with swing speeds less than 85 miles per hour.

Mass Characteristics of Golf Club Heads

1-11 , the body 101 and faceplate 105 of the golf club head 100 are joined together to define a hollow interior cavity. The body 101 includes a crown 102 , a sole 103 , a toe 108 , a heel 109 and a rear portion 110 defining a hollow interior cavity. Crown 102 , sole 103 , toe 108 and heel 109 of the body define an opening configured to receive faceplate 105 . The faceplate 105 may provide a surface suitable for impact with a golf ball. The rear portion 110 is spaced rearwardly from the faceplate 105 . The sole 103 is defined between the faceplate 105 and the back portion 110 and rests on the ground 120 (or play surface) at an address location. The crown 102 may be formed on the opposite side of the sole 103 .

Forming a golf club head used by (only) a golfer having a swing speed of less than 85 miles per hour is achieved by a golf club head (conventional golf club) used by a golfer having a swing speed greater than 100 miles per hour. Allows for reducing (or thinning) the structural mass of many of the conventionally required features of the club head (ie crown, sole, faceplate, etc.). This results in a golf club head that is significantly more flexible than conventional golf clubs, which in turn results in an increase in the CT properties of the club head. Thus, implementing an integrally formed crown-faceplate bridge or sole-faceplate bridge can locally thicken areas of the club head with inherently high CT without the need to add thickness (or mass) to the overall faceplate. have. In conventional club heads, the main option to reduce the CT characteristics of the club head is to thicken the entire face (not just the perimeter of the face). Thus, the crown-faceplate bridge and sole-faceplate bridge help form a lightweight golf club head. In many embodiments, golf club head 100 may be about 3 grams, about 4 grams, about 5 grams, about 6 grams, about 7 grams, about 8 grams, or about 9 grams lighter than a conventional golf club head.

Driver-Type Golf Club Head

To achieve a lightweight (but durable) golf club head 100 , the combined mass of the golf club head 100 may be between approximately 190 grams and 200 grams. In many embodiments, the combined mass of golf club head 100 is between about 190 grams and 192 grams, between about 192 grams and 194 grams, between about 194 grams and 196 grams, between about 196 grams and 198 grams, or between about 198 grams and 200 grams. can In further embodiments, the combined mass of golf club head 100 is less than 200 grams, less than 199 grams, less than 198 grams, less than 197 grams, less than 196 grams, less than 195 grams, or , less than 194 grams, less than 193 grams, less than 192 grams, or less than 191 grams. In other embodiments, the combined mass of golf club head 100 is about 190 grams, about 191 grams, about 192 grams, about 193 grams, about 194 grams, about 195 grams, about 196 grams, about 197 grams, about 198 grams. , about 199 grams or about 200 grams. 1-11, the combined club head mass (ie, the club head body coupled to the faceplate) is approximately 194 grams. For comparison, a conventional golf club head designed for swing speeds greater than 100 miles per hour has a combined club head mass in excess of 203 grams.

Forming the lightweight golf club head 100 does not necessarily imply a tradeoff (or reduction) in the volume of the club head 100 . For example, the volume of the golf club head 100 may be between approximately 444 cc and approximately 460 cc. In many embodiments, the volume of the golf club head 100 is from about 444 cc to about 448 cc, from about 448 cc to about 450 cc, from about 450 cc to about 452 cc, from about 452 cc to about 454 cc, from about 454 cc to about about 456 cc, about 456 cc to about 458 cc, or about 458 cc to about 460 cc. In other embodiments, the volume of the golf club head 100 is about 444 cc, about 445 cc, about 446 cc, about 447 cc, about 448 cc, about 449 cc, about 450 cc, about 451 cc, about 452 cc, about 453 cc, about 454 cc, about 455 cc, about 456 cc, about 457 cc, about 458 cc, about 459 cc, or about 460 cc. 1-11, the combined club head 100 volume is 460 cc.

)로서 정의되는 질량 대 부피를 특징으로 할 수 있다. 많은 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드(100)의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 0.40 내지 대략 0.44일 수 있다. 많은 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드(100)의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 0.40보다 크거나, 대략 0.41보다 크거나, 대략 0.42보다 크거나, 대략 0.43보다 클 수 있다. 동일하거나 다른 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드(100)의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 0.44보다 작거나, 대략 0.43보다 작거나, 대략 0.42보다 작거나, 대략 0.41보다 작을 수 있다. 대안적인 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드(100)의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 0.40, 대략 0.41, 대략 0.42, 대략 0.43 또는 대략 0.44일 수 있다. 1 그램이 1 입방 센티미터와 수학적으로 같기 때문에, 질량 대 부피 비는 단위가 없다.In many embodiments, golf club head 100 provides a ratio between the mass of the golf club head and the volume of the golf club head (

) can be characterized by mass versus volume defined as In many embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head 100 may be between about 0.40 and about 0.44. In many embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of golf club head 100 may be greater than about 0.40, greater than about 0.41, greater than about 0.42, or greater than about 0.43. In the same or other embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head 100 may be less than about 0.44, less than about 0.43, less than about 0.42, or less than about 0.41. In alternative embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head 100 may be approximately 0.40, approximately 0.41, approximately 0.42, approximately 0.43, or approximately 0.44. Since one gram is mathematically equivalent to one cubic centimeter, the mass-to-volume ratio has no units.

Maintaining golf club head 100 with a mass to volume ratio of less than 0.44 allows individuals with lower swing speeds to swing freely and naturally without sacrificing the forgiveness (MOI) typically associated with larger volume club heads. . The ratios described above are achieved through various features which will be described in more detail below.

fairway wood golf club head

To achieve a lightweight (but durable) golf club head, the combined mass of the golf club head may be approximately 180 grams to 198 grams. In many embodiments, the combined mass of the golf club head is between about 180 grams and 182 grams, between about 182 grams and 184 grams, between about 184 grams and 186 grams, between about 186 grams and 188 grams, between about 188 grams and 190 grams, between about 190 grams. to about 192 grams, from about 192 grams to about 194 grams, from about 194 grams to about 196 grams, or from about 196 grams to about 198 grams. In further embodiments, the combined mass of the golf club head is less than 198 grams, less than 197 grams, less than 196 grams, less than 195 grams, less than 194 grams, less than 193 grams, or 192 grams less than 191 grams, less than 190 grams, less than 189 grams, less than 188 grams, less than 187 grams, less than 186 grams, less than 185 grams, or less than 184 grams or less than 183 grams, less than 182 grams, or less than 181 grams. In other embodiments, the combined mass of the golf club head is about 180 grams, about 181 grams, about 182 grams, about 183 grams, about 184 grams, about 185 grams, about 186 grams, about 187 grams, about 188 grams, about 189 grams. grams, about 190 grams, about 191 grams, about 192 grams, about 193 grams, about 194 grams, about 195 grams, about 196 grams, about 197 grams, or about 198 grams. For comparison, a conventional fairway-type golf club head designed for swing speeds greater than 100 miles per hour has a combined club head mass of 200 grams to 208 grams.

Creating a lightweight golf club head does not necessarily mean a tradeoff (or reduction) in the volume of the club head. For example, the volume of a golf club head may be between approximately 165 cc and approximately 180 cc. In many embodiments, the volume of the golf club head may be from about 165 cc to about 170 cc, from about 170 cc to about 175 cc, or from about 175 cc to about 180 cc. In other embodiments, the volume of the golf club head 100 is about 165 cc, about 166 cc, about 167 cc, about 168 cc, about 169 cc, about 170 cc, about 171 cc, about 172 cc, about 173 cc, about 174 cc, about 175 cc, about 176 cc, about 177 cc, about 178 cc, about 179 cc, or about 180 cc.

)로서 정의되는 질량 대 부피를 특징으로 할 수 있다. 많은 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 1.04 내지 대략 1.07일 수 있다. 많은 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드(100)의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 1.04보다 크거나, 대략 1.05보다 크거나, 대략 1.06보다 크거나, 대략 1.07보다 클 수 있다. 동일하거나 다른 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 1.07보다 작거나, 대략 1.06보다 작거나, 대략 1.05보다 작을 수 있다. 대안적인 실시예에서, 골프 클럽 헤드의 질량 대 부피 비는 대략 1.04, 대략 1.05, 대략 1.06 또는 대략 1.07일 수 있다. 1 그램이 1 입방 센티미터와 수학적으로 같기 때문에, 질량 대 부피 비는 단위가 없다.In many embodiments, the golf club head is a ratio between the mass of the golf club head and the volume of the golf club head (

) can be characterized by mass versus volume defined as In many embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head may be between about 1.04 and about 1.07. In many embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head 100 may be greater than approximately 1.04, greater than approximately 1.05, greater than approximately 1.06, or greater than approximately 1.07. In the same or other embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head may be less than about 1.07, less than about 1.06, or less than about 1.05. In alternative embodiments, the mass to volume ratio of the golf club head may be approximately 1.04, approximately 1.05, approximately 1.06, or approximately 1.07. Since one gram is mathematically equivalent to one cubic centimeter, the mass-to-volume ratio has no units.

Maintaining a golf club head with a mass to volume ratio less than 1.07 allows individuals with lower swing speeds to swing freely and naturally without sacrificing the forgiveness (MOI) typically associated with larger volume club heads. The ratios described above are achieved through various features which will be described in more detail below. Similar mass to volume ratios can be achieved with hybrid-type golf club heads.

Crown of golf club head

As described above, forming a golf club head that is only used by golfers having a swing speed of less than 85 miles per hour is a golf club head configured for use by a golfer having a swing speed in excess of 100 miles per hour (conventionally). of golf clubs) allows reducing (or thinning) the structural mass of many features of the club head (ie crown, sole, faceplate, etc.) that are conventionally limited by Thinning the crown of the golf club head provides a lower and deeper center of gravity position, which helps launch the golf ball into the air faster at impact. However, this may result in a golf club head having a thinner crown-face transition area than a conventional golf club, which in turn may result in an increase in the CT properties of the club head. Therefore, local implementation of an integrally formed crown-faceplate bridge tangentially blended with a portion of the peripheral area of the club head can reduce CT, while increasing club head mass negligibly and maintaining a thin crown. have.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 will have a crown 102 having a relatively smaller thickness (than a standard club that must remain durable to 100 mph impact) to achieve specific head mass and volume goals. can As defined above, crown 102 of golf club 100 is the portion of the club that is visible from the address position and the upper surface of the club head when an individual or golfer (not shown) is looking down. Crown 102 has three distinct length portions measured in an anterior-posterior direction from the rear of golf club head 110 to faceplate 105 (ie, a front portion 125 , a middle portion 126 , and a rear portion ( 127)) can be segmented (or segmented).

Anterior portion 125 of crown 102 may proximate faceplate 105 and may be defined as an anterior 1/6 portion (and/or a portion having a length equal to 1/6 the length of the crown). The posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 is defined as the posterior 2/6 portion of the crown length (and/or the portion having a length equal to 2/6 the length) proximate the rear 110 of the golf club head 100 . The middle portion 126 of the crown 102 is between the anterior portion 125 and the posterior portion 127 and is defined as the middle 3/6 portion (and/or the portion having a length equal to 3/6 the length of the crown).

In this or other embodiments, the thickness of crown 102 may vary from near anterior portion 125 of crown 102 to near posterior end 110 of crown 102 and/or a heel portion of crown 102 . It may vary in any direction from near to near the toe portion of the crown 102 or along the crown 102 of the golf club head. 6 and 7 , in many embodiments, the thickness of the crown 102, as measured from the inner crown surface 128 to the outer crown surface 129, is the front end of the golf club head 100. It may decrease from the vicinity toward the rear end.

For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the anterior portion 125 of the crown 102 may be between 0.019 inches and 0.031 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 125 of the crown 102 is less than about 0.031 inches, less than about 0.030 inches, less than about 0.029 inches, less than about 0.028 inches, or less than about 0.027 inches. less than about 0.026 inches, less than about 0.025 inches, less than about 0.024 inches, less than about 0.023 inches, less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, or less than about 0.020 inches. can In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 125 of the crown 102 is about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches, about 0.021 inches, about 0.022 inches, about 0.023 inches, about 0.024 inches, about 0.025 inches, about 0.026 inches, about 0.027 inches, about 0.028 inches, about 0.029 inches, about 0.030 inches, or about 0.031 inches.

In the same or alternative embodiments, the thickness of the middle 126 and the posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 may be the same or substantially equal. For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the middle portion 126 and the posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 may be between 0.014 inches and 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the middle portion 126 and the posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 is less than about 0.020 inches, less than about 0.019 inches, less than about 0.018 inches, or less than about 0.017 inches. or less than about 0.016 inches, or less than about 0.015 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the middle portion 126 and the posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 is about 0.014 inches, about 0.015 inches, about 0.016 inches, about 0.017 inches, about 0.018 inches, about 0.019 inches, or about 0.020 inches. can be inches. In an alternative embodiment, the middle portion 126 of the crown may be the transition region from the thickest anterior portion 125 to the thinnest posterior portion 127 of the crown.

Stated another way, in many embodiments, approximately 85% of crown 102 may have a thickness of approximately 0.017 inches and the remainder of crown 102 may have a thickness of approximately 0.031 inches. For comparison, a conventional golf club head that remains durable to swing speeds of over 100 miles per hour has an average thickness of 0.031 inches at most of the crown.

golf club head brush

As described above, creating a golf club head that is configured for use by a golfer having a swing speed of less than 85 miles per hour is not the same as a golf club head used by a golfer having a swing speed in excess of 100 miles per hour (conventional It allows reducing (or thinning) the structural mass of many features of the club head (ie, crown, sole, faceplate, etc.) that are conventionally limited by golf clubs). Thinning the sole of the golf club head allows the faceplate to deform and bend more than a conventional golf club head that remains durable to 100 miles per hour (i.e. more faceplate deflection results in faster ball speed) create). However, this may result in a golf club head having a thinner sole-face transition region than a conventional golf club, which in turn may result in an increase in the CT properties of the club head. Thus, local implementation of an integrally formed sole-faceplate bridge tangentially blended with a portion of the peripheral area of the club head can reduce (control) the CT, while increasing the club head mass negligibly and thinning it out. Crown can be maintained.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 will have a sole 103 having a relatively smaller thickness (than a standard club that must remain durable to 100 mph impact) to achieve specific head mass and volume goals. can As defined above, the sole 103 of the golf club 100 is between the faceplate 105 and the rear portion 110 and rests on the ground 120 (or play surface) at an address location. The sole 103 is segmented into three distinct length portions (ie, the front portion 130 , the middle portion 131 , and the rear portion 132 ) measured in the anterior-posterior direction from the faceplate of the golf club head. (or split).

The front sole portion 130 of the sole 103 may be proximal to the faceplate 105 and may be a portion of the front third (and/or a portion having a length equal to one third) the length of the sole. The rear sole portion 132 of the sole 103 is defined as a portion (and/or a portion having a length that is one third of the length) proximate the rear 110 of the golf club head and is the length of the sole. The middle portion 131 of the sole 103 is between the front sole portion 130 and the rear sole portion 132 and is defined as the middle third portion (and/or the portion having a length equal to one third) the length of the sole. do.

In this or other embodiments, the thickness of the sole 103, measured from the inner sole surface 133 to the outer sole surface 134, is from near the front portion of the sole to near the rear end of the sole and/or to the heel of the sole. It can vary in any direction from near the portion to near the toe portion of the sole or along the sole of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the thickness of the sole 103 may decrease from near the front end of the golf club head 100 toward the rear end 110 .

For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 may be between 0.019 inches and 0.031 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 is less than about 0.031 inches, less than about 0.030 inches, less than about 0.029 inches, less than about 0.028 inches, or less than about 0.027 inches. less than about 0.026 inches, less than about 0.025 inches, less than about 0.024 inches, less than about 0.023 inches, less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, or less than about 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 is about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches, about 0.021 inches, about 0.022 inches, about 0.023 inches, about 0.024 inches, about 0.025 inches, about 0.026 inches, about 0.027 inches, about 0.028 inches, about 0.029 inches, about 0.030 inches, or about 0.031 inches.

In the same or alternative embodiments, the thickness of the middle 131 and the back portion 132 of the sole 103 may be the same or substantially equal. For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the middle portion 131 and the back portion 132 of the sole 103 may be between 0.014 inches and 0.022 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the middle portion 131 and the back portion 132 of the sole 103 is less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, less than about 0.020 inches, or less than about 0.019 inches. or less than about 0.018 inches, less than about 0.017 inches, less than about 0.016 inches, or less than about 0.015 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the middle portion 131 and the back portion 132 of the sole 103 is about 0.014 inches, about 0.015 inches, about 0.016 inches, about 0.017 inches, about 0.018 inches, about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches inches, about 0.021 inches, or about 0.022 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the middle portion 131 of the sole may be the transition region from the thickest anterior portion 130 to the thinnest posterior portion 132 .

In other words, in many embodiments the overall sole 103 may have a thickness of less than approximately 0.030 inches. In an alternative embodiment, approximately 97% of the sole may have a thickness less than approximately 0.028 inches. For comparison, a conventional golf club head that remains durable to swing speeds of 100 miles per hour or more has an average sole thickness of 0.030 inches for the majority of soles.

Faceplate Features

4 , 5 and 6 , to partially control the CT across the faceplate 105 (while retaining the thin faceplate, thin crown 102 and thin sole 103 ), the faceplate 105 can have a variable thickness profile 111 that can tune the CT by allowing thickening only in desired areas. In the illustrated embodiment, the variable thickness profile 111 of the faceplate 105 has a perimeter edge region 112 , a toe region 113 , a heel region 114 , an upper transition region 115 , and a lower transition region 116 . ) and a central region 117 . The thickness of the faceplate 105 is approximately 5% to 7% thinner than a conventional golf club head, which must remain durable to swing speeds of 100 mph or more. However, due to the greater bending/flexing characteristics generated by the thin faceplate and the lightweight club head, implementing only a variable face thickness profile to control the CT is insufficient. Accordingly, a crown-faceplate bridge and sole-faceplate bridge are integrally formed internally within the club head to control, modify and/or reduce the characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the club head.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 is viewable in the XY′ plane and in a direction perpendicular to the faceplate 105 , as shown by FIGS. 4 and 5 . When viewing the golf club head 100 in the XY′ plane and in a direction generally perpendicular to the faceplate 105 , the golf club head 100 aligns the geometric center 121 of the faceplate 105 in the heel-toe direction. It can be defined by a coordinate system having an X' axis 122 extending through it and a Y' axis 123 extending through the geometric center 121 in the top-bottom (crown-sole) direction.

The X' axis 122 horizontally divides the golf club head 100 into an upper region and a lower region. The upper region of the golf club head is bounded by the X' axis 122 , the crown 102 and the maximum heel-toe width of the club head 100 . The lower region of the golf club head is bounded by the X' axis 122 , the sole 103 , and the maximum heel-toe width of the golf club head 100 . The Y' axis 123 vertically separates the club head into a left area and a right area. The left region may be bounded by the toe end 108 and the Y′ axis 123 of the golf club head 100 , the right region may be bounded by the Y′ axis 123 of the golf club head 100 and the heel ( 109) can be delimited. Further, the X' axis 122 and the Y' axis 123 are perpendicular to each other and form four faceplate quadrant regions.

The four faceplate quadrant regions are the mid-high toe quadrant 135, the mid-low toe quadrant 136, the mid-high heel quadrant 137, and the mid-high toe quadrant 137 when the golf club head rests on the ground 120 in the address position. - can be defined as the low heel quadrant 138 . The center-high toe quadrant 135 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the upper left faceplate area. Center-low toe quadrant 136 extends from geometric center 121 and spans the lower left faceplate area. The mid-high heel quadrant 137 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the upper right faceplate area. The center-low heel quadrant 138 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the lower right faceplate area.

As described above, the variable thickness 111 of the faceplate 105 may include a perimeter edge region 112 , a toe region 113 , a heel region 114 , an upper transition region 115 , a lower transition region 116 and It may include a central region 117 . The perimeter edge region 112 may be substantially elliptical and encloses the toe region 113 , the heel region 114 , the upper transition region 115 , the lower transition region 116 , and the central region 117 . The toe region 113 may abut a perimeter edge 112 , an upper transition region 115 , and a lower transition region 116 . Heel region 114 may abut perimeter edge 112 , upper transition region 115 , and lower transition region 116 . The central region 117 is bounded by an upper transition region 115 and a lower transition region 116 . In many embodiments, from the heel end of the golf club head to the center of the striking surface (or faceplate) and/or from the toe end of the golf club head to the center of the striking surface (or faceplate), the VFT connects to the heel 114 and The toe 113 portion, followed by an upper transition region 115 and a lower transition region 116 , and finally a central region 117 . It may be defined as the peripheral edge 112 which is the outermost region.

In many embodiments, the peripheral edge 112 may define an outermost region of the faceplate 105 and may include a toe region 113 , a heel region 114 , an upper transition region 115 , and a lower transition region 116 . and surrounds the central region 117 .

In many embodiments, toe region 113 of variable face thickness 111 may span only mid-low toe quadrant 136 and mid-high toe quadrant 135 , and mid-low heel quadrant 138 . ) and the mid-high toe quadrant 137 . In the same or alternative embodiments, the tow region 113 may have a constant thickness. In other embodiments, the toe region 113 may have a variable thickness. The toe region 113 has a surface area on the backside of the faceplate 105 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the surface area of the toe region 113 is greater than the surface area of the heel region 114 .

Also, in many thin striking face (or faceplate 105 ) embodiments, it is desirable to decrease the CT at the toe portion 113 of the faceplate and increase the CT at the heel portion 114 of the faceplate 115 . . For illustrative purposes, toe portion 113 of variable face thickness 111 may have a greater thickness than heel portion 114 of variable face thickness 111 , thereby making it more uniform (across faceplate 105 ). One may form a faceplate 105 that is stiffer in the toe portion 113 and more flexible in the heel portion 114 (to form a CT response).

In many embodiments, the toe portion 113 thickness of the VFT 111 may be between approximately 0.081 inches and approximately 0.087 inches. In many embodiments, the toe portion 113 thickness of the variable face thickness 111 is between about 0.081 inches and about 0.082 inches, between about 0.082 inches and about 0.083 inches, between about 0.084 inches and about 0.085 inches, or between about 0.086 inches and about 0.087 inches. can be In alternative embodiments, the toe portion 113 thickness of the VFT 111 may be approximately 0.081 inches, approximately 0.082 inches, approximately 0.083 inches, approximately 0.084 inches, approximately 0.085 inches, approximately 0.086 inches, or approximately 0.087 inches.

The heel region 114 of variable face thickness 111 may span only both the mid-low heel quadrant 138 and the mid-high heel quadrant 137 , the mid-low toe quadrant 136 and the mid-low toe quadrant 137 . It may not span the high toe quadrant 135 . In many embodiments, heel region 114 may have a constant thickness. In another embodiment, the heel region 114 may have a variable thickness 111 . The heel region 114 includes a surface area on the back side of the faceplate 105 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the surface area of the heel region 114 is smaller than the surface area of the toe region 113 .

As previously mentioned, to reduce CT in the toe portion of the faceplate and increase CT in the heel portion of the faceplate, the toe portion 113 of variable face thickness may have a greater thickness than the heel portion 114 . , thereby forming the faceplate 105 that is stiffer in the toe portion 113 and more flexible in the heel portion 114 (to form a more uniform CT response across the faceplate 105 ). can

In many embodiments, the thickness of the heel portion 114 of the VFT may be between approximately 0.075 inches and approximately 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the heel portion 114 thickness of the variable face thickness 111 is between about 0.075 inches and about 0.076 inches, between about 0.076 inches and about 0.077 inches, between about 0.077 inches and about 0.078 inches, between about 0.078 inches and about 0.079 inches. or from about 0.079 inches to about 0.080 inches. In alternative embodiments, the heel portion 114 thickness of the VFT 111 may be approximately 0.075 inches, approximately 0.076 inches, approximately 0.077 inches, approximately 0.078 inches, approximately 0.079 inches, or approximately 0.080 inches.

As further illustrated by FIG. 5 , a majority of the upper transition region 115 is at least one of the x-axis 122 (ie, the upper region), the toe portion, the heel portion, and/or the upper perimeter of the faceplate. bounded by In many embodiments, upper transition region 115 abuts or contacts the tops of the heel portion, toe portion, and faceplate and extends inward toward central region 117 . The upper transition region 115 has a transition thickness that varies in a direction from at least the toe portion and the heel portion toward the central region. In many embodiments, the upper transition region thickness is greater than the thickness of the heel portion and/or toe portion.

8 , a majority of the lower transition region 116 is bounded by at least one of the x-axis 122 (ie, the lower region), the toe portion, the heel portion, and/or the lower perimeter of the faceplate. can be determined In many embodiments, the lower transition region 116 abuts or contacts the heel portion, the toe portion, and the underside of the faceplate and extends inward toward the central region. The lower transition region 116 has a transition thickness that varies in a direction from at least the toe portion and/or the heel portion toward the central region. In many embodiments, the lower transition region 116 thickness is greater than the thickness of the heel portion and/or toe portion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 of the variable thickness profile 111 comprises an elliptical (or elliptical-like) shape. The shape of the central region defines a major axis extending in a rough heel-toe direction and a minor axis extending generally in a top-down direction. The major and minor axes intersect at the center of the central region. The major axis extends along the length of the central region, and the minor axis extends along the maximum width of the central region. In this particular embodiment, the long axis of the central region extends parallel (and/or not angled) to the x-axis 122 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 has a thickness of 0.133 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the central region may vary from 0.070 to 0.25 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness of the central region is from 0.07 to 0.1, 0.09 to 0.1, 0.095 to 0.105, 0.1 to 0.12, 0.105 to 0.115, 0.11 to 0.12, 0.115 to 0.125, 0.12 to 0.13, 0.125 to 0.135, 0.13 to 0.14, 0.135 to 0.145, 0.14 to 0.15, 0.145 to 0.155, 0.15 to 0.17, 0.16 to 0.18, 0.17 to 0.2, 0.19 to 0.22 or 0.21 to 0.25 inches. In many embodiments, central region 350 may constitute less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, less than 25%, or less than 30% of the total surface area of faceplate 320 . For example, the central region may constitute 2 to 10%, 5 to 10%, 2 to 15%, 5 to 15%, or 5 to 20% of the total surface area of the faceplate.

In the illustrated embodiment, the center of the central region may be offset from the geometric center of the faceplate towards the tow. In an alternative embodiment, the center of the central region may be located at the geometric center of the faceplate.

The central region includes a first side or toe side and a second side or heel side. The first side and the second side of the central region are separated by a minor axis. The first side is located between the minor axis and the toe portion and the second side is located between the minor axis and the heel portion. The length of the first side, measured along the major axis, is equal to (or substantially similar to) the length of the second side.

In many embodiments, the combined length of the first side and the second side is greater than about 0.75 inches, greater than about 0.80 inches, greater than about 0.85 inches, greater than about 0.90 inches, greater than about 0.95 inches, or , may be greater than approximately 1.0 inch. In other embodiments, the combined length of the first side and the second side may be approximately 0.89 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, or 1.4 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 further has an upper side length measured along a minor axis from the center of the central area upwardly and a lower side length measured along a minor axis from the center of the central area downwards. In this embodiment, the length of the upper side and the length of the lower side are equal (or substantially similar) in length.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top side length and the bottom side length are approximately 0.25 inches. In other embodiments, the length of the upper side and/or the length of the lower side may be between 0.05 and 1.0 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the length of the upper side and/or the length of the lower side is between 0.05 and 0.25, 0.15 and 0.35, 0.25 and 0.45, 0.35 and 0.55, 0.45 and 0.65, 0.55 and 0.75, 0.65 and 0.85 or 0.75 and 0.1. can be inches.

The total mass of the faceplate 105 may be approximately 60-66 grams. In many embodiments, the mass of the faceplate is from about 60 grams to about 61 grams, from about 61 grams to about 62 grams, from about 62 grams to about 63 grams, from about 63 grams to about 64 grams, from about 64 grams to about 65 grams, or from about 65 grams to about 66 grams. In further embodiments, the total mass of the faceplate may be less than 66 grams, less than 65 grams, less than 64 grams, less than 63 grams, less than 62 grams, or less than 61 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass of the faceplate may be about 60 grams, about 61 grams, about 62 grams, about 63 grams, about 64 grams, about 65 grams, or about 66 grams. 1-7, the total mass of the faceplate 105 is 62.8 grams. For comparison, the overall mass of a conventional faceplate that remains durable to swing speeds above 100 miles per hour is approximately 66.3 grams. In many embodiments, the faceplate 105 may be about 3 grams, about 4 grams, about 5 grams, about 6 grams, about 7 grams, about 8 grams, or about 9 grams lighter than a conventional faceplate.

golf club head weight system

In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club head 100 further forms a mass efficient adjustable weight system 104 designed for swing speeds of less than 85 miles per hour. In particular, the mass efficient adjustable weight system 104 described below has only a center weight position 140 and a heel weight position 141, and no toe weight position (not shown). This is because golfers with swing speeds of less than 85 mph typically suffer from right miss tendency, making it unnecessary to introduce a heel bias weight position and increasing the structural mass of the golf club head 100 . Because. The weight system described below provides slice shot correction of approximately 8 yards and 10 yards.

1 , 3 , 6 and 7 , the golf club head defines a single slot 142 proximate the rear end 110 of the golf club 100 . In many embodiments, a single slot 142 may be used as a receiving structure for the weight assembly 143 . A single slot 142 may be defined by a slot interior surface 144 that is approximately perpendicular to the sole 103 . The slot interior surface 144 may be defined by a slot length 145 . The single slot 142 is further defined by a slot bottom surface 146 perpendicular to the slot interior surface 144 and approximately parallel to the sole 103 . The slot 142 is further defined by a top surface 147 that is perpendicular to the slot interior surface 144 and approximately parallel to the sole 103 . In many embodiments, the slot lower surface 146 does not extend as far toward the rear of the golf club head as the slot upper surface 147 . The slot further includes at least two sidewalls at the heel side end 148 and the central portion 149 of the golf club head. The slot inner surface 144 , the lower surface 146 , the upper surface 147 and the two sidewalls 148 , 149 are the outer and lower surfaces of the weight assembly when the slot 142 receives the weight assembly 143 . define channels open to the rear and bottom of the golf club head such that at least a portion of the

In the illustrated embodiment, the slot interior surface 144 has two apertures (i.e., a central aperture (which may also be referred to as a center weight location 140 ) and a central aperture (which may also be referred to as a heel weight location 141 ). ) heel side hole) can be defined. Each hole includes a weight assembly attachment point within a single slot 142 . In many embodiments, the central hole 140 and the heel side hole 141 are threaded to receive the threaded fastener 150 .

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 may further include a shroud 151 , the shroud 151 being a brush of the golf club head 100 that may extend over the slot 142 . (103). Cover 151 includes some or all of lower surface 146 .

In many embodiments, the slot length 145 of the slot interior surface may vary from 2.0 inches to 4.0 inches. For example, the slot length 145 may be greater than 2.0 inches, greater than 2.5 inches, greater than 3.0 inches, or greater than 3.5 inches. The slot length of the slot inner surface 144 is not shorter than 2.0 inches.

Further, the slot 144 may include an asymmetric shape, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the slot varies non-uniformly in the heel-toe direction. This asymmetrical shape helps secure the weight assembly 143 within the channel defined by the slot 144 . Due to the asymmetric shape of the slot 144, the weight assembly 143 cannot slide across the channel. Rather, the weight assembly 143 must be removed and placed in one of two separate locations 140 , 141 .

Also, the slot 144 may have a height 152 measured from the top surface 147 of the slot to the bottom surface 146 of the slot, where the height 152 of the slot is the height 152 of the channel. In most embodiments, the slot 144 may have a variable height, and the height is not constant in the heel-toe direction. Because the variable height 152 of the channel allows only two weight positions to align the weight assembly with either the heel side hole 141 or the center hole 140 , the non-uniform height of the slot 144 is the slot 144 . ) is essential for the security of the weight assembly in Due to the non-uniform height 152 of the slot 144, the weight assembly 143 cannot slide laterally across the channel. Rather, the weight assembly 143 must be removed and placed in one of two separate locations 140 , 141 . This prevents the golfer from being presented with an unrestricted choice of positioning that can be confusing in determining the shot shape and flight of the golf ball.

The variable height 152 of the slot 144 may vary in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 inches. The variable height 152 of the slot 144 may be 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, or 0.6 inches.

In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 may include a lid 151 such that a portion of the sole 103 of the golf club head 100 may span over the slots 144 . The shroud 151 serves to increase the aerodynamics of the channel and assist in proper insertion of the weight member 143 within the slot 144 . The lid 151 may have any desired geometry to cover a particular portion(s) of the slot 144 or the entire slot 144 . In some embodiments, the cover 151 comprises 5% to 10% of the slots, 10% to 15% of the slots, 15% to 20% of the slots, 20% to 25% of the slots, 25% to 30% of the slots, 30% to 35% of slots slots, 35% to 40% of slots, 40% to 45% of slots, 45% to 50% of slots, 50% to 55% of slots, 55% to 60% of slots, slots 60% to 65% of slots, 65% to 70% of slots, 70% to 75% of slots, 75% to 80% of slots, 80% to 85% of slots, 85% to 90% of slots, slots, It may cover 90% to 95% or 95% to 100% of the slot. The less coverage the cover provides over the slots is directly correlated with a lighter weight club head, and vice versa.

1 , 6 and 7 , the weight assembly 143 uses the fastener 150 (ie, the weight assembly) to attach the weight member 153 to the heel side screw hole 141 or the center screw hole 140 . It is secured to the golf club head 100 by screwing it into one.

1 , 6 and 7 , the variable weight assembly (also referred to as weight assembly 143 ) includes a single weight member 153 and a single mechanical fastener (or fastener 150 ). The weight member 153 is configured to be positioned within the slot 144 of the golf club head 100 . The weight member 153 includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, sidewalls extending between the exterior and interior surfaces, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture extending through the weight member from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The hole further includes a hole thread in an interior portion of the hole. The fastener 150 is retained within the weight member 153 when the weight assembly 143 is disengaged from the slot 144 by a hole thread in the weight member hole. The lower surface of the weight member further includes an indent configured to receive the slot lower surface defined by the extension of the sole. The extension of the brush includes a cover. The cover provides additional stability to the weight assembly when screwed into the slot.

Due to the limited size of the slot structure, the mass of the slot structure 144 is very small compared to the overall mass of the golf club head 100 . The mass of the slot structure 144 may be less than 10.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 .

In many embodiments, the mass of the weight member 153 ranges from 12 g to 18 g. In some embodiments, the mass of the weight member 153 ranges from 12 g to 13 g, 13 g to 14 g, 14 g to 15 g, 15.0 g to 16.0 g, 16.0 g to 17.0 g, or 17.0 g to 18.0 g. have The mass of the weight assembly 143 may be 12 g, 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, 16 g, 17 g, or 18 g. In many embodiments, the mass of the weight assembly 143 (weight member 153 and fastener 150) ranges from 12 grams to 20 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the backweight assembly ranges from 12 g to 14 g, 14 g to 16 g, 16 g to 18 g, or 18.0 g to 20.0 g. The mass of the weight assembly may be 12 g, 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, 16 g, 17 g, 18 g, 19 g or 20 g.

Deep club head center of gravity position 163 greater than 43 mm due to efficient placement of the weight system caused by having only a center weight position and a heel weight position and not a toe weight position with the mass of the adjustable weight system 104 . A lighter golf club head 100 can be achieved while still achieving The deep club head center of gravity 163 can be measured parallel to the ground surface 120 from the geometric center of gravity 121 of the faceplate 105 to the center of gravity 163 of the club head. In many embodiments, the club head center of gravity 163 is greater than 44 mm, greater than 45 mm, greater than 46 mm, greater than 47 mm, greater than 48 mm, greater than 49 mm, or greater than 50 can be greater than more than mm. Having a lightweight golf club head 100 while maintaining a deep club head center of gravity position 163 advantageously helps form a high MOI golf club head while maintaining high launch ball flight during the course of golf ball flight.

In many embodiments, club head 100 is greater than approximately 2250 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 2500 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 2750 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 3000 g·cm ² , or , greater than about 3250 g cm ² , greater than about 3500 g cm ² , greater than about 3750 g cm ² , greater than about 4000 g cm ² , greater than about 4250 g cm ² , or , greater than approximately 4500 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 4750 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 5000 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 5250 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 5500 g·cm ² , or , greater than about 5750 g cm ² , greater than about 6000 g cm ² , greater than about 6250 g cm ² , greater than about 6500 g cm ² , greater than about 6750 g cm ² , or , including a crown-tooth moment of inertia (I _xx ) greater than approximately 7000 g·cm ² .

In many embodiments, club head 100 is greater than about 4500 g-cm ² , greater than about 4750 g-cm ² , greater than about 5000 g-cm ² , greater than about 5250 g-cm ² , or , greater than approximately 5500 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 5750 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 6000 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 6250 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 6500 g·cm ² , or , including a heel-toe moment of inertia (I _yy ) greater than approximately 6750 g·cm ² , or greater than approximately 7000 g·cm ² .

In many embodiments, club head 100 is greater than approximately 7000 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 7250 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 7500 g·cm ² , greater than approximately 7750 g·cm ² , or , greater than 8000 g cm ² , greater than 8500 g cm ² , greater than 8750 g cm ² , greater than 9000 g cm ² , greater than 9250 g cm ² , or greater than 9500 g cm 2 greater than ² , greater than 9750 g cm ² , greater than 10000 g cm ² , greater than 10250 g cm ² , greater than 10500 g cm ² , greater than 10750 g cm ² ; greater than 11000 g cm ² , greater than 11250 g cm ² , greater than 11500 g cm ² , greater than 11750 g cm ² , greater than 12000 g cm ² , or greater than 12500 g cm ² Combined moments of inertia greater than, greater than 1300 g cm ² , greater than 13500 g cm ² , or greater than 14000 g cm ² (i.e. crown-sole moment of inertia (I _xx ) and heel-toe moment of inertia) (sum of I _yy )).

Crown-faceplate bridge

Many of the above-described features of the golf club head can be designed into the golf club head 100 because it implements the crown-faceplate bridge 106 . The crown-faceplate bridge 106 is used to locally reinforce certain crown portions 102 and faceplate 105 portions without affecting the performance (i.e. ball speed) of the club head 100. 100) of low stress and/or low displacement regions. Local reinforcement of the crown portion and faceplate portion via the crown-faceplate bridge 106 can reduce the area of high CT characteristics (without increasing the overall face thickness), but with negligible impact ball velocity. affect In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 may mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening/enlarging certain portions of the transition region 118 .

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 extends from the inner surface 128 of the crown to the inner rear surface of the faceplate 105 . As illustrated by FIGS. 6 , 7 , 8 and 9 , the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is present only within the anterior portion 125 of the crown. In other words, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is not present in the middle portion 126 or the posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 , but only in the anterior portion of the crown 102 .

6 , 7 , 8 and 9 , the golf club head 100 further includes a continuous transition region spanning between the sole and the crown. The continuous transition region 118 includes a crown transition region 154 and a sole transition region 155 . The crown transition region 154 may extend in whole or in part from the heel end to the toe end and span between the faceplate 105 and the crown 102 . In many embodiments, the continuous transition region 118 completely surrounds the striking face and is disposed between the striking face and the crown. The continuous transition region 118 includes at least one crown-faceplate bridge 106 . The continuous transition region is curved and has no sharp angles or points. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is between 0.15 inches and 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the crown transition region 154 is between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches. The portion of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 within the transition region 118 has a radius of curvature or a variable radius of curvature to match the radius of curvature of the transition region 118 .

The club head 100 may further include at least one crown-faceplate bridge 106 positioned proximate the striking face 105, which is generally within the hollow body. The crown-faceplate bridge 106 is disposed in the vicinity of or adjacent to the striking face 105 and positioned between the heel 109 and toe 108 to provide stiffness to the striking face 105 near the highest CT region. to provide. In many embodiments, striking face 105 has the greatest CT characteristic between midplane 156 and the toe end closest to crown 102 and between midplane 156 and the heel end closest to sole 103 . experience The crown-faceplate bridge 106 may be positioned accordingly based on the structure of the golf club head to reduce CT characteristics only within the required area. The crown-faceplate bridge 106 may mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening/enlarging (or thickening) certain portions of the transition region.

In many embodiments, golf club head 100 may have a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane parallel to mid-plane 156 . For example, the heel-side plane may be positioned toward the heel of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 , with the toe-side plane facing the toe of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 . ) can be positioned away from In many embodiments, the heel side plane may be located at a distance of 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane toward the heel, and the toe side planes may be located at a distance from 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane toward the toe. can be located. For example, the heel side plane may be 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. By way of example, the toe side plane may be 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches from the mid-plane. inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. In a further embodiment, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 extends through the mid-plane 156, although it may be delimited between and entirely in between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane.

Crown-faceplate bridge 106 is integral with inner continuous transition region 118 , crown 102 and/or sole 103 . The crown-faceplate bridge 106 is free of weld beads, adhesives, or any other known method of joining.

The crown-faceplate bridge 106 may be used to locally thicken certain areas of the club head 100 . A club head with a crown-faceplate bridge 106 may have mass removed from other parts of the club head 100, allowing for an optimized mass to volume ratio (described above) to accommodate slow swing speeds. do. A reduction in mass to volume ratio can lead to improvements in ball velocity, trajectory and distance.

In many embodiments, the mass of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 may be 3 grams or less. Minimizing the weight of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 ensures that the mass/volume relationship described above is satisfied to improve club head properties while reducing the likelihood that the golf club head will have a CT value outside the designed threshold. do. In alternative embodiments, the mass of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 may be from about 0.5 grams to about 1 gram, from about 1 gram to about 2 grams, or from about 2 grams to about 3 grams. In other embodiments, the mass of the crown-faceplate bridge may be about 0.5 grams, about 1 gram, about 2 grams, or about 3 grams.

8 and 9 , the golf club head 100 extends at least intersecting and beyond the mid-plane 156 (of the golf club head) in a direction towards the heel and/or toe of the golf club head. It includes one crown-faceplate bridge 106 . Mid plane 156 divides the heel-toe width of the golf club head into two equal parts. The crown-faceplate bridge 106 may be defined by at least a length, a width and a thickness. The crown-faceplate bridge length is measured in the heel-toe direction perpendicular to the mid-plane 156 . The crown-faceplate bridge width is measured in an anterior-posterior direction parallel to the midplane. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 includes a heel-toe center 157 that divides its length into two equal parts. In the same or different embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge comprises an anterior-posterior center dividing its width into two equal parts. In other words, at least one heel end 158 and/or toe end 159 of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is partially distal to and/or spaced from the mid-plane intersection. In an alternative embodiment, the entire crown-faceplate bridge 106 may be positioned between the mid-plane 156 and the heel or toe end, but does not intersect the mid-plane.

In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is aligned such that the heel-toe center is flush with the club head midplane 156 . In another embodiment, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is offset from the midplane 156 . In some of these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge center is offset from the midplane by 0.5 inches to 1.0 inches. For example, the crown-faceplate bridge center may be offset from the mid-plane 156 by 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.8 inches, 0.9 inches, or 1.0 inches. In another embodiment, the reinforcement region center is offset from the midplane by 1.0 inch to 2.0 inch. For example, the reinforcing center may be offset from the midplane by 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, or 2.0 inches.

The crown-faceplate bridge length does not fully extend from the heel end of the golf club head to the toe end. The crown-faceplate bridge length extends along a portion of the heel-toe length of the transition region over which it rests. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length may be between 0.75 inches and 4 inches. For example, the crown-faceplate bridge length may be 0.75 inches to 1 inch, 1 to 1.25 inches, 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches, 1.50 inches to 1.75 inches, 1.75 inches to 2 inches, 2 inches to 2.25 inches, 2.25 inches to 2.5 inches, 2.5 to 2.75 inches, 2.75 inches to 3 inches, 3 inches to 3.25 inches, 3.25 inches to 3.5 inches, 3.5 inches to 3.75 inches, or 3.75 inches to 4 inches. In alternative embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length is 0.75 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.25 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.75 inches, 2.0 inches, 2.25 inches, 2.5 inches, 3.0 inches, 3.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 3.75 inches, or 4.0 can be inches. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length may be between 15% and 85% of the length of the transition region from heel end to toe end.

As described above, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 lies at least partially within the transition region 118 . In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends over the anterior-posterior width of the entire transition area. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends across only a portion of the anterior-posterior width of the transition region. In some of these and other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends beyond the transition region onto the crown or sole. The crown-faceplate bridge width may be between 50% and 100% of the transition region width. In some embodiments where the crown-faceplate bridge extends beyond the transition region, the crown-faceplate bridge width may be greater than the transition region width. In such embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width may be up to 150% of the crown-faceplate bridge width.

The crown-faceplate bridge width does not fully extend from the faceplate 105 to the back of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width may be between 0.40 inches and 0.80 inches. For example, the crown-faceplate bridge width may be 0.40 inches to 0.50 inches, 0.50 inches to 0.6 inches, 0.6 inches to 0.7 inches, or 0.7 inches to 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width may be about 0.40 inches, about 0.45 inches, about 0.50 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.60 inches, about 0.65 inches, about 0.70 inches, about 0.75 inches, or about 0.80 inches .

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is integrally formed with at least a portion of the club head with which it contacts (ie, free of weld beads, adhesives, etc.). In other words, the crown-faceplate bridge 106, the transition region, and the crown portion to which the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is coupled comprise the same material or combination of materials.

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has a generally protruding rectangular shape when viewed from a top plan view. In other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 may have the shape of one of an elliptical, circular, trapezoidal, rounded rectangle, square, rounded square, or other polygonal shape. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is substantially parallel to its length. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is substantially parallel to its width.

The crown-faceplate bridge 106 may have a variable thickness or a constant thickness over its width and/or length. In some of these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 includes a constant, non-tapered thickness over both its width and length. In another embodiment, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 comprises a constant thickness over one of the width or length and a variable (or tapered) thickness over the other of the width or length.

In many embodiments, crown-faceplate bridge 106 is thickest at its center. In these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge thickness tapers circumferentially (or radially) from the center and the center of the reinforcement region includes a rounded or pointed peak. In other words, the crown-faceplate bridge thickness decreases linearly or curvedly away from the center (both width and length) in all directions. The taper rate will vary in some directions relative to others based on the crown-faceplate bridge dimensions such that the crown-faceplate bridge thickness is the same at all edges of the crown-faceplate bridge. The thickness may taper linearly, curvedly or stepwise from the center towards its edges in a direction towards the front, rear, heel end and toe end. The front, rear, heel end 158 and toe end 159 edges of the crown-faceplate bridge are tapered such that they transition substantially seamlessly with the surrounding golf club head. In other words, the thickness of the crown-faceplate bridge decreases with the thickness of the peripheral golf club head at its peripheral edge to prevent the presence of substantial ribs or steps that distinguish the reinforcement area from the surrounding club head.

In some embodiments, the anterior-posterior cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge is different from the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge. In other of these embodiments, the anterior-posterior cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge is similar to the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge. In some embodiments, the reinforcement region has a slightly curved cross-sectional shape.

Sole-faceplate bridge

Many of the above-described features of the golf club head 100 can be designed into the golf club head 100 because they implement at least one sole-faceplate bridge 107 . The sole-faceplate bridge 107 provides low stress and/or low stress on the club head to locally reinforce specific sole portions 103 and faceplate portions without affecting the performance (ie ball speed) of the club head. It may be disposed in the displacement area. Local reinforcement of the sole and faceplate portions via the sole-faceplate bridge 107 can reduce the area of high CT characteristics (without increasing the overall face thickness), but with negligible impact ball velocity. affect In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 107 may mimic a gusseted structure in strengthening/enlarging certain portions of the club head.

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 extends from the inner surface 133 of the sole to the inner rear surface of the faceplate 105 . As illustrated by FIGS. 10 and 11 , the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is present only in the front portion of the sole 103 . In other words, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is not present in the middle portion 131 or the rear portion 132 of the sole 103 , but only in the front portion 130 of the sole 103 .

As noted above, the golf club head 100 further includes a continuous transition region 118 spanning between the sole 103 and the crown 102 . The continuous transition region 118 includes a crown transition region 154 and a sole transition region 155 . The sole transition region 155 may extend in whole or in part from the heel end to the toe end and span between the faceplate 105 and the sole 103 . In many embodiments, the continuous transition region 118 completely surrounds the striking face 105 and is disposed between the striking face 105 and the sole 103 . The continuous transition region 118 includes at least one sole-faceplate bridge 107 . The continuous transition region 118 is curved and has no sharp angles or points. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is between 0.15 inches and 0.80 inches. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is approximately 0.15 inches, 0.16 inches, 0.17 inches, 0.18 inches, 0.19 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.21 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.23 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches inch, 0.27 inch, 0.28 inch, 0.29 inch, 0.30 inch, 0.31 inch, 0.32 inch, 0.33 inch, 0.34 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.36 inch, 0.37 inch, 0.38 inch, 0.39 inch, 0.40 inch, 0.41 inch, 0.42 inch, 0.43 inch, 0.44 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.47 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.49 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.51 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.53 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch , 0.60 inch, 0.61 inch, 0.62 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inch, 0.73 inch, 0.74 inch, 0.75 inch, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the sole transition region 155 is between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the sole transition region 155 is approximately 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.41 inches inch, 0.42 inch, 0.43 inch, 0.44 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.47 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.49 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.51 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.53 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches , 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. The portion of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 within the continuous transition region 118 has a radius of curvature or a variable radius of curvature to match the radius of curvature of the transition region 118 .

The club head 100 may further include at least one sole-faceplate bridge 107 positioned proximate the striking face 105 within the hollow body. The sole-faceplate bridge 107 is disposed proximate to or adjacent to the striking face 105 at a location between the heel and toe to provide stiffness to the striking face 105 near the highest CT region. In many embodiments, striking face 105 has the greatest CT characteristic between mid-plane 156 and the toe end closest to sole 103 and between mid-plane 156 and the heel end closest to sole 103 . experience The sole-faceplate bridge 107 may be positioned accordingly based on the structure of the golf club head to reduce CT characteristics only within the required area.

In many embodiments, golf club head 100 may have a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane parallel to mid-plane 156 . For example, the heel-side plane may be positioned toward the heel of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 , with the toe-side plane facing the toe of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 . ) can be positioned away from In many embodiments, the heel side plane may be located at a distance of 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane toward the heel, and the toe side planes may be located at a distance from 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane toward the toe. can be located. For example, the heel side plane and/or the toe side plane may be 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.64 inches, at a distance of 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches can be located. In a further embodiment, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 extends through the mid-plane 156, although it may be delimited and intervened between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane.

In many embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is integrally formed with at least a portion of the club head with which it contacts (ie, free of weld beads, adhesives, etc.). In other words, the sole-faceplate bridge 107, the transition region, and the sole portion to which the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is coupled comprise the same material or combination of materials.

The sole-faceplate bridge 107 may be used to locally thicken the club head. The club head with sole-faceplate bridge 107 can have mass removed from other parts of the club head 100 , allowing for an optimized mass to volume ratio to accommodate slow swing speeds. A reduction in mass to volume ratio can lead to improvements in ball velocity, trajectory and distance.

In many embodiments, the mass of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 may be 3 grams or less. Minimizing the weight of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 ensures that the mass/volume relationship described above is satisfied to improve club head properties while reducing the likelihood that the golf club head will have a CT value outside the designed threshold. do. In alternative embodiments, the mass of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 may be from about 0.5 grams to about 1 gram, from about 1 gram to about 2 grams, or from about 2 grams to about 3 grams. In other embodiments, the mass of the sole-faceplate bridge may be about 0.5 grams, about 1 gram, about 2 grams, or about 3 grams.

10 and 11 , the golf club head 100 has at least one sole-faceplate extending beyond and intersecting the mid-plane 156 in a direction towards the heel and/or toe of the golf club head. a bridge 107 . The sole-faceplate bridge 107 may be defined by at least a length, a width and a thickness. The sole-faceplate bridge length is measured in the heel-toe direction perpendicular to the mid-plane 156 . The sole-faceplate bridge width is measured in the anterior-posterior direction parallel to the midplane. In many embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 includes a heel-toe center that divides its length into two equal parts. In the same or different embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 includes an anterior-posterior center dividing its width into two equal parts. In other words, at least one end of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is partially distal from the mid-plane 156 intersection. In an alternative embodiment, the entire sole-faceplate bridge may be positioned between the mid-plane and the heel or toe end, but not intersecting the mid-plane.

In some embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is aligned such that heel-toe center 160 is flush with club head midplane 156 . In another embodiment, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is offset from the midplane 156 . In some of these embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge center is offset from the mid-plane 156 by 0.5 inches to 1.0 inches. In another embodiment, the sole-faceplate center is offset from the midplane by 1.0 inches to 2.0 inches.

The sole-faceplate bridge length does not fully extend from the heel end to the toe end. The sole-faceplate bridge length extends along a portion of the heel-toe length of the transition region over which it rests. In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge length may be between 0.75 inches and 4 inches. For example, the sole-faceplate bridge length may be 0.75 inches to 1 inch, 1 to 1.25 inches, 1.25 inches to 1.50 inches, 1.50 inches to 1.75 inches, 1.75 inches to 2 inches, 2 inches to 2.25 inches, 2.25 inches to 2.5 inches, 2.5 to 2.75 inches, 2.75 inches to 3 inches, 3 inches to 3.25 inches, 3.25 inches to 3.5 inches, 3.5 inches to 3.75 inches, or 3.75 inches to 4 inches. In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge length may be between 15% and 85% of the length of the transition region from heel end to toe end.

As described above, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 lies at least partially within the transition region 118 . In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width extends over the anterior-posterior width of the entire transition area. In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width extends across only a portion of the anterior-posterior width of the transition region. In some of these and other embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width extends beyond the transition region 118 and onto the sole 103 . The sole-faceplate bridge width may be 50% to 100% of the transition region width. In some embodiments where the sole-faceplate bridge extends beyond the transition region, the sole-faceplate bridge width may be greater than the transition region width. In such embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width may be up to 150% of the sole-faceplate bridge width.

The sole-faceplate bridge width does not fully extend from the faceplate 105 to the back of the golf club head 100 . In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width may be between 0.40 inches and 0.80 inches. For example, the sole-faceplate bridge width may be from about 0.40 inches to about 0.50 inches, from about 0.50 inches to about 0.6 inches, from about 0.6 inches to about 0.7 inches, or from about 0.7 inches to about 0.80 inches. In other embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width may be about 0.40 inches, about 0.45 inches, about 0.50 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.60 inches, about 0.65 inches, about 0.70 inches, about 0.75 inches, or about 0.80 inches .

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed with at least a portion of the club head with which it contacts. The sole-faceplate bridge, the transition region, and the sole portion upon which the sole-faceplate bridge rests comprise the same material or combination of materials.

In many embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 has a generally protruding rectangular shape when viewed from a top plan view. In other embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 may have the shape of one of an elliptical, circular, trapezoidal, rounded rectangle, square, rounded square or other polygonal shape. In many embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is substantially parallel to its length. In many embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is substantially parallel to its width.

The sole-faceplate bridge 107 may have a variable thickness or a constant thickness over its width and/or length. In some of these embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 includes a constant, non-tapered thickness over both its width and length. In other embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 comprises a constant thickness over one of the width or length, and a variable (or tapered) thickness over the other of the width or length.

In many embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is thickest at its center. In these embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge thickness tapers circumferentially (or radially) from the center and the center of the reinforcement region includes a rounded or pointed peak. In other words, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 thickness decreases linearly or curvedly away from the center (both width and length) in all directions. The taper rate will vary in some directions relative to others based on sole-faceplate bridge dimensions such that the sole-faceplate bridge thickness is the same at all edges of the sole-faceplate bridge. The thickness tapers linearly, curvedly or stepwise toward its edges in a direction away from the center towards the front, rear, heel end and toe end. The front, rear, heel end 161 and toe end 162 edges of the sole-faceplate bridge are tapered such that they transition substantially seamlessly with the surrounding golf club head. In other words, the thickness of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 decreases with the thickness of the surrounding golf club head at its edge to prevent the presence of substantial ribs or steps that distinguish the sole-faceplate bridge from the surrounding club head.

In some embodiments, the front-to-rear cross-sectional shape of the sole-faceplate bridge is different from the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the sole-faceplate bridge. In other embodiments of these embodiments, the front-to-rear cross-sectional shape of the sole-faceplate bridge is similar to the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the sole-faceplate bridge. In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge has a slightly curved cross-sectional shape.

Example 1

A two club player test experiment was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the golf club head embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 to obtain quantifiable information regarding ball velocity, launch angle and spin rate characteristics. Specifically, the examples of Figures 1-11 were benchmarked against a control club that maintained durability at swing speeds above 100 mph.

The two club player test procedure was performed on 22 golfers, each hitting a total of 22 shots. Each player hits 5 shots with the experimental club head, then 5 shots with the control club, alternating until a total of 20 shots. After each swing, ball velocity, launch angle and spin velocity characteristics were recorded and logged.

The tested golf club heads (or experimental clubs) of Figures 1-11 were driver-type golf club heads having a loft angle of approximately 10.5 degrees, a swing weight of C8, a head weight of 191.1 grams, and a head volume of 460 cc. The control club was a driver-type golf club head having a loft angle of approximately 10.5 degrees, a swing weight of D3.0, a head weight of 201 grams and a volume of 460 cc.

Typically, when all things equal (i.e. equal swing speed, etc.), the club A decrease in the mass of the head results in a reduced ball velocity. Thus, typically, increasing the mass of the club head impacting the golf ball creates a faster ball velocity. However, this was not true. Specifically, the experimental club weighed 8.1 grams lighter but produced 0.5% faster ball velocity compared to the control club head, achieving similar launch angles. Accordingly, it is concluded that the increased flexion of the golf club head caused by thinning many of the golf club head structural elements described above may outperform and/or match the performance improvements typically associated with heavier weight golf clubs. could be built This is particularly important because an increase in distance can compensate for strokes lost due to an increase in the player's dispersion.

Example 2

Effects of the golf club head embodiments described herein to obtain quantifiable information regarding changes in CT, ball velocity loss, and mass added to the club head by implementing one or more of a crown-faceplate bridge or a sole-faceplate bridge To analyze the FEA experiment was performed. Specifically, positioning of the crown-faceplate bridge and/or sole-faceplate bridge illustrated by FIGS. were simulated individually and together to judge the effect of (and together). The control club is the golf club head of FIGS. 1-11 with a thin crown, thin sole, thin faceplate and a mass efficient weight system without a crown-faceplate bridge or sole-faceplate bridge.

The FEA experiment was a virtual study conducted to simulate a physical USGA CT test. In a virtual FEA experiment, a steel hammer was impacted at three specified rates determined by the USGA test protocol. During impact, the rigid body acceleration and rigid body velocity of the hammer are plotted. After data from all three impacts have been collected and plotted on a new curve, the Y-axis intercept is the computed CT value.

The only difference between the tested golf club heads and control clubs is the addition of either or both crown-faceplate bridges or sole-faceplate bridges. The first simulated golf club head included only a sole-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 1 gram without a crown-faceplate bridge. This first simulated golf club head reduced CT by 2.7 microseconds and reduced ball speed by approximately 0.3 miles per hour compared to the control club. A second simulated golf club head included only a sole-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 2 grams without a crown-faceplate bridge. A second simulated golf club head reduced CT by 12.5 microseconds and reduced ball speed by approximately 0.5 mph compared to the control club. A third simulated golf club head included only a crown-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 2 grams without a sole-faceplate bridge. This third simulated golf club head reduced CT by 12.3 microseconds and reduced ball speed by approximately 0.33 miles per hour compared to the control club. A fourth simulated golf club head included a sole-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 1 gram and a crown-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 1 gram. This fourth simulated golf club head reduced CT by 6.6 microseconds and reduced ball speed by approximately 0.51 miles per hour compared to the control club. These results show that the face (with crown-faceplate bridge and/or sole-faceplate bridge) without increasing the circumferential thickness of the faceplate, while minimizing the mass added to the club head to keep the club head lightweight. The effect of controlling CT across the plate is shown.

Item 1. A hollow golf club head comprising: a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear; the crown, the sole, the striking face and the rear together define an interior cavity; the striking face is adjacent the crown and the sole opposite the rear; the sole rests on the ground when the club head is in an address position; the toe end is opposite the heel end and the sole is opposite the crown; the striking face further comprises a geometric midpoint and an intermediate plane extending through the geometrical center in a direction from the striking face to the rear of the golf club head; the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane; the golf club head further comprises a crown transition region and a sole transition region; the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown; the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole; the crown transition region includes a first transition region thickness; the sole transition region includes a second transition region thickness; the golf club head includes a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge; the crown-faceplate bridge is completely located within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is located within the sole transition region; the crown-faceplate bridge includes a first reinforcement region thickness; the sole-faceplate bridge includes a second reinforcement region thickness; the first reinforcement region thickness is greater than the crown transition region thickness; and the second reinforcement region thickness is greater than the sole transition region thickness.

Item 2. Item 2. The crown-faceplate bridge of item 1, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge also includes a first reinforcement area width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforcement area length measured in an anterior-posterior direction; and the sole-faceplate bridge also includes a second reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a second reinforcement region length measured in a front-to-back direction; the first reinforcement region width varies along the length of the first reinforcement region; and the second reinforcement region width varies along the length of the second reinforcement region.

Item 3. The method of item 2, wherein the length of the first reinforcement region varies along a width of the first reinforcement region; and the length of the second reinforcement region varies along a width of the second reinforcement region.

Item 4. The item 2, further comprising a heel side plane and a toe side plane; the heel side plane and the toe side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane; the heel-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head, and wherein the toe-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club head. become; the heel side plane is located at a distance of 0.55″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the toe side plane is located at a distance of 0.75″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the first reinforcement region width and the second reinforcement region width are bounded between the heel side plane and the toe side plane by the heel side plane and the toe side plane.

Item 5. The hollow golf club head of item 1, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region.

Item 6. The method of item 1, further comprising a first intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the crown-faceplate bridge and a second intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the sole-faceplate bridge do; the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection and extends beyond the first intersection in both heel and toe directions; and the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel and toe directions.

Item 7. The hollow golf club head of item 6, wherein the mass of the club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of the club head is approximately 460 cc such that the mass to volume ratio of the club head is between 0.40 and 0.44.

Item 8. The hollow golf club head of item 7, wherein the center of gravity of the club head measured parallel to the ground from the geometric midpoint of the striking face is greater than 43 mm.

Item 9. Item 8, wherein the rear portion of the golf club head further comprises a single slot; the single slot defines a slot inner surface, a slot lower surface, a slot upper surface and two slot sidewalls; the slot inner surface, the slot lower surface, the slot upper surface and the two slot sidewalls cooperatively define a slot channel that opens to the outer rear of the golf club head and the brush; the slot interior surface also includes only a center weight position and a heel weight position without a toe weight position; the center weight location and the heel weight location include a weight assembly attachment point; the golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; and the weight assembly is removably attached to only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position.

Item 10. A hollow golf club head comprising: a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear; the crown, the sole, the striking face and the rear together define an interior cavity; the striking face is adjacent the crown and the sole opposite the rear; the sole rests on the ground when the club head is in an address position; the toe end is opposite the heel end and the sole is opposite the crown; the striking face further comprises a geometric midpoint and an intermediate plane extending through the geometrical center in a direction from the striking face to the rear of the golf club head; the mass of the striking face is less than 63 grams; the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane; the golf club head further comprises a crown transition region and a sole transition region; the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown; the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole; the crown transition region includes a first transition region thickness; the sole transition region includes a second transition region thickness; the golf club head includes a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge; the crown-faceplate bridge is completely located within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is located within the sole transition region; the crown-faceplate bridge includes a first reinforcement region thickness; the sole-faceplate bridge includes a second reinforcement region thickness; the first reinforcement region thickness is greater than the crown transition region thickness; and the second reinforcement region thickness is greater than the sole transition region thickness.

Item 11. Item 10. The crown-faceplate bridge further comprising: a first reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforcement region length measured in an anterior-posterior direction; and the sole-faceplate bridge also includes a second reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a second reinforcement region length measured in a front-to-back direction; the first reinforcement region width varies along a length of the first reinforcement region; and the second reinforcement region width varies along the length of the second reinforcement region.

Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the length of the first reinforcement region varies along a width of the first reinforcement region; and the length of the second reinforcement region varies along a width of the second reinforcement region.

Item 13. The item 11, further comprising a heel side plane and a toe side plane; the heel side plane and the toe side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane; the heel-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head, and wherein the toe-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club head. become; the heel side plane is located at a distance of 0.55″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the toe side plane is located at a distance of 0.75″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the first reinforcement region width and the second reinforcement region width are bounded between the heel side plane and the toe side plane by the heel side plane and the toe side plane.

Item 14. The hollow golf club head of item 10, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region.

Item 15. Item 10, further comprising a first intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the crown-faceplate bridge and a second intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the sole-faceplate bridge. do; the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection and extends beyond the first intersection in both heel and toe directions; and the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel and toe directions.

Item 16. The hollow golf club head of item 15, wherein the mass of the club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of the club head is approximately 460 cc such that the mass to volume ratio of the club head is between 0.40 and 0.44.

Item 17. The hollow golf club head of item 16, wherein the center of gravity of the club head measured parallel to the ground from the geometric midpoint of the striking face is greater than 43 mm.

Item 18. The method of item 17, wherein the rear portion of the golf club head further comprises a single slot; the single slot defines a slot inner surface, a slot lower surface, a slot upper surface and two slot sidewalls; the slot inner surface, the slot lower surface, the slot upper surface and the two slot sidewalls cooperatively define a slot channel that opens to the outer rear of the golf club head and the brush; the slot inner surface also includes only a center weight position and a heel weight position without a toe weight position; the center weight location and the heel weight location include a weight assembly attachment point; the golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; and the weight assembly is removably attached to only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position.

Item 19. The hollow golf club head of item 10, wherein the faceplate has a mass of approximately 61 grams to 62 grams.

Item 20. The hollow golf club head of item 10, wherein the faceplate has a mass of 62.8 grams.

Claims (20)

As a hollow golf club head:
a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear;
the crown, the sole, the striking face and the rear together define an interior cavity;
the striking face is adjacent the crown and the sole opposite the rear;
the sole rests on the ground when the club head is in an address position;
the toe end is opposite the heel end and the sole is opposite the crown;
the striking face further comprises a geometric midpoint and an intermediate plane extending through the geometrical center in a direction from the striking face to the rear of the golf club head;
the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane;
the golf club head further comprises a crown transition region and a sole transition region;
the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown;
the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole;
the crown transition region includes a first transition region thickness;
the sole transition region includes a second transition region thickness;
the golf club head comprises a crown-to-faceplate bridge and a sole-to-faceplate bridge;
the crown-faceplate bridge is completely located within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is located within the sole transition region;
the crown-faceplate bridge includes a first reinforcement region thickness;
the sole-faceplate bridge includes a second reinforcement region thickness;
the first reinforcement region thickness is greater than the crown transition region thickness;
and the second reinforcement region thickness is greater than the sole transition region thickness. The method of claim 1,
the crown-faceplate bridge also includes a first reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforcement region length measured in an anterior-posterior direction;
the sole-faceplate bridge also includes a second reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a second reinforcement region length measured in a front-to-back direction;
the first reinforcement region width varies along a length of the first reinforcement region;
and the second reinforcement region width varies along the length of the second reinforcement region. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the length of the first reinforcement region varies along a width of the first reinforcement region; and the length of the second reinforcement region varies along a width of the second reinforcement region. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: a heel side plane and a toe side plane; the heel side plane and the toe side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane; the heel-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head, and wherein the toe-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club head. become; the heel side plane is located at a distance of 0.55″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the toe side plane is located at a distance of 0.75″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the first reinforcement region width and the second reinforcement region width are bounded between the heel side plane and the toe side plane by the heel side plane and the toe side plane. The hollow golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: a first intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the crown-faceplate bridge and a second intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the sole-faceplate bridge; the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection and extends beyond the first intersection in both heel and toe directions; and the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel and toe directions. 7. The hollow golf club head of claim 6, wherein the mass of the club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of the club head is approximately 460 cc such that the mass to volume ratio of the club head is between 0.40 and 0.44. The hollow golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the center of gravity of the club head measured parallel to the ground from the geometric midpoint of the striking face is greater than 43 mm. 9. The golf club of claim 8 wherein: said rear portion of said golf club head further comprises a single slot; the single slot defines a slot inner surface, a slot lower surface, a slot upper surface and two slot sidewalls; the slot inner surface, the slot lower surface, the slot upper surface and the two slot sidewalls cooperatively define a slot channel that opens to the outer rear of the golf club head and the brush; the slot interior surface also includes only a center weight position and a heel weight position without a toe weight position; the center weight location and the heel weight location include a weight assembly attachment point; the golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; and the weight assembly is removably attached to only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position. As a hollow golf club head:
a crown, a sole, a striking face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear; the crown, the sole, the striking face and the rear together define an interior cavity;
the striking face is adjacent the crown and the sole opposite the rear;
the sole rests on the ground when the club head is in an address position;
the toe end is opposite the heel end and the sole is opposite the crown;
the striking face further comprises a geometric midpoint and an intermediate plane extending through the geometrical center in a direction from the striking face to the rear of the golf club head;
the mass of the striking face is less than 63 grams;
the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane;
the golf club head further comprises a crown transition region and a sole transition region;
the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown;
the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole;
the crown transition region includes a first transition region thickness;
the sole transition region includes a second transition region thickness;
the golf club head includes a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge;
the crown-faceplate bridge is completely located within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is located within the sole transition region;
the crown-faceplate bridge includes a first reinforcement region thickness;
the sole-faceplate bridge includes a second reinforcement region thickness;
the first reinforcement region thickness is greater than the crown transition region thickness;
and the second reinforcement region thickness is greater than the sole transition region thickness. 11. The method of claim 10,
the crown-faceplate bridge also includes a first reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforcement region length measured in an anterior-posterior direction;
the sole-faceplate bridge also includes a second reinforcement region width measured in a heel-toe direction and a second reinforcement region length measured in a front-to-back direction;
the first reinforcement region width varies along the length of the first reinforcement region;
and the second reinforcement region width varies along the length of the second reinforcement region. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the length of the first reinforcement region varies along a width of the first reinforcement region; and the length of the second reinforcement region varies along a width of the second reinforcement region. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a heel side plane and a toe side plane; the heel side plane and the toe side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane; the heel-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head, and wherein the toe-side plane is positioned spaced from the mid-plane in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club head. become; the heel side plane is located at a distance of 0.55″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the toe side plane is located at a distance of 0.75″ to 0.80″ from the mid plane; and the first reinforcement region width and the second reinforcement region width are bounded between the heel side plane and the toe side plane by the heel side plane and the toe side plane. The hollow golf club head of claim 10 , wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: a first intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the crown-faceplate bridge and a second intersection defined by the intersection of the midplane and the sole-faceplate bridge; the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection and extends beyond the first intersection in both heel and toe directions; and the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel and toe directions. The hollow golf club head of claim 15 , wherein the mass of the club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of the club head is approximately 460 cc such that the mass to volume ratio of the club head is between 0.40 and 0.44. The hollow golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the center of gravity of the club head measured parallel to the ground from the geometric midpoint of the striking face is greater than 43 mm. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein: the rear portion of the golf club head further comprises a single slot; the single slot defines a slot inner surface, a slot lower surface, a slot upper surface and two slot sidewalls; the slot inner surface, the slot lower surface, the slot upper surface and the two slot sidewalls cooperatively define a slot channel that opens to the outer rear of the golf club head and the brush; the slot interior surface also includes only a center weight position and a heel weight position without a toe weight position; the center weight location and the heel weight location include a weight assembly attachment point; the golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; and the weight assembly is removably attached to only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position. The hollow golf club head of claim 10 , wherein the faceplate has a mass of approximately 61 grams to 62 grams. The hollow golf club head of claim 10 , wherein the faceplate has a mass of 62.8 grams.

Images