KR20230035116A - Golf clubs with improved sole construction - Google Patents

Abstract

In one or more ways, a golf club head having an improved sole geometry is provided. The golf club head includes a striking surface portion located at the front of the golf club head, a top line located above the golf club head, a heel portion located at the front end of the golf club head, and a golf club head opposite the heel portion. It includes a toe portion located at the distal end of and a sole located below the golf club head. The golf club head is configured to receive a shaft. The golf club head has a cross section with a camber area ratio greater than 40% (in some implementations greater than about 59%) and a sole width less than 15 mm. In some ways the cross section additionally shows a trailing edge relief.

Description

Golf clubs with improved sole construction

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/052,739 entitled Golf Club with Improved Sole Geometry, filed July 16, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and more specifically to golf club heads.

Wedges and irons are types of golf clubs. Wedges and irons are commonly used by golfers to hit shots by placing a golf ball directly on the turf (eg, grass, sand, dirt, hard soil, or other ground) on a golf course. Irons and wedges are similar to each other, and loft distinguishes wedges from irons. Lofts for irons and wedges range from 17 to 70 degrees. A typical loft range for irons is 17 to 82 degrees. A typical loft range for wedges is 43 to 70 degrees. Since irons and wedges have similar characteristics, the terms iron(s) and wedge(s) are used interchangeably here, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Given that the sole of irons and wedges is the part of the golf club head that has the most surface area in contact with the turf, the design of the sole profile often has a large impact on the turf interaction with the golf club and the resulting shot quality. crazy Inadequate turf contact before or during hitting the golf ball can impair the quality of golf shots, resulting in “fat shots,” “thin shots,” and “chuck shots.” or other undesirable and/or unpredictable shots may occur.

Designing a golf club head is a very difficult task as many aspects of the club head are closely related to performance. Unlike other types of manufactured goods, subtle changes can have a big impact on the performance and/or feel of a club head. The performance and feel of a club head depends on, for example, leading edge height, sole width, sole width bounce angle, trailing, among many other parameters and/or factors. It can be influenced by a number of independent and/or synergistic parameters, including but not limited to trailing edge relief, club width, club weight, weight distribution, swing weight, aerodynamics and/or swing speed. there is.

Club head design is more challenging because simulations do not very well predict how a club head will perform and/or feel in real game play. Rather, a “build & test” design methodology is generally used for club head design. Unfortunately, the build-and-test design methodology is expensive and requires long lead times, as golf club prototypes must be made of the same materials and construction as the intended final product in order to accurately test the club head design in actual game play. need this Lead times are longer to test club designs in different scenarios and conditions by different players.

Due to the large number of parameters and the dramatic changes in performance and/or feel that can result from small changes to those parameters, the resulting performance of modifications to existing club head designs is unpredictable. Without a reasonable expectation of success, given the infinite combinations of parameter measurements, and the enormous cost and lead time for prototyping and testing, you simply evaluate performance by trying every combination of parameter values to see which one performs best. Optimization is not feasible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf club having a sole geometry that enhances performance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that improves turf contact.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that increases effective bounce.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that limits leading edge height.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that creates a more efficient turf interaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with a sole geometry that inhibits the leading edge from digging, grabbing, and snagging the turf.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with a sole geometry that increases the performance of both low handicap golfers and high handicap golfers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that provides a superior feel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that provides excellent ground penetration capability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with a sole geometry that is easy to control.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that exhibits good stability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that provides a variety of uses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club that is strong, sturdy and durable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that can be used in many applications.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with a sole geometry that is easy to use and intuitive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having a useful long life sole geometry.

And yet another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with a high quality sole geometry.

These and other objects, features or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification, drawings and claims.

In one or more examples, a golf club head having an improved sole geometry is provided. The golf club head includes a striking face portion located at the front of the golf club head, a top line located at the top of the golf club head, a heel portion located at the proximal end of the golf club head, It includes a toe portion located at the distal end of the golf club head opposite the heel portion, and a sole located below the golf club head. A golf club head is configured to receive a shaft. The golf club has a cross section with a sole width of less than 15 mm and a camber area ratio greater than 40% (in some instances greater than about 59%). In some examples the cross section further shows a trailing edge relief.

1 is a front view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
2 is a partial front view of a golf club head, showing the golf club head divided along a centerline, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
3 is a partial front view of a golf club head, showing a sole contact surface of the golf club head, according to one or more embodiments.
4 is a top view of an illustrated golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
5 is a cross-sectional toe side view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
6 is a close-up side view of a cross-sectional toe portion of a golf club head showing the sole geometry of the golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
7 is a close-up side view of a cross-sectional toe portion of a golf club head showing the sole geometry of the golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
8 is a close-up cross-sectional toe side view of a golf club having improved sole geometry, showing trailing edge relief, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
9 is a cross-sectional toe side view of a silhouette of a traditional wedge with three golf clubs with improved sole geometry configured for high bounce, medium bounce, and low bounce, according to one or more embodiments.
10 is a close-up cross-sectional toe side view of a silhouette of a golf club having a conventional sole with three golf clubs having improved sole geometry configured for high bounce, medium bounce, and low bounce, according to one or more embodiments.
11 illustrates the camber area and bounce triangle area of the toe cross section of an example traditional wedge.
12 shows the camber area and bounce triangle area of the toe cross section of a second example traditional wedge.
13 shows sole width, sole camber area, sole width bounds line, bounds triangle area, sole camber ratio, and camber to bounce ratio for two traditional wedges with 10 exemplary golf club heads with improved sole geometry. It shows the table listed.
14 illustrates a front view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
15 illustrates a left side view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
16 depicts a top-back perspective view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
17 illustrates a right side view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
18 illustrates a bottom view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
19 illustrates a top view of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more embodiments.
20 illustrates a left-back perspective view of a golf club head, according to one or more embodiments.
21 illustrates another rear-bottom perspective view of a golf club head, according to one or more embodiments.
FIG. 22 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the golf club head shown in FIG. 21;

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and illustrate by way of example specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The embodiments of the invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form set forth in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are selected and described so that those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand the principles and practice of the present invention. Skilled artisans will appreciate that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended to embrace various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and accordingly the scope of the appended claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. For example, even if aspects and features are illustrated and/or described with reference to specific drawings and/or embodiments, the combination is not explicitly shown and/or is not explicitly described in combination with a single drawing and/or embodiment. It will be appreciated that features from the form may be combined with features from other figures and/or embodiments. In the illustrated embodiments, like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various views.

Any advantages and/or improvements discussed herein may not be provided by the various disclosed embodiments and/or implementations thereof. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be construed as limited to embodiments that provide these advantages and/or improvements. Likewise, it should be understood that the various embodiments may not address all or any of the objects of the present disclosure and/or objects that may be described herein. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited, and should not be construed as limited to embodiments that solve such objectives of the disclosure and/or invention. Further, while some disclosed embodiments may be described with respect to specific materials, the embodiments are not limited to specific materials and/or devices, but only to their specific properties and capabilities, and are well understood by those skilled in the art in view of the present invention. As will be appreciated, other materials and devices may be substituted.

Terms such as "left, right, top, bottom, front, back, side, height, length, width, top, bottom, inside, outside, inside, outside, etc." However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to a specific direction and/or configuration.

As used herein, "and/or" means "A and/or B" means "A and not B", unless clearly indicated that a single item, a subgroup of items, or all items are present. Includes all combinations of one or more of the one or more related list items, such as including "not A but B", and "B as well as A". The use of "etc." is defined as "etcetera" and indicates the inclusion of all other elements belonging to the same group of the preceding items in any "and/or" combination.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include both the singular and plural forms unless the language clearly dictates otherwise. Indefinite articles such as “a” and “an” introduce or refer to previously introduced terms and any otherwise modified terms, whereas definite articles such as “the” refer to the same previously introduced term. Thus, "a" or "an" is understood to qualify an item previously introduced or new is permitted, whereas the definite article is to be understood as modifying the same item as the immediately preceding item. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including", when used herein, refer to specified characteristics, characteristics, steps, operations, While specifying the presence of elements and/or components, does not in itself preclude the presence or addition of one or more other characteristics, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof, unless otherwise specified. For example, where an embodiment of a system is described as including an item, even if another embodiment of the system is elsewhere described as including a plurality of such items, unless expressly indicated otherwise. However, it is understood that the system is not limited to a single instance of an article.

A component may be referred to as "connected", "coupled", "mated", "attached", "fixed", etc., to another component. When used, it may be directly connected to other elements, and/or intermediate elements may be present. Conversely, when a component is referred to as "directly connected," "directly coupled," "directly engaged," etc., to another component, no intermediate elements are present. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a similar way (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”). (directly adjacent", "engaged" vs. "directly engaged", etc.). Likewise, terms such as “operatively”, such as when used with “operatively connected” or “operatively engaged,” refer to any method that facilitates operation. each of which shall be construed as being connected and/or interdigitated, which may include direct connection, indirect connection, electronic connection, wireless connection, and/or connection by any other manner, method, and/or means that facilitates a desired operation. Likewise, " A term such as "communicatively connected" includes all variants of the exchange and routing of information between two electronic devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., wirelessly or non-wirelessly connected. Similarly, in particular to electronic components “Connected” or other similar term for means connected by any means, wired and/or wireless, either directly or indirectly, such that electrical and/or information may be transmitted between components.

It is to be understood that although ordinal terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited in any order by these terms unless specifically stated so. You will be able to. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and if there is a "second" or higher ordinal, there must be multiple elements for which no difference or other relationship is necessary. For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments and/or methods. .

Similarly, structures and operations discussed herein may occur out of the order described and/or recited in the figures. For example, two tasks and/or drawings presented in succession may actually be executed concurrently, and/or sometimes in reverse order depending on the functions/acts involved. Similarly, individual tasks within the exemplary methods described below may be executed iteratively, individually, and/or sequentially to provide looping and/or other series of tasks in addition to the single tasks described below. Any embodiment and/or method having the features and functions described below, in any practicable combination, should be assumed to fall within the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

As used herein, the various embodiments disclosed may be described primarily in connection with golf clubs. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. Embodiments may be adapted for use in other embodiments that may be improved by the disclosed structures, schemes and/or methods. This system is shown and described as being used in the context of a golf club in one of numerous examples and for ease of explanation only.

Golf Club System (10):

Referring to the drawings, a golf club system 10 having an improved sole geometry is disclosed. In the manner shown, as an example, golf club system 10 includes, among other components, golf club head 14 coupled to shaft 12 (not shown).

Golf Club Head (14):

Golf club head 14 is formed in any suitable sized shape and design and is configured to provide improved sole geometry. In the manner shown, as an example, golf club head 14 includes, among other components, a body 16 having a striking surface 18 located on the front of golf club head 14, a golf club A top line 20 located at the top of the head 14, a heel 22 located at the front end of the golf club head 14, located at the heel 22 and adapted to receive the shaft 12. Hosel 24, toe 26 located at the distal end of the golf club head 14 opposite the end of the heel 22, located at the lower part of the golf club head 14 opposite the top line 20 It includes a sole 28 to do, and a rear surface 30 located opposite the striking surface 18. Sole 28 extends from a leading edge 32 where striking surface 18 meets sole 28 to a trailing edge where sole 28 meets the back surface of golf club head 14 . As used herein, the “leading edge point 34” of the cross section is located in a plane where the hosel 24 and shaft 12 are perpendicular to the horizontal reference ground 68 and the golf club head 14 is positioned thereon. refers to the most forward point of the cross section of the golf club head 14 when positioned at the proper lie angle of the (e.g., when the score line on the striking surface 18 is parallel to the ground).

As used herein, the "trailing edge point 38" of the cross section of the golf club head 14 refers to the point in the cross section where the rear edge of the sole meets the lower edge of the rear surface of the golf club head 14. As used herein, the "sole contact point 40" of the golf club head 14 is located in a plane where the hosel 24 and shaft 12 are perpendicular to the horizontal reference ground 68 and the golf club head ( 14) refers to the lowest point of the sole of the section when positioned at its proper lie angle.

As used herein, the line from the leading edge point to the trailing edge point is referred to as the "club width bounce line 42". As used herein, "leading edge height 42" refers to the vertical distance between leading edge point 34 and sole contact point 40. As used herein, "club width 64" refers to the horizontal distance between the leading edge point 34 and the trailing edge point 38. As used herein, “club width bounce angle 66” refers to the angle of the club width bounce line 42 relative to the reference ground 68.

In the exemplary golf club system 10 shown in the figures, the cross-section shown is along the YZ plane located at the centerline of the golf club head 14. Here the YZ plane extends in plane alignment perpendicular to the plane established by the striking surface or plane of the golf club head 14. In the manner shown, as one example, "centerline 46" is located at the sole contact point along the X-axis. In the way indicated, the centerline extends vertically on the Y-axis from the sole contact point. From there, a section is created on the YZ plane on the centerline. In this way, the centerline establishes a plane extending in planar alignment perpendicular to the generally flat plane of the striking surface of the golf club head 14 . In the manner shown, as an example, the centerline extends perpendicular to the score line 36 extending along the striking surface 18 of the golf club head 14 . In the manner shown, as an example, score line 36 extends in parallel alignment with respect to the X-axis.

Sole Contact Point - Tangent Point : In one way, as an example, the sole contact point 40 is a tangent point. That is, as for the sole contact point, the curvature of the golf club head 14 gradually decreases toward the front (leading edge direction), rear (trailing edge direction), and side (heel portion 22 direction and toe 26 direction) of the sole contact point. It is a single point on the golf club head 14 that is the trail off point. In this exemplary manner, the centerline 46 is located at the point of contact that is the sole contact point 40 .

In the manner shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the sole contact point 40 is in contact with the reference ground 68 , and as shown by way of example in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the plane established by the center line 46 is the reference ground ( 68), and when the hosel 24 and shaft 12 are positioned in vertical alignment with the horizontal reference ground 68 as viewed from the toe 26 to the heel 22.

Sole Contact Point - Flat: In another way, as an example, if sole 28 has no curvature from heel 22 to toe 26 at a single point where sole 28 contacts reference ground 68, while , if the score line 36 is parallel to the reference ground 68, then the center line 46 is located approximately at the center of the sole contact point 40 (or sole contact surface) from the heel 22 to the toe 26 on the X-axis. It can be. In this exemplary manner, sole contact point 40 or sole contact surface extends the entire area of sole 28 or the lower portion of golf club head 14, or any portion thereof, from heel portion 22 to toe 26. can do. In this exemplary manner, sole contact point 40 or sole contact surface forms a flat portion parallel to reference ground 68 that extends the length of golf club head 14 from heel 22 to toe 26. .

effective bounce

It is important to have an optimal level of effective bounce of the golf club head 14 to the sole 28 through impact with the golf ball and golf club head 14 . Effective bounce is the resistance of an iron or wedge to digging, grabbing, or snagging into the turf. The ideal level of effective bounce depends on the individual golfer's swing and the golf club's sole geometry. Every golf swing is unique and may require different levels of effective bounce to create the ideal effective bounce for individual golfers to interact most effectively with the turf. If there is too little effective bounce, it is easy for the golf club head 14 to cut and pierce the turf like a knife. If there is too much effective bounce, the wedge is likely to literally bounce off the ground, and at impact with the golf ball, it will be a thin shot because the height of the leading edge is higher than the face striking portion. A more efficient, consistent, and forgiving golf shot can be achieved through the correct level of effective bounce during the golf swing.

There are three basic elements that define the seam geometry. They are sole width, sole width bounce angle and camber, more specifically forward camber. "Sole width 48" means the horizontal distance between the leading edge point 34 and the sole contact point 40. The line from the leading edge point to the sole contact point 40 is referred to as the "sole width bounce line 50". "Sole width bounce angle 52" is when the sole contact point 40 contacts the reference ground 68 and the plane established by the centerline is vertically aligned with the reference ground 68, and in FIGS. 5 and 6 Sole width from the horizontal plane when the hosel 24 and the shaft 12 are positioned in orthogonal alignment (vertical alignment) relative to the horizontal reference ground 68 as viewed from the toe 26 to the heel 22 as shown by way of example. It refers to the downward angle of the bounce line 50. As used herein, "front camber 54" refers to any amount of curvature of the sole 28 of the golf club head 14 that extends forward of the sole width bounce line 50.

In general, with sole width 48 fixed, as sole width bounce angle 52 increases, leading edge height 44 increases, resulting in increased effective bounce. As sole width 48 increases, surface area increases to help prevent irons or wedges from digging into the turf, increasing effective bounce. Finally, the increase in front camber 54 increases the effective bounce by creating more surface area through the curve and prevents the leading edge 32 from contacting the turf first.

As the design of conventional wedges and irons has evolved, effective bounce has been increased primarily by increasing the sole width bounce angle 52 and/or sole width 48 of the golf club head 14. During this development period, only minor adjustments to the front camber 54 were made. The reason may be that wedges and irons started out with minimal or no camber, and the maximum camber is the opposite of the wedge's original design. This may be why maximizing the front camber 54 is the last major modification of the sole 28 of a wedge.

Improved brush geometry:

Contrary to traditional design philosophies, it is clear that significantly increasing front camber (54) and reducing sole width (48), compared to conventional wedges and irons, creates a golf club with a sole (28) profile that provides superior performance. surprisingly found. One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to wedge and iron golf club heads 14 having improved sole geometry with significantly increased front camber 54 and shorter sole width 48 compared to conventional wedges and irons. it's about

To better characterize the front camber of the described embodiments, the terms "sol camber area", "bounce triangle area" and "sole camber ratio" are introduced. As used herein, "sole camber area 58" refers to the area in which the sole 28 extends forward of the sole width bounce line 50 in a cross section of the golf club head 14. As used herein, "bounce triangle area 60" is defined as the sole width bounce line 50 in the cross section of the golf club head 14, the vertical line located at the leading edge point 34, and the sole located at the contact point 40. means the area bounded by a horizontal line Bounce triangle area 60 includes sole camber area 58 Bounce triangle area 60 has its specific sole width 48 and sole width bounce angle 52 ) is the maximum possible area of the sole camber area 58. The “sole camber ratio” of a cross-section of a wedge or iron golf club head 14 is calculated by the formula:

Sol camber ratio formula

Sol Camber Percentage % = (100*Sole Camber Area)/Bounce Triangle Area.

Conventional wedges and irons generally have wide soles and very small camber soles. More specifically, conventional wedges and irons typically have a sole camber ratio of approximately 40-58% and a sole width of approximately 15 mm or greater.

11 and 12 show two examples of conventional wedges. For example, the traditional wedge shown in FIG. 12 has a sole width of 15.62 mm and a sole camber ratio of 58.19%. Wedges with a sole width less than about 15mm do not make the most of front camber (54). For example, the traditional wedge shown in FIG. 11 has a 15mm sole width and a 39.37% sole camber ratio. Increasing front camber remains an unknown geometry in the sole design of irons and wedges.

In contrast to conventional golf club heads, in at least one manner, a golf club head configured with a sole geometry having a sole width 48 less than 15 mm and a sole camber ratio greater than 40% (preferably greater than or equal to approximately 59%). 14) is provided. It has been found that increasing this sole camber ratio according to this criterion increases the effective bounce and creates a more efficient interaction with the turf through impact of the golf ball. Additionally, increasing the sole camber ratio and limiting the sole width 48 as described herein has been found to limit the leading-edge height 44 more than conventional wedges.

In the manner shown, the improved sole geometry of the exemplary golf club head 14 produces consistent, efficient, and forgiving golf shots for both irons and wedges compared to conventional irons and wedges. In an exemplary manner, the curvature of the sole 28 transitions from the sole contact point 40 of the wedge to the leading edge 32 creating a blunter leading edge 32 than a traditional wedge to increase effective bounce. In this exemplary manner, the improved sole geometry increases the wedge's effective bounce by making the leading edge 32 more resistant to digging, gripping, and straddling the turf compared to conventional wedges. In this exemplary manner, performance is increased by creating a greater effective bounce in the first 15 mm of sole width 48 or front section of sole 28 .

In an exemplary manner, the improved sole geometry of the golf club head 14 limits excessive turf engagement when the club head 14 contacts the turf before the golf ball. Through in-depth observation, it has been found that a sole geometry with a sole width 48 of less than 15 mm and an increased sole camber ratio of 40% or greater (preferably approximately 59% or greater) has optimal performance.

An improved sole profile provides the consistent turf interaction that pro golfers demand, and that same consistency translates into the forgiveness that all golfers need. Improved sole geometry provides improved performance for both low and high handicap golfers.

It has been observed in testing and evaluation that one or more golf club heads 14 provide better feel, improved ability to get through the ground, and are generally easier to control compared to other golf clubs on the market. It became.

In the manner shown, as an example, the improved sole geometry of golf club head 14 also limits divot depth through impact. The curved surface of the improved sole geometry reduces the divot entry and divot exit angles for smoother entry and exit of the divot. During the golf swing, the golfer can feel the level of push back created by the ideal level of effective bounce provided by the sole geometry disclosed through turf interaction.

In one or more of the ways shown, the improved sole geometry of the golf club head 14 is more tolerant of miss-hits. If a golfer swings a wedge and impacts the turf before the golf ball, the shot may not be good. If the wedge hits behind the golf ball and doesn't have enough effective bounce against the sole, the leading edge digs into the ground too much, causing the golfer to hit the ball "fat" or "chunk" or "hit it thick." it heavy)". This is commonly referred to as a “chunk shot” and is defined as when the wedge or sole sinks too far into the turf before making contact with the golf ball, momentum and energy decrease and the golf ball does not travel the intended distance.

In one or more of the ways shown, the improved sole geometry of the golf club head 14 provides more surface area at the front portion of the sole in a curved manner, which increases effective bounce to limit divot depth, and smooths the divot. Provides entry and exit, maintains greater velocity during impact, limits the severity of chunk shots, and naturally delivers the ball as intended through turf interaction efficiency, consistency, and forgiveness compared to the same shot without improved sole geometry. make it closer to the street

Trailing Edge Relief

In one or more ways, the improved sole geometry can be complemented by trailing edge relief to create certain performance benefits that may be desirable to certain golfers. "Trailing edge relief 62" refers to the upward slope of the sole 28 from the sole contact point 40 to the trailing edge point 38. Having a shallow or low trailing edge relief angle (e.g., less than 5 degrees) with improved sole geometry (e.g., increased sole camber ratio at a sole width 48 of less than 15 mm) is a golf ball improvement. Provides more sole 28 stability through impact and turf. Having a high trailing edge relief 62 angle (eg, 5 degrees or more) lowers stability through the divot and creates more shot-making versatility of the wedge. The larger the trailing edge relief 62 angle, the more shot-making versatility the wedge has. The higher trailing edge relief (62) angle improves contact with the golf ball increasing dynamic loft and effective bounce to hit higher, shorter, softer landing golf shots, especially those with flop shots or open faces. It is advantageous for golfers who open the face or striking surface of the wedge during impact. Material removal due to the higher trailing edge relief 62 angle allows the face to open more easily for flop shots. A lower trailing edge relief 62 angle can prevent the golfer from opening the face of the wedge because it can create too much effective bounce. This does not allow the golfer to hit a high, short, soft-landing golf shot because the leading edge is too high at impact with the golf ball. Therefore, it prevents the golfer from opening the face to the maximum.

Sole camber ratio measurement:

The sole camber ratio can be easily obtained by 3D scanning, importing into a CAD program, and slicing the golf club head 14 in the YZ plane (e.g., the centerline on the striking surface of a wedge) to provide a cross section (FIGS. 2, 3 , as shown by way of example in 5 and 6). In this section, the leading edge point 34, the sole contact point 40, the sole width bounce line 50, and the front camber line 54 are identified to determine the sole camber area 58 and the bounce triangle area 60, Sol camber ratio can be calculated as described.

Another way to measure sole camber ratio is to take a picture of the wedge on the x-axis with the camera on the toe side of the wedge. The foremost point of the leading edge creates the leading-edge point 34 and is generally at the midpoint of the score line 36 . Create the lines defining the silhouette of the wedge through a computer drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator. Export the lines as a DXF or DWG file and import into a CAD program. Position and align the silhouette to a particular loft of the wedge in the CAD program. Using that silhouette, the leading edge point 34, sole contact point 40, sole width bounce line 50, and front camber line 54 are identified to determine the sole camber area 58 and the bounce triangle area 60. Determine and calculate the Sol Camber Ratio as described above.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the disclosed golf club head approach improves upon the prior art. Specifically, various embodiments provide a golf club head having a sole geometry that: improves turf engagement; increases effective bounce and creates more efficient interactions; limit the leading edge height; increase effective bounce; Prevents the leading edge from digging, grabbing, or straddling the turf; Improves the performance of high handicap golfers as well as low handicap golfers; Provides a superior feel; Provides excellent ability to pass through the ground; easy to control; exhibits good stability; versatile; strong, sturdy and durable; It can be used in many applications; It is easy and intuitive to use; long service life; and/or of good quality. These and other objects, features or advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specification, drawings and claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other modifications may be made to the device without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and changes satisfy and are intended to be included in the scope of the claims.

Claims (20)

a striking surface portion located on the front portion of the golf club head;
a top line located above the golf club head;
a heel portion configured to receive a shaft and located at a front end of the golf club head;
a toe portion located at a distal end of the golf club head, opposite the heel portion; and
a sole located under the golf club head;
Including,
The golf club head has a cross section with a camber area ratio of 40% or more and a sole width of less than 15 mm. According to claim 1,
The golf club head wherein the camber area ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 45% or more. According to claim 1,
The golf club head wherein the camber area ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 50% or more. According to claim 1,
The golf club head wherein the camber area ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 55% or more. According to claim 1,
The golf club head wherein the camber area ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 59% or more. According to claim 1,
The golf club head wherein the camber area ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 60% or more. According to claim 1,
The golf club head wherein the camber area ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 61% or more. According to claim 1,
A golf club head wherein the cross section is in a plane perpendicular to the striking surface portion. According to claim 1,
A golf club head wherein the cross section is at the centerline of the golf club head. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the golf club head includes a trailing edge relief. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the golf club head includes a trailing edge relief greater than 5 degrees. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the golf club head includes a trailing edge relief of less than 5 degrees. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the sole camber ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 40% or more, and the sole is less than 14 mm. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the sole camber ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 40% or more, and the sole is less than 13 mm. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the sole camber ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 40% or more, and the sole is less than 12 mm. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the sole camber ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 59% or more, and the sole is less than 14 mm. According to claim 1,
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the sole camber ratio of the cross section of the golf club head is 59% or more, and the sole is less than 13 mm. a striking surface portion located on the front portion of the golf club head;
a top line located above the golf club head;
a heel portion configured to receive a shaft and located at a front end of the golf club head;
a toe portion located at a distal end of the golf club head, opposite the heel portion; and
a sole located under the golf club head;
Including,
The golf club has a cross section with a camber area ratio of 59% or more and a sole width of less than 14 mm,
The cross section is in a plane perpendicular to the striking surface portion,
the cross section is at the centerline of the golf club head;
A golf club head comprising a trailing edge relief on a cross section of the golf club head. According to claim 18,
The golf club head having a sole width in which the cross section is less than 13 mm. A shaft having a long shape extending from the top to the bottom;
a grip at the top of the shaft; and
a golf club head attached to the lower end of the shaft;
including,
The golf club head;
a striking surface portion located on the front portion of the golf club head;
a top line located above the golf club head;
a heel portion configured to receive a shaft and located at a front end of the golf club head;
a toe portion located at a distal end of the golf club head, opposite the heel portion; and
a sole located under the golf club head;
Including,
The golf club head has a cross section with a camber area ratio greater than 40% and a sole width less than 15 mm.

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