Abstract: A golf club head is formed of an alpha-beta titanium alloy body and a beta-type titanium alloy striking plate. The sole and crown of the club head are thin-walled and the striking plate transitions from a 1.7 mm central region to a 1.2 mm periphery adjacent the sole and crown junctions. The measured coefficient of restitution for this club bead is a least 0.90.

Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed that comprises a body having a striking face, a rear cavity and a sole bar, wherein a recess is formed in the sole bar that extends generally from the rear cavity. An insert is located within the sole recess, the insert including a core and an intermediate layer that separates the core from the recess wall. The intermediate layer has a hardness and a modulus of elasticity that are less than that of the core, such that when the golf club head is used to strike a golf ball, the resulting vibrations are dissipated by compression of the intermediate layer and movement of the core with respect to the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed that comprises a body having a striking face and a sole, wherein a recess is formed in the sole. An insert is located within the sole recess, the insert including a core and an intermediate layer that at least partially separates the core from the recess wall. The intermediate layer has a hardness and a modulus of elasticity that are less than that of the core, such that when the golf club head is used to strike a golf ball, the resulting vibrations are dissipated by compression of the intermediate layer and movement of the core with respect to the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Compositions and related methods are disclosed for improved laser marking of sports equipment. The compositions incorporate laser-sensitive additives into the compositions to allow for enhanced marking of the equipment using laser marking technology. Laser light is used to mark the equipment, leading to durable, clear markings. Use of the additives allows for marking without causing damage to the marked surfaces. Particular equipment incorporating the invention includes golf ball covers, golf ball containers, and golf club grips.

Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a substantially increased sweet spot across its club face. A preferred construction includes an annular area on a rear surface having increased thickness surrounding a central region with a balance point of the club face. The central region of the face has a generally reduced thickness that is less than the maximum of the annular area but greater than a minimum thickness at the peripheral area. The face material may be metallic, but in alternative embodiments the effective bending stiffness profiles represented by this annular area may be achieved by appropriate use of composites, for example. Methods for manufacturing a golf club head having a face with the bending stiffness profiles of the present invention include forging and machining techniques as well as laser deposition and inertia welding.

Abstract: A method of selecting a performance golf club based on a golfer's swing type is accomplished in an automated fashion, comprising a system that is readily and easily utilized in a retail setting, for example. The golfer performs several swings of a golf club before a digital camera that transmits the golfer's swing information to a computational device for processing. Several parameters relating to the golfer's swing characteristics are identified and a performance golf club is selected and displayed for the golfer within less than one hour, and preferably within about five to ten minutes. Markers may be positioned on the golf club and/or golfer for easier tracking and data collection by the present system.

Abstract: A club head for a golf club comprises a club head. The club head includes a strike face and an outer shell that defines an interior volume. The club head has a first moment of inertia about a first axis that extends generally horizontally and parallel to the strike face. The club head also has a second moment of inertia about a second axis that lies generally vertically and perpendicular to the first horizontal axis. The club further has a center of gravity. The center of gravity lies below a horizontal centerline of the club head. The first moment of inertia in units of kilograms millimeters squared (kg-mm2) is greater than or equal to approximately 77 plus 0.46 times the head volume in cubic centimeters (cc).

Abstract: An improved golf club head is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the head is precisely controlled by installing into a cavity formed in the rear wall of the club head's hollow main body a selected weight cartridge from a group of such cartridges having identical sizes but a range of weights. The selected weight cartridge is installed simply by sliding it into the rear wall cavity, where it is retained by a snap fit, and/or by an interference fit, and/or by a suitable bonding material, without the need for a screw attachment. This greatly simplifies the golf club head's manufacture, thus reducing its cost. The invention is applicable to golf club heads of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for effectively guiding golfers and/or their fitting professionals toward the selection of a particular wood-type golf club that is optimally matched or fitted to each golfer's particular swing characteristics, the selection being made from a set of golf clubs having at least three different head sizes and being made based on one or more swing characteristics for the golfer.

Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed that comprises a body having a striking face and a sole, wherein a recess is formed in the sole. An insert is located within the sole recess, the insert including a core and an intermediate layer that at least partially separates the core from the recess wall. The intermediate layer has a hardness and a modulus of elasticity that are less than that of the core, such that when the golf club head is used to strike a golf ball, the resulting vibrations are dissipated by compression of the intermediate layer and movement of the core with respect to the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A golf ball including an improved mantle composition which results in improved performance characteristics. The composition includes a soft, flexible resin, such as an elastomer, and a quantity of at least one hardness-enhancing material, such as a quantity of fibers or fiber segments, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and/or metallic fibers, and, optionally, at least one ionomer. The hardness-enhancing material can constitute about 1 to about 30 wt % of the intermediate layer. The composition of the intermediate layer enables the golf ball to maintain initial speed and distance of known golf balls, while improving upon spin rate and playability. Alternatively, spin rate and playability can be maintained, while improving upon the initial speed and distance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf club head that includes a peripheral shell constituted by an assembly of walls obtained by injecting a plastic material forming an inner cavity enclosing at least one inner insert kept immobilized by a partial plastic material coating of the shell. Prior to the injection step of the shell, an assembly is placed and immobilized in the mold which is comprised of a meltable core made of a second material having a melting point that is lower than the melting point of the plastic material in the space left free between the walls of the mold and the assembly, so as to coat the meltable core and all or a part of the free portion of the insert. Finally, all or a portion of the meltable core is eliminated to enable an inner volume to be freed so as to form the inner cavity.

Abstract: A solid golf ball having a core, a cover, an intermediate skin between the core and the cover defining a generally continuous inner annular surface, wherein the inner annular surface of the skin is stretched over the core. Desirably, to prevent breakage, the annular surface is at least 1/4 inch wide. Preferably, the skin has a substantially uniform thickness and covers substantially the entire outer surface of the core so that the golf ball will react in a uniform manner regardless of where on the cover the ball is struck. The skin preferably comprises a polymeric material which is stretched so as to have a predetermined amount of initial strain so as to reach a certain level of crystallization of material. This predetermined amount of initial strain is desirably 150%, preferably 200% and, most preferably 400%. A method of manufacturing a golf ball having a stretched intermediate skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf ball including an improved mantle composition which results in improved performance characteristics. The composition includes a soft, flexible resin, such as an elastomer, and a quantity of at least one hardness-enhancing material, such as a quantity of fibers or fiber segments, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and/or metallic fibers, and, optionally, at least one ionomer. The hardness-enhancing material can constitute about 1 to about 30 wt % of the intermediate layer. The composition of the intermediate layer enables the golf ball to maintain initial speed and distance of known golf balls, while improving upon spin rate and playability. Alternatively, spin rate and playability can be maintained, while improving upon the initial speed and distance.

Abstract: An iron golf club head provided with a cavity that is open rearwardly and surrounded by a peripheral edge, the head including a body made of a low density metallic material and an attached insert made of material of higher density than the density of the body material. The peripheral edge has a lower portion extending vertically beneath the cavity and extending horizontally from the toe area to the heel area, whereby the insert occupies at least one part of the lower portion and has a generally crescent shape, with a concave upper central portion and raised lateral portions at the heel and at the tip, respectively. In a particular embodiment, the body of the club head is provided with a housing arranged in the sole and extending continuously from the toe area to the heel area, with the insert occupying the housing and being sandwiched between the striking surface and the peripheral edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft for a golf club, or to a club equipped with such a shaft. On at least 30% of the length of the shaft, its peripheral wall includes at least two layers, i.e., a first layer made of a material of density (.rho.1) and of longitudinal Young's modulus (E1), and a second layer made of a material of density (.rho.2) and of longitudinal Young's modulus (E2), the first and second layers being separated by a separation layer made of a substantially isotropic material having a density (.rho.3) and a longitudinal Young's modulus (E3), the densities (.rho.1, .rho.2) of the materials of the first and second layers being greater than the density (.rho.3) of the material of the separation layer, the longitudinal Young's moduli (E1, E2) of the materials of the first and second layers being respectively greater than 20 GPa, and the longitudinal Young's modulus (E3) of the material of the separation layer being lower than 20 GPa.

Abstract: The invention is related to a golf club head including an internal subassembly defining an inner space and including a combination of a rigid, hollow and open internal shell made of a low-density material, and an impact-resistant sealing element co-operating with the shell to close off the inner space and having an inner wall for supporting the striking surface of the head. The internal shell is covered by an outer plastic casing at least partially covering the internal subassembly and forming the outer wall of the striking surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf club, such as a driver, wherein the club includes a shaft, at the lower end of which a head is mounted, and at the upper end of which a grip is mounted. The club is light in weight and, according to a first embodiment, has a mass of less than 340 grams and an LPE/LC ratio (Equivalent Pendulum Length)/(Length of Club) of less than 0.87, preferably between 0.87 and 0.85 and, according to a second embodiment, has a mass of less than 310 grams and an LPE/LC ratio of between 0.87 and 0.885.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf club, such as a driver, wherein the club includes a shaft, at the lower end of which a head is mounted, and at the upper end of which a grip is mounted. The club is light in weight and has a mass of less than 340 grams and an LPE/LC ratio (Equivalent Pendulum Length)/(Length of Club) of less than 0.87, preferably between 0.87 and 0.85.

Abstract: The head of a golf club, preferably of the "wood" type, wherein the orthogonal reference passing through the center of gravity of the club head and formed by three axes about which the inertia is maximum, is such that the first two axes are located in a plane inclined with respect to the plane of the ground when the head rests on the ground, forming with the plane of the ground, a dihedron having an internal angle comprised between 20 and 60 degrees and/or wherein the axis forms with the vertical plane of the shot, an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees.