Abstract: A golf club head and method of manufacture in which the golf club head comprises a body having a striking face, side walls, a neck portion and a heel and toe portion formed as an integral unit, said golf club body being attached to a top plate by screwing, gluing or welding wherein the top plate can be constructed of a material different than said body. When the top plate is attached to the body via a screw then a support wedge is formed behind said striking face extending down to the sole plate for structural support of said striking face. The method of the invention involves removal of the inner core forming the interior chamber of said body through the top of said golf club head, said inner core being removable in a single piece from the top portion of the wax impression that is used to manufacture a metal golf club head.

Abstract: A golf club driver head comprises an empty hollow body of general golf club driver shape having a front striking face, a bottom sole plate, an upper wall, a rounded rear wall, a heel, a toe, and a neck extending from the heel to attach the head to a shaft. The body is formed entirely from cast titanium or titanium alloy, and has an average striking face thickness of at least 0.2 inches, which is thicker than standard metallic driver heads. The striking face is preferably much thicker than the remainder of the body to move the center of gravity closer to the striking face, and is thicker around its perimeter than at its center.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating elongate articles including a furnace arranged above a quenching liquid reservoir and guide elements for guiding heated elongate articles from the furnace into the quenching liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the furnace utilizes a plurality of elongate tubes which receive detachably held elongate articles. Upon release, the elongate articles fall while oriented vertically by the guide elements into the quenching liquid. Warping or bending of the elongate articles is thereby prevented during the transfer from the furnace to the quenching liquid.

Abstract: Production of tapered titanium alloy tube performed by subjecting uniformly dimensioned tube to multiple swaging steps interspersed with vacuum annealing, heat hardening in the presence of atmospheric gases producing high yield strength in the final product.

Abstract: A golf club driver head comprises an empty hollow body of general golf club driver shape having a front striking face, a bottom sole plate, an upper wall, a rounded rear wall, a heel, a toe, and a neck extending from the heel to attach the head to a shaft. The body is formed entirely from cast titanium or titanium alloy, and has an average striking face thickness of at least 0.2 inches, which is thicker than standard metallic driver heads. The striking face is preferably much thicker than the remainder of the body to move the center of gravity closer to the striking face, and is thicker around its perimeter than at its center.