GOLF CLUB HEAD

Abstract

A metalwood golf club head, including a striking face, wherein the striking face comprises a geometric face center, a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein the crown is connected to an upper portion of the striking face and the sole is connected to a lower portion of the striking face, a vertical plane passing through the geometric face center, a neutral axis extending through the geometric face center, the neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of the striking face at the geometric face center, wherein a crown height CHN of the crown return measured at the first offset distance DN is within 10% of the sole height SHN of the sole return measured at the first offset distance DN, the crown height CHN and the sole height SHN measured perpendicularly to the neutral axis on the vertical plane.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present technology generally relates to systems, devices, and methods related to golf clubs, and more specifically to metal wood golf clubs including more compliant construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

In the competitive industry of golf club design, distance and accuracy are two of the most important performance factors that help define the desirability of a metal wood type golf club. Although some may argue that the look, feel, and sound of a golf club may influence their opinion of a golf club; there is no arguing that the performance factors play a major role in determining the desirability of a golf club. The performance factors of maximizing distance while maintaining accuracy becomes even more prevalent in a metal wood type golf club head. Unlike iron type golf club heads where accuracy of a golf shot clearly trumps the distance benefits gained by any individual golf club, metal wood type golf club heads are designed to allow a golfer to hit the golf ball as far as possible and as straight as possible.

In order to maximize distance while maintaining accuracy of a metal wood type golf club head, metal wood type golf clubs have been designed with the objective of maximizing the distance of a golf ball struck by a golf club head close to the geometric center of the golf club head. This geometric center of the golf club head, due to the inherent laws of physics, may generally produce a golf shot that maximizes the distance by reducing the energy loss during impact between the golf ball and the golf club head. In order to quantify this value, the United States Golf Association (USGA), in conjunction with the golfing industry, have come up with various methods such as the calculation the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) or the calculation of the Characteristic Time (CT) as ways to quantify the rebounding characteristic of a golf ball after it impacts a golf club head.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,933 to Galloway et al. ('933 patent) discusses one of the methods to increase the COR of a golf club head by disclosing a golf club head having a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.845 and a durability to withstand 2000 impacts with a golf ball at 110 miles per hour, wherein the club head may be composed of three pieces, a face, a sole, and a crown. More specifically, the '933 patent discloses a golf club head that may be composed of a titanium material, having a volume in the range of 175 cubic centimeters to 400 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches.

Focusing on accuracy instead of distance, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0116202 to Lin ('202 patent Publication), discusses a method to increase the accuracy of a golf club head by disclosing a golf club head having a plurality of holes around the periphery of the club head, so that when the club head hits the golf ball, most of the vibration waves and sound waves generated are dispersed out of these holes thus improving accuracy of the direction of the striking golf ball.

However, upon closer examination, we can see that developments in maximizing distance while maintaining accuracy of a metal wood type golf club head are premised upon the fact that the golfer be capable of hitting the golf ball at the sweet spot. It may be difficult for the average golfer to consistently strike a golf ball in the sweet spot. Hence, in addition to the performance factors mentioned above, it may also be desirable to optimize the size and location of this sweet spot, so an average golfer may obtain the design benefits of maximizing the distance and accuracy of the golf club head.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

One aspect of the present technology is the realization that conventional golf clubs do not perform as well for off-center hits. Thus, there exists a need for an improved golf club head construction. The present technology is directed to metalwood golf clubs. The present invention provides improved golf club head constructions. As a result, a golfer can strike the golf ball with a portion of the face other than the geometric center of the striking face, and still obtain desirable distance.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a metalwood golf club head, including a striking face; wherein the striking face comprises a geometric face center; a posterior body portion including a crown and a sole, wherein the crown is connected to an upper portion of the striking face and the sole is connected to a lower portion of the striking face; a hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head; a toe side located opposite the heel side; a coordinate system including: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head is grounded upon the ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of the golf club head, the x-axis substantially parallel to the striking face, the x-axis extending in a positive direction towards the heel of the golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, the y-axis perpendicular to the ground plane, the y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward the crown; a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, the z-axis perpendicular to the y axis, the z-axis parallel to the ground plane, the z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards the striking face; wherein the golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein the golf club head comprises an outer surface, the outer surface opposite the golf club head interior; a vertical plane passing through the geometric face center; a neutral axis extending through the geometric face center, the neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of the striking face at the geometric face center; a crown return extending back from an upper face limit of the striking face towards the posterior portion; a sole return extending back from a lower face limit of the striking face towards the posterior portion; wherein a first offset distance D_N measured parallel to the neutral axis back from the geometric face center is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, wherein a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 5% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N, the crown height CH_N and the sole height SH_N measured perpendicularly to the neutral axis on the vertical plane; wherein at the first offset distance D_N, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height sole height CH_N is greater than 20 mm; wherein at the first offset distance D_N, a thickness of the crown return is within 0.5 mm of a thickness of the sole return.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a metalwood golf club head, including a striking face; wherein the striking face comprises a geometric face center; a posterior body portion including a crown and a sole, wherein the crown is connected to an upper portion of the striking face and the sole is connected to a lower portion of the striking face; a hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head; a toe side located opposite the heel side; a coordinate system including an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head is grounded upon the ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of the golf club head, the x-axis substantially parallel to the striking face, the x-axis extending in a positive direction towards the heel of the golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, the y-axis perpendicular to the ground plane, the y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward the crown; a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, the z-axis perpendicular to the y axis, the z-axis parallel to the ground plane, the z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards the striking face; wherein the golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein the golf club head comprises an outer surface, the outer surface opposite the golf club head interior; a vertical plane passing through the geometric face center; a neutral axis extending through the geometric face center, the neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of the striking face at the geometric face center; a crown return extending back from an upper face limit of the striking face towards the posterior portion; a sole return extending back from a lower face limit of the striking face towards the posterior portion; wherein a first offset distance D_N measured parallel to the neutral axis back from the geometric face center is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, wherein a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 10% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N, the crown height CH_N and the sole height SH_N measured perpendicularly to the neutral axis on the vertical plane.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology at the first offset distance D_N, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height sole height CH_N is greater than 20 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 8% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 6% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 4% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 2% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a lower face limit height measured vertically along the vertical plane from the ground plane to the lower face limit is greater than 10 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology at the first offset distance D_N, a thickness of the crown return is within 1.0 mm of a thickness of the sole return.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology at the first offset distance D_N, a thickness of the crown return is within 0.6 mm of a thickness of the sole return.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology at the first offset distance D_N, a thickness of the crown return is within 0.2 mm of a thickness of the sole return.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a metalwood golf club head, including a striking face; wherein the striking face comprises a geometric face center; a posterior body portion including a crown and a sole, wherein the crown is connected to an upper portion of the striking face and the sole is connected to a lower portion of the striking face; a hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head; a toe side located opposite the heel side; a coordinate system including an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head is grounded upon the ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of the golf club head, the x-axis substantially parallel to the striking face, the x-axis extending in a positive direction towards the heel of the golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, the y-axis perpendicular to the ground plane, the y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward the crown; a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis, the z-axis perpendicular to the y axis, the z-axis parallel to the ground plane, the z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards the striking face; wherein the golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein the golf club head comprises an outer surface, the outer surface opposite the golf club head interior; a vertical plane passing through the geometric face center; a neutral axis extending through the geometric face center, the neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of the striking face at the geometric face center; a crown return extending back from an upper face limit of the striking face towards the posterior portion, the crown return including a forward crown return adjacent the striking face and a rear crown return further from the striking face, the forward crown return separated from the rear crown return by a crown return corner; a forward crown return angle formed between the neutral axis and a portion of the forward crown return adjacent the crown return corner; a rear crown return angle formed between the neutral axis and a portion of the rear crown return adjacent the crown return corner; wherein the forward crown return angle is at least 5 degrees greater than the rear crown return angle; wherein the crown return corner is located an offset distance D_N back from the geometric face center greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the forward crown return angle is at least 15 degrees greater than the rear crown return angle.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the forward crown return angle is at least 25 degrees greater than the rear crown return angle.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the forward crown return angle is at least 35 degrees greater than the rear crown return angle.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the forward crown return is bulbous, the forward crown return having a radius of curvature, the forward crown return radius of curvature being greater than a radius of curvature of the rear crown return.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a sole return extending back from an upper face limit of the striking face towards the posterior portion, the sole return including a forward sole return adjacent the striking face and a rear sole return further from the striking face, the forward sole return separated from the rear sole return by a sole return corner; a forward sole return angle formed between the neutral axis and a portion of the forward sole return adjacent the sole return corner; a rear sole return angle formed between the neutral axis and a portion of the rear sole return adjacent the sole return corner; wherein the forward sole return angle is at least 5 degrees greater than the rear sole return angle; wherein the sole return corner is located an offset distance D_N back from the geometric face center greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a first offset distance D_N measured parallel to the neutral axis back from the geometric face center is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, wherein a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 10% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N, the crown height CH_N and the sole height SH_N measured perpendicularly to the neutral axis on the vertical plane.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a crown height CH_N of the crown return measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 6% of the sole height SH_N of the sole return measured at the first offset distance D_N.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a lower face limit height measured vertically along the vertical plane from the ground plane to the lower face limit is greater than 10 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional A-A side view of the golf club head cut vertically through the geometric face center of the golf club head.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional B-B side view of the golf club head cut vertically through the geometric face center of the golf club head of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional C-C side view of the golf club head cut vertically through the geometric face center of the golf club head of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Alterations and further modifications of inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Other than in the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moments of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft and draft angles, and others in the following portion of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

In describing the present technology, the following terminology may have been used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same lists solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to a selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection of only those listed alternative or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.

Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head 100. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional A-A side view of the golf club head 100 cut vertically through the geometric face center 107 of the golf club head 100. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the golf club head 100 grounded upon the ground plane 200 at the golf club head's prescribed lie and loft. The golf club head 100 has a striking face 106, a posterior body portion 102, and a hosel 104. The striking face 106 is located at the front of the golf club head 100 and is configured to impact a golf ball when the golf club is swung. The hosel 104 can include a shaft bore configured to receive a portion of the shaft. The hosel 104 is generally located on the heel side 108 of the golf club head, which is opposite the toe side 110. The posterior body portion 102 can further comprise a crown 112, a sole 114, and a skirt 116. The crown 112 portion may generally be connected to an upper portion of the striking face 106 while the sole 114 may generally be connected to a bottom portion of the striking face 106. The skirt 116 can be juxtaposed between the crown 112 and the sole 114 to complete the posterior body portion 102.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the golf club head 100 can include a coordinate system. The coordinate system includes an x-axis parallel to the ground plane 200, substantially parallel to the striking face 106, and extending towards the heel side 108 of the golf club head 100. The coordinate system includes a y-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis as well as the ground plane 200 and extending upwards towards the crown 118. The coordinate system includes a z-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, parallel to the ground plane 200, and extending forwards towards the striking face 106.

The golf club head 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, may generally have a crown return 118 extending back from the striking face 106 into the crown 112 and a sole return 122 extending back from the striking face 106 into the sole 114. The crown return 118 begins at the upper limit 109 of the striking face and extends back 30 millimeters (mm) parallel to the neutral axis NA from geometric face center 107. The sole return 122 begins at the lower limit 111 of the striking face 106 and extends back 30 mm parallel to the neutral axis NA from geometric face center 107. The neutral axis NA extends backwards from geometric face center 107 and is perpendicular to the front surface of the striking face 106 at geometric face center 107. The geometric center of the striking face 106 is defined by the center of the impact spot determined by the Impact Location Template outlined in the Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead, USGA-TPX3004, Revision 1.0.0, May 1, 2008 by the United States Golf Association. The striking face 106 of the golf club head 100 can include slight curvature to help correct the trajectory of the golf ball due to gear-effect after an off-center hit. Curvature from heel side 108 to toe side 110 is referred to as bulge and curvature from sole 114 to crown 112 is referred to as roll. The upper limit 109 of the striking face 106 is defined as the point at the top of the striking face 106 at which the radii of curvature decreases substantially from the roll radii of the striking face 106. The lower limit 111 of the striking face 106 is defined as the point at the bottom of the striking face 106 at which the radii of curvature decreases substantially from the roll radii of the striking face 106.

Various features of a golf club head 100 can affect the performance characteristics of the golf club head 100 which may include, for example, ball speed after impact at various points on the striking face 106, the size of the sweet spot of the striking face 106, the backspin of the golf ball after impact, etc. Generally, it is a goal of the golf club designer to maximize the size of the sweet spot, or the portion of the striking face which transfers the maximum amount of energy to the golf ball at impact. Additionally, it is a goal of the golf club designer to normalize the striking face such that a ball struck a distance above the geometric center will leave the face at the same speed as a ball struck the same distance below the geometric center. The significance of increased ballspeed off center is increased distance forgiveness for an off center hit. Even if a golfer doesn't hit the ball exactly at geometric face center, the ball will still travel nearly as far as if they had hit the ball at geometric face center.

One advantage of the golf club head 100 described herein is improved performance characteristics provided by a unique construction. Golf club head 100 and other embodiments described herein utilize a symmetrical construction wherein the sole return 122 is constructed similarly to the crown return 118, enabling the sole return 122 and crown return 118 to deform similarly during golf ball impact, maximizing the size of the sweet spot while maintaining a normalized striking face.

FIG. 4 illustrates an offset reference plane ORP, which is parallel to the striking face 106 at geometric face center 107 and offset a distance D_N along the neutral axis towards the posterior portion 102 of the golf club head 100. A vertical plane, parallel to the y-axis and x-axis, passes through the geometric center 107 of the striking face 106. The vertical plane is the same plane used to cut the cross-sectional view for FIG. 4. The offset reference plane ORP intersects with the vertical plane forming the height measurement axis HMA. The golf club head 100 includes an outer surface 130 on the exterior of the golf club head 100. The height measurement axis HMA intersects the outer surface 130 in both the crown return 118 and the sole return 122. A crown height CH_N is measured parallel to the height measurement axis HMA from the neutral axis to the intersection of the height measurement axis HMA and the outer surface 130 of the crown return 118. A sole height SH_N is measured parallel to the height measurement axis HMA from the neutral axis to the intersection of the height measurement axis HMA and the outer surface 130 of the sole return 122. The crown height CH_N and sole height SH_N measurements can each be made at specified offset distances D_N. Table 1 below illustrates these measurements at a plurality of offset distances D_N for an embodiment of the golf club head 100.

	TABLE 1
	DN
						30
	5 mm	10 mm	15 mm	20 mm	25 mm	mm
CHN	31.2 mm	33.1 mm	34.1 mm	34.6 mm	34.6 mm	34.2
						mm
SHN	31.2 mm	33.1 mm	34.1 mm	34.6 mm	34.6 mm	34.2
						mm

In one embodiment, a cross section of the crown return 118 along a vertical plane passing through geometric face center of the golf club head 100 is substantially symmetrical to the sole return 122 along the same cross section. As such, the crown height CH_N is substantially similar to the sole height SH_N at each offset distance D_N. Additionally, the thickness of the crown return 118 is substantially similar to the thickness of the sole return 122 at each offset distance D_N. The description below more specifically describes the symmetry of the crown return 118 and sole return 122 of the golf club head 100.

In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 1% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 2% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 3% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 4% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 5% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 6% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 7% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 8% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 9% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown height CH_N of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 10% of the sole height SH_N measured at the first offset distance D_N.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 5 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 5 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 5 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 10 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 10 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 10 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 15 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 15 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 15 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 20 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 20 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 20 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 25 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 25 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 25 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 30 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 20 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 20 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 30 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 25 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, at an offset distance D_N of 30 mm, the crown height CH_N is greater than 30 mm and the sole height SH_N is greater than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.1 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.2 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.3 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.4 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.5 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.6 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.7 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.8 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 0.9 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N. In one embodiment, a first offset distance D_N is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm and a crown return thickness of the golf club head measured at the first offset distance D_N is within 1.0 mm of the sole return thickness measured at the first offset distance D_N.

Golf club head 100, illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, is an additional embodiment of the golf club head 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and shares many of the same qualities. However, the golf club head 100 of FIGS. 5-8 includes more pronounced curvature in the crown return 118 and sole return 122. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head 100. FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional B-B side view of the golf club head 100 cut vertically through the geometric face center 107 of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 5.

Table 2 below illustrates the crown height CH_N and sole height SH_N measurement made at a plurality of specified offset distances D_N for an embodiment of the golf club head 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5-8.

	TABLE 2
	DN
						30
	5 mm	10 mm	15 mm	20 mm	25 mm	mm
CHN	31.5 mm	34.6 mm	35.6 mm	34.8 mm	32.0 mm	31.6
						mm
SHN	31.5 mm	34.6 mm	35.6 mm	34.8 mm	32.0 mm	31.6
						mm

The crown return 118 includes a forward crown return 119 and a rear crown return 120 separated by a crown return corner 121 as illustrated in FIG. 8. A forward crown return angle FCRα is formed between the neutral axis NA and the portion of the forward crown return 119 adjacent the crown return corner 121. A rear crown return angle RCRα is formed between the neutral axis NA and the portion of the rear crown return 120 adjacent the crown return corner 221.

Much like the crown return 118, the sole return 122 includes a forward sole return 123 and a rear sole return 120 separated by a sole return corner 125 as illustrated in FIG. 8. A forward sole return angle FSRα is formed between the neutral axis NA and the portion of the forward sole return 123 adjacent the sole return corner 125. A rear sole return angle RSRα is formed between the neutral axis NA and the portion of the rear sole return 124 adjacent the sole return corner 125.

The forward crown return 119 and forward sole return 124 illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 are bulbous in nature and can project outwards from the golf club head 100. In some embodiments, forward crown return 119 and forward sole return 124 can be rounded, having a radius of curvature which is greater than the radius of curvature of the rear crown return 120 and rear sole return 124.

In one embodiment, the crown return corner 121 and the sole return corner 125 are located an offset distance D_N back from geometric face center greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm. In one embodiment, the crown return corner 121 and the sole return corner 125 are located an offset distance D_N back from geometric face center greater than 10 mm and less than 30 mm. In one embodiment, the crown return corner 121 and the sole return corner 125 are located an offset distance D_N back from geometric face center greater than 15 mm and less than 30 mm. In one embodiment, the crown return corner 121 and the sole return corner 125 are located an offset distance D_N back from geometric face center greater than 20 mm and less than 30 mm.

In one embodiment, the FCRα is greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 5 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα, is at least 10 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 15 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 20 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 25 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 30 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 35 degrees greater than the RCRα. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 5 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 10 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 20 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 25 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 30 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 35 degrees. In one embodiment, the FCRα is at least 40 degrees.

In one embodiment, the FSRα is greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 5 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 10 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 15 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 20 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 25 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 30 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 35 degrees greater than the RSRα. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 5 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 10 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 20 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 25 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 30 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 35 degrees. In one embodiment, the FSRα is at least 40 degrees.

Golf club head 100, illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, is an additional embodiment of the golf club head 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and shares many of the same qualities. However, the golf club head 100 of FIGS. 9-12 includes an increased lower face limit height LFLH. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head 100. FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional C-C side view of the golf club head 100 cut vertically through the geometric face center 107 of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, golf club head 100 has a lower face limit height LFLH measured from the ground plane 200 vertically up to the lower face limit 111 on the vertical plane cut through the geometric face center 107 of the striking face 106. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 6 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 7 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 8 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 9 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 10 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 11 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 12 mm. In one embodiment, the lower face limit height LFLH is greater than 13 mm.

In describing the present technology herein, certain features that are described in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination.

Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure as well as the principle and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A metalwood golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

wherein said striking face comprises a geometric face center;

a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face;

a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head;

a toe side located opposite said heel side;

a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;

wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said golf club head comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior;

a vertical plane passing through said geometric face center;

a neutral axis extending through said geometric face center, said neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of said striking face at said geometric face center;

a crown return extending back from an upper face limit of said striking face towards said posterior portion;

a sole return extending back from a lower face limit of said striking face towards said posterior portion;

wherein a first offset distance DN measured parallel to said neutral axis back from said geometric face center is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 5% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN, said crown height CHN and said sole height SHN measured perpendicularly to said neutral axis on said vertical plane;

wherein at said first offset distance DN, said crown height CHN is greater than 20 mm and said sole height sole height CHN is greater than 20 mm;

wherein at said first offset distance DN, a thickness of said crown return is within 0.5 mm of a thickness of said sole return.

2. A metalwood golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

wherein said striking face comprises a geometric face center;

a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face;

a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head;

a toe side located opposite said heel side;

a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;

wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said golf club head comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior;

a vertical plane passing through said geometric face center;

a neutral axis extending through said geometric face center, said neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of said striking face at said geometric face center;

a crown return extending back from an upper face limit of said striking face towards said posterior portion;

a sole return extending back from a lower face limit of said striking face towards said posterior portion;

wherein a first offset distance DN measured parallel to said neutral axis back from said geometric face center is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 10% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN, said crown height CHN and said sole height SHN measured perpendicularly to said neutral axis on said vertical plane.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein at said first offset distance DN, said crown height CHN is greater than 20 mm and said sole height sole height CHN is greater than 20 mm.

4. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 8% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN.

5. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 6% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN.

6. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 4% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN.

7. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 2% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN.

8. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein a lower face limit height measured vertically along said vertical plane from said ground plane to said lower face limit is greater than 11 mm.

9. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein at said first offset distance DN, a thickness of said crown return is within 1.0 mm of a thickness of said sole return.

10. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein at said first offset distance DN, a thickness of said crown return is within 0.6 mm of a thickness of said sole return.

11. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein at said first offset distance DN, a thickness of said crown return is within 0.2 mm of a thickness of said sole return.

12. A metalwood golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

wherein said striking face comprises a geometric face center;

a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face;

a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head;

a toe side located opposite said heel side;

a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;

wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said golf club head comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior;

a vertical plane passing through said geometric face center;

a neutral axis extending through said geometric face center, said neutral axis perpendicular to an outer surface of said striking face at said geometric face center;

a crown return extending back from an upper face limit of said striking face towards said posterior portion, said crown return comprising a forward crown return adjacent said striking face and a rear crown return further from said striking face, said forward crown return separated from said rear crown return by a crown return corner;

a forward crown return angle formed between said neutral axis and a portion of said forward crown return adjacent said crown return corner;

a rear crown return angle formed between said neutral axis and a portion of said rear crown return adjacent said crown return corner;

wherein said forward crown return angle is at least 5 degrees greater than said rear crown return angle;

wherein said crown return corner is located an offset distance DN back from said geometric face center greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm.

13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein said forward crown return angle is at least 15 degrees greater than said rear crown return angle.

14. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein said forward crown return angle is at least 25 degrees greater than said rear crown return angle.

15. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein said forward crown return angle is at least 35 degrees greater than said rear crown return angle.

16. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein said forward crown return is bulbous, said forward crown return having a radius of curvature, said forward crown return radius of curvature being smaller than a radius of curvature of said rear crown return.

17. The golf club head of claim 12, further comprising a sole return extending back from an upper face limit of said striking face towards said posterior portion, said sole return comprising a forward sole return adjacent said striking face and a rear sole return further from said striking face, said forward sole return separated from said rear sole return by a sole return corner; a forward sole return angle formed between said neutral axis and a portion of said forward sole return adjacent said sole return corner; a rear sole return angle formed between said neutral axis and a portion of said rear sole return adjacent said sole return corner; wherein said forward sole return angle is at least 5 degrees greater than said rear sole return angle; wherein said sole return corner is located an offset distance DN back from said geometric face center greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm.

18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein a first offset distance DN measured parallel to said neutral axis back from said geometric face center is greater than 5 mm and less than 30 mm, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 10% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN, said crown height CHN and said sole height SHN measured perpendicularly to said neutral axis on said vertical plane.

19. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein a crown height CHN of said crown return measured at said first offset distance DN is within 6% of said sole height SHN of said sole return measured at said first offset distance DN.

20. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein a lower face limit height measured vertically along said vertical plane from said ground plane to said lower face limit is greater than 10 mm.