Having Particular Sole Plate Patents (Class 473/344)
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Patent number: 8092316Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 8025591Abstract: A golf club is provided having a hollow body golf club head comprising discrete concentrations of weight or mass located away from the center of gravity or the geometric center of the club head to optimize the moment of inertia of the club head about both the vertical axis running through the center of gravity or geometric center of the club head, hereinafter referred to as the “y-axis,” and the axis running through the center of the shaft of the golf club, hereinafter referred to as the “hosel axis.” The ratio of moment of inertia of the club head about the y-axis to moment of inertia of the club head about the hosel axis is preferably 0.55. More preferably, this ratio is 0.75.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Noah De La Cruz, Charles E. Golden, John W. Morin
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Patent number: 7871336Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 7837577Abstract: A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: D. Clayton Evans
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Patent number: 7775904Abstract: A wood-type golf club head has a hollow structure comprising a face portion having a back surface and a front surface defining a club face for striking a ball, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a side portion between the crown portion and sole portion. The hollow structure is provided with a hollow and a solid part. The solid part extends forward from the backmost point of the club head by a distance of from 0.08 to 0.20 times the maximum size of the club head in the back-and-forth direction, the hollow extends between the front surface of the solid part and the back surface of the face portion. The main frame of the hollow structure integrally includes the solid part.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Tomoya Hirano
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Patent number: 7758452Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable weight member secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable weight member has a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the weight member to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable weight member. A weight member of the present invention may comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 7717807Abstract: A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a minor body (24) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a front portion (30), a crown portion (25), a partial toe portion (27), a partial heel portion (26), a partial rear portion (28) and a partial sole portion (29). The minor body (24) preferably has a sole wall (31), a partial toe wall (33), a partial heel wall (32) and a partial rear wall (34). The minor body (24) is preferably welded to the main body (22). The minor body (24) preferably has a mass ranging from 80 grams to 110 grams. The minor body (24) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: D. Clayton Evans, Larry G. Tang
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Patent number: 7648426Abstract: A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: D. Clayton Evans
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Patent number: 7621820Abstract: The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange shafts, removable weights, or soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a shaft may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to traditional golf clubs.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Karl A. Clausen, Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 7537527Abstract: Vertical planes equally dividing space between a position of the shaft-hole axis of a head to a rearmost point of the head are defined as first vertical plane S1 to fifth vertical plane S5 starting from a face side. In a view showing a second contour R2 and a fourth contour R4 in overlapping relation, the second contour is defined by an intersection of the second vertical plane S2 and a head outside surface, and the fourth contour is defined by an intersection of the fourth vertical plane and the head outside surface. In this overlap view, toe-1 point t1 to toe-8 point t8are defined on a toe-side line portion of the second contour R2. Toe-side gaps T1 to T8 between the second contour R2 and the fourth contour R4 with respect to the respective points t1 to t8 are defined according to predetermined specifications.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Akio Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7396296Abstract: A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: D. Clayton Evans
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Publication number: 20080153624Abstract: A wood club head having a loft angle of not less than 13° is provided. The hosel length is not less than 20 mm. The face progression is set to fall within a range of 12 mm to 16 mm (both exclusive). The barycenter depth is set to fall within a range of 20 mm to 25 mm (both exclusive).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Wataru Ban, Koki Motoyoshi, Hideo Matsunaga
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Patent number: 7316624Abstract: A golf club head includes a heel end, a toe end, a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball, and a crown extending between the heel and toe ends. The crown has a front portion and a rear portion. A sole extends between the heel and toe ends and extends between the front wall and the crown rear portion. The sole includes a primary portion and a relief portion. The sole relief portion extends rearwardly away from the front wall and upwardly toward the crown rear portion when the sole primary portion is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface. The sole relief portion may vary in thickness and may include a weight pad. The golf club head may have a hollow interior cavity with the crown curving inwardly toward the cavity between its front and rear portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Richard R. Sanchez
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Patent number: 7182699Abstract: A golf club head has a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion and a hosel portion. Each portion is made of titanium or a titanium alloy. The side portion is formed integrally entirely from its toe side to its back side and its heel side. The side portion and the hosel portion are cast integrally. The face portion, the crown portion and the sole portion are molded separately from one another. The face portion, the crown portion, the sole portion and the side portion are welded integrally so as to form a golf club head. The Young's modulus of the crown portion is lower than any Young's modulus of the face portion, the sole portion, the side portion and the hosel portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Matsunaga
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Patent number: 7156753Abstract: A golf putter head is disclosed wherein the putter head has a sole that defines an arcuate surface in two directions—from the toe to the heel and from the tail or rear end of the putter head to the putter face. As a result, the position of the putter head, hosel and shaft may be moved by the golfer without adversely affecting the performance of the putter. Further, the arcuate surface of the sole from the tail to the putter face reduces drag or friction in the event the putter head strikes the ground before striking the ball. The arcuate surface of the sole also provides for improved face balance of the putter head.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Inventors: Kenneth Casner, Jr., Joseph Casner
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Patent number: 6887165Abstract: A golf club provides carry which does not deteriorate even when a golf ball is struck in a lower position on a face portion. The golf club includes a face portion 4 having a hitting surface, an improved sole portion 3 which forms a lower portion, and a crown portion 5 which forms an upper portion. A deformation portion B which is capable of elastic deformation is provided in concavoconvex form on the sole portion 3 in a position near the face portion 4. This deformation portion B is constituted by a protrusion 10 which is formed such that the sole portion 3 forms an obtuse angle ?, and a concave groove 11 which is formed in a direction linking a toe portion and a heel portion by a protrusion protruding towards the crown portion 5.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: K.K. Endo SeisakushoInventor: Masaei Tsurumaki
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Publication number: 20040132543Abstract: A golf club head has a hollow body with a front, striking face, a rear face, an upper face, a heel and a toe, and an open lower end, the body having an internal cavity. At least one filler member of solid cork or synthetic cork material cut to match the shape and dimensions of at least part of the cavity is positioned in the cavity, and a sole plate is secured over the open lower end of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventor: Bruce G. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20040121852Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club in which carry does not deteriorate even when a golf ball is struck in a lower position on a face portion. In a golf club constituted by a face portion 4 having a hitting surface, a sole portion 3 which forms a lower portion, and a crown portion 5 which forms an upper portion, the sole portion 3 of a driver club head 1 is improved. A deformation portion B which is capable of elastic deformation is provided in concavoconvex form on the sole portion 3 in a position near the face portion 4. This deformation portion B is constituted by a protrusion 10 which is formed such that the sole portion 3 forms an obtuse angle &agr;, and a concave groove 11 which is formed in a direction linking a toe portion and a heel portion by a protrusion protruding towards the crown portion 5. In order to increase hitting distance, restitution in a lower position on the face portion is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: K.K. ENDO SEISAKUSHOInventor: Masaei Tsurumaki
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Publication number: 20040005936Abstract: A hollow golf club head has a face portion, a sole portion, a side portion, a crown portion, and a hosel portion. A main portion of the crown portion is made of fiber reinforced plastic. At least the face portion and the front edge portion of the crown portion continuing to the face portion are made of metal. A circumferential edge portion of the crown portion made of fiber reinforced plastic is joined to the rear end surface and the internal surface of the metal front edge portion of the crown portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasunori Imamoto, Katsumi Iida
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Publication number: 20030236132Abstract: A golf club head of the metal wood type is provided, wherein the club head includes a porous plate defining a portion of at least one wall thereof, such as a portion of the sole plate. Upon striking impact of the club head with a golf ball, the porous plate facilitates transmission of a significant portion of the resultant shock energy from the club head in the form of a distinctive audible output, with a corresponding reduction in transmission of vibrational energy through the associated club shaft to the golfer's hands.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
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Publication number: 20030199336Abstract: A golf club wedge having a hosel, a bottom wall, a top surface, a toe, a heel and a striking surface with a lower periphery defined by an arcuate leading edge extending downwardly from the heel to a forwardmost point of the striking surface and extending upwardly from the forwardmost point to the toe. The club further incorporates a leading edge which is significantly forward of the center line of the hosel (forward face progression) to improve playability from difficult lies of a golf ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: LOVETT GOLF COMPANYInventor: William E. Lovett
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Publication number: 20030087710Abstract: An integral, hollow metal golf club head including a sole plate, a crown, a face, first and second side walls and a rear wall. The club head includes The sole plate has a rear sole portion. The crown has a rear crown portion. The upwardly and substantially vertically extends from the rear sole portion to the rear crown portion. The rear wall and the face connect the sole plate to the crown. The sole plate has a substantially planar central portion positioned between first and second outwardly and upwardly curved side portions. The central portion rearwardly extends from the face to the rear wall. The sole plate has first and second shoulders formed by the rearward extension of the central portion beyond the first and second rearmost points of the first and second side portions, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Sheets, Carl E. Scheie, Douglas J. Thiel
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Patent number: 6475102Abstract: A golf club head has a four-faceted sole. The golf club head has a body that has a volume between 140 cubic centimeters and 350 cubic centimeters. The body of the golf club head weighs between 140 grams and 215 grams. The golf club head preferably has a bismuth weighting system. The golf club head is preferably a driver, but may also be a fairway wood. The four-faceted sole is composed of a central facet, a toe facet, a heel facet and a rear facet.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Richard C. Helmstetter, Roger C. Cleveland, D. Clayton Evans, J. Andrew Galloway
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Publication number: 20020111229Abstract: 18A golf club head has a four-faceted sole. The golf club head has a body that has a volume between 140 cubic centimeters and 350 cubic centimeters. The body of the golf club head weighs between 140 grams and 215 grams. The golf club head preferably has a bismuth weighting system. The golf club head is preferably a driver, but may also be a fairway wood. The four-faceted sole is composed of a central facet, a toe facet, a heel facet and a rear facet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Applicant: Callaway Golf CompayInventors: Richard C. Helmstetter, Roger C. Cleveland, D. Clayton Evans, J. Andrew Galloway
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Patent number: 6386990Abstract: A golf club head composed of a composite material and having a metal weight strip in a ribbon section is disclosed herein. The metal strip may be composed of copper, tungsten or a similar metal. The composite golf club head may also have a sole plate composed of stainless steel attached to a sole of the golf club head. The golf club head is preferably composed of plies of pre-preg sheets. A method for fabricating the golf club head is also disclosed herein. The method uses a three-piece mold and bladder to produce a composite golf club head with a metal weight strip embedded in the ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Herbert Reyes, James M. Murphy, D. Clayton Evans, J. Andrew Galloway, Daniel R. Jacobson
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Patent number: 6248026Abstract: A golf club is provided, comprising a striking surface, a toe region, a heel region, a sole plate, a mass region and a hosel, the golf club further comprising a shaft attached to the club head by hosel of the club head. The sole plate extends from a bottom edge of the striking surface to a rear edge of the mass region and under the toe region to the heel region. The sole plate comprises the sole which contacts the ground as the club head lies at rest and has a width between about ½ inch and about 1½ inches. The mass region extends from the top side of the striking surface to the rear edge of the sole plate. The club head includes a vertical center of gravity below a median between the top edge of the striking surface and the bottom edge of the striking surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Wedgewood Golf, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Wanchena
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Patent number: 6244976Abstract: A golf club head having a sole plate and hosel integral piece is disclosed herein. The integral piece may be composed of a metal material for with a golf club head having a composite body. The integral piece also improves the consistency of the loft and lie parameters of a golf club head. The hosel may be formed with the sole plate, or the hosel may be connected to the sole plate. The integral piece may also have a polymer sleeve thereabout to assist in reducing the stress at the tip end of a shaft inserted into the hosel.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: James M. Murphy, Herbert Reyes, D. Clayton Evans, J. Andrew Galloway, Daniel R. Jacobson
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Patent number: 6139446Abstract: A golf club is provided, comprising a striking surface, a toe region, a heel region, a sole plate, a mass region and a hosel, the golf club further comprising a shaft attached to the club head by hosel of the club head. The sole plate extends from a bottom edge of the striking surface to a rear edge of the mass region and under the toe region to the heel region. The sole plate comprises the sole which contacts the ground as the club head lies at rest and has a width between about 1/2 inch and about 11/2 inches. The mass region extends from the top side of the striking surface to the rear edge of the sole plate. The club head includes a vertical center of gravity below a median between the top edge of the striking surface and the bottom edge of the striking surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Wedgewood Golf, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Wanchena
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Patent number: 6102813Abstract: A golf club having a hosel that is permanently connected to a sole plate, traverses the club head, and is attached to the shaft. The sole plate is attaches to the bottom of the club head and a replaceable striking surface attaches to the front of the club head.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Inventor: Terry Dill
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Patent number: 5728016Abstract: A hockey stick has a reinforced hockey blade which is equipped with a plastic bumper secured to the bottom edge thereof and a layer of glass fiber is coated on the surface of the blade by heat hardening art. Such processed hockey stick is flexible and durable against violent impact or collision in operation, making the operation life thereof longer.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Advance Sporting Goods & Wood Mfg. Corp.Inventor: Saul S. Hsu
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Patent number: 5697854Abstract: The invention relates to a golf club head and a method of manufacturing the same, the external surface of which a plate is attached as a sole plate or face plate. A pair of protruding pieces which protrude approximately in the opposite direction with respect to the center of the plate are provided in the periphery of the plate, and the protruding pieces are respectively embedded in a head body of the golf club head. The ends of the protruding pieces are extended so that they are exposed onto the external surface of the head body. By this arrangement, the plate can be positively fixed to a predetermined position without causing removal from the head body, and thus there is no possibility that the plate comes off from the head body even if an impact is given to the head body when a ball is hit.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventors: Yuichi Aizawa, Shoichi Dekura
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Patent number: 5658207Abstract: In a metal golf club head, a recess portion with a closed bottom is formed in a bottom surface of a hollow shell cast of metal, and a sole plate, made of metal greater in specific gravity than the shell, is received in and secured to the recess portion in such a manner that the sole plate lies flush with that portion of the bottom surface disposed adjacent to a peripheral edge of the recess portion. The sole plate can withstand an impact produced when hitting a ball, and is prevented from becoming disengaged from the shell.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventors: Yuichi Aizawa, Shoichi Dekura
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Patent number: 5573469Abstract: This invention relates to a golf club head which can be stably placed on the ground at address so that a face of the head can be properly directed toward a ball. In a golf club head, a convex portion is formed on a sole of a head body, and when the head body is inclined an angle of 5.degree..about.20.degree. from a lie angle to bring a heel of the head body toward the ground, the convex portion is brought into contact with the ground at a face side, a back side and a toe side of a point of intersection between the sole and an axis of a shaft connected to the head body.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.Inventor: Shoichi Dekura