Abstract: A golf club head includes a metal frame having a sole opening, a composite laminate crown joined to the frame, a composite laminate sole insert joined to the frame and overlying the sole opening, and a thermoplastic composite component overmolded on the sole insert. The composite component may include a weight track, ribs, supports or other features. A method of making the golf club includes the steps of forming a frame having a sole opening, forming a composite laminate sole insert, forming a composite laminate crown insert, injection molding a thermoplastic composite head component over the sole insert to create a sole insert unit, and joining the sole insert unit and crown insert to the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion having a bottom portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a front portion, a rear portion, an interior region, and a crown portion. The crown portion may have a first opening and a second opening. The crown portion may have a reinforcement portion extending between and separating the first opening and the second opening. The golf club head may include a cover portion attached to the crown portion. The cover portion may cover the first opening, the second opening, and the reinforcement portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A golf club head having a flexible channel to improve the performance of the club head, and a channel tuning system to reduce undesirable club head characteristics introduced, or heightened, via the flexible channel. The channel tuning system includes a sole engaging channel tuning element in contact with the sole and the channel. The club head may include an aerodynamic configuration, as well as a body tuning system.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with energy storage characteristics are presented herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head comprises a hollow body comprising a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown comprises an upper region comprising a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail, is located above the lower region of the crown, and is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. The cavity comprises a top wall, a back wall, a bottom incline, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back walls of the cavity and at least one channel.

Abstract: A golf club head comprises a body having a face, a crown and a sole together defining an interior cavity. The body having a head-shaft connection system, a rear weight fastened to the golf club head proximate the rear end of the club head and proximate the Y-Z plane, and a front weight port or an internal cap connection system for securing the rear weight; in combination with specific windows regarding the moments of inertia and center of gravity.

Abstract: Some disclosed golf club heads include body having at least one raised sole portion and a cantilevered ledge extending down around a perimeter of the club head below the level of the raised sole portion. Some disclosed golf club heads include one or more sole openings in the body and a sole insert that is mounted inside the body over the sole openings. The sole can include weight tracks as well, and a rear weight track can extend between a toe side sole opening and a heel side sole opening. A crown insert can also be included that is mounted over an upper opening in the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an iron-type golf club head that comprises a body, made of a first material having a first density. The iron-type golf club head also comprises a weight located within the internal cavity. The iron-type golf club head further comprises a filler material that has a density no less than 0.21 g/cc. The filler material has a mass no less than 2.5 grams and no more than 8 grams. The internal cavity has an internal cavity volume ranging between 5 cc to 20 cc. A ratio of the internal cavity volume to external club head volume ranges between 0.14 and 0.385. The internal cavity has a minimum front-to-back depth above a midplane of the golf club head of no less than 1.4 mm and a maximum front-to-back depth of the internal cavity above the midplane of the golf club head is no more than 13 mm.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of golf club heads having a balance of the following parameters: a low and back club head center of gravity position, a high moment of inertia, a large Ixy product of inertia, and low aerodynamic drag. Methods of manufacturing the embodiments of golf club heads having a balance of club head center of gravity position, moment of inertia, product of inertia, and aerodynamic drag are also described herein.

Abstract: A golf club head having a hollow structure is provided. The golf club head includes a face, and a body including at least a crown, a sole, and a hosel chamber. The crown, the sole, and the hosel chamber include laminated layers of a fiber-reinforced resin. The crown includes at least one first rigidity control portion that partially extends in a toe-heel direction. The sole includes at least one second rigidity control portion that extends from a back surface side of the face toward a back end of the body. One of the first rigidity control portion and the second rigidity control portion decreases flexural rigidity in a face-back direction, and the other of the first rigidity control portion and the second rigidity control portion increases flexural rigidity in the face-back direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with energy storage characteristics are presented herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head comprises a hollow body comprising a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a top rail and an inflection point. The inflection point provides increase bending of the strikeface thereby providing performance enhancement over clubs without an inflection point.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with energy storage characteristics are presented herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head comprises a hollow body comprising a strikeface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a top rail and an inflection point. The inflection point provides increase bending of the strikeface thereby providing performance enhancement over clubs without an inflection point.

Abstract: A golf club includes a head including a hosel part, a shaft, and a tip engagement part having a reverse-tapered shape and being disposed at a tip end portion of the shaft. The tip engagement part includes a sleeve having a reverse-tapered shape and being fixed to the tip end portion of the shaft. The hosel part includes a hosel hole. The hosel hole includes a reverse-tapered hole corresponding to at least a part of the outer surface of the tip engagement part. The tip engagement part is fitted to the reverse-tapered hole. Of the hosel hole, at least an upper end edge and a lower end edge are formed by a resin.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a hollow portion. The head includes a first member having an opening, and a second member attached to the first member and covering the opening. The first member includes a first rib projected toward the hollow portion. The second member includes a second rib projected toward the hollow portion. The first rib is engaged with the second rib. A Young's modulus of a material of the second member may be smaller than that of the first member. The second member may be adhered to the first member using an adhesive.

Abstract: Described herein is a golf club head that includes a body that includes a sole portion, a crown portion, a skirt portion, a forward region, and a rearward region. The golf club head also includes a face portion including a striking face with a maximum height from the ground plane of at least about 50 mm. The golf club head has a peak crown height, from the ground plane, of at least about 60 mm. A volume of the golf club head is at least about 370 cm3. A location of a center-of-gravity of the golf club head is at a minimum distance (Zup) away from the ground plane. The difference between Zup and half of the peak crown height is less than about ?5.75 mm. A z-axis moment of inertia of the golf club head about a CG z-axis is greater than about 300 kg-mm2.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head formed from multiple materials that increase torsional stiffness of the club and aid in sound performance. In particular, the iron-type golf club head includes a rear flange and a composite component bonded to an external surface of the rear flange. The composite component may cover an entire surface of the rear flange, and may also extend upwards to make contact with a top portion of the club head and thus close off a rear cavity of the club head. The iron-type golf club head may further comprise a face support structure extending from the rear flange, to which the face plate may be affixed via welding or brazing.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a method may include forming a golf club head having a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a back portion, and a front portion with a lace portion. The method may form an interior cavity. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A golf club head optimized for sound has a body that defines an interior cavity. The body includes at least one of a sole portion, skirt portion, or a crown portion. At least the sole portion is stiffened to provide a higher frequency sound. The stiffened sole portion increases the frequency range of the golf club head by at least 300 Hz with an overall frequency of greater than about 3000 Hz. The stiffened sole portion provides a higher frequency sound with a minimal increase in the overall weight of the golf club head. In one embodiment, the stiffened sole portion increases the weight of the golf club head by less than 10 grams with the overall weight of the golf club head less than 220 grams. In operation, the golf club head with at least the stiffened sole portion impacts the golf ball to provide an aesthetically pleasing sound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing a teleforum. The method includes generating simultaneous outbound invitation calls to multiple invitees and transmitting a message to each invitee, inviting him or her to become a teleforum participant. Teleforum participants who accept the invitation are connected to the teleforum in a listen-only mode. During the teleforum, a teleforum participant may request active participation in the teleforum. The method also includes allowing the participant to actively participate in the teleforum. Active participation may include but is not limited to such activities as: speaking to the teleforum, asking a question, responding to a poll, making a donation, providing information, leaving a message, being transferred to a subconference, receiving feedback from participants, leaving a voicemail, volunteering for future activities or receiving media transmitted outside of the teleforum.

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, and a crown. The crown may include a substantially horizontally-oriented forward crown region extending rearwardly from the ball striking face. The crown further may include a primary recessed feature located rearward of the forward crown region and extending from the heel to the toe of the club head. The recessed feature may have a floor and a front wall extending upward from the floor to the forward crown region. The crown may further include a substantially horizontally-oriented rearward crown region extending forwardly from the rear of the club head. The recessed feature may be located between the forward crown region and the rearward crown region. A back wall of the recessed feature may extend upward from the floor to the rearward crown region.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head that includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. A face member formed primarily of a metallic material forms the face, and a body member is connected to the face member and extends rearward from the face member to form at least a portion of the body. The body member is formed at least partially of a polymer material, and has a doped portion containing a doping material dispersed within the polymer material. The doping material may have a different density than the polymer material, such that the doped portion has a different density than the portions of the body member not containing the doping material. A co-molding method may be used to form the ball striking device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head having features that permit adjustment to the principal moment of inertia angle, the center of gravity location, turf interaction, loft, and overall club forgiveness. In particular, the golf club head includes a rear cavity sized to receive a weight cartridge composed of one or more materials, the adjustment of which changes one or more of the mass properties of the golf club head and also changes the interaction of the golf club head with turf during play. The weight cartridge may comprise one or more high density materials, and may be located in or proximate the sole.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.

Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a face portion, a sole portion, a side portion, a crown portion, and a hozel portion. A main portion of the crown portion is made of a fiber reinforced resin. The fiber reinforced resin portion includes a bulk molding compound (BMC) molded body. At least the face portion, a leading edge of the crown portion continuous with the face portion, and a center portion of the sole portion in a toe-heel direction are made of a metal. Alternatively to this configuration, the face portion may be provided with a metal faceplate, a portion subsequent to the face portion may include a BMC molded body, and a rear portion of the crown portion may include a molded laminate of prepreg sheets. The height of center of gravity may be 24 mm or less.

Abstract: A putter-type golf club head having a face insert comprising a metal sheet and a urethane backing is disclosed herein. The metal sheet, which makes contact with a golf ball during use, includes a plurality of oval-shaped holes extending through the entire thickness of the sheet and having a specific size and spacing, and the urethane backing has a hardness that optimizes performance of the face insert, and thus the putter.

Abstract: A golf club iron having a head center of gravity that is low and forward enough to provide a better swing, good striking and swinging feel, and improved ball flight is disclosed. The iron has a recess in a leading edge region and a high density insert disposed within the recess to achieve the desired center of gravity location.

Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs and/or golf club heads include: (a) a golf club head base member including a face member having a ball striking face; and (b) a polymeric body member engaged with the golf club head base member, wherein the polymeric body member is formed via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process) and/or engaged with the golf club head base member via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process). The polymeric body member forms at least a portion of a crown member of the club head in some structures.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf dub head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head having features that permit adjustment to the principal moment of inertia angle, the center of gravity location, and overall club forgiveness. In particular, the golf club head includes a rear cavity sized to receive a weight cartridge composed of one or more materials, the adjustment of which changes one or more of the mass properties of the golf club head and may change the interaction of the golf club head with turf during play, and a composite face plate. The weight cartridge may comprise one or more high density materials, and may be located in or proximate the sole.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.

Abstract: A golf club with a new innovative construction to attach a high density weight to an external surface of the sole of a golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention relates to utilizing a thickened sole portion having a specific surface area to thickness ratio to provide adequate support for a high density weight having a significant amount of mass. The new innovative method of attachment also incorporates a unique mechanical lock to properly secure the high density weight to the club head, as materials used for high density weighting may not be easily weldable to the titanium material currently used for metalwood type golf club head. The present invention's mechanical lock mechanism utilizes a protruding extension stemming from an internal surface of the weight and an attachment socked located within an internal cavity of the golf club head to engage one another to help secure the weight to the golf club head.

Abstract: A golf club head comprises a metal member made of at least one kind of metal material and a resin member made of a resin material welded to the metal member. A method for manufacturing the golf club head comprises a step of welding the resin member to the metal member.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.

Abstract: A method for forming a golf club head having a volume of approximately 460 cubic centimeters, the method comprising the steps of casting a face component, attaching a bonding flange, stamping a metal sheet of titanium alloy to form a sole component, welding the sole component to the face component to create a golf club head subassembly having a weld line of approximately six inches and polishing the weld line.

Abstract: An approach is provided for coating a golf club head with a material. The approach involves securing a first golf club head component to a second golf club head component using an adhesive, resulting in a golf club head main body having an exterior surface. The approach further includes physical vapor depositing at least one layer on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the golf club head main body at a temperature less than a melting point of the adhesive.

Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is assembled from a front component (4) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?1, a rear component (5) made of a fiber reinforced resin having a specific gravity ?2 lower than the specific gravity ?1, a toe-side component (6) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?3 higher than the specific gravity ?1, and a heel-side component (7) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?4 higher than the specific gravity ?1.

Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.

Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a hosel to receive a golf club shaft; (b) a club head; and (c) a ball striking face. The club head include may include: a plurality of weights, a plurality of tubes, and an exterior cover structure (e.g., an exterior skin) that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes, and wherein the exterior cover structure defines the shape of the club head. Additionally, the ball striking face may be engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and/or at least two of the tubes. The plurality of weights may include a first weight, a second weight, a third weight, and a fourth weight that are all engaged with the striking face.

Abstract: A club head manufacture method has steps of: (a) providing a sole base, a crown cover and a striking face plate; (b) assembling a club head; (c) fore-welding the club head; (d) post-welding the club head; and (e) grinding an outer surface of the club head. When the club head is fabricated, the sole base and the crown cover are respectively mounted on the striking face plate and aligned precisely to save the fabricating time of the club head and increase fabricating accuracy. Therefore, the method can save manufacturing cost. Furthermore, it can increase the accuracy and constancy for the manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A cavity back golf club and golf club head having one or more support brackets is disclosed. Each support bracket includes a first portion engaged with the rear surface of the striking face, a second portion engaged with the perimeter weighting member, and a third portion that is curved. The one or more of the support brackets are engaged with a rear surface of a striking face and a perimeter weight member of the golf club head. The one or more support brackets are at least partially located in a rear cavity of the golf club head. The support brackets provide structural integrity to a thin striking face on the golf club head. Additionally, a discretionary weight is engaged with the at least one of the support brackets at the toe portion of the golf club head.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head is formed with a cross-sectional profile having a varying thickness. The face plate comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. At least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated prepreg strips arranged in a predetermined criss-cross pattern in the lay-up. The prepreg strips create one or more areas of increased thickness where the strips overlap each other, thereby creating a desired profile for the plate. Metallic or polymer covers or cover layers can be used to define a striking surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with a plurality stress zones and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a crown portion, the crown portion including a fixed portion proximal to the ball striking face, and a removable weight portion, which is configured to be coupled with the fixed portion on a side of the crown portion away from the ball striking face. The club head body may further include an interior portion with a frame member defined therein. The crown weight may further include a weight member attached to the frame member, the weight member including at least one receptacle defined therein. The removable weight portion may further include at least one weight insert supported within the weight member in the at least one receptacle.

Abstract: A golf club head comprising a body having a crown, a sole and a hollow interior, a striking plate insert attached to the body, the striking plate insert being composed of a material having a density greater that that of the body, and a weighting member, wherein a center of gravity of the golf club head is located less than approximately 1.7 inches from an exterior surface of the striking plate insert.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head is formed with a cross-sectional profile having a varying thickness. The face plate comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. At least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated prepreg strips arranged in a predetermined criss-cross pattern in the lay-up. The prepreg strips create one or more areas of increased thickness where the strips overlap each other, thereby creating a desired profile for the plate. Metallic or polymer covers or cover layers can be used to define a striking surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. The face plate can be made by first forming an oversized lay-up of multiple prepreg plies having a central portion and a sacrificial portion surrounding the central portion. The lay-up is at least partially cured in a mold under elevated pressure and heat. The lay-up is then removed from the mold and the sacrificial portion is removed from the central portion to form a composite part that is substantially free of defects.

Abstract: A golf club head with a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening is described. A face insert support structure is located at the front opening. The support structure includes a peripheral member and a rear support member. The rear support member has a front surface and a rear surface. A face insert is attached at the front opening and closes the front opening of the body. An undercut fill structure is attached to a portion of the rear surface of the rear support member.

Abstract: The invention prevents a resin member from being broken so as to improve durability. The invention provides a golf club head (1) in which at least a part of a crown portion (4) forming an upper surface of the head is formed by a resin member (FR) made of a fiber reinforced resin in which a fiber is oriented in a matrix resin. The resin member (FR) includes a one-way fiber reinforced resin layer in which the fiber is oriented in one direction, and a fiber intersection lamination portion which is laminated so as to differentiate a direction of the fiber. At least two one-way fiber reinforced resin layers which are adjacent in a thickness direction are intersected at an angle of 30 to 130 degrees of the fiber. Further, a compressive strength of the fiber of the one-way fiber reinforced resin layer which is arranged in an innermost side in the fiber intersection lamination portion is set to be equal to or more than 1.3 GPa.

Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.

Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is assembled from a front component (4) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?1, a rear component (5) made of a fiber reinforced resin having a specific gravity ?2 lower than the specific gravity ?1, a toe-side component (6) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?3 higher than the specific gravity ?1, and a heel-side component (7) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?4 higher than the specific gravity ?1.