Abstract:
An iron-type golf club includes a conventional-weight section, a lightweight section and a heavyweight section. The conventional-weight section includes the hitting face and at least a portion of the hosel. The heavyweight section, made of a denser material than the conventional-weight section, includes the sole and an optional back flange. The lightweight section, made of a material less dense than either of the other sections, includes a core to which the other two sections are secured, such as by co-molding the core to the other two sections. In the co-molding context, the components need not be constrained by their respective weight and density, but could be classified more generically as having a pre-formed component and a molding component irrespective of the densities of the components.
Abstract:
A process for the custom design and automated, custom manufacture of golf clubs. According to a first embodiment, a computer user interface, preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), guides a user's selection of preferred golf club design parameters. According to a second embodiment, input data about a golfer's style of play and golf club performance needs are captured from data collection systems, and analyzed by black box algorithms, preferably fuzzy logic algorithms, to infer golf club design parameters. After preferences for, or inferences about, golf club design parameters are developed in accordance with the two embodiments, a computer aided (CA) system is used to design and manufacture the desired golf clubs.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances using a profiled cutter.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions including a first portion that interfaces the striking surface with a variety of configurations.
Abstract:
A golf club including a club head having a club head main body including a hitting face and a face support, and a support extension. The support extension extends between the face support and a back flange to define a lower cavity.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for determining the kinematic characteristics of a golf club head are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one piezoelectric component selectively positioned within or upon a club head. The piezoelectric component is preferably positioned to the rear of the center of gravity, and near the midpoint of the face of the club head. During a golf club swing, the piezoelectric component determines the acceleration and deceleration of the golf club head. When the club head impacts an object such as a golf ball, the piezoelectric component is also operable to determine the velocity of the club head. It may also be desirable for the piezoelectric component to determine the magnitude of vibration during impact. In this manner, the piezoelectric component may function determine the efficiency of a golf club swing.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a number of customized sets of iron-type golf clubs selected from a relatively small number of clubs. The multiple custom-fitted iron sets can be achieved by pivoting these sets off a common 6-iron. In a preferred embodiment, a portfolio of clubs contains seventeen forged iron-type golf clubs, wherein the clubs are a blended collection of oversized cavity back-type clubs, mid-sized clubs, and standard-sized muscle back-type clubs, which can be configured to create at least four custom-fitted iron sets pivoted off a common 6-iron.
Abstract:
Forged cavity back iron-type clubs and oversize clubs are disclosed. These forged clubs have thin, durable hitting face and relatively large cavity volumes. These clubs have high rotational moments of inertia to minimize distance and accuracy penalties associated with off-center hits. Long irons with hitting face of about 0.100 inch thick are achievable by the present invention. Also disclosed are forged irons made from stainless steels and annealed to achieve the desired hardness and ductility. Further, an interchangeable pin suitable for use in the manufacture of any of a set of iron-type clubs without re-tooling is disclosed. The pin is sized and configured to fit within a through-bore such that an adhesive such as a flexible epoxy may be placed within the gaps to provide a vibration dampening effect.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are muscle-back iron golf clubs that have improved mass qualities to provide higher rotational moments of inertia and lower center of gravity while retaining the workability of muscle-back irons and the size, shape and dimensions preferred by tour players and low handicap players.
Abstract:
An iron-type golf club includes a conventional-weight section, a lightweight section and a heavyweight section. The conventional-weight section includes the hitting face and at least a portion of the hosel. The heavyweight section, made of a denser material than the conventional-weight section, includes the sole and an optional back flange. The lightweight section, made of a material less dense than either of the other sections, includes a core to which the other two sections are secured, such as by co-molding the core to the other two sections. The heavyweight section includes anchoring structures to which the lightweight section can securely attach. This arrangement maintains the overall weight of the club head compared to a similarly proportioned conventional club head while shifting the center of gravity low and aft. As such, the club head provides benefits such as forgiveness for thin shots, heel/toe shots, and provides longer drives with less roll.