Abstract
A golf club head is provided with a body that has an address position with a zero degree bounce portion on the sole and a center sole position with a multi-relief surface of the sole having a negative bounce portion. The negative bounce portion may comprise a negative 0.5 to a negative 4.0 degree surface. In one embodiment, the multi-relief surface may comprise the negative bounce portion and a cutaway portion extending to the back of the sole, which may have a depth of about 0.05 to 0.5 inch from a regular sole surface. In another embodiment, the golf club head includes a weight system to adjust the center of gravity. In one embodiment, the weight system is a tube having a weight at one end that may be inserted into the golf club head to move the center of gravity at least forward and backward within 6 mm and up and down within 6 mm. Preferably, the tube is angled downward toward the face by at least 3 degrees.
Claims
1. A golf club head, the club head comprising: a body having a face, a sole, a crown and a skirt joining the face, sole and crown, the body having a heel end and a toe end, wherein the sole of the golf club head further comprises a multi-relief surface, wherein the multi-relief surface further comprises; a leading edge at a frontal portion of the multi-relief surface, adjacent to the face; a negative bounce portion, located rearward of the leading edge, aligned with a hosel portion of said golf club in the toe to heel direction, with the entire negative bounce portion having a negative bounce angle head; and a cutaway portion at least partially adjacent to the rear of the negative bounce portion; wherein the cutaway portion has a different bounce angle than the negative bounce portion and wherein the entire cutaway portion forms a depression on the sole of the golf club head, and wherein at least a portion of the cutaway portion extends from the negative bounce portion to a trailing edge of the golf club head.
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a boundary between the negative bounce portion and the cutaway portion forms a step in depth.
3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the negative bounce portion has the negative bounce angle of between about negative 0.5 degrees to negative 4.0 degrees.
4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a depth of the cutaway portion is not constant.
5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the negative bounce portion has a variable bounce angle.
6. A golf club head, the club head comprising: a body having a face, a sole, a crown and a skirt joining the face, sole and crown, the body having a heel end and a toe end, wherein the body has an address position further comprises; a center sole portion located rearward of the face, wherein the center sole portion further comprises a negative bounce portion aligned with a hosel portion of said golf club in the toe to heel direction, a cutaway portion at least partially adjacent to the rear of the center sole portion of the sole, and a weighting system further comprising a tube and a weight located within the cutaway portion, wherein at least a portion of the cutaway portion extends from the center sole portion to a trailing edge of the golf club head.
7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the weighting system is orientated along a plane defined by a y-axis and a z-axis in a forward and aft direction.
8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the weighting system is angled by an angle δ of at least 1 degree from the plane W formed by the z-axis and a x-axis.
9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the weighting system is angled by an angle δ of at least 3 degree from the plane W formed by the z-axis and a x-axis.
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the weighting system is angled by an angle δ of at between 3 to 7 degrees from the plane W formed by the z-axis and a x-axis.
11. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the weighting system could be flipped such that the tube is able to be inserted into the club head with the weight in two or more directions.
12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein a center of gravity of the golf club head is able to be moved along the z-axis and the y-axis as an orientation of the weighting system is reversed.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Preferred features of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a club head of the present invention;
(3) FIG. 2 is bottom plan view of an embodiment of a club head of FIG. 1;
(4) FIG. 3A is a front plan view of an embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 1 at impact with a golf ball;
(5) FIG. 3B is a front plan view of an embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 1 at address;
(6) FIG. 4A is bottom plan view of an embodiment of a club head of FIG. 1;
(7) FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. 4 taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 4;
(8) FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. 4 taken along line 4C-4C in FIG. 4;
(9) FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. 4 taken along line 4D-4D in FIG. 4;
(10) FIG. 5 is a back view of the club head of FIG. 1;
(11) FIG. 6 is a heel side view of the club head of FIG. 1;
(12) FIG. 7A is a bottom plan view of a club head with the inventive sole of FIG. 1;
(13) FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the club head of FIG. 7A taken along line 7B-7B;
(14) FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of another alternative embodiment of a club head of the present invention;
(15) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a club head according to the present invention;
(16) FIG. 10A is a front plan view of a club head according to an embodiment of the club head of FIG. 9;
(17) FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. 10A, taken along lines 10B-10B;
(18) FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the club head according to an embodiment of FIG. 9;
(19) FIG. 12A is a front plan view of a club head according to an embodiment of the club head of FIG. 9;
(20) FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. 12A, taken along lines 12B-12B;
(21) FIG. 13 is a back perspective cut-out view of an embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 9;
(22) FIG. 14 is a back view of the club head of FIG. 13;
(23) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a weight tube according to the embodiment of the FIG. 13;
(24) FIG. 16 is a back perspective cut-out view of another embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 9;
(25) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a weight tube according to the embodiment of the FIG. 17;
(26) FIG. 18 is a back perspective cut-out view of another embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 9;
(27) FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 9;
(28) FIG. 20 is a front perspective cut-out view of another embodiment of a club head according to FIG. 9;
(29) FIG. 21 is a graph depicting the movement of the center of gravity along the y-axis and z-axis according to the embodiment of FIG. 13;
(30) FIG. 22 is a graph depicting the movement of the center of gravity along the y-axis and x-axis according to the embodiment of FIG. 13;
(31) FIG. 23 is a graph depicting the movement of the center of gravity along the y-axis and z-axis according to the embodiment of FIG. 16; and
(32) FIG. 24 is a graph depicting the movement of the center of gravity along the y-axis and x-axis according to the embodiment of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(33) FIG. 1 shows a golf club head 10 of the present invention. Club head 10 includes a body 12 having a strike face 14, a sole 16, a crown 18, a skirt 20 and a hosel 22. The body defines a hollow interior volume 24 (See FIGS. 4B-4D). Foam or other material may partially or completely fill the interior volume. Weights may be included within the interior volume. The face may be provided with grooves or score lines of varying design. The club head has a toe 26 and a heel 28.
(34) A golf club shaft (not shown) is attached at hosel 22 and is disposed along a shaft axis A-A. The hosel 22 may extend to the bottom of the club head 10, may terminate at a location between the sole and crown portions 16 and 18 of the head 10, or the hosel 22 may terminate flush with the crown portion 26.
(35) It is recommended that the inner volume 24 have a volume greater than 125 cubic centimeters, and more preferably greater than 175 cubic centimeters. Preferably, the mass of the inventive club head 10 is greater than 150 grams, but less than 220 grams; although the club head may have any suitable weight. The body 12 may be formed of sheets welded together or cast, preferably from steel, aluminum or titanium or any other suitable material or combination thereof.
(36) The strike face 14 may be made by milling, casting, forging or stamping and forming. The face 14 may be made of any suitable material, including titanium, titanium alloy, carbon steel, stainless steel, beryllium copper, and other metals or composites. The face 14 may have any suitable thickness, and may be uniform or varied. As will be appreciated, the face 14 may be connected to the body 12 by any suitable means, including bonding and welding. Alternatively, the body 12 and face 14 may be cast simultaneously forming a homogeneous shell and eliminating the need to bond or otherwise permanently secure a separate face 14 to the body 12. Alternatively, the sole 16 or crown 18 may be formed separately and fitted to the remainder of the body 12 as is known to those of skill in the art.
(37) The sole 16 preferably has a complex shape that accomplishes two objectives. The first objective is to provide a surface for the club head 10 to sit on in the address position that squares the face 14 to the target. The second objective is to provide a sole shape that gives more clearance to the ground at impact than would be available in a club head with a conventional sole. In order to achieve the first objective, an address portion or zero degree bounce portion 30 is provided. This portion is a sufficient area on the sole 16 on which the club head 10 may rest when placed at the address position by a golfer. The zero degree bounce portion 30 may be a flat portion provided on the sole 16. The zero degree bounce portion 30 may be directly centered behind the face 16 or, as illustrated, may be provided more toward the heel 28. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sole 16 has a zero degree bounce portion 30, such that at address the club head 10 rests at this point and the face 14 is square to the target. The zero degree bounce portion 30 enables the club head 10 to sit just as a conventional club head without a sole having a complex shape. Thus, the complex sole of the inventive club head 10 does not adversely affect the way the club head sits at address.
(38) In order to achieve the second objective, a portion of the sole 16 is relieved to give it a multi-relief surface 32 with a negative bounce. Preferably, a negative bounce portion 34 is provided on the sole 16 in a center portion that is spaced from the face 14 of the club head 10. Thus, the club head 10 has two areas of bounce. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the impact position I.sub.p of the club head 10 is different than an address position A.sub.p because the dynamics of the golf swing cause the shaft to flex at impact thereby moving the position of the club head 10. FIG. 3B illustrates the club head at address where the face is square to the target, the shaft axis A-A creates an angle with the ground G called the shaft angle β.sub.a. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, during impact, the club head is rotated a few degrees upright, and the shaft axis A-A creates a different angle with the ground G called shaft angle β.sub.i.
(39) It will be appreciated that in one embodiment the toe 26 may be up at least 5 degrees at a first measurement, for example when the club head 10 sits at address, such that the face 14 measures square. At a second measurement, for example during impact with a golf ball, taken at a centered position the face 14 measures differently than the first measurement. For example, the face 14 may measure at least two degrees more open at the second measurement than the first measurement, or at least two degrees open at the second measurement than the first measurement. The centered position may comprise the negative bounce portion 34, which may be a substantially flat surface. When the first measurement occurs at the address position, the shaft angle β.sub.a preferably measures about 55 to 45 degrees. When the second measurement occurs at impact of the club head 10 with a golf ball, the shaft angle β.sub.i measures about 55 degrees to 60 degrees.
(40) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sole 16 features a multi-relief surface 32 to provide greater ground clearance at the trailing edge 36 of the sole 16 to minimize turf resistance. With this construction, the ground/sole contact point remains forward toward the leading edge 38 of the strike face 14. Maintaining a forward ground/sole contact point improves directional control and ball flight, by reducing the potential of the club head 10 to bounce or skip onto the ball. This is particularly true of players that play the ball forward in their stance, or who sweep the ball from the turf with a shallow angle of attack. Preferably, the multi-relief surface 32 sole features the negative bounce portion 32 and a cutaway portion 40.
(41) The negative bounce portion 34 may have any desired overall shape; preferably the negative bounce portion 34 has a triangular shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 4A-4D illustrates the negative bounce portion 34 and cutaway portion 40 in the sole 16. Cross-sectional views illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4D show cutaway portion 40 in comparison with the regular surface 42 of a conventional club head sole. FIG. 4B illustrates the cross-sectional view of the center section of the club head 10 with the negative bounce portion 34 and cutaway portion 40 in comparison with the regular surface of a conventional club head sole 42.
(42) The cutaway portion 40 extends from the negative bounce portion 34 to the trailing edge 36 of to the club head 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 4B-D, the cutaway portion 40 continues and may gradually increase the negative surface from the plane S running along the bottom of the sole. Preferably, the cutaway portion 40 has a depth d.sub.cp of about 0.05 to 0.5 inch from the regular surface of a conventional club head sole 42; this depth may or may not be constant. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the back 44 and heel 28 of the club head. The full extent of the cutaway portion 40 can be envisioned.
(43) FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate the sole 16 of the club head 10 and a cross-sectional view through line 7B-7B which illustrates the multi-relief surface 32 of the sole 16. The negative bounce portion 34 is spaced a distance D1 from the strike face, where D1 is preferably about 0.1 to 1.0 inch. More preferably, D1 is about 0.35 to 0.65 inch from the strike face 14 of the club head 10. The distance D1 may be different for different club heads as it may depend on the face progression and the loft of the club head. As illustrated, the negative bounce portion 34 comprises a surface having an angle α from a plane S running along the bottom of the sole 16 parallel to the z-axis of a coordinate system running through the club head. The negative bounce portion 34 comprises about a negative 0.5 to a negative 4.0 degree surface, such that the angle α is about negative 0.5 to 4.0 degrees from the plane S. Preferably, the negative bounce portion 34 comprises about a negative 2.0 degree surface. It will be appreciated that the negative bounce portion 34 may have a constant angle or may have an angle that varies toward the back of the sole. The negative bounce portion 34 may have locations with multiple radii.
(44) As illustrated, the multi-relief surface 32 includes both the negative bounce portion 34 and the cutaway portion 40 and these form a triangular shape. The triangular shape forms an angle φ, angle φ is preferably about 35 to 50 degrees, and more preferably about 38 to 44 degrees. The negative bounce portion 34 and cutaway portion 40 have a length L, length L is preferably about 1 to 5 inches, and more preferably about 2 to 4 inches.
(45) FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment for the sole 16. The club head 46 features a multi-relief sole 32 as described above. The multi-relief sole features the negative bounce portion 34 and the cutaway portion 40. It will be appreciated that the negative bounce portion 34 and cutaway portion 40 may have any suitable shape.
(46) In general, to increase the sweet spot, the center of gravity of the club head is moved toward the bottom and back of the club head. This permits an average golfer to launch the ball up in the air faster and hit the ball farther. In addition, the moment of inertia of the club head is increased to minimize the distance and accuracy penalties associated with off-center hits. In order to move the weight down and back without increasing the overall weight of the club head, material or mass is generally taken from one area of the club head and moved to another. Materials can be taken from the face of the club, creating a thin club face, the crown and/or sole and placed toward the back of the club.
(47) FIG. 9 illustrates a top of a club head 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Club head 50 includes a body 52 having a strike face 54, a sole 56 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), a crown 58, a skirt 60 and a hosel 62. The body defines a hollow interior volume 64 (See FIGS. 10B and 12B). The face may be provided with grooves or score lines of varying design. The club head has a toe 66 and a heel 68.
(48) FIG. 9 illustrates the center of gravity (c.g.) along the x-axis and z-axis. In order to improve playability of the club head 50 it is desired to be able to move the c.g. within the club head 50 to a more optimal position. Preferably, the club head 50 features a weight system 70 (see FIGS. 10A-10B and 12A-12B) to move the c.g. within the club head 50 to a more optimal position. Preferably, the c.g. is movable within a 6 mm distance along the z-axis in comparison to a club head without the weight system. More preferably, the c.g. is movable within a 4 mm distance along the z-axis. The c.g. may be movable within a 6 mm distance along the x-axis in comparison to a club head without the weight system, more preferably within a 2 mm distance, and still more preferably within a 0.5 mm distance. Additionally, the c.g. is moveable within a 6 mm distance along the y-axis in comparison to a club head without the weight system (See FIGS. 10A-10B and 12A-12B). Preferably the c.g. is moveable within a 2 mm distance along the y-axis.
(49) The c.g. adjustability may not substantially affect the dynamic loft of the club head. For example, for a 3 mm front-back c.g. shift the dynamic loft changes about 0.4 degrees. When the c.g. is moved back, the backspin may increase, for example between 100 and 300 rpm per 3 mm of c.g. movement toward the rear of the club head.
(50) FIG. 10A illustrates the front face 54 of the club head showing the x-axis and the y-axis. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10B-10B of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B depicts the inside of the club head featuring a weight system 70 according to the invention, and the c.g. may be moved along the z axis and y axis.
(51) FIG. 10B depicts the weight system 70 as a tube 72 placed within the club head 50 within a plane formed by the y-axis and z-axis to adjust the c.g. of the club head. As illustrated in FIG. 11, it will be appreciated that more than one tube 72 may be provided within the club head 50. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the weight system 70 features a tube 72 with a weight 74 at one end 76 of the tube 72. As shown in FIG. 10B, the weight 74 is placed the back of the club head 50 to move the c.g. to a desired location for desirable ball flight. When the weight 74 is located at a back of the club head 50, a shot hit off the club head 50 has increased backspin and a higher launch angle resulting in a softer landing. In an alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that the tube 72 may feature multiple inserts varying in weight for placement within the tube 72 to move the c.g. of the club head 50 to a desired location.
(52) As illustrated, the tube 72 is preferably provided at an angle within the club head 50. The tube 72 is angled downward toward the face 54 of the club head 50, such that the tube 72 is provided within the plane formed by the z-axis and y-axis. The tube 72 may be angled by an angle δ, where δ is at least 1 degree from the plane W formed by the z axis and x axis. Preferably, the tube is angled downward toward the face 54 by at least 3 degrees from the plane W formed by the z-axis and x-axis. More preferably, the tube 72 is angled downward toward the face of the club head 50 by about 3 to 7 degrees from the plane W formed by the z-axis and x-axis. It will be appreciated that although the tube 72 is described herein as being provided within a plane formed by the y-axis and z-axis, the tube 72 may be offset in either direction from that plane by any desired amount.
(53) Now referring to FIG. 12A-12B, it will be appreciated that the tube 72 may be flipped within the club head 50, such that the weight 74 is provided at the other end 76 of the club head 50, closer to the face 54, to move the c.g to a different location for desirable ball flight. When the weight 74 is located at a front of the club head 50 a shot hit off the club head 50 has less backspin and a lower trajectory resulting in a shallower landing for increased distance. It will be appreciated that the tube 72 itself may be able to be inserted in the club head with the weight 74 in either direction, or that different tubes 72 may be selectable with the weight 74 at the desired end and then provided in the club head.
(54) It will be appreciated that a club having the weight system 70, such as the tube 72 and weight 74, may also include the multi-relief surface 32 on the sole 56 as described above. For example, in FIGS. 10B and 12B the sole 56 may feature a multi-relief surface 32 with a negative bounce portion 34 and a cutaway portion 40 as described above. It will also be appreciated that the angle δ of the tube may be substantially parallel to the multi-relief surface 32.
(55) FIG. 13 illustrates how the tube 72 may be inserted into the club head 50. A sheath 78 extending from a block 79 in the club head 50 receives the tube 72 with the weight 74, and a fastener 80 locks the tube 72 in place within the club head 50. The tube 72 is fastened to the outside of the club head 50 substantially flush with an outer surface 82 of the club head, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
(56) FIG. 15 illustrates the tube 72 according to the embodiment of FIG. 13. The weight 74 is provided at an end 76 of the tube 72. It will be appreciated that the tube 72 and weight 74 may be joined by threaded engagement, epoxy, mechanical lock or other joining method. The weight 74 may comprise tungsten or any other suitable material. The weight 74 has a mass of about 10 to 25 grams. The combined mass of the tube 72 and weight 74 is about 20 to 40 grams. Preferably, the tube 72 comprises aluminum, although any other suitable material may be used.
(57) It is envisioned that the orientation of the tube 72 may be set during manufacture, may be modified by the user, or may be modifiable by the manufacturer or a designated fitting location. The tube 72 has a diameter t.sub.d of about 0.3 to 0.5 inch and a length t.sub.l of about 2 to 3 inches. It will be appreciated that more than one tube 72 could be provided in the club head 50 at any one time as illustrated in FIG. 11, or that multiple tubes 72 with a different mass may be provided to the user or fitting location.
(58) FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment for placement of the tube 72 within the club head 50. In this embodiment, the tube 72 has threads 84 on both ends 86 and 88 that interlock in threaded engagement to the mating threads 90 on a block 92 inside the club head adjacent the face 54 and threads 94 on a block 96 adjacent the skirt 60 of the club head 50. The tube 72 is fastened to the inside of the club head 50 adjacent the face 54. It is envisioned that the orientation of the tube 72 may be set during manufacture, may be modified by the user, or may be modifiable by the manufacturer or a designated fitting location.
(59) FIG. 17 illustrates the tube 72 of the embodiment of FIG. 16 showing the dual threaded ends 86 and 88 of the tube that may be inserted in either direction into the club head 50 and threadedly received adjacent the face 54. The tube 72 has a diameter t.sub.d and a length t.sub.l as described above and the weight 74 and tube 72 have a similar mass as described above. The exterior of the tube 72 would align substantially flush with the outer surface 82 of the club head 50.
(60) FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment for the weight system 70 where a weight 98 may be slid along a pipe 100 provided in the club head 50. The exterior surface 102 of the sole 56 of the club head 50 may feature a mechanism 104 to move the weight 98 along the pipe 100 to the desired location to move the c.g. for the desired ball flight as described above. Alternatively, the position of the weight 98 on the pipe 100 may be set during manufacture of the club head.
(61) FIG. 19 features another alternative embodiment for the weight system 70. This embodiment features two or more cavities 106 in the sole 56 of the club head 50 for receiving inserts 108. The cavities 106 may be placed in any desired location on the club head 50. As illustrated, the three cavities 106 are provided along an axis O offset from the x-axis. The cavities 106 may be aligned parallel to the x-axis or may be offset in either direction. The cavities 106 may be provided on an axis O offset from the x-axis by 0 to 90 degrees in either direction. The back portion 110 of the club head may feature deeper cavities 106 to mimic the angle of the tube 72 described above relative to the plane formed by the z-axis and x-axis. The inserts 108 may have different mass and may be placed in the different cavities 106 to move the c.g. to a desired location. The inserts 108 may be movable by the user, or they may be set at the time of manufacture or modifiable in a fitting environment.
(62) FIG. 20 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the weighting system 70 for moving the center of gravity along the y-axis. As illustrated, the club head 50 features a vertical cavity 112 extending from the sole 56 into the hollow volume 64 of the club head. The cavity 112 may be placed in any desired location in the sole 56, for example centered along the width of the face 54 and located more toward the back of the club head 50, as illustrated. A weight 114 is made to fit within the cavity 112, such that it mates securely within the cavity 112. It will be appreciated that the weight 114 may be secured in the cavity in any suitable manner, including threaded engagement, epoxy, mechanical lock, or other joining method. As illustrated, the cavity 112 is cylindrical and the weight 114 is a corresponding cylindrical plug, although it will be appreciated that the weight 114 and mating cavity 112 may be any suitable shape and size. The weight 114 features a heavy end 116 and a lighter end 118. The heavy or lighter end 116 and 118 may be placed closer to the sole 56 to move the c.g. to the desired location along the y-axis. It is envisioned that the orientation of the orientation of the weight 114 may be set during manufacture, may be modified by the user, or may be modifiable by the manufacturer or a designated fitting location. This embodiment may assist in isolating just one attribute, moving the c.g. along the y-axis, thereby making club fitting more straight forward.
(63) As illustrated in FIG. 21, the movement of the c.g. is illustrated based on the construction of FIG. 13. It illustrates the movement of the c.g. along the y-axis and z-axis between a normal Titleist 904F fairway wood without a weight system, a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 13 having the weight 74 in the back of the club head 50, and a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 13 having the weight 74 in the front of the club head 50. FIG. 21 illustrates the relative position of the c.g. along the y-axis and z-axis for these various club heads.
(64) As illustrated in FIG. 22, the movement of the c.g. is illustrated based on the construction of FIG. 13. It illustrates the movement of the c.g. along the y-axis and x-axis between a normal Titleist 904F fairway wood without a weight system, a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 13 having the weight 74 in the back of the club head 50, and a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 13 having the weight 74 in the front of the club head 50. FIG. 22 illustrates the relative position of the c.g. along the y-axis and x-axis for these various club heads.
(65) As illustrated in FIG. 23, the movement of the c.g. is illustrated based on the construction of FIG. 16. It illustrates the movement of the c.g. along the y-axis and z-axis between a normal Titleist 904F fairway wood without a weight system, a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 16 having the weight 74 in the back of the club head 50, and a club head 74 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 16 having the weight 74 in the front of the club head 50. FIG. 23 illustrates the relative position of the c.g. along the y-axis and z-axis for these various club heads.
(66) As illustrated in FIG. 24, the movement of the c.g. is illustrated based on the construction of FIG. 16. It illustrates the movement of the c.g. along the y-axis and x-axis between a normal Titleist 904F fairway wood without a weight system, a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 16 having the weight 74 in the back of the club head 50, and a club head 50 with the weight system 70 of FIG. 16 having the weight 74 in the front of the club head 50. FIG. 24 illustrates the relative position of the c.g. along the y-axis and x-axis for these various club heads. The locations of the c.g. shown in FIGS. 21-24 were calculated using a commercially available CAD (computer aided design) system.
(67) While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features of each embodiment could be used alone or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein. For example, the multi-relief surface sole may be combined in one club head with the weight system to move the c.g. of the club head. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention might occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.
