U.S. patent application number 11/113058 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for golf club head with adjustable center of mass.
Invention is credited to Mondher Latiri.
Application Number | 20060240907 11/113058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37187642 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060240907 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Latiri; Mondher |
October 26, 2006 |
Golf club head with adjustable center of mass
Abstract
The golf club head with an adjustable center of mass provides
for player adjustment of club action according to the position of
an adjustable weight or mass within the club head. A hollow, "metal
wood" type club head includes an open receptacle in the sole wall,
with an L-shaped arm and mass installing in the receptacle. The arm
includes a club head attachment end that attaches within the
receptacle, and a weighted end, which extends into the interior of
the club head. The L-shaped arm may be turned about its mounting
axis to orient the weight or mass to the front, rear, left, or
right within the club head, or to some intermediate position
therebetween. The adjustably positionable mass alters the
collective center of gravity of the assembly to affect the draw,
fade, and loft tendencies of the club, as well as affecting the
vibratory characteristics of the club.
Inventors: |
Latiri; Mondher; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD
PO BOX 15035
CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
37187642 |
Appl. No.: |
11/113058 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/334 ;
473/338; 473/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0433 20200801;
A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B 2053/0491 20130101;
A63B 53/0466 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/334 ;
473/338; 473/345 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/06 20060101
A63B053/06 |
Claims
1. A golf club head with an adjustable center of mass, comprising:
a golf club head having at least a sole plate, the sole plate
having an open weight installation receptacle formed therethrough,
a club face defining the front of said golf club head, a rear
portion opposite the club face, a heel portion having a hosel
extending therefrom, and a toe portion opposite the heel portion,
the head having a hollow interior; and a unitary, monolithic,
generally L-shaped arm having a club head attachment leg
terminating in a club head attachment end and having a weighted leg
generally normal to the club head attachment leg terminating in a
weighted end opposite the club head attachment end, the L-shaped
arm being removably and adjustably secured within the weight
installation receptacle and hollow interior of said club head.
2. The golf club head according to claim 1, further including: an
index disposed externally upon the sole plate of said golf club
head and surrounding the weight installation receptacle; and an
indicator disposed upon the club head attachment end of said
L-shaped arm, corresponding with said index when said L-shaped arm
is installed within the weight installation receptacle.
3. The golf club head according to claim 1, further including at
least one detent disposed within the weight installation
receptacle, the club head attachment end of said L-shaped arm
having a configuration selectively engaging the at least one detent
of the weight installation receptacle and orienting the weighted
end of said L-shaped arm within said club head.
4. The golf club head according to claim 1, further including a
removable and adjustably positionable mass disposed upon the
weighted end of said L-shaped arm.
5. The golf club head according to claim 1, further including a
receptacle cap removably disposed over the weight installation
receptacle for securing said L-shaped arm therein when
installed.
6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least said
L-shaped arm is formed of a material selected from the group
consisting of a metal core having a vibration damping coating, and
a vibration damping material.
7. A golf club head with an adjustable center of mass, comprising:
a golf club head having at least a sole plate, the sole plate
having an open weight installation receptacle formed therethrough,
a club face defining the front of said golf club head, a rear
portion opposite the club face, a heel portion having a hosel
extending therefrom, and a toe portion opposite the heel portion,
the head having a hollow interior; a rotary mass adjustably
disposed within the hollow interior of said golf club head, said
rotary mass having at least a club head attachment end secured to
the weight installation receptacle; an index disposed externally
upon the sole plate of said golf club head and surrounding the
weight installation receptacle; and an indicator disposed upon the
club head attachment end of said rotary mass and corresponding with
said index when said rotary mass is installed within the weight
installation receptacle.
8. The golf club head according to claim 7, wherein said rotary
mass comprises a unitary, monolithic, generally L-shaped arm having
a club head attachment leg terminating in a club head attachment
end, and having a weighted leg normal to the club head attachment
leg terminating in a weighted end opposite the club head attachment
end.
9. The golf club head according to claim 7, further including at
least one detent disposed within the weight installation
receptacle, the club head attachment end of said rotary mass having
a configuration selectively engaging the at least one detent of the
weight installation receptacle and orienting the weighted end of
said rotary mass within said club head.
10. The golf club head according to claim 7, further including a
removable and adjustably positionable mass disposed upon the
weighted end of said rotary mass.
11. The golf club head according to claim 7, further including a
receptacle cap removably disposed over the weight installation
receptacle for securing said rotary mass therein when
installed.
12. The golf club head according to claim 7, wherein at least said
rotary mass is formed of a material selected from the group
consisting of a metal core having a vibration damping coating, and
a vibration damping material.
13. A golf club head with an adjustable center of mass, comprising:
a golf club head having at least a sole plate, the sole plate
having an open weight installation receptacle formed therethrough,
a club face defining the front of said golf club head, a rear
portion opposite the club face, a heel portion having a hosel
extending therefrom, and a toe portion opposite the heel portion,
the head having a hollow interior; a rotary mass adjustably
disposed within the hollow interior of said golf club head, said
rotary mass having at least a club head attachment end secured to
the weight installation receptacle; and at least one detent
disposed within the weight installation receptacle, the club head
attachment end of said rotary mass having a configuration
selectively engaging the at least one detent of the weight
installation receptacle and orienting the weighted end of said
rotary mass within said club head in a user-selectable
orientation.
14. The golf club head according to claim 13, wherein said rotary
mass comprises a unitary, monolithic, generally L-shaped arm having
a club head attachment leg terminating in a club head attachment
end and having a weighted leg normal to the club head attachment
leg terminating in a weighted end opposite the club head attachment
end.
15. The golf club head according to claim 13, further including: an
index disposed externally upon the sole plate of said golf club
head and surrounding the weight installation receptacle; and an
indicator disposed upon the club head attachment end corresponding
with said index when said rotary mass is installed within the
weight installation receptacle.
16. The golf club head according to claim 13, further including a
removable and adjustably positionable mass disposed upon the
weighted end of said rotary mass.
17. The golf club head according to claim 13, further including a
receptacle cap removably disposed over the weight installation
receptacle for securing said rotary mass therein when
installed.
18. The golf club head with an adjustable center of mass according
to claim 13, wherein at least said rotary mass is formed of a
material selected from the group consisting of a metal core having
a vibration damping coating, and a vibration damping material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to equipment and
implements used in the game of golf. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a golf club head with an adjustable center of
mass.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As the game of golf has become more popular, more has been
learned about the various subtleties and nuances involved in its
play. All golfers use clubs of two basic types in order to optimize
their play, i.e., "irons" and so-called "woods," named for the
historic compositions of their club heads. Irons were, and still
are, formed of a ferrous metal, with stainless steel being a common
material in modern clubs. "Woods" were historically formed of a
solid mass of wood (persimmon wood being a popular choice) with
somewhat larger and often more massive weighted club heads than
irons for use in driving the ball from the tee.
[0005] More modern "wood" club heads are usually not formed of wood
at all, but are often formed of thin wall, hollow metal castings or
forgings. Such club heads are generally called "metal woods," as
they have the external configuration of a historic wood club head
while being constructed of metal. The use of metal in the
construction of such club heads provides numerous advantages in
strength and durability, and the hollow head allows various masses
to be installed within the club head in order to affect its
performance.
[0006] In the past, various club manufacturers have made numerous
attempts to "fine tune" the action of a metal wood type club, by
installing various weights and masses within the club head.
Generally, these masses were immovably affixed within the head,
thus allowing no further tuning or adjustment of the effect of the
added weight or its position within the head of the club. A few
manufacturers have provided for movable or adjustable weights
within the club head in order to seek the potential advantages that
might be provided by such a configuration.
[0007] An example of a golf club head having a movable weight is
illustrated in French Patent No. 2,716,808, published on Sep. 8,
1995. A mallet-type golf putter is illustrated, having opposed
lateral bores to each side of the central club shaft attachment.
Weights may be installed in the bores adjacent to the central shaft
attachment area of the club head to affect the balance of the
putter. The weights are held in place by springs installed outboard
of the weights, holding the weights inwardly toward the attachment
end of the shaft. No rotary adjustable weight about a vertical axis
is apparent.
[0008] Japanese Patent No. 11-197,276, published on Jul. 27, 1999,
illustrates a metal wood-type club head having a pocket or
receptacle welded in place to the sole plate within the club head.
A weld-resistant metal is placed within the receptacle, prior to
welding. No adjustment of the location or quantity of the weight is
possible after installation.
[0009] Finally, Japanese Patent No. 2004-121,362 published on Apr.
22, 2004, illustrates further variations on a metal wood-type club
head having a fixed, non-adjustable weight or mass installed
therein.
[0010] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus, a golf club head with an adjustable center of
mass solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The golf club head with adjustable center of mass includes a
generally L-shaped arm having a club head attachment end and an
opposite mass attachment end. An open socket or receptacle is
provided in the sole of the club head, into which the club head
attachment end of the arm seats. A cover plate is installed over
the end of the arm and within the socket in order to preclude
capture of dirt and debris within the socket during use of the club
and to clamp the mass arm tightly within the receptacle. A series
of detents is provided within the socket, with the attachment end
of the arm having a mating configuration in order to lock the arm
at the desired one of a series of specific angles or positions in
the detents.
[0012] The arm may be adjusted to face forwardly, rearwardly, or to
the left or right relative to the club face, or at some
intermediate position between any of the above cardinal positions,
to adjust the action of the club. Orienting the mass toward the
hosel and shaft of the club places the mass of the club head
between the center of the club and hosel, and results in a hook or
draw (or correction of the opposite slice or fade). Positioning the
mass in the opposite direction will, of course, have the opposite
effect. Positioning the mass toward the front of the club head
results in a lower loft or arcuate flight of the ball when struck,
while positioning the mass toward the rear of the club head has the
opposite effect. The arm also affects the vibrational
characteristics of the club, depending upon the materials from
which the arm and its weight are formed.
[0013] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the golf club head
with adjustable center of mass according to the present invention,
showing the separation of the arm and weight from the club
head.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of the golf club head of
the present invention showing the initial position of the weight
and arm during installation into the club head.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the golf club head of
the present invention showing an intermediate position of the
weight and arm during installation into the club head.
[0017] FIG. 2C is a front elevation view of the golf club head of
the present invention showing the nearly completed installation of
the weight and arm into the club head.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a detailed, exploded bottom plan view of the arm
and mass of the golf club head of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the adjustable mass club
head of the present invention, showing a series of cardinal
positions for the adjustably positionable arm and mass therein.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the golf club head of the
present invention, showing the twisting effects on the club head
and shaft during a swing when the weight is oriented laterally.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the golf club head of the
present invention showing the rearward positioning of the
adjustable weight and corresponding bending of the shaft during a
swing.
[0022] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention is a hollow golf club head having an
adjustably positionable mass therein, providing the club head with
an adjustable collective center of mass. The adjustable center of
mass is used to adjust the loft, draw (hook) and fade (slice)
tendencies of the club and golfer combination during play.
[0024] FIG. 1 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of a
hollow "metal wood" club head 10 of the present invention, i.e., a
club head formed as a hollow, thin wall metal casting, but having
the form of a conventional wood club head (e.g., driver, three
wood, etc.) that would otherwise be formed of an essentially solid
block or laminates of wood. Accordingly, the club head 10 includes
a bottom or sole plate 12, a club face 14 at the front of the club
head 10, a rear club head portion 16, a heel portion 18 having a
club shaft hosel 20 extending therefrom, and a toe portion 22
opposite the heel portion 18. These various portions of the club
head 10, along with the closed upper surface or wall of the club
head 10, define a hollow interior 24 for the club head 10.
[0025] The hollow interior of the club head 10 is normally closed,
but is accessible by an open weight installation receptacle passage
26 formed through the sole plate 12 of the club head. The
receptacle passage 26 includes a recessed annular flange 28
surrounding the passage and extending inwardly toward the center of
the passage 26. The flange 28 includes at least one detent 30
thereon, serving to lock the position of the adjustably
positionable mass relative to the club head 10, as explained
further below. The larger diameter portion 32 of the receptacle 26
is threaded to accept a matingly threaded receptacle cap 34
therein, with the cap 34 also securing an adjustably positionable
mass immovably within the club head 10. The cap 34 is configured to
have its exterior surface disposed essentially flush with the sole
plate 12 of the club head 10 when the adjustable mass and cap 34
are properly secured in the club head.
[0026] A series of index markings, e.g., 36a through 36f (more or
fewer may be provided), may be provided surrounding the receptacle
26 on the sole plate 12 surface of the club head 10. Corresponding
legends, e.g., 38a through 38d (more or fewer may be provided), are
also provided surrounding the receptacle 26 and index markings 36a
through 36f, to indicate the proper orientation of the adjustably
positionable mass within the club head 10 in order to achieve the
desired effect or result.
[0027] An adjustably positionable rotary mass 40 is removably
installed within the club head 10 through the weight installation
receptacle 26. The rotary mass 40 has a unitary, monolithic,
generally L-shaped configuration, with a club head attachment leg
42 and club head attachment end 44, and an opposite weighted leg 46
and weighted end 48. The weighted leg 46 and its end 48 are
cantilevered from the club head attachment leg 42 and end 44, and
describe a circular path within the hollow interior volume 24 of
the club head 10 as the club head attachment end 44 is adjustably
rotated within its club head receptacle 26.
[0028] The club head attachment end 44 of the L-shaped rotary mass
40 is configured to fit closely within the base of the mass or
weight installation receptacle 26, adjacent the inset flange 28.
The club head attachment end 44 of the mass arm 40 has a generally
circular configuration, with a series of circumferentially disposed
notches 50 that engage the detent or detents 30 of the flange 28.
Preferably, several evenly spaced notches 50 are provided, allowing
the mass 40 to be positioned in any of several orientations within
the club head 10 radiating from the weight installation receptacle
26.
[0029] FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate the installation of the
L-shaped rotary mass 40 within the club head 10. In FIG. 2A, the
weighted leg 46 of the mass 40 has been inserted through the
receptacle opening or passage 26 and partially into the hollow
interior volume 24 of the club head 10. As the L-shaped weight or
mass 40 is inserted further into the interior 24 of the club head
10, it is turned as the elbow of the device, i.e., the juncture of
the two legs 42 and 46, passes through the opening 26. The mass arm
40 is finally installed in the position shown in broken lines in
FIG. 6, with the weighted leg 46 generally parallel to the sole
plate 12 of the club head and the club head attachment leg 42
extending inwardly into the club head 10 and generally normal to
the sole plate 12.
[0030] FIG. 3 provides an exploded detail plan view of the rotary
weight or mass 40 of the device, including a plan view of the club
head attachment end or flange 44. The club head attachment end 44
of the device, with its radial array of notches 50, which
selectively engage the detents 30 at the base of the receptacle 26,
are clearly shown in FIG. 3. While an array of twelve notches 50 is
shown, providing twelve different angular positions for the weight
arm 46 separated radially by thirty degrees each, it will be seen
that more or fewer such notches may be provided for finer or more
coarse positional adjustment of the weight 40, as desired.
[0031] It will be noted that a positional indicator 52 is disposed
across the external face of the club head attachment end 44 of the
rotary mass 40. The indicator 52 is preferably aligned with the
weight leg 46 of the device 40, so a golfer may determine at a
glance the orientation of the weight leg 46 within the hollow
volume 24 of the club head 10. The indicator 52 will point toward
one of the legends 38a through 38d disposed upon the sole plate 12
of the club head 10, and/or align with one of the index markings
36a through 36f, when the club head attachment end or flange 44 is
securely seated in the receptacle 26 of the club head 10. This
allows the golfer to readily determine the orientation of the
weighted leg 46 within the club head 10, and to judge the
corresponding characteristics of the club produced by a given
orientation of the mass arm 40 within the club head 10.
[0032] While the weight or mass arm 40 itself is formed as a
unitary, monolithic component, adjustment of the mass may be
provided by adjustably or removably affixing an additional weight
or mass 54 to the weighted leg end 48 of the device. The weighted
leg 46 includes a concentric internally tapered threaded passage
56, with the supplemental weight 54 having a correspondingly
tapered threaded shank 58 extending from its head 60. The threaded
shank 58 of the supplemental weight 54 is secured within the
threaded passage 56 of the weighted leg 46 of the rotary mass or
arm 40 and adjusted as desired to provide a longer or shorter
overall leg length, and thus a greater or smaller moment, for the
weighted leg 46 and supplemental mass 54. It will be seen that
further adjustment may be achieved by using different supplemental
masses, or by adding or removing washers or spacers (not shown)
between the head 60 of the supplemental weight 54 and the weight
leg end 48 of the rotary mass 40, as desired.
[0033] The above described mass arm 40 and its supplemental weight
or mass 54 may also provide benefits in the control of vibration of
the club head and shaft during a golf stroke, as well as having an
effect on the angle of the club face 14 when the ball is struck. It
will be seen that the hollow club head 10 and its shaft (not
shown), particularly in combination with the adjustably
positionable cantilevered mass arm 40, will have certain vibration
or resonance characteristics. These resonance or vibration
characteristics may be controlled or affected by adjusting the
material from which the rotatable mass arm 40 is formed, and/or
coating the arm 40, or at least the weighted leg portion 46, with a
vibration damping coating 62 (e.g., plastic of predetermined
density and hardness, etc.) Plastic or other suitable coating
material may be used where the mass 40 is formed of metal, or
alternatively the entire mass 40 may be formed of a unitary,
monolithic vibration damping material, as desired.
[0034] FIG. 4 provides a schematic bottom plan view of the present
golf club head 10, showing a series of four different positions for
the adjustable mass arm component 40 therein and corresponding
shift in the center of gravity of the club head 10. The original
center of gravity, CG.sub.0, is shown aligned with the club head
hosel 20. However, the installation and adjustment of the
adjustably positionable mass 40 of the present invention will shift
the collective center of gravity of the club head 10, and thus the
entire head and shaft assembly of the club, depending upon the
orientation of the weighted leg 46. If the weighted leg of the
adjustable mass is oriented forwardly, i.e., toward the club face
14, as indicated by weighted leg position 46.sub.1, the collective
center of gravity of the club head and mass assembly is also
shifted by a corresponding amount to a slightly forward location at
CG.sub.1. Alternatively, if the mass arm is turned 180.degree.
toward the back 16 of the club head to the position indicated by
leg 46.sub.2, the center of gravity is shifted by a corresponding
amount to approximately the position shown as CG.sub.2. Similar
changes occur when the weighted leg is shifted toward the heel 18
or toe 22 of the club head 10, with the heel orientation of the
weighted leg shown as 46.sub.3 and its corresponding center of
gravity at CG.sub.3, and the toe orientation of the leg shown as
46.sub.4 and corresponding center of gravity at CG.sub.4. Greater
or lesser displacements of the center of gravity may be provided,
depending upon the mass of the weighted leg 46 and its supplemental
weight (if any), and the mass of the club head 10 and its shaft,
particularly near the hosel 20.
[0035] FIG. 5 of the drawings provides a top plan view of the club
head 10, showing the effects of the club heel or club toe
orientation of the mass arm on the fade and draw (slice and hook)
characteristics of the club. In FIG. 5, two alternative positions
are shown for the weighted leg, i.e., inwardly toward the heel 18
or hosel 20 of the club head 10, as weighted leg position 46.sub.3,
and outwardly toward the toe portion 22 of the club head 10, as
weighted leg position 46.sub.4. These two weighted leg positions
46.sub.3 and 46.sub.4 are equivalent to the positions 46.sub.3 and
46.sub.4 shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
[0036] When the mass arm is turned inwardly to the position shown
as weighted leg 46.sub.3 in FIG. 5, the collective mass of the club
head and adjustable mass is shifted slightly inward, i.e., toward
the heel 18 and hosel 20 of the club head 10. The greater mass to
the inboard portion of the club head 10 results in a tendency for
that portion of the club head to lag slightly behind the outer
portion of the club head as the golfer accelerates the club head
during the swing. This causes the club face to be turned slightly
inward, i.e., toward the golfer, during the accelerating portion of
the swing, as indicated by the displaced club face position
14.sub.3 shown in broken lines in FIG. 5. (The angular displacement
of the club face due to this effect is greatly exaggerated in FIG.
5, for clarity in the drawing Fig.) This adjustment can be quite
valuable for a golfer who has a tendency to slice or fade the ball,
i.e., to strike the ball to produce a flight path angling to the
right of the ideal path (for a right-handed golfer).
[0037] When the mass arm is turned outwardly toward the toe 22 of
the club head 10, as shown by the weighted leg position 46.sub.4 in
FIG. 5, a generally opposite result occurs. The shifting of the
center of gravity of the club head and mass assembly toward the
outer portion or toe of the club head 10, as indicated by the
center of gravity position CG.sub.4 in FIG. 5, causes the outer
portion of the club head 10 to lag slightly as the club is
accelerated in its swing. This results in the club face 14 being
turned slightly outwardly away from the golfer, somewhat as shown
by the displaced face position 14.sub.4 in FIG. 5. It will be seen
that this serves to correct a tendency for a golfer to hook or draw
the ball, i.e., strike the ball to produce a flight path to the
left of the desired path (for a right-handed golfer).
[0038] The effects are somewhat different when the weighted leg 46
is adjusted to a forwardly or rearwardly disposed position within
the club head. The effect of the rearward adjustment of the
weighted arm is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, with forward
adjustment producing an opposite effect. In FIG. 6, the weighted
leg has been adjusted rearwardly within the club head 10, to a
position 46.sub.2 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. This results in the
adjustment of the center of gravity rearwardly in the club head to
the new center of gravity position CG.sub.2, rearward of the axis
of the club shaft S.
[0039] When the club is swung, centrifugal force shifts the center
of gravity CG.sub.2 radially outwardly by a small displacement
D.sub.1. As the new center of gravity CG.sub.2 is not aligned with
the axis of the club shaft S, this has the effect of lowering the
rear of the club head 10. As the forward portion of the club head
10 is immovably affixed to the shaft S, the result is a slight
bending of the club shaft S, causing the club shaft S and club head
10 to shift forwardly by a displacement D.sub.2 and take the
position shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. (The bending of the club
shaft S and altered position of the club head 10 in broken lines,
are greatly exaggerated in FIG. 6 for clarity in the drawing.)
[0040] This bending of the club shaft S shifts the angle of the
club head 10, and thus the club face 14, relative to the upper
portion of the club shaft S. The forward displacement of the club
head 10 relative to the upper portion of the club shaft S results
in an angular displacement of the club face 14, altering the
dynamic loft angle L of the club face to the slightly shallower
angle shown in broken lines. (Again, the various displacement
effects are greatly exaggerated for clarity.) Adjustment of the
weighted leg to a forward position within the club head 10 will be
seen to produce the opposite effect, i.e., to reduce the effective
dynamic loft angle of the club. This adjustability can be of great
assistance to a golfer who requires a club having a loft angle
between two standard clubs, and/or who wishes to eliminate certain
clubs from his golf bag by providing a single universal metal wood
club that is adjustable for different characteristics.
[0041] In conclusion, the present golf club head with its
adjustable center of mass is a most useful addition to the
collection of clubs owned and used by the serious golfer. A golfer
who has a consistent tendency to draw or fade the ball,
particularly from the tee, can adjust such tendencies out of his or
her swing by means of the adjustability of the present club.
Moreover, the golfer may adjust the effective or dynamic loft of
the present club to make fine adjustments thereto, perhaps finding
that carrying an intermediate club (e.g., a two wood) equipped with
the present adjustable center of mass may be used to replace the
conventional driver and three wood as well. The golfer need only
remove the protective cap from the weight receptacle, adjust the
radial position of the adjustable mass according to the index
markings and legend on the sole plate of the club head, and replace
the cap to secure the mass in the desired position. This
adjustability and versatility of the present club will be most
appreciated by golfers of virtually all levels of skill and
expertise.
[0042] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *