U.S. patent application number 13/608102 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for golf club iron set producing flight having consistent angle of descent.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles E. Golden, Jeffrey A. Harmet, Richard M. Nelson, Daniel Stone. Invention is credited to Charles E. Golden, Jeffrey A. Harmet, Richard M. Nelson, Daniel Stone.
Application Number | 20140073447 13/608102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50233812 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140073447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golden; Charles E. ; et
al. |
March 13, 2014 |
GOLF CLUB IRON SET PRODUCING FLIGHT HAVING CONSISTENT ANGLE OF
DESCENT
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a set of golf club
heads is disclosed. The set includes golf club heads with
peripheral weights. The dimensions and configuration of at least
the peripheral weights are changed from club-to-club along the set
so that the center of gravity rises from the long irons to the
short irons. By raising the center of gravity from the long irons
to the short irons, a golfer will see a peak trajectory height
along a line for each club head that is substantially more
consistent along that line throughout the set than prior art clubs
provide.
Inventors: |
Golden; Charles E.;
(Encinitas, CA) ; Harmet; Jeffrey A.; (Encinitas,
CA) ; Stone; Daniel; (Long Beach, CA) ;
Nelson; Richard M.; (Carlsbad, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Golden; Charles E.
Harmet; Jeffrey A.
Stone; Daniel
Nelson; Richard M. |
Encinitas
Encinitas
Long Beach
Carlsbad |
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50233812 |
Appl. No.: |
13/608102 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0408 20200801;
A63B 53/047 20130101; A63B 53/005 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/291 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. A set of golf clubs comprising at least a first golf club, a
second golf club, and a third club, wherein the first, second and
third golf clubs each comprising a heel, a toe, an upper surface, a
lower surface, a hosel and a front face, and the first golf club
further comprising a first loft angle (LA.sub.1) of between 15 and
25 degrees and a first center of gravity height, the second golf
club comprising a second loft angle (LA.sub.2) of between 26 and 36
degrees and a second center of gravity height that is greater than
the first center of gravity height, and the third golf club
comprising a third loft angle (LA.sub.3) of between 37 and 47
degrees and a third center of gravity height that is greater than
the second center of gravity height, wherein the set has a best fit
linear equation for the angle of descent (AD) according to the
following formula: AD=m(LA)+z wherein LA is the iron loft angle, m
is less than 0.5 and z is greater than 30 degrees.
2. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein m is between 0.1 and
0.4 and z is between 35 and 45 degrees.
3. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein m is between 0.2 and
0.4 and z is between 35 and 40 degrees.
4. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein z is about 35-40
degrees.
5. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein z is about 40
degrees.
6. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein maximum trajectory
height for the first, second and third golf clubs are all between
about 30 and 35 yards.
7. The set of golf clubs of claim 6, wherein maximum trajectory
height for the first, second and third golf clubs are substantially
similar.
8. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein the first center of
gravity height is less than the second center of gravity height by
at least 0.1 inch and the second center of gravity height is less
than the third center of gravity height by at least 0.1 inch.
9. The set of golf clubs of claim 8, wherein the lower surface of
the first golf club is formed from a material have a specific
gravity of greater than 10 g/cc.
10. The set of golf clubs of claim 9, wherein a portion of the
hosel of the first golf club is comprised of a material having a
specific gravity of less than 7 g/cc.
11. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein each of the first,
second and third golf clubs has a shaft axis and the distance from
the center of gravity to the shaft axis is approximately
constant.
12. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein each of the first,
second and third golf clubs has a shaft axis and the distance from
the center of gravity to the shaft axis is inversely proportional
to the loft angle.
13. The set of golf club heads of claim 1, wherein the first golf
club has a first offset, the second golf club has a second offset
and third golf club has a third offset and first offset is less
than 0.15 inch and greater than the second offset and the second
offset is greater than the third offset.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to sets of iron golf
clubs, and more particularly, to sets of iron golf clubs that
provide a consistent ball flight peak height and consistent ball
flight angle of descent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In conventional sets of "iron" golf clubs, each club
includes a shaft with a club head attached to one end and a grip
attached to the other end. The club head includes a face for
striking a golf ball. The angle between the face and a vertical
plane is called "loft." In general, the greater the loft is of the
golf club in a set, the greater the launch angle and the less
distance the golf ball is hit.
[0003] A set of irons generally includes irons that are designated
number 3 through number 9, and a pitching wedge. The iron set is
generally complimented by a series of wedges, such as a pitching
wedge, a lob wedge, a gap wedge, and/or a sand wedge. Sets can also
include a 1 iron and a 2 iron, but these clubs are generally sold
separate from the set. Each iron has a shaft length that usually
decreases through the set as the loft for each club head increases,
from the long irons to the short irons. The length of the club,
along with the club head loft and center of gravity impart various
performance characteristics to the ball's launch conditions upon
impact. The initial trajectory of the ball generally extends
between the impact point and the apex or peak of the trajectory. In
general, the ball's trajectory for long irons, like the 3 iron, is
a more penetrating, lower trajectory due to the lower launch angle
and the increased ball speed off of the club. Short irons, like the
8 iron or pitching wedge, produce a trajectory that is
substantially steeper and less penetrating than the trajectory of
balls struck by long irons. The highest point of the long iron's
ball flight is lower than the highest point for the short iron's
ball flight. The mid irons, such as the 5 iron, produce an initial
trajectory that is between those exhibited by balls hit with the
long and short irons.
[0004] One of the major problems for players is that the lower
launch angle of the golf balls hit with long irons leads to a low
angle of descent. Because the ultimate peak height is less and the
ball is traveling at a faster pace, the angle of descent can be
very low. Thus, the ball can hit near a targeted area and then
continue to roll for an extended distance. With short irons,
players are generally able to hit the ball close to the intended
target and the ball will remain close to the point of impact after
it hits the ground. It would be desirable to have all the club
heads in a set produce a relatively consistent peak height and,
particularly, a more consistent angle of descent through the set.
This would allow golfers to improve their performance and
confidence.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a set of golf
clubs is disclosed. The set includes at least first, second and
third golf clubs that are comprised of a club head attached to a
shaft and grip. An improvement is that the set is configured such
that the angle of descent of a golf ball hit by each of the clubs
in the set is substantially more constant than in the past.
Furthermore, the set is preferably configured such that the maximum
height of the ball trajectory for each of the clubs is greater than
about 30 yards and is relatively constant through the set.
[0006] Within the set, the first, second and third golf club heads
each comprise a heel, a toe, an upper surface, a lower surface, a
hosel and a front face for striking the golf ball. The first club
is a long iron, comprising a first loft angle (LA.sub.1) of between
about 15 and 25 degrees and generally has a longer shaft. The
second golf club is a mid iron comprising a second loft angle
(LA.sub.2) of between about 26 and 36 degrees. The third golf club
is a short iron comprising a third loft angle (LA.sub.3) of between
about 37 and 47 degrees. In most circumstances, the long irons
include the 2-4 irons within a set, the mid irons include the 5-7
irons and the short irons include the 8-Pitching Wedge.
[0007] After studying many PGA Tour players, the inventors
discovered that the maximum height of each club in a set
drastically decreased for long irons and the angle of descent was
very low for long irons. According to the data obtained, prior art
clubs could be characterized as having a angle of descent (AD)
described by a best fit linear equation according to the following
formula:
AD=m(LA)+z
[0008] wherein LA is the iron loft angle, m.sub.pa is about 0.7 and
z.sub.pa is about 22 degrees. Thus, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention can be characterized by the same equation wherein
m.sub.I is less than about 0.5 and z.sub.I is greater than about 30
degrees. More preferably, m.sub.I is between about 0.1 and 0.4 and,
most preferably, m.sub.I is between about 0.2 and 0.4. Further, in
the preferred set of golf clubs according to the present invention,
z.sub.I is between 35 and 45 degrees, and more preferably, z.sub.I
is about 35-40 degrees.
[0009] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the inventive set
of irons, the maximum trajectory height for the first, second and
third golf clubs are all between about 30 and 35 yards. The
distance at which each club obtains the maximum height varies
through the set, but is inversely proportional to the iron loft
angle. In a most preferred set, the maximum trajectory height for
the first, second and third golf clubs are substantially
constant.
[0010] Still further, in a preferred embodiment of the inventive
set of irons, the first center of gravity height for a long iron is
less than the second center of gravity height of the mid iron by at
least 0.1 inch and the second center of gravity height is less than
the third center of gravity height of the short iron by at least
0.1 inch. Preferably, the lower surface of the first golf club is
formed from a material have a specific gravity of greater than 10
g/c and/or a portion of the hosel of the first golf club is
comprised of a material having a specific gravity of less than 7
g/cc.
[0011] Within a set of golf club irons according to the present
invention, each of the first, second and third golf clubs has a
shaft axis and a distance from the center of gravity of each club
to the shaft axis. In one embodiment, this distance is
approximately constant throughout the set. In another embodiment,
this distance is progressive throughout the set such that the
distance is inversely proportional to the loft angle such that as
loft angle increases, the distance between the center of gravity
and the shaft axis decreases. Also, the first golf club has a first
offset, the second golf club has a second offset and third golf
club has a third offset and, preferably, the first offset is less
than 0.15 inch and greater than the second offset and the second
offset is greater than the third offset. Even more preferably, the
first offset is less than about 0.14 inches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is side view of the golf club head of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a set of golf clubs of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a graph showing ball flight trajectories achieved
with various prior art clubs as compared to ball flight
trajectories achieved with various clubs of the present invention
from the set shown in FIG. 3; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a graph showing angle of descent compared to loft
angle of a preferred embodiment compared to prior art clubs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] As illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed in
detail below, the present invention is directed to a set of
iron-type golf clubs, wherein the clubs create a ball flight that
ends in a more consistent angle of descent AD throughout the set.
Referring to FIG. 1, each club in a set includes a club head 10
attached to a shaft (not shown) in any manner known in the art, at
a hosel 20.
[0018] Club head 10 includes, generally, the hosel 20, a striking
or hitting face 16 and a back portion that can be cavity backed or
muscle backed as is well known in the art. The club head also has a
heel 12, a toe 14, a top line 22 and a sole 24. As is well know in
the art, the club head 10 and hosel 20 are designed such that the
club has a center of gravity CG that is located between the toe 14
and heel 12.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the club head is attached to the shaft
at an angle .alpha., which is known as the club head loft angle LA.
In typical sets of golf clubs, the area of hitting face 16, the
heel-to-toe length of club head 10, loft angle LA, and offset vary
from club to club within the set. For example, long irons, such as
a 2-, 3- or 4-iron using conventional numbering, typically include
relatively long shafts, relatively small areas for hitting face,
and relatively low loft angles. Similarly, short irons, such as an
8- or 9-iron using conventional numbering, typically include
relatively short shafts, relatively large areas for hitting face,
and relatively high loft angles. In one embodiment of the present
invention, these parameters are particularly chosen to maximize the
performance of each club for its intended use in terms of carry
distance and optimized to achieve the desired angle of descent AD
through the set.
[0020] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the
inventive iron golf clubs are designed to have substantially the
same carry distance as conventional iron golf clubs. Each inventive
iron golf club is designed to hit golf balls a prescribed distance
in the air, and to stop on the green or fairway in a predictable
manner.
[0021] Using actual golf ball flight data obtained using a
TrackMan.TM., the carry distance, maximum ball height and angle of
descent can be measured. First, 2011 Titleist Pro V1x golf balls
are hit using a Golf Labs.TM. hitting machine set up to strike the
golf ball at typical PGA Tour speeds. For example, and for purposes
of this application, a 3-iron is set up to hit the ball at a club
head speed of 97 mph and an attack angle of -5 degrees, a 5-iron is
set up to hit the ball at a club head speed of 95 mph and an attack
angle of -6 degrees and an 8-iron is set up to hit the ball at a
club head speed of 92 mph and an attack angle of -7.5 degrees. The
remainder of the clubs within the set can be tested by
interpolating and extrapolating from these points. After the ball
is hit, the TrackMan.TM. measures the flight of the ball, such that
the ball height and angle of descent can be obtained. Next,
adjustments are made to the irons in the set to adjust the flight
parameters to reach the target performance. For example, if the
data suggest that the maximum ball height for a particular club is
lower than the target height, then adjustments are made to the club
to increase the ball flight height, such as increasing launch angle
or ball spin. Potential adjustments to the irons include, but are
not limited to, the following factors and combinations thereof:
[0022] i. increasing/decreasing shaft length to adjust club head
speed and initial ball speed;
[0023] ii. increasing/decreasing static loft angle to adjust launch
angle and backspin;
[0024] iii. adjusting the flexing characteristics of the shaft to
adjust club head speed, initial ball speed and spin;
[0025] iv. adjusting the location of the center of gravity, CG, of
the club head, including lowering the CG and/or moving the CG
further aft of the hitting face, to adjust trajectory of the ball;
and
[0026] v. varying groove geometry and/or the surface roughness to
adjust the amount of ball spin.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 7,699,716 outlines specifically what the PGA
Tour speeds and launch conditions are in the specification and the
entire specification provides a detailed discussion of club design
characteristics that can be manipulated to achieve particular
distances and flight characteristics through a set. In other words,
while the '716 patent teaches away from designing a set of irons
such that the flight height remains more consistent in a set, as
evidenced by FIG. 10, or to adjust the angle of descent to be
substantially constant at all, it does provide a detailed
description of how to manipulate individual clubs through the set
to influence parameters such as ball speed, launch angle and back
spin. Thus, the '716 patent is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety for these reasons.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, a number of dimensions of the club head
will be discussed. The golf club head 10 includes a loft angle LA
which is the angle between the front face 16 and a vertical plane
perpendicular to the ground. At the address position, the shaft
axis SA coincides with the vertical plane. The center of gravity CG
is located a height H.sub.CG from the horizontal plane of the
ground in the address position. The center of gravity CG can also
be manipulated in the horizontal direction, either toward or away
from the leading edge 21. In some instances, it can also be
desirable to move the center of gravity CG toward or away from the
toe to make the club head harder or easier to close, respectively,
during the swing. By moving the center of gravity toward the heel
12, for example, the moment of inertia of the iron about the shaft
axis SA is reduced, making the club head easier to close.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the golf club head 10 is shown
incorporated into a golf club 42, which is a 1-iron. The golf club
42 includes a shaft 44 and a grip 46. The lower end of the shaft 44
is attached to the club head 10 at the hosel 20. The golf club 42
also has the grip 46 attached to the shaft 44 at the upper end. The
1 iron has a length designated L1. Each of the remaining clubs has
a length L2-LL. The long-irons are designated by the 1-iron through
the 4-iron, the mid-irons are the 5-iron through the 7-iron and the
short-irons are the 8-iron through the lob wedge (LW). As set forth
above, this set depicted in FIG. 3 includes more than a normal set.
Thus, a set of irons as set forth in this application does not need
to contain all of these clubs as long as the set includes one long
iron, one mid-iron and one short iron. The short irons can include
a series of wedges, comprising the pitching wedge PW, the sand
wedge SW and the lob wedge LW. FIG. 3 illustrates that from the
long irons to the short irons in a set of clubs 48, the length of
the clubs generally decreases from the long irons to the short
irons. The lie angle between clubs can also vary.
[0030] In the first embodiment, the club heads are cast so that the
club heads are integral and formed of one material. The club heads
can be cast or forged from a material such as 431 Stainless Steel
or other materials including alloys well known by those of ordinary
skill in the art of making clubs. The clubs can also be formed in
one or more parts that are joined by various methods, for example
but not limited to welded, silver soldered, brazed, or mechanically
fastened with fasteners.
EXAMPLE
[0031] These and other aspects of the present invention may be more
fully understood with reference to the following non-limiting
example which is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention set of golf clubs, and is not to be construed
as limiting the invention, the scope of which is defined by the
appended claims.
[0032] Tables I and II provides exemplary, non-limiting dimensions
for the various measurements of clubs discussed in reference to
FIG. 3. It is fully intended that the dimensions set forth below
can be adjusted as discussed above. For example, a 3 iron according
to the invention can be made with a loft of 20-22 degrees to adjust
the angle of descent and remain within the scope of the present
invention.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Club number Loft (degrees) Length (inches)
Cg Vertical (inches) 2 iron 18 39.5 0.68-0.73 3 iron 21 39 0.7-0.75
4 iron 24 38.5 0.73-0.78 5 iron 27 38 0.8-0.85 6 iron 31 37.5
0.82-0.87 7 iron 35 37 0.84-0.9 8 iron 39 36.5 0.9-0.95 9 iron 43
36 0.93-0.98 Pitching Wedge 47 35.75 0.95-1.0
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II Club number Lie (degrees) Offset (inches)
Swingweight 2 iron 60 0.125-0.15 D1-D3 3 iron 60 0.125-0.14 D1-D3 4
iron 61 0.12-0.13 D1-D3 5 iron 62 0.115-0.12 D1-D3 6 iron 62.5
0.11-0.12 D1-D3 7 iron 63 0.1-0.11 D1-D3 8 iron 63.5 0.09-0.1 D1-D3
9 iron 64 0.08-0.09 D1-D3 Pitching Wedge 64 0.075-0.08 D1-D3
[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, ball flight trajectories of prior art
clubs are compared to the ball flight trajectories of clubs
according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph of Height
versus Distance. The line LOS represents the line of sight of a
golfer viewing each ball in flight. The ball flight trajectories
labeled PA.sub.S, PA.sub.M, PA.sub.L represent the ball flight
trajectories exhibited by balls hit by a set comprised of a prior
art short-iron, a mid-iron and a long-iron, respectively. The ball
flight trajectories labeled I.sub.S, I.sub.M, I.sub.L represents
the ball flight trajectories exhibited by balls hit by a set of
irons comprised of a short-iron, a mid-iron and a long-iron,
respectively, formed according to the present invention. Each prior
art ball trajectory includes an apex or peak trajectory height of
the flight labeled A.sub.PAS, A.sub.PAM, and A.sub.PAL for each of
the short-, mid- and long-irons. Each inventive ball trajectory
includes an apex or highest point of the flight labeled A.sub.IS,
A.sub.IM, and A.sub.IL for each of the short-, mid- and long-irons,
respectively. As evidenced by the graph, A.sub.IS, A.sub.IM, and
A.sub.IL are relatively similar at a preferred height, H.sub.P, of
approximately 30 to 35 yards. More important, the angle of descent
AD for balls for the balls hit with the inventive clubs should be
substantially similar and according to the following equation:
AD=m(LA)+z
[0034] Where m is less than 0.5 and, preferably, between 0.1 and
0.4. Most preferably, m is between 0.2 and 0.4. z is greater than
30 degrees and preferably between 35 and 45 degrees. Most
preferably, z is about 35-40 degrees. Thus, the angle of descent
will be greater for the short irons that have higher loft angles.
It is also understood that the short irons impart greater spin on
the golf ball than long irons. Thus, the ground roll for short
irons and long irons according to the present invention will differ
significantly.
[0035] As set forth in Table I, the center of gravity locations
within the set should be set to assist with the creation of the
preferred flight paths. Option can include, for example, lowering
the center of gravity of the long irons by forming the lower
surface, or sole, of the long irons from a material have a specific
gravity of greater than 10 g/cc such as tungsten or a tungsten
alloy. Additionally, the hosel of the long irons can be comprised
of a material having a specific gravity of less than 7 g/cc such as
titanium, aluminum or alloys thereof. Conversely, high specific
gravity materials may be employed within the topline portion of the
short irons to raise the center of gravity. Another way to
accomplish the progression of the center of gravity through the set
is to employ a progressive face insert. Referring to FIG. 1, the
face 16 can be made of different materials throughout the set. For
example, the long irons could employ a titanium alloy insert such
as Ti 6-4, which has a specific gravity of 4.4 g/cc and the
mid-irons and short irons could employ steel faces having a
specific gravity of about 7.9 g/cc. By using a higher strength
steel in the mid-irons, such as 17-4 stainless steel, the faces can
be designed thin to reduce weight and by using a softer steel, such
as 431 stainless steel, in the short irons, the feel of the short
irons can be improved.
[0036] Another aspect of the preferred embodiment is to have a
consistent feel within the set. Thus, the swing weights of the
irons may be constant through the set. Furthermore, the distance
from the center of gravity to the shaft axis can be approximately
constant through the set or progress through the set inversely to
the loft.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present
invention relative to the prior art. In FIG. 5 the solid line 100
represents a set of irons where:
AD=m(LA)+z
[0038] And m is equal to 0.4 and z is equal to 35 degrees compared
to the prior art 101. This demonstrates the drastic difference in
the angle of descent between the long irons of the present
invention and the prior art. For example, the 3 iron according to
the embodiment in FIG. 5 has a loft of 21 degrees and an angle of
descent of approximately 41 to 42 degrees, whereas the angle of
descent for the prior art 3 iron was only about 35 degrees. In
fact, the angle of descent in the prior art does not reach 41 to 42
degrees until about the 6 iron.
[0039] While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of
the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives stated above,
it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments
may be devised by those skilled in the art. The sets of clubs
disclosed can include a series of wedges, each with a different
loft, such as pitching, lob, gap and sand wedges. The features
disclosed to vary the angle of descent, as discussed above, can be
used in different combinations. Therefore, it will be understood
that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications
and embodiments which would come within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *