Perimeter weighted golf clubs

Abstract

Improved perimeter weighted golf clubs are disclosed. The perimeter weighted golf clubs of the present invention are provided with improved structures for distributing the weight at the perimeter of the club head. In one embodiment, the club head has a club face with a hitting surface and a spacer outboard of the hitting surface which connects the hitting surface and the weighted perimeter of the club head. The spacer can be any suitable structure, such as a thinned portion or a lighter weight portion of the club head. In another embodiment, the club head has a tubular frame which surrounds and supports at least a portion of the hitting surface. In these or other embodiments, the club head can have a structure that facilitates the desired rotation of the club face when the club is swung.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A perimeter weighted golf club head having a club face which includes a hitting surface, a toe portion, a heel portion, and a sole portion extending generally between said heel portion and said toe portion, a weighted perimeter portion which forms at least a portion of the perimeter of said club head, and a spacer which connects at least a portion of said weighted perimeter portion to said hitting surface, wherein said hitting surface comprises a first material having a density and said spacer comprises a second material having a density which is less than that of said hitting surface so that there is a lighter weight section of said club head between said hitting surface and said weighted perimeter portion.  
     
     
         2 . A golf club comprising a club head having a club face which includes a hitting surface, a toe portion, a heel portion, and a sole portion extending generally between said heel portion and said toe portion, and a means for increasing rotation of said club face while said golf club is swung through the impact area of a golfer's swing.  
     
     
         3 . The golf club of  claim 2  further comprising a weighted perimeter portion wherein said means for increasing rotation of said club face comprises a portion of said weighted perimeter portion of said club head which is positioned in front of said hitting surface.  
     
     
         4 . A golf club comprising a club head, said club head comprising a hosel, a club face, which includes a hitting surface, a center of percussion, a toe, a heel, a centerline extending through said center of percussion, a sole extending generally between said heel and said toe, a top line extending generally between said heel and said toe, a toe part extending between said toe and said centerline, and a heel part extending between said heel and said centerline, wherein said toe part travels faster through air than said heel part when said club is swung without any manipulation by a golfer.  
     
     
         5 . The golf club of  claim 4  wherein said heel part has a larger surface area than said toe part.  
     
     
         6 . The golf club of  claim 5  wherein said heel part of said club head is provided with said larger surface area by an extension of said top line of said club head.