Method and apparatus for increasing hitting efficacy in a sporting implement

Abstract

A method and apparatus for increased hitting efficacy in a sporting implement. Energy absorption characteristics are adjusted so as to vary over the hitting surface of the sporting implement. This may be employed to equalize the hitting performance of the sporting implement with respect to different locations of impact thereon.

1 . A golf club head for hitting a golf ball comprising a body portion and an insert portion contained in said body portion that is relatively energy absorbing as compared to said body portion, said insert having a thickness which is defined by a maximum value and which decreases therefrom at an increasing rate with increasing distance in at least the two opposite directions defined by a first axis.  
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said thickness decreases from said maximum value at an increasing rate with increasing distance in at least the two additional opposite directions defined by a second axis that is perpendicular to said first axis.  
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said thickness decreases from said maximum value at an increasing rate with increasing distance in all directions.  
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said thickness decreases asymmetrically with respect to said two opposite directions.  
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said thickness decreases asymmetrically with respect to the two opposite directions defined by said first axis.  
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said thickness decreases asymmetrically with respect to the two opposite directions defined by said second axis.  
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 3 , wherein said thickness decreases asymmetrically with respect to any two opposite directions.  
     
     
         8 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said insert has a front surface that forms at least part of a hitting surface adapted for making intimate physical contact with the golf ball.  
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said insert has a front surface that is spaced from a hitting surface that is adapted for making intimate physical contact with the golf ball.  
     
     
         10 . A golf club head for hitting a golf ball comprising a body portion and an insert portion contained in said body portion that is relatively energy absorbing as compared to said body portion, said insert portion having a thickness which is defined by a maximum value and which decreases linearly from said maximum value with increasing distance asymmetrically with respect to at least the two opposite directions defined by a first axis.  
     
     
         11 . The golf club head of  claim 10 , wherein said thickness decreases linearly from said maximum value with increasing distance in at least the two additional opposite directions defined by a second axis that is perpendicular to said first axis.  
     
     
         12 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , wherein said thickness decreases linearly from said maximum value with increasing distance asymmetrically with respect to the two opposite directions defined by said second axis.