Golf club head with porous sole plate

Abstract

A golf club head of the metal wood type is provided, wherein the club head includes a porous plate defining a portion of at least one wall thereof, such as a portion of the sole plate. Upon striking impact of the club head with a golf ball, the porous plate facilitates transmission of a significant portion of the resultant shock energy from the club head in the form of a distinctive audible output, with a corresponding reduction in transmission of vibrational energy through the associated club shaft to the golfer's hands.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf club head, comprising: 
 a head including a sole plate, a faceplate, a rear wall, a heel segment, a toe segment, and a cap plate cooperatively defining a hollow interior, and further defining a hole formed therein; and    a porous member mounted on said head and substantially covering said hole, said porous member facilitating transmission of at least a portion of shock energy from said club head upon impact engagement of said club head faceplate with a golf ball.    
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said hole is formed in said sole plate.  
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said hole has a generally circular shape, and further wherein said porous member is mounted generally within and substantially closes said hole.  
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said porous member comprises a sintered metal matrix.  
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said porous member comprises a metal matrix.  
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said hole is formed generally centrally within said sole plate.  
     
     
         7 . A golf club head, comprising: 
 a head including a sole plate, a faceplate, a rear wall, a heel segment, a toe segment, and a cap plate cooperatively defining a hollow interior, said sole plate further defining a hole formed therein; and    a porous member mounted on said sole plate and substantially covering said hole, said porous member facilitating transmission of at least a portion of shock energy from said club head upon impact engagement of said club head faceplate with a golf ball.    
     
     
         8 . The golf club head of  claim 7  wherein said hole has a generally circular shape, and further wherein said porous member is mounted generally within and substantially closes said hole.  
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 8  wherein said hole is formed generally centrally within said sole plate.  
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 7  wherein said porous member comprises a metal matrix.  
     
     
         11 . A hollow golf club head including a faceplate for impact engagement with a golf ball, the improvement comprising: 
 a porous member mounted on said club head and substantially covering a hole formed therein, said porous member facilitating transmission of at least a portion of shock energy from said club head upon impact engagement of said club head faceplate with a golf ball.    
     
     
         12 . The hollow golf club head of  claim 11  wherein said hole has a generally circular shape, and further wherein said porous member comprises a generally circular disk mounted generally within and substantially closing said hole.  
     
     
         13 . The hollow golf club head of  claim 11  wherein said porous member comprises a sintered matrix.