Methods and apparatus for a toe-up putter club head

Abstract

A club head is configured such that the toe thickness is greater than the heel thickness in order to compensate for the toe-down look encountered, for example, in extended-length putters. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the club head body in the heel region is weight-compensated to substantially balance with the toe region. In accordance with one embodiment, a bore configured to accept the shaft is provided at substantially the center of the top rail. In accordance with one embodiment, cut-out regions are provided in the back of the club head body in the toe region and the heel region to provide the required weight compensation.

1 . A putter club head comprising: 
 a club head body having toe region, a heel region, a sole, and a top surface opposite said sole;    a hosel coupled to said top surface and configured to accept a shaft;    said club head body having a toe thickness defined by a distance between said top surface and said sole in said toe region, and a heel thickness defined by a distance between said top surface and said sole in said heel region, wherein said toe thickness is greater than said heel thickness, and wherein said club head body in said heel region is weight-compensated to substantially balance with said toe region.    
   
   
       2 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said hosel is located at substantially the midpoint between said toe region and said heel region.  
   
   
       3 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said top surface has a concave profile.  
   
   
       4 . The putter club head of  claim 3 , wherein said top surface profile has a radius of curvature greater than or equal to a radius of curvature of a profile of said sole.  
   
   
       5 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said toe thickness is equal to said heel thickness multiplied by a toe-up factor, wherein said toe-up factor is between approximately 1.20 and 1.40.  
   
   
       6 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said club head body in said heel region is weight-compensated such that the center of gravity of said club head body lies on a shaft axis defined by said hosel.  
   
   
       7 . The putter club head of  claim 1 , wherein said club head body includes a toe cut-out having a first depth and a heel cut-out having a second depth, and wherein said first depth is greater than said second depth.  
   
   
       8 . A putter club head comprising: 
 a club head body having toe region, a heel region, a sole, and a top surface opposite said sole;    a bore formed within said top surface at substantially a midpoint between said toe region and said heel region, said bore configured to accept a shaft;    said club head body having a toe thickness defined by a distance between said top surface and said sole in said toe region, and a heel thickness defined by a distance between said top surface and said sole in said heel region, wherein said toe thickness is greater than said heel thickness.    
   
   
       9 . The putter club head of  claim 8 , wherein said top surface has a concave profile.  
   
   
       10 . The putter club head of  claim 8 , wherein said top surface profile has a radius of curvature greater than or equal to a radius of curvature of a profile of said sole.  
   
   
       11 . The putter club head of  claim 8 , wherein said toe thickness is equal to said heel thickness multiplied by a toe-up factor, wherein said toe-up factor is between approximately 1.20 and 1.40.  
   
   
       12 . The putter club head of  claim 8 , wherein said club head body in said heel region is weight-compensated to substantially balance with said toe region.  
   
   
       13 . The putter club head of  claim 12 , wherein said club head body in said heel region is weight-compensated such that the center of gravity of said club head body lies on a shaft axis defined by said bore.  
   
   
       14 . The putter club head of  claim 12 , wherein said club head body includes a toe cut-out having a first depth and a heel cut-out having a second depth, and wherein said first depth is greater than said second depth.