Forged iron-type golf clubs

Abstract

Forged cavity back iron-type clubs and oversize clubs are disclosed. These forged clubs have thin, durable hitting face and relatively large cavity volumes. These clubs have high rotational moments of inertia to minimize distance and accuracy penalties associated with off-center hits. Long irons with hitting face of about 0.100 inch thick are achievable by the present invention. Also disclosed are forged irons made from stainless steels and annealed to achieve the desired hardness and ductility. Further, an interchangeable pin suitable for use in the manufacture of any of a set of iron-type clubs without re-tooling is disclosed. The pin is sized and configured to fit within a through-bore such that an adhesive such as a flexible epoxy may be placed within the gaps to provide a vibration dampening effect.

1 . A golf club head comprising a hosel and a bore extending from the hosel to a sole of the club head, wherein the club head is made from forged stainless steel, and wherein the density of a pin disposed in the bore is less than the density of the club head.  
   
   
       2 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein at least two dampening zones are defined in the bore.  
   
   
       3 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein the pin and the bore are sized and configured to define the at least two dampening zones.  
   
   
       4 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein a flexible epoxy surrounds the pin.  
   
   
       5 . A golf club head comprising a hosel and a bore extending from the hosel to a sole of the club head, wherein at least two dampening zones are defined in the bore.  
   
   
       6 . A golf club head comprising: 
 a hosel attached to a heel of the club head; and    a bore disposed in the heel of the club head, wherein the bore extends from a top of the hosel through a sole of the club head, and 
 wherein the bore is sized and dimensioned to receive an elongated pin, and  
 wherein the pin is positioned within the bore such that an upper gap is formed between an upper extension of the pin and an inner wall of the bore, and  
 wherein the upper gap is filled with adhesive.  
   
   
   
       7 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein a lower gap is formed between a lower base of the pin and an inner wall of the bore.  
   
   
       8 . The golf club head according to  claim 7 , wherein the lower gap is filled with adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein the pin is solid.  
   
   
       10 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein the pin is hollow.  
   
   
       11 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein the pin is made of a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, and a polymer.  
   
   
       12 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive is a flexible epoxy.  
   
   
       13 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper extension outer diameter is smaller than the lower base outer diameter.  
   
   
       14 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein a pin bottom surface is flush with an outer surface of the sole.  
   
   
       15 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein a pin bottom surface does not extend to an outer surface of the sole.  
   
   
       16 . The golf club head according to  claim 15 , wherein a cap is inserted into the bore.  
   
   
       17 . The golf club head according to  claim 6 , wherein the pin and the bore are keyed such that the pin fits into the bore in a specific orientation.  
   
   
       18 . A golf club head for an iron-type golf club comprising: 
 a hitting face;    a hosel;    a bore through the hosel; and    a pin disposed in the bore, wherein the mass of the club head is distributed such that a center of gravity of the club head as measured along a horizontal axis of the hitting face is closer to the face center than a center of gravity of a similar club head without a bore.    
   
   
       19 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the horizontal offset is equal to or less than about 3.5 mm.  
   
   
       20 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the horizontal offset of the center of gravity is equal to or less than about 2.3 mm.  
   
   
       21 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the horizontal offset of the center of gravity is equal to or less than about 1.9 mm.  
   
   
       22 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the horizontal offset of the center of gravity is equal to or less than about 1.5 mm.  
   
   
       23 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the horizontal offset of the center of gravity is equal to or less than about 1.2 mm.  
   
   
       24 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the center of gravity of the club head is closer to the face center than a center of gravity of a similar but pin-less club head.  
   
   
       25 . A golf club head for an iron-type golf club comprising: 
 a hitting face;    a sole    a hosel;    a bore in a heel of the club head extending from the hosel to the sole; and    a pin disposed in the bore, wherein the mass of the club head is distributed such that a distance from a ground plane to a center of gravity of the club head as measured when the club head is in an address position is closer to the ground plane than the center of gravity of a similar club head without a bore.    
   
   
       26 . The golf club head of  claim 25 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than about 18.45 mm.  
   
   
       27 . The golf club head of  claim 25 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than about 18.9 mm.  
   
   
       28 . The golf club head of  claim 25 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than about 19.1 mm.  
   
   
       29 . The golf club head of  claim 25 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than about 19.4 mm.