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 thinned portion outboard of the hitting surface which connects the hitting surface and the weighted perimeter 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.

1 . A perimeter weighted iron-type golf club head comprising: 
 (a) a first largest portion of the club head, said largest portion of the club head comprising a cast metal that comprises: a club face comprising a hitting surface; a back surface; a heel portion; a toe portion; a top portion; and a sole portion extending generally between said heel portion and said toe portion; a portion of a frame that is located behind at least a portion of the hitting surface, at least partially outboard of the hitting surface, or both; and, a weighted perimeter portion; and    (b) a smaller portion of said frame, said smaller portion of said frame comprised of plastic, said smaller portion of said frame being joined to said largest portion of said club head, wherein at least a portion of said frame is at least partially tubular.    
   
   
       2 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said smaller portion of said frame is at least partially tubular.  
   
   
       3 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said frame is in the form of a flattened at least partially tubular structure.  
   
   
       4 . The golf club head of  claim 2  wherein said smaller portion of said frame is in the form of a flattened at least partially tubular structure.  
   
   
       5 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said at least partially tubular frame is disposed adjacent at least the top portion of the largest portion of the club head.  
   
   
       6 . The golf club head of  claim 2  wherein said at least partially tubular frame is disposed adjacent at least the top portion of the largest portion of the club head.  
   
   
       7 . The golf club head of  claim 3  wherein said at least partially tubular frame is disposed adjacent at least the top portion of the largest portion of the club head.  
   
   
       8 . The golf club head of  claim 2  wherein the at least partially tubular smaller portion of said frame is hollow.  
   
   
       9 . The golf club head of  claim 2  wherein the at least partially tubular smaller portion of said frame is filled with a material.  
   
   
       10 . A golf club comprising the golf club head of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . A method of making a perimeter weighted iron-type golf club head, said method comprising: 
 (a) casting a portion of the club head comprising the largest portion of the club head, said largest portion of the club head comprising: a club face comprising a hitting surface; a back surface; a heel portion; a toe portion; and a sole portion extending generally between said heel portion and said toe portion; a portion of a frame that is located behind at least a portion of the hitting surface, at least partially outboard of the hitting surface, or both; and, a weighted perimeter portion;    (b) forming a smaller portion of said frame out of plastic, wherein at least a portion of said frame is at least partially tubular; and    (c) joining said smaller portion of said frame to said largest portion of said club head.