Sole configuration for metal wood golf club

Abstract

A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, the club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, and top crown, and a rigid, non-deformable bottom sole having a forward section and at least one additional rear section. The forward section provides a friction surface and is defined by a bounce angle extending downwardly from said frontal ball striking face to prevent the leading edge of the club head from digging into the turf or ground during the execution of a golf shot. The rear section of the bottom sole is a reduced friction surface and is recessed upwardly into the club head.

1 . A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, and top crown, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a bottom sole characterized as being rigid and non-deformable;   said bottom sole having a forward bounce angle section and at least one additional rear section;   said bottom sole said forward section being defined by a generally flat friction surface with a bounce angle extending downwardly from said frontal ball striking face to a rear edge of said forward bounce angle section; and,   said rear section being raised upwardly relative to said forward section and recessed into said club head body providing an area of reduced friction relative to said forward bounce angle section.   
   
   
       2 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said rear section of said bottom sole is formed in two parts between said forward section and said rear face; a mid section and a rear ground engaging section. 
   
   
       3 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said mid section is recessed into said club head body. 
   
   
       4 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said rear section includes at least a portion designed to rest on a ground surface. 
   
   
       5 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said mid section is flat to provide a support area for said club head that rests on a ground surface. 
   
   
       6 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 5 , wherein said rear section is recessed into said club head body. 
   
   
       7 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said forward section with the bounce angle formed thereon extends approximately midway between said frontal ball striking face and said rear face. 
   
   
       8 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 7 , wherein said rear section is recessed upwardly into said club head body. 
   
   
       9 . The metal wood type golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said bounce angle is formed in a range of three to 15 degrees. 
   
   
       10 . The metal wood golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said rear section includes at least one slot extending in a front to rear direction said rear face and said bottom sole. 
   
   
       11 . The metal wood golf club head of  claim 10  being further defined by a plurality of generally parallel slots extending in a front to rear direction on said bottom sole.