Golf club head with elevated face

Abstract

A driver type golf club head ( 20 ) preferably having a body ( 21 ) defined by a crown ( 22 ), a face ( 23 ) and a sole ( 24 ). The face ( 23 ) has an elevated height, h 1, as measured from a lower edge ( 23 b ) of the face ( 23 ) to the ground. The height, h 1, is preferably at least 0.3 inch from the ground.

1 . A driver type golf club head comprising:
 a body having a crown, a sole, and a face;   wherein the face has a first height, h 1 , measured from the ground to a lower edge of the face, a second height, h 2 , measured from the ground to a center of the face, and a third height, h 3 , measured from the ground to an upper edge of the face; and   wherein h 1  is at least 0.3 inch above the ground when at address.   
     
     
         2 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 1  wherein a volume of the body ranges from 400 cc to 470 cc. 
     
     
         3 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 1  wherein the golf club head has a moment of inertia, Izz, about a center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 5000 grams-centimeters squared and a moment of inertia, Iyy, above the center of gravity greater than 3500 grams-centimeters squared. 
     
     
         4 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 1  wherein a height of a center of gravity of the golf club head is at least 0.060 inch relative to a face center normal line. 
     
     
         5 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 1  wherein a ratio of h 2  divided by h 3  is at least 0.57. 
     
     
         6 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 1  wherein a length from the lower edge of the face to an aft end of the golf club head ranges from 4 inches to 5 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 1  wherein address for a golf club utilizing the golf club head is at a lie angle of sixty degrees and a face angle of zero degree. 
     
     
         8 . A driver type golf club head comprising:
 a crown, a sole and a face having an upper edge and a lower edge;   a length from the lower edge of the face to an aft end of the golf club head ranges from 4 inches to 5 inches   wherein the face at address has a first height, h 1 , measured from the ground to the bottom of the face, a second height, h 2 , measured from the ground to the center of the face and a third height, h 3 , measured from the ground to the top of the face;   wherein h 1  is at least 0.3 inch above the ground at address; and   wherein the golf club head has a volume ranging from 400 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters, a moment of inertia, Izz, about a center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 5000 grams-centimeters squared, and a moment of inertia, Iyy, above the center of gravity of the club head greater than 3500 grams-centimeters squared.   
     
     
         9 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 8  wherein the ratio of h 2 /h 3  is at least 0.57. 
     
     
         10 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 8  wherein a height of the center of gravity of the golf club head is at least 0.060 inch relative to a face center normal line. 
     
     
         11 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 8  wherein address for a golf club utilizing the golf club head is at a lie angle of sixty degrees and a face angle of zero degree. 
     
     
         12 . A golf club head comprising:
 a body having a face, a crown and a sole, the body composed of a titanium alloy material;   wherein the golf club head has a volume ranging from 400 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters;   wherein the face, at address, has a first height, h 1 , measured from the ground to a lower edge of the face, a second height, h 2 , measured from the ground to the center of the face and a third height, h 3 , measured from the ground to an upper edge of the face;   wherein h 1  is at least 0.3 inch above the ground; and   wherein the golf club head has a moment of inertia about the Izz axis through a center of gravity of the golf club head which is greater than 5000 grams-centimeters squared, and a moment of inertia about the Ixx axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head which is greater than 3500 grams-centimeters squared.   
     
     
         13 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 12  wherein a ratio of h 2 /h 3  is at least 0.57. 
     
     
         14 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 12  wherein a height of a center of gravity of the golf club head is at least 0.060 inch relative to a face center normal line. 
     
     
         15 . The driver type golf club head in  claim 12  wherein address for a golf club utilizing the golf club head is at a lie angle of sixty degrees and a face angle of zero degree.