Golf club

Abstract

An iron-type golf club head ( 31 ) which has a front ball striking surface ( 33 ) with a face positioned between a heel ( 35 ) which is connected to the neck and a toe which is at the free end of the ball striking surface, an opposing rear surface, a leading edge at the lower end of the ball striking surface, a top edge at the upper end of the ball striking surface and a sole located at the bottom of the club head which extends rearwards from the ball striking surface to the opposing rear surface. The golf club head may have various features which lessen the weight of the club in comparison with standard golf clubs and which make them easier to use for junior golfers and those who lack or have lost strength in their hands and arms. These include constructing the club head from a lightweight non-ferrous metal alloy or other material of a suitable density creating an accentuated curve at the leading edge and sole of the club and making a weighted insert which forms the club face and is fitted into a recessed area formed on the remainder of the golf club head.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An iron-type golf club head comprising:
 a neck which connects the club head to a shaft, in use;   a front ball striking surface which has a face positioned between a heel which is connected to the neck and a toe which is at the free end of the ball striking surface an opposing rear surface;   a leading edge at the lower end of the ball striking surface;   a top edge at the upper end of the ball striking surface; and a sole located at the bottom of the club head which extends rearwards from the ball striking surface to the opposing rear surface   wherein, the leading edge and sole of the club are curved along the length of the ball striking surface in a direction upwards towards the ball striking surface.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the club head is constructed from a lightweight non-ferrous metal alloy. 
     
     
         5 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the alloy has a density of 2 g/cm 3  to 3 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         6 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 5  wherein, the alloy has a density of 2.6 g/cm 3  to 2.7 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         7 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the lightweight non-ferrous metal alloy is an aerospace alloy. 
     
     
         8 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the lightweight non-ferrous metal alloy is a hard anodised aluminium alloy. 
     
     
         9 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the lightweight non-ferrous metal alloy is a non-anodised aluminium alloys. 
     
     
         10 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the lightweight non-ferrous metal alloy is less dense than the type of steel allow which is typically used for making golf club heads. 
     
     
         11 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the alloy is ASTM 356X Aluminium Alloy. 
     
     
         12 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the alloy is a LM25 TF Aluminium Alloy. 
     
     
         13 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, the alloy is LM6 Aluminium Alloy. 
     
     
         14 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the opposing rear surface comprises a cavity back. 
     
     
         15 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the sole of the club is shaped to allow the club to be grounded at an angle up to 60° to the vertical. 
     
     
         16 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the leading edge and sole of the club are curved along the length of the ball striking surface in a direction upwards towards the ball striking surface. 
     
     
         17 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 16  wherein, the curve of the leading edge and sole of the club towards the ball striking surface in a direction along the ball striking surface has an average radius of curvature of between 70 and 150. 
     
     
         18 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the sole of the club is curved upwards towards the ball striking surface from the leading edge to the opposing rear face. 
     
     
         19 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the curve of the sole of the club is curved upwards towards the ball striking surface from the leading edge to the opposing rear face varies along the length of the club head from heel to toe. 
     
     
         20 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the club has a volume which is between 15% and 45% greater than that of a standard steel alloy iron type golf club head. 
     
     
         21 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the club has a sweet spot which is between 15% and 45% greater than that of a standard iron type steel alloy golf club head. 
     
     
         22 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 10  wherein, the club head density is between 40% and 80% of that of a standard iron type steel alloy golf club head. 
     
     
         23 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the golf club heads are for use in golf clubs designed to coach a person, particularly a young person and/or adult ladies to play golf. 
     
     
         24 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the golf club heads are for use in golf clubs designed to assist those afflicted with physical constraints to play golf. 
     
     
         25 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the front ball striking surface comprises a recessed area into which is fixedly attached a separately formed insert which comprises the face. 
     
     
         26 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 25  wherein, the insert is made of stainless steel or titanium. 
     
     
         27 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 25  wherein, the insert has a thickness of between 2 mm and 8 mm. 
     
     
         28 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 25  wherein, the insert has a length of 60 mm to 90 mm in accordance with the overall club head dimensions. 
     
     
         29 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 25  wherein, the insert has a height of 50 to 75 mm through the centre line of the club in accordance with the overall club head size. 
     
     
         30 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the face comprises a plurality of laterally extending substantially parallel grooves which extend across the face of the club into the toe. 
     
     
         31 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the grooves are cast into the club head. 
     
     
         32 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein, the grooves are machined into the club head. 
     
     
         33 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the grooves have a curved cross section. 
     
     
         34 . A golf club head as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the grooves are configured in accordance with R&A and/or USGA regulations. 
     
     
         35 . A progressive set of iron type golf club heads constructed in accordance with  claim 2 . 
     
     
         36 . A progressive set as claimed in  claim 35  wherein, the progressive set contains at least three of the following golf club heads: a 5 iron; a 6 iron; a 7 iron; an 8 iron; a 9 iron; a wedge and a sand wedge.