Golf Clubs

Abstract

Golf clubs having improved features and a golf swing training device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the golf club has a club head made of at least one material having a first specific gravity, and at least one weighting portion that has a higher specific gravity than the first specific gravity of the material forming the main body of the club head. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head of the “iron” type, and the club head has a sole that is provided with “bounce” thereon. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head of the “iron” type that has a configuration that provides it with improved ability to cut through the “rough” on the golf course. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head having a club face with at least one portion thereof that has a thickness that is modified to account for a groove in the striking surface of the club face. In another embodiment, correlated golf clubs are provided in which the club face is opened or closed relative to at least one other club within a set of golf clubs. The golf swing training device has a structure that is attached to the golf club and extends outward from the front of the golf club that makes the rotation of the golf club shaft and/or club face more visible to the golfer.

1 . An iron type golf club head comprising a club face, said club face defining a plane, a back surface on the opposite side of said club head from the club face, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, and a sole portion extending generally between the heel portion and the toe portion, wherein said club head comprises:
 (a) a main body comprising the back surface of said club head, said main body having a periphery, said main body at least partially comprised of a material having a first specific gravity; and   (b) a weighting system joined to the main body of said club head, said weighting system comprising a plurality of higher specific gravity weighting portions having a specific gravity greater than said first specific gravity, wherein said higher specific gravity weighting portions are joined to the back surface of said club head along the periphery of the club head, wherein said higher specific gravity weighting portions are spaced apart from each other and are disposed in at least two locations:   where the top portion merges into the toe portion and where the toe portion merges into the sole portion.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said higher specific gravity weighting portions are cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 2  comprising at least 8 higher specific gravity weighting portions. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 3  wherein the higher specific gravity weighting portions are all the same shape. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 4  wherein said higher specific gravity weighting portions are all of the same size. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said higher specific gravity weighting portions are located in recesses in the back surface. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 6  wherein said higher specific gravity weighting portions are joined to the back surface of said main body by threaded connections. 
     
     
         8 . The golf club head of  claim 4  wherein two or more of said higher specific gravity weighting portions differ in size. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 1  wherein said main body is formed by joining forged, cast, or otherwise formed pieces together. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 1  which is of a “blade” type. 
     
     
         11 . The golf club head of  claim 1  which is perimeter weighted. 
     
     
         12 . The golf club head of  claim 11  wherein the back surface of said club head comprises a central region which has a cavity therein, wherein the club head has a first thickness measured between said club face and said back surface of said club head, and the cavity is at least partially surrounded by thicker portions on the back surface of said club head. 
     
     
         13 . A golf club comprising the golf club head of  claim 1  further comprising a hosel extending upward from said heel portion for receiving a golf club shaft, and a shaft joined to said hosel. 
     
     
         14 - 16 . (canceled)