Golf club head including an insert

Abstract

A golf club head including a slot is disclosed herein. In accordance with the presently disclosed technology, the golf club head may include a striking face, a crown, a sole, and a slot. The striking face may include a lower striking face portion including a sole return, which includes a slot adjacent the leading edge. The sole may include a rear sole portion extending to the sole return.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club head comprising:
 a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head comprising a lower striking face portion comprising a sole return extending a return distance backward from a leading edge, wherein the sole return comprises a slot adjacent to the leading edge defined by a slot wall;   a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face; and   a sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, wherein the sole comprises a rear sole portion forming an aft portion of the sole, wherein the rear sole portion extends to the sole return.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the golf club head further comprises an insert to fit into the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein the insert is polymeric. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein the insert comprises:
 a body comprising a first density; and   a casing surrounding at least a front, sides, and a back of the body, wherein the casing comprises a second density, wherein the second density is denser than the first density.   
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the striking face comprises a first region comprising a first substantially constant thickness, wherein the first region further comprises the slot wall. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 5 , wherein the first region further comprises the sole return. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 5 , wherein the first substantially constant thickness is between about 2.0 mm and about 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         8 . A golf club head comprising:
 a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head comprising a lower striking face portion comprising a sole return extending a return distance backward from a leading edge, wherein the sole return comprises a slot adjacent to the leading edge defined by a slot wall;   an insert to fit into the slot;   a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face; and   a sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, wherein the sole comprises a rear sole portion forming an aft portion of the sole, wherein the rear sole portion extends to the sole return.   
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the insert is polymeric. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the insert comprises:
 a body comprising a first density; and   a casing surrounding at least a front, sides, and a back of the body, wherein the casing comprises a second density, wherein the second density is denser than the first density.   
     
     
         11 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the striking face comprises a first region comprising a first substantially constant thickness, wherein the first region further comprises the slot wall and the sole return. 
     
     
         12 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , wherein the first substantially constant thickness is between about 2.0 mm and about 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A golf club head comprising:
 a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head, wherein the striking face comprises:
 a lower striking face portion comprising a sole return extending a return distance backward from a leading edge, wherein the sole return comprises a slot adjacent to the leading edge defined by a slot wall; and 
 a first region comprising a first substantially constant thickness, wherein the first region further comprises the slot wall; 
   a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face; and   a sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, wherein the sole comprises a rear sole portion forming an aft portion of the sole, wherein the rear sole portion extends to the sole return.   
     
     
         14 . The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein the golf club head further comprises an insert to fit into the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The golf club head of  claim 14 , wherein the insert is polymeric. 
     
     
         16 . The golf club head of  claim 14 , wherein the insert comprises:
 a body comprising a first density; and   a casing surrounding at least a front, sides, and a back of the body, wherein the casing comprises a second density, wherein the second density is denser than the first density.   
     
     
         17 . The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein the first region further comprises the sole return. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein the first region is substantially oval-shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein the first region substantially covers only the lower striking face portion. 
     
     
         20 . The golf club head of  claim 13 , wherein the first substantially constant thickness is between about 2.0 mm and about 5.0 mm.