IP Library Granted Patent US 12,594,469
Granted Patent B2
US 12,594,469 · App. 18/436,841 · Granted Apr 7, 2026

Golf club

Inventors: Kraig Alan Willett (Fallbrook, CA); Matthew Greensmith (Vista, CA); Andrew James (Carlsbad, CA); Jason Andrew Mata (Carlsbad, CA); Matthew David Johnson (Encinitas, CA); David Anderson (Palatine, IL); Brandon H. Woolley (Vista, CA)
Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
A63B53/0466A63B53/06A63B60/52A63B53/0408A63B53/0433A63B53/0437A63B53/0454A63B2053/0491A63B60/42
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,594,469
App. No.
18/436,841
Granted
Apr 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A golf club head includes a golf club body including a crown, a sole, and a skirt connected between the crown and the sole, the golf club body including a front including a leading edge and a back including a trailing edge, and a hosel connected to the golf club body; a face connected to the front of the golf club body, the face including a geometric center, the golf club head including modifiable boundary conditions.

Claims (47)

1 . A golf club head, comprising:

a body, comprising a face, a crown having a crown height no less than 30 mm and no more than 50 mm with the golf club head in an address position, a sole, a skirt region, and a body interior surface defining an interior cavity;

the body defining a trailing edge being a rearward most edge of the body and the body defining a leading edge being a forwardmost edge of the body, wherein a distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge is no more than 97 mm;

the face including a geometric center defining an origin of a coordinate system, the coordinate system including:

an x-axis tangential to the face and generally parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head is in the address position where a positive x-axis extends towards a heel portion;

a y-axis extending perpendicular to the x-axis and generally parallel to the ground plane when the golf club head is in the address position where a positive y-axis extends from the face and through a rearward portion of the body; and

a z-axis extending perpendicular to the ground plane, to the x-axis and to the y-axis when the golf club head is in the address position where a positive z-axis extends from the origin and generally upward;

wherein:

the golf club head has a center of gravity with a y-axis coordinate (CGy) measured from the origin of the coordinate system to the center of gravity of the golf club head along the y-axis when the golf club head is in the address position and CGy is no more than 32 mm, and

the golf club head has a Δz value measured from the ground plane to the center of gravity of the golf club head along the z-axis when the golf club head is in the address position; and

a weight pad formed in the body along the sole of the body, wherein:

the weight pad has a weight pad interior surface that partially defines the interior cavity of the body; and

the weight pad has a length along of the y-axis;

the weight pad has a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the forward portion of the weight pad is forward of the center of gravity of the golf club head;

the forward portion of the weight pad has a first height (h1) measured from the ground plane to a forwardmost end of the weight pad along the z-axis when the golf club head is in the address position, and the rearward portion of the weight pad has a second height (h2) measured from the ground plane to a rearwardmost end of the weight pad along the z-axis when the golf club head is in the address position, and the first height is greater than the second height;

a first portion of the weight pad includes an overhang portion that extends forward from the weight pad toward the face such that the overhang portion of the weight pad overhangs an interior bottom portion surface, thereby creating a recess under the overhang portion, wherein a lower surface of the overhang portion and the interior bottom portion surface are spaced apart by an offset distance and the offset distance is at least 0.2 mm, a minimum distance from the ground plane to an underside surface of the overhang portion is no more than 10 mm, a thickness of the overhang portion ranges between 2-10 mm, and a forwardmost portion of the weight pad is offset from the face no more than 12.5 mm;

a central portion of the overhang portion is cantilevered from the weight pad such that the central portion of the overhang portion is disconnected from the interior bottom portion surface; and

a loft of the golf club head is at least 14.5 degrees.

2 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the weight pad has at least three separate heights as measured along at least one of the y-axis and/or the x-axis.

3 . The golf club head according to claim 2 , wherein the weight pad includes a port for receiving a weight.

4 . The golf club head according to claim 2 , wherein the body includes a port for receiving a weight.

5 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the weight pad is a separate part of the golf club head and welding, gluing, epoxy, or mechanical fixing joins the weight pad to the body.

6 . The golf club head according to claim 5 , wherein the weight pad is formed from a greater density material than the body.

7 . The golf club head according to claim 6 , wherein the weight pad includes a port for receiving a weight.

8 . The golf club head according to claim 6 , wherein the body includes a port for receiving a weight.

9 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the body includes a port for receiving a weight.

10 . The golf club head according to claim 9 , wherein the weight pad comprises the port.

11 . The golf club head according to claim 10 , wherein the port is located forward of the center of gravity of the golf club head.

12 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an opening into the interior cavity.

13 . The golf club head according to claim 12 , wherein the opening is configured to receive a filler material.

14 . The golf club head according to claim 13 , wherein the filler material comprises at least one of an elastomer material, a rubber, a polyurethane, a plastic, or a foam.

15 . The golf club head according to claim 14 , wherein the overhang portion extends overtop the filler material.

16 . The golf club head according to claim 13 , wherein the overhang portion extends overtop the filler material.

17 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable head-shaft connection assembly for coupling the golf club head to a shaft at different angles.

18 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the weight pad extends rearward of the center of gravity.

19 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable head-shaft connection assembly for coupling the golf club head to a shaft at different angles, and wherein the body includes a port for receiving a weight and the face has a variable face thickness.

20 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein a rearward sole thickness located rearward of the rearwardmost end of the weight pad is less than a weight pad thickness proximate the rearwardmost end of the weight pad.

21 . The golf club head according to claim 20 , wherein the rearward sole thickness is less than a forward sole thickness forward of the forwardmost end of the weight pad.

22 . The golf club head according to claim 1 , further comprising a through-slot in the sole providing an opening from a sole exterior surface of the golf club head to the interior cavity, wherein the through-slot is positioned forward of the weight pad.

23 . The golf club head according to claim 22 , wherein the through-slot is plugged with a plugging a material.

24 . The golf club head according to claim 23 , wherein a toeward portion of the through-slot extends further rearward on a toe end compared to a middle portion of the through-slot proximate the y-axis as measured in the y-axis direction.

25 . The golf club head according to claim 24 , wherein the middle portion of the through-slot has a front to back dimension from 4 mm to 10 mm, inclusive, as measured in the y-axis direction.

26 . The golf club head according to claim 25 , wherein the toeward portion of the through-slot has a front to back dimension from 7 mm to 20 mm, inclusive, as measured in the y-axis direction.

27 . The golf club head according to claim 25 , wherein the through-slot has a through-slot length as measured in the x-axis direction from a through-slot toeward end to a through-slot heelward end, and the through-slot length is between 70% and 95%, inclusive, of a heel-to-toe length (Clubhead Length) of the golf club head as measured according to methods of the USGA “Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs,” Revision 1.0.0, Nov. 21, 2003.

28 . The golf club head according to claim 23 , wherein the body includes a port for receiving a weight.

29 . The golf club head according to claim 28 , further comprising an adjustable head-shaft connection assembly for coupling the golf club head to a shaft at different angles, and wherein the face has a variable face thickness.

30 . The golf club head according to claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of the overhang portion extends overtop of the through-slot.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2024
From: WILLETT, KRAIG ALAN; GREENSMITH, MATTHEW; JAMES, ANDREW; MATA, JASON ANDREW; JOHNSON, MATTHEW DAVID; ANDERSON, DAVID; WOOLLEY, BRANDON H.
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 066460/0408 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17950854 · Sep 22, 2022
Continuation 17105043 · Nov 25, 2020
Continuation 16193116 · Nov 16, 2018
Continuation 14573701 · Dec 17, 2014
Continuation In Part 14457883 · Aug 12, 2014
Provisional Application 62027692 · Jul 22, 2014
Related Publication 20240316413A1 · Sep 26, 2024
References Cited (216)
US 3606327A · Gorman · 1971 [cited by applicant]
US 3652094A · Glover · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 4085934A · Churchward · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4432549A · Zebelean · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 5299807A · Hutin · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5362055A · Rennie · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5397126A · Allen · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5492327A · Biafore, Jr. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5676605A · Kobayashi · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5779560A · Buck · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5797807A · Moore · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5851160A · Rugge et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5935020A · Stites et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5941782A · Cook · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6086485A · Hamada · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6139445A · Werner et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6193614B1 · Sasamoto · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6309310B1 · Shira · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6344002B1 · Kajita · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6368231B1 · Chen · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6602149B1 · Jacobson · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6605007B1 · Bissonnette · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6773360B2 · Willett et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6776723B2 · Bliss et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6800038B2 · Willett et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7025695B2 · Mitsuba · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7029403B2 · Rice · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7166038B2 · Williams et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7582024B2 · Shear · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7674187B2 · Cackett et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7674189B2 · Beach et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7731603B2 · Beach et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7749096B2 · Gibbs et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7771291B1 · Willett et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7775905B2 · Beach et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7874936B2 · Chao · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7887431B2 · Beach et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7927229B2 · Jertson et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8012038B1 · Beach et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8012039B2 · Greaney et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8221261B2 · Curtis · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8366566B1 · Rollinson · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8403771B1 · Rice · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8430763B2 · Beach et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8496544B2 · Curtis et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8506415B2 · Franklin · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8517859B2 · Golden · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8523705B2 · Breier et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8529368B2 · Rice et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8663029B2 · Beach et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8753222B2 · Beach et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8821312B2 · Burnett · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8827831B2 · Burnett · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8888607B2 · Harbert et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8900069B2 · Beach et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8911301B1 · Allen · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8911302B1 · Ivanova · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8956240B2 · Beach et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 8986133B2 · Bennett et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9033818B2 · Myrhum · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9162115B1 · Beach et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9192825B2 · Nakamura · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9211448B2 · Bezilla et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9636552B2 · Cleghorn et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9662545B2 · Beach et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9770633B2 · Fossum et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9802086B2 · Kato et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9849357B2 · Wahl et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9914030B2 · Cleghorn et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9937390B2 · Luttrell et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10150016B2 · Willett et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10213662B2 · Seluga et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10646756B2 · Beach et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10653927B2 · Murphy et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10874916B2 · Willett et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11235208B2 · Yamamoto et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11478683B2 · Willett et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20020183134A1 · Allen et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030114239A1 · Mase · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040121852A1 · Tsurumaki · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040157678A1 · Kohno · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040162156A1 · Kohno · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040192463A1 · Tsurumaki · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050181888A1 · Hou · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060116218A1 · Burnett et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070072698A1 · Juang · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080119303A1 · Bennett · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080146374A1 · Beach et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080318705A1 · Clausen · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090124411A1 · Rae et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090137338A1 · Kajita · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090149275A1 · Rae et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090163292A1 · Chao · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090170632A1 · Beach et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090191980A1 · Greaney et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100087269A1 · Snyder · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100255930A1 · Rice · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100267463A1 · Stites · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110021284A1 · Stites · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110053703A1 · Stites · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110124432A1 · Oldknow · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110312437A1 · Sargent · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120021849A1 · Gibbs · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120122601A1 · Beach et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120142447A1 · Boyd · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120165115A1 · Matsunaga · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120202615A1 · Beach et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120289360A1 · Breier · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120289361A1 · Beach et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120302368A1 · Nishio · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130085010A1 · Beach et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130109487A1 · Stokke · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130130831A1 · Morales · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130165252A1 · Rice · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130165254A1 · Rice · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130165257A1 · Dipert · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130210542A1 · Harbert et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130225306A1 · David · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130331201A1 · Wahl · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130344990A1 · Slaughter · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140024475A1 · Motokawa · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140080623A1 · de la Cruz · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140080624A1 · Galvan · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140080626A1 · Bezilla · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140080627A1 · Bennett · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140080634A1 · Golden · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140106903A1 · Nakamura · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140141904A1 · Deshmukh · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140274454A1 · Snyder · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140274457A1 · Beach et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150011328A1 · Harbert et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150065265A1 · Motokawa · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150094164A1 · Galvan · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150094166A1 · Taylor · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150105177A1 · Beach et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150119163A1 · de la Cruz · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150126304A1 · Cleghorn · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150133233A1 · Bezilla · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150165283A1 · Martens · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150174461A1 · Bennett · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150182818A1 · James et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150217167A1 · Frame · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150231453A1 · Harbert et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150231454A1 · Parsons · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150231806A1 · Parsons · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150238826A1 · Llewellyn · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150265885A1 · Hettinger · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150367198A1 · Seagram · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150375064A1 · Hasegawa · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160023062A1 · Willett et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160023063A1 · Willett et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160067561A1 · Golden · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160096082A1 · Boggs · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160096085A1 · Boggs · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160193508A1 · Issertell · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160250534A1 · Solheim · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160296808A1 · Harrington · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160310809A1 · Boggs · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160317880A1 · Boggs · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160346644A1 · Larson · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160367876A1 · Taylor · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170028270A1 · Westrum · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170072277A1 · Mata · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170100649A1 · Seluga · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170144034A1 · Seluga · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170151472A1 · Beach et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170173417A1 · Seluga · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170182381A1 · Seluga · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180071591A1 · Seluga · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180078833A1 · Johnson et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180104547A1 · Hall · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180126228A1 · Penney · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190015713A1 · Kato · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190022472A1 · Del Rosario · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190046845A1 · Greensmith et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190046846A1 · Sargent et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190046848A1 · Kato · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190091524A1 · Slaughter · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190091526A1 · Bacon · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190168087A1 · Martens · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190184246A1 · Harbert et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20210128993A1 · Willett et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20230074992A1 · Muzutani et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230093430A1 · Willett et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
JP H06190088 · 1994 [cited by applicant]
JP H10263118 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
JP H11114102 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
JP H11155982 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
JP 2002052099 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
JP 2002136625 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
JP 200393554 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003135632 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003210621 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003524487 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003320061 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004174224 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004232397 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004261451 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004265992 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004271516 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004313762 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004351173 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2004351054 · 2004 [cited by applicant]
JP 2005073736 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
JP 2005111172 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
JP 2005137494 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
JP 2005137788 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
JP 2020124360 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
JP 7275611 · 2023 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2005009543A2 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
“Cleveland HiBore Driver Review,” http://thesandtrip.com, 7 pages, May 19, 2006. [cited by applicant]
First Office Action for related Japanese Application No. 2015-142657, dated Apr. 24, 2019, 7 pages (with English translation). [cited by applicant]
“Invalidity Search Report for Japanese Registered Patent No. 4128970,” 4 pp. (Nov. 29, 2013). [cited by applicant]
Lindsey, “Info—Build a Better Blade,” https://www.golfworks.com/build-a-better-blade/a/527/, 3 pages (May 2008). [cited by applicant]
Myspygolf, How This Tiny Thing Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Next Driver, CG Defined, https://mygolfspy.com/u golf-club-center-of-gravity-cg/ (May 2015). [cited by applicant]
Office Action for related Japanese Application No. 2015-142657, dated Jun. 6, 2020. [cited by applicant]