Putter face insert
The putter face insert of the present invention reduces or eliminates backspin, and in some circumstances even imparts topspin, of a golf ball after impact with the putter face by including a contact surface with uniform thickness and at least one backing having non-uniform thickness. Generally, reducing initial backspin improves distance control and directional consistency of a golf ball when putting.
1. A putter head comprising:
a front recess; and
a face insert comprising a contact surface, a first triangular backing, and a second triangular backing;
wherein the contact surface has uniform thickness,
wherein the first triangular backing is disposed directly behind the contact surface and has a thin portion proximate a top region of the contact surface and a thick portion proximate a bottom region of the contact surface,
wherein the second triangular backing is disposed directly behind the first triangular backing,
wherein the face insert has a gradient hardness along a vertical direction of the contact surface, and
wherein the face insert is disposed within the front recess.
2. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the second triangular backing is composed of a hard material.
3. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the contact surface is composed of a hard material.
4. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the contact surface is composed of a metal alloy.
5. The putter head of claim 4 , wherein the metal alloy is an iron alloy.
6. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the first backing is composed of a soft material.
7. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the first backing is composed of a polymer.
8. The putter head of claim 7 , wherein the first backing is composed of polyurethane.
9. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the first backing has a gradient thickness.
10. The putter head of claim 1 , wherein the face insert imparts topspin to a golf ball after impact.
11. A putter head comprising:
a front recess; and
a face insert comprising a contact surface, a first triangular backing, and a second triangular backing;
wherein the contact surface has uniform thickness,
wherein the first triangular backing is disposed directly behind the contact surface and has a thin portion proximate a top region of the contact surface and a thick portion proximate a bottom region of the contact surface,
wherein the second triangular backing is disposed directly behind the first triangular backing,
wherein the face insert has greater hardness at a top region than at a bottom region, and
wherein the face insert is disposed within the front recess.