Golf club heads with frequency modulation devices and related methods

1. A golf club head comprising:

a strikeplate comprising:

a strikeplate stiffness;

a strikeface;

a backface opposite the strikeface; and

a modulation mechanism at the backface;

wherein:

the modulation mechanism comprises:

a plurality of frequency modulators comprising a first weight and a second weight; and

a plurality of anti-stiffening features interspersed between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the plurality of frequency modulators reduce art oscillation frequency of the strikeplate upon impact with a golf ball; and

the plurality of anti-stiffening features permit flexing of the strikeplate between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the strikeplate comprises:

a first thickness through the first weight measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

a second thickness through the second weight measured perpendicular to the strikeface, and

the first and second thicknesses are different from each other.

2. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprise:

a first anti-stiffening feature separating the first and second weights from each other;

the strikeplate comprises:

a third thickness through the first anti-stiffening feature, measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

the first thickness is greater than the third thickness; and

the second thickness is greater than the third thickness.

3. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprise:

a first anti-stiffening feature separating the first and second weights from each other;

and

the strikeplate comprises:

a thickness pattern noninclusive of the modulation mechanism;

and

a third thickness through the first anti-stiffening feature, measured perpendicular to the strikeface, and conforming to the thickness pattern of the strikeplate.

4. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprise:

a first anti stiffening feature separating the first and second weights from each other;

a transition between the first weight and the first anti-stiffening feature is arcuate towards the backface; and

a transition between the second weight and the first anti-stiffening feature is arcuate towards the backface.

5. The golf dub head of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of anti-stiffening feature protrude from the backface of the strikeface.

6. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprises a gap between adjacent ones of the plurality of frequency modulators.

7. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the plurality of frequency modulators comprises perimeter wall; and

all of the perimeter walls of the plurality of frequency modulators are disconnected from each other.

8. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation mechanism comprises at least one of:

a circular pattern, a line pattern, an elliptical pattern, polygonal pattern, a hyperbolic pattern, a spiral pattern, a semicircular pattern, star pattern, a cross pattern, or a grid pattern.

9. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation mechanism decreases the oscillation frequency of the strikeplate by at least approximately 20 Hz.

10. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the strikeplate with the modulation mechanism comprises an oscillation frequency of less than approximately 4780 Hz.

11. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

a strikeface deflection distance for the strikeface of the strikeplate with the modulation mechanism is greater than approximately 2.18 mm,

the strikeface deflection distance measured with respect to a centered golf impact at a centerpoint of the strikeface with a golf ball of approximately 56 grams and at a speed of approximately 53.6 meters per second.

12. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation mechanism is at least one of:

located between a centerpoint of the strikeplate and a top end of the strikeplate; or

located between the centerpoint of the strikeplate and a bottom end of the strikeplate.

13. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation mechanism is centered about a centerpoint of strikeplate.

14. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the modulation mechanism is at least one of:

located between a centerpoint of the strikeplate and a heel end of the strikeplate; or

located between the centerpoint of the strikeplate and a toe end of the strikeplate.

15. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the strikeplate further comprises:

a second modulation mechanism at the backface;

the first modulation mechanism is located at one of:

a centerpoint of the strikeplate;

a location between the centerpoint and a top end of the strikeplate;

a location between the centerpoint and a bottom end of the strikeplate;

a location between the centerpoint and a heel end of the strikeplate; or

a location between the centerpoint and toe end of the strikeplate;

and

the second modulation mechanism is located at different one of:

the centerpoint of the strikeplate;

the location between the centerpoint and a top end the strikeplate;

the location between the centerpoint and a bottom end of the strikeplate;

the location between the centerpoint and a heel end of the strikeplate; or

the location between the centerpoint and end of the strikeplate.

16. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

the strikeplate further comprises a second modulation mechanism at the backface; and

the second modulation mechanism comprises a layout different than a layout of the modulation mechanism.

17. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

a target golf ball vibration frequency range approximately 3000 Hz to approximately 4000 Hz, and

the strikeplate with the modulation mechanism comprises frequency within approximately 25% of the target golf ball vibration frequency range.

18. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein:

a target golf ball vibration frequency range is approximately 3000 Hz to approximately 4000 Hz and

the strikeplate with the modulation mechanism comprises an oscillation frequency within approximately 5% of the target golf ball vibration frequency range.

19. A golf club head comprising:

a strikeplate comprising:

a strikeplate stiffness;

a strikeface;

a backface opposite the strikeface; and

a modulation mechanism at the backface;

wherein:

the modulation mechanism comprises:

a plurality of frequency modulators; and

a plurality of anti-stiffening features interspersed between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the plurality of frequency modulators reduce an oscillation frequency of the strikeplate upon impact with a golf ball; and

the plurality of anti-stiffening features permit flexing of the strikeplate between the plurality of frequency modulators;

at least one of the plurality of frequency modulators comprises at least one of:

a thickness of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm; or

a width of approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm;

and

at least one the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprises at least one of:

a thickness of approximately 0 mm to approximately 1 mm; or

a width of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm.

20. A golf club head comprising:

a strikeplate comprising:

a strikeplate stiffness;

strikeface;

a backface opposite the strikeface; and

a modulation mechanism at the backface;

wherein:

the modulation mechanism comprises:

a plurality of frequency modulator; and

a plurality of anti-stiffening features interspersed between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the plurality of frequency modulators reduce an oscillation frequency of the strikeplate upon impact with a golf ball; and

the plurality of anti-stiffening features permit flexing of the strikeplate between the plurality of frequency modulators;

at least one of the plurality of frequency modulators comprises at least one of:

a thickness of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm; or

a width of approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm;

at least one of the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprises at least one of:

a thickness of approximately 0 mm to approximately 1 mm; or

a width of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm;

and

a maximum thickness of the strikeplate is of approximately 2 mm to approximately 4 mm.

21. A method for providing a golf club head, the method comprising:

providing a head body; and

providing a strikeplate for a head front end of the head body;

wherein:

providing the strikeplate comprises:

providing a strikeface and a backface opposite the strikeface; and

providing a modulation mechanism at the backface and comprising:

a plurality of frequency modulators; and

one or more anti-stiffening features located between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the plurality of frequency modulators reduce an oscillation frequency of the strikeplate upon impact with a golf ball; and

the one or more anti-stiffening features permit flexing of the strikeplate between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the plurality of frequency modulators comprise:

a first weight; and

a second weight;

the one or more anti-stiffening features comprise:

a first anti-stiffening feature separating the first and second weights from each other;

the strikeplate comprises:

a first thickness through the first weight, measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

a second thickness through the second weight measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

and

a third thickness through the first anti-stiffening feature measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

the first thickness is greater than the third thickness;

the second thickness is greater than the third thickness;

providing the modulation mechanism comprises at least one of:

coupling at least as portion of the modulation mechanism to the backfire via at least one of:

a weld material; or

a friction weld bond;

casting the modulation mechanism as a single cast piece with the strikeplate; or

forging the modulation mechanism as a single forged piece with the strikeplate;

each of the plurality of frequency modulators comprises a perimeter wall; and

all perimeter walls of the plurality of frequency modulators are disconnected from each other.

22. A method for providing a golf club head, the method comprising:

providing a head body; and

providing a strikeplate for a head front end of the head body;

wherein

providing the strikeplate comprises:

providing a strikeface and a backface opposite the strikeface; and

providing a modulation mechanism at the backface and comprising:

a plurality of frequency modulators; and

one or more anti-stiffening features located between the plurality of frequency modulators;

the plurality of frequency modulators reduce an oscillation frequency of the strikeplate upon impact with a golf ball; and

the one or more anti-stiffening features permit flexing of the strikeplate between the plurality of frequency modulators;

providing the modulation mechanism comprises:

friction-welding a modulator ring to the backface of the strikeplate; and

machining material off a first location of the modulator ring to define:

a first anti-stiffening feature of the one or more and-stiffening features;

an edge of a first weight of the plurality of frequency modulators; and

an edge of a second weight of the plurality of frequency modulators.

23. A golf club head comprising:

strikeplate comprising:

strikeplate stiffness;

a strikeface;

a backface opposite the strikeface; and

a modulation mechanism at the backface;

wherein:

the modulation mechanism comprises:

a plurality of frequency modulators; and

a plurality of anti-stiffening features interspersed between the plurality of frequency modulators;

and

the plurality of frequency modulators and the plurality of anti-stiffening features tune an oscillation frequency of the strikeplate upon impact with a golf ball to be within approximately 25% of a target golf ball vibration frequency range of approximately 3000 Hz to approximately 4000 Hz;

the plurality of frequency modulators comprise:

a first weight; and

a second weight;

the plurality of anti-stiffening features comprise:

a first anti-stiffening feature separating the first and second weights from each other;

the strikeplate comprises:

a first thickness through the first weight, measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

a second thickness through the second weight, measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

and

a third thickness through the first anti-stiffening feature, measured perpendicular to the strikeface;

the first thickness is greater than the third thickness;

the second thickness is greater than the third thickness;

the first weight comprises at least one of:

a thickness of approximately 1 mm to approximately 6 mm; or

a width of approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm;

the first anti-stiffening feature comprises at least one of:

a thickness of approximately 0 mm to approximately 1 mm; or

a width of approximately 2 mm to approximately 5 mm;

a maximum thickness of the strikeplate is of approximately 2 mm to approximately 4 mm;

a transition between the first weight and the first anti-stiffening feature is arcuate towards the backface;

a transition between the second weight and the first anti-stiffening feature is arcuate towards the backface;

each of the plurality of frequency modulators comprises a perimeter wall;

all perimeter walls of the plurality of frequency modulators are disconnected from each other;

the modulation mechanism is centered about a centerpoint of the strikeplate; and

the modulation mechanism tunes the oscillation frequency of the strikeface to be within approximately 5% of the target golf ball vibration frequency.