United States Patent No. 7,059,973 (“the ’973 patent”) issued on June 13, 2006 for a multiple material golf club head.

Golf clubs are separated into woods, hybrids, irons and putters. Woods are used for longer low loft shots, which the ’973 patent relates to, but depending on your skill level, woods may yield inaccurate shots. Hybrids and irons are normally used for shorter higher loft shots and are fairly accurate. Finally, putters are used on very short shots aimed at the green.

Woods got their name because they were originally made out of wood. Eventually, steel was substituted to make metal woods. The first metal woods were filled with foam for structural stability. Modern metal woods, like those described in the ’973 patent, are made out of hollow steel, titanium and/or a composite material.

What makes the ’973 patent unique is that the head of the golf club is composed of two separate materials. The first material is directed towards the body of the club head, and the second material is a softer material insert that is placed in the club face. The club face is the striking surface that comes into contact with the golf ball when the golfer attempts to hit the golf ball. The softer material insert affects the ball’s velocity and spin as it leave the club face.

Filed under: Alive Patents by lbarbin