Golf Club Head with Low Hosel Bore

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/476,266 filed on Sep. 27, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/377,324, filed Sep. 27, 2022. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/669,183, filed on Jul. 9, 2024, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/783,392, filed on Apr. 4, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/837,742, filed on Jul. 2, 2025. The contents of all of the above described disclosures are fully incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The present disclosure relates to a golf club, and more specifically to a hosel and weighting designs for golf club heads.

Golfers will often customize a club or set of clubs to best suit their personal swing style, height, or combination of physical factors. Clubs are often customized by adjusting loft and lie angle to ensure the player's club face is lined up correctly at address. Typically, a golf club head is ordered with the specifications of a player's custom adjustments ahead of time, and that club is then manufactured according to those specifications. This can cause long lead times and can limit the ability to later adjust the club head specifications. It is advantageous, therefore, to facilitate bending of the face angle during assembly processes, post-manufacture, or post-fabrication. Such bending, however, increases the risk of deformation at the bend site, creating unsightly marks or negatively impacting durability of certain finishes such as chrome.

During manufacture, the face of a golf club is typically oriented relative to the hosel to obtain initial loft and lie angles. The golf club may be further manipulated, for example, by bending, post-fabrication, to obtain final loft and lie angles. As the hosel is bent further, the club will develop cosmetic flaws, such as stress marks, and/or will structurally fail. For example, conventional club heads are typically limited to approximately ±2 degrees of post-fabrication bending before developing stress marks or structurally failing. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a golf club head that can withstand post-fabrication bending without substantial stress marks or failure.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” “fifth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” as used herein, are for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” as used herein refers to connecting two or more elements, mechanically or otherwise. Coupling (whether mechanical or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

The term “strike face,” or “strike surface,” as used herein, refers to a club head front surface that is configured to strike a golf ball. The term strike face can be used interchangeably with the term “face.”

The term “hosel,” as used herein, refers to a heel-side member of the club head configured to connect the club body with the club shaft.

The term “geometric centerpoint,” or “face center” of the strike face, as used herein, can refer to a geometric centerpoint of the strike face perimeter, and at a midpoint of the face height of the strike face. In the same or other examples, the geometric centerpoint also can be centered with respect to an engineered impact zone, which can be defined by a region of grooves on the strike face. As another approach, the geometric centerpoint of the strike face can be located in accordance with the definition of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The term “ground plane,” as used herein, can refer to a reference plane associated with the surface on which a golf ball is placed. The ground plane can be a horizontal plane tangent to the sole at an address position. The ground planeis illustrated throughout the drawings including.

The term “lie angle,” as used herein, can refer to an angle between a hosel axis, extending through the hosel, and the ground plane. The lie angle is measured from a front view.

The term “loft,” or “loft angle,” as used herein, can refer to an angle measured between the loft plane and the XY plane (defined below). The loft planeis illustrated in.

An “XYZ” coordinate system of the golf club head, as used herein, is based upon the geometric center of the strike face. The golf club head dimensions as described herein can be measured based on a coordinate system as defined below. The geometric center of the strike face defines a coordinate system having an origin located at the geometric center of the strike face. The coordinate system defines an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis. The X axis extends through the geometric center of the strike face in a direction from the heel to the toe of the fairway-type club head. The Y axis extends through the geometric center of the strike face in a direction from the top rail to the sole of golf club head. The Y axis is perpendicular to the X axis. The Z axis extends through the geometric center of the strike face in a direction from the front end to the rear end of the golf club head. The Z axis is perpendicular to both the X axis and the Y axis.

The term or phrase “center of gravity position” or “CG location” as used herein refers to the location of the club head center of gravity (CG) with respect to the XYZ coordinate system, wherein the CG position is characterized by locations along the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. The term “CGx” can refer to the CG location along the X-axis, measured from the origin point. The term “CGy” can refer to the CG location along the Y-axis, measured from the origin point. The term “CGz” can refer to the CG location along the Z-axis, measured from the origin point.

The term or phrase “moment of inertia” (hereafter “MOI”) as used herein is a value derived using the center of gravity (CG) location. The MOI can be calculated by assuming the club head includes the body and the hosel structure. The term “MOI” or “I” can refer to the MOI measured about the X′-axis. The term “MOI” or “I” can refer to the MOI measured about the Y′-axis. The term “MOI” or “I” can refer to the MOI measured about the Z′-axis. The MOI values MOI, MOI, and MOIdetermine how forgiving the club head is for off-center impacts with a golf ball.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details or construction and the arrangement of components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

For ease of discussion and understanding, and for purposes of description only, the following detailed description illustrates a club headas an (or an iron-type club head). It should be appreciated that the iron is provided for purposes of illustration, and one or more of the attributes disclosed herein are not limited to an iron. The attributes can be used on any desired golf club, including an iron, wedge, putter, or other golf club where a resting face angle, hosel tilt, center of gravity (CG), or other attribute is desired to provide an improved performance and aesthetic for a player. For example, the club headcan include, but is not limited to, a one-iron, a two-iron, a three-iron, a four-iron, a five-iron, a six-iron, a seven-iron, an eight-iron, a nine-iron, a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, a utility wedge, a sand wedge, a lob wedge, and/or a putter. In addition, the club headcan have a loft that can range from approximately 3 degrees to approximately 65 degrees (including, but not limited to, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5, 28, 28.5, 29, 29.5, 30, 30.5, 31, 31.5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5, 35, 35.5, 36, 36.5, 37, 37.5, 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5, 43, 43.5, 44, 44.5, 45, 45.5, 46, 46.5, 47, 47.5, 48, 48.5, 49, 49.5, 50, 50.5, 51, 51.5, 52, 52.5, 53, 53.5, 54, 54.5, 55, 55.5, 56, 56.5, 57, 57.5, 58, 58.5, 59, 59.5, 60, 60.5, 61. 61.5, 62, 62.5, 63, 63.5, 64, 64.5, and/or 65 degrees).

The term “iron,” as used herein, can, in some embodiments, refer to an iron-type golf club head having a loft angle that is less than approximately 50 degrees, less than approximately 49 degrees, less than approximately 48 degrees, less than approximately 47 degrees, less than approximately 46 degrees, less than approximately 45 degrees, less than approximately 44 degrees, less than approximately 43 degrees, less than approximately 42 degrees, less than approximately 41 degrees, or less than approximately 40 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head is greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, greater than approximately 20 degrees, greater than approximately 21 degrees, greater than approximately 22 degrees, greater than approximately 23 degrees, greater than approximately 24 degrees, or greater than approximately 25 degrees.

In many embodiments, the golf club head can be an “iron-type” club head. Iron-type club heads as used herein includes a plurality of iron-type club head subsets, such as, but not limited to, high lofted wedges constructed for short-game shots and low lofted irons constructed for driving long-range shots, otherwise known as “crossovers.”

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the iron or wedge-type golf club head is less than approximately 50 degrees, less than approximately 49 degrees, less than approximately 48 degrees, less than approximately 47 degrees, less than approximately 46 degrees, less than approximately 45 degrees, less than approximately 44 degrees, less than approximately 43 degrees, less than approximately 42 degrees, less than approximately 41 degrees, or less than approximately 40 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the golf club head is greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, greater than approximately 20 degrees, greater than approximately 21 degrees, greater than approximately 22 degrees, greater than approximately 23 degrees, greater than approximately 24 degrees, or greater than approximately 25 degrees.

In many embodiments, the iron or wedge-type golf club head can comprise a total volume of between 1.9 cubic inches and 2.7 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the total volume of the golf club head can be between 1.9 cubic inches and 2.4 cubic inches, 2.0 cubic inches and 2.5 cubic inches, 2.1 cubic inches and 2.6 cubic inches, 2.2 cubic inches and 2.7 cubic inches, 2.3 cubic inches and 2.7 cubic inches, or 2.4 cubic inches and 2.7 cubic inches. In other embodiments, the total volume of the club headcan be 1.9 cubic inches, 2.0 cubic inches, 2.1 cubic inches, 2.2 cubic inches, 2.3 cubic inches, 2.4 cubic inches, 2.5 cubic inches, 2.6 cubic inches, or 2.7 cubic inches.

In many embodiments, the golf club head can comprise a total mass of between 200 grams and 300 grams. In some embodiments, the golf club head can comprise a total mass of between 200 grams and 210 grams, 210 grams and 220 grams, 220 grams and 230 grams, 230 grams and 240 grams, 240 grams and 250 grams, 250 grams and 260 grams, 255 grams and 260 grams, 260 grams to 270 grams, 265 grams to 275 grams, 270 grams and 280 grams, 275 grams and 280 grams, or 250 grams and 270 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass can be 200 grams, 205 grams, 210 grams, 220 grams, 225 grams, 230 grams, 235 grams, 240 grams, 245 grams, 250 grams, 255 grams, 260 grams, 265 grams, 270 grams, 275 grams, 280 grams, 285 grams, 290 grams, 295 grams, or 300 grams.

Described herein is a golf club having a shortened hosel which reduces mass in the high heel area and creates discretionary mass. The golf club head described herein allows for a range of loft and lie adjustability post-manufacture with maintained or reduced surface deformation and durability loss and also creates discretionary mass that can be placed strategically for performance benefits. In some embodiments, an iron-type golf club head comprises a top rail opposite a sole, a toe end opposite a heel end, a face opposite a rear end, and a hosel. The hosel comprises a hosel bore configured to receive a shaft. The hosel bore is defined within the hosel and extends the entire length of the hosel and into the club body. By extending into the club head body, the hosel bore length remains sufficient to receive a shaft despite the shortened hosel length. The shortened hosel and lengthened hosel bore described below allow the golf club head loft and lie angles to be highly adjustable post-manufacture ±4°. Further, this design disperses stress over a greater surface area and reduces stress concentration at the site of highest bend. The improved bending capacity reduces risk of failure and mitigates the occurrence of undesirable stress marks. Furthermore, the lengthened hosel bore enables a shortened hosel length, freeing up discretionary mass. Alternative means of swing weighting, disclosed below, can eliminate the need for a “tip weight.” Eliminating the “tip weight” enables a further reduction in hosel length, removing mass from the heel end and allowing mass to be redistributed to locations more advantageous for increasing club head moment of inertia (MOI) such as a weighted badge or sole mass pads in the heel end and/or toe end of the club head.

Referring now to, the club headincludes a club head bodyhaving a toe(or a toe end) opposite a heel(or a heel end). The club head bodyalso includes a top rail(or a crown) opposite a sole. A front(or front side) of the club head bodycarries a strike face(or a face plateor a club faceor a strike face) that defines a strike face front surface. The strike faceis opposite a rear(or a backor a rear side). The strike facecan also include a plurality of grooves.

With specific reference to, the club head bodyalso defines an upper portionand a lower portion. An interior cavity opening perimeter(for embodiments with an open interior cavityas shown in) or ledge(for embodiments with a closed interior cavityas shown in) is positioned on the rearand extends generally from the toeto the heel. The upper portionis bounded by the top railand the ledge. The lower portionis bounded by the soleand the ledge.

With reference specifically to, the strike face front surfaceof the club headincludes the face center (FC). The face center (FC) can be located at a geometric center point of a strike face perimeter, and at a midpoint of a height of the strike face front surface. In some examples, the face center (FC) can be centered with respect to an engineered impact zone. The engineered impact zone can be defined by a region of grooveson the strike face front surface. Alternatively, the face center (FC) can be located in accordance with a definition established by a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

With reference to, and as stated above, the club headalso includes a hoselpositioned at the heelfor connecting the club headto a shaft. Club heads constructed according to the present invention have a lengthened hosel bore, as described in further detail below. This lengthened hosel bore increases the surface area of the hosel. Distributing bending stresses over the increased surface area of the hoselfacilitates a greater degree of post-manufacture bendability (lie angle adjustability) without reduced risk of failure and mitigated occurrence of undesirable stress marks. Further, the lengthened hosel borefacilitates a greater degree of post-manufacture bendability without the need for an aesthetically displeasing notch such as those found in conventional club heads.

The hoseldefines a hosel axis() that extends through a center of the hosel. The hoselextends between a hosel bore proximal end(or a proximal end) and a hosel bore distal end(or a distal end) to the golf club head) from the club head body. The proximal endof the hoselis defined by a hosel outer transition plane(or transition plane) at a location where an outer surface of the hoseltransitions to the club head body(e.g., the heel), as shown in. The hosel outer transition planeis perpendicular to the hosel axis.

The hoselincludes a hosel bore. The hosel boreextends along the hosel axisand is configured to receive the golf club shaft that carries a grip. As illustrated, the hosel boredefines a proximal end(or hosel bore proximal end) that is that is positioned within the club head body(and specifically, the heel), and a distal end(or a hosel bore distal end) that is positioned at the distal end of the hosel. The hosel bore distal endis an open end and the hosel bore proximal endis a closed end. The hosel bore proximal enddefines the lower boundary of the hoselwithin the club head bodyat the hosel bore proximal end. As noted above, and in contrast to typical golf club heads, the hosel boreof the club head described herein extends beyond the proximal endof the hoseland into the club head body. To be specific, the hosel boreextends beyond the hosel(whose end can be identified by the hosel outer transition planeshown in), and into the heelof the club head body. Extending the hosel borebeyond the hoselis important for facilitating bending of the hoselpost manufacture, as discussed in further detail below.

1. Hosel Bore Extension into Club Body

The hosel boreextends the entire length of the hoseland into the club head bodyto allow for bending of the hoselalong a greater surface area. Therefore, the hosel borecomprises a length that is greater than the length of the hosel. Referring to, the hoseldefines a hosel length (H) measured from the distal end(or hosel bore distal end) to the transition planealong the hosel axis. Depending on the club head loft and makeup, the hosel length (H) ranges inclusively between 0.75 inches and 2.25 inches. In some embodiments, the hosel length (H) ranges inclusively between 1.0 inches and 1.75 inches. In some embodiments, the hosel length (H) can range between 0.75 inch and 1.0 inch, 1.0 inch and 1.25 inches, 1.25 inches and 1.50 inches, 1.50 inches and 1.75 inches, 1.75 inches and 2.0 inches, or 2.0 inches and 2.25 inches.

The hosel boredefines a hosel bore height (H) measured from the hosel bore proximal end(or hosel bore proximal end) to the hosel bore distal end(or hosel bore distal end), which aligns with the hosel bore distal end, along the hosel axis. In some embodiments, the hosel bore height (H) ranges inclusively between 1.0 inches and 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the hosel bore height (H) ranges inclusively between 1.3 inches and 2.2 inches. In some embodiments, the hosel bore height (H) can range between 1.0 inch and 1.1 inches, 1.1 inches, and 1.2 inches, 1.2 inches and 1.3 inches, 1.3 inches and 1.4 inches, 1.4 inches and 1.5 inches, 1.5 inches and 1.6 inches, 1.6 inches and 1.7 inches, 1.7 inches and 1.8 inches, 1.8 inches and 1.9 inches, 1.9 inches and 2.0 inches, 2.0 inches and 2.1 inches, 2.1 inches and 2.2 inches, 2.2 inches and 2.3 inches, 2.3 inches and 2.4 inches, or 2.4 inches and 2.5 inches.

According to the present disclosure, the hosel length (H) is less than the hosel bore height (H), resulting in the hosel boreextending past the hoseland into the club head body. Extending the hosel boreinto the club head bodyby a distance defined by the difference between the hosel bore height (H) and (H) removes material and mass from the heel, thereby increasing discretionary mass and facilitating post-production bending of the club headby allowing for bending over a greater surface area. In many embodiments, the hosel bore height (H) is at least 100% the hosel length (H). In some embodiments, the hosel bore height (H) may be approximately 100% to 160% greater than the hosel length (H). For example, the hosel bore height (H) can be approximately 100% to 110%, 110% to 120%, 120% to 130%, 130% to 140%, 140% to 150%, or 150% to 160% greater than the hosel length (H). In some embodiments, the hosel bore height (H) is at least 100%, at least 110%, at least 120%, at least 130%, at least 140%, or at least 150% greater than the hosel length (H).

The position and configuration of the hoseland the hosel borecontrast with conventional iron-type golf club heads, one of which is shown in. First, the hosel length (H) ranges from between 0.200 and 0.600 inches less than the hosel length (H) of conventional iron-type golf club heads. Moreover, the smaller hosel length (H), together with the tapered first zone, which can receive a tip weight, reduces the overall mass of the club headby between 3 grams and 8 grams. These differences lead to a lower center of gravity (CG). That is, as noted above, the center of gravity (CG) along the y-axisis approximately 0.020 inch to 0.060 inch lower than conventional iron-type golf club heads.

The geometry of the club headmay influence the shape of the hosel bore. More specifically, a heel-to-toe transitionof the club headmay have an arcuate shape. As the hosel boreextends further into the club head, the hosel axisand the heel-to-toe transitionconverge, reducing the amount of club head material therebetween and creating an area of stress concentration. To maintain structural integrity, the hosel bore proximal endcan be shaped to maintain sufficient club head material between the hosel boreand the heel-to-toe transition. In some embodiments, the hosel boreincludes a hosel bore tipthat generally tapers toward the hosel bore proximal end. For example, as best shown in, the hosel bore tiphas a frustoconical shape with a larger diameter at the hosel bore distal endand a smaller diameter at the hosel bore proximal endconfigured to maintain structural integrity at the heel-to-toe transition. Specifically, because of the external geometry of the club head, wherein the heel endbelow the hosel curves in toward the body, space for the hosel borein that region is limited, constraining the bore to be narrower. The tapered hosel bore tipallows for a longer hosel bore, whose thinner walls allow for bending to occur further into the club head body and, therefore, over a greater surface area. The tapered hosel bore tipalso removes additional mass from the heel of the club head, thereby further increasing discretionary mass.

The hosel borecan define multiple hosel bore wallscharacterized by locations relative to the club head body. For example, the hosel bore wallscan be characterized by proximity to the toeor heelsides, respectively, as a toe-side internal walland a heel-side internal wall. In many embodiments, the toe-side internal walland the heel-side internal wallcan be formed and rounded continuously.

The toe-side internal wallcan define a toe-side hosel anglerelative to the hosel axis. The heel-side internal wallcan define a heel-side hosel anglerelative to the hosel axis. The angled configuration of the internal walls,creates the tapered effect of the hosel bore proximal end. The toe-side hosel anglecan range inclusively between 2.5° and 20°. In some embodiments, the toe-side hosel anglecan range inclusively between 2.5° to 5.0°, 5.0° to 7.5°, 7.5° to 10.0°, 10.0° to 12.5°, 12.5° to 15°, 15° to 17.5°, or 17.5° to 20°. The heel-side hosel anglecan also range inclusively between 2.5° and 20°. In some embodiments, the heel-side hosel anglecan range inclusively between 2.5° to 5.0°, 5.0° to 7.5°, 7.5° to 10.0°, 10.0° to 12.5°, 12.5° to 15°, 15° to 17.5°, or 17.5° to 20°.

In many embodiments, the toe-side hosel angleand the heel-side hosel angleare the same. In alternative embodiments, the toe-side hosel angleand the heel-side hosel anglediffer. In particular, the heel-side hosel anglecan be larger than the toe-side hosel angle. Internal walls with differing angles will create an asymmetrical shape. In all embodiments, the toe-side hosel angleand the heel-side hosel angleare likely to change, and become asymmetrical, as a result of hosel bending. Therefore, toe-side and heel-side hosel angles,refer only to these angles post-manufacturing and before bending.

Extending the hosel boreinto the club head bodyincreases discretionary mass that can be used elsewhere on the club headto move a center of gravity (CG) of the club headto a desired location. With reference to, the location of the center of gravity (CG) can be defined relative to a coordinate system establishing the x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The face center (FC) defines an origin of the coordinate system including the axes,,. The x-axis(shown in) extends through the club head face center (FC) from toeto the heel. The x-axisis positive towards the toe. The y-axis(shown in) extends through the club head face center (FC) from the top rail(or crown) to the sole. The y-axisis positive towards the top rail(or crown). The y-axisis perpendicular to the x-axiswhen viewed from the front view (or from the strike face). The y-axisis oriented at an oblique angle to the hosel axis. The z-axis(shown in) extends through the face center (FC) from the strike faceto the rearof the club head. The z-axisis positive towards the strike face. The z-axisis perpendicular to the x-axisand the y-axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, the location of the center of gravity (CG) can be measured from the face center (FC). The center of gravity (CG) can be measured along the x-axisrelative to the face center (FC) and is represented by CGx. The center of gravity (CG) can also be measured along the y-axisrelative to the face center (FC) and is represented by CGy. The center of gravity (CG) can be measured along the z-axisface center (FC) and is represented by CGz. Moving the center of gravity (CG) towards the toeor the heelcan be achieved by increasing or decreasing the distance along the x-axis. Lowering the center of gravity (CG) can be achieved by decreasing the distance along the y-axis. Moving the center of gravity (CG) rearward can be achieved by increasing the distance along the z-axis. In other examples of embodiments, the center of gravity (CG) location can be measured from the leading edgeof the club head(or from a furthest forward position of the club head).

In some embodiments, the center of gravity (CG) may be approximately aligned with the face center (FC) along the x-axis(i.e., CGx is approximately zero). In other embodiments, CGx may be located approximately-0.10 inches to approximately 0.10 inches from the face center (FC), as measured along the x-axis. The club headalso has a CGy of approximately 0.10 inches to approximately 0.75 inches from the face center (FC), as measured along the y-axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the CGy is between the face center (FC) and the sole. As a result of the hoselposition and configuration, the CGy is between 0.020 inch and 0.060 inch lower than conventional iron-type golf club heads (shown in). As illustrated in Example 1 below, the CGy can be approximately 0.040 inches lower than in conventional iron-type golf club heads.

The hosel bore further can be characterized by a total bore volume. The total bore volume can be categorized into an upper bore volume and a lower bore volume with respect to other elements of the club head. For example, the bore volume can be categorized by an upper bore volume above the hosel outer transition planeand a lower volume below the hosel outer transition plane. In some embodiments, the upper bore volume above the hosel outer transition planeis 60-95% of the total bore volume and the lower bore volume below the hosel outer transition planeis 5-40% of the total bore volume. For example, the upper bore volume above the hosel outer transition planecan be 60-65%. 65-70%, 70-75%, 75-80%, 80-85%, 85-90%, or 90-95% of the total bore volume. The lower bore volume below the hosel outer transition planecan be 5-10%, 10-15%, 15-20%, 20-25%, 25-30%, 30-35%, or 35-40% of the total bore volume. As illustrated in Example 1 below, the upper bore volume above the hosel outer transition planecan be 90% of the total bore volume and the lower bore volume below the hosel outer transition planecan be 10% of the total bore volume.

The hosel borecan be measured with reference to a plurality of axes formed across the club headand parallel to the ground plane, as illustrated in. It is beneficial for the hosel boreto extend into the club head bodybelow particular reference planes in order to reduce overall club mass, create discretionary mass for performance benefits, and ensure the hoselis able to withstand bending up to ±6° without substantial surface deformation or wrinkling. In some examples, the hoselis able to withstand bending up to ±2°, ±3°, ±4°, ±5°, or ±6°.

The upper bore volume and lower bore volume can be quantified by referencing the plurality of axes. In the address position, a first axis(hereafter referred to as “top-hosel axis”) is formed parallel to the ground planeacross the top-most edge of the hosel. A hosel height (H) can be defined as the distance from the ground planeto the top-hosel axis. In some embodiments, the hosel height (H) ranges inclusively between 1.5 inches and 2.75 inches. In many embodiments, the hosel height (H) can range inclusively between 1.75 inches and 2.25 inches. For example, the hosel height (H) can range inclusively between 1.75 inches and 1.85 inches, 1.85 inches and 1.95 inches, 1.95 inches and 2.05 inches, 2.05 inches and 2.15 inches, or between 2.15 inches and 2.25 inches. The hosel height (H) can be approximately 5% to approximately 25% lower than the hosel height of conventional club heads. In some embodiments, the hosel height (H) is 5-10%, 10-15%, 15-20%, or 20-25% lower than a hosel height of conventional club heads. As detailed in Example 1 below, the hosel height (H) can be 8.6% lower than the hosel height (H) of conventional club heads. In another embodiment of an exemplary club head, the hosel height (H) can be 8.8% lower than the hosel height of conventional club heads.

In the address position, a second axis(hereafter referred to as “hosel-body axis”) is formed parallel to the ground planeacross the location at which the hoseland club head bodymeet. A hosel-body bore heightcan be defined between the ground planeand the hosel-body axis. The hosel bore volume can be characterized further by the percent of total volume that resides above or below the hosel-body axis. In particular, a percentage of the hosel bore volume can be located below the hosel-body axis. In some embodiments, the percentage of the hosel bore volume below the hosel-body axiscan range inclusively between 5% and 40% of the hosel bore volume. In many embodiments, the percentage of the hosel bore volume below the hosel-body axiscan range inclusively between 5% and 30% of the hosel bore volume. In some embodiments, the percentage of the hosel bore volume below the hosel-body axisis 5%-10%, 10%-15%, 15%-20%, or 20%-25% of the hosel bore volume.

A hosel-body ratio can be defined as the ratio between the percentage of the hosel bore volume above the hosel-body axisand the percentage of the hosel bore volume below the hosel-body axis. In some embodiments, the hosel-body ratio, H:H, is approximately 1.5:0.025 to 1.5:0.250. In some embodiments, the hosel-body ratio H:Hcan be between 1.5:0.025 and 1.5:0.050, 1.5:0.050 and 1.5:0.075, 1.5:0.075 and 1.5:0.100, 1.5:0.100 and 1.5:0.125, 1.5:0.125 and 1.5:0.150, 1.5:0.150 and 1.5:0.175, 1.5:0.175 and 1.5:0.200, 1.5:0.200 and 1.5:0.225, or 1.5:0.225 and 1.5:0.250.

In the address position, a third axis(hereafter referred to as “midline axis”) is formed parallel to the ground planeacross the geometric middle of the club head body. A midline hosel bore heightof the hosel bore can be defined between the ground planeand the midline axis. A percentage of the hosel bore volume can be located below the midline axis. In some embodiments, the percentage of the hosel bore volume below the midline axiscan range inclusively between 1% and 20% of the hosel bore volume. In many embodiments, the percentage of the hosel bore volume below the midline axiscan range inclusively between 1% and 15% of the hosel bore volume. In some embodiments, percentage of the hosel bore volume below the midline axisis 1%-5%, 5%-10%, or 10%-15% of the hosel bore volume.

The extension of the hosel boreinto the club head bodylowers the center of gravity (CG), reduces mass of the club head to create discretionary weight, and allows for the design to comprise a shortened hosel, which further reduces mass. Further, positioning the hosel borelow within the club head bodyensures the bend point of the hoseloccurs where the wall thickness can withstand an increased amount of stress and allows bending to occur over a greater surface area, reducing the occurrence of highly concentrated stress. Therefore, the low position of the hosel boreallows the club headto be bent to a relatively high degree during loft and lie adjustments without the formation of visible stress marks or surface deformation.