Golf club head with embedded tracking markers

A golf club head, comprising:

• a forward portion, comprising an inner layer and an outer layer adjoining the inner layer, wherein the outer layer defines a strike face;
• and
• at least one tracking marker permanently interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, wherein an entirety of the tracking marker is covered by the outer layer,
• wherein the at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face, is configured to be tracked by a launch monitor, and is configured to retroreflect at least infrared light having a wavelength between, and inclusive, of 725 nanometers (nm) and 1,250 nm;
• wherein the golf club head comprises at least three tracking markers;
• the at least one tracking marker comprises a sticker having an adhesive layer and a retroreflective layer;
• and
• the retroreflective layer comprising a pattern of retroreflective elements.

A golf club head, comprising:

• a forward portion, comprising a strike face having a strike plate;
• and
• at least one tracking marker, configured to be tracked by a launch monitor and permanently embedded in the forward portion,
• wherein:
• the at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face,
• the strike plate comprises a plurality of composite prepreg plies and a polymeric cover having a thickness between, and inclusive of, 0.1 mm and 3.0 mm,
• the at least one tracking marker comprises a sticker having an adhesive layer and a retroreflective layer, and
• the retroreflective layer comprising a pattern of retroreflective elements.

A golf club head, comprising:

• a forward portion, comprising a strike face having a metallic inner layer and a non-reinforced polymeric outer layer;
• and
• at least one tracking marker, configured to be tracked by a launch monitor and permanently embedded in the forward portion and interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer,
• wherein:
• the at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face and is detectable by the launch monitor through the outer layer,
• the forward portion comprises a recess formed in the metallic inner layer and the at least one tracking marker is seated in the recess, and
• the outer layer extends over the at least one tracking marker.

A golf club head, comprising:

• a forward portion, comprising a strike face;
• and
• at least one tracking marker, configured to be tracked by a launch monitor and permanently embedded in the forward portion,
• wherein:
• the at least one tracking marker comprises a retroreflective surface that is more retroreflective than the strike face,
• the at least one tracking marker comprises a sticker having an adhesive layer and a retroreflective layer, and
• the retroreflective layer comprises a pattern of retroreflective elements each made of an at least partially transparent material.