Method of making a golf club that provides enhanced backspin and reduced sidespin

Abstract

An improved golf club wherein the surface of the face of the club is substantially flat, which is achieved by surfacing (milling) the club face, and wherein the edges of scoring lines (grooves) are made relatively sharp as a result of the surfacing operation. The sharp groove edges (and milling lines) of the present invention produce enhanced backspin and reduced sidespin when a golf ball is struck, which results in a relatively straight golf ball flight path, notwithstanding a glancing club impact angle. In addition, milling lines that may be formed on the club face are generally parallel to the scoring lines and hence enhance the club characteristics. The present invention also provides for methods of making a golf club that has the above features, including forging and casting methods. In either method, a club is processed to produce generally smooth and finished features with scoring lines formed in the face of the club. After the scoring lines are formed, the club face is surfaced (milled) to produce a flat club face and relatively sharp groove edges at the surface of the club face. The surface of the club face may be milled such that the milling texture or milling marks are generally aligned with the scoring lines. This improves the ball spinning capability of the present club. The shape of the scoring lines is not critical to the performance of the club. Any cross sectional shape may be used, including square, V- or triangular-shaped, or curved shapes. The critical point is that the edges of the grooves adjacent the flat club face are sharp, and a right angle edge is optimum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.