Golf club set with variable thickness and/or density face inserts

Abstract

A set of golf clubs is characterized by club heads having striking face inserts at least one of which varies in thickness, density, and/or material from the other inserts so that the heads have different centers of gravity. Preferably the long irons in the set have a lower center of gravity (because of thinner or less dense inserts) to increase the trajectory of a struck golf ball. The short irons have a higher center of gravity to reduce the trajectory of a struck golf ball.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A set of golf clubs having heads of progressively increasing loft, each of the heads comprising 
 (a) a body having top, bottom, toe and heel portions and a striking face area containing a recess;    (b) an insert secured within said recess, an outer surface of said insert being substantially flush with a non-recessed portion of said striking face area; and    (c) at least one of the thickness and density of said inserts increasing within the set of golf clubs as the loft of a club increases, whereby the mechanical properties of individual clubs within a set of clubs can be altered to enhance the performance of the clubs.    
     
     
         2 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said inserts is formed of a material different from said other inserts.  
     
     
         3 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said clubs having successive increases in loft are arranged in groups, said inserts within said groups having the same thickness and density.  
     
     
         4 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 3 , wherein a first group of clubs comprises long irons having an insert thickness of 0.09-0.13 inch.  
     
     
         5 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 4 , wherein a second group of clubs comprises mid-irons having an insert thickness of 0.13-0.18 inch.  
     
     
         6 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 5 , wherein a third group of clubs comprises short irons having an insert thickness of 0.19-0.27 inch.  
     
     
         7 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 3 , wherein a first group of clubs comprises long irons having an insert formed of a first material.  
     
     
         8 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 7 , wherein a second group of clubs comprises mid-irons having an insert formed of a second material having a greater density than said first material.  
     
     
         9 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 8 , wherein a third group of clubs comprises short irons having an insert formed of a third material having a greater density than said second material.  
     
     
         10 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said insert and said body are formed of the same material.  
     
     
         11 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said inserts has one of a thickness and density which varies from a bottom portion to a top portion thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said inserts is thicker at the top than at the bottom.  
     
     
         13 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said inserts is thicker at the bottom than at the top.  
     
     
         14 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said inserts is formed of different materials from a bottom portion to a top portion thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said material in said bottom portion is more dense than a material in said top portion.  
     
     
         16 . A set of golf clubs as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said material in said top portion is more dense than a material in said bottom portion.