Multi-component golf club head

Abstract

A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, having a stiff lower front face and a compliant upper front face. An insert serves as an impact face. The lower front face has a substantially greater thickness providing a stiffer face area. A cavity behind the lower front face removes undesired weight from the front face and allowing for weight to be redistributed to more desirable locations.

1 . A metal wood golf club head comprising: 
 a variable front face having a stiff lower area and a compliant upper area;    the variable front face including a cast body having a face perimeter defining an opening and an impact insert attached within the opening; and    a cavity defined in the lower area of the cast body filled with a lightweight reinforcing material,    wherein a heavy mass is removed from the stiff lower area and relocated to an area of the club head causing the center of gravity of the club head to be shifted rearward from the front face.    
   
   
       2 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the impact insert is formed of sheet metal.  
   
   
       3 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the impact insert is forged.  
   
   
       4 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the impact insert is cast.  
   
   
       5 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the impact insert is welded to the face perimeter of the cast body.  
   
   
       6 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity defined in the lower area is filled with a plastic material.  
   
   
       7 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity defined in the lower area is filled with a ceramic material.  
   
   
       8 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity defined in the lower area is filled with air.  
   
   
       9 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein a cover seals the cavity, the cover being attached over the cavity by welding.  
   
   
       10 . The club head of  claim 1 , wherein a cover seals the cavity, the cover being attached over the cavity by an epoxy.  
   
   
       11 . The golf club head according to  claim 1 , wherein the club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution greater than 0.80.  
   
   
       12 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the front face is greater at the lower area than at the upper area.