Abstract:
A metalwood type golf clubhead including a clubhead body having a toe, heel, upper crown surface, bottom sole surface, side surfaces, rear surface and ball-striking clubface having at least one raised, elongated, aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member extending outwardly from the clubhead body and having at least one frontal ball-striking surface coincident with the ball-striking clubface. The structure provides improved weight distribution for better balance, additional strength and stability to clubhead and provides more effective aerodynamic surfaces to increase clubhead speed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the golf clubheads shown and described in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,954,595, 5,989,134 and co-pending patent application, with Ser. No. 09/641,705, filed Aug. 21, 2000, which are incorporated herein by reference, and in particular, to an improved metalwood type golf clubhead, having at least a reinforcing and stabilizing, hereinafter R/S member, including additional ball-striking surfaces, coincident with and parallel to the clubface and are located at the toe and heel sections of the clubface, enlarging it substantially. The present invention includes downsized top crowns and/or sole sections, disproportionate in size to the much larger expanded ball-contact area of the non-proportionately-sized clubface. Also, the present invention, specifically relates to an R/S member, including ball-striking surfaces coincident with clubface and centrally located vertically on perpendicular plane above and/or below, the clubface of a traditional shaped clubhead.  
           [0002]    Most wood-type traditional shaped clubheads are currently made of metal, either totally of steel, titanium, or combined with other alloys. Other clubheads include a shell made of a steel with a face insert that is made of titanium or similar lighter weight material. This permits clubheads to be much larger, yet meet the accepted weight parameters for the respective drivers and fairway type metalwoods.  
           [0003]    Although these traditional shaped clubheads are substantially enlarged overall, with higher face heights and wider, bulkier crowns and sole bottoms, their clubfaces have not increased the effective ball-contact hitting area, in a heel to toe direction, proportionately to the overall enlarged clubheads for possible improved performance, for most golfers. To keep the overall clubhead size larger, and lighter, as currently demanded by most higher handicap golfers, the structural integrity of the side walls and the clubfaces, is often compromised. This causes stress cracks, unstable clubhead control at ball contact, and erratic ball flight control, resulting in loss of distance, accuracy, and inability to produce reassuring and repeating solid ball contacts, even when hit flush.  
           [0004]    Many attempts have been made to reinforce metal wood type clubheads as shown and described in the prior art. Raymont (U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,399) reinforces the back of the clubface with a honeycomb structure. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,230 reinforces the interior of a metalwood with a first mass located behind the ball-striking face, and my U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,279 provides an interior peripheral mass basically along the inner periphery, of the clubhead shell behind the clubface. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,134 reinforces the outer side walls, rear, bottom and crown areas of a wood-type golf clubhead. U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,745 to Adams shows a low profile, wood type golf clubhead wherein the bottom sole surface is larger than the upper crown surface.  
           [0005]    Various structural improvements have been used to strengthen and modify the integrity of prior art conventional metalwoods. Nevertheless, for most golfers, the subtle changes to the clubhead and the expected performance of the larger metalwood clubheads, have been disappointing. The performance of most of these traditional shaped metalwoods has not materially improved clubhead feel at ball contact, or significantly increased clubhead stability and control for anticipated improved accuracy and additional significant distance. Consequently, these bulkier, over-sized traditional shaped clubheads have not meaningfully advanced the golfers&#39; performance potential.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The versatile concept of the present invention includes distinctively different aerodynamically designed reinforcing and stabilizing (R/S) members that perform totally different functions on the clubheads, independently of each other. The R/S members include ball-striking surfaces that are coincident with the clubface and are located separately and/or independently, at different sections of the clubhead, to produce preferred and specifically different functions.  
           [0007]    The outermost surfaces of the R/S ball-striking faces, located at the toe and heel sections, parallel to the clubface are generally curved, forming parabolic, rounded or elliptical type shapes.  
           [0008]    The ball-striking surfaces of the R/S members are coincident with the clubface, and are located parallel to and/or perpendicular to the clubface . . . to dramatically enlarge the respective hitting areas of drivers or fairway clubfaces.  
           [0009]    The R/S differences are classified by their distinctive location and independent functional relationship, to the clubface and clubhead:  
           [0010]    a) R/S is located parallel to the clubface.  
           [0011]    b) R/S is located perpendicular to the clubface.  
           [0012]    c) Two R/S members are located at two different locations on the clubhead . . . one parallel to the clubface and the other perpendicular to the clubface.  
           [0013]    The concept of the present invention includes an R/S aerodynamic shaped member, located parallel to or horizontal to the clubface and surrounds the clubhead from the toe, rear and heel sections of the clubface. The R/S members include ball-striking surfaces that are coincident with and parallel to the clubface and create the additional parallel expanded ball-contact surfaces, at the toe and heel sections, of the clubface, to provide a substantially larger non-proportionately sized ball-striking area on the clubface. This is accomplished without proportionately enlarging the top or crown section and/or the bottom or sole sections of the clubheads. The improvement utilizes a smaller down-sized crown and sole area than most of the larger traditional shaped clubheads in the range of 230-300 cc and larger. To accomplish this more effective and improved aerodynamic upper section, considerable “excess mass” and bulk formed on the larger traditional shaped clubheads, is eliminated by creating a substantially smaller down-sized top crown located above the clubface. The considerable weight reduction, using the smaller crowns of the present invention, is more effectively utilized to create the unique R/S members, with ball-striking surfaces to expand the hitting areas, at the toe and heel sections of the clubface, of the present invention. The R/S members provide formidable reinforcing and stabilizing capabilities, specifically to the additional expanded sections to the clubface, and to the rear and side walls of the clubhead. The reinforcing and stabilizing R/S members are formed below the interface of the crown and clubface, and extend from the sidewalls and horizontally beyond the ends of the upper crown or sole portions of the clubhead. This improved structural design increases the ball-contact hitting area to the clubface, by as much as 33%. Expanding the hitting areas and increasing the weight at the extreme toe and heel sections, not only provide a higher Moment of Inertia, as needed, but also creates a much larger and more forgiving “sweet spot” on the clubface. This produces a low-profile, high-performance faster accelerating golf clubhead, supremely adaptable for both the driver-type or fairway-type metalwood clubheads.  
           [0014]    The reinforcing and stabilizing (R/S) members are the most dominant feature of the present invention. They directly contribute and enhance the optimum performance possible from each of the other subordinate outstanding features of the clubhead. The R/S members include ball-striking surfaces located coincident with and parallel to the clubface, and provide the formidable bracing support extending rearwardly from the R/S expansions at the toe and heel sections of the clubface, to the side walls, and rear of the clubhead. The R/S members form the surrounding outer perimeter and are aerodynamically sculptured to produce substantially greater high-velocity clubhead acceleration that also provide greater “lift” to the clubhead; when executing the faster full swings with the longer shafted metal-wood clubheads. The additional “lift” of the aerodynamic designed reinforcing and stabilizing members, noticeably permit a golfer, when swinging a clubhead weighing approximately 203 grams, to “feel” like it weighs 193 grams. The aerodynamic reinforcing and stabilizing R/S members&#39; functions are comparable to the wings or ailerons, attached to the fuselage of an airplane. Similarly, the advanced aerodynamically-designed versatility and structurally sound and practical concept of the reinforcing and stabilizing members, dramatically produce unparalleled performance with the most impressive overall improvements than any prior art, for metalwood clubheads.  
           [0015]    The reinforcing and stabilizing member may include variable thicker walls along the entire R/S to provide more mass at the extreme peripheral sections of the clubhead. This unique structure produces much greater overall clubhead control, strength, and stability, at ball-impact. This structure minimizes or practically eliminates any torqueing and twisting, especially for off-center hits, when metalwood clubheads, of this invention, are swung at the higher-velocity clubhead swing-speeds.  
           [0016]    Of paramount importance, is the built-in structural advantage of the present invention that not only greatly enhances clubhead stability and control, reduces torqueing, twisting and knock-back, but also significantly increases the critical Moment of Inertia. This effectively reduces or minimizes the negative effects of off-center ball-contacts made anywhere on the substantially enlarged “hitting” area of the clubface.  
           [0017]    Generally the driver-type metalwood clubheads have larger clubfaces than their counterpart fairway woods. Since the faces of the driver metalwoods are “wider and higher” with lesser lofts, which can be in the range of 5° to 11°, golf balls are usually “teed up”, at address. This facilitates making “solid ball” contact, more often, within or adjacent to the more rewarding centrally located “sweet spot” on the larger clubface of drivers, which can have heights in the approximate ranges of 1.625″to 2.000″.  
           [0018]    However, the “wider and higher” clubfaces that create the “low profile” concept of the present invention, also permits having “higher lofts”, in addition to “wider and higher” clubfaces, for all sizes of fairway metalwood clubheads. The higher clubface lofts for these fairway woods are in the range of 13° to 28°. The unusual clubface heights for fairway clubheads of this invention are in the approximate range of 1.500″to 1.750″.  
           [0019]    Having fairway metalwoods with larger and more formidable-sized clubfaces of the present invention, golfers are not intimidated by the size of the standard golf ball. The available ball contact areas of the smaller more “shallow faces” of the conventional fairway woods can be, and often are, intimidating by the much larger size of the golf ball, when aligning it with the “smaller faced” fairway clubs, at address. Unlike the smaller more “shallow faces” of the conventional fairway metalwoods, the much larger hitting area on the fairway metalwood clubfaces of the present invention, increases a golfer&#39;s confidence and enhances his ability to make more solid and effective ball contacts, consistently.  
           [0020]    A second concept of the present invention includes a more down-sized uppermost top crown with rearwardly sloping sidewalls from the clubface and is surrounded by a much wider upper surface of an adjacent horizontal type R/S member, which is located parallel to the clubface and forms the outer perimeter surrounding the clubhead.  
           [0021]    The lower wider upper surface of the adjacent horizontal located R/S member, dramatically improves the aerodynamic characteristics, but also provides more mass closer to the CG. This transformation greatly enhances clubhead stability and control for increased accuracy and minimum loss of distance, especially for off-center ball-contacts made by high-velocity swings.  
           [0022]    Most importantly, having a smaller top crown, which eliminates excess “mass and bulk”, such as formed at the crown area of traditional shaped larger clubheads, is surrounded by the wider upper surface of the adjacent more aerodynamically designed R/S member, which also forms the outer perimeter, and produces considerably faster clubhead acceleration. This practical and innovative concept is adaptable for driver or fairway metalwood clubheads, which can benefit all caliber of golfers.  
           [0023]    The R/S members, include ball-striking faces located parallel to and coincident with the toe, or heel sections of the clubface, or both, are formed below the interface of the crown and upper clubface and can be formed in variable sizes and shapes extending from and adjacent to the outer side walls of the clubhead. This unique structural design, of the reinforcing and stabilizing members, which may partially form the outermost perimeter mass from the toe section to the rear or are formed completely around the clubhead, dramatically alters the center of gravity, for every clubhead made with this invention. This design has a profound effect on the performance of each clubhead, whether they are drivers or fairway metalwoods. The size of the reinforcing and stabilizing R/S members can be narrow or wide and located centrally or in an upper or lower position on the respective side walls of the clubhead. The reinforcing and stabilizing member, located in an upper position on the side walls, produces a lower ball-flight, preferred by the professional and low handicap golfers, especially for driver-type metalwood clubheads. The reinforcing and stabilizing member, located in a lower position on the side walls, will produce a higher ball-flight, best suited for fairway metalwood clubheads and the higher lofted drivers that enhance optimum performance for high-handicap golfers. A centrally located reinforcing and stabilizing member on the side walls, produces a most preferred lower ball-flight, best suited for the professional, and more proficient lower handicap golfers.  
           [0024]    Another embodiment of the concept of the present invention, includes an R/S member with a ball-striking surface, located at the extreme lower portion of the clubface. This unique upper and a lower distinctive hitting area on the clubface, includes a reinforcing and stabilizing (R/S) member that is located on the bottom of the clubhead and extends rearwardly from its own ball-striking face surface, which is coincident with and perpendicular to the clubface. The extraordinary overall construction of the present invention, not only minimizes or eliminates undesirable shocks and vibrations from “thin” shots, but produces the most formidable clubhead stability, when the most severe off-center ball contacts occur, even when made at the extreme toe, heel or lowest portion of the clubface. The outermost extending surfaces of the laterally expanded areas to the fairway wood clubfaces, are generally curved, forming parabolic, rounded, or elliptical type end shapes.  
           [0025]    This unique structural and versatile concept permits combining the advantages of both distinctively different R/S members, in shape and size, to be formed at different locations on the clubhead to produce improved functions in a superior high-performing clubhead.  
           [0026]    Another embodiment combines an R/S member located parallel to and coincident with the clubface and a downsized R/S member formed as a top crown located perpendicular to and above the clubface, immensely enlarges the clubface, both horizontally and vertically.  
           [0027]    The improvements of the present invention offer a more formidable and unmatched structural, overall, clubhead design for metalwoods. With this invention, golfers increase their confidence in their golf swing, permitting them to steadily improve their ability to repeatedly execute solid ball contact with greater accuracy and surprisingly greater distance.  
           [0028]    The important effect of the aerodynamic behavioral characteristics, especially for the larger metalwood clubheads, is always a most critical aspect, in its overall design. The quest to create a substantive improvement in a metalwood clubhead, that exceeds the performances of all competitive leading brands, will always present a challenge for anyone involved in the design and development of metalwood clubheads. The improved adaptability and flexibility of the concepts of this invention accomplishes this objective, in a novel, practical and worthy manner by producing different results in a different manner.  
           [0029]    The expanded areas to the clubface, extend beyond a vertical plane defined by the boundaries of the top crown surface and bottom sole of the main clubhead body, as shown in the application drawings.  
           [0030]    The present invention for metalwoods enlarges the ball contact area on the clubface, non-proportionately to the size of the top or crown sections, or sole or bottom sections, of the clubhead, unlike that which is done for the prior art medium to large size metalwoods, generally in the range of 230-300 cc or larger. In fact, the ends or boundaries of the crown and sole sections, as designed, for such larger conventional clubheads, lie within the vertical plane alignment clearly defined for these larger prior art clubheads. By contrast, the additional horizontally expanded sections of the R/S of the present invention, on some embodiments, located parallel to the clubface, laterally enlarge the ball contact areas, particularly at the outermost ends of the toe and heel sections of the clubface, substantially beyond that of conventional metalwood clubfaces, and are located horizontally beyond or outside the established vertical plane alignment of other prior art metalwoods.  
           [0031]    The expanded additions on some specific metalwoods of the present invention, create the larger expanded ball contact areas parallel to the clubface, and are located and extend in a horizontal relationship, beyond the traditional shaped toe and heel sections of the diminishing ball contact areas of the clubfaces of the traditional shaped metalwood type clubheads. The additional formation of the reinforcing and stabilizing R/S weight members, extend and continue rearwardly (face to rear) from the expanded sections, to the clubface, that also produce the outermost perimeter of the clubhead. This R/S concept permits an extraordinary overall improved clubhead structural improvement.  
                                                 Comparison of Dimensions       To Selected Large Size Metaiwood Clubheads                Ping   Prior Art               330 cc   Taylor Made   Present       Description of Dimension   Model   Driver Model   Invention               Actual Dimensions:   (As shown in Fig.       (As shown in Figs.       (From Sample Clubheads)   23)       16, 17, 18 and 20)       Across Top/Crown:       (At Center/Toe to Heel)       a) Width of Crown   4.625″   4.500″   2.500″-3.500″       b) Width from outer perimeter of   4.625″   4.500″   3.500″       opposing side walls of clubhead       c) Width from outer surfaces of   Does not have this   Does not have this   4.500″       opposing reinforcing and   innovation   innovation       stabilizing members forming       outermost perimeter beyond       side walls located at rear,       toe, and head sections of       clubhead       Face: Length/Front to rear   3.750″   3.250″   3.000″       Face: Height/Between sole and   2.000″   1.750″   1.625″-2.000″       crown       Face: At widest point   4.000″   3.500″   4.500″       (Laterally from toe to heel)       Clubhead Weight Range   200-205   200-203   198-202       (in grams)       Clubhead CC   330 cc   300 cc   270-360 cc       All Titanium Clubhead   Yes   Yes   Yes                  
 
           [0032]    In another embodiment, reinforcing and stabilizing R/S members, including ball-striking surfaces, are parallel to and coincident with the clubface, and located along the lower portion of the clubhead, whereby their bottom or lower surfaces, are coincident with the bottom or sole surface of the clubhead. In other embodiments, the ball-striking surfaces parallel to and coincident with the clubface are located in between and/or adjacent the crown and sole surfaces of the clubhead.  
           [0033]    Other embodiments include a shelf or a set back area at the interface of the crown and ball-striking clubface in combination with the R/S having ball-striking surfaces parallel to and coincident with the toe and heel sections of clubface.  
           [0034]    Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of metalwood type golf clubheads that enhance the potential for greater improved performance, for all caliber of golfers.  
           [0035]    Another object of the present invention is the provision of metalwood type golf clubheads, particularly for medium to large size metalwood clubheads, in the range of 230-300 cc and larger, provide R/S members with additional expanded ball-striking surfaces to the clubface. The additional R/S ball contact areas, located parallel to and coincident with the toe and heel sections of the clubface, extend horizontally and considerably beyond the ends of clubfaces or side walls of traditional shaped clubheads.  
           [0036]    Another object is the provision of metalwood type golf clubheads having reinforcing and stabilizing R/S band-like members extending from the additional expanded sections parallel to the clubface and beyond the side walls, rearwardly, face to rear, that further create improved aerodynamic characteristics and also forms the outermost perimeter to the clubhead.  
           [0037]    Another object of the present invention is the provision that considerably expands the clubface at the toe and heel sections to greatly enlarge the ball contact area, by as much as 33% or more without proportionally enlarging the crown and bottom sections of the clubhead.  
           [0038]    Another object of the present invention is the provision that immensely increases the “sweet spot” area on metalwood-type clubheads, which substantially enhances ball feel at contact for improved clubhead control and stability, minimizing errant direction and distance loss.  
           [0039]    Another object of the present invention is the provision of creating and locating the massive weight mass of the reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member at the extreme outer surfaces of the clubhead. This provides an optimum level for the Moment of Inertia, as needed, when ball contacts occur off the Center of Gravity anywhere on the clubface.  
           [0040]    These and other objects of the present invention will be understood from the drawings and the description that follows or may be learned from the practice of the invention.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 1.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of FIG. 1.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of FIG. 7.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of FIG. 7.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 7.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of FIG. 7.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 7.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of FIG. 13.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a ninth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 18.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of a tenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 21 is a bottom view of a eleventh embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a twelfth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 23 is a front elevation view of a prior art golf club.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 24 is a phantom view of the FIG. 16 embodiment of the present invention superimposed on the prior art golf club of FIG. 23.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of a thirteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 26 is a heel side elevational view of the clubhead of FIG. 25.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 27 is a toe side elevational view of the clubhead of FIG. 25.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 28 is a rear elevational view of the clubhead of FIG. 25.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 29 is a top front perspective view of the clubhead of a fourteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 30 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 29.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 31 is a front elevational view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 29.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 32 is a rear elevational view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 29.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 33 is a heel end elevational view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 29.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 34 is a toe end elevational view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 29.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 35 is a bottom view of the golf clubhead of FIG. 29.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 36 is a front perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 37 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 36.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 39 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 38.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 40 is a front perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 41 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 40.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 42 is a front perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 43 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 42.  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 44 is a front perspective view of an nineteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 45 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 44.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 46 is a front perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 47 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of FIG. 46.  
         [0088]    [0088]FIG. 48 is a top rear perspective view of the clubhead of a twenty first embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0089]    The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.  
         [0090]    FIGS.  1 - 4  show a first embodiment of a golf clubhead  100  in accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body  112 , hosel  114 , heel  116 , toe  118 , ball-striking clubface  120 , upper surface  122 , rear surface  124  and bottom sole  126 . A single reinforcing and stabilizing member  128  having an aerodynamic shape, is located coincident with or adjacent to the bottom surface  126  of the clubhead  100  and which wraps partially around the peripheral sides  130  of the clubhead  100 . The member  128  includes upwardly curving, convex parabolic surface  132  including a lower surface  134  extending upwardly and coincident with the bottom sole  126  of the clubhead  100 . In this embodiment, the member  128  has a front ball-striking surface  136  which is laterally coincident with the ball-striking clubface  120 , thereby enlarging the ball contact surface of  120  and providing a greater margin for error when golf balls are struck away from the center of the ball-striking striking clubface  120  toward the toe  118  of the clubhead  100 .  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the reinforcing and stabilizing member  128  and metal shell  140  of the clubhead  100 . The peripheral weight of the clubhead body  112  maybe controlled by varying the thickness of this area. The thickness of the metal shell  140  is preferably in the range of 0.035-0.060 in. or greater, whereas the thickness of the expanded reinforcing and stabilizing member  128  maybe in the range of 0.055-0.100 in. or greater. These dimensions exclude the clubface thickness which can be in the range of 0.090 to 0.130 or less.  
         [0092]    [0092]FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a golf clubhead  200  of the present invention. In this embodiment a reinforcing and stabilizing member  228  includes a ball-striking surface  234  parallel to clubface  220  with a non-coincident bottom surface  236  is centrally located on the side wall  230  of the clubhead  200  approximately midway between the crown surface  222  and the bottom  226  of the clubhead  200 .  
         [0093]    [0093]FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a golf clubhead  300  of the present invention wherein a reinforcing and stabilizing member  328  includes a ball-striking surface  334  coincident with clubface  320 . The reinforcing and stabilizing member  328  has a non-coincident lower surface  336  above the bottom surface of the club head  300 . The reinforcing and stabilizing member  328  is located toward the top surface of side wall  330  adjacent the crown surface  322  of the clubhead  300 .  
         [0094]    FIGS.  7 - 12  illustrate a fourth embodiment of a clubhead  400  of the present invention. In this embodiment, a reinforcing and stabilizing member  428  is generally elliptical in shape. The member  428  includes front ball-striking surfaces  434  and  436  located parallel to and coincident with the ball-striking clubface  420  of the clubhead  400  and wraps around to surround the clubhead body  412  between the toe  418  and heel  416 . As seen in plan in FIG. 9, the member  428  extends outwardly beyond the peripheral edge  423  of the crown  422  and in FIG. 12, the member  428  extends outwardly beyond the bottom  426  of the clubhead  400 . The clubhead  400  includes a sole skimmer  429  on the bottom  426 .  
         [0095]    [0095]FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a clubhead  500  of the present invention. A reinforcing and stabilizing member  528  includes front ball-striking surfaces  534  and  536  located parallel to and coincident with the ball-striking clubface  520  of the clubhead  500 . A ledge  540  is set back from the ball-striking clubface  520  and sloped front surface  521  of crown  522  favorably alters air flow by more effectively accelerating it across the surface of the crown  522  of the clubhead  500 .  
         [0096]    [0096]FIG. 15 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a clubhead  600  of the present invention including a reinforcing and stabilizing member  628  with ball-striking surfaces  634  and  636  located parallel to and coincident to ball-striking clubface  620  and a pair of ledges  640  and  642  which are set back from the ball-striking clubface  620  with sloped front surfaces  621  of crown  622 .  
         [0097]    [0097]FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a golf clubhead  700  in accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body  712 , hosel  714 , heel  716 , toe  718 , ball-striking face  720 , upper surface  722 , and bottom sole  726 . In this embodiment, reinforcing and stabilizing members  734  and  736 , having an aerodynamic shape, include ball-striking surfaces  735  and  737  located coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface  720  of the clubhead  700  and wrap rearwardly surrounding clubhead  700  as with the above-described embodiments. The reinforcing and stabilizing members  734  and  736  extend outwardly beyond the side wall surfaces  730  as defined by the lateral extension of the end boundaries of the upper crown surface  722 . In this embodiment, the upper crown surface  722  is approximately 3.500 inches in length in a heel  716  to toe  718  direction. The overall heel to toe length of the ball-striking face  720 , including the reinforcing and stabilizing members  734  and  736 , is approximately 4.500 inches, with a height of approximately 2.000 inches, thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the clubface approximately one half inch, 0.500 inches, at both the heel  716  and toe  718  of the clubhead  700 .  
         [0098]    [0098]FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a golf clubhead  800  in accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body  812 , hosel  814 , heel  816 , toe  818 , ball-striking clubface  820 , upper crown surface  822 , and bottom sole  826 . In this embodiment, reinforcing and stabilizing members  834  and  836 , having an aerodynamic shape, include ball striking surfaces  835  and  837  located coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface  820  of the clubhead  800  and wrap rearwardly surrounding clubhead  800  as with the above-described embodiments. The reinforcing and stabilizing members  834  and  836  extend outwardly beyond the side wall surfaces  830  as defined by the lateral extension of the end boundaries of the upper crown surface  822 . In this embodiment, the upper crown surface  822  is shorter than the previous embodiment, approximately 2.500 inches in length in a heel  816  to toe  818  direction. The overall heel to toe length of the ball-striking face  820 , including the reinforcing and stabilizing members  834  and  836 , is approximately 4.500 inches, with a height of approximately 2.000 inches, thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the clubface approximately one inch, 1.00 inch, at both the heel  816  and toe  818  of the clubhead  800 .  
         [0099]    [0099]FIGS. 18 and 19 show an embodiment of a golf clubhead  900  in accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body  912 , hosel  914 , heel  916 , toe  918 , ball-striking clubface  920 , and upper crown surface  922 . Reinforcing and stabilizing R/S members  934  and  936 , have an aerodynamic shape which wrap rearwardly as with the above-described embodiments, and are located laterally and outwardly from the heel and toe sections  916  and  918  of clubhead  900 . Reinforcing and stabilizing members  934  and  936  include front ball-striking surfaces  935  and  937 , which are coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface  920  of the clubhead  900  and bottom aerodynamic surfaces  926  and  928 . The reinforcing and stabilizing members  934  and  936  extend outwardly beyond the side wall surfaces  930  as defined by the lateral extension of the end boundaries of the upper crown surface  922 . In this embodiment, ball-striking clubface  920 , has an upper section including the expanded areas of the clubface at  934  and  936 , and further includes a reinforcing and stabilizing member  921  having another bottom surface  927 , located below bottom surfaces  926  and  928 , and having a front ball-striking surface  925  which is coincident with and perpendicular to the ball-striking clubface  920  and extends rearwardly partway to the rear edge  940  of the clubhead  900 . This provides a distinctive second lower section expanding the clubface hitting area below the bottom of the ball-striking clubface  920 . The reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member  921  extends rearwardly on the bottom surface  926  and supports the clubhead  900  in a slightly raised position above the ground whereby the clubface  920  is in an optimum position to make the most solid ball contact with a golf ball, particularly when the ball is lying in heavy grass or when a “thin” ball-contact occurs especially from “tight lies” on hard fairway surfaces. The upper crown surface  922  is approximately 3.500 inches in length in a heel  916  to toe  918  direction. The overall heel to toe length of the ball-striking clubface  920 , including the reinforcing and stabilizing members  934  and  936 , is approximately 4.500 inches, thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the clubface approximately one half inch, 0.500 inches, at both the heel  916  and toe  918  of the clubhead  900 . The addition of the R/S  921  located below the bottom surfaces  926  and  928  of clubface  920  increases the height range of the clubface  920  up to and beyond 2.500″.  
         [0100]    [0100]FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a golf clubhead  1000  in accordance with the present invention including a clubhead body  1012 , hosel  1014 , heel section  1016 , toe section  1018 , ball-striking clubface  1020 , and an upper crown surface  1022 . In this embodiment, reinforcing and stabilizing members  1034  and  1036 , have an aerodynamic shape and which wrap rearwardly as with the above-described embodiments, and are located laterally and outwardly from the heel and toe sections  1016  and  1018  of clubhead  1000 . Reinforcing and stabilizing members  1034  and  1036  include front ball-striking surfaces  1035  and  1037  which are coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface  1020  of the clubhead  1000  and bottom surfaces  1038  and  1040 . The reinforcing and stabilizing members  1034  and  1036  are further defined as extending outwardly beyond the side wall surfaces  1030  at the outer edges or end boundaries limiting the upper crown surface  1022 . In this embodiment, ball-striking clubface  1020  includes a lower reinforcing and stabilizing member  1021  having another bottom surface  1027  which includes a front ball-striking surface  1025  coincident with and located perpendicular to and below the ball-striking clubface  1020  thereby providing a substantial additional clubface hitting area at the lowest bottom portion of the ball-striking clubface  1020 . The reinforcing and stabilizing member  1021  extends rearwardly between bottom surfaces  1038  and  1040  and supports the clubhead  1000  in a slightly raised position above the ground whereby the clubface  1020  is in an optimum position to strike a golf ball, particularly when the ball is lying in heavy grass or tight lies. The bottom  1027  of the reinforcing and stabilizing member  1021  is non-coincident with and spaced from the bottom surfaces  1038  and  1040  of reinforcing and stabilizing members  1034  and  1036  respectively. The upper crown surface  1022  is smaller at approximately 2.500 inches in length in a heel section  1016  to toe section  1018  direction thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the clubface approximately one inch, 1.00 inch, at both the heel section  1016  and toe section  1018  of the clubhead  1000 . The additional ball-striking surface of R/S  1021  creates a higher perpendicular elevation up to 2.500 inches or greater on the clubface  1020 .  
         [0101]    [0101]FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a golf clubhead  1100  in accordance with the present invention having reinforcing and stabilizing members  1134  and  1136  including ball-striking surfaces  1116  and  1118  located parallel to and coincident with clubface  1120  with bottom surfaces  1138  and  1140  respectively, and a reinforcing and stabilizing member  1121  including a ball-striking surface  1122  and a bottom surface  1127  which are coincident with and located perpendicular to the clubface  1120  and which extends rearwardly approximately to the rear surface  1142  of the clubhead  1100 .  
         [0102]    [0102]FIG. 22 shows another embodiment of a golf clubhead  1200  in accordance with the present invention having reinforcing and stabilizing members  1234  and  1236  including ball-striking surfaces  1235  and  1237  located parallel to and coincident with clubface  1220  with bottom surfaces  1238  and  1240  respectively, and a reinforcing and stabilizing member  1221  including a ball-striking surface and a bottom surface  1227  which is coincident with and located perpendicular to the clubface  1220  and extends approximately to the rear surface  1242  of the clubhead  1200 , the rearward portion  1222  of member  1221  being narrower than the front portion  1223  at the clubface  1220 .  
         [0103]    [0103]FIG. 23 shows a typical prior art clubhead C having a ball-striking clubface F with an inverted trapezoidal shape whereby the hitting area on the clubface is reduced toward the bottom of the face F as the edges of the clubface F extend downwardly and inwardly from the bottom of the striking face F.  
         [0104]    [0104]FIG. 24 shows a view of an embodiment of a golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention compared to a prior art clubhead, shown in phantom, of the type shown in FIG. 21. It can be seen the clubhead of the present invention provides considerable more hitting surface at the heel and toe portions parallel to and coincident with the clubface.  
         [0105]    FIGS.  25  to  28  show a thirteenth embodiment of a metalwood type golf clubhead  1300 . The clubhead  1300  is formed with a hosel  1302 , ball-striking clubface  1320 , upper crown surface  1306 , heel  1308 , toe  1310 , upper side wall surface  1322 , lower side wall surface  1324 , rear wall surface  1314  and bottom sole surface  1316 . The dotted lines  1311  in FIG. 25 outline the diminishing downward and inward direction of the ball-striking area of a traditional shaped clubface  1311  configuration on a traditional shaped clubhead. This graphically demonstrates the long existing difference between the ball-striking areas of traditional shaped club face and the additional expansion of the ball-striking surfaces  1321  and  1323  provided by the R/S member  1318  located parallel to and coincident with the toe and heel sections  1310  and  1308  of the present invention. An aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1318  is formed with a curved, generally parabolic outer, aerodynamic surface, which defines the outermost perimeter surfaces  1319  of the clubhead  1300 . The reinforcing and stabilizing member  1318  locates a portion of its overall weight to the extreme outer edges  1319  of the golf clubhead  1300 . The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member  1318  extends completely around and forms the outer perimeter of the clubhead  1300  and between the side wall surface  1322 , and side wall surface  1324  from the toe  1310  to the heel  1308 , terminating with front ball-striking surfaces  1321  and  1323  being coincident with and parallel to the ball-striking clubface  1320  at the heel  1308  and toe  1310 , thereby expanding the ball-striking clubface  1320  outwardly in a lateral direction at the heel  1318  and toe  1310  of the clubhead  1300 . In this embodiment the respective side walls  1322  and  1324  extend up to the upper crown surface  1306  and down to the bottom sole surface  1316 . The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1318  is located between the side wall surface  1322  and the lower wall surface  1324 , approximately between the upper crown surface  1306  and the bottom surface  1316 .  
         [0106]    FIGS.  29  to  35  show a fourteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead  1400  in accordance with the present invention. The clubhead  1400  is formed with outer surfaces that are more aerodynamic than the previous embodiment shown in FIGS.  25  to  28 . The golf clubhead  1400  includes a hosel  1402 , ball-striking clubface  1404 , top crown surface  1406 , heel  1408 , toe  1410 , upper side wall  1422 , lower side wall  1424 , rear surface  1414  and bottom sole surface  1416 . In accordance with the present invention, an aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1418  is formed on the side wails  1422  and  1424 , and on rear surface  1414 , to surround the clubhead and is located approximately midway between the upper crown surface  1406  and bottom sole surface  1416 . The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1418  includes two opposing ball-striking surfaces  1421 ,  1423 , which are coincident with and parallel to clubface  1404  to increase the ball-striking surfaces on the ball-striking clubface  1404  located at the toe  1410  and the heel  1408  sections of clubface  1404 .  
         [0107]    As can be seen in FIGS. 33 and 34, the side walls  1422  and  1424  and rear surface  1414  extend only partially in a downward direction from the upper crown surface  1406 , the remaining structure forming a sloped aerodynamic, lower surface  1420  between lower side wall  1424  and the bottom sole surface  1416 , as shown in FIG. 35. The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member R/S  1418  extends outwardly from side walls  1422  and  1424 , presenting generally parabolic shape at the extreme outer peripheral edge of the golf clubhead  1400 . The aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1418  separates the upper side wall  1422  and the lower side wall surface  1424 . In addition to creating a wider upper aerodynamic surface surrounding crown  1406 , the aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1418  moves a portion of the overall weight to the extreme outer edge of the golf clubhead  1400 .  
         [0108]    [0108]FIGS. 36 and 37 show a fifteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead  1500 , which is similar to the clubheads described hereinabove and includes a slightly smaller upper crown surface  1506  a wider reinforcing and stabilizing member  1518  including ball-striking surfaces  1510  and  1508  located parallel to and coincident with clubface  1520  and narrow side walls  1512  between the crown surface  1506  and reinforcing and stabilizing member  1518 .  
         [0109]    [0109]FIGS. 38 and 39 show a sixteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead  1600  formed with ball-striking clubface  1620 , an upper crown surface  1606 , side wall  1612  and an aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1618  including ball-striking surfaces  1610  and  1608  located parallel to and coincident with toe and heel sections of clubface  1620 . In this embodiment, the clubhead  1600 , is formed with a concave aerodynamic depression  1624  in the upper crown surface  1606  further adding to the aerodynamic characteristics of the clubhead  1600 .  
         [0110]    [0110]FIGS. 40 and 41 show a seventeenth embodiment of a golf clubhead  1700  formed with ball-striking clubface  1720  having vertical grooves  1722 , and a significantly smaller, raised, reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown member  1706  with an upper surface  1707 . The upper crown member  1706  is formed with a single, upper ball-striking surface  1723 , located above, perpendicular to and coincident with the upper portion of clubface  1720 . The upper crown member  1706  is vertically disposed when the clubhead  1700  is in a normal address position with its bottom surface (not shown) flat on the grass or ground surface. A significantly larger aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member  1718 , including ball-striking surfaces  1726 , has a wider, more aerodynamic upper surface of  1717  surrounding the smaller, raised, reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown member  1706 . This structure moves a portion of the overall weight to the extreme outer edge  1724  of the golf clubhead  1700 . The reinforcing and stabilizing member  1718  is disposed in a generally horizontal, heel to toe direction when the clubhead  1700  is soled in a normal address position on the ground surface. The upper side wall  1722  of the smaller, raised, reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown member  1706  is located further inward from the outer peripheral edge  1724  of the clubhead  1700 . The forward ball-striking surfaces  1726  of the aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1718  are parallel to and coincident with the toe and heel sections of ball-striking clubface  1720 , substantially increasing the overall ball-striking areas on clubface  1720 , both horizontally and vertically.  
         [0111]    [0111]FIGS. 42 and 43 show an eighteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead  1800 , with a ball-striking clubface  1820 , a downsized smaller, raised, reinforcing and stabilizing upper crown member  1806  having an upper surface  1807 , and a significantly larger aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1818 . Features of the aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1818  include wider ball-striking surfaces  1826 , located parallel to toe  1810  and heel  1808  sections of clubface  1820 , and a wider upper surface  1817 . This structure locates a large portion of the overall weight to the extreme outer edge  1824  of the golf clubhead  1800 . In this embodiment of clubhead  1800 , the forward ball-striking faces  1826  of the aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1818  has an upper edge  1828  sloped to coincide with the upper edge  1830  of the ball-striking clubface  1820 . Side wall  1822  also tapers toward the clubface  1820  coinciding with the upper edge  1828  of the aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing R/S member  1818  and the upper edge  1830  of the clubface  1820 , creating a smooth airfoil surface to accelerate the air flow across the upper surface of  1818  of the clubhead  1800 .  
         [0112]    [0112]FIGS. 44 and 45 show a nineteenth embodiment of a golf clubhead  1900 , formed with ball-striking clubface  1920 , a downsized smaller raised top crown surface  1906  having an upper surface  1907 , sidewalls  1922  and a significantly larger aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  1918 . Features of the reinforcing and stabilizing member  1918  include a much wider upper aerodynamic surface  1917 . This moves a significant portion of the overall weight to the extreme outer edge  1924  of the golf clubhead  1900 , thus increasing the effective moment of inertia of the clubhead  1900 . In this embodiment of the clubhead  1900 , the forward edge  1908  of the raised top crown surface  1906  is sloped rearwardly and does not have a ball-striking surface to coincide with the upper edge  1930  of the ball-striking clubface  1920 . The forward edge  1908  is curved to an airfoil shape and creates smooth airfoil surfaces to substantially minimize “drag” and increase the acceleration of air flow across the upper surfaces of the clubhead  1900 .  
         [0113]    [0113]FIGS. 46 and 47 show a twentieth embodiment of clubhead  2000 , having an upper crown surface  2010  and a ball striking clubface  2020 . The clubhead  2000  includes two aerodynamically shaped, reinforcing and stabilizing members  2006  and  2018 , both of which having forward ball striking surfaces which are coincident with the ball-striking face  2020 . The clubhead  2000  includes an upper shelf surface  2010  located between the reinforcing and stabilizing members  2006  and  2018 . The first aerodynamically shaped, reinforcing and stabilizing member  2006  includes a raised top surface  2007 , and sidewalls  2024  and an upper ball-striking face  2012 , centrally located above and coincident with the upper portion of the main ball striking clubface  2020 , in a perpendicular, top to bottom direction relative to the clubface  2020 . The second aerodynamically shaped, reinforcing and stabilizing member  2018  is separated from the upper shelf surface  2010  by sidewalls  2022 , and includes two ball-striking faces  2023  located parallel to and coincident with the toe  2009  and heel  2008  sections of the clubface  2020 . Combining two aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing members on the same clubhead, substantially increases the ball-contact area of the clubface  2020 , specifically at the toe and heel sections and above the central upper portion of the clubface  2020 . The structure of the clubhead  2000  provides improved aerodynamics and substantially expands the ball-contact areas located parallel to and perpendicular to the clubface  2020 . This results in faster acceleration, and, at the same time, produces the most solid-ball contacts made on the greatly enlarged hitting areas for straighter and longer ball flights.  
         [0114]    [0114]FIG. 48 shows a twenty-first embodiment of a golf clubhead  2100  similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, and includes an upper shelf surface  2110  and aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing members  2108  and  2118  on the top and sides respectively of the clubhead  2100 . This embodiment differs in the shape of the raised, upper aerodynamically shaped reinforcing and stabilizing member  2108 , which extends to the rear  2126  of the clubhead  2100  and forms an arcuate shape at the interface of member  2108  and the rear  2126  of the clubhead  2100 .  
         [0115]    While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.