Patent Publication Number: US-9884234-B1

Title: Aerodynamic golf club

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to golf clubs, and in particular, clubs with aerodynamic features for improving club performance 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Traditional golf clubs have a solid club head connected to an elongated shaft. The club head has a striking face extending substantially from the toe to the heel of the club head (i.e. from the distal to the proximal end of the club head). Club heads are made with various masses and loft angles, depending upon the desired trajectory and distance. 
     When a golfer swings an iron or wood, the club head travels in an arc along an inclined plane. The face of the club tends to open on the backswing, close on the downswing, and then ideally strike the ball with the club face perpendicular to the desired flight path of the ball. 
     A putter head has a much more abbreviated travel path and some players advocate moving the putter head in an arc along an inclined plane so that the club face will again open and close, although the opening and closing will be much less pronounced. Other players advocate moving the putter head through a vertical plane, always keeping the face of the putter perpendicular to the desired trajectory of the ball. 
     With either of these putting techniques the striking face of the putter is substantially perpendicular to the travel path of the putter head, especially at the moment of ball impact. The same may be said for irons or woods except that the club face will be offset from perpendicular in accordance with the loft angle of the club. 
     In comparison to irons a woods, putters have relatively lighter heads and essentially no loft angle. Effective use of these putters requires extreme precision and consistency. The least variation in the orientation of the head of a putter can make the difference between sinking or missing a putt. Swinging golf clubs designed for greater distances (irons and woods) are equally challenging and also require extreme precision and consistency. 
     For this reason, much thought and research has gone into structuring the head of a golf club to ensure proper performance. Various physical features of a club head have been adjusted to optimize club performance. Important features in the design of a club head are weight, balance, center of gravity, size and shape of the striking surface, loft angle, moment of inertia, etc. 
     See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,003,768; 3,468,544; 3,794,328; 4,809,982; 4,898,387; 5,054,784; 5,078,398; 5,158,296; 5,524,890; 5,529,303; 5,681,227; 5,695,409; 5,807,187; 6,165,080; 6,471,602; 6,824,474; and 8,651,974, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No 2010/0022325. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an aerodynamic golf club. The golf club has a club head connected to an elongated shaft. The club head has a central section and contiguous thereto, a separated pair of flanking sections on opposite sides of the central section. The central section has a striking face in front and a rear surface in back. The pair of flanking sections each has a leading face in front and a trailing surface in back. The leading face of each of the flanking sections has a plurality of inlets. The trailing surface of each of the flanking sections has a plurality of outlets. Each of the flanking sections has a plurality of distinct channels. Each of the channels runs from a corresponding one of the plurality of inlets to an associated one of the plurality of outlets. The central section has an exposed top surface and an exposed bottom surface. Each of the top surface and the bottom surface extends out to the pair of flanking sections. The central section is impervious between its top surface and its bottom surface to internal airflow. The central section is impervious to internal airflow at the striking surface and above and below the striking surface. 
     By employing structure of the foregoing type, an improved golf club is provided that has enhanced aerodynamic characteristics. In a disclosed embodiment a club head has a solid central section flanked on opposite sides by sections having a number of parallel channels that open on opposite sides of the club head to allow air passage from the front to the back of the club head. In one embodiment the channels are straight bores with a circular cross-section. In another embodiment the channels are parallels slots extending horizontally, i.e. front to back and right to left. These channels stabilize the movement of the club head to allow more accurate and consistent ball impact and ball trajectory. 
     In such embodiments the tops of the flanking sections and the central section can be coplanar. In other embodiments the tops of those three sections can be parallel but with the top of the central section at a lower elevation. 
     In still other embodiments the flanking sections can have upper slanted faces that diverge upwardly and outwardly from the top of the central section. In one such embodiment an upper air conduit is mounted on the upper slanted faces of the flanking sections. These conduits each have an inside upright wall and a top wall to form with the slanted face a triangular passage. In a disclosed embodiment the conduits extend from the front of the flanking section halfway to the back. In some embodiments no further structure follows the conduits, while in other embodiments similar but smaller conduits communicate with and follow behind the front conduits. 
     In the disclosed embodiments, an elongated shaft is attached obliquely to the top of the central section. The top of the central section can also be marked with an optional trio of equidistantly spaced, parallel lines that run from front to back, at right angles to the striking face of the club head. The two outer lines represent the width of a golf ball and the centerline indicates the point of impact and the direction of travel by the golf ball. The underside of the club head can, if desired, be convexly curved from right to left (i.e. from one flanking section, past the central section, and to the other flanking section). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of a golf club in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the golf club of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front, perspective view of a golf club that is second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a vertical sectional view of the club of  FIG. 4  taken along a line much like line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front, perspective view of a golf club that is a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the golf club of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a vertical sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front, perspective view of a golf club that is a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the golf club of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a vertical sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , and a vertical sectional view taken along line  8 ′- 8 ′ of  FIG. 10  being the same as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front, perspective view of a golf club that is a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a front, perspective view of a golf club that is a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a golf club is shown with elongated shaft  10  attached at an angle to the top of club head  12  at section  14 . Shaft  10  is, in this embodiment, an ordinary golf club shaft typically fitted on the distal end with a gripping sleeve (not shown). Shaft  10  is shown attached at the center of club head  12  (midway between the toe and heel of the club head), but in some embodiments may be offset from the center position. The bottom surface  13  of club head  12  is convexly curved in the toe to heel direction. 
     Club head  12  has a central section  14  that is flanked on opposite sides by integral flanking sections  16  and  18 . Bottom surface  13  extends along sections  14 ,  16 , and  18 . The front of central section  14  has a striking face  14 A that is wider than a golf ball. In this embodiment striking face  14 A has a zero loft angle since this club head  12  is designed as a putter. Top surface  14 B of central section  14  is marked with three parallel, equidistantly spaced indicia  32 A,  32 B, and  32 C, which may be formed by inking, painting, engraving, etc. Indicia  32 A and  32 B are gauge marks that are spaced apart to represent the diameter of golf ball B, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Central indicia  32 C is an alignment mark representing the center of striking face  14 A and the expected direction of travel for golf ball B when struck. 
     Flanking section  16  ( 18 ) has a distal surface  16 A ( 18 A) that is upright in this embodiment Section  16  ( 18 ) has a leading face  16 B ( 18 B) in front, and a trailing surface  16 C ( 18 C) in back. Proximal surface  16 D ( 18 D) of section  16  ( 18 ) is slanted and upwardly diverges from central section  14 . In this case flanking sections  16  and  18  are taller than central section  14 . In this embodiment the boundary between flanking section  16  ( 18 ) and central section  14  is defined by a vertical surface containing the intersection of surface  14 B and slanted surface  16 D ( 18 D). 
     Striking surface  14 A and central section  14  may have dimensions similar to known putters. Central section  14  may take up around 30% to 60% of the overall width of club head  12 . In this embodiment central section  14  has an overall height approximately half that of flanking sections  16  and  18 , although in some embodiments the height of the flanking sections may range from the same height to as much as triple the height of the central section. 
     Surfaces  16 A and  16 D are disposed at an acute angle (in this case 50 degrees) and form a rounded corner as do surfaces  18 A and  18 D. Other than those rounded corners and the curved underside  13 , flanking sections  16  and  18  are polyhedral. While the foregoing portions of sections  16  and  18  are polyhedral they need not be so, and in some embodiments the various surfaces need not be flat and may be convex, concave, or a combination of convex and concave, and the curvatures may be cylindrical, spherical, or some other complex curvature. In the illustrated embodiment, rear surfaces  16 C and  18 C obliquely intersect rear surface  14 C of central section  14 , although in other embodiments these rear surfaces may combine into one smooth surface that may be flat or curved in various ways. 
     In this embodiment front surfaces  14 A,  16 B, and  18 B are coplanar. Good performance is achieved when striking surface  14 A is flat. On the other hand, surfaces  16 B and  18 B need not be coplanar and in some embodiments may be skewed or curved in various ways. 
     The flanking sections  16  and  18  are perforated by a number of straight, parallel channels  20  and  22 , respectively. Channels  20  ( 22 ) are uniform bores having round inlets  24  ( 26 ) that lead to round outlets  28  ( 30 ). Inlets  24  are arranged in a number of rows, successive rows being staggered. The bottom ten rows alternate between six and five inlets  24  for a total of 55 inlets. The remaining twenty four inlets  24  have a similar pattern except that the number of inlets per row diminishes because of the slanting of surface  16 D. Because of the incursion of surface  16 D, the four highest inlets  24  running along surface  16 D are progressively truncated and their associated channels will be truncated cylinders having a D-shaped cross section. 
     Other than those four D-shaped channels, channels  20  ( 22 ) will be cylindrical with circular inlets  24  ( 26 ) and circular outlets  28  ( 30 ). In any event, in this embodiment channels  20  and  22  will have a constant cross-section throughout and will be perpendicular to striking surface  14 A. It will be understood that channels  22  of section  18  are arranged as the mirror image of channels  20  of section  16 . In fact section  18  is the mirror image of section  16 . 
     In this embodiment the diameters of channels  20  and  22  are 3/16 inch (5 mm), although different diameters may be employed with a corresponding adjustment of the number and spatial density of the channels. When relatively small channels are employed they will be distributed with a plurality of them distributed horizontally and a plurality distributed vertically. In such arrangements it is desirable to have a reasonable number of channels, and good results are achieved when twenty or more channels are used in each flanking section. In this embodiment channels  20  occupy approximately 28% of the cross-sectional area of flanking section  16 , and their inlets  24  and outlets  28  occupy approximately 28% of the area of surfaces  16 B and  16 C, respectively. Flanking section  18  has the same proportion of coverage. In other embodiments the channels and their inlets/outlets may occupy 20% to 75% of the associated cross-sectional area and surface area of the flanking sections. 
     Unlike flanking sections  16  and  18 , central section  14  is distinguished by being impervious to internal airflow that could travel inside central section  14  from front to back. This impermeability is achieved by fabricating section  14  as a solid block, although some embodiments may employ a central section with one or more enclosed hollow regions, or rear depressions. Club head  12  may be a single metal casting or a single unit molded from plastics or other materials. In some embodiments various parts of club head  12  may be discretely fabricated and connected together by means of welding, adhesives, fasteners, riveting, or other means. 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the apparatus of  FIGS. 1-3 , its operation will be briefly described. To begin, a player will grasp the upper end of shaft  10  in the normal fashion and will take the usual stance, addressing the ball. At this time the striking face  14 A will be perpendicular to the desired travel path and will be next to ball B. The player will point alignment mark  32 C to the desired destination. The player will also position club head  12  so that gauge marks  32 A and  32 B will be aligned to straddle ball B as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Next, the player will move club head  12  away from ball B along the direction indicated by alignment mark  32 C. In this instance the player will keep club head  12  in a vertical travel plane V ( FIG. 3 ) that intersects ball B and the desired travel path of the ball. Striking face  14 A will remain centered on and perpendicular to vertical travel plane V. When this backswing is finished, the player will move club head  12  forward, again keeping striking face  14 A centered on and perpendicular to the foregoing vertical travel plane V. Alignment mark  32 C may be used as a guide indicating the correct direction of motion for club head  12 . 
     Flanking sections  16  and  18  will simultaneously move forward with striking face  14 A. If striking face  14 A remains perpendicular to the travel path of club head  12  while traveling through the vertical travel plane V, channels  20  and  22  will be aligned with the travel path of the club head. Accordingly, air impacting striking face  14 A will enter channels  20  and  22  directly, without deflecting, and without applying a torque to club head  12 . This is the stable orientation for club head  12  when moving. 
     If however, striking face  14 A is skewed azimuthally relative to the travel direction of club head  12 , then air entering channels  20  and  22  will be deflected upon entering the channels. This is an unstable condition which will apply torque to club head  12  about a vertical axis (an axis that is perpendicular to channels  20  and  22  and that also perpendicularly bisects a line connecting the centers of mass of flanking sections  16  and  18 ). This torque will tend to rotate club head  12  to align channels  20  and  22  with the club head&#39;s direction of travel, thereby making striking face  14 A perpendicular to this direction of travel. 
     Because flanking sections  16  and  18  are at a relatively large distance from each other, the torque applied to vertical axis between them is commensurately great. Consequently, club head  12  will be turned toward an optimal orientation for striking ball B. In addition, this stabilizing torque will tend to restrict perturbations in the orientation of club head  12  that may be caused by a golfer whose hands may shake. 
     If on the other hand, striking face  14 A is skewed with a small angle of elevation (or declination) relative to the direction of head travel, then air entering channels  20  and  22  will be deflected upon entering the channels to produce a torque that will tend to rotate club head  12  elevationally to align channels  20  and  22  with the club head&#39;s direction of travel. This rotation will tend to make striking face  14 A perpendicular to this direction of travel. 
     In many cases a golfer&#39;s tight grip will prevent rotation of the club head  12  to align channels  20  and  22  with the direction of travel of the club head. Nevertheless, the golfer will feel the misalignment as a torque transmitted up the club shaft  10 . Accordingly, this tactile feedback will teach the golfer to adjust his or her swing to maintain the ideal orientation of striking face  14 A. 
     In any event, the presence of channels  20  and  22  will allow an airflow that will substantially reduce any drag that might have been caused by flanking sections  16  and  18  if those channels were not present. In addition, channels  20  and  22  reduce the mass of flanking sections  16  and  18  so this putter has a fairly natural, balanced feel. Also, the heel to toe curvature of surface  13  reduces the likelihood of flanking sections  16  and  18  dragging along the ground and affecting the performance of club head  12 . 
     Ultimately, striking face  14 A will hit golf ball B squarely so that the ball is driven in the direction indicated by alignment mark  32 C. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the illustrated golf club is another embodiment of the present invention and an alternative to that shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The top view of this golf club is the same as that shown in  FIG. 2 . Components corresponding to those shown in  FIGS. 1-3  bear the same reference numerals, but increased by 100. 
     This golf club is shown with elongated shaft  110  attached at an angle to the top of club head  112  at section  114 . Shaft  110  is again, an ordinary golf club shaft typically fitted on the distal end with a gripping sleeve (not shown). Shaft  110  is shown attached at the center of club head  12  (midway between the toe and heel of the club head), but in some embodiments may be offset from the center position. The bottom surface  113  of club head  112  is convexly curved in the toe to heel direction. 
     Club head  112  has a central section  114  that is flanked on opposite sides by integral flanking sections  116  and  118 . Bottom surface  113  extends along sections  114 ,  116 , and  118 . The front of central section  114  has a striking face  114 A that is wider than a golf ball. In this embodiment striking face  114 A has a zero loft angle since this club head  12  is designed as a putter. As before, flanking section  116  ( 118 ) has a distal surface  116 A ( 118 A) that is upright. Proximal surface  116 D ( 118 D) of section  116  ( 118 ) is slanted and upwardly diverges from central section  114 . The overall dimensions and external shape of club head  112  is substantially the same as previously shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Flanking sections  116  and  118  are perforated by a number of straight, parallel channels  120  and  122 , respectively. Unlike the previous embodiment, channels  120  ( 122 ) are a single column of uniform slots having rectangular inlets  124  ( 126 ) that lead to rectangular outlets  128  ( 130 ). Inlets  124  are stacked in a number of equidistantly spaced rows, with the bottom five rows having the same width and having a uniform rectangular cross section. The upper five rows have a similar pattern except that their proximal sides are cut short and slanted because of the slanting of surface  116 D. Because of the incursion of surface  16 D, the four highest inlets  24  running near surface  116 D are progressively truncated. The uppermost channel  120  ( 122 ) is highly truncated and has a pie-shaped cross section. 
     In any event, in this embodiment channels  120  and  122  will have a constant cross-section throughout and will be perpendicular to striking surface  114 A. It will be understood that channels  122  of section  118  are arranged as the mirror image of channels  120  of section  116 . In fact section  118  is the mirror image of section  116 . 
     In this embodiment the height of channels  120  and  122  is 3/16 inch (5 mm) with a channel to channel, vertical spacing of twice that amount, although different dimensions may be employed in other embodiments. In arrangements of this type, it is desirable to have a reasonable number of channels, and good results are achieved when five or more slots are used in each flanking section. In this embodiment channels  220  occupy approximately 45% of the cross-sectional area of flanking section  116 , and their inlets  124  occupy approximately 45% of the area of surface  116 B. Flanking section  118  has the same proportion of coverage. In other embodiments the channels and their inlets/outlets may occupy 20% to 75% of the associated cross-sectional area and surface area of the flanking sections. 
     Unlike flanking sections  116  and  118 , central section  114  is distinguished by being impervious to internal airflow that could travel inside central section  114  from front to back. This impermeability is achieved by fabricating section  114  as a solid block, although some embodiments may employ a central section with one or more enclosed hollow regions, or rear depressions. 
     When this golf club is used, the player will address the ball as before, using any gauge or alignment marks atop central section  114  (see as an example,  FIG. 2 ). Next, the player will move club head  112  away from the ball B. 
     Unlike the swing in the previous example, this player will swing club head  112  in an arc along an inclined plane before returning the club head along the same arc. Consequently, striking face  114 A tends to open on the backswing, close on the downswing, and then, ideally, strike the ball at a central “sweet spot” with the club face perpendicular to the desired trajectory of the ball. 
     If striking face  114 A remains perpendicular to the travel path of club head  112 , channels  120  and  122  will be aligned with this travel path. Accordingly, air impacting striking face  114 A will enter channels  120  and  122  directly, without deflecting, and without applying a torque to club head  112 . This is the stable orientation for club head  112  when moving. 
     If however, striking face  114 A is skewed azimuthally or elevationally relative to the travel direction of club head  112 , then air entering channels  120  and  122  will be deflected upon entering the channels. This is an unstable condition which will apply torque to club head  112  that will tend to rotate it to align channels  120  and  122  with the club head&#39;s direction of travel, thereby making striking face  114 A perpendicular to this direction of travel. If the golfer&#39;s tight grip prevents realignment, the golfer will feel the imbalance and will learn to adjust his or her swing. 
     Again, the presence of channels  120  and  122  will reduce the mass of flanking sections  116  and  118  and will allow an airflow that will substantially reduce any drag that might have occurred if the sections lacked channels. Because the percentage of area occupied by channels  120  and  122  is greater than the prior embodiment, the drag and mass is significantly less. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the illustrated golf club is another embodiment of the present invention and an alternative to those previously described Components corresponding to those shown in  FIGS. 1-3  bear the same reference numerals, but increased by 200 (or as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , but increased by 100). The cross-section along line  5 ′- 5 ′ of  FIG. 7  has the same appearance as the cross-section of previously mentioned  FIG. 5  (although  FIG. 5  does not have matching reference numerals, but reference numerals that differ by 100, as just mentioned). 
     This golf club is shown with elongated shaft  210  attached at an angle to the top of club head  212  at section  214 . Shaft  210  is again, an ordinary golf club shaft typically fitted on the distal end with a gripping sleeve (not shown). Shaft  210  is shown attached at the center of club head  212  (midway between the toe and heel of the club head), but in some embodiments may be offset from the center position. The bottom surface  213  of club head  212  is convexly curved in the toe to heel direction. 
     Club head  212  has flanking sections  216  and  218  that are interconnected by an integral bridge  215 . Central section  214  rests on bridge  215  and the right and left ends of section  214  are flush with flanking sections  216  and  218 . Section  214  is held in place by welding, although it can be secured in other embodiments by gluing, riveting, dovetail joints, or other means. The underside of bridge  215  and sections  216  and  218  are convexly curved in a toe to heel direction. 
     The front of central section  214  has a striking face  214 A that is wider than a golf ball. In this embodiment striking face  214 A has a zero loft angle since club head  212  is designed as a putter. As before, flanking section  216  ( 218 ) has a distal surface  216 A ( 218 A) that is upright. Proximal surface  216 D ( 218 D) of section  216  ( 218 ) is slanted and upwardly diverges from central section  214 . 
     Flanking sections  216  and  218  are perforated by a number of straight, parallel channels  220  and  222 , respectively. Channels  220  and  222  are substantially the same as previously shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Unlike flanking sections  216  and  218 , central section  214  is distinguished by being impervious to internal airflow that could travel inside central section  214  from front to back. This impermeability is achieved by fabricating section  214  as a solid block, although some embodiments may employ a central section with one or more enclosed hollow regions, or rear depressions. 
     Flanking sections  216  and  218  differ from those shown in the previous embodiments by having upper air conduits  236  and  238 . Conduit  236  ( 238 ) is bordered below by slanted surface  216 D ( 218 D), above by top wall  236 A ( 238 A), and on the inside by inside wall  236 B ( 238 B). Walls  236 A and  236 B are perpendicular and encompass a passage that is shaped as a triangular prism, which extends approximately over the front two-fifths of slanted surface  216 D. Walls  238 A and  238 B are perpendicular and encompass a passage that is shaped as a triangular prism, which extends approximately over the front two-fifths of slanted surface  218 D. 
     Except for conduits  236  and  238 , the overall dimensions and external shape of club head  212  is substantially the same as previously shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Also, the flanking section  218  and conduit  238  is the mirror image of section  216  and conduit  236 . 
     This golf club is used substantially the same as previously described. In particular, channels  220  and  222  will provide the stabilizing effect described previously in connection with  FIGS. 4-5 . Conduits  236  and  238  will guide the passage of air over the top of club head  212 . Air passing over club head  212  will be partitioned into airflow through conduit  236 , airflow through conduit  238 , and airflow between these two conduits. This partitioning will regulate the airflow, reduce turbulence, and generally add to the stability of club head  212  when traveling. Conduits  236  and  238  will achieve these benefits without significantly increasing drag or adding to the mass of the club head  212 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the illustrated golf club is another embodiment of the present invention and is an alternative to those previously described. Components corresponding to those shown in  FIGS. 1-3  bear the same reference numerals, but increased by 300 (or as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , but increased by 100). 
     This golf club is shown with elongated shaft  310  attached at an angle to the top of club head  312  at central section  314 . Shaft  310  is again, an ordinary golf club shaft typically fitted on the distal end with a gripping sleeve (not shown). Shaft  310  is shown attached at the center of club head  312  (midway between the toe and heel of the club head), but in some embodiments may be offset from the center position. The bottom surface  313  of club head  312  is convexly curved in the toe to heel direction. 
     Central section  314  is between flanking sections  316  and  318 . The front of central section  314  has a striking face  314 A that is wider than a golf ball, and has a zero loft angle since club head  312  is designed as a putter. As before, flanking section  316  ( 318 ) has a distal surface  316 A ( 318 A) that is upright. Proximal surface  316 D ( 318 D) of section  316  ( 318 ) is slanted and upwardly diverges from central section  314 . 
     Flanking sections  316  and  318  are perforated by a number of straight, parallel channels  320  and  322 , respectively. Channels  320  and  322  are substantially the same as previously shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Unlike flanking sections  316  and  318 , central section  314  is distinguished by being impervious to internal airflow that could travel inside central section  314  from front to back. 
     Flanking sections  316  and  318  differ from those shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 6-8  by including upper posterior air conduits  340  and  342 , immediately following and communicating with anterior air conduits  336  and  338 , respectively. Anterior conduit  336  ( 338 ) is similar to conduit  236  ( 238 ) of  FIG. 6 , and is bordered below by slanted surface  316 D ( 318 D), above by top wall  336 A ( 338 A), and on the inside by inside wall  336 B ( 338 B). Walls  336 A and  336 B are perpendicular and encompass a passage that is shaped as a triangular prism, which extends approximately over the front two-fifths of slanted surface  316 D. Walls  338 A and  338 B are also perpendicular and encompass a passage that is shaped as a triangular prism, which extends approximately over the front two-fifths of slanted surface  318 D. 
     Posterior conduit  340  ( 342 ) is similar to anterior conduit  336  ( 338 ), and is bordered below by slanted surface  316 D ( 318 D), above by top wall  340 A ( 342 A), and on the inside by inside wall  340 B ( 342 B). Walls  340 A and  340 B are perpendicular and encompass a passage that is approximately 25% longer than that of anterior conduit  336 . The internal cross-sections of the triangular passages of conduits  336  and  340  are identical, even though the outside dimensions of walls  340 A and  340 B are smaller, because walls  340 A and  340 B are thinner than walls  336 A and  336 B. 
     Walls  342 A and  342 B are perpendicular and encompass a passage that is approximately 25% longer than that of anterior conduit  338 . The triangular passages of conduits  338  and  342  are identical, even though the outside dimensions of walls  342 A and  342 B are smaller, because walls  342 A and  342 B are thinner than walls  338 A and  338 B. 
     Except for conduits  340 , and  342 , the overall dimensions and external shape of club head  312  is substantially the same as previously shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Also, the flanking section  318  with its conduits  338  and  342  is the mirror image of section  316  with its conduits  336  and  340 . 
     This golf club is used substantially the same as previously described. In particular, channels  320  and  322  will provide the stabilizing effect (or tactile feedback) described previously in connection with  FIGS. 4-5 . 
     Conduits  336 ,  340 ,  338 , and  342  will guide the passage of air over the top of club head  312 . Air passing over club head  312  will be partitioned into airflow through conduits  336  and  340 , airflow through conduits  338  and  342 , and airflow between these conduits. This partitioning will regulate the airflow, reduce turbulence, and generally add to the stability of club head  312  when traveling. Conduits  336 ,  340 ,  338 , and  342  will achieve these benefits without significantly increasing drag or adding to the mass of the club head  312 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the illustrated golf club is another embodiment of the present invention and is an alternative to those previously described. Components corresponding to those shown in  FIGS. 1-3  bear the same reference numerals, but increased by 400. 
     This golf club is shown with elongated shaft  410  attached at an angle to the top of club head  412  at central section  414 . Shaft  410  is again, an ordinary golf club shaft typically fitted on the distal end with a gripping sleeve (not shown). Shaft  410  is shown attached at the center of club head  412  (midway between the toe and heel of the club head), but in some embodiments may be offset from the center position. 
     Central section  414  is between flanking sections  416  and  418 . The front of central section  414  has a striking face  414 A that is wider than a golf ball, and has a zero loft angle since club head  412  is designed as a putter. Top surface  414 B has only an alignment mark  432 C (no gauge marks). 
     Flanking section  416  ( 418 ) has a distal surface  416 A ( 418 A) that is upright. Proximal surface  416 D ( 418 D) of section  416  ( 418 ) is upright and parallel to surface  416 A ( 418 A). Top surface  416 E ( 418 E) is perpendicular to proximal surface  416 D ( 418 D). 
     Basically sections  414 ,  416 , and  418  are rectangular blocks with the same depth and a common planar underside. Section  414  is wider and shorter than sections  416  and  418 . The overall width and depth of club  412  is substantially the same as club  12  of  FIG. 1 , although the overall height is slightly less in the  FIG. 12  embodiment. The fronts of sections  414 ,  416 , and  418  are coplanar, and the same can be said of their rear faces. 
     The flanking sections  416  and  418  are perforated by a number of straight, parallel channels  420  and  422 , respectively. Channels  420  and  422  are straight, parallel, uniform, and cylindrical bores. Channels  420  (as well as channels  422 ) are arranged in fourteen rows of six channels each. Successive rows are staggered. In this embodiment channels  420  and  422  will have a constant cross-section throughout and will be perpendicular to striking surface  414 A. It will be understood that channels  422  of section  418  are arranged as the mirror image of channels  420  of section  416 . In fact section  418  is the mirror image of section  416 . 
     In this embodiment the diameters of channels  420  and  422  are 3/16 inch (5 mm), although different diameters may be employed with a corresponding adjustment of the number and spatial density of the channels. When relatively small channels are employed they will be distributed with a plurality of them distributed horizontally and a plurality distributed vertically. In such arrangements it is desirable to have a reasonable number of channels, and good results are achieved when twenty or more channels are used in each flanking section. 
     In this embodiment channels  420  ( 420 ) occupy approximately 28% of the cross-sectional area of flanking section  416  ( 418 ). In other embodiments the channels and their inlets/outlets may occupy 20% to 75% of the associated cross-sectional area of the flanking sections. 
     Unlike flanking sections  416  and  418 , central section  414  is distinguished by being impervious to internal airflow that could travel inside central section  414  from front to back. 
     This golf club is used substantially the same as previously described. In particular, channels  420  and  422  will provide the stabilizing effect and tactile feedback described previously in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 . Channels  420  and  422  will achieve these benefits without significantly increasing drag or adding to the mass of the club head  412 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the illustrated golf club is another embodiment of the present invention and is an alternative to those previously described. Components corresponding to those shown in  FIGS. 4-5  bear the same reference numerals, but increased by 400. 
     This golf club is shown with elongated shaft  510 , an ordinary golf club shaft. Shaft  510  is shown attached atop club head  512 , near the juncture of central section  514  and flanking  518 . Central section  514  is between flanking sections  516  and  518 . Section  514  is wider than sections  516  and  518 . The front of central section  514  has a striking face  514 A that is wider than a golf ball, and has a zero loft angle since club head  512  is designed as a putter. 
     Top surface  514 B has an alignment mark  532 C, and gauge marks  532 A and  532 B, similar to those shown previously. Flanking section  516  ( 518 ) has a distal surface  516 A ( 518 A) that is upright. 
     Basically, sections  514 ,  516 , and  518  are rectangular blocks with the same depth and height, a common planar underside, and a common planar topside. The fronts of sections  514 ,  516 , and  518  are coplanar, and the same can be said of their backs. In fact, sections  514 ,  516 , and  518  may be considered a single rectangular block. 
     Flanking sections  516  and  518  are perforated by a number of straight, parallel channels  520  and  522 , respectively. Channels  520  ( 522 ) are a single column of uniform slots that are stacked in six equidistantly spaced rows, each having the same width and having a uniform rectangular cross section. In this embodiment channels  520  and  522  will have a constant cross-section throughout and will be perpendicular to striking surface  514 A. It will be understood that channels  522  of section  518  are arranged as the mirror image of channels  520  of section  516 . In fact section  518  is the mirror image of section  516 . 
     In this embodiment the height of channels  120  and  122  is ¼ inch (6.3 mm) with a vertical, channel to channel spacing of twice that amount, although different dimensions may be employed in other embodiments. 
     In arrangements of this type, it is desirable to have a reasonable number of channels, and good results are achieved when five or more slots are used in each flanking section. In this embodiment channels  520  occupy approximately 45% of the cross-sectional area of flanking section  516 . Flanking section  518  has the same proportion of coverage. In other embodiments the channels and their inlets/outlets may occupy 20% to 75% of the associated cross-sectional area of the flanking sections. 
     Unlike flanking sections  516  and  518 , central section  514  is distinguished by being impervious to internal airflow that could travel inside central section  514  from front to back. 
     This golf club is used substantially the same as previously described. In particular, channels  520  and  522  will provide the stabilizing effect and tactile feedback described previously in connection with  FIGS. 4-5 . Channels  520  and  522  will achieve these benefits without significantly increasing drag or adding to the mass of the club head  512 . 
     It will be appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described embodiments. Instead of round or slotted channels, some embodiments may use channels with a cross-section that is polygonal, oval, crescent-shaped, or shaped otherwise. In some embodiments the size of the channel can converge or diverge in the front to back direction. In some cases, channels with a variety of shapes can be used in the same club head. While all the disclosed channels were parallel to the intended direction of ball travel, in some embodiments the channels can be angled with the angle of those on the left complementary to those on the right to maintain stability and balance. In some cases the channels can have a curved path with the curvature on the right and on the left complementary to maintain stability and balance. In some embodiments the channels can be converging or diverging from each other. Instead of flat surfaces, the surface of the central and flaking sections can be curved in a variety of ways. Also, the flanking sections can be made of a different material than the central section. While a putter was described, the foregoing club head could be modified to function as an iron, wood, driver, wedge, etc. In those cases the club head may have an upward loft angle. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.