Patent Publication Number: US-2019192935-A1

Title: Putter-type golf club head

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/481,902, filed Apr. 7, 2017, which in turn is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/166,289, filed Jan. 28, 2014, which is based on and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/891,639, filed Oct. 16, 2013. A claim of priority to these prior applications is hereby made, and the disclosures of these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A critical component of effective putting is the ability to properly align a putter-type golf club with the cup. To better facilitate this proper alignment, various solutions have previously been proposed and manufactured. For example, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. D401,636 and D429,297, a putter-type golf club head has been produced with grooves on its upper surface that are perpendicular to the striking face of the club head. As evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,905,420 and 6,679,782, a putter-type golf club head has also been produced with a “2-ball” design, in which multiple circular alignment elements are provided on the upper surface of the club head. These circular alignment elements are typically centered on an imaginary line extending rearward and perpendicularly from a center point of the striking face of the putter-type club head. Such design attempts do not, however, adequately provide feedback to the golfer in a manner that avoids strain and unnecessary mental computation. The result is a golfer&#39;s loss of confidence in his equipment and greater difficulty in applying a smooth and accurate putting stroke. 
     SUMMARY 
     The conventional grooves and circular alignment elements often fail to result in effective alignment of the putter-type golf club head with the cup, thereby frequently resulting in erroneous shots. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a putter-type golf club head with more effective alignment elements. 
     According to experiments carried out by the present inventors, the presence of at least one rectangular alignment element, such as a rectangle or square, allowed a golfer to more effectively align the putter-type golf club head with the cup than the “2-ball” design. One explanation for this improvement is the right-angle characteristic of rectangles and squares, in which one edge of the at least one alignment element was parallel to the striking face of the club head and another edge extended parallel to the travelling direction of the golf ball. Also according to the experiments carried out by the present inventors, by making the width of the at least one alignment element substantially equal to the diameter of the golf ball, heel-to-toe (translational) alignment was improved, thereby further reducing the likelihood of off-centered shots. 
     Thus, one example of the putter-type golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a striking wall having a substantially planar striking face for hitting a golf ball. A central elongate member may extend rearward from the striking wall, and an upper surface of the central elongate member may include a plurality of separate alignment elements. At least one of the plurality of separate alignment elements may have an edge that extends substantially parallel to the striking face, and the length of this edge may be substantially equivalent to the diameter of a golf ball. 
     In another example, a putter-type golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a striking face, a bottom surface, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The top surface may include a first alignment element having a generally rectangular shape. The top surface may also include a second alignment element spaced rearwardly from the first alignment element that also has a generally rectangular shape. 
     To accommodate the alignment elements, the putter-type golf club head, in one example according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may have a length no less than 3.50 inches. The width of the club head may be no less than its length. And the volume of the club head may be no greater than 60 cubic centimeters. 
     These and other features and advantages of the putter-type golf club head according to the various aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description, drawings, and appended claims. The drawings described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the putter-type golf club head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a top plan view of the putter-type golf club head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of the putter-type golf club head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E′ of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a top plan view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a top plan view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a top plan view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a top plan view of an exemplary putter-type golf club head in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a side perspective view of the putter-type golf club head of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a putter-type golf club head  100 , according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may generally include a body  102  formed from metallic and/or non-metallic materials. For example, the body  102  may be formed from any one of or a combination of aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, composites, polymeric materials, and/or any other suitable material. The body  102  may include a front portion  110  having a striking surface  112 , a rear portion  114 , a toe portion  116 , a heel portion  118 , a sole portion  120 , and an upper portion  122 . The heel portion  118  may include a hosel  130 , or aperture extending from the exterior surface of the upper portion  122 , configured to receive and secure a shaft (not shown) of the golf club. 
     As shown, the hosel  130  is located toward the heel portion  118  of the club head  100 . In certain other aspects, the hosel (or aperture) is located toward the toe portion  116  of the club head  100 . In yet other aspects, the hosel (or aperture) is located in a generally central location of the club head  100  relative to the heel to toe direction. 
     The body  102  may also include a central elongate member  140  projecting from the striking surface  112  of the front portion  110  toward the rear of the body  102 . The central elongate member  140  may include a top portion  142 , an uppermost surface of which may be substantially planar and may include one or more alignment elements  200 . In certain aspects, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140  may be located above, and supported by, a central vertical wall  201  that extends rearwardly from the striking surface  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the golf club head  100  is shown in top plan view. The golf club head  100  is considered to be “soled” in this orientation with a ground plane being parallel with the plane of the paper. “Soled,” as used herein, refers to an orientation of the club head  100  in which equilibrium is achieved with the club head  100  being placed so that the sole portion  120  of the club head  100  is proximate the ground plane. Unless otherwise specified, all club head dimensions described herein are taken with the club head in the “soled” position. In certain aspects, the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140  may form a generally planar upper surface that is substantially parallel to the ground plane. 
     The one or more alignment elements  200  may comprise any number and any type of design sufficient to aid a golfer to align the putter-type golf club head  100  with a cup. For example, with further reference to  FIG. 2 , an alignment element  210  may include an edge  212  substantially parallel to the striking surface  112 . An imaginary vertical plane A-A′ may be perpendicular to the general plane of the striking surface  112  when the club head  100  is in the “soled” position. The edge  212  may be provided so as to be intersected by the imaginary vertical plane A-A′ extending perpendicularly from the striking surface  112  toward the rear portion  114 . In certain aspects, the imaginary vertical plane A-A′ may intersect a center B of the striking surface  112 , and in such cases, it may bisect the edge  212  into two equal halves. The length  214  of the edge  212  may be chosen to facilitate proper alignment of the golf club head  100  with the golf ball. For example, the length  214  may be equal to or substantially equal to the diameter of a golf ball, 1.62 inches (“in”). Alternatively, the length  214  may be slightly more than or slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball. 
     The alignment element  210  may also include an additional edge  216  that is substantially perpendicular to the edge  212 . In certain aspects, the length of the edge  216  may be, like the length  214  of the edge  212 , slightly less than, slightly more than, substantially equal to, or equal to the 1.62-in diameter of a golf ball. The alignment element  210  may also include additional edges. For example, the alignment element  210  may include an edge  220  parallel to the edge  212  and may include an edge  222  parallel to the edge  216 . Thus, the alignment element  210  may be rectangular in shape. In certain aspects, the edges  212 ,  216 ,  220 , and  222  may all be equal in length. Accordingly, the alignment element  210  may be square in shape, and its center C may be positioned on the vertical plane A-A′. 
     The one or more alignment elements  200  may also comprise an additional alignment element  240 . For example, with further reference to  FIG. 2 , the alignment element  240  may be provided rearward of the alignment element  210 . This second alignment element  240  may comprise edges  242 ,  246 ,  250 , and  252 . Edge  242 , like edge  212  of the alignment element  210 , may be provided substantially parallel to the striking surface  112 ; may have a length that is slightly less than, slightly more than, substantially equal to, or equal to the 1.62-in diameter of a golf ball; and may be bisected into equal halves by imaginary plane A-A′. Edge  246 , like edge  216  of the alignment element  210 , may be substantially perpendicular to the edge  242  and may, in certain aspects, have a length equal to that of the edge  242 . Edges  250  and  252  may be provided so as to be respectively parallel to edges  242  and  246 , thereby providing the alignment element  240  with a rectangular shape. In certain aspects, the edges  242 ,  246 ,  250 , and  252  may be equal in length. Thus, the alignment element  240  may also be square in shape, and its center D may be positioned on the plane A-A′. 
     The edges of the alignment elements  200  may be of any kind sufficient to delineate the size and shape of the alignment elements  200 . The edges may be formed, for example, as edges of shallow grooves in the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140 . These grooves may have a depth of between 0.25 millimeters (“mm”) and 1.00 mm extending from the upper surface of the top portion  142  toward the ground plane. More specifically, these grooves may have a depth substantially equal to 0.50 mm. Preferably, the depth of the grooves is selected to be sufficient to enable application and retention of a paint fill. 
     The presence of the alignment elements  200  on the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140  may play a role in dictating the shape and dimensions of the putter-type golf club head  100 . Notably, the alignment elements  200 , as they may comprise plural square-shaped elements with dimensions corresponding to a golf ball diameter, require a relative large area. In turn, these alignment elements  200  may require that a relatively significant amount of mass be placed proximate the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140 . Therefore, given a predetermined mass budget, mass in the remaining regions of the golf club head  100  may preferably be reduced. The walls forming the body  102  of the golf club head  100  may thus be generally thin-walled, and the golf club head  100  may be considered to have a high area (as projected into a ground plane when viewed in top plan) to volume ratio. Similarly, the golf club  100  may be considered to have a high length relative to its volume. Specific dimensions and properties of the golf club head  100  are discussed in detail below. 
     The term “volume,” as used herein, denotes the volume measured using the conventional water displacement method as specified by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and the R&amp;A Rules Limited (“R&amp;A”), wherein like features of wood type golf club heads are substituted for those of other types of club heads under consideration, say a putter type club head. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the “soled” golf club head  100  of  FIG. 2  is shown. With reference to the “x” (i.e. front to rear) direction indicated in  FIG. 3 , an overall length  150  of the body  102  may be greater than or equal to 3.5 in. More specifically, the length  150  may be greater than or equal to 3.55 in. Even more specifically, the length  150  may be between 3.55 and 4.0 in. With reference to the “y” (i.e. heel to toe) direction perpendicular to the “x” direction, the overall width  152  of the body  102  may be, for example, greater than the length  150 . In certain aspects, the width  152  may be greater than or equal to 3.8 in. More specifically, the width  152  may be between 4.0 and 4.5 in. Even more specifically, the width  152  may be between 4.1 and 4.4 in. In certain aspects, the product (“*”) of the length  150  and the width  152  may be, for example, greater than or equal to 14 in 2 . More specifically, the product of the length  150  and the width  152  may be between 14 in 2  and 20 in 2 . These dimensions ensure that the desired alignment elements may be properly sized and positioned in a club head that conforms with USGA regulations (and similar regulations of other golf equipment regulatory bodies). Defining a relatively large projected area when viewed in top plan view also ensures that the club head possesses a sufficiently high moment of inertia to provide adequate performance on off-centered shots. 
     Other dimensions of the body  102  may also be specified. For example, with further reference to  FIG. 3 , a width  154  of the striking surface  112 , taken in a direction parallel to the width  152 , may be less than or equal to the width  152 . More specifically, the width  154  may be greater than or equal to 3.8 in. These dimensions ensure compliance with USGA regulations and, also, instill in the golfer a sense of convergence toward a golf cup, when the club head is viewed from above. This is believed to result in improved accuracy. Furthermore, the width  156  of the central elongate member  140 , taken in a direction parallel to the widths  152  and  154 , may be, for example, less than the widths  152  and  154 . In certain aspects, the width  156  may be greater than or equal to 1.0 in. More specifically, the width  156  may be greater than or equal to 1.5 in, or the width  156  may be greater than or equal to 1.75 in. Even more specifically, the width  156  may be between 1.75 and 2.0 in. Finally, the width  156  may be substantially equal to 1.8 in. These parameters, when the club head  100  is viewed from above by a golfer, are believed to ensure continuity between the club head  100  and the golf ball intended to be contacted. Specifically, the bounds of the central elongate member  140 , when the club head  100  is in a state of being swung toward a golf ball, are believed to be perceived as motion lines by the golfer. These motion lines could be projected toward the bounds of the golf ball by the golfer with minimal mental exertion. Similarly, having plural alignment elements, when the club head  100  is in a state of being swung toward a golf ball, is believed to provide an indication to the golfer of rate of travel with minimal mental exertion, which minimizes over-hitting. Specifically, the cyclical alternations between the surfaces of the alignment elements and the surrounding environment are believed to readily indicate swing speed. This effect is believed to be even further strengthened by the presence of parallel edges  212 ,  220 ,  242 , and  250 . 
     The projected area of the club head  100  when “soled” on a ground plane, and when viewed in top plan view, may be, for example, less than the product of the length  150  and the width  152 . For example, the projected area of the club head  100  may be greater than or equal to 50% of the product of the length  150  and the width  152 . More specifically, the projected area of the club head  100  may be greater than or equal to 65% of the product of the length  150  and the width  152 . Even more specifically, the projected area of the club head  100  may be greater than or equal to 75% of the product of the length  150  and the width  152 . 
     The height and thickness of the body  102  may also be defined. For example, with reference to  FIG. 4 , the maximum height  160  from the bottommost point of the sole portion  120  to the uppermost point of the top portion  142  may be greater than or equal to 0.80 in. More specifically, the height  160  may be greater than or equal to 0.85 in. Even more specifically, the height  160  may be greater than or equal to 0.95 in. In certain aspects, the height  160  may be between 0.95 and 1.05 in. The minimum thickness  162  of the top portion  142  may also be specified. For example, the thickness  162  may be less than or equal to 5 mm. More specifically, the thickness  162  may be less than or equal to 3 mm. Even more specifically, the thickness  162  may be between 1 and 3 mm. 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the putter-type golf club head  100  along the line E-E′ illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Although the line E-E′ is shown as intersecting the center B of the striking surface  112  as well as the centers C and D of the alignment elements  200 , this need not be the case. Rather, line E-E′ may be positioned anywhere within dashed, imaginary vertical planes F and G, which are each provided 0.5 in from the center B of the striking surface  112 . The height  172  is measured at a length  180  (from the forwardmost point  170 ), which is one half the length  150  of the body  102 . The height  172  may be, for example, greater than or equal to the product of 0.5 and the maximum height  160 . More specifically, the height  172  may be greater than or equal to the product of 0.75 and the maximum height  160 . Even more specifically, the height  172  may be greater than or equal to the product of 0.85 and the maximum height  160 . The height  174  is measured at a length  182  (from the forwardmost point  170 ), which is three quarters the length  150  of the body  102 . The height  174  may be, for example, greater than or equal to the product of 0.5 and the maximum height  160 . More specifically, the height  174  may be greater than or equal to the product of 0.75 and the maximum height  160 . Even more specifically, the height  174  may be greater than or equal to the product of 0.85 and the maximum height  160 . Moreover, the height  176  is measured at a length  184  (from the forwardmost point  170 ), which is equal to the length  150  of the body  102 . The height  176  may be, for example, greater than or equal to the product of 0.5 and the maximum height  160 . More specifically, the height  176  may be greater than or equal to the product of 0.75 and the maximum height  160 . Even more specifically, the height  176  may be greater than or equal to the product of 0.85 and the maximum height  160 . 
     The provision of the alignment elements  200  may in part dictate other properties of the putter-type golf club head  100 . For example, the volume V of the golf club head  100  may be less than or equal to 60 cubic centimeters (“cc”). More specifically, the volume V may be less than or equal to 55 cc. Even more specifically, the volume V may be between 40 and 55 cc. In certain aspects, the volume V may be equal to or about 52 cc. The mass M of the golf club head  100  may be, for example, between 300 and 400 grams (“g”). More specifically, the mass M may be between 340 and 380 g. Even more specifically, the mass M may be substantially equal to or about 360 g. These combined mass and volume parameters ensure that, while keeping manufacturing costs low and maintaining a viable overall mass budget, the alignment features described above may be provided. 
     Furthermore, with reference to  FIG. 3 , the moment of inertia I xx  of the putter-type golf club head  100  about an axis through the center of gravity of the club head  100  and extending parallel to the x-axis may be, for example, greater than or equal to 2,000 g*cm 2 . The moment of inertia I yy  of the golf club head  100  about an axis through the center of gravity of the club head  100  and extending parallel to the y-axis may be, for example, greater than or equal to 2,200 g*cm 2 . Finally, the moment of inertia I zz  of the golf club head  100  about an axis through the center of gravity of the club head  100  and extending parallel to the z-axis may be, for example, no less than 3,500 g*cm 2 . More specifically, I zz  may be no less than 4,000 g*cm 2 . Even more specifically, I zz  may be between 4,000 and 4,500 g*cm 2 . 
     In the above discussion, a non-limiting example of the one or more alignment elements  200  has been described. By virtue of the right-angle characteristics of the alignment elements  200 , superior alignment of the putter-type golf club head  100  with the cup may be achieved. Moreover, by virtue of the correspondence between the dimensions of the one or more alignment elements  200  and the diameter of the golf ball, heel-to-toe alignment of the golf ball with the golf club head  100  may be improved, thereby increasing the likelihood of an effective shot. 
     Other non-limiting examples of the alignment elements are envisioned as being within the scope of the invention. For example,  FIG. 6  shows alignment element  310 . Alignment element  310  may substantially correspond to alignment element  210  in size and in position on the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140 ; however, alignment element  310  may also include a guide line  312 . The guide line  312  may be formed in the same manner as the edges of the alignment element  310 , say as a groove. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide line  312  may extend perpendicularly to the striking surface  112 , and it may run centrally through the alignment element  310  so as to divide the alignment element  310  into two equal portions  314 ,  316 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide line  312  may extend from the edge of the alignment element  310  closest to the striking surface  112  more than half the length  318  of the alignment element  310  so as to allow the portions  314 ,  316  to connect. Alternatively, the guide line  312  may extend the entire length  318  of the alignment element  310  so as to completely separate the portions  314 ,  316 . In certain other aspects, the guide line  312  may be intermittent, e.g. dashed. 
     Another alignment element  340  may also be provided. The alignment element  340  may substantially correspond to alignment element  240  in size and in position on the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140 ; however, the alignment element  340  may also include a guide line  342 . The guide line  342  may be formed in the same manner as the edges of the alignment element  340 , say as a groove. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide line  342  may extend perpendicularly to the striking surface  112 , and it may run centrally through the alignment element  340  so as to divide the alignment element  340  into two equal portions  344 ,  346 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the guide line  342  may extend from the edge of the alignment element  340  closest to the striking surface  112  more than half the length  348  of the alignment element  340  so as to allow the portions  344 ,  346  to connect. Alternatively, the guide line  342  may extend the entire length  348  of the alignment element  340  so as to completely separate the portions  344 ,  346 . In certain other aspects, the guide line  342  may be intermittent, e.g. dashed. 
       FIG. 7  shows another non-limiting example of the putter-type golf club head  100  according to the present invention. In this example, at least one of alignment elements  410  and  440  may be provided. Alignment elements  410  and  440  may substantially correspond to alignment elements  210  and  240 , respectively, in size and in position on the top portion  142  of the central elongate member  140 . The edges of the alignment elements  410  and  440  may substantially correspond to the edges  212 ,  216 ,  220 , and  222  of the alignment element  210  and to the edges  242 ,  246 ,  250 , and  252  of the alignment element  240 , respectively, in length and in depth of the grooves forming the edges. However, the central portions of these edges may not be recessed into the top portion  142 , thereby forming the alignment elements  410  and  440  as a plurality of corners  411 ,  413 ,  415 ,  417 ,  441 ,  443 ,  445 , and  447 . The lengths of the grooves forming these corners of the alignment elements  410  and  440  need not be particularly limited, for the grooves need only be of sufficient length to delineate to a golfer the orientation and dimensions of the alignment elements  410  and  440 . In certain aspects, the portion of each corner parallel to the striking surface  112  may be equal in length to the portion of each corner perpendicular to the striking surface  112 . Alternatively, the portion of each corner parallel to the striking surface  112  may be of different length (shorter or longer) than the portion of each corner perpendicular to the striking surface  112 . In certain aspects, the grooves forming the plurality of corners  411 ,  413 ,  415 ,  417 ,  441 ,  443 ,  445 , and  447  may all be of equal length. Alternatively, certain corners may be of different length than others. For example, corners  411 ,  417 ,  441 , and  447  may be longer than corners  413 ,  415 ,  443 , and  445 . 
       FIG. 8  shows another non-limiting example of the putter-type golf club head  100  according to the present invention. In this example, at least one of alignment elements  510  and  540  may be provided. Alignment elements  510  and  540  may be provided as “cross-hairs,” respectively comprising edges  512 ,  514  and  542 ,  544 . Edges  512 ,  514  and  542 ,  544  may be formed in a manner substantially similar to edges  212 ,  216 ,  220 ,  222 ,  242 ,  246 ,  250 , and  252  of the alignment elements  210  and  240 . Edges  512  and  542  may be substantially parallel to the striking surface  112 , and they may be slightly less than, slightly more than, substantially equal to, or equal to the 1.62 in. diameter of a golf ball. Edges  514  and  544  may be perpendicular to the striking surface  112 , and they may respectively intersect the centers of the edges  512  and  542 . In certain aspects, edges  514  and  544  may also be slightly less than, slightly more than, substantially equal to, or equal to the 1.62 in. diameter of a golf ball. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the edges forming the alignment elements  510  and  540  may intersect at points C and D on the top surface  142 , points C and D respectively corresponding to the centers of the alignment elements  210  and  240 . 
     In the preceding examples, the alignment elements have all been formed by grooves projecting into the top surface  142  of the central elongate member  140 . However, this need not be the case. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , at least one alignment element may be an insert provided in a corresponding opening in the top surface  142 .  FIG. 9  shows inserts  211  and  241  respectively forming alignment elements  210  and  240 . Examples of materials suitable for fabricating the inserts may include polyurethane, silicone, Nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and natural rubber. The inserts may be a different color than the body  102  of the club head  100 , say white, through painting or doping of the insert with coloring agents, and the inserts may be bonded to the central elongate member  140  using, e.g., an epoxy-type adhesive. The thickness of the inserts is not particularly limited, but in certain aspects, the thickness of the inserts may be less than the thickness  162  of the top portion  142 . 
     In other examples, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 10 , at least one of the alignment elements may be recessed into the top surface  142  of the central elongate member  140 .  FIG. 10  shows the edges of the alignment elements  210  and  240  not as grooves, but as beveled edges projecting from the uppermost surface of the top portion  142  into the top portion  142 . Center, recessed portions  213  and  243  of the alignment elements  210  and  240  are below (i.e. closer to the sole portion  120 ) than the uppermost surface of the top portion  142 . In certain aspects, the beveled edges of the alignment elements  210  and  240  are a different color than the body  102  of the club head  100 . In certain other aspects, the center, recessed portions  213  and  243  are a different color than the body  102  of the club head  100 . In yet other aspects, both the beveled edges and the center portions  213  and  243  are a different color than the body  102 . 
     Even further non-limiting examples are envisioned as being within the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the top surface  142  of the central elongate member  140  need not be planar. Rather, the top surface  142  may comprise a front portion  144 , a rear portion  146 , and a central portion  148  that is recessed from the portions  144 ,  146  toward the sole portion  120 . Beveled connecting portions  145  and  147  may respectively connect the portions  144 ,  148  and  146 ,  148 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , when viewed from directly above by a golfer in the reference position, the alignment elements  210  and  240  appear as squares. 
     In the foregoing discussion, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary aspects thereof. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these exemplary aspects without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing discussion and the accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative of the present invention rather than as limiting its scope in any manner.