Patent Publication Number: US-2021170240-A1

Title: Club heads having reinforced club head faces and related methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/710,236, filed on May 12, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/994,029, filed on May 15, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/023,819, filed on Jul. 11, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/101,926, filed on Jan. 9, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/146,783, filed on Apr. 13, 2015, the contents of all disclosures above are incorporated fully by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and relates more particularly to golf club heads and related methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various characteristics of a golf club can affect the performance of the golf club. 
     For example, the center of gravity, the moment of inertia, and the coefficient of restitution of the club head of the golf club are each characteristics of a golf club that can affect performance. 
     The center of gravity and moment of inertia of the club head of the golf club are functions of the distribution of mass of the club head. In particular, distributing mass of the club head to be closer to a sole of the club head, farther from a face of the club head, and/or closer to toe and heel ends of the club head can alter the center of gravity and/or the moment of inertia of the club head. For example, distributing mass of the club head to be closer to the sole of the club head and/or farther from the face of the club head can increase a flight angle of a golf ball struck with the club head. Meanwhile, increasing the flight angle of a golf ball can increase the distance the golf ball travels. Further, distributing mass of the club head to be closer to the toe and/or heel ends of the club head can affect the moment of inertia of the club head, which can alter the forgiveness of the golf club. 
     Further, the coefficient of restitution of the club head of the golf club can be a function of at least the flexibility of the face of the club head. Meanwhile, the flexibility of the face of the club head can be a function of the geometry (e.g., height, width, and/or thickness) of the face and/or the material properties (e.g., Young&#39;s modulus) of the face. That is, maximizing the height and/or width of the face, and/or minimizing the thickness and/or Young&#39;s modulus of the face, can increase the flexibility of the face, thereby increasing the coefficient of restitution of the club head; and increasing the coefficient of restitution of the club head of the golf club, which is essentially a measure of the efficiency of energy transfer from the club head to a golf ball, can increase the distance the golf ball travels after impact, decrease the spin of the golf ball, and/or increase the ball speed of the golf ball. 
     However, although thinning the face of the club head can permit mass from the face to be redistributed to other parts of the club head and can make the face more flexible, thinning the face of the club head also can result in increased bending in the face to the point of buckling and failure. Accordingly, devices and methods for preventing the face of a club head from buckling as the face of the club head is thinned are needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top, rear, toe side view of a club head, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top, front, heel side view of the club head, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a conventional club head, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a stress-strain analysis of a partial cross-sectional view of the conventional club head taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  simulating a face surface of the conventional club head impacting a golf ball (not shown) where the resulting bending is multiplied three-fold, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the club head taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top, rear, toe side view of a club head, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top, front, toe side view of the club head, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the club head taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , according to a different embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top, rear, heel side view of a club head, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of a method of providing a golf club head; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary activity of providing a reinforcement device, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a diagram for an embodiment of the layers of a vibration attenuating feature; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the club head taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of a golf club, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus. 
     The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. 
     The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. 
     “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types. 
     The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments include a golf club head. The golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, the golf club head comprises a face element. The face element comprises a face surface located at the front end, and the face surface comprises a face center and a face perimeter. Also, the face element comprises a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, and the rear surface comprises a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter. Further still, the golf club head comprises a reinforcement device located at the rear surface. In these embodiments, an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center; a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center; and a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center. Further, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end; the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end; and the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end. Further in these embodiments, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib. Meanwhile, the face surface can be nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Other embodiments include a golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head. The golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, the golf club head comprises a face element. The face element comprises a face surface located at the front end, and the face surface comprises a face center and a face perimeter. Also, the face element comprises a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, and the rear surface comprises a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter. Further still, the golf club head comprises a reinforcement device located at the rear surface. Even further still, the golf club head comprises a perimeter wall element (i) extending out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end and (ii) extending entirely around the perimeter of the rear surface. The perimeter wall element comprises a first perimeter wall portion extending along the perimeter of the rear surface at the top end and a second perimeter wall portion extending along the perimeter of the rear surface at the bottom end. In these embodiments, an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center; a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center; and a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center. Further, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end; the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end; and the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end. Further in these embodiments, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element comprises a closed circular looped rib. Also, the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head, a center thickness from the face center to the rear center is less than or equal to approximately 0.203 centimeters, and at least part of the second perimeter wall portion is thinner than is the face element proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Some embodiments further include an insert that at least partially fills in a cavity of the reinforcement element that is formed by the looped rib. In some embodiments, the cavity can be a central cavity. The central cavity can also be partially covered by a badge. The badge can be separate from the insert or integral with the insert. In other embodiments, the badge can be integral with the reinforcement element. The insert can be of a lightweight material of about 3 g or less and may not significantly affect the center of gravity of the swing of the golf club head. In alternative embodiments, the insert can weigh more than 3 g, such as between 5 g and 10 g, and may contribute to the swing weight or the center of gravity of the club head. 
     Further embodiments include a vibration attenuating feature disposed on the rear surface of the golf club head to reduce noise, to produce a more desirable sound, and to reduce vibration of the golf club head. The vibration attenuating feature can be composed of any material or composition capable of damping or removing vibrations such as damping foil, rubber, or pressure sensitive viscoelastic acrylic polymer. The vibration attenuating feature may be pressure sensitive, leading to lessening or removal of vibration from the golf club head when a golf ball is struck. The viscoelastic damping feature provides the golf club head with a more desirable sound combined with getting greater performance in a thin-face golf club head. The vibration attenuating feature is at least partially applied to the rear surface of the golf club head. The vibration attenuating feature can also be applied to the reinforcement element. The vibration attenuating feature may be further applied to all or part of the cavity of the reinforcement element. The cavity can be a central cavity. The central cavity of the rear surface can also be partially covered by the vibration attenuating feature. The central cavity can also be partially covered by a badge, and the vibration attenuating feature can be disposed beneath the badge. 
     Further embodiments include a method of providing a golf club head. The method can comprise: providing a face element comprising: (i) a face surface located at the front end and comprising a face center and a face perimeter; and (ii) a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, the rear surface comprising a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter; and providing a reinforcement device at the rear surface. In these embodiments, the golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center; a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center; and a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center. Further still, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end; the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end; and the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end. Meanwhile, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib. Also, the face surface can be nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Some embodiments include a golf club. The golf club comprises a shaft and a golf club head coupled to the shaft. The golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, the golf club head comprises a face element. The face element comprises a face surface located at the front end, and the face surface comprises a face center and a face perimeter. Also, the face element comprises a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, and the rear surface comprises a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter. Further still, the golf club head comprises a reinforcement device located at the rear surface. In these embodiments, an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center; a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center; and a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center. Further, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end; the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end; and the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end. Further in these embodiments, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib. Meanwhile, the face surface can be nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a top, rear, toe side view of a club head  100 , according to an embodiment. Meanwhile,  FIG. 2  illustrates a top, front, heel side view of club head  100 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Club head  100  is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Club head  100  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. 
     Generally, club head  100  can comprise a golf club head. Golf club head  100  can be part of a corresponding golf club. For example, a golf club  1400  ( FIG. 14 ) can comprise golf club head  100  coupled to a shaft  1490  and a grip  1495 . Further, the golf club head can be part of a set of golf club heads, and/or the golf club can be part of a set of golf clubs. For example, club head  100  can comprise any suitable iron-type golf club head. In some embodiments, club head  100  can comprise a muscle-back iron-type golf club head or cavity-back iron-type golf club head. Nonetheless, although club head  100  is generally described with respect to a iron-type golf club head, club head  100  can comprise any other suitable type of golf club head, such as, for example, a wood-type golf club head (e.g., a driver club head, a fairway wood club head, a hybrid club head, etc.) or a putter golf club head. Generally, club head  100  can comprise any suitable materials, but in many embodiments, club head  100  comprises one or more metal materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard. 
     For reference purposes, club head  100  comprises a top end  101  and a bottom end  102  opposite top end  101 , a front end  203  ( FIG. 2 ) and a rear end  104  opposite front end  203  ( FIG. 2 ), and a toe end  105  and a heel end  106  opposite toe end  105 . Also, club head  100  comprises an x-axis  107 , a y-axis  108 , and a z-axis  109 . 
     Meanwhile, x-axis  107 , y-axis  108 , and z-axis  109  provide a Cartesian reference frame for club head  100 . Accordingly, x-axis  107 , y-axis  108 , and z-axis  109  are perpendicular to each other. Further, x-axis  107  extends through toe end  105  and heel end  106  and is equidistant between top end  101  and bottom end  102 ; y-axis  108  extends through top end  101  and bottom end  102  and is equidistant between toe end  105  and heel end  106 ; and z-axis  109  extends through front end  203  ( FIG. 2 ) and rear end  104  and is equidistant (i) between toe end  105  and heel end  106  and (ii) between top end  101  and rear end  102 . 
     In implementation, club head  100  comprises a club head body  110 . Club head body  110  can be solid, hollow, or partially hollow. When club head body  110  is hollow and/or partially hollow, club head body  110  can comprise a shell structure, and further, can be filled and/or partially filled with a filler material different from a material of shell structure. For example, the filler material can comprise plastic foam. 
     Club head body  110  comprises a face element  111  and a reinforcement device  112 . 
     In many embodiments, club head body  110  can comprise a perimeter wall element  113 . 
     In many embodiments, face element  111  comprises a face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) and a rear surface  115 . Meanwhile, face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) comprises a face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) and a face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ), and rear surface  115  comprises a rear center  118  and a rear perimeter  119 . Face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) can refer to a striking face or a striking plate of club head  100 , and can be configured to impact a ball (not shown), such as, for example, a golf ball. In many embodiments, face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) can comprise one or more scoring lines  223  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In these or other embodiments, face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) can be located at front end  203  ( FIG. 2 ), and rear surface  115  can be located at rear end  104 . Further, rear surface  115  can be approximately opposite to face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ); rear center  118  can be approximately opposite face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ); and rear perimeter  119  can be approximately opposite face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ). Generally, in many examples, face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) can refer to a geometric center of face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, in these or other examples, face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) can refer to a location at face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) that is approximately equidistant between toe end  105  and heel end  106  and further that is approximately equidistant between top end  101  and bottom end  102 . In various examples, the face center can refer to the face center as defined at United States Golf Association: Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead, USGA-TPX 3004, Revision 1.0.0, p. 6, May 1, 2008 (retrieved May 12, 2014 from http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Test-Protocols-For-Equipment), which is incorporated herein by reference. Likewise, in some examples, rear center  118  can refer to a geometric center of rear surface  115 . 
     By reference, x-axis  107  and y-axis  108  can extend approximately parallel to face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ), and z-axis  109  can extend approximately perpendicular to face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ). Meanwhile, each of x-axis  107 , y-axis  108 , and z-axis  109  can intersect rear center  118  such that rear center  118  comprises the origin of the Cartesian reference frame provided by x-axis  107 , y-axis  108 , and z-axis  109 . 
     In various embodiments, scoring lines  223  ( FIG. 2 ) can comprise one or more grooves, respectively, and can extend between toe end  105  and heel end  106 . In these or other embodiments, scoring lines  223  ( FIG. 2 ) can be approximately parallel to x-axis  107 . 
     In many embodiments, reinforcement device  112  comprises one or more reinforcement elements  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ). Reinforcement device  112  and/or reinforcement element(s)  120  are located at rear surface  115  and extend out from rear surface  115  toward rear end  104  and away from front end  203  ( FIG. 2 ). In many embodiments, each reinforcement element of reinforcement element(s)  120  comprises an outer perimeter surface and a geometric center. In these or other embodiments, the geometric center(s) of one or more of reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) can be located approximately at z-axis  109 . For example, reinforcement element  121  can comprise outer perimeter surface  126  and geometric center  130 . 
     Reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  are configured to reinforce face element  111  while still permitting face element  111  to bend, such as, for example, when face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) impacts a ball (e.g., a golf ball). As a result, face element  111  can be thinned to permit mass from face element  111  to be redistributed to other parts of club head  100  and to make face element  111  more flexible without buckling and failing under the resulting bending. Advantageously, because face element  111  can be thinner when implemented with reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  than when implemented without reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120 , the center of gravity, the moment of inertia, and the coefficient of restitution of club head  100  can be altered to improve the performance characteristics of club head  100 . For example, implementing reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  can increase a flight distance of a golf ball hit with face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) by increasing a launch angle of the golf ball (e.g., by approximately 1-3 tenths of a degree), increase the ball speed of the golf ball (e.g., by approximately 0.1 miles per hour (mph) (0.161 kilometers per hour (kph) to approximately 3.0 mph (4.83 kph)), and/or decreasing a spin of the golf ball (e.g., by approximately 1-500 rotations per minute). In these examples, reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  can have the effect of countering some of the gearing on the golf ball provided by face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Testing of golf clubs comprising an embodiment of golf club head  100  was performed. Overall, when compared to an iron golf club with a standard reinforced strikeface and custom tuning port, the testing showed more forgiveness, as indicated by higher moments of inertia around the x-axis and/or the y-axis and a tighter statistical area of the impact of the golf ball on the face of the golf club head. In some testing, the moment of inertia about the x-axis increased by approximately 2%, the moment of inertia about the y-axis increased by approximately 4%, and/or the statistical area of the impact of the golf ball on the face of the golf club head was reduced by approximately 15-50 percent. Additionally, increased ball speed of the golf ball, higher launch angle of the golf ball, and/or decreased spin of the golf ball were found. As an example, in testing an embodiment of golf club 100 on a 5 iron golf club, it was found that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 1.5 mph (2.41 kph), the golf ball had an approximately 0.3 degree higher launch angle, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 250 revolutions per minute (rpm). In another example, in testing an embodiment of golf club 100 on a 7 iron golf club, it was found that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 2.0 mph (3.22 kph), the golf ball had approximately no launch angle degree change, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 450 rpm. As an additional example, in testing an embodiment of golf club  100  on a wedge iron golf club, it was found that the ball speed of the golf ball had approximately no change in speed, the golf ball had an approximately 0.1 degree higher launch angle, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 200 rpm. 
     Notably, in many examples, when face element  111  comprises scoring line(s)  223  ( FIG. 2 ) and face element  111  is thinned without implementing reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120 , buckling and failure of face element  111  can occur at the bottom of scoring line(s)  223 , particularly at scoring line(s)  223  ( FIG. 2 ) proximal to face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ), as illustrated at  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  and described as follows with respect to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . 
     Club head  100  having reinforcement device  112  may also have a uniform transition thickness  550  ( FIG. 5 ) extending from front end  203  to bottom end  102 . Uniform transition thickness  550  absorbs stress directed to the region of club head  100  having reinforcement device  112  between front end  203  and bottom end  102 . Uniform transition thickness  550  may range from approximately 0.20-0.80 inches. For example, uniform transition thickness  550  may be approximately 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inches. 
     Specifically, turning ahead in the drawings,  FIG. 3  illustrates conventional club head  300 , according to an embodiment. Club head  300  can be similar to club head  100  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ), but unlike club head  100 , is devoid of a reinforcement device and reinforcement elements at rear surface  315  of face element  311  of club head  300 . Club head  300  comprises one or more scoring lines  323  at face surface  314  of club head  300 . Rear surface  315  can be similar to rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ); face element  311  can be similar or identical to face element  111  ( FIG. 1 ); face surface  314  can be similar or identical to face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ); and/or scoring line(s)  323  can be similar or identical to scoring lines  223  ( FIG. 2 ). Further, the absent reinforcement device can be similar to reinforcement device  112  ( FIG. 1 ) and the absent reinforcement element(s) can be similar to reinforcement element(s)  120  ( FIG. 1 ). Meanwhile,  FIG. 4  illustrates a stress-strain analysis of a partial cross-sectional view of club head  300  taken along section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  simulating face surface  314  of club head  300  impacting a golf ball (not shown) where the resulting bending is multiplied three-fold, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
     As demonstrated at  FIG. 4 , face element  311  behaves similarly to a simply supported beam and thus comprises neutral axis  436 . The portion of face element  311  between face surface  314  and neutral axis  436  is in compression, and the portion of face element  311  between neutral axis  436  and rear surface  315  is in tension. Stress builds first at face surface  314  and rear surface  315  and moves inward toward neutral axis  436 . However, unlike a simply supported beam, face element  311  also comprises scoring line(s)  323  at the portion of face element  311  that is in compression. When face element  311  bends too much, the mechanical yield of face element  311  in the bottom of scoring line(s)  323  can be reached. If not for scoring line(s)  323 , face element  311  would ordinarily be expected to fail first in the portion of face element  311  that is under tension, but scoring line(s)  323  cause failure to occur first at the portion of face element  311  that is in compression. Namely, face element  311  fails at scoring line(s)  323  before the remainder of face element  311  has a chance to reach high enough stress levels to result in failure. Iron-type club heads can be more susceptible to failure at scoring line(s)  323  because iron-type club heads tend to be flat at face surface  314 , unlike wood-type golf club head which tend to be convex at face surface  314 . As a result, when wood-type golf club heads bend at face surface  314 , face surface  314  can still be bowed somewhat outward. On the other hand, when iron-type golf club heads bend at face surface  314 , face surface  314  can bend to a concave shape that increases the extent of the compression at the portion of face element  311  that is under compression. 
     Turning now back to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , implementing reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  can reinforce a localized bending in scoring line(s)  223  ( FIG. 2 ), particularly in those scoring line(s) of scoring line(s)  223  that are proximal to face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ), while permitting increased overall bending in face element  111 . Reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  are able to provide these benefits by increasing the localized thickness of face element  111 , making face element  111  stiffer and harder in those locations. In effect, reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  are operable to pull a neutral axis of face element  111  away from face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) and closer to rear surface  115 . 
     Meanwhile, reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  are further able to provide these benefits when implemented as a closed structure (e.g., one or more looped ribs) because such closed structures are able to resist deformation as a result of circumferential (i.e., hoop) stresses acting on reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120 . For example, circumferential (i.e., hoop) stresses acting on reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  can prevent opposing sides of reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  from rotating away from each other, thereby reducing bending. 
     In implementation, reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) can be implemented in any suitable shape(s) (e.g., polygonal, elliptical, circular, etc.) and/or in any suitable arrangement(s) configured to perform the intended functionality of reinforcement device  112  and/or reinforcement element(s)  120  as described above. Further, when reinforcement element(s)  120  comprise multiple reinforcement elements, two or more reinforcement elements of reinforcement element(s)  120  can be similar to another, and/or two or more reinforcement elements of reinforcement element(s)  120  can be different from another. 
     In some embodiments, reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) can be symmetric about x-axis  107  and/or y-axis  108 . When reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) are implemented with an oblong shape, in many embodiments, a largest dimension (e.g., major axis) of the reinforcement element(s) can be parallel and/or co-linear with one of x-axis  107  or y-axis  108 . However, in other embodiments, the largest dimension (e.g., major axis) can be angled with respect to x-axis  107  and/or y-axis  108 , as desired. Further, in many embodiments, reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) can be centered at z-axis  109 , but in some embodiments, one or more of reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) can be biased off-center of z-axis  109 , such as, for example, biased toward one or two of top end  101 , bottom end  102 , toe end  105 , and heel end  106 . 
     In many embodiments, each reinforcement element of reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) can comprise one or more looped ribs  127  (e.g., looped rib  122 ). Specifically, reinforcement element  121  can comprise looped rib  122 . In these or other embodiments, when looped rib(s)  127  comprise multiple looped ribs, looped rib(s)  127  can be concentric with each other about a point and/or axis (e.g., z-axis  109 ). In other embodiments, when looped rib(s)  127  comprise multiple looped ribs, two or more of looped rib(s)  127  can be nonconcentric. Further, in these or other embodiments, two or more of looped rib(s)  127  can overlap. Meanwhile, in these embodiments, looped rib  122  can comprise an elliptical looped rib, and in some of these embodiments, looped rib  122  can comprise a circular looped rib. As noted above, implementing reinforcement element(s)  120  as looped rib(s)  127  can be advantageous because of the circumferential (e.g., hoop) stress provided by the closed structure of looped rib(s)  127 . In many embodiments, one or more of (or each of) looped rib(s)  127  is a continuous closed loop. 
     In these or other embodiments, each looped rib of looped rib(s)  127  comprises an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface. Meanwhile, in these embodiments, the outer perimeter surface of each reinforcement element (e.g., reinforcement element  121 ) comprises the outer perimeter surface of the looped rib corresponding to that reinforcement element (e.g., looped rib  122 ). For example, looped rib  122  can comprise outer perimeter surface  128  and inner perimeter surface  129 . Further, inner perimeter surface  129  can be steep and substantially orthogonal at rib height  540  ( FIG. 13 ) relative to the rear surface. 
     In some embodiments, one or more outer perimeter surface(s) of reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., outer perimeter surface  126  of reinforcement element  121 ) can be filleted with rear surface  115 . In these or other embodiments, one or more inner perimeter surface(s) of looped rib(s)  127  (e.g., inner perimeter surface  129  of looped rib  122 ) can be filleted with rear surface  115 . Filleting the outer perimeter surface(s) of reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., outer perimeter surface  126  of reinforcement element  121 ) with rear surface  115  can permit a smooth transition of reinforcement element(s)  120  (e.g., outer perimeter surface  126  of reinforcement element  121 ) into rear surface  115 . Meanwhile, inner perimeter surface(s) of looped rib(s)  127  (e.g., inner perimeter surface  129  of looped rib  122 ) can be filleted with rear surface  115  with a fillet having a radius of greater than or equal to approximately 0.012 centimeters. 
     In some embodiments, when reinforcement element  121  comprises looped rib  122 , looped rib  122  can comprise cavity  131 . In other embodiments, when reinforcement element  121  comprises looped rib  122 , looped rib  122  does not comprise cavity  131 . In embodiments without cavity  131 , the center thickness  537  ( FIGS. 5 and 13 ) can be greater than in embodiments with cavity  131  and can be less than or equal to the face thickness at rib height  542  ( FIGS. 5 and 13 ), which can be measured from face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) to the distal end of looped rib  122  (e.g., the combined distance of center thickness  537  ( FIG. 5 ) and rib height  542  ( FIG. 5 )). Cavity  131  is defined by inner perimeter surface  129  and rear surface  115 . In some embodiments, cavity  131  can be a central cavity. In many embodiments, cavity  131  can be devoid of any contents, such as, for example, a weighted insert. In other embodiments, cavity  131  can contain an insert  805  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     As discussed in some detail above, by implementing reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120 , face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) can be nearer to rear surface  115  (i.e., thinner) proximal to (e.g., at) face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) than proximal to (e.g., at) face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, a portion of face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) that is proximal to face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) can refer to a portion of the surface area of face surface  214  bounding face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) and representing approximately one percent, two percent, three percent, five percent, ten percent, or twenty percent of a total surface area of face surface  214 . In these or other embodiments, the portion of the surface area of face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) can correspond to a portion of the surface area of rear face  115  covered by reinforcement element  121 . Meanwhile, in some embodiments, a portion of face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) that is proximal to face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ) can refer to a region of face surface  214  bounded by face perimeter  217  and an inset boundary located approximately 0.10 centimeters, 0.20 centimeters, 0.25 centimeters, 0.50 centimeters, 1.00 centimeters, or 2.00 centimeters from face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Turning ahead briefly in the drawings,  FIGS. 5 and 13  illustrate a cross-sectional view of club head  100  taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Club head  100  can comprise center thickness  537 . Center thickness  537  can refer to a distance from face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ) to rear center  118  ( FIG. 1 ). In many embodiments, center thickness  537  can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm. In some embodiments, center thickness  537  can be less than 0.300 cm, less than 0.255 cm, less than 0.250 cm, less than 0.205 cm, less than 0.200 cm, or less than 0.155 cm. In some embodiments, the center of reinforcement element  120  can be at least partially filled in. For example, the center of reinforcement element  120  can be filled in with a damping material or a vibration attenuating feature (e.g., insert  805  ( FIG. 8 )) or other material. In many embodiments, center thickness  537  can be thinner than a face thickness at rib height  540 . In other embodiments, center thickness  537  can be approximately equal to the face thickness at rib height  540 . The face thickness at rib height  540  can be rib height  540  added to center thickness  537 . In many embodiments, face thickness  542  outside of reinforcement element  120  can be thicker than center thickness  537 , but thinner than the face thickness at rib height  540 . In other embodiments, face thickness  542  can be the same as center thickness  537 . 
     In some embodiments, a width of the rib can change throughout looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ), In some embodiments, looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise largest rib span  538 . Largest rib span  538  can refer to the largest distance from one side of inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ) across to an opposing side of inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ) measured parallel to rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, when looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises an elliptical looped rib, largest rib span  538  can refer to a major axis of inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ). Further, when looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises a circular looped rib, largest rib span  538  can refer to a diameter of inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ). Notably, in many embodiments, largest rib span  538  can be measured at a midpoint of inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In some embodiments, largest rib span  538  can be approximately 0.609 cm to approximately 1.88 cm. In some embodiments, largest rib span  538  can be approximately 1.0 cm. In some embodiments, when largest span  538  is too large (e.g., greater than approximately 1.88 centimeters), looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) can be insufficient to reinforce scoring line(s)  223  ( FIG. 2 ) nearest to face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ). Meanwhile, in these or other embodiments, when largest span  538  is too small (e.g., less than approximately 0.609 centimeters), looped rib  122  can be insufficient to reinforce scoring line(s)  223  ( FIG. 2 ) nearest to face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ). Generally, these upper and lower limits on largest rib span  538  can be a function of a size of face element  111  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, two or more ribs  621  and  641  can be present, for example as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this case, the larger rib span or inner or outer diameter of rib  641  ( FIG. 6 ) can be greater than  1 . 88  centimeters, and the smaller rib span or inner or outer diameter of rib  621  ( FIG. 6 ) can be less than 0.609 centimeters. 
     Further, looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise a rib thickness  539 . Rib thickness  539  can refer to a distance between inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ) of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) and outer perimeter surface  128  ( FIG. 1 ) of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) measured parallel to rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the thickness of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) can vary throughout looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ), and rib thickness  539  can be a maximum rib thickness of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ). In many embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 0.050 cm to approximately 1.50 cm. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 0.05 cm. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.25 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 0.50 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 0.75 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 1.00 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 1.25 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness  539  can be approximately 1.50 centimeters. In various embodiments, when looped rib(s)  127  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises multiple looped ribs, two or more looped ribs of looped rib(s)  127  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise the same rib thicknesses, and/or two or more looped ribs of looped rib(s)  127  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise different rib thicknesses. Notably, in many embodiments, rib span  539  can be measured at a midpoint of inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or outer perimeter surface  128  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Further still, looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise rib height  540 . Rib height  540  can refer to a distance perpendicular from rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ) to a center location of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) farthest from rear surface  115  (i.e., where outer perimeter surface  128  ( FIG. 1 ) interfaces with inner perimeter surface  129  ( FIG. 1 ). In these or other embodiments, rib height  540  can be greater than or equal to approximately 0.3048 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib height  540  can be approximately 0.1778 cm to approximately 0.3048 cm. In some embodiments, rib height  540  can be approximately 0.17 cm, 0.20 cm, 0.23 cm, 0.26 cm, 0.29 cm, or 0.30 cm. In many embodiments, rib height  540  can be less than or equal to approximately 0.512 cm. In some embodiments, the height of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) can vary throughout looped rib  122 , and rib height  540  can be a maximum rib height of looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ). In various embodiments, when looped rib(s)  127  ( FIG. 1 ) comprises multiple looped ribs, two or more looped ribs of looped rib(s)  127  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise the same rib heights, and/or two or more looped ribs of looped rib(s)  127  ( FIG. 1 ) can comprise different rib heights. 
     In many embodiments, center thickness  537 , largest rib span  538 , rib thickness  539 , and/or rib height  540  can depend on one or more of each other. For example, center thickness  537  can be a function of rib thickness  539  and rib height  540 . That is, for an increase in rib thickness  539  and/or rib height  540 , center thickness  537  can be decreased, and vice versa. Meanwhile, rib thickness  539  and rib height  540  can be dependent on each other. For example, increasing rib thickness  539  can permit rib height  540  to be decreased, and vice versa. 
     Returning now to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , in many embodiments, perimeter wall element  113  can comprise a first perimeter wall portion  124  and a second perimeter wall portion  125 . Perimeter wall element  113  extends (i) at least partially (e.g., entirely) around rear perimeter  119  of rear surface  115 , (ii) out from rear surface  115  toward rear end  104  and (iii) away from front end  203  ( FIG. 2 ). Meanwhile, first perimeter wall portion  124  can extend along rear perimeter  119  of rear surface  115  at top end  101 , and second perimeter wall portion  125  can extend along rear perimeter  119  of rear surface  115  at bottom end  102 . In many embodiments, reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  are separate and/or located away from perimeter wall element  113  at rear surface  115  so that reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120  float at rear surface  115 . By floating reinforcement device  112  and reinforcement element(s)  120 , face element  111  can be permitted to bend approximately symmetrically about face center  216  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In many embodiments, club head body  110  can comprise (i) a top surface  132  at least partially at first perimeter wall portion  124  and/or top end  101 , and/or (ii) a sole surface  133  at least partially at second perimeter wall portion  125  and/or bottom end  102 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, first perimeter wall portion  124  can comprise at least part of top surface  132 ; and/or second perimeter wall portion  125  can comprise at least part of sole surface  133 . Further, top surface  132  can interface with face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) at top end  101 ; and/or sole surface  133  can interface with face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) at bottom end  102 . 
     In some embodiments, at least part of second perimeter wall portion  125  can be approximately equal thickness with or thinner than face element  111  at face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ) and/or proximal to face perimeter  217 . For example, second perimeter wall portion  125  can be equal thickness with or thinner than face element  111  at face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ) and/or proximal to face perimeter  217  at a portion of second perimeter wall portion  125  that is proximal to face perimeter  217  (i.e., where second perimeter wall portion  125  interfaces with face element  111 ). Implementing this portion of second perimeter wall portion  125  to be equal thickness with or thinner than face element  111  at face perimeter  217  ( FIG. 2 ) and/or proximal to face perimeter  217  can prevent stress risers from forming at second perimeter wall portion  125  when face surface  214  ( FIG. 2 ) impacts a golf ball. 
     Rear surface  115  comprises a first rear surface portion and a second rear surface portion. The first rear surface portion can refer to the part of rear surface  115  covered by perimeter wall element  113 , and the second rear surface portion can refer to the remaining part of rear surface  115 . In many embodiments, reinforcement element  121  (e.g., looped rib  122 ) can cover greater than or equal to approximately 25 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface  115  and/or less than or equal to approximately 40 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface  115 . In other embodiments, reinforcement element  121  (e.g., looped rib  122 ) can cover greater than or equal to approximately 30 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface  115 . In some embodiments, reinforcement element  121  (e.g., looped rib  122 ) can cover approximately 25 percent, 28 percent, 31 percent, 34 percent, 37 percent or 40 percent of a surface area of the second rear surface portion of rear surface  115 . 
     Further, club head body  110  can comprise hosel  134  or any other suitable mechanism (e.g., a bore) for receiving and coupling a shaft to club head  100  and/or club head body  110 . The other suitable mechanism can be similar to hosel  134  in one or more respects. 
     Meanwhile, generally speaking, hosel  134  can be located at or proximate to heel end  106 . Although a shaft is not illustrated at the drawings, hosel  134  can be configured to receive a shaft (i.e., via an opening of hosel  134 ), such as, for example, a golf club shaft. Accordingly, hosel  134  can receive the shaft and permit the shaft to be coupled (e.g., permanently or removably) to club head  100  and/or club head body  110  when hosel  134  receives the shaft. 
     Further, in some embodiments, second perimeter wall portion  125  can comprise weight cavity  135 . In these embodiments, weight cavity  135  can be configured to receive a removable or permanent weighted insert. The weighted insert can be configured to alter a center of gravity of club head  100 . 
     Turning ahead in the drawings,  FIG. 6  illustrates a top, rear, toe side view of a club head  600 , according to an embodiment. Meanwhile,  FIG. 7  illustrates a top, front, toe side view of club head  600 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
     Club head  600  can be similar or identical to club head  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, club head  600  can comprise reinforcement device  612 , and reinforcement device  612  can comprise reinforcement element(s)  620 . Reinforcement device  612  can be similar or identical to reinforcement device  112  ( FIG. 1 ); and reinforcement element(s)  620  can be similar or identical to reinforcement element(s)  120  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Reinforcement element(s)  620  can comprise first reinforcement element  621  and second reinforcement element  641 . First reinforcement element  621  and/or second reinforcement element  641  each can be similar to first reinforcement element  121  ( FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, first reinforcement element  621  can comprise first looped rib  622 , and second reinforcement element  641  can comprise second looped rib  642 . First looped rib  622  and/or second looped rib  642  each can be similar to looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In these embodiments, first reinforcement element  621  and/or first looped rib  622  can comprise a circular looped rib, and second reinforcement element  622  and/or second looped rib  642  can comprise an elliptical looped rib. Second reinforcement element  622  and/or second looped rib  642  can enclose first reinforcement element  621  and/or first looped rib  622 . In many embodiments, a major axis of the elliptical looped rib can be approximately parallel with an x-axis of club head  600 . The x-axis can be similar or identical to x-axis  107  ( FIG. 1 ). In the same or different embodiments, the minor axis of the elliptical looped rib can be non-parallel with a y-axis of club head  600 . The y-axis can be similar or identical to y-axis  108  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Club head  600  having reinforcement device  612  may also have uniform transition thickness  550  (not shown) extending from front end  203  to bottom end  102 . Uniform transition thickness  550  absorbs stress directed to the region of club head  600  having reinforcement device  612  between front end  203  and bottom end  102 . Uniform transition thickness  550  may range from approximately 0.20−0.80 inches. For example, uniform transition thickness  550  may be approximately 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inches. 
     In another embodiment,  FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of club head  800  taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , according to a different embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Club head  800  shown in  FIG. 8  illustrates an insert  805  within cavity  131 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a top, rear, heel side view of club head  800 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, insert  805  can be a vibration attenuating feature. Insert  805  can be a non-metallic material, an elastomeric material such as polyurethane, or another material such as foam. Insert  805  can be used to adjust the sound and feel of club head  800 . By absorbing or damping vibration, insert  805  improves the feel of club head  800 . In addition, insert  805  absorbs the sound of a golf ball striking the face, making golf club  800  head feel less hollow and more solid. In further embodiments, a badge (not shown) can at least partially cover cavity  131 . The badge can be separate from insert  805  or can be integral with insert  805 . In other embodiments, the badge can be integral with the reinforcement element, such as reinforcement element  120  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In some cases, the weight of insert  805  can be less than about 3 g so as to not significantly affect the swing weight or the center of gravity of club head  800 . In other embodiments, insert  805  weight can be more than about 3 g, such as about 5 g to about 10 g, and can contribute substantially to the swing weight and/or the center of gravity of club head  800 . In some embodiments, insert  805  can be adhered to cavity  131  using an epoxy adhesive, a viscoelastic foam tape, the vibration attenuating feature, or a high strength tape such as 3M™ VHB™ tape. In other embodiments, insert  805  can be poured and bonded directly into cavity  131 . The badge can be bonded with similar adhesives. In some embodiments, insert  805  or the badge can be flush with looped rib  122  ( FIG. 1 ) at the top of rib height  540 , or they can be below rib height  540  when fully assembled. 
     In some embodiments, at least one vibration attenuating feature (e.g., insert  805  ( FIG. 8 ) can be disposed on rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ) of the golf club head, such as golf club head  800 . The vibration attenuating feature can produce a more desirable sound from the golf club head  800  upon impact. The thin face element  111  ( FIG. 1 ) of golf club head  800  can cause undesirable sounds when striking a golf ball. The vibration attenuating feature can reduce the vibrations leading to a more desirable sound on impact by thin face element  111  ( FIG. 1 ). By providing a more desirable noise, the vibration attenuating component can increase a user&#39;s confidence during use. The vibration attenuating feature can also reduce the vibrational shock felt by the user of the golf club upon striking the golf ball. Furthermore, the vibration attenuating feature may reduce vibrational fatigue to decrease wear on golf club  800  and various features such as, but not limited to, cavity  131  or weight cavity  135  ( FIG. 1 ). The reduced vibrational fatigue can further lower the risk of loosening or displacement of parts such as, but not limited to, insert  805  of cavity  131  or an insert in weight cavity  135  ( FIG. 1 ). The reduced vibrational fatigue may extend the performance life of golf club head  800 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 12 , in further embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature may comprise at least one layer of a viscoelastic damping material. The damping material may comprise a pressure sensitive viscoelastic acrylic polymer and aluminum foil forming a damping foil  1202  such as 3M™ Damping Foil Tape  2552 . The damping foil  1202  may comprise an adhesive layer. In one embodiment the vibration attenuating feature may comprise at least one viscoelastic adhesive layer  1203  which may comprise a composition of varying layers of at least one layer of epoxy adhesive, a viscoelastic foam tape, and/or a high strength tape such as 3M™ VHB™ tape. In some embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature may comprise various layer combinations of at least one of viscoelastic adhesive  1203 , damping foil  1202 , and/or a badge  1201 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature can be disposed on the rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ) of the golf club head, such as golf club head  800 , which comprises a rear surface material such as iron steel  1204 . In another embodiment, the vibration attenuating feature can be disposed in cavity  131 , or on or under insert  805  of the golf club head  800 . The vibration attenuating feature can be located in various locations of the rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ) of the golf club head  800 . Generally, the vibration attenuating feature is at least partially located under the profile of the badge on the rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature is disposed under the entirety of the badge profile. In other embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature is at least partially disposed under only particular regions of the badge profile such as the aluminum or elastomer regions. The vibration attenuating feature can be disposed under only at least part of the perimeter region of the badge profile. In some embodiments the vibration attenuating feature can be disposed at least partially in cavity  131  of the golf club head  800 . The vibration attenuating feature may be disposed at least partially on or under insert  805  within cavity  131 . In many embodiments the disposition of the vibration attenuating feature on golf club head  800  will comprise varying combinations the foil being disposed at least partially under the badge, at least partially over insert  805 , at least partially in weight cavity  135  ( FIG. 1 ), and/or at least partially in cavity  131 . In some embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature will be disposed such that it covers at least 10 percent of the surface area of rear surface  115  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the vibration attenuating feature may cover at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 percent of the surface area of rear surface  115 . 
     Club head  800  having insert  805  may also have uniform transition thickness  550  ( FIG. 8 ) extending from front end  203  to bottom end  102 . Uniform transition thickness  550  absorbs stress directed to the region of club head  800  having insert  805  between front end  203  and bottom end  102 . Uniform transition thickness  550  may range from approximately 0.20-0.80 inches. For example, uniform transition thickness  550  may be approximately 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inches. 
     Turning now to the next drawing,  FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of method  1000  of providing a golf club head. Method  1000  is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method  1000  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes of method  1000  can be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes of method  1000  can be performed in any other suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the activities, the procedures, and/or the processes in method  1000  can be combined or skipped. In many embodiments, the golf club head can be similar or identical to golf club head  100  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ), golf club head  600  ( FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ), and/or golf club head  800  ( FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 ). 
     Method  1000  can comprise an activity  1001  of providing a face element. The face element can be similar or identical to face element  111  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Method  1000  can comprise an activity  1002  of providing a reinforcement device. The reinforcement device can be similar or identical to reinforcement device  112  ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary activity  1002 , according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
     For example, activity  1002  can comprise an activity  1101  of providing a first reinforcement element. The first reinforcement element can be similar or identical to first reinforcement element  121  ( FIG. 1 ), reinforcement element  621  ( FIG. 6 ), any one reinforcement element of reinforcement element(s)  120  ( FIG. 1 ), and/or any one reinforcement element of reinforcement element(s)  620  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Further, activity  1002  can comprise an activity  1102  of providing a second reinforcement element. The second reinforcement element can be similar or identical to second reinforcement element  641  ( FIG. 6 ) and/or any one reinforcement element of reinforcement element(s)  620  ( FIG. 6 ). In some embodiments, activity  1101  and activity  1102  can be performed approximately simultaneously. In other embodiments, activity  1102  can be omitted. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 10 , method  1000  can comprise an activity  1003  of providing a perimeter wall element. The perimeter wall element can be similar or identical to perimeter wall element  113  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, activity  1003  can be omitted. 
     In some embodiments, method  1000  can comprise an activity  1004  of providing an insert within a central cavity within the reinforcement device provided in activity  1002 . In some embodiments, activity  1004  can be omitted. 
     In many embodiments, two or more of activities  1001 - 1004  can be performed sequentially or can be performed approximately simultaneously with each other. In these or other embodiments, activities  1001 - 1004  can be performed implementing any suitable manufacturing techniques (e.g., casting, forging, molding, machining, joining, etc.). 
     Although the golf club head(s) and related methods herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that activities  1001 - 1004  of  FIG. 10  and activities  1101  and  1102  of  FIG. 11  may be comprised of many different procedures, processes, and activities and be performed by many different modules, in many different orders, that any element of  FIGS. 1-4  may be modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. 
     Further, while the above examples may be described in connection with an iron-type golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs such as a wood-type golf club or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc. 
     Additional examples of such changes and others have been given in the foregoing description. Other permutations of the different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various figures are likewise contemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawings herein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of this application shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. 
     Clause 1: A golf club head comprising a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end; a face element comprising, a face surface located at the front end and comprising a face center and a face perimeter; and a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, the rear surface comprising a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter, and a reinforcement device located at the rear surface; wherein, an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center, a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center, a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end, the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end, the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib; and the face surface is nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Clause 2: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the face surface comprises one or more scoring lines extending between the toe end and the heel end. 
     Clause 3: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head. 
     Clause 4: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein at least one of the rear surface is nearer to the face surface at the face center than proximal to the face perimeter, or a center thickness from the face center to the rear center is less than or equal to approximately 0.203 centimeters. 
     Clause 5: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein at least one of the looped rib is symmetric about the x-axis, or looped rib is symmetric about the y-axis. 
     Clause 6: The golf club head of clause 5, wherein the looped rib comprises an elliptical looped rib. 
     Clause 7: The golf club head of clause 6, wherein the elliptical looped rib comprises a circular looped rib. 
     Clause 8: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises an outer perimeter surface, the looped rib comprises an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface, the outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element comprises the outer perimeter surface of the looped rib, and at least one of the outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element is filleted with the rear surface, or the inner perimeter surface of the looped rib is filleted with the rear surface. 
     Clause 9: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the looped rib comprises an inner perimeter surface, the looped rib comprises a cavity defined by the inner perimeter surface and the rear surface, and the cavity is devoid of a weighted insert. 
     Clause 10: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the looped rib comprises an inner perimeter surface, the looped rib comprises a cavity defined by the inner perimeter surface and the rear surface, and the cavity contains an insert. 
     Clause 11: The golf club head of clause 10, wherein the insert comprises an elastomer or a foam. 
     Clause 12: The golf club head of clause 10, wherein the cavity is at least partially covered by a badge. 
     Clause 13: The golf club head of clause 12, wherein the badge is integral with the insert. 
     Clause 14: The golf club head of clause 12, wherein a weight of the insert is approximately 3 grams or less. 
     Clause 15: The golf club head of clause 12, wherein a combined weight of the insert and the badge is approximately 8 grams or less. 
     Clause 16: The golf club head of clause 10, wherein the rear surface at least partially comprises a vibration attenuating feature disposed thereon. 
     Clause 17: The golf club head of clause 16, wherein the vibration attenuating feature comprises a damping foil disposed on the rear surface of the golf club head, and at least one of a badge at least partially covering the rear surface of the golf club head, or a badge at least partially covering the cavity. 
     Clause 18: The golf club head of clause 17, wherein the damping foil is located between the badge and at least one of the rear surface of the golf club head or the cavity. 
     Clause 19: The golf club head of clause 17, wherein the badge comprises at least one aluminum region and damping foil is located between the aluminum region and at least one of the rear surface of the golf club head or the cavity. 
     Clause 20: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the golf club head further comprises a perimeter wall element extending out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, the perimeter wall element comprising a first perimeter wall portion extending along the perimeter of the rear surface at the top end, and a second perimeter wall portion extending along the perimeter of the rear surface at the bottom end. 
     Clause 21: The golf club head of clause 16, wherein at least part of the second perimeter wall portion is thinner than is the face element proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Clause 22: The golf club head of clause 16, wherein the second perimeter wall portion comprises a weight cavity configured to receive a weighted insert. 
     Clause 23: The golf club head of clause 18, wherein the weighted insert weighs between approximately 5 grams and approximately 10 grams. 
     Clause 24: The golf club head of clause 16, wherein the rear surface comprises a first rear surface portion and a second rear surface portion, the perimeter wall element extends entirely around the perimeter of the rear surface and covers the first rear surface portion, the second rear surface portion comprises a surface area, and the reinforcement element covers at least approximately 25 percent of the surface area. 
     Clause 25: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises an outer perimeter surface, the looped rib comprises an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface, the outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element comprises the outer perimeter surface of the looped rib, and the inner perimeter surface comprises a largest rib span of greater than or equal to approximately 0.609 centimeters and less than or equal to approximately 1.88 centimeters. 
     Clause 26: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises an outer perimeter surface, the looped rib comprises an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface, the outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element comprises the outer perimeter surface of the looped rib, and a rib thickness between the inner perimeter surface of the looped rib and the outer perimeter surface of the looped rib is approximately 0.0508 centimeters to approximately 1.448 centimeters. 
     Clause 27: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the looped rib comprises a rib height and the rib height is approximately 0.1778 centimeters to approximately 0.3048 centimeters. 
     Clause 28: The golf club head of clause 23, wherein the looped rib comprises an inner perimeter surface and the inner perimeter surface of the looped rib at the rib height is substantially orthogonal to the rear surface. 
     Clause 29: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the looped rib comprises a rib height and the rib height is largest in a middle region of the looped rib. 
     Clause 30: The golf club head of clause 1, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a first reinforcement element, the looped rib comprises a first looped rib, the reinforcement device comprises a second reinforcement element, the second reinforcement element comprises a second looped rib, and the second looped rib is approximately concentric with the first looped rib. 
     Clause 31: An iron-type golf club head comprising a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end, a face element comprising a face surface located at the front end and comprising a face center and a face perimeter and a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, the rear surface comprising a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter, a reinforcement device located at the rear surface, a perimeter wall element (i) extending out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end and (ii) extending entirely around the perimeter of the rear surface, the perimeter wall element comprising a first perimeter wall portion extending along the perimeter of the rear surface at the top end and a second perimeter wall portion extending along the perimeter of the rear surface at the bottom end, wherein an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center, a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center, a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end, the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end, the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, the reinforcement element comprises a closed circular looped rib, the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head, a center thickness from the face center to the rear center is greater than or equal to approximately 0.203 centimeters, and at least part of the second perimeter wall portion is thinner than is the face element proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Clause 32: The iron-type golf club head of clause 27, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a first reinforcement element, the reinforcement device comprises a second reinforcement element, the second reinforcement element comprises a closed elliptical looped rib enclosing the closed circular looped rib, the closed elliptical looped rib is approximately concentric with the closed circular looped rib, the closed elliptical looped rib comprises a major axis approximately parallel with the x-axis. 
     Clause 33: A method of providing a golf club head, the method comprising providing a face element comprising a face surface located at the front end and comprising a face center and a face perimeter and a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, the rear surface comprising a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter, and providing a reinforcement device at the rear surface, wherein the golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end, an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center, a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center, a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end, the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end, the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end, providing the reinforcement device comprises providing a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib, and the face surface is nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. 
     Clause 34: The method of clause 29, wherein the looped rib comprises an inner perimeter surface, the looped rib comprises a central cavity defined by the inner perimeter surface and the rear surface, and the central cavity contains an insert. 
     Clause 35: The method of clause 29, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a first reinforcement element, the looped rib comprises a first looped rib, providing the reinforcement device further comprises providing a second reinforcement element, the second reinforcement element comprises a second looped rib, and the second looped rib is approximately concentric with the first looped rib. 
     Clause 36: A golf club comprising a shaft and a golf club head coupled to the shaft, the golf club head comprising a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end a face element comprising a face surface located at the front end and comprising a face center and a face perimeter and a rear surface located at the rear end and being approximately opposite to the face surface, the rear surface comprising a rear center approximately opposite the face center and a rear perimeter, and a reinforcement device located at the rear surface, wherein an x-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface and intersects the rear center, a y-axis extends approximately parallel to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis, and intersects the rear center, a z-axis extends approximately perpendicular to the face surface, extends approximately perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, and intersects the rear center, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and equidistant between the top end and the bottom end, the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and equidistant between the toe end and the heel end, the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and equidistant (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) between the top end and the rear end, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element comprising a geometric center approximately located at the z-axis, the reinforcement element extends out from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib, and the face surface is nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. 
     The golf club heads and related methods discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments. 
     Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claim. 
     As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&amp;A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard. 
     Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.