Patent Publication Number: US-2020298074-A1

Title: Golf Club Head and Golf Club Head Structures

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/971,837 filed on May 4, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/040,633 filed on Feb. 10, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/592,606 filed on Aug. 23, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,440,126 issued on Sep. 13, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/526,327 filed on Aug. 23, 2011 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,390 filed on Sep. 30, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,425,348 issued on Apr. 23, 2013. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects of this invention relate generally to golf clubs and golf club heads, and, in particular, to golf clubs and golf club heads having an adjustable weight that may be arranged in multiple positions to alter the performance characteristics of the golf club. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Golfers tend to be sensitive to the “feel” of a golf club. The “feel” of a golf club comprises the combination of various component parts of the club and various features associated with the club that produce the sensations experienced by the player when a ball is swung at and/or struck. Club weight, weight distribution, swing weight, aerodynamics, swing speed, and the like all may affect the “feel” of the club as it swings and strikes a ball. “Feel” also has been found to be related to the sound produced when a club head strikes a ball to send the ball in motion. If a club head makes an unpleasant, undesirable, or surprising sound at impact, a user may flinch, give up on his/her swing, decelerate the swing, lose his/her grip, and/or not completely follow-through on the swing, thereby affecting distance, direction, and/or other performance aspects of the swing and the resulting ball motion. User anticipation of this unpleasant, undesirable, or surprising sound can affect a swing even before the ball is hit. 
     The performance of a golf club can vary based on several factors, including weight distribution about the head, which affects the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head. When the center of gravity is positioned behind the point of engagement on the contact surface, the golf ball follows a generally straight route. When the center of gravity is spaced to a side of the point of engagement, however, the golf ball may fly in an unintended direction and/or may follow a route that curves left or right, including ball flights that often are referred to as “pulls,” “pushes,” “draws,” “fades,” “hooks,” or “slices.” Similarly, when the center of gravity is spaced above or below the point of engagement, the flight of the golf ball may exhibit more boring or climbing trajectories, respectively. 
     Altering the moment of inertia can also affect how the golf club performs including how the golf club head design impacts heel and toe mishits. Similarly, other factors such as point of impact and launch angle can also affect how the ball travels once it has been struck. 
     Weight distribution can further impact golf ball trajectory by providing a change in ball spin. The distance and direction of ball flight can be significantly affected by the spin imparted to the ball by the impact with the club head. Additionally, the spin of the ball can change the behavior of the ball as it rolls and bounces after impact with the ground. 
     Club designers are often looking for new ways to redistribute weight associated with a golf club and/or golf club head. For instance, club designers are often looking to distribute weight to provide more forgiveness in a club head, improved accuracy, better spin control, or to provide a particular golf ball trajectory and the like. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a golf club head having increased weighting configurations or improved distribution of weight throughout the club head. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least some aspects of the disclosure relate to golf clubs and golf club heads having a weight member that is configurable in multiple positions to alter the performance characteristics of the golf club head. For instance, the weight member may be arranged in a sole of the golf club head and may include ends having different weighting characteristics. For instance, one end may be heavier or denser than another end of the weight member. The difference in weight characteristics may be due to different materials used to form the different ends, different construction of the ends, and the like. The position of the weight member may be adjusted to alter the performance characteristics of the golf club head. For instance, the weight member may be removed and rotated to position a heavier end where a lighter end was previously positioned. 
     These and additional features and advantages disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate example golf club and golf club head structures according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate an example golf club head having an adjustable weight member arranged in the sole of the golf club head according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate another example golf club head having an adjustable weight member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an adjustable weight member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the adjustable weight member of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate another golf club head having an adjustable weight member and illustrating the weight in multiple positions according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 7A  is another golf club head arrangement having an adjustable weight member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross sectional view of the golf club head of  FIG. 7A  taken along line A-A according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of an adjustable weighted member and a plurality of fasteners that may be used to connect the weighted member to a golf club head according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another golf club head arrangement having an adjustable weighted member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 10  is yet another golf club head arrangement having an adjustable weighted member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate a golf club head for use with an adjustable weighted member but with the adjustable weighted member removed according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate alternate golf club head and adjustable weighted member arrangements according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 13  is another golf club head arrangement having an adjustable weighted member shown removed from the golf club head and having arrows indicating rotation of the adjustable weighted member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 14  is yet another golf club head arrangement having an adjustable weighted member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 15  is yet another golf club head arrangement having an adjustable weighted member according to one or more aspects described herein. 
     
    
    
     The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale, should be understood to provide a representation of particular embodiments of the invention, and are merely conceptual in nature and illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the golf club and golf club head structures depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Golf clubs and golf club head structures as described herein may have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example articles, including one or more golf club or golf club head structures. Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “side,” “underside,” “overhead,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Further, the invention generally will be described as it relates to wood-type golf clubs. However, aspects of the invention may be used with any of several types of golf clubs, including hybrid type golf clubs, utility clubs, and the like and nothing in the specification or figures should be construed to limit the invention to use with the wood-type golf clubs described. 
     A. General Description of an Illustrative Golf Club with Golf Club Head Having an Adjustable Weight 
     In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to a golf club or golf club head structure. More detailed descriptions of aspects of this invention follow. 
     1. Example Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Adjustable Weights 
     Aspects of this invention relate to golf club and golf club head structures. In at least some examples, a golf club head body has a front, a rear, a top, a sole, a toe and a heel An adjustable weighted member extends in a front to rear direction along the sole of the golf club head body. The adjustable weighted member has a first end having a first weight and a second end having a second weight different from the first weight. The adjustable weighted member is removable from the golf club head to adjust a position of the first end and the second end. 
     In at least some other examples, a golf club head body has a front, a rear, a top, a sole, a toe and a heel. A recess is formed in the sole of the club head body and extends in a front to rear direction along the sole of the golf club head body. An adjustable weighted member is configured to be received in the recess. The adjustable weighted member has a first end having a first weight and a second end having a second weight different from the first weight. The adjustable weighted member is removable from the golf club head to adjust a position of the first end and the second end 
     Additional aspects and specific examples of the articles described above will be described in detail more fully below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention. 
     B. Specific Examples of the Invention 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  generally illustrate an example golf club  100  and/or golf club head  102  in accordance with this invention. In addition to the golf club head  102 , the overall golf club structure  100  of this example includes a hosel  104 , a shaft  106  received in and/or inserted into and/or through the hosel  104 , and a grip or handle  108  attached to the shaft  106 . Optionally, if desired, the external hosel  104  may be eliminated and the shaft  106  may be directly inserted into and/or otherwise attached to the head  102  (e.g., through an opening provided in the top of the club head  102 , through an internal hosel (e.g., provided within an interior chamber defined by the club head  102 ), etc.). 
     The shaft  106  may be received in, engaged with, and/or attached to the club head  102  in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art, without departing from the invention. As more specific examples, the shaft  106  may be engaged with the club head  102  via a hosel  104  and/or directly to the club head structure  102 , e.g., via adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the like), etc.; through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into the club head body  102 ; etc. The shaft  106  also may be made from any suitable or desired materials, including conventional materials known and used in the art, such as graphite based materials, composite or other non-metal materials, steel materials (including stainless steel), aluminum materials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric materials, combinations of various materials, and the like. Also, the grip or handle  108  may be attached to, engaged with, and/or extend from the shaft  106  in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art, e.g., using adhesives or cements; via welding, soldering, adhesives, or the like; via mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, etc.); etc. As another example, if desired, the grip or handle  108  may be integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft  106 . Additionally, any desired grip or handle  108  materials may be used without departing from this invention, including, for example: rubber materials, leather materials, rubber or other materials including cord or other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric materials, and the like. 
     The club head  102  itself also may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing from this invention, including from conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and used in the art. For example, in the example club head  102  shown in  FIG. 1 , the club head  102  includes a front face  102   a  that generally includes a ball striking surface  102   b  (optionally including a ball striking face plate integrally formed with the ball striking surface  102   a  or attached to the club head such that the face plate and a frame together constitute the overall ball striking surface  102   a ). The club head  102  may further include a top or crown  102   c,  a sole  102   d,  a toe  107  and a heel  109 . The club head  102  may also include a rear (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     A wide variety of overall club head constructions are possible without departing from this invention. For example, if desired, some or all of the various individual parts of the club head  102  described above may be made from multiple pieces that are connected together (e.g., by welding, adhesives, or other fusing techniques; by mechanical connectors; etc.). The various parts (e.g., crown, sole, front face, rear, etc.) may be made from any desired materials and combinations of different materials, including materials that are conventionally known and used in the art, such as metal materials, including lightweight metal materials, and the like. More specific examples of suitable lightweight metal materials include steel, titanium and titanium alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, magnesium and magnesium alloys, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the various parts of the club head may be formed of one or more composite materials. The club head  102  also may be made by forging, casting, or other desired processes, including club head forming processes as are conventionally known and used in the art. 
     The various individual parts that make up a club head structure  102 , if made from multiple pieces, may be engaged with one another and/or held together in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art. For example, the various parts of the club head structure  102 , such as the front face  102   a,  ball striking surface  102   b,  the top  102   c,  the sole  102   d,  etc., may be joined and/or fixed together (directly or indirectly through intermediate members) by adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, or other bonding or finishing techniques; by mechanical connectors (such as threads, screws, nuts, bolts, or other connectors); and the like. If desired, the mating edges of various parts of the club head structure  102  may include one or more raised ribs, tabs, ledges, or other engagement elements that fit into or onto corresponding grooves, slots, surfaces, ledges, openings, or other structures provided in or on the facing side edge to which it is joined. Cements, adhesives, mechanical connectors, finishing material, or the like may be used in combination with the raised rib/groove/ledge/edge or other connecting structures described above to further help secure the various parts of the club head structure  102  together. 
     The dimensions and/or other characteristics of a golf club head structure according to examples of this invention may vary significantly without departing from the invention, and the dimensions may be consistent with those commonly used in the art for similar club heads and clubs. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate one example golf club head having an adjustable weight member that is configurable in multiple positions to alter the performance characteristics of the golf club head.  FIG. 2A  is a bottom perspective view of the golf club head  200 . The bottom or sole  202  includes a recess  204  configured to receive an adjustable weight member  210 . The recess  204  may extend in a front  203  to rear  205  direction. The recess  204  may be generally rectangular and have a major longitudinal axis and a minor lateral axis. The major longitudinal axis is generally transverse to the ball striking face of the club head in an exemplary embodiment. The lateral axis extends in a heel to toe direction on the club head. The adjustable weight member  210  may be positioned in the recess  204  and, in some examples, be connected to the golf club head  200  via a screw or other fastener extending through aperture  212 . It is also noted that the club head may have a channel  207  extending across the sole of the club head  200  from a heel to a toe and generally adjacent the ball striking face. The channel allows a certain amount of compression of the club head upon ball impact. This feature may cooperate with the other club head structures and weighting characteristics to further enhance performance of the club. 
     The weight member  210  may be connected to the golf club head  200  in the recess  204  via a mating connection portion  220 . The mating connection portion may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the weight member  210  in order to aid in aligning the weight member  210  and maintaining the position of the weight member  210 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the mating connection portion  220  may define a raised portion wherein the aperture to receive the fastener is generally centrally located in the raised portion. It is understood that the weight member  210  may have a corresponding cut-out portion to accommodate and receive the mating connection portion  220  when the weight member is fastened to the golf club head as can be appreciated from  FIG. 2A . The cut-out portion removes weight from a central portion of the weight member  210  whereby weight can be more focused at the ends of the weight member  210 . As discussed above, the weight member  210  may be connected to the golf club head  200  via a fastener, such as a screw, extending through aperture  212  and into the mating connecting portion  220 . As can be appreciated from  FIG. 2A , the weight member  210  is dimensioned such that the weight member  210  is generally flush with the overall sole surface of the club head  200  when received in the recess  204 . 
     As desired, the position of the weight member  210  may be adjusted by removing the fastener, removing the weight member  210  and “flipping” it around, such that the first end  210   a  is proximal the front  203  of the golf club head and the second end  210   b  is proximal the rear  205  of the golf club head. Once the desired position of the weight member  210  is achieved, the fastener may be inserted and tightened to maintain the position of the weight member. 
     The weight member  210  may include different weight characteristics along a length of the weight member  210 . For instance, the weight member  210  may include two ends  210   a  and  210   b  having different weight characteristics. In some examples, the two ends  210   a  and  210   b  may be formed of different materials (either formed as a single piece of two different materials or formed separately from different materials and joined). In some examples, one material may be heavier, denser, etc. than a second material. Thus, each end  210   a,    210   b  of the weight member  210  may have different weight characteristics (e.g., one end may be heavier than the other). This allows for distribution of weight associated with the golf club head  200  as desired. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the two ends may be constructed differently, in order to provide different weight characteristics at each end  210   a,    210   b  of the weight member  210 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 2B , one end of the weight member  210   a,  may be thicker than another end  210   b  in order to provide additional weight. Additionally or alternatively, one end  210   b  may have a hollow construction or an aperture formed therein in order to reduce the weight of that end  210   b  relative to an opposite end  210   a  of the weight member  210 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate another golf club head having an adjustable weight arrangement according to one or more aspects described herein. Similar to the arrangement described above, the sole  302  of the golf club head  300  includes a recess  304  having a mating connection portion  320  arranged therein. The weighted member  310  may be positioned in the recess  304  to correspond to the mating connection portion  320  which aids in alignment of the weight member and positioning of the weight member  310 . The weighted member  310  may then be connected to the golf club head  300  via a screw or other fastener extending between the weight member  310  and the mating connection portion  320 . The club head  300  may also have a channel along the sole as described above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the mating connection portion  320  may be arranged within the golf club head  300  such that it is not visible from a top of the golf club head  300 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged, close-up view of the weighted member  310  of  FIGS. 3A-3C .  FIG. 5  is a cross section of the weighted member  310  taking along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . Although in the arrangements discussed above, the weighted member is rectangular, various other shapes may be used without departing from the invention, as will be discussed below. In the arrangement shown, the weighted member  310  is generally rectangular having a major longitudinal axis and a minor longitudinal axis generally corresponding to the recess provided in the club head. Further in the arrangement shown, one end  310   a  may be heavier, denser, etc. than an opposite end  310   b.  As discussed above, the ends may be formed of different materials or have different construction in order to provide the different weight characteristics. In some examples, one end (e.g.,  310   b ) may be formed of the same material as a central, connecting portion of the weighted member  310 , while the other end  310   a  is formed of a different material (e.g., a heavier material). The difference in weight of the ends  310   a,    310   b  of the weight member  310  may allow a user to position the weighted member to provide desired performance characteristics of the golf club head  300 . That is, if a user desires to move the center of gravity of a golf club head toward the rear of the golf club head  300 , he or she may position the weighted member  310  with the heavier end proximal the rear of the golf club head  300 . As further shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the weight member  310  has a cut-out portion  311  that receives the mating connecting portion  320 . Notwithstanding the cut-out portion, the underside surface of the weight member  310  is generally planar. In particular, the underside surface is generally planar at the respective ends  310   a,    310   b  wherein the weights are concentrated. There is an absence of any depending structures at the ends  310 ,  310   b.    
     The weighted member  310  and the ends  310   a,    310   b  of the member  310  may be formed of any suitable materials. For instance, the heavier end may be formed of steel or other heavy metal, while the lighter end may be formed of lightweight metals, such as aluminum, titanium, etc., metal alloys, composite materials, plastics, and the like. As discussed above, the weighted member  310  may be formed as a single piece with the two ends  310   a,    310   b  being formed of different materials or denser/less dense forms of the same material (e.g., in a two shot process). Additionally or alternatively, the weighted member  310  may be formed in one or more pieces that are joined using known methods, such as snap fits, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, and the like. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the adjustable nature of the weighted member according to at least some aspects described herein. The golf club head  400  includes a weighted member  410  similar to those discussed above. As discussed above, one end, a first end  410   a,  may have a greater weight then an opposite end  410   b.  This may be due to different materials being used to form the ends  410   a,    410   b,  different construction of the ends  410   a,    410   b,  etc. In  FIG. 6A , the heavier end  410   a  is positioned proximal the rear  405  of the golf club head while the lighter end  410   b  is proximal the front  403  of the golf club head. In  FIG. 6B , the weight member  410  has been reversed and the heavier end  410   a  is proximal the front  403  of the golf club head while the lighter end  410   b  is proximal the rear  405  of the golf club head. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate golf club head  500  having an alternative weighted member arrangement according to one or more aspects described herein.  FIG. 7B  is a cross section of the golf club head  500  of  FIG. 7A  taken along line  7 B- 7 B. As shown in  FIG. 7A , the weighted member has a slender center portion joining the two ends  510   a  and  510   b.  As the slender center portion defines a reduced width, more weight can be focused on the ends of the weighted member to maximize the effect of the weighted member on the performance characteristics of the club head. Similar to the arrangements discussed above, the ends  510   a  and  510   b  may have different weight characteristics and the weight member  510  may be adjustable to position the weight member  510  in a position to provide desired performance characteristics of the golf club head  500 . 
     In the arrangement shown, the weighted member  510  may be connected to the golf club head  500  at two points, one at each end. The weight member  510  may be connected to the golf club head using screws or other fasteners. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the weighted member  510  is positioned within a recess in the sole of the golf club head  510 . Notches  518  provide a sufficient recess for the weighted member  510  to protect the member from debris, wear, etc. during use of the golf club. Further, the recess may aid in preventing the weighted member  510  from protruding outward from the sole of the golf club head and/or becoming loose due to contact with the ground, etc. 
     The upward incline of the sole of the golf club head  510  further aids in adjusting the weight of the golf club head. For instance, positioning the heavier end of the weighted member nearer the front of the club may shift the center of gravity down, toward the sole. On the other hand, positioning the heavier end of the weighted member nearer the rear of the club may shift the center of gravity back, toward the rear. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of one weighted member fastening arrangement according to one or more aspects described herein. The weighted member  610  includes two fastening points, similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7A . In some examples, the weighted member  610  may be connected to the golf club head via one or more threaded fasteners. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a portion of the threaded fastener  650   a,    650   b  is threaded, and may be inserted into the golf club head. A second portion of the threaded fastener  650   a,    650   b,  may be smooth. The threaded fastener  650   a,    650   b  may include a threaded protrusion  651   a,    651   b  that extends through the aperture in the weighted member  610  and connects to a nut  652   a,    652   b  on the opposite side of the weighted member  610  to secure the weighted member  610  to the golf club head. 
     As discussed above, the weighted member  610  may have different weight properties at each end of the weighted member  610  (e.g., one end may be heavier or denser than an opposite end). The weighted member  610  may then be connected to the golf club head with the desired weight properties in the desired position in order to adjust the performance characteristics of the golf club head. It is further understood that the threaded fasteners  650   a,    650   b  may also possess different weighting characteristics as desired. 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a golf club head  700 , similar to the golf club head  500  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The weighted member  710 , as shown, is connected to the golf club head at two points. In some arrangements, the weighted member  710  may be connected to the golf club head  700  using threaded fasteners  752   a,    752   b.  Similar to the arrangements discussed above, the weighted member  710  may be positioned in a recess  704  formed in the sole of the golf club head  700  to prevent wear and to aid in maintaining the position of the weighted member  710 . 
     End  710   a  has a slightly different appearance from end  710   b  that may indicate the end  710   a  has different weight characteristics than end  710   b.  For instance, end  710   a  may be formed of a different material than end  710   b,  thereby making it heavier or lighter than end  710   b.  Additionally or alternatively, the construction of end  710   a  may be different from that of  710   b  (e.g.,  710   a  may be hollow while  710   b  is solid, vice versa). The difference in appearance between ends  710   a  and  710   b  may aid in determining a desired position of the weighted member  710 . For instance, a user may easily identify the heavier or lighter end based on the different in appearance and can connect the weighted member  710  to the golf club head  700  with the weighted member  710  in the desired orientation based on the appearance. The difference in appearance may be provided by different materials being used or may be provided during manufacture, and may include different colors, shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and the like. 
     Alternatively, in some arrangements, the ends  710   a,    710   b  may have a substantially similar or substantially identical appearance such that the ends may look the same while having different weight characteristics. For instance, the golf club head  800  of  FIG. 10  includes a weighted member  810  in which ends  810   a,    810   b  have a substantially similar appearance. Despite the substantially similar appearance of the ends  810   a,    810   b,  the ends  810   a,    810   b  may have different weight characteristics, as discussed above. 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate a golf club head  800  configured to receive a weighted member but with the weighted member, fasteners, etc. removed. The golf club head  800  includes a recess  804  formed in the sole  802  and configured to receive the weighted member. Similar to the arrangements described above, the recess  804  may be generally shaped to correspond to the shape of the weighted member. The golf club head  800  may include a further recessed area  807  which may be provided to protect the weighted member from damage, wear, etc. during use. That is, in some examples, the weighted member may be positioned below the sole  802  of the golf club and may make minimal or no contact with the ground during use. 
     Similar to the arrangements discussed above, the weighted member may have two ends, each having different weighting characteristics. A user may determine one or more desired performance characteristics for the golf club head  800  and may position the weighted member in the recess  804  to provide the desired performance characteristics. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11C , the recess  804  for receiving the weighted member may be visible from a rear  805  of the golf club head  800  and may be positioned to minimize contact with the ground during use. 
       FIGS. 12A-12D  illustrate various alternate arrangements of golf club heads and weighted members according to one or more aspects described herein.  FIG. 12A  illustrates a golf club head  900  having a weighted member  919 . The weighted member  919  may be connected to the golf club head  900  at two points, similar to some arrangements described above. The weighted member  919  may be substantially oval in shape. Similar to the arrangements discussed above, one end of the weighted member  919  may have different weight characteristics than another end of the weighted member, thus providing customizable performance characteristics of the golf club head  900  based on a position of the weighted member  919 . 
       FIG. 12B  illustrates another golf club head  920  having a weighted member  929 . The weighted member  929  may be substantially rectangular and may be connected to the golf club head at two points. Further, as shown in  FIG. 12B , the appearance of each end of the weighted member  929  may be different, to indicate a different in weight or performance characteristics associated with each end of the weighted member  929 . The difference in appearance may be the result of different materials being used to form the weighted member or may be provided during manufacture to provide a visual indication of the different characteristics of the ends of the weighted member  929 . 
       FIG. 12C  illustrates yet another golf club head  940  having a weighted member  949 . The weighted member  949  may be substantially oval, similar to the arrangement of  FIG. 12A . However, the appearance of the ends of the weighted member  949  may be different. As discussed above, the difference in appearance may be due to different materials used to form the ends or may be provided during manufacturing to provide a visual indicate of the different weight characteristics of each end. The weighted member  949  is connected to the golf club head  940  at two points and may be removed from the golf club head and repositioned (e.g, the weighted member  949  may be turned or “flipped” to put a first end in the previous position of a second end and vice versa) to adjust the performance characteristics of the golf club head  940 . 
       FIG. 12D  illustrates yet another golf club head  960  having a weighted member  969 . The weighted member  969  may have a shape similar to other weighted members discussed above and may be connected to the golf club head  960  at two points. The ends of the weighted member  969  may have different weighting characteristics adjustment of the position of the weighted member  969  within the golf club head  960  may adjust one or more performance characteristics of the golf club head  960 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12D , one end  969   b  may be differently shaped form another end  969   a.  For instance, end  969   b  may be longer than end  969   a,  thus resulting in more material causing end  969   b  to be heavier or have more weight associated with it than end  969   a.  In this arrangement, the recess into which the weighted member  969  is received may be rectangular in order to accommodate any position of the weighted member  969 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 12A-12D , the respective club head recesses and weight members may have alternate positions. In certain exemplary embodiments, the recess and weight member may have a skewed or angled position. The recess and weight member may be angled with respect to a longitudinal axis that is generally transverse to the ball striking face of the club head. As illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-12D , the recess can comprise a longitudinal axis that is angled toward the heel in in front to rear direction (or angled towards the toe end in a rear to front direction). The weight, likewise, is also angled toward the heel when received by the angled recess (or angled towards the toe end in a rear to front direction). Such an angled position provides further customization of the weighting characteristics of the golf club head. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another golf club head  1000  having an adjustable weighted member  1010 . The weighted member  1010  in  FIG. 13  is shown removed from the golf club head  1000  and, in particular, from the recess  1004  formed in the sole  1002  of the golf club head  1000 . Arrows  1015  indicate that the weighted member  1010  may be rotated and replaced in the recess  1004  in an alternate configuration to adjust the performance characteristics of the golf club head  1000 , similar to arrangements described above. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another example golf club head  1100  having an adjustable weight member  1110 . The adjustable weight member  1110  may have two ends, each having different weighting characteristics. The ends of the weighted member  1110  may have different appearances, to provide a visual indication of the different weight characteristics of each end. 
     The shape of the weighted member  1110  may be symmetrical in order to be received in the golf club head in any suitable arrangement. However, the appearance of one end of the weighted member  1110  extends over more than half of the weighted member  1110  to provide a somewhat asymmetrical appearance. The difference in appearance may indicate that the end having the appearance extending over more than half of the weighted member  1110  may be a heavier end. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates yet another golf club head  1200  having an adjustable weighted member  1210 . The weighted member  1210  is positioned in the sole of the golf club head  1200  and may be removed and repositioned to adjust one or more performance characteristics of the golf club head  1200 . 
     The shape of the weighted member may be varied as shown in the various figures. For example, the ends of the weighted member may be square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, or triangular, to provide two different weight regions in the single weighted member. As discussed, the weighted member may have a streamlined central portion or central portion having a reduced lateral dimension wherein weight can be more focused at distal ends of the weighted member. 
     Any suitable means may be used to connect the weighted member to the golf club head may be used such as screws and bolts. Protrusions may be present to guide the weighted member into position and also provide some weight characteristics. U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,220 discloses examples of protrusions which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Although several arrangements described herein generally include a weighted member extending in a front to rear direction, in some examples, the weighted member may extend in a toe to heel direction to allow for adjustment of weight distribution from the toe to the heel or heel to the toe. Various other positions of the weighted member may be used without departing from the invention. 
     Further, the weighted member may be formed using one or more known methods of manufacture, including various molding processes, casting, machining and the like. Further, some arrangements may include post manufacture processing steps, such as coating, painting, etc. to finish the weighted member. 
     The adjustable weighted member may be made of any suitable material, including metals, non-metallic materials, composites, ceramics, polymers, and the like. In some arrangements, the adjustable weighted member may be formed of carbon steel, stainless steel, carbon fiber, tungsten, tungsten loaded polymer, combinations of one or more of these materials, and the like. In some arrangements, the adjustable weighted material may be formed of a flexible material to allow some bending or flex in the adjustable weighted member. In other arrangements, the adjustable weighted member may be formed of stiffer materials. In order to provide the first end and second end with different weight characteristics, the first end and second end may be made of the same material but formed to have different densities or thicknesses, for example, or the first end and second end may be formed of different materials. The weighted member may also be formed with materials utilizing suspended particles to provide desired weighting characteristics. 
     The adjustable weight member has many benefits. Adjusting the weight member from a first configuration to a second configuration may influence the energy and velocity transferred to the ball by the impact, as well as the moment of inertia and the center of gravity of the club head. The moment of inertia of the golf club head can also be affected by the different weighting configurations. In addition, the center of gravity of the club head can be affected by the different weighting configurations. 
     Additionally, different weighting configurations can further affect the performance characteristics of the golf club head. The following descriptions regarding the different weighting configurations make certain assumptions such as identical club head speeds, impact location and golf ball used. In a first weighting configuration, the weight member is positioned such that the heavier weight is positioned towards the rear of the club head. Thus, the center of gravity of the golf club head is more towards the rear of the golf club head. With the heavier weight more towards the rear of the club, as a golfer swings the golf club, the golf club shaft bows more wherein right before ball impact, the club head face has a more lofted position and the face angle is more closed. Upon ball impact, a higher launch angle is provided and having more ball spin and more loft. The golf ball trajectory will have a greater tendency to be towards the left for a right-handed golfer. In a second weighting configuration, the weight member is positioned such that the heavier weight is positioned towards the front of the club head. Thus, the center of gravity of the golf club head is more towards the front of the golf club head. With the heavier weight more towards the front of the club, as a golfer swings the golf club, the golf club shaft bows less than in the first weight configuration and wherein right before ball impact, the club head face has a less lofted position and the face angle is less closed. Upon ball impact, a lower launch angle is provided and having less ball spin and less loft. The golf ball trajectory will have a greater tendency to be towards the right for a right-handed golfer. Thus, a ball spin differential is achieved by positioning the weight member in the different weighting configurations. More ball spin is achieved with the heavier weight located towards the rear of the club head, and less ball spin is achieved with the heavier weight located towards the front of the club head. With the present design, golfers have the ability to customize the golf club head to provide desired characteristics such as ball spin. 
     Further exemplary embodiments of the invention include golf club heads described herein and that also are capable of having adjustable parameters. For example, a golf club head may have adjustment mechanisms associated therewith allowing the adjustment of certain parameters such as adjustment of loft angle of the golf club head. The adjustment mechanisms may take various forms but generally are operably associated with the golf club head. In one exemplary embodiment, the adjustment mechanism may be a hosel-based mechanism such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,357 and U.S. Patent Appln. Ser. Nos. 61/577,660 and 61/526,325, which patent and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Such adjustment mechanisms may allow a golfer to adjust the loft angle of a driver type golf club to a higher loft setting such as but not limited to 11 degrees, 11.5 degrees, 12 degrees or 12.5 degrees. Having the adjustable weight member positioned with the heavier weight towards the rear of the club head provides a low center of gravity that is further back in the golf club head. Such a configuration further may provide beneficial launch conditions for such higher loft settings, and increased forgiveness resulting from a higher club head moments of inertia. Other golfers, oftentimes more skilled golfers, prefer a less lofted golf club head and would utilize the adjustment mechanism to provide a loft setting such as but not limited to 7.5 degrees, 8 degrees or 8.5 degrees and even 9 degrees. Such loft settings generally allow the golfer to hit more boring and less lofted golf shots. Such golfers also generally prefer the ability to control, or shape, their golf shots and such control may be hampered if the center of gravity is too far back towards the rear of the golf club head. With the adjustable weighted member of the present invention, the heavier end of the weighted member can be positioned towards the front of the golf club head. This provides a center of gravity that is more forward in the golf club head and lower club head moments of inertia. In such a position with a lower loft setting (e.g., 7.5-9 degrees), skilled golfers may benefit from enhanced shot shaping capabilities with the club head and improved launch conditions. Thus, the adjustable weighted member utilized in conjunction with other adjustment mechanisms provides further customization options to the golfer. It is understood that in addition to driver type golf clubs, such features are equally applicable to other golf clubs such as fairway woods, hybrids and the like. 
     It is understood that golfers having the ability to generate increased club head speed may select a stiffer shaft to obtain similar benefits as described herein regarding the different weighting configurations. 
     Accordingly, club head features that permit the weighting and weight distribution of the head to be adjusted or customized may provide improved performance in several ways including ball trajectory, ball speed, loft, distance, and spin. The adjustable weight feature can be used to customize the club head to produce desired characteristics for a particular golf ball being used. 
     Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.