A golf club head comprising: a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery; a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a wall thickness, the body having a rear end opposite the face, a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and an inwardly recessed channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body, wherein the channel is elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion and is defined by a front edge and a rear edge extending between the heel and toe portions, with a recessed trough defined between the front and rear edges, wherein: (a) the heel portion and the toe portion are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face and wherein a center portion of the channel is spaced a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the center portion of the channel is located closer to the face than to the rear end of the body; or (b) the front and rear edges are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the front and rear edges are spaced greater distances from the outer periphery of the face at a center portion of the channel as compared to the heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the center portion of the channel is located closer to the face than to the rear end of the body, the golf club head further characterized in that the wall thickness of the body is reduced at the channel relative to the other locations on the body. a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery; a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a wall thickness, the body having a rear end opposite the face, a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and an inwardly recessed channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body, wherein the channel is elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion and is defined by a front edge and a rear edge extending between the heel and toe portions, with a recessed trough defined between the front and rear edges, wherein: (a) the heel portion and the toe portion are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face and wherein a center portion of the channel is spaced a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the center portion of the channel is located closer to the face than to the rear end of the body; or (b) the front and rear edges are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the front and rear edges are spaced greater distances from the outer periphery of the face at a center portion of the channel as compared to the heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the center portion of the channel is located closer to the face than to the rear end of the body, (a) the heel portion and the toe portion are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face and wherein a center portion of the channel is spaced a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the center portion of the channel is located closer to the face than to the rear end of the body; or (b) the front and rear edges are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the front and rear edges are spaced greater distances from the outer periphery of the face at a center portion of the channel as compared to the heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the center portion of the channel is located closer to the face than to the rear end of the body, the golf club head further characterized in that the wall thickness of the body is reduced at the channel relative to the other locations on the body.