Do Golfers Need More Driver Adjustability?

When is too much of a good thing a bad thing, and has adjustability hit this threshold?

The reason I ask is because Nike had an interesting patent application publish this week directed to an “adjustable ball striking face.” The application published as US Pub. No. 20110207552 and describes the invention as:

This invention relates generally to golf clubs or golf club heads, having an adjustable ball striking face. The golf club head includes a club head body, a ball striking face, and a brace extending from a sole of the club head body to an inner surface of the ball striking face. The brace may further include an end portion engaged with the inner surface of the ball striking face, a fixed rod located between the end portion and an inner surface of the club head at the sole, a biasing member attached to the fixed rod. The biasing member may provide a biasing force to the ball striking face such that the ball striking face is adjustable between a first direction thereby adjusting a face angle of the club head and a second direction thereby adjusting a loft angle of the club head.

Check this out!

The application explains:

[0051] The golf club heads 110 shown in
FIGS. 2A through 12 contain many common features, which are referenced
by similar reference numerals in the description below. As shown in
FIGS. 2A-5, the club head 110 generally includes a ball striking face
112, a club head body 114, and at least one brace 140. The at least one
brace 140 may be attached to or engaged with the ball striking face 112
and/or the club head body 114. The brace 140 may provide support to the
ball striking face 112 such that the ball striking face 112 may be
adjusted left or right (for hook and slice) or up and down (for loft and
de-loft). This adjustability feature may allow a golfer to adjust the
direction of the ball upon impact by adjusting the angle and orientation
of the ball striking face 112 which strikes the ball.
.
.
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[0054]
Additionally, the golf club head 110 may include a face engaging area.
In an example according to aspects of this invention, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3A through 5, the face engaging area may include a plurality of
support blocks 161 162 163. The support blocks 161 162 163 may be
engaged with or attached to the inner body surfaces 136 and extend from
the perimeter of the club head inner body surfaces 136. The support
blocks 161 162 163 may be configured to support the ball striking face
112, when the ball striking face 112 is attached to the club head body
114. Additionally, as described more below, the support blocks 161 162
163 may include attachment means for the ball striking face 112, such as
screw holes, etc. The support blocks 161 162 163 may be manufactured as
an integral component to the club head body in accordance with aspects
of this invention. In another embodiment in accordance with this
invention, the support blocks 161 162 163 may also be manufactured as
separate parts that may be attached to the club head body 114. The
support blocks 161 162 163 may be attached to the club head body 114 in
any one of various “engaging” techniques known and used in the art, such
as: bonding using adhesives or cements; engaging using welding, brazing
soldering, or other fusing techniques; attachment using mechanical
connectors including user releasable connectors (such as screws, bolts,
nuts, or the like); and the like. The support blocks 161 162 163 may
include one or more metal alloys.

[0056] In the illustrated
embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ball striking face 112 of a
given club head 110 has a face angle. The face angle is the angle of the
ball striking face 112 of the club head 110 relative to the target. If
the club head 110 is “square” or with a face angle at zero degrees, the
ball striking face 112 will be directly facing the target on address.
FIG. 3A illustrates a ball striking face 112 of the club head that has a
“square” face angle. If the club head 110 is “closed” or with a face
angle of minus degrees, the ball striking face 112 will be aligned to
the left of the target (for right-handed players; the opposite is true
for left-handed players). If the club head 110 is “open” or with a face
angle of positive degrees, the ball striking face 112 will be aligned to
the right of the target (for right-handed players; the opposite is true
for left-handed players). As will be discussed further below, the face
angle of the ball striking face 112 of the present invention may be
adjusted in accordance with this invention. For example, in accordance
with at least some examples of the invention, the face angle of the ball
striking face 112 may be adjusted (either positive or minus) by at
least approximately 1 degree. In another embodiment in accordance with
at least some examples of the invention, the face angle of the ball
striking face 112 may be adjusted (either positive or minus) by at least
approximately 3 degrees. In another embodiment in accordance with at
least some examples of the invention, the face angle of the ball
striking face 112 may be adjusted (either positive or minus) by at least
approximately 5 degrees. FIG. 3B illustrates an example club head 110
with the ball striking face 112 adjusted for face angle, specifically,
with the ball striking face 112 with an open, or positive face angle.

[0057]
Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,
the ball striking surface 113 is inclined slightly (i.e., at a loft
angle), to give a golf ball slight lift and spin when struck. Generally,
the loft angle is the main determining factor in golf ball trajectory.
FIG. 4A illustrates the ball striking face 112 with a loft angle with no
adjustments. The loft angle of a ball striking face 112 can be varied
to effect the trajectory, distance, backspin, and roll of a golf ball
struck by a club head 110. As will be discussed further below, the loft
angle of the ball striking face 112 of the present invention may be
adjusted in accordance with this invention. For example, in accordance
with at least some examples of the invention, the loft angle of the club
head 110 may be adjusted (increased or decreased) by at least
approximately 2 degrees. In another embodiment in accordance with at
least some examples of the invention, the loft angle of the club head
110 may be adjusted (increased or decreased) by at least approximately 4
degrees. In another embodiment in accordance with at least some
examples of the invention, the loft angle of the club head 110 may be
adjusted (increased or decreased) by at least approximately 6 degrees.
FIG. 4B illustrates an example club head 110 with the ball striking face
112 adjusted for loft angle, specifically, increasing the loft angle.

[0058]
Additionally, the face angle and the loft angle of the ball striking
face 112 may be adjusted in combination together. For example, the face
angle may be adjusted with an open or positive face angle and the loft
angle may be increased in combination with each other. In another
example, the face angle may be adjusted with a closed or negative face
angle and the loft angle may be decreased in combination with each
other. Any combination of the face angle and the loft angle of the ball
striking face 112 may be utilized without departing from this invention.

[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ball striking
face 112 may include a plurality of adjustment points 131 132 133 which
may allow a user or club fitter to adjust the loft angle and face angle.
Each adjustment point may include a screw 171 172 173 and a
corresponding screw hole 171A 172A 173A located in the ball striking
face 112. In accordance with other examples of this invention, the
adjustment point 131 132 133 may include additional or different means
of adjusting the loft angle and face angle as presently known in the
art, such as set screws, bolts, or other mechanical connectors as known
and used in the art. Additionally, these set screws, bolts, or other
mechanical connectors may include female heads such as known and used in
the art, for example Phillips heads or star-torque heads, etc. As
specifically illustrated in the example club head 110 in accordance with
this invention in FIG. 2A, the ball striking face 112 includes a first
adjustment point 131, a second adjustment point 132, and a third
adjustment point 133. The first adjustment point 131 may be located
approximately at the high-heel area 122 of the ball striking face 112.
The second adjustment point 132 may be located approximately at the
high-toe area 120 of the ball striking face 112. The third adjustment
point 133 may be located approximately between the low-heel area 122 and
the low-toe area 120 of the ball striking face 112.

[0060] As
illustrated in the embodiment of the golf club heads 110 shown in FIGS.
3A through 5, the club head 110 may also include a brace system or brace
140. The brace 140 could also be identified or referenced as a support
member. In this example golf club head 110, the brace 140 may extend
from an inner surface 136 of the club head body 110, across at least a
portion of the cavity 128, to the inner surface 130 of the ball striking
face 112. In the example golf club head 110 illustrated in FIG. 4A, the
brace 140 extends from the sole of the club head body 114 to the inner
surface 130 of the ball striking face 112. In other structures, the
brace 140 may extend from a different one of the inner surfaces 136 of
the body 114, for example, from the top 116 to the inner surface 130 of
the ball striking face 112. The golf club head 110 need not have an
inner cavity, or the inner cavity 128 may be filled with another
material, and the brace 140 may extend across or through a solid
material or a filler material between the inner body surface 136 and the
ball striking face 112.

[0061] The brace 140 may extend to and
contact the sole 118 or top 116 of the golf club head 110 at any desired
position without departing from this invention, provided the brace 140
is positioned and oriented (or angled) to provide the desired supporting
or bracing and adjustable functions. The brace 140 may extend to and
contact the sole 118 by being integrally formed or contacted with the
sole 118. In another embodiment in accordance with this invention, the
brace may extend to and contact the sole 118 at a sole engagement
portion 142. The sole engagement portion 142, as illustrated in FIG. 4A,
may be attached to the sole 118 or top 116 of the golf club head 110.
Additionally the sole engagement portion 142 may provide the brace 140
an engagement area to contact the sole 118 or top 116 of the club head
110. The sole engagement portion 142 may include a receptacle to receive
the brace 140. Additionally, the sole engagement portion 142 may
include other attachment means known and used in the art.
.
.
.
[0063]
In the golf club head 110 shown in FIGS. 3A through 4B, the brace 140
may include a fixed rod 144, an end portion 152, and a biasing member
154. The end portion 152 may be connected to or engaged with the inner
face surface 130 to form a contact point between the brace 140 and the
ball striking face 112. The fixed rod 144 may be located between the end
portion 152 and the inner surface 136 of the club head 110, with the
biasing member 154 surrounded outside a portion of or the entire fixed
rod 144. In an alternate embodiment in accordance with this invention,
the fixed rod 144 may be located between the end portion 152 and the
biasing member 154. The biasing member 154 may provide a biasing force
to the ball striking face 112 such that the ball striking face 112 may
be adjustable to a user.

[0064] Furthermore, the fixed rod 144
may also include a retractable rod 146 located within or extending from
the fixed rod 144. The retractable rod 146 may be attached to the
biasing member 154 such that the retractable rod 146 may retract into
the fixed rod 144 when pressure is placed against the ball striking face
112 (such as when a ball contacts the ball striking face 112). The
fixed rod 144 and the retractable rod 146 may be made of materials known
and used in the art, such as metals or plastics, etc. The fixed rod 144
and the retractable rod 146 may have different cross-sectional shapes,
such as circular, oval, or rectangular in accordance with this
invention.

[0065] Additionally, the end portion 152 or contact
point may include a ball-joint connection engaged with the end portion
152 that contains a mating male ball-joint 150. The ball-joint
connection may provide additional support when the ball striking face
112 is adjusted. The end portion 152 may also include a ball support
member 148. The ball support member 148 may be engaged with one or more
of the biasing member 154, the fixed rod 144, or the retractable rod
146. Additionally, the ball joint 150 may be engaged with the ball
support member 148. The ball joint 150 may be engaged such that as the
ball striking face 112 is adjusted up or down and/or left or right, the
ball joint 150 pivots to allow the club head 110 loft angle and/or face
angle to be adjusted. The ball joint 150 allows movement of the ball
striking face 112 in a plurality of directions. Additionally, the ball
joint 150 may be engaged with the end portion 152 that is engaged with
or connected to the ball striking face 112.
.
.
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[0067]
The example golf club 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 4B may also
include a biasing member 154. The biasing member 154 may be located at
any point along the fixed rod 144 and/or the retractable rod 146. In the
example as shown in FIGS. 3A through 4B, the biasing member 154 is
located adjacent to the location where the fixed rod 144 is connected to
the sole 118. The biasing member 154 may consist of a mechanical
spring, shock absorber or any other dynamic structure or similar type
device capable of providing a biasing force against the ball striking
face 112. Additionally, the biasing member 154 may be formed of one or
more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys,
such as steels, titanium, titanium alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys,
etc.), ceramics, polymers, composites, or fiber-reinforced composites.
The biasing member 154 may provide a biasing force to the ball striking
face 112 such that the ball striking face 112 may be adjustable. As
shown in FIG. 2B, the biasing member 154 may allow the ball striking
face 112 to be adjustable in at least two directions, a first direction
134 and a second direction 135. The first direction 134 may be a left or
right direction, which may adjust the face angle of the club head 110.
By adjusting the face angle, the club head 110 may be configured to
either hook or slice a golf ball. The second direction 135 may be an up
or down direction, which may adjust the loft angle of the club head 110.
By adjusting the loft angle, the club head 110 may be configured to
either loft or deloft the ball striking face, thereby causing the golf
ball to either go higher or lower, respectively.

[0068] The
brace 140 may be made from any desired materials and/or any desired
number of separate parts without departing from this invention. For
example, the brace 140 (or at least some portions thereof) may be made
from a relatively stiff or rigid material, like metals (e.g., titanium,
aluminum, steel, or other metal materials (including alloys)
conventionally used in golf club construction), polymers, ceramics, etc.
The brace 140 also may be sized and constructed such that the majority
of its weight is located toward the sole engagement portion 142, to help
keep a low overall center of gravity for the club head 110.
.
.
.
[0072]
The golf club heads of the present invention include the feature of
adjusting the loft angle and/or the face angle of the club head.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 5, a user may adjust the ball striking face
112 by adjusting one or more of the plurality of adjustment points 131
132 133 on the club head 110. In one example, the user may want to
adjust the ball striking face 112 to be more lofted or increase the loft
angle of the club head 110. In this example, the user may rotate the
bottom screw 173 counterclockwise, thereby loosening the screw 173 from
the support block 163 and the club head body 114. This loosening action
will allow the bottom of the ball striking face 112 to move outward away
from the club head body 114, thereby increasing the loft angle of the
club head 110. FIG. 4B illustrates a club head 110 with a ball striking
face 112 with an increased loft angle. Additionally, the user may rotate
both of the upper face screws 171 172 clockwise, thereby tightening the
screws 171 172 into the support blocks 161 162 and the club head body
114. This tightening action will allow the top of the ball striking face
112 to move inward toward the club head body 114, thereby also
increasing the loft angle of the club head 110. During these actions,
the brace 140, along with the biasing member 154, provides an outward
biasing force to maintain the ball striking face 112 in the correct
position along the club head body 114. FIG. 4B illustrates a club head
110 with a ball striking face 112 with an increased loft angle.

[0073]
In another example in accordance with this invention, the user may want
to adjust the ball striking face 112 to be de-lofted or decrease the
loft angle of the club head 110. In this example, the user may rotate
both of the upper face screws 171 172 counterclockwise, thereby
loosening the screws 171 172 from the support blocks 161 162 and the
club head body 114. This loosening action will allow the top of the ball
striking face 112 to move outward from the club head body 114, thereby
decreasing the loft angle of the club head 110. Additionally, the user
may rotate the bottom screw 173 clockwise, thereby tightening the screw
173 into the support block 163 and the club head body 114. This
tightening action will allow the bottom of the ball striking face 112 to
move inward toward the club head body 114, thereby also decreasing the
loft angle of the club head 110. During these actions, the brace 140,
along with the biasing member 154, provides an outward biasing force to
maintain the ball striking face 112 in the correct position along the
club head body 114.

[0074] In another example in accordance with
this invention, the user may want to adjust the ball striking face 112
to be closed and adjust the face angle of the club head 110. In this
example, the user may rotate the high-toe screw 172 counterclockwise,
thereby loosening the screw 172 from the support block 162 and the club
head body 114. This loosening action will allow the toe side of the ball
striking face 112 to move outward away from the club head body 114,
thereby closing the face angle of the club head 110. Additionally, the
user may rotate the high-heel screw 171 clockwise, thereby tightening
the screw 171 into the support block 161 and the club head body 114.
This tightening action will allow the heel side of the ball striking
face 112 to move inward toward the club head body 114, thereby closing
the face angle of the club head 110. During these actions, the brace
140, along with the biasing member 154, provides an outward biasing
force to maintain the ball striking face 112 in the correct position
along the club head body 114.

[0075] In yet another example in
accordance with this invention, the user may want to adjust the ball
striking face 112 to be open and adjust the face angle of the club head
110. In this example, the user may rotate the high-heel screw 171
counterclockwise, thereby loosening the screw 171 from the support block
161 and the club head body 114. This loosening action will allow the
heel side 122 of the ball striking face 112 to move outward away from
the club head body 114, thereby opening the face angle of the club head
110. Additionally, the user may rotate the high-toe screw 172 clockwise,
thereby tightening the screw 172 into the support block 162 and the
club head body 114. This tightening action will allow the toe side 120
of the ball striking face 112 to move inward toward the club head body
114, thereby opening the face angle of the club head 110. During these
actions, the brace 140, along with the biasing member 154, provides an
outward biasing force to maintain the ball striking face 112 in the
correct position along the club head body 114. FIG. 3B illustrates a
club head 110 with a ball striking face 112 with an open or positive
face angle.

[0076] Additionally, the face angle and the loft
angle of the ball striking face 112 may be adjusted in combination
together. For example, the face angle may be adjusted with an open or
positive face angle and the loft angle may be increased in combination
with each other. In another example, the face angle may be adjusted with
a closed or negative face angle and the loft angle may be decreased in
combination with each other. Any combination of the face angle and the
loft angle of the ball striking face 112 may be utilized without
departing from this invention. These adjustments may be completed by
adjusting both the loft angle as described above and the face angle as
described above.

[0077] FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate
additional potential features of golf club heads in accordance with at
least some examples of this invention. In addition to, or in place of
the support blocks as illustrated above in FIGS. 2A through 5, the golf
club head 610 may include a face engaging area that includes a support
rib 662. The support rib 662 may extend laterally towards the inner
cavity 628 from the perimeter of the club head inner body surfaces 636.
The support rib 662 may be configured to support the ball striking face
612, when the ball striking face 612 is engaged with or attached to the
club head body 614. Additionally, as described more below, the support
rib 662 may include attachment means for the ball striking face 612,
such as screws 671 672 673 and screw holes 671A 672A 673A, etc. In
accordance with this invention, the support rib 662 may be manufactured
as an integral component to the club head body 614. In another
embodiment in accordance with this invention, the support rib 662 may
also be manufactured as a separate member that may be attached to the
club head body 614. The support rib 662 may be attached to the club head
body 614 in any one of various “engaging” techniques known and used in
the art, such as: bonding using adhesives or cements; engaging using
welding, brazing soldering, or other fusing techniques; attachment using
mechanical connectors including user releasable connectors (such as
screws, bolts, nuts, or the like); and the like. The support rib 662 may
include one or more metal alloys.
.
.
.
[0080] For the
club heads illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, with different adjustment point
configurations, the same procedures and principles apply. To adjust the
loft angle of the club head, the ball striking face may be adjusted
either up or down. To adjust the face angle of the club head, the ball
striking face may be adjusted either to the toe or heel side of the club
head. Each of these adjustments may be made to the corresponding
plurality of adjustment points associated with each adjustment point
configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Additionally, other
adjustment point configurations may be utilized on the club head and the
ball striking face without departing from this invention.

[0081]
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate additional potential features of golf club
heads 1010 1110 in accordance with at least some examples of this
invention. These figures illustrate a brace system located at multiple
different locations and/or different orientations with respect to a ball
striking face 1012 1112 and a club head body 1014 1114. Generally, the
brace system may include more than one brace as is illustrated in FIGS.
10 and 11. Additionally, the brace system may have different angular
configurations in providing support to the ball striking face 1012 1112.

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a first brace system
1040A may be located proximate the heel area 120 of the club head
structure 1010 (to apply force at the heel area 120 of the ball striking
face 1012), and a second brace system 1040B may be located in the toe
area 122 of the club head structure 1010 (to apply force at the toe area
122 of the ball striking face 1012). If desired, braces inserted
through any of the inlet ports may be sized, shaped, and adapted to
extend to any of the desired face contact locations (e.g., so that a
brace inserted at the toe end 122 contacts the middle or heel location
120 on the ball striking face 1012).

[0083] Another example golf
club head 1110 in accordance with this invention, as shown in FIG. 11,
includes a first brace system 1140A may be located in the heel area 120
of the club head structure 1110 (to apply force at the heel area 120 of
the ball striking face 1112), a second brace system 1140B may be located
in the central area of the club head structure 1110, between the heel
area 120 and the toe area 122 (to apply force at the central area of the
ball striking face 1112), and a third brace system 1140C may be located
in the toe area 122 of the club head structure 1110 (to apply force at
the toe area 122 of the ball striking face 1112). If desired, braces
inserted through any of the inlet ports may be sized, shaped, and
adapted to extend to any of the desired face contact locations (e.g., so
that a brace inserted at the toe end 122 contacts the middle or heel
location 120 on the ball striking face 1112).

[0084] An
individual club head may have any one or more brace system orientations
available, and the user or a club fitter can select which brace system
orientation to use for a specific golfer, e.g., based on the contact
pattern where the club head face tends to meet the ball. For example,
using the club head as illustrated in FIG. 11, if the user predominantly
makes contact at the toe end 122 of the ball striking face 1112, use of
the heel oriented brace system 1140A may be most appropriate (e.g., to
keep the toe end 122 more flexible but to maintain an overall COR
response within the limitations of the rules). If the user predominantly
makes contact at the heel end 120 of the ball striking face 1112, use
of the toe oriented brace system 1140C may be most appropriate (e.g., to
keep the heel end 120 more flexible but to maintain an overall COR
response within the limitations of the rules). If the user has a very
high swing speed or if his or her contact does not fall within a
discernible, repeatable pattern, then use of the central brace system
1140B may be the most appropriate (e.g., to provide a backstop to
prevent club damage and/or to maintain the ball striking face COR
characteristics within the limitations of the rules). The various brace
systems may include structure to receive the braces, e.g., in any of the
various manners described above, and the various brace systems within a
single club head (when multiple brace systems are present) may be the
same or different without departing from this invention.
.
.
.

[0089]
Additionally, in another embodiment in accordance with this invention,
the golf club head may include an alternate bracing system to be
included with the golf club heads as shown in FIGS. 2A through 5 and
described above. The alternate bracing system may include an
electronic/automatic adjustment mechanism in place of the manual
adjustment on the ball striking face. The electronic/automatic
adjustment mechanism may be a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS).
The MEMS is operably connected to the ball striking face and may be part
of bracing system to include the brace. A user can automatically adjust
the bracing system via the MEMS to adjust the face angle and/or the
loft angle of the ball striking face on a golf club head. Other
adjustment systems may also be utilized such as systems using bi-stable
structures as well as other mechanical or electro-mechanical structures.


[0090] The golf clubs and golf club heads as described herein
provide many benefits and advantages over existing products. For
example, the brace can be strategically located and designed to provide
local stiffness and local flexibility in the ball striking face of the
head so that certain areas of the ball striking face will have a COR
response that is higher than other areas, without exceeding COR limits
set by regulatory authorities. Golfers and club fitters can take
advantage of aspects of this invention by having a user make multiple
swings with a golf club and determining the area on the club head face
where the golfer tends to make contact with the ball (e.g., using
pressure sensitive contact tape). If an area of predominant contact is
identified (e.g., the golfer tends to hit the ball in the toe area of
the club), a head can be constructed so that the area of the ball
striking face that most frequently impacts the ball during play will
have a higher COR response. This can be accomplished by locating a
contact area and providing a brace at the rear surface of the club head
at a location away from the predominant contact area (at the heel area,
in this example). A ball impacting these specific locations on the ball
striking face (areas located away from the contact area and the brace)
will have more energy and velocity transferred to it, thus resulting in
longer hits.

[0091] An additional advantage of this invention
relates to the ability to adjust the club head characteristics from
golfer to golfer or even from shot to shot. As was described above, the
club head includes a plurality of adjustment points which may be used to
adjust the configuration of the ball striking face against the club
body. The adjustment points may be adjusted to adjust the ball striking
face in the up or down direction, thereby adjusting the loft angle of
the club head. For example, golfers and club fitters can take advantage
of this aspect of the invention by having a user make multiple swings
with a golf club and determining the flight path of the ball after
contact with the club head. If the golf ball consistently follows a
boring or low shot pattern, the golfer or club fitter can increase the
loft angle by adjusting the ball striking face up. Conversely, if the
golf ball consistently follows a ballooning or high shot pattern, the
golfer or club fitter can decrease the loft angle by adjusting the ball
striking face down.

[0092] Additionally, the adjustment points
may be adjusted to adjust the ball striking face in the left or right
direction, thereby adjusting the face angle of the club head. For
example, golfers, and club fitters can take advantage of this aspect of
the invention by having a user make multiple swings with a golf club and
determining the flight path of the ball after contact with the club
head. In one example, the golfer consistently slices the ball because,
due to a number of swing errors, the golfer delivers the club face to
impact with the ball with the ball striking face open to the intended
target. This swing causes the ball to slide, then roll, across the ball
striking face from the heel toward the toe, which in turn causes the
ball to leave the ball striking face with a slicing sidespin action. In
accordance with example golf clubs of this invention, the golfer or club
fitter can adjust the ball striking face to the left (for a
right-handed golfer), thereby closing the ball striking face to the
intended target. By changing the club head with a more closed face
angle, the number of degrees that the golfer delivers the ball striking
face open to impact with the ball is reduced, thereby reducing the slice
sidespin imparted on the ball. In another example, the golfer
consistently hooks the ball because, due to a number of swing errors,
the golfer delivers the club face to impact with the ball with the ball
striking face closed to the intended target. This hook swing causes the
ball to slide, then roll, across the ball striking face from the toe
toward the heel, which in turn causes the ball to leave the ball
striking face with a hooking sidespin action. In accordance with example
golf clubs of this invention, the golfer or club fitter adjust the ball
striking face to the right (for a right-handed golfer), thereby opening
the ball striking face to the intended target. By changing the club
head with a more opened face angle, the number of degrees that the
golfer delivers the ball striking face closed to impact with the ball is
reduced, thereby reducing the hook sidespin imparted on the ball.

Any chance this design will ever make it to the market? Looks like a bunch of heavy components to me.

Dave Dawsey – Monitoring Adjustable Golf Club Inventions