220 forms a ring that protrudes rearward from the internal surface 212 of the striking face portion 202. Located inward from the thickened stress reducing region, the striking face portion 202 has an upper thinned intermediate region 218-a and a lower thinned intermediate region 218-b, combining to form a thinned intermediate region 218. Located inward from the thinned intermediate region, the striking face portion 202 has an upper central transition region 216-a and a lower central transition region 216-b, combining to form the central transition region 216. Finally, the striking face portion 202 has a thickened central region 214 located inward of the central transition region 214.

In this embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the height 111 of the thickened central region 214 may generally be between about 4.0 mm and about 15.0 mm, more preferably between about 4.0 mm and about 10.0 mm, and most preferably about 4.0 mm.

The height of the central transition region 216, in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, may also be greater below the thickened central region 214 than above the thickened central region 214. Hence, in accordance with this embodiment, the height H2-a of the upper central transition region 216-a is between about 7.0 mm and about 11.0 mm, more preferably between about 8.0 mm and about 10.0 mm, and most preferably about 9.0 mm. The height H2-b of the lower central transition region 216-b may generally be between about 13.0 mm to about 17.0 mm, more preferably between about 14.0 mm to about 16.0 mm, and most preferably about 15.0 mm. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the height of the upper central transition region 216-a and the lower central transition region 216-b may be the same without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

The height of the thinned intermediate region 218, in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, may also be greater below the thickened central region 214 than above the thickened central region 214. Hence, in accordance with this embodiment, the height H3-a is generally between about 3.5 mm and about 5.5 mm, more preferably between about 4.0 mm and about 5.0 mm, and most preferably about 4.5 mm. The height 113-b of the lower central transition region 218-b may generally be between about 6.5 mm to about 8.5 mm, more preferably between about 7.0 mm to about 8.0 mm, and most preferably about 7.5 mm. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the height of the upper central transition region 218-a and the lower central transition region 218-b may be the same without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

The height of the thickened stress reducing region 220, different from previous measurements, is the same measurement irrespective of whether the measurement is for the upper thickened stress reducing region 220-a or the lower thickened stress reducing region 220-b. Hence, in accordance with this embodiment, the height H4-a and H4-b are both between about 4.0 mm and about 6.0 mm, more preferably between about 4.5 mm and about 5.5 mm, and most preferably about 5.0 mm. Similar to the logic above, having different H4-a and H4-b values also does not deviate from the scope and content of the present invention, so long as both fall within the ranges articulated above. It is worth noting here that the height of the thickened stress reducing region 220 is critical to the proper functionality of the present invention, as it carefully balances the need to not add too much unnecessary mas to the striking face portion 202, but also the need to provide enough structural rigidity to reduce the stress from the face perimeter 106 (shown in FIG. 1) to allow the remainder of the striking face portion 202 to be made thinner and more efficient. The height of the thickened stress reducing region 220, combined with the thickness of the thickened stress reducing region 220 (to be discussed later in FIG. 4), will outline the optimized geometry to achieve the performance gains of the present invention.

Before moving on to a discussion regarding the thinned perimeter region 222, it is important to note that the placement of the thickened stress reducing region 220 relative to the geometric face center 108 (shown in FIG. 1) is critical to the achieve the proper performance gains in the present invention. This is especially true along the vertical cross-sectional plane passing through the geometric face center 108 (shown in FIG. 1) as shown here in the enlarged cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3. The criticality of this specific cross-section, and the placement of the thickened stress reducing region 220 along this cross-section, derives from the tendency of the striking face portion 202 to exhibit higher stress risers in the upper face portion along this plane; hence the addition of the thickened stress reducing region 220. In this embodiment of the present invention, the thickened stress reducing region 220 may generally be placed at a distance of between about 15 mm to about 30 mm away from the geometric face center 105, along the cross-sectional plane A-A′, more preferably placed at a distance of between about 17 mm to about 28 mm away from the geometric face center 105 (shown in FIG. 1), along the cross-sectional plane A-A′, and most preferably between about 20 mm to about 25 mm away from the geometric face center 105 (shown in FIG. 1), along the cross-sectional plane A-A′.

The height of the thinned perimeter region 222, may also be greater below the thickened central region 214 than above the thickened central region 214. Hence, in accordance with this embodiment, the height 115-a is between about 1.8 mm and about 2.8 mm, more preferably between about 2.1 mm and about 2.5 mm, and most preferably about 2.3 mm. The height 115-b may generally be between about 2.3 mm to about 3.3 mm, more preferably between about 2.6 mm to about 3.0 mm, and most preferably about 2.8 mm. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the height of the upper thinned perimeter region 222-a and the lower thinned perimeter region 222-b may be the same without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows another enlarged cross-sectional view of the striking face portion 202 of a golf club head 200. In this cross-sectional view, the various thicknesses of the components of the striking face portion 202 is shown in more detail. In this current embodiment of the present invention, the thickened central region 214 may generally have a thickness T1 of less than about 3.6 mm, more preferably less than about 3.4 mm, and most preferably less than about 3.2 mm; as the goal of the present invention is to minimize the thickness of various components of striking face portion 202, via the introduction of the thickened stress reducing region 220 that alleviate stress on the striking face portion 202.

The thickness of the thinned intermediate region 218 may generally be the same irrespective of whether it's located at the upper thinned intermediate region 218-a or the lower thinned intermediate region 218-b. Hence, the thickness T3-a and T3-b are both less than about 2.5 mm, more preferably less than about 2.4 mm, and most preferably less than about 2.3 mm. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, T3-a and T3-b values may be slightly different from one another and will not deviate from the scope and content of the present invention, so long as both fall within the ranges articulated above.

The thicknesses of the thickened stress reducing region 220, shown here as an upper thickened stress reducing region 220-a having a thickness T4-a and lower thickened stress reducing region 220-b having a thickness T4-b, combines with the width of the thickened stress reducing region 220 define a geometry that is critical to the improved performance of the striking face portion 202 of the golf club head. In this embodiment, the thicknesses T4-a and T4-b, for the upper thickened stress reducing region 220-a and lower thickened stress reducing region 220-b respectively, are both the same, hence yielding a thickness of between about 3.6 mm to about 4.4 mm, more preferably between about 3.8 mm top about 4.2 mm, and most preferably about 4.0 mm. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the thicknesses T4-a and T4-b could deviate slightly from one another without departing from the scope and content of the present invention, so long as it does not fall outside the scope of the thickness ranges defined above.

Once the thickness T4 and the height H4 of the thickened stress reducing region 220 have been defined, a preferred geometric shape of the thickened stress reducing region 220 can be established as a ratio of the thickness and the height. The preferred geometric shape will have a T over H Ratio defined by Equation (1) below:

$\begin{matrix} T over H Ratio = \frac{Thickness T 4 of Thickened Stress Reducing Region}{Height H 4 of Thickened Stress Reducing Region} & Eq . (1) \end{matrix}$

The T over H Ratio of the thickened stress reducing region 220 of the striking face portion 202 in accordance with the present invention may generally be between about 0.6 to about 1.1, more preferably between about 0.7 to about 0.9, and most preferably about 0.8. Once again, as previously mentioned, this ratio is critical to achieving the stress reducing properties of the striking face portion 202, all while minimizing the unnecessary mass added by the addition of this thickened stress reducing region 220.

The thickness of the thinned perimeter region 222 may generally be the same irrespective of whether it's located at the upper thinned perimeter region 22-a or the lower thinned perimeter region 222-b. Hence, the thickness T5-a and T5-b are both less than about 3.0 mm, more preferably less than about 2.8 mm, and most preferably less than about 2.7 mm. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, T5-a and T5-b values may be slightly different from one another and will not deviate from the scope and content of the present invention, so long as both fall within the ranges articulated above.

Another important relationship worth highlighting here is the thickness T4 of the thickened stress reducing region 720 versus the thickness T1 of the thickened central region 714. Because the introduction of the thickened stress reducing region 720 greatly decreases the overall thickness and mass of the entire striking face portion 702, the resultant relationship between the two thicknesses is critically important to achieving the improved performance of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of T4 divided by T1 is generally greater than about 1, more preferably greater than about 1.15, and most preferably greater than about 1.375. Alternatively speaking, it can be said that the thickness T4 of the thickened stress reducing region 220 is greater than a thickness T1 of the thickened central region 214, or any other location along the entirety of the striking face portion 202. The thickest portion of the striking face portion 202 is located on the thickened stress reducing region 220.

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows that same enlarged cross-sectional view of the striking face portion 202 of a golf club head 200 as FIGS. 3 and 4, but this time focusing on the transition of the thickened stress reducing region 220 to its neighboring thinned intermediate region 218 and thinned perimeter region 222. In this embodiment of the present invention, the various radii around the thickened stress reducing region 220 is also critical to the proper functionality of the present invention, as undesirable radii not only does not serve the purpose of reducing stress but could also add to the manufacturing challenges. On top of everything, the radii also needs to be a balance of, on one hand, minimizing the undesirable weight additions attributed to the addition of the thickened stress reducing region 220, and on the other hand the stress and manufacturing challenges attributed to the thickened stress reducing region 220.

Radius R5-a and Radius R5-b indicate the radius of curvature or the blend from the thickened stress reducing region 220-a and 220-b towards the thinned perimeter region 222-a and 222-b. R5-a and R5-b in this embodiment may generally be the same number and is generally between about 1.0 mm and about 1.4 mm, more preferably between about 1.1 mm and about 1.3 mm, and most preferably about 1.2 mm. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments of the present invention R5-a and R5-b may be different from one another without departing from the scope and content of the present invention so long as it falls within the radius ranges articulated above.

Radius R3-a and Radius R3-b indicate the radius of curvature or the blend from the thickened stress reducing region 220-a and 220-b towards the thinned intermediate region 218-a and 218-b. R3-a and R3-b in this embodiment may generally be the same number and also the same as the R5-a and R5-b above between about 1.0 mm and about 1.4 mm, more preferably between about 1.1 mm and about 1.3 mm, and most preferably about 1.2 mm. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments of the present invention R3-a and R3-b may be different from one another without departing from the scope and content of the present invention so long as it falls within the radius ranges articulated above.

It is worth noting here that the radius of the blend from the thickened stress reducing region 220 towards the thinned perimeter region 222 and the thinned intermediate region 218, shown as R5 and R3 respectively, may generally be the same as one another. However, as previously mentioned, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, these numbers could differ from one another without departing from the scope and content of the present invention so long as they fall within the ranges above.

FIGS. 6a through 6L of the accompanying drawings shows alternate geometries for the thickened stress reducing region 220. In FIG. 6a, a substantially rectangular design is shown here, like the design previously shown that added the transition radii. FIG. 6b of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate outward taper design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6c of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate inward taper design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6d of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate outward taper with constant offset design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6e of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate outward taper with inner offset design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6f of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate outward taper with outer offset design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6g of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate triangular chevron design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6h of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate inward offset triangular chevron design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6i of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate outward offset triangular chevron design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6j of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate hemisphere design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6k of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate organic design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6L of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate depression channel taper design of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show a rear view of the striking face portion 702 of a golf club head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7a, a view is presented to provide a better visual of the various components of the striking face portion 702. In FIG. 7a, a thinned perimeter region 722 forms the outer perimeter of the striking face portion 702. Inward from the thinned perimeter region 722, we can see the thickened stress reducing region 720. Inward from the thickened stress reducing region 720 is the thinned intermediate region 718. Inward from the thinned intermediate region 718 is the central transition region 716. Finally, at the geometric center of the striking face portion 702 is the thickened central region 714. In addition to illustrating the various components of the striking face portion 702, FIG. 7a also illustrates how the height of the various components can vary depending on where it is located on the face, and the previous measurements of the various component heights were only referring to a cross-sectional plane along the geometric center of the face as shown in FIG. 1. In one example, once can see that the height of the intermediate transition region 718 is generally smaller at the crown and sole portion of the striking face portion 702 when compared to the height of the intermediate transition region 718 at the heel and toe portion of the striking face portion 702.

Alternatively speaking, it can be said that the striking face comprises a thickened central region 714 located near a geometric center of the striking face portion 702, a central region 716 extending outward radially from the thickened central region 714, a thinned intermediate region 718, extending outward radially from the thickened central region 714, a thickened stress reducing region 720 extending outward radially from the thinned intermediate region 714, and finally a thinned perimeter region 722 extending outward radially from the thickened stress reducing region 720.

To better illustrate the differences of the height of the various components along different portions of the face, a non-shaded rear view of the striking face portion 702 is provided in FIG. 7b. In addition to the above, FIG. 7b allows the radial distances of the various components to be shown in more detail, as all measurements are taken from the geometric center 108 (shown in FIG. 1) of the face; like the previous discussion regarding the location of the thickened stress reducing region 220 in FIG. 2. However, the distances provided here are not constrained in any specific cross-sectional plane A-A′ like the previous discussion in FIG. 2, but rather a measurement of the minimum and maximum distances in any radial direction. In this rear view of the striking face portion 702 shown in FIG. 7b, we can see that the outer perimeter of the thickened central region 714 is generally located within a projected distance D1 of between about 4.00 mm and about 14.0 mm from a geometric face center across any radial direction. The outer perimeter of the central transition region 716 may generally be located at a distance D2 of between about 13.0 mm and about 30.0 mm from the geometric face center across any radial direction. The outer perimeter of the thinned intermediate region 718 may generally be located at a distance D3 of between about 17.0 mm and about 40.0 mm from the face center across any radial direction. The outer perimeter of the thickened stress reducing region 720 may generally be located at a distance D4 of between about 15.0 mm and about 46.0 mm from the face center across any radial direction. Finally, the outer perimeter of the thinned perimeter region 722 may generally be located at a distance D5 of between about 25.50 mm and about 55.5 mm from the face center across any radial direction.

FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head 800, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, taken along cross-sectional line A-A′ shown in FIG. 1. In this cross-sectional view of the present invention, the shape and geometry of upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a is changed to be different from the lower thickened stress reducing region 820-b to help address high stress levels that generally occur in the upper crown region of the striking face portion 802. In order to illustrate this difference in height and radius of curvature of the blend between the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a and the lower thickened stress reducing region 820-b, an enlarged view of the striking face portion 802 is provided in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of the striking face portion 802 of the golf club head 800 shown in FIG. 8. In this enlarged cross-sectional view, only the features that differentiate this embodiment of the present invention from prior embodiments have been highlighted. In this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the height H4-a of the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a is no longer the same as height H4-b of the lower thickened stress reducing region 820-b. In fact, the height H4-a of the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a is reduced to address stress raisers that often arise in the upper part of the striking face portion 802. Resultingly, due to the reduction in height H4-a of the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a, the height H3-a of the upper thinned intermediate region 818-a is increased. In addition to the above, to further reduce the stress, the radius R3-a between the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a and the upper thinned intermediate region 818-a is increased to create a more gradual blend at this location. Finally, unrelated to addressing the stress levels of the striking face portion 802, the radius R5-a between the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a and the upper thinned perimeter region 822-a is also increased to soften the blend to allow for ease of manufacturability.

Diving into the numbers, the height H4-a of the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, may generally be between about 3.1 mm to about 3.9 mm, more preferably between about 3.3 mm top about 3.7 mm, and most preferably about 3.5 mm, which is about 0.5 mm shorter than its counter part H4-b located at the lower thickened stress reducing region 820-b. The height H3-a of the upper thinned intermediate region 818-a in accordance with this current embodiment of the present invention, may generally be between about 6.5 mm to about 8.5 mm, more preferably between about 7.0 mm to about 8.0 mm, and most preferably about 7.5 mm, which makes it approximately the same as it's counter part 113-b located at the lower thinned intermediate region 818-b.

In addition to changes in the height, the radius R3-a and R5-a of the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a have also been altered to be different from its counter part at the lower thickened stress reducing region 820-b. By increasing the radius of curvature of R3-a, the more gradual transition between the two neighboring components help eliminate stress risers that could occur at that portion of the striking face portion 802. The R3-a in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may generally be greater than about 1.50 mm, more preferably greater than about 1.60 mm, and more preferably greater than about 1.70 mm. The radius of curvature R5-a on the other hand, is also increased to be more gradual, but this time for manufacturing reasons allowing for a less pronounced region of reduced casting flow. Thus R5-a in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may generally be greater than about 1.50 mm, more preferably greater than about 1.60 mm, and more preferably greater than about 1.70 mm. Hence it is worth noting here that in this embodiment, it is critical that the radius of curvature of the transition of the upper thickened stress reducing region 820-a be greater than a radius of curvature of the transition of the lower thickened stress reducing region 820-b, as the striking face portion 802 often exhibits higher stress levels at that location.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show a rear view of the striking face portion 1002 of a golf club head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10a, a shaded view is presented to provide a better visual of the various components of the striking face portion 1002. In this shaded view shown in FIG. 10a and the wireframe view shown in FIG. 10b, the adjustments to the upper thickened stress reducing region 1020-a can be seen, and its height H4-a (shown in FIG. 9) is smaller when compared to the remaining portions of the thickened stress reducing region 1020-a. Another thing worth noting here that was previously not mentioned is that in the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the entire thickened stress reducing region 1020 takes on the shape of a ring encircles the central portion of the striking face portion 1002. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the thickened stress reducing region 1020 may not need to encircle the striking face portion 1002 completely and can partially surround the striking face portion without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. Alternatively speaking, the thickened stress reducing region 1020 may only encircle less than 360 degrees around the face, less than about 270 degrees around the face, less than 180 degrees around the face, all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

FIGS. 11 through 15 of the accompanying drawings shows a golf club head in accordance with a further alternative embodiments of the present invention, wherein the thickened stress reducing region is formed out of multiple materials to achieve the further improve upon the stress reducing capabilities of the thickened stress reducing region.

FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings shows an exploded perspective view of a golf club head 1100 in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the thickened stress reducing region is further formed out of multiple materials. In this exploded cross-sectional view of the golf club head 1100 shown in FIG. 11, the body portion 1103 has a pocket 1134 with a perimeter ledge 1132, wherein the perimeter ledge 1132 helps receive a gasket 1130 and the gasket 1130 separates the face insert 1104 from the perimeter ledge 1132. The combination of the perimeter ledge 1132, the gasket 1130, and the perimeter of the face insert 1104 combine to create the thickened stress reducing region (shown in FIG. 12) in this embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head 1200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, taken along cross-sectional line A-A′ shown in FIG. 1. In this cross-sectional view of the golf club head 1200, we can see that the golf club head 1200, similar to previous embodiments, can be split into a frontal striking face portion 1202 and a rear body portion 1203. The frontal striking face portion 1202 is further comprised out of an opening pocket 1234 adapted to receive a face insert 1204 like previous embodiments. However, in this embodiment of the present invention, instead of having the face insert 1204 being welded directly onto the perimeter of the opening pocket 1234 as it is commonly known in the industry, the opening pocket 1234 creates a perimeter ledge 1232 that is recessed from the external plane of the striking face, and the perimeter ledge 1232 is adapted to receive a gasket 1230 that separates the face insert 1204 from the perimeter ledge 1232. In this cross-sectional view of the present invention, we can clearly see that the combination of the perimeter ledge 1232, the gasket 1230, and the perimeter of the face insert 1204 combine to create the thickened stress reducing region 1220. The thickened stress reducing region 1220 in this embodiment may further be defined as an upper thickened stress reducing region 1220-a and a lower thickened stress reducing region 1220-b, both of which have dimensional measurements similar to previous embodiments described previously.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the face insert 1204, gasket 1230, and perimeter ledge 1232 may generally be bonded together using some type of a glue adhesive. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the three components that form the thickened stress reducing region 1220 that may have different material properties, may also rely on alternate bonding techniques such as brazing, swaging, or even mechanical fastening all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention so long as the face insert 1204 is not directly bonded to the perimeter ledge 1232 itself.

The material used to create the gasket 1230 is also critical in this embodiment of the present invention, as may help reduce stress around the perimeter of the frontal striking face portion 1202. In this embodiment, the material used to create the gasket may generally have a modulus of elasticity, or Young's modulus of between about 5 GPa and about 120 GPa, more preferably between about 10 GPa and about 80 GPa, and most preferably about 30 GPa. In addition to the above, the gasket 1230 may also have density of less than about 2,000 g/cc, more preferably less than about 1,900 g/cc, and most preferably less than about 1,800 g/cc, all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

In order to illustrate some of the dimensions of the gasket 1230 itself, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the frontal striking face portion 1202 is provided in FIG. 13. In this view shown in FIG. 13, we can see that the gasket 1230 may have an upper gasket height H6-a and a lower gasket height H6-b that are approximately the same. H6-a and H6-b in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may generally be between about 3.0 mm to about 7.0 mm, more preferably between about 4.0 mm to about 6.0 mm, and most preferably about 5.0 mm. FIG. 13 also shows the thickness T6 of the gasket, illustrated as an upper gasket thickness T6-a and a lower gasket thickness T6-b, both of which are approximately the same in this embodiment of the present invention. Hence, T6-a and T6-b in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may generally be between about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm, more preferably between about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm, and most preferably about 0.5 mm.

Based on the thickness and height measurements above, it can be said that the gasket 1230 may have a T over H Ratio defined by Equation (2) below:

$\begin{matrix} T over H Ratio = \frac{Thickness T 6 of Gasket}{Height H 6 of Gasket} & Eq . (2) \end{matrix}$

The T over H Ratio of the gasket 1230 may generally be between about 0.04 and about 0.23, more preferably between about 0.06 to about 0.15, and most preferably about 0.1.

It should also be noted that although the thickness and height of the gasket 1230 is the same for the upper portion of the gasket 1230 and the lower portion of the gasket 1230, the thickness and height of the gasket could be different from one another without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the upper portion of the gasket 1230 could be thicker while the lower portion of the gasket 1230 could be thinner, to help the striking face portion 1202 deflect more downward upon impact with a golf ball to reduce lower launch and spin without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. Needless to say, if the thickness of the gasket 1230 are to be manipulated, the depth of the perimeter ledge 1232 is generally adjusted accordingly to create a seamless flush look of the golf club head in its resting neutral position. Alternatively, the thickness of the material could be maintained, but the modulus adjusted to achieve the same effects without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.