Abstract: A kit and method for playing a golf and soccer-like game includes a kit having at least one play ball and a target ball. The kit includes a club having a shaft with a club head rotatably coupled to the shaft. The club head includes a symmetrical club face portion that usable by right or left handed players and may be rotated to adjust the pitch angle of the club face. The shaft of the club is telescopically adjustable. The target ball may be kicked to begin the game. The play ball is smaller than the target ball and may be struck repeatedly with the club until it strikes the target ball. Multiple players using different play balls may take turns striking their ball toward the target ball. Points are awarded for the fewest strokes or for location on the target ball that is hit.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a core and a cover of one or more layers, the cover or its layer is formed primarily of a mixture comprising a blend of (a) an ionomer resin in the form of an alkali metal-neutralized ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and (b) an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer or an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylate copolymer, and (c) a thermoplastic elastomer. The golf ball exhibits good surface finish and has improved rebound, feel and durability.

Abstract: A singles stick is provided for raising the top edge of a tennis net from its otherwise undisturbed position to convert a tennis net from doubles to regulation singles play. The singles stick comprise a base that abuts against the ground when the singles stick is installed and an upper staff that engages against the top edge of the net when the singles stick is installed. The base and the upper staff are telescopically connected to one another to allow their combined length to be varied between an extended position and a collapsed position. In the extended position, their combined length is sufficient to raise the top edge of the net from the position that edge has during doubles play. In the collapsed position, their combined length is sufficient to allow the singles stick to be stored in an equipment bag of the type used to carry tennis rackets and the like.

Abstract: A golf ball with multi-lobed dimples is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple, wherein each lobe is defined by a circumferential segment. Each lobe comprises a first curved profile extending from the circumferential segment toward the center of the dimple and the first curved profile of each lobe abuts each other in an uninterrupted manner. The curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius.

Abstract: An improved golf training system and method of using the system is provided. The golf training system may also be used as a new game. The system includes a golf club having an enlarged hitting surface and shorter shaft, and a tee that comes in variable extended lengths. By gradually and incrementally lowering the length of the tee and extending the length of the club, a player is able to learn proper swing mechanics.

Abstract: In a solid multi-piece golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle, and a cover, the ratio of the compression of the mantle to the compression of the solid core is at least 0.98, and the difference in JIS-C hardness between the surface and the center of the solid core is at least 5. This construction and combination of features provide the ball with a good feel when hit with various types of golf clubs and improved distance when struck with a driver.

Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball can be prepared, possessing the performance characteristics of both a solid ball and a wound ball, by selecting the content and thickness of one or more of the layers, wherein the multi-layer golf ball comprises a center, an intermediate layer, a wound layer of tensioned material, and a cover, such that any one or more of the following are satisfied: (a) at least a portion of the intermediate layer includes a thermoset material; (b) the winding includes fiber, glass, carbon, polyether urea, polyether block copolymers, polyester urea, polyester block copolymers, isotactic-poly(propylene), polyethylene, polyamide, poly(oxymethyiene), polyketone, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), poly(acrylonitrile), diaminodicyclohexyhnethane, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, or copolymers or combinations thereof; (c) the thickness of the wound layer is less than about 1 mm; and (d) at least a portion of the cover includes a thermoset material.

Abstract: The present invention is a golf practice device for assisting in the development of a correct golf swing including an elevated path guidance apparatus for establishing a linear path limit under which the correct golf swing can arc while passing through a stationary ball location; and a support apparatus for elevating the elevated path guidance means above the ground; wherein the path guidance apparatus is a cylindrical assembly elevated substantially horizontally and disposed in opposite relation to a golf target, the cylindrical assembly engaged to the support apparatus by a cradle interface adapted to disengage under impact with a swinging golf club.

Abstract: A golf ball having a high rotational moment of inertial core assembly is disclosed. The core assembly may comprise a low specific gravity core and non-uniform thickness, high specific gravity intermediate layer. This sub-assembly is preferably encased within a soft cover. The low specific gravity core is preferably made from a foamed polymer or from a polymer with its specific gravity reduced, and the non-uniform thickness, high specific gravity core preferably has outer projections, inner projections or both disposed thereon. The projections increase the durability of the intermediate layer, thereby allowing polymers with high flexural modulus to be used as the intermediate layer. Alternatively, the inner and outer projections may extend circumferentially to form webs or ribs on the intermediate layer to increase its stiffness. The ball may comprise a second non-uniform thickness layer, wherein one or both of the intermediate layers comprise high specific gravity materials.

Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball can be prepared, possessing the performance characteristics of both a solid ball and a wound ball, by selecting the content and thickness of one or more of the layers, wherein the multi-layer golf ball comprises a center, an intermediate layer, a wound layer of tensioned material, and a cover, such that any one or more of the following are satisfied: (a) at least a portion of the intermediate layer includes a thermoset material; (b) the winding includes fiber, glass, carbon, polyether urea, polyether block copolymers, polyester urea, polyester block copolymers, isotactic-poly(propylene), polyethylene, polyamide, poly(oxyethylene), polyketone, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), poly(acrylonitrile), diaminodicyclohexyhnethane, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, or copolymers or combinations thereof; (c) the thickness of the wound layer is less than about 1 mm; and (d) at least a portion of the cover includes a thermoset material.

Abstract: An iron-type golf clubhead comprises a face plate having a front surface forming a clubface, a back surface and a circumferential surface, and a main body provided with a face mount in which the face plate is fitted, wherein the face mount comprises a side wall for supporting the circumferential surface and a back-support wall for supporting a periphery part of the back surface, whereby the face plate is provided with an unsupported part, and the back-support wall comprises a part whose thickness (T) is less than a thickness (t1) of the periphery part supported by the back-support wall.

Abstract: A golf clubhead comprises a face portion having a back surface which is provided around a center region with at least two annular grooves so that the face portion is provided with at least two annular thin parts each being thinner than the center region and at least one rib part between the thin parts, whereby the rebound performance and durability of the face portion can be improved.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayer golf ball including a solid center having a center hardness, a plurality of laminates cut into a plurality of shapes formed around the center to create an inner ball, and a cover formed around the inner ball, wherein the plurality of layers can include at least a first layer having a hardness greater than the center hardness and a second layer having a hardness greater than the first layer hardness, and optionally a third layer disposed between the first and the second layers having a hardness greater than the first layer hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball having a multi-layered core comprising at least three core layers and a dimpled cover is disclosed. The core may have three layers, A, B and C, four layers, A, B, C and D, five layers, A, B, C, D and E or up to six layers, A, B, C, D, E and F. In accordance to the present invention, the radius or thickness of each core layer is at least twice as much as the adjacent outer core layer. One outer core layer can be a water vapor barrier layer to protect the ball from water vapor encroachment, which reduces the performance of the ball. Another outer core layer can be a thin dense layer with high specific gravity to increase the rotational moment of inertia to reduce the spin of the ball during flight. Another outer core layer can be a perforated spherical shell to increase the resilience and/or coefficient of restitution of the ball. Another outer core layer could be a cushioning layer to act as a shock absorber. The core layers may also have increasing or decreasing hardness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a putter-fitting template that enables fitters to scribe various lines onto test putters. The template fits securely and temporarily onto the putter head and includes line guides for drawing the scribe lines onto the putter. The invention also provides a method for fitting a golfer with a custom-fit putter.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60) and an aft-body (61) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61) is composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64) and optionally a ribbon section (90). The face component (60) is composed of a metal material, and the aft-body (61) is composed of a non-metal material such as a composite material or a thermoplastic material. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has concentric regions of thickness with the thickness portion in the center (102).

Abstract: A golf club head includes a hollow body with a heel, a toe, a top, a bottom, a strike plate and a rear portion. A recess is defined at the bottom of the body and extends to the rear portion of the body. A strip is integrated with the body covering the recess. A tab is formed at the rear portion of the body, and has an inlet defined through the tab and in communication with the recess. Vibration-absorbing material is injected into the recess through the inlet. A sealing element is engaged in the inlet to enclose the recess.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted golf ball with a low compression core is provided. The core preferably comprises a diene polymer that has low cross-link density or not cross-linked with a reactive co-agent. This core has low compression and low specific gravity. The low specific gravity core is encased within a thin dense layer positioned outside of the centroid radius to provide the ball with a high moment of inertia. The same core can be encased within a plurality of intermediate layers having either increasing hardness or decreasing hardness to provide selective golf balls for either low swing speed players or advanced players. Alternatively, a thin layer of diene polymer highly cross-linked with reactive a co-agent may be incorporated into the ball to increase the hardness of the ball.

Abstract: A putter club head having a metal body and a non-metal crown portion is disclosed herein. The body has a front wall, a sole wall, a ribbon wall and a ledge. The crown portion is preferably composed of a composite material and has a top wall, a side wall and a front wall. The crown portion is preferably attached by a liquid adhesive to the ledge of the body.

Abstract: A putter-type club head (20) has a body (22) that is preferably composed of a material having a density ranging from ranging from 2.0 g/cm3 to 3.0 g/cm3. The body (22) has a plurality of mass ports (50, 52 and 54) and a plurality of mass members (56, 58, and 60), each of which is located in a respective mass port. The body (22) further includes a heel aperture (34) and a toe aperture (36).