Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the novel use of polyether-amide block copolymer to form center core shells for use in liquid filled golf balls. Wound golf balls of the present invention which employ liquid filled centers formed from polyether-amide block copolymer exhibit the same or superior in-play characteristics such as initial velocity as compared to conventional wound golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover including at least two layers is improved in overall performance including flight performance, flight distance, spin, control and feel when an outermost layer of the cover has a gage of 0.01-0.05 mm and a Shore D hardness of 48.degree.-55.degree.. The core may be solid or wound. An inner layer of the cover has a Shore D hardness in the range of 58-70 and a thickness of 1.2-4.0 mm. The outer layer may be a thin film wrapped on the inner layer.

Abstract: A golf swing training device. The training device provides audible indications of the orientation of the club face as it reaches a point where a ball would be positioned, thereby helping a golfer develop a swing where the club face meets the ball squarely. The audible indication tell the golfer if the club face is open, closed, or square to the ball at the moment of impact. An unsmooth swing can be detected during upswing or downswing, and an indication of such is provided. A pendulum is provided in the club head with a pair of sensors located on either side of the pendulum to sense the position of the pendulum. A velocity switch senses the peak velocity of the club and activates an electronic circuit at that point so that outputs of the pair of sensors provide data which indicate the orientation of the club face at the moment of peak velocity. The audible indication of the club orientation is provided based upon the output of these sensors.

Abstract: A two or three piece golf ball in which a boundary surface between concentric solid layers has a projection formed on the surface of a concentric solid layer having a high hardness such that the projection extends along an approximate normal direction, a depression corresponding to the projection is formed in the surface of a concentric solid layer having a low hardness, and the concentric solid layer having a high hardness and the concentric solid layer having a low hardness are joined together such that the projection is inserted into the depression. A golf ball comprising a two-layer solid core is composed of a low-hardness inner core and a high-hardness outer core joined around the low-hardness inner core.

Abstract: A golf training system for aligning both hands on a golf club is provided. The system includes a golf glove for the hand of the user placed at the upper or butt end of the club. The upper hand glove includes indicia for positioning the lower hand on the golf club with respect to the upper hand; for aligning the thumb along the centerline of the club; and aligning the golf club across the palm of the upper hand.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls which have a lift to weight ratio greater than 1 when the ball is hit at a speed of 150 ft/sec and a spin rate of 3,000 rpm to enhance the lofting time of the ball and thereby provide the golfer with a slow swing speed increased distance and improved trajectory. The golf ball has a core and a cover. The cover has dimples ranging in number from 100 to 1,000 and having a total volume of less than 1.5% of the ball volume on its exterior surface. The dimples have diameters between 0.04 and 0.3 inch and depths between 2/1,000 and 20/1,000 of an inch. The golf ball weight ranges from 1.35 ounces (38.3 grams) 1.55 ounces (43.97 grams). The cover material has a flexural modulus of less than 65,000 p.s.i.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a solid core with a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.650 and a cover with a thickness of at least 3.6mm (0.142 inches) and a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The combination of a soft core with a thick, hard cover results in a ball having better distance than conventional golf balls having a comparable coefficient of restitution.

Abstract: A golf ball having an outside diameter of substantially 1.70 to 1.80 inches and a weight no grater than 1.62 ounces.The ball includes a spherical core, a mantel surrounding the core; and an outer cover surrounding the core and the mantle.The mantle and outer cover each have a different Shore D hardness. The ball has a dimple pattern covering at least 70% of the surface of the ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having good shot feel and controllability and showing excellent rebound characteristics to give long flight distance. The golf ball of the present invention includes a core and a cover present on the core, an intermediate layer optionally being present between the core and the cover, wherein at least one layer of the cover or the intermediate layer has a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and is formed from a composition having an elasticity modulus (E*) at -30.degree. to +20.degree. C. of 1,000 to 9,000 Kgf/cm.sup.2 and a loss tangent at -30.degree. to +20.degree. C. of 0.02 to 0.1., and the core, whether solid core or thread wound core, has a spring constant at compression deformation of 15 to 60 Kgf/mm.

Abstract: The invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having improved flight performance, durability, soft pleasant hitting feel, and controllability. To this end, in a three-piece solid golf ball of the three-layer structure comprising a solid core, an intermediate layer, and a cover, the solid core, intermediate layer, and cover each have a hardness as measured by a JIS-C scale hardness meter wherein the core center hardness is up to 75 degrees, the core surface hardness is up to 85 degrees, the core surface hardness is higher than the core center hardness by 5 to 25 degrees, the intermediate layer hardness is higher than the core surface hardness by less than 10 degrees, and the cover hardness is higher than the intermediate layer hardness.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a central core, an inner cover layer containing a non-ionomeric polyolefin material, preferably a plastomer, and an outer cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material. The combined thickness of the inner and outer cover layer preferably is at least about 0.10 inches. The golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of at least about 0.780. When the inner cover layer contains a non-ionomeric material such as a metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin and the outer cover layer contains ionomer, the golf ball of the invention can be configured to have playability properties comparable to those of golf balls which contain substantially higher quantities of ionomer. A method for forming the golf ball described above also is disclosed.

Abstract: A turf-simulating surface and golf practice tee device simulates the properties of natural turf. The device is made of two independent components the first of which simulates the first two layers of natural soil and is a composite mat comprising an integral pile section and plastic foam layer. The pile section has tufted strands that simulate grass, and a loop portion that is interactively positioned in a lateral-strength fabric. A plastic foam element is bonded to both the lateral-strength fabric and to the looped regions of the pile section. The second component is a rimmed base that simulates the supporting properties of the deeper layers of natural soil. The second component has a rim that is integrally formed around a foamed-plastic composite core, the density of which increases from the top to the bottom.

Abstract: A shaft of a golf putter has a stroke grip between a support grip and a putterhead. The stroke grip has an engaging face that is supported by the fingers of a player and a pushing face to be grasped by the palm of the player. The putter is in suspension by the support grip being supported by the other fingers of the player. When the putter is locked in suspension, the engaging face of the stroke grip is supported by the fingers of the player and the pushing face is touched by the palm of the player.

Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a multiple solid core including an inner sphere and at least one layer surrounding the inner sphere and a cover consisting of inner and outer cover layers, the inner sphere experiences a distortion of 3.5-10 mm under a load of 100 kg, the surrounding layer has a highest Shore D hardness of at least 60, the inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 58, and the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The ball presents soft pleasant feel when hit with any club from a driver to a putter and its flight performance is less dependent on head speed.

Abstract: A swing stance and movement training apparatus (1) primarily for golf, but also for baseball and other swinging sports, having a buttocks bar (7), a rear hip bar (9) and rear knee brace (11) mounted on vertical supports (3 and 5, 10a and 10b, and 15a and 15b respectively) at a height to abut a particular user's buttocks, hip and knees during a swing. The height of the buttocks bar (7), hip bar (9) and knee brace (11) may be adjustable by telescopically or slidably engaged top and bottom sections. The knee brace (11) may be further adjusted forward and backward by use of sliding plates (12, 13). The apparatus may be permanently positioned by installing the vertical supports (3, 5, 10a, 10b) in or to a surface. However, preferably it would be made portable by attaching the vertical supports to a platform (2) on which the user stands. The buttocks and hip bars and knee brace may be interconnected by cross bars (25) and floor bars (26, 4) between the vertical supports.

Abstract: A golf stroke alignment tool for aligning a golfer with a golf ball is disclosed herein. The alignment tool includes two members. In operation, the first member extends perpendicularly from the golfer's stance, thereby aligning the position of the golf ball with respect to the golfer's stance. The second member extends in parallel with respect to a target line for the ball, thereby indicating an alignment for the golfer's stance with respect to the target line. The second member also includes additional alignment devices, such as measurement markings for directing the exact location for the golfer's feet, and two rotatably adjustable mirrors parallel to the target line to allow the golfer to view his alignment with respect to the target line. In storage, the first and second members can be rotated so that they easily fit inside a golf bag.

Abstract: A golf putting practice device which is adapted to be worn on the wrist of the user, which includes a housing containing an alarm system including a sensor, an operating lever pivotally connected to the housing and biased in a predetermined neutral position, a switch lever fixed at one end to the operating lever in the neutral position and extending into the housing in close proximity to the sensor, whereby when the operating lever and associated switch lever are moved from the neutral position, as a result of a bending of the wrist, the switch lever engages the sensor which activates the alarm system, which signals the bending defect in the putting stroke.

Abstract: A method for improving the adhesive bonding of a top coat to a game ball such as a golf ball while simultaneously forming an identification stamp on the ball by (i) stamping an unfinished golf ball with a radiation curable ink and (ii) subjecting the unfinished golf ball to irradiation prior to application of a finish or top coat. Game balls so treated exhibit superior adhesion of a top coat and avoid the need for application of a primer coat between the unfinished golf ball and the outer top coat.

Abstract: A golf putting practice device comprising a stroke panel and a stance panel, said stance panel adjustably connected to said stroke panel so that said panels are spaced apart in a predetermined relationship, a ball-bell resiliently mounted on the stroke panel and an aperture provided in said stroke panel, in front of said ball-bell, whereby when the ball-bell is struck by a putting stroke it is pushed into the aperture thereby not interfering with the follow-through of the putting stroke.

Abstract: A golf ball having a reduced spin rate is provided for minimizing the tendency of the golf ball to hook or slice in response to a sliding blow from a golf club. The golf ball may have a cover that is constructed to have a slippery surface such that when the club strikes the ball the club slides on the surface rather than imparting spin to the ball. In addition, the cover may be isolated from the inner core of the golf ball by an intervening lubricating layer which allows the cover to slip on the core so that any spin imparted to the cover is only minimally transferred to the core thereby minimizing spin of the golf ball. The golf ball may also be constructed with a fluid core either of a liquid or gelatinous substance which will not respond to any initial spin imparted to the outer cover of the golf ball and will thereby retard the spin rate of the ball.