Abstract: A vortex generating golf ball dimple for producing a turbulent boundary layer on the surface of a golf ball during its flight is a composite of a plurality of overlapping smaller concave sections. Preferably, the dimple is a plurality of peripheral spherical sections overlapping a central spherical section to form a ridge-like polygon. The polygon, the top edge of which lies below the outer edges of the dimple, acts as a vortex generating structure within the dimple concavity for producing the turbulent boundary layer. Each pair of opposite or near opposite sides of the polygon has a common cross-sectional shape or structure. The aerodynamic characteristics of the cross-sectional structure are such that the turbulent boundary layer is formed about the dimple at even relatively low velocities without any unnecessary interference being produced at high velocities.

Abstract: A dimple pattern for a golf ball with multiple sets of dimples is disclosed herein. Each of the multiple sets of dimples has a different entry radius. A preferred set of dimples is eighteen different dimples. The dimples may cover as much as eighty-seven percent of the surface of the golf ball. The unique dimple pattern allows a golf ball to have shallow dimples with steeper entry angles. In a preferred embodiment, the golf ball has 382 dimples with eleven different diameters and eighteen different entry radii.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, an intermediate layer, and a cover is improved in flight distance, feel and controllability when the solid core has a maximum hardness at a position spaced 3-10 mm inward from its surface, the difference between the maximum hardness and the hardness at its center is at least 3 JIS-C hardness units, the intermediate layer is harder than the cover, and the cover has a gage of 0.8-2.0 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball, of which flight distance is improved by accomplishing high launch angle and low spin amount in initial flight performance, while maintaining soft and good shot feel at the time of hitting at low head speed. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a center, intermediate layer and cover, of which a deformation amount, hardness and hardness distribution of the center, a hardness and thickness of the intermediate layer, a hardness and thickness of the cover, and a hardness distribution from the center to the cover are adjusted to specified ranges.

Abstract: A golf ball having a coating layer which is excellent in resistance to impact, scuffing and abrasion without increasing the thickness of the layer. The coating layer has a hardness of 21 to 60 N/mm2, which is calculated by the following expression (1): Hardness=(test load)/{26.43×(penetration depth (mm))2}  (1) wherein the test load is 3 mN.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

Abstract: A golf ball approaching zero land area is disclosed herein. The golf ball has an innersphere with a plurality of pyramidal projections. Each of the plurality of projections has an apex that extends to a height to conform with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA approved golf balls. The plurality of pyramidal projections extend 0.005 inch to 0.015 inch from the innersphere surface. The outermost 0.002 inch of the golf ball has a minimal volume.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a solid core component that includes a relatively hard central portion and a relatively soft skin portion surrounding the central portion. Various preferred embodiment golf balls are disclosed utilizing this core configuration. A golf ball comprising the noted core component having a wound layer disposed about the core skin portion is described. Another preferred embodiment relates to the use of the noted core component having a multi-layer cover assembly surrounding the core. Various methods for producing such golf ball core components are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved golf swing training system with a floor-mounted base (or mounted-to-ground post) and a pelvic belt assembly that wraps around the golfer's hips and guides the golfer's pivot during the backswing, downswing and follow through. The adjustable, dual-axis system guides the pelvis as it pivots about an axis behind the golfer's right leg (for right handers) in the backswing and downswing, and pivots about an axis behind and outside the golfer's left leg in the follow through. A dual-pivot mechanism, that connects the belt to the base, inhibits lateral movement of the hips during the backswing and downswing. The mechanism allows for both the belt width and the distance between the pivot centers to be adjustable to various hip sizes. The system has a built-in conversion feature that permits the belt to be inverted to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed golfers.

Abstract: A golf swing and ball flight recording system for allowing golfers to visualize their swing from various angles, and the flight of the golf ball after the swing. The system includes a frame having a generally rectangular configuration and including a top, a rear, opposed sides, an open front and an open bottom. The top and the opposed sides each have cross members and the frame is dimensioned for receiving a club swinging golfer therein. A top fixed video camera is fixedly secured to the cross member of the top of the frame. A first side fixed video camera is fixedly secured to the cross member of a first of the opposed sides of the frame. A second side fixed video camera is fixedly secured to the cross member of a second of the opposed sides of the frame. A video recorder is in communication with the video cameras for recording images received by the video cameras. A movable video camera positioned adjacent to the rear of the frame. The movable video camera is supportable on the body of a person.

Abstract: A two piece golf ball has a core compression in the range of 67 PGA to 77 PGA, a core diameter in the range of about 1.535 inches to 1.545 inches, a cover hardness in the range of 65 to 71 Shore D, and a dimple pattern based on the geometry of a rhombicosadodecahedron. An uninterrupted equatorial great circle path, corresponding to a mold parting line, is provided in the design for forming a cover of the golf ball in two parts. A ball having such characteristics exhibits superior distance performance without compromising shot-making feel.

Abstract: A golf swing practicing device includes a light comb member enclosed in a dome member, and a shaft extends through a base plate connected to the dome member and the light comb member. A mounting cap is connected to a top of the shaft extending through the dome member. A flexible rod is rotatably connected to the mounting cap. A golf ball is connected to a distal end of the flexible rod. A sensor is connected to the base plate, and the comb members of the light comb member movably engage between two lugs on the sensor. A display member is connected to the sensor so as to illustrate the information of the golf ball hit by the player.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover has a number of dimples in its surface. The ball, when hit with a driver at a head speed of 50 m/s, has an effective contact area A and an apparent contact area B with the club face such that the ratio A/B is from 0.40 to 0.60. The dimple surface coverage is at least 71%. The ball has fully adequate spin and control characteristics and improved flight performance, and is well suited for use by golfers having a head speed of higher than about 40 m/s.

Abstract: A multilayer solid golf ball comprising a core and a cover of four layers is characterized in that a first layer of the cover enclosing the core has a Shore D hardness of at least 55, a second layer of the cover enclosing the first layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 45, the difference in hardness between a third layer of the cover enclosing the second layer and the second layer is at least 5 Shore D units, and a fourth layer of the cover enclosing the third layer is made harder than the third layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball utilizing a core that comprises at least two particular types of polybutadiene. In one aspect, a combination of a polybutadiene obtained from a cobalt catalyst is used in conjunction with a polybutadiene obtained from a neodymium catalyst. Also disclosed are golf balls comprising particular cover compositions. In one aspect, a cover composition is disclosed that includes a sodium ionomer, a magnesium ionomer, and a zinc ionomer. The golf balls exhibit improved distance while providing a soft sound and feel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved multi-layer golf ball compositions and the resulting regulation balls produced using these compositions. In this regard, a smaller and lighter core is produced and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the cover compositions. This results in a molded golf ball exhibiting enhanced interior perimeter weighting. Preferably, the particles are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. The size and weight of the core is reduced in order to produce an overall golf ball which meets, or is less than, the 1.62 ounce maximum weight limitation specified by the United States Golf Association. It has been found that the combination of the present invention produces a golf ball with an increased moment of inertia and/or a greater radius of gyration and thus generates lower spin.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, an inner cover formed around the core, and an outer cover formed around the inner cover. A plurality of through-holes are formed in the inner cover, projections are formed on the inner surface of the outer cover at positions corresponding to the through-holes, and the inner cover and the outer cover are joined together in a state in which the projections are received in the through-holes. The ratio a/A between an area a of the core-side end surface of each projection and an area A of the outer-cover-side end surface of the projection falls within the range of 0.04 to 0.80. The ratio s/S between a sum s of the areas A of the outer-cover-side end surfaces of the projections and a surface area S of a virtual spherical surface defined by the outer surface of the inner cover falls within the range of 0.05 to 0.75.

Abstract: A golf ball approaching zero land area is disclosed herein. The golf ball has an innersphere with a plurality of pyramidal projections. Each of the plurality of projections has an apex that extends to a height to conform with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA approved golf balls. The plurality of pyramidal projections extend 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches from the innersphere surface. The outermost 0.002 inches of the golf ball has a minimal volume.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a core and a cover of at least two layers around the core, the cover layers including the outermost layer which is formed with a plurality of dimples, the cover outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of 30 to less than 51, and the product of the Shore D hardness of the cover outermost layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of a cover layer disposed inside the cover outermost layer is from 1,000 to 3,500. The plurality of dimples include at least three types of dimples which are different in diameter and the ratio of average diameter to average depth of dimples is from 17 to 26. The overall dimple volume is 280-390 mm3. The ball has an improved overall profile of performance including feel, durability, rebound, approach control and flight characteristics.

Abstract: A golf swing training and muscle exercising apparatus or swing trainer is provided which is designed to be used indoors as well as outdoors. The golf swing trainer includes a double bent shaft having upper and lower end portions separated by a center portion, the center portion being interconnected, at opposite ends thereof, with each of the upper and lower end portions by first and second joining portions. The upper and lower end portions are substantially straight and have respective center lines, wherein the center line for the upper end portion is the first center line, the center line for the center portion is the second center line and the center line for the lower end portion is the third center line, the first center line lying at an angle A to the second center line an the second center line lying at an angle B to the third center line. The first center line, second center line and third center line preferably lie in the same plane and angle B is preferably greater than angle A.