Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an outer surface with recessed and/or raised features thereon and having markings shaped as letters or figures formed on the outer surface. The markings are depressions of a substantially uniform depth from the outer surface and are characterized by (1) or (2) below: (1) letting S be the number of the depressions of a substantially uniform depth from the outer surface and N be the total number of dimples on the outer surface, the ratio S/N×100 is 100% or less; (2) the markings are circular or elliptical, or are polygonal. The aerodynamic performance of the golf ball is improved by arranging the depressions of substantially uniform depth evenly on the surface of the ball.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball with a ball surface having a plurality of non-circular dimples thereon, wherein mutually neighboring dimples have contour lines therebetween which are arranged so as to be substantially parallel and are separated by an interval of 0.05 to 1.0 mm, land areas defined by the substantially parallel contour lines have an outer surface which forms the outermost peripheral face of the ball, and the non-circular dimples have a non-circular shape with inside angles that are curved. This arrangement endows the ball with a distinctive, aesthetically pleasing appearance on account of the dimple pattern composed largely of non-circular dimples. Moreover, even though numerous non-circular dimples are arranged on the surface of the ball, the high surface coverage and air resistance-lowering effect enable the distance traveled by the ball to be increased.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples having a circular outer edge that defines the dimple contour. Each dimple has formed therein, near a portion inside the dimple, a raised region with a circular edge, and also has formed therein, between the circular edge of the raised region and the circular outer edge of the dimple, a ring-like wall having a curved cross-sectional shape. The raised region has a top face which is substantially flat, and a height which is at most 60% of the dimple depth from the circular outer edge to the deepest position on the ring-like wall. In this golf ball, the distance of travel can be increased due to an air resistance-decreasing effect and a lift-maintaining effect.

Abstract: A golf ball is composed of a resilient core, a cover which encloses the core, is made primarily of a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer and has on a surface thereof 250 to 370 dimples, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover. The core has a center portion and a surface portion that is harder than the center portion, the hardness difference expressed in JIS-C hardness units being in a range of 15 to 30, and has a deflection of 1.8 to 4.0 mm when subjected to an increase in load from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf) to a load of 1,275 N (130 kgf). The intermediate layer has a Shore D hardness of 55 to 75, and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 30 to 58. The dimples, which are a combination of at least five types having contour lengths at a dimple edge position in a range of 7 to 20 mm, have a total volume of 400 to 700 mm3 and a surface coverage relative to an overall surface of the ball of at least 79%.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having numerous dimples on a surface thereof, wherein at least one dimple cross-sectional shape is a cycloid curve or a trochoid curve. By thus optimizing the cross-sectional shape of the dimples, the aerodynamic performance due to the dimple effect is enhanced, enabling the distance traveled by the ball to be increased.

Abstract: In a golf ball having, on a spherical surface, numerous dimples in a plurality of types of differing diameter, the dimples include smallest size dimples having a diameter of 2.7 mm or less and largest size dimples having a diameter of 4.3 mm or less. At least 50% of the total number of dimples are dimples in which an arc that connects mutually opposing positions on a wall of the dimple at a 70% dimple depth level with a deepest position on the dimple wall has a radius of curvature R of at least 15 mm.

Abstract: A method for arranging dimples on a golf ball involves the steps of previously drawing a plurality of imaginary lines connecting one pole and the equator on one hemisphere to equally divide the hemispherical surface into a plurality of spherical isosceles triangle regions; arranging a number of dimples within a pair of spherical isosceles triangle regions such that the dimples in the triangle regions are in axial symmetry with respect to the imaginary line; rotationally moving the arranged dimples about the ball axis; and arranging dimples on the other hemisphere such that they are in point symmetry with the dimples as moved on the one hemisphere with respect to the ball center.

Abstract: A solid golf ball is composed of a solid core and a cover of one or more layers which encloses the core and has on a surface thereof numerous dimples. The solid core has a diameter of 38.7 to 39.6 mm and a deflection hardness of 3.0 to 4.0 mm. The cover has a Shore D hardness of 59 to 70 and has 313 to 371 dimples formed thereon. The ball has an initial velocity of at least 76.8 m/s, a coefficient of lift (CL) when hit of at least 0.165 at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and a spin rate of 2,000 rpm, and a coefficient of drag (CD) when hit of not more than 0.230 at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and a spin rate of 2,520 rpm. The golf ball has a carry which is long enough to make the ball advantageous for competitive play, in addition to which it has a good feel when hit and excellent durability to cracking with repeated impact.

Abstract: A golf ball which has markings of letters or figures on its surface with concave parts and/or convex parts, wherein the markings manifest themselves with depressions and/or grooves having a substantially uniform depth from the surface. The markings are clearly visible.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a spherical surface with numerous dimples thereon, the dimples have a diameter of 2 to 6 mm and number in all from 250 to 330, of which at least 60% are large dimples having a diameter of at least 4.5 mm. The volume of space in a dimple below a planar surface circumscribed by an edge of the dimple, summed for all the dimples on the surface of the ball, is from 320 to 360 mm3. The golf ball rises well when hit and is easy even for an inexperienced golfer to hit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having on its surface a number of dimples and a number of edges separating dimples from each other, wherein the edges are formed from a plurality of edge elements joined together such that some of the joining parts of the edge elements assume a smoothly curved shape as viewed from above. The golf ball has improved aerodynamic performance due to dimples and achieves a long flying distance.

Abstract: A golf ball has a spherical surface bearing a plurality of plan view circular dimples and plan view non-circular dimples, which non-circular dimples have at a top edge position a contour length of at least 20 mm and account for at most 10% of all the dimples. The ball has a surface with a novel and unique aesthetic appearance, and exhibits an excellent flight performance.

Abstract: A golf ball having a surface on which are formed numerous dimples and numerous edges which define the dimples is characterized in that the edges are composed of a plurality of edge elements, and the dimples include dimples which are defined by a plurality of edge elements and are non-circular as viewed from above. Dimple effects on the golf ball enhance the aerodynamic performance, enabling the ball to achieve an increased carry.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball is composed of a multilayer core having at least an inner core layer and an outer core layer, one or more cover layer which encloses the core, and numerous dimples formed on a surface of the cover layer. The golf ball is characterized in that at least one cover layer is made primarily of an ionomer resin, the following hardness conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied: (JIS-C hardness of cover)?(JIS-C hardness at center of core)?27, ??(1) 23?(JIS-C hardness at surface of core)?(JIS-C hardness at center of core)?40, and ??(2) 0.50?[(deflection amount of entire core)/(deflection amount of inner core layer)]?0.75, ??(3) the number of dimples is from 250 to 390 dimples, and the ball has an initial velocity of at least 76.8 m/s. These features enable the ball to travel a longer distance.

Abstract: A solid golf ball is composed of a solid core and a cover of one or more layers which encloses the core and has on a surface thereof numerous dimples. The solid core has a diameter of 38.7 to 39.6 mm and a deflection hardness of 3.0 to 4.0 mm. The cover has a Shore D hardness of 59 to 70 and has 313 to 371 dimples formed thereon. The ball has an initial velocity of at least 76.8 m/s, a coefficient of lift (CL) when hit of at least 0.165 at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and a spin rate of 2,000 rpm, and a coefficient of drag (CD) when hit of not more than 0.230 at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and a spin rate of 2,520 rpm. The golf ball has a carry which is long enough to make the ball advantageous for competitive play, in addition to which it has a good feel when hit and excellent durability to cracking with repeated impact.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a spherical surface with numerous dimples thereon, the dimples have a diameter of 2 to 6 mm and number in all from 250 to 330, of which at least 60% are large dimples having a diameter of at least 4.5 mm. The volume of space in a dimple below a planar surface circumscribed by an edge of the dimple, summed for all the dimples on the surface of the ball, is from 320 to 360 mm3. The golf ball rises well when hit and is easy even for an inexperienced golfer to hit.

Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples arranged on its surface is provided wherein the ball surface is free of a great circle that does not intersect with dimples, at least 7% of the total number of dimples are non-circular dimples, and some non-circular dimples lie across the equator of the ball corresponding to a parting plane of a mold. The ball is improved in flight distance and aerodynamic uniformity.

Abstract: In a golf ball composed of a resilient solid core and a resin cover which encloses the core and has on an outside surface thereof numerous circular dimples, the cover has a maximum thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm and is made of a polyurethane elastomer having a Shore D hardness of 40 to 58; the total number of dimples on the cover is from 390 to 420, of which 40 to 80 are small-diameter dimples with a diameter of 2.0 to 2.7 mm; and the dimples are arranged so that total planar surfaces circumscribed by dimple edges which delineate boundaries between individual dimples and surrounding land areas that form an outermost surface of the ball account for 74 to 84% to an imaginary sphere defined by the surface of the ball having no dimples thereon. The golf ball of the invention does not readily lose lift even near the highest point in the trajectory of the ball when it has been hit, and thus can beneficially increase the distance of travel.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover is manufactured by the steps of (A) enclosing the core with a thermoplastic resin and (B) tailoring the thermoplastic resin layer by applying heat and pressure thereto, for adjusting the thickness of the thermoplastic resin layer to 0.3-1.0 mm. A golf ball whose cover layer has a very thin and uniform thickness as well as an improved outer appearance is manufactured. The golf ball can derive the rebound and other characteristics of the core to the maximum extent.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball exhibits a good profile of rebound, feel and durability suited for low head speed amateur players when it satisfies the requirements that (Shore D hardness of the cover)?(Shore D hardness of the intermediate layer)>0, (initial velocity (in m/s) of the core enclosed with the intermediate layer)?(initial velocity (in m/s) of the core)>?0.2, 0.90?(Deflection amount of the core enclosed with the intermediate layer)/(Deflection amount of the core)?1.00, the total of the thickness of the intermediate layer and the thickness of the cover is up to 3.0 mm, and the ball has a coefficient of lift (CL) when hit of at least 0.165 at a Reynolds number of 70,000 and a spin rate of 2,000 rpm, and a coefficient of drag (CD) when hit of not more than 0.230 at a Reynolds number of 180,000 and a spin rate of 2,520 rpm.