Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable accurate classification of golf swings. A data processing apparatus computes a state of motion of a golf ball on the basis of still images captured by an imaging unit. The data processing apparatus divides a golf swing identified by swing data acquired during a golf swing by a player into golf swing paths of a back swing, a down swing and a follow through, assigns a path in two-dimensional coordinates having a vertical axis and a horizontal axis to any two of these three golf swing paths, calculates an angle formed between the golf swing path and the horizontal axis, for each of the two golf swing paths, and classifies the golf swing on the basis of an angular difference between the respective angles thus calculated. The present invention can be applied to, for example, an analysis system for analyzing a golf swing.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least two layers which includes an inner cover layer and an outermost cover layer, and a plurality of dimples formed on a surface of the ball. The thickness and Shore D hardness of the outermost cover layer are set in specific ranges, the thickness and Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer are set in specific ranges, and the ball surface has, as expressed in the Lab color system defined by JIS Z-8730, a lightness L value of at least 89, an a value of at least 2 but not more than 10, and a b value of ?20 or above. The multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention increases the reddish coloring of a white golf ball, thereby enhancing the stylishness of the ball and improving the way the ball looks and feels to the golfer when it is played.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, which outer cover layer has numerous dimples on a surface thereof. The ball is characterized by combining an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer that are each formed to specific material hardnesses and thicknesses with dimples which satisfy specific conditions. This multi-piece solid golf ball is able to substantially reduce the distance traveled by the ball when struck at a high head speed, while at the same time holding down the decrease in distance when struck at a low head speed.

Abstract: A golf ball of the present invention includes: a core located in the center of the golf ball; a cover which surrounds the outside of the core and has a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof; and a coating layer located between the core and the cover. The coating layer is formed of a material having rubber elasticity. The ? hardness of the golf ball is preferred to be approximately 3.0 or more and the cover is preferred to have a hardness of approximately 50 or more in terms of Shore D hardness. The intermediate layer is preferred to have a hardness of approximately 40 to approximately 65 in terms of Shore D hardness, and the hardness of the cover is preferred to be higher than the hardness of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: This invention provides a golf club head to which a damping member is attached. The damping member is formed by combining a plurality of materials including at least a resin material and a damping alloy. Alternatively, the damping member is formed by combining a plurality of materials including at least a resin material and a magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, which outer cover layer has numerous dimples on a surface thereof. The ball is characterized both in that the core and the inner cover layer are formed so as to have a specific deflection ratio therebetween, and also by the combination of an inner cover layer formed to a specific material hardness and thickness, an outer cover layer formed to a specific material hardness, and dimples which satisfy specific conditions. This multi-piece solid golf ball is able to substantially reduce the distance traveled by the ball when struck at a high head speed, while at the same time holding down the decrease in distance when struck at a low head speed.

Abstract: Rubber composition for golf balls which includes: (A) a base rubber containing a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 60 wt %; (B) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof; (C) an anthranilic acid derivative of the general formula wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbons, m is an integer from 1 to 4, and n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that if m and/or n is 2 or more, each occurrence of R1 and R2 may be the same or different; and (D) an organic peroxide having a one-minute half-life temperature which is at least 158° C. and less than 175° C. The rubber composition for golf balls of the invention enables a high-quality molded and crosslinked product having a suitable hardness and a high resilience to be obtained.

Abstract: A golf ball has a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing ID information therein, the RFID circuit formed of conductive ink; and an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna connected to the RFID circuit. The antenna may be formed of conductive ink or paste. The RFID circuit and the antenna may be formed on the surface of the golf ball. The golf ball may further include a core layer, a cover layer disposed on the outside of the core layer, and optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer. The core or intermediate layer has a groove on the surface thereof, and the RFID circuit and the antenna may be formed within the groove.

Abstract: A system for providing information on playing golf includes: an input unit; a processing unit that receives input information from the input unit and calculates output information concerning playing golf; and a display unit portable by a golf player that displays the output information. The input information may be a current position of a golf ball of the golf player. The golf ball may include an RFID system storing information concerning the golf ball. The input unit may include a reading unit for reading the information stored in the RFID system without any contact from the golf ball, and the information read by the reading unit is shown on the display unit. The system may include a data receiver that receives information dispatched by other player via a network. The system may include a data transmitter that transmits information dispatched by the golf player via a network.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid golf ball having a core and a cover. The core is formed of a rubber composition containing a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, a crosslinking initiator and a metal oxide. The base rubber contains polybutadiene, a styrene-butadiene rubber and, optionally, an isoprene rubber. The co-crosslinking agent is methacrylic acid, and the rubber composition includes a specific waste material in the form of a powder. The core deflection and the cover material are optimized. Utilizing a waste material in a solid golf ball conserves resources and thus is beneficial to the global environment. Even during prolonged use, the golf ball maintains its basic performance attributes (feel, flight, durability) at a high level.

Abstract: The invention provides a rubber composition for golf balls which includes: (A) a base rubber containing a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 60 wt %; (B) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof; (C) an anthranilic acid derivative of the general formula wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbons, m is an integer from 1 to 4, and n is an integer from 1 to 3, with the proviso that if m and/or n is 2 or more, each occurrence of R1 and R2 may be the same or different; and (D) sulfur. The rubber composition for golf balls of the invention enables a high-quality molded and crosslinked product having a suitable hardness and a high resilience to be obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid golf ball having a core and a cover. The core is formed of a rubber composition containing a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, a crosslinking initiator and a metal oxide. The co-crosslinking agent is methacrylic acid, and the rubber composition includes a specific waste material in the form of a powder. The core deflection and the cover material are optimized. Utilizing a waste material in a solid golf ball conserves resources and thus is beneficial to the global environment. Even during prolonged use, the golf ball maintains its basic performance attributes (feel, flight, durability) at a high level.

Abstract: One-piece golf balls or golf ball cores are obtained by molding and vulcanizing a rubber composition which includes (A) a polybutadiene-containing base rubber and (B) methacrylic acid. By including in the rubber composition (C) from 0.1 to 0.5 part by weight of a maleimide per 100 parts by weight of component A, the vulcanization time during molding and vulcanization is shortened, which enhances productivity without altering the performance and properties of the molded and vulcanized material.

Abstract: This invention provides a golf club head to which an ornament is fixed. The ornament includes a cup-shaped metal shell member, a solid elastic body which has a mounting surface fitted in the golf club head, and fills the interior of the shell member, and an adhesive layer which bonds the inner surface of the shell member to the elastic body.

Abstract: An iron golf club head according to this invention includes a head body and a face member. The face member includes a front portion forming portion which forms the front portion of a sole portion. The head body includes a sole forming portion thicker than the front portion forming portion. The end surface of the sole forming portion on the side of a face portion includes a lower region attached to the end surface of the front portion forming portion on the back side, and an upper region above the lower region. An elastic body is disposed in the gap between the upper region and the back surface of the face member.

Abstract: A golf club shaft has the bending rigidity distribution and the torsional rigidity distribution satisfying the following three relational formulas: 1) S2/S1?2.5, wherein an average inclination of the bending rigidity in an interval from 400 mm to 700 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as S1 and an average inclination of the bending rigidity in an interval from 800 mm to 950 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as S2; 2) 1.0<EI/GI(mid)<1.5, wherein an average of the ratio of the bending rigidity with respect to the torsional rigidity in an interval from 300 mm to 700 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as EI/GI(mid); and 3) EI/GI(900)?1.75, wherein the ratio of the bending rigidity with respect to the torsional rigidity at a position 900 mm from the front end of the shaft is defined as EI/GI(900).

Abstract: According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided a golf club shaft including a prepreg containing a carbon fiber, wherein the prepreg is winded and cured, and a winding thickness of the prepreg on a striking face is larger than a winding thickness of the prepreg on any other portion.

Abstract: A golf club is formed by winding and hardening a plurality of prepregs. High specific gravity materials having a higher specific gravity than carbon fiber are arranged on the butt side of the golf club. Arrangement of the high specific gravity materials is achieved by winding a high specific gravity material containing prepreg containing carbon fiber and a higher specific gravity material than the carbon fiber. Alternatively, the arrangement of the high specific gravity materials may be achieved by winding another high specific gravity material containing prepreg containing a glass fiber.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core, at least one intermediate layer and a cover. The core has a hardness which gradually increases from a core center to a core surface, with the golf ball having specific values for the hardness difference between the core center and the core surface; the hardness difference (I)?(II) in JIS-C hardness units being not more than ±2; the (hardness of intermediate layer material)?(hardness of core surface); the (initial velocity of sphere composed of core encased by intermediate layer)?(initial velocity of core); the (deflection of sphere composed of core encased by intermediate layer)/(deflection of core); and the (hardness of cover material)?(hardness of intermediate layer material).

Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head, the torque of the entire length of the shaft being in a range of 3 to 5°. From viewpoints of a torsional rigidity distribution of the shaft, an integrated value of the torsional rigidity on the grip end side of the shaft is 85% or less of the integrated value of the torsional rigidity of the entire length of the shaft. The head has a distance to the center of gravity of 40 to 48 mm and a gravity center angle of 22 to 30°.