Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane compound. Functionalized polydimethylsiloxane compounds also can be used to treat thermoplastic polyurethane golf ball covers. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls with thermoplastic polyurethane covers have good physical properties.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity and a surrounding outer core layer having a relatively low specific gravity. The core structure may have different hardness gradients. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core and outer core each has a positive hardness gradient. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The outer core layer preferably is formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within an acid copolymer-based matrix.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity and a surrounding outer core layer having a relatively low specific gravity. The core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The outer core layer preferably is formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.

Abstract: A device for practice putting of golf balls is provided comprising a platform covered by a synthetic matting simulating a putting surface 2, a standing area 1 for the golfer with first 16 and second 19 foot operated electrical on/off switches for operating an electromagnetic return means such that the golfers can retrieve each golf ball without ever changing their putting position.

Abstract: A golf ball having improved driving characteristics includes a hard, hollow sphere surrounded by an outer. A second layer may be disposed between the sphere and the outer cover. The hollow sphere is made from a hard material such as a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic material and may be solid, perforated or porous. The second layer surrounding the sphere is generally made of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer or a combination of each which is surrounded by an outer cover made of an ionomer, urethane or balata. The hard sphere preferably contains a gas. A golf ball of this construction has improved performance characteristics such as low spin rate and further distance.

Abstract: A golf ball utilizing a high density core component, which is preferably part of a multicomponent core assembly is disclosed. The high density core component is preferably in the form of a metal sphere. The golf balls exhibit a unique combination of a relatively high coefficient of restitution, a controlled moment of inertia, and a relatively high spin rate during short distance shots. It is preferred that the high density core component be utilized in conjunction with a multi-layer cover assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having high whiteness and having good appearance without using white paint. The present invention relates to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover formed on the core, wherein the cover contains 1 to 7 parts by weight of titanium dioxide, 0.001 to 0.5 parts by weight of blue pigment and 0.00001 to 0.005 parts by weight of red pigment, based on 100 parts by weight of ionomer resin, at a weight ratio of the blue pigment to the red pigment of 99.99/0.01 to 95/5.

Abstract: A golf ball utilizing a high density core component, which is preferably part of a multicomponent core assembly is disclosed. The high density core component is preferably in the form of a metal sphere. The golf balls exhibit a unique combination of a relatively high coefficient of restitution, a controlled moment of inertia, and a relatively high spin rate during short distance shots. It is preferred that the high density core component be utilized in conjunction with a multi-layer cover assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting golf ball having a reduced spin rate. In this regard, a core is provided and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the cover compositions. This results in a golf ball exhibiting enhanced 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. In another preferred version, one or more patterns of weighting material are incorporated in the ball, and most preferably along the outer periphery of the ball so that the pattern is visible along the ball's exterior. 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thread wound golf ball having long flight distance, and high spin amount and excellent controllability when hitting by a short iron club, while keeping the characteristics inherent to the conventional thread wound golf ball, i.e. good shot feel. The present invention related to a thread wound golf ball comprising (a) a solid center composed of an inner center and a center outer layer formed on the inner center, (b) a thread rubber layer formed on the solid center, and (c) a cover covering the thread rubber layer, wherein the inner center has a diameter of 29 to 35 mm and a center hardness in JIS-C hardness of 30 to 70, the center outer layer has a JIS-C hardness of 70 to 90, the solid center has a diameter of 30 to 38 mm, and the cover is formed from thermoplastic resin having a Shore D hardness of 40 to 60.

Abstract: In a thread-wound golf ball comprising a two-layer structure center ball consisting of an inner layer and an outer layer, a rubber thread layer, and a cover, the center ball has a diameter of 30-36 mm and a weight of 19.5-31.5 g. The center ball outer layer has a specific gravity of 1.0-1.2, a Shore D hardness at least 5 units lower than the inner layer, and a thickness of 1-6 mm. The cover has a thickness of 1-3 mm. This construction and combination of characteristics gives the golf ball excellent spin, control, flight performance, and distance at all club head speeds, and especially increased distance when hit by a low head-speed golfer.

Abstract: Conventional golf balls are engineered according to aerodynamic specifications, basically to perform in flight. These balls are not suitable for the terrain of the grass. No consideration has been given to make conventional golf balls putting compatible. Conventional balls are aerodynamic and the improved golf ball for putting, presented in this invention, is a "Terradynamic Ball". This invention provides a ball engineered primarily for putting and is accomplished by giving the ball more inertia and power and by decreasing friction and resistance. It is designed according to the Laws of Motion, which states that, "Every body continues in its state of rest, or motion in a straight line, unless it is compelled by some external force to change that state". This "Terradynamic Ball" comprises a heavy metal core, to provide greater inertia, and a lower center of mass, and a cover whose outer surface is uniformly even and smooth, minimizing friction rolling over grass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved multi-layer golf balls. 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 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. In another preferred version, one or more patterns of weighting material are incorporated in the ball, and most preferably along the outer periphery of the ball so that the pattern is visible along the ball's exterior. A wide array of shapes and sizes of the patterns may be used. 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.

Abstract: A thread wound golf ball having good shot feel and controllability as well as excellent flight performance which comprises a center composed of a vulcanized molded article of a rubber composition, a thread rubber layer formed on the center and a cover covering the thread rubber layer, wherein the center has a diameter of from 30 to 38 mm and a deformation amount, formed by applying an initial load of 10 kg to a final load of 30 kg to the center, of from 1 to 2.5 mm and the cover is formed from a heated mixture of an ionomer resin, an maleic anhydride-modified thermoplastic resin and an epoxidated thermoplastic resin having a JIS-A hardness of 30 to 90.

Abstract: A golf ball has a core which includes a titanate coupling agent. The core comprises rubber and about 0.2 to 5.0 phr of titanate coupling agent. The titanate coupling agent may be selected from the class consisting of monoalkoxy titanates and neoalkoxy titanates.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided having a solid core which is formed of a core stock comprising a thermoplastic resin or elastomer and fibrous aluminum borate whiskers. The ball is improved in restitution. Particularly, the one-piece golf ball is durably resistant to damages by iron shots.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a ball is a flat pad or a frame defining an opening with one or more magnetic field inducing elements mounted thereon. One or more sensor elements are mounted in the flat pad or the frame, and connected to instrumentation so as to record induced, time-varying current signals from disturbances in a magnetic field by the ball penetrating the field. The device may also be arranged so as to measure the spin characteristics and other vectors of a conductive, charged and/or magnetized golf ball penetrating field. Or, the device may be arranged so as to have no magnetic field inducing elements, whereby the magnetic field of a modified, magnetized golf ball, when passing through an opening, or over a flat pad, induces time varying current signals in at least one sensor element, which can be processed to predict the complete ball flight parameters, i.e., velocity, trajectory and spin.

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: A golf ball is prepared by forming a cover of two layer structure consisting of an inner layer and a thin outer layer on a core by heat compression molding. A color difference .DELTA.E in Lab color space between the inner and outer layers is up to 3. Tracks of seams and streaks on the inner layer at the parting line are visually unperceivable, and the ball is good looking.

Abstract: A wound golf ball is constructed by winding thread rubber on a center ball and enclosing with a cover. The center ball consists of a center core having a diameter of 20-37 mm and experiencing a distortion of 1-5 mm under a load of 100 kg and an enclosure layer having a Shore D hardness of 33-54 and has a diameter of 33-38 mm. The center core comprises a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crossing linking agent and a peroxide and being free of an oily substance. The cover consists of an inner layer having a Shore D hardness of 55-68 and an outer layer having a Shore D hardness of 30-58, the inner layer being harder than the outer layer by at least 5 in Shore D hardness. The ball is not only improved in spin, control, and flight distance on driver and approach shots, but also gives pleasant hitting feel with click.

Abstract: A wound golf ball comprising: a center ball, thread rubber wound thereon, and a cover, wherein the center ball consists of a center core having an outer diameter of up to 37 mm and a distortion of 1 to 5 mm under a constant load of 100 kg and an enclosure layer enclosing the center core and having a Shore D hardness of up to 54. The center ball has an outer diameter of 33 to 38 mm, and the center core comprises a rubber composition having a base rubber, a co-cross linking agent and a peroxide and being free of an oily substance.

Abstract: In a wound golf ball comprising a center ball having thread rubber wound thereon and a cover, the center ball consists of a center core having an outer diameter of 27-37 mm and a distortion of 3.5-10 mm under a load of 100 kg and an enclosure layer having a Shore D hardness of 55-68. The center ball has an outer diameter of 33-38 mm. The center core comprises a rubber composition having a base rubber, a co-cross linking agent and a peroxide and being free of an oily substance. The ball is improved in spin, control and flight distance at any head speed from high to low ranges so that players may favorably use it independent of their skill or head speed.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a solid or wound core and a cover, the solid core or a center of the wound core is prepared by molding and vulcanizing a rubber composition comprising 100 parts by weight of base rubber and 10-120 parts by weight of a weight adjuster having a mean particle size of 30-1,000 .mu.m and a specific gravity of 4-19.1. The solid core or center is improved in restitution and the ball will fly a longer distance.