Golf Ball

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/651,925, filed on May 24, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure generally relates to a golf ball, and is more particularly related to aerodynamic performance attributes of a golf ball.

It is generally known that aerodynamic characteristics of a golf ball have significant impact on the flight of the golf ball, and thus the overall performance of the golf ball. In one aspect, aerodynamic characteristics or properties of a golf ball are influenced by the dimple pattern of the golf ball.

It would be desirable to provide improved aerodynamic performance attributes that generally provide greater control of the golf ball flight and distance.

In various aspects disclosed herein, a golf ball is provided that can have particular aerodynamic performance attributes or characteristics. In other aspects, certain aerodynamic performance or characteristics can be paired or matched with particular golf ball constructions, thereby resulting in a particular golf ball behavior. In certain aspects, a particular golf ball dimple pattern or dimple parameters are enumerated herein that result in a particular aerodynamic profile having at least one of the disclosed aerodynamic performance attributes or characteristics.

In one aspect, a golf ball is disclosed that comprises at least a core and a cover. The golf ball can include at least one additional layer besides a core and a cover. In one aspect, the golf ball can include a multi-layered core, a multi-layered cover, and/or a multi-layered casing/intermediate layer. Further details of the golf ball construction are provided herein.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a weight of 1.600 ounces-1.620 ounces. In one aspect, the golf ball can have a weight of less than 1.600 ounces, or greater than 1.620 ounces. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the weight of the golf ball can vary.

In one aspect, the golf ball has a diameter of 1.680 inches-1.700 inches. In one aspect, the golf ball can have a diameter of greater than 1.700 inches, or less than 1.680 inches. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the size or diameter of the golf ball can vary.

The cover can comprise a plurality of dimples arranged in a dimple pattern that has or exhibits a series of drag coefficients (C) and lift coefficients (C) across a variety of Reynolds numbers and spin ratios. In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 120,000 and a spin ratio of 0.100.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤C≤0.240 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤C≤0.240 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.235≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.240≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.240≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤Cat a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.230≤Cat a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.235≤C≤0.245 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.235≤C≤0.245 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.240≤C≤0.245 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.240≤C≤0.245 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.240≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.240≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

In one aspect, the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.245≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 220,000 and a spin ratio of 0.070; and the drag coefficient has the following range: 0.245≤C≤0.250 at a Reynolds number of 160,000 and a spin ratio of 0.095.

Regarding the lift coefficient, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.115 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060. In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≤0.200 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.120 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.200 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.115 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.195 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.120 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.195 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.115 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.190 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.120 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.190 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.115 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.185 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.120 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.185 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.115 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.180 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.120 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.180 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.125 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.200 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.125 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.185 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.130 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.200 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a lift coefficient such that: C≥0.130 at a Reynolds number of 240,000 and a spin ratio of 0.060, and C≤0.185 at a Reynolds number of 185,000 and a spin ratio of 0.105.

In one particular aspect, the drag and lift coefficients can have a particular relationship. This particular relationship can be associated with or dictate the flight window of the golf ball. In one aspect, this particular relationship can be defined at a Reynolds number of 225,000, and a spin ratio of 0.070. In one aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: 1.600≤C/C<1.800. In another aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: 1.800≤C/C. In yet another aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: C/C≤2.000. In yet another aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: C/C≤1.600. In a further aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: 1.400≤C/C. In a further aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: 1.400≤C/C<1.600. In a further aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: 1.600≤C/C<1.800. In a further aspect, the drag coefficient and the lift coefficient can have the following relationship: 1.600≤C/C≤2.000. Various other details regarding the relationship between the drag and lift coefficients are provided herein.

The present disclosure provides various exemplary patterns that exhibit the presently disclosed aerodynamic performance attributes or characteristics.

In one aspect, the dimple pattern can be comprised of 250-270 dimples, with a surface coverage of 79.0%-81.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0400 in-0.0500 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern can be comprised of 340-360 dimples, with a surface coverage of 80.0%-84.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0356-0.0435 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern can be comprised of 215-240 dimples, with a surface coverage of 77.0%-80.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0400 in-0.0500 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 240-260 dimples, with a surface coverage of 76.0%-79.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0400 in-0.0500 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 250-270 dimples, with a surface coverage of 79.0%-81.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0500 in-0.0600 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 235-255 dimples, with a surface coverage of 77.0%-80.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0375 in-0.0475 in.

In one aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 220-270 dimples, with a surface coverage of 77.0%-83.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0425 in-0.0575 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 340-390 dimples, with a surface coverage of 80.0%-85.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0380 in-0.0425 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 280-420 dimples, with a surface coverage of 70.0%-81.0%, and has a maximum dimple diameter disparity that is at least 0.040 inches.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 270-320 dimples, with a surface coverage of 76.0%-85.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0350 in-0.0440 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 490-620 dimples, with a surface coverage of 79.0%-85.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0175 in-0.0375 in.

In another aspect, the dimple pattern is comprised of 390-490 dimples, with a surface coverage of 77.0%-86.0%, and a dimple volume of 0.0225 in-0.0450 in.

Various other exemplary dimple patterns and/or dimple parameters are provided herein.

As disclosed herein, a golf ball that exhibits the presently disclosed aerodynamic performance attributes or characteristics can be associated with a golf ball having various golf ball construction parameters. The golf ball construction can be classified or characterized generally according to certain performance characteristics, such as compression, coefficient of restitution, initial velocity, etc. Each of these parameters is described in more detail herein.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have a compression of at least 80. In one aspect, the golf ball can have a compression of at least 90. In another example, the golf ball can have a compression of at least 95. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the compression can vary.

In one aspect, the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.800. In another aspect, the golf ball can have a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.805. The golf ball can have a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.810 in another aspect. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the coefficient of restitution can vary.

In one aspect, the golf ball can have an initial velocity of at least 250 feet/second. In another aspect, the initial velocity can be at least 252 feet/second. In another aspect, the initial velocity can be at least 245 feet/second. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the initial velocity can vary.