Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.

Callaway Golf Company

The Top-flite Golf Company

Gary Tavares

Kevin J Shannon

Daniel Murphy

Joseph F Stiefel

Stephen Green

Thomas J Kennedy, Iii

Steven Green

A spherical ball and a method of making the spherical ball wherein the ball has a plurality of elongated dimples substantially covering the outer surface of the ball without any dimple overlap. The elongated dimples are of at least two types including a first plurality of dimples having a minor axis and a major axis which together form the long axis of the first plurality of dimples. The minor axis being less than the major axis. A second plurality of dimples has a minor axis equal to that of the first plurality of dimples and a major axis less than the major axis of the first plurality of dimples but greater than the minor axis.

Golf ball having elongated dimples and method for making the same

A nets configuration for the dimples on the surface of a golf ball is characterized by at least a portion of the bottom surface of the dimple extending below a radius of curvature which defines the concavity of the dimple. Thus, the dimples have a non-symmetric depth profile. The dimples are preferably circular and the non-symmetrical portions are maintained within one half of the dimple.

Non-symmetric dimple depth profile

A new configuration for dimples on the surface of a golf ball is characterized by a plurality of grooves in the concave surface of the dimple. The grooves are concentrically arranged relative to the geometric configuration defined at the intersection with the spherical surface. The depth of the grooves increases from an outermost groove to an innermost groove. The grooves within at least some of the dimples on the surface of the ball improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the dimples to reduce drag and increase the distance the ball will travel.

Golf ball with grooved dimples

An improved vent pin for a golf ball injection mold is characterized by a non-circular configuration so that a non-circular dimple can be formed at one or both poles of the golf ball. The vent pin is coaxially arranged within a passage in the injection mold which is aligned with a radius of the ball which passes through one of the poles thereof. The pin is operable between a normal position where the end of the pin closes the passage lower end and a retracted position where the pin end is withdrawn into the passage so that air from a cavity of the mold where the cover layer of the ball is formed can be vented during delivery of thermoplastic material to the cavity to form the golf ball cover.

Non-circular vent pin for golf ball injection mold

Method for forming elongated dimples

A golf ball having improved aerodynamic efficiency is characterized by the arrangement of a plurality of modified tear-drop shaped dimples arranged on the surface thereof. The ball has a dimple-free equator which divides the ball into two identical hemispheres, each of which is broken into equal portions by a plurality of great circles passing through the poles of the ball. Each portion has a maximum circular area filled with a first plurality of non-circular dimples. A second plurality of non-circular dimples is arranged between the circular areas so that the dimple coverage on the ball is maximized.

Golf balls having circular groups of tear-dropped dimples

A golf ball having improved aerodynamic efficiency is characterized by the arrangement of a plurality of modified tear-drop shaped dimples arranged on the surface thereof. The ball has a dimple-free equator which divides the ball into two identical hemispheres, each of which is broken into equal quadrants by two great circles passing through the poles of the ball. Each quadrant has a maximum circular area filled with a first plurality of tear-drop shaped dimples. A second plurality of tear-drop shaped dimples is arranged between the circular areas so that the dimple coverage on the ball is maximized.

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Sturbridge, MA, United States of America

Gary Tavares