Golf ball

Abstract

A golf ball of improved playing characteristics weighing no more than 1.62 ounces and having a mean outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches. A dimple pattern on the surface of the ball may include a plurality of dimples which have different diameters. The dimples cover at least 70% of the surface of the ball. A core and cover are used which provide a finished ball having a coefficient of restitution between 0.790 and 0.830.

Description

According to United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.) rules, a golf ball may not have a weight in excess of 1.620 ounces or a diameter smaller than 1.680 inches. The initial velocity of U.S.G.A. "regulation" balls may not exceed 250 feet per second with a maximum tolerance of 2%. Initial velocity is measured on a standard machine kept by the U.S.G.A. A projection on a wheel rotating at a defined speed hits the test ball and the length of time it takes the ball to traverse a set distance after impact is measured. U.S.G.A. regulations also require that a ball not travel a distance greater than 280 yards when hit by the U.S.G.A. outdoor driving machine under specified conditions. In addition to this specification, there is a tolerance of plus 4% and a 2% tolerance for test error.

These specifications limit how far a golf ball will travel when hit in several ways. Increasing the weight of a golf ball tends to increase the distance it will travel and lower the trajectory. A ball having greater momentum is better able to overcome drag. Reducing the diameter of the ball also has the effect of increasing the distance it will travel when hit. This is believed to occur primarily because a smaller ball has a smaller projected area and, thus, a lower drag when travelling through the air. Increasing initial velocity increases the distance the ball will travel.

The foregoing generalizations hold when the effect of size, weight, or initial velocity is measured in isolation. Flight characteristics (influenced by dimple pattern and ball rotation properties), club head speed, radius of gyration, and diverse other factors also influence the distance a ball will travel.

In the manufacture of top-grade golf balls for use by professional golfers and amateur golf enthusiasts, the distance a ball will travel when hit (hereinafter referred to as "distance") is an important design criterion. Since the U.S.G.A. rules were established, golf ball manufacturers have designed top-grade U.S.G.A. regulation balls to be as close to the maximum weight, minimum diameter, and maximum initial velocity as golf ball technology will permit. The distance a ball will travel when hit, however, has been improved by changes in raw materials and by alterations in dimple configuration.

Golf balls not conforming to U.S.G.A. specifications in various respects have been made in the United States. Prior to the effective date of the U.S.G.A. rules, balls of various weights, diameters, and resiliencies were common. So-called "rabbit balls," which claim to exceed the U.S.G.A. initial velocity limitations, have also been offered for sale. Recently, oversized, overweight golf balls have been on sale for use as golf teaching aids (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,384 to Barber).

Oversized golf balls are also disclosed in New Zealand Patent 192,618 dated Jan. 1, 1980, issued to a predecessor of the present assignee. This patent discloses an oversize golf ball having a diameter between 1.700 and 1.730 inches an an oversized core of resilient material so as to increase the coefficient of restitution. Additionally, the patent discloses that the ball should include a cover having a thickness less than the cover thickness of conventional balls. The patent has no disclosure as to dimple size or the percentage of surface coverage by the dimples.

Golf balls made by Spalding in 1915 were of a diameter ranging from 1.630 inches to 1.710 inches. While these balls had small shallow dimples, they covered about 50% of the surface of the ball. Additionally, as the diameter of the ball increased, the weight of the ball also increased.

Golf balls known as the LYNX JUMBO were also produced and sold in October of 1979. This ball had a diameter of substantially 1.80 inches. The dimples on the LYNX JUMBO balls had 336 Atti-type dimples with each dimple having a diameter of 0.147 inch and a depth of 0.0148 inch. With this dimple arrangement, 56.02% of the surface area of the ball was covered by the dimples. This ball met with little or no commercial success.

Top-grade golf balls sold in the United States may be classified as one of two types: two-piece or three-piece. The two-piece ball, exemplified by the balls sold by Spalding Corporation under the trademark TOP-FLITE, consists of a solid polymeric core and a separately formed cover. The so-called three-piece balls, exemplified by the balls sold under the trademark TITLEIST by the Acushnet Company, consist of a liquid (e.g., TITLEIST TOUR 384) or solid (e.g., TITLEIST DT) center, elastomeric thread windings about the center, and a cover. Although the nature of the cover can, in certain instances, make a significant contribution to the overall coefficient of restitution and initial velocity of a ball (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,768 to Molitor), the initial velocity of two-piece and three-piece balls is determined mainly by the coefficient of restitution of the core. The coefficient of restitution of the core of wound balls can be controlled within limits by regulating the winding tension and the thread and center composition. With respect to two-piece balls, the coefficient of restitution of the core is a function of the properties of the elastomer composition from which it is made. Solid cores today are typically molded using polybutadiene elastomers mixed with acrylate or methacrylate metal salts. High-density fillers such as zinc oxide are included in the core material in order to achieve the maximum U.S.G.A. weight limit.

Improvements in cover and core material formulations and changes in dimple patterns have more or less continually improved golf ball distance for the last 20 years. Top-grade golf balls, however, must meet several other important design criteria. To successfully compete in today's golf ball market, a golf ball should be resistant to cutting and must be finished well; it should hold a line in putting and should have good click and feel. With a well-designed ball, experienced players can better execute shots involving draw, fade, or abrupt stops, as the situation dictates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf ball of the present invention provides an improvement over previously proposed oversized golf balls. The present ball, even though of a larger diameter of at least 1.70 inches, preferably uses substantially the same size core as a standard golf ball, with the difference in size being provided by additional thickness in the cover of the ball. The enlarged ball includes dimples which cover at least 70% of the surface of the ball, which enhances the flight characteristics of the ball. It has been found that large diameter shallow dimples further enhance the flight characteristics of the golf ball as opposed to the use of a large number of small diameter dimples.

In addition to allowing the use of larger diameter dimples, the larger diameter ball provides a moment which is greater than the conventional ball. This greater moment and the particular construction of some embodiments of the ball of this invention results in a ball having a lower backspin rate after club impact when compared to a conventional ball. Such a lower spin rate contributes to straighter shots when the ball is mishit, greater efficiency in flight, and a lesser degree of energy loss on impact with the ground. This is especially true with woods because of the lower trajectory resulting from a lower backspin. As a result, the ball strikes the ground at a more acute angle, adding increased roll or distance. Further, the composition of the ball contributes to its overall performance.

The present ball provides additional control due to the enlarged size of the ball and dimple coverage while still maintaining maximum performance standards as compared to a standard ball.

The advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially broken-away view of an embodiment of the improved golf ball of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates dimple diameter and depth measurements;

FIG. 3 discloses a golf ball of the dimensions as shown in FIG. 1 with a particular dimple configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing dimple size and location of the repetitive sections of the golf ball of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a modified dimple pattern of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a further modified dimple pattern of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description relates to several particular embodiments of the golf ball of the present invention, but the concept of the present invention is not to be limited to such embodiments. It should be noted that all of the specific dimensions set forth have a conventional tolerance. Additionally, all of the balls have a weight no greater than 1.62 ounces.

The diameter of the ball is substantially between 1.70 and 1.80 inches. When dimples having different diameters and depths are used, weighted average dimple diameter is used in relation to the following parameters. The weighted average diameter of the dimples covering the ball is substantially between 0.100 and 0.190 inch, preferably between 0.135 and 0.170 inch, with the preferred weighted average dimple diameter being between 0.139 and 0.149 inch. The weighted average depth of the dimples covering the ball is between 0.005 and 0.015 inch, preferably between 0.009 and 0.013 inch, with the preferred depth being between 0.010 and 0.011 inch. Obviously, when all the dimples used are of the same diameter and depth, the weighted average diameter and depth is the same as each dimple diameter and depth.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a ball having an oversized diameter D as compared to the diameter of a standard ball. The ball has a core of a diameter C and a cover of a thickness T. As opposed to previously proposed golf balls such as that disclosed in the above-mentioned New Zealand patent, the present invention does not use an oversize core in the oversized golf ball. In the particular ball used for illustrative purposes, the nominal diameter of the ball is 1.717.+-.0.005 inches, the diameter of the core is 1.545.+-.0.005 inches, and the cover thickness is 0.086.+-.0.005 inch.

The dimple pattern discussed above provides coverage of between substantially 70% and 85% of the surface of the ball. It should be noted that if maximum possible coverage s desired, non-circular dimples can be used to fill in open surface areas which may remain after the basic dimple pattern is determined. The core uses conventional ingredients, but is adjusted to produce a softer center. The total amount of non-polymeric materials and, thus, specific gravity is less than the standard ball since the larger ball must weigh the same as the standard ball. The cover of the ball is made of the standard cover material used in most golf balls.

A preferred composition for the present two-piece ball comprises a core of polybutadiene and the cover comprises a hard polymer cover comprising cross-linked polybutadiene and a metal diacrylate such as zinc diacrylate and zinc stearate having a hardness of from about 69 to 73 Shore D.

In a specific example, the core is formed by a mixture comprising 100 parts by weight polybutadiene, 21 parts by weight of a metal diacrylate, 20 parts by weight ground flash, 6 parts by weight zinc oxide, 4.5 parts by weight calcium carbonate, 15 parts by weight zinc stearate, and 1.5 parts by weight peroxide. The cover is formed by a mixture comprising about 97.5 parts by weight of at least one ionomer resin, about 2.25 parts by weight titanium dioxide, about 0.1 parts by weight optical brightener, about 0.2 parts by weight ultramarine blue, and about 0.004 parts by weight Santonox R.

Preferably, the coefficient of restitution (c.o.r.) of the finished ball is between 0.790 and 0.830, with the preferred c.o.r. being between 0.800 and 0.820.

The following is an example of one embodiment of a ball of the present invention showing specific properties thereof:

______________________________________CORE PROPERTIESCore Size 1.545" .+-. .005"Core Weight 34.3 .+-. .3 GramsPGA Compression 73 .+-. 5C.O.R. .775 .+-. .005FINISHED PROPERTIESSize 1.717" .+-. .002"Weight 45.1 .+-. .2 GramsPGA Compression 94 .+-. 4C.O.R. .815 .+-. .005______________________________________

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a ball having the enlarged dimensions of the present invention and having a dimple pattern including 422 dimples, which includes dimples of three different diameters and depths measured in accordance with FIG. 2. As indicated in FIG. 3, the largest dimple diameter is 0.169 inch with a dimple depth of 0.0123 inch, the intermediate dimple diameter is 0.157 inch with a dimple depth of 0.0123 inch, and the smallest dimple diameter is 0.145 inch with a dimple depth of 0.0101 inch. With the pattern shown, the resultant weighted average dimple diameter is 0.1478 inch and the weighted average dimple depth is 0.0104 inch. With this configuration and dimple size, 78.4% of the surface area of the ball is covered by dimples without any dimple overlap. The ball of FIG. 2 includes repeating patterns about each hemisphere, with the hemispheres being identical. One of such patterns is shown in FIG. 3, which indicates the arrangement of dimples and the relative sizes of the dimples in that particular pattern.

Comparative tests were made using the ball of the present invention and a Spalding TOP-FLITE II ball; results of the tests were as follows:

______________________________________BALL TYPE TOP FLITE II BALL OF FIGS. 3 & 4______________________________________TEST NO. 1CLUB: U.S.G.A. DRIVER/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 160 fpsTrajectory 10.60 10.40Flight Time 5.90 5.70Carry 249.40 244.20Difference in Carry 0.00 -5.30Deviation -6.14 -2.72Roll 30.60 35.20Total Distance 280.00 279.40TEST NO. 2CLUB: U.S.G.A. DRIVER/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 145 fpsTrajectory 9.70 9.60Flight Time 5.40 5.20Carry 218.10 214.50Difference in Carry 0.00 -3.60Deviation -6.03 -1.92Roll 32.90 37.90Total Distance 250.90 252.40TEST NO. 3CLUB: 5-IRON/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 120 fpsTrajectory N/A N/AFlight Time 5.90 6.00Carry 165.50 168.00Difference in Carry -3.20 -0.80Deviation -1.58 0.75Roll 12.70 13.20Total Distance 178.20 181.10______________________________________

The following is a comparison of the ball of the present invention to that of a TOP-FLITE II ball:

______________________________________BALL FIGS. 3 & 4 TOP-FLITE II______________________________________Ball Diameter 1.717 1.685Center Diameter 1.545 1.545Ball Weight (Grams) 45.500 45.500Cover Thickness 0.086 0.070Center Weight (Grams) 34.400 36.470Cover Weight (Grams) 11.100 9.030Cover (Grams/cm.sup.2) 31.897 25.400Center (Grams/cm.sup.2) 52.976 56.200Moment (Grams/cm.sup.2) 84.870 81.600Moment (Ounces/in.sup.2) 0.464 0.446______________________________________

In addition to the above, the following tests were made in comparison with other commercially available balls:

__________________________________________________________________________ FLT CARRY TOTAL TOTALBALL TYPE TRAJ TIME CARRY DIFF DEV ROLL DIST DIFF__________________________________________________________________________TEST NO. 4CLUB: 5-IRON/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 125 fpsTop-Elite II 26.9 6.0 179.8 -1.3 -1.54 17.5 197.3 -1.0FIGS. 3 & 4 28.3 6.1 181.1 0.0 -0.75 17.1 198.2 0.0Pro Staff 27.0 6.0 180.8 -0.3 -1.96 15.5 196.3 -2.0HVC 90 27.0 6.0 178.9 -2.2 -0.67 16.0 194.9 -3.3Precept 25.9 5.9 174.8 -6.3 -1.33 16.4 191.3 -7.0Ultra 90 26.8 6.0 180.0 -1.0 -0.38 17.0 197.0 -1.2MD 90 27.8 5.8 179.3 -1.8 0.00 16.9 196.3 -2.0Slazenger 480 26.6 6.0 181.0 -0.1 -1.25 16.1 197.1 -1.1TEST NO. 5CLUB: 5-IRON/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 120 fpsTop-Elite II 30.0 5.5 148.8 -1.5 -5.96 13.9 162.7 -2.0FIGS. 3 and 4 31.7 6.0 150.3 0.0 -5.50 14.4 164.7 0.0Pro Staff 29.8 5.5 147.9 -2.4 -6.00 12.9 160.8 -3.9HVC 90 30.3 5.6 147.2 -3.1 -4.92 13.1 159.5 -5.2Precept 28.7 5.4 143.6 -6.7 -5.50 15.0 158.6 -6.1Ultra 90 30.1 5.9 148.3 -2.0 -5.79 13.5 161.8 -2.9MD 90 30.8 5.8 146.3 -4.0 -4.13 14.7 160.9 -3.8Slazenger 480 30.0 5.6 149.3 -1.0 -5.29 11.9 161.2 -3.5TEST NO. 6CLUB: 9-DEGREE METAL WOOD/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 120 fpsTop-Elite II 15.6 5.1 181.2 0.0 -2.04 26.3 207.5 -5.8FIGS. 3 & 4 15.5 5.1 180.8 -0.3 1.00 32.4 213.3 0.0Pro Staff 15.6 5.0 178.5 -2.6 -1.71 26.7 205.3 -8.0HVC 90 15.5 5.1 179.8 -1.4 0.88 26.9 206.7 -6.6Precept 15.0 5.0 176.1 -5.1 0.33 28.3 204.4 -8.8Ultra 90 15.5 5.1 179.8 -1.4 -1.63 26.1 205.9 -7.3RD 90 16.6 4.9 174.0 -7.2 -1.38 26.3 200.3 -12.9Slazenger 480 15.4 5.0 179.9 -1.3 0.46 25.6 205.5 -7.8TEST NO. 7CLUB: 5-DEGREE METAL WOOD/CLUB HEAD SPEED: 145 fpsTop-Elite II 14.1 6.0 233.3 -0.8 -0.50 30.1 262.5 -7.3FIGS. 3 & 4 13.9 15.9 234.2 0.0 2.36 35.6 269.8 0.0Pro Staff 13.5 5.7 233.4 -0.8 0.09 33.9 267.3 -2.5HVC 90 13.8 5.9 232.2 -2.0 3.78 28.8 261.0 -8.8Precept 13.1 5.8 230.7 -3.5 0.45 28.0 258.5 -11.3Ultra 90 14.0 5.9 232.9 -1.3 1.18 27.1 260.0 -9.8MD 90 14.9 5.8 230.6 -3.6 -0.20 22.2 252.8 -17.0Slazenger 480 13.2 5.8 233.4 -0.8 -0.60 31.3 264.7 -5.1__________________________________________________________________________

As will be obvious, the ball of the present invention compares favorably with other standard balls at the club head speeds indicated. It is noted that the average amateur golfer performs with a club head speed of 120 feet per second.

The golf ball of the present invention as particularly represented in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a lower spin rate in r.p.m. than the standard size balls which are in use today. The following tests were conducted using an automatic driving machine which uses the club indicated. The results of these tests are as follows:

______________________________________ SPIN RATE RPMBALL TYPE (Average)______________________________________TEST NO. 1FULL NINE IRONTitleist 384 Tour 100 9,773Tour Edition 100 10,905Tour Edition 90 10,405Top-Elite II 9,501Ball of FIGS. 3 & 4 9,210TEST NO. 2FULL NINE IRONTitleest 384 Tour 100 10,440Tour Edition 100 10,859Tour Edition 90 10,662Top-Elite II 8,350Ball of FIGS. 3 & 4 7,968Ball of FIG. 6 8,025Ball of FIG. 5 8,027TEST NO. 3FULL WEDGETitleist 384 Tour 100 9,422Tour Edition 100 9,924Tour Edition 90 9,703Top-Elite II 6,968Ball of FIGS. 3 & 4 6,825Titleest HVC 90 7,581Maxfli MD 90 7,455Bridgestone Precept 8,069Wilson Ultra 90 7,651Wilson Prostaff 8,070Slazenger 480 7,690______________________________________

The following are the coordinates of the dimple pattern of the ball of FIGS. 2 and 3, indicating dimple location and diameter for each dimple on one of the hemispheres of the ball:

__________________________________________________________________________DIMPLE LATITUDE LONGITUDE DIMPLENUMBER Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds DIAMETER__________________________________________________________________________ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1450 2 9 42 45 36 0 0 0.1450 3 9 42 45 108 0 0 0.1450 4 9 42 45 180 0 0 0.1450 5 9 42 45 252 0 0 0.1450 6 9 42 45 324 0 0 0.1450 7 16 15 45 0 0 0 0.1450 8 16 15 45 72 0 0 0.1450 9 16 15 45 144 0 0 0.1450 10 16 15 45 216 0 0 0.1450 11 16 15 45 288 0 0 0.1450 12 19 26 0 36 0 0 0.1450 13 19 26 0 108 0 0 0.1450 14 19 26 0 180 0 0 0.1450 15 19 26 0 252 0 0 0.1450 16 19 26 0 324 0 0 0.1450 17 25 18 0 13 26 0 0.1450 18 25 18 0 58 34 0 0.1450 19 25 18 0 85 26 0 0.1450 20 25 18 0 130 34 0 0.1450 21 25 18 0 157 26 0 0.1450 22 25 18 0 202 34 0 0.1450 23 25 18 0 229 26 0 0.1450 24 25 18 0 274 34 0 0.1450 25 25 18 0 301 26 0 0.1450 26 25 18 0 346 34 0 0.1450 27 29 19 0 36 0 0 0.1450 28 29 19 0 108 0 0 0.1450 29 29 19 0 180 0 0 0.1450 30 29 19 0 252 0 0 0.1450 31 29 19 0 324 0 0 0.1450 32 34 33 30 19 50 0 0.1450 33 34 33 30 52 10 0 0.1450 34 34 33 30 91 50 0 0.1450 35 34 33 30 124 10 0 0.1450 36 34 33 30 163 50 0 0.1450 37 34 33 30 196 10 0 0.1450 38 34 33 39 235 50 0 0.1450 39 34 33 30 268 10 0 0.1450 40 34 33 30 307 50 0 0.1450 41 34 33 30 340 10 0 0.1450 42 36 52 30 0 0 0 0.1690 43 36 52 30 72 0 0 0.1690 44 36 52 30 144 0 0 0.1690 45 36 52 30 216 0 0 0.1690 46 36 52 30 288 0 0 0.1690 47 39 2 45 36 0 0 0.1450 48 39 2 45 108 0 0 0.1450 49 39 2 45 180 0 0 0.1450 50 39 2 45 252 0 0 0.1450 51 39 2 45 324 0 0 0.1450 52 44 9 30 23 33 15 0.1450 53 44 9 30 48 26 45 0.1450 54 44 9 30 95 33 15 0.1450 55 44 9 30 120 26 45 0.1450 56 44 9 30 167 33 15 0.1450 57 44 9 30 192 26 45 0.1450 58 44 9 30 239 33 15 0.1450 59 44 9 30 264 26 45 0.1450 60 44 9 30 311 33 15 0.1450 61 44 9 30 336 26 45 0.1450 62 46 50 15 8 34 45 0.1690 63 46 50 15 63 25 15 0.1690 64 46 50 15 80 34 45 0.1690 65 46 50 15 135 25 15 0.1690 66 46 50 15 152 34 45 0.1690 67 46 50 15 207 25 15 0.1690 68 46 50 15 224 34 45 0.1690 69 46 50 15 279 25 15 0.1690 70 46 50 15 296 34 45 0.1690 71 46 50 15 351 25 15 0.1690 72 48 55 0 36 0 0 0.1450 73 48 55 0 108 0 0 0.1450 74 48 55 0 180 0 0 0.1450 75 48 55 0 252 0 0 0.1450 76 48 55 0 324 0 0 0.1450 77 53 50 15 25 15 45 0.1450 78 53 50 15 46 44 15 0.1450 79 53 50 15 97 15 45 0.1450 80 53 50 15 118 44 15 0.1450 81 53 50 15 169 15 45 0.1450 82 53 50 15 190 44 15 0.1450 83 53 50 15 241 15 45 0.1450 84 53 50 15 262 44 15 0.1450 85 53 50 15 313 15 45 0.1450 86 53 50 15 334 44 15 0.1450 87 56 37 30 0 0 0 0.1690 88 56 37 30 72 0 0 0.1690 89 56 37 30 144 0 0 0.1690 90 56 37 30 216 0 0 0.1690 91 56 37 30 288 0 0 0.1690 92 57 12 0 13 39 0 0.1570 93 57 12 0 58 21 0 0.1570 94 57 12 0 85 39 0 0.1570 95 57 12 0 130 21 0 0.1570 96 57 12 0 157 39 0 0.1570 97 57 12 0 202 21 0 0.1570 98 57 12 0 229 39 0 0.1570 99 57 12 0 274 21 0 0.1570100 57 12 0 301 39 0 0.1570101 57 12 0 346 21 0 0.1570102 58 39 15 36 0 0 0.1450103 58 39 15 108 0 0 0.1450104 58 39 15 180 0 0 0.1450105 58 39 15 252 0 0 0.1450106 58 39 15 324 0 0 0.1450107 63 51 30 26 25 15 0.1450108 63 51 30 45 34 45 0.1450109 63 51 30 98 25 15 0.1450110 63 51 30 117 34 45 0.1450111 63 51 30 170 25 15 0.1450112 63 51 30 189 34 45 0.1450113 63 51 30 242 25 15 0.1450114 63 51 30 261 34 45 0.1450115 63 51 30 314 25 15 0.1450116 63 51 30 333 34 45 0.1450117 66 36 0 5 24 0 0.1450118 66 36 0 66 36 0 0.1450119 66 36 0 77 24 0 0.1450120 66 36 0 138 36 0 0.1450121 66 36 0 149 24 0 0.1450122 66 36 0 210 36 0 0.1450123 66 36 0 221 24 0 0.1450124 66 36 0 282 36 0 0.1450125 66 36 0 293 24 0 0.1450126 66 36 0 354 36 0 0.1450127 67 4 30 16 5 30 0.1450128 67 4 30 55 54 30 0.1450129 67 4 30 88 5 30 0.1450130 67 4 30 127 54 30 0.1450131 67 4 30 160 5 30 0.1450132 67 4 30 199 54 30 0.1450133 67 4 30 232 5 30 0.1450134 67 4 30 271 54 30 0.1450135 67 4 30 304 5 30 0.1450136 67 4 30 343 54 30 0.1450137 68 20 30 36 0 0 0.1450138 68 20 30 108 0 0 0.1450139 68 20 30 180 0 0 0.1450140 68 20 30 252 0 0 0.1450141 68 20 30 324 0 0 0.1450142 75 24 30 0 0 0 0.1450143 75 24 30 72 0 0 0.1450144 75 24 30 144 0 0 0.1450145 75 24 30 216 0 0 0.1450146 75 24 30 288 0 0 0.1450147 75 42 0 10 20 45 0.1450148 75 42 0 61 39 15 0.1450149 75 42 0 82 20 45 0.1450150 75 42 0 133 39 15 0.1450151 75 42 0 154 20 45 0.1450152 75 42 0 205 39 15 0.1450153 75 42 0 226 20 45 0.1450154 75 42 0 277 39 15 0.1450155 75 42 0 298 20 45 0.1450156 75 42 0 349 39 15 0.1450157 76 14 0 20 20 0 0.1450158 76 14 0 51 40 0 0.1450159 76 14 0 92 20 0 0.1450160 76 14 0 123 40 0 0.1450161 76 14 0 164 20 0 0.1450162 76 14 0 195 40 0 0.1450163 76 14 0 236 20 0 0.1450164 76 14 0 267 40 0 0.1450165 76 14 0 308 20 0 0.1450166 76 14 0 339 40 0 0.1450167 76 26 15 30 22 15 0.1450168 76 26 15 41 37 45 0.1450169 76 26 15 102 22 15 0.1450170 76 26 15 113 37 45 0.1450171 76 26 15 174 22 15 0.1450172 76 26 15 185 37 45 0.1450173 76 26 15 246 22 15 0.1450174 76 26 15 257 37 45 0.1450175 76 26 15 318 22 15 0.1450176 76 26 15 329 37 45 0.1450177 86 1 15 5 8 30 0.1450178 86 1 15 15 25 45 0.1450179 85 1 15 25 42 45 0.1450180 85 1 15 36 0 0 0.1450181 85 1 15 46 17 15 0.1450182 85 1 15 56 34 15 0.1450183 85 1 15 66 51 30 0.1450184 85 1 15 77 8 30 0.1450185 85 1 15 87 25 45 0.1450186 85 1 15 97 42 45 0.1450187 85 1 15 108 0 0 0.1450188 85 1 15 118 17 15 0.1450189 85 1 15 128 34 15 0.1450190 85 1 15 138 51 30 0.1450191 85 1 15 149 8 30 0.1450192 85 1 15 159 25 45 0.1450193 85 1 15 169 42 45 0.1450194 85 1 15 180 0 0 0.1450195 85 1 15 190 17 15 0.1450196 85 1 15 200 34 15 0.1450197 85 1 15 210 51 30 0.1450198 85 1 15 221 8 30 0.1450199 85 1 15 231 25 45 0.1450200 85 1 15 241 42 45 0.1450201 85 1 15 252 0 0 0.1450202 85 1 15 262 17 15 0.1450203 85 1 15 272 34 15 0.1450204 85 1 15 282 51 30 0.1450205 85 1 15 293 8 30 0.1450206 85 1 15 303 25 45 0.1450207 85 1 15 313 42 45 0.1450208 85 1 15 324 0 0 0.1450209 85 1 15 334 17 15 0.1450210 85 1 15 344 34 15 0.1450211 85 1 15 354 51 30 0.1450__________________________________________________________________________

The ball of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrates that the dimple pattern on the ball is made up of a plurality of triangles 15, 17, and 19 which comprise a modified icosahedron. The dimples are arranged on the ball in order to obtain maximum surface coverage of the ball, with the largest dimples 33, intermediate dimples 35, and smaller dimples 31 being located as shown relative to lines 15, 17, and 19 of the triangles. Lines 21, 23, and 24 are extensions of a further triangle to the equatorial line of the ball. This is the same arrangement of dimples as that of the Spalding TOP-FLITE PLUS II ball shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/384,205, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The description and the manner of locating the dimples as set forth in that application is incorporated herein.

A further ball which uses the same basic pattern of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 has 10 of the largest diameter dimples, 50 of the intermediate size dimples, and 362 of the smallest diameter dimples. The largest dimple diameter is 0.169 inch with a depth of 0.0123 inch, the intermediate dimple diameter is 0.157 inch with a depth of 0.0123 inch, and the smallest dimple diameter is 0.145 inch with a depth of 0.0101 inch. Thus, the dimple depths of the three different diameter dimples remain the same as the ball of FIGS. 2 and 3. This modification provides a coverage with no dimple overlap while maintaining a 77.4% coverage of the surface area of the ball. The weighted average dimple diameter for this ball is 0.1470 inch and the weighted average dimple depth is 0.0104 inch.

Another ball which uses the same basic pattern of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 has 10 of the largest diameter dimples, 50 of the intermediate size dimples, and 362 of the smallest diameter dimples. This pattern has a modified dimple diameter wherein the largest dimple diameter is 0.169 inch with a depth of 0.0128 inch, the intermediate dimple diameter is 0.157 inch with a depth of 0.0128 inch, and the smallest dimple diameter is 0.145 inch. In this ball, 222 of the smallest diameter dimples nearest the poles have a depth of 0.0106 inch and the remaining 140 of the smallest diameter dimples have a depth of 0.0096 inch. The remaining intermediate and large diameter dimples have a depth of 0.0128 inch. This modification provides a ball with no dimple overlap while maintaining a 77.4% coverage of the surface area of the ball. The weighted average dimple diameter for this ball is 0.1470 inch and the weighted average dimple depth is 0.01058 inch.

The following are the coordinates for the dimple pattern of the above two balls having 10 large dimples, 50 intermediate dimples, and 362 small dimples:

__________________________________________________________________________DIMPLE LATITUDE LONGITUDE DIMPLENUMBER Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds DIAMETER__________________________________________________________________________ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.145 2 9 42 45 36 0 0 0.145 3 9 42 45 108 0 0 0.145 4 9 42 45 180 0 0 0.145 5 9 42 45 252 0 0 0.145 6 9 42 45 324 0 0 0.145 7 16 15 45 0 0 0 0.145 8 16 15 45 72 0 0 0.145 9 16 15 45 144 0 0 0.145 10 16 15 45 216 0 0 0.145 11 16 15 45 288 0 0 0.145 12 19 26 0 36 0 0 0.145 13 19 26 0 108 0 0 0.145 14 19 26 0 180 0 0 0.145 15 19 16 0 252 0 0 0.145 16 19 26 0 324 0 0 0.145 17 25 18 0 13 26 0 0.145 18 25 18 0 58 34 0 0.145 19 25 18 0 85 26 0 0.145 20 25 18 0 130 34 0 0.145 21 25 18 0 157 26 0 0.145 22 25 18 0 202 34 0 0.145 23 25 18 0 229 26 0 0.145 24 25 18 0 274 34 0 0.145 25 25 18 0 301 26 0 0.145 26 25 18 0 346 34 0 0.145 27 29 19 0 36 0 0 0.145 28 29 19 0 108 0 0 0.145 29 29 19 0 180 0 0 0.145 30 29 19 0 252 0 0 0.145 31 29 19 0 324 0 0 0.145 32 34 33 30 19 50 0 0.145 33 34 33 30 52 10 0 0.145 34 34 33 30 91 50 0 0.145 35 34 33 39 124 10 0 0.145 36 34 33 30 163 50 0 0.145 37 34 33 30 196 10 0 0.145 38 34 33 30 235 50 0 0.145 39 34 33 30 268 10 0 0.145 40 34 33 30 307 50 0 0.145 41 34 33 30 340 10 0 0.145 42 38 5 0 0 0 0 0.157 43 38 5 0 72 0 0 0.157 44 38 5 0 144 0 0 0.157 45 38 5 0 216 0 0 0.157 46 38 5 0 288 0 0 0.157 47 39 2 45 36 0 0 0.145 48 39 2 45 108 0 0 0.145 49 39 2 45 180 0 0 0.145 50 39 2 45 252 0 0 0.145 51 39 2 45 324 0 0 0.145 52 44 9 30 23 33 15 0.145 53 44 9 30 48 26 45 0.145 54 44 9 30 95 33 15 0.145 55 44 9 30 120 26 45 0.145 56 44 9 30 167 33 15 0.145 57 44 9 30 192 26 45 0.145 58 44 9 30 239 33 15 0.145 59 44 8 39 264 26 45 0.145 60 44 9 30 311 33 15 0.145 61 44 9 30 336 26 45 0.145 62 47 33 30 7 34 0 0.157 63 47 33 30 64 26 0 0.157 64 47 33 30 79 34 0 0.157 65 47 33 30 136 26 0 0.157 66 47 33 30 151 34 0 0.157 67 47 33 30 208 26 0 0.157 68 47 33 30 223 34 0 0.157 69 47 33 30 280 26 0 0.157 70 47 33 30 295 34 0 0.157 71 47 33 30 352 26 0 0.157 72 48 55 0 36 0 0 0.145 73 48 55 0 108 0 0 0.145 74 48 55 0 180 0 0 0.145 75 48 55 0 252 0 0 0.145 76 48 55 0 324 0 0 0.145 77 53 50 15 25 15 45 0.145 78 53 50 15 46 44 15 0.145 79 53 50 15 97 15 45 0.145 80 53 50 15 118 44 15 0.145 81 53 50 15 169 15 45 0.145 82 53 50 15 190 44 15 0.145 83 53 50 15 241 15 45 0.145 84 53 50 15 262 44 15 0.145 85 53 50 15 313 15 45 0.145 86 53 50 15 334 44 15 0.145 87 57 12 0 13 39 0 0.157 88 57 12 0 58 21 0 0.157 89 57 12 0 85 39 0 0.157 90 57 12 0 130 21 0 0.157 91 57 12 0 157 39 0 0.157 92 57 12 0 202 21 0 0.157 93 57 12 0 229 39 0 0.157 94 57 12 0 274 21 0 0.157 95 57 12 0 301 39 0 0.157 96 57 12 0 346 21 0 0.157 97 58 35 15 0 0 0 0.169 98 58 35 15 72 0 0 0.169 99 58 35 15 144 0 0 0.169100 58 35 15 216 0 0 0.169101 58 35 15 288 0 0 0.169102 58 39 15 36 0 0 0.145103 58 39 15 108 0 0 0.145104 58 39 15 180 0 0 0.145105 58 39 15 252 0 0 0.145106 58 39 15 324 0 0 0.145107 63 51 30 26 25 15 0.145108 63 51 30 45 34 45 0.145109 63 51 30 98 25 15 0.145100 63 51 30 117 34 45 0.145111 63 51 30 170 25 15 0.145112 63 51 30 189 34 45 0.145113 63 51 30 242 25 15 0.145114 63 51 30 261 34 45 0.145115 63 51 30 314 25 15 0.145116 63 51 30 333 34 45 0.145117 67 4 30 16 5 30 0.145118 67 4 30 55 54 30 0.145119 67 4 30 88 5 30 0.145120 67 4 30 127 54 30 0.145121 67 4 30 160 5 30 0.145122 67 4 30 199 54 30 0.145123 67 4 30 232 5 30 0.145124 67 4 30 271 54 30 0.145125 67 4 30 304 5 30 0.145126 67 4 30 343 54 30 0.145127 67 56 0 5 39 0 0.145128 67 56 0 66 21 0 0.145129 67 56 0 77 39 0 0.145130 67 56 0 138 21 0 0.145131 67 56 0 149 39 0 0.145132 67 56 0 210 21 0 0.145133 67 56 0 221 39 0 0.145134 67 56 0 282 21 0 0.145135 67 56 0 283 39 0 0.145136 67 56 0 354 21 0 0.145137 68 20 30 36 0 0 0.145138 68 20 30 108 0 0 0.145139 68 20 30 180 0 0 0.145140 68 20 30 252 0 0 0.145141 68 20 30 324 0 0 0.145142 76 14 0 20 20 0 0.145143 76 14 0 51 40 0 0.145144 76 14 0 92 20 0 0.145145 76 14 0 123 40 0 0.145146 76 14 0 164 20 0 0.145147 76 14 0 195 40 0 0.145148 76 14 0 236 20 0 0.145149 76 14 0 267 40 0 0.145150 76 14 0 308 20 0 0.145151 76 14 0 339 40 0 0.145152 76 25 45 0 0 0 0.145153 76 25 45 72 0 0 0.145154 76 25 45 144 0 0 0.145155 76 25 45 216 0 0 0.145156 76 25 45 288 0 0 0.145157 76 26 15 30 22 15 0.145158 76 26 15 41 37 45 0.145159 76 26 15 102 22 15 0.145160 76 26 15 113 37 45 0.145161 76 26 15 174 22 15 0.145162 76 26 15 185 37 45 0.145163 76 26 15 246 22 15 0.145164 76 26 15 257 37 45 0.145165 76 26 15 318 22 15 0.145166 76 26 15 329 37 45 0.145167 76 42 45 10 18 0 0.145168 76 42 45 82 18 0 0.145169 76 42 45 154 18 0 0.145170 76 42 45 226 18 0 0.145171 76 42 45 298 is 0 0.145172 76 43 15 61 42 0 0.145173 76 43 15 133 42 0 0.145174 76 43 15 205 42 0 0.145175 76 43 15 277 42 0 0.145176 76 43 15 349 42 0 0.145177 85 1 15 5 8 30 0.145178 85 1 15 15 25 45 0.145179 85 1 15 25 42 45 0.145180 85 1 15 36 0 0 0.145181 85 1 15 46 17 15 0.145182 85 1 15 56 34 15 0.145183 85 1 15 66 51 30 0.145184 85 1 15 77 8 30 0.145185 85 1 15 87 25 45 0.145186 85 1 15 97 42 45 0.145187 85 1 15 108 0 0 0.145188 85 1 15 118 17 15 0.145189 85 1 15 128 34 15 0.145190 85 1 15 138 51 30 0.145191 85 1 15 149 8 30 0.145192 85 1 15 159 25 45 0.145193 85 1 15 169 42 45 0.145194 85 1 15 180 0 0 0.145195 85 1 15 190 17 15 0.145196 85 1 15 200 34 15 0.145197 85 1 15 210 51 30 0.145198 85 1 15 221 8 30 0.145199 85 1 15 231 25 45 0.145200 85 1 15 241 42 45 0.145201 85 1 15 252 0 0 0.145202 85 1 15 262 17 15 0.145203 85 1 15 272 34 15 0.145204 85 1 15 282 51 30 0.145205 85 1 15 293 8 30 0.145206 85 1 15 303 25 45 0.145207 85 1 15 313 42 45 0.145208 85 1 15 324 0 0 0.145209 85 1 15 334 17 15 0.145210 85 1 15 344 34 15 0.145211 85 1 15 354 51 30 0.145__________________________________________________________________________

Yet another ball which uses the same basic pattern and dimple diameter of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 is modified as to dimple depth. The dimples on this ball have the same coordinates as the ball of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In this ball, 222 of the smallest diameter dimples nearest the poles have a depth of 0.0106 inch and the remaining 140 of the smallest diameter dimples have a depth of 0.0096 inch. This modification provides a coverage with no dimple overlap while maintaining a 78.4% coverage of the surface area of the ball. The weighted average dimple diameter for this ball is 0.1478 inch and the weighted average dimple depth is 0.01058 inch.

A further modification is shown in FIG. 5. This golf ball has 410 dimples comprising 138 dimples having a diameter of 0.169 inch and a depth of 0.0116 inch, 160 dimples having a diameter of 0.143 inch and a depth of 0.0101 inch, and 112 dimples having a diameter of 0.112 inch and a depth of 0.0077 inch. The configuration of the dimples comprises a dimple-free equatorial line E-E dividing the ball into two hemispheres having substantially identical dimple patterns. The dimple pattern of each hemisphere comprises a first plurality of dimples extending in four spaced clockwise arcs between the pole and the equator of each hemisphere, a second plurality of dimples extending in four spaced counterclockwise arcs between the pole and equator of each hemisphere, and a third plurality of dimples filling the surface area between the first and second plurality of dimples. In this ball, none of the dimples overlap. This pattern provides a weighted average dimple diameter of 0.1433 inch, a weighted average dimple depth of 0.010 inch, and a 73.1% coverage of the surface of the ball.

The following are the coordinates of the 410 dimple pattern ball:

__________________________________________________________________________DIMPLE LATITUDE LONGITUDE DIMPLENUMBER Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds DIAMETER__________________________________________________________________________ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.169 2 11 53 30 0 0 0 0.112 3 11 53 30 45 0 0 0.143 4 11 53 30 90 0 0 0.112 5 11 53 30 135 0 0 0.143 6 11 53 30 180 0 0 0.112 7 11 53 30 225 0 0 0.143 8 11 53 30 270 0 0 0.112 9 11 53 30 315 0 0 0.143 10 18 32 0 19 6 45 0.112 11 18 32 0 70 53 15 0.112 12 18 32 0 109 6 45 0.112 13 18 32 0 160 53 15 0.112 14 18 32 0 199 6 45 0.112 15 18 32 0 250 53 15 0.112 16 18 32 0 289 6 45 0.112 17 18 32 0 340 53 15 0.112 18 22 24 0 45 0 0 0.169 19 22 24 0 135 0 0 0.169 20 22 24 0 225 0 0 0.169 21 22 24 0 315 0 0 0.169 22 23 27 45 0 0 0 0.112 23 23 27 45 90 0 0 0.112 24 23 27 45 180 0 0 0.112 25 23 27 45 270 0 0 0.112 26 28 45 15 25 39 0 0.143 27 28 45 15 64 21 0 0.143 28 28 45 15 115 39 0 0.143 29 28 45 15 154 21 0 0.143 30 28 45 15 205 39 0 0.143 31 28 45 15 244 21 0 0.143 32 28 45 15 295 39 0 0.143 33 28 45 15 334 21 0 0.143 34 30 53 45 8 17 0 0.112 35 30 53 45 81 43 0 0.112 36 30 53 45 98 17 0 0.112 37 30 53 45 171 43 0 0.112 38 30 53 45 188 17 0 0.112 39 30 53 45 261 43 0 0.112 40 30 53 45 278 17 0 0.112 41 30 53 45 351 43 0 0.112 42 33 55 45 45 0 0 0.169 43 33 55 45 135 0 0 0.169 44 33 55 45 225 0 0 0.169 45 33 55 45 315 0 0 0.169 46 37 40 15 0 0 0 0.112 47 37 40 15 90 0 0 0.112 48 37 40 15 180 0 0 0.112 49 37 40 15 270 0 0 0.112 50 38 13 15 28 43 0 0.143 51 38 13 15 61 17 0 0.143 52 38 13 15 118 43 0 0.143 53 38 13 15 151 17 0 0.143 54 38 13 15 208 43 0 0.143 55 38 13 15 241 17 0 0.143 56 38 13 15 298 43 0 0.143 57 38 13 15 331 17 0 0.143 58 41 7 30 13 57 0 0.143 59 41 7 30 76 3 0 0.143 60 41 7 30 103 57 0 0.143 61 41 7 30 166 3 0 0.143 62 41 7 30 193 57 0 0.143 63 41 7 30 256 3 0 0.143 64 41 7 30 283 57 0 0.143 65 41 7 30 346 3 0 0.143 66 44 31 0 39 0 15 0.112 67 44 31 0 50 59 45 0.112 68 44 31 0 129 0 15 0.112 69 44 31 0 140 59 45 0.112 70 44 31 0 219 0 15 0.112 71 44 31 0 230 59 45 0.112 72 44 31 0 309 0 15 0.112 73 44 31 0 320 59 45 0.112 74 47 47 15 0 0 0 0.143 75 47 47 15 90 0 0 0.143 76 47 47 15 180 0 0 0.143 77 47 47 15 270 0 0 0.143 78 49 27 0 21 28 45 0.143 79 49 27 0 68 31 15 0.143 80 49 27 0 111 28 45 0.143 81 49 27 0 158 31 15 0.143 82 49 27 0 201 28 45 0.143 83 49 27 0 248 31 15 0.143 84 49 27 0 291 28 45 0.143 85 49 27 0 338 31 15 0.143 86 52 21 45 33 13 15 0.143 87 52 21 45 56 46 45 0.143 88 52 21 45 123 13 15 0.143 89 52 21 45 146 46 45 0.143 90 52 21 45 213 13 15 0.143 91 52 21 45 236 46 45 0.143 92 52 21 45 303 13 15 0.143 93 52 21 45 326 46 45 0.143 94 53 30 15 10 15 45 0.143 95 53 30 15 79 44 15 0.143 96 53 30 15 100 15 45 0.143 97 53 30 15 169 44 15 0.143 98 53 30 15 190 15 45 0.143 99 53 30 15 259 44 15 0.143100 53 30 15 280 15 45 0.143101 53 30 15 349 44 15 0.143102 56 28 15 45 0 0 0.169103 56 28 15 135 0 0 0.169104 56 28 15 225 0 0 0.169105 56 28 15 315 0 0 0.169106 58 51 0 0 0 0 0.143107 58 51 0 90 0 0 0.143108 58 51 0 180 0 0 0.143109 58 51 0 270 0 0 0.143110 58 8 30 24 2 0 0.169111 61 8 30 65 58 0 0.169112 61 8 30 114 2 0 0.169113 61 8 30 155 58 0 0.169114 61 8 30 204 2 0 0.169115 61 8 30 245 58 0 0.169116 61 8 30 294 2 0 0.169117 61 8 30 335 58 0 0.169118 64 13 0 11 20 30 0.169119 64 13 0 78 39 30 0.169120 64 13 0 101 20 30 0.169121 64 13 0 168 39 30 0.169122 64 13 0 191 20 30 0.169123 64 13 0 258 39 30 0.169124 64 13 0 281 20 30 0.169125 64 13 0 348 39 30 0.169126 65 4 15 34 34 15 0.112127 65 4 15 55 25 45 0.112128 65 4 15 124 34 15 0.112129 65 4 15 145 25 45 0.112130 65 4 15 214 34 15 0.112131 65 4 15 235 25 45 0.112132 65 4 15 304 34 15 0.112133 65 4 15 325 25 45 0.112134 67 50 15 45 0 0 0.169135 67 50 15 135 0 0 0.169136 67 50 15 225 0 0 0.169137 67 50 15 315 0 0 0.169138 69 25 30 0 0 0 0.143139 69 25 30 90 0 0 0.143140 69 25 30 180 0 0 0.143141 69 25 30 270 0 0 0.143142 72 42 30 21 18 0 0.169143 72 42 30 68 42 0 0.169144 72 42 30 111 18 0 0.169145 72 42 30 158 42 0 0.169146 72 42 30 201 18 0 0.169147 72 42 30 248 42 0 0.169148 72 42 30 291 18 0 0.169149 72 42 30 338 42 0 0.169150 74 42 0 33 5 0 0.169151 74 42 0 56 55 0 0.169152 74 42 0 123 5 0 0.169153 74 42 0 146 55 0 0.169154 74 42 0 213 5 0 0.169155 74 42 0 236 55 0 0.169156 74 42 0 303 5 0 0.169157 74 42 0 326 55 0 0.169158 75 34 0 9 26 30 0.169159 75 34 0 80 33 30 0.169160 75 34 0 99 26 30 0.169161 75 34 0 170 33 30 0.169162 75 34 0 189 26 30 0.169163 75 34 0 260 33 30 0.169164 75 34 0 279 26 30 0.169165 75 34 0 350 33 30 0.169166 79 8 15 45 0 0 0.169167 79 8 15 135 0 0 0.169168 79 8 15 225 0 0 0.169169 79 8 15 315 0 0 0.169170 79 18 0 0 0 0 0.112171 79 18 0 90 0 0 0.112172 79 18 0 180 0 0 0.112173 79 18 0 270 0 0 0.112174 83 47 15 24 36 45 0.169175 83 47 15 65 23 15 0.169176 83 47 15 114 36 45 0.169177 83 47 15 155 23 15 0.169178 83 47 15 204 36 45 0.169179 83 47 15 245 23 15 0.169180 83 47 15 294 36 45 0.169181 83 47 15 335 23 15 0.169182 84 46 45 35 54 15 0.143183 84 46 45 54 5 45 0.143184 84 46 45 125 54 15 0.143185 84 46 45 144 5 45 0.143186 84 46 45 215 54 15 0.143187 84 46 45 234 5 45 0.143188 84 46 45 305 54 15 0.143189 84 46 45 324 5 45 0.143190 85 0 15 14 6 30 0.143191 85 0 15 75 53 30 0.143192 85 0 15 104 6 30 0.143193 85 0 15 165 53 30 0.143194 85 0 15 194 6 30 0.143195 85 0 15 255 53 30 0.143196 85 0 15 284 6 30 0.143197 85 0 15 345 53 30 0.143198 85 39 15 4 54 15 0.112199 85 39 15 85 5 45 0.112200 85 39 15 94 54 15 0.112201 85 39 15 175 5 45 0.112202 85 39 15 184 54 15 0.112203 85 39 15 265 5 45 0.112204 85 39 15 274 54 15 0.112205 85 39 15 355 5 45 0.112__________________________________________________________________________

A still further modification is shown in FIG. 6. This golf ball has 422 dimples, all dimples having the same diameter of 0.143 inch and the same depth of 0.0103 inch. The dimples are arranged in a configuration so as to provide a dimple-free equatorial line, with each hemisphere of the ball having six identical dimpled substantially mating sections with a common dimple at each pole. FIG. 6 shows two mating sections having dimples 1 and 2, respectively. Each section comprises six dimples lying substantially along a line parallel with but spaced from the equatorial line, 29 dimples between the six dimples and the common polar dimple, with the outer dimples of each of said sections lying on modified sinusoidal lines 113 and 115.

Since only one diameter is used for all dimples, some small percentage of overlap occurs in order to provide substantial surface coverage with the dimples. For this particular pattern, there is an 11.4% (48) dimple overlap with a 73.2% coverage of the surface area of the ball. Overlap is determined by finding the number of dimples having an edge overlapping any other dimple and dividing that number by the total number of dimples on the ball, such number being expressed as a percentage.

The following are the coordinates for the dimple pattern of the 422 dimple ball having one size of dimples:

__________________________________________________________________________DIMPLE LATITUDE LONGITUDE DIMPLENUMBER Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds DIAMETER__________________________________________________________________________ 1 0 0 0 30 0 0 0.143 2 10 25 0 30 0 0 0.143 3 10 25 0 90 0 0 0.143 4 10 25 0 150 0 0 0.143 5 10 25 0 210 0 0 0.143 6 10 25 0 270 0 0 0.143 7 10 25 0 330 0 0 0.143 8 18 17 45 0 0 0 0.143 9 18 17 45 60 0 0 0.143 10 18 17 45 120 0 0 0.143 11 18 17 45 180 0 0 0.143 12 18 17 45 240 0 0 0.143 13 18 17 45 300 0 0 0.143 14 20 49 45 30 0 0 0.143 15 20 49 45 90 0 0 0.143 16 20 49 45 150 0 0 0.143 17 20 49 45 210 0 0 0.143 18 20 49 45 270 0 0 0.143 19 20 49 45 330 0 0 0.143 20 27 43 15 49 19 0 0.143 21 27 43 15 109 19 0 0.143 22 27 43 15 169 19 0 0.143 23 27 43 15 229 19 0 0.143 24 27 43 15 289 19 0 0.143 25 27 43 15 349 19 0 0.143 26 27 43 30 10 40 45 0.143 27 27 43 30 70 40 45 0.143 28 27 43 30 130 40 45 0.143 29 27 43 30 190 40 45 0.143 30 27 43 30 250 40 45 0.143 31 27 43 30 310 40 45 0.143 32 30 48 45 30 0 0 0.143 33 30 48 45 90 0 0 0.143 34 30 48 45 150 0 0 0.143 35 30 48 45 210 0 0 0.143 36 30 48 45 270 0 0 0.143 37 30 48 45 330 0 0 0.143 38 39 25 30 7 34 30 0.143 39 39 25 30 52 25 30 0.143 40 39 25 30 67 34 30 0.143 41 39 25 30 112 25 30 0.143 42 39 25 30 127 34 30 0.143 43 39 25 30 172 25 30 0.143 44 39 25 30 187 34 30 0.143 45 39 25 30 232 25 30 0.143 46 39 25 30 247 34 30 0.143 47 39 25 30 292 25 30 0.143 48 39 25 30 307 34 30 0.143 49 39 25 30 352 25 30 0.143 50 39 39 15 22 13 30 0.143 51 39 39 15 82 13 30 0.143 52 39 39 15 142 13 30 0.143 53 39 39 15 202 13 30 0.143 54 39 39 15 262 13 30 0.143 55 39 39 15 322 13 30 0.143 56 39 39 15 37 46 30 0.143 57 39 39 15 97 46 30 0.143 58 39 39 15 157 46 30 0.143 59 39 39 15 217 46 30 0.143 60 39 39 15 277 46 30 0.143 61 39 39 15 337 46 30 0.143 62 48 35 15 13 42 45 0.143 63 48 35 15 46 17 15 0.143 64 48 35 15 73 42 45 0.143 65 48 35 15 106 17 15 0.143 66 48 36 15 133 42 45 0.143 67 48 35 15 166 17 15 0.143 68 48 35 15 193 42 45 0.143 69 48 35 15 226 17 15 0.143 70 48 35 15 253 42 45 0.143 71 48 35 15 286 17 15 0.143 72 48 35 15 313 42 45 0.143 73 48 35 15 346 17 15 0.143 74 49 19 0 60 0 0 0.143 75 49 19 0 120 0 0 0.143 76 49 19 0 180 0 0 0.143 77 49 19 0 240 0 0 0.143 78 49 19 0 300 0 0 0.143 79 49 19 0 360 0 0 0.143 80 49 40 30 30 0 0 0.143 81 49 40 30 90 0 0 0.143 82 49 40 30 150 0 0 0.143 83 49 40 30 210 0 0 0.143 84 49 40 30 270 0 0 0.143 85 49 40 30 330 0 0 0.143 86 58 1 30 18 41 30 0.143 87 58 1 30 41 18 30 0.143 88 58 1 30 78 41 30 0.143 89 58 1 30 101 18 30 0.143 90 58 1 30 138 41 30 0.143 91 58 1 30 161 18 30 0.143 92 58 1 30 198 41 30 0.143 93 58 1 30 221 18 30 0.143 94 58 1 30 258 41 30 0.143 95 58 1 30 281 18 30 0.143 96 58 1 30 318 41 30 0.143 97 58 1 30 341 18 30 0.143 98 58 14 15 6 6 15 0.143 99 58 14 15 53 53 45 0.143100 58 14 15 66 6 15 0.143101 58 14 15 113 53 45 0.143102 58 14 15 126 6 15 0.143103 58 14 15 173 53 45 0.143104 58 14 15 186 6 15 0.143105 58 14 15 233 53 45 0.143106 58 14 15 246 6 15 0.143107 58 14 15 293 53 45 0.143108 58 14 15 306 6 15 0.143109 58 14 15 353 53 45 0.143110 60 8 15 30 0 0 0.143111 60 8 15 90 0 0 0.143112 50 8 15 150 0 0 0.143113 60 8 15 210 0 0 0.143114 60 8 15 270 0 0 0.143115 60 8 15 330 0 0 0.143116 67 3 0 11 19 15 0.143117 67 3 0 48 40 45 0.143118 67 3 0 71 19 15 0.143119 67 3 0 108 40 45 0.143120 67 3 0 131 19 15 0.143121 67 3 0 168 40 45 0.143122 67 3 0 191 19 15 0.143123 67 3 0 228 40 45 0.143124 67 3 0 251 19 15 0.143125 67 3 0 288 40 45 0.143126 67 3 0 311 19 15 0.143127 67 3 0 348 40 45 0.143128 67 15 45 0 0 0 0.143129 67 15 45 60 0 0 0.143130 67 15 45 120 0 0 0.143131 67 15 45 180 0 0 0.143132 67 15 45 240 0 0 0.143133 67 15 45 300 0 0 0.143134 67 39 30 22 36 30 0.143135 67 39 30 37 23 30 0.143136 67 39 30 82 36 30 0.143137 67 39 30 97 23 30 0.143138 67 39 30 142 36 30 0.143139 67 39 30 157 23 30 0.143140 67 39 30 202 36 30 0.143141 67 39 30 217 23 30 0.143142 67 39 30 262 36 30 0.143143 67 39 30 277 23 30 0.143144 67 39 30 322 36 30 0.143145 67 39 30 337 23 30 0.143146 74 20 30 30 0 0 0.143147 74 20 30 90 0 0 0.143148 74 20 30 150 0 0 0.143149 74 20 30 210 0 0 0.143150 74 20 30 270 0 0 0.143151 74 20 30 330 0 0 0.143152 75 54 0 5 20 45 0.143153 75 54 0 54 39 15 0.143154 75 54 0 65 20 45 0.143155 75 54 0 114 39 15 0.143156 75 54 0 125 20 45 0.143157 75 54 0 174 39 15 0.143158 75 54 0 185 20 45 0.143159 75 54 0 234 39 15 0.143160 75 54 0 245 20 45 0.143161 75 54 0 294 39 15 0.143162 75 54 0 305 20 45 0.143163 75 54 0 354 39 15 0.143164 75 57 0 16 16 30 0.143165 75 57 0 43 43 30 0.143166 75 57 0 76 16 30 0.143167 75 57 0 103 43 30 0.143168 75 57 0 136 16 30 0.143169 75 57 0 163 43 30 0.143170 75 57 0 196 16 30 0.143171 75 57 0 223 43 30 0.143172 75 57 0 256 16 30 0.143173 75 57 0 283 43 30 0.143174 75 57 0 316 16 30 0.143175 75 57 0 343 43 30 0.143176 84 17 45 0 0 0 0.143177 84 17 45 30 0 0 0.143178 84 17 45 60 0 0 0.143179 84 17 45 90 0 0 0.143180 84 17 45 120 0 0 0.143181 84 17 45 150 0 0 0.143182 84 17 45 180 0 0 0.143183 84 17 45 210 0 0 0.143184 84 17 45 240 0 0 0.143185 84 17 45 270 0 0 0.143186 84 17 45 300 0 0 0.143187 84 17 45 330 0 0 0.143188 84 19 45 10 17 30 0.143189 84 19 45 49 42 30 0.143190 84 19 45 70 17 30 0.143191 84 19 45 109 42 30 0.143192 84 19 45 130 17 30 0.143193 84 19 45 169 42 30 0.143194 84 19 45 190 17 30 0.143195 84 19 45 229 42 30 0.143196 84 19 45 250 17 30 0.143197 84 19 45 289 42 30 0.143198 84 19 45 310 17 30 0.143199 84 19 45 349 42 30 0.143200 85 1 15 20 9 30 0.143201 85 1 15 39 50 30 0.143202 85 1 15 80 9 30 0.143203 85 1 15 99 50 30 0.143204 85 1 15 140 9 30 0.143205 85 1 15 159 50 30 0.143206 85 1 15 200 9 30 0.143207 85 1 15 219 50 30 0.143208 85 1 15 260 9 30 0.143209 85 1 15 279 50 30 0.143210 85 1 15 320 9 30 0.143211 85 1 15 339 50 30 0.143__________________________________________________________________________

A modification of the pattern shown in FIG. 6 is provided by adjusting the location of the dimples so as to substantially eliminate any dimple overlap. In this modification the ball has 422 dimples, all dimples having the same diameter of 0.143 inch and the same depth of 0.0103 inch. The configuration is substantially the same as that discussed above relative to FIG. 6.

The following are the coordinates of the modified dimple pattern of the 422 dimple ball having one size of dimples with no dimple overlap:

__________________________________________________________________________DIMPLE LATITUDE LONGITUDE DIMPLENUMBER Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds DIAMETER__________________________________________________________________________ 1 0 0 0 90 0 0 0.143 2 10 41 0 30 0 0 0.143 3 10 41 0 90 0 0 0.143 4 10 41 0 150 0 0 0.143 5 10 41 0 210 0 0 0.143 6 10 41 0 270 0 0 0.143 7 10 41 0 330 0 0 0.143 8 20 1 0 60 0 0 0.143 9 20 1 0 120 0 0 0.143 10 20 1 0 180 0 0 0.143 11 20 1 0 240 0 0 0.143 12 20 1 0 300 0 0 0.143 13 20 1 0 360 0 0 0.143 14 21 22 0 30 0 0 0.143 15 21 22 0 90 0 0 0.143 16 21 22 0 150 0 0 0.143 17 21 22 0 210 0 0 0.143 18 21 22 0 270 0 0 0.143 19 21 22 0 330 0 0 0.143 20 29 15 45 11 14 0 0.143 21 29 15 45 48 46 0 0.143 22 29 15 45 71 14 0 0.143 23 29 15 45 108 46 0 0.143 24 29 15 45 131 14 0 0.143 25 29 15 45 168 46 0 0.143 26 29 15 45 191 14 0 0.143 27 29 15 45 228 46 0 0.143 28 29 15 45 251 14 0 0.143 29 29 15 45 288 46 0 0.143 30 29 15 45 311 14 0 0.143 31 29 15 45 348 46 0 0.143 32 32 2 45 30 0 0 0.143 33 32 2 45 90 0 0 0.143 34 32 2 45 150 0 0 0.143 35 32 2 45 210 0 0 0.143 36 32 2 45 270 0 0 0.143 37 32 2 45 330 0 0 0.143 38 40 26 15 7 51 0 0.143 39 49 26 15 52 9 0 0.143 40 40 26 15 67 51 0 0.143 41 40 26 15 112 9 0 0.143 42 40 26 15 127 51 0 0.143 43 40 26 15 172 9 0 0.143 44 40 26 15 187 51 0 0.143 45 40 26 15 232 9 0 0.143 46 40 26 15 247 51 0 0.143 47 40 26 15 292 9 0 0.143 48 40 26 15 307 51 0 0.143 49 40 26 15 352 9 0 0.143 50 41 48 45 22 49 0 0.143 51 41 48 45 37 11 0 0.143 52 41 48 45 82 49 0 0.143 53 41 48 45 97 11 0 0.143 54 41 48 45 142 49 0 0.143 55 41 48 45 157 11 0 0.143 56 41 48 45 202 49 0 0.143 57 41 48 45 217 11 0 0.143 58 41 48 45 262 49 0 0.143 59 41 48 45 277 11 0 0.143 60 41 48 45 322 49 0 0.143 61 41 48 45 337 11 0 0.143 62 49 54 30 13 44 15 0.143 63 49 54 30 46 15 45 0.143 64 49 54 30 73 44 15 0.143 65 49 54 30 106 15 45 0.143 66 49 54 30 133 44 15 0.143 67 49 54 30 166 15 45 0.143 68 49 54 30 193 44 15 0.143 69 49 54 30 226 15 45 0.143 70 49 54 30 253 44 15 0.143 71 49 54 30 286 15 45 0.143 72 49 54 30 313 44 15 0.143 73 49 54 30 346 15 45 0.143 74 49 58 0 0 0 0 0.143 75 49 58 0 60 0 0 0.143 76 49 58 0 120 0 0 0.143 77 49 58 0 180 0 0 0.143 78 49 58 0 240 0 0 0.143 79 49 58 0 300 0 0 0.143 80 51 14 15 30 0 0 0.143 81 49 14 15 90 0 0 0.143 82 49 14 15 150 0 0 0.143 83 49 14 15 210 0 0 0.143 84 49 14 15 270 0 0 0.143 85 49 14 15 330 0 0 0.143 86 58 41 45 6 8 30 0.143 87 58 41 45 53 51 30 0.143 88 58 41 45 66 8 30 0.143 89 58 41 45 113 51 30 0.143 90 58 41 45 126 8 30 0.143 91 58 41 45 173 51 30 0.143 92 58 41 45 186 8 30 0.143 93 58 41 45 233 51 30 0.143 94 58 41 45 246 8 30 0.143 95 58 41 45 293 51 30 0.143 96 58 41 45 306 8 30 0.143 97 58 41 45 353 51 30 0.143 98 59 14 30 18 5 30 0.143 99 59 14 30 41 54 30 0.143100 59 14 30 78 5 30 0.143101 59 14 30 101 54 30 0.143102 59 14 30 138 5 30 0.143103 59 14 30 161 54 30 0.143104 59 14 30 198 5 30 0.143105 59 14 30 221 54 30 0.143106 59 14 30 258 5 30 0.143107 59 14 30 281 54 30 0.143108 59 14 30 318 5 30 0.143109 59 14 30 341 54 30 0.143110 61 22 30 30 0 0 0.143111 61 22 30 90 0 0 0.143112 61 22 30 150 0 0 0.143113 61 22 30 210 0 0 0.143114 61 22 30 270 0 0 0.143115 61 22 30 330 0 0 0.143116 67 29 30 10 58 15 0.143117 67 29 30 49 1 45 0.143118 67 29 30 70 58 15 0.143119 67 29 30 109 1 45 0.143120 67 29 30 130 58 15 0.143121 67 29 30 169 1 45 0.143122 67 29 30 190 58 15 0.143123 67 29 30 229 1 45 0.143124 67 29 30 250 58 15 0.143125 67 29 30 289 1 45 0.143126 67 29 30 310 58 15 0.143127 67 29 30 349 1 45 0.143128 67 52 45 0 0 0 0.143129 67 52 45 60 0 0 0.143130 67 52 45 120 0 0 0.143131 67 52 45 180 0 0 0.143132 67 52 45 240 0 0 0.143133 67 52 45 300 0 0 0.143134 68 25 45 22 23 15 0.143135 68 25 45 37 36 45 0.143136 68 25 45 82 23 15 0.143137 68 25 45 97 36 45 0.143138 68 25 45 142 23 15 0.143139 68 25 45 157 36 45 0.143140 68 25 45 202 23 15 0.143141 68 25 45 217 36 45 0.143142 68 25 45 262 23 15 0.143143 68 25 45 277 36 45 0.143144 68 25 45 322 23 15 0.143145 68 25 45 337 36 45 0.143146 74 54 30 30 0 0 0.143147 74 54 30 90 0 0 0.143148 74 54 30 150 0 0 0.143149 74 54 30 210 0 0 0.143150 74 54 30 270 0 0 0.143151 74 54 30 330 0 0 0.143152 76 12 45 15 53 30 0.143153 76 12 45 44 6 30 0.143154 76 12 45 75 53 30 0.143155 76 12 45 104 6 30 0.143156 76 12 45 135 53 30 0.143157 76 12 45 164 6 30 0.143158 76 12 45 195 53 30 0.143159 76 12 45 224 6 30 0.143160 76 12 45 255 53 30 0.143161 76 12 45 284 6 30 0.143162 76 12 45 315 53 30 0.143163 76 12 45 344 6 30 0.143164 76 20 15 5 14 30 0.143165 76 20 15 54 45 30 0.143166 76 20 15 65 14 30 0.143167 76 20 15 114 45 30 0.143168 76 20 15 125 14 30 0.143169 76 20 15 174 45 30 0.143170 76 20 15 185 14 30 0.143171 76 20 15 234 45 30 0.143172 76 20 15 245 14 30 0.143173 76 20 15 294 45 30 0.143174 76 20 15 305 14 30 0.143175 76 20 15 354 45 30 0.143176 84 40 30 10 17 15 0.143177 84 40 30 49 42 45 0.143178 84 40 30 70 17 15 0.143179 84 40 30 109 42 45 0.143180 84 40 30 130 17 15 0.143181 84 40 30 169 42 45 0.143182 84 40 30 190 17 15 0.143183 84 40 30 229 42 45 0.143184 84 40 30 250 17 15 0.143185 84 40 30 289 42 45 0.143186 84 40 30 310 17 15 0.143187 84 40 30 349 42 45 0.143188 84 41 15 0 0 0 0.143189 84 41 15 30 0 0 0.143190 84 41 15 60 0 0 0.143191 84 41 15 90 0 0 0.143192 84 41 15 120 0 0 0.143193 84 41 15 150 0 0 0.143194 84 41 15 180 0 0 0.143195 84 41 15 210 0 0 0.143196 84 41 15 240 0 0 0.143197 84 41 15 270 0 0 0.143198 84 41 15 300 0 0 0.143199 84 41 15 330 0 0 0.143200 85 1 15 20 9 30 0.143201 85 1 15 39 50 30 0.143202 85 1 15 80 9 30 0.143203 85 1 15 99 50 30 0.143204 85 1 15 140 9 30 0.143205 85 1 15 159 50 30 0.143206 85 1 15 200 9 30 0.143207 85 1 15 219 50 30 0.143208 85 1 15 260 9 30 0.143209 85 1 15 279 50 30 0.143210 85 1 15 320 9 30 0.143211 85 1 15 339 50 30 0.143__________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the advantages discussed above, there is easier access to the ball with the club in both the fairway and rough because of the ball's size. This easier access allows for cleaner hits. Further, the increased size and moment results in the ball's ability to hold the line during putting. Also, by increasing the percentage of dimple coverage of the surface of the ball, the ball has the advantages attributable to the larger ball while having enhanced flight characteristics as compared to previous balls having enlarged diameters.

Consumer player preference tests were conducted with a group of 1.016 golfers representing a spectrum of amateur players. The players were not aware of the particular ball they were hitting. These tests produced the following results:

__________________________________________________________________________OVERALL PREFERENCE(PERCENT)__________________________________________________________________________PARTICIPANTS BALL OF FIGS. 3 & 4 PLUS II DIFFERENCE**__________________________________________________________________________Total Golfers 54.3 45.7 8.6Heavy Users* 55.3 44.7 10.6Females 60.2 39.8 20.4__________________________________________________________________________AGE OF PARTICIPANTS BALL OF FIGS. 3 & 4 PLUS II DIFFERENCE**__________________________________________________________________________18-34 58.0 42.0 16.035-49 54.0 46.0 8.050-59 58.3 41.7 16.060+ 48.5 51.4 (2.9)__________________________________________________________________________ *Heavy users represent 78% of all balls purchased. **5.5% for significance.

In all tests referenced above, the identification of the balls used are manufactured by the following companies:

______________________________________TITLEIST 384 TOUR 100 ACUSHNETTITLEIST HVC 90 ACUSHNETTITLEIST TOUR 100 ACUSHNETHVC 90 ACUSHNETBRIDGESTONE PRECEPT BRIDGESTONEMAXFLI MD 90 DUNLOPMD 90 DUNLOPTOUR EDITION 90 SPALDINGTOUR EDITION 100 SPALDINGTOP-FLITE II SPALDINGTOP-FLITE XL II SPALDINGSLAZENGER 480 SLAZENGERPRO STAFF WILSONULTRA 90 WILSONWILSON PROSTAFF WILSONWILSON ULTRA 90 WILSON______________________________________

The above description and drawings are illustrative only since obvious modifications could be made without departing from the invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf ball of improved playing characteristics comprising

a ball having a mean outside diameter of substantially between 1.70 and 1.80 inches; and

a dimple pattern comprising a plurality of dimples on the surface of said ball, said dimple pattern covering at least 70.0% of the surface of said ball;

said ball having a coefficient of restitution between 0.790 and 0.830.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said dimple pattern has dimples of at least two different diameters.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said ball has a weight no greater than 1.62 ounces.

4. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a cover and a core, the core of said ball comprising polybutadiene.

5. The golf ball of claim 4 wherein said cover comprises polybutadiene, zinc diacrylate, and zinc stearate.

6. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a hard polymer cover surrounding a core comprising linked polybutadiene, zinc diacrylate and zinc stearate.

7. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a hard polymer cover surrounding a core comprising crosslinked polybutadiene and zinc diacrylate, the hard polymer cover having a hardness of from about 69 to about 73 Shore D.

8. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a hard polymer cover surrounding a core, said cover comprising an ionomer resin having from about 69 to about 73 Shore D hardness.

9. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a cover surrounding a core, said core comprising crosslinked polybutadiene with a metal diacrylate.

10. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a cover surrounding a core, said core formed by a mixture comprising 100 parts by weight polybutadiene, 21 parts by weight of a metal diacrylate, 20 parts by weight ground flash, 6 parts by weight zinc oxide, 4.5 parts by weight calcium carbonate, 15 parts by weight zinc stearate, and 1.5 parts by weight peroxide, said cover formed by a mixture comprising about 97.5 parts by weight of at least one ionomer resin, about 2.25 parts by weight titanium dioxide, about 0.1 parts by weight optical brightener, about 0.02 parts by weight ultramarine blue, and about 0.004 parts by weight Santonox R.