GB2083365A

GB2083365A - Golf balls

Info

Publication number: GB2083365A
Application number: GB8127004A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-11
Filing date: 1981-09-07
Publication date: 1982-03-24

Abstract

So that a golf ball can be "aimed" in the direction in which it is to be driven before addressing it, the ball is provided with markings extending circumferentially around the ball, the markings being single or double continuous lines or lines of arrows 12, or a coloured row of otherwise conventional indentations 10 in the ball. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Golf balls The invention relates to golf balls and has for its object to provide an improvement therein.

In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide a golf ball which a golfer, perhaps a golfer of little experience, will find very useful when "addressing" the ball.

The act of "addressing" the ball before driving off from a golf tee is one which some golfers find very difficult. It involves taking up a proper stance and facing exactly at right angles to the direction in which the ball is to be driven. In concentrating on the ball and on his stance, and subsequently on the swing of his club, it is very easy for a golfer to lose his directional accurcy.

According to the invention, there is provided a golf ball bearing on its surface at least one continuous circumferential line, or a series of discrete line markings defining at least one circumferential line, or at least one arrow, by means of which a golfer when teeing off can initially "aim" the ball in the direction in which he wishes to drive it, that is to say by aligning the markings on its surface with the intended direction of his drive, so that he can then concentrate solely on the ball whilst "addressing" it and subsequently driving off.

Preferably, in all other respects, the ball will conform to Rules laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, that is to say, the weight of the ball will not be greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (54.93 g.m.) and the size of the ball will not be less than 1.620 ins. (41.15 m.m.) diameter. In addition, the velocity of the ball will preferably not be greater than 250 feet (76.2m) per second when measured on apparatus approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (the temperature of the ball when so tested being 75"F. (25"C). However, in a golf ball intended only for practice purposes, the ball need not necessarily be in strict accordnce with such rules.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of golf ball embodying the invention, and Figures 2 to 5 are views similar to Fig. 1 which illustrate various possible alternative forms of the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the golf ball there illustrated is of generally conventional form and is of a weight and size approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, that is to say, its weight is not greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (45.93 g.m.) and not less than 1.620 ins.

(41.15 m.m.) in diameter. In addition, its construction is such that its velocity is not greater than 250 feet (76.2 m.) per second when measured on apparatus approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

The ball is provided with a series of closely spaced indentations 10 which are also quite conventional.

However, as can be seen in Fig. 1, the ball is provided with a series of arrows 1 2 defining a circumferential line at the widest circumference of the ball. In this way a golfer, when teeing off, can initially "aim" the ball in the direction in which he wishes to drive it, that is to say by aligning the arrows on its surface with the intended direction of his drive, so that he can then concentrate solely on the ball whilst "addressing" it and subsequently driving off.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a ball generally simIlar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 except for the fact that the series of arrows 1 2 have been replaced by a continuous circumferential line 14 which obviously allows the ball to be used in the same way as that illustrated in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a further variation, that is to say the provision of a pair of circumferential lines 1 6 closely spaced one on each side of the widest circumference of the ball. Here again the ball can be used in exactly the same manner as the ball illustrated in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a ball very similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the only difference being that instead of being provided with a single line of arrows 1 2 the ball is provided with a double row of arrows closely spaced one on each side of the widest circumference of the ball.

Finally, in Fig. 5 there is illustrated a ball very similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, except that, instead of being provided with arrows or line markings, the ball has a circumferential row of the otherwise conventional indentations 10 which stand out from the other such indentations by being coloured. (For example, they may be coloured red).

Various other modifications may be made and it will be understood that whatever markings are adopted to define the one or more circumferential line by means of which a golfer can "aim" the ball these may be appropriately coloured in whatever way is found to make them best stand out from the usually white colour of the remainder of the ball.

1. A golf ball bearing on its surface either at least one continuous circumferential line, or a series of discrete line markings defining at least one circumferential line, or at least one arrow, by means of which a golfer when teeing off can initially "aim" the ball in the direction in which he wishes to drive it, that is

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Golf balls The invention relates to golf balls and has for its object to provide an improvement therein. In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide a golf ball which a golfer, perhaps a golfer of little experience, will find very useful when "addressing" the ball. The act of "addressing" the ball before driving off from a golf tee is one which some golfers find very difficult. It involves taking up a proper stance and facing exactly at right angles to the direction in which the ball is to be driven. In concentrating on the ball and on his stance, and subsequently on the swing of his club, it is very easy for a golfer to lose his directional accurcy. According to the invention, there is provided a golf ball bearing on its surface at least one continuous circumferential line, or a series of discrete line markings defining at least one circumferential line, or at least one arrow, by means of which a golfer when teeing off can initially "aim" the ball in the direction in which he wishes to drive it, that is to say by aligning the markings on its surface with the intended direction of his drive, so that he can then concentrate solely on the ball whilst "addressing" it and subsequently driving off. Preferably, in all other respects, the ball will conform to Rules laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, that is to say, the weight of the ball will not be greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (54.93 g.m.) and the size of the ball will not be less than 1.620 ins. (41.15 m.m.) diameter. In addition, the velocity of the ball will preferably not be greater than 250 feet (76.2m) per second when measured on apparatus approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (the temperature of the ball when so tested being 75"F. (25"C). However, in a golf ball intended only for practice purposes, the ball need not necessarily be in strict accordnce with such rules. In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of golf ball embodying the invention, and Figures 2 to 5 are views similar to Fig. 1 which illustrate various possible alternative forms of the invention. Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the golf ball there illustrated is of generally conventional form and is of a weight and size approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, that is to say, its weight is not greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (45.93 g.m.) and not less than 1.620 ins. (41.15 m.m.) in diameter. In addition, its construction is such that its velocity is not greater than 250 feet (76.2 m.) per second when measured on apparatus approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. The ball is provided with a series of closely spaced indentations 10 which are also quite conventional. However, as can be seen in Fig. 1, the ball is provided with a series of arrows 1 2 defining a circumferential line at the widest circumference of the ball. In this way a golfer, when teeing off, can initially "aim" the ball in the direction in which he wishes to drive it, that is to say by aligning the arrows on its surface with the intended direction of his drive, so that he can then concentrate solely on the ball whilst "addressing" it and subsequently driving off. In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a ball generally simIlar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 except for the fact that the series of arrows 1 2 have been replaced by a continuous circumferential line 14 which obviously allows the ball to be used in the same way as that illustrated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a further variation, that is to say the provision of a pair of circumferential lines 1 6 closely spaced one on each side of the widest circumference of the ball. Here again the ball can be used in exactly the same manner as the ball illustrated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a ball very similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the only difference being that instead of being provided with a single line of arrows 1 2 the ball is provided with a double row of arrows closely spaced one on each side of the widest circumference of the ball. Finally, in Fig. 5 there is illustrated a ball very similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, except that, instead of being provided with arrows or line markings, the ball has a circumferential row of the otherwise conventional indentations 10 which stand out from the other such indentations by being coloured. (For example, they may be coloured red). Various other modifications may be made and it will be understood that whatever markings are adopted to define the one or more circumferential line by means of which a golfer can "aim" the ball these may be appropriately coloured in whatever way is found to make them best stand out from the usually white colour of the remainder of the ball. CLAIMS

1. A golf ball bearing on its surface either at least one continuous circumferential line, or a series of discrete line markings defining at least one circumferential line, or at least one arrow, by means of which a golfer when teeing off can initially "aim" the ball in the direction in which he wishes to drive it, that is to say by aligning the markings on its surface with the intended direction of his drive, so that he can then concentrate solely on the ball whilst "addressing" it and subsequently driving off.

2. A golf ball according to claim 1, in which, in all other respects, the ball conforms to Rules laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, that is to say, the weight of the ball is not greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois (54.93 g.m.) and the size of the ball is not less than 1.620 ins. (41.15 m.m.) diameter.

3. A golf ball according to claim 2, in which the velocity of the ball is not greater than 250 feet (76.2 m.) per second when measured on apparatus approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (the temperature of the ball when so tested being 75"F. (25"C).

4. A golf ball having surface markings and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.