WO2017062576A1

WO2017062576A1 - Golf ball with alignment indicia

Info

Publication number: WO2017062576A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/055686
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Adams; Robert Koch
Original assignee: Rm&G Products
Priority date: 2015-10-06
Filing date: 2016-10-06
Publication date: 2017-04-13

Abstract

Provided is a golf ball with alignment indicia including a predominate, elongate alignment indicium and plural secondary alignment indicia offset at an angle to the predominate alignment indicium. While on a putting surface, a golfer aligns one of the plural secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolls the ball along the predominate indicium to compensate for the expected slope of the putting surface.

Description

GOLF BALL WITH ALIGNMENT INDICIA

Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/237,895 filed October 6, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf balls, and more particularly to golf balls with alignment indicia on their surfaces.

Background

Alignment indicia may be provided to assist a golfer in aligning a putt. For example, indicia may be provided on a putter head in the form of a straight line to assist the golfer in aligning the putter head with a golf ball. Indicia may also be provided on a ball marker in the form of a straight line to assist the golfer in aligning the golf ball and putting stroke. Indicia may additionally be provided on a golf ball in the form of a straight line or circle to assist the golfer in aligning the golf ball with the hole.

Summary of Invention

The present application provides a golf ball with alignment indicia including a predominate, elongate alignment indicium and plural secondary alignment indicia offset at an angle to the predominate alignment indicium.

While on a putting surface, a golfer aligns one of the plural secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolls the ball along the predominate indicium to compensate for the expected slope of the putting surface.

According to an aspect of the application, a golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface is provided, the alignment indicia including a predominate, elongate alignment indicium, and plural secondary alignment indicia, each offset at an angle to the predominate alignment indicium, wherein aligning one of the plural secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolling the ball along the predominate indicium compensates for the expected slope of a putting surface. According to another aspect of the application, a golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface is provided, the alignment indicia including an elongate alignment indicium, a base indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium, a first plurality of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a first direction and angled relative to the first elongate indicium, and a second plurality of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a second direction opposite the first direction and angled relative to the first elongate indicium.

According to still another aspect of the application, a golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface is provided, the alignment indicia including an elongate alignment indicium, and plural slope indicia, each slope indicia having an angle corresponding to a typical slope of a putting surface.

According to yet another aspect of the application, a golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface is provided, the alignment indicia including an elongate alignment indicium, a base indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium, and plural slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium, at least one of the plural slope indicia radiating on a first side of the elongate alignment indicium and at least one of the plural slope indicia radiating on a second side of the elongate alignment indicium.

According to a further aspect of the application, a golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface is provided, the alignment indicia including an elongate alignment indicium, a base indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium, a first pair of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a first direction and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium, and a second pair of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a second direction opposite the first direction and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium.

According to another aspect of the application, a golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface is provided, the alignment indicia including a first predominate, elongate alignment indicium, a second predominate, elongate alignment indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium, a first plurality of secondary alignment indicia, each offset at an angle to the first predominate alignment indicium, and a second plurality of secondary alignment indicia, each offset at an angle to the second predominate alignment indicium, wherein aligning one of the first or second plurality of secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolling the ball along the respective first or second predominate elongate alignment indicium compensates for the expected slope of a putting surface.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described below with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of an exemplary golf ball with alignment indicia.

Fig. 2 is a front view of another exemplary golf ball with alignment indicia. Fig. 3 is a front view of still another exemplary golf ball with alignment indicia.

Fig. 4 is a front view of yet another exemplary golf ball with alignment indicia. Detailed Description

Referring initially to Fig. 1 , an exemplary golf ball is illustrated at reference numeral 10. The golf ball 10 is provided with alignment indicia 14 on its surface 12. The indicia 14 may be provided on the surface 12 in any suitable manner, such as by printing the indicia on the surface of the golf ball. In an embodiment, the indicia may be printed on a base coat and a top coat applied over the indicia. The alignment indicia 14 includes a predominate, elongate alignment indicium 16 and plural secondary alignment indicia or slope indicia 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34, each being offset at an angle to the predominate alignment indicium 16. As will be discussed in more detail below, while on a putting surface, a golfer aligns one of the plural secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolls the ball 10 along the predominate indicium 16 to compensate for the expected slope of the putting surface. The plural secondary alignment indicia include alignment indicia 20, 22, 24 and 26 radiating along the surface 12 of the golf ball 10 substantially in a first direction, and alignment indicia 28, 30, 32, and 34 radiating along the surface 12 of the golf ball 12 substantially in a second direction. When one of the alignment indicia 20, 22, 24, or 26 is aligned with the hole, the alignment indicia 20 and 22 radiate on a left side of the elongate alignment indicium 16 for compensating for a slope in a left direction and the alignment indicia 24 and 26 radiate on a right side of the elongate alignment indicium 16 for compensating for a slope in a right direction. When one of the alignment indicia 28, 30, 32, or 34 is aligned with the hole, the alignment indicia 28 and 30 radiate on the left side of the elongate alignment indicium 16 for compensating for a slope in the left direction and the alignment indicia 32 and 34 radiate on the right side of the elongate alignment indicium 16 for compensating for a slope in the right direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the offset angle of the alignment indicia 20 is the same as the offset angle 26 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 16. Similarly, the offset angle of the alignment indicia 22 is the same as the offset angle 24 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 16, the offset angle of the alignment indicia 28 is the same as the offset angle 34 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 16, and the offset angle of the alignment indicia 30 is the same as the offset angle 32 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium. The offset angle of the alignment indicia 22, 24 is greater than the offset angle of the alignment indicia 30, 32, the offset angle of alignment indicia 28, 34 is greater than the offset angle of the alignment indicia 22, 24, and the offset angle of alignment indicia 20, 26 is greater than that offset angle of the alignment indicia 28, 34.

The plural secondary alignment indicia radiate from a base indicium 40 that is perpendicular to and intersects the elongate alignment indicium 16. The plural secondary alignment indicia 20, 22, 24 and 26 radiate in the first direction from the base indicium 40 and the plural secondary alignment indicia 28, 30, 32, and 34 radiate in the second direction from the base indicium 40. The plural secondary alignment indicia each have a connected end that radiates from the base indicium 40 and a free end that extends away from the base indicium 40. The base indicium 40 may include numerical indicia 42, 44, 46, and 48 indicating a degree of slope corresponding to the angle of the respective secondary alignment indicia 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34. Each numerical indicia on the left side of the elongate alignment indicium 16 has a corresponding numerical indicia on the right side of the elongate alignment indicium 16. For example, the numerical indicia 42 for secondary alignment indicia 20 and 26 is illustrated as numeral 4 indicating that the secondary alignment indicia 20 is used for a left slope of four degrees and the secondary alignment indicia 26 is used for a right slope of four degrees. Similarly, the numerical indicia 44 for secondary alignment indicia 22 and 24 is illustrated as numeral 2 indicating that the secondary alignment indicia 22 is used for a left slope of two degrees and the secondary alignment indicia 24 is used for a right slope of two degrees, the numerical indicia 46 for secondary alignment indicia 28 and 34 is illustrated as numeral 3 indicating that the secondary alignment indicia 28 is used for a left slope of three degrees and the secondary alignment indicia 34 is used for a right slope of three degrees, and the numerical indicia 48 for secondary alignment indicia 30 and 32 is illustrated as numeral 1 indicating that the secondary alignment indicia 30 is used for a left slope of one degree and the secondary alignment indicia 32 is used for a right slope of one degree. Although illustrated as 1 , 2, 3, and 4 degrees, it will be appreciated that any suitable slope may be used.

The alignment indicia additionally includes a pair of tertiary elongate alignment indicia 50 and 52 parallel to the predominate elongate alignment indicium 16. The predominate elongate alignment indicia 16 is disposed between the tertiary elongate alignment indicia 50 and 52. The secondary alignment indicia 20, 22, 32, and 34 are disposed between the tertiary elongate alignment indicia 50 and the predominate elongate alignment indicium 16, and the secondary alignment indicia 24, 26, 28, and 30 are disposed between the tertiary elongate alignment indicia 52 and the predominate elongate alignment indicium 16.

To use the alignment indicia to compensate for the expected slope of the putting green, the golfer first estimates the expected slope of the putting surface and direction of the putt. The golfer then aligns the alignment indicia corresponding to the slope and direction with the golf hole, and then rolls the ball along the predominate indicium 16 to compensate for the expected slope. For example, if the golfer determines that the putting surface slopes two degrees right to left, the golfer aligns the alignment indicia 22 with the golf hole and then rolls the ball along the predominate indicium 16, i.e. strikes the ball such that the predominate indicium 16 is perpendicular to the putter face.

To visually confirm the alignment of the golf ball 10, the golfer picks a first spot along an imaginary straight line between the golf ball 10 and the golf hole, and then picks a second spot to the right or left of the first spot depending on the direction of the slope. In the illustrated example, the second spot is one inch to the right or left of the first spot. An imaginary triangle can be drawn between the golf ball 10, the first spot, and the second spot. The hypotenuse of the triangle, which is the line between the golf ball 10 and the second spot, will be aligned with the predominate indicium 16 if the golf ball is properly aligned.

For example, for a one degree slope, on a green with a normal speed and normal ball pace the golf ball will break one twenty-fourth the length of the putt, and therefore the first spot may be chosen twenty-four inches from the golf ball. The angle between the imaginary straight line and the hypotenuse is then determined to be two and thirty-eight hundredths degrees. For a two degree slope, on a green with a normal speed and normal ball pace the golf ball will break two twenty-fourths the length of the putt, and therefore the first spot may be chosen twelve inches from the golf ball. The angle is then determined to be four and seventy-six hundredths degrees. For a three degree slope, on a green with a normal speed and normal ball pace the golf ball will break three twenty- fourths the length of the putt, and therefore the first spot may be chosen eight inches from the golf ball. The angle is then determined to be seven and fourteen hundredths degrees. For a four degree slope, on a green with a normal speed and normal ball pace the golf ball will break four twenty-fourths the length of the putt, and therefore the first spot may be chosen six inches from the golf ball. The angle is then determined to be nine and fifty-two hundredths degrees.

Figs. 2 and 3 are substantially the same as Fig. 1 and thus the same reference numerals are used. In Fig. 2, the base indicium 40 does not include numerical indicia, and in Fig. 3, the base indicium has been removed. Turning now to Fig. 4, an exemplary embodiment of the golf ball with indicia is shown at 1 10. The golf ball 1 10 is substantially the same as the above- referenced golf ball 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but indexed by 100 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the golf balls. In addition, the foregoing description of the golf ball 10 is equally applicable to the golf ball 10 except as noted below.

The golf ball 1 10 is provided with alignment indicia 1 14 on its surface 1 12. The alignment indicia 1 14 includes a first predominate, elongate alignment indicium 1 16, a second predominate, elongate alignment indicium 1 18 perpendicular to the alignment indicium 1 16, plural secondary alignment indicia or slope indicia 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134, and plural alignment indicia or straight putt indicia 136. The plural secondary alignment indicia and the straight put indicia 136 radiate from a center point 140 where the indicium 1 16 and 1 18 intersect.

The straight putt indicia 136 are offset at angles relative to the first and second alignment indicium 1 16 and 1 18. In the illustrated embodiment, four straight putt indicia 136 are provided offset from the indicium 1 16 and 1 18 by about forty-five degree angles, although it will be appreciated that any suitable number of indicia 136 may be provided at any suitable angles. The straight putt indicia 136 are used for aligning with the golf hole for putts with no slope. The golfer aligns one of the indicia 136 with the golf hole when there is no slope and then rolls the ball 1 10 along the indicia 136.

The slope indicia 120, 126, 128, and 134 are offset at an angle to the first predominate alignment indicium 1 16, and the slope indicia 122, 124, 130, and 132 are offset at an angle to the second predominate alignment indicium 1 18. The slope indicia 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134 can be straight lines extending on either side of the respective indicium 1 16 or 1 18 or they can fan out from the indicium 1 16 and 1 18 as shown. The slope indicia fan out further from the indicium 1 16 and 1 18 for higher slopes. For example, the slope indicia 120 and 126 fan out further on either side of the first indicium 1 16 than the slope indicia 128 and 134, and the slope indicia 122 and 124 fan out further on either side of the second indicium 1 18 than the slope indicia 130 and 132. The slope indicia 120 and 126 radiate along the surface 1 12 of the golf ball 1 10 substantially in a first direction, the slope indicia 128 and 134 radiate substantially in a second direction opposite the first direction, the slope indicia 130 and 132 radiate substantially in a third direction perpendicular the first and second directions, and the slope indicia 122 and 124 radiate substantially in a fourth direction opposite the third direction. When one of the alignment indicia 120, 126, 128, or 134 is aligned with the hole, the alignment indicia 120 and 128 radiate on respective left sides of the elongate alignment indicium 1 16 for compensating for a slope in a left direction, and the alignment indicia 126 and 134 radiate on respective right sides of the elongate alignment indicium 1 16 for compensating for a slope in a right direction. When one of the alignment indicia 122, 124, 130, or 132 is aligned with the hole, the alignment indicia 122 and 130 radiate on respective left sides of the elongate alignment indicium 1 18 for compensating for a slope in a left direction, and the alignment indicia 124 and 132 radiate on respective right sides of the elongate alignment indicium 1 18 for compensating for a slope in a right direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the offset angle of the alignment indicia 120 is the same as the offset angle 126 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 1 16. Similarly, the offset angle of the alignment indicia 122 is the same as the offset angle 124 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 1 18, the offset angle of the alignment indicia 128 is the same as the offset angle 134 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 1 16, and the offset angle of the alignment indicia 130 is the same as the offset angle 132 except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium 1 18. The offset angle of the alignment indicia 122, 124 is greater than the offset angle of the alignment indicia 130, 132, the offset angle of alignment indicia 128, 134 is greater than the offset angle of the alignment indicia 122, 124, and the offset angle of alignment indicia 120, 126 is greater than that offset angle of the alignment indicia 128, 134.

The indicia 1 14 may include numerical indicia 142, 144, 146, and 148 indicating a degree of slope corresponding to the angle of the respective secondary alignment indicia 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134. Although illustrated as 1 , 2, 3, and 4 degrees, it will be appreciated that any suitable slope may be used.

To use the alignment indicia to compensate for the expected slope of the putting green, the golfer first estimates the expected slope of the putting surface and direction of the putt. The golfer then aligns the alignment indicium 1 16 or 1 18 with the golf hole, and then rotates the golf ball until the alignment indicia corresponding to the slope and direction is aligned with the golf hole. The golfer then rolls the ball along the predominate indicium 1 16/1 18 to compensate for the expected slope. For example, if the golfer determines that the putting surface slopes two degrees right to left, the golfer aligns the alignment indicia 122 with the golf hole and then rolls the ball along the predominate indicium 1 18.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1 . A golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface, the alignment indicia including:

a predominate, elongate alignment indicium; and

plural secondary alignment indicia, each offset at an angle to the predominate alignment indicium,

wherein aligning one of the plural secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolling the ball along the predominate indicium compensates for the expected slope of a putting surface.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1 , wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia radiate on either side of the elongate alignment indicium.

3. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia include alignment indicia radiating on either side of the elongate alignment indicium and extending in a first direction from a center point of the elongate alignment indicium and alignment indicia radiating on either side of the elongate alignment indicium and extending in a second direction from the center point opposite the first direction.

4. The golf ball according to claim 3, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia extending in the first direction are offset at the same angle as one another except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium, and the plural secondary alignment indicia extending in the second direction are offset at the same angle as one another except mirrored about the elongate alignment indicium.

5. The golf ball according to claim 4, where the angle that the plural secondary alignment indicia are offset extending in the second direction is greater than the angle that the plural secondary alignment indicia are offset extending in the first direction.

6. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, further including a second predominate, elongate alignment indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium, and plural secondary alignment indicia each offset at an angle to the second predominate alignment indicium.

7. The golf ball according to claim 6, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia radiate on either side of the second elongate alignment indicium.

8. The golf ball according to claim 7, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia include alignment indicia radiating on either side of the second elongate alignment indicium and extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions from a center point of the second elongate alignment indicium, and alignment indicia radiating on either side of the second elongate alignment indicium and extending in a fourth direction from the center point opposite the third direction.

9. The golf ball according to claim 8, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia extending in the third direction are offset at the same angle as one another except mirrored about the second elongate alignment indicium, and the plural secondary alignment indicia extending in the fourth direction are offset at the same angle as one another except mirrored about the second elongate alignment indicium.

10. The golf ball according to claim 9, where the angle that the plural secondary alignment indicia are offset extending in the fourth direction is greater than the angle that the plural secondary alignment indicia are offset extending in the third direction.

1 1 . The golf ball according to any preceding claim, further including numerical indicia indicating a degree of slope corresponding to the angle of the respective secondary alignment indicia.

12. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, further including one or more straight putt indicium offset at an angle from the elongate alignment indicium.

13. The golf ball according to claim 1 , wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia includes plural left side alignment indicia on a left side of the elongate alignment indicium for compensating for a slope in a left direction and plural right side alignment indicia on a right side of the elongate alignment indicium for compensating for a slope in a right direction.

14. The golf ball according to claim 1 or 13, further including a base indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium.

15. The golf ball according to claim 14, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia radiate along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium.

16. The golf ball according to claim 15, wherein the plural secondary alignment indicia includes plural indicia extending in a first direction from the base indicium and plural indicia extending in a second direction opposite the first direction from base indicium.

17. The golf ball according to any of claims 14-16, wherein the base indicium includes numerical indicia indicting a degree of slope of the plural secondary alignment indicia.

18. The golf ball according to any of claims 1 or 13-17 , further including a pair of tertiary elongate alignment indicia parallel to the predominate elongate alignment indicium, wherein the predominate elongate alignment indicia is disposed between the tertiary elongate alignment indicia.

19. The golf ball according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the plural secondary alignment indicia is disposed between each of the tertiary elongate alignment indicia and the predominate elongate alignment indicium.

20. A golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface, the alignment indicia including:

an elongate alignment indicium;

a base indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium;

a first plurality of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a first direction and angled relative to the first elongate indicium; and

a second plurality of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a second direction opposite the first direction and angled relative to the first elongate indicium.

21 . The golf ball according to claim 20, wherein the first and second plurality of slope indicia radiate on either side of the first elongate indicium.

22. The golf ball according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the first plurality of slope indicia includes first and second pairs of slope indicia, each pair having one of the slope indicia on either side of the first elongate indicium, and wherein the second pair of slope indicia is angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium at a greater angle than the first pair of slope indicia.

23. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, wherein the second plurality of slope indicia includes third and fourth pairs of slope indicia, each pair having one of the slope indicia on either side of the first elongate indicium, and wherein the fourth pair of slope indicia is angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium at a greater angle than the third pair of slope indicia.

24. The golf ball according to claim 23, wherein the second pair of slope indicia is angled at a greater angle than the first, third and fourth pairs of indicia, the fourth pair of slope indicia is angled at a greater angle than the first and third pairs of indicia, and the first pair of slope indicia is angled at a greater angle than the third pair of indicia.

25. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, wherein the base indicium includes numerical indicia indicting a degree of slope of each pair of slope indicia.

26. The golf ball according to claim 25, wherein the numerical indicia includes an indicium for each slope indicia of each pair of slope indicia.

27. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, further including second and third elongate alignment indicium parallel to the elongate alignment indicium, wherein the elongate alignment indicium is disposed between the second and third elongate alignment indicium.

28. The golf ball according to claim 27, wherein each of the first and second plurality of slope indicia includes at least one indicium disposed between the elongate alignment indicium and the second elongate alignment indicium and at least one indicium disposed between the elongate alignment indicium and the third elongate alignment indicium.

29. A golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface, the alignment indicia including:

an elongate alignment indicium; and

plural slope indicia, each slope indicia having an angle corresponding to a typical slope of a putting surface.

30. The golf ball according to claim 29, wherein each slope indicia is offset at the respective angle to the elongate alignment indicium.

31 . The golf ball according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the plural slope indicia includes plural left side slope indicia on a left side of the elongate alignment indicium for compensating for the typical slopes in a left direction and plural right side slope indicia on a right side of the elongate alignment indicium for compensating for typical slopes in a right direction.

32. A golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface, the alignment indicia including:

an elongate alignment indicium;

a base indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium; and

plural slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium, at least one of the plural slope indicia radiating on a first side of the elongate alignment indicium and at least one of the plural slope indicia radiating on a second side of the elongate alignment indicium.

33. The golf ball according to claim 32, further including additional plural slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a direction opposite a direction of the plural slope indicia and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium, at least one of the plural slope indicia radiating on the first side of the elongate alignment indicium and at least one of the plural slope indicia radiating on the second side of the elongate alignment indicium.

34. A golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface, the alignment indicia including:

an elongate alignment indicium;

a first pair of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a first direction and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium; and a second pair of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in a second direction opposite the first direction and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium.

35. The golf ball according to claim 34, wherein one of each of the first and second pairs of slope indicia radiates on a first side of the elongate alignment indicium and another of each of the first and second pairs of slope indicia radiates on a second side of the elongate alignment indicium.

36. The golf ball according to claim 34 or 35, further including:

a third pair of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in the first direction and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium; and

a fourth pair of slope indicia radiating along the surface of the golf ball from the base indicium in the second direction and angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium.

37. The golf ball according to claim 36, wherein one of each of the third and fourth pairs of slope indicia radiates on the first side of the elongate alignment indicium and another of each of the third and fourth pairs of slope indicia radiates on the second side of the elongate alignment indicium.

38. The golf ball according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the third pair of slope indicia is angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium at a greater angle than the first pair of slope indicia, and wherein the fourth pair of slope indicia is angled relative to the elongate alignment indicium at a greater angle than the second pair of slope indicia.

39. The golf ball according to claim 38, wherein the third pair of slope indicia is angled at a greater angle than the fourth pair of slope indicia, and the first pair of slope indicia is angled at a greater angle than the second pair of slope indicia.

40. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, wherein the base indicium includes numerical indicia indicting a degree of slope of each pair of slope indicia.

41 . The golf ball according to claim 40, wherein the numerical indicia includes an indicium for each slope indicia of each pair of slope indicia.

42. The golf ball according to any preceding claim, further including second and third elongate alignment indicium parallel to the elongate alignment indicium, wherein the elongate alignment indicium is disposed between the second and third elongate alignment indicium.

43. The golf ball according to claim 42, wherein one of the first pair and one of the second pair of slope indicia is disposed between the elongate alignment indicium and the second elongate alignment indicium, and the other of the first pair and second pair of slope indicia is disposed between the elongate alignment indicium and the third elongate alignment indicium.

44. A golf ball with alignment indicia on its surface, the alignment indicia including:

a first predominate, elongate alignment indicium;

a second predominate, elongate alignment indicium perpendicular to and intersecting the elongate alignment indicium;

a first plurality of secondary alignment indicia, each offset at an angle to the first predominate alignment indicium; and

a second plurality of secondary alignment indicia, each offset at an angle to the second predominate alignment indicium,

wherein aligning one of the first or second plurality of secondary alignment indicia with a golf hole and rolling the ball along the respective first or second predominate elongate alignment indicium compensates for the expected slope of a putting surface.

45. The golf ball according to claim 44, wherein the first plurality of secondary alignment indicia include alignment indicia radiating on either side of the first elongate alignment indicium and extending in a first direction from a center point of the first elongate alignment indicium and alignment indicia radiating on either side of the first elongate alignment indicium and extending in a second direction from the center point opposite the first direction, and wherein the second plurality of secondary alignment indicia include alignment indicia radiating on either side of the second elongate alignment indicium and extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions from a center point of the second elongate alignment indicium, and alignment indicia radiating on either side of the second elongate alignment indicium and extending in a fourth direction from the center point opposite the third direction.