Dual Core Golf Ball Reducing Driver Spin via Hardness Gradient

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-layer golf balls exhibit high driver spin, leading to increased dispersion and reduced distance on long shots, while maintaining high spin for short shots is challenging for recreational players.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball core assemblage with a center and an outer core layer, featuring a positive hardness and compression gradient, where the center has a geometric center hardness ranging from 50 to 60 Shore C and a surface hardness of 70 to 90 Shore C, and the outer core layer has a surface hardness of 80 to 100 Shore C, reducing driver spin while maintaining control on short shots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-layer golf balls are used to maintain high spin for short shots, then control in and around the green is improved, but driver spin increases leading to more dispersion and reduced distance on long shots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol on short shotsVSAvoiddriver spin control for recreational players

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The golf ball is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a core layer for generating spin on short shots, an intermediate layer for transition, and a cover layer for control. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific shot types, enabling high spin on approach shots while reducing driver spin through the intermediate layer's spin-reducing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the golf ball have different material properties and hardness levels tailored to specific functions. The core layer uses softer materials to maximize spin on iron shots, while the intermediate layer uses harder materials to reduce spin on driver shots. This local differentiation of material properties allows the ball to exhibit different spin characteristics depending on the club and shot type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If three or four layer golf balls are used to achieve high spin rates for better control, then spin rate is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin rate for controlVSAvoidnumber of layers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The golf ball is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a core layer for generating spin on short shots, an intermediate layer for transition, and a cover layer for control. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific shot types, enabling high spin on approach shots while reducing driver spin through the intermediate layer's spin-reducing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific parameters of each layer including hardness (Shore C durometer measurements), thickness ratios, and material composition to achieve the desired spin characteristics. By carefully controlling these parameters, the ball delivers high spin on iron shots while reducing spin on driver shots, maximizing the utility of the multi-layer construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12296229B2Dual core golf balls having reduced driver spin

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Dual component cores having positive hardness and compression gradients and golf balls including these cores are disclosed. The hardness, compression, and diameter relationships in the core assemblage components help to reduce the spin rate of the ball off the driver while still providing desirable performance characteristics in and around the green.