Golf Ball Core Hardness Gradient for Approach Shot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf balls have difficulty in controlling initial velocity and spin rate on approach shots, leading to uncontrollable rolling and poor shot feeling, especially for average golfers with varying hitting points.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a spherical core formed from a rubber composition containing a rubber component, a co-crosslinking agent with methacrylic acid, and a crosslinking initiator, with a specific hardness gradient that satisfies the relationship H0 < H2.5 < H5 < H7.5 < H10 < H12.5 < H15 < HS, allowing for a low initial velocity and improved controllability on approach shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the core hardness is increased to improve shot feeling and control, then the initial velocity on approach shots increases, but the ball rolls excessively and becomes harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform hardness distribution within the core, with higher hardness at the center and lower hardness toward the periphery. This gradient structure allows the core to provide control and shot feeling through the harder center region while the softer peripheral region reduces initial velocity on approach shots, preventing excessive rolling.
2Speed
If the core hardness is decreased to reduce initial velocity and improve controllability, then the ball stops better on approach shots, but the shot feeling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing a hardness gradient where the periphery of the core has lower hardness to reduce initial velocity and improve controllability, while the center maintains higher hardness to preserve shot feeling. This local differentiation of material properties allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Ease of manufacture
If a uniform core hardness is used to simplify manufacturing, then the production process is easier, but the ball cannot provide both low initial velocity and good shot feeling on approach shots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves the desired performance through a hardness gradient in the core, with the softer periphery reducing initial velocity and the harder center maintaining shot feeling. This local differentiation of properties resolves the performance contradiction, while the gradient can be implemented through controlled curing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The golf ball achieves a low initial velocity on approach shots, reducing excessive rolling and enhancing controllability, while providing a good shot feeling due to the optimized core hardness distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the spherical core is formed from a rubber composition containing a rubber component, a co-crosslinking agent, and a crosslinking initiator, wherein the co-crosslinking agent contains methacrylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf ball that shows a low initial velocity on approach shots, has excellent controllability, and has a good shot feeling on approach shots. The present disclosure provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein the spherical core is formed from a rubber composition containing a rubber component, a co-crosslinking agent, and a crosslinking initiator, the co-crosslinking agent contains methacrylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and when a center hardness (Shore C hardness) of the spherical core, a hardness (Shore C hardness) at each point of 2.5 mm, 5 mm, 7.5 mm, 10 mm, 12.5 mm and 15 mm from a center of the spherical core toward a surface of the spherical core, and a surface hardness (Shore C hardness) of the spherical core are represented by H0, H2.5, H5, H7.5, H10, H12.5, H15, HS respectively, the following relationship is satisfied: H0<H2.5<H5<H7.5<H10<H12.5<H15<HS.