Golf Ball Layer Hardness Gradient for Long Iron Shot Performance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball technologies fail to enhance flying performance and shot feeling on long iron shots, as previous techniques primarily focus on driver shots and do not effectively address the requirements for long iron shots.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball design featuring a core made from a rubber composition containing polybutadiene, an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, a crosslinking initiator, and a terpene-based resin, with an intermediate layer hardness higher than the cover hardness, achieving a Shore D hardness of 50 or more, which decreases spin rate and improves shot feeling on long iron shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the cover hardness is increased to reduce spin rate on long iron shots, then flight distance improves, but shot feeling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball is divided into multiple layers with different hardness characteristics: a softer core (Shore C hardness 40-90) provides good shot feeling on long iron shots, while a harder cover (Shore D hardness 50-90) reduces spin rate and extends flight distance. The intermediate layer with specific hardness gradient further optimizes the balance between these conflicting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the golf ball are assigned different material properties: the core uses softer rubber composition for feel, the cover uses harder material for distance, and the intermediate layer provides a transition zone. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific function without compromising overall performance.
2Speed
If the intermediate layer hardness is increased to decrease spin rate, then flight distance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise hardness parameter ranges for each layer (core: Shore C 40-90, intermediate layer: Shore D 40-80, cover: Shore D 50-90) to achieve the desired spin rate and flight distance. By controlling these material parameters within defined ranges, the patent optimizes performance while maintaining manufacturability through standard material selection and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance and having a good shot feeling on long iron shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core, at least one intermediate layer covering the core and a cover covering the intermediate layer, wherein the core is formed from a core rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing a polybutadiene, (b) an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, and (d) a terpene-based resin, and a material hardness (Hm) of the intermediate layer is higher than a material hardness (Hc) of the cover, and the material hardness (Hc) of the cover is 50 or more in Shore D hardness.