Golf Ball Sighting Aid Wrap for Durable Rule-Compliant Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf balls lack durable and effective sighting aids that allow golfers to accurately align the ball with the intended direction of travel, violating the Rules of Golf and hindering improved ball performance.

Innovation Solution

A golf ball with a sighting aid featuring a continuous or discontinuous series of alphanumeric characters, symbols, or a combination thereof, extending partially around the perimeter, determined by specific equations for wrap and surface coverage, providing a visible reference for alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If printed alignment aids are added to golf balls, then alignment capability is improved, but durability deteriorates due to repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment capabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment aid is pre-applied to the golf ball surface in a durable manner before use, eliminating the need for temporary markings that would be erased or damaged during play. The aid is permanently integrated into the ball's exterior surface through durable printing or embedding techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If alignment aids are added to golf balls, then alignment capability is improved, but Rule 10-2b violation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment capabilityVSAvoidRule compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment aid is positioned specifically on the golf ball surface rather than being placed as a separate object on the putting green. This local placement on the ball itself distinguishes it from prohibited objects and aligns it with acceptable markings that are part of the ball's design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If personalized alignment aids are added, then customization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalization optionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment aid allows customization through variable parameters such as the golfer's name, chosen symbols, or specific graphical elements. These personalized parameters are integrated into the printing or marking process, enabling customization without fundamentally changing the manufacturing methodology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260007932A1Golf balls having sighting aid and methods of making same

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 ACUSHNET CO

AI summary

Sighting aids for golf balls that allow a golfer to sight a direction in which to hit or putt a golf ball and a method of producing the same and golf balls having sighting aids that have a certain degree of wrap determined by a sighting equation and surface coverage determined by a surface coverage equation.