Golf Ball Core Composition for Tunable Spin and Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing golf ball cores do not effectively tailor hardness gradients to achieve desired performance characteristics such as spin, feel, and control for both professional and recreational players, leading to inconsistent shot dispersion and player experience.
Innovation Solution
A golf ball core composition with a tailored hardness gradient achieved through specific formulations of base rubber, hardening agents, and additives, allowing for adjustable spin rates and feel by manipulating the hardness difference between the geometric center and surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the hardness gradient of the golf ball core is increased to improve spin rate on short distance shots, then spin control is improved, but the feel of the ball deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform hardness distribution within the core, where the surface hardness is specifically increased relative to the core center hardness. This localized hardening at the surface provides enhanced spin control during impact while the softer core center maintains acceptable feel characteristics, thus resolving the contradiction between spin control and feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying the hardness parameter across different regions of the core. By controlling the hardness gradient (surface hardness minus core center hardness) to be between 5 and 40 Shore A, the invention optimizes the balance between spin rate enhancement and feel maintenance, allowing players to experience both improved spin control and acceptable ball feel.
2Manufacturing precision
If the compression of the golf ball core is increased to affect spin rate, then spin rate increases, but the shot dispersion increases for recreational players
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform hardness distribution within the core, where the surface hardness is specifically increased relative to the core center hardness. This localized hardening at the surface provides enhanced spin control during impact while the softer core center maintains acceptable feel characteristics, thus resolving the contradiction between spin control and feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying the hardness parameter across different regions of the core. By controlling the hardness gradient (surface hardness minus core center hardness) to be between 5 and 40 Shore A, the invention optimizes the balance between spin rate enhancement and feel maintenance, allowing players to experience both improved spin control and acceptable ball feel.
3Ease of manufacture
If a uniform hardness composition is used in the core, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the ability to tailor performance characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform hardness distribution within the core, where the surface hardness is specifically increased relative to the core center hardness. This localized hardening at the surface provides enhanced spin control during impact while the softer core center maintains acceptable feel characteristics, thus resolving the contradiction between spin control and feel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining different hardness characteristics within a single core structure. The core comprises a softer inner region and a harder outer surface region, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides good feel, controlled compression, and enhanced spin rate, thereby achieving performance tailoring without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions including a hardness agent and golf ball cores made from such compositions having a tailored hardness gradient are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including the hardness agent, affects the hardness, hardness gradient, and compression of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.