Golf Training Ball with Free-Rolling Core and Drag Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf training balls do not accurately simulate the experience of hitting a regulation golf ball, particularly in terms of flight distance and feedback, making it difficult for users to practice effectively in limited spaces without a driving range.
Innovation Solution
A golf training ball design featuring a non-deformable inner ball rolling freely within a rubber outer carcass with a drag-inducing felt cover, which mimics the aerodynamics and feedback of a regulation ball but with a significantly shorter flight, allowing practice in smaller areas and providing accurate feedback on launch angle and curve trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a regulation golf ball is used for training, then the flight distance and feedback are accurate, but the practice area required becomes large and inaccessible for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the aerodynamic parameters of the golf ball by adding a drag-inducing cover, which fundamentally alters the flight characteristics. This modification reduces the flight distance to about one-fourth of a regulation ball while preserving the impact feedback, thereby enabling home practice without requiring a large practice area.
Solution Approach 2:
The training ball is segmented into distinct functional components: a non-deformable inner ball for impact feedback, a rubber outer carcass for structure and movement, and a drag-inducing cover for aerodynamic control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve short flight with accurate feedback.
2Reliability
If a regulation golf ball is used, then the aerodynamics and flight characteristics are accurate, but the ball travels too far for safe home practice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excessive flight distance into a beneficial feature by intentionally adding a drag-inducing cover. This cover creates aerodynamic drag that limits the flight distance to safe levels for home practice while still allowing the ball to travel far enough to provide meaningful feedback on swing mechanics and trajectory control.
3Area of stationary object
If a training ball with short flight is used, then the practice area is reduced, but the feedback on launch angle and curve trajectory becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring the inner ball is non-deformable to provide accurate impact feedback, while the outer carcass and cover provide the necessary aerodynamic properties for controlled flight. This differentiation of properties across different parts of the ball allows short flight distance while maintaining accurate feedback on launch angle and curve trajectory.
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
Enables users to practice with any club, including drivers, in their own yard, with a satisfying impact and noise, while achieving a flight distance of about one-fourth that of a standard regulation ball, providing accurate feedback on swing and trajectory, and being durable and safe for use in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a drag-inducing cover... the drag-inducing cover... providing accurate feedback on swing and trajectory
Implementation Method 2
a non-deformable inner ball rolling freely in the spherical hollow core of a rubber outer carcass
Data Source
AI summary
A short-flight golf training ball has a spherical hollow rubber carcass, a felt cover, and a hard spherical inner core. The spherical hollow rubber carcass has a spherical outer wall and a spherical interior wall defining a hollow spherical interior that has an interior diameter. The felt cover affixed to the outer wall. The hard spherical inner core has an outer diameter that is less than interior diameter of the carcass and is free or substantially free to move around at will in the hollow spherical interior.