Golf balls and methods to manufacture golf balls

Embodiments of golf balls and methods to manufacture golf balls are generally described herein. In one example, a golf ball may include a plurality of round dimples and a plurality of non-round dimples. Each round dimple may have a dimple diameter, and each non-round dimple may have a dimple diagonal. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION

The present disclosure may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the present disclosure and its related documents, as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all applicable copyrights.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to golf equipment, and more particularly, to golf balls and methods to manufacture golf balls.

BACKGROUND

Golf balls may vary in the total number of dimples formed on the outer surface (e.g., about 250 to 450 dimples). The dimples may be configured in different patterns (e.g., an icosahedral pattern, a tetrahedral pattern, an octahedral pattern, etc.). Further, the dimples may have different shapes (e.g., round, triangle, hexagon, etc.) and/or size (e.g., diameter and depth).

DESCRIPTION

In general, golf balls and methods to manufacture golf balls are described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the example ofFIGS. 1-5, a golf ball100may include an outside surface110and a plurality of dimples120. In particular, the outside surface110may include a plurality of quadrant regions (e.g.,FIG. 2) with a first set of quadrant regions (one shown as400inFIGS. 2,4, and6), and a second set of quadrant regions (one shown as500inFIGS. 2,5, and6). In one example, the plurality of dimples120may include 300 dimples configured in a tetrahedral-type dimple pattern. The plurality of dimples120may include more or less dimples configured in other suitable type of dimple patterns. The golf ball100may include multiple layers (e.g., a two-piece golf ball, a three-piece golf ball, a four-piece golf ball, a five-piece golf ball, etc.). In one example, the golf ball100may be a four-piece golf ball including a polybutadiene core, an inner ionomer mantle, an outer ionomer mantle, and a thermoset urethane cover. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In one example as shown inFIG. 4, the plurality of dimples120may include dimples with seven different diameters. In particular, a first set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #1) may be associated with a first dimple diameter, a second set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #2) may be associated with a second dimple diameter, a third set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #3) may be associated with a third dimple diameter, a fourth set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #4) may be associated with a fourth dimple diameter, a fifth set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #5) may be associated with a fifth dimple diameter, a sixth set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #6) may be associated with a sixth dimple diameter, and a seventh set of dimples (generally shown as Dimple #7) may be associated with a seventh dimple diameter.

In contrast to other golf balls, the golf ball100may include relatively less number of dimples but relatively larger dimples. In particular, the smallest dimple diameter may be less than 0.120 inch whereas the largest dimple diameter may be greater than 0.200 inch. For example, the largest dimple diameter may be at least 80% greater than the smallest dimple diameter. At least 90% of the plurality of dimples120may be associated with a dimple diameter greater than the smallest dimple diameter. Further, at least 50% of the plurality of dimples may be greater than or equal to 0.180 inch. With relatively larger dimples, the golf ball100may have less number of dimples than other golf balls.

To illustrate the above example, the plurality of dimples120may include twenty-four (24) dimples of Dimple #1, seventy-two (72) dimples of Dimple #2, thirty-six (36) dimples of Dimple #3, thirty-six (36) dimples of Dimple #4, sixty (60) dimples of Dimple #5, sixty (60) dimples of Dimple #6, and twelve (12) dimples of Dimple #7. The first dimple diameter may be about 0.114 inch, the second dimple diameter may be about 0.154 inch, the third dimple diameter may be about 0.174 inch, the fourth dimple diameter may be about 0.180 inch, the fifth dimple diameter may be about 0.186 inch, the six dimple diameter may be about 0.198 inch, and the seventh dimple diameter may be about 0.208 inch. The first dimple diameter (i.e., Dimple #1) may be the smallest dimple diameter whereas the seventh dimple diameter (i.e., Dimple #7) may be the largest dimple diameter. The seventh dimple diameter may be at least 80% greater than the first dimple diameter. As described in detail below, the plurality of dimples120may be configured in a tetrahedral-type dimple pattern. In particular, the tetrahedral-type dimple pattern may include four (4) first quadrant regions (shown as400inFIGS. 2,4, and6), and four (4) second quadrant regions (shown as500inFIGS. 2,5, and6).

Turning toFIGS. 4 and 6, for example, each first quadrant region400may include three triangular regions formed by thirty-six (36) dimples. In particular, the first quadrant region400may include a first triangular region410, a second triangular region420, and a third triangular region430. The first quadrant region400may include three (3) dimples of Dimple #1, six (6) dimples of Dimple #2, nine (9) dimples of Dimple #5, fifteen (15) dimples of Dimple #6, and three (3) dimples of Dimple #7. The three dimples of Dimple #7may be centrally located in the first quadrant region400to form the first triangular region410. The first triangular region410may be an equilateral triangular region (e.g., three equal sides). The first triangular region410may be surrounded by the second triangular region420formed by nine dimples of Dimple #6as the sides with three dimples of Dimple #5as the vertices. Accordingly, the vertices of the second triangular region420may be smaller dimples than the dimples forming the sides of the second triangular region420, and the dimples forming the sides of the second triangular region420may have the same size. The second triangular region420may be an equilateral triangular region. The third triangular region430may surround the first and second triangular regions410and420, respectively. The third triangular region430may include three dimples of Dimple #1, six dimples of Dimple #2, six dimples of Dimple45, and six dimples of Dimple #6. Each dimple of Dimple #1may form a vertex of the third triangular region430. Each side of the third triangular region430may include two dimples of Dimple #2, two dimples of Dimple #5, and two dimples of Dimple #6. The third triangular region430may be an equilateral triangular region.

According to the example ofFIG. 4, the vertices of the triangular region430may have smaller dimples than the dimples forming the sides of the triangular region430. Further, the size of the dimples of the triangular region430may increase from each vertex toward the center portion of each side of the triangular region430(e.g., Dimple #1to Dimple #2to Dimple #5to Dimple #6). Two similar sized dimples may define the center portion of each side of the triangular region430(e.g., two dimples of Dimple #6). The dimples of the first quadrant region400may decrease in size from the first triangular region410toward the vertices and the sides of the third triangular region430. That is, the largest dimples of the first quadrant region400(e.g., Dimple #7) may be located in the first triangular region410, and the smallest dimples of the of the first quadrant region400(e.g., Dimples #1and #2) may be located proximate to the vertices of the third triangular region430. A hexagonal region440(e.g., ten dimples of Dimple #6) may define the center portion of the first quadrant region400. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, for example, each second quadrant region500may include three triangular regions formed by thirty-nine (39) dimples. In particular, the second quadrant region500may include a first triangular region510, a second triangular region520, and a third triangular region530. The second quadrant region500may include three (3) dimples of Dimple41, twelve (12) dimples of Dimple42, nine (9) dimples of Dimple #3, nine (9) dimples of Dimple #4, and six (6) dimples of Dimple #5. Three dimples of Dimple #4and three dimples of Dimple #5may form the first triangular region510of the second quadrant region500with the three dimples of Dimple #4as the vertices. The first triangular region520may be an equilateral triangular region. The first triangular region510may be surrounded by the second triangular region520formed by six dimples of Dimple #2and six dimples of Dimple #3with three dimples of Dimple #1as the vertices. The second triangular region520may be an equilateral triangular region. The third triangular region530may surround the first and second triangular regions510and520, respectively. The third triangular region530may include six dimples of Dimple #2, three dimples of Dimple #3, six dimples of Dimple #4, and three dimples of Dimple #5. Each dimple of Dimple #3may form a vertex of the third triangular region530. Each side of the third triangular region530may include two dimples of Dimple #2, two dimples of Dimple #4, and one dimple of Dimple #5. The third triangular region530may be an equilateral triangular region.

The dimples located at the vertices of the third triangular region530may be dimples of Dimple #3, which may not be the smallest dimples that define the third triangular region530. According to the example ofFIG. 5, the smallest dimples in the third triangular region530may be dimples of Dimple #2, which may be located on the sides of the third triangular region530. Thus, the size of the dimples located on the sides of the third triangular region530may not uniformly increase from the vertices to the center portions of the sides. The vertices of the second triangular region520may define the smallest dimples of the second quadrant region500(e.g., dimples of Dimple #1). The size of the dimples of the second triangular region520may increase from each vertex to a center portion, which may be defined by two similarly sized dimples (e.g., dimples of Dimple #3). A center portion of the second quadrant region500may include three dimples of Dimple #5, which may define a fourth triangular region540. The fourth triangular region540may be inverted relative to the triangular regions510,520, and530. A dimple of Dimple #5may define each vertex of the fourth triangular region540. The fourth triangular region540may be an equilateral triangular region. The second quadrant region500may also include a fifth triangular region550. The fifth triangular region550may be inverted relative to the triangular regions510,520, and530. A dimple of Dimple #5may define each vertex of the fifth triangular region550. Two dimples of Dimple #3and a center dimple of Dimple #4may define each side of the fifth triangular region550, which may be similar to the other two sides. The fifth triangular region550may be an equilateral triangular region. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In another example, the outside surface110may include four face regions (one shown as700inFIG. 7), and six edge regions (one shown as800inFIG. 8). Referring toFIG. 7, for example, each face region700may include three triangular regions formed by 45 dimples. In particular, the face region700may include a first triangular region710, a second triangular region720, and a third triangular region730. The first triangular region710may be formed by six (6) dimples, the second triangular region720formed by fifteen (15) dimples, and the third triangular region730formed by twenty-four (24) dimples. The first triangular region710may include three (3) dimples of Dimple #6, and three (3) dimples of Dimple #7. The first triangular region710may be an equilateral triangular region. The second triangular region720may include three (3) dimples of Dimple #5, and twelve (12) dimples of Dimple #6. The second triangular region720may be an equilateral triangular region. The third triangular region730may include six (6) dimples of Dimple #3, six (6) dimples of Dimple #4, and twelve (12) dimples of Dimple #5. The third triangular region730may be an equilateral triangular region.

The face region700may be divided into triangular regions740,750,760,770, and780. Triangular regions740and750may be inverted relative to the triangular regions760,770, and780. The triangular regions740and750may be equilateral triangular regions whereas the triangular regions760,770, and780may be isosceles triangular regions (e.g., two equal sides). One dimple of Dimple #5may define each vertex of each of the triangular regions760,770, and780. Two dimples of Dimple #6may define one side of each of the triangular regions760,770, and780. One dimple of Dimple #3and one dimple of Dimple #4may define the other two sides of the triangular regions760,770, and780. Each of the triangular regions760,770, and780may have a center dimple of Dimple #5. The triangular regions760,770, and780may surround the triangular region750, which may include vertices defined by dimples of Dimple #5and sides defined by three dimples of Dimple #6. Three dimples of Dimple #7may define the triangular region740. The triangular region750may surround the triangular region740. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Turning toFIG. 8, for example, each edge region800may include two elliptical regions formed by twenty (20) dimples. In particular, the edge region800may include a first elliptical region810formed by six (6) dimples, and a second elliptical region820formed by fourteen (14) dimples. The first elliptical region810may include four (4) dimples of Dimple #1, and two (2) dimples of Dimple #3. The second elliptical region820may include twelve (12) dimples of Dimple #2, and two (2) dimples of Dimple #4. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

FIG. 9depicts one manner in which the golf ball100may be manufactured. In the example ofFIG. 9, the process900may begin with providing an outside surface with a plurality of quadrant regions (block910). The plurality of quadrant regions may define a tetrahedral-type dimple pattern. The plurality of quadrant regions may include a first set of quadrant regions and a second set of quadrant regions. In one example, each of the first set of quadrant regions400may include thirty-six (36) dimples whereas each of the second set of quadrant regions500may include thirty-nine (39) dimples.

The process900may provide a plurality of round dimples formed on the outside surface (block920). The process900may configure the plurality of dimples being in the tetrahedral-type dimple pattern. In one example, dimples associated with the largest dimple diameter may be centrally located in each quadrant region of the first set of quadrant regions400, and dimples associated with the smallest dimple diameter may form vertices of each quadrant region of the second set of quadrant regions500. At least 90% of the total number of dimples may have a dimple diameter that may be greater than about 0.12 inch, which according to one example may be the minimum dimple diameter. Accordingly, the process900may form at least 90% of the total number of dimples with dimples associated with a dimple diameter of about 0.150 inch or greater. Further, the process900may form at least 50% of the total number of dimples with dimples having a dimple diameter greater than about 0.180 inch or greater. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The example process900ofFIG. 9is merely provided and described as an example of one way to manufacture the golf ball100. While a particular order of actions is illustrated inFIG. 9, these actions may be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or more actions depicted inFIG. 9may be performed sequentially, concurrently, or simultaneously. AlthoughFIG. 9depicts a particular number of blocks, the process may not perform one or more blocks. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Golf balls may be packaged and sold in various ways. In particular, a package of golf balls may include half a dozen golf balls, a dozen golf balls, fifteen golf balls, two-dozen golf balls, etc. Further, a package of golf balls may be divided into sleeves of golf balls. For example, a package of a dozen golf balls may include four sleeves of golf balls with each sleeve including three visually identical golf balls. The golf balls in one sleeve may be marked differently from the golf balls in another sleeve for identification purposes (e.g., marked with a single-digit number). In one example, each golf ball in a first sleeve of a package with a dozen golf balls may include the number “1,” each golf ball in a second sleeve of the package may include the number “2,” each golf ball in a third sleeve of the package may include the number “3,” and each golf ball in a fourth sleeve of the package may include the number “4.” While golf balls may be marked to differentiate the golf balls between two or more sleeves in a package, the package may include at least two or more visually identical golf balls.

Referring toFIG. 10, for example, a sleeve of golf balls1000may include two or more golf balls, generally shown as1010,1020, and1030. As mentioned above, a package of golf balls may include two or more sleeves of golf balls. To differentiate from golf balls in other sleeves of the package, each golf ball of the sleeve1000may include a ball identifier associated with the sleeve1000. In particular, the ball identifiers, generally shown as a first ball identifier1012, a second ball identifier1022, and a third ball identifier1032, may be an identification character such as a number, a letter, a symbol, a logo, any combination thereof, and/or other suitable type of identifiers. For example, the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may be a single-digit number (e.g., “1”). The ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may be adjacent to the brand name (e.g., “BRAND”) of the golf balls1010,1020, and1030, generally shown as1014,1024, and1034, respectively. Instead of being either above or below the brand name as with some golf balls, the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may be located left of the brand names1014,1024, and1034, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although the golf balls1010,1020, and1030of the sleeve1000may be physically identical (i.e., the golf balls1010,1020, and1030may have substantially the same physical characteristics and perform about the same), the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may be used to differentiate the golf balls1010,1020, and1030of the sleeve1000. In contrast to other golf balls, however, each of the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may include a visual effect to identify and further differentiate the golf balls1010,1020, and1030of the sleeve1000(i.e., differentiate the golf balls1010,1020, and1030from each other). In particular, the first ball identifier1012may be associated with a first visual effect, the second ball identifier1022may be associated with a second visual effect, and the third ball identifier1032may be associated with a third visual effect. For example, the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may be different colors (i.e., color effect). That is, the first visual effect may be a first color, the second visual effect may be a second color, and the third visual effect may be a third color. The first, second, and third colors may be different from each other. As illustrated inFIG. 10, for example, the first color may be a red color, the second color may be a blue color, and the third color may be a black color. Accordingly, the first ball identifier1012may be the number “1” in a red color, the second ball identifier1022may be the number “1” in a blue color, and the third ball identifier1032may be the number “1” in a black color. The ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may be used to identify the golf balls1010,1020, and1030of the sleeve1000, respectively. As a result, the probability of two or more individuals playing with visually identical golf balls may be reduced when the individuals play with the same brand of golf balls.

While the above example may describe ball identifiers with different colors, one or more of the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032may have other visual effects such as text effect (e.g., outline, bold, italic, underline, etc.). For example, the ball identifier1032of the golf ball1030may be the number “1” in a white color with an outline of the number “1” in a black color as the outer surface of the golf ball1030may be in a white color. Further, whileFIG. 10may depict a particular number of golf balls, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may include more or less golf balls. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

Although some golf balls in a sleeve and/or a package may be color-coded to identify golf balls with different physical characteristics that may perform differently, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may applicable to identify physically identical golf balls. With the ball identifiers1012,1022, and1032as described herein, other markings on the golf balls1010,1020, and1030(e.g., markings via pens, markers, stamps, stickers, etc.) may not be necessary to further identify the golf balls1010,1020, and1030.

Launch monitor systems may use various technologies to track golf balls (e.g., ultra-high speed cameras, radar, etc.). Some launch monitor systems may operate in conjunction with markings on golf balls to determine launch conditions and data. Turning toFIGS. 11-13, for example, a golf ball1100may include a plurality of round dimples, generally shown as1110(e.g., circular-shaped dimples). Each round dimple of the plurality of round dimples1110may have a dimple diameter (i.e., a straight line segment through the center of a round shape). At least one round dimple of the plurality of round dimples1110may be associated with a minimum dimple diameter length (i.e., the smallest round dimple). The golf ball1100may also include a plurality of non-round dimples, generally shown as1120. Each non-round dimple of the plurality of non-round dimples1120may have a dimple diagonal (i.e., a straight line segment joining two opposite corners of a non-round shape). At least one non-round dimple of the plurality of non-round dimples1120may be associated with a maximum dimple diagonal length (i.e., the largest non-round dimple). The minimum dimple diameter length may be greater than or equal to the maximum dimple diagonal length. That is, the smallest round dimple may circumscribe the largest non-round dimple (i.e., the largest non-round dimple may inscribe in the smallest round dimple).

The golf ball1100may include a plurality of quadrant regions. In particular, the plurality of quadrant regions may include a first set of quadrant regions (one shown as1210inFIG. 11), and a second set of quadrant regions (one shown as1220inFIG. 13). Each non-round dimple of the plurality of non-round dimples1120may be a vertex of each quadrant region of the first set of quadrant regions. In one example, the non-round dimples1121,1122, and1123may be the vertices of the quadrant region1210.

Instead of markings on the golf balls, launch monitor systems may use the plurality of non-round dimples1120to determine launch conditions and data of the golf ball1100. The non-round dimples1120may be used to distinguish from the round dimples1110. In one example, the plurality of non-round dimples1120may be hexagonal dimples, generally shown as1121,1122,1123,1124, and1125. The golf ball1100may include twelve (12) hexagonal dimples. Each non-round dimple may be adjacent to another non-round dimple. For example, the non-round dimple1121may be adjacent to the non-round dimple1124and vice versa. In another example, the non-round dimple1122may be adjacent to the non-round dimple1125and vice versa. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Alternatively, the plurality of non-round dimples may be other shapes (e.g., other polygon shapes). As illustrated inFIGS. 14-16, for example, a golf ball1400may include a plurality of round dimples, generally shown as1410, and a plurality of non-round dimples, generally shown as1420. In one example, the plurality of non-round dimples1420may be octagon-shaped dimples, generally shown as1421,1422,1423,1424, and1425. The golf ball1400may include twelve (12) octagon-shaped dimples. Each non-round dimple may be adjacent to another non-round dimple. For example, the non-round dimple1421may be adjacent to the non-round dimple1424and vice versa. In another example, the non-round dimple1422may be adjacent to the non-round dimple1425and vice versa. WhileFIGS. 11-16may depict symmetrical dimples, the plurality of non-round dimples1120and/or1420may be asymmetrical dimples. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

Referring toFIGS. 17-20, for another example, a golf ball1700may include an outside surface1710and a plurality of dimples1720. The outside surface1710may include a plurality of quadrant regions, with a first set of quadrant regions1810, and a second set of quadrant regions1820. The quadrant regions1810and1820and the plurality of dimples1720of the golf ball1700may be similar in many respects to the quadrant regions400and500and plurality of dimples120of the golf ball100, respectively. Accordingly, a detailed description of similar features of the quadrants regions and the plurality of dimples of the golf balls1700and100is not provided. The golf ball1700may include a plurality of round dimples (generally shown as1722), and a plurality of non-round dimples (generally shown as1822). In one example, the plurality of non-round dimples1822may be hexagonal dimples. However, any of the non-rounded dimples discussed herein including the non-round dimples1822may have any symmetrical or asymmetrical non-rounded shape. Additionally, the non-round dimples1822may be similar or different in size and/or shape. For example, the golf ball1700may include twenty-four (24) non-round dimples1822. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture are not limited in this regard.

In particular, each of the quadrant regions1810and1820may include at least three (3) non-round dimples1822. The non-round dimples1822of the first quadrant regions1810may be generally shown as dimples1824, and the non-round dimples1822of the second quadrant region may be generally shown as dimples1826. The non-round dimples1822may define a triangular region in each of their respective quadrants. Referring toFIG. 17, the dimples1824define the vertices of first quadrant region1810, which may be shown as a triangular region. The sides of the triangular region defined by the dimples1824may include round dimples. Further, the sides of the triangular region defined by the dimples1824may include similar dimple sizes and dimple pattern as the other two sides of the triangular region defined by the dimples1824. That is, the dimples1824may define the vertices of an equilateral triangular region1810.

Each of the dimples1824of the first quadrant region1810may be adjacent to a dimple1824of an adjacent first quadrant region1810. As illustrated inFIG. 19, for example, each of the second quadrant regions1830may include three (3) dimples1826that define a triangular region1840. The triangular region1840may be smaller than the second quadrant region1830. The sides of the triangular region1840may include round dimples. Further, the sides of the triangular region1840may include similar dimple sizes and dimple pattern as the other two sides of the triangular region1840. That is, the dimples1826may define the vertices of an equilateral triangular region1840within the second quadrant region1830. The triangular region1840may be similar to the triangular region520of the second quadrant region500of the golf ball100, except for having the non-round dimples1826.

Each round dimple of the plurality of round dimples1722may be surrounded by at least six (6) dimples (round and/or non-round dimples) (e.g., hexagonal packing). In one example, the hexagonal packing of a round dimple1724may include all round dimples. Seven (7) dimples may surround some round dimples of the plurality of round dimples1722, generally shown as1726(e.g., heptagonal packing). The heptagonal packing of a round dimple1726may include at least one non-round dimple. For example, each of the round dimples1726may be surrounded by four (4) round dimples and three (3) non-round dimples. In contrast to the plurality of round dimples1722, five (5) dimples (round and/or non-round dimples) may surround each non-round dimple of the plurality of non-round dimples1822of the golf ball1700(e.g., pentagonal packing). In particular, five (5) round dimples may surround each non-round dimple of the non-round dimples1826to define a pentagonal region1850inside the second quadrant region1830(e.g., pentagonal packing). That is, the pentagonal packing of the non-round dimples1826may include all round dimples. Each of the second quadrant regions1830may include three pentagonal regions1850. As a result, the golf ball1700may include twelve (12) pentagonal regions1850. While five (5) dimples may also surround each non-round dimple of the non-round dimples1824, the pentagonal packing of the non-round dimples1824may include at least one non-round dimple.

Turning back toFIG. 18, for example, the outside surface1710may include six edge regions1860. Each edge region1860may include two elliptical regions formed by twenty (20) dimples. In particular, the edge region1860may include a first elliptical region1870formed by six (6) dimples, and a second elliptical region1880formed by fourteen (14) dimples. The first elliptical region1870may overlap two adjacent first quadrant regions1810and two adjacent second quadrant regions1820such that the first elliptical region may include two (2) non-round dimples1824, two (2) non-round dimples1826, and two (2) round dimples. Thus, the non-round dimples1824and1826of adjacent quadrant regions1810and1820may define the first elliptical region1870. The second elliptical region1880of the golf ball1700may be similar in many respects to the second elliptical region820of the golf ball100. Accordingly, a detailed description of the second elliptical region1880is not provided. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The non-round dimples1824and1826, the configuration of the non-round dimples1824and1826in triangular regions (e.g., vertices of triangular regions), and/or the configuration of the non-round dimples1824and1826in pentagonal regions1850may assist launch monitor systems to track golf balls (e.g., high-resolution cameras with stereoscopic lens). To determine flight information of a golf ball, a launch monitor system may capture subsequent images of a flight path of the golf ball, analyze each image to locate the golf ball, and compare successive images. Comparing high-resolution images may be used to determine spin rate and spin direction of a golf ball whereas comparing low-resolution images captured at a relatively faster frame rate may be used to determine speed and direction of the golf ball. Further, images of the golf ball at an address position (e.g., position before flight) may be analyzed to identify one or more non-round dimples that may used as reference dimple(s) to establish reference coordinates. For example, an image of the golf ball in the address position may include one of the elliptical regions1870. Accordingly, one of the non-round dimples in the elliptical region1870may be used as a reference dimple. Further, the non-round dimples in the image may be identified relative to the reference dimple. The non-round dimples that are not visible in the image may be determined relative to the reference dimple because the positions of the non-round dimples of the golf ball may be known relative to each other as described herein. Each image of the golf ball during flight may be used to determine the location of the reference dimple and to identify the non-round dimples that appear in the image by determining the location of the non-round dimples relative to the reference dimple. Analyzing locations of the non-round dimples relative to the reference dimple and/or relative to each other in successive high-resolution images of the golf ball during flight may be used to determine spin direction velocity, and/or acceleration of the golf ball. Further, analyzing images of the golf ball with successive high-frame rate, low-resolution images may be used to determine velocity, acceleration, and/or distance traveled by the golf ball.

In one example, tracking the translation and rotation of each pentagonal region1850relative to the other pentagonal regions1850in each triangular region1830by analyzing successive images of the golf ball may provide a launch monitor system with data to compute translational and rotational velocities and accelerations of a golf ball. Velocity and acceleration data of a golf ball may be used to determine golf swing characteristics of an individual and/or trajectory of the golf ball. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown inFIG. 20, each round dimple of the plurality of round dimples1722may have a dimple diameter2010(i.e., a straight line segment through the center of a round shape). At least one round dimple of the plurality of round dimples1722may be associated with a minimum dimple diameter length (DMmin) (i.e., the smallest round dimple). Each non-round dimple of the plurality of non-round dimples1822may have a dimple diagonal2020(i.e., a straight line segment joining two opposite corners of a non-round shape). At least one non-round dimple of the plurality of non-round dimples1822may be associated with a maximum dimple diagonal length (DGmax) (i.e., the largest non-round dimple). The minimum dimple diameter length may be greater than or equal to the maximum dimple diagonal length (i.e., DMmin≧DGmax). That is, the smallest round dimple may circumscribe the largest non-round dimple (i.e., the largest non-round dimple may inscribe in the smallest round dimple). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Instead, the description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one embodiment, and may disclosure alternative embodiments. Further, the terms “and” and “or” may have both conjunctive and disjunctive meanings.

As the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

While the above examples may be described with respect to golf balls, the apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other suitable types of sports equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of balls (e.g., basketball balls, soccer balls, table-tennis balls, tennis balls, etc.).

Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this disclosure covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.