Patent Abstract:
A golf ball is provided that includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a surface and indicia disposed on the surface. The indicia is in the form of biblical scripture.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to golf balls, and more particularly, to golf balls having biblical scripture displayed thereon.  
         [0002]     People sometimes attend Bible reading groups or other religious classes to further their understanding of the Bible and their religion. While it is easy to promote religious discussion in structured settings such as reading groups and classes, it is often difficult to engage others in religious conversation during the course of normal daily routine to spread the word. It is often inconvenient to carry a Bible or other book of scriptures around wherever you go. It is often desirable to have a more convenient way to promote a religious conversation.  
         [0003]     Religion and the teachings of the Bible are not just valued for educational purposes. Many people find comfort in the words of the Bible during emotionally distressed times. It is often desirable to have a particularly comforting passage from the scriptures or other inspiration message easily available.  
         [0004]     In addition, golf balls are typically marked such that each person within a group of golfers is able to differentiate their golf ball from the golf balls of the other golfers in the group.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In one aspect, a golf ball is provided that includes a surface and indicia disposed on the surface. The indicia are biblical scripture.  
         [0006]     In another aspect, a golf ball kit is provided. The kit includes a package and a plurality of golf balls positioned in the package. Each golf ball includes a surface and indicia disposed on the surface. The indicia are biblical scripture. At least one of the golf balls includes a different biblical scripture indicia than another of the golf balls.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, a method of disseminating biblical scripture utilizing a golf ball is provided. The method includes disposing indicia on an outer surface of a golf ball and playing a round of golf with the golf ball. The indicia are biblical scripture. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is plan view of a golf ball in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a golf ball in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     A golf ball containing a biblical scripture reference and/or text disposed on an outer surface is described below in detail. The scripture containing golf ball can be used as a conversation starter to engage others in religious conversation during, for example, a round of golf. The scripture containing biblical golf ball can also be a means of spreading the Word of the Bible to others. For example, if a biblical scripture containing golf ball that has been lost during a round of golf is found by another golfer, the finder can be enlightened and/or inspired by the inspirational biblical scripture message. The term “biblical scripture” is meant to include references to Books of the Bible, biblical scripture verse references, and/or biblical scripture text.  
         [0011]     Also, having different biblical scripture reference numbers on different golf balls can serve as a means of identifying the owner of each golf ball played by a group of golfers during a game of golf. For example, scripture reference numbers can replace the identification numbers typically marked on a golf ball, and/or the brand name of the golf ball can be replaced by a Book of the Bible reference. Further, the biblical scripture containing golf balls having various biblical scripture references and/or text can be collected and displayed on a display rack for pleasure and/or inspiration.  
         [0012]     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a golf ball  10  having an outer surface  12  that contains indicia  14  that are in the form of biblical scripture text.  FIG. 2  shows golf ball  10  with indicia  14  in the form of a biblical scripture reference. Indicia  14  can be disposed onto outer surface  12  of golf ball  10  by any known method, for example, printing, painting, and/or engraving.  
         [0013]     The biblical scriptures displayed on golf ball  10  can be selected from any book, chapter or verse of the Bible. Also, the scriptures can be selected from any version of the Bible, for example, King James, American Standard, Revised Standard, New English Bible, New American Standard, New International, New King James, and New Revised Standard.  
         [0014]     Golf ball  10  can be any known golf ball, for example, a 2-piece ball also referred to as a solid ball, or a multi-layered ball also referred to as a wound golf ball. Solid balls are made with a solid core, usually formed of a crosslinked rubber, which is encased by a cover material. Typically the solid core is formed of polybutadiene which is chemically crosslinked with zinc diacrylate and/or similar crosslinking agents and is covered by a tough, cut-proof blended cover. The cover is generally formed of a material such as SURLYN, which is a trademark for an ionomer resin produced by DuPont of Wilmington, Del.  
         [0015]     Wound balls typically have either a solid rubber or liquid center core around which many yards of a stretched elastic thread or yarn are wound. The wound core is then covered with a durable cover material such as a SURLYN or similar material or a softer cover such as balata or polyurethane.  
         [0016]     While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6