Patent Abstract:
A dimple pattern for a golf ball with multiple sets of dimples is disclosed herein. Each of the multiple sets of dimples has a different diameter. A preferred set of dimples is twelve different dimples. The dimples may cover as much as eighty-seven percent of the surface of the golf ball. The unique dimple pattern allows a golf ball to have shallow dimples with steeper entry angles. In a preferred embodiment, the golf ball has 382 dimples covering ninety percent of the surface.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/398,919 filed on Sep. 16, 1999.  
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates to a golf ball. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dimple pattern for a golf ball in which the dimple pattern has different sizes of dimples.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0006]    Golfers realized perhaps as early as the 1800&#39;s that golf balls with indented surfaces flew better than those with smooth surfaces. Hand-hammered gutta-percha golf balls could be purchased at least by the 1860&#39;s, and golf balls with brambles (bumps rather than dents) were in style from the late 1800&#39;s to 1908. In 1908, an Englishman, William Taylor, received a patent for a golf ball with indentations (dimples) that flew better ad more accurately than golf balls with brambles. A. G. Spalding &amp; Bros., purchased the U.S. rights to the patent and introduced the GLORY ball featuring the TAYLOR dimples. Until the 1970s, the GLORY ball, and most other golf balls with dimples had 336 dimples of the same size using the same pattern, the ATTI pattern. The ATTI pattern was an octahedron pattern, split into eight concentric straight line rows, which was named after the main producer of molds for golf balls.  
           [0007]    The only innovation related to the surface of a golf ball during this sixty year period came from Albert Penfold who invented a mesh-pattern golf ball for Dunlop. This pattern was invented in 1912 and was accepted until the 1930&#39;s.  
           [0008]    In the 1970&#39;s, dimple pattern innovations appeared from the major golf ball manufacturers. In 1973, Titleist introduced an icosahedron pattern which divides the golf ball into twenty triangular regions. An icosahedron pattern was disclosed in British Patent Number 377,354 to John Vernon Pugh, however, this pattern had dimples lying on the equator of the golf ball which is typically the parting line of the mold for the golf ball. Nevertheless, the icosahedron pattern has become the dominant pattern on golf balls today.  
           [0009]    In the late 1970s and the 1980&#39;s the mathematicians of the major golf ball manufacturers focused their intention on increasing the dimpled surface area (the area covered by dimples) of a golf ball. The dimpled surface for the ATTI pattern golf balls was approximately 50%. In the 1970&#39;s, the dimpled surface area increased to greater than 60% of the surface of a golf ball. Further breakthroughs increased the dimpled surface area to over 70%. U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,976 to William Gobush discloses a golf ball with 78% dimple coverage with up to 422 dimples. The 1990&#39;s have seen the dimple surface area break into the 80% coverage.  
           [0010]    The number of different dimples on a golf ball surface has also increased with the surface area coverage. The ATTI pattern disclosed a dimple pattern with only one size of dimple. The number of different types of dimples increased, with three different types of dimples becoming the preferred number of different types of dimples. U.S. Pat. No. 4,463 to Oka et al., discloses a dimple pattern with four different types of dimples on surface where the non-dimpled surface cannot contain an additional dimple. United Kingdom patent application number 2157959, to Steven Aoyama, discloses dimples with five different diameters. Further, William Gobush invented a cuboctahedron pattern that has dimples with eleven different diameters. See 500  Year of Golf Balls , Antique Trade Books, page 189. However, inventing dimple patterns with multiple dimples for a golf ball only has value if such a golf ball is commercialized and available for the typical golfer to play.  
           [0011]    Additionally, dimple patterns have been based on the sectional shapes, such as octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron patterns. U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,522 discloses a golf ball dimple pattern having pentagonal formations with equally number of dimples therein. U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,241 discloses a golf ball dimple pattern having a modified icosahedron pattern wherein small triangular sections lie along the equator to provide a dimple-free equator.  
           [0012]    Although there are hundreds of published patents related to golf ball dimple patterns, there still remains a need to improve upon current dimple patterns. This need is driven by new materials used to manufacture golf balls, and the ever increasing innovations in golf clubs.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention provides a novel dimple pattern that reduces high speed drag on a golf ball while increasing its low speed lift thereby providing a golf ball that travels greater distances. The present invention is able to accomplish this by providing multiples sets of dimples arranged in a pattern that covers as much as eighty-six percent of the surface of the golf ball.  
           [0014]    One aspect of the present invention is a dimple pattern on a golf ball in which the dimple pattern has at least eleven different sets of dimples. The golf ball includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth pluralities of dimples disposed on the surface. Each of the first plurality of dimples has a first diameter. Each of the second plurality of dimples has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. Each of the third plurality of dimples has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter. Each of the fourth plurality of dimples has a fourth diameter that is greater than the third diameter. Each of the fifth plurality of dimples has a fifth diameter that is greater than the fourth diameter. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth pluralities of dimples cover at least eighty percent of the surface of the golf ball.  
           [0015]    Another aspect of the present invention is a golf ball having at least 382 dimples. The 382 dimples are partitioned into at least eleven different sets of dimples. Each of the eleven different sets of dimples have a different diameter than any other set of dimples. The 382 dimples cover at least 87% of the surface of the golf ball  
           [0016]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf ball having a core and cover. The core has a diameter of 1.50 inches to 1.56 inches, and is composed of a polybutadiene material. The cover encompasses the core and has a thickness of 0.05 inch to 0.10 inch. The cover is preferably composed of an ionomer blend of material. The cover has a surface which has 382 dimples. The 382 dimples are partitioned into at least eleven different sets of dimples. Each of the eleven different sets of dimples have a different diameter than any other set of dimples. The 382 dimples cover at least 87% of the surface of the cover.  
           [0017]    Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is an equatorial view of a preferred embodiment of a golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is an equatorial view of a preferred embodiment of a golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a polar view of the golf ball of FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a dimple of a first set of dimples of the golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5A is an isolated cross-sectional view to illustrate the definition of the entry radius.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a dimple of a tenth set of dimples of the golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a dimple of a twelfth set of dimples of the golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a dimple of a seventh set of dimples of the golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a dimple of a fifth set of dimples of the golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a dimple of a second set of dimples of the golf ball of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is the view of FIG. 1 illustrating the rows of dimples.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is the view of FIG. 1 illustrating the transition region of dimples.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is the view of FIG. 2 illustrating the cascading pentagons of dimples.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 14 is the view of FIG. 2 illustrating the single encompassing pentagon of dimples.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 15 is a graph of the lift coefficient for a Reynolds number of 70,000 at 2000 rotations per minute (x-axis) versus the drag coefficient for a Reynolds number of 180,000 at 3000 rotations per minute (y-axis).  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    As shown in FIGS. 1, a golf ball is generally designated  20 . The golf ball is preferably a two-piece with a solid core and a cover such as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application 09/______ , for a Golf Ball, Assignee&#39;s corporate docket number PU1177, filed on an even date herewith, and incorporated by reference. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that the aerodynamic pattern of the present invention may by utilized on the three-piece golf ball, one-piece golf ball, or multiple-layer golf ball without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0035]    A cover  21  of the golf ball  20  may be any suitable material. A preferred cover  21  is composed of a thermoplastic material such as an ionomer material. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other cover materials may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The golf ball  20  may have a finish of a basecoat and/or top coat with a logo indicia. A core  23  of the golf ball is preferably composed of a polybutadiene material.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 , the golf ball  20  has a surface  22 . The golf ball  20  also has an equator  24  dividing the golf ball  20  into a first hemisphere  26  and a second hemisphere  28 . A first pole  30  is located ninety degrees along a longitudinal arc from the equator  24  in the first hemisphere  26 . A second pole  32  is located ninety degrees along a longitudinal arc from the equator  24  in the second hemisphere  28 .  
         [0037]    On the surface  22 , in both hemispheres  26  and  28 , are a plurality of dimples partitioned into multiple different sets of dimples. In a preferred embodiment, the number of dimples is 382, and the different sets of dimples are 12. Sets of dimples may vary primarily by diameter, however, the edge radius and depth may also vary for different sets of dimples. In a preferred embodiment there are 11 different sets of dimples by diameters.  
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, there is a first plurality of dimples  40 , a second plurality of dimples  42 , a third plurality of dimples  44 , a fourth plurality of dimples  46 , a fifth plurality of dimples  48 , a sixth plurality of dimples  50 , a seventh plurality of dimples  52 , an eighth plurality of dimples  54 , a ninth plurality of dimples  56 , a tenth plurality of dimples  58 , an eleventh plurality of dimples  60  and a twelfth plurality of dimples  62 .  
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiment, each of the first plurality of dimples  40  has the largest diameter dimple, and each of the twelfth plurality of dimples  62  has the smallest diameter dimples. The diameter of a dimple is measured from a surface inflection point across the center of the dimple to an opposite surface inflection point. The surface inflection points are where the land surface  25  ends and where the dimples begin. Each of the second plurality of dimples  42  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the first plurality of dimples  40 . Each of the third plurality of dimples  44  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the second plurality of dimples  42 . Each of the fourth plurality of dimples  46  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the third plurality of dimples  44 . Each of the fifth plurality of dimples  48  has a diameter that is equal to or smaller than the diameter of each of the fourth plurality of dimples  46 . Each of the sixth plurality of dimples  50  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the fifth plurality of dimples  48 . Each of the seventh plurality of dimples  52  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the sixth plurality of dimples  50 . Each of the eighth plurality of dimples  54  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the seventh plurality of dimples  52 . Each of the ninth plurality of dimples  56  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the eighth plurality of dimples  54 . Each of the tenth plurality of dimples  58  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the ninth plurality of dimples  56 . Each of the eleventh plurality of dimples  60  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the tenth plurality of dimples  58 . Each of the twelfth plurality of dimples  62  has a smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the eleventh plurality of dimples  60 .  
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment, the fourth plurality of dimples  46  are the most numerous. The second plurality of dimples  42 , the third plurality of dimples  44 , and the eighth plurality of dimples  60  are the equally the second most numerous. The next most numerous are the fifth plurality of dimples  48 . The next most numerous are the sixth plurality of dimples  50 , the seventh plurality of dimples  52 , the ninth plurality of dimples  56 , and the eleventh plurality of dimples  60 . The next most numerous are the first plurality of dimples  40  and the tenth plurality of dimples  58 . The twelfth plurality of dimples  62  is the least.  
         [0041]    Table One provides a description of the preferred embodiment. Table One includes the diameter ( in inches), chord depth (in inches), entry angle, entry radius (in inches) and number of dimples.  
                                   TABLE One                       Dimple   # of   Dimple   Chord   Entry   Entry       Set   Dimples   Diameter   Depth   Angle   Radius                   1st   10   0.186   .0060   13.48   .0255       2nd   60    0.1698   .0059   14.31   .0382       3rd   60    0.1688   .0056   14.32   .0279       4th   70    0.1668   .0061   14.39   .0370       5th   30    0.1668   .0061   13.54   .0273       6th   20   0.161   .0055   12.92   .0286       7th   20    0.1606   .0058   14.67   .0144       8th   60   0.158   .0057   15.02   .0387       9th   20   0.148   .0055   14.18   .0265       10th   10   0.144   .0059   15.07   .0333       11th   20   0.124   .0055   14.95   .0336       12th    2   0.102   .0065   21.17   .0146                  
 
         [0042]    The two dimples of the twelfth set of dimples  62  are each disposed on respective poles  30  and  32 . Each of the tenth set of dimples  58  is adjacent one of the twelfth set of dimples  62 . The five dimples of the tenth set of dimples  58  that are disposed within the first hemisphere  26  are each an equal distance from the equator  24  and the first pole  30 . The five dimples of the tenth set of dimples  58  that are disposed within the second hemisphere  28  are each an equal distance from the equator  24  and the second pole  32 . These polar dimples  62  and  58  account for approximately 2% of the surface  22  of the golf ball  20 .  
         [0043]    FIGS.  5 - 10  illustrate the cross-section of a dimple for some of the different sets of dimples.  
         [0044]    A cross-section of a dimple of the first set of dimples  40  is shown in FIG. 5. The radius R 1  of the dimple  40  is approximately 0.093 inch, the chord depth C 1  is approximately 0.006 inch, the entry angle θ 1  is approximately 13.48 degrees, and the edge radius ER 1  is approximately 0.0255 inch. The ten dimples of the first set of dimples  40  cover approximately 3.8% of the surface  22  of the golf ball  20 . The ten dimples of the first set of dimples  40  that are disposed within the first hemisphere  26  are each an equal distance from the equator  24  and the first pole  30 . The ten dimples of the first set of dimples  40  that are disposed within the second hemisphere  28  are each an equal distance from the equator  24  and the second pole  32 .  
         [0045]    Unlike the use of the term “entry radius” or “edge radius” in the prior art, the edge radius as defined herein is a value utilized in conjunction with the entry angle to delimit the concave and convex segments of the dimple contour. The first and second derivatives of the two Bézier curves are forced to be equal at this point defined by the edge radius and the entry angle, as shown in FIG. 5A. A more detailed description of the contour of the dimples is set forth in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/398,918, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, entitled Golf Ball Dimples With Curvature Continuity, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0046]    A cross-section of a dimple of the tenth set of dimples  58  is shown in FIG. 6. The radius R 10  of the dimple  58  is approximately 0.072 inch, the chord depth C 10  is approximately 0.0059 inch, the entry angle θ 10  is approximately 15.7 degrees, and the edge radius ER 10  is approximately 0.0333 inch.  
         [0047]    A cross-section of a dimple of the twelfth set of dimples  62  is shown in FIG. 7. The radius R 12  of the dimple  62  is approximately 0.051 inch, the chord depth C 12  is approximately 0.0065 inches, the entry angle θ 12  is approximately 21.7 degrees, and the edge radius ER 12  is approximately 0.0146 inch.  
         [0048]    A cross-section of a dimple of the seventh set of dimples  52  is shown in FIG. 8. The radius R 7  of the dimple  52  is approximately 0.0803 inch, the chord depth C 7  is approximately 0.0058 inch, the entry angle θ 6  is approximately 14.67 degrees, and the edge radius ER 7  is approximately 0.0144 inch. The ten dimples of the seventh set of dimples  52  that are disposed within the first hemisphere  26  are each an equal distance from the equator  24  and the first pole  30 . The ten dimples of the seventh set of dimples  52  that are disposed within the second hemisphere  28  are each an equal distance from the equator  24  and the second pole  32 .  
         [0049]    All of the fifth set of dimples  48  are adjacent to at least one of the seventh set of dimples  52 . The thirty dimples of the fifth set of dimples  48  cover approximately 3.5% of the surface  22  of the golf ball  20 . The fifteen dimples of the fifth set of dimples  48  that are disposed within the first hemisphere  26  are each an equal distance from the first pole  30 . The fifteen dimples of the fifth set of dimples  48  that are disposed within the second hemisphere  28  are each an equal distance from the second pole  32 . A cross-section of a dimple of the fifth set of dimples  48  is shown in FIG. 9. The radius R 5  of the dimple  48  is approximately 0.0834 inch, the chord depth C 5  is approximately 0.0061 inch, the entry angle θ 5  is approximately 13.54 degrees, and the edge radius ER 5  is approximately 0.0273 inches.  
         [0050]    A cross-section of a dimple of the second set of dimples  42  is shown in FIG. 10. The radius R 2  of the dimple  42  is approximately 0.0834 inch, the chord depth C 2  is approximately 0.0059 inch, the entry angle θ 2  is approximately 14.31 degrees, and the edge radius ER 2  is approximately 0.0382 inch. The sixty dimples of the second set of dimples  42  are the most influential of the different sets of dimples  40 - 62  due to their number, size and placement on the surface  22  of the golf ball  20 . The sixty dimples of the second set of dimples  42  cover approximately 12% of the surface  22  of the golf ball  20 . The thirty dimples of the second set of dimples  42  that are disposed within the first hemisphere  26  are disposed in the first row  80  above the equator  24 . Similarly, the thirty dimples of the second set of dimples  42  that are disposed within the second hemisphere  28  are disposed in the first row  90  below the equator  24 .  
         [0051]    The one-hundred eighty dimples of the second, third and eighth sets of dimples  42 ,  44  and  54  are the most influential of the different sets of dimples  40 - 62  due to their number, size and placement on the surface  22  of the golf ball  20  near the equator. The one-hundred eighty dimples of the second, third and eighth sets of dimples  42 ,  44  and  54  cover approximately 50% of the surface  22  of the golf ball  20 .  
         [0052]    As best illustrated in FIG. 11, each hemisphere  26  and  28  begins with three rows from the equator  24 . The first row  80  of the first hemisphere  26  and the first row  90  of the second hemisphere  28  are composed of the second set of dimples  42 . The second row  82  of the first hemisphere  26  and the second row  92  of the second hemisphere  28  are composed of the third set of dimples  44 . The third row  84  of the first hemisphere  26  and the third row  94  of the second hemisphere  28  are composed of the eight set of dimples  54 . This pattern of rows is utilized to achieve greater surface area coverage of the dimples on the golf ball  20 . However, as mentioned previously, conventional teaching would dictate that additional rows of smaller diameter dimples should be utilized to achieve greater surface area coverage. However, the dimple pattern of the present invention transitions from rows of equal dimples into a pentagonal region  98 .  
         [0053]    The pentagonal region  98  is best seen in FIG. 12. A similar pentagonal region  98   a , not shown, is disposed about the second pole  32 . The pentagonal region  98  has five pentagons  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108  expanding from the first pole  30 . Similar pentagons  100   a ,  102   a ,  104   a ,  106   a  and  108   a  expand from the second pole  32 .  
         [0054]    The first pentagon  100  consists of the tenth set of dimples  58 . The second pentagon  102  consists of the seventh set of dimples  52 . The third pentagon  104  consists of the fifth set of dimples  48 . The fourth pentagon  106  consists of the fourth set of dimples  46 . The fifth pentagon  108  consists of the first set of dimples  40 , the sixth set of dimples  50 , and the fourth set of dimples  46 . However, the greater fifth pentagon  108 ′ would include the fifth pentagon  108  and all dimples disposed between the third row  84  and the fifth pentagon  108 . The pentagonal region  98  allows for the greater surface area of the dimple pattern of the present invention.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 13 illustrates five triangles  130 - 138  that compose the pentagonal region  98 . Dashed line  140  illustrates the extent of the greater pentagonal region  98 ′ which overlaps with the transition latitudinal region  70 .  
         [0056]    As best illustrated in FIG. 14, all of the dimples of the ninth set of dimples  56  and the eleventh set of dimples  60  are disposed within the transition latitudinal regions  70  and  72 . The transition latitudinal regions  70  and  72  transition the dimple pattern of the present invention from the rows  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  to the pentagonal regions  98  and  98   a . Each of the transition latitudinal regions  70  and  72  cover a circumferencial area between 40 to 60 longitudinal degrees from the equator  24  in their respective hemispheres  26  and  28 . The first transition latitudinal region  70  has a polar boundary  120  at approximately 60 longitudinal degrees from the equator  24 , and an equatorial boundary  122  at approximately 40 longitudinal degrees from the equator  24 . Similarly, the second transition latitudinal region  72  has a polar boundary  120   a  at approximately 60 longitudinal degrees from the equator  24 , and an equatorial boundary  122   a  at approximately 40 longitudinal degrees from the equator  24 .  
         [0057]    Alternative embodiments of the dimple pattern of the present invention may variations in the number of dimples, diameters, depths, entry angle and/or entry radius. Most common alternatives will not have any dimples at the poles  30  and  32 . Other common alternatives will have the same number of dimples, but with less variation in the diameters.  
         [0058]    The force acting on a golf ball in flight is calculated by the following trajectory equation:  
             F   =       F   L     +     F   D     +   G             (   A   )                               
 
         [0059]    wherein F is the force acting on the golf ball; F L  is the lift; F D  is the drag; and G is gravity. The lift and the drag in equation A are calculated by the following equations:  
               F   L     =     0.5                   C   L        A                 ρ                   v   2               (   B   )                 F   D     =     0.5                   C   D        A                 ρ                   v   2               (   C   )                               
 
         [0060]    wherein C L  is the lift coefficient; C D  is the drag coefficient; A is the maximum cross-sectional area of the golf ball; ρ is the density of the air; and ν is the golf ball airspeed.  
         [0061]    The drag coefficient, C D , and the lift coefficient, C L , may be calculated using the following equations:  
               C   D     =     2          F   D     /   A                   ρ                   v   2               (   D   )                 C   L     =     2          F   L     /   A                   ρ                   v   2               (   E   )                               
 
         [0062]    The Reynolds number R is a dimensionless parameter that quantifies the ratio of inertial to viscous forces acting on an object moving in a fluid. Turbulent flow for a dimpled golf ball occurs when R is greater than 40000. If R is less than 40000, the flow may be laminar. The turbulent flow of air about a dimpled golf ball in flight allows it to travel farther than a smooth golf ball.  
         [0063]    The Reynolds number R is calculated from the following equation:  
             R   =     v                 D                   ρ              /   μ               (   F   )                               
 
         [0064]    wherein ν is the average velocity of the golf ball; D is the diameter of the golf ball (usually 1.68 inches); ρ is the density of air (0.00238 slugs/ft 3  at standard atmospheric conditions); and μ is the absolute viscosity of air (3.74×10 −7  lb*sec/ft 2  at standard atmospheric conditions). A Reynolds number, R, of 180,000 for a golf ball having a USGA approved diameter of 1.68 inches, at standard atmospheric conditions, approximately corresponds to a golf ball hit from the tee at 200 ft/s or 136 mph, which is the point in time during the flight of a golf ball when the golf ball attains its highest speed. A Reynolds number, R, of 70,000 for a golf ball having a USGA approved diameter of 1.68 inches, at standard atmospheric conditions, approximately corresponds to a golf ball at its apex in its flight, 78 ft/s or 53 mph, which is the point in time during the flight of the golf ball when the travels at its slowest speed. Gravity will increase the speed of a golf ball after its reaches its apex.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 15 is a graph of the lift coefficient for a Reynolds number of 70,000 at 2000 rotations per minute versus the drag coefficient for a Reynolds number of 180,000 at 3000 rotations per minute for a golf ball  20  with the dimple pattern of the present invention thereon as compared to the Titlelist HP DISTANCE 202, the Titlelist HP ECLIPSE 204, the SRI Maxfli HI-BRD (from Japan) 206, the Wilson CYBERCORE PRO DISTANCE 208, the Titleist PRO V1 210, the Bridgestone TOUR STAGE MC392 (from Japan) 212, the Precept MC LADY 214, the Nike TOUR ACCURACY 216, and the Titlelist DT DISTANCE 218.  
         [0066]    The golf balls  20  with the dimple pattern of the present invention were constructed as set forth in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/______, filed on an even date herewith, for a Golf Ball which pertinent parts are hereby incorporated by reference. The aerodynamics of the dimple pattern of the present invention provides a greater lift with a reduced drag thereby translating into a golf ball  20  that travels a greater distance than golf balls of similar constructions.  
         [0067]    As compared to other golf balls, the golf ball  20  of the present invention is the only one that combines a lower drag coefficient at high speeds, and a greater lift coefficient at low speeds. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, none of the other golf balls have a lift coefficient, C L , greater than 0.19 at a Reynolds number of 70,000, and a drag coefficient C D  less than 0.232 at a Reynolds number of 180,000. For example, while the Nike TOUR ACCURACY 216 has a C L  greater than 0.19 at a Reynolds number of 70,000, its C D  is greater than 0.232 at a Reynolds number of 180,000. Also, while the Titleist DT DISTANCE 218 has a drag coefficient C D  less than 0.232 at a Reynolds number of 180,000, its C L  is less than 0.19 at a Reynolds number of 70,000. Further, the golf ball  20  of the present invention is the only golf ball that has a lift coefficient, C L , greater than 0.20 at a Reynolds number of 70,000, and a drag coefficient C D  less than 0.235 at a Reynolds number of 180,000. Yet further, the golf ball  20  of the present invention is the only golf ball that has a lift coefficient, C L , greater than 0.19 at a Reynolds number of 70,000, and a drag coefficient C D  less than 0.229 at a Reynolds number of 180,000. More specifically, the golf ball  20  of the present invention is the only golf ball that has a lift coefficient, C L , greater than 0.21 at a Reynolds number of 70,000, and a drag coefficient C D  less than 0.230 at a Reynolds number of 180,000. Even more specifically, the golf ball  20  of the present invention is the only golf ball that has a lift coefficient, C L , greater than 0.22 at a Reynolds number of 70,000, and a drag coefficient C D  less than 0.230 at a Reynolds number of 80,000.  
         [0068]    In this regard, the Rules of Golf, approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews, limits the initial velocity of a golf ball to 250 feet (76.2 m) per second (a two percent maximum tolerance allows for an initial velocity of 255 per second) and the overall distance to 280 yards (256 m) plus a six percent tolerance for a total distance of 296.8 yards (the six percent tolerance may be lowered to four percent). A complete description of the Rules of Golf are available on the USGA web page at www.usga.org. Thus, the initial velocity and overall distance of a golf ball must not exceed these limits in order to conform to the Rules of Golf. Therefore, the golf ball  20  has a dimple pattern that enables the golf ball  20  to meet, yet not exceed, these limits.  
         [0069]    From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0