Systems and methods for evaluating a golf ball design are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for evaluating a golf ball design may comprise designing a proposed golf ball having a size and dimple design; determining a specific gravity of the proposed golf ball; selecting a material for a test golf ball that will mimic the specific gravity of the proposed golf ball when the material is formed into a test golf ball having substantially the same size, shape, and dimple pattern as the proposed golf ball, but having a predetermined construction differing from the proposed golf ball; forming the selected material into the size and dimple design of the proposed golf ball to form the test golf ball; and testing the test golf ball to evaluate the golf ball design.

A structure for deburring a ball (200) is provided. The structure includes an arm (460), a gear structure (474) for changing the effective length of the arm, and a cam structure for changing the effective angular position of the arm. A finger (462) having an abrasive surface (466) reciprocates on the arm. A ball is placed in a rotating holder (310) and positioned in effective position for the abrasive surface to contact and remove at least one burr (201,222,228,248,250) on the ball.

Embodiments provide systems and methods for manufacturing a multilayer golf ball having strong inter-layer bonding and desired structural characteristics, provided by including temporary, removable particles in a golf ball substrate and then removing the particles to form voids in the substrate, including the outer surface and interior of the substrate. Golf balls having the resulting strong inter-layer bonding and structural characteristics are also disclosed.

Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half. Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above.

A golf ball is made from a plurality of layers. A core is formed of a soft material. A medial layer surrounds the core and is formed of a precompressed rubber. A cover surrounds the medial layer. A compression layer may be used to precompress the medial layer.

A golf ball includes a cover material containing a thermoplastic polyurethane composition which may be crosslinked post-mold by applying a radiation source such as ultraviolet light. The thermoplastic polyurethane composition may be crosslinked under controlled conditions selected to yield golf balls exhibiting desired physical properties and performance characteristics, such as hardness, spin, feel, and distance. In some examples, the golf ball contains one or more additional components, such as a UV curable topcoat, that may be simultaneously treated by the radiation source, thus improving processing efficiency.

Golf balls include an exterior cover having a plurality of dimples arranged thereon, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform dimple profile. At least a majority of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body may be arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior surface of the ball. In some example structures, the exterior surface of the ball will include from 4-18 repeating dimple clusters, from 4-12 repeating dimple clusters, or even from 6-10 repeating dimple clusters.

The ball for a ball game of the invention includes a fabric layer (1) having a spherical 12-hedron where twelve right pentagonal fabric pieces (2) arc sewn together. The marginal edges of the fabric piece being folded by 90 degrees, and the marginal edges are sewn together with a sewing machine. The fabric layer is then reversed through cross-like slits (5a, 5b) formed in the fabric layer in a location opposite to a valve opening (5) (also formed in the fabric layer) in such a manner that the marginal edges are located on an inner side of the fabric layer. After the bladder is accommodated within the fabric layer through the closure hole (5), the hole (5) is closed by a patch. Onto a surface of the fabric layer, there is adhered the panels. Thereby, the ball for a ball game having no unevenness and soft feeling is attained.

An object of the invention is to provide a leather-like sheet having excellent water absorbability (sweat absorbability, defined the same hereinafter), providing a natural leather-like touch, and suitably used as a ball covering or a non-slip covering, without lowering surface wear resistance. An aspect of the invention is directed to a leather-like sheet including a base material having an entangled fiber sheet; and a porous elastic resin layer laminated on a surface of the base material. The porous elastic resin layer has a concave-convex surface. The concave-convex surface of the porous elastic resin layer includes a projection having a top surface and a side surface, and a recess having a bottom surface contiguous to the side surface. The top surface of the projection has openings with a diameter from 10 to 500 nm at a density of 1,000 openings/mm² or more.