A system for measuring golf ball trajectory characteristics is disclosed. The system includes artificial grass with a launch location for a golf ball and a plurality of wide-angle distance optical sensors mechanically connected to the artificial grass positioned such that a field of measurement of each wide-angle distance optical sensors intersects. The system also includes a central processing unit connected to the wide-angle distance optical sensors, the central processing unit configured to collect distance measurements from the wide-angle distance optical sensors and to determine a velocity of a trajectory of the golf ball from the launch location to the intersection of the field of measurement of each wide-angle distance optical sensors given a distance between the plurality of the wide-angle distance optical sensors, a distance between the plurality of the wide-angle distance optical sensors and the launch location, and the distance measurements from the plurality of the wide-angle distance optical sensors. Once the velocity of the trajectory of the golf ball is determined, the central processing unit transmits the velocity to a display.

The present invention relates generally to a novelty golf ball that has a plurality of internal electrical components capable of storing and playing a sound recording when motion of the novelty golf ball is detected. The body of the novelty golf ball may be of unitary construction or comprised of two separate halves that may be removably attached to one another to allow a user to access the electrical components stored on the interior of the novelty golf ball.

Methods for making golf balls and golf ball components using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing systems are provided. The golf ball includes at least one three-dimensional piece. Preferably, a continuous liquid interface printing method is used to make the three-dimensional structure. Ultraviolet (UV)-light polymerizable materials are used in the method. The method may be used to make single-piece or multi-piece balls. For example, the ball may include an inner core produced by the liquid interface printing method. An outer core layer may be disposed about the inner core, and a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers may encapsulate the core assembly to form the finished golf ball. The outer core and cover layers may be made using conventional molding technologies or methods of this invention.

A golf ball with embedded electronics to allow proximity to be tracked and to monitor golfer performance is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a processor connected to an accelerometer, communications circuitry, a spin detector, and memory, wherein the processor stores accelerometer data from the accelerometer and rotation data regarding rotation of the spin detector in the memory. The processor converts the data regarding the rotation of the spin detector into a rotation speed and a rotation direction, said rotation speed determined by a frequency of the data, and said rotation direction determined by a magnitude of the data. The communications circuitry is configured to communicate the accelerometer data, the rotation direction, and the rotation speed to a central interrogator for analysis of a golfer's performance.

The present invention relates generally to a novelty golf ball that has a plurality of internal electrical components capable of storing and playing a sound recording when motion of the novelty golf ball is detected. The body of the novelty golf ball may be of unitary construction or comprised of two separate halves that may be removably attached to one another to allow a user to access the electrical components stored on the interior of the novelty golf ball.

A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, an inner cover 6 positioned outside the core 4, and an outer cover 8 positioned outside the inner cover 6. The core 4 has a capsule 14, a plurality of separators 16, an electronic unit 18, and a plurality of fillings 20. The capsule 14 has a melting point of not lower than 100° C. A ratio P1 of a volume Vr of the capsule 14 to a volume Vc of the core 4 is not less than 25% and not greater than 75%. The electronic unit 18 is housed in the capsule 14. The electronic unit 18 detects behavior of the golf ball 2.

The disclosed system can comprise a device that can be used to provide induction heating to one or more golf balls. The disclosed device comprises at least one induction coil and a housing that holds one or more golf balls. In some embodiments, the induction coil can take one or more turns around the housing. The induction coil generates a magnetic field surrounding the golf ball, inducing eddy currents in the central magnetic reactor within the golf ball interior. As a result, the golf ball is quickly, cleanly, and consistently heated without physical contact between the coil and the golf ball.

A golf ball with embedded electronics to allow proximity to be tracked and to monitor golfer performance is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a processor connected to an accelerometer, communications circuitry, a spin detector, and memory, wherein the processor stores accelerometer data from the accelerometer and rotation data regarding rotation of the spin detector in the memory. The processor converts the data regarding the rotation of the spin detector into a rotation speed and a rotation direction, said rotation speed determined by a frequency of the data, and said rotation direction determined by a magnitude of the data. The communications circuitry is configured to communicate the accelerometer data, the rotation direction, and the rotation speed to a central interrogator for analysis of a golfer's performance.

The present invention generally relates to golf balls having an internal skeletal structure that can be self-supporting. The golf ball preferably contains a spherical hollow inner core that is gas or liquid-filled. The ball further comprises an outer shell skeletal structure having a spherical shape and containing apertures that form hollow compartments. In one version, the skeletal structure supports itself and the space inside and around the skeletal structure is hollow. In another embodiment, the space is solid, for example, it may be foam-filled. In yet another version, the hollow space is filled with liquid. Multi-piece golf balls having outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made.

Golf balls and golf ball components made using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing systems are provided. The golf ball includes at least one three-dimensional piece. Preferably, a continuous liquid interface printing method is used to make the three-dimensional structure. Ultraviolet (UV)-light polymerizable materials are used in the method. The method may be used to make single-piece or multi-piece balls. For example, the ball may include an inner core produced by the liquid interface printing method. An outer core layer may be disposed about the inner core, and a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers may encapsulate the core assembly to form the finished golf ball. The outer core and cover layers may be made using conventional molding technologies or the methods of this invention.