Golf ball

Abstract

The invention provides a golf ball having a solid core, a cover of at least one layer, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of an outermost layer of the cover. The dimples number at least 250 but not more than 500, and have a volume ratio (VR) of from 1.00 to 1.40%. The ball has a deflection, when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf), of from 4.0 to 6.0 mm, and has an initial velocity, as measured using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as a USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument, of from 70.0 to 76.0 m/s. This golf ball is able to substantially reduce the distance traveled by the ball when struck at a high head speed, while at the same time holding down the decrease in distance when struck at a low head speed.

1 . A golf ball comprising a solid core, a cover of at least one layer, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, wherein the dimples number at least 250 but not more than 500 and have a volume ratio (VR) of from 1.00 to 1.40%, and the ball has a deflection, when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf), of from 4.0 to 6.0 mm and an initial velocity, as measured using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as a USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument, of from 70.0 to 76.0 m/s. 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ball, upon the conditions of a head speed of 54 m/s, a ball initial velocity of 78.0±0.5 m/s, a launch angle of 9.7±0.5° and an initial backspin rate of 2,700±100 rpm, has a total distance of not more than 290 yards. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ball has a ratio of total distance traveled when struck at a head speed of 54 m/s to total distance traveled when struck at a head speed of 35 m/s (HS54/HS35) of from 1.30 to 1.50. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the dimple volume ratio and the deflection satisfy the relationship expressed by the formula:
   4× VR +deflection=8.0 to 10.0.