Golf Ball With Dimple-Free Zones

Abstract

A golf ball is disclosed comprising dimple-free zones; such dimple-free zones may be substantially free of surface irregularities, and may be used by a player to align a shot. Unintentional spin and trajectory deviations may be avoided or minimized when a putt or other low-speed shot strikes the golf ball on such a dimple-free zone. In some applications, a plurality of dimple-free zones may be disposed in locations that are distributed symmetrically on a surface of the ball. Methods of manufacturing such a golf ball are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising:
 a dimple pattern disposed on a surface of the ball; and   a first dimple-free zone disposed on the surface, wherein the first dimple-free zone is substantially free of surface irregularities.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein the first dimple-free zone is circular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein the first dimple-free zone is in a shape that is contoured based upon a portion of the dimple pattern that is occupied by the first dimple-free zone. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein the first dimple-free zone comprises a circumferential band. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an additional dimple-free zone disposed on the surface, wherein the additional dimple-free zone is substantially free of surface irregularities and positioned opposite the first dimple-free zone on an axis through the ball. 
 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of additional dimple-free zones, wherein each of the plurality of additional dimple-free zones is substantially free of surface irregularities, and wherein the first dimple-free zone and the plurality of additional dimple-free zones are distributed symmetrically on the surface. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 4  further comprising an additional dimple-free zone disposed on the surface, wherein the additional dimple-free zone is substantially free of surface irregularities and comprises an additional circumferential band, and wherein the first dimple-free zone and the additional dimple-free zone are distributed symmetrically on the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 4  further comprising a plurality of additional discrete point dimple-free zones disposed on the surface, each of which is substantially free of surface irregularities, and wherein the first dimple-free zone and the plurality of additional discrete point dimple-free zones are distributed symmetrically on the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1  further comprising a graphic element disposed on the surface and comprising a visual indictor of a location or orientation of the dimple-free zone. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 4  wherein the dimple-free zone provides a visual cue to align the golf ball for play. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a golf ball having dimple-free zones, the method comprising:
 creating a dimple pattern on a surface of the ball; and   creating a dimple-free zone on a surface of the ball independent of the dimple pattern, wherein the dimple-free zone occupies a portion of the surface of the ball in lieu of the dimple pattern and is substantially free of surface irregularities.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the creating a dimple-free zone comprises disposing the dimple-free zone on the surface in a circular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the creating a dimple-free zone comprises disposing the dimple-free zone on the surface in a shape that is contoured based upon a portion of the dimple pattern that is occupied by the first dimple-free zone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the creating a dimple-free zone comprises disposing the dimple-free zone on the surface in a circumferential band. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 creating a plurality of additional dimple-free zones, each of the plurality of additional dimple-free zones being substantially free of surface irregularities; and 
 distributing the first dimple-free zone and the plurality of additional dimple-free zones symmetrically on the surface.