Methods and Systems for Customizing a Golf Ball

Abstract

A method for customizing a golf ball, and associated kits, are provided. The method includes steps of heating a golf ball that has a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material making up the cover layer, and then cooling the golf ball at a preselected rate so as to change the degree of crystallinity. The change in degree of crystallinity allows the golf ball to achieve different play characteristics. The change is reversible by repeating the method, and the method may be repeated many times using the same golf ball. Kits used to carry out the method may include a golf ball having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material for the cover layer, a graphical representation of how the cooling relates to the desired play characteristics, a stand for holding the golf ball, a heater, and an additive that aids in heating or cooling the golf ball.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of preparing a kit for customizing a golf ball, the method comprising:
 providing a golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer substantially disposed around the core, the cover layer being formed of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material;   determining a correlation between at least one preselected rate of cooling the golf ball, after the golf ball has been heated to a preselected temperature, and a desired play characteristic exhibited by the golf ball when hit by a golf club;   making a graphical representation of the correlation between the at least one preselected rate of cooling the golf ball, after the golf ball has been heated to a preselected temperature, and a desired play characteristic exhibited by the golf ball when hit by a golf club;   determining a cooling step for cooling the golf ball at the at least one preselected rate;   making a description of the cooling step comprising a description of a cooling medium, a description of a cooling medium temperature range, and a description of a cooling time range; and   assembling a kit comprising the golf ball, the graphical representation, and the description of the cooling step.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the description of the cooling step comprises a description of performing the cooling step using readily available household equipment. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the description of a cooling medium comprises a description of using water as a cooling medium. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the description of a cooling medium comprises a description of using air as a cooling medium. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the description of a cooling medium temperature range comprises a description of using a cooling medium at about room temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 making a graphical representation of a correlation between a first preselected rate of cooling the golf ball, after the golf ball has been heated to a preselected temperature, and a desired play characteristic exhibited by the golf ball when hit by a golf club, and of a correlation between a second preselected rate of cooling the golf ball, after the golf ball has been heated to a preselected temperature, and a desired play characteristic exhibited by the golf ball when hit by a golf club;   describing a first cooling step for cooling the golf ball at the first preselected rate comprising a description of a first cooling medium, a description of a first cooling medium temperature range, and a description of a first cooling time range;   describing a second cooling step for cooling the golf ball at the second preselected rate comprising a description of a second cooling medium, a description of a second cooling medium temperature range, and a description of a second cooling time range.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first preselected rate correlates to a desired play characteristic related to a golf ball with a soft cover, and wherein the second preselected rate correlates to a desired play characteristic related to a golf ball with a hard cover. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising
 describing an intermediate cooling step for cooling the golf ball at a first preselected rate and a subsequent cooling step for cooling the golf ball at a second preselected rate comprising describing a first cooling medium, a first cooling medium temperature range, and a first cooling time range; and   describing a subsequent cooling step, comprising describing a second cooling medium, a second cooling medium temperature range, and a second cooling time range.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the desired play characteristic is greater distance. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the desired play characteristic is greater spin and control. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein describing the first cooling step comprises describing cooling the golf ball in a cold water bath, and describing the second cooling step comprises describing cooling the golf ball in a warm water bath. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein describing the first cooling step comprises describing cooling the golf ball in a cold water bath, and describing the second cooling step comprises describing cooling the golf ball in air. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the cold water bath has a temperature of about 4 to about 13° C. and the warm water bath has a temperature of about 40 to about 70° C. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the cold water bath has a temperature of about 4 to about 13° C. and the air has a temperature of about room temperature. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising correlating at least one preselected rate of cooling the golf ball, after the golf ball has been heated to a preselected temperature, and a desired play characteristic exhibited by the golf ball when hit by a golf club, by a resulting degree of crystallinity in a golf ball after cooling at the at least one preselected rate. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising correlating at least one preselected rate of cooling the golf ball, after the golf ball has been heated to a preselected temperature, and a desired play characteristic exhibited by the golf ball when hit by a golf club, by a resulting hardness of a golf ball after cooling at the at least one preselected rate. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material comprises thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cover layer includes a microwave absorbing additive. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a stand for holding the golf ball. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a heater configured so as to heat the golf ball to the preselected temperature.