Golf ball having dimples with concentric or non-concentric grooves

Abstract

The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the alteration of the dimple surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having circular perimeters and dimple profiles having a concentric groove or a non-concentric groove on the surface of the dimple. The golf ball dimples of the present invention provide golf ball surfaces having unique appearances, while maintaining ideal aerodynamic characteristics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball having a generally spherical surface and comprising a plurality of dimples on the spherical surface, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of dimples have a circular plan shape, a spherical profile shape, an edge angle of from 10.0° to 20.0°, a dimple depth of from 0.004 inches to 0.020 inches, and comprise at least three concentric grooves and a center indentation on each dimple surface, and wherein:
 each concentric groove has a half-square cross-sectional profile; 
 each concentric groove is concentric with the perimeter of the dimple within which the groove is located; 
 the center indentation has a circular plan shape and a half-square cross-sectional profile; and 
 the distance between the spherical profile of the dimple and a spherical profile containing the deepest point of each of the grooves and the deepest point of the center indentation is from 0.0005 inches to 0.007 inches. 
 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal separation distance between each pair of adjacent concentric grooves and the horizontal separation distance between the center indentation and the concentric groove adjacent to the center indentation are substantially equal. 
     
     
         3 . A golf ball having a generally spherical surface and comprising a plurality of dimples on the spherical surface, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of dimples have a circular plan shape, a spherical profile shape, an edge angle of from 10.0° to 20.0°, a dimple depth of from 0.004 inches to 0.020 inches, and comprise at least three concentric grooves on each dimple surface, and wherein:
 each concentric groove has a half-square cross-sectional profile; 
 each concentric groove is concentric with the perimeter of the dimple within which the groove is located; and 
 the distance between the spherical profile of the dimple and a spherical profile containing the deepest point of each of the grooves is from 0.0005 inches to 0.007 inches. 
 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 3 , wherein the horizontal separation distance between each pair of adjacent concentric grooves are substantially equal. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 3 , wherein the dimple surface does not have a center indentation.