Inventors:
Eric J. Lastowka - Hanover MA, US
Assignee:
Acushnet Company - Fairhaven MA
International Classification:
A63B 57/00, A63B 67/02, G01J 5/00, G01T 1/29, H01J 31/49
US Classification:
473198, 473151, 473152, 473155, 473156, 473378, 374130, 2504931, 2503701, 250333
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for changing the temperature pattern of the surface of a golf ball or golf club is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermal device capable of imparting a temperature pattern onto the surface of a golf ball. The thermal device preferably imparts the temperature pattern from a distance, preferably while the golf ball is positioned on a golf tee. After a predetermined amount of time, the golf ball may be stuck by a golf club. A thermal imaging device, which may detect a cooling pattern imparted to the golf ball by prongs of a cooling device, is preferably used to acquire images of the temperature pattern. The acquired images may then be analyzed by a processor to determine the kinematic characteristics of the golf ball.