Fun Facts

Why are golf balls dimpled? Is there a scientific logic behind dimple shapes and sizes? You better believe it! Golfers have preferences for the type of ball they use and golf equipment manufacturers are happy to offer many different options. In the 1960s, James Bond was partial to the Penfold Heart golf balls, while his opponent, Goldfinger, prefers the Slazenger 1. Callaway owns a golf ball patent from 2001 (US6,464,601) which documents eighteen different dimples on the ball – 382 dimples in total. I’m happy whenever all those dimples don’t end up in the woods! We at BIG IP Law will be celebrating golf all month long. Interested in sports patents? Ready to get the ball rolling with your new performance patent idea? Photo by Peter Drew on Unsplash

Golfers will forever debate the type of club they use, what works best, and why dimples on balls matter. However, do they ever really stop to think about the importance of the golf tee? They’re pretty much disposable, but using them allows for the golfer to get under the ball and drive it further – in theory. Dr. George F. Grant patented the first wooden peg golf tee in 1899, replacing the centuries-old “tuitje”, a small pile of sand that elevated the ball. Dr. Grant was a dentist so he must have come up with the idea on the golf course after his 2:30 start time. (Get it? Tooth-hurty?) We at BIG IP Law will be celebrating golf all month long. Interested in sports patents? Ready to tee off with your new performance patent idea? Photo by Macau Photo Agency via Unsplash