Here at ktMINE, aside from being apart of the Customer Success team, I enjoy applying my interests and passions to the world of intellectual property. Having formerly worked in Minor League Baseball as a radio broadcaster and contributed media content to publications such as MiLB.com and Cars.com I wanted to shed light on how IP fuels some of my favorite activities – sports!
You may not realize it, but every shot, kick, tackle, and swing are progressing forward with new advancements in technology to gain an edge against the competition. Patents and sports usually aren’t seen as teammates but sports leagues and the companies that provide equipment for the games we love, are revolutionizing players’ abilities and how we consume sports information. In the spirit of Tiger Woods major comeback, I wanted to focus in on how IP has shaped the game of golf.
Titleist Unleashes a Game-Changer
How does the company behind the #1 ball in golf stay at the top? After 60 years of dominating the market with their Professional and Tour Balata (wound-ball construction and liquid-filled core) balls, the golf equipment brand, Titleist has continued to revolutionize the game. In October 2000, the company released the Pro V1 golf ball at the Invensys Classic in Las Vegas. As the sport was seeing a resurgence in popularity, the ball fueled a spike in performance by several professionals. The distances on drives increased and players using the ball began to stack up victories.
Source: Titleist Pro V1 patent design from the ktMINE Patent Application.
The updated technology behind Pro V1 was ahead of the brand’s previous products, which mainly used a liquid-filled rubber core wound with thin rubber thread. Players found previous generations to be inconsistent from ball to ball. This new ball incorporated technologies from distance and performance balls, to make a three-piece multilayer ball with a solid-core combined with a large rubber core, along with a harder mantle layer. The Pro V1 also included a 392-dimple icosahedral design homegrown urethane cover, giving the ball a veneer look and a soft sensation to the touch while increasing spin. Players saw longer flight, reliability, and durability making it a smash hit among professionals and amateurs alike. The playing field had changed forever.
Be on the lookout as I continue to shed light on how IP has played a role in enhancing sports for the players, organizations, and even us – the spectators leading up to World IP Day.
