Process for designing rugged pattern on golf ball surface

1. A process for designing a rugged pattern on a golf ball surface, the process comprising the steps of:

(1) randomly arranging a large number of points on a surface of a phantom sphere;

(2) assuming a large number of regions on the surface of the phantom sphere based on the points; and

(3) assigning dimples and a land to the surface of the phantom sphere based on contours of the regions to form the rugged pattern;

(4) forming a physical golf ball with the rugged pattern on the golf ball surface;

wherein, at the step (2), a large number of the regions are assumed on the surface of the phantom sphere such that one of the points is included in one of the regions;

wherein, at the step (2), the regions are assumed by a Voronoi tessellation; and

wherein the step (2) comprises the steps of:

(2.1) assuming a number of minute cells larger than a number of dimples on the surface of the phantom sphere;

(2.2) selecting a generating point that is closest to each cell;

(2.3) assuming, for each generating point, a set of cells for which said each generating point is a closest generating point; and

(2.4) setting each set as a region obtained by the Voronoi tessellation.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein, at the step (2), a large number of the regions are assumed on the surface of the phantom sphere by connecting one point to another point by a line.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein, at the step (3), the land is assigned to a vicinity of each contour, and the dimple is assigned to a portion of the surface of the phantom sphere other than the land.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein, at the step (1), a large number of the points are randomly arranged based on a Cellular Automaton method.

5. The process according to claim 4 , wherein the step (1) comprises the steps of:

(1.1) assuming a plurality of states;

(1.2) assuming a large number of cells on the surface of the phantom sphere;

(1.3) assigning any one of the states to each cell;

(1.4) assigning, as an attribute of said each cell, any one of INSIDE, OUTSIDE, and BOUNDARY to said each cell based on the state of said each cell and states of a plurality of cells located adjacent to said each cell;

(1.5) assuming a loop by connecting cells of BOUNDARY; and

(1.6) deciding a central point of the loop.