Golf ball heater appliance

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to a method for improving golf ball distance performance by heating the golf ball to an average temperature of between 25.
degree.
C.
and about 55.
degree.
C.
within 30 minutes or less, and to an appliance for carrying out the method.
The process is carried out in two steps or stages: an active heating stage followed by a temperature equilibration stage.
The golf ball heating appliance of the present invention is capable of simultaneously heating a plurality of golf balls to an average temperature of at least 25.
degree.
C.
in 30 minutes or less, typically the time it takes for a golfer to drive from home to a golf course.
The heating appliance, designed for holding a plurality of balls, heats the balls primarily by conduction from the heated surface of a spherical cavity which encases each golf ball.
The appliance of the invention is also capable of maintaining the temperature of the heated golf ball for at least about 2 hours and preferably for about 4 hours after the power to the heating element is terminated.
The heating appliance comprises upper and lower receptacles having opposite and facing semi-spherical cavities for holding the respective balls, and a resistive heating element cooperating with a thermally conductive material of which the receptacles are made.
More specific details and features of the method and golf ball heating appliance of the invention will be described in the detailed description.