Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is to a golf ball having an equator at latitude 0° and two poles; and an equator region defined by latitudes 0 to 25°, a shoulder region defined by latitudes from more than 25° to less than 65°, and a pole region defined by latitudes 65° to 90°; and a dimple pattern on the surface of the golf ball having an average dimple volume of the equator region Ve, an average dimple volume of the shoulder region, Vs, and an average dimple volume of the pole region, Vp such that the ratio Vs/Ve is less than 0.97 and the ratio Vp/Vs is less than 0.97.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) at least one mantle layer adjacent to the core; (c) an inner cover layer adjacent to the mantle layer; and (d) an outer cover layer adjacent to the inner cover layer, wherein the inner cover layer has a material Shore D hardness that is at least 3 less than the material Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer, and the inner cover layer has a thickness of less than 0.050 in.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) an inner mantle layer; (c) an intermediate mantle layer; (d) an outer mantle layer; and (e) at least one cover layer; wherein the core has a PGA compression of less than 70, and the core/inner mantle layer/intermediate mantle layer combined construct has a PGA compression of at least 30.

Abstract: A golf ball made from a composition that includes at least one triboluminescent material. In one embodiment, the golf ball includes a core; an outer cover layer; one or more intermediate layers; and a coating layer disposed on the outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer, or the coating layer comprises at least one triboluminescent material. In another embodiment, the golf ball includes a core; an outer cover layer; and one or more intermediate layers; wherein at least one of the core, the outer cover layer, or the intermediate layer comprises at least one triboluminescent material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-piece golf ball having a core and a cover, wherein the core comprises at least one unsaturated polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one co-cross-linking agent, and at least one peptizer (comprising one or more organic sulfur compounds, or one or more metal or non-metal salts of an organic sulfur compound), and optionally at least one weight adjusting filler. The improved two-piece balls have optimal velocity and distance performance, as well as excellent shot feel, the called “long and soft” combination. The balls also demonstrate excellent durability properties, and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-piece golf ball having a core and a cover, wherein the core comprises at least one unsaturated polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one co-cross-linking agent, and at least one peptizer (comprising one or more organic sulfur compounds, or one or more metal or non-metal salts of an organic sulfur compound), and optionally at least one weight adjusting filler. The improved two-piece balls have optimal velocity and distance performance, as well as excellent shot feel, the called “long and soft” combination. The balls also demonstrate excellent durability properties, and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A golf ball including a polyurethane cover layer, a solid core, and one or more intermediate layers, and wherein the ball has a Sound Pressure Level, S, of less than 81.5 dB. In a further embodiment there is a golf ball including a polyurethane cover layer, a solid core, and one or more intermediate layers, and wherein the ball has a Sound Pressure Level, S, of less than 81.5 dB and wherein S meets the following inequality; S<?0.032143F+189.5; where F is the golf ball frequency in Hz. In an additional embodiment disclosed is a golf ball including a polyurethane cover layer, a solid core, and one or more intermediate layers, and wherein the ball has a Sound Pressure Level, S, of less than 81.5 dB and wherein S meets the following inequality; S<?0.01F+112; where F is the golf ball frequency in Hz.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; forming an inner cover layer around golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Golf ball covers incorporate base material compositions including a sound-altering material for selectively enhancing or dampening the acoustic output of a golf ball when it is struck. A ratio in the composition by weight of base material to sound-altering material ranges between 99.9:0.1 and 92:8. The invention allows for the altering of the sound of the golf ball while retaining the mechanical properties of the golf ball cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making golf balls by an extrusion molding process, particularly forming golf ball cores from an extrusion moldable composition. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having an extruded core, an outer cover layer and, optionally, one or more inner cover layers.

Abstract: Golf ball covers incorporate base material compositions including a sound-altering material for selectively enhancing or dampening the acoustic output of a golf ball when it is struck. A ratio in the composition by weight of base material to sound-altering material ranges between 99.9:0.1 and 92:8. The invention allows for the altering of the sound of the golf ball while retaining the mechanical properties of the golf ball cover.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A four-piece solid golf ball construction is disclosed, including one or more core layers, an inner mantle layer, an outer mantle layer, and one or more cover layers. The inner mantle layer has a Shore D hardness in the range of 20 to 60, and the outer mantle layer has a Shore D hardness in the range of 40 to 80 and exceeding that of the inner mantle layer by at least 3. The solid golf ball provides a high spin rate when struck not only by a full 8-iron, but also by a soft pitching wedge, for short shots near a putting green.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball having a core and polyurethane including the following steps. A first portion of polyurethane is placed in a first cavity, and the first portion of polyurethane is allowed to partially cure to a selected state of gel. The core is positioned within the cavity while the core is vertically and laterally centered within the cavity. A second portion of polyurethane is placed in a second cavity at a time subsequent to placing the first portion of polyurethane in the first cavity. The second portion of polyurethane is allowed to partially cure, and the first and second cavities are mated together to cure the polyurethane around the core.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core, compression molding over a ball core, and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-layer golf ball comprising at least one core or core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. The core has a diameter of about 1.20 to about 1.56 in. and a PGA compression of about 40 to about 90. The intermediate layer comprises a modified ionomeric polymer, and it has a thickness of about 0.01 to about 0.10 in. and a Shore D hardness of about 30 to about 70. The cover layer has a Shore D hardness of about 40 to about 75. The multi-layer golf balls of the present invention provide high driver ball speed and/or a high Coefficient of Restitution, while maintaining excellent shot feel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-piece golf ball having a core over, wherein the core comprises at least one unsaturated polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one co-cross-linking agent, and at least one peptizer (comprising one or more organic sulfur compounds, or one or more metal or non-metal salts of an organic sulfur compound), and optionally at least one weight adjusting filler. The improved two-piece balls have optimal velocity and distance performance, as well as excellent shot feel, the called “long and soft” combination. The balls also demonstrate excellent durability properties, and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; forming an inner cover layer around golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.