Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP and a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.

Abstract: A launch monitor system and method for measuring flight characteristics of a golf ball are disclosed. The launch monitor system comprises a support structure, a smart device positioned to capture one or more images of the golf ball, a flash source, and an application configured to execute on the smart device. The software application processes images of the golf ball and determines one or more flight characteristics thereof. Also disclosed is a launch monitor system and method for displaying flight characteristics of a golf ball, and, optionally, a computed trajectory of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for golf equipment that can be applied as a thin paint layer to block oxygen and moisture from underlying structural layers. The compositions include a polymer component present in a resin system, a stabilizing component, and porous particles.

Abstract: A launch monitor system and method for measuring flight characteristics of a golf ball are disclosed. The launch monitor system comprises a support structure, a smart device positioned to capture one or more images of the golf ball, a flash source, and an application configured to execute on the smart device. The software application processes images of the golf ball and determines one or more flight characteristics thereof.

Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a single layer cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition. The Shore C hardness of the outer core layer's outer surface is preferably greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and more preferably is 56 Shore D or greater.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the appearance of a golf ball by visually distinguishing golf ball cover land area from golf ball cover dimples, comprising: providing a golf ball comprising a core, a cover and optionally an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein said cover comprises an outer surface defining a plurality of dimples and a land area between the dimples; applying a first color to the entire golf ball outer surface; masking either the land area or the dimples; applying a second color to the outer surface over the first color; followed by removing the masking to complete a colored golf ball wherein the masked area has the color appearance of the first color and the unmasked area has the color appearance of at least one of the second color and a third color produced by applying the second color over the first color.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 70. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for golf equipment that can be applied as a thin paint layer to block oxygen and moisture from underlying structural layers. The compositions include a polymer component present in a resin system, a stabilizing component, and porous particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a single cover layer of heterogeneous composition. One embodiment of the invention describes a method wherein a core, comprising one or more layers, has pre-molded hemispherical cover cups placed about the core and each cover cup has at least two layers of distinct resinous materials, and the cover cups are heated and compressed such that the resinous materials in the cover cups intermingle with each other to form a single heterogeneous cover layer.

Abstract: A device and method for marking a spherical golf ball component, comprising: at least one rotation support; at least one spherical golf ball component having a center and an outer surface; wherein each spherical golf ball component is mountable on the rotation support such that the spherical golf ball component is rotatable in any direction about its center; and at least one marking arm that marks the outer surface while the spherical golf ball component is rotating. At least one marking arm may be motionless while marking the spherical golf ball component, or the marking arm may be motionless at least temporarily while marking the spherical golf ball component, or the marking arm may be movable to mark the outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP, a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP, an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition, and an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane or polyurea composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP and a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising: an inner core having a compression of less than about 60, wherein the inner core comprises a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer; at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D, a specific gravity and a flexural modulus such that each of the hardness, specific gravity and flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is greater than a hardness, a specific gravity, and a flexural modulus of the inner core; and a cover surrounding the at least one intermediate layer, having a flexural modulus and a Shore D hardness that are greater than a flexural modulus and a hardness of the inner core, and a Shore D hardness of the cover is at least 60.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition. Optionally, the soft (or low modulus) HNP composition and/or the hard (or high modulus) HNP composition is plasticized or is replaced with a different plasticized acid copolymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a single cover layer of heterogeneous composition. One embodiment of the invention describes a method wherein a core, comprising one or more layers, has pre-molded hemispherical cover cups placed about the core and each cover cup has at least two layers of distinct resinous materials, and the cover cups are heated and compressed such that the resinous materials in the cover cups intermingle with each other to form a single heterogeneous cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a subassembly and a cover, the subassembly comprising an inner core and an intermediate layer, wherein the subassembly has a diameter of from about 1.45 inches to about 1.66 inches, the inner core has a diameter of less than about 0.75 inches, and the intermediate layer comprises a foamed polyurethane composition. The inner core has a specific gravity of higher than about 1.15, the intermediate layer has its specific gravity reduced to less than about 1.05, and the subassembly has its specific gravity reduced up to about 8% such that the coefficient of restitution of the subassembly is controlled by or is substantially the same as the coefficient of restitution of the intermediate layer, and the golf ball has its coefficient of restitution reduced by less than about 6%.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided having a modified density gradient among the inner layers to produce a desired high or low moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball has three or more inner layers in addition to a cover, and the density of the inner layers is selected such that the layers inside the cover have a density progression from the core to the cover or from the cover to the core.

Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of inertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.