Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprises about 10 wt % or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprising an ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having the formula: —OCR1R2(CR3R4)nCO— wherein n is an integer, and wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from the group comprising saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substituted radicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms. In one embodiment, the golf ball also comprises about 90 wt % or less of a non renewable polymer composition. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed about the core and adjacent the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the cover and the intermediate layer comprises the renewable polymer composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover comprises about 10 wt % or greater of a renewable polymer composition comprising an ultra high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate compound having the formula: —OCR1R2(CR3R4)nCO— wherein n is an integer, and wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from the group comprising saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- and hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals, halogen radicals; nitrogen-substituted radicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or hydrogen atoms. In one embodiment, the golf ball also comprises about 90 wt % or less of a non renewable polymer composition. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed about the core and adjacent the cover, wherein at least one of the core, the cover and the intermediate layer comprises the renewable polymer composition.

Abstract: A golf ball having a core, and at least one layer about the core, wherein the core or the layer is formed from partially or fully neutralized butyl ionomers or their blends to improve the resiliency and impact durability over a conventional butyl rubber. The core comprises a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, or a rubber-based material, while at least one layer is formed from a composition comprising a partially or fully neutralized butyl rubber ionomer. The butyl rubber ionomer comprises repeating units derived from at least one isoolefin monomer, at least 0.5 mol % of repeating units derived from at least one multiolefin monomer, at least 0.5 mol % of repeating units derived from an allylic halide, and at least 0.5 mol % of an ionomeric moiety. The isoolefin comprises isobutylene, the multiolefin comprises isoprene and the allylic halide comprises a bromide.

Abstract: Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball including an inner core layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition and having a first surface hardness; a thermoplastic outer core layer having a second surface hardness, an inner surface hardness, and being formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to fully-neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer; an inner cover layer; and an outer cover layer; wherein the first surface hardness is less than the second surface hardness by at least 5 Shore C and less than the inner surface hardness by at least 5 Shore C.

Abstract: Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurethane-urea that is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with moisture-resistant polyol and a curing agent are provided. The moisture-resistant polyol may be prepared by dimerizing unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid or ester containing 10 to 60 carbon atoms followed by reacting it with a monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric diol. In one preferred version, the moisture-resistant polyol is a branched polyester polyol containing 36 carbon atoms. The composition can be prepared using prepolymer or one-shot manufacturing techniques. The resulting golf ball has desirable playing performance properties including high resiliency, toughness, impact durability, moisture-resistance, and soft feel.

Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and at least one layer disposed about the core, wherein at least one of the core and the layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprising a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer comprising at least one isocyanate and a curative comprising a blend of at least one aliphatic diamine and at least one polyaspartic ester formed from reactants comprising at least one aliphatic primary polyamine and at least one maleic or fumaric diester, and wherein the thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprises a gel time of about 90 seconds or greater.

Abstract: A method of forming golf balls with at least a portion formed from polyurethane and polyurea compositions employing a curative blend that includes a pigment, a curing agent, and a compatible freezing point depressing agent so that the curative blend has a lower freezing point than the curing agent by itself and the blend does not lose pigment dispersion upon solidification and subsequent thawing.

Abstract: Golf balls having at least one layer made from a composition comprising a polytrimethylene ether amine (PTMEA)-based polyurea or polyurea/urethane are provided. The composition is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with polytrimethylene ether amine and a hydroxyl and/or amine curing agent. In a preferred version, a functionalized PTMEA-based polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid is produced using iscoyanates, polytrimethylene ether amines, or curing agents containing acid, ester, or ionic groups. Blends of polytrimethylene ether amine with other amine compounds such as amine-terminated hydrocarbons, polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, and polycaprolactones can be used. The composition can be prepared using prepolymer and one-shot manufacturing techniques. The composition may be used to form any layer in the golf ball structure and the resulting golf ball has improved resiliency and playing performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a polyurea composition. The polyurea is formed by combining a polyurea prepolymer, a polyamine curative, and a tin catalyst. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.

Abstract: Modified silicone urea and modified silicone urethane polymers for use in golf equipment components to provide improved impact resistance upon contact with a golf club including reactive polymer alloys formed in situ from silicone-ureas and/or silicone-urethanes and impact resistant polymers and oligomers.

Abstract: Golf balls having at least one layer made from a composition comprising a functionalized polytrimethylene ether-based polyurethane are provided. The composition is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with polytrimethylene ether glycol and a hydroxyl and/or amine curing agent wherein at least one of the isocyanate compound, polytrimethylene ether glycol compound, or curing agent contains acid, ester, or ionic groups. Blends of polytrimethylene ether glycol with other glycols such as polyester glycol, polycaprolactone glycol, or polycarbonate glycol can be used. The composition can be prepared using prepolymer and one-shot manufacturing techniques. The composition may be used to form any layer in the golf ball structure and the resulting golf ball has improved resiliency and playing performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a shield layer having heat resistant properties to facilitate compression molding of a thermosetting polybutadiene-comprising layer over at least one thermoplastic layer. The invention utilizes a thermoplastic inner core comprising of a low vicat highly neutralized ionomer material having a low melting point of less than 100° C., and a Shore C surface hardness of less than 80 and a compression of less than 70, wherein a shield layer is placed around the low vicat softening point temperature thermoplastic to shield it from the high heat necessary to mold a thermoset material about it.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Golf balls of the present invention have at least three layers, including an inner core layer, an outer core layer, a cover, and optionally an intermediate core layer. The present invention is not limited by which golf ball layers are formed from an HNP composition, so long as at least one layer is formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and at least one layer is formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Relatively soft HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. Relatively hard HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi.

Abstract: Compositions for golf balls that include organically modified silicates and the golf balls formed using the compositions are described. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane and polysiloxane, polyurea and polysiloxane, and/or epoxy and polysiloxane, and, thus, have the benefits of increased COR, adhesion, and shear and impact resistance. The compositions of the invention may be used in any layer of a golf ball, e.g., an outer cover layer or inner cover layer, or may be used as a coating to be disposed over a structural outer layer of a golf ball.

Abstract: Golf ball components, such as cores, intermediate layers, and covers, formed with compositions including polyacrylate elastomers cured with peroxide systems, amine-based systems, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises homo and copolymers of poly(dimethyl siloxane) ionomers, and their blends for improved resiliency and abrasion resistant golf balls.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises homo and copolymers of poly(dimethyl siloxane) ionomers, and their blends for improved resiliency and abrasion resistant golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, an outer cover layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer is provided. The core, intermediate layer, or cover layer includes a composition formed from a base polymer blend, a crosslink initiator, and at least one additive. The outer cover layer may comprise a polyurethane or polyurea composition. The base polymer blend preferably includes two or more rubber materials. The additive has at least one C—O—B linkage, the carbon in the linkage being a secondary or tertiary carbon and is selected from the group consisting of boranes, borates, boronates, borinates, heterocylic compounds having at least one boron atom as a ring member, boron-containing organosulfides, salts of such additives, and metal salts, organometallic salts, and non-metal salts of boron complexes.