Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, which includes at least two polymeric systems, in one or more of the layers. The first polymeric system may include a polyurethane-based or polyurea-based system having blocked isocyanate groups and the second polymeric system may include an epoxy-based or acrylic-based system, wherein the two systems are polymerized or cured simultaneously or sequentially to form an IPN.

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: 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: Golf balls having a core and containing at least one surrounding layer made from a functionalized ethylene copolymer having a linear or substantially linear structure are provided. The core may be made of a polybutadiene rubber material. The functionalized ethylene copolymer composition may be used to form any layer in the golf ball structure such as, for example, an outer core, intermediate layer, inner cover, and/or outer cover. The composition may be blended with ionomeric or non-ionomeric resins such as polyamides, polyurethanes, polyureas, polycarbonates, polyesters, and polyacrylates to form the layer. The resulting layers provide the golf ball with improved resiliency and impact durability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods relating to golf balls. In one embodiment, a golf ball can include a core and/or intermediate layer formed from a partially-neutralized in situ ionomer that is neutralized to a first level by a first cation, and is subsequently neutralized by a second, different cation to produce a further, more highly-neutralized ionomer. The further-neutralized ionomer exhibits decreased compression (softer) and/or increased COR (faster) compared to a comparative golf ball that contains a core or layer that is formed from an ionomer that is not subsequently neutralized with a second cation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, which includes at least two polymeric systems, in one or more of the layers. The first polymeric system may include a polyurethane-based or polyurea-based system having blocked isocyanate groups and the second polymeric system may include an epoxy-based or acrylic-based system, wherein the two systems are polymerized or cured simultaneously or sequentially to form an IPN.

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: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a polyurea composition. The polyurea is formed by combining an aliphatic polyurea prepolymer, a diamine curative, and a cyclic carbonate diluent. 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: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer which comprises a polymer produced by a process wherein one or more monomers are contacted with a composition comprising the admixture or reaction product resulting from combining (A) a first olefin polymerization catalyst, (B) a second olefin polymerization catalyst capable of preparing polymers differing in chemical or physical properties from the polymer prepared by the first olefin polymerization catalyst under equivalent polymerization conditions, and (C) a chain shuttling agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, and multi-layer golf balls. In two-piece and multi-layer golf balls of the present invention, the polymer may be present in a core layer, a cover layer, an intermediate layer (in the case of multi-layer balls), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer surrounding the core, where at least one of the core and the cover layer includes a polymer composition of a highly neutralized acid polymer and a sugar ester HLB modifier such that the sugar ester HLB modifier is present from about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of the polymer composition.

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: Polyurethane and polyurea compositions for golf balls with improved stability of the curative blend, wherein the curative blend 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 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: Polyurethane-based and polyurea-based compositions including modified amine curing agents for use in golf ball layers where modified amine curing agent of the invention allows control of the reaction rate by providing a composition with both primary and secondary amine linkages.

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: 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: 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: 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 having a cover having a pearlescent effect is disclosed. The cover comprises a first thermoplastic and a second thermoplastic having an index of refraction that differs from an index of refraction of the first thermoplastic by at least about 0.5 percent. The cover further comprises a compatibilizer.

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.