Abstract: A light-emitting golf ball is provided. The light-emitting golf ball is characterized in that hemispherical first hollow portions extend from the surface toward the center of a core, second hollow portions having a diameter less than that of the first hollow portions extend from bottom zones of the first hollow portions toward the center of the core, narrow holes extend through the core from the second hollow portions to portions of the core that are opposed to the second hollow portions, a ball body includes a transparent cover layer extending over the core surface, chemical light-emitting bodies include sealed vessels made of a flexible transparent material, the sealed vessels have cylindrical portions and round light-emitting portions having a diameter greater than that of the cylindrical portions, the cylindrical portions are tightly fit in the second hollow portions, and the light-emitting portions are fit in the first hollow portions.

Abstract: A device for practice putting of golf balls is provided comprising a platform covered by a synthetic matting simulating a putting surface 2, a standing area 1 for the golfer with first 16 and second 19 foot operated electrical on/off switches for operating an electromagnetic return means such that the golfers can retrieve each golf ball without ever changing their putting position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls comprising a fluid-filled center surrounded by an outer core, wherein the outer core comprises a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. The present invention is not limited by which outer core layer is formed from the relatively soft HNP composition and which layer is formed from the relatively hard HNP composition, so long as both layers are present in the outer core of the golf ball. Relatively soft HNP compositions of the present invention have a Shore D hardness of 55 or less and comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer. Relatively hard HNP compositions of the present invention have a Shore D hardness of 45 or greater and comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer. The material hardness of the relatively soft HNP composition is less than the material hardness of the relatively hard HNP composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less, and particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart golf ball comprised of one or more mantle layers juxtaposed between an inner core and outer cover, where the core, the mantle layer(s), and/or the cover are further comprised of a ferrofluid, a magnetorheological fluid, an inverse magnetorheological fluid, and/or a magnetorheological elastomer, in any of its construction. These nano-engineered materials make possible a golf ball with heretofore-unprecedented levels of adaptive play.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, and a first, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized at least 80% by a salt of an organic acid, a cation source, or a suitable base of the organic acid, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid. Preferably, the rate of spin decay is at least 10% of an initial spin rate of the golf ball over the entire ball flight.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, and a first, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized at least 80% by a salt of an organic acid, a cation source, or a suitable base of the organic acid, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid. Preferably, the rate of spin decay is at least 10% of an initial spin rate of the golf ball over the entire ball flight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and from 10 parts to 120 parts of an oily substance, by weight per 100 parts of the base rubber. The base rubber is a polybutadiene having a Mooney viscosity of 40 or greater. The rubber 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 comprising a fluid-filled center surrounded by an outer core, wherein the outer core comprises a layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition and a layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition. The present invention is not limited by which outer core layer is formed from the low modulus HNP composition and which layer is formed from the high modulus HNP composition, so long as both layers are present in the outer core of the golf ball. Low modulus HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. High modulus HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf items formed from a sulfur-containing composition. The sulfur-containing composition comprises the reaction product of four reactable components: (a) polyisocyanates and polyisothiocyanates; (b) polyols and polythiols; (c) epoxides and episulfides; and (d) amines and anilines; wherein at least one of the four reactable components contains a sulfur atom. The present invention also relates to methods, e.g., reaction injection molding processes and castable molding processes, for forming such golf items.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, and a first, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized at least 80% by a salt of an organic acid, a cation source, or a suitable base of the organic acid, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid. Preferably, the rate of spin decay is at least 10% of an initial spin rate of the golf ball over the entire ball flight.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, and a first, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an a,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized at least 80% by a salt of an organic acid, a cation source, or a suitable base of the organic acid, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid. Preferably, the rate of spin decay is at least 10% of an initial spin rate of the golf ball over the entire ball flight.

Abstract: A golf ball having a spherical shell with a plurality of internal structures is disclosed herein. A fluid material is disposed within the spherical shell. The plurality of internal structures influence the spin decay of the golf ball.

Abstract: A golfball comprising a liquid core and a reaction-injection-molded (RIM) cover material is disclosed. The liquid core comprises a core shell defining a hollow region, the hollow region containing a fluid. The reaction-injection-molded material may be a reaction-injection-molded polyurethane, a reaction-injection-molded polyurea, a reaction-injection-molded polyurethane/polyurea blend, or mixtures thereof. A golfball with a liquid core and RIM cover exhibits variable spin characteristics and a larger spin decay.

Abstract: A method for selecting the spin characteristics of a fluid filled golf ball and a golf ball incorporating these properties is disclosed herein. One aspect is a method for optimizing the spin and flight characteristics of a fluid containing golf ball which selects an internal fluid material having a viscosity that matches the cover hardness of the golf ball as to obtain the desired spin and flight characteristics of the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a polymer and an effective amount of odorant associated with the polymer wherein the odorant distinguishes the golf ball from an otherwise identical second golf ball substantially free of said odorant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and from 5 to 100 parts of an oily substance, by weight per 100 parts of the base rubber. The rubber composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.

Abstract: A golf ball having a spherical shell with a plurality of internal structures is disclosed herein. A fluid material is disposed within the spherical shell. The plurality of internal structures effect the spin decay of the golf ball.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising thermoplastic, thermoset, castable, or millable elastomer compositions are presently disclosed. These elastomer compositions comprise reaction products of polyisocyanates and telechelic polymers having isocyanate-reactive end-groups such as hydroxyl groups and/or amine groups. These elastomer compositions can be used in any one or more portions of the golf balls, such as inner center, core, inner core layer, intermediate core layer, outer core layer, intermediate layer, cover, inner cover layer, intermediate cover layer, and/or outer cover layer.

Abstract: A light-emitting golf ball for use in the dark, comprises a spherical body made from a transparent material with an outer casing, and light-emitting means containing chemiluminescent components made from a chemiluminescent material, which components emit light once they have been mixed with one another. The spherical body is provided with a cavity in which there are compartments which are separated from one another by a partition element. One of the chemiluminescent components is accommodated in each compartment. The partition element is of frangible design, in such a manner that an impact load exerted on the outer casing causes the partition element to break, after which the chemiluminescent components can mix with one another.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core having a compression of about 50 or less and a coefficient of restitution of 0.800 or greater, the core including a hollow, liquid, gel, or gas-filled center and an outer core layer; a thermoset polyurea cover having a hardness of 64 Shore D or less and a thickness of 0.02 inches to 0.1 inches; and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, the intermediate layer having a thickness of 0.110 inches or greater; wherein a combination of the core and the intermediate layer results in a compression of 60 or greater and the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of 0.805 or greater when measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s and greater than 0.75 when measured at an incoming velocity of 160 ft/s.

Abstract: A game ball having a cover formed from a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is disclosed. By selective exposure to radiation, the thermoplastic polyurethane cover is crosslinked and its hardness is increased. Typically, increases in hardness values of at least 2 units on the Shore D scale are realized upon exposure to 3.5 Mrads of gamma radiation.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a non-ionomeric fluoropolymer having a formula: wherein X1 to X12 are hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, CH3, CF3, linear or branched alkyl group, partially fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl group, linear or branched alkoxy group, partially fluorinated or perfluorinated alkoxy group, aromatic, or alicyclic; at least one of X1 to X4 comprises a fluorine; m ranges from 100 to 1 percent by weight of the fluoropolymer; n ranges from 0 to 50 percent by weight of the fluoropolymer; and o ranges from 0 to 35 percent by weight of the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, a first mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass and a second, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding and abutting the first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset rubber, plastic and thermoplastic elastomeric material and the second mantle layer comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset rubber material and thermoplastic elastomeric material, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid.

Abstract: Sports equipment incorporate thermoplastic compositions including urethane and a nitroso reaction product of a nitroso compound and a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate. The invention allows for the processing advantages of a thermoplastic urethane with the superior performance characteristics of a cross-linked polyurethane.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a golf ball including a core and a cover of at least two layers, wherein the at least one cover layer includes an inner cover layer of at least one ionomer resin and an outer cover formed from a polymer blend including at least one grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymer and at least one ionomer neutralized with a metal cation, and optionally, a non-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymer.

Abstract: A golf ball material comprises a heated mixture having a melt index of at least 1.0 dg/min, which mixture is composed of (A) a thermoplastic resin, (B) a fatty acid or fatty acid derivative having a molecular weight of at least 280, and (C) a basic inorganic metal compound capable of neutralizing acidic groups in components A and B. The material including a highly neutralized ionomer resin has good thermal stability, flow characteristics and moldability. The invention is also directed at high-rebound golf balls which can be easily and efficiently manufactured using the same material.

Abstract: Golf ball covers and intermediate layers incorporate the reaction product of a thermoplastic urethane and a modified isocyanate to form a crosslinked polyurethane. The layers exhibit the ease of processing of a thermoplastic urethane, with the superior mechanical properties of a thermoset urethane.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover is formed of a composition comprising an organic, inorganic, or metallic nanoparticulate material having a particle size of less than about 1000 nm and at least one matrix material.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after exposure to moisture to indicate that the ball may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant exposure to moisture. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf balls composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the exposure of the golf ball to moisture.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core or the cover comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprising a reaction product of an isocyanate and a siloxane polyahl having a formula of: where R1 is a hydrocarbon moiety; R2 to R6 are independently selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbon moieties; D1 and D2 are optional and independent hydrocarbon moieties; A1 and A2 are independent active hydrogen moieties; m is an integer from 1 to about 1,000; n is zero or an integer from 1 to about 1,000; and z is an integer from 1 to about 100.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and, optionally, at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the cover or the intermediate layer comprise a thermoplastic polycarbonate-urethane copolymer.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprised of a polymer containing an acid group fully-neutralized by an organic acid or a salt, a cation source, or a suitable base thereof, the core having a first Shore D hardness, a compression of no greater than about 90, and a diameter of between about 1.00 inches and about 1.64 inches; and a cover layer comprising ionomeric copolymers and terpolymers, ionomer precursors, thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, polybutadiene rubber, balata, grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers, non-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site polymers, high-crystalline acid polymers and their ionomers, or cationic ionomers.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and at least one water vapor barrier layer, wherein the water vapor barrier layer comprises at least one layer formed from poly-para-xylylene and its derivatives.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a golf ball. Two cups are molded from an elastomer separately from an inner sphere. In one embodiment of the method, the cups are molded on both sides of a single mold part with hemispherical protrusions that form cavities in the cups. An inner sphere is placed within the cavities, and the cups are joined, by preferably crosslinking the cups together or applying adhesive there between. To retain the characterisitics of the cup material where the cups meet, an embodiment of the cups can be formed with nonplanar mating surfaces that mesh with each other. The nonplanar mating surfaces preferably have a pattern that is symmetrical about the inner sphere, such as concentric ridges, for example a tongue and a groove.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed concentrically about the core, wherein at least one of the core or the cover is formed of a polymer comprising thermally reversible covalent bonds. Additionally, a composition for sporting equipment formed of a polymer comprising thermally reversible covalent bonds.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the core is formed from a polybutadiene blend comprising a) a first polybutadiene having a first Mooney viscosity between about 50 and about 150, and b) a second polybutadiene having a second Mooney viscosity between about 30 and about 100, wherein the first Mooney viscosity is greater than the second Mooney viscosity, and wherein the blend has a greater weight percentage of the first polybutadiene than that of the second polybutadiene.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and optionally an intermediate layer between the core and the cover, wherein a stable free radical is incorporated into at least one portion of the core, the cover, and the optional intermediate layer.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core is formed from a polymer composition comprising a mono or polyunsaturated long chain organic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a non-ionomeric fluoropolymer having a formula: wherein X1 to X12 are hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, CH3, CF3, linear or branched alkyl group, partially fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl group, linear or branched alkoxy group, partially fluorinated or perfluorinated alkoxy group, aromatic, or alicyclic; at least one of X1 to X4 comprises a fluorine; m ranges from 100 to 1 percent by weight of the fluoropolymer; n ranges from 0 to 50 percent by weight of the fluoropolymer; and o ranges from 0 to 35 percent by weight of the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the intermediate layer includes a segmented polyurethane elastomer copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, a first mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass and a second, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding and abutting the first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset rubber, plastic and thermoplastic elastomeric material and the second mantle layer comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset rubber material and thermoplastic elastomeric material, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after exposure to moisture to indicate that the ball may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant exposure to moisture. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf balls composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the exposure of the golf ball to moisture.

Abstract: The present invention is a golf ball that has a coefficient of restitution at 143 feet per second that is greater than 0.8015, and an USGA initial velocity less than 255.0 feet per second. The golf ball is preferably a solid three-piece golf ball with a thermosetting polyurethane cover, an ionomer blend intermediate layer and a polybutadiene core.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a golf ball. Two cups are molded from an elastomer separately from an inner sphere. In one embodiment of the method, the cups are molded on both sides of a single mold part with hemispherical protrusions that form cavities in the cups. An inner sphere is placed within the cavities, and the cups are joined, by preferably crosslinking the cups together or applying adhesive there between. To retain the characteristics of the cup material where the cups meet, an embodiment of the cups can be formed with nonplanar mating surfaces that mesh with each other. The nonplanar mating surfaces preferably have a pattern that is symmetrical about the inner sphere, such as concentric ridges, for example a tongue and a groove.

Abstract: Golf balls having a core including a material formed from a controlled-isomer polybutadiene, a crosslinking agent, and a free-radical initiator, or a reaction product thereof, and a cover having a plurality of dimples disposed about the core, wherein the controlled-isomer polybutadiene includes at least about 10 percent to 80 percent trans-isomer and no more than about 5 percent vinyl-configuration polybutadiene and wherein the controlled-isomer polybutadiene has both an absolute molecular weight of at least about 250,000 and a polydispersity of no more than about 3 prior to crosslinking. In particular, golf balls having a compression below about 80 without significant loss of resilience can be advantageously prepared with such materials. Methods of preparing such golf balls are also recited.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer comprising an ionomer and having Shore D hardness of about 65 or less, and an outer cover layer comprising an ionomer and having a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The outer cover layer is harder than the inner cover layer. The core preferably comprises a high molecular weight polybutadiene that exhibits an ultra high Mooney viscosity. The sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is greater than 0.090 inches. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprised of a polymer containing an acid group fully-neutralized by an organic acid or a salt, a cation source, or a suitable base thereof, the core having a first Shore D hardness, a compression of no greater than about 90, and a diameter of between about 1.00 inches and about 1.64 inches; and a cover layer comprising ionomeric copolymers and terpolymers, ionomer precursors, thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, polybutadiene rubber, balata, grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers, non-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site polymers, high-crystalline acid polymers and their ionomers, or cationic ionomers.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after exposure to moisture to indicate that the ball may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant exposure to moisture. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf balls composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the exposure of the golf ball to moisture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid golf ball having a diameter of less than about 1.70 inches, including a core formed from a rubber base material having a resilience index of at least about 40 and an outer diameter of at least about 1.58 inches, and a cover disposed about the core formed of a material having a Shore D hardness of less than about 65.