Abstract: A scale has marks or a point-symmetrical shape which are arranged in matrix. The scale and an article to be measured in dimension are positioned without any relative movement. An image sensor unit detects a predetermined portion of the article and the marks of the scale corresponding to the predetermined portion of the article selectively and successively, and the image sensor unit generates output signals in accordance with the detected results of the article and the scale. The output signals are processed to calculate the dimension of the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides golf balls having a cover, a core, and optionally one or more intermediate layers between the cover and the core, wherein at least one of the cover, the core and, if present, the intermediate layer(s), is formed of an ion-containing polymer composition, particularly a zwitter-ion or ionene polymer. The zwitter-ion polymers contain both cationic and anionic species on the polymer backbone or as a pendant group on the polymer backbone. The ionene polymers are contain only a cationic portion attached to the polymer backbone and are associated with another ion. These ion-containing polymer compositions can be used to provide improved characteristics to golf balls made therefrom. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the compositions in golf balls.

Abstract: A thread-wound golf ball comprising a large, heavy center with rubber thread windings and a cover is disclosed. The center has a diameter of about between 1.40″ and 1.53″, a weight of about between 24-34 g and a deformation of about between 0.080-0.160″ when subjected to a 200 lb. load. The cover is a thermosetting or thermoplastic material with a hardness range between 40-70 Shore D. A golf ball according to the invention exhibits the combined superior characteristics of two-piece and three-piece golf balls, i.e., ease of manufacture, feel, playability, durability and distance travel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball, comprising a cover, a core and optional intermediate layers, wherein the various ball components are formed from compositions comprising compatible blends of a relatively hard polyamide, in the form of a homopolymer, copolymer or block copolymer, with a relatively soft ionomer resin. The compositions include a substantially compatibilizer-free blend of about 10% to 80% of an ionomer resin and about 90% to 20% of at least one polyamide polymer, with the proviso that the polyamide polymer is not a block polyamide copolymer comprising main-chain polyether blocks. The present invention also relates to a golf ball comprising a cover layer, a core layer and at least one intermediate layer interposed there-between, wherein at least one of said layers consists essentially of up to about 99 wt. % of an ionomer and about 100 wt. % to about 1 wt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three piece solid golf ball exhibiting excellent flight performance and goof shot feel when hitting. The three piece solid golf ball comprises a solid core, an inner cover covering the solid core and an outer cover covering the inner cover, wherein the inner cover comprises a base resin and an additive and the base resin comprises at least 10% by weight of an ionomer resin having carboxylic groups of which 10 to 60 mol % is neutralized with alkali metal ion and of which 5 to 30 mol % is neutralized with copper ion, a total mol % of the neutralized carboxylic group being 30 to 70 mol %.

Abstract: Golf ball compositions, which contain olefinic polymers produced by use of single-site catalysts. Such polymers can be functionalized with a post-polymerization reaction. The single-site catalyzed polymers may be blended with ionomers, other grafted or non-grafted single-site catalyzed polymers, thermoplastics, non-single-site polymers, or other non-ionomeric polymers. The compositions can be foamed or unfoamed. Golf balls that employ at least one layer of these compositions in any of the golf ball cover, core, or a mantle situated between the cover and the core provide ball properties and performance similar to and in some cases better than the state of the art ionomer based golf balls.

Abstract: This invention relates to golf balls having a relatively soft cover and soft core which, in combination, provide golf balls with PGA compression ratings under 70 and a cover Shore D hardness of about 57 or less having good play "feel" and a soft sound.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the cover is composed mainly of a blend of a soft ionomer in the form of a magnesium ion neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/acrylate terpolymer and a hard ionomer in the form of a magnesium ion neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer. The blend has a Shore D hardness of 44-60. The ball is minimized in restitution loss and has an increased initial velocity, spin receptivity, good hitting feel, and scuff resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having good shot feel, good controllability, high rebound characteristics and good flight performance. The golf ball of the present invention is composed of a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover contains an ionomer, prepared by neutralizing a terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic acid and an acrylic ester with magnesium ion, in an amount of 5 to 100% by weight based on the total resin amount of the cover.

Abstract: A golf ball having excellent rebound characteristics, excellent shot feel and good controllability at approach shot which contains a core and a cover formed on the core, wherein the cover is formed from a base resin mainly containing the mixture of an ionomer and polybutadiene having trans-1,4-structure of at least 60%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward more durable golf ball cores and more durable golf balls. The golf balls of this invention comprise a cover and a core wherein the core may further comprise a center and one or more layers of a mantle disposed between the center and the cover. The core, the mantle or the layers of the mantle, comprise a mixture of one or more thermoset rubber materials and at least one compatible, modified, non-ionic polyolefin. The non-ionic polyolefin that is modified may be a homopolymer, copolymer, terpolymer, block copolymer or a mixture thereof that is present at about 0.5 to about 10 parts per hundred of the thermoset rubber material used in the core or core layer.

Abstract: A process for forming a golf ball cover composition, which process comprises: a) forming a polymer comprising (1) a first monomeric component comprising an olefinic monomer having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms; (2) a second monomeric component comprising an unsaturated carboxylic acid based acrylate class ester having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms; and (3) an optional third monomeric component comprising at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, an anhydride monomer, an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, an olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and a vinyl ester or vinyl ether of an alkyl acid having from 4 to 21 carbon atoms; b) applying a sufficient amount of heat to the polymer to convert it to a substantially molten state; c) adding an inorganic metal base to the molten polymer to form a mixture; and d) saponifying the mixture to form a polymer salt particularly adapted for forming improved golf ball covers.

Abstract: A covering material composition for a golf ball, which comprises an ionomer resin and a diene rubber, the diene rubber being dispersed in the ionomer resin. The covering material composition is produced by mixing the ionomer resin with the diene rubber to disperse the diene rubber in the ionomer resin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls comprising at least a cover layer and a core layer, wherein at least one layer is a blend, the ionomeric component of which comprises from about 97 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of at least one high acid ionomer resin and from about 3 wt. % to <15 wt. % of at least one very low modulus ionomer (VLMI) resin. Up to about 70 wt. % of at least one standard ionomer resin may be included in the blend, if desired. The copolymer ionomers of the invention include E/X/Y copolymers where E is ethylene, X is a softening comonomer present in from 0 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of the polymer, and Y is acrylic or methacrylic acid present in from about 5 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of the polymer, wherein the acid moiety is neutralized from about 1% to about 90% to form an ionomer by at least one cation. In the ethylenic high acid copolymer ionomer, Y is present from 16.5 wt. % to about 35 wt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls comprising a cover and a core, wherein the cover is formed from a blend which comprises a base ionomer resin and a color concentrate comprising a coloring agent and a carrier ionomer resin. The relationship between the acid content of the base ionomer resin (X), wherein (X) is at least about 15% by weight and the acid content of the carrier ionomer resin (Y) is X-Y.ltoreq.4. Golf balls made with covers having base ionomer resins and carrier ionomer resins meeting the above relationship exhibit superior durability characteristics, including a significant reduction flow front failures and delamination as compared to golf ball covers which do not meet the above relationship.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards golf balls comprising at least a cover and a core, and optionally one or more intermediate layers, wherein the cover and/or the intermediate layer(s) are formed from a high crystalline copolymer or its ionomer derivatives and blends thereof, wherein the high crystalline copolymer is formed from an ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymer comprising about 5 to about 35 percent by weight acrylic or methacrylic acid, wherein the copolymer is polymerized at a temperature of about 130.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. at pressures of at least 20,000 psi to about 50,000 psi, wherein up to about 70 percent of the acid groups are neutralized with a metal ion.

Abstract: Ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid ionomers which have been modified with relatively low levels of a stearic acid moiety, particularly metal stearates and especially calcium stearate have improved resilience for a given level of hardness or PGA Compression values. The improvement is seen in bulk material when measurements are made on solid neat spheres. When used as cover material, the improvement is more manifest for softer material, and is less, or disappears, for typical mixed metal ionomer hard covers. The stearic-modified ionomers or ionomer blends are especially useful when the ionomer is formulated for use as a golf ball core, center, one-piece ball and as a soft golf ball cover. For covers, softer ionomer compositions will show an improvement.

Abstract: A method for selecting a golf ball whose performance characteristics match a golfer's critical playing characteristics for the purpose of reducing the golfer's score. The method comprises the steps of determining a golfer's critical playing characteristics, prioritizing ball performance characteristics, and selecting a golf ball from a predetermined set of golf balls which best matches the golfer's critical playing characteristics to ball performance characteristics.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a cover and a core, and optionally at least one intermediate layer interposed between the cover and the core, wherein the cover, the intermediate layer or both are formed from a blend comprising an oxa acid compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an organic moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl, carbocyclic, and heterocyclic groups. Additionally, the present invention is directed towards a golf ball cover and/or intermediate layer formed from a blend comprising at least two components, the first component comprising at least one oxa acid composition of Formula I, while the second component is a polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyethylene, polyamide, polyester, and an acid copolymer or its ionomer derivatives or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the cover is predominantly constructed of a blend of (A) a coordination ionic copolymer of a divalent metal ion crosslinked form of an ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid/unsaturated carboxylate terpolymer and an amine compound and (B) a metal ion crosslinked form of an ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer. The ball has improved restitution and feel.

Abstract: A solid golf ball includes a cover which is mainly formed from a resin blend of (a) 50-90% by weight of a salt of an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer having an unsaturated carboxylic acid content of 10 to 20% by weight wherein at least 20 mol % of the carboxyl group is neutralized with a metal ion and (b) 50-10% by weight of an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylate-unsaturated carboxylic acid terpolymer having an unsaturated carboxylate content of 12 to 45% by weight and an unsaturated carboxylic acid content of 5.5 to 10% by weight. The cover has a hardness of 60 to 80 on JIS C hardness scale. The golf ball has many advantages including a pleasant feel, ease of spin, ease of control, high repulsion and resistance to peeling.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides novel golf ball compositions which contain olefinic based ionomers and non-ionic olefinic copolymers produced by use of metallocene catalysts. These compositions exhibit improved mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural properties, and can be foamed or unfoamed. Golf balls that employ at least one layer of these blends in any of the golf ball cover, core, or a mantle situated between the cover and the core provide ball properties and performance similar to and in some cases better than the state of the art ionomer based golf balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved multi-layer golf ball compositions having a core, an inner cover and an outer cover and the resulting regulation balls produced using these compositions. In this regard, a smaller and lighter core is produced and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the inner cover compositions. This results in a molded golf ball exhibiting enhanced interior perimeter weighting. the heavy weight filler particles, such as powdered metals, are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) formed from an ionomer resin of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. The size and weight of the core can thereby be reduced in order to produce an overall golf ball which meets, or is less than, the 1.62 ounce maximum weight limitation specified by the United States Golf Association.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball, comprising a cover, a core and optional intermediate layers, wherein the various ball components are formed from compositions comprising a polyamide, in the form of a homopolymer, a copolymer or mixtures thereof. The compositions include a blend of about 1 wt. % to about 99 wt. % of at least one sulfonated and/or phosphonated polymer and about 99 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of at least one polyamide polymer. The polyamides of the present invention comprise polyamides and polyamide copolymers, such as polyamide block copolymers. The sulfonated and/or phosphonated polymer preferably comprises sulfonated thermoplastic elastomers, sulfonated thermoplastic polymers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the cover is mainly composed of a resin consisting of a first ionomer in the form of a sodium neutralized ethylene/methacrylic acid/acrylate terpolymer having a flexural modulus of 1,000 to 15,000 psi and a second ionomer in the form of a magnesium neutralized ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer having a flexural modulus of 20,000 to 48,000 psi. The blend has a Shore C hardness of 65 to 77. The ball has a soft feel, satisfactory spin rate, improved scuff resistance upon iron shots, and durability against top hitting with an excellent compatibility in cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball having excellent shot feel, control properties as well as satisfactory flight performance and cut resistance. The golf ball of the present invention has a core and a cover for covering the core, wherein the cover has a stiffness modulus of 100 to 250 MPa, and is prepared from a resin composition comprising, as a base resin, a mixture of the following resin (A) and resin (B) in a weight ratio of 60:40 to 90:10:resin (A): an ionomer resin (i) obtained by neutralizing with metal ion at least a part of carboxyl groups in a copolymer of ethylene and an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid, or a mixture of the ionomer resin (i) and an ionomer resin (ii) obtained by neutralizing with metal ion at least a part of carboxyl groups in a terpolymer of ethylene, an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an .alpha., .beta.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides novel golf ball compositions which contain non-ionic olefinic copolymers produced by use of metallocene catalysts, wherein the metallocene catalyzed polymers have been functionalized with a post-polymerization reaction. The grafted metallocene catalyzed polymers may be blended with ionomers, non-grafted metallocene catalyzed polymers, or other non-ionomeric polymers. These compositions exhibit improved mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural properties, and can be foamed or unfoamed. Golf balls that employ at least one layer of these compositions in any of the golf ball cover, core, or a mantle situated between the cover and the core provide ball properties and performance similar to and in some cases better than the state of the art ionomer based golf balls.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball comprising a solid core, an intermediate layer, and a cover. The cover is formed of a diamine complex ionomer resin having a flexural rigidity of 340-410 MPa. The intermediate layer is formed of an ionomer resin or non-ionomer thermoplastic elastomer having a flexural rigidity of 20-350 MPa. The hardness of the ball is adjusted to a distortion of 2.6-4.5 mm under a load of 100 kg.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a solid core having a PGA compression of 55 or less and an outer cover layer having a Shore D hardness of at least 60, the ball having a PGA compression of 80 or less. In another embodiment of the invention, the ball has a mechanical impedance with a primary minimum value in a frequency range of 3100 Hz or less after the ball has been maintained at 21.1.degree. C., 1 atm. and about 50% relative humidity for at least 15 hours. A further embodiment of the invention is a golf ball having a core, and a cover with a Shore D hardness of at least 58, the ball having a mechanical impedance with a primary minimum value in the frequency range of 2600 Hz after the ball has been maintained at 21.1.degree. C., 1 atm. and about 50% relative humidity for at least 15 hours. The balls of the invention have good distance while providing a soft sound and feel.

Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, a cover layer and a mantle layer disposed between the core and the cover. The cover layer consists essentially of at least a first and a second ionomer resin. The first resin is a copolymer of 16 to 35% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and 84 to 65% by weight of an olefin, wherein about 10 to about 90% of the carboxyl groups of the copolymer are neutralized with a metal ion. The second resin is a terpolymer of 9 to 12% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid, 1 to 50% by weight n-alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and 38 to 90% by weight of an olefin, wherein about 10 to about 90% of the carboxyl groups of the terpolymer are neutralized with a metal ion. The mantle layer comprises a thermoplastic material, said thermoplastic material consisting essentially of polyetherester block copolymer.

Abstract: A golf ball having a core and/or an intermediate layer comprising a functionalized fluoropolymer wherein the fluoropolymer may be a perfluoropolymer that is sulfonated or carboxylated or a derivative thereof. The fluoropolymer material may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf ball cores, intermediate layers, and/or covers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having excellent controllability at the time of approach and excellent shot feel, wherein spin is easily put on. A cover of the golf ball is composed of a mixture of specific three ionomer resins (1), (2) and (3), wherein the total amount of the resin (1) and resin (2) is not less than 85% by weight and the amount of the resin (3) is not more than 15% by weight in the mixture as a main component, and wherein the amount of the resin (1) is 30 to 82% by weight and the amount of the resin (2) is 3 to 55% by weight in the total of the resin (1) and resin (2) and a stiffness of the cover composition is 1,000 to 2,000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having excellent shot feel, controllability and durability as well as satisfactory flight performance. A cover of the golf ball is composed of a mixture of specific three resins (1), (2) and (3), wherein the total amount of the resin (1) and resin (2) is 60 to 83% by weight and the amount of the resin (3) is 17 to 40% by weight in the mixture as a main component, and wherein the amount of the resin (1) is 33 to 80% by weight and the amount of the resin (2) is 3 to 50% by weight in the total of the resin (1) and resin (2) and a stiffness of the cover composition is 1000 to 2000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Novel golf ball compositions which contain liquid crystalline polymers and liquid crystalline polymer blends. These compositions can be foamed or unfoamed. Golf balls that employ at least one layer of these blends in any of the golf ball cover, core, or a mantle situated between the cover and the core provide ball properties and performance similar to and in some cases better than the state of the art ionomer based golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball having a cover is provided. The cover is formed of a cover stock comprising a thermoplastic resin or elastomer and fibrous aluminum borate whiskers. The cover is durably resistant to damages by iron shots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball comprising a core covered with a cover, wherein the cover is formed of a resin composition containing, as a major component, a mixture composed of (A) an ionomer resin of lithium salt of ethylene-(meta)acrylic acid copolymer, (B) an ionomer resin of bivalent metal salt of ethylene-(meta)acrylic acid ester-(meta)acrylic acid terpolymer, and (C) a partially saponified resin of ethylene-(meta)acrylic acid ester copolymer.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of making a golf ball, having a cover and a core, wherein the golf ball has at least one layer formed of a compatibilized blend of about 4 percent to 95 percent of at least one ionomer resin; about 95 percent to 4 percent of at least one non-ionic polymer; and about 1 to 15 phr, based on 100 parts ionomer resin and non-ionic polymer, of at least one compatibilizer of a functionalized block and graft polymers and oligomers, wherein the compatibilizer is free of any monomers containing an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and wherein at least one portion of the non-carboxylic acid compatibilizer is miscible with the at least one ionomer and at least one portion of the non-carboxylic acid compatibilizer is miscible with the at least one non-ionic polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a scuff-resistant, soft cover formed from more than 90 wt. % of one or more acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins. The acrylate ester-containing ionomeric resins preferably are terpolymers. The golf ball has good durability and a high spin rate. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game ball, such as a golf ball, having an indicia formed from a UV curable ink containing aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) filler. The ATH improves pad transfer of the ink. An ink composition suitable for pad printing, and a method for applying an indicia to a game ball also are disclosed. The UV curable ink has excellent pad transfer properties, and good durability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a cover formed from a polyamide composition and a method of making the same. More specifically, the golf ball has a cover which contains a combination of a polyamide component and an ionomeric component or a non-ionomeric terpolymer component. The cover composition has excellent durability and resistance to cracking, even at cold temperatures. The nylon-ionomer blend is a useful substitute for an ionomer golf ball cover, particularly when a low spin golf ball is desired.

Abstract: In a three-piece solid golf ball of the three layer structure consisting of a solid core, an intermediate layer, and a cover, the specific gravity of the solid core is lower than the specific gravity of the intermediate layer and the cover, and the Shore D hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than the Shore D hardness of the cover. The ball as a whole has an inertia moment of at least 83 g-cm.sup.2. The desirable properties of spin, feel, control and distance are obtained.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core, and a gamma irradiated, ionomeric, dimpled cover having a Shore D hardness of 55 or less as measured on a non-dimpled portion of the cover, the dimples maintaining their shape when the cover is subjected to heat treatment at 160.degree.-180.degree. F. for at least one hour. In making the golf ball, the dimpled cover is subjected to gamma irradiation in a dosage sufficient to increase the vicat softening point in degrees Fahrenheit of the cover by at least 2.5%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball cover composition comprising a combination of ionomer, ethylene-propylene rubber, and copolymer formed from (a) an .alpha.-olefin having two to eight carbon atoms, (b) an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having from 1-21 carbon atoms, and (c) an acid which includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids, the weight ratio of the ethylene-propylene rubber to copolymer of .alpha.-olefin, acrylate ester and acid being in the range of 25:75 to 75:25. The novel cover composition enables the production of a golf ball having a high coefficient of restitution and a very soft cover with excellent cut resistance.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a cover and a core, and optionally at least one intermediate layer interposed between the cover and the core, wherein the cover, the intermediate layer or both are formed from a blend comprising an oxa acid compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an organic moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl, carbocyclic, and heterocyclic groups. Additionally, the present invention is directed towards a golf ball cover and/or intermediate layer formed from a blend comprising at least two components, the first component comprising at least one oxa acid composition of Formula I, while the second component is a polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyethylene, polyamide, polyester, and an acid copolymer or its ionomer derivatives or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover formed on the core, wherein the cover is formed from a mixture of an ionomer resin and an epoxy group containing a polymer or an OH group containing a soft elastomer and has a thickness of from 0.4 to 1.85 mm, a flexural modulus of from 100 to 1,500 kgf/cm.sup.2 and a shore D hardness of from 30 to 65.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a UV light resistant, visibly transparent, urethane golf ball topcoat composition for use with UV curable inks and to golf balls incorporating such a topcoat. The topcoat includes an optical brightener that absorbs at least some ultraviolet light at wavelengths greater than about 350 nm, and emits visible light, and a light stabilizer package. The light stabilizer package includes at least one UV light absorber and, optionally, at least one light stabilizer, such as a HALS. The UV light absorber absorbs at least some UV light at wavelengths between about 200 nm and about 370 nm, and has an absorption peak at a wavelength between about 330 nm and about 360 nm and a UV light absorbance at a wavelength of about 350 nm that is at least about 3 times greater than the UV light absorbance at a wavelength of about 370 nm.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover including at least two layers is improved in overall performance including flight performance, flight distance, spin, control and feel when an outermost layer of the cover has a gage of 0.01-0.05 mm and a Shore D hardness of 48.degree.-55.degree.. The core may be solid or wound. An inner layer of the cover has a Shore D hardness in the range of 58-70 and a thickness of 1.2-4.0 mm. The outer layer may be a thin film wrapped on the inner layer.

Abstract: The golf ball composition is comprised of a core with a compression of less than about 90 and a cover made from more than about 50% of a sodium or zinc ionomer resin having a softening termonomer and a flexural modulus of less than about 10,000 psi and less than about 50% of a lithium ionomer resin. The ball has very good performance and has excellent shear resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having good shot feel and controllability and showing excellent rebound characteristics to give long flight distance. The golf ball of the present invention includes a core and a cover present on the core, an intermediate layer optionally being present between the core and the cover, wherein at least one layer of the cover or the intermediate layer has a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and is formed from a composition having an elasticity modulus (E*) at -30.degree. to +20.degree. C. of 1,000 to 9,000 Kgf/cm.sup.2 and a loss tangent at -30.degree. to +20.degree. C. of 0.02 to 0.1., and the core, whether solid core or thread wound core, has a spring constant at compression deformation of 15 to 60 Kgf/mm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a central core, an inner cover layer containing a non-ionomeric polyolefin material, preferably a plastomer, and an outer cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material. The combined thickness of the inner and outer cover layer preferably is at least about 0.10 inches. The golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of at least about 0.780. When the inner cover layer contains a non-ionomeric material such as a metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin and the outer cover layer contains ionomer, the golf ball of the invention can be configured to have playability properties comparable to those of golf balls which contain substantially higher quantities of ionomer. A method for forming the golf ball described above also is disclosed.