Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of 45 Shore C to 65 Shore C. An intermediate layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface and an inner surface and is formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising an ionomer whose acid groups are 100% neutralized such that the intermediate layer has a hardness of 20 Shore D to 80 Shore D. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The inner core outer surface hardness is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the outer surface of the intermediate layer is the same as the hardness of the inner surface to define a zero hardness gradient.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic inner core layer that has a geometric center hardness greater than its surface hardness to define a first “negative” hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a substantially homogenous thermoset composition, typically rubber, and has an inner surface hardness greater than its outer surface hardness to also define a “negative” hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. The “negative” hardness gradient of the inner core is typically ?1 to ?5 Shore C and the “negative” hardness gradient of the core layer is typically at least ?7 Shore C. The difference between the inner core surface hardness and the outer core inner surface hardness, ?h, should be at least ?3 Shore C.

Abstract: A golf ball including a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer between the core and the outer cover layer. The thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a solvent, free radical initiator, and a reactive co-agent comprising a metal salt of an acrylic or methacrylic acid, a mono- or multi-functional acrylate or methacrylate, or having the chemical structure where R=linear, branched, or aromatic C1-C14 and n=1-5, such that the hardness of the outer surface is different than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive or negative hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center has a hardness of 51 to 76 Shore C and the outer surface has a hardness of 50 to 75 Shore C. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface having a hardness of 85 to 98 Shore C and an inner surface having a hardness of 68 to 78 Shore C and being formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a resorcinol. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of greater than 15 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of ?1 to ?5 Shore C.

Abstract: A golf ball including a unitary core having a volume, an outer surface, a geometric center, and an outermost transition volume adjacent to the outer surface, the core being formed from a substantially homogenous composition; and a cover layer. The outermost transition volume is disposed between the core outer surface and the geometric center, the transition volume has an outer portion congruent with the core outer surface, and comprises the outermost 45% of the core volume or less. Both a hardness of the core outer surface and a hardness within the outermost transition volume are less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer, the outer cover layer being formed from a polyurea including a prepolymer and an amine curative. The prepolymer is formed from an aliphatic isocyanate and a secondary polyamine polyether having a formula: where x=1-70; R1 and R2 each independently=a C1-20 alkyl group, phenyl, or a mixture thereof; and R3=H, CH3, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core having a compression of about 50 or less and a COR of 0.800 or greater, 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 and comprising a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer. A combination of the core and the intermediate layer has a compression of 60 or greater and the golf ball has a COR 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 method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition; coating the preform with a first cure-altering material; curing the coated preform at a predetermined temperature to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness greater than the first to define a negative hardness gradient; and forming a cover layer about the core to form the golf ball.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition; coating the preform with a cure-altering material comprising an organosulfur compound, an inorganic sulfide compound, or a metal-containing organosulfur compound; curing the coated preform at a predetermined temperature to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness greater than the first to define a negative hardness gradient; and forming a cover layer about the core to form the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a center comprising a highly-neutralized thermoplastic copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being 100% neutralized by a salt of an organic acid, a cation source, or a suitable base of the organic acid; a cover; and an intermediate layer disposed between the center and the cover; wherein the golf ball has a first coefficient of restitution of 0.81 or greater when measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s; and a sphere resulting from a combination of the center and the intermediate layer has a compression of 60 or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core, the core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the hardness of the outer surface is less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a “negative” hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core, the core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the thermoplastic core has been chemically modified by esterification or saponification such that the hardness of the outer surface is less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and is formed from a first substantially homogenous formulation throughout such that the inner core has a hardness of 30 Shore C to 45 Shore C. An outer core layer is formed around the inner core and has a second outer surface and an inner surface and is formed from a second substantially homogenous formulation throughout such that the outer core layer has a hardness of 60 Shore C to 95 Shore C. A cover layer is formed around the outer core layer. The hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient.

Abstract: A method for inspecting golf balls is disclosed. An imager such as a camera captures a digital image of the golf ball. The golf ball image is separated into regions, and a brightness level is determined for each region using a histogram tool. The brightness level of the region is compared with a reference level. If the brightness level of the region is significantly different from the reference level, then the golf ball is diverted. The regions are located from image to image using pattern matching and/or edge finding tools. The environmental light conditions are altered to facilitate the pattern matching and edge finding.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer, the outer cover layer being formed from a polyurea including a caprolactone-free prepolymer of an aliphatic isocyanate mixture comprising dimerized uretdione of HDI and trimerized isocyanurate of HDI (or, optionally, trimerized biuret of HDI) and a first amount of modified polyoxypropylene diamine having a formula: where x=1-70; R1 and R2 each independently=a C1-20 alkyl group, phenyl, or a mixture thereof; and R3?H, CH3, or a mixture thereof; and a curative including a mixture of 3,5-diethyl-2,4-toluenediamine and 3,5-diethyl-2,6-toluenediamine.

Abstract: A golf ball including an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center, the inner core having a hardness of 35 to 55 Shore C; an outer core layer adjacent the inner core having a second outer surface and an inner surface, the outer core layer having a hardness of 55 to 90 Shore C; and a cover layer; wherein the hardness of the first outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a first negative hardness gradient, and the hardness of the second outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than the hardness of the inner surface to define a second negative hardness gradient.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation throughout; intermediate layer; and a cover layer; wherein the surface and center have a hardness, the hardness of the surface being substantially the same as or lower than the hardness of the center, and wherein a ratio of antioxidant to initiator used in said formulation is greater than about 0.40 when normalized to 100% activity.

Abstract: A high performance golf ball having a reduced overall distance while maintaining the appearance of a high performance trajectory. The golf ball includes a combination of low CoR core and cover materials coupled with a less aerodynamic dimple pattern that achieves a reduction in carry and overall distance of 15 and 25 yards versus a conventional golf ball, while still providing the look, sound, feel and apparent flight of a conventional golf ball. A high performance golf ball having a reduced distance is also achieved by controlling dimensionless coefficients of lift/weight and drag/weight at certain Reynolds numbers and spin ratios for various CoR.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core formed from a thermoset rubber material; and an outer cover layer having a water vapor transmission rate and formed from a polymer blend including a microgel having a Tg of ?25° C. to ?15° C. formed from a monomer, a co-monomer, and an initiator; and a castable thermoset material; wherein the microgel is present in an amount sufficient to lower the water vapor transmission rate by 30% or more.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core formed from a polymer blend comprising a microgel having a Tg of ?100° C. to 20° C. formed from a monomer, a co-monomer, and an initiator; and a thermoset rubber material; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and outer cover layer.