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 or layers, includes an anionic polymer. The anionic polymer has at least one of a neutralizable hydroxyl or dealkylable ether group, at least a portion of which are neutralized or dealkylated by a metal ion to provide anionic moieties. The anionic polymer compositions of the present invention can be used to provide improved characteristics to golf balls made therefrom.