Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting molded golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The golf ball of the present invention has an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: Multi-component golf balls comprising one or more interior mantle layers are described in which at least one of the mantle layers includes a plurality of relatively small foam granules dispersed within a polymeric matrix. In another aspect, the multi-component golf balls may instead, or in addition to utilizing foam granules in one or more mantle layers, comprise a plurality of foamed granules dispersed within a core of the ball. The golf balls described herein provide the distance and durability characteristics typically associated with two piece balls while also providing desirable playing characteristics associated with three piece or wound balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby, exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved golf ball comprising at least one interior layer and/or a core comprising a silicone material. It is preferred to also utilize a multi-layer cover in conjunction with the silicone materia(s). The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting golf ball having a reduced spin rate. In this regard, a core is provided and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the cover compositions. This results in a golf ball exhibiting enhanced perimeter weighting. Preferably, the particles are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. In another preferred version, one or more patterns of weighting material are incorporated in the ball, and most preferably along the outer periphery of the ball so that the pattern is visible along the ball's exterior. The size and weight of the core is 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: A process for producing multi-layer game ball products includes the steps of extruding an inner layer precursor as a parison in a partial melt state, forming an outer layer, introducing the inner and outer layers into a mold and expanding the parison within the mold to form the multi-layer game ball product. The outer layer may take the form of pre-cut panels vacuum supported in the mold and an intermediate layer may be provided for dimensional stability in the product. Subsequent to expanding the parison a filler such as foam may be injected into the center space for forming a core.

Abstract: An improved process for producing polybutadiene golf ball cores is disclosed. The golf ball cores are from polybutadiene rubber compositions having a high Mooney viscosity and/or a high molecular weight and a low dispersity is disclosed. An apparatus for producing the polybutadiene golf ball cores is also disclosed. The apparatus includes an internal mixer that compounds a batch of golf ball core stock. A sheeter forms sheets of golf ball core stock and has a sheeter inlet proximate the mixer outlet and a sheeter outlet. A preform shaper forms golf ball core preforms from the sheets of golf ball core stock.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a core and a cover comprising a blend of ionomer and plastomer. The golf ball has an impact resistance and cut resistance comparable to a ball having a non-plastomer cover and containing higher quantities of ionomer.

Abstract: A three-piece thread wound golf ball including a central solid core portion having increased diameter of 1.35-1.50 inch (34.3-38.1 mm) and specific gravity of 1.20-1.25, a thread-wound intermediate portion, having diameter of 1.54-1.60 inches, and an outer dimpled cover portion which construction provides desirable increased moment of inertia and spin characteristics for the ball. The resulting golf ball characteristics are such that when hit with a Driver, other woods or the longer iron club it performs like a distance two-piece golf ball, when hit with mid-iron clubs it performs like a two-piece Hi-spin golf ball and soft covered multi layered balls, and when it is struck with short iron clubs it performs much like a Balata wound golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting molded golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The golf ball of the present invention has an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a dual, or multilayer core component that is relatively soft and a hard cover that results in the golf ball exhibiting a reduced spin rate. The dual, or multilayer core component includes a center component and a core layer, each of which is independently formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or a blend thereof. The dual core component is relatively soft, having a Riehle compression of at least 75. The cover is preferably formed from a high acid ionomer or a certain type of alpha-olefin such that the cover has a Shore D hardness of at least 65. The cover may be a single layer cover or a multilayer cover. The golf ball of the present invention may have an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: A unique golf ball and related methods of manufacturing are disclosed in which the golf ball comprises one or more metal mantle layers and a cellular or liquid core component. The metal in the mantle layer may be formed from steel, titanium, chromium, nickel, and alloys thereof. The cellular core may utilize at least one material selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene/ZDA mixtures, polyurethanes, polyolefins, ionomers, metallocenes, polycarbonates, nylons, polyesters, and polystyrenes. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more metal mantle layers. The golf balls according to the present invention exhibit is improved spin, feel, and acoustic properties. Furthermore, the one or more interior metal layers prevent, or at least significantly minimize, coefficient of restitution loss from the golf ball, and significantly increases the moment of inertia of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The present invention is also directed to an improved golf ball comprising at least one interior layer and/or a core comprising a silicone material. It is preferred to also utilize a multi-layer cover in conjunction with the silicone materials. The golf ball of the present invention may also utilize an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: The invention provides golf balls formed from plastomers which have a molecular weight distribution of 4 or less. Plastomers can be included in the cores of multi-piece balls and in the mantle of multi-layer golf balls in crosslinked or uncrosslinked form, and can be used to form golf ball covers and one-piece golf balls when the outer surface of the ball is crosslinked. Golf balls which employ these compositions as covers have high durability as well as good cut resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a high acid ionomer or ionomer blend which may or may not include a filler such as zinc-stearate. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved polybutadiene compositions suitable for use in molded golf ball core construction. The improved polybutadiene compositions are composed of polypropylene powder resins which have the effect of increasing the hardness of the resulting molded cores without increasing the weight upon curing, thereby allowing for a reduction in the amount of crosslinking agents utilized and increasing the amount of fillers incorporated therein. The addition of the polypropylene powder resins to the core compositions lowers the cost of the molded core, while maintaining the proper weight and compression. The present invention is also directed to golf balls produced utilizing the improved core compositions. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for reducing the amount of crosslinking agents utilized to formulate a core composition through the incorporation of polypropylene powder resins.