Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved cover compositions for golf ball construction and the resulting low modulus golf balls produced utilizing the improved cover compositions. The novel golf ball cover compositions of the invention comprise a blend of a relatively low amount of at least one hard ionomeric resins and a relatively large amount (i.e. from about 75 to about 85-90 percent) of at least one soft ionomer resin. When the cover compositions of the invention are utilized to manufacture golf balls, the golf balls produced thereby, exhibit properties of improved playability at low swing speeds without substantial sacrifices in durability and/or distance characteristics when compared to known hard-soft ionomer blends.

Abstract: A golf ball having an outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches which includes a core, an inner cover, or mantle, and an outside cover. The mantle and the outer cover have a different Shore D hardness. Dimples cover at least seventy percent of the outer surface area of the ball. In one embodiment, the mantle has a Shore D hardness between 50 and 60 and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 65 or less with the mantle hardness being greater than the cover hardness. In another embodiment, the mantle has a Shore D hardness of 65 or less and the cover has a Shore D hardness between 50 and 60, with the cover hardness being greater than the mantle hardness.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a non-ionomeric cover and method for making the same. The golf ball has been treated with crosslink-inducing irradiation at levels of at least 2 megarads up to 15 megarads. The non-ionomeric resin cover is made from material selected from the group consisting of non-ionomeric acid copolymers and terpolymers, polyamides, styrene block copolymers, polyamide block copolymers and syndiotactic resins. The golf ball cover is relatively soft, having a Shore D hardness that is no more than 10% greater than a cover having an identical composition but not radiation crosslinked. The cover is superior in cut resistance and scuff resistance to a conventional cover of substantially identical composition that is not covalently crosslinked. The golf ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.