Abstract: A set of golf club irons of the blade type is characterized by a weight pad behind the impact area of the club face which progressively increases in height through the set from the long irons to the short irons. In addition, the thickness of the sole portion of each head increases through the set to progressively increase the weight at the bottom of the club heads. The clubs provide improved feel to the golfer which enable the golfer to work the ball more easily during execution of a golf shot.

Abstract: A golf club head with low peripheral and rearward weighting includes C-shaped and annular weights connected with at least one of the rear and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the head. The weighting within the peripheral weights is adjustable between the heel, rear, and toe portions of the head to customize the weight distribution of the head in accordance with a golfer's swing. The added weight and its orientation increases the moment of inertia of the head and reduces the rotation thereof.

Abstract: A set of golf clubs is characterized by club heads having striking face inserts at least one of which varies in thickness, density, and/or material from the other inserts so that the heads have different centers of gravity. Preferably the long irons in the set have a lower center of gravity (because of thinner or less dense inserts) to increase the trajectory of a struck golf ball. The short irons have a higher center of gravity to reduce the trajectory of a struck golf ball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to increase adhesion between two adjacent layers. The process comprises roughening the surface of one layer followed by chlorination of the roughened surface and joining of the layers, or treating the surface of one layer with a silicone-based adhesion promoter and joining the layers. In one preferred embodiment the process comprises roughening the surface of one layer, followed by chlorination of the roughened surface, joining of the layers and post-treatment of the molded layers at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material selecting from the group consisting of a polybutadiene, a polyisoprene, or combinations thereof; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided having a controlled weight distribution about a designated spin axis. The golf ball includes a core and mantle assembly defining one or more high density regions interiorly disposed along a common plane and centered about the horizontal spin axis of the ball. As a result of the controlled weight distribution, the resulting ball significantly reduces hooks and slices. A method of manufacturing and/or utilizing the present golf ball is also provided.

Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed that includes a core assembly comprising a center core component and at least one core layer and a cover comprising at least one layer. The center core component preferably is formed from a sulfur-cured polybutadiene. The core layer component preferably is formed from a peroxide-cured polybutadiene and a metal salt of an unsaturated fatty acid such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. The resulting golf ball of the present invention provides enhanced playability characteristics (i.e., spin and feel) without sacrificing distance or durability properties. The sulfur-cured center core component exhibits a remarkable combination of properties—a high resiliency coupled with being very soft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. The cover may be single or multi-layered. For a multi-layered cover, the inner cover layer is comprised of a hard, high modulus material and the outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus material and/or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyetheramide. Separately, the inner and/or outer cover layers are very thin in construction. The resulting golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced playability characteristics (i.e.

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 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 utilizing a high density core component, which is preferably part of a multicomponent core assembly is disclosed. The high density core component is preferably in the form of a metal sphere. The golf balls exhibit a unique combination of a relatively high coefficient of restitution, a controlled moment of inertia, and a relatively high spin rate during short distance shots. It is preferred that the high density core component be utilized in conjunction with a multi-layer cover assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: A method of coating a game ball with a rapidly curing polyurethane coating system is described herein. The coating system comprises a mixture of a polyol, an isocyanate, a solvent and a high level of catalyst which accelerates the curing process. The coating is a two-part polyurethane system which is preferably applied by spraying. The coating is particularly well-suited for use on golf balls, and also can be applied to other game balls such as softballs, baseballs, cricket balls.

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 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: A new dimple configuration for the surface of a golf ball is characterized by a portion extending above the surface of the ball. Each dimple includes an annular portion having an inner configuration and an outer configuration, and an inner portion having a configuration corresponding with the annular portion inner configuration. Preferably, the annular portion is elevated relative to the ball surface. When a struck ball travels through the air, the elevated portions trip air at the ball surface to improve the flight characteristics of the ball.

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 a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered.