Abstract: Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and Atti compression of at least about 50 and comprising layer consisting of mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and plurality of particulates, at least a portion surface-treated with alkoxylated siloxanes and/or polyether-modified siloxanes, and may be selected from titanium dioxide particles, barium sulfate particles, zinc sulfide particles, and/or zinc oxide particulates. At least some particulates are contacted with compound having the formula: Compound (I) may be included in amount of 0.01 to 2% by weight based on total weight of portion of plurality being contacted. The plurality may be included in mixture in amount such that layer has specific gravity of from 0.5 to about 10.0, tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 50,000 psi, and elongation at break of from about 20% to about 1000%, each being greater than that of the thermoset or thermoplastic composition portion of the mixture.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed adjacent the core. The three-layer cover includes an inner cover, an intermediate cover, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes a non-ionomeric E/Y copolymer where E is an olefin and Y is a carboxylic acid. The inner cover has a hardness of about 45 to 68 Shore D. The outer cover includes a castable thermoset polyurethane and has a hardness of about 40 to 62 Shore D. The intermediate cover layer, disposed between the inner and outer cover layers, is formed from a polyamide composition, where the polyamide composition includes a transparent polyamide having a light transmission of about 50% or greater.

Abstract: Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising cast layer of thermoset polymer mixture having centering time Ct1 and consisting of: (i) a thermoset polymer composition consisting of polyurethane composition, polyurea composition, and/or polyurethane/polyurea hybrid composition; and (ii) a treated fumed silica compound in an amount such that centering time Ct1 is independent of the thermoset polymer mixture's degree of cure and lower than a centering time Ct2 of the thermoset polymer composition (which is dependent on its gel window Gw). The treated fumed silica compound may be surface treated with at least one of polydimethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisilazane, and dimethyldichlorosilane. In some embodiments, delta time ?t1 between a dispensing time Dt1 of the thermoset polymer mixture and centering time Ct1 is less than a delta time ?t2 between Ct1 and centering time Ct2. Centering time Ct1 and dispensing time Dt1 may differ by less than 10 seconds or even by 5 seconds or less.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating mixtures of thermoplastic polymers and polymethyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers. The thermoplastic polymer and MMA copolymers may be included in weight ratios of from 98:2 to 50:50. The mixture may have different hardness than that of the thermoplastic polymer, a glass transition temperature Tg-m greater than a glass transition temperature Tg-tp of the thermoplastic polymer, and a modulus, tensile strength and ultimate elongation greater than that of the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating at least one very thin moisture barrier film (monolayer film, bi-layer film or multi-layer film) comprising ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer(s) and having a thickness of up to 0.009 inches as well as a normalized moisture vapor transmission rate (nMVTR) of less than about 5.0 g/(m2·day). The ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer-containing moisture barrier film is disposed about and adjacent to an outer surface of a subassembly and is surrounded by at least one outer layer having an nMVTR that is greater than that of the moisture barrier film. In particular embodiments, the nMVTR of the subassembly is also greater than that of the moisture barrier film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a mono (meth)acrylate ester in a golf ball layer. The mono (meth)acrylate ester may be added to one or more portions of a golf ball including a core, intermediate, or cover layer. For example, in one embodiment, the mono (meth)acrylate ester may be blended with a polybutadiene rubber material. In another embodiment, the mono (meth)acrylate ester of the present invention may be blended with an ionomer. In some embodiments, the mono (meth)acrylate ester may be blended with a formulation including both a polybutadiene rubber component and an ionomer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within the matrix.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered core assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the core assembly includes an inner core (center) comprising a thermoset composition, an intermediate core layer; and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, the thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. A second thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the outer core layer. The core layers have different hardness levels. In another embodiment, a two-layered core structure is provided. For example, the inner core and/or outer core layer may be made of the plasticized thermoplastic composition. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made from silicone (polysiloxane) elastomers; silicone (polysiloxane) elastomer/polyurethane blends; polycarbonate-polysiloxane blends and copolymers; and polycarbonate-polysiloxane/polyurethane blends are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core and cover structures can be made. The polysiloxane compositions have good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The polysiloxane compositions also have high elongation, tensile strength, chemical/fluid-resistance, and weatherability properties. These compositions can be used to form any layer, for example, core, intermediate, or cover, in the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball including a dual core comprising an inner core having a first outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, and an outer core layer having a second outer surface disposed about the inner core. An inner cover layer and an outer cover layer are formed over the core. The second outer surface is greater than the first outer surface to define a dual core overall positive hardness gradient of about 25 Shore C to 35 Shore C and has a secondary gradient quotient, GQ?, defined by the equation: 6 ? G ? + T 10 × COR ? 7 where G? is the overall positive hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a three-layered cover assembly are provided. For example, a cover assembly having an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer may be prepared. At least one of the cover layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) thermoplastic non-acid polymer, and b) plasticizer. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. Suitable non-acid polymers include, for example, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating mixtures of thermoplastic polymers and polymethyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers. The thermoplastic polymer and MMA copolymers may be included in weight ratios of from 98:2 to 50:50. The mixture may have different hardness than that of the thermoplastic polymer, a glass transition temperature Tg-m greater than a glass transition temperature Tg-tp of the thermoplastic polymer, and a modulus, tensile strength and ultimate elongation greater than that of the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from foamed and non-foamed thermoset compositions. For example, the intermediate core can be formed from a thermoset rubber so there are adjoining foam core layers (inner and intermediate) and the outer core layer can be formed from a non-foamed thermoset rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core having a hardness gradient and an outer cover layer having a microhardness gradient and being formed from a thermoset polyurethane material throughout, and having: i) a treated region that is contacted with a thermoset polyurethane microhardness-increasing solution consisting of an isocyanate portion and at least one non-aqueous solvent; and ii) an untreated region that is not contacted with the thermoset polyurethane microhardness-increasing solution. The treated region comprises the isocyanate portion, whereas the untreated region does not comprise the isocyanate portion. Treated region has a microhardness M1 that is greater than microhardness M2 of untreated region to define the outer cover layer positive microhardness gradient ?M=M1?M2. The treated region may have a depth Dtr that extends inward from the cover outer surface and in some embodiments is less than a thickness of the untreated region.

Abstract: Golf balls and golf ball components made using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing systems are provided. The golf ball includes at least one three-dimensional piece. Preferably, a continuous liquid interface printing method is used to make the three-dimensional structure. Ultraviolet (UV)-light polymerizable materials are used in the method. The method may be used to make single-piece or multi-piece balls. For example, the ball may include an inner core produced by the liquid interface printing method. An outer core layer may be disposed about the inner core, and a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers may encapsulate the core assembly to form the finished golf ball. The outer core and cover layers may be made using conventional molding technologies or the methods of this invention.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.

Abstract: Multi-layered, golf balls having a core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core preferably has a foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer. The core also includes a structural insert such as, for example, a solid shell, perforated shell, a lattice or mesh, or a central hub with extending arms, and the like. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The ball further includes a cover having at least one layer. By adjusting the respective specific gravity values of the core layers, the Moment of Inertia (MOI) of the ball can be increased or decreased. In one embodiment, the ball has generally good flight distance and low spin rate.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a positive hardness gradient core and an outer cover layer having a microhardness gradient and being formed from a thermoset polyurethane material throughout, and having: i) a treated region that is contacted with a thermoset polyurethane microhardness-increasing solution consisting of an isocyanate portion and at least one non-aqueous solvent; and ii) an untreated region that is not contacted with the thermoset polyurethane microhardness-increasing solution. The treated region comprises the isocyanate portion, whereas the untreated region does not comprise the isocyanate portion. Treated region has a microhardness M1 that is greater than microhardness M2 of untreated region to define the outer cover layer positive microhardness gradient ?M=M1?M2. The treated region may have a depth Dtr that extends inward from the cover outer surface and in some embodiments is less than a thickness of the untreated region.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.