Abstract: Golf ball incorporating layer(s) of a mixture consisting of: i) ionomer(s); ii) ethylene propylene rubber(s)(EPR(s)); iii) polymeric epoxy crosslinker(s); and iv) compatibilizing polymer(s). The ionomer(s) and EPR(s) may be included in a blend in a wt % ratio of from about 85:15 to 55:45; the at least one polymeric epoxy crosslinker and compatibilizing polymer may be included in amounts, based on 100 parts of the blend, of from about 2.0 to about 10.0 parts; and from about 1.0 to about 10.0 parts, respectively. Each ionomer, EPR, polymeric epoxy crosslinker, and compatibilizing polymer has a density less than 1.0 g/cm3. The mixture is melt processable/moldable without meanwhile sacrificing target CoR, DCM compression, Shore D hardness, and Shore C hardness.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof. Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid-polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof; and (d) plasticizer(s). Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic matrix and discrete particles of crosslinked polymer dispersed within the matrix.

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: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyamide composition containing a plasticized polyamide are provided. In one preferred version, the polyamide composition consists essentially of a polyamide and plasticizer selected from the group consisting of polytrimethylene ether glycol and polytrimethylene ether glycol benzoate and monomers, oligomers, copolymers and blends thereof. Blends of plasticized polyamides and ethylene acid copolymer ionomers also can be prepared. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. The polyamide compositions have a good combination of properties including Coefficient of Restitution (COR) and compression.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises a plasticized polyurethane composition comprising at least one polyurethane and at least one plasticizer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) made from a foam or metal-containing composition, or it has a hollow shell construction, and the outer core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition. 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. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising an inner core and an outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the inner core and outer cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane ionomer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyester composition containing a polyester thermoplastic elastomer and plasticizer are provided. The plasticizers help reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composition and various plasticizers may be used. For example, the composition may include alkyl oleate plasticizers such as ethyl oleate and octyl oleate. Polyester-ether block copolymers are particularly preferred. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyester composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball.

Abstract: Method of making a golf ball comprising: providing a subassembly and a thermoset polymer composition; partially curing the thermoset polymer composition and elongating same while in a partial cure state; forming a layer about the subassembly comprising the thermoset polymer composition; and further curing the thermoset polymer composition. A moldable thermoset polymer composition may be elongated while in state of partial cure. The thermoset polymer composition may be stepwise elongated by: stretching a thermoset polymer composition in at least one plane while in partial cure state and before forming into first and second half shells; forming the thermoset polymer composition into first and second half shells and elongating the thermoset polymer composition in three dimensions while in the partial cure state and before mating the first and second half shells about the subassembly; and mating the first and second half shells about the subassembly and forming a stepwise-elongated thermoset layer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two-layered core assembly are provided. Preferably, at least one of the core layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that comprises: a) thermoplastic non-acid polymer, and b) plasticizer. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core is made of a first thermoplastic composition comprising the non-acid polymer and plasticizer; and the outer core layer is made of a second thermoplastic composition. For example, an ethylene acid copolymer may be used to form the outer core layer. 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 core assembly has a relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a relatively soft or low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a relatively hard or high modulus HNP composition.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably 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. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising an inner core and an outer cover layer, wherein at least one of the inner core and outer cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane ionomer.

Abstract: Low compression multi-piece golf balls having a solid core comprising at least one layer made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. The ball includes a cover in addition to the core sub-assembly. For example, two-piece and three-piece golf balls may be made. The plasticized thermoplastic composition preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as butyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. In two-layered core constructions, the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers may have different hardness levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: Methods for making multi-piece golf balls comprising at least one component made of ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) rubber and the resulting balls are provided. The multi-piece golf ball includes a cover, preferably a dual-cover having inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover is preferably made of a liquid rubber composition based on liquid EPDM rubber. In one version, the ball sub-assembly is dipped in a bath containing liquid EPDM rubber to form the outer cover. In another version, a casting method is used and the liquid EPDM rubber is dispensed into mold cavities to form the outer cover. The inner core of the ball may be made of polybutadiene rubber and the outer core layer may be made of EPDM rubber. The resulting golf ball has high resiliency, a soft feel, and good weatherability.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein at least one of the core or cover layer comprises a plasticized polyurethane composition comprising at least one polyurethane and at least one plasticizer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls having at least one layer made of a polyamide composition containing a polyamide polymer and plasticizer are provided. The plasticizers help reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composition and various plasticizers may be used. For example, the composition may include ethyl oleate or propylene carbonate as a plasticizer. Transparent polyamides, for example, polyether-amide block copolymers, preferably are used in the composition. The golf ball includes a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer. The polyamide composition may be used to form any core, cover, or other layer in the golf ball. In one version, the polyamide composition is used to form the inner cover layer.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and a layer formed from a thermoset rubber.