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: 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: Low compression, multi-piece golf balls containing a solid core and two or three-layered cover assemblies are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. At least one cover layer is made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition. For example, two-layered and three-layered covers may be made. Preferably, the plasticized thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate or butyl 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: 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: 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 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 an HNP composition consisting of a mixture of: at least one ethylene acid copolymer; sufficient amount of cation source to neutralize greater than about 100% of all acid groups present; and a highly diverse mixture of at least four organic acids having different characteristics such as relating to: carbon chain lengths, number of double bonds on carbon chains, positioning of double bonds on carbon chains, number of branches, types of branches, positioning of branches on carbon chains, positioning of acid groups on carbon chains, configurations (cis/trans), functional groups on carbon chains, being saturated/unsaturated, being conjugated/non-conjugated; presence/absence of functional group(s) on carbon chain; being aliphatic/aromatic, or combinations thereof. No organic acid is present in highly diverse mixture in a concentration greater than 80%, or, in some embodiments, greater than 60%, or greater than 40%.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least one layer comprised of a neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of a mixture of: (a) at least one low molecular weight acid-containing wax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer; (c) at least one organic acid or salt thereof; and (d) at least one plasticizer. Each low molecular weight acid-containing wax may have a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 7000, and in some embodiments, the molecular weight may be considered low up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), (c) and (d) as disclosed herein advantageously produce a layer of ionomeric material having desirable physical properties, such as heat stability, and processability (excellent melt flow) and softer feel without the need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least one layer comprised of a neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of a mixture of: (a) at least one low molecular weight acid-containing wax; (b) at least one non-acid-polymer; and (c) at least one organic acid or salt thereof. Each low molecular weight acid-containing wax may have a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 7000, and in some embodiments, the molecular weight may be considered low up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b) and (c) as disclosed herein advantageously produce a layer of ionomeric material having desirable physical properties, such as heat stability, and processability (excellent melt flow) without the need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

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: 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 comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A sulfonamide, alkyl diacid ester, or organophosphate or organosulfur compound 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 relates to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a very neutralized polymer composition. In particular, the compositions of the invention include at least one acid copolymer and a sufficient amount of cation source to neutralize about 70 percent to about 80 percent of the acid moieties. The invention also relates to methods of making the compositions and golf ball constructions that incorporate the compositions of the invention in at least a portion thereof.

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 composition selected from thermoset compositions and thermoplastic compositions. 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.

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.

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: Low compression, multi-piece golf balls containing a solid core and two or three-layered cover assemblies are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. At least one cover layer is made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition. For example, two-layered and three-layered covers may be made. Preferably, the plasticized thermoplastic composition comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate or butyl 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: A golf ball comprising an inner core layer including a thermoplastic material and having a geometric center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed over the inner core. The outer core includes a thermoset rubber composition and has an inner surface hardness less than an outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The cover layer includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic material of the core includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally a softening monomer comprising alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; a plasticizer; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 70 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material.

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: A golf ball including a core; an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of about 0.005 inches to 0.40 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater; and an outer cover layer formed from a thermoset material and having a thickness of about 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The thermoplastic composition has a first melt flow index at 280° C. under a 10-kg load of less than about 35 g/10 min and a second melt flow index at 265° C. under a 5-kg load of less than about 10 g/10 min.