Abstract: A four-piece solid golf ball construction is disclosed, including one or more core layers, an inner mantle layer, an outer mantle layer, and one or more cover layers. The inner mantle layer has a Shore D hardness in the range of 20 to 60, and the outer mantle layer has a Shore D hardness in the range of 40 to 80 and exceeding that of the inner mantle layer by at least 3. The solid golf ball provides a high spin rate when struck not only by a full 8-iron, but also by a soft pitching wedge, for short shots near a putting green.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; forming an inner cover layer around golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: Golf ball covers incorporate base material compositions including a sound-altering material for selectively enhancing or dampening the acoustic output of a golf ball when it is struck. A ratio in the composition by weight of base material to sound-altering material ranges between 99.9:0.1 and 92:8. The invention allows for the altering of the sound of the golf ball while retaining the mechanical properties of the golf ball cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making golf balls by an extrusion molding process, particularly forming golf ball cores from an extrusion moldable composition. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having an extruded core, an outer cover layer and, optionally, one or more inner cover layers.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A four-piece solid golf ball construction is disclosed, including one or more core layers, an inner mantle layer, an outer mantle layer, and one or more cover layers. The inner mantle layer has a Shore D hardness in the range of 20 to 60, and the outer mantle layer has a Shore D hardness in the range of 40 to 80 and exceeding that of the inner mantle layer by at least 3. The solid golf ball provides a high spin rate when struck not only by a full 8-iron, but also by a soft pitching wedge, for short shots near a putting green.

Abstract: A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-layer golf ball comprising at least one core or core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. The core has a diameter of about 1.20 to about 1.56 in. and a PGA compression of about 40 to about 90. The intermediate layer comprises a modified ionomeric polymer, and it has a thickness of about 0.01 to about 0.10 in. and a Shore D hardness of about 30 to about 70. The cover layer has a Shore D hardness of about 40 to about 75. The multi-layer golf balls of the present invention provide high driver ball speed and/or a high Coefficient of Restitution, while maintaining excellent shot feel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a two-piece golf ball having a core over, wherein the core comprises at least one unsaturated polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one co-cross-linking agent, and at least one peptizer (comprising one or more organic sulfur compounds, or one or more metal or non-metal salts of an organic sulfur compound), and optionally at least one weight adjusting filler. The improved two-piece balls have optimal velocity and distance performance, as well as excellent shot feel, the called “long and soft” combination. The balls also demonstrate excellent durability properties, and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; forming an inner cover layer around golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; forming an inner cover layer around golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball including an improved mantle composition which results in improved performance characteristics. The composition includes a soft, flexible resin, such as an elastomer, and a quantity of at least one hardness-enhancing material, such as a quantity of fibers or fiber segments, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and/or metallic fibers, and, optionally, at least one ionomer. The hardness-enhancing material can constitute about 1 to about 30 wt % of the intermediate layer. The composition of the intermediate layer enables the golf ball to maintain initial speed and distance of known golf balls, while improving upon spin rate and playability. Alternatively, spin rate and playability can be maintained, while improving upon the initial speed and distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; injection molding an inner cover layer around said golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around said inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The inner cover layer is formed of a material having a shore D hardness that is about 5 to about 50 greater than the shore D hardness of the thermoset material forming the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A golf ball consisting of a multi-piece cover surrounding a core. The cover consists of a multi-sheet structure which includes at least three thin layers of thermoplastic with each layer having a thickness of no more than 0.030 inches. The hardness of the multi-sheet structure varies between adjacent layers so that the reaction of the ball varies depending upon the amount of deformation of the ball upon impact with a golf club. The method of manufacturing a golf ball includes producing a cover from a multi-layer member, with at least one layer having a thickness of no more than 0.030 inches.

Abstract: A solid golf ball having a core, a cover, an intermediate skin between the core and the cover defining a generally continuous inner annular surface, wherein the inner annular surface of the skin is stretched over the core. Desirably, to prevent breakage, the annular surface is at least 1/4 inch wide. Preferably, the skin has a substantially uniform thickness and covers substantially the entire outer surface of the core so that the golf ball will react in a uniform manner regardless of where on the cover the ball is struck. The skin preferably comprises a polymeric material which is stretched so as to have a predetermined amount of initial strain so as to reach a certain level of crystallization of material. This predetermined amount of initial strain is desirably 150%, preferably 200% and, most preferably 400%. A method of manufacturing a golf ball having a stretched intermediate skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf ball including an improved mantle composition which results in improved performance characteristics. The composition includes a soft, flexible resin, such as an elastomer, and a quantity of at least one hardness-enhancing material, such as a quantity of fibers or fiber segments, such as glass, carbon, aramid, and/or metallic fibers, and, optionally, at least one ionomer. The hardness-enhancing material can constitute about 1 to about 30 wt % of the intermediate layer. The composition of the intermediate layer enables the golf ball to maintain initial speed and distance of known golf balls, while improving upon spin rate and playability. Alternatively, spin rate and playability can be maintained, while improving upon the initial speed and distance.

Abstract: A solid golf ball having a core, a covers an intermediate layer between the core and the cover formed of a soft elastomeric material. Preferably, the layer has a thickness of 0.1-1.3 mm and is formed by dipping the core into a liquid dispersion latex having a cured hardness between 40 and 100 Shore A. The ball provides improved feel and controllability which can be varied by varying the characteristics of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer comprises a thermoset material formed from a castable, reactive liquid, said outer layer having a thickness of less than 0.05 inches and said inner cover layer comprises a high flexural modulus material. The golf balls of the present invention are believed to provide a "progressive performance" from driver to wedge.