Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: A golf ball including a radar detectable component that is integrated with the core of the golf ball is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the radar detectable component can be embodied as a structural portion of the core itself. In one aspect, the radar detectable component is embodied as a modified rubber composition that is different than a base rubber composition for a remainder of the core body and instead includes a concentration of radar reflective material. In another aspect, the core body includes at least one void that is configured to receive and retain radar reflective material. The radar detectable component can be arranged on or within the core without requiring any ink-based or printing-based techniques.

Abstract: Golf balls having core layers with individual hardness gradients are provided. The cores have at least one layer with an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The cores may also have a “zero” hardness gradient in another layer. By utilizing different hardness gradients in the core layers, the present disclosure allows for the properties of the final golf ball to be manipulated to produce desired performance characteristics.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The golf ball includes an alignment aid or feature that is integrally formed with a core body of the golf ball. A cover is provided that allows the alignment aid to be visible from an exterior of the golf ball. The alignment aid can be formed as central spherical segment that fuses two spherical cap portions with each other to form the core body. Different material selections can be made for the spherical cap portions and the central spherical segment that can further provide variation in performance characteristics of the golf ball.

Abstract: Compositions including a hardness agent and a water releasing agent and golf ball cores made from such compositions having a tailored hardness gradient are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including a hardness agent and a water releasing agent, affect the hardness, hardness gradient, and compression of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The golf ball includes an alignment aid or feature that is integrally formed with a core body of the golf ball. A cover is provided that allows the alignment aid to be visible from an exterior of the golf ball. The alignment aid can be formed as central spherical segment that fuses two spherical cap portions with each other to form the core body. Different material selections can be made for the spherical cap portions and the central spherical segment that can further provide variation in performance characteristics of the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball core is disclosed herein that generally includes a natural rubber component or additive. The rubber composition can also be comprised of synthetic rubber. In one example, the natural rubber consists of dandelion root rubber. The rubber composition can comprise a concentration of 1-20 parts per hundred (phr) of the dandelion root rubber, and a concentration of 80-99 phr of the synthetic rubber. Various other materials or elements can be added to the golf ball core.

Abstract: A golf ball and a method of forming a golf ball is disclosed herein. The golf ball includes an alignment aid or feature that is integrally formed with a core body of the golf ball. A cover is provided that allows the alignment aid to be visible from an exterior of the golf ball. The alignment aid can be formed as central spherical segment that fuses two spherical cap portions with each other to form the core body. Different material selections can be made for the spherical cap portions and the central spherical segment that can further provide variation in performance characteristics of the golf ball.

Abstract: Golf ball having at least one layer formed from a thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprising one or more free radical scavengers selected from lignosulfonates, hydroxycarboxylic acids, carbohydrates, superplasticizers, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Compositions including a hardness agent and a water releasing agent and golf ball cores made from such compositions having a tailored hardness gradient are disclosed. The type and concentration of the components in the composition, including a hardness agent and a water releasing agent, affect the hardness, hardness gradient, and compression of cores made from the composition and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf balls having cores with increased hardness gradients are provided. The cores have an increased “positive” hardness gradient (or a “hard-to-soft” hardness) where the outer surface of the core is harder than the center. The increased positive hardness gradient can be achieved by introducing a water-releasing agent into the core rubber formulation during the curing process. The resulting golf balls have reduced spin and sufficient impact durability.

Abstract: Golf ball having at least one layer formed from a thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprising one or more free radical scavengers selected from lignosulfonates, hydroxycarboxylic acids, carbohydrates, superplasticizers, or combinations thereof.