Abstract: Golf balls of the invention include at least one core layer comprised or consisting of a homogenous rubber-based core composition with a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout without agglomerating to create a relatively higher cross-link density of the core layer material. In golf balls of the invention, cross-link density gradients may be created between core layers by pre-electing the presence/absence, amount, type, and degree of functionalization of the plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in two given core layers to target important properties such as resilience/CoR and desired playing characteristics such as distance.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer formed from polymer composition comprising delignified natural wood. The delignified natural wood may be basswood, oak, poplar, ash, alder, aspen, balsa wood, beech, birch, cherry, butternut, chestnut, cocobolo, elm, hickory, maple, oak, padauk, plum, walnut, willow, yellow poplar, bald cypress, cedar, cypress, fir, hemlock, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, tamarack, juniper, yew, and/or bamboo and having a lignin content of less than 20 wt %. Hemicellulose content may be less than 30 wt %, or about 15 wt % or less, or less than 15 wt %. The delignified natural wood is included in the polymer composition in an amount of 20 wt % or less, based on total weight of the polymer composition. Examples of polymer compositions include rubbers, polyurethanes, polyureas, ionomers, and combinations thereof. In specific embodiments, the golf ball core and/or intermediate layer is formed from the polymer composition. The delignified wood may comprise chopped wood pieces and/or powder.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising layer formed from polymer composition comprising delignified natural wood. The delignified natural wood may be basswood, oak, poplar, ash, alder, aspen, balsa wood, beech, birch, cherry, butternut, chestnut, cocobolo, elm, hickory, maple, oak, padauk, plum, walnut, willow, yellow poplar, bald cypress, cedar, cypress, fir, hemlock, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, tamarack, juniper, yew, and/or bamboo and having a lignin content of less than 20 wt %. Hemicellulose content may be less than 30 wt %, or about 15 wt % or less, or less than 15 wt %. The delignified natural wood is included in the polymer composition in an amount of 20 wt % or less, based on total weight of the polymer composition. Examples of polymer compositions include rubbers, polyurethanes, polyureas, ionomers, and combinations thereof. In specific embodiments, the golf ball core and/or intermediate layer is formed from the polymer composition. The delignified wood may comprise chopped wood pieces and/or powder.

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 ball comprising at least one layer that is comprised of an air-cured elastomer composition comprising an elastomer and an organic peroxide curing agent.

Abstract: Golf balls of the invention include at least one core layer comprised or consisting of a homogenous rubber-based core composition with a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout without agglomerating to create a relatively higher cross-link density of the core layer material. In golf balls of the invention, cross-link density gradients may be created between core layers by pre-electing the presence/absence, amount, type, and degree of functionalization of the plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in two given core layers to target important properties such as resilience/CoR and desired playing characteristics such as distance.

Abstract: Golf balls of the invention include at least one core layer comprised or consisting of a homogenous rubber-based core composition with a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout without agglomerating to create a relatively higher cross-link density of the core layer material. In golf balls of the invention, cross-link density gradients may be created between core layers by pre-electing the presence/absence, amount, type, and degree of functionalization of the plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in two given core layers to target important properties such as resilience/CoR and desired playing characteristics such as distance.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core includes between 2 and 20 smaller spheres that are surrounded by a second core composition having at least one different physical property than the composition(s) forming the smaller spheres. The smaller spheres can be entirely surrounded by the second core composition; or, at least two smaller adjacent spheres may each be partially surrounded by the second core composition while also being in partial contact with each other.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising at least one layer that is comprised of an air-cured elastomer composition comprising an elastomer and an organic peroxide curing agent.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core includes between 2 and 20 smaller spheres that are surrounded by a second core composition having at least one different physical property than the composition(s) forming the smaller spheres. The smaller spheres can be entirely surrounded by the second core composition; or, at least two smaller adjacent spheres may each be partially surrounded by the second core composition while also being in partial contact with each other.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising at least one layer that is comprised of a cured elastomeric composition comprising a mixture of an elastomeric composition and an organic peroxide-based curing composition; wherein the mixture at least partially contacts oxygen during curing.

Abstract: Golf balls of the invention include at least one core layer comprised or consisting of a homogenous rubber-based core composition with a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout without agglomerating to create a relatively higher cross-link density of the core layer material. In golf balls of the invention, cross-link density gradients may be created between core layers by pre-electing the presence/absence, amount, type, and degree of functionalization of the plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres in two given core layers to target important properties such as resilience/CoR and desired playing characteristics such as distance.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising at least one layer that is comprised of a cured elastomeric composition comprising a mixture of an elastomeric composition and an organic peroxide-based curing composition; wherein the mixture at least partially contacts oxygen during curing.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is made from a thermoplastic composition preferably comprising a telechelic ionomer derived from alkyl-cis-cyclooctene and cis-cyclooctene. The telechelic ionomer composition also may be used to form intermediate layers. Blends of telechelic ionomers and polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymers can be prepared. The telechelic ionomer compositions can be used to make a cover layer having good impact durability and shear resistance and that also helps provide the ball with high resiliency.

Abstract: Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and compression of at least 50 and comprising a layer of a mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and a plurality of conductive nanoshelled structures such as conductive hollow nanoshells and/or nanorice particles. Conductive nanoshelled structures may be included in amount of from about 2 wt % to greater than 50 wt. % of total weight of mixture. Diameter of each conductive nano shelled structure at widest cross-section may be up to 1000 nm. Each conductive hollow nanoshell may have shell thickness to longitudinal diameter ratio of from about 1:3 to about 1:100. Each nanorice particle may have longitudinal diameter of up to 1000 nm. Shell thickness can be from 1 nm to 100 nm and may be controlled. A layer consisting of mixture may have specific gravity that differs from specific gravity of a layer consisting of the thermoset or thermoplastic composition portion of mixture.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a core having at least one layer and a cover having at least one layer are provided. At least one of the layers is made from a thermoplastic composition preferably comprising a telechelic ionomer derived from alkyl-cis-cyclooctene and cis-cyclooctene. The telechelic ionomer composition also may be used to form intermediate layers. Blends of telechelic ionomers and polybutadiene rubbers or ethylene acid copolymers can be prepared. The telechelic ionomer compositions can be used to make a cover layer having good impact durability and shear resistance and that also helps provide the ball with high resiliency.

Abstract: Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and compression of at least 50 and comprising a layer of a mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and a plurality of conductive nanoshelled structures such as conductive hollow nanoshells and/or nanorice particles. Conductive nanoshelled structures may be included in amount of from about 2 wt % to greater than 50 wt. % of total weight of mixture. Diameter of each conductive nano shelled structure at widest cross-section may be up to 1000 nm. Each conductive hollow nanoshell may have shell thickness to longitudinal diameter ratio of from about 1:3 to about 1:100. Each nanorice particle may have longitudinal diameter of up to 1000 nm. Shell thickness can be from 1 nm to 100 nm and may be controlled. A layer consisting of mixture may have specific gravity that differs from specific gravity of a layer consisting of the thermoset or thermoplastic composition portion of mixture.