Abstract: The invention provides golf balls formed from plastomers which have a molecular weight distribution of 4 or less. Plastomers can be included in the cores of multi-piece balls and in the mantle of multi-layer golf balls in crosslinked or uncrosslinked form, and can be used to form golf ball covers and one-piece golf balls when the outer surface of the ball is crosslinked. Golf balls which employ these compositions as covers have high durability as well as good cut resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises at least 75% of a soft copolymer formed from a polyolefin, an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a monomer of the acrylate ester class. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a high acid ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The present invention golf ball further comprises at least one interior layer and/or a core comprising a silicone material. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved golf ball comprising at least one interior layer and/or a core comprising a silicone material. The preferred silicone material has a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 600 psi. It is preferred to also utilize a multi-layer cover in conjunction with the silicone material(s). The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: This invention relates to golf balls having a relatively soft cover and soft core which, in combination, provide golf balls with PGA compression ratings under 70 and a cover Shore D hardness of about 57 or less having good play "feel" and a soft sound.

Abstract: A golf ball having an outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches which includes a core, an inner cover, or mantle, and an outside cover. The mantle and the outer cover have a different Shore D hardness. Dimples cover at least seventy percent of the outer surface area of the ball. In one embodiment, the mantle has a Shore D hardness between 50 and 60 and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 65 or less with the mantle hardness being greater than the cover hardness. In another embodiment, the mantle has a Shore D hardness of 65 or less and the cover has a Shore D hardness between 50 and 60, with the cover hardness being greater than the mantle hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball including:a core,an inner cover layer formed directly over the core, the inner cover layer substantially consisting of ionomer and having a thickness of 0.05-0.10 inches and a Shore D hardness of 56-65, andan outer cover layer comprising an ionomer, having a Shore D hardness of at least 60, and being harder than the inner cover layer,wherein the golf ball has a PGA compression of no more than about 110 and a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and the ratio of the diameter of the ball to the sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is less than 1911, and the sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer layer is at least 0.09 inches.

Abstract: The invention provides golf balls formed from plastomers which have a molecular weight distribution of 4 or less. Plastomers can be included in the cores of multi-piece balls and in the mantle of multi-layer golf balls in crosslinked or uncrosslinked form, and can be used to form golf ball covers and one-piece golf balls when the outer surface of the ball is crosslinked. Golf balls which employ these compositions as covers have high durability as well as good cut resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved multi-layer golf ball compositions having a core, an inner cover and an outer cover and the resulting regulation balls produced using these compositions. In this regard, a smaller and lighter core is produced and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the inner cover compositions. This results in a molded golf ball exhibiting enhanced interior perimeter weighting. the heavy weight filler particles, such as powdered metals, are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) formed from an ionomer resin of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. The size and weight of the core can thereby be reduced in order to produce an overall golf ball which meets, or is less than, the 1.62 ounce maximum weight limitation specified by the United States Golf Association.

Abstract: A multi-layer golf bal including(a) a spherical core formed of a soft compression material(b) a mantle layer surrounding the core;(c) a dimpled outer cover layer surrounding the mantle layer and having a different Shore D hardness than the mantle layer; and(d) at least one of the mantle and cover layers including a filler material having a weight greater than the core material to enhance the perimeter weight of the ball, the ball having an outer diameter of between 1.70 and 1.76 inches (43.2-44.7 mm) and a weight no greater than 1.62 ounces (45.93 g).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a solid core with a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.650 and a cover with a thickness of at least 3.6mm (0.142 inches) and a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The combination of a soft core with a thick, hard cover results in a ball having better distance than conventional golf balls having a comparable coefficient of restitution.

Abstract: A golf ball having an outside diameter of substantially 1.70 to 1.80 inches and a weight no grater than 1.62 ounces.The ball includes a spherical core, a mantel surrounding the core; and an outer cover surrounding the core and the mantle.The mantle and outer cover each have a different Shore D hardness. The ball has a dimple pattern covering at least 70% of the surface of the ball.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a central core, an inner cover layer containing a non-ionomeric polyolefin material, preferably a plastomer, and an outer cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material. The combined thickness of the inner and outer cover layer preferably is at least about 0.10 inches. The golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of at least about 0.780. When the inner cover layer contains a non-ionomeric material such as a metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin and the outer cover layer contains ionomer, the golf ball of the invention can be configured to have playability properties comparable to those of golf balls which contain substantially higher quantities of ionomer. A method for forming the golf ball described above also is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-wound golf ball, comprising a central core, a cover having a thickness of at least about 30 mils and comprising a member selected from the group consisting of ionomers, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and polyethylene surrounding the core, and a moisture barrier surrounding the core and being located between the cover and the core. The moisture barrier has a lower water vapor transmission rate than the cover and an average thickness substantially less than the cover thickness. The moisture barrier has a water vapor transmission rate which is sufficiently low to reduce the loss of coefficient of restitution of the golf ball by at least 5% if the ball is stored at 100.degree. F. and 70% relative humidity for six weeks as compared to the loss in coefficient of restitution of a golf ball which does not include the moisture barrier, has the same type of core and cover, and is stored under substantially identical conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has a thermoplastic inner cover layer which preferably has a Shore D hardness of at least 65, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 48 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises at least 75% of a soft ionomeric neutralized copolymer formed from a polyolefin, an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a monomer of the acrylate ester class. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: A golf ball of improved playing characteristics weighing no more than 1.62 ounces and having a core and cover, a mean outside diameter of between 1.73 inches and 1.75 inches, a cover thickness of 0.125 inches or greater and a cover hardness of Shore D60 or greater.