Abstract: Methods for coatings for golf balls, particularly golf balls having thermoplastic polyurethane covers, and the resulting finished balls are provided. The coating is preferably a topcoat comprising a polyurethane composition containing optical brighteners. The topcoat composition may comprise a low concentration of optical brighteners. For example, the concentration of optical brightener can be in the range of 0.01 to about 0.20 weight %. Multi-piece golf balls having inner cores, outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made. The finished ball with the topcoat has many advantageous physical and playing performance properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides golf balls having a non-straight flight trajectory due, at least in part, to a dimple pattern wherein the dimples on the opposing sides of the ball have at least one design feature that is different.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating at least one very thin moisture barrier film (monolayer film, bi-layer film or multi-layer film) comprising ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer(s) and having a thickness of up to 0.009 inches as well as a normalized moisture vapor transmission rate (nMVTR) of less than about 5.0 g/(m2·day). The ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer-containing moisture barrier film is disposed about and adjacent to an outer surface of a subassembly and is surrounded by at least one outer layer having an nMVTR that is greater than that of the moisture barrier film. In particular embodiments, the nMVTR of the subassembly is also greater than that of the moisture barrier film.

Abstract: The present invention provides golf balls having a non-straight flight trajectory due, at least in part, to a dimple pattern wherein the dimples on the opposing sides of the ball have at least one design feature that is different.

Abstract: Golf ball incorporating at least one very thin moisture barrier film (monolayer film, bi-layer film or multi-layer film) comprising ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer(s) and having a thickness of up to 0.009 inches as well as a normalized moisture vapor transmission rate (nMVTR) of less than about 5.0 g/(m2·day). The ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer-containing moisture barrier film is disposed about and adjacent to an outer surface of a subassembly and is surrounded by at least one outer layer having an nMVTR that is greater than that of the moisture barrier film. In particular embodiments, the nMVTR of the subassembly is also greater than that of the moisture barrier film.

Abstract: Golf ball comprising: a subassembly; a moisture barrier film layer having a continuous and substantially uniform thermoformed thickness of less than 0.020 inches and consisting of first and second heat-induced pre-form film half shells having first and second inner surfaces that are sized, shaped and contoured to receive and conformally and adhesively mate onto and about the subassembly such that the moisture barrier film layer has a normalized Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (“‘nMVTR”) of less than 4.0 g/(m2·day); and at least one outer layer disposed about an outer surface of the moisture barrier film layer that has an nMVTR greater than the nMVTR of the moisture barrier film layer. Alternatively, the thermoformed thickness is from about 0.003 inches to less than 0.020 inches; or 0.0035 inches to 0.010 inches; or from about 0.01 inches to less than 0.020 inches; or from greater than about 0.0035 inches to 0.005 inches.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least one layer consisting of a color-stable composition comprising a color concentrate composition comprising a carrier resin, at least one backer pigment and a plurality of highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microspheres having a hue that is substantially similar to a hue created by the at least one backer pigment. Each highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microsphere may be substantially spherical. Each highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microsphere may have a diameter of from about 0.5 micron to about 2.0 microns. The carrier resin may be an ionomer. The color-stable composition may comprise a mixture of the color concentrate composition and a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition may be an ionomer composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising at least one layer consisting of a color-stable composition comprising a color concentrate composition comprising a carrier resin, at least one backer pigment and a plurality of highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microspheres having a hue that is substantially similar to a hue created by the at least one backer pigment. Each highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microsphere may be substantially spherical. Each highly crosslinked thermoset fluorescent microsphere may have a diameter of from about 0.5 micron to about 2.0 microns. The carrier resin may be an ionomer. The color-stable composition may comprise a mixture of the color concentrate composition and a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition may be an ionomer composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a golf ball comprising a core and a cover and an optional intermediate layer disposed between the core and cover, wherein at least one of the core and the intermediate layer comprises any Pantone Matching System color including blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange having an L* value of about 80 or less; and wherein the cover comprises a translucent thermoset polyurethane material and an amount of pigment or dye such that the cover has any Pantone Matching System color including blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange that has an L* value of about 80 or less. The thermoset polyurethane material may be formed from an aliphatic isocyanate-based composition.

Abstract: A golf ball of the invention comprises: a substrate layer formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface that is pre-modified with a catalytic coating; a metallic film that is formed about the outer surface by contacting the catalytic coating with a mixture comprising: (i) at least one aqueous and/or organic aerosol comprising at least one metal in cationic/oxidizing form; and (ii) at least one reducing agent; and a subsequent layer surrounding the metallic film and formed from at least one of a thermoset composition or a thermoplastic composition. Alternatively, the outer surface is not pre-modified. The subsequent layer may be formed about the metallic film or in some embodiments may surround a coating layer that is disposed between the metallic film and the subsequent layer.

Abstract: A golf ball of the invention comprises: a substrate layer formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface that is pre-modified with a catalytic coating; a metallic film that is formed about the outer surface by contacting the catalytic coating with a mixture comprising: (i) at least one aqueous and/or organic aerosol comprising at least one metal in cationic/oxidizing form; and (ii) at least one reducing agent; and a subsequent layer surrounding the metallic film and formed from at least one of a thermoset composition or a thermoplastic composition. Alternatively, the outer surface is not pre-modified. The subsequent layer may be formed about the metallic film or in some embodiments may surround a coating layer that is disposed between the metallic film and the subsequent layer.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a casing layer surrounding the core, a cover layer disposed about the casing layer, and three coating layers CL1, CL2, and CL3 disposed about the cover layer, wherein the respective compositions and color appearances of the cover, casing, CL1, CL2, and CL3 each contribute a color appearance to an overall golf ball color appearance CAOA having a color stability difference ?Ecmc as measured in the CIELAB color space in a QUV after 24 hrs of less than 1.5 units, or less than 1.2 units, or less than 1.15 units or up to 1.0 units.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising: a core; at least one intermediate layer encasing the core; at least one cover layer encasing the at least one intermediate layer; wherein the cover layer is translucent; and wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a visually enhancing means comprising a color effect providing pigment comprising at least one of: (1) calcium aluminum borosilicate coated with a metal oxide; and (2) silicon dioxide platelets coated with metal oxide. The visually enhancing means highlights a contrast between two golf ball layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.

Abstract: A method and golf ball incorporating a surface penetrating color composition comprising a colorant (e.g. dyes, tints, color effects, etc.) in a portion (surface or region) of a golf ball component or coating (substrate). The substrate is formed from a homogenous composition having a color C1 which may comprise any color within the spectrum of visible light, or be clear colorless, and alternatively, may also be opaque, translucent, or clear colored, for example. An outer surface of the substrate is treated with or otherwise exposed to a surface penetrating color composition having a C2 that is different than C1 in some respect such as hue, chroma, saturation and/or opacity. The surface penetrating color composition penetrates the golf ball substrate surface to a target depth and becomes embedded within the surface, thereby forming a surface penetrating color composition-treated component or coating having a treated region and an untreated region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two-layer, low compression golf balls including a low compression rubber core and a single cover layer.