Abstract: An illuminated golf ball comprised of an outer translucent layer and cover, and a spherical inner core of translucent plastic, filled with chemiluminescent liquid, such as Cyalume.TM. The two components of the chemiluminescent liquid are held separate by a membrane or partition within the inner core. The chemiluminescent liquids are activated by being mixed with each other by the pulling of a cord, or the pulling or pushing of metal pin, or by impact from a golf club, which breaks or tears the membrane or partition. In a preferred form the golf ball will be made to comply with USGA guidelines. Thus, the golf ball will provide improved visibility in low light conditions and be of near equal weight distribution to provide performance and flight characteristics similar to standard, non-luminescent, golf balls.

Abstract: The invention includes a golf ball having a center, a hoop-stress layer of high tensile elastic modulus material wrapped or wound about the core, at least one layer of a resilient elastomeric material, and a cover of at least one layer. The center in the golf ball can be a fluid with an encapsulating shell or a solid. A binding material can be used in conjunction with the hoop-stress layer to facilitate positioning of the hoop-stress layer around the center for easier manufacturing.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the cover having a thickness of less than about 0.08 inches, the core having a compression of less than about 90 and is formed from a composition comprising a base rubber, a metal salt acrylate or diacrylate, an initiator, a highly-neutralized polymer, and at least one of a low modulus ionomer or an acid terpolymer of the formula: having a dynamic shear storage modulus at 23° C.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core formed of a first material and comprising i) a central portion; and ii) a plurality of spaced projections extending radially outward from the central portion forming gaps between each projection, and each projection having an enlarged free end and a substantially conical shape; an outer core formed of a second material, said second material being disposed within the gaps and the recesses to form a core; and a cover layer; wherein at least one of the first and second materials comprises a polymer containing an acid group neutralized by an organic acid or a salt thereof, the organic acid or salt thereof being present in an amount sufficient to neutralize the polymer by at least about 100%.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the core and the cover is formed of a composition comprising an organic, inorganic, or metallic nanoparticulate material having a particle size of less than about 1000 nm and at least one matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and to a process for forming a golf ball having at least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/oxa acid blend, having from about 65 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 35 to 1 parts of at least one oxa acid, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/oxa acid blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: A golf ball having a body with a spherical outer surface having a first shape, first diameter, and first hardness which cooperatively cause the golf ball to have a first performance characteristic. At least a portion of the spherical outer surface is made from a material that changes from at least one of the first shape, first diameter, and first hardness upon being immersed in water continuously for a time period less than one hundred eighty days so that the golf ball has a second performance characteristic that is different than the first performance characteristic.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a substantially spherical core having an inner sphere comprising a solid outer surface, at least one bonded mantle layer including a plurality of mantle layer parts that are made of a thermoset elastomer and that are arranged around the inner sphere, and an adhesive disposed between and bonding the mantle layer parts to each other; and a cover disposed about the core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting molded golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The golf ball comprises one or more metal mantle layers and a cellular or liquid core component. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more metal mantle layers. The golf ball of the present invention may also utilize an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: The present invention provides golf balls having a cover, a core, and optionally one or more intermediate layers between the cover and the core, wherein at least one of the cover, the core and, if present, the intermediate layer or layers, includes an anionic polymer. The anionic polymer has at least one of a neutralizable hydroxyl or dealkylable ether group, at least a portion of which are neutralized or dealkylated by a metal ion to provide anionic moieties. The anionic polymer compositions of the present invention can be used to provide improved characteristics to golf balls made therefrom.

Abstract: Golf balls having a core including a material formed from polybutadiene, a crosslinking agent, and a free-radical initiator, and a cover having a plurality of dimples disposed about the core, wherein the material includes at least about 80 percent trans-isomer polybutadiene and no more than about 10 percent vinyl-configuration polybutadiene and wherein the material has an absolute molecular weight of at least about 100,000. In another embodiment, the vinyl-configuration polybutadiene is present in no more than about 15 percent and the absolute molecular weight is at least about 200,000. Methods of preparing such golf balls are also recited.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer wherein the cover is formed of a polyurethane composition comprising a prepolymer comprising a saturated diisocyanate and a curing agent, and an optical brightener.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer wherein the cover is formed of a polyurethane composition comprising a prepolymer comprising a saturated diisocyanate and a curing agent, and a UV absorber.

Abstract: A golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a non-aqueous liquid mass at the center of the ball. The ball includes a first solid layer surrounding the fluid mass and a second, layer surrounding and abutting the first layer. The first layer has an inner diameter of 15 to 70% of the ball diameter and is a polymeric material and the second layer has an outer diameter of 80 to 98% of the ball diameter.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprised of a polymer containing an acid group neutralized by an organic acid or a salt thereof, the organic acid or salt thereof being present in an amount sufficient to neutralize the polymer by at least about 80%, wherein the core has a first Shore D hardness, a compression of no greater than about 80, and a diameter of no less than about 1.53 inches; and a cover comprised of a material having a second Shore D hardness at least 10 points less than the first hardness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and a to a process for forming a golf ball having least one layer, where the layer is formed of a saponified polymer/polyamide blend, having from about 1 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 99 to 1 parts of at least one polyamide polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/polyamide blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or an intermediate layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a cover and intermediate layers comprising in whole or in part of a saturated polyurethane. The saturated polyurethane may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf balls, cores and intermediate layers.

Abstract: A wound golf ball that includes a wound core surrounded by a cover, wherein the wound layer is at least partially impregnated with a thermoplastic or thermoset material. The wound core is formed of a fluid-filled or solid center, and at least one wound layer surrounding the center.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core consisting of an inner sphere and an enclosure layer surrounding the inner sphere and a cover surrounding the core and consisting of an outer layer and an inner layer is characterized in that the outer layer of the cover has a hardness of 40-60 in Shore D, the inner layer of the cover has a hardness of 55-70 in Shore D, the surface hardness of the enclosure layer is higher in Shore D than the surface hardness of the inner sphere, the inner sphere has a hardness expressed by a distortion of 3.0-8.0 mm under an applied load of 100 kg, and the ratio of the hardness A of the inner sphere to the hardness B of the ball, both expressed by a distortion under an applied load of 100 kg, is in the range: 1.1≦A/B≦3.5.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a cover, a core, and optionally, an intermediate layer positioned between the cover and the core, wherein, at least one of the core, and the optional intermediate layer comprises at least one layer comprising a saponified polymer prepared by a process comprising the following steps. Forming a polymer comprising: (I) a first monomeric component comprising a first olefinic monomer having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms; (2) a second monomeric component comprising an unsaturated carboxylic acid based acrylate class ester having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms; and (3) an optional third monomeric component comprising at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, an anhydride monomer, an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, a second olefin having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and a vinyl ester or a vinyl ether of an alkyl acid having from 4 to 21 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer being disposed directly adjacent the core; an outer cover layer having a thickness less than about 0.050 inches; and an intermediate cover layer is disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; and wherein the outer cover layer comprises a composition formed of a reactive liquid material; and the combination of the inner, outer, and intermediate cover layers have a thickness of less than about 0.125 inches.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed adjacent the core, wherein the cover comprises: an inner cover layer having a first thickness and being disposed directly about the core; an outer cover layer having a second thickness no greater than about 0.050 inches; and an intermediate cover layer having a third thickness and being disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; and wherein the outer cover layer comprises a composition formed of a reactive liquid material; and the combination of the first, second, and third thickness is no greater than about 0.125 inches.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer being disposed directly adjacent the core; an outer cover layer having a thickness less than about 0.050 inches; and an intermediate cover layer is disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; wherein at least one of the inner, intermediate, or outer cover layers is a dense layer having an inner diameter of at least 38.4 mm, a specific gravity greater than about 1.2 and a thickness between about 0.025 mm and about 1.27 mm.

Abstract: A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center and a cover, made from a polybutadiene reaction product having polybutadiene, a cis-to-trans catalyst including an organosulfur component, and a free radical source. The reaction product has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C. A multi-layer golf ball having a center, at least one intermediate layer disposed concentrically about the center, and a cover. At least a portion of at least one of the center, intermediate layer, or both, are made from a reaction product including polybutadiene having a cis-to-trans catalyst that includes at least one organosulfur component and a free radical source. The reaction product has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C.

Abstract: A golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a non-aqueous liquid mass at the center of the ball. The ball includes a first solid layer surrounding the fluid mass and a second, layer surrounding and abutting the first layer. The first layer has an inner diameter of 15 to 70% of the ball diameter and is a polymeric material and the second layer has an outer diameter of 80 to 98% of the ball diameter.

Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball can be prepared, possessing the performance characteristics of both a solid ball and a wound ball, by selecting the content and thickness of one or more of the layers, wherein the multi-layer golf ball comprises a center, an intermediate layer, a wound layer of tensioned material, and a cover, such that any one or more of the following are satisfied: (a) at least a portion of the intermediate layer includes a thermoset material; (b) the winding includes fiber, glass, carbon, polyether urea, polyether block copolymers, polyester urea, polyester block copolymers, isotactic-poly(propylene), polyethylene, polyamide, poly(oxymethylene), polyketone, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), poly(acrylonitrile), diaminodicyclohexylmethane, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, or copolymers or combinations thereof; (c) the thickness of the wound layer is less than about 1 mm; and (d) at least a portion of the cover includes a thermoset material.

Abstract: A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center and a cover, made from a polybutadiene reaction product having polybutadiene, a cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA element, such as at least one of sulfur, polymeric sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, and a free radical source. The reaction product typically has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C. A multi-layer golf ball having a center, at least one intermediate layer disposed concentrically about the center, and a cover. At least a portion of at least one of the center, intermediate layer, or both, are made from a reaction product including polybutadiene having a cis-to-trans catalyst that includes at least one elemental sulfur, polymeric sulfur, selenium, or tellurium component and a free radical source.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a cover, intermediate layers and/or a core comprising in whole or in part of water resistant polyurethane elastomers. The polyurethane elastomers may be blended with conventional materials employed to form golf balls, covers and intermediate layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting molded golf ball having a reduced spin rate. The golf ball comprises one or more metal mantle layers and a cellular or liquid core component. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more metal mantle layers. The golf ball of the present invention may also utilize an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the core comprises a center and an outer core layer, and the cover comprises an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer; and wherein the center has an outer diameter from about 0.375 inches to about 1.4 inches and deflection of greater than about 4.5 mm under a load of 100 Kg; the outer core layer has an outer diameter of from about 1.4 in to about 1.62 in; the inner cover layer has an outer diameter of greater than about 1.58 in and a material hardness of less than about 72 Shore D; and the outer cover layer has a hardness of greater than about 50 Shore D and a material hardness of less than about 50 Shore D.

Abstract: A urethane-covered three-piece golf ball with a liquid-filled center, having a combination of center weight, thread windings, dimple configuration and compression that allows it to travel great distances, and to match the classic feel of ‘Balata’ balls, said combination at the same time complying with USGA regulations.

Abstract: A short-range golf ball made of one or more of a variety of materials in such a manner that upon exposure to natural weather conditions (such as ultraviolet solar radiation, dew, rain, wind, or dirt), the golf ball material will quickly oxidize, degrade, disintegrate, melt or otherwise decompose to leave products harmless to, or beneficial to, the natural environment. Such breakdown products should be non-toxic to animals and plants and should not contaminate water supplies, soil or other parts of the ecological system. The short-range golf ball preferably has a maximum range of less than 100 yards.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein at least one of the cover or the core is formed from a polymer blend comprising at least one grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymer, at least one ionomer, and at least one non-ionomer having improved melt flow characteristics.

Abstract: A golf ball having improved driving characteristics includes a hard, hollow sphere surrounded by an outer. A second layer may be disposed between the sphere and the outer cover. The hollow sphere is made from a hard material such as a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic material and may be solid, perforated or porous. The second layer surrounding the sphere is generally made of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer or a combination of each which is surrounded by an outer cover made of an ionomer, urethane or balata. The hard sphere preferably contains a gas. A golf ball of this construction has improved performance characteristics such as low spin rate and further distance.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a center, a cover, and optionally, at least one intermediate layer disposed between the center and the cover, wherein at least one of the center, the cover, and the at least one intermediate layer is formed with a polyurethane composition comprising a reaction product of a prepolymer of at least one polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and at least one curing agent. A polyurethane composition, suitable for forming golf equipment, said composition comprising a reaction product of a prepolymer of at least one polyol and at least one polyisocyanate, and at least one curing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball and to a process for forming a golf ball having at least one layer, where the layer is formed of a polymer blend comprising an oxa ester or a saponified polymer/oxa ester blend, having from about 65 to about 99 parts of at least one saponified polymer and from about 35 to 1 parts of at least one oxa ester, based on 100 parts by weight of the saponified polymer/oxa ester blend. The layer may be foamed or unfoamed, and may form at least a portion of any of the cover, the core, or a mantle layer situated between the cover and the core.

Abstract: The present invention describes a golf ball with a center, at least one wound layer, optionally, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. The center is at least about 1 inch in diameter and includes polybutadiene, natural rubber, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene, or styrene-propylene-diene rubber. The at least one wound layer includes one or more of polyether urea, polyester urea, polyester block copolymers, polyethylene, polyamide, polyketon, poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide), or polyisoprene. The at least one intermediate layer includes polybutadiene, natural rubber, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene, or styrene-propylene-diene rubber. The at least one cover layer includes a thermoplastic resin or a thermoset material. This unique construction gives the ball characteristics both of a wound and a solid construction.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after exposure to moisture to indicate that the ball may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant exposure to moisture. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf balls composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the exposure of the golf ball to moisture.

Abstract: A game ball having a cover formed from a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is disclosed. Various types of game balls are described including golf balls and softballs. By selective exposure to radiation, the thermoplastic polyurethane cover is crosslinked and its hardness is increased. Typically, increases in hardness values of at least 2 units on the Shore D scale are realized upon exposure to 3.5 Mrads of gamma radiation.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which changes color or other indicia after significant immersion in water to indicate that the ball has been recovered from a water hazard and may not have predictable flight characteristics which may result in loss of carry and roll. In one embodiment, a microencapsulated dye layer is formed immediately below the final gloss coat, with controlled dye release causing a stained look to the ball after significant immersion in water. In another embodiment, the dye or ink is provided in pelletized form for ease of manufacture. In other embodiments, a dye, ink, or chemical is compounded with other materials and introduced into or applied onto the golf ball's composite materials in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. In still other embodiments imprints on the ball are made with a water activated ink which either appears or disappears upon the immersion of the golf ball in water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer structure golf ball having a thread rubber layer, which has good shot feel and controllability as well as satisfactory flight performance and cut resistance. The golf ball includes a thread wound core and a cover covering the thread wound core, wherein the cover is formed from a heated mixture of: (A) an ionomer resin, (B) a thermoplastic elastomer having a carboxyl group or a thermoplastic elastomer having a terminal OH group, and (C) a block copolymer having a styrene-butadiene-styrene structure in which the polybutadiene block contains epoxy groups, or a block copolymer having styrene-isoprene-styrene structure in which the polyisoprene block contains epoxy groups, the cover have a flexural modulus of from 50 to 300 MPa and a Shore D-scale hardness of from 40 to 60.

Abstract: Golf balls having two or more layers, one of which includes low water activity fluids, to inhibit or prevent weight loss through fluid loss, as well as methods of preparing such golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball including at least one core layer, a cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein the at least one intermediate layer is formed of a polymer composition having a flexural modulus of about 52,000 psi or less and the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of greater than about 0.7, wherein the polymer composition includes at least one ionomer and at least one polyamide polymer, or wherein the polymer composition includes a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A solid golf ball has a soft solid core and a hard cover. The cover is formed of a thermoplastic resin-base cover stock, with 11-45 parts by weight of a particulate inorganic filler added thereto per 100 parts by weight of the cover stock. The solid core undergoes a deflection of 3.0 to 5.5 mm under a load of 100 kg. The ball is drastically improved in durability against cracking.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a cover formed from a polyamide composition and a method of making the same. More specifically, the golf ball has a cover which contains a combination of a polyamide component and an ionomeric component or a non-ionomeric terpolymer component. The cover composition has excellent durability and resistance to cracking, even at cold temperatures. The nylon-ionomer blend is a useful substitute for an ionomer golf ball cover, particularly when a low spin golf ball is desired.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core, an outer core, and a cover is disclosed. The outer core surrounds the inner core, and the cover encases the cores. The inner core is preferably a pre-formed selectively weighted symmetrical, but non-spherical insert, which may be made from either a high or low specific gravity material to control the moment of inertia and spin rate of the ball. The outer core is over-molded around the pre-formed insert to form a spherical core. Alternatively, the inner core insert has outer pockets defined thereon. These pockets are adapted to receive the outer core materials, which may have either a high specific gravity or a low specific gravity.

Abstract: A golf ball that has a core and a cover surrounding the core. The cover has an exterior surface which defines a plurality of dimples dimensioned and arranged such that the golf ball has a coefficient of drag below about 0.26 at a Reynolds number of about 150,000 and a spin rate of about 3000 rpm. The cover and the core are made from materials selected such that the golf ball has a weight of below about 1.60 oz.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a spherical shell which includes at least an inner first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the second layer being sandwiched between the first layer and the third layer, and a core which substantially fills the spherical shell, the core comprising at least one of a liquid, a gel and a melt. The sum of the thickness of the first layer, second layer and third layer is 0.10-0.30 inches. The core at least substantially fills the spherical shell without stressing the spherical shell. The spherical shell, as opposed to the core, is primarily responsible for the high initial velocity obtained when the golf ball is struck by a golf club so as to allow the golf ball to be driven long distances both in the air and on the ground when it lands. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed. The golf ball is particularly well-suited for use by players seeking a long distance ball with a low spin rate.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the core comprises a center and at least one outer core layer adjacent the center, and the cover comprises at least one inner cover layer and an outer cover layer, wherein the center has an outer diameter from about 0.375 in to about 1.4 in and deflection of greater than about 4.5 mm under a load of 100 Kg, the outer core layer has an outer diameter of from about 1.4 in to about 1.62 in, the inner cover layer has an outer diameter of greater than about 1.58 in and a material hardness of less than about 72 Shore D, and the outer cover layer has a hardness of greater than about 50 Shore D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf ball comprising a core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and a cover layer, wherein the core layer or the at least one intermediate layer are formed from compositions comprising a polyamide, in the form of a homopolymer, a copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The compositions comprise about 1 to about 99 weight percent of at least one nonionomer polymer and about 99 to about 1 weight percent of at least one polyamide polymer. The polyamides of the present invention comprise polyamides and polyamide copolymers, such as nylons, nylon copolymers, and nylon block copolymers. The nonionomer polymer comprises a nonionomer thermoplastic elastomer or a nonionomer thermoplastic.