Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next. In one embodiment, the golf ball comprises a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core. The inner core layer has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 50 Shore C to about 80 Shore C and a first hardness greater than a second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or less. The outer core layer has a plurality of hardnesses of from about 45 Shore C to about 65 Shore C, a fourth hardness greater than a third hardness, and a fifth hardness less than the third hardness and the fourth hardness. Finally, the fourth hardness is less than the first hardness to define a two layer core having a negative hardness gradient of no greater than about 20 Shore C.

Abstract: In a golf ball composed of a core and a cover having a plurality of layers that encloses the core, at least a first layer of the cover is formed primarily of a heated mixture of (A) a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or a metal ion neutralization product of an olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer, (B) at least one type of olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or olefin-unsaturated carboxylic acid-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer having the same content of unsaturated carboxylic acid as component A, and (C) a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; and at least one other cover layer adjoining the at least first cover layer is formed primarily of a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a high performance as well as the visibility and the fashionable appearance. The present invention provides a colored golf ball having a color other than white and comprising: a core having a center and at least one intermediate layer disposed around the center, and a cover disposed around the core, wherein the cover and at least one of the intermediate layer preferably contain a fluorescent dye and/or a fluorescent pigment.

Abstract: A golf ball with aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle, resulting in improved flight performance, such as increased carry and flight consistency regardless of ball orientation. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having increased flight distance as defined by a set of aerodynamic requirements, at particular spin ratios and Reynolds Numbers. The invention is also directed toward golf balls having high spin decay rates during the first second of flight that yields improved flight performance and longer ball flight.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball comprising a core consisting of a center and at least one intermediate layer covering the center, and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is made from a cover composition containing, as a resin component, a thermoplastic polyurethane (A) and a polyisocyanate mixture (B) in which a urethane prepolymer (b-1) having at least two isocyanate groups is dispersed in a thermoplastic resin (b-2) which does not substantially react with an isocyanate group; and wherein the cover composition has a slab hardness of more than 60 and not more than 75 in Shore D hardness, and at least one piece or one layer of the intermediate layer is formed from a low hardness intermediate layer composition which has a slab hardness of 40 or less in Shore D hardness.

Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of an ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) rubber is provided. The multi-piece golf ball includes a cover, preferably a dual-cover having inner and outer cover layers. The outer cover is preferably made of the EPDM rubber material. The golf ball further includes an inner core, preferably a dual-core containing a center and surrounding outer core layer. The center may be made of a polybutadiene rubber composition and the outer core layer may be made of an EPDM rubber composition. The resulting golf ball has high resiliency, a soft feel, and good weatherability.

Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of an ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (EPDM) rubber is provided. The multi-piece golf ball includes a center and at least one surrounding core layer. The inner core is preferably made of polybutadiene rubber and the outer core layer is preferably made of an EPDM rubber composition. Preferably, the center hardness of the inner core is greater than the surface hardness of the outer core layer. The golf ball includes a cover of at least one layer, preferably a dual-cover having inner and outer cover layers. The resulting ball has high resiliency and a soft feel.

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 one or more polyurethane materials. 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: Golf ball compositions, and components formed therefrom, including trifunctional materials, such as trifunctional isocyanates, polyols, and amines, that have improved performance and durability characteristics, e.g., improved heat resistance, improved resiliency, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A golf ball having a core and two or more cover layers, wherein the multiple cover layers are formed from materials that are substantially the same composition with the same Shore hardness, but are modified in some way to alter the processing or performance characteristics of the golf ball, or the layers have the same hardness and at least one cover layer is formed of a polymer blend including a polyurethane composition, and at least one cover layer is formed of a different polymer blend.

Abstract: A multiple-piece golf ball includes a core positioned at the center of the golf ball; an intermediate layer surrounding the core; a cover further surrounding the intermediate layer; at least one high specific gravity member having a higher specific gravity than the core, the intermediate layer and the cover. The at least one high specific gravity member is arranged such that a moment of inertia of the golf ball with respect to an x-axis Ix and a moment of inertia of the golf ball with respect to a y-axis Iy are substantially the same, a moment of inertia of the golf ball with respect to a z-axis Iz is smaller than Ix and Iy, and the difference between Iz and Ix or Iy is at least approximately 3. The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis intersect orthogonally at the center of the golf ball.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core, at least one intermediate layer encasing the core, and a cover. The intermediate layer is formed primarily of a specific ionomer resin composition that is highly neutralized. The cover is formed by injection molding a single resin blend composed primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane and (g) a polyisocyanate compound in at least some portion of which all the isocyanate groups on the molecule are present in an unreacted state. The golf ball of the invention has a low spin rate on shots with a driver, enabling it to travel a good distance, and achieves a sufficient spin rate on shots with a short iron such as a wedge. The ball also has an excellent scuff resistance.

Abstract: A golf ball having a spherical core, a mid layer covering this core, a reinforcing layer covering this mid layer, and a cover covering this reinforcing layer, wherein the base polymer of the mid layer includes a styrene block-containing thermoplastic elastomer and an ionomer resin; the mid layer has a hardness as measured with a Shore D type hardness scale of equal to or less than 54; the mid layer has a thickness of 0.5 mm or greater and 1.6 mm or less; and the base polymer of the reinforcing layer is a reaction product between carboxyl group-containing polyurethane and polycarbodiimide. The principal component of the base polymer of the cover is an ionomer resin. The cover has a hardness as measured with a Shore D type hardness scale hardness of equal to or greater than 55 and the cover has a thickness of equal to or less than 1.2 mm.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 21 to 38 mm, has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 21 to 38 mm, has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of two or more layers, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer, and cover has an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 21 to 38 mm, has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of two or more layers, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer, and cover has an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 21 to 38 mm, has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer.

Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The core is made of a material obtained by molding under applied heat a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing polybutadiene having a stress relaxation time (T80) of 3.5 or less, (b) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 80, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 35 to 60 which is lower than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer, and the outer cover layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized resin mixture. The golf ball as a whole has an excellent rebound, a good, soft feel on impact, an outstanding spin performance, and is capable of achieving an increased distance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The core is made of a material obtained by molding under applied heat a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing polybutadiene having a stress relaxation time (T80) of 3.5 or less, (b) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 80, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 35 to 60 which is lower than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer, and the inner cover layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized resin mixture. The golf ball as a whole has an excellent rebound, a good, soft feel on impact, and an outstanding spin performance, and is capable of achieving an increased distance.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising an ionomer and a polyamine or a tertiary polyamide. The polyamine and the tertiary polyamide have a molecular weight of greater than 500 Da and do not contain an ester moiety or a primary amine moiety. The polyamine comprises at least three moieties that are tertiary amines or hindered secondary amines, and the polyamide comprises tertiary amide moieties and no secondary or primary amide moieties. The compositions may optionally include a filler. Further provided are articles such as golf balls and films containing these compositions.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball, which includes a core comprising a center, an outer cover layer; and optionally one or more intermediate layers, and where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes a styrene ionomer, such as a styrene anhydride copolymer, a basic salt of a styrene-?,?-unsaturated acid copolymer, or a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer. These styrene-based copolymers can be used in combination with additional polymer components.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers. At least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers includes a sulfonated polyisoprene ionomer having the general formula: where A is an isoprene repeating unit having the formula —(CH2—C(CH3)?CH—CH2)—, B is an isoprene repeating unit or other monomer repeating unit, m is greater than 10, and n is greater than 2, and X is selected from one or both of the following groups; i) Li+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Mg2+ or ii) an ammonium cation having the general formula [NR1R2R3R4]+. R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from one or both of the following hydrogen, a C1-C20 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic moiety.

Abstract: A golf ball including a thermoplastic inner core and a thermoset outer core layer is described. The inner core has a surface hardness of 43 to about 65 Shore D and a center hardness of about 30 to 43 Shore D that is less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover includes an inner and outer cover layer. The thermoplastic inner core is formed from a highly-neutralized ionomer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to fully-neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The outer core layer includes a polybutadiene rubber and has a surface hardness greater than an interior hardness by about 6 to 11 Shore D points to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball, including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes an isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer having the general formula where n is greater than 10 and having a weight average molecular weight Mw of greater than about 2,000. The present invention also relates to golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer; and optionally one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes an isobutylene maleic anhydride ionomer formed by hydrolysis and neutralization of the isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic material comprising a highly-neutralized ionomer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to fully-neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness less than its surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed over the inner core and is formed from a substantially homogenous thermoset composition. The outer core layer has an interior hardness substantially less than an outer surface hardness to define a steep positive hardness gradient. An inner cover layer and an outer cover layer are formed over the outer core layer.

Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed which includes a Single Component Region which includes greater than 75% by weight of an injection moldable rubber and one or more Discrete Hardness Regions within the Single Component Region. The golf ball may optionally also include a core, an outer cover layer and one or more intermediate layers. Also disclosed are methods of preparing a golf ball including a Single Component Region which includes greater than 75% by weight of an injection moldable rubber and one or more Discrete Hardness Regions within the Single Component Region, whereby the Single Component Region is formed either by sequentially injection molding layers of a polyalkenamer rubber followed by co-curing the resulting structure, or by injection molding one or more pairs of half shells of a polyalkenamer rubber composition, followed by stacking the half shells to form a golf ball precursor structure followed by co-curing the resulting structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples, wherein the core is made primarily of a rubber material and has a diameter of at least 31 mm, the envelope layer and intermediate layer are each made primarily of the same or different resin materials and the cover is made primarily of polyurethane; intermediate layer and cover have an optimized thickness relationship; the core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have optimized hardness relationships; and the core surface and core center have a large hardness difference therebetween. The golf ball has an excellent flight performance and controllability that are acceptable to professionals and other skilled golfers, while also having an excellent durability to cracking on repeated impact and an excellent scuff resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core, at least one intermediate layer and a cover. The core has a hardness which gradually increases from a core center to a core surface, with the hardness difference in JIS-C hardness units between the core center and the core surface being at least 15 and, letting (I) be the average value for the cross-sectional hardness at a position 15 mm from the core center and the cross-sectional hardness at the core center and letting (II) be the cross-sectional hardness at a position 7.5 mm from the core center, the hardness difference (I)-(II) in JIS-C hardness units being not more than ±2. The intermediate layer has a material hardness and the core has a surface hardness which together satisfy the condition (JIS-C hardness of intermediate layer material)?(JIS-C hardness of core surface)>0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having a core obtained by molding under heat a specific rubber composition and having a two-layer cover and an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer which encase the core and are made of a thermoplastic resin material. By optimizing the deflection of the core under a specific load, optimizing the combined thickness of the cover layers, forming the inner cover layer of a highly neutralized ionomer resin composition, and forming the outer cover layer of a special urethane material, a sufficient reduction in the spin rate of the ball on shots taken with a driver can be achieved, enabling the distance traveled by the ball to be increased. Moreover, the golf ball of the invention has a good feel on shots taken with a driver, and has an excellent spin rate on approach shots.

Abstract: A golf ball including a composition having an unsaturated polymer, a cross-linking agent, a peptizer, and an accelerator. The composition can be incorporated into the golf ball's core, intermediate layers, and cover layers, and can provide optimal performance and durability properties. The golf balls incorporating the composition are easy to manufacture.

Abstract: Golf balls having at least one layer made from a composition comprising a polytrimethylene ether amine (PTMEA)-based polyurea or polyurea/urethane are provided. The composition is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with polytrimethylene ether amine and a hydroxyl and/or amine curing agent. In a preferred version, a functionalized PTMEA-based polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid is produced using iscoyanates, polytrimethylene ether amines, or curing agents containing acid, ester, or ionic groups. Blends of polytrimethylene ether amine with other amine compounds such as amine-terminated hydrocarbons, polyethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, and polycaprolactones can be used. The composition can be prepared using prepolymer and one-shot manufacturing techniques. The composition may be used to form any layer in the golf ball structure and the resulting golf ball has improved resiliency and playing performance.

Abstract: A golf ball with at least one core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. Any combination of the layers of the golf ball may feature a visually enhancing means. The cover layer is preferably translucent and provides a view to the intermediate layer and/or the core layer. The intermediate layer has a non-uniform thickness. The core may comprise a non-spherical insert. The intermediate layer and the core layer may affect the spin rate of the golf ball. The intermediate layer may be used to indicate the alignment of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having a core molded under heat from a specific rubber composition and inner and outer cover layers encasing the core. By optimizing the core deflection under a specific load and the overall thickness of the cover layers, by forming the inner cover layer of a highly neutralized ionomer resin composition, and by optimizing within specific ranges the Shore D hardnesses of the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer, the spin rate of the ball on shots with a driver can be sufficiently reduced, enabling an increased distance to be achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 21 to 38 mm, has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising an ionomer and a polyamine or a tertiary polyamide. The polyamine and the tertiary polyamide have a molecular weight of greater than 500 Da and do not contain an ester moiety or a primary amine moiety. The polyamine comprises at least three moieties that are tertiary amines or hindered secondary amines, and the polyamide comprises tertiary amide moieties and no secondary or primary amide moieties. The compositions may optionally include a filler. Further provided are articles such as golf balls and films containing these compositions.

Abstract: Golf balls having at least one layer made from a composition comprising a functionalized polytrimethylene ether-based polyurethane are provided. The composition is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with polytrimethylene ether glycol and a hydroxyl and/or amine curing agent wherein at least one of the isocyanate compound, polytrimethylene ether glycol compound, or curing agent contains acid, ester, or ionic groups. Blends of polytrimethylene ether glycol with other glycols such as polyester glycol, polycaprolactone glycol, or polycarbonate glycol can be used. The composition can be prepared using prepolymer and one-shot manufacturing techniques. The composition may be used to form any layer in the golf ball structure and the resulting golf ball has improved resiliency and playing performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a shield layer having heat resistant properties to facilitate compression molding of a thermosetting polybutadiene-comprising layer over at least one thermoplastic layer. The invention utilizes a thermoplastic inner core comprising of a low vicat highly neutralized ionomer material having a low melting point of less than 100° C., and a Shore C surface hardness of less than 80 and a compression of less than 70, wherein a shield layer is placed around the low vicat softening point temperature thermoplastic to shield it from the high heat necessary to mold a thermoset material about it.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core consists of an inner core layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition and an outer core layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition. The outer core layer has an outer surface hardness less than the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core, at least one intermediate layer encasing the core, and a cover. The intermediate layer is formed primarily of a specific ionomer resin composition that has been highly neutralized, and the cover is formed primarily of an ionomer resin composition containing a specific amount of a granular inorganic filler. The golf ball has an excellent durability to repeated impact and a good flight performance.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer situated therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The diameter of the solid core, the deflection of the core when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, the hardness at the center of the core, the hardness in a region 5 mm to 10 mm from the center of the core, the hardness 15 mm from the center of the core, and the surface hardness are set within specific ranges. The intermediate layer is composed primarily of a material obtained by mixing under applied heat a specific resin composition and the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane. And, the number of dimples and the trajectory volume TVT are set within specific ranges. The golf ball of the invention has an excellent flight performance, feel, controllability and scuff resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer situated therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The diameter of the solid core, the deflection of the core when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, the hardness at the center of the core, the hardness in a region 5 mm to 10 mm from the center of the core, the hardness 15 mm from the center of the core, and the surface hardness are set within specific ranges. The intermediate layer is composed primarily of a material obtained by mixing under applied heat a specific resin composition. The golf ball of the invention has an excellent flight performance, feel, controllability and scuff resistance.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball resin composition that comprises an ionomer resin with an excellent resilience and fluidity. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in the resilience without lowering the durability significantly in a golf ball using the ionomer resin for the intermediate layer. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition comprising, 100 parts by mass of (A) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer composed of ethylene, ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and from 25 parts to 100 parts by mass of (B) a metal salt of a fatty acid having 18 to 30 carbon atoms. The golf ball of the present invention is not limited, as long as it comprises a constituent member formed from the golf ball resin composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A golf ball including an inner core having a geometric center and a first outer surface, the inner core being formed from a first substantially homogenous rubber composition, and an outer core layer formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber composition, the outer core layer having a second outer surface. An inner cover layer is formed over the core and includes an ionomeric material. An outer cover layer is formed over the inner cover layer and includes a castable polyurea or a castable polyurethane. The first outer surface has a hardness of up to about 20 Shore C less than a hardness at the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient inner core and the second outer surface has a hardness of up to 18 Shore C greater than the geometric center hardness to define a positive gradient outer core layer and a shallow positive hardness gradient core.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic core having an outer diameter of 1.51 inches to 1.59 inches and having an outer surface and a geometric center, each having a hardness; an outer cover layer; and an inner cover layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer; wherein the thermoplastic core has been exposed to a gradient-initiating solution comprising a silane having the formula: wherein R? is a non-hydrolysable organofunctional group, X is a hydrolysable group, and n is 0-24, such that the hardness of the outer surface is greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of 5 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core formed from a thermosetting rubber composition; a cover; and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer is formed from a highly-neutralized thermoplastic copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized by a salt of an organic acid or a suitable base of the organic acid, and sufficient cation source to bring the neutralization to 80% or greater. A sphere resulting from a combination of the core and the intermediate layer has an Atti compression of 60 or greater.

Abstract: Multi-piece, solid golf balls containing an inner core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and an outer cover are provided. At least one layer is made from an epoxy composition comprising a curing agent such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. The epoxy composition is produced by reacting an epoxy prepolymer with a curing agent. Preferably, the epoxy composition is used to form an intermediate and/or cover layer resulting in a golf ball having high resiliency, good impact durability, and soft feel.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls comprising a center, intermediate layer, and cover are disclosed. The center is formed from a highly-neutralized acid copolymer composition.

Abstract: Ionomeric reaction products are disclosed that are made by combining a monomer, oligomer or polymer having at least one reactive carboxyl group and/or isocyanate group, or functional group or groups equivalent thereto or derived therefrom, with an amine compound having both an amine and an anionic functional group and a formula [RHN—(R1)m—(X?)n]o-Ma+p where R is hydrogen, aliphatic, alicyclic, arylaliphatic or aromatic, R1 is a linking group that links the amine and salt functional groups and is aliphatic, alicyclic, arylaliphatic or aromatic, X is an anionic group, M is a positively charged species, a is 1-4, m is 0 or greater, n is 1-4, o is 1-4 and p is 0-4, more typically 1-4. An amount of the amine compound is used to react with at least a portion of the reactive functional groups. A method for making a golf ball also is disclosed, as are golf balls comprising disclosed ionomers. At least one component of a golf ball, such as a cover layer, is made comprising disclosed ionomers.

Abstract: Golf ball 2 has a spherical core 4, a mid layer 6 covering this core 4, a reinforcing layer 8 covering this mid layer 6, and a cover 10 covering this reinforcing layer 8. Base polymer of this mid layer 6 includes an ionomer resin as a principal component. Base polymer of this cover 10 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer as a principal component. The cover 10 has a thickness Tc of equal to or less than 0.6 mm. The cover 10 has a hardness Hc as measured with a Shore D type hardness scale of equal to or less than 54. The cover 10 has a volume V of equal to or less than 3.0 cm3. A product obtained by multiplying the thickness Tc, the hardness Hc and the volume V is equal to or less than 90. The reinforcing layer 8 includes a thermosetting resin as a base polymer. The reinforcing layer has a thickness of 3 ?m or greater and 50 ?m or less.