Abstract: Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer.

Abstract: A golf ball has a large number of dimples on a surface thereof. The golf ball meets the following mathematical formula (I): 1.320?L1?1.420 (I), where L1 represents a ratio of a lift coefficient CL1 which is measured under conditions of a Reynolds number of 1.290×105 and a spin rate of 2820 rpm, relative to a lift coefficient CL2 which is measured under conditions of a Reynolds number of 1.290×105 and a spin rate of 1740 rpm.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a three-layered core assembly are provided. Preferably, at least one of the core layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that comprises: a) thermoplastic non-acid polymer, and b) plasticizer. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core is made of a first thermoset composition, for example, polybutadiene rubber; and the intermediate core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition; and the outer core is made of a second thermoset composition. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. Suitable non-acid polymers include, for example, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. The core assembly has a relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a thermoplastic composition, preferably including: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP, a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP, an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition, and an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane or polyurea composition.

Abstract: Golf balls having a solid multi-layered core and a cover are provided. The ball contains an inner core made of a foam composition, an intermediate core layer, and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, foamed polyurethane is used to form the inner core and polybutadiene rubber is used to make the intermediate and outer cores. The specific gravity (density) of the inner core is preferably less than the density of the intermediate core, which is less than the outer core. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. The ball preferably has a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). The ball includes a single or multi-layered cover surrounding the core assembly.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed composition selected from thermoset compositions and thermoplastic compositions. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multilayer golf balls having a layer with a higher Shore C hardness and a lower Shore D hardness than another layer.

Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the surface hardnesses of the respective layers are set so as to satisfy specific relationships. Also, the initial velocities measured for the core, for a sphere obtained by forming the envelope layer over the core (envelope layer-encased sphere), for a sphere obtained by forming the envelope layer and the intermediate layer over the core (intermediate layer-encased sphere) and for the ball are set so as to satisfy specific relationships. In addition, the deflection (mm) of the ball when compressed under a given load and the deflection (mm) of the intermediate layer-encased sphere when compressed under a given load are set so as satisfy a specific relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP and a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP.

Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball which has a core with a two-layer structure composed of an inner layer and an outer layer, and has over the core a cover of two or more layers that includes an intermediate layer and an outermost layer, the core inner layer is formed primarily of a specific thermoplastic elastomer, the core outer layer is formed of a rubber composition consisting primarily of a rubber material, and the hardness relationship between the core inner layer and the core outer layer and the hardness relationship between the intermediate layer and the outermost layer have been optimized. This golf ball has an excellent flight performance on full shots with a driver (W#1) and also has good controllability in the short game and a good durability.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. In one version, a five-piece ball having a two-layered core and three-layered cover is formed. Preferably, the inner core is made of a thermoset rubber composition and the outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer (HNP) composition. The cover includes inner, intermediate, and outer cover layers, wherein the outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. In a second version, a six-piece ball having inner and intermediate cover layers that also can be made of HNP compositions is produced. The finished balls have high resiliency and rebounding properties.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.

Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. The center of the core is made of a thermoset rubber material and preferably has a positive hardness gradient. The intermediate core layers is made of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition. The outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer composition. The inner cover is made of a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ethylene acid copolymer. The outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. The finished ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties.

Abstract: Large diameter golf balls having a foam core are provided.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or negative hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core layer including a thermoplastic highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness and a surface hardness to define a first hardness gradient having a first slope, S1. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a homogenous thermoset composition. The outer core layer has an interior hardness and an outer surface hardness to define a second hardness gradient having a second slope, S2. An inner cover layer is disposed about outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. A ratio of S2 to S1 is about 1.0 or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a three-layer cover disposed adjacent the core. The three-layer cover includes an inner cover, an intermediate cover, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes a non-ionomeric E/Y copolymer where E is an olefin and Y is a carboxylic acid. The inner cover has a hardness of about 45 to 68 Shore D. The outer cover includes a castable thermoset polyurethane and has a hardness of about 40 to 62 Shore D. The intermediate cover layer, disposed between the inner and outer cover layers, is formed from a polyester composition including about 40 wt % to about 99 wt % of a polyester thermoplastic elastomer and about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % of a plasticizer.

Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a thermoset composition other than diene rubber.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 70. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: A solid multi-layer golf ball includes a core, a mantle layer, and a cover layer. The cover layer and the mantle layer are both made of a thermoplastic polyurethane material. The cover layer is softer than the mantle layer and provided with an optimal thickness for spin and durability. The mantle layer is relatively thin compared to the cover layer and the volume of the ball as a whole. The mantle layer is also harder than the cover layer.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprising an inner core center and an outer core layer disposed over the inner core center. The inner core center has a deflection of greater than 0.210 inch under a load of 100 kilograms, and the entire the core has a deflection ranging from 0.130 inch to 0.105 inch under a load of 100 kilograms. A mantle layer is disposed over the core and a cover is disposed over the mantle.

Abstract: A composite material with an elastic modulus of less than 0.1 MPa at 100% elongation including a polymer matrix and a non-Newtonian fluid is provided. The composite material may be employed in shock and impact absorption applications to reduce initial and shockwave acceleration forces. Methods of forming the composite material and reducing acceleration forces in an impact utilizing the composite material are also provided.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core and an outer core, both made of highly neutralized acid polymers. The inner core does not substantially include any fillers, while the outer core does include fillers. The outer core may include fillers in an amount of from about 17.% to about 30.7% by weight. The filler may be barium sulfate. The core made from the inner core and the outer core may have an unexpectedly higher coefficient of restitution.

Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball has 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. The envelope layer is formed of an inner envelope layer, an intermediate envelope layer and an outer envelope layer. The inner, intermediate and outer envelope layers, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of a resin material which may be of the same or different types, and the core is formed primarily of a rubber material. The golf ball has an excellent flight performance and also excellent controllability in the short game. In addition, it has a good feel on impact and an excellent scuff resistance.

Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core with a spherical first layer, a second layer encasing the first layer and a third layer encasing the second layer, and having also an intermediate layer and a cover which encase the solid core. The first to third layers of the solid core are each respectively formed of a rubber composition. The ball has optimized relationships among the cross-sectional hardness at the center of the first layer obtained by cutting the solid core in half, the surface hardnesses of the first to third layers, and the respective hardnesses of the intermediate layer and the cover. The golf ball has an increased distance on full shots with a driver and an improved controllability in the short game, and on full shots also confers an agreeable feel at impact characterized by a solid sensation that includes a soft touch.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition, a layer formed from an additional thermoplastic composition, and an outermost layer formed from a thermoset rubber.

Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, an envelope layer 6 positioned outside the core 4, a mid layer 8 positioned outside the envelope layer 6, and a cover 10 positioned outside the mid layer 8. The core 4 includes a spherical center 12 and a core outer layer 14 positioned outside the center 12. The center 12 has a diameter of 1 mm or greater and 15 mm or less. The difference (H4?H3) between the JIS-C hardness H4 of the core 4 at its surface and the JIS-C hardness H3 of the core outer layer 14 at its innermost portion is equal to or greater than 10. The cover 10 has a Shore D hardness H7 less than 40. The Shore D hardnesses H5, H6 and H7 of the envelope layer 6, the mid layer 8, and the cover 10 satisfy that H5>H6?H7.

Abstract: 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 excellent flight performance and controllability acceptable to professionals and other skilled golfers, while also having excellent durability to cracking upon repeated impact and excellent scuff resistance.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The Shore C hardness of the outer surface of the center is preferably greater than the Shore C hardness of the geometric center of the center.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a single solid core having a surface hardness and a geometric center hardness. The core has an outer diameter of about 1.5 to 1.62 inches. An outer cover layer formed from a polyurea or polyurethane has a first hardness, and an inner cover layer, disposed between the core and the outer cover, has a second hardness greater than the first hardness and within 5 Shore C of the core surface hardness. The geometric center hardness is about 64 to 85 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than 85 Shore C and harder than the geometric center hardness by about 5 to 22 Shore C to define a positive hardness gradient.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The Shore C hardness of the outer surface of the center is preferably less than the Shore C hardness of the geometric center of the center.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core including a thermoplastic inner core and a thermoset outer core layer. The inner core has a surface hardness of about 40 to 80 Shore C and a center hardness of about 30 to 75 Shore C. The center hardness is less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover is formed over the core and includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic inner core includes a highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The outer core layer comprises a polybutadiene rubber and has a positive hardness gradient of less than 25 Shore C.

Abstract: Golf balls having a very high positive gradient multilayer core are provided. The multilayer core includes an outer core layer and a very soft, low compression inner core layer. The inner core layer is formed from an unfoamed composition and has a center hardness that is at least 40 Shore C points less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoplastic composition such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomer. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.

Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater.

Abstract: A golf ball having certain relationships and values of its initial velocities at various club head speeds is provided. The golf ball may achieve an initial velocity of at least about 173 mph at a club head speed of about 125 mph, therefore achieving an increased total shot distance. The golf ball has multiple layers making up its core, and the golf ball may be a four piece golf ball.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. In one version, a five-piece ball is formed, wherein the inner cover layer is made of a thermoplastic composition such as a highly neutralized (HNP) composition. The outer cover layer is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. In a second version, a six-piece ball having inner and intermediate cover layers that also can be made of HNP compositions is produced. The five and six-piece balls also include multi-layered core structures with a center made of a thermoset rubber. The finished balls have high resiliency and rebounding properties.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core layer including a thermoplastic highly-neutralized ionomer formed from a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness and a surface hardness to define a first hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a homogenous thermoset composition. The outer core layer has an interior hardness and an outer surface hardness to define a second hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. A slope of the second hardness gradient is greater than a slope of the first hardness gradient.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.

Abstract: A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of highly neutralized polymer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The cover is a two layer cover, with a hard inner cover and a thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as feel and sound.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, an intermediate core layer, and a surrounding outer core layer. The layers of the core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a first thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber, and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.