Abstract: An all rubber golf ball with one or more thermosetting rubber core layers and one or more thermosetting rubber cover layer. At least one of the ball's layers has moisture vapor barrier property, and in one aspect the moisture vapor barrier layer is an intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the thermosetting rubber layers follow a cis- or a trans-polybutadiene gradient from the center of the ball to its cover.

Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a first rubber composition having a first Shore D hardness; an intermediate core layer formed from a second rubber composition; and a thermoplastic outer core layer having a second Shore D hardness. The outer core layer includes 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. An inner cover layer surrounds the multi-layer core and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer. The inner core layer hardness differs from the outer core hardness by at least 10 points.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center and having a thickness of about 5 mm or lower, an outer core region adjacent the outer core surface and having a thickness of about 5 mm or lower, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions. The single layer core has a first hardness disposed within the inner core region, a second hardness disposed within the outer core region, and a third hardness disposed within the intermediate core region, wherein the first hardness and second hardness are greater than the third hardness and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a cover that includes a plurality of layers over the core. A reacting layer changes when exposed to a particular atmospheric or environmental agent. A protecting layer protects the reacting layer from exposure to the agent. A top layer covers the other layers, though the top layer, the protecting layer, and the reacting layer may be intermingled with each other to varying degrees. Upon deterioration of the top layer and the protecting layer, the reacting layer becomes exposed to the agent and undergoes a change. This change alerts a golfer to the deterioration of the ball.

Abstract: A multiple-piece golf ball includes a solid core having a specific gravity from about 1.2 to about 14; and a cover disposed on the outside of the solid core, wherein a spin decay rate of the golf ball during flight is from about 3.1% to about 20% of an initial spin rate of the golf ball from about 2800 to about 3500 rpm; and wherein a moment of inertia of the golf ball with respect to an x-axis Ix, a moment of inertia of the golf ball with respect to a y-axis Iy, and a moment of inertia of the golf ball with respect to a z-axis Iz are substantially the same, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis intersecting orthogonally at the center of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls comprising a crosslinked ionomer composition formed by the reaction of either one or more ionomers, or an ionomer precursor composition, with one or more crosslinking agents including polyisocyanates, blocked polyisocyanates, polyurethane prepolymers, blocked polyurethane prepolymers, polyurea prepolymers, blocked polyurea prepolymers, polyamines, blocked polyamines and dicyanodiamides. The resulting modified ionomer compositions exhibit increased tensile strength and a decrease in tensile elongation as compared to the uncrosslinked ionomer analogs while maintaining Shore D hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extending radially from about 8 mm to about 18 mm from the geometric center. The single layer core has first, second and third hardness disposed within the inner core region, outer core region, intermediate core region, respectively, wherein the third hardness is greater than the first hardness and the second hardness, and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center.

Abstract: A golf ball having a very low compression and a high COR is disclosed herein. The core preferably comprises a single neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene, and has a diameter ranging from 1.575 inch to 1.62 inch with a PGA compression ranging from 20 to 45. The cover preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.038 inch to 0.045 inch, and a Shore D hardness ranging from 50 to 58. The golf ball preferably has a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and a PGA compression ranging from 35 to 50.

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: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a solid core formed of a rubber composition and a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, which method includes the steps of treating a surface of the core with a solution containing a halogenated isocyanuric acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and covering the treated core with a cover material. The invention also provides a golf ball obtained by such a method. Golf balls obtained by this method have a good feel and a good scuff resistance, and also have a high durability to impact.

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: Golf balls having cores with negative hardness gradients are provided. The cores are made of polyalkenamer rubber compositions that may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness substantially the same or lower than the hardness of the center to define a zero or negative hardness gradient. Dual-cores having inner and outer cores can be made, wherein the inner core has a negative hardness gradient and the outer core has a positive or negative hardness gradient. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.

Abstract: Golf ball components, such as cores, intermediate layers, and covers, formed with compositions including polyacrylate elastomers cured with peroxide systems, amine-based systems, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball which reduces the impact on the environment is provided. The golf ball, which may be a one-piece ball or a ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer, is composed at least in part of a biodegradable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making golf balls by an extrusion molding process, particularly forming golf ball cores from an extrusion moldable composition. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having an extruded core, an outer cover layer and, optionally, one or more inner cover layers.

Abstract: A golf ball including a unitary core having a volume, an outer surface, a geometric center, and an outermost transition volume adjacent to the outer surface, the core being formed from a substantially homogenous composition; and a cover layer including ionomer, metallocene-catalyzed polymer, polyester, polyamide, non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer, copolyether-ester, copolyether-amide, polycarbonate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, or polystyrene block copolymer. The outermost transition volume is disposed between the core outer surface and the geometric center, the transition volume has an outer portion congruent with the core outer surface, and comprises the outermost 45% of the core volume or less. Both a hardness of the core outer surface and a hardness within the outermost transition volume are less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.

Abstract: Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a rubber composition comprising a benzenetrisamide nucleating agent are provided. The rubber composition preferably contains a free-radical initiator agent, cross-linking agent, and fillers along with the base rubber and nucleating agent. Golf balls of various constructions may be made including two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece balls. The composition is used preferably to form a golf ball core having improved resiliency, durability, toughness, and impact strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a solid core formed of a rubber composition and a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, which method includes the steps of treating a surface of the core with a solution containing a halogenated isocyanuric acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and covering the treated core with a cover material. The invention also provides a golf ball obtained by such a method. Golf balls obtained by this method have a good feel and a good scuff resistance, and also have a high durability to impact.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core and at least one layer formed over the core. The layer can be an outer core layer, an intermediate layer including inner cover layers, or a cover. Either the core or any layer over the core can comprise a fully or partially neutralized polyester ionomer. The core comprises: a diameter of at least 1.30 inches, a compression of 50 or less; and a coefficient of restitution of 0.80 or greater at 125 ft/sec.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein an inner core region is disposed about the geometric center, an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface, and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends from at least about 2 mm radially from the geometric center to at least about 2 mm from the outer surface.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface wherein an inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and an outer core region is disposed about the inner core region and is adjacent the outer surface, the outer core region having a thickness of about 15 mm or less. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC1h) and the outer core region has a second hardness (OC2h) such that the second hardness (OC2h) is greater than the first hardness (IC1h), represented by the relationship (OC2h)>(IC1h) and a hardness of the outer surface (OSh) is greater than a hardness of the geometric center (GCh), represented by the relationship (OSh)>(GCh) to define a positive hardness gradient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making golf balls by an extrusion molding process, particularly forming golf ball cores from an extrusion moldable composition. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having an extruded core, an outer cover layer and, optionally, one or more inner cover layers.

Abstract: Golf balls having a core comprising a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and geometric center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of at least 10 Shore C. In a second version, a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer is provided. The inner core has a positive hardness gradient, while the outer core has a zero; negative; or positive hardness gradient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf ball that contains an interpenetrating polymer network, or IPN, which includes at least two polymeric systems, in one or more of the layers. The first polymeric system may include a polyurethane-based or polyurea-based system having blocked isocyanate groups and the second polymeric system may include an epoxy-based or acrylic-based system, wherein the two systems are polymerized or cured simultaneously or sequentially to form an IPN.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball composed of a hot-molded material obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition made primarily of a base rubber and an unsaturated carboxylic acid or salt thereof, wherein the rubber composition additionally includes a vulcanized rubber powder from which soluble ingredients have been removed by liquid washing. The golf ball of the invention is able to increase the hardness (deflection) of the core and has an excellent durability, in addition to which it effectively re-uses vulcanized rubber powder that is a waste material and so is industrially beneficial by lowering manufacturing costs and reducing the burden on the environment.

Abstract: A golf ball having a cover material made from a polyurea composition is provided. In one version, the golf ball includes a polybutadiene core and surrounding cover layer made of a polyurea composition. In another version, the golf ball includes a polybutadiene core, an intermediate casing layer made of ionomer resin, and an outer cover layer made of the polyurea composition. The polyurea composition is the reaction product of an isocyanate, amine-terminated polycaprolactone, and amine-terminated curing agent. The resulting cover material has many advantageous properties including improved durability, toughness, abrasion-resistance, and moisture-resistance.

Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising at least first areas containing a plurality of first dimples and second areas containing a plurality of second dimples, the areas together forming a spherical polyhedron shape, the first dimples comprising spherical dimples having a first, spherical chord depth and the second dimples comprising truncated spherical dimples having a second, truncated chord depth, and the second dimples are of larger radius than the first dimples and have a truncated chord depth which is less than the spherical chord depth of the first dimples.

Abstract: In a golf ball composed of a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a coat of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost layer of the cover or the coat of paint is colored with a fluorescent pigment. The ball has a color tone, at a measurement area diameter of 5 mm in a method of measuring the color of a reflecting object according to JIS Z-8722, which satisfies specific conditions in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and luxury, and an excellent weather resistance.

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 including a core and a cover disposed about the core, the cover including a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea inner cover layer disposed directly about the core and having a hardness from 45 Shore D to 80 Shore D; and an outer cover layer having a hardness from 40 Shore D to 65 Shore D. The cover outer cover layer is formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend and the inner cover layer hardness is preferably greater than the outer cover layer hardness by at least 5 Shore D.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer surrounding the core, where at least one of the core and the cover layer includes a polymer composition of a highly neutralized acid polymer and a sugar ester HLB modifier such that the sugar ester HLB modifier is present from about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of the polymer composition.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a stiff intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers and having a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is formed from a non-ionomeric composition including a non-ionomeric stiffening polymer and at least one E/Y copolymer or E/X/Y terpolymer, where E is an olefin, Y is a carboxylic acid, and X is a softening comonomer. The intermediate cover layer is formed from a stiff thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea composition and the cover outer cover layer is formed from a thermoset polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover disposed adjacent the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a non-ionomeric thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers. The intermediate cover layer has a hardness greater than the inner cover layer hardness and the outer cover layer hardness. The inner cover is formed from a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer and the outer cover layer is formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover disposed adjacent the core, the cover including an ionomeric thermoplastic inner cover layer disposed about the core and having a hardness of 55 Shore D to 60 Shore D; a castable thermoset polyurethane outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 Shore D and 60 Shore D; and a non-ionomeric thermoplastic intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers, the non-ionomeric intermediate cover layer being formed of a polyester/polycarbonate blend and having a hardness greater than both the inner and outer cover layers; wherein the inner cover layer has a first thickness, the outer cover layer has a second thickness, and the intermediate cover layer has a third thickness less than the first or second thickness by at least 20%.

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: A two piece ball golf ball having a core, and an outer cover layer or a ball having a core, an outer cover layer; and one or more intermediate layers, where at least one of the outer cover layer, or intermediate layer is made from a blend composition of about 1 to about 99 wt % of a block copolymer having no polar functionality; and from about 1 to about 99 wt % of an ionomer. Also included in the blend is from about 0.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core, the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a predetermined distance DUTr and a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a predetermined depth DTr. The treated region has been exposed to and comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition wherein the treated region comprises a first hardness and the untreated region comprises a second hardness different than the first hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the core comprising an outer surface and a geometric center, the outer surface being treated with and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the outer surface further having a first hardness and the geometric center having a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is the same as or different than the second hardness.

Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a spherical core 4, a mid layer 6 positioned outside the core 4, and a cover 8 positioned outside the mid layer 6. The core 4 includes a spherical center 10 and an envelope layer 12 positioned outside the center 10. The center 10 has a diameter of 1 mm or greater and 15 mm or less. The center 10 has a JIS-C hardness H1, at its central point, of 20 or greater and 50 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 envelope layer 12 at its innermost portion is equal to or greater than 10. The cover 8 has a flexural modulus of 300 MPa or greater and 1000 MPa or less, and has a tensile modulus of 400 MPa or greater and 1500 MPa or less.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer which comprises a polymer produced by a process wherein one or more monomers are contacted with a composition comprising the admixture or reaction product resulting from combining (A) a first olefin polymerization catalyst, (B) a second olefin polymerization catalyst capable of preparing polymers differing in chemical or physical properties from the polymer prepared by the first olefin polymerization catalyst under equivalent polymerization conditions, and (C) a chain shuttling agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, and multi-layer golf balls. In two-piece and multi-layer golf balls of the present invention, the polymer may be present in a core layer, a cover layer, an intermediate layer (in the case of multi-layer balls), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid golf ball having a solid core and a cover layer that encases the core and has an outermost layer on an outside surface of which are formed a plurality of dimples. The solid core is formed of a rubber composition composed of 100 parts by weight of a base rubber that includes from 60 to 100 parts by weight of a polybutadiene rubber having a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 60% and synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of an organosulfur compound, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, an inorganic filler, and an antioxidant. The solid core has a deformation, when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, of from 2.0 to 4.0 mm, and has a specific hardness distribution.

Abstract: Resin compositions incorporate (a) a functionalized polymeric material comprising at least one hydroxyl functional group, at least one amine functional group or at least one hydroxyl functional group and at least one amine functional group, and (b) at least one modified polyisocyanate to form a urethane, a urea, or a urethane/urea. The modified polyisocyanate typically has at least three isocyanate functional groups, which may include one or more blocked isocyanates by linkage. The resin compositions exhibit the ease of processing of a thermoplastic resin, but show the superior mechanical properties and excellent shear durability like a thermoset polyurethane.

Abstract: Golf balls formed with at least one layer incorporating an anionic polyurea material formed from an isocyanate, an amine-terminated component, and an amine-terminated curing agent where at least one of the amine-terminated component and amine-terminated curing agent includes a R?-R? segment with acid functionalization.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid golf ball having a solid core and a cover layer that encases the core and has an outermost layer on an outside surface of which are formed a plurality of dimples. The solid core is formed of a rubber composition composed of 100 parts by weight of a base rubber that includes 60 to 100 parts by weight of a polybutadiene rubber having a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 60% and synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of an organosulfur compound, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, and an inorganic filler. The solid core has a deformation, when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, of 2.0 to 4.0 mm, and has a specific hardness distribution.

Abstract: A golf ball having a very low compression and a high COR is disclosed herein. The core preferably comprises a single neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene, and has a diameter ranging from 1.575 inch to 1.62 inch with a compression ranging from 20 to 45. The cover preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.038 inch to 0.045 inch, and a Shore D hardness ranging from 50 to 58. The golf ball preferably has a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and a compression ranging from 35 to 50.

Abstract: A golf ball having a very low compression and a high COR is disclosed herein. The core preferably comprises a single neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene, and has a diameter ranging from 1.575 inch to 1.62 inch with a PGA compression ranging from 20 to 45. The cover preferably has a thickness ranging from 0.038 inch to 0.045 inch, and a Shore D hardness ranging from 50 to 58. The golf ball preferably has a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and a PGA compression ranging from 35 to 50.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ionomer composition for a golf ball providing a golf ball which is excellent in abrasion-resistance, durability and resilience, and a golf ball using the same. An ionomer composition for a golf ball of the present invention comprises a binary copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an olefin monomer having 2 to 8 carbon atoms with an unsaturated monomer having an acid functional group and/or a ternary copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an olefin monomer having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an unsaturated monomer having an acid functional group and an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, wherein a functional group is introduced in both terminals of the copolymers.

Abstract: The golf ball of the present invention comprises a cover wherein the cover is made from a cover material including a cured product of the thermosetting resin composition; and the stiffness modulus and shore D hardness of the cover material satisfy a following equation. 2.0?A/B?5.0, 40?B?60 A: Stiffness modulus (MPa) B: Shore D hardness.

Abstract: Golf balls in accordance with the principles of the present invention include a core and one or more cover layers, with the core having a base rubber component that comprises de-vulcanized rubber. The base rubber component may include a blend of polybutadiene with the de-vulcanized rubber, and may also include at least one other type of recycled material. A golf ball of the present invention exhibits performance properties similar to golf balls made using solely non-recycled base rubber as the primary component of the core. For example, a golf ball of the present invention may have a compression of between 20 and 100, and a coefficient of restitution of greater than 0.680 at a test velocity of 125 ft/s.