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: 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: The present invention aims to improve spin performance and abrasion resistance for a golf ball having a cover using a nonionic polyurethane as a resin component. The golf ball of the present invention is a golf ball including a core and a cover covering the core and in which the cover contains a nonionic polyurethane as a resin component and the nonionic polyurethane has a hard segment content of 24.5% to 34.7% by mass.

Abstract: Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurethane-urea that is the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with moisture-resistant polyol and a curing agent are provided. The moisture-resistant polyol may be prepared by dimerizing unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid or ester containing 10 to 60 carbon atoms followed by reacting it with a monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric diol. In one preferred version, the moisture-resistant polyol is a branched polyester polyol containing 36 carbon atoms. The composition can be prepared using prepolymer or one-shot manufacturing techniques. The resulting golf ball has desirable playing performance properties including high resiliency, toughness, impact durability, moisture-resistance, and soft feel.

Abstract: A polyurea-based curable coating for use with sports equipment, such as golf balls, golf shoes, golf clubs, footballs, billiard balls, baseballs, and the like, of which the coating may be cured over time, with heat, or a combination thereof, providing enhanced adhesion to equipment surfaces, improved abrasion resistance, and increased water resistance.

Abstract: A cross-linked thermoplastic polyurea is formed by heating a mixture containing a thermoplastic urethane base material, a monomeric and/or polymeric di-isocyanate comprising between 1 to 10% of the total weight of the mixture, and a diamine comprising between 1 to 10% of the total weight of the mixture. A thermoplastic polyurethane may be formed by substituting hydroquinone for the diamine. The mixture is heated to a temperature within the range of 250° F. to 550° F. The heated mixture, which is flowable, is then injected into at least one injection molding device. The mixture is then cured at a temperature between 150° F. to 250° F. for a period of time between 2 and 36 hours. The cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane/polyurea retains the excellent flowability characteristics of a thermoplastic urethane while the same time exhibits good abrasion, tensile strength, rebound, and compression set characteristics which are similar to those found in thermoset urethanes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a polyurethane cover, which is in excellent in abrasion resistance and durability without lowering the productivity. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover is formed from a cover composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane containing a polyol having an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond as a constituent, and a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Golf ball 2 has core 4, cover 6 and paint layer 12. The base polymer of the cover 6 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The cover includes 0.1 parts by weight or more and 10 parts by weight or less of a hindered amine heat and light resistance stabilizer having a hindered phenol group, per 100 parts by weight of the base polymer. Preferably, the hindered amine heat and light resistance stabilizer has two or more hindered phenol groups in the molecule. It is preferred that the cover 6 further includes an ultraviolet ray absorbing agent and a heat resistance stabilizer. Provided that the molar concentration of the hindered amine heat and light resistance stabilizer is defined as A, and the molar concentration of the ultraviolet ray absorbing agent is defined as B, the molar ratio (A/B) is preferably 0.01 or greater and 2.5 or less. The cover 6 may further include a heat resistance stabilizer.

Abstract: Golf equipment including compositions including castable formulations that have low material hardness and increased shear resistance. The compositions may be used in any layer of a golf ball including cores, intermediate layers, and covers and result in high spin rates.

Abstract: A ball 2 has, in a ball surface layer area, an aroma layer 16 including a scent component. The aroma layer 16 is provided locally. The aroma layer 16 may be provided on the entire surface. The scent component is preferably at least one member selected from the group consisting of terpenes, ester compounds, aromatic compounds, ether compounds, aldehyde compounds, alcohol compounds, natural essential oils, hydrocarbons, ketone compounds, lactone compounds, and nitrogen-containing compounds. A perfume-material-encapsulating microcapsule may be used. The local aroma layer 16 is preferably provided by stamping. The aroma layer may be formed by spraying. A scent adsorbent may be further used. Preferably, the golf ball 2 is put into a package 20.

Abstract: A golf ball having a cover material made from a polyurea or polyurea/urethane hybrid composition is provided. The polyurea or polyurea/urethane composition is produced by the reaction of an isocyanate blend having an average NCO functionality in the range of 2.05 to 2.35, a polyamine compound, and amine or hydroxyl curing agent. The resulting cover material has many advantages including improved thermal-stability, durability, toughness, and cut/tear-resistance. The preferred isocyanates in the blend include isophorone diisocyanate (“IPDI”); 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”); 4,4?-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (“H12 MDI”); 4,4?-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4?-MDI); toluene diisocyanate (“TDI”); and homopolymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed having a plurality of dimples on its surface, the dimples being arranged in patterns determined by the science of phyllotaxis. Phyllotactic patterns are used to ascertain the placement of dimples in each polygonal face of a polyhedron based dimple pattern. Phyllotactic patterns provide for the arrangement of multiple spiral shaped strings of dimples within individual polygonal faces of a golf ball surface, with each polygonal face area having its own phyllotactic origination point at its center. The resulting multiple axes of symmetry in the overall dimple pattern provide improved symmetry of flight performance.

Abstract: Golf balls with a reduced flight path are disclosed. In some cases, foam incorporated into a middle layer increases impact absorption and reduces a ball's flight path. In other cases, a dimple pattern may be selected to reduce a ball's flight path. In other instances, a parachute or other drag inducer may be deployed as a result of striking the ball to induce drag and minimize the ball's flight path.

Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes a coating material thereon that increases the golf ball's moment of inertia. The coating material is coated on the cover layer in a pattern corresponding to one of the dimple pattern and the pattern of land areas separating the dimples. The golf ball's moment of inertia is increased while utilizing only a small amount of the coating material as a result of the pattern of coating material, which locates the coating material at an outermost radial distance from the golf ball's center of rotation (i.e., the golf ball's center of gravity). The increased moment of inertia causes the golf ball to have a lower rate of spin when hit by a golf club, thereby displaying different play characteristics.

Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard corresponding to the dimples, and areas that are soft corresponding to the land between the dimples. The cover layer may be selectively treated, such as by heating, to achieve a difference in hardness using a single cover layer material. Alternatively, the cover layer may be selectively coated with a coating material having a different hardness. As a result of the arrangement of the hard dimples and the soft land, the golf ball achieves reduced spin, and greater distances, when struck with a larger force (such as during a dive) while also achieving increased spin, and better control, when struck with a smaller force (such as during a chip).

Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard corresponding to the dimples, and areas that are soft corresponding to the land between the dimples. The cover layer may be selectively treated, such as by heating, to achieve a difference in hardness using a single cover layer material. Alternatively, the cover layer may be selectively coated with a coating material having a different hardness. As a result of the arrangement of the hard dimples and the soft land, the golf ball achieves reduced spin, and greater distances, when struck with a larger force (such as during a dive) while also achieving increased spin, and better control, when struck with a smaller force (such as during a chip).

Abstract: Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, cover 6 positioned outside the core 4, mark layer 8 and paint layer 10. The resin composition of the cover 6 includes composite particles. The composite particle has a nucleus and a coat layer. The nucleus is constituted with aluminum oxide. The coat layer is constituted with titanium oxide. The composite particles are flaky. The amount of the composite particles is 0.1 parts by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the cover 6. The composite particles may be also dispersed in the paint layer 10. The amount of the composite particles in the paint layer 10 is 1 part by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the paint layer 10.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.

Abstract: A golf ball having a layer composed of a polyurethane/polyurea material formed from reaction injection molding a polyol component and an isocyanate component. The polyol component preferably comprises a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight of approximately 1000 and a 3,5-diethyl-2,4 toluenediamine. The layer is preferably a cover layer having a thickness ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.025 inch.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball material producing a high spin rate on approach shots and a low spin rate on driver shots and a golf ball using the same. The present invention provides a golf ball material having a ratio [Shore D/log(bending stiffness)] of Shore D hardness to a logarithm of bending stiffness (kgf/cm2) of 19.0 or more.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball mold that is composed of a plurality of mold parts which removably mate to form a cavity having an inner wall with a plurality of dimple-forming protrusions thereon, wherein a non-circular resin injection port for injecting into the cavity a resin material is formed between a plurality of mutually adjoining dimple-forming protrusions which include a plurality of dimple-forming protrusions that lie across a parting line of the mold. Also provided is a golf ball molded using such a mold, and a golf ball manufacturing method which uses such a mold.

Abstract: A golf ball 2 has a spherical core 4, a mid layer 6 situated on the external side of the core 4, and a cover 8 situated on the external side of the mid layer 6. The core 4 has a spherical center 10 and an envelope layer 12 situated on the external side of the center 10. At all points P included in a zone away from the central point of the core 4 at a distance of 1 mm or greater and 15 mm or less, the following mathematical expression is satisfied. H2?H1?5 In the above mathematical expression, H1 represents the JIS-C hardness at a point P1 that is located inside the point P along the radial direction and away from the point P at a distance of 1 mm, and H2 represents the JIS-C hardness at a point P2 that is located outside the point P along the radial direction and away from the point P at a distance of 1 mm.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball comprising: forming a cover about a core comprising at least one cover layer comprising a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface and having a thickness D; treating the cover outer surface with a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and forming a treated cover region which extends inward from the cover outer surface a penetration depth DCTr, an untreated cover region being disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth (DCUTr)=(D)?(DCTr); wherein the treated cover region has a hardness ? and the untreated cover region has a hardness ? different than the hardness ?.

Abstract: In order to provide a golf ball with a water immersion indicator, a golf ball with indicia or a particular recognizable color is overlain with an opacification layer that provides a mask over the indicia or the colored ball until such time as the ball has been immersed in water for a predetermined period of time affecting the ball's performance. The opacification layer when removed or otherwise made transparent, while providing for a change in the appearance of the golf ball upon water immersion, does not need to have a layer or indicia which changes color in reaction to the infusion of water. Rather the opacification layer is either removed or made transparent to expose an underlying colored surface or a surface bearing pre-determined indicia, thus to alter the appearance of the ball when it has been immersed in water for a period of time which affects golf ball properties.

Abstract: Compositions for golf balls that include polyurea linkages and that are crosslinked in the soft segments of the polymer backbone. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurea have improved crosslink density from the crosslinking between the soft, unsaturated segments of the polymer backbone. The curative blend includes at least one isocyanate-reactive component and a free radical initiator.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which travels a great distance on the driver shots and stops quickly on the green on the approach shots. The present invention is directed to a golf ball material having a shear loss modulus G? of 2.11×107 Pa or less, and a ratio (E?/G?) of a tensile loss modulus E? to the shear loss modulus G? of 1.78 or more, when measuring the shear loss modulus G? in a shear mode and the tensile loss modulus E? in a tensile mode at conditions of a temperature of 0° C., oscillation frequency of 10 Hz using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the temperature pattern of the surface of a golf ball or golf club is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermal device capable of imparting a temperature pattern onto the surface of a golf ball. The thermal device preferably imparts the temperature pattern from a distance, preferably while the golf ball is positioned on a golf tee. After a predetermined amount of time, the golf ball may be stuck by a golf club. A thermal imaging device, which may detect a cooling pattern imparted to the golf ball by prongs of a cooling device, is preferably used to acquire images of the temperature pattern. The acquired images may then be analyzed by a processor to determine the kinematic characteristics of the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and at least one layer disposed about the core, wherein at least one of the core and the layer comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprising a reaction product of a polyurethane or polyurea prepolymer comprising at least one isocyanate and a curative comprising a blend of at least one aliphatic diamine and at least one polyaspartic ester formed from reactants comprising at least one aliphatic primary polyamine and at least one maleic or fumaric diester, and wherein the thermoplastic or thermoset composition comprises a gel time of about 90 seconds or greater.

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: 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: Golf balls and systems for applying one or more polymer layers to a golf ball construct are disclosed. As but one example of disclosed systems, methods for injection molding a golf ball cover surrounding a core and having a maximum wall thickness of about 0.030 inch are disclosed. In but one example of such methods, a viscous polymer can be injected into a mold defining a cavity. A core portion or mantle portion of a golf ball can be substantially centered relative to the cavity. A plurality of spaced-apart radial film gates can be circumferentially positioned relative to the cavity. The viscous polymer can be conveyed into the cavity through the plurality of radial film gates and into a volume defined between the core portion or mantle portion and the mold so as to form a substantially uniformly distributed polymer layer. The polymer layer can solidify. A golf ball construct can be removed from the mold cavity. In some implementations, the golf ball construct comprises an outer cover of a golf ball.

Abstract: Modified silicone urea and modified silicone urethane polymers for use in golf equipment components to provide improved impact resistance upon contact with a golf club including reactive polymer alloys formed in situ from silicone-ureas and/or silicone-urethanes and impact resistant polymers and oligomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball composed of a core and a cover having an outside surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples. Letting BV and CV be the initial velocity (m/s) of, respectively, the ball and the core as measured by a method using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as a USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument and letting BE and CE be the deflection (mm) of, respectively, the ball and the core when compressed under a final load of 1,275 N (130 kgf) from an initial load of 98 N (10 kgf), the ball initial velocity BV is from 70.0 to 76.0 m/s and the ball satisfies the formula ?1.0?(BV/BE)?(CV/CE)?3.0. The golf ball of the invention has a flight distance that can be reduced compared with official golf balls currently in use, yet has the same good feel on impact and excellent controllability, scuff resistance and durability to repeated impact as a game ball.

Abstract: The present invention concerns reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also concerns golf balls comprising the reduced-yellowing thermoplastic or thermoset polymer compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The present invention also relates to a method for making a golf ball which includes using reduced yellowing compositions derived from the reaction of a diisocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a dicyandiamide. The resulting golf balls have similar processability and physical properties (such as resiliency and shear resistance) as golf balls made from conventional polyurethane or polyurea formulations, while exhibiting substantially improved resistance to yellowing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve abrasion-resistance and spin performance of a golf ball having a polyurethane cover. The golf ball of the present invention is a golf ball having a core and a cover covering the core. The cover contains a layered silicate and a polyurethane resin having a secondary or a tertiary amine structure in a molecular chain thereof. In the present invention, the polyurethane resin used as a resin component constituting the cover has a secondary or tertiary amine structure in a molecular chain. Thus, it has a strong interaction with the layered silicate, and a reinforcing effect of the filler becomes even higher. As a result, abrasion-resistance and spin performance of the resultant cover are improved.

Abstract: A golf ball having a reduced distance while maintaining the appearance of a normal high performance trajectory. The golf ball has a core, an inner cover layer, and a cover. The core has a diameter of from about 1.300 to 1.620 inches, while the ball has a weight from 1.30 to 1.620 ounces, a diameter from 1.670 to 1.800 inches and a maximum Coefficient of Restitution from about 0.600 to about 0.790 as measured at 125 ft/sec incoming ball velocity. The ball has a lift to weight ratio of greater than 1.5 at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a spin ratio of about 0.095.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is excellent in the gloss and the evenness of the paint film and a golf ball aqueous paint therefor. The golf ball of the present invention has a paint film which is formed from a curing type polyurethane aqueous golf ball paint, comprising (A) an aqueous polyol composition and (B) an aqueous polyisocyanate, wherein (A) the aqueous polyol composition contains (a-1) an aqueous acrylic polyol, (a-2) an aqueous urethane polyol and (a-3) an aqueous polyurethane resin; a molar ratio (NCO/OH) of an isocyanate group of (B) the aqueous polyisocyanate to a hydroxyl group of (A) the aqueous polyol composition ranges from 1.25 to 2.50; and a content of a high boiling point solvent having a boiling point of 150° C. or more in the aqueous golf ball paint is more than 0 mass % and 10 mass % or less.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel golf ball material that controls the spin rate on the approach shots while suppressing the change in the spin rate on the driver shots. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which produces a high spin rate on the approach shots and a low spin rate on the driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition comprising: a polyurethane having a polyol component having a number average molecular weight from 200 to 1,500 as a constituting component.

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: The present invention is directed a golf ball having an overall golf ball color of pink or purple comprising a core, a cover and an intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a pigment, dye, or tint which contributes to the color, the color having an a value, a b value and a hue angle value h expressed in the CIE CIECAM color system, wherein: where the a value is from about 5 to about 57, then the b value is from about ?1 to about ?60 and the hue angle h is from about 271° to about 359°; and where the a value is from about 58 to about 95, then the b value is from about 1 to about 60 and the hue angle h is from about 1° to about 35°. Alternatively, where the a value is from about 52 to about 58, then the b value may be from about ?30 to about 30 and the hue angle h is either from about 330° to about 359° or from about 1° to about 30°.

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: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer that is formed over the core and is made of a resin composition. The ball has a weight change ratio, in a 72-hour accelerated moisture absorption test conducted at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90%, of less than 0.287%. By using in the golf ball a polyurethane having a good resistance to water vapor transmission, the weight change ratio and decrease in initial velocity with use over an extended period of time are held to a minimum, enabling the ball quality to be maintained.

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: A golf ball includes a golf ball body; and a coating applied to the outer surface of the golf ball body. The coating comprises a resin and a plurality of particles, wherein the particles have an average size of 400 nm to 40 microns. The particles are contained within the resin or adhered to and/or embedded in a resin layer.

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: The object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is even more excellent in abrasion-resistance, durability and moldability by using a polyurethane ionomer having a novel structure as a base resin of a cover. The golf ball of the present invention has a cover, and the cover comprises, as a base resin, a polyurethane ionomer containing a polycarbonate polyol as a constitutional component.

Abstract: Compositions for golf balls that include organically modified silicates and the golf balls formed using the compositions are described. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which are based on a polyurethane and polysiloxane, polyurea and polysiloxane, and/or epoxy and polysiloxane, and, thus, have the benefits of increased COR, adhesion, and shear and impact resistance. The compositions of the invention may be used in any layer of a golf ball, e.g., an outer cover layer or inner cover layer, or may be used as a coating to be disposed over a structural outer layer of a golf ball.

Abstract: A mold for forming a golf ball makes it possible to form minute dimples, and to improve mold release properties of the mold and wettability of the mold by a material when a urethane material is used for a cover layer. A mold according to the present invention is a mold for forming a urethane cover as an outermost layer of a golf ball, and includes: at least two split molds that are separably joined with each other, and that includes a cavity formed therein by the joining, the cavity being for forming the urethane cover; protrusions that are formed on a cavity surface of the split molds to form dimples of the golf ball; and a composite plating film that covers the cavity surface of the split molds, that comes into contact with a material of the urethane cover, and that contains a nickel-based matrix and fluororesin particles dispersed in the nickel-based matrix.