Abstract: The invention provides a colored golf ball composed of a core, a cover having a plurality of dimples formed on an outside surface thereof, and an inside layer in contact with the cover. The ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ?E* between the inside layer and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the inside layer has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS Z8729, of at least 82; (iii) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (iv) the lightness L* value of the ball?the lightness value of the inside layer; (v) the inside layer has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; (vi) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; and (vii) the inside layer has a haze (H), mentioned in JIS K7105 (1981), of at least 90.

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 relates to a golf ball having a solid core of at least one layer, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a paint film on a surface of the cover, wherein at least one cover layer and/or the paint film includes a luster pigment composed of metal oxide-coated alumina flakes. This golf ball has a high commercial value because of its visual impact and high quality feel, and because it achieves a bright, color-saturated effect without the yellow cast typical of conventional golf ball surfaces.

Abstract: A golf ball is formed including a core and a cover. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer and 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 thermosetting 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: The invention provides a golf ball manufactured using a mold having a top half and a bottom half, which ball has formed on a surface thereof, near a seam line corresponding to a parting line between the top and bottom halves of the mold, a recessed and/or raised mark serving as an indicator for detecting the direction or position of the seam line. The invention also provides a golf ball mold composed of a top half and a bottom half that detachably join together so as to form therein a spherical cavity into which a material is injected to mold a golf ball, which mold bears, near a parting line between the top and bottom halves on a wall of the cavity, a raised or recessed feature for forming a mark as an indicator for detecting the direction or position of the parting line.

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 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 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: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having 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 has an inner layer and an outer layer. The core is formed primarily of a rubber material. The inner and outer envelope layers, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of the same or different resin materials. The inner and outer envelope layers, intermediate layer and cover have thicknesses which satisfy the following conditions (i) and (ii): cover thickness<intermediate layer thickness<(inner envelope layer thickness+outer envelope layer thickness)??(i) (cover thickness+intermediate layer thickness)<(inner envelope layer thickness+outer envelope layer thickness).

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: The invention is directed to a method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of: providing a core comprising at least one layer; forming a cover about the 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: A golf ball includes an outer spherical surface and a plurality of dimples formed thereon. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the dimples in accordance to the invention have a polygonal perimeter and a substantially spherical, concave depression. The substantially spherical depression comprises a spherical depression and a transitional portion bridging the area between the polygonal perimeter and the spherical depression. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, one or more sides of the polygonal perimeter may be non-linear or curved. The dimples of the present invention may fill the ball's entire outer surface, or the dimples may occupy a predetermined pattern on the ball. The predetermined pattern may also include one or more channels or raised beads on the surface of the ball.

Abstract: The invention is directed to golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed about the core, the cover comprising at least one cover layer comprising an cover outer surface and a cover inner surface, the cover outer surface comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the cover outer surface further comprising a hardness ? and the cover inner surface comprising a hardness ?, wherein the hardness ? is different than the hardness ?. In another embodiment, the at least one cover layer comprises a treated cover region and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth of about 1% or greater of a distance between the cover outer surface and the cover inner surface, and the untreated cover region being disposed about the cover inner surface and adjacent the treated cover region.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover disposed about the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 Shore D and 60 Shore D, an 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 layer. The intermediate layer has a hardness greater than the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. The inner cover is formed from a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer, the intermediate layer from a non-ionomer, and the cover outer cover layer from a polyurea formed from the reaction product of a prepolymer comprising an isocyanate and an amine-terminated polytetramethylene ether glycol, and an amine-terminated curing agent.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and at least on intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer includes pigment which contributes to the color or appearance of the ball and the cover is at least partially transparent such that the intermediate layer is at least partially visible. The cover is also comprised of an optical enhancer.

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 object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having the individualized appearance as well as the improved visibility, which the mark should inherently provide, by imparting the luster (brilliance) to the mark, without lowering the durability of the mark. The golf ball of the present invention comprises a mark on a golf ball body, wherein the mark is made from an ink composition that comprises a luster material including a bismuth-containing compound, and a pigment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core comprising at least one layer, a cover disposed about the core, the cover comprising at least one cover layer comprising a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface, the cover layer further comprising a treated cover region and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth DCTr, the untreated cover region disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth DCUTr, the treated cover region comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, wherein the treated cover region comprises a hardness ? and the untreated cover region comprises n regions of hardness wherein n?1 and wherein at least one of the n regions of hardness has a hardness H1 that is different than the hardness ?, and wherein each of said n regions of hardness further comprise a depth DCUTn such that DCTr?(1/n)(DUT1+DUT2+ . . . +DUTn).

Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.

Abstract: Polyurethane and polyurea compositions for golf balls with improved stability of the curative blend, wherein the curative blend includes a pigment, a curing agent, and a compatible freezing point depressing agent so that the curative blend has a lower freezing point than the curing agent by itself and the blend does not lose pigment dispersion upon solidification and subsequent thawing.

Abstract: Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a colored golf ball composed of a core, a cover having a plurality of dimples formed on an outside surface thereof, and an inside layer in contact with the cover. The ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ?E* between the inside layer and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the inside layer has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS Z8729, of at least 82 and a chroma C, defined as (a*2+b*2)1/2, of at most 10; (iii) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (iv) the lightness L* value of the ball?the lightness L* value of the inside layer; (v) the inside layer has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; and (vi) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance.

Abstract: A golf ball composition having a copolymer with an acid content modified by a nucleating agent is described. The nucleating agent modifies the flexural modulus of the acid copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising fast-chemical-reaction-produced component, such as a component which comprises a reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The golf ball has excellent light stability. Also disclosed is a method making a golf ball by forming a cover component of the ball by mixing two or more reactants that react and form a reaction product with a flex modulus of from about 1 to about 310 kpsi in a reaction time of about 5 minutes or less, the component having a thickness of at least 0.01 inches and a demold time of 10 minutes or less.

Abstract: Polyurethane-based and polyurea-based compositions including modified amine curing agents for use in golf ball layers where modified amine curing agent of the invention allows control of the reaction rate by providing a composition with both primary and secondary amine linkages.

Abstract: A golf ball mold having a non-planar parting surface formed by superimposing a base waveform with a least one shorter secondary waveform. The base waveform is defined by a series of concentric arcs wherein adjacent arcs are connected with a straight line segment that is tangent to the arcs and creates an acute angle. The length of the straight line segment being critical to the accuracy and predictability of the parting line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blend composition, suitable for use in golf ball manufacture, which is the reaction product of (A) a polymer of ethylene and/or an alpha olefin and one or more ?, ?-ethylenically unsaturated C3-C20 carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids or phosphoric acids; (B) a compound having both amine and carboxylic acid functionality or a derivative of these functional groups; and (C) a basic metal ion salt, which has the capacity to neutralize some or all of the acidic group present in blend components (A) and (B). When (A) is a polymer comprising one or more ?, ?-ethylenically unsaturated C3-C20 carboxylic acids it comprises a high molecular weight component having a molecular weight from about 80,000 to about 500,000.

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: 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: 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: A golf ball 14 has a northern hemisphere N above an equatorial line Eq and a southern hemisphere S below the equatorial line Eq. Each of the northern hemisphere N and the southern hemisphere S has a pole vicinity region 30, an equator vicinity region 32, and a mid region 34. Each of the pole vicinity region 30, the equator vicinity region 32, and the mid region 34 has numerous dimples 20. The dimple pattern of the pole vicinity region 30 includes four units that are rotationally symmetrical to each other about a pole P. The dimple pattern of the equator vicinity region 32 includes six units that are rotationally symmetrical to each other about the pole P. The dimples 20 included in the mid region 34 are arranged along a mid latitude line 28. The number of the dimples 20 included in the mid region 34 is 24.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer interposed therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The respective initial velocities (m/s) of the core, a sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball satisfy formula A below, and the respective deflections (mm) of the core, the sphere I composed of the core encased by the intermediate layer, and the golf ball, when compressed under a final load of 130 kg from an initial load of 10 kgf, satisfy formula B below: (initial velocity of core?initial velocity of sphere I)2+(initial velocity of sphere I?initial velocity of golf ball)2<0.40; ??Formula A: 0.30<(deflection of core?deflection of sphere I)2+(deflection of sphere I?deflection of golf ball)2<0.70.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide a two-component curing type urethane-based aqueous golf ball paint, which is excellent in gloss of a paint film and evenness of the film thickness. Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-component curing type urethane-based aqueous golf ball paint, which is excellent in adhesion to the surface of a golf ball body. The present invention provides a two-component curing type urethane-based aqueous golf ball paint containing (A) an aqueous polyol composition and (B) an aqueous polyisocyanate, wherein the aqueous paint has a contact angle of 45° or less to a resin component constituting an outermost layer of a golf ball body and a paint film has reflectivity of 70% or more at an incident angle of 20°.

Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4 and a cover 6 positioned outside the core 4. The cover 6 has a thickness of 0.2 mm or greater and 1.0 mm or less. The cover 6 is formed by injecting a resin composition from an injection molding machine into a mold. The product (M*V*T) of: a melt fluidity M (g/10 min) of the resin composition, which is measured at 190° C.; an injection rate V (cm3/sec) of the injection molding machine; and an injection time T (sec) of the injection molding machine, is equal to or greater than 500 and equal to or less than 1000. Preferably, in the golf ball 2, the melt fluidity M of the resin composition is equal to or greater than 15 g/10 min and equal to or less than 100 g/10 min.

Abstract: Compositions for golf balls including multi-modal ionomers that can be used in any layer of a golf ball, e.g., an outer cover layer or inner cover layer. The compositions of the invention can be a blend of a multi-modal ionomer and a conventional ionomer, highly neutralized polymer, acid copolymer, or other suitable thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: This application relates to a single camera monitoring system useful for determining parameters relating to a striking instrument as it approaches an object. The monitoring system may be used to determine the swing characteristics of a golf club as it approaches and impacts with a golf ball. The accuracy of the single camera system may be comparable to the accuracy of more complex, multi-camera systems. The application also relates to methods for calibrating a single camera system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls and golf ball components comprising a blend of one or more ionomers mixed with one or more metal or ammonium salts of chelating agent. The resulting modified ionomer compositions have improved processability as shown by the increase in melt flow index (I2) as compared to the unmodified ionomer analogs while demonstrating an increase in resiliency or speed as shown by increasing COR, while maintaining or showing only a slight increase in hardness as measured by Shore D.

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: Golf balls including at least one layer formed from high moisture barrier nanocomposite compositions that have increased moisture resistance and generally include a nanocomposite including an intercalated clay and at least one resin having a barrier property, a polyolefin resin, and a compatilizer.

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 present invention relates to a method for painting dimpled golf balls that are moving along an endless conveyor. The method employs paint guns operating at a relatively low atomizing air pressure, and make contact with the golf ball surface at an angle between about 5° to 60°. The paint guns are continually in the on position and the paint neither coagulates in the gun nozzle nor forms puddles in the dimple cavities. The number of golf ball painted per gallon of paint is dramatically increased as is the number of ball painted per time period.

Abstract: Curable polyurethane, polyurea and polyurethane/polyurea compositions that are particularly useful as the outer layer and/or at least one inner layer of golf balls, cured compositions, golf balls comprising the cured composition, and methods of increasing the initial velocity of a golf ball using the curable polyurethane, polyurea and polyurethane/polyurea compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a painted golf ball which is excellent in the gloss and the evenness of the paint thickness as well as the adhesion of the paint film to the golf ball body. The method for producing the golf ball of the present invention comprises applying a two-component curing type urethane-based aqueous paint including an aqueous polyol composition (A) and an aqueous polyisocyanate (B) to a golf ball body in a specific method, wherein (A) the aqueous polyol composition contains (a-1) an aqueous acrylic polyol, (a-2) an aqueous urethane polyol and (a-3) an aqueous urethane resin.

Abstract: A golf ball having an indicia composed of a novel metallic ink is disclosed herein. The first indicia is preferably composed of a vacuum metallized pigmented ink having a particle size ranging from 10 microns to 12 microns. The ink is preferably an aluminum based ink. The golf ball is preferably a two-piece solid golf ball or a three-piece solid golf ball. The novel ink preferably has a viscosity above about 300 centipoise.

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.

Abstract: Golf ball compositions including a rosin-modified polymeric composition including a conventional ionomer, acid copolymer, highly neutralized polymer, or other suitable polymer that has been modified with a rosin material to impart stiffness through increasing the flexural modulus of the material.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and at least on intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer includes pigment which contributes to the color or appearance of the ball and the cover is at least partially transparent such that the intermediate layer is at least partially visible. The cover is also comprised of an optical enhancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball material which is made of an ionomer composition that includes a phenolic resin component. The invention provides also a golf ball composed of a core and a cover layer, or a core, a cover layer and at least one intermediate layer therebetween, wherein the golf ball material is used in at least one layer of the core or cover. The invention additionally provides a method for preparing the golf ball material by using (i) or (ii) below: (i) melt blending an ionomer and a phenolic resin; (ii) melt blending an ionomer base resin, a metal cation source and a phenolic resin. The golf ball material of the invention has improved properties, including rebound resilience, durability, and a higher hardness. By using this golf ball material as the material for an essential part of a golf ball, the golf ball properties can be improved.