Abstract: A golf ball 2 has a large number of dimples 8 and a land 10. A rugged pattern is formed on the surface of the golf ball 2 by these dimples 8 and the land 10. These dimples 8 are arranged in a random manner. Each dimple 8 has a crater shape. For designing the rugged pattern, a Cellular Automaton method is used. A fluctuation range Rh of the golf ball 2 that is an index indicating the aerodynamic characteristic during PH rotation is 1.9 mm or less. A fluctuation range Ro of the golf ball 2 that is an index indicating the aerodynamic characteristic during POP rotation is 1.9 mm or less. The absolute value of the difference dR between the fluctuation range Ro and the fluctuation range Rh is 0.4 mm or less.

Abstract: The golf ball 2 has a northern hemisphere N and a southern hemisphere S. The northern hemisphere N is adjacent to the southern hemisphere S across an equatorial line Eq. Each of the northern hemisphere N and the southern hemisphere S has a pole vicinity region 14 and an equator vicinity region 16. Each of the pole vicinity region 14 and the equator vicinity region 16 has a large number of dimples. The dimple pattern of the pole vicinity region 14 includes three units that are rotationally symmetrical to each other about a pole Po. The dimple pattern of the equator vicinity region 16 includes six units that are rotationally symmetrical to each other about the pole Po. The sum (Ps+Pp) of a peak value Ps and a peak value Pp of the golf ball 2 is equal to or greater than 600 mm.

Abstract: Golf ball 2 has spherical main body 4, mark layer 6 and paint layer 8. The main body 4 has spherical core 10, and cover 12 provided to cover this core 10. The cover 12 does not include titanium oxide. The cover 12 includes a fluorescent colorant. The main body 4 has a chroma saturation of equal to or greater than 25. The paint layer 8 is constituted with a resin composition. This resin composition includes composite particles. The composite particle has a nucleus, and a coat layer provided to coat this nucleus. The nucleus is constituted with mica, while the coat layer is constituted with titanium oxide. The amount of the composite particles is 2 parts by weight or greater and 30 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the paint layer 8.

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

Abstract: 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 provided that includes a coating. The coating is designed to allow a golfer to modify or increase the tackiness of the coating. The coating changes tackiness when exposed to a soaking material. A method of determining a desirable length of soak is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a layer of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, wherein the outermost cover layer or an inner cover layer adjacent to the outermost layer is formed of a resin composition which includes: (a) 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, (b) from 0.003 to 2 parts by weight of a color pigment or dye, and (c) from 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of spherical inorganic fine particles as a reflective material. The golf ball has a novel appearance that is bright and highly visible, and also has an excellent durability.

Abstract: The present invention is to a golf ball having an equator at latitude 0° and two poles; and an equator region defined by latitudes 0 to 25°, a shoulder region defined by latitudes from more than 25° to less than 65°, and a pole region defined by latitudes 65° to 90°; and a dimple pattern on the surface of the golf ball having an average dimple volume of the equator region Ve, an average dimple volume of the shoulder region, Vs, and an average dimple volume of the pole region, Vp such that the ratio Vs/Ve is less than 0.97 and the ratio Vp/Vs is less than 0.97.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising core; a cover disposed about the core; and a coating system disposed about the cover having at least three layers: a first coating layer C1 surrounding the cover; a second coating layer C2 surrounding C1; and a third coating layer C3 surrounding C2; wherein C1 has a first color appearance A1, C2 has a second color appearance A2, and C3 has a third color appearance A3 such that A1?A2?A3 and wherein A1, A2, and A3 each contribute to an overall golf ball color appearance. A method of making the inventive golf ball comprises: providing a core and a cover disposed about the core; and providing a coating system about the cover comprising Cn coating layers wherein n?3, and wherein each of the Cn coating layers have a different color appearance contributing to the overall golf ball color appearance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing golf balls which includes the step of printing specific markings on the surface of a golf ball by pad printing. Prior to the printing step, the surface of the ball is subjected to heat and pressure treatment.

Abstract: A colored golf 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 28729, 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 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; (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 has an outer surface covered by a chameleon material. The chameleon material produces a variable alignment device that appears to a viewer in the same location regardless of the viewer's position relative to the ball. This variable alignment device allows the user to properly align a shot without moving the ball to align an imprint with a desired path of travel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a golf ball having at least a transparent or translucent cover and a core. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover. The transparent or translucent cover may comprise a plurality of dimples on its surface as well as depressions other than dimples, such as stripes, text, or logos. Both the cover and the core may comprise an amount of dye or dyes. The cover may additionally comprise an amount of reflective particulates. The core may include a plurality of projections and/or depressions on its surface to provide more surface area for the adhesion of the cover to the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for golf equipment that can be applied as a thin paint layer to block oxygen and moisture from underlying structural layers. The compositions include a polymer component present in a resin system, a stabilizing component, and porous particles.

Abstract: A golf ball having an over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer cover and having a soft feeling when hit. The golf ball cover also may be cross-linked.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer having a cover inner surface, a cover outer surface, a treated cover region, and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth DCTr and being treated with and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the untreated cover region disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth DCUTr, the untreated cover region comprising n regions of hardness wherein n?1 and wherein at least one of the n regions of hardness has a hardness H1 such that the hardness ? is greater than the hardness H1, and wherein each of said n regions of hardness further comprise a depth DCUTn such that DCTr?(1/n)(DUT1+DUT2+ . . . +DUTn). In another embodiment, DCTr?(n)(DCUT1+DCUT2+ . . . +DCUTn). In yet another embodiment, DCTr?(1/n2)(DCUT1+DCUT2+ . . . +DCUTn).

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer having a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface that treated with and comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and has a hardness ?, the cover inner surface not being treated with and not comprising the fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition and having a hardness ?. Hardness ? is greater than hardness ?. The cover layer may alternatively comprise an untreated cover region and a treated cover region that extends 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. Alternatively, the treated cover region may extend inward from the cover outer surface a predetermined depth DCTr while the untreated cover region is disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region a predetermined depth DCUTr.

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: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body and a paint film formed on a surface of the golf ball body, wherein the paint film has a storage modulus (E?) in a temperature range from 120° C. to 150° C. measured under the specific measurement conditions using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus of 1.00×107 dyn/cm2 or more and 1.00×108 dyn/cm2 or less and a loss tangent (tan ?) at the temperature of 10° C. of 0.050 or more.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a golf ball that is configured to be capable of changing its dimple depth. Changing the dimple depth of at least one of the plurality of dimples affects the aerodynamic properties of the golf ball, such that the play characteristics of the golf ball can be customized. The golf ball may be changed from a first configuration having deeper dimples to a second configuration having shallower dimples. Also provided is a method of customizing a golf ball, the method including the steps of possessing a golf ball that is in accordance with this disclosure and then inducing a mutable portion of the golf ball's cover layer to change the dimple depth.

Abstract: Sports equipment, particularly game balls, are printed with an ink cured with light in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The ink uses a photoinitiator that absorbs light in both the ultraviolet region and in a range of from about 400 nm to about 690 nm in the visible light region, a Type I photoinitiator compound absorbing in only the visible region, or a Type II photoinitiator compound either containing an abstractable hydrogen or used with a free radical-curable material comprising an abstractable hydrogen.

Abstract: A ball having enhanced visibility to video camera- or radar-based launch monitoring and/or tracking systems includes a core, an intermediate layer, a cover or outer surface having a reflective material incorporated therein or applied thereto. The reflective material may be retro-reflective crystals, reflective metal, a conductive polymer, or a reflective coating. The reflective material may be added to an ink used to print indicia on the ball, or incorporated into a paint or other coating applied to the ball. The reflective material may be applied during manufacture of a ball, or existing balls may be retrofitted to contain a reflective material.

Abstract: A golf ball has a layer comprising a compatibilized blend of thermoplastic polyurethane, polyolefin, and hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The layer may be part of the cover, for example an inner layer of a two-layer cover layer. The layer may be an intermediate layer between the core and the cover.

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

Abstract: Disclosed are manufacturing of a golf ball. A golf ball has a plurality of circular dimples in its spherical outer surface, dividing into the faces of a spherical polyhedron by a plurality of division lines, wherein border lines are formed at the position of ±1˜2 latitudinal degrees to the division lines, the circular dimples are arranged by using the border lines as an occupation limit line of the circular dimples positioned opposite to the division lines, and the golf ball has no dimple on the pole in the center of the spherical polyhedron is provided, thereby increasing the performance such as a carry distance by raising the proper amount of area ratio of dimples, obtaining the uniformity thickness cover molding without the inferior product due to the balanced gates with uniform size.

Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core and a cover or intermediate layer made from a non-ionomeric polyolefin composition is provided. The method for making the golf ball includes the step of adhering a thin layer of a non-ionomeric polyolefin powder to the interior surfaces of a golf ball mold. The polyolefin powder is adhered to the mold using electrostatic, tribostatic or fluidized bed processes. A golf ball component is placed within the mold, and a sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the mold so that the thin layer of non-ionomeric polyolefin powder fuses to the golf ball component.

Abstract: A process for designing the rugged pattern includes the steps of: assuming a plurality of states; assuming a large number of cells on a spherical surface; assigning any one of the plurality of states to each cell; assigning, as an attribute, any one of INSIDE, OUTSIDE and BOUNDARY to the each cell based on the state of the each cell and states of a plurality of cells located adjacent to the each cell; assuming craters based on the attributes of the large number of cells; and updating the attribute of the each cell so as to enlarge the areas of the craters, based on the attribute of said each cell and the attributes of the plurality of cells located adjacent to the each cell.

Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard, and areas that are soft. The hard areas make up 20% to 60% of the total surface area of the cover layer, preferably 30% to 50%. The hard areas may correspond to the dimples, while the soft areas may correspond to the land between the dimples. The hard areas may be at least about 3 units on the Shore D scale harder than the soft areas, preferably at least about 5 units. The hard areas may be formed in various geometric shapes, or in the shape of a graphic or logo, and be visibly colored. As a result of the arrangement of the hard areas and the soft areas, the golf ball simultaneously achieves good flight distance and good feel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball possessing an overall unique and perceptibly pleasing multi-color appearance and being constructed of at least two layers wherein each layer has at least two color regions which contribute substantially to the golf ball's overall color appearance, the inner and outer layers being strategically positioned and aligned in relation to each other to create the overall golf ball color appearance. A resulting superior overall golf ball multiple color appearance is achieved by the positioning and aligning of one layer about another.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, 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, and the cover has a thickness of 2.5 mm or less.

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: 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/poly urea compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A golf ball with a deposited layer is disclosed. The deposited layer is not produced by a molding process, such as injection molding or compression molding. Instead, the deposition process is produced by another process, such as thermal spraying or sintering. The deposited layer may include partially fused particulate material. The deposited layer may be added to a golf ball design as one or more supplemental layers. The deposited layer may also be provided in a golf ball design as a substitute for one or more layers. A golf ball may further include a combination of one or more supplemental deposited layers and one or more substituted deposited layers.

Abstract: A golf ball with a layer of composite material applied to at least one surface of one layer of the ball. The composite material includes a plurality of particles. The particles are shaped to enable specific orientations. A percentage of the particles in the composite material achieve a specific orientation. A portion of at least one of the particles extends from the composite material layer and into an adjacent, surrounding layer. The particles may have a tetrapod shape. The composite layer may be applied as a thin film coating, such as in a primer layer.

Abstract: A colored golf 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 28729, 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 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; (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 comprising: a core comprising at least one layer A, a cover comprising at least one layer B, an intermediate layer C disposed between the core and the cover, and a coating D applied on an outermost surface of the golf ball. At least two of layer A, layer B, layer C and coating D comprise a golf ball color contributing component comprising a color and contributing to an overall golf ball color, wherein at least two golf ball color contributing components have different saturations. The overall golf ball hue is substantially similar to the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one color contributing component and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one color contributing component.

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: 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: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball that has excellent abrasion resistance and spin performance without sacrificing the processability of the cover, in a golf ball having a cover for which a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is used as a resin component. 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 that has, as a constituting component, a chain extender having an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.

Abstract: A rebound resilient golf ball having an core layer or layers with one or more cores, a scuff resistant cover of thermoplastic polyurethane surrounding the core layer or layers, and optionally a mantle layer positioned between the cover and the core layer or layers. The cover is made from a dendritic thermoplastic polyurethane that includes an isocyanate monomer and a hyper branched polyol, optional additional polyols, and one or more chain extenders. An optional mantle layer may also be made of thermoplastic polyurethane, particularly a dendritic thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an opaque core, a composite cover layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer cover layer is provided. The composite cover layer and outer cover layer are formed from a translucent polymeric matrix, and a fibrous material is embedded in the translucent polymeric matrix of the composite cover layer. In one version, the fibrous material comprises a woven or non-woven mat. In another version, the fibrous material comprises a shape memory alloy. In yet another version, the fibrous material comprises a ferromagnetic material and the metal material is subjected to induction heating to improve adhesion between adjacent ball layers.

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: Golf balls containing at least one layer made from a thermoset 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 thermoset composition has good cross-link density. The resulting golf ball has desirable playing performance properties including high resiliency, toughness, impact durability, moisture-resistance, and soft feel.

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 comprising a core and a cover layer disposed about the core, the cover layer comprising a cover inner surface, a cover outer surface, a treated cover region, and an untreated cover region, the treated cover region extending inward from the cover outer surface a depth D.sub.CTr, the untreated cover region disposed between the cover inner surface and the treated cover region and having a depth D.sub.CUTr, the treated cover region comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, wherein the treated cover region comprises a hardness .alpha. and the untreated cover region comprises n regions of hardness wherein n.gtoreq.1 and wherein at least one of the n regions of hardness has a hardness H.sub.1 that is different than the hardness .alpha., and wherein each of said n regions of hardness further comprise a depth D.sub.CUTn such that D.sub.CTr.ltoreq.(1/n)(D.sub.UT1+D.sub.UT2+ . . . +D.sub.UTn).

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

Abstract: A high performance golf ball made in part of a modified high Mooney viscosity rubber. The modified high Mooney viscosity rubber has less than about 20 phr oil and is high Mooney viscosity rubber having a Mooney viscosity at least about 40 blended with between about 1 phr and about 10 phr of process oil and between about 0.05 phr and 5 phr of peptizing agent.

Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of intertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.

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, wherein the first and second dimples are spherical dimples having different diameters and chord depths.

Abstract: A golf ball may include one or more structural layers, including an outermost structural layer, and indicia applied in a localized area of the ball. Also, the golf ball may include an intermediate coating applied in the localized area over the indicia, wherein the intermediate coating is formulated to prevent alteration of the indicia by the application of the intermediate coating. The golf ball may further include a top coating applied over the entire ball, including the outermost structural layer and the localized area including the intermediate coating.