Low compression high spin golf ball
View Patent ↗A golf ball having a cover comprised of a single ionomeric resin. The resin has an acid content no greater than about 10% and is preferably 100% neutralized and has a flex modulus of at least 31,000 psi. The ball has a Shore D hardness of about 55, a PGA compression of about 85, a COR of at least 0.700 and exhibits superior cut and abrasion resistance while providing a soft feel and a high spin rate.
1. A golf ball comprising:
a core; and,
a cover layer comprising a single ionomer resin having an acid content that is at least 95% neutralized, a flex modulus of at least 30 kpsi and a Shore D hardness no greater than 55 and wherein the ionomer resin comprises:
a) an alpha olefin;
b) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid;
c) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize about 100% of the carboxylic acid;
d) at least one softening monomer, selected from alkyl acrylate, and alkyl methacrylate; and
e) a metal stearate.
2. A golf ball comprising:
a core; and,
a cover layer comprising a single ionomer resin having an acid content that is at least 95% neutralized, a flex modulus of at least 30 kpsi and a Shore D hardness no greater than 55 and wherein the ionomer resin comprises:
a) an alpha olefin;
b) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid wherein the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is an acrylic or methacrylic acid in an amount no more than about 10% by weight;
c) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize about 100% of the carboxylic acid;
d) at least one softening monomer, selected from alkyl acrylate, and alkyl methacrylate; and
e) a metal stearate.
3. A golf ball comprising:
a core; and,
a cover layer comprising a single ionomer resin having an acid content that is at least 95% neutralized, a flex modulus of at least 30 kpsi and a Shore D hardness no greater than 55 and wherein the ionomer resin comprises:
a) an alpha olefin;
b) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid;
c) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize about 100% of the carboxylic acid wherein the metal cation is selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, or zinc, or a combination of such cations;
d) at least one softening monomer, selected from alkyl acrylate, and alkyl methacrylate; and
e) a metal stearate.
4. A golf ball comprising:
a core; and,
a cover layer comprising a single ionomer resin having an acid content that is at least 95% neutralized, a flex modulus of at least 30 kpsi and a Shore D hardness no greater than 55 and wherein the ionomer resin comprises:
a) an alpha olefin;
b) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid;
c) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize about 100% of the carboxylic acid wherein the metal cation is a magnesium cation;
d) at least one softening monomer, selected from alkyl acrylate, and alkyl methacrylate; and
e) a metal stearate.
5. A golf ball comprising:
a core having a PGA compression no greater than about 90; and,
a cover comprising a blend of:
an ionomeric terpolymer comprising the reaction of an olefin, a acrylic acid, and an alkyl acrylate;
a metal ion donor sufficient to neutralize 100% of the acrylic acid present in the ionomeric terpolymer; and,
a stearate.
6. A golf ball according to claim 5 wherein the ball, when struck with a standard 9-iorn, has a spin rate of at least 7500 rpm.
7. A golf ball according to claim 5 wherein the ball, when struck with a standard 5-iorn, a spin rate of at least 4600 rpm.
8. The golf ball according to claim 5 wherein the golf ball has a PGA compression of about 85, a coefficient of restitution greater than about 0.700, a Shore D hardness no greater than about 55, and a spin rate of at least 2700 RPM when struck with an 10° loft driver with a swing speed of about 90 mph.
9. A golf ball comprising:
a core having a PGA compression no greater than about 90, comprising at least one high cis content polybutadiene, zinc oxide, zinc stearate, zinc dyacrylate, an organic peroxide, and a filler material; and,
a cover comprising a blend of:
an ionomeric terpolymer comprising the reaction of an olefin, a acrylic acid, and an alkyl acrylate;
a metal ion donor sufficient to neutralize 100% of the acrylic acid present in the ionomeric terpolymer; and,
a metal stearate.
10. The golf ball according to claim 9 wherein the core and the cover materials are selected so that the golf ball has the following spin rate characteristics of a spin rate of at least 7500 rpm when struck with a standard 9-iron.
11. The golf ball according to claim 9 wherein the core and the cover materials are selected so that the golf ball has the following spin rate characteristics:
i) a spin rate of at least 7500 rpm when struck with a standard 9-iron; and,
ii) a spin rate of at least 4600 rpm when struck with a standard 5 iron.
12. The golf ball according to claim 9 wherein the core and the cover materials are selected so that the golf ball has the following spin rate characteristics:
i) a spin rate of at least 7500 rpm when struck with a standard 9-iron
ii) a spin rate of at least 4600 rpm when struck with a standard 5 iron; and
iii) a spin rate of at least 2700 rpm when struck with a 10°loft driver with a swing speed of about 90 mph.