Multi-layer golf ball
Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
1. A golf ball comprising:
a center formed from a polybutadiene rubber composition and having a compression of greater than 90 and a diameter of 1.500 inches or less, the polybutadiene rubber composition comprising 35 phr or greater of a coagent selected from the group consisting of zinc salts of acrylates, diacrylates, methacrylates, dimethacrylates, and mixtures thereof;
an outer cover layer formed from an ionomer composition having a material hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;
an intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 70 Shore C and being formed from a composition having a solid, single core compression of 40 or less;
wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the center is from 1.000 inches to 1.350 inches.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the center is 100 or greater.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the center is 110 or greater.
5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer composition is a polybutadiene composition comprising from 0 to 20 phr of a coagent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer composition is an ionomer composition.
7. The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein the ionomer composition of the intermediate layer has a solid, single core compression of 30 or less.
8. The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein the ionomer composition of the intermediate layer has a solid, single core compression of 20 or less.
9. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a material hardness of from 60 Shore D to 70 Shore D.
10. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of from 40,000 psi to 120,000 psi.
11. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the rubber composition of the center is a polybutadiene composition comprising 50 phr or greater of a coagent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates.
12. A golf ball consisting essentially of:
a center formed from a polybutadiene rubber composition and having a compression of greater than 90 and a diameter of 1.500 inches or less, the polybutadiene rubber composition comprising 35 phr or greater of a coagent selected from the group consisting of zinc salts of acrylates, diacrylates, methacrylates, dimethacrylates, and mixtures thereof;
an outer cover layer formed from an ionomer composition having a material hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;
an intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 70 Shore C and being formed from a composition having a solid, single core compression of 40 or less;
wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
13. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the center is from 1.000 inches to 1.350 inches.
14. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the compression of the center is 110 or greater.
15. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate layer composition is a polybutadiene composition comprising from 0 to 20 phr of a coagent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates.
16. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate layer composition is an ionomer composition.
17. The golf ball of claim 16 , wherein the ionomer composition of the intermediate layer has a solid, single core compression of 30 or less.
18. The golf ball of claim 16 , wherein the ionomer composition of the intermediate layer has a solid, single core compression of 20 or less.
19. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of from 40,000 psi to 120,000 psi.
20. A golf ball consisting essentially of:
a center having a compression of greater than 110, a diameter of from 1.000 inches to 1.350 inches, and formed from a polybutadiene composition comprising 50 phr or greater of a coagent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates;
an outer cover layer formed from a first ionomer composition having a material hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;
an intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 70 Shore C and being formed from a second ionomer composition having a solid, single core compression of 30 or less;
wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.