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 having a diameter of less than 1.500 inches, a compression of greater than 60, and formed from a polybutadiene composition;
an outer cover layer formed from an ionomer composition, the ionomer composition having a flexural modulus of greater than 40,000 psi;
an intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 50 Shore D and being formed from a polyurea composition;
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 polybutadiene composition of the center comprises greater than 50 phr of a coagent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the center is 1.300 inches or greater.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the center is 70 or greater.
5 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the center is 80 or greater.
6 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer has an outer surface hardness of less than 45 Shore D.
7 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of greater than 60,000 psi.
8 . A golf ball consisting essentially of:
a center having a diameter of less than 1.500 inches, a compression of greater than 60, and formed from a polybutadiene composition;
an outer cover layer formed from an ionomer composition, the ionomer composition having a flexural modulus of greater than 40,000 psi;
an intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 50 Shore D and being formed from a polyurea composition;
wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
9 . The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the polybutadiene composition of the center comprises greater than 50 phr of a coagent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of diacrylates, dimethacrylates, and monomethacrylates.
10 . The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the center is 1.300 inches or greater.
11 . The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the compression of the center is 70 or greater.
12 . The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the compression of the center is 80 or greater.
13 . The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the intermediate layer has an outer surface hardness of less than 45 Shore D.
14 . The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of greater than 60,000 psi.
15 . A golf ball comprising:
a core having a diameter of less than 1.500 inches, an overall compression of greater than 60, and comprising two layers formed from the same or different highly neutralized polymer compositions;
an outer cover layer formed from an ionomer composition, the ionomer composition having a flexural modulus of greater than 40,000 psi;
an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 60 Shore D and being formed from a polyurea composition;
wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the core and the outer cover layer.
16 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the diameter of the core is 1.300 inches or greater.
17 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the compression of the center is 70 or greater.
18 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the compression of the center is 80 or greater.
19 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the intermediate layer has an outer surface hardness of less than 40 Shore D.
20 . The golf ball of claim 15 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of greater than 60,000 psi.
21 . A golf ball consisting essentially:
a core having a diameter of less than 1.500 inches, an overall compression of greater than 60, and consisting of two layers formed from the same or different highly neutralized polymer compositions;
an outer cover layer formed from an ionomer composition, the ionomer composition having a flexural modulus of greater than 40,000 psi;
an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the outer cover layer, the intermediate layer having an outer surface hardness of less than 50 Shore D and being formed from a polyurea composition;
wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the core and the outer cover layer.
22 . The golf ball of claim 21 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of greater than 60,000 psi.