GOLF BALL HAVING REDUCED SURFACE HARDNESS
A golf ball comprising a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core, the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a predetermined distance D UTr and a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a predetermined depth D Tr . The treated region has been exposed to and comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition wherein the treated region comprises a first hardness and the untreated region comprises a second hardness wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. Additionally, the golf ball may comprise an intermediate untreated region disposed about the untreated region and adjacent the treated region wherein the intermediate untreated region comprises a third hardness and wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness and the third hardness. In another embodiment, the first hardness is greater than the second hardness and substantially similar to the third hardness. In yet another embodiment, the first hardness is less than the second hardness and the third hardness.
1 . A golf ball comprising:
a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core;
the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a predetermined distance D UTr and a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a predetermined depth D Tr , said treated region having been exposed to and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition,
wherein the treated region comprises a first hardness and the untreated region comprises a second hardness,
wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness.
2 . A golf ball comprising:
a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core;
the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a predetermined distance D UTr , a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a predetermined depth D Tr , and an intermediate untreated region disposed about the untreated region and adjacent the treated region, said treated region having been exposed to and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition,
wherein the treated region comprises a first hardness, the untreated region comprises a second hardness, and said intermediate untreated region comprises a third hardness, and
wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness and the third hardness.
3 . A golf ball comprising:
a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core;
the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a predetermined distance D UTr , a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a predetermined depth D Tr , and an intermediate untreated region disposed about the untreated region and adjacent the treated region, said treated region having been exposed to and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition,
wherein the treated region comprises a first hardness, the untreated region comprises a second hardness, and said intermediate untreated region comprises a third hardness, and
wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness and substantially similar to the third hardness.
4 . A golf ball comprising:
a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core;
the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a predetermined distance D UTr , a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a predetermined depth D Tr , and an intermediate untreated region disposed about the untreated region and adjacent the treated region, said treated region having been exposed to and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition,
wherein the treated region comprises a first hardness, the untreated region comprises a second hardness, and said intermediate untreated region comprises a third hardness, and
wherein the first hardness is less than the second hardness and the third hardness.