Multi-layer golf ball
View Patent ↗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 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 and a material hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;
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;
and wherein a first golf ball subassembly consisting of the core, the intermediate layer, and any optional layers disposed between the core and the intermediate layer has a first compression; a second golf ball subassembly consisting of the core and the optional layers disposed between the core and the intermediate layer has a second compression; the first compression is less than the second compression; and the difference between the first compression and the second compression is at least 20 compression points.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the core is 1.300 inches or greater.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the core is 70 or greater.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the core is 80 or greater.
5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer has an outer surface hardness of less than 40 Shore D.
6. 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.
7. A golf ball consisting essentially of:
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 and a material hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;
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;
and wherein a first golf ball subassembly consisting of the core and the intermediate layer has a first compression; a second golf ball subassembly consisting of the core has a second compression; the first compression is less than the second compression; and the difference between the first compression and the second compression is at least 20 compression points.
8. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the ionomer composition of the outer cover layer has a flexural modulus of greater than 60,000 psi.