Multi-layer core golf ball
View Patent ↗A golf ball comprising: an inner core having a compression of less than about 60; at least one outer core layer (surrounding the inner core or an optional intermediate layer) having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D and a specific gravity greater than a specific gravity of the inner core; and a cover surrounding the outer core layer; at least one of the inner core, intermediate layer and outer core layer comprising a partially or fully neutralized ionomer; and the inner core having a hardness less than a hardness of the at least one outer core layer. Additionally, either the cover has a Shore D hardness of at least 60 and a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the at least one outer core layer, or the inner core comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer and a specific gravity less than 1.0.
1. A golf ball comprising:
an inner core having a compression of less than about 60;
at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core;
at least one outer core layer surrounding the intermediate layer, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D and a specific gravity greater than a specific gravity of the inner core; and
a cover surrounding the at least one outer core layer having a Shore D hardness of at least 60;
wherein at least one of the inner core, intermediate layer and outer core layer comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer;
wherein the inner core has a hardness less than a hardness of the at least one outer core layer; and
wherein a specific gravity of the cover is less than the specific gravity of the at least one outer core layer.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the partially or fully neutralized ionomer is a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.
3. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein the inner core comprises the highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.
4. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein intermediate layer comprises the highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.
5. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein the outer core layer comprises the highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the compression of the inner core is less than about 40.
7. A golf ball comprising:
an inner core having a compression of less than about 60;
at least one outer core layer surrounding the inner core, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D and a specific gravity greater than a specific gravity of the inner core; and
a cover surrounding the outer core layer;
wherein the inner core has a hardness less than a hardness of the outer core; and wherein the inner core comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer having a specific gravity of less than 1.0.
8. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the partially or fully neutralized ionomer is a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.
9. The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the outer core layer comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer.
10. The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the partially or fully neutralized ionomer is a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.
11. The golf ball of claim 7 , further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the inner core and the outer core layer, wherein at least one of the outer core layer and the intermediate layer comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer.
12. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the partially or fully neutralized ionomer is a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer.