Multi-layer golf ball
View Patent ↗A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.
1. A multi-layer golf ball comprising:
a core having an outer surface that includes:
between 100 and 300 polygonal land portions aligned on a common sphere;
a plurality of grooves separating the respective land portions and extending radially inward from the sphere, wherein each of the grooves has a maximum depth in a radial direction relative to the common sphere of between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm; and
wherein the sphere has a diameter between 24 mm and 32 mm;
an intermediate layer surrounding the core and having a radially inward surface that is bonded to the outer surface of the core across the entire outer surface, the intermediate layer having a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm; and
a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer and defining an outermost portion of the golf ball,
wherein the plurality of grooves includes a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis, and a third set of annular grooves disposed about a third axis, the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis being mutually orthogonal,
wherein the core has a 10-130 kg compression deformation of between 3.5 mm and 5.5 mm, and
wherein the core and the intermediate layer define an intermediate ball having a 10-130 kg compression deformation of between 2.7 mm and 5.5 mm, and less than the 10-130 kg compression deformation of the core.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the core is formed from an ionomeric material and has a hardness measured on the JIS-C scale of between 34 and 70; and
wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a rubber, and has a hardness measured on the Shore D scale of between 56 and 64.
3. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein the ionomeric material has a flexural modulus of less than 10,000 psi.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein each of the grooves of the first and second sets of annular grooves has: a width measured in a tangential direction relative to the common sphere; and a width/depth ratio of between 2 and 8.
5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the cover layer includes one or more of an ionomer resin, a polyethylene, and a polyester resin.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic material having a hardness measured on the Shore-D scale of up to about 72.
7. The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein the thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic polyurethane having a flexural modulus of up to about 1000 psi.
8. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is a first intermediate layer, the golf ball further comprising a second intermediate layer disposed between the first intermediate layer and the cover layer.
9. The golf ball of claim 8 , wherein the second intermediate layer has a hardness measured on the Shore-D scale of greater than 63 and greater than a hardness of the cover layer.
10. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is bonded to the core through an adhesive layer.
11. The golf ball of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive layer includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer-based adhesive.
12. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a rubber material that includes:
a main rubber containing a polybutadiene;
an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, or both; and
an organic peroxide.
13. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second sets of annular grooves respectively includes at least three annular grooves.
14. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polygonal land portions include a pentagonal shaped land portion.
15. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polygonal land portions include quadrilateral land portions with different surface areas.
16. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the polygonal land portions include non-quadrilateral land portions.
17. The golf ball of claim 16 , wherein the non-quadrilateral land portions comprise between about 5% and 15% of a total number of polygonal land portions.
18. The golf ball of claim 17 , wherein at least 50% of the polygonal land portions have a perimeter resembling a quadrilateral.
19. A multi-layer golf ball comprising:
a core formed, in whole or in part, from an ionomeric material that has a hardness measured on the JIS-C scale of between about 34 and 70, the core having an outer surface that includes:
between about 100 and 300 polygonal land portions aligned on a common sphere;
a plurality of grooves separating the respective land portions and extending radially inward from the sphere, wherein each of the grooves has a maximum depth in a radial direction relative to the common sphere of between about 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm; and
wherein the sphere has a diameter of between about 24 mm and 32 mm;
an intermediate layer formed, in whole or in part, from a rubber material having a hardness measured on the Shore D scale of between about 56 and 64, the intermediate layer surrounding the core and having a radially inward surface that is bonded to the outer surface of the core across the entire outer surface, the intermediate layer having a radial thickness of between about 4 mm and 9 mm; and
a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer and defining an outermost portion of the golf ball,
wherein the core has a 10-130 kg compression deformation of between about 3.5 mm and 5.5 mm, and
wherein the core and the intermediate layer define an intermediate ball having a 10-130 kg compression deformation that is between about 2.7 mm and 5.5 mm and is less than the 10-130 kg compression deformation of the core.
20. The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of grooves includes a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis, and a third set of annular grooves disposed about a third axis; and
wherein the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are mutually orthogonal.
21. The golf ball of claim 20 , wherein each of the grooves of the first and second sets of annular grooves has: a width measured in a tangential direction relative to the common sphere; and a width/depth ratio of between about 2 and 8.
22. The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein the cover layer includes one or more of an ionomer resin, a polyethylene, and a polyester resin.
23. The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein the cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic material having a hardness measured on the Shore-D scale of up to about 72.
24. The golf ball of claim 23 , wherein the thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic polyurethane having a flexural modulus of up to about 1000 psi.
25. The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein the intermediate layer is a first intermediate layer, the golf ball further comprising a second intermediate layer disposed between the first intermediate layer and the cover layer.
26. The golf ball of claim 25 , wherein the second intermediate layer has a hardness measured on the Shore-D scale of greater than 63 and greater than a hardness of the cover layer.
27. The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein the ionomeric material has a flexural modulus of less than 10,000 psi.
28. The golf ball of claim 19 , wherein rubber material includes:
a main rubber containing a polybutadiene;
an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt thereof, or both; and
an organic peroxide.