Multi-layer golf ball

1. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoplastic composition and having a diameter of 0.25 inches or greater, a center hardness of 25 Shore C or greater, and an outer surface hardness (H center surface ) of 30 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H outer core surface ) of 35 Shore C or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a third thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H inner cover surface ) of 40 Shore C or greater;

an intermediate cover layer formed from a fourth thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface hardness (H intermediate cover surface ) of 50 Shore C or greater; and

an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of ionomers, polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends of polyurethanes and polyureas, and having an outer surface hardness (H outer cover surface ) of 55 Shore C or greater;

wherein

H center surface <H outer core surface <H inner cover surface <H intermediate cover surface <H outer cover surface .

2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the first thermoplastic composition, the second thermoplastic composition, the third thermoplastic composition, and the fourth thermoplastic composition are independently selected from partially neutralized ionomer compositions and highly neutralized polymer compositions.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the first thermoplastic composition, the second thermoplastic composition, the third thermoplastic composition, and the fourth thermoplastic composition are independently selected from highly neutralized polymer compositions.

4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the first thermoplastic composition is selected from partially neutralized ionomer compositions, and the second thermoplastic composition, the third thermoplastic composition, and the fourth thermoplastic composition are independently selected from highly neutralized polymer compositions.

5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the first thermoplastic composition is a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, styrenic copolymers and styrenic block copolymers, and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C 3 -C 8 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y); and the second thermoplastic composition is a highly neutralized polymer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups wherein greater than 80% of the acid groups are neutralized.

6. The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the third thermoplastic composition is a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, styrenic copolymers and styrenic block copolymers, and non-ionomeric E/X- and E/X/Y-type acid copolymers of ethylene (E), a C 3 -C 8 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (X), and an optional softening monomer (Y).

7. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein a core structure consisting of the inner core layer and the outer core layer has a diameter of from 1.30 inches to 1.58 inches.

8. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate cover layer has a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.150 inches.

9. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the center hardness of the inner core layer is 35 Shore C or greater.

10. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein H outer cover surface is 70 Shore C or greater.