Buoyant, high coefficient of restitution (CoR) golf ball having a reduced flight distance yet the perceived flight trajectory of regular distance high CoR golf balls
Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.810, specific gravity SG B of less than 1.00 g/cc, and initial velocity of at least 250 ft/s and comprising a first layer L 1 , a second layer L 2 surrounding L 1 , and a third layer L 3 surrounding L 2 . L 1 is formed from at least one highly neutralized polymer and has first specific gravity SG 1 ; L 2 is formed from at least one partially neutralized polymer and has second specific gravity SG 2 ; and L 3 is formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition and has third specific gravity SG 3 . At least two of SG 1 , SG 2 , and SG 3 is less than 1.13 g/cc. SG 1 may be less than 1.13 g/cc, or less than 1.0 g/cc. The thermoset or thermoplastic composition may comprise polyurethane(s), polyurea(s), polyurethane(s)/polyurea(s) hybrids, and/or ionomers such as at least partially neutralized polymers and/or HNPs.
1. A golf ball consisting of:
a first layer L 1 formed of at least one rubber and having a first specific gravity SG 1 ;
a second layer L 2 surrounding L 1 and being formed of at least one highly neutralized polymer and having a second specific gravity SG 2 ; and
a third layer L 3 surrounding L 2 and being formed from at least one partially neutralized polymer and having a third specific gravity SG 3 ;
wherein at least two of SG 1 , SG 2 , and SG 3 is less than 1.13 g/cc; and
wherein the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution (CoR) of at least 0.810, a specific gravity SG B of less than 1.00 g/cc and an initial velocity of at least 250 ft/s.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein SG 1 is less than 1.13 g/cc.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein SG 1 is less than 1.0 g/cc.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the CoR is at least 0.820.
5. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein a ΔSG between each of SG 1 , SG 2 , and SG 3 is no greater than 0.50.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein SG 1 is less than 1.13 g/cc, and wherein SG 2 and SG 3 are less than 1.00 g/cc.
7. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein L 1 has a specific gravity of less than 1.0, L 2 has a CoR of least 0.810; and the finished golf ball has a CoR of greater than 0.810.
8. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein a ΔSG between SG 1 and SG B is less than 0.17.
9. The golf ball of claim 2 , wherein L 1 comprises a core having a diameter of at least 1.7 inches, L 2 comprises an inner cover layer; and L 3 comprises an outer cover layer; wherein the golf ball has a diameter of greater than 1.80 inches.
10. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the difference in Shore C hardness between a center of L 1 and an outer surface of L 1 is from 0 to 8 hardness points.
11. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the difference in Shore C hardness between a center of L 1 and an outer surface of L 1 is greater than 8 and up to 22 hardness points.
12. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the difference in Shore C hardness between a center of L 1 and an outer surface of L 1 is greater than 22 hardness points.