Golf ball core with soft outer transition volume and negative hardness gradient
A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition. The golf ball also includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm and a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The unitary core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C.
1. A golf ball comprising:
a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, the core being formed from a substantially homogenous composition;
an inner cover layer; and
an outer cover layer;
wherein the soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm and a negative hardness gradient of 10 to 15 Shore C, the unitary core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 10 Shore C, and the core has a COR of about 0.810 or greater when measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the unitary core has a COR of about 0.813 or greater when measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the soft transition region has a thickness of 1 to 4 mm.
4. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the core outer surface has a hardness of about 65 Shore C or less.
5. The golf ball of claim 4 , wherein the outer surface has a hardness of about 60Shore C or less.
6. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the geometric center has a hardness of about 70 Shore C or greater.
7. The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein the geometric center has a hardness of about 75 Shore C or greater.