Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 7,980,965 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Morgan, William E., Dalton, Jeffrey L., Sullivan, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDEN, RAEANN
• Application Number:
  US12/819,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20100261552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376, 473/373, 473/374
• US Class Current: 473/376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0046 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00621 Centre hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00622 Surface hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0065 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0066 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers

Abstract

Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core has an overall diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.62 inches and consists of:

a center having a diameter of from 0.125 inches to 0.750 inches and a surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater;

an intermediate core layer having a specific gravity of from 1.13 g/cc to 1.18 g/cc; and

an outer core layer having a surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater and a specific gravity substantially the same as the specific gravity of the intermediate core layer;

wherein the intermediate core layer has a surface hardness less than the surface hardness of the center and the surface hardness of the outer core layer.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a rubber composition.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a partially or fully neutralized ionomeric composition.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has an overall diameter of from 1.50 inches to 1.58 inches.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a diameter of from 0.250 inches to 0.375 inches.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a surface hardness of 85 Shore C or greater.

7. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the outer core layer has a surface hardness of 85 Shore C or greater.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein a subassembly consisting of the center and the intermediate core layer has a compression of 55 or less.

9. The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the core has an overall compression of from 60 to 100.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover consists of:

an inner cover layer having a surface hardness of 65 Shore D or greater and a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.080 inches; and

an outer cover layer having a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less and a thickness of from 0.015 inches to 0.055 inches.

11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover consists of:

an inner cover layer formed from a partially or fully neutralized polymer composition and having a surface hardness of 65 Shore D or greater and a thickness of from 0.030 inches to 0.040 inches; and

an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane or polyurea composition and having a material hardness of 50 Shore D or less and a thickness of from 0.025 inches to 0.035 inches.