Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 9,375,614 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2014
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Ladd, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/485,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20150005106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0023 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• 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 37/0063 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or negative hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate 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 comprises:

a center having a diameter of from 0.100 inches to 0.950 inches, a center Shore C hardness (H_center) of from 30 to 95, an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{center surface}) of 20 or greater, wherein H_{center surface}≦

H_center;

an intermediate core layer having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_intermediate) of 75 or less; and

an outer core layer having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{outer core}) of from 40 to 95;

wherein H_intermediate<

H_{center surface}, and H_{outer core}−

H_center is from 1 to 35.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_intermediate≦

H_{outer core}.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center is from 1 to 15.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center is from 1 to 10.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a first rubber composition, the intermediate core layer is formed from a second rubber composition, and the outer core layer is formed from a third rubber composition.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition, the intermediate core layer is formed from a first rubber composition, and the outer core layer is formed from a second rubber composition.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a first highly neutralized polymer composition, the intermediate core layer is formed from a second highly neutralized polymer composition, and the outer core layer is formed from a rubber composition.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a first highly neutralized polymer composition, the intermediate core layer is formed from a second highly neutralized polymer composition, and the outer core layer is formed from a third highly neutralized polymer composition.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a rubber composition, the intermediate core layer is formed from a first highly neutralized polymer composition, and the outer core layer is formed from a second highly neutralized polymer composition.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center is formed from a first rubber composition, the intermediate core layer is formed from a second rubber composition, and the outer core layer is formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition.