Golf ball with rigid intermediate layer

#This invention relates generally to golf balls, having at least a core, an intermediate layer and a cover. The intermediate layer can be an outer core layer or an inner cover layer and can be comprised of any modified diene rubber composition or a polyurethane/polyurea composition among others, and the outer cover can be formed of a polymer blend including a polyurethane composition.

#Conventional golf balls can be divided into two general groups: solid balls or wound balls. The difference in play characteristics resulting from these different types of construction can be quite significant. Balls having a solid construction are popular with golfers because they provide a very durable ball while also providing maximum distance. Solid balls are generally made with a solid core, usually made of a cross linked rubber, enclosed by a cover material. Typically the solid core is made of polybutadiene which is chemically crosslinked with zinc diacrylate and/or similar crosslinking agents. In addition to one-piece solid cores, solid cores may also contain a number of outer layers, such as in a dual core golf ball. The cover is generally an ionomeric material, such as SURLYN®, which is a tradename for a family of ionomer resins produced by E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. of Wilmington, Del. Covers are typically a single layer but may also include one or more layers, such as in a double cover having an inner and outer cover layer.

#The combination of the solid core and ionomeric cover materials provide a ball that is very durable and abrasion resistant. Further, such a combination tends to impart a high initial velocity to the ball, which results in increased distance. Because these materials are very rigid, however, solid balls can have a hard “feel” when struck with a club. Likewise, due to their construction, these balls tend to have a relatively low spin rate, which can provide greater distance and increases accuracy off the tee.

#Further features and advantages of the invention can be ascertained from the following detailed description that is provided in connection with the drawing(s) described below:

#FIG. 1 is cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a golf ball according to the present invention.

#The term “about,” as used herein in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range.

#As used herein, substituted and unsubstituted “aryl” groups means a hydrocarbon ring bearing a system of conjugated double bonds, typically comprising 4n+2B ring electrons, where n is an integer. Examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to phenyl, naphthyl, anisyl, tolyl, xylenyl and the like. According to the present invention, aryl also includes heteroaryl groups, e.g., pyrimidine or thiophene. These aryl groups may also be substituted with any number of a variety of functional groups. In addition to the functional groups described herein in connection with carbocyclic groups, functional groups on the aryl groups can include hydroxy and metal salts thereof; mercapto and metal salts thereof; halogen; amino, nitro, cyano, and amido; carboxyl including esters, acids, and metal salts thereof; silyl; acrylates and metal salts thereof; sulfonyl or sulfonamide; and phosphates and phosphites; and a combination thereof.

#As used herein, the term “Atti compression” and “compression” is defined as the deflection of an object or material relative to the deflection of a calibrated spring, as measured with an Atti Compression Gauge, which is commercially available from Atti Engineering Corp. of Union City, N.J. Atti compression is typically used to measure the compression of a golf ball. Compression values are dependent on the diameter of the article being measured. When the Atti Gauge is used to measure cores having a diameter of less than 1.680 inches, it should be understood that a metallic or other suitable shim is used to make the measured object 1.680 inches in diameter.