# US 2013/0157779 A1 · Golf ball composition

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- Number: US 2013/0157779 A1
- Document ID: US20130157779A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/330,453
- Filed: 2011-12-19
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19
- Assignees: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
- Inventors: Hyun J. Kim; Hong G. Jeon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157779A1

## CPC

- A63B 37/0003: {Golf balls}
- A63B 37/0024: {Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane}
- A63B 37/0039: {characterised by the material}
- A63B 37/0043: {Hardness}
- A63B 37/0045: {Thickness}
- A63B 37/0048: {Melt flow rate [MFR]}
- A63B 37/0051: {Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details}
- A63B 37/0074: {Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core}
- A63B 37/0075: {Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core}
- A63B 37/0076: {Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers}
- A63B 37/0077: {Physical properties}
- A63B 37/0092: {Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers}
- C08L 77/02: Polyamides derived from omega-amino carboxylic acids or from lactams thereof (C08L77/10 takes precedence)
- C08L 77/06: Polyamides derived from polyamines and polycarboxylic acids (C08L77/10 takes precedence)
- A63B 37/0031: {Hardness}
- A63B 37/0033: {Thickness}
- A63B 37/0049: {Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness}
- A63B 37/0064: {Diameter}
- A63B 37/0065: {Deflection or compression}
- A63B 37/0096: {Spin rate}
- A63B 45/00: Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls (working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29)
- A63B 2209/02: with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
- C08F 232/08: having condensed rings (coumarone-indene polymers C08F244/00)
- C08G 61/08: of carbocyclic compounds containing one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds in the ring
- C08G 2261/3324: derived from norbornene
- C08G 2261/418: Ring opening metathesis polymerisation [ROMP]
- C08G 2261/724: Hydrogenation
- C08L 23/0823: {with aliphatic cyclic olefins}
- C08L 23/0869: with unsaturated acids, e.g. [meth]acrylic acid; with unsaturated esters, e.g. [meth]acrylic acid esters
- C08L 23/0876: Salts thereof, i.e. ionomers
- C08L 45/00: Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having no unsaturated aliphatic radicals in side chain, and having one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds in a carbocyclic or in a heterocyclic ring system; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers (of cyclic anhydrides or imides C08L35/00; of cyclic esters of polyfunctional acids C08L31/00)
- C08L 53/02: of vinyl-aromatic monomers and conjugated dienes
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- C08F: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS

## Abstract

This invention pertains to a golf ball which includes a core, optionally one or more intermediate layers; and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer and/or one or more intermediate layers includes a blend of a) 2 to 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer which includes a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula; where R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and b) about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components. The blend composition has a melt flow index (MFI) from 1 to 80 g/10 min., a material hardness of 30 to 90 Shore D, and a flex modulus of 10 to 120 kpsi.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A golf ball comprising;
I a core;
II optionally one or more intermediate layers; and
III an outer cover layer, and
wherein said outer cover layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer comprising a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula;
wherein R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and
B from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 30 to about 90 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 10 to about 120 kpsi.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 8 to about 35 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 65 to about 92 wt % (based on the total, weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a bloCk copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 8 to about 40 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 40 to about 75 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 40 to about 90 kpsi.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 10 to about 25 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer comprising;
a said norbornene-based monomer component wherein R18 to R21 are hydrogen and m is 0 to 1; and
b a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, styrene, 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 75 to about 90 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic polyurea, a thermoset polyurethane, a thermoset polyurea, a polyamide, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B) and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 10 to about 30 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 45 to about 70 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 50 to about 80 kpsi.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said core;
a has a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 1.62 inches;
b has a PGA compression of less than about 100; and
c comprises a peptizer selected from the group consisting of an organic sulfur compound, a metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, a non-metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said core;
a has a diameter of from about 0.7 to about 1.60 in;
b has a PGA compression of less than about 90; and
c further comprises one or more core layers each exhibiting a different hardness wherein the difference in hardness between each core layer is greater than 5 units of Shore D.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The golf ball of claim 5 wherein the hardness of the core center and each sequential core layers increases progressively outwards from the center to the outer core layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The golf ball of claim 5 wherein the hardness of the core center and each sequential core layers decreases progressively outwards from the center to the outer core layer.

### Claim 8

A golf ball comprising;
I a core;
II one or more intermediate layers; and
III an outer cover layer, and
wherein said one or more intermediate layers comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer comprising a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula;
wherein R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and
B from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) hardness of from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 30 to about 90 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 10 to about 120 kpsi.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 8 to about 35 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 65 to about 92 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 8 to about 40 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 40 to about 75 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 40 to about 90 kpsi.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 10 to about 25 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer comprising;
a said norbornene-based monomer component wherein R18 to R21 are hydrogen and m is 0 to 1; and
b a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, styrene, 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 75 to about 90 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic polyurea, a thermoset polyurethane, a thermoset polyurea, a polyamide, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B) and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 10 to about 30 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 45 to about 70 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 50 to about 80 kpsi.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said core;
a has a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 1.62 inches;
b has a PGA compression of less than about 100; and
c comprises a peptizer selected from the group consisting of an organic sulfur compound, a metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, a non-metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said core;
a has a diameter of from about 0.9 to about 1.58 inches;
b has a PGA compression of less than about 90; and
c further comprises one or more core layers each exhibiting a different hardness wherein the difference in hardness between each core layer is greater than 5 units of Shore D.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The golf ball of claim 12 wherein the hardness of the core center and each sequential core layers increases progressively outwards from the center to the outer core layer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The golf ball of claim 12 wherein the hardness of the core center and each sequential core layers decreases progressively outwards from the center to the outer core layer.

### Claim 15

A two piece ball consisting essentially of;
I a core; and
II an outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.015 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 30 to about 75; and
wherein said outer cover layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer comprising a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula;
wherein R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and
B from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min;
ii a material hardness of from about 30 to about 90 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 10 to about 120 kpsi.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The two piece golf ball of claim 15 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.080 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 38 to about 68; and comprises said blend composition wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 8 to about 35 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 65 to about 92 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has a
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 8 to about 40 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 40 to about 75 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 40 to about 90 kpsi.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The two piece golf ball of claim 15 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.025 inches to about 0.060 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 40 to about 65; and comprises said blend composition wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 10 to about 25 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer comprising;
a said norbornene-based monomer component wherein R18 to R21 are hydrogen and m is 0 to 1; and
b a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, styrene, 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 75 to about 90 wt (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic polyurea, a thermoset polyurethane, a thermoset polyurea, a polyamide, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B) and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 10 to about 30 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 45 to about 70 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 50 to about 80 kpsi.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The two piece golf ball of claim 15 wherein said core;
a has a diameter of from about 0.9 to about 1.58 inches;
b has a PGA compression of less than about 140; and
c comprises a peptizer selected from the group consisting of an organic sulfur compound, a metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, a non-metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 19

A three piece golf ball consisting essentially of;
I a core;
II an outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.015 to about 0.100 inches a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 30 to about 75, and
III an intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.010 to about 0.400 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 25; and
wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
a blend composition comprising;
A from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer comprising a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula;
wherein R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and
B from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 30 to about 90 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 10 to about 120 kpsi.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The three piece golf ball of claim 19 wherein;
I said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.080 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 38 to about 68, and
II said intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.02 to about 0.200 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 40; and comprises said blend composition wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 8 to about 35 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene; 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 65 to about 92 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 8 to about 40 g/10 min;
ii a material hardness of from about 40 to about 75 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 40 to about 90 kpsi.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The three piece golf ball of claim 19 wherein said
I said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.025 to about 0.060 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 40 to about 65, and comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of ionomers, thermoset polyureas, thermoset polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof;
II said intermediate layer has thickness of from about 0.03 to about 0.10 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 50 and comprises said blend composition wherein said blend composition comprises
A from about 10 to about 25 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer comprising;
a said norbornene-based monomer component wherein R18 to R21 are hydrogen and m is 0 to 1; and
b a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, styrene, 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 75 to about 90 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic polyurea, a thermoset polyurethane, a thermoset polyurea, a polyamide, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B) and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 10 to about 30 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 45 to about 70 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 50 to about 80 kpsi.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The three piece golf ball of claim 19 wherein said core;
a has a diameter greater than or equal to 1 inch;
b has a PGA compression ofiess than about 140; and
c comprises a peptizer selected from the group consisting of an organic sulfur compound, a metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, a non-metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 23

A four piece golf ball consisting essentially of;
I a core;
II an inner intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.010 to about 0.400 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 25;
III an outer intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.010 to about 0.400 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 25; and
IV an outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.015 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 30 to about 75, and
wherein said outer intermediate layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer comprising a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula;
wherein R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and
B from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 30 to about 90 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 10 to about 120 kpsi.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The four piece golf ball of claim 23 wherein
I said inner intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.200 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 40;
II said outer intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.200 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 40; and
III said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.080 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 38 to about 68, and
wherein said outer intermediate layer comprises said blend composition and wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 8 to about 35 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 65 to about 92 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 8 to about 40 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 40 to about 75 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 40 to about 90 kpsi.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The four piece golf ball of claim 23 wherein
I said inner intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.030 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 50;
II said outer intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.030 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 50; and
III said outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.025 to about 0.060 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 40 to about 65, and
wherein said outer intermediate layer comprises said blend composition and wherein said blend composition comprises;
A from about 10 to about 25 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 75 to about 90 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 10 to about 30 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 45 to about 70 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 50 to about 80 kpsi.; and
wherein
(a) said inner intermediate layer comprises a polyalkenamer having a trans-content of from about 40 to about 95%, a cis-content of from about 5 to about 60%, and a melting point of greater than about 15° C.;
(b) said outer cover layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of ionomers, thermoset polyureas, thermoset polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 26 (depends on 23)

The four piece golf ball of claim 23 wherein said core;
a has a diameter greater than or equal to 1 inch;
b a PGA compression of less than about 140; and
c comprises a peptizer selected from the group consisting of an organic sulfur compound, a metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, a non-metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 27

A five piece golf ball consisting essentially of;
I a core;
II an inner intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.010 to about 0.400 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 25;
III an intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.010 to about 0.400 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 25;
IV an outer intermediate layer having a thickness of from about 0.010 to about 0.400 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 25; and
V an outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.015 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 30 to about 75, and
wherein said outer intermediate layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 2 to about 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer comprising a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula;
wherein R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and
B from about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) hardness of from about 1 to about 80 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 30 to about 90 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 10 to about 120 kpsi.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The five piece golf ball of claim 27 wherein
I said inner intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.200 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 40;
II said intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.200 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 40;
III said outer intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.200 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 40; and
IV said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.020 to about 0.080 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 38 to about 68, and
wherein said outer intermediate layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 8 to about 35 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 65 to about 92 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has a
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 8 to about 40 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 40 to about 75 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 40 to about 90 kpsi;

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The five piece golf ball of claim 27 wherein
I said inner intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.030 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 50;
II said intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.030 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 50;
III said outer intermediate layer has a thickness of from about 0.030 to about 0.100 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of greater than about 50; and
IV said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.025 to about 0.060 inches and a Shore D hardness as measured on the ball of from about 40 to about 65, and wherein said outer intermediate layer comprises a blend composition comprising;
A from about 10 to about 25 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said cyclic olefin copolymer wherein
a in said norbornene-based monomer, R18 to R21 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl group, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups and any and all combinations thereof; and m is 0 to 1; and
b said cyclic olefin copolymer further comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, vinylcyclohexane, 1-nonene, 3-cyclohexyl-1-propene, 1-decene, 1-undecene and 1-dodecene, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and indene 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and any and all combinations thereof;
B from about 75 to about 90 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of said additional blend component which is selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer, an acidic polymer, a unimodal ionomer, a bimodal ionomer, a modified unimodal ionomer, a modified bimodal ionomer, a polyalkenamer, a polyamide, a thermoplastic or thermoset polyurethane or thermoplastic or thermoset polyurea, or a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”), the MCBC comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof; and
wherein said blend composition has;
i a melt flow index (MFI) of from about 10 to about 30 g/10 min.;
ii a material hardness of from about 45 to about 70 Shore D; and
iii a flex modulus of from about 50 to about 80 kpsi.; and
wherein
(a) said inner intermediate layer comprises a polyalkenamer having a trans-content of from about 40 to about 95%, a cis-content of from about 5 to about 60%, and a melting point of greater than about 15° C.;
(b) said intermediate layer comprises an ionomer; and
(c) said outer cover layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of ionomers, thermoset polyureas, thermoset polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, a multicomponent blend composition (“MCBC”) comprising (A) a block copolymer; and (B) one or more acidic polymers; and (C) one or more basic metal salts present in an amount to neutralize at greater than or equal to about 30 percent of the acid groups of Component (B), and any and all combinations thereof.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The golf ball of claim 27 wherein said core;
a has a diameter greater than or equal to 1 inch;
b a PGA compression of less than about 140; and
c comprises a peptizer selected from the group consisting of an organic sulfur compound, a metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, a non-metal salt of an organic sulfur compound, and any and all combinations thereof.