Golf ball cover having an ionic copolymer/non-ionic copolymer blend

A method for forming a golf ball, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a golf ball core;
• B. providing an ionic copolymer consisting essentially of a copolymer of an .alpha.-olefin having from 2-6 carbon atoms and a sodium or zinc salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3-5 carbon atoms, said ionic copolymer having a first coefficient of restitution when formed into a golf ball cover;
• C. providing a non-ionic copolymer consisting essentially of a member of the group consisting of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid;
• a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid;
• a copolymer of propylene and acrylic acid;
• a terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic acid, and a lower alkylacrylate;
• and blends thereof, said nonionic copolymer having a second coefficient of restitution when formed into a golf ball cover;
• D. blending from 80 to 95 pphr of said ionic copolymer and from 5 to 20 pphr of said non-ionic copolymer to form a blend having a third coefficient of restitution when formed into a golf ball cover, wherein said third coefficient of restitution is greater than the weighted average of the coefficients of restitution of said ionic copolymer and said non-ionic copolymer in said blend;
• and
• E. forming a cover made of said blend on said golf ball core.