Multi-layer golf ball utilizing silicone materials

A multi-layer golf ball comprising:

• a spherical core comprising a silicone material selected from the group consisting of silicone polymers, silicone fluids, silicone resins and combinations thereof, said silicone material having, upon curing, a Shore 00 hardness of from about 55 to about 100;
• an inner cover layer molded over said spherical core to form a spherical intermediate ball, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including at least 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi;
• an outer cover layer molded over said spherical intermediate ball to form a multi-layer golf ball, said outer layer comprising a blend of i) a sodium or zinc salt of a copolymer having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and ii) a sodium or zinc salt of a terpolymer of an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, acrylic acid and an unsaturated monomer of the acrylate ester class having from 1 to 21 carbon atoms, said outer cover layer having a modulus in a range of from about 1,000 to about 30,000 psi.

A multi-layer golf ball comprising:

• a spherical core comprising a silicone material having, upon curing, a Shore OO hardness of from about 55 to about 100;
• an inner cover layer molded over said spherical core to form a spherical intermediate ball, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including about 17% to about 25% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi;
• an outer cover layer molded over said spherical intermediate ball to form a multi-layer golf ball, said outer layer comprising a non-ionomeric thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyester elastomer, polyester polyurethane and polyester amide, said outer cover layer having a modulus in a range of from about 1,000 to about 30,000 psi.