Multilayer golf ball

Abstract

The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, and a first, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized at least 80% by a salt of an organic acid, a cation source, or a suitable base of the organic acid, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid. Preferably, the rate of spin decay is at least 10% of an initial spin rate of the golf ball over the entire ball flight.

1 . A golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, a shell encompassing the fluid mass, and a first, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding the shell,
 wherein the first mantle layer comprises a copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, the acid being neutralized at least 80% by a salt of an organic acid or a suitable base of the organic acid, and a less hydrophilic cation source,   wherein the shell comprises a material selected from the group of polyolefin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurea, ionomer, acid copolymer, thermoplastic polyetherester, thermoplastic polyetheramide, thermoplastic polyurethane, styrene butadiene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyester elastomer, polyamide elastomer, dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer, metallocene catalyzed polyolefinic copolymers, fluoropolymer, functionalized fluoropolymer, and thermoplastic polyester, and   wherein the liquid center shell has an inner diameter of about 0.25 to 1.5 inches and the mantle layer has an outer diameter of about 1.3 to 1.65 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter is about 0.5 to 1.35 inches and the outer diameter is about 1.45 to 1.62 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises an inner surface having a texture. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer composition acid being neutralized by contacting one or more acid polymer(s) with an organic acid or a metal salt of an organic acid and a sufficient amount of a less hydrophilic cation source such that at least 90% of all acid functionalities present in the polymer composition are neutralized. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein about 100% of all acid functionalities present in the polymer composition are neutralized. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the acid polymer is partially neutralized prior to contacting with the less hydrophilic cation source. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the less hydrophilic cation source is selected from metal ions and compounds of potassium, cesium, calcium, barium, manganese, copper, zinc, and tin; silicone, silane, and silicate derivatives and complex ligands; and metal ions and compounds of rare earth elements. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the first mantle layer has a thickness of about 0.04 to 0.35 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the first mantle layer further comprises polybutadiene. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid mass is a gas, liquid, gel, paste or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the specific gravity of the fluid mass is about 1.3 to 1.55. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the fluid mass is about 100 to 1500 cps. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball has a rate of spin decay of at least 10% of the initial spin rate over the entire ball flight. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the golf ball has a rate of spin decay of at least 15% of the initial spin rate over the entire ball flight. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer and a thin outer cover layer, wherein the outer cover layer comprises a thermoset material formed from a castable, reactive liquid and the inner cover layer comprises a high flexural modulus material. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the core has a compression of 87 or less.