Stiff core golf ball and methods of making same

Abstract

A golf ball is provided that has a spherical core exhibiting a stiffness from 400 MPa to 200 GPa. The stiffness of the core may be controlled by adjusting the materials of construction and the ratio of the materials. This results in a golf ball that is legal for play and capable of drive distances essentially equivalent to those of currently-available high performance golf balls, but also provides a golf ball that has less hook and slice during play.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising:
 a cover layer having an outer surface defining a plurality of dimples and an inner surface opposite the outer surface that defines a cavity; and   a spherical core disposed within the cavity, wherein the spherical core comprises a polymer matrix composite and has a stiffness from 400 MPa to 200 GPa, and wherein the polymer matrix composite comprises a polymer resin and silicon carbide whiskers.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix composite comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, polystyrene, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix composite comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene (meth)acrylic acid ionomer, a polyether block amide, urethane, polyurethane, and polybutadiene. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix composite comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical core has an ATTI compression from 110 to 200. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical core has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.7. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional layer between the spherical core and the cover layer. 
     
     
         8 . A golf ball comprising:
 a cover layer having an outer surface defining a plurality of dimples and an inner surface opposite the outer surface that defines a cavity; and   a spherical core disposed within the cavity, wherein the spherical core comprises a polymer matrix composite and has a stiffness from 400 MPa to 200 GPa, wherein the polymer matrix composite comprises a polyether block amide and silicon nitride fibers.   
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the spherical core has an ATTI compression from 110 to 200. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the spherical core has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.7. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one additional layer between the spherical core and the cover layer.