Three-piece solid golf ball

Abstract

A three-piece solid golf ball comprising a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover. The center core ( 1 ) has a diameter of at least 29 mm, a hardness in the range of 45-80 JIS C and a specific gravity of less than 1.4. The intermediate layer ( 2 ) has a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale. The cover ( 3 ) has a thickness of 1-3 mm and a hardness of 50-85 JIS C. The ball has a good total balance of properties in that feeling and controllability are improved at no sacrifice of flying performance and durability.

1. A three-piece solid golf ball comprising:
 a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover enclosing the said center core through the intermediate layer, 
 said center core having a diameter of at least 29 mm and a specific gravity of less than 1.4, 
 said intermediate layer having a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale, the specific gravity of said intermediate layer being lower than the specific gravity of said center core, and 
 said cover having a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and being softer than said intermediate layer,  
 wherein said center core has a hardness between about 45 to 80 on the JIS C scale. 
 
     
     
       2. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein said intermediate layer is formed of a high repulsion ionomer resin base composition. 
     
     
       3. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein said center core has a hardness of 45 to 80 on JIS C scale and said cover has a hardness of 50 to 85 on JIS C scale. 
     
     
       4. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein said center core is comprised of a polybutadiene base rubber composition. 
     
     
       5. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of said center core is in the range of 29-37 mm. 
     
     
       6. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein a difference in the specific gravity between the center core and the intermediate layer is in the range of 0.1 to 0.5. 
     
     
       7. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein the specific gravity of said intermediate layer is in the range of 0.9 to 1.0. 
     
     
       8. The golf ball of  claim 1  wherein the hardness of said intermediate layer is in the range of 85-100 on JIS C. 
     
     
       9. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. 
     
     
       10. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a chemical structure of a block copolymer consisting of a hard segment and a soft segment made of polyester and having a Shore D of about 40. 
     
     
       11. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises balata resins. 
     
     
       12. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover has the following composition in parts by weight: 100 thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a chemical structure of a block copolymer consisting of a hard segment and a soft segment made of polyester and having a Shore D of about 40. 
     
     
       13. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover has the following composition in parts by weight: 100 thermoplastic polyester. 
     
     
       14. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover has the following composition in parts by weight:
 90 trans-isoprene rubber, and   10 natural rubber.   
     
     
       15. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises rubber. 
     
     
       16. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness between 85 and 91 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       17. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity between 0.95 and 1.2. 
     
     
       18. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said center core has a specific gravity between 1.16 and 1.19. 
     
     
       19. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity between 1.0 and 1.2. 
     
     
       20. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between 1.0 mm and about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
       21. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity of about 0.95 and 1. 
     
     
       22. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said cover has a hardness of about 50 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       23. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein the said center core has a hardness of about 80 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       24. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
       25. The three-piece golf ball of claim 1, wherein said center core has a hardness between about 45 and 66 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       26. The three-piece golf ball of claim 25, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
       27. A three-piece solid golf ball, comprising:
 a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover enclosing said center core through the intermediate layer;   said center core having a diameter of at least 29 mm and a specific gravity of less than 1.4;   said intermediate layer formed of an ionomer resin and having a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale, the specific gravity of said intermediate layer being lower than the specific gravity of said center core; and said cover having a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and being softer than said intermediate layer,   wherein said center core has a hardness between about 45 to 80 on the JIS C scale.   
     
     
       28. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent. 
     
     
       29. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a peroxide. 
     
     
       30. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent and peroxide. 
     
     
       31. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a base rubber that has a mixture of polybutadiene rubber and polyisoprene rubber. 
     
     
       32. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed with cis-1,4 polybutadiene rubber. 
     
     
       33. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed with cis-1,4 polybutadiene rubber containing more than 90 percent cis structure. 
     
     
       34. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent and peroxide, and wherein said co-crosslinking agent has zinc and magnesium salts of unsaturated fatty acids or esters of unsaturated fatty acids. 
     
     
       35. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent and peroxide, and wherein said co-crosslinking agent includes zinc acrylate. 
     
     
       36. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent and peroxide, and wherein said co-crosslinking agent is blended in amounts of 15 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said base rubber composition. 
     
     
       37. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent and peroxide, and wherein said peroxide is a mixture of dicumyl peroxide and 1,1-bis(t-butelperoxy)-3,3,5-trimeticyclohexane. 
     
     
       38. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with a co-crosslinking agent and peroxide, and wherein said peroxide is blended in amounts of about 0.5 to 1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of said base rubber composition. 
     
     
       39. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with zinc oxide and barium sulfate blended in. 
     
     
       40. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has the following composition in parts by weight:
 100 cis-1,4 polybutadiene,   20 zinc acrylate, and   wherein said center core further comprises dicumyl peroxide.   
     
     
       41. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core comprises high cis polybutadiene. 
     
     
       42. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has the following composition in parts by weight:
 100 cis-1,4 polybutadiene,   30 zinc acrylate, and   wherein said center core further comprises dicumyl peroxide.   
     
     
       43. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has the following composition in parts by weight:
 100 cis-1,4 polybutadiene,   30 zinc acrylate, and   0.65 dicumyl peroxide.   
     
     
       44. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has the following composition in parts by weight:
 100 cis-1,4 polybutadiene,   20 zinc acrylate, and   0.65 dicumyl peroxide.   
     
     
       45. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber with and dicumyl peroxide. 
     
     
       46. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core comprises:
 cis-1,4 polybutadiene,   zinc acrylate, and   dicumyl peroxide.   
     
     
       47. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with zinc ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 60. 
     
     
       48. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with sodium ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 61. 
     
     
       49. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of ionomer resins. 
     
     
       50. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with zinc ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 60 and an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with sodium ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 61. 
     
     
       51. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a 1:1 blend of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with zinc ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 60 and an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with sodium ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 61. 
     
     
       52. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an ionomer resin having a weight control filler and a coloring agent. 
     
     
       53. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an ionomer resin having one of zinc oxide and barium sulfate and having titanium dioxide. 
     
     
       54. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has the following composition in parts by weight:
 50 ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with zinc ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 60 and   50 ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with sodium ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 61.   
     
     
       55. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises a resin. 
     
     
       56. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises an ionomer resin. 
     
     
       57. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises a blend of ionomer resins. 
     
     
       58. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with zinc ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 57. 
     
     
       59. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with sodium ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 40. 
     
     
       60. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises an ionomer resin with inorganic fillers blended therein for coloring. 
     
     
       61. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has the following composition in parts by weight:
 50 ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with zinc ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 57, and   50 ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer ionomer resin neutralized with sodium ion and having a Shore D hardness of about 40.   
     
     
       62. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover comprises a blend of two low acid ionomer resins in equal parts by weight. 
     
     
       63. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter between about 29 mm and 37 mm. 
     
     
       64. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 32 mm. 
     
     
       65. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 31.5 mm. 
     
     
       66. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 35 mm. 
     
     
       67. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 35.3 mm. 
     
     
       68. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 36 mm. 
     
     
       69. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 36.4 mm. 
     
     
       70. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 37 mm. 
     
     
       71. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 29 mm. 
     
     
       72. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter between about 38 mm and 41 mm. 
     
     
       73. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 38 mm. 
     
     
       74. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 38.4 mm. 
     
     
       75. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 39 mm. 
     
     
       76. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said core center plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 38.7 mm. 
     
     
       77. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 40 mm. 
     
     
       78. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 39.7 mm. 
     
     
       79. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 40.4 mm. 
     
     
       80. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a hardness between about 60 to 80 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       81. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a hardness of about 66 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       82. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a hardness of about 79 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       83. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a hardness less than the hardness of said intermediate layer. 
     
     
       84. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness of about 91 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       85. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a hardness between about 50 and 85 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       86. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a hardness between about 60 and 85 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       87. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a hardness of about 82 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       88. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a hardness of about 61 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       89. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a hardness of about 78 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       90. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a specific gravity between about 1.05 and 1.38. 
     
     
       91. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.36. 
     
     
       92. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.24. 
     
     
       93. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.19. 
     
     
       94. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.16. 
     
     
       95. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.07. 
     
     
       96. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity that is between about 0.9 and 1. 
     
     
       97. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein a difference between a specific gravity of said center core and a specific gravity of said intermediate is about 0.1. 
     
     
       98. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein a difference between a specific gravity of said center core and a specific gravity of said intermediate is between about 0.1 and 0.5. 
     
     
       99. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity of about 0.95. 
     
     
       100. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, said cover has a specific gravity of about 0.97. 
     
     
       101. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a specific gravity of about 1.1. 
     
     
       102. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a specific gravity of about 1.13. 
     
     
       103. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness of about 1 mm. 
     
     
       104. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
       105. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness of about 3.4 mm. 
     
     
       106. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness of about 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       107. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness of about 2.2 mm. 
     
     
       108. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness of about 2.0 mm. 
     
     
       109. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. 
     
     
       110. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a thickness of about 2.2 mm. 
     
     
       111. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a thickness of about 2.0 mm. 
     
     
       112. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a thickness of about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
       113. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said cover has a thickness of about 1.8 mm. 
     
     
       114. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 3030 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a driver at a head speed of 45 m/s. 
     
     
       115. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 3300 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a driver at a head speed of 45 m/s. 
     
     
       116. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 3600 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a driver at a head speed of 45 m/s. 
     
     
       117. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 3920 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a driver at a head speed of 45 m/s. 
     
     
       118. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 3900 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a sand wedge at a head speed of 17.6 m/s. 
     
     
       119. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 4000 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a sand wedge at a head speed of 17.6 m/s. 
     
     
       120. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 4100 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a sand wedge at a head speed of 17.6 m/s. 
     
     
       121. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 4300 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a sand wedge at a head speed of 17.6 m/s. 
     
     
       122. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 5800 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a sand wedge at a head speed of 17.6 m/s. 
     
     
       123. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said golf ball has a spin of about 6390 rpm when hit using a swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co. by a sand wedge at a head speed of 17.6 m/s. 
     
     
       124. The three-piece golf ball of claim 27, wherein said center core has a hardness between about 45 to 80 on the JIS C scale and wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
       125. A three-piece solid golf ball comprising: a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover enclosing said center core through the intermediate layer, said center core having a diameter of at least 29 mm and a specific gravity of less than 1.4, said intermediate layer having a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale, the specific gravity of said intermediate layer being lower than the specific gravity of said center core, and said cover having a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and being softer than said intermediate layer, wherein said center core has a hardness between about 60 to 80 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       126. The three-piece golf ball of claim 125, wherein said center core is formed from a rubber composition. 
     
     
       127. The three-piece golf ball of claim 126, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter between about 38 mm and 41 mm. 
     
     
       128. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness between about 85 and 100 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       129. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128 wherein said cover has a hardness between about 50 and 85 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       130. The three-piece golf ball of claim 129, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.2. 
     
     
       131. The three-piece golf ball of claim 130, wherein said cover has a hardness between about 60 and 85 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       132. The three-piece golf ball of claim 129, wherein said center core has a diameter between about 29 mm and 37 mm. 
     
     
       133. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 36 mm. 
     
     
       134. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said cover has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. 
     
     
       135. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said cover has a thickness of about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
       136. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein the said center core has a hardness between 66 and 79 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       137. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an ionomer resin. 
     
     
       138. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of ionomer resins. 
     
     
       139. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 39.7 mm. 
     
     
       140. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness between 85 and 91 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       141. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
       142. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness of about 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       143. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein said cover has a hardness between 61 and 78 JIS C. 
     
     
       144. The three-piece golf ball of claim 132, wherein the said center core has a hardness between 66 and 79 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       145. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter of about 40 mm. 
     
     
       146. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said center core has a diameter of about 37 mm. 
     
     
       147. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein the said center core has a hardness between 66 and 79 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       148. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.2. 
     
     
       149. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said center core has a specific gravity between about 1.16 and 1.19. 
     
     
       150. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said center core has a specific gravity of about 1.16. 
     
     
       151. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
       152. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said cover has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. 
     
     
       153. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said cover has a thickness of about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
       154. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an ionomer resin. 
     
     
       155. The three-piece golf ball of claim 128, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of ionomer resins. 
     
     
       156. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity that is between about 0.9 and 1. 
     
     
       157. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity of about 0.9. 
     
     
       158. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity of about 0.95. 
     
     
       159. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said center core has a hardness of about 79 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       160. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said center core has a hardness of about 80 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       161. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness of about 91 on the JIS C scale. 
     
     
       162. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said intermediate layer has a specific gravity of about 0.95. 
     
     
       163. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said cover has a hardness of about 60 JIS C scale. 
     
     
       164. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said cover has a hardness of about 61 JIS C. 
     
     
       165. The three-piece golf ball of claim 127, wherein said center core has a diameter between about 36 mm and about 37 mm. 
     
     
       166. A three-piece solid golf ball, comprising: a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover enclosing said center core through the intermediate layer; said center core made from a rubber-based composition and having a diameter of at least 29 mm and a specific gravity of less than 1.4;
 said intermediate layer having a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale, the specific gravity of said intermediate layer being lower than the specific gravity of said center core; and said cover having a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and being softer than said intermediate layer, wherein said center core comprises polybutadiene rubber;   wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of ionomer resins; wherein said cover comprises a blend of ionomer resins; wherein said center core has a diameter between about 29 mm and 37 mm; wherein said center core has a hardness between about 45 to 80 on the JIS C scale; wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness between about 85 and 100 on the JIS C scale; wherein said cover has a hardness between about 50 and 85 on the JIS C scale; wherein said center core has a specific gravity between about 1.05 and 1.38; wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm; and wherein said cover has a thickness less than about 2.5 mm.   
     
     
       167. A three-piece solid golf ball, comprising:
 a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover enclosing said center core through the intermediate layer; said center core having a diameter of at least 29 mm and a specific gravity of less than 1.4; said intermediate layer having a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale, the specific gravity of said intermediate layer being lower than the specific gravity of said center core; and said cover made from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and being softer than said intermediate layer, wherein said center core comprises cis-1,4 polybutadiene rubber; wherein said intermediate layer comprises a blend of low acid ionomer resins; wherein said center core has a diameter between about 29 mm and 37 mm; wherein said center core plus intermediate layer has a diameter between about 38 mm and 41 mm; wherein said center core has a hardness between about 60 to 80 on the JIS C scale; wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness between about 85 and 100 on the JIS C scale; wherein said cover has a hardness between about 60 and 85 on the JIS C scale; wherein said center core has a specific gravity between about 1.05 and 1.38; wherein a difference between a specific gravity of said center core and a specific gravity of said intermediate is between about 0.1 and 0.5; wherein said intermediate layer has a thickness between about 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm; and wherein said cover has a thickness less than about 2.5 mm.