| abstract |
The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered. For a multi-layered cover, the inner cover layer is comprised of a low or high acid ionomer or ionomer blend and the outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyetheramide. Separately, the inner and outer cover layers are very thin (i.e., aobut 0.050″ or less in thickness) in construction. More preferably, the cover layers are less than 0.045 inches in thickness and most preferably about 0.040 inches in thickness. The resulting golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced playability characteristics (i.e., spin and feel) without sacrificing distance or durability properties. |