Multi-layer golf ball construction

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a six piece golf ball having a core, an inner mantle layer, an intermediate mantle layer, an outer mantle layer, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 719,077, filed Dec. 18, 2012, that claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 580,120, filed Dec. 23, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to sports equipment in general and more particularly to golf balls. So called “multi-layer” golf balls generally include at least three “pieces”—a central core and at least two layers surrounding the core. A multi-layer ball can offer several advantages and disadvantages. However, the specific advantages and disadvantages potentially provided by a specific contemplated design are unpredictable due to the complex nature of the physical interaction between the various materials used in the core and the layers.SUMMARY[0003]Disclosed herein is a six piece golf ball having a core having a center and an outer surface a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent text describes a new golf ball construction that has a soft core and a hard inner cover layer, as well as additional layers between the core and inner cover layer. The hard inner cover layer has a high hardness and flexural modulus, while the soft outer cover layer has a lower hardness and flex modulus. The resulting ball has high spin on wedge shots, low driver spin, low mid iron spin, and the required sound and feel performance. The technical effect of this new construction is that it provides a high-performance, durable ball with improved feel and sound performance for golfers, while minimizing spin on driver shots and maximizing distance on long iron and mid iron shots.

Problems solved by technology

One-piece balls are inexpensive and very durable, but typically do not provide great distance because of relatively high spin and low velocity.

However balata-covered balls, although exhibiting high spin and soft feel, were often deficient in terms of the durability of the cover which had a propensity to shear and also the velocity of the ball when it leaves the club face (which in turn affects the distance the ball travels).

However although this combination of a soft outer cover and a harder inner cover results in additional spin on wedge shots, it also results in increased spin on the ball when struck by a driver.

However, the degree to which the core compression can be lowered to compensate for the increase in spin generated by the combination of a soft outer cover and hard inner cover layer is in turn determined by the durability of the hard inner cover layer which, in the absence of a hard core to support it will, in some ball constructions, have a tendency to crack or fail on a high velocity driver impact.

In addition, there still remains the problem of imparting too much spin to mid to low iron shots which in turn results in loss of distance.

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