This invention relates to the use of chemical compounds to trap carbon-centered radicals during the
golf ball curing process. The intended end result is a
golf ball that has lower compression due to a decrease in crosslink density while retaining sufficient crosslink density to impart durability to the
golf ball and either maintain or increase the resiliency of the golf ball. The subject invention more specifically discloses a golf ball which is comprised of a
solid core and a resin cover wherein the core is produced by curing a composition comprising an elastomeric
polymer, a free
radical initiator, a radical crosslinking agent, and at least one carbon-centered radical trap, wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is free of
sulfur, and wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is not a stable free radical. The present invention further discloses a process for manufacturing a golf ball core which comprises (1) blending a mixture of an elastomeric
polymer, a free
radical initiator, a radical crosslinking agent, and at least one carbon-centered radical trap to produce a golf ball core composition, wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is free of
sulfur, and wherein the carbon-centered radical trap is not a stable free radical, (2) compressing the golf ball core composition into an essentially spherical shape to produce an uncured golf ball core and (3) heating the uncured golf ball cure at an elevated temperature to produce a cured golf ball core.