A golf ball according to the present invention includes a core, a cover located outside the core and having a plurality of dimples, and a coating layer located outside the cover and containing a delusterant, the surface of the coating layer having an average roughness Ra of at least 0.35. The surface of the golf ball has a static friction coefficient of at least 0.20. A method for producing a golf ball according to the present invention includes forming a coating layer on the surface of a cover having a plurality of dimples by using a coating material composition including a polyurethane coating material, a delusterant, and a solvent having a boiling point of at least 130° C.

Golf ball molds and methods for molding golf balls, particularly golf balls having thermoplastic polyurethane covers, are provided. The molds and methods are particularly suitable for manufacturing covers for golf balls. Multi-piece golf balls having inner cores, outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made. Retractable pins are used for holding the golf ball within the mold, wherein each retractable pin has a primary vent section, secondary vent section, and tertiary vent section for removing air and other gasses from the interior spherical cavity of the mold.

A method of manufacturing a seamless inflatable ball contains: 1) inflating air into a preformed body so as to form a spherical body and covering a medium layer on the spherical body so as to form a semi-finished part; 2) forming a fluidic surface material on the medium layer of the semi-finished part in a predetermined thickness so as to produce a spherical portion with a covering layer; 3) placing the spherical portion into two ball molds; and 4) partially discharging air out of the spherical body and inflating the air into the spherical body repeatedly. In the step 3), the spherical portion is clamped in the two ball molds, and after the fluidic surface material is dried or is solidified to form a solid layer on the spherical portion, the spherical portion is removed from the two ball molds, thus forming a sphere.

A method of manufacturing a seamless inflatable ball contains: 1) inflating air into a preformed body so as to form a spherical body and covering a medium layer on the spherical body so as to form a semi-finished part; 2) forming a fluidic surface material on the medium layer of the semi-finished part in a predetermined thickness so as to produce a spherical portion with a covering layer; 3) placing the spherical portion into two ball molds; and 4) partially discharging air out of the spherical body and inflating the air into the spherical body repeatedly. In the step 3), the spherical portion is clamped in the two ball molds, and after the fluidic surface material is dried or is solidified to form a solid layer on the spherical portion, the spherical portion is removed from the two ball molds, thus forming a sphere.

Dual core golf ball constructions achieving consistent and repeatable concentricity by incorporating/using an assembly of dual core components comprising a solid spherical inner core component and three outer core components that are collectively compression molded about the solid spherical inner core component to create an outer core layer thereabout. The three outer core components include a first half-shell, a second half-shell; and a ring-shaped securing plate such that the solid spherical inner core component is immovably centered within the outer core layer. Each of the first half-shell, the ring-shaped securing plate, and the second half-shell is comprised of the same rubber composition(s) and possess strong cohesive and adhesive bonds at parting lines between the three molded assembly parts and collectively create an outer core layer having one or more uniform property profile, such as a hardness gradient throughout, without interruption at parting lines between the three outer core components.

Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.

Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.

A formulation for making at least one element of a golf ball, wherein the formulation includes: (i) from 50 weight percent to 95 weight percent of a thermoplastic composition comprising: (1) at least one ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of: (A) ethylene, and (B) from 5 weight percent to 25 weight percent of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 carbon atoms to 8 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of monomers present in the ethylene acid copolymer; wherein the acid moieties of component (1) are neutralized to a level of from 25 percent to 220 percent; and (ii) from 5 weight percent to 50 weight percent of a crosslinked material having a gel content of at least 80 weight percent, wherein the crosslinked material is a crosslinked elastomer, a crosslinked rubber, or a blend of a crosslinked elastomer and a crosslinked rubber; a process for making the above formulation; at least one element of a multilayer golf ball and a process for making the at least one element of a multilayer golf ball using the above formulation; a multilayer golf ball including (a) at least one core, and (b) a cover; wherein the at least one core is made from the above formulation; and a process of manufacturing the above multilayer golf ball.

A formulation for making at least one element of a golf ball, wherein the formulation includes: (i) from 50 weight percent to 95 weight percent of a thermoplastic composition comprising: (1) at least one ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of: (A) ethylene, and (B) from 5 weight percent to 25 weight percent of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 carbon atoms to 8 carbon atoms, based on the total weight of monomers present in the ethylene acid copolymer; wherein the acid moieties of component (1) are neutralized to a level of from 25 percent to 220 percent; and (ii) from 5 weight percent to 50 weight percent of a crosslinked material having a gel content of at least 80 weight percent, wherein the crosslinked material is a crosslinked elastomer, a crosslinked rubber, or a blend of a crosslinked elastomer and a crosslinked rubber; a process for making the above formulation; at least one element of a multilayer golf ball and a process for making the at least one element of a multilayer golf ball using the above formulation; a multilayer golf ball including (a) at least one core, and (b) a cover; wherein the at least one core is made from the above formulation; and a process of manufacturing the above multilayer golf ball.

A reflective golf ball comprises a layer of silver having an average thickness ≥ 0.05 .Math.m and ≤ 0.5 .Math.m, notably deposited by reduction of a silvering solution, and a translucent, protective layer provided over the layer of silver.