Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. At least one core layer has a plurality of projections disposed thereon.

Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and Atti compression of at least about 50 and comprising layer consisting of mixture of thermoset or thermoplastic composition and plurality of particulates, at least a portion surface-treated with alkoxylated siloxanes and/or polyether-modified siloxanes, and may be selected from titanium dioxide particles, barium sulfate particles, zinc sulfide particles, and/or zinc oxide particulates. At least some particulates are contacted with compound having the formula:

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Compound (I) may be included in amount of 0.01 to 2% by weight based on total weight of portion of plurality being contacted. The plurality may be included in mixture in amount such that layer has specific gravity of from 0.5 to about 10.0, tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 50,000 psi, and elongation at break of from about 20% to about 1000%, each being greater than that of the thermoset or thermoplastic composition portion of the mixture.

The present invention provides methods for producing molded golf balls and the resultant balls. The methods of this invention involve producing foamed polyurethane covers and these methods help reduce dimple distortions and other surface imperfections. These golf balls contain an inner core and outer foamed polyurethane cover. One or more intermediate layers can be disposed between the core and cover. In one embodiment, a castable liquid polyurethane composition containing a foaming agent is dispensed into mold cavities, which are then pressed together to form a foam cover for the ball.

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.

Low compression golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer.

An ultra-low compression golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.

A golf ball comprising a core composed of a fully neutralized polymer material is disclosed herein. The golf ball also preferably has multiple mantle layers and a cover.

A golf ball 2 has a large number of dimples 10 on a surface thereof. Fifteen axes are assumed for a phantom sphere of the golf ball 2. 30240 points on a predetermined region of the surface of the golf ball 2 during backspin about each axis are determined. A length L1 of a perpendicular line that extends from each point to the axis is calculated. A total length L2 is calculated by summing 21 lengths L1 calculated based on 21 perpendicular lines arranged in a direction of the axis. A transformed data constellation is obtained by performing Fourier transformation on a data constellation of 1440 total lengths L2 calculated along a direction of rotation about the axis. A peak value and an order of a maximum peak of the transformed data constellation are calculated. A minimum value of 15 peak values is not less than 95 mm.

In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a two-layer core with an inner core layer and an outer core layer, a cover, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and cover, the inner and outer core layers are formed of different rubber compositions, and the intermediate layer and the cover are formed of different resin compositions. The inner core layer diameter, the hardness relationship between the surface of the outer core layer and the center of the inner core layer, and the material hardness of the intermediate layer fall within specific ranges. Also, within the ball, the intermediate layer-encased sphere has a higher surface hardness than the cover-encased sphere. This golf ball has a larger spin rate-lowering effect on full shots with a driver, resulting in an increased distance, and also has an excellent spin performance on approach shots, thus providing the golfer with a competitive advantage.