Golf ball incorporating layer(s) of a mixture consisting of: i) ionomer(s); ii) ethylene propylene rubber(s)(EPR(s)); iii) polymeric epoxy crosslinker(s); and iv) compatibilizing polymer(s). The ionomer(s) and EPR(s) may be included in a blend in a wt % ratio of from about 85:15 to 55:45; the at least one polymeric epoxy crosslinker and compatibilizing polymer may be included in amounts, based on 100 parts of the blend, of from about 2.0 to about 10.0 parts; and from about 1.0 to about 10.0 parts, respectively. Each ionomer, EPR, polymeric epoxy crosslinker, and compatibilizing polymer has a density less than 1.0 g/cm.sup.3. The mixture is melt processable/moldable without meanwhile sacrificing target CoR, DCM compression, Shore D hardness, and Shore C hardness.

Golf ball comprising layer(s) consisting of a mixture consisting of: i) ethylene acid copolymer(s) and/or ionomer(s); ii) polyethylene(s); iii) polymeric epoxy crosslinker(s); and iv) compatibilizing polymer(s). The ethylene acid copolymer(s)/ionomer(s) and the polyethylene(s) may be included in a blend in a wt % ratio of from about 85:15 to 55:45; the at least one polymeric epoxy crosslinker and compatibilizing polymer may be included in amounts, based on 100 parts of the blend, of from about 2.0 to about 10.0 parts; and from about 1.0 to about 10.0 parts, respectively. The polyethylene may be polyethylene butene; polyethylene hexene; polyethylene octene; and combinations thereof. Each ethylene acid copolymer, polyethylene, polymeric epoxy crosslinker, and compatibilizing polymer has a density less than 1.0 g/cm.sup.3. The mixture is moldable and meanwhile possesses similar desirable CoR, DCM compression, Shore D hardness, and Shore C hardness as a mixture consisting of ingredients i), ii) and iv).

Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof. Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), and (c) advantageously produce layer of ionomeric material having heat stability, processability, and well-retained durability, adhesion, CoR, compression and targeted feel without need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid-polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof; and (d) plasticizer(s). Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), (c) and (d) advantageously produce layer of ionomeric material having heat stability, processability, and well-retained durability, adhesion, CoR, compression and softer feel without need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

In a multi-piece solid golf ball which includes a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least one layer, and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the core and the cover, the cover is composed primarily of polyurethane and the following parameters are controlled within specific ranges: core deflection, melt flow rate of intermediate layer material, thickness of intermediate layer, thickness and Shore D hardness of cover, combined thickness of intermediate layer and cover, and the value of (Shore D hardness of cover material)(Shore D hardness of intermediate layer material). This golf ball has a good, soft feel at impact and lowers the rate of spin on full shots, achieving a good distance.

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball resin composition having a high resilience, flexibility and high fluidity. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition having a bending stiffness (M.sub.21-30) ranging from 600 kgf/cm.sup.2 to 5,000 kgf/cm.sup.2 within a bending angle from 21 to 30, a rebound resilience (R) of 50% or more, a slab hardness (Shore D) ranging from 40 to 65, a melt flow rate (190 C., 2.16 kgf) of 1.0 g/10 min or more, and a resilience index value ((M.sub.21-30).sup.0.5(R/100).sup.3) of 8.5 or more.

Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of plasticized neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid-polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof; and (d) plasticizer(s). Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), (c) and (d) advantageously produce layer of ionomeric material having heat stability, processability, and well-retained durability, adhesion, CoR, compression and softer feel without need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

Golf ball comprising layer(s) comprised of neutralized acid polymer composition consisting of mixture of: (a) low molecular weight acid-containing wax(es); (b) non-acid polymer(s) including at least one low molecular weight non-acid wax such as high density oxidized polyethylene homopolymers; ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene maleic anhydride copolymers; polypropylene homopolymers; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; high density oxidized homopolymers; oxidized copolymers; polyethylene micronized waxes; polytetrafluoroethylene micronized waxes; emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; non-emulsifiable low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and/or chemically modified low molecular weight non-acid waxes; and (c) organic acid(s) or salt thereof. Molecular weight of each low molecular weight acid-containing wax is about 500 to 7000, or up to 30,000. Interactions between components (a), (b), and (c) advantageously produce layer of ionomeric material having heat stability, processability, and well-retained durability, adhesion, CoR, compression and targeted feel without need for blending high and low molecular weight acid-containing polymer(s).

A golf ball including a core; an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of about 0.005 inches to 0.40 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater; and an outer cover layer formed from a thermoset material and having a thickness of about 0.01 inches to 0.05 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The thermoplastic composition has a first melt flow index at 280 C. under a 10-kg load of less than about 35 g/10 min and a second melt flow index at 265 C. under a 5-kg load of less than about 10 g/10 min.

An object of the present invention is to provide a material from which a golf ball having excellent resilience and durability can be obtained. The present invention provides a golf ball resin composition containing: (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a polyamide, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, a partially saponified product of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a polyvinyl alcohol, (B) at least one resin component selected from the group consisting of (b-1) a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, (b-2) a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, (b-3) a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (b-4) a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (C) a fatty acid metal salt having 18 or less carbon atoms.