A golf ball includes a plurality of layers. The layers include at least one core layer, at least one intermediate or cover layer, and at least one coating layer. At least one of these layers is formed from a composition having both a plurality of non-functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres, and a plurality of functionalized inorganic aluminosilicate ceramic microspheres dispersed throughout.

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 relates to the use of a mono (meth)acrylate ester in a golf ball layer. The mono (meth)acrylate ester may be added to one or more portions of a golf ball including a core, intermediate, or cover layer. For example, in one embodiment, the mono (meth)acrylate ester may be blended with a polybutadiene rubber material. In another embodiment, the mono (meth)acrylate ester of the present invention may be blended with an ionomer. In some embodiments, the mono (meth)acrylate ester may be blended with a formulation including both a polybutadiene rubber component and an ionomer.

Golf ball incorporating at least one very thin moisture barrier film (monolayer film, bi-layer film or multi-layer film) comprising ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer(s) and having a thickness of up to 0.009 inches as well as a normalized moisture vapor transmission rate (nMVTR) of less than about 5.0 g/(m.sup.2.Math.day). The ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer-containing moisture barrier film is disposed about and adjacent to an outer surface of a subassembly and is surrounded by at least one outer layer having an nMVTR that is greater than that of the moisture barrier film. In particular embodiments, the nMVTR of the subassembly is also greater than that of the moisture barrier film.

Golf ball incorporating at least one very thin moisture barrier film (monolayer film, bi-layer film or multi-layer film) comprising ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer(s) and having a thickness of up to 0.009 inches as well as a normalized moisture vapor transmission rate (nMVTR) of less than about 5.0 g/(m.sup.2.Math.day). The ethylene-based cycloolefin copolymer-containing moisture barrier film is disposed about and adjacent to an outer surface of a subassembly and is surrounded by at least one outer layer having an nMVTR that is greater than that of the moisture barrier film. In particular embodiments, the nMVTR of the subassembly is also greater than that of the moisture barrier film.

A method for making a golf ball having fiber flock bonded to a core is provided. The fiber flock preferably has high color vibrancy to provide high quality aesthetics. Preferably, the fiber flock comprises fiber segments having a length less than one inch. The fiber segments may have substantially equal dimensions. In other instances, the fiber segments are of unequal dimensions. The golf ball includes a translucent cover layer surrounding the core. Thus, the fiber flock is visible from the exterior of the ball. Special decorative effects can be achieved using colored fiber flock and reflective particulate such as pearlescent pigment in the layers surrounding the core.

Golf ball comprising: a subassembly; a moisture barrier film layer having a continuous and substantially uniform thermoformed thickness of less than 0.020 inches and consisting of first and second heat-induced pre-form film half shells having first and second inner surfaces that are sized, shaped and contoured to receive and conformally and adhesively mate onto and about the subassembly such that the moisture barrier film layer has a normalized Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (nMVTR) of less than 4.0 g/(m2.Math.day); and at least one outer layer disposed about an outer surface of the moisture barrier film layer that has an nMVTR greater than the nMVTR of the moisture barrier film layer. Alternatively, the thermoformed thickness is from about 0.003 inches to less than 0.020 inches; or 0.0035 inches to 0.010 inches; or from about 0.01 inches to less than 0.020 inches; or from greater than about 0.0035 inches to 0.005 inches.

A golf ball with a clay coating disposed an interior surface of the golf ball and a method is disclosed herein. The clay coating is preferably a nano-clay coating which is deposited on a core surface or a mantle surface of the golf ball. The nano-clay coating is preferably dispersed into the interior layer.

The present invention relates to the use of a mono (meth)acrylate ester in a golf ball layer. The mono (meth)acrylate ester may be added to one or more portions of a golf ball including a core, intermediate, or cover layer. For example, in one embodiment, the mono (meth)acrylate ester may be blended with a polybutadiene rubber material. In another embodiment, the mono (meth)acrylate ester of the present invention may be blended with an ionomer. In some embodiments, the mono (meth)acrylate ester may be blended with a formulation including both a polybutadiene rubber component and an ionomer.

Golf balls having multi-layered covers are provided. Preferably, the ball includes an inner cover layer made of an aromatic polyurethane composition; and an outer cover layer made of an aliphatic polyurethane composition. At least one of the cover layers is formed by casting an aromatic or aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition. Ethylene acid copolymer ionomers can be used to make a second inner cover layer. The cover layers are disposed about a single or multi-layered core. The invention also includes casting methods for making such multi-layered covers. The resulting ball has good light-stability, cut/shear-resistance, and impact durability.