Multi-layered golf balls containing a three-layered core assembly are provided. Preferably, at least one of the core layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that comprises: a) thermoplastic non-acid polymer, and b) plasticizer. In one preferred embodiment, the inner core is made of a first thermoset composition, for example, polybutadiene rubber; and the intermediate core layer is made of a thermoplastic composition; and the outer core is made of a second thermoset composition. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. Suitable non-acid polymers include, for example, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. The core assembly has a relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

A sensing sports ball is disclosed that includes an inner core of a RF transparent polymeric potting material encapsulating a circuit board assembly electrically coupled to a power source and a transmitter and including at least one sensor electrically coupled thereto that is operably configured to ascertain at least one dynamic physical property of the sports ball, wherein the inner core defines top indentations and bottom indentations opposing the top indentations that span inwardly toward the circuit board assembly, thereby removing material to substantially equate to the weight of an inner core of a conventional sports ball. The ball also includes an outer shell layup and outer surface of a spherical shape and material of a conventional sports ball.

A sensing sports ball is disclosed that includes an inner core of a RF transparent polymeric potting material encapsulating a circuit board assembly electrically coupled to a power source and a transmitter and including at least one sensor electrically coupled thereto that is operably configured to ascertain at least one dynamic physical property of the sports ball, wherein the inner core defines top indentations and bottom indentations opposing the top indentations that span inwardly toward the circuit board assembly, thereby removing material to substantially equate to the weight of an inner core of a conventional sports ball. The ball also includes an outer shell layup and outer surface of a spherical shape and material of a conventional sports ball.

Multi-layered golf balls having a dual-layered core and cover of at least one layer are provided. The dual-core construction includes a non-foamed inner core (center) made of a thermoplastic or thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. An outer core layer comprising a foamed composition, such as polyurethane foam, is disposed about the inner core. In one version, the foamed outer core layer is made of a relatively soft foam composition having low flex modulus and density. The foamed outer core layer may specific gravity gradient within the layer, wherein the outer surface specific gravity is greater than the midpoint specific gravity. A cover may be disposed about the core structure. For example, an inner cover made of ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and outer cover made of polyurethane may be used.

A golf ball includes a thermoplastic HNP inner core layer having a center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed from a thermoset rubber composition. The core layer has an inner surface hardness less than the outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of 3 to 30 Shore D. Inner and outer cover layers are disposed about the outer core layer. The HNP composition includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ,-unsaturated carboxylic acid; a non-acid polymer comprising polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, or functionalized derivatives thereof; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source in an amount sufficient to neutralize at least about 80% of the acid groups.

Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a thermoplastic composition, preferably including: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness levels. For example, the inner core can have a positive, zero, or negative hardness gradient. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball showing a great flight distance on driver shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the spherical core has a difference between absorbance of the absorption peak appeared at 156030 cm.sup.1 at a surface thereof and absorbance of the absorption peak appeared at 156030 cm.sup.1 at a center thereof of 0.024 or more, when measuring the spherical core with a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer.

In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a two-layer core consisting of an inner layer and an outer layer, a cover, at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover, and a paint film layer formed on the cover surface, each layer of the two-layer core is formed primarily of a rubber composition, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of a resin material, the core has a hardness profile which satisfies specific conditions, and the sphere consisting of the core encased by the intermediate layer has a higher surface hardness than the ball. When used by mid- to high-level golfers, this ball achieves sufficient reduction in the spin rate on full shots with a driver, enabling the distance to be increased, and the spin performance on approach shots is excellent, enhancing the enjoyability of the game.

The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, wherein the core is formed of a rubber composition that includes a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide. The core has a center portion and a surface portion that are unfoamed regions, and has an intermediate portion that contains a foamed region. A method of manufacturing such a golf ball is also provided.

Provided is a golf ball comprising a spherical core including an inner layer and an outer layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, wherein a difference (H.sub.X+1H.sub.X1) is 0 or more in Shore C hardness, a surface hardness (H.sub.X+Y) of the spherical core is more than 70 in Shore C hardness, an angle of a hardness gradient of the inner layer is 0 or more, a difference () between the angle and an angle of a hardness gradient of the outer layer is 0 or more, the intermediate layer has a material hardness (Hm) ranging from 65 to 80 in Shore D hardness, and the intermediate layer has a highest hardness among the constituent members of the golf ball.