In a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer, the core and/or at least one layer of the cover are formed of a resin composition that includes (A) 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, and (B) 1 to 30 parts by weight of a compound having a fluorene skeleton, or a derivative thereof. This resin composition for golf balls has an improved injection-moldability and thus enables the ball to achieve both a reduced spin rate and a good durability (scuff resistance).

In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and an outermost layer encasing the intermediate layer, the envelope layer-encased sphere, the intermediate layer-encased sphere and the ball have surface hardnesses which satisfy a specific relationship, the intermediate layer and the cover have thicknesses which satisfy a specific relationship, and the core has a hardness profile in which the hardnesses at the core surface, core center, a position 5 mm from the core center, and a position midway between the core surface and center satisfy specific relationships. This golf ball satisfies at a high level the flight and control performances desired for use by professional golfers and skilled amateurs. In particular, it holds down the spin rate on full shots and follows a straight trajectory, thus having a superior flight performance, and moreover is endowed with an excellent scuff resistance.

Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and epoxy compound. Mixtures of multi-functional amines and imines, and multi-functional isocyanates, and epoxy curing agents; and solvent, can be applied to the outer cover. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. 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. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and epoxy compound. Mixtures of multi-functional amines and imines, and multi-functional isocyanates, and epoxy curing agents; and solvent, can be applied to the outer cover. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. 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. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and epoxy compound. Mixtures of multi-functional amines and imines, and multi-functional isocyanates, and epoxy curing agents; and solvent, can be applied to the outer cover. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.

A golf ball 2 includes a core 4 and a cover 6 positioned outside the core 4. The cover 6 is formed in a mold having support pins by injection molding. A ratio (V/S) of a volume V (mm.sup.3) of the cover 6 to an amount of compressive deformation S (mm) of the core 4 is not less than 1000 and not greater than 1900. The cover 6 has a shore D hardness of not greater than 62. The golf ball 2 has a plurality of dimples 8 on a surface thereof. A total volume W of these dimples is not less than 490 mm.sup.3 and not greater than 620 mm.sup.3. A ratio (α/P) of a latitude α (degree) of each support pin to a total cross-sectional area P (mm.sup.2) of the support pins is not less than 0.35 and not greater than 0.60.

In a golf ball having a core of at least one layer and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, at least one layer of the cover is formed of a resin composition that includes (I) a polyurethane or a polyurea and (II) an aromatic vinyl elastomer which together satisfy certain specific conditions. The golf ball has an excellent controllability on approach shots and is also able to maintain a good scuff resistance.

In a golf ball comprising a core, a cover layer, an intermediate layer between the core and the cover layer, the cover layer is formed of a resin material composed primarily of polyurethane or polyurea, a sphere obtained by encasing the core with the intermediate layer (intermediate layer-encased sphere) has a lightness (Li value) in the L*a*b* color space of at least 25 on its surface, and the cover layer has a visible light transmittance of at least 0.6%. The golf ball has a surface with a distinctive aesthetic appearance and retains both a good spin performance and a good scuff resistance, making it useful as a ball for professional and skilled amateur golfers.

A golf ball paint composition includes primarily a urethane paint containing polyol as a base resin and polyisocyanate as a curing agent. The polyisocyanate includes two types of isocyanurate and adduct of hexamethylene diisocyanate and the golf ball paint composition has an elastic work recovery of at least 70%. The paint composition has a high self-repairing ability and is of high quality as a golf ball paint. Golf balls coated with this composition are able to maintain a good durability, in addition to which they have an excellent abrasion resistance and an excellent ball appearance.

In a golf ball having a cover layer that is formed of a resin material composed primarily of polyurethane or polyurea, the cover layer includes a colored surface portion having a visible light transmittance of at least 0.6%. A method for producing the golf ball includes the steps of forming the cover layer over a core or other target sphere and providing the colored surface portion by coloring the surface of the cover layer. The cover layer which includes the colored surface portion has a visible light transmittance of at least 0.6%. The golf ball has a surface with a distinctive aesthetic appearance and retains both a good spin performance and a good scuff resistance, making it useful as a ball for professional and skilled amateur golfers.