Golf ball covers made from plasticized thermoplastic materials

摘要

Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.

主权项

1. A golf ball, comprising:
i) a core having at least one layer, ii) an inner cover layer being disposed about the core; iii) an intermediate cover layer comprising a thermoplastic material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner cover layer, the thermoplastic material comprising:
a) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates;b) an alkyl oleate plasticizer selected from the consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate, butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof; andc) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material; and iv) an outer cover layer disposed about the intermediate cover layer.