Solid Golf Ball

The present invention relates to a solid golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core. More particularly, it relates to a solid golf ball having good feeling at the time of hitting and controllability as well as excellent flight performance and durability.

A two-piece solid golf ball is used by many golfers, particularly amateur golfers, because of long flight distance and excellent durability.

However, the two-piece solid golf ball has problems in that a feeling at the time of hitting (shot feel) is hard and inferior to that of a thread wound golf ball and that controllability is inferior because the contact time between the club head and the golf ball is short (i.e. fast ball separation from club head). Therefore, the two-piece solid golf ball is liable to be avoided by professional golfers and upper grade golfers who think shot feel and controllability important.

Therefore, a soft type two-piece solid golf ball has been suggested, in order to obtain a shot feel similar to that of the thread wound golf ball.

However, it is necessary to use a soft core to obtain a soft type two-piece solid golf ball, and the use of the soft core causes a problem that the rebound performance of the golf ball is deteriorated and, therefore, the flight distance and durability are also lowered, which results in the deterioration of flight performance and durability which are peculiar to the two-piece solid golf ball.

Regarding the controllability of a golf ball, it can be said to be ideal that the golf ball is easily controlled at a driver (No. 1 wood club) shot because of a long contact time between the golf ball and the club head and that spin is easily put on the golf ball at an approach shot. When the core is softened, the spin amount is decreased and, therefore, the controllability is sometimes deteriorated.

The present inventors have worked toward overcoming the above problems. As a result, it has been found that shot feel, controllability and durability can be improved by controlling the diameter and hardness of the core as well as by controlling the thickness and the hardness of the cover within a specific range without causing a deterioration in the flight performance, even if a comparatively soft core and cover are formed in order to improve shot feel and controllability.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems of conventional solid golf balls, thereby providing a solid golf ball wherein shot feel and controllability are improved without causing a deterioration in excellent flight performance and durability as a feature of the solid golf ball.

This object as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section illustrating one embodiment of the solid golf ball of the present invention.

The present invention provides a solid golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the core has a diameter of not more than 36.7 mm, a hardness (JIS-C hardness) of 50 to 80 and the cover has a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and a hardness (Shore-D scale hardness) of 50 to 60.

In order to carry out the present invention, it is preferred that the difference between the hardness (JIS-C hardness) at the center of the core and that at any part from the center to surface of the core is within .+-.5.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail. In the present invention, a diameter of the core is adjusted to not more than 36.7 mm, which is smaller than that of a conventional golf ball. When the diameter of the core is larger than 36.7 mm, the thickness of the cover is small and it is difficult to obtain a difference in performance between the golf ball of the present invention and the conventional two-piece solid golf ball. On the other hand, when the diameter of the core is too small, the thickness of the cover is large and, therefore, the shot feel is hard. Therefore, it is particularly preferred that the diameter of the core is from 34.7 to 36.7 mm.

In the present invention, a hardness of the core is preferably from 50 to 80, particularly from 60 to 75. When the hardness (JIS-C hardness) of the core is lower than 50, the core is too soft and the rebound performance of the golf ball deteriorates, which results in a decrease in the flight distance of the golf ball. On the other hand, when the hardness (JIS-C hardness) of the core is higher than 80, shot feel is too hard and inferior. It is preferred that a difference between the hardness (JIS-C hardness) at the center of the core and that at any part from the center to surface of the core is within .+-.5. That is, when using such a core having a small difference in hardness, a golf ball having high rebound performance can be easily obtained. The JIS-C hardness is a hardness measured by a JIS-C type hardness tester, which is equal to Shore C hardness.

The above core is composed of a vulcanized (crosslinked) molded material of a rubber composition. The rubber composition generally comprises a base rubber (e.g. high-cis polybutadiene rubber, etc.), a metal salt of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid (e.g. zinc acrylate, zinc methacrylate, etc.), an organic peroxide, an organosulfur compound and/or metal-containing organosulfur compound and a filler.

The base rubber of the rubber composition for core preferably is the above-described high-cis polybutadiene. In addition, it may be those obtained by blending (mixing) natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc. with the above high-cis polybutadiene rubber.

The metal salt of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid serves to crosslink the rubber. The metal salt of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid includes zinc and magnesium salts of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc. The amount of the metal salt of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid formulated is not specifically limited, but is preferably from 15 to 30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.

The organic peroxide serves as an initiator when crosslinking the rubber. The organic peroxide, for example, includes dicumyl peroxide, 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxyhexane), di-t-butyl peroxide, etc. The amount of the organic peroxide formulated is not specifically limited, but is preferably from 0.5 to 3 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.

The organosulfur compound and metal-containing organosulfur compound serve to accelerate mastication of the rubber, thereby enhancing the rebound performance of the soft part of the core. The organosulfur compound, for example, includes diphenyl disulfide, dixylyl disulfide, pentachlorothiophenol, thiobenzoic acid, morpholine disulfide, etc. The metal-containing organosulfur compound, for example, includes zinc salts of thiophenols and thiocarboxylic acids. These organosulfur and metal-containing organosulfur compounds can be used alone or in combination thereof. The amount of these organosulfur and metal-containing organosulfur compound formulated is not specifically limited. When each compound is used alone, an amount of the organosulfur compound formulated is preferably from 0.3 to 2.3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber and that of the metal-containing organosulfur compound formulated is preferably from 0.3 to 2.3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber. When using them in combination, the total amount of them is preferably from 0.3 to 2.3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.

The filler includes zinc oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, etc. An amount of the filler formulated is not specifically limited, but is preferably from 20 to 40 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.

The core can be obtained by subjecting the above rubber composition for the core to vulcanization (crosslinking) molding to form a spherical material. In the vulcanization molding, for example, a press molding is used. The press molding is conducted by charging the above rubber composition for the core into a mold, followed by heating under pressure at 140.degree. to 180.degree. C. for 10 to 60 minutes. The heating during vulcanization molding may also be conducted in two or more stages.

In the present invention, a thickness of the cover is from 3 to 5 mm, which is larger than that of a conventional golf ball, preferably from 3 to 4 mm. When the thickness of the cover is larger than 5 mm, shot feel is harder and inferior. On the other hand, when the thickness of the cover is smaller than 3 mm, a difference in feature between the golf ball of the present invention and the conventional golf ball disappeared.

The hardness (Shore-D scale hardness) of the cover is from 50 to 60, preferably from 53 to 57. When the hardness (Shore-D scale hardness) of the cover is the larger than 60, shot feel is hard and poor. On the other hand, when the hardness (Shore-D scale hardness) of the cover is smaller than 50, impact resilience is deteriorated and flight distance is lowered.

The cover is generally formed from the resin composition containing the ionomer resin as the main component. Examples of the ionomer resin which is commercially available from Mitsui Du Pont Polychemical Co., Ltd. include ionomer resins such as Hi-milan 1605 (Na), Hi-milan 1707 (Na), Hi-milan AM7318 (Na), Hi-milan 1706 (Zn), Hi-milan 1652 (Zn), Hi-milan 1705 (Zn), Hi-milan AM7315 (Zn), Hi-milan AM7317 (Zn), Hi-milan AM7311 (Mg), Hi-milan MK7320 (K), etc.; and terpolymer ionomer resins such as Hi-milan 1856 (Na), Hi-milan 1855 (Zn), Hi-milan AM7316 (Zn), etc. Examples of the ionomer resin which is commercially available from Du Pont Co., U.S.A. include ionomer resins such as Surlyn 8920 (Na), Surlyn 8940 (Na), Surlyn AD8512 (Na), Surlyn 9910 (Zn), Surlyn AD8511 (Zn), Surlyn 7930 (Li), Surlyn 7940 (Li), etc.; and terpolymer ionomer resins such as Surlyn AD8265 (Na), Surlyn AD8269 (Na), etc. Examples of the ionomer resin which is commercially available from Exxon Chemical Co. include lotek 7010 (Zn), 8000 (Na), etc. In addition, Na, Zn, K, Li, Mg, etc., which are described in parenthesis following the trade name of the above ionomer resin, mean neutralizing metal ion species thereof.

It is possible to optionally add inorganic fillers (e.g. zinc oxide, barium sulfate, etc) and additives (e.g. titanium dioxide, etc.) for coloring to the cover composition.

A method of coating the cover is not specifically limited, but may be a general method. For example, there can be used a method comprising molding a cover composition into a semi-spherical half-shell in advance, covering a core with two half-shells and then subjecting to a pressure molding at 130.degree. to 170.degree. C. for 1 to 10 minutes, or a method comprising injection molding the cover composition directly on the core to cover the core. At the time of molding the cover, dimples may be optionally formed on the ball surface. After molding the cover, paint finishing and stamping may be optionally conducted.

Next, one embodiment of the solid golf ball of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawing. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section illustrating one embodiment of the solid golf ball of the present invention. The solid golf ball shown in FIG. 1 is a two-piece solid golf ball comprising a core 1 of the vulcanized molded material of the rubber composition and a cover 2 for covering the core. The core 1 is referred to as a solid core and, as described above, the core 1 has a diameter of not more than 36.7 mm and a hardness (JIS-C hardness) of 50 to 80. The cover 2 has a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and a hardness (Shore D-scale hardness) of 50 to 60. 2a in FIG. 1 indicates dimples and the suitable number/embodiment of dimples 2a may be optionally provided on the cover 2 so as to obtain the desired characteristics. Furthermore, painting, marking, etc. may be optionally provided on the surface of the golf ball.

As described above, the present invention provides a solid golf ball having good shot feel and controllability as well as excellent flight performance and durability.

The following Examples and Comparative Examples further illustrate the present invention in detail but are not to be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6

Composition for core A to F were prepared according to the formulation shown in Table 1. The unit of the amount of the respective components to be formulated is "parts by weight".

Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Then, cover compositions I to V were prepared according to the formulation shown in FIG. 2.

Then, the rubber compositions described in Table 1 were vulcanized under the vulcanization conditions shown in Tables 3 to 5 to produce a core and it's hardness was measured by a JIS-C type hardness tester, respectively. The results are shown in Tables 3 to 5, respectively. Since the rubber composition for core was vulcanized in two stages by changing the temperature in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6, two kinds of the temperature/time are described separately in Tables 3 to 5. The hardness of the interior of the core was determined by cutting the core into halves, followed by measuring at the predetermined position, respectively.

The cores produced as described above were covered with cover compositions I to V described in Table 2 according to the combination shown in Tables 3 to 5 to prepare a two-piece solid golf ball having an outer diameter of 42.7 mm, respectively. The covering of the cover was conducted by injection molding.

The specific gravity, thickness and Shore D-scale hardness of the cover are shown in Tables 3 to 5, respectively. The Shore D-scale hardness of the cover was measured according to ASTM D-2240. A sample was made by subjecting the above resin cover composition to heat press molding to form a sheet having a thickness of about 2 mm, followed by standing at 23.degree. C. for 2 weeks.

The spin amount and flight distance due to a No. 1 wood club, spin amount due to a sand wedge, shot feel and durability of the resulting golf ball were examined. The measuring method or evaluation method of the golf balls is as follows:

Spin amount due to No. 1 wood club:

A No. 1 wood club is mounted to a Swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co., and then a golf ball is hit at a head speed of 45 m/second. The spin amount is determined by continuously taking the photograph of the hit golf ball.

Flight performance due to No. 1 wood club:

A No. 1 wood club is mounted to a Swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co., and then a golf ball is hit at a head speed of 45 m/second to measure the distance to the dropping point (carry).

Spin amount due to sand wedge:

A sand wedge is mounted to a Swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co., and then a golf ball is hit at a head speed of 19.2 m/second. The spin amount is determined by continuously taking the photograph of the hit golf ball.

Shot feel:

It is evaluated by hitting a golf ball with a No. 1 wood club by 10 top professional golfers. The evaluation criteria are as follows. The results shown in the Tables below are based on the fact that not less than 8 out of 10 professional golfers evaluated with the same criterion about each test item.

Evaluation criteria:

.circleincircle.: Very good

.largecircle.: Good

.DELTA.: Ordinary

XH: Hard and inferior

XS: Too soft and inferior

Durability:

A No. 1 wood club is mounted to a Swing robot manufactured by True Temper Co., and then a golf ball is hit at a head speed of 45 m/second. The durability is evaluated by the number of times until breakage occurred.

Evaluation criteria:

.circleincircle.: Very good

.largecircle.: Good

.DELTA.: Ordinary

X: Inferior

The above evaluation results are shown in Tables 6 to 8, respectively.

As is apparent from a comparison between the physical properties of the golf balls of Examples 1 to 4 shown in Table 6 and those of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 shown in Tables 7 and 8, the golf balls of Examples 1 to 4 had good shot feel and controllability as well as excellent flight performance and durability. That is, regarding the golf balls of Examples 1 to 4 attained a long flight distance such as 232.5 to 234.1 yards and had excellent durability and good shot feel. Also, the spin amount due to the sand wedge and No. 1 wood club was large and controllability was good.

Like this, regarding the golf balls of Examples 1 to 4 of the present invention, the core is soften and the hardness of the cover is decreased as shown in Table 3 so as to improve the shot feel and controllability. However, a decrease in flight distance was not recognized and the shot feel and controllability were good. Furthermore, the flight performance and durability were excellent.

To the contrary, regarding the golf ball of Comparative Example 1, the spin amount was small because the hardness of the cover is high and, therefore, the controllability was inferior. Regarding the golf ball of the Comparative Example 2, the flight distance is small because the hardness of the cover was too small.

Regarding the golf ball of Comparative Example 3, the flight distance was long because the core is hard but the shot feel was hard and inferior. Regarding the golf ball of Comparative Example 4, the flight distance was small because the core is too soft. Also, the shot feel was too soft and inferior.

Regarding the golf ball of Comparative Example 5, the shot feel was hard and inferior because the core was small and the cover was too thick and the durability was also inferior. Regarding the golf ball of Comparative Example 6, the spin amount became not so large because the core was large and the cover was too thin. Therefore, the controllability was not sufficiently improved.