Golf ball having very thin outermost cover layer for improved scuff resistance

Abstract

A golf ball having a core and cover, the cover including an outermost cover layer, is disclosed. The outermost cover layer is relatively thin and provides resistance to scratching and scuffing of the ball's cover layer, while maintaining desirable playability characteristics. The outermost cover layer is formed from a thermoplastic material, has a Shore D hardness of at least 56, and a Shore D hardness at least as hard as a layer disposed between the outermost layer and the core.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment, the invention is now claimed to be:  
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a core; and    a cover enclosing said core, wherein said cover includes at least one layer comprising an outermost layer having a thermoplastic material, a thickness of less than about 0.040 inches, a Shore D hardness of at least about 56 and a Shore D hardness at least as hard as a layer disposed between said outermost layer and said core.    
     
     
         2 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said golf ball further comprises a mantle layer disposed between said core and said cover.  
     
     
         3 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said outermost layer comprises an ionomer.  
     
     
         4 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said outermost layer comprises a high acid ionomer consisting of (i) an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and (ii) an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         5 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of at least about 60.  
     
     
         6 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of at least about 62.  
     
     
         7 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness of less than about 0.025 inches.  
     
     
         8 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness of less than about 0.020 inches.  
     
     
         9 . The golf ball according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover further includes an inner layer and said outermost layer is disposed about said inner layer.  
     
     
         10 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a core; and    a cover comprising an inner layer and an outermost layer disposed about said inner layer, said outermost layer comprising a thermoplastic material, having a thickness of less than about 0.040 inches, a Shore D hardness of at least 56 and a Shore D hardness at least as hard as said inner layer.    
     
     
         11 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said golf ball further comprises a mantle layer disposed between said core and said cover.  
     
     
         12 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said outermost layer comprises an ionomer.  
     
     
         13 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said outermost layer comprises a high acid ionomer consisting of (i) an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and (ii) an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         14 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of at least about 60.  
     
     
         15 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of at least about 62.  
     
     
         16 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said outermost cover layer has a thickness of less than about 0.025 inches.  
     
     
         17 . The golf ball according to  claim 10 , wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of less than about 0.020 inches.  
     
     
         18 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a core;    a wound layer; and    a cover, wherein said cover includes an outermost layer that comprises a thermoplastic material, said outermost layer having a thickness less than about 0.040 inches, a Shore D hardness at least about 56 and a Shore D hardness at least as hard as a layer disposed between said outermost layer and said core.    
     
     
         19 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said golf ball comprises a mantle layer disposed between said core and said cover.  
     
     
         20 . The golf ball according to  claim 19 , wherein said mantle layer is disposed between said core and said wound layer.  
     
     
         21 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said outermost layer comprises an ionomer.  
     
     
         22 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said outermost layer comprises a high acid ionomer consisting of (i) an olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and (ii) an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         23 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of at least about 60.  
     
     
         24 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said outermost layer has a Shore D hardness of at least about 62.  
     
     
         25 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness less than about 0.025 inches.  
     
     
         26 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness less than about 0.020 inches.  
     
     
         27 . The golf ball according to  claim 18 , wherein said cover further includes an inner layer disposed immediately adjacent to said outermost layer and between said core and said outermost layer.