Multi-layer golf ball

Abstract

Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball consisting essentially of:
 an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a diameter of 1.2 inches or greater, a center hardness (H center ) of 60 Shore C or greater, and an outer surface hardness (H center surface ) of 80 Shore C or greater;   an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition having a material hardness (H outer core material ) of 35 Shore D or greater;   an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (H inner cover material ) of 95 Shore C or less;   an intermediate cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (H intermediate cover material ) of 80 Shore C or greater; and   an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends thereof;   wherein H intermediate cover material  is greater than H outer core material .   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition of the inner cover layer is a partially neutralized ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups such that the amount of neutralized acid groups is less than 80%. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition of the inner cover layer is an ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups such that the amount of neutralized acid groups is 80% or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition of the intermediate cover layer is a partially neutralized ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups such that the amount of neutralized acid groups is less than 80%. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition of the intermediate cover layer is an ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups such that the amount of neutralized acid groups is 80% or greater. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein H intermediate cover material  is greater than H inner cover material . 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 6 , wherein H inner cover material  is 75 Shore C or less. 
     
     
         8 . A golf ball consisting essentially of:
 an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a diameter of 1.2 inches or greater, a center hardness (H center ) of 60 Shore C or greater, and an outer surface hardness (H center surface ) of 80 Shore C or greater;   an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition having a material hardness (H outer core material ) of 35 Shore D or greater;   an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (H inner cover material ) of 95 Shore C or less;   an intermediate cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition having a material hardness (H intermediate cover material ) of 80 Shore C or greater, the intermediate cover layer having a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.150 inches; and   an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends thereof;   wherein a core structure consisting of the inner core layer and the outer core layer has a diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.55 inches; and   wherein H intermediate cover material  is greater than H outer core material .   
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic composition of the intermediate cover layer is a partially neutralized ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups such that the amount of neutralized acid groups is less than 80%. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic composition of the intermediate cover layer is an ionomer composition comprising an ethylene acid copolymer having acid groups such that the amount of neutralized acid groups is 80% or greater. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 8 , wherein H intermediate cover material  is greater than H inner cover material . 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 11 , wherein H inner cover material  is 75 Shore C or less.