Method of Making a Golf Ball Core

Abstract

A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A golf ball, comprising:
 a core having a cured zone and an uncured zone; and   a cover layer surrounding the core.   
     
     
         24 . The golf ball according to  claim 23 , wherein the cured zone surrounds the uncured zone. 
     
     
         25 . The golf ball according to  claim 23 , wherein both the cured zone and the uncured zone are made from a diene-containing composition. 
     
     
         26 . The golf ball according to  claim 24 , wherein both the cured zone and the uncured zone are made from a diene-containing composition. 
     
     
         27 . The golf ball according to  claim 23 , wherein the cover layer is microwave-transparent. 
     
     
         28 . The golf ball according to  claim 23 , wherein the uncured zone is heat-curable. 
     
     
         29 . The golf ball according to  claim 23 , wherein the core has a two cured zones. 
     
     
         30 . The golf ball according to  claim 24 , wherein the cover layer is microwave-transparent. 
     
     
         31 . The golf ball according to  claim 24 , wherein the uncured zone is heat-curable. 
     
     
         32 . The golf ball according to  claim 24 , wherein the core has a two cured zones. 
     
     
         33 . The golf ball according to  claim 23 , wherein the golf ball is prepared by:
 heating a curable rubber golf ball core to partially cure at least a portion of the golf ball core;   rapidly cooling the golf ball core before the golf ball core finishes curing, wherein a portion of the golf ball core is left uncured, and wherein rapidly cooling the golf ball core includes quenching the golf ball core in an ice bath, water bath, cryogenic fluid, or dry ice/alcohol bath; and   incorporating the golf ball core into a finished golf ball by applying at least one cover layer, wherein the uncured portion of the golf ball core remains uncured after the golf ball core is incorporated into the finished golf ball;   and determining a time and temperature of further curing the golf ball core to provide the desired play characteristic.