Golf ball

Abstract

A golf ball made up of components such as a coating layer, a cover layer, an intermediate layer and a core includes, within such a component, a material that contains a phase-change material. The phase-change material is preferably normal paraffin having a melting point of between 5° C. and 40° C. and is preferably used in the form of microcapsules. This golf ball suppresses changes in the ball temperature itself in response to changes in the ambient air temperature during use of the ball, enabling the optimal properties that have been designed into the ball to be maintained.

1 . A golf ball comprising a golf ball component which includes a material that contains a phase-change material (PCM). 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM has a melting point of between 5° C. and 40° C. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM-containing material is in the form of microcapsules. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 3 , wherein the microcapsules comprise a membrane material which includes a thermosetting resin. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM is a paraffinic substance having a melting point of between 5° C. and 40° C. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 5 , wherein the PCM is normal paraffin. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 6 , wherein the normal paraffin has from 14 to 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM-containing material includes a supercooling inhibitor. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM-containing material is included in one or more golf ball component selected from the group consisting of a coating layer, a cover layer, an intermediate layer and a core. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM-containing material is included in the golf ball component in a weight ratio of 5 wt % or more.