Patent ID: 8317637

Claim:
A golf ball comprising: a two layer core and a cover disposed about the two layer core, the two layer core comprising an inner core layer and an outer core layer disposed about the inner core layer, said inner core layer comprising a geometric center and a first outer surface and being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and having a diameter of about 30 mm or lower and having a plurality hardnesses of from about 40 Shore C to about 85 Shore C, the geometric center comprising a first hardness and the first outer surface comprising a second hardness wherein the second hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or greater; said outer core layer comprising an inner surface and a second outer surface and being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a thickness of about 10 mm or lower and having a plurality hardnesses of from about 65 Shore C to about 95 Shore C, wherein the inner surface comprises a third hardness and the second outer surface comprises a fourth hardness, wherein the fourth hardness is greater than the third hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of about 20 Shore C or lower, the outer core layer further comprising a fifth hardness disposed between the inner surface and the second outer surface in a region extending between about 10% and about 90% of the distance from the inner surface to the second outer surface, wherein the fifth hardness is greater than the third hardness and the fourth hardness; and wherein the fourth hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a positive hardness gradient of about 30 Shore C or greater.