Patent ID: 8075423

Claim:
A golf ball comprising: an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.500 inches to 1.580 inches and a positive hardness gradient wherein the difference between the center hardness and the surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 10 to 45 Shore C units; a first intermediate core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 85 Shore C; a second intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition selected from the group consisting of partially- and fully-neutralized ionomers optionally blended with a maleic anhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, and blends of two or more thereof, and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches; an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 50 Shore C or greater; and a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 65 Shore D or less.