Patent ID: 8475297

Claim:
A golf ball comprising: a core; an intermediate layer substantially surrounding the core, the intermediate layer being substantially impermeable to water; a cover layer substantially surrounding the intermediate layer; a carbon dioxide absorbent selected from the group consisting of alkaline hydroxides, alkaline oxides, alkali hydroxides, alkali oxides, and mixtures thereof; the carbon dioxide absorbent being encapsulated within at least one microcapsule; the at least one microcapsule being frangible, such that the at least one microcapsule breaks as a result of a force applied by a golf club face to the golf ball during a drive, thereby exposing the carbon dioxide absorbent therein to atmospheric carbon dioxide; the at least one microcapsule being comprised of a material that is substantially impermeable to carbon dioxide; and the at least one microcapsule being dispersed within a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix constituting a structural component of the golf ball.