Patent ID: 8262511

Claim:
A golf ball comprising: a core consisting of: a center formed from a first diene rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.000 inches to 1.580 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 70 Shore C, and a surface hardness (SH center ) of from 50 Shore C to 85 Shore C; an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and an outer surface hardness of 60 Shore D or greater; and an outer core layer formed from a second diene rubber composition and having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and an outer surface hardness (SH outer ) of 80 Shore C or greater; wherein SH outer is greater than SH center ; wherein the core has a maximum hardness (SH peak ) located at a distance of from 0.25 mm to 5.00 mm measured radially inward from the outer surface of the core; and wherein SH peak is 10% or more higher than SH outer ; and a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and formed from a composition having a material hardness of less than 60 Shore D.