A golf ball (20) in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a core (22) with a low compression, but has at least two additional layers (24, 26) that provide for increased durability and control. The core (22) is formed of a polybutadiene compound that produces a zero (or less) compression. The mantle (24) is molded around the core (22) using terpolymers, which are comprised of ethylene, acrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate, with 100% of the acrylic acid groups neutralized with metal ions. The mantle (24), when molded, yields a deflection of greater than 0.170 inches under an applied static load of 200 lb. This correlates to a PGA compression of between about -20 and 15. The cover (26) is molded using conventional ionomers and "very low modulus" ionomers (V.L.M.I.), and has a hardness of between about 50 and 75 on a Shore D scale.