A solid golf ball having a core, a cover, an intermediate skin between the core and the cover defining a generally continuous inner annular surface, wherein the inner annular surface of the skin is stretched over the core. Desirably, to prevent breakage, the annular surface is at least 1/4 inch wide. Preferably, the skin has a substantially uniform thickness and covers substantially the entire outer surface of the core so that the golf ball will react in a uniform manner regardless of where on the cover the ball is struck. The skin preferably comprises a polymeric material which is stretched so as to have a predetermined amount of initial strain so as to reach a certain level of crystallization of material. This predetermined amount of initial strain is desirably 150%, preferably 200% and, most preferably 400%. A method of manufacturing a golf ball having a stretched intermediate skin is also disclosed.