Golf ball incorporating metallic film and method of making

A golf ball of the invention comprises: a substrate layer formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface that is pre-modified with a catalytic coating; a metallic film that is formed about the outer surface by contacting the catalytic coating with a mixture comprising: (i) at least one aqueous and/or organic aerosol comprising at least one metal in cationic/oxidizing form; and (ii) at least one reducing agent; and a subsequent layer surrounding the metallic film and formed from at least one of a thermoset composition or a thermoplastic composition. Alternatively, the outer surface is not pre-modified. The subsequent layer may be formed about the metallic film or in some embodiments may surround a coating layer that is disposed between the metallic film and the subsequent layer.