A golf ball having a single-layer rubber core, a single-layer resin cover and one intermediate layer therebetween satisfies the following conditions: (Shore C hardness at surface of intermediate layer-encased sphere)>(Shore C hardness at ball surface), (Atti compression of core)/(Shore C hardness at core surface−Shore C hardness at core center)≤1.1, and (Shore C hardness at surface of intermediate layer-encased sphere)/{(Shore C hardness at core surface−Shore C hardness at core center)×intermediate layer thickness (mm)}≤2.7. This ball has a superior distance performance on full shots with an iron and a high spin performance in the short game, imparts a very soft feel and possesses an excellent durability to cracking on repeated impact. The ball is intended to satisfy the needs of skilled amateur golfers who handle iron shots skillfully.