Abstract: A golf ball having a dimpled outer surface is formed between two hemispherical concave mold halves which meet at a sealed circular parting line, corresponding to an equator on the ball surface. The ball, upon removal from the mold is substantially devoid of any flashing or runners at the equator and is in essentially finished condition. In addition, dimples which intersect the equator may be molded on the ball.

Abstract: One or multiple piece golf balls are manufactured by a hot gate injection molding process in which a polymer is injected into a precise cavity defined by mating mold halves. Each individual set of mold halves is selfalignable by means of engageable inclined surfaces on the respective mold halves, which urge the halves into alignment around an axis through the poles, with one of the halves being movable around the axis to enable precise alignment around the parting line. The polymer is injected at a location spaced from the parting line to prevent the formation of a seam or irregular surface at the parting line equator of the ball.