Molding processes and equipment for forming golf balls

A process for forming a layer on a golf ball core, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a golf ball core;
• providing a flowable material adapted for forming said layer on said golf ball core;
• providing a mold including (i) a generally spherical molding chamber having a molding surface including a plurality of raised protrusions that form a plurality of deep dimples in said layer, and (ii) provisions for introducing said flowable material into said molding chamber;
• concentrically positioning said golf ball core in said molding chamber such that said plurality of raised protrusions contact said golf ball core;
• and
• introducing said flowable material into said molding chamber whereby said flowable material flows between said golf ball core and said outer surface of said molding chamber to thereby form said layer.

A process for forming a golf ball having at least one dimple that extends through an outer layer of said ball, said process comprising:

• providing an intermediate golf ball assembly;
• providing a molding apparatus including a generally spherical molding chamber having a first population of raised regions for forming a plurality of dimples on an outer layer of said golf ball, and at least one other raised region having a height that is greater than the thickness of said outer layer;
• positioning said intermediate golf ball assembly in said molding chamber;
• and
• administering a flowable material adapted to form said outer layer, to said molding apparatus.