A casting system, apparatus, and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

Disclosed herein is a casting cluster for casting a body of a golf club head made of titanium or a titanium alloy. The casting cluster comprises a receptor and a plurality of runners coupled to the receptor and configured to receive molten metal from the receptor. The casting cluster also includes at least twenty-eight main gates. At least two of the main gates are coupled to each of the runners and each main gate is configured to receive molten metal from a corresponding one of the plurality of runners. The casting cluster further comprises at least twenty-eight molds. Each mold of the at least twenty-eight molds is configured to receive molten metal from a corresponding one of the main gates and to cast a body of a golf club head that has a volume of at least 100 cm.sup.3.

A mold for semi-continuous casting of metal strands from liquid metal, comprising a mold body provided with at least one mold cavity. The at least one mold cavity comprises a liquid metal inlet defined by a nozzle plate; an insert defining a perimeter wall intended to be in contact with the metal leaving said liquid metal inlet; a mold outlet; a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying cooling fluid onto the metal strand, the spray nozzles being preferably provided in the insert. The mold body is provided with a channel for cooling fluid. The insert is removable and is made from a metallic material. The mold is useful for casting aluminium strands.