After 4-months in limited release, the AVX is getting full-blown stocked everywhere Titleist and other fine golf balls are sold.
We covered AVX when it launched (albeit quietly), and biased though my perspective may be, I’d highly recommend you read that original story on the AVX. For those who don’t know what AVX is and are only hungry enough to digest the bullet points, let me give you the brief rundown of what is, in my estimation anyway, mostly boilerplate golf ball stuff from Titleist.
AVX is Titleist’s latest offering in the tour/premium ball space. It’s Titleist’s first modern ball in the category that’s not explicitly part of the Pro V1 family, though as you’ll see, the new model fills a need in the lineup and offers a new fitting option.
Sidebar: Yes, fitting matters for the golf ball as well, and while some of you may not think you’re good enough to tell the difference, I think you’re probably wrong.
It’s also soft…Titleist’s softest offering in the tour ball category.
A good bit of the ball flight stuff coves from a core that Titleist describes as high speed and low compression (sound familiar?).
The greenside control comes from a proprietary thermoset cast urethane elastomer cover technology called GRN41.
A catenary dimple pattern (feel free to google that) delivers a lower trajectory (relative to Pro V1 and Pro V1x), stable ball flight.
It’s also available in Yellow – also a first for a premium Titleist offering.
You can get all of that for the low (not so low) price of just $47.99.
Ok, so it’s not exactly 3-piece, K-Sig pricing, but obvious lack of graphene aside, it’s not far off from where the 2018 Chrome Soft sits, and that’s notable. While Chrome Soft has unrelenting loyalists, there’s a segment of golfers for whom Chrome Soft represented a value proposition. By raising prices and firming up the feel, Callaway sacrificed some of its competitive advantage for higher margins, and in doing so, may have widened the opening for AVX.
My sense is that while consumers don’t love the new Chrome Soft Price, Titleist couldn’t be more excited about it…at least to the extent that Titleist gets excited.
The AVX Challenge
AVX began as a test case. It brought with it plenty of unknowns, and there was at least some risk that AVX could do more harm than good for Titleist. That said, most of us assumed – and reasonably so – that if things went anything but terrible, Titleist would take AVX mainstream.
You may recall from our original story (which hopefully you just reread) that we had a few questions about how AVX would fit-in alongside Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
Who is the AVX buyer? Is he a guy who would otherwise buy Pro V1 or Pro V1x? If AVX’s greatest accomplishment is cannibalizing Pro V1 sales, I don’t think that’s a win.
What about the competitors? Would AVX help Titleist regain lost market share – some of it to preference-driven products?
And about that…how does a company that’ has worked tirelessly to establish a brand synonymous with performance, succeed with a product where feel is the headline?
If you’re Titleist, how do you sell a product that isn’t a Pro V1, can’t be seen as better than a Pro V1, but also can’t be less than a Pro V1?
It’s fair to say Titleist had similar questions, which is why AVX started in only three states and its why Titleist included survey cards with every dozen and incentivized golfers to fill them out. It’s also why Titleist conducted follow-up surveys to see what golfers thought off the ball after they’d spent some time with AVX.
The reasons why golfers initially purchased AVX are pretty much what you’d expect. It’s a curiosity. A new premium ball from the market leader with an entirely different pitch (it’s soft) – that’s reason enough to give it a try. I’ve spent years trying to avoid playing Titleist balls, and even I’m curious.
Of perhaps greater importance is where those sales were coming from. A significant percentage of buyers – more than would be typical for a new ball release – came from golfers who reported playing other brands. Survey results indicated that a good portion of those golfers would buy again and while survey results aren’t remotely the same thing as sales, and there’s no guarantee that AVX’s sunbelt success will translate to the larger market, there’s at least the suggestion that AVX could help Titleist reach a segment of the market it was missing with its other two premium offerings.
Call it upside potential.
There’s no need to be coy about it, initial results have made Titleist optimistic that AVX can help it reclaim some of what it has lost to Chrome Soft and other challengers.
Feel vs. Performance
We’ve discussed it before; the golf ball market is trending softer. Chrome Soft, Duo, Project (a), etc.; often these products don’t offer any specific performance advantage over higher compression alternatives, but there are golfers who prioritize feel to such a degree that they’re even willing to take a performance hit in exchange for soft.
When you think you can’t tell the difference anyway, why not play what feels best? I reject the premise, but I understand the logic.
To be sure, there are golfers who will buy AVX for softer feel, and that’s awkward given Titleist performance-centric position, but the company wants you to know that there are legitimate performance reasons to consider AVX.
Titleist believes that the Pro V1 remains the ball that will perform best for the greatest number of golfers. To borrow from shaft parlance, it’s a mid-mid offering in that it offers mid launch and mid spin characteristics relative to Titleist’s other two premium offerings.
The Pro V1x is higher launching, and higher spinning…think of it is the far end of the bell curve.
AVX sits at the near end of the bell curve. While Titleist is quick to emphasize that AVX is not low spin around the green (remember that GRN41 stuff), compared to either of the Pro V1 offerings, it is lower launching and lower spinning through the bag.
Take feel out of the conversation and AVX is a good fit for the golfer who has no problem creating spin and who might actually benefit from bringing ball flight down. The differences between AVX and the Pro V1/Pro V1x are likely most appreciable in middle and long irons where, for the right golfer, the lower spin of the AVX can create more distance while not negatively impacting the ability to hold greens.
There will be golfers who try AVX, love it, and stick with it. Others will decide it’s not for them and move back to one of the Pro V1 models or whatever else they may have been playing.
Effectively what you have is an updated fitting matrix that now includes three premium/tour offerings. The primary fitting differentiator isn’t clubhead speed; it’s launch and spin and the ability to optimize performance for more golfers.
AVX and the #BallWar
Now that Titleist has gone full AVX, I expect Callaway will ramp up the #BallWar it declared shortly after Titleist released its ionomer covered Tour Soft accompanied by an ad claiming it is superior to Callaway’s urethane-covered Chrome Soft. It remains to be seen what the next salvo looks like but given Titleist’s stance that AVX will also significantly outperform Chrome Soft, I expect it won’t be subtle.
Chrome Soft has its loyalists, and it’s unquestionably a good ball, but there’s enough noise among golfers to suggest that for some Chrome Soft consumers, all the graphene in the world can’t offset the extra $5 per dozen Callaway added to the price this year (prior generation balls are still available for less). For its part, while there was thinking that Titleist might price the AVX below $40, the company has decided to maintain a premium price position, and that could limit its appeal.
$40 appears to be where a healthy number of consumers draw the line. It’s at least part of the reason for Callaway’s recent success as well as why direct to consumer brands like Snell are succeeding. Consumers don’t love higher prices (thanks, Captain Obvious), but Titleist prides itself on keeping its average sale price in the premium category above $40/dozen, and it has very little company in that regard. Among its competitors, it’s likely that only TaylorMade can make the same claim.
The challenge for Titleist comes in finding an audience for a tour-level ball that isn’t a Pro V1 and doesn’t get any play on tour. For that to work in any meaningful and sustainable way, it may need to convince more golfers that the ball and ball fitting matter. That’s no easy task when golfers can walk into Costco and pick up two dozen, 3-piece, urethane covered golf balls for less than $25.
The reality is that the ball market has changed significantly in the last couple years, and there’s at least a chance that there may not be a place in it for third premium-priced Titleist ball, even if it is really soft.
The Titleist AVX golf ball is now available in the U.S. Worldwide availability is scheduled for later this year. MAP price is $47.99/dozen.
Have Your Say
Have you tried the Titleist AVX? Let us know what you think.
Chris Tuohy
4 years agoHere’s some crazy math guys. I use about 5 dozen balls a year. I pay $10 more per doz to play ProV1x. I play at least twice per week. That means it it costs me about 50c per game to play a premium product, no hunting for specials or being disappointed by the performance of new balls.
Phillip
4 years agoAll this fancy marketing is nothing but a load of horse manure. I played in two scrambles on Monday and Tuesday (I’m a 7 handicap) with a Callaway 2 piece distance ball that I found in the woods a week or so ago with a Pepsi logo on it. Some $15 a dozen cheapo ball that some 24 handicap hack lost off of the first tee after his 3rd try. I was a combined 25 under par for 27 holes for those two days. I outdrove the two scratch players in my foresome who played ProV1, and my approach shots were usually the shot we took to putt from, as it was closest to the hole. Ball marketing is nothing but a way to fool the masses into playing $4 golf balls. I’ve got 4 dozen Srixon Q Star I got on sale at buy 3 get one free back in December. I keep finding balls in the woods while searching for balls that the guys I play with keep losing. I’ve got about 40 random balls in the garage someone gave me a year ago that I have yet to hit through. Honestly not sure why I keep buying golf balls, as the ones in my garage work just as well. So I’ll play an APX when I find it in the woods.
AugustaGolfer
4 years agoI agree with you! I’m a 5 handicapper and I would NOT spend $4 a ball ever. I’ve tried them all and I play with the MG Golf ball. $19.99 a dozen for a three piece urethane cover ball that does everything a big brand ball can do and better!
Pete
4 years agoI’m currently using Snell yellow Get Sum. Great product! Check out the deal they do on 6 dozen with free shipping. I’ve never paid $40 for a dozen balls nor will I ever regardless of all the hype!
Dave B
4 years agoTony, I’m curious about your statement “I’ve spent years trying to avoid playing Titleist balls.” Why is that?
dcorun
4 years agoCleveland’s new driver and both sets of irons. Snell or Vice golf balls. As good as anything on the market and not nearly as expensive as the “big” 3.
BallBuster
4 years agoPeople paying over $40/dzn should NOT be worried about losing them and having to buy more too quickly. I’m barely a single digit-er and I put more “good” balls into the driving range stock after using them a while and they get beat up then I lose generally. (But I still refuse to pay that much anyways…) I was placed in a 3 someone years ago while traveling, and this out of shape pompous guy who was hacking, bragged to his friend these new that Prov’s (they just were introduced to the market) go like “30 yards farther”. Really? You’ve sliced a half dozen already into the woods on the front 9 with your 80mph swipe, so no way Jose! Should have saved your money. I got my only ace on a shorter par 3 with a used ProV that bounced and spun back into the hole so it still worked… so I’ll go the used route whenever possible if the ball looks okay. I do feel okay paying in the $30’s for the Project (a)’s I like…. or used NXTs, Chrome Softs, Q Stars, etc…
Boyo
4 years agoI’d rather buy 6 dozen Bridgestone B330-S B Mark balls on eBay for $30 a dozen.
over and out.
Tony
4 years agoThere’s nothing wrong with the ball, like you guys say it fills a gap in Titleist stable of balls.
But that price, really? If it was priced at $40 along with the balls it’s competing against (Chrome soft) then people would be receptive to it.
Pkcpga
4 years agoChrome soft is now $45, so the AVX is only $3 more which is not really a difference worth talking about. Taylor is also the same price so the big three are all essentially the same price now.
Pkc
4 years agoI guess you haven’t bought balls recently, Callaway raised the price of the chrome soft to $45 so they are all essentially the same now.
Dave Sanguinetti
4 years agoI am shocked that a company that has so flawlessly marketed their products, as well as establishing franchises, could have made such a amateurish marketing mistake(obviously so dis-array post Wally). When the franchise is pro V1 & ProV1x I would have thought ProV1s would have been the prudent story. This would have supported(whether you believe it or not-Hint…. I don’t) that Pro V is the best ball in golf, that would give them a trifecta lineup. It would also position Tour Soft between Chrome and Q-Star Tour as a competitor to take sales away from each. Whole thing seems mis-managed.
Don
4 years agoI was estatic they full released these balls. I love them. I am a 12 handicap guy that has a driver swing speed around 95-100 MPH. They are longer and I get plenty of stopping power with my wedges. And they feel awesome. I use yellow balls as I cannot see white so these are perfect. 48 bucks is a bit high though. I play Chrome softs and BridgestoneTour B RXS yellow. So they succeeded with me in taking some of the market back. I bought 3 dozen when i was in San Diego and was running out so glad I can get in Seattle now.
Pkc
4 years agoyou do realize the chrome soft are now $45 a dozen so essentially the same price.
mackdaddy
4 years agoHead pro at our club is a Titlist guy. He was fit with AVX and has talked several of the guys in the club into playing them. I tried them and I didn’t think they were any better than last years Chrome Softs or the Q Star.
Jordan
4 years agoI play whatever brand name balls I find on the golf course. Let all the other guys driving the “Mercedes” buy the prov’s and I’ll find them in tbe woods. If you honestly go buy balls every week your not good enough to be buying prov’s.
I’m a 10.1 handicap and the only place I notice a difference is when I’m putting the ball.
We as a golfing community have to stop buying the high priced products and then the prices will go down.
Odie
4 years agoI bought some AVX and am still in the trial phase. One thing I noticed is that on some full shots with longer clubs the ball seems to change flights, I.e. it takes off on a higher trajectory, then seems to slightly drop in trajectory but it still keeps going. Overall it’s as advertised…longer off the irons, decent around the greens but does not drop and stop on chips.
THOMAS
4 years agoOh wow, $48/doz . . This is got to be the next big bang in getting that handicap down . . . Can’t wait to get my hands a couple dozen
hmmmm hhmmm
Pkcpga
4 years agoThis article is flawed, the Titleist AVX is clearly marketed at the Callaway Chrome Soft and they are essentially the same price, $45 or $48, $3 would not persuade me. Taylor’s are at the same price point so not sure why Titliest would create a premium ball at any other price point, these small companies are probably not even on titleist radar.
With that said I tried the AVX and will be sticking with the ProV1X, it didn’t produce anything better for me and I didn’t particularly like the lower flying, less spinning long irons, didn’t want the extra distance there but definitely wanted the ProV1X higher flight there.
Keith Martin
4 years agoTried the AVX last fall when it came out (somehow we got them in our Pro Shop in NC when they came out) and I really like the feel and they seemed very long. I’ve tried lots, Snell, Encore, Vice, the original K-sig, Chrome S, etc. and this was best ball I’ve played recently. Would play this ball regularly, but not at $48na dozen…way over priced.
Johnny Penso
4 years agoNot calling you a liar either just wrong. Not a chance in heck it’s 20 yards longer than a Chrome Soft.
Johnny Penso
4 years agoLooks like this ended up in the wrong place.
Simms
4 years agoBeen using the Kirkland 4 piece for 3 weeks now and they are working fine, today traded for a sleeve of AVX and tried them, being a 14 handicap I give the AVX a 10 out of 10 and the Krikland an 8 out of 10. I think even I could feel the quality in the AVX.
Dave
4 years agoTrying the new Titleist soft ball . Good ball but marks up and not real responsive around The green or on chip shots from 40- 50 yard .The Pro v1 last forever and is a real good feel ball. Now up here we pay $72.00 bucks a dozen. Just a tad on the high side I’ll add. Still think that over $40.00 is high Mandy some company can move to Canada and start making golf balls. But not holding my breath.
P.J.
4 years agoI’ve said it before – I’ll say it again. If Titleist put their ProV1’s and now AVX at a $35 price point – they’d run everyone else out of business. Here’s a crazy idea – scale down on paying all the professionals to play your ball and reduce your external costs. Then you wouldn’t have to charge this much for balls.
If you’re not paying attention, look around at your course and see how many young people are playing. The next generation isn’t interested in playing a difficult sport that is this expensive and time consuming. Sadly, golf is dying a slow death. Balls at this price, coupled with drivers at $500, don’t help.
Mark T.
4 years agoWell said!
Johnny Penso
4 years agoKeep saying it but it makes no sense. If there was a huge market for cheap equipment someone would jump in and fill it. Obviously there’s a huge market for $500 drivers which is why so many are made.
Andrew
4 years agoThere’s no market for cheaper clubs because of the used market. Folks don’t want to play used balls by and large, so that market does exist.
NEF
4 years agoThere may be a market for the $500 club, but it is shrinking rapidly. Look at the Taylor Made story from where they were 6 years ago to trying to stay alive today. The value paid for the company has totally evaporated because of their blindness that golfers will pay ever increasing prices because the companies say so and make ridiculous claims while paying off pros to try to give legitimacy to smoke and mirrors. Did your last $500 driver really give you 50 more yards and a dispersion factor of 6 inches? By now every one with that kind of driver should be hitting par 5’s in two consistently. Not happening. The quality does not justify the prices being charged. “New” for the sake of advertising is losing golfers left and right.
Neal E, Farr
4 years agoProbably a good ball. but is it worth the price compared to other brands that seem to have caught up with Titleist production standards? My game doesn’t support the premium price when there are other balls out there with little to no appreciable difference in performance. Liked the Chrome Soft until they jacked the price. Left me behind. MG4, Vice, CUT, others provide the same essential characteristics at a reasonable price for the average to weekend amateur. Even with the great reporting on this ball by MGS, I don’t see it enhancing Titleist other than just another offering. PASS.
westonmaughan
4 years agoThe AVX is like an E class in the Mercedes Benz line up. Sure there are other things that out perform it from other manufacturers, but I’m comfortable buying a golf ball from the best golf ball manufacturer in the business. They have brand integrity to protect, and that emphasis shows in their products. If you want to go buy a Honda accord, thats great! Go buy a accord! just don’t complain about. It’s getting old!
Also remember that Titleist is helping so many other businesses in the golf industry. Sure, they could charge less if they went direct, but that would kill revenue for golf shops, golf stores, discount golf retailers…
So, you can either chose to support your local businesses and get a quality product or you can save a buck. Golf is not cheap, so no judgement either way.
MCHammer
4 years agoWhy all the complaining about the price tag? You can grab just about 2 doz of these AVX’s for the same price as 1doz of the Clear Sports Red or Black balls.
Rekklss
4 years ago99- 102 mph driver swing speed (getting long in the tooth) now.
Tried every ball I can buy. Love the ProV1 … hate the price. Snell Pro Soft is awesome. Found a MG C4 ball. Played it. $19.95/dz. 3 piece urethane covered ball. Equal to every $48/dz balls I have played. MG C4 ball plays perfectly for my convoluted swing & I do not seem to lose any. Works for me. Love the performance & price.
Tom S
4 years agoMarked “(test)”
Tom S
4 years agoThe year before last, Titleist sent me three balls in the mail, marked “” and I wonder if this is what they’ll became?
Matt W
4 years agoTom,
I was sent those balls also, they were the next generation Pro V1.
Lou Body
4 years agoI was given 6 dozen yellow AVX’s and have used 3 dozen. It’s a wonderful ball but very pricey at $48 per dozen. I responded to Titleist on 3 occasions that it was a really good ball but overpriced. Clearly, they did not listen to me!!
I play yellow because I see them so much better. I would like to play the Srixon Q Star Tour at $30 but Srixon does not make them in yellow. I’ve told Srixon this several times but they don’t listen either. Recently, I tried some Taylormade Project a’s and they are very good, especially, at $34 per dozen. I am rationing the AVX’s now trying to make them last. I have no plans to spend $48 a dozen for any more. It’s a very good ball but not $48 good.
Philippe RSA
4 years agoIs the AVX the same as the Tour Soft available in RSA
Andrew
4 years agoNope. AVX is urethane, Tour soft isn’t- think NXT Tour.
Ken
4 years agoAVX is a good ball and so is a PROv1x and RXS, RX, TP,Snell and many others. I take several of them to a par 5 I play and experiment with distance, trajectory, feel and ability to move the yhimg around. I do my own experiment over 2 hour period. I eventually settle on a couple and these are the ones I buy in dozens. I have several dozen RD, PROV1x, Snell and the rest go in a shag bag. You have to experiment. All 3 play pretty much the same to me. What would you play if you played a roims for your LIFE? Choose that one.
Jason Day
4 years agoWhy wouldn’t I just buy the Pro V’s?
Kirby
4 years agoDon’t you play TP5 balls?
Robert Pfeil
4 years agoThe reason these balls would be longer than the ProV1/x would be because they spin less. I certainly want to try them, but worry they may spin too little with the irons for me. The TP5X spins less, but launches higher so you can land it soft and don’t necessarily need the spin. That is the right spot for me and what I need. The lower spin/lower launch may lead to more roll out and I play rock hard greens.
I do love the place we are in with golf balls now though. You really can fine tune your game to what you want. Every ball is getting similar off the driver except for the launch angle. It’s really about how you want your irons to play/spin and how you want the ball around the green. While it can be a pain to try so many golf balls, when you find the one that helps you the most, it’s well worth it. I’ll try the AVX and see how it does. It has me curious for sure.
Andrew
4 years agoAbsolutely agree with your second point- this is a good problem to have, we all should be able to find a ball that fits us well now. As a side benefit of the DTC boom, folks who live in remote locations don’t have to drive forever to get a good selection of quality balls.
Lee L
4 years agoI am surprised no one mentions the B330 RXS in this article or thread. I “go against the recs” as a player with a 107-113mph SS in playing them, but I have not found a better feeling ball with more distance than the 2017 RXS. Does everything I want it to do for cheaper than the Chrone soft X or the Pro V1/AVX. Was disappointed with the 2018 Bridgestone changes, but loaded up at Dicks for 30 bucks a box last month. I hit a sleeve of AVX…decent ball. Not better than the RXS.
Westonmaughangolf
4 years agoIt’s worth it IMHO. You are getting golf balls from a company that obsesses over golf ball performance and has a brand that depends on it. Not everyone drives a Mercedes and that’s okay, and in the Mercedes line up you have your C class or your SL class to chose from. If “I” have to play a sub premium ball, darn right its going to be a Titleist. A “C” class is better than a Ford escort or a Honda civic and I’m wiling to pay for it.
That said, is no one here familiar with the best kept secret? Titleist “PRACTICE” balls? $29.99 for a box of near perfect ProV1x. That’s a win win!
Dave S
4 years agoIt’s a beautiful analogy, but unfortunatly does not apply here. That “Honda Civic” you reference is either a Snell or Vice, from a price perspective, but unlike in a battle b/w an actual Civic and C-Class, where the C-Class is the clear performance winner, the Vice and Snell balls perform just as well as the “SL-Class” ball from Titleist (it’s ProV series).
So if I’m gonna pay through the nose for an SL-Class Benz, it darn well better out-perform a Civic!
Dave
4 years agoPrice point is still a little high for me but I know some guys that will likely give it a go since they can get yellow
PeterO
4 years agoTony, I’m intrigued by your comment “I’ve spent years trying to avoid playing Titleist balls”. Why would you have that POV?
As someone who has played for 66 years I remember when Titleist stood head and shoulders above anything else from the USA in the big/small ball era. everything else was rubbish compared to the small balls offered by Dunlop and Penfold. When ball size was unified, Tirleist set the bar and they have continued ever since. I try them all and apart from the Snell and other “non” name brands, they’re all available here in South Africa. Despite the price I am very happy to pay for quality, consistency and the knowledge that Acushnet lead the pack.
Bob Smith
4 years agoI played a dozen AVX balls. My clubhead speed is 95 and spin rate averages 1990 with a launch angle of 16 to 18 degrees. I found the AVX to be boring. It definitely underperformes compared to Encore, Snell, and Vice who are all priced significantly lower. I think that Titlest will end up selling the AVX at prices in the low $30 range,. if at all.
Tom Golfsalot
4 years agoBob, there are quite a few of us that love this ball. The fact that Titleist decided to roll it out nationally after the 3 state test speaks volumes. I switched from ProV 1x to the AVX and will gladly pay the $48.
Matt
4 years agoI tested the AVX in Yellow and I was happy with the golf ball. Very long golf ball for my age (48) and driver Swing Speed (93-97) with a Cobra F7. Most impressed with the coloring and durability of the AVX Yellow Cover. Maybe Titleist R&D is working on a Yellow Pro-V1 for 2019 model to keep up with consumer demand for colored golf balls. I’ll be curious to see how Team Titleist markets the AVX this Summer as the #BallWar heats up.
Wes Parkhurst
4 years agoLiving in Florida so was able to try AVX. Is a very good ball with good distance and adequate spin. That said, it is not a Pro V1 or Pro V1x. I see no advantage to buying AVX versus the best ball ever made, the Pro V. If price point under $40, many people would at least try it. Just buy the K-sig 4 piece or 3 piece. Save the money for brews after the round.
Red Nelson
4 years agoThis ball meets the most essential criteria: An “X” is in the name; the name has three letters; it resoonds well on the green.
MGoBlue100
4 years agoBought a dz of these in FL last year while on a golf trip. The marketing got me; HAD to try them! They’re soft; they spin A LOT, and they do fly at least as far as anything else. I like them better than a Pro-V, but I’m reluctant to pay that price when I can play a lower priced ball that I also like, and therefore play more golf with the money I saved.
Nigel
4 years agoBang-on about the price. I think Titleist is really resting on their laurels on this one. It’s one thing to have the #1 ball on tour at a premium, but to come out with a competing ball (which likely won’t have a particularly high tour presence) and maintain that “#1 ball on tour” price point seems like a poor decision.
JOEL GOODMAN
4 years agoWE ALL KNOW OR SHOULD KNOW THAT THE 100+ SHOOTER WILL STILL BE OVER 100 AND THE SINGLE DIGIT HANDICAPPER WILL STILL SCORE 76 OR WHATEVER HE/SHE SCORES NOW. THE BALL IKS A MINOR OR NON-FACTOR TO YOUR SCORE. TITLEIST AND ALL THE OTHER BALL MAKERS HAVE FEAD US THE LINE OF BULL MANURE ABOUT THE BALLS FOR YEARS TO SELL MORE GOLF BALLS. I REFUSE TO Accept THE PREMISE THAT A $48.00 A DOZEN BALL MAKES YOU SCORE ANY BETTER THAN PLAYING A BRAND NEW TOPFLITE OR PINNACLE OR ANY OTHER $1. EACH GOLF BALL. ONLY THE PLAYERS SKILL MAKES A DIFFERENCE –SPEND THE MONEY ON LESSONS AND AT THE GYM TO GET IN BETTER SHAPE WITH MORE FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH. IT WILL DO MORE FOR YOUR GAME THAN $48 A DOZEN BALLS. (you’re gonna lose them in the water or woods anyway–right? )
Matt
4 years agoStop yelling
Jason Day
4 years agoYour Caps lock is on!
Dave W
4 years agoI agree with you Joel 100%……..the only caveat would be that the player try to use the same ball versus switching from one ball to another based on which ball is on sale.
Bob Pegram
4 years agoWhen you are playing a course with the pins are right behind traps and/or the greens are hard, the ball makes a BIG difference. It has to stop quickly or your score goes through the roof.
Craig
4 years agoIf you are looking for a lower compression 3 piece urethane golf ball, then you need to try the Srixon Q Star Tour. $29.99 all day, every day.
sidvicius
4 years agocan anyone out there build, produce a golf ball or clubs that are better then the rest and cheaper?
is there that much B.S. in the industry.
Jon
4 years agoThere are plenty of bachelors of science in the industry, it is the bull$hit that is neck deep.
Dave
4 years agoCount me among the $40 or below crowd. That said, haven’t most of the top manufacturers raised prices to $45/dz? Looking at Golf Galaxy website Pro V1 are $48. Chrome Soft, TP5x, and Tour B are all $45. The only premium ball under $40 is Srixon or Wilson Duo (if you count that as premium).
For me $3 in savings doesn’t represent much value. I might as well pay for a Titleist ball. But more than likely I’ll do the same thing I’ve done the last several years – troll Amazon looking for deals in Dec/Jan timeframe and stock up for the year. Found Tour B for $30/dz last year, and Chrome Soft for $32/dz this year. I really liked the 2017 Chrome Soft, but I’m not a fan of the 2018 version so I’ll likely switch back to Tour B next year.
Geoff
4 years agoThanks for another great article Tony!
I’m gaming the Vice Pro Soft now and would try the AVX if it was sub-$40. I think that Titleist missed the mark with the price. $39.99 would give non-Titleist players a reason to at least try the ball….and switch brands if the balls performs.
Chris Benner
4 years agoThis ball is longer than Chrome soft. I have been playing Chrome Soft for a year now, switched to the AVX for the past 3 months and this ball is 20 yards longer with my woods and 10 yards longer with irons and wedges. It resoonds well on the greens and I can get it to hop and stop, which is what I like so much about the Chrome Soft was the control that I had on the greens with that ball. End of the day, AVX is longer than Chrome Soft and almost as good for greenside spin and control. If your game needs more length I strongly recommend this ball.
Terry McDowell
4 years agoHmmmm. I’m not calling you a liar but 20 yards longer is impossible. MAYBE 2 or 3 yards difference. Please do an indoor test on a launch monitor and report back.
Sandy
4 years agoIt’s significantly longer off the tee than and at least a half club longer off the irons. Not as much spin as prov1x, but enough for this single digit player. Hi
Chris Benner
4 years agoHonestly Terry, I do not disagree with your logic. However I have played hundreds of rounds of golf at the golf course right by my house for the past 10 years. I know where to land every tee shot, I know where to drop my approach shots onto every green and this ball was disruptive to my game because I am hitting tee shots further than ever before to new distances on every hole and until I finally trusted this ball was longer and clubbed down on approach shots I was missing greens long. Furthermore, a guy I play golf with every single Saturday in a points game noticed that I was hitting the ball much further and now he is playing AVX too, he was converted.
Top Pak Rat
4 years agoCHRIS,
Let me guess, you also fell for the Taylor Made Driver story of increased distance and bought a new driver every 3 months. I am sure you are now hitting your newest Taylor Made driver 400 yards. Oh excuse me with the new Titleist ball it’s now 420.
Chris Benner
4 years agoHi Top Pak Rat, I have no new clubs in my bag this year and I have my Cobra F7 that I picked up last spring. I do not disagree with your skepticism. Honestly, I don’t but this ball is a gamechanger for me.
I have played hundreds of rounds of golf at the golf course right by my house for the past 10 years. I know where to land every tee shot, I know where to drop my approach shots onto every green and this ball was disruptive to my game because I am hitting tee shots further than ever before to new distances on every hole and until I finally trusted this ball was longer and clubbed down on approach shots I was missing greens long. Furthermore, a guy I play golf with every single Saturday in a points game noticed that I was hitting the ball much further and now he is playing AVX too, he was converted.
Pkc
4 years agoI’ve played the chrome soft, AVX and my usual ProV1X. The AVX is definitely a bit longer than the other two, but that’s only because it flights a bit lower with less spin. And for myself this was not a wanted feature, I couldn’t get long irons to stay on the green, lower flight plus lower spin meant one club longer but mostly in roll. Chrome soft I can over compress and balloon the ball so it doesn’t work well for myself, the Chrome soft X is too firm for my soft game to personally like it. So I’ve settled on the ProV1X since it has a bit higher flight and doesn’t over compress for higher swing speeds. I think the AVX fits as a longer premium ball for golfers that already have too high of a spin rate, but for myself I found keeping a 4-7 iron on the green difficult. I use a 9 iron from 150, so no issues from 165 in, more from 175 or further, while the ProV1X at least flights the ball higher to allow for softer approaches from those longer distances. Off the tee I did see a good 6-10 yard gain, but again might be all in roll.
Tit-loyalist
4 years agoI have tried them while in test mode (AVX No Name but Test), Then when they did the limited launch. Great ball, it will compete (I hope) with CS loyalist. I am sticking to my Pro V1 or 1x, to me it comes down to feel and performance. But hey if someone gave me a doz., I wouldn’t give it away as I do with Cal CS.
RPL
4 years agoI’ve played the ball, and it DOES go further than V or X! The feel isn’t as soft as the Chrome Soft, or the new KS3, but the performance is tour-ball quality. I think there’s a bunch of golfers that have been waiting for a colored tour ball from Titleist that will gladly make this purchase.
Bob Smith
4 years agoI tried one sleeve. All I needed. Not impressed. Back to DT Trusoft at half the price thank you.
Terry McDowell
4 years agoI love the chrome soft truvis balls but only buy them if I can find them for $30/dozen. Otherwise I will just play the DT Trusoft or MG or Vice Pro
Tony Blundetto
4 years agoYou lost me when I saw the $47.99 price tag. I don’t pay that for any balls anymore. Been playing Vice Pro for the past year and they are perfect for me (12 index, 100mph clubhead speed).
Ennui Golf
4 years agoI certainly did.
Golf ball dimples with a catenary curve profile
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100081519