Equipment
Titleist 2014 NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT Solo Golf Balls
Ninety-five percent of the time, golfers who are fit for a Titleist golf ball will be told that the best ball for them is either the company’s Pro V1 or Pro V1X. That’s because the Pro V1 and Pro V1X use Titleist’s most advanced materials and complex constructions to provide top-level distance and spin when golfers need it.
But all that technology comes at a cost – about $40 dozen – that many golfers are not willing to pay. That’s why Titleist offers less-expensive golf balls that aim to closely mimic the performance of the Pro V1 family.
Titleist’s 2014 NXT Tour and NXT Tour S golf balls, for example, are designed to get as close as possible to the performance of the Pro V1 and Pro V1X without using their more expensive urethane covers.
The NXT Tour is a three-piece golf ball, with a softer compression dual core that contributes to lower-spinning shots with a golfer’s long clubs for more distance. The ball’s surlyn “FusaBlend” cover was made softer as well, which not only creates a softer feel, but adds spin on shorter shots.
The 2014 NXT Tour S is a two-piece golf ball designed for golfers looking for NXT Tour-level performance, but with a softer feel. Its compression is 10 points lower than its predecessor, and its cover was made softer as well to give golfers more spin around the greens.
Both the NXT Tour and NXT Tour S golf balls have the company’s spherically tiled 302 octahedral dimple design, which gives them a similar trajectory: a deep, downgrade flight that creates a steep angle of descent. According to Mike Mahoney, Titleist’s director of golf ball product management, those flight characteristics are more similar to Titleist’s Pro V1X than the Pro V1, as the Pro V1 is programmed to have a more penetrating flight.
What does spherically tiled mean? It’s a design that has multiple axes of symmetry. In the case of these golf balls that means that there are three places where the ball could be cut into thirds, and from an aerodynamic standpoint, the dimples would be exactly the same.
Both golf balls will sell for $33.99, and the NXT Tour S will be available in both white and Titleist’s “high optic yellow.”
Also new for Titleist in 2014 is its updated Velocity ($26.99) and DT Solo golf balls ($19.99).
The Velocity is Titleist’s distance-driven golf ball, with a high-energy, softer-compression LSX Core that was infused with the same ingredients in the Pro V1X’s outer core to allow the two-piece ball to be made softer without losing distance. Its new spherically tiled 328-tetrahedral dimple design mixes seven different dimple sizes to create a more penetrating trajectory with a shallower angle of decent for more roll.
The DT Solo maintains its positioning as Titleist’s lowest-compression golf ball, and delivers more distance than its predecessor through improved aerodynamics: a new spherically tiled 376 tetrahedral dimple design that uses eight different dimple sizes. It’s available in both white and yellow.
All four golf balls will be in golf stores Jan. 22.
- LIKE17
- LEGIT6
- WOW2
- LOL2
- IDHT2
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK4
Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
- LIKE7
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole3 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Ernest
Dec 22, 2014 at 9:41 am
95% of people who get fitted by Titleist are recommended to use the companies most expensive golf ball?!?! You dont say 🙁
www.wikipedia.com
Feb 6, 2014 at 12:54 am
Coloring books are usually utilized by children, though coloring books for adults may also be available.
According to Alexandra Juhasz, professor of media studies at
California’s Pitzer College and something in the course facilitators, approximately 300 students have enrolled
in the course, which falls beneath the Fem – Tech –
Net rubric ‘Dialogues on Feminism and Technology. In addition, Wikipedia can be be extremely
helpful any moment that a student encounters a term, name, or another little information
that’s unfamiliar.
David
Jan 30, 2014 at 12:50 pm
I’ve played a lot of different types of golf balls dating back to the original Titleist DT 90. I really like the feel of a softer ball, but it really only matters when it comes to putting. I had the opportunity to participate in Titleist’s ball testing during this past fall. Incredible ball…super feel, good distance, and excellent spin. Only problem is the ball was only marked “test” so I have no idea which model Titleist I was hitting. Curse you Titleist for teasing me like that!
thefullsp
Jan 26, 2014 at 3:39 am
Golf lessons. Rinse. Repeat. I’m playing a mix of Lethals for serious rounds – just shipped in 4 dozen at cut price and some 2012 or so Srixon Z Star for early season when Shankapotomous is in full effect. Happy Sunday WRXers. Don’t follow the Crowd
Taylor
Jan 22, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Srixon Z star is a more durable prov1*, love em
Roy striper
Jan 22, 2014 at 8:48 pm
Go get Wilson FG tour or tour x. You’ll thank me.
jc
Jan 22, 2014 at 6:41 pm
for 31 dollars, you can get the callaway hex chrome OR hex chrome plus and they are better than the nxt AND better or the same as the PRO vs…durable, long and they spin..
haven’t tried the newest callaway speed balls..
but geez,how many balls do we need??
and can anybody tell the diff between a ball for under 90 swing speed and a 92 swing speed?
Chris
Jan 22, 2014 at 11:33 am
I’m really excited about these balls(NXT TOUR S). I currently play a tour level ball, but if what they say is true, I could save quite a bit of money. Who knows though?
vettenut79
Jan 22, 2014 at 11:47 am
Although the claim is that the NXT and NXT-TOUR S provide a high level of spin around the greens, I have yet to see any lower-level ball provide the amount of short-shot spin as the PRO-V balls. The only possible exception would be the CALLAWAY HX-BITE……. Which is no longer made, at least under that model name.
Paul G.
Jan 22, 2014 at 2:56 pm
you should try the mg c4 golf balls. they are 20/ dozen.
Jason Feathers
Jan 22, 2014 at 11:28 am
The Pro V’s are awesome golf balls, but why has Titleist not used urethane covers for the NXT golf balls. Other companies such as Bridgestone, Maxfli, TaylorMade, and Top Flight have used urethane in their less expensive models and they are all cheaper than the NXT’s.
Jim
Jan 22, 2014 at 11:13 am
Last time I checked, Pro Vs sold for $48 per dozen (where are you finding them for $39.99?) and are far out of the range of most golfers. That’s why the Chrome and RBZ Urethane and other similar balls are selling well because they’re much more affordable. Titleist needs to come out with a urethane ball that sells for less money to be competitive in that market.
C Masty
Jan 24, 2014 at 10:14 pm
agreed. The only $39 prov1 I’ve seen is prior years models. Where are these illusive balls?
Fred
Jan 25, 2014 at 12:04 am
I’ve seen Pro V X-outs pretty cheap, but I wonder about those.
Mike
Jan 22, 2014 at 10:48 am
I play the prov1 but when I start a new season is use the nxt tour for the softness on all shots. It’s a great ball that people seem to pass up and I don’t know why. Everyone should give these new 2014 NXT a try !
Play well
Xreb
Jan 22, 2014 at 3:56 pm
There are cheaper urethane cover balls that outperform (IMHO ofcourse) the NXT Tour. At $33 you can get a Chrome/Chrome+ for example. The NXT may not be a bad ball but it is not a great value…