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New Titleist EXP-01 golf ball: Giving all golfers the prototype testing experience

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A blank Titleist “white box” of prototype balls always gets a golfer’s heart racing. Fortunately, Titleist is bringing that experience to every consumer with the launch of the EXP-01 ball to select pro shops and retailers in North America starting October 1st.

If you are unfamiliar with the “white box experience,” let me get you up to speed: As the undisputed leader in golf balls, Titleist is constantly testing and prototyping in research and development, and also with players of all skill levels—from professionals to amateurs alike. Unless you are part of the process as a professional, the next best thing is being a part of Team Titleist, where you can opt in to potentially test and give feedback directly to Titleist on sample sleeves.

With the EXP-01, Titleist is being very hush-hush on the exact specs of the ball, and for good reason—they want you, the golfer, to give them as much unbiased feedback as possible and approach testing with an open mind—and I pushed for answers! The initial limited release is very similar to how Titleist first launched the now hugely popular AVX ball—before it was rolled out in full release.

From Titleist

“EXP•01 is being released as part of the Titleist EXP Project, a new and ongoing initiative created to provide golfers the opportunity to experience new golf ball technologies still in the experimental phase. The Titleist R&D and Golf Ball Product Management teams will be actively seeking performance feedback from golfers who play EXP•01 during its availability.”

2020-titleist-exp-golf-ball

Titleist EXP-01: A New Approach

Titleist is approaching the EXP line in a way like the Concept Series of irons but without the premium price point

  • To better understand how new technologies work in the hands of real golfers
  • To get performance feedback
  • To give players of all skill levels the opportunity to be a part of the final prototype process to future products

Titleist has intentionally not provided any clue on where the EXP-01 ball might fit into the current lineup, but it’s safe to make a couple of assumption based on what we do know so far about the EXP-01.

titleist-exp01-ball

$39.99 a dozen puts the EXP-01 in line with the current Titleist Tour Soft ball at $38.99 a dozen, but with one big difference—a urethane cover. It’s not likely Titleist is going to try test selling consumers a $29 ball at $40 because, well, that just not a very good idea (I’m sure much smarter people than me concluded that a long time ago).  It’s either going to be a line extension of the premium line, or it’s going to be a new urethane ball at a slightly less expensive price point vs. the current $47.99 ProV1 and AVX line.

“We want the EXP-01 to be the first of many opportunities for us to work directly with consumers to not only gain personal feedback but also provide golfers with the chance to be a part of the decision making process,” Michael Mahoney, Vice President, Golf Ball Marketing, Titleist

“The EXP Project invites golfers into the early stages of our R&D process and allows us to broadly test experimental materials, constructions and processes that could be integrated into any segment of our golf ball line. EXP•01 is truly an exploratory product and there’s no better way to evaluate our progress than getting it into the hands of dedicated golfers.”

More of What We Know

Without giving any specifics away, Titleist did give us enough information about the specs for us to start looking around and trying to figure some things out.

  1. As mentioned, the Titleist EXP-01 will be a urethane-covered ball, and urethane offers the most amount of greenside spin when paired with proper core and mantle construction.
  2. Speaking to construction, the EXP-01 will be a three-piece ball. There are not many three-piece urethane covered balls that are not designed to absolutely maximize performance from tee to green, so it’s going to be interesting to see how these perform.
  3. MTR Cover system. We were able to get the acronym out of Michael Mahoney, but unfortunately, that was as far as he was willing to go. It’s is a new technology that Titleist has been testing for some time now that offers even more enhanced short game spin and control.
2020 Titleist EXP-01 golf balls

2020 Titleist EXP-01 golf balls

Titleist EXP-01 Feedback & Availability

Each box of EXP-01’s will include an insert card for golfers to go online and provide valued feedback about the ball to Titleist. For example: How they liked the feel, distance, and spin performance among other questions both qualitative and quantitative.

The EXP-01 with be available in October in select pro shops, so check with your local pro shop or retailer to find out how you can get your hands on some.

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Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. Spin Master

    Oct 6, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    I’ve been hitting chips with a sleeve for a couple days. These have no action at all. I’m seriously disappointed. I might as well be playing the new Try Soft ball. This is a waste of a urethane cover.

  2. steve

    Oct 5, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    Just one more example of how the major golf manufacturers have golf enthusiast by the “balls“ ( pardon the pun? ). Convincing people to buy experimental products is brilliant and not surprising in this industry where people are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single club based on keeping up with the Joneses mentality.

  3. Buckwheat Zydeco III

    Oct 2, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    I read the comments below and it is safe to say just about none of you have any idea what you are talking about. You sound like a bunch of guys at a strip club trying to do their “aren’t I cool” act with the dancer they just gave half their paycheck to.

    • Rascal

      Oct 3, 2019 at 12:55 am

      Thanks for sharing your nightlife experience with us. Me, I’d keep that kind of detail to myself really.

  4. Superior Spin Desired

    Oct 1, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    The more it spins around the green the better. I’ve heard the new Bridgestone picks up some serious green side spin. I can’t wait to try these Titleist. I love the AVX off the driver but it’s just not as fun around the greens. This needs to be more skinny than the Pro V1 line.

  5. drkviol801

    Oct 1, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    Tp5 flat out exposed the prov1

    • Juan Baldez

      Oct 2, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      Did you pull down your pants in front of your foursome again?

  6. John J Burns

    Oct 1, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    Titleist is starting to go down that slippery slope of having too many ball options and confusing the consumer!

  7. Mark

    Oct 1, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    OK, nice move but when we can get the other pro V1 and Pro V1x as everyone knows Titlest have 4 balls not just 2 from ProV range for the pros. This could be a great one. I understand the logistics and marketing of 4 premium not just 2 but it can be the right time now.

  8. JP

    Oct 1, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    NXT Tour U

    A urethane covered NXT Tour S

  9. James

    Oct 1, 2019 at 10:56 am

    Replacing the NXT Tour.

  10. Alex

    Oct 1, 2019 at 10:26 am

    Titleist stop taking the Taylormade and Callaway bait. Either you need spin and go for the x or need less spin and go for the regular Pro V1. If you are distance crazed and want another premium ball to be a club longer on every shot get the AVX. Other wise the Tour Soft is the new NXT Tour if you dont want to spend $50 a dozen and the velocity and the tru soft are the glorified range balls.

  11. Richard

    Oct 1, 2019 at 10:20 am

    Will it be a conforming ball?

    • Thomas A

      Oct 1, 2019 at 10:51 am

      Of course not. Why would the leading golf ball manufacturer make a conforming ball to sell to the public and use in competition?

    • APFPilot

      Oct 1, 2019 at 3:22 pm

      It is on the conforming list

  12. APFPilot

    Oct 1, 2019 at 10:16 am

    So it is basically their version of the ERC Soft just with a full Urethane cover?

  13. the dude

    Oct 1, 2019 at 9:25 am

    titleist marketing genius……proto’s you pay for….all the while the lines will be running to put these puppies on the shelf regardless of the feedback. 🙂

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Whats in the Bag

Chesson Hadley WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70 TX

3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (14.5 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist 620 CB (4, 5), Titleist 620 MB (6-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 105 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball
Grip: Odyssey

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Check out more in-hand photos Chesson Hadley’s clubs here.

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Whats in the Bag

Gary Woodland WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (8 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 70 M5

  • The white circle that appears at the top of the face a removable sticker that’s used for launch monitor tracking, and Woodland removes it for competition!

3-wood: Cobra Darkspeed X (14 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

7-wood: Cobra LTDx LS prototype (20 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

Irons: Wilson Staff (18 degrees), Cobra King MB (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X

Wedges: Cobra SB (48), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-08F, 56-14F), Cobra King (60)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X (48 degrees), KBS Tour V-Ten 125

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0P

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

See more in-hand photos of Gary Woodland’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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