Equipment
Titleist is releasing new “AVX” premium golf balls, made for more distance
GolfWRX has learned that Titleist is testing new “AVX” golf balls — made with premium performance urethane covers and designed for more distance and a softer feel — in three different markets. The new three-piece golf balls will hit the shelves of golf shops and retail stores for the same price as Titleist’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls on October 6 in only Florida, California and Arizona to evaluate the demand for such a product.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about Titleist’s AVX golf balls here
The golf balls will be available in both white and high optic yellow based on the photos of the packaging and golf balls.
According to language written on Titleist’s AVX packaging, the golf balls will have a new, “high speed,” low-compression core that’s designed for a softer feel and more distance. There is also a “high flex casing layer” to enhance speed and control spin. The “GRN41 urethane cover” is said to deliver scoring control, a soft feel and durability.
It’s clear from the photos we’ve obtained that the AVX golf balls feature a new dimple pattern, at least compared to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. According to the packaging, it’s a “352 tetrahedral catenary dimple design” to make it more aerodynamic for flight consistency.
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about Titleist’s AVX golf balls here
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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.
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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!
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- 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.
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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.
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole3 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole3 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole1 week agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Tyler Brooke
Oct 23, 2017 at 12:00 pm
For Dummies Version: A ball that will go father then their prov and prov1X but is supposed to perform better around the greens and on the green.
They also flight iron shots lower and come hot off the face.
Bert
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Played the ball today for the first time. Felt good off club face and checked well on full shots into the greens. Distance was OK, not sure I picked up any with my 85 MPH swing speed. What I didn’t like about the ball was how it played for short pitch shots. I usually play a gap wedge, if possible, within 60-30 yards and it will bounce once, twice and then bite hard. This ball felt good but would bounce once, twice and then let go and roll. It tried to get it to bite off tight lie, but usually let go and rolled out more than I like. I switched to the B-330 RXS and got the check I wanted. I hit a few side by side and noticed the difference in bite characteristics. I could get used to it, but not sure. I did like the reaction off my driver, like I mentioned, not sure it was any longer, but flight was good for me. I’ll play them for a few more rounds and get a better feel.
Jerry
Oct 19, 2017 at 6:01 pm
What is GRN41 Urethane??
Not as spinny as their Elastomer Urethane in the ProV1?
AVX – Amateur VX (ProV1X)
Mat
Oct 13, 2017 at 11:22 pm
NXT + Urethane…
Mad-Mex
Sep 24, 2017 at 4:06 am
Heard next year they will have a rubber wound balata covered premium golf ball,,,,,,
Bobo
Sep 23, 2017 at 3:46 pm
The upgrade to the AVX is now in the minds and mill of the folks at Titleist.
AVX now….. BWY coming soon!!! (CXZ next year).
Mike Tomasi
Sep 23, 2017 at 2:15 pm
They should have just come out with a 70 compression pro v1 and called it the pro v1s. Just my marketing idea.
SK
Sep 23, 2017 at 6:02 pm
AVX now…. BWY soon…. CXZ coming next year…. otherwise no change
retired04
Sep 23, 2017 at 6:28 am
Slower swing speed? Try the Srixon Q Star Tour and do your own comparison. I’m 70. 75-77 swing speed-took the time to hit dozens of full and short game shots actually comparing the Pro Vs to the Srixon ball and the Srixon ball was as good or better at $30 or less per dz.. Had to convince myself and I did.
BO
Sep 22, 2017 at 9:24 pm
urethane…. non-urethane…..uranusthane?
2putttom
Sep 22, 2017 at 4:12 pm
lol .. these comments and responses remind me of public comment time at a city council meeting
abxgolf
Sep 22, 2017 at 4:58 pm
golf clubs and balls are gearhead heaven and let no man put that asunder
James Strachan
Sep 22, 2017 at 3:57 pm
VICE are made in yellow.
abxgolf
Sep 22, 2017 at 4:59 pm
try finding one of those in autumn leaves lol
Jack Nash
Sep 22, 2017 at 3:48 pm
Re-Branding
Re-Engineering
Re-Thinking
Re-Imagining (the latest BS acronym)
Re-Jigging
Re-Treading
All great ideas run thru the Constant Mill of failed actual new ideas.
3 piece balls go far Correct.
3 piece balls can have a soft cover.
3 piece balls will never have enuff spin greenside.
abxgolf
Sep 22, 2017 at 4:57 pm
rush down to yer nearest big box golf mecca store and buy a dozen or two is you loose lotsa balls.
DrB
Sep 22, 2017 at 1:33 pm
It is their way of catching up to Bridgestone, Callaway, Wilson (!), and perhaps others without having to eat crow and change their narrative of the last few years. Titleist has always maintained that either ProV1 or ProV1x is the best ball for your game regardless of your swing speed. (Their other balls exist for those players for whom price is a consideration.) Other companies have brought out tour-quality balls optimized for sub-100mph swings and have found great success with customers. So, Titleist had a problem: they could ignore the success of the likes of the Chrome Soft, B330RX, et al, and continue to lose market share, or come up with a new ball optimized for the sub-100mph swing that has a urethane cover, great distance, tour-quality short game performance, but not contradicting their previous proclamations that ProV1(x) is still best for everyone. Enter the AVX
asugrad1988
Sep 22, 2017 at 12:36 pm
It sounds like the Bridgestone E5 golf ball. 3 piece ball with a urethane cover. About $20 a dozen.
Jack Nash
Sep 22, 2017 at 3:49 pm
Add the name Titleist and double the cost. Re-Branding.
Mat
Oct 13, 2017 at 11:20 pm
And probably not as good as the e5.
MamasBoy
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:55 pm
Mo’ distance….. Lo spin…… Hi shot….. Hit da pin
Speedy
Sep 21, 2017 at 8:51 pm
No thanks, another of their overpriced balls.
MamasBoy
Sep 21, 2017 at 5:00 pm
“made for more distance”??
I need more distance so I’m gonna switch to AVX and they will match my PXG’s
AVX + PXG = APXXVG ….. woooh
Si Si
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Only clowns buy PXG
Si Si isanoob
Sep 22, 2017 at 10:13 am
Jealous much. If your not playing PXG’s you not playing your best.
abxgolf
Sep 22, 2017 at 4:55 pm
sounds like yer noob has been cut off
2putttom
Sep 22, 2017 at 4:09 pm
LOL
abxgolf
Sep 22, 2017 at 5:00 pm
LOL 2
Rich
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:55 am
Flat dimples , looks like the Wilson Staff C golf ball of a few years ago. It seems Wilson Duo had it right after all, Callaway has copied it in the soft, TaylorMade has tried to copy the idea of softer and now another attempt by Titleist to copy the DUO ball. Titleist has again put a ball out that is in the upper ranks in price thinking they will buy it just because of the name…. Titleist over priced and under delivered on most of their goods. They are like the car companies of the mid seventy era.
Brian
Sep 22, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Golf is a game of ‘status’ and the boys with the newest toys play together. You will never find a foursome of buddies with one playing 5 y.o. clubs. If you wanna play, you gotta pay.
Acew7iron
Sep 21, 2017 at 8:44 am
Their answer to the Kirkland ball?
Brian
Sep 21, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Except it’s still over 3x the price of a Kirkland…
Bert
Oct 4, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Whatever happened to the Kirkland ball? Is it finally on the shelves again; and if yes, is it really the same specifications as the one that stirred everyone up?
Tanner
Sep 21, 2017 at 7:47 am
Perhaps their answer for calls for a yellow pro v ?
carl spackler
Sep 21, 2017 at 8:25 am
but, but they said they couldn’t make a ball with a urethane cover yellow due to the nature of urethane
Irma
Sep 21, 2017 at 12:18 pm
They lied, again.
stevemac
Sep 20, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Yeah we do play golf in Texas year round!!!!!!!! Sure hope I am going to get my test balls here. How do you leave out Texas?
Si Si
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Me too
Rich Douglas
Sep 20, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Too little information. Are these some cool, new breakthrough? Or are they just re-packaged Titleist Velocity balls? Something in between? Something else?
Irma
Sep 21, 2017 at 12:18 pm
It’s a copy of the Q-Star Tour
TigerArmy
Sep 20, 2017 at 5:16 pm
Where the hell do these fit in between the ProV1s and the NXTs???
Looks a lot like the Bridgestone strategy where they try to sell sub par tour balls RX / RXS as premium balls to hackers.
AllanA
Sep 20, 2017 at 5:01 pm
AVX … AVX … AVX??? ….. Oh, I get it ….. A (Pro)V(1)X …. LOLOL
Guia
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:30 pm
I will give it a try. Personally though, I use any number of brand balls and have seen very little difference.
AllanA
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Oh, no… there must be a difference… look at all the claims and promises… it must be better because it’s the newest.
larrybud
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:01 am
There is certainly a difference between urethane and non-urethane balls as far as spin goes, especially on approach shots.
Distance? Eh, all within your margin of error.
Davey Dave
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Looks like a good target for an after-hours water hazard diving expedition. Seriously, I’d like to try them to see if they change my second shot.
golfraven
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Looks loke a NXT to me. Same packaging but different name?
larrybud
Sep 21, 2017 at 10:01 am
NXTs are not urethane.
Brian
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Until their balls are reasonably priced, the only Titleist’s I’ll play are those I find on the course.
C
Sep 21, 2017 at 7:52 am
lostgolfballs.com
Judge Smeills
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Still waiting for the release of new DT Solo and the Tour Prestige
Irma
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Titleist, starting to lose their ball market badly to Srixon, Bridgestone, TM, so they decide to copy and say why fight them, join them. Typical of a Korean-owned company looking to cash in, like always, with copies.
Thomas A
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Fila Korea sold Titleist. They are American, publicly owned now. If you read GolfWRX you’d know this.
CCGolfTx
Sep 20, 2017 at 9:44 pm
Acushnet owns Titleist but Fila Korea still owns Acushnet and owns the controlling percentage of the company.
Irma
Sep 21, 2017 at 2:16 am
No, it didn’t. You would know that if you lived in the outside world
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acushnet_Company
surewin73
Sep 21, 2017 at 11:00 am
From your Wikipedia page….
The Acushnet Company is an American company and a subsidiary of Fila Korea, Ltd. that makes golf equipment and clothing.
Acushnet is still owned by Fila Korea!
ibo
Sep 22, 2017 at 10:43 am
Irma it literally says The Acushnet Company is an American company and a subsidiary of Fila Korea, Ltd. that makes golf equipment and clothing. in the first line of the article. LOL
Irma
Sep 23, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Yeah. I was answering Thomas A’s retort that Fila Korea sold Titleist. It didn’t.
You would know that if you understood how the reply listings worked here. Duh
Double Mocha Man
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Did they stop making the “Velocity”… it was their long ball?
Golf64
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:13 pm
So 4 balls in the same price category?! Only thing I like about this is it comes in yellow. No customer here at ProV1 prices!
Scott
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Hey why not right? Give it the old Billy Baron!
cgasucks
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:12 pm
A 3 piece Urethane covered ball at the same price as the Pro V1? There’s no incentive for the golfer to buy the AVX (maybe a dozen or two for curiosity’s sake) long term and might as well buy the tried and true Pro V1 for the same price.
Teaj
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:08 pm
im confused, someone needs to do a review with these, PROV1 and PROV1X
Golfinnut
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:08 pm
with their quarterly golf sales down the toilet … why come out with a premium distance ball priced just like the V1? No one buys the ProV1 for just that reason. It’s just too damn expensive. No wonder it’s only in 3 states.
Golfandpuff
Sep 20, 2017 at 3:59 pm
Stats? Proof sales are down? Why don’t you get me the mfg cost per ball while you are at it? Thanks!
Brian
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:12 pm
A simple google search will tell you what is common knowledge on Titleist’s recent sales decline.
AllanA
Sep 20, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Golf equipment sales to the recreational golf market is down because the average golfer is aging and giving up the game. The demographics backs this up.
So the golf OEMs are shifting their sales to the upscale market because that’s where the money is. It’s happening to drivers, irons, wedges, balls, everything.
Most on these forums are not so rich that they don’t have to ask for the price of the equipment; they are mostly gearhead wannabes who fall in love with the newest and fanciest toys.
Cdub
Sep 20, 2017 at 6:51 pm
They are a public company. Read their last Q earnings release.
AllanA
Sep 20, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Titlesist Promises:
– More distance
– Softer feeel
– Enhanced speed
– Control spin
– Scoring control
– Durability
– More aerodynamic
– Flight consistency
– Optic color
– Fancy dimples
Premium performance at a premium price on par with ProV1-x.
Sooo, if you want to be a good golfer you must spend more $$$$ on your equipment, shoes, accessories and clothes too. It only makes sense.
new stuff!!
Sep 20, 2017 at 2:25 pm
what I don’t understand is why they don’t make the v1 or v1x in yellow.
waiting for tp5 to come in yellow as well.
until then… chrome soft it is
AllanA
Sep 20, 2017 at 5:05 pm
No ‘yaller’ ball for me…. maybe a pink Volvic…. maybe not …..