2018 Titleist AVX Golf Balls

[Gary Gutful]

The fact that Titleist is selling tons of AVX at $48+ a dozen with zero Tour usage seems to indicate it must work really, really good for a lot of less-than-Tour players, no?

 

It certainly works good for my game.

Lets actually assume that there is some substance behind this statement as I note you declined to provide any supporting evidence when asked.

 

Amateurs buying something in vast numbers isn't an indication that it is optimal for their game. Amateur golfers buy equipment for all types of reasons (marketing, tour usage, brand loyalty etc). I would suggest that beyond the most enlightened WRXer that represents <1%, performance is pretty low on the list. If it is on the list then they are probably ill equipped to even measure it.

 

I hope AVX is a big success for Titleist as I love the brand. But I cant help but feel that in 12 months time we wont be talking about it having the same impact that the TP5, Chrome Soft and indeed ProV1/X have had in the past.

 

Unless of course, they can get it into the hands of some tour players. ;)

 

So its OK for Bridgestone to gain majority of its sales from the B330-RX line without a single ball played on tour but double standard for Titleist correct? I would bet Titleist knew the ball was good after the validation period or else It wouldnt be on the same shelf as the ProV1 line. Why risk the erosion of the flagship brand?

 

My point is, given the scale that Titleist works on any ball that was added to the permanent lineup after a lengthy trial period must have sold what most companies would consider a huge number of balls. They're not going to add a third Urethane variation to their lineup just because it sold a few thousand dozen.

 

Will it ever be as popular as the ProV1/ProV1x? Not on your life. But a ball is bought by a tenth as many people as ProV1/ProV1x would still be like the fifth or sixth more popular Urethane ball on the market. The entire Srixon Urethane-ball lineup sells a few percent as many as the ProV1/ProV1x.

 

Put it another way, I'll bet Titleist has sold as many AVX's in one year as Costco has sold K-Sig/K3, ever. Which makes it a niche product for Titleist but that's only because Titleist's consumer base is so huge.

I agree. It is definitely a niche product within Titleist's line up.

[4rheel]

These don't seem to be selling well at my local store so I'll wait until they go on closeout before trying a dz.

[Gary Gutful]

The fact that Titleist is selling tons of AVX at $48+ a dozen with zero Tour usage seems to indicate it must work really, really good for a lot of less-than-Tour players, no?

 

It certainly works good for my game.

Lets actually assume that there is some substance behind this statement as I note you declined to provide any supporting evidence when asked.

 

Actually, if there was anything to criticize in NB's statement it would have been the use of "good" instead of "well". :D

 

Amateurs buying something in vast numbers isn't an indication that it is optimal for their game. Amateur golfers buy equipment for all types of reasons (marketing, tour usage, brand loyalty etc). I would suggest that beyond the most enlightened WRXer that represents <1%, performance is pretty low on the list. If it is on the list then they are probably ill equipped to even measure it.

 

I hope AVX is a big success for Titleist as I love the brand. But I cant help but feel that in 12 months time we wont be talking about it having the same impact that the TP5, Chrome Soft and indeed ProV1/X have had in the past.

 

Unless of course, they can get it into the hands of some tour players. ;)

 

I would tend to disagree.

 

Excepting "golf on a budget", I would suggest that performance is rather high on the list of serious golfers, even those into the high teens handicap-wise, that can afford to play a $4 ball, even among higher handicappers.

 

They/we may not even be the best judge of what ball actually works best but I still think that would be the major concern. I mean other than cost what else IS there ?

 

Now the casual/recreational golfer ? They couldn't care less. They play whatever they find or whatever is the cheapest.

 

So I think it's about WHO you're talking about.

 

Further, you probably won't see it in the hands of Tour players because they don't NEED the extra distance and they don't want less spin - and that IS, after all, the selling points for this ball. Slightly modified ProV1 type performance. For ME, right now, they are doing exactly that and I am loving it. :good:

I think we are somewhat agreeing. I said that 'if it is on the list then they are probably ill equipped to measure it'.

 

Distance is seducing but it:

 

1. May not actually materialise for some players.

2. Comes at the expense of spin which is the single biggest thing that I believe the majority of amateurs need with their scoring clubs (putter excepted).

[North Butte]

The AVX spins about 5-10% less than ProV1 off wedges in the short game. It is NOT a low spin ball on anything other than iron shots. And on full iron shots although it spins perhaps 15-20% less than most Urethane balls it still spins more than typical Surlyn balls. For my game its spin is sufficient to hold firm greens with a 7 or 8 iron, unlike balls such as e6, SuperSoft or Tour Soft.

 

It is a unique combination of extra distance but “just enough” spin and control for some of us. I have tried enough balls that potentially could offer similar performance (but do not for one reason or another) to conclude it is probably different than any other ball currently on the market.

[Gary Gutful]

Agreed. A better option than surlyn but still not ideal compared to other urethane balls.

[North Butte]

Agreed. A better option than surlyn but still not ideal compared to other urethane balls.

 

It’s ideal for my game. That’s the part that’s unique.

[Gary Gutful]

Agreed. A better option than surlyn but still not ideal compared to other urethane balls.

 

It’s ideal for my game. That’s the part that’s unique.

You are unique. :-)

[cmb71]

After 20 rounds this season, AVX is damn near ideal for me too, but perhaps for different reasons.

 

Driver - yes, it is no doubt longer than V1/V1X... hard to say if it's lower launch or spin, or the combination of those 2...

Irons - nothing noticeable, bad or good... although I think I like it more because it feels softer to me...

Wedges - full shots, same as other premium ball versions; partial shots don't seem to spin quite as much as V1/V1X, but nothing I haven't been able to adjust to...

Putter - seems to feel softer to me, for some reason, more so than V1/V1X. For the putter, I absolutely love it.

[4rheel]

Really weird, tired a sample pack when they first came out. Nothing special for my high backspin/high ball tendencies. This weekend my buddy insists I try one since he says it's a better Titleist ball for him. To my surprise, the distance was great with less sidespin. Is this a characteristic with the AVX ball?

[nsxguy]

The fact that Titleist is selling tons of AVX at $48+ a dozen with zero Tour usage seems to indicate it must work really, really good for a lot of less-than-Tour players, no?

 

It certainly works good for my game.

Lets actually assume that there is some substance behind this statement as I note you declined to provide any supporting evidence when asked.

 

Actually, if there was anything to criticize in NB's statement it would have been the use of "good" instead of "well". :D

 

Amateurs buying something in vast numbers isn't an indication that it is optimal for their game. Amateur golfers buy equipment for all types of reasons (marketing, tour usage, brand loyalty etc). I would suggest that beyond the most enlightened WRXer that represents <1%, performance is pretty low on the list. If it is on the list then they are probably ill equipped to even measure it.

 

I hope AVX is a big success for Titleist as I love the brand. But I cant help but feel that in 12 months time we wont be talking about it having the same impact that the TP5, Chrome Soft and indeed ProV1/X have had in the past.

 

Unless of course, they can get it into the hands of some tour players. ;)

 

I would tend to disagree.

 

Excepting "golf on a budget", I would suggest that performance is rather high on the list of serious golfers, even those into the high teens handicap-wise, that can afford to play a $4 ball, even among higher handicappers.

 

They/we may not even be the best judge of what ball actually works best but I still think that would be the major concern. I mean other than cost what else IS there ?

 

Now the casual/recreational golfer ? They couldn't care less. They play whatever they find or whatever is the cheapest.

 

So I think it's about WHO you're talking about.

 

Further, you probably won't see it in the hands of Tour players because they don't NEED the extra distance and they don't want less spin - and that IS, after all, the selling points for this ball. Slightly modified ProV1 type performance. For ME, right now, they are doing exactly that and I am loving it. :good:

I think we are somewhat agreeing. I said that 'if it is on the list then they are probably ill equipped to measure it'.

 

Distance is seducing but it:

 

1. May not actually materialise for some players.

2. Comes at the expense of spin which is the single biggest thing that I believe the majority of amateurs need with their scoring clubs (putter excepted).

 

The distance won't materialize for people who already play distance balls. For those who play most "tour" type balls I expect they will see the difference.

 

And spin isn't the be-all end-all either. Angle of descent, for short irons (especially ?), has much to do with roll out on the green. I've always hit a rather high ball. My previous Chrome Softs and ProV1x, off say, a 9 iron, hit and stuck. The AVX, hits and release a foot or 3.

 

For the extra distance I can live with that. ;)

 

And funny but like 4r above, I tried a sleeve back in December and didn't find anything notable about the ball; but I do now. :)

[4rheel]

Yeah, wondering if they changed it at all since the trial pack. The AVX ball was very receptive into greens and putts rolled nicely.

[North Butte]

Yeah, wondering if they changed it at all since the trial pack. The AVX ball was very receptive into greens and putts rolled nicely.

 

No changes that I can tell. I have used AVX for 90% of my golf since last October, first during the trial period and now with the full release. My swing and my game ebbs but the ball always seems like the same old AVX to me.

[grm24]

Yeah, wondering if they changed it at all since the trial pack. The AVX ball was very receptive into greens and putts rolled nicely.

If Titleist changed the AVX from the original limited release last fall it would have to have been resubmitted to the USGA and have a different side stamp on the ball to differentiate it. The side stamp of the AVX has not changed.

[Mcgeeno]

These don't seem to be selling well at my local store so I'll wait until they go on closeout before trying a dz.

 

My local club and the big box golf store have literally sold out of two separate runs on this ball.

 

These things won’t be going on closeout anytime soon.

 

It might not be selling where you are but that’s likely not typical. I’ve only been able to buy two sleeves because it’s all I could find.

[Gary Gutful]

As NB stated, as long as sales are reasonably solid Titleist won’t care. They aren’t looking for a big blockbuster to unseat ProV1/ProvV1x.

 

Too early to tell in my part of the world.

[BiggErn]

As NB stated, as long as sales are reasonably solid Titleist wont care. They arent looking for a big blockbuster to unseat ProV1/ProvV1x.

 

Too early to tell in my part of the world.

 

 

They’re just trying to eat into the Chrome Soft market with this ball. They held out as long as they could with their ball fitting doesn’t matter and what not before they buckled. The funny thing is they will make subtle changes to the ball that really doesn’t change much just like they do ProV1(x), if they don’t stop producing, and somehow it will still be some anomaly of a ball yet made like every other ball in it’s category.

[Hondabuff]

As NB stated, as long as sales are reasonably solid Titleist won’t care. They aren’t looking for a big blockbuster to unseat ProV1/ProvV1x.

 

Too early to tell in my part of the world.

 

 

They’re just trying to eat into the Chrome Soft market with this ball. They held out as long as they could with their ball fitting doesn’t matter and what not before they buckled. The funny thing is they will make subtle changes to the ball that really doesn’t change much just like they do ProV1(x), if they don’t stop producing, and somehow it will still be some anomaly of a ball yet made like every other ball in it’s category.

 

Funny, I was reading the reply and after the 2nd sentence I knew exactly who it was without looking at the name!

[BiggErn]

As NB stated, as long as sales are reasonably solid Titleist won’t care. They aren’t looking for a big blockbuster to unseat ProV1/ProvV1x.

 

Too early to tell in my part of the world.

 

 

They’re just trying to eat into the Chrome Soft market with this ball. They held out as long as they could with their ball fitting doesn’t matter and what not before they buckled. The funny thing is they will make subtle changes to the ball that really doesn’t change much just like they do ProV1(x), if they don’t stop producing, and somehow it will still be some anomaly of a ball yet made like every other ball in it’s category.

 

Funny, I was reading the reply and after the 2nd sentence I knew exactly who it was without looking at the name!

 

I can pick from 2

[Hondabuff]

As NB stated, as long as sales are reasonably solid Titleist won’t care. They aren’t looking for a big blockbuster to unseat ProV1/ProvV1x.

 

Too early to tell in my part of the world.

 

 

They’re just trying to eat into the Chrome Soft market with this ball. They held out as long as they could with their ball fitting doesn’t matter and what not before they buckled. The funny thing is they will make subtle changes to the ball that really doesn’t change much just like they do ProV1(x), if they don’t stop producing, and somehow it will still be some anomaly of a ball yet made like every other ball in it’s category.

 

Funny, I was reading the reply and after the 2nd sentence I knew exactly who it was without looking at the name!

 

I can pick from 2

 

[BiggErn]

I haven’t seen many of them in stores locally and only once at the course. They’re selling like hot cakes somewhere I suppose. Or not

[Zakers23]

The AVX section is virtually empty at PGA super store in Dr Phillips, Orlando

[monks66]

These are a great ball, was never good enough to play pro v1, these are the stepchild and softer...lovem!, and I get 5A's at a great price..

[Mcgeeno]

I think its a great premium ball. I would have no problem gaming it. These are close to 70 dollars a dozen where I live in Canada though...So I can't personally say I've noticed 40 dollars worth of value from this ball.

 

I'm still going through the 20 dollar Z-star deal golf balls and have 6 dozen Nike Rzn Tour blacks left to go through that cost me 25 a dozen when Nike stopped making stuff. I play yellow so this AVX might eventually finds it way into my bag permanently but that price stings.

[digger91]

I love the AVX. I have been a Pro V1X player for awhile but the AVX has definitely taken that spot. Low driver spin and even though the short game spin is slightly less it’s not that noticeable. Putts well too. Very happy with this new addition. The cover holds up well which is another plus.

[hark114]

I love the golf ball. I love the feel and the distance that i get.

[gatorpedsMD]

me love AVX ball.

[JustDoIt23]

Bring on the hate replies, but I’ve been playing the best golf of my life since changing to the AVX. Im hitting the ball further and straighter than I ever have, which is leading to shorter approach shots and more greens hit in regulation.

[CDM]

So I finally tried the AVX this weekend. Normally a TP/TPX player but a friend when out to TPI in Oceanside Ca for a fitting and he came back with this ball. My game it works pretty well but I spin the ball a lot, even with woods based on my AOA. If your playing a TPX I would say its pretty much the same for 75% of the bag but it feels a lot of softer of course in the short shots and putting. Took a bit to get used to. Will I switch.... probably not but it is a good ball and I can see it fitting people. Any of the top balls now are great.... I think it really comes down to each person. Played them all and honestly there is only 5% difference I bet between them all.

 

The interesting part in all this, I guess at the TPI center besides the clubs they match the specific model ball that works best (of course only titleist balls) for your game. He is not a power hitter but not short by any means either. He normally plays the V1 but ended up fit with the AVX. He has always been a high ball hitter and the AVX brought it down lower then even the V1. Interesting part is his irons show the spin right is there with this ball too. NOW granted he even said they worked the head/shaft combo to work best as whole. He did gain some 5-10 yards with the woods between the AVX vs V1.

 

Overall he is very happy and enjoys the ball very much...I think the likes his new clubs better but as a combo it is working extremely well for him.

 

Think it really comes down to a total package. Some are finding the added distance, while others (Ie: me) are not seeing anything that major. Still I can see it fitting people well depending on THEIR GAME.

 

Edit: honestly after a first few hits the ball it reminded me of.....Wilson DUO U .... Could be way off but it sure felt like that, just did not spin as much as the DUO U from the 40/50 yard chips.

[CDM]

Bring on the hate replies, but I've been playing the best golf of my life since changing to the AVX. Im hitting the ball further and straighter than I ever have, which is leading to shorter approach shots and more greens hit in regulation.

 

Based on my post above I will say the TPI numbers did show lower side spin off the woods for my friend, giving him ball a straighter flight. I think that has to do (just looking at numbers of course on paper) from the ball being lower spin overall.

 

Edit: Which I think is equating to people find the ball does not spin enough for them into greens. Always trade offs....

[976-Evil]

I found one of these basically brand new on the course and used it for a few holes. To me it seemed to spin a lot more and really made my mishits even worse