What happens at Titleist’s Manchester Lane testing facility?
By James Savage
Earlier this year Titleist launched a competition to win an all-expenses paid trip to the home of Titleist golf balls in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The prize included through the bag custom-fitting experience at Titleist’s famous Manchester Lane test facility.
Richard Knight, 48, was one of thousands who entered using a unique code on the back of a poker chip ball marker he received after buying a dozen Pro V1 balls from his pro.
“My pro, Ben Goodey sent out an email to members about the competition, I’ve always played Titleist balls and loved the idea of the poker chip marker.
“I emailed him back asking if he had them in stock. I bought a dozen balls the next time I was at the course.
“I still can’t believe that I won,” he added.
So along with his wife Beth and $500 of spending money Richard, a 12-handicap player at Manor of Groves in Hertfordshire was off to America.
His itinerary involved travelling out on Sunday October 1 before going into his club fitting at Manchester Lane on the Monday. Now that’s what I call a fitting cart!
The next day involved a Titleist ball and FootJoy shoe fitting before a tour of the Titleist Golf Ball R&D facility.
On his final day he took a tour of one of Titleist’s golf ball plants to see the legendary Pro V1 ball being made.
He headed home on the Thursday with a whole new outlook to golf equipment and his own game.
“Every site in the US was amazing. The Manchester Lane testing facility was my favourite, followed very closely by the R&D centre and ball plant.
“I couldn’t believe the amount of research that goes into the production of Titleist balls and the volumes that are made every day.
“After seeing the attention to detail that goes into making every ball, I’ll never play another ball other than Titleist.
“It has made me want to play better golf and practice more to get the most out of my new custom-fit clubs.”
Gear test: Best golf balls 2017
Review: 2017 Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x balls
Titleist Pro V1 & Pro V1x ball fitting
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
