Review: Titleist AVX golf balls
Our Titleist AVX golf ball review took place at Rudding Park in Yorkshire.
I went through a full tour-level ball fitting with product specialist Joe Smith before testing the ball thoroughly out on the course and comparing it with the Pro V1.
Titleist AVX golf ball review: First impressions
So let’s start with why the Titleist AVX has been introduced.
Titleist say they wanted to offer a premium golf ball for golfers who prioritise distance and penetrating flight with a soft feel.
They still feel like the Pro V1 is going to be the best golf ball for most golfers but the AVX will offer something a little bit different.
Many people thought that the Titleist AVX was going to replace the Pro V1 and Pro V1x but that is definitely not the case.
The AVX actually stands for ‘alternative’ to ProV1 and Pro V1x – so that really clears up some of the thinking behind it.
The Titleist AVX was introduced on a trial basis in the US earlier last year and after an overwhelmingly positive response, it’s being rolled out for golfers everywhere.
“Golfers have spoken loud and clear about the performance of AVX,” said Michael Mahoney, VP of golf ball marketing.
“While our R&D team is constantly exploring new golf ball technologies, only a limited number of prototypes ever make it past the initial machine and player testing phases. AVX stood out from the beginning.
“Ultimately, it was important to let golfers decide whether this golf ball had a place in our line and the results of our test market were emphatic. Many golfers were waiting for a product like AVX – our lowest flying, lowest spinning and softest feeling high performance golf ball – to help them play their best.”
Another interesting thing about the Titleist AVX is it will be offered in yellow as well as white.
We were never able to get Pro V1 in yellow so Titleist are making sure there is a premium ball out there for those who really want to play with a yellow ball.
Titleist AVX golf ball review: The technology
When I asked what the difference was between the Pro V1 and the AVX Titleist told me to think of it like baking a cake.
The AVX goes through exactly the same processes, checks and controls at the Pro V1.
It uses the same machinery and techniques and is made to the same strict tolerances.
But the ingredients are a bit different.
So we’ve got a new softer, low compression core in the AVX and we have noticeably different dimples.
The core helps to add a bit more distance and aids a softer feel.
There’s also a casing layer which helps to control the spin and add more distance.
It has a thermoset cast urethane elastomer cover aimed at delivering control around the greens with a soft feel and long-lasting durability.
There’s a new aerodynamic design which Titleist say delivers a piercing, low trajectory while providing a consistent ball flight on all shots.
The dimples themselves are clearly more pronounced than on Pro V1.
Find out how the ball performed for James on the next page…
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.