Titleist Blind Ball Test Thread

[Tsecor]

On 8/10/2021 at 12:19 PM, Larryw said:

OK Survey completed.

After cutting the balls I have not changed my views.

Both balls are very good. I prefer #3 which had better launch attributes for me. I still feel that #4 stops a little better on the green but launches higher and is much more affected by wind than #3.

My takes on the ball pictures:

#3 closely resembles a Tour Speed but with a thinner cover.

#4 closely resembles a Prov1.

I included my Maxfli Tour for comparison. Looks much like a Prov1 to me.

The beauty of the V1x is awesome......while the NXT tour (which i loved) looks really off center

[Larryw]

5 hours ago, Tsecor said:

The beauty of the V1x is awesome......while the NXT tour (which i loved) looks really off center

Yeah, and it is not the camera angle. The inner core is definitely off center and the cover is thick.

[pooley7]

I’m still testing!

I didn’t start until the survey was sent out so there’s not a lot of time 

I’m going back to the studio at my club today to try them both on GC Quad again. Then back on the course and complete my testing - hopefully! I’ve already lost one of each ball from my first foray onto the course with them. Wish me luck 

[Mackey]

Task:  test two prototype Titlieist premium balls marked simply as #3 & #4

Conditions:  temp 84-97 degrees sunny and humid 

Standards:  LOL none from Titleist so I started on the chip and putt then progressed to the course where I played 9 holes with each ball

Short game impressions:  Green side feel with a lob wedge with good grooves:  Both balls feel soft off the face.  Both balls were controllable like my Pro V1.  When I opened the face:  the #3 spun up higher and rolled out about 4 feet on a 30 yard flop shot, the #4 ball went high just about 3 feet lower than the #3 and also rolled out about 4 feet.  Both results are similar to what happens with my Pro V1 on the same shots.  I then hit each with a standard chip no open face and brushing the grass both balls reacted about the exact same as my Pro V1 landing and rolling about 6 or 8 feet nothing to comment on.  Lastly I hit each with a long low fight and heavy spin from about 50 yards, the #3 ball took one bounce and spun back about two to four feet and the #4 ball took a big bounce and trickled out less than a foot before stopping.  

Putting:  both balls feel very soft on the putter and are as nearly the same as could be possible.

I played the front 9 with the #4 ball: Off the tee with a driver (100 mph swing speed)  the ball felt much firmer than in short game, it felt much firmer than my Pro V1 does, it flew far lower than I normally drive the ball carrying about 15 yards short of my normal landing area and rolled out a long way giving me about a 8+ yards gain, I normally play between 110 yards to 90 yards for my second shot, today was just 82 yards those gains held true on every drive.   I thought I had hit it low on the face but the mark was just 1/2"out towards the toe of center.  All my drives had the same firm feel with this ball they all had very low spin, I could hit a 5-10 yard draw or fade with the #4 ball off the tee with driver.  I played a handful of 5 irons and 4 hybrids combined, the ball still flew in a lower window than I like to see but the three I hit on the green all stopped within 8-10 feet leaving 2-3" marks in the green not real deep but long and the ball stopped well.  With 6,7 & 8 irons the ball still flew below my normal window and spun to a stop within a foot or two of where it landed, the ball marks were more like my Pro V1 marks deep.  The full to 3/4 swings with 9-SW were still penetrating and low compared to the Pro V1 and many of them spun back hard after the bounce, one full sand wedge spun 12 feet on a flat green.  Lob wedges near the green played just like the practice area shots.  I shot 40, I tend to shot about 38 on that nine most days.  I felt like over all I lost about 5 yards with short irons with this ball and gained 3-5 yards with long irons.  Fairways metals were about the same just way lower flight and more roll.    

The Back nine is the easier side.  I played the #3 on the back.  It was getting very hot on the back nine, mid 90's with high humidity.  The #3 ball with a driver has a higher ball flight than the #4 and carried a good bit longer than my Pro V1 does it was also long on the ground (maybe the sun hardened ground) plus 20 yards.  I found it nearly impossible to shape this ball it went dead straight and long.  I can move the driver both ways with a Pro V1 in six drives I was only able to draw one shot about 5 yards.  The ball felt a bit squishy off the tee with driver but that may be a heat factor I'm not sure I'll update after I play again over the next 4 days.  The ball flight with longer irons was very similar to the Pro V1.  I gained about 5-7 yards with the 4 hybrid and 5 iron on every shot, thank goodness I hit it into a front pin because I may have flown the green if it were a middle pin.  The other two shots I hit with longer irons were layups.  I hit only three mid irons 1 six and 2 sevens and they reacted like a Pro V1 but half to 3/4's longer than standard, they stopped within three feet of landing nearly no bounce or none.  I found the short irons to play almost a full club longer with this balls and it really spun up on full and 3/4 wedges and even one 9 iron.  I often get about 3 feet of spin on those shots with a Pro V1, the #3 was pulling back 6-9 feet and one shot a good 14 feet, which sucked because it landed a foot past the pin.  

I shot 1 under on the back and really didn't capitalize with the putter, 3 lip outs, or it may have been really low.

I liked the #3 ball and will test it against my gamer shot for shot this week and see how they compare in the exact same conditions together.  I really like the Pro V1 and it would take some big gains to get me to switch but I will wait until the head to head play has happened.

The #4 ball is not for me.  Maybe the fast swing speed guys will like it better?  I gave one to a pair of friends to try because they swing in the 115 range with a driver.  We play again on Tuesday and I will get their feedback then.  

Thanks for the chance to test out these balls.  I will update until I lose these balls or my wedges destroy them.  They do seem MUCH more durable than my Pro V1.

 

[myherobobhope]

7 hours ago, Mackdaddy9 said:

The #4 ball is not for me.  Maybe the fast swing speed guys will like it better?  I gave one to a pair of friends to try because they swing in the 115 range with a driver.  We play again on Tuesday and I will get their feedback then. 

I'm definitely thinking the 4 does better with higher swing speeds... I really liked it as a ball and I'm around 115 with a driver.

[twyatt700]

8 hours ago, myherobobhope said:

I'm definitely thinking the 4 does better with higher swing speeds... I really liked it as a ball and I'm around 115 with a driver.

I'm around 105-110 and I prefer the #3. Played yesterday and that one felt a bit softer and had a lower trajectory on most shots that the #4.  They both seem to spin enough for me to check on a long approach, got both to stop on a 170 par three with one hop using a 6 iron so that was pretty neat.  I'm think #3 is a ProV1, by hitting it then the ProV1 back to back, #4 is probaly an X.  Would be nice to find out!

[myherobobhope]

I've now officially lost all the balls... interestingly, I was playing my last 4 today and damaged the cover... I much preferred it to the 3... 

Sadly, I fixed my driver swing about 4 holes later... would have been nice to get some reps in with my best swings, but such is life... I stand by my overall reviews. The 3 were fine for me, the 4 were better... 

I should really get on a launch monitor and look at my spin numbers, though.

[Mackey]

On 8/16/2021 at 1:10 AM, Mackdaddy9 said:

Task:  test two prototype Titlieist premium balls marked simply as #3 & #4

Conditions:  temp 84-97 degrees sunny and humid 

Standards:  LOL none from Titleist so I started on the chip and putt then progressed to the course where I played 9 holes with each ball

Short game impressions:  Green side feel with a lob wedge with good grooves:  Both balls feel soft off the face.  Both balls were controllable like my Pro V1.  When I opened the face:  the #3 spun up higher and rolled out about 4 feet on a 30 yard flop shot, the #4 ball went high just about 3 feet lower than the #3 and also rolled out about 4 feet.  Both results are similar to what happens with my Pro V1 on the same shots.  I then hit each with a standard chip no open face and brushing the grass both balls reacted about the exact same as my Pro V1 landing and rolling about 6 or 8 feet nothing to comment on.  Lastly I hit each with a long low fight and heavy spin from about 50 yards, the #3 ball took one bounce and spun back about two to four feet and the #4 ball took a big bounce and trickled out less than a foot before stopping.  

Putting:  both balls feel very soft on the putter and are as nearly the same as could be possible.

I played the front 9 with the #4 ball: Off the tee with a driver (100 mph swing speed)  the ball felt much firmer than in short game, it felt much firmer than my Pro V1 does, it flew far lower than I normally drive the ball carrying about 15 yards short of my normal landing area and rolled out a long way giving me about a 8+ yards gain, I normally play between 110 yards to 90 yards for my second shot, today was just 82 yards those gains held true on every drive.   I thought I had hit it low on the face but the mark was just 1/2"out towards the toe of center.  All my drives had the same firm feel with this ball they all had very low spin, I could hit a 5-10 yard draw or fade with the #4 ball off the tee with driver.  I played a handful of 5 irons and 4 hybrids combined, the ball still flew in a lower window than I like to see but the three I hit on the green all stopped within 8-10 feet leaving 2-3" marks in the green not real deep but long and the ball stopped well.  With 6,7 & 8 irons the ball still flew below my normal window and spun to a stop within a foot or two of where it landed, the ball marks were more like my Pro V1 marks deep.  The full to 3/4 swings with 9-SW were still penetrating and low compared to the Pro V1 and many of them spun back hard after the bounce, one full sand wedge spun 12 feet on a flat green.  Lob wedges near the green played just like the practice area shots.  I shot 40, I tend to shot about 38 on that nine most days.  I felt like over all I lost about 5 yards with short irons with this ball and gained 3-5 yards with long irons.  Fairways metals were about the same just way lower flight and more roll.    

The Back nine is the easier side.  I played the #3 on the back.  It was getting very hot on the back nine, mid 90's with high humidity.  The #3 ball with a driver has a higher ball flight than the #4 and carried a good bit longer than my Pro V1 does it was also long on the ground (maybe the sun hardened ground) plus 20 yards.  I found it nearly impossible to shape this ball it went dead straight and long.  I can move the driver both ways with a Pro V1 in six drives I was only able to draw one shot about 5 yards.  The ball felt a bit squishy off the tee with driver but that may be a heat factor I'm not sure I'll update after I play again over the next 4 days.  The ball flight with longer irons was very similar to the Pro V1.  I gained about 5-7 yards with the 4 hybrid and 5 iron on every shot, thank goodness I hit it into a front pin because I may have flown the green if it were a middle pin.  The other two shots I hit with longer irons were layups.  I hit only three mid irons 1 six and 2 sevens and they reacted like a Pro V1 but half to 3/4's longer than standard, they stopped within three feet of landing nearly no bounce or none.  I found the short irons to play almost a full club longer with this balls and it really spun up on full and 3/4 wedges and even one 9 iron.  I often get about 3 feet of spin on those shots with a Pro V1, the #3 was pulling back 6-9 feet and one shot a good 14 feet, which sucked because it landed a foot past the pin.  

I shot 1 under on the back and really didn't capitalize with the putter, 3 lip outs, or it may have been really low.

I liked the #3 ball and will test it against my gamer shot for shot this week and see how they compare in the exact same conditions together.  I really like the Pro V1 and it would take some big gains to get me to switch but I will wait until the head to head play has happened.

The #4 ball is not for me.  Maybe the fast swing speed guys will like it better?  I gave one to a pair of friends to try because they swing in the 115 range with a driver.  We play again on Tuesday and I will get their feedback then.  

Thanks for the chance to test out these balls.  I will update until I lose these balls or my wedges destroy them.  They do seem MUCH more durable than my Pro V1.

 

Now I have played both balls 9 more holes for a total of 18 holes on each of these balls.  I broke out a new lob wedge for this nine.  I still far prefer the #3 ball to the #4 ball and I like the current Pro V1 over both.  I played 27 holes and the final 9 were with the Pro V1.     Number 3 ball with an 8 iron checked up in inches more than once.  

This was a 3/4 sand wedge from 103 yards and it spun back about 3 feet no slope involved.  

This was a 5 iron from 193 yards it checked up after a big bounce and rolled a few feet.  Ball #3 flew about 5 yards longer than my Pro V1 does and checked up just as nicely as my Pro V1.  I really like the window it flies into with every club.  It feels softer than my Pro V1, maybe lighter too and it flies super straight.  This time around I was able to shape it in small draws and fades but only 5 -10 yards no hooking or slices at all.  Mind you I rarely slice a ball but I can surely hook one 20 plus yards. Let's be honest straighter is longer.

The #4 ball is not for me, I don't like the windows it flies in, it tends to balloon and fall out of the sky with my short irons and wedges.  I think I lose about 10 yards on some shots because it flies so high.  The ball is nice and long with the driver but I don't like the ball flight with it.  

Durablity:  These balls never landed on anything but grass and hit no trees or paths.  All of this damage is from club interaction.  I noticed the lifted panels after some full wedge shots with my newly regrooved lob wedge.  I am no expert on what is just paint damage and what is damage that can impact the flight of the ball.  I would say these are a bit less durable than my Pro V1 and unless they are going to be much cheaper I wouldn't buy them. I would play the #3 if it were $40                                                                                           

[twyatt700]

On 8/18/2021 at 7:14 PM, Mackdaddy9 said:

Now I have played both balls 9 more holes for a total of 18 holes on each of these balls.  I broke out a new lob wedge for this nine.  I still far prefer the #3 ball to the #4 ball and I like the current Pro V1 over both.  I played 27 holes and the final 9 were with the Pro V1.     Number 3 ball with an 8 iron checked up in inches more than once.  

This was a 3/4 sand wedge from 103 yards and it spun back about 3 feet no slope involved.  

This was a 5 iron from 193 yards it checked up after a big bounce and rolled a few feet.  Ball #3 flew about 5 yards longer than my Pro V1 does and checked up just as nicely as my Pro V1.  I really like the window it flies into with every club.  It feels softer than my Pro V1, maybe lighter too and it flies super straight.  This time around I was able to shape it in small draws and fades but only 5 -10 yards no hooking or slices at all.  Mind you I rarely slice a ball but I can surely hook one 20 plus yards. Let's be honest straighter is longer.

The #4 ball is not for me, I don't like the windows it flies in, it tends to balloon and fall out of the sky with my short irons and wedges.  I think I lose about 10 yards on some shots because it flies so high.  The ball is nice and long with the driver but I don't like the ball flight with it.  

Durablity:  These balls never landed on anything but grass and hit no trees or paths.  All of this damage is from club interaction.  I noticed the lifted panels after some full wedge shots with my newly regrooved lob wedge.  I am no expert on what is just paint damage and what is damage that can impact the flight of the ball.  I would say these are a bit less durable than my Pro V1 and unless they are going to be much cheaper I wouldn't buy them. I would play the #3 if it were $40                                                                                           

Nice work, I had a similar experience with the #3.  You're right about the window, seems to be a lower launching ball and very penetrating.  Now if only they'll tell us what it is!!

[Shankster]

I am finished testing.  I lost two of them somehow on the course the other day.  Fell out of my bag between holes 2-7… One was donated to the local nature preserve, and one got lost on its way to school.

 

I put about 100 wedge shots on each the 3 and 4.  Honestly, the differences to me were minute in the end.  I didn’t like the launch of the #4 so I manipulated the club to make it launch like the #3.  
 

Off the driver, I was taking up all of my dispersion cone.  Not much in it here, 4 launched a bit higher and had a more arching flight.  The 3 reminds me of the AVX, from the feel to the performance.  It doesn’t quite have as much short game spin… 

Please be the •ProV1 that will be on the market… soon.  One can hope.  It has a V1 like cover, but feels super soft.

 

I didn’t really take any pictures of the test because once you see one pitch on the green, you’ve seen them all.

The only downside is 3 balls.  I might be a low handicap guy, but they does not exempt me from losing them.  So I was tentative on the driver at times.  My dispersion cone stretches a few holes wide on my bad days…

 

One than thanking Titleist and MGS to be chosen to test these.  There really isn’t much in the ball compared to the V1 or the AVX.  So, it is a replacement for one of those for sure.  Very similar performance.  
 

I did prefer the smaller dimples on the 3 over the 4.  
 

Any questions?

[Mackey]

On 8/18/2021 at 10:14 PM, Mackdaddy9 said:

Now I have played both balls 9 more holes for a total of 18 holes on each of these balls.  I broke out a new lob wedge for this nine.  I still far prefer the #3 ball to the #4 ball and I like the current Pro V1 over both.  I played 27 holes and the final 9 were with the Pro V1.     Number 3 ball with an 8 iron checked up in inches more than once.  

This was a 3/4 sand wedge from 103 yards and it spun back about 3 feet no slope involved.  

This was a 5 iron from 193 yards it checked up after a big bounce and rolled a few feet.  Ball #3 flew about 5 yards longer than my Pro V1 does and checked up just as nicely as my Pro V1.  I really like the window it flies into with every club.  It feels softer than my Pro V1, maybe lighter too and it flies super straight.  This time around I was able to shape it in small draws and fades but only 5 -10 yards no hooking or slices at all.  Mind you I rarely slice a ball but I can surely hook one 20 plus yards. Let's be honest straighter is longer.

The #4 ball is not for me, I don't like the windows it flies in, it tends to balloon and fall out of the sky with my short irons and wedges.  I think I lose about 10 yards on some shots because it flies so high.  The ball is nice and long with the driver but I don't like the ball flight with it.  

Durablity:  These balls never landed on anything but grass and hit no trees or paths.  All of this damage is from club interaction.  I noticed the lifted panels after some full wedge shots with my newly regrooved lob wedge.  I am no expert on what is just paint damage and what is damage that can impact the flight of the ball.  I would say these are a bit less durable than my Pro V1 and unless they are going to be much cheaper I wouldn't buy them. I would play the #3 if it were $40                                                                                           

Thank You for this testing opportunity I had fun doing the testing.  Thank you Titleist. 

[Tsecor]

On 8/20/2021 at 7:51 PM, Shankster said:

I am finished testing.  I lost two of them somehow on the course the other day.  Fell out of my bag between holes 2-7… One was donated to the local nature preserve, and one got lost on its way to school.

 

I put about 100 wedge shots on each the 3 and 4.  Honestly, the differences to me were minute in the end.  I didn’t like the launch of the #4 so I manipulated the club to make it launch like the #3.  
 

Off the driver, I was taking up all of my dispersion cone.  Not much in it here, 4 launched a bit higher and had a more arching flight.  The 3 reminds me of the AVX, from the feel to the performance.  It doesn’t quite have as much short game spin… 

Please be the •ProV1 that will be on the market… soon.  One can hope.  It has a V1 like cover, but feels super soft.

 

I didn’t really take any pictures of the test because once you see one pitch on the green, you’ve seen them all.

The only downside is 3 balls.  I might be a low handicap guy, but they does not exempt me from losing them.  So I was tentative on the driver at times.  My dispersion cone stretches a few holes wide on my bad days…

 

One than thanking Titleist and MGS to be chosen to test these.  There really isn’t much in the ball compared to the V1 or the AVX.  So, it is a replacement for one of those for sure.  Very similar performance.  
 

I did prefer the smaller dimples on the 3 over the 4.  
 

Any questions?

were you on a launch monitor at all? or are you referring to trajectory? did one fly low and the other really high? 

[Shankster]

1 hour ago, Tsecor said:

were you on a launch monitor at all? or are you referring to trajectory? did one fly low and the other really high? 

No launch monitor for me.  Just the Shank-O-Meter 1983… visually flight difference between the two.

[Mackey]

5 hours ago, Tsecor said:

were you on a launch monitor at all? or are you referring to trajectory? did one fly low and the other really high? 

I didn't use a launch monitor.  The trajectories are very different.  The #3 flies about 20-30 feet lower than the #4 for me.  The #4 really seems to balloon.

[myherobobhope]

I preferred the 4 but lost two and retired the third into a trash can after the cover got cut…

I still have one 3… it’s fine. 
 

the new ping fitting thing didn’t have any titliest balls on my list, so I’ll probably keep gaming the Snell.

[Tsecor]

13 hours ago, Mackdaddy9 said:

I didn't use a launch monitor.  The trajectories are very different.  The #3 flies about 20-30 feet lower than the #4 for me.  The #4 really seems to balloon.

hmmmm.....left dot(#3) and prov1x????

[GregGarner]

Just now, Tsecor said:

hmmmm.....left dot(#3) and prov1x????

Since #3 was in play with every tester, it seems pretty reasonable that it's a Left Dot. Which makes me pretty excited because I *loved* that ball. I'm not willing to pay $55/doz for it (shipping) but if it comes to production and I can get it 4-for-3 and/or use pro shop credit, that would definitely be my new gamer.

Most of us had #4, which I'm not sure what it was. I don't think it was ProV1x. I really like the x, generally, and I did not like the #4 at all. The article alludes to the AVX being included, which makes me think it was the #2 ball that was described as being softer than #3 (which was already pretty soft).

#2 - AVX
#3 - ProV1 Left Dot
#4 - No clue. Garbage ball.

[Tsecor]

14 minutes ago, greggarner said:

Since #3 was in play with every tester, it seems pretty reasonable that it's a Left Dot. Which makes me pretty excited because I *loved* that ball. I'm not willing to pay $55/doz for it (shipping) but if it comes to production and I can get it 4-for-3 and/or use pro shop credit, that would definitely be my new gamer.

Most of us had #4, which I'm not sure what it was. I don't think it was ProV1x. I really like the x, generally, and I did not like the #4 at all. The article alludes to the AVX being included, which makes me think it was the #2 ball that was described as being softer than #3 (which was already pretty soft).

#2 - AVX
#3 - ProV1 Left Dot
#4 - No clue. Garbage ball.

interesting.....

4 was a Kirkland?? lol

[Clayton]

So the low flying one is the left dot ball?  Email today seemed to say it is. 

[BMart519]

Maybe I should put my Titleist #3's on ebay once the Left Dot sells out...