New AVX & EXP-01

[storm3]

None of that confirms that the “spin ratings” on their list are based on their testing. The reference to velocity, direction, and spin is for calculations for the overall distance regulation. Take a look at at the actual submission form and you will see the spin rating values that the submitter has to check. The only regular equipment testing that the USGA performs is directly related to one of their regulations (and the USGA does not have any regulations related to ball spin).

[Pepperturbo]

Spin and amount are subjective based upon the golfers skill. I play to a 5 right now and able to spin a rock or marshmello but more important control the spin. What I can't do is determine how much I spin AVX as opposed to ProV or ProV1x, yet the result have proven similar using the same technique. The question remains, will you determine the difference, when I can't.

[Sean2]

Seems kinda gimmicky..."Straight from the R&D lab". It's a massed produced golf ball. Maybe this is a way for Titleist to have a ball tested with the largest pool ever, and get $40 per dozen for doing so. You have the TourSoft, the AVX, now this ball. Seems a bit confusing.

[tbowles411]

This ball in my view, was a mistake. They added one more ball that doesn't really fit in with anything. Titleist doesn't mess up often, but with this one, they did.

[Sean2]

I am still a bit confused about the AVX Tommy. I can remember Titleist saying in their advertisements that anyone can play the ProV1 or ProV1x, and their games will benefit from doing so. If that is the case, why the AVX and now this EXP-01?

[Pepperturbo]

Awhile back I seem to have read a Titleist promo that said anyone can play ProV balls and AVX. I suppose that's true after watching my 14 and 19 handi buddies play them. They love ProV and AVX balls. Love all depends on whether one's goal is green-side control or distance or both.

I've said it before, don't know who AVX design is targeting. I've heard it's the distance ball for ProV players. Not sure if that has meaning. Having played a number of rounds with AVX, I can't say its a lower trajectory distance ball. On pure driver strikes it has been low trajectory but not longer than ProV or ProV1x, least in recent weather temps. Golfers are fickle though and try almost anything for awhile. Titleist has a volume break-even number, afterwards, depending on ???, they will keep it or discontinue it.

[tbowles411]

From what I've seen also, anyone really can play it. But consistently, everyone that played it, myself included said it needed more grab on the greens. I'm a higher spin player that I need to limit, but need the spin from 7 iron in. They were really excited about this ball last week. I just need to find someone who would like to split 6 dozen of yellow Air Force logoed balls.

[Sean2]

Dean Snell, the former TM ball guru...and I think he had a hand in the ProV, and now has his own company...I believe said that all golf balls fall within a few yards of one another.

I find this to be true, finding a plethora of golf balls on my home course I have pretty much hit them all, and based on that agree with Mr Snell.

 

[Chilli9880]

I think it's tough to explain to people if all they are looking at is numbers. For me, the AVX was just the ball the helped me lower scores. I saw distance improvements in all areas. I also saw consistency improvements as well which I'm equating to spin control. Agree the Green Side Check-ability was never really there but once I got used to seeing it roll out a little bit, I just started to play that. Maybe that's what helped my game because maybe I got myself into too much trouble before trying to control greenside spin. As Pepper said, Golfers are a weird & fickle group of people.

I have no input nor any experience regarding the Exp-01 and I've actually never seen any of them for sale. You'll have that up here in the great lakes region this time of year.

[Imp]

When can I order Space Force logo balls? :)

[tbowles411]

LOL! I'm sure the DoD will work something out with them eventually!

[Imp]

I just emailed Customer Service through the site asking them to include the new Space Force logo in their already available and approved DoD logo section.

And now, we wait.

--kC

 

[Pepperturbo]

This past week I spent a lot more time with AVX, not the newest iteration but recent. Lot of holes played into a 1-2 club breeze plus cross winds at times. The ball bores well and spins equally as well; presuming the user knows how to spin a ball. I hit a number of 1/2 to 3/4 52* shots under 80 yards into 10-10.5 stemp greens and the ball hit, bounced once and rolled-out 5'+ as planned, most of time it ended near the pin for tap-in, saves. Only one-instance AVX hit soft and didn't behave as planned and I boogied that hole, but saved par at least five other times. Too much pressure on my short-game. My GIR stunk but that's another topic.

On a couple of Par 3's I spun the ball back as much as 5'. One elevated 200yard par 3 into a breeze I hit a boring 4i, even playing partners said that's a beauty. All three missed the green using hybrids and a 5wd. Thought those were suppose to make it easier, oops that slipped out. AVX bored straight into the breeze and dropped at the apex perfectly. Felt like butter off my 620s. I just like thinking about it. Still can't say AVX is longer than ProV. Even though all drives were longer than my other driver shaft, I had a new driver shaft in TS2. Not sure if the added distance was the shaft, ball or both.

[tbowles411]

I just picked up a box of the new ones but it's all winter here and stuff! I'd love to get your impressions on the newly added spin around the greens.

[Pepperturbo]

I am heading to my LGS tomorrow to pickup the NEW AVX. Want to see for myself. I'll post after my next round.

[Simp]

Played 9 with the new AVX this weekend. It spun more on full shots than the older version, which I'm ok with. It felt really good off of every club. Probably a little better than the old ball in my opinion. I'll continue to use them and gather more info for myself.

[lazyjc4]

Did it spin noticeably more off the driver? That's the only thing I really care about with the new ball.

[Mahamilto]

I am just floored that I haven't seen a single YouTube or major golf site review of these...

What do we want? Wedge data vs. 2018 model and the ProV1 line... When do we want it? Now!

[Simp]

I didn't notice any more spin off of the driver.

[plim123]

PGATSS salesman tells me that EXP01 is supposed to be the NXT/Tour Soft replacement - bottom end of the "premium" line

[storm3]

He would be wrong given the completely different cover material.

[monks66]

Agreed , the EXP-01 is a three piece ball, Tour Soft two piece...it just seems to me the exp-01 and the new AVX are similiar in specs, again i say similiar

[GoGoErky]

Considering titleist states they don’t know the future of the exp-01 I would find it hard to believe someone working at pgatss would know what it’s going to become

[Pepperturbo]

I agree.

Everything I have read on the exp-01 and AVX's NEWEST iteration, Titleist isn't sure if or where exp-01 will end up or what may happen to AVX and other premium Titleist balls. What's odd, people spending $40 on a box of balls not knowing the slightest about what they are getting.

What's also odd all the better golfers I know, only one plays NXT Tour. And only one played AVX but I think that was because he was given a box. I picked up a box of NEW AVX balls and will have it in play on a challenging course this weekend. Greens should be in the 10+ range, smooth with lots of undulation and MTN influence.

[vpexp]

Just got a couple dozen of the new AVX. Used the old version last year and really liked them off my irons. As soon as the snow melts I’ll give the new version a go.

[grm24]

You've mentioned this a few times. What exactly are the similar specs? The EXP-01 per Titleist has an experimental urethane cover that the AVX does not. The EXP-01 has fewer dimples and a completely different dimple style/shape/pattern than the AVX. Those are significant differences.

[Pepperturbo]

@tbowles411 - Played 18 yesterday using a new AVX. Honestly, couldn't tell a difference between the older version and NEW fangled version that suppose to spin more on the greens. The greens were about 10 and smooth, heavily undulated too. Had two birdies, one on a Par 4 and 5, both were challenging chip-ins from off the apron and finished with 76. Missed at least 3 other birdie putts. yuck. The ball behaved well around the greens and from bunkers. I am testing a new Ventus Red shaft in my driver and it worked well off it but not sure about spin. I was hitting the ball about 10-15yrds further and the ball flew straight as an arrow off my 620's, even worked the ball into green quardrents closer to the pin. All-in-all, ball performed really well for me.

[vpexp]

Played a round with the new version yesterday. I couldn’t really tell any difference but it was cold and windy. If it ever warms up I’ll spend some time with Trackman and see if there is anything that shows up.

[Chilli9880]

Honestly, I'm finding this somewhat encouraging, I wasn't really hoping there would be much of a performance change. If it spins a tiny bit more around the greens, sure I'll be happy. But this ball was near perfect for my game to begin and honestly I'm just happy their bringing another iteration to it so that it's going to be around for a few more years.

 

[tbowles411]

Pepper, that's good feedback. Thank you! And if I were breaking 80, I'd be holding a BBQ!

This ball sounds encouraging overall. You give something to think about that it's not that different than the previous version. However, if it grabs around the greens a bit faster, then it will be worth the upgrade for me. The added distance would be very welcome as well. There's only one way to find out. Hopefully in a couple weeks, the temps will warm up and winter will begin to fade.