A fan has caught the ball out of the air on the PGA Tour. You can see his horror. (Source: X @PMTsportsbiz)
During the third round of the PGA Tour’s team event, a rare incident occurred when Brant Snedeker, the nine-time PGA Tour winner, hit his tee shot on the par-3 3rd. With water to his left and a strong wind from the right, Snedeker sent his tee shot onto the 185 metre hole hoping for a left turn through the wind, but the ball just wouldn’t budge and took a hop along a path before being caught by a spectator, to the amazement of all.
What at first sounds like a made-up story actually happened. A fan saw Snedeker’s ball coming, went to his left and skilfully caught the Titleist out of the air. The catcher quickly turned to his friends, possibly to brag about his performance. Then the surrounding spectators reminded him where he was. Shouts rang out from the crowd: ‘NO! No. No. No!’ The fan dropped the ball and his horror at his own behaviour was clear to see. The group of spectators began to laugh and quickly dispersed. I guess no one wanted to be associated with the guy who caught a ball at a PGA Tour event. Even the commentators on the US channel ESPN could hardly believe their eyes: ‘Oh no!’ exclaimed an ESPN+ commentator. ‘He just caught the ball!’ ‘It’s all good,’ replied the co-commentator. ‘That’s a kid who plays a lot of baseball. He just forgot about it.’
But in fact all was well. According to the Rules of Golf, Rule 11.1a states: ‘If a player’s ball in motion accidentally strikes a person (including the player) or an outside influence, there is no penalty.’ Since the ball was not at rest, Snedeker simply played his ball from the spot where the fan dropped it. In the event that the fan had carried the ball away, Rule 11.1b states: ‘The player must place the original ball or another ball at the estimated spot directly below where the ball first came to rest on the person, animal or moving outside influence.’ Fortunately, it was all half as bad, but the faux pas is something the fan will probably not forget for the rest of his life. Snedeker and Reavie were oblivious to the whole thing. They played par on the course, but could only manage a 72 in the easier of the two formats this week.
The new golf balls from TaylorMade for the 2024 season (Credit: TaylorMade)
TaylorMade is launching two revised versions of its well-known golf balls: the TP5 and the TP5x. These balls are equipped with the latest technologies aimed at improving game performance, according to TaylorMade.
TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x golf balls – new versions for 2024
TaylorMade TP5: TaylorMade states that the TaylorMade TP5 is characterised by its 5-layer design, which offers a softer feel and improved spin control, especially near the greens. This is said to be made possible by a new technology, the “Speed Wrapped Core”, which offers faster ball speed and a more comfortable feel.
TaylorMade TP5x: The TaylorMade TP5x is said to be harder and optimised for speed and distance, with reduced spin on drives and long irons, which could be beneficial for players looking for distance. It shares the 5-layer design of the TP5, but utilises different materials and constructions to achieve the desired properties.
“Our learnings from countless player and Tour tests show that golfers”, explains Michael Fox, Senior Director of Product Creation Golf Balls at TaylorMade, “unsurprisingly, favour a softer more muted sound with added distance. Historically, the challenge has been the inability to improve one without negatively impacting the other. With this understanding, we’ve evolved our golf ball design process by uniquely decoupling feel and speed through material advancement, a complete departure from the conventional. The material-level advancement positions our TP5/TP5x family as having the best feel in the industry with faster constructions.”
TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x – What for whom?
While the TP5 is designed for a softer feel and more spin control close to the greens, the TP5x is aimed at maximising distance and speed, with less spin on longer shots. This makes the TP5 ideal for players who prefer more control and feel, and the TP5x for those looking for distance, according to TaylorMade. Both models are equipped with “ClearPath Alignment” technology, which should make alignment easier. The line on the golf ball has been extended for this purpose and made more contrasting to make it easier to aim on the green.
TaylorMade TP5/x pix – emojis and symbols
In addition to the standard models, TaylorMade also offers the TP5/TP5x pix™ golf balls. These balls feature modified visual technology designed to enable easier alignment and better feedback on the green. They are available in different colours, which also improves visibility. The TP5/x is also available with various colourful logos, emojis and symbols that give golfers personalisation options. “My Symbol” is the name of the programme that allows golf balls to be created according to your own wishes.
Price and availability of TaylorMade golf balls
The new golf balls from TaylorMade, both the TP5 and the TP5x, will be available from 15 February 2024. Both models are available in white and yellow. A dozen of the TP5 and TP5x golf balls will cost €63 each, while the more specialised TP5/TP5x pix golf balls will cost €65 per dozen. These price points position the balls in the premium segment of the market.
Titleist in an interview with Golf Post about the new golf balls for the 2024 season (Photo: Titleist)
This season, Titleist is launching three new versions of its AVX, TruFeel and Tour Soft golf balls. The brand’s 2-piece and 3-piece golf balls are designed to appeal to a wide range of golfers. In this interview, Jeremy Stone from Titleist explains the differences between the models and provides exciting insights into the brand’s development process.
Titleist golf ball expert Jeremy Stone in an interview with Golf Post
Golf Post: Three new golf balls coming this year from Titleist. Can you briefly talk us through them first of all?
Jeremy Stone: Yes. So, three new golf balls from Titleist for 2024. New AVX, new Tour Soft, new TruFeel. AVX is an alternative to Pro V1 and Pro V1X. It flies lower and spins less than than pro V1. So if you’re looking for a golf ball that has that lower flight, lower spin or softer feel, AVX might be your ball. What we’ve learned from AVX players is that they love the distance of AVX. They love the soft feel of AVX. If there’s one thing golfers wish they had was maybe a little more greenside spin.
So new for this year, we have a reformulated Core. That reformulated core lowers the long game spin. We also have a new softer cover that gives us softer feel, but increased green side spin. That’s the magic of AVX. So a golf ball where folks love the distance and love the feel, it gets longer and softer, but it also gets a little more green side spin for players that are looking for just a little bit more.
The new Titleist AVX golfball 2024. (Photo: Titleist)
The new Tour Soft is a golf ball designed for people with very specific preferences about their game. If a golfer just wants to play their best, they should be looking at ProV1 or ProV1x or ProV1x Left Dash. Those are the golf balls that through a fitting process we can fit you into the best ball for your game.
But we do know there are golfers who have preferences for the colour golf ball they use. Maybe they want to use a yellow or a green golf ball. We also know there are golfers who have a price point preference. Tour Soft is at a lower price point. It’s a two piece construction golf ball. It has our largest core. The core is a bit of the engine.
This core is faster, giving us longer distance, but it also gives us a little bit more spin into the green with irons. So it’s a more playable all around golf ball designed to be soft, designed to be at a lower price point than a ProV1 as well.
And then finally TruFeel, I mentioned preferences. TruFeel is going to be our lowest price Titleist golf ball. It’s a very welcoming golf ball. There’s a lot of people coming to the game. But they want to trust the golf ball they play and they trust Titleist. TruFeel is the perfect golf ball for them because it connects them to our brand in a really unique, special way, but comes at a really agreeable price point.
It still goes through all of the rigorous Titleist quality testing because we know that every swing that you make, if you make a good one, you want to be rewarded for a great swing. TruFeel delivers on that promise. TruFeel comes in a white, yellow, and a matte red finish. So again, leaning into those preferences.
Golf Post: I assume that, in terms of customers you’re aiming for, in terms of ability, you went from top, I don’t want to say bottom because, that doesn’t sound very nice.
Jeremy Stone: No, but you know, what’s interesting is I wouldn’t use the word ability. I’d use the word mindset. Right? The way we look at it at Titleist is every player can benefit from the benefits of a well fit golf ball. Our well fit golf balls are going to start at the top. Pro V1, Pro V1X, Left Dash, AVX. And so If you want to play your best and that could be different for a lot of golfers, for some golfers that might mean they have a goal this year to break a hundred for the very first time.
Other golfers, they might have a goal to win their first PGA Tour tournament. Whatever your goal is, a well fit, high performing golf ball can suit you. And that stands out regardless of skill level. And so certainly if a golfer raised their hand and said, I want to play my best this year. We’re going to gravitate towards Pro V1 and we’re going to fit you for that golf ball.
The Titleist Pro V1 golfball. (Photo: Titleist)
But if you have a preference, if you are price point sensitive, we get that. We understand that. We want to have offerings because you shouldn’t have to compromise on the quality of your ball just simply because of the price point.
Golf Post: The ProV1 and ProV1x are still your flagship products. Are there any plans to replace it at some point?
Jeremy Stone: The answer is yes, always. It’s just a matter of when our research and development team is constantly looking for ways to improve performance. And when there comes such a technology that absolutely outperforms Pro V1, that would be the time where we would look to replace our own product with something better.
And that’s happened multiple times throughout our company’s history. Most recently, when we introduced Pro V1 in 2000, it was replacing the current number one ball, which was the Titleist Professional. The Titleist Professional was absolutely the number one ball played on planet Earth.
It was the number one ball across the worldwide professional tours. And it just simply didn’t have the same performance opportunity that this new Pro V1 had due to the innovation of research and development. So, we don’t know when that will happen, but we know it will because this research and development team is constantly tackling the challenge of taking the best golf ball on earth and making it even better. And when that day comes, that will be when we replace Pro V1.
Golf Post: Generally in research and development, what is currently the main focus? Is it more about enhancing the performance of the current products? Is it about widening the range of products, to suit more different types of golfers? Is it both of it?
Jeremy Stone: Yes, it’s both. So we’re always looking at what golfers are striving for, and we’re always looking at how dedicated golfers play the game. That’s going to define the attributes we pursue in new golf ball development. And so when we look at new golf ball development, and we’re investigating the appropriate constructions and the needs of the golfer.
That’s what’s going to drive our decision making. We’re always looking at, to oversimplify it, the flight, the spin, and the feel. If we can fine tune the flight, spin, and feel for you, you’re going to play your best. And so, in the midst of that, we’re going to look at aerodynamics, we’re going to look at chemistries, we’re going to look at construction ratios between different layers of golf balls, and everything that would go into a core, a dual core, a casing layer, a cover, and the dimple pattern in the aerodynamics.
Through that process, we’re also going to look at ways the world around us and golfers are demanding more custom options, more alignment options, different elements to personalize their golf ball. And we love the opportunity to do that as well. So lots of different areas for us to innovate. Um, and that’s why the research and development team has over 80 scientists of a variety of disciplines to help us do that.
The new Titleist AVX, TruFeel and TourSoft golfballs. (Photo: Titleist)
With the three new balls for 2024, Titleist offers an expanded repertoire in terms of performance and variety. Each of these balls is tailored to specific aspects of the game of golf and is designed to provide golfers of all abilities with customized solutions. The TruFeel for consistent performance, the TourSoft with a new core and the AVX for improved distance and control.
Titleist TruFeel: Soft feel and reliable performance
The Titleist TruFeel, which is positioned as the softest ball in the Titleist portfolio, offers golfers a particularly soft feel. The ball is characterized by a gentle feel at impact. TruFeel is an accessible option for all players looking for a good feel with consistent performance. As such, the TruFeel golf ball offers a solid foundation for everyday play. The TruFeel will be available in white from January 24, 2024, followed by the yellow version from March 1 and the matt red version from May 15, starting at 34.99 euros.
The Titleist TruFeel golfball 2024. (Photo: Titleist)
Titleist TourSoft: Modern technology for optimized performance
The TourSoft is characterized by its large core, which enables improved performance on the court, according to the manufacturer. The ball is said to offer optimized aerodynamics thanks to the 346 double pyramid dimple design, improving ball flight. The ball is particularly suitable for those looking for a balanced mix of distance, feel and control. The TourSoft will be available from January 24, 2024 in white, high-optic yellow and green, and will also be available in pink from July 2024 from 44.99 euros.
The Titleist Tour Soft golfball 2024. (Photo: Titleist)
Titleist AVX: Top technology for ambitious golfers
The AVX has been completely redesigned and offers improved performance from core to cup, writes Titleist about the latest version of the golf ball. It is designed for golfers looking for improved distance with increased control. The Titleist AVX offers a lower ball flight and less spin compared to other Titleist models. With its high-gradient, high-speed core, a high-flex mantle layer and a softer urethane shell, the AVX is said to offer a combination of length paired with a softer feel and is ideal for players looking to increase their performance on the green. Available from January 24, 2024 in white and high-optic yellow from 59.99 euros.
TaylorMade has asked for golfers' views on the subject of the potential golf ball change. (Photo: Getty)
The announcement by the USGA and R&A to introduce a Modal Local Rule (MLR), which would limit the maximum length of golf balls for elite tournaments, has found more opponents than supporters in the professional sector. TaylorMade has now surveyed almost 45,000 everyday golfers from over 100 countries on their opinion of the possible split between professional and amateur golf – and the opinion picture is quite clear.
81 per cent of respondents said they were against the proposed rule change and the division it would create between the professionals and amateurs and believed it would not be good for the game of golf. 77 per cent of respondents to the TaylorMade survey also believe that there is no need to restrict the hitting distances of the pros at all.
Will golf ball changes divide pros and amateurs?
While the R&A and USGA officials are interested in regulating only the stroke lengths for professionals, as they would otherwise “become a significant problem for the next generation” thanks to ever-improving training and equipment possibilities, as USGA boss Mike Whan points out, many people, however, fear a drifting apart of professionals and amateurs if they play different balls. Almost half (48 percent) of the respondents affirmed that it was extremely important for them to be able to play the same equipment as the pros, and only 17 percent did not attach any importance to this.
The context of this survey on the part of the equipment manufacturer Taylormade is also that the majority of the respondents are good and experienced players who have a great interest in professional golf. 87 percent of the participants stated a handicap of under 20, 33 percent even a handicap of under 10. Almost three quarters of the respondents (73 percent) played golf for more than ten years, more than half (51 percent) for more than 20 years.
The results of the survey speak for themselves. (Photo: TaylorMade)
However, almost four-fifths of the participants (79 per cent) said they mainly play golf for recreation and only one-fifth play competitive golf. Accordingly, 85 per cent of participants believe that the Modal Local Rule (if it is actually introduced) would have no impact on their own playing behaviour. Some consider the rule proposal “fair”, ” needed” and “good”. However, the overwhelming opinion in the survey is that the proposed change to golf balls is “stupid”, “unnecessary”, “ridiculous”, “wrong” and “confusing”.
TaylorMade to provide feedback to USGA and R&A
“The goal of our survey was to give golfers the opportunity to voice their opinion on this proposed ruling as we absorb the MLR and its potential effects on the everyday golfer,” David Abeles, TaylorMade CEO, said. “The overwhelming amount of responses show the passion, knowledge and care for the game our audience possesses. Each response and data point is being reviewed as we will utilize this feedback in our preparation to provide a response to the USGA and R&A.”
