TITLEIST AVX GOLF BALLS

Cost: $76.95 (dozen). Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor (GA Handicap 9.4)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The AVX is a uniquely positioned golf ball in the premium market. And it certainly produced the performance characteristics Titleist touts instantly during my testing. Hitting some putts alongside the company’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x the feel of the AVX was without question softer, with a very slight reduction in spin but more than enough in comparison when moving to the chipping green.

Working my way through the bag, the

AVX became the longer option as I made my way to driver, with the lower flight and less spin certainly different, but for mine neither better or worse. HOW THEY PERFORMED: The addition of the AVX golf ball to Titleist’s line would have been unthinkable some years ago, however, the company with such a focus on its top golf balls clearly saw a gap in the market for a product of this nature. And throughout my time practising and playing with the AVX, I found myself understanding the decision more and more.

Like almost any keen golfer, I have a long history with the Pro V1 line and certainly wouldn’t characterise myself as someone searching for something beyond it.

However, the AVX isn’t necessarily targeted at myself, the ball aimed at players looking for lower spin and softer feel, in combination with distance gains.

The softer feel is noticeable, although one would not describe the AVX as a marshmallow or in line with the ultra-soft models on the market. For some this will be of high value, with slower swing speed players who opt for Tour balls unable to compress the firmer models to gain the feel they enjoy.

When it came to ball flight, the changes

compared to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x are not drastic but enough for an experienced player to discern.

Around the greens, the 2020 model is an improvement upon the original AVX, which I had very minimal experience with.

Spin and stopping power is less than the

Pro V models, but this is no rock bounding through the green and the AVX really helped lessen the guess work on occasion when pitching and chipping to some soft winter greens.

Moving into the irons, the AVX’s lower flight was fantastic in windy conditions. The low spin did again mean it won’t stop as quickly as the balls I tested it against, but for the player looking to gain the better part of a club in distance, it is more a case of factoring this in as opposed to a negative.

Where the lower spin did stand out for me was the straightness of the AVX. Working the ball and mis-hits flying off line relies on spin and this meant producing fades and draws was harder work, a sacrifice that is countered by accuracy.

Once into the long clubs, the AVX will really impress the distance seekers, partially through its benefits with the clubs at the other end of the bag.

A piercing and powerful flight hits the ground running and I am looking forward to courses drying up to see just how far I can push the driver out with the AVX. And although there were distance gains personally, the fact that you are not giving up all short game feel and control means this is a distance ball for the better player.

The AVX isn’t better or worse than the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, it isn’t supposed to be.

The relatively new category for Titleist offers another alternative for golfers and it is one I enjoyed throughout my testing. As someone who likes to work the ball, more for fun than anything else, and has a primary focus on maximum short game performance, I am not likely to make a full time switch to the AVX.

However, as a windy day option, I would certainly consider it, and for the player it is designed for, I would have no issue recommending the AVX.