Titleist has launched updated models of golf balls that it first launched several years ago, with the release of the second-generation Tour Speed ball and the third iteration Tour Soft ball, both of which are at retail from today (May 20).
When Titleist launched its original Tour Speed two years ago, it was the first multi-layer ball to feature Titleist’s proprietary urethane cover. The reformulated Tour Speed continues to produce the consistently fast speed, penetrating flight, and exceptional short game control golfers have come expect from this model.
A reformulated core delivers high speed, while a high flex casing layer, uniquely designed for this golf ball to maintain low long game spin. The reformulated Tour Speed retains the maintains its urethane cover and 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design, a combination engineered to generate a penetrating, consistent flight, and optomised greenside spin for short game control. The result is a combination of speed and spin to help execute any shot, from tee to green.
Mike Madson, Titleist’s senior director of research and engineering, said: “The performance urethane cover material is innovative and best in class. We did maintain the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple pattern based on feedback from the Tour Speed golfer who prefers its penetrating mid-flight trajectory and long distance.”
Frederick Waddell, Director of Product Management, added: “The key to the development process was successfully reformulating the core and high-flex casing layer to perform in conjunction with the proprietary Titleist Performance Urethane cover to our stringent quality controls, so the golf ball performs consistently on every shot.”
Offered in white and yellow colour options, the Tour Speed has an SRP of £38/€46 per dozen.
Titleist Tour Soft
Responding to golfer feedback, the latest version of Tltleist’s Tour Soft golf ball features a new aerodynamic design for longer distance off the tee combined with a large, fast core for a responsive soft feel.
At 1.600”, the Tour Soft retains one of the largest core sizes in the Titleist’s ball portfolio and the same soft compression as the current generation. Such a large core requires an extremely thin cover, and Titleist developed the thin 4CE grafted cover which helps generate reliable greenside spin for short game playability.
The Tour Soft features a new aerodynamic design – the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design that delivers optomised ball flight for longer distance.
Jeremy Stone, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing, said: “The Tour Soft golfer prioritises feel and seeks the softest possible ball, whilst also looking for all around performance. The new Tour Soft has been reengineered for improved performance from tee to green.”
According to Michael Madson, Senior Director, Research and Engineering, the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design was not on the original radar for the new Tour Soft golf ball.
He said: “Just like any of our golf ball products, we are always looking for a dimple pattern that is specific to each model and works best for that design. In the new Tour Soft, we saw an opportunity to improve upon the aerodynamics and improve upon the longer distance players were seeking.”
“Our team developed many designs and considered a number of options from a research standpoint, but it wasn’t until the Tour Speed golf ball when we tested and determined the quadrilateral dipyramid dimple pattern made for a really efficient way to process an injection moulded cover. We never planned to put the same pattern on the Tour Soft, and we looked at a multitude of other dimple counts and patterns within the same family that might work better. But when it came to optomised ball flight and total performance, the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid pattern was clearly the best.”
The Titleist Tour Soft is available in both white and yellow, with an SRP of £32/€38 per dozen.