Titleist is a name that any serious golfer will know well and has earned a reputation as a maker of high-quality golf balls. Here, we’ll look at some general principles and advice when buying golf balls and then move on to a review of the Titleist Velocity so you’ll be able to decide if this is the right ball to take your name to the next level.
Things To Consider When You’re Looking To Buy Golf Balls
Spin
Different golf balls will offer different levels of spin, and golfers have different preferences. If you’re looking for something that offers lower levels of spin, then you’ll probably want to go for a ball with ionomer polymers.
On the other hand, if you prefer a ball that offers higher levels of spin, then urethane is probably the way to go for you.
Distance
This is closely related to spin. Traditionally, it wasn’t really possible to have both spin and distance, but modern materials and ball construction are changing that.
However, if you’re in need of a ball that’s built specifically for distance, then balls with ionomer covers are probably right for you. These hard covers reduce spin and maximize flight time, making for the maximum possible distance.
Color
It might seem like an irrelevant point, but white golf balls are the standard and while many other colors are available, many golfers often think that they’re of lesser quality than white balls.
However, balls of any color can be of premium quality. Yellow is a popular alternative, particularly for players who want their balls to stand out in the rough, but a ball of any other color will put your individual mark on a game too. If you feel like moving away from the traditional white, don’t be put off. Now, let’s get onto the review of the Titleist Velocity itself.
Titleist Velocity
The name Titleist should need no introduction, being one of the largest and most trusted makers of golf balls in the world. They make a wide range of different balls for different needs, and Velocity is just one of them. We’ll have a look at it here.
Distance
There’s a reason we’re talking about distance first when it comes to the Titleist Velocity. It’s purposely designed to go as far as possible off the tee, and it certainly does that well.
The ball has a larger than average LSX core which generates a very high velocity when driven off the tee, and the specialized design of the dimples promotes a higher trajectory. There are exactly 328 spherically-tiled dimples on each ball that are arranged to make all your shots go further.
Spin
The balls have a notably lower spin than most other balls you might have used. This is also a function of that larger than average LSX core and the Surlyn coating and makes them a great option for high-handicap golfers because it means you’ll have better control of the shots you make.
Even if you don’t hit the ball just right, there’s a much better chance that it’ll go in as straight a line as you wanted it to.
However, the downside of this is that when you get onto the green and need that spin, you’ll have less of it than you would with some other kinds of ball. In case you’re not sure what we’re talking about here, watch some professionals play golf on TV.
Notice how they can get their golf balls to curve elegantly around the hole on the green, even curving back on themselves to get a hole? Yeah, that’s all due to the curve factor of their balls, and it’s something you’ll have a hard time replicating with the Titleist Velocity.
However, that’s not to say that you won’t get any spin on the green at all. Golf balls in general and the Titleist Velocity have been improving in this area over recent years, so you can expect at least some spin. Control has also been improved in that this ball is now not quite as firm as some earlier versions of it were, meaning it’s easier for you to apply exactly the right hit.
Appearance
The Titleist Velocity is available in the classic white color and matte green. However, if you go with the white ball, you can also customize it in several different ways by adding your choice of text and a logo (or logos, if you want two). Of course, you can also give it your choice of play number.
It’s great to see such a nice selection of customizability features, and it adds to the overall professionalism of the ball.
Price
The Titleist Velocity is about mid-range when it comes to price. It’s cheaper than Titleist’s premium range offerings, but costs more than most other ionomer coated balls.
Overall we’d say it offers pretty good value for money, relative to its features as a ball.
Conclusion
Overall, this is a very respectable golf ball that is worth a buy, in particular for golfers with a higher handicap or golfers who have trouble keeping balls straight, or with getting enough distance from the tee, look no further.
Though it doesn’t perform quite as well as some other styles of ball when it comes to control on the green, it makes up for this by making it easier to get there in the first place. They’re also reasonably priced for their quality. So, if you’re looking to try a new golf ball, the Titleist Velocity is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surlyn is a brand name of a specific kind of ionomer resin used to coat golf balls. For more information on what ionomer resin is, see below.
Ionomer and urethane are the two types of coating that you’ll probably be choosing from when you’re buying a golf ball since nearly all golf balls are coated in one or the other.
Urethane is the kind most often used in professional-standard golf balls, and is favored for its ability to have its hardness controlled easily during the manufacturing process.This means it can be given a softer feel, which is in demand for high-quality golf balls. This is because it gives more feedback when struck, which allows the player to control the distance of their shots more accurately.
Ionomer, on the other hand, is generally firmer in its feel than urethane. As a result, ionomer balls tend to spin less, making it easier to avoid slicing or hooking the ball by hitting it imperfectly.The Titleist Velocity is an ionomer ball, which is part of the reason why it has so little spin on it.
That’s actually the group they’re most suited to since they travel so well from the tee. Beginners will also find that this is useful for them particularly if they’re having trouble with getting distance from the tee, or with keeping the ball straight.
In case you didn’t know, golf balls can be constructed in several different ways. The most basic balls are just 1 piece, while more complex ones can be made of two, three, four, five, or even six pieces fitted together. Five or six piece balls are the most advanced (and so the most expensive) options on the market. The Titleist Velocity is in fact a two piece, not a three piece ball. It consists of a solid core coated in a Surlyn layer.
You might wonder why golf balls aren’t just perfectly smooth. After all, don’t perfectly smooth things flyer further and more quickly? Actually, no, and the reason why has to do with drag.
When the ball is struck and starts to fly through the air, it’s already being slowed down by the air it’s flying through. Having dimples on the ball causes the air molecules to jump around, resulting in turbulence on the ball’s surface. Air pressure has less of an impact on dimpled balls, so they can fly further.
If you hadn’t heard the term before, lake balls are golf balls that have been recovered from lakes or water hazards on golf courses. They can be bought in large amounts for much cheaper than brand new balls. As a result, they can seem like an attractive investment to golfers who are looking to save a little bit of money.
One thing to consider is that they won’t perform as well as new balls. Specifically, they will travel lower distances, and this effect increases proportionally to how long the ball was sitting at the bottom of the lake.
That being said, this problem might be worth the price, especially if you’re a golfer who’s new to the sport or isn’t looking to play competitively. If high performance is non-negotiable for you, however, then stay away from lake balls.
This is why we decided to set up our site, Better Golf, to provide high-quality information that’s accessible to everyone. From newbies, to seasoned golfers, this site covers everything you need to know. Through this site, we will be discussing all the important details.
- What Does Cadet Mean In Golf Gloves? - March 16, 2022
- Nitro Golf Balls Review - March 16, 2022
- Why Do Golfers Yell Fore? - March 16, 2022