SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
Titleist Introduces Tour Speed and Tour Soft Balls
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s has been their tradition, Titleist has produced golf balls that allow players to select a model to suit their needs and type of game. Two new Titleist golf balls that have hit the market continue to provide innovation and allow a customization that is impressive. The initial Tour Speed golf ball by Titleist was first introduced two years ago--and was the company’s first high performance, multilayer golf ball with a proprietary cover. This ball was built for maximum speed and a penetrating flight—but still allowing for control and feel around the greens with good spin and a soft feel for a distance ball. The new 2022 edition of this ball has a reformulated core that delivers high speed, and a proprietary high flex casing layer, uniquely designed for this golf ball to maintain low long game spin. This ball maintains its proprietary Titleist Performance Urethane (TPU) cover – specifically formulated by Titleist Golf Ball R&D chemists--and 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design.
“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 (TPU) cover to our stringent quality tolerances, so the golf ball performs consistently on every shot,” said Frederick Waddell, Director of Product Management for Titleist. “The Titleist Performance Urethane cover material is innovative and best in class,” said Mike Madson, Senior Director, Research and Engineering. “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.” The Titleist Tour Speed ball is now available in global markets in both white and yellow. For those players looking for an emphasis on feel and softness, the third generation of the Titleist Tour Soft ball now offers even more feel and tightness coming off the putter head than in previous editions of this ball. It is the company’s ultimate ball for feel. “The Tour Soft golfer prioritizes feel and seeks the softest possible, but they are also looking for all around performance,” said Jeremy Stone, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing. “The new Tour Soft has been
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reengineered for improved performance from tee through green.” At 1.600 inches, the Tour Soft retains one of the largest core sizes in the Titleist golf 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 golf ball features a new aerodynamic design--the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design--that delivers optimized ball flight for longer distance. “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,” noted Madson. “In the new Tour Soft, we saw an opportunity to improve upon the aerodynamics and improve upon the longer distance players were seeking.” According to Madson, the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design was not on the original radar for the new Tour Soft golf ball: “Our team developed many designs and went down a myriad of paths 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 an efficient way to process an injection molded 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 optimized ball flight and total performance, the 346 quadrilateral dipyramid pattern was clearly the best.” While it may have the same aerodynamic package as the reformulated Tour Speed, in comparison, the Tour Soft will fly slightly lower due to the unique construction, primarily the large soft core as compared to the multi-layer Tour Speed. The Tour Speed ball is also available in both white and yellow. The new alignment markings on both new models are a huge improvement for many players that use these to help with setting up their putts. For more information on the new Titleist golf balls: www.titleist.com.
FJ Tour Alpha
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he new FootJoy Tour Alpha is the company’s ultimate Tour and performance shoe that combines super stability during the swing—yet is extremely comfortable to walk in and needs no breaking in. The feeling of this shoe is like you are attached to the ground— which is the basis for a solid golf swing. In addition to the light feel of the ChromoSkin leather, developed by Pittards® of England, the shoe is guaranteed 100% waterproof for at least two years. Tour Alpha also features the proprietary Optimized Performance Stabilizer system (OPS) that works to lock you in, allowing you to swing away with full force. This is the most advanced stability system ever created by FootJoy. The Laser Plus Last offers a full rounded toe character, standard fit across forefoot and instep, with a slightly narrow heel. Thicker insole provides increased underfoot cushioning for enhanced comfort. The insert system refers to the type of receptacle found on the sole of your golf shoes. The insert system also determines the type of cleat that will fit your golf shoes. This model utilizes the Fast Twist 3.0 cleat system with Pulsar spikes. The Fast Twist 3.0 cleat system is the most advanced insert system on the market. The lower profile
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