Titleist 2020 Balls Test

Titleist 2020 Balls Test - Neil Tappin tests the new Titleist AVX, Tour Soft and Velocity balls for 2020

AVX is at the same price point as Pro V1 but has a softer feel and lower flight and spin off the tee. For 2020, Titleist has made it a little bit faster on iron shots and provide more spin control into and around the greens.

When we tested the original AVX it didn’t quite spin as much with a wedge as Pro V1 and Pro V1x but now the three balls are much more in line in terms of short game performance, while still providing a great option off the tee for golfers that need lower spin to maximize distance.

The Tour Soft has always been an excellent all-rounder that offers soft feel at a lower price point. Our testing of the 2020 version has shown that it is a little bit faster off the tee, possibly because of the larger core and thinner cover, and gave us a touch more control around the greens while maintaining that soft feel many golfers enjoy.

We also really like the new sidestamp design, with the T-shape provide an effective visual to line up your putter’s sightline and clubface to help return it square at impact more consistently. We found it to be especially effective on those nervy putts from 3-6 feet.

The final update for 2020 is on the Velocity, Titleist’s longest ball off the tee. It has been made even longer this year and while the gains are minimal over the previous version, it remains the ball of choice for golfers that want to out-drive their playing partners but not have to pay a premium for the privilege.

Titleist has also added some new matte finish colour options and not only do they really stand out against the grass and sky, we also found them to be particularly durable, along with the white version too. So as long as you can keep it in play, your Velocity ball should last you multiple rounds and be easier to spot and track in dim light conditions.

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he went on to become a feature writer interviewing many of the biggest names in the game including Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Rory McIlroy and Arnold Palmer.

A 5-handicap golfer, Neil is a club member who takes a keen interest in the health of the game at grassroots level. You’ll often now find him writing about club-related issues such as WHS, membership retention and how best to bridge the gap between the range and the course.