Many of us don’t think about cleaning out the washing machine. I mean, it’s supposed to clean our clothes, so how dirty can it get? Yet, mildew, bacteria, soap scum, and other yucky things build up in a washing machine over time. In this tutorial I’m going to explain how to clean a washing machine...
Continue Reading...How to Deep Clean a Washing Machine (Naturally)
Click here to read Super Simple Valentine’s Day Cards Any Kid Can Make on Hands On As We Grow
This Valentine’s Day activity for kids from Hands On As We Grow contributor Rachel is so easy and fun, kids of any age can do it!
Even the youngest or least crafty kids will be smiling making these simple Valentine’s Day cards. They make sweet keepsakes for family and friends.
Making Valentine’s Day cards is also a great way to teach your kids about thoughtfulness.
What makes these cards unique – and so simple! – is that instead of making individual cards, they decorated full sheets of paper that I cut into cards.
My older two girls can get very hung up on making the perfect card, but this was so much easier!
This method of card-making is easily adaptable to any holiday or occasion.
My kids LOVE making cards. It makes them so happy to create something beautiful to share with the people they love.
Mama likes it because it saves a ton of money on greeting cards!
I love the flexibility of this activity. You can use practically any supplies you’ve got on hand, or grab one or two special items to pump up the love theme.
They decorated their papers however they wanted. I did tell them not to write anything or draw pictures because I would be cutting the paper.
It was so interesting to see the different ways they approached these simple Valentine’s Day cards!
When they finished, I cut each paper into two or three pieces (if you have an older child, this is a great opportunity for cutting practice). Then it was time to sign their cards!
Izzie was excited to practice writing on her cards, then she helped her sister with spelling.
I traced my youngest’s hand on one side, then drew a heart and wrote her name on the other side.
I know some grandparents that are going to be very excited to get these cards in the mail!
Here are some other fun ways for little ones to learn their names!
Last week's PGA Show had little to offer in the way of fresh and compelling new ideas. That said, one could argue if any OEM produced a discernable vibe layered with newfound optimism and dare I suggest, excitement, it was Tour Edge.
It's not often an OEM focuses marketing efforts on a second-tier product, but that's exactly the approach Tour Edge is taking for 2018 with its Hot Launch 3 line of equipment.
The proposition is simple, the price affordable and yet it's a space in which few, if any, other OEMs are willing to play.
Tour Edge defines this niche as a place where consumers can access custom fit, game-improvement targeted equipment, built on the foundation of advanced technologies at uber-budget friendly price points. On top of that, Tour Edge guarantees an Amazon Prime fast 48-hour delivery on all custom clubs.
The third release in this line is the HL3 hybrid, which retails for $119.99. The tech story isn't dissimilar from what we often hear from higher-priced competitors and is no doubt what gives Executive Vice President John Craig confidence to assert "With HL3, you can get the best of both worlds; leading edge performance and a retail price that won't break the bank."
The face is crafted from 450 Carpenter Steel and incorporates VFT (Variable Face Thickness) to promote more ball speed retention on off-center strikes. The Power Channel serves as Tour Edge's "slot technology" giving the face more flex to increase initial ball velocity.
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Ranging from 48 grams to 60 grams and available in four flexes (L, A, R, and S), the stock shaft is produced by UST Mamiya exclusively for the Hot Launch 3 line. Exclusive Design in shaft parlance almost always translates as made for, and while these shafts are often less expensive to manufacturer (and tend to be higher launching/spinning as well) than after-market equivalents, let’s not forget the target audience for Hot Launch.
Hot Launch, as a line, is a "MOM" (Meat of the Market) release and my hunch is Tour Edge's balance sheet would reflect the reality that there are far more golfers out there looking for high value-low(er) cost products than gearheads and equipment junkies might readily admit.
It’s the opposite of the PXG Effect, and thus far, it’s a market space that’s proving to be a sweet spot for Tour Edge
The Hot Launch 3 hybrid retails for $119.99 and is positioned to replace 3-6 irons (lofts of 19°, 22°, 25°, 28°) and is offered in both right and left-handed models.
Tour Edge will be a full participant in this year's Most Wanted testing and in an environment where performance speaks for itself, it will be interesting to see what Hot Launch 3 has to say.
For more information, visit TourEdge.com.
Is olive oil healthy? It is considered a highly nutritious and healthy oil due to its high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A and K (unlike oils like canola, soybean, and vegetable oil, which are problematic). It also contains high levels of certain antioxidants. The Many Benefits of Olive Oil This staple of the...
Continue Reading...Olive Oil Benefits (& How to Choose One that Isn’t Fake!)
TaylorMade is on a bit of a roll with its golf balls. While Titleist remains, by far, the most dominant ball in golf, TP5 is the real deal, and that’s given the company and its balls some real tour momentum. Twist Face drivers may be getting all the attention right now, but TaylorMade staffers are winning, and they’re doing it with TaylorMade balls in the bag.
That’s the happy bit of the story, but TaylorMade understands the reality that $50/dozen tour balls will likely never be the biggest seller for any ball company not named Titleist. TP5 might not reach elite golfers the same way a Pro V1 does, but for average golfers, there’s some serious appeal to a tour-quality ball at a significantly lower price. The success of Vice and Snell among others suggests that's the way the market is trending, so it’s worth mentioning that TaylorMade started down that path way back in 2014.
The Project (a) (why the brackets?) is a three-piece golf ball with a cast urethane cover, just like the Pro V1. Until the TP5 launched, Project (a) was TaylorMade’s most successful golf ball model, despite flying mostly under the radar. The Project (a) could hold its own against anything at a similar price point, and you can bet TaylorMade believes its new (a) can more than do the same against anything sub-$40. And yeah, that includes Titleist’s new non-urethane covered Tour Soft.
So what has changed between Project (a) iterations?
I’ll give you one guess.
Yup, distance.
Consumer feedback showed that only 7% of Project (a) consumers chose the ball because of distance. Short off the tee? Not dramatically so, but as you’d expect, TaylorMade has worked hard on increasing driver distance without sacrificing Project (a)’s soft feel. Yes, that’s right, TaylorMade makes a soft ball too.
TaylorMade claims the new Project (a) is producing upwards of 10 more yards off the tee compared to the previous version.
How is that possible?
First up are the dimples. There’s always a dimple story. The new (a) leverages the seamless 322 dimple pattern from the TP5 and TP5x. That gets you less drag so, all things being equal, the ball travels farther through the air.
Second, there’s a new Dual-Distance core. An extra large inner core helps reduce spin, while the firmer outer core helps retain speed. For good measure, a thin urethane cover helps provide soft feel and better bite for more greenside spin.
Is Project (a) a tour ball for the masses then? That’s been the message since 2014, and frankly, it’s a ball that probably hasn’t received all the attention it deserves – and that was before TP5, which TaylorMade believes will prove to be a better performing ball for just about anyone.
Project (a) was originally marketed as a tour-quality ball for slow to moderate swing amateurs, but its position has shifted a bit to target the feel driven and now distance driven golfer. Our hunch is that for some within that group, it’s still a better ball than the TP series, while remaining a bit of a sleeper for soft feel at a price crowd.
Bottom line, it’s a good ball worth another look.
Available in White and Yellow. Retail price is $39.99
Also announced is the new Project (s), a 3-piece Ionomer cover ball designed for slower swing speeds. Compression is lower than that of Project (a), and according to TaylorMade, offers the softest cover in its category.
Softer, longer, and less than $25 a dozen. That’s your headline.
Available in White, Yellow, and Matte Orange. Retail Price is $24.99
Tuna is a quick, easy protein choice that tastes great in a variety of dishes. My family enjoys it in recipes like this apple walnut tuna salad. This gluten-free tuna casserole recipe is another way to enjoy tuna as a healthier twist on the popular classic. Which Tuna Is Best? There are a few things...
Continue Reading...Cheesy Tuna Casserole Recipe (Kid Friendly & Gluten Free)
Over the weekend, Callaway’s Senior VP of Marketing (and also President of OGIO), Harry Arnett lobbed a Twitter grenade at Titleist, which for the sake of context, still lays legitimate claim to being the #1 Ball in Golf™.
At least that particular Trademark reflects reality.
Harry’s tweet, which will almost certainly go down as the opening salvo in a protracted ball war, was in response to an ad Titleist ran during the Farmers Open.
Here’s the tweet
Hi,@Titleist.How're things? Love whole "trust" thing you got going.Speaking of,just saw ur new piece comparing ur new 2-piece surlyn ball to our urethane ball.Pretty misleading & untrustworthy comparing 2piece surlyn to urethane. Why not Show ProV1 vs Chrome Soft?Oh,I know why.
— Harry Arnett (@HarryArnettCG) January 27, 2018
Make sure to check out the stream of replies. You’ll find a mixed bag of Titleist and Callaway loyalists defending their brands. Even Callaway Staffer, Daniel Berger, weighed-in in defense of Chrome Soft.
The specific point of contention is a couple of charts favorably comparing Titleist’s new Tour Soft golf ball to Callaway’s Chrome Soft, Bridgestone’s Tour B RXS, and TaylorMade’s TP5.
We mentioned that comparison in our recent story on the Tour Soft while pointing out that positioning the performance of a 2-piece Ionomer (at least mostly ionomer) covered ball alongside 3, 4, and 5-piece urethane balls is a bold move.
Arnett’s take is that the ad is misleading and untrustworthy; words almost certainly chosen to undermine Titleist’s message of trust. I don’t want to put words in Harry’s mouth, but given just two letters, I think he’d go so far as to call it BS.
To its credit, Titleist lays out the basis for its claim with more detailed fine print than you’ll find in most golf ads.
In case you missed it in the video, that fine print reads:
“Driver distance results from machine testing setup condition of 140 mph ball speed, 12 degree launch angle, spin rate 2900 rpm: Titleist Tour Soft golf balls are 5 yards longer than Callaway Chrome Soft, 4 yards longer than TaylorMade TP5 and 2 yards longer than Bridgestone Tour B RXS. Tour Soft is 14 compression units softer than Chrome Soft, 15 units softer than TP5 and 12 units softer than Tour B RXS.”
By those numbers, I suppose you can make a case that Tour S is better. Certainly, the lack of a greenside spin comparison, particularly when urethane balls are part of the discussion, is a red flag, but in previous communication, Titleist has been clear about its belief that Tour Soft can hold its own around the green with those other balls.
The issue…at least Harry’s issue is that Titleist is comparing apples (urethane tour balls) and oranges (less than tour balls).
And that raises an interesting question: Fundamentally, is it reasonable, fair, honest, trustworthy, etc. to compare a 2-piece, ionomer ball to 3+ layer, urethane Tour balls? It’s a question for which the answer is more opinion than fact, but I’m certain that if MyGolfSpy made a similar comparison in a ball test, we’d get blasted – and my opinion is that we’d deserve it.
That said, I’m not entirely sure that Titleist crossed the line here. Should we make comparisons based on performance, based on layers and materials, or both? Again, answers are matters of opinion, not fact, but it’s not a comparison I’d allow to be made on MyGolfSpy unless our stated intent was to compare two unlike things.
The other side of this – likely the Titleist side - is that there is a segment of golfers who don’t much concern themselves with layer counts and cover materials. If distance and feel are the metrics that matter, then maybe it is a reasonable comparison. Materials and layers may not compare, but performance – according to Titleist - does. There are inarguably golfers who want a ball that’s long and soft, and probably cheap too. If Tour Soft is that ball, the rest maybe doesn’t matter.
Ionomer vs. Urethane – meh
2-piece vs. 3+ - also meh
Long, soft, cheap, and spinny-enough around the greens.
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The validity of the comparison ultimately boils down to the audience. For my audience and as I’ve said, I don’t like it, and given Titleist’s positioning as a brand for serious golfers, it is, perhaps, a dubious comparison as well. My concession here is that every brand has to reach less-than-serious golfers if it hopes to succeed. Tour Soft is one avenue for Titleist to do just that.
There may also be a strategic element in this. It’s possible that Titleist is hoping to create an equivalency between its non-tour ball and its competitors’ higher-priced tour offerings with the hope that it can then market AVX as the tour-level alternative to what it has previously positioned as lesser balls.
Followers of Harry Arnett know that he sometimes comes across as a reckless hothead; a twitter bull in the internet's china shop. He’s been known to mix it up with competitors, followers, and most definitely MyGolfSpy staffers. I believe that Harry often shoots genuinely from the hip, but I think this one was planned. Perhaps not letter for letter or word for word, but sooner or later Harry was going to fire a shot and when an opportunity presented itself…Harry did Harry things.
There's a case to be made he outdid himself. A conversation is being had. A timeline may have been accelerated.
There was plenty of chatter at the recent PGA Show that Callaway was going to try and make a move in the ball market, and so here you go. Callaway has cemented itself as a clear number 2 in the ball category. With Chrome Soft it has an established franchise that resonates with a segment of golfers, and it has plenty of that oft-referenced momentum that CEO's love to talk about.
The timing is right.
As Callaway moves forward, Titleist is taking fire from all sides. Direct to consumer (both white box and balls with actual R&D behind them) are cutting into the bottom line. It’s locked up in litigation with Costco, and Chrome Soft has almost certainly forced it to play a bit of defense and design with soft in mind.
With AVX lying in wait, Titleist hopes Tour Soft can begin the process of taking back some of what it lost to Callaway, but with all the talk of Graphene infusion, Callaway certainly has the better story (your performance mileage may vary) going into 2018.
While I’m sure there are firm opinions on both sides, what remains to be seen is whether Chrome Soft can thrive with a $5 price hike. If consumers are devoted to Chrome Soft because of the way it performs, then expect the momentum to continue. If, however, consumers love Chrome Soft because it’s soft and cheap, then Titleist has a real opportunity to do some damage with its softer and cheaper Tour Soft.
Not that you asked, but I’m 50/50 on this one. Chrome Soft continues to evolve into a better golf ball, but with each iteration, it gets a little firmer, and now a little more expensive, and with that, a little more removed from what first attracted the consumer to the ball. That could prove to be problematic for Callaway. It could also prove to be nothing at all. Like I said, 50/50.
Whatever you think of Harry’s tweet and the resulting discussion, I can assure you this is just the beginning as Callaway looks to make a serious push towards unseating Titleist as the #1 Ball in Golf (at least at the consumer level). If it happens at all (HUGE IF) It won’t happen overnight, it won’t happen this year, and probably not next year either. Make no mistake, though; this is most definitely the beginning of a serious ball war that, if Harry Arnett’s first tweet is any indication, will be loads of fun to watch.
MyGolfSpy reached out to both Harry Arnett and Titleist. Both declined further comment.
I love remedies that have many uses (like emu oil), and cannabidiol oil (or CBD oil) is gaining popularity for this reason. CBD oil — an oil extracted from the hemp plant — has come under a lot of legal and moral questions. Opinions may differ but what can’t be ignored is the incredible healing...
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Lost in the flurry of PGA Show releases, and perhaps even FootJoy’s own classically stylish throwback 1857 Collection was the release of the Tour S Golf shoe.
You may recall that a couple of years ago FootJoy tried to make a run at shoe fitting based on the idea that, in addition to finding the right size (and width), it was also important to fit for how your feet move in the swing. FJ FreeStyle (my favorite), for example, is a prime example of a mobility shoe. It’s for those of us with what I’d suppose you might call busy feet in our golf swings.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are stable shoes. In a less than literal sense, they’re designed for golfers who benefit from being anchored to the ground. Think of these shoes as offering a firm, stable base, and not a ton of wiggle room. It’s a platform, or at least a notion, that many golfers love and so I suspect many golfers will love FootJoy’s new Tour S.
I’ll touch on the tech in just a bit, but the big takeaway here is that the Tour S is the most stable shoe in the FootJoy lineup, in fact, it’s the most stable FootJoy shoe ever. Basically, it’s the polar opposite of FreeStyle. How I feel about that is very much TBD.
The stability comes from what FootJoy calls POWERPLATE technology. In simple terms, it’s an outsole design consisting of two key design elements.
The outsole is made from Pebax, an elastomer that’s stiffer but more responsive than TPU. One of the things you’ll likely notice with the Tour S is that it’s not particularly pliable – and that’s exactly what FootJoy wants in the Tour S. What you lose in flexibility, you get back to an extent in responsiveness. Pebax springs back faster than TPU, and ultimately that means less fatigue over the course of a round.
The second stability element is the addition of what FootJoy calls Launch Pods. The pods are what house the spikes, and while it’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics, their purpose is actually to widen the cleatbed so golfers can better leverage ground forces to create more power in the golf swing. It’s also worth mentioning that that Launch Pods in the toe area are comparatively narrow to allow the golfer to rotate thought the swing without interference.
As a weight saving measure, FootJoy has replaced the metal shank traditionally hidden in the middle of its soles with lighter visible carbon weave fiberglass. The same material is also visible in the heel cup where it again saves weight without compromising stability.
A golf shoe, no matter how stable, is pretty much worthless if it isn’t comfortable. With that in mind, FootJoy has bundled plenty of comfort features into the Tour S.
That last one is particularly interesting to me. My one and only knock with the Pro SL was that I felt the tongue was a bit longer (and firmer) than it needed to be. With the Tour S, the foam-based tongue is much softer on the foot. It’s a simple, yet positively brilliant innovation.
FootJoy has already seen some of its Pro SL players switch to Tour S, and the expectation, or at least the hope, is that staffers who are still in the XPS-1 (the previous most stable shoe in the FootJoy lineup) will make the jump to the newer model, specifically for its increased stability, lighter weight, and improved comfort.
Tour S is a new flagship in the FootJoy line and with that you can expect a couple of things.
Firstly, it’s going to be available in a tremendous number of size and width combinations. I’d wager it will be the most complete offering in the golf shoe industry this year. As I’ve said before, if you can’t find a FootJoy that fits, you might want to think about getting new feet.
Secondly, as you’d begrudgingly expect, it’s priced like a flagship shoe. FootJoy is doing a bit of consolidation and SKU reduction, so initially, the laced version ($249.95) will be available in 3 colorways (white, white/blue, and black) and the BOA version ($279.95) will be available in a single white/gray colorway.
Given recent trends, I’d expect FootJoy to add additional colorways at a later date.
Retail availability begins 2/5/2018.
To see more photos of the FootJoy Tour S golf shoes, visit the Gratuitous Picture Thread in the MyGolfSpy Forum.
Click here to read Baby Gross Motor Play: Colorful Scarf Circle on Hands On As We Grow
Change up your baby gross motor play with this colorful scarf circle from Julie.
Babies love exploring different colors and textures!
This no-prep colorful scarf circle will help your baby develop gross motor skills and stimulate her senses as well.
Read here for more simple baby activities to do this week.
Short on time? You can prep for this baby play activity in less than two minutes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Just arrange the scarves in a circle and you’re all set!
For this baby play activity, I started my daughter out on her back in the middle of the circle.
She’s rolling both directions now, so I like to give her every opportunity to practice those gross motor skills.
If you love this baby play idea, you’ll enjoy making this edible paint for babies!
As soon as the colorful scarves caught her eye, she flipped right over to her tummy!
She loved exploring the scarves with her fingers (and mouth, of course).
Try these 48 activities to explore sight, sound, taste, and smell.
I pointed out different colors and talked to my baby while she played.
As she explored, I encouraged her to turn from side to side to view each scarf in the circle. I pointed to every scarf and called her with my voice to show her where to look next.
This is a simple baby play idea you can easily set up over and over again.
You baby will love it every time!
To switch things up, you could even hide toys in the scarves for your baby to find. It’s a great way to teach object permanence!
So simple, but so much fun!
For more fun with your baby, try this quick make and play edible sensory rattle!
I am here today with Lane Kennedy, a truly inspiring mom, female entrepreneur, and health coach with an awesome story. This interview is going to dispel some myths and controversy around one of the most requested podcast topics, which is what CBD or cannabidiol is all about. If it sound familiar, yes, it is related...
Continue Reading...132: How to Use Cannabidiol or CBD for Sleep, Hormones, and Health
It seems like it’s been a cold winter everywhere this year. Record lows, surprising snow, and gusty winds call for curling up under a blanket with a big cup of coffee (or tea). I’m a big fan of this Golden Milk (turmeric tea) recipe at night, but I wanted to make a coffee-style turmeric latte. This...
Continue Reading...Spiced-Up Turmeric Latte with Cinnamon and Chicory
Click here to read Easy Customizable Cotton Ball Craft on Hands On As We Grow
Make a simple and endlessly customizable cotton ball craft from Megan!
When you’re a single mom, or live most of your week as a ‘single mom’ with your husband traveling or deployed, or just away for the majority of the day, it can be very tiring and lonesome not having that adult connection.
Our member of the month in The Activity Room has a husband that travels most of the week and she’s home with her kids plus daycare kids she looks after.
By the end of the day, you’d just feel at your wit’s end.
The daily activities and bonus weeks for extra ideas are just perfect to get the stimulation in a positive way!
Megan joined a 7 Day Activity Challenge and knew by day three that the hands-on approach of our activities was exactly what she needed.
“The Activity Room has given me so much more than I imagined. I thought I would just scroll through on occasion to see some activities. However not the case. Not only does the layout help me get prepared weekly but also helps when I need something quick.
“Mostly for me as the mom I have gotten so much support and encouragement from the other moms/ caretakers! The mom support I have received is more than I could have asked for when joining a kids activity group!
“Jamie’s plans can be used for a 10-month-old all the way up to adults (yes, I enjoy them too!).”
Let’s Meet Megan
How many kids do you have and how old are they?
Girl almost 4, girl almost 3, boy 1 month
How long have you been in The Activity Room?
Few months and loving it more and more!
What is your favorite activity you’ve done in The Activity Room?
Anything to do with tape my girls love the possibilities are endless!
What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids when you get a few moments?
Color, we love to color on paper or coloring books!
What’s your best tip for doing activities with your kids?
Be prepared with your supplies, but also equally open-minded for them to change it their own way!
Share your favorite quote:
If it is meant to be, it’ll be.
We made a ghost with cotton balls, but this would be super cute as any design. A tree, a heart, a ghost, a pumpkin, anything!
Select a colored piece of paper and cut the shape as big as you want. Next, the kids can glue cotton balls all over their whole shape.
Or not, if they prefer to leave some space. It’s totally up to them!
Then, pull out the paints and have them paint the cotton balls as well! An activity that kept going!
For a twist, you could even have the big kids draw and or cut the shape. You can keep the paint matching a theme- or not!
This easy cotton ball activity is totally customizable to your child’s interests, abilities, and attention span.
This is a craft for children of all ages. It’s easy to modify it for kids with different needs or abilities, too.
Of all the questions listeners ask me, “How do you do it all” is one of the most popular. My answer is always pretty straightforward … I don’t! That’s why I’m so grateful to have Melissa Hayes and Amber Lewis, the founders of The Good Kitchen, on the show today. What is The Good Kitchen,...
Continue Reading...131: Sourcing Sustainable Food and Healthy “Fast” Food with The Good Kitchen
For 2018, Titleist is launching a new ball that skews towards feel-driven golfers, and no, it’s not the AVX. The new ball is called the Tour Soft, and according to Titleist, it’s the softest feeling ball in its category.
For the sake of clarification, that category is golf balls that sell for between $30 and $40. As a general rule, consumers who shop within this range tend to be distance-centric but also value soft feel a bit more than users of tour-level balls might.
It’s a category that includes Bridgestone’s E-Series (the Tour Series too if you factor in promotional pricing), a good bit of the Srixon lineup, and before this week, Callaway’s Chrome Soft as well.
What makes Tour Soft a curiosity is that despite its lower price, 2-piece construction, and lack of a urethane cover, Titleist believes the new ball is longer and better than any of the balls listed above, and TaylorMade’s TP5 too.
That’s bold talk right there.
Given the 2-piece construction, it shouldn’t come as any surprise when I say that the relevant performance features lie in Tour Soft’s core and its cover.
The headline here is that the Tour Soft features the largest Titleist core ever. To get the speed and soft feel characteristics Titleist wanted, it had to push itself beyond what it previously accepted as the maximum possible core size. That added size allowed Titleist to lower core compression (soft feel) without compromising speed. That’s a point of emphasis here - Tour Soft is long, even for higher speed players.
Given the limitations on golf ball size, if you’re going to make the core bigger, you’ve got to make other layers thinner. And when you’re only working with two layers, a larger core necessitates a thinner cover.
For Tour Soft, Titleist is using an ultra-thin 4CE grafted cover with TCU Process Technology. It’s a mouthful, so let me translate the relevant bits. That 4CE stuff refers to the fact that Tour Soft’s cover is made from four different materials. Two of them are ionomers (common 2-piece cover material), while the other two are proprietary to Titleist. That blend along with the TCU process (thin cup uniformity), allowed Titleist to make Tour Soft’s cover thinner than many of its competitors’ urethane covers.
According to Titleist, that’s what gets you the spin characteristics that allow Tour Soft to hold its own against more expensive offerings.
Rounding out the story is a new spherically-tiled 342 cuboctahedron dimple design. Yup, another mouthful. What that really boils down to is a series of repeating dimple patterns overlaid in such a way as to eliminate any visible seam while ensuring consistent aerodynamic performance regardless of how the ball is oriented.
The pattern itself is engineered to produce a lower, penetrating ball flight.
While we can rattle off a long list of balls in the $30-$40 range, it’s a reasonable assumption that Callaway’s Chrome Soft is the one in the crosshairs.
To be sure, with 2-layers of construction and a urethane cover’s worth of difference between them, the two balls aren’t exactly in the same category, and that may be the point. It’s at least possible that Titleist believes the success of Chrome Soft isn’t just about soft feel, but rather soft feel at a price point. If that proves to be the reality, there’s an opportunity for a softer, less expensive ball to succeed, especially with both the cost and compression rating of Chrome Soft on the rise.
The reality of the Chrome Soft feel story, at least as far as the compression rating is concerned, ain’t what it used to be.
It’s also worth considering that Titleist’s soft feel tour-level ball, the AVX, is likely to see full distribution in the coming months. The initial response to the AVX has been overwhelmingly positive, and should it hit retail, it would give Titleist a second avenue from which to try and reclaim share from Callaway’s flagship ball. The likelihood is that Titleist is just a few months away from having two balls on the shelves that rival Chrome Soft for both feel and price, and it will have them both without making any risky modifications to the Pro V1 brand.
The ball market remains volatile, but every indication is that Titleist is beginning to adapt.
Beginning today, the Titleist Tour Soft is available in White and Yellow for a retail price of $34.99.
Also introduced today is the next generation of Velocity golf balls. If you’re not familiar with the Velocity, it’s one of the lower priced balls in the Titleist lineup. It’s designed for distance, and also distance, and then some distance. It’s not a ball I play, but I’ve got a good friend who habitually puts them in play when he wants just a little bit more off the tee.
While it won’t be mistaken for the Pro V1, Velocity is one hell of a scramble ball.
So with that in mind, it shouldn’t surprise you that the finer points of the new ball are almost entirely distance-centric.
Let’s run through the highlights:
As I said, with Velocity, it’s all about distance. If Titleist can make it a little softer (both in feel and with respect to the way it lands off the short irons), all the better, but it’s not a ball you play if you’re looking for outstanding feel and greenside control.
This time around, the Velocity will be offered in four colors.
Joining white are three high-visibility options: VISI-White, Velocity Orange, and Velocity Pink.
VISI-White is notable for its orange sidestamp and double-digit player numbers (00, 22, 77 and 99). That may seem like an odd combination, but they were selected based on their popularity among Team Titleist members. Kudos for giving the people what they want.
The Titleist Velocity has a retail price of $26.99. Available now.
