Titleist AVX Life-Tested Review: The Ball For Low Launch & Spin
Find out how the Titleist AVX compares to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x in our in-depth review.
Titleist is the No. 1 ball in golf. Sure, it’s a neat marketing tagline, but take a quick look at the top levels of golf and you’ll realize it’s not just a made-up claim. It’s no surprise that players of all levels are interested in playing a Titleist ball. Yet, not every single golfer fits into the Pro V1 or Pro V1x.
Fortunately, there’s an alternative. A ball that is literally named after its standing as an alternative to Titleist’s V and X balls, the Titleist AVX.
We put it to the test to find out how it performs in this complete Titleist AVX review.
Titleist AVX Overview
PGA TOUR SUPERSTOREFIND ON AMAZON
Typical Price: $50/dozen
Cover: Urethane
Layers: 3
Compression: 78
If you play a Pro V1, Pro V1x, or another premium ball and want a lower-launching, lower-spinning option – especially with irons and woods – the AVX is for you. Titleist designed the AVX as a softer, lower-launching alternative, ideal for players who want less spin from longer clubs, a more penetrating flight, and a soft feel. Its lower spin also makes it a solid choice for windy conditions.
Titleist AVX Short Game Performance
Despite enhanced short game performance for the 2024 edition of the AVX, compared to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, you’ll still lose some short-game spin. Prioritizing low spin on longer shots often means a little extra run-out on chips and pitches.
In my testing, the AVX performed well around the greens, but the lower spin profile affected low-trajectory, high-spin chip shots (the two-hop-and-stopper). AVX jumped off the face a bit quicker than Pro V1, which made it tough to generate the necessary spin without hitting it too deep into the green to get to the second hop and stop portion of the shot.
That said, I’m sure more skilled players could still hit these shots with the AVX. For other short game shots, from straightforward chips to lob-esque shots, the AVX performed without issue. Overall, it’s still a high-spin ball, just a touch less than the Pro V1 or Pro V1x.
AVX Long Game Performance
The long game is the biggest performance area where the AVX aims to benefit players. If you simply hit the ball too high or with too much spin, the AVX can help.
My long game testing backed up Titleist’s claims that AVX produces a more penetrating ball flight with a little less spin than Pro V1 and Pro V1x, while distance remains every bit as good.
AVX Feel
With a compression rating of 78, AVX is a little softer than Pro V1 (88) and Pro V1x (97), resulting in a softer feel.
When alternating mid-iron shots between the AVX and Pro V1 for comparison, I could tell the difference in feel between the two. However, I don’t think I would have noticed a softer feel from the AVX if I weren’t comparing it with a firmer ball head-to-head every-other shot.
AVX vs. Pro V1 Vs. Pro V1x
Here’s how the AVX compares to its siblings in the Titleist lineup, Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
|
AVX |
Pro V1 |
Pro V1x |
|
|
Spin |
Low |
Mid |
High |
|
Trajectory |
Penetrating |
Mid |
Higher |
|
Distance |
High |
High |
High |
|
Feel |
Softer |
Mid |
Firmer |
|
Compression |
78 |
88 |
97 |
|
Layers |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Recommended Swing Speed |
Up to 105 |
Up to 105 |
105+ |
|
Price |
$50 |
$55 |
$55 |
Who Should Play Titleist AVX?
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Titleist AVX is a lower-launching, lower-spinning, softer option compared to Pro V1 and Pro V1x. That makes it a great alternative for players who can relate to some of the following:
- Too much spin off the tee and with irons
- Ballooning or hitting shots too high
- Players who frequently play in wind
- Players seeking a more penetrating ball flight
- Players who want a softer-feeling ball
- Driver swing speeds 105 or less
Niche Alternative
The AVX debuted in 2017, and has been evolving ever since. The 2024 edition packs better short game performance without sacrificing the long distance and lower spin and trajectory some players seek.
There’s no doubt it’s more of a niche ball that suits a specific set of needs, after all it’s safe to say more players hit the ball too low than too high, but for its target players, the AVX is a welcomed solution.
Whether you’ve tried AVX in the past and weren’t sold on its short game capabilities, or you’ve never considered it as an option for lowering trajectory and spin, the 2024 AVX could be worth a shot.
