Titleist has launched global tour validation for its 2027 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls.
The company said Thursday it will conduct real-world testing of the two models across the world's major tours over the coming months, beginning with the PGA Tour's Baker Rantzen Classic at Yokohama Country Club in Japan, and continuing through the LPGA Tour and the European DP World Tour.
Titleist's "tour validation" process, conducted during new product development, involves top-ranked players using prototype models in competition and providing feedback that is then incorporated into the final product.
Field testing of the 2027 models began at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, when Adam Scott, Ryan Gerard, Jordan Spieth and Harris English tested the final candidate models during practice rounds.
Justin Thomas, Lottie Woad, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jana Wilson and Viktor Hovland subsequently joined the testing process over a period of weeks to months. Based on player feedback, the product advanced from the prototype stage to full production.
At the Biltmore Championship Asheville, the season opener of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup fall series, four players used the 2027 models in competition.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
