I received 2 sleeves a week or so ago and one sleeve had only a blue square while the other sleeve had a blue triangle - no other markings

how do u recive these test golf balls

Thanks Steve S.

You are exactly right my friend. I would love to receive anything Titleist, especially testing the number one ball in the world

Just received the Titleist Test Balls and ready for testing Saturday! The Test Balls seem to be a Pro V as I compared the dimple pattern with my Pro V's and they're similar. Looking forward to on course testing to compare performance. I imagine technological advances in core, mantle, cover and slightly adjusted dimple pattern.  I'd really love to be able to test the balls with the new 915 line of equipment.  #Titleist #TeamTitleist

The Newest Member of the Research and Developement Team!!!.  I will be using my 910 D2 9.5* RIP, and 910F 15*. Is there a 915 waiting for me at home?  So PROUD to be on Team Titleist.

Good point Steve...I wish I was lucky enough! Do you know if Titleist asks for feedback when they send balls?

JE, I wouldn't assume that the test balls are Prov1's or x's because of numbers, symbols or anything to distinguish between the two sleeves of test balls. I have been fortunate to test balls on two different occasions and do not have a clue of what kind of ball Titleist had sent me. I like other testers stated my preference but Titleist has never told the testers what kind of ball was being tested, if they were going to be on the market, currently on the market or if they were ever going to be on the market. My guess is that Titleist gathers the data to help their research staff to keep developing a better ball that is not on the market but will be in the future. Why would they send balls out for test that are already in production and out on the market ?

Carl,

You are correct, one shouldn't assume anything. but having red and black numbers leads one into possibly assuming something. And that is my question, why create an immediate potential bias? Different symbols in the number position would make the golfer really think about the feel and performance rather than  possibly sub-consciously think they feel something because they expect that something because of the number color. But maybe this is a late stage test where they want you to think it is the different lines so that the player does not compare against each other but rather against the existing production models.  

Of course they are not balls in current production. They are testing next gen balls.  There have been many branded ProV1 balls for many years and iterations.

I think people, when testing, compare to each other and hopefully to current versions. If something is soft and spins more it is more likely a ProV1 next gen ball while less spin would be an X. Or maybe they are trying to put a third ball into the mix.

There is a reason they do this. Titleist is made up of  very smart people.

but todays ball black  is prov1 and red is prov1x

It seems that everyone else received two sleeves, but I only received one sleeve today.  My sleeve of balls had  Titleist in black letters, with a Red 1.

I wish I received two sleeves to test, but I beggars can't be choosers, ha!

The last 2 sets of test balls I received were both black Titleist with red numbers and the word test on the alignment line. Another set

I received were all black (one sleeve) the the other were all red.  And one other had some symbol on them I don't remember what

the symbol was.  I have been very fortunate to have gotten to test so many different types of Titleists.  I would like to play in a TT

tourney or receive some Team Titleist gear.

I just received a sleeve of Titleist test balls with black numbers. The proV1 uses black numbers, while the proV1x has red numbers. I absolutely love testing out new equipment. It is the only time I ever actually enjoy filling out a survey. I cannot wait to get these out on the course this Saturday for a test drive. My wife thought I was a little too excited by getting a sleeve of balls in the mail as she laughed at my reaction. This work week cannot go fast enough. Get me to the weekend!

I wouldn't automatically assume the balls are ProV's.  The NXT Tour has red numbers and the NXT Tour S has black numbers.  I do think it's very unusual to get test balls with numbers on them instead of some other marking.  The last set of test sleeves I received had a solid blue circle and a blue circle with no fill.

Barry,

Good point. Automatically assuming anything is always risky.

With that said, I was told the ball felt like a ProV1 and spun like one, performed like one. Now it could be an advancement on another ball so that it could feel like a ProV1 and act like a ProV1...................... Also, not sure this person would be chosen to test a high handicapper ball but could be another bad assumption on my part.

Your last set of test sleeves makes more sense to me but that might have been an early test or two different versions of the same next gen line (2 different ProV1s or 2 different ProV1xs). 

I don't know, maybe my curiosity is not worth knowing. I am sure there is a reason and it is most likely on a "need to know" basis and I am sure I do not "need to know". Just curiosity on my part................

James,

Although I certainly don't know for sure, like you I would like to think that Titleist sends a comparable ball out to testers based on what they are currently playing.  I would also think that since Titleist probably sends out test balls for each type they currently market (or may be planning to marketing) they would use a different method of marking each type of ball.  I suppose for an un-scientific check we could ask Bill M. (second post in this thread who just received some test balls), what ball do you currently play and do you think the test balls might be the next gen of that ball?

Like you said, Titleist has their reasons for marking test balls the way they do and I doubt we'll ever know why.

Barry

I just received my TEST sleeve in the mail today.  It's the first in a while, but as was similar to the last time, opening that very distinguishable box is both exciting and an honor.  The folks at the R&D department count on us to provide timely, honest feedback that allows them to continue to stay the #1 ball in golf.

I would not get all hung up on what type of ball they maybe or may not be, but focus on truly identifiying what the difference performance attributes maybe from the ball you currently play. That allows feedback to be gathered and benchmarked against the goals that are set for next evolutions of the ball, specifically balls that are intended for each individual player as we are all different and all have different preferences.

I was fortunate enough to receive a tour of Ball Plant III and also see the actual production of both the ProV and the ProV1.  It was unbelievable to know how much really goes into producing these balls, but even more was an opportunity to get to meet several of the ployees who put all of the sweat and years into making these balls.  You may have noticed I left blood out of the mix and that was intentional.  The safety precautions inside "the factory" was second to none.  Safety of their employees is a huge consideration and the plant is laid out in such a fashion to protect all and allow the best ball in golf to be produced.

Good luck to everyone who received a sleeve and be honest and timely with your feedback!

play well and enjoy your testing

Brian

I received a sleeve of test balls today!  I will keep an open mind, but it looks and feels like a ProV1. I can't wait to go test these balls and give my input…..

I received a sleeve of Black #'s yesterday.  My opinion is that Titleist looks at your profile to see what your favorite ball is (Pro V1 for me) and if you are lucky enough to be a "tester" for them, you receive the next Gen of "your" ball to test and compare to your current ball.  You go out and hit various shots (drives, chips, putts) to compare the difference between the two balls. Then you will get an email from them with a questionnaire about the comparison between the two balls. Once they get the data back, they will take everything into consideration to manufacture the next Gen ball for the following year.

I love the opportunity that Titleist gives us, the general golfing public, to test equipment.  Not only relying on the Tour Pros for feedback.  I would love to test other equipment, other than just balls.

Titleist will always be my #1 ... there will never be anything else in my bag.

I recd my test sleeve of all black Titleist balls yesterday....The last ProV test centered around the cover durability...I am curious what aspect this test will center around?  Regardless of what type of ball they are ProV, etc... I enjoy participating in these "blind" tests and not trying to figure out the ball details but rather just give Titleist blunt feedback.  I think if I try to figure out what type of balls they are it might influence and affect my judgement in garning true feedback from the prototype balls.  Who knows maybe they are something completely different such as a new ball type!  Regardless, it is a ton of fun to try out new things!

My colleague at work received test balls over the weekend and brought one in.   By touching it, IMO it feels like a ProV1 but i'm not going to assume anything.  You need to get out and have fun testing the balls.  That's why I love Titleist, they like to include everyone regardless of your status.  You don't see too many companies do that.       

I really look forward to hearing the results from the TT community!   Fairways and greens!!

Cheers!

Few days ago received my first sleeve of test balls.  It was exciting being a part of the test program and trying out the test ball.  Can't wait to play more rounds with them and give my comments!!!!!

Could be a control group, testing a placebo effect. Or they are simply testing the paint or font for quality control.

Hi James - definitely agree with the other posters here as well.  You should characterize the ball on its on-course performance. The markings are just for Titleist to differentiate between their test balls.  Don't assume anything.  I've received balls with circles and other types of markings in the past, and solely rely on their performance to make a decision.  Its hard to not blame the ball when we (and we all do) hit bad shots, but the nature of the ball fitting is to evaluate the performance on your BEST shots.  That's how you'll really get to see the difference in performance.

I'm a huge slave to aesthetics, and for a long time only played the ProV1s because i mark my ball with a black sharpie, and liked only the black logo and numbers (and performance of course).  That said, switched to the ProV1x this year because the performance was noticeably better on all aspects of my game, for my swing.

Hit great shots with both, see how the ball flight, trajectory, pitch and putts feel/perform. Thanks for starting the post!

if Titleist sent me sum i wouldn't care what the were. i'd jus be happy that they picked me to give my thoughts and inputs on the balls they sent me. be honest you really don't know what you are testing. it could be a random ball with markings on em. i think letting the public  test them is awesome idea. not jus getting info from the tour players but info from the everyday golfer to a weekend warriors. getting more people's input makes it easier on the company to produce a ball that everyone to love. 

I wouldn't jump the gun. Could be the NXT Tour.

They could send you any kind of ball to get the people's input on the balls they sent you. It's awesome they do that, like i said before I wouldn't care what they sent me. Just giving the chance to do it is awesome.