Titleist Tour Soft Review In 2023: Longer, Straighter, Softer

By Ben Jarratt •  Updated: 07/14/23 •  12 min read

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. If you buy anything through these links I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Titleist tour soft reviewAre you a mid-level handicap player with experience looking to join the elite echelon of golfers?

Then what you might need is a forgiving ball. Some golfers might not admit it very openly, but nearly every top golfer has used the assistance of these balls to improve their game at some point.

One option for a forgiving golf ball on the market is Titleist Tour Soft. It is an all-rounder ball that allows the golfer to improve their distance without sacrificing too much control.

But is it the best ball in this categoryfor this brand? Let us find out in this Titleist Tour Soft review.

Here are the top 7 soft and longer balls:

  1. Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls
  2. Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
  3. Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls
  4. Titleist Tour Speed Golf Balls
  5. Titleist Velocity Golf Balls
  6. Titleist AVX Golf Balls
  7. Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls

Quick Overview – Longer Golf Balls

Tour Soft’s 2019 Vs. Tour Soft 2020

The two balls are very similar in design, construction and performance as other brands. Having made them each only a year apart, Titleist has not introduced a lot of changes in this generation. However, there are subtle differences between the models as highlighted in the table below.

The 2020 version shows more flight consistency than the previous model. Furthermore, it should be noted that the 2020 model has markings that help align the ball while putting, even when using chips.

Features
Tour Soft 2019
Tour Soft 2020
Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls, Prior Generation, White (One Dozen)
Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls, White, (One Dozen)
Speed
Fast
Faster
Spin
Low
Slightly higher than 2019 version
Distance
Great
Greater
Features
Tour Soft 2019
Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls, Prior Generation, White (One Dozen)
Speed
Fast
Spin
Low
Distance
Great
Features
Tour Soft 2020
Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls, White, (One Dozen)
Speed
Faster
Spin
Slightly higher than 2019 version
Distance
Greater

Soft Compression Overview

There are several golf balls on the market that claim to be forgiving but are something else. A lot of companies market their balls as forgiving because it is a popular choice among average golfers looking to improve their ranking.

However, not every ball lives up to that reputation. In the following review, we have analyzed Titleist Tour Soft and see how well it lives up to its reputation.

Titleist Tour Soft Golf Balls – Longer, Straighter and Nice Compression

Titleist Tour Soft is a tour-level forgiving ball. It is moderately priced and has been designed to compete against other tour-caliber soft balls such as the Srixon AD333 Tour, Callaway Chrome Soft, and TaylorMade Project (a). Titleist is certain that they have launched the best-performing ball at a reasonable price point.

Let us examine how valid is their belief in this series.

The Titleist Tour Soft ball has been made using the largest core Titleist has ever designed. Simple laws of physics tell us that a larger core means a better distance.

Furthermore, it has a 4CE grafted cover or casing layer that gives a soft touch and responsive feel to the ball. This cover is made out of a mixture of four different materials and, according to Titleist, is just as thin as an urethane cover.

There are 342 dimples that are spherically tiled with a cuboctahedron design, giving it a simple dimple pattern. Long shots made with drivers have high flights and low game spin. For the short game, the soft feel and moderate spin combine to provide decent control any mid-handicapper needs.

Indeed, the word ‘soft’ is enough to get many golfers interested. It should be noted that the Tour Soft series was launched to replace the NXT Tour series by the same company. The latter was Titleist’s performance series.

The Good

Most of the performance benefits that Tour Soft has are due to the innovative, large core that it possesses. It provides great speed and distance. Due to the large core, the outer cover has to be made thinner. This gives the ball its characteristic soft feel and provides good control around the greens. The unique dimple design mentioned above leads to consistent performance and a cutting flight.

Soft balls are not usually considered good for distance because often hardness is considered a contributing factor.  However, this ball performs splendidly off the tee, once the putt made contact. The low-spinning flight of the ball is always smooth and high, making it great for long drives. What’s better is, due to the outer topography, golfers can expect consistent results.

However, as mentioned before, length does not deprive this ball of a good performance around the greens. When you hit this ball with your wedge, the ball moves along comfortably. That is when the soft feel of the ball is the most prominent.

Titleist Tour Soft Golf Ball

Another good thing about this line of balls is that they are available in another color: yellow. Some golfers prefer that,variety offering high visability, as it is easier to find in the rough.

Check the Current Price on Amazon.

Furthermore, it is easier to spot streaking through the sky, giving the golfer a chance to observe their shot trajectory regardless of the weather.

However, the color is not the only visual feature of the ball that is helpful — the Tour Soft branding assists the golfer in aligning their putts with a line.

The Bad

Despite the claims of softness, the soft feel isn’t very noticeable when playing shots with irons. This can be an issue if the golfer is chipping around the fairway, where the feel is required. Also, some golfers feel that they have to hit putts harder than usual during putting.

Furthermore, unfortunately, it is impossible for a Titleist ball to not be compared to Pro V1 beacause of its weaknesses. Pro V1 is Titleist’s crown jewel — its premium ball. Compared to Pro V1, there isn’t as much spin in the ball.

However, for a low-spin ball, the flight is quite sturdy and the grip on the greens is satisfactory to most golfers.

Durability is a bit of a confusing issue with this ball. Some golfers have claimed that there is very minimal scuffing, and remaings in good conidtion even after prolonged usage. You can play an 18-hole golf course and your ball will still be fine.

On the other hand, there are also a number of people that have complained of scuffing after a few swing shots. Ardent supporters of Tour Soft have tried chalking up such instances as outlying manufacturing errors. However, the number of cases calls the ball’s durability into question.

Pros

Cons

Check the Current Price on Amazon.

Tour Soft is Titleist’s mid-price ball, aimed at average-handicap golfers. Such mid-handicappers are always looking for better performance and feel. Tour Soft, by its design, is a forgiving ball, focused on improving its user’s game, reducing the chances of a loss. While no one may want to outright admit it, forgiving balls are what the majority of improving golfers need.

But why not just buy Titleist’s golden boys, the Pro V1 and Pro V1x? Well, the most straightforward answer is the price. These premium balls can cost you almost 20 dollars more. So, as mentioned before, Tour Soft is the best performing ball in its price range. It performs wonderfully off the tee, and it does a satisfactory job in the short game.

Many golfers will argue that if the price was not an issue, Pro V1 would always be the number one choice. We would respectfully disagree with this statement. As we will discuss later in the buyer’s guide – there is no such thing as a universally perfect ball. It all depends on your preferences and expertise level, and every person will have their favorites. Therefore, for a mid-handicapper, a forgiving ball like Soft Tour is a better option than Pro V1. Pro V1 is more for elite golf players looking to fine-tune their game.

In summary, Tour Soft is an all-rounder ball that has been designed to improve your game. If you are a golfer looking to improve your game, you will thoroughly enjoy using this golf ball.

The Verdict: Buyer’s Guide

While going through the Titleist Tour Soft golf ball review, you would have gathered that a ball’s performance is affected by several factors. You will want to consider these factors, including a few others, before making a purchase.

titleist tour soft

Buying a golf ball can be an overwhelming decision. As every serious golfer knows, you don’t just pick any ball off the shelf. This is why we have compiled a handy buyer’s guide for you, divided into categories so you know what to look out for before making a purchase.

Forgiving

We have talked about forgiving a lot in this article and by now you should have a pretty good idea of what it means. Forgiving is a broad term, but for the purposes of this guide, we will simplify it to distance and control. Any ball that gives you greater distance and/or better control around the greens is a forgiving ball.

So if you think that distance is where you are lacking in your game, then go for balls that have a reputation for covering large distances. If you are okay with your long game, then you can focus on getting a ball that focuses on your short game.

The short game often requires soft balls, because golfers prefer feeling them before hitting/putting. Indeed, feeling the ball helps players read the golf course better and make those close-range putts.  A ball known for its softness would be a good choice for anyone then.

Durability

Golf is infamous for being a sport for the wealthy. However, no matter how rich you are, you do not want to waste money on balls with the substandard build quality. Therefore, pricing is important.  Invest in a ball that can stand the length of an 18 hole golf course at least.

Performance Level

We have already touched upon this earlier in the article — your proficiency level plays a big role in deciding the ball that would be perfect for you and not someone else. We have thoroughly discussed the relation between handicap levels and ball forgiveness required.

However, if you are a complete beginner and even a high handicap seems far off, then you should invest in the cheapest balls. Master the basics before you move on to better golf balls.

Color

Color helps the golfer see the ball better. A non-white ball can be easier to track through the sky, giving the golfer instant feedback on their shot. Furthermore, it can also be easier to spot on the ground, especially on large courses.

Nature of Golf Course

Even the nature and feel of the ground play a role in what type of ball you should purchase. A hard-surfaced golf course will make the ball slice throughthe air and travel more naturally. So, forget about distance balls and invest in a high-spin, soft ball. That way you can focus on the greens instead.

FAQs

After reading so much information, you may feel a little overwhelmed. It is natural to have questions because you want to ensure that you make the right decision. After all, golf balls can be an expensive purchase no matter what your story. Below is a list of the most commonly asked questions by customers like yourself.

✅ Is Tour Soft a 3 Piece Ball?

No. It has two distinct layers. Its scruture is composed of the core and the 4CE grafted outer cover.

✅ Which Golf Ball Is the Longest?

While Tour Soft certainly travels large distances, Titleist claims its Velocity ball is the longest.

✅ What Compression Is the Titleist Tour?

Since it is a soft ball, Titleist Tour Soft compression rating is on the lower end i.e. 65.

Conclusion

If you want reliable, all-round performance that will improve your golf game, then Tour Soft is your best friend. Are there better distance balls on the market?

Certainly. Are there balls that are softer than this? Definitely. However, as this review clearly shows, this combination of performance and price is unprecedented. The combination makes it a top choice in its class.  If you are a mid-handicapper and you have purchased Titleist Tour Soft 2020, then you will be joining the elite group soon.


Last update on 2023-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API