Titleist NXT Tour

Reviewed by: CoreyG ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
Titleist NXT Tour

Summary:
Great distance and good brakes for average players seeking an advantage.


The Titleist NXT line of golf balls has been a best seller for the better part of the past decade. This can be attributed in part to the brand name and the company’s incessant NXT advertising campaign, you know the one about the Golf Course Designers Against Distance. But, the strong sales are surely also because the 2008 Titleist NXT Tour is in fact a good choice for mid-level amateurs and is one of the longest balls I’ve played.

The NXT Tour is a durable distance ball that also spins more than most, and it offers good overall performance for the price. A relative value at the mid-level market, the NXT Tour can be found for about $30 or $35 per dozen at most retailers.

The main benefit of the NXT Tour is distance. This ball really flies. I added an estimated 15 or 20 yards to my drives, stretching a typical 260-yard drive sometimes to about 280 yards – occasionally even a little more in the summer. These balls also added a half to a full club on most iron approaches. If it’s distance you crave, the NXT Tour is a good choice. The harder you hit it the better it goes, so the mashers among us can give it rip.

And, the ball is still soft enough to be acceptable for all but the most discerning players. This isn’t a rock hard distance ball, it’s a distance ball that also offers some feel and performance at a more affordable price than premium products. Titleist has nicely filled a niche between expensive performance and cheap distance with the NXT Tour.

Where the NXT Tour differentiates itself from other distance balls is in its shot-stopping ability on full swings. The NXT Tour does stick on well struck shots, and even acceptable misses are still likely to stay somewhere on the green. Try doing that with many other two- and three-piece distance balls, and forget it with the value balls.

However, while Titleist will try to tell you that the NXT Tour offers control around the greens – and it may be enough for golfers in the mid-teens – the better player will have trouble getting this ball to stop on short pitches and greenside finesse shots. If you’re comfortable playing the bump-and-run and you need more distance off the tee, the NXT Tour is a good ball and a relative value. But, many better players will want more bite.

I recommend the NXT Tour for average players (mid teens) who want to improve, anyone who needs more distance or when playing a longer-than-normal course, and maybe even for better players (single digits and low teens) on a budget who like to let the ball run out around the greens.

-Corey

Corey is an avid single-digit player in the wet Pacific Northwest where balls plug. He finds and tests almost as many golf balls as he loses. Read more of his reviews at NiceBallz.com.

http://blog.niceballz.com/2009/04/13/titleist-nxt-tour-review.aspx

Reviewed by: roenick7 ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
NXT Tour

Summary:
OK I NEVER write reviews but after searching for the correct ball for this 12-14 handicap golfer I found it. Over the past 5 months I have played the Pro v1 and V1*; Bridgstone 330s; HX Hot; Hx Hot Bite; Callaway Tour ix;Bridgstone e6+;. What I found is that my new driver hits the ball with a lot of spin usually up which made most balls balloon out to 290-305 with very little roll. However the NXT tour is more like what I was used to with a medium height and good roll (310-320 driver). Short Iron play was good; cover is soft however its hard to getthe ball to back up or check like a pro V1 or HX Hot Bite. (Hx Hot bite is like the old Balata every good short iron hit you may need to throw the ball away due to cover damage:) The NXT tour cover damage was minimal played the same ball for 4-5 holes before getting a new one. needed 3-4 balls to complete 18 but at 29.99 who cares. IF you have 60-85 degerees and holding greens this is the ball. hotter harder greens opt for a softer Pro V1/V1*; try the HX hot bite for par 3s; CAN'T PLAY PAR 5'S AS IT IS A SHORT BALL OFF DRIVER ;). NXT TOUR LOW FLYING OFF DRIVER; LONGER THAN AVERAGE; GOOD LONG IRON ( FLYS LIKE THE IRON PLAY SHOULD; GOOD SHORT IRON. *BEST BALL FOR 29.99 BAR NONE FOR MID HANDI.
**Ideal is to change my shaft to a lower flying shaft and play the Pro V1 and V1* to get the back spin on the short irons.

Customer Service:
N/A Many have reviewed a problem with cover durability obviously these people do not play soft hi-end balls or they would understand the trade offs. Just be glad they are not 45/ dozen.
GAME IMPORVMENT BALL.++

Similar Products Used:
Bridgestone 330s; Pro V1*;Taylor Made TP Red; Callaway Tour i;

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Reviewed by: Grogger31 ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
Titleist NXT Tour

Summary:
The first round I played with this ball I played terribly (of course I blamed the ball). Played them again today and was able to more accurately review it.

It's a long ball and has great spin with all irons. Feel around the green is OK, but a little stiff.

I was skeptical about the review stating how easily these balls get scuffed up ... but no more. First shot with a new ball and a pure 5-iron caused a nasty scuff. That continued all day.

Overall, a nice ball. If you like to play with a unscuffed ball though, look elsewhere.