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It’s about time.
Titleist has finally put a stripe on a golf ball. With enhanced alignment features working their way into the Titleist lineup for several years, AIM 360 has finally worked its way around the ball … or, at least, most of the way around it.
To be precise, there are a few gaps in the stripe design (so maybe it’s more like AIM 320) but that’s just nitpicking. What matters is that Titleist is, at long last, getting serious about the alignment game.
New AIM 360 offerings
The new 360-degree markings are available exclusively on AVX and Tour Soft AIM 360 models. While not as bold or large as stripe alignment features offered by competitors, AIM 360 represents the largest alignment feature Titleist has ever offered on a golf ball. Granted, that’s a low bar, but it represents progress in the traditionally conservative world of Titleist golf balls.
The new AIM 360 joins Titleist’s growing family of Alignment Integrated Marking products, which now consists of three distinct options:
AIM 360: The newest addition with a nearly full-circumference line
Performance Alignment: A 105-degree line with double-sided arrow shapes
Enhanced Alignment: An extended side stamp that’s 65 percent longer than standard
Do golf ball alignment aids matter?
There’s always a fine line between what’s merely a visual preference and what offers performance benefits. Admittedly, describing lines, stripes or patterns on a golf ball as “technology” might be stretching the definition but if we consider technology to be anything that helps you improve then, sure, lines on a golf ball qualify.
To answer the fundamental question of effectiveness, Titleist conducted testing to measure and compare a golfer’s ability to align the ball to the target based on different alignment aids. The test compared AIM 360, Performance Alignment, Enhanced Alignment and the standard Pro V1 side stamp.
Golfers were asked to line the ball up to their target (as one does when putting). Titleist then measured the precision of alignment relative to the intended target line.
The results? Each of the AIM products improved precision in alignment by up to 35 percent compared to the standard side stamp. That’s significant.
To be sure, none of this alignment technology guarantees you’ll make more putts. As we’ve all experienced, plenty can go wrong between the time we put the ball down and when it finishes rolling but improving alignment to your target line certainly doesn’t hurt. Start the ball on the intended line more consistently and you’ve eliminated one major variable in the putting equation.
How you manage the other 57 is a different conversation entirely.
A closer look at all the AIM options
With the basics covered, let’s dive just a bit deeper into Titleist’s three AIM options.
Performance alignment
For Pro V1, Pro V1x and Pro V1x Left Dash players, the Performance Alignment option offers a “tour-proven” marking straight out of the sleeve. The 105-degree line features a distinctive double-sided arrow shape custom-printed opposite the Pro V1 or Pro V1x side stamp. It’s 65 percent longer than the standard 2025 Pro V1 side stamp.
This option was designed to mimic one of the most common additions PGA Tour players make to their golf balls – a long, straight line.
How exciting.
It comes in four color options: black, red, blue and pink (a new addition to the color lineup).
Enhanced alignment
The Enhanced Alignment option, also available on Pro V1, Pro V1x and Pro V1x Left Dash models, features an extended alignment side stamp that’s 65 percent longer than the standard 2025 Pro V1 side stamp. It’s a more subtle option than Performance Alignment but still provides improved visual cues for aiming.
AIM 360
The newest and most comprehensive alignment option in Titleist’s lineup, AIM 360 features a marking that wraps nearly all the way around the ball. It’s currently available only on AVX and Tour Soft balls, representing Titleist’s first attempt at a full stripe offering.
I’d love to see it (or a wider version) on Pro V1, Pro V1x and Left Dash but baby steps, I guess.
Custom options beyond AIM
Beyond the standard AIM offerings, Titleist provides even more customization options. The company offers more than 40 different alignment aid designs on Pro V1’s fourth pole (opposite the side stamp) through custom orders on Titleist.com.
Play Numbers 00-99 are available on Pro V1 and Pro V1x as custom orders and personalization of text and custom logos are available through Titleist.com or local golf shops.
The bottom line
Titleist’s introduction of AIM 360 represents another step in the company’s gradual embrace of visual alignment aids. While not as bold as some competitors’ offerings and not yet available on their premium Pro V1 line, it shows Titleist acknowledging that many golfers benefit from (or at least want) alignment technology.
For golfers who have been wanting more substantial alignment features from Titleist without resorting to drawing their own lines, AIM 360 offers a welcome option. And who knows? Perhaps if these prove popular enough, we might eventually see similar features on the Pro V1 family.
Seriously. Who do I need to call to make this happen?
At least Titleist is moving in the right direction, even if they’re walking at a deliberate pace.
Pricing and availability
Titleist doesn’t upcharge its alignment offerings. Regardless of the visual technology you choose, Tour Soft is $40 per dozen, AVX is $50 and anything with Pro V1 in the name is $55.
Available now at Titleist.com and pro shops worldwide.
The post Titleist Finally Takes Golf Ball Alignment (Almost) All The Way Around appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
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