EXP was/is an experiment to sell prototype balls to consumers. No promise if they will become the next Pro-V or another line. Or may just end as an extinct line extension. Titleist may still be taking feedback if you purchase a box.

They still have the link from the box up, so apparently they are still interested in feedback. It's a very interesting ball to play.

Could be the EXP*01 prototypes that they have been testing for the past ten months thru various avenues. They will be released on August 7th as the new Tour Speed ball.

"The Titleist Tour Speed is a three-piece thermoplastic urethane (TPU) covered ball designed to deliver distance and greater green stopping power. Titleist still believes that a cast urethane cover like those found on the Pro-V1 series offers the absolute best short game control and performance, but TPU allows them to combine enhanced distance with precise scoring control. The TPU formula used in the cover is proprietary and was formulated from scratch by Titleist’s internal team of R&D chemists to enhance distance while still maintaining feel. The last piece of the cover puzzle is the new 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple design that provides a lower, more penetrating flight, so the ball is less affected by the wind. Underneath the TPU cover sits a what Titleist calls its fastest ionomer casing layer ever, designed to create maximum speed leading to more distance."

Source of information: Golf WRX.

They are now available on this site.

Do they disclose the specs on their EXP balls when they're in that phase?

EXP*01 is now officially "Tour Speed".

That brings up a question for me. Admittedly, my experience with both the EXP-01 and the Tour Speed are using "found" balls, so I don't know where they have been before I came across them. I recently found an EXP and tried it. A few days later, I found a virtually new-looking Tour Speed, and played that one for a few holes too. I thought they felt quite different from each other. The Tour Speed seemed extremely soft and I did not care for the sound off the clubface as a result. The performance was very good otherwise. The EXP seemed much harder with better sound, but I did not get what I considered to be similarly good performance. They were not played side by side, but on different days at different courses (and likely with a different quality of swings each day).

I regularly play AVX and both Pro V versions, depending on conditions and weather considerations, so neither the EXP nor the TourSpeed felt comfortable to me. My question (yes, I'm finally getting to it), though, is if they are the same ball (which I don't doubt for a minute if you report it, Dale), why did they feel so different to me? Was the formula changed since the EXP was first tested?

BTW, I actually played quite well with the TourSpeed, despite my discomfort with the feel of it. And, a few holes is not a fair assessment. For those who like a soft feel, I bet it will be well received. I switched back to a Pro V1x after my first or second chip with the Tour Speed when it didn't check as much as I thought it should. I'm sure it was all in my head, purely since I did not appreciate the softer feel.

Great question Doug. Not being a guy that works "behind the curtain", maybe someone from the Ball Plant can reply as to changes they may have incorporated from feedback on the EXP*01 before releasing it as Tour Speed. I have yet to get my hands on Tour Speed so I can't tell you if they seemed different to me. Being the better player that you are, definitely staying with the ProV's or AVX will give you the control you like. These are really for those players who loved the NXT and want that compromise between cost and performance.

Doug, I'm guessing here but didn't the EXP come with the "prototype" moniker attached?What baffles me based on what I'm reading in the forum (I haven't played either ball) is if what you say is true, the ball hasn't been merely tweaked, but changed significantly.If a player of your caliber says one ball is firm and the other soft that's not a tweak. It's a significant change.A Prototype, either a ball or club will usually, have some noticeable tweak before coming to market, but generally speaking remain unchanged.I have 2 Scotty prototypes that fall into that category.

I'm wondering what others who've played both balls have to say, and as Dale said it would be great if someone from Titleist chimed in.

Again, glad your back in the saddle Doug.

Thanks again.

Having no idea regarding the history of the EXP that I found, for all we know, it could have been collected from the bottom of a pond after it sat there for months since last summer (as many recycling companies contract with clubs and send divers in over the winter). If that were the case, it could certainly have changed the feel of the ball from when it came out of its original, plain white, prototype sleeve. Balls can absorb water over time.

Also, to be more clear in my description, I didn't think it felt as firm as a Pro V1x, but certainly not as soft as the new TourSpeed I found. And since the TourSpeed was just introduced, I would assume it did NOT sit in water for any long period of time and was not affected by any other elements. (I found it in rough, just off the fairway.)

You know, not that I think of it, I might still have both of those found balls kicking around at the bottom of my bag. I might experiment further. Or maybe cut them both open. Hmmm, a project for a rainy day. I'm really curious.

Good discussion, guys. I picked up a dozen EXP-01’s from Golf Galaxy. I am a Pro V1 and occasionally AVX player. Very impressed with the EXP-01. At least as long as the Pro V1, but harder and doesn’t handle nearly as well around the green. I’m an old guy and have had pretty severe back problems for the last couple of years. So, not playing much. Swing speed down to codger range, with the resulting loss of distance and increased handicap. Accepting the fact that I must move up a set or two of tees. The EXP seems to be adding about 10% to fly distance over comparable balls. I assume they are not produced anymore, but picking up more for practice rounds. Haven't played the Tour Speed to compare.

The package states that it is a conforming golf ball.

When I was actually considering switching from my Tour Soft 2018 to Pro V1 or V1X, the Tour Speed is launched. I had always stayed away from Velocity and AVX, but after doing the 'Golf Ball Selector' for the 20th time, guess what? The result comes out to be... Titleist Tour Speed. Now, I need to go to a TPI and get properly fitted. I want to get a new set of iron (T-series) too.

Life is short and I better keep on doing something that I love: golf.

I was fit at the Manchester Lane Ball Testing Facility and I can confirm that the EXP-01 was a test product for the new Tour Speeds.

Many people have been saying that they play like the AVX, which makes sense, as it was designed similarly, but with a slightly cheaper urethane shell. Still urethane though!

The ball selector is a general suggestion. It still requires one to evaluate on course. The AVX is a little longer for me, but in part to a lower descent angle and longer run. The Speed was not rolling to the back of the greens as much for me. Your results may vary. I don't spin the ball as much as others so with more spin the results would likely be different. That's why they make so many lines - we all play different levels.

I'm inclined to prefer the Speed but now need to compare that to the V.