Behind the Sidestamp

Why do golf balls have sidestamps?

In competition, a sidestamp serves two purposes. First, the USGA requires that for a golf ball to be eligible to play in competition it must appear on the conforming golf ball list. And to appear on the conforming list, a golf ball must have a unique sidestamp. Secondly, a sidestamp can help players identify their golf ball model during a round.

Do sidestamps serve other purposes?

For Titleist, sidestamps distinguish between generations of the same model. That’s why, going back to the first Pro V1 in 2000, every new generation of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x features a new sidestamp.

How does Titleist design Pro V1 sidestamps?

The Titleist Pro V1 sidestamp design process starts and ends with the golfer. Since we know that many players use it to line up a putt or to place their ball on the tee a specific way, we start by going to tour players to hear what they’d do to the current sidestamp to improve its form and function. We ask questions like, “What can help you play better?” and “What do you like?”. This is a unique process where we can tap into the thousands of players around the world who play a Titleist golf ball in professional competition. We send them an email survey, and it’s really fun to see who responds and what they like. Yes, there are major champions, FedExCup Champions and more who help decide on the Pro V1 Sidestamp.

We let those survey results guide the next step, which is our creative team narrowing down to a few top prototype designs. Then we’ll send those prototype designs down the street to Ball Plant 3 to print those sidestamps on Pro V1 and Pro V1x. The next step is to take the prototype designs on tour. They’ll appear in the locker rooms and on ranges at a few events. Players have the chance to look at them, roll some putts, and validate which sidestamp is ultimately the most preferred design.

How are today’s sidestamps different than ones from the past?

Looking back at Pro V1 sidestamps, you’ll notice the 2000 Sidestamp didn’t include a line, it was Pro V1 in text. In 2007, we introduced Alignment Integrated Marking, where we placed a black line next to the Pro V1 text. Since then, we’ve been refining those AIM designs, along with our printing technologies in our Titleist owned and operated ball plants. We invest in design, and we invest in the precision application of ink, as well as the thickness and length of the line.

If you look at the sidestamps today compared to past versions, they’ve become much cleaner and more precise. This has resonated with players because they can use the sidestamp for alignment purposes.

What has the feedback been from tour players on the 25 Pro V1 sidestamp?

Internally, we called the 25 sidestamp “chiseled wings”, because if you look there are matching angled tips on each end. We actually used those wings to inspire the 25 Pro V1 mark you’re seeing on tour players hats this season. The “chiseled wings” is exactly what players are looking for: it’s sharp and clean for those who use it to align their golf ball in competition, and for players who simply use it to identify their model, it looks super cool and modern.