If you haven’t heard, Titleist has been embroiled in a controversy that pretty much shook the golf ball world. Titleist is known for shaking up the golf ball world, but this is the first time it has nothing to do with a new golf ball launch.
In years past, golfers have waited, somewhat impatiently, for the newest arrival from the golf ball giant. I can remember when the Titleist Professional was launched. It was the first time that a solid core ball was going to have a soft, balata-like cover. I was so anxious and when it came out, it was everything I hoped it would be.
How many of us can remember the Pro V1 being released? I got an “advance proto” sleeve of the ball in a white, unmarked sleeve. It felt like I was being handed the key to a fantasy city somewhere…or a sleeve full of crack. It turned out to be neither, but that ball has gone on to be the top seller for years now.
And now we hear that, arguably, the two largest golf manufacturers have been going at it…in court.
Callaway golf, makers of the Tour iX golf ball, have been battling Titleist over patent infringement as it relates to the Pro V1 golf ball. Patent infringement conjures up thoughts of legal litigation, mud-slinging, and possible injunctions, stopping products from reaching us, the end consumer.
In a statement released by Titliest, they dispel these rumors;
Fairhaven, MA (November 10, 2008) — Acushnet Company, the golf business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), announced that it will file an appeal of today’s ruling in a U.S. District Court in Delaware granting Callaway Golf’s request for an injunction in the long-running dispute with respect to four Callaway patents and Acushnet’s Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. The company also announced that it does not expect the ruling to have a material adverse impact on its results.
“We strongly disagree with the judge’s ruling and will file an appeal and seek relief from the injunction,” said Joe Nauman, executive vice president, corporate and legal of Acushnet. “However, it’s important to recognize that this ruling will not have any impact on our ability to supply our customers with Pro V1 golf balls because of the following actions which we have undertaken. In September 2008, we converted production of the existing Pro V1 models so that they are outside of the patents in question; and we have also developed and will be introducing new and improved Titleist Pro V1 products in the first quarter of 2009 that are also outside the scope of the patents in question.
“Our Pro V1 golf balls are the product of technology developed and accumulated by the Acushnet Company over the past 20 years,” Nauman continued. “Acushnet is the industry leader in developing golf ball technology and has over 650 active golf ball patents – more than any other manufacturer. Over 65 of these patents are related to the Pro V1 family.
“We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously and we fully expect to prevail in having all claims of all four patents at issue determined to be invalid in the appeal process,” Nauman added. “Our confidence is underpinned by the fact that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued final office actions which have determined these patents to be invalid.”
I, for one, am excited to know that we will still be able to choose the golf ball that suits our game, no matter what company produces that ball. I also am excited to know that, if I choose the Pro V1, the performance is not going to differ from what I have been playing this year.
Hit em well out there and have fun!
Equipment
Balls
I had just shot an 87. I was miserable. My buddy Brad had just beat me senseless, which is the case most times, but this one was different. Usually I can hang with him and this time it was over before it began.
