(from Fall 2006 Florida Golf Magazine ©Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved)

Volvik PROsPECT
is the ONE BALL!
        We have long heard everyone's favorite icons Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus (not necessarily in that order) comment about the fact that something, in the way of regulations, should be done about the golf ball. As a result of the distance being attained by today’s tour pros and high swing speed amateurs many golf courses may be perceived as antiquated by current golf ball technology.
        It seems the Ohio Golf Association has taken the proverbial bull by the horns and addressed the ball issue. In their Inaugural Ohio Champions Tournament, this year held at Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio on Aug 22-23 all of the players in the 36-hole amateur event were required to play the exact same type of ball. Apparently a few years back, the OGA established a golf ball committee to study the modern ball to decide whether to regulate it in some way or not, so this was not a rash decision on their part. It was done in an attempt to level the playing field and the implications could be huge
        When asked, before the tournament, what brand ball would be used, the OGA declined to reveal the manufacturer of its tournament ball. An OGA rep was quoted as saying that the tournament ball "was not a short ball, but rather a uniform ball. The only name on the ball was to be that of the OGA. The OGA representative said that they were leaning toward one that optimizes (distance efficiency off the tee) between 100 and 105 miles per hour (driver swing speed). They also stated that the ball chosen was not going to exclusively benefit somebody at 120 (mph) the way that some balls might. In effect they were trying to achieve a little more equality, that's all. The guy who swings 120 would still hit it farther than most of the other players, but not quite as far. The OGA provided the designated golf balls to all registered players in the tournament about two weeks prior to the event. So, basically all the competitors had equal time to practice with the ball.

        Some say that a grass-roots campaign, if supported by other state or regional associations, might convince the U.S. Golf Association to adopt a "condition of competition" that would allow professional or amateur tournaments to authorize the use of a specified uniform ball.
        After the tournament it was announced that the ball used was the PROsPECT three piece golf ball with a urethane cover manufactured by Volvik Golf Balls. It was first introduced at the 2006 PGA Merchandise Show by FLGolf, Inc. the exclusive US distributor. Of course Volvik is the now famous upstart that shook the golf ball industry with their Crystal golf ball. Volvik became an “overnight sensation” over the past four years due to the Crystal. The industry has followed Volvik with imitations of the Crystal ball with limited success. Volvik in turn seems to have laid down the proverbial gauntlet with the PROsPECT, saying “O.K. boys, if you want to come play in our market….we’ll come play in yours!”
        By introducing a three piece premium golf ball into a market dominated by high priced urethane covered balls reaching to the fifty dollar a dozen price, Volvik has a tiger by the tail with their $29.95 street priced PROsPECT ball.
        Volvik PROsPECT golf balls appear to be a great equalizer. Slower swing speed golfers are reportedly seeing great gains in distance and accuracy while professional golfers with swing speeds in the triple digits are talking about workability and feel.
        In a price driven market Volvik has been a proven winner and once again seems poised to capture a large market share based upon performance not advertising. This writer wonders how the industry will react to this latest offering from Volvik.

For more information regarding Volvik Golf Balls visit www.volvikgolfballs.com or call 1-888-899-1755.
Pg 23 Fall 2006 Florida Golf Magazine ©Copyright 2006 Florida Golf Magazine, All Rights Reserved
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