The year is 1949. Harry S. Truman is President. A gallon of gas cost $.17 and a pound of sliced bacon would set you back $.59. The first Volkswagen Beetle and Polaroid camera were sold in the U.S. and RCA was perfecting a system for broadcasting color television.

And in the golf world, it was the birth of one of the longest running records in all of sports. That’s right, this was the same year that Titleist started its run as the #1 golf ball played at the U.S. Open.

It all began at Medinah Country Club, host of the 49th U.S. Open, and 70 years later the streak rolls on as Titleist is once again the top choice of the field teeing it up at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club for the 118th U.S. Open.

It’s not easy to keep this distinction but it’s one we’re extremely proud to hold. Countless team members have worked tirelessly over the years to continue to turn out the best golf balls in the game. It’s our passion and we’re beyond honored that for the past seven decades more of the world’s best golfers have trusted our golf balls at our national championship.

So, thank you to all of the players, past and present, who have made us the #1 golf ball at the U.S. Open. And a very special thank you to every golfer who tees up a Titleist when they play. It’s all of you who make us the #1 ball in golf, and for that, we are forever grateful.

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118th U.S. Open Championship

Titleist was #1 in golf balls, hybrids, irons and wedges.

Inside the Counts:
Golf Ball – Titleist: 106 | Nearest Competitor: 19
Hybrids – Titleist: 24
Irons – Titleist: 43
Sand, Lob and Approach Wedges – Vokey Design: 180

This week also marks the official Tour launch of new Titleist TS drivers. Of the 35 players gaming a Titleist driver at the U.S. Open, 40% are playing a new TS model (7 TS2 | 10 TS3).

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Bonus Content

The USGA has posted some videos from past U.S. Opens and we thought it would be fun to share their highlights from when the record began…way back in 1949. Enjoy!