Titleist sends these balls out (for free) to solicit feedback and allow you to participate in the R&D process.  If you think $10 bucks is more valuable, then you should bow out of this community...  People that sell their opportunity could very well ruin it for the rest of us who participate because we enjoy the conversation and are passionate about the game.

I agree 

It would be great if test products,sweepstakes and goodies were more targeted but they are not. Advertising is advertising regardless of whether the recipient is a loyal brand ambassador or not.

Really sad.  If they found them on the course somewhere is the only way I give them a pass.  Classless!!!  I have been sooo excited since I found mine today that I am just so honored to contribute.  This try to get things and sell them for your own personal gain is sickening!!!

Test balls have been auctioned off for many moons...It's too bad. I wonder if the people who do this know how much of an honor it is to even get these. As a recipient of my first sleeve of balls from Titleist, the only way they will leave my possession will be in a lake or far out of bounds in a chasm....Then it still may not happen... :)

Rick Says "the only way they will leave my possession will be in a lake or far out of bounds in a chasm...."  That's funny as that 's what happened to me last night,  Playing a long Par 5  (556) I layed up on 2nd shot for a nice 75 - 85 approach shot  over the creek and lake, The shot hit the bank, and jumped right 3-4 yards into the water  :(

One lost !    I didn't play another one near water the rest of the round.  

I agree. Its like a nice present when they come in the mail. Being playing with mine and comparing them. Its alot of fun

There will always be that 1% that tries to screw it up for the rest of us.  Just remember about KARMA.  

A little off topic but do you guys believe this round of the test balls are the new pro v's?

I am amazed folks would stoop so low. I was thrilled to get these and can't wait to try them.

Hopefully Titleist can determine who the sleaze balls are and drop them from the program.  These few people ruin a great opportunity for those of us who enjoy golf and want to support  the most important manufacturer in the sport.

I just got finished doing my side by side comparison with the prov1x.  I have to say, I liked the prov1x ball better.  I don't know if they send everyone out the same golf balls, but I love doing these tests.

Watched a couple of sleeves sell on the bay Sunday morning. I just don't get it. If you don't want them, don't sign up for them, let someone else that truly wants them for their intended purpose have a shot. If I didn't get mine I would be utterly berserk. Don't understand how some people can actually sleep at night doing this kind of thing...

Agree with everyone that wants them banned. Classless. IMO

For the greed of a dollar bill...... ban them from participation in any Titleist or FootJoy activity if they find out who they are.

Maybe they should make us send them back, and we'd sort out those who can't because they sold them

Like others, I know I got the biggest smile on my face like it was Christmas when I got these in the mail.

i can't believe someone has put them on eBay.  I agree they should be banned if found.

i played mine the day after I got them...and when I lost one it pained me....I could not even imagine selling them.

I played the test balls this weekend and loved them.  I might go out to ebay and buy the ones that are out there!

All joking aside I cannot condone the sale of the test balls.  I am honored to be included. 

I would completely agree to ban that person, it is a violation of trust, integrity and what our community stands for!

Totally mind blowing that someone would want to sell test balls on E-Bay.

As members of Team Titleist, it is a honor to be given these test balls. The fact that Titleist even goes through this process is amazing. Being included in the testing ensures loyalty on my part !

I just played in a 3 day tournament here in Vermont. I hit some of the longest drives of this season with the test balls. These balls are awesome. Unfortunately during this tournament, I lost two balls, now down to one!!

Just tacky and poor form.. I support a ban and put his name on front street !

Absolutely right, Josh.   Could not have said it better.

I agree! additionally I am offended someone would go down this path...

I might be a little over the top, but I'd support banning anyone caught selling these test ball samples. ;-) As you say, we have been entrusted to use these wisely.

I don't feel like that's over the top at all!!!

110% agree with Josh and Don.  I received a sleeve a few days ago and you have no idea how big of a smile i had on my face.  It's always an honor to be a part of something like this.   Can't wait to test these out and give my honest opinions to the R & D team. 

I would love to see how these so call "TT members" respond to the email 2 weeks from now...  I have zero respect for people like this and it's a shame they're doing this..   

Agreed with all you guys.  Christopher, you perfectly described the feeling I had when I received mine Monday.  Even my wife, a non-golfer, thought it was cool that Titleist does this for its customers. 

If she can "get it", why can't some of these other people?

I agree 100 per cent. I was like a kid in a candy store the day i received mine and couldn't wait to go play a round with them.

I agree with you, it was cool to have the balls and test them and give feed back of how the balls felt to me.

Well said Christopher.  I just received my sleeve yesterday.  Still smiling and cant wait to try them out.  You should have seen my neighbors faces when I showed them what I had received.  And to the bone heads putting these on E-bay... if you are excited about selling something so you can get $10, you are playing the wrong sport.  $10 will get you a large bucket at your local range and a diet coke.   Please don't ruin this for the ones who look at this as an opportunity.  Thank you Titleist!

Titleist , the company that makes the best balls in the sport , think enough of the TT members to bring them in on the development process and get their feedback and your going to just put the sleeve up for a small  bid ?!!

While it's a small part of the process it is a great thing they do and shows they care what we all think of their products.

Hopefully who did this can be tracked and will never get a chance to abuse the privilege of Prototype testing again.

It's a shame how some people have no respect or appreciation for what Titleist is doing.  I was selected this year for the first time, and I can't wait to try them out this weekend.  Like Josh said, if you'd rather have the $10, then please leave.  I haven't received much from Titleist, but I could never in good conscience resell it.  I feel like it's such a great honor to get something unexpected in the mail from such a large company, how could you sleep at night knowing you're taking advantage of that kindness??

Seems pretty simple to me....sell something that you were asked to evaluate and you get banned. It isn't hard to figure out who is selling, Titleist is pretty forward thinking to allow us all to be part of the developement process and stupid thinks like this could make them change that.

What a shame.  I certainly hope that the actions of a select few bad apples do ruin this awesome experience for the rest of us.

What a way to get and retain brand loyalty by have us test their new ball samples for free!  I did not get a sample sleeve last year and felt I had done something wrong.  I happily received a new sleeve yesterday and on the way to the course to "test."

I agree 100% - Titleist certainly doesn't have to include my opinion in the development of their product and I'm honored to have received my little white box and be asked my opinion.

What it comes down to is integrity.  Those of us that have received the test sleeve and will go out play the balls and provide an honest evaluation, have it.  Those that are attempting to sell the test sleeve do not.

+1

Isn't Integrity the baseline fundamental in this Sport?  Ban the ones caught and/or deactivate their profile. 

Who would sell them?  I couldn't wait to test them.  

Shawn

That's horrible! What could possibly be the point of selling them? It's not like anyone is going to pay much for them and then you are going to go buy new ProV1's to play with? 

Yes, ban them if found.

I agree.  The sellers name should be removed from TT.  

Its an honor to be selected by TT to test a ball and give feedback.

Keep it honest for all of us!

Can't agree more........

I failed my PAT the day before I received these golf balls and was pretty down on myself and then saw the white box and was immediately turned around. I got to tell my wife how excited I was to get back at it with a new golf ball and teed up at 730 the next morning. It's great to be an average guy with input for the whole golf community. Thank you Titleist

Are you kidding me?  I hope the seller is found and banished.  Harsh words but like Chris said, I was extremely happy that I was chosen to be a part of the testing and this just makes me angry.  I hope this doesn't ruin it for all of us who are grateful to be a part of R&D and also feel like we are part of the Acushnet family. 

I agree, i feel this is a honor  to get picked. I have not heard of another company doing this for consumers. Very said a few knuckle heads ruin it for everyone else.

I agree with Josh and Don as well.  I can tell you first hand that when it comes to eBay, the Acushnet legal department  watches closely.  I listed some things that were purchased on ebay back on ebay and they had the listing removed.  No threats of legal action, but they do keep an eye on these things.  Find out who is listing them and remove the seller from this sight or at least any future promotions.

I agree completely, I was like a little kid at Christmas when I got my sleeve from Titleist last week. It's great for a company to offer us the opportunity to give independent feedback to them.  Frankly, it's an honor. I do think that there should be a zero tolerance, without question.  

After i saw your post i had to respond and say how refreshing it was to see all of you saying exactly what i was thinking when i initially saw the post by Dave. Nice rally call Dave. This type of action is a quick way to end the golf ball trial program. I would completely agree with a ban and a removal from the Team Titleist site as well.  Seems there is ALWAYS someone who has to act foolish and ruin things for everyone else... But the FACT is TITLEIST sees through all the clutter and nonsense, they knows who they are and who we are...  traditionalists and loyalists...  

I signed up for the test balls for my first time and saw those balls on the site that sells stuff. I sell and buy many things on that site and wouldn't even think of helping that person out. I want the test balls but I'll wait to see if I get any from Titleist. 

Dave,

I totally agree. Being able to test the new prototypes is worth way more than the money I could get for a sleeve. 

I for one could not be happier to have the opportunity to test titleist golf balls, the people who sell these on ebay are clearly not true golfers and definitely not true titleist fans or team titleist members. i agree with all the people who say if theyre caught they should be banned. thank you titleist for the opportunities you have provided me in trying your golf balls and any other products in the future!!!

I don't think they would drop the program. However, people are people. Its too bad that people are looking for a buck. To me its an honor to get select to test balls. I know if I received them I would not look for a buck.  Besides why would you want to sell such a great ball?

Understandable that anyone could be upset by the idea of this on the surface. On closer and much longer consideration I come to this conclusion for me. Me. I do not know the situation that someone may be in that they may choose to sell the balls or keep forever. Granted, to some this is an opportunity to be a part of something special that Titleist is doing to show its loyal fans that they value feedback and want the customers voice heard. Making a customer/fan feel included into an elite aspect of the R&D process is an extremely effective way to promote brand loyalty. Now, to others I can think of two other aspects. One, with the perceived idea that these balls are very rare (opinions insert here) an individual who may have financial aspects to address and potentially limited means in which to do so, this would be a viable option. Especially if the said feedback asked for has been provided, meaning the product was used for its intent and purposes. Two, the individual receiving the product has views of which big business marketing to be a display in which it further enhances their views to the consumer. Providing big money/marketing budgets to further monopolize/gain market share. 

It is not Titleist's responsibility to police the decision making process of a golfer on the course to go for that 5 in two over water, take one less club on a downhill lie with trouble long, or hit the hook instead of the slice over trouble instead of away from it. No more should it be their responsibility to police areas of the internet that they knew existed and knew would be a viable option for people to use/abuse depending on your stance. 

I personally love receiving the sleeves I have had over the past two years now. I played one sleeve a few years ago, did my testing and could not tell you when or where the balls were lost or maybe they are in an old bag. I just received my second sleeve and will do the same thing without worry as to their permanent residence. I personally give Titleist all the credit in the world for knowing this was a possibility and still having the loyal fan to be an instrumental part of their product and offering to the rest of the world. 

I feel the same way. I have served on the panel before  and feel it is a privilege to let my opinion be heard.  Would never think of selling my test balls to anyone

i also  agree with you. iwas so proud to receive my test sleeve and also cant wait to take part in the test. I hope they can track down those trying to sell and go one step further have ebay ban the sell and fine the person selling them.