Urethane Elastomer

Urethane golf balls are the gold standard for players seeking exceptional spin, feel, and short-game control. Urethane Elastomer is a soft yet tough, synthetic polymeric material that is used to form the covers on premium, tour-played golf balls. There are two different types of urethane cover golf balls – cast Thermoset urethane and thermoplastic urethane (TPU). 

The cast thermoset urethane cover formulation on Titleist’s top-tier golf ball models (Titleist Pro V1®, Pro V1x® and Pro V1x Left Dash) is created by a chemical reaction that takes place within the cover mold cavities. Liquid materials specifically formulated by Titleist R&D are combined and react under heat and pressure to form the solid cover. This urethane is termed “thermoset,” meaning that the cover, once formed, will not re-melt and cannot be reshaped or reused like “thermoplastic” materials.

Thermoset urethane is very difficult to work with, but it allows for complete control of the chemical composition. The quality achieved using this thermoset casting method results in the highest-performing urethane covers in the game, ultimately providing the consistency, high spin and responsive soft feel that allows golfers to control their shots with great precision into and around the green.

Thermoplastic urethane (TPU), by contrast, utilizes pelletized urethane that is injection-molded or compression-molded to form the outer cover. This process, which is used on Titleist AVX®, is less expensive and can provide golfers with a more affordable option in a urethane-covered golf ball, though with slightly different performance characteristics compared to cast thermoset models.

Whether you're seeking the best urethane golf balls for tour-level precision or a value-driven urethane cover golf ball for all-around performance, understanding the material differences is key to making the right choice for your game.