Interesting that the Titleist script is the same as it is today on the center ball, yet the one you say is a later model has the older script. I am curious to hear more of the story.

Let me expand a bit on some important aspects of early Titleist history and how I know for certain the ball on the right came later than the other two.
When Acushnet first entered the golf ball market in the mid 1930s, there was a great deal of development going on regarding ball and cover construction. Hundreds of patents were filed at the time, but two in particular are relevant here. There was the Geer Patent Cover and the Cadwell Patent Cover. These two patents were so similar that there was a lawsuit in either 1937 or 1939 (I have seen conflicting evidence here) that resulted in the two patents being combined.
The earliest Titleist balls had the Geer Patent Cover. Titleist balls made after the patents were combined had the Cadwell Geer Cover. I have never seen, or heard of a Titleist with a Cadwell Patent cover.
So, the two balls on the left are both Geer Patent Covers and the one on the right is a Cadwell Geer cover ball.
So, when it comes to very early Titleists, it's the Geer Patent Cover that you seek.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your history lesson for today. :-)
As always, best wishes...
Scott

Scott,
Thank you for sharing this post! That is some great Titleist history!!!

I grew up on Cape Cod MA not too far from Acushnet/New Bedford where these balls were and are still produced. Attached is photo of some early balata Titleist balls with imprint of our 1972 MA State High School Champs (Barnstable High School) and my 1976 College Team (Worcester Polytechnic Institute). These are not quite as old but have lots of great memories. I now Iive in La Quinta, CA and play golf year round with my Titleist equipment and Pro V1x.

Nice collection. I have this Acushnet Finalist in my display case.

This is interesting Scott, the balls and their dimple patterns were quite symmetrical back in the day.

Wow, that's awesome. I came across an old sleeve of Macgregors that I have.

Hi Scott, I just came across this blog. My great-grandfather, Philip Young, coincidentally was the founder of Titleist. I've been doing some additional searching recently trying to find out more information about the specific ball designs, etc. but somewhat difficult since not as much was documented back then. Here's a booklet my great uncle (Dick Young) wrote about the history of the company. Don't know if has any detailed information or not:

www.titleist.com/.../how-a-missed-putt-led-to-the-founding-of-titleist

Best, Rick

I only wanted to say great post, would be neat to own some of the original golf balls. Keep us up to date with your hunt for Titleist history.

MB, I just came across this blog. My great-grandfather, Philip Young, coincidentally was the founder of Titleist. I've been doing some additional searching recently trying to find out more information about the specific ball designs, etc. but somewhat difficult since not as much was documented back then. Here's a booklet my great uncle (Dick Young) wrote about the history of the company. Don't know if has any detailed information or not:

www.titleist.com/.../how-a-missed-putt-led-to-the-founding-of-titleist

Best, Rick

Hi Scott, I just came across this blog. My great-grandfather, Philip Young, coincidentally was the founder of Titleist. I've been doing some additional searching recently trying to find out more information about the specific ball designs, etc. but somewhat difficult since not as much was documented back then. Here's a booklet my great uncle (Dick Young) wrote about the history of the company. Don't know if has any detailed information or not:

www.titleist.com/.../how-a-missed-putt-led-to-the-founding-of-titleist

Best, Rick

As a young teenager my country club pro recommended I play the Finalist ball instead of the Club Special.