Equipment
Titleist’s new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls
Titleist’s 2015 Pro V1 and Pro V1x are designed to give golfers all the performance they’re used to from the company’s flagship golf ball brand, but a new cover adds a softer feel, more short-game spin and better durability.
Michael Mahoney, director of golf ball marketing for Titleist, said the improvements to the 2015 golf balls were possible because of the company’s shift to a new cover formulation and paint system in 2013, which was the last time Titleist upgraded the Pro V1 and Pro V1X.
[quote_box_center]“The most efficient path to short game spin control is through cover,” Mahoney says. “The little chip shots, the 20-yard pitch shots, those types of shots are really cover-based events only. If you can focus your material science there, you’re going to get the best performance in short game spin.” [/quote_box_center]
Theoretically, a softer cover should make a golf ball more durable, as forces from the club are distributed across a wider portion of the cover at impact. The increased softness also creates a slightly softer feel, and comes with an added performance benefit. The softer, thermoset urethane cover does a better job of gripping a clubface’s grooves, creating more short game spin.
Still, Titleist spent months testing the balls with its Tour Staff to see if there were any durability issues or performance drop offs.
Sixty percent of the players perceived the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x as having better spin and control around the greens, Mahoney said. More important was an overall consensus that new cover did not compromise performance on shots away from the green or the balls’ durability.
[quote_box_center]“This one’s better for me because that softer cover around the greens allows me to have more spin control and softer feel, without jeopardizing any distance or spin with the long clubs,” said Jordan Spieth, who used the ball for his wins at the 2014 Australian Open and Hero World Challenge. “It’s still long off the tee with more control around the greens,”[/quote_box_center]
Under the cover, the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls use the same constructions as Titleist’s previous generation.
The Pro V1x ($47.99) is a four-piece golf ball with a dual core that offers a slightly higher trajectory than Pro V1.
Notable Pro V1x users: Adam Scott, Jimmy Walker, Hunter Mahan, Ian Poulter and Zach Johnson.
The Pro V1 ($47.99) is a three-piece golf ball that offers a flatter trajectory and a softer feel.
Notable Pro V1 users: Jason Dufner, Joost Luiten, John Senden, Jonas Blixt, Tim Clark, Brendon de Jonge and John Huh.
The Pro V1 and Pro V1x will be in stores Jan. 30, 2015.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
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Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
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Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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Vinny d
Jun 6, 2015 at 3:18 pm
I don’t think the new prov1 is as durable as last years version. They almost don’t even last a full round without getting beat up. Anyone else experiencing this?
Andy Mira
Jan 26, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Just wondering which version of the ProV1 is longer with a 105 mph swing speed? I have seen articles that say the ProV1x should only be used by folks with a swing speed of 115-120mph to get the most distance…a little confused at this point.
MM
Jan 25, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Dont rip me apart on this but…. from a think I read a couple days ago the players (pga) didn’t want much change “why change something that works” I guess ya its a revision. but a little bit more spin and penetrating through the wind a bit more! little additives but its a pretty good ball!
Keep it in the short grass!
Progolfer
Jan 25, 2015 at 6:12 pm
Sorry, that was in response to “yaisaidit”.
Progolfer
Jan 25, 2015 at 6:11 pm
Yes. Because the V1 is softer than the V1x, the grooves will grab the ball more and the ball will spend more time on the club face. Because it spends more time on the club face, it will follow the club head’s path slightly longer than the X (the club head moves more horizontally than vertically) and start lower, then spin upward in the air. That’s why some people actually hit the V1 longer than the V1x– they get more penetrating trajectories and good spin numbers. I would say the vast majority of Tour players use the Pro V1 more than the X for that reason, and they get more spin around the greens.
Mark
Jan 24, 2015 at 5:38 am
If only the non US price was $48….discount price in UK at least 15-20% more than that…and they wonder why people are switching to Z-stars en masse…
golferjack
Jan 23, 2015 at 3:51 am
Titleist have just revised the same ball again, will probably still get a prize for “Innovation”.
They will still be number one on all of the tours worldwide due to their tour policy and lots of amateurs will buy the ball due to this fact. The Pro V1 and V1x are certainly good golf balls but look for example at the offerings from Callaway, Bridgestone and Srixon in the last few years. The Pro V1 and V1x is probably not the best ball for lots of amateurs anyway, especially when one take Price/ Performance into account. Titleist is riding on it’s Name and Reputation but the competitors are passing them by in the real world.
Johnny Miller
Jan 23, 2015 at 12:49 am
Save this article golfwrx and publish it again in two years
-Titleist R&D
T-MAC
Jan 22, 2015 at 10:50 pm
I use to play nothing but Titleist ProV’s. Then they started having durability issues a few years back and I went to the Bridgestone B330S. I still buy a dozen new ProV’s when they come out every year to see if I will like them better than the Bridgestones but so far the B330S has beaten the Titleist’s every year. It’s longer off the tee, better feel and spin around the greens, and VERY durable. We’ll see what happens in this years contest when I buy the new ProV’s and put them against the Bridgestones, but I’m not holding my breath that I’ll be kicking the B330s out of my bag. IMO Titleist is falling behind other companies and getting by on advertising and name recognition only. That won’t last forever.
Busterpar
Jan 22, 2015 at 6:29 pm
No thanks. I’ll keep my extra 20 yards with Srixon, and they also DON’T turn off white after 3 holes. Improve the ball, not the hype and marketing.
slider
Jan 22, 2015 at 7:08 pm
wrong again bud
Johnny Miller
Jan 23, 2015 at 12:55 am
listen to the man busterpar. he’s an expert on your game and what golf ball you should play.
yaisaidit
Jan 22, 2015 at 2:48 pm
wait pro v1x has a higher trajectory than pro v1? so confused.
WarrenPeace
Jan 22, 2015 at 11:56 am
I tested the new Prov1 last fall and found it to be actually too soft for my liking- I tested it in a tournament and just didn’t care for it at all except chipping- even on the greens, it felt mushy and too soft off the face. I much preferred the Prov1x in the new prototype ball as it feels more like the older Prov1’s around the green but with better launch and less spin off the driver- a great combination. The older Prov1x, IMO was a little firm around the greens and felt heavy compared to the old Prov1 (hard to stop)- not really great for feel around the greens. It also dropped and lost trajectory on colder days- much like the TM TP5 did but super LONG on HOT days. When they are available, I will be buying the New Prov1X as it is a really nice feeling all around durable ball now. For now- I’ll stick with the older Prov1’s until they are gone.
Mike Oxbig
Jan 22, 2015 at 10:45 am
NEW eh? REVISiON is more like it. There were grumblings that the previous models just FELL out of the sky. There was an article about the complaint/comparison.
Zak
Jan 22, 2015 at 1:38 am
3-piece ball? More of the same from Titleist. They need to progress the ProV1 instead of keeping it (essentially) the exact same. There’s a reason that 99.9% of tour players that use Titleist balls play the ProV1x (4-piece ball).
I agree that if only 60% of tour players could tell the difference (only slightly over half), then the vast majority of amateurs won’t tell the difference at all. Titliest isn’t moving forward like other companies (like Nike with RZN, Bridgestone with dual dimple, Srixon spin skin, etc). If you don’t start moving forward you will be left behind.
Zra
Jan 22, 2015 at 12:09 am
so out of 10 people, six found that the new Pro Vs are better but the other four didn’t?
simon
Jan 21, 2015 at 9:02 pm
60 percent of the worlds best golfers noticed a difference…cool.. so that would make 99 percent of the amateurs wouldn t notice anything at all .the good news is now you can buy last years stock cheaper .
YJ
Jan 21, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Under “Notable Pro V1x users” you include Ping staffer Hunter Mahan but not Ping staffer and 2 time Masters champion Bubba Watson? Not Henrik Stenson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, or Lee Westwood?
Derehk
Jan 21, 2015 at 4:36 pm
“Sixty percent of the players perceived the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x as having better spin and control around the greens”
Did the other 40 percent perceived the new balls as having less spin and control around the greens or just the same? Could you please ask Mr. Mahoney that question, thanks.
austin
Jan 21, 2015 at 2:07 pm
These are the real deal only ball I play
Chomper
Jan 21, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Speaking on the opportunity to test this ball (ProV1) back in the fall when the prototypes were out. Overall the ball is VERY similar to the prior ProV1. And to me, this is a GREAT thing. I did notice the sound off the putter and chip shots to be MUCH softer. Numbers are numbers, but I could see myself transitioning from the old to the new ProV1 without any worries. However, I still have about 4 dozen from the end of 2014 that I will use before buy any new ones.
Golfraven
Jan 21, 2015 at 1:41 pm
ok, ok I buy it. Newer, better – hope those will not fly towards the water.
Fuzzy bear
Jan 21, 2015 at 12:00 pm
“Sixty percent of the players perceived the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x as having better spin and control around the greens”
so most likely that number is 56-57% Under whelming even at 60%. You would think they would reference launch monitor #’s in the article
Scooter McGavin
Jan 21, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Because it would perform the same. Titleist just makes some phony story up about something they improved. With the last release, it was that the ball was more “durable”. It’s the same ball. Of course, to their credit, why would they change it? People love the ProV1 and are willing to pay a lot of money for them. It’s in their best interest to keep the ball the same and keep raking in the money.