It's here.. the 2023 Titleist Pro V1 model and the Pro V1x model. As we know every 2 years on odd numbered years, Titleist releases the next generation of their popular Pro V1 and V1x ball.
Before going any further, just like the 2019 and 2021 model changes, it's IMPORTANT to note that in 2023 the overall difference between the Pro V1 and Pro V1x is largely the same. The Pro V1x will spin more, have a higher launch angle and firmer feel. The Pro V1 will have a softer feel, moderate spin and lower launch compared to the Pro V1x. So if you play the Pro V1x today, you'll still play the Pro V1x in the 2023 model.
TL;DR Major change is the high gradient core, soft at the center and progressively firmer as it moved outwards. Intended to reduce spin and increase distance. Retail price increased to $55. Will the average golfer notice any difference? Probably not, save yourself a buck and buy used Pro V1's from us.
So what's changed and what's staying the same? Let's dive in...
Whenever Titleist does the model year refresh they focus on a particular aspect of the ball or theme. 2019 was all about distance. 2021 was the much hyped makeover from cover to core. This year's changes are focused on the high gradient core.
Yep, Titleist added a high gradient core to the 2023 Pro V1 model. Marketing speak aside, what is a high gradient core and why should I care?
The idea is pretty simple. The core is softest at the center and gets gradually firmer as you move outward. Put another way, the core will have increasing levels of stiffness that radiate from the inner core to the outermost layer. Keep in mind that the Pro V1 is a 3 piece single core ball and the Pro V1x is 4 piece dual core ball. So what this change does is make the Pro V1 perform closer to a dual core ball like the Pro V1x. This change has been made to the inner core of the Pro V1x as well resulting in greater spin separation. The size of the Pro V1x inner core has been increased by 44% as a result of having the new high gradient core.
The new cores take inspiration from popular CPOs (Custom Performance Options) - Pro V1 Left Dot and Pro V1x Left Dash - both of which feature high gradient cores and are the choice of several players on professional tours.
That's all fascinating, but what does that mean to you the golfer? According to Titleist, lower spin off the tee, hybrids and long irons giving you more distance. Titleist also claims more consistency, but we feel that's more a function of your swing than anything on the ball. As far as the short game goes, the Titleist 2023 Pro V1/V1x models will have the same feel and spin profile of the 2021 models.
The new 2023 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x will be available globally on January 25th, 2023. Yellow variant will be available starting February 17th.
For the first time in awhile, we are seeing an increase in the retail price to $55. If you are not playing on the PGA Tour (or LIV Tour), we suggest doing yourself a favor and getting the 2021 model from us for almost half the price. That said, we still need some of you to buy the new ball so we can retrieve it from the water hazard that you just teed off into. In general, we should be getting the 2023 model towards the fall since it takes awhile for them to be retrieved in large enough quantities and make it back to us. So stay tuned and join the waitlist to grab them as soon as they are available.
Looking at the arrow design, you can identify Pro V's by model year going back to when it was first introduced in 2001. Here's the arrow design for the Titleist 2023 model year. As we know, the color of the number can help you identify the Pro V1 (black) vs the Pro V1x (red).
You may notice on some used golf ball websites you will see products such as the Pro V1 2020 and Pro V1 2022 listed. These models DO NOT EXIST. We don't know why some retailers do this, but we can only assume either the lack of knowledge or to mislead customers into believing that somehow the Pro V1 2022 (which does not exist) is newer/better than the Pro V1 2021 (the actual model). As we alluded to earlier, Titleist releases a new model every two years on odd numbered years. Titleist blogged about this in a post titled Exploring the Titleist Pro V1 archive, which details the complete history of the Pro V1 since its launch in 2000.
In short, pretty much everything else!
The high flex casing layer that was changed in 2021, the urethane cover and dimple pattern (388-dimple design on the Pro V1 and a 348-dimple design on Pro V1x) all remain largely unchanged.
As we mentioned at the start, the overall difference between the Pro V1 and Pro V1x has not changed, meaning if you play the Pro V1x today, you'll still play the Titleist Pro V1x 2023 model.
This is the process that Titleist uses to test and validate the latest generation of the Pro V line with the best golfers in the world prior to it being generally available.
Final prototypes for the 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x models were seeded on the PGA Tour in late September 2022. More than 45 players have teed up the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x models on the PGA TOUR since their introduction – including Will Zalatoris who put new Pro V1x immediately in play to begin 2023 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, his first start on the PGA TOUR since his win at last year’s FedEx St. Jude Championship. Sungjae Im and Viktor Hovland joined Zalatoris in teeing up 2023 Pro V1x at Kapalua.
Learn more about the Tour Validation for the 2023 model year...
We mention this just for educational purposes and to help you better understand the Titleist R&D process. What's good for Will Zalatoris is good for me you might say, but NO. Just because professional golfers play or endorse a ball, doesn't necessarily mean it is the best ball for you. Undoubtedly, Titleist makes high quality balls both from an innovation and manufacturing process standpoint. But you owe it to yourself to cut through the noise and pick the best ball for your best on your game.
Since 2017, we have covered extensively in our blog how each generation of the popular Pro V line has been improved and upgraded over the prior generations. See below for our previous blogs going into detail on the 2021, 2019 and 2017 models.
If you get it as a Christmas or birthday gift, ABSOLUTELY!
If you aren't playing on the PGA Tour (or maybe even if you are) we think you'll do just fine with the 2021 model (or the 2019 model year or even the older models).
Our opinion is biased, we don't think you should pay $55/dozen for golf balls, so our recommendation is to always buy used Pro V1's. You'll enjoy the game more since you don't have to worry about losing $4 in the water or in the woods as you get ready to tee off. The Titleist Pro V1 2023 should be in stock for us in the late summer or early fall. Stay tuned and join the waitlist (click the product below and you can enter your email) to be notified as soon as they are available.
Click here to check out our full range Pro V1 and Pro V1x used golf balls.
Let us know if you have any questions. Have you played the new 2023 ball? We'd love to hear what you think. Let us know in the comments.
I have Pro V1’s that date back to 2005.
When should I think about retiring my old balls and donating them to the driving range?