Has anyone ever heard of Titleist Pro V1 and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls??
Of course you have! If you are reading this blog, I'd be willing to bet that you absolutely have heard of these golf balls and I'd bet even more that you have played with either one of them a few times in your golf career. The bottom line that everyone wants to know, I mean REALLY know, does a Pro V1 ball really make a difference in your golf game. Are these balls really going to help you shave off a few strokes on your next round. The ultimate answer is up to you but I've done some extensive research (and testing) to help you make your decision.
We are going to dive into the attributes that make the Pro V1 different from other golf balls, the difference between Pro V1 and Pro V1x, and finally the enhancements on their most recent release.
Generally made of synthetic rubber which range from 1 layer – 4 layers. A standard driving range ball has only 1 solid layer whereas Titleist Pro V1x has 3 (not including the cover)
Within the inner workings of multi-layer balls you will find a casing layer. This casing layer is usually made up of a synthetic rubber of plastic. Titleist uses an anomeric casing layer to cover their inner core.
The outer cover of the golf ball (what you can visually see) usually made from Surlyn or Urethane materials.
Surlyn is hard and extremely durable which produces less spin and feel but does not scuff very easily (unless of course you hit a tree, cart path, your fellow golfer, etc.)
Urethane is much softer and less durable which will produce more spin and is less durable – after a round of 18 holes you will see minor blemishes or scuffs. (That is if you use the same ball the entire round)
Dimples are actually a very sophisticated part of the ball. They are critical in reducing wind resistance or aerodynamic drag. Less drag means more distance and more birdies. Dimples almost double the distance compared to a smooth golf ball.
Image credit – Titleist.com
Core: The Next Generation 2.0 ZG Process Core contributes to longer distance on all shots through lower spin and faster ball speed
Casing Layer: The thin, responsive ionomeric casing layer enhances speed and controls spin on full shots.
Cover System: The soft Urethane Elastomer cover system helps to deliver Drop-and-Stop greenside control and soft feel with long-lasting durability.
Dimple Design: The new spherically-tiled 352 tetrahedral dimple design provides even more consistent flight.
Image credit - Titleist.com
Core: The ZG Process Dual Core helps deliver extraordinary distance on all shots.
Casing Layer: The thin, responsive ionomeric casing layer enhances speed and controls spin on full shots
Cover System: The soft Urethane Elastomer cover system helps to deliver Drop-and-Stop greenside control and soft feel with long-lasting durability.
Dimple Design: The new spherically-tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design provides Pro V1x's most consistent flight ever
For more information http://www.titleist.com/golf-balls/pro-v1-pro-v1x
The CHOICE is YOURS!
Image credit – Titleist.com
Feel, Flight, Long Game Spin, Iron Spin, Short Game Spin – using the chart above you will see the exact differences and if you can make your decision based on those, GREAT! Stop reading and go play some golf!
But if you can't and still need some guidance then keep reading, we're almost there!
How many times have you hit a shot around the green and said to yourself "Wow that long and straight shot that I just hit within 5 feet had a little higher ball flight than I prefer" or after you hit a great drive saying "I wish I would have had a bit more spin on that drive for a couple more yards" or "I just don't feel like I'm getting enough Iron spin lately." You get my point right? These terms are thrown around all the time and many times we think and act like we really know what that means to our scores but actually we don't nor do we really want to go through the painstaking process to find out.
Other than actually playing consistently with either ball, we will try to help you make the decision based on our research and our own opinion. Ultimately you need to decide what is the most important part of a golf ball to you, make a decision, and feel GREAT about it!
Asking yourself a few quick questions may help you make this ever pain-staking decision but as you know golf is a very mental game and if you don't feel emotionally connected to your decision then you will second guess, question, and lose confidence which will ultimately end up with you losing your balls.
(Groovy, neat, slick, trendy, elegant, etc.)
Whether you are standing over the ball ready for your next shot or pulling it out of the ball washer admiring how clean and crisp it now looks. If you happen to slice, hook, or chunk in no way is it YOUR balls fault. Your ball did not fail you, you failed your ball. BUT your awesome ball will be ready and willing to perform on your next shot for sure!
(Yes! different balls FEEL different in your hands)
Remember we talked about being emotionally attached to your golf ball, when you are one with your balls you will play better! You need to FEEL the ball, knowing that it will not let you down. Knowing that smooth Urethane cover will assist you in accomplishing your greatest round yet, dropping birdie after birdie for the course record. (even if you don't achieve the course record, FEELING like you can will help you play better!)
(NO NO don't go spend thousands of dollars figuring out your speed)
Swing speed is a big indicator of what ball composition is best for you. Swing speed is talked about all the time but many times not understood. I actually don't like the term "swing speed" because it makes golfers FEEL like they need to SWING harder to get a higher swing speed when actually they need swing the CORRECT way to accomplish this. (Don't worry I'll elaborate in painstaking detail in a later blog) but for now let's think about it like this.....
How far do you hit your driver?
1-250 yards you have a slow to modest swing speed
250+ yards you have a moderate to fast swing speed
It's that easy, as many of us don't have time to waste on a monitor or in a simulator and quite frankly don't want to spend the time or money on dialing into this. So thinking about it in those terms will help as much as we need it to.
(Remember emotions control this game)
If you get mad losing a ball because of your financial investment in that ball then neither of these balls are for you. The last thing I want is for your financial investment in a ball to overpower your emotions and ruin the ever relaxing round that you have anticipated and looked forward to all week!
Our brains control everything our body does whether consciously or subconsciously, don't get fooled by marketing or what you want to be next year. Control the golfer you are right now and own it. Does a golf ball matter, yes I think we've established that but owning your game now will allow you to shoot lower scores and your ball of choice will be right there with you!
Comment below and let me know your thoughts. Which ball do you prefer? Pro V1 or Pro V1x?
