Updated on March 14th, 2023 at 04:50 pm
Whether you are new to the game of golf or have been playing your entire life, chances are you have heard of the Pro V1 golf ball. The Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x are two of the best premium golf balls on the market.
In many cases, it could be said that Titleist leads the way and everyone else tries to catch up. When you start playing with a Pro V1 or Pro V1x you will quickly understand why. Although both the Pro V1 and Pro V1x are great golf balls, it makes sense to be sure you are playing with the one that works best for your needs.
With all the information and technology on the market, the slightest difference in a golf ball can really change how you play the game. Let’s take a better look at the Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x.
Common features of pro v1 and pro v1x
With the latest upgrade of the Pro V1 line, Titleist guarantees more precision, consistency, and speed. And if you are mid to low handicapper, it doesn’t take much to get that.
It is not just the long game where you’ll see improvements, but it is the control and accuracy in the short game too.
The ball architecture of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x is almost identical. It is a 4-layer design that has undergone remodeling, particularly in the density of the core, the percentage of the urethane used for the cover, and the dimple design.
Another good news is that both models are available in yellow color, which is not only painted on the cover but added to the urethane to make it more durable and visible.
Core
The dual-core design now features a 2.0 ZG Process Core, which, in other words, means more speed for more distance. The way Titleist managed to achieve this was to retain the central core’s softness, while the outer core section is now stiffer than it used to be.
Casing layer
The layer under the cover is now larger than the previous model, and it is responsible for adding more power and speed. It also helps to optimize the spin, i.e., it lowers the spin in the long game and adds more control in the short game. The slight difference between the two balls is in the thickness of this layer, which is 11% thicker on the Pro V1x and 14% thicker on Pro V1.
Cover
The cover in both models is made from cast urethane, but compared to the previous releases, it is about 17% thinner. Titleist figured that they could take advantage of the cover if they reduce the thickness of the ball cover. This reduction has led to generating more speed but not on account of the high spin and control on approaching shots.
The Pro V1 features 352-dimple design organized into a spherically-tiled dimple-pattern, while the Pro V1x has 328 dimples. The ball architecture guarantees a maximum grip and energy release with every club, and it also delivers the aerodynamic properties of the balls and the consistency. However, the difference in their dimple design is also responsible for the models’ different feel and performance.
Feel
The feel that the two golf ball models deliver is where they distinguish the most. The minor design differences, particularly in the casing, the core, and the dimple-design, have been the cause for the performance varieties.
The Pro V1 is slightly softer and delivers a lower-pitched sound at impact. The Pro V1x is the firmer than the two, and you can feel it when putting the ball.
Performance differences
Long game performance
As we have previously mentioned, the 2019 Pro V1 and Pro V1x are redesigned to deliver added speed, which will lead to more distance. This is mainly due to the new core that reduces spin in combination with the casing layer.
If you compare both models’ performance with their older brothers, there’s consistency in the speed gain and the peak of their trajectories.
However, Titleist has made it clear that the Pro V1 is designed to deliver a lower ball flight and lower spin in the long game.
But, don’t expect vast differences in their performance, and even these differences that have been clearly described, tend to get obscured as you put theory into action. A decent golf monitor can track the overall performance with every swing, and what you are likely to notice is the less spin in the Pro V1.
Short game performance
It is a common opinion that if the golf ball delivers more speed and distance, it will perform poorly in the short game. And, that might be true for some low-class golf balls, but certainly not for Titleist.
If the Pro V1 model is designed to maximize the performance and lower the spin in the long game, the Pro V1x is firmer and, therefore, is designed to add extra spin when you approach the green, and on the green. You’ll notice a very high spin when using the wedges, but a high spin is not lacking the Pro V1 model either.
Once again, it is worth noting that these differences are minimal and hard to notice if you are a low spinning player. Those golfers who are high spinners are more likely to distinguish the two models.
Yet, both models provide the patented drop-and-stop greenside control, high-quality and durability.
Differences between the pro v1 and pro v1x
- Feel: The Pro V1 has a softer feel compared to the Pro V1x
- Ball Flight: The Pro V1 features mid ball flight while the Pro V1x has high
- Long Game Spin: Both models feature low spin and more distance
- Short Game Spin: The Pro V1x delivers higher spin
- Iron Spin: The Pro V1 delivers less spin with irons
Bottom line
The company that influenced the way modern golf balls are made is the one that dictates the prevailing trends of premium golf balls. The Pro V1 line has been the most played tour ball, and with the recent upgrade, it becomes the fastest and the most consistent golf ball.
Since the Pro V1 line is the leader within its field, the price is on the very high end too. Is it worth it? Yes, if you know how to play. No, if you tend to lose your balls.
Both models, the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x are very similarly designed. The Pro V1x delivers a firmer feel and higher trajectory with more spin. Compared to their predecessors, the 2023 version offers an absolute sophistication if you are a low to mid handicapper who can make a difference.
The team at AEC Info thank you for trusting us to provide you with this review on Pro V’s. If you are still looking for additional golf balls to purchase, check out our other reviews including our Beginner golf balls, the Callaway Supersoft vs chrome soft, along with more comparisons including the Snell vs vice golf balls, and to Titleist Pro V’s biggest competitor, the TaylorMade tp5 vs tpx5.
You have lots of options, and we have even more golf ball reviews to help you make the best choice.
Frequently asked questions
The debate as to which is better, the Pro V1 or the Pro V1x, is a tough one. So many golfers think they know which one they need when in reality, it takes a bit more trial and error and research to get the proper golf ball. Here are a few of the questions that we are most commonly asked about the Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x.
Which is better ?
The decision as to which of these two golf balls to play would be much easier if one was truly better than the other. The truth is, both the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x are great golf balls. The Pro V1 is a ball designed for the mid to high swing speed player that wants tremendous distance, penetrating ball flight, and soft feel around the greens.
The Pro V1x is for a faster swing speed player looking for maximum spin around the greens and great control. As a golfer, you need to evaluate which is the better fit for you based on your skills as a player.
With the pricing of the Pro V1 and the Pro V1 x being so high, we highly recommend purchasing a sleeve of each of these golf balls and trying them both out to see what is best. Better yet, find a friend that wants to test the same thing, and you each buy a dozen and split them.
Are pro v1x good for beginners?
If a beginner has a fast swing speed and catches on to the game quickly, a Pro V1x could be a great choice. This golf ball is a higher flying ball that allows for lots of spin and control around the greens. The beginners that are using Pro V1x need to be able to hit the ball somewhat straight.
With the cost of the Pro V1x and the fact that it spins so much if you are still hitting the ball all over the course, it is not a smart investment.
Most beginners don’t have enough of an understanding of feel and spin to truly benefit from the Pro V1x, but it likely won’t hurt their golf game should they try playing with one of these golf balls.
Who should use prov 1x?
Faster swing speed golfers that value spin around the green and a high launching golf shot is going to greatly benefit from using the Pro V1x. The fact that this golf ball can perform both from the tee and from the green helps it stand out as one of the best overall choices on the market.
If you get started with the Pro V1 or Pro V1x, it’s really hard to change back to another golf ball. The precision and feel of these balls really make a big difference when it comes to performance.
If you take a look at the PGA Tour professionals and notice that at least a third of them are using the Pro V1x, it may tell you a bit about what this golf ball has to offer.
Be sure to check out our most recent review, Titleist Pro V1 vs AVX.
