The great golf ball debate: Are you Team Pro V1 or Team Pro V1x?

Mark Townsend 11 Mar 2025

The Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x remain the leading ball in the game.

Those in the Pro V1 camp include Viktor Hovland, Bob MacIntyre, Brian Harman, Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler while the likes of Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas and recent winner Russell Henley favour the Pro V1x.

Titleist say that every golfer would benefit from the Pro V1 or Pro V1x but many of us remain unsure about which ball would suit us and help us most.

This year Titleist have brought out a new version of each ball and they’ve laid out in simple terms which one we should be filling our bags with.

So, whether you are looking for a softer ball or one that spins more or one that travels further, Titleist have all the answers.

Which ball is softer?

We all have our own tendencies on what we want to hear and feel off the clubface. Sometimes that might not be to the benefit of our golf but the sound of a well-struck shot is almost as satisfying as the result.

Some of us are more bothered about how it feels off the driver, others elsewhere in the bag.

Titleist say: “Pro V1 is the softer of the two balls. What is unique about feel is that it’s so linked to player perception. Do you primarily feel the golf ball off the putter or with wedges? Or is this a full swing feel? There is no right or wrong, but simply your preference. Adding more detail to the simple answer above, Pro V1 has a softer overall compression, but the same casing and cast urethane cover.

“While Pro V1x has a firmer overall compression coming from the dual core construction, we use these construction types to create unique performance characteristics. The result is Pro V1 is a solid core construction with softer overall compression and a soft urethane cover. While Pro V1x is a dual core construction, with a firmer overall compression and a soft urethane cover.”

Which will have a steeper angle of descent into the green?

This is a big factor in deciding which ball to pick and, again, it will be determined by how we swing the club. Also, consider if you play a course where the height of a shot is crucial e.g. if you play a lot of links golf then height might not be your friend.

Titleist say: “Pro V1x has higher spin with irons and wedges. In addition, Pro V1x is designed to fly higher throughout the trajectory of a given shot. Both the spin and aerodynamics are providing height for players, as a result, Pro V1x is the higher flying, higher spinning golf ball resulting in a steeper angle of descent into the green.

ProV1 and ProV1x boxes

Which ball spins more on shots into the green?

These are both absolute premium balls and you’re not going to struggle around the greens with either. But there is a difference between the two balls here. Again, think about whether you want a lot of spin on your approaches and short-game shots.

Titleist say: “Pro V1x spins more on iron and wedge shots into the green. We’re able to precisely control the spin on various shots with our golf balls by managing the relationships between layers.

“In general, a hard layer over a softer layer will drive spin down (think Pro V1x dual core). A softer layer over a firmer layer will drive spin up (think soft urethane over firm Pro V1x dual core). As a result, Pro V1x spins a bit more than Pro V1 into and around the greens.

Do they have different spin rates off the driver?

This is a great question (and answer) for those of us who want a certain look to our tee shots. If you’ve played both balls and are still none the wiser, then the following should clear up your thinking.

Titleist say: “Pro V1 and Pro V1x have very little difference off the tee. Some players may see Pro V1x with just a bit more spin, but it’s easiest to think about Pro V1 and Pro V1x with similar performance off the tee, and Pro V1x separating with more spin with irons and wedges.

Which is the most durable?

Again there’s not much in this. These balls will be good for plenty of rounds and, as long as you’re not spraying them out of bounds, both are good value for money.

Titleist say: “Both Pro V1 and Pro V1x share the same soft, urethane cover. We expect the two golf balls will have similar durability.

Which goes further?

The driver is the last piece in the Titleist fitting jigsaw. You’ll be getting plenty of distance with either ball here and a ball fitting really is the way forward for all of us.

Titleist say: “A properly hit Titleist ball will always maximise a player’s distance potential. If a tour player showed up on the truck with no equipment our first step would be to fit this player for a set of irons and wedges. Then we would fit this player for their golf ball. We would finalise the fitting with a driver, because we can optimise the driver and overall distance with any of our golf balls.

“An example of this is recent tour winner Jake Knapp. Jake plays Pro V1. He is a high-speed player, with plenty of spin, so his golf ball of choice helps him control spin and optimise distance. When Jake tests Pro V1x, it doesn’t fly as far, his Pro V1 is several yards longer than when he tests Pro V1x.

Justin Thomas, on the other hand, plays Pro V1x to help maximise his spin and control. He is the opposite. When he hits Pro V1, it flies a few yards shorter than his Pro V1x. The longest Titleist golf ball is the one that has been fit to a player’s unique swing needs.”