It’s no question that Titleist is the most popular golf balls brand used on the PGA Tour and by amateurs in today’s game. Titleist’s premier golf balls are the Pro V series, which come in both Pro V1 and Pro V1x models. There are some critical differences between the two golf balls, so it’s essential to understand those differences to play the right ball on the golf course and give yourself the best chance at success with your particular style of play.
What’s the difference between a Pro V1 and Pro V1x Golf Ball?
The main differences between a Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf ball come down to three characteristics – feel, ball flight, and spin. The Pro V1 has a softer feel around the greens, lower ball flight, and less spin. The Pro V1x has a firmer feel around the greens, higher ball flight, and more spin.
Now, the balls are designed to be on both sides of the spectrum and fit two very different player profiles. It’s clear that Titleist has figured out the technology behind the balls, but what does firmness, flight, and spin actually do for your golf game? And which golf ball is right for you?
2019 Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x Golf Balls: A Comparison
The difference between these golf balls is all about the performance you are looking for on the course. The Pro V1 is built differently inside than the Pro V1x. And since they are constructed differently in the interior, their flight and spin will be very distinct.
- Both the Pro V1 and Pro V1x models deliver the same distance as Titleist claims.
- They also both cost the same, at just under $50 retail.
Titleist first launched the Pro V1x to consumer markets in 2003. Initially, the Pro V1x was built to have less spin. In 2017, Titleist rebuilt the ball actually to have more spin. At first, this was very confusing to golfers, even Tour players. It had been the other way for so many years, but it’s important to understand that now:
Since 2017:
- Pro V1: Softer Feel, Lower Flight, Less Spin
- Pro V1x: Firmer Feel, Higher Flight, More Spin
The table below compares the differences: Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x.
| Pro V1 | Pro V1x | |
| Softer | Feel | Firmer |
| Lower | Flight | Higher |
| Low | Spin | More |
| Same | Distance | Same |
Pro V1’s Three Layer vs. Pro V1x’s Four Layers
The first difference between the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x is the number of layers that each ball was designed with. This then determines the feel, flight, and spinning differences. The Pro V1 is designed as a three-layer golf ball. The three layers help create a softer feel while the Pro V1x is a simple soft feel and a four-layered golf ball.
- Pro V1: Three-layer
- Pro V1x: Four-layer
The 2019 Pro V1 and Pro V1x have been redesigned, with covers that are 17% thinner than in previous year’s models. The thinner layers allow for more ball speed off the clubface and reduce the spin rate. The thinner cover provides aerodynamics for the Pro V1 to fly at an increased velocity.
Feel Difference – Softer vs. Firmer
When a golf club impacts a softer golf ball, the layers inside will make more effort into reshaping itself. A soft golf ball will absorb some of the impact but less work on its part to reshape. As Titleist explains on their website, “The casing layer is the speed-enhancing, spin optimizing layer that helps power Pro V1 and Pro V1x for exceptional distance in the long game. The 2019 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls have larger casing layers, adding more fast material to their respective designs”.
The feel of your golf ball is very much a personal preference.
- Pro V1: Softer feel
- Pro V1x: Firmer feel
Flight Difference – Lower vs. Higher
Extraordinary distance with consistent flight and penetrating trajectory is labeled as a player’s benefit when owning a Pro V1 and a Pro V1x. The reason being is the layers made up inside of these models. Three layers inside the Pro V1 adheres to a lower flight trajectory. Whereas the four-layer Pro V1x provides a higher flight trajectory.
The four-layers of the Pro V1x allow the ball to spin more rapidly, which in turn, the ball gains more altitude since the backspin grips the wind under it to help pull up.
- Pro V1: Lower flight trajectory
- Pro V1x: Higher flight trajectory
Spin Difference
The most significant difference between the golf balls is the amount of spin. It is crucial to understand how the spin can help the ball’s flight to be higher. However, since the spin rate is faster with a Pro V1x, it does a better job of biting and grasping the green. The lower spin rate of the Pro V1 doesn’t provide as much short game spin, and hence, it will tend to release more after landing on the green.
| Pro V1 | Pro V1x | |
| Less Spin / Lower Flight | Long Game Spin / Ball Flight | More Spin / Higher Flight |
| Less Bite (Grasp) | Short Game Spin | More Bite (Grasp) |
Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x: Which should you use?
The Pro V1 and Pro V1x each have their pros and cons and suit every player differently. They are both top of the line, with decades of research, development, and testing. But if you’re going to be spending nearly $50 on a dozen golf balls, you might as well have the knowledge to choose the one that’s right for you.
Here are some general rules of thumb:
Play a Pro V1 if you:
- Prefer a softer ball
- Prefer a lower ball flight
- Prefer lower spin
- Prefer more release of the ball on the greens (instead of more bite)
- Have higher clubhead speed, which naturally generates more power and spin rate
The Titleist Pro V1 is known as the best golf ball in the game, but it shows its full potential for golfers with faster swing speeds.
- Premium quality
- Excellent greenside spin
- Great distance
- Consistent ball flight
- Penetrating trajectory
- Low long-game spin
- Not optimal for slow swingers
Play a Pro V1x if you:
- Prefer a firmer ball
- Prefer a high ball flight
- Prefer more spin
- Prefer more bite on the greens for your short game
- Have lower clubhead speed and can’t generate enough power (and spin)
The Titleist Pro V1 is the best golf ball in the game; this ball has a very high greenside spin, long distance off the tee, and sets the standard for the best feel in golf.
- Durable outer cover for high swing speeds
- Very long distance from the tee
- Continually updated to improve performance
- Very high greenside spin
- Can spin too much from the tee
In Conclusion
Titleist is the #1 ball in golf, as they claim, and it’s hard to argue considering how many Tour players use them. Most golfers will not notice the difference between a Pro V1 and Pro V1x. However, serious golfers need to understand the differences to be sure to play the right ball.
The Titleist Pro V1 will provide lower ball flights and a very soft feel around the greens. The Pro V1x delivers a higher ball flight with a slightly firmer feel. Your preference and ultimate decisions are yours.
