dgeesaman's Full Review: Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
I had never really found a ball that made me quit trying other balls, but then I tried the V1. There was a lot of fanfare - PGA Pros winning with this new ball, many pros switching before it was available to the public. Then the incredible demand and undersupply made prices hit the roof and players dig around to just find them. Things got really confused.
Update: It turns out I haven't quit trying other balls, since I strive to be open-minded. However, I'm still playing a V1.
Well, here's the bottom line: - The Pro V1 is probably the longest ball out there that spins as much as it does. It's nearly as long as true distance balls. - The Pro V1 is possibly the most durable high spin ball yet created. You just can't cut it or blade it out of round. - The Pro V1 does not spin much off the driver, making it play as straight as lower spin balls when you smash it hard. - The Pro V1 plays to an 80-85 compression, so it never feels hard.
I had experimented with high spin balls before, and I liked the touch around the green, but full swing shots made me look really bad - it seemed like the ball would curve and swerve for no reason at all. Even the straightest shots had some drift or wiggle and they all came up shorter than I wanted. It was just way more than a 9 handicapper could ever handle. I hit some of the most amazing slices and hooks ever conceived. As a result, I had no confidence in them at all right from the tee. Worst of all, these balls died quick and ugly deaths from cartpaths, sand shots, trees, and even the grooves of my wedges.
Then I tried a sleeve of the V1, and the world was different. They drove straight and long - I saw no decrease in distance compared to most midrange balls. And yet I can execute the spinny low hot pitch shot and everything else you expect of a spin ball. It's not the spinniest ball available, but I think few of us could really benefit from more spin than a V1.
Price OK, so you get all this, but at what cost? Before you walk away based on the price per box, consider how long they can last - the cover is very hard to scuff, and it stays round about forever. The only sign of wear is the cover gets a little grayish after a round in the sun. As long as I don't lose it, I can play a V1 for several rounds and see no difference in performance. Compared to the Titleist Professional, Tour Balata, Strata Tour Professional, Strata Tour Ultimate, these balls easily last 4-10x as long. So I can milk a dozen V1s for a long time, enough that the cost difference is a non-issue.
Tour pros (Mickelson) have said they find it to fly lower and be less affected by wind. I'm not refined enough to see that.
Another point to mention: you can get the premium ball, a practice version, and X-out version. The practice version is USGA approved and has cosmetic blemishes so small they're hard to notice. The X-out is not conforming and probably has slight construction quality issues. I sometimes buy the practice version and save $15 per dozen, and I just tell everyone I put the big PRACTICE logo on as a self-reminder.
About the seaming issue. I have seen no tests indicating this is consistently measurable, but the rumor is that the molding seam (the stripe where there are no dimples) affects shot height and final distance. Pros have said they see about 5 yards carry difference on driver. The difference drops to nothing on irons. If you hit the ball on the Titleist logo, the seam will be aligned for the ball to fly with more carry. If you point the logo to the left or right, the seam will be aligned to fly lower and get a little more roll. Personally, I see no difference on any club.
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