Equipment
New Pro V1, Pro V1X are longer and softer
Titleist’s new Pro V1 and Pro V1X for 2013 give golfers what they’ve been asking for from the most played ball in tournament golf — golf balls that are longer, softer and more durable than the previous generation.
Pro V1
The new Pro V1 feels softer thanks to a softer compression core, which has decreased from the low 90s to the high 80s. The core change means that it will spin less and have a shallower angle of descent than the 2011 Pro V1 off of long clubs. For most golfers, this means longer carry distance and more roll, meaning the new Pro V1 will be go farther with the long clubs than its predecessor.
“This is the longest and softest Pro V1 we’ve ever made,” said Michael Mahoney, director of golf ball marketing for Titleist.
While the Pro V1 features the same 352-dimple pattern as the 2011 model, it features a newly formulated cover and paint system that adhere better, which makes it more resistant to scuffs and paint chips and actually improves its aerodynamics.
“[For the new Pro V1 and Pro V1 X], we switched to a solvent-borne paint system that flows better,” Mahoney said. “It creates consistent coverage and better aerodynamics. That’s why the dimples on the new balls look sharper.”
Pro V1X
Like previous version, the new Pro V1X is a four-piece golf ball with an inner and outer core. Having two cores allows designers to more precisely dial in spin on long clubs.
With the driver, PGA Tour players affect the extremely soft compression inner core, which results in low-spin shots. But on shots hit with shorter clubs, the firmer portions of the golf ball — the outer core and inner mantle — are the parts that are affected, so those shots are launched with more spin.
According to Mahoney, Tour players liked the amount of spin they were getting with the Pro V1X off the tee, but they wanted the ball to spin slightly more with their long irons, particularly the 4, 5 and 6 irons. That’s why the new Pro V1X has a slightly different ZG Process core configuration, which Mahoney said not only makes for tighter tolerances, but allows for increased spin with the shorter clubs.
The new core configuration also gives the Pro V1X a different sound profile, which many Tour players have identified as being softer than the 2011 Pro V1X. But the compression of the ball hasn’t changed — it’s still about 100.
It has the same 328-dimple pattern as the previous model. But the new cover formulation and better paint coverage give it a more penetrating flight, which Mahoney said will make it longer than the 2011 version for most golfers.
Comparing the new Pro V1 and Pro V1X
Because of the Pro V1X’s dual-core construction, it’s a lower-spinning golf ball off the tee, and thus the longer of the two balls. Its different dimple pattern and construction also make it is also a higher launching golf ball than Pro V1.
Even though the Pro V1X’s firmer compression makes the ball feel harder than the Pro V1, its performance is essentially identical to the softer feeling Pro V1 inside 40 yards. From that distance, the urethane cover — not the construction of the golf ball — drives performance.
According to Mahoney, the Pro V1X is a natural fit for high-speed players like Adam Scott, who can benefit from the low-spin performance with their driver to get more distance off the tee. But Scott has always been a Pro V1 player, choosing to give up a few yards off the tee with the Pro V1 in order to get more spin and better control with his long clubs.
“Players [like Scott] see improved numbers with Pro V1X, but they don’t think it’s going to make a difference in their game,” Mahoney said.
Despite all the changes inside the new golf balls, which debuted on the Tour at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in late October, much of the feedback on Tour has been about the durability of the cover of the new Pro V1 and Pro V1X golf balls.
“Players have told me, ‘I usually play nine or 10 balls a round, but [with the new ball] I just played this round with two or three balls,’” Mahoney said.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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curtiss mull
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:53 pm
A few years ago when i was a volunteer chairman for the BMW nationwide tour golf channel, I noted that the players were using the old Pro V I and X, not the newest ball.In speaking with them about it , they told me that Titleist made them especially for them as they liked the spin characteristics better on the old design. Frankly speaking I have always played the top of the line Titleist ball going back to the balata and can’t say I notice any difference since the Pro v came out other than at some time they stopped putting two coats of clear coat on them which caused the shine to come off quicker. You can’t blame them since if the ball lasts too long they don’t sell as many. Interesting that they changed the paint to help them last longer .We’ll see if that’s the case.
Blanco
May 29, 2013 at 12:37 am
The last gen. Prov1x felt hard to me– much firmer than the 2009 model that are in most of the recycled ball packs. Glad to see it’s more of a high/low profile compared to the low/low ball from 2012.
That being said: lower your price on these balls to $39.99 ala original Penta. I bet you’ll make more money. The Callaway and TM balls are just as good on certain days and always cheaper. The ONLY reason I don’t play the ProV is the price. Cannot justify 50 bucks on a ball– golf is expensive enough as it is.
Izzat
Jan 24, 2013 at 11:52 pm
i must admit i am excited about the new line of products! seems to me that everyone says its better. gonna have to try it out though.
Lenny
Jan 24, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Looking forward to trying the new Pro-V1!!
David
Jan 24, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I got to demo these balls, the cover durability is the thing I noticed most about the new line. Granted they’re not indestructible like a distance ball, but for a pro level ball the cover was a tank. Overall performance of the ball was much improved as well. Just wish I knew if they sent me the regular or x version on the demo.
Rob
Jan 24, 2013 at 5:24 pm
I switched to the yellow srixon z star because of the Pro V1 covers. I was tired of nipping a good wedge and the cover would look like i hit a cart path. I can’t feel any difference between the two and i now love the yellow look.
Jon
Jan 25, 2013 at 9:57 am
found myself having the same problem (usually get a few rounds out of 1 ball if not lost)..but there is no other ball out there that i can move from right-left, left-right and control the spin like a prov1x. best ball in golf.
Troy Vayanos
Jan 24, 2013 at 2:34 pm
I just received an email from my local golf store offering the previous Titleist’s golf ball on special. This was because the new model was coming out.
I’m interested to see if the newer version do make much of a difference because i’ve always been so happy with the current model.
I have found them very durable and the spin rate is just perfect. I’m happy to keep playing them for some time!
Billy
Jan 24, 2013 at 12:55 pm
It must be great to be able to use 9 or 10 Pro V1s a round!!!
Rick Berggren
Jan 24, 2013 at 12:26 pm
I am the tournament director for an annual golf event for our university. Where would you recommend I obtain pricing for the closeout models of ProV1 and/or ProV1x? Please advise.