Equipment

What golfers are saying about Titleist’s 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls

Published

7 years ago

Nov 3, 2016

We spotted prototypes of the 2017 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, where Titleist’s PGA Tour Staff is testing them.

While Titleist isn’t commenting on the prototype golf balls, the company has sent out test samples to its Team Titleist members as part of its R&D process. Many of those Team Titleist members are also GolfWRX members, and they are discussing the prototype balls at length in the forums. You can join the conversation here.

Below are photos of the golf balls. We’ve also compiled feedback from GolfWRX Members who say they have tested the prototype golf balls.

Titleist Pro V1 2017 prototype

de37d5f579fc34e2145246fc678cc37e

Titleist Pro V1x 2017 prototype

8edd3db7e8d87f74f927ebc21ad67497

04af9089349d86963118d1c386bb0d8d

Bdmac79: “ProV1x proto is pretty good in the wind. Nothing ballooned and it held quite well in crosswind.

“I didn’t notice much difference in feel – perhaps even a touch firmer with more of a ‘click’ off of the putter.”

Great insight, Bdmac79. And we appreciate your heightened sense of feel.

mackepa: “So are they doing away with the long arrows for alignment?

“They can claim they’ll be better in the wind all they want but I just can’t see it being any better or worse than their current offerings.”

Noted.

GC70: “The X is great in the wind (25 mph today), but the durability and spin around the green not so much.”

Seems that durability is still a concern to this user, which has been a common complaint about Pro V1’s in the past, whether warranted or not.

mgholda: “Dimple pattern looked similar (maybe a slight variation) to the current Pro V1x in my test sleeve, but the flight was more stable into the wind and it was “clickier” (if that is even a word) off the putter as Bdmac79 mentioned above.”

That’s two votes for clicky off the putter. Interesting. User GC70 chimed back in later in the thread, however, saying “there not that clicky. The only big differences I found compared to the 2015 model is less spin on shorter chips and not as durable.”

Merle33: “I’ve played a few of the ProV1 test balls recently. I’ve played the Nike RZN balls the past few years and most recently the RZN Tour Platinum and loved it. Haven’t played the last 2 ProV versions so can’t give a comparison to prior generation balls. With Nike exiting with equipment, I’m searching for a new ball to play.

“Anyways, I was able to get my hands on a few of the elusive Left Dot ProV1’s right before I received the test balls. Left Dot was an interesting ball for me and definitely noticed a lower trajectory off the tee, distance was good, and had a firmer feel off iron shots and putter than I had expected for a ProV1. The test ball however, seemed to check all the boxes. Lower spin and more distance off the tee and still a more penetrating flight than the X. Also felt very good on iron shots and wedges. Very good greenside control and felt nice off the putter.”

An informative review.

jleduc2200: “I received the test sleeve of Pro V1X’s and thought they played exceptionally well in the wind – Played them 15-20 mph winds, help the line great in cross winds and really penetrated into a headwind. I thought they were more durable as well, which would be nice, not having to go through a new ball every 9 holes.”

Lots of golfers playing in the wind, eh?

Click here to join in on the conversation.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

26 Comments

George

Feb 5, 2017 at 10:17 am

I haven’t tested them but can’t wait to try them out now!

Reply Report comment
Jimmy Banks

Nov 15, 2016 at 2:44 pm

I’m a low handicap and I found a green Titleist NXT Tour S and shot the best round this year…was always a PROV1x player………go figure…the NXT Tour S felt great and is cheaper than the PROV—

Reply Report comment
nick

Nov 7, 2016 at 5:05 pm

durability…? everyone wants durability it seems…? as long as ball lasts you the entire round, you should be ok. after abusing a ball for 18, its time to part ways. sure, i can re-use a ball for two maybe three rounds if i really wanted to, but why? ****I only play once week and like teeing up a sparkly white ball each round.

KSigs are my new ball of choice. just played a round this past weekend and she lasted the entire round. just as good as the pro v1 and v1x’s i have in my living room. durability, spin, feel, etc. thank you…

Reply Report comment
Why Durable?

Nov 6, 2016 at 8:10 am

I can’t figure out why someone interested in playing a premium ball for its premium characteristics is so interested in it being durable. I know they are expensive, but If they spin like they are on a string, they can scuff easily and I’m still happy. Isn’t this what makes playing more fun and scoring more possible?

Reply Report comment
JR

Nov 5, 2016 at 10:01 am

Why pay $50 a doz. when one can get an equal ball for $15 a doz? I will play the Kirkland from now on. They can have their overpriced ProV’s and others. I thought $20 Gamers and Srixons were a good buy but the Kirklands are even better.

Reply Report comment
Mad-Mex

Nov 5, 2016 at 12:11 am

NOT ONE person who has posted here can tell the difference between a 5 year old Pro-V1 and this “Prototype”,,,,

Reply Report comment
- cgasucks
  
  Nov 6, 2016 at 9:52 am
  
  I still can’t tell the difference between this year’s version and the 1.0 version…
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Mad-Mex
    
    Nov 7, 2016 at 8:35 pm
    
    Right there with you!!!!!
    
    Reply Report comment
suhdude

Nov 4, 2016 at 2:17 pm

Pro V$48.99X

Reply Report comment
Jim

Nov 4, 2016 at 2:16 pm

sorry, but i’ll stick with my chrome softs.

Reply Report comment
M Smizzzzzle

Nov 3, 2016 at 11:39 pm

Acushnet + IPO = Next Taylormade

New stuff every 6 minutes folks

Hello Bridgestone

Reply Report comment
- JOEL GOODMAN
  
  Nov 4, 2016 at 7:44 pm
  
  IT’S ALL BULL EXCEPT THEIR EARNINGS WHICH ARE NONEXISTENT. WANT TO LOSE A LOT OF MONEY? BUY A GOLF CLUB AND BALL MANUFACTURER . WANNA MAKE MONEY? BUY A CLOTHES OR SHOE COMPANY.
  
  Reply Report comment
rymail00

Nov 3, 2016 at 8:46 pm

I received both the Pro V1 and Pro V1X balls and think they are more durable than current models (played both all year, Pro V1X first half of the season and switched to the Pro V1 last half). I actually found them to very durable, more so than the current Pro V1/V1X. I tried to hit a low, hard punch under and through two trees about 30 yards from me, to the green 150 yards away and hit the trunk dead on, and the a drive landed on the cement cart path 4 holes later. I switched between a single Pro V1X and a single Pro V1 every hole, for 29 holes that day and other than having the very slight discoloration from using a new ball over basically a full round the cover was as good as new.

Also I found the Pro V1X to have a bit softer feel on full and partial iron shots, and wedges.

Anyways just my $.02 on the test balls.

Reply Report comment
Rimjob

Nov 3, 2016 at 6:42 pm

Titleist knows how to make you spend money on their not-so-long-lasting balls

Reply Report comment
Brian

Nov 3, 2016 at 12:53 pm

$48 per dozen? No thanks.

Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Nov 3, 2016 at 12:52 pm

Funny story. My favorite bar/restaurant ordered, from Amazon, $75 worth of magnetic strips to hold knives in their kitchen. Amazon accidentally sent them 7 dozen brand new Pro V1’s! They told the restaurant not to send them back… easier just to keep them, and they wouldn’t be charged. Over a gin & tonic I offered to help them out by buying 3 dozen for 50 cents on the dollar. I’m now set for golf balls for the winter.

Reply Report comment
- COGolfer
  
  Nov 3, 2016 at 10:50 pm
  
  Golf balls for someone that doesn’t play are absolutely useless. I think you hit the lotto on that one.
  
  Reply Report comment
JustTrying2BAwesome

Nov 3, 2016 at 12:25 pm

But do they compare to the KSigs?? WE NEED TO KNOW!!

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Nov 3, 2016 at 12:50 pm
  
  Personally, I’ll be playing the Kirkland. Titleist can cram their $48 per dozen patent infrigements.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Double Mocha Man
  
  Nov 3, 2016 at 12:54 pm
  
  I played a Kirkland-Signature (KSig)… was not impressed. Others may be…
  
  Reply Report comment
- cgasucks
  
  Nov 6, 2016 at 9:56 am
  
  http://www.golfballtest.org/2016/10/2016-costco-kirkland-signature/
  
  Reply Report comment
Dj

Nov 3, 2016 at 12:25 pm

Lol the same comments literally on every release. Oh it holds its line better in the wind and doesn’t balloon as much. With those comments every release, every shot should be going dead straight and unaffected by the wind! Hilarious

Reply Report comment
- Ian
  
  Nov 3, 2016 at 2:57 pm
  
  They are. And now I don’t just find the middle, I find the centre of the middle. Thanks Titelist, you’re the best!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Travis
    
    Nov 3, 2016 at 3:20 pm
    
    WARNING! Never play these balls on a calm day!! They are so erratic without the wind to help hold their line.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Jack
      
      Nov 3, 2016 at 11:47 pm
      
      LOL. There’s Pro V1 NW version for that. You just have to buy both and be ready for any conditions. Also a Pro V1 R for rainy days.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - cgasucks
        
        Nov 6, 2016 at 9:50 am
        
        I can’t wait for the Pro V1 anti creek version..
        
        Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

18 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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