Pro V1s

[louise_a]

I have always shied away from these as I have been led to believe the are not for everyone and I thought my swing speed was too slow to get the benefit from them, also they aren't cheap. However yesterday I tried one and although it certainly felt and sounded different off the club I did hit it well.

So what the general consensus about Pro V1s?

 

[Mungoscorner]

NOTHING FEELS LIKE A PRO V1

Unquestionably the best ball on the market, and anybody can play with a Pro V.

 

[DCB]

NOTHING FEELS LIKE A PRO V1

Unquestionably the best ball on the market, and anybody can play with a Pro V.

I'd go along with the first part, but I believe that a slower swing speed does not get the best out of this ball compared with other offerings in the market. That's my opinion as a slower tempo & swing speed player

 

[ColchesterFC]

anybody can play with a Pro V.

I must be the exception that proves the rule. Can't stand them. They seem to turn my fade into a massive slice but the main reason is because I can't afford to play with them. Used one I was given on my local Par 3 course. Hit a lovely iron shot to about 3ft on the first and when I marked the ball and picked it up it had a "smile" cut into after one hit and was totally destroyed after 3 holes and that was without me thinning it or going in any bunkers. At £4 a ball I'd be skint in no time. And when the cost of balls for the round is higher than the green fee I know somethings not right.

 

[Mungoscorner]

I'd go along with the first part, but I believe that a slower swing speed does not get the best out of this ball compared with other offerings in the market. That's my opinion as a slower tempo & swing speed player

That used to be my concern about the Pro V, but as Titleist say, The best players undoubtedly have faster swing speeds than your average Joe, but they are not always hitting full shots when they play, and it stands to reason that a 5 Iron won't strike the ball at the same speed as a Driver.
I've tried every Premium ball imaginable over the years, and have never come across anything that compares to a Pro V, although i did have a soft spot for the original Callaway HX Blue.

 

[Mungoscorner]

I must be the exception that proves the rule. Can't stand them. They seem to turn my fade into a massive slice but the main reason is because I can't afford to play with them. Used one I was given on my local Par 3 course. Hit a lovely iron shot to about 3ft on the first and when I marked the ball and picked it up it had a "smile" cut into after one hit and was totally destroyed after 3 holes and that was without me thinning it or going in any bunkers. At £4 a ball I'd be skint in no time. And when the cost of balls for the round is higher than the green fee I know somethings not right.

Agreed,
I should have also added that any Premium ball is likely to exaggerate any shot that imparts spin on the ball i.e a slice or hook.
On the subject of cost, i've seen Brand New Pro V "practice" balls sell for as little as £18 a dozen, which makes it a competitive option when compared to anything except the cheapest stones.

 

[Ethan]

If you play the Pro V1 and like it, stick with it. The argument that Titleist makes that even pros don't hit every shot at 120 mph is a reasonable one. Personally I prefer the 1x which I find plenty spinny enough and nicely crisp off the bat, but the V1 is a great ball too.

By the way, the expression 'the exception that proves the rule' as used above is almost usually used incorrectly. In this term, 'prove' means test, as in a proving ground, not prove as in what the prosecution tries to do in court. Anyway shouldn't it be 'the exception that ProV1s the rule'?

 

[harpo_72]

I got a sleeve of 3 chucked with my new shoes, I don't normally play pro v1s so I will give them a tonk and see. They are the most readily available.

 

[Tommo21]

Without doubt the best ball...............Z Stars are good and one or two others, but the Titleist is the best.

 

[Foxholer]

Hit a lovely iron shot to about 3ft on the first and when I marked the ball and picked it up it had a "smile" cut into after one hit and was totally destroyed after 3 holes and that was without me thinning it or going in any bunkers. At £4 a ball I'd be skint in no time.

Well the 'smile' must have been there already, because it's only (serious) thins that cause 'smiles'. I'm not particularly hard on balls, nor particularly OCD about their condition (or the type) but I certainly don't go through them at that rate. You could try some Lake Ball ones - the Premium/Pearl ones look and play the same but are only a little more than £1 a ball. I'm not keen on Refurbished though. And other brand 'Premium' balls are even cheaper too.

I don't believe it was the ball that hit the shot to 3 feet though!

I don't play Pro Vs because there are things I don't like about each of the types. I don't need to compromise with other balls. I play pick-ups, so it's been a long time since I bought a new ball - or even paid for any!

 

[Ethan]

Well the 'smile' must have been there already, because it's only (serious) thins that cause 'smiles'. I'm not particularly hard on balls, nor particularly OCD about their condition (or the type) but I certainly don't go through them at that rate. You could try some Lake Ball ones - the Premium/Pearl ones look and play the same but are only a little more than £1 a ball. I'm not keen on Refurbished though. And other brand 'Premium' balls are even cheaper too.

I don't believe it was the ball that hit the shot to 3 feet though!

I don't play Pro Vs because there are things I don't like about each of the types. I don't need to compromise with other balls. I play pick-ups, so it's been a long time since I bought a new ball - or even paid for any!

I have never put a smile into a Pro V1 or any modern ball. Used to do it the odd time with balatas, though. I think it would take a pretty spectacularly thin shot with a very sharp edged club to do it.

 

[Crow]

I'm a huge fan of the Pro V1.

Used to play AD333 but am now converted; they're longer, don't deviate on full shots any more then my old ball and are great for the short game, which as we all know is where your score is made.

 

[fundy]

I have new ZStars and ProVs on the shelf, invariably I go to the ZStars first, both decent balls but personally prefer the ZStar

 

[gregbwfc]

Don't think Titleist make bad balls.
Happy with NXT Tours though.
Lose too many to afford Pro V's

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

There was an article in the mag (or another?) that had a few people with various handicap, swing speed etc fitted for balls by Titleist. They were all offered Pro V1 or V1 x AFAIR so Titleist must be suggesting that anyone can play with them and they are not the preserve of pros/low handicap players.

 

[garyinderry]

the 50 yard shot that was much debated this week, is a hell of a lot easier to pull off with a pro v than any of the non-premium balls.

 

[Foxholer]

the 50 yard shot that was much debated this week, is a hell of a lot easier to pull off with a pro v than any of the non-premium balls.

I disagree.

In fact, it's probably easier with a low spinning ball. Whether you'd be able to get a low spinning ball close to a front pin is a different matter. It's the predictability of spin - with slightly different quality of strikes - that makes getting close more consistently much easier. Balls that spin more simply provide more options.

 

[BTatHome]

There was an article in the mag (or another?) that had a few people with various handicap, swing speed etc fitted for balls by Titleist. They were all offered Pro V1 or V1 x AFAIR so Titleist must be suggesting that anyone can play with them and they are not the preserve of pros/low handicap players.

Of course it could be that they choose to recommend the most expensive ball in the hope they convinced the users to upgrade and continue purchasing them

 

[garyinderry]

I disagree.

In fact, it's probably easier with a low spinning ball. Whether you'd be able to get a low spinning ball close to a front pin is a different matter. It's the predictability of spin - with slightly different quality of strikes - that makes getting close more consistently much easier. Balls that spin more simply provide more options.

if you think so. I know I find all short game shots x10 easier with a premium ball.

I find the non-premium balls too unpredictable. they just run, and run and run.

 

[Richuk123]

NOTHING FEELS LIKE A PRO V1

Unquestionably the best ball on the market, and anybody can play with a Pro V.

That's what Bridgestone said back in 1999................