The dominance of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls remains one of the greatest equipment stories in football history.
Prior to their introduction in late 2000, balls either had a small liquid core wrapped with sheets of elastic material that went all the way around the core and were then covered with a plastic material. Typically, this will be the Balata, which is great at generating spin for elite players, but not very effective.
Otherwise, you'll have a solid core ball that can go a long way, but you won't be able to spin it.
The Pro V1 combines these things with a large rubber core, a fairly sturdy veneer shell layer, and a polyurethane cover. In 2003, the Pro V1x was released, providing a higher-flying, lower-spin alternative to the Pro V1.
Today, 70% of players on the PGA Tour use Pro V1 or Pro V1x balls, compared to 11% of the nearest competitor. The ball has won 34 times in 2024, more than six times as many as its nearest rival.
When was the last time Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x were released?
Titleist releases Pro V1 and Pro V1x on a two-year cycle, so the previous version was released in 2023.
Two years ago, the story revolved around the high-gradient core in the Pro V1, which was sturdier on the outside, while the new core became progressively softer toward the center—all of which meant faster ball speeds and longer spin.
As far as the Pro V1x is concerned, the main improvement is the new high-gradient dual core, which gets softer as you move toward the center. In 2023, the core is 44% larger, reducing spin on long races and increasing speed for a more stable flight.
What are the main differences between Pro V1 and Pro V1x?
The Pro V1 offers the best combination of speed, spin and feel in the game, with mid-flight trajectory, low long-game spin, maximum short-game spin and a soft feel.
Compared to the Pro V1, the Pro V1x flies higher, has more spin throughout the swing and has a more solid feel.
It's worth remembering that the Pro V1 is a 3-piece construction (core, outer shell and polyurethane cover), while the Pro V1x is a 4-piece construction (dual core, outer shell and polyurethane cover), allowing for higher launch and lower spin on long shots.
What's different about the new Pro V1?
“The 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x deliver faster tee shots, more iron control, more wedge spin and more opportunities to shoot lower scores.”
This may sound familiar, but considering this is the stuff of Pro V1 and Pro V1x and Titleist Research and Development (R&D), it's an important part of the product release calendar.
The story once again revolves around a new faster high-gradient core that generates more speed while increasing iron and wedge spin for more control. Its spherically tiled 388 tetrahedral dimple design optimizes distance and provides penetrating and consistent flight.
Titleist has what they call an eight-second story, and for the new Pro V1 it's: “The best combination of speed, spin and feel in the game of long distance and penetrating flight.”
What's different about the new Pro V1x?
The new Pro V1x features a new, faster high-gradient dual core that helps deliver more speed and increased spin on approach shots.
The Pro V1x's spherical-tiled 348 tetrahedral dimple design is optimized for high flight and provides greater consistency. This is a ball with “high flight, precise rotation, long-distance control, and comprehensive performance.”
What makes Pro V1 and Pro V1x so special?
A typical day's data collection accumulates approximately 20,000 data points, which exceeds 5 million per year.
Their R&D department holds over 1,700 golf ball patents, including a total of 34 patents used to create the original Pro V1. Subsequent generations of Pro V1 and Pro V1x have implemented more than 125 patents.
Since the launch of the original Pro V1, the Titleist R&D team has designed, manufactured and tested over 2,500 dimple patterns.
Each Titleist golf ball model has a unique dimple pattern to optimize flight and distance, and each Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf ball must pass more than 90 quality inspections, while the dual-core Pro V1x must pass more than 120 quality inspections.
What are the players saying?
Following the official launch of the 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x on the PGA Tour, more than 40 players have switched to the new models in the first five weeks, including several Tour winners.
Ludwig Aberg Having been using Pro V1x, he already has the 2025 ball in his bag.
“I don't really like to change too much, so I really take it to heart and try to make sure that, if I do change anything, I want it to perform better. I can definitely see a difference with my driver. A consistent difference in the number of spins,” explains the Swede.
“High heels aren't going up as much as they used to, and small shoes aren't going down as much as they used to. So I think just tightening the windows a little bit, that's going to be important for drivers. And then, I think, around the greens , is a little softer and has better rotation control.
“The competition at our level is so intense that a good season can be separated by a few points. So if you can find that little bit that makes you a little better, a little more consistent, or a little more in control , I will try my best.
Will Zalatoris He also plays the Pro V1x and likes how the new ball performs in the wind.
“The biggest improvement I’ve seen is that the driver is about a mile an hour faster and it handles the wind better than what I was playing before,” the American said.
“Any week, as long as the wind is blowing, I know if I hit the ball 190 yards, I know it's going to go 190 yards, and that's a very confident feeling. I love that in the 40-60 yard range, I'm able to add a little spin. .
Read more: The Best New Golf Balls of 2025
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