Titleist Pro V1 Ball 2021 Review
From core to cover, Titliest reworked its 2012 versions of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls in a bid to offer players more of what has made this product one of the best golf ball franchises over the years. The Pro V1 has now been replaced by the new Titleist Pro V1 2023 golf ball.
Watch our 2021 Titleist Pro V1 Ball review video
We wanted to see for ourselves so we tested the Pro V1 on the course and on a launch monitor, hitting shots with a driver, 7-iron and also a series of 50-yard pitches. We compared the performance with the Pro V1x golf ball and with the previous generation versions and also hit some shots with Titleist’s other current premium golf ball offering, the AVX.
What is the difference between Titleist Pro V1 and V1x?
With the driver, we noticed that both golf balls created less spin than the previous generation. Whilst that difference was fairly minimal in the Pro V1, the Pro V1x averaged just over 300rpm less spin than the 2019 version.However, this was coupled with a launch angle that was 1˚ higher in the new ball, delivering a consistently long and strong ball flight.For more insight, read our Titleist Pro V1 v Pro V1x golf ball comparison.
This also provided one of the most noticeable performance differences between the 2021 Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls. In our testing, the Pro V1 launched 0.6˚ lower and spun 200 rpm less. This led to a flight in the Pro V1 that was significantly lower - something that really stood out during our on-course testing. With the 7-iron, we were pleased to see both golf balls offering plenty of flight and good control into the greens.
By contrast, the current Titleist AVX delivered just over 1000 rpm less spin with the 7-iron. This low spin performance could really help those players who generate too much through impact and as such, have a tendency to lose distance when hitting into the wind. If you fall into this category and haven’t thought about switching into the AVX, it might be worth considering.
From 50 yards, both new balls provided impressive levels of spin, albeit comparable to what we were getting with the previous generation. The Pro V1x delivered an average of 5736 rpm while the Pro V1 averaged 5016 rpm.
Why is the Titleist Pro V1 ball so expensive?
Available for just under $50 per dozen, there is no hiding from the fact the Titleist Pro V1 ball is a premium model. The reason for the expensive price-tag would be a combination of the years of research and development behind the product, the attention to detail during the manufacturing process which creates the consistency Titleist is renowned for and the component parts - in particular the urethane cover which is so vital to the overall performance.
In the latest iteration, Titleist says that one of the main developments has been the introduction of new and distinct dimple patterns in both models to help maximise consistency and distance, making it one of the best premium golf balls around.
Despite the major redesign, golfers can expect a familiar combination of performance benefits from the 2021 Pro V1 balls. It provides excellent distance in the long game and offer superb levels of spin control and feel in the short game. The Pro V1 launching lower and spinning less is certainly noticeable and means that every golfer will benefit from choosing the correct one for them.
Can a beginner use Pro V1?
In short, yes - but there is a caveat. Titleist would say that no matter what your ability the premium options in the range will offer you the best overall performance. This is because of the stopping power offered by the Pro V1, Pro V1x, and AVX when hitting into the green. Every golfer, no matter what their handicap, creates backspin through impact. The Pro V1 is designed to respond to this by offering more control when you approach the green while also providing high levels of distance off the tee.
The major caveat here is about how often you lose your golf ball. Whilst we agree there are performance gains to be had for beginners, if you lose balls regularly, then perhaps one of the best cheap golf balls might be a better choice. We'd recommend testing the performance for yourself to see how different price-points compare.
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