Improved core technology raises the bar for the #1 Ball in Golf

New Models Provide Longer Distance, Lower Long Game Spin, and Greater Consistency

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (Jan. 19, 2023) - The 2023 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x - the next generation of the most trusted golf balls in the game - set another standard for tee-to-green performance and consistency through advanced core technologies validated by the best players in the world.

Available in golf shops from Jan. 25, new Pro V1 and Pro V1x are engineered with high-gradient core designs that deliver lower long game spin for increased distance and a more consistent flight – helping golfers hit the ball longer and straighter while maintaining the Drop-and-Stop greenside control that Pro V1 and Pro V1x players rely on to play their best.

The new high-gradient constructions feature progressive firmness levels that lower long game spin without sacrificing short game spin. High-gradient core technology, combined with the continued advancement of Titleist's unparalleled manufacturing process, produces more consistent spin and speed performance for even tighter dispersion.

“We’re looking for consistency in every element of golf ball construction, from the aerodynamics down to the core,” said Mike Madson, Senior Director Golf Ball Research and Engineering. “We always want the ball flying in the same window regardless of how it’s oriented, and we want the ball to produce consistent launch, spin, and speed on every shot. Consistency means when a golfer tees up a Pro V1 or Pro V1x, every properly executed shot they make is going to deliver the performance they expect and the performance they trust.”

Along with these key innovations, Pro V1 and Pro V1x both remain true to their unique play styles: Pro V1 offers the best combination of distance, spin, and feel in the game and delivers a penetrating ball flight. Pro V1x is engineered to fly higher and spin more with irons and in the short game, while still offering low spin on longer shots to maximise distance.

“For a Titleist golf ball to be new, it must be better,” said Frederick Waddell, Director of Golf Ball Product Management. “For us to call it a new Pro V1, it needs to be demonstrably better than the prior generation. We go through a rigorous testing and validation process to ensure the performance improvements developed by our world-class R&D team are recognised by the golfer when they put it in play and experience the product.”

2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x Technology: The most advanced iterations of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x yet, both golf balls feature significant innovations to improve on-course performance, including:

•            New High Gradient Core Design: An all-new, reimagined core in the new Pro V1 and the dual core Pro V1x are built to be firmer on the outside and progressively softer on the inside, which promotes fast speeds and low long game spin. The new cores take inspiration from popular CPOs (Custom Performance Options) - Pro V1 Left Dot and Pro V1x Left Dash - both of which feature high gradient cores and are the choice of several players on professional tours.

•            New Dual-Core Dimension: There has been a change in the 2023 Pro V1x dual core design, with the inner core increasing center volume by 44%, from 1” to 1.13” in size. This works in concert with the high gradient, as the larger and softer center helps to drive down long game spin and increase stability through the air.

•            Speed Amplifying High-Flex Casing Layer: Casing layers on both the Pro V1 and Pro V1x interact with the high gradient cores to further neutralize excess spin while combining with the soft cast urethane cover to provide unparalleled greenside spin and control.

•            Cast Thermoset Urethane Cover:  The urethane covers on the Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls utilise a proprietary thermoset process. Two separate components are mixed, and the liquid urethane is cast into Titleist-manufactured cavities which form the appropriate dimple pattern into the cover. The precise timing of the curing process and temperature are integral to the consistency of the urethane and the performance the golfer experiences on the course.

•            Spherically-tiled Tetrahedral Dimple Designs: With a 388-dimple design on the Pro V1 and a 348-dimple design on Pro V1x, both golf balls have optimised aerodynamics to fly consistent and far. The Pro V1x’s dimple pattern allows the ball to launch and fly in a slightly higher window than the Pro V1.

Player Validation: Since officially launching at the Shriners Children’s Open in October, new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls wasted no time making a significant impact on the PGA TOUR. Seamus Power claimed the first win for the new balls at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, just the fourth tournament in which 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x were widely available. Power had previously been playing Pro V1 but switched to 2023 Pro V1x one week before winning for the second time on TOUR. 

Quoting Seamus Power: “It’s been excellent. I was delighted to try it [the week before CJ Cup]. I tested all week and loved it. I played lots of golf with it and was very, very happy with it. For me, it’s very visual. When I swing and it comes off the face, if it comes out in the trajectory I feel it should, that’s a big positive for me, and that’s what I saw immediately. It felt great off the tee with a little bit extra heat. If anything, I under spin my irons, so I’ve got that little bit extra spin [moving to Pro V1x]. I didn’t give up anything around the green. I didn’t feel any noticeable difference with the noise off the putter face, so it was an easy change for me. Very excited about it.”

While the new generation of Pro V1 and Pro V1x officially launched at the Shriners Children’s Open, as is the Pro V1 and Pro V1x tradition since the very first model was introduced in 2000, the 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x made their unexpected debut a week earlier than planned after select players made special requests to put the ball in play as soon as possible. Three players - Garrick Higgo (2023 Pro V1), M.J. Daffue (2023 Pro V1x), and Gary Woodland (2023 Pro V1x) - teed up new Pro V1 and Pro V1x at the Sanderson Farms Championship, one week before the official scheduled Tour launch, after having done extensive testing during prototype phases.

“I went to TPI over a month ago and I’ve had the ball at home practicing with it and I’ve just seen shots that I haven’t seen in a long time and that’s been very exciting to me,” said Woodland the week of Sanderson Farms.

In Round 1 at Sanderson Farms, Daffue’s new Pro V1x rolled into the cup at the 182-yard par-3 4th for a hole-in-one, the first ace for the new 2023 models. Playing his new Pro V1, Higgo led the field in birdies (24), closing in 4-under 68 on Sunday to finish one shot out of a playoff, his best finish on TOUR since June 2021.

“I was happy that I was allowed to play it because I really enjoyed it when I played with it at home,” said  Higgo, following his memorable performance. “I think the biggest thing was that it has a similar feel to the 21V1. I like the low spin, but it was a lot faster. So that made me really excited because I played the par-5s pretty well last week. So, if I could hit it long and straight, which I feel like with the V – with the less spin, more control – I hit it a lot straighter. So straight and far works.”

Choosing Between Pro V1 and Pro V1x: Pro V1 is the best ball for players seeking very low long game spin, more distance, penetrating and consistent flight, and Drop-and-Stop greenside control, all of which complements Pro V1’s very soft feel. Pro V1x is the best choice for golfers seeking higher flight and more spin, with a slightly firmer feel compared to Pro V1.

Colours and Play Numbers: White golf balls are available with play numbers 1-4, 5-8, and all the same play numbers 00 or 1-99. High optic yellow golf balls are available with play numbers 1-4.

Availability and Price: The new 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls will be available in Australia and New Zealand Golf Shops from January 25th 2023. Available in white (play numbers 1-4, 5-8 and all the same play numbers 00 or 1-99) and high optic yellow (play numbers 1-4).

Suggested retail price (SRP) Australia $84.95 & New Zealand $99.95.