West Coast Validation for New Pro V1 and Pro V1x

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  1. Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

    Rick V., Team Titleist Staff
    Duxbury, MA

    Team Titleist Staff


    Hey, Team Titleist!

    I recently had the opportunity to visit the west coast to help with an important undertaking for us at Titleist – the global validation of the new 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. Validation is the final stage in golf ball product development, a broad and extensive final test that 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x had to pass before we could bring the new models to market in January.

    White boxes signify test models at Titleist – like...
    White boxes signify test models at Titleist – like the Prototype 388 and Prototype 348 models that members of the CSUMB men's golf team put to the test at the Bayonet and Blackhorse courses in Seaside, CA.1/12
    The first hole at Black Horse is a long uphill...
    The first hole at Black Horse is a long uphill par-5. Luke W. hit a great long bunker shot, hitting his Prototype 348 model to four feet.2/12
    Textbook form from Noah K. with a mid-iron at...
    Textbook form from Noah K. with a mid-iron at Blackhorse No. 2. Noah tested both the Prototype 388 and Prototype 348 models.3/12
    Coach Jason Owen birdied the third hole and led...
    Coach Jason Owen birdied the third hole and led the way off the downhill fourth hole. Currently a 2021 Pro V1x player, Jason tested the Prototype 348 model.4/12
    Luke hit a great wedge into No. 4 but the...
    Luke hit a great wedge into No. 4 but the hole's main defense is an extremely fast, tricky green, a common theme on both the Bayonet and Blackhorse courses.5/12
    The group took a brief detour onto Bayonet to play...
    The group took a brief detour onto Bayonet to play a quick loop before heading towards the ocean holes on Blackhorse. Here, Tommy K. hit a piercing cut with his Prototype 388 on Bayonet No. 10.6/12
    No. 8 on Blackhorse is a 613-yard par-5 that runs...
    No. 8 on Blackhorse is a 613-yard par-5 that runs straight towards the Pacific. Jason put himself in perfect position for this flighted distance wedge.7/12
    All four players showed that they're skilled...
    All four players showed that they're skilled in all phases of the game. Here Tommy stares down a birdie putt on Blackhorse No. 8.8/12
    Noah gave it a rip on No. 9, a par-4 that runs...
    Noah gave it a rip on No. 9, a par-4 that runs back up the hill, parallel to No. 8.9/12
    The drive is only half the battle on No. 9, which...
    The drive is only half the battle on No. 9, which requires great spin control to avoid spinning you approach shot back off the false front of this steeply pitched green.10/12
    As the weather turned cool and windy later in the...
    As the weather turned cool and windy later in the day, the group finished on Bayonet. Here, Luke fights a strong crosswind on the 223-yard par-3 17th.11/12
    Sincere thanks to (from left to right) Noah,...
    Sincere thanks to (from left to right) Noah, Tommy, Jason and Luke. Go Otters!12/12

    I walked alongside some very talented golfers at two amazing facilities – the Bayonet and Blackhorse courses in Seaside, CA and Pasatiempo Golf Course in Santa Cruz, CA. It was it was a lot of fun to tag along and see what the new products could do in the hands of these accomplished players, and they provided some valuable insights into the performance of the late-stage prototypes that they tested – the Prototype 388 (which would become the New Pro V1) and the Prototype 348 (which would become the New Pro V1x). Here's just some of the feedback they provided:

    "I like to play a low fade when I try to hit the ball straighter. I really liked how the new X reacted on that drive. With the new ball, that shot had less spin and went farther than with the previous model. That allowed me to hit my fairway-finder, without losing too much distance."

    – Luke W. (New Pro V1x)| Blackhorse Course

    . . .

    "Something that stood out the most to me was the short-range distance wedge shots. Although I wasn’t at a yardage to generate enough compression to get enough spin normally from short range distance, with the new ball I noticed I was able to get the ball to react more around the hole even in short-sided situations. For example, I had a 40-yard wedge shot to a front pin that you do not want to go pass of because of the green speeds. I was able to keep the ball short of the hole while still being able to fly it on the green. For my game these types of shots are very crucial if you’d like to shoot low numbers."

    – Kris S. (New Pro V1)| Pasatiempo

    . . .

    "I liked how the golf ball was easier to control when hitting different shaped shots like fades or draws. With the old Pro V1x, I would get too much side spin creating bigger fades and draws than I would like. This new golf ball creates lower long game spin which keeps the ball on a tighter line while still keeping high short game spin and a softer feel. I was super excited that I was chosen to be a part of the validation process of the Titleist Proto 388 and 348. Titleist is by far the best in the game, and I’m honored to be a part of the team."

    – Kiara R. (New Pro V1x)| Pasatiempo

    •••

    For a full recap of my west coast validation experience, please check out this TT blog article.

    Have you had a chance to experience the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls? Please share your thoughts and hear what other players from around the world have to say on our Pro V1 and Pro V1x Validation page.

  2. RTaylor

    RTaylor

    Fantastic review of the validation experience! Another reason Titleist is by far the number one ball in golf! I have already put both new balls in play and really like them both, I tend to play ProV1X more often, but really like the slightly lower and more penetrating flight of new ProV1 in windy conditions. Thanks for making such great products!

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