Let's Revisit This Thread: Is The Pro V1 in Trouble?

Here's the thread.

https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1743314/is-the-pro-v1-in-trouble#latest

And here's the latest ball counts for tournament wins.

https://Not allowed Per Todaysgolfer's UK request/features/equipment-features/2019/march/which-golf-ball-brand-has-the-most-wins-on-tour-this-season/

Is anyone still wondering if the Pro V1 is in trouble?

I'd say Titleist is in big trouble. Based on the link provided, they're second to Callaway despite having significantly more tour wins and despite winning significantly more money. Seems to me like there is a deep bias against Titleist in hopes to dethrone their title as the Number 1 ball in golf.

Haha as soon as Titleist balls started winning more tourneys that other thread died quickly!

> @scotty_2987 said:

> Haha as soon as Titleist balls started winning more tourneys that other thread died quickly!

I wondered if I was the only one that noticed that. Funny how that works.

The Pro V1 is never going to be in "trouble", but they may see a decrease in sales as other manufacturers up their game.

I’m curious if/when Bridgestone or TM pass Callaway for #2

Pros don’t buy balls. Show me their year over year market share. That will give you the pulse.

BbUT tHeY xRaY aLL oF TheIR BaLls u gUyS

This past weekend Woodland won using a ProV1 after switching from the Bridgestone tour ball (can't remember which one). I haven't found a source that says why he changed but he did for some reason because his only real deals are with Wilson and Puma

The ProV1 will not die for a long time. Simply put, for your average joe, it is the pinnacle of the golf ball options. You see more serious golfers looking elsewhere, whether to save on cost or performance, but Titleist will be more than a staple in the ball community for many many years to come.

> @Llortamaisey said:

> Pros don’t buy balls. Show me their year over year market share. That will give you the pulse.

That wasn't what the original thread I linked to was about. But I would like to see that as well.

> @Llortamaisey said:

> Pros don’t buy balls. Show me their year over year market share. That will give you the pulse.

Crazy thing is, out of the 15-20 "good" golfers I play with, I'd say 80-90% play the ProV1/V1x and it's because they aren't sure (or don't believe) that other manufacturer's have caught them. I still get people giving me a look when I tell them the Z Star I play is every bit as good as the ProV1, as if it was 2011 and people weren't sure... yet. Titleist's marketing program, and getting the ball into the good juniors hands, is so strong I don't see them losing too much ground any time soon. It's kind of like Nike with basketball shoes. Are they better, or do more of the top players just wear them because they're paid to? We all know the answer.

No one is in any trouble but, know that the “budget balls” and DTC market is gaining huge growth with the likes of Snell, Vice, etc etc. Their popularity can’t be ignored.

The ProV1 and X are as expensive as they are because of the pros that signed on to play them and get paid. And they’ll keep that price high because of all the traditionalists out there that will not play another ball.

Case and point: I played in NH last year. Brought TP5 From San Diego to the 4-5 courses I played and never saw another Taylormade ball out there. PROV1, Titleist, Callaways and cheaper balls were all fished from the woods.

No one is in trouble. You just need to chill. It’s all good. Golf is good.

For all the chatter the DTC balls get on golf forums I have yet to see a Vice, Snell or even the mythical Ksig out on an actual course. Over the last 5 years that covers more than a dozen courses ranging from South Carolina, Ontario, Quebec and all of the Atlantic provinces of Canada.

Like the above post I have seen none of the above balls. But I did find an original Kirkland in my course last month.

> @Bad9 said:

> For all the chatter the DTC balls get on golf forums I have yet to see a Vice, Snell or even the mythical Ksig out on an actual course. Over the last 5 years that covers more than a dozen courses ranging from South Carolina, Ontario, Quebec and all of the Atlantic provinces of Canada.

I saw a Ksig mixed in with range balls a couple weeks ago. First time seeing any of them on course and I haven’t seen any of the dtc other than the oncore balls I’ve donated to the trees on the courses

I've seen plenty of K-Sig's (both the original and 3 piece), but maybe that's because I'm in the home of Costco? I've also played with two people who used Vice, and found a couple more on the course. The only Snell's I've seen are the ones I've played. That being said, I've found very few and played with very few people who aren't using Titleist or Callaway.

Titleist's ball market share was down 8% in 2018 compared to 2017.

I routinely find both Snell's and Kirklands. Found four from Snell this week alone (Get Sum, 2 MTB Black and 1 MTB X).

> @Bad9 said:

> For all the chatter the DTC balls get on golf forums I have yet to see a Vice, Snell or even the mythical Ksig out on an actual course. Over the last 5 years that covers more than a dozen courses ranging from South Carolina, Ontario, Quebec and all of the Atlantic provinces of Canada.

I've been playing Snell for 3 years now, and have converted a few others. Of course, you don't see them lying around because they go so straight. (And of course I'm making that up, I believe I'm making Dean's boat payment with my own purchases alone)

> @Bad9 said:

> For all the chatter the DTC balls get on golf forums I have yet to see a Vice, Snell or even the mythical Ksig out on an actual course. Over the last 5 years that covers more than a dozen courses ranging from South Carolina, Ontario, Quebec and all of the Atlantic provinces of Canada.

... 107 rounds in 117 days last winter in Phoenix and I have seen plenty of lost Kirklands and a distant second is Vice, having found maybe 5 total. I have certainly lost a few but I have never found a lost Snell.

Call me crazy, but I'd venture to guess that Snell's will be harder to find because those that buy them are more likely to be better golfers and less likely to hit shots that result in lost balls. That is, how many recreational golfers even know Snell even exists? Chances are the gear and ball junkies (who typically tend to be better golfers) who play all the time are the only people who really know about Snell, whereas Joe Couchjockey who plays four times a year knows all about the Pro V1.

> @Philomathesq said:

> Call me crazy, but I'd venture to guess that Snell's will be harder to find because those that buy them are more likely to be better golfers and less likely to hit shots that result in lost balls. That is, how many recreational golfers even know Snell even exists? Chances are the gear and ball junkies (who typically tend to be better golfers) who play all the time are the only people who really know about Snell, whereas Joe Couchjockey who plays four times a year knows all about the Pro V1.

>

Assuming that “gear and ball junkies” are “better golfers” is a real reach. In fact the correlation is quite the opposite in my experience.

> @Philomathesq said:

> Call me crazy, but I'd venture to guess that Snell's will be harder to find because those that buy them are more likely to be better golfers and less likely to hit shots that result in lost balls. That is, how many recreational golfers even know Snell even exists? Chances are the gear and ball junkies (who typically tend to be better golfers) who play all the time are the only people who really know about Snell, whereas Joe Couchjockey who plays four times a year knows all about the Pro V1.

>

... OK, you are crazy ; ) I play to a + index and can certainly lose a ball on any given day, especially in the Phoenix deserts as well as the insanely deep rough the record rains have produced here in the midwest. I played with a Mini Tour winner in Orlando that lost 3 balls in one round, mostly because he was driving the ball well over 300yds challenging and bringing in hazards that aren't there for the average Joe.

> @Bad9 said:

> For all the chatter the DTC balls get on golf forums I have yet to see a Vice, Snell or even the mythical Ksig out on an actual course. Over the last 5 years that covers more than a dozen courses ranging from South Carolina, Ontario, Quebec and all of the Atlantic provinces of Canada.

And I've seen all of those on my little 9 hole goat track here in Oregon.

> @rgk5 said:

> Titleist's ball market share was down 8% in 2018 compared to 2017.

That's pretty significant.

> @soregongolfer said:

> > @rgk5 said:

> > Titleist's ball market share was down 8% in 2018 compared to 2017.

> That's pretty significant.

Callaway and Srixon have been eroding Titleist's market.

I think it’s good for us consumers that there are so many good options in different price brackets, it helps to keep the big boys on their toes. I’ve played Pro V1, TP5, Chrome soft and Bridgestone over the last 3 years since getting back into golf. At my level (13) all are great just depends on what feel you want.

I hardly ever see a Kirkland as there isnt a costco anywhere near where I play golf. A few guys play Snell at my course. Of the Top Tier balls, Tity still dominates around here followed by TM then Bridgestone. Nike tour balls were always nonexistent here when they were still made.

> @rgk5 said:

> > @soregongolfer said:

> > > @rgk5 said:

> > > Titleist's ball market share was down 8% in 2018 compared to 2017.

> > That's pretty significant.

>

> Callaway and Srixon have been eroding Titleist's market.

putting out crappy ball like Tour Soft didn't help either