2019 ProV1 vs ProV1x ... is it just the feel of the cover at this point?

When Matt from TXG (Tour Experience Golf) tested these balls out, they were virtually identical in performance. So is it really just down to whether you like a softer or firmer ball at this point?

What have you found in your experience?

He did not test the trajectory of the balls, just hit them indoors and let the launch monitor simulate the trajectory.

Titleist say the differences in the 2019 models are that Pro V1x flies higher and Pro V1 feels slightly less firm. Neither of those characteristics show up hitting balls into a net.

Titleist say the distance and spin differences in the 2019 are very small. The TXG confirms that (for Matt's swing at least) the spin numbers are extremely similar.

the difference between testing indoors. They are both great, it's just what you like

Sure, Matt isn't a robot, and he's hitting into a net. But the test seemed reasonably fair, and demonstrated there isn't a ton of difference in the two balls performance wise. Subtle differences at best. I think it's more of a feel decision now than before. It will be interesting to see where things go in 2021, if there's a new version of the balls coming out then.

I don't think it's just a softer feel; the V1x spins more off wedges than the V1. Not a ton, but more. Whether or not that's noticeable to a particular amateur golfer depends on the golfer.

As I understand it, there is pretty much a 50-50 split on Tour between the Titleist guys that play each version, and I think the wedge spin rates are the reason. If a Tour generates too much spin, they play the V1; if they want maxed out spin, the play the V1x, with the left dash V1x in between. Everything else about the performance of those two balls is pretty much the same.

As to "feel", I'd be stunned if any Tour player was choosing a golf ball because it "feels" soft. They might say that in an ad; they might even think that. But they are paying their mortgage based on what the ball will DO, and that's all about spin rates and consistency around the greens. The two ProV1's are the most consistent golf balls on the market, hands down, in independent testing .

Every recent test I've seen on the two latest pro-v models shows driver and wedge spin within 100-200 rpm of each other and 1-3 yards difference in distance. So basically it comes down to feel and trajectory differences.

Being a firmer ball, there usually will be ball speed differences. Matt was 2MPH faster with the V1x. The faster you swing, the bigger that difference is going to be.

I love the TXG guys, but the ball testing is BS beyond initial launch. It completely neglects the aerodynamic of the golf balls.

The biggest difference between the balls is trajectory. Pro V1x flies higher.

I’m pretty sure everyone watching the review understands the testing method at hand. The data TXG collect Is more about identifying the unique characteristics of each ball they hit. Just like when they tested Cut Blue or Mizuno RB Tour X and saw spin off the charts. That review was helpful for many players that struggle with low spin by giving them an option they may not have otherwise know about. But you still have to test the ball in the conditions you play in to learn if the ball is any benefit to your game.

Their method identifies unusual characteristics about one of maybe every six or eight balls they try. Most balls they have to really reach to find any difference to talk about, sometimes they just say it's a matter of most balls being pretty similar in terms of launch monitor numbers. But once in a while they find an outlier like RB Tour X with unusually high spin.

In terms of the Pro V1/Pro V1x franchise, Titleist has poured a decade of research and testing and who knows how much money into fine-tuning the two versions to have almost exactly the same ball speed, spin and distance with driver, irons and short game. In my opinion, they've succeeded in their rather unusual (apparent) goal is selling two balls that differ only in height of ball flight and feel at impact. Can't think of any other high-end ball range that wants to minimize (or by my judgement totally eliminate) every difference except height and feel.

But for whatever reason, that's what they've been working toward since about 2013. Any category of player from a Tour pro to a weekend hacker can choose the ProV version that has the feel and/or trajectory they prefer and know it will work just about as well as any ball out there. No tradeoffs. All the distance the Rules will allow, low spin on the driver, high spin on the wedge, medium-high spin on the irons, consistency and quality. It'll cost you four bucks a ball (give or take) but neither version is inferior in any way, just a little different flight and feel.