Interesting Question About Older Ball Models

I was on the course today and found a like new 2005 Pro V1. I decided to play it for a few holes. On the first two holes I hit it as far or further than my best shots since the weather changed here in NJ. It got me thinking about the release of new models always claiming 5-10 yards further. If that were true the new 2011 model should be about 30-40 yards longer than the 2001 model and about 15-25 yards further than the 2005 I found today. Did I observe that? Not at all.

So my question is this: Is there really that much difference between the current ProV1 and say a 2005 ProV1?

No, if anything the 2005 model Pro V1 is probably LONGER and lower spinning. The newer balls are not longer but have a softer feel (generally speaking) and provide more greenside spin.

Look at PGA tour stats.... the pros were driving the ball the farthest in 2005 and 2006. Now, it is all about soft feel, SPIN, and control.

I tested out the new Callaway Tour IZ golf ball as an example... comparing it to the 2008 Callaway Tour IX. I hit 10 drives in an open field on my property with each ball. The Tour IX was longer on 8 out of the 10 balls! The Tour IZ was only longer on 2 out of its 10 balls. This is no great scientific experiment here - but i think it is worth noting that there is no more legal distance golf balls can really gain.... but certainly balls can improve the way they perform around the greens which is where you make your score.

i totally agree with you...i once found an old titleist professional 90! these things were played just before the 90's ended! i teed it up compared to a pro v1 09 model... i hit the pro v1 about 5-10 yards longer consistently...thats not very impressive considering the professional is about 12 years old, and a wound ball!!! i thought i was going to nuke the pro v1 about 30-40 yards difference but i didnt...btw my driver ss is about 105-110 and average about 280 yds...

Like most things... it's marketing hype. Sure, there is some minor improvements sometimes but... they are after the consumer $$$$$ - and how well would a new ball (which generally costs more than the previous model - not always but sometimes) that proclaimed that there was no new benefits.... sell??

[quote name='trackcoach13' timestamp='1290390089' post='2801717']
I was on the course today and found a like new 2005 Pro V1. I decided to play it for a few holes. On the first two holes I hit it as far or further than my best shots since the weather changed here in NJ. It got me thinking about the release of new models always claiming 5-10 yards further. If that were true the new 2011 model should be about 30-40 yards longer than the 2001 model and about 15-25 yards further than the 2005 I found today. Did I observe that? Not at all.

So my question is this: Is there really that much difference between the current ProV1 and say a 2005 ProV1?
[/quote]

Titleist reformulated the covers for these circa 2006 or 2007. The Pro V1 balls from 2002 through 2006 were practically indestructable. After the "improved" covers were put on the balls, the covers began to scuff. I smashed a 2003 Pro v1 off a maintenance shed and tree in successive shots and the ball had only a very small mark on it. I intentionally did the same thing with a 2007 (and later) Pro V1 and the cover showed marks, Even through the course of regular play, the 2007 Pro V1's would sheer.

Jeep used to have the quadratrack system in their 4-wheel drive vehicles. There was only one problem with this.... the Quadratrack system never had problems. Jeep could not sell aftermarket parts. My dad went into a local dealership in the early 1990's and the guy still had boxes of parts for the quadratrack system on the shelves,. The parts were over 20 years old. He had the original inventory. Jeep suddenly had their engineers "improve" the Quadratrack system. After that, the parts started to break down like normal car parts will. . I am not saying that Titleist did this so it could sell more balls (they wear out faster so you have to buy more often), but just something to think about.

The USGA Specifications for ball weight, size, max ball speed and other design factors hasn't changed... therefore a ball can't possbly travel farther that it did in 2005. At least not more than a yard or two.
The maximun flight distance for all USGA legal golf balls is approx 7 yards. (and thats with a 280 yard drive) Everything else is marketing hype and mis-information.

[quote name='trackcoach13' timestamp='1290390089' post='2801717']
I was on the course today and found a like new 2005 Pro V1. I decided to play it for a few holes. On the first two holes I hit it as far or further than my best shots since the weather changed here in NJ. It got me thinking about the release of new models always claiming 5-10 yards further. If that were true the new 2011 model should be about 30-40 yards longer than the 2001 model and about 15-25 yards further than the 2005 I found today. Did I observe that? Not at all.

So my question is this: Is there really that much difference between the current ProV1 and say a 2005 ProV1?
[/quote]


Compared to when I first started with golf, my initial length with the driver and with respect to development in clubs, shafts and ball I do now hit my drives a tad more than 800 yards as an average...

For some reason I think they are not completely honest regarding the improvement that will follow