Titleist ProV1x vs. Callaway Tour ix - Independent Review

[generalbolg]

A long-winded comparison of the two.

Hey guys. I was bored at work and flipping through the board, and noticed there hasn't really been an in-depth comparison between the Callaway ix and the ProV1x. I've been playing ProV1x's for a while now, and found an ix one day and played a few good holes with it. So I decided to give it a chance, and for two months now have been switching back and forth between the two. These results were by no means done scientifically, and I have no launch monitor data to follow it up. Just based on playing 3-4 rounds a week with the two balls. To give you guys a feel, I am hovering around a 4 handicap, held back because I hate to practice putting. Oh well… Here it goes…



Driver



Using an Ft-i driver with a ss ~ 115



For me the Callaway ix is without a doubt the longest ball I have ever hit. This is most definitely due to reduced spin on my drives. I am not by any means a golfer who spins the ball a lot off the tee. In fact, quite the opposite. My drives could probably use a wee bit more spin, but I absolutely love the flat, boring trajectory. The ix exaggerated this. Hitting this ball, I felt no loss in carry distance, but the ball bounded down the fairway when it landed. Feel off the driver is soft and slightly muted, but never-the-less, powerful. This ball seems to want to fly straighter, it's more difficult to work, and heel/toe hits wanted to work gently back to the middle, instead of pronounced lateral movements. Only complaint would be that on mishits, the ball often does not generate enough backspin to maximize carry yardage.



ProV1x is a solid performer off the tee. Nearly as long as the Callaway ix. Most noticeable differences were in terms of spin and feel. For me, the Prov1x tended to spin a bit more off the tee. Ball flight seemed a touch higher, and carry yardage slightly increased. With this increased spin, the ball is slightly easier to work. Feel off the driver is more solid. Off the club face, it feels like you're hitting a noticeably firmer ball. Powerful. Difference between the two is preference, but I like the way the v1x feels better. Lateral movement with mishits was more pronounced, but carry distance seemed to increase.



Off the tee, the Callaway ball wins, hands down. It is the longest, straightest ball I have ever used. The proV1x is no slouch, and not too far behind. The tradeoff here is maybe 5-10 yards. If you need the extra distance, the ix would be worth trying.



Irons – 6 iron carry 185-190, 9 iron carry 145-150



I was shocked at the difference in how each of these balls performed of my irons. The most extensive comparative testing was done using 6 iron and 9 iron. Results were pretty much the same for each club. I am pretty picky about my trajectory. I am a very solid ball striker, and love to adjust my ball flight (high/low, cut/draw). For me, this is the most fun part of the game.



Ball flight with the ProV1x is perfect (IMO). Absolutely perfect. With a 6 iron, shots would launch mid-low, and climb to a mid high trajectory. Spin with the 6 iron was phenomenal. Balls landed a predictable distance, and released a predictable distance (with the exception of incredibly moist greens, the prov1 always seems to carry about 185, and finish 1-3 yards from ballmark). 9 iron performance was the same. Shots launched low, and floated onto the green, landed soft. Spin was a bit high, but that's not so bad. Trajectory was very simple to manipulate. Ball handles low ball flight, with and without spin incredibly well, and you can also hit moon shots with it. Feel was soft, yet solid. Buttery off forged irons.



The ix's ball flight was different. To me, the ball launched higher, more of a mid launch, and then flattened out at the apex. Spin seemed to be less than the ProV1x. As a result, I gained several yards on each club. This was frustrating at times, however, because distance control was much harder, especially with the longer clubs. The ball also tended to release different. Sometimes it would stay tight to my pitch mark, other times it would release 5 yards. With the shorter clubs, this was not as pronounced. Ball flight was still flat, but distance was more predictable. Shots were workable, but slightly less so than the ProV1x. It was more difficult to hit a low, spinning punch. The ball just does not spin as easily. Feel off irons was soft.



The difference between these two balls is not unlike the difference between Dynamic Gold's and Project X's. DG's launch lower and spin more, while Project X's launch higher, but with a flatter, more boring trajectory. What it comes down to is personal preference.



With any wind, I would choose the Callaway. It held its like remarkably well. The Titleist wasn't terrible in wind, it moved, but it was usually a predictable and consistent distance.



Wedges – SW carry 105-110



Both balls were fairly similar. Differences between them were not extreme. The Titleist did seem to spin more, but I felt that on full shots, spin was better managed with the Callaway. With the ix, it was one hop and stop pretty consistently, while with the Titleist it would often pull back a bit. Trajectory was pretty similar, the Callaway maybe being a touch higher. On partial shots, the Titleist won, hands down. It definitely grabbed more, and was easier to maneuver. The Callaway ball seemed to roll up the face a groove or two more before grabbing. Balls didn't stop as quick, and feel was less pronounced. Results with chipping were pretty much the same as partial wedge shots; the Titleist just performed better around the green.



Putting – Using White Hot 2 Ball and Yes! Dianna



This is completely subjective, and I am not a great putter, so I wouldn't listen to me on this one. The ProV1x felt better to me, firmer, with more feel. The Callaway was kind of blah. Hard to describe.



Durability



This is what I hate the most about the Titleist's. One good wedge shot and they are scuffed. I can't afford to replace my ball every 4 holes, so I generally just play them scuffed, begrudgingly of course. The ix really excels in this area. It can withstand an entire round worth of full wedge shots and show pretty minimal scuffing. You can easily play an entire round with the same ball. It even seemed to withstand cart paths pretty well. I would attach pictures, but I'm lazy...



Overall Impressions



These balls were surprisingly different to me. Each are marketed as a distance tour ball, but I was shocked at the Callaway's deficit in playability from within 50 yards. Callaway flew lower off the driver, with amazing roll and distance. Its flight was incredibly stable in wind, and remarkably straight, regardless of conditions. Off irons, it flew higher, with less spin, equating to more distance, but less predictable distance control. With full wedges each ball performed admirably. Both spin and trajectory were easily controlled. On partial shots, the ProV1x spun more and reacted predictably. Chipping proved the same results, with the Titleist checking up better. The Callaway was many times more durable than the Titleist. It also had a much softer feel off every club.



As much as I wanted to like the Callaway ball, and as much as I love bombing drives, the ball just doesn't suit me. The spin characteristics I like aren't there, and I don't particularly care for the ball flight with it. I think I'm going to give the Callaway i a quick try, but for now I am still searching for a solid ball. I would go out and buy ProV1x's but I just can't reason spending that much money for a ball that scuffs that easily.


If you made it this far, you deserve a medal. Hope this helps some people; it sure did kill some time at work…

[Merlin_T]

Wow! Very interesting, many thanks :)

[sleepy_augusto]

good review, not that long really because of good detail. thanks!

[Sakman]

Excellent review and attention to detail! I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the ProV1 vs. the Tour i as well.

[ColinMB]

Thanks for the 'medal'. :)

 

It's interesting hearing a '4' handicaps rating.

 

I have found with a sand wedge I am ok with the spin of the IX. The putting is different though. But the IX distance is very nice, and I play in a lot of wind.... on a links style course a lot, and man that IX is thing of beauty in the wind. (actually so is the LDP ball)

 

Oddly enough the IX performs very similar to the NXT Tour to me. People overlook it all the time though.

 

Nice review.

[RBfromMA]

Great read! Thanks for the details. Sounds like we have a similar game in some respects (3.1 hdcp but fighting my putter). For years I played the ProV1x and ProV1 but the durability had me looking elsewhere. Last season I was mostly playing the HX Tour (mixed results) but set out for a new ball this year. I started the year with the TM LDP Red and liked the distance off the tee, playability in wind and feel off the irons. Overall that is a great ball. The new Tour i intrigued me though so I bought a couple sleeves and that is what I am testing now. So far so good I have to say. I am very curious to hear your review on the Tour i. Keep 'em coming!