Vice Pro: the pros and cons

[me05501]

I recently compared over a dozen balls and have ended up committing to the Vice Pro for 2023. 

 

Pros: I really like the feel of these balls. The spin is exactly what I expect out of a ball and these fly off my driver as well as anything I've tried. The ball spins less with driver than a Pro V1 but more than a ProV1X. I also love the oddball paint schemes, with the lime green and orange blend balls being especially easy to spot against dormant fairways. Using the volume discount the $28 price is pretty unbeatable. I've happily paid $35/dozen at Target when in need.

 

Cons: There's really only one that I can find so far and that's the durability of the color. Not the *cover* mind you...just the color. It seems like the paint tends to chip off during normal use and it's not unusual to see some white spots on a green ball after nine holes. I can see where that puts some people off and could be chalked up as a lack of quality. Of course anyone who wants to play them in solid white has that option and will probably notice less "damage" after their round. I still like my funny colors. 

Edited January 10, 2023 by me05501

[cardigan]

58 minutes ago, me05501 said:

I recently compared over a dozen balls and have ended up committing to the Vice Pro for 2023. 

 

Pros: I really like the feel of these balls. The spin is exactly what I expect out of a ball and these fly off my driver as well as anything I've tried. The ball spins less with driver than a Pro V1 but more than a ProV1X. I also love the oddball paint schemes, with the lime green and orange blend balls being especially easy to spot against dormant fairways. Using the volume discount the $28 price is pretty unbeatable. I've happily paid $35/dozen at Target when in need.

 

Cons: There's really only one that I can find so far and that's the durability of the color. Not the *cover* mind you...just the color. It seems like the paint tends to chip off during normal use and it's not unusual to see some white spots on a green ball after nine holes. I can see where that puts some people off and can be chalked up as a lack of quality. Of course anyone who wants to play them in solid white has that option and will probably notice less "damage" after their round. I still like my funny colors. 

 

I'd say it's likely more of a cost saving measure for the non-white balls than a quality issue.  The standard white pigment in the covers of all of the balls but different colors in the paint.  With all of the colors that they offer, having different pigments in the covers themselves probably isn't realistic costwise for cast urethane balls. I used to see the same thing with the matte green Maxfli Tour balls before they discontinued them.    

[me05501]

3 minutes ago, cardigan said:

 

I'd say it's likely more of a cost saving measure for the non-white balls than a quality issue.  The standard white pigment in the covers of all of the balls but different colors in the paint.  With all of the colors that they offer, having different pigments in the covers themselves probably isn't realistic costwise for cast urethane balls. I used to see the same thing with the matte green Maxfli Tour balls before they discontinued them.    

 

Thanks...I adjusted the bolded part in my OP because I intended to imply that while some might see it as a lack of quality, personally I do not. 

[MtlJeff]

Hey OP---I was actually thinking of starting a Vice Pro thread but saw this one

 

I tested every major 2023 "non X" ball this winter on trackman also. And amazingly to me, the Vice Pro came out the winner (Full disclosure, the TP5 was also a standout and was essentially a numbers tie, but i prefer the feel of the Vice)

 

One thing that i noticed consistently vs the other big ball companies, was that the Vice was slightly higher launching with comparable spin. Like with most irons i noticed like a 1.0 degree difference between highest and lowest launching balls, with the Vice Pro being the highest. This is pretty interesting for when it comes to approaching greens. I saw this consistently. 

 

The Vice also performed as well as anything other than the TP5 in terms of total distance. (i ran a NCAA tournament style bracket at one point between the balls). In a head to head matchup with the Pro V1 over like 100 swings--The Vice Pro launched higher, spun more, and went further with every club. It was an absolute slaughter. 

 

This is a very legit ball. For the price IMO it's the best ball on the market, at least for normative/good swingers. 

[minhjn]

I picked up a few dozen Vice Pros when they were on sale at Sam's club, and I've been pleasantly surprised.

 

It's been pretty comparable to the Bridgestone BXS for me, I might even like it a little better on the irons since I get a little more height and spin. I tend to deloft and compress my irons a lot and I gravitate towards balls that get more iron spin and these fit the bilL

[me05501]

17 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

Hey OP---I was actually thinking of starting a Vice Pro thread but saw this one

 

I tested every major 2023 "non X" ball this winter on trackman also. And amazingly to me, the Vice Pro came out the winner (Full disclosure, the TP5 was also a standout and was essentially a numbers tie, but i prefer the feel of the Vice)

 

One thing that i noticed consistently vs the other big ball companies, was that the Vice was slightly higher launching with comparable spin. Like with most irons i noticed like a 1.0 degree difference between highest and lowest launching balls, with the Vice Pro being the highest. This is pretty interesting for when it comes to approaching greens. I saw this consistently. 

 

The Vice also performed as well as anything other than the TP5 in terms of total distance. (i ran a NCAA tournament style bracket at one point between the balls). In a head to head matchup with the Pro V1 over like 100 swings--The Vice Pro launched higher, spun more, and went further with every club. It was an absolute slaughter. 

 

This is a very legit ball. For the price IMO it's the best ball on the market, at least for normative/good swingers. 

 

It does seem to launch a bit higher off the driver than most balls. I don't mind it. 

[pgheaja]

I played Vice Pro all of last year, mostly in the lime color and some orange shade.  I had color issues as described above when I hit a cart path or tree.  Otherwise the color stayed in tact.  I think it's a great ball and you cannot beat the price.  

[Double K]

It will be my ball for at least the first two rounds of 2023, because I bought the double dozen on sale at Sam's club. 

[el_caporal]

Expect to play same, strayed a while and didn’t find better… was equally happy w/ TP5 performance, but thought durability was down, and not worth cost difference. Same thoughts on ProV and Bridgestone. Love… but no marked difference, especially taking cost into account. 

 

Put below box together for garage mat. So far, and it’s just feel (no launch monitor)… confirms Vice Pro. Only other ball I thought to try was Cut, but not worried I’m missing much, after reading more, and knowing how well Vice treats me. For a “vanilla” dude, I’m digging Drip… thought it may be distracting. 
 

[this_is_golf]

The added shipping cost on the Vice Pro bumps the per dozen price up over the Maxfli Tour, so I’m leaning that way. 
 

EDIT: I should have mentioned I’m comparing the Vice 5 doz price to the Maxfli Tour 4 doz price. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by this_is_golf

[Longdriver295]

23 minutes ago, this_is_golf said:

The added shipping cost on the Vice Pro bumps the per dozen price up over the Maxfli Tour, so I’m leaning that way. 

I've about come to the conclusion that the DTC balls are now only 5 bucks or so cheaper than premium Brand tour balls. So just as well pay the Few bucks and play the Premium Brands.

[stevegp]

Does Vice have a flat shipping rate? If not, does anyone know what their rate is for for shipping 5 dozen golf balls to New Jersey?

 

[this_is_golf]

7 minutes ago, stevegp said:

Does Vice have a flat shipping rate? If not, does anyone know what their rate is for for shipping 5 dozen golf balls to New Jersey?

 

Put them in the cart and check shipping but it’s $7 for me in NH. 

[stevegp]

Thanks. I'll do that.

[me05501]

Several have recommended I try the Maxfli pro balls. I'm sure they're solid and the price is great. I just can't stand the graphics on them. I know that's a silly reason not to play a ball, but there's just too much ink on them IMO. It's distracting. 

[Ger21]

On 1/23/2023 at 9:02 AM, me05501 said:

Several have recommended I try the Maxfli pro balls. I'm sure they're solid and the price is great. I just can't stand the graphics on them.

The new Maxfli's have better graphics, but they raised the price.

[wantacigar]

On 1/22/2023 at 10:15 PM, this_is_golf said:

The added shipping cost on the Vice Pro bumps the per dozen price up over the Maxfli Tour, so I’m leaning that way. 
 

EDIT: I should have mentioned I’m comparing the Vice 5 doz price to the Maxfli Tour 4 doz price. 

5 doz. vice tour: $144.95 + $7 Shipping = $151.95 / 5 = $30.39 per doz.

4 doz. Maxfli Tour = $119.98 w/free shipping = 30.00 per doz for the 2021/2022 model

2 doz. 2023 Maxfli Tour 2 for $70 no free shipping = $35 per doz. for store pickup.  No free shipping offered on this model.

 

As long as the supplies last for the 2021/2022 Maxfli Tour it's essentially the same price as the Vice Pro.  

 

I play the Maxfli Tour right now but when it comes time to buy more than 2 doz. I will likely go with the Vice.  I will pick up a double dozen of the new model just to see if there is any difference.

 

You can still get the 2020 model Elixr for $$28/doz for 3 doz. or $26/doz for 6 doz. The 2020 model is a 3 piece cast urethane.  The 2022 model is a 3 piece TPU urethane cover for same price.

 

 

[Ger21]

You have to stock up on Black Friday. Vice Pro for $26 delivered when you buy 6 dozen.

I was playing 2019 Maxfli Tour's that I got 2 for $40.

[dbdors]

2 hours ago, wantacigar said:

5 doz. vice tour: $144.95 + $7 Shipping = $151.95 / 5 = $30.39 per doz.

4 doz. Maxfli Tour = $119.98 w/free shipping = 30.00 per doz for the 2021/2022 model

2 doz. 2023 Maxfli Tour 2 for $70 no free shipping = $35 per doz. for store pickup.  No free shipping offered on this model.

 

As long as the supplies last for the 2021/2022 Maxfli Tour it's essentially the same price as the Vice Pro.  

 

I play the Maxfli Tour right now but when it comes time to buy more than 2 doz. I will likely go with the Vice.  I will pick up a double dozen of the new model just to see if there is any difference.

 

You can still get the 2020 model Elixr for $$28/doz for 3 doz. or $26/doz for 6 doz. The 2020 model is a 3 piece cast urethane.  The 2022 model is a 3 piece TPU urethane cover for same price.

 

 

ScoreCard members get, "Free Shipping on Orders $49 or More"  So 2 doz of the 2023 will get you free shipping.  No cost to be a member.

[FiveByEagle]

On 1/19/2023 at 10:26 AM, pgheaja said:

I played Vice Pro all of last year, mostly in the lime color and some orange shade.  I had color issues as described above when I hit a cart path or tree.  Otherwise the color stayed in tact.  I think it's a great ball and you cannot beat the price.  

Just got my 5dz Orange Shades - 

 

Hoping they hold up OK.

[Stephens24]

Which is the lower flight option in the pro vs pro plus?

Edited January 27, 2023 by Stephens24

[Pepperturbo]

The other day, I found a brand-new pretty Vice Pro.  Never seen one before.  But I can only deduce, given where it was found, they don't fly very straight and or take direction well.  🤣

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

The other day, I found a brand-new pretty Vice Pro.  Never seen one before.  But I can only deduce, given where it was found, they don't fly very straight and or take direction well.  🤣

Really dumb statement, but not surprising. I mean nobody ever finds Pro V’s, CS, TP5, or BX balls off target….  Just like every other golf ball they do EXACTLY what the club face tells it to.

Edited January 28, 2023 by hammergolf

[Pepperturbo]

16 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Really dumb statement, but not surprising. I mean nobody ever finds Pro V’s, CS, TP5, or BX balls off target….  Just like every other golf ball they do EXACTLY what the club face tells it to.

Read yourself in, hay... LOL,  Fragile fellas don't last long in the lock room.

[SteelieD]

I found an orange shade Vice Pro the other day and while it’s a really obnoxious looking ball, I did like how well I could see it (I’m old). 
 

As for performance, if I wasn’t so well stocked up on balls, I would definitely play this ball. It performed very well for me. Hardly discernible between this and the PV1. 

[hammergolf]

59 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Read yourself in, hay... LOL,  Fragile fellas don't last long in the lock room.

Neither do jerks.

[Pepperturbo]

9 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Neither do jerks.

Strange reason to get your panties in a wad...

[hammergolf]

2 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Strange reason to get your panties in a wad...

Panties aren’t in a wad. Just responding to your normal egotistical, condescending, and  ignorant statements. 

[Pepperturbo]

11 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Panties aren’t in a wad. Just responding to your normal egotistical, condescending, and  ignorant statements. 

If you don't me or what I write, ignore me and the posts, that's the adult thing to do.  Otherwise, you must be codependent...sad.

[hammergolf]

2 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

If you don't me or what I write, ignore me and the posts, that's the adult thing to do.  Otherwise, you must be codependent...sad.

Funny, you reply to my post telling me to ignore you and that I’m codependent…. That works both ways. Btw, the adult thing to do is to not be condescending and arrogant to other posters here.