Pro V1x vs Cally iX vs TM TP Black LDP

[DLiver]

On course shootout

I have been playing the Cally HX Tour for the past few years, and now play the Cally iX. I have tried some other balls and decided to have a side by side shoot-out. I went out to my club this evening and hit a bunch of shots with each of these three balls. The overall conclusion? These are three great balls, and the differences between them are minor. I hit multiple drives on several different holes. I hit all of the drives pretty well. The fairways were on the soft side, and temps were in the low 70s. I hit a dozen or so hybrids from 200-210. Half were from the fairway, the other half were from the tee. I hit a bunch of 7, 8 and 9 iron approaches on three different holes. FTR, I'm a 0 HC and hit the ball decently. My driver SS is around 105, and my 8 iron goes 150-155.

Driver distance: I hit the longest drives with the Pro V 1x, but I got the most inconsistent trajectory with it (BTW, there was perhaps a 5 yard difference from longest to shortest ball on each hole i tried, and there was no consistent "longest ball"). I think the best driving ball was probably the TP Black, but by the slimmest of margins. The TP Black was the easiest to curve.

From 200 yards, these balls all were outstanding. From 205 I hit both the Cally and the Pro V to 12 feet on a par 5 hole. On a long par three, I hit the TM to 10 feet.

Short irons: The Pro V was just a hair longer off the irons, but also was the least consistent distance-wise. The TM was slightly shorter, with the Cally being in the middle.

Other factors: The Pro V flew the highest, and seemed to do best off mishits. The Pro V also putted the worst. The TM was the best rolling ball, with the Cally right behind it.

So who wins? Heck if I know. The Pro V 1x is a MUCH better ball now than it was when I used to play it a few years ago. I think it has a greater WOW factor than the others, but that may not be a good thing. The Cally iX has been my ball this season, but there have been times where it just seems a little hard and not "spinney" enough on mid irons. The TM was probably the best all around performer, and will get a further tryout. My only reservation about the TM is that it does like to curve more than the others.

Although it wasn't windy today, the Cally iX is the best wind ball I've ever played. That's a big deal in my book.

One thing is for sure: these are all outstanding golf balls.

[wpfisher]

I guess different strokes for different folks . . . I am with you on the Callaway IX, but I HATE the new prov1x. It has zero durability and, atleast for me, is shorter on everyclub than the Callaway. The first prov1x imo was the best; I guess thats why DL3 and David Toms stocked up on them.

[Simp]

That's actually a very good and honest review. Personally, I think that you can't go wrong with either of these balls and personally, I don't think that anyone could tell a difference between these 3 balls if their life depended on it. Anyone that says they can is either a tour pro or thinks they are. Good review!

[wpfisher]

I am not a tour pro, nor do I think I am but only a blind person couldn't tell the difference between these two pictures courtesy of one Joe Kwok . . .

 

[Jim Marshall]

You did not mention the Nike Black/Platinum pair which I think fall in the same category but must be losing market share given the recent price reductions. Having also tried all the balls you mentioned I have to agree with you the differences are minimal and all are good - it seems that golf balls truly follow the "you get what you pay for" rule.

 

It was interesting that you mentioned the Pro V1x is better now than in the past - I noticed that the new Pro V1x has a some larger dimples in its mix than the Pro V1 in addition to the softer outer layer.

[Simp]

Well, I've played both of the balls in Joe's picture and I can tell you that no ball I've ever played has looked like the ball on the right. I'm sure the damage was done with a wedge and I play the TM Z groove wedges, which should chew balls up and spit them out like yesterdays garbage, but they haven't. Either I'm doing something wrong by not chewing balls up at a ridiculous rate, or I'm doing something right by not chewing balls up at a ridiculous rate. :)

[MuskieCy]

One more entry:

 

Bridgestone 330.

 

No floating, just a driving trajectory with all clubs.

 

B^)

[wpfisher]

I have hit both balls with a spin milled, and a tour authentic callaway and x forged, all 60* and its all the same. The new prov1x is just not a durable ball. I think most people on here would agree.

[Go_Blue!]

One more entry:

 

Bridgestone 330.

 

No floating, just a driving trajectory with all clubs.

 

B^)

 

 

I have been playing the B330-S as well as the Cally ix and i got to say i agree with you on the b-stones....these are really great balls. They penetrate nicely and it seems to be that i never get inconsistent play with them. Just my .02

[mrlogsdon29]

So what do we think is the most durable ball out of the ProV1x and B330 and the other comparable balls?

 

My MD grooves just eat golf balls and I don't really care what premium ball I play.

[craz-e]

I have tried all balls you mention and found the Pro V1x to be easily the best putting ball, just goes to show everyones taste and feel is different.

Also quite enjoyed hitting the Taylormade Black LDP, very good ball as well as the Red.

Didn't take to the Callaway at all though, looking forward to hitting the softer i when available.

 

Thanks for the post!

[SJWDR]

Hi,

 

In favour for pro v1 x version here (just like the feel long game and putting); however, I do prefer the last version compared to the 2008 version (optic and feel) for some reason. Just my 2 cents.

 

Best regards

SJW

[DLiver]

Today I played a round with a bag full of different balls (well, the three balls mentioned in my first post). I started off with the Pro V1x, but switched to the TP Black after two holes. The TP Black was outstanding--it did everything well. It was very long off the tee (I hit 11/12 FIR with it, and the one I missed I hit well but had lined up wrong ), terrific off the irons and putted well. Trajectory, spin and feel were all perfect. I think I'm going to be playing this one for a while.

[rbmercer]

Today I played a round with a bag full of different balls (well, the three balls mentioned in my first post). I started off with the Pro V1x, but switched to the TP Black after two holes. The TP Black was outstanding--it did everything well. It was very long off the tee (I hit 11/12 FIR with it, and the one I missed I hit well but had lined up wrong ), terrific off the irons and putted well. Trajectory, spin and feel were all perfect. I think I'm going to be playing this one for a while.

how would you compare the trajectory of the black? I am looking for something in between Pro V & V1X.

[DLiver]

I'd have to play both of these balls a lot more to discern any difference in trajectory. If I had to guess, I'd say the Pro V1x flies slightly higher.

[bjgolfer]

When you say you are tearing up the X, it is because the core is harder so the outer layer and cover takes the beating when there is contact with a wedge. Correct??? SO I am a little slower that a tour pro ( play a draw with a shallow attack), so I dont compress the balls as much as you guys but like the amount of spin I get off it, I dont like back spin. I have no use for it. A quick check is just fine with me. SO really if is all down to individual player chararistics to which ball spins and reacts the right amount.

 

That is why I might never be happy with any ball. You area always looking for that little edge. I feel I can not go wrong with a titleist ball, they would not put out a bad ball.

 

brad

[AcesAZ]

I have hit both balls with a spin milled, and a tour authentic callaway and x forged, all 60* and its all the same. The new prov1x is just not a durable ball. I think most people on here would agree.

 

You're right, the Prov1 and prov1x are both chewed up by wedges alot easier than the HX Tour or IX. They do spin a little more though but since I have to pay for my own balls I usually play the HX Tour/IX since they are more durable. I do have quite a few ProV1x's though but I got them from Pro Shop credits.

[FlyFish]

The Callway Tour ix is a best wind ball by far.

 

The Pro V1X almost spins too much with full short iron and wedge shots - sucking them back on the green when I don't want it to. The Callaway Tour ix is a check once and release kind of ball which is what I prefer for chipping. Also, the Pro V1X durability is lousy like others have noted.

 

I tried the TM Red LP and it really gets pushed around by the wind.

[mnavarro]

I game the Taylormade black, but I've also tried the callaway tour i. On chipping the ball just checked way more than I was used too. Maybe the tour ix checks less. I haven't tried the LDP version of it, but perhaps thats what I will be gaming next when I run out of my current supply.

[DLiver]

As a follow-up, I have been playing the iX full time. I have a couple TM LDP reds sitting on the counter that I may try out, and the Cally i has me interested, but I spin the iX just the right amount. I don't want to have to be worrying about whether my chips are going to spin too much or not.

 

The iX is a great ball for me.