Callaway Tour I & Tour IX vs. Titleist ProV1 & ProV1x

laxbc101 · July 4, 2008

how do they compare?

I've heard great things about both lines of balls. Which do you like and why?

bradkv · July 7, 2008

I can't compare the Tour i and the ProV1, as I haven't had much time with either ball. However, I can compare the ix to the V1x.

For me, the ix is longer by about 8-10 yards due to the lower spin off the driver. However, thankfully it is only a shade longer, maybe 1/2 club, off the irons, with still less spin than the V1x. One beef I always had with both versions of the V1x was the spin particularly off the wedges.

On the other hand, the performance within say 70 yards of the green is better with the V1x due to the increased spin. The ix does not spin as much on chips and partial swings as the V1x, but still spins enough to stop. I guess the easiest way to describe this is that the V1x, from 70 yards with a LW for me will hit and bounce about 3 feet and stop dead, while the ix will fly lower, bounce a couple feet further, and stop. Not a major difference, but noticeable still.

The ix is far better in the wind than the V1x, holding its line and trajectory much better.

Off the putter, the V1x is softer, while the ix is still soft, but just a little more "click" than the V1x.

Overall, I prefer the ix. It spins less in the "scoring zone" than the V1x, but after playing with it for a couple rounds, it still performs well enough to adjust to. I actually really like the fact that I can't get this ball to suck back with my wedges more than about 10 feet, while I have spun the V1x off a few greens in the past. This was why I began looking for a new ball in the first place. With the added length off the driver, the reduced full swing spin off the wedges, and a nice feel off the putter, I'll be happy to sacrifice just a touch of greenside spin. Plus, I hit a very high ball, and the ix flies a little lower and holds its line much much better in the wind than the V1x.