Titleist has long been at the forefront of the golf ball design. Most of us have played with, or at least heard of a Pro V1. It is viewed by many as the premium ball in golf. I have decided to see how Pro V1x vs AVX rank against each other.
Things to consider before buying golf balls
The factors that you need to consider when buying balls differ depending on your level of ability. Lower handicap players often seek specific performance elements, such as enhanced spin or further distance. However, beginners and higher handicap golfers are after quantity and affordability.
Here are a few factors to consider when looking for your next sleeve.
Budget
Determine how often you play versus the rate at which you lose balls, and go from there. It is advisable not to purchase a new sleeve of Pro V1’s every time you head out on the course if you are a beginner who plays once a week and loses a ball every three holes. At over $50 for a dozen new balls, you may soon be paying less in green fees.
If you are buying more than a dozen new balls a month, I recommend looking at more affordable options.
Data
Before committing to a new brand of golf balls, it is advisable to get fitted. Your coach or the chaps at your local golf store can identify the right ball for your game using data. Their launch monitors will help analyze your spin, swing speed, ball speed, and clubhead speed to see which ball you hit best.
If a fitting is not within your budget, you can use your launch monitor or borrow a friend’s. Purchase a sleeve of three balls, take them out on the course, and let the launch monitor inform you about the ball’s performance.
While I also recommend making informed decisions from data, you need to enjoy the feel at impact.
How Many Balls Should I Purchase?
New balls come in sleeves of three. They come in boxes containing four sleeves. If you have played with a specific ball before and it works for you, purchase a box because you will likely save some cash.
Players looking for a new brand to play should start with a sleeve to see how you go with three balls. If you are happy after a round or two, go on and purchase a box of 12.
Higher handicappers may want to acquire two dozen balls each purchase to ensure that you can play all 18 holes. The confidence of having enough balls in the bag allows you to relax and focus on your game.
Conditions
Competitive golfers playing in tournaments may select a different ball in various weather conditions. In my experience, urethane covered balls have held better in the wind than the ionomer creations.
If the course is dry and hard, it is worth looking at Surlyn covers, which are durable and offer forgiveness on the bounce. Urethane balls are also an ideal option for dry courses with lightning greens, where additional bite is welcome.
Titleist Pro V1x
The Titleist Pro V1x is the highest spinning ball I have ever struck. On average, my shots landed between 0.5 to 1 yard shorter than the AVX, which I suspect may have a lot to do with the enhanced level of backspin.
Here are a few features of the Pro V1x that may be of benefit to your game.
Features & Benefits
Thinner Cover
Titleist crafted the cover of the Pro V1x using a cast urethane elastomer material, designed to generate high spin on chips and approach shots. The cast urethane elastomer is 17% thinner than previous Pro V1x models and was created to promote speed and spin retention.
Urethane covers are softer and more durable than ionomer covered balls. They promote spin and soft landings.
Ionomer Casing Unit
The material ionomer is more commonly used to create the cover of balls, designed for distance. Titleist decided to use the more durable urethane material on the outside of the Pro V1x, and ionomer in the casing unit.
The ionomer gives the ball distance qualities, enabling you to maintain comparable distance with the AVX and Pro V1. Despite the ball’s high level of spin.
If you need help generating additional spin for softer landings and better distance control, the Pro V1x is a superb option.
Piercing Flight
The Pro V1x offers you a higher, consistent degree of trajectory. The ball was designed to reduce spin on your longer shots and increase it on your approach strikes. In my experience, spin rpm was substantially higher with the Pro V1x as opposed to the AVX.
I have to admit that I was impressed with the consistency of the flight of this ball. At no point did I have any challenge sending it airborne. If you have trouble with carry, the Pro V1x is worth it for that reason alone.
Color
Titleist finally offers premium quality balls in an alternative color to the traditional white. The Pro V1x is available in optic yellow, which may be useful if you are no longer sporting 20/20 vision.
Price
A box of a dozen balls will run you $52 on Titleist’s online store. The price applies to both the white and yellow versions of the product.
Titleist AVX
The AVX is Titleist’s alternative to the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x. I found that the backspin rpm on this ball was significantly lower than that of the Pro V1x, and my distance was marginally further.The core features of the AVX are relatively similar to those of the Pro V1x. I would prefer to focus more on its performance features.
Below are a few features of the AVX to determine if this ball will benefit your game.
Features & Benefits
Distance
The distance achieved with AVX balls was moderately superior to my results with the Pro V1x. With a wedge in hand, the difference was 1 yard. My mid-iron shots and drives were only 4-5 yards longer on average with the AVX than the Pro V1x.
If you are looking for a soft ball covered by urethane and still gives you distance, it’s worth thinking about the AVX.
Ball Speed
I found that my ball speed was one mph slower when hitting an AVX versus the Pro V1x. However, it made no difference to the carry and total distance, as it still went further than the Pro V1x.
Spin
My backspin rpm with an AVX ball was over 1000 rpm lower than the Pro V1x when hitting wedge and approach shots. And 2000 rpm less on my longer shots.
Carry
Overall I found that my carry and total distance was longer with AVX balls. On wedge shots, the AVX carried only 2 degrees further than the Pro V1x. While longer shots saw the AVX carry an average of 8 yards longer.
Color
As is the case with the Pro V1x you can purchase the AVX in white or yellow optic.
Price
AVX’s are sold in boxes of a dozen balls. You can purchase a box on the Titleist website for $50.
Alternatives to the Pro V1x vs AVX
1. Bridgestone e12
The Bridgestone e12 is a 3-piece design composed of a Surlyn cover, an active acceleration mantle layer, and a softcore. Surlyn is a variety of an ionomer polymer. It is purposed to reduce spin off the tee and on long iron shots, giving you more distance.
Bridgestone used their proprietary Active Acceleration Mantle in the creation of the e12. It is designed to increase the spring and velocity of the ball at impact, providing additional distance.
The core of the ball is softened to offer forgiveness on the bounce. It is handy if you play on sloped courses, where the ball can veer left or right in an instant.
The e12’s come in the option of white, matte yellow, and matte red. A dozen balls will set you back $27,49 on Bridgestone’s online store. If you need distance and forgiveness this is a ball worth taking for a spin.
2. Callaway Chrome Soft
Callaway chrome soft balls are a 3-piece design consisting of a thin urethane cover, a high-speed mantle system, and a dual soft fast core. The thin urethane cover reduces spin speed on longer shots while preserving higher spin rpm in and around the greens.
Callaway’s high-speed mantle system transfers the energy from the dual soft core to the club for a softer feel and better launch at impact. It helps you maintain a high trajectory and spin on approach shots and chips.
The third element of the ball is the infused graphene dual softfast core. The soft core promotes higher launch and lower spin off the tee, which increases your distance, and heightens forgiveness.
If you are looking for a straight flight, forgiving ball with low long game spin and high short game spin, this is suited for you.
Chrome soft balls come solely in white and are going at $39,99 per dozen on Callaway’s site.
3. Taylormade TP5x
The TP5x is a uniquely constructed 5-layered ball with piercing playability, faster ball speed, and high wedge spin. The cover of the ball is a soft-tough cast urethane, that promotes higher spin levels around the green.
The TP5x is kitted with a High Flex Material (HFM). The HFM increases the rebound level of the ball against the clubface at impact. This results in a better launch and longer carry.
A box of 12 Taylormade TP5x will tally up to $44,99 directly from Taylormade. You have the option of acquiring these balls in white or hi-visibility yellow.
The Tp5x is a balanced ball that performs as needed from tee to green.
Final Thoughts
Pro V1’s have been my ball of choice for most of my adult life. I have always appreciated how consistently they performed from tee to green. However, I always felt that if it could give me a few yards more on longer shots, I would have everything I needed.
In terms of our review of the Pro V1x vs AVX, it is the latter who wins my vote. I feel that it spins more than enough for my game, and gives me the distance I need. The excessive backspin rpm that I get with the Pro V1x consistently cost me a few yards with the longer irons.
If you are after a ball that gives you distance and spin in one product check out the Titleist AVX here.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
