Titleist has recently unveiled the latest versions of their Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, marking the 25th year since the original Pro V1 was introduced. The Pro V1 revolutionized the professional game by offering a solid core and urethane elastomer cover that provided greater distance without sacrificing control, unlike the traditional wound balls used by most tour professionals at the time.
During the event, Titleist expected only two dozen players to switch to the new balls but was surprised when 47 players made the change. This shift is considered the biggest pluralist change to new equipment in PGA Tour history. Notably, Billy Andrade and Phil Mickelson were among the players who switched to the Pro V1 and saw immediate success, with Andrade winning in Las Vegas and Mickelson clinching a runner-up finish.
While Titleist is known for its innovation in golf balls, it is worth mentioning that Mark O’Meara was actually the first player to win a major using a modern solid-core golf ball. O’Meara used a Top-Flight manufactured Strata Tour ball to win both the Masters and The Open in 1998. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, stuck with the wound Titleist Professional until May 2000 when he switched to a Nike solid-core golf ball and went on to win the U.S. Open by 15 shots at Pebble Beach, kickstarting his historic run of four consecutive major victories.
The impact of the Pro V1 was felt across both men’s and women’s golf, with Karrie Webb winning the 2001 U.S. Women’s Open and Retief Goosen claiming the U.S. Open shortly after switching to the new ball. The success of these players further solidified the Pro V1’s reputation as a game-changer in the world of golf.
The launch of the 2025 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls signifies another milestone for Titleist, as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation and performance in the sport. With a legacy that spans over two decades, Titleist’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering, setting the standard for golf balls worldwide.
