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Happy birthday Pro V1
It’s been 10 years
By Ed Travis
It’s been 10 years
By Ed Travis
In October 2000 the introduction of
Acushnet Golf’s Titleist Pro V1 changed
the golf ball business and immensely
strengthened Acushnet’s dominant
position in the marketplace. More
importantly for golfers the Pro V1 changed
the way golf is played by producing much
more distance with less curvature in flight
while maintaining control of short shots.
Longer, straighter, better around the
green created a stampede to buy them, a
real “game-changer.”
Acushnet Golf’s Titleist Pro V1 changed
the golf ball business and immensely
strengthened Acushnet’s dominant
position in the marketplace. More
importantly for golfers the Pro V1 changed
the way golf is played by producing much
more distance with less curvature in flight
while maintaining control of short shots.
Longer, straighter, better around the
green created a stampede to buy them, a
real “game-changer.”
Titleist initially made the Pro V1 available to its touring
staff at the Invensys Classic in Las Vegas the second
week of October 2000. Billy Andrade won that week using
it and taking home the most prize money of his career.
Phil Mickelson, who finished in second, also had the Pro
V1 in play.
The switch to Pro V1 by professionals was virtually
instantaneous, everyone wanted to play it and within a few
months the only touring pros not teeing up Pro V1s were
those under contract to another ball maker. Even though
Titleist designed the Pro V1 specifically for use by pros,
good amateurs and those not-so-good jumped on the
bandwagon causing the ball to rocket atop the sales
charts.
The Titleist Pro V1 was revolutionary when introduced
ten years ago. It quickly replaced wound balata balls
as the ball of choice for pros and amateurs alike. A
solid core, as used in "distance balls," was substituted
for the old liquid center and rubber band windings. A
second layer or casing and urethane cover completed
the package.
ten years ago. It quickly replaced wound balata balls
as the ball of choice for pros and amateurs alike. A
solid core, as used in "distance balls," was substituted
for the old liquid center and rubber band windings. A
second layer or casing and urethane cover completed
the package.
The Pro V1’s breakthrough technology was
to take a solid core used in cheaper
“distance” balls, encase it with a thin
ionomer layer topped by a soft urethane
cover. The result was significantly more
distance with the spin and control of balata
balls which professionals needed to
maximize scoring.
The Pro V1 has been tweaked since
introduction and a second version was
brought out, the Pro V1x which has four
layers: a two layer core, an inner casing and
a slightly firmer cover.
to take a solid core used in cheaper
“distance” balls, encase it with a thin
ionomer layer topped by a soft urethane
cover. The result was significantly more
distance with the spin and control of balata
balls which professionals needed to
maximize scoring.
The Pro V1 has been tweaked since
introduction and a second version was
brought out, the Pro V1x which has four
layers: a two layer core, an inner casing and
a slightly firmer cover.
Since then the Pro V1 and a more recent variant, the Pro
V1x, have been used in over half the wins on the PGA
Tour. This year alone it has recorded 103 professional
victories worldwide versus 21 for the next brand. Talk
about dominance!
V1x, have been used in over half the wins on the PGA
Tour. This year alone it has recorded 103 professional
victories worldwide versus 21 for the next brand. Talk
about dominance!
Ten years is long enough so many have forgotten, but the
ball the Pro V1 replaced what was probably the best
performing wound ball ever made, the Titleist
Professional which had a liquid-filled center, wound
rubber band construction and a balata cover.
Makes one wonder what the next breakthrough will be.
ball the Pro V1 replaced what was probably the best
performing wound ball ever made, the Titleist
Professional which had a liquid-filled center, wound
rubber band construction and a balata cover.
Makes one wonder what the next breakthrough will be.