Prov1 vs Prov1x: Tested and Compared


What golf ball is better? The Prov1 or the Prov1x?

I set out to test and compare the Prov1 vs Prov1x. Are you ready for a deep dive with plenty of data to consider?

The areas I was really intrigued by included:

  • Prov1 vs Prov1x Distance with the Driver
  • Prov1 vs Prov1x Spin Rate with the Driver
  • Prov1 vs Prov1x Ball Speed with the Driver
  • Prov 1 vs Prov1x Score Comparison

Since 2003, there seems to be much confusion between the two and what really sets them apart.  So, I decided to do my own testing in my golf simulator setup and by playing several rounds with each golf ball.  I hope to find the golf ball best for my game to help others with some key information.

Process: I played 5 rounds with the Prov1 and 5 rounds with the Prov1x.  All rounds were played at the same golf course.  I also played back to back rounds on my Skytrak Golf Simulator setup at Pebble Beach on the back 9. During the simulator rounds I tracked distance, ball spin, spin rate, and launch angle with every shot.

About Me: I am currently playing right around scratch.  My current swing speed averages between 105-110 mph with the driver.

What We Know About the Prov1 and Prov1x

The golf balls have been around since 2003.  There have been changes to the golf balls in 2017, 2019 and 2021.  The spin rates have changed slightly, but both are supposed to be low spinning golf balls.  Which one spins more is up for debate.  The Prov1x was originally lower spinning and is now the higher spinning ball.

Prov1 Features:

  • Soft Cast Urethane Elastomer Cover System
  • High-flex Casing Layer
  • 2.0 ZG Process Core
  • Spherically-Tiled 388 Tetrahedral Dimple Design

Prov1x Features:

  • Soft Cast Urethane Elastomer Cover System
  • Fast Casing Layer
  • 2.0 ZG Process Dual Core
  • Spherically-Tiled 348 Tetrahedral Dimple Design

Source: Titleist Prov1 and Prov1x website

Difference Between Prov1 and Prov1x

Prov1 vs Prov1x Comparison Chart

Prov1FeatureProv1x
SofterFeelSoft
MidFlightHigh
LowLong Game SpinLow
LessIron SpinMore
HighShort Game SpinHigher

Pros of the Titleist Prov1

  • A low spinning golf ball with plenty of soft feel around the greens.
  • Provides lower spin rates on the irons for those that are too steep or produce too much spin at times.
  • Great for the golfer who wants a mid to lower ball flight with the driver.

Pros of the Titleist Prov1x

  • Great for the golfer that needs a touch more spin and struggles to produce enough spin at times.
  • Provides a higher launching ball flight with the longer clubs in the bag.
  • Still considered a low spinning golf ball that will produce quality distance and fell.
  • Has a more firm feel and more crack with the driver.

What’s Better Prov1 or Prov1x: My Test and Comparison

Outdoor Rounds: Prov1 and Prov1xComparing Score

Process for Part 1: I played a total of 10 rounds over a one month period of time at the same golf course.  I collected score to compare the outcomes and what matters most with both golf balls.

Note: I took notes of my own after each round. 

Course: All Rounds were played on a Par 71 6300 Yard Course with a 72.1 Rating and 128 Slope

Prov1 ScoresRound #Prov1x Scores
74170
71275
69370
72471
71572
71.4Averages71.6

Conclusion: I scored very similarly with both the Prov1 and Prov1x.  I didn’t find a major difference purely from the score so I decided to dive further to look at distance, ball speed, spin rate and launch angle.  I used a launch monitor to provide these numbers.

Process for Part 2: I played back to back rounds on the Back 9 at Pebble Beach on my Golf Simulator setup on the The Golf Club (TGC) software.  These rounds were played on the same day as 18 consecutive holes

Note: Shot by Shot Data Collection on distance, ball speed, spin rate, launch angle and score.

Course: Pebble Beach on TGC Software – 7011 yards 72 par

Simulator Rounds: Prov1 and Prov1xComparing Distance, Ball Speed, Spin Rate, Launch Angle

Prov1 Round – Hole by Hole

Hole 10: 459 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver270151198913
26 Iron188123540718

Hole 11: 392 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver258152237912
2P133104770826

Hole 12: 204 Yards, Par 3 (Score 3)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
15204128418715
2LW3138347036

Hole 13: 442 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver280157202112
28169118617221

Hole 14: 566 Yards, Par 5 (Score 5)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver268153341016
23 wood22614829169
3LW5855648231

Hole 15: 396 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver27015819429
2P11996606224
3LW1220123732

Hole 16: 407 Yards, Par 4 (Score 3 – Birdie)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver278150200712
2P13598706926

Hole 17: 193 Yards, Par 3 (Score 3)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
15193125536818
2LW (sand)1125247534

Hole 18: 517 Yards, Par 5 (Score 5)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver264153202912
23 wood209 (rough)138408411
3LW4951706531
#18 at Pebble Beach – A great challenge with the driver in hand!

Prov 1 Scorecard including Score, Putts, Fairway and GIR

HoleParScorePuttsFairwayGIR
10442YY
11442YY
12331NAN
13442YY
14552NY
15441YN
16431YY
17331NAN
18552YY
Totals3635 (1 Under)146/76/9

Prov1x Round – Hole by Hole

Hole 10: 459 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver277153326714
26 Iron192125530918

Hole 11: 392 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver261153250013
2P134103747926

Hole 12: 204 Yards, Par 3 (Score 3)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
15203130482617
2LW2534495632

Hole 13: 442 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver287157273810
28162116637621

Hole 14: 566 Yards, Par 5 (Score 5)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver291161236511
23 wood237147294614
3LW6661761729

Hole 15: 396 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver288156220312
2SW10884913730

Hole 16: 407 Yards, Par 4 (Score 4)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver290154226412
2P12690625923

Hole 17: 193 Yards, Par 3 (Score 3)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
15200124465317

Hole 18: 517 Yards, Par 5 (Score 5)

Shot ClubTotal DistanceBall SpeedSpin RateLaunch Angle
1Driver26015718649
23 wood226 (rough)143270411
3LW5355701030
#17 at Pebble Beach s a difficult par 3 with plenty of great US Open History.

Prov1x Scorecard including Score, Putts, Fairway and GIR

HoleParScorePuttsFairwayGIR
10442YY
11442YY
12331NAN
13442YY
14552NY
15442YY
16442YY
17332NAY
18552YY
Totals3636176/78/9

Prov1 vs Prov1x Distance

I found the Prov1x to be the longer golf ball during my round at Pebble Beach.  I averaged 279 with the Prov1x vs 270 with the Prov1.  I had a ball speed average of 156 with the Prov1x and 153 with Prov1.  My spin rate was also slightly higher with the Prov1x at 2457 vs 2254 with the Prov1.

Prov1 vs Prov1x Spin Rate

Generally speaking, the Prov1x is suppose to provide a slightly higher spin rate. I found this to be accurate with my driver. The Prov1x spin rate was 2457, while it was slightly lower with the Prov1 at 2254.

Prov1 vs Prov1x Distance, Ball Speed and Spin Rate Chart

Prov1 Chart With Driver

HoleDistanceBall SpeedSpin Rate
102701511989
112581522379
132801572021
142681533410
152701581942
162781502007
182641532029
Totals1888107415777
Averages2701532254

Prov1x Chart With Driver

HoleDistanceBall SpeedSpin Rate
102771533267
112611532500
132871572738
142911612365
152881562203
162901542264
182601571864
Totals1954109117201
Averages2791562457

Prov1 vs Prov1x for Low Handicap Golfer

Based on the results with the extra 10 yards and 3mph of ball speed, I would recommend the Prov1x to the low handicap golfer that has a similar swing speed or higher. The one exception is if a golfer has a steep angle of attack and creates too much spin already, I would recommend the Prov1.

Prov1 vs Prov1x for Mid Handicap Golfer

I would base this more on swing speed. If your swing speed is above 105mph and you do not create excess spin, the Prov1x might provide a bit of extra distance based on an increase in ball speed and some additional spin to ensure you maximize your carry.

Prov1 vs Prov1x for High Handicap Golfer

Once again, I would default to swing speed and current spin rate as the main measurements to determine what golf ball is best for your game. If you create excess spin from a bad angle of attack, I would go with the Prov1 if your swing speed is 105mph or higher with the driver. If you have the right swing speed and do not create excess spin, the Prov1x would be the recommendation!

If you can find a way to get a golf simulator, I would highly recommend it. Play 365 days a year and face challenging situation!

Prov1 vs Prov1x Summary

For the past 3 season I have played the Prov1 as my primary golf ball. Moving forward, I have purchased two dozen of the Prov1x golf balls and plan on putting them in play and using them on a simulator to become comfortable with how it reacts with my irons. I love the reaction with the driver and the hard clicking like sound that is provided when a driver is really struck well. This sound might be a turn off to some golfers, but I enjoyed it. It felt and sounded powerful.

I am also going to continue to test the driver ball speed and spin rate to ensure I have the best golf ball for my game. Most golfers should consider an affordable launch monitor to test out different golf balls and equipment for their game. We are fortunate to have such great information at our fingertips and to be able to test on our own. The results of the Prov1x caught me a bit by surprise, but it is great to have the data to make decisions.

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