Golf Tutorials

What Are Pro V1 Golf Balls Made Of?

By Spencer Lanoue
July 24, 2025

Ever wonder what’s really going on inside a Titleist Pro V1, the most recognized golf ball on any tee box? Beneath that iconic script and dimpled cover lies a complex piece of engineering designed for total performance. This article will break down exactly what a Pro V1 is made ofHelicopr, explaining the purpose of each layer, from its soft-feel cover to its fast-action core, so you can better understand the science behind your shots.

Why Understanding Your Golf Ball Matters

As a golf coach, I always remind my students that the ball is the one piece of equipment you use for every single shot, from a 300-yard drive to a three-foot putt. Yet, many of us just grab whatever T-shirt we find in our pocket or stick to a brand by habit without really knowing why. Understanding the materials and construction of a premium ball like the Pro V1 isn't just for gear heads or Tour pros - it’s for any player who wants to make smarter decisions to improve their scores.

When you know how a ball is built, you can start to connect its 'feel' at impact and its 'behavior' in the air to what’s happening inside. Does it spin a lot with your wedges? That's the soft cover. Does it feel like it jumps off the driver face? That's the core and casing layer working together. Matching these characteristics to your swing style and the shots you want to hit is a fundamental step toward shooting lower scores. It’s about moving beyond simply playing a "good" ball to playing the right ball for your game.

The Anatomy of a Pro V1: A Layer-by-Layer Breakdown

The magic of the Titleist Pro V1 isn’t in one single feature, it's in how its multiple layers work together to deliver a perfect blend of distance, spin, and feel. It’s a precisely engineered system. Let’s peel it back, starting from the center and working our way out.

The Core: Where Power is Born

At the heart of the 2023 Pro V1 is what Titleist calls a "High-Gradient Solid Core." That might sound technical, but the concept is beautifully simple. Imagine an engine designed for maximum efficiency. The core is constructed to be very soft in the absolute center and then gradually gets firmer as you move toward its outer edge.

  • Material: The core is made primarily from Polybutadiene, a highly resilient synthetic rubber that's exceptional at storing and releasing energy. Think of it like the material in a high-performance tire, built to transfer power without waste.
  • Function: This high-gradient design is all about two things: high speed and low spin on your longer clubs. When you hit a driver, the core compresses and rebounds with immense force, launching the ball with phenomenal speed. The progressively firmer outer regions of the core help reduce spin on drives and long irons, which is the secret to a straighter, more penetrating ball flight that cuts through the wind.

The Casing Layer: The Secret Speed Booster

Wrapped around the powerful core is the next layer, known as the casing or "mantle" layer. This is the unsung hero of modern multi-layer golf balls. It acts as the transmission between the engine (the core) and the tires (the cover).

  • Material: The casing layer is made from a high-flex ionomer. Ionomer is a type of tough, springy polymer famous for its role in 'distance' golf balls. By using it in a targeted way as a middle layer, Titleist can borrow its high-speed properties without sacrificing the soft feel that urethane provides.
  • Function: This layer does two critical jobs. First, it adds another source of ball speed, working in concert with the core to maximize power off the tee. Second, and just as important, it helps control spin. It’s firm enough to keep spin low on high-speed, low-loft drives but flexible enough to let the soft cover interact with the grooves on low-speed, high-loft wedges and short irons. This is what allows a ball to be both long off the tee and spinny around the greens.

The Cover: The Feel and Control Center

The outermost layer is what you see and feel on every shot. It’s arguably the Pro V1's most famous component and what separates premium golf balls from the rest of the pack a lot of the time.

  • Material: The Pro V1 uses a very soft Thermoset Cast Urethane Elastomer cover. Unlike the harder ionomer or Surlyn covers found on most two-piece distance balls, this urethane is soft and 'sticky'. The 'cast' manufacturing process allows for a very thin yet highly durable layer.
  • Function: That softness is the key to greenside control. When you strike a wedge or short iron, the urethane cover momentarily deforms and "grips" the grooves on the clubface. This grip generates a significant amount of backspin, allowing you to hit those high-flying, quick-stopping shots on the green that every golfer desires. This softness also provides the buttery, satisfying sound and feel on chips and putts that players love. Capping it all off is the spherically-tiled 388-dimple pattern, designed to create a consistent, penetrating flight that is aerodynamically stable.

Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x: Decoding the Difference

A frequent question I get is, "What's the real difference between the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x?" They share many of the same premium materials, but their construction differs to serve distinct performance goals. Choosing the right one for you starts with understanding these differences.

The Titleist Pro V1

  • Construction: 3-piece (High-Gradient Core, Casing Layer, Urethane Cover).
  • Feel: It's the softer of the two models. If you prioritize a very soft, responsive feel, especially on and around the greens, the Pro V1 is your ball.
  • Flight: It delivers a lower, more piercing ball flight. This penetrating trajectory is ideal for players who have a naturally high ball flight or often play in windy conditions.
  • Spin: It offers lower spin in the long game compared to the Pro V1x, which can help promote a straighter flight. Greenside spin is still exceptionally high due to the urethane cover.
  • Best For: The golfer who wants an all-around performance ball with the softest possible feel and prefers a mid-low, boring trajectory.

The Titleist Pro V1x

  • Construction: 4-piece (Dual Core, Casing Layer, Urethane Cover). The Pro V1x has two core layers instead of one, which slightly alters its performance characteristics.
  • Feel: It has a noticeably firmer feel than the Pro V1. It's still soft by any standard, but there is a more 'solid' sensation at impact.
  • Flight: The Pro V1x is designed to fly higher. The dual-core construction helps launch the ball on a higher trajectory with both woods and irons.
  • Spin: It’s the higher spinning of the two in the long game. For some players, this extra backspin can help keep the ball in the air longer for more carry distance. Greenside spin remains at a premium level.
  • Best For: The golfer who needs or prefers a higher ball flight, desires a slightly firmer feel, and could benefit from slightly more spin throughout the bag.

How to Know Which Pro V1 is Right for You

Reading about the technology is a great start, but the only way to truly know which ball fits your game is to test them on the course. You don't need a launch monitor or a complex fitting session. Just grab a sleeve of each and head out for a practice round with a clear plan.

Play a few holes alternating between the two balls, hitting different kinds of shots. Pay close attention to these three areas:

  1. Driver Flight: Stand on the tee and notice the trajectory. Does the lower Pro V1 flight look stable and powerful for you, or does the higher Pro V1x flight help you maximize apyour carry? One is not better than the other, it’s about what fits your launch window.
  2. Iron Approaches: When you hit a mid-iron into the green, how does it land? Does one seem to stick a little closer to its pitch mark? A higher flight (Pro V1x) can often help the ball land more softly, but a lower-spinning flight (Pro V1) might give you more control in the wind.
  3. Greenside Feel: Spend time chipping, pitching, and putting with both balls. This is where personal preference is huge. Which one feels better off your putter face? Which one sounds more satisfying when you nip a chip perfectly? The one that gives you more confidence is often the right choice.

Trust your eyes and your feel. After a few holes, you'll likely have a clear preference for one over the other.

Final Thoughts

The Titleist Pro V1 is a multi-layered marvel of golf engineering, combining a powerful core, a speedy casing layer, and a soft urethane cover to deliver spectacular performance from tee to green. Unpacking these layers and the differences between the Pro V1 and Pro V1x gives you the knowledge to choose the ideal ball for your game, not just the most popular one.

Choosing the right ball is a big step, but consistent improvement also comes from making smarter decisions on the course. We actually developed Caddie AI to help with exactly that. Think of it as your personal, on-demand golf expert, ready to give you smart, simple strategies for any shot, analyze a tough lie from a photo, or just recommend a club when you’re caught between yardages. It’s all about removing the guesswork so you can play with more confidence and enjoy the game more.

Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. His mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.

Other posts you might like

How to Throw a Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.

Read more
card link

What Is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.

Read more
card link

What Is the Compression of a Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball?

The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.

Read more
card link

What Spikes Fit Puma Golf Shoes?

Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.

Read more
card link

How to Use the Golf Genius App

The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.

Read more
card link

How to Not Embarrass Yourself While Golfing

Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i

Read more
card link
Rating

Instant advice to help you golf like a pro

Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.

Get started for free
Image Descrptions