The name on the box says Vice Golf, but a smart question many golfers ask is, Who actually makes the golf balls? Unlike brands that own their manufacturing plants, Vice operates on a different model, and understanding it can save you a serious amount of money without sacrificing performance. This article breaks down exactly which company manufactures Vice golf balls, how their business model works, and which of their balls is the right one for your game.
The Short Answer: Vice Golf Balls and Their Manufacturer
Vice Golf is a German company, founded in 2012 by Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl, that designs and markets its own golf balls. However, they do not own the factories where the balls are made. Instead, they partner with established, high-performance golf ball manufacturers in Taiwan to produce their designs. While Vice doesn't officially name their production partner, it is a widely accepted fact within the golf industry that their premium cast urethane balls are made by Foremost Golf.
Foremost is a major player in the golf ball manufacturing world, known for producing high-quality products for many well-known brands over the years. This isn't a case of a startup using a low-tier factory, Vice partnered with a trusted, top-tier manufacturer to bring their vision to life. This smart move allows them to leverage world-class production technology without the immense overhead costs of owning and operating factories themselves.
"Sold by Pros, Bought by Everyone": The Vice Direct-to-Consumer Model
The real story behind Vice's success isn't just who makes their balls, but how they sell them. They were one of the pioneers of the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model in the golf ball market. This approach is the primary reason they can offer tour-quality balls at a dramatically lower price than competitors like Titleist or Callaway.
Here’s how it works and why it matters to you:
- Cutting Out the Middleman: Traditionally, a golf ball goes from the manufacturer to a distributor, then to a retail store (like a pro shop or big-box store), and finally to you. Each one of those steps adds a markup, increasing the final price.
- The Vice Method: Vice sells directly to you through their website. The balls go from the factory to their warehouse, then straight to your doorstep. By eliminating the distributor and retail markups, they can pass those savings directly on to the golfer.
- The Bulk-Buying Advantage: Vice has perfected the art of tiered pricing. The more you buy, the cheaper each dozen becomes. Buying a single dozen might save you a little, but buying three or, even better, five dozen at a time can drop the price of their premium balls to a level that utterly transforms your golf budget.
This model challenged the old way of doing business. Suddenly, amateur golfers had access to premium, cast urethane golf balls - the same type of technology used in a Pro V1 - for about half the price. It meant the sting of sending a brand-new ball into the woods or a lake was cut in half, freeing players up to swing more aggressively and with more confidence.
Choosing the Right Vice Golf Ball for Your Game
Knowing who makes the ball is one thing, knowing which one to play is what actually impacts your score. As a coach, I see players waste countless shots using a ball that doesn't match their swing. Here’s a breakdown of the Vice lineup, comparing each ball to a familiar industry standard to help you find your perfect fit.
For the High-Speed Player: Vice PRO PLUS
Think of the Vice PRO PLUS as an aggressive challenger to the Titleist Pro V1x. If you have a high swing speed (110+ mph with the driver) and are looking for a ball that combines low driver spin with high short-game spin, this is your weapon of choice.
- Construction: 4-Piece, Cast Urethane Cover
- Feel: Firm
- Performance Profile: Designed for maximum distance off the tee through low spin rates, but the cast urethane cover provides that familiar, pro-level "grab" on wedges and shots into the green. It delivers a penetrating ball flight that cuts through wind effectively.
- Best For: Low handicappers and powerful players who need a ball that won't balloon off the driver but will stop on a dime on the green.
For the All-Around Player: Vice PRO
The Vice PRO is the workhorse of the lineup and the closest competitor to the iconic Titleist Pro V1. It offers a fantastic blend of distance, feel, and greenside control that suits a wide range of golfers.
- Construction: 3-Piece, Cast Urethane Cover
- Feel: Softer than the PRO PLUS
- Performance Profile: This ball is the great equalizer. It offers excellent ball speed and distance off the tee but with a slightly softer feel and higher spin profile than the PRO PLUS. This makes it a great all-around performer from driver to putter.
- Best For: Low to mid-handicap golfers with driver swing speeds from 95-110 mph who want tour-level performance without needing the extra-firm feel of the PRO PLUS.
For the Feel-Oriented Player: Vice PRO SOFT
If the words "buttery" and "soft" make you happy, the Vice PRO SOFT is for you. It competes directly with softer tour balls like the Callaway Chrome Soft or the Titleist AVX.
- Construction: 3-Piece, Cast Urethane Cover
- Feel: Very Soft
- Performance Profile: The PRO SOFT is built for players who don't necessarily have world-class speed but still demand excellent greenside performance. The low-compression core feels amazing off the clubface and helps reduce spin on long shots for straighter flight, while the slick urethane cover still delivers that crucial short-game spin.
- Best For: Golfers with moderate swing speeds (below 95 mph) who prioritize a soft feel and need help generating more spin with their irons and wedges to hold greens.
The Best Value Urethane Ball: Vice TOUR
The Vice TOUR is a a fantastic option for the player who wants to step up from a simple distance ball to something with more feel and control but isn't ready to pay for premium cast urethane. It's a worthy competitor to balls like the Srixon Q-Star Tour.
- Construction: 3-Piece, Surlyn Cover
- Feel: Medium
- Performance Profile: This is a brilliantly designed ball for the "get-better" golfer. The key difference is the Surlyn cover, which is more durable and spins less than cast urethane. You’ll get great distance and a consistent ball flight. You will sacrifice some of that check-up spin on delicate chips, but the overall performance for its price point is exceptional.
- Best For: Mid to high-handicap players who want more performance than a 2-piece distance ball offers, without the urethane price. It's a fantastic ball for making the transition to the next level of your game.
How to Start with Vice: Your Action Plan
Convinced that Vice might be for you? Here’s a simple plan to figure out if they deserve a spot in your bag.
- Assess Your Game Honestly: Don't buy the ball for the golfer you want to be, buy it for the golfer you are today. Do you have a lightning-fast swing or a smoother, more controlled tempo? Do you need more spin around the greens or more distance off the tee?
- Buy the Vice GOLF BALL SELECTOR Pack / Variety Pack: This is the single best way to test their line. Vice bundles together a selection of their top models, allowing you to play a few holes with each one side-by-side. Pay attention not just to distance, but to how each ball feels coming off the putter and how it reacts on chip shots.
- Commit and Buy in Bulk: Once you find the model that clicks for you, don’t hesitate. Pull the trigger on the 5-dozen deal. The per-ball cost becomes so low that it completely changes your mindset on the course. You'll stop fearing difficult tee shots and play with a new sense of freedom.
Final Thoughts
Vice Golf brilliantly pairs German design and marketing with trusted Taiwanese manufacturing to deliver a first-class product without the first-class price tag. By circumventing a traditional retain model, they empower regular golfers to play a tour-quality ball, fundamentally changing the economics of the game.
Once you’ve found the right ball for your swing, the next step is using it to make smarter decisions on the course. Choosing a club, planning a shot around trouble, or reading a tricky lie are all places where uncertainty can hurt your score. To take the guesswork out of your game, we built Caddie AI. Our app provides instant, on-demand strategic advice and coaching, helping you navigate any situation with the confidence of an expert. When you have a tough shot or are unsure of the right play, you'll have an expert caddie right in your pocket, ready to guide you.