The number one player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, plays the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball. This might seem like a simple choice, but it's a deeply calculated decision that aligns perfectly with his elite, all-around game. This article will not only confirm the ball he uses but, more importantly, explain *why* he uses it, how its technology supports his playing style, and how you can apply the same logic to choose the right ball for your own game.
Deconstructing the Choice: Why the Titleist Pro V1?
For a player of Scheffler's caliber, the golf ball isn't just a piece of equipment, it's the only item he uses on every single shot. It has to perform predictably and optimally from a 320-yard drive to a 3-foot putt. The Titleist Pro V1 has long been tabbed as the ultimate "all-around" premium golf ball, and its characteristics are a perfect match for Scheffler's game, which is built on superior iron play and incredible touch around the greens.
Let's break down the specific performance aspects of the Pro V1 and see how they sync up with Scheffler's strengths.
Legendary Iron and Wedge Control
If you've watched Scottie Scheffler play, you know his hallmark is his aggressive, precise iron shots. He attacks pins with confidence, knowing he has the spin and trajectory control to stop the ball quickly. This is where the Pro V1 truly shines.
- Spin Profile: The Pro V1 is engineered to have lower spin with long clubs (like the driver) and higher spin with scoring clubs (irons and wedges). For Scheffler, this is the perfect combination. He gets plenty of distance off the tee without sacrificing the high spin he needs to hold greens with his mid and short irons.
- - Penetrating Ball Flight: Compared to its sibling, the Pro V1x, the standard Pro V1 has a more penetrating, mid-level trajectory. This gives a player like Scheffler, who generates plenty of speed, a stable flight that cuts through wind and offers exceptional distance control. It's not about hitting it to the moon, it's about hitting it the *exact number*.
- "Drop-and-Stop" Performance: When Scheffler fires an 8-iron at a pin, you see the result of this technology. The ball lands, takes one small hop, and stops. This high-spin characteristic on approach shots gives him the green light to be aggressive, turning potential 20-footers into makeable birdie looks.
The Short Game Feel: A Tour-Proven Urethane Cover
Amateur golfers often wonder what makes a $55 box of golf balls different from a $25 one. A massive part of the answer lies in the cover material. The Pro V1 features a very soft, cast urethane elastomer cover. This might sound like technical jargon, but from a player's perspective, it translates to one thing: feel.
For a short game wizard like Scheffler, this is non-negotiable. His ability to hit feathery soft pitch shots, nippy little chips that check up on command, and delicate bunker shots all rely on the friction he can create between the clubface and a soft, "grabby" ball cover. A harder, ionomer-covered ball (common in cheaper, distance-focused models) simply can't provide the same level of greenside spin and control. It doesn't mean you *can't* hit a good short game shot with one, but the margin for error is smaller and the maximum potential for spin is lower.
Putting Consistency: Feedback is Everything
The soft feel of the urethane cover extends to the putter. Players with elite touch talk about how the ball feels and sounds coming off the putter face. A premium ball like the Pro V1 provides incredibly consistent feedback. Scottie knows exactly how hard he has to hit a putt for a certain distance because the ball's compression and feel are the same, every single time. This builds a deep-seated confidence in speed control, which is the foundation of great putting.
Is the Pro V1 Right For You? Understanding Titleist's Lineup
Seeing the world's best player use the Pro V1 might make you want to rush out and buy a dozen. But before you do, it’s helpful to understand that "Pro V1" is a family of golf balls, each designed for slightly different players. Scheffler's choice is the best for *his* game, but a different model might be better for yours.
Titleist Pro V1
- Who plays it: Scottie Scheffler, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris.
- Feel: Softer
- Flight: Mid-level, penetrating
- Spin: Mid-level on irons, lower on driver (than V1x)
- Best For: The player seeking the best combination of all-around performance with a slightly softer feel and a more controlled, penetrating ball flight. It's the standard for a reason.
Titleist Pro V1x
- Who plays it: Justin Thomas, Jessica Korda
- Feel: Firmer
- Flight: High
- Spin: Higher spin across the board
- Best For: Players who need more spin and a higher trajectory to maximize carry distance and stopping power. If you struggle to hold greens or feel your iron shots come in too low, the V1x might be for you.
Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash (V1x -)
- Who plays it: Matt Fitzpatrick (custom version), various Tour and high-speed amateur players.
- Feel: Firmest
- Flight: High (similar to V1x)
- Spin: Significantly lower spin than both V1 and V1x, especially on woods and long irons.
- Best For: This is a more specialized ball, originally made as a custom option for Tour pros. It’s ideal for high-speed, high-spin players who need to reduce spin to gain control off the tee without sacrificing the firm feel and high launch of the standard V1x.
How to Choose Your 'Personal Pro V1'
Okay, so you've seen why Scottie chose his ball and you understand the differences in the lineup. Now for the most important part: how can you apply this pro-level thinking to your own game? As a coach, I tell all my students that finding the right ball isn't about finding the "best" ball, but the best ball *for you*. It starts with a simple, honest assessment of your game.
Step 1: Ask "What's My Game's Personality?"
Don't think about what ball you "should" be playing. Think about your actual tendencies on the course.
- "I need more distance." If your main goal is adding yards off the tee and you're less concerned with pinpoint spin around the greens, a lower-compression, distance-focused ball might be a good starting point.
- "I can't hold the greens." If your approach shots frequently roll over the back of the green, you need more spin. This is when tour-level balls like the Pro V1 or Pro V1x become genuinely good investments.
- "I need feel around the greens." If you pride yourself on your short game and want maximum touch and spin for chipping and pitching, a urethane-covered ball is almost a necessity.
- "I have a wicked slice." Some balls are designed to be lower spinning, which can slightly reduce a slice or hook. The Pro V1x Left Dash is an extreme example, but other "low spin" models exist in more affordable categories.
- Step 2: The On-Course Test
The driving range is great for swing practice, but a golf ball's true performance is revealed on the course. Don't buy a full dozen of a new ball. Buy a single sleeve.
- Choose 2-3 different models based on your assessment in Step 1. Get a sleeve of your current ball, a sleeve of a "tour" ball like the Pro V1, and maybe a sleeve of a well-regarded "mid-range" ball from a brand like Srixon, Bridgestone, or Callaway.
- Hit all three off the tee on a few holes. Which one feels best? Does one produce a noticeably better flight for you?
- Hit all three with a 7-iron into a green. This is important. Note the trajectory. More importantly, observe how they react on landing. Does one stop much faster than the others?
- - Chip and putt with all three from the fringe. This is all about feel. Does one feel clicky and hard off the putter? Does another feel soft and responsive? Trust your hands, there's no right or wrong answer, only preference.
Step 3: Commit and Eliminate Variables
Once you've done your testing and found a ball that gives you the performance and feel you like, stick with it. Playing a different model of ball every weekend introduces a needless variable into your game. Committing to one ball, just as Scottie Scheffler does, means you always know how it's going to launch, spin, and feel. That consistency removes guesswork and builds confidence, which is what allows you to focus on simply hitting good golf shots.
Final Thoughts
Scottie Scheffler uses the Titleist Pro V1 because its all-around performance perfectly complements his strengths: elite iron play and a deft touch around the greens. His choice is a lesson for all of us that the best equipment is not what's most popular, but what fits an individual player's skills and needs.
Just as a pro dials in their equipment, understanding your own game is the definitive first step to playing smarter. Finding the right ball requires knowing your tendencies - whether you need more spin, less spin, or a different launch Window - and that level of self-awareness can be tough to achieve alone. I've found that having an objective second opinion removes the guesswork, Caddie AI acts as that 24/7 on-demand golf expert, helping you understand your shot patterns and giving you straight-forward answers about your game, so you can make smarter decisions about your swing and the equipment you use.