The 3 Little-Known Titleist Golf Balls That Are In Play At The Open Championship

The Titleist Pro V1 and V1x is used by hundreds of professionals but, did you know that there are three different variations of it in play this week at Royal Troon

A bucket full of Titleist Pro V1 golf balls next to an Open mug
(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to the most used golf ball on Tour, there is one model that stands above the rest, as the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x dominate both the men's and women's professional games.

However, at The 152nd Open Championship, did you know that there are different variations available of the Pro V1 available exclusively to those on the professional circuit? 

Having been fortunate enough to take a trip on Titleist's Tour truck ahead of the final men's Major of the year, we spoke to Simon Earl, who is the brand's Leadership Promotion Executive, to find out more...

Speaking to Golf Monthly, Earl stated: "The vast majority of golfers this week would be using your Pro V1 and Pro V1x, but we've got a few different models that have some niche performance benefits to them.

"As you can see we have something here called 'Left Dot', which is essentially our lowest launching, lowest spinning Pro V1. Cam Young, Tony Finau and a couple of other use it. You then have 'Pro V1 Star', which is a softer, spinier Pro V1. Essentially, there's guys that don't necessarily like the feel of the Pro V1x, but they still want that spin element. This week, we've got Corey Conners in it.

"Lastly, there's the Pro V1x +, which sits between our 2023 Pro V1x and 'Left Dash' product. So, we're looking at something which again feels very similar to a Pro V1, and is a soft Pro V1x with spin. This week, Justin Rose and Zach Johnson are playing this golf ball". 

As mentioned, these golf balls are exclusively available to the professionals and, consequently, you may wonder why do Titleist produce them? Well, according to Earl, "the reason why we have these golf balls on Tour is to basically get feedback, so we're looking at performance benefits."

Justin Rose waves to the crowd whilst holding a Titleist golf ball

Rose in action during the second round of The Open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He went on to add: "These guys have such good numbers that we can get that feedback and, potentially, put that into new products. So, these balls, whilst they are custom for Tour, there is that opportunity, to take them to retail, Take 'Left Dash' that went to retail, we saw that there was a market for it and there was a golfer out there".

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x