Golf Balls

TITLEIST PRO V1x (vs) VICE PRO PLUS

BY MyGolfSpy
Jul 24th 2017
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If there’s a faster-growing segment of the golf equipment market than the direct to consumer ball space, we’re hard-pressed to come up with an example.

New brands are entering the market at a frantic pace, but the business models are similar; sell 3 and 4-piece urethane covered balls that offer performance similar to traditional OEM brands. Cut out the middle man (retail), keep ad spend to a relative minimum, and don’t even consider the contracts, tee-up and win bonuses the brands everybody knows pay out to PGA Tour Pros.

Under the direct-to-consumer model, the ball company gets a fair profit, and the consumer saves money. It’s a win for everybody except the status quo.

Among the leaders in this emerging category is the German brand, Vice Golf. We’ve already told you the Vice Story, so today we’re sharing the results of a recent test of Vice’s 4-piece, urethane covered Pro Plus against the best-selling 4-piece model on the market today; the Titleist Pro V1x

HOW WE TESTED

Vice Pro Plus and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls were tested head to head.
Testers used the same driver, 6 iron, and sand wedge for all shots.
Testers rotated between clubs until 12-14 “good” shots were hit with each.
Club order was randomized for every tester.
Six golfers with handicaps ranging from 0-10 and driver swing speeds between 90 and 110 mph participated in this test.
Gross mishits were eliminated and are not included in the shot counts.
Remaining outliers were identified using Median Absolute Deviation, and dropped before calculation of the final averages.
Ball Data was recorded using a Foresight GCQuad Launch Monitor.

*The GCQuad accurately characterizes initial launch conditions including ball speed, launch angle, and spin rates, however; dimple patterns differences between balls can have an impact on downrange values such as peak height and descent angle. For this reason, the comparative Total Distance numbers provided should be considered reasonable estimates.

THE DATA

OBSERVATIONS

Off the driver, the data suggests the Titleist Pro V1x generated slightly higher ball speeds and was longer than the Vice Pro Plus
Average ball speed differences were negligible, contributing to a total yardage difference of less than two yards
Accuracy differences were also minimal, with the Pro V1x finishing on average slightly closer to the target line
Launch angles differed by only .25° and the two balls produced nearly identical (and low) spin rates

Vice VS. Titleist - 6 Iron Data

Club	Distance	Accuracy	Spin	Launch	Ball Speed
Titleist Pro-V1x 6 iron	175.49 yds	7.70 yds	5,770 rpm	15.52 deg	119.32 mph
Vice Pro Plus 6 iron	176.77 yds	6.92 yds	4,864 rpm	16.56 deg	117.72 mph

OBSERVATIONS

Off the 6-iron, the vice Pro Plus was just over a yard longer
This is likely attributable to the Pro Plus’s higher launch (+1°) and lower spin rate (~1,000 RPM less).
While accuracy differences are again extremely minimal

Vice VS. Titleist - Sand Wedge Data

Club	Distance	Accuracy	Spin	Launch	Ball Speed
Titleist Pro-V1x Sand Wedge	93.38 yds	2.77 yds	10,536 rpm	28.06 deg	79.16 mph
Vice Pro Plus Sand Wedge	94.88 yds	2.52 yds	10,110 rpm	29.29 deg	79.56 mph

OBSERVATIONS

Differences in ball performance off the sand wedge are nearly non-existent
The most pronounced exception is the higher spin rate (~400 RPM) of the Pro V1x
TheVice Pro Plus was marginally longer; again attributable to higher launch, lower spin, and slightly higher ball speeds
Average yards from center is effectively identical

THE VERDICT

The data collected during this tests suggests that the Vice Pro Plus and Titleist Pro V1x offer similar performance. Differences while generally minimal are most pronounced when comparing spin across irons and wedges.

While we can understand better players preferring a higher-spinning ball, particularly as shots move closer to the green, the most significant difference between the two models tested is not found in performance, but rather in price. The Titleist Pro V1x currently sells for $47.99 online; the Vice Pro Plus sells for $13.00 less $34.95/dozen. Not bad, but with Vice’s volume discounts, if you order five dozen, the per dozen price drops to $25.

5 Dozen = $24.95/ea.

We’re creeping towards a 50% savings for similar performance.

More to Come

Have you tried a Vice ball yet? Which one and what did you think?

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comments

Join The Discussion

Acey

4 years ago

I was playing in a match play tournament, happen to lose my pro v 1X on the 10th hole. While looking I found a vice pro. Decided to give it a go. Started 2 down, came back and won the match on the 18th hole par 5. Ball played great. Never lost distance, loved the feel off the putter. Just ordered 2 dozen more.

Tony

6 years ago

I play the Vice Pro+ and love it. Comparing it to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, I find that the Vice Pro+ is a little softer, a little shorter off the driver, and shows wear a little sooner. But for the price, the performance is great. I also have them customized and give them away to clients. I don’t worry about losing a $4 ball and play a little better as a result.

Mikey

Ok…I gave into the hype and bought 5 dozen of the Vice Pro Plus directly from the Vice site. What I didn’t like is that I couldn’t mix n match different balls and colors even though some were the same sale price. Since I decided to purchase 5 dozen, I went with the white no knowing if I would like playing a year with the lime color. Lol. I received the balls within 5 days (to Hawaii) which was great. Total price was $132.
The first day I played this ball I was pretty satisfied in all aspects of this ball except one. The feel was great, low/mid trajectory was perfect for me, ball stuck and held on pretty hard greens, and ball flight stayed relatively straight and long. However, only after 4 holes my ball was flaking, and had a couple of cuts. Didn’t hit any trees, cart paths or whatever you think would cause cuts in the ball. After 6 holes, more cuts. So, I started to think I got a defective ball. Pulled out another new ball and same result after 2-3 holes. I finished the rest of my round with the same ball but tossed them both after as I wouldn’t pull it out of by bag again for another round. So I have to say the durability of the ball is very poor. Although the Vice Pro Plus balls are half the cost of the Prov’s, if I gotta pull 2-3 out of my bag to complete a round, I’m essentially paying the same amount as I would for ProV’s. Aside from this flaw, it is a pretty good ball.
Sad to say , but I’ll be getting rid of the other 4 dozen on Craig’s List.

Jim

I found a Vice Pro Plus a few nights ago at my local course. I played the ball later that week in my league (shot 1 over 37!). After my 9 holes, and who knows how many by the guy who lost it, the ball still looks like new.

Frank Holt

I play VICE bec. its golf balls are MUCH MORE DURABLE and LONG-LASTING than any other golf ball I’ve used, particularly Titleist. I play VICE balls a LOT and NEVER have made so much as a nick on one. If I happen to hit a paved cart path, a VICE ball may (or may not) have a small (and I mean tiny) scuff or discoloration. Hit a paved path with a PV1 and you can just about toss that ball. PV1s also discolor a LOT faster than VICE balls. I was pleased to note the tests of PV1s vs. VICE bore out my experience with spin rates. I have noticed VICE balls, however, have more ROLL OUT after carry after hit with drivers or FW metal woods. For me 10-15-20 yards. But they don’t hold greens as well as PV1s (which led me to conclude PV1s had higher spin rates with irons, a factor proven by the side-by-side comparisons with 6-irons and wedges). VICE balls also “seem” a little heavier than PV1s and seem to hold putting lines bec. they don’t get affected by spike or ball marks on greens as much as PV1s.

John Mackessack

Excellent test. Very consistent with the numerous tests published elsewhere. Regards the issue regarding ‘what the pros play’ etc, it’s worth remembering that the pros are not the game. The millions of rank and file weekend warriors are. We are the game.

So, if Vice or Snell can produce a really good ball for an ‘amateur’ price, I’m in.

Likewise, rather than buy your clubs ‘the pros play’ from a big box store, I’ll visit an independent club fitter and get what really works for me.

Horses for courses I suppose.

Tom

I played Vice Pros all summer. I formally played PROV1X’s or PROV1’s. I can’t tell the difference, except price. Here’s what I really like about Vice. I own a small consulting practice. I put my logo on the balls and give sleeves away all the time. So I get a bit of advertising, I get to play with great golf balls, and I don’t go broke. :-)

mackdaddy

I played a dozen Vice tour level ball. They perform well just like the Snell my tour ball. It also took a lot of damage from wedges and short irons like the early versions of the Pro V1. I used one for an entire round and by the end it was so scuffed and torn it looked like I took a file to it. I would have to replace them about every three holes. In fairness I replace my Chrome Soft or B330RX about every 9 holes now.

Jon

7 years ago

That’s amazing technology in the ProVx where it will spin less than comparative balls with a driver, but more in the irons….exactly what I look for. The value is an individual thing, is as the preference for distribution channels. Great test and data! Thanks.

DJF

This is random, would appreciate your perspective. Bought a box of Vice Pro Soft (I’m a Chrome Soft Guy). Played 18 this past Friday, loved them. Played the same exact box the following day for a match. Caddie grabs my ball and goes “replace this immediately, it has no compression left”. I switched back to Chrome Softs for the remainder of the match. Post the match I opened a fresh box of Vice Pro Softs, handed it to the caddy, and still got the same response – “doesn’t feel like it has much compression.” Caddy knows what he’s talking about most of the time, but I’ve never heard of this before. Anyone run into a similar scenario? Can you even measure “compression” by holding a golf ball? Thanks.

DrinkSmokeGolf

Haha! I have read a lot of crazy stuff in this thread but that takes the cake! Kindly tell this caddy he has absolutely no idea what he is talking about!

George

Wow! Please tell your caddy “Whatever you’re smoking, I want some!” Compression just doesn’t “leave” a golf ball. It just might be time to get another caddy if yours is so far out there!

Jnradioactive

Does he have Andre the Giant sized hands?

NH Golfer

Is your caddy’s name Wally or Chip???

Frank Cruz

Your caddy is imagining things. In the old days “water balls” were supposed to lose/change compression if they came from the pond. He may be thinking of that? Golf balls may change performance characteristics when stored over the years, “springiness” could change, but never enough to be detected without some measuring equipment.

Kevincarter

Isnt it illegal to switch to a different make/model mid match?

Andy

Reminds me of my elderly relative who was going to replace his digital camera because he’d used up all the megapixels

Thomas Riker

I have played both the Vice Pro and Pro Plus. It is a good as anything I have played even over multiple holes or rounds. I was a devout titleist player and then the Chrome Soft came along. After that, my uncle and I bought some Vice and Snells to try both out and now I am a Vice convert. I love the Pro Plus but I may have to give their new one a try when the time comes. Even Golf Digest gives this ball a gold medal in their own testing.

808nation

Although I don’t use either of these balls, it was a great comparison. A lot of these direct to consumer companies are doing well, I sometimes use my Snell MTB ball and think they are great. Curious to try out some Vice balls, I definitely have to look them up. Thanks!

petethepro

I thoroughly enjoy reading reader comments when it comes to golf equipment. A fantastic mix of emotion, great comment, misinformation, the bizarre and the even more bizarre. But it keeps me entertained. Of course many golfers are influenced by what the top pro’s play. Titleist just happen to have the market leading range of golf balls and they charge accordingly. They have always been high performance golf balls that are, for some, a cheaper alternative. Lots of contributors tend to forget two things; 1. The Rules of Golf – 5 things that limit the performance of a ball, in short, size, weight, initial velocity, overall distance and symmetry. In certain conditions, a particular ball will go slightly further, so manufacturers “shape” their testing to demonstrate that their ball is better, compared to (insert ball brand here). Step up the curious golfer, who purchases, tries and might just connect with a few, enough to switch brand. What is often forgotten – the elephant in the room – is the ‘man’ bit. The embarrassment of teeing up with a non-brand ball, the one never used on tour, the ball where your friends are quietly laughing at you. You know, you should be driving a Mercedes or BMW, but you have a Ford with several dents. Good golf balls (including top brands) are not at all expensive unless frequently lost in trees, rough or water.

mark leach

3 years ago

Mercedes and BMW are both very over rated. Had both and went back to a Ram 1500 crew cab. Ram has a smoother ride and holds four golfers and clubs with room for luggage for road trips.

Adrian Jones

Basically Titleist has created this monster because they are the ones who are responsible for probably the biggest revolution in golf when they introduced the Pro V’s so other companies had to get in line or get left behind. Titleist had a huge head start and now other companies are finding the blueprint to produce a ball that is similar if not better. This was inevitably going to happen. The problem is that you will never find Pro V’s for a discounted price so they are allowing other companies to pick away at their market share. I don’t even understand why they pay people to play their golf balls because I think they are pretty well established and pros would pick their ball regardless. Imagine if they discounted their ball even to 30 bucks a dozen. They would put Vice, Snell, and others out of business.

TV often picks up the brand of ball and endorses that product. Of course we want to use the same ball as the world’s best. Our intelligence tells us that it probably won’t transform our game, but it satisfies that part of our mind where we are one step closer to our heroes. The vast majority of golfers would do well to tee up a Pinnacle, but our dreams and hopes point us to other products.

mark

I think one thing that has gotten lost in all of this is that Titleist sells the pro v1 to me, the retailer for only a little more than what Vice sells direct to consumer. So who is really gouging people? Titleist sells me the pro V1 so I can sell it and make a little profit. Trust me it isn’t much in golf balls. Most tour balls play so similar the average joe has no idea the difference. I guess we could pressure titleist into direct to consumer, have places like golf shops close up and people can stock up and if they run out, be stuck with whatever the course has. Not a great business model. Unless titleist wants to sell me their golf ball for less than vice sells to consumers, you will never see pro V1 for the same price. Its economics. I guess buy all equipment without trying online and all of us golf shops can just close up and retire.

Bob

Without saying it, you hit the nail on the head. Titleist sells to you, the retailers, at or above what is a RETAIL price for other manufacturers selling direct. NOW, plug in the knowledge that Costco was selling the K-sig for $15 per dozen, assuming that was at their model profit margin of 10.6%, that puts the cost of the K-sigs at just over $13.50 per dozen. If Titleist’s cost to make the Pro V1 is similar, that means their markup to the retailers is over 260%. Bottom line is Titleist needs to lower its other costs (other the making the ball) and reduce the markup to the retailer. Costco really rocked the industry and exposed Titleist as having a defective business model that forces them to charge way more than could be necessary. In college, they taught that a technological advantage is only an advantage until everyone else catches up. Everyone HAS caught up, so Titleist needs to lower its wholesale prices, allow the retailers to make a profit and stop gouging the consumer.

LAbillyboy

I’m not in love with the name… Vice… that alone will keep them out of my bag. I normally use 1 ball a round and then toss it out… never lose more than 1 or 2 so maybe go through 3 a round max… $11.25 max… total cost for balls on top of a $55 green fee… (if you are paying $45 a doz for PV1)… So if I buy balls for $25 a doz.. the MOST I can save is $5 a round… for a 7% savings I am NOT going to order 5 dozen balls and have them sitting around for 20 weeks… if you pay Vice the dozen price, the savings is ridiculously small… I don’t have any infomercial golf clubs in my bag either…

Ian Wags

LOL *starts a post with “I dont like the name”*

That says it all. You’re a Titleist loyalist. All about image and brand. I mean, it is what it is, but you talked nothing about what it did or didnt do for your game and more about justifying yourself out of small money savings.

I’ve played Vice, literally 1 round, a only noticed a SLIGHT drop in trajectory. Other than that, theyre

Perry

You really need to include 40 yard wedge spin.

Shortside

Like many I tried the sample pack. The Pro Soft really scratched my itch. I’m already stocked for this year but it’s at the top of my list for next season.

Birdieputt

The reason Titleist charges $45.00+ is simply because they pay tour players millions of dollars annually to play their ball. It’s protecting their brand and market share and it’s that simple.
For the single digit and “plus” handicappers who can and need to work the ball and demand performance around the green, go ahead and pay for a premium ball. They MAY be worth the extra money.
For the mast majority of the rest of us, Vice, Snell, Costco Signature balls perform just as well and unless your ego demands that you impress your golf buddies with a new box of Pro-V1’s, you’re wasting your money. Besides, I get my Bridgestone 330RX balls at Wallmart for $33.00 a dozen and I LOVE that ball.

Mark

Actually they sell for 45 because they sell it to me the retailer for 37, and I have to make some profit. So is titleist really gouging you, or is Vice because they skip me and sell for almost the same price as a pro V?

Joe

Well if you buy five dozen, Vice is selling to consumers for $25/dz. So Titlelist is selling to you for a lot more than Vice sell to consumers.

I have tried vice, great ball, and at 25 bucks it is a great deal no doubt. No sales reps, tiny staff, super low overhead, I get why they can sell for that, take a quick look at Acushnet earnings and you will see they are not super profitable. If you want direct to consumer for everything, then great, have fun trying out the driver and getting fit, oh wait there wont be a retail place to fit you. Great business model for the golf industry.

Anthony

Mark, I’m confused, Do you make little to no profit on golf balls? Or, if people reduce buying them from the golf shop, it will cause the golf shop to “close up and retire”. Can’t be both, which is it?
Also I have a G.D. Top 100 Clubfitter 5 minutes from my house who doesn’t even sell golf balls. So your last comment there makes no sense.

Mike Robi

At $25 a dozen you could sell them for the same markup as you do your Titleist.

I currently game the Snell MTB. I like it but really can’t seem to tell much difference between it and the Callaway Hex Controls from Costco that I played last year. My distance off the Driver is down but I will be 66 on Tuesday so maybe that has something to do with it.

Really like to see a comparison between the Snell MTB and the Vice. But I am guessing there wouldn’t be much difference.

As soon as I posted this I remembered that MGS did a comparison of Snell and other direct to consumer balls versus the Pro VI. I went back on the site and looked it up. Buyer’s Guide- Direct to Consumer Mar 5, 2015.

Pro V’s didn’t fair too well in that test. Might want to go back and look.

joel r

So you didn’t take money from Vice for this yet they’re advertised all over you site.. hmm..

Low Country Golfer

It’s called targeted advertising and your isp does it. The ad I see is for Titleist Drivers. When will you people stop trying to call these guys out? If you don’t believe them then don’t look at the article, hero.

Joel R

Those ads aren’t geo-targeted.

Konsti

They are not geo-targeted but your browser cache is used for these ads. If you checked out a lot of Titleist Driver website in the last couple weeks, these little windows on the website will show you just that. If you looked at other golf equipment, it will always suggest that. To prevent this from happening, you need to set your browser to private and erase all cookies and such from the past. Even then these ads will be able to identify you by your digital fingerprint and try to lure you into finally buying what you alread checked out. It just gets a little harder for the paying companies ;-)

Vincent Donahue

I’ve played several rounds with the Vice Pro and Vice Pro Plus. I haven’t determined yet which one I like better but I can tell you this. I can’t comprehend why anyone would spend almost $4 a ball for Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V x. No way the average or above average golfer could ever tell the difference in performance between Vice and Titleist. I carry a 12 index and play about 100 rounds per year. If More amateur golfers get to play a Vice ball I think Titleist could be in real trouble unless they adopt a new business model and dramatically lower the price of their golf ball.

Jeff

While the averages are close, I feel like a standard deviation should be added to the mix. In picking a ball, I would really want one that performs the same every time, vs just one that averages longer distance/more spin/etc. If the average distance is just longer because one ball goes 180-190 vs the other goes 182-184, I’d much rather have the lower deviation ball and give up those extra yards.

Gordon

I have been playing the Vice Pro’s for half a season this year.
They fly great and putt soft.
I think they hold up as well as any other high end ball with a urethane cover does.

That being said, I have switched out to other balls for different rounds, and Ive been able to put up 82’s and 83s with different brands, as well as Vice this year. I have also put up mid 90’s rounds with those different brands, and with Vice this year.

Its in the swing, and how you are going that day. If making a switch gives you a mental edge, go for it. You won’t lose any performance with these ball in my opinion.

Barry

I play the Vice Pro Plus, however; i am seeing more than a marginal increase in yardage. I notice at least 5 -7 yards difference. I had to retrain my club selection with the irons. Where i used to hit a 8 from 160 out i now have to go with a full 9. I think the pro v1x still checks better on the greens but for the price you can’t beat the Vice.

Jimmy Chang

zero difference in playability. Black out the logos and keep 6 of each in your bag then see what your scores were after.

Alexander Swartz

How about prov1 and x , b330s, tp5x

FTWPhil

Just love how you guys try to sound hardcore with your “$0” for advertising, but throw “major” in there to make seem like the money is worth less, or is it worth more?

I don’t know anymore with you guys.

Is it ok to take ad dollars from a major OEM if they aren’t lying in their marketing material?

Eagerly look forward to your response to this one. ^

Pdiddy

Found the Auschnet shill. But seriously, quit trying to shame people because you don’t like the actual data. The tests say it all. I bet if you read this same article in Golf Digest, who also came to the same conclusion and gave the ball gold, you’d be pressing on the links from the advertisement that is automatically generated. Vice doesn’t advertise directly. That’s the whole point of their business model.

Jeremy Starr

Well done. As usual…

Conrad Glewicz

Vice does make the best golf glove…the balls are very good, only complaint is durability…CGG…

Daymon J

This is interesting, because my results, have been almost directly opposite. A couple of years ago, I tried the Vice Pro and Pro Plus. I didn’t much care for the Pro Plus, however, really enjoyed the Pro.

That said, with the release of the Vice Pro Soft, everything has changed for me. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever hit a better ball for me. It’s at least 7-10 yards, consistently, longer than the Pro V1 or Pro V1x off of basically every club in the bag, down to the PW and lower.

With those, it flies pretty similarly. The spin of the Pro Soft is ridiculously good for me. I am a Vice fan, and that’s all I play now.

Jacob

Been playing the Vice Pro’s for about a year now. Sometime’s I’ll switch to a Chrome Soft TruVis, or a K-Sig…but whenever I play in a tournament, I’ll take a brand new sleeve of my Vice Pro Neon’s. Perform great and stand out on the course.

saveva

You forgot about goodwill and intangibles. I pay more because I want to use the same ball as my favorite pros. Golf is also mental, there maybe be no difference but I feel more confident and can channel my inner Jordan Spieth over my next putt when I see the Pro V1x text.

Pepsi Challenge. People preferred Pepsi over Coke in a blind taste but Coke still out sold Pepsi… and you know what, I feel more satisfied after drinking Coke too! intangibles

And to those who feel more satisfied and put more value on saving money, you go drink your Pepsi and leave me to my Coke.

Interesting. I’ve never actually heard anyone say they care about what pros are playing, and want to play the same thing. That just seems so absurd to me.

I play Vice because I like the performance, love the price, and love that you can get colors other than white. Also, having inexpensive personalization is great too. I couldn’t care less if Tiger Woods won every tournament with a Titleist ball, still wouldn’t mean I want to play it.

TR1PTIK

#Nike LOL

Jacob, the desire to use the same ball, club, bag, clothing, to look the same as our heroes, to swing the same and maybe one day even play like they do (if only for the odd shot in every 18 holes) drives each and every one of us. The human condition doesn’t always allow us to speak or write about it, but is sure hits the subconscious. Look at the car market, is it the badge and image that appeals, or the functionality of the car? Personally, I’m still trying to swing like Rory and drive a Ferrari.

Gorden

Have to 100% with Petethepro…for at least 50% of golfers playing what they like (and can afford) is super important versus is it really the best fit for their game. Go to any local muni and ask 200 players what ball the love and you will get at least 15 different brands and models…many will tell you a yellow top flite is the best ball ever?????

Eye4golf

It’s nice to see someone who likes to pay the pro’s not play like them. I have played Vice,Snell,Costco, and most recently Srixon Qstar tour and unless you have well over a 100+swing speed you are fooling yourself and wasting money. Playing the tour player balls does not improve your game, save that for your dreams.

Ellis

I can’t believe that Saveva’s comment is for real. In most cases, PGA Tour Pro’s are PAID to play a certain ball (Titleist Pro V-1for example). They also get all of their balls free anyway. Why would you want to pay a premium just to play what Jordan Speith plays ? Do you really think that you’ll putt better with the same type of ball ? C’mon man. Get a life.

HAHA ok, right… and why do companies sponsor players…why do marketing? Bc they know people want what the players use. In your world it’s must be the performance that people wear Kobe’s shoe, or Lebron’s shoes, or Jordans shoes. Congrats – I pat you on the back sir – you don’t seem to care about all – but it’s arrogant and self centered to dismiss others who do.

You could say that about anyone who wears air jordans, or buys basketball shoes because so and so endorses them. He has a point about the mental part, if it works for him why would you ridicule his decisions, it should change how you buy, he is just being honest. And since Pro V1 sells way way more I am sure than vice, I am sure most people buy for the same reason as he does.

David W

B330 RXS for me and my swing speed all day! At a recent local tournament, the top six guys in the championship flight (all scratch or better) were using either the B330 or B330 S. All have played the Pro V1 since their competitive days. Several times a year you can get them buy 2, get 1 free just about everywhere.

Buy 2 get 1 doesn’t hurt right?

Brad Smith

I’m willing to bet that if you could conduct a pure random, blind test (where naming couldn’t be seen) of all the “pro performance” urethane covered balls, that vast majority of players couldn’t reliably tell the difference in sound or feel and almost no one could differentiate them reliably by “performance”. And I’m willing to bet that the same test would not reliably show any differentiation between the balls in terms of performance.

That’s like saying all flour is the same for cooking, or race cars drive the same. Tom Brady can’t tell the PSI of a football, but he knows what he likes.

So I think it would be foolish to say a “craftsman” doesn’t know his “tools”.

Art

No FTW, it isn’t like saying those things at all. Brad noted he is talking about the “vast majority of players”. The professionals, I assume you are referring to, are the VAST MINORITY. What he said is perfectly accurate, and probably extends to a few of the “craftsmen” as well.

Just because I don’t build houses doesn’t mean I can’t tell a difference in nails.

FTW, I’m guessing you can also tell the difference between a soccer ball and a golf ball. Good for you!!

Now without looking at those nails you are so astutely aware of, go and pound in a 16d nail from two different manufacturers and let us know how much of a difference you can tell.

Bate

The brand “hook” along with the customization options of the Vice ball pit them over the top in my opinion.

Matt Heister

Compare them both to the TP5X

Mat

Took the plunge and decided to try the vice tour. Supposed to be deliver in 2 days. Cant wait to try them.

dick erdmann

I found that the Vice Pro was just as easy to loose as the Pro V1. So why pay more?

Are you implying they’re inferior products and will come apart? Is that what you meant when you wrote “loose”, they’ll come loose when hit squarely?!?

Oh…you meant lose. Like you lost a golf ball….yeah, condescending comments can LOSE their punch when you incorrectly spell a word.

If I like loose women should I play Vice?

Josh

Oh boy. Dick Erdmann makes a light hearted joke about losing a golf ball, and Mark gets his panties in a bunch and becomes the grammar police. Hey Mark: it was not a condescending comment.
As Sgt. Hulka says in the movie Stripes, “Lighten up, Francis”.

Scott

Hey Josh, I agree with you. It sounds as though Mark drank the Titleist “Kool Aid” and takes offense to someone taking a jab at him paying $4.00 each for balls that he will most probably lose. Bottom line is most of the golfers on here defending the Pro V1’s probably aren’t consistent enough ball strikers for it to make a difference. I know I’m not.

John Hoffman

I have played all the Vice balls. Their best ball is the three piece Vice Pro. I prefer it to the four pro plus. It’s longer and a little “clicky” if you know what I mean, similar to the the prov vs prov1x. Vice balls are made in Tiwan and shipped from Germany. The new Vice Pro Soft is a matte finished lower compression ball. Not a favorite. Hit that Vice Pro, thank me later.

Dave S

Been playing the Vice Pro Plus for over a year now and could not be happier. At the beginning of the season, I order 5 dozen to get the full bulk discount, and then I’m set. I’m a 15hcp so I’m decent in most aspects of the game, but great at none. That said, I’ve played a VPP and a V1x side by side during the same round of golf and–in alignment with MGS’ testing–found no difference at all. It looks like the V1x generates a bit more spin, but that spin certainly isn’t helping the ball finish closer to the target. Besides, if the VPP launches higher, it doesn’t need as much spin hold a green or stop it quicker, b/c it will have a steeper descent angle. This testing only serves to validate what I already thought to be the case… and I’ll never pay $45 for a dozen golf balls again!

Ken

$79 A DOZ FOR PRO V’S IN AUSTRALIA…WHERE CAN I GET THE VICE BALL IN OZ?

Austin Kreger

Next test should be between the newest Titleist and the previous 2 or 3 models of the same ball and see if they are really “improving” their design each product cycle.

B Moore

Austin – Best comment / suggestion posted thus far. Tony – you should take this seriously. I have to say that for some reason, I personally found the 2017 ProV marketing mumbo jumbo down right comical this year – especially that stuff about getting those pesky dimples placed “just right” on those x’s. I am laughing to myself just thinking about it again. Naturally, a true test would be in varying atmospheric/wind conditions. . . I will say this in their defense however, their quality control is second to none and extends right down to the placement of their logo and alignment markings on the cover of each and every ball.

Clay

People always want cheap and I get that, but the Titleist is clearly the better ball here. Approach shots are the most important part of the game imo and 1,000 more spin off the 6 iron is huge in stopping the ball on the green. The difference was still 500 rpm ‘s off the SW and I assume that advantage is maintained in every club in between.

Respectfully disagree. If spin was that important, then the VPP wouldn’t be finishing CLOSER to the target than the V1x. The higher launch angle lessens the need for spin, as balls descend into greens at a steeper angle. But again… $45 vs. $25/dozen. It’s not even close. MAYBE if you’re a tour pro you might be able to do something w that added spin, but for anyone without a “+” before their handicap, the difference would be indiscernible.

Ferdivedaasje

I agree with you Clay, and I think the conclusion of the article that there is hardly any difference between the two balls isn’t right. The really low spinrate on a 6 iron would concern me enough to not play this ball in dry conditions. I see the same ‘problem’ with the TP5. Holding greens with mid iroms is essential for my game.

The difference in spin rate is minimal will be completely negated by the equally minimal gain in decent angle. Golf is mental and so much about confidence that if paying twice as much gives you that confidence then go for it but you can’t pin your decision on the performance. If the pros were offered the same money to play the Vice as they are for the Titleist then we would see many playing them just like we see many play Bridgestone, Callaway and TaylorMade.

Fred

Your assumption about everyone wanting cheap golf ball is greatly misconstrued. Yes there are some people who prefer a cheap golf ball because their game hasn’t reached a level to warrant a higher performing ball similar to paying $800 for a new set of irons vs $200. Additionally, a number of people do not have the swing speeds to hit a 4 piece ball as far as a 2 piece. I usually play a 3 piece ball and have no problem holding greens if I hit the ball correctly. If I blade the ball it doesn’t matter what brand it is the ball isn’t going to hold the green. I believe for a lot of people that play/prefer ProV are not going to be convinced to use a different ball due to side by side comparisons of like performance balls. I believe it is a status symbol similar to Scotty Cameron putters. Even though much cheaper putters perform as well if not better than Scotty’s it is a status symbol and I know to others it is the appreciation for the craftsmanship. If a person wants to pay full price for a box of ProV’s then that is their purgative just as much as it is for another person to purchase a cheaper golf ball. In the end the article is attempting to show that a golf ball doesn’t need to cost $3.50 per ball to have great performance. I would guess most of us amateurs are not going to notice the subtle differences between similar performing golf balls but maybe.

Gorse Richard

Manufacturing costs similar? Huge savings on marketing.

JV

spot on. in fact Vice manufacturing costs are likely a bit higher due to lower volumes. Mktg costs = huge savings = margin.

Jonathan White

I spin Vice like crazy with my irons… more so than with a Pro V1

I’d love to see testing into a 10, 20 and 30 MPH headwind… That is where this category of ball can be quite different. The old TM Reds were always the best into the wind as the V1x seems to do better that V1…

Kyle

Let’s see a full run down of your quality balls to see where the numbers lie.. I’m talking titleist, Bridgestone, Srixon, Taylormade… let’s put the (adveritisment) money where their mouth is. I’m a Srixon guy, am I really “playing a better ball”? Let’s find out MGS. You tested club brushes for goodness sakes….

Geoff

Click the link to donate and maybe they can afford to.

Damn, that one hit hard troll….

Ty

Wondering about the durability of the Vice ball? My experience was that a hard 60* or SW and it showed the shred marks. Not saying the others don’t but not to the same degree. Same with Snell MGB.
thanks for the review! look forward to hearing about durability.

I found the opposite. I normally shred a prov1 in 9 holes. The Vice Pro + was a lot more durable for me.

Kurt

I agree with the observation about Vice Pro+ durability. I have been playing them for only the last month and notice that they scuff more easily than the Pro V1x. Whether it be from sand shots or the occasional tree, they seem to mark up more readily. Love the way they feel though.

Paul Conan Murray

I play the vice pro+ and it’s a great ball. In the wind it’s the best ball I’ve used!

Currently on my second season with Vice golf balls (tried Pro last season, using Pro + this season). The balls perform great and have an excellent feel IMO. The ProV and ProV1 models I’ve played in the past sometimes have a “heavy” feel to them. They don’t necessarily feel hard, but it’s definitely different from the Vice.

It’ll be different for everyone, but the Vice golf balls honestly remind me a little of the Nike 20XI between the way they feel and how well the do in the wind for me.

My only real gripe about Vice is how dirty and faded the ball can get after one round, but that has absolutely no bearing on performance.

towncryer

Everything in the review matched up with my comparison of Pro Plus and Pro V1x. Driver launch was noticeably lower with Pro Plus for me…and the one thing that puts me off of Pro Plus is the sound/feel with driver. To me, it had a heavier, harder sound than V1x (I’ve had the same feeling with Volvik’s S4). I loved Pro Plus with irons and wedges. Had as much control on short pitches/chips with Pro Plus as I did with V1x.

If I thought Pro Plus was somehow better than Pro V1x, I’d order five dozen right now. I’m a creature of habit, though…and switching would be a downgrade in sound/feel on driver and a lateral move on everything else.

Is it cheaper? Yes…but you have to buy five dozen to get that $25 rate. If you do the loyalty rewarded deal in the spring (buy 3, get one free with personalization) with Titlelist, your price per dozen for personalized balls works out to $36. Personalized Vice Pro Plus are $30/doz if you buy five or $37/doz if you buy four. I’m going to stick with Titleist for now…I’ll pay a little extra for the ball I’m most comfortable with. Vice is scary close, though. Great ball.

slammers

Vice makes a decent ball but when you $6.95 shipping they cost about the same as Pro V’s.

Taxman

They don’t charge sales tax though do they? If you go buy ProVs at the big box store you’d get taxed 10% in my area so $5…

Jimmy Ingram

I’ve played 3 different balls in 30+ rounds this year: Vice Pro Plus, Snell MTB, and V1X. Coming from a single digit handicap, i have yet to see any real differences in performance from tee to green in these 3 balls. The additional colors of the Vice are a nice touch and I do feel the Vice does slightly better than the other 2 from a durability standpoint. I think if price is a factor this is a no-brainer: go with Vice or Snell.

One thing that isn’t mentioned is availability. Vice seem to be constantly sold out of their balls via their website, and buying from 3rd parties such as Amazon or EBay puts them closer to the $40/dz mark which is close to every other Tour ball out there. Snell seems to be readily available, and obviously Titleist is everywhere. Sometimes ease of availability is a factor considering all the high performing golf balls out there these days.

Tom Reed

I am 70, and carry a handicap that has been between 5 and 8 for the last 15 years. My first Vice Pro Plus golf balls were purchased a little more than a year ago. Also, I’ve played the ProV off & on for several years, and have switched between it and a Callaway ball. My first thought when comparing the 2 balls was that the the Vice ball felt softer coming off the club head, whether it was an iron or metal wood. There is also a “sound” difference of the Vice Pro that I like better than the ProV. Spin and accuracy is very similar between the 2 balls, and I could play either one. I don’t see or feel any difference between the 2 when putting. However, pricing is now definitely a major consideration, and as such I have opted to play the Vice Pro Plus.

Kevin Shaw

All the better clubs and balls are very similar. While watching the tour pros, most times you will see their drives within a few yards of each other. It’s all about matching the right shaft to your swing.

Jeff Gardner

Played both this past weekend. X feels like it pops off the club face, but difference in distance and direction was negligible. Feel around the green was much the same, save the X felt a tad softer off the putter. That, however, consideration was cancelled out by the greens. It’s aeration time here in the Valley of the Sun and greens at TPCCh were a tad rough.

That said, Vice price is twice as nice, and I’m frugal. Only disappointment for me is the Vice doesn’t offer Nos. 5-8.

Lastly, I tested Snell MTB and the next one down — Go Deep or Eat My Dust or some such name — awhile back. They felt like ’99 Chevy Caprices in a race with Alfa Romeos.

Dave Rose

I am a senior with a slow swing speed. I only use soft golf balls. There are probably a lot of similar golfers out there.
Would you please do a ball test for us ?

Jedadiah Killough

I’m not a senior, but my swing speed caps out at 94 mph.

I’ve been playing the Vice Pro Soft for a few weeks now. I really like them. I’ve actually started hitting my irons about 5 yards father compared to the Pro V1x that I was playing. I haven’t noticed much if any difference in how it affects the rest of my game. It does feel softer off the putter though.

SP0T

I was given a sleeve of Pros for Christmas last year and hit them this Spring. They were nice. I was surprised, actually, at the feel and how well they seemed to play. I would not be against giving them another test run at some point.

Will Kuchta

I’m a 9 handicap, 70 years old, hit the driver about 225, saw an article in Golf magazine advising older golfers to avoid urethane covers. I did and use the Vice Tour (surlyn cover) and the Titlest Velocity. Both give me 10 more yards than either the Snell or Pro V1’s, Bridgestone, 5 more than TaylorMade. Not the ball’s fault, I can’t compress the better balls enough to get the rebound. Haven’t tried the Vice Pro Plus because it’s urethane, but thought this might help some of your older readers

David Wozny

In theory, the Vice would be slightly better in the wind then?

My experience with vice is that it does hold it’s line better in the wind. I’m still trying to get used to that one.

I hit the Vice Pro + for the first time on the weekend. Great ball and very durable! I find them to be much more durable than a ProV1. One thing I think you are missing out on in the testing is chip shots. That is the data that would be most interesting for me to see. For example, on 20 yard pitch shots how fast does the ball generally stop on the green?

Robert Dwyer

Tried sample pack of all the Vice models and like the Vice Pro and the Tour model. Took advantage of the five dozen discount and got a free dozen great deal. Like Titleist balls but you would never see a deal like this from them!

Don

You guys continue to do great work. I am a scratch golfer and over the last year or so I have tested many golf balls side by side and I have found virtually no differences except for the sound or as people say the feel of the ball. Over the last 3 months months have been playing the Bridgestone RX and saved a lot of money versus playing Titleist with no loss in performance.

Have tried these Vice balls, being honest they played fine, only comment is at the aren’t as white as the newer generation of premium balls, which can make them harder to spot.

Uhit

The purest white balls out there are the Srixon Z-Star (XV) balls…
…not only because they advertise those balls as pure white (visual performance…), they also use not only a white cover, but also a white layer below it.
I know this, because I have cut a Z-Star XV in half, and the two outer layers of the 4 layer ball are as white, as it can get.

Played for the first time with Vice Pro at the weekend, normally using Titleist NXT Tour, got the same distances as the NXT but better spin on the greens, I am a 15 handicapper and got 8 ft spin back with an 8 iron, first time ever. Paid £9 a box less than the NXT and very pleased with performance. A user for life now.

#1 Ball for a reason.... every season

I usually tout the Titleist performance as superior but I have to agree with your post. If you play the NXT Tour, there are many balls out there with superior performance at a similar cost. Titleist really needs to do something in this $30-35 price point. I do believe the PRO V1 line is the best but it is the highest priced ball. If they plan to keep total market share they have to improve this segment of their ball line.

Stevegp

This was another interesting article and test. I enjoy doing my own comparisons between golf balls, so I especially appreciate your efforts.

Thanks.

Scott Herbst

Bought 5 dozen Vice Pro Plus last year. Great golf ball. Can’t stomach the price point of the ProV when the difference is so minimal.

Mark Jones

Vice will ship anywhere and the cost nowhere near eats up the saving. I paid £131 for 60 balls and that included shipping and printing of a company logo (meaning I can charge to my business?)
These balls are fantastic. I’ve never hit Pro Vs, I always used pearl Z Stars. These things are much nicer to hit. Try them, love them. I might even try the red ones next!

Spitfisher

As always a very interesting comparison and testing criteria, Thank you

I may have missed it, but what about prov1 and X, versus Taylormade’ s TP5 and TP5X and Callaway’s Chrome soft and chrome soft X

Now that would be interesting, I mean that right there would be 95% of the premium ball market.

xjohnx

You can argue winner vs. loser all you want but given the price difference this is certainly still a win for a direct to consumer brand! Congrats on making a great ball Vice!

But then again, with the money Titleist saved on getting lucky their trailer was parked in the perfect spot for the best free ad in golf history, they must have paid MGS to say their ball is marginally better.

Perry Snow

Purchased some Vice pro Tours a month back love them. Great Article.

Kevin

Can you do a Vice vs Snell MTB test? I realize you did the Snell ball in the past.

Appreciate your site. Sending you a donation

Will Atkinson

I can’t say enough good things about the Vice pro soft ball!! Great price, performance and style. Love the matte finish.

Jonathan Mullane

Interesting test and results. Thank you for posting. With marginal difference I will stay with the Prov. The hassle of ordering online is a negative. Plus, no way to personalize the vice by playing specific #s.

John Lindner

It take maybe a week for the order to arrive from Vice. Then going forward order agaun when you on your last dozen you’ll never run out.

I’ll second this. I’m on my second season with Vice and won’t look back. They ship FAST!!! If I place my order on Monday, I can usually expect to receive within 7-10 days (at most). I think my last order arrived in about 5 days. Their online ordering process is super easy. If you can buy on eBay. You can buy Vice Golf.

Dan DeBarr

marginal difference? i’d say $15 a dozen is a decent difference.

and that’s if you buy 1 dozen. about $25 a dozen difference if you stock up with vice.

Andy Endicott

Haha the ball makes a difference yes but I’ll save the money if I can. I’ve shot around even par with Kirkland’s, Titleist, Srixon, and Callaway. If you’re good you will be good with any premium ball. Some will just slightly fit your game better.

Camryn Hernandez

Here come the trolls…. and legislators.

Darren Tan

Too bad they only ship in the US. Would love to try this.

Edit: Turns out they do ship to other countries. But the shipping costs will mean the cost advantage is lost for some people.

Flemming Lerbaek

No, its free, if you bay more than 60 balls. I live in Denmark. They came up from Germany.

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Driver Ping G30	Hybrids PXG 0317
3/4 IRON PXG 0311XF	5-GW Srixon Z 565
SW PXG 0317	LW PXG 0311
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