In this article we look at the true differences between the Titleist AVX and the Pro V1 with launch monitor performance and on course testing. The AVX was kind of a surprise release from Titleist. We have understood where the Pro V1 and Pro V1x stand in the Titleist lineup. When Titleist first released the Titleist AVX golf ball, players wondered who exactly this was for and whether or not it was an actual benefit to their game.
If you look at Titleist’s marketing they suggest the Titleist AVX is a premium golf ball and fits in with the Pro V1 and Pro V1x; it just has a slightly different type of performance profile, especially from the tee.
We wanted to test these premium golf balls ourselves and see what type of results we could get. Here are some of our data, on-course experience feedback, and our recommendation as to which of these two golf balls you should play.
Titleist AVX vs Pro V1 Design
Titleist AVX Golf Balls
- Layers: 3
- Cover Material: Urethane
- Feel: Very Soft
- Compression: ~80
- Spin: Low from the tee, mid around the greens
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
- Layers: 3
- Cover Material: Urethane
- Feel: Soft
- Compression: ~90
- Spin: Mid from the tee, high around the greens
Titleist AVX vs Pro V1 Distance
Our first test consisted of a golf pro swinging a driver at a controlled speed of 105mph. We noticed that the carry distance was almost identical for these golf balls, with around 247 yards of carry for both the AVX and the Pro V1 (left).
Not surprisingly, the AVX gets slightly more total distance as it is lower spin, and the ball rolls further once it hits the ground. The same held true for the ball flight, as the AVX was slightly lower, with a peak height of 24 yards, as opposed to the Pro V1, with a peak height of 25 yards, due to the increased spin and lift generated with the Pro V1.
When it comes to spin rates on the driver, we are looking for the golf ball that can give us the most ball speed while also keeping the spin in a manageable range. There was a difference of about 50 rpm of spin between the Pro V1 and the AVX. Not all that significant, but enough to show us that extra four yards of roll in the driver’s total distance.
The Titleist AVX golf balls are some of the longest golf balls for iron shots to the green. They may not have as much short game spin, potentially making it a bit more difficult to get the ball to stop on the green (we cover this next), but the overall total distance on the irons shots is very strong.
Sometimes players have a hard time with a soft feel golf ball and getting maximum distance on the approach shots and iron swings. This won’t be the case with the AVX, and you will almost always get a few more yards out of these than you do with the Pro V1 or Pro V1x.
The key takeaway here is that the AVX offers lower spin off the tee, resulting in a very slightly lower flight, more roll, and more total distance. However, the exact results will depend on how you currently launch the golf ball and what is needed to optimize your ball flight.
Spin
We now know the AVX produces lower spin and greater distance off the tee, but what does this mean for your wedge play?
Surprisingly, there was little difference in spin rate with full wedge shots. On average the AVX generated only 100 rpm less spin on three-quarter wedge shots.
If you want shots to drop and stop, a second useful aspect to consider is decent angle – this refers to how steeply the ball falls towards the green. A steeper decent angle (higher number) will result in quicker stopping shots and any backspin having more effect at zipping your shots back on the green.
As you can see from the right-hand graph, there was only a 1º difference between the golf balls. Again, suggesting the Titleist AVX balls perform nearly identically to the Pro V1s when it comes to wedge play – great work Titleist.
Greenside spin
When we move nearer to the green we generate lower club head speeds, meaning the golf ball won’t be compressed as much. This is where the thin, outer layers on premium golf balls start to pay their dividends.
It also means high wedge spin doesn’t always translate into high greenside spin.
When it comes to the shorter shots, the Pro V1 starts to really separate itself from the AVX in terms of spin, from many different lies the Pro V1 grabs and stops at a far greater rate than the Titleist AVX.
The Titleist AVX isn’t going to run through the green, but it will have a few more feet of roll from most situations.
There is a bit of give and take in the game of golf, and you will have to think about that when deciding between these two balls. Is your priority greenside spin? Or do you need that lower spin off the tee? Choosing between the Pro V1 and AVX will be much easier when you make these decisions.
Longevity
When we took both the Pro V1 and the AVX to the course, the golf balls were both in great shape after the first round of play. Even though pricing is higher on some of these Titleist golf balls, you are getting a good value for what you pay for.
In the most recent release of the AVX, the cover was made just a little thinner. I was at first concerned that this thinner cover could lead to issues with longevity, but that did not seem to be the case.
In fact, I noticed really no difference in how the ball held up compared to older versions of this golf ball. I kept each in play for several rounds of golf before needing a new ball due to some imperfections in the dimples that I couldn’t wash away.
Feel
The compression of the Titleist AVX is slightly lower than the Pro V1, and that certainly helps to make this a softer feeling ball.
Soft feeling golf balls can help players establish better control around the greens. This seems to be the case for high handicappers that can’t quite figure out what touch is around the greens.
I was a bit concerned that the AVX would feel too soft, but the fact that compression is still relatively high means that you are not going to be dealing with a golf ball that feels mushy.
The Titleist Pro V1 is firmer, and you can feel it on approach shots as well as around the greens. I like the slightly firmer feel of the Pro V1 on the putting green, and it’s potentially why this is one of the most popular balls in the game.
When you combine the pro V1’s great feel with the higher spin rates near the green, and great tee to green distance, the overall performance is quite impressive.
I do like the feel of the AVX, and the feel might be even better for the slower swing speed golfers. With this compression being a little lower and the soft core technology, you may see a slightly better peak height and enjoy the overall feel more.
Value
The Pro V1, AVX, and even the Pro V1x are all priced the same. They are certainly not the cheapest golf balls in the game, but it is smart to consider the total value here and not just the total price.
Ask yourself what you are really doing out on the golf course. Are you going to play a round of golf with friends and not even keep score? If that’s the case, play with any golf ball you want.
However, if you are truly trying to shoot the lowest possible scores, control spin rates, and maximize performance, your equipment needs to be fine-tuned to your needs. Both the AVX and the Pro V1 give golfers the ability to fine-tune the ball to their player profiles.
This is something worth paying for! Even though these three models of golf balls from Titleist (AVX, Pro V1 & Pro V1x) are some of the most expensive, they are also the most popular. That in and of itself should prove some of the value.
Golf Insider Verdict
The Pro V1 vs. AVX testing has confirmed what Titleist has been telling us about the performance profiles of these golf balls, and surprisingly there is a worthwhile difference between these golf balls in real-life testing. The key now is for you to decide which is best for your game.
For golfers that want more distance in their game, the AVX is worth trying out. Expect lower spin and more roll, and a 5 yards average gain on 105mph club head speed. Remember, these gains will depend on your current launch, most players will benefit from lower spin, but some players may benefit from more spin – test and learn.
The surprise was that the AVX kept up with the Pro V1 for wedge game spin, with only a 100rpm loss in spin rate and near identical descent angle.
However, the Pro V1 is the better short-game golf ball for spin inside 50 yards. Therefore if you are looking for more precision and control around the greens, the Pro V1 will likely be the better overall choice.
Both the Pro V1 and the AVX offer great performance for low-handicap players up to the higher handicap golfers. Don’t be put off by thinking expensive golf balls are just for lower-handicap players.
Happy golfing.
