Titleist Pro V1x vs TaylorMade TP5x

The short answer

Both are the “x” version of their maker’s tour ball, but the x pulls in opposite directions. Choose the Pro V1x if you want a higher flight and more spin than the Pro V1. Choose the TP5x if you want the lowest driver spin TaylorMade offers in the TP5 family and can give up a little wedge spin for it.

What actually differs

The clearest way to read these two is against their siblings, because each maker rates its balls on its own scale.

Titleist Pro V1x against the Pro V1. Titleist rates the Pro V1x “Higher” for flight where the Pro V1 is “Mid”. It rates the Pro V1x’s long-game spin “Low” and the Pro V1’s “Very low”, and its short-game spin “Higher” against the Pro V1’s “High”. The Pro V1x is the firmer of the two. Titleist recommends it for players who “may benefit from higher-trajectory flight, low long game spin with higher short game spin, and firmer feel.” In Titleist’s pair, then, the x adds height and spin.

TaylorMade TP5x against the TP5. TaylorMade’s chart gives both balls a “Mid” driver flight. It rates the TP5x’s driver spin “Lower” against the TP5’s “Low”, and its wedge spin “High” against the TP5’s “Highest”. The chart calls the TP5x’s feel “Solid” and the TP5’s “Soft”. TaylorMade says the TP5x is “designed to deliver unparalleled low spin and distance off the tee.” In TaylorMade’s pair, the x takes spin away.

Who each one suits

• The Pro V1x suits a golfer who wants a higher flight and more short-game spin, and who likes a firmer feel. A golfer who already flies the ball high, or spins the driver too much, will find Titleist’s lowest long-game spin in the Pro V1 instead.
• The TP5x suits a golfer who wants less spin off the tee and the lower-spinning ball of TaylorMade’s pair. A golfer who wants the most wedge spin TaylorMade rates will find it in the TP5.

The trade-off

If low driver spin is what you are after, the two x balls point in different directions: the TP5x is TaylorMade’s low-spin choice, while Titleist’s is the Pro V1. If you want height and short-game spin, Titleist positions the Pro V1x for both, while TaylorMade rates the TP5x’s flight the same as the TP5’s and its wedge spin a step lower. Play a sleeve of the one that matches your miss before buying a dozen.

Titleist Pro V1 vs Pro V1x and TaylorMade TP5 vs Titleist Pro V1 cover the siblings. How to choose a golf ball explains cover, compression and price per dozen, and the Golf Ball Finder narrows the field. See our golf ball research for the rest.