California Validation for New Pro V1 and Pro V1x

Hey, Team Titleist!

I recently had a fun opportunity to visit the west coast to help with an important undertaking for us at Titleist – the global validation of the new 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. Validation is the final stage in golf ball product development, a broad and extensive final test that 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x had to pass before we could bring the new models to market in January.

During validation, we supply golfers with what we hope are the final version of new golf ball models. I say "hope" because determining whether we've succeeded or not is not up to us. It's up to you. And thousands of golfers like you. Players at every level of the game – from champions on the worldwide tours, to PGA club professionals, to competitive and aspiring amateurs – they all test these late-stage prototypes and decide whether we move forward or head back to the drawing board.

'How do I not have my clubs right now?' I thought as I walked around the corner of the golf shop to meet Jason Owen, coach of the Men's golf team at California State University - Monterey Bay. Bayonet and Black Horse are the home courses for the Otters and my jaw hung open as the property spread out before me. Holes winded down and across a vast hillside that ran straight down to the Monterey Bay. The Pacific glistened in the near distance. Amazing view to start the experience. I only wish I could have played alongside Jason and Tommy, Noah and Luke, the three members of the Men's golf team that would be teeing up the new 388 prototype and 348 prototypes that afternoon. All four players are sticks and even though it stung not to play, it was a lot of fun to tag along and see what the new products could do in the hands of these accomplished players.

White boxes signify test models at Titleist – like...
White boxes signify test models at Titleist – like the Prototype 388 and Prototype 348 models that members of the CSUMB men's golf team put to the test at the Bayonet and Blackhorse courses in Seaside, CA.1/12
The first hole at Black Horse is a long uphill...
The first hole at Black Horse is a long uphill par-5. Luke W. hit a great long bunker shot, hitting his Prototype 348 model to four feet.2/12
Textbook form from Noah K. with a mid-iron at...
Textbook form from Noah K. with a mid-iron at Blackhorse No. 2. Noah tested both the Prototype 388 and Prototype 348 models.3/12
Coach Jason Owen birdied the third hole and led...
Coach Jason Owen birdied the third hole and led the way off the downhill fourth hole. Currently a 2021 Pro V1x player, Jason tested the Prototype 348 model.4/12
Luke hit a great wedge into No. 4 but the...
Luke hit a great wedge into No. 4 but the hole's main defense is an extremely fast, tricky green, a common theme on both the Bayonet and Blackhorse courses.5/12
The group took a brief detour onto Bayonet to play...
The group took a brief detour onto Bayonet to play a quick loop before heading towards the ocean holes on Blackhorse. Here, Tommy K. hit a piercing cut with his Prototype 388 on Bayonet No. 10.6/12
No. 8 on Blackhorse is a 613-yard par-5 that runs...
No. 8 on Blackhorse is a 613-yard par-5 that runs straight towards the Pacific. Jason put himself in perfect position for this flighted distance wedge.7/12
All four players showed that they're skilled...
All four players showed that they're skilled in all phases of the game. Here Tommy stares down a birdie putt on Blackhorse No. 8.8/12
Noah gave it a rip on No. 9, a par-4 that runs...
Noah gave it a rip on No. 9, a par-4 that runs back up the hill, parallel to No. 8.9/12
The drive is only half the battle on No. 9, which...
The drive is only half the battle on No. 9, which requires great spin control to avoid spinning you approach shot back off the false front of this steeply pitched green.10/12
As the weather turned cool and windy later in the...
As the weather turned cool and windy later in the day, the group finished on Bayonet. Here, Luke fights a strong crosswind on the 223-yard par-3 17th.11/12
Sincere thanks to (from left to right) Noah,...
Sincere thanks to (from left to right) Noah, Tommy, Jason and Luke. Go Otters!12/12

Tommy tested the 388, the Pro V1 prototype. Jason and Luke played the 348, the Pro V1x prototype. Noah put both models in play, eager to see how the models compared. My role beyond assisting our photographer, Nick Hamilton where I could, was to answer any questions the players had about the balls during the course of their round.

I didn't hear a peep until five or six holes in. They guys were all-business, paying close attention to ball flight and reaction of the prototypes around the greens. I walked with Luke on a par-5 on Blackhorse that led downhill towards the bay, and he talked about the drive he had just hit. "I really liked how the new X reacted on that drive," Luke said. "I like to play a low fade when I try to hit the ball straighter. With the new ball, that shot had less spin and went farther than with the previous model. That allowed me to hit my fairway-finder, without losing too much distance."

A few holes later, the group came to a long, 230-yard par-3. The weather was turning cooler and windy, and Jason hit two shots, one with his current Pro V1x and a second with the new 348 prototype. He used a T-200 3-iron on both shots and they both sounded very solid to my ear. His first shot bled to the right and ended up a little short, in a greenside bunker. His second shot pierced through the air, hit hole-high and settled towards the back third of the green. "I noticed the biggest difference in the wind," Jason told me. "Hitting 3-iron into that crosswind, the prototype held its line way better than expected. That was a pleasant surprise."  

•••

The next day, Nick and I visited Pasatiempo Golf Course, where we teamed up with Matt Beauchesne and Scott Warman from the Creative team at Titleist Golf Clubs. It was cold and raining steadily as day broke, and the parking lot was nearly empty when we pulled into the club. But we were very pleased to see that our players – Marissa M., Kiara R., Kris S. and Barclay B. – were already checking in as we entered the golf shop.

Again, we were fortunate to be working with a group of truly gifted players. Marissa is a decorated amateur and a key member of the committee that is overseeing the greens restoration project at her home course, The Olympic Club. Kiara has had a highly successful junior golf career and when we met her, she had just committed to joining the Women's golf team at Oregon University. Both Kris and Barclay are seasoned amateurs and top collegiate players. Kris plays for San Jose State University and Barclay is a member of the Stanford Cardinal squad. Kris and Barclay will be meeting again at Pasatiempo this April 10-12 when San Jose State hosts the prestigious Western Intercollegiate tournament.

You could write volumes on what makes Pasatiempo such a special golf course, but Marissa summed it up perfectly: "Marion Hollins and Alister MacKenzie collaborated to create two courses: Cypress Point and Pasatiempo.  While many may never get the chance to play Cypress, Pasatiempo offers an incredible opportunity for the public to play a classic, Golden Age design by the master architect MacKenzie. The course is a great test of golf tee to green, especially due to the rarity of a flat lie in the fairway. But greens are where the real challenge begins. There is a wide range of green complex sizes, but all have slopes that make you think a little more about your read. After many years of playing events there, I still have to focus a little extra around the greens."

We had some serious competitors at our Validation...
We had some serious competitors at our Validation filming for new Pro V1 and Pro V1x at Pasatiempo Golf Club, including Marissa M. (left) and Kiara R. (right). They brought the same focus to marking their prototypes that they devoted to hitting shots.1/12
Even for Division 1 collegiate players, like Kris...
Even for Division 1 collegiate players, like Kris S., testing white box Titleist prototypes is a special and fun experience.2/12
In foul weather or fair, it's a privilege to...
In foul weather or fair, it's a privilege to play Pasatiempo, a masterpiece designed by renowned architect Alister Mackenzie, who also designed Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne.3/12
Barclay B. sent this Prototype 348 soaring down...
Barclay B. sent this Prototype 348 soaring down the 9th fairway.4/12
As the heavy morning rain started to move off,...
As the heavy morning rain started to move off, this deft bunker shot on No. 11 from Kris was framed in a beautiful backdrop of mist. Kris put the Proto 388 model to the test and for a couple holes, it felt more like Vancouver than Santa Cruz.5/12
Marissa, who tested the Prototype 348 ball, showed...
Marissa, who tested the Prototype 348 ball, showed off the amazing short game touch that must serve her well as a member at Olympic Club.6/12
As the skies cleared, Kiara launched this Proto...
As the skies cleared, Kiara launched this Proto 348 straight into the emerging sun on No. 13. 7/12
The long par-4 14th hole at Pasatiempo is famous...
The long par-4 14th hole at Pasatiempo is famous for the unique gulley that courses through the fairway. You can wind up facing any lie because of this unique feature. Barclay hit a great drive and had to hit his approach from a slope that put his ball six inches below his feet. Ho-hum. Another GIR for Barclay.8/12
Kiara flighted her Proto 348 beautifully here, on...
Kiara flighted her Proto 348 beautifully here, on her approach to the 16th green.9/12
Also on No. 16, our production crew asked Kris to...
Also on No. 16, our production crew asked Kris to move back and try a few shots with a new TSR hybrid. Kris doesn't carry a hybrid, so he was hesitant, but he hit four towering shots in a tight cluster right around the pin. Will it find a place in Kris' bag? We'll keep you posted.10/12
Barclay hit this 50-yard tweener right over the...
Barclay hit this 50-yard tweener right over the head of our photographer, Nick Hamilton. His Prototype 348 ball took one bounce forward and stopped stone dead within tap-in range. A very cool shot to see.11/12
Many thanks to (from left to right) Kris, Barclay,...
Many thanks to (from left to right) Kris, Barclay, Marissa and Kiara. Wishing you all the best as your collective competitive seasons get underway. Thanks for putting your trust in Pro V1 and Pro V1x!12/12

After one false start, where the group was only able to play down No. 1 and back up No. 9 at Pasatiempo, the weather cleared enough to venture away from the clubhouse. It turned out to be a perfect opportunity. Nick, Matt and Scott were able to capture photos and video footage in a number of different weather and lighting conditions. This shoot differed a bit from the Bayonet/Blackhorse experience because we had the course to ourselves, a rare opportunity at Pasatiempo. Our players were able to hit multiple shots, compare models and enjoy their time together. Some great feedback from Marissa, Kris and Kiara:

Marissa M. on 348 prototype (New Pro V1x)

"I really like that I've gained some distance but it doesn't feel like I've lost control of the ball.  Sometimes when I gain distance, I sacrifice accuracy and general control.  But to be able to gain both distance and maintain control is awesome. Super excited and grateful!  Can't wait for the Mid Amateur and Amateur championship season to get underway to get these in play."

Kris S. on 388 prototype (New Pro V1)

"Something that stood out the most to me was the short-range distance wedge shots. Although I wasn’t at a yardage to generate enough compression to get enough spin normally from short range distance, with the new ball I noticed I was able to get the ball to react more around the hole even in short-sided situations. For example, I had a 40-yard wedge shot to a front pin that you do not want to go pass of because of the green speeds. I was able to keep the ball short of the hole while still being able to fly it on the green. For my game these types of shots are very crucial if you’d like to shoot low numbers."

Kiara R. on 348 prototype (New Pro V1x)

"I liked how the golf ball was easier to control when hitting different shaped shots like fades or draws. With the old Pro V1x, I would get too much side spin creating bigger fades and draws than I would like. This new golf ball creates lower long game spin which keeps the ball on a tighter line while still keeping high short game spin and a softer feel. I was super excited that I was chosen to be a part of the validation process of the Titleist Proto 388 and 348. Titleist is by far the best in the game, and I’m honored to be a part of the team."

•••

While I still haven't been able to cross off Bayonet/Blackhorse and Pasatiempo from my playing bucket list (I'll be back!), I genuinely enjoyed being able to walk the holes at each facility. It was rewarding for me to play a part in our validation process, and it was great to see first-hand how well our new flagship products performed on some very demanding tests of golf. I'm really looking forward to the start of the season, when I'll be able validate the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x for myself.

Want to join the validation discussion with other Team Titleist members? Click here to share your thoughts over on the TT forum

And if you've had a chance to experience the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, please weigh in and hear what other players from around the world have to say on on our Pro V1 and Pro V1x Validation page.