#Proto2019 ball testing at Rinkven, PGA European Tour

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By Bart van der Does

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  • 7 Replies
  1. Bart van der Does

    Bart van der Does
    The Netherlands

    Hello TT ! Hope you are all doing great. X-mas is coming soon and the temperatures are dropping rapidly. I noticed some of us here were the lucky once as well to receive the #2019Proto Titleist Pro V1’s. (White box)

    First I would like to announce a big thank you to Titleist who is offering this amazing test opportunity. I think Titleist is the only brand in the golf industry who supplies prototypes and happy to share that with their end users. So Titleist thank you for that! I feel proud & honored to be of the test team.

    Oke so let’s talk about results. In the early morning I drove from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Rinkven golfclub (Belgium, the course is also hosting the Belgium Knock Out, PGA European Tour ) to test the new Titleist Pro V1’s. My regular ball is the Titleist Pro V1x, in order to give you a honest feedback I went to the pro shop and bought myself a sleeve of Pro V1 , & Pro V1x

    So during a cup of coffee in the clubhouse I noticed some significant changes. The Titleist Proto 2019 ball seems a lot smaller compared with the previous models, also the dimple structure is different and I noticed the logo is smaller than the previous models.

    My question to you fellow TT members: Have you noticed this too ?

    Now let’s put it to the test, during the round I played golf with 1 ball (bruto strokeplay) which was the Proto 2019. During the round I hit some shots from the exact same spot with the previous models. Apart from a great score card, here are my findings:

    From the tee: Proto 2019: The Proto2019 comes high of the face. I mean with that higher ball flight and increased spin rate. I was surprised about the length but in my opinion the ball flight is too high compared with the old Titleist Pro V1x. I think this is caused by the dimpels structure and the size of the golf ball. Pro V1x: To me this is still the best ball, I get a more penetrating ball flight compared with the other models. Pro V1: The Pro V1 comes a lot lower from the face, more penetrating, less carry but same distance. Winner: Pro V1x

    From the fairway (fairway woods) I’ve tested all models from the fairway and I still think that the Proto2019 comes high off the face. I think it’s great to have a higher ball flight in order to reach a well protected green but in wind conditions I think the ball flight is too high.

    From the fairway (long irons) When hitting the Proto 2019 with my long irons (Titleist AP2, 718) irons 3,4 & 5 given a soft sound of face. It’s like a soft woosh. To be I have more feel with the Titleist Pro V1x. It feels like a bit harder (core) then the proto 2019 and also the sound and flight is more nicer then the Proto 2019.

    From the fairway (short irons) My mid irons were great with the balls. The Proto 2019 came very close to the Titleist Pro V1x. The hanging time of the proto 2019 is a bit longer then the Pro V1x which increased carry distance by 3-5 meters. But now comes the big minus, it spins way too much. More about this in the wedge testing part.

    Wedges: When hitting full wedge shots with the Proto 2019 I felt like more feel with the Proto 2019 compared with the Pro V1x. How strange is that ah? When hitting my wedges shots with all of my 4 vokey wedges I noticed higher ball flight but massive spin. It’s crazy much how much spin this ball is producing. For example hitting the shots from the exact same spot with the exact same iron the Proto 2019 spins at least 2-3 meters more. Please see photo below: This was a 98 meter wedge shot with 50 degree Titleist SM7 Vokey wedge. As you can see the left ball is the Titleist Pro V1x which spin about 2-3 meter. But the right ball is the Proto 2019. As you can see I marked the divots with a tee (5 meter backspin). In my opinion this is way too much. This means when hitting your numbers, means you lose distance control.

    I also hit 1 full wedge shot and the outer cover (white layer) was scratched and damaged. Not very good. The old pro v1x could have at least a couple of wedges before turning scratchy.

    So could this be related to proto type material?

    Greenside bunkers: From pot bunkers to green side bunkers I like hitting the Proto 2019. Because of the higher launch compared with the Pro V1x. Meaning I can attack the flag more because of the high spin (drop, stop, spin back). So in this part the Proto 2019 wins!

    On the putting green: On the putting green I like the Proto 2019 also. Because of the softer feel I have compared with the Pro V1x & Pro V1. I do believe that the roll on the ball has improved compared with older models.

    End conclusion: The Proto 2019 is a great golf ball, in my opinion I don’t like to size of the golf ball (it seems a lot smaller), also I would have loved to see the logo bigger. If this model comes out in stores I also hope to see better alignment marker on the side of the balls. Please read my review carefully, I like the product but I am not that super excited, actually I would prefer buying the old Titleist Pro V1x rather than the new Proto2019.

    Would love to hear more about your findings.

    Thank you Titleist.

    Happy swings.

    Bart

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  2. One really thorough review thanks very much for that.

    I'm equally proud and honored to be a part of the testing for #TeamTitleist

    I have done similar testing so far against my trusoft and apart from the obvious differences like spin, I've notice a massive difference in height which I kind of like if I'm honest.

    Getting similar distance but not having to worry about the 2019proto rolling out. So I'm not aiming to roll the ball up to the pin, just going straight for it.

  3. I would love to try some of these
  4. Odd that the ball would be smaller.
  5. Bart van der Does

    Bart van der Does
    The Netherlands

    Thanks guys for your comments. Hope to see the response from Titleist regarding size etc.
  6. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    The new balls are not smaller than the current version of the Pro V.

    Under the rules of golf, a golf ball has a mass no more than 1.620 oz (45.93 grams), has a diameter not less than 1.680 in (42.67 mm), and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits. Like golf clubs, golf balls are subject to testing and approval by the R&A (formerly part of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) and the United States Golf Association, and those that do not conform with regulations may not be used in competitions (Rule 5–1).
  7. Speedy

    Speedy
    Newmarket, NH

    Thanks Tyler for the info
  8. Luke T

    Luke T
    Staffordshire

    Great reviews just wishing I was the one of the luck few to test them, I did manage to get my hands on one and did some testing myself over a few holes and agree with some points above. Biggest differences were in ball fight for me very consitant of the face. Unfortunately this ball has now gone swimming and didn’t float my only negative feedback. Back to the 2017s

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