Titleist Pro V1x vs Srixon Z-Star XV

The No.1 ball in golf. If you watch TV or read golf magazines then it’s a phrase you’re certain to have heard used to describe the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x. If you currently play the Pro V1x could you make a switch for the better? Is the Srixon Z-Star XV the ball to switch to? Should you even be playing this type of ball?

I’ll try to answer those questions for you …

What Golf Balls Are Similar To Pro V1x?

There are a few golf balls on the market that are similar to the Pro V1x. The Srixon Z-Star XV and the Titleist Pro V1x are both great balls for players with a high swing speed. They have a high compression and can produce a lot of spin on wedge shots. The Bridgestone Tour B X is also a great ball for players with a high swing speed. It has a lower compression than the Pro V1x, but it still produces plenty of spin on wedge shots. Other balls in this category would be:

• TaylorMade TP5x
• Callaway Chrome Soft X
• Mizuno RB Tour X
• Wilson Staff Model
• Cut Blue
• Snell MTB X
• Seed SD-02
• Vice Pro Plus
• Volvik Tour S4
• OnCore Vero X2

None of these balls will be identical but each manufacturer is trying to compete with Titleist so they will tune the performance of their balls to make it easier for consumers to find the equivalent ball. Some are 3-piece balls, some 4-piece and the TaylorMade is a 5-piece ball. All will be firmer feeling since the Pro V1x is firmer than the Pro V1. They are all designed for golfers with higher swing speeds and are really aimed at lower handicaps.

Here are my picks for the best alternatives to the Pro V1x.

What Swing Speed Is Needed For Pro V1x?

According to Titleist, the Pro V1x is for golfers with a fast swing speed. Really you should have a swing in excess of 105 mph to get the best out of this ball. Given its compression it will probably feel quite firm to players with slower swings. If you don’t swing it quite so fast but still want to play a tour ball then look at the Pro V1 and similar balls.

What Swing Speed Is Needed For Z Star XV?

According to the Srixon ball selector you shouldn’t be using a Z-Star unless your swing is at least 85 mph. Given that the XV is the firmest ball in the range you would probably want to have an even faster swing than that!

Alternatives to the Srixon Z-Star XV And Titleist Pro V1x

There are a few alternatives to the Srixon Z-Star XV and Pro V1x. The Callaway Chrome Soft X is a good option if you’re looking for a softer feel. It has a urethane cover and provides great feel with iron shots.

The TaylorMade TP5 appears to be gaining traction on tour so if you are thinking of switching that could be a good option.

If you like the idea of using a tour-quality ball but don’t like the $50 price tag then you could look at some cheaper alternatives like the Cut Blue, Snell MTB X, Vice Pros Plus or Seed SD-02.

If you don’t have a particularly fast swing then you may be better of playing more of a mid-range or budget ball. If you want to stick with a urethane ball then the Q-Star Tour is a decent option. It’s a golf ball that offers a soft feel and great spin around the greens. It’s designed for players with slower swings.

Srixon Z Star XV Vs Titleist Pro V1X

So how do these two balls stack up in terms of specification and performance.

Distance

In terms of distance off the tee the Titleist tends to win out in most testing although to be honest when I’ve used the balls I would be hard pressed to say one went further than the other. In some robot testing by Todays Golfer the Titleist was longer by 0.5 yards! Interestingly the TaylorMade TP5x was the longest ball in that test about 3.5-4 yards longer.

Greenside Spin

The Srixon Z Star XV and Pro V1X are both premium golf balls that offer great spin around the green. Testing showed a very similar amount of wedge spin with only 61 rpm separating the balls. Even a tour pro wouldn’t notice that without the aid of a launch monitor.

Performance and Feel

The Srixon Z Star XV and the Pro V1X are both premium golf balls that offer a loads of spin around the green while maximizing distance from the tee with high ball speeds and low spin. I couldn’t detect any difference between them when playing although I am not the target demographic for these balls.

Thy are great for short game shots and if you like to shape the ball then they provide the levels of spin you need to make it happen.

Value

The Srixon Z Star XV is a golf ball is lower priced than the Pro V1x but still considered a premium golf ball. Although the price has risen recently making the balls appear not as good value.

There is a much greater chance of finding the ball at a discount price however compared with the Pro V1x.

Titleist Pro V1x vs Srixon Z-Star XV: Conclusion

When it comes to choosing between the Srixon Z-Star XV and the Titleist Pro V1x, it really depends on what you are looking for in a golf ball. Of the two the Pro V1x is probably the more consistent ball and it also edges it on the distance stakes.

Should You Use The Srixon Z-Star XV Or Titleist Pro V1x?

If you want to use premium balls and think your swing is suited to that type of ball then why not. The big downside with Titleist balls is their relatively high cost. If price is an issue then the Srixon or one of the cheaper alternatives might be the best golf ball for you.

What Is The Difference Between Srixon Z Star And Z Star XV?

The main difference between Srixon Z Star and Z Star XV is that the latter is a softer feeling ball. This is due to the fact that it has a lower compression core, which leads to less energy being transferred to the ball upon impact. As a result, it will fly slightly shorter distances than the Z Star.

Does The Type Of Golf Ball Really Matter?

There is a lot of debate over whether or not the type of golf ball really matters. Some golfers swear by using a certain type of ball, while others say that it doesn’t make a difference. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what works best for your game. If you’re not sure which type of ball to use, experiment with a few different types to see what gives you the best results.

At the end f the day it comes down to the level of golf you play. Low handicappers will be able to see the difference with high quality golf balls while high handicaps probably won’t see much difference between different types of ball.