Titleist begins Tour testing of new 2027 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls

Titleist has begun the global validation phase for its next-generation Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, with the 2027 models now being tested by professionals in tournament conditions.

The new balls made their latest appearance at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan, where Titleist representatives are working with players on the range and inside the ropes at Yokohama Country Club.

The testing is expected to continue across professional tours over the coming months as Titleist gathers feedback before the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x officially launch.

The latest phase follows months of on-course testing, which began at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. Adam Scott, Ryan Gerard, Jordan Spieth and Harris English were among the first players to test final prototype candidates during practice rounds at Bay Hill.

Since then, the testing process has expanded to a long list of professionals, including Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Lottie Woad and Yana Wilson.

According to Fordie Pitts, Titleist's Director of Tour Research & Validation, the response from players has already been encouraging.

“When we’re in the middle of a testing session and a player asks me how soon he can play the new ball, I know we’re onto something,” Pitts said.

The transition from prototype testing to competition has already begun for some players. 

Four professionals put the 2027 models into play at the Biltmore Championship Asheville, the opening event of the PGA Tour's FedExCup Fall.

Neal Shipley was among them, switching to the new Pro V1 and subsequently recording both a career-best PGA Tour round of 62 and a career-best finish of third.

That early tournament use gives Titleist another source of feedback as it continues to refine the balls ahead of their wider release.

A new chapter for golf's most-used ball

The Pro V1 has been the dominant ball on professional tours for years, with more than 70% of PGA Tour players typically choosing a Titleist golf ball.

The original Pro V1 was introduced at the 2000 Invensys Classic in Las Vegas. 

A total of 47 players switched to the new ball during its first week on tour, marking one of the most significant equipment changes in PGA Tour history.

Since then, Pro V1 and Pro V1x models have been used to win more than 110 men's and women's major championships.

The 2027 Pro V1 will represent the 15th generation of the model, while the Pro V1x reaches its 13th generation.

Titleist says its Golf Ball R&D operation now includes more than 75 specialists across areas including aerodynamics, materials research, engineering, chemistry, product testing and development.

While Titleist has yet to reveal the full technology story behind the new balls, the company says the latest generation has been developed through a combination of player feedback, laboratory research and extensive on-course validation.

With testing now moving across the world's professional tours, more details on the 2027 Pro V1 and Pro V1x are expected to emerge in the coming weeks and months.