Hi Matt,

This is one of the common misconceptions that exists about the differences between the Pro V1 and Pro V1x models. 

Every golfer compresses the golf ball on every shot. The differences in the amount of compression across driver swing speeds are virtually indistinguishable. There is a common misconception that a player must match the compression of the golf ball to his or her swing speed. No single element of golf ball design determines the golf ball’s performance or distance.

Titleist Golf Ball R&D designs with multiple construction elements (such as core size, chemistry, hardness, number and type of intermediate layers, cover material and thickness, dimple design, etc.) to achieve specific golf ball performance characteristics. All of these elements work together to determine a golf ball’s performance.

Compression is simply a result of this process and is a test of the relative softness of a golf ball which relates to how firm or soft a golf ball feels to a golfer. While there is no performance benefit to choosing a specific compression, many golfers (regardless of swing speed) do have feel preferences. Golfers who prefer softer feel may prefer lower compression golf balls.

The actual difference in distance of any Titleist golf ball over another is no more than 4-5 yards (assuming that you put exactly the same swing on every shot). It is therefore highly unlikely that you will see distance gains from one model to another. The choice of your golf ball should be based on which one performs best for you with your scoring shots - i.e. those that you play into the green, rather than those you play from the tee.

Hope this helps.