At all three driver speeds tested, the highest-compression golf balls ( Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash and Wilson Staff Model) produced the fastest ball speeds. This suggests slower swing speed golfers are still able to compress the core with a driver. With the exception of the 83-compression MG C4, the lowest spinning balls are all sub-75 compression offerings.

Remaining outliers were identified using Median Absolute Deviation, and dropped before calculation of the final averages. They weren’t the most forgiving ball on the market but I’ll definitely say they were more forgiving than a ProV (for me anyway). I’m not saying that’ll be the case for you but it was for me and I’ve read other people say the same. As iron speeds drop into the mid-range of our test, the low-compression balls are faster. Soft is still slow but context matters. The softer outer layers of the high-compression (firm core) golf balls are responsible for a modest speed deficit while the lower-compression balls gain speed because of the firmer covers and mantles.

About the 2021 Golf Ball Test

Overall, the feel of the Vice Pro Plus was not enough for me to distinguish between the two. In a completely blind test (as shown in the video), I was only able to identify 2 out of 6 times which golf ball was which while hitting a 3-iron. Our data reveals that, while there are similarities to be found between any two golf balls, across the entire pool there are significant differences in key metrics like ball speed, trajectory (the combination launch angle, height and descent angle) and spin. We didn’t include standard deviations because our objective here was to focus strictly on the performance attributes of each ball, but since you mentioned it…

So, if you want more stopping power on the greens, you may want to go with the Pro Plus. It’s slightly harder than the Vice Pro and will give you that advantage when playing. Performance The additional mantle layer contributes to a higher initial ball speed, leading to more distance off the tee. The Wilson Staff Model (and Staff Model R), Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash and Srixon Z-Star were in the Top 10 for all three swing speeds. And for many people, the Vice Pro Plus golf ball will be one of those. To have similar performance, at half the price, it truly is a game-changer. It’s also significantly less expensive than the Taylormade TP5 which we also like over here at Breaking Eighty.

THE VERDICT

Notably, the Top 10 is a mix of high and low to mid offerings, suggesting little direct correlation between speed and spin. This extra layer enhances the ball’s overall durability and spin characteristics, making it more suitable for golfers who demand greater control and consistency. The extreme spin of the Pinnacle Range balls is a great example of why they shouldn’t be used in a fitting environment.

Like I said before, my opinion is coming from a mid handicap point of view and when I talk about control & forgiveness I’m talking about how good the ball was at staying in the fairway and not shooting off three holes over. The data collected during this tests suggests that the Vice Pro Plus and Titleist Pro V1x offer similar performance. Differences while generally minimal are most pronounced when comparing spin across irons and wedges.Moreover, the Pro Plus exhibits a lower, more penetrating ball flight, which can be advantageous in windy conditions. The lower-compression, low-spinning Titleist Tour Speed was surprisingly long as were other low-compression balls like the Bridgestone Tour B RX and Callaway Chrome Soft. Designed for golfers who demand distance and control, the Vice Pro Plus is a four-piece golf ball that excels in challenging conditions. Accuracy differences were also minimal, with the Pro V1x finishing on average slightly closer to the target line