Moving away from the ProV

[akronswitness]

Have been playing the ProV for the past 2 years, but can no longer justify the cost of them. Some of the things I like about them specifically are:

• Compression. To me, they hit a perfect sweet spot in terms of feel. Hard enough to give you good response off the face, but still have a decent softer feel to them. Perfect middle ground IMO
• Flight. As somebody who hits the ball high, I love the fact that these have more of a lower penetrating flight. 
• Spin. Obviously. Need to hold greens. 

 

Is there a ball out there people have tried that sort of checks these same boxes in a similar fashion? Ive heard great things about the Vice Pro, the Srixon Z Star, among others. Has anybody else switched away from the ProV and found a close-enough option?

 

 

Edited April 8 by akronswitness

[golfwb]

For a lower price point I know that Dicks was selling a ball last season that alot of the guys around here liked. 

I think it might have been a wilson.

Id find the ball testing from the other site and go from there

Edited April 8 by golfwb

[Lord Helmet]

Just FYI - every time I try to move away from the V1 and 1x I end up coming back to them.  I have tried the 2025 iterations of both and much prefer the 2023 versions of them.  I am also currently trying out left dash 1x and Callaway 3 diamond.  Those are all at the same price point though.  You really do get what you pay for here IMHO.

[ScooterMcTavish]

I have liked ProV1s and use ProV1Xs RCT with my Garmin.  And generally speaking, I have yet to find a "bad" tour ball in the various ones I have tried over the last few years.

 

But as a budget-conscious golfer, I have yet to meet as good a ball regularly on sale as the Z-Star series from Srixon.  It is not uncommon to pick them up for half price at the end of the season, and or BOGO around Father's day.

 

Despite typically preferring a softer ball, I have gravitated towards the XV, as I prefer the higher trajectory, combined with lower spin off the driver.  For your game, you may really enjoy the base Z-Star, as it does fly lower, but does generate a bit more spin.  I also believe the compressions of the Z-Star/XV are within a few points of the ProV1/X, though the XV somehow feels "softer" to me than the ProV1x.

 

And if you like bright objects that please your ADHD-addled brain (like me) the Divide versions are fantastic.  Good for tee alignment, and easy to find.  

Edited April 8 by ScooterMcTavish

[Lord Helmet]

24 minutes ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

I have liked ProV1s and use ProV1Xs RCT with my Garmin.  And generally speaking, I have yet to find a "bad" tour ball in the various ones I have tried over the last few years.

 

But as a budget-conscious golfer, I have yet to meet as good a ball regularly on sale as the Z-Star series from Srixon.  It is not uncommon to pick them up for half price at the end of the season, and or BOGO around Father's day.

 

Despite typically preferring a softer ball, I have gravitated towards the XV, as I prefer the higher trajectory, combined with lower spin off the driver.  For your game, you may really enjoy the base Z-Star, as it does fly lower, but does generate a bit more spin.  I also believe the compressions of the Z-Star/XV are within a few points of the ProV1/X, though the XV somehow feels "softer" to me than the ProV1x.

 

And if you like bright objects that please your ADHD-addled brain (like me) the Divide versions are fantastic.  Good for tee alignment, and easy to find.  

 

XV is on my list.  Im a 1x player typically.  Currently trying left dash and Cally 3 diamond.

[grochol17]

1 hour ago, akronswitness said:

Have been playing the ProV for the past 2 years, but can no longer justify the cost of them. Some of the things I like about them specifically are:

• Compression. To me, they hit a perfect sweet spot in terms of feel. Hard enough to give you good response off the face, but still have a decent softer feel to them. Perfect middle ground IMO
• Flight. As somebody who hits the ball high, I love the fact that these have more of a lower penetrating flight. 
• Spin. Obviously. Need to hold greens. 

 

Is there a ball out there people have tried that sort of checks these same boxes in a similar fashion? Ive heard great things about the Vice Pro, the Srixon Z Star, among others. Has anybody else switched away from the ProV and found a close-enough option?

 

 

 

If you wait long enough for people to reply, you're going to pretty much get everyone suggesting that you play their favorite ball.  So I'll add my two cents.

 

I used to play the Z Star exclusively for years... I think I played the '15, '17, '19, and '21 models.  Really good ball and played lots of good golf with it.  I switched away from it for reasons that had little to do with the ball.  I was losing confidence in part of my game and decided that was the cheapest thing to switch up.  I've since played the '21 Pro V1, '23 Pro V1, '22 AVX, '24 AVX, left dash, and '24 Wilson Staff. 

 

As a fellow high ball hitter, the Wilson Staff I think would match the performance you're looking for, but the feel might be more firm than you want.  Maybe not by much, so I'd say it is worth a try.  They are priced the same as the AVX, but right now there's a 3-for-2 sale going on.  The ball performance and durability is top notch, too.  I played 52 holes with one ball and in the third round I was +2 before pulling a tee shot off of a cart path and OB.  If the Staff is too firm, you could check out the Triad.

 

According to one of my PING ballnamic fitting runs, the Maxfli Tour should play pretty similarly to the V1.  I personally haven't tried it, but it gets pretty good reviews on here.  And DSG/Golf Galaxy always have deals going on to get those balls for pretty cheap.

 

The Mizuno Tour S is really new and I haven't tried it out yet.  A few people posting on here think it compares well to the Pro V1, but it sounds like that is mostly people hitting on a sim, so not sure about how it would play in real life.  I've got a dozen waiting for testing when I get to play again.

[ScooterMcTavish]

5 minutes ago, Lord Helmet said:

 

XV is on my list.  Im a 1x player typically.  Currently trying left dash and Cally 3 diamond.

 

XV reminds me a lot of the 1x, but has a better "feel" to it, despite compressions being similar.  Might also be worth trying the Z-Star Diamond - it tries to fit between the other two Z-Stars, but is an odd ball as it only fits a specific golfer.  If you have a fast swing speed and are low spin off the driver, it could be a pretty good ball for you.

[ScooterMcTavish]

5 minutes ago, grochol17 said:

 

If you wait long enough for people to reply, you're going to pretty much get everyone suggesting that you play their favorite ball.  So I'll add my two cents.

 

 

I'd be a bit careful about jumping to that conclusion.  My favourite ball is not the Z-Star/XV, it's my favourite affordable Tour ball as per OP's question.

 

If price wasn't an object, I'd play the new Chrome Tour ball.  However, when I get the Z-Star (which I like just a little less) for half the price, then it's a no brainer.

 

 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, akronswitness said:

Have been playing the ProV for the past 2 years, but can no longer justify the cost of them. Some of the things I like about them specifically are:

• Compression. To me, they hit a perfect sweet spot in terms of feel. Hard enough to give you good response off the face, but still have a decent softer feel to them. Perfect middle ground IMO
• Flight. As somebody who hits the ball high, I love the fact that these have more of a lower penetrating flight. 
• Spin. Obviously. Need to hold greens. 

 

Is there a ball out there people have tried that sort of checks these same boxes in a similar fashion? Ive heard great things about the Vice Pro, the Srixon Z Star, among others. Has anybody else switched away from the ProV and found a close-enough option?

 

 

Vice Pro is great but will have a higher flight. Z Star is another really good option with similar trajectory. I have not tried it, but the Maxfli Tour ball is very good as well. The wildcard here is the new Mizuno ball. It’s really good and they have a 3 for 2 deal going right now.

[runningblind11]

I second the Vice suggestion.  Great balls, and can be had for a good deal and some fun designs.  Nothing matches the quality control of Titleist, but I too wonder if 1 bad ball every 20 is worth paying 40% more.

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

2 hours ago, golfwb said:

For a lower price point I know that Dicks was selling a ball last season that alot of the guys around here liked. 

I think it might have been a wilson.

Id find the ball testing from the other site and go from there

 

16 minutes ago, grochol17 said:

According to one of my PING ballnamic fitting runs, the Maxfli Tour should play pretty similarly to the V1.  I personally haven't tried it, but it gets pretty good reviews on here.  And DSG/Golf Galaxy always have deals going on to get those balls for pretty cheap.

 

I play the Maxfli Tour and it's a pretty good imitation of the ProV1.  I find it just a tad more "clicky" that the V1 - helps me with feel off the driver and putter, is probably a push off the irons, and hurts a little around the green (I like a softer feel with wedges).  I am a high ball hitter as well, and have had trouble with the V1X ripping off of greens, so I like that the V1 and Maxfli Tour are a bit more moderate.  I don't rip the ball back so much, but it tends to sit down right about where it pitches for me, and green side control is plenty good.

 

I prefer them over Chrome Soft, TP5, Z Star, etc.  Durability and consistency are pretty solid.  I've never been a big DTC guy.

 

The benefit to going with the Maxfli is landing them at sale prices from DSG or GG - I feel like I've been able to get about 5 dozen using promo codes, etc., at around $24-$25 per dozen.  Outside of sale prices, they have actually crept up in cost a bit.

[Momogolf]

2 hours ago, runningblind11 said:

I second the Vice suggestion.  Great balls, and can be had for a good deal and some fun designs.  Nothing matches the quality control of Titleist, but I too wonder if 1 bad ball every 20 is worth paying 40% more.

Srixon Z Star Diamond over a Pro V1, every time.

[akronswitness]

1 hour ago, Momogolf said:

Srixon Z Star Diamond over a Pro V1, every time.

 

Is the diamond their direct comp for the Pro V? Ive never hit a Srixon so Im not familer with the comps between the XV, Diamond and regular Z Star.

[akronswitness]

4 hours ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

I have liked ProV1s and use ProV1Xs RCT with my Garmin.  And generally speaking, I have yet to find a "bad" tour ball in the various ones I have tried over the last few years.

 

But as a budget-conscious golfer, I have yet to meet as good a ball regularly on sale as the Z-Star series from Srixon.  It is not uncommon to pick them up for half price at the end of the season, and or BOGO around Father's day.

 

Despite typically preferring a softer ball, I have gravitated towards the XV, as I prefer the higher trajectory, combined with lower spin off the driver.  For your game, you may really enjoy the base Z-Star, as it does fly lower, but does generate a bit more spin.  I also believe the compressions of the Z-Star/XV are within a few points of the ProV1/X, though the XV somehow feels "softer" to me than the ProV1x.

 

And if you like bright objects that please your ADHD-addled brain (like me) the Divide versions are fantastic.  Good for tee alignment, and easy to find.  

 

Right on thanks for the insight. What Ive read about the base Z Star since people recommended it, is that its low spin off driver for added distance--but its hyper spinney and soft with irons/wedges to hold greens. It honestly sounds like the leader in the clubhouse right now for me.

 

 

Edited April 8 by akronswitness

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, akronswitness said:

 

Is the diamond their direct comp for the Pro V? Ive never hit a Srixon so Im not familer with the comps between the XV, Diamond and regular Z Star.

Diamond spins more than the V1. Regular Z Star is closer to V1.

[bcflyguy1]

If you want something that mimics the V1 for performance, quality, and consistency but at a lower price the conversation begins and ends with Maxfli Tour.

[ScooterMcTavish]

2 hours ago, akronswitness said:

 

Right on thanks for the insight. What Ive read about the base Z Star since people recommended it, is that its low spin off driver for added distance--but its hyper spinney and soft with irons/wedges to hold greens. It honestly sounds like the leader in the clubhouse right now for me.

 

 

Personally prefer the XV as it is lower spin off the driver, but higher trajectory off the irons.

 

YMMV, but the base Z-Star flies lower with more spin off both driver and irons.  

[Momogolf]

4 hours ago, akronswitness said:

 

Is the diamond their direct comp for the Pro V? Ive never hit a Srixon so Im not familer with the comps between the XV, Diamond and regular Z Star.

That is my understanding. It was tour-only and Srixon quickly moved to release it for retail consumers. 

[bcflyguy1]

15 hours ago, akronswitness said:

 

Is the diamond their direct comp for the Pro V? Ive never hit a Srixon so Im not familer with the comps between the XV, Diamond and regular Z Star.

No, the standard Z Star has much more in common with V1 than the Diamond does. Diamond has much more in common with the V1X.

[Airjenks]

I am personally a callaway chrome soft X user for the last 2 years but switching back to either prov1 or prov1x. For whatever reason Titleist has created a much more durable golf ball... I rip through 1 callaway per round minimum, i tried all the srixons and i kept having seam issues and would go through a ball per round. Unless i hit a cart path, i can use the same ProV for multiple rounds. The price per ball is actually cheaper than most when i account for those variables. 

[grochol17]

51 minutes ago, bcflyguy1 said:

No, the standard Z Star has much more in common with V1 than the Diamond does. Diamond has much more in common with the V1X.

 

That's the version that I heard... supposedly the diamond was designed for Brooks Koepka when he signed with Srixon so they could get him to stop playing the V1x.

[msimpsoneh]

I am trying out the Maxfli Tour S. Putted with it and felt nice and soft. I tried the Maxfli Tour but it didn't have much feel. Need to get out and play to really rate but so far off the putter was very comparable to ProV1. And for $40 you can't beat the price point. If I like them, I would get the 4 pack which brings the price down to $30/dozen. 

[Lord Helmet]

So as I mentioned earlier, whatever I try out I always end up moving back to V1 or 1x - its just the gold standard IMHO.  Ive got left dash and Cally 3 diamond sleeves now.  Putting, left dash feels firmer to the touch as in the ball feels slippery where the Cally feels more grabby - if any of that makes sense.  Putting here in the basement, the left dash feels firmer but nothing bad.  Basic chips in the basement same thing, left dash feels firmer only this time its more noticeable to me off the SM10.  Will be at the short game area tomorrow to try them out - weather in SW Ohio sux hard recently so outside time has been very limited.

[Kmac]

Whatever I try I also end up back at the Prov1. Whether you prefer the Prov1 or the X they are as already mentioned, the gold standard. That said, I have tried the Vice Pro, the X Star Diamond, TM TP5X and the Maxfli Tour. I really did not like the Z Star Diamond, to me it was not even close to the Prov1. I only used them because of a PGASS BOGO deal but I wont be playing them again. The Vice Pro is a great ball. Its durable, almost as long, feels good and pretty good around the greens. But the Maxlfi Tour is as close to the Prov1 as I have found so far. Its a great ball. You dont even have to say its a great ball for the money, its just a great ball. Even just buying one box at $39 is a good deal. I got the 4 for the price of 3 deal and so far I'm extremely impressed.

[Lord Helmet]

26 minutes ago, Kmac said:

Whatever I try I also end up back at the Prov1. Whether you prefer the Prov1 or the X they are as already mentioned, the gold standard. That said, I have tried the Vice Pro, the X Star Diamond, TM TP5X and the Maxfli Tour. I really did not like the Z Star Diamond, to me it was not even close to the Prov1. I only used them because of a PGASS BOGO deal but I wont be playing them again. The Vice Pro is a great ball. Its durable, almost as long, feels good and pretty good around the greens. But the Maxlfi Tour is as close to the Prov1 as I have found so far. Its a great ball. You dont even have to say its a great ball for the money, its just a great ball. Even just buying one box at $39 is a good deal. I got the 4 for the price of 3 deal and so far I'm extremely impressed.

 

Yeah I keep forgetting about them TBH.  The site that spies on golf loves them I think.  Might try a sleeve.

[Yanki01]

22 hours ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

 

XV reminds me a lot of the 1x, but has a better "feel" to it, despite compressions being similar.  Might also be worth trying the Z-Star Diamond - it tries to fit between the other two Z-Stars, but is an odd ball as it only fits a specific golfer.  If you have a fast swing speed and are low spin off the driver, it could be a pretty good ball for you.

I feel the same about the XV. I switched about 6-7yrs ago from Pro V1x to the XV and have loved it. 

[VNutz]

I went from playing primarily ProV1x, Srixon, Bridgestone to the Maxfli Tour several years ago. Don't really notice a difference and it's so much cheaper and easier.

[KhiloD]

On 4/8/2025 at 11:54 AM, akronswitness said:

Have been playing the ProV for the past 2 years, but can no longer justify the cost of them. Some of the things I like about them specifically are:

• Compression. To me, they hit a perfect sweet spot in terms of feel. Hard enough to give you good response off the face, but still have a decent softer feel to them. Perfect middle ground IMO
• Flight. As somebody who hits the ball high, I love the fact that these have more of a lower penetrating flight. 
• Spin. Obviously. Need to hold greens. 

 

Is there a ball out there people have tried that sort of checks these same boxes in a similar fashion? Ive heard great things about the Vice Pro, the Srixon Z Star, among others. Has anybody else switched away from the ProV and found a close-enough option?

 

 

Try the Mizuno Pro S and the PXG Xtreme Tour balls. Cheaper in cost but by no means in quality of ball. You should find them extremely similiar in performance but save some money in the process.

[CTG77]

2 hours ago, msimpsoneh said:

I am trying out the Maxfli Tour S. Putted with it and felt nice and soft. I tried the Maxfli Tour but it didn't have much feel. Need to get out and play to really rate but so far off the putter was very comparable to ProV1. And for $40 you can't beat the price point. If I like them, I would get the 4 pack which brings the price down to $30/dozen. 

I find them both to be too soft off the putter.  However, I am loving the 25 Maxfli Tour X.

Edited April 9 by CTG77

[akronswitness]

3 hours ago, bcflyguy1 said:

No, the standard Z Star has much more in common with V1 than the Diamond does. Diamond has much more in common with the V1X.

 

Interesting, I heard something that the regular Z Star is a decent amount shorter than the Diamond/XV. Not sure if that's true or a dealbreaker because its designed (according to their site) for lower swing speed players in the 90mph range. I technically 'fit' into the Diamond based on swing speed--but I find that I like the qualities I hear of the Z Star better. 

 

Not sure how much of a difference it will actually make on the course, guess I have to just go try em both out.

 

 

Edited April 9 by akronswitness