Titleist’s 2015 Pro V1 and Pro V1x are designed to give golfers all the performance they’re used to from the company’s flagship golf ball brand, but a new cover adds a softer feel, more short-game spin and better durability.

Michael Mahoney, director of golf ball marketing for Titleist, said the improvements to the 2015 golf balls were possible because of the company’s shift to a new cover formulation and paint system in 2013, which was the last time Titleist upgraded the Pro V1 and Pro V1X.

[quote_box_center]“The most efficient path to short game spin control is through cover,” Mahoney says. “The little chip shots, the 20-yard pitch shots, those types of shots are really cover-based events only. If you can focus your material science there, you’re going to get the best performance in short game spin.” [/quote_box_center]

Theoretically, a softer cover should make a golf ball more durable, as forces from the club are distributed across a wider portion of the cover at impact. The increased softness also creates a slightly softer feel, and comes with an added performance benefit. The softer, thermoset urethane cover does a better job of gripping a clubface’s grooves, creating more short game spin.

Still, Titleist spent months testing the balls with its Tour Staff to see if there were any durability issues or performance drop offs.

Sixty percent of the players perceived the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x as having better spin and control around the greens, Mahoney said. More important was an overall consensus that new cover did not compromise performance on shots away from the green or the balls’ durability.

[quote_box_center]“This one’s better for me because that softer cover around the greens allows me to have more spin control and softer feel, without jeopardizing any distance or spin with the long clubs,” said Jordan Spieth, who used the ball for his wins at the 2014 Australian Open and Hero World Challenge. “It’s still long off the tee with more control around the greens,”[/quote_box_center]

Under the cover, the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls use the same constructions as Titleist’s previous generation.

The Pro V1x ($47.99) is a four-piece golf ball with a dual core that offers a slightly higher trajectory than Pro V1.

Notable Pro V1x users: Adam Scott, Jimmy Walker, Hunter Mahan, Ian Poulter and Zach Johnson.

The Pro V1 ($47.99) is a three-piece golf ball that offers a flatter trajectory and a softer feel.

Notable Pro V1 users: Jason Dufner, Joost Luiten, John Senden, Jonas Blixt, Tim Clark, Brendon de Jonge and John Huh.

The Pro V1 and Pro V1x will be in stores Jan. 30, 2015.