Strange as it may sound, the newest version of Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x were developed for use indoors.
That’s because the equipment maker was looking for ways to measure spin more accurately and easily in those sorts of facilities using launch monitors. After a two-year process that included collaboration with a team of TrackMan technicians, Titleist is releasing the Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT (for Radar Capture Technology).
The problem that led to that effort was quite simple. Being able to measure spin is critical to amassing key data points regarding launch and ball flight. But while the information a person could gather using TrackMan outside was quite accurate, it was only possible to make estimates when the process was repeated inside, largely because there was less ball flight for the device to measure. And to get those figures, that golfer had to apply reflective spin markers on the ball and make sure it was properly oriented before each shot.
That is no longer an issue with Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT, thanks to a proprietary, radar reflective material embedded inside the ball. According to Titleist officials, testing shows a 99 percent signal capture from these new Pro V1s, which means the data points that golfers get indoors are as good as those they record outside. In addition, the golf balls do not need to be oriented before each shot.
“Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x RTC combine the game’s greatest combination of speed, spin and feel with new technology that more consistently captures precision performance and golf ball data from TrackMan units used in an indoor setting,” said Jeremy Stone, vice president of golf ball marketing at Titleist. “We have worked closely with TrackMan to optimize this embedded radar reflective, patent pending technology. The result is a reliably strong ‘signal’ that enables spin capture on all shots.”
The RTC balls sell for $64.99 a dozen and will be available Wednesday.