The 2007 Titleist Pro V1 and V1x Golf Balls -- Putting Tips

The 2007 Titleist Pro V1 and V1x Golf Balls

Send me any suggestions
you have for the next or future newsletters. Just submit
your ideas using this simple
form.

    There wasn't much to improve on, but Titleist did make some nice changes to their 2007 Pro V1 and V1x balls. More than 43-percent of the money spent in 2006 in on-course ball sales was spent on the Pro V1/Pro V1x, according to Golf Datatech.

    Titleist claims a little longer distance (2 - 4 yards) for some golfers. As usual however, they don't cite any testing results that were done, so, in my opinion don't expect any more distance. 2 - 4 yards is a very small percentage increase over the previous models even if they were experimentally validated.

    In my latest study on golf ball distances, 2005 Longest Golf Balls, I reported that of the game's top 30 balls, there are only a few that are actually siginficantly longer. The Titleist Pro V1 and V1x are not; they're basically just average. So, if you're look for longest distance, the Pro V won't give it to you.

    What Pro V will give you, however, is exceptional feel and spin. The new 2007 model are touted as Drop-And-Stop™ greenside control. Again, Titleist doesn't cite any backspin numbers to verify superiority here so I guess it's more of a marketing gimmick. My 2005 Longest Golf Balls study did find, however, that the Pro V does have above average backspin.

     The one Pro V improvement I do feel will make a difference with your game is their A.I.M. (Alignment Integrated Marking) sidestamp - integrated alignment guide for improved putting alignment. I've focused a number of my most recent newsletters on the importance of alignment. I've marked my golf balls with alignment lines for years now. You can line up the ball along your target line with every on the green and on the tee. It really helps you align properly.

.         Great Golf Game Analysis

     The cost? About $60 US per dozen. Titleist does claim that the cover is the most durable yet, but, most golfers don't wear out their balls, they lose them. If you can afford to play them, I'd recommend that you do. As I've reitierated many times, the most important part of your game for scoring is the short game (100 yards and in). It's important that you play a ball that you can feel and with which you can generate maximum backspin.

    I won't be buying any new Pro V1s soon. I still have a few dozen left from 2005. If you haven't any, I suggest you give them a try, even if their a few years old.

You can learn more from Titleist by clicking HERE.

    Here's a little experiment for you to try. For the next 5 to 10 rounds, as soon as you have a short game shot (100 yards or less, including putting), replace the ball you're playing with a Pro V1. That way, you're using a Pro V1 for all of your short game shots and you likely won't loose it. I bet you'll realize lower scores. Of course, the more rounds you play like this, the better. Of course, doing this is against the rules of golf so you can do it in a tournament. Your playing partners might not let you do it either.

Putting Tips

    Since we're on the topic, how about a few tips on putting in general? Of course, alignment is critically important. Using the Pro V1 A.I.M. idea can really help. A Laser Putting Alignment System. can also greatly assist teaching you whether you are actually aimed where you think you are.

    Once you are good at aligning your putter properly, then you need to be able to read the green to determine what line to roll the ball along. I advocate using the Plumb Bob method to assist. What also helps is to understand some basic principles about breaking putts:

1. Putts break most during the final half of their journey.

2. Uphill putts break less; downhill putts break more.

3. Fast greens yield more break; slow greens yield less break.

4. To maximize the number of putts that drop, the speed should be such that it the ball does miss the hole, it would end up about 17 inches past the hole (Dave Pelz's Putting Bible)

5. Hitting putts with greater speed reduces the amount of break (that's why putts break less on slower greens; the ball is moving faster). So, you should putt your short putts firmly to minimize break (17 inches past hole is best).

Take a look at The BreakMaster for
measuring green break.

    As I mentioned my my last newslette , I'm embarking on a significant change in my equipment this season. The physics and math tells me that I should improve my consistency and thus lower my score. I can hardly wait to get onto the golf course.

    I purchased my new set of equal length irons from a company called 1 Iron Golf. I've been in contact with the owner, and he's provided a deal for my website visitors. If you decide to purchase a set of irons, use this coupon code, 10504, and you'll receive free headcovers with your golf club purchase. I got them with mine, and they're really nice. It's an effective way to keep the iron heads from getting dinged up.

1 Iron Golf has a 30-day Money Back Playing Guarantee. That's right, you can play with your new clubs and return them if not satisfied that they've improved your game.

Write down your special code, 10504, and ......

Visit 1 Iron Golf right now.

For a limited time, they're offering free shipping within the continental USA and Canada.

 

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Take a look at the Laser Putting Device that I use and consider getting one for yourself. You can use it to improve your putting alignment. You can even attach it to the face of your iron when practicing your alignment process. Order yours TODAY! Only $49.95

Quantity

If you'd like some help with your mental game, fellow Canadain, Lisa Brown is a mental toughness coach for National and Olympic athletes, and she has written some excellent ebooks. Click HERE to take a look.

Improving Your Game -- Know Your Weaknesses

Send me any suggestions
you have for the next or future newsletters. Just submit
your ideas using this simple
form.

    Do you have some specific goals for improvement this season? Or, are you like many golfers. You want to improve but don't really know where to start. There's so much of your game that needs improvement. It seems like an overwhelming challenge.

    To negate the feeling of being overwhelmed, it's important to just focus on just one or two things at a time. Since your score is dependent on so many factors, it's important that you track statistics so that you get a clear measure of whether you're improving. If your goal is to improve the number of fairways hit, you might not see an improvement in your score immediately because other parts of your game are off. It's easy to get frustrated.

    Whatever you choose to work on, keep some specific statistics to monitor whether you are in fact making progress. As I've said before, if you want the most significant improvement to your score, work on your short game (100 yards and in).

Here are some ideas of how you can track your statistics:

1. Track your real putting statistics with a spreadsheet I've developed. You input not only how many putts you've had, but how long they are, thus giving you a much more realistic, useful statistic. One day you may have 26 putts, the next day you may have 32 putts. You may have actually putted better on the 32 putt day (the 26 putt day may have been the result of many short putts; you chipped really well that day).

You can compare your different length putt stats with stats from the pros as well as various handicap amateurs.

Putting Analysis Software -- Your Real Putting Handicap $9.99

2CheckOut.com Inc. (Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for

goods and services provided by Probable Golf Instruction. 

2. If you want to track your full game, there's a great golf statistics analysis software called SHOT BY SHOT. I've made arrangements for a $34 discount off the annual subscription rate. And, you can try out the software first if you like.

What I like so much about this software is that it compares your game to a huge database of other golfers (over 35 000 rounds).

Click here to learn more and/or order: SHOT BY SHOT Full Game Analysis

 Great Golf Game Analysis

3. You have a 6-iron shot. The pin is tucked on the left portion of the green and is guarded by water in front. You aim 15 yards right of the pin thinking that if you miss hit your shot, you'll still end up near the green and not in the water. You push your shot slightly and end up with a 60 foot putt from one tier to the next. Was you decision a good one?

It depends on your putting ability. We're talking about playing your percentages. I call it playing with your own, unique "club print." All of us have a unique shot pattern with each club. You can easily track this. Keep track of where you hit each of your shots relative to where you're aimed. You'll quickly see that you have a tendency of ending up short and left, long and right, etc. You can then make your club selections with more confidence because you'll know the likelihood of where your shots will end up (such as in the water with your 6-iron for the example above).

I've developed an analysis of shot patterns that determines mathematically what your best aim should be. After only 10 rounds of keeping statitistics you can get a clear idea of where, on average, you should be aiming to reduce your overall score.

Learn more about your own shot pattern; determine your own unique "club print."

Click HERE for more.

4. I just did an analysis of PGA Tour players' GIR and scoring. I used two of the most recent 2007 tournaments and PGA TourCast. The results stress the importance of hitting fairways. I also relate the stats to some previous research done on amateur golfers.

Take a look here: GIR PGA Tour Statistics

You could improve your score by simply hitting a club off the tee that has a higher chance of hitting the fairway: like a fairway wood or hybrid. Try it out for at least 5 rounds to see if it makes a significant difference.

Here are some ways you can find your answers to your many golf questions on my site:

1. Go to my Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. There's a link to it on my pages from the left hand menu near the top of the page, just below the Search icon. It's called "FAQs." You then click on the graphic icon and you'll be taken to my database page. For your convenience, here it is:

FAQ

I've answered hundreds of questions over the past 6 years and have created a fairly large database. You can search it out. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, submit a question and I'll answer it.

2. On all of my web pages, there is a search feature in the top left section, right underneath my LOGO. Just place your search keywords in the search box, select "This Site" below it, and then press "Search." What will come up is a Google search of the pages on my site with relevance. You can also search the entire internet by selecting "Web" instead.

Go to my main page now: Home or just check the top left menu of this page.

3. Also, directly under the Google Search area, you'll find a pop down menu called "Your Topic." Select the topic of interest and press "Go."

I would suggest you bookmark my main page and/or your specific areas of interest so that you can find them easily in the future. On each page at the very top, there is a link you can click on:

"Click here to add this page to your favourites"

Hope you find all you're looking for.

You can learn more from NEW Titleist Pro-V1 by clicking HERE.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Take a look at the Laser Putting Device that I use and consider getting one for yourself. You can use it to improve your putting alignment. You can even attach it to the face of your iron when practicing your alignment process. Order yours TODAY! Only $49.95

Quantity

If you'd like some help with your mental game, fellow Canadain, Lisa Brown is a mental toughness coach for National and Olympic athletes, and she has written some excellent ebooks. Click HERE to take a look.