After becoming a gear free agent earlier this year, Valimaki, in one of his first moves, switched to a Titleist golf ball.
At the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March, he settled on the new 2025 Titleist Pro V1x, and he’s seen a huge transformation in his game ever since.
Last season on Tour, Valimaki barely held onto his status with a 123rd-place finish in the FedEx Cup Fall. His shaky form was largely due to approach play, where he lost .036 strokes to the field and was 112th in the category.
This year, Valimaki has been one of the best approach players on Tour, gaining more than half a stroke on his peers and ranking 18th. He was also 39th on Tour in Strokes Gained: Total, which, after his win last week, boosted him to 51st in the FedEx Cup Fall rankings, earning him a place in the year’s first two Signature Events.
The 2025 Pro V1x Valimaki used this week is the 25th anniversary edition of the ball that’s become overwhelmingly the most popular in the professional game. The ball uses a new formula for the core that created a faster high-gradient core, something Titleist engineers first used in the popular Pro V1x Left Dash and Pro V1 Left DotCustom Performance Option golf balls.
Total Performance With Higher Flight And More Spin
Pro V1x golf balls are the optimal premium performance choice for players looking for maximum distance, higher flight and more stopping power.
Why Play Pro V1x?
Pro V1x is recommended to players who are looking for high-trajectory flight, low long game spin with maximum short game spin, and firmer feel.
Comparison to Pro V1
Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x has a higher flight than Pro V1. A high-gradient dual core produces slightly more iron and wedge spin than Pro V1.
Along with all the same performance benefits as 2025 Pro V1x, Pro V1x AIM Enhanced golf balls feature a premium, extended alignment sidestamp for more precise aim and accuracy. The elongated sidestamp provides a built-in visual aid measuring over 65% longer than the Titleist standard sidestamp.
Why Play Pro V1x?
Pro V1x is recommended to players who are looking for high-trajectory flight, low long game spin with maximum short game spin, and firmer feel.
Comparison to Pro V1
Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x has a higher flight than Pro V1. A high-gradient dual core produces slightly more iron and wedge spin than Pro V1.
Along with all the same performance benefits as 2025 Pro V1x, Pro V1x AIM Performance golf balls feature a premium tour-inspired, 105-degree precision alignment marking for improved aim and accuracy, offering a visual aid measuring over 65% longer than the Titleist standard sidestamp.
Why Play Pro V1x?
Pro V1x is recommended to players who are looking for high-trajectory flight, low long game spin with maximum short game spin, and firmer feel.
Comparison to Pro V1
Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x has a higher flight than Pro V1. A high-gradient dual core produces slightly more iron and wedge spin than Pro V1.
The Pro V1x should be slightly faster, launch higher, spin more and feel firmer than its Pro V1 sibling. After factoring in feel, the choice of which ball to play can come down to whether you’re looking for more peak height and spin with your irons or trying to bring those down.
The Pro V1x also comes in a number of alignment options, including the Enchance Alignment or Performance Alignment markings.
Jack Hirsh is the Associate Equipment Editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.
