Vice Pro Plus vs Pro V1: Which Is Worth It?
Head-to-head comparison of the Vice Pro Plus and Titleist Pro V1 — construction, performance data, and which ball actually fits your swing speed and game.
Quick answer
The Vice Pro Plus is a 4-piece, firm-compression urethane ball at $34/dozen — competing directly with the Titleist Pro V1x ($55/dozen), not the Pro V1. If your driver swing speed is 95 mph or above and you want Pro V1x-level performance at $20+ less per dozen, the Vice Pro Plus delivers it. The standard Pro V1 (3-piece, softer compression) fits a different swing-speed range and plays differently. You may be comparing the wrong two balls.
Side-by-side comparison
| Spec | Vice Pro Plus | Titleist Pro V1 | Titleist Pro V1x |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per dozen | $34 (DTC) | $55 (retail) | $55 (retail) |
| Construction | 4-piece | 3-piece | 4-piece |
| Cover | Cast urethane | Cast urethane | Cast urethane |
| Compression | ~100 (firm) | ~90 (mid) | ~100 (firm) |
| Trajectory | Low–mid | Mid | Mid–high |
| Best swing speed | 95+ mph | 85–100 mph | 90–110 mph |
| Spin category | Low–mid | Mid | Mid–high |
The comparison that actually makes sense
The Vice Pro Plus is frequently compared to the Pro V1 because both are premium tour balls and “Pro V1” is the reference point most golfers use. But the construction numbers tell a different story: the Vice Pro Plus has firm compression (~100) and 4-piece construction, making it a closer match to the Pro V1x, not the standard Pro V1.
The practical implication: if you have been playing Pro V1 and are wondering whether Vice Pro Plus is an equivalent at lower cost, the answer is “it depends on your swing speed.” If you’re at 85–95 mph, the Vice Pro Plus plays firmer than the Pro V1 and may not suit your swing. If you’re at 95 mph and above, the comparison to Pro V1x is where the real savings conversation happens.
Construction and cover
Both balls use cast urethane covers — the cover class that produces tour-level greenside spin. The urethane on a Vice Pro Plus and on a Pro V1 performs similarly at impact because the physics of the cover-wedge interaction is driven by the material and spin loft, not primarily by which brand name is printed on the ball.
Where differences appear is in the mantle layers — the layers between the core and cover — which influence how the ball transitions spin rate from driver to wedge. The Pro V1’s 3-piece construction (core + mantle + urethane cover) produces a specific spin drop from driver to iron that Titleist has tuned over decades of R&D. The Vice Pro Plus’s 4-piece construction adds a second mantle layer, giving it a different spin-profile gradient.
The result: on a 7-iron approach, the Pro V1 and Vice Pro Plus produce similar spin rates for most golfers. The differences become more noticeable on partial wedge shots inside 80 yards, where tour players with calibrated short games notice feel differences. For recreational golfers, the cover material class matters far more than the brand.
Driver performance
In independent robot testing across similarly priced and constructed balls — reviewed annually by MyGolfSpy and GolfWRX community testing — the Vice Pro Plus consistently produces ball speeds and carry distances within 1–2 mph of the Pro V1x at high swing speeds. At 100+ mph clubhead speed, the firm compression of both balls prevents core collapse, maintaining ball speed.
At 90 mph clubhead speed — better matched to the Pro V1’s compression — the Vice Pro Plus performs less optimally than the Pro V1 because the softer swing speed doesn’t fully activate the firmer core. This is the compression-mismatch penalty that most golfers don’t account for when switching balls.
According to MyGolfSpy’s annual Most Wanted Ball testing, the Vice Pro Plus has placed in the top tier of ball speed and distance for high swing speeds in multiple consecutive test cycles, at a consistent $15–$22 savings versus equivalent major-brand balls.
Greenside performance
Around the green is where most golfers notice ball differences. Both balls use cast urethane, so the fundamental spin generation is similar. From 50–80 yards with a 60-degree lob wedge on a firm fairway, independent tests show both balls generating spin rates in the 8,000–10,000 rpm range — the territory where skilled players can flight and check wedge shots.
Two practical differences:
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Feel: The Pro V1 has a slightly softer feel off the putter face and on chip shots — a subjective difference that strongly divides opinions among golfers who have hit both. Vice Pro Plus has a firmer, crisper feel some players prefer. Neither is objectively better; it is a preference.
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Wet conditions: Premium balls like the Pro V1 edge out most competitors in wet-condition spin consistency. This gap is real for golfers who play in the morning dew regularly. The Vice Pro Plus narrows this gap compared to lower-end urethane balls.
The $20 per dozen question
The Vice Pro Plus retails for $34/dozen from vice.golf. The Pro V1 retails for $55/dozen. Assuming you go through a dozen per month across a 6-month golf season, that’s $252 on Vice versus $396 on Pro V1 — a $144 annual savings.
For most golfers, that $144 does not represent a meaningful performance difference. For single-digit handicappers who notice the specific feel characteristics of Pro V1 construction and make scoring decisions based on spin feel inside 50 yards, the Pro V1 is a defensible choice. For golfers in the 80s and 90s who want a tour-quality urethane ball at honest cost, the Vice Pro Plus earns its recommendation.
Who should play Vice Pro Plus vs Pro V1
Choose Vice Pro Plus if:
- Your swing speed is 95 mph or above
- You want Pro V1x-level performance at $20 less per dozen
- You prefer a firmer, lower-ball-flight option with a penetrating trajectory
- You are comfortable buying direct from vice.golf (no retail availability)
Choose Pro V1 if:
- Your swing speed is 85–95 mph (better compression match)
- You have a calibrated short game and specifically value Pro V1’s feel profile on pitches and chips
- You play frequently in wet morning conditions where premium balls’ spin consistency gap is tangible
- You need retail availability at local golf shops or on-course proshops
Consider Vice Pro (not Pro Plus) if:
- You want the DTC savings but at 85–95 mph swing speed — the standard Vice Pro’s mid compression is a better match to the standard Pro V1
How to decide without guessing
Swing speed determines compression fit, but your game determines spin and feel priorities. The BallCaddie fitting quiz walks through both in about two minutes and scores Vice Pro Plus, Pro V1, Pro V1x, and 70+ other balls against your specific profile — without affiliate pressure to push the pricier option.
Related reads:
- Best value golf ball in 2026 — where Vice Pro Plus ranks across the full value spectrum
- Pro V1 vs TP5: Which Tour Ball Should You Play? — comparing Pro V1 to the other major premium alternative
- Golf ball compression chart — where both balls land on a calibrated scale
Key takeaways
- Vice Pro Plus is a 4-piece, firm-compression ball — it competes with the Pro V1x, not the standard Pro V1
- $34 vs $55 per dozen — the Vice Pro Plus saves $20+ without meaningful performance sacrifice for most golfers
- Best for swing speeds of 95 mph and above — below that, the standard Vice Pro or Pro V1 is a better compression fit
- Both balls use cast urethane covers — the cover-class difference between them and budget balls is larger than the difference between each other
- The Pro V1’s feel advantage on partial wedge shots is real but noticeable primarily to single-digit handicappers
- No retail availability for Vice Pro Plus — buy from vice.golf directly
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vice Pro Plus the same as a Pro V1?
No — the Vice Pro Plus is a 4-piece firm-compression ball that actually plays closer to the Titleist Pro V1x than the Pro V1. The Pro V1 is a 3-piece mid-compression ball. If your swing speed is 95 mph or above and you prefer a penetrating trajectory with controlled spin, the Vice Pro Plus and Pro V1x compete directly. The standard Vice Pro is a closer construction comparison to the Pro V1.
Which is better: Vice Pro Plus or Pro V1?
For swing speeds above 95 mph: the Vice Pro Plus competes directly with the Pro V1x at a $20+ savings per dozen. Performance testing puts both within 1–2 mph of each other in ball speed. For swing speeds of 85–95 mph: the standard Vice Pro or Pro V1 is a better compression match. Neither ball is universally “better” — the right pick depends on your swing speed, preferred trajectory, and short-game priorities.
How much does the Vice Pro Plus cost?
The Vice Pro Plus retails for $33–$36 per dozen direct from Vice Golf (vice.golf). There is no retail store availability — Vice Golf is a direct-to-consumer brand. Compare to the Titleist Pro V1 at $54–$56 per dozen and the Pro V1x at the same price.
Does Vice Pro Plus have urethane cover?
Yes. The Vice Pro Plus has a cast urethane cover — the same cover type as the Pro V1, Pro V1x, Chrome Soft, and TP5. This is what gives it tour-level greenside spin performance, distinguishing it from ionomer-covered budget balls.
What swing speed is Vice Pro Plus best for?
The Vice Pro Plus is a firm-compression ball rated approximately 95–100 compression, best for swing speeds of 95 mph and above. At lower swing speeds, you will not fully compress the core and may lose ball speed compared to a mid-compression option like the standard Vice Pro or Pro V1.