The current model of the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball has 388 dimples. The Titleist Pro V1x, its close cousin, has 348 dimples. But this number is not just a random choice. It results from years of science and testing to make the ball fly as far and straight as possible. This article will give you the exact number and explain the amazing science behind why those little dents are so important for your game.
Pro V1 and Pro V1x Dimple Counts
Let’s start with the simple facts. If you have a new Pro V1 or Pro V1x, here is the exact dimple count you will find.
The Specific Numbers for Today’s Models
Titleist changes its golf balls a little every year to improve them. Our numbers are for the newest models you can buy today.
- Titleist Pro V1: This ball has a total of 388 dimples.
- Titleist Pro V1x: This ball has a total of 348 dimples.
It might seem strange that the Pro V1x has fewer dimples. Later, we will explain why this difference is a key part of what makes each ball unique.
Dimple Counts Change Over time
It is important to know that the dimple count on a Pro V1 has not always been the same. As Titleist’s scientists learn more, they change the design, which means the number of dimples can change from one model year to the next.
Here is a table showing how the dimple count has changed for the Pro V1 over the years:
Model Year Titleist Pro V1 Dimple Count
2024 Model 388
2021 Model 388
2019 Model 352
2017 Model 352
2015 Model 332
As you can see, the number has gone up and down. This proves that it’s not about having the “most” dimples but the right dimples in the right pattern.
The Core Science of Golf Ball Dimples
To understand why the number 388 is special, we first need to know why dimples exist. What would happen if a golf ball were completely smooth?
The Problem with a Smooth Ball
Imagine throwing a perfectly smooth ball as hard as you can. It would not go very far. Why? Because of a force called drag, which is the resistance from the air.
As the smooth ball flies, it rams into air molecules. The air cannot flow smoothly around the ball’s backside. Instead, it breaks away, creating a messy, turbulent pocket of low-pressure air behind the ball. This pocket acts like a vacuum, quickly pulling the ball backwards and slowing it down. A smooth golf ball would be slow and not travel far.
How Dimples Create a Helpful Shield?
Dimples are the genius solution to this problem. They change how air flows over the ball.
A dimple does not just make a dent. It “trips” the air. Instead of the air flowing in a smooth layer over the ball, the dimples make that layer slightly turbulent. This might not sound good, but it’s actually brilliant.
This thin, turbulent layer of air clings to the ball’s surface for a longer time. It sticks to the ball as it moves. Because this layer is stuck to the ball, it helps the air behind the ball flow in a smoother, narrower wake. A smaller wake means a smaller low-pressure vacuum behind the ball. Less vacuum means less drag pulling the ball backwards.
In simple terms, Dimples help air stick to the ball, reducing the suction behind it and allowing the ball to fly farther.
How the Ball Stays in the Air?
Distance is not just about speed; it’s also about staying in the air. This is where lift comes in.
When you hit a golf ball with a club, the clubface has grooves and is angled backwards. This makes the ball spin backwards as it flies, and this backspin is the key to lift.
Think of an aeroplane wing. The top is curved, and the bottom is flat. Air moving over the top has to travel faster, which creates lower pressure and lifts the wing. A spinning golf ball acts similarly.
The dimples on the ball work with this spin. As the ball spins, the dimples help “grip” the air. On top of the ball, the spin and the dimples work together to create an area of lower pressure. At the bottom, they make an area of higher pressure. The ball is pushed upward from the high-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone. This is the lift force, often called the Magnus Effect.
Without dimples, this effect would be much, much weaker. The ball would not get enough lift and would fall out of the sky too soon.
Titleist’s Aerodynamic Methodology
So, why exactly 388? It’s not a lucky number. Titleist’s engineers carefully balanced the numbers.
It’s Not Just the Count, It’s the Pattern
The number 388 is less important than how those 388 dimples are arranged on the ball’s surface. Fitting nearly 400 dimples onto a small sphere without them overlapping is a complex puzzle.
Titleist does not just randomly scatter the dimples. They are arranged in a specific, geometric pattern. This pattern is designed to be consistent over the entire surface of the ball. A consistent pattern helps the ball behave the same way, no matter how it is oriented in the air. This leads to a stable, predictable flight.
The Special Shape
This is a fancy name for a very smart design. Titleist uses what they call a “Spherical Catenary” dimple design.
A “catenary” is the natural curve that a chain or rope makes when you hold it at both ends and let it sag. Titleist’s engineers use this natural, smooth curve to shape the sides of their dimples.
They claim this special shape is more aerodynamically efficient than a simple circle. It helps manage the air flow between the dimples more effectively, further reducing drag and optimising lift. So, it’s not just the number of dimples but the exact shape of each one of those 388 dimples that matters.
The Engineering Trade-Off: Distance, Lift, and Consistency
The engineers at Titleist are not trying to find one perfect number. They are trying to find the best possible balance between three competing forces:
- Drag Reduction: They want the ball to slip through the air with as little resistance as possible for maximum speed and distance.
- Lift Generation: They need the right amount of lift to keep the ball in the air for a long time, but not so much that the balloon gets too high and loses its distance.
- Consistency: The ball must fly straight and true, even in windy conditions. The pattern must be stable, not cause the ball to wobble or curve unexpectedly.
For the standard Pro V1, the 388-dimple pattern provides a penetrating trajectory—a powerful flight that cuts through the wind—combined with consistent distance.
Why Dimple Counts Differ and Change?
You might wonder why all golf balls don’t use 388 dimples. The reason is that different players and balls need different flight characteristics.
Model Differentiation: Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x
This is the most important comparison. The Pro V1 and Pro V1x are made for different kinds of performance.
- Titleist Pro V1 (388 dimples): Designed for a softer feel and a penetrating trajectory. The dimple pattern helps the ball cut through the air efficiently.
- Titleist Pro V1x (348 dimples): Designed for a higher flight and a bit more spin on iron shots. The different dimple count and pattern are key reasons it gets up in the air more easily.
So, fewer dimples on the Pro V1x does not mean it’s worse. It means it’s designed to do a different job. It’s a tool for a different kind of flight.
Generational Evolution
Golf ball technology never stands still. Titleist uses machines called “swing robots” and complex computer simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to test thousands of different dimple designs.
They might test a pattern with 350 dimples, another with 380, and another with 400. They look at the data for each one: how far it went, how high it flew, and how it handled wind. They choose the pattern that performs best for that specific new model. Sometimes, that means the number goes up from the previous model. Sometimes, it goes down.
How the Pro V1 Compares to Other Balls?
Titleist is not the only company that makes premium golf balls. Other brands have their own ideas about the perfect dimple count, showing that there is no single “right” answer.
Golf Ball Model Dimple Count
Titleist Pro V1 388
Titleist Pro V1x 348
TaylorMade TP5 322
Callaway Chrome Soft X 332
Bridgestone Tour B XS 338
As you can see, the numbers vary greatly. A TaylorMade TP5 has 322 dimples, which is 66 fewer than a Pro V1, but it is still a very long and high-performing ball. This proves again that the total design—the shape, depth, and pattern—is more important than the number alone.
Common Misconceptions About Golf Ball Dimples
There are many myths about dimples. Let’s clear up the most common ones.
Myth 1: More Dimples Always Mean More Distance
This is the biggest misunderstanding. It is not true.
Think of it like this: if you add too many dimples, they act almost like a smooth surface again. There isn’t enough flat space between them for the air to flow properly. There is a point of “dimple saturation,” where adding more starts to hurt performance.
Engineers are looking for the optimal number, not the maximum number. A ball with 500 poorly designed dimples will not go as far as a ball with 350 perfectly designed ones.
Myth 2: Dimples Are Only for Reducing Drag
As we learned earlier, this is only half the story. Dimples are absolutely critical for creating lift. Without dimples, a golf ball’s backspin would do very little to keep it in the air. The combination of spin and dimples creates the lift force that makes a golf ball soar.
Myth 3: All Dimples Are the Same
This is false. The dimples on a modern golf ball, like the Pro V1, are not all identical. Titleist uses dimples of different sizes within the same pattern.
They might use a mix of small, medium, and large dimples. This helps them fine-tune the airflow in different parts of the pattern. By changing the size and depth of different dimples, they can precisely control the ball’s flight.
Practical Application
All this science is interesting, but how does it help you, the golfer?
The Benefit of Consistency
The main thing you get from a professionally designed dimple pattern like the Pro V1’s is consistency. The ball will fly on your expected path when you hit a good shot. The advanced pattern helps the ball stay stable in the air, even if you don’t hit it perfectly in the centre of the clubface. This means your good shots are more likely to end where you aimed.
Choosing the Right Ball for Your Flight
Understanding dimples can help you choose between balls like the Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
- If you are a player who wants a powerful, wind-cutting ball flight, the Pro V1 and its 388-dimple pattern might be best for you.
- If you are a player who needs more height on your shots to carry bunkers and stop the ball on the green, the Pro V1x and its 348-dimple pattern could be a better fit.
The Limit of Technology
It is crucial to remember one thing: No dimple pattern can fix a bad swing.
A Pro V1 cannot correct a huge slice or a hook caused by a flawed swing path. What it can do is maximise the potential of your good swings. It will make your best shots longer, straighter, and more consistent. The dimples work on the ball in the air, but cannot change where it is going when it first leaves the clubface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does the Pro V1x have fewer dimples than the Pro V1?
The Pro V1x has fewer dimples (348) as part of its design to create a higher ball flight. The different patterns and counts help it get up in the air more easily and spin more, which is what players who choose the Pro V1x are often looking for.
How deep are the dimples on a Pro V1?
While Titleist does not always publish the exact depth, dimple depth is critical. It is typically very small, measured in thousandths of an inch. The depth is carefully chosen to work harmoniously with the dimple count and shape to create the ideal flight.
Do dirty dimples affect performance?
Yes, absolutely. If your golf ball has mud, grass, or sand stuck in its dimples, it cannot manage the airflow correctly. It’s like clogging the wings of an aeroplane. The ball will not fly as far or as straight. Always clean your golf balls for the best performance.
Has the dimple count always been 388 for the Pro V1?
No. The dimple count has changed over the years as technology has improved. For example, the 2017 and 2019 Pro V1 models had 352 dimples. Titleist adjusts the count with each new generation to improve performance.
How does dimple design affect putting?
It has almost no effect. The ball rolls on the ground at very low speeds when you putt. Aerodynamics do not play a role in putting. The “feel” of a putt comes from the softness of the ball’s cover and its inner core, not from the dimples.