Jordan Spieth Explains Golf Ball Switch

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 18 May 21

The Texan made his first golf ball change in a long time at last week's AT&T Byron Nelson

Jordan Spieth Explains Golf Ball Switch

Jordan Spieth changed his golf ball for the first time in over four years at last week's AT&T Byron Nelson, just a week before he seeks to complete the Career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship.

The Texan moved into the 2021 Titleist Pro V1x, having used an older model for a number of years, after discovering more spin around the greens and added ball speed and launch in the longer clubs.

He finished T9th for another solid result.

Spieth has recorded a win and six top-10s in 10 starts on Tour so far in 2021, an incredible comeback after an indifferent few years.

The three-time Major winner will seek to add the Wanamaker Trophy to his collection that contains a Green Jacket, Claret Jug and a US Open trophy.

“I’m trying to optimise launch conditions through the bag. For me, the 2021 Pro V1x, I get more spin around the greens," Spieth said of his golf ball switch.

"It’s softer, spinnier around the greens with my short game shots.

"And then when I went up the bag, I started to get a little bit higher launch, but it didn’t add spin in the long clubs. It just added ball speed and launch.

"So it’s a little higher window, but it just looks like it’s screaming through the air.

"And then from the 7-iron on down, I didn’t see much difference in the full shots, just like I said more action around the greens.

“I’m trying to just hit optimal windows and if I can gain – really, in my long clubs – just a little bit better peak height with a little bit faster ball speed, it actually helps fill my gaps a little bit easier.

"And then it’s just coming down – it has the potential to come down a little bit softer, which is obviously important.

"But I’m not seeing a massive difference through kind of that mid iron into short iron.

"And I still can hit each shot that I want to with the scoring clubs.

"So being able to tee off and all you do is change the ball and it’s actually in a similar window that’s going 3-4 yards further, that's nice.

"And then when I get to the scoring range clubs, I feel like if anything, I just have the ability to hit an even softer shot if I want to. But the rest of them were all still there.”

Elliott Heath

Elliott Heath is our Senior Staff Writer and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016. He graduated in Sports Journalism in 2016 and currently manages the Golf Monthly news, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Elliott has interviewed some huge names in the golf world including Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Bernd Wiesberger and Scotty Cameron as well as a number of professionals on the DP World and PGA Tours. He has also covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as three Open Championships including at Carnoustie in 2018 when he was inside the ropes with Tiger Woods. He has played 31 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Old Head and Alwoodley. He currently plays at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey, where his handicap index floats anywhere between 4-6. His golfing highlight is making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, and he has made one hole-in-one.

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Honma TR20

3 wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max

2 iron: Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi

Irons: Mizuno MP5 4-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x