Vice Golf Balls Review 2026:
Pro, Tour & Drive Compared

Vice Golf launched in 2012 with a simple premise: manufacture premium golf balls using the same materials and construction as the big brands, then sell them directly to consumers at dramatically lower prices. By cutting out pro shops, retailers, and distributors, Vice eliminates the markups that inflate the price of a Titleist Pro V1 from roughly $25 (manufacturing cost) to $55+ at retail. The result is a lineup of balls that deliver genuine tour-level performance at prices that make high-handicappers and budget-conscious golfers take notice.

The Vice lineup has evolved over the years, but the core offering now centers on three main models: the Vice Pro (their tour-level flagship), the Vice Tour (a versatile mid-range option), and the Vice Drive (a budget distance ball). Each targets a different golfer profile, and the performance differences between them are significant — this isn't a case of three similar balls with different labels. The construction, compression, cover material, and intended performance are genuinely distinct across the lineup.

We tested all three Vice balls over multiple rounds and on a launch monitor, comparing them directly to their closest competitors from Titleist, Callaway, and Srixon. Here's what we found — including where Vice delivers on its promise and where the big brands still hold an edge.

The Vice Pro is the ball that made Vice Golf famous — and it remains their most impressive offering. It's a three-piece ball with a cast urethane cover, an 80 compression core, and a design philosophy that directly targets the Titleist Pro V1 market. At $34 per dozen (with bulk discounts bringing it even lower), the Vice Pro costs roughly 40% less than a Pro V1 while delivering performance that's genuinely close.

On the launch monitor, the Vice Pro produces spin numbers that compete directly with tour-level balls from the big brands. Driver spin sits in the 2,200-2,600 rpm range for mid-speed swingers, which is low enough for efficient distance without sacrificing the workability that better players want. Where the Vice Pro truly shines is on approach shots and around the green — wedge spin rates consistently exceed 8,000 rpm with a lob wedge, and the ball checks and releases predictably on pitch shots. The urethane cover grabs the clubface exactly the way you'd expect from a premium ball.

The feel of the Vice Pro is slightly softer than a Pro V1, which is a matter of preference rather than a flaw. Off the putter, it has a muted, responsive feedback that many golfers prefer to the slightly firmer click of a Pro V1. Off irons, the Vice Pro has a satisfying compression at impact — you can feel the ball loading on the face, which provides excellent feedback on strike quality. The 80 compression rating means it requires moderate-to-fast swing speeds (95+ mph with driver) to compress fully, so slower swingers should look at the Vice Tour instead.

Durability is the one area where the Vice Pro falls slightly behind the Pro V1. The urethane cover is soft — arguably softer than a Pro V1's — which means it scuffs faster on wedge shots and particularly on bunker shots. You'll see visible marks after 2-3 holes of aggressive wedge play, though this doesn't noticeably affect performance until the scuffing becomes severe. For the price difference, most golfers won't mind swapping to a fresh ball more frequently.

Pros

• Tour-level urethane cover produces excellent greenside spin and control
• 80 compression delivers a satisfying feel with good energy transfer
• Competitive spin rates with the Pro V1 and Chrome Soft on wedge shots
• At $34/dozen, it's roughly 40% cheaper than comparable tour balls
• Soft, responsive feel off the putter face
• Available in multiple colors including neon and matte options

Cons

• Urethane cover scuffs faster than Pro V1 — less durable on aggressive wedge play
• Requires 95+ mph swing speed to compress fully — not ideal for slower swingers
• Only available direct from Vice Golf — can't buy at pro shops or Amazon
• Occasional quality control inconsistencies (rare but documented)

Who It's For

The Vice Pro is the right ball for low-to-mid handicappers (0-15) with driver swing speeds above 95 mph who want tour-level spin and control without paying $50+ per dozen. If you currently play a Pro V1, Chrome Soft, or TP5 and want to save money without a significant performance drop, the Vice Pro is the most compelling option on the market. It's also an excellent choice for competitive amateur golfers who go through balls quickly and want premium performance at a sustainable cost.

The Vice Tour occupies the sweet spot of the Vice lineup — a three-piece ball with a cast urethane cover at a 65 compression rating that works for the widest range of golfers. At $25 per dozen, it delivers a blend of distance, feel, and greenside spin that makes it arguably the best value in Vice's catalog and one of the best values in the entire golf ball market.

The 65 compression is the Tour's defining characteristic. It's soft enough that golfers with moderate swing speeds (85-100 mph) can compress it fully, extracting maximum ball speed and distance. But unlike ultra-low compression balls that feel mushy to faster swingers, the Tour maintains enough resistance to provide satisfying feedback at higher speeds too. On the launch monitor, the Tour consistently produced higher ball speeds than the Vice Pro for swingers in the 85-95 mph range — a direct result of the lower compression matching better to those swing speeds.

The cast urethane cover gives the Vice Tour genuine greenside capability that you simply don't get from two-piece ionomer balls at this price point. Wedge spin rates aren't quite as high as the Vice Pro (roughly 500-800 rpm less on a lob wedge), but they're high enough to execute pitch shots with check and spin. Chip shots bite and release predictably, and the ball responds well to opening the clubface for flop shots. For mid-handicappers who are developing their short game, this level of spin is more than sufficient — and it's a significant upgrade over balls like the Callaway Supersoft or Srixon Soft Feel that use ionomer covers.

Distance off the tee is where the Vice Tour makes its strongest case against the competition. The low-mid compression core launches high with moderate spin, producing a ball flight that maximizes carry for moderate-speed swingers. In our testing, the Tour gained 4-7 yards of carry over the Vice Pro for golfers with swing speeds between 85-95 mph — a meaningful improvement that shows the importance of compression matching. The ball also performed well in crosswinds, maintaining a stable flight without the ballooning you sometimes see from very soft balls.

At $25 per dozen, the Vice Tour undercuts comparable three-piece urethane balls by a significant margin. The Callaway Chrome Soft ($47), Bridgestone Tour BXS ($44), and Srixon Z-Star ($40) all offer similar construction at nearly double the price. The Tour doesn't match those balls on pure greenside spin — they have the edge in short-game precision — but for the mid-handicapper who values the overall package of distance, feel, and reasonable greenside control, the Vice Tour is difficult to beat.

Pros

• 65 compression works well for the widest range of swing speeds (85-100+ mph)
• Cast urethane cover provides genuine greenside spin — a major upgrade over ionomer
• Excellent distance for moderate-speed swingers thanks to low-mid compression
• At $25/dozen, it's the best value three-piece urethane ball available
• Balanced performance across the full bag — no glaring weaknesses
• Stable ball flight that holds up well in wind

Cons

• Less greenside spin than the Vice Pro or true tour balls — not for spin-first players
• Fast swingers (105+ mph) may find the 65 compression too soft
• Cast urethane cover scuffs with heavy wedge use, though better than the Pro
• Direct-only sales means no try-before-you-buy at local shops

Who It's For

The Vice Tour is the best Vice ball for mid-handicappers (10-25) with driver swing speeds between 85-100 mph. It's particularly well-suited for golfers who are improving and want a ball that will grow with their game — the urethane cover rewards developing short-game skills while the low compression maximizes distance at moderate speeds. If you're currently playing a Callaway Supersoft or Srixon Soft Feel and want better greenside performance without a huge price increase, the Vice Tour is the logical next step.

The Vice Drive is Vice Golf's entry-level offering — a two-piece surlyn-covered ball designed for maximum distance and durability at the lowest possible price. At $17 per dozen, it competes directly with balls like the TaylorMade Distance+ ($20), Srixon Distance ($20), and Titleist Velocity ($32), offering similar performance at a lower cost thanks to Vice's direct-to-consumer model.

The Drive's two-piece construction is straightforward: a large, resilient core surrounded by a durable surlyn cover. This is the simplest ball design in golf, and it does exactly two things well — it goes far and it lasts. The surlyn cover is virtually indestructible under normal play conditions; you can easily get 4-5 rounds out of a single ball before the cover shows meaningful wear. Cart path hits, bunker shots, tree strikes — the Drive shrugs off abuse that would destroy a urethane-covered ball in a single hole.

Distance performance is competitive with other two-piece balls in this class. The Drive launches high with low spin off the driver, producing a flight that maximizes carry distance for slower-to-moderate swing speeds. In our testing, it matched the TaylorMade Distance+ in carry distance for swing speeds under 95 mph and came within 2-3 yards of the Titleist Velocity — notable considering the Velocity costs nearly twice as much. The low spin also helps reduce slices and hooks, producing straighter drives for golfers who struggle with sidespin.

The trade-off is predictable: greenside feel and spin are minimal. The surlyn cover doesn't generate meaningful friction against the clubface on short shots, so chips and pitches run out rather than checking. Pitch shots release forward instead of biting, and flop shots are essentially impossible to execute with any spin. Off the putter, the feel is firm and clicky — functional but not particularly pleasant. For golfers who prioritize short-game touch, the Vice Drive is the wrong ball. But for high handicappers and beginners who are focused on getting the ball in play off the tee, these trade-offs are largely irrelevant.

The price is the Vice Drive's ultimate selling point. At $17 per dozen — with bulk discounts making it even cheaper — it's one of the least expensive golf balls from any brand. For golfers who lose several balls per round, the financial benefit is enormous. You can play an entire season of weekend golf with Vice Drives for less than the cost of four dozen Pro V1s. And unlike cheap lake balls or off-brand distance balls, the Vice Drive is a genuinely well-engineered product from a company with real R&D capabilities.

Pros

• At $17/dozen, it's one of the cheapest quality golf balls available
• Exceptional durability — surlyn cover handles abuse without visible wear
• Competitive distance with balls costing $10-15 more per dozen
• Low spin reduces slices and hooks for straighter drives
• High launch produces good carry distance for slower swing speeds
• Losing balls doesn't sting at $1.42 per ball

Cons

• Minimal greenside spin — chips and pitches run out significantly
• Firm, clicky feel off the putter — lacks the soft feedback of urethane balls
• Two-piece construction limits shot shaping ability
• Not suitable for golfers who rely on short-game spin

Who It's For

The Vice Drive is the best Vice ball for high handicappers (20+), beginners, and budget-conscious golfers who prioritize distance and value above all else. It's the right choice if you lose multiple balls per round, if you don't yet have the short-game skills to take advantage of a urethane cover, or if you simply refuse to pay $3+ per ball. Pair it with a launch monitor to confirm the distance gains over your current ball.

Choosing the right Vice ball comes down to two factors: your swing speed and your short-game priorities. Here's a straightforward decision framework:

Play the Vice Pro if:

• Your driver swing speed is 95+ mph
• You're a single-digit to low-teens handicapper
• Greenside spin and control are critical to your scoring
• You currently play a Pro V1, TP5, or Chrome Soft and want to save money
• You're willing to sacrifice some durability for premium feel

Play the Vice Tour if:

• Your driver swing speed is 85-100 mph
• You're a mid-handicapper (10-20) with a developing short game
• You want the best balance of distance, feel, and greenside spin
• You value the versatility of a urethane cover without the premium price
• You're improving and want a ball that grows with your game

Play the Vice Drive if:

• Your driver swing speed is under 90 mph
• You're a high handicapper (20+) or beginner
• Distance and durability are your top priorities
• You lose multiple balls per round and want minimal financial pain
• Short-game spin is not a factor in your current game

If you're unsure where you fall, the Vice Tour is the safest choice. Its mid-range compression and urethane cover make it the most versatile option — it performs reasonably well for every golfer type, even if it's not the absolute best choice for any single category. Use our compression chart to match your swing speed to the right compression, and check the swing speed chart if you don't know your numbers.

The fundamental question with Vice is whether the price savings come with meaningful performance compromises. After extensive testing, here's our honest assessment:

Where Vice Matches the Big Brands

• Greenside spin (Vice Pro): Within 200-400 rpm of a Pro V1 on wedge shots — virtually indistinguishable on the course
• Distance (all models): Competitive with equivalent balls from Titleist, Callaway, and Srixon
• Construction quality: Genuine multi-piece construction with real urethane covers (Pro and Tour) — not cosmetic imitations
• Color options: Vice actually leads the industry in matte and neon color choices

Where Big Brands Still Win

• Quality control consistency: Titleist's QC is legendary — every Pro V1 performs identically. Vice has occasional outliers
• Durability: Pro V1 and Chrome Soft covers are slightly more resistant to scuffing than their Vice equivalents
• Availability: You can buy a Pro V1 anywhere, anytime. Vice requires online ordering and shipping wait times
• Tour validation: Big-brand balls are tested under pressure by tour professionals every week

For the vast majority of amateur golfers, the performance differences are marginal while the price savings are substantial. If you play 40 rounds per year and use one dozen balls per 5 rounds, switching from Pro V1s to Vice Pros saves you roughly $170 annually. That's a significant chunk of your golf budget redirected — or enough to cover a new wedge, lessons, or additional rounds. The only golfers who genuinely need the edge that a Pro V1 or TP5 provides over a Vice Pro are competitive players where every fraction of spin RPM matters in tournament conditions.