You'll find impressive value in the Vice Pro Soft, a 3-piece golf ball that delivers premium performance without the premium price tag. Its cast urethane cover and High Energy Speed Core provide excellent distance for swing speeds under 95 MPH, while maintaining the soft feel and greenside control you'd expect from tour-caliber balls. At $32-39 per dozen, it competes directly with high-end brands like Titleist AVX, offering similar performance metrics with 7 more yards of carry distance and improved durability. The 318-dimple pattern guarantees stable flight, and the KIL alignment aid boosts your putting accuracy. Let's investigate how this budget-friendly performer stacks up against the competition.
Key Features
Vice Pro Soft golf balls feature a 3-piece construction with urethane cover, delivering premium performance at $38.99 per dozen.
Designed for swing speeds under 95 MPH, offering 7 yards more carry distance than Titleist AVX with lower driver spin.
The durable urethane cover shows 25% improvement in durability testing while maintaining excellent greenside spin control.
KIL alignment aid enhances putting accuracy, while 318 large dimples create stable ball flight and consistent trajectory.
Ideal for mid to high handicap golfers seeking premium features with soft feel, available in multiple colors for visibility.
Key Features and Specifications
Considering their advanced engineering, the Vice Pro Soft golf balls feature a sophisticated 3-piece construction with a cast urethane cover.
At the heart of these balls, you'll find the High Energy Speed Core (HESC), which delivers impressive ball speeds and enhances your distance off the tee. The extra-thin urethane cover, combined with their proprietary S2TG technology, guarantees you'll get excellent greenside spin and superior control around the putting surface. Tests at Golf Laboratories in San Diego have validated these performance claims. Compared to premium competitors, these balls offer 10-15% less spin on chips and pitches.
You'll notice the newly designed 318 large dimple pattern, which helps maintain a stable ball flight trajectory, while the groundbreaking KIL alignment line, featuring sharp edges, makes it easier to line up your putts with confidence.
If you're a golfer with a medium to lower swing speed, you'll appreciate how these balls perform, offering a perfect balance of distance and control. The cast urethane cover isn't just about performance - it's incredibly durable, so you won't need to replace these balls as often as some competitors' offerings.
When you're looking for a premium ball that doesn't compromise on feel or performance, the Vice Pro Soft delivers impressive specifications across the board.
Performance On The Course
On the course, the Vice Pro Soft truly shines for players with swing speeds under 95 MPH.
You'll notice it delivers impressive distance, creating about 1 MPH more ball speed and 7 yards more carry compared to the Titleist AVX, which can make a significant difference in your long game performance.
Around the greens, you'll appreciate the extra-thin cast urethane cover that provides excellent spin control, though it's slightly lower than what you'd get from the Pro and Pro Plus models.
The matte finish isn't just for looks - it'll help you track your ball more easily, both on the ground and in flight, which comes in handy during those late afternoon rounds. The innovative 336 dimple pattern ensures your shots maintain a stable trajectory even in challenging conditions.
When you're approaching with your mid and short irons, you'll experience about 7% less spin than the Pro Plus, but don't let that worry you.
The ball's consistent performance means you'll still get reliable control and predictable flight patterns.
Plus, if you're playing in varying conditions, you'll find that the Pro Soft maintains its performance characteristics admirably, giving you the confidence to attack pins when the opportunity presents itself.
With its 35 compression rating, this ball offers an exceptionally soft feel at impact that many players find ideal for their short game control.
Feel and Player Experience
Your fingers will immediately notice the Pro Soft's distinctly cushioned feel, setting it apart from other balls in Vice's lineup. With its cast urethane cover, you'll experience a premium sensation that's particularly noticeable when you're putting or hitting wedge shots.
If you've got a slower swing speed, under 95 MPH with the driver, you'll find this ball's been specifically engineered for your game. The 318-dimple design provides consistent flight characteristics that benefit slower swing speeds. The Pro Soft features a lower compression core that maximizes energy transfer for players with moderate swing speeds.
Around the greens, you'll notice how the Pro Soft responds with a quiet, slightly bouncy feel off the putter face, giving you that reassuring feedback you're looking for.
When you're working with your wedges, the ball feels wonderfully soft and heavy against the clubface, helping you gauge those delicate shots with confidence.
While it's not quite as firm as its sibling, the Pro Plus, you'll appreciate how the Pro Soft strikes that sweet spot between responsiveness and control.
It's worth noting that if you're coming from premium balls like the Pro V1, you won't feel shortchanged - the Pro Soft delivers a comparable experience, especially in those significant short-game situations where feel matters most.
Durability and Quality
The Pro Soft's durability matches its exceptional feel, thanks to its carefully engineered urethane cover and 3-piece construction.
You'll find that this ball holds up remarkably well during regular play, though you might notice some scuffing if you're hitting lots of bunker shots or unlucky enough to find the cart path. The 318 large dimple design not only helps with trajectory but also contributes to the ball's overall toughness.
When it comes to quality metrics, you're getting a consistently sized ball that meets all USGA standards for roundness and diameter. Like many Vice models, this ball offers mixed customer satisfaction based on individual preferences and playing styles.
While weight consistency isn't Vice's strongest suit (they've rated "fair" in this department), you probably won't notice any impact on your game. The latest generation shows significant improvements in overall quality, and durability testing has been ramped up by 25% to guarantee longevity. The innovative matte clear coating enhances grip while reducing glare during play.
If you're swinging at medium to lower speeds, you'll appreciate how the ultra-thin cast urethane cover maintains its integrity round after round.
While it mightn't be quite as durable as its Pro Plus sibling, the Pro Soft will easily last you a full 18 holes under normal playing conditions.
Price and Value Analysis
With regard to bang for your buck, Vice Pro Soft delivers impressive value at $38.99 per dozen retail, with prices dropping to around $32 per dozen when you buy in bulk (5+ dozen).
The three-piece construction of these balls delivers tour-level performance at an accessible price point.
You'll find that these balls compete directly with premium offerings like Titleist Pro V1 and Callaway Chrome Soft, but at a notably lower price point, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious golfers who don't want to compromise on performance.
When you break down the numbers, you're looking at roughly $2.75 per ball at retail, which drops to about $2.67 per ball with bulk pricing.
The KIL alignment aid on these balls helps golfers improve their putting accuracy and consistency on the greens.
You'll save even more if you're open to purchasing recycled options through retailers like LostGolfBalls.com, where you can find different grades and mix-and-match options.
The direct-to-consumer model that Vice employs helps keep these prices competitive, and they'll often throw in free shipping on larger orders over $99.
For golfers with swing speeds under 95 MPH who are looking to enhance their golf ball budget, you'll find that Vice Pro Soft offers remarkable value without sacrificing the premium features you'd expect from a tour-caliber ball.
Vice Pro Soft Golf Balls
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Vice Pro Soft Balls Suitable for Winter or Cold Weather Play?
You'll find mixed results using Vice Pro Soft balls in cold weather.
While their softer compression might seem ideal for winter play, these balls can lose significant distance in cold conditions, up to 21 yards when temperatures drop below freezing.
If you're playing in cold weather, you might want to contemplate a slightly firmer ball that'll maintain better distance, though there's always a trade-off between feel and performance.
How Do These Balls Perform in Wet or Rainy Conditions?
You'll want to be cautious using these balls in wet conditions, as they'll likely experience noticeable spin reduction and potential ball speed losses like most golf balls when moisture's present.
While specific wet-weather performance data isn't available for the Vice Pro Soft, its thinner urethane cover suggests it might struggle more than premium balls in rainy conditions.
For wet play, you'll likely get better performance from balls specifically designed for moisture resistance.
Can Vice Pro Soft Balls Be Used in Professional Tournaments?
Yes, you can use Vice Pro Soft balls in professional tournaments, as they're on the R&A and USGA's List of Conforming Golf Balls.
They've passed the necessary conformity testing and meet all regulatory requirements for professional play.
While they're not as commonly seen on tour as some premium brands, they're perfectly legal for any professional competition, from local qualifiers to major championships, as long as they maintain their conforming status.
Do Vice Pro Soft Balls Come in Different Colors?
Variety is the spice of life, and you'll find these balls come in several eye-catching colors.
You can choose from classic White, striking Drip Red Black, vibrant Neon Pink, or bold Neon Lime.
If you're lucky, you might stumble upon some discontinued Pro Soft models that feature unique spray paint-inspired patterns, though they're pretty rare now.
The current lineup offers these same color options in the newer Pro Air model.
How Does Ball Compression Affect Putting Accuracy With Vice Pro Soft?
Ball compression's impact on your putting accuracy with Vice Pro Soft is relatively minimal, as putting involves less ball deformation than full shots.
However, the ball's medium-soft compression rating of 86 gives you consistent feedback and feel on the greens, which can help your distance control.
You'll notice the soft feel provides good responsiveness without being mushy, letting you confidently gauge your putting stroke.
Conclusion
Like a swift breeze on a summer fairway, you'll find the Vice Pro Soft delivers remarkable value for your game. While it's not perfect in every category, you're getting tour-level performance at a price that won't empty your wallet. Whether you're a mid-handicapper looking to step up your game or a skilled player watching your budget, these balls offer an impressive blend of feel, distance, and control that's worth your consideration.
Paul Liberatore
As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.
