Although Cameron Young says he’s been playing the same ball for nearly one year, he finds himself this week in the middle of golf’s latest tempest-in-a-teapot controversy. Young has been playing a Titleist Pro V1x Double Dot ball, which by all accounts already meets the USGA’s 2028 rollback standards that might be pushed back until 2023.
In other words, the ball – in theory – doesn’t go as far as most balls played by Young’s competitors at this week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia.
Sacrilege? Maybe. But for Young, winning the 2025 Wyndham Championship with the ball, it’s what is best for his game. Several other players reportedly have the same ball on the PGA Tour over the past months.
“I play the ball for the same reason everyone else plays the balls they play,’’ Young said. “I’m trying to optimize my golf, and hit this is the ball that seems to work best for me.’’
When asked if there is a noticeable distance loss with his ball, Young hesitated before saying, “Not particularly.’’
“I don’t think any of us are playing the ball that goes the farthest. We’re all sacrificing some amount of distance for other things we feel that are worth it – control of irons and control of wedges. For me, that’s the biggest thing – being able to control spin. This is the ball that does that best for me.’’
The USGA has yet to comment on the ball.
Photo: Cameron Young