The Pro Plus is the brand's flagship ball in a comprehensive line up. It is a four-piece, tour-calibre ball engineered specifically for golfers with high swing speeds, which is why I was very keen to put it to the test.
Sitting above the mid-priced Pro and the softer Tour ball, I got my hands on the visually-striking Tracer model to see if its performance matched the bold looks.
The Tracer pattern is hard to ignore when taking these balls out of the packet for the first time. The multi-line design is similar to that of the TaylorMade TP5 Stripe ball, which has become very popular among amateur golfers. While I typically don’t like seeing a lot of graphics on my golf ball, I can see how this ball would help people who struggle with alignment from the tee and hitting their start lines when putting.
From the first tee shot, it was clear this ball is designed for those who naturally produce a decent amount of speed. I swing a driver at around the 117mph mark, and so I found the four-piece construction, combined with its high compression, translated into a powerful and penetrating flight with the driver.
I would say the Vice Pro Plus is aimed at those swinging in excess of 110mph to reap the rewards of the ball's characteristics or for those who just want a firmer feel around the greens. I was particularly impressed with the spin numbers this ball produced. My driver spin was in a good place, hovering right around the 2300rpm mark, which produced a strong flight that held its line well, even when I was into the breeze.
Interestingly Vice suggests you could rotate the Tracer graphic 90° when using it off the tee to assist with aim more effectively thanks to the combination of the three vertical and three horizontal guides, although what looks better to your eyes might differ to mine.
Through the bag, the Pro Plus offered a stable and mostly predictable flight with the irons, although I did see a few shots that came out with very little spin, causing the ball to fly a long way, almost as if I’d caught a little ‘jumper’ from the fairway, but for the most part, I was seeing the ball travel the same distance and at the same trajectory that I'm used to seeing.
However, this ball's true character shone through in the short game. The feel is noticeably firmer than its three-piece Pro sibling, which was something I particularly liked and used to with my ‘gamer’ ball.
When chipping and pitching, this firmness provided a lovely, crisp "click" at impact and gave me a real sense of control and feedback, allowing me to be more aggressive with my landing spots. It was a very familiar and confidence-inspiring sensation, reminding me of the Titleist Pro V1x - one of the best golf balls on the market.
On the greens, the Tracer's alignment benefits are obvious. It frames the ball perfectly, making it incredibly easy to see your start line and get immediate feedback on the quality of your stroke. However, if you’re not a fan of the tracer design, you can purchase these balls in multiple different color options - something Vice is well known for.
Overall, I do think this is a reliable option for those with fast swing speeds seeking low spin and a firm feel at a very affordable price point. To the point that I would class them amongst the best value golf balls given the £27 per dozen price point.
Given the visual assistance and the impressive performance through the bag, there's a strong case for this being the best ball Vice has ever made (let me know in the comments what Vice ball you like to play with). It's not for everyone, but for those seeking a tour-calibre ball without the premium prices, it's well worth a try.
