OnCore Golf: Vero X1 vs. Vero X2

This is an exciting time of the year for golf equipment junkies. All the big brands just released their new clubs and balls in anticipation of the PGA Merchandise Show and now we get to actually see them up close.

Each year, OEM golf brands treat their new driver technologies like state secrets. Materials, weighting, shapes, and faces are constantly evolving.

The same goes for golf balls with materials and dimple designs.

A wise man once said, “the golf ball is the most important piece of equipment because you use it on every shot.” The fact there are now balls designed for every swing speed and skill level means ball manufacturers are constantly tweaking materials and designs to meet the needs of a variety of golfers.

One of the most promising brands is OnCore Golf out of Buffalo, NY.

For a few years now, they have experimented with out-of-the-box core designs. I personally love when companies push the envelope and try new things.

Based on years of research and data, OnCore is now making a serious push into the premium Tour ball market with the Vero X1 and Vero X2.

"I was recently sent some of both to try out and the short review is – these are really good balls."

The packaging and balls look premium. That’s always a good start.

Beyond similar appearance, it’s important to note the balls have very different characteristics and offer a true performance choice based on needs and ability.

The Vero X1 is a 4-piece ball featuring perimeter weighting and a cast urethane cover. At 85 compression, it produces a softer feel that many golfers prefer.

For a mid-handicapper like myself, the Vero X1 delivered. Its design encourages less spin off the driver, helping to negate outrageous slices. It also felt like butter off every club. Soft but solid is how I would describe it.

In particular, the feel and sound off the putter were very pleasing to my ear. It felt soft but wasn’t sluggish in any way. I’d describe it as an active and energetic ball.

Around the greens, well-struck shots bit and spun. From 100 yards in, the Vero X1 performed like any premium Tour ball on the market. That is to say, it behaved beautifully.

Finally, I felt the distance off the driver and irons was superb. Throughout the bag, I was able to play my normal yardages with ease. The Vero X1 can hang with any Tour ball on the market for distance.

At $40 a dozen, the Vero X1 has a high chance of making it into my bag. It comes in almost 20% lower in cost than comparable competitors and I couldn’t detect even a marginal difference in performance. It’s a great ball at a great price.

The Vero X2 is truly designed for the single-digit player. And while I had a different experience with it, I think it’s actually a good thing that I could see a pretty big difference between the X1 and X2.

The Vero X2 is also a 4-piece, cast urethane ball featuring perimeter weighting. The difference comes in with a 95 compression that is geared toward the highest swing speeds.

The difference in compression is noticeable. The Vero X2 sounds and feels different. If you prefer a firmer feel and slightly sharper sound, the X2 will be very pleasing.

The biggest difference I experienced was spin. The Vero X2 had significantly more in my testing. Again, this isn’t launch monitor conditions. I was out in the elements on a beautiful 75-degree day.

To my eye, the X2 spun more off every club, including the driver. For a person that doesn’t always square the face perfectly, it was harder to control.

That said, in the hands of a single-digit golfer, the X2 could be a real weapon. It’s easy to shape and flight. It performs around the green with ease. If rules allowed, I’d play the X1 from the tee and the X2 around and on the green. The X2 bites easily and reacts very well to finesse shots.

The $50 price tag on the Vero X2 also puts it right in the company of the Titleist ProV1 and the Taylormade TP5. That’s the competition and the Vero X2 belongs in that category.

I came away very impressed with OnCore and its latest offerings. This is a serious golf company making seriously well-made balls.

With the proliferation of DTC ball makers, OnCore is a cut above and deserves to be compared with Titleist, Taylormade, and Callaway. If you don’t follow the golf industry you may not know OnCore, but they are a true player in the space, not a rebranded knock-off with a fancy logo.

Best of all, the Vero X1 and X2 offer a substantial choice. Both are Tour-quality balls, but perform differently and will benefit different players.

If you are a golfer who is playing a $50 tour ball but loses a couple a round, the Vero X1 would be an ideal replacement at a lower cost.

The X1 will deliver on performance and you won’t be quite as mad at the lost pellet. Even better, OnCore offers bulk discounts which can save you up to $4 per dozen.

If you are a single-digit player who thinks you’re not quite getting the best performance with your current gamer, give the Vero X2 a tryout. There is a bulk discount as well.

At the very least it will open your eyes to what OnCore is doing. I think you’ll come away pleasantly surprised.