What We Learned From a Golf Ball Fitting Before Shinnecock

*In Partnership with Titleist*

This week at the U.S. Open, Shinnecock Hills showed exactly why precision matters. With firm fairways, demanding green complexes, and gusting winds pushing shots offline, controlling trajectory and spin became one of the biggest keys to success. Just ask Wyndham Clark, who relied on a carefully dialed-in setup—including a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball—on his way to claiming his second U.S. Open title.

RELATED: Comparing Wyndham Clark's Two U.S. Open Winning Bags

That's why having the right equipment is so critical. As wind speeds increase, controlling ball flight becomes even more difficult, putting an even greater premium on finding the right combination of clubs and golf ball for your game.

Our Skratch editor, Riley Hamel, got to experience this firsthand during the U.S. Open media day, where he went head-to-head with Shinnecock and put his game to the test on one of the top courses in America before the best players in the world did.

But, before taking on Shinnecock, we took the time to talk through his game to make sure that, of all his gear, his golf ball was the right fit for his game.

Shinnecock Hills demanded complete control this week. Between the firm fairways, elevated greens, and ever-changing winds, players needed to manage trajectory and spin on virtually every shot.

For Wyndham Clark, that meant relying on a Titleist Pro V1x. The Pro V1x is designed to offer high flight, consistent spin with irons, and greenside control—all traits that become even more important when conditions are firm and windy. When players are trying to hold approach shots on firm greens or flight wedges through a crosswind, having predictable performance from the golf ball is critical.

While Clark's victory was about much more than equipment, his win served as another reminder that the golf ball is the only piece of equipment used on every shot. When the wind is blowing and the greens are firm, that's a pretty important detail.

You can watch his full Shinnecock Hills experience below, and head to Titleist.com to find a fitter near you, or use their online golf ball fitting tool: Titleist Golf Ball Selector