TaylorMade’s TP5 range of golf balls is used by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood. Here’s why they could be right for you.
These top players, as well as Dustin Johnson, all had input into the design of this range. Other golfers who use these balls are Sergio Garcia, Matthew Wolff, Charlie Hull, Sung Hyun Park, Maria Fassi, Brooke Henderson, and Sierra Brooks.
For these balls, TaylorMade has introduced a redesigned Tour Flight dimple pattern that’s more shallow in depth. This reduces drag and maintains flight on your golf shots. This makes them a good ball to use in windy conditions and they are also soft around the greens.
Both the TP5 and the TP5x are made with the same five-layer design, but the differences in their performance are due to the relative firmness of each layer. There are distinct differences in these balls in terms of ball flight, not so much with the driver, but with your irons and wedges.
The TP5 offers a mid-high ball flight, while the TP5x will fly higher. This is replicated in wedge shots. This is mostly due to the higher spin rates you’ll get from the TP5.
TP5
The TP5, preferred by 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa, includes a larger reactive core for more speed while still keeping that soft feel and high greenside spin from the previous design. It has a softer Cast Urethane Cover and is TaylorMade’s softest Tour ball. This is perfect if prioritise wedge spin and touch around the greens over distance.
TP5x
The choice of Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, this ball has now been softened to improve groove interaction at shot impact and greenside feel. Overall, this ball does offer a firmer feel and launches higher with more speed when compared to the TP5. It’s probably the most complete all-rounder in the range and is the ball for you if you prioritise distance over wedge spin.
TP5Pix
Both the TP5 and TP5x models are available in pix, the alignment system co-developed with Rickie Fowler first released in 2020. The ClearPath Alignment system uses 12 evenly spaced graphics to enhance visibility and help alignment on the green, allowing golfers to immediately gauge the quality of their stroke by watching the ball’s roll.
Tour Response
There’s also TaylorMade’s Tour Response ball. It’s the second iteration of the ball but has the same Tour Flight dimple pattern and the same cast urethane cover. The difference is, is its gone from a five-layer construction and 87 compressions, to three layers and 70 compression. Consequently, this is a tour-quality ball for non-tour quality players, and is a good choice for average swing speed club golfers.
