Equipment
TaylorMade makes big claims about new TP5 and TP5x golf balls
It’s not often you hear a company directly address another company by name — after all, they’re competitors — especially when it’s a titan in the industry. But that’s exactly what TaylorMade did at the launch for its new TP5 and TP5x golf balls.
Titleist is the most played golf ball on the professional tour, and the No. 1 ball in golf. That’s no secret, and TaylorMade readily admits it. TaylorMade says, however, that it has been able to create a longer, lower-spinning tour ball than the leader in the industry due to its proprietary designs.
TaylorMade was willing to demonstrate those claims in front of an audience full of media members at its launch event, using former amateur standout and new TaylorMade staffer Jon Rahm. The test pitted Rahm’s current golf ball, the Titleist Pro V1x, against TaylorMade’s TP5x.
At the range at The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, Rahm tested both golf balls in windy conditions (blowing slightly into, and left-to-right), hitting off of the wispy Bermuda grass. After hitting 7-irons and 4-irons, Trackman numbers supported TaylorMade’s claims of higher ball speeds, lower spin and more distance — upward of 10 yards gained on multiple shots. In the wind, as you’d expect, a lower-spinning shot is preferable since it’s less affected by the conditions.
“It’s a higher ball flight, and isn’t spinning as much (as the the Pro V1x),” Rahm said of the TP5x golf balls. “It just goes farther.” Bear in mind, Rahm is a young staffer who’s paid by TaylorMade.
TaylorMade also claimed at the launch event that the balls are high-spinning around the green compared to their previous models, the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X, in addition to being longer and higher-launching.
“No (tour golf ball) is better than us inside 100 yards,” said Eric Loper, TaylorMade’s director of golf ball R&D.
So, in terms of technology and design, what’s different about these TP5 and TP5x golf balls that’s allowing these big claims?
While the previous line had a Tour Preferred X golf ball that was made with five layers, the new line now expands that 5-layer design into both the TP5 and TP5x golf balls. There’s also a new, larger “Tri-Fast” core, and a “Dual-Spin” cover that creates more spin with wedges, but less spin with lower-lofted clubs.
TaylorMade TP5x and TP5 (right) are both 5-piece golf balls.
According to TaylorMade’s initial tour player testing, the TP5 and TP5x will be higher launching with irons (1-2 degrees), lower spinning (500-1000 rpm with irons, 0-200 rpm with a driver) and longer (+7-10 yards with irons, +2-4 yards with a driver).
The cores of the golf balls are extremely low-compression (TP5x = 25, TP5 = 16), according to TaylorMade, with a stiffer outer core and an even stiffer mantle layer. The three layers combine to restrict spin and improve energy transfer, and less spin directly leads to higher launch, according to the company.
This faster core is coupled with a cover made from two pieces; a cast urethane, 322-dimpled seamless cover and a rigid thermoplastic inner cover. The firmer inner cover is said to force the softer, outer cover into the grooves of the wedges in order to create more friction, and thus more backspin around the greens.
The TP5x (90 compression) is said to launch higher and feel firmer than the softer TP5 golf ball (83 compression), which has a “mid-launch,” according to the company. Both golf balls will sell for $44.99 per dozen and will be in stores March 1, 2017.
Correction: The original article stated that the TP5 and TP5X could provide distance gains of 2-4 yards with irons and 7-10 yards with a driver. The story has been corrected to say that the balls could provide distance gains of 7-10 yards with irons and 2-4 yards with a driver.
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- Pavon’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 Max (9 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
3-wood: Ping G430 LST (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Ping i230 (3-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: Ping Si59 (52-12S, 58-8B)
Shafts: Nippon Modus3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Ping Cadence TR Tomcat C
Grip: SuperStroke Claw 1.0P
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Pavon’s gear here.
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Tommy Fleetwood has been attached to his Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 putter for years now. However, this week at the Wells Fargo Championship, we did spot him testing a new putter that is very different, yet somewhat similar, to his current gamer.
This new putter is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X head but with a brand new neck we haven’t seen on a Spider before. A flow neck is attached to the Spider head and gives the putter about a 1/2 shaft offset. This style neck will usually increase the toe hang of the putter and we can guess it gets the putter close to his White Hot Pro #3.
Another interesting design is that lack of TaylorMade’s True Path alignment on the top of the putter. Instead of the large white center stripe, Tommy’s Spider just has a very short white site line milled into it. As with his Odyssey, Tommy seems to be a fan of soft inserts and this Spider prototype looks to have the TPU Pure Roll insert with 45° grooves for immediate topspin and less hopping and skidding.
The sole is interesting as well in that the rear weights don’t look to be interchangeable and are recessed deep into the ports. This setup could be used to push the CG forward in the putter for a more blade-like feel during the stroke, like TaylorMade did with the Spider X Proto Scottie Scheffler tested out.
Tommy’s putter is finished off with an older Super Stroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip in blue and white. The Mid Slim was designed to fit in between the Ultra Slim 1.0 and the Slim 3.0 that was a popular grip on tour.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
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We enter week 4 of Thursday night men’s league feeling a little more confident in the game. BK is hoping to go a little lower and reduce the mistakes out there with these clubs in the bag. Watch the video for the full breakdown of why these clubs are getting the starting nod this week!
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, neutral setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Lin-Q M40X TSPX Blue 7F5
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (-1 degree, flat Ssetting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 S
Iron: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 4
Shaft: Aerotech Steelfiber hls880 S
Irons: PXG 0317 Tour (5-PW)
Shaft: LA Golf A-Series 105 Low (4)
Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM10 (50-08F)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Dart V 105 F4 Wedge
Wedge: Ping S159 (56-10H)
Shaft: Ping Z-Z115
Wedge: Ping S159 (60-08B)
Shaft: Ping Z-Z115
Putter: PXG Battle Ready II Brandon
Shaft: BGT Stability Tour Spec One
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
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JonS
Apr 29, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Every year golf manufacturers make many claims with their golf balls, and rarely are they fair or head to head comparisons to support said claims. The Taylormade Golf TP5x golf ball is legitimate and produces interesting results. Simply grab a 7 iron and see for yourself. I found the ball went higher and further and was excellent in the wind. It felt slightly firmer than the ProV1x golf ball, but that’s something that can be easily sacrificed for the performance.
Almdudler
Dec 13, 2016 at 10:49 am
Who really want to have lower spin with the irons? Professionals usually controls their spin great! And amateurs mostly have trouble holding greens.
Almost all irons in the GI and SGI market are stronger lofts/high launch with less spin.
I want my 4-7 iron to one hop and stop.. Not bounce and roll off the green. Why is nobody thinking of this?
Prime21
Dec 18, 2016 at 11:07 am
That is what you WANT ur 4-7 to do, but they don’t. Amateur players face the same issues with their golf ball as they do with their irons, high launch, high spin. If you bring both issues down equally, a problem is created. Through technology, TM has given the average player the ability to offset these issues with clubs/balls that launch high with less spin. Now the player has the ability to stop a ball on a green with a proper land angle NOT an over abundance of spin. Tour players have always been concerned with launch charateristics, especially in the wind (think Tiger at the 2000 US Open). If one cannot arrive with less effective loft than when they started, their ball is going to balloon, period. Technological advancements mean players will get similar results without having to manipulate their shots (ball back, shaft forward, less loft) guving them the ability to make more of a “stock” swing, instead of a “flighted” one.
Taylor Made has thought of this, but it’s obvious that YOU haven’t put much effort into YOUR thought process. Before you decide to post again, please make some effort to understand the science behind that which you are attempting to speak intelligently about. Otherwise, we will get another ignorant “hate” post that makes ZERO sense & this site has already reached maximum capacity with these types of posts. I hope your skull and roll iron shots improve for the 2017 season!
Ben
Mar 14, 2017 at 5:42 pm
You nailed it. While there is a lot of BS marketing, I’m getting pretty tired of the haters. I’ve recently switched to the TP5 bc it feels great off the putter and performed better in the wind. We’re literally splitting hairs, but I hit 5 balls on multiple holes into the wind (Chrome Soft X, Pro V1/1x, TP5/5x) and the TPs consistently performed slightly better. Combine that with not shearing as easily as the Pro Vs and it’s become a no brainer. Now if only the TPs came in Tour Yellow.
Smizzly
Dec 9, 2016 at 2:31 pm
“TaylorMade makes big claims”
Truly shocking.
Srixon and Bstone make much better balls than Callaway, Tmade and Titleist.
Dave
Dec 9, 2016 at 7:17 am
blah blah blah blah
justin
Dec 8, 2016 at 1:14 pm
Callaway super soft the ones that look like soccer balls, that’s what I play and I honestly have never hit a better ball
Joe Galbreth
Dec 8, 2016 at 7:54 pm
Ditto Justin….I really like the TruVis. Callaway is coming out with a newer Chrome Soft next spring. It also will have the TruVis design.
Feel the Bern
Dec 8, 2016 at 10:24 am
heard this ball is 10% longer with the putter. Loft down!
Greg
Dec 8, 2016 at 4:46 am
Lots of truly great balls out there. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to ProV1, you should have no trouble doing so.
I’m just numb to anything Taylormade tells me anymore. From drivers,to irons, to balls, they make some good stuff…I m just staging my own mini protest and just won’t buy any of it.
Brad
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:04 pm
I am 99% with you Greg. I despise TM for every product…. except their golf balls. I switched 2 years ago to the TPx, and can honestly say there is not a better ball on the market. Period. I would be shocked if you couldn’t notice at least a slight advantage. It’s rare that I find a person as “brand-centric” as myself, so even suggesting this for a TM product is saying something coming from me. Give em a try.
Aa
Dec 8, 2016 at 7:22 pm
We’re not all idiots like you, Brad, and are just happy, positive, forward-thinking innovative people who love Taylormade, and have done so since the 90s. TM have been miles ahead in tech and everybody else are still laying catch up. Why wouldn’t you play their metals? Because you’re an idiot.
Jalan
Dec 17, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Your Avatar is appropriate. You certainly act like a little child, as well.
Jeffrey Purtell
Dec 8, 2016 at 12:57 am
Let me guess, these balls are more forgiving also.
Rj
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:21 am
Balls have been forgiving ever since Precept Lady
RJ's Man Card
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Personally, I wouldn’t know anything about that. We’ll just have to take your word for it, and trust your experience in using Ladies golf balls.
bh
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:57 pm
The Precept Lady ball was a great ball. The changed the name to Laddie so the cavemen could be ok with playing them.
Mort
Dec 8, 2016 at 10:50 pm
The Lady is what came before the ProVs, is what ProV was copied from
Wayne J Bosley
Dec 7, 2016 at 10:46 pm
Well they had to come up with something different and “special” seeing they are made by Nassau Korea and the Kirkland is so close to the TP models in structure and performance ,,,,,
Henry
Dec 9, 2016 at 8:28 am
The K-Sig is a 4 piece, these are both 5 piece. Yeah, there are comparable balls out there, but the K-Sig isnt one of them.
Smitty
Dec 12, 2016 at 8:27 am
The K-Sig ball is made at the same factory as the TP balls. It’s the same ball as the current TP 4-piece ball. TM had to respond by adding another layer and some marketing hype.
James
Dec 7, 2016 at 9:05 pm
What happens if you are hitting it with the new M1 or the new Proto irons? TM clubs on TM balls. Please tell me that it’s the greatest combination imaginable.
Seriously though, I need to know the durability of the cover. I tear the cover with full wedge shots of the previous TP balls. I am really interested in the seamless cover!
TexasSnowman
Dec 7, 2016 at 4:52 pm
7-10 yds with the Driver…..Question: At any swing speed, Launch Angle, etc? TM makes a claim without any supporting information as usual. I would pay more than $45 dozen for extra 10 yards with the driver, but given the history of TM (17 yds!, etc) and USGA parameters for golf balls. I am very skeptical of their advertising, even with the staged event with Rahm.
Josh
Dec 7, 2016 at 3:59 pm
Sorry TM. Kirkland signatures 2 doz for $30.
John meikle
Dec 7, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Those extra 2 yards will make sure I reach the rough and those pesky fairway bunkers…
Guia
Dec 7, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Why do you think the difference is 2 yards, or were you being funny?
Guia
Dec 7, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Oh, I re-read, and irons are 2 – 4 yards. Your right that is minimum, but 7 – 10 off of the driver is quite a bit.
rymail00
Dec 7, 2016 at 7:36 pm
Granted it is a gain, but small with the irons but like you said that’s a lot with the driver.
What I find shocking if true is that it can knock off 200rpm on irons and 500-1000 rpm with woods. That’s a HUUUGE claim…..and kinda hard to believe. I wonder if those numbers got put in backwards and should be 500-1000 for irons and 200 for woods?
Guia
Dec 7, 2016 at 11:02 pm
I think that the stats would mean more if they used Iron Byron.
Steve S
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Exactly! Best ball test ever done was by consumer reports 7 or 8 years ago. Used the Iron B. hitting driver and 8 iron. Measured distance and accuracy. Showed that the expensive balls were good but not worth the money. Their best buy was the Titliest DT Solo, about the cheapest ball in the test.
Jim
Dec 7, 2016 at 2:28 pm
ProV’s are the most over rated over priced balls of all time. Forget Trackman. Test honestly yourself. Go to the 150 yd dot, and hit 2 of your proV with whatever you hit 150. Then drop a Bridgestone Rx, B330s, Callaway SR or Chrome and see.
When I was a kid, you found TopFlites in the woods / fescue….rarley a Titleist, Maxfli or Slazenger Balata. Walk the edges now and ProV’s are everywhere. People that shouldn’t be playing them to begin with get tired of looking on every hole! By the 5th /6th they just drop another.
not surprised anything performed better, and NO, I’m not a TM guy. I wouldn’t play anything from TM unless the paid
me beaucoup, then I’m sure they’d find something in the Tour-Only box I’d dig
Jonno
Dec 7, 2016 at 6:24 pm
this guy gets it, prov1’s are the most over-rated piece of golf equipment ever made. If you really believe that any of the other golf companies couldn’t dissect a prov1 and analyse exactly what makes it the way it is – then you’re just crazy. What the other golf companies are trying to do is get the same marketing and brand loyalty that the prov1 garners – the product has been overtaken by larger budgeted competitors years ago, but they still sell the most! Titleist also pay more golf professionals than any other brand yet only other brands get called out for “he only plays X because he’s paid by X”.
Titleist and the prov1 should be a business case study in marketing world wide.
Rj
Dec 7, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Yes. Thank you for letting us know that you’re an idiot
Progolfer
Dec 8, 2016 at 11:58 am
Ever since Callaway sued Titleist for their ProV1 design infringements, the ball hasn’t been anywhere near as good as it used to be. It’s shorter off the tee with more spin, and spins less around the greens. A lot of people don’t know this, but professionals are allowed to use the original ProV1’s with modern stampings on them– it doesn’t violate the lawsuit. There’s a reason so many pro’s play the “current” ProV1. My recommendation is if you find an older one in good shape, keep it!
Brian
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Not sure about Callaway, but I know Titleist pays Bridgestone a royalty for ever ProV1 sold due to patent infringements. Would be suprised if they stole tech from Callaway also.
chinchbugs
Dec 7, 2016 at 1:39 pm
I can’t wait to get those +2 yards with the irons!
Double Mocha Man
Dec 8, 2016 at 12:10 pm
… but you need to combine those 2 yards with the new irons that get you 6 extra yards and your new swing that gets you 8 extra yards… and presto chango, you’re 16 yards longer with your 9-iron!
chinchbugs
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Never thought of it that way…add that to the +17 I’ll be getting with the driver and I am up to +33 yards. That par 4 just went from mid iron in the wedge! Take my money TM!
(J/K I wouldn’t be so foolish to give TM any of my money)
Knut
Dec 11, 2016 at 11:32 am
Yes, you’re just a fool. Period.