Equipment
TaylorMade Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf balls
TaylorMade announced today the release of their most well-rounded golf balls to date, the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X.
The Tour Preferred golf balls include a number of TaylorMade’s innovations: a React Core for greater ball speed, the Spin Mantle, a layer that controls the spin rates for consistency, and low drag performance (LDP) aerodynamics, which are achieved through a 322-dimple design that reduces distance loss on shots with low spin, but allows for a penetrating ball flight into the wind.
[quote_box_center]”Golf ball innovation doesn’t just happen overnight,” said Dean Snell, vice president of golf ball R&D for TaylorMade. “Rather, it is a series of ongoing conversation with our Tour players. These conversations have led to the development of breakthrough technologies including low drag aerodynamics for ultimate wind resistance, a five-layer construction for superior control throughout the club set and now our softest most durable cover.”[/quote_box_center]
The new Soft Tech cover, which is being introduced with the Tour Preferred line, has a cast-urethane construction that generates a soft feel around the greens. Soft Tech has a higher resistance to sheering than previously constructed TaylorMade golf balls, making for their most durable ball ever.
The Tour Preferred X maintains a similar spin and trajectory as its predecessor, the TaylorMade Lethal. Like the Lethal, it is a five-layer golf ball, but the Tour Preferred X has better green side control and increased durability because of the Soft Tech cover.
The Tour Preferred golf balls have four layers, and are designed to spin more on a golfer’s long- and mid-iron shots than the Tour Preferred X. According to Snell, the Tour Preferred will feel and perform very similar to the Tour Preferred X on other shots.
The new Tour Preferred franchise has been well received by players on multiple tours. Sergio Garcia recently won the Thailand Golf Championship and the Qatar Masters with the Tour Preferred X golf ball. Jessica Korda also gamed the Tour Preferred X in her season-opening victory at the Pure Silk Classic.
Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X will be available at retailers for $45.99 a dozen beginning March 1st.
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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 x
Irons: Titleist T200 (4, 5), Titleist 620 CB (6-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 54-12D, 60)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)...
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Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here....
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Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
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david g
Nov 22, 2014 at 2:23 am
tried the tour preferred and loved it in 5 rounds of golf 3 of the rounds i have made eagles with the ball. i just found the ball bit hard unlike the feel of the pro v. I wonder if taylormade would do a tour preferred at like 75 or 80 compression like the project a
Pingback: Taylormade Tour Preferred X Golf
Ron
Jul 4, 2014 at 1:35 am
Yes with the keep the name.
.I loved the penta…then loved the Lethal…really loved it…now another switch in names and I did not know which ball the x or the other..went with the other now wish I would have bought the x…please quit changing names…lovers of your brand get confused….
Almost my whole bag is TM…
Drop and stop..hit another 300 yard drive and I am 57 years young
Steven
May 20, 2014 at 7:09 pm
To be honest, I absolutely adore the new Taylor made tour preferred x, the only issue I have is the durability of the ball, especially for the price I pay, it can even be after one hole after a solid wedge shot in that scuff marks are already appearing, other that that though, fantastic feel and return on all shots!
randy keen
Jul 6, 2014 at 5:14 pm
I totally agree. The tour preferred x is a good ball but, the durability is very questionable.
pitbull17
Mar 27, 2014 at 10:40 am
I’ve played the Tour Preferred X and I really liked it. I haven’t played the other ball yet. The X reminds of the Penta in terms of green side spin and mid-iron flight. They do seem to last quite a bit longer than the Lethal and Penta did. It is hard to imagine the Tour Preferred spinning more than the X does, I get tons of spin out of the X
Alan Barnes
Mar 24, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Are the taylormade tour prefered balls smaller than normal?
Scott
Feb 2, 2014 at 10:30 am
I have not really liked a TM ball since the TP Red. Lets hope these new TP balls bring back the performance.
jc
Jan 30, 2014 at 6:33 pm
well, that’s it…might as well close up the lab…titleist, callaway, tm, and the others have reached the max in innovation. There can be NO more ideas or materials or dimple patterns that will EVER be better than this. Coupled with the adjustable, slotted, weigted, super duper clubs…there can be NO MORE development. We will no longer have to see the hot list, trade in stuff, buy anything new.
glad that is done.
Mackenzie Tout
Jan 30, 2014 at 5:47 pm
I find it interesting that Taylormade released a product so similar to the Titleist line of Pro V1 and Pro V1x. From using the “X” to differentiate each ball to the 332 dimple pattern (synonamous with the Pro V1x) the TP line is a near copycat of the industry leading Titleist product. Although I believe the name change was needed, it’s obviously apparent who runs the ball market.
J
Jul 18, 2014 at 11:22 pm
They are actually 322 dimple pattern
David Ober
Jan 30, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Dear TaylorMade: That “Lethal” name was a killer (no pun intended). Horrible name for a ball aimed at players. Sounds too much like a distance ball. Keep the “Tour Preferred” name for a long time. It’s a name that people associate with you. It’s a great name for a “players” ball. Most importantly, it will stand the test of time. Leave the tinkering with names and multiple releases to your drivers and fairway woods and keep your balls consistent. Do that, and you’ll slowly eat away at Titleist’s dominance in the ball market.
Gerard
Jan 30, 2014 at 3:13 am
Hopefully they realise the best ball manufacturers in Srixon and Titleist have had success with keeping the ball name the same and just slightly tweaking the design year to year, makes it a lot easier for everyone.
Ben
Jan 29, 2014 at 11:41 pm
I’ve had the pleasure of playing both of these balls already. In my opinion they both spin noticeably more than the lethal and are both very similar to their Titleist counterparts. Solid ball overall and very durable. Big improvement over the Lethal. I would definitely play them.
Chris
Jan 29, 2014 at 10:45 pm
I wondered when Taylormade would be announcing a new ball as the lethal’s pice is dropping like crazy!
Alex
Jan 29, 2014 at 10:28 pm
I hit quite a few of these on the range at the PGA Demo Day. Quite impressed with the feel in comparison to Pro-V!!
Mario Good Times
Jan 29, 2014 at 8:46 pm
I hope they are good, never liked a taylormade ball yet but ill try anything once. Please Taylormade keep the name the same but change the ball a little like Prov1 this game is getting confusing..