Equipment
TaylorMade launches new Tour Preferred, Project A golf balls
It’s easy to tell the difference between TaylorMade’s three premium new golf balls: just bounce them on your wedge. Each will make a different sound.
If that test was done with the previous version of TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf balls, however, the sound, which golfers equate to feel, would be nearly identical.
Both the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X were previously 88-compression golf balls, but they had two different constructions. The four-piece Tour Preferred was designed to give golfers more iron spin to help them stop approach shots more quickly on the green, while the five-piece Tour Preferred offered less iron spin for more distance. Off the tee and around the greens, the performance of the two balls was relatively the same.
“We wanted to make the differences more noticeable,” said Eric Loper, TaylorMade’s director of golf ball R&D. “One way to do that is to make the golf balls feel different.”
Loper and his team conducted a study with TaylorMade’s PGA Tour Staff players and found that they were much less sensitive to the feel of a golf ball than its performance.
“[PGA Tour players] are more focused on, ‘How is that ball going to perform as it comes off the face and lands on the green?'” Loper said. “But as you go out and work with consumers, you find that they are much more focused on feel.”
Users of TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred X include four of the top 11-ranked golfers in the world: Jason Day (No. 1), Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, each of which said they’ve been happy with the performance of the Tour Preferred X from tee to green.
“The TaylorMade ball surprises people,” Justin Rose said. “The last two Ryder Cups, we’ve played my ball [in alternate shot].”
On each golfer’s wish list was more spin on shots around the greens, however, which TaylorMade achieved with a small tweak. The Soft Tech cast urethane cover of the ball was made slightly thicker — from 0.030 to 0.035 of an inch — and the adjacent layer was made thinner by the same amount. It sounds like a simple change, but it took more than 43 prototypes to perfect, according to Loper.
“YOU CAN HIT THAT LOW SHOT AROUND THE GREENS WAY EASIER NOW,” DUSTIN JOHNSON SAID. “IT TAKES TWO HOPS, AND THEN BOOP.”
TaylorMade made more substantial changes to the Tour Preferred. It’s still a four-piece golf ball, but the compression has been reduced — from 88 to 80. That’s thanks to a new inner mantle layer, which surrounds the core of the golf ball. It’s called Speed Mantle 2, and boasts 65 percent more flexibility.
“It offers the same speed of the original Speed Mantle, but is that much softer,” Loper said.
Like the previous Tour Preferred, the ball will appeal to golfers who need more spin from their iron shots, and now a much larger crowd — golfers who prefer a softer feel.
The Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X will sell for $47.99 per dozen when they arrive in stores on November 6.
Project A
Unlike the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf balls, the Project A is designed for golfers with average clubhead speeds. A TaylorMade study revealed that from 150 yards, amateurs with handicaps of 10-24 missed the green by an average of 35 yards. For that reason, the Project A was given the same cast urethane cover as the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X, which will give average golfers the maximum amount of greenside spin to enhance their chances of getting up and down.
“[All three balls] will have about the same spin off the tee,” Loper said. “Where you will see the difference between the three balls is with the irons,” Loper said. “The Project A has the highest iron spin, the Tour Preferred is in the middle and the Tour Preferred X has the least iron spin. Around the greens, the balls will perform about the same.”
Like the Tour Preferred, TaylorMade’s Project A golf ball will resonate with golfers who prefer a softer feel. TaylorMade developed a new, softer core for the ball, which uses special additives that allowed the compression to be dropped from 86 to 70 without compromising distance.
The Project A will be in stores on November 6 and sell for $34.99 per dozen.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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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 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.
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Equipment
Adam Scott testing green “Masters Use Only” putter + 6 interesting equipment photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Welcome to the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson event at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, which, for your geographical reference, is about 25 minutes from Dallas.
In early-week equipment news, we saw some interesting putter testing from Adam Scott, a Maxfli golf ball signing on the PGA Tour, a 16-year-old’s WITB, a PGA Tour player using another PGA Tour player’s backup putter, and Jordan Spieth weighed in on why he recently switched out just his 7-iron (and then made a hole-in-one with it).
With so much to report and so little time to waste on the intro, let’s get right into this week’s equipment rundown from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
See all of our photo galleries from the week here
Adam Scott’s new L.A.B. putters
Before we get into a couple of the new prototypes Scott has been testing, above is a photo of the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max prototype putter that he’s been using, and will likely continue to use this week in Texas.
That being said, following the Masters, Scott was looking to try a couple putters with a slightly lighter weight to help with his feel on fast greens.
One of the new prototypes we spotted on Tuesday was a L.A.B. Golf DF3 “Proto 2.1”, custom-built with Scott’s preferred blue colorway, and an Australia-inspired Kangaroo laser engraving…
We also spotted him with a green-colored “For Masters Use Only” Mezz.1 Max prototype…
While it’s unlikely Scott will make a switch this week, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, especially on courses with faster greens.
We also got a peek into Scott’s full WITB this week, which consists of a super-mixed set of Srixon irons, including a ZX Utility 3-iron, a ZX-5 MkII 4-iron, ZX-7 MkII mid-irons (5-7) and Z Forged II short irons (8-9).
See Scott’s full WITB from the CJ Cup here
An update on Daniel Berger’s Odyssey Jailbird
Last week in New Orleans, we highlighted Daniel Berger’s Ai-One Jailbird Mini putter because of its unique sightlines.
Well, we have an update.
According to Callaway Tour Manager Joe Toulon, who spoke with GolfWRX.com this week, Berger’s Jailbird Mini is actually from fellow Tour player Tom Kim’s stash. Kim is a prolific putter tester, and the exact putter Berger is currently using was actually originally made for and tested by Kim. The putter didn’t make it into Kim’s starting lineup, however, so he gave the putter back to Odyssey, and it eventually made it’s way onto Berger’s gamer roster.
Jordan Spieth’s new 7-iron
As the story goes, Jordan Spieth changed out his Titleist T100 7-iron on Wednesday before the 2024 Valero Texas Open, and then on Thursday, he used the 7-iron to make a hole-in-one from 199 yards on the 16th hole.
Good timing on that switch, Jordan.
On Tuesday at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, GoflWRX.com caught up with Spieth to get the full story on why he switched just the 7-iron.
Our full story is over on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, but here’s a snippet of what Spieth had to say:
“I hit my 7-iron a lot, especially on my own. The spin rates, relative to my 6-iron and my 8-iron, were lower, so it was going too far. I was trying to figure out why, if it was something in the makeup of the iron. I got the lies and the lofts checked, and everything was fine. So finally I was like, ‘Can I just get a new one and see if it fixes it?’
“Maybe there was one other time throughout my career where I changed just one iron, so it’s very unusual. I think it’s just because the grooves were worn down from hitting it too much.”
Ben Griffin signs with Maxfli to play the golf ball
At the beginning of the year, LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson signed a deal with Maxfli to play the company’s golf ball, and now, Griffin has officially joined team Maxfli, as well, thus expanding the company’s Tour presence.
GolfWRX.com caught up with Griffin on Wednesday in Texas for a video interview about his new golf ball of choice, and how he marks it…
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A 16-year-old is playing on the PGA Tour this week, using a 2-iron!
Amateur golfer Kris Kim, at just 16 years of age, is making his PGA Tour debut this week after receiving a sponsors exemption into the event. In 2023, Kim won both the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship and the European Boys’ International Championship.
On Tuesday in Texas, we got a look into Kim’s bag, which revealed that he’s currently playing a TaylorMade P-770 2-iron, and a bag full of TaylorMade clubs.
Check out Kim’s full WITB here
A smart golf ball stamping
I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be a big math guy, because I’m not. However, I do recognize David Nyfjall’s purple ball marking as a square root symbol.
While I don’t know the particular significance of the square root symbol for Nyfjall, I do know you have to be fairly intelligent to even consider using a marking like that. Pretty cool stuff from the Northwestern alum, and 2023 Byron Nelson Award winner.
And, with that, we say goodbye to Texas and TPC Craig Ranch. We’ll see you next week at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte for more insider equipment news and storylines.
For now, don’t forget to check out all of our photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
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cmyktaylor
Oct 30, 2015 at 5:28 pm
I play the current Project (a). Confession: I found a Pro V1 on the course two rounds ago and I’ve been playing it for the past few rounds. Very happy with it. Not interested in the price though.
Golfandpuff
Oct 30, 2015 at 7:40 am
Updates sound good, but I would much prefer picking up dozen(s) of current offering at half the price.
Al385
Oct 29, 2015 at 3:21 pm
TP and TPX are pretty good balls. It’s good that they kept the same brand for 2016, which is not the usual marketing strategy for TM.
Alan Jackson Jr
Oct 28, 2015 at 12:31 pm
They better not screw up the Project A’s or I will be ticked.
Mark
Oct 26, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Please ensure these balls feel firm. Too many new balls feel like a wet sponge.
Trab
Oct 27, 2015 at 2:42 am
The X definitely is firm. To make the other ones softer, wow, they must feel like nothing to hit with the irons.
Ian
Oct 26, 2015 at 2:09 pm
So are we (a) all suckers for “soft feel” instead of focusing on performance?
Trab
Oct 27, 2015 at 2:42 am
Yes, you’re all weaklings who are too soft
Joe
Oct 27, 2015 at 8:33 am
Hey! Look everyone! A real life troll!
Sam
Oct 26, 2015 at 11:37 am
I use the current version of the Project (a) ball and I love it. I’ll definitely be picking up some of these when my current stock runs out. I have been going back and forth between these and the Wilson SPIN Duos.
Charlie
Oct 28, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Sam, How do you rate the Wilson Spin Duos?
DeAngelo
Oct 31, 2015 at 9:18 pm
The spin duo’s are great balls. Especially when you factor in the “bang for buck” factor. 35 compression ball so it is soft. I really do love the project (a) ball. offers a lot of spin and not too spongy.