TaylorMade Golf Ball Reviews

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world, yet also one of the most specialized. Not just anyone can play. There are many pieces of equipment that you must own and master in order to be successful on a golf course. And even then, there’s no guarantee that the weather conditions will be conducive for your style of play.

This high learning curve is part of the reason why players love the game so much and why fans love watching it.

Golf Balls are perhaps the most critical piece of equipment that a player must own. Despite their small size, they are the product of a complicated manufacturing process. In this article, we give a brief overview of golf balls, discussing their history and modern characteristics. Then, we offer a review of two of the most popular TaylorMade golf balls available, specifically the TP5 golf ball and the TP5X golf ball. Finally, we offer our thoughts on the direction of the golf ball industry.

The History of Golf Balls

The game of golf dates back to the Roman Empire, but the modern golf ball originated in the 16th century when leather balls were used in various European countries like Netherlands and Scotland. These primitive balls were often stuffed with feathers from animals like chickens or geese.

As these balls were beat up over time from usage, manufacturers eventually realized that making indentations in the surface of the ball allowed players more control over their shots, leading to better performance. Thus, players started demanding balls that had dimples on the surface because it meant they could alter the trajectory and spin of the ball.

These dimpled balls are still in use today, though the kind and number of dimples varies with each manufacturer. Most golf balls have between 250 and 400 dimples on their surface and feature a symmetrical shape as required by various regulatory organizations. In addition, while the original golf balls featured a simpler, yet time-consuming construction, modern golf balls are much more complicated yet quicker to produce.

In particular, golf balls used by professionals feature a 3-layer construction at minimum while golf balls used by recreational players usually have 2 layers. In addition, modern golf balls are made from a unique combination of rubber, synthetic resins, and even liquid.

TP5 TaylorMade Golf Ball Overview

The TP5 TaylorMade golf ball is most commonly used by professional players due to its 5-piece layering system and superior construction. It represents a huge innovation in the market for golf balls due to this unique 5-piece layering system. In particular, the TP5 TaylorMade golf ball features a tri-fast core and a dual-spin cover.

The tri-fast core of the TP5 TaylorMade golf ball is a 3-layer system with progressive compression. This kind of compression allows for maximum energy transfer and speed on shots, which allows the player to better control ball spin.

The dual-spin cover features a soft urethane surface that contrasts with a more rigid inner core, giving players that use the TP5 superior control over the trajectory of the ball.

The TP5 is advertised as an 83-compression golf ball with a 16-compression core. It produces slightly flatter trajectories than the TP5x, which we will discuss below. The TP5 costs $45 for a pack of 12 balls.

TP5X TaylorMade Golf Ball Overview

The TP5X TaylorMade golf ball is known as more of a higher trajectory ball than the TP5.

It features the same 5-layer construction with a tri-fast core and dual-spin cover. However, it distinguishes itself by being a 90-compression TaylorMade golf ball.

The TP5X is known for reducing spin on full shots and is a firmer ball than the TP5 TaylorMade golf ball.

Furthermore, the TP5X features 322 dimples on the surface of the ball that make each shot more accurate and stable.

A pack of 12 TP5X TaylorMade golf balls costs $45.

The Advantages of TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade Golf Balls

The TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls are the preferred golf ball by many professional players. In this section, we will discuss the many benefits of these golf balls when compared to golf balls offered by competitors.

The Ability to Use Any Club

Many players have commented that the TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls can be used with any club due to the contrasting inner core and outer core. This contrast makes the ball perfect for tee shots, fairway shots, or even putting shots on the green.

This is a notable distinction, as many golf balls are ideal for specialized purposes but give an inferior performance when used by certain clubs in certain conditions.

For example, Rory McIlroy, one of the best golfers in the world, has publicly discussed his difficulties playing at the 2017 Masters Tournament due to varying wind conditions on each hole. In particular, he noted how different his shots were using an 8-iron on hole #14 and hole #15, mainly because of the windier conditions on hole #14.

Yet, after the tournament, he decided to test out the TP5X TaylorMade golf ball in the same wind conditions using the same club, and he realized that the TP5X was much more resistant to the wind than the ball he had been using. The TP5X allowed him more control over the ball instead of having his shots controlled by the wind. Many players say similar things about not only the TP5X TaylorMade golf ball but also the TP5, noting that they don’t have to worry about making club adjustments to compensate for the kind of ball they’re using. Instead, they can focus purely on selecting the best club for each shot.

The Ability to Golf under Any Condition

Many players have commented that the TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls are great for playing in all kinds of weather. Some golf balls are overly sensitive to moisture and wind and will drastically influence the golfers swing in these conditions. The TP5 and TP5x, however, give a more reliable, stable performance regardless of sunshine or rain.

This is an important distinction, as much of golf is played before the tee-shot is even hit. Golf is a very strategic game where players spend months in advance learning the course they will be playing and mastering every nook and cranny. If inclement weather occurs, the player already has to adjust his game significantly. Having a golf ball that is relatively reliable even in these conditions can be one less thing to think about. This can help a player stay grounded if unforeseen circumstances arise.

The Disadvantages of TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade Golf Balls

Despite being one of the most popular golf balls on the market, the TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls have some significant drawbacks.

First, they are designed for use by more professional players that are stronger and can generate faster swing speeds. Without these fast swing speeds, players will not experience the full spectrum of benefits of the TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls. Thus, recreational players with slower swing speeds are better off investing in a different golf ball more designed for their style of play.

The Price of TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade Golf Balls

Furthermore, the TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls are some of the most expensive golf balls on the market. This also means they are more geared towards professional players who are less likely to lose a ball.

Yet, using advanced equipment is one way that recreational players can improve their game, as they will learn how their swing and style of play interconnects with their equipment. Cheaper, lower quality golf balls are less dynamic and do not respond as well to subtle adjustments in performance. Thus, it can be difficult for recreational players to analyze their inadequacies using cheaper golf balls.

On the other hand, when recreational players use more expensive, higher quality golf balls, they can become more aware of how a simple adjustment in their swinging form can influence the spin and trajectory of the ball. This can allow them to grow as a player, which can give them more confidence to develop even further. Eventually, a positive feedback loop forms in which developed skills lead to better performance, which leads to more development. Essentially, it’s very difficult for a player to grow if he cannot directly witness how this growth is translating to better performance.

Yet, because the TP5 and TP5X TaylorMade golf balls are inaccessible to beginners due to their high price, this process of growth can be cut short because these beginner players are forced to use cheaper, inferior balls. This only creates a hierarchy in the game of golf that means wealthier or more talented players grow faster than less wealthy or beginner players. Ultimately, this hierarchy results in less competition and a more boring sport.

What is the Public Perception of TaylorMade?

There’s a reason many of the best professional players use TaylorMade golf balls. It’s because they consistently deliver the best performance of any golf ball on the market.

The innovative designs in TaylorMade golf balls are a result of the company working in the industry for almost 40 years. In addition, TaylorMade also manufacturers golf clubs and accessories, which is a testament to how knowledgeable the company is.

Many golf companies specialize only in making golf balls, but this results in an imbalanced design that does not take into account the clubs that will be hitting the ball. Since TaylorMade is involved in many different elements of the game, they are able to finetune their designs to work perfectly in every situation. As such, they are very trusted, and many players choose to not only use TaylorMade golf balls but also to pair these balls with TaylorMade clubs and accessories. This creates a seamless experience that allows players to shift their focus to executing each shot rather than fixating on their equipment.

Our Thoughts on The Future of Golf Balls

We think golf balls in the future will be specifically customized to each player’s style of play.

This development can already be seen in the industry, as many companies like TaylorMade are allowing customers to personalize their golf balls with various messages and marks.  Additionally, many professional players are teaming up with experts to design golf balls that enhance their strengths and neutralize their weaknesses.

This represents a huge change in the industry, as traditionally players have been forced to rely on generalized golf ball models that were designed with many players in mind. Yet, each player has a unique way of approaching the game. Generalized balls influence the diversity of golf players, as the equipment that a player uses ends up influencing how that player will develop.

Thus, we think that future golf balls will be totally unique to each player. No two golf balls will be alike, and each player will have his own unique brand of golf ball that no other player has access to. In addition, we think that specific golf balls will be utilized in each environmental condition. Thus, if it starts to rain mid-way through a hole, then a player will switch out the golf ball for a rainproof golf ball specifically designed for the weather.

Furthermore, we think players will pair each unique golf ball with a unique club. This will only make each player’s style of play more resistant to imitation. Additionally, it will mean that manufacturing golf equipment will become almost as important as the actual player who uses the equipment.

Our Final Thoughts on TaylorMade Golf Balls

We think that TaylorMade golf balls are the best in the industry, which is why some of the top golf players in the world use them.

Their 5-layer construction is unprecedented in the industry and maximizes player control over distance and spin. Yet, this innovation is to be expected from TaylorMade, as one of the company’s core values is innovation through cutting-edge technology.

Ultimately, we think TaylorMade golf balls are going to become more customizable in the future to better support and enhance each players game. We can’t wait to see what TaylorMade comes up with next.

 

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