Updated on August 22, 2023
The TaylorMade TP5 is renowned for its rivalry with the popular Titleist Pro V1.
In this post, I reveal my findings from my honest review of TaylorMade TP5 golf balls. I’ll unveil the features of this 5-piece tour golf ball designed for optimal performance from tee to green.
After reading this post, you’ll know whether the pricey, high-compression urethane TP5 is a match for your swing speed. I’ll also touch on how it fared with my moderate swing speed to give the average golfer an idea of what to expect.
Features
5 Layers
The TaylorMade TP5 is a complex structure featuring 5 layers designed to deliver a tour performance from tee to green. I found it easier to compress than the TaylorMade TP5x because of its medium-high compression score.
An Expanded Core drives the TP5 and is supported by a firm 3-layer High Flex Material for optimal rebound on long shots. My favorite feature is the final layer, consisting of Soft Tough Urethane. The soft cover optimizes feel and spin for greater greenside control.
Expanded Core
The expanded core was highly reactive on metal woods and long iron shots due to its outstanding energy preservation and release. I appreciated the driver spin and velocity it generated on high-impact strikes.
Although I welcomed the results on cleanly struck shots, my moderate swing speed struggled to produce consistent contact. I lost ball speed and increased spin on off-center strikes, which reduced my long game distance.
High Flex Material
TaylorMade wedges High Flex material between the Expanded Core and Soft Cast Urethane to create an explosive speed layer. I found it efficient in preserving ball velocity and reducing spin on long shots to enhance carry and total distance.
I did experience its efficiency on the odd occasion, but my swing speed didn’t do the TP5 justice. However, faster swingers will likely experience more consistent results.
Soft Cast Urethane
I welcomed the feel, performance, and texture of the Soft Cast Urethane cover. It etched itself into my short iron and wedge grooves, elevating friction and spin for improved control. The cover helped the ball check on pitches and stop dead on flop shots to attack the flag.
Tour Flight Dimple Pattern
The Tour Flight Dimple pattern minimizes drag and boosts speed on ascent to enhance lift for increased carry distance. I further enjoyed the steeper angle of descent on long and mid irons, which improved its shot-stopping power. This enabled me to hold tight greens and leave myself more birdie and par putts.
Thanks to its flight, I find the TP5 an ideal golf ball for manicured courses where target golf is the order of the day. It boosts long-game carry distance and stops rapidly on approach, providing less roll than other balls I’ve played.
Colors
TaylorMade crafts the TP5 in 2 colors and varying PIX patterns. As the name suggests, I found the Hi-Visibility yellow the easiest finish to follow in flight and identify on the ground. The second color is a standard tour white finish which suits traditionalists.
If white and yellow aren’t enough, there’s the choice of the TP5 PIX range with patterns featuring poker chips or the United States flag.
Alignment Arrow
I like the double-sided alignment arrow on the TaylorMade TP5. It simplified aligning the center of my putter face. It reminded me of the robust design I experienced on the Distance+ despite being an entirely different golf ball.
Performance
Price
The price tag affixed to a dozen TP5 golf balls doesn’t align with my budget. They’re priced just under $50 for a dozen which is almost double what I paid for a TaylorMade Soft Response pack a month ago.
I don’t feel it’s worth it for mid and high-handicappers prone to losing multiple balls every round. It’s better off in the bags of faster-swinging lower handicappers who don’t lose balls frequently and can appreciate the tour qualities in the construction.
Feel
I love the soft feel of the TP5 in my hand and off the clubface, highlighting its premium qualities. The softness was particularly evident on wedge and iron shots, owing to its Cast Urethane cover and reduced compression score.
However, if you’re after a firmer ball with a soft urethane cover, I’d suggest testing the TaylorMade TP5x (read our side-by-side comparison of the Tp5 vs TP5x here).
Medium Compression
The TP5 registered a medium-high compression score, which pushed the boundaries of what works for my moderate swing speed. Although I produced several clean strikes where the ball flew off the clubface, I struggled with consistency.
By trying to force the ball, I ended up generating heel and toe mishits, which lowered my smash factor and ball speed while increasing spin. This caused a loss of carry and total length on long shots.
Spin
Driver
My inconsistent ball striking caused my spin rate to increase compared to my average of 2500 rpm. I produced 2840 rpm, which is lower than what I could generate with the Callaway Chrome Soft X.
The increased spin impacted my ball speed, launch, and flight leading to a loss of carry and total distance.
Irons
The inconsistency of my ball striking increased my long and mid-iron spin by 500 rpm more than I produced with the Callaway Chrome Soft. My 6000 rpm spin rate caused my ball to land rapidly on approach, but I lost length and power at launch, given my weak smash factor.
Wedges
I welcomed the superior wedge spin levels with the TaylorMade TP5 owing to its Soft Cast Urethane cover. My spin revolutions averaged 9900 rpm on full pitching wedge stops, prompting the ball to bite aggressively upon landing.
I also produced impressive spin on chips, flops, and pitch shots, allowing me to attack the flag from the greenside.
Ball Speed
Driver
My slower clubhead speed, weaker smash factor, and elevated spin saw my ball speed drop off slightly. I clocked in at just under 137 mph, which is marginally slower than my average. Surprisingly, the ball speed was close to 3 mph lower than my results with the Callaway Chrome Soft.
Irons
My mid and long iron ball speed was on par with my averages, reaching 116 mph ball speed. I feel faster swing speeds will produce better velocity with the TP5, stemming from the added energy transfer from the clubface to the ball at contact.
Distance
Driver
I was content with the TP5 driver distance considering my inconsistent ball striking. My ball flew 264 yards and rolled an extra 10 for a total distance of 274 yards, 4 yards shy of my Chrome Soft average.
Irons
My inability to consistently compress the golf ball showed in my iron distance as I lost a couple of yards off my average. My ball traveled an average of 147 yards, 2 yards short of my 7-iron average. I also found the ball stopping rapidly and generating limited roll on approach, further reducing its distance potential.
What I Like About The TaylorMade TP5
High Wedge Spin
The increased wedge spin provided by the TP5 is arguably my favorite feature. The Soft Cast Urethane gripped into my wedge grooves, enhancing friction and maximizing spin for greater short-game control.
Soft Feel
I relished the soft feel of the TP5 on putts, wedge, and iron shots. The urethane cover combined with the compressible expanded core softens the feel and increases spin for greater shot-stopping power on approach.
Workable Flight
I appreciated the workable flight afforded to me by the TaylorMade TP5. I found it easier to shape my golf ball off the tee and on approach to cut doglegs and take hazards out of play for safer decision-making.
Enhanced Shot Stopping Power
The Tour Flight Dimples extended my ball flight by increasing lift. I welcomed the optimized carry distance and found the ball descended along a steep path, ensuring maximum bite into the green.
What I Dislike About The TaylorMade TP5
Medium-High Compression
Although my moderate swing speed enjoyed some success with the TaylorMade TP5 golf balls, I struggled with consistency. I didn’t get hold of the ball on all shots, reducing my smash factor and ball speed while increasing spin. The outcome was a loss of long-game yards over my standard averages.
Expensive Price Tag
Performance aside, I despise the lofty price tag attached to the TP5 range. These are premium golf balls and aren’t suited to the budget of the average golfer. It’s not conducive to players who lose multiple balls every round.
Overall Rating and Thoughts
I take away 4 key points from my honest review of the TaylorMade TP5 golf balls. The golf balls produce sublime greenside spin to maximize your short-game control. It’s also an incredibly soft-feeling golf ball for a stiffer tour structure.
The third point that stands out is its workable flight, which suits superior golfers looking to shape their ball into the green. Finally, TP5 golf balls aren’t the cheapest balls around and are better off in the bags of lower handicappers who are less prone to losing golf balls.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
Matt Stevens
Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8