Both models deliver world-class distance off the tee, but TP5x is the fastest and longest ball in the current TaylorMade line-up, with a firmer feel and higher launch on iron shots. In addition, it has more greenside spin than the prior generation with a new and softer cast urethane cover. The distance performance comes from four increasingly stiffer layers underneath the cover using ‘High-Flex Material’ to increase speed and the distance was pretty consistent with what I would expect from my clubs so any gain is marginal. For the second generation in 2019 the company wove High-Flex Material (HFM) into the construction of their premium balls to more efficiently convert compression into ball speed. Known as the Speed-Layer System, this design injected a new level of speed into TP5x over the prior generation. Compression consistency across the TaylorMade TP5x sample was above average (what we classify as Good). The key to achieving enhanced speed without negatively affecting spin performance comes from TaylorMade’s proprietary 5-layer ball construction. Including a Tri-Fast Core that delivers maximum carry and low drag and a Dual-Spin Cover that features an ultra-soft, highly durable cast urethane cover, TP5/TP5x offer complete tee-to-green performance without sacrifice.

While we did observe some minor bits of debris in the core, generally speaking, there was nothing of any real concern. Notable, though not necessarily an issue, were several variations in core color. The majority of the ball featured a bright red core like the one shown above. However, we also found a few balls with much paler cores.The TP5 has a softer feel and more spin around the greens, while achieving fast ball speeds with a new reactive core that is larger than the prior generation.

RELATED: 2021 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x reviewed Should I play the standard white TP5x model, TP5x pix or TP5x yellow? The 2021 TP5x and TP5 offer complete tee-to-green performance thanks to TaylorMade’s proprietary five-layer construction.

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While we do run into the occasional odd ball from TaylorMade, generally speaking, the consistency of the TP5 series is as good or better than most. With the new model, diameter and weight consistency fall within the Average range while compression consistency achieves a rating of Good.

Apart from one having an X on it, there really isn't much to separate the two in the looks department. However, it is a different story when it comes to feel, with the TP5 remaining noticeably softer than theTP5x. Vacating the higher end of the compression space where balls like the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash and now the Callaway Chrome Soft LS live is an interesting decision, especially as golfers are becoming more aware of these options. To some degree, it feels a bit like TaylorMade is walking away from an emerging category where it was already one of the leaders. In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. The manufacturing story remains a bit non-standard. You might even say odd. The cores and inner mantle layers are produced in Taiwan. The nearly finished balls are shipped to TaylorMade’s U.S.A. plant where covers are put on. Minor incursions remain prevalent and this does seem to be an ongoing issue with TaylorMade, though, compared to the prior generation, they were neither as numerous nor as severe.Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Outer mantle colors ranged from pale green (above) to neon green. It’s rare to see variation in mantle colors but, again, our gauges provide the best insight into whether there’s a resulting inconsistency. Cover The compression delta across the sample was nine points. That’s one point better than the current database average. This new dimple pattern is designed to increase aero which results in greater carry distances by reducing drag in the assent and producing a steeper and faster descent for greater overall distance. Simply put, the new ball is appreciably softer. Anecdotally, it’s a bit shorter (though it’s by no measure a short ball). We suspect it spins more around the green and certainly feels a bit softer.

My hunch … and it’s only that … is that TaylorMade is likely to release a higher-compression, lower-spinning offering later this year. By softening their mass-market offering, they’ve created space to be aggressive with a new ball. TaylorMade TP5x—Diameter and Weight As we’ve come to expect from TaylorMade, the TP5x qualifies as small. It’s fair to say the company finesses its way to meeting the USGA minimal requirement, but nevertheless, the entire sample conformed to the rules. Significant shifts in compression from one generation to the next are rare so it’s noteworthy when it happens. To give you a frame of reference, the compression change from the 2019 TP5x to the new model is roughly the same as the difference between a Pro V1x and the standard Pro V1. Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing,Now, for 2021, TaylorMade have introduced the Tour Flight Dimple Pattern. The revolutionary new design has a unique dual-radius shape that decouples dimple volume from depth to optimise airflow around the golf ball during flight, ultimately improving the aerodynamics and increasing carry distance. In total, we flagged six percent of our sample as bad. That’s only two balls which, while obviously not perfect, is a solid result. In one case, we observed a significant layer incursion. These occur when the inner layer hasn’t fully cooled before the next layer is added. Effectively, we’re talking about one layer melting into the next. The most notable difference when it came to feel was around the greens. Testing the TP5x, it definitely does feel firmer than the TP5, which some may prefer as you get a louder sound at impact. From driver through to putter, the soft cover felt great and meant that, even when using it for the first time, making the adjustment from another brand was seamless. Ball Flight Of the two balls in the current TP5 retail family, the TaylorMade TP5x is billed as the higher-launching and lower-spinning. It’s also the firmer of the two though it’s not as firm as it used to be. A point of emphasis in the design of the new models was to remove any reasons not directly related to performance for golfers to choose one ball over the other.