While TaylorMade may not yet be the most prominent name in golf balls, they’ve made impressive strides since its inception 30 years ago. Around 4% of the top 100 golfers are choosing TaylorMade balls. They’ve introduced game-changers like their Distance+ golf ball. Whether you’re already a fan or considering trying TaylorMade, this ball offers a unique blend of distance, spin, and affordability, making it a standout for high handicappers and beginners.
The Distance+ offers features ideal for those new to the sport or wanting to lower their handicap. It packs an under 80 compression react speed core, low-drag aerodynamics, and a 2-piece construction that amps up ball speed and lengthens drives. Its alignment aid helps reduce missed putts, a common pitfall for high handicappers.
Finding the right golf ball can be challenging in a sea of choices, but the right ball can be a game-changer. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of TaylorMade golf balls, discuss their unique features, and help you determine if they’re the right fit for your game. Ready to enhance your performance on the green? Let’s tee off with the best TaylorMade golf balls and find the perfect match for you.
Table of Content
At a Glance: Which TaylorMade golf ball is best for you?
The best TaylorMade golf ball for you depends on what you need to fix for a better score, your driver swing speed, and other preferences. If you have a slower swing speed, TaylorMade Kalea or Soft Response is a better choice. While for higher swing speeds, the TP5 and TP5x are the best.
For those in a hurry, here is a summary of the well-known TaylorMade balls to help you choose your one. For more detail, feel free to carry on to the reviews section after it.
| Model | Compression | Cover | Construction | Dimple | Best for driver Swing speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Ionomer | 2 | 342 Aero | Above 80 mph | High handicappers | |
| 50 | Ionomer | 3 | Extended Flight Dimple | Under 80 mph | Slow swing speed | |
| 70 | Urethane | 3 | Tour Flight Dimple | Around 80-100 mph | Mid handicappers | |
| 60 | Ionomer | 2 | 342 Aero | Under 90 mph | Women | |
| 87 | Urethane | 5 | Tour Flight Dimple | 100 mph or above | Greenside spin | |
| 85 | Urethane | 5 | Tour Flight Dimple | 100 mph or above | Low handicappers | |
| Noodle Long and Soft | Low | Surlyn | 2 | 342 Aero | Under 90 mph | Budget |
6 Best TaylorMade Golf Balls’ Reviews
1. TaylorMade Distance+ (Best for High Handicappers)
Compression: 77
Cover: lonomer
Construction: 2 piece
What makes a golf ball best for high handicappers and beginners? Typically one that offers added distance with slow swing speeds, good greenside spin, alignment aid, and affordable price. TaylorMade Distance+ has a combination of all of these.
The under 80 compression, react speed core, low-drag aerodynamics, and 2-piece construction promote ball speed to make the drives longer. It rolls well on the green. These balls also have more of a firmer feel despite being distance balls.
Additionally, Distance+ balls’ alignment aid helps decrease missed putts, which is a common reason for high handicap. Therefore, we chose Distance+ as TaylorMade’s best golf ball for high handicappers.
Pros
- One of the cheapest TaylorMade balls
- Easier to hit straight
- Increased ball speed
Cons
- Comparatively less spin on the chip shots
Final verdict
TaylorMade Distance+ is highly recommended as an entry-level golf ball. For those with swing speeds above 80 mph and not sure what to choose for the overall game, it’s a good one to begin with. For anyone with slower swing speeds than that, TaylorMade Kalea or Soft Response might be a better choice.
2. TaylorMade Soft Response (Best for Slow Swing Speed)
Compression: 50
Cover: lonomer
Construction: 3 piece
TaylorMade Soft Response is designed focusing on the ball speed and distance. The 30 compression core, extended flight dimple pattern, and SpeedMantle layer combined help increase the ball’s speed and distance. It provides lower spin off the driver, resulting in straighter and longer drives.
If we compare, these balls are easier to hit straighter and farther than TaylorMade Tour Response, TP5, or TP5x balls. That makes it a good option for golfers with slower swing speeds to gain extra yards without putting much force.
However, know that Soft Response balls won’t provide a good amount of greenside spin for swing speeds above 95 mph.
Pros
- One of the best TaylorMade balls for cold weather
- Gives off a softer feel
- Helps get higher launch
Cons
- Less control on putts
Final verdict
It’s mainly for the slow-swinging golfers looking for a golf ball that is easier to hit farther and has a soft feel. Soft Response balls also have line alignment for decreasing the number of missed putts.
3. TaylorMade Tour Response Golf Ball (Best for Mid Handicappers)
Compression: 70
Cover: Urethane
Construction: 3 piece
TaylorMade released the Tour Response ball to provide tour-like quality for less money. Along with the urethane cover and 3-piece construction, it has the tour flight dimple pattern. That’s the same dimple design as TaylorMade’s tour balls.
Because of the under 80 compression rating and Speedmantle, Tour Response is easier to achieve distance with and offers higher launch than tour-level balls like TP5 or TP5x.
At the same time, the tour ball-like cover, construction, and dimple design let golfers enjoy the firmer feel and short-game spin without losing distance. When compared, Tour Response offers higher short-game spin than distance balls like Soft Response or Kalea.
Tour Response balls come with 3 different options to choose from. The core model, Tour Response Yellow, and Stripe. The Tour Response Yellow is one of the best balls for senior golfers because of the high visibility, along with great performance for comparatively slower swing. While the Tour Response Stripe makes the alignment easier and faster.
Pros
- Increased ball speed with tour-alike feel
- Great control on approach shots
Cons
- The stripe feature makes it harder to find in the fairway
Final verdict
Mid-handicappers and senior golfers with low handicap will get the best results from these balls. They usually have comparatively higher swing speeds for low-compression balls and comparatively slower swing to gain distance with tour-level balls. TaylorMade Tour Response is a way to maintain balance.
4. TaylorMade Kalea (Best for Women Golfers)
Compression: 60
Cover: Soft lonomer
Construction: 2 piece
Female golfers tend to have slower swing speeds naturally. For a significant number of average women golfers, it’s under 80 mph. It’s also the swing speed range TaylorMade Kalea golf balls perform the best.
These balls also help to gain increased distance and higher launch, which a majority of women golfers struggle with. For these reasons TaylorMade labeled Kalea as a women’s golf ball.
The high-energy react core, ionomer cover, and uniquely designed dimple pattern together add distance to the drive. While the 2-piece construction and under 70 compression rating make it easier to launch higher.
Pros
- Helps to fix a slice
- Easier gain distance with slow swing speeds
- Offers unique color options
Cons
- Not a good choice for greenside spin
- Purple ones are difficult to find in rough
Final verdict
TaylorMade Kalea ball is a great option for any man or woman golfer with a swing speed under 80 mph, looking to find a balance of distance, higher launch, and budget.
5. TaylorMade TP5 (Best for Greenside spin)
Compression: 87
Cover: Urethane
Construction: 5 layers
TP5 is TaylorMade’s most spinning and highest compression-rated golf ball. It offers the most wedge spin, making it the best choice for shot-shaping. This ball is preferred by both PGA and LPGA tour pros. Golfers like Collin Morikawa, Nelly Korda, and many more have TP5 balls in their bags.
Since its launch in 2017, TaylorMade has been upgrading the TP5 golf ball with different features for better performance. The 2019 TP5 came with High Flex Material to increase the ball speed and overall distance. Whereas, the 2021 TP5 added the tour flight dimple pattern for better carry distance and stopping power.
When compared, TP5 and TP5x are pretty similar in terms of features and appearance as well. What mainly sets 2021 TP5 apart is its slightly higher compression and higher spin around the green than TP5x.
Pros
- Performs best on approach shots
- Offers a soft feel around the green
- Quite durable
Cons
- Harder to gain distance with
Final verdict
TP5 balls are best for low-handicapper golfers with comparatively higher swing speeds, looking for the best shot-shaping ability.
6. TaylorMade TP5x (Best for Low Handicappers)
Compression: 85
Cover: Urethane
Construction: 5 layers
The new TP5x comes with a significant change in compression. The 2019 TP5x had a compression of 97, which is reduced to 85 in the 2021 model. That is even 2 points less than TP5 balls. This makes the 2021 TP5x easier to compress than the previous model. The overall design now makes it easier to get a higher ball flight and increased distance with TP5x.
The HFM speed layer and tour flight dimple also help to increase ball speed and distance. Additionally, the soft cast urethane cover and overall 5-piece construction are designed to offer impressive short-game spin.
When we compare, TP5x offers slightly higher launch and increased carry than TP5 balls. But TP5x has a bit lower wedge spin than TP5.
Pros
- Offers a stable and higher ball flight
- Provides better overall distance with swing speeds above 100 mph
Cons
- The short-game spin is comparatively low for a tour-level golf ball
Final verdict
This is a great choice for golfers with swing speeds above 100 mph. Especially those who want a slightly lower spin for higher launch, increased distance, and ball speed. However, if this ball makes you lose distance, switching to Tour Response might be a better choice.
Other TaylorMade Golf balls
There are some other TaylorMade balls you might hear about a lot. They don’t have the advanced technology or performance like the ones we chose for the best TaylorMade golf balls list. These are more of cheaper golf balls for beginners or recreational golfers. Using them as an alternative for practice golf balls is a great option too.
TaylorMade Noodle Long and Soft
Noodle Long and Soft is an affordable option, made to gain distance. The 2 piece construction, Surlyn cover, and ultra-soft compression core help to make that happen. The specially designed dimple pattern assists in that.
But this ball isn’t an ultra-low compression ball like Callaway Reva or Wilson Duo Soft. The overall compression is above 50. Noodle Long and Soft is most suitable for swing speeds under 90 mph. Above that might over-compress the ball and make you lose distance.
TaylorMade RBZ Soft
TaylorMade RBZ Soft is mainly for swing speeds under 80 mph. Being a low-spinning golf ball, it provides a good distance and higher launch off the driver. In addition, the dimple design of the ball helps increase the carry and overall distance as well. But the performance in the short game isn’t that great. It’s more of an affordable ball to start playing golf.
TaylorMade Project (a) and Project (s)
You might have heard of TaylorMade’s Project balls. TaylorMade discontinued them and gave Tour Response and Soft Response balls instead. But Project balls had quite a success and are still mentioned. You can still find them from different sellers.
Project (a) came out first. Project (s) was released following the popularity of Project (a) with softer compression and lower spin. When compared, obviously the new models had upgrades. Project (a) gave off a softer feel than the Tour Response balls. While Project (s) had 10 points overall higher compression rating than Soft Response balls.
From Compression to Selection: Exploring TaylorMade Golf Balls
1. Compression
TaylorMade has different ranges of compression ratings. You can find 50 compression golf balls like TaylorMade Soft Response. At the same time, there are TaylorMade TP5 balls with a compression 87. It is the highest compression rated golf ball of TaylorMade. You will also find TaylorMade balls with compression of 60, 70, 85, etc.
2. Construction and cover
Right now, TaylorMade has 2, 3, and 5-piece golf balls. Back in the day, TaylorMade did have 4 piece golf balls. TaylorMade Tour Preferred golf ball is an example of that. Talking about cover and construction, TaylorMade’s 5-piece balls come with only urethane cover. While the 2 piece ones only come with ionomer or surlyn cover. 3 piece ones might have ionomer or urethane cover.
3. Distance and spin
TaylorMade offers balls with different spin levels. The comparatively lower spinning balls like Kalea, Soft Response, Distance+ help make longer shots. In contrast, the higher-spinning ones offer increased shot-shaping ability. The highest-spinning golf ball of TaylorMade is the TP5 ball, with TP5x offering a slightly lower spin than that. In comparison, Tour Response provides lower spin than both of them.
4. Feel
When compared, both TP5 and TP5x give off a soft feel. However, the Tour Response balls provide a softer feel than that. In comparison, Soft Response provides a softer feel than the Tour Response balls. This is a deciding factor for many when selecting a golf ball. That’s why, TaylorMade offers different ranges for this aspect as well.
5. Dimple
There are mainly 342 aero, extended flight, and tour flight dimple patterns in TaylorMade balls. 342 aero helps to increase ball speed and overall distance. While extended flight dimple pattern reduces drag. That means it assists the ball to travel farther and gain extra yards. Tour flight dimple pattern is designed to increase both distance and control.
6. Alignment system
TaylorMade has simple line alignment. At the same time, there is Plus alignment, ClearPath alignment (pix), and 360° ClearPath Alignment (stripe). Though all Distance+ golf balls come with Plus alignment, you need to choose the pix or stripe version specifically.
The plus alignment aid is a plus mark with the distance+ logo in the middle. It helps to aim the ball and also gives instant feedback on the roll.
The stripe balls have a 22 millimeter colored digital band wrapping around the middle of the ball. A thin line along with the Tour Response name is at the center. It basically helps to align faster.
In comparison, pix balls have 12 multi-color graphics placed strategically to help lineup. It gives feedback on the roll and increases visibility.
7. TaylorMade ball selector
There is a golf ball selector on the TaylorMade website to help you find the best TaylorMade golf ball for you. First, it asks you whether you want to play like a pro or just a recreational golfer. It only asks whether you like more or less spin for recreational players. It then recommends Soft Response for less spin and Tour Response for more spin.
In comparison, it enquires about your preferences of driver trajectory, feel, spin, and technology when you select to play like a pro. It typically suggests TP5, TP5x, TP5 pix, or TP5x pix after that. Overall TaylorMade’s ball selector is pretty basic. The Callaway ball selector or Titleist’s ball fitting is much more detailed than TaylorMade’s.
8. Price
You can get a dozen TaylorMade balls for under $20. In contrast, the most expensive ones are around $50. Typically ionomer covered 2 piece TaylorMade golf balls are the cheapest. Although it keeps changing, the TaylorMade balls with 342 aero dimple pattern were the cheaper ones. While the ones with tour flight dimple pattern are on the expensive side.
If said more specifically, distance golf balls like the Distance+, Kalea, Noodle long and soft, etc. are the most affordable balls of TaylorMade. The most expensive TaylorMade balls are the tour-level ones like TP5 and TP5x.
Related Questions
What pros use TaylorMade golf balls?
Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Collin Morikawa, Lucas Herbert, and many more pro golfers used TaylorMade golf balls. Mostly it was TP5 or TP5x balls. Some professionals even have the Pix version in their bag. For example, Rickie Fowler has the TP5x pix in his bag.
What is the best TaylorMade golf ball?
The best TaylorMade ball for you depends on what you are looking for in the ball. The best for low handicappers is TP5x. While TaylorMade’s best golf ball for slower swing speed is Soft Response, and the best for women is Kalea. The Tour Response is the best TaylorMade ball for mid-handicappers.
What is the cheapest TaylorMade golf ball?
TaylorMade Distance+, Kalea, Noodle Long and Soft, etc. are the cheapest TaylorMade golf balls. What’s common in them is, they are soft balls with ionomer cover, 342 aero dimple design, and 2-piece construction. They are designed to get increased overall distance with comparatively slower swing speeds.
What is the best TaylorMade golf ball for high handicappers?
TaylorMade Distance+ is the best TaylorMade golf ball for high handicappers. It offers better distance for above 80 mph swing speeds. It also has plus alignment system and comes at an affordable price. But for under 80 mph swing speeds, TaylorMade Kalea ball is better to get the increased overall distance and higher launch.
What is the best TaylorMade golf ball for the average golfer?
For average golfers who prefer a tour-like feel, Tour Response is the best choice. It helps to step up the game with better control without losing much distance. The stripe version is beneficial for practice. If you prefer a softer feel or have a comparatively slower swing speed, Soft Response or Kalea are better.
What TaylorMade ball is similar to Pro V1?
The TaylorMade TP5 is similar to Titleist Pro V1. Both are targeted for the low handicapper and high swing speeds with a higher compression rating and urethane cover. The significant difference is Pro V1 has 3-piece construction, and TP5 has 5 layers. Also, Pro V1 feels slightly softer than TP5.
Summing it up
If you are still not sure what TaylorMade golf to start with, Tour Response is the best TaylorMade golf ball to experiment with. It might match perfectly with your game, or you might want something softer or firmer.
For a firmer feel and better spin, you can then choose TP5x or TP5. And for a softer feel and increased distance, you can go for Soft Response or Kalea, etc. Don’t forget to share your experience with fellow golfers in the comments section.
