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 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.

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.Except for one ball in box No. 2 that was a bit on the heavy side, the consistency of weight across the sample falls within the average range.

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. The high-visibility 2021 TP5x Yellow has a new enriched yellow urethane, finished with UV resistant yellow paint to provides added durability while maximising visibility. The 2019 model was white urethane with UV resistant yellow paint. How does the TP5x fit into TaylorMade’s 2021 golf balls line up?

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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.

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 Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, 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. 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.RELATED: 2021 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x reviewed Should I play the standard white TP5x model, TP5x pix or TP5x yellow? 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.

When it comes to the ball flight portion, both perform well. However, we will start with a slight negative for the TP5 which, for golfers with lower swing speeds, or those who already launch it low and need something that helps them get it in the air more, may not be suitable. The compression delta across the sample was nine points. That’s one point better than the current database average. 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. Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, 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.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 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. Having obtained a Masters in Law with Medicine from the University of Liverpool, Ed has recently changed paths into journalism and just last year achieved his NCTJ Sports Journalism Diploma with the Press Association. The TP5 remains the only five-piece ball on the market from a major manufacturer. While its competitors would no doubt dispute it, TaylorMade’s position is that more layers provide greater opportunity to tune spin performance throughout the bag. 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.