Over the last few years, the TP5 and TP5x golf balls have gotten a lot of buzz. And rightfully so, a few pro golfers such as Rory Mcllroy, John Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Jason Day have started using them. Both golf balls may look similar on the outside, but they have subtle differences that can affect your gameplay.
So what’s the difference? The main difference between the TP5 and the TP5x is how soft the exterior is. The TP5 is designed with a softer cover and has a compression rating of 87. In comparison, the TP5x has a firmer cover and compression rating of 97. The firmer cover of TP5x allows for less spin, higher trajectory, and more speed. When comparing the covers’ thickness, the TP5 has a .040 inch cast of urethane cover, while the TP5c has a .020 inch cast of urethane cover thickness.
Low compression rating golf balls are best suited for golfers who have slower golf swings. These balls help beginners drive greater distances. However, they lack the control that firmer balls have. Higher rated golf balls are designed for more experienced golfers who are the hardest hitters. These balls provide great control and accuracy to improve your scores.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into how exactly do these two golf balls compare and who they are best suited for. By the end, we’ll settle the debate about TP5 vs TP5x and tell you which one you should use.
Last update on 2024-04-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Key Features of TP5 and TP5x
Here are the key features of each golf ball.
| TP5 | TP5X |
|---|---|
| 5-layer construction | 5-layer construction |
| Tri-Fast Core using a progressive compression | Tri-Fast Core using a progressive compression |
| Made of HFM material | Made of HFM material |
| 322 Dimple Pattern | 322 Dimple Pattern |
| Mid trajectory and workable ball flight | High trajectory and a piercing ball flight |
| Available in white and yellow | Available in white and yellow |
| Soft feel and compression rating of 87 | Firmer feel and compression rating of 97 |
| Soft cast urethane or Dual-Spin cover | Soft cast urethane or Dual-Spin cover |
Buyer’s Guide Between TP5 and TP5x
Below we’ll cover some of the key differences and similarities between the TP5 vs TP5x.
Differences
The Feel
The feel of the ball distinguishes each ball. TP5 is naturally softer than the TP5x. This means TP5 plays into the hands of mid or high handicap players. However, the feel of the ball also really affects the short game since the softness can come in handy for putting. However, the feel of a ball often comes down to preference.
The Spin
Another big difference between the two is its spin. The TP5x has much less backspin and is designed to help golfers with high swing speeds. If you have enough speed to compress the ball, then having less backspin will allow you to have greater distance on your drives.
The downside of less backspin is you will lose some spin around the greens. However, if you have a problem with having too much spin on the greens after your wedge shot, having less spin is a good thing.
Long Game and Distance
You should have at least a 110 mph or more golf swing to maximize the capabilities of the TP5x. As a result, you won’t have to worry about the backspin or sidespin slowing down your drives, and you can just let it rip. Often times, low handicap players worry that the ball will balloon in the air and fall short of their target.
Since the TP5x gets up higher in terms of trajectory and has a more piercing ball flight, it’s better equipped to handle windy conditions than the TP5 does. The lower spin rate also ensures that your shots will remain accurate and straight. Balls that spin more will only cause the ball to go in an unwanted trajectory.
TP5 will allow you to get much more distance and speed since it’s softer if you’re a person with a slower swing speed. Since the TP5 has a lower compression rate and is softer, it will react to the club by rebounding the ball with much more energy than a firmer ball. However, softer golf balls can be harder to control and won’t fly as straight as firmer and higher compression golf balls.
Performance Around the Green
TP5 tends to have an advantage when it comes to how they perform around the green. The softer cover tends to perform a little better on pitches and short clips on a fast green, especially when you need the ball to slow down or stop. Since the TP5x is made with less spin, stopping the ball on shorter shots is more difficult.
However, putting has a lot to do with the feel of the ball so that you won’t overestimate your shot. It’s best to practice getting used to the feel of the ball before playing in a real game with them.
Similarities
Speed Layer System
A golf ball won’t change how you play the game or how fast you can swing the club. However, high-quality golf balls allow you to better handle the fades and slices while also enhancing your game by adding speed and distance. Some golf balls even can self-correct the flight trajectory.
Both golf balls offer an upgraded speed-layer system that consists of four stiff layers to help generate more energy. This energy is released to help gain more distance. These layers are designed to control ball flight despite windy conditions and carry a straight flighting for the distance. If you struggle golfing in the wind, then consider getting these golf balls. The speed layer system can work for both drivers and short game clubs like wedges and irons.
Five Layer Construction
This five-layer construction is a high-tech design that integrates a Tri-fast Core to increase the launch and reduce drag mid-flight. As a result, the ball will have better speed and distance on long shots. These additional layers in the ball help to create spin-separation so that golfers have a more customized performance. Often, five-layer golf balls tend to offer tour-level performance.
Both golf balls include a Dual-Spin cover that helps gain more control for the short game and reduces the spin for the long game. The cover also gives an amazing feel and is quite durable. This contract in the semi-rigid inner core and soft urethane cover on the exterior helps maximize performance in terms of ball control. There is a 322 seamless dimple pattern with protective paint in the exterior of the ball to reduce scuffing and is damage-resistant.
High-Flex Material
Both balls use a high flex material on the outer shell. This material is responsible for taking the impact on the club and sending the energy back out to increase the speed of the ball. Many low-quality golf balls lose a lot of energy, therefore wasting a great shot.
The high flex material is suitable for anyone looking to maximize their distance. Both beginners and professionals can benefit from this feature.
Which one is right for you?
Based on our review, you’ll likely already know which golf ball suits you better. The golf ball you select will depend on your playing style.
We believe that most golfers should opt for the TP5 since it’s suitable for many playing styles. It’s softer, and you can expect to gain a few more yardages from it, assuming you have a slow-mid swing speed. The TP5 also provides excellent all-around features where you can use for both long and short game performance. However, the TP5 does excel in the short game, so golfers will enjoy putting these balls.
The TP5x is a firmer ball suitable for golfers with a high swing speed to get a much higher trajectory and further distance while also getting great accuracy. More specifically, low handicap players who swing at 110 or more mph will notice a decrease in backspin, an increase in the distance, and a more piercing ball flight. The TP5x is more geared towards professionals since it’s also more challenging to navigate them around the green.
In short, the TP5 model has better playability for all-around performance, especially in the short game. The TP5x model is suitable for low handicap players who want balls that can help their shots fly straighter, farther, more piercing, and have more control.
TP5 vs TP5x – Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a high-quality golf ball that excels in the long-game, then you can’t go wrong with either. TaylorMade has provided us, golfers, with two phenomenal golf balls to choose from. When it comes to golf balls, they both rank high in terms of durability, feel, and distance.
The choice of golf ball comes down to which area of performance you’d like to improve and also your golf playing style. Expect these golf balls to be a game enhancer the next time you step foot onto the course.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
TP5 vs TP5x
How exactly do these two golf balls compare and who they are best suited for. We’ll settle the debate about TP5 vs TP5x and tell you which one you should use.
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