TaylorMade has announced the release of its “significantly enhanced” 2019 TP5 and TP5x golf ball models highlighted by its new High-Flex Material.
Research into driver and ball interaction at the moment of impact along with the development of a new material (HFM) has, says Eric Loper, Director of Golf Ball R&D, “given us the ability to more efficiently convert compression into speed, at any swing speed.” The new Speed-Layer System (SLS) controls spin rates critical for driver, iron and wedge performance.
The key to achieving enhanced speed without impacting other areas of performance comes down to the ability to weave the new (HFM) within TaylorMade’s proprietary five-layer ball construction. In balls with three or four layers, manufacturers are unable to utilize a soft core AND maintain high ball velocities.
With the 2019 TP5 and TP5x, speed and spin are effectively decoupled—which enables an incredibly soft core to be “wrapped” by increasingly stiff materials, creating a Speed-Layer System with each outer layer getting progressively faster.
Based on initial player testing with the 2019 TP5 and TP5x, top Tour players are experiencing speeds they’ve never seen before. During a recent testing session, Jon Rahm (who averages 177-179 mph ball speed with driver) was seeing numbers upward of 186 mph with an average of around 182.5 mpg. Additional TaylorMade staff professionals also experienced noticeable gains in ballspeed at a recent testing session across high, mid and lower swing speeds.
Additional enhancements in the 2019 TP5 and TP5x models includes a new Soft-Tough cast urethane cover. In order to achieve improved scuff resistance, shear resistance, and overall durability, the new cover features a cast urethane compound and new paint formulation to help each ball feel better and last longer.
With the improved cover durability, new HFM material, and TaylorMade’s proprietary 5-layer design, TP5 and TP5x are able to produce optimal flight, velocity, and control regardless of which model golfers prefer to play.
While both new ball models deliver significant distance off the tee, the TP5 has a softer feel (85 compression), launches lower on iron shots and has more spin around the greens (+300 compared to TP5x at 100 yards & +200 at 30 yards) while the TP5x has a firmer feel (97 compression) and will generate higher launching iron shots. TaylorMade staffers anticipated to play the TP5 are Rory McIlroy and Beau Hossler, while Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day will expectedly gravitate toward the TP5x model.
The balls go on retail sale on February 15.
$44.99 per dozen | TaylorMadeGolf.com.
