TaylorMade TP Red golf ball first impressions

[Donald MacKenzie]

Erik and I had a brief chance (only six holes, due to travel schedules) to play with the new TaylorMade TP Red golf ball yesterday at Reynolds Plantation. This is by no means a full review, but here are my first impressions of the ball:

This is a good ball. It is definitely in the same league as the Pro V1 and the HX Tour 56. Until I test it head-to-head with those balls, I can't say which is better for me. But the TP Red feels as soft off the putter/wedges as those balls, and I was happy with the performance.

The TP Red appears to be durable. I played one ball for the six holes we were on the course and there are only a couple very minor scuffs despite hitting full wedge shots (and a very sturdy pine tree branch).

The feedback from the club professionals who tried the ball was very positive. One pro who has been on TM's staff for a couple years was excited about taking the ball home for his members to try. They liked the trajectory and distance the ball gave them.

We didn't get to try the TP Black, but should have some review samples in a few weeks. But I can say the TP Red is deserving of a place among the best tour-caliber balls on the market. I'm sure Erik will weigh in with his opinions, too. If you have any specific questions, post them and we can try to answer them.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Donald MacKenzie

We didn't get to try the TP Black, but should have some review samples in a few weeks. But I can say the TP Red is deserving of a place among the best tour-caliber balls on the market. I'm sure Erik will weigh in with his opinions, too. If you have any specific questions, post them and we can try to answer them.

Indeed, ask us some questions.

Sergio switched from the Pro V1x to the TP Red, even though the TP Black plays a bit more like the V1x than the TP Red does. So, as a Pro V1x player, I wasn't looking to be too impressed with the TP Red yesterday.

I came away with a different opinion. The TP Red is a solid ball. I was, with the exception of the first hole, in command of my driver. I got effortless distance, though I attribute a good chunk of that to playing in 80° weather... . The ball's trajectory was a bit lower with perhaps a bit more spin (and this may be why I like the TP Black more in the end). A few of our group's club pros shots into the wind ballooned just a little bit more than I'd like to see. Then again, he wasn't trying to knock the ball down either.

I hit one drive over 300 yards. Though I joked with the guys in my group (one of whom was a TM marketing guy) that we'd ignore the big hill that added 20 yards, there was a hill there. But I was impressed with the shot-shaping ability that got the ball there, because 270 or so on the fly with the cut I played on that hole is impressive for me...

We have more coverage (in addition to this article) coming soon. A special edition podcast, some video, and another article with a lot of pictures.

[iacas]

BTW, I have the video from the Sunday evening presentation. I'd call it a keynote speech but... it wasn't. Anyway, at the end, they showed a video. Specifically, this video.

[tartanjack]

Did TaylorMade give you any indication of when the balls would get onto the market? Are they shipping yet?

I started fooling around with different balls the end of last season. I'm not sure I swing fast enough (95-100) to do justice to the V1 I played most of the year. Sure enough, I seemed to get more yardage off the Callaway Blue and the Srixon Z-URS I've started to play this season. Fitting balls I think is going to be the next big thing... and it sounds like this TM flavors are going to be worth tasting!

[iacas]

Originally Posted by tartanjack

Did TaylorMade give you any indication of when the balls would get onto the market? Are they shipping yet?

From their press releases and our article:

Originally Posted by Bag Drop

The TaylorMade TP Red and TP Black golf balls will carry a suggest retail price of $55 for a dozen balls when they hit retail shops in mid-May.

Originally Posted by tartanjack

I started fooling around with different balls the end of last season. I'm not sure I swing fast enough (95-100) to do justice to the V1 I played most of the year. Sure enough, I seemed to get more yardage off the Callaway Blue and the Srixon Z-URS I've started to play this season. Fitting balls I think is going to be the next big thing... and it sounds like this TM flavors are going to be worth tasting!

They will be. Supposedly the softer, lower compression core gives distance back to everyone, even the slower swingers.

[iacas]

Please note: we have a podcast up now, too. It contains clips of Sergio Garcia, our impressions, and the general news and notes.

[Chris (Golf Dude)]

Hmmm.


Looks like I have new balls to try this year.....

TP RED like Pro V1? and TP BLACK like Pro V1x?

[sungho_kr]

If they put the price of this ball at 30-35 USD range, this would be such a hit, I wonder if they are going to do that. The old nike platinum, 05 model, is now 30.99 and my golf galaxy. I get it for 20 though,

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Chris (Golf Dude)

Looks like I have new balls to try this year.....

TP RED like Pro V1? and TP BLACK like Pro V1x?

Kinda. The TP Red launches lower but spins... more on the short irons. The TP Black launches higher but spins less. I think. Here, I'll quote the FAB:

[pre]Ball Feature Advantage Benefit
Red Larger core high spin, low launch more control
Black Smaller core low spin, high launch longer carry

Red thinner mantle lower iron launch more control
Black thicker mantle higher launch more distance

Red combo of above softer feel softer feel
Black combo of above firmer feel firmer feel[/pre]

I liked the red. I didn't lose any distance over my Pro V1x (and, off the driver, may have picked up a little distance) and it spun just the right amount from what I could tell.

Originally Posted by sungho_kr

If they put the price of this ball at 30-35 USD range, this would be such a hit, I wonder if they are going to do that. The old nike platinum, 05 model, is now 30.99 and my golf galaxy. I get it for 20 though,

Uh, $40-$44 as has been said. $55 MSRP.