Mid-Level? Or a Tiny Step Down from Premium?
Pros: Distance, Control with all clubs, Feel, Durability, Wind Performance, Cost vs. Performance
Cons: Less stopping power than TP5 or ProV's, especially on less than full shots
Picked up a dozen of the TP3's on sale, previously played the original Penta or TP5. Went back and got 2 dozen more after the 1st two rounds, Price vs. Performance this may be the best ball on the market.
All comparisons (unless otherwise noted) are vs. Penta/Penta TP5:
Distance - no loss noted, may not be longest ball but plenty long enough, especially with irons and into the wind.
Control - Seems to have just the right amount of spin to work the whole set left/right without losing it too far either direction. Can flight it high/low pretty easily, VERY good wind ball (holds it's line, bores through headwinds well, doesn't get "knocked down" easily even with a 20 mph tailwind and a 3/4 shot).
Spin into Greens - Very good with short/mid iron full shots, can occasionally back it up but normally stops pretty much where it lands (within 6 inches to 2 ft.). Longer irons takes a bounce or two then sits. Spin on 3/4 shots still good, 1/2 shots/chips/pitches fairly good but not quite in same class as TP5 (which is less than ProV's). However, it's still pretty sticky when struck clean, especially if comparing to other so-called "mid-level" balls.
Feel/Putting - Very good on almost all shots, Good+ on chips/pitches. Excellent feel off the putter - rolls very true, easy to line up with printing on ball acting as alignment tool.
Durability - Cover holds up well, played with new clubs and while it did scuff up a little was significantly better than a TP5 (which equates to a LOT better than a ProV). Maintains it's color, doesn't seem to "dull" at all.
Overall - Very good ball, only a tiny step down from the "premium" balls, primary difference is slightly less spin, most noticable on 1/2 shots or chip/pitches when you might want that extra little "stick".
Price vs. Performance - Exceptional! Given the VERY small difference between this ball and a TP5, I can't justify the difference in cost (around $10 per dozen, give or take). If you play in a lot of windy conditions, you need to check it out, the way it holds it's line and cuts through the air is fantastic.
If you're looking for a ball that will hold it's own against pretty much anything out there, but don't want to go broke, this is the answer!
