TaylorMade have announced the latest update to their TP5 and TP5x golf balls for 2021, following another stellar season which saw the brand pick up two more men's majors thanks to Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson.
They say that the new balls are once again pushing the boundaries of performance thanks to a new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern, which has been designed to improve aerodynamics and provide more carry distance for all levels of golfer.
The design has a 'dual-radius' shape which optimises airflow around the ball when it is in flight, reducing drag and therefore helping to promote the extra distance that TaylorMade are suggesting.
The TP5 balls have been around since 2017 where they debuted as the world's first five-piece Tour ball, thanks to four layers wrapped in a cast urethane, which TaylorMade believe is the key to optimising both spin and distance.
Then, in 2019 they added the High-Flex Material (HFM) into the ball's construction in an attempt to convert the ball's compression into better ball speed.
Since 2017, we have blazed a path to distance and speed with TP5/TP5x - building upon a foundation of Tour-proved performance with the patented five-layer system at its core. With the development of HFM in 2019 and now the Tour Flight Dimple Pattern, we've examined every component of the golf ball to ensure that each layer is functioning at its highest possible level and working in unison to deliver unmatched performance on every shot.
Michael Fox, Category Directory, Golf Ball & Accessories
TP5 or TP5x?
After consulting the likes of Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, who have used previous versions of the ball, TaylorMade's engineers found that players actually switched from TP5x to the standard TP5 for the extra short game spin and control it offers, while TP5 users opted for the TP5x for the added distance and ball speed.
Therefore, the new 2021 TP5x has a softer cast urethane cover which grips the wedge grooves better for more spin and a lower launch around the greens, while still remaining as the fastest Tour ball in TaylorMade's lineup.
The 2021 TP5 has a larger, more 'reactive' core that delivers added ball speed while keeping the same feel and spin properties as previous versions, with the same softer and high greenside spin.
TaylorMade staffers expected to play the TP5 are Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff, while Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are likely to be using the TP5x.
The new TP5 and TP5x balls will be available at retail from 12th March at an RRP of £49.99 in a standard White colourway.
The high-visibility Yellow finish will be available from 9th April, whilst the pix visual alignment technology will be available from 7th May.
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