Does TaylorMade And Golf Balls Mix?

I've been hearing a lot about TaylorMade entering the premium golf ball market under their Tour Preferred brand. When I think of TaylorMade I think of drivers not golf balls, but who knows they just might pull it off.

The TaylorMade TP Red and TP Black are the new balls and they're both being played on all the major tours. I've heard that both Sergio Garcia and Hale Irwin are currently playing these balls. I've also heard mixed reviews with a lot of comparisons to Titleist's Pro V1, but I think everyone compares a new ball to the Pro V1.

I read one review where a guy preferred the TaylorMade TP over the Pro V1 for both distance and feel.

TaylorMade is putting a lot behind these balls and they've made some pretty strong claims like:

“Our goal was to build two tour-quality, urethane-covered balls that generate faster ball speed for more distance than any other ball in the category, while also offering low spin off the driver and high spin off the irons,” said Benoit Vincent, chief technical officer for TaylorMade. “From that came the creation of TP Red and TP Black, which we believe delivers a better performance package than any other golf ball of its kind.”

These are three-piece balls that employ an NdV4 core, multi-blend ionomer mantle and ultra-thin thermoset urethane cover. TaylorMade promises both balls offer accelerated speed, with high launch and low spin off the driver plus high spin around greens.

The main difference is that the TP Red is geared to produce a low launch off irons, while the TP Black is geared to produce a high launch off fairway woods, hybrids and irons. Players seeking more distance in the irons or iron replacements would probably first take a look at the TP Black; golfers seeking more control in their irons would probably first consider the TP Red.

They both go for an MSRP of $55 per dozen and are supposed to be available May 19. Currently GolfSmith is taking orders for these at $42.99 for a May 24th ship date.

If you've played with these balls I'd like to hear your comments.

Tag(s): golf, golf equipment, golf reviews, golf balls, golf products