TaylorMade TP Red and TP Black balls
'The TP Black delivered refreshing height with the driver with less spin so that it behaved with a more stable flight through the air, even in windy conditions.'
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Technology: | Both the TaylorMade TP Red and TP Black are three-piece balls constructed of the same components and materials: NdV4 core, multi-blend ionomer mantle and ultra-thin thermoset urethane cover. Additionally, the TP Red and TP Black employ an advanced new PDP (pentangular di-pyramid) dimple design. Both balls claim accelerated ball speed for greater distance, high launch and low spin off the driver and exceptional greenside spin for shot-stopping. TP Red offers low-launch and high-spin off the irons for greater control, TP Black offers high-launch and high spin off fairway woods, hybrids and irons for greater distance. |
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Price: |
£40 per dozen |
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TP Black - £40 a dozen
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Over the last few years, many manufacturers have spent millions re-positioning the weight in their golf clubs to help deliver a higher launch angle.
In the huge US market, especially, it’s important for those with the big money to spend on the latest gear to get the ball in the air with driver, irons and hybrids and to try to hit it high and long just like the pros.
Any visit to a tournament will leave you astounded just how high the pros hit the ball to deliver the carry they need to overcome the beautifully manicured courses where Tour events are played. Fairways are soft and greens are holding to provide the kind of target golf and birdie-fests that golf-watchers demand.
However, TaylorMade decided to approach this attempt to emulate the pros, from a different angle and three years ago, hired the services of Dean Snell recognised as the finest ball designer in the business, to build them a versatile ball that would suit both pros and club golfers.
The creator of the market-leading Pro V1 and Pro V1x made two – the TaylorMade TP (Tour Preferred) Red and TP Black, both of which were officially launched at The Open in July.
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Premium-priced for a dozen balls
| The TP Red, used by Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley among others, has been designed with a new core and dimple-pattern to help the high-ball hitters of both driver and irons achieve a more penetrating flight. The TP Black is aimed more at those who keep the ball low to get better launch and distance from their equipment, among them Justin Rose.
TaylorMade sent me a sleeve of each to test and I’m delighted to say that myself and my fellow testers have lost only two in more than 100 holes played. And those that have survived have proved extremely durable, with minimum wear even when exposed to numerous bunkers and conditions that would cause suspicion among a squad of international cricket umpires!
Though neither ball seemed longer off the tee than the Pro V1 or Callway HX Tour, I normally play, my own preference has been for the TP Black.
As regulars to this site will know, my ball flight is more suited to a wind-swept seaside links than to the exposed and undulating woodland and meadowland courses I normally play. I keep it low under the wind to deliver extra roll in a bid to keep up with younger adversaries.
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TP Red - more penetrative flight
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The TP Red with its low-launch and high spin characteristics off the irons, accentuated my lower ball flight and performed acceptably like the Titleist and Callaway. However, the TP Black delivered refreshing height with the driver with less spin so that it behaved with a more stable flight through the air, even in windy conditions.
Used with the irons and fairway metals its higher launch generated more spin with the irons – a phenomenon with which I am not familiar. Most of my pitchmarks tend to be short of the green, leaving the ball to run up short of the pin.
Around the green I detected little difference between the two balls though I tended to putt slightly better with the TP Black because of the newly-found confidence of being able to be more aggressive with my approaches.
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Ian Coulson
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One of my most outspoken testers was five handicapper Ian Coulson, a TV engineer, Greetham Valley ‘A’ team captain and dedicated golf product analyst.
"When I first tried the balls I played the TP Black initially and as I already have a high ball flight, I noticed in calm conditions it did little to change the characteristics with my new TaylorMade 425 driver. But from my irons it was immediately noticeable that the ball flew even higher, " said Ian.
"I didn’t lose any distance but I don’t think it would be a ball suitable for windy conditions. It felt hard off the putter but spun well with the short irons."
Ian observed that the TP Red delivered a similar ball flight to his current ball of choice – the Callaway HX Tour, achieving similar distance, but appeared softer off the putter face.
"If I had to choose Red or Black, it would be the TP Red purely on ball flight," said Ian. "I might even get a couple of boxes when I’m in Florida next month but whether I would ditch the HX Tour would depend on price and a few more rounds of golf with the TP Red."
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Rating: |
8/10 |
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Summary: | Both balls appear extremely durable for those in the premium price category between £30 and £40 per dozen with few distinct blemishes even after three rounds. However, Ian agrees that if your tendency is to hit the ball high with driver and irons the TP Red might give you a little more penetration with its lower launch angle off the irons. For those of use who already drive the ball in low with driver and irons, the TP Black can give you unfamiliar height in calm conditions to allow you to be more aggressive with club selection off the tee and with your approaches. |
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Discuss this story
I just tried these last week. Only based on 9 holes with each ball, but... TP Black: High flight? Oh yes! Could not keep it straight off the driver, just went waaayyy up in the air and ballooned off to the right. Felt harder than red, but plenty of spin on iron shots. I'd say that if you have a good game and can work the driver spin to your advantage, this would be a good ball. But if you tend to fade/slice, run away! TP Red: Lovely ball, could even my knock my fave' Nike One Platiunum off it's top spot. Arrow straight off the driver and long hybrids, even managed to put a touch of draw on when needed. I'd rate this a low driver spin ball, great for likes of me who tend to fade. Plenty of spin with irons, soft feel, very nice to putt with. And it did seem to resist side-winds (was very windy during the round). Both balls scuffed easily when hit with full wedge/short irons, so not the most durable ball. If I can get more of the Reds for a decent price, I'll be using them on regular basis.
Posted: 08/11/2007 08:16
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