Having obtained a Masters in Law with Medicine from the University of Liverpool, Ed has recently changed paths into journalism and just last year achieved his NCTJ Sports Journalism Diploma with the Press Association.

Significant shifts in compression from one generation to the next are rare so it’s noteworthy when it happens. To give you a frame of reference, the compression change from the 2019 TP5x to the new model is roughly the same as the difference between a Pro V1x and the standard Pro V1. In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf. We were seriously impressed by the TP5's feel though and, arguably, it is the golf ball's strongest factor! A number of the best premium golf balls on themarket can boast a solid combination of distance and spin, but the feel of the TP5 would be hard to match. Now, for 2021, TaylorMade have introduced the Tour Flight Dimple Pattern. The revolutionary new design has a unique dual-radius shape that decouples dimple volume from depth to optimise airflow around the golf ball during flight, ultimately improving the aerodynamics and increasing carry distance.Vacating the higher end of the compression space where balls like the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash and now the Callaway Chrome Soft LS live is an interesting decision, especially as golfers are becoming more aware of these options. To some degree, it feels a bit like TaylorMade is walking away from an emerging category where it was already one of the leaders. This new dimple pattern is designed to increase aero which results in greater carry distances by reducing drag in the assent and producing a steeper and faster descent for greater overall distance. In this section, we detail the consistency of the TaylorMade TP5x. Our consistency metrics provide a measure of how similar the balls in our sample were to one another relative to all of the models we’ve tested to date. Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited,

Apart from one having an X on it, there really isn't much to separate the two in the looks department. However, it is a different story when it comes to feel, with the TP5 remaining noticeably softer than theTP5x. ClearPath Alignment™ is the most innovative visual technology in the game. Not only does it enhance visibility, but it also provides Tour-proven functionality to aid alignment on the green and help you gauge the quality of your putting stroke. The only way to see it is to play it. Minor incursions remain prevalent and this does seem to be an ongoing issue with TaylorMade, though, compared to the prior generation, they were neither as numerous nor as severe. Compression consistency across the TaylorMade TP5x sample was above average (what we classify as Good).

The 2021 TaylorMade TP5x golf ball has a TP5x a softer cast urethane cover for increased short-game spin and an all-new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern, taking aerodynamics and carry distance to a new level for golfers at every level. Read on for our full review…

When it comes to the ball flight portion, both perform well. However, we will start with a slight negative for the TP5 which, for golfers with lower swing speeds, or those who already launch it low and need something that helps them get it in the air more, may not be suitable. The 2021 TP5x and TP5 offer complete tee-to-green performance thanks to TaylorMade’s proprietary five-layer construction. RELATED: 2021 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x reviewed Should I play the standard white TP5x model, TP5x pix or TP5x yellow?

The key to achieving enhanced speed without negatively affecting spin performance comes from TaylorMade’s proprietary 5-layer ball construction. Including a Tri-Fast Core that delivers maximum carry and low drag and a Dual-Spin Cover that features an ultra-soft, highly durable cast urethane cover, TP5/TP5x offer complete tee-to-green performance without sacrifice. The compression delta across the sample was nine points. That’s one point better than the current database average. Simply put, the new ball is appreciably softer. Anecdotally, it’s a bit shorter (though it’s by no measure a short ball). We suspect it spins more around the green and certainly feels a bit softer.The manufacturing story remains a bit non-standard. You might even say odd. The cores and inner mantle layers are produced in Taiwan. The nearly finished balls are shipped to TaylorMade’s U.S.A. plant where covers are put on. My hunch … and it’s only that … is that TaylorMade is likely to release a higher-compression, lower-spinning offering later this year. By softening their mass-market offering, they’ve created space to be aggressive with a new ball. TaylorMade TP5x—Diameter and Weight