Equipment
TaylorMade Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf balls
TaylorMade announced today the release of their most well-rounded golf balls to date, the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X.
The Tour Preferred golf balls include a number of TaylorMade’s innovations: a React Core for greater ball speed, the Spin Mantle, a layer that controls the spin rates for consistency, and low drag performance (LDP) aerodynamics, which are achieved through a 322-dimple design that reduces distance loss on shots with low spin, but allows for a penetrating ball flight into the wind.
[quote_box_center]”Golf ball innovation doesn’t just happen overnight,” said Dean Snell, vice president of golf ball R&D for TaylorMade. “Rather, it is a series of ongoing conversation with our Tour players. These conversations have led to the development of breakthrough technologies including low drag aerodynamics for ultimate wind resistance, a five-layer construction for superior control throughout the club set and now our softest most durable cover.”[/quote_box_center]
The new Soft Tech cover, which is being introduced with the Tour Preferred line, has a cast-urethane construction that generates a soft feel around the greens. Soft Tech has a higher resistance to sheering than previously constructed TaylorMade golf balls, making for their most durable ball ever.
The Tour Preferred X maintains a similar spin and trajectory as its predecessor, the TaylorMade Lethal. Like the Lethal, it is a five-layer golf ball, but the Tour Preferred X has better green side control and increased durability because of the Soft Tech cover.
The Tour Preferred golf balls have four layers, and are designed to spin more on a golfer’s long- and mid-iron shots than the Tour Preferred X. According to Snell, the Tour Preferred will feel and perform very similar to the Tour Preferred X on other shots.
The new Tour Preferred franchise has been well received by players on multiple tours. Sergio Garcia recently won the Thailand Golf Championship and the Qatar Masters with the Tour Preferred X golf ball. Jessica Korda also gamed the Tour Preferred X in her season-opening victory at the Pure Silk Classic.
Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X will be available at retailers for $45.99 a dozen beginning March 1st.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
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Jun 27, 2015 at 11:03 pm
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david g
Nov 22, 2014 at 2:23 am
tried the tour preferred and loved it in 5 rounds of golf 3 of the rounds i have made eagles with the ball. i just found the ball bit hard unlike the feel of the pro v. I wonder if taylormade would do a tour preferred at like 75 or 80 compression like the project a
Pingback: Taylormade Tour Preferred X Golf
Ron
Jul 4, 2014 at 1:35 am
Yes with the keep the name.
.I loved the penta…then loved the Lethal…really loved it…now another switch in names and I did not know which ball the x or the other..went with the other now wish I would have bought the x…please quit changing names…lovers of your brand get confused….
Almost my whole bag is TM…
Drop and stop..hit another 300 yard drive and I am 57 years young
Steven
May 20, 2014 at 7:09 pm
To be honest, I absolutely adore the new Taylor made tour preferred x, the only issue I have is the durability of the ball, especially for the price I pay, it can even be after one hole after a solid wedge shot in that scuff marks are already appearing, other that that though, fantastic feel and return on all shots!
randy keen
Jul 6, 2014 at 5:14 pm
I totally agree. The tour preferred x is a good ball but, the durability is very questionable.
pitbull17
Mar 27, 2014 at 10:40 am
I’ve played the Tour Preferred X and I really liked it. I haven’t played the other ball yet. The X reminds of the Penta in terms of green side spin and mid-iron flight. They do seem to last quite a bit longer than the Lethal and Penta did. It is hard to imagine the Tour Preferred spinning more than the X does, I get tons of spin out of the X
Alan Barnes
Mar 24, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Are the taylormade tour prefered balls smaller than normal?
Scott
Feb 2, 2014 at 10:30 am
I have not really liked a TM ball since the TP Red. Lets hope these new TP balls bring back the performance.
jc
Jan 30, 2014 at 6:33 pm
well, that’s it…might as well close up the lab…titleist, callaway, tm, and the others have reached the max in innovation. There can be NO more ideas or materials or dimple patterns that will EVER be better than this. Coupled with the adjustable, slotted, weigted, super duper clubs…there can be NO MORE development. We will no longer have to see the hot list, trade in stuff, buy anything new.
glad that is done.
Mackenzie Tout
Jan 30, 2014 at 5:47 pm
I find it interesting that Taylormade released a product so similar to the Titleist line of Pro V1 and Pro V1x. From using the “X” to differentiate each ball to the 332 dimple pattern (synonamous with the Pro V1x) the TP line is a near copycat of the industry leading Titleist product. Although I believe the name change was needed, it’s obviously apparent who runs the ball market.
J
Jul 18, 2014 at 11:22 pm
They are actually 322 dimple pattern
David Ober
Jan 30, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Dear TaylorMade: That “Lethal” name was a killer (no pun intended). Horrible name for a ball aimed at players. Sounds too much like a distance ball. Keep the “Tour Preferred” name for a long time. It’s a name that people associate with you. It’s a great name for a “players” ball. Most importantly, it will stand the test of time. Leave the tinkering with names and multiple releases to your drivers and fairway woods and keep your balls consistent. Do that, and you’ll slowly eat away at Titleist’s dominance in the ball market.
Gerard
Jan 30, 2014 at 3:13 am
Hopefully they realise the best ball manufacturers in Srixon and Titleist have had success with keeping the ball name the same and just slightly tweaking the design year to year, makes it a lot easier for everyone.
Ben
Jan 29, 2014 at 11:41 pm
I’ve had the pleasure of playing both of these balls already. In my opinion they both spin noticeably more than the lethal and are both very similar to their Titleist counterparts. Solid ball overall and very durable. Big improvement over the Lethal. I would definitely play them.
Chris
Jan 29, 2014 at 10:45 pm
I wondered when Taylormade would be announcing a new ball as the lethal’s pice is dropping like crazy!
Alex
Jan 29, 2014 at 10:28 pm
I hit quite a few of these on the range at the PGA Demo Day. Quite impressed with the feel in comparison to Pro-V!!
Mario Good Times
Jan 29, 2014 at 8:46 pm
I hope they are good, never liked a taylormade ball yet but ill try anything once. Please Taylormade keep the name the same but change the ball a little like Prov1 this game is getting confusing..