Equipment
2019 TaylorMadeTP5 and TP5x golf balls feature High-Flex Material
Announced today, TaylorMade is set to update its premium tour balls, the TaylorMade TP5 and TaylorMade TP5x, next month.
At the core behind both golf balls is TaylorMade’s new High-Flex Material (HFM). The new material, which TaylorMade has described as its “fastest material” ever, is a tightly wound spring, which is designed to create more rebound energy when compressed for added ball speed.
The tightly wound spring characteristic of HFM also aims to increase the force on the driver face, to further improve the speed of the golf ball as soon as it leaves the driver head.
2019 TP5 cutaway.
The HFM is integrated into TaylorMade’s new Speed-Layer System, which is comprised of four increasingly stiff layers, creating a Speed-Layer System that enables a soft core to be wrapped by increasingly rigid materials, allowing each outer layer to become progressively faster with the aim of controlling spin rates without affecting speed or distance.
Speaking on the new releases from TaylorMade, and its brand new HFM material, Director of Golf Ball R&D, Eric Loper, stated
“With the new TP5 and TP5x golf balls, we knew there was an opportunity to make them even faster. Our research into the driver and ball interaction at the moment of impact along with the development of a new material (HFM) has given us the ability to more efficiently convert compression into speed, at any swing speed. The new Speed-Layer System (SLS) controls spin rates that is critical for driver, iron and wedge performance.”
The new balls from TaylorMade both feature a Tri-Fast Core consisting of an extra-large, low-compression inner core (16 compression in TP5 & 25 compression in TP5x) and a progressively stiffer outer core and mantle. The combination of these cores is designed to create lower drag and increased carry for all level of swing speeds.
2019 TP5x cutaway.
As well as this, the 2019 TP5 and TP5x golf balls contain a Dual-Spin-Cover which holds an ultra-soft cast urethane cover and a 30% more rigid inner cover, which aims to provide excellent control on greenside shots through the rigid inner cover forcing the soft urethane cover into wedge grooves. The new Soft-Tough cast urethane cover has also been introduced to provide greater overall durability.
According to TaylorMade, the TP5 ball has a softer feel, launches lower on iron shots and is targeted at golfers who desire more spin around the green, while the TP5x contains a firmer feel and is designed for players wishing to generate higher launching iron shots.
The 2019 TP5 and TP5x will both be available at retail on February 15, 2019. The cost of both golf balls is $44.99 per dozen.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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NoDonkeys
Jul 1, 2019 at 10:45 pm
Matt Kuchar sucks donkey.
Art Williams
Jan 4, 2019 at 8:18 pm
Over the last few weeks it’s obvious 2019 is the year of fast, faster and fastest. The espionage among and between the big golf companies must be fast and furious as they bring out similar products in similar colors with similar marketing schemes. Must be a lot spies employed by them, especially Callaway and Taylor Made. I noticed they both were very fast to exceed the $500 ceiling.
WB
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:12 am
I gained 14 yards on the driver when I went from Tour Preferred X to TP5X. If the new TP5X gets only 3 yards more I’m in.
David
Jan 3, 2019 at 11:14 am
These must be pretty bad since they didn’t jack the price 30%. TM must know they don’t perform well enough to deserve the same price increases as the rest of their line.
Frank
Jan 3, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Must be David. Keep dropping nearly $60 on that “superior” ProV1
KM01
Jan 4, 2019 at 7:50 am
At the end of the day Pro V is superior. I still think TM are having their balls made by someone else so the probability is that some of them probably don’t even have 5 layers, when you look at how bad the rest of their quality control is. I tried TP5 last time around and it doesn’t spin enough through the bag.
It’s obvious what they’re going for in their marketing blurb. Distance off the driver. That’s always the first thing they say in everything they say.
Thing is, I’m still only going to be hitting max 14 drives in a round. So the majority of my shots I need more control. You don’t get that with something that doesn’t spin.
Daniel Forbes
Jan 5, 2019 at 4:36 am
Realistically if you are hitting max 14 drives per round, then u probably dont hit it well enough for spin to be an issue. I hit 14 drivers almost every time i play. Obviously playing a distance ball will prob hurt me… but Playing a proV isn’t going to improve my score at all. Unfortunately taylormade realised they could charge a lot more and did so. So the range of balls available that all qork the same is huge for amatuers now
KM01
Jan 5, 2019 at 3:30 pm
This comment makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. How could hitting at most 14 drives in a round mean that you don’t hit it well enough to worry about spin? You do realise that most golf courses would have 4 par 3’s meaning, realistically you would only ever have to hit driver at very most 14 times, and on shorter par 4’s you’d hit irons! I’ve played 2 British amateur championships, and have had quite a good amateur career…
There’s no such thing as a distance ball and a spin ball anymore. This isn’t the days of persimmon woods and balata balls.
Spin does not just come in to play on shots green side. It’s on every shot you hit. Every golfer needs a certain amount of spin to keep their ball airborne, depending on their launch characteristics.
Please have a proper ball fitting. You might just learn something…
Thomas A
Jan 3, 2019 at 10:48 am
So they are TP5-ier?
bill
Jan 3, 2019 at 10:20 am
having to click read more is really annoying. just show the full article
Gil
Jan 4, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Who do you claim is making their balls? Why do you question TM’s quality control?
KM01
Jan 6, 2019 at 5:04 am
That’s a fact. Look it up. There is only one company who actually manufacture their own golf balls. Everyone else buys in.
Have you not seen TM’s product the past few years? The rubber in the speed slots on irons has been falling out, iron faces caving in, and some of the loft and lies) swing weights that I’ve had delivered to my shop have been so far out its unbelievable. A couple of years ago, I had an M2 4 iron arrive which was to be standard loft/lie and it was 17*. Quality control is worse than terrible.
Daniel
Jan 5, 2019 at 4:27 am
That is dumbest thing ive ever ive ever read.. u have to scroll down anyway so i dont think clicking 1 button will kill u..
Thunder Bear
Jan 3, 2019 at 10:12 am
Of all things releasing this year, I’m most excited about the golf balls coming out. Seems like every company is on the same release schedule with golf balls so I plan to take them all out and do a battle royale to find the best ball. I’ve played the TP5x for a couple years and really excited to see if their claims are actually true.