TaylorMade TP5/TP5x not seamless? Numbered 1, 2, 3, 5?

I've decided to just post this here since TaylorMade has been zero help in answering my simple questions about their TP5 and TP5x balls:

Are these balls supposed to be seamless?

Most of their major competitors (Titleist, Bridgestone, Callaway) all have seamless balls and I could have sworn these were advertised as being seamless (although I can't seem to find that verbiage on their website now). Got a few dozen of these over the past few months and each one has had a very noticeable seam to them, which is a big turnoff for me for a tour ball. After a couple of phone calls and unanswered emails, TaylorMade's response has been "there is no way you can make a true seamless ball; there will always be some sort of a seam." It definitely isn't just me. While the picture of the ball they use on advertisements cleary does not have a seam, previous threads such as this one from a few months ago indicate I'm not alone with this complaint: (http://www.golfwrx.c...testing-thread/).

Are they supposed to be numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5?

Each sleeve that I have used has had a strange numbering to them. They are all numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5 instead of the traditional 1-4. Does anyone know if this is deliberate (I assume it's a little hint to the TP5 name)? Just curious about this one.

See below photos for reference.

There is no such thing as it truly seamless golf ball. The cover on golf balls is moulded in 2 halfs which is why there is a seam. IMHO, some companies like Bridgestone do an excellent job of hiding the seam on their golf ball within the dimple design. Tailor-made is always used a unique numbering system. The TP series they skip the number 4 and other balls they use double digits. Why the skip 4 probably has to do with the TP balls being 5 layers and it’s TM’s way of saying 4 layers is no good.

There is no such thing as it truly seamless golf ball. The cover on golf balls is moulded in 2 halfs which is why there is a seam. IMHO, some companies like Bridgestone do an excellent job of hiding the seam on their golf ball within the dimple design. Tailor-made is always used a unique numbering system. The TP series they skip the number 4 and other balls they use double digits. Why the skip 4 probably has to do with the TP balls being 5 layers and it’s TM’s way of saying 4 layers is no good.

Thanks for the reply. I'm aware that there isn't a "seamless" golf ball in the literal sense of the word, however, I expected TaylorMade's premium tour ball to appear seamless just as the other major manufacturers' flagship balls do. Perhaps they are still working on that end of things. I just wanted to be sure I didn't get some balls with QC issues or something since I could have sworn one of the TP5s I found on the course didn't have a visible seam like the ones in my pictures do.

Also, thanks for that piece of information regarding the numbering. I knew TaylorMade has had double digit balls out there, but I have never seen a dozen with non-sequential numbering like these. I figured it was a nod to the TP5 name and 5-layer construction like you mentioned. Glad to have the second opinion.

TM balls skipping the number 4 is a nod to 5-layer balls, but they did this prior to the TP5 with their other 5 layer balls.

TM's always have a big seam, Bridgestone is the best at looking truly seamless.

I have read that in certain markets the number 4 is considered bad luck.

I have read that in certain markets the number 4 is considered bad luck.

Yep good marketing for the Chinese golfer. I golf with a guy whos wife refused to buy a house that was a great deal because the address had a 4 in it. He even went to the city to try and get the address changed but fail.

4 is no Bueno and very smart marketing from TM.

TM balls skipping the number 4 is a nod to 5-layer balls, but they did this prior to the TP5 with their other 5 layer balls.

Started with the Penta, their first 5 layer ball.

Is this really a big issue? Who cares what number is on the ball..

TM's always have a big seam, Bridgestone is the best at looking truly seamless.

I definitely agree about the Bridgestones. They are my favorite ball right now. Just surprised that TM's flagship ball is still behind on the times with the seamless construction since Bridgestone, Titleist, and Callaway all have had theirs for years.

I have read that in certain markets the number 4 is considered bad luck.

Yep good marketing for the Chinese golfer. I golf with a guy whos wife refused to buy a house that was a great deal because the address had a 4 in it. He even went to the city to try and get the address changed but fail.

 

4 is no Bueno and very smart marketing from TM.

Any idea of what the other companies do then? I've seen dozens numbered 5-8 or other alternate numbers before, and although not as popular here, they probably send those to those markets.

There is no such thing as it truly seamless golf ball. The cover on golf balls is moulded in 2 halfs which is why there is a seam. IMHO, some companies like Bridgestone do an excellent job of hiding the seam on their golf ball within the dimple design. Tailor-made is always used a unique numbering system. The TP series they skip the number 4 and other balls they use double digits. Why the skip 4 probably has to do with the TP balls being 5 layers and it’s TM’s way of saying 4 layers is no good.

I'd like to clarify one aspect of noodle3872's answer. He's correct that all balls have a seam, even though there are terms like "Seamless Cover Technology". Seamless Cover Technology (SCT) is a proprietary manufacturing process that eliminates the straight part line and creates a non-uniform part line around the golf ball. This does make a noticeable difference in consistency though.

However, not all companies manufacture covers in two halves. There are many companies who use this method of making two halves, then putting them around the core or mantle layers. This is called compression molding which uses high pressure and heat to press the two halves together. This creates a seam where the two halves were joined. If you see the term "cast urethane" it is done using this method. Companies like Bridgestone use a process called injection molding. In the injection molding process, the core is held in a mold cavity by pins. The cover material is injected into the cavity which surrounds the core, the pins are retracted and when the cover has cooled, the ball is ejected from the mold.