TM TP BLACK BALL REVIEW

[Cameron Circle T]

Taylor Made TP BLACK

 

 

Distance:

 

Having read numerous reviews I had seen mixed feelings about the actual distance advantages of this ball over other golf balls, especially the Pro V1x. Obviously the Titleist golf ball line has been the major target of TMaG with the release of this new golf ball line. Having now played a few rounds, comparing both golf balls, I will say that I unfortunately have not seen the extremely large distance gains that I have seen various reviewers claim to see. However, I will say this ball is at a minimum equally long throughout the entire set for me, if not a few yards longer. The distance overall was quite impressive for a ball I was very skeptical about.

 

Ballflight:

 

This is where I was really looking forward to trying the TP because of all of the hype of the “high launch, low spin” characteristics of the Black golf ball. I will say having hit numerous tee shots with this ball side by side with the Pro V1x, I will say that the ballflight is initially higher launching, yet flattens out even more so than the Pro V1x. It would seem from the visual aspect of the ballflight that the spin truly is lower than the Pro V1x; however, I will later confirm this with vector testing. I found the ballflight throughout my set to be quite penetrating including on wedge shots. This for me, a

high-ball hitter, is something that is quite appealing.

 

 

Spin:

 

Having already noted that the spin off the driver appears to be lower than the leading competitor, the Pro V1x, I will just briefly reiterate what I mentioned. Seemingly spinning lower off the driver and longer distances, mostly due to a bit of increase in roll, this was a great ball off the tee and on longer shots. Moving on to the short shots, which is what is truly important, because that is where the scoring goes on, this ball is quite beneficial for those harder swingers who overspin it around the greens. I found this ball spun a ton less, which for me was a good thing, on short wedge shots, as well as full wedge shots. Since switching to the 588 wedges to the CG10 I had trouble with the ball coming back too far; this is probably the only ball I have found that does not back up a mile.

 

Durability:

 

This is another aspect where these golf balls proved to be a real winner. I get about a hole or so out of the Pro V1x due to the extremely sharp nature of my wedge grooves, which is not only hard on the wallet, but also hard on your putting. I find it quite irritating when you have to play with a golf ball around the greens and on the greens that has pieces of cover hanging off of it. It would seem to me that this can be nothing but detrimental to your golf game when you’re continuously using “shag balls” to play tournaments with, because they get no longevity. With the TMaG Black ball, I found I got around 3 or so holes out of them. To most this would not sound like much but for me to get around the course with 5 balls or so (I figure I don’t shred them on par 3’s over 160, and most par 5’s) is quite an achievement for me, lol. These golf balls will definitely be in my bag once I use up the stockpiled Pro V1x’s I have lying around.

 

 

 

Overall TMaG has put out a pretty good all around golfer for a player like me, and I am quite pleased to know that the “hype” was a little bit more substantive than just a crafty marketing director.

[joesgonegolfing]

My results are less than flattering. Having played numerous rounds and ball tested with my Zelocity and Golf Achiever Units this ball just does not perform for me over (Black) over the PROV1X.

 

In rounds of actual play, the ball feels like mush coming off the driver and the end of the ball flight always has too much of the "intended" tail wheter it was draw or fade.

 

My wedges (TP TM) ate the faces of off the ball almost at once.

 

I wanted this ball too work, but sadly it just does not do the trick.

 

Joe

[tbowles411]

I have to echo the above posts. I liked the ball, but saw no real difference in ProV1x or even my primary ball of the HX Tour 56. It's a good ball and I'll finish the box, but I don't think I'll switch. Not enough evidence to do so.

[tylerbrowder8-4]

i thought the red was the competitor of the prov1x

 

and the black was compared to the prov1

[pitchmaster1224]

i thought the red was the competitor of the prov1x

 

and the black was compared to the prov1

 

I think that is right.

[abc123tyler]

The way TM says it is:

 

red= softer.. and "tour launch"

 

black = high launch, "increased carry"

[Cameron Circle T]

Black spins less...thus is the comparable ball to the pro v1x in that respect; however neither is comparable. They have mixed characteristics...piercing launch of the red is like the V1x....low spin of the black is like the V1x....etc. Thus there really is no comparison but if you wereto just look at spin characteristics then the Black is the comparable ball to the V1x.

 

 

Taylor Made Product Blog

 

The TP Red’s larger core and thinner mantle promotes a low spin-rate off the driver and a slightly lower, tour-like launch angle off every club in the bag, which promotes increased control. Likewise, the thinner mantle promotes a slightly softer sound and feel.

 

Conversely, the TP Black’s thicker mantle permits the ball to slide up the clubface a fraction at impact for a higher launch angle, while the thicker mantle and smaller core work together to promote an EVEN LOWER rate of driver-spin. That combination of higher launch angle and lower spin-rate helps promotes increased carry and distance.

 

 

 

 

 

Thus the distance of the black is supposed to be greater than the red.....making the black more like the Pro V1x distance wise in relation to the Pro V1.

[Cameron Circle T]

More in depth review will be up shortly, had more time playing with these balls and more time to think it out.