TaylorMade TP5x Golf Ball Review: The Distance King of Five-Layer Tour Balls

Overall Score: 8.6/10 | Price: $50-57/dozen | Category: Premium Tour Golf Ball | ASIN: B0CVQZZZJ6

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The Bottom Line

The TaylorMade TP5x is the fastest, lowest-spinning five-layer tour ball on the market — and after analyzing 587 individual reviews across Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, Reddit, GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, and 10+ expert publications, we can say with confidence: if you have the swing speed to compress it, this ball delivers real, measurable distance gains off the tee without completely sacrificing greenside control. It's not perfect for everyone — the firmer feel and reduced short game spin compared to its sibling TP5 are legitimate trade-offs — but for the right player, it's among the very best golf balls money can buy.

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What Is the TaylorMade TP5x?

The TP5x is TaylorMade's speed-oriented premium tour ball, sitting alongside the softer, higher-spinning TP5 in the company's flagship lineup. It's a five-layer construction — still the only five-piece ball on the market — featuring a urethane cover, three mantle layers, and TaylorMade's Speed Wrapped Core, which debuted in 2024.

The ball is played on Tour by Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, and Tommy Fleetwood, among others. It retails for $50-57 per dozen depending on the variant (standard white, yellow, Pix alignment, or the newer Stripe 360° ClearPath model).

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Score Breakdown

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What People Love (80% Positive Sentiment)

1. Distance That's Actually Measurable (Cited in ~65% of Positive Reviews)

This isn't marketing fluff. Across every source we analyzed — from Robot tests to Reddit launch monitor posts to Amazon reviews — the TP5x consistently delivers more distance off the tee than the TP5 and is competitive with (or beats) the Titleist Pro V1x.

The numbers are real:

Today's Golfer robot test: Lowest driver spin (2,506 RPM at 100mph) among all premium tour balls tested. 2.2 yards more carry than Pro V1 with 7-iron.

Golf Monthly (PGA Pro): Ball speed gains of 1.5 mph (irons) to 3 mph (driver) over previous generation.

GolfMagic: Tied for longest with Pro V1x at 262 yards average driver distance — but with less ball speed and significantly less driver spin, meaning it's more forgiving on mishits.

National Club Golfer: Ball speed averaged 163 mph with driver carry of 284 yards and 305 total. All strikes within 0.9 mph of each other.

Golf Monthly (2026 test): 168.3 mph ball speed, 302 yards carry, 2018 RPM driver spin.

As one Reddit user put it after testing with a launch monitor: "As low as 7 iron through to 2 iron the TP5x 24 was longer by up to 1 and a half clubs" compared to the Bridgestone Tour BX.

2. Penetrating, Wind-Resistant Ball Flight (~45% of Reviews)

The low-spin DNA of the TP5x creates a flight that players describe as "penetrating," "stable," and "predictable." Multiple Dick's reviewers specifically noted it "responds well in the wind."

GolfMagic's testing confirmed: "a piercing trajectory that never deviated from its path." For golfers who play coastal courses or in windy conditions, this is a genuine competitive advantage.

3. Improved Feel in the 2024 Generation (~40% of Reviews)

TaylorMade's Speed Wrapped Core technology genuinely delivered on the promise of "faster but softer." While the TP5x remains the firmer ball in the TP5 family, the 2024 version is noticeably softer than the 2021 model. Golf Monthly's PGA Professional reviewer noted: "I could immediately detect the improvement in feel throughout the bag, with a lovely soft impact and muted audio."

Reddit users agreed: "It's pretty much doing everything they advertised, launching lower, spinning less, and feels softer."

4. Exceptional Durability (~30% of Reviews)

One Reddit post went viral: "I've been using the same 1 ball for 3 rounds now, and when I wipe it down it looks brand new. I've hit trees, cart paths, etc. What a golf ball." Golf Monthly's reviewer, a PGA Tour professional, was "particularly impressed with the durability" after three tournament rounds.

5. Industry-Leading Visual Tech (~25% of Reviews)

TaylorMade's Pix alignment pattern and the newer Stripe 360° ClearPath design get frequent praise. Players love the putting alignment aids, with one GolfWRX member saying the visuals alone justified the purchase. The variety of options (White, Yellow, Pix, Stripe, USA Pix, collegiate editions) is unmatched.

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What People Hate (8% Negative Sentiment)

1. Too Firm for Feel-Oriented Players (~35% of Negative Reviews)

The most consistent criticism: the TP5x doesn't feel as refined around the greens as the TP5 or Pro V1. Bang Average Golf put it memorably: "Not rock hard, but definitely less 'buttery' and more 'crispy baguette.'"

Reddit users describe the feel as "almost clicky compared to softer urethane balls," and one YouTube commenter was more blunt: "Feels like a rock compared to Chrome Soft."

If you prioritize soft feel and delicate touch on chips and pitches, the TP5x will disappoint you.

2. Less Greenside Spin Than Competitors (~30% of Negative Reviews)

This is the real trade-off for all that distance. GolfMagic found the TP5x "began to show some shortcomings when attacking the pins. We found it harder to stop effectively on both approach shots and chips."

Golf Monthly's 2026 test quantified it: the TP5x spun at 6,774 RPM on a 50-yard pitch versus noticeably more from the TP5. Bang Average Golf joked that "your chip might release like a toddler on roller skates."

GolfWRX forum members also noted "spin inconsistency" with wedge shots — the TP5x can produce variable short game results compared to more spin-focused balls.

3. Price (~20% of Negative Reviews)

At $50-57 per dozen, the TP5x sits in the same premium tier as the Pro V1x and Chrome Tour X. Multiple reviewers, both on Amazon and Reddit, noted the pain of losing expensive balls. "Great ball but expensive. Worth it if you don't lose many."

As one Reddit user pointed out, "Maxfli Tour and Tour x are comparable, made in the same plant and perform identically for a similar price" — or rather, for considerably less at Dick's bulk pricing ($2.50/ball vs $4.17+).

4. Durability Regression in 2024? (Small but Notable Minority)

While most users rave about durability, a vocal minority on Reddit reported the opposite for the 2024 model: "The 2021 TP5x was indestructible. The 2024 TP5x scuffed coming out of the box." This appears to be inconsistent — it may be a QC issue rather than a systematic problem — but it's worth noting.

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Common Complaints

"Half a club longer" marketing claim is overstated — Several Reddit users tested with launch monitors and found distance gains only materialized with faster clubs (hybrid/driver), not with irons and wedges.

Not for slower swing speeds — Expert consensus is you need 95+ mph driver speed to unlock the TP5x's benefits. Below that, the TP5 or Tour Response ($35/dozen) is a better choice.

Confusing lineup — With TP5, TP5x, Pix, Stripe, and multiple limited editions, some shoppers are overwhelmed by choice.

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Comparison to Competitors

The TP5x vs Pro V1x showdown is the key comparison. Today's Golfer's robot test found the TP5x produces the lowest driver spin of any premium tour ball while matching the Pro V1x for distance. The Pro V1x generates more wedge spin. If you want maximum distance with minimal driver spin, TP5x wins. If you want a more complete spin profile, Pro V1x has the edge.

The TP5x vs Chrome Tour X is the value comparison. Today's Golfer's reviewer said if spending his own money, "the choice would come down to the TP5x and Callaway Chrome Tour X." The Chrome Tour X is fractionally longer with more iron/wedge spin; the TP5x is slightly less expensive.

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Who It's Best For

High-speed swingers (95+ mph driver) chasing every yard off the tee

Players who fight a ballooning ball flight and want a penetrating trajectory

Wind players who need stability and consistency in tough conditions

Low to mid-handicappers who prioritize distance off the tee over maximum short game spin

Titleist Pro V1x players curious about a lower-spin alternative at a slightly lower price

Players who value alignment aids — the Pix and Stripe options are best-in-class

Who Should Avoid It

Feel-first players who prioritize buttery soft feedback around the greens → get the TP5 instead

Slower swingers (below 90 mph driver) who won't compress it fully → consider Tour Response or Soft Response

High handicappers who lose 3+ balls per round → the $50+/dozen price makes no sense

Short game wizards who rely on maximum check and spin → Pro V1 or TP5 will serve you better

Budget-conscious players → Maxfli Tour X offers similar performance at ~40% less cost

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Price Context

The TaylorMade TP5x retails at $49.99-56.99 per dozen depending on the model:

Standard (White/Yellow): ~$49.99

Pix 3.0: ~$52.99

Stripe (360° ClearPath): ~$56.99

This positions it competitively against the Titleist Pro V1x ($54.99) and Callaway Chrome Tour X ($51.99). Dick's Sporting Goods frequently offers 4-dozen bulk packs at a discount. TaylorMade notably dropped the price by £5/dozen in 2024 while competitors raised theirs — a strategic move that multiple reviewers praised.

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Expert Consensus

The professional golf media is nearly unanimous: the TP5x is among the best distance-oriented tour balls available.

Golf Monthly: 4.5/5 — "Seriously impressive golf ball"

Today's Golfer: Recommended — "Lowest spin premium tour ball"

GolfMagic: Top tier — "Best combination of distance and driver spin"

Plugged In Golf: Highly Recommended — "Crisp, responsive, excellent"

National Club Golfer: "Wowzers! What a golf ball!"

Bang Average Golf: 4/5 — "Premium rocket that rewards speed"

MyGolfSpy Member Testing: Scores of 85-94/100

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The Verdict

The TaylorMade TP5x earns its place among the elite tour balls. With the lowest driver spin, competitive ball speed, and a penetrating flight that laughs at the wind, it delivers real performance gains for golfers with the speed to use it.

The trade-off is clear: you'll sacrifice some greenside finesse compared to the TP5, Pro V1, or Chrome Tour. But 80% of the golfers we analyzed were happy to make that trade. The 2024 Speed Wrapped Core improved feel noticeably, durability is generally excellent, and TaylorMade's visual alignment tech is genuinely best-in-class.

At $50-57/dozen, it's not cheap — but it's competitively priced against its direct rivals. If you swing fast and want every yard, the TP5x makes a compelling case as the best distance-oriented tour ball on the market.

Score: 8.6/10