TaylorMade TP5 & TP5x pix Golf Balls (2020)
Posted by GolfBox on 4th Jun 2020
TaylorMade have teamed up with Rickie Fowler to redesign and improve the new pix versions of their premium TP5 and TP5x golf balls. As one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, Fowler provided some valuable insights during the year-long development of the balls, which feature pixelated graphics to enhance visibility through the air.
And, thanks to Rickie's input, pix balls now aid alignment while also offering a visual indication of the ball's rotation - instant feedback that will help golfers self-diagnose putting faults and correct them immediately.
Rickie Fowler recommended adding a strip of white space down the centre of pix balls, achieved by using only one TaylorMade stamp instead of the usual two, to create a distinct pathway that can be used to line up putts correctly.
But the new orange and black pixelations on the cover also provide visual feedback of the quality of a putt when the ball is rolling. The pix graphics blur together to indicate the ball's spin after it has left the putter and on a pure, top-spinning putt, players will be able to clearly see the defined white section of the ball rolling end-over-end.
However, if side-spin is being imparted– a real impediment to accurate putting - the pix graphics will generate a scrambled appearance while the ball is in motion.
TaylorMade TP5 pix
The complete Tour ball, now available with the ClearPath Alignment System co-developed by Rickie Fowler.
TaylorMade TP5x pix
Featuring a firmer feel, the TP5x pix will suit fast swing speeds and sports the pix ClearPath Alignment System.
TAYLORMADE TP5 PIX
The five-layer TP5 pix balls offer complete tee-to-green performance: speed with the driver and irons; spin and feel around the greens.They contain a material called HFM in the inner four layers that oozes ball speed and allowed TaylorMade to use a soft core without losing distance or altering spin.
With a total compression of 85, the TP5 pix has a softer feel than the TP5x pix and will generate more spin, particularly with wedge shots into the green.
TaylorMade TP5 pix balls feature a "black number" on the cover. The TP5 pix is suited to players who require extra spin around the greens and aren't pounders of the ball.
ClearPath Alignment
Co-developed with Rickie Fowler, ClearPath simplifies alignment and offers visual feedback on the quality of a putt when the TP5 pix is in motion.
Soft Feel
A lower compression of 85 makes the TP5 pix feel softer than the TP5x. It launches lower with irons but offers slightly higher spin rates with wedges.
Tri-Fast Core
A very soft inner core with a compression of 16 is wrapped by a stiffer outer core and mantle for greater aerodynamic efficiency, more carry and extra distance.
HFM & Urethane Cover
The inner layers contain High Flex Material (HFM), a material that rebounds like a spring to generate ball speed, while a soft urethane cover grips grooves for maximum wedge spin.
TAYLORMADE TP5X PIX
The new pix design, co-developed by Rickie Fowler, is the first ever to be applied to TaylorMade's higher compression TP5x ball.
With an overall compression of 97, the TP5x pix has a firmer feel and is suited to higher swing speeds.
It will spin less but launch higher with long irons, creating a steeper descent angle into the greens, and features a durable but ultra-soft cast urethane cover that compresses into the grooves of a wedge for maximum grip and spin.
TaylorMade TP5x pix balls feature an "orange number" on the cover. The TP5x pix is geared towards players with high swing speeds who generate high levels of spin. Its firmer feel will produce a less spinny, more penetrating ball flight.
ClearPath Alignment
The ClearPath Alignment System helps golfers achieve correct alignment on the greens and offers visual feedback on the rotation and spin of a putt when the TP5x pix is rolling.
Firmer Feel
A higher compression of 97 gives the TP5x pix a firmer feel than the TP5 pix. It launches higher with long irons for a steep descent into greens to offset its slightly lower spin.
Tri-Fast Core
The inner core of the TP5x pix is firmer, with a compression of 25, and is surrounded by an increasingly stiffer outer core and mantle. It generates less spin but will carry further.
High Flex Material (HFM)
High Flex Material, or HFM, is the fastest material TaylorMade has ever used in a ball. Contained in the inner layers, it rebounds more efficiently to eke out extra ball speed.