Why does TaylorMade's BEST player NOT use their ball?

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[heBoss]

I recently switched to the TaylorMade ball and didn't win the masters this year. Would not recommend.

[ChrisSavage]

If I had won 11 tourneys (2 MASTERS) with the same ball and wedges, I wouldn't switch either.

[Bech]

While I believe the TM golf balls are on par with the ProV1, changing anything that works, would be stupid considering how he's playing.

[Bubzp]

I think TMade would be happier he switched from Scotty Cameron to spider and went on a

[kevinfay]

I'm not sure why this is a big deal. Tiger Woods has a deal with Bridgestone. He's actively promoting their golf balls and no one seems to be bent out of shape about it.

[weldon]

TaylorMade has made too many premium golf ball versions. It was hard to keep up until the last few years. ProV1 has always been ProV1 since it’s inception

[TeddyCavachon]

When I worked at a course as a starter / ranger I found hundreds of balls and for grins would go out on the course behind the last group with a dozen of two different balls and compare them by hitting straight, fade and draw shots to the green with my 7i. The ability to shape a Pro V1 was unmatched by any other ball I tested. By that I mean it was possible to open or close stance 45° and get the ball back to land and stay on the green.

A ball being able to do that is a function of the club face being able to grip the ball and change the tilt of its gyroscopic spin axis, how quickly it returns to being round after release off the face which affects how stable the spin axis is, and the spin rate which affects lift which in turn affects how much it can be shaped. I didn’t have any way to quantify those things but when you do direct comparisons with Pro V1 as the comparison baseline the differences become obvious.

How much the ball is compressed on the face is a huge variable and why ball performance at the tour pro level is much different than with a recreational golfer who doesn’t compress the ball as much and always tries to hit the ball straight not shape it. For the weekend hacker a ball with less spin off the face is better because it results in straighter miss-hit shots; i.e., more ‘forgiveness’.

Temperature is also a factor for those who play in colder weather. When the temperature drops below 50°F I switch to the lower compression pink balls because the performance of a ProV1 declines when it gets that cold.

[KaiserVonWilhelm]

Here's something to consider

Spieth had 5 wins, 2 wins, 3 wins from span of 2014-2017, that's 3 seasons. Only 2 wins since then.
DJ had 3 wins, 4 wins, 3 wins from 2016 to 2018 seasons, also 3 seasons. Only 1 win in 2019 then obviously onto different tour.
Rory has had a 3 season streak of wins, actually twice in his career. But similar in win totals over a 3 season span.

Tiger? Starting in 1999, he went 8, 9, 5, 5, 5, 1, 6, 8, 7, 4, 6. He's had 10 seasons with 5 or more wins.

Point being, let's pump the breaks on the Tiger comparisons. Scottie seems to be at that pinnacle point where some of these other guys have reached. After that, they fall off. Scottie is hot, but so were these other guys before they slumped. He's also only got 2 majors in that span. Sure, he has wins multiple times in a season, including this year. Tiger never slumped basically, and had majors in multiple seasons in a row in his career. Not the same

[Drillbitayler]

The top golf balls (TM, Titleist, Callaway, and Bridgestone) are all equally good. They just feel slightly different and to a tour pro that means a LOT. For the average Joe, it doesn't matter. I'd say the biggest key is just staying consistent with the ball you use, whatever that is. Even if it's Noodles :)

[geoffreycheeping]

Way more exciting when you find a prov1 in the woods.

[amac]

I got a hole-in-one with a tour response… so that’s what I’ve been playing lately :)

[charlesbarry]

You have said it a couple of times, they pay these players so much money. There is so much money being paid by manufacturers that the cost of casual golf is out of this world. Been watching Bryson's videos and he can play with anything they throw at him. Junior clubs, discount store clubs, charity shop clubs and even hickory sticks. It only proves most pros are in it for the money and it's a detriment to us casual players.

[badbilly]

Because Titleist still makes the best ball!

[evanpaulsmithfalconfogolin]

Scottie was my favorite before he started winning, and I don't touch Taylormade or Nike products.

[dalesmith]

One more reason to really respect Scotty. He's putting winning ahead of collecting the money Taylormade would pay him for switching equipment. Too bad so may other players who have chased the pay-outs don't have his standards. They may well be performing better.

[johnlaird]

Take a shot everytime Guy says Roooorrryyy next episode lol

[michaeldandrea]

I recently tried the TM balls you are discussing and was very impressed. I would put them right on par with the ProV's in terms of distance, feel and ability to put some spin on around the greens. The only negative I observed was that they seem to get scuffed quite easily(without hitting trees, rocks, cart paths). A very good golf ball.

[dsc-nrzy]

I tried the tp5 and tp5x and hated them. Srixon and Titleist only.

[KevinSH]

I really like the TP5x, longest ball with my irons and sticks like glue

[RonBaker]

I got a good price on a dozen TP5x. Can't wait to try them just to see the difference for myself. Love the ProV but fun to try something new. Maybe will give just enough extra distance to outdrive my brother regularly.