TaylorMade TP5 vs. TP5x: Who Should Play Which?

There’s no shortage of conversation around Pro V1 versus Pro V1x. What doesn’t get the same level of attention is the premium pairing from TaylorMade: TP5 and TP5x.

For golfers who are brand loyal and plan to play a TaylorMade tour ball regardless, the real question isn’t which ball is better. It’s whether you’re playing the one that fits your game.

Using data from the 2025 MyGolfSpy Golf Ball Test, we took a closer look at how TP5 and TP5x separate across driver, irons and wedge play at multiple swing speeds. This isn’t a case of one ball outperforming the other across the board. It’s about matching a golf ball to what you need on the course.

TP5 versus TP5x at a glance

Before getting into the test data, it helps to understand how TaylorMade positions each golf ball within its premium lineup. This reflects intended performance characteristics based on design goals (not test results).

Golf Ball	Construction	Intended Spin Profile	Intended Flight	Primary Focus
TP5	5-piece	Higher spin	Mid to high	Control, iron stopping power, greenside spin
TP5x	5-piece	Lower spin	Higher	Speed, distance, slightly firmer feel

What the 2025 test showed about TP5

TP5 consistently separated itself in iron control and greenside performance.

In the 35-yard wedge test, TP5 produced more spin than TP5x, reinforcing its higher-spin profile around the green.

Through the irons, TP5 produced more spin and steeper descent angles, particularly at mid swing speeds. Steeper descent angles improve your ability to hold greens and reduce front-to-back dispersion.

Off the driver, TP5 did not lead in total distance at any swing speed. Instead, it delivered stable launch and spin, particularly for players who already generate sufficient speed and don’t need help maximizing distance.

What this means on the course:
TP5 is better suited for golfers who want more control into greens, more spin on partial shots and consistent stopping power rather than maximum rollout.

What the 2025 test showed about TP5x

TP5x separated itself most clearly with driver performance and total distance.

Across slow, mid and fast driver speeds, TP5x produced more total distance than the TP5. At higher swing speeds, that advantage was driven by lower spin. At slower speeds, it came from slightly higher launch paired with similar spin.

Through the irons, TP5x showed a more balanced profile:

• At slow and fast iron speeds, TP5x carried slightly farther
• At mid iron speeds, TP5x flew higher with steeper descent angles but less total distance than TP5

TP5x does not behave like a one-dimensional distance ball. While it spins less than TP5, it still delivers playable spin levels throughout the bag. On wedges, TP5x spun less than TP5 while launching slightly higher, remaining well within tour-level performance.

What this means on the course:
TP5x is better suited for golfers who want more distance off the tee, a higher overall flight and controlled spin without sacrificing consistency.

Which one makes more sense for your game?

Now that you have the basics of the two golf balls sorted out, here are some examples that could help you place them into your golf game.

• If driver distance is your top priority, TP5x was longer at every swing speed tested.
• If iron shots struggle to hold firm greens, TP5’s higher spin and steeper descent angles can help.
• If you already launch the ball high, TP5x can deliver distance without adding excess spin.
• If greenside spin plays a big role in your scoring, TP5 produced more spin on partial wedge shots.
• If you want speed without extreme spin, TP5x showed higher ball speed and more total distance across the driver tests.
• If consistency and control matter more than yardage, TP5 provides a tighter scoring profile into the green through higher spin and more stopping power.

Final takeaway

TP5 leans toward control and spin. TP5x leans toward speed and distance. If you are looking for the results of our testing across all brands and models, check out the complete report of the 2025 MyGolfSpy Ball Test.