Taylormade TP5X Vs. Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls Comparison Overview
Many people get fit for golf clubs; but very few players take the time needed to truly find the right golf ball for their game. Maybe it’s because golf balls are so small, their impact on performance is viewed as minute as well.
That is certainly not the case though. Take it from us, we have tested a lot of golf balls in our time. So today, we wanted to shed some light on two very popular golf balls that just might be the missing link to your lower score.
Taylormade TP5X Golf Balls Overview
The Taylormade TP5X’s have an amazing feel with short irons and wedges. They perform best when you are within 100 yards of the pin.
In other words, the short-game performance of these balls is amazing. They feature an impressive 5-layer design with a thin urethane cover. They played surprisingly well from the rough as well. We were able to scoop the ball high out of tall rough and land softly on the fairway.
Some of our better testers were even able to land the green out of the rough with these balls. Off the deck, you will need a fast swing speed (we would say above 105 MPH on average) as these balls have a compression rating in the high 90’s.
As you can imagine, these balls aren’t for high handicappers. They have a firm feel off the club face that low handicap players will surely appreciate.
Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls Overview
The Callaway Chrome Soft balls perform best off the tee for both fast and slow swing speed players.
What surprised us the most was that there was only about a 10 yard distance disparity between fast swing speed testers and slow swing speed testers with these balls. The Callaway Chrome Soft keep spin nice and low even though they sport a 3-piece design.
Spin rates are also kept low from the fairway but they pick up some with your shorter irons. We really appreciate that these balls have a urethane cover that belies their position as premium-grade balls. Still, these 65 compression balls will have the biggest impact on your long game.
The Callaway Chrome Soft balls probably provide the best overall value as their short-game performance was at least comparable to the TP5X balls and they help a lot with distance no matter your swing speed.
Taylormade TP5X Quick Facts
Compression: 90
Cover Material: Urethane
How Many Pieces: 5-Piece
Core Material: Urethane
Dimple Type: 322
Spin Level: High
Best Suited for: Low to mid handicappers
Callaway Chrome Soft Quick Facts
Compression: 65
Cover Material: Urethane
How Many Pieces: 3
Core Material: Graphene
Dimple Type: Hexagonal (332)
Spin Level: Low long-game spin, high short-game spin
Best Suited For: High to mid handicappers
Performance Off the Tee
The compression of these balls is significantly lower than the Titleist Pro V1X balls.
The core is also made of urethane which gives these balls a softer feel from the tee. This is good news for slower swing speed players but the faster swingers in our party were getting better distance with the Titleist Pro V1X balls.
Performance from the Rough
The Taylormade TP5X balls yield excellent launch even from the rough.
The soft urethane cover makes it easy to scoop the ball up and work it as needed so that you land optimally on the fairway.
Performance from the Fairway
With the longer irons and hybrids we were getting a bit more spin than expected from a tour-grade ball – great for long par 5’s but not so great on shorter approaches.
Performance Off the Tee
The faster testers in our party were getting about 245 yards while the slower swing speed testers were getting about the same.
Performance from the Rough
Scooping the ball up and even spinning as you may need to was surprisingly easy with these balls.
Performance from the Fairway
We actually really liked the way these balls felt against our irons and hybrids.
The only problem was that the launch remained relatively high even when we weren’t trying.
Taylormade TP5X Selling Points
- More affordable
- Softer feel
- Excellent launch
- Urethane cover
- Urethane core
- Tour-grade
Taylormade TP5X Cons
- Not as long
- Sometimes uncontrollable launch
- HIgher fairway spin
- Lesser short-game feel
Callaway Chrome Soft Selling Points
- Great for beginners and intermediates
- Urethane cover
- 3-piece construction
- Decent short-game control
- Good side spin with short irons
- High launch off the deck
Callaway Chrome Soft Cons
- Not great for low handicappers
- Lacking workability with irons
- Launches high in all situations
- A but unstable
Who are the Taylormade TP5X Balls for?
If you want an overall softer feel with tour-grade performance, then the Taylormade TPX5 balls would be a better fit for you.
The Taylormade TPX5 balls have a compression that is more congenial to the rest of us mortals. If you are swinging around 92 MPH, then these balls will fit you better than the Titleist Pro V1X balls.
How are They With Short Irons?
If you can typically work the ball the way you want to with short irons, the Taylormade TPX5 balls should feel pretty good to you. They yield moderate side spin with the short irons and launch high so you can shape short approaches pretty much however you want.
On the Green
The soft urethane gives you excellent control on fast, firm greens.
Overall Rating: 93/100
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Who are the Callaway Chrome Soft Balls for?
The Chrome Soft balls partially live up to their hype by being a viable option for mid to high handicappers.
The compression isn’t low enough to match the distance you would get if your swing speed was in the “fast” territory.
How are they with Short Irons?
The great thing about these balls is the urethane cover and the 3-piece construction which allows for a good amount of greenside spin control. They definitely perform above their class with short irons.
On the Green
The Chrome Soft balls were a little hard to check on fast greens.
Overall Rating: 96/100
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