Taylormade TP5X Vs. Srixon Z Star Golf Balls Comparison Overview

If you are looking to take your game to the next level with a set of tour-grade golf balls then you should inform yourself as much as possible before making a purchasing decision. After all, tour-grade balls are not cheap.

And since we know that not everyone has the time to go out and test different balls, we’ve got the next best thing for you. We went out and tested 2 popular tour-grade balls and recorded our findings in the following comparison overview.

Taylormade TP5X Golf Balls Overview

The Taylormade TP5X golf balls stand in a class all their own. With a rarely-seen 5-layer design, these balls are designed to give you the short-game spin you have always dreamed of.

And they really deliver. Not only are there 5-layers to promote short-game spin; the outer cover is made of cast urethane. Cast urethane is about as good as you can get in terms of a golf ball cover material.

Each of the 5 layers gets increasingly stiffer as you move away from the core. We found that the Taylormade TP5X balls weren’t producing much ball speed overall but the carry distance is what gets them over the hump.

All said and done, with carry and roll, our fast swing speed testers (100 MPH and above) were getting max distances of 281 yards.

Srixon Z Star Golf Balls Overview

The Z Star balls have a similar gradient energy design but include only 3 layers which takes away some of the dynamic spin you get from the Taylormade TP5X balls.

Still, these balls performed comparably around the green. The urethane cover felt soft against short driver and wedge faces and you can pretty much launch these balls as high as you need to. They are very responsive on the green overall whether you need to lob them high or back spin them from a greater distance.

The only problem we had were the high launch angles on long deck shots and from the tee. Off the tee, you can’t really work these balls too well. Still, our testers were getting max distances of 283 yards with these balls.

Either of these balls would be great if you already have a fast swing speed. However, we preferred the lower launch of the Taylormade TP5X balls and the slightly better greenside spin rates they produced.

Srixon Z Star Quick Facts

Compression: 90

Cover Material: Urethane

How Many Pieces: 3

Core Material: Gradient Energy Type

Dimple Type: 344

Spin Level: Low long-game spin, very high short-game spin

Best Suited for: Low handicappers looking for more control around the green

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

Performance Off the Tee

The faster swing speed testers in our party were able to get an average of 270 yards with these balls while the slower swing speed testers were relegated to an average of 245.

Performance from the Rough

The Z Stars launch very high for a tour grade ball which made them good for getting out of the rough.

Performance from the Fairway

This is where things got a bit tricky. The high launch caught too much wind sometimes even though these balls play pretty long on the fairway overall.

Our faster swing speed testers were also noticing that they were producing too much side spin with their long irons.

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.

Srixon Z Star Selling Points

  • Tour-grade balls
  • Great for low handicappers
  • HIgh launch angles
  • Great on pitches
  • Satisfying sound on putts
  • Keeps its line

Srixon Z Star Cons

  • Not so great for slow swing speeds
  • Sometimes launch is too high
  • Lots of side spin on long iron shots
  • A bit expensive

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

Who are the Srixon Z Star Balls for?

Any player with a swing speed approaching 100 MPH and above should feel right at home with these balls.

They really shine around the green though. The spin gets picked up with the short irons and wedges and the urethane cover allows for optimal feel and control.

How are they with Short Irons?

In a word: superb. It seems that the Z Stars were built for short irons in fact. They do a really great job of checking bounce even with the exceptional launch angles.

This will make the Z Stars a dream for anyone who can consistently set themselves up for eagle.

On the Green

The Z Stars do an exceptional job of keeping true to their line on the green as well.

Overall Rating: 95/100

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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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