TaylorMade Soft Response Golf Balls

Product Information

When it comes to the golf ball, there are a variety of models that do a variety of things. Whether you are a new player to the game who is looking for models that will just go forward, an improver who is wanting one of the best mid price golf balls for their bag, or perhaps a single figure handicapper who wants one of the best premium golf balls to add to their arsenal, there are different golf balls for everybody. A softer golf ball is good for getting more feel off the clubface especially when it comes to hitting shots around the green, and when on it as well. In the past using a soft ball would've meant compromising on distance but this is not really the case anymore because of technology. Ideally, I’d prefer a golf ball that spins lower and optimizes length. However, I welcomed the easy launching nature and consistent carry distance it produced. I produced consistent ball speed results thanks to a more effective rebound off the clubface on high-impact strikes. Extended Flight Dimple Pattern The easy-launching nature of the TaylorMade Soft Response golf balls was one of my favorite features. As an average golfer, I enjoyed having one less factor to worry about. Thanks to the rapid rebound off the clubface, the ball launched into the air with moderate spin and consistent velocity, resulting in an elevated launch.

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf.

TaylorMade Soft Response

For high speed, high spin players, lower spinning soft balls can work really well because the distance gained from spin reduction can more than offset the speed penalty. Those same high spin players typically don’t have issues generating enough iron spin. I conjured up sufficient velocity to launch my ball consistently high and achieve satisfactory carry yardage off the tee.

A healthy portion of this particular group is made up of what the industry likes to refer to as moderate swing speed golfers. Moderate, as we’ve covered before, is code for slow-ish. Guys, they’re just being nice. They’re no Pro V1, but they are among the best distance balls I’ve tried for mid-handicappers. The construction is more complex than a traditional distance ball like the Titleist Velocity, leading to increased spin and control. Feel The Extended Flight Dimple Pattern excelled on takeoff and landing, obliterating drag as it left the clubface and enhancing lift on the descent. On takeoff, the aerodynamic dimples elevated the ball into the sky and propelled it forward for longer carry. Like my drives, I saw a drop in ball speed on 7-iron shots, leading to fewer yards than usual. I operated with an average of 113 mph, making it approximately 3 mph slower than my top speed.

On the course, both balls launched well and reached a healthy peak height that meant shots held the greens well.

The Soft Response span far more than the Tour Response in a comparative test of 10 seven-iron shots, often reaching 7500 rpm. Ball speed was lower (113 to 116mph) compared to Tour Response which was consistently between 117 and 120mph. The shots were grouped between 166 and 171 yards for Soft Response compared to a range of 170 to 176 yards for Tour Response. The bigger story here – and in fact, the point of differentiation for TaylorMade – is that, like Project a (and TP5), the TaylorMade Tour Response features a cast urethane cover. TaylorMade says golfers want a ball designed for me, but what we hear most often is that golfers want more greenside spin, and you’re not going to get that from the ionomer covers used in cheaper golf balls. Tour Response is offered in white and yellow. Retail availability begins on 2/28/2020. TaylorMade Soft Response Guys, I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but that firmer mantle is a necessity. A low compression core without a significantly firmer outer layer is how you make a really slow golf ball.

Urethane Cover

In long game testing, the TaylorMade Tour Response was a clear front runner over the Soft Response. Allowing for the reality that nobody can design one, or even two golf balls that are ideal for everyone, the likely context here is that amateur/recreational golfers want balls designed for the realities of their games (and want to pay less for them). My longest 7-iron shot with the Soft Response traveled 156 yards, but I averaged 149 yards on approach. These are in line with my standard 7-iron results, but I produced less roll with these TaylorMade golf balls compared to similar distance balls. The Soft Response predictably feels soft. Very soft. That’s no surprise for a ball rated 35 compression. It also has a ‘hi-spring core’ matched with a ZnO FLEX CORE™ and enhanced SPEEDMANTLE™ just below its thin tough cover, which makes the ball feel lively off the face and exceptional off the putter. TaylorMade designed Soft Response for average swing speed golfers who struggle to get the ball airborne. For those golfers, the benefit offered by Soft Response can be found in the dimple design. TaylorMade’s Extended Flight Dimple Pattern features shallow u-shaped dimples, which promotes lower spin and help keeps the ball airborne.