Conor Keenan
The golf ball is the only piece of equipment with which you play every shot in every round, so it is important to find the best golf balls that are right for your game.
You're spoilt for choice when it comes to brands and manufacturers of golf balls. If you were to list them off the top of your head, we'd think TaylorMade would be one of the first names you mention, which is why we've made this guide documenting our favorite options from one of the biggest brands in golf.
As we know, many top pros play the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x models, which rank amongst the best premium golf balls money can buy, whilst their other models are included in the distance and best value categories. We break them all down below, assessing their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the one that is best suited to your game.
If you're not a TaylorMade guy or gal then be sure to take a look at our best Titleist golf balls, best Callaway golf balls and best Bridgestone golf balls guides.
The Quick List
An excellent all-rounder option from TaylorMade that promotes great tee-to-green performance, a lovely soft feel and plenty of durability across multiple rounds of golf.
One of the best value golf balls on the market, the RBZ Soft is a great distance option, with the penetrating ball flight helping those who are searching for a superb long game golf ball
The Stripe stands out via its handy alignment aid, which works well for both putting and off the tee. Importantly, it has good greenside control and is another great value option.
Like the Stripe, TaylorMade has introduced another interesting design to its golf ball range, with the SpeedSoft providing an extremely soft feel and solid all-round performance.
Used by the professionals, the TP5x has increased its ball speed numbers and yardages, with stability in windy conditions, arguably, the best on the market.
TaylorMade's TP5 still provides an incredible amount of greenside spin and control, with the soft feel and durability a real standout in the premium golf ball sector.
Load the next 3 models
The Soft Response stands out in the short game sector, as the soft feel off the face makes way for copious amounts of greenside control with wedges.
There's a lot to love about the Distance+, with the durability a particular stand out. Although it doesn't have as much spin as other models, the long game performance can rival the premium golf balls.
Aimed at those with slow to moderate swing speeds, we found the Kalea to be a confidence-boosting option that was very easy to get in the air.
Best TaylorMade Golf Balls
Best all-rounder
The Tour Response is a well respected ball on the market because it's so well rounded - it falls below the price point of the premium level balls like the TP5 and TP5x from TaylorMade but still provides heaps of performance for players unwilling to break the bank.
The 2025 iteration of the Tour Response excels in a number of areas, most notably in terms of feel, durability and tee-to-green playability. During testing I found the ball to deliver really positive ball speed numbers and when this is added to by the soft feel and ample spin numbers, it makes this a ball to be reckoned with.
Predictably, as a relatively quick swinger of the club (around 120mph with driver), I noticed a little drop off in ball speed with the driver, but the 70 compression of this ball isn’t necessarily designed for high-speed players like me. Nevertheless, I still really like this golf ball, especially when we factor in the unique effective visual technology - the tour response stripe.
- Read our full TaylorMade 2025 Tour Response Golf Ball Review
Best value
The RBZ Soft is designed to provide great performance that won't break the bank and, in terms of the long game, the RBZ Soft really stood out. To begin with, there was a penetrating ball flight that, even in windy conditions, didn't seem to deviate, whilst the distance was more than sufficient.
Performing well on both tee shots and iron shots, the react core and low compression of the ball meant there was also a decent amount of run-out but, in terms of short game control, this is where the RBZ Soft suffered compared to premium models. Certainly, there was some grip and spin, but not as much as the more expensive golf balls.
Overall, there's a lot to like about the RBZ Soft and, personally, we believe it's amongst the best golf balls for high handicappers, due to the fact the cover is very strong. In testing, despite striking trees and branches, there were no visible cuts or scratches to the surface.
- Read our full TaylorMade RBZ Soft 2022 Golf Ball Review
Best for alignment
When it comes to starting new trends, TaylorMade is at the forefront with the Tour Response Stripe being a prime example. As you can tell, the main feature of this ball is the band that wraps around it, which is designed to assist golfers in aligning their ball on the greens and tee.
Admittedly, the inclusion of a big colorful stripe on the ball might not suit everyone's eye, but we found that it did play its purpose when it came to lining up putts. What's more, the feedback of the ball was instantaneous and really narrowed in the focus on the ball and the putter face.
Performance-wise, there was plenty of short game control on chip and pitch shots, with the distance also very solid. In regards to the long game department, there was a firm feel, which will divide opinion, but overall we were impressed with the all-round playability of the Stripe.
- Read our full TaylorMade Tour Response Stripe Review
Best colors
Like the Stripe, the SpeedSoft Ink has an interesting pattern that continues the theme of TaylorMade introducing different prints to the golf balls. To begin with, it features a really distinct visual design, with splashes of color splattered on the golf ball undoubtedly enhancing the visibility when searching for it in the rough.
The performance is not just cosmetic either. The SpeedSoft Ink is labeled as a mid-launching ball but, in testing, we actually got it to spin and climb a little higher than we expected, which is good for those players who struggle to do so. Additionally, the SpeedSoft Ink golf balls have a compression delta below 50, hence why they felt extremely soft off the face at impact.
Obviously, the Ink design will divide many but, if you want a very good performing golf ball that won't break the bank, the SpeedSoft is a viable option. Also, it is available in white or yellow so, if the Ink isn't for you, then you can always opt for the traditional look.
- Read our full TaylorMade SpeedSoft Ink Golf Ball Review
Best Tour model
As mentioned, the TP5 and TP5x rank amongst the best premium golf balls on the market and, in their newest iterations, both the TP5x and TP5 have got even better, with the performance off the charts good.
To begin with, TaylorMade has introduced a new ‘Speed Wrapped Core’ which, in testing, gave a softer feel at impact. By doing so, TaylorMade claims it has allowed the TP5x to be made harder and faster without compromising feel or acoustics. Striking the ball, we completely agree with their claims, as it provided incredible performance.
Another stand-out aspect was the durability. Hitting plenty of wedges into the greens, the cover was not scratched or marked by the grooves and, aesthetically, TaylorMade has added a new MySymbol collection to it, which allows you to customise your TP5x with a number of logo options.
- Read our full TaylorMade TP5x Golf Ball review
TaylorMade 2024 TP5 Golf Ball
Like the TP5x, TaylorMade have introduced a new core to the TP5, with the material that makes up the core altered to a lower density acoustic material that sounds and feels softer than before.
Aesthetically, the TP5 follows the same pattern as the TP5x, in the sense that there are Pix options and, performance-wise, there isn't a huge amount to separate the two. In testing, we were getting a few mph more out of the TP5x, but the TP5 still provided plenty of distance and consistency.
Where the TP5 did perform well, though, came in and around the greens. Striking a number of chips and pitch shots, we found the feel to be 'marshmallow soft' and the ball felt like it rolled up the grooves and produced incredible amounts of spin. One last point to mention is the durability which, once again, was exceptional.
- Read our full TaylorMade TP5 Golf Ball Review
Best mid-price
TaylorMade claim the Soft Response is the softest ball they have ever produced and, in testing, we noticed this instantly, as the feel off the putter face was superb. Along with the putter, the short game was a real standout, with there being plenty of spin on chips and pitch shots.
Moving away from the short game aspect, the Soft Response will suit those with slower swing speeds, as the ball felt very easy to get airborne. The Soft Response is a very low compression golf ball and, in our spin numbers, we noticed an increase when striking it off the tee and with the high-irons.
With an RRP of less than $30, there is excellent value to be had and, when striking the ball, we were instantly able to deduce that the Soft Response is amongst the best soft feel golf balls money can buy.
- Read our full TaylorMade Soft Response 2022 Golf Ball Review
Best for distance
The Distance+ offers a high velocity performance to provide more distance on all shots. Thanks to a REACT Speed Core and high speed, but low drag, aerodynamics, we could feel the speed off the face.
Throughout, we found there to be great feedback through the bag with this ball and it comes with a good alignment aid that helps with lining up putts and tee shots. Also, because of the plus alignment aid, it gave us good feedback on putts, as we could see if the ball was rolling end over end.
Another great all-rounder from TaylorMade, the Distance+ is very durable and, using the same ball for 18 holes in testing, we found there to be limited wear and tear. Overall, we would put this as one of the best golf balls for beginners, due to the fact it provided plenty of distance and durability.
- Read our full TaylorMade Distance+ Golf Ball Review
Best women's
The slower you swing a club, the more compression you need and the Kalea ball has a soft 60 compression that works very well off the tee. Like other models on this list, TaylorMade’s REACT technology is present and its engineers have allowed the Kalea to compress off the clubface faster and higher to maximise distance.
Available in numerous colorways, there should be something for everyone and, in testing, we found there to be plenty of fire power off the face, as well as a pleasant sound and a high-launching, penetrating ball flight.
Ranked amongst the best women’s golf balls on the market, the Kalea is a great value offering that will help those players who struggle to get the ball airborne. Admittedly, the distance wasn't the longest but, thanks to the added spin, it can get the shot in the air with ease.
- Read our full TaylorMade Kalea Golf Ball Review
How we test golf balls
We pride ourselves through our testing procedure here at Golf Monthly because our reviews are done by golfers, for golfers. As you can imagine, this means we play a lot of golf in a range of different conditions which puts us in a great place to test out different golf balls on the market. Our review team vary in skill level, experience and handicap meaning we cover more aspects in our testing. Some golf balls on this list won't suit those with more moderate swings speeds, nor will some of the cheaper models suit players with 100+mph club head speeds. Thus, our reviews are spread out across our entire team to ensure the fairest test possible.
Our golf ball reviews stretch over multiple rounds of golf to ensure we get the best data set possible to give an informed review on the product. We test them everywhere on the course, be that the fairway, green, thick rough, uneven lies, bunkers and more. Drives, long iron shot, full wedge shots, bunkers shots and more are all covered to give us the upmost understanding of the golf ball and the strengths and weaknesses it possesses.
We'd also like to make it known that our review are completely impartial. No brand gets preferential treatment from us, nor can a manufacturer 'buy' a good review. Instead we simply test the product as thoroughly as we can and then simply call it how we see it. Our goal is always to give our readership the best, bias-free, informed buying advice possible and that will never change.
How to choose golf balls
Soft or firm?
The best premium golf balls come in alternative versions that spin slightly less for players who prefer a firmer feel or more control off the tee. Try both from various distances to find your preference.
Cover material
Urethane-covered balls offer the best spin control and feel but do cost more. Experiment to see if you notice enough of a difference to justify the extra cost, or whether the best mid-price golf balls might be an option.
Long game or short game?
Which aspect of the game is most important to you? Do you want to get as much distance as possible out of your golf ball or would you prefer a model that allows your short game to flourish thanks to improved feel? Well we have created guides for both. If you value the former then check out our guide on the best distance golf balls. Or, if you put a real premium on feel, perhaps our best soft feel golf balls guide might be a good next step.
Price
The range of prices for golf balls can be pretty stark. Premium golf balls can cost up to $7 each whilst more affordable options cost a lot less - but you'll likely be sacrificing some performance in doing so. However, we'd urge you to be realistic about what price point to go for - no 30 handicapper needs to be playing a TP5 premium golf ball, for example. If you're off single figures it's probably worth the investment into a more premium ball. Find a sweet spot with where your skillset is at and the prices you want to and go from there.
FAQs
Are TaylorMade golf balls good?
The simple answer here is yes. At the top end of the spectrum, TaylorMade golf balls are used by some of the world's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa. Then the brand also makes models for every type of player, as well as every level. Importantly, whatever you are after from your golf ball, TaylorMade will offer a high-quality model.
