TaylorMade Tour Response Golf Ball Review

The TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball delivers premium tour-level performance at a compression and price to suit an amateur golfer’s swing speed and budget.

TaylorMade felt that many amateurs were playing golf balls that weren’t well-suited to them. Golfers who weren’t willing to pay top dollar for a premium tour ball, like the TaylorMade TP5 or Titleist Pro V1, were left to use cheaper but harder surlyn and ionomer-covered balls. Yes, they went a mile, but those distance golf balls not only sounded and felt really harsh, they also drastically reduced short game feel and spin.

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Even some of the golfers who were willing to pay for a premium tour golf ball may not have been getting the best performance possible for them. Tour balls are called tour balls for a reason – they’re designed for tour players, who typically have swing speeds in excess of 115mph. For amateur golfers with “normal” swing speeds, those high-compression golf balls may not be the best option.

That’s why TaylorMade created the Tour Response. It has the 100% urethane cover favoured by discerning golfers – urethane is what makes balls feel soft and improves control on the green – but with a lower compression more suited to average swing speeds.

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The Tour Response is also a bit cheaper than premium tour balls, which will be music to the ears of most amateurs. (Tour pros get given their golf balls for free, so don’t tend to worry about the price!)

But saving a few quid is one thing, the important question is how does the TaylorMade Tour Response perform on the course?

TaylorMade Tour Response: Performance

We’ve tested the TaylorMade Tour Response in two separate tests now, and both times it’s performed admirably. We put it head-to-head against the Titleist Pro V1 and found it within one yard for driver distance, while considerably longer with irons, crucially without sacrificing spin or stopping power.

With irons and wedges it launches high, carries a good distance and then lands steep, which helps you hold greens.

Thanks to the urethane cover, it feels soft, with several of our testers commenting that it feels softer than the TaylorMade TP5 or Titleist Pro V1 they usually play. Feel is crucial, as discerning golfers choose their balls on feel as much as performance.

TaylorMade Tour Response: Overall Verdict

If you care about which golf ball you use (as every serious golfer should) and don’t boast a tour pro swing speed, the TaylorMade Tour Response could be just what you’re looking for. It offers top performance, excellent feel, and will save you money compared to tour balls which may not suit you as well anyway.

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