The TaylorMade Soft Response golf ball will be available in white, yellow, and matte red. I recommend avoiding matte finishes. They look cool (especially the red), but they’re inherently less consistent when moisture is introduced, but then again, Soft Response isn’t really a performance-first ball choice anyway. The lower compression core was the star performer of the Soft Response. Its highly compressible design led to an enhanced energy transfer from clubface to ball, accelerating pace and minimizing spin. The combination prompted a high-launching shot for consistent carry distance. I produced consistent ball speed results thanks to a more effective rebound off the clubface on high-impact strikes. Extended Flight Dimple Pattern I conjured up sufficient velocity to launch my ball consistently high and achieve satisfactory carry yardage off the tee.

For those of you for whom price considerations outweigh performance considerations, TaylorMade is offering the Soft Response golf ball. Billed as providing Effortless Compression & Dominant Distance, Soft Response boasts an ultra-low 35 compression core. If you are looking for an all-out budget urethane golf ball, this one offers good performance, especially in the short game. Now, admittedly, the long game performance was not as good as others in this list, or other golf balls on the market, but we think, given the price, the value on offer here is excellent, so it's certainly one of the best cheap golf balls on the market.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. I suggest golfers with visual impairments select the easier-to-follow yellow balls. There are no performance or price differences between the 2 options. It comes down to personal choice. On the course, both balls launched well and reached a healthy peak height that meant shots held the greens well. I personally prefer using the standard white TaylorMade Soft Response golf balls because I’ve always played white models. However, I did enjoy the high-visibility yellow golf ball for its ease of traceability in the air. I feel it’s a valuable asset to golfers with visual impairments tired of losing sight of their ball in the sky or in the cabbage patch.

The heightened spin rate continued into the middle irons as I exceeded my 7-iron average of 6,000 rpm by 650 rpm. I noticed the increased spin rate enabled my ball to bite faster on approach, enhancing my control. 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. For example, the design team shows a ball getting squashed from the side to represent the low-compression core. I also liked the image of a ball shooting forward to highlight the Hi-Spring Construction. Colors

Fitting Considerations

I was apprehensive to test such a soft-feeling ball as I didn’t want to lose distance. With my wedges, I didn’t lose much distance but with a driver and 7 iron I was losing around 10 yards which was disappointing but was to be expected from such a soft golf ball. As mentioned previously the Response range from TaylorMade is designed for a mid-range golfer with a lower compression rate so someone with a slower swing speed may not see this drop in distance. Although they’re priced higher than the Wilson Zip, Distance +, and Warbird, the Soft Response golf balls are still attractive to the average golfer. High Visibility Yellow Contrary to most distance balls, TaylorMade inserted a middle layer between the low compression core and the soft ionomer cover. An ionomer Speed Mantle Layer works tirelessly to increase energy transfer and ball speed while restricting spin. 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. 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).

Soft or firm? -Golf ballscome in alternative versions that spin slightly less for players who prefer a firmer feel or more control off the tee. Alternatively, chances are if you are on this guide you want a softer-feeling golf ball that aids feel and spin around the greens instead. As such work out what kind of feel you like from your golf ball and then find a model accordingly.Sam is a member of North Hants Golf Club in Fleet, Hampshire, where he won the club championship 3 times in succession from 2015-2017. His golfing highlight to date is shooting a round of 10-under 60 at his home club, narrowly missing a wedge shot for a magical 59. I welcomed the enhanced lift to delay my landing on long shots, optimizing my carry distance. However, the higher flight caused my ball to land rapidly, which reduced its total roll. The rapid landing of the Soft Response was a welcome feature on approach shots, enhancing my control. Alignment Arrow That’s a significant distance advantage for the Tour Response with a 7-iron. With driver, Tour Response was an average of 6 yards longer than with Soft Response in launch monitor testing. Ball speed on driver testing was slower across the board with the softer ball. The Tour Response has a firm feel but in short game tests, it was hard to tell the difference between it and more premium models like the TP5 and TP5 X. Ball Flight 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.

The decision between the two is simply a matter of where you fall on the price vs. performance curve. 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. Instead of my average 5-yard roll average, the Soft Response golf balls produced 3.8 yards, highlighting the faster bite. Launch and Flight

Affordable (by Market Standards)

On mid to long iron shots, both balls had the same stable straighter flight you expect from the best TaylorMade golf balls and deviated less than other mid-range golf balls. 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.