The TaylorMade Tour Response Stripe golf ball came out in 2022 and has been hugely popular.
It’s a three-piece ball, compared to the five layers of the TP5, and there is a lot to like about it.
1) This is a ball that is aimed at the club golfer who has a moderate to fast swing speed.
The stand-out feature is the cast urethane cover which is the same as on TaylorMade’s premium balls. So you will notice a great sound and premium feel and spin around the greens.
2) There is also the same dimple pattern which is found in the TP5. This is the first time that this has been used in the Tour Response and it also features something called Speedmantle with HFM.
Put simply, this is a firmer second layer that helps the ball explode off the face with a faster ball speed.
3) The visuals are something else when it comes to alignment. Golf ball manufacturers have moved the designs to new levels in recent years with more colours and tools to help you get lined up and the Stripe has an advanced visual tech called 360° ClearPath Alignment.
This is huge to help with a) lining a putt up and b) giving you feedback to see if the putt is rolling end over end. You can also use the stripe to line yourself up off the tee, to help square the clubface up or even to set up for a draw or a fade.
Where you might find it a bit unsettling is from the fairway when the stripe might be pointing away from the target but this is something that you’ll get used to in time.
4) TaylorMade make things very clear with their marketing spiel ‘The Tour Response family is built on a single principle: Tour quality performance, for less money.’
The Stripe is £10 cheaper than TaylorMade’s premium balls and there are also four colour options if the garish green isn’t for you. And if the Stripe isn’t for you there is also a simpler white or yellow option.
5) This is a very versatile ball, striking a great balance between distance, spin and feel which makes it ideal for mid-handicappers.
With a compression rating of around 70 (the TP5 is around 87), it works with moderate swing speeds as it’s easy to compress and produce good ball speed.
