Many golfers keep playing well into the fall and winter months, and one of the most overlooked pieces of gear during chilly rounds is the golf ball.
Temperature affects compression, distance, and feel, which makes your choice of golf ball even more important. The good news? TaylorMade offers several models that are well-suited for cold and crisp morning rounds.
Whether you're braving winter golf or just teeing it up on a frosty spring morning, understanding how TaylorMade balls react in cold weather can help you choose the right one.
Understanding Cold Weather Effects on Golf Balls
Cold weather has a measurable effect on ball flight. In cooler air, the ball becomes firmer and less responsive, which leads to shorter distance and reduced spin.
Balls built for high swing speeds may feel even firmer than usual, making it more difficult to get proper launch. That’s why many golfers opt for a lower-compression ball in colder months.
TaylorMade offers options that retain feel and distance, which can help you maintain consistency throughout the season.
Which Ones to Use?
If you’re playing in temperatures under 55°F (13°C), it’s smart to consider a ball like the Soft Response or Tour Response. These models have lower compression ratings and softer covers, which compress more easily even in the cold.
The Soft Response, in particular, is engineered for players with swing speeds under 90 mph, making it perfect for both off-season practice rounds. Its low-compression core responds well in cool air and helps you generate launch and carry.
The Tour Response provides a step up in spin and structure while still offering soft feel and moderate compression, making it great for golfers who want tour-like response with winter flexibility.
What About the TP5 and TP5x?
If you usually play TP5 or TP5x, the answer depends on your swing speed and tolerance for firmness.
TP5 has a slightly softer feel and lower compression than the TP5x, making it the better of the two for colder conditions. It still features the five-layer construction and high spin performance, but the softer overall feel makes it more manageable on cold days.
TP5x, on the other hand, is a firmer ball optimized for high swing speeds and warm-weather energy transfer. In cold air, it may feel too hard off the face and reduce both distance and control—especially for mid- and slower-speed players.
In freezing conditions, you may want to rotate to a softer model temporarily, even if TP5x is your go-to during the regular season.
Keeping Your Game Warm
Even with the right ball, you can do a few things to help performance on chilly days:
Keep a second ball in your pocket and rotate them between holes
Bring your balls in from the cold before a round
Use hand warmers and thermal gloves to maintain feel
Little habits like these can improve your results and make your cold-weather rounds more enjoyable—even with less-than-perfect conditions.
Should You Switch Balls in Winter?
Winter golf means adjusting your equipment slightly, but with the right choice, you can still play at a high level.
TaylorMade's lineup includes models that are built for cold conditions. From Soft Response to Tour Response and even TP5, there are options for every type of player—no matter the season.
Many golfers keep playing well into the fall and winter months, and one of the most overlooked pieces of gear during chilly rounds is the golf ball.
Temperature affects compression, distance, and feel, which makes your choice of golf ball even more important. The good news? TaylorMade offers several models that are well-suited for cold and crisp morning rounds.
Whether you're braving winter golf or just teeing it up on a frosty spring morning, understanding how TaylorMade balls react in cold weather can help you choose the right one.
Understanding Cold Weather Effects on Golf Balls
Cold weather has a measurable effect on ball flight. In cooler air, the ball becomes firmer and less responsive, which leads to shorter distance and reduced spin.
Balls built for high swing speeds may feel even firmer than usual, making it more difficult to get proper launch. That’s why many golfers opt for a lower-compression ball in colder months.
TaylorMade offers options that retain feel and distance, which can help you maintain consistency throughout the season.
Which Ones to Use?
If you’re playing in temperatures under 55°F (13°C), it’s smart to consider a ball like the Soft Response or Tour Response. These models have lower compression ratings and softer covers, which compress more easily even in the cold.
The Soft Response, in particular, is engineered for players with swing speeds under 90 mph, making it perfect for both off-season practice rounds. Its low-compression core responds well in cool air and helps you generate launch and carry.
The Tour Response provides a step up in spin and structure while still offering soft feel and moderate compression, making it great for golfers who want tour-like response with winter flexibility.
What About the TP5 and TP5x?
If you usually play TP5 or TP5x, the answer depends on your swing speed and tolerance for firmness.
TP5 has a slightly softer feel and lower compression than the TP5x, making it the better of the two for colder conditions. It still features the five-layer construction and high spin performance, but the softer overall feel makes it more manageable on cold days.
TP5x, on the other hand, is a firmer ball optimized for high swing speeds and warm-weather energy transfer. In cold air, it may feel too hard off the face and reduce both distance and control—especially for mid- and slower-speed players.
In freezing conditions, you may want to rotate to a softer model temporarily, even if TP5x is your go-to during the regular season.
Keeping Your Game Warm
Even with the right ball, you can do a few things to help performance on chilly days:
Keep a second ball in your pocket and rotate them between holes
Bring your balls in from the cold before a round
Use hand warmers and thermal gloves to maintain feel
Little habits like these can improve your results and make your cold-weather rounds more enjoyable—even with less-than-perfect conditions.
Should You Switch Balls in Winter?
Winter golf means adjusting your equipment slightly, but with the right choice, you can still play at a high level.
TaylorMade's lineup includes models that are built for cold conditions. From Soft Response to Tour Response and even TP5, there are options for every type of player—no matter the season.