Unless you are an avid golfer, you may not be aware that golf balls do not all look and behave the same way. For better results in your golf games, it’s worth looking into these different golf balls so that you have advantages in aspects such as distance and control. A lot of what makes you a good golfer is not just about skill, it’s also about the equipment you choose.
However, there are many golf balls on the market today which claim to have the power to improve your golf game, but most of the time it’s empty promises, and you’re left with the same results.
Or if they do manage to live up to one of their promises, it is done in favor of something else, and they fall short elsewhere, surely there is a golf ball out there that can deliver everything it says it will? TaylorMade is a golf brand that has continuously made an impact on the golf equipment market.
They are best known for its technological advancements and innovation which has allowed them to engineer golf balls that are high in quality, precision, and performance whilst still being affordable.
In this review we will talk about the TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball and if they are any good including the design, performance, and the advantages and disadvantages that come along with them.
TaylorMade Distance+
Design
Manufactured in South Carolina, the TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball is designed as a 2-piece construction which means that the ball has a solid rubber core and a plastic cover surrounding it. Two-piece golf balls are a very popular option among newer golfers, budget golfers, and those with a slower swing.
The performance of these balls depends on how they are engineered by changing the core size, compression, and cover softness. They are usually used to improve distance as the core produces a high level of velocity when struck.
Another feature of a 2-piece ball is that they are lower spinning so when it is hit by a messy hook spin, for example, the ball will not be as affected and will fly straighter than an ordinary ball would. 2-piece golf balls are also generally more durable as the cover is less likely to get scratched or cut.
The TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball has a 60-golf ball compression which comes under the low compression category, it is best used for those with slower speed swings such as beginners and seniors.
If the compression was higher, the ball would have more control but in order to utilize it, you have to hit it faster so is better for slow swings.
When talking about golf balls, compression is the way in which the deflection is measured and is done using a scale from one to 200 with 0 meaning the ball decreases well and 200 meaning that it doesn’t.
If a golf ball has a lower pressure, it will be able to decrease more to create more length and are usually smoother. Higher-pressure golf balls offer more control so are best suited for those with faster-than-average swings.
The cover surrounding the core is made from a soft ionomer and has 342 dimples which make it less air resistant by creating a thin layer of air that sticks to the surface of the ball so even if you do it is relatively slow, it will still do its best at shooting through the air.
These golf balls also have a feature that allows you to see if you have made a glancing or straight stroke just by looking at the alignment pattern that wraps around the circumference of the ball. This also helps you to line it up with your putt.
Another great thing about these golf balls is that they are very affordable and only cost around $1 per ball which in part is due to the increase in competition from other golf ball brands. From retailers, they come in a box of 12 and are neatly packed into tubes for easy storage.
Performance
As mentioned before, these golf balls are best for high handicapped golfers and for those who are beginners or less physically able to put a lot of power behind their swings.
The wonderful thing about these particular golf balls is that they will make you feel like a pro with the amount of distance that you will be able to reach with them.
If you are a golfer with a swing speed that is above average, it is not recommended that you get these golf balls because you will likely find them less responsive due o their low compression rate. Golf balls that have a compression rating of more than 90 would be better suited.
They also feel a bit harder than expected for a golf ball that is made for those with slower swings, but this helps to get more control. As well as working better with slower swings, soft golf balls provide a better path and more range.
Pros
- Outer layer has 342 dimples which makes it more aerodynamic and creates less drag
- The speed is maintained by the medium compression rating and hard outside cover
- Alignment aid on the ball that you can use to help with putting
- You can choose between a white and yellow color ball
- Very affordable
Cons
- The ball feels hard which some people may not like
- Is not as good quality as premium golf balls
- Not as intuitive on short game putts and chips
Frequently Asked Questions
There are four different types of golf balls that are categorized by their layers. The most popular type is the 2 piece and 3-piece golf ball which has small cores with a shell wrapped around it usually made from urethane or surlyn.
A 2-piece ball – such as the TaylorMade Distance Plus is able to fly straighter and have less spin which is great for those with a higher handicap. Not only this, but they are also the cheapest type of golf ball which is one of the reasons why they are so popular.
The 3-piece golf ball has an increased spin and feel in comparison to the 2-piece ball but still achieves a lot of distance. The performance of the 3-piece golf balls makes the higher price worth it.
Finally, there are the golf balls that have multiple layers which are much more expensive and tend to only be used by golfers who mean business. If you lose one of these balls on the course, you will likely spend hours hunting it down because of how much you spent on it but the performance that they offer with a very high level of control and feel means more to some people than the price tag.
The least common golf ball type is the 1-piece and is usually only seen on the driving range but is very durable and cheap. Because they are so basic and cheap to make, they are also used for beginners where it doesn’t matter so much if it gets lost in a lake and at crazy golf courses where they are not needed to perform traditionally.
The dimples on golf balls are not just put there for decoration, instead, they play a major part in how the ball performs depending on the placement, depth, and amount of dimples that are present.
Between the 14th and 17th centuries, golf balls were smooth but could only be hit at around 75 meters so when dimples were added in 1905, they traveled twice as far and since then the game has been changed and golf balls have never looked back.
It is a consensus that the more dimples a golf ball has, the higher it will travel into the air, but it’s important to get the balance right as too many dimples will make it go too far up into the air and thus lose distance.
Most golf balls today have around 300 to 500 dimples at about 0.010-inches deep. Dimples are usually spherical but in 2002 a new dimple design was introduced that was a hexagonal shape instead which made them more aerodynamic.
There are two forces that come into play when you hit your golf ball off of the tee which is lift and drag. The ball is lifted into the air by the lift force and the drag is the contact and interaction of the golf ball with the air.
So, for the golf ball to go further, the lift needs to be increased, and the drag needs to be decreased which is what the dimples are for.
Dimples work by acting as little pockets of turbulence which allows air to move smoothly and lightly around the ball. This is an area that the TaylorMade Distance Plus achieves well in as it has 342 dimples that allow it to travel long distances with less force behind the ball.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the TaylorMade Distance Plus golf ball is an excellent choice for beginners, children, and seniors because it gives you a better chance at performing how you want to.
As well as distance, they give you a lot more speed due to their aerodynamic dimples and medium compression core. They also have less of a spin, so you don’t have to get the shot completely right for it to go in the right direction.
The alignment system on the outside of the ball lets you line it up with your putt accurately, and you can pick between white or yellow for even higher visibility, a great feature to have when you’re a beginner and your golf balls end up in every bush possible, to begin with!
They are also very durable due to the outside ionomer layer especially if you give them a quick wipe down with a cloth after every few games to get them to last longer.
However, as good as these golf balls are – in a way you are paying for the quality that you get so if you are looking for higher-performance balls you will have to invest in some premium ones. But until then these TaylorMade Distance Plus golf balls will be the perfect addition to your golfing equipment.
This is why we decided to set up our site, Better Golf, to provide high-quality information that’s accessible to everyone. From newbies, to seasoned golfers, this site covers everything you need to know. Through this site, we will be discussing all the important details.
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