50 Words or Less
The 2018 TaylorMade Project a golf ball is a great value. Tour ball performance for well below tour ball prices.
Introduction
A few years ago, TaylorMade introduced the original Project a golf ball. The concept was simple and very appealing: give the recreational player a ball that spins like a tour ball around the green and is long for the average player. For 2018, Project a has been upgraded with a new core and the same dimple pattern you’ll find on the TP5 and TP5x golf balls. We tested it to see if it’s still one of the best values in golf.
Feel
Thanks to the urethane cover, the Project a golf ball has the soft feel of a tour ball when you’re putting. Impact produces a soft “tock” that’s similar to the TP5. If you want to split hairs, I would place the Project a between the TP5 and TP5x in terms of softness, but I suspect most players would find them indistinguishable.
Where the Project a differs from the TP5 balls is on the irons and wedges. With those clubs, it has the soft, heavy feel of a low compression ball. When I got to the long irons and driver, I found that the difference was barely noticeable.
Short Game
With the wedges, the Project a is on a level with any tour ball that I’ve tested. From full swings to pitches, this ball spins like a top. If you have the short game skills, the Project a can execute any shot you want.
Long Game
Moving into the irons, I found the Project a to be right between the TP5 and TP5x. Said another way, it has spin characteristics similar to your prototypical tour ball. There’s enough spin to shape your shots, if you want to, and ample spin to hold a green.
The driver is the one area where the Project a was not as strong as the TP5 balls for me. While the spin numbers were good, the ball speed was slightly lower with the Project a. The difference was minimal – 1-2 MPH – but, like every golfer, I want every bit of distance I can get from the tee.
Conclusion
At $35/dozen, and available in white or yellow, the TaylorMade Project a is a strong performer and an excellent value. If your driver swing speed is under 100 MPH, you may be better off with the Project a than the more expensive TP5, and players in the 100 MPH range may not be able to tell the difference.
Buy TaylorMade Project a Golf Balls HERE
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He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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10 Comments
So why bother with TP5(X) for anybody unless they can get the balls at a heavy discount or they are Tour level players? Seems like TM is putting competition out within their own brand.
Zach,
Mike Fox answers that question in more depth on the podcast that came out today: https://pluggedingolf.com/podcast-episode-7-mike-fox-taylormade-golf/
The short answer is: TP5 and TP5x will give you more ball speed and more short game spin, by a small margin.
Best,
Matt
Nice, information piece, Matt. I learned a lot about the TM balls. Have you reviewed the Kirkland balls offered by Costco? Very interested in hearing your findings on them. Keep up the great work, sir.
Dan,
Thanks.
I haven’t reviewed the Costco balls because 1) they’re always sold out, or so it seems and 2) they’re not always the same ball. They’ve packaged a couple of different balls under that same Kirkland label.
Best,
Matt
Great write up Matt. I like the TP5x but not the price. How would these balls compare to TM Tour Prefered X or Snell MTB? Those are the two balls I play the most. Thanks
Dean,
I’m not too familiar with the TM Tour Preferred. The Snell MTB is similar to the Project a, but much firmer.
Best,
Matt
Kirkland has just released the new 4 piece ball, that seems like the last ball it had out and also a 3 piece ball that seems similar to the Project a ball. I would love for you to test the Kirkland 3 piece to see how it holds up. I was able to order both online at Costco just 2 days ago and they have already shipped.
Hi Mike
Can you now comment on the difference between the two Costco balls?
Thanks
Hi Mike. Is there a difference between project a balls with red lettering than those with black lettering? Thanks
Larry,
That’s a good question. I don’t know for certain. If I were to guess the color might indicate different years or batches but I would doubt there is a difference between the balls.
Best,
Matt