Equipment
Co-designed by Rickie Fowler, 2020 TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X Pix golf balls feature new ClearPath Alignment System
TaylorMade Golf has unveiled the all-new TP5 and TP5x Pix golf balls, which are co-developed by Rickie Fowler and feature the brand’s new ClearPath Alignment System.
Inspired by Fowler’s insights, the second generation of the Pix golf ball contains the all-new ClearPath Alignment System, which features a uniquely positioned single TaylorMade logo aligned with the TP5/TP5x stamp, which is designed to form a natural pathway through the center of the ball.

Twelve multi-color graphics frame the single TaylorMade logo and TP5/TP5x stamp to form the company’s new ClearPath Alignment System, which not only aims to help with a player’s alignment but also seeks to provide feedback on the quality of the roll by allowing golfers to see the ball roll end-over-end.

Speaking on the creation of the new TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X Pix balls, which he will put into play at this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, Fowler said
“The Pix graphics give you a precise focal point to work with. When we started developing the new design, one of my first comments was if we didn’t have the full TaylorMade logo in two places, we would have space to create a path that works for alignment and feedback.”

For the first time, Pix is available in both TP5 and TP5x models. Both feature TaylorMade’s five-layer construction designed to achieve enhanced speed while still offering complete tee-to-green performance.
Like it’s predecessor, the TP5 and TP5X contain the brand’s Speed-Layer System which is comprised of four increasingly stiff layers that feature HFM. According to the company, HFM is a tightly wound spring that, when compressed, generates more rebound energy for more ball speed.

The ball’s Tri-Fast Core consists of an extra-large, low-compression inner core (16 compression in TP5, 25 compression in TP5x) and a progressively stiffer outer core and mantle. The three layers are designed to work in conjunction to provide golfers with a ball that creates lower drag and increased carry.
Completing the new additions from TaylorMade is the Dual-Spin Cover containing an ultra-soft cast urethane cover and a 30 percent more rigid inner cover. The rigid inner cover is designed to force the soft urethane cover into wedge grooves for maximum spin generation, creating the perfect condition for maximum greenside control.

Speaking on the new balls, Michael Fox, TaylorMade Category Director – Golf Ball & Accessories stated
“We learned a lot in the development of the first generation of pix, but through our partnership with Rickie Fowler we’ve learned even more. His vital feedback led directly to the development of the ClearPath Alignment System. It’s not just about unique cool designs that are easier to see, it’s now validated at the top of the pyramid with a performance benefit like nothing else out there. It’s the ideal combination of style and function.”

The TP5 and TP5x Pix will be available at retail on 2/28 at an MSRP of $44.99 per dozen.
Whats in the Bag
Christiaan Maas WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Wedges: TaylorMade Prototype (50-SB09), TaylorMade MG5 (56-HB12, 60-LV07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400


Putter: TaylorMade TP Juno

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Christiaan Maas’ clubs here.
Equipment
TaylorMade MySpider Tour and Tour X: More customizable build options now available
TaylorMade Golf’s MySpider program underwent a substantial overhaul over the last month. Firstly, the company launched the option to customize the Spider ZT model, and now the program has returned with the MySpider Tour and MySpider Tour X.
The revamped page now gives golfers complete control over every visual and functional detail of their putter on the popular Tour and Tour X head, with every cosmetic idea thought of. In MySpider Tour, golfers can choose from four head finishes, 16 paint fill colors, nine Surlyn face insert colors, three aluminum insert options, six sightline configurations, and four hosel options — L-neck, small slant, double bend, center shaft. Six sightline options are available in MySpider Tour, including the optically engineered True Path alignment system. MySpider Tour X gives builders the option of four head finishes, four hosel configurations, and five sightline options, also including True Path alignment.
One of the more interesting features of the new MySpider program is the availability of three distinct face insert options. Along with the usual Surlyn Pure Roll insert trusted by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, which can be customized from nine colors, golfers can now also select firmer options. Two are offered with the black aluminum Pure Roll insert, slightly firmer than the traditional insert, or for the firmest feel, golfers can choose from two colors of milled aluminum inserts.

Another fun addition to the MySpider Tour is the ability to use the “Tommy Sightline.” The custom alignment aid design, which was first drawn onto Tommy Fleetwood’s putter by PGA Tour Rep James Holley, is based on the milled sightline on his Spider ZT head. There are five shorter lines on the left and right of a longer central line serving as the traditional short line alignment aid.
See below for the full specifications sheet for MySpider Tour and Tour X:
MySpider Tour

MySpider Tour X

Equipment
Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory
In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.
McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.
So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?
Driver
2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)

McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.
What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)
The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.
Fairway woods
2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X

The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.

The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.
Irons
2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0

The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.
With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.
Wedges
2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.
Putter
2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X

Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.
Ball
2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)
As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
Grips
2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC
Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.
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Jerry
Jan 29, 2020 at 7:40 pm
At first glance, based on the color scheme I thought this was an old article from Halloween. As several others commented, how about something truly useful, optic yellow.
hl
Jan 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm
nothing better than a bunch of high handicappers bagging on a professional with multiple wins, solely cause he’s never won a major. Clowns
BD
Jan 29, 2020 at 6:10 pm
My eyes rolled so much that I think they did a 360.
Patrick
Jan 29, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Nothing like waiting for some hack to take 2 minutes to line it up just right…. and come up three feet short.
dat
Jan 29, 2020 at 3:23 pm
load of marketing bs
steve
Jan 29, 2020 at 2:19 pm
“Inspired by Fowler’s insights, the second generation of the Pix golf ball contains the all-new ClearPath Alignment System, which features a uniquely positioned single TaylorMade logo aligned with the TP5/TP5x stamp, which is designed to form a natural pathway through the center of the ball.”
So were just making up names and thinking its innovative, huh?
Chris
Jan 29, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Fowler designed it? Sweet so I’ll miss the cut and never win a major as well.
ScottBinSLC
Jan 29, 2020 at 12:53 pm
TP5 in Optic Yellow needed. Nuff said
MF
Jan 29, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Coming in April
SJT
Jan 29, 2020 at 12:21 pm
I am still hoping to see the TP5x in Optic Yellow. Not a fan of the Pix look. I think it is actually distracting.
John
Jan 29, 2020 at 12:02 pm
No i will never use a taylor made ball.. enough of fowler
steve
Jan 29, 2020 at 10:36 am
Its not really working for Fowler
D
Jan 29, 2020 at 10:32 am
Did anyone even see someone play the old TP5 Pix golf ball? I never saw one on golf course last year.
David
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:51 am
TP5 is my preferred ball. Only thing I would change is to add a simple black line for putting alignment. Just a black line that won’t wear off like a sharpie does. I wish they would at least offer a black line as a customization option. I can take or leave the other “pix” graphics, doesn’t bother me but also doesn’t add value for me personally.
Jim Thomson
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:38 am
Interesting that Canadian bilingual packaging is pictured.
JP
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:32 am
This is getting stupid. Roll out a new graphic every few months and claim it’s revolutionary. Callaway beat you to it with Truvis and you just keep trying to keep up. TP5 & TP5X are great balls indeed, but really?!?
JP
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:38 am
Oh yeah, Callaway also beat you to Triple Track too. Haha
Will TM now make a matching clearpath alignment putter? LOL
Patrick Reed
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:36 pm
Nice input JP. Might want to look in retail stores at the new Callaway putter that’s identical to TM’s spider putter. The ignorant posts I see on this website is unbelievable.
JP
Jan 30, 2020 at 12:30 pm
CHEATER!!!
JD
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:18 am
The quality of my eye roll while reading this article was much improved over last years model.
joe
Jan 29, 2020 at 9:28 am
HAHAHA, perfect.