TaylorMade Introduces Project (a) Golf Ball

[Tony Covey MGS]

I'd put this up on the front page, but I swear to god, one more front page TaylorMade story in the next few days and we're likely to have a revolt on our hands. As always, they're keeping busy, and not for anything, the new PROJECT (a) probably deserves front page attention. It's almost a shame I had to forum-bind it.

 

This is TaylorMade we're talking about, so I don't think anyone would fault you even one itty bit if you were to assume that the 'a' stands for AWESOME SAUCE, but it actually stands for amateur. Yup...PROJECT (a) is TaylorMade's latest ball specifically designed with the amateur in mind.

 

And here's the thing; in talking with Josh Talge and Lindsay Main from TaylorMade's ball team I came to believe two things about TaylorMade's 2014 Ball Lineup.

 

1. They believe Tour Preferred is the best Tour Ball they've ever made, and that it's good enough to compete with anything else at that level (and that includes the untouchable Pro V1).

 

2. They believe that PROJECT (a) is absolutely best in its class (it's positioned alongside the NXT series and things of that ilk...what I generally call B-tier balls). 

 

It's really a shame that TaylorMade isn't putting out the info that shows things like PROJECT (a)'s Spin Slope (basically the difference between driver spin and iron spin) comparisons, because what I saw suggests a ball that offers lower spin off the driver, and more spin from the irons, and around the green.

 

Worth noting...and you can bet it's included in the press release below, the PROJECT (a) is one of only a few Urethane (softer) covered balls at the +/-$30 price point ($31.99).

 

Keep an Eye On Pebble Beach

As you might know, this week is the annual AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm (where Bill Murray will once again prove that he peaked at Caddy Shack, and hasn't been much in the way of funny since). As with any ProAm, there will be lots of Ams playing with the Pros, and so TaylorMade believes this is the ideal spot to introduce the amateur golfing world (that's you...and me) to the new ball. 

I know what they're trying to do. I don't know if it's going to work, but if it does, it could make PROJECT (a) the most relevant ball in golf...for a few minutes anyway.

 

FULL PRESS RELEASE

 

TaylorMade Golf Company Introduces

the PROJECT (a) Golf Ball

 

Specifically designed to help amateurs control the ball like a Tour pro

into and around the green

 

CARLSBAD, Calif. (February 3, 2014) â€“ TaylorMade Golf Company today announced PROJECT (a), a golf ball engineered to promote more spin and improved performance where amateurs need it most, into and around the green.

 

The “a” in Project (a) stands for “amateur,” and the reason for its creation is simple: Amateur golfers generate less spin than Tour professionals. Project (a) is designed to deliver more spin on mid irons, short irons and shots around the green; resulting in enhanced control and increased scoring opportunities.

 

 

“Having gathered data from many player types including Tour pros, it's no secret that amateurs need help generating spin and stopping the ball on the green,” said Dean Snell, vice president of golf ball R&D. “Our tests indicate that amateurs miss the pin by an average of 35 yards on a 150 yard approach shot. Playing Project (a) gives amateur golfers a better chance at stopping the ball on the green, creating better scoring opportunities.”

 

The high-spin performance of Project (a) is rooted in Soft Techâ„¢, a cast urethane cover that's TaylorMade's softest and most durable to date. At $31.99 per dozen, Project (a) is one of few golf balls at its price point with a urethane cover.  Soft Tech is likewise used in TaylorMade's new Tour Preferred franchise.

 

 

Click image to view Project (a) product video

 

In addition to delivering excellent spin performance, the Soft Tech cover also provides an even softer feel around the greens than previous TaylorMade offerings. The ball's durability provides higher resistance to shearing.

 

While Project (a) spins with great veracity on shots into the green, it's also engineered to spin low off the driver to promote longer and straighter drives. 

 

Project (a) also incorporates additional TaylorMade patented and proven technologies, including:

·         REACTâ„¢ Core for greater ball speed on all shots for increased distance.

·         Spin Mantleâ„¢ designed to deliver precise and consistent spin rates on given shots throughout the bag.

Project (a) is available now at retail for $31.99 per dozen. For more information, please visitwww.taylormadegolf.com

[JohnBarry]

Willing to give them a try for sure.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

These guys aren't sitting still, are they?

[Tony Covey MGS]

These guys aren't sitting still, are they?

 

I'm convinced the PR guy is at the controls right now, and the dude thrives on chaos. Any stagnation and the blood clots.

[JBones]

I didn't hear anything about this while out there, all the talk was about the new Tour Preffered ball, which is hands down the best ball they have ever made. "Amateur" covers a very broad area; any idea what kind of swing speeds they're trying to pair this ball with?

[hckymeyer]

I didn't hear anything about this while out there, all the talk was about the new Tour Preffered ball, which is hands down the best ball they have ever made. "Amateur" covers a very broad area; any idea what kind of swing speeds they're trying to pair this ball with?

Isn't this the replacement for the RBZ Urethane they were talking about?  They didn't give many details, just that there was a replacement coming soon, it would have a urethane cover and be a competitor to the NXT lineup.

[dru_]

We did hear a snippet, but I misheard it as Project 8, not A.  I like the retention of the name, and if this ball fits the model I think it does, I am *really* interested to see how it plays.

 

I've already got a stack of balls to try for this season

[Krizar]

I played a sleeve of the RBZ Urethanes last year and really liked them. If this is an improvement on that ball, I'm in. Though it may be later in the season, I found the RBZU on blow out for $13/dozen and bought 6 boxes. 

[snoopy]

very cool, i'll definitely pick up a sleeve and try them. i actually saw these on the TMaG Japan website a while ago and thought they were a JDM product only!

 

Looks like there will be one more line of golf balls to be introduced from the Japan site in addition to this, the TAYLORMADE DISTANCE line of balls in Tour White and Tour Yellow offerings, pretty cool

 

http://japan.taylormadegolf.com/product_detail-483-overview.html

[revkev]

What does this say about the one ball schtick from three seasons ago?