TaylorMade Soft Response golf balls are a three-piece, low compression ball made for golfers with moderate swing speeds who want soft feel without giving up ball speed. TaylorMade calls it its softest ball, and the 2022 version dropped overall compression to 50, down from 60 on the previous model. If your drives are not flying as far as they used to, this is one of the first balls worth testing.
We get a steady stream of questions about this model, usually from players comparing it to Tour Response or from buyers picking a gift ball for a parent or a senior league. Here is the plain English breakdown.
What Is the TaylorMade Soft Response?
The Soft Response sits in the middle of TaylorMade's lineup. It is softer and more forgiving than the TP5 tour balls, and it offers more greenside feel than the two-piece Distance+.
According to TaylorMade's own Soft Response product page, the ball is built from three parts:
- A very soft inner core that compresses easily at slower speeds.
- SpeedMantle layer: a firmer second layer designed to transfer energy efficiently at impact and bring ball speed back up.
- Ionomer cover: re-engineered for a bit more greenside spin while keeping a soft feel.
TaylorMade also uses an Extended Flight dimple pattern with steeper, shallower dimples intended to cut drag and hold the ball in the air for more carry. The ball comes in white and yellow.
Why Low Compression Helps Slower Swings
Compression measures how much a ball squashes at impact. A player with a slower swing cannot deform a firm ball very much, so energy is lost and the ball feels like a rock.
A 50 compression ball like the Soft Response flexes more easily. That usually means:
- Better energy transfer for swing speeds that are not in the tour range.
- Softer feel on every shot, including putts.
- Less spin off the driver, which can reduce slices and hooks.
The engineering trick is the SpeedMantle. A soft core alone would feel great but could feel slow. Putting a faster, firmer mantle around it recovers speed. In Golf Digest's 2022 launch coverage, TaylorMade's engineers explained that the resilient mantle is what lets them keep a soft cover and still bump up speed.
If you are unsure where you fall, our explainer on low compression vs high compression golf balls walks through how to match compression to your swing.
Soft Response vs Tour Response vs Distance+
These three TaylorMade balls get compared constantly. The table below shows the real differences.
|
Feature |
Soft Response |
Tour Response |
Distance+ |
|
Construction |
3-piece |
3-piece |
2-piece |
|
Cover |
Ionomer |
Cast urethane |
Ionomer |
|
Feel |
Softest in lineup |
Soft, tour style |
Firmer |
|
Greenside spin |
Moderate |
High |
Low |
|
Best swing speed |
Moderate and slower |
Moderate to fast |
All, distance focused |
|
Ideal player |
Feel first, forgiving |
Wants spin and control |
Wants value distance |
The short version:
- Choose Soft Response if feel and easy speed matter most.
- Choose Tour Response if you want urethane spin on wedges and chips. Our TaylorMade Tour Response review covers that ball in depth.
- Choose Distance+ if you want the lowest cost per ball and mostly care about carry.
Who Should Play the TaylorMade Soft Response?
This ball fits a wide group of golfers:
- Seniors and players regaining lost distance. The low compression core helps slower swings get more out of each strike.
- Beginners and high handicappers who want a forgiving ball that still feels good around the green.
- Women golfers with moderate swing speeds who find tour balls too firm.
- Anyone who hates a clicky feel off the putter face.
A simple way to test the fit: play three holes with your current ball, then three with the Soft Response, hitting the same clubs. Pay attention to how far your 7 iron carries, how the ball feels off the putter, and whether your drives curve less. Most golfers know within a few holes whether a softer ball suits them. If you notice more carry and a quieter feel, you have your answer. If your shots balloon or feel mushy, you likely have enough speed for a firmer ball.
Faster swingers can play it too, but they may see a lower, spinnier flight than they want and could lose some control on full shots. If your driver speed is well above average, a firmer tour ball will likely serve you better.
How It Plays on the Course
- Driver: high launch with low spin. Expect a straighter flight than a spinny tour ball.
- Irons: soft feel with moderate stopping power. It lands a little hotter than a urethane ball.
- Short game: the updated ionomer cover gives more bite than older soft two-piece balls, but it will not check like a TP5.
- Putting: noticeably soft and quiet, which many golfers love.
Customizing Soft Response Golf Balls
The Soft Response is a great canvas for personalization, and it is a popular pick when the recipient is a senior or casual golfer. From what we see in our print shop:
- White balls handle full color logos and photos with the most detail.
- Yellow balls look sharp with dark, bold one or two color designs and short text like a name or date.
- Ionomer covers hold prints well over many rounds because they resist scuffing.
You can browse the full range in our custom TaylorMade golf balls collection. If budget is the main concern, compare pricing on our cheap TaylorMade golf balls page. For a Tour Response alternative with a urethane cover, see the TaylorMade Tour Response golf balls product page.
Is It Worth the Price?
At launch, Golf Digest listed the Soft Response at about $30 a dozen, which placed it well below TaylorMade's tour balls. Prices change by season and retailer, so check current pricing before you buy.
For golfers with moderate swing speeds, we think the value is clear: you get three-piece construction, a soft feel, and speed technology built for your swing, not a tour pro's. For faster swingers who want wedge spin, Tour Response or TP5 is a better use of the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the compression of the TaylorMade Soft Response?
The 2022 TaylorMade Soft Response has an overall compression of 50, ten points lower than the previous version. It is TaylorMade's softest golf ball.
Is the Soft Response a two-piece or three-piece ball?
It is a three-piece ball with a soft inner core, a firmer SpeedMantle layer, and an ionomer cover.
What is the difference between Soft Response and Tour Response?
Soft Response uses an ionomer cover and focuses on soft feel for moderate swing speeds. Tour Response uses a cast urethane cover for more greenside spin and a tour style feel.
Is the TaylorMade Soft Response good for seniors?
Yes. Its low compression and soft core help slower swings produce more ball speed, which makes it a strong option for senior golfers and anyone regaining distance.
Can I get TaylorMade Soft Response golf balls with a custom logo?
Yes. The Soft Response takes custom logos, names, and photos well. White balls show the most color detail, while yellow balls work best with bold, simple designs.
