Garrett Clark, the force behind GM Golf, uses the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x golf balls. His choice is a direct reflection of his high-speed, powerful game, but what works for him might not be the right fit for you. This article will break down everything about his ball of choice, explain why it suits his aggressive style, and most importantly, guide you through a simple process to find the perfect ball for your own unique game.
If you've watched any of Garrett's YouTube videos, you've seen the TaylorMade logo on his hat, bag, and clubs. As a sponsored TaylorMade athlete, it’s no surprise that he trusts their premium golf ball offerings. He primarily games either the TaylorMade TP5 or its slightly firmer counterpart, the TaylorMade TP5x.
This isn't just a blind sponsorship decision, choosing between these two balls allows him to fine-tune his performance. Think of it like a pro driver having different tire compounds for different tracks. On some days, or for certain types of shots (like those beautiful flighted stingers), the feel and spin profile of one ball might be preferable over the other. The core takeaway is that he uses a premium, tour-level golf ball designed for maximum performance across every facet of the game, from the driver to the putter.
You see "tour ball" thrown around a lot, but what does that actually mean? Why would a player with Garrett's abilities - and a player aspiring to get better - choose a ball like the TP5 over a simpler, two-piece distance ball? It all comes down to its multi-layer construction.
Tour balls like the TP5 and TP5x are not just simple spheres, they are sophisticated pieces of engineering with multiple distinct layers, each serving a specific purpose. They feature a 5-piece construction, which is what separates them from most other balls on the market.
So, why would Garrett switch between the two? While they share the 5-layer design, there are subtle but important differences:
Garrett's choice on any given day likely comes down to course conditions, how he's feeling, and the specific shots he wants to pull off. It's a level of optimization that comes with being a highly skilled player.
Choosing a golf ball isn't random, it's about matching equipment to strengths. Garrett Clark’s game is built on two pillars: explosive power and creative shot-making. The TP5/TP5x is perfectly engineered to support both.
Garrett has an athletic, high-speed swing. To translate that speed into maximum ball velocity and distance, he needs a ball that can handle it without creating excessive driver spin. Too much spin off the tee causes the ball to "balloon" upwards, robbing it of forward momentum and distance. The multi-layer construction of the TP5/TP5x keeps driver spin low, turning his high clubhead speed into a penetrating, powerful ball flight.
If Garrett's channel was just about hitting long drives, it wouldn't be as compelling. What makes GM Golf so watchable is the creativity - the low stingers, the high, soft flop shots, the laser-guided wedge approaches. This is where the urethane cover really earns its keep. It gives him the high spin and soft feel necessary to command the golf ball on approach shots. He has the confidence to fire at flags because he knows his ball has the stopping power to hold the green. This soft cover is what allows for the manipulation of spin and trajectory that defines his all-around game. Without it, those signature shots would be far more difficult to execute repeatably.
Now for the big question: Just because the TP5 is the right choice for Garrett, does that mean it’s the right choice for you? It's tempting to think that using a "better" ball will automatically make you a better player, but the answer is more nuanced.
Playing a tour-level ball like the TP5 when it doesn’t fit your game can actually be detrimental. Here’s why:
Playing the TP5 isn't about buying Garrett's score, it's about choosing a ball that will optimize your performance based on your swing and priorities.
Ball fitting doesn't have to be a complicated, data-driven process. You can learn a ton about what works for you with a little focused testing on the course. Here’s a simple, step-by-step approach I recommend to my students.
Forget the driver for a moment. Go to the chipping and putting green. Hit putts, chips, and short pitch shots with a few different ball models. Pay close attention to two things:
Next, take the two or three balls you liked best around the green and hit some mid-iron shots (like a 7-iron). Observe the ball flight. Are you looking for a higher flight to help you stop the ball on the green? Or do you need a lower, more penetrating flight to combat the wind? A mid-range Surlyn ball might fly lower, while a tour model like the TP5 will generally offer a higher trajectory and more spin, which is great if you have the swing speed to support it.
Finally, hit some drives. This is less about finding the absolute longest ball and more about finding the one that gives you the best combination of distance and dispersion. If you hit a tour ball and a two-piece distance ball roughly the same distance but the distance ball consistently lands in the fairway, that’s a huge win. Taming your big miss off the tee leads to lower scores much faster than an extra five yards of carry.
Test a sleeve of 2-3 different models head-to-head on the course over a full round. Don't just hit them on the range. Seeing how they react in real playing situations is the only way to find your perfect match.
Garrett Clark chooses the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x because they are finely tuned instruments that match his powerful, skillful approach to the game. Seeing a player's equipment choices gives us a wonderful window into what makes them successful, but the ultimate goal is not to copy them - it's to understand the 'why' behind their choices and apply that same logic to our own game.
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