TaylorMade Adds a Five-Piece Ball to the Rotation

You know all that talk about dumbing down the golf ball so that big hitters can't dominate golf course anymore and the integrity of the game can be saved? Yeah, TaylorMade doesn't want to hear your whining.

Next week, TaylorMade staffers Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen will be using the new five-piece Penta golf ball, the first five-piece golf ball ever used in competition (don't worry, it's already USGA approved).

The goal for the Penta was to optimize its performance in five key areas: with the driver, long-irons, middle irons, short irons and partial wedge shots. (Get it? "Penta," five.)

The cover of the Penta TP is made of a soft urethane material to promote a high-spin rate, but lower trajectory on wedge shots and pitches for more control. The outer mantle layer, which can be found directly under the white cover, is the most-easily compressed. Of the three mantle layers in the Penta TP, it's the fastest, and TaylorMade says it is designed to create optimal spin and flight conditions when ball speeds are below 120 mph (short irons for tour pros).

Say what you want about the ProV1 (and I will, since I love them), but these other ball companies are quickly becoming players in the ball business.

I can't wait to get my hands on a sleeve of these bad boys. I will say this ... the five-piecer sure doesn't leave much room for anything else to enhance. Maybe the ability to grip beers in the cart better?