Perks
One of the most explosive balls on the market. Performs a lot like tour performance balls like the TP Red/Black and Titleist Pro V1 at impact. Alternated between the Burner TP and the Titleist NXT Tour, the sales leader in the category, and there is no comparison. The Burner TP gets up quickly and holds well in any conditions. TaylorMade made an effort to target driver spin, and the results show immediately.
Sacrifices
The emphasis on driver control means sacrifices in other areas, while that area exceeds expectations. Greenside control is average for the category. If spin is a big part of your game, you will lose a little here. The Nike Vapor and Titleist NXT Tour have more bite around the green, but the Burner TP will check up and still responds well when hitting draws and cuts into greens.
Bottom Line
At $27 a dozen, TaylorMade designed a ball to fix holes in the average player's game, and they succeeded. Maybe your 8-iron won't bite out of the rough, but with the added distance, you'll be hitting wedges anyway.
About The Author
Matt Manco is a freelance writer based in New England. A member of the award-winning Maroon student newspaper at Loyola University, his work has appeared across the Beacon Communications newspaper and magazine group as a local government reporter and photojournalist.