Let’s face it, golfers who don’t quite have Tiger Woods’ swing speed often have to make a choice: distance or feel. Balls that feel buttery soft off the clubface tend to fall a bit short off the tee and long irons. Conversely, balls that rocket off the driver can feel like rocks on approach shots, making it tough to control distance and spin around the greens.

Enter TaylorMade’s new Speedsoft Ink golf ball, aiming to be the best of both worlds for mid-to-high handicappers. Intrigued by this promise, I, Hannah Holden, grabbed a box and headed to the course to see if the hype lives up to reality.

First off, let’s talk looks. The Speedsoft Ink comes in a vibrant, multicolored design that’s definitely eye-catching on the tee box. But flashy looks don’t win you points if the ball doesn’t perform. Thankfully, TaylorMade claims they’ve packed some serious technology into this affordable offering.

The key here is the construction. The Speedsoft Ink features a two-piece Iona core. Imagine a soft, bouncy inner core nestled inside a firmer outer shell. This design is supposed to deliver that satisfyingly soft feel at impact while still maintaining ball speed for impressive distance gains. Another perk for slower swing speeds? The lower compression rating of the Speedsoft Ink. The core simply squishes more at impact, transferring more energy to the ball and squeezing out extra yards.

So, how did it translate on the course? Let’s grab my driver and head to the first tee. From the very first whack, I noticed the ball launching higher than my usual gamer, a testament to the lower compression. It felt great coming off the clubface, and while the spin rate was a touch higher than expected, I suspect that might be more my swing mechanics than the ball itself. Regardless, the distance was promising, and the ball carried beautifully.

Alright, distance is nice, but can this colorful wonder handle itself around the green? Here’s where things got interesting. The Speedsoft Ink definitely didn’t bite on the green quite as aggressively as my usual high-end TP5. But hold on, hear me out. For mid-to-high handicappers, that might not be such a bad thing. Let’s be honest, generating tons of spin on chip shots and short approaches can be a struggle for many golfers. The firmer cover of the Speedsoft Ink might actually make it easier to control distance and avoid those heart-stopping “oops, I flew the green” moments.

Now, some folks might worry that a softer ball translates to a mushy feel on the putting green. Let me squash that concern right now. The Speedsoft Ink felt surprisingly good on the flatstick, delivering a crisp response that inspired confidence when rolling in those birdie putts.

All in all, the TaylorMade Speedsoft Ink is a compelling option for mid-to-high handicappers. It might not be the absolute pinnacle of performance like a tour-level ball, but it delivers an impressive combination of distance, soft feel, and control at a price point that won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for a ball that can help you add some yards to your game and make those chip shots a little less nerve-wracking, the Speedsoft Ink is definitely worth a try.