Mid-range is where the math gets honest. Tour Response versus Z-Star XV — a cheaper TaylorMade urethane versus Srixon’s firmer tour ball. I compared who each one is for.
Not every competitive golfer needs to spend $54/dozen on the TP5 or Pro V1. The TaylorMade Tour Response and Srixon Z-Star XV are two of the strongest options in the mid-range tour ball tier — urethane cover, tour-caliber short game performance, at a step down in price.
TaylorMade Tour Response
The Tour Response is TaylorMade’s entry-level tour ball with a 100% urethane cover across the entire surface, producing greenside spin that noticeably outperforms ionomer balls at this price point. Feel is soft — softer than the TP5 — and the ball suits players with moderate swing speeds who want tour short game performance without the full TP5 compression demands.
Price: ~$35/dozen
Srixon Z-Star XV
The Z-Star XV is the lower-spin, higher-distance sibling of the Z-Star. Tuned for faster swingers who want distance off the driver without excessive ballooning. The Spin Skin urethane cover delivers strong short game performance, and the firmer feel suits players who associate compression with feedback. Frequently recommended for golfers with driver swing speeds above 100 mph who find the Z-Star too spinny.
Price: ~$42/dozen
Head to Head
Driver spin: Z-Star XV lower — designed for faster swingers who generate excessive spin naturally. Tour Response is mid-spin.
Short game spin: Z-Star XV, narrowly. The Spin Skin coating produces strong friction on partial wedge shots.
Feel: Tour Response is softer. Z-Star XV is firmer.
Price: Tour Response at ~$7/dozen less makes it the stronger entry-point value.
Swing speed fit: Tour Response works across a wide range. Z-Star XV is best matched to 100+ mph driver speed.
Best for: Tour Response for golfers who want urethane short game performance at a budget-friendly price. Z-Star XV for faster swingers who need lower driver spin.
The Bottom Line
Both are solid mid-tier tour balls that outperform their price relative to the category leaders. Match your swing speed — Tour Response for moderate speeds and softer feel, Z-Star XV for faster swingers who spin the driver too much with standard mid-spin balls.