Choosing between Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response is a common decision for golfers who want urethane-cover performance without paying full premium tour-ball prices.
Both the Srixon Q-Star Tour and TaylorMade Tour Response are value-focused urethane golf balls. Both can give you more spin, feel, and control than a basic distance ball.
But they are not identical.
Srixon Q-Star Tour is the softer, more spin-and-control-focused option. TaylorMade Tour Response is the firmer, faster, more distance-balanced option.
This guide compares Srixon Q-Star Tour vs TaylorMade Tour Response by distance, spin, feel, control, compression, swing speed, player type, price, and value so you can choose the better ball for your game.
👉 If value is your main goal, compare more options in our guide to the best golf balls for the money. If you want more urethane options, see the best urethane golf balls.
Quick Verdict: Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response
Choose Srixon Q-Star Tour if you want softer feel, more greenside spin, better wedge control, and strong scoring performance at a good value.
Choose TaylorMade Tour Response if you want slightly more distance, firmer feedback, faster ball speed feel, and balanced urethane performance.
The simple answer is this: Q-Star Tour is better for soft feel and control, while Tour Response is better for distance and balanced performance.
Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response: Key Differences
Use this table for a quick side-by-side comparison.
| Feature | Srixon Q-Star Tour | TaylorMade Tour Response |
|---|---|---|
| Ball category | Value urethane control ball | Value urethane distance/control ball |
| Cover type | Urethane | Urethane |
| Spin | Higher | Mid-high |
| Flight | Mid | Mid-high |
| Feel | Softer | Firmer / responsive |
| Distance | Balanced | Slightly stronger for some players |
| Control | Higher greenside control | Strong all-around control |
| Best for | Spin, feel, control, value | Distance, speed, balanced performance |
| Player fit | Moderate swing speeds and control players | Average golfers and distance/value players |
| Price level | Mid/value | Mid/value |
👉 If spin or compression is confusing, use the golf ball spin chart and the golf ball compression chart.
Srixon Q-Star Tour: Best for Softer Feel and Greenside Control
The Srixon Q-Star Tour is the better choice if you want a value urethane golf ball with softer feel, more greenside spin, and strong scoring control.
Q-Star Tour is designed for golfers who want more control than a basic distance ball but do not want to pay full premium tour-ball pricing. It gives you urethane-cover performance, soft feel, approach-shot control, and better wedge response around the green.
This ball makes sense for average golfers, mid handicappers, moderate swing speed players, and golfers who want a softer feel with real short-game control.
- Best for: Golfers who want soft feel, spin, control, and value
- Main strength: Greenside spin and scoring control
- Cover profile: Urethane cover
- Feel profile: Softer performance feel
- Performance profile: Balanced distance, soft feel, wedge spin, approach control, and value
Buy Q-Star Tour if: You want softer feel, more wedge spin, better greenside control, and strong urethane value.
Avoid Q-Star Tour if: You prefer firmer feel, want the fastest ball speed response, or mainly care about distance.
Srixon Q-Star Tour 6 Golf Balls
👉 If you want more Srixon options, read our guide to the best Srixon golf balls. If control matters most, compare the best golf balls for control.
TaylorMade Tour Response: Best for Distance and Balanced Urethane Performance
The TaylorMade Tour Response is the better choice if you want a value urethane golf ball with slightly firmer feel, faster response, and strong all-around performance.
Tour Response is designed for golfers who want more performance than a basic distance ball but still want a strong mix of distance, feel, spin, and value. It feels firmer and more responsive than Q-Star Tour for many golfers.
This ball makes sense for average golfers, distance-focused players, and golfers who want urethane performance but prefer a firmer feel than Q-Star Tour.
- Best for: Golfers who want distance, firmer feedback, and balanced performance
- Main strength: Distance with urethane-cover playability
- Cover profile: Urethane cover
- Feel profile: Firmer and more responsive than Q-Star Tour
- Performance profile: Strong distance, balanced spin, responsive feel, and good value
Buy Tour Response if: You want slightly more distance, firmer feedback, and balanced urethane performance.
Avoid Tour Response if: You prefer the softest feel, maximum greenside spin, or a more control-first ball.
TaylorMade Tour Response Golf Balls
👉 If you want more TaylorMade options, read our guide to the best TaylorMade golf balls. If distance is your main goal, compare the best golf balls for distance.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you still are not sure which ball fits your game, use this decision table.
| Choose This Ball If… | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| You want softer feel | Q-Star Tour |
| You want more greenside spin | Q-Star Tour |
| You want more wedge control | Q-Star Tour |
| You prioritize scoring feel | Q-Star Tour |
| You want slightly more distance | Tour Response |
| You want firmer feedback | Tour Response |
| You want faster ball speed feel | Tour Response |
| You want balanced performance | Tour Response |
| You want a Pro V1-style value alternative | Either |
Distance Comparison: Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response
Tour Response may be slightly longer for golfers who prefer a firmer feel and faster response off the clubface.
Q-Star Tour can still be long, but its biggest strength is controlled distance, softer feel, and scoring performance. It is more about control and consistency than chasing maximum distance.
Longer is not automatically better. If you gain a few yards but lose control around the green, the extra distance may not help your score.
Distance depends on launch, spin, strike quality, swing speed, and how well the ball fits your delivery.
| Distance Factor | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Slightly stronger long-game distance | Tour Response | Firmer, faster feel may help some players |
| Controlled distance | Q-Star Tour | Better if you value consistency and scoring feel |
| Distance plus value | Tour Response | Strong all-around performance for the price |
| Distance plus softer feel | Q-Star Tour | Better if comfort and control matter most |
| Balanced tee-to-green distance | Either | Both can work depending on your feel preference |
👉 If distance is your biggest goal, compare the best golf balls for distance.
Spin and Control Comparison
Spin and control are where Q-Star Tour has its biggest advantage.
Q-Star Tour wins for softer feel, greenside spin, and wedge control. It is the better choice if you want chips, pitches, wedges, and approach shots to feel more controlled.
Tour Response still offers good urethane control, but it feels more distance-balanced and responsive. It is not a basic distance ball, but it is less control-first than Q-Star Tour.
Both balls have urethane covers, but not all urethane balls feel or perform the same. Choose Q-Star Tour for scoring control. Choose Tour Response for distance plus control.
| Spin / Control Area | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Greenside spin | Q-Star Tour | Softer feel and more scoring control |
| Wedge control | Q-Star Tour | Better for short-game feel |
| Approach-shot control | Q-Star Tour | More control-focused profile |
| Balanced urethane control | Tour Response | Good control with more distance focus |
| Distance plus spin | Tour Response | Good mix of speed, spin, and value |
👉 If spin and control matter most, compare the best golf balls for spin and the best golf balls for control.
Feel Comparison: Which Ball Feels Softer?
Q-Star Tour feels softer than Tour Response.
Srixon Q-Star Tour is the better choice if you want a softer impact feel on irons, wedges, chips, and putts.
TaylorMade Tour Response feels firmer and more responsive. Some golfers prefer that firmer feedback because it can feel faster off the clubface.
If possible, test both balls with wedges and your putter. Feel around the green often makes the decision clearer than driver distance alone.
👉 If feel is your main priority, compare the best soft feel golf balls.
Compression Comparison
Both Q-Star Tour and Tour Response are performance-value urethane balls, but they do not feel the same at impact.
Q-Star Tour generally fits golfers who want softer feel, more control, and a more comfortable response.
Tour Response generally fits golfers who want a firmer response, faster feel, and a more distance-balanced ball.
Compression matters, but it is only one part of the fitting process. You should also consider cover material, launch, spin, feel, swing speed, and short-game needs.
👉 To match compression to your game, use the golf ball compression chart and read does ball compression matter.
Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response by Swing Speed
Your swing speed can help you decide whether either ball fits your game.
| Driver Swing Speed | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 80 mph | Neither may be ideal | Consider softer low-compression options first |
| 80–90 mph | Q-Star Tour | Softer feel and easier control |
| 90–100 mph | Q-Star Tour or Tour Response | Choose by feel and distance needs |
| 100+ mph | Tour Response / firmer tour options | Firmer feel may work better for some faster players |
👉 For more speed-based recommendations, use the best golf balls by swing speed guide.
Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response by Player Type
Your skill level, scoring needs, and feel preference matter just as much as swing speed.
| Player Type | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Neither / cheaper ball | Both may cost more than needed for new golfers |
| High handicapper | Tour Response if choosing between these two | More distance and balanced playability |
| Average golfer | Tour Response or Q-Star Tour | Choose by distance vs feel |
| Mid handicapper | Q-Star Tour | More spin and control |
| Low handicapper | Q-Star Tour or premium tour ball | Better greenside control |
| Soft-feel player | Q-Star Tour | Softer impact feel |
| Distance-focused player | Tour Response | Firmer, faster feel |
👉 Compare more options for average golfers and mid handicap players.
Price and Value Comparison
Both Q-Star Tour and Tour Response are strong value balls because they offer urethane-cover performance at a lower price than many premium tour balls.
Q-Star Tour is the better value if you care most about spin, soft feel, wedge control, and scoring performance.
Tour Response is the better value if you care most about distance, firmer feedback, speed feel, and balanced performance.
If you lose many balls, a cheaper non-urethane ball may still be smarter. But if you want affordable urethane performance, both of these are strong choices.
| Value Situation | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want maximum control value | Q-Star Tour | Softer feel and better greenside spin |
| You want distance value | Tour Response | Firmer feel and balanced long-game performance |
| You lose many balls | Neither may be ideal | A cheaper ball may be smarter first |
| You want affordable urethane performance | Either | Both offer strong value compared with premium tour balls |
| You want softer feel for the price | Q-Star Tour | Better scoring feel and short-game comfort |
👉 If value is your top priority, compare the best golf balls for the money, best budget golf balls, and best golf balls under $30.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Q-Star Tour or Tour Response
- Assuming all urethane balls feel the same: Q-Star Tour feels softer, while Tour Response feels firmer and more responsive.
- Choosing Tour Response only for distance: Distance matters, but short-game control can affect your score more.
- Choosing Q-Star Tour when you prefer firm feel: If you like a faster, firmer response, Tour Response may fit better.
- Ignoring swing speed: Slower players may prefer softer options, while faster players may like firmer feedback.
- Ignoring short-game needs: If you want wedge spin and greenside control, Q-Star Tour has the edge.
- Switching balls too often: Test one ball for several rounds so you can learn its distance, feel, and spin.
👉 For the full ball-fitting process, read how to choose the best golf ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Q-Star Tour and Tour Response?
The main difference is feel and performance focus. Q-Star Tour is softer and more control-focused, while Tour Response feels firmer and is more distance-balanced.
Is Q-Star Tour better than Tour Response?
Q-Star Tour is better if you want softer feel, more greenside spin, and better wedge control. Tour Response is better if you want firmer feedback, slightly more distance, and balanced performance.
Which goes farther, Q-Star Tour or Tour Response?
Tour Response may go slightly farther for golfers who prefer firmer feel and faster response. Q-Star Tour can still be long, but its main strength is control and scoring feel.
Which spins more, Q-Star Tour or Tour Response?
Q-Star Tour usually gives more greenside spin and short-game control. Tour Response still offers good urethane spin, but it is more distance-balanced.
Which feels softer, Q-Star Tour or Tour Response?
Q-Star Tour feels softer than Tour Response. Tour Response has a firmer, more responsive feel.
Which is better for mid handicappers?
Q-Star Tour is often better for mid handicappers who want more spin, control, and soft feel. Tour Response can also work well if the golfer wants more distance and firmer feedback.
Which is better for average golfers?
Average golfers can choose either ball. Q-Star Tour is better for feel and control, while Tour Response is better for distance and balanced playability.
Is Q-Star Tour a urethane ball?
Yes, Srixon Q-Star Tour is a urethane-cover golf ball designed to offer more spin and control than basic distance balls.
Is Tour Response a urethane ball?
Yes, TaylorMade Tour Response is a urethane-cover golf ball designed to offer strong performance, feel, and control at a better value than many premium tour balls.
Which is better value?
Q-Star Tour is the better value if you prioritize spin and control. Tour Response is the better value if you prioritize distance, firmer feel, and balanced performance.
Which ball should I use?
Use Q-Star Tour if you want softer feel, more greenside spin, and better control. Use Tour Response if you want firmer feel, slightly more distance, and balanced urethane performance.
Related Golf Ball Guides
If you are comparing Q-Star Tour and Tour Response, these guides can help you choose the right ball:
- Best Srixon Golf Balls
- Best TaylorMade Golf Balls
- Best Golf Balls for the Money
- Best Urethane Golf Balls
- Best Golf Balls for Control
- Best Golf Balls for Spin
- Best Golf Balls for Distance
- Best Golf Balls for Average Golfers
- Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicap Players
- Golf Ball Spin Chart
- Golf Ball Compression Chart
- Golf Ball Selector
- How to Choose the Best Golf Ball
Final Verdict: Q-Star Tour vs Tour Response
Both Srixon Q-Star Tour and TaylorMade Tour Response are strong value urethane golf balls, but they fit different preferences.
Choose Srixon Q-Star Tour if you want softer feel, more spin, better wedge control, and stronger greenside performance.
Choose TaylorMade Tour Response if you want firmer feedback, slightly more distance, faster response, and balanced urethane performance.
The best choice depends on what matters more to your game: scoring feel and short-game control, or long-game response and distance-balanced performance.