Tag: taylormade

  • Don’t Believe The Hype – TaylorMade’s Driver Alternatives

    2014-10-20 13.34.16The driver is the most popular club in many people’s bag, and the one club that consumers change the most often. This is why you see the massive marketing campaigns for each new driver that golf club manufacturers release. I’ve seen the game evolve in the last 20 years on the professional tours as equipment technology advanced. The predominant course management strategy is the bomb-and-gouge method where distance takes priority over accuracy. The idea is that one would rather hit a wedge from the rough than a 7 iron from the fairway.

    2014-10-20 13.35.25My own game is proof that the bomb-and-gouge approach can work for better players. Using the awesome new golf tracking device from GAME GOLF to track my stats over the last 18 rounds of golf, I am sporting a scoring average of 72.1 despite hitting only 47% of the fairways. While I would love to be more accurate off the tee, I know it hasn’t hurt my game too much to be in the rough, as I still managed to hit 66% of greens in regulation over that span.

    The problem is – Most average golfers can’t create the kind of club head speed to hit the ball out of rough with control like the PGA Tour pros and low handicap amateurs. So how can you improve your driving accuracy? Don’t believe the hype of that new driver that promises more distance, accuracy and forgiveness! The most obvious answer is by using something other than a driver off the tee.

    SLDR Mini Driver

    For the last few months I’ve been experimenting with a couple of clubs from TaylorMade adidas Golf (TMAG) that are designed as alternatives to the driver for those that are seeking more accuracy off the tee. The first is TaylorMade’s SLDR Mini Driver. TMAG noticed that tour pros and low handicap amateurs hit their 3-wood off the tee far more often than in the fairway, so they used that data to create a new club that fits somewhere in between the two. At 260cc, the SLDR Mini Driver is bigger than a typical fairway wood but far smaller than the average 460cc driver. The shaft is also a little bit longer than a 3-wood at 43.5″, compare to a driver’s modern standard at 45″. The SLDR Mini is available in 12, 14 or 16 degree lofts.

    TaylorMade sent me an SLDR Mini with 14 degrees of loft, and I eventually re-shafted it with the awesome new Aldila Tour Green 75TX shaft. (More on that later) The idea for me was that the SLDR Mini could replace my old Adams RPM 3-wood. With its larger head and deeper face, the SLDR mini is easy to hit and more forgiving than a standard 3-wood off the tee. The sole design also makes it easy to hit from the fairway, despite the bigger head size. This club hits bombs. I was easily getting 10-15 yards more carry than my Adams RPM 13 degree 3-wood, and the SLDR Mini was a joy to hit off the deck too. Even though I seldom hit 3-wood off the fairway, I know I can pull off just about any shot with it. For golfers looking for a club they can hit almost as far as a driver with greater accuracy, the SLDR Mini will be a godsend.

     

    Tour Preferred UDI – Ultimate Driving Iron

    The second driver alternative I’ve been messing around with is TMAG’s Tour Preferred UDI – Ultimate Driving Iron. The UDI is a hollow construction 450 carpenter steel faced driving iron that was designed to deliver distance and playability of a hybrid with the control and workability of an iron. Many of TaylorMade’s staff pros played the UDI at the British Open to help control ball flight in the wind. The UDI comes in 16, 18 and 20 degree lofts.

    The old saying goes “Only god can hit a 1-iron”, but that isn’t true any more. I’ve always loved hitting long irons, and have never been a fan of hybrid clubs, so I had a feeling I would love the Tour Preferred UDI 1-iron. To make room for the UDI (16 degrees) in my bag I took out the 18 degree Cleveland Launcher DST hybrid I’ve had for a few years. I have been hitting it for a couple of months and my numbers with it have earned it a place in my bag on most days. Over a testing period of 18 rounds, the UDI 16 is averaging 251 yards off the tee with a long of 294 yards and fairway accuracy of 71%. Considering the stock KBS Tour C-Taper Lite shaft is too weak for my swing speeds, I think that accuracy number will go up a bit with a properly fit shaft. As you would expect from a 1-iron, the ball flight stays very low and hot, with very low spin.

    The UDI is a great driver alternative on courses that play firm and fast, especially for the better player who can swing aggressively and find the sweet spot on a consistent basis. While the UDI is pretty easy to hit, the lower ball flight and more traditional iron-like shape and size may be more difficult to hit for mid to high handicap golfers. This is exactly why hybrids were created in the first place. What’s the difference between the UDI and a standard hybrid? As mentioned above, the UDI has the flat face and smaller size of an iron for control and workability with a hollow cavity and low CG for distance and some forgiveness. A typical hybrid club will have a slightly rounded club face like a wood and will offer a higher ball flight and slightly longer shafts for more distance.

     

    Conclusions

    The SLDR Mini is still a bit of an enigma for me, mostly because I may hit it too far in stock form. I know what you are thinking – what a good problem to have, right? With its longer shaft and higher ball flight compared to my regular 3-wood, I find the distance gap between the 3-wood and 5-wood is too great at about 25 yards. What I did to fix this is re-shaft the club and cut half an inch off the playing length. The new Aldila Tour Green 75TX shaft I installed at 43″ reduced the carry distance by 5-7 yards while increasing accuracy for me. With a little more testing and tweaking, I’m confident that the SLDR Mini Driver may become my new strong 3-wood.

    The Tour Preferred UDI 16 degree 1-iron is an instant favorite for me, but it won’t have a full time spot in my bag due to the specialized nature and lack of versatility of a 1-iron. Simply put, the UDI isn’t useful for me in softer conditions or on a longer golf course. The UDI 1-iron hits the ball very low and straight, so it will be used almost exclusively off the tee. I’ll play it on tighter courses, windy days or in dry conditions when the ball is rolling out. Since most courses in Florida play soft and lush, the UDI will probably be swapped in and out of the bag as needed with the 5-wood or 3/4 iron.

    The bottom line is, if you struggle off the tee, one of these two options could be a game changer. The SLDR Mini Driver is a legitimate driver-replacement option for all golfers, and the Tour Preferred UDI gives better players a deadly long-iron replacement option for tight courses and firm or windy conditions.

     

  • Dick’s Fires 500 PGA Professionals

    Dick's Sporting Goods Fires 500 PGA ProsLast week Dick’s Sporting Goods,  the nation’s largest retailer of Callaway and Taylor Made golf equipment, fired all of the PGA Professionals they employed in the golf department at over 560 stores across the nation. Dick’s tried to differentiate themselves from other retailers by employing a PGA professional in each store to improve the customer experience and deliver a higher level of service, but due to the continued decline in golf equipment sales and participation, they were forced to put over 500 pros on the street. They were the largest employer of PGA Professionals after the PGA itself.

    Back in May, Dick’s CEO Ed Stack said the company’s overall golf business missed its first quarter sales by $34 million and he expected the downward trend to continue. “We are selling drivers in our stores this spring for $99 that were approximately $299 20 months ago,” said Stack. The golf business accounts for about 15 percent of Dick’s overall revenues.

    The way I see it, TaylorMade adidas Golf (TMAG) is at least partly to blame for the layoffs. While driver sales in the first quarter were only down 2 percent from 2013, the average price of drivers was down 16 percent. As TaylorMade’s largest retailer, Dick’s is hit hard every time TMAG releases a new driver model, because it forces Dick’s and other retailers to sell the older models at a clearance price which cuts into profit margins. Small retailers are sometimes forced to take a loss to stay competitive.

    TaylorMade released four different driver models last year, and the glut of new products continues, flooding the market with clubs consumers don’t want to buy. Walk into your local Dick’s Sporting Goods and you’ll probably see older model clubs from TaylorMade and others for closeout prices between $99 and $199, far below the suggested retail price. This is all part of TMAG’s sales strategy to put their clubs in as many golf bags as possible, but the industry is now starting to pay the price and the hangover from this glut will have an impact for years.

    The great irony of this is none other than TaylorMade’s former CEO Mark King has been the primary spokesman for Hack Golf – an initiative to grow golf by thinking outside the box for ways to infuse the game with exciting changes and attract new players. King recently left TaylorMade to become the president of adidas North America, and speaking to HBO’s Bryant Gumbel for an segment on “Real Sports”, he said “Young people entering the game after high school, 18 to 30-year olds are down 35 percent in the last 10 years. So I don’t like where the game looks like it’s going.”

    He’s right. According to the National Golf Foundation, about 400,000 people left the game in the past year, and now over 500 PGA professionals are also looking for work. It appears the PGA of America, Mr. King and his Hack Golf initiative and other industry leaders have their work cut out for them.

  • TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver

    TaylorMade SLDR Mini Driver

    Taylor Made adidas Golf (TMAG) has done it again. We’re used to seeing new clubs hit the market at several times during the year, but this time they’ve gone way beyond designing a new club – they’re invented a time machine! TMAG’s new time machine (aka – SLDR Mini Driver) takes us way back to the 1990s when shafts were shorter, heads were smaller and the center of gravity was close to the club face.  Naturally this new SLDR Mini Driver has modern shaft options, but the design concept is similar to the older clubs of the 90s to me. Based on the premise that many players struggle with the driver, they’ve built a 3 wood that is made to hit the ball off the tee for driver-like distance. So, if I understand correctly – It’s for people that want to hit their 3 wood almost as far as a driver, but not as far as a regular driver, but straighter than a regular driver, but not quite as straight as a 3 wood. Yeah. Tell you what – I’ll let TMAG explain it to you with their official press release below:

    Carlsbad, Calif. (April 7, 2014) – TaylorMade Golf Company, makers of the No. 1 played driver in golf, today announced the launch of the SLDR Mini Driver, a 260cc metalwood equipped with a 43.5” shaft, designed to promote distance and accuracy off the tee for players who frequently drive with their 3-wood. 

    TaylorMade research indicates that a high percentage of golfers, regardless of skill level, hit 3-wood off the tee more often than from the fairway. However, the 3-wood is designed to hit the ball off turf, not a peg. That void between product design and product use led to the development of the SLDR Mini Driver, which is engineered to be longer off the tee than a 3-woood and incredibly accurate.

    “Tour pros and betters amateurs often hit their 3-wood off the tee more often than from the fairway,” said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Metalwood Creation. “We embraced that fact to create a metalwood that’s sized between a 3-wood and driver and is designed to be easy to hit off a tee.”

    Like the SLDR driver – the No. 1 driver on the PGA Tour – the SLDR Mini Driver features a low-forward center of gravity (CG) location that reduces spin. From there, most players benefit from playing a higher loft (what TaylorMade calls “lofting up”) by combining a low spin-rate with a high launch angle, which are the launch conditions that promote maximum distance.

    The SLDR Mini Driver also incorporates TaylorMade’s Speed Pocket technology, which promotes lower spin on impacts low on the clubface, where the majority of driver mis-hits occur.

    And though it’s engineered to be easier to tee off with than a 3-wood, the SLDR Mini Driver is also easy to launch the ball off the turf with, thanks to its smooth sole that’s smaller and offers less resistance than a driver’s.

    Aesthetically, the SLDR Mini Driver’s sleek shape and smooth matte silver crown, black clubface and black button-back gives the club an attractive appearance from all angles, especially at address. The contrasting colors also facilitate easy and accurate face alignment.

    The first Tour pro to put the SLDR Mini Driver in play was Troy Matteson, who put not one but two in his bag at the Valero Texas Open: one to use off the tee and one to use from the fairway.

    “The SLDR Mini Driver is intended to appeal to a wide audience,” added Bazzel. “For the Tour pro or top amateur who places a premium on distance control and accuracy, this club is a fantastic option. It’s also a great choice for those amateurs who struggle with 460cc drivers.”

    Two SLDR Mini Driver models are available, standard and TP. The standard model retails for $279 and is equipped with a Fujikura 57 shaft. It is the same shaft used in the SLDR driver, but at 43.5 inches (two inches shorter than the SLDR driver) it promotes tighter dispersion for increased accuracy. The TP model retails for $379 and is equipped with Fujikura’s Motore Speeder 7.3 shaft and is built to a heavier, D5 swingweight for improved control. Lofts in both models range from 12°, 14° and 16°.

    Both SLDR Mini Driver models will be available at retail starting on 5/2. Visit TaylorMadeGolf.com for more information.

  • TaylorMade Introduces Tour Preferred Golf Balls

    TaylorMade Tour Preferred X Golf BallTaylorMade is making waves in the golf equipment market with their “Loft Up” message that relates to the popular SLDR driver. They also recently announced the new line of Tour Preferred irons, which should be very popular. Next up are the new Tour Preferred golf balls! The last two performance golf balls TaylorMade had to offer were good, but not really my cup of tea. The Penta TP5 spun too much and launched too high for my tastes, and the Lethal didn’t really register on the “must try” scale. The new Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf balls however will be on my test list. Below is the official press announcement from TaylorMade:

    Softer and more durable cover makes new line-up the best performing
    golf balls in company history

    CARLSBAD, Calif. (January 30, 2014) – TaylorMade Golf Company, the No. 2 golf ball brand on the PGA TOUR, is proud to announce the release of Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X: two tour-caliber golf balls that provide complete tee-to-green performance.

    After a decade of prototyping and testing with the world’s best players, the company believes the new Tour Preferred franchise is the best performing ball the company has released to date.

    “Golf ball innovation doesn’t just happen overnight. Rather, it is a series of ongoing conversation with our Tour players,” said Dean Snell, vice president of golf ball R&D. “These conversations have led to the introduction of breakthrough technologies including low drag aerodynamics for ultimate wind resistance, a five-layer construction for superior control throughout the club set and now our softest and most durable cover.”

    TaylorMade Tour Preferred Golf Ball

    Key to the performance of the Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X golf ball line is TaylorMade’s patented and proven technologies, including:

    • REACT™ Core for greater ball speed on all shots for increased distance.
    • Spin Mantle™ designed to deliver precise and consistent spin rates on given shots throughout the bag.
    • Low-Drag Performance Aerodynamics (LDP™) A 322-dimple pattern designed to minimize distance loss on low spin shots and also maintain a penetrating ball flight into the wind.

    A new technology featured in the golf balls is Soft Tech™, TaylorMade’s softest and most durable cover to date. Made of a cast urethane, the new cover provides an even softer feel around the greens than previous TaylorMade offerings.  The Soft Tech cover will also provide higher resistance to shearing and will last longer.

    Click image to see Sergio test the new Tour Preferred X around the green

    What separates Tour Preferred and the Tour Preferred X from each other is spin. The Tour Preferred is designed for players who desire more spin in the mid-to-long iron shots. The additional spin will also promote a higher trajectory on approach shots.

    Tour Preferred X maintains the same spin and trajectory into the green as its predecessor Lethal. Unlike Lethal, Tour Preferred X promotes better green side control because of its new Soft Tech cover.

    TaylorMade anticipates that more than 80% of its tour players will gravitate to this model as they are seeking controlled iron spin, for a more penetrating ball flight.

    Click image to watch Dustin test Tour Preferred X from 150 yards

    Since their introduction on Tour earlier this year, tour players have quickly made the switch to both models including Sergio Garcia who has already won twice with the Tour Preferred X (Thailand Golf Championship in December and Qatar Masters in January). Emerging LPGA star Jessica Korda also played the Tour Preferred X in her season-opening win at the Pure Silk Classic.

    Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X will be available at retail on March 1st at $45.99 per dozen. For more information, please visit www.taylormadegolf.com

  • TaylorMade SLDR Driver

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverIf I could only use one word to describe TaylorMade Golf for the past 3 or 4 years, I think it would be: Prolific.

    pro·lif·ic (prəˈlifik) adjective: present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful.

    TaylorMade is everywhere. Go to any major sporting goods retailer, golf store or green grass pro shop and you are likely to see TaylorMade clubs, balls, hats, bags and more. This is deliberate of course. In the marketing war to win over customers, more is better. The more you see their name on TV, in pro shops or on the course, the more likely you will become a TaylorMade customer yourself.
    For this strategy to work however, you need a good product and money, and TaylorMade has both. Now backed by the adidas Sports Group, TaylorMade adidas Golf (TMAG) has a long history of industry changing products. It all started in the 70s when Barney Adams created the original “Pittsburgh Persimmon” cast metal driver. Once he got a few PGA Tour pros to try it and they started winning with it, the metalwood era had begun. By the mid 90s, wooden headed clubs were gone. In 1995, they introduced the Burner Bubble driver with a painted (imagine that) copper head and the innovative bubble shaft, and it took the market by storm. By 2004 when the R7 adjustable driver came out, TaylorMade had already established itself as an industry leader. Last year we had the famous (or infamous) white drivers and fairways, and while one TMAG staffer once told me “We’re all in on white”, they have returned to a more neutral color scheme with their most recent clubs, the SLDR Driver and the newly introduced JetSpeed Driver and Fairways.

    TaylorMade SLDR Driver

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverThe TaylorMade SLDR driver is almost old hat at this point, having come out earlier this summer. TaylorMade loves to introduce new products at several points in the year, making it seem like there is a constant stream of new goodies coming from the R&D folks in Carlsbad, California. They say what makes this driver long is the placement of the CG (center of gravity) low and forward in the club to reduce ball spin. When combined with greater loft at impact, balls are launching higher with less spin, and according to the magical club testing robots and launch monitors, it is their longest driver ever.
    We’ve all heard this before of course. Longer, straighter, more forgiving – these words are attached to every company’s new product launch press releases nowadays. Will the TaylorMade SLDR driver deliver on this promise? In a word, maybe. Every golfer will get different results, and obviously a proper fitting makes a huge difference. I compared the SLDR driver side by side with two current “gamer” drivers. The Adams Super LS and a Cleveland Classic that is now my backup.

    Performance

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverHaving such a low and forward center of gravity (CG), the TaylorMade SLDR will perform better if you add some loft. If you normally play a 9.5 degree driver, try the SLDR with 10.5 degrees. The forward CG lowers ball spin to the point that too little loft will leave you unable to carry the ball very far. I had the 10.5 lofted TaylorMade SLDR TP, which is the “tour” model with an upgraded shaft. I usually play 7.5 (Cleveland Classic) to 8.5 (Adams Super LS) degrees of loft, so going to the 10.5 head was a big change. Naturally I launched the ball very high with the SLDR driver. Since I was basically comparing apples and oranges, I didn’t notice a gain or loss in distance with the SLDR driver. The SLDR driver carried a bit further than the Cleveland Classic and Adams Super LS, but because the conditions are usually soft and wet in my area I wasn’t able to see how much roll I would get. It seems that every year my swing speed goes down, but I don’t lose distance. Advancements in club and ball technology are the main reasons for that. In practical terms, distance depends largely on one’s golf swing and playing conditions. It is too hard for me to judge if this driver is really longer than my “gamers” in real world testing. One thing is for certain, this driver is as hot as any current driver, so if you have a club that is a year or two old, you will most certainly see a gain in distance with the TaylorMade SLDR driver if properly fitted.
    I generally don’t mess with adjustable drivers much, because I like to work the ball both ways off the tee and prefer a neutral setup that allows me to shape shots without too much extra effort. The SLDR driver’s sliding weight allows a person to dial in up to 30 yards of side to side ball flight, according to TaylorMade. Out of the box I found the TaylorMade SLDR wanted to draw the ball, so I set it a few clicks towards to toe and found a setting that worked pretty well. Had the shaft been a little stiffer I think the default setting may have worked. Either way, this adjustment is simpler and easier to adjust than the removable weights and confusing sole plate of the R1 driver, and a welcome change.

    Aesthetics

    TaylorMade SLDR DriverIs the era of the white drivers over? I’m not sure, but for the moment it is on hiatus for the TaylorMade SLDR driver. This one is painted a nice charcoal-gray color, which is more traditional and looks great. The chrome accent at the rear of the crown and busy graphics let you know this is still a TaylorMade driver, however. The busy design on the sole is classic TaylorMade, as the MWT (moveable weight technology) has evolved to become a single weight sliding along a track for adjustments in draw or fade bias. The adjustable hosel is still there to allow the golfer to adjust dynamic loft by opening or closing the club face. Compared to some of the more recent offerings, the TaylorMade SLDR is a pretty good looking club.

    Conclusions

    The SLDR driver is a solid, low spinning club that strikes a decent balance between new technology and classic looks. If properly fit, I’m confident that most golfers will see an increase in distance, but depending on what kind of driver you are upgrading from, that gain may be negligible in the real world. To get the most out of this driver, I highly recommend adding loft. Even the 10.5 that I was hitting wasn’t producing a ball flight that was too high for me. Everyone differs of course, so go out and hit one and see for yourself. If you are looking for a good upgrade from a driver that is a few years old, the TaylorMade SLDR is a worthy choice.

  • Introducing the TaylorMade JetSpeed Family

    TaylorMade JetSpeedThanks to their position as an industry leader and backed by their parent company the adidas Group, TaylorMade loves pumping out new clubs at a furious pace, often staggering their product launches throughout the year. It seems like they have a new driver on the market every 6 months. Earlier this year, the R1 Black was released, followed soon after by the new SLDR driver, now we have another new toy to play with. Here’s the official TaylorMade JetSpeed press release:

    TaylorMade Golf Introduces JetSpeed Driver, Fairway Woods and Rescue Clubs

    New Speed Pocket design unites with low CG and light weight to promote high launch and low spin for maximum distance

    CARLSBAD, CALIF. (November 15, 2013) – TaylorMade, the No. 1 played driver brand on the PGA Tour, today announced the release of JetSpeed, a breakthrough line of metalwoods that includes the company’s first driver to feature Speed Pocket technology. In addition, JetSpeed fairway woods and Rescue clubs combine an enhanced Speed Pocket, an extremely low-forward center of gravity (CG) location and extremely light overall weight to promote faster swing speed, clubhead speed and ball speed for more distance.

    “We expect ‘low and forward CG’ to represent the next great innovation in metalwood performance,” said Sean Toulon, Executive Vice President. “With our SLDR and JetSpeed products, we’re giving golfers of all types the opportunity to increase their launch angle and reduce their spin-rate, which ultimately leads to more distance.”

    The First Driver with a Speed Pocket

    The Speed Pocket was originally designed to increase the speed at which the clubface flexes and rebounds to promote faster ball speed. Why put a Speed Pocket in a driver, since the face is already as fast as the USGA will allow? TaylorMade engineers discovered that incorporating a Speed Pocket into the JetSpeed driver promotes less spin, as well as greater ball speeds on shots struck below the center of the clubface. Research suggests 72% of all golf shots are hit below the center of face, so the JetSpeed driver is designed to minimize the ill effects of shots struck below center.
    “With most drivers, low impact generates too much spin, making the ball fly too high and land short,” said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Metalwood Creation. “JetSpeed’s Speed Pocket is engineered to dramatically reduce that added spin to promote more distance on that very common type of mis-hit.”

    Visually, the extremely streamlined JetSpeed head features a matte black crown with a unique decal that promotes accurate face alignment at address. The matte finish also reduces glare and provides a stark contrast to the silver clubface, further making face alignment easier.

    TaylorMade JetSpeedJetSpeed Fairway Woods and Rescues

    JetSpeed fairway woods and Rescue clubs each incorporate a radically redesigned Speed Pocket that’s smaller and accounts for less weight, while remaining just as efficient at boosting the speed of the clubface.
    The improved Speed Pocket is filled with a polymer that keeps debris out, improving turf interaction while absorbing unwanted vibration without slowing down the clubface.

    The weight saved by the new Speed Pocket design is redistributed strategically within the clubhead to move the CG lower and more forward, a location that TaylorMade has proven promotes faster ball speeds and lower spin. JetSpeed fairways and Rescues reduce spin by 200-300 RPM compared to previous models to promote more distance.*

    JetSpeed fairways and Rescues also feature a low-profile head design that makes it easier to make contact with the clubface below the ball’s equator, making it easier to launch the ball on a high, long-carrying flight and easier to get the ball in the air off the turf. The combination of low-profile head design and Speed Pocket work together to make JetSpeed fairway woods the longest and most playable fairways TaylorMade has ever created.**

    TaylorMade Loft-Sleeve Technology

    Available in the JetSpeed driver, TaylorMade’s Loft-Sleeve technology allows golfers to adjust the loft 1.5° up or down to dial in their optimal launch conditions. In the past, better players have been reluctant to play higher lofted metalwoods because of an increased spin rate. However, the new low-forward CG location dramatically reduces spin and results in greater distances with higher lofted clubs.

    Shaft, Pricing & Availability

    Equipped with the Matrix Velox T 49 shaft (46”), the JetSpeed driver is available in three lofts – 9.5°, 10.5° and HL (13°). Loft Sleeve Technology allows golfers to easily adjust their loft +/- 1.5° to find their optimal launch conditions. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $299 per club. An upgraded TP shaft, the Matrix Velox 60, is also available for a $100 upcharge.

    The stock JetSpeed fairway wood shaft is the Matrix Velox T 69 shaft. At 69 grams, it’s a heavier shaft than TaylorMade has used in previous fairway wood models – which promotes better club control during the swing. Five fairway wood lofts are available: 3 wood (15°), 3HL (17°), 5 wood (19°), 5HL (21°) and 7 wood (23°). Each fairway wood retails for $229.

    Matrix’s Velox T shaft powers the JetSpeed Rescue Clubs, with the weight determined by shaft flex: S/75 grams, R/65 grams, M/55 grams and L/45 grams. There are four lofts available: 3 (19°), 4 (22°), 5 (25°) and 6 (28°), each retailing for $199. JetSpeed metalwoods will be available at retailers nationwide starting December 13.

    * TaylorMade robot testing indicates that a JetSpeed 3-wood generates 200-300 RPM less spin compared to an RBZ Stage 2 3-wood, to promote more distance. Both clubs tested at 15° with S-flex shaft. **Longest fairway claim based on robot testing, neutral setting at approximately 156 mph ball speed.

  • 8 Christmas Gift Ideas For Last Minute Shoppers

    Christmas is almost here, and if you are like me, you still haven’t done your shopping yet. Shipping cutoffs are approaching fast and the stores are packed with last minute shoppers. If there is a golfer on your gift list, here are a few suggestions that you may be interested in…

    • HIRZL Gloves – There are several things Switzerland is famous for making well. A few products that come to mind are chocolate, watches, Swiss army knives and golf gloves. Wait, what? Hirzl gloves are the real deal. They are a premium golf glove that provides superior grip in all conditions and durability that surpasses all other gloves on the market. Made with a mix of Kangaroo and Cabretta leather, they are worth every penny. Street price: $25 – Visit their website for more information. 
    • IJP Designs Apparel – Most everyone that follows the professional tours knows Ian Poulter. Americans know him mostly as the guy that wears flashy pants and keeps kicking their asses at the Ryder Cup. His apparel company has made great inroads in the US market, and IJP offers a complete line of shirts, pants (or trousers if you prefer the Queen’s English), shorts, belts and more. The line features classic designs along side the more darling paterns, and there should be something for just about everyone. Visit ijpdesign.com for more.
    • Slammin’ Sam Beer – A new venture, Slammin’ Sam Beer Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license with the estate of Sam Snead. Slammin’ Sam is a craft-brewed American lager with a refreshing taste and balanced finish that is inspired by the legendary all-time PGA Tour wins leader. Developed using a proprietary recipe developed by Ray Klimovitz, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Life Service Award from the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Slammin’ Sam will be offered at renowned resorts, golf courses, restaurants, bars and everywhere beer is sold.
    • TaylorMade Ghost Spider S Putter – TaylorMade’s newest putter was released just in time for the holiday season. The next generation of the Ghost Spider makes it easier for players to square the face at impact to start the ball on its intended line and delivers tremendous twist-resistance on the backswing and off-center hits. Its Tour-designed crown flows smoothly into the outer frame for less distraction, while the black and white frame and single white center-line promotes focus, accurate aim and stroke awareness. TaylorMade’s PureRoll Surlyn insert promotes incredibly soft-yet-solid feel and smooth roll off the face. Available 11/1. MSRP $179 – taylormadegolf.com.
    • adidas Golf Adipure Motion Shoes – One of golf’s great classic shoes, the adipure motion is 5 ounces less and 23% lighter than the previous adipure model. A state-of-the-art outsole construction frees the foot and body to move in a way it was inherently meant to – from the ground up to the shoulders. The adipure motion features a 7-spike, ultra-light exoskeleton outsole with puremotion technology designed to provide dynamic movement and ultimate flexibility. Available 12/1. MSRP $220; adidasgolf.com
    • 2012 Miura Wedges – Miura has been making some of the most beautiful and playable forged irons and wedges in the game for years. The New Wedge Series from Miura, the world’s preeminent maker of quality forged golf clubs, preserves the eternal elements of the “old” Series and adds refinements that make the clubs a pleasure to look at and a joy to play. Now in odd-numbered lofts from 51 degrees through 59, the New Series features redesigned bounce angles that work well with the way thinking players like to play golf.
    • Switch Belts – Made of thermoplastic resin, Switch Belts won’t stretch, fade, warp or wear out. You cut them to fit, can clean them in the dish washer and walk through metal detectors as they contain no metal. What I’m trying to say is, Switch Belts are not just good for golf, but for any outfit. In fact, there are 196 possible belt and buckle color combinations to match every outfit in your closet. Belts go for about $30. www.switchbelt.com
    • SwingTip – In a market flooded with useless swing aids and devices that make you look idiotic on the practice tee, it’s refreshing to see a device that is neither. The SwingTip is a device that attaches below the grip on your club and transmits information about your golf swing to your iPhone, iPad or Android device for analysis. It will give you a graphical display of your swing path along with information like club head speed, club face angle, swing path, impact zone and tempo. You can also review your swing and/or practice session info later online. MSRP $129 – www.swingtip.com

    Don’t forget to “like” our Facebook fan page for unboxing photos, exclusive content and more. Get involved and leave us your feedback or questions!

  • TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company To Acquire Adams Golf

    Adams Yes! LogoBig news in the golf business world today! TaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMAG) has announced their agreement to buy a majority interest in Adams Golf. You may recall that Adams bought putter maker Yes! golf just a few months ago. This purchase will strengthen one of the industry leaders and make life a bit tougher for the other players out there. It looks like the golf industry is starting to look a bit like the cell phone world, with companies buying each other to consolidate and increase market share. I’m not sure if this move is good or bad for the industry, but I guess we’ll soon see.

    I speculated a few months ago about the Rocketballz design feature using a scooped out cavity behind the face that appeared to infringe on Adams’ design of the Fast 12 fairway woods. Now that TMAG has purchased Adams I wonder if this fairway wood design will be protected, or if others will imitate or duplicate it. I’ve reached out to both companies for more info. In the meantime, here’s the official press release:

    Herzogenaurach and Carlsbad, Calif. (March 19, 2012) – The adidas Group and Adams Golf, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADGF) today announced that the TaylorMade-adidas Golf business segment has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Adams Golf for $10.80 per share in cash. The transaction value is approximately $ 70 million (approximately € 53 million), which represents a premium of approximately 71% to the share price prior to Adams Golf’s announcement that it was examining strategic alternatives on January 4, 2012.

    Through the acquisition of Adams Golf, TaylorMade-adidas Golf reinforces its position as the world’s number one player in golf. The addition of Adams Golf enables TaylorMade-adidas Golf to broaden its product range and to extend its presence across a wider array of golfers.

    “This acquisition reflects our commitment to continued growth in the golf category,” said adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer. “The proposed combination of Adams Golf and TaylorMade-adidas Golf brings together two highly complementary sets of brands, combining Adams’ focus on game-improvement as well as senior and women golfers with TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s focus on the younger and the low-to-mid handicap golfer.”

    “We are very excited to team up with Adams Golf, whose management team we have respected for many years,” commented Mark King, President and CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “Our mission is to be the best golf company in the world across all geographies, products and customer demographics, and adding Adams Golf is another important step in achieving that goal.”

    “This merger provides strong opportunities for our employees, suppliers and partners,” said Barney Adams, Interim CEO of Adams Golf. “The Adams Golf brand will fit nicely into TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s stable of brands, and together we will be able to increase our reach and better serve our customers by leveraging a wider set of resources. We are also excited that TaylorMade-adidas Golf has decided to maintain Adams Golf’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.”

    The Board of Directors of Adams Golf has unanimously approved the transaction. Certain insiders, who include John M. Gregory, Joseph R. Gregory, SJ Strategic Investments LLC, B.H. (Barney) Adams, Russell L. Fleischer, Mark R. Mulvoy and Robert D. Rogers, collectively own approximately 35% of Adams Golf’s outstanding shares and have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. The adidas Group plans to finance the acquisition with cash on hand or through existing credit lines. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals as well as approval by Adams Golf shareholders. The transaction is expected to close mid-2012.

    In connection with the transaction, Barclays is acting as financial advisor to the adidas Group, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP is serving as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisor to Adams Golf and Haynes & Boone, LLP is serving as legal counsel.

    About the adidas Group
    The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around the core brands: adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade, Rockport and Reebok-CCM Hockey. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 46,000 employees and generated sales of over € 13 billion in 2011.

    About TaylorMade-adidas Golf
    Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company sells golf clubs, balls clothing and accessories under the TaylorMade, adidas Golf and Ashworth brands. TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company posted 2011 sales of over € 1.0 billion.

    About Adams Golf
    Adams Golf designs, assembles, markets and distributes premium quality, technologically innovative golf clubs for all skill levels. Recently launched products include the Speedline Fast 12 drivers, Fast 12 LS drivers and the Speedline Fast 12 fairway woods, along with the Idea a12 OS irons and hybrids, Idea a12 hybrids, Idea Pro a12 irons and hybrids, Idea Tech V3 irons and hybrids, Redline irons, Idea a7 and a7 OS irons and hybrids, and Speedline 9088 UL drivers. Adams Golf also develops new products under the Yes! Putters, Women’s Golf Unlimited, Lady Fairway and Square 2 brands. In 2011, net sales were approximately $ 97 million (€ 73 million).

    Additional Information About the Transaction
    In connection with the proposed transaction, Adams Golf will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The definitive proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC will contain important information regarding the merger, including, among other things, the recommendation of Adams Golf’s board of directors with respect to the merger. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT ADAMS GOLF FILES WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. You will be able to obtain the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about Adams Golf and the merger, free of charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and other filings made by Adams Golf with the SEC can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Adams Golf, Inc., 2801 East Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75074, Attention: Investor Relations.

    Participants in the Solicitation
    The directors and executive officers of Adams Golf and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Adams Golf’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2012 (as it may be amended from time to time) and its Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 8, 2011. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. Investors should read the proxy statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Actual results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the ability to obtain regulatory approvals of the acquisition on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of Adams Golf’s stockholders to approve the acquisition; the risk that the acquisition may not be completed in the time frame expected by the parties or at all; the parties’ ability to satisfy the closing conditions and consummate the transactions; and Adams Golf’s ability to maintain its existing relationships with its employees, customers and suppliers. Additional information regarding factors that may affect future results are described in Adams Golf’s filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

    All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made. Neither Adams Golf, Inc. nor TaylorMade-adidas Golf undertakes any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of the press release.

  • First Look – TaylorMade Woods for 2012

    TaylorMade RBZ DriverFor years, TaylorMade Adidas Golf (TMAG) has been known for technical innovation and marketing acumen. Last year they introduced the R11 and Superfast 2.0 drivers and fairways painted all white. Every time a player on a professional tour took the head cover off and you saw a white head, you knew instantly that it was a TaylorMade club. A club’s usage on the PGA Tour has a huge influence on consumers and drives equipment companies to come out with new designs constantly. If you don’t believe me, just walk into your local golf superstore and count how many belly putters are for sale this year versus last. The white driver was a marketing coup for TaylorMade, and they will continue being “..all in with white.” as one TMAG staffer told me. This year, the prolific company has a whole bunch of new clubs out which will make their debut at the annual PGA Merchandise Show on Jan 26-28. Here’s a first look at all the new wood offerings from TaylorMade Golf. (Click the title header for the official press release, and click the photos to zoom in for a closer look)

    TaylorMade R11S Driver Exploded View
    click to zoom

    R11S driver

    An update to the popular R11 driver, the R11S driver can be tuned for 80 separate launch settings, making it the most adjustable driver in golf, and maybe the most confusing too. The all white 460cc club features a 3 degree Flight Control Technology (FCT) sleeve, Movable Weight Technology (MWT) and the new 5-way Adjustable Sole Plate (ASP) that allows the golfer to find their optimum address set-up. In terms of TaylorMade’s lineup, this club will probably appeal to a larger cross section of golfers than any other on the market, because of the custom shaft options and the club’s adjustability.

    TaylorMade R11s Fairway Woods
    click to zoom

    R11s & R11s TP Fairways

    Like the new R11S driver, the white R11S and R11S TP fairway woods from TaylorMade are classically shaped and feature the Adjustable Sole Plate Technology (ASP) and an upgraded Flight Control Technology (FCT) sleeve for added adjustability. These new features allow for up to 24 different settings, promoting maximum performance and increased distance through tuning. The new FCT sleeve allows the golfer to make an adjustment in the range of 3° of lie and 3° loft/6° face angle. The R11S fairways provide up to approximately 54 yards horizontal trajectory adjustment and 3° and 1500 rpm of launch condition change.

    [caption id="attachment_3678" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="click to zoom"]TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver[/caption]

    RocketBallz & RocketBallz Tour Driver

    This is the one everyone is talking about. The RocketBallz (RBZ) name alone has been discussed, joked about and ridiculed by people I have spoken to about the new clubs, and the performance has been raved about by TaylorMade staff pros. Of course, when a paid endorser raves about a club you have to take it with a grain of salt, and TaylorMade's YouTube Videos seem a bit over the top with the distance they are claiming, but we'll get to see for ourselves in a few short weeks and let you know if there's any truth to the hype. Heck, the full name doesn't even fit on the club. They had to use the initials "RBZ". RocketBallz drivers are being offered in two models: RocketBallz and RocketBallz Tour. According to TaylorMade, The RocketBallz driver boasts a larger appearance at address with a standard face height, while the RocketBallz Tour driver is mid-sized at address with a deeper face. Both are traditionally shaped and feature improved aerodynamics thanks to what TaylorMade calls their Ultra-Thin Wall (UTW) casting process and Thick-Thin crown design.

    [caption id="attachment_3680" align="alignright" width="150" caption="click to zoom"]TaylorMade RocketBallz Fairway Wood[/caption]

    RocketBallz Fairways & Rescues

    “The RocketBallz fairway woods and Rescues represent a game-changing breakthrough in performance comparable to few products in the history of our industry,” said Sean Toulon, Executive Vice President of TaylorMade. “To hold a RocketBallz metalwood in your hands is to possess confidence, power, speed and distance potential that will regularly and quite literally redefine the long game for golfers.” OK, marketing hype aside, these are being billed as some of the longest fairway woods and hybrids ever made. Here's what TaylorMade says about the new woods: Major challenges had to be surmounted to develop RocketBallz technology, including the need to create a durable yet flexible sole/face structure with a deep sole pocket. Additionally, we needed a deeper face design and low CG to maintain excellent playability off turf. Lastly, the products needed a front-low CG without sacrificing playability and control. To achieve these qualities, the RocketBallz fairway woods and Rescues were developed with a high-strength 455 steel face plate welded to a cast body. They incorporate improved sole geometry and a “Speed Pocket” to improve overall head and face flexibility and a slightly deeper face with a further-forward CG location than traditional designs. So what does this mean for golfers? According to TaylorMade it means distance gains of up to 17 yards for better players. I'm looking forward to seeing the new clubs, and stay tuned because there's much more coming from TaylorMade, including new irons, wedges and golf balls! For now, here's a video from TaylorMade talking about the origins of the RocketBallz name...

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  • TaylorMade Golf Launches R11S Driver

    TaylorMade R11s DriverTaylorMade has always been at the forefront of metal wood technology, and the new R11S driver and fairway woods should be no exception. TaylorMade is known for releasing new clubs more frequently than most of the other golf companies out there, and while this leads to a small amount of customer frustration, it also means more innovation and saturation of the market which drives prices down on last year’s models, which is good for both TaylorMade and consumers. What follows is a press release from TaylorMade describing the new R11s driver. Enjoy!

    CARLSBAD, Calif. (December 13, 2011) – TaylorMade Golf today launched R11S, the most technologically advanced driver to date. The all-white, USGA maximum 460cc R11S features a 3° Flight Control Technology (FCT) sleeve and an all-new 5-way Adjustable Sole Plate (ASP) which allows the golfer to find their optimum address set-up – a proprietary setting not found in any other driver. Combined with TaylorMade’s Movable Weight Technology (MWT), the new R11S driver can be tuned for 80 separate launch settings, making it the most adjustable driver in golf.

    “The R11S is a golfer’s dream come true; it’s the realization of every ounce of innovation, adjustability, and performance we could package in a bigger, more aerodynamic, white clubhead,” said Sean Toulon, executive vice president. “It would have been easy for our product creation team to rest on the laurels of the original R11™ driver, the most successful product we’ve ever created. Instead, we’re delivering golfers yet another significant advancement in adjustability and performance. And, with the proper fitting, we know golfers of all skill levels will be longer and straighter off the tee.”

    At 460cc, the R11S is at the USGA limit for size. Similar to the original R11, the new R11S features a flat-white crown color and black PVD face to improve alignment and accuracy off the tee. Its address footprint measures more than 11,500 mm², and its white crown color makes it appear even larger (2%). That’s an advantage given that TaylorMade testing indicates that the majority of golfers gain confidence at address from a head that appears large relative to the ball.

    TaylorMade R11s Driver at AddressThe R11S driver’s modern-classical clubhead shape is intended to suit the eye of better players, while still providing ample forgiveness and confidence for average players. The head boasts a contemporary, slightly more triangular appearance than traditionally shaped drivers that provides higher MOI and a deeper, farther-forward CG position.

    New 5-Way ASP Provides More Tuning Options 
    ASP technology was a major performance breakthrough as it complimented Flight Control, a technology first introduced in the R9 family. When FCT is employed alone, the loft and face angle is coupled by the sleeve system. Adjustable Sole Plate technology allows the decoupling of loft and face angle by using a sole plate to adjust face angle independent of loft sleeve setting. Very simply, that means you can adjust the face angle independently of the loft, and vice versa. The five face angles made possible by the improved ASP Technology of the R11S are neutral, slightly open, open, slightly closed and closed.

    ASP Technology is characterized by a raised, five-pointed plate on the sole roughly the diameter of a quarter. Changing its position is easily achieved by loosening the screw that holds it to the sole, rotating the ASP, then re-tightening the screw.

    ASP works with FCT to create 40 combinations of loft and face angle, which can be used to further accentuate a face angle or counter a negative face angle due to a sleeve adjustment. It effectively doubles the range of face angle for the club for ±4° to ±6° or alternatively can create 5 lofts in 0.75° increments with the same face angle.

    Flight Control Technology
    Flight Control Technology allows you to change the orientation of the driver head with the shaft to effectively adjust the loft up or down, giving you 8 choices of lie and loft/face angles at range of 3° of lie and 3° loft/6° face angle for up to approximately 60 yards side-to-side trajectory adjustment and 3° and 1500 rpm of launch condition change.

    Movable Weight Technology 
    TaylorMade introduced Movable Weight Technology (MWT) in 2004 in the r7 quad driver. MWT gives golfers the ability to easily move discretionary weight to different areas of the clubhead to shift the CG location to promote changes in trajectory that produce greater distance and accuracy. Millions of TaylorMade metalwoods with MWT have been sold since the introduction of the r7 quad.

    Employing two widely spaced weight ports delivers 4 mm of CG change from heel to toe to promote up to 20 yards of side-to-side trajectory bias. The R11S includes two MWT cartridges, one weighing 10-grams and one weighing 1-gram. Configuring the weights properly is intuitive: To set up a neutral bias, install the heavy (10-gram) weight in the toe; to create a draw bias, install the heavy weight in the heel. If a more neutral setting is desired, 4- and 6-gram cartridges are available separately, and so are other cartridges of varying weights, which allow you to change the club’s swing weight as well as promoting changes in trajectory.

    TaylorMade R11s Driver

    Combining MWT, FCT and ASP
    Together, MWT, FCT and ASP allows for 80 launch-condition combinations, the most of any driver in existence. The total launch condition range is 3° and 1500 rpm by combining full FCT and MWT settings.

    Players can also adjust the weights to influence trajectory, either to enhance the launch conditions created by the face angle setting, or independent of the face-angle setting. For instance, some players prefer to look at an open face at address while still desiring a draw-bias performance. With the R11S driver, the player can open the face and install the heavy weight in the heel, resulting in an open face but a draw bias weighting.

    Inverted Cone Technology
    Like every TaylorMade driver since the R500 Series (launched in 2002), the R11S incorporates TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone clubface technology, which dramatically expands the COR zone, which is the portion of the clubface that delivers maximum ball speed.

    Shaft and Club Specs
    The R11S measures 45.75” and is equipped with an Aldila RIP Phenom 60 shaft (X, S, R and M flexes), which weighs 60 grams and which features a medium-firm tip profile.  RIP shafts feature Reverse Interlaminar Placement to provide more stability more stability at impact and promote more distance and control without the harsh feel associated with some firmer tip shafts.

    Grip: TM FCT. 
    Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° in right-handed; 9° and 10.5° in left-handed. 
    Street price: $399.

    The R11S TP is equipped with an Aldila RIP Phenom TP 65 (X, S, R)
    25 additional TP shaft choices are also available. 
    Grip: TM FCT. 
    Lofts: 9°, 10.5° in right-handed; 9° and 10.5° in left-handed. 
    Street price: $499.

  • adidas Golf Introduces adidas STREET Footwear

    adidas STREET footwearGolf shoes are evolving. It used to be that all golf shoes either looked like the classic saddle or wingtip style, or they looked like tennis shoes with spikes. In the last few years, companies like Ecco have changed the way we think about golf shoes, making the “street style” popular with the help of brand ambassadors like Fred Couples. Another shoe company that is changing the game is Kikkor Golf. Their innovative line of skater inspired shoes is gaining much popularity with golfers, especially the younger crowd.

    These new style shoes are comfortable, make a statement and can mostly be worn right out of the house and on to the first tee. With the nubby, spikeless sole of these golf shoes, one seldom has to change his shoes in the parking lot or locker room any more. Of course, there are other options for those traditional spiked shoes to be worn off the course too, but I personally don’t wear traditional golf shoes much any more.

    This new youth movement in golf shoes has forced the big boys like Nike, Footjoy and adidas to jump into the market as well. TaylorMade adidas Golf has answered the call with their adidas Street footwear. The details of the new shoe are below, in the TMAG press release. We’ll be posting our review as soon as we can get our hands on a pair, so keep checking back or simply subscribe to our email updates for more.

     

    Justin Rose wearing adidas STREET footwearCARLSBAD, CA (September 21, 2011) – adidas Golf, the industry leader in footwear innovation, has introduced the spikeless adidas STREET footwear. adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Justin Rose debuted the new spikeless golf shoe en route to his wire-to-wire win at the BMW Championship last week.

    adidas STREET combines iconic adidas styling with full-grain leather for a rich look and feel. The upper is both lightweight and durable, while the soft, spikeless outsole provides traction, comfort and off-course versatility. The spikeless sole gave Rose superior traction throughout the week, including in wet conditions during the final round when a steady rain fell throughout the back nine.

    Rose switched to the adidas STREET last week after being given a prototype pair and was instantly hooked, as the innovative shoe has helped his footwork and allowed him to move freely with the extra flexion and torsion he needs. “I noticed an impressive improvement after wearing the adidas STREET shoe. The softer construction puts less stress on the body and I walk off the course feeling fresher,” said Rose.

    adidas STREET is designed to allow the foot more natural flexion and torsion while cushioning every step. The spikeless outsole delivers superior traction with 124 strategically placed traction lugs of varying size for a secure grip in all playing conditions, with textured synthetic toe-cap that’s super durable and improved abrasion-resistance.

    adidas Golf launched the Balance Nitro franchise in 2005 leading the Japan spikeless category.  Later adids Golf continued innovations with the Traxion Lite series in the US and now the release of the adidas STREET. The adidas STREET is poised to solidify that leadership position when it launches nationally on November 1, 2011.  “It’s exciting to see the adidas STREET succeed so soon on tour, but not a surprise, since we’ve been making the best spikeless golf footwear for more than five years,” said Kevin Ross, vice president of adidas Golf.

    adidas Street Soleadidas STREET carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $90 in five colorways – white/white/black, black/black/white, cognac brown/tour white/gum, white/FP royal/FP royal, and white/FP lime/FP lime – to be released on November 1, 2011.

    Connect with adidas Golf on Facebook | Twitter

    About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf creates high-performance, technology-infused golf apparel and footwear worn by hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Ashworth, which became a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in 2008, creates relaxed, lifestyle-oriented golf apparel synonymous with authenticity and quality. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.ashworthgolf.com, and www.tmag.com.

    About the adidas Group About the adidas Group The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry offering a broad range of products across the three core brands adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 39,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 10.381 billion in 2009.

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  • Win The Ultimate Fitting Experience On The TaylorMade Tour Van

    TaylorMade is having a contest! If you want a chance to receive a full fitting experience for you and three of your friends, just register your products and enter the contest using the link below.

    Our Next Tour Stop: Your House

    TaylorMade staff will pick you up in the TaylorMade Tour Van, drive you to your local golf course to show off, and build you a full set of clubs to your specs. I’ve had a chance to hit most of their latest offerings and I can tell you that TaylorMade is one of the few companies out there that made top line equipment for every spot in your bag. I just put their R11 TP 3-wood in the bag and it’s pretty darn good. The R11 driver is one of the hottest sellers on the market, and the xFT wedges have been around for a while and probably don’t get their fair share of attention in the very competitive wedge market. Check out the video below and register for your chance to win!

    Our Next Tour Stop: Your House. from TaylorMade Golf on Vimeo. If you are near one of TaylorMade's fantastic Performance Labs, you should stop by and see what they can do for you too. It's worth the trip!

    Subscribe to our email updates! You'll get the latest fresh news, reviews and stories delivered right to your inbox or RSS reader, and automatically be entered in our latest contests and giveaways! We are 100% SPAM FREE! Also, don't forget to check in with our Facebook fan page for exclusive content and get involved by leaving us comments on what you think!

  • TaylorMade Tour Staff Professional Darren Clarke Captures Open Championship Playing R11 Driver

    Credit: Reuters/Kieran Doherty

    Clarke, 42, Becomes Oldest Open Champion Since 1967 Playing R11 Driver, Tour Preferred MB Forged Irons, Penta TP Golf Ball

    Carlsbad, CA (July 18, 2011) – TaylorMade Tour Staff Professional Darren Clarke captured the Open Championship Sunday, realizing a lifelong dream of hoisting the Claret Jug after delivering a virtuoso performance at Royal St. George’s. Exceptional ball striking and true grit fueled Clarke’s emotionally charged victory at the Open, his first major championship win in 54 attempts. “It’s been a dream since I’ve been a kid to win The Open, like any kid’s dream is, and I’m able to do it, which just feels incredible, incredible right now,” Clarke said.*

    Playing the R11 driver, Tour Preferred MB irons and the Penta TP golf ball, the journeyman Clarke was well-suited to take on classic Open conditions. Three consecutive rounds in the 60s put Clarke in position to capitalize on a one-shot lead Sunday, a wild afternoon that hosted his gutsy final-round 70 – highlighted by a 20-foot eagle putt at the par-5 seventh. His 72-hole total of 275 was good for a three-shot win, his second this year and 21st career worldwide. Clarke previously won the Iberdrola Open in May.

    With the win, Clarke, 42, became the oldest Open Champion since 1967 and left little doubt about the celebration to ensue in his home country of Northern Ireland. Clarke also moved to No. 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings and now ranks sixth in the Race to Dubai.

    TaylorMade drivers have been used in 32 victories worldwide in 2011 – more than any other brand. Clarke’s victory marks the first major win for the revolutionary R11 driver and second for the Penta TP golf ball. TaylorMade-adidas Golf Tour Staff professional Martin Kaymer won the 2010 PGA Championship playing Penta TP, the first and only five-layer Tour ball and the most complete ball in golf.

    *Quote from asapsports.com

    What’s in The Bag – Darren Clarke

    R11 9* Driver

    R9 13* fairway wood

    Rescue 09 TP 19* hybrid

    Tour Preferred MB irons (4-PW)

    TP xFT ZTP 50* wedge

    TP xFT ZTP 54* wedge

    TP xFT ZTP 58* wedge

    Penta TP golf ball

    Notable

    • TaylorMade Tour Staff professional Darren Clarke wins the 2011 Open Championship playing R11 driver, Penta TP and Tour Preferred MB forged irons
    • Clarke, 42, becomes oldest Open Champion since 1967
    • Clarke moves to No. 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings and sixth in the Race to the Dubai standings
    • The win marks the 32nd worldwide for TaylorMade drivers in 2011 – more than any other brand
    • Clarke’s win marks the first major championship victory for the R11 driver and second for the Penta TP golf ball

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  • TaylorMade Introduces Three New Forged Iron Models

    TaylorMade Introduces Three New Models of Forged Tour Preferred IronsTaylorMade Golf has re-imagined and redefined the forged iron with the introduction of three new and distinctly different models: TPMB (Tour Preferred® Muscleback), TPMC (Tour Preferred Muscle Cavity) and TPCB (Tour Preferred Cavityback).

    The sophisticated design of each of the three new models incorporates specific features and technologies developed to promote improved superior performance. Created with major input from tour pros, each new iron is an exquisitely designed instrument that blends classic forged iron features with modern performance elements. The TPMB and TPMC are both created using a state-of-the-art shaping process and modern, 6-step forging procedure that results in pure feel. The TPCB employs a multi-material construction comprised of a forged face and cast body.

    “Forged irons are typically devoid of performance technologies,” said Bret Wahl, senior director of iron, wedge and putter development. “Their compact and solid construction, with thin sole, thin topline, high CG location and little to no offset, forces a very specific type of impact parameters to hit a good shot, with virtually no margin for error. The reward for that sacrifice is unparalleled feel and workability. We took a long, close look into the makeup of forged irons to determine if we could advance the performance with the use of technology, and we found that we could.”

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    TPMB: Innovation in a Forged Muscleback

    The Tour Preferred MB is a finely wrought muscleback blade expressly designed for the purist. With clear lines, a compact player’s shape and minimal offset, the TPMB delivers the pure feel, feedback and workability coveted by blade fans.

    “This is the iron that many of our Tour Staff pros been waiting for,” said Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade’s vice president of tour operations. “The lines are clear and clean from every angle, and the pure feel of the ball on the forged face at impact is as good as it gets.”

    The exclusive, 6-step forging process employed produces a more precisely shaped and finished head that looks and performs like a work of art. A thin topline, thin sole, straight leading edge, minimal offset and tapered hosel work in conjunction to promote the kind of pure face-to-ball connection sought after by skilled players.

    In addition, the TPMB incorporates TaylorMade’s innovative new precision-weighting port in the back of the clubhead to solve an age-old problem. In the past, clubmakers have installed cartridges of varying weight in the hosel to assure that each iron in the set is of uniform swingweight. Doing so, however, affects the location of the CG in terms of its position between the toe and heel. The TPMB’s precision-weighting port guarantees precise swingweights while ensuring optimal and consistent CG location in every clubhead.

    “The precision-weighting port proves that it is, in fact, possible to innovate and improve the performance of a true, forged blade,” said Brian Bazzel, manager of iron and wedge creation.

    The TPMB also incorporates an advanced, USGA-conforming groove design to promote more spin and control from the rough, a crucial advancement in making it the ultimate player’s performance iron. The standard shaft and grip properties were chosen with input from TaylorMade Tour Staff professionals, and include True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft —the most widely played on tour—and Tour Velvet grips, a combination deemed optimal for promoting consistent and responsive performance.

    TPMC: The Ideal Forged Players Cavityback

    TPMC irons are designed with a clean, classic and maneuverable player’s shape that offers the optimum blend of feel, workability, and forgiveness. By incorporating a compact, shallow cavity, the irons deliver the feel and workability of a forging plus a degree of added stability.

    “We worked obsessively with our Tour Staff to shape the TPMC irons into something that looks perfect to the better player’s eye, while at the same time incorporating feel, workability and stability,” said Bazzel.

    The end result is a sexy, workable player’s shape with a thin topline, straighter leading edge and less-cambered sole. Like the TPMB, the creation of the TPMC starts with an exclusive 6-step forging process, which produces a more precisely shaped and finished head that looks and performs beautifully. The sole is moderate to narrow in thickness and less cambered, preventing deep digging. The leading edge features minimal heel-to-toe radius with the ideal amount of camber to cut cleanly and precisely into the turf with little to no resistance.

    Additionally, the advanced groove design promotes more spin and control from the rough.

    TaylorMade’s precision-weighting port is incorporated into the TPMC, guaranteeing precise swingweights while ensuring optimal and consistent CG location in every clubhead to promote optimized ball flight in the long-, middle- and short-irons.

    Equipped with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts and Tour Velvet grips.

    TPCB

    The Tour Preferred CB is a multi-material forged cavityback that’s beautiful, powerful and playable. Designed with a two-piece head, the TPCB’s advanced construction melds a forged face with a cast body that incorporates an undercut cavity to deliver the pure feel of a forged iron and the forgiveness of a deep cavityback.

    “Uniting a forged face with a cast cavity allows us to deliver the best of both worlds: the soft feel of a forging with the stability and forgiveness of a deep undercut cavity,” said Wahl.

    The TPCB boasts the highest MOI of the three new irons. That, combined with its Inverted Cone Technology (the only iron of the three with ICT), which promotes faster ball speed on off-center hits, helps make the TPCB extremely forgiving for consistent distance from shot to shot.

    The TPCB also features a precision-weighting port that guarantees consistent swingweight throughout the set while ensuring optimal CG location in every clubhead to promote optimal ball flight every iron.

    Additionally, the TPCB features the same new, advanced groove design to promote more spin and control from the rough.

    The TPCB irons is the only model of the three being offered in both steel and graphite shafts. The steel is a new, 110-gram, mid-flight True Temper Dynamic Golf XP, which is lighter and promotes higher flight compared to the standard Dynamic Gold steel shaft. The graphite shaft options, developed by Fujikura, are offered in 90-gram stiff flex and 80-gram regular flex. Tour Velvet grips are also standard.

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    Set Makeup, Pricing and Availability

    All three of the new TP forged irons are offered in three shaft flexes – X, S, R. The TPMB and TPMC are available in the 2-iron through pitching wedge in steel shafts only. The TPCB, offered in both steel and graphite shafts, will be available in 3-iron through attack wedge. The standard TP set includes eight irons—custom sets will allow combination of any eight irons offered in each models—at a street price of $899. The street price for the TPCB irons with graphite shaft is $1099. The TPMB, TPMC and TPCB irons become available at retail starting in March 2011.

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  • TaylorMade Rossa Daytona Ghost Putter – First Look

    TaylorMade Rossa Daytona Ghost Putter

    Press Release from TaylorMade Golf — TaylorMade Golf is proud to announce the release of the putter that so many golfers have been asking for, the Rossa Daytona Ghost, a tour-proven blade that offers the familiar calming white color and high-contrast alignment cues of the now-famous Corza Ghost mallet. Like the Corza Ghost, the Rossa Daytona Ghost was developed with significant input from the world’s most sought-after putting instructor, TaylorMade Tour Staff professional Dave Stockton.

    Tour pros who have put a prototype similar to the Rossa Daytona Ghost in play include Paula Creamer, who used it to win the U.S. Women’s Open, as well as Scott Verplank, Martin Laird, Jason Day, Peter Hanson, Darren Clarke, Andres Romero and Sean O’Hair.

    The first model in the Ghost Series, the Corza Ghost, has proven an instant success with consumers and Tour professionals worldwide, building massive momentum in the retail marketplace. In four months, the Corza Ghost’s key achievements already include two PGA Tour victories by TMaG Tour Staff professional Justin Rose, first at the Memorial and again at the AT&T National. Corza Ghost has also fueled record-breaking growth for TaylorMade in the putter category; the brand’s 13.1% putter dollar marketshare in July 2010 is the highest total in company history.*

    The Rossa Daytona Ghost also has the advantage of Rossa's renowned and tour-proven AGSI®+ (Anti-skid Groove System Insert) Technology. The AGSI+ insert features 14 polymer-filled grooves in the face that "hold" the ball briefly at impact to negate backspin and promote forwardspin for a smoother roll and more accurate results. The AGSI+ insert also delivers superior consistency in forward roll on off-center hits, something not shown in tests of other popular putters. The Rossa Daytona Ghost becomes available on Friday, October 1, at a street price of $129. *Source: Golf DataTech July 2010. Watch Justin Rose discuss the benefits of the Corza Ghost. Connect with TaylorMade Golf on Facebook | Twitter About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf creates high-performance, technology-infused golf apparel and footwear worn by hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Ashworth, which became a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in 2008, creates relaxed, lifestyle-oriented golf apparel synonymous with authenticity and quality. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.ashworthgolf.com, and www.tmag.com. About the adidas Group About the adidas Group The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry offering a broad range of products across the three core brands adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 39,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 10.381 billion in 2009.

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  • TaylorMade Performance Labs – Why You Need To Go

    TaylorMade Performance LabsNot too long ago, I had a chance to visit the Grand Cypress Resort to play the fantastic New Course. Grand Cypress is a top notch golf facility, especially with the world class pros available at the Grand Cypress Academy of Golf. Click on the link to read my review of the Grand Cypress Resort’s New Course. After our round, we wandered over to the Academy to see Travis Kent at the TaylorMade Performance Lab. This state of the art facility performs high-tech club fitting and swing analysis for golfers of any level, from weekend hacker to PGA Tour veterans. With Camera in hand, my friend Lindsay and I let Travis take us through a fitting, and the results were eye opening.

    Have you ever played the Tiger Woods video game for Playstation, Wii or another platform? Have you ever wanted to take your golf swing and digitize it like they did for Tiger’s swing? Well now you can. Using the same infrared motion capture technology as the video games and movie makers use, the master club fitters at the TaylorMade Performance Labs can create a digital representation of your golf swing. This digital “you” lets the staff fit you for the right equipment and help you fix your swing by showing you what you are doing. This technology takes video analysis to the next level by allowing you to see and manipulate your swing in near real time.

    [caption id="attachment_1015" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="The sensor suit"]TMPL1[/caption] The club fitters start by suiting you up with the sensor jacket and apply sensors to your wrists, elbows, knees, feet and head. The little reflective balls all over your body are picked up by several IR cameras set up all around the room to capture your swing from all angles. Once calibrated, the club fitter has you make several swings with a special club outfitted with the same sensors. Along with a swing monitor computer to track club head and ball stats, the club fitter is able to show the golfer his swing from every angle and collect many stats about the swing. In fact, the system is so precise, figures such as swing speed and ball speed are measured to the millionth of a mile per hour. There is certainly plenty of data to digest, and it's why we have talented professionals like Travis on hand to digest this info and recommend the proper equipment for you. [caption id="attachment_1018" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Before & after swings compared side by side"]TMPL2[/caption] My guinea pig Lindsay made several swings and he noticed right away that his back swing was much longer than he thought. In his case he was over turning and losing power, so Travis compared his swing side by side with PGA golfer Jason Day to show how a short back swing and aggressive hip turn can produce more power. After making a few setup changes we compared the before and after swings, and he started hitting the ball more solid. On the right, you can see the new, shorter back swing with a more restricted hip turn vs. the old swing. Golfers spend so much money playing golf every year, it blows me away that the vast majority of players play with clubs they bought off the shelf. For over a hundred years, the average golfer's score has remained at 100. With all the advances in technology like graphite shafts, titanium club heads, longer golf balls and more training aids than you can shake a stick at, the average Joe still has trouble breaking 100!? How can this be? I think one of the issues is people aren't playing with properly fit clubs. A guitar player doesn't simply pick up a guitar and start playing, he tunes the guitar first or it will sound horrible and out of tune. Similarly, golfers shouldn't simply take a club off the rack and start playing or they wont play their best. It's hard to explain to the average golfer how much of a difference it can make to have your clubs properly fit by a qualified club fitter like Travis at the TaylorMade Performance Lab. Properly fit clubs are easier to hit solid, leading to increased distance and consistency. Lindsay's irons and woods turned out to be well fit to his swing, but his putter was too upright, with the toe in the air at address. A toe up lie can lead to pulled putts, so we bent it a few degrees flat. Like many people, Lindsay's wedges were off the shelf, with cheap stock shafts. It was also recommended he switch shafts to match the rest of his set. [TaylorMade Golf Accessories (10% Off with Promo: TM10)] A fitting session at the TaylorMade Performance Lab is a great way to get your equipment dialed in, but it's also like a mini-lesson. Travis and Lindsay were able to correct a few swing flaws and see the results almost immediately, thanks to the video capture technology in the lab. He was given a folder with his complete fitting and specs for every club in the bag, and a CD that holds a viewer software to watch his digital swings at home. The data from his swings is also available, down the the 5 decimals. True, we probably don't need to know our swing speed is exactly 102.22536 MPH, but it's there for the tech junkies out there. driverfaceimpact2I highly recommend taking the time to have your clubs fitted, from the driver on down to the putter. A session at the TaylorMade Performance Lab is as much fun for the experience as it is for the results. Seeing your golf swing in digital form is fun, even if you don't have textbook form. For a visual learner like me, it's the best way to fix swing faults. At the very least, you'll get properly fit clubs and play better without changing your swing. You can even take your fitting data and order a new set of clubs direct from Taylor Made.

    Gift certificates are available for full fittings at the Orlando location. (407) 238-0577 Call now and receive 50% off the full fitting price when you order by September 30th, 2010. Fitting certificates are good from 1 year of purchase date. They made great holiday gifts! For more info and directions, click here.

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  • Paul Goydos Shoots 59 at John Deere Classic

    Paul Goydos Shoots 59 @ John Deere Classic
    Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

    Two time winner on the PGA Tour Paul Goydos shot only the fourth 59 in the history of the PGA Tour today at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL. It was the first round of the John Deere Classic. Goydos, nicknamed “Sunshine” by his friends, joins Al Geiberger (1977), Chip Beck (1991) and David Duval (1999) in the 59 club. He shot 12-under on the par 71 layout, with eight birdies on the back nine, including birdies on Nos. 17 and 18, to post his 59. He missed only one fairway and two greens in regulation all day. He made a seven foot birdie putt on the final hole to accomplish the feat.

    David Duval was the last PGA Tour player to shoot 59 when the former world No. 1 did it during the final round of the 1999 Bob Hope at the PGA West’s Palmer Course. While certainly a very rare occurance on the PGA Tour, it happens more often in other events and tours around the world. The last 59 carded on a major professional tour was done by Jason Gore, who did it during the second round of the Nationwide Tour’s 2005 Cox Classic. Annika Sorenstam is the only LPGA Tour player to have ever shot 59. She did it in the second round of the 2001 Standard Register PING tournament, which she went on to win.

    Although 59 is the lowest score in official competition, it’s not the lowest score we’ve seen in competition. Shigeki Maruyama shot a 58 at a U.S. Open qualifier in 2000, scoring 29s on both sides of Woodmont Country Club to post a score that wasn’t even eligible for the record books. Why? Who knows. Another Japanese player, young phenom Ryo Ishikawa recently shot a 58 at The Crowns for his seventh Japan Tour title. He had 12 birdies in his bogey-free round on the 6,545-yard Nagoya Golf Club course. Harrison Frazar and David Gossett also shot 59s during PGA Tour qualifying school.

    In casual and practice rounds, we’ve heard stories of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson also shooting 59s and 58s, but neither has managed to put such a score together in official tournament competition.

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  • TaylorMade Introduces R9 SuperDeep TP Driver

    TaylorMade SuperDeep TP Driver
    Click photo to zoom in...

    TaylorMade Golf has released another new driver to the market, but this one isn’t for everyone. The new SuperDeep TP is a pure player’s driver, descended from the legendary 300 Tour and R510 TP, according to the following press release:

    CARLSBAD, Calif. (May 19, 2010) – TaylorMade, the No. 1 driver brand in golf, proudly introduces the R9™ SuperDeep TP, a pure player’s driver descended from the 300 Tour and R510 TP, both legendary among tour pros and highly skilled players.

    The R9 SuperDeep TP driver is engineered to promote a mid launch-angle and low spin-rate for strong swingers who tend to launch the ball too high and with too much spin with other drivers. The ultra-deep clubface (2.55 inches tall) is the deepest of any TaylorMade driver ever, and the head height is equal to the USGA limit (2.8 inches). The head is also more compact from heel to toe than other drivers like R9 SuperTri and Burner® SuperFast. This gives R9 SuperDeep TP a lower MOI which, combined with its forward CG location makes it more workable for players who like to shape their tee shots.

    Its combination of Flight Control Technology (FCT) and Movable Weight Technology™ gives you a choice of 448 possible launch condition combinations. R9 SuperDeep TP comes equipped with Aldila's new R.I.P. graphite shaft with Reverse Interlaminar Placement technology, which delivers low torque while promoting increased hoop strength and increased tip stability. Appearance-wise, R9 SuperDeep features an all-black finish, including the clubface, and includes TaylorMade's famous TP logo on the toe, and comes with an all-black headcover with magnetic closure. "This driver isn't for everybody," said Tom Olsavsky, TaylorMade senior director of metalwood development. "It was created for the select few who generate a rare combination of high clubhead speed, high clubhead control and high smash factor. If you're that player, this is the driver you've been waiting for." The R9 SuperDeep TP driver is available in three right-handed lofts (8.5, 9.5, and 10.5) and one left-handed loft (9.5). Three R.I.P. shaft flexes – R (60 grams), S (70 grams), X (70 grams). It includes a TP case with an R9 torque wrench (to adjust the FCT position and remove and install MWT® weights) and eight MWT weights: 1-gram, 4-gram, 6-gram, 8-gram, 10-gram, 12-gram, 14-gram and 16-gram. Availability starts on May 15, 2010 at a street price of $599. We'll have a SuperDeep TP to test and review very soon, so stay tuned for that one. If you are a five or below handicap and generate enough club head speed to hit the ball over 275 yards, you'll probably want to read about this driver! So far in our initial test hits, it's been very positive. Having hit about 20 balls with this beast, I can tell you that in stock form it is an anti-hook machine! The stock weights are set at 16g in the toe and 1g in the heel, creating a very fade biased setup. It hits low spinning bombs, but curiously not many on tour have put it in their bags, favoring the Burner SuperFast TP or SuperTri. Stay tuned!

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  • TaylorMade Introduces Burner SuperFast TP Driver

    TaylorMade Burner SuperFast TP DriverSleek Black Finish and Tour Preferred Face Alignment Combined with Burner SuperFast’s Aerodynamic Head

    TMAG Press Release – CARLSBAD, Calif. (May 18, 2010) – TaylorMade Golf is launching a TP version of its popular Burner SuperFast driver. Available to tour pros since March, the Burner SuperFast TP has been put in play by Retief Goosen, Y.E. Yang, Rory Sabbatini, Mike Weir, Pat Perez, Jason Day, Fred Funk, Justin Rose and Vaughn Taylor. Yang used it in April to win the Volvo China Open on the European Tour.

    “The players who have put Burner SuperFast TP in play have done so mostly because they’re getting more ball speed and distance with it,” said Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade’s vice president of tour operations. “The aerodynamics of the head promote more clubhead speed, and the big face and high MOI allow them to go after the ball more. Vaughn Taylor has never been considered a long hitter. A player came to our tour trailer and asked for a Burner SuperFast TP because he couldn’t believe how far Vaughn was hitting it past him in a practice round.”

    TaylorMade Burner SuperFast TP DriverThe Burner SuperFast TP features a fast, aerodynamic head shape, expansive clubface and slightly open clubface alignment. The inner side of the clubface incorporates TaylorMade's renowned Inverted Cone Technology, which promotes faster ball speed on off-center hits. The Burner SuperFast TP driver also incorporates TaylorMade's proven Dual-Crown technology, which both lowers and pulls back the center of gravity to promote a higher launch angle and less spin. Introduced in the TaylorMade Tour Burner driver two years ago, and also used in the Burner 09, Dual Crown technology is tremendously valuable. The Burner SuperFast TP driver is finished entirely in black, including the sole and clubface, and features a tour-inspired crown graphic and the famous TP logo on the toe. TaylorMade Burner SuperFast TP DriverNew Matrix Shaft Configuration Promotes Piercing Ball Flight Also critical to the Burner SuperFast TP driver's performance are its new Matrix shaft configurations, which promote a piercing, Tour-like ball flight and a stable feel. The Matrix HD6 (65 grams) shaft is in the S and X flexes, while the Matrix XCON 5 (54 grams) is the standard R-flex shaft. At 46.0" in length, Burner SuperFast automatically promotes a wide swing arc to promote increased clubhead speed. Available in three right-handed lofts (8.5, 9.5, 10.5) and one left-handed (9.5). Availability begins on May 15, 2010 at a street price of $349. I am still in the testing stages with this driver, but I can say the results have been very favorable so far. The feel is classic TaylorMade with a muted click at impact. This driver is workable and produces a nice controlled trajectory, with low spin. Stay tuned for a full review of the Burner SuperFast TP & the new SuperDeep Driver very soon!

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  • TaylorMade Golf Introduces Rossa Corza Ghost Putter

    According to a press release issued today – TaylorMade Golf, maker of Rossa® putters, has unveiled Corza Ghost, a mallet specially designed to be exceptionally easy to aim, and exceptionally easy to use to roll the ball down your intended line. It was designed with significant input from the hottest putting instructor in the world, Rossa Tour Staff professional Dave Stockton.

    “We started with the intention of designing a putter that’s easier to aim than any other,” said Bill Price, Rossa senior director. “That led us to experiment with a white finish. We consulted Dr. Steven A. Hitzeman, a professor at the Indiana School of Optometry and he felt we were onto something.”

    TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost PutterThe Contrast of White Against Dark Makes Aiming Easier
    “Corza Ghost’s white putterhead stands out so clearly against its background — the putting surface – because of the high contrast between white and green,” said Dr. Hitzeman, who is also a past president of the Indiana Optometric Association and a past chairman of the American Optometric Association’s Sports Vision Section. “That high contrast maximizes stimulation to the retina and highlights the head’s shape and features. The contrast would be lower if the putter were black or gray because these colors are closer in luminance to the color of the putting green than white. White creates the biggest difference in luminance, hence maximizing contrast and promoting focus. Many golfers use the leading edge of the putter as part of their alignment strategy (by positioning the edge perpendicular to the imagined target line). So, this high contrast for the leading edge gives the golfer the best chance of squaring up the putterface at address. Also, the lines on the top of the putter are painted black to achieve maximum contrast against the white surface of the putter. All of these high-contrast alignment elements give the golfer the best possible chance of accurately aiming the putter.”

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    p style=”text-align: center;”> To make it even easier to aim the Corza Ghost, Rossa engineers put three black alignment lines on the crown and a circular hole in the back of the putterhead, giving you different options to focus on to lock in your aim. "You can focus on the topline to aim Ghost," said Bret Wahl, senior director of iron, wedge and putter development, "or you can focus on the alignment lines to visually connect the circular hole and your ball to lock in your aim. The point is that you've got options, each one highly effective." Because Corza Ghost's putterhead is white, its three alignment options are easier to focus on and use, according to Dr. Hitzeman. "The Corza Ghost putter's three alignment elements all have high contrast against their backgrounds. This high contrast maximizes stimulation to the retina, which helps the golfer to focus and use these aiming features effectively." TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost Putter Eliminating "Hot Spots" "Hot Spots" are reflections of direct sunlight from the top of the putter into the golfer’s eye, and distract the player's attention from the task at hand, which is to focus on the putterhead, the alignment system, and aiming the putter squarely down the target-line. "When I started playing on tour in the 1960s, I used a silver mallet," said Stockton. "Nicks and marks would form on the crown from normal use. They lit up when sunlight hit them at address, which I found extremely distracting, so much that I would have the crown sandblasted frequently to erase the hot spots. Because when you look down at the putter you don't want anything disturbing your focus, which should be on the putterhead and the features of it that you use to align the putterface squarely down the target-line." The Corza Ghost's white finish helps keep hot spots from standing out, allowing you to focus your attention on seeing the whole form of the putterhead and the alignment system, so you can aim without distraction. Large, Solid-Feeling, High-MOI Mallet Being a mallet, Corza Ghost's high-MOI head is extremely stable on off-center hits and feels extremely solid at impact. Its three alignment lines on the crown function not only to help aim the face accurately, but also to frame the ball in the middle of the face, which promotes solid, center-face contact on every stroke. AGSI®+ to Promote Better Roll Corza Ghost also has the advantage of Rossa's renowned and tour-proven AGSI®+ (Anti-skid Groove System Insert) Technology. AGSI+ features 14 polymer-filled grooves in the face that "hold" the ball briefly at impact to promote forwardspin for a smoother roll and more accurate results. The AGSI+ insert, in concert with the putterhead's extremely high MOI, also delivers superior consistency in forward roll on off-center hits, something not shown in tests of other popular putters. Two More Ghost Models in the Pipeline Corza Ghost is scheduled to appear at retail starting in June, at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $159. Two more Ghost models – a blade and a mid-mallet – also with white finish and black alignment lines, are scheduled to become available in July.

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