taylormade

opinionated3

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone else is getting sick of tm changing their drivers every couple of months. I like new gear as much as the next man but new gear seems to be new for only a few weeks with tm. I have the rbz stage 2 driver which I purchased in march and is now essentially ''old". I feel cheated and slightly mugged. Surely the new jetspeed and sldr can't bring that much more to my game that I need to upgrade already??

Dr_Colossus

opinionated3 wrote: »

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone else is getting sick of tm changing their drivers every couple of months. I like new gear as much as the next man but new gear seems to be new for only a few weeks with tm. I have the rbz stage 2 driver which I purchased in march and is now essentially ''old". I feel cheated and slightly mugged. Surely the new jetspeed and sldr can't bring that much more to my game that I need to upgrade already??

No not really, I have their R7 TP superquad for a few years now (bought second hand) and have no intention of changing any time soon, a great driver when hit well. That said I wouldn't turn down a R11s TP driver either. With their product turnover there is good deals going if looking at the second hand market.

On the other hand I bought a brand new set of TaylorMade tour preferred MB irons nearly a year ago now and see they're bringing out an updated version of these irons next year. Have only seen the pictures and initial views are that I would prefer my own. Sure the new release is going to affect the resale value of my own but that doesn't really affect me as when I bought them I intended to keep them for many (~10) years by which time they'd have little or no resale value anyway.

In conclusion I guess if looking to change gear regularly then it's more economical to buy one season old equipment but if intending to keep your clubs for many years then a new release shouldn't affect you that much apart from the aesthetics of having the latest models in your bag.

PhlegmyMoses

I actually think it's one of the great things about golf. The people who treat it like a fashion show and have to have the latest clubs enable everyone else to get excellent "old" clubs for way cheaper as they're last season's clubs. I really doubt that there is a huge technological advantage over clubs from a year or two previous.

I got brand new Nike VR cavity irons (4-SW) earlier this year for €230. They were released in 2011, so 2 years old, and on the box the RRP was €620. A 3rd of the price after 2 years. Happy days.

Ronney

As clubs are limited by rules regarding cor, size etc. there has been little changes in drivers in the last 5 years or so.

The differences in newer models are things like adjustable heads and different colours.

dan_ep82

Being new to the sport I can understand to a certain extent. The brother bought a new set of Rocketbladez a few weeks ago but even then they weren't the newest style (speedbladez) but he got them at a good price for pretty much the same club.

I went in to McGuirks to demo a few clubs and I found very little between any of them. The rocketbladez, I felt, hit the same as the speedbladez. I hit the JPX 825 and was told the JPX800 was pretty much the same club with a new name and bigger price tag.

I bought a second hand set of showroom condition 3-PW TM R11 irons for €340 through adverts and an TM R9 460 Driver from MCGuirks for €60.I'm hoping both will get me by for 5years plus although I may upgrade to the R9 Super Tri at some stage,which will cost me buttons by then.

I think if people want the new gear whenever it comes out they'll keep doing it,it can only make sense profit wise.

John Divney

JPX 825 are not exactly the same IIRC, they are progressive in the soles, thinner in the short irons.

dan_ep82

John Divney wrote: »

JPX 825 are not exactly the same IIRC, they are progressive in the soles, thinner in the short irons.

Sorry, it was what I was told by one of the reps. They won't allow you to demo older model clubs so I can't comment personally. They certainly looked very similar.

kelbal

opinionated3 wrote: »

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone else is getting sick of tm changing their drivers every couple of months. I like new gear as much as the next man but new gear seems to be new for only a few weeks with tm. I have the rbz stage 2 driver which I purchased in march and is now essentially ''old". I feel cheated and slightly mugged. Surely the new jetspeed and sldr can't bring that much more to my game that I need to upgrade already??

Were you annoyed too when the new license plate system came in, meaning you've only a new car for 6 months
I think people are mad to be spending big bucks on brand new gear anyway- like other posts have said, you can get 2/3 years old equipment, just as good, for a fraction of the price. The new releases will make zero difference to your game.
What does it matter that your gear is soon to be updated? You have good clubs that should last you for years to come.

FixdePitchmark

I know this is not very scientific - as if you hit that many balls in a row - you will not be consistent - but good piece below on SLDR v R1.

It shows it is all a load of balls in a way.

In fairness - speed pockets and adjustable drivers have been a big change in the driver industry in last few years - so I think people can justify buying a new driver now versus say a 5 year old one.

I got an adjustable driver - but never once adjusted it , because what is the point of adjusting a driver if you are trying to improve your swing. I want true feedback from a club in it's neutral position. Am I hitting the draw or fade ? I want to know.

Dbu

Spoke to the local pro at the weekend, new slider coming out early next year...p... take imo

Dbu

John Divney wrote: »

JPX 825 are not exactly the same IIRC, they are progressive in the soles, thinner in the short irons.

Bought these JPX825 pro's early this year from American golf, fab irons, but took me about 4 months to get used to them

opinionated3

Dbu wrote: »

Spoke to the local pro at the weekend, new slider coming out early next year...p... take imo

Ffs..... ridiculous. Slight off topic but does anyone here know if all driver shaft lengths are the same or are tm drivers longer in general

Tin_Cup

opinionated3 wrote: »

Ffs..... ridiculous. Slight off topic but does anyone here know if all driver shaft lengths are the same or are tm drivers longer in general

Need to check on the specific driver. As far as I am aware different shaft lengths for RBZ's, SLDR, R1 etc. Than different for TP versions (which are same clubhead just different shafts.

opinionated3

Well then I assume a longer shaft automatically leads to more distance? Like does a ping g25 have same length shaft as stage2 rbz? If they are then obviously the difference would be purely in the driver head.

dan_ep82

I know the R9 460 I have has a longer shaft than the supr tri or R9. Going by feel,the RBZ S2 and R1 feel shorter when I picked them up.

mike12

The Irish market is tiny as far as Taylormade are concerned the USA market where u have guys who think nothing of spending €500 on a new driver every 6 months that is the market that these new drivers are aimed at. I have been in golf shops a week after the release of new drivers in the States and u can have your pick of the last model all with expensive upgraded shafts.
For me TM from the R5 onwards are the best drivers on the market. The reason they went white was so everyone could see the like of Luke Donald and PH were using there drives and not getting any money to do so.

Wombatman

mike12 wrote: »

The reason they went white was so everyone could see the like of Luke Donald and PH were using there drives and not getting any money to do so.

Don't forget Callaway’s #1 Tour Guy uses Taylormade also

You don't need the latest gear. If it works for you go with it............

Brandt Snedeker won twice in 2012 and captured the FedExCup.
Snedeker is also a prime example that you don't have to play the latest equipment to have success. His Odyssey White Hot XG Rossie is seven years old, while his TaylorMade Burner SuperFast came out in 2010.

PARlance

Jamie Donaldson was doing an interview over the weekend at the R2D, he has had his 5 wood for 15 years.

Fatswaldo

I regret not buying a new driver each year for the past five years. With the 20 extra yards they all promise I'd be reaching the 400yd mark at this stage!

Shiny driver with go faster stripes looks the business but can be a sheep in wolfs clothing - Get the shaft sorted - wins most of the battle.

spacecoyote

So what does anyone make of TMs latest gimmick... The SLDR "mini" driver

http://www.pgatour.com/equipmentreport/2014/02/25/taylormade-sldr-minidriver.html

Basically a big 3wood? I've been hitting a lot more 3woods off tees these days than drivers...wonder how many extra yards they're promising over the current 3 wood

Norfolk Enchants_

spacecoyote wrote: »

So what does anyone make of TMs latest gimmick... The SLDR "mini" driver

http://www.pgatour.com/equipmentreport/2014/02/25/taylormade-sldr-minidriver.html

Basically a big 3wood? I've been hitting a lot more 3woods off tees these days than drivers...wonder how many extra yards they're promising over the current 3 wood

It's no gimmick, they're just copying Callaway and Ping.

galwaylad14

Technology really hasn't moved much the last few years lads. It's all marketing really. A good driver 5 years ago is still a good driver today. It doesn't know that it has a new, younger and (apparently) more talented younger brother!

dan_ep82

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I bought a second hand set of showroom condition 3-PW TM R11 irons for €340 through adverts and an TM R9 460 Driver from MCGuirks for €60.I'm hoping both will get me by for 5years plus although I may upgrade to the R9 Super Tri at some stage,which will cost me buttons by then.

This shames me, five years me hole. Not even five months

Osgoodisgood

spacecoyote wrote: »

So what does anyone make of TMs latest gimmick... The SLDR "mini" driver

http://www.pgatour.com/equipmentreport/2014/02/25/taylormade-sldr-minidriver.html

Basically a big 3wood? I've been hitting a lot more 3woods off tees these days than drivers...wonder how many extra yards they're promising over the current 3 wood

TM have "invented" the 2 wood. Their boffins must've been burning the midnight oil over that breakthrough technology.

Norfolk Enchants_

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

TM have "invented" the 2 wood. Their boffins must've been burning the midnight oil over that breakthrough technology.

Yea buring it on both ends!.

alxmorgan

Apparently driven by the pros this one. They wanted something for Augusta i.e. a phrakenwood ala Phil. A strong 3 wood/high lofted driver that has a smaller head so is more workable.

Don't understand the anti-TM stuff....nobody forcing you to buy the stuff


http://www.mygolfspy.com/taylormade-sldr-mini-driver-review/

snaphook

Considering I hit my 3 wood on a good day almost as far as my driving on a bad day, a 2 wood would be an interesting option to have. A 3 wood "on steroids" as Phil said last year.

Russman

Gotta love TM, I just got a mail from a golf store about a price drop on the Jetspeed drivers and fairways !! Already !! WTF ?
Must be another new model about to hit the shelves.....

hades

I'm actually interested in this myself, my favorite club in the bag is my R9 3 wood. I'd hit it almost as far as my driver, but its a lot more consistent. I had been thinking about a stronger 3w, as mine is 15 degrees, so this fits the bill nicely.

BoardsMember

opinionated3 wrote: »

Surely the new jetspeed and sldr can't bring that much more to my game that I need to upgrade already??

They are way better, each new driver gives about 20 yards distance, you need it, you really do!! Just listen to the name, "JetSpeed", it has to be frikkin amazing like.
:D

snaphook

Can't wait for the Taylormade LightSpeed.
An extra 20 yards carry......into the trees

Taylormade Magnum
Taylormade Vortex
Taylormade Quantum
Taylormade Thermodynamic

I'd say the R&D at TM spends as much time thinking up cool sounding scientific names for the next iteration

alxmorgan

snaphook wrote: »

Can't wait for the Taylormade LightSpeed.
An extra 20 yards carry......into the trees

Taylormade Magnum
Taylormade Vortex
Taylormade Quantum
Taylormade Thermodynamic

I'd say the R&D at TM spends as much time thinking up cool sounding scientific names for the next iteration

Try this one...MOAD......:eek:

http://www.mygolfspy.com/taylormade-moad-driver/

snaphook

alxmorgan wrote: »

Try this one...MOAD......:eek:

http://www.mygolfspy.com/taylormade-moad-driver/

Mother of.......all drivers.

:eek:

BoardsMember

Taylormade ultimate

Taylormade FluxCapacitor

Taylormade Dirk

Alrite Chief

Another new driver another new marketing plot from TM. I like this one though. A wood designed to hit off the tee with Driver loft. Anyone looked into this? Im far more consistent with a wood accuracy wise so I'm wondering is this the way to go and dump the chunky headed driver altogether. Iv no real consistent flight with my driver but my woods/hybrid I do. Thoughts on the idea?


http://www.golfwrx.com/198899/taylormade-launches-sldr-mini/

Tin_Cup

Watch out for the upcoming Jetspeed replacements. SLDR S series including irons. (Serious - sales of jetspeed through the floor!)

Alrite Chief

Yeah I believe so. Im not sure how bad TM were going back 5 years or so as I only took up golf in the last few years but by god they have gotten progressively worse with the amount of products. People are just buying the reduced price RBZ driver as opposed to the Jetspeed. Their best looking range iv seen I wouldn't mind.

dan_ep82

Alrite Chief wrote: »

Another new driver another new marketing plot from TM. I like this one though. A wood designed to hit off the tee with Driver loft. Anyone looked into this? Im far more consistent with a wood accuracy wise so I'm wondering is this the way to go and dump the chunky headed driver altogether. Iv no real consistent flight with my driver but my woods/hybrid I do. Thoughts on the idea?


http://www.golfwrx.com/198899/taylormade-launches-sldr-mini/

Didn't Callaway come out with the idea with Phils Phrakenwood (3Deep) last year?

dan_ep82

Tin_Cup wrote: »

Watch out for the upcoming Jetspeed replacements. SLDR S series including irons. (Serious - sales of jetspeed through the floor!)

Seen this a few days ago. Bit meh, really liked the look of the CB's Tour Preferred I seen in the pro shop the other day, real nice top line.

Alrite Chief

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Didn't Callaway come out with the idea with Phils Phrakenwood (3Deep) last year?

I hadn't realised thats what that club was until the talk about TM's version. Only when i researched it I found Callaway and Ping versions. Having something with a 3 wood length shaft along with a lower lofted head is very appealing imo. Versatile that you could us it from the deck on par 5's your 3 wood may not reach. Im going to give the 12 degree version a serious look and hopefully dump my driver.