Opinion & Analysis
TaylorMade doubles down with SpeedBlade
TaylorMade’s CEO, Mark King, said the company has changed the dynamics of the iron business. The company’s Executive Vice President of Product Development, Sean Toulon, said it’s the biggest advancement in golf equipment since woods became “metal woods.”
Say what you want about TaylorMade’s speed pocket, a slot in the sole of its irons that the company claims makes “all other irons inferior.” But there’s one thing you can’t say: that TaylorMade executives aren’t betting the farm on it.
Click here read our tech story on the SpeedBlade irons.
TaylorMade’s newest iron, SpeedBlade, was announced Monday night at the BMW Championship in an event that felt more like an iPhone launch than a golf equipment event. In attendance were the usual golf equipment writers, but also veteran PGA Tour scribes, who would have likely taken the night off had it been any other golf equipment company’s event. But with PGA Tour superstars Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose in attendance, the SpeedBlade event slipped past the realm of golf equipment and into that of golf culture.
[youtube id=”_k9unWck_wY” width=”620″ height=”360″]
Maybe that’s why King, Toulon and iron guru Brian Bazzel spent little time on head-to-head comparisons between the RocketBladez and SpeedBlade irons. Instead, TaylorMade executives chose to discuss what Toulon called the “mind-blowing,” “myth-busting” performance of the speed pocket itself.
In a round table, Garcia, Rose, Johnson and Day discussed how TaylorMade’s previous iron model, RocketBladez, had changed their attitude toward technology in irons. Garcia, who was the first golfer to win with TaylorMade’s RocketBladez Tour irons, talked about how their larger sweet spot nullified slight mishits, helping him hit shots closer to the pin more consistently.
Rose discussed the process he went through of individually testing each RocketBladez Tour long iron in the spring of 2013. He started with the 3 iron, which impressed him enough to put that club in the bag. Then he went on to the 4 iron, the 5 iron and finally the 6 iron.
“I didn’t want to change,” Rose said. “Because I was hitting it really good [with my old clubs].”
Justin Rose compared a SpeedBlade 4 iron to the TaylorMade MB Forged 4 iron he used in early 2013. The results? SpeedBlade flew noticeably higher and as much as 20 yards farther.
But Rose said the speed pocket in his RocketBladez Tour irons allows him to hit higher, more consistent long-iron shots, like the towering 4 iron he hit into the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open at Merion that sealed his first major championship victory.
It’s Johnson’s and Day’s experiences with the clubs that are more typical of most Tour players, however. Johnson put RocketBladez Tour irons in play in the first tournament of the 2013 PGA Tour season, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. He went on to win by four shots, but then benched the clubs for the rest of the season.
Day used a strong-lofted RocketBladez Tour 2 iron in both the U.S. Open and British Open, ripping 1 iron-like shots in excess of 300 yards at Merion and Muirfield. He said that the slotted long iron allowed him to do what similarly lofted hybrids simply couldn’t, keep the ball under the wind. But his runner-up finish at the U.S. Open and T32 finish at the British weren’t enough to convince him to keep the club in the bag. Like Johnson, he was intrigued, but not ready for an iron makeover.
All four Tour stars spent the evening in Lake Forest, Ill., demonstrating just how game-changing the SpeedBlade irons can be. Garcia hit a SpeedBlade 7 iron more than 200 yards. Rose hit a SpeedBlade 4 iron nearly 256 yards, while Johnson crushed one 271 yards and Day hit a SpeedBlade 3 iron 280 yards. And it was no tomfoolery. According to Bazzel, the SpeedBlade irons were built to the same specifications as their current irons.
The fact remains, however, that there’s almost no chance that any of the four superstars will put a SpeedBlade iron in their bag until TaylorMade releases a smaller, shorter-flying version.
Above: Dustin Johnson celebrates his 271-yard shot with a 4 iron, which bested the drive of former Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent.
Yes, the SpeedBlade irons are more compact than their predecessors, RocketBladez. They also fly higher, are more forgiving, better looking, better feeling and more consistent on mishits. But golfers like Garcia, Rose, Johnson and Day simply don’t trust an iron that flies two-to-three clubs farther than the forged blades they grew up playing.
It’s not that the SpeedBlade irons are worse than the irons they’re playing. According to Bazzel, the SpeedBlade irons are the most technically advanced model TaylorMade has ever produced. They’re just different.
But different is good. Different is what changed golfers from woods made of wood to ones made from metal, and from wound golf balls to solid-core models. It’s also what gets average golfers out of bed early on weekends, hoping that today’s round might be different.
With the SpeedBlade irons, TaylorMade’s executives proved to the golf world that they’re committed to distance irons for the foreseeable future. They’re convinced they can change golfers’ minds, and in turn change their games.
Not everyone will agree with them, of course, but no drastic change has even been without skeptics. Often, the kind of exceptional criticism hurled at a product like RocketBladez and SpeedBlade irons can mean something else — that a company is on to something.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the SpeedBlade irons in the forum.
- LIKE6
- LEGIT1
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT3
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK1
19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle
Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.
Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.
The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.
Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.
Past Winners at Harbour Town
- 2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
- 2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
- 2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
- 2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
- 2019: CT Pan (-12)
- 2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
- 2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
- 2016: Branden Grace (-9)
- 2015: Jim Furyk (-18)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Harbour Town
Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
- Tom Hoge (+1.27)
- Corey Conners (+1.16)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
- Cameron Young (+0.93)
Good Drive %
The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.
Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (88.8%)
- Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
- Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
- Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
- Sepp Straka (+85.1%)
Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs
Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.
SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:
- Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
- Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
- Brian Harman (+1.89)
- Sungjae Im (+1.58)
4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)
Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.
SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds
- Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
- Taylor Moore (+1.02)
- Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
- Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
- Andrew Putnam (+0.83)
5. Greens in Regulation %
The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.
Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:
- Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
- Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
- Corey Conners (+69.0%)
- Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
- Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)
6. Course History
Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.
Course History over past 24 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
- Cam Davis (+2.05)
- J.T. Poston (+1.69)
- Justin Rose (+1.68)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)
The RBC Heritage Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)
- Shane Lowry
- Russell Henley
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- Corey Conners
- Wyndham Clark
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Cameron Young
- Ludvig Aberg
2024 RBC Heritage Picks
Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)
With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.
Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).
Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.
Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)
I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.
At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.
The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.
Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)
Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.
Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.
Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.
Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)
Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.
At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.
In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.
Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.
Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)
When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.
Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.
Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.
Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)
This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.
Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.
Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.
Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.
- LIKE23
- LEGIT4
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP2
- OB0
- SHANK1
The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.
Scheffler In a League of His Own
In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.
For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.
The Future is Now
Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.
With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Nostalgia Wins
I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.
Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.
The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.
Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.
Bryson Moves the Needle
Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.
It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.
Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.
LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed
Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.
The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.
This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.
Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.
Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.
To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.
With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.
Rory’s Struggles Continues
Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.
I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.
McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.
Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.
- LIKE49
- LEGIT9
- WOW4
- LOL1
- IDHT2
- FLOP2
- OB2
- SHANK7
We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.
In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.
Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.
Placement Bets:
Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):
I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.
In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.
Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):
Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.
In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).
Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.
Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.
Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.
Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):
The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.
This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.
Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.
Top Nationalities:
Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):
I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.
I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.
This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.
Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):
While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.
He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.
Tournament Head-to-Heads:
Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa
JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).
Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.
Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark
I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.
Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.
- LIKE9
- LEGIT5
- WOW3
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK3
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
Photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Joaquin Niemann names 3 PGA Tour events he’d love to play each year ‘in a perfect world’
Spotted: Bettinardi irons at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Max Homa WITB 2024 (April)
Max Homa what’s in the bag accurate as of the Masters. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting) Shaft:...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75g 6.5 Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver...
Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2024 Masters
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here. Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches) 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy...
WITB Time Machine: Danny Willett’s winning WITB, 2016 Masters
Driver: Callaway XR 16 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana W-Series 60 X Length: 45.5 inches 3-wood: Callaway XR 16 (15 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
-
19th Hole6 days agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoThings got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
-
19th Hole1 week agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole2 days agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 day agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoAddiction, spinal fusion, and scam artists – Everything Anthony Kim revealed in candid interview with David Feherty
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoAnthony Kim says doctors told him that he ‘may not have much time left’ ahead of LIV return
Henny Bogan
Oct 5, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Taylor made is not bad since they replaced my driver head that blew out a hole in it. Happy they stand by their products. With that in mind, I preferred the R11 to the R11s they sent me since it sounded better and felt better. I’m still playing my buttery soft Hogan apex edge pro irons. I am a bogey golfer (85-92) broke 80 once with a 78 but the feel of hitting the sweet spot is more important for me than where the ball ends up. Sounds crazy, I know. But I just love the real feel of a pro v or b330 solid in the middle. In fact my next clubs I would prefer a little smaller head just to force me to concentrate a bit more.
Longpar5
Aug 23, 2014 at 10:10 pm
What, in the world, does that have to do with this article. This is why golf forums full of hackers get so tiresome…People commenting on themselves and their set up and recommending something totally different than what the article/original post was about.
OVER THE TOP GOLF
Oct 4, 2013 at 2:40 pm
I will never give up my Ping Eye2s or my forged steel Zaap putter. I also only play old school Maxfli A10s which are pretty much extinct now but I managed to hoard about 100 dozen of ’em. I laugh when I talk to 30 handicap golfers who won’t pay $15 for a lesson but will drop a grand every year on new sticks.
reggie jaggers
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:22 pm
Strange to say the least, it seems to me that every club, be it iron or driver is “pushing the PGA’s limits, if that’s true then how can this iron possibly be any longer than the Rocket blades? it’s pure bull. Every club they come out with is supposedly longer but still their under the limits, explain that to me? it’s marketing BS
Anthony Maccioli
Oct 3, 2013 at 1:14 am
And sadly people still buy the “latest and greatest”.
Keith
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:31 pm
Looks like a winner.
carp
Sep 21, 2013 at 12:51 pm
HYPE ALERT! I found on the Golfblogger’s site that Wilson had irons in the late 70s called Reflex. They had a slot very similar to these.
http://www.golfblogger.com/index.php/golf/comments/wilson_reflex_irons_had_a_slot_in_1978/
If these had really been that great…well, do the math.
Pete
Sep 20, 2013 at 10:03 am
I absolutely despise taylormade I have two taylormade clubs in my bag a R11 driver set to 9 degrees of loft with adila rip phenom red eye alpha x stiff shaft and there old white smoke putter my other clubs are birdgestone j38 3-pw and i have ping I15 tour stiff 3w and 5w with a mix of cleveland reg 588 wedges and sometimes i use my titleist sm4 but to get to the point I hit my driver on average about 280 carry so i can hit it around 300 with good roll ” im only 16″ but to get to the point my girlfriend who plays on the AJGA tour went to sea island fitting center and got fitted for all new taylormade gear the R1 2.0rbz rocketblades the whole works she was also using bridgestone clubs before this 6 months later she absolutely despises these clubs there GAME IMPROVEMENT they have no feel forged irons with feel is where you need to be these game improvement irons do nothing there for hacks and for hype nothing more
spazo
Sep 30, 2013 at 5:56 pm
the period key is what you need
it’s located between the space bar and the enter key
use it.
t120
Oct 5, 2013 at 10:35 pm
I rather liked the egocentric ramblings of a ready-for-the-pga poster with TMAG gear he hates and no actual point, or punctuation. And no, ALL CAPS, isn’t punctuation, just annoying.
I would also challenge him to buy a comma. Wait, nevermind, I’ve got a few lying around you can borrow.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Doug
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Any input on JPX EZ forged irons? The lofts are crazy long and makes me suspicious on how accurate they may be.
Doug
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:27 pm
Yes! A 200 yrd iron sounds like a sandtrap to me?
Tyler
Sep 17, 2013 at 11:10 am
I wonder how “EXCITED” Dustin, Sergio, and the other pro’s were to be there!
Shane
Sep 16, 2013 at 3:30 pm
I laugh when I read, “TaylorMade is simply strengthening the lofts of their irons.”
UPDATE: Every club manufacturer is doing this; Mizuno; Titleist; TaylorMade. Look at the specs.
That particular argument is getting old.
FYI, I play a Scotty putter, Vokey wedges, TaylorMade R9 TP irons, an RBZ 3-wood and a Titleist 910D2 driver, so I’m not basing my post on an exclusive love for TMaG products – just stating something that so many others seem to have missed.
Kc
Sep 26, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Speedblade has the same lofts as other company’s clubs (same as my callaway diablo forged irons). I currently play rocketbladez tours, which have weaker lofts than speedblade or rocketbladez regular ( pw-47.5 loft). They fly higher, go farther and land softer. I can score better with these clubs than previous clubs and isn’t that the point in new iron technology? I’m really hoping the new speedblade will improve on rocketbladez tours. I’m having trouble with the long clubs, 4-6i. These speedblade look sweet and the reviews online sound promising. Can’t wait.
Anthony Maccioli
Oct 3, 2013 at 1:12 am
Do you see the problem with that logic?Despite the whole idea of having the long irons be easier to hit you still have trouble hitting them. Then how are the flying higher, going father, and landing softer?… how does it make sense to go out and basically buy the same irons and get the same results?
Kc
Oct 5, 2013 at 8:39 pm
I didn’t plan on getting the speedblade in place of my rocketbladez tours. I said the technology in these newer TM irons have improved my ball striking and lowered my scores. Demo the tours or speedblades and see if you hit them better than your current clubs. Btw, next year TM will release forged irons, probably an update of the forged models from a coupl years ago. Will these new forged offerings included the speed pocket? We’ll see.
David T
Apr 14, 2014 at 12:03 am
I think everybody is missing the point here. What realy matters is who buys the beer at the 19th. My 24 year old EYE 2 + BECU’s have provided me with more than my share over the years. Yes, these new clubs are very nice but at the end of the day it’s not how but “how many”.
Lee
Sep 12, 2013 at 2:56 am
The irons are so good the Pro’s say whilst thinking why do they keep making me take my blades out of the bag for a few days! More Tosh from TM I don’t think even their marketing machine believes this latest installment.
Sagamore
Sep 11, 2013 at 9:37 pm
How much for a set of irons? Assuming 4 thru pitch…
When Rocketbladez came out, they were about $800.
Zak Kozuchowski
Sep 11, 2013 at 10:23 pm
$799 with steel for eight irons. Full tech story here: http://www.golfwrx.com/135671/tech-talk-taylormade-speedblade-irons/
– Zak
Stanley
Sep 11, 2013 at 9:30 pm
TM create new clubs constantly they are still trying to make ones as good as Titleist. Even the Pros driver heads are completely different than the rack or TP stuff. Real golfers can stick with the real gear.
Trygve Ekern
Sep 11, 2013 at 5:46 pm
The reality is a bit of everything that we have heard… Yes… Taylor made makes some very nice products, of which I bag several myself, yes… They are shameless whores for coming out with new models every few months… But… In their defense they have done the market research that tells them people will keep buying the latest version of things… Capitalism pure and simple, contant releases may come back to bite them, but for now people seem to be eating this s*** up!?
David D Banks
Sep 11, 2013 at 8:56 pm
I play 1999 Callaway Hawkeyes and I think their as good if not better than anything out there
Tom
Oct 4, 2013 at 2:22 am
1996 Big Berthas… still going strong.
Caleb
Sep 11, 2013 at 5:40 pm
So they come out with technology a year later that is that much more of an improvement? Sounds just like apple….going one small step at a time with their so called “new technology.” Rippin peoples heads off
Shankerton
Sep 11, 2013 at 5:40 pm
What happens when I cake them with mud after 6 chilli dips in #1 fairway?
jontyrees
Sep 11, 2013 at 3:45 pm
So much outrage over a new set of irons! TM likes to have a new product on the mkt, with associated hype, at all times. That doesn’t mean you have to ditch the rocketbladez you bought a yr ago to buy these. It means that the guy who is in the mkt to replace the clubs he bought 5yrs ago looks at articles on new clubs and sees the newest TMs, and possibly buys them. I fail to see why so many people have a problem with that. They make good clubs, and they always have something fresh on the rack. Sounds like a solid business model to me.
Shane
Sep 16, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Finally, a rational post.
It’s terrific business. Since when does a smart business model justify anger, hatred, etc.?
And let’s not forget that TaylorMade is owned by Adidas – a global sports brand. I’m willing to bet that their business marketing folks know what they’re doing.
stoneydukes
Sep 11, 2013 at 3:40 pm
What about RocketSpeed?!!
Joda
Sep 11, 2013 at 3:24 pm
I was entertained enough to read all the comments – thanks guys. Here’s my 2¢… I played the Callaway RAZR irons since they came out. I just upgraded to the RBZ irons (not the rocketbladz) and have found I not only hit them farther but straighter. I’m a 6 handicap. I do believe the technology is getting better but my RBZ’s are already outdated by what 3-4 models? It is nice to find someone on Craigslist to buy my old sets at a high price and find Dick’s or Sports Authority coupons to buy the clearanced new sets at such a cheap price. So the best thing about new irons every few months is that TM (or other companies) clear out the older models and I get a new set every two years for almost nothing 🙂
Chris
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Isn’t SpeedBlade simply a color update to match the SLDR?
Ola
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:32 pm
I dont get these rants. I am a 12 hcp but short hitter (150 yds w 7 iron) i use ping g25. With rocketbladez that i tried last week i get 160 yards, AND same or even higher trajectory. AND freakin straght. Lofts shafts lenghts who cares?? Ill be approacing greens w one club less wich will amount to one club better targeting. Mizuno blades make me cey, but they are not for my lousy swing speed. And dont tell me to practice, ill take you out on chipping any day
chowchow
Sep 11, 2013 at 3:13 pm
try out the new Mizuno JPX Forged irons that are coming out or the non forged. They are a more forgiving club than the 825 pros. The new Mizuno stuff will be on the shelves any day now. My ordr came in today. Heading out back to hit some balls with the H-4 – MP-54’s and The EZ 825’s. The black heads I like. H-4’s you can see thru the set the muscle area changes thru the set. Mizuno has some winners once again.
Why do all you guys throw nut fits when TM releases a new club. There are lots or idiots out there just like you guys snieveling like 8 year old school girls on the play ground fighting over Barbie. It must work.. I sell lots of their products. Companies don’t do things unless there is a market their.
HOW MANY OF YOU HONESTLY CAN BREAK A 100 and GOLF MORE THAN TWICE A WEEK? NGF says this is the norm. Twice a month and can’t break a 100. Less than 1% are single digit.
Remember be honest(no lying & counting all your stokes). after all it is a gentle mans game. so all you say
Philip
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Lets fault Taylormade for attempting to make profits. They are the Apple of golf. Prior to Taylormade’s recent marketing, all other companies fit to a uniform process. Taylormade is creating buzz and hype to a somewhat boring sport (to outsiders). While you guys are bashing them for selling their products, they are on the way to the bank with your friend’s money.
Scott
Sep 11, 2013 at 6:50 am
Lol @ the golf snobs in here.
If you don’t like a brand ignore their adds and don’t buy their gear.
Alex
Sep 11, 2013 at 5:32 am
As somebody who works in Golf retail, you guys have to understand whose buying golf clubs these days. 90% of people I fit do not understand the basic components of a golf swing let alone differences in equipment. All they see us that one club is going slightly further than the rest, and its most likely the newest model in the store (because tmag release new sticks every fortnight). Tmag aren’t fussed whether or not low handicap golfers get frustrated with there frequent releases.
zach
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:46 pm
good point
Richard
Sep 11, 2013 at 4:52 am
I think Taylor Made gives the consumer choice – which I believe is a good thing
I hit the Rocketbladez irons when they came out – I didn’t get on with them, so I purchased a set of Cobra AMP forged irons, which I think are incredible irons. They are long and soft. Give me a set of forged cavity back irons any day of the week.
NG
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:28 am
Cannot believe the posts on here comparing Speedblade irons top player forged type irons…are you serious? of course your not going to like them…i’m sure there will be a tour model to appeal. I remember everyone saying the same things last year about Rocketblades and guess what TMaG sold a bunch of those too! Don’t give up your day jobs people!
Chock
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:14 am
Some call it a SLINGblade…….. Hehehehehe
Chock
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:15 am
Come on you knew somebody had to say it
SN
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:51 pm
I like to buy new clubs.
Every time I buy one, it reminds me of my swing flaws.
and it makes me go out and practice…
Gregory
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:44 pm
I hit my 7i 190. I play Mizuno MP 53 +1″ project x 6.5. I’m 6’3″ 240.
Chock
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:13 am
Sounds about right
Jake T
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Congratulations
Jake
Sep 10, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I think I’m just going to wait till next month to get the SpeedBlade 2.0 at the same time i pick up my Iphone 5s(c) in blue so they can match………………. Not! Fail…..wait for it….Fail 2.0!!!!!!
pooch
Sep 10, 2013 at 8:36 pm
The only thing that makes the ball go further is “Club Head Speed”
III
Sep 10, 2013 at 9:22 pm
Well, TM would like to think that the CT and the COR is maxed out to the limits with these latest clubs
WM
Sep 10, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Wait for it next spring we will see Speed Bladzi-er.
Weekendwillie
Sep 10, 2013 at 5:36 pm
How is this different than any other “toy” someone buys? I hate TMAG stuff but I’m pretty sure they do their research to know what sells and gets people excited. Any time I play, there are r1s and rbzs galore so it’s working. people like new things so whether its new clubs , TV, a new phone ( think about that for a second), a new ATV, snowmobile(people upgrade yearly to this crap, so you really need 50 more HOrse power) , a new compound bow( do you really need to go from 300 ft per second to 310?) it’s all what you like and want to spend your money on. The nice thing is I am %100 positive that a new club will marginally improve my game.. maybe..but if I like it and can wait 6 months after its release, eBay is wonderful and it’s a pretty inexpensive hobby in the grand scheme of things .
Blanco
Sep 10, 2013 at 4:22 pm
This is getting really, REALLY old.
Canadian Golf Pro
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:42 pm
I have no problem with companies introducing new products, the bottom line is those companies have to make money and to do that they need to innovate. What I don’t like is the distance claims they make. I never hit the RBZ Stage 2 any farther than i hit my X-Hot or my old launcher titanium….I tested the rocketbladez and did not hit the 5 iron any farther than my R11 5 iron or PING s57
sleeper
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Completely agree. This is just silly. I took the rocketbladez “bucket challenge” and they failed. Hit my current irons just as far.
By their own standards, I think Taylormade is slowing down. I expected them to have replaced the “speed pocket” with something just as ineffective by now.
Side note: When did GolfWRX start doing advertorials? Taylormade’s credibility is gone, but I’d like to think this site tries to be objective.
Argentinian Golfer
Oct 3, 2013 at 9:55 am
Please, not compare the loft of a Ping S 57 with any TM from TM Burner 1.0.
TM are 2 (two) degrees stronger than any Ping and Titleist irons.
Ping i15 7 iron: Loft 33.
TM speed, blade, bla bla bla 7 iron: Loft 31.
Yeah …. the champion of the distance …. with less loft!
Roger
Sep 10, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Cool Product.
Yes i have tried the Mizuno Fli Hi.
Yes i had a Ping ISI 2 iron back in the day.
Looking forward to buying a 3 or 4 SpeedBlade used around xmas
when they are one model old.
Marketing WORKS.
Distance Sells.
WRX’rs are say the top 5 to 8 % critics of the buying public.
It is the other 92 to 95% the Marketers target.
Have a Happy Day.
mike
Sep 10, 2013 at 3:31 pm
I dont understand why you think this is bad marketing. Its great marketing, but potentially poor business strategy. If you look at golf club sales, they tend to sell high volume toward the first month or two of a products release and then taper off quick. So instead of having 1 set of irons sell for the entire year, they are increasing their lineup to have 2 sales bumps for the year. The marketing of their products generate the hype and interest. But sooner or later, they will oversaturate the golfing population and it could bite them in the a**.
LB
Sep 10, 2013 at 6:25 pm
You won’t believe how unsaturated the market is, though.
yo!
Sep 10, 2013 at 3:12 pm
You guys aren’t going to be playing this upcoming year with last year’s equipment and be behind the times, are you?
Billy
Sep 10, 2013 at 3:05 pm
What a Joke!! TM is the worst.
Young
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:58 pm
no thank you
150 with 7 iron is perfect for me
michael
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:43 pm
chunky irons dont look like blades to me …
Joel
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:58 pm
I agree, they are playing fast and loose with the term blade…
Swoosh
Sep 10, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Funny to listen to comments because EVERY golf company pulls these same tricks. Titleist 913s are the same exact clubs as the 910s but nobody gets mad at them.
Joel
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:40 pm
The difference is the 910’s were good…and the 913’s are good.
Meanwhile, the rocketbladez were terrible…and these look like about the same.
paul
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Im glad they are the same. someone stole my titleist 710 cb out of my bad one day. now i can order a 712 and it still fits my set 🙂
Baba Booey
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:50 pm
except Titleist does this every 2 years. Taylormade is every 2 weeks
RH
Sep 10, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Is it just me or does TMAG seem to be shying away from the whole “white” theme and going with a new blue color scheme brand
Joel
Sep 10, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Well…I do think they look better than the rocketbladez, plus at least speed blade doesn’t have weird z’s or abbreviations like sldr in it. I don’t know, I miss not having to carry a gap wedge since most pw’s are damn near a classic 9 iron loft. All that being said, tmag is going to sell a ton of them I’m sure and as long as so many tards keep buying this stuff they will keep producing this weird slotted stronger lofted garbage.
JHM
Sep 10, 2013 at 12:14 pm
My new set make up –
SLDR Driver – 315
Stage 2 TOur 3w – 285
Stage 2 Hybrid – 275
Speed Blade 4,5,6,7,8,9,PW – 255,242,230,215,200,188,172
Gap Gap Wedge – 160
Gap Wedge – 148
Sand Wedge – 138
Lob wedge – 125
Had to take my putte rout to make room for the extra Gap Wedge, and I never get to hit the SLDR or Stage 2 off the tee, cause I cant get closer that 125 to the flag, but I’m killing my 4 iron!!
george
Sep 10, 2013 at 8:49 pm
at what altitude
Chock
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:11 am
Lol
chris
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:28 pm
They hit the ball far because they have great swings and club head speed.. unlike the weekend warriors whos swing mostly kinda stink. There’s not a person I know who can even try and pretend to hit a 7 200 yrds.. and I know a few good golfers
Canadian Golf Pro
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Love the sarcasm, it actually did make me laugh. But i’d love to have that problem. I’d love it if i had nothing longer than a 6 iron and carried 6 wedges. Long irons blow.
Brian
Sep 10, 2013 at 12:00 pm
That notch at the heal looks a little like Ping’s notch. Ah lawsuit??????
LB
Sep 10, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Ah no? If that is worthy of a lawsuit, the blatant copy in the whole design of this iron to the Mizuno MP-58 should be examined.
NG
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:24 am
I heard Ping and TM had a trade of patents…TM got the bending notch and ping got an orginal FCT sleeve design.
tim
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:57 am
So…
(me)How is the Speedblade better than the Rocketblade?
(TMAG) Uh…umm, It’s Blue…Next question please.
Well done TM marketing guys.
BL
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:33 am
Umm…. what club is J. Rose hitting in that photo? I don’t see a slot – and by the loft of it, it should, right?
LB
Sep 10, 2013 at 6:20 pm
He is swinging his own MB 4 iron with the C-Taper. May be it was meant to be a comparison analysis so the Pros hit their own one and then the SpeedBlade.
JnRadioActive
Sep 11, 2013 at 5:02 pm
its there, angle nd glare make it looks like its not but if you look close you can see the ends of the slots (bigger than rest of slot)
Mizuno Zeke
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:05 am
Why would you want to hit a 200 yard 7 iron?
mike
Sep 10, 2013 at 3:27 pm
so i dont have to try and hit my 4 or 5 iron 200
David N. Simms
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:59 pm
I hit a TM TP CB 7 iron 180…dang 3 iron goes 230-240. Irons go so far already, I rarely have the need to use a driver any more. It’s more about the ball construction and club head speed than the club IMO.
Brian
Sep 10, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Don’t worry, 99% of amateurs won’t
Canadian Golf Pro
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Why wouldn’t you? If you can use a shorter, easier to hit club from 200 yards wouldn’t you want that? I’m a 2.5 index and i’ll hit the green maybe 1/5 times with my 5 iron, but i’ll hit it 4/5 with my 7 iron…distance is a good thing. All the best players in the world are long hitters.
CD
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Geometry dictates that your logic is incorrect, particularly for the average golfer. Let’s say you’re hitting your 7-iron to a 150 yard par 3, and you launch it offline by a mere 5 degrees (for example). At that distance, you’ll land about 13 yards left or right of your target. Maybe you still catch a piece of the green, maybe not. Now, hit your 7-iron to the 200 yard green (same size green, but 200 yards away), still offline by that same 5 degrees…. you’re now 17.5 yards left or right. That’s a 35% increase in distance away from the target. That 15-20 feet difference left or right may have just put you in the bunker or water.
Sagamore
Sep 11, 2013 at 9:35 pm
You are 100% spot on. A miss is accentuated the farther the distance traveled.
Under normal conditions, with a target just short of the flag, I am using a 7 iron from 160 yards. I hit maybe, 50% of the par 3’s and 4’s in regulation. The rest I will miss because I am off target due to a miss hit. If I am 160 out, with one of these clubs, theoretically, I am at a 9 iron. What am I accomplishing?
I can miss with a 9 iron too.
Alex
Sep 26, 2013 at 3:08 am
You forget to realize that the lie and length of the clubs are a variable that would not be the same. While it’s true that distance magnifies errors, shorter clubs with more loft tend to be easier to hit.
So, while it might make sense to assume the same error, the likelihood is that the 7i shot is more accurate than the comparable 5i, thus reducing the amount off target.
Mizuno Zeke
Sep 11, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Canadian Golf Pro,
I can see your point and I have a GHIN 2.0 handicap. But with all this distance, won’t this take away the finesse of the game? Short courses will become extinct and I think it hurts the game.
Alex
Sep 26, 2013 at 3:11 am
Face it…people aren’t hitting it too far for short courses.
People on here like to complain about it, but the fact is, most amateurs can’t hit it solid enough to be hitting it too far.
The short course going extinct thing isn’t relevant to the large majority of golfers.
Kc
Sep 20, 2013 at 3:49 pm
I don’t think most of us have to worry about hitting a 7i anywhere near 200 yds. Only pros and single digit handicappers are close to that. Just hope that 7i flies higher, goes a little farther and lands softer than your current clubs. If its easier to hit, than its worth a demo.
Mattias
Sep 10, 2013 at 10:07 am
New Taylormade and Callaway irons fly longer, but probably not from the “speedpocket”. An iron head is to hard and thick in the sole for that to make any difference i guess. Stronger lofts, thinner faces, longer and better shafts make a difference though. Remove all the crappy plastic emblems and strange decals and use proper lofts then also experienced golfers could give it a try.
Tom
Sep 10, 2013 at 10:37 am
+1
Baba Booey
Sep 10, 2013 at 10:00 am
TMAG sells to weekend golfers that want to go to Dicks and have the latest equipment to one up their buddies. They go out on the weekend and shoot 100 and hit a few shots to keep them coming back. The next guy in their 4-some who’s wife allows him to buy clubs goes and buys the next thing TMAG puts out next month to one up his buddies. These guys suck at golf, but it makes them feel like a golfer to shell out to buy the latest and greatest.
I have friends like this. They go to Dicks, buy the R1 off the rack, post it to Facebook, go out and shoot 110. Next month it’s the irons, need speedpocket. Go buy them, post photo to facebook and go shoot 110.
Nike and Taylormade are made for one another.
george
Sep 10, 2013 at 8:48 pm
so true Baba Booey so true lol!!!!!
Mike
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:55 pm
you are absolutely right. this is for weekend golfers, also for beginners to step into golf course easier
Fooshee
Oct 9, 2013 at 9:52 am
Not quite. I had some Cobra Forged CBs. A lot closer to a player’s club as opposed to a game improvement club. I wasn’t hitting them as well as I used to due to lack of playing. I tried the Rocketbladz and was wowed. I hit shots now that I never have before. My distance control is a lot more consistent with mishits and I can still work the ball. I can hook all the way to slice at will. The deal is that I hit them consistently straighter. As long as I hit a straight enough tee ball, there’s no need to work the ball as much. They are plenty good enough for me.
leftright
Sep 11, 2013 at 7:40 pm
That is why I have neither in my bag…
Stewie
Sep 14, 2013 at 8:36 am
Well put!… You’re SO right!
David Smith
Sep 10, 2013 at 9:52 am
OH. MY. GOD. This is just silly now. TaylorMade has become the fisher price of golf and sadly people are buying this nonsense up like crazy.
I overheard one guy in the club house saying the “Speedpocket Technology allowed him to work the ball better and easier with distance and precision while landing it softly”, the guy can barely hit the thing let alone work the ball, I guess this is TMaG’s niche market; people who can’t golf but want to fit in.
NC
Sep 10, 2013 at 10:16 am
The thing is, no other company is doing it – therefore, TM is simply filling up the room on the shelf. If the other competitors came up with stuff as much as TM is, there wouldn’t be room, the profit margins would drop, the costs would rise, and there wouldn’t be so many. But because the margins are good, the clubs can be made cheaply, and because there is a lot of room on the shelf at your local golf shop – why not just fill it?
It’s working, obviously, as they can just a certain number of the current models at a certain cheap price point and turn around a quick profit. And then they can just make another one. Until somebody else steps up to fill the void, and use as much money in advertising, it will continue to be this way.
Steve
Sep 10, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Cally and the FT Optiforce say hello…
Chock
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:10 am
You mean the Apex? But that thing’s obviously not ready
Larry Sherer
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Wrong, Callawy has had 3 THREE new drivers this year alone, the new one is comming out with the slider like TaylorMade just minutes after their last one had the head cover pulled off. And Balls, what is happening there? WIth balls I think they are running out of names for each new product.
Stewie
Sep 14, 2013 at 8:40 am
I agree… I think they finally jumped the shark with their ‘slider’… This is getting STUPID!… I have a feeling TM is about to go over the cliff, taking some of the others with them. Consumers are going to suddenly hit the wall, and just walk away because they’re being treated like cash cows… The 25 year old Cobras in my garage are looking better every day!
Eric
Sep 10, 2013 at 8:51 am
Taylormades marketing is solid and draws people in. I just don’t understand how you release Rocketbladz at the beginning of the season and then release a new set at the end of the season. The technology and innovation cannot be that different from it’s predecessor.
A lot of you may be asking why Taylormade is using this strategy. It is simple answer growing there profits and margin. The parent corporation is pushing them to grow there business to help grow the stock price. I have insight to this being I worked for division of Nike and they pushed us to grow our business beyond expectations each year.
I just question the distance iron play. I think golf is a game accuracy and shot making. With big hitters like Bubba, Tiger and Dustin golf has become about the long ball. Most casual golfers struggle to drive the ball 225 straight let alone 300 yards. All this distance is making golf courses longer and making it tougher on the casual player. No club or ball is going to make the ball fly straight if your swing is flawed.
It is all smoke and mirrors
Gino
Sep 10, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Actually the Rocketbladez were released in Oct. LAST year. Google is your friend.
J
Sep 10, 2013 at 5:26 pm
And October is the start of the season for some…
Chock
Sep 11, 2013 at 12:09 am
Exactly! There’s a whole Southern Hemisphere !
Chris hunter
Sep 17, 2013 at 5:19 pm
I have heard that more this year than any other, these new clubs are great with distance but folders are having more trouble moving the ball at will. The newer clubs are just helping them hit starighter but have no feel.
John
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Exactly! I have the Rocketbladez, and was wowwed by the gain in distance. However, I can no longer work the ball. A draw is a pull – hook and a fade is a push – slice.
Rob
Sep 10, 2013 at 7:53 am
Hmm… I guess the Rockbladez HPs will be coming out for $399.99.
Danny
Sep 10, 2013 at 7:52 am
Zzzzzz
Wake me up next week when they come out with Speedblades 2.0
Taylormade has deminished their brand so much in the past 3 years. Start making clubs guys can hit 200 yards on a dinner plate, not 9 irons with jacked up lofts so guys can hit them farther.
milton
Sep 11, 2013 at 1:44 am
your my friend hit it on the head, you can’t drop a new club every week and be considered serious about your brand. this just shows your in it for ONLY…..the money. Not to build technology
scott
Sep 10, 2013 at 7:22 am
Why has the game of golf become all about distance? I play golf with guys who say; “I hit a 7i 170” me, what did you shoot? 170 7i guy, “92” makes sense!
Jack
Sep 10, 2013 at 5:01 am
LOL yeah if the pro’s can hit their 7 iron at 200, then going down, their 8 at 188, 9 at 176, PW would be about 164. How many wedges do you need below the PW for your short game? That’s one of the reasons. The other would be that Pro’s probably think it’s weird to play with game improvement clubs. I’d say their ego is getting in the way of them winning (see Dustin Johnson). If DJ really took the irons out of his bag after he won with them, he’s an idiot. Still really good at golf and now has bagged a hot wife, but I guess he’s a golf purist by sticking to his blades or whatever he games.
MorikawaTMaG
Sep 10, 2013 at 1:09 pm
they ususally have 4 wedges and also he was the first one to win this year. Also he never played the rocketbladez, he stuck with his MB’s
Kc
Oct 5, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Most pros don’t hit their 7i 200 yds. This “demonstration” is just for show. It’s Taylormade’s chance to wow regular joes to fork over $800. Hitting at a driving range without any hazards is different than tournament play with the pressure and intimidation staring the player’s in their face. Most tour players use a 5i or 6i for a 200 yd. a weekend player will use a 7i for 150-165 yd shot. Lets see if the real gains are higher ball flights and more consistent and accurate hits.
tjw
Oct 9, 2013 at 12:07 pm
funny ! but true
BOC
Sep 10, 2013 at 2:45 am
Oh marketing, I love you.