Equipment
Tech Talk: TaylorMade SpeedBlade irons
Clank. It’s a sound golfers hate, and the main criticism of TaylorMade’s RocketBlades irons. But despite their awkward sound, the distance-happy RocketBladez irons sold like hotcakes and became the No. 1-selling iron in golf.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? Wrong. In true TaylorMade style, the company decided to revamp the construction of the new SpeedBlades irons, creating a set of clubs that not only feel better, but look and sound better as well.
The most noticeable structural change engineers made the design of SpeedBlade was removing the chunky toe section on the rear part of the club. That allowed them to place more weight lower and deeper in the head, which according to TaylorMade Product Creation Manager Brian Bazzel gives SpeedBlade the lowest center of gravity of any TaylorMade iron ever produced. The lower CG helps most with forgiveness on shots hit on the bottom part of the face, where Bazzel said 72 percent of golfers contact the ball.
[youtube id=”_k9unWck_wY” width=”620″ height=”360″]
Click here to read about the SpeedBlade iron launch at the BMW Championship.
But again, SpeedBlade is a TaylorMade iron, and it’s not the company’s style just to make one change to a new product. The iron’s SpeedPocket, a slot in the sole of the iron, is now longer and wider than it was in the RocketBladez, particularly in the heel and toe sections. That allows the face to flex more on shots hit on those areas, enhancing ball speed to help mishits leave the face with a similar velocity as shots struck in the center.
The more important change to the SpeedPocket, however, is what golfers can’t see. The slot is extended all the way through the sole of the iron, as well as in three different spots on the back part of the irons to give the structure more flex. That creates a larger area of maximum spring-like effect, or a larger sweetspot. (Note: the SpeedPocket is only used in the design of the 3 through 7 irons, where Bazzel said it is most important for forgiveness and ball speed).
Above: A SpeedBlade 6 iron at address.
According to Bazzel, the lower CG and larger, more effective SpeedPocket allowed TaylorMade to make a change that most golfers will notice immediately: TaylorMade made them smaller. Adding to the compact look of the SpeedBlade is its new two-tone, satin-nickel-chrome finish with a dark smoke plating that creates more visual shrinkage at address. And yes, the combination of the new struction, dampening mechanism and SpeedPocket filler make the irons noticeably less harsh at address, turning the RocketBladez’s clank into more of a SpeedBlade smoosh.
The SpeedBlade irons will hit shelves on Oct. 4. They’ll cost $799 for eight irons with 85-gram proprietary steel shafts (R and S flexes), and $899 with 65-gram graphite shafts (L, M, R and S flexes).
Check out the spec of the new irons below, as well as more photos of the SpeedBlade irons and wedges in the gallery.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the SpeedBlade irons in the forum.
Click here to see what GolfWRX members are saying about the SpeedBlade irons in the forum.
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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We always get some great photos of some phenomenal putters at tour events and love to share them. Here are a few from the 2024 Zurich Classic that caught our eye and seemed interesting. (And as a reminder, you can check out all our photos from New Orleans here)
MJ Daffue’s Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype
MJ is going with the new Scotty Cameron T-11 Prototype this week. The putter is a multi-piece mallet that puts an emphasis on stability with the wings on the back. Daffue’s putter does have a design that differs from retail with a monotone finish, which eliminates the black paint on the aluminum parts that we see at retail. He also has a half siteline milled into the top and an L-neck welded on for some additional toe hang. The face features a deeper milling that should offer a softer feel and slightly quieter sound.
Scotty Cameron T-7.5 Prototype
We spotted a few different Scotty Cameron Phantom models with modified rear flanges. It looks like the straight black flange was cut into a half circle for a little softer look at address. On this T-7.5, you can still see the raw aluminum from the back view, so this might have been a last-minute job to get them out on tour. The semi-circle also has a white line on it, maybe to frame the ball differently.
Alex Fitzpatrick’s Bettinardi SS16 DASS
Alex’s SS16 is made from Bettinardi’s famous D.A.S.S., or double-aged stainless steel, for a softer and more responsive feel. The face has a unique diamond pattern milling and features a logo that I feel like I have seen before, but can’t put a name to. The putter is a classic mid-mallet style with a simple, single white siteline on the top. The sole is clean with just the SS16, DASS, and a green triangle logo on it.
Steve Stricker’s Odyssey White Hot No. 2
This putter has made some amazing putts in its long career! Stricker’s White Hot No. 2 might be in the top 10 of most famous putters in golf. When you see all the dents and lead tape, you know the heel will be up and it will be sinking putts! The soft White Hot insert looks to be in good shape and has less wear on it than the rest of the putter. We don’t know how much lead tape is on the sole, but it has to be multiple layers compacted down over the years.
Doug Ghim’s Scotty Cameron T-7 Prototype
This T-7 should win the award for “best color finish” in this list with its deep chromatic bronze. It looks like Scotty added a cherry bomb dot to the heel of the deep-milled face and filled it with a very dark blue paint. The rest of the putter looks pretty stock with its single site line on the topline and twin site lines down the “fangs” of the putter. Twin 5-gram weights are installed in the sole and the putter is finished off with a gloss black double bend shaft with a fill shaft offset.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
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Project X’s Denali wood shafts have been seen in more and more golf bags this year as we start off the season. As a refresher, Denali Blue is the mid-launch and mid-spin model while Denali Black is for players seeking lower launch and spin.
Denali combines great feel with stability and increased ball speed. Currently, Project X only offers Denali Blue and Black in wood shafts, but we spotted a hybrid shaft in Daniel Berger’s bag at the 2024 Zurich Classic.
The shaft looks to be a Denali Blue 105G – HY in TX flex. No word on details from Project X yet but we can assume that this is a mid-launching shaft that weighs around 105 grams in Tour X-Stiff flex.
Berger has this shaft in his TaylorMade P770 3-iron, likely for some added launch and spin to hold the green from longer distances.
Hopefully, this means we will see some more shafts coming under the Denali name in the future, as I think many of us would like to try one in a hybrid or utility iron!
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic
- Check out in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s full WITB here.
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Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
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Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
Rory McIlroy WITB 2024 (April)
Rory McIlroy what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
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19th Hole3 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole3 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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james saden
Apr 22, 2014 at 8:14 am
Was wondering how durable the polymer in the speed pocket is. I don’t store my clubs in a climate controled environment. Is it affected by heat/cold? If the pocket fails wouldn’t the face deform? Only a two year warranty. $800 is a lot to spend. The clubs I am using now have lasted six years.
Conrad
Sep 17, 2013 at 2:49 pm
man my 4 iron is 24 degrees loft. thats between a 5 and 6 speedblade…
Ola scholander
Sep 18, 2013 at 11:30 am
So? Whats important for you, loft ( number) or trajectory ( result) ?
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 9:05 pm
Flat bill hat is the most important to me
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Yea those guys at intech need to get with the times
Ola
Sep 15, 2013 at 9:22 am
I dont get you guys. I hit higher and longer with these, with more control. Why should i not use them. The game is about least shots to get the ball in the hole. If you wanna use hogan edge irons from the late eighties, feel free to do so.
Secondly, id like a company to release new stuff when they have improvents, not waiting 2 years to put them in. When i buy my new club i want the latest, dont want a 2 year old product
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Don’t forget to click in at your taylormade job monday
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:39 pm
I meant clock in
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 9:04 pm
2 things …..
1st U couldn’t hit it high on the moon probably
2nd. It don’t matter about the least amount of strokes
u will still lie on the card
Kieran
Feb 10, 2014 at 12:46 pm
I didn’t know everyone on this forum worked for Golf Digest Magazine. WOW you guys should be the one reviewing the hot list.
Diff golfers want diff equipment and something must be right with these if they made gold on the hot lit. I somebody wants to enjoy the game and easy too hit irons to give them most enjoyment go ahead and use these clubs so what if there cranked. who cares.
I will see all you guys on the PGA tour then YES ? Oh no wait. Cowboys!!!
Jay Randle
Sep 15, 2013 at 12:34 am
Taylor Made needs to stop…pretty weak offerings. I mean the best companies put out the least amount of equipment…read Mizuno, Titleist
NG
Sep 19, 2013 at 1:13 am
What makes these the best companies? FYI- TMaG iron share is 32%
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Really? Mizuno??? Is it April 1st already
lloyd duffield
Sep 13, 2013 at 4:46 pm
it about time taylormade stopped messing around releasing new stuff every week and bring some decent forged irons out
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:58 pm
Come up with a catchy not-even-close name and they will
paulmuehlboeck99
Sep 13, 2013 at 3:42 pm
I think Taylormade doesn´t help the sport. They bend down de lofts by 4 degrees and make the shafts longer by inches. That doesn´t make it easier to swing
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:56 pm
U keep playin those spalding blades from ’74 and tell me how that helps
Bri-guy
Sep 13, 2013 at 12:06 am
Wow I just cannot wait until these things come out. Ill be the first to buy. I just love how Taylormade switched from the lime green to the blue, and changed the insert in the cavity a little and called it a speed blade. Trading in my rocketblades immediately. The fact it says speed blade means I have to gain some ball speed, right? Also, little will me buddies know that when I hit 2 less clubs than them, its really because my lofts are crazy strong. “Oh you hit a 7 iron from 165? I hit a 9 iron. I’m the man!” That is what I’ll be saying every Saturday. Also, I am so glad I did not pull the trigger on those ATV wedges. They were good when they were released 6 months ago or so, but these new speed blade wedges are so much better. Yea, they look like the same thing you may say to yourself, but you’d be wrong. These wedges are going to be bombers! SPEED and DISTANCE! Exactly what I want in a wedge. Distance control is so overrated. Thinking I will order a 89* wedge in these though for the 120 yard shots and in. I mean with how far these clubs go I’ll need something for those shorter shots.
MWP
Sep 13, 2013 at 10:18 am
oh my gosh bri-guy, I couldn’t agree more! But personally, I just cannot wait until they come out with the “speedbladez” putter! I mean i just can’t ever hit my putts fast enough or far enough! hopefully they’ll make some type of putter with a speed grove on the bottom so i can putt better. if they do, how could I not become a PGA Professional?!
And the really good news is that I ONLY use mallet putters. And since taylormade LOVES calling things bladez when they aren’t blades….. im sure the speedbladez putter will come as a mallet!!!! Oh man, gonna go work some overtime so I can save up for that bad boy when they release it.
paulmuehlboeck99
Sep 13, 2013 at 3:42 pm
you´re defenetly right man
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:53 pm
I think the putter will be an old skool l/r putter…. It’s gonna be called switchblade
Hyoga
Oct 1, 2013 at 3:54 am
Thank you bri-guy and MWP, you made my day.
virgil
Feb 9, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Hilarious
Mitch
Sep 12, 2013 at 11:16 pm
ill go find a stick and a rock in my backyard… tie them thangs together and call it the new and improved “twigzblades” and i’m starting to think somebody would buy them.
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Tell me where I can find the specs
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:51 pm
What’s the kick point of the stick
Mitch
Nov 7, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Kickpoint: No kickpoint, its a pretty thick stick
Loft: rock
Lie: rock
Length: 76″
Distance: infinite
JHM
Sep 12, 2013 at 11:05 pm
USGA Museum has a set of Ben Hogan’s irons. His 5 iron measured 37 inches and 30 degrees. Now that’s a 7 iron.
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Why don’t u post something about his driver being smaller than current ones
Jack
Sep 12, 2013 at 11:04 pm
I might have to see how much better these are over my AP2s, which I love.
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Yea I love my fingers stinging after I hit the ball too
Ryan
Oct 1, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Don’t really feel like you should blame the guy above you for your inability to hit irons half decently…
Frank Garrett
Oct 13, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Quit trolling ryan
corey
Sep 12, 2013 at 1:10 pm
a 17 degree 3 iron? slapping the number 3 on a 1 iron wont make it any easier to hit
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:47 pm
If youre complaining now just wait for 3 yrs when tm busts out negative loft long irons
Tim
Sep 12, 2013 at 10:40 am
Does anyone else find it weird that whenever equipment companies release new equipment, they always have somehow found a way to lower the CG and enlarge the sweetspot (enlarge the speed pocket in this case)? It’s even more disturbing that we, the naive consumers, will pay MSRP to purchase new equipment that’s so much better than the one before.
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:30 pm
Yea I have …. I think the cg of drivers gotta be outside the clubhead by now….. But I read a few weeks ago that they move it 1 milimeter
Jay
Sep 11, 2013 at 10:28 pm
Any word on when the SpeedBlade Tour model will be released?
Frank Garrett
Sep 28, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Probably a week before speedierbladez come out
Andrew Cain
Oct 8, 2013 at 10:47 am
TaylorMade Rep states Feb 2014 for Tour version
Frank Garrett
Oct 18, 2013 at 8:11 pm
Just like I said