Equipment
Spotted: TaylorMade SLDR 430 TP Japan driver
There has been a lot of chatter in our forums over the past couple of days about the addition of a TaylorMade SLDR 430 TP to the USGA’s list of conforming clubs. Let the chatter continue, because look what just showed up on the TaylorMade Japan website!
According to the TaylorMade Japan website, the head features a 2-gram-heavier SLDR weight that the standard SLDR 460 driver. That change is made possible by the SLDR’s smaller (and thus lighter) lighter 430-cubic-centimeter head.
Much like the SLDR 460, the SLDR 430 allow golfers to choose from 12 positions on TaylorMade’s “Loft Sleeve” within a range of plus-or-minus 1.5 degrees of loft change in 0.5-degree increments to help golfers dial in their launch and spin.
Click here to read our review of TaylorMade’s SLDR 460 driver.
The SLDR 430 has the same crown graphics as the original, but the sole is charcoal-gray, applying the 460’s crown color to the entirety of the club. And of course, there’s the “Tour Preferred” badging loyalists have been clamoring for on the toe of the club. It’s not the original TaylorMade TP logo loyalists wanted, but it’s better than nothing, right?
Speculation has abounded as to whether the SLDR 430 TP will be available in the U.S. However, with the upcoming release of TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred Irons and with pros rumored to be testing the SLDR 430 TP, it seems likely that a U.S. release is in the cards.
Here are the specs and shaft options from the TaylorMade Japan website.
A look at the darker, more compact face of the SLDR 430 TP.
Here’s a look at the crown of the club, which is very similar to the 460 version.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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jc
Dec 23, 2013 at 7:17 pm
I got a top secret version of the badge and put it on my G25…wow, another 45 yards instantly!!!
it went so far, the usga banned the badge on other maker’s clubs…
it went so far, the FAA banned me from hitting driver near airports…
ams165
Dec 15, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Just saw on Golfdiscount.com that the 430 TP version is shipping on Dec 20th. They are taking pre orders…
http://www.golfdiscount.com/taylormade-sldr-430-tp-tour-driver
Fsubaseball
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:05 am
The new “TP” irons can be found on the same taylormade Japan website.. They used to have black carbon ATV wedges as well as different color options on spiders. The prices are insane!
Moo
Dec 8, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Wow, Can’t wait to get one of these, and I really wasn’t looking for a new driver. But with the compact head, lighter swing weight and the 45″ shaft, it’s everything I wanted from TM. I’ve been hitting my RBZ Tour well but I’m tiring of the big white blob at the end of a long stick look:) A partial effect of playing a 3Deep off the tee recently. Can I repeat the 45″ thing!!! 46″ shafts for amateurs is just plain stupid. Really hate to have to cut down a shaft with no OEM way to adjust the swingweight. Just hoping these are not Japan only specs… And I just have to mention the goofy badge thing. The new look is way better.
Peter A
Dec 4, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Tried out the 430 yesterday. Averaged 200 rpm less on spin numbers. This driver is going to be a runaway hit for high spin players, especially with the Speeder in it.
Dan
Dec 4, 2013 at 2:11 pm
TMag, get something right here and you will happen to get more and more of your TP loyalists back…if that damn badge is not on the side of the club, that is an issue! If your re-create the badge, want to “re-brand” your TP line, THEN DO IT WITH THE BADGE! Get it right, quit teasing us with “prototypes that did not make the final production”. Thats garbage, to be honest. I do not like to rip apart what I feel is the greatest company in constructing ground-breaking drivers, but give us consumers what we want FOR ONCE!
snowman
Dec 4, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Agree..Why the H— won’t TMAG bring back the damn badge that all the players love? This “Tour Preferred” nonsense looks like something from Spalding in the 70’s
Jon
Dec 5, 2013 at 12:30 am
But dan will the badge lower your scores? Do you buy a club because of cosmetics, or because of the performance?
Pricey
Dec 4, 2013 at 1:40 pm
But how much……..? $699 with TP shaft upgrade? Ya gotta be kidding me. Ya might as well go find a R9 T stamp or R11S T stamp on Ebay you’ll hit those just as good
Tyler
Dec 4, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Or just wait a few months and buy one for half the price.
Holdma Deeek
Dec 4, 2013 at 5:15 pm
You should wait a few months and Holdma Deeek
Bob R
Dec 5, 2013 at 4:54 pm
HAHAHAHAHHAHA^^^
totebagger
Dec 6, 2013 at 11:32 am
sip the the TM koolaid and holdma deek you totebaggers
Conrad
Dec 4, 2013 at 1:04 pm
looks great
Carter
Dec 4, 2013 at 12:32 pm
This looks exactly like my new driver. haha
Andrew
Dec 4, 2013 at 12:29 pm
That is a very, very nice looking club.
Big_5_Hole
Dec 4, 2013 at 11:57 am
This is one driver I’ll be testing this spring. I liked but didn’t love the first SLDR, this might be the one……
Jay
Dec 4, 2013 at 11:14 am
I don’t get the obsession with having the TP logo on everything. Who cares? Isn’t it about how it performs anyway? I could care less about trying to impress my friends with little logo’s but would rather hit it by them 30yds.
KCCO
Dec 8, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Like the all charcoal, could careless about badge….just hope TMAG sticks a small head driver to retail shelf, sick of huge 460’s
markb
Dec 4, 2013 at 11:00 am
Looks like it still has the glued on toe plate cover that kept falling out on the regular models and had to be screwed in on tour drivers. Did they change the glue?
Tyler
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:53 am
Why does TM release different clubs in Japan?
christian
Dec 5, 2013 at 6:35 am
This driver will probably come to the US market as well, but otherwise TM, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland have whole lines of JDM only clubs. Usually forged, usually pricey. It’s because the golf eqipment market in Japan is double the size of the US one with less than half the population. Brands bring out their most “premium” stuff in Japan, and then they might release a watered down version a couple of years later in the US market. Or sometimes, as in the case of the Anser line from Ping, interest is so great in the US that they will offer the JDM stuff (Anser Forged irons) in the US too. And as a thank you the then get clobbered with negative comments about being “insanely expensive”.
Nattysurf
Dec 6, 2013 at 3:26 am
Japan golf equipment market is not even close to being 2X the US – it is less than 50% of the US.
hebron1427
Dec 6, 2013 at 5:23 pm
probably true, but the prices that japanese consumers will pay for similar products is astronomical.
Scott F
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:30 am
that all black 430 SLDR is niceeee looking they should’ve did the TP badge though. Why not listen to the golfers here who are your ultimate focus group? 90% or so would say go with badge on TP. Love the looks of the MC and Im not a TM player. Glad to see that TM finally figured out that golfers don’t want white clubs or NASCAR graphics or dials that no one can figure out.
Mike
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:26 am
This will be available in the US…
Keith
Dec 4, 2013 at 9:25 am
Oh I want one so bad, if this is anything like the 460 it is going to be the best of 2014! It would be awesome if they would let us get our hands on this gorgeous black one too, Com’on Tmag you can do that for us!
John
Dec 4, 2013 at 8:53 am
Take away crown graphics and put tp logo instead… Bam, instant perfection.
Patrick
Dec 4, 2013 at 8:50 am
When will it be hitting shelves in the states?
Xerpro
Dec 4, 2013 at 8:33 am
Sign me up….Might be the one that can knock out the original SFTP.
All Black looks awesome!!!