36 replies to this topic

[HipCheck]

TaylorMade Burner Superfast Review

Tested:
2010 TaylorMade Burner SuperFast Driver
9.5* Loft
Matrix XCON Shaft, Stiff
Length: 46.5"

The Preamble:
Although I hit it well, my SuperQuad is going into it's 3rd season.  Though the technology is still relevant, I'm looking for a little more John Daly in my drives rather than Rocco Mediate (in bounds, of course).  So, I decided to try the TaylorMade Burner SuperFast.  I've played 4 rounds with it at the time of this review. My swing speed with a typical driver is 102 mph.

Pros:
Distance gains are AMAZING
Easy to swing
Light weight

Cons:
Shaft length can take some getting used to
Tough to draw for me
Non-traditional head shape
Too light?

Bottom Line:
You've read reviews that claim 25+ yards from a new driver and knew they were unrealistic. To my surprise -- no, shock -- with the TaylorMade Burner SuperFast, they are true. I had huge distance gains without any effort, gaining at least true 20 yards by simply switching to this driver.  If you can dial in the ball position, the distance will simply blow you away.  Beware though. The distance gains are remarkable, but can magnify your misses.  Overall, this is worth the trade off.

Look:
As non-traditional as this driver head is, it's cosmetically leaps and bounds better than the previous Burner.  Thankfully, the 'T' crown is dead and presumably buried.  The muted color and glossy paint allows the composite crown to peak through a little bit for a very cool effect.

The triangular shape isn't for everyone, but it's much better than an other non-traditional shaped driver out there today. Obviously it's shaped this way for a purpose, and bravo to TaylorMade for making this look as good as possible.

Performance/Playability:
I cannot lie. At first, I struggled mightily to hit this driver consistently. Each range session was a exercise in frustration. After a week, I reluctantly brought the driver to at Architects Golf Club in Phillipsburg, NJ, but also kept my SuperQuad in the bag just in case. The 3 wood stayed home.

I hit my SuperQuad hole after hole. Consistently finding the fairway or 1st cut, I trailed 2 of my long-hitting playing partners by 30-70 yards, depending on the hole.  Finally on the 16th hole, a 425 yard uphill par 4, I hit the club. No one paid much attention, but I hit it straight and long.  Two balls stood at the top of the hill in the fairway.  My partner hit his approach, then I waited for one of the bombers of the foursome to hit his.  He stood at his cart with his hands at his sides.  "What are you doing?" I said.  "Waiting for you to hit," he responded.  "This is your ball," I said pointing to the one next to me.  "Then who's ball is that?" he said looking at a ball 45 yards up the fairway.  "That's MINE," I said.

That drive measured 310 on my GPS. I couldn't believe it.  That's when I decided to give this SuperFast a chance.  Now, not every drive is 310 (I got some help from reaching a downhill), but on each hole of every round since, I measured distance. Consistently I was 20 to 30 yards further than my SuperQuad.  The distance gains are remarkable. Unless you are completely playing the wrong stick, you cannot get distance this easy.

But, there is a catch.  Misses can easily go right. Since this is a long-shafted driver, that miss is magnified compared to a standard 45" shafted stick. I had to donate some serious practice time to dial in this club.

Feel
The feel of the SuperFast is rather muted. You can tell when you flush it or don't, but the ball speed created doesn't match the feel.  The sound is fairly loud, but nothing like most drivers in this category (Cobra, Nike, etc.). Your eardrums won't bleed even when hitting in covered driving range bays.  The face does feel like it has a spring effect.

Bottom Line:
Normally, I'd be skeptical of a review like this, but I believe you finally CAN buy distance. Reports are that the TaylorMade Burner SuperFast is flying off store shelves (#1 selling driver, even according to NON-TM reps).  The $249 price tag will certainly help, but I'm guessing there's not many of these returned. The distance and price are simply astounding.

What TaylorMade says:
Taylormade Burner Superfast

Three years after unveiling Burner 07, the most successful driver in TaylorMade history, the No. 1 driver company in golf is unveiling the next generation of this phenomenal franchise, named simply Burner SuperFast. Weighing just 284 grams (an astounding 14 grams less than the Burner 07 and Burner 09 drivers), Burner SuperFast is a speed demon, designed to deliver increased clubhead speed and superior distance.

Largest Clubface of Any TaylorMade Driver
The Burner SuperFast driver's improved performance starts with a new 460cc clubhead shape that's sleeker and more aerodynamic than past Burner drivers. This new head also boasts high MOI for tremendous forgiveness, and incorporates the largest clubface of any TaylorMade driver. Measuring an expansive 4,500 square millimeters, the new clubface is 14% larger than Burner 09's clubface. The larger face is important in light of the fact that the longer club-length of Burner drivers, like Burner SuperFast, makes it more challenging for the average player to make square contact consistently, and the larger face gives them more area to strike the ball with. The Burner Superast face also features a new bulge and roll design that's optimized to work with the higher MOI head to maximize forgiveness on off-center hits. Finally, the clubface incorporates TaylorMade's renowned Inverted Cone Technology, which promotes faster ball speed on off-center hits.

The Burner SuperFast driver also incorporates TaylorMade's proven Dual-Crown technology, which both lowers and pulls back the center of gravity to promote a higher launch angle and increased spin. Introduced in the TaylorMade Tour Burner driver two years ago, and also used in the Burner 09, Dual Crown technology is tremendously valuable.

Longer, Lighter Shaft Promotes Higher Launch
Also critical to the Burner SuperFast driver's performance is its Matrix Ozik XCon 4.8 shaft, which is both ultra-light and tip-soft, helping the golfer generate more ball speed, a higher launch angle and more spin to promote more distance. And at 46.5" in length, Burner SuperFast automatically promotes a wide and fast swing arc.

Burner SuperFast: Our Lightest Driver Ever
Another vital upgrade to the Burner SuperFast is the new Winn Lite grip that weighs just 30 grams, which is a full 14 grams lighter than the Burner 09's grip, yet it sacrifices nothing in terms of feel and traction. It's a critical component to our overall quest to make this club, at 284 grams, the lightest driver we've ever produced.

Put every element of our newest version of SuperFast technology together and you've got a driver that screams through the hitting zone to promote more pop at impact for more clubhead speed and distance than any Burner driver ever has, and that's saying something. The best news is that all players can take advantage of Burner SuperFast’s speed and distance benefits, as the driver will also be available in a ladies version in its own color palette.
The Burner SuperFast driver is available in three lofts – 9.5, 10.5, HT – and five shaft flexes – L, M, R, S, X..

http://press.tmag.co...urnersuperfast/

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[rblmp32]

1.5" on the shaft will do that for ya... that's what my g/f keeps saying anyway?  

[Duffed]

Great review! I was leaning towards buying the Superfast, and I'm leaning closer now.

[alittleoverpar]

Glad it's working for you.  At 46.5" I would have a hard time hitting fairways, but maybe that's just me.

Congrats!

[tinman]

How's the stock shaft in it ?

[golfware]

Great to hear that it's working for you.  I just can't do a 46.5" shaft.  Heck, I choke down on my 44.75" FT-9 Tour and still hit it a country mile.  

In fact, Rory McIlroy has me thinking about something, as he KILLED the ball with a Pro95X in his driver.  I remember using a Diamana Blueboard 83 in an old driver, and man, I felt like I could really bring the heat with that club.  Sure, it weighed a bit more than a 60-gram shaft, but I could generate some serious lag with that baby.

Hope that you enjoy your new stick!

[HipCheck]

Duffed, on 04 May 2010 - 04:24 PM, said:

Great review! I was leaning towards buying the Superfast, and I'm leaning closer now.

Give it a try at the range a couple of times.

tinman, on 04 May 2010 - 04:40 PM, said:

How's the stock shaft in it ?

With a standard length driver, I prefer a YS 6+, but I'm unsure if it'd play well at this length. Based on my distance off the tee, I guess I have no complaints.

[Guia]

At 46.5 anyone will gain distance, and usually lose workability and have more missed fairways.  Personally, I don't think I could hit this length consistently.  Not for me.

Edited by Guia, 04 May 2010 - 08:59 PM.

[JJK947]

Not only will the extra 1.5" help but the club itself is just so much lighter in terms of overall weight and swing weight as well.  I don't remember how they come stock, but my superquad is D4 with a 75 gram UST V2 in it, and that is not a heavy shaft.  You are probably gaining at least 5 mph swing speed with that set up compared to the superquad.

[MrParr1Noid]

Great review Rob..

Taylor Made Burner SuperFast w/Matrix X-Con 4.8 Rocks.  I'm testing mine against my TM SuperQuad Tour, and dayumm it's close...

[jmoore22]

I was able to pick one up at  Edwin Watts for $149.99 in the used section and I bet it hadn't been hit  more than 10 times! I used it today and only missed one fairway in nine holes wasnt able to get 18 in it was to late, I shot 35 and was looking at about 10 yards farther than my R7quad ht. I didn't have a problem with the shaft, my quad ht is about 1" shorter but I felt it was easy to control anyone who thinks it is too long should give it a try and I think you will pleasantly surprised.

[sharkiesj]

I also got a demo'd one at Roger Dunn for 149.00 and I love it.

Very long, and agree with OP, misses go right but the feel is great and it's got a real solid feel to it.

[LSeca]

Thanks for the review.  Everytime I have had the chance I have hit this (indoors at the store), and I am astonished at how solid it feels.  The shaft seems to hold up and the sound is a wonderful "crack" and imo one of the best sounding drivers out there.  Ofcourse this is indoors in an enclosed area, so the sound could be different outside.  Anyway, I think I may get one to play around with as they are remarkably inexpensive allready.  

[ghodges]

As someone who has tried for several years now to "get rid of" his SuperQuad I found this review VERY interesting.  

I think I may go ahead and grab a SF and keep my SuperQuad just like you.  

BTW, other than the look (all black) and it being a .5" shorter are there any other things different about the TP.  I'm guessing the face is more open.  Also wonder how much more the TP will cost.

Edited by ghodges, 05 May 2010 - 12:42 AM.

[playmuch]

That extra length is just to much of a deterrent for me.

[fupresti]

I can't say enough about how much I love my Superfast. I have a 10.5* with the Motore 65 shaft at 45.5" and it is a bomber with fantastic feel. Love it

[mickyw85]

I wouldn't have believed any club went noticeably further until I got my new driver(FT tour 9.5*voodoo) but that kills my 08 burner.  The SF wasn't for me as I went off TM but enjoy getting those extra yards, sure is fun hitting to new parts of the couse.

[Sakman]

Nice review Rob! If you decide to reshaft using a traditional length, I'd like to hear any additional thoughts/comments on TM's latest and greatest.

Cheers!  

[Disco]

HipCheck,
I currently play a Nike Victory Red Str8-Fit in 8.5 degrees in a stiff. I'm a fairly "high spin" player with the driver. Would you recommend going with a 9.5 SF or 10.5 SF? Thanks in advance.

[TheMoneyShot]

I will be interested to hear about the TP version.  The length of this shaft is 95% the reason why people are hitting this farther!

[daughterscameron]

Sakman, on 05 May 2010 - 06:22 AM, said:

Nice review Rob! If you decide to reshaft using a traditional length, I'd like to hear any additional thoughts/comments on TM's latest and greatest.

Cheers!  

+1 here, Rob.  Of course, it sounds like you like it right where it's at.
Lately, I've been going shorter and shorter.  I don't normally have a
problem with distance, I have a problem with keeping it in play...

[Goldenhawk]

TheMoneyShot, on 05 May 2010 - 08:03 AM, said:

I will be interested to hear about the TP version.  The length of this shaft is 95% the reason why people are hitting this farther!

+1 on the length of shaft.  My brother plays a TM Burner Superfast in an effort to keep up with me.

Anyhow, the Superfast 3 wood totally rocks and I'm waiting for the Burner Superfast TP.  Previous posts on this board say that that the TP version is major improvement over the regular version.

[HipCheck]

ghodges, on 05 May 2010 - 12:18 AM, said:

As someone who has tried for several years now to "get rid of" his SuperQuad I found this review VERY interesting.  

I think I may go ahead and grab a SF and keep my SuperQuad just like you.  

BTW, other than the look (all black) and it being a .5" shorter are there any other things different about the TP.  I'm guessing the face is more open.  Also wonder how much more the TP will cost.

I'm not sure about the TP version. Since my misses with this are right, I'll stay away from the TP.

playmuch, on 05 May 2010 - 12:23 AM, said:

That extra length is just to much of a deterrent for me.

That's what I thought at first, but you can swing it.  Once you see the length on the course, you'll be astounded.

Disco, on 05 May 2010 - 06:46 AM, said:

HipCheck,
I currently play a Nike Victory Red Str8-Fit in 8.5 degrees in a stiff. I'm a fairly "high spin" player with the driver. Would you recommend going with a 9.5 SF or 10.5 SF? Thanks in advance.

No more than 9.5, but you may want the TP if high spin is your game.

[Oaks]

I liked the driver, just couldn't control it...  

Enjoy it Rob...

[highergr0und]

rblmp32, on 04 May 2010 - 04:23 PM, said:

1.5" on the shaft will do that for ya... that's what my g/f keeps saying anyway?

Classic....

I too would like to know how it plays with a 44" shaft to see if it truly is "the size of the wave or the motion of the ocean"

[sheldonjhacker]

nice review !  this is now on my short list along with the G15 and the FT-iz.

[hmx3]

It´s a typical high launch and high spin driver, designed for 90 % of golfers, who have problems to get the ball in the air.

But with this stock-length you can gain more length, but you will find your ball mostly on the right side.

[motoo344]

Good review, I have an itch to try it but I don't think I would buy it. It just seems way to long for me.

[Eck42]

I had a chance to demo the Superfast (W/Matrix 4.8) last week. I tried it along side the R9 460(X-Con5) and my Titleist D3(X-Con5). I guess I am in the minority, but I did not care for the Superfast. I am looking for something to replace the D3 because even though I love the shaft, Titleist is not very forgiving (IMO).

As far as looks I found the SF to be fine. I do not mind the triangle shape and I know you cant see the bottom, but I love the graphics on the bottom! However, the longer shaft is not for me. The first swing was good and I was thinking maybe this is the one, but then as I got into it I found the SF is not for me-mainly because of the longer shaft. I don't like the extra length because I found it hard to control. Keep in mind I don't have the skill level of most-I am a higher single digit handicap. I really wanted to like this driver-I went to the range with every intention of ordering a SF when I was done trying it and because of that I did not give up I gave it every chance but I just could not get the feel and control I was looking for.

As a side note my testing came down to the R9 460 and the D3. I feel in love with the R9 and ordered one with the X-Con 5 shaft. I cannot wait until it arrives. I like everything about the 460-the look, the sound, control, forgiveness and I found the distance to be outstanding. Overall it seems to me (FWIW) Taylor Made drivers always give good distance.

Hope this helps others-I am not knocking the SF-it is just not for me.

Edited by Eck42, 05 May 2010 - 11:12 AM.

[fupresti]

hmx3, on 05 May 2010 - 10:49 AM, said:

It´s a typical high launch and high spin driver, designed for 90 % of golfers, who have problems to get the ball in the air.

But with this stock-length you can gain more length, but you will find your ball mostly on the right side.

Not in my case. tested alongside the G15 and FT-iZ it was the lowest spinning driver I was considering.