259 replies to this topic

[GolfWRX]

Click here to read our full front page story and to watch exclusive video interviews with TaylorMade engineers about the new RBZ Stage 2 Drivers, Fairway Woods and Hybrids.


RBZ Stage 2 Driver

























Standard RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood (15 degrees)













TOUR RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood (TS -- 13 degrees)









Standard RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid (19 degrees)











TOUR RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid (18.5 degrees)









Fairway Wood Comparison Photos: Non-Tour (Above, no center score lines) v. Tour Fairway Wood (Below, has center score lines)





Hybrid Comparison Photos: Tour (Left) v. Non-Tour (Right)



RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood (Standard) Specs:




RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Woods (Tour) Specs:




RBZ Stage 2 Hybrids (Standard) Specs: RH Only




RBZ Stage 2 Hybrids (Tour):

[skyleralan]

Sad to see there will not be a tour version of the new Rocketballz.  If it doesn't have a deep head, I won't be interested.  I already love my RBZ 3 wood so will have to at least hit the FWs.

[zakkozuchowski]

 skyleralan, on 03 January 2013 - 12:09 AM, said:

Sad to see there will not be a tour version of the new Rocketballz.  If it doesn't have a deep head, I won't be interested.  I already love my RBZ 3 wood so will have to at least hit the FWs.

We have just been informed that TaylorMade will be making a Tour version of the RBZ Stage 2 Driver. We'll have more information on it at the PGA Merchadise Show in a few weeks.

[Brianbigoats]

looks good

[bruinsPATSirish]

Oh boy... another 10+ yards? So I'm gonna have to get the 7 wood if I want to replace my RBZ 5 wood?  This is gonna be crazy...

[Breaker999]

Carpenter steel face + smaller headsize = 3w is mine.
I wished TM used flatter lie angles.

[Zach Heusser]

Zak,
Thanks for putting together this great story.   I could have listened to Todd Beach speak all day long. Super smart guy!

[stage1350]

Tell me they will have a deeper faced model than those.  They look like the old Orlimar Tri-Metal fairways.

[ProBowler]

3 wood and 3 hybrid is ordered !!!

[TMBob]

Pictured for the Stage 2 Tour fairways is a RIP 70 b, yet that shaft is not shown in the specs? Hmmm

Edited by TMBob, 03 January 2013 - 01:09 AM.

[Elpresidente]

Oh no, i thought more they were more deeper faced. And nor TOur Driver, fail.

Are they interchangeable with older adapters?? How does the new adapter look like, pictures.

Hey guys on the TMAG site there is already the TOUR Driver???

http://taylormadegol...7,en_GB,pd.html

Thanks

Edited by Elpresidente, 03 January 2013 - 01:24 AM.

[FutureScratchGolfer]

I really love the look of the tour fairway. I'm a fan of shallower fairway woods and actually really like the color on the club. Hmmmm. I might go give that a try at Miles of Golf...

[My2Dogs]

Def can see the difference in head sizes of the non tour and tour versions in the FW woods and hybrids.  Those non tours look pretty big compared to the tours.

[preshotroutine]

I like the crown of the R1 better then the RBZ line! I wish they would have made the graphics more filled in like the R1 oh well just as long as it's easier to hit from the fairway is all that I care about!

[dplasters]

43" 5 wood you say...

[ignitewvu]

The only thing that stands out to me is the camber at the bottom of the club.  Its much more flat while the OG RBZ was very rounded and IMO that is why so many of us had a hard time hitting the club off the deck. As for asthetics the Original Tour is a much better looking club.

[Puppetmaster]

The Tour FW looks pretty good. I have always liked the shape of the RBZ FWs, just haven't been able to hit one with a shaft combo that suits me.

[Imp]

 dplasters, on 03 January 2013 - 08:04 AM, said:

43" 5 wood you say...

Same length as the RBZ 5W last year.

[espressoo]

Not a fan of the mustard yellow headcovers although it would be easy to spot if you dropped it on the fairways.  Looks like the color scheme is going back to the R7 days with all this yellow.

Btw, is there a new Rocketbladez Max iron now?  Saw it on GolfGalaxy's site.  The lines aren't as nice as the Tours or Standard irons.

[myspinonit]

The RBZ Stage 2 FW swingweight is D5 and RBZ2 driver SW is up to D6.  The average joe that can't handle the crazy length can cut them down 1/2 inch and still get a playable swingweight for many. Something that was an issue for the current RBZ fairway and R11s. (R1 stays the same at D4.)

I hope smart sales staff have a few cut down demos on hand right way. Hint, hint.

TM says players should start with .5 degree more loft with the R1 to maximize distance. So the slow swinger who is struggling to get the R11s launched with D4 at 12* loft is going to get better numbers with a 12* (max I gather) loft on the R1? Me thinks not.

Love the smaller head size on RBZ 2 FW, and the slot looks from the pics to perhaps be less prone to scratching  (or rusting, that I saw on a few demo sale ones, probably from a TM fitting reps trunk?).

But I don't know why they even bother now to put more than the loft on the bottom. 21* HL 5W at 43", 19* 5W at 43, 17* HL 3W at 43.5". Really? I mean, an R1 driver is just an R1 driver. "What is yours set at, Joe?".

I just got a steal price on a pristine RBZ 19*, "5"  that plays more like a strong 4W for me with the 43" shaft, and I already am carrying the 21* 7, that is closer to what I expect for a "5" distance at 42.5". Oh, add 1/2 inch and it's now a 5W in 2013. Gotcha.

Unless my lottery numbers come up, [or my wife has already left me for another reason (lol)], I can't see putting out another $300 (or $329) plus tax. But I can see waiting till next time next year and buying a RBZ Stage 2 HL3  on sale, and dropping my current 19*. And maybe a 21* and chopping each down 1/2 inch.

Edited by myspinonit, 03 January 2013 - 09:35 AM.

[Qegurezi]

 zakkozuchowski, on 03 January 2013 - 12:19 AM, said:

 skyleralan, on 03 January 2013 - 12:09 AM, said:

Sad to see there will not be a tour version of the new Rocketballz.  If it doesn't have a deep head, I won't be interested.  I already love my RBZ 3 wood so will have to at least hit the FWs.

We have just been informed that TaylorMade will be making a Tour version of the RBZ Stage 2 Driver. We'll have more information on it at the PGA Merchadise Show in a few weeks.

Just to add to this the Stage 2 Tour driver is up on their website. Unfortunately the face on view pic is their non tour as is the actual spiel.

Edited by Qegurezi, 03 January 2013 - 09:29 AM.

[sgniwder99]

 My2Dogs, on 03 January 2013 - 02:18 AM, said:

Def can see the difference in head sizes of the non tour and tour versions in the FW woods and hybrids.  Those non tours look pretty big compared to the tours.

I'm sure it's just the picture, but I had the opposite response with the hybrids. In the pic, the Tour version looks bigger than the non-tour version to me.

I agree with the FWs, though.

[BigLeftyinAZ]

It features a low, forward center of gravity that promotes faster ball speeds and reduced spin.



Marketing tactics?  For years we've hear lower and farther back center of gravity for lower spin,now we the opposite

[Arpeggi]

Rubbish stock shaft.

[mosesgolf]

Ok.  I'm sold.  Can't wait to hit them.  The RBZ Tour fwy woods were freaking LONG.  I really find it hard to believe they got an extra 10 yards for 2013.  That's going to be pushing driver territory.

[geesecougar2]

Sweet. An RBZ Tour Stage 2 3 wood with an adjustable hosel? I'm getting one for sure because I only use TM fairways and have been holding out for an RBZ with the FCT hosel.

Interesting that the HL 16.5* is 155cc and the 14.5* is 168cc......can't wait to sit them down side by side to see how they look at address. If the 16.5* looks substantially smaller I might have to get that and crank it way open.....

[dplasters]

 Imp, on 03 January 2013 - 08:26 AM, said:

 dplasters, on 03 January 2013 - 08:04 AM, said:

43" 5 wood you say...

Same length as the RBZ 5W last year.

I saw that.. and only 1/2" length difference between the 3w and 5w.  I don't get it.  Oh well.

[JDuffJr.]

I love the looks of the crown.

[BirdieBob]

Big Thanks to GolfWRX for the details!!!!

Can't wait to try'em all out.............

[scottleo]

When will the stage 2 FW's hit the stores?  Will they be compatible with the r11 sleeves to change the shaft?