Equipment
Proof of a TaylorMade TP line in 2014?
For months, there has been speculation in our forums about the revival of TaylorMade’s TP (Tour Preferred) line of clubs, the company’s famed lineup of tour-inspired designs that target better golfers.
Finally, a photo of a TaylorMade SLDR 430 driver with a TP logo hit the forums (thanks member ZJohnson), the first real indication that TaylorMade is likely to launch at least one TP-branded club in 2014.
Recent drivers such as TaylorMade’s R11, R11S, R1 and SLDR models have been offered in a TP version, but that has only indicated a change in shaft, not a change in the design of the head. The last time golfers saw a TP-branded driver that had a different club head design was in 2011, when the company launched the Burner SuperFast 2.0 TP driver.
A TP driver is the least anticipated of TaylorMade’s rumored TP releases, however, as the company’s adjustable hosel system has removed much of the need for a special TP driver head.
While the original TaylorMade R510 TP driver had a distinct head design, later glued-hosel drivers had an identical head design, with the exception of a more opened face angle at address. TaylorMade’s latest adjustable hosel system on its SLDR 460 driver, called “Loft Sleeve,” allows golfers to set the face as much as 2-degrees closed or 6-degrees open, with several different variations in between.
The biggest hope from most members of our forums is that TaylorMade will release a new line of forged irons in 2013 with the TP logo. Although TaylorMade’s 2010 line of forged irons carried the “Tour Preferred” name, they did not include a TP badge like TaylorMade’s R9 TP and R7 TP irons.
Above: TaylorMade’s 2008 RAC TP Smoke irons.
The R7 TP and R9 TP irons were both cast, however, which is why they are not held in the same regard as TaylorMade’s RAC TP 2005 irons and the RAC MB Smoke 2008 irons, which were both forged and carried TP badging.
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Equipment
What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/26/24): Artisan 0521 custom putter
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 an Artisan 0521 custom putter
From the seller: (@Nobody2): “$775 -Artisan 0521 custom putter PVD (black finish) with sweep neck hosel. There are no personal stampings other than my player # in very small print on the side of the hosel (all Artisan products have this along with the date it was made). This putter looks absolutely amazing and has only been used for 3 rounds. It has a black steel shaft and has a very Cam Smith look to it. The putter looks new and has no wear marks anywhere on the putter. It comes with extra weights (one set of of 5 gram weights and one set of 15 gram weights). The head cover is a a navy blue ‘quilted blade putter cover.’ If you are wondering why I am selling…I flat out have the yips and the only thing saving me is a broomstick. New, this putter is $1085, so if the specs work for you (grip, length and lie can certainly be tweaked) it will save you some good money and 2 month wait time.
Specs:
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Artisan 0521 custom putter
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
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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mikey tee
Mar 1, 2014 at 11:25 pm
There was a TP logo on the ’09 Super Deep driver !
Supedefy
Dec 14, 2013 at 10:26 pm
lol
Just wait few more months after TP version launches. TM will launch the WHITE SLDR woods.
ttgolf
Nov 10, 2013 at 8:47 am
What really sucks on the retail side is they come out with more product before you can even get your precook order in. I prebooked my 2014 order two months ago and I’m going to have to go back and see what all has already changed. Getting to where I hate TM. I’m seeing where customers are now not buying TM new product, they wait on the price to drop in 30 days or see it on the used rack. TM was definitely not my best seller in 2013.
tallPK
Nov 8, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Taylor Made, Taylor Made, Taylor Made…. If you ask me Taylor Made toooooooo many clubs!!!!! How about giving the R&D… I mean… the marketing department a vacation TM? At least let the golf “super” stores get rid of the model you put out 2 months ago. I don’t know how you can have any brand loyalty when you’ve saturate the market with “the latest and greatest” every month. Titlist get’s it – every 2 years irons and woods.
J Duf
Nov 8, 2013 at 9:34 am
Me Likey! Looks like a deep faced compact head that also has the most current adjustability technology.
Pingback: TaylorMade announces extension of SLDR lineup | Adam Stanley Communications
joro
Nov 7, 2013 at 10:13 am
Come and get while you can. It will be obsolete in a few months.
By Taylor Made,,,,,,,,, AKA Engulf and Devour
joro
Nov 7, 2013 at 10:10 am
Come and get it while you can, it will be obsolete in a few months.
By Taylor Made,,,,,,,,,,,,,,AKA Engulf and Devour
paul
Nov 4, 2013 at 1:21 pm
This is so awesome!! Another TM product. if this comes out in January then i will be even more excited about what comes out in march, June, September and December. No wonder they take up so much space at golftown, if you need to have 20 of every driver on the shelf ad you have 3-5 models a year and there is any stock from the previous year you need half a store for the drivers!
K
Nov 8, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Haha I work at Golftown, 20 of each at least on the floor… another 60 of each in the back.
P
Nov 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Just checked on RPRO SLDR 430 coming soon at Golf Town
Zachary yaz
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:12 am
just what we needed another taylormade line
Just sayin'
Nov 3, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Taylormade releases too many different clubs
ZJohnson
Nov 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm
You are welcome for the photos everyone…
Jeff Holman
Nov 4, 2013 at 8:30 am
Is this going to be more of a deep faced driver, like the superdeep or just a 430 version of the original head? I can’t really tell from the pics. Thanks
ZJohnson
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Oh yeah…cg moved up even more.
David
Nov 7, 2013 at 9:59 am
Thanks Zach! You’re a great guy .
naflack
Nov 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm
i would like to play a round of golf with someone who could consistently hit those irons.
Jon
Nov 3, 2013 at 5:39 pm
its not that hard to hit those, the taylormade musclebacks are actually pretty forgiving
naflack
Nov 3, 2013 at 5:50 pm
there isnt anything forgiving about the iron shown in the above photos. i hit the original smoke blades cause a buddy who is scratch had them. he got rid of them in a months time cause even he didnt have the time to practice enough to always be on when playing them. yes, there are more forgiving blades available on the market as a whole, i dont buy for a second these are in that category.
that said, if theyre easy for you to hit then good on you.
Jon
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:38 am
Well I guess it could be my ball striking, but I find these irons more forgiving and softer than the Nike MB’s
WILSON
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Same thing here man. I had the old Tiger blades (before the VR anything) and the next set I had were MB Smoke TP’s. I found the taylormades more forgiving as well.
Jack
Nov 4, 2013 at 3:17 am
The 08 Rac TP looks anything but forgiving. You better have some serious ball striking skills along with supreme swing speed to hit those puppies in the long irons.
WILSON
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I played em for 3 years. not that unforgiving, I promise.
naflack
Nov 5, 2013 at 10:05 pm
you got some ocean front property in arizona?
Dick Nuggets
Dec 22, 2013 at 11:11 am
Play ’em too and they’re a great club. Then again, I’m a +1. Naflack, stay away from these clubs. You obviously sound like you should stick with your oversized Big Berthas.
lloyd duffield
Nov 3, 2013 at 3:11 pm
ITS GOOD TO SEE THE TP LOGO BACK ON THERE CLUBS AND ITS ABOUT TIME THEY RELEASED SOME NEW FORGED IRONS BRANDING THE TP LOGO. AS IVE HEARD TAYLORMADE IS NOT RELEASING A SPEEDBLADE TOUR IRON SO DO THIS INDICATE THAT THERE BE A TP RANGE NEXT YEAR ? HOPE SO
mike
Nov 3, 2013 at 11:24 pm
WHAT!? WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING!?
Blair
Nov 4, 2013 at 4:48 pm
LOUD LOUD NOISES
WILSON
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I LOVE LAMP
tallPK
Nov 8, 2013 at 1:05 pm
you win Wilson
tyler
Nov 3, 2013 at 1:50 pm
I played the r7 TP’s and the r9 tp’s iron sets. Both really solid clubs. I’m a Ping man now but I’m glad to see TM going back to the TP.
Rich
Nov 3, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Well, TM is back tracking to the LOGO that looks like it came off a corvette. TM is just like a spoiled woman who can’t make up her mind.
Jealous of the Wilson Staff shield logo! Ho Hum!
CR
Nov 4, 2013 at 2:14 am
Yeah, they should at least update the logo a bit and make it a bit more non-comic looking.