Equipment
TaylorMade unveils new SLDR S woods and irons
TaylorMade has announced the release of its SLDR S line, which includes new drivers, fairway woods and hybrids that continue the company’s emphasis on “lofting up.”
Like the company’s original SLDR drivers, the SLDR S measures 460cc and has a center of gravity that is low and forward to promote high-launching, low-spinning drives to increase distance. Since it has a bonded, or non-adjustable hosel, TaylorMade was actually to position the center of gravity slightly lower than the original SLDR 460 driver, creating an even lower-spinning trajectory.
The SLDR S also has the same 20-gram sliding weight on the front of its sole, which gives golfers control over trajectory bias. But unlike the originals, the SLDR S drivers are only available in higher lofts: 10, 12, 14 and 16 degrees.
TaylorMade’s new SLDR S driver has a CG that is slightly lower than the company’s SLDR 460. Click on the photos to enlarge them.
[quote_box_center]“It’s no secret that high launch and low spin maximize driver distance, but some players think that only Tour pros can benefit from lofting up with low forward CG,” said TaylorMade Chief Technical Officer, Benoit Vincent. “This is simply not true. By lofting up, you can generate serious distance regardless of swing speed with SLDR S, which has low and forward CG properties, along with a sliding weight that assists shot shape.”[/quote_box_center]
SLDR S Fairway Woods
The SLDR S fairway woods have are shorter and lighter than the company’s SLDR fairway woods. That will make them easier to hit for most golfers
The SLDR S fairway woods and hybrids are a slightly different spin on the original SLDR models, with larger, lighter clubheads that boasts a shallower design to makes them easier to hit off the ground. The fairway woods are available in five lofts: 15 (3W), 17 (3W HL), 19 (5W), 21 (5W HL) and 23 (7W) degrees. The hybrids are offered in four different lofts: 19 (3H), 22 (4H), 25 (5H) and 28 (6H) degrees.
SLDR S Hybrids
The SLDR S driver will sell for $329, the SLDR S fairway woods will sell for $229 and the SLDR S hybrids will sell for $179. They come stock with Fujikura’s Speeder 57, 65 and 72 shafts, respectively.
To help celebrate the launch of SLDR S line, which have matte silver crowns, TaylorMade will “Silver Out” the majority of its Tour Staff The Players Championship and the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Players will wear silver Adidas Golf apparel, carry silver staff bags and play tour-only satin silver SLDR drivers with adjustable features. The company plans to release a limited quantity of these special edition drivers on the TaylorMade Vault.
The entire SLDR S line has bonded, or non-adjustable hosels, and they will be available on in stores on May 16.
Click here to see what members are saying about the SLDR S line in our forum.
SLDR Irons
The SLDR irons (7 iron is pictured) are compact game-improvement irons that have a much improved feel over the company’s previous slotted irons.
Click here to see comparison photos of the SLDR irons with other irons.
TaylorMade’s SLDR irons are a completely new product from the company, with a size that’s smaller than the company’s SpeedBlade irons but not as small as the company’s Tour Preferred iron line. According to the company, the irons have “classic shaping,” with thin toplines and soles that make them playable for both high-handicap golfers as well as professionals — a big statement about the forgiveness of the irons.
The irons showcase the company’s ThruSlot Technology, an updated version of the company’s 2 mm-wide slot in the soles of the 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 irons that cuts entirely through the iron heads to offer increased ball speeds, a higher launch angle and more consistency across the face for better distance control. According to TaylorMade, the Speed Pocket in the SLDR irons has been engineered to promote “a higher ball flight, longer carry distances and more consistent gapping between irons than the older versions of the Speed Pocket.”
“Golfers want to hit their irons far, which has put us on a path to engineer iron sets that have driver-like face speed,” said Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s director of product creation for irons, putters and wedges. “To find that speed, we created ultra-thin faces, introduced Inverted Cone Technology and now an enhanced Speed Pocket with ThruSlot Technology. The ThruSlot extends all the way through the bottom cavity, and works in conjunction with the ultra-thin clubface and deep undercut to promote tremendous face-flex at impact.”
SLDR irons are available in 3-AW ($899 for an eight-piece set), as well as an SW and LW that will be sold separately for $119 each. The stock steel shaft is KBS’s new Tour C-Taper 90, which is available in R and S flexes. The graphite option is made by Fujikura and is available in three weights and flexes:, 77 grams (Stiff), 67 grams (Regular) and 57 grams (Senior).
The irons will be in stores on June 6.
Click here to see what members are saying about the SLDR S line in our forum.
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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- Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees @7.2, 2 grams lead tape heel, 4 grams toe)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (44 7/8 inches, tipped 1 inch)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees @13.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X (43 inches, tipped 1.5)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees @17.8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) Buy here, Callaway Apex TCB Raw (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S @49, 54-10S, 60-08C @61)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Split
Grips: Iomic
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
More photos of Akshay Bhatia’s WITB in the forums.
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- Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx Prototype (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46-08S), Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-08T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Emiliano Grillo’s clubs here.
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bradford
Jun 9, 2014 at 7:26 am
I just put a 5HL into my bag for a nice 220-230 fairway club. Played it the first time this weekend and I have to say I was more impressed than I thought I’d be. First tee is short par 4 with water in the front, and downhill, so driver is no good–as long is dead. So the first shot of the day was a perfect 225ish that dropped and stopped dead at the end of the fairway. Beautiful ball flight…We’ll see how it holds up as I play it a bit more, but I’m happy so far. I need to correct the review that complains about the sun-glare. Can’t be for this club, they must have been referring to the glossy SLDR head–played this one in blazing sun with zero issues.
Elmo
May 17, 2014 at 10:44 am
Those irons look absolutely incredible. Can’t wait to hit them.
Charlie
May 16, 2014 at 2:53 pm
What no 9 degree driver?
Golf in TX
May 15, 2014 at 11:52 am
the SLDR+ irons will be out around July 4th, this year. they look pretty sweet, i can’t wait to hit them. they have less offset, thinner topline and well i don’t wanna give away all the details.
Jafar
May 15, 2014 at 10:35 am
Whenever I see the SLDR brand I always think of the old TV show Sliders!
thefullsp
May 10, 2014 at 3:59 pm
I agree with a lot of the posts where they say if you don’t like it, you don’t have to buy it.
However, the bonded nature of the shaft/head leaves no ease of trying shafts and sliding in a friend’s shaft to see if it is stiffer than mine. I for one will not enjoy my Sunday morning jaunt as much, as I can’t get my tool out, loosen up my shaft and slip my buddies in and screw it tight before launching it at my balls.
There is nothing better on the frosty spring mornings than a tip that is easy to play around with.
Thank you TaylorMade.
Scott Shields
May 14, 2014 at 8:22 am
I see what you did there.
LeftyGolfer
May 10, 2014 at 1:22 am
I used to change drivers almost every year until I got the RBZ Tour. I’ve demo’ed TM drivers that followed (Stage 2, R1, SLDR, etc.) and none of them are any better when tested with the same shaft on a course.
If you want the SLDR, as others said, just wait 6 months and pick one up at half price. 🙂
Tucker k
May 9, 2014 at 12:34 pm
SLDR irons?? lol
I strongly dislike the way Taylormade is headed. As a scratch golfer i can tell you that there new clubs are strictly marketing towards your average everyday hack golfer. If your actually serious about the game, stop listening to the BS they continue to tell their buyers and play clubs that focus on quality play other than distance improving clubs.
Nick
May 10, 2014 at 2:34 am
I, for one, don’t care about the short life cycles of TM products. Maybe I’m in the market for clubs this year, maybe not. But when I am ready to buy, there will be something shiny and new on the shelves from TM.
WILSON
May 14, 2014 at 12:30 am
. . . they just released their line of Tour Preferred irons. What else do you want from them?
Desmond
Jul 7, 2014 at 4:55 am
They do market to everyone, but everyone should not be playing these clubs. Sure, you don’t have to be a Tour Pro to get the benefit of SLDR technology, as Benoit of TM says, but you better have an excellent swing. These are not clubs for the average player. I saw a guy on the range with an SLDR and stopped to look. It was comical because he had no swing – he was slow and no swing. He would have been a hack with any driver. But someone, either through marketing or a sales guy, put this in his hands. That helps TM in the short run, but in the long run, guys like this won’t buy a TM product next time. Not unless they are fools. Whoops. They are fools. TM wins.
SteveinSpain
May 9, 2014 at 11:38 am
I am so laughing at some of these comments about the new stuff TM keep bringing out. It’s very much like a TV channel, if you don’t like it, turn the TV off or change channels. Some of these people would still prefer to use a set of clubs 4 years old by the sound of it. I use the RocketBladez and I will tell you now, I am longer with these than I was with the RBZ irons I had before. I was longer with them than I was with the R11’s I had.
I will be trading my RBladez in for these new ones when they are available…I will sell my clubs for roughly 50% of the purchase price of the new ones and will have my shafts exchanged too.
Don’t knock technology – it helps us all improve the game (or should).
Ryan
May 22, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Yeah, what a bunch of idiots for having opinions. They should keep those opinions to themselves so you don’t have to hear it and get upset…?
Ross
May 8, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Taylormade… new slightly lower CG driver and now we’ve mixed the left over white paint with the left over black paint and silver is the 2014 summer colour.
Frank
May 7, 2014 at 9:26 pm
I’ve just bought a set of rocketballz stage 2 and love them. Thankyou TM for coming out with so many models that I can buy a recently released set for around 30% of the original price.
jb39
May 24, 2014 at 11:53 pm
Just 30% off? You could’ve done better than that
Wayz2go
May 7, 2014 at 6:35 pm
More junk from Taylor Made. This company is a joke. They can’t keep a current product on the shelf for 4 weeks. Always a “so called” new product that is better for everyone. Better, longer, more forgiving, easier to hit, you name it they have the BS to sell it. Wish they would go out of business !
Wow
May 8, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Lets not exaggerate. It’s definitely longer than 4 weeks. The SpeedBlade will have been out for 6 months by the time it is replaced by SLDR.
steve simonds
Jul 3, 2014 at 11:13 am
lol, what a sad little man you are. if you cant afford it, dont whine about it. end of story. pretty much every club manufacturer wishes they could evolve into a 6 mo cycle like TM or a 1 yr cycle like apple, samsung and the rest of the modern world. welcome to present day. technology is ever evolving but you would rather they go out of business so they wont bother you with a new product.
snowman
May 7, 2014 at 5:53 pm
I confess I don’t understand TMAG and how they can release new product so often… but so what if the are the Evil Empire of Golf, apparently there is a market; lots of folks must have the cash/credit to experiment/change gear often. For me, I tend to get something I like and play it for a while (nothing in my bag is less than 4 years old, and no TMAG products currently in play). All that said,
1) I had good experience with Older TMAG product line (510 Series Driver, and RAC OS Irons); I even have an old Taylormade Anser style putter I used from mid 80’s til late 90’s
2) I believe TMAG is on the right track pursuing Driver technology that helps achieve the holy grail of High Launch/Low Spin and there seems to be a lot of agreement that the SLDR driver is a watershed product (Yes, I agree you gotta get fit or you may not be able to get the damn ball airborne, etc)… and the non adjustable loft is probably good in that you get the right loft to begin with and maybe it’s a little more forgiving if COG is lower….
3) The SLDR Irons look GOOD to me. Not sure I can go back to Cast construction, but Anxiously awaiting GOLFWRX Editor review.
Lease it then
May 8, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Car companies release new cars every year, so what’s the big deal? Car companies do the exact same thing! They make a new platform, and then pump out just slightly modified and upgraded version every year, until they can finally finance a whole new platform and so they make a new version of the same name car but improved with all-new design.
mattK
May 7, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Pretty sure the dumbest thing you can do nowadays is buy new golf equipment as soon as it’s released.
Before, you had 2 years to have fun with your new sticks before the next version came out. Now it’s like 6 months.
mattK
May 7, 2014 at 3:18 pm
Wow, amazing, breathtaking, incredible, and groundbreaking stuff by TM. ~sarcasm~
At least the SLDR is getting a discount pretty soon.
ken
May 7, 2014 at 12:20 pm
This line appears to be settled between the TP line and tghe Speed Blade line.
The TP is a players iron. Thinner sole and top line with limited offset. The TP CB iron looks to be one for the 9- 15 handicap player that has the ability to hit the ball closer to the center of the clubface.
SLDR’s have game improvement features but appear far less beefy than the Speed Blades. IMO The Speed Blade line now has a better, more clean looking ‘cousin’ in the SLDR.
One thing that does intrigue is if the price of the TP line will come down. If it does, I’m buying the TP CB’s
JORO
May 7, 2014 at 12:04 pm
As far a new clubs every six months,, HUMBUG, I still play an old set of RACS, they are beautiful Irons that look like jewelry and play as good as the new irons. I have compared and no difference, other than the fact the older ones are comfortable.
If the newest are so good, why are they replaced every six months???
David Smith
May 7, 2014 at 11:17 am
Ridiculous
Helmut Queckenstedt
May 7, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Taylormade really sucks, too many releases per year. Personally I look forward to the new B. Hogan`s
Mike
May 8, 2014 at 7:06 am
obviously a while since you bought new clubs.. hogan brand died, new Callaway Apex are the replacement…
Deano
May 9, 2014 at 7:18 am
Actually the Hogan brand has recently announced it’s entry back into the market after a 7 year absence.
It will be their new release that has been confirmed that he is referring to 😉
Matt
May 9, 2014 at 9:30 am
Perry Ellis International just announced that the Ben Hogan equipment brand will relaunch in 2015.
Peter Williams
May 7, 2014 at 8:14 am
Yawn. 15m longer?
Ben
May 6, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Aside from all the flak they’ll get for releasing yet another line, I really like the fact that the hybrids and fairways have shorter shafts to make them more manageable for the majority of players. The SLDR irons look pretty reasonable, although I’m unsure how they’ll coexist with the SpeedBladez (unless that’s a failed experiment). At the end of the day, this release just means all TM’s other options will probably decrease in price, which is good for the consumer.
Together
May 6, 2014 at 10:06 pm
SLDR irons look like a cross between the Adams A12 OS irons and the Super S
bradford
Jun 4, 2014 at 7:13 am
Not surprising really. I’m waiting for the re-release of the CMB with TM markings on it…
Not a huge fan of what has happened to Adams since TM took over
Nice
May 6, 2014 at 5:00 pm
SLDR Irons are slick! Nice.
jgpl001
May 7, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Come on – get real
More nonsense from TM
Jacked up lofted, cast, ugly shovels – nothing new here
If you are into this sort of rubbish just wait about 2 months and pick them up for half price, or six months and you will get them for $199
Yawn, yawn and yawn……………..
Daniel
May 6, 2014 at 8:27 am
I’ve been reading all the comments and I started wondering why someone who bought a new TM product would care if they came out with a newer one a few months later. Surely anybody on this site knows that the clubs don’t make you a better player, especially when it comes to the equipment that is released within a few months of each other. Wouldn’t we all agree that if a 10 handicap was given a 10 yr old set of clubs he would beat a 20 handicap with the latest technology? Since we know this, then the next thing I thought of is that we golfers want the latest and greatest product because of the image it presents. It’s the same thing that people do when they trade in their 2 yr old car for a brand new one. The old car still runs great, but it isn’t as “cool” as the new one. Isn’t that the heart of the issue?
I think it’s a lot better to be content with the clubs you have until they’ve reached the end of their usefulness. Which would be much longer than a few months to a year.
Dave
May 6, 2014 at 8:51 am
Gary point
Dave
May 6, 2014 at 8:52 am
Great*
Yank
May 6, 2014 at 9:40 am
“It’s the same thing that people do when they trade in their 2 yr old car for a brand new one. The old car still runs great, but it isn’t as “cool” as the new one. Isn’t that the heart of the issue?”
NO, unfortunately. The general public STILL honestly believes that they are being taken for a ride, they are still suckered into the thinking that every new thing that is released IS TRULY BETTER than the last one in distance and that it will TRULY HELP THEM make the game easier.
That’s the root of the problem.
Scott
May 7, 2014 at 4:40 pm
yep. 100% correct.
Brandel
Jul 5, 2014 at 12:53 am
Everything new is truly better. However, everything new will not be truly better for everyone and not at equal rates. Bubba Watson will get far more performance out of the new g30 than a 75mph swing speed. The SLDR may blow away the RBZ Stage 2 in every aspect tested by taylormade but not for the guy that can make a better swing path with the RBZ 2 because of the alignment aid on the top helps them with confidence which may boost accuracy and distance for that individual. If it’s true that golfers need to swing their swing and all swings are slightly different like finger prints then one could reason that every golfer will benefit from having equipment uniquely fit to them. If thats the case than there should be a place in the market for a Ping K15 or an SLDR 430 or a phrakenwood 8.5 degree fairway. The more equipment releases the better chance a golfer will have of finding that perfect club and if not sometimes everyone just needs a change.
Mike
May 8, 2014 at 7:15 am
I haven’t gained any distance since my 1994 Wilson Killer Whale.. but yet I buy new clubs quite regularly, since then i have had TMag 360XD, R5, Titliest 983, Tmag Burner TP, R11S and now a Titliest 913D. Why because I enjoy it and like to try new stuff. Distance has been the same within 10-15m with each one. I also have a nice collection of putters..
We are consumers, we buy stuff, we buy it because it makes us feel better or gives us renewed confidence in our Game.
Opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one. You’re entitled to yours and me to mine. Business is there to make money, TMag is better than others at doing it, why cut them down? its good product, no one is dissatisfied, they enjoy their new club, they get tired of it and buy a new one.. big deal, who cares? they are not spending your money so don’t worry about it..
1st world problems.
Honmagolfan
May 7, 2014 at 11:53 am
Great point.
ken
May 27, 2014 at 5:36 pm
I play in amateur golf tournaments that are flighted to USGA index.
Currently my index is a 14.9. I play with guys in my flight that have clubs in their bag that after watching them play 5 holes I realize have no business hitting. These are the latest and greatest people. They have more money than brains. Some of these guys are hitting muscle back and muscle cavity irons. Some are hitting drivers with not enough loft.
I’m not big on change for the sake of change. My Adams Tight Lies irons are at least 10-12 years old. They work fine for me. But it’s time for an upgrade. But certainly not at full retail. I will always buy “last year’s model”. And why is that? Because I will get good and up to date clubs at far less than the ‘latest and greatest guy will but them.
Alex
May 6, 2014 at 8:21 am
What Non adjustable driver, i thought the more adjustability the better isnt that what TM has been feeding us for the past 5 years.
Higher loft less spin no adjustability +17 yards over the original sldr, which was already +27 yards over the R11 which was +10 yards over R1.
Wow we are are like +54 yards over something that was released a year ago, but yet most people can`t hit over 220 and can`t break 100.
bradford
May 6, 2014 at 12:43 pm
No truth allowed in here. Those people hitting it 220 truly believe they are hitting it 250-270, but are absolutely stunned to see someone next to them hit a 270-280 ball.
Daniel V
May 7, 2014 at 12:39 pm
So true, so very very true.
ken
May 27, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Yep….Distance is nonsense. I play with guys that are in their 60’s. I can hit it 50 yards past them. On the flip side their miss is not usually as bad as my miss. So they are scoring just as well if not better than I.
Frequently, I will pull my 3 metal in order to sacrifice a little distance for control.
The guys I play with see that and realize they are going to have to play better to beat me. They jokingly say “gee, why don’t you hit your driver”…The point is, these new clubs that offer the average player more distance are not doing many of them any favors. More distance means on those shots hit off line will be that much farther into bad places because the ball is traveling a longer distance.
Barry
Jun 23, 2014 at 3:37 pm
They will have the adjustability built in to their next new driver to be released in 6 months.
You HAVE to save some stuff for the next best greatest you know.
BARRY
Lee Trevino
May 6, 2014 at 7:55 am
SLDR irons oooooohhyeeeeahhh..
NG
May 6, 2014 at 9:45 pm
I’m leaving Nike for these!
froneputt
May 6, 2014 at 7:10 am
“Taylormade unveils…”
Yet again and again … repackage, re-market to cover up mistakes and to sell clubs that are longer for better, faster players to the unskilled, slow masses.
It makes for more sales next year when the unskilled trade in the repackaged that did not work
Hunterdog
May 6, 2014 at 2:00 am
This is great! I’ve wanted to try Slider driver and now I can expect to at even cheaper price point! Hopefully, by the US Open Taylormade will come out with it’s next line so I can pick up driver even cheaper; I mean why should expect to pay my pro full retail when product is two generations old?
golf12
May 6, 2014 at 12:26 am
Who Cares why so many angry golfers! U don’t have to buy..titleist Is boring..call away copies other companies
michael
May 5, 2014 at 11:37 pm
taylormade puts out so much crap. what a disgrace. can’t believe people buy into their gimmicks. i wouldn’t expect anything different from them.
Jonathan
May 5, 2014 at 10:58 pm
What i’ve gathered from feedback of three people involved with launch day.
SLDR irons
pros: delivers on performance
cons: cavity badge is cheap looking in person, stock shaft feels boardy for being 90g.
SLDR-S metalwoods
pros: they’re not Jet Speeds
cons: crown produces large, bright glare from sun. lack of custom shaft options.
regardless, i am excited to see for myself. i can only imagine the storm of jet speed returns on the way to TM.
CA
May 6, 2014 at 2:25 am
Jonathan,
Those people couldn’t be any more wrong about the SLDR irons!
The irons look great. The shiny, almost-forged looking stainless finish looks amazing, and the club feels so smooth during the swing and the hit is just as you would expect from the crisp-hitting iron. I don’t get why anybody would say that the C-Taper 90 is boardy, when it is far from it! So smooth! But, yes, for those people who are used to the traditional DG or lightweight graphite with no feel, it will feel different as it is step less and much straighter without too much whip.
Charles
May 5, 2014 at 10:20 pm
Clearly, if you want product assurance, buy from another brand!
WILSON
May 14, 2014 at 12:33 am
What is this “product assurance” you speak of? the idea that the product you just bought will never be improved upon? like that will ever happen.
Minh
May 5, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Zak,
Can you explain what was discussed for the below image? https://twitter.com/TaylorMadeGolf/status/463359930745892864
Thanks.
Zak Kozuchowski
May 6, 2014 at 12:04 am
Minh,
The photo shows that through the years, the PGA Tour players are hitting the ball longer because of faster ball speeds, a higher launch and lower spin.
Since drivers have reached the allowable COR limits for speed, distance gains will now come primarily through improving launch conditions. For golfers with an ill-fit driver, the gains can be dramatic and game changing. Imagine how much easier a course would play if you could instantly hit the ball just as straight (and maybe even straighter) with 30 yards of extra driver distance!
CA
May 6, 2014 at 2:27 am
The new balls all the companies are making are unbelievable. If you get the right one that works for you.
Christopher
May 6, 2014 at 11:30 am
Lighter shafts, titanium driver heads and modern ball design helped too …
Zak Kozuchowski
May 6, 2014 at 11:32 am
Absolutely. That’s how we got to the ball speed limit so quickly.
louis
May 5, 2014 at 9:48 pm
The Irons are the AP2 of Taylomade. Smaller than GI clubs but built with some GI tech. I Hate TaylorMade but they make me wanna buy their $hit.
vegasgolfandsneakers
May 24, 2014 at 6:48 pm
These irons are absolutely NOT the AP2 of TaylorMade. I believe that to be the MC. These are AP1, if anything.
Keith
May 5, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Unless you have any skin in the game – why does TaylorMade’s equipment cycles cause you to get angry at them for taking a different strategy to product launches than Titleist or Ping? If TM wants to refresh their product line at the same rate that Nike Golf rolls out new shades of red polo shirts and customers are willing to line up to buy it – great for them! The only people that should be upset / frustrated at this point are retail buyers and inventory managers, and if at this point – they haven’t seen the writing on the wall for product cycles…well then…that’s their own mistake.
Rich
May 5, 2014 at 9:16 pm
It goes likes this. Once the buzz from their product dies down, they bring out another. It’s not rocket science and it’s not innovation. They are a business that makes money and they do it very well. If people didn’t buy into their products/marketing, they would change their tatics. But people do, so they won’t change. Good thing for us is that if you like one of their products, just wait till the next release and you will get it much cheaper. What’s wrong with that? I used to be a TMAG hater but now, who cares. Let them do what they want to do as a business and buy or don’t buy their stuff as it suits. It’s pretty simple folks.
Rob
May 6, 2014 at 11:28 pm
They aren’t making money though. Go look at Adidas-TM earnings release this week and you’ll see how costly the golf business has been for them.
Rich
May 8, 2014 at 9:24 am
Fair enough. I guess they are just trying to do what they do best which is flood the market with product. I guess they think that if there is more of their stuff out there that they’ll have more of the market. Makes sense from a business point of view but it does piss a lot of people off.
Martin
May 5, 2014 at 9:04 pm
I bought a Jetspeed hybrid on Sunday, I talked to the store manager at Golftown about the rumoured release of the new line, I thought July at least.
Good thing I didn’t hit it at the range, something told me not to.
It’s going back, I will buy the X2Hot I originally planned to buy.
Why do I allow myself to be sucked into looking at all these new models by TMAG…grrr
ken
May 27, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Just a second. How do you know whether the TM club is for you or not if you’ve never hit it?
That’s like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on then returning them because you believe they won’t fit.
You could have demoed the Jetspeed at the shop
jc
May 5, 2014 at 8:22 pm
I can’t wait to see the SLDR ball retriever…you move the weight to the right of left, depending on which side of the ball you can see in the mud.
David Smith
May 5, 2014 at 8:15 pm
What a joke this company is. People are saying every 6 months but it’s more like every 3 months! How can anyone ever pay for this?
Steve
May 5, 2014 at 10:17 pm
By finding a club they like and sticking with it for a little while… Nobody is forcing you to buy every single club they release. That was easy enough…
ken
May 27, 2014 at 5:49 pm
No one is forcing anyone to BUY the new line. It’s just there if you want it.
Your’s looks like a case of “latest and greatest” syndrome.
sgniwder99
May 5, 2014 at 8:02 pm
The irons look like Adams CMBs to me.
I like the look of the SLDR S drivers. Nothing Taylormade makes has ever agreed with me all that well, though.
Dave
May 5, 2014 at 10:40 pm
I’d say more like adams xtd
brad
May 6, 2014 at 7:29 am
These look nothing like the CMB’s, and I feel bad that Adams now has to cater to this marketing mess.
brad
May 6, 2014 at 7:31 am
ok, maybe a little…
BMACGOLF
May 5, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Totally pissed at Taylor right now! As a retailer, it is impossible for me to deal with Taylor anymore. Every 6 months a new, supposed, Greatest Driver they ever released.
Chuck
May 5, 2014 at 7:04 pm
I work at Golfsmith. The TM TP line of irons has not sold well and I don’t expect these to sell at all. People will wait for price reductions in 3-6 months. Why buy something if it performs as well when put to a test against a TM iron that is 1-3 years old? It is tough to get behind any of their products honestly
CT
May 5, 2014 at 7:10 pm
In marketing, it is called “product assurance.” TM has none!!
CT
May 5, 2014 at 6:59 pm
How are the SLDR irons different than the CB’s they just released?
Billy
May 5, 2014 at 6:47 pm
I am no TM fanboy whatsoever…but those irons look beautiful. I will def want to try them out.
Howie
Jun 11, 2014 at 3:35 pm
I tryed the slider iron today at golfsmith.I was impressed with the look of them but after hitting them, they feel ok but distance is 10 yds less and they seam hard to work. IMHO 10HC
Craig
May 5, 2014 at 6:24 pm
This is why i dont play Taylormade clubs. They come out with something new every 6 months. In my opinion companys like Taylormade are bad for golf.
CT
May 5, 2014 at 7:00 pm
What company besides TM does this? That being said, I agree 100%
NG
May 5, 2014 at 10:45 pm
I’d say with comments like that you think Apple are bad for the phone industry too, right?
Mike
May 5, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Actually the SLDR will not go down in price. This is the cheaper version and only by price. DISTANCE FOR ALL!!! Difference here is the bonded head vs. adjustable.
Elmo
May 17, 2014 at 10:43 am
Thank you. THANK YOU! I swear to God people were yelling the same things you see here when the white driver was launched. Its not a new driver. There the same drivers to appeal to different markets. One for the cheaper market and one for a market that likes white heads. Like fuck, do your research before you comment. Do you really think tailor-mades brand new, better driver is going to be cheaper at Golftown than the last one?
Awesome
May 5, 2014 at 5:28 pm
The irons are awesome
JJ
May 5, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Awesome! I can’t wait for the “Limited” US Open release of the black SLDR and then the “Limited” PGA championship release of the Black SLDR S!!! Wow, TMade…I don’t think this is helping us average folks whatsoever, more like confusing everyone….
Dakota
May 5, 2014 at 1:01 pm
There was no reference to how they are different than the originals other than bonded neck. Are they going to be higher spinning and more forgiving than the original. I’m assuming that they will be targeting more towards the average golfer in the fact that many of them don’t generate enough spin to keep the SLDR in the air.
Zak Kozuchowski
May 5, 2014 at 1:21 pm
SLDR S driver will have a slightly lower CG than original SLDR, which is why it is offered in higher lofts.
Xreb
May 6, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Why would a lower CG need more loft ? A lower CG by itself should help launch the ball higher…
Rob
May 7, 2014 at 4:06 am
A low CG reduces spin rate so it actually launches a little lower hence why they say ‘loft up’ – to get the same launch but with lower spin = more distance…I think
NG
May 7, 2014 at 10:31 pm
A forward CG lowers spin, lower CG increases launch. Need more loft to compliment lower spin…correct Rob.
Xreb
May 9, 2014 at 10:06 am
If a lower CG reduces spin, then the gravity core in the Big Bertha Alpha makes no sense….
Sky
May 5, 2014 at 12:55 pm
The SLDR irons look very similar to the MC’s. What’s the difference?
Zak Kozuchowski
May 5, 2014 at 1:21 pm
The SLDR irons are closer in size to the SpeedBlade irons, with less offset, thinner top lines and thinner soles.
Steve Barry
May 5, 2014 at 2:52 pm
So looks more player-ish with the GI features most want/need? Sounds promising.
Wayz2go
May 7, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Sky:
The MC haven’t even hit the green grass shops with demo clubs and now we have the “new and improved” ….?
paul
May 5, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Cue the TM hate, that to many releases and to much marked down equipment is bad for the industry. Blah blah blah. Cheap sldrs for all! I love that I can buy the latest and greatest for half price every six months… If I choose.
lasar
May 5, 2014 at 12:43 pm
muhahaha…….
history repeating, the sldr was already 7month old time for a new release
Joel
May 5, 2014 at 12:24 pm
C-Taper tour 90?? A new shaft or a made for tmag?
Martin V.
May 5, 2014 at 12:45 pm
KBS C-Taper 90 has been in a market for a year now, check KBS website.
Evan
May 5, 2014 at 1:15 pm
KBS C-Taper Tour 90??? I don’t think so.
Zak Kozuchowski
May 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Yes, a new shaft.
Dave
May 5, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Lighter than the c taper lite version, which will probably carry a high trajectory? The original c taper (~120g) is marketed as low and lite (~110g) is labeled as mid.