Equipment
TaylorMade extends AeroBurner line with Mini Driver
TaylorMade’s AeroBurner Mini Driver exists in the space between the company’s drivers and fairway woods, and that’s the beauty of it.
Buzz around the Mini Driver category reached new heights after the 2015 Honda Classic, where it earned its first PGA Tour win. Padraig Harrington used TaylorMade’s original Mini Driver — a 12-degree SLDR S — as a driver alternative in route to his first PGA Tour victory since 2008.
[quote_box_center]”It’s too soon to tell, but it could be a category that becomes as popular as our rescue clubs,” said TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Creation Brian Bazzel. “Demand [for the SLDR S Mini Driver] was greater than we expected.” [/quote_box_center]
The new Mini Driver has a marginally smaller head size — 253 cubic centimeters, which is 9 cubic centimeters less than the original. That makes it substantially bigger than a fairway wood, for more forgiveness from the tee, but small enough that golfers can hit it off the ground if necessary.
The biggest changes to the club, however, revolve not around its size, but its sole and its shape.
At address: TaylorMade’s AeroBurner Mini Driver (left) and AeroBurner Driver.
Like the AeroBurner metal woods, the AeroBurner Mini Driver uses the company’s latest Speed Pocket, a deep slot that extends across the entirety of its sole. According to Bazzel, the Speed Pocket increases the AeroBurner’s sweet spot, allowing it to launch the ball with slightly more ball speed and a little less spin (about 100-to-200 rpm) than the SLDR Mini Driver.
The sole of the club is also flatter, a change that will make the Mini Driver easier to use from the fairway and light rough, and it borrows the more aerodynamic shape of the AeroBurner metal woods. Its crown has a raised center that gently slopes from the front of the club to the back, and a “fin” on its hosel are both said to improve aerodynamics.
Related: Click here to learn about TaylorMade’s AeroBurner irons.
Golfers comparing the AeroBurner Mini Driver to the SLDR S Mini Driver will notice that the AeroBurner shape at address is more symmetrical, whereas the SLDR S was more elongated in its back toe section.
As for the results? Our internal testing has seen some golfers hit the Mini Driver just as far and much straighter than their regular driver, but there are a lot of different variables at play. They include:
- The Mini Driver’s 43.5-inch length, which is roughly 2-inches shorter than a driver.
- Its smaller head size, which is easier for many golfers to square at impact.
- The increased loft, relative to a driver, which helps many golfers launch the ball higher and with less spin — one of the keys to more distance.
The bottom line is this: If you find yourself using your lowest-lofted fairway wood primarily from the tee, why wouldn’t you want its head to be bigger, and thus more forgiving?
At address: TaylorMade’s AeroBurner Mini Driver and AeroBurner Mini Driver TP (right).
The AeroBurner Mini Driver ($279) is available in lofts of 12, 14 and 16 degrees (RH only) and comes stock with Matrix’s Speed RUL-Z 60 shaft.
A TP version ($349), which has a flatter lie angle and more open face angle for more fade bias, is also available in lofts of 12 and 14 degrees (both RH only). It comes stock with a Matrix White Tie MSS 70X4 shaft.
They’ll be in stores March 27.
Click here to see what GolfWRX Members are saying about the AeroBurner Mini Drivers in our forum.
Specs
- LIKE142
- LEGIT23
- WOW21
- LOL9
- IDHT4
- FLOP17
- OB6
- SHANK38
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
View this post on Instagram
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
View this post on Instagram
TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
- LIKE15
- LEGIT4
- WOW3
- LOL3
- IDHT1
- FLOP2
- OB2
- SHANK4
Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ 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 a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ 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
- LIKE1
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here....
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment3 weeks agoJason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
RG
Mar 12, 2015 at 3:44 pm
I have an old school Callaway Big bertha 11 degree club. It was considered a ladies driver. I put a neww shaft in it and let me tell u off the deck or of the tee I’ll put it against any of these new “mini drivers.” It is hot and very accurate. This is not a new concept and there are clubs out there that are better and 1/3 the cost.
james
Mar 11, 2015 at 1:31 pm
cant wait to get one of these! oh wait I cant as I’m a leftie
Justin
Mar 11, 2015 at 12:09 pm
It’s really frustrating that it seems for this year, TaylorMade feels that there are no lefties who want TP clubs. As a lefty whose miss is a draw, I need the square to open face of a TP model.
Leon
Mar 11, 2015 at 11:49 am
Cut your driver shaft to 43 inches, your driver will be much more forgiving than the mini ones. It will hit the ball much longer too, not only because of the lower loft of the driver, but also due to the higher COR from the Titanium face than the steel face.
Plus, it will not cost you a stupid $300, but rather a reasonable $20 for a new grip and some lead tapes to bring the swing weight back to your comfort zone.
GW
Mar 11, 2015 at 11:45 am
My favorite “mini driver” of all time is the original R7 line. I don’t see a point in buying a brand new driver that is smaller just so I can fill a gap between a driver and a 3 wood. Now, if I hit it as far as my current driver, or close to it, and kept it in the fairway more often then I might be interested in that.
gwillis7
Mar 11, 2015 at 11:31 am
I always struggle from the tee….use a jetspeed and it has given me my best results (I only slice 3 out of 10 times from the tee now lol). But I will give this a try, if I can keep most my shots straight and only lose 15 yards or so I would jump on board. Not a TM guy, I am a Ping fan by far, but don’t mind their product cycle and I think a lot of their stuff looks good (not all, but a lot).
gwillis7
Mar 11, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Ok I just saw on TM website that they are gonna make aeroburner irons….The loft of the 4 iron is 19 degrees…19!!
The PW is 43 and the AW is 49….
I don’t care about them coming out with new stuff every 6 months, I don’t have to buy it. But I don’t like the fact that lofts have gotten absolutely crazy….4 iron that is 19 degrees, that’s just stupid
Chad
Mar 11, 2015 at 10:49 am
I bet this thing is stupid long.
Cally
Mar 11, 2015 at 10:46 am
Stop this product cycle comments….if you don’t like it don’t buy it, easy as that.
marty
Mar 11, 2015 at 11:03 am
Those are guys who are cheap and can’t afford new clubs.
Josh
Mar 11, 2015 at 10:07 am
That didn’t take long.
Looks like the market cycle is getting even faster.