TaylorMade (http://taylormadegolf.com)

No manufacturer floods the market annually quite like TaylorMade (which includes the Adidas clothing line, MaxFli golf, and Rossa Putter lineup). Just so you have an idea of what I’m talking about, on the TaylorMade website, they currently list 7 drivers as current models (and that doesn’t even count the two new for ‘07 models that won’t be release for another couple of weeks, or the Dick’s exclusive R5 XL series - which isn’t so exclusive in so much as it’s the same clubs TaylorMade markets in Japan). It’s not just the drivers either…5 current Fairway woods (series), 3 hybrid designs, and a whopping 8 iron sets.

While you might think that giving the consumer lots of choices is a good thing, the Pro I spoke with a couple of weeks ago told me that the TaylorMade product line is causing a huge amount of confusion among consumers. It’s also causing problems for retailers who need to keep a complete selection of clubs on their shelves.

The over-saturation is, in no small part, due to TaylorMade’s recent strategy of offering what amounts to the same club head in three different configurations (moveable weights, draw bias, and neutral). This basically allows them to charge a bit more for the moveable weight clubs, even if most of the people who buy it end up configuring it with a draw bias and leaving it there anyway. TaylorMade’s explanation is that the moveable weight clubs are geared towards the technical-minded who like to constantly tinker with their clubs, while the fixed-weight heads are designed for those who don’t want to think about anything other than hitting the golf ball. Oh, and if all that wasn’t confusing enough, most clubs in the TaylorMade lineup also come in TP (Tour Preferred) Models, which most feature a slightly open club face, a lower trajectory launch, and a more expensive shaft.

Given all the products available from TaylorMade, you expect this to be the longest of the write-ups. With that in mind, on to the clubs…

Drivers

TaylorMade might actually be simplifying a bit for ‘07. Thus far only two (well sort of two) new drivers have been announced. On the high-end, TaylorMade is introducing the poorly named R7 SuperQuad, TaylorMade’s first 460CC head with 4 adjustable weights. The included weights allow for configuration changes which provides the golfer with 6 different center of gravity positions, the ability to alter launch angle by up to 1.5 degrees; or promote a 15-yard change in left-to-right/right-to-left ball flight.

The SuperQuad features the more conventional inverted-cone shaped head (TaylorMade officials are on the record as saying that square drivers are a fad that won’t last 10 minutes). The coloring is unique with almost 100% of the clubhead (including the face) painted with a black nickel finish. The SuperQuad will retail for $499

In addition to the standard model, the SuperQuad is available in a TP model. The TP features additional weight cartridges for greater tuning, and an upgraded TaylorMade-branded Fujikura shaft. The TP model will be available in early March and is expected to retail for around $700.

Finally, for those with bottomless pockets, there are a number of SuperQuad TP 1st editions available. The 1st edition comes with 10 weight cartridges, allowing for 978 Center of Gravity positions. It comes with a slightly open face and the 75-gram RE*AX (Fujikura) shaft. The 1st edition also includes a 1st Edition decal on the toe. Retail price is roughly $1000.

Based on what I’ve seen, the SuperQuad is the best looking new club on the market. It will be in stores on February 23rd, and is probably the only conventionally shaped driver I’ll be demoing.

Also new for 2007 is the TaylorMade Burner Series. According to TaylorMade the new Burner has been engineered to promote greater distance through faster speed. The Burner features a bullet-shaped head which employs “SuperFast Technology” to make the club lighter and faster. Weight reduction is accomplished in part through an extra-light grip, and a stock shaft that weighs only 50 grams. The total club weight of the Burner is 299 grams, roughly 20 grams less than the average driver. The stock shaft is also 1 inch longer than standard, which widens the swing arc, which in turn boosts distance (TaylorMade claims a gain of 6-9 yards for the average golfer).

TaylorMade claims the new Burner is not only light, but also forgiving. It boasts a high MOI (exact number not published) to reduce twisting on mishits. The Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) of the clubface changes the way the clubface behaves at impact. While other manufacturers are promoting MOI, TaylorMade basis it’s numbers on what it call “Effective Moment of Inertia” (eMOI). They claim that the Burner’s eMOI is equivalent to a driver that measures 5800 with a constant-thickness clubface, if not better.

As with many modern clubs, the Burner utilizes an internal weighting system to move the Center of Gravity deep and low in the clubhead.

As with just about everything else TaylorMade makes, the Burner also comes in a TP model. The head of the tour model is shorter from front to back. Unlike the standard model which is draw-biased, (the tour model comes in a neutral configuration), the the tour model’s club face sets up 1 degree open.

Finally, it’s worth noting that TaylorMade engineers have gone to great lengths to create a pleasant sounding club. They claim it’s very difficult to create a great sounding club (which is why no one else talks about it), but with the Burner (and the SuperQuad as well, I assume) they’ve done just that. It seems somewhat irrelevant, but give how totally unpleasant the SUMO squared sounds, this is no small thing.

Given what I know about the effect of on swingweight on ball flight, the Burner doesn’t sound like it’s for me. Lighter head + lighter shaft (eMOI aside) equals less control. Since swingspeed isn’t an issue for me, and control certainly. That being said, maybe eMOI changes the equation. Given that more tour players are currently playing the Burner than the SuperQuad, maybe it’s worth taking a look at.

The standard Burner retails for $299. The Tour model will retail for at least $50 more.

Fairway Woods

TaylorMade hasn’t announced any fairway woods to compliment the new SuperQuad, but doesn’t mean there is nothing new to talk about. New for 2007; no less than 3 different Burner fairway woods.

The Burner steel is, as the name suggests features a classically shaped head made from steel. TaylorMade claims the burner Steel has the highest MOI of any wood on the market. In fact, they claim the MOI on the new Burner steel is 30% higher than the company’s R7 Steel fairway. As with all new TaylorMade woods, the Burner Steel features the RE*AX graphite shaft. Like it’s big brother, the grip is lighter to promote faster swing speeds. MSRP is $235 and the club will be available in late April.

The new Burner Ti fairway sports all titanium construction and has the highest MOI of any TaylorMade titanium fairway club. The Burner Ti also features an ultra-light shaft to promote faster swing speeds. The Burner Ti will be out in mid-June with a MSRP of $350.

It wouldn’t be TaylorMade without a TP model would it? The TP offers up a deeper face, and a more pear-shaped head. The TP features a heavier version of RE*AX shaft with a higher kickpoint to promote a lower, more penetrating trajectory. In addition to 3-wood & 5-wood lofts, the TP model will also be available in a 13 degree tour spoon model. MSRP is $295 with the club hitting the market in mid-May.

Hybrids

Surprise surprise, TaylorMade has new Burner hybrids for the upcoming season. The Burner Rescue features an all-steel clubhead that is 7% larger than last year’s Rescue Dual. The larger clubhead, coupled with a shallower face allow TaylorMade to place the center of gravity low and far-back, which as you certainly must know by now, promotes a higher launch, and helps to reduce spin.

The Burner Hybrids feature the now familiar lightweight shaft and grip. They are available in lofts to replace your 3-6 iron. MSRP is $200 for the graphite shaft model. A steel model is available for $175. The club will be on shelves the end of April.

For the better-than-you-are golfer there is of course a TP model, which allows for greater workability and “Tour-caliber” trajectory. The head on the TP is more compact, and the COG is more forward in the clubface. The TP is available in 2-degree incremented lofts from 15 (1) to 21 (4). Premium shaft options include an 85 gram RE*AX or True Temper Dynamic Gold Steel. The MSRP is $245 for graphite and $220 steel. The TP will be in a store near you in later April.

Irons

Introduced late in ‘06 the TaylorMade R7 is the current model in the game-improvement class. It features an oversized head and a deep cavityback. TaylorMade has also added perimeter weighting and moved the COG deep and to the back. All of this, of course, is to increase forgiveness, and help you - yes you, not me, you, get the ball in the air. The R7 also features a moderate offset to help square the clubface at impact.

Also new in the R7 is what TaylorMade calls the “shock-absorption web”; a think layer of aluminum that reaches out to each corner of the clubhead. It’s bonded to the club with a double-sided acrylic foam tape (a 3M product) which helps to dampen sound and absorb shock.

A set (3-PW) of R7s can be had for the MSRP of $840.

For the professional to low handicapper, TaylorMade offers (not) you the R7 TP Iron. The TP has a more compact head design (thin topline, thin sole), less perimeter weighting, and a more blade-like feel. The cavity back is larger than most “players’” iron which allows for a higher MOI.

Other goodies for the true player include a minimal offset , a slightly flatter lie angle, and a “tour-configured” sole.

Wedges

Hitting the market at the end of last season was the TaylorMade rac Satin TP Wedge. The Satin version is identical to the previously available rac Black with the single exception of the finish.

The rac wedges are available in several different bounce and loft configurations. MSRP is $140 per club.

Putters

In Spring 2007 TaylorMade will unveil 3 new categories of Rossa putters. The first series, Classic, is comprised of 5 tour-shapes. The Daytona 1, Siena 4, Modena 8, and Imola 8 are blade models, while the Monte Carlo 7 is a classically designed mallet. All are made from 304 stainless steel with a midnight black finish. The MSRP for the classic line is $119. They’ll hit store shelves around April 20th.

The 2nd in the new Rossa line is what TaylorMade is calling its High MOI series. It contains two new mallets, the Tourismo and the Corzina. Both our engineered to be extremely stable, even of off center hits. The Tourismo features a reverse trapezoid shaped head, while the Corzina is a smaller version of Rossa’s popular Corza. MSRP is expected to be $149 when the putters hit the shelves in early June.

The third and final new addition to the Rossa lineup is High MOI with MWT (Moveable Weight Technology). The mallets in this series combine TaylorMade’s MWT with their AGSI+ face insert. The Inza model, like the Toursimo features the reverse-trapezoid shape. The Corza 4 is basically a Corza putter with MWT. All feature the new midnight black finish. The new High MOI w/ MWT putters will be in stores on April 20th for a suggest retail price of $189.

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