January 23, 2013 – You can see at once that the new TaylorMade R1 is an outstanding driver, and it has been a real privilege to try it out before it goes on sale in the golf shops on 1st February.

TaylorMade launches the new R1 under two interesting assumptions: 1) that with increased adjustability you will refine more precisely the customization of the driver, so that it offers you the ideal launch conditions with which to achieve maximum distance, and 2) that 80% of golfers use drivers with the wrong loft!, thinking that with a lower loft and a more penetrating trajectory they will get further, when what actually happens is that they lose distance.

So, one of the imperatives of the R1 TaylorMade is to offer a wide range of loft settings, with which the average golfer can find out how a more open loft, combined with conditions of high launch and low spin, can produce more carry and more distance.

The TaylorMade crew are masterful at making visible from the outside all the technology that the new R1 new driver has within. That means that the first thing that catches your eye is the attractive and vanguard design. A V-shaped graphic has been placed on the white crown opening towards the black face which can help you to focus at address.

With the key you can modify your loft with up to 12 configurations, turning the tip of the shaft by inserting the head, and 7 positions of the face angle, which together with the shot-shaping movable weights allow up to 168 different ways to tune the R1 to specifically fit the player’s swing, and thus optimize distance and accuracy. That is, the same driver model can be tuned to fit players across the board, from Tour pros to amateur golfers.

In the driving range of Terramar CG at Sitges (Barcelona, Spain), with Toni Alcazar, pro of El Doctor Golf, we tested the driver with four different configurations (without changing the standard position of the screws): 1st) 9.5º loft, lie Neutral, 2nd) 12º loft, lie Neutral; 3rd) 9.5º loft, lie Closed and 4th) 9.5° loft, lie Open.

• The R1 is a fascinating golf club. It has an amazing amount of components. For design, if the top score is 5, I’d give it a 6 (5 +1), and the same for quality and finish of the product.
• The driver does everything it says it does. When we change the position of the shaft to change the loft, and the position of the sole plate to change the lie, the ball really does tend to go higher or lower in the case of the loft, and straighter or more open when you change the face angle.
• I really like the shafts (Aldila RIP Phenom 55g Stiff and Regular). They’re fairly light and very controllable.
• I think the combination of the head-shaft is very successful.
• They’ve changed the look of the white monochrome on the crown and now have a graphic that can be helpful, although I see it more like something aesthetic.
• The feeling of impact is very pleasing. In this sense I have to say that the feeling also varies by changing loft and lie. I can notice the head more with the loft of 9.5º than with the 12º. I prefer the head to feel a little heavier, and as the shaft is so light, I notice a little more weight in the clubhead, which helps you to have a good rhythm and a good feeling.
• The distance is spectacular. In this aspect, the driver is one of the best in the market. And it produces a spectacular ball flight, with lots of forgiveness.
• If you adjust to a loft of 9.5º or 12º the difference is quite noticeable, as it is if you put the face angle in a neutral, open or closed position. So it is essential to find the ideal settings for each player.
• It is a great golf club, which offers many options. With the loft, lie and movable weights, the R1 components give a huge margin of shot-shaping, so it is recommended for amateurs to take advice from a professional when it comes to customization.

TAYLORMADE R1 DRIVER

• Club reviewed: Driver with loft, lie and movable weights adjustability, graphite Aldila RIP Phenom shafts, flex Regular and Stiff 55g.
• Tester: Toni Alcázar (33). Pro of El Doctor Golf.

DESIGN	[rating: level=”5″]
DISTANCE	[rating: level=”5″]
ACCURACY	[rating: level=”5″]
FORGIVENESS	[rating: level=”4″]
FEELING	[rating: level=”4″]
OPTIONS	[rating: level=”5″]
VALUE	[rating: level=”3.5″]
FOR…	Pros and Mid-to-Low Handicaps
AVERAGE	[rating: level=”4.5″]

  With the R1 driver TaylorMade again raises the bar on adjustability. Besides being able to customize the golf club to your requirements, the head has an incredibly nice feeling on impact, and the shaft is the ideal engine.

  Because of all the technology and R&D that is incorporated, for the times we live in nowadays, the price is high. And, depending on the kind of player, assistance will have to be sought from a professional to fine-tune the golf club.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Versions: R1, R1 TP, R1 Ladies.
• Lofts: 7 standard and 5 upright loft options between 8° and 12° (±2°) to obtain optimal launch angle.
• Face angle: 7 options: N/square, open, medium-open, maximum-open, closed, medium-closed, maximum-closed.
• Shot-shaping movable weights promote a neutral/straight flight or a distance-enhancing draw.
• Thick-thin crown provides lower and more-forward CG location promoting high launch, fast ball speed and low spin.
• Inverted Cone Technology milled into the inner side of the clubface expands the portion of the face that delivers high ball speed.
• Black clubface, non-glare white crown and new gray/orange/black crown graphic together promote easy alignment.
• Improved aerodynamics reduce drag over the head to promote faster clubhead speed.
• Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom 55-gram shaft promotes faster clubhead speed while delivering greater feel than typical ultra-light shafts.
• Availability: 1st February 2013.
• RRP: €499.

Toni Alcázar is a golf professional in El Doctor Golf.

More information at www.taylormadegolf.com and www.eldoctorgolf.com.

Pictures: ©MyGolfWay.

Por REDACCIÓN