Tag Archives: Tomo Bystedt

Drivers, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – The All-New BRNR Mini Driver, a modern take on a TaylorMade classic

April 17, 2023 – TaylorMade Golf, a leading performance golf brand, has announced the launch of the BRNR Mini Driver, paying homage to the iconic Ti Bubble 2 Driver that dominated professional tours in the mid-1990s.

This model combines retro aesthetics with modern technology and performance, continuing TaylorMade’s throwback theme among the Mini Driver franchise.

The 304cc BRNR Mini features a modern twist with a reimagined K-sole resembling the Ti Bubble 2. The K-sole helps the club glide smoothly through the turf while reducing resistance and promoting a consistent strike. This enables golfers to have “driver off the deck” distance with the consistency of higher lofted fairway woods.

Two movable weights on the sole – a 13g weight in the back and a 1.5g weight in the front – can be modified to create dynamically different results and ball flights. In the standard setting with the 13g weight in the back, it provides the optimal blend of long distance, forgiveness and versatility. Moving the 13g weight to the front produces a low spin setting for longer distance with a piercing trajectory and increased roll out. This setting reduces spin by approximately 200 rpms.

The BRNR Mini Driver, who it’s for?

While the BRNR Mini Driver can benefit a wide range of golfers, it best fits two use cases. First, better players seeking a club they can play off the tee with enhanced accuracy while still maximising distance. Select Tour professionals opt for Mini Driver for this reason – because it tightens dispersion for powerful players with ultra-fast ball speeds without sacrificing too much distance. Players in this category also like hitting it off the deck, making it a valuable weapon on second shots into long par 5s.

The second common use case is for golfers who struggle with the driver – making it an ideal option for players who find 460cc drivers challenging to hit, especially those who hit down on the ball and fail to optimise launch with larger heads. For these players, the BRNR Mini Driver provides an advantage over 3-wood because of its larger face, which adds forgiveness and more face area for contact.

Overall, it is a versatile club that can be used by a wide range of golfers, from fast swing-speed players looking for accuracy off the tee to average golfers looking for a more forgiving and easier-to-launch alternative to fairway woods.

“BRNR has been very popular in testing with tour players, especially at the first major of the year as a potential fairway finder on demanding tee shots and on approach shots on par fives. Players are always looking for a club that can be versatile and reliable off the tee and BRNR checks both of those boxes. Being able to adjust the weights to match the ball flight the player is looking for allows this club to be something that provides distance and shot shaping ability that can be crucial at narrower courses,” says Keith Sbarbaro, Vice President, Tour Operations of the company.

A NOD TO THE PAST

Revitalising the Mini Driver franchise as a homage to the past began in 2019 with the reinvention of the Original One, celebrating the club’s 40th anniversary and the launch of the first metalwood driver. The 300 Mini Driver further elevated the franchise in 2021. Following that success, BRNR continues the legacy of bringing back iconic 300cc-sized drivers that have defined the brand over the years.

Drawing inspiration from the Ti Bubble 2 Driver, which was in the winners’ bag at the 1998 Masters, the BRNR Mini features the original design’s unmistakable copper and black hues. It maintains critical stylistic elements such as the mid-’90s TaylorMade logo while possessing advanced technology and material usage.

Every component was designed to create a nostalgic experience. The popular UST ProForce 65 shaft is revitalised and dressed in black and copper to resemble the original Burner Bubble. A SuperStroke S-Tech grip (50g) adds to the aesthetic, while a retro-inspired barrel headcover completes the package.

“The BRNR Mini Driver is a modern interpretation of a classic driver, showcasing our long- standing heritage in the sport. While it has retro aesthetics, it’s no showpiece to hang in your office. It has the horsepower to attack golf courses and can be a major asset in the hands of the right golfer. We aimed to balance throwback elements with modern looks, technology and performance,” says Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director of Product Creation, Metalwoods & Carbonwood of the company.

BRNR Mini Driver is launched today 17th of April and on sale at retail on 21st of April, with an RRP of 479 Euros, and will be offered in lofts of 11.5° and 13.5°. The UST Mamiya ProForce 65 – Retro Burner Edition 65 (S, R) is the stock shaft offering. BRNR comes stock with SuperStroke S-Tech 50g Grip (Black/Copper).

Ladies, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Launch of Kalea Premier: Premium technology meets elegant design for female golfers

August 15, 2022 – TaylorMade Golf Company’s foundation is built upon the ability to bring the highest performing equipment to golfers of all skill levels. Today, TaylorMade introduces Kalea Premier, the company’s newest women’s range specifically engineered for lightweight speed, easy launch, and max forgiveness.

Every club in the Kalea Premier range is backed by proven technologies and fully fashioned to deliver more longdrives, more precise iron shots and more clutch putts.

“Kalea Premier is a combination of proven TaylorMade technologies, which are tuned specifically to give women in these segments the best performance, and the most visually stunning designs on the market. Our research has shown that women will no longer accept a half-hearted approach to product design in any industry.”

“We’ve been continuously mindful of this and have created a design language that utilises a combination of rich colours and refined textures with premium materials to create a sophisticated and elegant product line for women,” said Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director, Carbonwoods & Metalwoods.

PREMIUM DESIGN & PERFORMANCE

Speed, forgiveness, and allure in a single driver. With a weight saving carbon crown and carbon sole plus a 22g steel rear back weight, Kalea Premier is engineered for advanced forgiveness by combining a low and back CG with an ultra-lightweight head construction that promotes faster swing speeds. Repositioning the Inertia Generator towards the heel encourages optimal launch and spin to fuel distance at moderate and slower swing speeds.

FINDING FAIRWAYS

Fairway woods play a critical role for many women golfers. Kalea Premier offers easy-to-launch designs with added versatility and a 37% larger face than its predecessor. Designed to optimise forgiveness, each loft is the same size and features V Steel technology with refined weight distribution for forgiveness, versatility, and silky turf interaction.

EXTREME PLAYABILITY & EASY LAUNCH

A versatile V Steel sole design helps the Kalea Premier Rescue produce high launching shots from any lie. The head features a unique design with a larger face than prior generation Kalea but with very low CG to promote forgiveness while maintaining a high, easy launch. The lightweight construction also promotes faster swing speeds and gives golfers the confidence to stare down any shot.

FEEL & FORGIVENESS

Kalea Premier irons are powered by Cap Back Design, which provides stability within the topline and upper perimeter of the face, working in conjunction with the Speed Pocket to optimise face flexibility, ball speed and distance. The Cap Back Design also helps minimise unwanted vibrations in the head to deliver a soft and solid feel. Head shaping has been designed uniquely for Kalea Premier to create Super Game Improvement iron forgiveness in a sleeker and more elegant overall profile.

TOUR-PROVEN SPIDER TECHNOLOGY

This modern mallet brings the renowned Spider stability and forgiveness to a head shape that is 15% more compact compared to Spider Tour. Pure Roll technology encourages optimal forward roll, as well as better sound and feel, while a long single sightline delivers a simple but powerful alignment tool. The putter also features a specially designed 70g graphite shaft, which reduces overall club weight without impacting MOI and stability.

STYLE & FUNCTION

Kalea Premier has its own lightweight cart bag that embodies function and style. It features a premium heathered nylon material with 7 pockets, a 14-way top and structured base, delivering a combination of functionality and clean aesthetics.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOM FIT

The all-new Kalea Premier emphases TaylorMade’s commitment to providing women golfers of all abilities and swing speeds with the best performing golf clubs for them. Alongside the Stealth Women’s range, Kalea Premier will be available via custom allowing the golfer to choose the exact setup which suits them, including a variety of shaft and grip options available. Combined with the ability to tweak loft and lie it allows the golfer to achieve their desired performance for every club in their bag.

PRICING & SPECIFICATIONS

Kalea Premier is available for preorder starting August 15th and at retail on September 2nd. Individual clubs have the following RRP: Driver, 479€; Fairway, 279€; Rescue, 229€; Irons, 150€ per iron; Putter, 289€.

The Kalea Premier Driver is offered in a 12.5º loft (RH & LH) with a stock 44.25’’ Kalea Premier 40 shaft and Lamkin Sonar 38g 0.580 Round grip. Fairways offered are: 3-wood (17.0°), 5-wood (20.5°) and 7-wood (23.0° – RH only). Fairways are equipped with the stock Kalea Premier 40 shaft and Lamkin Sonar 38g 0.580 Round grips.

Kalea Premier Rescue clubs are offered in 23°, 27°, 31° and 35° (RH only) with the stock Kalea Premier 40 shaft and Lamkin Sonar 38g 0.580 Round grips. Iron offerings are 6-PW, AW and SW with the same shafts and grips. The Spider Mini Putter (RH & LH) features an L-neck hosel, 33’’ graphite shaft and a SuperStroke GTR 1.0 grip.

Fairway Woods, Hybrids / Rescues, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Introducing the new Stealth family of fairways and hybrids

January 4, 2022 – TaylorMade Golf, the industry leader in innovation and technology, today announces the all-new Stealth Plus and Stealth fairway woods. In addition, the company unveils its expanded hybrid offerings with the Tour-inspired Stealth Plus Rescue and Stealth Rescue.

Carbon is the prevalent design thread across the entire Stealth product line – from drivers to fairways and hybrids. That shared DNA makes this an unmistakable family, linked by the usage of advanced multi-material construction in pursuit of faster ball speeds, high MOI performance and precision playability.

The Stealth Plus fairway relies on the proven strength of ZATECH titanium, which is made in small batches using a unique process that allows engineers to improve the strength of the face and still maintain a high level of ductility. The ultra-thin construction promotes fast ball speeds and allows TaylorMade to push the limits of face flexibility.

An all-new infinity edge carbon crown creates a 12 percent larger carbon surface area compared to the SIM2 Titanium fairways, which allows the redistribution of more weight lower in the clubhead. Mass from the heavy 80g V Steel sole has been re-engineered for forgiveness while maintaining its core purpose of improving turf interaction and versatility.

The MOI on Stealth Plus is 12% higher than SIM2 Titanium and 18% higher than the original SIM titanium fairway. Overall, the design changes resulted in a club with the lowest CG ever in an adjustable TaylorMade fairway.

With a refined 175cc profile, the Stealth Plus fairway delivers the ideal blend of playability, shot making and distance. While the address area of Stealth Plus is only 2% larger than SIM2 to maintain versatility, the face area is 12 percent larger to provide improved performance on off-centre hits.

In the Stealth model, the all-new 3D carbon crown allowed engineers to shift weight lower and deeper in the clubhead. With a larger profile compared to Stealth Plus (190cc vs. 175cc) and a refined V Steel sole, this fairway is the ultimate combination of distance and forgiveness. Stealth fairways feature C300 Twist Face, which delivers top of the line 3-wood speed and the V Steel sole promotes versatility and reduced turf drag.

“For most golfers, the fairway wood doesn’t get used on every hole. But when those moments arise, it needs to deliver. No matter what the shot requires, whether it’s forgiveness, distance or playability, you need to know your club can produce the desired results.”

“That’s why we designed the family of Stealth fairway woods with increased MOI for added forgiveness without sacrificing the high launch and low spin results that produce the marquee distance golfers have come to expect from TaylorMade fairways.”

“The new advanced laser alignment system and refined profile, especially on the Stealth Plus model, help inspire shot-shaping confidence with optimal control at every level of the game,” says Tomo Bystedt, Product Creation, Metalwoods of the company.

In both models, the trusted colour contrast crown that has been a TaylorMade staple for nearly a decade has been replaced by an advanced laser alignment aid that stretches across the top of the face. The laser-etched pattern delivers a subtle, yet powerful alignment tool. It was designed using optical engineering and player testing to deliver visual cues that influence alignment at address and how the club is delivered at impact. Furthermore, moving the alignment aid onto the face of the club allowed for a clean and minimalistic aesthetic on the crown.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility, preservation of ball speed and distance, especially on low-face strikes for both Stealth Plus and Stealth fairways.

Stealth fairways also come with a women’s specific offering featuring a stand-alone bright silver PVD sole and a dark silver crown. The women’s Stealth fairways also feature modified specs in the form of lighter heads and higher lofts in some cases, all designed to promote better performance for slower clubheads speeds.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING  

Stealth Plus and Stealth Fairways will be available for pre-order on January 4 and at retail on February 4, 2022.

Stealth Plus has an RRP of 449€ and will be offered in Rocket 3/13.5º, 3/15º and 5/19º lofts. It will be offered in the Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Red 70, with numerous additional shaft options available at no additional cost. It comes stock with the Lamkin’s Crossline Black/Red Grip (50g).

Stealth has an RRP of 359€ and will be offered in lofts of 3/15º, 3HL/16.5º, 5/18º, 7/21º and 9/24º. The stock shaft offering is Fujikura Ventus Red FW 5/6, with numerous additional custom shaft options available at no additional cost. Stealth fairways come stock with Lamkin’s Crossline Black/Red Grip (50g).

Women’s offerings include the Aldila Ascent Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip. Loft offerings include 3HL/16.5º, 5/19º, 7/21°, 9/24º.

STEALTH PLUS & STEALTH RESCUES: REFINED TOUR PERFORMANCE

Unprecedented Tour adoption over the last two seasons sparked an evolution among TaylorMade hybrids. Feedback from the world’s best players fueled the refinements made to both Stealth Plus Rescue and Stealth Rescue for 2022.

Stealth Plus is a shot maker’s dream. The iron-like high-toe profile and compact overall footprint make it easier to control trajectory and shot shape, while maintaining added forgiveness compared to long irons.

A redesigned V Steel sole positions weight low in the club to encourage optimal launch properties and enhance turf interaction. Stealth Plus also features an adjustable loft sleeve that provides +/- 1.5° loft adjustability to optimise trajectory.

The Stealth Rescue combines Tour-validated designs with a new carbon crown construction. In the world of golf equipment, engineers know the slightest weight shifts can significantly influence performance. The new carbon crown construction allows for the relocation of a massive 7 grams, transferring it lower in the head to better position CG for easy launch, optimal forgiveness, and better stability through impact. The V Steel sole positions weight low in the club to encourage high launch and enhanced turf interaction, making this club a weapon from any lie.

In both the Stealth Plus Rescue and Stealth Rescue, a high-strength C300 steel face delivers explosive ball speeds. The proven Twist Face design helps golfers overcome inherent mis-hit tendencies for straighter shots. The hyper-flexible Speed Pocket design is engineered to maximise ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low-face strikes.

Stealth Rescue hybrids come with the same women’s offering featuring a stand-alone bright silver PVD sole and a dark silver crown, as well as lighter heads and higher lofts for maximised performance.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING  

Stealth Plus and Stealth Rescues will be available for preorder on January 4 and at retail on April 1, 2022, and February 4, 2022, respectively.

Stealth Plus has an RRP of 329€ and will be offered in lofts of 2/17º, 3/19.5º and 4/22º. It will be offered in the Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Red HY shaft, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. It comes stock with the Lamkin Crossline Black/Red Grip (50g).

Stealth Rescue has an RRP of 299€ and will be offered in lofts of 3/19º, 4/22º, 5/25º, 6/28º and 7/31º. It will be offered in the Fujikura Ventus Red shaft, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. It comes stock with the Lamkin’s Crossline Black/Red grip (48.5g).

Women’s Stealth Rescue offerings include the Aldila Ascent Ladies shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g). Loft offerings include 4/23º, 5/26º, 6/28º and 7/31º.

Drivers, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Welcome to the Carbonwood age! A new historic technological innovation with the Carbon Face Stealth drivers

January 4, 2022 – TaylorMade Golf builds on its history of groundbreaking innovation with the introduction of the new Stealth Plus, Stealth and Stealth HD Carbonwood drivers.

Titanium has been the cornerstone of driver technology for the last 20 years, but even at the beginning of the Titanium driver era, TaylorMade engineers knew that every material had its limit. The future of driver performance begins with the one-of-one 60X Carbon Twist Face – comprised of 60 layers of carbon sheets strategically arranged to optimise energy transfer.

Over two decades of research and development, TaylorMade pushed the boundaries and now created a new era of driver technology with 60X Carbon Twist Face drivers. Welcome to the Carbonwood age!

“In the mid-2000’s, our Research team developed an understanding that the weight of the face can affect impact efficiency, more specifically, the lighter the face, the more efficient the impact and the better the ball speed. We realised Titanium faces could only take us so far and carbon would be the face material of the future.”

“This breakthrough design of a lightweight carbon face in Stealth, has created a whole new starting line, a new era of drivers, a new threshold of performance and a new platform for more innovation,” says Brian Bazzel, Vice President Product Creation of the company.

WHY CARBON?

The goal of any new technology is to create a measurable performance improvement for TaylorMade customers. The 60 layers of carbon fibre in Stealth help do exactly that by providing more speed. The red carbon face – yes, the face is red – delivers a higher COR and more precise face geometry through a lighter, but larger face.

TaylorMade engineers took advantage of the lightweight carbon material by creating a 26g face, which is 40 percent lighter than a titanium face of equivalent size. Because of that weight savings, the face size of Stealth is 11 percent larger than SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers and nearly 20 percent larger than the 2020 SIM driver.

The weight savings and larger face size made possible by the 60X Carbon Twist Face delivered a stunning ball speed increase during player testing when comparing Stealth Plus and Stealth to the 2021 SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers at better player swing speeds, unlocking a whole new level of driver performance.

NANOTEXTURE FACE TECHNOLOGY

TaylorMade’s 20-year journey to change the face of golf was made possible by an innovative nanotexture cover that sits on top of the 60 layers of carbon. The nanotexture cover is made from a thin polyurethane layer that creates a strong and flexible striking surface which serves to optimise distance based on improving launch conditions in both dry and wet conditions.

This revolutionary technology creates the face texture needed to produce the ideal amount of friction between the face and the ball at impact to reduce spin at impact in dry conditions. The nanotexture face also features full-face scorelines designed to provide improved spin performance in wet conditions.

“The technological innovation of our nanotexture technology brings the entire face together and was a key to making this driver a reality. Without this revolutionary cover design, we could not have achieved the launch and spin performance required to extract the optimal performance in dry as well as wet conditions.”

“Once we added the nanotexture technology to the grooves, we were able to unlock the full performance of a carbon face,” says Tomo Bystedt, Product Creation, Carbonwood Drivers of the company.

The combination of the nanotexture cover, Twist Face and TaylorMade’s ultra-flexible Thru-Slot Speed Pocket was engineered to produce forgiveness on strikes across the face.

SHAPED FOR SPEED 

Despite a larger face, clubhead speed does not decline with Stealth. The asymmetric Inertia Generator creates advanced aerodynamics at the most critical phase of the swing – from the downswing to the moment right before impact.

This breakthrough design optimises clubhead speed, while also allowing additional weight to be placed at the rear of the club to encourage higher MOI, high launch and improved forgiveness.

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

Based on experience with older carbon headed clubs in the marketplace, it might expect the Stealth family of drivers to suffer from a muted and low-energy sound profile. However, through fine-tuned acoustic precision, engineers have been able to create a bright and powerful sound and feel profile that is true to the high standards of TaylorMade drivers through recent years.

The sound and feel of Stealth has had an even better average sentiment rating in player testing compared to SIM2 and Tour player feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

THE 20-YEAR JOURNEY

TaylorMade’s engineering and research and development teams began exploring carbon faces in 2000, with the first prototype created in 2003 featuring a titanium cover. Six years later, research into a polymer cover began in hopes to improve launch conditions.

Then in 2012, a small-scale composite face production facility was built to support the 2013 launch of the limited-edition Japan-only Gloire Reserve driver. It served as a sign of readiness for this design platform and the progress of TaylorMade engineering.

Prototype production continued for the next three years, while titanium advancements still outpaced carbon faces at that time. In 2016, new manufacturing techniques led to the first development of a 60-layer carbon face. Work on these new Stealth models began in earnest in 2018, some 18 years after the process began.

In 2019, a state-of-the-art plant was commissioned and completed in 2021 to set the gold standard for high-volume production of composite parts. Every part of the process has been streamlined to reduce waste and increase efficiency. Simultaneously, additional facilities were constructed to bond the fully finished faces into castings.

We arrive at today, 20 years later. TaylorMade ushers in the Carbonwood age.

“The 20-year journey to today is a reflection of the engineering and R&D teams at TaylorMade that never gave up on the idea of a carbon face driver. The technical challenges in creating a driver face with a new material are vast.”

How do we take a “space age” material known for its high strength & lightweight properties, but not inherently designed for impact applications, and make it into a driver face that delivers revolutionary ball speed?”

Through two decades of work our team was able to solve various hurdles and create numerous technological innovations in order to bring today’s most advanced and precise driver to market,” says Todd Beach, Senior Vice President R&D and Engineering of the company.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF STEALTH DRIVERS

STEALTH PLUS: Because of weight savings from the 60X Carbon Twist Face, engineers were able to incorporate the use of a 10g sliding weight track designed to help golfers control shot shape by shifting mass on the sole to create desired ball flight. Stealth Plus is designed to be the lowest spinning driver in the family.

STEALTH: Stealth benefits from the weight savings of the 60x Carbon Twist Face by more weight to be positioned low and deep in the head. This adds 15% more MOI when compared to Stealth Plus and is designed to provide 200-300 rpms more spin.

STEALTH HD: Often, standard draw bias designs promote a right-to-left ball flight at the expense of forgiveness. By utilising the weight savings from the 60X Carbon Twist Face and shifting the Inertia Generator closer to the heel, we’re able to maintain draw-bias while creating the highest MOI in the Stealth family of drivers. While providing additional draw-bias, the Stealth HD will have similar back-spin performance to Stealth. 

STEALTH WOMEN’S: The Stealth Women’s driver combines the technology of Stealth HD in a slightly lighter head weight and with a unique colourway and aesthetic. It maintains the high MOI head design for easy, high-launch with a touch of draw.

SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Stealth Plus, Stealth and Stealth HD drivers will be available for preorder on January 4 and at retail on February 4, 2022.

Stealth Plus has an RRP of 649€ and will be offered in 8º, 9º and 10.5º lofts. Shaft offerings include Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Red 60 and Mitsubishi’s Kai’li White 60, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. They come stock with Lamkin’s Crossline Black/Red grip (50g).

Stealth and Stealth HD have an RRP of 629€ and will be offered in 9º, 10.5º and 12º lofts. Stealth shaft offerings include Fujikura Ventus Red 5, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. Stealth HD shaft offerings include Fujikura Air Speeder 45, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. Both models come stock with Lamkin’s Crossline Black/Red grip.

Women’s stock offerings include the Aldila Ascent Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip. With an elevated focus on customisation and club fitting, women golfers can find a full array of components, including lightweight shafts, grips and more at TaylorMadeGolf.eu.

The custom process allows to build the ideal club for any golfer – it’s not women’s equipment or men’s equipment, but the right equipment.

Drivers, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Launch of the 300 Mini Driver, the reinvention of the iconic 300 Series in a new Mini Driver form

July 6, 2021 – TaylorMade Golf has long been considered the industry leader in innovation and technology. From the release of the first metalwood in 1979 to the advancement of multi-material construction for speed, forgiveness and playability, the company has a proven history of products that changed the landscape of golf.

Few clubs accomplished that in a more meaningful way than the 300 Series. First released in 2000, the 300cc family of drivers was sought after by players at every level. To this day, they remain a cultish figure in the world of golf club enthusiasts.

In homage, TaylorMade today announces the all-new 300 Mini Driver with design cues and aesthetics that create immediate nostalgia for golfers who recall the originals.

The 307cc head delivers a blend of distance, forgiveness, and control, relying on advanced multi-material construction to provide the optimal combination of low-CG performance and high MOI forgiveness. It is a truly unique design that’s powerful off the tee and playable “off- the-deck.”

“It’s been 20 years since we last made a metalwood this size. It was only natural to call it the 300 Mini Driver to acknowledge what the 300 Series meant to our brand and the game. We blended the throwback look with modern carbon, titanium and steel construction to produce a club the speaks to TaylorMade loyalists while delivering distance from the tee and the fairway,” says Tomo Bystedt, Product Creation, Metalwoods & Irons of TaylorMade.

Off the tee, the 300 Mini Driver obtains the optimal properties of high launch with low spin thanks to its low CG and mass that is distributed across the sole from front to back. What it lacks in stature, it makes up for in speed using the combination of a high-strength titanium face and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket to deliver ball speed.

The proven corrective performance of Twist Face adds another level of playability, while a reinvented V-Steelsoleplate adds to the low CG properties and promotes improved turf interaction and versatility when played off the deck.

A prototype model of the 300 Mini Driver appeared on Tour last month during the US Open and some Team TaylorMade athletes, including Dustin Johnson, are currently testing the design for potential play at this year’s Open Championship.

The original 300 Series were the first clubs to brandish the current TaylorMade logo and helped launch the company’s modern era. Taking the baton, the 300 Mini Driver unleashes the next level of distance, forgiveness, and playability for a TaylorMade club this size.

  • Availability: At retail on 15th July.
  • Lofts: 11.5º and 13.5º.
  • Stock shaft: Mitsubishi MiDr Proto
  • Grip: Golf Pride’s Z-Grip (47g)
  • RRP: 419€.

More information at taylormadegolf.eu.

Fairway Woods, Hybrids / Rescues, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Reinvention of the iconic V Steel design with the new SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D fairways

January 9, 2020 – The revolutionary SIM drivers of TaylorMade Golf, presented this week, are also accompanied by SIM fairway woods and Rescues from the same spectacular family of golf clubs.

The iconic V Steel design has been reinvented with the new SIM family of fairway metals. Advanced shaping combines with a V Steel sole to improve turf interaction and playability from various lies. 

A more rounded leading edge improves the club’s initial contact with the turf, while the V Steel sole further raises heel and toe sections of the sole away from the ground and improves versatility. These design features combine to significantly reduce turf contact area in SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D fairways, reducing ground friction which can positively influence both clubhead speed and ball speed.

Matching the aesthetics of the SIM driver family, the chromium carbon crown and contrasting chalk white colour help frame the ball at address and improve alignment.

SIM (Ti) FAIRWAY WOOD

The SIM fairway is a 180cc titanium head that combines a lightweight carbon construction with a revolutionary new ZATECH titanium face and a heavy 80g steel sole weight. The strategically positioned weight creates an extremely low CG that allows for increased ball speed, higher launch and improved forgiveness on low-face hits. 

The ZATECH Titanium face is a breakthrough in materials technology that enables TaylorMade engineers to push the limits of speed in a titanium fairway wood. It’s the first time TaylorMade has used this rare and ultra-strong material in the construction of a metalwood. The ZATECH titanium is made in small batches using a unique process that allows engineers to improve the strength of the face while maintaining a high level of ductility. The SIM titanium fairway is engineered for crazy distance with adjustability through the Loft Sleeve.

SIM Max FAIRWAY WOOD

The 185cc SIM Max steel fairway woods are constructed using strong and durable C300 face material. Also featuring the reinvented V Steel for exceptional versatility from all lies, the SIM Max is designed for higher launch and peak trajectories, with extremely long distance and improved playability.

SIM Max-D FAIRWAY WOOD

The oversized 190cc SIM Max-D has been optimised for forgiveness and golfers seeking a draw-bias design. Like SIM drivers, the fairway woods feature progressive head sizes to provide greater forgiveness to the players who need it the most.

“For many golfers V Steel will trigger memories of an iconic product we released more than a decade ago. As we reviewed the research used to develop the original technology, we discovered a massive benefit to having a fairway metal with significantly less turf drag through impact”.

“By pairing V Steel with our technologically advanced materials, we’ve created fairways that are extremely playable, forgiving and provide explosive distance”, says Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Creation.

Twist Face

TaylorMade introduced Twist Face to its fairway metal lineup in 2019 and has carried the revolutionary technology into each SIM offering. Like the SIM drivers, the faces have been modified to counteract the gear effect on common mis-hits in the high-toe and low-heel. Although the concept is the same as in the driver, the exact geometry is slightly different to account for the unique mass properties and impact location patterns in fairway woods compared to drivers.

Speed ​​Pocket

The Speed Pocket in SIM fairways has been engineered to provide increased ball speed to the entire face while improving forgiveness on low-face impacts. A slot insert has also been designed to sit flush with the sole to improve sole interaction and eliminate turf drag from the Speed Pocket, aligning with the performance goals of V Steel.

SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D fairways will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 7, 2020.

  • SIM will be offered in Rocket 3/14°, 3/15° and 5/19° lofts. It will be offered in the Mitsubishi Diamana FW Limited 75 stock shaft, with numerous additional shaft options available at no additional cost. It comes stock with the new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g). RRP: 419€.
  • SIM Max will be offered in lofts of Rocket 3/14°, 3/15°, 5/18°, 7/21° and 9/24°. Shaft offerings include Fujikura Ventus Blue FW 5 (R and A flexes) and Ventus Blue FW 6 (S and X flexes), with additional custom shaft options available at no additional cost. RRP: 299€.
  • SIM Max-D will be offered in lofts of 3/16°, 5/19° and 7/22°. UST Mamiya’s Helium FW is the stock shaft offering with numerous custom options available at no additional cost. Both models also come stock with the new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g). RRP: 299€.
  • Women’s offerings for SIM Max and SIM Max-D fairways include the Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g). RRP: 299€.

SIM Max Rescue

As a long-iron replacement, it’s imperative that hybrids be versatile and playable in all conditions. That’s why TaylorMade has incorporated V Steel technology into a hybrid for the first time in the company’s history with SIM Max Rescue. The clubhead is engineered to deliver improved turf interaction and reduced friction when playing from various lies. A reshaped leading edge works in conjunction with V Steel to further improve playability and strike conditions.

Designers rounded the toe and adjusted the face angle to give SIM Max Rescue a more confidence-inspiring shape at address for all levels of golfers. It utilises the same C300 Steel face used in the SIM Max fairway woods to help improve ball speed, durability and overall performance. The corrective technologies of Twist Face and Speed Pocket offer improved performance and forgiveness on mis-hits on the toe, heel and low on the face.

  • The SIM Max Rescue will be available for preorder on January 10 and at retail on February 7, 2020.It will be offered in the Fujikura Ventus Blue stock shaft, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. It comes stock with the Lamkin’s Crossline 360 grip (47g). Women’s offerings include the Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g). RRP: 249€.
Drivers, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – The shape revolution arrives with the new geometry and performance of SIM metalwoods

January 6, 2020 – TaylorMade Golf builds on its history of metalwood innovation and groundbreaking technologies with the all-new SIM family, highlighted by drivers, fairways and hybrids.

With an asymmetric sole design and enhanced Inertia Generator, SIM drivers rely on geometry to unlock the next frontier of performance. A series of shape-inspired innovations work in unison to improve forgiveness while also increasing aerodynamics and clubhead speed at the most critical stage of the swing – the last three feet (one metre) of the swing prior to impact. 

Known as the speed generation zone, this is where the most meaningful increase of clubhead speed occurs. At the Tour level, players commonly accelerate from 90mph to 120mph in that moment of truth. SIM drivers are engineered to improve aerodynamics, and thus clubhead speed, through this critical phase of the golf swing.

SHAPE IN MOTION (SIM): Advanced geometric shaping for aerodynamics, clubhead speed and forgiveness

SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D drivers feature a raised crown and sole to reduce drag and improve airflow throughout the swing. While raising the crown and sole improves aerodynamics, it typically comes with a trade-off in the form of higher CG projection. However, the SIM family of drivers counteract that with the Inertia Generator positioned low and back with a heavy steel weight at the rear of the club. This design element moves the CG projection very low, optimising launch conditions and increasing MOI – providing additional forgiveness for the golfer. 

During aerodynamic testing, TaylorMade discovered the need to rotate the Inertia Generator to match the direction of airflow within the speed generation zone. The result is air that moves smoothly across the sole on the downswing and enhanced clubhead speeds in company tests.

To put it simply, TaylorMade has designed a driver with no tradeoffs. SIM is fast, forgiving, promotes favorable launch conditions and has one of the hottest faces in golf.

“The history of driver design has been about prioritising trade-offs. You could have great launch conditions, but poor forgiveness. You could have great forgiveness, but at the sacrifice of distance. You could have an aerodynamic shape, but with less than optimal launch conditions”.

“But through the use of multi-material technology, we’ve developed a new shape that optimises performance in all three areas. It’s forgiving, fast and promotes the ideal launch conditions,” says Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product Creation.

An evolution of materials

TaylorMade’s journey to SIM began with the lightweight carbon composite technology the company has developed over the course of the last 15 years. The fifth-generation carbon composite material, which was refined throughout the lifespan of the popular M series, was the key to unlocking a series of new geometric opportunities for TaylorMade engineers. 

By using carbon materials to construct the crown and sole paneling of SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D, designers saved a considerable amount of weight, which was then redeployed into the flagship design feature of SIM drivers – the heavy Inertia Generator that’s positioned low and back in the club.

New for 2020 is an ultra-light weight chromium carbon crown with a chalk white top-line that creates contrast with the black clubface to help frame the ball at address and improve alignment.

Speed Injected Twist Face

In 2019, TaylorMade took Twist Face – the revolutionary face curvature that’s designed to straighten ball flight – to the next level of performance with Speed Injected Twist Face. Exposing the false narrative that speed limits have been reached in a metalwood, this breakthrough technology allows the company to push ball speeds near the legal limit for every driver in the SIM family, particularly on off-centre hits. There are three key features that allow this to occur. 

  • Ultra-thin Titanium face with redesigned Inverted Cone Technology (ICT)  
  • Variable amounts of injected resin based on testing of the face
  • A proprietary algorithm to tune each head

Every SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D driver head is inspected, measured and tuned to maximise speed and to ensure conformity; a process truly unmatched in the golf industry. Where other drivers have a greater level of variation in ball speed from one to the next, TaylorMade’s engineering and development processes effectively deliver a level of precision that ensures every golfer gets a hot and fast driver head.

Sliding Weight Technology and Loft Sleeve

Continuing a history of adjustability and personalisation, the SIM driver features Sliding Weight Technology that allows for up to +/- 20 yards of draw or fade bias. For even further personalisation, the 2° Loft Sleeve allows for the adjustment of the loft, lie angle and face angle of the driver. The Loft Sleeve is available on all three models, while Sliding Weight Technology is only offered in SIM.

SIM DRIVER

SIM driver allows the player who craves customisation and adjustability to optimise ball flight characteristics by creating a +/- 20 yards of draw-fade bias through Sliding Weight Technology and a single 10g weight. It features a slightly smaller face than SIM Max and SIM Max-D, appealing to players who place a premium on adjustability and control.

SIM Max DRIVER

The SIM Max driver is designed to deliver maximum forgiveness. The all-new Inertia Generator positions additional weight at the extreme rear of the club to further increase MOI, providing more forgiveness and slightly higher launch conditions than the SIM driver.

SIM Max-D DRIVER

The SIM Max-D is engineered to help golfers avoid the right side of the course via a strategically placed heel-bias internal weight and divergent topline masking, which makes the driver look more open at address helping golfers close the face at impact. The draw-biased design promotes the highest launch and offers the largest, most forgiving face in the SIM lineup.

Progressive face heights

Using data collected during the development of the Twist Face, which shows the correlation between handicaps and mis-hit dispersion, TaylorMade implemented Progressive Face Heights in SIM drivers.

The SIM Max has an 8% larger face than SIM, while Max-D has an 18% larger face. Data shows that the golfers most likely to gravitate towards the performance features of SIM Max or SIM Max-D will also benefit from the increased forgiveness of a larger face.

“We know that the player who generally purchases a draw-bias driver commonly has the widest area of dispersion across the face. So we wanted to give that golfer the biggest face possible. Using all the data we collected in the development of Twist Face – and learning how big the mis-hit zone is based on handicaps – we really tried to design them for the golfer who’s likely to purchase each of these drivers,” says Tomo Bystedt.

SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max-D drivers will be available for pre-order on January 10 and at retail on February 7, 2020.

SIM driver will be offered in 8°, 9° and 10.5° lofts. Stock shaft offerings include Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60 and Project X’s HZRDUS Smoke Green 70, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost. They come stock with a new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g). RRP: 579€.

SIM Max and Max-D drivers vienen con lofts de 9º, 10,5º y 12º. SIM Max stock shaft offerings include Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 and Ventus Red 5, with numerous additional shaft options available at no additional cost. SIM Max-D stock shaft offering is the UST Mamiya Helium, with numerous additional shaft options available at no additional cost. Both models also come stock with the new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g). The women’s offering for both SIM Max and SIM Max-D include the Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g). RRP: 529€.

Hybrids / Rescues, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – GAPR trio deliver golfers maximum performance to fill distance gaps in their long game

18 Julio 2018 – TaylorMade Golf, the industry leader in high performance product innovation and technology and creators of the original Rescue line of hybrids in 1999, announced today the debut of GAPR, a highly innovative trio of products with unique identities and performance deliverables providing golfers with the right clubs to fill gaps in the long game.

Nearly every golfer has a gapping challenge in the long part of their set; specifically, the difficult-to-manage yardage between the longest playable iron and the shortest metalwood. With a majority of players not comfortable hitting 3, 4 and even 5 irons consistently to precise yardages or with any dependable accuracy and 5, 7 and 9 woods often difficult to control, TaylorMade set out to engineer a line of products that allow golfers to get the distance, carry and control needed to fill these gaps. The result is GAPR, three distinct products which invite golfers to choose their shape, find their distance and bridge their gap.

“More Tour players are adopting utility clubs to bridge the gap between their longest iron and shortest fairway wood. GAPR provides innovative options for players to confidently hit a specific yardage with a specific trajectory”.

“With SpeedFoam, Loft Sleeve and Speed Pocket technologies, golfers have the performance and adjustability to fine-tune their long game for the right combination of distance, versatility and precision,” says Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director Product Creation, Metalwoods of the company.

In recent years, the majority of hybrid clubs have gradually evolved into extensions of the iron set or simply smaller fairway woods. Few compelling options for golfers to upgrade their hybrids exist unless they purchase them as part of an iron set. On Tour, the number of wood-style hybrids has steadily declined. Players are starting to adopt iron-style utility clubs and driving irons for better control and workability.

In each of the 3 different GAPR models, engineers have incorporated TaylorMade’s innovative SpeedFoam technology, which was first introduced in the globally-successful P790 irons last autumn. SpeedFoam serves the dual purpose of generating ball speed while also dampening vibrations to create optimal sound and feel. SpeedFoam is injected into the club head in liquid form before expanding within the club, providing increased face support while maintaining the soft, solid sound and feel that golfers prefer. Additionally, strategically-placed ultra-low center of gravity in each GAPR model creates a hotter, higher launch for more distance and improved playability.

TAYLORMADE GAPR LO

Designed primarily for players with faster ballspeeds, GAPR LO is the smallest of the three models and features a low-forward CG for extreme distance with a mid-to-low trajectory. It’s driving iron-type shape has a players profile that allows for excellent flighting and workability, and the mid-thin sole width delivers maximum performance and versatility for the stronger player.

TAYLORMADE GAPR MID

Slightly larger in size than the GAPR LO, GAPR MID was designed with players of all skill levels in mind. Featuring a CG that is ultra-low and forward for maximum distance and a mid-high trajectory, GAPR MID has an iron face profile that inspires confidence and easy alignment and a medium-wide sole width for ease of play and versatility.

TAYLORMADE GAPR HI

Similar to the GAPR MID, GAPR HI was engineered for the widest range of players. The largest of the three models, GAPR HI features an ultra-low/back CG for maximum distance and a high, penetrating trajectory. Where the HI differs from the other 2 models is its shaping, which features modern Rescue shaping with a high-toe, peanut shaped clubhead. The dropped crown feature provides lower CG and improved alignment.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • TaylorMade Golf GAPR LO: #2 (17º, 40,25”); #3 (19º, 39,75”); #4 (22º, 39,25”)
  • TaylorMade Golf GAPR MID: #3 (18º, 40,25”); #4 (21º, 39,75”); #5 (24º, 39,25”)
  • TaylorMade Golf GAPR HI: #3 (19º, 40,75”); #4 (22º, 40,25”); #5 (25º, 39,75”); #6 (28º, 39,25”)
  • Shaft: KBS Hybrid in either an 80/x, 80/s, 70/r or 60/a profile (via custom). Additional shaft options are available through TaylorMade’s custom program as well.
  • Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
  • Available on September 7, 2018.
  • RRP: 299€.
Hybrids / Rescues, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – New P790 UDI, forged with SpeedFoam for extraordinary distance and accuracy

March 29, 2018 – TaylorMade Golf has announced the extension of its globally successful P790 irons with the introduction of P790 UDI, a forged driving iron engineered with breakthrough SpeedFoam Technology for golfers seeking the forged look and feel of a players iron with increased distance and accuracy off the tee or fairway. To date, World #1 Dustin Johnson, #3 Jon Rahm as well as TaylorMade stablemates Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day have all played the P790 UDI on Tour already this season.

The most popular and successful players-distance iron in company history, P790 has seen remarkable success at both the consumer and Tour levels, with many players putting a variety of P790 irons into play in competition, opting for a forged iron that delivers remarkable distance and playability combined with preferred feel in a medium-compact head design with a thinner topline. Similar to the other irons in the set, the P790 UDI is constructed with a soft, 8620 carbon steel body combined with high-strength forged 4140 carbon steel with a wrapped-face construction in a hollow body design.

The P790 UDI’s hollow construction is filled with TaylorMade’s proprietary SpeedFoam material, which serves a dual purpose of generating ball speed as well as the management of sound and feel. Injected into the clubhead, the low-density SpeedFoam provides the face support and damping properties that make the performance of the P790 unlike any other iron in the TaylorMade family.

The P790 UDI also features a re-engineered Inverted Cone Technology optimised for the slightly smaller face area. TaylorMade’s previous ICT had a larger, heavier profile. The new, smaller Inverted Cone in the P790 UDI allows for reduced face thickness at the edges of the face, thus increasing flexibility from heel to toe and low on the clubface, resulting in more ball speed across the entire face. For forgiveness and playability, P790 irons feature strategically placed internal metal-injection-molded (MIM) tungsten weighting for precise CG placement and higher moment of inertia (MOI).

“After experiencing increasing demand from the best golfers on worldwide Tours, we’re excited to bring the Ultimate Driving Iron to golfers everywhere with the new P790 UDI. Offering SpeedFoam in a driving iron for the first time ever, the P790 UDI delivers distance and accuracy like never before seen in an iron”, says Tomo Bystedt, Senior Director of Product Creation of the company.

P790 UDI will be offered in RH only as a 2-iron (17°) and comes equipped with Project X’s popular HZRDUS Black shaft (85g) designed for low launch/low spin and gripped with a Golf Pride TV 360. Additionally, the P790 will be available for custom build with an extensive offering of steel and graphite (.355) options.

  • Additional specifications: Loft: 17°. Lie: 60°. Offset: 3.2mm. Length: 40” (steel 39.25”). Swingweight: D2
  • Availability: April 2018.
  • RRP: 239€.
Golf Companies, TaylorMade Golf

TaylorMade Golf – Brian Bazzel, appointed as Vice President of Product Creation of the company

September 27, 2017 – TaylorMade Golf has announced it has appointed Brian Bazzel, an influential figure within TaylorMade’s product creation teams for the last seventeen years, as its new Vice President of Product Creation.

Bazzel, whose product creations have earned the highest accolades in the industry and are played by the best players in the world, will lead product strategy and development efforts for all of TaylorMade’s product lines, including metalwoods, irons, balls, putters, wedges and accessories.

One of the most well-respected product experts in the industry, Bazzel began his career at TaylorMade in 2000 as a member of the company’s research & development team, where he played a critical role in developing the MATT fitting system in addition to SelectFit, considered the ‘most comprehensive fitting system in the industry’ at its launch in 2007.

In subsequent years, his role has shifted into the product creation sector and has since been responsible for the efforts of a variety of TaylorMade’s most prominent and successful product lines, including the highly-popular Burner 2.0, RocketBladez and Tour Preferred irons lines as well as the widely acclaimed and most winning drivers on the PGA TOUR over the last two years, the M1 & M2.

Concurrently, succeeding Bazzel as Senior Director of Product Creation for metalwoods is Tomo Bystedt, whom like Bazzel, has vast experience with many of the company’s product lines which include putters, wedges and most recently, leading iron creation, a position he’s held since 2013 and whose most notable products include RSi, PSi and most recently, the P700 Series. Bystedt, who first joined TaylorMade in 2006, will now lead the company’s efforts in the development and creation of all metalwoods.

In his new role, Bazzel will now oversee one of the most prominent product creation teams in the golf industry, which, in addition to Bystedt and the metalwoods team, includes Bill Price (putters & wedges) and Mike Fox (golf balls & accessories). Bazzel and his team will report directly to CEO David Abeles.

“For five years, Brian has been the driving force behind our metalwoods product creation team, leading to groundbreaking products that have invigorated the industry. His vision has helped position TaylorMade as the industry leader in metalwoods innovation and performance, and it is my great pleasure to welcome him to his new role as VP of Product Creation. There’s no doubt in my mind that under his guidance, the TaylorMade brand will continue to see exceptional growth and forge a lasting position as an industry leader across all product categories”, said David Abeles.