2009 TaylorMade BURNER Irons Mini-Review - WHOAAAAA !!!

[cat-like]

Good thread with some good arguments for and against, but I think TaylorMade might be going a bit far with their next new offering.......

 

 

......sorry if you've seen it before :rolleyes:

[dieselbolts]

I have been peeking in on this thread from time to time and while I don't post much, I figured I would chime in. I am a 4.5 index player and after hitting these clubs using trackman (cool clubs in OC) I decided to make a switch from my MP-57's. Using nippon super peening blue x (7.0) shafts I was able to consistently see around an 7mph ball speed jump with a 6 iron.

 

For the record, my burner irons have been bent to standard lofts (pretty much mizuno std) as well as standard length .5 inch steps (Nippon SP Blue). Without jacked lofts and longer shafts, I still can clearly see yardage gains, but is that really the point? I guess maybe for some players.....and I don't doubt that any decent ball striker will see ball speed thus ydg gain from these irons. My objective was not to gain yardage....did I, yes. My main reason for switching was being able to hit a 3 iron off the toe a bit and see a minimal if any loss in yardage which = more greens. Do the same with an mp57 and you can expect a significant loss in ball speed. For that reason alone these irons are amazing. I also wouldn't doubt if you start to see some of these pop up on tour if they quietly haven't already. In a tour bag I would think you would see a mix of TPs with burner 3 and 4 irons.

 

I also have no problems shaping shots in either direction or flighting trajectory with these irons.

[lbostons]

I am a little disappointed that my clubs will not be in today. I bought them from Golfsmith on 07 March! They are being custom made so I guess that they will be taking a little longer. I will provide feedback once I play with them.

[buztech]

Hey thanks for the info on CG, goinpro...

 

I saw an article on GolfDigest as well about this CG location (x, y, z axis - comparing the same 21 deg LOFT on different clubs) - not sure if this is somewhat applicable to our discussion as well (Blade has shorter z, y and x CG axis compared to GI such as Burners especially in the LONG IRONS.. perhaps?)

 

 

article: (scroll down towards the bottom) "GAME of 21"

 

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/2009/04/hybrids

 

 

 

 

These sound like great irons. Thanks to the OP for putting up a great review.

 

Those of you making your point about these being juiced irons, maybe you're right - but I'm glad someone brought up the CG location. Everyone gets so worked up over the numbers, they forget that CG plays a major role in launch angle...take any blade up against a same-lofted GI iron on a launch monitor, and you'll see my point. Another point to consider - 2* of loft + 1/4" length will not equate to ten yards or more-worth of distance for 99.99999% of the golfing population, considering the fact that typical gaps between irons are 4* and 1/2". Sorry to thread-jack, but the OP deserves a little more respect.

[DrSchteeve]

Hit a 6 demo regular graphite today. Length probably 1/2 club longer than my I5's, which is in line with slightly longer shaft and slightly stronger lofts (my I5 lofts are 2* strong). Main result was that the Burner's were definitely more forgiving, really on all types of mishits. The 6 iron face is definitely bigger than the I5, but nothing distracting, maybe even appearing more forgiving.

 

Demo day in a month will hopefully allow me to hit these head to head against Rapture V2's, and to compare the regular to stiff graphite shafts. In all other Taylormade irons I have demoed, the stiff graphite was much better for me than the regular - longer, straighter, better feel.

 

I think one of these - the Burners or the Rapture V2's - is in my future. Love my I5's, but I'm not getting any younger and probably will play a bit less rather than more in the future.

[rok78]

I tried mine, but had difficulty with the upright lie to have a real fair test. TM agreed to take them back and bend them for me, I just pay shipping. Not a bad deal, we'll see if they get the specs right, I included a sheet with the exact lie angle for each iron.

[hawk14shaw]

Been reading this thread since origination. I was in the marker for new irons and gaining some yardage was certainly a desire. I decided to go with the 09 Burners. Also, would like to give Discount Dan's a little praise. They were great in helping me with my specs as I simply gave them my Ping i5 serial number at their request. Even though a custom order, they said they could probably get Taylormade to have them ready and ship out on March 20 (about two weeks ago). I received them in Georgia Wednesday and specs are matched to Ping green dot +1/2". Will be at the course this weekend giving them a try and will post results. I ordered the 4 thru AW and currenly play 54 and 58 deg. wedges, so I will determine the gap difference and if I need to change my other two wedges. Thanks for all the great posts here.

[Chris5573]

Been reading this thread since origination. I was in the marker for new irons and gaining some yardage was certainly a desire. I decided to go with the 09 Burners. Also, would like to give Discount Dan's a little praise. They were great in helping me with my specs as I simply gave them my Ping i5 serial number at their request. Even though a custom order, they said they could probably get Taylormade to have them ready and ship out on March 20 (about two weeks ago). I received them in Georgia Wednesday and specs are matched to Ping green dot +1/2". Will be at the course this weekend giving them a try and will post results. I ordered the 4 thru AW and currenly play 54 and 58 deg. wedges, so I will determine the gap difference and if I need to change my other two wedges. Thanks for all the great posts here.

 

Hey Hawk,

 

I will be very interested in what you have to say about these irons, especially compared to your i5's. I am currently playing i5's, CS Lite stiff with blue dot. I have demo-ed the Burner 6 iron, but that was indoors on a simulator. Are you going with the stock shaft? Also, it will be great to hear how the yardage gaps work out for you from AW-58*.

 

Thanks,

Chris

[hawk14shaw]

Be glad to post my findings. Acutually got out for a few holes today and was impressed by a few shots but rain showers and wind did not allow the best conditions to give a good report. Raining like crazy here now but maybe will pass so I get some play in tomorrow.

[buztech]

Hi all, I am the OP... after a few rounds with the Burner irons, still loving them..

 

I may keep the 4,5 Long Irons, combo with my R7, since the Burner mid and short irons are way too long for my distance (or I may have TM adjusted their Lofts). I don't want to have to carry another wedge since my hybrid and 5 wood gave me some versatility for different shots...

 

awesome iron set...

[Baygolf]

Hit a 6 demo regular graphite today. Length probably 1/2 club longer than my I5's, which is in line with slightly longer shaft and slightly stronger lofts (my I5 lofts are 2* strong). Main result was that the Burner's were definitely more forgiving, really on all types of mishits. The 6 iron face is definitely bigger than the I5, but nothing distracting, maybe even appearing more forgiving.

 

Demo day in a month will hopefully allow me to hit these head to head against Rapture V2's, and to compare the regular to stiff graphite shafts. In all other Taylormade irons I have demoed, the stiff graphite was much better for me than the regular - longer, straighter, better feel.

 

I think one of these - the Burners or the Rapture V2's - is in my future. Love my I5's, but I'm not getting any younger and probably will play a bit less rather than more in the future.

 

Thanks Doc for the mini review on the Burner with graphite - mucho help !

[PeteMTG]

Here is my question with these irons. Are they designed and made for a lighter shaft?? If so how will affect those of us who prefer a heavier shaft?? Say a KBS Tour Stiff or S300? Even S400?

[Barnes5]

Just found these boards, great community discussion here.

 

Any way- stats for me- GHIN index of 11 at the course plays an adjusted 13. Did get down to 9 GHIN at the end of last year.

My old set of clubs were the Mizuno MX-25's. Before that I had the Ping i#3's (love Ping- still play the G10 driver and 3 wood)

 

Played the Mizuno's for the past two years. Great clubs, great feel. But GIR was slipping.

 

Was shopping for a little more forgiving club. Tried both the Ping i10's and G10's, and the new Callaways.

 

Then I hit the TM 09 Burners.

 

I have never been a TM fan. Like some other posters have mentioned, they do a great job marketing.

But for me- so far - I love these clubs.

 

In the launch monitor- my angle was much better than the Ping's and Callaways. And these have a very nice feel.

On the range, so far, the trajectory has been very nice. and yes they are long

 

Went with the stiff shaft. I will need to get re-gripped, as the stock grips are horrid.

 

I really dont care what club I hit versus my friends. for me, its trajectory ( I prefer mid-to high flight) and yardage gaps. I dont balloon these.

 

With these clubs, I dont have the gap that I had with my Mizunos in the long irons. So from Driver , 3 wood (Ping G10's) , I have a 19 - Ping G5 hybryd, then the gap is perfect to the TM 4 iron.

For control, I grip down a little bit anyway (ala Kim), so the little bit of extra length shafts isnt an issue.

 

The lighter shafts I feel that I can swing a little easier, and not lose the distance - (yes due to longer club and hotter loft)

 

But the true test will be on the course this weekend. (Sand, rough, different lie's, etc) As so far only been to the range with them. Hope to post update after the "true test"

 

For me- Its all personal preference. I would play a different brand for every club in my bag if it would help me score better- some people will hate them just cause they are TM's and the are longer shafts, or have hotter lofts. But if a club works for you- play it.

[amajeski]

Here is my question with these irons. Are they designed and made for a lighter shaft?? If so how will affect those of us who prefer a heavier shaft?? Say a KBS Tour Stiff or S300? Even S400?

 

These heads play GREAT with heavier shafts. I'm currently working over a set with Dynamic Gold "Tour Issue" S-400's and will be putting together a review of them soon. My advice for folks looking at these would be to spec them with whatever shaft they prefer, instead of going with the stockers.

[lbostons]

Great review Barnes5. I am looking forward to more updates. My set should be shipped next week.

[2left]

Here is my question with these irons. Are they designed and made for a lighter shaft?? If so how will affect those of us who prefer a heavier shaft?? Say a KBS Tour Stiff or S300? Even S400?

 

 

When I spoke with fitters at both Golfsmith and Roger Dunn, they told me the clubs were specially designed for the stock shafts, and to be real careful about swapping them out. I figure maybe that is what the TM reps are telling them to say, but who knows?

[grant_the_tank]

I like my set so far (stock stiff 85 shafts). I got a nice mid trajectory in the 3-6 on the range, but launch the 7-AW pretty high. Played in windy conditions yesterday and the 6+ irons did cut through the wind nicely and kept a nice mid trajectory, but the 7-GW seemed to balloon.

 

These irons do go far as everyone has said. Hitting a 5 iron from 200 yards out is crazy for me. I don't care about the number on the club, but I always had issues hitting my long irons consistently and stopped bagging them. These burners have restored confidence in my long irons, and I had no issues pulling out a 4 iron (pretty much like a 3 iron) off the tee on short holes. Definitely have to play more with them to get the distances right.

[phanker]

Anyone with updates on this? I'm looking to see what shaft works best with these Burners or it matters at all.

 

Here is my question with these irons. Are they designed and made for a lighter shaft?? If so how will affect those of us who prefer a heavier shaft?? Say a KBS Tour Stiff or S300? Even S400?

 

These heads play GREAT with heavier shafts. I'm currently working over a set with Dynamic Gold "Tour Issue" S-400's and will be putting together a review of them soon. My advice for folks looking at these would be to spec them with whatever shaft they prefer, instead of going with the stockers.

[GoCards]

I decided to stick with the stock shafts at the stock length. I am going to play them for a month or so and see how they feel. I may end up getting them cut down to standard length. I have found that I like the stock shaft. At first they seemed a bit whippy for a stiff flex and was looking at getting the DG SL but decided against it after getting a fitting by the local shop and hitting on the outdoor range. There is nothing that can replicate seeing the ball flight with different shafts in real life versus hitting into a net. I've only played 2 rounds with the clubs so far and have found them to be very forgiving and accurate. My problem now is dialing in the distance. I'm looking forward to playing more with them. After several rounds and once I get my swing back in form for the season, I'll provide my review. Until then, it's too early to tell. So far so good though.

[amajeski]

Anyone with updates on this? I'm looking to see what shaft works best with these Burners or it matters at all.

 

Here is my question with these irons. Are they designed and made for a lighter shaft?? If so how will affect those of us who prefer a heavier shaft?? Say a KBS Tour Stiff or S300? Even S400?

 

These heads play GREAT with heavier shafts. I'm currently working over a set with Dynamic Gold "Tour Issue" S-400's and will be putting together a review of them soon. My advice for folks looking at these would be to spec them with whatever shaft they prefer, instead of going with the stockers.

 

The shaft that works the best in these heads is the shafts that work for you :rolleyes:

 

I've pretty much always been a Dynamic Gold guy, in either X-100 or S-400. I went with S-400 just for a little softness... For me, the ball flight is very similar to my Tourstage Z-101's except it gets up a little quicker and flies a little higher at its apex. The shape is the same though. The burners are 1 full club longer than my 101's... The secret to the burners is that they stamped the 3 iron 4, the 4 iron 5, and so on and so fourth. My 3-pw set is really a 2-9, but when hit off a tee the 3 and 4 irons are more like a 0-iron... stupid, stupid long and accurate. However, the Burners respond well to 3/4 and less swings so I've had little trouble filling the gaps.

[phanker]

Reason I asked was because I went with the R shaft which was a mistake I think. They are quite flexy compared to other R shafts.

I'm spraying & fading everything right now. For someone considering these, definitely pay some attention to how soft these shafts are due to their light weight.

 

Need to get the stock stiff or ignore TM's recommendation and go for something else like the KB Tours shafts so as I don't want to change my swing with the current setup.

Need it done soon too as the season is about to start here in Canada. Don't quite know what to do.

[volchris]

Reason I asked was because I went with the R shaft which was a mistake I think. They are quite flexy compared to other R shafts.

I'm spraying & fading everything right now. For someone considering these, definitely pay some attention to how soft these shafts are due to their light weight.

 

 

I, too, bought the regular flex stock shafts, but I think they are only whippy in the 4 & 5. I think the rest are what I expected.

 

Chris

[rok78]

Played with my Burner irons and the jury is still out. They were definitely longer by at least half a club, but I mainly hit the short irons and wedges so I didn't expect them to go that much farther anyway. Only hit one 6 iron and one 5 iron, both slightly mishit so hard to tell distance on them. They are definitely forgiving and hot feeling, so I wouldn't say they have soft feel or anything. But not that bad either.

 

The trajectory was higher than the Tourstage GR X-blades I gamed before. That was part of the problem, I could flight them down a little but you could tell they were ballooning a bit on the short irons. The good thing is they still went the distance I wanted, but instead of boring through the wind they floated a bit on the tail end of the ballflight.

 

I don't think the stock shaft is that bad, feels like a stiff-flex should, but just not that stable in the tip. When you take a divot you can feel it give a little and that may be why they spun too much. Not as good as my KB Tours. I think I'll give them one more round in the stock shaft and then may switch them out if need be.

[huntdog99]

Seriously considering going to these but I have always played blades or player cavity.

[MCCA]

I've been a TM user for many years, going back to the 320 irons and the original LT irons. I also use an R7 Limited driver. That being said, I can't believe the public has been taken in by the jacked lofts and longer shafts of these irons. Considering the 09 Burners just hit the shelves, I am strongly suspicious of all the great reviews on this and other sites. How many of these reviewers were "invited" to try a set by a TM staffer and now own a set a no cost? What a sham the marketing practices of TM have become; they are truly the laughing stock of the golf industry.

 

As someone famously said , "No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public".

 

By the way, the OP has gone completely over the top in his responses.

 

 

I like the 12 capper who claimed he shot 75 his first time out.

 

Believe what you want. I did not get a demo set, nor do I or anyone I know work for TM. I did shoot a 75 and I am a 12 hcp. It was a par 70 and I got dialed in quick with the Burner irons. But I do not need to justify anything to any of you. I am not selling anything, just telling it how it is TO ME!!!

 

I do not care about the so called jacked lofts or added length, as I only play the 6-AW and the specs on those are similar to the RAC OS I used to play before the Tour Burners I just got rid of.

 

I have been in these forums along time, and I do not post much unless I feel a need to share info. Maby you guys should consider doing the same.

 

Good for you nice round :good:

[phanker]

Took the my Burners 09 R flex to a fitter. He measured the shaft stiffness and the they are what he would consider somewhere between ladies & senior flex. Very disconcerting. No wonder I'm not so precised with the mid/long irons. Reminder not to ever buy clubs just based on hitting on the sim again.

Looks like I'll be reshafting them with some KBS. Tried some regular KBS Tour against some light Nippon 850/950/1050. I very much prefered the solid and smooth feel of the KBS. They didn't have the light KBS Tour 90 version though. Waiting for him to have some in so I can compare them to the regular before deciding which.

[DrSchteeve]

For years I've been a tweener with a 90-95 mph driver swingspeed. Whenever I have hit TM irons of any sort (and now hybrids can be added to the list), I always find the regular graphite feels very loose and inconsistent. The stiff graphite feels and performs fine - ballflight a bit high, but no more than other graphite shafts I have tried.

[Chris5573]

Took the my Burners 09 R flex to a fitter. He measured the shaft stiffness and the they are what he would consider somewhere between ladies & senior flex. Very disconcerting. No wonder I'm not so precised with the mid/long irons. Reminder not to ever buy clubs just based on hitting on the sim again.

Looks like I'll be reshafting them with some KBS. Tried some regular KBS Tour against some light Nippon 850/950/1050. I very much prefered the solid and smooth feel of the KBS. They didn't have the light KBS Tour 90 version though. Waiting for him to have some in so I can compare them to the regular before deciding which.

 

Are you serious about what your fitter said? Somewhere between senior and ladies flex?? Do any of you play these irons in the reg flex? Can you confirm or refute this? I have been thinking hard about getting these in reg, but now I'm confused....

[DrSchteeve]

Took the my Burners 09 R flex to a fitter. He measured the shaft stiffness and the they are what he would consider somewhere between ladies & senior flex. Very disconcerting. No wonder I'm not so precised with the mid/long irons. Reminder not to ever buy clubs just based on hitting on the sim again.

Looks like I'll be reshafting them with some KBS. Tried some regular KBS Tour against some light Nippon 850/950/1050. I very much prefered the solid and smooth feel of the KBS. They didn't have the light KBS Tour 90 version though. Waiting for him to have some in so I can compare them to the regular before deciding which.

 

Are you serious about what your fitter said? Somewhere between senior and ladies flex?? Do any of you play these irons in the reg flex? Can you confirm or refute this? I have been thinking hard about getting these in reg, but now I'm confused....

 

Me, too. I have always found the TM graphite stiff to be a much better fit than regular, even though my driver swingspeed is only low 90's. I was all set to get the stiff, then hit the regular and was really striping it: nice penetrating flight, nice feel, no accuracy issues.

 

Tomorrow I will get a chance to hit stiff to regular in the 4 hybrid and in the Burner irons. Hopefully I will come out with a clear idea of which is best for my swing. I don't really care what the shaft says, what I want is what performs best for me.

[Chris5573]

I demo-ed the 6 iron in reg and stiff steel, hit the reg better...which is why I was leaning that way. I would be surprised if it was a senior flex, my father plays seniors and I thought they were weaker than the Burners.