TMAG new product announcement today at 3 ET

[Seve424]

I'm holding out until they introduce the set with 5 iron that has 4 degrees of loft.

[Pablito Woods]

Actually, I hear that they will be releasing a full-length motion picture.....in 3D!!! The title?

The Unstoppable 8 meet the delusional gamer who doesn't understand why he can't hit a 19* 3-iron and 21* 4-iron.

(Hint: It's because the player this is aimed at, 20+ handicappers, probably have no business hitting irons with those lofts and should be using hybrids instead. You're asking them to hit a 2 and 3 iron. Several tour players don't even carry those irons anymore.)

In the movie, the leader of the Unstoppable 8, Mark King, is able to magically give this poor guy the ability to increase his 6-iron distance from 150 to 165. Amazing!!! In the end, the gamer realizes that if he wants this set, he needs to choose 6-LW in order for his game to actually benefit from this ground-breaking technology.....but is talked into buying the 4-GW set anyways which will result in frustration and the 4 and 5 irons will just sit there or be (wisely) replaced by hybrids.....from TM of course.

Seriously, why are they even offering a 19* 3-iron and 21* 4-iron anyways????

...but I digress.

And like every bad horror movie, it will also star Lindsey Lohan and Nicholas Cage...

 

 

I like the looks of the iron for a GI iron (X-24 Hot just looks slightly better IMO) but the graphics can be much- I don't mind graphics, but I understand the complaints from those who do mind. TM's irons are respectable and cater to their intended crowd, but no fawkin' way I'm playing these. A 19* 3 iron? God's sake they might as well stop trying to keep it looking like irons and release the full FW set with iron lofts! I can understand 1-2* stronger and maybe 1/2" longer to help short hitters, but now a whole club more with the same number? As Monique would say, "OHHH HEEELLLLL NAH!"

[duffer888]

Did anyone notice the 65g steel shafts? That seems a bit light to me.

[jlee69]

[quote name='Titleist 8' timestamp='1284066239' post='2687886']
For those of you that haven't seen the Burner 2.0 launch video, the CEO has some pretty strong things to say about both their new Burner irons, and the rest of the equipment released for 2011. Apparently "You will consider our new products." Or something like that. (Yeah. Not gonna happen.)

And stop with the Steve Jobs presentation...please.

Video: [url="http://www.taylormadegolf.com/burner/"]http://www.taylormadegolf.com/burner/[/url]
[/quote]

That's exactly what I was going to say: who hired Steve Jobs? I understand that TM is pretty big, but I didn't know they were going to take over where Apple left off. Except, of course, they're coming out with products much faster than Apple.

[jlee69]

So what are everyones thoughts on the new Burner irons? I have heard that they will be announcing a new TP iron very soon.

 

 

I haven't hit the things yet of course, but my first impression is that they're comfortably amongst the very worst looking irons I've ever seen in my life.

 

No. The new Callaway Razr stuff looks worst than these.

 

If you wear sunglasses, really dark sunglasses, they look pretty nice.

[benclab]

Man are those lofts jacked up. My 8 iron is 40 degrees, couldn't imagine sitting in the fairway 180out with an 8 iron in my hand. I'll stick to traditional lofts instead but the clubs do look kinda cool. Wonder if a TP version is really coming out.

[simpleputter]

I really cant stand the people who get upset at the way others feel especially when it comes to Taylormade and their RIDICULOUS product line. I myself own several tmag clubs but, I dont want to buy something and watch a newer version come out the next day! JC, just let people say what they want, I think this is still America "even though it doesn't feel like it" 1st Amendment! I personally think I wasted my time watching a stupid infomercial about an already well known burner 2.0 iron coming to market. There was nothing special announced. It sucked and, It was a total PR FLAP!

[dbleag]

The following article was in The GolfWire this morning, Friday, 9/10/10 and may help explain TM's strategy with new product technology and introductions:


[b]At 3 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf CEO Mark King went live on the Web to unveil his company’s latest irons, the Burner 2.0.

Such a marketing event is the company’s first, but it certainly won’t be the last. Indeed, with the blitz-like speed the equipment maker promises to launch new products, don’t be surprised if TaylorMade Webisodes become a regular online series.

Equipment sales, in general, are down from last year, especially with recession worries clamping down consumer spending. But in a move that seems counterintuitive, King says, “We will increase the level of introductions over the next five years because we have to. That’s the game we’re in.”

He insists his decision isn’t even a matter of choice; TaylorMade simply is adapting to the market’s new rules.

“We haven’t changed the lifecyles of products,” King says. “The consumer is demanding speed.”

He draws comparisons to techie “early adopters” who seemingly never stop clamoring for better features that lead to a steady stream of updated gadgets.

“Look at TVs, phones, iPad . . . in any of these consumer-product categories, the technology gets faster and better and cheaper – and it’s the speed of that that consumers want,” King says. “We’ve seen how the technology companies operate, and we’ve modeled ourselves after them.”

Setting such a pace, however, comes with inherent dangers. King acknowledges the high cost of new product development can just as easily yield excess inventory, cluttered retail stores and consumer confusion. But King says taking such risk is far better than failing to satisfy golf’s early adopters, which he believes means almost certain business death.

“The highest percentage of sales for a new product happens in the first 90 days over its entire lifecycle,” King explains. “So. . . if we’re going to keep the market share we have – in a highly transitional category like drivers, which really drives our business – we have to come out with new drivers every 12 months. That’s the only way we can do it.”

King preached his mantra of rapid innovation during an interview Thursday – exactly 10 years to the day since TaylorMade relaunched itself as “the best performance brand in golf.” His approach certainly has its share of skeptics, but King credits it for growing the company’s annual sales from $300 million to more than $1 billion during that time.

Along with its top-line success, TaylorMade is the market-share leader in metalwoods and has grown its iron business to the point where it’s running neck-and-neck with category leader Callaway. Its putter business, which was in its infancy a decade ago, now claims 12.6 percent unit market share for third best in the industry, according to Golf Datatech. The research firm’s data also show that TaylorMade’s Penta TP ball is the third-best-selling ball at the super-premium, $40-plus-per-dozen price point.

“In the next 12 months, we’ll launch new technologies in irons, in metalwoods, in balls, in footwear and apparel that I think will obsolete the product you’re using today,” King says. “If you look at the world around you, innovation isn’t slowing; innovation is speeding up.

“Why would golf be the only category where innovation doesn’t speed up? I promise you, it won’t be.”
[/b]

[spark]

I think my 1 iron way back then had 19 degrees.....marketing to the finest....

[tnk210]

What is it with everyone and the new product the next day crap. The last Burner iron came out in Spring of '09 and were unveiled even earlier. That means it been to market for over a year. By time these hit the market it will be close to a 2-year cycle.

I could care less about these irons as I'm a blade type of guy, but damn it's getting old when there isn't even discussion on this board anymore about the products. This thread is almost completely worthless to anyone interested in these irons. I'd have to imagine most of you are not the target for these irons so why not just let it be?

[dsparob]

I think the irons will be great selling irons (TMAG and every other OEM's goal), just like the original Burners. Most people that are buying golf clubs, the average everyday golfer, doesn't spend time on GolfWrx, or research to find out that their PW is 4 degress stronger than their previous set. They walk in to there box store of choice and grab what they have seen most recently, which falls right into TMAG's gameplan. TMAG is not marketing these clubs to people who take their time and research to find the best product, as most part marketing does not work on those type of people anyway. Marketing is for impulse buyers and impulse buys, and TMAG is obviously good at that. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to spin "a different kick point for every iron" in a way that people almost forget that Rifle Flighted shafts did that over 10 years ago....

[dsparob]

Having said all that, I don't think they have made a club that I would like to game for a while, when compared to the great stuff that Mizuno has put out. I think it will be hard for any new forging to top some of the pics we have already seen from the other manufacturers. Good luck TMAG, the gauntlet has really been thrown down this year!!!

[chip75]

Unstoppable distance? They must be low spin irons then, just what you need on a firm green downwind. Why can't we have the beautiful simplistic designs our Japanese cousins have?

Before long Taylor Made irons will be so long and delofted the longest club in your bag will be a seven iron and you'll need five hybrids and five wedge to hit the ball in the air. TM and other OEM's will so make equipment that's obsolete by top of your backswing. It's a shame they market clubs which make you hit it further and score [i]worse[/i].

[18th Legion]

[quote name='tnk210' timestamp='1284130849' post='2689272']
What is it with everyone and the new product the next day crap. The last Burner iron came out in Spring of '09 and were unveiled even earlier. That means it been to market for over a year. By time these hit the market it will be close to a 2-year cycle.

I could care less about these irons as I'm a blade type of guy, but damn it's getting old when there isn't even discussion on this board anymore about the products. This thread is almost completely worthless to anyone interested in these irons. I'd have to imagine most of you are not the target for these irons so why not just let it be?
[/quote]

Well said . . .

Look Gang, the golf industry as a whole is down. Whether we like a company and their clubs or not, we as golfers should appreciate any OEM that invests money in promotion, advertising, and R & D. We should want a wide club selection, not less. We should want to grow this industry. We don't want to see anymore OEMs go under.

TM doesn't have any shorter life cycle on any club model less than one year. What they do is release different lines and clubs within each line throughout the year, rather than everything at once. They simply want to have something new to promote throughout the year. Don't like it, turn away.

It takes all types of companies to make an industry strong. TM and Callaway are the in-your-face promoters. Titleist and Mizuno are the stately and classic. Ping is the traditional US company. Nike is kind of a sports cult. Pick your favorite, pick your clubs, and tell us about them.

[homerdog]

[quote name='tnk210' timestamp='1284130849' post='2689272']
This thread is almost completely worthless
[/quote]

Only almost?

[tnk210]

They have pictures...

[justhittheshot]

Is it worth getting excited about something that happens twice or three times a year???

[hayzooos]

I'm not a big TM guy, but I think you all have to remember we're not the target for these irons. Everyone on here is a + handicap and drives the ball 325+...ok, enough sarcasm on that one, but seriously, we tend to forget this forum makes up such a small fraction of one percent of the golfing population, why would they cater to us? I know Adams pays attention to this forum, and I give them a ton of credit for that. However, I don't think major OEM's will sit there and say "let's see...why don't we make a product exclusively for the GolfWRX forum members who make up 0.0001% (ish) of the golfing population. All we need to do is sell to EVERY ONE OF THEM and we'll only lose a few hundred million in R&D" or something like that.

These clubs are designed more for the high teens capper (and above) as well as probably seniors, like my father in law. He loves TM gear because it enables him to still keep up distance wise with what he had been accustomed to back in the day, and frankly...me. Sure, the lofts are jacked, the shafts are super long...but he can still hit his 8 iron 150 yards, and he likes that. Me at 27 years old, takes a bit off an 8 iron to hit it 150. I could probably hit this 2.0 8 iron 170+ yards, so what? I'm not the target audience for these clubs.

We here at GolfWRX are the minority of golfers, and I think we need to remember that when talking (read: trashing when it comes to TM especially) about a product/company that is tailoring products to the majority.

[Splitter]

I don't have a single TM stick in the bag, but I hope that none of the TM bashers own a Scotty. The Scotty Japanese launch makes this look pretty good.

[Showtime]

Only thing is if I may say I'd rather hit my 8 iron 160 much more accurate than a five iron from any distance, *8 iron lot easier to hit than 5 iron, and if i only hit my 5 iron 160 I'd definitly want 15 more yards fortunatly i can hit my 5 iron 190 but i'd still want 15 more yards.
[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
I always thought that if you hit your 7 iron X amount of yards and you need to hit a shot 10 to 15 yards farther, you hit your 6 iron instead of your 7 iron, not purchase a new set of clubs so you can hit your 7 iron 10 to 15 yards farther.
There is a limit to the distance you want each club to hit the ball.

Over exaggerating for another way to prove my point: If your new technology 9 iron hits the ball 200 yards, 8 iron hits the ball 225 yards, 7 iron hits the ball 250 yards, your 6 iron 275 yards, 5 iron 300 yards etc...
You will be forced to finesse one of your wedges or 9 iron for almost all your shots inside 200 yards.
I don't know about you, but the only time I have shots over 200 yards are off the tee on par 4's and 5's and an occasional 200+ yard par 3 and occasionally off the fairway on the par 5's if I am not laying up.
Other than off the tee, I probably only hit one or two shots over 200 yards per round. If each new technology club flies too long you will only need to hit some of those clubs once every few rounds.
I already play rounds where I might not even get a chance to hit 2 or 3 of my clubs. I don't need or want to play a round where I don't get a chance to hit 7 or 8 of my clubs.
I can often play 3, 4 or more rounds in a row and not need to hit my only fairway wood.

Another way to put it: If a new technology 9 iron flies as far as your current 7 iron, a new technology 8 iron flies as far as your current 5 iron, a new technology 7 iron flies as far as your current 3 iron etc...
Why wouldn't you just use your current clubs which have smaller more precise distance increments between clubs and have less chance of having to execute a shot in between clubs.

Anyway, I don't want or need my irons to fly 10 to 15 yards farther each.
I wouldn't mind if they were 10 to 15 yards more accurate each.

I think manufacturing a new set of irons that are 15 yards longer than your average irons is targeted to players that hit an 8 iron in 100 yard range and a 5 iron in the 130 yard range or so.
Those players might feel the need to hit a 5 iron 15 yards farther. If you are a player that hits your 5 iron maybe 160 yards or more, your not going to need a 5 iron that hits it 15 yards farther.
You will just hit your 4 iron.
[/quote]

[dcforuk]

Wow! I did not pay close attention to that detail. That is crazy light considering that DGS300's seem to be btw 125-130g. [quote name='duffer888' timestamp='1284100059' post='2688839']
Did anyone notice the 65g steel shafts? That seems a bit light to me.
[/quote]

[mnieman]

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
Over exaggerating for another way to prove my point: If your new technology 9 iron hits the ball 200 yards, 8 iron hits the ball 225 yards, 7 iron hits the ball 250 yards, your 6 iron 275 yards, 5 iron 300 yards etc...You will be forced to finesse one of your wedges or 9 iron for almost all your shots inside 200 yards. I don't know about you, but the only time I have shots over 200 yards are off the tee on par 4's and 5's and an occasional 200+ yard par 3 and occasionally off the fairway on the par 5's if I am not laying up. Other than off the tee, I probably only hit one or two shots over 200 yards per round. If each new technology club flies too long you will only need to hit some of those clubs once every few rounds.
I already play rounds where I might not even get a chance to hit 2 or 3 of my clubs.
[/quote]

Seems like you need to find a new golf course...I seem to have multiple 3, 4, 5 irons into greens...each which i hit 200+

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
Why wouldn't you just use your current clubs which have smaller more precise distance increments between clubs and have less chance of having to execute a shot in between clubs.
[/quote]

To rephrase: You are arguing that you would rather hit the ball shorter than further? If your current 6 iron goes 190 when hit flush and your new one goes 200 when hit flush, how is this less precise? Just because you are hitting your 6 iron further doesn't mean its less precise of a distance. In fact, it is quite the opposite. If my 7 iron now goes the same distance as my 'old' 6 iron...lets say 170...then I am not much better from that distance. Why? Because I can hit a 7 iron more consistently than a 6 iron, and I bet 99% of golfers are in the same boat as me. If you make the same swing, the ball will perform the same way (when hit in same wind conditions etc). Why not have this performance be better?

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
Anyway, I don't want or need my irons to fly 10 to 15 yards farther each.
I wouldn't mind if they were 10 to 15 yards more accurate each.
[/quote]

That's fine that you don't need/want more distance (seems like your course is short enough as is so I don't blame you), but it makes no sense to rip on taylormade (or whatever the intent of your post was) for improving their equipment by increasing distance....

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
I think manufacturing a new set of irons that are 15 yards longer than your average irons is targeted to players that hit an 8 iron in 100 yard range and a 5 iron in the 130 yard range or so.
Those players might feel the need to hit a 5 iron 15 yards farther. If you are a player that hits your 5 iron maybe 160 yards or more, your not going to need a 5 iron that hits it 15 yards farther.
You will just hit your 4 iron.
[/quote]

How about when you are 220 out on a par 4? What do you hit then? 3/5 wood and hybrid are too much, yet what if you can't get your 3/4 iron there? (adjust the 220 number to whatever the gap between your woods/hybrids and irons are). Punching or knocking down a wood is much harder to control then when you do this with an iron...



Sorry I didn't mean to single you out like this, but it just seems that there are so many haters on here that simply don't think before posting (not saying you did this, but its pretty obvious who these posters are). How can you fault a company for producing a better product and releasing it to the public? Sure they make a lot of new products, but each one has a new improved technology that is designed to help YOU, THE GOLFER. If you see this as a bad thing, I really don't know what else to say. You don't have to buy each thing they release, just get what you like and what fits your game and be happy with it. They just provide the player with a ton of options to help out their game.

[Cwing]

[quote name='mnieman' timestamp='1284190491' post='2690585']
[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
Over exaggerating for another way to prove my point: If your new technology 9 iron hits the ball 200 yards, 8 iron hits the ball 225 yards, 7 iron hits the ball 250 yards, your 6 iron 275 yards, 5 iron 300 yards etc...You will be forced to finesse one of your wedges or 9 iron for almost all your shots inside 200 yards. I don't know about you, but the only time I have shots over 200 yards are off the tee on par 4's and 5's and an occasional 200+ yard par 3 and occasionally off the fairway on the par 5's if I am not laying up. Other than off the tee, I probably only hit one or two shots over 200 yards per round. If each new technology club flies too long you will only need to hit some of those clubs once every few rounds.
I already play rounds where I might not even get a chance to hit 2 or 3 of my clubs.
[/quote]

Seems like you need to find a new golf course...I seem to have multiple 3, 4, 5 irons into greens...each which i hit 200+

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
Why wouldn't you just use your current clubs which have smaller more precise distance increments between clubs and have less chance of having to execute a shot in between clubs.
[/quote]

To rephrase: You are arguing that you would rather hit the ball shorter than further? If your current 6 iron goes 190 when hit flush and your new one goes 200 when hit flush, how is this less precise? Just because you are hitting your 6 iron further doesn't mean its less precise of a distance. In fact, it is quite the opposite. If my 7 iron now goes the same distance as my 'old' 6 iron...lets say 170...then I am not much better from that distance. Why? Because I can hit a 7 iron more consistently than a 6 iron, and I bet 99% of golfers are in the same boat as me. If you make the same swing, the ball will perform the same way (when hit in same wind conditions etc). Why not have this performance be better?

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
Anyway, I don't want or need my irons to fly 10 to 15 yards farther each.
I wouldn't mind if they were 10 to 15 yards more accurate each.
[/quote]

That's fine that you don't need/want more distance (seems like your course is short enough as is so I don't blame you), but it makes no sense to rip on taylormade (or whatever the intent of your post was) for improving their equipment by increasing distance....

[quote name='5under' timestamp='1284069660' post='2687989']
I think manufacturing a new set of irons that are 15 yards longer than your average irons is targeted to players that hit an 8 iron in 100 yard range and a 5 iron in the 130 yard range or so.
Those players might feel the need to hit a 5 iron 15 yards farther. If you are a player that hits your 5 iron maybe 160 yards or more, your not going to need a 5 iron that hits it 15 yards farther.
You will just hit your 4 iron.
[/quote]

How about when you are 220 out on a par 4? What do you hit then? 3/5 wood and hybrid are too much, yet what if you can't get your 3/4 iron there? (adjust the 220 number to whatever the gap between your woods/hybrids and irons are). Punching or knocking down a wood is much harder to control then when you do this with an iron...



Sorry I didn't mean to single you out like this, but it just seems that there are so many haters on here that simply don't think before posting (not saying you did this, but its pretty obvious who these posters are). How can you fault a company for producing a better product and releasing it to the public? Sure they make a lot of new products, but each one has a new improved technology that is designed to help YOU, THE GOLFER. If you see this as a bad thing, I really don't know what else to say. You don't have to buy each thing they release, just get what you like and what fits your game and be happy with it. They just provide the player with a ton of options to help out their game.
[/quote]

Interesting take but one question ---------- how would taking your 6 iron and removing the stamp and then restamping it with a 7 improve your game?

I had the 09 Burners that have nearly the same claims ------ longer shafts w/increased lofts and lower weight . I found them to be no better than my 2003 Nike Slingshots so I let them go. Yes, they were longer but the Burner 7 iron specs were closer to my Nike SS 6 iron specs.

Longer does not make better. Knowing your distances and hitting your irons consistently make better. If you can do this with a longer shafted club ------ go for it. They are very likely a very nice club. However, most will not be as consistent much less more consistent with longer shafts.

[JCLJorgenson]

For most amateurs, the 3i through PW gets them a range, in distance, of about 100 to 180 yards. That's a 10 yard average increment between clubs. A solid player/pro will hit from 120 PW to 215 3i, which provides an average distance between clubs of 13 to 15 yards. I believe TMAG is trying to help the amateur to hit the ball with distancs closer to that.

Plus, a lot of amateurs hate it when they are using a 5i on a 140 yard shot and their buddies are using an 8i. Now they can say they are at least hitting a 7i.

[Bubb]

[quote name='dcforuk' timestamp='1284177822' post='2690459']
Wow! I did not pay close attention to that detail. That is crazy light considering that DGS300's seem to be btw 125-130g. [quote name='duffer888' timestamp='1284100059' post='2688839']
Did anyone notice the 65g steel shafts? That seems a bit light to me.
[/quote]
[/quote]
The TM website lists the weight of the steel shaft at 85 grams.
[url="http://www.taylormadegolf.com/burner/specs.aspx"]TM[/url]

[JRS]

[quote name='mnieman' timestamp='1284190491' post='2690585']
words
[/quote]

if someone gives you a 7 iron with the loft and shaft length of your current 6 iron it will be just as hard to hit consistantly as your current 6 iron.

[tmLee]

How about an announcement about some real irons? Like the new forged line that we really care about.

[9ccat9]

How many guys on here play the stock shafts?? When you upgrade the shaft to a KBS or a Project X they come in standard lengths unless you ask for them to be longer. I will put a set in play to replace my Burner 09s. I play to scratch and love the Burners they are forgiving and playable even when I am not hitting it well. They also must be doing something right since the 2.0 is backordered till October. I will take new products from all companies as often as possible,More stuff to choose from (how is that bad?) it just so happens I like TM.

[golowgolfer]

That has to be one of the worst product launches ever, clearly the crowd were employees of TM and had to act excited...felt more like a high school pep rally.

[zp13]

"And stop with the Steve Jobs presentation...please."

+1