R11 TP with Kai'li 70 Stiff

[Skaffa77]

The driver I never intended to buy, but will have to keep

So I have to start by saying that I had no inclination of buying this driver. NONE. I already bought a SuperTri with a RIP 70 (stiff) last fall and had been happy with it overall (for the few rounds I got in before a cold, cold winter). If anything, I was looking toward the new Titleist 910 series. I've always loved Titleist drivers. They have the classic look, perfect sound and performance that I wanted. In fact, the driver I probably most trust is a 909D2 with the stock Aldila Voodoo...yes, the Titleist Voodoo version (GASP!!!).

As I said, I had no thoughts of buying the R11. It was everything I hated about TM. It's loud (white), has graphics on the crown (gasp!) and oh...it's longer than 45" which makes it easier for long drive claims against other OEM set-ups. I just didn't buy into the white head concept and I already had a SuperTri...why would I need or even want an R11.

Well, I was given an opportunity to demo an R11 TP with the TP shaft of my choice and keep it after my testing. Nice offer...worst case scenario, I can trade or sell it and get a Titleist 910 driver. :secret: I asked for a 9*, Kai'li 70 stiff shaft figuring my past experiences with a Diamana Blueboard always seemed just about right.
After having the opportunity to take it out for the past few weeks and using it at the range and on the course, I had a revelation. I actually liked it...I mean...really liked it. I'm not so techy with my golf so I didn't take it to a launch monitor to get numbers, so this will be based on my own observations. I'll try to get some pics of the R11 and maybe some comparisons to the SuperTri or other drivers I currently have in the stable.

Looks

So I always saw the R11 white driver at stores and just thought...hideous. It's something I would expect a weekend hack to get because it was "different". After having one in my hands, I got used to it and even think it looks okay. I don't notice the graphics on the crown and there is a nice contrast of white against green grass. The contrast between face (black) and crown (white) also make it nice when setting up to the ball. Also, it is true about the perception of size. It looks every bit as big than my 460cc drivers...not that a 440cc is that much smaller, but I don't even notice the difference.

The head is still something of a semi-triangluar look. Not my personal preference, but the lines seemed a little softer and more rounded than some of their previous R9 versions. The R11 appears as big as my SuperTri, but R11 face looks a touch more shallow than the SuperTri

Here's the interesting part, EVERYONE notices it whether it be in my foursome or at the range. People walking by or hitting in other range bays just stop and look. TaylorMade really hit the marketing genius on the white driver concept. Yeah, I know Cobra has a white model, but when you think "white driver", everyone thinks TaylorMade and it's instantly recognizable. Pure genius. For some reason, I assume this wasn't just something their product development team came up with...it just feels like it had the magic wand of marketing on it.

Sound/Feel

So if you read my intro, you know that I love the sound of Titleist drivers. Just the perfect blend of "bing" that is loud enough to let you know you hit a good shot, but not so loud that your ears ring. Bridgestone's J33r is right up there on sound. The Callaway's went from the no-sound composite (C3) to a muffled metal composite sound in their FT3, FT5, FT9 and FT Tour. The FT series were okay, but not my personal preference. Cobra's have been extremely loud and sometimes sounded like an aluminum baseball bat. The L4V had a bit of that aluminum baseball bat sound, but that driver is still legendary on pure performance and forgiveness. In my mind, the worst driver with a baseball bat sound was the Nike Sumo2...YUCK...nasty BONG sound that lets everyone know you just hit a square driver.

Well, I can happily say that the R11 didn't have the baseball bat sound, but it didn't have the nice sharp "bing" of a Titleist or Bridgestone J33r. It was not as nice as the Titleist, but much better than the Callaway and Cobra. Not muffled or super loud, but definitely not pure like the Titleist.

I played in a scramble a couple weeks ago and one person did mention that it had a different sound. Maybe just an impression from the white face and good results, but it was enough for one of my playing partners to notice it.

Now, since sound and feel are so closely correlated, feel in opinion falls into the same realm as my observations of sound. Not as sweet as the Titleist, but a good supportive feel. I know when I hit it well and I know when I mishit it.

Performance

Performance is what ultimately matters, right? The Cobra L4VX isn't what I consider a "pretty" driver nor does it sound good, but man, it just performs. That's why it continues to stay in the stable of drivers I keep.

In my mind, I had settle on thinking that the R11 would perform very similar to the SuperTri. The RIP is a low/mid launch with low spin. The SuperTri with RIP would hit mid-launch drivers that continues to climb and falls softly to the ground with some roll. I experienced the occasional ballooned shot especially in the wind, but figured that was just a bad swing. I was very happy with my SuperTri w/RIP 70 combo.

When I got the R11, I thought with a slightly shallower face (my perception of face height), it would maybe launch a little higher than the SuperTri. To my surprise, it launches lower and holds a boring trajectory. It actually kind of reminds me of my FT3 Tour 8.5* driver with a Diamana Blueboard 70 stiff. Driver after drive, the R11 with Kai'li 70 just kept it to a low/mid launch and refused to climb even in the wind. It would go a long way at the low/mid trajectory and hit the ground running. This combo actually netted mesome additional yards over my SuperTri and gave me confidence on the holes where the wind was gusting in my face.

From a forgiveness standpoint, I did mishit the R11 and Supertri and noticed the R11 seemed a touch more forgiving than the SuperTri. When I hit a little too much hook, the ball would turn, but I didn't notice a terrible duck hook. When I hit a little too much cut, again, it would turn right, but didn't spin out of control. The SuperTri was very similar, but my misses were just bit further left or right. I'm not saying this is L4V forgiving, but it's very reasonable. The R11 feels a ton easier to hit than my Cobra S9-1 Pro D or Ping I15, but not quite as easy as my L4Vx. It's forgiveness is actually very similar to my 909D2...but has maybe 5 to 10 yards on that driver...shaft length could play a factor though. With that said, the confidence I have with the 909D2 still gives it an edge when standing over a tee shot on a tight hole.

Basically what I'm saying...the R11 with the Kai'li shaft gave me some unexpected results. Moderate to good forgiveness, nice low/mid launch and trajectory and overall superior distance. Pretty good for a driver I had NO INTENTION OF BUYING.

Toys

Taylormade sure has become the leader in putting more and more features into their clubs for the average guy. MWT, FCT, ASP, etc...I kept the MWT and FCT at standard, but the ASP I moved to open. Does ASP work...well, it seemed to make the face look open. It doesn't adjust the actual face angle, but the look of the face being open was pleasing to me.

Ironically, I've found that I (and a lot of other people) don't mess with the settings once they find something that works (which ironically tends to be the standard setting). The FCT is something that I feel is of most value as I do like to typically like to adjust the face angle slightly open and the FCT allows me to quickly and easily buy/swap shafts without the time and effort of a shaft install. It's made buying and installing custom (non-standard) shafts easy for us guys that don't have a workshop to do our own install work.

Overall Impressions and Final Thoughts

I'm still not sure if the white crown has a major benefit outside of attracting a lot of attention and being instantly recognizable. Outside of that product feature, this driver head combined with a good TP shaft just plain and simple performs (beyond my original expectations). Even though I still want a Titleist 910 driver, I can easily say that the R11 will be NOT be sold or traded for that acquisition. The R11 will be sticking around in my collection for quite some time and that says a lot for a TaylorMade driver I never wanted to buy.

Congrats TaylorMade!

[boycer]

I have a 910 D2, and just ordered a R11 kai'li 70 gram and hope it works for me also.

[Skaffa77]

[quote name='boycer11' timestamp='1304219382' post='3198903']
I have a 910 D2, and just ordered a R11 kai'li 70 gram and hope it works for me also.
[/quote]

What shaft do you have in the 910 D2? I'd be curious to hear about your comparison...especially if you have Project X shaft in it. Love that shaft in my VR Tour.

[Lobber]

I agree with you! I bought an R11 TP with stock Fuji Blur the first day they hit the stores in San Diego. TERRIBLE! Took it back to the store and tried Cleveland 310 Tour with Miyazkai. OK but not great. Tried R11 again with Fuji Motore Speeder 7.0 and OMG what a stick. Long, long and forgiving. I initially thought the R11 koolaid was hype but now I am drinking it!

[woods991]

[quote name='Lobber' timestamp='1304219885' post='3198925']
I agree with you! I bought an R11 TP with stock Fuji Blur the first day they hit the stores in San Diego. TERRIBLE! Took it back to the store and tried Cleveland 310 Tour with Miyazkai. OK but not great. Tried R11 again with Fuji Motore Speeder 7.0 and OMG what a stick. Long, long and forgiving. I initially thought the R11 koolaid was hype but now I am drinking it!
[/quote]
I am drunk on that kool aid as well!

[Lobber]

Ok. Just don't drive the cart! Be long and be safe!

[boycer]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1304219733' post='3198919']
[quote name='boycer11' timestamp='1304219382' post='3198903']
I have a 910 D2, and just ordered a R11 kai'li 70 gram and hope it works for me also.
[/quote]

What shaft do you have in the 910 D2? I'd be curious to hear about your comparison...especially if you have Project X shaft in it. Love that shaft in my VR Tour.
[/quote]

I have the Kai'li in the D2. Never really like the Project X, to whippy for me. Har dot control.

[Go_Blue!]

Still play my Supertri TP with F1 Motore 85g X....Haven't even picked up any new drivers to demo this year since I'm still obliterating the ball with this setup. I'm a really long ball hitter and when I'm still bombing 320yd drives and am comfortable with my setup now I see no reason to be tempted to even hit any other driver.

However, TM does deserve credit because it seems they aren't just producing new drivers ever other month...jk....but they actually keep improving on their technology and for the most part are leading the industry in that area.

Not to say I am a doubter of many of these posts and people who claim that they gain 50yds with the new (insert driver) but unless u are fundamentally sound no stick is going to just miraculously give u 50yds consistently on every swing now....technology has changed, yes.....however, its not that great of change. I can still rip my 983k very close to my Supertri....the change in drivers these days is really with the dispersion and launch/landing angles these shafts are producing. The shafts are the true gems right now and truly are the engine to every driver.

Congrats on finding a combo u trust and enjoy to hit...that is half the battle.

[130R]

I did the same thing; looking to replace my current driver with a 910D3, tested both an R11 and the 910 on trackman and the figures all went towards the R11. So I ended up ordering a R11 TP with the RIP Alpha shaft, didnt think I would like the white but in the end it wasnt really a factor.

[mark_16]

Great review. I think I'm gonna put a RIP in mine though.

[Skaffa77]

I might have to try switching the shafts I have own...my SuperTri has a RIP 70...might be a fun experiment. Unfortunately, I haven't had as much free time lately. Shoot...I just realized that I haven't posted pictures yet! Gotta get on it this week.

[proguy]

fitted at cool clubs. R9 with kali 60 stiff 9 degree. Never would have pulled this driver combo out of the bin but this thing is the bomb. Wanted to like the RHT but it did not fit me as well as the R11.