Golfwrx.com Visits TaylorMade Kingdom (RBZ - Stage2 comparison pics + Data)

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1352659566' post='5919139']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352648040' post='5918657']
[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1352642415' post='5918447']
[quote name='nohny noke' timestamp='1352617501' post='5918099']
how do you Kingdomers keep your objectivity about the new stuff when you're on the TM dime?
[/quote]
If they were truly "on the take" there would be no reason for this site. Many of us, including myself, have been on one of these. Many of us have tested clubs for OEMs to see what real golfer's impressions are. We know that we have to remain objective in order to help make products better. We're under no obligation to say glowing things. They would like us to, but not every product hits the mark. And they really want to know what we think.

I was lucky enough to go in 2011. I remember one exchange with their media guy. I was on the putting green with TheMoney Shot using the original Ghost putter. He asked what we thought of it. He liked it, I hated it, because it felt harsh. I argued that putting is personal. Not everyone likes the same feel, no matter what science and Kia Ma's experience is. He told us that there was a prototype in the works at a different price point they might be coming out with. Verdict? Softer insert. It was not in their original plan but they did it because real golfers gave real input. That's why they do this. Outside of things like this, product developers talk to each other. Not go out and ask the masses anything. It's a benefit to us because we're golfers who would never get to do something like this, but to them also for information.

There is marketing to this as well to be sure. But they really want to make sure what they're doing is working. Or not. They're going to play it anyway. We have a choice. And they're well aware of that too. Nike, Ping, and a few others have done this as well for the same reasons. We all get something out of it.
[/quote]

I remember that like it was yesterday. The guys at TM were super excited about their new ghost line of putters that year too. TB3 and I spent a lot of time rolling the pill on the green seeing if we could both adapt more to the more harsh feel, needless to say we both did not like it at all and prefer a much more softer feeling putter. When we explained that to their PR guy he appreciated our feedback and stated that something would be in the works. They really do want our feedback wether it was good or bad. The guys at TM are truly class acts for sure!
[/quote]
We need a royalty check.
[/quote]

Yes we do, plus another weekend getaway to try out the new 2013 club lines. Hopefully TM and Hip are listening....

[fore_life]

So awesome, that putter looks incredible. The tour irons look nice too.

After getting the RBZ here, I've gone to all tmag woods and love them,as well as my wedges. With that putter and the rocketbladeZ, I could easily go all in with Taylor made haha.

[stage1350]

[quote name='nohny noke' timestamp='1352617501' post='5918099']
how do you Kingdomers keep your objectivity about the new stuff when you're on the TM dime?
[/quote]

While my visit wasn't to the Kingdom, I have been able to experience TMAG's hospitality when I was able to test the R11 irons. They aren't kidding when they say that are looking for honest feedback on their equipment. And they do give you a first class treatment.

I walked into that fitting with a 25 year old set of forged blades with no offset and the stiffest shafts on the market. Perry had me sized up in about 3 swings of the golf club. And both he and the software declared that I SHOULD be fitted into their forged MB line. But that wasn't the purpose of the visit. So we got a set of R11 irons built to the specs they thought would give me the best trajectory.

The end result was a set of irons that was about 2 clubs longer on the short irons and one club longer on the long irons. The feel, while better than most castings that I have hit, was not that soft forged feel. In the end, they did not make the bag and I set the clubs up for someone else to enjoy. But I gave them the feedback that I would like in an iron:

Thinner topline (RBlazdes is thinner than R11)
Less offset (incorporated into the Tour)
More traditional lofts (R11 45° PW, RBlades Tour 47° PW)

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all set of irons, unless John Hoeflich is designing them. He's come closer than anyone. But the feedback that an OEM can get from a group of enthusiasts like GolfWRX can help them market more effectively to the rest of the world.

Think of the viability of a club that gets you high launch wihout offset. You now have irons that appeal to both high cappers and better players because they are not a visual distraction.
Think of a club that gives you good feedback and feel, while maintaining distance across a larger area of the clubface.
Think of a club that has a playable sole, but still manages to get the CoG low and deep to help launch.

This is feedback that has been given to them and the engineering teams have done wonders with some of the recent releases. Now if they can get all this into a forged iron, they can see if they will get a shot in my bag.

[Toddo64]

I'd sure like to be a lefty tester of these bad boys...We like the new toys too!

[Toddo64]

I can't wait to see your comments on the Project 5 golf balls.

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352614525' post='5918067']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352610448' post='5917969']
Guys,

How did the new black ATV wedges look when you visited the Kingdom?
[/quote]
My friend I am sorry, but at this time we are only allowed to speak about the irons...
[/quote]

When will the embargo be lifted so that you can share more with us? We are on pins and needles about it....

[ProBowler]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352499866' post='5913647']
[quote name='ksavy17' timestamp='1352499413' post='5913609']
[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1352469392' post='5911609']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352424575' post='5910163']
[quote name='br61' timestamp='1352424140' post='5910129']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352338719' post='5905763']
Did anybody party with Perry while you were there by chance? I need to get out there to see him again, fun times...
[/quote]

I wish I can see him again too. He's one of their good guys with TMag staff. A fun guy to talk with and to play a round with.
[/quote]

Yes he is and you were lucky to get fitted by him too. I wish I would have been lucky enough to draw Perry as my club fitter that day. He made up for it later that night though in the lobby though...
[/quote]
I miss Perry. He loved attention...and the attention loved him. I still wish the waitress was more interested. She was the cutest and real of them all. Plus anyone who can get around that course almost never hitting driver is aces in my book. 300 yard 3 woods...crazy!
[/quote]

I dont get why everyone loves Perry?? When I met him he seemed so disinterested in fitting my friend and honestly I was suprised by his lack of knowledge
[/quote]

Wow! Perry was great with our group and HipCheck can attest this as well. I'd go back specifically to deal with him alone!
[/quote]

I have to agree ..... Perry was great as well as Duane Anderson when I went ....... Everyone at the Kingdom and TMAG were very nice to us ...... But they really wanted to know our true honest opinions on the equipment we were trying out.
I have to say the R11s that I left with has been unbelievable for me all year !!!

[ProBowler]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352686970' post='5920779']
[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352614525' post='5918067']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352610448' post='5917969']
Guys,

How did the new black ATV wedges look when you visited the Kingdom?
[/quote]
My friend I am sorry, but at this time we are only allowed to speak about the irons...
[/quote]

When will the embargo be lifted so that you can share more with us? We are on pins and needles about it....
[/quote]

^^^^^^^

What he said ...... We all would love to hear more !!!
I especially hope that the milled face is available on the putters as well as the custom work too !!!

[TheMoneyShot]

All of the other oems have the spotlight on them right now with their new driver offerings for 2013. When will TM join the good fight?

[tbowles411]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352727982' post='5921979']
All of the other oems have the spotlight on them right now with their new driver offerings for 2013. When will TM join the good fight?
[/quote]
Don't think they're not reading these boards. We know they do.

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1352729982' post='5922107']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352727982' post='5921979']
All of the other oems have the spotlight on them right now with their new driver offerings for 2013. When will TM join the good fight?
[/quote]
Don't think they're not reading these boards. We know they do.
[/quote]

I guess they are seeing what the competition is offering before they drop the BOMB on us all!!!!

[xerpro]

Standard Rocketbladez iron release date was pushed up to 11/23 AKA Black Friday.....

Bomb is ticking.....More info coming really soon TMS...

[Zach Heusser]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352686970' post='5920779']
[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352614525' post='5918067']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352610448' post='5917969']
Guys,

How did the new black ATV wedges look when you visited the Kingdom?
[/quote]
My friend I am sorry, but at this time we are only allowed to speak about the irons...
[/quote]

When will the embargo be lifted so that you can share more with us? We are on pins and needles about it....
[/quote]
December 3rd I believe.

[Soma Stan]

sounds like a great trip, well deserved for the guy that works so hard promoting TM products in the Bay Area.... in fact due to his TM loyalty, Im about to hand over some 05 swirly faces for his collection!!

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352761733' post='5924483']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352686970' post='5920779']
[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352614525' post='5918067']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1352610448' post='5917969']
Guys,

How did the new black ATV wedges look when you visited the Kingdom?
[/quote]
My friend I am sorry, but at this time we are only allowed to speak about the irons...
[/quote]

When will the embargo be lifted so that you can share more with us? We are on pins and needles about it....
[/quote]
December 3rd I believe.
[/quote]

Thank you, I have marked my calendar!

[Ed Settle]

[quote name='dplambert1' timestamp='1352329375' post='5905033']
I want that white oban shaft
[/quote]

Yep, right there with you.

[Zach Heusser]

[quote name='Soma Stan' timestamp='1352769446' post='5925377']
sounds like a great trip, well deserved for the guy that works so hard promoting TM products in the Bay Area.... in fact due to his TM loyalty, Im about to hand over some 05 swirly faces for his collection!!
[/quote]
Thanks Stan, We may have to move the Packer sign and mount those bad boys on the wall!

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352772842' post='5925749']
[quote name='Soma Stan' timestamp='1352769446' post='5925377']
sounds like a great trip, well deserved for the guy that works so hard promoting TM products in the Bay Area.... in fact due to his TM loyalty, Im about to hand over some 05 swirly faces for his collection!!
[/quote]
Thanks Stan, We may have to move the Packer sign and mount those bad boys on the wall!
[/quote]

Nice looking bags!!!

[golfware]

[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352772842' post='5925749']
[quote name='Soma Stan' timestamp='1352769446' post='5925377']
sounds like a great trip, well deserved for the guy that works so hard promoting TM products in the Bay Area.... in fact due to his TM loyalty, Im about to hand over some 05 swirly faces for his collection!!
[/quote]
Thanks Stan, We may have to move the Packer sign and mount those bad boys on the wall!
[/quote]

Me think you should change your screenname. LOL. I don't see any Kasco equipment there.... Lol

I'm just joshin' ya. NICE bags!! If I'm not mistaken, I'll bet you like TMAG.

[Zach Heusser]

[quote name='golfware' timestamp='1352823538' post='5927945']
[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352772842' post='5925749']
[quote name='Soma Stan' timestamp='1352769446' post='5925377']
sounds like a great trip, well deserved for the guy that works so hard promoting TM products in the Bay Area.... in fact due to his TM loyalty, Im about to hand over some 05 swirly faces for his collection!!
[/quote]
Thanks Stan, We may have to move the Packer sign and mount those bad boys on the wall!
[/quote]

Me think you should change your screenname. LOL. I don't see any Kasco equipment there.... Lol

I'm just joshin' ya. NICE bags!! If I'm not mistaken, I'll bet you like TMAG.
[/quote]
LOL I have thought about that as well. I was on the Kasco staff for one year while I worked at the Jim McLean golf school.

[J13]

Yeah time to change my friend. TaylormadeHo i mean Pro haha

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1353022793' post='5940383']
Yeah time to change my friend. TaylormadeHo i mean Pro haha
[/quote]

Lol, that has a nice ring to it!!!

[acpar72]

And the rich get richer.

[Dave Feldman]

[quote name='KascoPro' timestamp='1352772842' post='5925749']
[quote name='Soma Stan' timestamp='1352769446' post='5925377']
sounds like a great trip, well deserved for the guy that works so hard promoting TM products in the Bay Area.... in fact due to his TM loyalty, Im about to hand over some 05 swirly faces for his collection!!
[/quote]
Thanks Stan, We may have to move the Packer sign and mount those bad boys on the wall!
[/quote]

Those definitely need to be mounted on the wall! Those are classics.

[RookieBlue7]

I'll take a pair of the white and pink AdiCross II's in a 10.5 please. LOL. Let me know when/where they're available.

[ladahl]

Just saw the pics on page 3.... .LOVE'n the Kiyoshi white !!! WOW!!!

[geauxWRX]

How much would the cost be for us mortals for a trip to the kingdom? And are tour issue heads available during the fitting?

[TheMoneyShot]

2 weeks from today we should be hearing about some of TMs 2013 driver/fwy line. I cannot wait!!!

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='dplambert1' timestamp='1353334195' post='5953001']
How much would the cost be for us mortals for a trip to the kingdom? And are tour issue heads available during the fitting?
[/quote]

I believe the fitting cost is $2500 for a full bag. Tour heads are available but TM will only fit you with what works. Don't go there expecting a full bag of tour issued clubs though.

[golfware]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1353334836' post='5953051']
2 weeks from today we should be hearing about some of TMs 2013 driver/fwy line. I cannot wait!!!
[/quote]

Oh I know you can't! Lol