Rocketbladez Tour Feedback

[MitchCumstein]

There was a decent thread going on these clubs until things got a bit weird.

 

Anyways. Lets try to stay on subject and compare notes on these irons.

 

My experience:

 

I hit these into the net with CG2 launch monitor vs several of my regulars and I found they are not all that much longer than other players irons but the forgiveness is off the charts. I hit a couple where I thought to myself, yuk don't count that one and low and behold the damn ball was right next to a flushed one! I was blown away. These offer the forgiveness of a G20 iron with the looks of an AP2/Mizuno. I've been waiting for a set like this forever and hopefully the indoors testing prooves out on the course.

[morebeerbettergolf]

That's pretty much how I feel. Distance be damned, hit a bad one and its still good.

[Adamgraeff]

I need to try these!

But I love my nikes at the moment

[StarFleetGolfer]

I really like these remind me of the 2009 tp cb's.

[MitchCumstein]

Someone said they're a beautiful combo of the R9TP and last years CB. I think they play with the control of the CB but with the same or more forgiveness of the R9TP. If I could describe them best it's like if the G20s and the AP2s had a baby. But the baby looks more like the AP2 parent!

[Caesar Palache]

[quote name='MitchCumstein' timestamp='1361592901' post='6484177']
Someone said they're a beautiful combo of the R9TP and last years CB. I think they play with the control of the CB but with the same or more forgiveness of the R9TP. If I could describe them best it's like if the [b]G20s and the AP2s had a baby[/b]. But the baby looks more like the AP2 parent!
[/quote]

with a ton less offset! and thinner sole. but i see where you going with it haha

[Scott@84]

For me these are the perfect looking iron, a bit smaller then the TP CB's I've been playing the last couple of years. I think Taylormade killed it with the looks. I can't comment on performance yet but will here soon once I get back to work. I am really exited about these irons.

[nitram]

To me they are a perfect blend of performance and forgiveness.

[gremlin]

Got a set on the way. Drank the Kool Aid. Hope they are all they are cracked up to be...

[tcup23]

I really like the feel and they look pretty nice as well. They remind me of the R9TPs right down to the shaft.

At first i thought these could be great and I still say they probably are, but they won't kick out my gamers. I felt like the ball was being crushed yet I was hitting them about 10 yards shorter than my s56's with the same shaft.

I grant you they are forgiving, but what i really was expecting was a club's worth of gain on distance. Just based on the sensation I had when I hit them they made me feel like I did, but trackman said different.

Regardless they seem like great irons with a really nice feel and good results... just not the distance gains i was expecting. To each his own, but I love the way TMAG makes cast clubs (much better feel than they're forged offerings IMO). If you liked the R9TPs you'll like the rocketbladez tour

[MitchCumstein]

The heads look more like AP2 shape wise than R9tp. The R9tp was very rounded. They are a bit larger in the 3-7 iron than AP2 with same shape. The 8-PW very ap2 like. I'm dying to know what the Maltby test will show on these for forgiveness/moi.

[golfnut88]

So you guys that have RBZ tour irons think that distance gains are less of a factor than consistency? Seems like the slot is more forgiveness oriented and not so much distance?

[Jc0]

[quote name='golfnut88' timestamp='1361634165' post='6486193']
So you guys that have RBZ tour irons think that distance gains are less of a factor than consistency? Seems like the slot is more forgiveness oriented and not so much distance?
[/quote]

The slot is purely a forgiveness oriented. You actually don't gain any distance from it on a good hit. TM marketing depart just says something different to increase sales.

[BirdieBob]

[quote name='golfnut88' timestamp='1361634165' post='6486193']
So you guys that have RBZ tour irons think that distance gains are less of a factor than consistency? Seems like the slot is more forgiveness oriented and not so much distance?
[/quote]

Bingo!

The speed pocket was designed with the purpose of improving strikes low on the clubface. It helps get the ball up in air and is more pronounced in the longer irons.

[MitchCumstein]

I would have to agree. My distance was spot on compared to AP2 when flushed. The difference was a mishit was still spot on whereas a slight mishit with the AP2 loses 10-15 yards. The RBTs just want to fly straight too. Much less curve.

[robbie91]

From a "feel" perspective I thought the RocketBladez were pretty solid. They do not have the feel of a forged club but sound and feel a lot better than the standard RocketBladez. The top lines are thin enough that I could set up to them and feel like I was hitting a players cb. I picked up a small amount of distance but nothing that I would write home about especially since the lofts are jacked up a bit. For me, distance consistency was pretty spotty but mishits were very forgiving. I think the guy between a low-mid handicap would really benefit from these clubs... they are forgiving enough but also have the players look and allow the player to work the ball a good bit. Otherwise, unless you are looking to pick up a few yards, I wasn't overly impressed with them when it comes to competing with other tour irons. But if you need a little more help and don't want a shovel I think they are the perfect set.

[WV_Golfer]

Well I was finally able to try my Rbladez Tours today. Uncharacteristically, I ordered them sight-unseen after reading the many glowing reviews of them here on WRX. I know sometimes people have the magical "honeymoon effect" when they first get a new set so I'm trying not to be too overly optimistic...but to be honest, I sorta felt like I was cheating a few times.

I won't go too much in depth with all the shots I hit but I'll highlight a couple that caught my attention.

On my 5th hole, I used my rangefinder to confirm I had 204 yards to the pin. Normally, I would pull out my 4 iron since I carry it about 200 yards in the summer time...but today the temperature was upper 40's so I thought I better club up. But whats the fun in that? I pulled out the 5 iron and hit the highest 5 iron shot I've ever hit but I pulled it about 20 ft right of the pin. It ended up pin high on the green and I actually just started laughing and my buddy who has played a hundred times with me just simply raised his eyebrows. I said, "maybe it went so far because I pulled it". So I dropped another ball and this time it started at the pin with about a 2 yard draw...pin high. Whoa

Fast forward to the 12th hole with almost the same exact scenario. This time I lasered 201 yards to the pin. Pulled out my 5 iron again to see if I could duplicate the magic. It flew HIGH and straight, never leaving the pin and landing about 12 ft over the pin and stuck where it landed.

So the 5 iron is really good haha. The biggest difference I noticed in the Tours compared to my now retired Adams CB2's is the long irons. The short irons do pretty much exactly what my last set did, but what happens when you pull the 4-6 irons is something unfamiliar to me.

My CB2's had DG X-100 shafts and I ordered my Tours with c-tapers, stiff flex and hardstepped once. This is my first experience with the c-tapers but they seem like the real deal.

Also, I feel obligated to say that the Rbladez tours are the first TaylorMade clubs of any kind that I've owned so I hope no one brushes off my review as just another TM fanboy. Here's to hoping this honeymoon effect doesn't leave anytime soon. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

[MitchCumstein]

As evidenced by the tour usage they work for best players in the world on up to 15 hc IMHO. Feel definitely not forged but not bad, similar to I20 in a lot of respects but better looking to my eye. More traditional and I think more forgiving.

[baseballfrk8998]

[quote name='WV_Golfer' timestamp='1361666066' post='6488809']
Well I was finally able to try my Rbladez Tours today. Uncharacteristically, I ordered them sight-unseen after reading the many glowing reviews of them here on WRX. I know sometimes people have the magical "honeymoon effect" when they first get a new set so I'm trying not to be too overly optimistic...but to be honest, I sorta felt like I was cheating a few times.

I won't go too much in depth with all the shots I hit but I'll highlight a couple that caught my attention.

On my 5th hole, I used my rangefinder to confirm I had 204 yards to the pin. Normally, I would pull out my 4 iron since I carry it about 200 yards in the summer time...but today the temperature was upper 40's so I thought I better club up. But whats the fun in that? I pulled out the 5 iron and hit the highest 5 iron shot I've ever hit but I pulled it about 20 ft right of the pin. It ended up pin high on the green and I actually just started laughing and my buddy who has played a hundred times with me just simply raised his eyebrows. I said, "maybe it went so far because I pulled it". So I dropped another ball and this time it started at the pin with about a 2 yard draw...pin high. Whoa

Fast forward to the 12th hole with almost the same exact scenario. This time I lasered 201 yards to the pin. Pulled out my 5 iron again to see if I could duplicate the magic. It flew HIGH and straight, never leaving the pin and landing about 12 ft over the pin and stuck where it landed.

So the 5 iron is really good haha. The biggest difference I noticed in the Tours compared to my now retired Adams CB2's is the long irons. The short irons do pretty much exactly what my last set did, but what happens when you pull the 4-6 irons is something unfamiliar to me.

My CB2's had DG X-100 shafts and I ordered my Tours with c-tapers, stiff flex and hardstepped once. This is my first experience with the c-tapers but they seem like the real deal.

Also, I feel obligated to say that the Rbladez tours are the first TaylorMade clubs of any kind that I've owned so I hope no one brushes off my review as just another TM fanboy. Here's to hoping this honeymoon effect doesn't leave anytime soon. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
[/quote]

Thanks for the great write up. I ordered a stock set on Thursday so that they'd get here ASAP. When they do, I'll probably give the KBS Tours a shot but I'll likely end up pulling the C-Tapers from my current irons and installing them into the Tours. I can't wait to to hit them.. Very excited!

[MitchCumstein]

KBS Tour nice feel. They launch a bit high and spin more than I like. Going to look at something different to keep the ball down.

[OrangeCrush]

I just got back from Golfsmith wanting to try these. I will say this, TM did a very good job with them but I would NOT buy them with visions of gaining all this extra distance. I was hitting the 4i & 7i within 3-4 yds of my TM300's but what I think won me over on these was the look at address, they do look like the R9TP so they exude confidence that they are not a smaller head. They feel like a good cast club...they will never be forged soft. What I think they did a GREAT job was on the sole/leading edge.

I am psycho anal about camber and soft leading edge, these were excellent. I think on a course they will have excellent turf interaction, they reminded me of the Adams CMB in that regards.

So would I buy them? No. The XHot Pro and 825PRO's are equal in forgiveness and they both feel better. If you never hit those 2 irons, the TM's would be a top candidate. Could I play them and be happy, absolutely!!!

[WV_Golfer]

[quote name='OrangeCrush' timestamp='1361750334' post='6494717']
I just got back from Golfsmith wanting to try these. I will say this, TM did a very good job with them but I would NOT buy them with visions of gaining all this extra distance. I was hitting the 4i & 7i within 3-4 yds of my TM300's but what I think won me over on these was the look at address, they do look like the R9TP so they exude confidence that they are not a smaller head. They feel like a good cast club...they will never be forged soft. What I think they did a GREAT job was on the sole/leading edge.

I am psycho anal about camber and soft leading edge, these were excellent. I think on a course they will have excellent turf interaction, they reminded me of the Adams CMB in that regards.

So would I buy them? No. The XHot Pro and 825PRO's are equal in forgiveness and they both feel better. If you never hit those 2 irons, the TM's would be a top candidate. Could I play them and be happy, absolutely!!!
[/quote]

Yeah I don't think anyone should purchase these looking for big distance gains. I think what I liked the most after only one round with mine was the height I was hitting the long irons and that height must have helped me carry it further. The distances seemed identical to my last set in the pw-7 iron but I did pick up a little distance in the long irons which I'm assuming was the ball launching high without balooning. Could have to do with the c-taper shafts, too. Whatever it was, I enjoyed it.

[9ironiscash]

[quote name='Scott@84' timestamp='1361597176' post='6484529']
For me these are the perfect looking iron, a bit smaller then the TP CB's I've been playing the last couple of years. I think Taylormade killed it with the looks. I can't comment on performance yet but will here soon once I get back to work. I am really exited about these irons.
[/quote]

I also am gaming the CBS and thinking about the switch; the stock xp shaft on the cb was perfect for me- is that what you have in your CBS and if so how does the KBS in the tours compare? How did these stack up against each other performance wise?

[johnnythunders]

[sub]I agree with orangeCrush. The last 3 comparisons I've done over the weekend for customers looking for lower handicap nonbplade irons. I put the RBZ Tour (KBS) up againsit he 825 pro (XP or Dynamic Gold) and xhot Pro (Flighted 95). The guys that like lighter/distance clubs love the xhot pros and the control/feel guys love the 825 pro's. 2 picked the xhot pro, 1 picked the 825 pros. Nobody picked the TM Tours. [/sub]

[jakeolsen11]

How is the workability on these irons?

[KJinT-Town]

I've a played a few rounds with them and I think they are a good addition to my bag. I wish there was a touch less offset, something more in the Mizuno JPX825Pro range, but they are longer than the JPXPros and more forgiving. Feel-wise, they are not much different than the JPXPros, but if the Mizuno clubs have them anywhere, it is in that category. It is nice though to be able to mis-hit a 3 iron into the wind and still get 85% of the distance that you expected without a great degree of dispersion. The best clubs are the 3-7. The 8-PW are decent, but clearly not where the money was spent by TM.

[Scott@84]

[quote name='9ironiscash' timestamp='1361765336' post='6496707']
[quote name='Scott@84' timestamp='1361597176' post='6484529']
For me these are the perfect looking iron, a bit smaller then the TP CB's I've been playing the last couple of years. I think Taylormade killed it with the looks. I can't comment on performance yet but will here soon once I get back to work. I am really exited about these irons.
[/quote]

I also am gaming the CBS and thinking about the switch; the stock xp shaft on the cb was perfect for me- is that what you have in your CBS and if so how does the KBS in the tours compare? How did these stack up against each other performance wise?
[/quote]

I play C-Taper S+ in my CBs. I have no idea how they stack up against my CBs, I haven't had a chance to hit them yet but plan to this week. I will post some thoughts once I do.

[trumb1mj1]

How is the performance of the longer irons like a 4i compared to your last set?

[espressoo]

I finally got a chance to see and hit the RBZ Tour in person. Appearance wise, they look MUCH better than the Standard Rocketbladez. The logo and graphics on the backside of the cavity on the Tour version looks top notch compared to the Standards. I believe the top line is a tad thinner too?

At any rate, does anyone know what handicap the Tour version is targeting vs the Standard model? I like the fact that the Tours has more standard lofts and overall looks much better in my opinion. Also helps that the club lengths are shorter.

I also hit the Mizuno MP-64 6 iron in the cart. Hit one flush and it went 185 yds. They felt really good but not that consistent for me. I think if I was better at this so called game of golf, it would be my top choice.

[ej002]

I was hitting the 7 iron 200 (normally goes 170) at golf galaxy, they were pretty forgiving. The shaft was a bit soft. they looked a bit bigger than what I was used to. I went out to grab my 7 iron from the car, first swing 202. I laughed and walked out. If I was looking for new irons though, I would consider them. They felt pretty good, they looked pretty good at address (a little big, but not too bad), but the distance was the same. THey did a good job with them.