#insideTMAG: 6 GolfWRX Members have been invited to a behind-the-scenes look at TaylorMade Golf

[RedDevilWheezy]

[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1388933189' post='8401855']
I posted this in another thread in the euipment forum, but I figured I would share it here for you guys on the trip
I compared the Jetspeed and the 460 SLDR yesterday
same loft heads, same settings on the same shaft (the TP Speeder from the 460) - 10.5, upright setting and I think 1 or 2 turns higher loft[list]
[*]the SLDR w the TP shaft is nice (the stock 57 is a POS)
[*]the SLDR is longer than G25 w tour stiff shaft, less spin, lower launch
[*]SLDR feel is really nice and the sound is good too
[*]was averaging around the 2600-2900 (never above 2900), 10 LA (too low IMO), dispersion was pretty tight cant remember exact numbers
[*]THE BIG SURPRISE was the Jetspeed!!!
[*]Jetspeed was on average 300-600 lower spin, 2mph faster club head speed & 8-10 yards longer (longest one just a hair under 300)
[*]LA was 2* higher which was the result in it being longer Im sure
[*]feel was much better
[*]BUT the looks of the SLDR wins .... I could deal w the looks of the Jetspeed if I had to tho
[/list]
now im even more confused as to what will make the bag this year
[/quote]

I love my JetSpeed but do agree the SLDR wins in the looks department. It doesn't seem like TM is really pushing the JetSpeed for some reason, kinda like how the didn't really push the SpeedBlades compared to how aggressive they were with the Rocketbladez.

[Caesar Palache]

[quote name='RedDevilWheezy' timestamp='1388934344' post='8401915']
[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1388933189' post='8401855']
I posted this in another thread in the euipment forum, but I figured I would share it here for you guys on the trip
I compared the Jetspeed and the 460 SLDR yesterday
same loft heads, same settings on the same shaft (the TP Speeder from the 460) - 10.5, upright setting and I think 1 or 2 turns higher loft[list]
[*]the SLDR w the TP shaft is nice (the stock 57 is a POS)
[*]the SLDR is longer than G25 w tour stiff shaft, less spin, lower launch
[*]SLDR feel is really nice and the sound is good too
[*]was averaging around the 2600-2900 (never above 2900), 10 LA (too low IMO), dispersion was pretty tight cant remember exact numbers
[*]THE BIG SURPRISE was the Jetspeed!!!
[*]Jetspeed was on average 300-600 lower spin, 2mph faster club head speed & 8-10 yards longer (longest one just a hair under 300)
[*]LA was 2* higher which was the result in it being longer Im sure
[*]feel was much better
[*]BUT the looks of the SLDR wins .... I could deal w the looks of the Jetspeed if I had to tho
[/list]
now im even more confused as to what will make the bag this year
[/quote]

I love my JetSpeed but do agree the SLDR wins in the looks department. It doesn't seem like TM is really pushing the JetSpeed for some reason, kinda like how the didn't really push the SpeedBlades compared to how aggressive they were with the Rocketbladez.
[/quote]

This is a new taylormade compared to last year.

As for the pushing of product. 75% of the commercials were dicks/golf galaxy pushing the product. Have you seen one SLDR commercial from those two stores yet? I haven't and LOVE it.

Like I said new taylormade, things are changing.

[WVP]

Did someone mention a new Spider putter in the works? Any more details on that?

I still think about picking up one of those Japan only Ghost Itsy's with the single alignment line. Would like to see something like that brought back for the US.

[bruinsPATSirish]

[quote name='WVP' timestamp='1388941763' post='8402505']
Did someone mention a new Spider putter in the works? Any more details on that?

I still think about picking up one of those Japan only Ghost Itsy's with the single alignment line. Would like to see something like that brought back for the US.
[/quote]

Yeah they have atleast one new counterbalance putter coming out for sure. Looks similar to an odyssey sabertooth mixed with a daddy long legs. Pretty cool. I do believe the guys at TM mentioned "new putters" so I am expecting more than one to show up pretty soon

[hayzooos]

[quote name='Caesar Palache' timestamp='1388939912' post='8402387']
[quote name='RedDevilWheezy' timestamp='1388934344' post='8401915']
[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1388933189' post='8401855']
I posted this in another thread in the euipment forum, but I figured I would share it here for you guys on the trip
I compared the Jetspeed and the 460 SLDR yesterday
same loft heads, same settings on the same shaft (the TP Speeder from the 460) - 10.5, upright setting and I think 1 or 2 turns higher loft[list]
[*]the SLDR w the TP shaft is nice (the stock 57 is a POS)
[*]the SLDR is longer than G25 w tour stiff shaft, less spin, lower launch
[*]SLDR feel is really nice and the sound is good too
[*]was averaging around the 2600-2900 (never above 2900), 10 LA (too low IMO), dispersion was pretty tight cant remember exact numbers
[*]THE BIG SURPRISE was the Jetspeed!!!
[*]Jetspeed was on average 300-600 lower spin, 2mph faster club head speed & 8-10 yards longer (longest one just a hair under 300)
[*]LA was 2* higher which was the result in it being longer Im sure
[*]feel was much better
[*]BUT the looks of the SLDR wins .... I could deal w the looks of the Jetspeed if I had to tho
[/list]
now im even more confused as to what will make the bag this year
[/quote]

I love my JetSpeed but do agree the SLDR wins in the looks department. It doesn't seem like TM is really pushing the JetSpeed for some reason, kinda like how the didn't really push the SpeedBlades compared to how aggressive they were with the Rocketbladez.
[/quote]

This is a new taylormade compared to last year.

As for the pushing of product. 75% of the commercials were dicks/golf galaxy pushing the product. Have you seen one SLDR commercial from those two stores yet? I haven't and LOVE it.

Like I said new taylormade, things are changing.
[/quote]

So you're saying the ultimate marketing machine is changing their ways? Any reason why? They've been #1 in so many areas for so long, I'm not sure why they would change things up. Yeah, they get a ton of crap on this site for it, but...it works. I know they lost some marketshare in '13 based on what people around here have been saying, but do they feel the need to drastically change things up that much?

[quote name='bruinsPATSirish' timestamp='1388961795' post='8404217']
[quote name='WVP' timestamp='1388941763' post='8402505']
Did someone mention a new Spider putter in the works? Any more details on that?

I still think about picking up one of those Japan only Ghost Itsy's with the single alignment line. Would like to see something like that brought back for the US.
[/quote]

Yeah they have atleast one new counterbalance putter coming out for sure. Looks similar to an odyssey sabertooth mixed with a daddy long legs. Pretty cool. I do believe the guys at TM mentioned "new putters" so I am expecting more than one to show up pretty soon
[/quote]

There's pictures of this around here somewhere, isn't there? I thought an LPGA player posted a picture on Twitter of three putters, one of them being exactly what you're talking about.

[Caesar Palache]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1389034059' post='8409327']
So you're saying the ultimate marketing machine is changing their ways? Any reason why? They've been #1 in so many areas for so long, I'm not sure why they would change things up. Yeah, they get a ton of crap on this site for it, but...it works. I know they lost some marketshare in '13 based on what people around here have been saying, but do they feel the need to drastically change things up that much?
[/quote]

I didnt mean to insinuate they are changing drastically. just that the marketing side of them is changing slightly. that and there will not be the heavy discounts and rebates going on, there will always be a $399 and $299 driver at least. I was told Dick's/Golf Galaxy would not be running the adds like they did last you (that's my R1) and stuff like that. He said they can't stop them from using TM staffers who have a commercial contract with those companies but they are keeping the advertising to a minimum with those stores. Something along the lines of that.

I forget the exact number but yes they lost marketshare in fairways in 2013. They gained 3% market share in irons. and their sales were right on par with 2012's record numbers with a 3% boost in U.S. sales. Doubt they will beat 2012's final numbers but they won't be far behind. So if they truly are changing its not cause they are hurting, its cause they aren't breaking the record books quite yet.

[hayzooos]

[quote name='Caesar Palache' timestamp='1389037107' post='8409651']
[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1389034059' post='8409327']
So you're saying the ultimate marketing machine is changing their ways? Any reason why? They've been #1 in so many areas for so long, I'm not sure why they would change things up. Yeah, they get a ton of crap on this site for it, but...it works. I know they lost some marketshare in '13 based on what people around here have been saying, but do they feel the need to drastically change things up that much?
[/quote]

I didnt mean to insinuate they are changing drastically. just that the marketing side of them is changing slightly. that and there will not be the heavy discounts and rebates going on, there will always be a $399 and $299 driver at least. I was told Dick's/Golf Galaxy would not be running the adds like they did last you (that's my R1) and stuff like that. He said they can't stop them from using TM staffers who have a commercial contract with those companies but they are keeping the advertising to a minimum with those stores. Something along the lines of that.

I forget the exact number but yes they lost marketshare in fairways in 2013. They gained 3% market share in irons. and their sales were right on par with 2012's record numbers with a 3% boost in U.S. sales. Doubt they will beat 2012's final numbers but they won't be far behind. So if they truly are changing its not cause they are hurting, its cause they aren't breaking the record books quite yet.
[/quote]

Cool, thanks for the info. I think I'm with a lot of people and kind of lumped all the Dick's/GG commercials into the TM pot as well, didn't really think about them being separate of each other and Dick's/GG doing things that TM doesn't even know about.

[RedDevilWheezy]

It seems to me that they are taking themselves a little more seriously, and looking at themselves more as a "players" company more than before. By dropping the TP badge in favor of "Tour Preferred" and changing the name of the balls from "Lethal" to Tour Preffered" and "Tour Preffered X" (and sticking with those names), I think we won't see as many variations in product lines in the future.

Of course I could be wrong, but I remember a few of the TMag guys telling us that they know some of the marketing/advertising/naming was over the top, and I think they are positioning themselves to let thier products do more of the talking from now on.

One thing I will say is, before the trip I was one of the guys who never played TM equipment and was always wondering why they pushed out products so fast. I now see that the reason they keep coming out with new lines is because they really feel like the new products are better, and they are trying to move the performance needle forward all the time. It isn't just for the sake of moving more equipment, although I'm sure they don't mind that either.

[Pure745]

[quote name='RedDevilWheezy' timestamp='1389039170' post='8409929']
It seems to me that they are taking themselves a little more seriously, and looking at themselves more as a "players" company more than before. By dropping the TP badge in favor of "Tour Preferred" and changing the name of the balls from "Lethal" to Tour Preffered" and "Tour Preffered X" (and sticking with those names), I think we won't see as many variations in product lines in the future.

Of course I could be wrong, but I remember a few of the TMag guys telling us that they know some of the marketing/advertising/naming was over the top, and I think they are positioning themselves to let thier products do more of the talking from now on.

One thing I will say is, before the trip I was one of the guys who never played TM equipment and was always wondering why they pushed out products so fast. I now see that the reason they keep coming out with new lines is because they really feel like the new products are better, and they are trying to move the performance needle forward all the time. It isn't just for the sake of moving more equipment, although I'm sure they don't mind that either.
[/quote]

I agree. I was lucky enough to test the Lethal back when it was labeled the "Project 5" and wish they would have stuck with "Project 5". Lethal is a pretty cheesy name for such a good ball. Tour Preferred X is a welcome change!

[Ed Settle]

Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred X both in play at Kapalua. I really liked the Tour Preferred X when I played them but, might have to give the Tour Preferred a try.

[Zach Heusser]

The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!

[Ed Settle]

[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

Awesome indeed. I had my irons adjusted for lie and loft. It will be good to check that when I get them re-gripped next spring.

[Sean2]

[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

At no charge...

[J13]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1389049443' post='8411183']
[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

At no charge...
[/quote]

What is this TP service? You send your irons into TM and they check loft, lie, and re grip your clubs for free ?? Assuming a stock TM grip?

[Ed Settle]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1389050373' post='8411267']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1389049443' post='8411183']
[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

At no charge...
[/quote]

What is this TP service? You send your irons into TM and they check loft, lie, and re grip your clubs for free ?? Assuming a stock TM grip?
[/quote]

They are working to set up someone local to do that service or Send them back to TM. The grips are the grips that they were ordered with.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='2659edward' timestamp='1389050542' post='8411297']
[quote name='J13' timestamp='1389050373' post='8411267']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1389049443' post='8411183']
[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

At no charge...
[/quote]

What is this TP service? You send your irons into TM and they check loft, lie, and re grip your clubs for free ?? Assuming a stock TM grip?
[/quote]

They are working to set up someone local to do that service or Send them back to TM. The grips are the grips that they were ordered with.
[/quote]

Or any other grip that cost less, right?

[Zach Heusser]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1389050373' post='8411267']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1389049443' post='8411183']
[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

At no charge...
[/quote]

What is this TP service? You send your irons into TM and they check loft, lie, and re grip your clubs for free ?? Assuming a stock TM grip?
[/quote]
As far as I can tell, yes. I'm sure wrx'rs are going to take full advantage of this added benefit.

[Ed Settle]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1389050783' post='8411335']
[quote name='2659edward' timestamp='1389050542' post='8411297']
[quote name='J13' timestamp='1389050373' post='8411267']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1389049443' post='8411183']
[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1389048892' post='8411111']
The new tour preferred service sounds super cool! Loft & lie checks along with re grips. What an awesome added service!
[/quote]

At no charge...
[/quote]

What is this TP service? You send your irons into TM and they check loft, lie, and re grip your clubs for free ?? Assuming a stock TM grip?
[/quote]

They are working to set up someone local to do that service or Send them back to TM. The grips are the grips that they were ordered with.
[/quote]

Or any other grip that cost less, right?
[/quote]

Yep

[kejoal11]

that is awesome. Definitely worth looking at.

[Ed Settle]

TM talked about the new Tour Preferred golf balls and how well received they both were by the tour staff. There are 3 of each listed on the conforming list. No differences at this time, just TM covering all the bases. Both models, Tour Preferred and Tour preferred X in play in Hawaii.

[Ed Settle]

At the Sony Open, TM had out their newest Spider putter available for the pros. Still don't know the name!

[attachment=2016763:IMG_1643.JPG]

[attachment=2016767:spider proto.jpg]

[kejoal11]

Mallet putters arent my thing. i need to see blade putters ed. lol

[Ed Settle]

[quote name='kejoal11' timestamp='1389495830' post='8444469']
Mallet putters arent my thing. i need to see blade putters ed. lol
[/quote]

I agree but, we didn't see any of those!

[kejoal11]

[quote name='2659edward' timestamp='1389496716' post='8444565']
[quote name='kejoal11' timestamp='1389495830' post='8444469']
Mallet putters arent my thing. i need to see blade putters ed. lol
[/quote]

I agree but, we didn't see any of those!
[/quote]

Talk to your boy Kia and have him hook us up. Lol

[Zach Heusser]

Have you guys been able to play with your new gear? Or are you still snowed in like Ed?

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1391489099' post='8594786']
Have you guys been able to play with your new gear? Or are you still snowed in like Ed?
[/quote]

I know that I was not part of this trip but to answer your question, yes I have played a lot with my entire TMAG bag. Almost everything has been impressive so far, if I had to rate the line it would be like this.

1) SLDR 3 wood - has changed the way that I can play because I can hit it as far as some prior driver.
2) DLL Putter - I have never been so confident inside of 10 feet
3) 430 - Get so many comments on the sound and flight. High-flat-deep
4) SLDR Hybrid - was able to go up in loft, play a more forgiving head, and still keep the spin down. Almost want to get another higher lofted one
5) MB Irong - Best TMAG Irons in years
6) MC Irons - Second best TMAG irons in years - kinda wish I went with the CB in the 4 iron - plan on adding one soon
7) ATV Wedges - Not a fan of the grind and shape - like the size and think the grind was a good idea - will be interested in trying the new wedges and adding to the bag

Also the Tour Preferred Ball is really good, I think it feels better than the Lethal and flights a little lower.

[MaydayGSXR]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1391490599' post='8594878']
[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1391489099' post='8594786']
Have you guys been able to play with your new gear? Or are you still snowed in like Ed?
[/quote]

I know that I was not part of this trip but to answer your question, yes I have played a lot with my entire TMAG bag. Almost everything has been impressive so far, if I had to rate the line it would be like this.

1) SLDR 3 wood - has changed the way that I can play because I can hit it as far as some prior driver.
2) DLL Putter - I have never been so confident inside of 10 feet

[/quote]

Good feedback on everything. Your confidence in the DLL helps give me confidence in it as well. I love mine, but it helps me build confidence (and ultimately putting skill) when I know that the general consensus is that it's a good putter, or that it has tried and true favorable feedback. I rate your feedback pretty high.

Finding a putter that I can rely on and feel 'at home' with has been a bit of a challenge. I couldn't get a good sense of speed with my last putter, and Haney completely[i] dookied[/i] on it, so there wasn't much confidence there, haha. The DLL seems to have been well received by most people who have tried it. I know I was able to control the distance of my putts pretty well right off the bat (getting the right speed just felt natural), so now I just need to work on my reading abilities and aiming!

[bruinsPATSirish]

[quote name='Zach Heusser' timestamp='1391489099' post='8594786']
Have you guys been able to play with your new gear? Or are you still snowed in like Ed?
[/quote]

I've gotten quite a few rounds and range time in with my sticks and I'm still very happy with them. The driver is just LONG. I hit it high with a piercing flight, beautiful. The 3hl SLDR is the only one I may tinker with (yeah right). I feel like I hit it a little too high off the tee so I have been thinking about either picking up a Stage 2 3wood head or SLDR 3 wood head. We will see. The SLDR 5 wood is great for me off the deck. Easy to pick up off the turf and I love it.

[RedDevilWheezy]

I've got about 15 rounds in with the new sticks, and am really starting to dial everything in.

JetSpeed Driver - For me, it all starts here. I am in love with this driver, it is long and plenty forgiving. Ever since day 1 it has been a huge improvement over my Fast 12. Everything I hit with a nice smooth swing is either straight or a nice little draw. If I try to step on it, I will get a fade/ Of course, you still need to put a half decent swing on it, butt even my UGLY swings haven't been penalized too bad. The rollout with this thing is incredible, especially here in Texas where the ground is so firm. This driver is a real sleeper IMO, crazy how most average guys (Non-WRXers) have never heard of it.

SLDR 3W - I really like the trajectory and distance I'm getting off the tee with this club. Off the deck, I've hit some of the best FW shots of my life. I've hit Par 5s in 2 that I had never hit before, but 3w off the deck is not a strength of my game. For every great shot i've hit off the deck with this club, there has been one that i've topped, pull hooked, etc. That's not a knock on the club, but a flaw in my swing/game that I know needs work. I will probably look into getting either the 3HL head or a JetSpeed for some more help off the deck, as well as some lessons.

SLDR 3 Rescue - Very solid club, but too long for most situations I find myself in on the courses I play. I'm what I would consider an average length hitter. I usually play from the white Tee's, and rarely need something in the 220-230 range like I get with this club. When I have used it off the tee on short par 4s, or laying up on Par 5s it has been money. Long and straight. Looking forward to hopefully getting the 4 Rescue, which would be much more useful for the situations I normally find myself in.

SpeedBlade Irons - Besides my JetSpeed driver, these are the star of the show for me. Before the SpeedBlades I played Adams A4s and Ping G15s, which I would irrationally rotate all the time. I loved the look of the A4s, but needed the forgiveness of the G15s, so I sold off my A4s and decided I was going to stick with the PINGs until the grooves wore off. 4 days later I found out about this trip lol. The SpeedBaldes look great to my eye, where the PINGs were always a little chunky for my taste. IMO, the SpeedBlades are just as forgiving as the PINGs, but with a half club more distance and a much higher launch. They come into greens much softer than the PINGs did, and I am starting to hit more greens with these then I ever did with my PINGs. I have been usuing the long irons instead of the rescue, I've found them very easy to hit as well. The wedges took some getting used to coming from the chunky G15 wedges I was playing before, but I'm starting to get a feel for those as well.

For those interested, here are the distances I'm getting with the SpeedBlades. For reference, my driver SS is in the 103-105 mph range, and I don't try to crush my irons, just hit a nice, controlled full swing.

3i - 205
4i - 195
5i - 185
6i - 175
7i - 165
8i - 155
9i - 145
PW - 135
AW - 120
SW - 110
LW - 80

This past Saturday i played a course I had never played before and ended up hitting 12 FWs and 9 GIR, which for me (15 HC) is incredible. I track all my stats for every round, and each round with the new sticks I continue to see progressivly better numbers.

Really looking forward to getting even more dialed in with the new sticks and seeing my scores keep going the right direction.

[sethdavidsdad]

Several rounds now with Driver and 5 wood. Every round I like my driver more and more. I have the High loft Jetspeed. I'm hitting it farther than my previous driver(913), but I have also gained some consistency off the tee. The higher launch and lower spin seems to keep miss hits stay in play. The Jetspeed is just so easy to hit. The Jetspeed has a very soft feel off the face. Several times I have hit what I thought was a pop up and the ball has gone just as far as my other drives.

The 5 wood was a perfect addition to my bag. I have 3 holes on my course that 3 wood can get me in trouble off the tee and this 5 wood is now my go to club for these holes. Plus I use it teeing off on our island(or almost) fairway. It's funny to watch peoples faces when I hit the 5 wood passed their driver. Only real problem is sometimes I hit it as far as my 3 wood, Haha.

Everyone who has hit my driver likes it. I thought I would regret getting the Jetspeed instead of the SLDR but really like the sound and feel. I have let about 20 people hit it and only one person hit it too high. He is a plus handicap college player that holds the course record at our course. He really liked the club also just needs less loft.

I can't wait till spring to see how far I hit these clubs under good conditions. Right now its been cold and wet every time I have got to play.
Just got my irons in. I will post pictures and review later.