TaylorMade launches R15 series drivers and metals

TaylorMade has launched a new R15 series of drivers, fairway metals and rescue clubs. The new R15 driver will replace the existing SLDR driver from January and will be offered in both black and white. It features a playable pear-shape head which comes in two head sizes, 460cc and 430cc and is available in four lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 12° and 14°. In a simultaneous announcement TaylorMade has also launched the AeroBurner metal-wood series with a matte white coloured driver, fairway and rescue club trio.

The R15 driver has a new ‘Front Track’ adjustable weight track system with two sliding split weights of 12.5 grams each. The R15 club head has 5 grams more discretionary mass to manoeuvre and is 4 grams lighter in total than the previous SLDR model. Using the torque wrench, the golfer can loosen and slide the weights to the heel for a draw, to the toe for a fade or split for maximum stability.

An adjustable loft-sleeve allows golfers to alter their face angle, lie angle and loft preference to affect side-to-side trajectory. A simple rotation of the loft-sleeve system allows golfers to choose from twelve distinct settings that makes incremental changes in the lie and the loft/face angle in a 4°range.

TaylorMade says the key to the performance of the R15 is the low and forward centre of gravity (CG), a strategic placement of weight first seen in SLDR which promotes faster ball speed with less spin. The R15 has an even lower and more forward CG because of the Front Track system, which is 12mm closer to the leading edge with 40 more grams of weight forward. In total, 75 percent of the mass is in the front of the driver. Low forward CG in combination with the more forward track and redesigned sliding weights in the R15 helps to reduce spin by about 100 to 200rpm and increase launch by 0.5 to 1.0 degree compared to the SLDR 460.

Company research indicates that a 17 degree launch angle and a 1,700 rpm spin rate promote the best combination of carry and roll-out at every swing speed, culminating in maximum distance under normal playing conditions. The R15 430 is also a lower spinning driver offering than the 460.

The R15’s crown comes in a satin white finish, with a contrasting black PVD face and sole. The strong contrast between the crown and face make it easy to align the face accurately at address. TaylorMade expects the majority of its tour players to play R15 with a white crown. A gloss black version will be offered exclusively in R15 460.

The R15 460 is available with Fujikura’s Speeder 57 Evolution shaft (X, S, R and M flexes) at £369. At the same price, the R15 430 has a Fujikura Speeder 67 Evolution shaft (X, S, R and M flexes) and is offered in a white crown only with loft options of 9.5°, 10.5°, 12°.

The fairway and rescue R15 series clubs are available in four lofts: 15˚, 16.5 ˚, 19˚, 20.5˚. Featuring the same Front Track system as the driver, the R15 fairway metal uses a single 25 gram tungsten weight that can slide easily to promote a draw or fade using a TaylorMade torque wrench. The Front Track also performs like a Speed Pocket, increasing the sweet spot and decreasing the spin rate. Like the driver, the R15 fairway metal comes with a 4° loft sleeve for maximum loft adjustability. The R15 fairway is priced at £229 and the R15 rescue is available at £189.

Brian Bazzel, senior director of Product Creation for Metalwoods at TaylorMde stated, “R15 harnesses our world-class portfolio of technological advancements engineered over the last 15 years. It performs incredibly in a package that looks great, sounds great and can be easily fitted to any player. Everything we know about the metalwood, we’ve put into R15; golfers will see that, feel it and sense it with every swing. It’s a special driver.” More at: www.taylormadegolf.com