The Ultimate TaylorMade R15 Review

The Ultimate Guide for the New TaylorMade R15 Driver

Whenever TaylorMade release a new driver they can certain create some hype. But does the new range of R15 drivers live up to the hype. We take an in depth look at the full range so that you can fully understand the technology involved and you can also see the difference from previous models.

In the Golf Digest Hot List awards the TaylorMade R15 was the only driver to earn twenty out of twenty stars. It managed to get five stars in performance, innovation, look/sound/feel and demand. This I’m sure will please TaylorMade as the R series of clubs is a range that has some great history with some innovative products.

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Do you remember these?

The full range of R series products

The first in the “R” Series was the R300 range and was followed by these

R500 range which included R510, R540 and R580

R7 Quad and SuperQuad

R9, then R11 and finally the R1 (The SLDR was a premium driver but was not named in the “R” range.

It has certainly started well for the R15 as mentioned previously it was the only driver to get 20 out of 20 in the Golf Digest Driver category and it was also named as the most likely best selling driver in MyGolfSpys Poll with a 36.1% which was nearly 20% higher than it’s nearest rival and in the early season tour results it has been the most played driver on the Tour.

SLDR was Loft Up – Do they still stand by this?

Yes TaylorMade are still promoting the loft up campaign and they are certain that this will benefit the majority of golfers. (for years we have tried to get golfers to loft up anyway and this campaign has taken the ego out of having a low loft)

From a huge amount of testing it has been calculated that if you have a 17 degree launch angle with 1700 spin rate this would be recognised as the holy grail of launch conditions. Now is this achievable with the R15 driver? Well probably if you have a machine hitting the ball but for any golfer this is virtually impossible but what TM are saying is that if you can increase you launch angle a little and reduce your spin rate you should see longer and straighter drives.

So if you were a player who has a launch angle of 12 degrees and a spin rate of 5000 you would hit the ball straighter and further if you managed to tune your driver to a 13 degree launch and 4500 spin rate (not 17/1700 but this would give you a definite added benefit of longer drives and straighter shots

The SLDR driver and now the R15 can reduce the spin rate by pushing the weight towards the front of the club and this would create a lower shot and because the ball will go lower you can choose a more lofted driver or choose a more lofted position with the adjustable sleeve. (More loft = more accuracy and lower spin rate = longer drives)

When the club was about to launch a Japanese website created the picture below which (as the Japanese would do) simplifies the process.

A simple diagram to show the loft up process

The R15 still (as mentioned above) has the adjustable sleeve which has proved popular in previous models and in truth there are 12 positions available with over three degrees of launch angle adjustability which would transmit to over 1000rpm of spin adjustability.

The sleeve positions can be seen below.

New Front Track System

The new front track system is a progression from the previous SLDR version. This time you have 2 weights which are 12.5g and they sit on a track that is towards the face (on the sole of club) and create more options than the prior generation. Although it has many positions it could take the four main  positions would be:

Max Distance = Both Weights in the centre.

Max Draw = Both Weights towards the heel of the club.

Max Fade = Both Weights towards the toe of the club

Max Stability = One weight on the toe and one weight on the heel

Once again our Japanese friends have this nicely shown (see below)

 What other technology does it have?

Often when a company (not just TaylorMade) have produced a fantastic innovation yet it was done a few years ago it can easily get forgotten and one of these is the Inverted Cone Technology and this is technology on the face of the club which has been around for some time but it allows for an optimised and expanded sweet spot (longer hits when you don’t catch it out of the middle)

In addition the club has an Ultra Thin Casting which saves weight and makes the club a touch lighter. Of  course the CG (centre of gravity) is positioned low and forward which will encourage a higher launch and lower spin (which we all like)

Specifications/Options

The driver is available in a White Head or a Black Head and a 430cc* and 460cc

Lofts = 9.5, 10.5, 12.0 and 14.0 Degrees (14.0 Degree only available in White Head)

TP Model = Yes Same lofts as above however only available with the white head.

Shafts = Fuji Speeder 57 Evolution Stiff, Regular and Medium and Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution TS in X Stiff, Stiff and Regular

Exotic shaft options available

Grip = Lamkin UTX

*The 430cc driver is available in 9.5,10.5 and 12.0 degrees in both standard and TP but is not available in left hand

TaylorMade are one of the best at creating promotional videos and below are some that you might see on skysports this year. the first video is great as the guys seems to have the ability to write backwards

Sergio Garcia Testing the R15

Justin Rose Testing the R15

Independant Reviews

We have found the best independent reviews of the R15 and although we also found reviews by magazines these were really a waste of time and Mark and Rick make the best unbiased videos on youtube.

Mark Crossfield’s Review of the R15 Driver

Rick Shiels Review of the R15 Driver

What do you get when you buy a R15 Driver

The driver is obviously fitted with the shaft and grip of choice but it should also come with a taylorMade wrench so you can make the required adjustments and you will also receive the funky red and white headcover.

If you like the R15 driver you will be glad to hear that they make a matching fairway wood and hybrid as well.

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