TaylorMade’s r7 and R9 drivers were such huge hits in the golfing world it is little wonder the third generation driver in the series, the TaylorMade R11 adjustable, has been eagerly anticipated.
And the first thing you will notice about it will be strikingly obvious – the clubhead is white!
“The satin white finish, along with the black face, creates the maximum contrast between face and crown to help you align the club more easily,” says Tom Olsavsky, TaylorMade’s director of product creation (metal woods). Olsavsky adds that the white finish helps to reduce the hot spots and glare often created on glossy-topped drivers.
The past few months have seen many rumors about TaylorMade releasing a white driver, and the company have not disappointed. But this new driver also brings a new level of customization. In previous adjustable models, the TaylorMade torque wrench was used to alter the face angle and the clubhead loft at the same time. With the new R11, these two settings can be altered separately.
In the two previous models, an aluminum sleeve was attached to the shaft, which was then screwed into the head at different face angles. Not now. The new R11′s sleeve has eight settings to enable you to increase or decrease the loft of the club by as much as one degree.
The face angle is now controlled by an adjustable aluminum sole plate. If you move the red triangular plate into the open, closed or neutral position, you are able to alter the look at address. The face settings range from 4 degrees open to 4 degrees closed.
The R11 driver, like the r7 and R9, comes with two weight ports, one in the heel and one in the toe. Placing these weights in your desired location will allow you to set the club up to promote a draw or a fade. TaylorMade state these movable weights provide up to 25 yards of right and left adjustability.
To add to the club’s adjustability, TaylorMade say the R11 is at least 6 yards
longer than the 2010 R9 Super Ti, because of the new aerodynamic head shape.
Some of the R11′s features:
- Adjust the loft with Flight Control Technology (FCT)
- Adjust the CG location with Movable Weight Technology (MWT)
- Adjust the face angle with the new Adjustable Sole Plate (ASP)
- White non-glare crown and black clubface for easy alignment
- TP Model also available
PROS:
DISTANCE: One of the longest tested for majority of testers
ACCURACY/FORGIVENESS: Very consistent results, highly forgiving and straight
FEEL: A well balanced club that is easy to swing, with a dampened soft feel and some spring in the face
LOOK: White head looks strange to begin with, but you quickly become used to it. It gives the illusion of a larger clubhead.
CONS:
The white head and crown graphics do not suit everyone. A few people have disliked the cushioned impact feel.
