Last days of TaylorMade R1 driver


By: August 4, 2013


TaylorMade introduced in 2011their new driver, the R1 driver. First day offered it white and then this May in black. Personally, I prefer the black one because it gives the feeling of a powerful driver.

I like TaylorMade R1 driver for many reasons forgiveness (I really need it because I've got high handicap), adjustability (allows the head to be set anywhere between 8 to 12 degrees, including 7 standard and 5 upright options, while the face angle can be set in 7 different positions to address via the new design).

This is pretty cool. We could say almost, it is close to perfect. Recently, TaylorMade came out with a new driver, the SLDR driver. According to my sources at TaylorMade the SLDR driver will replace R1 driver as TaylorMade's most premium driver.

TaylorMade SLDR prototype K

I looked for something new in TaylorMade SLDR driver. Here are some of the new features of TaylorMade SLDR driver:

  • Lower and more forward center of gravity (CG) that promotes a hotter launch, low spin and faster ball speed. Similar to the impact the “Speed Pocket” had on the performance of the RocketBallz fairway and Rescue clubs.
  • SLDR driver also incorporates a complete reinvention of TaylorMade’s movable weight technology (MWT), making it more effective and easier to use.  SLDR driver features a blue, 20-gram weight that slides on a track located on the front of the sole.
  • Movable weight shifts the clubhead’s CG horizontally toward either the heel, to promote a draw, or toward the toe, to promote a fade. SLDR driver delivers six millimeters of movement – that’s 50% more than R1 driver – promoting a shot-dispersion range of up to 30 yards.
  • The SLDR weight slides on a 21-point track system and never comes loose from the clubhead. To position the weight in any one of them simply loosen the screw, slide the weight to the point selected, then tighten the screw. 
  • SLDR driver also incorporates TaylorMade’s Loft-sleeve Technology, which allows the golfer to easily adjust the loft. Golfers can choose from 12 positions within a range of plus-or-minus 1.5 degrees of loft change.

Do you remember the r7 quad? This was the first movable weight driver in the world. It featured 4 small weight cartidges that could be used to change the head’s CG location and influence ball flight. As we read the new invention of TaylorMade's R&D, I think the new sliding system of SLDR is showing a great leap forward.

TaylorMade SLDR

The new SLDR and SLDR TP wil be available from August 9 at a suggested retail price of $399