What you need to know: In 2004, TaylorMade debuted the R7 driver, a club that captured more than 30 wins worldwide, including that year’s U.S. Open by Retief Goosen. Now, to pay homage to that club as well as the follow-up R7 Quad, the company has introduced its R7 Quad Mini driver.
Price/Availability: The R7 Quad Mini Driver costs $480 and is available immediately for pre-order at taylormadegolf.com. Sales at retail begin May 1.
3 Cool Things
1. Screw it! The R7 driver was also the first driver to incorporate TaylorMade’s movable weight technology with two ports at the back of the clubhead and one each on the toe and heel. The quad weighting system utilizes two 13-gram and two 4-gram weights to alter center-of-gravity location and ball flight.
By moving the heavier weights toward the front of the club, golfers experience a penetrating ball flight. Conversely, placing more weight in the back of the club enhances launch. Additional weights can also be purchased for an even greater range of adjustability.
2. All the tech. Although smaller (305 cc), the R7 Mini incorporates many of TaylorMade’s hallmark technologies such as its infinity carbon crown that reduces mass in the top of the club allowing it to be placed elsewhere. The Mini also employs TwistFace to assist mis-hits as well as a speed pocket to enhance face flex on shots struck low on the face.
“The R7 Quad Mini Driver is the perfect canvas for innovation and style,” said Chandler Carr, TaylorMade product manager, product creation. “Featuring four movable weights, our newest mini driver gives golfers the ability to adjust shot shape and maximize performance off the tee and from the deck. It also features our most trusted technologies like the Infinity Carbon Crown and Twist Face, providing the ultimate suite of playability and versatility in a single package.”
3. Capitalizing on the craze. To be fair, TaylorMade has been at the forefront of the mini-driver category for some time. Still, its latest offering comes at a time when some 20 PGA Tour players are putting them in the bag at any given time.
For this offering, the R7 Quad Mini Driver is available in 11.5 degrees in both right- and left-handed. The 13.5-degree head is available in right-handed only. The lie angle is 57 degrees and the length is 43.75 inches. The swing weight is D4. The stock shaft is the Fujikura Speeder MD in 6X, 6S and 5R and the stock grip is the Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/Red.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
