Differences between Rocketbladez & Rocketbladez HL?

Hi all,

Besides the slightly weaker lofts and no speed pockets, are there any other differences between these irons? Are they otherwise identical in regards to top line and size etc?

Also, if the speed pocket is so important on the standard Rocketbladez, why has it been removed on these?

Thanks ?

You nailed it on the head and listed the 2 main differences. Other big difference is also obvious and that is the price point. $399 vs $549 at the moment. To answer your final point, I don't believe the speed pocket is that important. TaylorMade just had a great marketing strategy that made people think they need one. Many people I have seen test clubs with speed pockets feel that the clubs launch too high. The speed pocket was really designed for the "68% of mishits" by all amateur golfers that TaylorMade claim hit the ball low on the face nearly 7 out of 10 times. I believe an iron without a speed pocket will help golfers get more consistent distance gaps throughout their iron set, but there is a definite benefit for golfers who struggle with trajectory with their mid to long irons. It is definitely a conflicting message being sent by TM, but I wouldn't expect anything else from a company that constantly rebrands clubs in a new model with a slightly different finish/name.

Wow. Another hater that has obviously never hit the clubs but is quick to post opinions.

The speed pock works in more ways than the uninformed poster above implies. I have been hitting them since they came out and hit many other brands and styles of clubs. They are higher, more penetrating, longer and more forgiving than any other manufacture clubs. And they are dead nuts in distance control. I get my distance everytime on good swings. Have not had a flyer yet. So can it. If you haven't actually experimented with a product, you have no business opening your mouth with opinions. Because that is all they are. Biased opinions. "I have heard" does not cut it.

And the speed pockets won the US open. Do you think it is because they work? You probably don't. : )

Crap. I just bought the HLs today...sounds like I should have bought the standards?

I work in the golf industry and get to to test everything. I also see people testing clubs 5 days a week on a Trackman. Check your ego at the door before you spout off your hateful message. I'm sorry I don't love the "speed pock" or Taylormade.

[quote name='chuckyz2' timestamp='1404162575' post='9610297']
Wow. Another hater that has obviously never hit the clubs but is quick to post opinions.

The speed pock works in more ways than the uninformed poster above implies. I have been hitting them since they came out and hit many other brands and styles of clubs. They are higher, more penetrating, longer and more forgiving than any other manufacture clubs. And they are dead nuts in distance control. I get my distance everytime on good swings. Have not had a flyer yet. So can it. If you haven't actually experimented with a product, you have no business opening your mouth with opinions. Because that is all they are. Biased opinions. "I have heard" does not cut it.

And the speed pockets won the US open. Do you think it is because they work? You probably don't. : )
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[quote name='CAThompsonGolf' timestamp='1404192199' post='9613687']
I work in the golf industry and get to to test everything. I also see people testing clubs 5 days a week on a Trackman. Check your ego at the door before you spout off your hateful message. I'm sorry I don't love the "speed pock" or Taylormade.

[quote name='chuckyz2' timestamp='1404162575' post='9610297']
Wow. Another hater that has obviously never hit the clubs but is quick to post opinions.

The speed pock works in more ways than the uninformed poster above implies. I have been hitting them since they came out and hit many other brands and styles of clubs. They are higher, more penetrating, longer and more forgiving than any other manufacture clubs. And they are dead nuts in distance control. I get my distance everytime on good swings. Have not had a flyer yet. So can it. If you haven't actually experimented with a product, you have no business opening your mouth with opinions. Because that is all they are. Biased opinions. "I have heard" does not cut it.

And the speed pockets won the US open. Do you think it is because they work? You probably don't. : )
[/quote]
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Check your biased remarks. Your obvious hate for TM makes it impossible for you to see the truth. Simple as that.
My message isn't hateful. Yours is. I too watch many people hit different clubs. They all like the Rbladez even if they prefer a different iron.

And they do go higher. For a fast SS a change of shaft tames that. And the lofts are can also be easily tweaked either way for fine tuning. No one loft fits all golfers. For a slow SS it is welcomed. If your in the business, you know very little and it would be wise for people to seek advise elsewhere.

I have a decent SS and the lofts are fine stock for me. Only a shaft tune was needed.

Embrace the technology or be left behind.

I now hit a 6i where I needed a 4i before the RBZ line came out. Excluding the Burners which gave frequent flyers.

The distance control is as good as it gets. Even compared to a forged blade. With a much bigger sweet spot. They are awesome. If your a Rory or a Tour pro that hits it on the nuts 90% of the time. You can play well with any club. And you most likely are not reading this. For the rest of us.....

I have the regular rbldz and absolutely love them. The speed pocket/slot thing really makes a difference to me. I am a sweeper of the ball and never take divots, even with my wedges. I tend to catch the ball low on the face and probably never hit the exact center of the sweet spot because I don't take a divot. That is where these irons and the tech behind them really shine. They are the most forgiving irons I have tried for low hits. The slot helps get the ball in the air a bit more and the loss of distance may be one clubs worth rather than 2-3 like others might. It is also way more kind on the hands/elbows as it absorbs a lot of the shock of hitting it thin. I had to get mine reshafted and had to go back to my backup set of jpx800s. Very good irons in their own right but I couldn't get over how harsh they felt compared with my rbldz. I don't think you will regret getting the HLs though. I have heard good things about those as well.

[quote name='ssramage' timestamp='1404171051' post='9611397']
Crap. I just bought the HLs today...sounds like I should have bought the standards?
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Only the 7,5,4 have the speed slot. The others are very nice and forgiving without it and with the thin face, plenty long. If you need help getting the ball up only a little, the standards would be better. If you need a lot of help, the HL just may be what your looking for. Try them. If your ballooning them sky high, and you just got them, you may be able to trade them in or return them. Lets us know how they work. Never tried them and don't know anybody with them. I would love to hit the 7i up against the standard 7i. That would tell if the speed slot helps in distance on nutted shots.

Callaway and TM both re-release iron in a cheaper offering. The rocketbladez are a removed speed pocket and also a stock TM uniflex shaft... Just a way to push excess product through the market

I'm looking for a new rbldz sand wedge, as I just purchased the rbldz regular steel iron set. I noticed that ebay has an hl version of the sand wedge, anyone have knowledge on the difference between that and the standard sand wedge.