2013 TaylorMade R1 Driver: Review, Video and Pics

[NTKT10]

The paint scheme is starting to grow on me and the head shape doesn't look too bad as well. I just don't think the uniloft system is very impressive. Give me a way to drop the loft down without having to crank the sole plate to compensate. I'd rather go with a lower lofted V2. The stock shaft options aren't the greatest, but most of us will be swapping for something else anyway so that isn't a huge worry.

[Caesar Palache]

[quote name='ron lefthanded holmes' timestamp='1357204418' post='6158715']
[quote name='Kadin 25' timestamp='1357198690' post='6158615']
I hit it..
I like it...
I'll have it..

Enough said.
[/quote]
didn't you get yours for free at the TM outing
[/quote]

we just got the irons

[Geez]

I much prefer the direction PING has taken with all black drivers. I will not buy a Taylormade that looks like these. Awful.
I have a set of Superfast 2.0's Driver, 3wd and 5 wd. I cannot say they are my favorites either.

[Chilli9880]

More adjustability, More graphics, More ridiculous marketing = ZERO IMPROVEMENT! I like Taylormade... But already today they've posted 3 advertisements on Facebook which are even more ridiculous than the graphics...

Haters goin hate... Lovers goin love... but my money will slide over to Nike, Titleist or Ping.

[rehberg]

Doesnt Rose get like 15 more yards every year? He should be 54 yards longer than R9. And they are seriously boasting 27 yards longer on the fairway woods. 27!!!

[sdrem]

Does anyone know if the ferrule with the loft numbers is plastic or metal. (Think reshafting issue).

[SwooshLT]

Apple and Taylormade are synonymous with over-hype.The iphone really hasn't change much yet tons flock out to get the "latest and greatest"......Taylormade has done basically the same here; minor tweaks and paint.

So what's the difference? I'm DROID 4 LIFE!! And I enjoy TM products recognizing others make damn good products! No "BEST" in consumer goods.....it's what fits to your needs and eyes......cars, clothes, electronics, golf clubs.....

So I'll give the R1 a shot hoping it spins far less than R11.Graphics are of no consequence in this case for me.

[swanry30]

[quote name='TMBob' timestamp='1357192367' post='6158269']
Sole seems very rocker-ish to me more like the R11 vs the R11s, which for me at a 45" length sat very much on the back 1/3 of the sole, or to upright.

I did not see the adjustability for lies mentioned, but I think I heard there was a bunch of more upright positions, with little flat options....is this true?

Also, some good news on the shaft front I see,

GD Di 6 and 7 finally and Oban Devo 6 and Revenge 8

I did not see Fujikura Fuel though?
[/quote]

look to see some great shafts...

motore speeder .0 / motore speeder ts .2
pxv
oban kiyoshi white
gd tour ad di

only to name a few...

and more:

fuel
ust vts silver
ozik m3, x3
phenom
magnum 44
trinity
kuro black
fubuki alpha

[SwooshLT]

Another feature is strikes lower on the face being helped ala hi-bore driver.

[hmx3]

[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1357223319' post='6159407']
[quote name='TMBob' timestamp='1357192367' post='6158269']
Sole seems very rocker-ish to me more like the R11 vs the R11s, which for me at a 45" length sat very much on the back 1/3 of the sole, or to upright.

I did not see the adjustability for lies mentioned, but I think I heard there was a bunch of more upright positions, with little flat options....is this true?

Also, some good news on the shaft front I see,

GD Di 6 and 7 finally and Oban Devo 6 and Revenge 8

I did not see Fujikura Fuel though?
[/quote]

look to see some great shafts...

motore speeder .0 / motore speeder ts .2
pxv
oban kiyoshi white
gd tour ad di

only to name a few...

and more:

fuel
ust vts silver
ozik m3, x3
phenom
magnum 44
trinity
kuro black
fubuki alpha
[/quote]

But the stock shaft sucks!!!

[Goldenhawk]

Great write up.

The graphics on the crown are growing on me. I'm all over the R1 when it's released. But from what I read, the R1 launches 0.5 degree higher than my R11S. The R11S was already a low spin driver for me. So, I'm going to have to hit some local stores to see if they got their demo heads in yet. To be honest, I'm a little irked that I have to get new adapters for my stock of R9/R11 shafts.

[billyhandsomeface]

Three months there will be another model out!

[BirdieBob]

[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1357224690' post='6159579']
Great write up.

The graphics on the crown are growing on me. I'm all over the R1 when it's released. [b]But from what I read, the R1 launches 0.5 degree higher than my R11S. [/b]The R11S was already a low spin driver for me. So, I'm going to have to hit some local stores to see if they got their demo heads in yet. To be honest, I'm a little irked that I have to get new adapters for my stock of R9/R11 shafts.
[/quote]


[color=#000000][color=#993300][b]Bottom Line: [/b][/color]TaylorMade has crept ahead with the R1 with more adjustability and more performance, but word is out on how golfers will receive the graphic-infused crown. [b]Golfers upgrading from the R11S should expect to [size=5]add 0.5 degrees of loft [/size]or more from their current setup, which will give them the high-launch, low-spin conditions necessary for more distance.[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b]The R1 will launch lower (due to CG changes) so you need more loft to achieve the same height....[/b][/color]

[smackygolf]

[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357210115' post='6158797']
Wow, that´s all and what´s new compared with my old R11?

IMO a modified R11.

And the face angle setting is useless, because you have to ground the driver.

And mostly all competitors offer a better stock shaft.

All in all TM has a name in golf, but the R1 is not a technology leader.

2013 Nike and Cobra make the pace in evolution.
[/quote]

I don't wanna quibble, but what exactly has Cobra done? At least Nike has a cavity, which is different.

[smackygolf]

[quote name='ufgatrs82' timestamp='1357216502' post='6158953']
[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1357191575' post='6158219']
Taylormade already knows how we feel, the industry is maxed out and I'm not being paid to play a walking billboard, poor form...BB
[/quote]
+1
[/quote]

So, no Cobra or Nike for you 2 either? No Ping with the matte black that they use for identification? No Adams, no logos on your shirts or shoes, and plain hats. And an unbranded bag. Got it. Show us a pic of your un-branded outfits and bags.

[jokerusn]

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1357219503' post='6159107']
[quote name='jokerusn' timestamp='1357209077' post='6158779']
I'm digging the shape of the head and deeper face but I'm not sold on the crown graphics OR the "uniloft" head. I needed a 8* head in the 11s just to keep the launch angle to a reasonable height and that was with the loft at "lower" and the sole plate at O+. (Didn't actually hit an 8* head but the 9* was just about a degree or 2 too high launching for me.) Crown graphics are easily fixed, though, if it performs.
[/quote]

Agree with this completely. Looks great and will likely perform great, if you can get past the crown. I hit the R11S and that was awesome, it's hard to think that this could be better, haha.
[/quote]

I liked the R11S too. I just couldn't get my launch angle to be below 15° without hitting down on it and spinning the crap out of it. If it really does launch lower, then maybe it'll work but I don't see any point demoing it. The Classic is in the bag and working just fine. For the R1 price, though, I could get a RFE with a 7M3 stock and it looks like a golf club.

[NTKT10]

[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225443' post='6159683']
[quote name='ufgatrs82' timestamp='1357216502' post='6158953']
[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1357191575' post='6158219']
Taylormade already knows how we feel, the industry is maxed out and I'm not being paid to play a walking billboard, poor form...BB
[/quote]
+1
[/quote]

So, no Cobra or Nike for you 2 either? No Ping with the matte black that they use for identification? No Adams, no logos on your shirts or shoes, and plain hats. And an unbranded bag. Got it. Show us a pic of your un-branded outfits and bags.
[/quote]

I think BB was implying that the R1 is barely an upgrade over the R11.

[hmx3]

[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225252' post='6159665']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357210115' post='6158797']
Wow, that´s all and what´s new compared with my old R11?

IMO a modified R11.

And the face angle setting is useless, because you have to ground the driver.

And mostly all competitors offer a better stock shaft.

All in all TM has a name in golf, but the R1 is not a technology leader.

2013 Nike and Cobra make the pace in evolution.
[/quote]

I don't wanna quibble, but what exactly has Cobra done? At least Nike has a cavity, which is different.
[/quote]

Well said, Nike has a cavity, which makes the driver more accurate and forgiving.

Nike offers an independent loft and face angle setting and not a compass, you have to ground.

And as mentioned, the KK of the Nike is a real deal quality shaft. TM offers a "made for" crap shaft.

And last but not least, the Nike is cheaper.

[smackygolf]

[quote name='NTKT10' timestamp='1357226174' post='6159757']
[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225443' post='6159683']
[quote name='ufgatrs82' timestamp='1357216502' post='6158953']
[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1357191575' post='6158219']
Taylormade already knows how we feel, the industry is maxed out and I'm not being paid to play a walking billboard, poor form...BB
[/quote]
+1
[/quote]

So, no Cobra or Nike for you 2 either? No Ping with the matte black that they use for identification? No Adams, no logos on your shirts or shoes, and plain hats. And an unbranded bag. Got it. Show us a pic of your un-branded outfits and bags.
[/quote]

I think BB was implying that the R1 is barely an upgrade over the R11.
[/quote]

I seriously hope that no one on this board thinks there is going to be anything that revolutionizes drivers ever again. There is no HUGE upgrade available to ANYONE playing a driver built after 2007 (when the designers at Cleveland hit the jackpot with shape and flight characteristics on the Hi-Bore XL and XL Tour.) At this point it's just complaining to complain.

[smackygolf]

[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357226710' post='6159839']
[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225252' post='6159665']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357210115' post='6158797']
Wow, that´s all and what´s new compared with my old R11?

IMO a modified R11.

And the face angle setting is useless, because you have to ground the driver.

And mostly all competitors offer a better stock shaft.

All in all TM has a name in golf, but the R1 is not a technology leader.

2013 Nike and Cobra make the pace in evolution.
[/quote]

I don't wanna quibble, but what exactly has Cobra done? At least Nike has a cavity, which is different.
[/quote]

Well said, Nike has a cavity, which makes the driver more accurate and forgiving.

Nike offers an independent loft and face angle setting and not a compass, you have to ground.

And as mentioned, the KK of the Nike is a real deal quality shaft. TM offers a "made for" crap shaft.

And last but not least, the Nike is cheaper.
[/quote]

YOU CANNOT CHANGE LOFT AND FACE ANGLE INDEPENDENTLY. If TM had claimed that, the same clowns would be complaining about that as well.

[pingpring]

Not a fan of the white heads and to add these graphics on top of it, ugly. I'll hit it but I'm betting the G25 will be in my bag this year.

[DuckHook02]

I just threw up in my mouth!

[rehberg]

Looks like a line up for wrestling.

[DuckHook02]

[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357226923' post='6159859']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357226710' post='6159839']
[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225252' post='6159665']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357210115' post='6158797']
Wow, that´s all and what´s new compared with my old R11?

IMO a modified R11.

And the face angle setting is useless, because you have to ground the driver.

And mostly all competitors offer a better stock shaft.

All in all TM has a name in golf, but the R1 is not a technology leader.

2013 Nike and Cobra make the pace in evolution.
[/quote]

I don't wanna quibble, but what exactly has Cobra done? At least Nike has a cavity, which is different.
[/quote]

Well said, Nike has a cavity, which makes the driver more accurate and forgiving.

Nike offers an independent loft and face angle setting and not a compass, you have to ground.

And as mentioned, the KK of the Nike is a real deal quality shaft. TM offers a "made for" crap shaft.

And last but not least, the Nike is cheaper.
[/quote]

YOU CANNOT CHANGE LOFT AND FACE ANGLE INDEPENDENTLY. If TM had claimed that, the same clowns would be complaining about that as well.
[/quote][quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357226923' post='6159859']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357226710' post='6159839']
[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225252' post='6159665']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357210115' post='6158797']
Wow, that´s all and what´s new compared with my old R11?

IMO a modified R11.

And the face angle setting is useless, because you have to ground the driver.

And mostly all competitors offer a better stock shaft.

All in all TM has a name in golf, but the R1 is not a technology leader.

2013 Nike and Cobra make the pace in evolution.
[/quote]

I don't wanna quibble, but what exactly has Cobra done? At least Nike has a cavity, which is different.
[/quote]

Well said, Nike has a cavity, which makes the driver more accurate and forgiving.

Nike offers an independent loft and face angle setting and not a compass, you have to ground.

And as mentioned, the KK of the Nike is a real deal quality shaft. TM offers a "made for" crap shaft.

And last but not least, the Nike is cheaper.
[/quote]

YOU CANNOT CHANGE LOFT AND FACE ANGLE INDEPENDENTLY. If TM had claimed that, the same clowns would be complaining about that as well.
[/quote]

Are you the TM public relations director? Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint/decision on the merits of the club.

[hmx3]

[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357226923' post='6159859']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357226710' post='6159839']
[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225252' post='6159665']
[quote name='hmx3' timestamp='1357210115' post='6158797']
Wow, that´s all and what´s new compared with my old R11?

IMO a modified R11.

And the face angle setting is useless, because you have to ground the driver.

And mostly all competitors offer a better stock shaft.

All in all TM has a name in golf, but the R1 is not a technology leader.

2013 Nike and Cobra make the pace in evolution.
[/quote]

I don't wanna quibble, but what exactly has Cobra done? At least Nike has a cavity, which is different.
[/quote]

Well said, Nike has a cavity, which makes the driver more accurate and forgiving.

Nike offers an independent loft and face angle setting and not a compass, you have to ground.

And as mentioned, the KK of the Nike is a real deal quality shaft. TM offers a "made for" crap shaft.

And last but not least, the Nike is cheaper.
[/quote]

YOU CANNOT CHANGE LOFT AND FACE ANGLE INDEPENDENTLY. If TM had claimed that, the same clowns would be complaining about that as well.
[/quote]

Come on, let us know the facts.

Fact is, you have to ground the R1 and Nike offers a face angle setting, which is independent from loft and grounding!!!!

[rehberg]

YOU CANNOT CHANGE LOFT AND FACE ANGLE INDEPENDENTLY. If TM had claimed that, the same clowns would be complaining about that as well.


Are you the TM public relations director? Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint/decision on the merits of the club.


Huh? Think it would have to do more with R&D and less with public relations on this claim. Correct, they do not act independently. Mathematically impossible. Unless there are two different hosel movements.

[hmx3]

[quote name='rehberg' timestamp='1357227554' post='6159933']
YOU CANNOT CHANGE LOFT AND FACE ANGLE INDEPENDENTLY. If TM had claimed that, the same clowns would be complaining about that as well.


Are you the TM public relations director? Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint/decision on the merits of the club.


Huh? Think it would have to do more with R&D and less with public relations on this claim. Correct, they do not act independently. Mathematically impossible. Unless there are two different hosel movements.
[/quote]

Ok, you think!!!

[jehardt15]

The graphics on the crown are disgusting. I think Taylormade failed here

[chickenpotpie]

[quote name='easyyy' timestamp='1356657329' post='6126365']

[color=#000000]The R1 is shipped with a standard loft of 10 degrees and face angle that is designed to be "visually square" at address (TaylorMade says a visually square face angle actually measures 2 degrees open). If 1.5 degrees of additional loft is added, the face angle will close 3 degrees. But by wrenching the face angle adapter to the 3-degrees open setting, a golfer can return the face angle to visually square.[/color]
[/quote]

This part intrigues me. What do they define as visually square?

[Big Ben]

[quote name='smackygolf' timestamp='1357225443' post='6159683']
[quote name='ufgatrs82' timestamp='1357216502' post='6158953']
[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1357191575' post='6158219']
Taylormade already knows how we feel, the industry is maxed out and I'm not being paid to play a walking billboard, poor form...BB
[/quote]
+1
[/quote]

So, no Cobra or Nike for you 2 either? No Ping with the matte black that they use for identification? No Adams, no logos on your shirts or shoes, and plain hats. And an unbranded bag. Got it. Show us a pic of your un-branded outfits and bags.
[/quote]All things being relative I will choose what looks and performs best for me and that will not be a retailer driven marketing campaign disguised as a golf club. I also do not support a company that bastardized every previous model by making wild claims and statements about the previous models drawbacks, its a turnoff and disrespectful to each person who baught into "R11s is longer and better than R11", now its R11s not optimized on center of face hits, really?? Just my opinion buts it's in very poor taste...BB