SLDR Anonymous Meeting

[Booker]

Who the heck fit you in to a 7.5 degree SLDR?

 

My thoughts exactly, I don't know of a tour player that played one at 7.5, maybe dL3.

[Oaks]

7.5 430 as well...

 

I tried a 430 9* and it was only low left ducks. My 460 will never leave me though

[Rutgersgolf]

Who the heck fit you in to a 7.5 degree SLDR?

Ryan H. @ The Golf Lab.

[PixlPutterman]

Holy angle of attack Batman

[Rutgersgolf]

Holy angle of attack Batman

I guess that was the reasoning for it, but I feel even with a higher than normal AoA there were betting fitting options. Hindsight has a way of showing up too late.

[bobcat]

See 'The SLDR Fix' in Post # 77 on Page 3 of this thread! You can finally say goodbye to the dreaded 'low hook miss' so common with the original SLDR Driver... :yes:

 

Works like a charm!.. :good:

 

 

:golfer:

[Burt Chance]

See 'the Fix' in Post #77 on Page 3 of this thread! You can finally say goodbye to the dreaded low hook miss that is so common with the original SLDR Driver... :yes:

 

It works!.. :good:

 

 

:golfer:

 

[bobcat]

Just an update: I finally got the SLDR-C. With the current sale, it was only $55 from Taylormadepreowned. I got it this morning. Better than "mint," it was brand-new (no "demo" or "arp" designation), the head still shrink-wrapped. It included a new head cover, which I kinda like--mostly knit and a little retro. (I have to say that address, it reminds me of an old R580XD.) Anyway, I took it out to the course for a quick nine this afternoon, and didn't even hit it on the range first. It's as long as the original SLDR when hit on center; when hit off-center, it's far longer than the original. And it's very straight. I hit 7 of 7 fairways today--the first time I could say that since I got the original SLDR for Xmas back in 2014. And not a whiff of the 'left miss.' I'm an old guy (68) with a slow swing speed (@87 mph), so I got the 12* with an M-flex, but the flight is piercing/medium high. And I actually like the SLDR-57 shaft. Does Bobcat get carried away when talking about the SLDR-C? Uh, yeah. Is he right about this club? I think he is. How would a low-capper fare with this club? If he or she can handle the SLDR 460, they'd tear it up with the SLDR-C. Guess I don't need these meetings anymore.

 

The SLDR-C Driver is indeed an excellent choice for you, tucsonsean!.. :good:

 

That said, I still recommend that you perform 'the SLDR Fix' on the original SLDR Driver that your wife gave to you, (assuming you intend to keep it).. Once 'the fix' is applied, it would make an excellent backup driver!... :yes:

[jafstar]

Been bouncing around with Driver this Summer and couldn't help but pair a Kuro Kage Black X-Stiff with a JDM SLDR 10*....

 

Shot a decent 9 hole round and only had one drive with poor contact... I know it might have just been a good day but I think the SLDR likes late Summer early Fall weather....

[MSB]

My SLDR experiment last 3 months. Misses were low and left out of nowhere. Glad someone else has that problem now.

[bobcat]

The 'SLDR Fix' is located in Post 77 on Page 3 of this thread...here's a link...

SLDR Anonymous Meeting - Equipment - GolfWRX - Page 3

 

If you want to eliminate the dreaded 'low hook miss' so common to both the 430 and 460cc SLDR Drivers of 2013-2014, simply go back to that post and learn how to apply 'the SLDR Fix'.. :yes:

 

Detailed and illustrated instructions can be found in that Post!.. :)

 

You don't necessarily have to 'give up' yet on your long-hitting, (but inconsistent), SLDR Driver... :nono:

 

Just apply 'the fix' to get the consistency you been missing with it!...You'll be so glad you did! :yahoo:

 

THIS FIX WORKS FOLKS!... :good:

 

:golfer:

[jewofgolf]

Well, I'll be joining this party soon. I'll be picking up a SLDR 430 9* and I have a Speeder EVO 757 Tour Spec X on the way for it. I'll be applying the fix and playing it at my normal 44.25". I will compare this against my Vapor Flex/8a4 combo and report back. Gotta keep up with the young guns - hopefully this will get me a few more yards!

[bobcat]

Well, I'll be joining this party soon. I'll be picking up a SLDR 430 (9*) and I have a Speeder EVO 757 Tour Spec X on the way for it. I'll be applying the fix and playing it at my normal 44.25". I will compare this against my Vapor Flex/8a4 combo and report back. Gotta keep up with the young guns - hopefully this will get me a few more yards!

 

A 9* loft is 'pretty low' for the SLDR 430 Driver, so just be sure you can handle a loft that low!

 

Remember there is a need to 'loft up' with any of the original SLDR Drivers from 2013-2014, and the 430 actually tends to launch a bit lower than the 460. (CG was placed far forward, for very low spin).

 

​These drivers will 'play' at least 1.5* to 2* lower than the loft stated on the club. Better to go with a higher loft and then 'adjusting the loft down', (opening the face), if needed. This assumes you have one of the original adjustable hosel (430 or 460) charcoal grey models. The SLDR Silver 'S' Retail model actually has a bonded,(non-adjustable) hosel..

 

Take my own example for instance:.I have always played a 9* or 9.5* lofted Driver, but I needed a whopping 12* loft in the 2014 SLDR 430 Driver. It's a fact that many people made the mistake of buying a SLDR Driver in a loft that was too low for them, which led to many of those SLDR drivers being returned to their Retail place of purchase In fact, that problem became so pervasive that it eventually led to Taylormade's development of a huge 'loft up' campaign to 'educate' potential buyers, (and existing users), so they understood that from a 'loft needed' standpoint, the SLDR was just not an 'ordinary' driver.

 

So yes, the SLDR is an enigma when it comes to the loft required. The loft actually needed will always be more that what you 'thought' you needed based on your personal history with other drivers. The lone exception to the 'loft up' requirement within the SLDR Family of Drivers is the SLDR-C, but that redesigned bonded hosel model did not come out until mid-2015. The loft on the (gloss black) SLDR-C is 'normalized', so unlike the original SLDR Drivers, the SLDR-C will play true to its stated loft.

 

I am offering this advice with the hope that anyone buying a used 2013-2014 SLDR Driver now will be able to avoid making the same buying mistakes with regard to loft that so many others made in past. I also recommend that you apply 'the SLDR Fix' shown in Post #77 on Page 3 of this thread. It will resolve the 'low hook miss' so common to the original SLDR drivers, and significantly improve consistency... :hi:

.

:golfer:

[jewofgolf]

Well, I'll be joining this party soon. I'll be picking up a SLDR 430 (9*) and I have a Speeder EVO 757 Tour Spec X on the way for it. I'll be applying the fix and playing it at my normal 44.25". I will compare this against my Vapor Flex/8a4 combo and report back. Gotta keep up with the young guns - hopefully this will get me a few more yards!

 

A 9* loft is 'pretty low' for the SLDR 430 Driver, so just be sure you can handle a loft that low!

 

Remember there is a need to 'loft up' with any of the original SLDR Drivers from 2013-2014, and the 430 actually tends to launch a bit lower than the 460.

 

​These drivers will 'play' at least 1.5* to 2* lower than the loft stated on the club. Better to go with a higher loft and then 'adjusting the loft down', (opening the face), if needed. This assumes you have one of the original adjustable hosel (430 or 460) charcoal grey models. The SLDR Silver 'S' Retail model actually has a bonded,(non-adjustable) hosel..

 

Take my own example for instance:.I have always played a 9* or 9.5* lofted Driver, but I needed a whopping 12* loft in the 2014 SLDR 430 Driver. It's a fact that many people made the mistake of buying a SLDR Driver in a loft that was too low for them, which led to many of those SLDR drivers being returned to their Retail place of purchase In fact, that problem became so pervasive that it eventually led to Taylormade's development of a huge 'loft up' campaign to 'educate' potential buyers, (and existing users), so they understood that from a 'loft needed' standpoint, the SLDR was just not an 'ordinary' driver.

 

So yes, the SLDR is an enigma when it comes to the loft required. The loft actually needed will always be more that what you 'thought' you needed based on your personal history with other drivers. The lone exception to the 'loft up' requirement within the SLDR Family of Drivers is the SLDR-C, but that redesigned bonded hosel model did not come out until mid-2015. The loft on the (gloss black) SLDR-C is 'normalized', so unlike the original SLDR Drivers, the SLDR-C will play true to its stated loft.

 

I am offering this advice with the hope that anyone buying a used 2013-2014 SLDR Driver now will be able to avoid making the same buying mistakes with regard to loft that so many others made in past. I also recommend that you apply 'the SLDR Fix' shown in Post #77 on Page 3 of this thread. It will resolve the 'low hook miss' so common to the original SLDR drivers, and significantly improve consistency... :hi:

.

:golfer:

 

Thanks bobcat. I've got to see it to believe it first. I'll sell the head if need be.

[bobcat]

Thanks bobcat. I've got to see it to believe it first. I'll sell the head if need be.

 

Thanks for reading, and best of luck with the 9* SLDR 430!... :)

 

(I take it you are a very high ball hitter as a 9* lofted SLDR 430 would be very challenging for most of us)

 

Anyone struggling with a loft-too-low driver may want to try this:: Tee the ball up higher than your normal would, then tilt away from the target, (from your waist), so that your rear shoulder is now lower than the target-facing front shoulder at address. Ensure the ball is a placed slightly more 'forward' in your stance than it would be for a properly-lofted driver... (cool)

 

This 'higher launch' setup position makes it easier to 'hit up' on the ball. You need to catch the ball slightly on the upswing to increase the launch angle and maximize carry distance. These setup adjustments are essential if you are playing a driver with a loft lower than it really should be for your particular swing.. :yes:

 

:golfer:

[jewofgolf]

Alright so i got it all set up and with the fix i was leaving everything right at the range. Undid the fix and played today.

 

Holy cow. With range balls it was falling out of the sky and I was worried. But with real balls this was insane. The ball was carrying where my flex ended up and rolling another 30 yards plus. It was awesome.

 

And the best thing is how straight it is. Seriously. I can't wait to play again tomorrow.

[jewofgolf]

Man this head is a game changer. Played in some wind today. Firm fairways. The flex was giving me 280-290. This club was only less than 280 when straight into the wind (and those were 270-280 where normally I would get 255-270). Hit one 328 in a crosswind and 361!!! downwind.

 

I'm sure I'll try an m1 430 for comparison. I don't know how it can get any better than this, though.

[ESP]

Well, I'll be joining this party soon. I'll be picking up a SLDR 430 (9*) and I have a Speeder EVO 757 Tour Spec X on the way for it. I'll be applying the fix and playing it at my normal 44.25". I will compare this against my Vapor Flex/8a4 combo and report back. Gotta keep up with the young guns - hopefully this will get me a few more yards!

 

A 9* loft is 'pretty low' for the SLDR 430 Driver, so just be sure you can handle a loft that low!

 

Remember there is a need to 'loft up' with any of the original SLDR Drivers from 2013-2014, and the 430 actually tends to launch a bit lower than the 460.

 

​These drivers will 'play' at least 1.5* to 2* lower than the loft stated on the club. Better to go with a higher loft and then 'adjusting the loft down', (opening the face), if needed. This assumes you have one of the original adjustable hosel (430 or 460) charcoal grey models. The SLDR Silver 'S' Retail model actually has a bonded,(non-adjustable) hosel..

 

Take my own example for instance:.I have always played a 9* or 9.5* lofted Driver, but I needed a whopping 12* loft in the 2014 SLDR 430 Driver. It's a fact that many people made the mistake of buying a SLDR Driver in a loft that was too low for them, which led to many of those SLDR drivers being returned to their Retail place of purchase In fact, that problem became so pervasive that it eventually led to Taylormade's development of a huge 'loft up' campaign to 'educate' potential buyers, (and existing users), so they understood that from a 'loft needed' standpoint, the SLDR was just not an 'ordinary' driver.

 

So yes, the SLDR is an enigma when it comes to the loft required. The loft actually needed will always be more that what you 'thought' you needed based on your personal history with other drivers. The lone exception to the 'loft up' requirement within the SLDR Family of Drivers is the SLDR-C, but that redesigned bonded hosel model did not come out until mid-2015. The loft on the (gloss black) SLDR-C is 'normalized', so unlike the original SLDR Drivers, the SLDR-C will play true to its stated loft.

 

I am offering this advice with the hope that anyone buying a used 2013-2014 SLDR Driver now will be able to avoid making the same buying mistakes with regard to loft that so many others made in past. I also recommend that you apply 'the SLDR Fix' shown in Post #77 on Page 3 of this thread. It will resolve the 'low hook miss' so common to the original SLDR drivers, and significantly improve consistency... :hi:

.

:golfer:

 

Thanks bobcat. I've got to see it to believe it first. I'll sell the head if need be.

 

I went on the SLDR WRX trip and was fit in to a 460 9.5. All drivers up to that point for me were in the 8.5 to 9.5 range so the whole loft up didn't really apply to me. If I recall no one on the trip ended up in anyhing higher than 10.5 and Tom Kroll the TM guy made a comment that he was surprised that we were all fit into traditional lofts given the thought of needing to loft up. The trip was in April and my swing wasn't great at the time. After I got home from the trip I found a 430 9* that has been the longest driver I have ever played. I switched to an M1 440 this summer. It's about as long and slightly more forgiving. Long story short I didn't have trouble launching the 430 9*.

[Equipto]

Good friend of mine left the SLDR for the r15, then the g30, and is now back to his SLDR.

 

He is a really high spin player so the SLDR seems to work the best when he can control his cut.

[mosesgolf]

I've accepted the fact that this head is going to hook so I play a 14* set all the way open with weight on toe. This is my high launch high draw 250 yard club for tight holes or for holes that I don't hit to hit 280 plus off the tee. :D

[bobcat]

I did Bob and it works very well! :good:

 

Testimony from yet another player now enjoying his SLDR Driver thanks to 'The SLDR Fix'... :)

[Jack Pearsall]

He has played only 4 rounds with his 43o w Speeder 661. He hits this driver longer than his last one.

It is too early to say, but he likes aspects a lot - the low spin head can go be set flat which helps and it launches low-mid. But if he tees it high, the head size allows JP to launch high. He likes that the shaft and head allow him to swing pretty full on without as much danger to the right, his miss. JP loves the look and sound. The head frames the ball extremely well for Jack Pearsall. He likes the shaft but thinks XS would have been a better choice. He does not hook it, did not mod it, and has the weight set 3/4 to the toe. He is encouraged...It is real early.

[PixlPutterman]

I'm back in the club, stumbled up a 9.5 460 with an Attas 5 GoGo for a song at my local shop.... hit 5 balls at the range with it and proceeded to list all my other drivers for sale.....I can't remember the last time I had confidence like this with the driver.

 

SLDR fix applied as well...it literally cured my obsession with trying every driver possible.

[jmilt13]

Does SLDR anonymous still meet? Asking for a friend..

 

Any equivalent in past few years?

[oskaru]

6 hours ago, jmilt13 said:

Does SLDR anonymous still meet? Asking for a friend..

 

Any equivalent in past few years?

I just found a Goldilocks SIM head that I can't get out of the bag, and that was the first thing that gave my SLDR 430 10.5 a run for it's money. I'm not sold on the 460 footprint though.

 

TSi4 is a good one to try I guess. 

[Whatnogarnish]

Funny this thread popped up. I’m in between drivers and put a sldr in the bag yesterday with a TP ust attas shaft.. I love the deep face so much! Nice small fade all round with it. 

[DixieD]

Have still never been past where that crazy son of a gun put me on some holes.... but also have never been further left than it put me on many a hole either!