DEC. 20 CHAT WITH TAYLORMADE (Read what TMag replied to all of your questions pg 12)

[AUDuffer]

Sakman asked a similar question, but I'd like to know about what the possibility of the speed slot being moved into other clubs like hybrids and drivers? What would be the benefits and what are the current limitations that are preventing it from happening at this point?

What was the reasoning between the three different price points now?

How far away are we from seeing adjustability in irons--is this something we will in game improvement irons or can the technology be applied to irons for all different levels of players?

[mwpeters19]

What difference(s) should we expect to see between the RBZ fairways and the Adams F11? Thanks!

[TexMex36]

My question is simple. With all of the breakthroughs that Taylormade has had in the past few years (the replaceable face wedges, the 5 layer ball, adjustable drivers, white putters and driver) what's next? How will the brand continue to move forward and grow? It seems like so much has been accomplished so quickly, how much longer will you keep releasing great products?

[RookieBlue7]

TMag,
As a relatively new to TaylorMade consumer (been playing golf for years just never really got into TMag product), my question as a club ho is this:

What all lofts will be available in the RBZ line of fairways, and what are the differences in the RBZ driver and R11s? I noticed the speed pocket isn't on the RBZ driver also, how would this effect distance versus the RBZ fairways that are reported to be longer than any previous model? My reasoning behind that question is in relation to gapping.

My other question is a more general one in relation to one of your technologies. That tech is MWT. I own an R11 and believe in it, but I've read studies by highly respected individuals in the industry and such reporting that MWT is a placebo effect as opposed to the relocation of weight having an actual effect on flight. The number they keep throwing out for the amount of weight that has to be relocated to change flight and it not be placebo is 40 grams. I'm curious as to how that has been debunked, as I believe the MWT works as they're looking at it from the grams of the weights and not considering the actual weighting bias differences when moving one weight from heel to toe actually being double the bias weight difference (example relocating a 10 gram weight actually changes the polar weighting by 20 grams as you're subtracting it from one pole and moving it to the opposite pole, this adding that weight again). Just curious if someone could provide a technical explaination as to how it works.


And lastly, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and providing this opportunity.

[Chappie]

I'm intrigued by this latest line of offerings. Taylormade was arguably one of the first to go after the light-weight shaft and light-weight head market, trying to add distance for the higher handicap/lower swing speed players. The Superfast lines are pretty much the ultimate fruition of this kind of innovation. This drew mixed reviews among our fair community (though was ultimately super-popular), depending on who you talked to, as a lot of lower handicapped players found this to be a pain to get the right swing weight and balance in their clubs, but at the same time was very popular to the less-nuanced audience, who definitely found the benefits in the Superfast technology. My question is this: After many competitors have also moved to this technology, from Adams to Cleveland, why is it you are now (seemingly) moving away from it with the RBZ line, or are you? I have to say that from my point-of-view, it seems that you are and that actually is very refreshing for me. lighter weight doesn't always have to = distance, nor do 48" shafts (which I think are ridiculous in a non-long driving situation), and I'm glad that so far, it seems that isn't your approach.

Can't wait for the chat. I'm off that day so it will be awesome timing for me.

[MCoz]

I have a question in which I can never seem to get an answer:
Why doesn't any OEM make a more forgiving, longer distance set of irons for the aging better players who have played "players" clubs all of their lives, that tends to play a draw and now is looking for some help but WITHOUT the offsets all of these clubs have?

There is a big group of people in the baby-boomer category who learned with and have played non-offset blades and blade-like profile cavity backs.

I am a +1 to 1 hdcp, 59 yr old small guy (5' 7"- 150 lbs) similar in size to Pavin and Sluman. Right now I am playing the R9 TP-Bs, after this I don't have a place to go an I have tried everything current. How about a "B" version of the R11's?

[Mat905s]

What kind of options can we, lefties, expect from the new product line?

[J13]

Who is your target market for the RBZ series?

Do you think sales will exceed the R11?

[juanki]

my question is about adjustability.

now you can have five different lofts on the same driver, in the past with the 440 r11 you offered two lofts, 9 & 10.5. would you offer also two lofts? what wolud they be? or only one? as a 10 can go from 7.5 up to 12.5.. tnx for this great chance of getting something that will knock out my i15 3 wood.

[Boudreaux]

What are the TP shaft offerings for the R11s and RBZ? Same as 2011 R11 options?

[leo the lion]

Yet again TaylorMade reaches out to the envelope of evolution.............

Question.............The new 3 wood looks like it will be a huge success. Are you considering this technology for your other fairway and hybrid offerings?

P.S............R11S will have a huge impact and love the changes you've made from the original R11.................You've improved an already excellent product and made it even better.

[skshkim]

Question- With the increase in amateur players and even weekend warriors looking for fitted options, are there any plans to make taylormade fittings more available to the general public?

[BILLYMALOOLY]

The rbz chanel looks deeper and wider allso not on the crown this looks much better then the f11 to me, so how does it compair to the adams f11 ? Ide so give my right rocket ball for one of those boxes please pick me lol. TY TaylorMade for all you do for us.

[w8liftr]

During the research and development process, approximately how many prototype models are fabricated and tested before the final version?

Also, is the shaft brand/model chosen from the initial design phase, or is everyone in the pool until a winner becomes clear?

Thanks!
w8

[DallasSteve]

Did TaylorMade consider using other materials in the R11S. If so, why is titanium superior to composite materials in a driver?

[rascre]

With the radical change in head design (speed slot), will we be seeing more traditional fairway wood lengths? Or will we continue to see longer shaft lengths as part of the equation for longer shots off the tee and fairway?

[bigfoot10s]

Are all of the TM Tour players on board with this new technology? Seems like it could get a little troublesome always having to change your numbers because the equipment is getting longer.


Also, How long did it take for TM to develop this new technology? Was it being developed even when the Burner technology was being introduced?

[youngwaldo]

Why did TM decide to take advantage of the COR in fairway wood now and not previously? How do you think other OEM will follow TM in this innovation?

Wk

[JLew27]

While the white color has been hugely popular in 2011 (and looks to be in 2012), it does turn off a segment of consumers who do not like the white color. Why did Taylormade not consider releasing two versions (white and black) to open the market further?

[Chef Otto]

The RBZ appears to have a very deep face compared to other fairways. I can see a benefit in this when the ball is hit from a tee but how will the deep face effect the club from a fairway lie?

Thanks.

[iH83Putting]

What lofts will they come in? 4 wood?

[PKMillerJr]

How do the R 11 S fairway wood and the RBZ fairway wood stack up against each other in terms of distance?

[burgosity]

With the release of the R11 S and RBZ lines will there be more options for the left handed player than the current R11 and Burner lines. Also any plans in the near future release a Ghost Spider or other putter models in belly lengths for lefties. Thanks TaylorMade for your time.

[horse1]

Is the RBZ a replacement of the Burners ?

[horse1]

I currently play R11 driver & woods. I need you to please give me a good reason I can use on my wife so she will allow me to upgrade. Make ita good one Please !

[adfrick]

The 3 wood I am sold on with all the descriptors and hype. I need the distance. What I am curious about is why should i replace my R11 Driver for either an RBZ or R11S? I see the extra size in the R11S as well as added adjustability, but will I truly see any performance gains if COR is already maxed out? I recently went through a fitting at the TMAG performance lab here in Plano, TX and got fit for the R11, but now do I look at switching come February? It's a great experience that i recommend to all GolfWRXers.

Thank you for your time and the opportunity to interact with TMAG.

[Pablito Woods]

What was the thought process behind changing the color scheme in the new RBZ line? Seeing as you have used red as one of your main colors in your lines of clubs, especially the Burner line, it seems that switching to green signifies a new direction in the marketing of your clubs. Did you switch to green after doing some type of research on the effects of aesthetics to consumers, or was it simply something you thought would be better looking and maybe separate the new RBZ line from the direction the Burner line was going in?

[CBedo]

Lots of great questions.

My question is with the USGA restricting size and COR, what other factors besides lower weight are you researching to increase distance?

And related to the first questions, what areas are being researched to help the player with his consistency of ball striking, not just distance?

Thanks.

[Vinny Nguyen]

What about the RBZ line would push me to drop what I'm using now and pick it up? Thanks!

[cmrl1986]

"what makes the average golfer choose either the R11 or RBZ lines over any other drivers out there right now?