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

[D Smith]

I really liked the Burner driver & fairway last year, but had issues with the paint scheme and lack of adjustability in the driver which ultimately prevented me from pulling the trigger (I hated the BURNER logo that was visible on the toe of the clubs). These look like an absolute winner! I'm in love with the paint scheme and overall look of the clubs and can't wait to hit all the RBZ gear!

My question is: Why does TM paint all the TP shafts to look the same rather than sticking with individual shafts standard graphics? I don't mind the stock shafts having themed graphics, put paying big $$$ for an upgrade shaft dressed in TM graphics stinks.

[jabrch]

What area of Golf technology research is TM investing most heavy in?

[Tallen01]

What specific technologies did you employ to extract the extra distance?

[LA_]

With the introduction of the R series and now the RBZ are you still going to produce a "Burner" line. It seems strange you are going away from a product line with such name recognition and built up goodwill over the past decade.

[sandiegonative]

Question #1:
[u][b]What is your response to golfers who complain about the over-saturation of TM drivers/woods? Is it TM's expectation that golfers will buy new drivers ($400/each) every year? Is it fair for an early R11 adopter to have their driver be obsolete in a year?[/b][/u]
- For example, [url="http://press.tmag.com/2011/01/03/taylormade-introduces-r11-and-r11-tp-drivers/"]the R11 was released in February of 2011[/url] and sure enough, a year later [url="http://press.tmag.com/2011/12/12/taylormade-golf-launches-r11s-the-most-adjustable-driver-in-golf/"]the R11S will be released in February of 2012[/url]. This has been TM's Modus Operandi (MO) for the last few drivers, release a driver (i.e R11) with minimum features (ASP, FCT, and MWT) and then a year later release a similar driver (R11S) with additional features (460cc head, new 5-sided ASP, new FCT, and MWT). It is hard to believe that the new technology (460cc head, 5 sided ASP and new FCT) was developed in the time between the original R11 and R11S. [u][b]With that said, why not offer a complete driver with all features up front and change the product life cycle to 2 years vice 1 year?[/b][/u]

Question #2:
[u][b]For all the traditionalists, will TM be releasing drivers in black?[/b][/u]

[brentk14]

It seems like every year, companies are saying their equipment is 10-15 yards further than the previous year. At what point do you think this will max out? I'm very interested in the speedballz 3 wood, but is it going to make my 2 year old driver obsolete? I'd also be worried the yardage gap from fwy woods to my irons is going to get outrageous.

[BirdKiller14]

I would like to know what the custom shaft offerings are going to be this year?

[henricogolfer]

What is the most significant change over previous TM offerings? (ie: Why should I upgrade?)

[stage1350]

Most of your products are gearing towards lighter total weight and shaft weight for more total distance. For some players, the lighter total weight is creating consistency issues.

With a heavier shaft (80-100g) in the fairway wood, how does this affect the clubhead performance since it was most likely weighted and designed for a lighter shaft?

[Matty Fatts]

In the past Camilo was the face of the burner line, but played a custom set of burner irons more geared toward the lower handicap players...which seems to be the opposite intentions of the particular line, "game improvement"... (his model wasn't available at retail)...


[b][i]What are the variations the general public will see in club availability? ie, less offset, weaker lofts, higher cog...[/i][/b]

[lobub]

Why does the RBZ driver not have a slot like the fairway wood? Is there a design limitation?

[jerryo]

With the new RBZ line the focus is on more distance with fairway woods and rescues. I appreciate distance in my fairways and rescue clubs but my primary concern is on accuracy. These are placement clubs: short par 4s, long par 3s, par 5 approaches for example. How is Taylormade addressing not only distance but accuracy with the new lines?

Thanks.

[Randagios]

Why is the slot on your RBZ FW only on the bottom of the club and not also on the top?

Are you offering R11s FW in Ti as you did with the R11?

The RBZ driver has a FCT shaft but not the FW: which are the reason for such a decision?

[chew116]

1) What are your tour staffers gravitating towards..RBZ, R11s? or, a mix of both?

2) To add to a previous question..going forward into the future, do you already have something new in the works that was left out? Specifically in regards to fitting. I've heard a rumor Taylormade will be the first company to incorporate computer technology into the club head for fitting purposes. Can you talk a little about the possibility of that?

[3JackWilly]

With a big push for lightweight technology, we see that many companies are making clubheads lighter and shafts longer. Will the Rocketballz line bring back a little bit heavier weight along with a correct length shaft, or will we still see the push to have longer graphite shafts? I like the idea of the velocity slot on the bottom of the club. How will it affect the flight of the new 3 woods? Thanks for coming by and taking the opportunity to talk with us!


Hope I can have a chance to win such an amazing prize!!


P.S.- The new hats look sick!!!

[stonyman]

I just started back in the golf world after not playing since high school. I have picked up most of my equipment used here on the BST so why would I want to go and try these RBZ irons out? What real world benefits do these provide that my Adams A7's don't? I know you guys have to come out with a release every year or people would think you aren't doing your job but there is so much marketing hype behind golf equipment it makes it difficult for a newer player to cut through all the fat and get to the meat.

Thanks.

[skyleralan]

I understand the RBZ will be using "speed technology" how does this technology work, and how does it differ from achieving fast swing speeds and ball speeds through "lighter, longer clubs"?

[typhoonoid]

why did you decide to use green in the color scheme?

[bayergolf]

Q1: What feedback/acceptance have you received from the tour on the RBZ line and do you anticipate seeing a balance of players gaming the RBZ and R11?

Q2: What can we expect for a marketing campaign for the RBZ following last year's NYC "White Out" Range and R11 Foul Pole at Petco Park?

[is76550]

My questions to Taylor Made are
1) What arethe improvements in the new rbz irons over the burner 2.0s?
2) Will you be offering a "B" version similar to the R9 Bs?
3) Do you continue to plan on making titanium fairway woods? I LOVE my R11 ti as its the only 3 wood to beat out my R5 Dual.
Thanks for your time an the giveaway.

[ronstars]

Will there be a Ti version of the 3 wood?



This would make for a killer xmas gift for me!

[Harp]

The vast majority of tour professionals are plenty long enough and consequently, many place an emphasis on control rather than length for their fairway metals - thus, with the emphatic promise of distance, will Taylor Made's staff players need or desire to play a Rocketballz three-wood that seems, by the tone of the advertising at least, to be engineered mostly for length? Furthermore, will low handicap players find the Rocketballz to be a workable club given that it's so 'hot'?

With thanks to Taylor Made & Golfwrx.

[Solutions Etcetera]

While I figure everyone is looking for more distance, high cappers are also looking for forgiveness. Will the RBZ line-up include high forgiveness models?

[chicgolf19]

Why choose green as the color scheme for Rocketballz?

[LoopySwing13]

With the continued success of your metal woods, how do you decide which areas to improve from product cycle to product cycle?

[flopadopalos]

As a user of a strong 3wood, if i bought an RBZ stong 3 wood and Driver, I would have two clubs that go the same distance. Is this a new problem?

[Tom D]

1. Do you think that it is unfair for people to be relating TaylorMade to brands such as Dunlop because of the Rocketballz name?

2. I hear from a lot of companies that there clubs will go further than the previous line or another company's clubs, what proof do you have that the Rocketballz line goes further?

3. On the R11s there are five face angle adjustments. Do you think that this much adjustability is useful to the average golfer or will it just confuse them?

4. Will the Rocketballz line replace the Burner line?

5. How long will TaylorMade stay all white?

[JakeDeZoort]

How will the RBZ Woods compare to BRNR 2.0?

[chickenpotpie]

If I buy an RBZ 3-wood, why should I carry a driver? Seems like this would be much more versatile, and would allow me to carry another wedge?

[EWL5]

Will the R11S heads be 100% compatible with the R11 sleeves?