Taylormade V-Steel: Band of Brothers

smokedturkey · April 15, 2016

Yep, feel, look, and sound make it a satisfying club to hit. FW woods are about hitting a specific distance, not how far you can hit it.

I wish TM had made a V Steel Driver.

The did, it was called the TaylorMade 200 Steel!

For the time frame when the V Steel was released, the R510, 540 & 580 were released. I may try a R540 as an experiment this year, they are cheap.

I had a 10 year break from playing until last summer and the R540 was the driver in my bag before updating to a G30. Club hits the ball solid and has a nice feel but probably has too much spin vs what's on the market now. But I have recently bent a PW 2 degrees so I could get rid of one of my wedges to make some room in my bag for guess what????? That's right my V Steel 5 wood. Experimenting with it now. First reimpression of hitting it again is wow it gets the ball high in the air.

FerrisBueller · April 16, 2016

Is anyone using a 13 degree V-steel? I can't seem to hit this loft well compared to the 15 degree. I'm wondering if the problem is the shaft in the 13 as it is a Diamana and the 15 has a OEM mas2. Any suggestions for a shaft change would be welcome.

I play the 13 t/s with a Dg steel shaft. Pretty tough to hit anything but a fade from the deck, but it is a monster from the tee. I love it!

bobcat · April 28, 2016

Thinking that Taylormade probably has a patent on the V-Steel sole design, otherwise you would think other brands would copy it. Haven't found another Fairway Wood sole design that glides through the turf like the V-Steels do. I've got to believe the sole design is the main reason for the V-Steel's success and longevity.

Still love it!... :wub:

chch3 · April 28, 2016

I got a question for all my v steel people out there. I am having a problem with shafts. The head on the three wood is so heavy that it is affecting the flex on the shaft. Do you guys tip trim more, or do you go up a flex and put it straight in?

blink3665 · April 28, 2016

Thinking that Taylormade probably has a patent on the V-Steel sole design, otherwise you would think other brands would copy it. Haven't found another Fairway Wood sole design that glides through the turf like the V-Steels do. I've got to believe the sole design is the main reason for the V-Steel's success and longevity.

Still love it!... :wub:

The Adams Fast10 has a simliar sole design (kinda funny seeing how those two companies ended up). IIRC the F10 had a slightly thinner face height and different head shape. but the sole was very simliar.

I got a question for all my v steel people out there. I am having a problem with shafts. The head on the three wood is so heavy that it is affecting the flex on the shaft. Do you guys tip trim more, or do you go up a flex and put it straight in?

I used a heavier and more tip stiff shaft than I normally use. And I tipped it an extra 1/2" ;) I'm not a big swinger, but it works really well for me.

chch3 · April 28, 2016

I am thinking about just putting a steel shaft in mine and calling it a day.

azgreg · April 28, 2016

I am thinking about just putting a steel shaft in mine and calling it a day.

That's what I did. I have True Temper DG S300 in all my V-Steels.

JAY-Y · April 29, 2016

Just got this built today. V steel 5 wood with diamana Blueboard 83 stiff tipped the standard .75 inches for 5 wood plus an extra .5 inch. About 7 grams of melt added to the head and 42". Same specs as my current 5 wood.

Not sure why... I like my x2 hot 5 wood just fine. Lol. Can't wait to try it out this weekend (:

blink3665 · April 29, 2016

I am thinking about just putting a steel shaft in mine and calling it a day.
That's what I did. I have True Temper DG S300 in all my V-Steels.

I dropped an s300 in the 7w head I had laying around. I was looking for just the right graphite shaft... not sure why. The s300 was a bomber today. Pretty much the only club in my bag that was working completely.

No_Catchy_Nickname · April 29, 2016

I put a Graphite Design AD-DJ 8x in my 7w. So far, it's working well for me, and is the perfect club between my 4w and 4i. I prefer it to my hybrid, which has a tendency to overdraw (hook) on tee shots.

Fellaheen51 · April 30, 2016

Slowly building a complete set of V Steels. Just because. Recently got a couple of the harder to find ones out of the way, a 9W and yesterday a 13* T/S ($17.00). Still need to acquire the 4W and 7W for the right price. The T/S has an unusual shaft installed that I'm unfamiliar with. Labeled "TaylorMade shaft by Mitsubishi Rayon". It has a black chrome looking appearance. Thinking it was an uncharge factory shaft. Tour S flex so more than likely way to stout for me these days.

Anyone have an idea what this shaft is? Proprietary to TM? TIA.

Chip Out Sideways · April 30, 2016

That could be a tour only shaft. Does the head have a paint break in the hosel? If so a tour head and probably a tour shaft.

smokedturkey · May 1, 2016

Just got this built today. V steel 5 wood with diamana Blueboard 83 stiff tipped the standard .75 inches for 5 wood plus an extra .5 inch. About 7 grams of melt added to the head and 42". Same specs as my current 5 wood.

Not sure why... I like my x2 hot 5 wood just fine. Lol. Can't wait to try it out this weekend (:

Some V Steel pride and respect being shown . Will the V Steel be able to with stand the latest competition from the Cobra Baffler coming out. I played a Cobra Baffler too many years ago. both are sentimental favorites.

Fellaheen51 · May 1, 2016

That could be a tour only shaft. Does the head have a paint break in the hosel? If so a tour head and probably a tour shaft.

Not sure what you mean by a paint break. Looks to be the same as the others I have. Has a serial # on the hosel FWIW.

hunterho · May 1, 2016

Fella,

Nice pickup on the T/S. Below is a picture of a tour issue V Steel. Notice the black paint break on hosel. By the way, where were you able to get a T/S that cheap? I need a T/S and 4W to complete my V Steel family.

Fellaheen51 · May 1, 2016

HH, thanks for posting the pic above, see the difference. Carl's Golfland of all places. In the bargain bins, $19.99 -20%. Had lead tape on the bottom covering the "V", but recognized it by the sole design. But otherwise, in EUC. That inexpensive, had to pick it up, just because. Doubt I'll ever use it out on the course. To much club for me. But as you say, part of the family.

Bought The 9W off eBay recently (awaiting delivery). Was shafted as L flex, so no one was interested. Since I reshaft typically, was just interested in the head. Pretty good value compared to what I had been seeing. Should be able to find a 4W and 7W easily, once they show up for the right price.

Not that its that big a deal, but the shaft in this T/S has me perplexed. At first glance, thought it it was a steel shaft. Not been able to definitively determine what MR shaft this is.

jll62 · May 2, 2016

Well...the time has finally come. After going in the bag when it was a newly released club, it looks like something has finally knocked my venerable V-Steel T/S with Purple Ice 85X out of the bag. The offending club? A 15 degree M1 with a Purple Ice 85X. I was fortunate enough to acquire a couple extra of these shafts and I'm loving this combo in the M1.

Based on my history with the V-Steel, I'm sure I'll be back at some point, but what a run. It's still amazing to me that this many years later the V-Steel still hasn't been beat by many fairway woods.

hunterho · May 3, 2016

If there's anyone selling a T/S, I would be interested in buying. Please message me. Thank you.

smokedturkey · May 8, 2016

My VSteel Brothers,

Just bought the new Cobra Baffler 5 wood. Hit it on the range and played with it yesterday. So far disappointed. Bought it without hitting it, have great memories hitting of a baffler way back in the 80's with those rails on the sole were so great interacting with the turf and placed the weight low like the Vsteel. I am less than impressed with the new Baffler, my ball flight is like my 3 hybrid which I have already in my bag and love and don't want or need to replace. So, now back the the drawing board to optimize the top end of my bag. Wanting to reshaft my Vsteel which has the stock stiff MAS shaft which is kind of stiff for me. Any suggestions what to look into to get my Vsteel optimized to hit as high and long as possible. I have a 16.5 3wood/hl and a 3 hybrid to fit this inbetween. Would love to get this Vsteel to be my high launching, soft landing option.

kobes31 · May 8, 2016

I understand the cult following here but are you all finding your V steels to be as (1a) forgiving and (1b) long as current options?

blink3665 · May 8, 2016

My VSteel Brothers,
Just bought the new Cobra Baffler 5 wood. Hit it on the range and played with it yesterday. So far disappointed. Bought it without hitting it, have great memories hitting of a baffler way back in the 80's with those rails on the sole were so great interacting with the turf and placed the weight low like the Vsteel. I am less than impressed with the new Baffler, my ball flight is like my 3 hybrid which I have already in my bag and love and don't want or need to replace. So, now back the the drawing board to optimize the top end of my bag wanting to reshaft my Vsteel which has the stock stiff MAS shaft which I kind of stiff for me. Any suggestions what to look into to get my Vsteel optimized to hit a high and long as possible. I have a 16.5 3wood/hl and a 3 hybrid to fit this inbetween. Would love to get this Vsteel to be my high launching, soft landing option.

Good to know about the Baffler. I just almost pulled the trigger on one. Guess I'll wait to ba able to hit it. ;). Thanks! You just saved me a bunch of money.

smokedturkey · May 8, 2016

I understand the cult following here but are you all finding your V steels to be as (1a) forgiving and (1b) long as current options?

It is so hard to get that answer on a driving range. Rock balls and so hard to see where balls actually land on flat range. Really need a late evening on course evaluation when multiple balls and clubs can be hit. Will do that since I have a new Cobra Baffler 5 wood to test in more depth and resolve or get rid of.

Edit Baffler Update: Getting rid of it and reshafted my Vsteel 5 wood with a softer Aldila NVS to get the high launch option I was looking for. I'm done playing with the top end of my bag, the Vsteel is in the line up this year.

Fellaheen51 · May 9, 2016

My VSteel Brothers,
Just bought the new Cobra Baffler 5 wood. Hit it on the range and played with it yesterday. So far disappointed. Bought it without hitting it, have great memories hitting of a baffler way back in the 80's with those rails on the sole were so great interacting with the turf and placed the weight low like the Vsteel. I am less than impressed with the new Baffler, my ball flight is like my 3 hybrid which I have already in my bag and love and don't want or need to replace. So, now back the the drawing board to optimize the top end of my bag. Wanting to reshaft my Vsteel which has the stock stiff MAS shaft which is kind of stiff for me. Any suggestions what to look into to get my Vsteel optimized to hit as high and long as possible. I have a 16.5 3wood/hl and a 3 hybrid to fit this inbetween. Would love to get this Vsteel to be my high launching, soft landing option.

Shafted my V-Steel 5W (18*) with a Grafalloy PL Platinum in regular. And oldy, but have really liked the results so far. Nice high ball flight without ballooning. And can be had very inexpensively with some searching. Has been my "go to" fairway this spring as I've been shaking the rust off my swing. The 3W with an Epic is on temporary hiatus.

Joe85 · May 9, 2016

I have a newer Taylormade Matrix Velox T stiff shaft - a 69 gram - would this shaft work okay in my 15* 3 wood head? were these shafts alright?

stangs2655 · May 9, 2016

Just picked up a 7 wood with paint break off ebay for $35. After reading this thread i had to try one! Hopefully it gets delivered before the weekend, so I can give it a whirl : )

No_Catchy_Nickname · May 9, 2016

I got my 16.5* V-steel 4w reshafted with a 757 Speeder X flex, and it is NICE! Good ball flight, great feel, and looks to be long (hard to tell because the range I was hitting at has a net up at 180 yards). Originally, I only got the 4w as a back up for my current R9 4w, but it might even kick it out, and the R9 is about my most dependable club in my bag.

I put a Graphite design AD-DJ 8x in my V-steel 7w, and while it's not bad, I am still undecided about it. The shaft length is the same as the 4w, and the ball goes a bit too high for my liking. It's pretty smooth and stable in the swing, though.

dhappy42 · May 9, 2016

If V-Steel fairways are so great (and I think they are -- I have three) why doesn't TaylorMade reissue them? They could paint the heads different colors and put a new shaft in it if the marketing department needed something "new" to sell. Come to think of it, why don't more club-makers re-introduce "updated" classic clubs. They do it with putters. New Anser-style putters aren't much different from the originals. How many people would buy a 2017 V-Steel 3-wood?

blink3665 · May 9, 2016

If V-Steel fairways are so great (and I think they are -- I have three) why doesn't TaylorMade reissue them? They could paint the heads different colors and put a new shaft in it if the marketing department needed something "new" to sell. Come to think of it, why don't more club-makers re-introduce "updated" classic clubs. They do it with putters. New Anser-style putters aren't much different from the originals. How many people would buy a 2017 V-Steel 3-wood?

That would be admitting that all of the 'advancements' that a company has made over the past decade was all BS. That being said, it would be cool to see a M2 with the same shape head, and sole of a vsteel.

ElJefe26 · May 9, 2016

I understand the cult following here but are you all finding your V steels to be as (1a) forgiving and (1b) long as current options?

I have some TEE CB series fairway woods that are a little bit longer, but the issue isn't the length. The V Steels are plenty long. Where the V Steels really shine is that they combine good distance with excellent playability. So you get more usable distance than with just about anything else. Off a tee, the difference might be between an 8-iron and a 9-iron for an approach shot between a V Steel and TEE CB, respectively, but off the deck, the V Steel is often times longer because its sole and head design leads to better turf interaction and thus better quality contact.

On the forgiveness issue, I don't think most modern fairway woods have a great deal of difference in forgiveness, and the V Steel falls into that category. Off the tee maybe others are better, but again, off the turf, the forgiveness of the V Steel is better because of its sole and head design.

Dwhy · May 9, 2016

I understand the cult following here but are you all finding your V steels to be as (1a) forgiving and (1b) long as current options?

Haven't even tested any other option. Since I bought mine, it's been reliable. Long enough and essentially point and shoot. Why replace what works you know?