RocketBallz vs R11 Drivers

SeattleRyan · July 23, 2012

Hey guys,

I'm a beginner and I'm curious to know the difference between these two drivers. TaylorMade doesn't have a comparison tool on their site, so I'm not sure why one player would want one over the other. I see that some PGA players have the R11 while some have the RocketBallz. \

Lastly, I also cannot find the difference between the R11 and the R11S.

Thank you for the responses!

Rebel420 · July 23, 2012

Comparing standard retail versions:
R11 - 440 cc head
- +/- 1* loft change in .5* increments
- Fujikura Blur shaft std
- 3 position sole plate Asjustment for face angle

R11s - 460cc head
- +/- 1.5* loft change in .75* increments
-Aldila RIP Phenom shaft std
- 5 position sole plate adjustment for face angle

KMeloney · July 23, 2012

I am not a beginner, but I can't make the r11S go anywhere. I like the RBZ Tour, and if I convince myself that it's better than my SFTP 1.0, I'll have one shortly. But I just can't seem to make the r11S go anywhere at all. Odd, maybe, but that's been my experience.

Stuart_G · July 23, 2012

I found the rbz tour a bit more forgiving (distance wise) on off center hits than the r11s but the r11s was a bit more consistent for me. I haven't tried the non-tour rbz head or the r11, just the r11s and rbz tour. Overall, the numbers were pretty close. The biggest difference however, was in the feel. Although I measured the two heads at the same weight, for me the r11s actually felt heavier - or maybe it gave me a better sense of presence as to where the head was in the back swing. I think that is what contributed to the higher level of consistency. The feel at contact was also very different between the two, the r11s felt fairly well muted while the rbz tour felt softer but hotter at the same time.

Bottom line - if you want to decide, you have to go hit them yourself.

Dei3Nascar8 · July 23, 2012

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1343066499' post='5335182']
I found the rbz tour a bit more forgiving (distance wise) on off center hits than the r11s but the r11s was a bit more consistent for me. I haven't tried the non-tour rbz head or the r11, just the r11s and rbz tour. Overall, the numbers were pretty close. The biggest difference however, was in the feel. Although I measured the two heads at the same weight, for me the r11s actually felt heavier - or maybe it gave me a better sense of presence as to where the head was in the back swing. I think that is what contributed to the higher level of consistency. The feel at contact was also very different between the two, the r11s felt fairly well muted while the rbz tour felt softer but hotter at the same time.

Bottom line - if you want to decide, you have to go hit them yourself.
[/quote]

No need to say more, this is exactly what I would have said.

Stuart_G · July 23, 2012

I should add, I did my comparison with the same shaft. There could be quite a bit more difference if you take into consideration the different shafts. As stock shafts go, the phenom 60 in the r11s was pretty decent but still not the right shaft for me (although I did like it in the r11s 3w). The xcon-5 in the rbz was too light and too tip soft for me but could be good for some people who need the extra launch. The rbz tp HD6 is a really good low launch shaft if that's what your swing calls for. I haven't tried the r11s tp rip phenom 65 although I probably should.

CDOUBLEU · July 23, 2012

I got fitted at taylormade performance lab and ordered a rbz tour with a matrix radix hd6 after demo'ing 12-15 shafts. I prefered the rocketballz over the r11s for feel alone. both heads gave similar #'s. most of the difference is in the shafts. get fitted regardless.

jfone · July 24, 2012

Very different feels between the R11 and RBZ. I suggest to hit them both and get fitted before you make a decision. I

Jeffvb9 · July 24, 2012

[quote name='Dei3Nascar8' timestamp='1343087411' post='5337582']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1343066499' post='5335182']
I found the rbz tour a bit more forgiving (distance wise) on off center hits than the r11s but the r11s was a bit more consistent for me. I haven't tried the non-tour rbz head or the r11, just the r11s and rbz tour. Overall, the numbers were pretty close. The biggest difference however, was in the feel. Although I measured the two heads at the same weight, for me the r11s actually felt heavier - or maybe it gave me a better sense of presence as to where the head was in the back swing. I think that is what contributed to the higher level of consistency. The feel at contact was also very different between the two, the r11s felt fairly well muted while the rbz tour felt softer but hotter at the same time.

Bottom line - if you want to decide, you have to go hit them yourself.
[/quote]

No need to say more, this is exactly what I would have said.
[/quote]

+2 as I have had both for a few months now and decided to keep the RBZ tour.

xerpro · July 24, 2012

Biggest difference between the 2 is weight. RBZ is much lighter. It is also 1/4" longer..
Depending on feel, and what your swing needs, will determine what fits you.
Hit em both, but with you being a beginner, I would say RBZ without seeing your swing

boycer · July 24, 2012

I have hit the standard rbz and the std r11s. I really liked the sound and feel of the r11s better. I want to go try the tour before I buy one though. I do like the adjustablility of thr r11s.

KMeloney · July 24, 2012

[quote name='boycer11' timestamp='1343144088' post='5341944']
I have hit the standard rbz and the std r11s. I really liked the sound and feel of the r11s better. I want to go try the tour before I buy one though. I do like the adjustablility of thr r11s.
[/quote]

I have not spent as much time with the R11S as with the RBZ Tour, fwiw. But, what I found is that the RBZ Tour gives very good sound and feel feedback based on where on the face you hit the ball. If you don't hit the ball in the same spot for 5 swings, you could get 5 very different sounds, and slightly fewer different feels. I didn't feel like I got the same kind of feedback from the R11S. Maybe that's good for some. I didn't like the feel or sound of the R11S, but would have been ok with that if I looked up and saw the ball really go. But, again, I just couldn't make the R11S perform for me.

15Over · July 24, 2012

Not to thread jack, but has anyone tried either or both of these heads with the stock Motore 65 shaft from a SuperTri? If so, how does it compare with the stock RBZ / R11s shafts in feel, distance, etc?

Stuart_G · July 24, 2012

[quote name='15Over' timestamp='1343150213' post='5342804']
Not to thread jack, but has anyone tried either or both of these heads with the stock Motore 65 shaft from a SuperTri? If so, how does it compare with the stock RBZ / R11s shafts in feel, distance, etc?
[/quote]

I still have my r9 ST Motore hanging around. However I don't hit it very often since it's way too tip soft for me and easy for me to overload it. My ss is only around 102-105 but can have a real quick transition and use stiff shafts). Really only at the beginning of the season and only on the range to keep my tempo in control - so take the following with a grain of salt.

I only hit the xcon-5 a couple times (it didn't take long to determine it wasn't the shaft for me) and it did remind me a lot of the matore, maybe a touch firmer in the tip but I couldn't say for sure. The phenom 60 seemed much better for me (firmer) but still not quite enough so is probably a bit firmer feel and lower launch than the matore. If the matore is a good fit for you, then I wouldn't bother with either of the tp selections (rip phenom 65 and HD6). Both are firm tipped and low launch.