Anyone else disappointed in the SLDR? - OP REVIEW ON PG 14 9/13/13

[mbradley]

[quote name='tradpl' timestamp='1376464827' post='7673526']
Most people criticise SLDR because of the low spin. It seems this is a club for high SS golfers. The rest needs higher loft and/or higher spinning shaft. Evidently this isn't panaceum, but for some subset of golfers this could be the best available driver. Not for me, though.
[/quote]

It did not work for me, just to hard to fit, but I still think that is a great head and Taylormade's best effort in years.

[golfnhack]

[quote name='peteypro' timestamp='1376087326' post='7643816']
Way too light forme
[/quote]

Huh! This is one of the heaviest drivers on the market. It is a FULL 30g more static weight than my R11S. With a Kiyoshi White 65 S flex, playing at 44.5", it STILL swing weighted at D6!!!!! Stock shaft, which I suspect is counter-balanced, was D4 at 45.5"

[Golfrnut]

I suspect that stock speeder is a little counter balanced too. I went to my normal DI shaft, it's half an inch shorter, and still at a D7. The shaft is 10 grams heavier, but the SW shouldn't have stayed that high unless the balance points are quite a bit different.

[golfnhack]

[quote name='Golfrnut' timestamp='1376513576' post='7677288']
I suspect that stock speeder is a little counter balanced too. I went to my normal DI shaft, it's half an inch shorter, and still at a D7. The shaft is 10 grams heavier, but the SW shouldn't have stayed that high unless the balance points are quite a bit different.
[/quote]

I ended up putting a 16g Tour Lock Pro counter weight in, and it brought the SW to D2.

[TMBob]

Got a 194 gram head today with the TP shaft, which is on the heavy side of a 6 series shaft. Lighter then I wanted, but some lead tape over the 460 part solved this...now 199 which should let me dial it in better with all shafts.

[station2station]

Are you guys weighing the tip with the head? Because the tip is part of the head.

[Golfrnut]

[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1376514046' post='7677340']
[quote name='Golfrnut' timestamp='1376513576' post='7677288']
I suspect that stock speeder is a little counter balanced too. I went to my normal DI shaft, it's half an inch shorter, and still at a D7. The shaft is 10 grams heavier, but the SW shouldn't have stayed that high unless the balance points are quite a bit different.
[/quote]

I ended up putting a 16g Tour Lock Pro counter weight in, and it brought the SW to D2.
[/quote]

I might be going down the road too before long. The swing weight was a little less I think with the speeder shaft in it, but the heft weight actually felt a little light to me. Added the DI in it, now the heft feels the way I am used too, but the SW is just too high. I like a heavy feeling head, but this is a little much for a driver. In a wedge, the SW would be really good, but not this.

[BirdieBob]

Are there no replacement weights available to change out the 20g weight that is standard?
Seem like that should be an absolute necessity...just like having a variety of weights for the R1.

[Golfrnut]

Not at the moment, although TM has said it hasn't been ruled out. The issue is you also will have to take off the cap on the toe side to access the weight. I am not sure how labor intensive that is, but someone on here has done it, and I believe stated that it's only in there with some sort of double sided tape. I wonder if it will happen or not considering you are talking about taking apart the club and then may run into warrenty issues. etc. I also realize that some may not be up to the task of doing something like that either.

It's a good club, and for someone with spin issues it is very helpful. When I pured my older driver, my spin was "okay", but I got killed on mis-hits. So far for me, this one is a lot better.

But, this club is going to be a little bit of a hassle for fitters and the basic golfer that likes to tweak their stuff. It's not all that easy to modify and tune it in for the individual golfer. I also realize that we are a little spoiled in todays day and age too, as 10 years ago we were dealing with the exact same things. Easy to add weight to a driver, just not easy to take away. That was changed when removeable weights became the norm, but now it's kind of back to the way it was.

[TMBob]

[quote name='BirdieBob' timestamp='1376529370' post='7678626']
Are there no replacement weights available to change out the 20g weight that is standard?
Seem like that should be an absolute necessity...just like having a variety of weights for the R1.
[/quote]

I really have no idea how my new head is 8 grams lighter? TP vs Non TP by looking at that weight under the rail, it seems to be the same size and depth as the other head. 8 grams is a lot, but then again the TP shaft is 9 grams heavier also.

[TMBob]

[quote name='station2station' timestamp='1376525267' post='7678222']
Are you guys weighing the tip with the head? Because the tip is part of the head.
[/quote]

I never do...head only and understand your point, but here is why I do it this way.

When FCT first came out the heads for the R9 were in the 197 range without the sleeve. he sleeves were 7 grams and some later on we're 6 grams.
That makes the head 204 range and the same was true on the next three offerings, R9 460, ST and SD.

If you remember back a few years, Ping heads were always light by some standards and were about 197 to go with their slightly longer shaft length for SWing.
Also if you remember back, Driver Ho's were all after the "tour weighted heavier" heads in the R 500 TP series via a heavier back weight plug, hot melt of both.

So to me, a 204 gram head is on the heavy side, were 197 was on the lighter side, but is closer to norm now due to the length of drivers has progressed.

You add in the sleeves and were are talking head weights of 211 give or take a few. Is that considered a normal head for a driver by other OEM's? I really have no clue, but I really doubt that one OEM is selling retail driver heads anywhere near that weight.

So do it because I feel without the sleeves, TM's head weight is more in line with the industry standards then with it. Bottom line, both way works if your one goal is overall weight and swing weight, it really does not matter if the head is 211, or 204 minus the sleeve, as the sleeve is still part of the equation for bottom line info.

[nbg352]

No doubt about it. This clubs is not for the golfer who naturally hits a high spinning drive. This club will really appeal to someone who hits it low with spin and the high ss hitter who just hits with too much spin. The SLDR launches the ball high with low spin.
For me, someone who has always had an issue with high spin, causing me to go to low lofted low spinning heads with high kick firm tipped shafts, often to no real avail, this club spins too low. Never thought I'd say it...this club spins too low. For me. ( I hit the stock Speeder 57, with both the 9.5 and 10.5 heads. ) The only way to know if it is right for you is to go hit it. Trust me, regardless of the outcome, you'll find the experience of giving it a whirl to be quite interesting. It's just that different from the usual driver.

[mr_divots]

211g is a TANK of a driver head. No way to swing such a head accurately unless you go really short on the finished shaft length, or use a counter balance weight. See the old 6,000 page thread on the Cobra l4V for some ideas on how to get such heavy heads to work. I think my Cobra was 209g and the heaviest head I had played. Can't imagine a 211g head unless it's 44" finished length.

Sounds like people will have to go shorter or use counter weights for the SLDR if they are indeed 211g. That's very heavy. (MOI is the intent.)
Don't expect to "work" such a driver. If you can time it, it will go straight.

[winn0040]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1376592273' post='7682776']
211g is a TANK of a driver head. No way to swing such a head accurately unless you go really short on the finished shaft length, or use a counter balance weight. See the old 6,000 page thread on the Cobra l4V for some ideas on how to get such heavy heads to work. I think my Cobra was 209g and the heaviest head I had played. Can't imagine a 211g head unless it's 44" finished length.

Sounds like people will have to go shorter or use counter weights for the SLDR if they are indeed 211g. That's very heavy. (MOI is the intent.)
Don't expect to "work" such a driver. If you can time it, it will go straight.
[/quote]

Don't pretend like you're not going to game one, Divots.

[TMBob]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1376592273' post='7682776']
211g is a TANK of a driver head. No way to swing such a head accurately unless you go really short on the finished shaft length, or use a counter balance weight. See the old 6,000 page thread on the Cobra l4V for some ideas on how to get such heavy heads to work. I think my Cobra was 209g and the heaviest head I had played. Can't imagine a 211g head unless it's 44" finished length.

Sounds like people will have to go shorter or use counter weights for the SLDR if they are indeed 211g. That's very heavy. (MOI is the intent.)
Don't expect to "work" such a driver. If you can time it, it will go straight.
[/quote]

My TP version was 201 grams with the sleeve

[winn0040]

[quote name='TMBob' timestamp='1376594124' post='7682968']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1376592273' post='7682776']
211g is a TANK of a driver head. No way to swing such a head accurately unless you go really short on the finished shaft length, or use a counter balance weight. See the old 6,000 page thread on the Cobra l4V for some ideas on how to get such heavy heads to work. I think my Cobra was 209g and the heaviest head I had played. Can't imagine a 211g head unless it's 44" finished length.

Sounds like people will have to go shorter or use counter weights for the SLDR if they are indeed 211g. That's very heavy. (MOI is the intent.)
Don't expect to "work" such a driver. If you can time it, it will go straight.
[/quote]

My TP version was 201 grams with the sleeve
[/quote]

And my standard is 203 grams without!!!

[Golfrnut]

Are we sure there are not two different weight out there being put into the heads?

TM could have always accounted for the fact that the TP speeder is not a made-for shaft, and already accounted for the different shaft weight/balance point buy giving those heads a little lighter weight...

[browne11]

I went to a fitting in the Pittsburgh area and the rep had a demo he sharpied "light" onto. I asked and he said it had a 12 gram weight instead of 20 and it was available to order that way if I wanted.

[Golfrnut]

[quote name='browne11' timestamp='1376598410' post='7683378']
I went to a fitting in the Pittsburgh area and the rep had a demo he sharpied "light" onto. I asked and he said it had a 12 gram weight instead of 20 and it was available to order that way if I wanted.
[/quote]


Grrr....

Turns out I need about 4-5 SW points less than I have. If that is tue...I may/may not be a little bitter about that.

[mr_divots]

[quote name='winn0040' timestamp='1376592579' post='7682806']
[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1376592273' post='7682776']
211g is a TANK of a driver head. No way to swing such a head accurately unless you go really short on the finished shaft length, or use a counter balance weight. See the old 6,000 page thread on the Cobra l4V for some ideas on how to get such heavy heads to work. I think my Cobra was 209g and the heaviest head I had played. Can't imagine a 211g head unless it's 44" finished length.

Sounds like people will have to go shorter or use counter weights for the SLDR if they are indeed 211g. That's very heavy. (MOI is the intent.)
Don't expect to "work" such a driver. If you can time it, it will go straight.
[/quote]

Don't pretend like you're not going to game one, Divots.
[/quote]
Well, I might have to try some poor confused ho's SLDR tomorrow just for kicks...
You haven't seen the G25 in my hands yet. Oh my....

[mr_divots]

[quote name='Golfrnut' timestamp='1376599192' post='7683456']
[quote name='browne11' timestamp='1376598410' post='7683378']
I went to a fitting in the Pittsburgh area and the rep had a demo he sharpied "light" onto. I asked and he said it had a 12 gram weight instead of 20 and it was available to order that way if I wanted.
[/quote]


Grrr....

Turns out I need about 4-5 SW points less than I have. If that is tue...I may/may not be a little bitter about that.
[/quote]
Putt a counter weight in the butt end?

[Golfrnut]

[quote name='mr_divots' timestamp='1376599465' post='7683480']
[quote name='Golfrnut' timestamp='1376599192' post='7683456']
[quote name='browne11' timestamp='1376598410' post='7683378']
I went to a fitting in the Pittsburgh area and the rep had a demo he sharpied "light" onto. I asked and he said it had a 12 gram weight instead of 20 and it was available to order that way if I wanted.
[/quote]


Grrr....

Turns out I need about 4-5 SW points less than I have. If that is tue...I may/may not be a little bitter about that.
[/quote]
Putt a counter weight in the butt end?
[/quote]


That is not my ideal fix, but it's on the list of options if we do not get a way to get some weight out of the heads.

[browne11]

I think one of the guys from the sldr fitting threads had a 12 gram weight in his too if I remember correctly

[BirdieBob]

[quote name='Golfrnut' timestamp='1376599192' post='7683456']
[quote name='browne11' oooouootimestamp='1376598410' post='7683378']
I went to a fitting in the Pittsburgh area and the rep had a demo he sharpied "light" onto. I asked and he said it had a 12 gram weight instead of 20 and it was available to order that way if I wanted.
[/quote]


Grrr....

Turns out I need about 4-5 SW points less than I have. If that is tue...I may/may not be a little bitter about that.
[/quote]


That difference between the 20g and 12 g is about 4 swingweights...@2g/sw.

[Big Ben]

[quote name='falken19150' timestamp='1376459783' post='7673384']
So my SLDR arrived today. TP version with a UST VTS Silver 6S. Looks great and then I throw it on the measuring stick....45". I ordered standard specs on it which have the TP version at 45.25". Pretty frustrating as I don't want to hit it yet since it will probably have to go back. It was ordered directly from Taylormade's website. Anyone have experience with their customer service? Are they good, bad etc? Thanks
[/quote]Unfortunitely every OEM seems to have there own measuring method, Ping comes to mind. You may send it back only to find they say it measures exactly at spec...BB

[G-Bone]

[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1376607113' post='7684122']
[quote name='falken19150' timestamp='1376459783' post='7673384']
So my SLDR arrived today. TP version with a UST VTS Silver 6S. Looks great and then I throw it on the measuring stick....45". I ordered standard specs on it which have the TP version at 45.25". Pretty frustrating as I don't want to hit it yet since it will probably have to go back. It was ordered directly from Taylormade's website. Anyone have experience with their customer service? Are they good, bad etc? Thanks
[/quote]Unfortunitely every OEM seems to have there own measuring method, Ping comes to mind. You may send it back only to find they say it measures exactly at spec...BB
[/quote]

My fitter has mentioned to me that TM measure their shafts different than most. I've never bothered to ask him what the difference is, but perhaps that's what you are dealing with...

[Big Ben]

What I usually do is set my current gamer next to a stock off the rack model to see how different "my" measurements will be, not a perfect science but I can usually keep things extremely close...BB

[G-Bone]

[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1376609278' post='7684252']
What I usually do is set my current gamer next to a stock off the rack model to see how different "my" measurements will be, not a perfect science but I can usually keep things extremely close...BB
[/quote]

I follow the same "science" myself... Not perfect, but close enough for me.

[Golfrnut]

[quote name='BirdieBob' timestamp='1376606234' post='7684058']
[quote name='Golfrnut' timestamp='1376599192' post='7683456']
[quote name='browne11' oooouootimestamp='1376598410' post='7683378']
I went to a fitting in the Pittsburgh area and the rep had a demo he sharpied "light" onto. I asked and he said it had a 12 gram weight instead of 20 and it was available to order that way if I wanted.
[/quote]


Grrr....

Turns out I need about 4-5 SW points less than I have. If that is tue...I may/may not be a little bitter about that.
[/quote]


That difference between the 20g and 12 g is about 4 swingweights...@2g/sw.
[/quote]


In the case of the driver, it's a little more than that. It's less weight per SW point because of the added length.

[amateur pro]

So I always like looking at demo clubs after I know they have been hit by a bunch of people, primarily because I want to see the quality of the club, finish, etc after it has taken a beating or two. It's nice to see how it's going to look after 500+ hits. One thing that really threw me off...the SLDR badge on the sole was all dinged up and something didn't look right with it. Then I realized--it's a sticker! Like one of those thin metal stickers. The demo clubs all had the edges peeling up, since the sticker is on a curved surface. I couldn't believe it, it's not even glued or epoxied, its a straight up sticker... The corners were even catching on the practice mat when setting up at address. Anyone have one yet where they have noticed this?

I didn't see any revolutionary distances, but did notice the welcomed drop in spin and slight increase in launch angle. But if the build quality is suspect, I would rather stay away. Is this a known issue?