| TaylorMade R9 Driver Test & Review The most adjustable driver in history. Change the face angle, change the loft, change the lie angle. Adjust the centre of gravity. Adjust the trajectory and the shape of your shots. Remove the shaft, swivel it and lock it back into another position. It all sound a bit James Bond, a bit gimmicky, a bit techno-gadget-boys-toy. But TaylorMade insist that this is the next step in driver evolution. We bought one from Online Golf - and, using more than 100 volunteers testers, we put it through its paces. |
OUR VERDICT We fell in love with the TaylorMade R9 - it is beyond doubt one of the best drivers we have ever tested. And it is now the most powerful legal driver we have ever tested - taking over the number one spot from the Macgregor Mactec NVG2. If you already have a solid swing, the R9 will allow you to alter the shape and height of your shots without changing your swing. If you have a regular slice or hook, the R9 will help you straighten it - and gain distance. If you play a variety of courses, or in a variety of weather, the R9 will adjust to the conditions. But this is not a club that will suit everybody. If you have not yet developed a repeatable swing, the R9 could actually be bad for you. With so many adjustments available - you would never know whether your shots were being shaped by the driver or your swing. This lack of certainty could hinder your progress towards developing a consistent golf swing. FINAL WORD A superb driver, especially for better golfers. The lie-angle adjustment is a revelation! It made us realise that the majority of off the shelf drivers are either too flat or too upright. With the TaylorMade R9 you can get this vital setting just right - and it makes a huge difference. You may not use this feature very often - but we think it a massive bonus to have on your driver. It may be a tad on the gimmicky side for some people, and it is very expensive - but we think it's a fantastic driver - and well worth the money. Best place to buy it in the UK - Online Golf |
DISTANCE = 10 out of 10
With so many adjustments available, it's easy for golfers of all
levels to set the R9 up for maximum distance.
Most golfers can find a setting that offers maximum carry and or roll.
The TaylorMade R9 is the longest legal driver we
have ever tested!
FORGIVENESS = 8 out of 10
Until very recently, just about every driver on the market had a
head-volume right on the legal limit of 460cc. But the latest trend is
to make driver heads slightly smaller - the heads on the R9 range
from 418cc to 422cc (depending on which variation you choose).
This reduction in size makes the head more aerodynamic (and
nicer to look at) but it can reduce confidence in high handicappers.
But is a smaller head less forgiving? Actually - no.
Most of our testers reported that the R9 was extremely forgiving.
The overall volume of the head may be less - but the face is still
plenty big enough, and the weight distribution is perfect.
Overall, forgiveness was fairly impressive.
ACCURACY = 9.5 out of 10
Accuracy is what this driver is all about. There are so many ways to
adjust the R9 - any golfer with a repeatable swing should be able
to set this club up to produce whatever flight-path he chooses.
Our testers used the adjustments to straighten out their slices and
hooks, to alter trajectory, to reduce or increase roll, etc etc etc.
The only real downside is that there may be too many permutations
available. Too much choice is not always a good idea.
Overall - the R9 is a superbly accurate driver.
With so many adjustments available, it's easy for golfers of all
levels to set the R9 up for maximum distance.
Most golfers can find a setting that offers maximum carry and or roll.
The TaylorMade R9 is the longest legal driver we
have ever tested!
FORGIVENESS = 8 out of 10
Until very recently, just about every driver on the market had a
head-volume right on the legal limit of 460cc. But the latest trend is
to make driver heads slightly smaller - the heads on the R9 range
from 418cc to 422cc (depending on which variation you choose).
This reduction in size makes the head more aerodynamic (and
nicer to look at) but it can reduce confidence in high handicappers.
But is a smaller head less forgiving? Actually - no.
Most of our testers reported that the R9 was extremely forgiving.
The overall volume of the head may be less - but the face is still
plenty big enough, and the weight distribution is perfect.
Overall, forgiveness was fairly impressive.
ACCURACY = 9.5 out of 10
Accuracy is what this driver is all about. There are so many ways to
adjust the R9 - any golfer with a repeatable swing should be able
to set this club up to produce whatever flight-path he chooses.
Our testers used the adjustments to straighten out their slices and
hooks, to alter trajectory, to reduce or increase roll, etc etc etc.
The only real downside is that there may be too many permutations
available. Too much choice is not always a good idea.
Overall - the R9 is a superbly accurate driver.
LOOKS = 9.5 out of 10
The finish of the TaylorMade R9 is stunning. The badging is subtle and classy.
The head shape is slightly triangular - which gives it a very aerodynamic and
bullet-like appearance. Everything about this driver exudes quality and class.
VALUE FOR MONEY = 9 out of 10
With a recommended price of £349 the R9 falls into the "very expensive" category.
However, most premium drivers are expensive (especially if you have them fitted).
If you like the idea of all those available settings, and you want the very best -
The TaylorMade R9 is probably worth the money - especially at Online Golf.
The finish of the TaylorMade R9 is stunning. The badging is subtle and classy.
The head shape is slightly triangular - which gives it a very aerodynamic and
bullet-like appearance. Everything about this driver exudes quality and class.
VALUE FOR MONEY = 9 out of 10
With a recommended price of £349 the R9 falls into the "very expensive" category.
However, most premium drivers are expensive (especially if you have them fitted).
If you like the idea of all those available settings, and you want the very best -
The TaylorMade R9 is probably worth the money - especially at Online Golf.
BUILD QUALITY = 9.5 out of 10
As close to perfection as any modern driver we have ever tested.
DURABILITY 9 out of 10?
Despite being tested by 100 volunteers, the R9 showed no signs of damage.
The finish seems very durable. The base marked up a little - but nothing serious.
This is a vast improvement on the R7 SuperQuad - which looked utterly stunning
when first unpacked - but it had a tendency to scuff up far too easily.
The jury is still out on the long-term durability of the hosel/shaft connection. This
area of a driver needs to tough, and an adjustable joint may be a weakness.
We will continue to use our R9 - and report any problems.
As close to perfection as any modern driver we have ever tested.
DURABILITY 9 out of 10?
Despite being tested by 100 volunteers, the R9 showed no signs of damage.
The finish seems very durable. The base marked up a little - but nothing serious.
This is a vast improvement on the R7 SuperQuad - which looked utterly stunning
when first unpacked - but it had a tendency to scuff up far too easily.
The jury is still out on the long-term durability of the hosel/shaft connection. This
area of a driver needs to tough, and an adjustable joint may be a weakness.
We will continue to use our R9 - and report any problems.
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