Stage 2's?

http://thesandtrap.com/t/63555/new-pics-added-taylormades-2013-line-r1-driver-rocketballz-stage-2-driver-fairway-and-tour-rescue

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbiker5 

I've been reading up on the new Taylor Made Stage 2's coming out specifically the 3 wood & hybrids.  I dont doubt they've figured out a way to gain additional yds however I find my RB's hybrids Tour clubs I bought last summer not all that "easy" to hit.  I almost am thinking of going back to a Callaway.  Has anyone else found this?  I think they said the new Stage 2's are going to be easier off the fairways than the RB's now?  Maybe I should demo the regulars and not the Tour versions?  Just curious.

The non-tour versions are easier and more forgiving - I'm also using a RBZ 25 Hybrid that gets me 4i distance. I had a clubmaker also install an aftermarket shaft that is shorter in length - that makes the club easier for contact and consistency. I didn't want to keep buying clubs - I wanted clubs that fit me and I would use for 4-5 years or more.

The new RBZ fairways look a lot easier from the fairway with the shallower face. Still, the longer shaft length is concerning - I like my longest fairway at 42.5 inches.

Although if you want a good deal on something long - the R11 Titanium fairways are still out there and available at a deal - you get high COR and a long heel to toe, shallow face, and big club head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbiker5 

I've been reading up on the new Taylor Made Stage 2's coming out specifically the 3 wood & hybrids.  I dont doubt they've figured out a way to gain additional yds however I find my RB's hybrids Tour clubs I bought last summer not all that "easy" to hit.  I almost am thinking of going back to a Callaway.  Has anyone else found this?  I think they said the new Stage 2's are going to be easier off the fairways than the RB's now?  Maybe I should demo the regulars and not the Tour versions?  Just curious.

I recently demoed the RBZ 3 wood (non-tour) and a Callaway Razr fit fairway and for fun I grabbed an R11s and I ended up buying the R11s. It was easier to hit and had more control than the RBZ. The Callaway was a great club as well but the R11s was $40.00 cheaper which appealed to my frugal side. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbiker5 

...  I dont doubt they've figured out a way to gain additional yds however I find my RB's hybrids Tour clubs I bought last summer not all that "easy" to hit.  ...

...  Maybe I should demo the regulars and not the Tour versions?  Just curious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbiker5 

...  Worst case I just trade in my RBZ from last season and just go with the regular Stage 2's over the Tour versions.  I had a couple of friends hit these as well and everyone said the same thing.  Not the easiest to hit off the fairways and the 3 wood has a wicked draw.

I got fitted this past summer for a RBZ 3W.HL (really a 4W), a 7W and a 4H. Then, some swing tweaks boosted my driver and iron shots, but the RBZ family turned into hook machines.

I had the RBZ regripped this fall, going from standard to midsize (a bit larger), and this seems to have tamed the hooks somewhat. Also, note that regular RBZ FWs have a light 45 gr. shaft. As a 10 HDCP, you might overpower this shaft (more hooks for a new reason).

For a stopgap, you might try gripping down an inch or so on shots off the fairway to get more control. Or, you might try Mr. Desmond's advice and get shaft shortened, maybe a new shaft.

Also, check out this Second Swing review of shaft flex on RBZ woods and hybrids. Points out some design issues that would be nice to know before buying RBZ:

http://thesandtrap.com/a/rocketballz-shaft-flex-a-case-study

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbiker5 

 Not the easiest to hit off the fairways and the 3 wood has a wicked draw.

Wicked draw - TM does not put the greatest shafts in these clubs - shaft may be too long and therefore, soft - one could cut from the butt to slightly stiffen as long as swingweight is left alone; or the shaft may be a bad fit.

Notice how the TM website says the RBZ 2.0 woods are 10 yards longer than the original RBZ 3 wood?

I couldn't believe it, so i did some digging and found that TM tested the new RBZ 2.0 at 150MPH ball speed with the 3 wood. Most people cant even generate that kind of ball speed with a pured drive! Therefor, only players with tour caliber swing speed will see a increase of distance with the 3 wood. That also explains why the majority of people dint see the 15+ yards increase of distance over their current 3 wood. That kind of disappointed me, i really thought that since the RBZ line is for us mortals that play the game, that they would of used swing speeds that mid caps can generate, not Dustin Johnsons swing speed...

Also, I picked up distance with last years RBZ 3 wood (old 3 wood 226 carry vs rbz 238 carry off the deck). My old club was a 08 burner 3 wood. I going to head right to the golf shop when the new line of RBZ 2.0 hit the shelf's to compare the RBZ vs RBZ 2.0. I have a sinking suspicion that i wont pick up any distance. Lame

Pardon my vent...