TaylorMade to Introduce New r7 Irons and TP Wedge

TaylorMade continues their aggressive succession of new product rollouts with the launch of a new line of cavity back irons and a new finish on a wedge.

Bag DropAs one of the major players in the equipment market, TaylorMade continues to develop and introduce new products at an astonishing rate.

In the next week or so, TaylorMade will introduce new r7 irons. These irons appear to be aimed at the low- to mid-handicapper who prefers an iron that’s easy to hit, gets the ball up effortlessly, has some forgiveness, and comes with moderate offset so it sets up like a better player’s club.

As has become their custom, the company appears to be introducing two versions of the irons, a regular r7 iron and an r7 TP (for “Tour Preferred”) version that specifically targets the stronger player with time-proven details and specifications. The Sand Trap will have a full review of these irons soon, but here’s an exclusive first look…

TaylorMade r7 Irons Backs
Behold the new r7 irons! The satin-finish TP version is on the left.

With apologies to TaylorMade, I must admit that when I first saw the pictures of these new clubs and read their description, I immediately thought of Callaway and its X-18 irons, offered in regular and “Pro” versions.

Both the r7s and the X-18s have deeply undercut cavities and both make use of vibration-dampening inserts on the back of the face. The “TP” and “Pro” versions both feature slightly thinner soles, a little less offset, and different shaft options.

That comparison aside, however, a look at the pictures shows the new clubs to be clearly an offspring of the company’s earlier irons – specifically, the RAC LT. The overall shape of the clubhead at address is unmistakably TaylorMade. And that’s not a bad thing. Esthetically, I personally prefer the look of a traditional hosel and ferrule as compared to the short hosel, no ferrule look of the Callaways.

TaylorMade r7 Irons Soles
The regular r7 irons on the left display a wider sole than the TP version on the right.

Design Elements
According to TaylorMade, the goal was to create an iron engineered for skilled players who prefer a club that’s easier to launch high and straight while still providing an excellent degree of workability.

What they came up with is an iron with a fairly big head that enabled them to produce a very large, thin clubface with a substantial unsupported area in the center. This is meant to increase flexibility and coefficient of restitution (CoR), or spring-like effect.

TaylorMade r7 Irons at Address
It’s a very pleasing look at address. Note how the topline on the TP version, on the left, is thinner.

The backs of the clubfaces sport a revised version of the company’s “Inverted Cone Technology,” which is intended to increase the size of the high-CoR area and thus promote faster ball speed on mis-hits. While this device was more or less a circular shape in previous irons, in this iteration it has morphed into an oval.

Surrounding the oval is a shock-absorbing aluminum web meant to deliver a softer feel at impact. Extending to four corners of the clubhead, it’s bonded to the cavity with double-sided, closed-cell acrylic foam tape. This contributes to what TaylorMade describes as an incredibly soft feel and satisfying sound at impact.

All these design features combine for a striking black and gold graphic look that looks pretty snappy.

TaylorMade r7 Irons Cavities
The regular r7 iron, top, has a much wider slot and “Inverted Cone.” Some may find the graphics too busy, but imagine how good these would look in a TaylorMade staff bag.

Like their earlier r7 CGB Max irons, the new r7s feature an extreme undercut channel that gets the weight and center of gravity low and back to make it easier to achieve a higher launch angle.

The r7 Versus r7 TP
TaylorMade has, I think, done a very good job in differentiating the “regular” r7 from the “TP” version. Here’s a quick comparison:

             r7                 r7 TP
             --                 -----
Finish:      Polished           Satin
Offset:      Moderate           Minimal
Top Line:    Thick              Thinner
Sole:        Wide               Narrower
Grip:        Rubber*            Tour Velvet
Shaft:       T-Step*            Dynamic Gold
* Proprietary

As the picture comparisons show, the differences between the two models extend to the cavity with slight differences in the way the oval and aluminum web are positioned.

TaylorMade r7 Irons Grips
I don’t think the proprietary rubber grips on the regular r7 irons, top, are any match for the Tour Velvets on the TP version. But that’s just me.

Specifications
While we don’t have a complete list of the options available with the r7 TP irons, we do know that the regular r7 irons will come in a choice of a “T Step” 90-gram steel shaft or a RE*AX 65-gram graphite shaft. Available flexes will include X, S, R, and M.

The proprietary grip on the regular r7 irons features hundreds of small “cells” that are supposed to deliver better feel, comfort, and traction. Maybe. My experience with proprietary grips is largely unsatisfactory. It’s hard to beat plain old Tour Velvets or Golf Pride’s Dual Durometer grips. And if you prefer Winn-like polymer grips… well, you’re probably used to changing grips by now!

TaylorMade r7 Irons Shafts
The proprietary T-Step shaft on the regular r7 irons is no doubt lighter than Dynamic Gold.

Rolling out in October, a set of 3 through PW will have a suggested retail price of $840 in steel and $1,080 in graphite. A sand wedge, gap wedge, and lob wedge will be sold separately for $105 in steel and $135 in graphite. Sets are available for right-handers, left-handers, and ladies.

While we don’t have a price yet on the r7 TP version, if TaylorMade’s past pricing is any indication, you can bet it’s going to be a lot higher than the regular r7.

The Wedge
TaylorMade Rac Black TP WedgeLaunching the same time as the r7 irons is a new RAC Satin TP wedge. It’s identical to the current RAC Black TP (seen to the right) wedge except for – you guessed it – the satin finish. It would seem TaylorMade is offering up the new finish to better complement the satin finish on its new r7 TP irons.

While the new clubs aren’t up on TaylorMade’s web site as of this writing, you can check out the RAC Black TP wedge here or read our review here.

In the End…
As someone whose time for buttery-soft, teeny forged iron heads has passed him by, these clubs look awfully interesting. I especially like the look of the r7 TP version. I look forward to hitting a few with them to see if the feel is as pleasing as promised.

TaylorMade has become a leader in drivers with the huge following they’ve built with their r7 line. I have a feeling the new r7 irons may help them do the same in that category. Between the two versions, these irons should appeal to a broad range of players.

13 thoughts on “TaylorMade to Introduce New r7 Irons and TP Wedge”

  1. While recently searching for a new set of irons I had the opportunity to try most of the top selling name brands out there. The top 3-brands that I was most impressed with, as a 10 handicapper, were the R7-TP’s, Mizuno MP32’s and the Cleveland CG1’s.

    Although you’ll be getting a muscle-back,smaller and forged iron with the MP32’s, you will also have to hit them on the screws, everytime.

    The CG1’s were also a great club to hit, but again there’s no room for error, you will have to tone your shot down to a narrow striking zone. 1-small spot.

    Taylor Made has crafted a way for the R7-TP’s to produce the same distance and workability (left,right,up & down) as the other two, but the forgiveness on near misses and the suprisingly soft feeling of the R7’s push these irons straight to the top of my list and in to my bag.

    Great job T.M.

  2. Got the R7 TP irons (3 thru PW, AW & SW) yesterday and played them today. They’re sweet and long. The weight feels good in your hands. While on the range, it took me a little bit to get used to the head (looks a little big) but once I saw how they performed they started looking better. Ball flight was great and I had no problem hitting them high or low. While I was on the course, I missed the sweet spot probably nearly 50% during the round and the club wasn’t harsh and most of the distance remained in tack. I’m very pleased with the clubs and I got one heck of a deal on ebay with these hot clubs.

  3. i just bought a set of the r7’s through a high school program in which i attend…hope they hit as nice as they look.

  4. After playing with the TP’s for a few weeks I am really starting to enjoy them. Excellent feedback and shot shaping ease accent the great look and feel of these irons. I a play between a 10-12 handicap and I am hitting these clubs superbly. The distance hasn’t changed much from my previous TM LCD’s, but the accuracy has improved. I heartily recommend them.

  5. Just bought these. After playing the TM rac LT 2004. Not a big change. Good flight distance and feel. Hitting off center takes about 15% of the distance. I recommend. 9/10

  6. these r7 irons have such a soft, powerful feel. if miss hit the ball flight is decreased by only about 10%. I would reccomend the r7 TP irons to the low handicaped plaer who rarely misses the sweet spot. I would strongly recommend buying the r7 irons, and you can watch your handicapped shoot down.

  7. Purchased a set of the R7 irons just last week. I had them specially made with 40 1/2 inch steels shafts with 3 degree lie. Being left handed and the specs they have to come from the factory in usa. Can’t wait to have a hit and let you all no how they perform. Hope they are as good as you all say 🙂

  8. These irons are amazing. I have played titleist 690mb irons for four years and the R7 tp irons are the first cavity back irons that i have been able to find that give me the same confidence at address that my blades have for the past 4 years. I dont care who you are it doesnt hurt to have a little forgiveness for those occasional bad swings and these definitely allow for those swings. 😛

  9. Got the R7’s and love them. They feel great even when you ,is hit them. When you do make full contact, it is unbelievable. By far my favorite set yet!

  10. Got my R7 Irons less than a month ago. Have played with them about 5 times and hit the range a few times in between.

    I’m a 20+ handicap, but I had never felt like I had the control and like these iron gave me. When it hits the sweet spot (which is big) it flies beautifully. When I miss (which unfortunately is too often) I still get a decent shot that I can make up for with a decent chip or pitch.

    I would recommend to anyone.

    Have made my golf game much more enjoyable.

  11. I play off 10 and I I have a set of 10 year old King Cobra graphites. I bought a set of Calloway x-18’s a couple of years ago and could not get anywhere near the same distance as the Cobra’s. I would love to upgrade, so does anyone have any comments on how the R7 Pro’s compare to Cobra?

  12. I usually shoot anywhere from 95-105, when I first used these irons they felt very different from my previous taylormade irons rac os. the r7 tp felt noticeably lighter and the sweet spot was a lot smaller. At first I was kicking myself for buying these irons but after a few rounds I got used to them and I love them now!! I gained about 10 yds on most of my irons, and able to launch the ball high and land them softly on the greens. Before when I’m around 140 yds out I would either muscle an 8 iron or an easy 7iron, both would run off the green, but with the tp series i can rock an 8iron from 140 and land it soft on the green.
    I also bought a 52 and 56 wedges satin tp series…they had a completely different feeling compared to my previous cleveland wedges but once i got used to them,…amazing!! I’m able to spin shots back on the green, where before I couldnt even dream of spinning shots on the green.

    so I love my new set of irons and wedges! TP series!

  13. Bought this TaylorMade R7 model iron last month, this model isn’t compatible with today’s gen irons. But if you are a beginner in golf you should go for it.

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