Taylor Made R9 TP

[Smallville]

Has anyone gotten the chance to try these out? I can't find much about them, I have done searches but haven't found much real-world testing done on it yet. I'm talking about the TP version, not the regular R9.

[wtd]

I haven't hit either, but...

Almost no difference between the two. The TP has a Fuji Motore F1 shaft, where as the standard just has the non-F1 Motore. The F1 is slightly stiffer with lower torque.

Heads are the same, as are the FCT shaft adjustment options.

[DavidFehertysBike]

The TP version will most likley have an open face of at least a full degree. It will have a much more expensive shaft, as well.

[wtd]

FCT (Flight Control Technology), the new adjustable shaft system eliminates the need for an open-face version. FCT allows for the shaft/face to be adjusted to 1 of 8 different configurations (loft & face angle are affected), ranging from closed to open. It's the same in both the standard and TP models.

Again, the only difference is the F1 shaft.

[Smallville]

I found the review of this but I can't post where because of spam, but there are other differences between the two according to Taylor Made. Mainly the hosel that supports the FCT. Sure is a sweet driver that I plan on adding to my collection as soon as I can.

[wtd]

This is right from the TM press release about the R9:

What's the difference between the standard R9 and the R9 TP clubheads?
There isn't any difference - the standard R9 and R9 TP clubheads are exactly the same. Instead, the distinguishing feature between these two drivers is the shaft. The R9 is equipped with a Fujikura Motore 65-gram graphite shaft with High-Inertia Tip (H.I.T.) Technology; the R9 TP is equipped with a Fujikura Motore F1 65-gram shaft with H.I.T. engineered to be slightly stiffer and with lower torque.

If the heads are the same, and they've covered the shaft differences, what's left?

[Smallville]

The Hosel? As I mentioned before? That comes straight from Taylor Made via email.

[wtd]

Upon further review, you are correct. My mistake.

The TP model takes .335 tip, while the standard has a .350 tip. The TP will have more shaft options available, which makes sense, I suppose.

-Tony

[dmband8985]

as i said in another thread, taylor made rep was at the range last week showing off the new clubs...TP will have 9 shaft options. not sure what they will be but i'm guessing the latest round of tour shafts from the top manufacturers.

[Clambake]

I recently got to try out the new R9 a couple weeks ago. I was at Taylor Made Performance Labs being fit for new clubs, and played with one a bit to compare to my Tour Burner and its various shaft options.

The end result for me was I stayed with my TB and changed it to a USB V2 shaft. The R9 felt OK, not great - it reminded me of my old R7 for the feel of the club. I deliberately hit shots towards the heel and towards the toe to see how it handled them, and I felt more dispersion than with my normal Tour Burner.

The club also felt just slightly "dead" on impact. Hard to really describe, but when I nail it with my Tour Burner it really feels solid, and if I hit it too high, low, toe, or heel I get the feedback but it doesn't really hurt the shot shape that much. With the R9 I didn't really feel the feedback.

The various shaft options on the R9 are certainly interesting, but I felt I was better off just spending the time on the launch monitor with a pro to pick out the best combo for me with my Tour Burner. Now that it is set I can just go out and concentrate on putting a good swing on the ball, and not be wondering in the back of my mind if I should go tweak and adjust the club. I had an R7 for awhile and moved the weights around for a week, but once I felt the club was set up properly I never moved them again. With the R9, I feel that you're paying for adjustability that really should only be done once.

BTW, the whole TM Performance Labs experience was great and very educational. I bought new Tour Burner irons with new specs, new 3 wood and 3 hybrid with UST V2 shafts, and reshafted the TB driver. The new clubs feel great!

[erwintrace08]

Difference besides the shaft, you get a TP logo on the socket, shaft, and on the head cover...

I'm getting mine on the 4th...preordered! Can't wait

[sosinsurr]

i recently got to try out the new r9 a couple weeks ago. I was at taylor made performance labs being fit for new clubs, and played with one a bit to compare to my tour burner and its various shaft options.

usb v2?

[chriskzoo]

I hit it at a demo day this weekend at my local shop (keep in mind it was about 30 degrees out) and wasn't overly impressed. All the adjustment options are nice, but I'll be stickign with my Tour Burner again this year.

Now that head size is capped at 460, we've really hit the law of diminishing returns in driver heads I think - it's more about the shaft now.