TaylorMade R1 - The perfect choice?

Here's a good starting point - which manufacturer has more tour pros using its drivers than any other? In case you don’t know, the answer is TaylorMade. More interesting than the bald statistic is the fact that a lot of players who are contracted to use equipment produced by other manufacturers insist on putting TaylorMade drivers in their bags, including Luke Donald (Mizuno) and Paul Lawrie (Wilson Staff). And they can’t possibly all be wrong.

 

It has to be said that driver technology can be pretty confusing - in the not-so-old days, the only choices to be made concerned loft and flex shaft. But there are lots of things to consider today. 

 

The first thing you should do is get yourself fitted for your new purchase. That means you will know which is the right shaft for you and whether you will get the best results from a nine-degree, 10.5-degree or 12-degree driver. You will also know whether your ideal club should sit open, slightly closed or slightly open. 

 

Armed with all that information, you can then pick up the TaylorMade R1 driver with confidence. And the rest is up to you. Adjusting loft and lie is a simple enough matter, but don't forget that you cannot change the club setting during your round.

 

If you have any doubts about the R1, all you have to do is strike a few golf balls with one. TaylorMade led the way with adjustable drivers, and this one is the best yet. 

 

And consider this - if you have the club set to closed to counteract your slice, remember that if you have lessons then all you have to do is tweak the setting when you learn to hit the ball straight through proper swing mechanics.

 

A great deal of nonsense has been written about titanium drivers, with lots of people who should really know much better claiming that it is impossible to shape shots naturally with one of them. Take it from me, that is patent nonsense. With the R1 set at neutral, I was readily able to hit the ball with a draw (my preferred flight) or a fade. Oh yes, and did I mention that it hits the ball miles? In case I didn't, it hits the ball miles.

 

This is an incredible club, and if you come across a better one, then I want to hear about it.

 

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Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]

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