Taylor Made Golf Company Inc. has introduced the r7 iron, engineered for skilled players who prefer an iron that’s easier to launch high and straight while offering an excellent degree of workability for an iron of its type.
TaylorMade engineers started with an exceptionally large clubhead that features a large, thin clubface with a substantial unsupported area in the centre, resulting in increased flexibility and increased COR. On the back of the clubface is a revised version of TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone Technology, which increases the size of the COR zone – the portion of the clubface that delivers high COR. The “cone,” which was generally circular in shape when used in previous TaylorMade irons, is shaped like an oval in the r7 iron. The Inverted Cone Technology promotes faster ball speed on mis-hits, contributing to greater distance from shot to shot.
The r7 iron also includes TaylorMade’s distinctive shock absorption web in the cavity to absorb harsh vibration at impact to promote great feel. The web, made of a thin layer of soft aluminium that reaches out to each corner of the clubhead, is bonded to the cavity with 3M® VHB™ Tape. VHB Tape is a double-sided, closed-cell acrylic foam tape with ‘viscoelastic’ properties that absorb shock and soften sound. The combination of those two elements, says the company, plus the precise manner in which the web is shaped and positioned, delivers an incredibly soft and satisfying sound and feel at impact.
The r7 iron’s large head is engineered with an exceptionally deep cavity design that allows weight to be positioned strategically in order to move the CG low and well back in the clubhead. That makes the r7 iron super-easy to launch high and long. To promote accuracy, the r7 iron features moderate offset to promote a square clubface at impact.
A choice of two shafts (T Step 90-gram steel or RE*AX™ 65 65-gram graphite) are provided to promote higher clubhead speed and a strong release for increased distance. The new grip incorporates hundreds of small “cells” that help the grip easily conform to the player’s hands, delivering increased feel, comfort and traction.
“Our new r7 iron was designed to appeal to a wide range of players,” said Sean Toulon, TaylorMade executive vice president of product and brand creation. “Its excellent combination of forgiveness, accuracy and distance will appeal to skilled players who favour this type of iron, as well as to less-skilled players who need this type of iron. Its appeal is extremely broad.”
A set of r7 irons, including 3-iron thru PW, carries a recommended retail price of £549, €799, SEK 7,995, NOK 6,995, DKK 6,495, CHF 1,299 with steel shafts and RRP of £649, €999, SEK 9,495, NOK 8,495, DKK 7,995, CHF 1,599 for graphite shafts. Shaft flexes include X, S, R in steel and S, R, M in graphite. Right-handed, left-handed and ladies‘ versions are available. Availability will begin in October.
Taylor Made Golf’s new tour-calibre player’s iron, the r7® TP, is targeted at tour pros and low handicappers. With its compact head, thin topline and thin sole, the r7 TP iron is designed to promote blade-like feel and workability along with “constant distance”, meaning the same, consistent yardage from shot to shot to shot – even, says the company, on mis-hits.
The r7 TP iron also features a large cavity for an iron of this type, the design of which promotes a higher MOI for a surprising degree of forgiveness. The r7 TP iron also features TaylorMade’s next-generation Inverted Cone Technology, in the form of the oval-shaped “cone” in the cavity, which increases the size of the COR zone. The result is consistent ball speed and distance on hits away from the sweet spot. The r7 TP iron’s excellent stability and forgiveness, in conjunction with the positive affect of the Inverted Cone, together promote the r7 TP iron’s ability to deliver extraordinary distance consistency from shot to shot.
The r7 TP iron’s great feel and sound arise from TaylorMade’s new shock-absorption web, which is positioned in the cavity. The web, made of a thin layer of soft aluminium that reaches out to each corner of the clubhead, is bonded to the cavity with 3M® VHB™ Tape. VHB Tape is a double-sided, closed cell acrylic foam tape with viscoelastic properties that absorb shock and soften sound. The combination of the web and the tape, plus the precise manner in which the web is shaped and positioned, delivers tour-calibre feel.
Additional performance features include minimal offset, a slightly flatter lie angle and a tour-configured sole. The minimal offset and a flatter lie angle together give players with tour-calibre hand action what they need to work the ball and play “shots.” The higher CG, which is made possible by the shallow cavity, promotes a controllable, tour-type trajectory. The tour-configured sole was developed by the team that mans the TaylorMade Tour Trailer week in and week out on the PGA Tour®, and incorporates a specially ground leading edge and softened trailing edge that discourage digging and instead glides smoothly through and clear of the turf.
The r7 TP iron comes equipped with the tour-proven True Temper® Dynamic Gold steel shaft in R3, S3 and X1; and the tour-proven Tour Velvet® grip with TaylorMade logo, which delivers an unparalleled combination of traction, comfort and feel.
In summary, the r7 TP iron is a terrific “player’s” cavityback iron which combines the proven shaping and beauty that TaylorMade has become famous for in previous winners like the rac™ irons, including the rac MB, rac TP and rac MB TP irons, with advanced performance technologies like the Inverted Cone Technology and our new shock-absorption web.
“Tour professionals put a premium on distance-control with their irons,” said Sean Toulon. “When they hit a shot, they need to be confident that the ball will travel the chosen yardage, every time. We created the r7 TP to deliver constant distance from one swing to the next, thanks in part to its Inverted Cone Technology. And, like all Tour Preferred® irons that TaylorMade creates, the r7 TP irons look beautiful, feel great and offer tour-calibre workability. We expect them to generate an enthusiastic following among tour pros and low handicappers alike.”
A set of r7 TP irons, including 3-iron to PW, carries a recommended retail price of £599, €899, SEK 8,995, NOK 7,495, DKK 6,995, CHF 1,499 with steel shafts. Shaft flexes include X, S, and R. Right-hand and left-hand available. Availability will begin in October.
TaylorMade www.taylormadegolf.com
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