First Blog Post: R7 Review

This is the press release describing the release of the R7 clubs from Taylor Made...

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 center, 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 prior 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 aluminum 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, 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 favor 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 manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $840 with steel shafts and $1,080 for graphite shafts. SW, AW and LW sold separately at an MSRP of $105 per club with steel shafts and $135 for graphite shafts. Shaft flexes include X, S, R and M. Right-handed, left-handed and ladies' versions are available. Availabilty will begin in October at TaylorMade’s retail partners.