TaylorMade golf is in an interesting place right now, while they certainly still push innovation, there is also a definite affinity for sequels and throwback homage designs in recent years. The latest is a tip of the cap to the TiBubble 2 driver that was among the most successful designs ever during early era of metalwoods. How are they honoring that legacy? With a mini driver of course, the all new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver to be exact.
TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver
I will openly admit to being an absolute fanboy of any mini driver release that actually makes it beyond a Tour only option and into the hands of us mere mortals. While they are undoubtedly one of the most niche designs in all of golf, they are also a lot of fun for those of us who are in that small segment. That said, I will always believe there is a place for a Mini Driver as it gives a larger striking area than a traditional 3-wood, but isn’t as mentally daunting at setup as a traditional driver for many golfers. It seems TaylorMade agrees.
The BRNR Mini Driver may have lost all of its vowels, but it didn’t lose track of the main goals of this type of club. While yes, its release does coincide with it hitting the Tour (it got play at The Masters as well as the RBC Heritage) and allows an emphasis on tighter dispersion with their world class ball speeds, it also seeks to appeal to the everyday golfer who just doesn’t feel comfortable with a 460cc driver.
In terms of design, the BRNR Mini Driver is a 304cc head which utilized an updated version of the “K-Sole” which was a key component to what made the previously mentioned Ti Bubble 2 so successful. This design seeks to add an element of capability off the deck which would otherwise be more difficult without the contour and flow of the K-Sole.
The rest of the tech centers around a two-weight system that uses 13g and 15g to give more adjustability and fine tuning. By now, you probably know how a design feature like this works, heavy forward gets you more speed with a flatter trajectory and less spin, while heavy back increases the MOI as well as ability to get the ball in the air for more versatility. According to TaylorMade, their testing has shown a 200 RPM difference in the two different orientations. Also, for those wondering, no, this does not use TaylorMade’s Carbonwood Face, but it does have a full carbon crown.
The Details
Nostalgia is definitely on display with the BRNR Mini Driver, from the copper and black finish, an old-school barrel shaped headcover, and even using the updated UST Mamiya ProForce 65 shaft as the standard option, TaylorMade is all in on tugging at a generation of golfer’s heartstrings here. The BRNR Mini Driver will be available in 11.5 and 13.5 degree options and hits retail 4/21/23 with a price point of $449.99.
What do you think? Does the BRNR Mini hit your nostalgia buttons or is it perhaps a bridge too far? Jump into the conversations on the THP Community or in the comments below and let’s talk shop!
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12250420, member: 53737″]
They’re on the shelves everywhere here already. It’s a cool look.
[/QUOTE]
I’m sure. Which is funny since they’re also breaking their own embargo on top of everyone else too. :LOL:
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250497, member: 1579″]
I’m sure. Which is funny since they’re also breaking their own embargo on top of everyone else too. :LOL:
[/QUOTE]
Maybe they got special permission to release it early.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12250507, member: 50607″]
Maybe they got special permission to release it early.
[/QUOTE]
Very much doubtful.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12250502, member: 53737″]
Well so much for waiting a few more days. Aussies ain’t ******* around leading into the weekend. ?
[/QUOTE]
Aussies know how to party. :LOL:
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250497, member: 1579″]
I’m sure. Which is funny since they’re also breaking their own embargo on top of everyone else too. :LOL:
[/QUOTE]
It’s hard not to laugh sometimes. Multiple companies work so hard at [I]parts of it[/I], just to fail miserably on others. And I think it’s part of why no one waits.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12250502, member: 53737″]
Well so much for waiting a few more days. Aussies ain’t ******* around leading into the weekend. ?
[/QUOTE]
We just couldn’t wait to go hitting bombs.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12250512, member: 53737″]
It’s hard not to laugh sometimes. Multiple companies work so hard at [I]parts of it[/I], just to fail miserably on others. And I think it’s part of why no one waits.
[/QUOTE]
It is indeed funny.
In the end, I’m glad we follow them, but, it does give me migraines at times during release season with the race to be first out there on the internet.
Hell, I just want to hit them all ????
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250522, member: 1579″]
It is indeed funny.
In the end, I’m glad we follow them, but, it does give me migraines at times during release season with the race to be first out there on the internet.
Hell, I just want to hit them all ????
[/QUOTE]
I was going to wait on thoughts, but I’ve hit it and .. mm. I like their fairways and you like minis, so there was a lot there to like.
I have no content coming on it though, so I won’t be the one to eff this up. Lol I’ll be curious to hear how people respond to it.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12250542, member: 53737″]
I was going to wait on thoughts, but I’ve hit it and .. mm. I like their fairways and you like minis, so there was a lot there to like.
I have no content coming on it though, so I won’t be the one to eff this up. Lol I’ll be curious to hear how people respond to it.
[/QUOTE]
I have this really really not healthy love of mini drivers. hahahaha
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250545, member: 1579″]
I have this really really not healthy love of mini drivers. hahahaha
[/QUOTE]
Why not though? We’re in an age where tech means that a lot of 5 woods are throwing out 3 wood numbers. There’s not a lot of point carrying around two clubs that can achieve the same outcome so why not ditch the 3 and grab something that’ll be safer but not quite as far as a driver.
[QUOTE=”roswellj, post: 12250551, member: 8427″]
Why not though? We’re in an age where tech means that a lot of 5 woods are throwing out 3 wood numbers. There’s not a lot of point carrying around two clubs that can achieve the same outcome so why not ditch the 3 and grab s[B]omething that’ll be safer but not quite as far as a driver.[/B]
[/QUOTE]
My 3W is that club you describe. I absolutely LOVE hitting fairway woods.
Mini, is the most niche club that ever niched a niche within a game of niches. It make little sense for 98% of golfers, but dammit if they aren’t hilariously fun.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250552, member: 1579″]
My 3W is that club you describe. I absolutely LOVE hitting fairway woods.
Mini, is the most niche club that ever niched a niche within a game of niches. It make little sense for 98% of golfers, but dammit if they aren’t hilariously fun.
[/QUOTE]
I’m part of the 2%. I feel special.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12250563, member: 50607″]
I’m part of the 2%. I feel special.
[/QUOTE]
It’s true though, its why it isn’t a normal release for companies, and why the quantities are always much more limited than we think. Even getting cult status (because they are really good) like TM last two have, they don’t sell many because they don’t fit many. Some. But not many.
I’ve asked just about every OEM why they don’t make them at one point or another, and the answer is always the same, haha
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250567, member: 1579″]
It’s true though, its why it isn’t a normal release for companies, and why the quantities are always much more limited than we think. Even getting cult status (because they are really good) like TM last two have, they don’t sell many because they don’t fit many. Some. But not many.
I’ve asked just about every OEM why they don’t make them at one point or another, and the answer is always the same, haha
[/QUOTE]
It’s weird though. TM obviously sell enough of them. The last lot were sold out in most places and going for significantly more on Ebay than their retail. The demand obviously exceeds the supply.
[QUOTE=”roswellj, post: 12250577, member: 8427″]
It’s weird though. TM obviously sell enough of them. The last lot were sold out in most places and going for significantly more on Ebay than their retail. The demand obviously exceeds the supply.
[/QUOTE]
You know why they sell a lot of them? They don’t make a ton. It might be the one club they have always been really good at inventory management with.
If there are tons of mini drivers sitting on shelves all the time, it wouldn’t be a good thing for them. Niche club, limited quantities.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12250588, member: 1579″]
You know why they sell a lot of them? They don’t make a ton. It might be the one club they have always been really good at inventory management with.
If there are tons of mini drivers sitting on shelves all the time, it wouldn’t be a good thing for them. Niche club, limited quantities.
[/QUOTE]
Makes sense. I know that my local shop was cursing TM last time I was in there because they still had about a dozen Stealth 2’s sitting on the shelf when the QI10 came in and TM was pretty firm on them only being allowed to slightly discount them and they are allocated driver quantities, they don’t get to choose how many they initially stock. For a smaller retail shop that’s a big expense to have just sitting there unsold.
I have to admit, half of my wanting a Burner Mini is to try it on a full length driver shaft, a 3w shaft, and its own in between shaft. Just for the funz
[QUOTE=”amarkabove, post: 12250617, member: 75272″]
I have to admit, half of my wanting a Burner Mini is to try it on a full length driver shaft, a 3w shaft, and its own in between shaft. Just for the funz
[/QUOTE]
I tried the BRNR Mini shaft in the Stealth 2 head during my fitting. It was an unmitigated disaster.
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] what loft is your original one?
Meant to put this in the new thread
[QUOTE=”MH, post: 12254241, member: 38594″]
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] what loft is your original one?
Meant to put this in the new thread
[/QUOTE]
13.5, I never use the lower lofts in the mini’s, makes no sense to me.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t hit this off the deck. It’s a piece of cake. Put my 2nd BRNR Mini in the bag today. This one is a 13.5° head set to 15.5° and plays a little shorter at 43″. I have the heavier weight in the back also.
Playing a short, dogleg infested course Sunday. 13.5* Mini will be the only “driver” in the bag because I want to bring the 9 wood for some uphill & over the trees fun on a couple of holes..
Hitting this off the deck is just ridiculous! So fun! I turned both mini drivers down a notch or two. So, they should be 10.75° and 14.25°.
If weather holds tomorrow will be my first round of the year and also first time on the course with the mini. I don’t think i will get the chance to hit it off the deck but do have 4 holes penciled in off the tee
Got one today. Hit it on mats, in lousy weather. Numbers are unusuable. But the Sound of this club is gold …
Sun is shining, a little cool but a nice day for the first round of the year. The BRNR will be in the bag today
Gonna put the Minis to the test today!
I hit this off the tee 3 times today, 2 dead straight but lower flight than I like and the 3 leaked to the right on me but was still in the fairway just a bit shorter than I would have liked. I think I was teeing the ball too low. Will experiment with tee higher next round
Drove a short Par 4 with the 13.5° mini today. [USER=59872]@Davidhibler[/USER] and [USER=51300]@Carolina Dundee[/USER] tried them. They can talk about their experience with it.
[QUOTE=”MH, post: 12313148, member: 38594″]
I hit this off the tee 3 times today, 2 dead straight but lower flight than I like and the 3 leaked to the right on me but was still in the fairway just a bit shorter than I would have liked. I think I was teeing the ball too low. Will experiment with tee higher next round
[/QUOTE]
This was meant for the 2024 thread
Going with 2 BRNR Mini drivers has been a great idea. One off the tee and the other off the ground. [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] you hit yours off the deck yet?
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12326393, member: 50607″]
Going with 2 BRNR Mini drivers has been a great idea. One off the tee and the other off the ground. [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] you hit yours off the deck yet?
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I’ve honestly found it no different than the 300 off the turf so far.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12326630, member: 1579″]
Yeah, I’ve honestly found it no different than the 300 off the turf so far.
[/QUOTE]
You have the 11.5° head, correct?
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12326677, member: 50607″]
You have the 11.5° head, correct?
[/QUOTE]
13.5, same as with the 300.
The stock setup here though spins a LOT for me, had to turn it to 11.5 today on course. Was hitting 42 yard peaks as standard.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12326688, member: 1579″]
13.5, same as with the 300.
The stock setup here though spins a LOT for me, had to turn it to 11.5 today on course. Was hitting 42 hard peaks as standard.
[/QUOTE]
Move the weights. It knocked off +/- 700 rpms of spin when I did this during my fitting.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12326692, member: 50607″]
Move the weights. It knocked off +/- 700 rpms of spin when I did this during my fitting.
[/QUOTE]
I’ll be shocked if I see that much on monitor on such a small head honestly, drivers are only about 300.
I do plan on getting numbers this weekend though, and versus the 300.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12326692, member: 50607″]
Move the weights. It knocked off +/- 700 rpms of spin when I did this during my fitting.
[/QUOTE]
that’s a lot of rpms
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12326715, member: 1579″]
I’ll be shocked if I see that much on monitor on such a small head honestly, drivers are only about 300.
I do plan on getting numbers this weekend though, and versus the 300.
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=”Jeff Spicoli, post: 12326716, member: 10545″]
that’s a lot of rpms
[/QUOTE]
This is from my driver fitting back last Summer.
In stock form, it was like a 2 wood. Spin was in the 3000s, carry was like 250ish, putting the heavy weight forward really unlocked its potential.
After moving the weights- Ball speed was consistently in the low 150s, spin averaged 2250, AoA, launch, path, plane, etc. were just ideal. It averaged 269 yards,
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12326744, member: 50607″]
This is from my driver fitting back last Summer.
In stock form, it was like a 2 wood. Spin was in the 3000s, carry was like 250ish, putting the heavy weight forward really unlocked its potential.
After moving the weights- Ball speed was consistently in the low 150s, spin averaged 2250, AoA, launch, path, plane, etc. were just ideal. It averaged 269 yards,
[/QUOTE]
That would be a first for me to see based on a weight change, and I’ve tested/reviewed a LOT of those kinds of heads. 250-350 is the norm, and what companies are typically comfortable claiming.
Good for you for finding that unicorn situation!
[QUOTE=”Jeff Spicoli, post: 12326716, member: 10545″]
that’s a lot of rpms
[/QUOTE]
It’s an astronomical amount
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12326752, member: 1579″]
That would be a first for me to see based on a weight change, and I’ve tested/reviewed a LOT of those kinds of heads. 250-350 is the norm, and what companies are typically comfortable claiming.
Good for you for finding that unicorn situation!
[/QUOTE]
It’s been really good for me. I think it’s a fact that I played a Callaway Steelhead driver from the late 90’s/early 2000s until 2017. Then, I always hit a 3 wood because it was easier for me than a driver. So, a smaller footprint and more loft and shorter shaft works well for me.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12326753, member: 1579″]
It’s an astronomical amount
[/QUOTE]
He averaged 2782 then swapped weights and got 2071. 711 rpm difference.
[MEDIA=youtube]ebK4HrdGHwM[/MEDIA]
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12326799, member: 50607″]
He averaged 2782 then swapped weights and got 2071. 711 rpm difference.
[MEDIA=youtube]ebK4HrdGHwM[/MEDIA]
[/QUOTE]
That’s cool, I’ve still never seen that much in a lot of reviews that I’ve done, which is what I am speaking on.
This is exactly why I play two mini drivers. They give you confidence, they are super consistent, the adjustability is amazing, and you can just hammer one off the deck and it launches quick and easy.
[MEDIA=youtube]16r-TNcJZ-o[/MEDIA]