TaylorMade RSi 1 Irons Review Thread

[jlukes]

 

[GregDan]

Well, I did really step on that 7 iron. More consistently, I was hitting the 7 iron about 180 and the 8 irons about 165 so the gap wast really bad with my normal gaming swing.

Well now you just have me all confused. I guess I will have to go try them myself now.

 

[drp3434]

Well, I did really step on that 7 iron. More consistently, I was hitting the 7 iron about 180 and the 8 irons about 165 so the gap wast really bad with my normal gaming swing.

15 yards isn't too bad I guess. If you could make it work I guess that might allow you to drop a club at the top of the bag and add another wedge or something. Or maybe a second driver, maybe easier to hit but a little shorter than your regular one.

 

[fupresti]

Well now you just have me all confused. I guess I will have to go try them myself now.

Knowing your game, I would try the RSi2 irons. I plan to hit them myself as soon as I have the chance.

 

[ddec]

Here is the official press release.

TaylorMade Debuts RSi Irons with Revolutionary
New Face Slot Technology

Engineered to help mis-hits perform more like pure strikes


CARLSBAD, CALIF. (October 15, 2014) - Results gathered by TaylorMade Golf from thousands
of golf club fittings revealed that 76% of all iron shots are mis-hits struck outside the center of the
face (where the fastest ball speeds are produced).* This discovery led the company to the
development of a revolutionary new technology, designed to improve consistency and distance
on off-center hits.

Introducing the new RSi iron family featuring Face Slot Technology, the next great innovation from the company that has pioneered the performance of the modern distance iron.

“Face Slot Technology provides greater consistency across the face, giving players improved
performance on mis-hits,” said Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s Director of Product Creation for
Irons, Putters & Wedges. “No golfer is perfect, not even the best players in the world hit the
center of the club every time. So with RSi, we’re giving all golfers a technology that can help their mis-hits perform more like pure strikes.”

Two years ago, TaylorMade introduced “Speed Pockets” (a small slot in the sole of the iron to
improve shots struck low on the face of the iron). The company has taken everything it’s learned
from the development of the Speed Pocket technology (originally introduced in its revolutionary
RocketBallz fairway wood) and applied it to the iron face to activate the toe and heel areas to
provide more uniform flexion across the face and protect ball speed on off-center hits.

Face Slot Technology
Only available with RSi, Face Slots are found in the 3-8 irons. Positioned at the toe and heel, just
outside the score lines and vertically spanning 35 to 38mm (depending on the iron number), the
slots are cut all the way through the face and filled with a durable epoxy compound. The heel and
toe slots allow the face to flex easily and protect ball speed for more consistent distance across
the face.

Improved Speed Pocket
In addition to Face Slots, the improved Speed Pocket in the RSi iron features ThruSlot technology
- engineered to activate the lower portion of the face by minimizing speed reduction and creating
higher launch on shots hit below center. Like Face Slots, the Speed Pocket (found in the 3-7
irons) protects ball speed, launch angle and spin rate, especially on shots struck low on the face.

The two combine to give RSi a larger sweetspot with forgiveness near the toe, heel and bottom of
the club.


RSi Lineup
The family of RSi irons features three distinct models; each designed to appeal to the performance needs of different player types.
RSi 1 features TaylorMade’s Advanced Face Design - an engineering feat that incorporates the
company’s thinnest face ever, a deep undercut and Inverted Cone Technology (to extend theCOR zone) in order to promote greater ball speed. In addition, a stabilized head structure and multiple dampening systems resulted in improved sound and feel. The new Reax 90 steel shaft from True Temper helps optimize ball flight for max distance and performance.


The most resounding characteristic of the RSi 2 is the Progressive Multi-Material Construction.
The 3-5 irons are cast from 450 stainless steel with tungsten weighting to promote a lower CG
and slightly higher flight. The mid irons (6-7) are cast of 450 stainless steel, as well. The high-
strength material allowed engineers to make the face thinner, undercuts deeper and
accommodate slot technology. The short irons (8, 9, PW) incorporate forged faces to promote
feel and accuracy; and the wedges are completely forged, giving them the look, feel and
workability desired by better players. RSi 2 irons come stock with the all-new KBS Tour 105 shaft.


“The RSi 2 provides the ideal blend of performance and beauty,” said Bystedt. “We have combined a progressive multi-material construction with our most innovative performance technologies to provide the best of all worlds in a slim, beautiful package.”


The RSi TP irons combine the forged look and feel preferred by better players with Face Slot
Technology. An advanced two-piece construction merges a premium 1025 forged carbon steel
hosel/face with a 431 stainless steel back using plasma welding in the 3-7 irons. This construction provides the precision and feel of a forged iron with the advanced geometry of cast irons - delivering the best of both worlds. The short irons (8-PW) are classic forged heads with a slight muscle cavity. RSi TP irons come stock with the Tour-proven KBS Tour Steel Shaft.

“The RSi TP irons were developed to deliver launch, consistency and feel to take performance to the next level for our Tour Professionals,” added Bystedt. “The shapes of these irons will be instantly pleasing to better players and will have the feel and workability that golfers expect in a forged product. It really is the best combination of performance, look and feel that we’ve created for the world’s best players.”


Nobody’s Perfect
PGA Tour Professionals find the center of the clubface far more often than amateurs, but even the world’s best players miss more often than you think. “We’re not all perfect,” said TaylorMade Tour Staff Professional Jason Day. “We mis-hit shots all the time, but they still go on the green. We’ve just honed our skills to make our mis-hits a little straighter.”

Sergio Garcia is regarded as one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour when he has
an iron in his hand, but the mis-hit is also a big factor for him. “I would say that in a given round of golf, we probably mis-hit the ball at least 30% of the time,” said Garcia. “It’s difficult to hit the
center of the clubface every time. That’s why it’s important that the club you play helps those little mis-hits perform pretty much as well as your sweetspot hits.”

Pricing and Availability
Both RSi 1 ($799 steel; $899 graphite) and RSi 2 ($999 steel; $1199 graphite) will be available to demo at select TaylorMade retailers on October 15, 2014. Sets (3-PW) can be purchased
beginning on November 14, 2014. Individual gap, sand and lob wedges will be available in the RSi 1; while only gap and sand wedges will be available in RSi 2.RSi TP ($1199) will be at retail on January 15, 2015.

For more information, go to www.mis-hitshappen.com or www.taylormadegolf.com.

*Fitting results collected from TaylorMade’s MAT-T (Motion Analysis Technology) system used at its Kingdom facility in Carlsbad and at all of its TaylorMade Performance Lab locations.

About the adidas Group
The adidas Group is a global leader in the sporting goods industry, offering a broad portfolio of
footwear, apparel and hardware for sport and lifestyle around the core brands adidas, Reebok,
TaylorMade, Rockport and Reebok-CCM Hockey. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany,
the Group employs more than 50,000 people across the globe and generated sales of €14.5
billion in 2013.

About TaylorMade-adidas Golf
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company sells golf clubs, balls, clothing and accessories under the TaylorMade, adidas Golf, Adams and Ashworth brands. TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company posted 2013 sales of over €1.3 billion.

 

[MWard]

Do you remember the details? Higher ball speed? How much higher was the ball launching?

Ball speed 3-6, launch anywhere from 1.4-2.3 higher.

I appreciate you asking, because I wouldn't have thought to include that

 

[JB]

Just a quick thank you to those reviewing these irons. Readers from all over the world will find this and it will help them to have honest feedback.

 

[Hawk]

Ball speed 3-6, launch anywhere from 1.4-2.3 higher.

I appreciate you asking, because I wouldn't have thought to include that

That's extremely solid. Based on past experience and that I think I need to give these some swings.

 

[GregDan]

Knowing your game, I would try the RSi2 irons. I plan to hit them myself as soon as I have the chance.

I was thinking the same. The 1s just look a bit to big for my liking. I like the looks if the SLDR much better and I think the 2s will probably be closer to that.

 

[v.man]

Lots of info on TaylorMade's site on these AND a LIVE CHAT going on where you can "ask the experts".

Linky: https://taylormadegolf.thismoment.com/base/mishitshappenqa

 

[fupresti]

It is also striking how un-SGI they really look at address. I know much will be made, but the lower offset and chrome finish really give these an appearance that is quite pleasing.

 

[MPlefty]

did I miss some info on the shafts in these? I see the preorder on golftown.ca offerst stock matrix program (graphite) and TT REAX (steel), did you guys get steel or graphite?

 

[ddec]

It is also striking how un-SGI they really look at address. I know much will be made, but the lower offset and chrome finish really give these an appearance that is quite pleasing.

When I first opened them I was telling myself that the lines weren't all that different from the SLDR's. Then I compared them and you can see there is more offset(not a bad thing) and thicker topline(also not bad). I think they kind of hid those pretty well in these.

 

[fupresti]

did I miss some info on the shafts in these? I see the preorder on golftown.ca offerst stock matrix program (graphite) and TT REAX (steel), did you guys get steel or graphite?

Steel shaft.

 

[ddec]

did I miss some info on the shafts in these? I see the preorder on golftown.ca offerst stock matrix program (graphite) and TT REAX (steel), did you guys get steel or graphite?

I believe we all have the TT Reax shaft(steel)

 

[fupresti]

When I first opened them I was telling myself that the lines weren't all that different from the SLDR's. Then I compared them and you can see there is more offset(not a bad thing) and thicker topline(also not bad). I think they kind of hid those pretty well in these.

You are right. I was comparing them more in appearance to the Ping G30 and Callaway Big Bertha irons.

 

[MPlefty]

I believe we all have the TT Reax shaft(steel)

is that REAX shaft new? I dont remember hearing about them

 

[IceyShanks]

First off, how amazing of TM to do this, secondly, those face slots have me intrigued for sure!

 

[jlukes]

KBS Tour 105 in the RSi2 is extremely intriguing

 

[MWard]

That's extremely solid. Based on past experience and that I think I need to give these some swings.

I thought the SB was high launching too. These were really high in comparison

 

[Mmaynard11]

How sweet is that!!! Congrats guys and can't wait for your feedback!

 

[ddec]

is that REAX shaft new? I dont remember hearing about them

It is a True Temper shaft, 90 grams. Honestly right now I don't know much about the shaft, other than how it performs. I'm looking forward to learning more about them.

While we are not reviewing them, the RSi2 irons have a KBS Tour shaft that weighs 105 grams. I'd like to learn more about those too.

 

[Canadan]

Boy, the 15th just kind of snuck up on me. I will have a more thorough review up later, but here is some information on the 3 lines.

And as for whether or not the face slots work on mishits, this was the first swing I made with the irons. I went to the range and decided no warm up, just grab a club and swing. This was the result:

The club was an 8 iron and the result was a 153 yard high fade that landed about 10 yards right of the target. They are long, high and want to do nothing but go straight.

The TP Badge!! YES!!!! I need to hit those.

 

[ddec]

The TP Badge!! YES!!!! I need to hit those.

Dan I think back to our first round together and watching you dismantle a course with Burner 2.0 irons. I can't imagine how high and far you'd hit these.

 

[fupresti]

The TP Badge!! YES!!!! I need to hit those.

I have a feeling you would love them. I am apparently the minority but love my TP MC's. I think these are in line with them with better launch on the low irons.