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!
