For TaylorMade in 2015, the return of the “R” series name is a step in the nostalgic direction, while incorporating a series of beneficial design elements from previous metalwood offerings. For the company noting their status as the number one driver in golf, there should be optimism that color and name won’t be the only elements driving intrigue with this driver lineup.
From TaylorMade
MADE OF GREATNESS: OUR MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED DRIVER EVER
R15 also features a lower and more forward center of gravity (CG), to promote higher launch and lower spin. The Front Track system performs like a Speed Pocket, reducing spin and increasing the size of the sweet spot, and the 4° loft sleeve along with new sliding split weights (12.5g each) make dialing in your tee shots easier than ever—slide the weights to center for max distance, heel for max draw, toe for max fade, or split them for max stability.
Only our greatest breakthroughs are worthy of being called an R. 15 years of our groundbreaking metalwoods technologies from the #1 driver in golf have been fused with brand new innovations into a single, game-changing design. We put everything we have into the R15, so you can find out what you have—in you.
First Impressions
Straight away, the mind goes back to the familiar visual elements of the former “R” releases from TaylorMade. The matte white head, the black base and face, as well as the red accents really bring the golfer back to some of their more popular heads over the last half decade. Along with this sense of visual nostalgia, there is an obvious continuation of the SLDR technology between the low and forward CG concept and track weight system.
Early swings introduce a strong balance between the 66 gram Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution, and the 460CC head. The combination of the two creates a D4 swing weight, and while the larger head presents the potential to be sluggish through the transition of the downswing, it’s simply not the case. Running along the back of the driver head at address are subtle grey graphics, as well as a TaylorMade logo and line that frame the ball quite well. Opting for a mid-range grey is beneficial for those who prefer the graphics to blend more than they do stand out.
Low/Forward CG
A remarkable 75% of the total mass of the head is down towards the bottom front, which according to TaylorMade, encourages higher launch with low spin. This is also manipulated to be even lower by adjusting the weights on the track system to the lowest point possible.
Front Track System
While the SLDR track system brought moveable weight technology to the bottom front of the face, R15 brings it even further forward with two weights rather than one. With both weights being 12.5 grams, this is a noticeable change; closer than ever before to the face.
Movable Weight Adjustment
By design, the adjustments that are available to be made with R15 make a lot of sense visually. Driving both weights to the bottom center introduces what seems to be a minor reduction in spin and increase in distance at the cost of forgiveness. Moving the weights to the two extremes drives weight to the outside of the sweet spot and slightly up, introducing an element of forgiveness and stability to the head.
Golfers who lean more towards the creative side of adjustability will be inclined to leave a weight closer to the neutral position on the track, driving the other towards the toe (to help fade) or heel (to help draw). This is a notable improvement to the SLDR track system, which only offered one weight. Rather, golfers can now have a bit of both worlds, between shot shaping, stability, and distance.
R15 Adapter
The final feature of R15 adjustability is built into the adapter. Golfers can adjust the TaylorMade R15 head 12 different ways, ranging from +/- two degrees, as well as altering to an upright setting. These settings will slightly open the face while you reduce loft, and slightly close the face while you increase loft. While this feature is not something new to the TaylorMade driver design, it works very well with the weights in the track system to create the ideal setup. Golfers simply need to make sure they select the most ideal head loft (available in 9.5, 10.5, 12, and 14 degrees) prior to purchase.
The Benefits of Flexibility in Driver Adjustment
As we move towards a driver market that includes more and more adjustability, there seems to be a trend of not only providing golfers with the ability to alter their driver in a way that suits their launch needs, but also incorporates a setting that counters these changes. In the case of the R15 TP driver, testing proved that having the multiple weights became a major benefit when also making adjustments to the adapter position. Golfers can move one of the two weights to the perimeter while still maintaining some of that center weighting of the second weight. This is a change that was very welcomed after SLDR’s limitations of a single weight, and makes up for the loss of adjustable perimeter weighting that was present in the former “R” series drivers.
Throughout the testing period, the weights were moved to nearly every possible setting, along with changing the lofts to see just how much change could be introduced without altering the swing. While distance and stability can be a very situational and subjective experience, testing presented the setups that TaylorMade has established to be correct. The numbers may not have been a vast change while making finite changes, buy it does allow the golfer to be very particular about where the weights are located, a feature that is always welcomed for tinkerers and perfectionists.
Sound
Despite sound being very subjective, and certainly changing depending on location (sim, covered range, course), the TaylorMade R15 TP driver introduces a sound that is very solid at impact, changing in audible volume between the heel (slightly more dull) and high on the face (slightly hollow). The quality contact in the center of the face will generate a lively and shallow sound, with hints of a slightly muted SLDR and a sharper yet toned down R1. During the testing period, the R15 did not feel overly obnoxious with regard to sound, however well struck shots provided ample feedback for curiosity.
Distance
One of the major assets to the R15 design is the ability to generate quite a bit of clubhead speed. During testing, multiple users experienced an increase in swing speed utilizing the R15, and in many cases introduced impressive carry numbers. For higher spin players, moving the weights to the central location and making solid contact meant above average carry distances, while only losing a marginal amount of distance with the ball contact lower towards the heel or high on the toe side.
Launch Characteristics
The conversation of the R15 driver often falls to slightly more spin and marginally higher launch as compared to the SLDR release. Throughout testing, results seemed to stand true, more notably with launch. While TaylorMade encouraged golfers to Loft Up over the past year, it may not be as necessary to stray from normal head preference when giving the R15 a test drive. Considering the stock TP shaft is the Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution, it was not surprising to see a consistent mid to mid-high flight for faster swinging, high-spin players, and something closer to a low-mid to mid launch for golfers on the lower launch, lower spin spectrum.
Forgiveness
This portion of the review can present some challenges. For a majority of the R15 TP driver testing, distance reigned supreme, with accuracy on the face of the head only introducing very marginal decreases in ball speed and total distance. This included very repeatable ball flight with a small tendency to fade while on the TP setting. With that in mind, the R15 did not perform all that well on strikes where the face angle into the ball, or the swing path overall, was less than ideal. This experience included marginal changes to contact that transitioned between fade shot shapes and pull draws. These experiences were entirely the result of poor swings and overcompensation.
Within reason, expectations for a driver and forgiveness are entirely up to the individual, and many strong ball strikers should not think twice about taking advantage of the solid contact experiences of R15. Those who are seeking the most forgiving driver experience possible may want to either seek a shaft with some additional spin, move the weights to the perimeter to create stability, or test the R15 alongside the Aeroburner to draw head-to-head comparisons.
Shaft
The optimized pairing for the R15 TP driver is the Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution. Weighing in around 68 grams, with tendencies for mid launch and mid spin, it applies the stable transition into the ball that would be expected from a ‘tour spec’ shaft. With the R15 head, it provides a typical golfer with a mid-launch characteristics, however it seems to thrive at higher swing speeds, promoting a mid-high flight that travels well when paired with the lower spinning R15 head.
Grip
While the grip can be the fastest piece of a golf club to be removed in order to customize, the R15 TP driver comes stock with a Lamkin UTx grip labeled with “Tour Preferred” in red lettering. It makes for a fantastic look, and considering the quality of the UTx, is worthy of high marks for both durability and weather performance. The black and grey coloration ties into the Speeder shaft exceptionally well.
Parting Thoughts
TaylorMade has taken a solid step in the direction of the majority of golfers with their release of the R15. While testing presented challenges when face angle and swing path went awry, the R15 remains one of the more impressive swing speed and carry distance creators when struck well. This return to the well favored “R” series combines a head with excellent adjustability technology, and a high end shaft to compliment. For more information on the R15 TP Driver, visit www.TaylorMadeGolf.com.
Very solid review Dan, I’ve been in full ponder mode with the R15 heavily in my sights.
Well done Dan , Glad to see the improvements to the slider bar from the SLDR models. I hope there is one on the THP van come Old Silo, I sure would like to hit it .
Great review Dan, covered all aspects of this thing. I really enjoyed the Front track system and adjustable weight charts, sometimes better to see with diagrams than trying to explain it with words.
Job well done!
Fantastic review, Dan. I’m a big fan of the SLDR and the R15 seems to improve on it.
good review Dan…the R series hasn’t been a driver that has cooperated with my swing…have heard good things about this from others as well. Might need to swing and see.
Nice review, Dan. But I think the majority of golfers wanting a TM product belong in the AeroBurner, and the minority of players — the better and higher speed players — in the R15.
Excellent excellent write up Dan. TONS of info in this one.
Super review Dan. Not your take, but why would there be speculation that R15 only fits better high swing speed players? I’m a very slow swinger and this simply isn’t the case R15 versus Aeroburner.
As I said, Dan, great write-up and description of the TM tech and its workings. More forgiving than SLDR is great.
As to the above question, perhaps it is better in a forum post, but it is not my speculation — just my experience with the recent R Series Drivers. I had to work hard to make the R1 go far, even with a decent swing albeit not a fast speed swing. And starting with the R11, I saw too many regular Joe’s on the course and at the range who may have had speed but not skill, or skill but not speed — and it is not pretty. The skill with lack of speed was a prettier picture and result. Still, I would urge golfers, as would most everyone else, to demo several drivers. For the speed challenged like me, lighter and more aerodynamic may be longer and more forgiving. Good luck. Nice advancement by TM as to the tech on this driver.
Great review, the characteristics of this club fit what I like to see in flight, so I will definitely have to give this a try.
Great review, Dan. Sounds like an improvement over the SLDR in terms of forgiveness.
Excellent review. I really like the TM drivers. I look forward to trying it out.
Good stuff here Dan. I hit the 460 yesterday at Dicks and was pleasantly surprised. In fact it was longest of the three drivers I hit.
Good stuff Dan. For a TP driver it sounds surprisingly fair for a wide range of golfers. A friend of mine at TMAG was raving to me about this shaft.
I just got my 430 in 9.5 with a +.25 X Shaft. As most seeing those specs can probably tell, I can wallop the snot out of a golf ball. I’m probably in the 1% of players that benefits from less loft so I immediately cranked the screws all the way down to a 7.5 loft. I tend to balloon drives, I’m talking like 9 iron trajectory, on my misshits. Those mishits still go fairly long (provided I’m not playing into a stiff breeze) but no where near as long as drives I stay into. I started with the weights in the middle as I usually hit it straight, or at the very least hit an equal number of fades and draws. In that position the familiar balloon shot still happened when I didn’t stay into the shot, even with the loft down. When I stayed into it, I have never hit a ball further. Ever. I then moved the weights out, one to each end of the track. Boom. Still hitting it almost as far yet the balloon shot is gone. I can’t even hit it when I try to, and typically I have to try very hard NOT to hit it. I’ve always struggled with that with any driver I’ve ever had. If that familiar nemesis is gone for good I’ll never play another driver. Which should make a nice boon in the secondary golf club market as I literally own dang near every driver invented in the last 20 years. I had a 460 R15 and didn’t think it was anything super special for me, but the 430 is perfect so far. I’m not especially talented overall but possess a much faster than average swing speed and am a much better driver than any other part of my game.