Today TaylorMade Golf is launching their new line of irons and THPers have been some of the first anywhere to test them out. Readers will be able to follow along in the THP Forum in this thread as 8 THPers received these sets a little while ago and have been putting them through testing. Follow along as they continue to review them over the next few months for full details on the performance of the new RSi iron line from TaylorMade Golf.
Results gathered by TaylorMade Golf from fittings revealed that 76% of all iron shots are mis-hits struck outside the center of the face. This discovery led the company to the development of a new technology, designed to improve consistency and distance 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.
RSi Lineup
The three models in the RSi family of irons are designed to appeal to the needs of different players.
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 the ?COR 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.
Pricing and Availability
RSi 1 $799 steel and $899 graphite available on October 15th, 2014
RSi 2 $999 stell and $1199 graphite available on October 15th, 2014
RSi TP $1199 available on January 15th, 2015
As mentioned, more than a handful of THPers have these irons in hand and are putting them through their paces. You can click here to follow along with the reviews as they come in from real world testing.
