460 cc Clubhead Features Draw-Weighted Technology to Help
CARLSBAD, Calif. (August 9, 2006) – Taylor Made Golf Company Inc., the No. 1-ranked driver brand on the PGA Tour, European Tour, Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour, LPGA Tour and Japan Tour, has introduced a new driver called the r7® Draw. Featuring a 460 cc titanium clubhead and what TaylorMade calls Draw-Weighted Technology, it is engineered to help players of all types either hit the ball longer by hitting a draw, or hit the ball longer by straightening a slice.
"We’ve analyzed thousands of swings during the past five years to help determine how to build clubs that will better help golfers to hit longer, straighter shots," said Sean Toulon, executive vice president of product and brand creation. "One of the things we discovered is that 50â?° of the players we studied needed help hitting a draw. If you can’t hit a draw, you’re losing out on potential distance, because a draw goes farther because it lands hotter and rolls farther. That drove us to create the r7 Draw driver, which will help players of all types to hit a draw without making a single swing change."
Draw-Weighted Technology in a 460 cc Head
TaylorMade’s research & development department started with a deep-faced, 460 cc titanium clubhead – the maximum size the USGA will allow. The size contributes to an extremely high MOI for great forgiveness on mis-hits. That, combined with the extremely low center of gravity (CG) location makes the r7 Draw driver exceptionally easy to launch.
To make the r7 Draw driver easier to hit a draw with, TaylorMade engineers incorporated Draw-Weighted Technology into the clubhead, wherein all available discretionary weight is positioned in the back of the clubhead and toward the heel. How? By creating a deep "speed scoop" in the sole, near the toe. This scoop pushes weight in the direction of the heel, which moves the CG even closer to the shaft. That’s critical, because the closer the CG is to the heel, the better for promoting a draw. That’s because moving the CG closer to the shaft speeds the rotation of the clubhead during the forwardswing, the way a spinning figure skater speeds the rotation of his or her body by pulling his or her arms inward.
Draw-Weighted Technology combined with the slightly closed clubface alignment, makes it dramatically easier to square the r7 Draw driver’s clubface to the ball at and through impact, promoting a draw. And a draw, considered by many to be the strongest shot in golf, goes farther than any other shot-shape because it rolls farther. And, for players who chronically hit the ball right, Draw-Weighted Technology helps soften a slice. Additionally, moving the CG farther back encourages a high ball flight, resulting in greater carry and distance.
Inverted Cone Technology
Speaking of distance, the r7 Draw driver is long. Its large clubface area delivers a high COR, while its Inverted Cone Technology creates an exceptionally large COR zone. The Inverted Cone Technology, which features a variable thickness profile milled directly onto the inner side of the clubface, changes the way the clubface behaves at impact, dramatically increasing the size of the zone that delivers high COR – more than .800. The result is higher ball speed on mis-hits for greater overall distance.
RE*AXâ?¢ 55 Tip-Soft Graphite Shaft
The r7 Draw driver features a 55-gram RE*AXâ?¢ 55 graphite shaft, manufactured by Mitsubishi, which is not only extremely light but also tip-soft, encouraging greater clubhead speed and a high launch-angle for a high, long ball flight. That, combined with the distance-enhancing qualities of either a draw or a straighter shot, means that players who tee up the r7 Draw driver are almost certain to find themselves hitting less club on their approach shots.
"The r7 Draw driver is big, powerful, forgiving, easy to hit," said Toulon. "Best of all, it will help any golfer turn the ball over and reap the distance benefits of a draw. It will help chronic slicers hit straighter shots and say goodbye to the right side of the golf course. It’s an amazing club that has to be tried to be truly appreciated."
The r7 Draw driver carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $370. Lofts include 9.0°, 10.5° and HT (High Trajectory) lofts. Shaft flexes include X, S, R and M. Available in right-handed, left-handed and ladies’ versions. The r7 Draw driver is available at many of TaylorMade’s retail partners now.
About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
Taylor Made Golf Company has led the golf industry’s technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf footwear and apparel is the choice of hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (800) 888-CLUB or www.tmag.com, www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.maxfli.com or www.rossaputters.com.
Contact:
TaylorMade-adidas Golf
John Steinbach
Tel: 760.918.6330
eMail: john.steinbach@tmag.com
