TaylorMade Golf - JetSpeed

[SPY ZINGER]

 

Yesterday, I found myself on the first tee of Torrey Pines South with my friend and forum member, rlheiman, and Tony Starks (@starkscontrast) from TaylorMade Golf.  Tony is one of the nicest guys in golf, and well spoken ambassador for TaylorMade.  It went something like this, "Hey, Tony, it's Muscles.  We're playing Torrey, can you make it?" He grabbed a bag full of TaylorMade and a some CIA spy apparatus concealing the new JetSpeed Driver and Fairway before meeting us on the first tee.  He protected their identity as if they had the nuclear launch codes written on the speed pocket.

 

TaylorMade gets a lot of grief from time to time about the frequency of product releases.  I'll admit, sometimes their ads are pretty aggressive.  However, if you've ever been around their employees during a product launch, sure, they're excited.  They work hard to bring product to market.  They have fun.  But, they're rather quiet when it comes to hyping product claims, technology, or heaven forbid, distance gained.  Their reserved demeanor is like, “Hey, hit it...you'll see.”  "...Told ya."  And, that's about it.

 

More often than not, their technology really does make a measurable difference.  I said this back in September, that speed pocket they have on the sole of their clubs, makes a difference.  A huge difference.  The forgiveness on off center hits is, without question, the best in golf.  At least, based on my testing as a hack chop, that's what I've found.  They are on what seems to be a relentless mission to make the game more enjoyable for everyone.  As Mark King will tell you, if you don't have it, you don't have it.  He's right, that slot is the most forgiving piece of golf equipment technology i've played.  I'm not even a TaylorMade guy.  At least, I wasn't for the last 25 years.  There is something tangible behind these products more so now than ever before.

 

I am sure Golfspy Tony will bring you the details of this new line, and the specifics that describe it.  But, I wanted to share the photos I took on one of the best courses I've ever played.  Of course, the company helps a great deal too.  Enjoy!

 

[whiskey golf]

It's about frickin time that Taylormade caught up with the matte black finish.

[hckymeyer]

The big question though, did you hit it?  What did you think?

[SPY ZINGER]

It's about frickin time that Taylormade caught up with the matte black finish.

Seems like black is the new white.

[whiskey golf]

Seems like black is the new white.

 

Watch that be the new slogan. "Black is the new white."

[Blade]

Wow! Another driver? Already? Is this in a different category than SLDR or newer/better?

[Mr_Theoo]

Wow! Another driver? Already? Is this in a different category than SLDR or newer/better?

 

My guess is this is taking place of the RBZ line

[SPY ZINGER]

My guess is this is taking place of the RBZ line

Correct, the RBZ Stage 2.  No, I did not hit the driver or fairway at Torrey.

[kygolfer1980]

49g shaft!  That will add some mph to the swing speed!

[revkev]

Oh my - my 1 year old TMag is now about 4 generations behind the curve.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Any tips on how I can convince the wife that this is another essential golf purchase?

[Mr_Theoo]

Any tips on how I can convince the wife that this is another essential golf purchase?

Dent the current one?

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Dent the current one?

I presume you meant the driver....

[SPY ZINGER]

 

 

Any tips on how I can convince the wife that this is another essential golf purchase?

Would she rather have you out buying cocaine base (crack) or high priced harlots?

 

[snoopy]

TM just released this promo video introducing the JetSpeed line... love the subtle "Tour Preferred" on the side of the hat, a hint of things to come in the coming months i guess!!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ha1QBUex8g

[kygolfer1980]

Oh my - my 1 year old TMag is now about 4 generations behind the curve.

Funny how fast that happens!!

[snoopy]

I was at a Taylormade demo day today here in Vancouver and got a chance to test out the SLDR, Jetspeed and Speedbladez.

 

Got a chance to hit the Jetspeed driver and 3 wood, first impressions, it really reminds me of my old Burner Superfast driver and 3 wood, especially the graphics on the top. The stock shafts felt very similar as well. The club head itself feels lighter compared to the SLDR, feels like you can really get some speed swinging these.

 

Personally liked the SLDR driver/fairway wood more than the Jetspeed, but they were fun to hit

 

 

[lmh3]

The line is definitely reminiscent of the Burner '07 line, I like the matte black finish and the crown graphics are not as intrusive as the r1 or RBZ lines.

[SPY ZINGER]

If you have been on the fence about trying a new driver, Groupon has the JetSpeed for $199! Cheaper than what Golf Galaxy pays to sell them at $299.

 

http://touch.groupon.com/deals/gg-taylormade-105-jetspeed-driver

[BestGrips.com]

If you have been on the fence about trying a new driver, Groupon has the JetSpeed for $199! Cheaper than what Golf Galaxy pays to sell them at $299.

 

http://touch.groupon.com/deals/gg-taylormade-105-jetspeed-driver

 

That is a steal. But it is still way more than what retailers pay.

[mr_divots]

Color me dubious about a product essentially closed out as fast as it's being introduced.

#yougofirst

[SPY ZINGER]

That is a steal. But it is still way more than what retailers pay.

Hmm, that wasn't the impression I got. What's a retailer pay for a $300 driver then? You're saying less than $200?

[BestGrips.com]

Generic wholesale for clubs is 50%. Dick's/Golf Galaxy is probably getting a better deal than that.

[mr_divots]

Yes, large markups on drivers. It's also why they like to push every new driver on forums. It doesn't cost them much to send out a bunch of them to seed sales.

[SPY ZINGER]

Cool, thanks. $199 still a nice price on those.

[TMAG-FIREMEDIC]

 

 

Added a heavier shaft to the #JETSPEED over stock......the fairway wood shaft t-69 cut down to 45.25"

 

15-20 yds of raw carry in the 10.5* head with rollout to boot! I hit 11/13 with 4 balls over 265.....not tour but good enough for me......i did try almost every new lefty offering out and for my game this club won out.

[GolfSpy WD]

I can see a lot of folks being pissed off if the Jetspeed mirrors the R1 debacle of dropping price fast.

 

Winter has been rough.

[BestGrips.com]

I've been told that 30% is the norm since posting it. However, I'm dubious of that number. 

 

On another note, I've heard that like the Ping Anser Driver, a lot of Jet Speeds are being returned to Taylormade due to sales vs the SLDR. I guess when you market one driver as the greatest ever, the other takes a gut punch in sales.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

A 50% margin on a club selling for $300 would mean it costs the retailer $150 to buy.  That would also be a 100% markup.  

 

Add to that all the co-op marketing funds, end of year rebates, fees paid for floorspace, fixed and variable costs, costs of good sold, etc - you wonder how much margin the manufacturer has to make on each club to keep the profit wheels spinning.

 

And maybe that explains the short shelf life of a product, and the quick introduction of a new one -- sell 'em at full price and top dollar for as along as you can, then bring in something new.

 

Balls and hats - that's where the real money is! 

[Mrs.Manbearpig]

Hey! Dean fit me for the JetSpeed at ModernGolf. I like the sexy matte black