SPY ZINGER Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 TaylorMade Performance Lab at Rush Creek Maple Grove, Minnesota Last month, I visited the TaylorMade Performance Lab (TMPL) at the Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The TMPL at Rush Creek is a fairly new addition to their Golf Academy. Rush Creek is one of the top daily fee courses in the area and provides that “private club for a day†experience. The addition of the TMPL completes the trifecta in the ultimate golf experience: Fantastic golf, exceptional instruction, one of the best fitting centers in the state. For a guy like me, it provides a multitude selfie backdrops. The TMPL at Rush Creek is staffed with an army of one. James Tracy serves in that position as the TMPL Master Fitter. Tracy is employed by TaylorMade Adidas Golf. That's important because his sole focus is on the lab and it's visitors. He doesn't have to field complaints from members, he's not stocking the pro shop, and does not worry about a dead cart battery on the 10th fairway. He's got a Ph. D. in TaylorMade and his only focus is fitting you into their equipment. As Golfspy Ben would say, “That's fresh.†My purpose in visiting the TMPL was focused. I wanted to purchase the SLDR ever since hitting one at Olympia Fields last September. Since I have been playing this game, I have not seen a driver launch that stressed the need to be professionally fit, more than the SLDR. It's a technical head in its design with a low and forward center of gravity. As a result of this CG positioning, the marketing machine in Carlsbad launched a “Loft-Up†campaign. To compensate for the low and forward CG position, TaylorMade believes you'll need to play a driver with more loft than you're used to for ideal launch with maximum distance. Unless you've been living under a divot, this isn't news to you. To demonstrate this, TaylorMade invited several MyGolfSpy members to Carlsbad for a fitting at The Kingdom this January. The guys that made the trip reported their findings to readers. One after another, the message was clear, the SLDR was everything TaylorMade said it was. Long. The difference, this wasn't TaylorMade talking, it was members of a site that look to dismantle media speak & propaganda. As I read about their experience, it seemed as though there wasn't much to dismantle. The SLDR appeared to be perhaps the pinnacle of driver evolution to date. If the Loft-Up event wasn't enough evidence of something different in driver technology, the SLDR came out on top of the MyGolfSpy's Most Wanted Driver of 2014. A site, and it's members, free of sponsorship influence, were compelling. I had to have this driver even if it were half as good as the testing revealed. So I contacted Tracy and said, “I want a SLDR, and need to get fit.†Critics will balk at the idea of a fitting center that only fits for one manufacturer. An assumed bias when you walk in the front door. Having been previously fit at the TMPL at Olympia Fields, I believe the opposite to be true. You're getting a focused, in-depth fitting by an expert that lives and breathes the brand. Of course there is bias. It's a “TaylorMade†facility. However, I would argue that if you're looking to get fit for their equipment, there is not a better place to go for this purpose. Two factors contribute to this conclusion: 1.) The fitter 2.) The technology. I committed the cardinal sin of fitting experiences. I walked into the fitting with a preconceived notions. I wanted to walk away with a SLDR. I already believed it to be the best, and wanted it fine tuned for my flawless, tour-like movement into the ball. I arrived at the TMPL and brought with me the driver I have the most confidence in. It's the most consistent and longest I have owned to date as validated both on course and through a launch monitor. Tracy provided me with a tour of the TMPL facility and explained the MAT-T system, in-depth. The MAT-T utilizes 3-D motion capture through the use of several high speed cameras. The player's image or avatar is digitally rendered onto a computer screen and can be viewed at any angle by the fitter. It's the same technology used in filmmaking and computer design. This combined with TaylorMade's proprietary software provides arguably the best OEM offered fitting technology available. One of my favorite aspects of this system is that your data is forever retained and can be assessed at any TMPL in the future. So as your swing changes through instruction, the fitter can utilize the previous swing for reference. As for me, my hack always looks the same regardless of instruction. I was able to hit my current gamer for reference, and pitted it against the SLDR with varied combinations of loft, face angle, and shafts. In the SLDR 460cc 12 Degree head, I was consistently gaining about ten yards over my current driver. The skeptic in me wondered if that was my subconscious in using the SLDR as opposed to old faithful. Maybe I was just more, “warmed-up†now, and getting an additional ten was not the result of technology at all. That's when Tracy button-hooked me. He said, “Okay, let's try the 430.†The what? Listen here, I am a 12 handicap that plays once a week. Is the Four Thirty the name of the place we could have lunch? Well, that's when the miracle happened. Tracy installed the SLDR 430cc 12 degree onto the Matrix RUL 70 Stiff. With a playing length of 45â€, I gripped, took aim, and fell in love. Shot after shot, I averaged 18 yards more than my current driver. But more importantly and surprising to me was the dispersion. I hit this driver into a concentrated circle downrange that was a tighter pattern than every other shot I hit that day. Tracy found the perfect combination of distance and accuracy. I was getting the most out of the swing I am physically able to put on the ball. I was hitting drives averaging in the 280's when typically, they'll find averages in the 260's. In a matter of two hours, he made the most of my ability as a 12. I have to be completely honest, it was difficult to remove the smile from my face. It was the first time in my golf career that I saw distance and dispersion gains that remarkable from a fitting. With an order sheet and an American Express card in hand, I placed an order the following day. The TMPL at Rush Creek provided a fitting experience that, quite honestly, is the most effective I've had to date. This, based purely on the knowledge of the fitter, and results gained from the experience. There are a lot of people critical of TaylorMade and their marketing tactics employed to sell their products. Although a MyGolfSpy Staffer (best looking I might add) TaylorMade did not reach out to me for the purpose of this editorial. I contacted them. They didn't provide me with the promise of a free driver in exchange for an article. I used my own funds to make the purchase of the SLDR. Finally, I didn't have to write this either. I took the time out of my Sunday to report the experience to you the reader, unpaid, unbiased, and unaltered. The fitting and the fitter spoke for themselves with the quantifiable results gained from the experience. This driver, accolades aside, really is a game changer. At 18 gained yards and a ten yard landing pattern, this driver was worth the upgrade for me. The Build TaylorMade SLDR 430 12 Degree (set open to play at 11 degrees) Matrix RUL 70 Stiff Swingweight D2 45" Golf Pride NDMC White/Black built up 1/32 An After Thought As I was finishing up the details of my SLDR order, I naturally walked over to the Tour Preferred irons bag and started hitting 6 irons into the net. Having previously been fit this past September for irons, I had a general idea of the specs I might need for Tour Preferred CB irons. As Tracy was completing my spec sheet and order, we discussed the irons briefly. What I find to be most compelling about the Tour Preferred irons is the slot in their sole. Like previous generations before it, that slot provides a tangible improvement over my previous irons. Specifically, ball contact that is made low and off center on the face. Like most chops, this is my most common miss. The result is a ball flight that flies high, and lands soft. A flight previously atypical for a thinned shot. This combined with the widened sweet spot are again, game changing irons. I might sound like a broken record or a guy that that has played TaylorMade his entire life. I'll be the first to tell you, I haven't. However, it's my opinion they make the best driver and best irons in the game right now and I want them in the bag. Forgive me if I came home and placed an order of Tour Preferred and Tour Issue to supplement the driver... The Second Impulse Build TaylorMade Tour Preferred CB Irons 4-AW .5* Upright 1* weak True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Standard Length Golf Pride NDMC White/Black built up to 1/32 TMPL Cost Full-Fitting (3 Hours) : $350 Driver, Fairway(s), Hybrid(s), Irons, Wedges, Putter Partial-Fitting (1.5 Hours) : $175 WOODS (Metalwoods) or IRONS (irons, wedge, hybrids) Putter Fitting (1 Hour) : $100 Putter only James Tracy TaylorMade Perfomance Lab Master Fitter 763-255-2505 [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artful Duffer Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great read. You know Zinger, even your CGI doppelgänger is the best looking man in golf. Lol In Nick's Ogio Edge Stand BagDriver: Taylormade Rocketballz 9.5* Aldila Rip'd NV StiffFairway: Tour Edge CB4 15* Rip Gamma StiffHybrid: Adams Idea Pro A12 18* KBS Tour XIrons: Mizuno MP-53 3-PW DG X100Wedges: Mizuno MP R-12 52* & 56* DG SpinnerPutter: Taylormade Ghost Spider Si 38" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great write up zinger, I just scheduled a fitting at the performance lab here to get my irons and 3 wood fitted. I can't wait! Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY ZINGER Posted March 31, 2014 Author Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great read. You know Zinger, even your CGI doppelgänger is the best looking man in golf. Lol The bag tag doesn't lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY ZINGER Posted March 31, 2014 Author Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great write up zinger, I just scheduled a fitting at the performance lab here to get my irons and 3 wood fitted. I can't wait! Looking forward to The Theoo Project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artful Duffer Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 The bag tag doesn't lie. IMG_4368.jpg No arguing with that. In Nick's Ogio Edge Stand BagDriver: Taylormade Rocketballz 9.5* Aldila Rip'd NV StiffFairway: Tour Edge CB4 15* Rip Gamma StiffHybrid: Adams Idea Pro A12 18* KBS Tour XIrons: Mizuno MP-53 3-PW DG X100Wedges: Mizuno MP R-12 52* & 56* DG SpinnerPutter: Taylormade Ghost Spider Si 38" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artful Duffer Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great write up zinger, I just scheduled a fitting at the performance lab here to get my irons and 3 wood fitted. I can't wait! Theoo, where's the performance lab in Cbus? No thread jack intended. In Nick's Ogio Edge Stand BagDriver: Taylormade Rocketballz 9.5* Aldila Rip'd NV StiffFairway: Tour Edge CB4 15* Rip Gamma StiffHybrid: Adams Idea Pro A12 18* KBS Tour XIrons: Mizuno MP-53 3-PW DG X100Wedges: Mizuno MP R-12 52* & 56* DG SpinnerPutter: Taylormade Ghost Spider Si 38" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskey golf Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Nice review, I wouldn't mind having some new TM clubs right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hckymeyer Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 It's posts like this that make my Ho juices flow. Really need to start playing soon before I end up with some Speedblades or Mizzy 825 Pros. Just keep repeating to myself I like my Amp Cells, I like my Amp Cells... Driver: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Wedges: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Theoo, where's the performance lab in Cbus? No thread jack intended. new albany country club Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY VIP GolfSpy Dave Posted March 31, 2014 SPY VIP Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great write-up! I am a believer in the SLDR fitting necessity Volvo Intorqueo All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY ZINGER Posted March 31, 2014 Author Share Posted March 31, 2014 It's posts like this that make my Ho juices flow. Really need to start playing soon before I end up with some Speedblades or Mizzy 825 Pros. Just keep repeating to myself I like my Amp Cells, I like my Amp Cells... Thanks Whiskey! HCKY, let the crazy out!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpcgolf Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Nice write up, sounds like a great experience. Driver: Taylormade 2017 M2 9.5 degree head played at 8 degrees. Fujikura speeder evolution tour spec x flex shaft tipped 1/4 inch. 3-Wood: 15 degree M2 tour. Fujikura pro 73 tour spec X flex shaft. Mizuno H5 2 iron. 4 iron: mizuno mp h4 4 iron dynamic gold s300 5-pw iron: mizuno mp 54 dynamic gold s300 52, 56, 60 wedges: cleveland 588 rotex cavity putter: 34 inch nike method 00 half circle mallet putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeRed Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Great write-up! I am a believer in the SLDR fitting necessity ditto PING i20 8.5*, TFC707D (S)Callaway RAZR Fit 15*, neutral setting, stock shaft (S)PING i20 20*, TFC707H (S)Adams Pro a12 23*, Matrix Ozik Altus (S)PING i20 5-PW, TT DG S300, 1.5* flat (purple dot)SCOR 50*,54*,58*, Genius 12 KBS Tour (S), 1.5* flat, -1/4"STX xForm 3, 35" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxbeachpackerfan Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 If you buy the clubs, do you get any of the fitting fees applied to the club cost? How competitive is their club pricing? Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.In my Ogio Ozone XX Cart Stand Bag:Ping G400 10.5 Deg Driver, stock Stiff shaftTM Rocketballz 19 Deg 5 Wood, stock Matrix Osik Stiff shaftTM Rocketballz Stage 2 21 Deg Tour 4 Hybrid, Rocketfuel 80h Stiff shaft Callaway Apex CF 16 Irons, 4-P, Stiff Shafts Scor 48 and 55 degree wedges. Renegar 60 Deg Steel Shaft Lob WedgeTM Ghost Spider Si 38" Counterbalanced Putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 It's posts like this that make my Ho juices flow. Really need to start playing soon before I end up with some Speedblades or Mizzy 825 Pros. Just keep repeating to myself I like my Amp Cells, I like my Amp Cells... I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this I don't need this. Driver: TaylorMade R9 9.5* with a Diamana Kai'li 70 S shaftFairway: TaylorMade R9 TP 13* with Graphite Design Tour AD YSQ-st X flex Utility: Wilson Staff FYbrid 19.5* Aldila RIP Sigma Stiff Irons: Wilson Staff FG Tour V2 KBS Tour X flex 4-pw (soft-stepped)Wedges: Wilson Staff FG Tour TC 50* (standard grind, bent to 51*) TT DG Spinner, 56* and 60* (tour grinds, bent to 55* and 59*) Dynamic Gold Wedge flexPutter: Yes! Abbie Tour Forged Pro Series 33" Ball: Wilson Staff FG Tour, Maxfli U4 Bag: Wilson Staff NeXus 100th Anniversary carry bag Backup Irons: Wilson Staff FG-17 Tour Blades with TT Dynamic Stiff 3-PW Backup Utility: Mizuno MP-H4 2 iron TT Dynamic Gold R300 Backup Putter: Pro Gear CG 100 33" (Pro Gear is what turned into Yes!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hckymeyer Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this I don't need this. It very quickly goes from that to.. What if? What if? What if? I want this, I want this, I want this. I need this, I need this, I need this. Thankfully the Speedblades are .370 hosels and I don't have shafts laying around that fit that. If I can't ho inexpensively I won't ho Driver: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Wedges: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 It very quickly goes from that to.. What if? What if? What if? I want this, I want this, I want this. I need this, I need this, I need this. Thankfully the Speedblades are .370 hosels and I don't have shafts laying around that fit that. If I can't ho inexpensively I won't ho There's always shims.... Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_divots Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 It very quickly goes from that to.. What if? What if? What if? I want this, I want this, I want this. I need this, I need this, I need this. Thankfully the Speedblades are .370 hosels and I don't have shafts laying around that fit that. If I can't ho inexpensively I won't ho I have Super Peening Blues in a very soft X, .370, +1/2". I have no business in X flex anymore. Would match up pretty darn well to what you're playing. What? I'm just trying to HELP! "Glute Activator" *Please accept my contributions of participation and intellectual property sharing as substitute for monetary renumeration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_divots Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 What was the "gamer", Zinger? Where were you fit last? "Glute Activator" *Please accept my contributions of participation and intellectual property sharing as substitute for monetary renumeration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hckymeyer Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I have Super Peening Blues in a very soft X, .370, +1/2". I have no business in X flex anymore. Would match up pretty darn well to what you're playing. What? I'm just trying to HELP! Thanks for making it even harder not to buy things Driver: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Wedges: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeRed Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I promised myself only grips this season... PING i20 8.5*, TFC707D (S)Callaway RAZR Fit 15*, neutral setting, stock shaft (S)PING i20 20*, TFC707H (S)Adams Pro a12 23*, Matrix Ozik Altus (S)PING i20 5-PW, TT DG S300, 1.5* flat (purple dot)SCOR 50*,54*,58*, Genius 12 KBS Tour (S), 1.5* flat, -1/4"STX xForm 3, 35" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy Barbajo Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this. I don't need this I don't need this. Me neither, me neither, me neither, me neither, me neither, me neither…... On another note Paul, I was gonna get you this for a wedding present, but since you don't need it…. NIce job Zinger! Every golfer should have that type of experience at least once. What's in the bag: Driver: TSR3; DynaPWR Carbon FW Wood: DynaPWR 3-wood; TSR 2+ Hybrids: PXG Gen4 18-degree Utility Irons: ZX MkII 20* Irons:; 699/699 Pro V2 Combo; D9 Forged; MT86 (coming soon!); VIP 1025 V-Foil MB/CB; Wedges: RTX6 Zipcore Putter: HB Soft Milled 10.5; Newport Special Select; Willamette, BB8; 8802; MATI Monto Ball: Tour B RXS; Z-STAR Diamond; Triad Stat Tracker/GPS Watch: Follow @golfspybarbajo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY ZINGER Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 Thanks guys. The two drivers I played most last season were the Callaway RAZR Hawk & TaylorMade R1. I hit both of these, on average, the same distance via FlightScope. However, dispersion was always better on the RAZR Hawk. At this fitting, I only brought the RAZR Hawk which was set up at: 10.6 (Actual Loft) set to .5* Open GD Intl Tour AD DI 7S Stiff, Tipped .5" 44.75" D3 As for the fitting, my last was at Olymipa Fields in September. Paul, how can you avoid a place like this in your backyard!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY ZINGER Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 Here they are, ready for snowmelt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Missing a putter and wedges there. Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPY ZINGER Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 Missing a putter and wedges there.I'm waiting on a PING putter and wedges are pending too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I'm waiting on a PING putter and wedges are pending too. Ah well by the looks of the snow you've got time Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hckymeyer Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Ah well by the looks of the snow you've got time You don't have to rub it in Driver: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Wedges: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Theoo Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 You don't have to rub it in I'm in the same boat, the Ohio weather has been awful Driver: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5 FW: F6 baffler set at 16º Hybrid: NONEIrons: 3i 2014 TP CB 4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400 Wedges: 52º 56º 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped Putter: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.