Forum Member Reviews! TaylorMade 14* SLDR

[SeeRed]

Yes, I also noticed that this helped. Should have mentioned that little tidbit in my review.

[PlaidJacket]

I just been hammered as of late with the job. I have read all the "Offical Reviews" and was was very impressed by the guys that participated. Outstanding job. I learned one thing about doing these reviews. If you are not good at photos then don't agree to do them. (Hmmm wonder who that would be?) The write-ups were very good all by themselves but the photos and stats provided made it all that much more enjoyable to read. Hats off. I'd also like to thank MGS for selecting me with a special thanks to Will. He knows.

Hopefully i've gotten some work related issues straightend out and can resume a real life again. That means playing golf! Lots of it.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Well, It has been a while since we did this review, and It is about time to let everyone know how it is going. To refresh your memory, I was not able to get the launch conditions of the SLDR 14° to a point that I could get it into my golf bag. So I gifted it to a player at my club who was in desperate need of more loft. He immediately picked up 20 yards over his Callaway X Hot 10.5° driver that he was playing. And he started hitting more fairways. He had to find a slightly softer shaft because of his slower swing speed, but I am stunned how far he is hitting it right now.

 

 

 I am going to have to ask him to move back off of the White tees when we play, because I am getting smoked. I haven't won a bet in 10 weeks...  

 

Needless to say, there has been a steady stream of fellas coming by the store to demo the SLDR in a 14°.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Long-term UPDATE added: http://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/11010-forum-member-reviews-taylormade-14-sldr/?p=131830

[PlaidJacket]

I've been using the SLDR off and on. I sometimes go back to my 10.5 Ping Rapture. Why do I do this? For some reason the Rapture has a better fitting shaft for me. On windy days I have much better control with no loss of distance. Both the SLDR and Rapture are labeled stiff of some flavor. I played the SLDR yesterday with pretty good results of fairways hit at 50%. The ones I didn't count as fairway hit were only off by 2-5 feet. I do without question hit the SLDR higher. I've dialed it back from 14 degree to about 12.5 I'd say. The SLDR is pretty forgiving also. I do not get any added distance. Never have. I still hold the same conclusion... the stock stiff shaft I have in my SLDR is not correct for my swing profile. I have a friend that is begging to buy the SLDR from me but it's not for sale. I still think with the proper shaft I might have a club I could play for many years. I'm going to find out soon.

 

I recently (one week ago) went and had a full professional iron fitting. It was about a 3 hour process which was eye-opening and very interesting to say the least. I purchased Wishon 771csi 4i through 9i. Also 3 new Wishon wedges. I'll receive my new irons this coming Thursday. Might even write a post about my fitting. My fitter asked that I come back after about a month to review my game, clubs, and have any adjustments made if necessary. At that time I plan to take the SLDR and my Rapture to be fit. I'll also look into a hybrid or two.

 

Thanks again to MGS for selecting me as a reviewer. This is a great site and I'm proud to be a part of it. Keep up the good work guys.

[revkev]

Thanks Guys!

[BK in TEXAS]

The SLDR stayed in my bag for a couple months.  What I started noticing over time was, while some drives were still absolutely crushed, the ball flight seemed to gradually climb higher and higher every week.  More and more frequently I was hitting it sky-high and losing 20 yards over my “normal” 245 yards. 

 

Throughout the summer I have been making some small changes in my swing and I have no doubt that's what caused the change in ball flight.  Essentially, even turned down to 12Ëš, it was too much loft.

 

I really do like this driver and would still definitely recommend anyone to give it a try.  Somewhere near the end of this season I plan on picking up a lower lofted SLDR.  I fully expect it to find its way into my bag.  I'll update my long-term follow up when that happens.

[SeeRed]

Finally! http://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/11010-forum-member-reviews-taylormade-14-sldr/?p=131842