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Speed Review! TaylorMade SpeedBlade vs. RocketBladez


The Dansome

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Speed Review

TaylorMade SpeedBlade VS. RocketBladez

 

speedblades-wedges.jpg

 

 

Set Up

 

shortirons_rb9w.jpg

 

As most of you know I wasn't always on staff with MyGolfSpy and a year ago today I posted my ‘Member Review Unboxing' of TaylorMade RocketBladez. Well jump ahead a year and one full season with the RocketBladez exclusively in the bag. Over this time I've had the opportunity to learn all of these guys' tricks and capabilities.

 

Are they deep? Yes. Are they consistent? Fairly. Do they want to make me go out and play golf again tomorrow? YES. So seriously what's TM going to be able to do next year?

 

Guess what, its fall of 2013 and TaylorMade have released the next big pocketed thing for 2014; the SpeedBlade. TM's also back with all of last year's marketing mumbo jumbo and it kinda reads pretty much the same…

 

Longer. Higher… Well here read this.

 

Speedblade-info-sheet.png

 

So back to the TaylorMade Player Center at University Golf Club I go for a visit with TM fitter Andy Johnson. Oh boy Danny's excited, if I had this much fun over the last season playing RocketBladez what are SpeedBlade's going to do to me?

 

 

Looks

 

speedblade-long.jpg

 

Gone is the chrome & the mustard colored badge and instead TaylorMade has opted for a more neutral gunmetal satin grey and blue branding. TM has managed to reduce the bulk of the iron as well pushing the SpeedBlade much closer to the player's end of game improvement irons. This club will certainly appeal to the high single digit handicaps with its more compact design.

 

Feel/Sound

 

rbz-sbz-soles.jpg

 

Gone is the horrendous sound in the slotted irons that made me almost jumped out my skin the first time I hit a slotted RocketBlade at a covered range. As a matter of fact I think everyone on the range stopped to look... Anyways I'm sure this is simple a byproduct of changes in design and better technology. Or, is it? Whatever I'm just being facetious; it's gone let's move on.

 

The sound of the SpeedBlades is fairly pleasant in comparison, a lot more muted but still more cast than forged.

 

Feel wise thinner faces, more face flex and the magic pocket goo have reduced any of the harsh cast feel of days gone by. The RocketBlades never really bothered me as you get used to a club over time, but you can instantly tell once we hit warmer temperatures in Vancouver and tour balls come back into play the SpeedBlade will be a far softer feeling iron.

 

 

Performance

 

OK let's get to it this is a Speed Review. Enough jibba jabba, let's find out if there's any improvements.

 

A month ago before the Player Centre received their SpeedBlade fit cart and the weather was a good 10Ëš Celcius warmer (it was like 62 degree F that day for my American friends), I was able to compare the same stock shafts in the RocketBlades and Speedblades.

 

Stock 7 irons
Stiff 85g Shafts
90% limited flight balls

 

Distance – SpeedBlades take this one

 

RocketbladesvsSpeedBlades-S.jpg

 

The other numbers here are interesting too.

 

RocketbladesvsSpeedBlades-n.jpg

 

Swing speeds up & ball speed down, but when you combine a lower launch angle and spin rates in the SpeedBlade it results in a flatter more penetrating flight. This was a noticeable improvement and a welcome one.

 

 

foggynight.jpg

 

Move on a month later, temperatures have dropped and it's an eerie, foggy, cold Halloween night. Yes Halloween so I'm expecting some ridiculously “Spooky” numbers. Sorry I had to go there…

 

range-cow.jpg

 

So with the fit cart in I'm now able to match the specs I've been playing for the last year.

 

7 irons
KBS Tour S shafts
90% limited flight balls

 

Now keep in mind it's a cold and foggy night so numbers should be down from last time.

 

Distance – SpeedBlades once again

 

RocketbladesvsSpeedBlades-c.jpg

 

OK so total carry is a saw off, boy those RocketBladez sure ran out. But when it comes to carry distance there's still an improvement.

 

Once again though, the other numbers tell a story.

 

RbladesvsSBlades-numbers.jpg

 

As you can see having a fitted shaft can make a world of difference and these numbers reflect what I've observed with my RocketBladez over the past year. It's exciting to know that with the same custom shafts the SpeedBladez can perform even better.

 

And here are a few other observations of note about SpeedBladez.

  • Distance consistency between shots is closer
  • Dispersion is tighter
  • Flatter but higher ball flight

 

The Wrap

 

SpeedBlades

Higher

Farther

Softer

 

MBP Approves

 

http://taylormadegolf.com/irons/speedblade.html

 

speedblade-dan.jpg

Yo #JustPlayBetter


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Nice review !!!!!!! now let's talk about the "COW" onesy ???????

Driver:   :taylormade-small: M3 Tensei CK Pro Blue
3-Metal:: :callaway-small: GBB EPIC, FujiKura Pro Green

5-Metal:  :cobra-small: F-7, FujiKura Pro

Irons:   :mizuno-small: MP-18 SC, KBS Tour 120

Wedges:  :cleveland-small:   RTX-3  52 - 56 - 60
Putter:  EVN-Roll ER-5

Ball :  :bridgestone-small: Tour B XS

Range Finder:  Busnnell Tour-X,  Garmin S20 

 

Follow me:

@Hula_Rock

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Great review

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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Dandy review. Sure seems like there's a real and meaningful difference in clubs. Excellent job!!! And one hell of a follow through pose, too...

 

What's in the bag:
 
Driver:  :titelist-small:TSR3; :wilson_staff_small: DynaPWR Carbon
FW Wood: :wilson_staff_small: DynaPWR 3-wood; :titleist-small: TSR 2+
Hybrids:  PXG Gen4 18-degree
Utility Irons: :srixon-small: ZX MkII 20* 
Irons:;  :Sub70:699/699 Pro V2 Combo; :wilson_staff_small: D9 Forged;  :macgregor-small:MT86 (coming soon!); :macgregor-small: VIP 1025 V-Foil MB/CB; 

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: RTX6 Zipcore
Putter: :cleveland-small: HB Soft Milled 10.5;  :scotty-small: Newport Special Select;  :edel-golf-1:  Willamette,  :bettinardi-small: BB8; :wilson-small: 8802; MATI Monto

Ball: :bridgestone-small: Tour B RXS; :srixon-small: Z-STAR Diamond; :wilson_staff_small: Triad

Stat Tracker/GPS Watch: :ShotScope:


 
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Good Job MBP, Hopefully next iron review is RBZ vs TP MC :D

Driver:   :callaway-small: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5

FW:   :cobra-small: F6 baffler set at 16º

Hybrid:  NONE
Irons:   :taylormade-small:  3i 2014 TP CB  4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400

Wedges:   :nike-small: 52º :nike-small: 56º  :edel-golf-1: 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped

Putter:   :ping-small: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot

 

 

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Very cool review, thanks for posting!! Now it makes me curious how they perform vs the Amp Cells :)

Driver: :taylormade-small: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black

3w: :taylormade-small:'16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82

5w: :cleveland-small: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow

Hybrid: :cleveland-small: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black

Irons: :cleveland-small: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Wedges: :cleveland-small: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Putter: :odyssey-small: Red 7s

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  • 2 weeks later...

I hit a few shots with the SpeedBladez (7-iron) at the TM demo day at Eagle Quest yesterday....had the pleausre of meeting Andy as well...but those SpeedBladez...i've never hit a 7-iron that high before....the sound was a bit funny to me though...sounded like a cracking sound?

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I hit a few shots with the SpeedBladez (7-iron) at the TM demo day at Eagle Quest yesterday....had the pleausre of meeting Andy as well...but those SpeedBladez...i've never hit a 7-iron that high before....the sound was a bit funny to me though...sounded like a cracking sound?

 

You think the sound was just different than what you're used to, the balls + cold weather or just loud sounding clubs to begin with?

Yo #JustPlayBetter


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You think the sound was just different than what you're used to, the balls + cold weather or just loud sounding clubs to begin with?

 

it's definitely different than what i'm used to but at the same time, both tim and i found the cracking sound to be....hmm...distinct?  it wasn't too loud though...but the SLDR driver on the other hand....that rang my ears a few times...

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  • 2 months later...

Just tested the rocketblades, speedblades and CBs side by side (by side)

 

Rocketblades: meh. Huge club head. But it was the longest of the 3

 

Speed blades: like butter. Very forgiving and a good feel and sound. Maybe 3 yards shorter. Almost unnoticeable for an amateur like me

 

CBs: orgasmic to hit. I can't describe the feeling. But it's like crack. Another couple yards shorter than the Speed-blades, but wow!

 

True distances, I can't say. I find it hard to believe I was hitting a 5 iron 217 yards. I don't trust big box monitors....

There is no spoon.

WITB
TaylorMade M3
Callaway Diablo 15°
Callaway Diablo 18°
Callaway Steelhead XR Pro 4-W
Mizuno TP-4 50, 54, 58
TaylorMade Rossa Monza Spyder

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Just tested the rocketblades, speedblades and CBs side by side (by side)

 

Rocketblades: meh. Huge club head. But it was the longest of the 3

 

Speed blades: like butter. Very forgiving and a good feel and sound. Maybe 3 yards shorter. Almost unnoticeable for an amateur like me

 

CBs: orgasmic to hit. I can't describe the feeling. But it's like crack. Another couple yards shorter than the Speed-blades, but wow!

 

True distances, I can't say. I find it hard to believe I was hitting a 5 iron 217 yards. I don't trust big box monitors....

It's possible, that speed pocket is some impressive technology

Driver:   :callaway-small: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5

FW:   :cobra-small: F6 baffler set at 16º

Hybrid:  NONE
Irons:   :taylormade-small:  3i 2014 TP CB  4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400

Wedges:   :nike-small: 52º :nike-small: 56º  :edel-golf-1: 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped

Putter:   :ping-small: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot

 

 

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I just got an email saying I'll be receiving one of the many 6irons being given away. I'll post my own mini review on how it compares to my 5&6 irons.

Bag One: :taylormade-small: '16 M2, Tour AD-GP 7S

:adams-small:  XTD Ti 15*, Tour AD-GT 8S

:taylormade-small:  RBZ Stage2 Tour Issue 18.5* hybrid, Matrix Ozik Altus 85S Wilson FG Tour F5 21* hybrid, stock

:mizuno-small:  MP-H5 4-PW, Project X 5.5

:mizuno-small:  MP-T5, 51/08, Project X 5.5

:mizuno-small:  MP-T5, 58/10, DG Spinner

:cameron-small:  2012 Newport2, 34"

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I know we've been down this road before but if you want more distance why not just juice the lofts on your own irons. Assuming you like them.

Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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I know we've been down this road before but if you want more distance why not just juice the lofts on your own irons. Assuming you like them.

Stronger lofts would make them go longer but wouldn't it also take away from how high they go?

Driver:   :callaway-small: Epic 10.5 set to 9.5 w/ Tour AD-DI 44.5

FW:   :cobra-small: F6 baffler set at 16º

Hybrid:  NONE
Irons:   :taylormade-small:  3i 2014 TP CB  4-PW 2011 TP MC w/ TT S400

Wedges:   :nike-small: 52º :nike-small: 56º  :edel-golf-1: 60 º w/ KBS C-Taper XS Soft-stepped

Putter:   :ping-small: Sigma G Tyne 34 inches Gold dot

 

 

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I know we've been down this road before but if you want more distance why not just juice the lofts on your own irons. Assuming you like them.

I've had guys tell me they do that just to mess with people's heads about how far they hit a certain club.  The thing is, for every degree you strengthen the loft, you take a degree of bounce off the sole.  So they may not play as well in the turf depending on the swing.  A good solid reasonable distance for each iron is important.  But just going for maximum distance for each iron is pointless in my opinion.  If you need more distance, take another club.

 

That said, it seems some of these new designs are getting more distance and height with the technology of the club.  That's great to a point I guess, if it's controllable when it lands.  But there's limits to what can be controlled.  If it just takes off running, well, it's no help then.

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While it doesn't happen in reality I would think that in theory you should hit all of your clubs the same height regardless of loft. I do have my lofts tweaked a bit normally to control the distance gaps. Again in theory there is a loss or gain in bounce - yes my pitching wedged is weaker. At any rate I don't notice it. I'd imagine if you got to more than two degrees you would start running into issues.

 

In the end I'm in the camp that is more concerned with consistency and control with my irons than distance. I'm not a big fan of juiced lofts and longer shafts throughout. But in the end tooyou need to know how far you hit each of your clubs and how to control them. My son hits a traditional seven iron where I hit four hybrid but I still take his money. I suppose if you gave him speed blades he'd hit eight. Same difference. I'd spend the money the same way after the round. :)

Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60  Aldila  R flex   - 42.25 inches 

SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft

Ping G410 7, 9 wood  Alta 65 R flex

Srixon ZX5 MK II  5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex

India 52,56 (60 pending)  UST recoil 75's R flex  

Evon roll ER 5 32 inches

It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD   

 

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While it doesn't happen in reality I would think that in theory you should hit all of your clubs the same height regardless of loft. I do have my lofts tweaked a bit normally to control the distance gaps. Again in theory there is a loss or gain in bounce - yes my pitching wedged is weaker. At any rate I don't notice it. I'd imagine if you got to more than two degrees you would start running into issues.

 

In the end I'm in the camp that is more concerned with consistency and control with my irons than distance. I'm not a big fan of juiced lofts and longer shafts throughout. But in the end tooyou need to know how far you hit each of your clubs and how to control them. My son hits a traditional seven iron where I hit four hybrid but I still take his money. I suppose if you gave him speed blades he'd hit eight. Same difference. I'd spend the money the same way after the round. :)

I think height is maybe the wrong word to use, it's all about trajectory for me.  I have the Amp Cell's in the bag still that I reviewed last year.  They are a club longer than the CMB's I was playing before.  So now I hit 8i where I used to hit 7i before, but the lofts are the same between those clubs.  The big difference for me with the Amp Cells is that I get the trajectory and ball flight of a typical 8i, but the distance I was getting out of my 7i before.

 

You are dead on though when it comes to the most important aspect of any club.  Consistency and control.  Doesn't matter how far you hit it if it's in the wrong direction :)

Driver: :taylormade-small: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black

3w: :taylormade-small:'16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82

5w: :cleveland-small: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow

Hybrid: :cleveland-small: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black

Irons: :cleveland-small: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Wedges: :cleveland-small: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125

Putter: :odyssey-small: Red 7s

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