Taylor made mini driver

[jayjay0808]

TXG has already tested it with a mid range swinger... Looks pretty promising for that type of player. And surprisingly good off the deck with the 11.5 option

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

I'm 60, not dead .  Do you think they have changed the sole design since the earlier versions to improve that aspect?  The difference between my former Warbird 3w and the G400's are like night and day.  I could hit the WB off the deck but not as consistently (ball flight more so) as the G400's.

In the pics I’ve seen of the new 300 I don’t see anything in the sole design that’s going to make this easier off the deck. At 307cc it’s larger than the original one and aeroburner mini drivers. 
 

One of the better designed soles IMO is the v steel from taylormade. The warbird was pretty good too.

I’ve been recommending those looking for a good tee and off the deck option use something in the 16.5-18* range with a 3w length shaft. The g410 5w for me was a good one while it was in my bag. I have a m5 setup that way now.

12 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

I'm not exactly "slow", I top out around 100mph usually if I'm really limber, but I will say that the 14* BB Mini I have is a no-go off the deck, at least for me. Off the tee, it's really good and it's been a confidence booster for me as I work my way back to a regular 460cc driver. But in my experience, and from others I've spoken with, the mini drivers are more of a driver/3w replacement off the tee and aren't so hot at all off the deck. 

Yeah the 100 mark is probably borderline where it may or may not work. The ones I’ve seen have the most success have been in the 105+ zone. 

[myherobobhope]

1 hour ago, jayjay0808 said:

TXG has already tested it with a mid range swinger... Looks pretty promising for that type of player. And surprisingly good off the deck with the 11.5 option

I'm eyeing the 13.5 and just need it to be decent off the deck... I have a couple holes on my home course where driver is too much club, but a 13.5 2 wood would be perfect.

[RobotDoctor]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

In the pics I’ve seen of the new 300 I don’t see anything in the sole design that’s going to make this easier off the deck. At 307cc it’s larger than the original one and aeroburner mini drivers. 
 

One of the better designed soles IMO is the v steel from taylormade. The warbird was pretty good too.

I’ve been recommending those looking for a good tee and off the deck option use something in the 16.5-18* range with a 3w length shaft. The g410 5w for me was a good one while it was in my bag. I have a m5 setup that way now.

Yeah the 100 mark is probably borderline where it may or may not work. The ones I’ve seen have the most success have been in the 105+ zone. 

If the 100mph mark is the Mendoza line for this driver then that is certainly something to think about.  I'd love to be like the young bucks on this and other sites who boasts of 110-115+ driver swing speeds but I am a not-so-flexible mid 50 year old golfer who's 120+mph driver swing speed is long behind in the rear view mirror.  Today I swing around 100 mph on lower speed days and can achieve 105mph on good days.  I'll definitely want to demo this driver with shaft options and compare it to my M3 gamer.

[fixyurdivot]

2 hours ago, jayjay0808 said:

TXG has already tested it with a mid range swinger... Looks pretty promising for that type of player. And surprisingly good off the deck with the 11.5 option

Definitely on my demo day list . Mikey definitely likes it .

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, RobotDoctor said:

If the 100mph mark is the Mendoza line for this driver then that is certainly something to think about.  I'd love to be like the young bucks on this and other sites who boasts of 110-115+ driver swing speeds but I am a not-so-flexible mid 50 year old golfer who's 120+mph driver swing speed is long behind in the rear view mirror.  Today I swing around 100 mph on lower speed days and can achieve 105mph on good days.  I'll definitely want to demo this driver with shaft options and compare it to my M3 gamer.

You are definitely right on that line. It needs almost a 3w type aoa 

[RobotDoctor]

15 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

You are definitely right on that line. It needs almost a 3w type aoa 

Of course losing a bit of weight and regaining some flexibility in my shoulders, arms and back would definitely add to the swing speed.  The curse of getting older. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

36 minutes ago, RobotDoctor said:

Of course losing a bit of weight and regaining some flexibility in my shoulders, arms and back would definitely add to the swing speed.  The curse of getting older. 

Potentially. Changing ones body can cause a change in swing mechanics that may lead to being out of sync. 

[bens197]

I'm a fan.  

This would be fantastic for the golfer that struggles with their driver but wants a little more mass behind the ball.  I could also see the Sunday bag guys who play 3 or 4 irons with a putter and a 3 wood or high lofted driver. 

Looks good...if anyone puts one in play, throw a review together...

 

[RobotDoctor]

13 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Potentially. Changing ones body can cause a change in swing mechanics that may lead to being out of sync. 

Tell me about it! 

 

Edited July 7, 2021 by RobotDoctor

[RobotDoctor]

I am curious how the 300 mini would perform with a Ventus black shaft.

[myherobobhope]

I have a Taylor made fitting tomorrow (they are sending a fitter to the club)… really hoping this is in the cart.

[ST3LTR0]

I'd be tempted to put one in the bag on a tight course I don't tend to use my wood very often but would feel more obligated to use this off the tee then hurting my ego with a severely errant drive.

[RobotDoctor]

If this driver is within 10 yards of my M3 but I can work the ball with greater ease then this is definitely a driver that I could came full time.  I don't have an ego that makes me want to play from the tips anymore.  I am in my mid 50s and the days of playing in tournaments with the young bucks are over.  I still have golf ego but it is not how far I hit the ball, it is how low I score.  I have a tendency to try to score (witness my short game) as opposed to the machismo shots (letting the Big Dog feast).  I cannot tell you how many young long ball hitters I end up scoring lower at the end of the round. 

[myherobobhope]

Was not an option in the fitting cart... I was pounding the 13 degree TM 3 wood, though.

[NRJyzr]

On 7/3/2021 at 5:00 PM, IONEPUTT said:

With the new TM Mini being 307CC, you might want to see if you can find and OLD Cleveland 330 Launcher driver online and see IF you like it before you go out and spend a couple hundred dollars on the new TM, which you may not like at all. I have an old 330 Launcher that I'm sure would be a good test club to try if I was looking to get the new TM, which I am NOT interested it. 

The biggest difference between the modern Mini drivers and the similar sized drivers of Ye Olde Days is that equipment companies now better understand they need to go lower with the CG to decrease spin.  Too many of the older drivers had the CG higher than would be optimal for spin production, for those players who need to worry about it.

And with that higher CG, harder to hit off the deck.  The modern Minis, less of a problem.  For those who can hit a club that size and loft off the deck, obviously. 

Personally, I see this as a driver replacement instead of a 2 wood or even thriver, for my purposes.  I prefer to play a driver between 43" and 43.5", and get better results from smaller clubheads.  Seems like a good fit.  The only thing that makes me pump the brakes a bit is that I've already got an Original One.

I'll still give this a look.  No interest in the stock shaft, I've already got shafts I can plug into this. 
 

Edited July 14, 2021 by NRJyzr

[RobotDoctor]

On 7/8/2021 at 9:55 AM, RobotDoctor said:

If this driver is within 10 yards of my M3 but I can work the ball with greater ease then this is definitely a driver that I could came full time.  I don't have an ego that makes me want to play from the tips anymore.  I am in my mid 50s and the days of playing in tournaments with the young bucks are over.  I still have golf ego but it is not how far I hit the ball, it is how low I score.  I have a tendency to try to score (witness my short game) as opposed to the machismo shots (letting the Big Dog feast).  I cannot tell you how many young long ball hitters I end up scoring lower at the end of the round. 

I had a session with the club fitter at my home course on the trackman and tested the Taylormade 300 Mini driver (11.5°).  I tried it with the stock shaft (stiff flex, 43.75") and had the best results at 2 degrees strong (9.5).  Trackman produced driver distances at nearly 275 yards (245 yard carry), swing speed at 97-99 mph and smash factor averaging at 150.  I then tried my Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6S (45") from my M3 driver in the 300 Mini driver at 11.5° and had results not as good as the 300 Mini with the stock shaft.  Trackman produced driver distances at nearly 275 - 280 yards (245 yard carry), swing speed at 100 mph and smash factor averaging at 143.  I had the best results with the Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S driver shaft they had in stock for demos.  I tried the setting one setting stronger than standard, so 10.8°.  Trackman produced driver distances at nearly 290 yards (260 yard carry), just over 100mph swing speed and smash factor averaging at 150.  I was also able to hit some decent draws and fades with the 300 Mini that is difficult to do with the M3.  My shot dispersion with the Ventus Blue 5S shaft was the tightest of all the combinations averaging 10 yards of center, shading to the left of center).  I couldn't have hit this better.  My M3 with the Tour AD DI 6S shaft was producing swing speed around 98-99mph, smash factor around 142-143 and distance around 280 yards (245-250 yards carry).  I would be interested in seeing how the Ventus Blue 5S would perform in my M3 but as it is the TM 300 Mini with Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S at 45" has been ordered.  This is a driver replacement, not a club to fit in between the driver and 3 wood or 3 wood replacement.

 

The trackman numbers don't lie. I have come to believe that the Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6S shaft is more than my old body can maximize.  Now I question whether this shaft is the right fit for me and may part with them (but that is another story).  Not only was the 300 Mini within 10 yards of my current driver (M3) it was about 10 yards longer.  I am playing a round tomorrow and will see if I can borrow the demo club with the Ventus Blue 5S shaft.  I may set the driver to 10.2° (2 clicks stronger) when I try the demo driver to see how it performs. 

[aerospace_ray]

On 7/1/2021 at 3:45 PM, myherobobhope said:

Yeah, I've been trying to find a Long Tom for a little bit... they never seem to pop up anymore... the used market is weird. I've also been looking for a 3 deep from Callaway with no success... 

 

I'd love to see some competition in this space and see what other OEMs make... I just want a "bigger" three wood head as it's primarily a tee club for me.

Had the Cobra Long Tom as well. Wish I had kept it. I built myself a Wishon 919 FD / 260cc several years ago and its my money club off the tee. Only change shafts out occasionally. And the hosel is bendable (face angle/lie angle) and two weight ports. Competition/fitting options are good for consumer. 

[myherobobhope]

4 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

I had a session with the club fitter at my home course on the trackman and tested the Taylormade 300 Mini driver (11.5°).  I tried it with the stock shaft (stiff flex, 43.75") and had the best results at 2 degrees strong (9.5).  Trackman produced driver distances at nearly 275 yards (245 yard carry), swing speed at 97-99 mph and smash factor averaging at 150.  I then tried my Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6S (45") from my M3 driver in the 300 Mini driver at 11.5° and had results not as good as the 300 Mini with the stock shaft.  Trackman produced driver distances at nearly 275 - 280 yards (245 yard carry), swing speed at 100 mph and smash factor averaging at 143.  I had the best results with the Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S driver shaft they had in stock for demos.  I tried the setting one setting stronger than standard, so 10.8°.  Trackman produced driver distances at nearly 290 yards (260 yard carry), just over 100mph swing speed and smash factor averaging at 150.  I was also able to hit some decent draws and fades with the 300 Mini that is difficult to do with the M3.  My shot dispersion with the Ventus Blue 5S shaft was the tightest of all the combinations averaging 10 yards of center, shading to the left of center).  I couldn't have hit this better.  My M3 with the Tour AD DI 6S shaft was producing swing speed around 98-99mph, smash factor around 142-143 and distance around 280 yards (245-250 yards carry).  I would be interested in seeing how the Ventus Blue 5S would perform in my M3 but as it is the TM 300 Mini with Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S at 45" has been ordered.  This is a driver replacement, not a club to fit in between the driver and 3 wood or 3 wood replacement.

 

The trackman numbers don't lie. I have come to believe that the Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6S shaft is more than my old body can maximize.  Now I question whether this shaft is the right fit for me and may part with them (but that is another story).  Not only was the 300 Mini within 10 yards of my current driver (M3) it was about 10 yards longer.  I am playing a round tomorrow and will see if I can borrow the demo club with the Ventus Blue 5S shaft.  I may set the driver to 10.2° (2 clicks stronger) when I try the demo driver to see how it performs. 

Those are awesome numbers… that’s a ton of roll! Hope it works for you… I’m hoping to try one soon.

[PMookie]

I played an Exotics EX-9 Tour Long 13.5* head for a couple years. I LOVED it off the tee, but it wasn’t great off-the-deck.