Why aren't we talking about Speedblade?

[hckymeyer 6,626]

So I completely missed the whole Speedblade announcement from Taylormade. Just read through Twitter and it's all over the MGS feeds so figured I would pop over here to get the rundown. Nothing on the front page and nothing in the forum so I decided to hit up google. First couple results are from MGS, how come these aren't on the top of the main page right now???

 

Anyway just thought I start a thread for some discussion. Personally I'm pretty intrigued by them. That being said there is pretty much a zero percent chance of me buying them after getting the Amp Cell's from the MGS review, but part of me is still curious if they could perform better. I know, I'm a sucker for marketing

 

So what does everyone think of the new irons?

 

MGS write up

 

Spyzinger's live blog from the event

[Mr_Theoo 3,353]

When i first saw them i was like they just renamed the rocketbladez but after reading the write up and looking at pictures they look like they have refined the look and performance. It'll be nice to see the tour version because the rocketbladez tour looked really good, and these have blue in them which is a plus. Even though I've all but settled on the new Nike Pro Combos I will always play something that performs better in the same category

[Blade 313]

Still not great looking, but way, WAY, better than Rocketbladez. Hated the ugly yellow. I might could get past that if I really played better with them, who knows. On looks alone, they never appealed to me to consider them though. Maybe I'll try these this next year.

[Aotearoa_Brad 303]

I think they look much better than the Rocketbladez - and definitely keen to hear some more about them. Interested to see if they are significantly better performing than the previous version, or whether this will just mean the RBladez are slightly cheaper...

[RookieBlue7 1,704]

And maybe one of the guys at the round table will put them in play and keep them there. Unless they create a set of F heads for them that are smaller and weak lofted, ain't happening on Tour for their big guns.

[GolfSpy WD 14]

I may be one of the few who likes the looks of the previous version better. Maybe that's just the pictures though. The dark metal on brushed metal doesn't do it for me, and I prefer yellow to blue. I do wonder if they've improved how the club sounds on mishits though.

[RoverRick 1,680]

I also liked the looks of the older ones. These are pretty cheap looking.

[Tony Covey MGS 707]

Kind of an unfortunate time to experience hiccups with a recent software upgrade to the website. We have THE BEST coverage of both the event and the irons themselves. Unfortunately, even though both were published, they've vanished from the front page. We're working on it, but here are the direct links:

FULL STORY: http://www.mygolfspy.com/taylormade-speedblade-irons/

 

EVENT COVERAGE: http://www.mygolfspy.com/taylormade-launch-event-set-for-600-eastern-tonight/

[revkev 25,157]

This is too funny - I've been so busy the past little while that I haven't been on since last week -

 

During that time TMag has introduced two new drivers, a line of tees, 8 ball choices and 12 sets of irons.

 

Now the good news - for those wishing to play their equipment there's all sorts of discounted stuff out there. Based on the Rocketbladz reviews I'd say its time to buy away so long as the look doesn't bother you.

 

By the way T I can relate - we changed IT providers two weeks ago and the glitche are what's keeping me busy at this point.

 

Good luck - once it's done you'll be ahead of the game.

[JohnBarry 169]

RB Blades down to what price now?

[GolfSpy WD 14]

RB Blades down to what price now?

 

Still just $100 off. Give it time.

[ZenGolfer 928]

Its TM. Who cares???

[Super Tuna 1]

Let me put it this way, I'm not excited for them but I'm really interested in trying them out and see if they are indeed a stepup from last years.

Last years suffered from 3 things. Chrome finish flaking off, distance inconsistency from the slot and a sound that was shocking at times.

 

Looks like the chrome issue is fixed by not using Chrome and I'm hoping they've tweaked the polymer enough to sort out the latter two.

 

The other thing I'm really keen on is trying out the 3 iron. Yeah, it's 17* but look at it this way: it's a GI driving iron. Rather then pony up the $250 that other OEM's want, just nab one of these for $100 or whatever the going rate is. Presto! A GI driving iron for the tee.

 

Actually, that's a lie. The other thing I'm keen on trying is the set wedges. IMO, other then the Eye2's, the RBZ's had the BEST wedges that pair to an iron set ever. I suspect these are the same as last years with updated looks but I'd still like to give them the run through.

 

Shameless plug: If TM is willing to deal with Canada again, I'd be happy to do a large review on a set all the way from the 3 to LW

[GolfSpy WD 14]

Let me put it this way, I'm not excited for them but I'm really interested in trying them out and see if they are indeed a stepup from last years.

Last years suffered from 3 things. Chrome finish flaking off, distance inconsistency from the slot and a sound that was shocking at times.

 

Looks like the chrome issue is fixed by not using Chrome and I'm hoping they've tweaked the polymer enough to sort out the latter two.

 

The other thing I'm really keen on is trying out the 3 iron. Yeah, it's 17* but look at it this way: it's a GI driving iron. Rather then pony up the $250 that other OEM's want, just nab one of these for $100 or whatever the going rate is. Presto! A GI driving iron for the tee.

 

Actually, that's a lie. The other thing I'm keen on trying is the set wedges. IMO, other then the Eye2's, the RBZ's had the BEST wedges that pair to an iron set ever. I suspect these are the same as last years with updated looks but I'd still like to give them the run through.

 

Shameless plug: If TM is willing to deal with Canada again, I'd be happy to do a large review on a set all the way from the 3 to LW

 

Cant say Ive heard or experienced the chrome finish flaking off or distance inconsistency. If anything they are incredibly consistent. There's no debating they feel and sound different than other irons, but it's not bad by any means. I wouldn't call it great either. As for the horrible sound, that only comes off a horrible mishit.

[GolfSpy MBP 2,293]

Chrome finish flaking off, distance inconsistency from the slot and a sound that was shocking at times.

 

 

 

Man you had me worried for a second but after a Google search it looks like the chrome flaking off was an isolated incident back in January. I hit these on range mats 4/5 times a week and haven't seen any issues with the chrome. As for distance inconsistency I'm surprised to hear this as I find these far more consistent than most irons I've played to date, especially when hit all over the face. I'll give ya the sound thing as it does rear it's ugly head from time to time.

[Super Tuna 1]

The chrome thing has been condensed but there's a swath of people who complained about them and had them replaced. At least a dozen sets out of Richmond GT Dan. Lots of posts over on WRX about the same thing. Frankly, I think that it was down to a piss poor job at the factory which also derailed the numbers for the release of the woods/hybrids.

 

I know you guys have seen things be consistent, but there's also a number of reports out there where they aren't from other well respected posters/reviewers. Enough to make me hope they worked on the polymer so no one has cause to complain this time.

[GolfSpy MBP 2,293]

It's a good thing I'm in GolfTown right now. Gonna follow up on this, that's pretty bad.

[GolfSpy WD 14]

The chrome thing has been condensed but there's a swath of people who complained about them and had them replaced. At least a dozen sets out of Richmond GT Dan. Lots of posts over on WRX about the same thing. Frankly, I think that it was down to a piss poor job at the factory which also derailed the numbers for the release of the woods/hybrids.

 

I know you guys have seen things be consistent, but there's also a number of reports out there where they aren't from other well respected posters/reviewers. Enough to make me hope they worked on the polymer so no one has cause to complain this time.

 

I did a quick search for "rbladez inconsistent" on Google and found only two posts. Going to look again later. I'm curious about this.

 

edit: actually one of the posts was talking about inconsistent GI irons and that rbladez defied the norm...

[Tony Covey MGS 707]

Staying out of consistent vs. not debate...

 

I can confirm that 3M goo is identical to RBladez.

[GolfSpy MBP 2,293]

OK my Golf Town guy just got back to me.

 

Here's the text:

 

Talked to both TaylorMade and the pro shop guy in Richmond.... TM says they haven't had the rbladez have the issue and 1 set of r11's that came through the other day....guy from Richmond says he hasn't seen any with that issue come through there