SLDR vs. Covert @ TaylorMade Player Development Center

[The Dansome]

SLDR vs. Covert At The TaylorMade Player Development Center Vancouver, BC

Speed Review – In Slow Mo

 

 

 

 

The Set UP

 

Did you know I had a local TaylorMade fitting center? I didn't, but after a Tweet to the local rep I do now; there's one at University Golf Club. All I wanted to do was compare my current RocketBladez to the new SpeedBlade and I ended up getting so much more.

 

So first lemme tell ya how it all went down:

 

 

OK so THAT happened. Surely it couldn't get any better… OK, well, it does…

 

 

Feel Like A Pro

 

 

TM has appointed former Australasian & Canadian Tours Pro Andy Johnson because it's important to have someone running the show that makes you feel like you truly deserve to be there and what a treat he is. Anyways I'm sure it's like this at all the TM Performance Centers

 

 

It's So Cool

 

 

Look at all the gear, I feel like I'm in RP Jacob's basement ‘cept he has more drivers and putters. So ya it's cool. Everything one could need from shaft options to club heads is on hand for you to try to get the best fit possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy then slows things down and really explains what is going to take place and what to expect.

 

 

Then you hit balls while FlightScope records the data so Andy can make all sorts of adjustments. Now this is where it's handy to have someone who knows what they're doing with the best technology.

 

 

 

The Process: 

 

 

 

Nike Covert vs. TaylorMade SLDR

 

 

So in steps my current gamer Nike Covert Performance. I had a brief fitting at this year's golf show where my numbers once adjusted were off the charts. 291y average? I can tell you I don't put these kinda numbers up in the real world.

 

 

 

ROUND 1:

Covert 9.5* set to draw with stock Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Black 50 Stiff

VS.

SLDR 9.5 set to draw with Fujikura's Speeder 57g Stiff

 

Results:

SLDR out gunned the Covert by a few yards

 

 

 

So Andy reviews the data and my swing (once again very important to have someone who knows his swings) then comes to a conclusion. My transition is quite fast and moving me to a heavier shaft with less spin should help the driver to lag more.

 

 

 

ROUND 2:

Covert 9.5* set to draw with stock Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Black 50 Stiff

VS.

SLDR 10.5 slight draw with Motore Speeder 6.3 67g Stiff

 

RESULTS:

ANDY LOOKS EXCITED!!!!!!!

 

 

BOOM!

 

*Add 10% to yardages due to 90% balls used

 

MBP and MGS forever immortalized on the SLDR Experience LeaderBoard.

 

 

 

The Wrap

 

Necessary

Custom

Cool 

 

MBP Approves

 

 

If you've never been properly fitted then you're truly missing out. If you're just getting into the game a properly fitted club can help you to advance and on the other end make a good player better. Quit messing around with the off the rack and go visit a Player Center near you.

 

Special thanks to my Tmag rep Lance Antonenko and Andy Johnson for making this happen.

 

http://taylormadegolf.ca/on/demandware.store/Sites-TMaG-CA-Site/en_CA/Fitting-Show?cgid=player-development-center

 

 

 

Oh and what about that RocketBladez vs. Speedblade's?  Well the custom component options for Speedblades haven't arrive yet, but I'm going back when they do so we can match my RBladez shaft for shaft etc. So expect a write up in weeks to come.

 

But until then I may or may not have gained 6 yards using the same stock shaft

 

 

*Note. MBP needs a SLDR now...

[RoverRick]

Great review but I am dying to know, what is he now?  You said, "TM has appointed former Australasian & Canadian Tour Pro Andy Johnson...."  Since he is formerly Australian and Canadian.?

[hckymeyer]

Nice write up MBP, hitting the SLDR is still on my "to-do" list. 

 

Just curious, for the average joe (i.e. not a famous MGS staffer ) what is the cost to go in and compare your driver?

[The Dansome]

Nice write up MBP, hitting the SLDR is still on my "to-do" list. 

 

Just curious, for the average joe (i.e. not a famous MGS staffer ) what is the cost to go in and compare your driver?

I believe it was around $75 for 45 minutes.

[Blade]

Well that made for a cool day!  Thanks for sharing!

[Mr_Theoo]

Great write up MBP! 21 yards is nuts, can't wait to see how the speedblades stack up

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Sounds like a great experience. IMHO $75 is very reasonable to ensure you're getting a good fitting. Great stuff! Excellent write up as usual Dan!

[kygolfer1980]

Nice review!  Have you ever hit the R1?  Everyone I have talked to says the SLDR is longer and has a better feel.  I have yet to demo the SLDR.

[TWShoot67]

Was there any reason not to use same exact shaft in both heads to see if the particular shaft head combo was the real difference and not just the head itself?  Unless you were never fit proper to any new driver no one OEM driver head should be 27 yards longer..... and what I mean is all these OEM's are using the latest and greats in R&D and materials so I can see a few yards different between clubs based on each persons individual swings. My opinion is that by not having the exact same shaft used in both heads the test doesn't really give you accurate yardage gains other then the fact TM found the best shaft for their SLDR. and this is not bashing anyone or TM because I actually play a TM driver now and have for a few years, but I also have no brand loyalty as I use what happens to feel the best and gives me the results I want for my game. another way to say this is if Nike was holding this fitting session and you used different shafts in head to head competition the TM crew would say hey this wasn't a real true comparison because they weren't using same shafts in each driver. An even better way to really see which head is longer if thats what this test was all about ( not always better for you personally unless it's a fairway finder) would be to have both heads match in these categories:  launch/spin/SS then see which is longer. then I could see different shafts being used in different OEM heads to get a similar match up to prove which head is longest. The only thing that matched on your test was your swing speed which was nice 102.4 and 102.5 pretty damn near identical. That's why I'm personally wondering if the shafts were the same would we get different launch, BS, and Spin numbers since SS was almost identical? Because obviously with lower speed and lower launch the ball will not travel longer then the SLDR numbers posted above. This is just an observation not trying to start any arguments. Was there a specific reason in why TM did not use the same shaft in each head and I don't mean same exact as the tips would have to be changed but having two same shafts with each OEM's tip. Reason I bring up shafts because there are so many different bend profiles and specs that unless all things are equal then I can't see a test being totally objective. 

[Blade]

Nike fit him for their driver. TM fit him for their driver. Those were the results. Nuff said.

[The Dansome]

Here is what I know....

 

Nike guy had me hit Performance and Tour Drivers

Nike guy had me hitting Performance better

Nike guy found spin rates high at 10.5 and average yardage 252

Nike guy dropped head to 9.5, ball started going 291

Nike guy said this was a good fit

 

After the TM fitting I went to GolfTown next day...

 

Performance driver and hit with Stock set up at 10.5 on their monitors averaging 251

Performance driver and hit with my exact current set 9.5 up on their monitors averaging 264

Switched Performance to Tour stock Silver shaft at 9.5 and averaged 244

Performance w/Tour stock Silver shaft at 10.5 and averaged 258

Performance w/Tour stock Silver shaft at 11 and averaged 249

 

So to answer the question - was there a reason to not use the same shaft? Nike fit me to another shaft.

[The Dansome]

Hula will roll in here soon and tell me to get a Fuji Fuel.

 

Hula! Can you get me a Fuji Fuel?

[SMRT]

That is very cool and not a bad deal for $75. I have hit both at Golfsmith and actually had better numbers with the Covert but they were very close. The stock shafts in either do not really work for me so who knows if they would be shafted properly.

 

Great job as always!

[Hula Rock]

Hula will roll in here soon and tell me to get a Fuji Fuel.

 

Hula! Can you get me a Fuji Fuel?

 

That was a good read and fitting !  BUT in all fairness the stock KK, = garbage, too light ,etc especially if your your transition on the downswing is quick.  Comparing the KK to Motore Speeder, hell you might as well put in hickory shaft in the Covert.  I too have a quick transition on the downswing. If you watch my swing, "blink", hell the ball is already down range.    When I got fitted up in DFW I could not hit the KK to save my life, every shot was push right, a couple of clicks, still push right......

 

After we saw some numbers, Rob says "Fuel".  I drop it in and wayyyyyyy better results and end up @ 10.5 N, AVG total Dist. 289 ( I did "go after" a few though)

 

Interesting enough TXCATMAN up in Austin has a Motore 6.3 dropped in a Tour Covert.  I hit it a few times @ my club,  he can vouch for me........ I smacked the dimples off the golf ball with that Shaft/Head Combo....

[TWShoot67]

Nike fit him for their driver. TM fit him for their driver. Those were the results. Nuff said.

So are you saying TM fitter was better then Nike fitter?  Or maybe Nike's fitting wasn't proper as MBP said it was a "BRIEF" fitting,  vs. TM 45 min. fitting. So why not try the same shaft that worked in the SLDR just to see if LA & SPIN were closer then maybe yardage would be similar too?  Then maybe we would know if it is just a better driver head? To just say NUFF SAID is pretty lame.

 

Here is what I know....

 

Nike guy had me hit Performance and Tour Drivers

Nike guy had me hitting Performance better

Nike guy found spin rates high at 10.5 and average yardage 252

Nike guy dropped head to 9.5, ball started going 291

Nike guy said this was a good fit

 

After the TM fitting I went to GolfTown next day...

 

Performance driver and hit with Stock set up at 10.5 on their monitors averaging 251

Performance driver and hit with my exact current set 9.5 up on their monitors averaging 264

Switched Performance to Tour stock Silver shaft at 9.5 and averaged 244

Performance w/Tour stock Silver shaft at 10.5 and averaged 258

Performance w/Tour stock Silver shaft at 11 and averaged 249

 

So to answer the question - was there a reason to not use the same shaft? Nike fit me to another shaft.

 Thanks for clarifying MBP that , I'm glad the TM SLDR works for you.  I personally play the TM SF V1 and it fits my swing pretty nice, but to here yardage gains of 21 yards makes me want to ask questions as with everything being maxed out with COR, it's just very hard to find those type of number gains.  Now it makes me have to go try this driver to see if I can get 20 yards added to my driver length.

[The Dansome]

Thanks

 

Really though let's take it for what it's worth. This was a short story more so about a fitting center and the benefits of being properly fit. In the end the club with the better fitting garnished the better results.

 

I emailed the Nike rep in case they wish to try and improve one the their numbers.

[drbloor]

Sounds like a great experience. IMHO $75 is very reasonable to ensure you're getting a good fitting. Great stuff! Excellent write up as usual Dan!

Sounds like a good experience, indeed, but 45 minutes would be tight for someone who's never been fit before and is interested in looking at more than one brand.  The two best clubfitters in my area (both Top 100) spend 90 and 120 minutes, respectively, on a driver fitting for about the same money.

[The Dansome]

Not sure about the acutal time it takes but here's the numbers as per a Tweet from the Tmag rep.
$75 for partial fit and $150 for complete fit
 

@GolfSpy_MBP @andytmag @TaylorMadeCA $75 for partial fit and $150 for complete fit #getfitbeforeyoubuy @UniversityGolf

— Lance Antonenko (@lanceatmag) September 30, 2013

 

[hckymeyer]

I've been wanting to hit one of these for a while now, but this review pushed me over the edge to go in and try it out.  I had a pretty good idea going in which head and shaft would work best, and a quick fitting validated that feeling.  I went with a 10.5° head and the Motore Speeder 6.3 tour spec shaft in stiff flex.  Settings are weight all the way to draw and head set to higher.  I picked up 12 yards on the simulator and followed that up with one of my best driving rounds ever on the course later in the day.

 

I really can't say enough good things about this driver.  It's probably the best feeling and sounding combo I've ever hit.  Like everything else in golf it's all about getting fit for the right specs, but for anyone looking at a new driver I'd highly recommend giving the SLDR a chance.

[Blade]

SLDR is all about low and forward cg. Something I might not have thought of until COBRA showed us is that the low forward cg does definitely succeed in helping get a high launch with lower spin. Great! That's what we're after. Here's the thing though... doing that drastically reduces the MOI of the club head. Which means if you're great at hitting the sweet spot like pros, you're golden. If not, your performance for distance and direction on off center strikes will fall off dramatically compared to a club with a high MOI. We received charts showing the performance drop as the strike moves away from center compared to other designs. It's significant!

[dru_]

On that note, if higher and less spin is the goal, I'm in serious trouble.  I'm going to playing with a 5.5 loft at this rate.  I've already got a 9.5 cranked as LOW as I can, and I'm still punching a launching angle over 13.  (and that is with the ball middle between my feet or even a touch towards the back foot.   If I move to the front foot, I'm giving the Apollo missions a run for their money!  

 

Seriously though, I recently tried the SLDR at one of the box stores, and I do like it.  Sound and performance is good, but not enough better than my 2 year old RBZ to replace it loft for loft.  Now, am I considering replacing it with a lower lofted head?  well.... now...  that would be telling....

[SMRT]

On that note, if higher and less spin is the goal, I'm in serious trouble.  I'm going to playing with a 5.5 loft at this rate.  I've already got a 9.5 cranked as LOW as I can, and I'm still punching a launching angle over 13.  (and that is with the ball middle between my feet or even a touch towards the back foot.   If I move to the front foot, I'm giving the Apollo missions a run for their money!  

 

Seriously though, I recently tried the SLDR at one of the box stores, and I do like it.  Sound and performance is good, but not enough better than my 2 year old RBZ to replace it loft for loft.  Now, am I considering replacing it with a lower lofted head?  well.... now...  that would be telling....

 

If you have a sky ball problem, maybe check out the Geek No Brainer or DCT. You can check them out at www.geekgolf.net. They are closer to actual loft and have a lot of different loft options. Sinister Golf has a new low launch head out as well that I am testing now. Both have great customer service as well.

[JBones]

On that note, if higher and less spin is the goal, I'm in serious trouble. I'm going to playing with a 5.5 loft at this rate. I've already got a 9.5 cranked as LOW as I can, and I'm still punching a launching angle over 13. (and that is with the ball middle between my feet or even a touch towards the back foot. If I move to the front foot, I'm giving the Apollo missions a run for their money!

 

Seriously though, I recently tried the SLDR at one of the box stores, and I do like it. Sound and performance is good, but not enough better than my 2 year old RBZ to replace it loft for loft. Now, am I considering replacing it with a lower lofted head? well.... now... that would be telling....

I wish you could have made it to TX; you'd have really seen some moon balls. I have a R1 with Fuji Motore Speeder Tour Spec 6.2 X, set at 8* and I'm still launching at 15.2*. I've been doing some LD specific workouts and have got back up around 130 with my "LD" swing. I think I'm going to pick up a 5* XHot LD and put it on a HOF Patriot XX. If I get to hitting it accurate enough, it might be my gamer.

[The Dansome]

@andytmag @taylormadeca looks like @nikegolf want a rematch #21moreyards? Cya soon! #golf #covert pic.twitter.com/tKJjRTWYqe

— GolfSpy MBP (@GolfSpy_MBP) October 29, 2013

[Hula Rock]

whole new ball game now....

[The Dansome]

whole new ball game now....

 

what's your call on shaft?

[Mr_Theoo]

what's your call on shaft?

Fuel lol

[Aotearoa_Brad]

This looks like it could get interesting!

[dru_]

I wish you could have made it to TX; you'd have really seen some moon balls. I have a R1 with Fuji Motore Speeder Tour Spec 6.2 X, set at 8* and I'm still launching at 15.2*. I've been doing some LD specific workouts and have got back up around 130 with my "LD" swing. I think I'm going to pick up a 5* XHot LD and put it on a HOF Patriot XX. If I get to hitting it accurate enough, it might be my gamer.

 

Yeah, I was sooo pissed about that.  Glad I didn't though.  I was wiped after that many hours on the road that week/end

[Mr_Theoo]

taylormade-player-center-review-speedblade.jpg

 

Oh and what about that RocketBladez vs. Speedblade's?  Well the custom component options for Speedblades haven't arrive yet, but I'm going back when they do so we can match my RBladez shaft for shaft etc. So expect a write up in weeks to come.

 

But until then I may or may not have gained 6 yards using the same stock shaft

 

 

 

So when is the rbladez v sblade testing happening?