jlauber

Gocchin, I wasn't being critical of Japanese quality clubs. In fact, it appears that they are the "pioneers" for US technology. What is new in Japan this year, will probably be brought out, in some form or another, in the US next year. And I appreciate your feedback too, (as well as teh others here.) I am leaning towards the XR in a 9.5 stiff, with XR 49 gram shaft at 46 3/4". Do you know if they are in stock yet?

Gocchin, Thanks for the info. There is something appealing about that XR driver. A total weight of 286 grams (in Stiff flex) and 46 3/4 ", it seems like it should be among the longest drivers (in terms of distance) out there. As for the Legacy, my suspicion is that the US will get a similar version next year, at a more affordable price. I think the new Hyper-X was based on last year's Hyper ERC, but that is just a guess. My oldest son has hinted that he would like the Legacy (he is 17 and has been a Callaway fan since about age 8.) I am 53 and falling apart, so I think I might go the XR route. If you have any other info or comparison test, I would appreciate it. I'm hoping that I get my stimulus check here before long.

Duffer, You are probably right. It seems like the exotic Taylormade stuff (and Callaway too) never seems to surface on the PGA tour. I am a mid-handicapper with a 100+ ss, looking for a little length. The XR is 46 3/4" and I have always preferred longer, lighter clubs. I would probably extend it another inch too. But before I would spend that kind of money I would like to get some feedback from those that have either played it, or perhaps more of a knowledgeable club expert on this forum. Another possibility might be the Callaway Legacy. In any case, hopefully there are some out there that have hit them.

Has anyone hit the new Taylormade XR driver? I am debating between it, and the US Tour Burner TP. Maybe Gocchin or Chris could comment. I need to spend my govt rebate check to help stimulate the economy! Jeff

Chris, What are the specs for the Hyper ERC driver, and how much?

Great Chris. I can't read Japanese...can you tell me a little bit about it. I see that it comes in several lofts, includinbg 8.5.

Thanks gocchin. Do you know if the driver is US legal...or perhaps the COR? Can Chris get these? And when ?

Yes...I too would be interested. Is this club US legal? Can Chris get this? And when?

I see where Taylormade is coming out with a new set of R7 XR drivers, woods, and irons. Anybody have any info regarding them?

http://www.s-trixx.co.jp/shaft_series/shaft_series.htm

I sure like the looks of the Bridgestone.

Chris, How much for the 9.5 driver? What is the COR and shaft specs, too. The site, when translated, states that the driver is 292 grams total weight. The company also has R-Dyna-X01 irons, which look very similar to TM's XR-05 irons. Can you get 3-PW (the site shows 5-PW), and what are the psecs, and price?

I have hit the ERC Hot and the XR-05 CTI..both at a little over 46"...and when hit on the screws, they are longer than any other legal driver I have hit (Cally 454, TM R7, Titleist 905 T, Cobra 450). In fact, on one hole where I know I hit the Cally 454 and the ERC Hot on the sweet spot...the ERC Hot went 336, and the 454 went 319. I assume that the illegal faces are worth about 10-15 yards...although Callway claimed that the ERC+ was only 5yds longer in their robotic testing. My swing speed is somewhere around 120, so that could account for the extra distance. Incidently the ERC Hot comes with Graphite Design AD shaft, and the CTI with a stock Speeder from Fuji. I extended both of them 1 " .

It's long. Get it with a Speeder, not the TM shaft. The Speeder is a 58 gr. shaft with mid-torque (3.3). I would say that it is a legitimate 10-15 yds longer than the R7.

Hopefully they will roll back equipment. I'm already getting excited..soon I'll be hitting the ball 40 yds less, and more crooked. And since I'm not a shot-maker, I should really enjoy watching my handicap rise to the 30's. Hopefully they will bring back those old blades, with a sweetspot the size of a millimeter, and a head size half as big as the current blades. That way, I'll know when I really hit a good shot. Right now my equipment is just too forgiving...absolutely no fun. And I also can't wait to hit a solid drive, then a solid 3-wd, and maybe flush an 8 iron to a 450 yd par 4. You can be sure that I will buy all the "new" low distance balls, and guaranteed shorter distance drivers as fast as they make them!!!

Same in tennis: Anna Kournikova probably makes more in endorsements than any of the other women tennis players make playing tennis. I know that I would rather watch her play than any of the men.

Hell, even the illegal balls that I have been playing for several years now, must be conforming...probably not even as long as these new balls :wink:

My gosh...whatever happened to the distance restrictions that were placed on the golf ball? It seems like every new ball goes further. Isn't there supposed to be some kind of USGA testing done on all golf balls before they are allowed to be played?

Do the R7 XR Irons have a titanium face? And price with Mas 50 Shafts (3-PW)?

Chris, Is the ERC Hot, (either one) available immediately, or is there a release date? Jeff

Chris, Can you get the ERC Hot now? Or is there a release date for it as well?

Obviously the bombers are dominating the tour now, but David Toms did just recently win the World Match Play tournament. And if distance was the be-all, Jason Zuback and Brian Pavlet would be the $10 mil guys, and not VJ and Tiger. They are considerably longer than anyone on the tour. It still comes down to getting the ball in the hole.

Taylormade has the new R7 XR driver (and irons in the with the driver) on it's Japanese web-site: http://www.taylormadegolf.com/japan/compan...ite/c_s_map.asp I can't read Japanese, but I was able to determine that the shaft is an ultra-lite, 45/46 gr. model. Can anyone tell me the suggested retail price on that site in US Dollars?

What are the shaft options for the R7 XR? Prices? When can you get them? Same with the XR Irons too.