Pinoy Golfer Blog

In a departure from their normal procedures, industry giant TaylorMade seems to have intentionally leaked information of the impending R11 over the internet. TM normally keeps a really tight lid on new product launches (especially their drivers) so this is a huge departure for them. First they leak word that the code name for the new driver was “Vader” as in Darth. It conjured up images of an all black driver, misleading everyone from the intended paint scheme. Then they leak the initial images to the boards then asked them to take said images down. It caused quite a stir on the boards.

I personally got a pm from a supposed “source” of the first pic we posted on Pinoygolfer.com’s equipment forum asking me to take it down in fear of reprisals from the company. It was all a sham. The regional staff of TM seems a bit miffed. They were asked not to speak of the R11 to corporate accounts while the mother company goes and leaks the information to the public. It was a calculated ruse by TM to stir the pot of viral marketing.

Vader, huh?

It seems to have worked.

The R9 is now the most talked about driver on the internet. If anything, it seems to have stolen some of the thunder of the Titleist 910 driver launch. Good move, TM.

Beyond the hype, the new R11 seems to be a technological masterpiece. Not content to have adjustability on two axis, TaylorMade offers even more of a good thing by creating an adjustable CG in the R11 head. So now:

R11 = MWT (Movable Weight Technology) + FCT (Flight Control Technology) + AST (Adjustable Sole Technology)

MWT was introduced in the R7 and FCT in the R9 so another way to look at this equation is:

R11 = R7 + R9

Got that?

The official word isn’t out yet but that red triangle thinggy on the sole probably rotates a weight inside the head to enable the user to match CG with face angle. Of course I didn’t get anything out of the regional TM rep over dinner the last week. Not officially anyway. But from what I gather, that’s maybe 90% accurate.

Good news is that the FCT sleeves on the older R9′s should still be compatible with the R11 head which is a good thing. I won’t to find new FCT sleeves so I can use my current shafts on the new head. The R11 will be launched at the PGA Show in Orlando next month.

Thanks for whetting our appetites and giving ample advance notice. I’ll need time to put money aside for a TP. Can’t wait to get my hands on one.