TaylorMade Introduces r5 dual Type D and Type N Drivers

Press Release

Posted 2004-09-22

TaylorMade Golf has introduced the r5 dual Type D and r5 dual Type N, which are the most forgiving drivers that TaylorMade has ever engineered. Each boasts an extraordinarily high moment of inertia (MOI) that delivers exceptional stability for better results on mis-hits. Yet these drivers differ in a crucial way: each is engineered to deliver a specific type of trajectory. The r5 dual Type D is engineered to promote a draw, while the r5 dual Type N is engineered to promote a neutral, or straight ball flight.

Both the Type D and Type N are extremely large, measuring 450 cubic centimeters. Heads that size were made possible by TaylorMade's Super-Thin Wall (STW) casting technology, which allows the clubhead walls to be made 20% thinner than those of a typical titanium wood. STW was developed for and is used in TaylorMade's r7 quad and r7 quad TP drivers.

TaylorMade engineers understood when they set out to create the r5 dual drivers that they needed to overcome a serious performance obstacle that plagues most large-headed and deep-faced drivers, that being a tendency for players to leave the clubface open at impact, resulting in a slice or push. That tendency occurs because the natural center of gravity (CG) location of a large-headed driver -- far from the heel and close to the clubface -- makes it difficult to square the clubface to the ball at impact. That's why so many players hit their drives to the right and low with large-headed drivers, because the natural CG position promotes that type of result. Why? The closer a clubhead's CG is positioned to the heel, the easier it is to rotate the clubhead and square the clubface to the ball on the downswing. Additionally, the farther behind the clubface that the CG is located, the easier it is to launch the ball on a high, distance-producing launch angle.

The challenge was clear -- find ways to move the CG location closer to the heel, and farther away from the clubface, which would alleviate the large-headed driver's tendency to go to the right. As usual, TaylorMade's engineers were equal to the challenge.

r5 dual Type N
Players seeking a large, forgiving, confidence-inducing driver that's easy to hit and which promotes a straight, long ball flight will love the r5 dual Type N. Two TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC) cartridges are permanently installed at the rear of the classically shaped clubhead. These cartridges, which are pre-configured by TaylorMade engineers, are strategically positioned low and at the clubhead's perimeter, to pull the CG deeper into the clubhead, away from the face and closer to heel. This dramatic change in CG location makes it far easier for the player to square the clubface to the ball at impact. Likewise, the r5 dual Type N's deeper CG location makes it easier to launch the ball on a high, long-carrying trajectory. At the same time, the weight of the dual TLC cartridges and the manner in which they are spaced significantly increases MOI, resulting in added forgiveness.

The reason the r5 dual Type N's TLC cartridges are pre-configured and permanent is because TaylorMade engineers know best how to configure the cartridges to achieve a straight ball flight, and so have taken the worry out of it for the player.

The r5 dual Type N comes equipped with TaylorMade's M.A.S. 2 5-65 shaft, a high-performance graphite model whose characteristics are finely tuned to work in concert with the head design to deliver the clubface squarely to the ball for a neutral, controllable, straight and long flight.

r5 dual Type D
The r5 dual Type D is an ideal driver for players seeking to alleviate a slice and/or promote a distance-enhancing draw. The clubhead shape is "pulled" outward near the heel, a design technique that allowed TaylorMade engineers to move the CG dramatically closer to the heel. Moving the CG closer to the heel promotes the kind of vigorous clubhead rotation through the hitting zone that's necessary to square the clubface at impact, promoting the kind of clubhead release wherein the toe passes the heel through the hitting zone and thereby imparts draw-spin.

The r5 dual Type D also features two Trajectory Launch Control (TLC) cartridges permanently installed in the rear section of the sole. As with the r5 dual Type N, these cartridges, which are pre-configured by TaylorMade engineers, are strategically positioned low and at the clubhead's perimeter, and pull the CG deeper into the clubhead and away from the face, making it easier to launch the ball on a high, strong, long-carrying ball flight. At the same time, the weight and position of the TLC cartridges significantly increases the r5 dual Type D's MOI, equaling increased forgiveness on mis-hits.

The reason the r5 dual Type D's TLC cartridges are pre-configured and permanent is because TaylorMade engineers know best how to configure the cartridges to achieve a draw bias, and so have taken the worry out of it for the player.

Additionally, the r5 dual Type D's "pulled heel" clubhead shape, wherein the material is "pulled" outward near the heel, makes it possible for TaylorMade engineers to position the TLC cartridges closer to the heel. That moves the CG location even closer to the heel than in the r5 dual Type N, making it even easier to release the club properly through impact for enhanced accuracy.

The r5 dual Type D's clubface is aligned slightly closed to breed confidence at address and to contribute to the production of draw-spin at impact. The M.A.S. 2 5-55 shaft is engineered with a soft tip that delivers a powerful "kick" through impact that promotes a higher trajectory and greater distance.

Shared Characteristics
Both r5 drivers feature TaylorMade's renowned Inverted Cone Technology (ICT), which dramatically expands the club's COR zone for higher average ball speed and consistently longer, straighter drives.

Likewise, the r5 dual Type D and Type N are both deep-faced, increasing the player's opportunity to achieve "vertical-gear effect." Vertical-gear effect refers to what happens when impact is made with the upper part of the clubface, above the CG. When that happens, the clubhead rotates clockwise slightly at impact for right-handed golfers, which counteracts the backspin normally created by clubface loft. The result is a higher launch angle and less backspin, a combination that promotes greater distance.

Additionally, both r5 dual drivers are equipped with TaylorMade's TGT grip which is formulated from a special high-traction compound for all-weather traction. Emblazoned onto the surface is an intelligent finger-placement guide to help the player achieve a better grip, resulting in a more efficient clubhead release and clubface alignment at impact, promoting increased distance and accuracy.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for each r5 dual driver is $425. Availability will begin at retail on September 15, 2004.

About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological evolution since being founded in 1979. In 1998 the company joined with adidas Golf, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of adidas-Salomon AG. Dedicated to being the best performance golf company in the world, consumers can find more information on TaylorMade-adidas Golf at (800) 888-CLUB or www.tmag.com , www.taylormadegolf.com , www.adidasgolf.com , www.maxfli.com or www.rossaputters.com.