TaylorMade Introduces r7 quad Driver

TaylorMade Introduces r7 quad Driver
Press Release

CARLSBAD, Calif. (May 14, 2004) – TaylorMade Golf has introduced the r7 quad, a remarkable new driver featuring a completely new technology called TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC). TLC gives players the freedom to change the driver's launch conditions by redistributing 24 grams of discretionary weight in a variety of ways. While the average driver delivers a single set of launch conditions, the r7 quad delivers six, allowing the player to choose the one that generates maximum distance, accuracy and workability.

"If your driver's launch conditions don't match up with your individual swing characteristics, you're losing distance," says Dr. Benoit Vincent, Chief Technical Officer. "By providing a range of launch conditions in one club, we've given players the opportunity to find a combination of spin-rate and launch angle that will allow them to achieve maximum distance and accuracy."

TaylorMade has long understood the importance of matching launch conditions to swing type in order to produce optimum results. That's what inspired the 300 Series and R500 Series of drivers, both of which featured three clubhead models to give players a choice of launch conditions. Like many clubs created by TaylorMade, the r7 quad was inspired by the suggestions of tour professionals, some of whom requested launch conditions that could not be delivered by either the 300 Series or R500 Series. TaylorMade engineers wondered if it was possible to devise a driver that could deliver multiple launch conditions. The answer is, yes.

TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC): An Entirely New Technology - The idea for the r7 quad gained momentum when TaylorMade's R&D staff began exploring methods to redistribute clubhead weight in order to enhance driver performance. In other words, relocate weight from one area of the clubhead to another. It was determined that 24 grams of discretionary weight would be required. If a way could be devised to break down that 24 grams and reallocate it to different locations in the clubhead, it would give the driver a wide range of performance possibilities.

To make it possible to redistribute clubhead weight, TaylorMade engineers devised a system of four ports, called TLC ports, which are located in the sole of the clubhead. At the same time they developed differently weighted cartridges, called TLC cartridges, which can easily be installed in the TLC ports and removed again. Installing different-weighted TLC cartridges in different configurations in the TLC ports effectively shifts the CG toward the front or the back or toward the heel or the toe. Each CG location delivers a new set of launch conditions based upon the player's personal performance needs.

"There are many, many golfers who have played the game for years with drivers whose launch conditions aren't close to being right for them," says Sean Toulon, Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Creation. "These players are sitting on distance reserves that are waiting to be tapped by a driver that will provide them launch conditions that fit their swing. TLC allows you to easily switch between several sets of launch conditions. It allows you to find the launch conditions that work best with your swing so that you can exercise your true distance potential."

The range of launch conditions that the r7 quad is capable of delivering permits it to promote six trajectory types that can help the player to hit the ball higher or lower, and at the same time provides biases that will help low- and mid-handicap players to work the ball to the right or to the left by varying degrees up to ten yards. A special tool, called the TLC Trajectory Wheel comes with the r7 quad, and is designed to clearly show which TLC cartridges are required and how they should be configured to promote each of the six potential trajectories that the r7 quad is designed to deliver.

r7 quad TLC cartridges weigh 10 grams and 2 grams. The 10-gram TLC cartridges are made primarily of tungsten; the 2-gram TLC cartridges are made entirely of titanium. The r7 quad comes with two 2-gram cartridges and two 10-gram cartridges.

TLC ports are positioned low in the clubhead, to keep the CG as low as possible. TLC ports are also positioned as far toward the clubhead's perimeter as allowable, making it possible to move the CG far enough to the locations that would deliver the launch conditions that TaylorMade engineers had targeted. Positioning the TLC ports near the clubhead's perimeter creates the additional benefit of increased MOI, making the r7 quad's 400cc clubhead more stable and forgiving on mis-hits, regardless of how the TLC cartridges are configured. In fact, the r7 quad boasts a 10% higher MOI than TaylorMade's similarly sized R510 TP driver.

Super-Thin Wall Casting Technology: Thin-Yet-Strong Walls - Creating the 24 grams of discretionary weight needed to make TLC possible was a challenge. TaylorMade succeeded by making the walls of the r7 quad incredibly thin, yet strong enough to withstand the rigors of impact. Whereas the walls of a typical titanium wood measure from 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters thick, the walls of the r7 quad are a mere 0.8 millimeters thick. This manufacturing process is called Super-Thin Wall technology, and is possible thanks to our high performance casting abilities.

TLC Torque Wrench: Specifically Created For and Suited To the Purpose - TLC cartridges feature a special six-pointed drive for use with a special tool called the TLC Torque Wrench, which was created specifically to install and remove cartridges. We chose six points to allow more points of contact for a more secure connection. Because both the 10- and 2-gram cartridges are engineered to be securely installed when tightened to greater than 30 inch-pounds of torque, the TLC Torque Wrench is self-limiting, and will deliver that exact amount of torque and no more to prevent over-tightening the cartridge. When the TLC Torque Wrench reaches 30+ inch-lbs., it tightens no further and emits a loud click, alerting the user that the cartridge is sufficiently tight.

A detailed instruction manual accompanies the r7 quad and clearly explains how to proper install, remove and care for the TLC cartridges and TLC ports.

Inverted Cone Technology: A Larger COR Zone for Consistently Longer Drives - Like the 300 Series and R500 Series drivers before it, the r7 quad clubhead is built via Pull-Face construction, wherein the clubface is made separately from the clubhead. That allows TaylorMade to cold-roll the clubface from exceptionally strong titanium, resulting in an exceedingly fast, flexible and light clubface that permits the r7 quad to bump up against the USGA's COR limit of .830.

Like the R500 Series, the r7 quad features TaylorMade's groundbreaking Inverted Cone Technology, known as ICT. The Inverted Cone, which is milled directly onto the inner side of the clubface, radically changes the way the clubhead behaves at impact, resulting in a larger COR zone (the portion of the clubface that delivers high COR -- more than .800). ICT makes it possible for a larger area of the face to deliver consistently higher ball velocity, resulting in consistently longer drives. An added advantage of ICT is that the exceptionally light clubface allowed TaylorMade engineers to redistribute the saved weight within the clubhead.

M.A.S.2 7 High-Performance Shaft - The r7 quad is equipped with TaylorMade's M.A.S.2 7 graphite shaft, weighing 65 grams and available in TS, S, R, and M flexes. Custom shaft options will be available starting July 15.

Targeted at Players Ranging From Tour Pros to Mid Handicappers - The r7 quad will work for players that possess the ability to repeat their swing and recognize changes in trajectory. Tour pros and low to mid handicap amateurs (zero to 18 handicap), will get the most out of the r7 quad. The head size, shape, face angle and workability are designed to work best in the hands of these types of players.

"When we tested the r7 quad, the influence that the different CG positions had on players' shots became evident immediately," said Vincent. "When a player found the CG location that delivered ideal launch conditions for him, the boost that it provided in terms of distance and control was clear. At that point we knew that we had developed a technology that was meaningful and relevant. It was clear that the r7 quad permitted players to maximize the length and accuracy of their tee shots by dialing in the launch conditions that work best with their individual swing characteristics."

A Driver Conceived and Created by the Brightest Minds in the Golf Industry - "At TaylorMade, we do more than imagine revolutionary performance technologies, we make them reality," says Mark King, President and CEO. "The r7 quad was conceived and created by the brightest minds in the golf industry, and we're confident that it will help golfers to realize their true potential in terms of distance and accuracy off the tee."

The r7 quad is available in lofts of 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $600. Limited availability begins in stores starting June 1; full distribution will be reached by June 15.

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.