TaylorMade Review: R7 CGB Max 2008 Irons

Manufacturer: TaylorMade Golf


Details: This is the new 2008 version of the R7 CGB Max irons. Set includes 4i (21*) through PW (44*), AW (49*), and SW (54*). Stock RE*AX Superfast Black Steel 90 (90-gram) shaft, TaylorMade CGB Arrow Reminder Grip. Extra-large clubhead with tungsten weights, placed in the heel and toe portions of the cavity back head with inverted cone technology. Stainless steel iron face, cast iron contstruction. The soles of the short irons are wider than the Callaway BB 06, and narrower on the longer irons. Loft is 1 club stronger than my Callaway Big Bertha 06 irons.

Purchase: Needed an upgrade to my Callaway Big Bertha 2006 irons. Waited for the TaylorMade demo day at my local golf range (December 2007). The week prior was a Callaway demo day, where I tried the X-20 irons. Anyway, this is about the TM irons. After trying out various models, the R7 CGB Max 2008 irons worked best for my swing, according to the demo guy and range pro. I tried both the graphite and steel versions. The graphite was too light for me (shaft is 55 grams compared to the steel 90-gram shaft), and I wasn't able to control my swing. The steel irons felt best. Paid $900+tax for the 4i-SW (9 irons) after demo day discounts. This was perfect timing since my birthday was in a few days anyway. So no need to make excuses to the wife about buying new clubs.

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Pros: The feel of the club during the swing is smooth and feels like an extension of your arms, as it should be. Downswing is smooth and again feels like an extension of your arms. Ball flight is high (higher than my Big Berthas). And since the loft is stronger than my Big Bertha irons, I had to recalculate my distance per iron all over again. I'm hitting 1 club stronger than the BB irons, which makes sense due to the lofts, but also higher. The sweet spot is pretty much the entire clubface, even at the very toe of the face! I was really impressed with the trajectory of a major mishit, thanks to the tungsten weight inserts on the back of the club.

Cons: I didn't like the initial high price tag of the set. But since I got a really good deal from the pro shop, I can't really complain. The shaft is black, like a graphite shaft. So people still think I'm using graphites. TM could have done away with the black paint to help lower cost.

R7 CGB Max 2008 Quality: Construction and is superb. Can't really go wrong with TaylorMade products.

Summary: These clubs are fantastic for the high handicaps and those who have trouble getting the ball up in the air. Also good for those who tend to mishit. It was a tough decision between the TaylorMade R7 CGB Max 2008 and the Callaway X20. But TM won my money, this time.

TaylorMade R7 CGB Max 2008 Rating: 5

Author: DocT

Game: Been playing golf for almost 2 years. My handicap is very high (30's) just like my age. I have no real strength except for my putting. My weakness is using the driver, fairway woods, and long irons. I have more bad days than good. I like to play the par-3 courses to help strengthen my short game to make up for my dismal drives.

Average Round: Over 100

Submitted: 2008-02-05
Usefulness: 4.69444 out of 5.
36 reader(s) voted.