Earlier this year, TaylorMade Golf Company turned the golf world upside down with the introduction of the R11 – the industry’s first white driver with never-seen-before adjustability features that injected an unmatched level of excitement in the industry. In just two short months, this innovative and revolutionary product garnered historic marketshare and quickly became the No. 1 played driver model on Tour. Today the company takes its next step in cementing the legacy of the R11 franchise with the introduction of R11, the iron.Combining the distance and forgiveness found in the legendary Burner 2.0 along with the feel and precision of the Tour Preferred line, the R11 irons are engineered for the player who favours a traditional blade but appreciates the near effortless ease required to launch the ball high, straight and long. The R11 irons are truly a masterwork of beauty, technology and performance.
No other iron combines this kind of distance, this kind of forgiveness, is this easy to launch, and feels and sounds this soft and solid. And its appearance is extraordinarily beautiful, a gorgeous blend of smooth, classic lines and high-tech flourishes.
“If we were going to name an iron after the R11 driver, you can bet it was going to be worthy of its name,” said Sean Toulon, executive vice president of TaylorMade. “In fact, the pressure was on us to make this iron particularly special because our R11 metalwoods are the finest pieces of golf equipment the world has ever seen. I can assure you, there has never been an iron with this much technology that looks this good and fits so many players.”
Historically, irons engineered with multiple game-improvement technologies tend to be big, inelegant and clunky, with thick toplines, broad soles and busy-ugly cavities. They typically feel harsh and sound high-pitched and “clicky”.
Historically, irons engineered with multiple game-improvement technologies tend to be big, inelegant and clunky, with thick toplines, broad soles and busy-ugly cavities. They typically feel harsh and sound high-pitched and “clicky”.
The R11 iron breaks that mold and rewrites the book about what a high-technology iron can look like, feel like and sound like. Precision Weighting Port and Progressive CG locationThe centrepiece of the R11 iron and the first thing that will grab the golfer’s attention is its striking red precision-weighting port (PWP), a technology initially introduced in the Tour Preferred line which allows TaylorMade engineers to guarantee precise swingweight and ensure centre-face Centre of Gravity (CG) location in every iron to promote optimised ball flight in the long-, middle- and short-irons.
Progressive CG location positions the CG low in the longer irons to make them easier to launch, and higher in the shorter irons. Wider soles in the longer irons pull the CG lower for easier, higher launch while also increasing MOI to make them more stable and forgiving.
Progressive CG location positions the CG low in the longer irons to make them easier to launch, and higher in the shorter irons. Wider soles in the longer irons pull the CG lower for easier, higher launch while also increasing MOI to make them more stable and forgiving.
Ultra-Thin Face Thickness and TaylorMade’s Renowned Inverted Cone Technology The ultra thin face construction of the R11 irons promotes faster ball speed and distance in long and short irons. Additional forgiveness comes from our Inverted Cone Technology, which promote faster ball speed on off-centre hits. Ultra thin face – incredibly fast ball speed.
Multi Functional sole and Advanced Groove DesignProgressive shaping makes the longer irons larger and more forgiving, and the shorter irons more compact and workable. TaylorMade spent time working with Nick Faldo, to make sure each iron blends into the leading edge to preserve the beautiful lines of the iron.
The R11’s sole is slightly thinner and the leading edge is a little sharper, helping it to enter and exit the turf quickly and smoothly. The R11 irons also incorporates an advanced, USGA and R&A conforming groove design to promote more increased spin and control from the rough.
Sound and Vibration Management System TaylorMade’s R&D department worked hard to perfect an advanced sound and vibration management system to ensure the feel in the R11 irons would appeal to better players. Golfers will appreciate how the feel of the R11 irons will make the rock-hard balls sold by the bucket at a driving range feel and sound like a soft tour ball. The secret lies in the sophisticated cast design.
Sound and Vibration Management System TaylorMade’s R&D department worked hard to perfect an advanced sound and vibration management system to ensure the feel in the R11 irons would appeal to better players. Golfers will appreciate how the feel of the R11 irons will make the rock-hard balls sold by the bucket at a driving range feel and sound like a soft tour ball. The secret lies in the sophisticated cast design.
The R11 iron is unquestionably the most beautiful cavityback ever introduced by TaylorMade. The appearance at address is simple and traditional, with the topline melting seamlessly into the hosel. From behind, the sweeping lines that form the shape of the head, the cavity and what lies within the cavity work in absolute harmony to create a beautifully balanced composition that’s guaranteed to please the eye of any golfer.
“There has never been a game-improvement iron that looks this classically beautiful while incorporating this kind of serious performance technology, added Toulon. “The R11 iron is destined to assume a position among the pantheon of the best of the best TaylorMade products.”
Set Makeup, Pricing and AvailabilityThe R11 irons are offered in four shaft flexes – S, R, M, L. Ladies' flex shafts will be offered in the 5-iron through pitching wedge, attack wedge and sand wedge. The standard R11 set includes eight irons offered at a RRP of GBP 699, 799 Euros, SEK 6.999 (7 ir), NOK 5.995 (7 ir), DKK 6.699 and CHF 999 with steel shafts in the irons and GBP 799, 999 Euros, SEK 8.499 (7ir), NOK 7.495 (7 ir), DKK 6.999 (7ir) and CHF 1.299 (7 ir). The steel offering will be the KBS 90, while the graphite offering will be the Motore 75 S, 65 R, 55M. Each iron is also equipped with Tour Velvet grips, a combination deemed optimal for promoting consistent and responsive performance. Availability begins at retail Tuesday, September 1.
