Product Test - TaylorMade's New R15 Driver

I've decided with the release of new models at this time of year to do some product testing of my own. Now I own a Trackman , which is the same technology used by the world's best players and the leading manufacturers around the world, manufacturers now have nowhere to hide with their claims they make about their new products. We at West Cornwall can put them through our own tests. I am going to start with TaylorMade's new R15 Driver.

Overview TaylorMade claim that this driver is "MADE OF GREATNESS: OUR MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED DRIVER EVER"

The R15 features a lower and more forward centre of gravity (CG), to promote higher launch and lower spin. The Front Track system performs like a Speed Pocket, reducing spin and increasing the size of the sweet spot, and the 4° loft sleeve along with new sliding split weights (12.5g each) make dialing in your tee shots easier than ever-slide the weights to centre for max distance, heel for max draw, toe for max fade, or split them for max stability.

The Test

I tested the driver against TaylorMade's SLDR model from last year and an older R9 model that was a great model from 4 or 5 years ago that is still widely used by many players.

I tested for the most important data, CARRY DISTANCE, TOTAL DISTANCE, SPIN RATE and BALL SPEED.

All the models were 9.5 Degree lofts with the standard Stiff flex shafts and all on standard settings.

To the right is a Snapshot of the shot averages that I made.

Results

Well I think it's safe to say that the developers at TaylorMade have made a superb driver. It's also safe to say that the spec I hit wasn't the ideal one for me, and higher loft and more spin with a different setting would probably gain me even more yardage. The R15 averaged approx4 yards carry more than the SLDR (very significant in one year) and the R9. The R15 gained an incredible 7 yards more in total distance over the SLDR and hit 22 yards total distance more than the R9. The R15's ball speed off the clubface was significantly faster than the other models so with fitting, even more distance could be achieved.

Conclusion

A great driver, it felt great, it looks great and I would definitely recommend you giving it a try. If you currently play an R9 driver, considerable distance gains are sure to be made. If you brought an SLDR last year, there are improvements, maybe it's worth having a session with me to see if enough improvement could be made to warrant the investment.

Click here to get in touch to request your fitting session.

Trackman

A 1 hour session with myself using Trackman now costs only £40.00

Sessions can be:

- Fitting sessions, including Driver fitting, iron fitting, wedge fitting (if any clubs are purchased within 7 days of a trackman fitting then a £30 credit will be given from the session towards your purchase)

- Gap testing (how far do you hit each club?)

- Trackman Combine (test yourself against the world's best players)

- Coaching (knowing what is actually happening at impact is invaluable knowledge in improving your game)

Winter League 8 - Saturday 24th January 2015

Results:

1st - Kevin Veal & Mark Hughes - 43
2nd - Gary Wignal & Tim Martin - 43
3rd - Rod Jenkin & Clive Cribble - 43
4th - Ian Hodge & Stuart Cameron - 42
5th - Niel Hodding & Dave Phillips - 42
6th - Andrew Hitchins & Alan Howells - 41
7th - Richard Dunn & David Jones - 41
8th - Nevil Friggens & Brian Joy - 40
9th - Peter Darlington & Chris Bowden - 40
10th - Joel Palk & Alistar Paterson - 40

Nearest the Pin - Peter Darlington - 1m, 7cm

The Booby was won by Paul Horsell & Howard Green - 27points

Click here to view the current standings

The ladies of West Cornwall Golf Club held their Annual Ladies Luncheon on Friday, 16 January. It's always a lovely occasion which everyone seems to enjoy. It is an opportunity to come in their finery and to catch up with some of the ladies who have retired from golf.

The highlight of the day is the presentation of the cups won during the past year, a duty shared, by tradition, by the ladies immediate past and current Captain's, Ros Fox and Edwina Thomas respectively (see photo below)

Of the prizes awarded it is noteworthy to mention Sue Barlow who won the Medal Winners' Cup, providing Sue with the opportunity to go on and play at the County regional qualifying event to be held at Weston Super Mare. If Sue qualifies there she will then play in the National final at Frilford Heath Golf Club, involving a practice round and gala dinner! Best of Luck Sue

Stableford

The weather forecast didn't look too promising to start with for the West Cornwall Ladies 15 hole stableford on Tuesday, 20 January. But the sun came out in what turned out to be relatively mild conditions! The winner in 1st division was Gill Prodger on 30 points, followed in 2nd place by Vice Captain Anne Uren on 29 points, on a count back with Liz Jenkin.

The winners in 2nd division were Christine Marenah on 30 points, on a count back from (birthday girl) Mandy Stevens, followed by Helen Dugdale in 3rd place with 29 points.

Wednesday Stableford - Wednesday, 20 January 2015 

Division 1 H/caps (0 - 14) 13

1st - Tony Ellis - (14) 37 c/b
2nd - Oliver Naylor - (6) 37 c/b
3rd - Gary Wignall - (6) 37

Division 2 H/caps (15 - 28) 10

1st - Terry England - (24) 37
2nd - Russell Dibble - (16) 35
3rd - Chris Gray - (24) 35

Lowest Gross - Gary Wignall - 32

Please collect vouchers from the Office

It doesn't seem long ago we were chatting about xmas and the new year ahead, now we have almost finished January and the new golfing season is just around the corner. Can I ask you all a very simple question, "Are you ready for the golfing season ahead?" Hopefully most of you will say, "Yes we are!" But in reality most of us probably aren't.

As you have already read, Jason has been trying out the new TaylorMade R15 which lead to some interesting figures and I have already now tried 3 new drivers in my quest to get ready for 2015. So is your game and your equipment ready for what waits ahead this year, maybe it's time to think about these two critical aspects that will determined whether or not 2015 will be the year you want it to be?

'Out with the old and in with the new' - Is it time to upgrade your equipment? Here are 5 signs to look out for that will indicate whether or not you need to think about upgrading soon?

1) Your golf game has changed; for better or for worse!
2) You bought your last set over 12 months ago; equipment technology is constantly being updated and continuingly being improved year upon year.
3) You are now older than you were; most older players need clubs that have more flexible shafts and hence can benefit from greater club-head speed and thus increased distance.
4) Too much wear and tear; grooves on clubfaces can become too smooth, club shafts can start to crack and split, and dents and abrasions on clubfaces too can all lead to poorer shots.
5) You're not making progress; if after practicing and playing on multiple occasions, your scores aren't improving, then your clubs could well be holding you back.

'Practice with purpose' - I believe deliberate practice is vital when it comes to lower scores. Everyone has the ability to play better golf, but it takes more than just practice, it takes smart practice, and an understanding of what's effective when practicing. So here are my thoughts as to what makes effective practice

1) Personalise your practice; work on what is unique to you. Devise a plan that involves working on shots and situations that make you uncomfortable, and focus on areas that you'd like to improve.
2) Push yourself; for instance, a new grip or stance can feel strange at first, but sometimes it's what's needed to improve.
3) Deliberate practice requires continual, specific feedback; we all have blind spots, so we all need a coach and subsequent sound feedback. A highly qualified experienced coach is an ideal solution towards better golf. Expert feedback corrects mistakes and without it, progress is virtually impossible.

So in conclusion, if you are not ready for 2015 now is the ideal time to book a custom-fitting session with Jason or take advantage of my exclusive member's only offer of a FREE follow up golf lesson. We can chat about practice methods, drills and skill acquisition so that you will be able to look forward to playing better, more enjoyable golf in 2015. Call me on 07516 637816 to book your session now, email matthew.tucknott@sky.com, pop into the pro-shop at West Cornwall Golf Club or click here to get in touch and see how we can help you enjoy your golf this year.