The two R9 drivers on the market, the original R9 and the R9 460, have such a great combination of good looks and cutting-edge technology, it’s no surprise that the first R9 iron also delivers big on those two fronts. With its nickel chrome-plated stainless steel and pearl finish, it has the clean cosmetics that better plays like while providing all the forgiveness that higher handicaps need.
In fact, given its classic appearance, it’s somewhat astonishing how much technology TaylorMade engineers packed into the iron. Just like they did with the Burner irons, they designed the R9 long and middle irons separately from the short irons, which makes a lot of sense. Everyone needs more help hitting the longer irons than the shorter ones, so why design them the same way?
The long and middle irons have a “Velocity-Control Chamber” that allows a large area of the extremely thin (2mm) face to exist unsupported—much like the face of a driver. The result is a trampoline effect that makes it easier to launch the ball. The short irons feature a vibration-quieting layer sandwiched between the backside of the clubface and the protective black badge in the cavity that gives them a solid and satisfying sound and feel, a crucial component of scoring irons.
“I was very surprised how soft these irons felt,” says a 14. “It was like I was hitting a balata ball even with hard range balls. The height and distance I got on my shots was also a pleasant surprise. They’re a lot more forgiving than you would think from their classic shape. I think I’ve got my Christmas present picked out.”
3–PW, ($799 steel, $999 graphite), taylormadegolf.com
TESTING GROUNDS: TaylorMade R9 (6-iron, graphite S flex)
BALL SPEED: 116 MPH
LAUNCH ANGLE: 17 degrees
BACKSPIN: 4192 RPM
CARRY DISTANCE: 180 yards
