TaylorMade isn’t the one participant within the mini driver recreation anymore however no person’s having extra enjoyable with it. Because the forgettable AeroBurner mini period (blessedly short-lived), TaylorMade has leaned into its mini driver platform to reimagine what amounts to a greatest hits album for driver design. Within the course of, the corporate has tapped straight into the nostalgia vein of gearheads all over the place.
Let’s dash via the timeline:
- The Unique One mini (2019) paid tribute to the Pittsburgh Persimmon, the membership TaylorMade payments as the primary metalwood. A throwback in title and form, it marked the model’s first actual effort to carry a mini to the trendy period.
- The 300 mini driver (2021) drew inspiration from the traditional 300 Sequence, a line that was forward of its time in segmenting merchandise by participant sort. Whereas these R&D buckets weren’t almost as data-backed as at the moment’s fashions, the 300 Sequence launched the concept of becoming by profile – a groundbreaking thought on the time.
- The BRNR mini driver (2023, 2024) took the nostalgia dial and turned it as much as 11. With copper accents, a reversible headcover and unmistakable nods to the late-‘90s Burner drivers, it was the reboot no person knew they needed. All that was lacking was the Bubble Shaft.
Given the historical past, it’s becoming that the newest entry, the R7 Quad mini, reaches back to one of the most iconic drivers of the 2000s.
Reimagining a traditional
Whereas affordable individuals can disagree over whether or not the R7 Quad is TaylorMade’s most iconic driver ever, it’s inarguably a part of the pantheon. So it tracks that golfers can be drawn to TaylorMade’s newest mini, which blends signature components of the unique R7 Quad design with trendy TaylorMade tech, all wrapped in a compact, perhaps even cute, 305cc package deal.
The unique R7 Quad was a milestone. It marked TaylorMade’s first foray into movable weights. The R7 Quad mini retains that legacy alive with a four-weight system: two 13-gram weights and two four-gram weights. This enables for six unique trajectory settings. In the event you can’t fairly wrap your head round that, see beneath.
Extra weights can be found for these seeking to additional tune flight or regulate swingweight.
Trendy know-how
Trendy touches embody TaylorMade’s TwistFace, a Speed Pocket for forgiveness on low-face strikes (particularly helpful when hitting from the green) and the Infinity Carbon Crown for each mass financial savings and a clear, seamless take a look at tackle.
Briefly, this isn’t a retro paint job. It’s a contemporary tech that simply occurs to seem like it was pulled from a 2004 spotlight reel.
R7 Quad mini versus the sphere
At 305cc, the R7 Quad mini is true in TaylorMade’s consolation zone. It’s one cubic centimeter smaller than the BRNR mini (mainly a rounding error) and maintains a footprint that’s nicely fitted to tee pictures whereas not fully ruling out some off-the-deck play.
For comparability:
- PXG’s Secret Weapon mini is barely smaller at 300cc.
- Titleist GT280 is extra compact and a bit extra fairway-friendly.
- Callaway Elyte mini is way bigger at 340cc and decidedly tee-biased.
TaylorMade continues to stroll the center floor, designing its mini for some measure of versatility. You would drop it in as a driver substitute or perhaps (this half can be closely golfer-dependent) swap it on your strongest fairway wooden.
It simply appears cool
Visually, the R7 Quad mini is true to the original. With a medium gloss-black crown and yellow and pink accents, it’s unmistakably R7 Quad (though the unique didn’t have a refined carbon weave sample). Part of me needs they’d slapped a TP brand on the toe however, to be honest, that might’ve demanded a correct tour-level (or tour-level adjoining) inventory shaft.
And the headcover? In what I suppose is now a signature function of TaylorMade’s mini choices, it’s reversible.
R7 Quad mini inventory shaft
The inventory shaft is the Fujikura Speeder MD (mini driver). In keeping with TaylorMade, the MD was developed to maintain spin down and stability up—all whereas conserving weight in test.
It sounds good in idea. In apply, not a lot.
TaylorMade stays the one big-name OEM nonetheless taking part in the “made for” shaft recreation. And whereas this MD has the Speeder title connected to it, it’s not from the identical household tree because the premium stuff. Fujikura doesn’t usually manufacture Speeder shafts in China and that ought to let you know all the pieces it’s essential to know.
I’m not saying it gained’t give you the results you want however it’s protected to imagine it was chosen for causes which have all the pieces to do with cost-cutting and never a lot else.
Ultimate ideas
The R7 Quad mini is greater than only a retro revival. It’s a traditional reengineered to fulfill at the moment’s requirements. It simply occurs to be wrapped in certainly one of TaylorMade’s most beloved designs. It brings again a lot of what golfers beloved in regards to the authentic R7 Quad and delivers it in a extra versatile, compact package deal.
Whether or not you’re chasing tighter dispersion, a backup off the tee or a fairway finder with angle, the R7 Quad mini has rapidly established itself because the one different manufacturers might want to beat.
Specs, pricing and availability
The TaylorMade R7 Quad mini driver is offered in 11.5- (RH/LH) and 13.5-degree (RH solely) lofts. The inventory shaft is a Fujikura Speeder MD. The inventory grip is a Golf Satisfaction Z-Grip.
Inventory size is 43.75 inches.
Retail value is $479.99. Out there for pre-order now with full retail availability Might 1.
For extra data, go to TaylorMadeGolf.com.
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