Packaged in a 430cc club head with a modern-classic shape and rich charcoal-grey crown, TaylorMade has said it expects better players to flock to the 430 version, which features a smaller Tour-inspired head to promote improved workability.
"We put low forward CG in a smaller head to make a driver that Tour pros love," said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade's Senior Director of Product Creation for Metalwoods. "SLDR 430 makes it easier to shape shots without sacrificing distance."
The 430 model features the same distance-producing technology found in its big brother: low and forward centre of gravity placement that promotes a hotter launch, lower spin and faster ball speed.
In addition to the low-forward CG benefits, SLDR 430 also incorporates the same innovative sliding weight mechanism TaylorMade introduced with the SLDR 460. A blue 20-gram weight slides on a track located on the front of the sole. Movable weight shifts the club head's CG horizontally toward either the heel, to promote a draw, or toward the toe, to promote a fade.
The SLDR delivers six millimetres of movement – that's 50% more than the R1 – promoting a shot-dispersion range of up to 30 yards. The SLDR weight slides on a 21-point track system and never comes loose from the club head. To position the weight in any one of them simply loosen the screw, slide the weight to the point selected, then tighten the screw. Golfers can adjust for a 'draw' or 'fade' by sliding the weight across the slider track into the appropriate position in as little as 10 seconds.
Nearly 10 years ago, TaylorMade brought to market its first movable weight driver, the r7 quad – which featured four small weight cartridges that could be used to change the head's CG location and influence ball flight. Since that release, TaylorMade's R&D team has been searching for a way to improve and simplify MWT. The company believes the SLDR's new sliding system is a significant leap forward in its quest to engineer a driver that offers outstanding performance with simple and intuitive technology.
The SLDR also incorporates TaylorMade's Loft-sleeve Technology, which allows the golfer to easily adjust the loft. Golfers can choose from 12 positions within a range of plus-or-minus 1.5 degrees of loft change. The more loft added, the more the face closes and vice-versa.
Pricing, Options and Availability
Available in three lofts – 9.0°, 10.5° and 12°, the SLDR 430 is equipped with a Fujikura Speeder 67 graphite shaft and TaylorMade high-traction grip. The Tour Preferred version, SLDR 430 TP, combines the same club head with the Tour-calibre Fujikura Speeder Tour Spec 7.3 graphite shaft. A variety of custom shafts are also available. The SLDR 430 is available at retail now at a suggested retail price of $399.99 ($499.99).
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