TaylorMade SLDR Driver Comes Back In "White" - Great Golf Deals Bog

In breaking news throughout the golf equipment industry, TaylorMade has announced that it is coming out with a new driver next month. Starting in early May,Taylormade will make available a limited-edition, "white" version of their very popular SLDR driver.

For those of you who are a big fan of the white headed drivers you are in luck as you probably have held off buying the new SLDR because it was only available in the dark grey colored head. For the rest of us you are probably not surprised at the new release since it seems to be a normal process for TaylorMade. Last year they came out with the white R1 driver only to be followed later in the year with a limited-edition black model.

Now I don't believe TaylorMade will claim 17 yards more with the white head SLDR driver over dark head SLDR but the low-forward CG technology in the SLDR driver has been proven effective in producing additional yardage if fitted correctly.

In Taylormade's own words:

“The white crown with black button-back delivers a remarkable appearance at address. Many golfers fell in love with white when it came out in 2011, and now we are delivering a limited edition white SLDR with low and forward CG for more distance when you loft up.”
-Brian Bazzel, Sr Director of Metalwood Product Creation

The white SLDR drivers ($399) will be available in lofts of 9.5, 10.5, 12 and 14 degrees with a stock Fujikura Speeder 57 shaft in senior, regular, stiff and x-stiff flexes. They’re currently available for pre-order, and will be available in stores on May 2.

TAYLORMADE INTRODUCES COMPACT SLDR 430 DRIVER

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).