CLUBS ROAD TEST:
taylormade r7 fairway metals

PLAYER: DES WILCOX
HANDICAP: 21

MODEL & SHAFT PLAYED:
TaylorMade r7 st with 15° loft and fitted with a regular RE*AX graphite shaft.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
At address, the clubhead seemed to be a little more closed than what I am used to.However, I felt I could really make a strong swing at the ball with this club. The compact head helped me focus on hitting the ball cleanly off the fairway. I also liked the feel of the grip. It was secure without being tacky.

VERDICT:
I immediately felt comfortable hitting balls off the fairway with the r7 st and was getting shots flying more accurately than with mycurrent 3-metal. Not only was it easy tohit straught but I found I was hitting the the ball at least 10 metres longer. The neutral set-up of the moveable weight cartridges was ideal for my swing and shot shape so I didn’t need to mess with the settings. The club definitely looks colourful and impressive. But it certainly looks its best at address with its understated dark crown and a traditional shape and size that will appeal to most players. While the r7 st was very good from the tee, I think it comes into its own from the fairway and other lies because it is so easy to hit. Overall, this is a very stylish and versatile club I could use effectively from the rough, fairway or even tight lies with confidence.

PLAYER RATING
Appearance Compact 9/10
Playability Easy to hit 8.5/10
Balance Excellent 9/10
Feel Consistent, regardless
of the strike 8.5/10
Total 87.5%

FACTS AND FIGURES:
SUITABILITY: TaylorMade r7 st (all players); TaylorMade
r7 ti (players wanting a higher trajectory and maximum
forgiveness).

SHAFTS: RE*AX graphite shaft available in both models. Steel shaft available for the r7 st fairway metal only.

GRIPS: TaylorMade Tour Velvet.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS? Yes.

HOW MUCH?
TaylorMade r7 ti $599 each (graphite shaft).
TaylorMade r7 st $399 each graphite shaft); $349 (steel).

TAYLORMADE SAYS:
“TaylorMade’s latest generation of fairway clubs get the moveable weight cartridge treatment, with the release of the r7 st and r7 ti fairway metals.

“The r7 st is perfect for players, who want Movable Weight Technology (MWT) in a more compact and traditionally-shaped fairway club.

“The r7 st has a shallow steel face to help create an optimal
launch angle from virtually any lie, while the r7 ti has a titanium mid face design, to provide more forgiveness on off-centre hits and a higher launch angle.

“Two TaylorMade Launch Control TLC) ports, a two-gram and
14-gram cartridge, promote either a neutral ball flight or a right-toleft ball flight, depending on where the TLC cartridges are placed.

“TLC ports are placed on the perimeter of the club, increasing
the moment of inertia (MOI) and providing greater stability of the clubhead as well as forgiveness on mis-hits.

“Both the r7 ti and r7 st fairway metals come in three lofts –
15° (3-metal), 18° (5-metal) and 21° (7-metal).”

Contact: TaylorMade-adidas on 1800 700 011 or visit the website www.taylormadegolf.com

From the September 2006 issue of Golf Australia magazine