TaylorMade launch SLDR driver

TaylorMade has announced the official arrival of SLDR – a revolutionary new driver featuring an adjustable, sliding weight system engineered to launch the golf ball high, fast and long.

The key to the leap in distance is a lower and more forward centre of gravity (CG) that promotes a hotter launch, lower spin and faster ball speed. Similar to the impact the “Speed Pocket” had on the performance of the RocketBallz fairway and Rescue clubs, TaylorMade engineers believe SLDR’s low and forward CG placement will redefine driver distance. 

“Without a doubt, this is the longest driver we have ever created,” said TaylorMade’s Chief Technical Officer Benoit Vincent. “Our expertise at positioning the CG low and forward sets us apart from our competitors, and is vital to making SLDR the spectacular distance machine that it is.”

In addition to the low-forward CG benefits, SLDR also incorporates a complete reinvention of TaylorMade’s movable weight technology (MWT), making it more effective and easier to use. SLDR features a blue, 20-gram weight that slides on a track located on the front of the sole.

Movable weight shifts the clubhead’s CG horizontally toward either the heel, to promote a draw, or toward the toe, to promote a fade, promoting a shot-dispersion range of up to 30 yards. The SLDR weight slides on a 21-point track system located on the sole of the club and takes as little as 10 seconds.

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.

At address, golfers will see a driver that possesses a classic shape and a rich charcoal-grey crown colour that contrasts with a silver face to aid with alignment.

In its first three weeks on Tour, TaylorMade’s Tour representatives were met with overwhelming player demand to see and hit SLDR. The Tour staff even received texts and phone calls from players who followed other Tour pros reaction about SLDR on Twitter, demanding they get one to test at the Open Championship.

In week one, nine SLDR’s were put into play at the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, while four players played the driver at the Scottish Open. Given the scarce availability of SLDR’s, a total of 13 in play worldwide in its first week was unexpected. The following week, 14 players put SLDR in the bag at the Open Championship. TaylorMade expects SLDR to become the No. 1 played driver as early as the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

Pricing, Options and Availability

Available in three lofts: 9.5°, 10.5° and 12°, SLDR is equipped with a Fujikura Speeder 57 graphite shaft and TaylorMade high-traction grip. The Tour Preferred version, SLDR TP, combines the same clubhead with the Tour-caliber Fujikura Speeder Tour Spec 6.3 graphite shaft. A variety of custom shafts are also available. Availabile 16th August 2013. RRP: £349, SLDR TP RRP: £399. www.taylormadegolf.eu