It appears that both Titleist (Titleist GT280 Mini Driver) and TaylorMade Golf have recognized the same customer need.
It is good to know that the 2004 TaylorMade R7 driver is one of TaylorMade’s greatest successes. Do you still recall it? Did you have it, too?
TaylorMade has acknowledged the growing popularity of mini drivers among professional golfers and amateur players on the PGA TOUR.
The company seeks to advance the possibilities in technology and performance within this category.
The newly introduced TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver draws inspiration from the R7, one of the most successful drivers in the company’s history, along with the R7 SuperQuad.
This innovative driver not only pays tribute to its esteemed predecessors but also establishes a distinct modern identity, effectively bridging the past and the present.
And now here’s the exciting part!
TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver – innovations
This club is designed for golfers who require a versatile solution that effectively combines the functionalities of both a driver and a fairway wood.
I found 3 innovations in the new TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver:
- The Four-Way Movable Weight System: This feature enables golfers to reposition weights to influence ball flight strategically by reintroducing the original R7 Quad’s Trajectory Adjustment System (TAS). This capability allows for adjustments to produce draw, fade, or neutral biases and modifications to launch angle and spin characteristics. The Quad Weighting System includes two 13g and two 4g weights with 2 ports at the back of the clubhead and one each on the toe and heel.
- The Infinity Carbon Crown, inspired by the design of TaylorMade’s Qi35 drivers, features a seamless carbon crown that provides a clean and minimalist aesthetic when positioned at address. This design enhances visual appeal and minimizes distractions for the user.
- The Twist Face™ and Speed Pocket™ technologies represent established innovations from TaylorMade that function synergistically to enhance ball speed and accuracy in the event of off-center strikes. These advancements facilitate consistent performance across the clubface, promoting gameplay reliability.
The TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver features a 305cc clubhead, offering a compact profile that appeals to golfers who favor a smaller clubhead. Its lie angle is 57°.
The driver’s length is 43.75 inches and possesses a D4 swing weight, striking a balance between control and power.
Available lofts include 11.5° for right—and left-handed players and 13.5° exclusively for right-handed players.
The standard shaft is the Fujikura Speeder MD, with a Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/Red grip.
The TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver has an RRP of £399 / €519 / SEK 5,999 / NOK 5,999 / DKK 3,999 / CHF 519.
My assessment
Golfers seeking a combination of nostalgic design and modern performance will find this mini driver remarkably versatile.
It delivers outstanding performance both off the tee and from the fairway, offering enhanced control and shot-shaping capabilities that contribute to better overall play.
The smaller 305cc head may not provide the same degree of forgiveness as larger drivers, which could be a consideration for certain players.
In my assessment, the Titleist GT280 Mini Driver demonstrates commendable quality; however, the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini Driver appears to possess greater sophistication.
Inspire/convince me in the comments if you believe differently! 🙂