Equipment
Spotted: TaylorMade SLDR 430 TP Japan driver
There has been a lot of chatter in our forums over the past couple of days about the addition of a TaylorMade SLDR 430 TP to the USGA’s list of conforming clubs. Let the chatter continue, because look what just showed up on the TaylorMade Japan website!
According to the TaylorMade Japan website, the head features a 2-gram-heavier SLDR weight that the standard SLDR 460 driver. That change is made possible by the SLDR’s smaller (and thus lighter) lighter 430-cubic-centimeter head.
Much like the SLDR 460, the SLDR 430 allow golfers to choose from 12 positions on TaylorMade’s “Loft Sleeve” within a range of plus-or-minus 1.5 degrees of loft change in 0.5-degree increments to help golfers dial in their launch and spin.
Click here to read our review of TaylorMade’s SLDR 460 driver.
The SLDR 430 has the same crown graphics as the original, but the sole is charcoal-gray, applying the 460’s crown color to the entirety of the club. And of course, there’s the “Tour Preferred” badging loyalists have been clamoring for on the toe of the club. It’s not the original TaylorMade TP logo loyalists wanted, but it’s better than nothing, right?
Speculation has abounded as to whether the SLDR 430 TP will be available in the U.S. However, with the upcoming release of TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred Irons and with pros rumored to be testing the SLDR 430 TP, it seems likely that a U.S. release is in the cards.
Here are the specs and shaft options from the TaylorMade Japan website.
A look at the darker, more compact face of the SLDR 430 TP.
Here’s a look at the crown of the club, which is very similar to the 460 version.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
jc
Dec 23, 2013 at 7:17 pm
I got a top secret version of the badge and put it on my G25…wow, another 45 yards instantly!!!
it went so far, the usga banned the badge on other maker’s clubs…
it went so far, the FAA banned me from hitting driver near airports…
ams165
Dec 15, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Just saw on Golfdiscount.com that the 430 TP version is shipping on Dec 20th. They are taking pre orders…
http://www.golfdiscount.com/taylormade-sldr-430-tp-tour-driver
Fsubaseball
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:05 am
The new “TP” irons can be found on the same taylormade Japan website.. They used to have black carbon ATV wedges as well as different color options on spiders. The prices are insane!
Moo
Dec 8, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Wow, Can’t wait to get one of these, and I really wasn’t looking for a new driver. But with the compact head, lighter swing weight and the 45″ shaft, it’s everything I wanted from TM. I’ve been hitting my RBZ Tour well but I’m tiring of the big white blob at the end of a long stick look:) A partial effect of playing a 3Deep off the tee recently. Can I repeat the 45″ thing!!! 46″ shafts for amateurs is just plain stupid. Really hate to have to cut down a shaft with no OEM way to adjust the swingweight. Just hoping these are not Japan only specs… And I just have to mention the goofy badge thing. The new look is way better.
Peter A
Dec 4, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Tried out the 430 yesterday. Averaged 200 rpm less on spin numbers. This driver is going to be a runaway hit for high spin players, especially with the Speeder in it.
Dan
Dec 4, 2013 at 2:11 pm
TMag, get something right here and you will happen to get more and more of your TP loyalists back…if that damn badge is not on the side of the club, that is an issue! If your re-create the badge, want to “re-brand” your TP line, THEN DO IT WITH THE BADGE! Get it right, quit teasing us with “prototypes that did not make the final production”. Thats garbage, to be honest. I do not like to rip apart what I feel is the greatest company in constructing ground-breaking drivers, but give us consumers what we want FOR ONCE!
snowman
Dec 4, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Agree..Why the H— won’t TMAG bring back the damn badge that all the players love? This “Tour Preferred” nonsense looks like something from Spalding in the 70’s
Jon
Dec 5, 2013 at 12:30 am
But dan will the badge lower your scores? Do you buy a club because of cosmetics, or because of the performance?
Pricey
Dec 4, 2013 at 1:40 pm
But how much……..? $699 with TP shaft upgrade? Ya gotta be kidding me. Ya might as well go find a R9 T stamp or R11S T stamp on Ebay you’ll hit those just as good
Tyler
Dec 4, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Or just wait a few months and buy one for half the price.
Holdma Deeek
Dec 4, 2013 at 5:15 pm
You should wait a few months and Holdma Deeek
Bob R
Dec 5, 2013 at 4:54 pm
HAHAHAHAHHAHA^^^
totebagger
Dec 6, 2013 at 11:32 am
sip the the TM koolaid and holdma deek you totebaggers
Conrad
Dec 4, 2013 at 1:04 pm
looks great
Carter
Dec 4, 2013 at 12:32 pm
This looks exactly like my new driver. haha
Andrew
Dec 4, 2013 at 12:29 pm
That is a very, very nice looking club.
Big_5_Hole
Dec 4, 2013 at 11:57 am
This is one driver I’ll be testing this spring. I liked but didn’t love the first SLDR, this might be the one……
Jay
Dec 4, 2013 at 11:14 am
I don’t get the obsession with having the TP logo on everything. Who cares? Isn’t it about how it performs anyway? I could care less about trying to impress my friends with little logo’s but would rather hit it by them 30yds.
KCCO
Dec 8, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Like the all charcoal, could careless about badge….just hope TMAG sticks a small head driver to retail shelf, sick of huge 460’s
markb
Dec 4, 2013 at 11:00 am
Looks like it still has the glued on toe plate cover that kept falling out on the regular models and had to be screwed in on tour drivers. Did they change the glue?
Tyler
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:53 am
Why does TM release different clubs in Japan?
christian
Dec 5, 2013 at 6:35 am
This driver will probably come to the US market as well, but otherwise TM, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland have whole lines of JDM only clubs. Usually forged, usually pricey. It’s because the golf eqipment market in Japan is double the size of the US one with less than half the population. Brands bring out their most “premium” stuff in Japan, and then they might release a watered down version a couple of years later in the US market. Or sometimes, as in the case of the Anser line from Ping, interest is so great in the US that they will offer the JDM stuff (Anser Forged irons) in the US too. And as a thank you the then get clobbered with negative comments about being “insanely expensive”.
Nattysurf
Dec 6, 2013 at 3:26 am
Japan golf equipment market is not even close to being 2X the US – it is less than 50% of the US.
hebron1427
Dec 6, 2013 at 5:23 pm
probably true, but the prices that japanese consumers will pay for similar products is astronomical.
Scott F
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:30 am
that all black 430 SLDR is niceeee looking they should’ve did the TP badge though. Why not listen to the golfers here who are your ultimate focus group? 90% or so would say go with badge on TP. Love the looks of the MC and Im not a TM player. Glad to see that TM finally figured out that golfers don’t want white clubs or NASCAR graphics or dials that no one can figure out.
Mike
Dec 4, 2013 at 10:26 am
This will be available in the US…
Keith
Dec 4, 2013 at 9:25 am
Oh I want one so bad, if this is anything like the 460 it is going to be the best of 2014! It would be awesome if they would let us get our hands on this gorgeous black one too, Com’on Tmag you can do that for us!
John
Dec 4, 2013 at 8:53 am
Take away crown graphics and put tp logo instead… Bam, instant perfection.
Patrick
Dec 4, 2013 at 8:50 am
When will it be hitting shelves in the states?
Xerpro
Dec 4, 2013 at 8:33 am
Sign me up….Might be the one that can knock out the original SFTP.
All Black looks awesome!!!