Equipment
TaylorMade to release 14-degree SLDR driver
TaylorMade urged golfers to dial up the loft on its August-released SLDR drivers, but no one could see them taking it this far. The company has announced that it will launch a 14-degree version of the SLDR driver, a loft that is usually reserved for 3 woods.
The move is unprecedented, but necessary according to TaylorMade officials because of the weight placement in the club. Most drivers on the market have a center of gravity (CG) above the neutral axis line – an imaginary line drawn from back end of the club that is perpendicular to the club’s face angle. The closer the CG is located to that line, the “lower spinning” a driver becomes.
The SLDR has a CG that is well forward of most drivers, which helps move it lower in the head. According to TaylorMade officials, a lower, more forward CG will help golfers get closer to the ultimate distance formula — a launch angle of 17 degrees with 1700 rpms of spin.
Above: This TaylorMade graphic shows how a lower, more forward CG can lower a driver’s spin. But the CG placement also decreases dynamic loft at impact. That can lead to drives that launch too low and with too little spin, particularly for golfers with slower swing speeds.
While SLDR’s ability to reduce spin has helped many better golfers hit their drives farther, it has proven to be troublesome for many golfers with slower swing speeds. For that reason, TaylorMade has decided to release a 14-degree SLDR that will help those golfers boost their launch and spin closer to ideal levels.
Launching the ball higher with less spin is almost always the recipe to give golfers more distance, but a driver designed with 14-degrees of loft seems a little drastic. If golfers truly need that much loft, they likely don’t have enough ball speed to fully benefit from the SLDR’s low and forward CG. They’d be better off with a driver that has a more rearward CG, which will increase spin and dynamic loft at impact and help them carry the ball farther.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Mike
Feb 12, 2014 at 10:21 pm
These comments and the article miss out on a slice of good players and this product release may just (finally) help. I am a 5.6 index but that is after two terrible seasons, spent most of the last 35 years @ a 2-4 HDCP. My swing speed on any number of launch monitors (trackman mostly) consistently comes in @ 105-110+ with my driver. I had recently switched to a 12 degree Titleist and yet my launch is normally in the 7 degree range and 3000rpm spin, resulting in 250-260 yard drives, max. I have two golfing partners with similar launch conditions and of similar to better ability. These aren’t clubs to simply help the slow swinging super seniors. They may finally get my drives more in line with my 170+ yard carry 7 irons. I m excited to demo them!
Hertz
Dec 25, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Any idea on availability? Or is it still a maybe on if it will be released?
derek
Dec 21, 2013 at 12:47 pm
I found a 16 cleveland (ladies) driver , put a graff blue launch in it and it is longer than anything i have hit. g20 12 degree is moving out there but I dare you to try way more loft , it seems to be working
Regis
Dec 11, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Start with the understanding that most manufacturers market drivers with lofts that are higher than stamped on the head to placate the ego of golfers (who love to say that they are hitting an 8.5 or a 9.5). Add that most golfers with would benefit from playing a higher loft. Then factor in that I have an 85 mph swing speed and the SLDR is adjustable. Not a problem for me.
JEFF SMITH
Dec 11, 2013 at 2:33 pm
I have some nice boat fenders by Taylor Made. That would be the only thing I would use with that name on it!
nik dallos
Dec 10, 2013 at 6:24 pm
I have hit it once at dicks sporting goods. the only shafts they had were stiff and sub 60 gram. I couldn’t hit this thing for hell. I launched it so high even with a 9.5 degree head lofted down, that I hit moonballs that went….185 yards. with my swing wich is around 107 average, I couldn’t get it to go over 250, then with the most lazy non caring swing, I hit it 307 with only 100mph clubspeed and 140 ball speed. maybe dicks should drop 30$k on a trackman. so,maybe be the shaft I was using and the cheap hard cover balls, but I was not impressed with this thing. but it was inside, not on the course, so who am I to say.
nik dallos
Dec 10, 2013 at 6:25 pm
and man oh man am I in the wrong thread, sorry guys. long day
JimmyO
Dec 10, 2013 at 5:51 pm
This is nothing new. They’re currently called “HL” (high launch) in TM terms. Most major manufacturers offer something similar or have this type of loft in their women’s drivers. Most people’s ego just gets in the way of getting properly fit.
jc
Dec 10, 2013 at 12:15 pm
I am waiting until they come out with a 15 degree adjustable driver and the companion 10 degree 3 wood and 6 degree 5 wood. That should be in about 2 weeks from now.
Mx
Dec 10, 2013 at 2:34 pm
its funny because i ctually play my sldr at 10.5 degrees and my 3 wood at 11.5
kwoot
Dec 10, 2013 at 4:34 pm
WHAT ARE YOU 12,
TJ
Dec 10, 2013 at 11:02 am
for what ever distance I gained (Maybe 10 Yards) I find the accuracy of this club to be brutal. stick an extra inch on your current driver and you will come close to what this can offer in my opinion, with both the increase of distance and decrease in accuracy. I also understand that a lot of tour pros are using this model of driver so it could very well be me but I believe there is some truth to my statement.
kwoot
Dec 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Obviously you are not a very good golfer,
Mike ChonM
Dec 10, 2013 at 9:36 am
Should just use the 3 wood too tee off
P
Dec 9, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I’m going to use it for chipping.
Anthony Penney
Dec 8, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Tom Wishon stated a few years ago that people with a 09 mph.swing speed should be using a 13.5 ddegree lofted driver, using a garden hose effect for launch and distance. I agree!
Michael Garrard
Dec 8, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Hireko Golf has the Thriver, a 14 deg. driver type club, but with a 3-wood weight. That allows the club to be shorter, which also helps accuracy. I think it was designed for the senior golfer.
markb
Dec 8, 2013 at 8:25 pm
I don’t play the SLDR because it launched way too low for me. I tried putting a high launch shaft in my 10.5 and dialing it all the way up, but it still launched low. A 14° might work.
dave rose
Dec 8, 2013 at 6:56 pm
Not at all surprised they done this.. with the new technology.. carrying the 12 or 14 degree SLDR is the same as using the RBZ 9 o r 10.5 degree..but a lot longer.