Equipment
TaylorMade launches White SLDR Driver, appoints new CEO
If you were a fan of the white drivers TaylorMade has been making in recent years, you might have a new favorite model. The company’s is releasing its SLDR 460 driver in white.
“The white crown with black button-back delivers a remarkable appearance at address,” said Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade’s senior director of metal wood product creation. “Many golfers fell in love with white when it came out in 2011, and now we are delivering a limited-edition white SLDR with low and forward CG for more distance when you loft up.”
The SLDR 460 drivers (click here to read our review) were released this summer with glossy, charcoal-painted crowns that were a departure from the company’s three straight years of white-painted metal woods, which included the R11, R11S, RBZ and R1 and RBZ Stage 2 models. The move didn’t come as a total shock to the industry, however, as TaylorMade’s release of a black-painted version of its R1 driver in May 2013 hinted that the company was headed away from white.
When the company released its first white driver, the R11 in 2011, the launch was met with intense skepticism in the industry. It proved to be a runaway success, however, as TaylorMade’s share of metal woods sales swelled from 30 percent at the start of 2011 to 52 percent in May 2012, according to Forbes.
The amount of non-traditional painted driver heads among top equipment manufacturers has increased significantly in recent years, making a white driver much less polarizing than it once was. Nike’s flagship drivers, the Covert 2.0 models, are painted a glossy red color, while Cobra offers its premium drivers, the Bio Cell and Bio Cell+, in five different colors.
The white SLDR drivers ($399) will be available in lofts of 9.5, 10.5, 12 and 14 degrees with a stock Fujikura Speeder 57 shaft in senior, regular, stiff and x-stiff flexes. They’re currently available for pre-order, and will be available in stores on May 2.
Leadership Change
New Adidas Group North America President Mark King will continue his involvement with the Hack Golf organization he founded, and remain a part of the PGA of America task force dedicated to growing the game of golf.
TaylorMade also announced Thursday morning that CEO Mark King has been appointed President of Adidas Group North America effective June 1. He will be replaced by Ben Sharpe, the current executive vice president of Adidas Golf and Ashworth, and will report to Adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer.
“Mark King’s appointment underlines our clear commitment to the North American marketplace,” Hainer said. “Mark has a proven track record of success and leadership excellence. In turn, TaylorMade-adidas Golf is in best hands with Ben Sharpe who has been part of the successful TaylorMade leadership team since 2006. I am convinced that Ben will lead our golf business into the next era of growth.”
King started with TaylorMade as a sales rep in the 1980s. He was appointed president of the company in 1999, when sales were $347 million. King has since grown TaylorMade to be the largest and most profitable golf company in the world, with sales of 1.7 billion in 2013.
Sharpe, 40, spent six years as TaylorMade’s managing director in Europe prior to becoming the EVP of Adidas Golf and Ashworth in 2006. As managing director, he doubled the company’s business in the region, and also represented Great Britain in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games as a member of the country’s field hockey team.
“Ben’s business savvy, vision, charisma and competitive drive make him the right man to lead TaylorMade-adidas Golf into the future,” King said “My role on the board will allow me to stay connected with the golf business while focusing my efforts on ensuring adidas Group reaches its full potential in North America.”
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
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
Best fairway woods of 2026: The most versatile fairway woods + the most forgiving fairway woods
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
The 24 players who can win the Masters
Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2026 Masters
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun’s winning WITB: 2026 Valero Texas Open
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft:...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2021 Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship 2021 (now the Truist Championship) marked a significant return to form,...
Collin Morikawa WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Tour (14 degrees) Shaft:...
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
-
Equipment1 week agoWhat’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
-
Equipment2 weeks agoCadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
-
Whats in the Bag3 days ago
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoCameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoNelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 Cadillac Championship
bradford
May 8, 2014 at 1:12 pm
I really like the looks of this club. The SLDR was very refined looking, but I couldn’t stand the glossy grey head…just didn’t fit my eye but to each his own on that front.
ND Hickman
Apr 30, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Hate to admit it but I kinda want this. I had an R11S and I hated what they did with the R1’s paint job.
HackerDav
Apr 29, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Say what you will, no other brand in golf generates the amount of emotion… good or bad, than TMaG. 47 comments on a new driver color? It says a lot about their place in the industry… that being at the top of it whether people like it or not.
Matt
Apr 28, 2014 at 9:57 am
Here comes a lemming. Get yourself fit for a SLDR. Limited shaft offerings? Go to the site. Everything you could possibly want. SLDR knocked 1500 off my spin rate. I carried the G25 260 last year with 165 ball speed. My 12 * 460SLDR ADDI6X combo…Carrying it 285. 18* launch/1600 spin. If that makes me a koolaid drinker…fine, Ill take the Red.
JoeJumpMaster
Apr 26, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Next out (in 6 weeks) will be the JetBallz (wait, jets are slower than rockets, but TM will tell you they’re faster) Tour TP Mini white painted (faster, too) and it’s 37.6 yards longer.
And later this summer, they will buy a Persimmon forest, and harvest all the trees and grind them into 11 degree drivers, and tell you that their “enhanced persimmon treating process” is longer than titanium, and it’s not subject to the pesky .83 CoR rule, and that the persimmon driver will make you “Dustin Long.”
Thomas
Apr 20, 2014 at 7:41 pm
The white paint color increases accuracy 5%….
JEFF SMITH
Apr 20, 2014 at 2:18 am
wow…. how original!
Deaus
Apr 18, 2014 at 11:30 am
Now that Mark King has gotten every bit of the Market share he can and has made the company more “valuable” and the company has no place to go but down or level out he leaves so he wont have to take the Heat from Board or shareholders when the company does not continue to grow. His Undercover boss episode proved to me that Taylormade does not care about anything but growing the company(not Golf). From the lowest quality tolerances to claiming white paint increases accuracy. I refuse to support a company like that, even though every 3 or 4 years they release something great (r510 tp, Superquad tp)
fhdsjk
Apr 18, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Superquad TP for the record!! I game that baby and am still yet to be out driven by newer technologies.
Brandon
Aug 31, 2014 at 4:54 pm
that’s because they made good stuff back then. r7 425 still my favorite from that brand.
NG
Apr 18, 2014 at 5:56 pm
And tell me your business is not for profit right?
Brian Butler
Apr 20, 2014 at 9:30 pm
You are some kind of idiot. What is the point of that kind of negativity. Taylormade just does it better then anyone else. Mark King has surrounded himself with smart, talented people. Just because you are not a fan does not mean that you have to be so negative. Get over it. It’s just sport.
Dre
Apr 18, 2014 at 10:45 am
Why do so many people b*%ch and complain (hate), you have a choice – don’t want it or don’t like it – move on. Big corp goons are all about making money and they think change is progress.
I play a mix bag and whatever gets the job done should be the ultimate goal. In addition, I switch drivers every so often like my girlfriends, it could be black, white, red, yellow, etc…
I do want to add that if you have proper fitting, this driver is a low spinning bomber.
Tim
Apr 18, 2014 at 9:40 am
I recently hit one up again my current gamer.. my gamer smoked the SLDR from the fitting cart with it’s limited shaft offerings. Allow for my shaft offerings and I might try head to head again.. otherwise no need to change. GolfWRX will help promote it.. and in 3 months they will do the same for the V2 of it.
joro
Apr 18, 2014 at 9:00 am
Wonder when TM will make White Irons. Good Luck Mark, now is it going to be new styles every week?
HD
Apr 18, 2014 at 9:00 am
I play a white driver to match my belt, and a black golf ball to match the soul of Mark King
Bert
Apr 18, 2014 at 1:27 am
When does the white Jetspeed come out? I smell a Dick’s exclusive
CT
Apr 18, 2014 at 1:09 am
Low spin and a 17 degree launch is not the holy grail. I used to love TM, but I have stopped drinking the kool aid. Too many great drivers out there (Callaway, PING, Titleist, Cobra, etc). It is called product assurance people. It is nice to know that a club will not be drastically discounted/replaced a month after I shell out 400 bucks.
Chuck
Apr 18, 2014 at 1:05 am
What is the over/under on a “new” TM driver by August? The SLDR frankly is not a very forgiving club and most the hacks (swing speed under 90) I fit at Golfsmith should not be hitting it.
neil
Apr 19, 2014 at 5:36 am
Im not a hack but I coudnt hit it.
had a Ping G15 against it and it was night and day better than the SLDR.
Im a decent player 6 cap and just over 90mph.
CT
Apr 20, 2014 at 2:32 pm
PING clubs have amazing longevity. That company does not release inferior products ever
Jon
Apr 20, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Well as a fitter you should know the jetspeed is the right driver
CT
Apr 20, 2014 at 7:40 pm
300 bucks w/ a free hybrid or fairway wood! Must be a great club, so good they need an incentive to buy it
erkr
Apr 18, 2014 at 12:39 am
White Taylormade drivers are nice.
Chris
Apr 17, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Of course …. It’s been 3 months since they put something new out… I mean painted something a different color and calling it a “new” driver absolutely rediculous !!!!! I’ll stick with the Kings of Distance
lee
Apr 17, 2014 at 9:37 pm
I would love to have seen one with a silver crown and black bottom (same as the mini driver).
Mike
Apr 18, 2014 at 9:21 am
You will…
Dave
Apr 17, 2014 at 9:34 pm
The Taylormade rodeo is almost over, Callaway has caught them and Titleist dosnt care! If it wasn’t for the cash most of the PGA would play Titleist and Callaway.
Charlie
Apr 19, 2014 at 1:06 am
+1
HackerDav
Apr 29, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Not sure what you mean in terms of Callaway catching them. As of March, Taylormade still has substantially more marketshare in every category in comparison to them… I can almost certainly assure you that Titleist does in fact care. These are businesses we’re talking about, no hobbies. The sole purpose of these companies is to make money and sell products. Period.
bradford
May 8, 2014 at 1:10 pm
Why wouldn’t “Titleist” care? Acushnet has been trying to avoid going under for ten years. It’s better because it’s more expensive just isn’t holding up anymore.
Vansmack73
Apr 17, 2014 at 8:22 pm
I am in Tokyo now and just saw a black sldr 430
burner42
Apr 17, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Any word on if or when they will make a white SLDR Driver in the TP model?
WILSON
Apr 28, 2014 at 5:57 pm
The same time as the basic one. Check the website.
jc
Apr 17, 2014 at 7:41 pm
they need to make a clear head and then you could put in your own color…maybe mix up some foot coloring and put it in the special taylor made hole (the device will cost 50 dollars extra).
Peter Williams
Apr 17, 2014 at 7:09 pm
I’m now hitting my drives 450m since I first bought a TM Burnet years ago. I’m so grateful that I can add 15m every 6 months
Tony Lynam
Apr 17, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Of course they came out with this club, NOW.
Lee H
Apr 17, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Saw the white model in person. Looks great.
Rodney
Apr 17, 2014 at 5:46 pm
I get the hate for Taylor made, but this isn’t a ‘new driver’, just a different colour, isn’t it just what Callaway & cobra do with their colour choices for drivers? But don’t let facts get in the way of a good rant!!
MD
Apr 17, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Well said ……. If you don’t want the best then use your old a$$ equipment !
SA golfer
Apr 17, 2014 at 4:01 pm
I just hate it when Taylor Made forces people to buy new products……stop hating…..if you don’t like it don’t buy it. Simple
Roger
Apr 17, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Great to see another New Model !
Those tired old R1’s are now very affordable used !
Clearly i’m giving up 17 yards to the SLDR..but
MY ego is ok with a 250 yard driver In The Fairway!
Happy Easter.
Don’t forget, TM is committed to The Growth Of Golf.
That means they are Our Friend ! Wishing you all a Happy Easter !
benseattle
Apr 17, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Damn, do Mark King’s new responsibilities mean that we won’t be able to take advantage of TaylorMade’s traditional bi-annual new product introduction cycle? I love the fact that I can pick up another 17 yards every six months just by spending a paltry $400 on a new driver. I mean, this IS the best way to grow the game, right?
HD
Apr 17, 2014 at 3:03 pm
copy/paste much?
paul
Apr 17, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Ha ha. Agreed
TheFightingEdFioris
Apr 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
I understand the hate and skepticism.. But one thing people cannot deny is that these products just WORK. Did TM really need to bring out a white version? Probably not, but they like making money like anyone else. I was annoyed when I bought the R1 black and then SLDR came out, but I would be even more annoyed if the clubs weren’t fantastic.
MBA-J
Apr 17, 2014 at 10:02 pm
So do other golf clubs from other golf manufacturers not work? I’m confused…
Reggie Ramos
Apr 17, 2014 at 12:48 pm
The Taylormade SLDR driver white with glossy black bottom sounds awesome.
Van BTs
Apr 17, 2014 at 11:46 am
I dig it! Would probably have the crown refinished in Black, but I could give white a shot.
adam
Apr 17, 2014 at 11:29 am
They need to make a SLDR Superdeep in black, just like the R9.
lco21
Apr 17, 2014 at 11:12 am
And let the hate begin in 3…2…1……
MHendon
Apr 17, 2014 at 12:57 pm
And here it comes, Know actually I like the look of it and don’t really care how often Taylormade brings new product to the market. If people want to buy in to the B.S. that Taylormade spews every 3 to 4 months, more power to them!
Frank
Apr 19, 2014 at 10:07 pm
And let the lemmings come to TM’s defense in 3…2…1…