Equipment
Spotted: TaylorMade SLDR Fairway Wood
Check out the photos of TaylorMade’s new SLDR fairway wood, which was being tested by Dustin Johnson at the Tour Championship.
The SLDR fairway wood does not have the sliding weight track that was featured on the company’s new SLDR driver. Instead, it has what appears to be a new version of TaylorMade’s Speed Pocket, which like the slot on the company’s new SpeedBlade iron has curved design that looks to cut all the way through the club’s sole. It also has an adjustable hosel that seems to have the same adjustability as the SLDR driver, 1.5 degrees up or down from the standard loft.
Johnson was the first player to test the club at East Lake, a 15.5-degree model, but according to TaylorMade tour reps it’s still up in the air if Johnson will put the club in play this week at East Lake.
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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P Healey
Oct 1, 2013 at 1:28 pm
I believe that the R9 was the last good driver from Taylormade. Everything with an “R” in front of it has been kind of a joke to be honest, and with the constant new releases it is tough for a purist to like Taylormade. But, the SLDR, unlike the R11s, R1, and the RBZs, has captured my attention. I like that there is actually some technology behind it, unlike recent Taylormade drivers which are just about “more adjustability!!!” I am definitely looking forward to trying the SLDR, mainly because of the notion that it is a very low spinning driver. Overall, I think that this is the first promising driver from Taylormade in a while and am excited to try it out soon. Hopefully Taylormade doesnt let me down although I am trying not to get my hopes up!
MB
Nov 20, 2013 at 9:43 pm
The SLDR once matched to the right shaft and the weighting placed by adjusting the sldr mechanism, I have improved my driving distance by 20 yds and am more accurate.
I recently played in a tournament in Fl with 3 members of my home club. I have always been shortest off the tee, (one our pro, and other 2 2-3 hcps and very long) wirh my prior Nike and R 11 before that I was always 20 yds short. But, since my SLDR and Fujikura Fuel stiff shaft, and settings with a draw bia on weights, I crushed to be longer than all but my freaky long pal, Doug. More than that consitsent in center right of tight fairways. By end of trip all were serious about getting SLDR. It Rocks
bl21
Sep 20, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Oh, sweet…. how soon until we can get one for half price?
Kc
Oct 1, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Like 🙂
Tim
Sep 19, 2013 at 10:57 am
Well I certainly have to give them a round of applause. They keep pumping out product and consumers keep buying it. The sole looks quite a bit like the RBZ (slot is a bit different). I do like the change in the paint color. For now I think I will stick with my VSteels.
Dave
Sep 18, 2013 at 8:48 pm
As mentioned, R11 and R11s didn’t have weights, the head isn’t big enough. Plus with the SLDR weight turf interaction would be even more of an issue than with the slot.
TaylorMade gets the fact that the customer base is broken into segments, innovators & early adopter consumers will always buy new b/c it’s new. Early and late majority will buy some at full and at rebate/reduced pricing. The laggards will clean out what’s left at a nice discount. Decide where you fall on that curve and buy what you can afford. I don’t understand the haters, other than TM is clearly winning the club-selling fight… It’s actually BETTER for the consumer to have this accelerated product life cycle. More options, pricing reductions which offset depreciation, etc.
Taylerhater
Sep 18, 2013 at 8:36 pm
The last good fairway taylormade had was the 07 burner TP. I played it for years until the 913FD took it out. The 913FD is a fairway finder beast!!
Dan
Sep 19, 2013 at 8:05 pm
did the same thing
Randy
Sep 18, 2013 at 5:53 pm
They have a small company named gigagolf that has been developing and put out a fairway that looks very similar to this earlier this year. It’s under their pursuit line, they also had a driver with that same slot that they put out 3-5 years ago I think. They even have similar weight cut outs.on the sole. Not a big TM fan, now they are starting to show that technology is not a priority. How do they not put a movable weight on a line that they market a SLDR sliding weight? Step backwards for TM.
Wayne
Sep 18, 2013 at 2:38 pm
What a scam! I still play the 200 steel 3/5 woods reshafted with an Arthur Xcaliber T6.
joro
Sep 18, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Face it, newer is not always better, but it does pull out the suckers that think they buying a game, or the egotists who have to have the newest. Wise people spend their money on a GOOD teacher.
andy
Sep 18, 2013 at 12:42 pm
haha! how absurd.
chris
Sep 18, 2013 at 11:38 am
Combination of the R9 and RBZ fairway woods
Anthony
Sep 18, 2013 at 10:38 am
I’m not sure why more people aren’t happy about this. I think it would be difficult for TM fans who want to upgrade to the newest driver technology to play a gray driver with matte white fairway woods. i think it’s great to maintain a consistency of look throughout the set.
MFB
Sep 18, 2013 at 10:16 am
Wait about 6 months and you can get it for half price when the new SLDR2 woods come out.
gary
Sep 21, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Lol too true.
paul
Sep 21, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Im hoping titleist comes out with a new driver so i can pick up a 913 d3 soon.
OP
Sep 18, 2013 at 9:23 am
Its just looks like the R9 fairway with new graphics. Yawn!
David Winchester
Sep 18, 2013 at 5:57 am
To my eyes the head looks like the old Titleist 906 range.
Popo
Sep 18, 2013 at 1:55 am
TM should provide us with a “Slot-cleaning” stick
JD
Sep 17, 2013 at 11:34 pm
This thing looks graat, SOOOOOO happy the white trend has come and gone, despite that last statment, I’m still gaming a superfast 2.0 TP 3w and a R11s 5w, love them both, been hard to get out of the bag. Interested to hit this, IMO taylormade makes the best fairway woods.
Desmond
Sep 18, 2013 at 11:09 am
You’re jerking us around, right?
TM makes very unfriendly fairway woods.
The stock shafts are of poor quality, the heads are not exactly high launching, and the stock lengths are a prescription for failure.
Cannon
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Taylormade is making its return to golf clubs and taking a break from the toy industry…
Andrew
Oct 14, 2013 at 9:02 pm
I totally agree with you this club looks great and classic, but you gotta admit those “toys” are pretty fun. R1 owner*
Desmond
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:13 pm
I’m waiting for them to sell the fairway wood for the rest of us … you know, the guys with moderate swing speeds.
Tried the RBZ and Stage 2 – failures for normal guys.
Bye, TM.
eg
Sep 17, 2013 at 9:38 pm
the speedpocket there looks like a smiling minion
Dan
Sep 17, 2013 at 9:26 pm
reminds me of the burner TP 3W
cj
Sep 17, 2013 at 8:45 pm
I might actually like this TM fairway wood
Rick
Sep 17, 2013 at 7:42 pm
This is Taylormade being bored and putting their marketing department to the test.
“Can we take a club we released last year (RBZ fairway wood, original), paint it grey, call it a Little Hamburger, and still get people to buy a “new” club!? Let’s try!”
NG
Sep 17, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Well done- first negetive comment! I propose you have your eyes checked…first things first, the speed pocket is totally different by the look of it so your statement the have restamped an painted this club is a load of…!
pooch
Sep 17, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Looks like a deep face for a lower trajectory. Better have some swing speed.
Billy
Sep 17, 2013 at 5:22 pm
I like these better than the driver, and I am not a TM fan at all.
NG
Sep 17, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Best looking fairway I’ve seen in a long time from TM, almost has a Vsteel look about it….and with speed pocket, I’m in!
R
Sep 17, 2013 at 2:46 pm
if the feel and sound are as good on this wood as they are on the driver i’m buying
Lloyd
Sep 17, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Well wot can I say I want one or two now great looking club perfect match for the SLDR driver
Will o'the Glen
Sep 17, 2013 at 1:49 pm
The Marketing Team seems to be wagging the dog at TaylorMade.
KK
Sep 17, 2013 at 1:45 pm
SLDR without the SLDR feature. Kinda like a Speedblade without the blade. I think TM is doing this intentionally to annoy discerning golfers and TM critics. Next, they will turn bladed putters into precision mallets, hybrids into driving hyper-irons and 3 woods into inverted mega-swing tour driving pistons.
MorikawaTMaG
Sep 18, 2013 at 12:47 am
you wont see a diffrence in woods, its like why they didnt have the movable weights in the r11 and r11s woods
yomomma
Sep 17, 2013 at 1:35 pm
It doesn’t even have a sliding weight! haha this is an entirely different concept then the SLDR driver, so why the same name…?
Alex
Sep 17, 2013 at 4:53 pm
Being so die hard Titleist and being so against Taylormade I can’t really believe I’m saying this but I actually like the look of this club.
Cannon
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Has a finish that looks similar to old titliest woods.
joe
Sep 19, 2013 at 2:58 pm
hahaha… totally agree… it does look nice though
MorikawaTMaG
Sep 17, 2013 at 1:12 pm
nice!