Equipment
Proof of a TaylorMade TP line in 2014?
For months, there has been speculation in our forums about the revival of TaylorMade’s TP (Tour Preferred) line of clubs, the company’s famed lineup of tour-inspired designs that target better golfers.
Finally, a photo of a TaylorMade SLDR 430 driver with a TP logo hit the forums (thanks member ZJohnson), the first real indication that TaylorMade is likely to launch at least one TP-branded club in 2014.
Recent drivers such as TaylorMade’s R11, R11S, R1 and SLDR models have been offered in a TP version, but that has only indicated a change in shaft, not a change in the design of the head. The last time golfers saw a TP-branded driver that had a different club head design was in 2011, when the company launched the Burner SuperFast 2.0 TP driver.
A TP driver is the least anticipated of TaylorMade’s rumored TP releases, however, as the company’s adjustable hosel system has removed much of the need for a special TP driver head.
While the original TaylorMade R510 TP driver had a distinct head design, later glued-hosel drivers had an identical head design, with the exception of a more opened face angle at address. TaylorMade’s latest adjustable hosel system on its SLDR 460 driver, called “Loft Sleeve,” allows golfers to set the face as much as 2-degrees closed or 6-degrees open, with several different variations in between.
The biggest hope from most members of our forums is that TaylorMade will release a new line of forged irons in 2013 with the TP logo. Although TaylorMade’s 2010 line of forged irons carried the “Tour Preferred” name, they did not include a TP badge like TaylorMade’s R9 TP and R7 TP irons.
Above: TaylorMade’s 2008 RAC TP Smoke irons.
The R7 TP and R9 TP irons were both cast, however, which is why they are not held in the same regard as TaylorMade’s RAC TP 2005 irons and the RAC MB Smoke 2008 irons, which were both forged and carried TP badging.
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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mikey tee
Mar 1, 2014 at 11:25 pm
There was a TP logo on the ’09 Super Deep driver !
Supedefy
Dec 14, 2013 at 10:26 pm
lol
Just wait few more months after TP version launches. TM will launch the WHITE SLDR woods.
ttgolf
Nov 10, 2013 at 8:47 am
What really sucks on the retail side is they come out with more product before you can even get your precook order in. I prebooked my 2014 order two months ago and I’m going to have to go back and see what all has already changed. Getting to where I hate TM. I’m seeing where customers are now not buying TM new product, they wait on the price to drop in 30 days or see it on the used rack. TM was definitely not my best seller in 2013.
tallPK
Nov 8, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Taylor Made, Taylor Made, Taylor Made…. If you ask me Taylor Made toooooooo many clubs!!!!! How about giving the R&D… I mean… the marketing department a vacation TM? At least let the golf “super” stores get rid of the model you put out 2 months ago. I don’t know how you can have any brand loyalty when you’ve saturate the market with “the latest and greatest” every month. Titlist get’s it – every 2 years irons and woods.
J Duf
Nov 8, 2013 at 9:34 am
Me Likey! Looks like a deep faced compact head that also has the most current adjustability technology.
Pingback: TaylorMade announces extension of SLDR lineup | Adam Stanley Communications
joro
Nov 7, 2013 at 10:13 am
Come and get while you can. It will be obsolete in a few months.
By Taylor Made,,,,,,,,, AKA Engulf and Devour
joro
Nov 7, 2013 at 10:10 am
Come and get it while you can, it will be obsolete in a few months.
By Taylor Made,,,,,,,,,,,,,,AKA Engulf and Devour
paul
Nov 4, 2013 at 1:21 pm
This is so awesome!! Another TM product. if this comes out in January then i will be even more excited about what comes out in march, June, September and December. No wonder they take up so much space at golftown, if you need to have 20 of every driver on the shelf ad you have 3-5 models a year and there is any stock from the previous year you need half a store for the drivers!
K
Nov 8, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Haha I work at Golftown, 20 of each at least on the floor… another 60 of each in the back.
P
Nov 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Just checked on RPRO SLDR 430 coming soon at Golf Town
Zachary yaz
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:12 am
just what we needed another taylormade line
Just sayin'
Nov 3, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Taylormade releases too many different clubs
ZJohnson
Nov 3, 2013 at 5:13 pm
You are welcome for the photos everyone…
Jeff Holman
Nov 4, 2013 at 8:30 am
Is this going to be more of a deep faced driver, like the superdeep or just a 430 version of the original head? I can’t really tell from the pics. Thanks
ZJohnson
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Oh yeah…cg moved up even more.
David
Nov 7, 2013 at 9:59 am
Thanks Zach! You’re a great guy .
naflack
Nov 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm
i would like to play a round of golf with someone who could consistently hit those irons.
Jon
Nov 3, 2013 at 5:39 pm
its not that hard to hit those, the taylormade musclebacks are actually pretty forgiving
naflack
Nov 3, 2013 at 5:50 pm
there isnt anything forgiving about the iron shown in the above photos. i hit the original smoke blades cause a buddy who is scratch had them. he got rid of them in a months time cause even he didnt have the time to practice enough to always be on when playing them. yes, there are more forgiving blades available on the market as a whole, i dont buy for a second these are in that category.
that said, if theyre easy for you to hit then good on you.
Jon
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:38 am
Well I guess it could be my ball striking, but I find these irons more forgiving and softer than the Nike MB’s
WILSON
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Same thing here man. I had the old Tiger blades (before the VR anything) and the next set I had were MB Smoke TP’s. I found the taylormades more forgiving as well.
Jack
Nov 4, 2013 at 3:17 am
The 08 Rac TP looks anything but forgiving. You better have some serious ball striking skills along with supreme swing speed to hit those puppies in the long irons.
WILSON
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I played em for 3 years. not that unforgiving, I promise.
naflack
Nov 5, 2013 at 10:05 pm
you got some ocean front property in arizona?
Dick Nuggets
Dec 22, 2013 at 11:11 am
Play ’em too and they’re a great club. Then again, I’m a +1. Naflack, stay away from these clubs. You obviously sound like you should stick with your oversized Big Berthas.
lloyd duffield
Nov 3, 2013 at 3:11 pm
ITS GOOD TO SEE THE TP LOGO BACK ON THERE CLUBS AND ITS ABOUT TIME THEY RELEASED SOME NEW FORGED IRONS BRANDING THE TP LOGO. AS IVE HEARD TAYLORMADE IS NOT RELEASING A SPEEDBLADE TOUR IRON SO DO THIS INDICATE THAT THERE BE A TP RANGE NEXT YEAR ? HOPE SO
mike
Nov 3, 2013 at 11:24 pm
WHAT!? WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING!?
Blair
Nov 4, 2013 at 4:48 pm
LOUD LOUD NOISES
WILSON
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I LOVE LAMP
tallPK
Nov 8, 2013 at 1:05 pm
you win Wilson
tyler
Nov 3, 2013 at 1:50 pm
I played the r7 TP’s and the r9 tp’s iron sets. Both really solid clubs. I’m a Ping man now but I’m glad to see TM going back to the TP.
Rich
Nov 3, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Well, TM is back tracking to the LOGO that looks like it came off a corvette. TM is just like a spoiled woman who can’t make up her mind.
Jealous of the Wilson Staff shield logo! Ho Hum!
CR
Nov 4, 2013 at 2:14 am
Yeah, they should at least update the logo a bit and make it a bit more non-comic looking.