Podcasts
Don’t worry, TaylorMade’s “Twist Face” doesn’t look weird at address
Does TaylorMade’s “Twist Face” M3 and M4 driver technology actually work? And more importantly, does it look weird? Equipment expert Brian Knudson and GolfWRX editor Andrew Tursky discuss TaylorMade’s new face design, their own hot takes for the upcoming season, and the number of PGA Tour player-sponsor switches already in 2018.
Click here to listen on iTunes, or listen on SoundCloud below.
Do you enjoy the Two Guys Talkin’ Golf podcast? Leave your tips, suggestions and segment ideas in the comments below!
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
I break down my first top 10 zero-torque putter rankings for 2026. From the biggest names in the category to a few under-the-radar surprises, I dive into what makes each of these putters stand out and how they performed. I have used every one of these putters on the list, both in practice and on the course.
Talk about feel, consistency, forgiveness, and of course, whether zero-torque technology actually delivers on its promise to help you start more putts on line. If you have been curious about making the switch or just want to know which models are leading the pack this year, this episode has you covered.
Did your favorite putter make the list?
In Episode 49, the boys chat with Johnny Thompson, a longtime Callaway Golf employee. Johnny has worked in some great roles within the company, including years as a Tour Rep for Odyssey and Callaway. He has spent time on the LPGA Tour, Champions Tour, and PGA Tour and is now working as the Tour Content Manager for the company. JT is a fun guy and someone that is very knowledgeable in the clubfitting and Tour worlds.
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emil
Jan 6, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Most on this topic tread are posting ignorant nonsense and obviously don’t understand vertical and horizontal gear effect and how bulge and roll affect gear effect and ball flight. Gearheads only love the look of their driver.
Been There, Seen That
Jan 8, 2018 at 12:12 pm
And other people are posting nonsense about TM being the first ever company to modify bulge AND roll on a driver. Absolutely false. TM was the first to launch a multi-million dollar campaign based on modifying both bulge AND roll. This has been done in MANY clubs for MANY years, without the marketing machine that is TM.
I’m not saying there is or isn’t a slight benefit to the technology. I’m simply saying TM is not the first company to do this, and your claim is completely bogus. For you to know this, you’d have to have inside knowledge of how ALL manufacturers have designed their clubs for years. Do you have said info? As I truthfully stated, TM is the first to use it as a marketing campaign.
Paul
Jan 5, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Around 42:00
emil
Jan 5, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Twist Face = Open toe and closed heel?
Keep weights forward to reduce spin?
(so much shitchat chatter …. đ )
Marooned
Jan 5, 2018 at 7:37 am
I love people who complain and says that this is shit without hitting it, seeing in person etc
Itâs like saying that âI donât like cucumber but iâve never tasted itâ.
Come back with honest opinions when youâve tried clubs in Trackman with the right shaft for you, lie angle etc. After that itâs a valuable opinion. Not before, thatâs just ignorant and honestly stupid.
emil
Jan 4, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Tom Wishon was a WRX contributor in the past. He designed drivers with a flat face. I wonder if WRX Staff could ask him to comment on the TM Twist Face design and claims.
Golfaholic
Jan 4, 2018 at 10:46 pm
Major bogey for Taylormade when they have to pay for an article titled: “No the driver is not hideous…we promise!”
Reminds me of when my kid tells me not to look at the right side of my car. “The dent is hardly noticeable.”
Dat
Jan 4, 2018 at 9:36 pm
This is not new technology, just new marketing.
emil
Jan 4, 2018 at 11:00 pm
TM believe their new “Twist Face” technology will help golfers. Nothing wrong with that.
The dude
Jan 6, 2018 at 7:56 am
Ok….who was first??
emil
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:08 pm
TM were first to modify the bulge AND roll. Cobra only modified the roll.
Roll = vertical gear effect …… Bulge = horizontal gear effect.
Been There, Seen That
Jan 8, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Absolutely false. TM was the first to launch a multi-million dollar campaign based on modifying both bulge AND roll. This has been done in MANY clubs for MANY years, without the marketing machine that is TM.
SK
Jan 4, 2018 at 7:03 pm
Sorry, but I will not spend over one hour listening to the podcasts and I’m submitting these comments and questions on that basis of reading the first article published on WRX with no comments section.
http://www.golfwrx.com/483160/taylormade-launches-m3-and-m4-drivers-that-have-a-twist-face/
The M3 driver with the TWIST FACE is possibly one of the most groundbreaking design innovations in driver technology. Congratulations.
As for Dustinâs M3 weight setup shown in the picture in the first article, it appears he wants the weights shifted closest to the clubface thus bringing the driver CG well forward.
Recreational golfers will want to have the CG pulled back for more gear effect.
How is the gear effect being optimized with the Twist Face for both players?
Bazzel explains, in the first WRX article:
⹠At 15mm above CF (center face) and 15mm to the toe, the loft will be 0.5 (degrees) weaker and 0.5 degrees more open than standard bulge and roll.
âą At 15mm below CF (center face) and 15mm to the heel, the loft is going to be 0.5 degrees stronger and 0.5 degrees more closed than standard bulge and roll.
OkayâŠ. but where are the sole weights located with each of these performance conditions?
If you slide the weights closer to the face the CG also moves closer to the face and gear effect is diminished.
If you slide the weight farthest from the face the CG moves back and the gear effect is enhanced.
Your numbers mix horizontal and vertical gear effects. How do they perform with separate horizontal and vertical impact conditions? Thanks again and congratulations.
emil
Jan 7, 2018 at 3:55 pm
* * * crickets * * *
Lance
Jan 4, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Cobra has has canted bulge and roll since the 2012 amp line. 6 years late taylormade and not revolutionary.
Ray
Jan 4, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Bulge and Roll along with gear effect has existed forever in club design. Both Cobra and TM have put their own spin on it. No more no less. They both have their own marketing terms for it. Cobra didn’t invent it 6 years ago.
emil
Jan 4, 2018 at 11:03 pm
Bulge and roll was traditionally measured with a constant radius across the face of the driver. The Twist Face has variable radii across the face from top to bottom and across the face. They have refined bulge and roll with their new design and have tested it enough to put it out to market.
Dylnr
Jan 5, 2018 at 9:12 pm
I’m going to link an article here, but I don’t know why because no one is actually going to read it.
http://theaposition.com/golf-equipment/pga-show/2142/cobra-amp-driver
Like Lance said above, Cobra did this 6 years ago in their AMP Driver. This is like when you steal your friends homework from the previous quarter, copy it onto your paper, switch some variables, and put your name at the top.
“The AMP (Advanced Material Placement) driver features a new canted bulge with dual roll design the company says provides more distance to shots hit above and below the centerline. Cobra says its research shows most average players miss shots low on the heel and high on the toe, which the company addressed with the E9 Face technology in its S3 driver.”
Low heel and high toe… Sound familiar? Don’t fall for the latest marketing scheme and fancy technology name. Besides twist face is only twisted 0.5 degrees in the toe and 0.5 degrees in the heel. You’re telling me a guy in China polishing Taylormade driver faces is that accurate? I’d much rather prefer my driver face to be machined like Cobra’s F8 and F8+ drivers.
Dylnr
Jan 5, 2018 at 9:19 pm
You can also jump to 00:30 in this video for an explanation of how Cobra designed their drivers for the low heel and hight toe miss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn7ggF6UZes
Lance
Jan 5, 2018 at 11:10 pm
Thanks for the follow up and the article. Hopefully people read it and don’t get seduced by the taylomade marketing machine!
emil
Jan 6, 2018 at 12:47 am
TM have compensated both the bulge and roll curvatures in their Twist Face, whereas Cobra only modified the roll and not the bulge.
Bulge affects the horizontal gear effect across the face; roll affects the vertical gear effecct.
TM design compensates for both horizontal and vertical gear effect and Cobra only for vertical gear effect. TM is the winner.
Dylnr
Jan 11, 2018 at 5:50 pm
I’m sorry that you fail to see how Cobra’s canted bulge and roll does the exact same thing. Best of luck with your hand polished face.