Engineered to help mis-hits perform more like pure strikes
(Carlsbad, Calif.) – Results gathered by TaylorMade Golf Company from thousands of golf club fittings revealed that 76% of all iron shots are mis-hits struck outside the center of the face (where the fastest ball speeds are produced).* This discovery led the company to the development of a revolutionary new technology, designed to improve consistency and distance on off-center hits.
Introducing the new RSi iron family featuring Face Slot Technology, the next great innovation from the company that has pioneered the performance of the modern distance iron.
“Face Slot Technology provides greater consistency across the face, giving players improved performance on mis-hits,” said Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s Director of Product Creation for Irons, Putters & Wedges. “No golfer is perfect, not even the best players in the world hit the center of the club every time. So with RSi, we’re giving all golfers a technology that can help their mis-hits perform more like pure strikes.”
Two years ago, TaylorMade introduced “Speed Pockets” (a small slot in the sole of the iron to improve shots struck low on the face of the iron). The company has taken everything it’s learned from the development of the Speed Pocket technology (originally introduced in its revolutionary RocketBallz fairway wood) and applied it to the iron face to activate the toe and heel areas to provide more uniform flexion across the face and protect ball speed on off-center hits.
Face Slot Technology
Only available with RSi, Face Slots are found in the 3-8 irons. Positioned at the toe and heel, just outside the score lines and vertically spanning 35 to 38mm (depending on the iron number), the slots are cut all the way through the face and filled with a durable epoxy compound. The heel and toe slots allow the face to flex easily and protect ball speed for more consistent distance across the face.
Improved Speed Pocket
In addition to Face Slots, the improved Speed Pocket in the RSi iron features ThruSlot technology – engineered to activate the lower portion of the face by minimizing speed reduction and creating higher launch on shots hit below center. Like Face Slots, the Speed Pocket (found in the 3-7 irons) protects ball speed, launch angle and spin rate, especially on shots struck low on the face.
The two combine to give RSi a larger sweetspot with forgiveness near the toe, heel and bottom of the club.
RSi Lineup
The family of RSi irons features three distinct models; each designed to appeal to the performance needs of different player types.
A look entire RSi iron franchise (from left to right: RSi TP, RSi 2, RSi 1)
RSi 1 features TaylorMade’s Advanced Face Design – an engineering feat that incorporates the company’s thinnest face ever, a deep undercut and Inverted Cone Technology (to extend the COR zone) in order to promote greater ball speed. In addition, a stabilized head structure and multiple dampening systems resulted in improved sound and feel. The new Reax 90 steel shaft from True Temper helps optimize ball flight for max distance and performance.
The most resounding characteristic of the RSi 2 is the Progressive Multi-Material Construction. The 3-5 irons are cast from 450 stainless steel with tungsten weighting to promote a lower CG and slightly higher flight. The mid irons (6-7) are cast of 450 stainless steel, as well. The high-strength material allowed engineers to make the face thinner, undercuts deeper and accommodate slot technology. The short irons (8, 9, PW) incorporate forged faces to promote feel and accuracy; and the wedges are completely forged, giving them the look, feel and workability desired by better players. RSi 2 irons come stock with the all-new KBS Tour 105 shaft.
“The RSi 2 provides the ideal blend of performance and beauty,” said Bystedt. “We have combined a progressive multi-material construction with our most innovative performance technologies to provide the best of all worlds in a slim, beautiful package.”
The RSi TP irons combine the forged look and feel preferred by better players with Face Slot Technology. An advanced two-piece construction merges a premium 1025 forged carbon steel hosel/face with a 431 stainless steel back using plasma welding in the 3-7 irons. This construction provides the precision and feel of a forged iron with the advanced geometry of cast irons – delivering the best of both worlds. The short irons (8-PW) are classic forged heads with a slight muscle cavity. RSi TP irons come stock with the Tour-proven KBS Tour Steel Shaft.
“The RSi TP irons were developed to deliver launch, consistency and feel to take performance to the next level for our Tour Professionals,” added Bystedt. “The shapes of these irons will be instantly pleasing to better players and will have the feel and workability that golfers expect in a forged product. It really is the best combination of performance, look and feel that we’ve created for the world’s best players.”
Nobody’s Perfect
PGA Tour Professionals find the center of the clubface far more often than amateurs, but even the world’s best players miss more often than you think. “We’re not all perfect,” said TaylorMade Tour Staff Professional Jason Day. “We mis-hit shots all the time, but they still go on the green. We’ve just honed our skills to make our mis-hits a little straighter.”
Sergio Garcia is regarded as one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour when he has an iron in his hand, but the mis-hit is also a big factor for him. “I would say that in a given round of golf, we probably mis-hit the ball at least 30% of the time,” said Garcia. “It’s difficult to hit the center of the clubface every time. That’s why it’s important that the club you play helps those little mis-hits perform pretty much as well as your sweetspot hits.”
Pricing and Availability
Both RSi 1 ($799 steel; $899 graphite) and RSi 2 ($999 steel; $1199 graphite) will be available to demo at select TaylorMade retailers on October 15, 2014. Sets (3-PW) can be purchased beginning on November 14, 2014. Individual gap, sand and lob wedges will be available in the RSi 1; while only gap and sand wedges will be available in RSi 2.
RSi TP ($1199) will be at retail on January 15, 2015.
For more information, go to www.mis-hitshappen.com or www.taylormadegolf.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment