I was going to edit my post above, but for some reason that option isn't avaliable.
To update, I didn't realize it, but after checking my alignment on the range, I somehow had drifted toward being open at setup. I 'got a clue' when I started fading the D I'd bought.
To make a long story short, after correcting my setup, it turns out the N was the best configuration for me. Luckily, we have a great Nevada Bob's nearby and the owner let me take a demo N to the range to verify this. I switched and now I'm hitting the N straight and long.
Even though I have basically replaced everything in my bag over the last 4 months, I am not an equipment junkie. I had a Cleveland OS 410 driver in the bag, and was happy with it. I had heard many good things about the r5, so when I was at the pro shop I took her for a spin. OHMYGAWD!!!! This dog can hunt. It has replaced my Cleveland and I am now hitting from places on the course I have never been before. Maybe I should jump onto this technology bandwagon. Nice stick.
I bought the R5 N at end of last year. First time I used it I hit 8 out of 12 fairways with it. I usually hit 50% of the fairways. Considering was the first time I played in 4 months due to the winter they was no doubt this club is forgiving and long. Looking forward to a great spring and summer of golf with it.
Am planning to buy the R5 though am unsure of whether to pick up the stiff or regular shaft. Have decided to stay with TM's shaft and hit both quite similarly. I can surely feel the difference between the two but dont know my own swing speed (Im a beginner). The ball speed on the simulator averages between 116-122 mph and the ball carries slightly farther with the stiff so if anyone can shed some light that would be great.
I tried out an R5 last week--10.5* R shaft. Was pretty happy with it but seemed to pull the ball left a lot. ( I am normally a high fade player.) But I have a friend who wants to sell me his and I am interested--but can anyone tell me how to not pull the ball? I am NOT used to that!
I tried out an R5 last week--10.5* R shaft. Was pretty happy with it but seemed to pull the ball left a lot. ( I am normally a high fade player.) But I have a friend who wants to sell me his and I am interested--but can anyone tell me how to not pull the ball? I am NOT used to that!
The one you tried was probably the model with the draw bias. That's the one I have as well - 10.5* R shaft. The face is a couple of degrees closed I believe. I was also a high fade driver of the ball and there was an adjustment period where I was going left for awhile. I've used it about 7 times now and am hitting it straighter than ever. It's gone from being my most troublesome club to one of the best in my bag. For me it was just trial and error, playing around with my set-up, alignment and ball position. How much does your friend want for it ? It's a great club, IMO, and I tried several. Sorry I can't give you any specifics to help with you pulling it, but I'm really not qualified and it could be any number of reasons.
I normally use a Callaway ERC II, but I had a chance to take a friend's R5 out for a round. After a few missed fairways, I hit a 325 yard drive down a zero slope fairway using a prov1. In three years of using the ERC my best drive was 315. I've always been happy with Callaway, but now I'm definitely going to look into Taylormades in the future.
I just got mine yesterday, R5 Dual N 10.5, AldilaNVS 65 Stiff and I LOVE it. I had a mad issue with drivers and I pulled my teeth to by this one, glad i did. I had some slice issues at first, but a simple rotation of my forward wrist on set up seemed to straighten me out. I may invest in the Draw version just to see if it fits me better.
Location: Wonderland where golf is way too expensive
Posts: 127
Everything about my R5 is great....except I prefer the sound of my classic big bertha war birds. Hence, I gave it a 4 star. Can't wait to hit it in a couple of hours..(still in the office now)
The 2 clubs are very different. The r5 is more forgiving. The 454 worked the ball using the gear effect and this helped on miss-hits. The r5 has a huge sweet spot that seems to keep a miss-hit on line - with not a whole lot of distance loss. But also, I find that I can still hit cuts and slight draws with the r5 (tho I still have to guard against a wicked hook-my swing fault). The stock stiff shaft is still whippy (for a stiff) so the jury is out on working the ball accurately but the feel is there for the club to make the shot regardless.
Distance-wise, I experience no real difference. For me I will keep the club for the feel & forgiveness. Incidentally, these clubs have not outdistanced my old standby, the Ping TiSi,Tec but they have better kept the ball in play. The old ping can beat these by at least 10-20 yards or more.
I bought a 10.5 degree, D bias, with the Adila regular flex shaft. Played with it for the first time yesterday. I constantly fight a slice off the tee, so I was hoping this club would help. Now I hadn't played in about 4 months so I was a little rusty. My usual score is around 98-100. I didn't get to take it to the range prior to playing with it so the first nine was a learning experience. I had hit a few balls in the backyard with it and the slice had become a fade, so I was looking forward to getting out on the course. What I found during the first nine holes, was that if I really try to kill the ball, I hook it left. If I swing 80-85% it goes right down the middle of the fairway. Scored a 54 on the fron nine, while I was working this out. Back nine was a much better score of 44. This was pretty good for me as I have been struggling to break 90. I get close occasionally, but have yet to get into the 80s. Going out again tomorrow and hope to put two nines back to back with the same success I had on the back nine yesterday. I hit more fairways than ever before. I am hitting it longer than the TM Ti360 I have been using, but I'm not sure it's carrying farther, just getting more roll in the short grass. SO far I'm really happy with this club.